A week ago, Big Daddy let us know that the Daddy’s Dogs location over in The Nations had been broken into. As a call to arms, we wrote about it, and my fiancé and I went out to give them our money on Sunday. This is the story of that fateful late morning/early afternoon.
First off, we all know that the hot dog is officially the official food of the summer. There’s just nothing quite like a good dawg to commemorate this special time of year. So, really, there’s no better time to get out there and grab one. Second of all, I’ve gone off record and called Daddy’s Dogs some of the best comfort food in the city. I stand by that – whether you get your’s loaded up with all of the fixins, or you just like it plain, this is a physically and emotionally satisfying meal. I used to eat it all the time from the cart parked out around 4th Avenue.
So, I was more than happy to get this bad boy into the official archives of the Nashville Reviews here on SoBros Network. Let’s dig in.
For more on Daddy’s Dogs, follow ’em on Instagram and check out their menu up on their website.
Pics
Ratings
Food: 7.6/10 – I had the Carolina. My fiancé had the Music City. I like a plain dog every now and then, but for the most part, I say, “load my shit up.” That’s exactly what Daddy’s Dogs did. And, shout out to this coleslaw – I love slaw on a dog, but I could’ve eaten this stuff with a spoon. Inject it straight into my veins, if you will. I love a good toasted bun (that’s what she said), and the quality of the dog itself was E L I T E. I like my bacon a little more chewy and a little less crispy – they nailed that to my liking.
But, the real superstar was the “secret sauwce,” which tied the whole thing together. It gave the Carolina dawg a unique flavor from other dawgs that simply load up on the slaw. I’ve had several off the menu throughout the years, but this is the one, y’all. Top dawg in my book.
Of course, I couldn’t write a complete review if I didn’t at least try the Music City as well, and it was rock solid. I love the globs of melted cheddar cheese – mixed with the dawg and the bbq sauce, it almost had a tinge of a sweet smoky flavor.
Then, to include loaded tots, absolutely smothered with chili, cheese, onions, and sour cream, holy shit. You’re talking about feeling a level of satisfaction that I haven’t felt since Batista beat Triple H at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
There’s no better testament to how much we loved this meal than the fact that we were joking about having Daddy’s Dogs served at our wedding…except I don’t really think we were joking. I actually wasn’t joking. Were you joking, Aura?
Booze: 4.6/10 – If you love Miller High Life, then hot damn – this is your place (and, to be clear, I fucking LOVE Miller High Life). They even serve up 40s on ice with a few glasses to split with your friends. The Brass Monkey off the brunch menu sounds like a blast waiting to happen, too. But, if the high life ain’t you’re thinking, then I’m afraid you’re SOL.
Value: 8.2/10 – It’s the best thing about Daddy’s Dogs, in my opinion. These guys were named the best hot dog in Nashville by the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville Awards in 2019. You’re getting THE BEST, at a killer spot to hang out and eat, and you’re spending a lot less than you would at all of your favorite trendy spots around town. This is absolutely right up the alley of guys like me.
Atmosphere: 7.1/20 – I love The Nations. You’re still downtown(ish), and you get some of those trendy new vibes as the kids are saying, but there’s still enough space to breathe, and I quite enjoy the industrial scenery surrounding the location. As far as the pandemic goes, I thought they did a great job of spacing everyone out, everyone was wearing a mask, and I didn’t feel in danger or unsafe at all. Seems like an awesome spot to kill some High Lifes with the boys on a Saturday.
Overall: 6.88/10 – I said what I said – it’s some of the best comfort food in the city. You’re not going to be paying for some fancy shmancy restaurant vibe. You’re paying for the best fucking hot dog in Nashville, plain and simple. And, you’re going to be paying a great price for the amount of food you get, mind you. I love Daddy’s Dogs – I don’t know how else to say it. I consider it a staple of Nashville’s late night scene, but putting it in that box is too easy. It’s great any time of day, any day of the week. High marks all around from this degenerate writer.
CURRENT NASHVILLE RESTAURANT RANKINGS
- Butcher & Bee (8.5/10)
- Nectar: Urban Cantina (8.44/10)
- Von Elrod’s (8.17/10)
- Catch 22 (Mount Juliet) (7.125/10)
- Red’s 615 Kitchen (7/10)
*Keep in mind, we’re just starting out. This list is only 36 deep at this point. Stay tuned as we continue to build our anthology of Nashville reviews.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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