Ole Red Nashville Airport — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed a sign stating to seat myself anywhere. I sat down with some leftover food from Shake Shack. My plan was to order wings and a few old-fashioned cocktails since I was going to be there for a while. When the waitress approached, the first thing she mentioned was that outside food wasn't allowed in the restaurant. I explained that I intended to order from the menu, but she insisted I couldn’t have my Shake Shack bag in the restaurant and that I would need to leave.

Frustrated, I left my bags and belongings at the table and quickly ate my burger outside. This rule felt unreasonable, especially in an airport setting where travelers often carry snacks from previous flights or layovers. It seemed to be enforced more for power than for practical reasons.

After finishing my burger, I returned to my seat. When the waitress came back, I was too upset to order the wings and drinks I had planned on. She must have informed the manager, who then approached me, reiterating that I needed to order something or leave. I explained the situation, but he insisted it was a health code violation. This seemed inconsistent, as other small snacks wouldn’t be seen as violations.

Reluctantly, I ordered a Coke. The manager brought the drink along with the bill and requested my card immediately, showing no interest in allowing me to order more items. This indicated poor business management and a lack of customer care. The restaurant missed out on additional sales, the waitress missed out on a potential tip, and the policy enforcement seemed more about power than practicality.

The Coke was overpriced at over $5, and when I asked neighboring diners, I found out it was more than they had paid. The manager’s insistence on closing out my bill right away only added to the negative experience. While the atmosphere was pleasant, I can't comment on the food because I never got the chance to try it due to the poor handling of...

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If you’re ever passing through the Nashville airport and feel the urge to stop at Ole Red for a bite, do yourself a favor—don’t. I’ve had more satisfying meals at gas stations off the interstate in the middle of nowhere, and at least there, the tea didn’t come with mystery floaters.

Let’s start with the service, or rather, the complete absence of it. I sat at my table for a good ten minutes before anyone acknowledged I existed, and when they finally did, it felt like I was inconveniencing them. The server seemed annoyed, rushed, and completely uninterested in being anywhere within ten feet of a customer. I get it—it’s an airport. But when you charge real-restaurant prices, maybe act like one.

Then came the food. I ordered a chicken sandwich. What I got was cold, limp, and sadder than a country song with no chorus. The bun was stale, the chicken had all the warmth and life of a snowman in January, and the fries looked like they’d been under a heat lamp since last Tuesday. To make matters worse, the plate wasn’t even clean—there was dried sauce crusted to the rim, like they’d half-wiped it and gave up halfway through.

And the drink? Oh, you mean the sweet tea that came with some unidentified object floating in it? I still don’t know if it was a piece of food, a bug, or part of a mop string. All I know is I nearly swallowed it. When I pointed it out, the server gave me a blank look, took the glass, and never came back with a replacement.

Ole Red is trading on name alone, and it shows. If this is Blake Shelton’s idea of hospitality, then I’m guessing he’s never actually eaten here. Because no one who respects food, music, or humans would allow this level of laziness to bear their name.

Skip it. Get a protein bar and a bottle of water from the newsstand. You’ll spend less, eat better, and avoid the...

I don’t usually write reviews, but after the incredible service from Jason and Chelsea, I had to share my experience. From the moment we sat down, they made us feel like VIPs—not in an over-the-top way, just genuinely warm, attentive, and great at what they do. Jason was on another level. He knew the menu inside and out, had great recommendations, and somehow managed to keep our drinks full without us ever having to ask. But what really impressed me? Halfway through the meal, we started chatting, and I found out that Jason isn’t just an amazing server—he’s also an experienced zookeeper who, believe it or not, has actually tamed lions. Yes, real lions. At first, I thought he was joking, but then he casually described the patience, skill, and confidence it takes to work with wild animals, and suddenly, it all made sense. The guy has the kind of calm, commanding presence that makes you feel completely taken care of—whether it’s handling a table full of hungry guests or, you know, keeping a lion from eating someone. Chelsea was equally fantastic. She had such an upbeat and friendly energy that made the whole experience even better. She checked in at just the right moments and made sure we had everything we needed without ever making it feel forced. You could tell she genuinely cares about making people’s experiences great, and it showed in every little detail. Between Jason’s lion-taming skills and Chelsea’s effortless hospitality, I can honestly say this was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in...