We talk about it all the time – ‘Old Nashville’ vs. ‘New Nashville.’ Well, at least those of us who have lived in Nashville for long enough to be considered ‘local.’ At this rate, I think living here for a year qualifies. Anyway, things have changed quite a bit in this city over the course of my lifetime, including the spots and restaurants we used to love. Nowadays, it’s a veritable smorgasbord of options from all different styles and cuisines. You can get just about anything in Nashville. That wasn’t always the case, though.
I thought about this post after it was announced that the downtown Demos’ location would be closing up. Just a real shame – I love that New Nashville has this burgeoning food scene that sprinkles high quality meals and diverse menus all across the city. But, at what cost, Nashville? I’ll tell you – the cost of our fabled institutions of yesteryear. Yes, I’m aware that Demos’ closed due to the ‘rona – just let me be dramatic, okay?
The point is that – shocker – the city has changed dramatically from when I was a kid until now. I can’t even imagine what the generations before me must be feeling. I’ve heard my family glowingly talk about places I never had the chance to experience – Jaco’s Pizza, Taco Tico, and the staples that still exist today such as Bobbie’s Dairy Dip and Wendell Smith’s. So, looking back inspired me to pull my own favorite spots from Old Nashville out of my memory. After all, I do run a website writing about Nashville. *shrugs*
Feel free to put my ass in check too, if I left something glaring off my list. I’m 34 years old. I’m from Mount Juliet. So, there might be some stuff that you experienced that I didn’t Feel free to shout out your favorite spots from Old Nashville in the comments below. On to my list…
The Mount Rushmore of Old Nashville Dining
The Old Spaghetti Factory – the cream of the crop, the absolute pinnacle of Old Nashville. Hell, The Old Spaghetti Factory was like the ONLY reason a kid from east of town would venture downtown back in the 1990s. It was a real special occasion to get that spumoni at the end of a good meal. I even recall taking a field trip to the Old Spaghetti Factory. That’s how you now it’s a real landmark – the Nashville Zoo, the Cumberland Science Center, and the Old Spaghetti Factory. Real educational value to be absorbed there for a young mind.
The day they close down the Old Spaghetti Factory is the day Old Nashville officially dies.
Demos’ – Yep – we’re talking about the very establishment that inspired this piece. The fine dining that is Demos’ was a rare treat back in my day. Hell, even as an adult, when I worked downtown, I would still get that craving for some of that bread and some chicken alfredo. Even with all of the options downtown, sometimes, we’d find ourselves at Demos’ for lunch. It really is a timeless classic.
Hooters – Man, we thought we were LIVING LIFE back in 2004. We thought we were such hot shit piling into one car and driving downtown to do it big at the Hooters. Of course, we always thought the waitresses were into us because they would write smiley faces on our receipts.
Oh, to be young and dumb again. But, looking back, it’s funny – like….the way we used to get amped up to go to the Red Rooster in our 20s, that’s how hyped we would get to go to the Hooters downtown in high school. Maybe I shouldn’t be admitting this now that I stop and think about it…
Gerst Haus – I feel like this is going to be the most controversial choice here, because based on the reaction to some of the work I’ve done on this here website, I feel like it’s not out of pocket for me to say I’m one of roughly a dozen people in Nashville that actually liked the Gerst Haus. But, the state of German food in this city is downright trash – if I’m wrong, someone please let me know where I can get some good German grub.
There was something so simple and hearty about the food at the Gerst Haus. Just a plate of sausage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and a pint of Yazoo Gerst – no bells and whistles….just a good sturdy meal. Right now, my favorite German spot is Brewhaus, which is two hours away in Chattanooga. Yeah – I miss having easy access to a good big plate of German food.
Like I said, if I left something out, feel free to holler about it in the comments – what are some of your favorite spots from Nashville’s past?
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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