Nashville's Best Cheap Eats

By Paula Disbrowe
October 13, 2011
Robbie Caponetto
City House chef Tandy Wilson reveals his top choices on the best restaurants to dine on a dime in Nashville.
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Meet Our Nashville Restaurant Connoisseur

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

"I'm a casual guy, and I look for that kind of food and environment," says Tandy Wilson, who describes his Italian-inspired Southern food (such as pizza with house-made belly ham, mozzarella, Grana Padano cheese, oregano, and chiles) as "Grandma cooking on steroids." The only difference, he says, "is that we have better toys in the kitchen." After work, he's looking for something tasty–and lighthearted. "At City House, we're not fine dining, but we work hard and put focus into everything we do. When I get out of the kitchen, I want to eat and laugh and not be in a work environment. I want to go out with a couple of buddies and have a few cold beers. It kind of caps the day off."

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Paradise Park Trailer Resort

Robbie Caponetto

"The Tater Tots are super crispy," Tandy says. He also loves the Hand-Dipped jumbo Corn Dogs.

411 Broadway, Nashville; 615/251-1515; paradiseparkonline.com

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Mas Tacos Por Favor Food Truck

Photo: Randal Cooper via Flickr;

"The Quinoa-Sweet Potato Taco with red cabbage and tomatillo salsa is to die for," Tandy says.

Usually parked at 732 Mcferrin Avenue, Nashville; 615/543-6271

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The South's Best Winners 2017

We poured through your more than 22,000 online votes to bring you the best-of-the-best Southern spots. Check out our roundup of the best restaurant, hotel, island, inn, resort, barbecue, bar, shop, museum, brewery, city, and tailgate in the South. Each of these Southern gems is absolutely worth the trip – from the picturesque views of the Outer Banks to the juicy pulled pork of Southern Soul Barbecue. Sip on a cold brew at Wicked Weed Brewery, have a nightcap at Callaghan's, or find your next heirloom at The Paris Market & Brocante. Take a vacation to Asheville to stay at the extravagant Inn on Biltmore Estate, or enjoy the picturesque history of Savannah at the charming Foley House Inn. If you're in town (or, making the trip!), stop in at one of these local favorites chosen by our readers.

View all of the South's Best 2017 winners here.

SOUTH’S BEST BAR
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club; Mobile, AL

SOUTH’S BEST BARBECUE
Southern Soul Barbeque; St. Simons Island, GA

SOUTH’S BEST BREWERY
Wicked Weed Brewing; Asheville, NC

SOUTH’S BEST CITY
Charleston, SC

SOUTH’S BEST HOTEL
The Inn on Biltmore Estate; Asheville, NC

SOUTH’S BEST INN
Foley House Inn; Savannah, GA

SOUTH’S BEST ISLAND
Outer Banks, NC

SOUTH’S BEST MUSEUM
Smithsonian; Washington, D.C.

SOUTH’S BEST RESORT
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Nashville, TN

SOUTH’S BEST RESTAURANT
Commander’s Palace; New Orleans, LA

SOUTH’S BEST SHOP
The Paris Market and Brocante; Savannah, GA

SOUTH’S BEST SMALL TOWN
Beaufort, SC

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Robert's Western World

Photo: Brent Moore via Flickr;

Order the Recession Special: a fried bologna sandwich, a bag of chips, a MoonPie, and a cold PBR.

416B Broadway, Nashville; 615/244-9552; robertswesternworld.com

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Hermitage Cafe

Photo: Brent Moore via Flickr;

Go for a glimpse of the eccentric locals and the solid Egg Sandwiches and Patty Melts with fries.

71 Hermitage Avenue, Nashville; 615/254-8871

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