For about as long as I can remember, I’ve been eating at Kilgore’s all the way out in Smithville, Tennessee. My grandparents lived in Smithville, so for the better part of the last 30 years, we’d head up there to visit every once in awhile. It was one of their favorite spots to eat in the event that we actually ate out up there, and because of those family trips, Kilgore’s still holds a special place in my heart. Every now and then, I get the urge to reminisce a little bit, and I’ll make that drive out to Smithville to have a big meal and relive memories – connecting to my roots and family tradition a bit, if you will.
So, when I booked a cabin in Sparta for the 2022 SoBros Content Retreat, and I saw that taking the backroads would only add about 10 minutes to our trip and we’d drive right through Smithville, I knew that I wanted to take the SoBros to try it out on our way. For more on Kilgore’s check ’em out on Facebook.
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Ratings
Food: 8.5/10 – It is the star of the show…the real meat and potatoes of what they do at Kilgore’s, no pun intended. It’s homestyle and hearty – classic southern food. They know how to cook a hamburger steak – I love that they absolutely flood the thing with onions and mushrooms. The fried squash is a must-get for me every time I’m in there. It’s rich and crispy on the outside…good and squash-y on the inside. The mashed potatoes are creamy and fluffy, and the hush puppies make for a damn good accent to the meal. You just can’t beat it anywhere in Smithville. I don’t defer from the hamburger steak too much – every now and then, I’d tack on a skewer of cajun shrimp. But, for the most part, I’m getting that hamburger steak and some sides. It seemed as though the SoBros team enjoyed their meals as well, and we definitely could’ve used a nap after eating there.
Booze: n/a – No alcohol at Kilgore’s, and that’s probably a good thing. Tacking on a couple of beers to a meal like this would be a surefire way to end up falling asleep at the table or in the parking lot.
Atmosphere: 3/10 – I mean, come on…you’re not going to a place like this for the ambiance. It’s not exactly a trendy rooftop bar in downtown Nashville, but it’s perfectly functional baby, and that’s all that matters.
Value: 9/10 – My meal was $12, y’all. Unbelievable – maybe it’s just getting outside of the city a bit that makes the difference, but I can’t think of anywhere near me out here in Mount Juliet where you can be fed like this for that kind of price. Much less, in Nashville.
Overall: 6.83/10 – I’m trying to tell y’all…it’s a peaceful drive up 70. Head out to Smithville one day, enjoy the scenery, check out the town square, move a little slower, eat a big meal at Kilgore’s, and live fat and happy for an evening.
CURRENT NASHVILLE RESTAURANT RANKINGS
- Audrey (8.82/10)
- Butcher & Bee (8.5/10)
- Nectar: Urban Cantina (8.44/10)
- Barcelona Wine Bar (8.23/10)
- Dino’s (8.22/10)
You can check out our full Nashville restaurant rankings here. I’m always looking for new spots to try – don’t be afraid to hit the comments with suggestions!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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