Best Burger in Nashville?
I am new to the Nashville area and am DESPERATELY craving a great burger. I'm tried Bobbie's Dairy Dip and Rotiers and was underwhelmed and disappointed. I'm looking for a fresh, thick, well-seasoned patty that hasn't been charred to death and comes on a fresh bun. I can even live with so-so fries if only I could find a great burger in this town. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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I'm a fan of Burger Up. They have some unusual choices and their sides are fantastic. Slip next door and have a gourmet mexican popsicle after your meal.
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re: TTownFoodie
I like to say my favorite burger in town is my second one at Burger Up after I sent the first one back for being overdone. Now I have a little trick where I ask the waiter "what is medium well here." They define it, I say "I would like it like that" and it usually comes out that way. House made pickles, house made ketchup, good drinks and a nice atmosphere finds me paying $9-13 for a burger quite often.
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I and a co-worker went through all the well-known burger joints in summer 2010 and wrote reviews.
http://nashvilleody.blogspot.com/
Of those that weren't reviewed that I see mentioned in this thread:
Sportsman's Grille / Gerst House - very good burgers, but not my first, or even 3th choice. For their price, you can get it with fresher lettuce and better fries elsewhere.
Fat Mo's - Just don't. we've all been that broke, once, but if you don't have to, don't.
5 Guys - gets its flavor from the Velveeta cheese.
Also, Twin Kegs on Thompson Lane, near Nolensville Road. If you are there on the right day and can get the kitchen to fix it at least a little rare, like medium-rare, it's one of the best burgers in town, and a bargain.
Another good deal is Table 3 on Wednesdays, when you can get burger & fries for lunch for $5.
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I absolutely love the burgers at 417 Union. It is a downtown restaurant and they do breakfast, lunch and dinner. I originally started with the regular cheese burger, good size, cooked just right to order, lettuce & tomato on side, and came with fries. But since then I have ventured into their gourmet burgers, the Smokehouse and the Inside Out are my favorites. The Smokehouse burger has BBQ sauce, fried tobacco (slim) onion rings and bacon, and the Inside Out burger is filled with a garlicky boursin cheese, OMG incredible! Their burgers are served on freshly baked buns from the local Provence bakery. And recently they started hand cutting and frying their own French Fries. When looking for the best burger in town I recommend you stop here. The prices are reasonable, not overpriced, I promise you'll be coming back. You might even see me there as I go as often as I get downtown.
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re: nm1
Will Owen
Aug 27, 2012 01:23 PM
Ya think? Maybe this hath the flavor of hack copywriting, with some Yelpish OMG! stuff thrown in for verisimilitude? Oh, but NO, sir … why, this seems to be the work of one genuinely struck by the goodness of those Gourmet Burgers and the tobacco (slim) onion rings. Now, get off the guy's case before he loses his job.
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CafeteriaFraiche
Jun 25, 2012 06:51 AM
There are several BURGER-THEMED spots in Nashville. It's sounds like you're looking for Burger Up(12 south) or Pharmacy(East Side). However, take your pick between Fat Mo's or Browns for the greasy-spoon approach...both do that thing well.
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5 Guys- overcooked, overhyped burgers with plain-Jane American processed cheese and nothing-special buns. Did I mention they refuse to cook them any way besides well-burnt? Boo!
Their fries, however, kick ass! Add salt and vinegar, skip the burger altogether, and enjoy!
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Far away from traditional, but I think that is already pretty well covered here, there are definitely 2 burgers that have recently caught my attention.
The lamb burger at Burger Up on 12 South is just awesome, add truffle fries and I just can't seem to stop craving it. Too bad it is such a pain actually go there at any reasonable time. The other surprised me a bit, but the Pig Burger at the Blind Pig on 12 South was actually very good and quite different from what I expected. Very tasty and who can argue with ribs and Benton's Bacon ground into a burger. I can't say I have enjoyed straying far from the burger at the Blind Pig, though.
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Okay, I have to say that I really enjoyed the Local Burger offered by Fido's today. I generally like the Steak Sandwich, but saw the Local Burger, and it was amazing!!
That being said, I have enjoyed many burger joints, and will go to Bobby's for their Black Bean Burger, if I'm in the mood for extremely greasy, then Brown's, and some sweet potato fries and hearty burger and variety mayo, then Gabby's. If I want big portions, I go to Fat Mo's. I like 5 guys a lot for their cajun fries. I'll go to Cheeseburger Charley for their beefalo burger.
Only place I don't really like is Rotiers. Elliston Place Soda Shop was unmemorable too.
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Rotier's Restaurant
2413 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203Elliston Place Soda Shop
2111 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203 -
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I don't get all the 5 Guys love. Maybe it was overhyped for me by the time I tried it but I wasn't impressed at all. Their burgers just taste like regular fast food burgers to me. Fat Mo's is a thousand times better. I think the best burger in town can be found at the Broadway Brewhouse though, especially the Brewhouse West. It's perfect and their fries are great too. We tried Brown's shortly after moving here (about 10 years ago) and haven't been back since. It reminded me of burgers my mom used to make in a pan on the stove when I was little. Not a fan at all.
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F. Scott's win's the burger race hands down. Their regular burger served on sourdough as well as their lamb burger served on ciabatta are the tastiest burgers I've ever had!
Five Guys pulls in at a close second.
Burger Up gets honorable mention.
Why oh why can't we have an In n Out burger in Nashville!?
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re: UrbanAngel
Will Owen
Jun 29, 2010 02:27 PM
You can't have In-N-Out because of some of its best qualities: it's a family-owned company that refuses to expand beyond its geographical source of supply. The meat is ground fresh and the buns are baked fresh daily, and the fries are cut from real peeled potatoes. To expand nationwide they'd almost have to resort to frozen, pre-made patties, frozen factory fries and whatever buns were available, like all the rest do.
That's why I said Brown's Diner is as close as you're gonna get, unless they've stopped making their own burger patties.
Now, for a REAL burger, does anyone remember Herr Harry's Franks'n'Steins?
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Brown's Diner
2102 Blair Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
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re: burgerb
Will Owen
Jun 13, 2010 03:08 PM
Brown's Diner used to fill that bill; do they still? Actually, Brown's is - or was - what I think of both at In-N-Out and at Pie'n'Burger in Pasadena, except that you can't get a beer at either of those places...
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Brown's Diner
2102 Blair Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
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We recently 'rediscovered' Sportsman's Lodge and I think it might be the best burger in town with the best meaty taste.
Gabby's is good and comes close to helping me recreate the best burger I've ever had - Stanich's Special in Portland, OR - complete with a fried egg. I love watching them take the blobs of meat and slap them on the grill and flatten. And the fries here are about the best in town!!!
Rotier's - I've never understood why folks thought it was that good but I like almost everything else there more.
Red Robin - patty tastes too mass produced.
Five Guys and Fat Mo's do when you are in a hurry.
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The best kept burger secret in Nashville is at the Grille in Whole Foods - Green Hills.
They do a thick, freshly ground, hand made patty cooked anyway you want it. It is served with your choice of handmade fries (ask for truffle oil drizzled on them and a side of their amazing aioli for dipping), sauteed vegetables, or a salad. I think it costs the same $6 or $7 someone would pay for a crappy processed burger at Five Guys in the same shopping center. -
I just moved back to Nashville after being gone for about 8 years. There is a small place, only open for lunch near the Sounds Stadium called Gabby's.
http://gabbysburgersandfries.com/
This is one of the best burgers I have ever had in Nashville. I know folks will call me crazy for saying this, but I went back to Browns after Gabby's and was just not impressed. (although anyone can have a bad day
)Try the BBQ burger, the sauce is put on after its cooked, the broiled momentarily to caramelize the sauce. Great flavor!! Then in addition to the regular condiments they also offer Kickin Ketchup (Chipotle flavor), and wasabe mayo for those who like Horseradish and brown and yellow mustard. Sweet tea, fruit tea and lemonade as well as soda in the bottle. Regular fries and sweet potato fries, and great brownie and cookie style desserts.
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It's nothing fancy, but my favorite burger in Nashville is to be had at the Hermitage Cafe. Hell, the Hermitage Cafe probably qualifies as the anti-fancy. I like getting the double hamburger with tomato, extra onions and extra pickles with mayo. The burger is ALWAYS flavorful, juicy and simple. They don't try to gild the lily, there are no avocado-hummus-sheep’s milk feta burgers to be had here. Now, I LOVE avocado, hummus and sheep’s milk feta, but why would you muck up a good burger like that???
I also love their chili when they have it.
Sarah M.
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re: StrandedYankee
Will Owen
Jan 1, 2010 04:07 PM
I am SOOO glad to see that the Hermitage Cafe is still with the living; last few times we went there they were really suffering, since the hospital had closed and the new residential development was some time away. That was one of our pre-Flea Market breakfast favorites when we lived in Nashville, and now it's on the list for our next visit. Thanks!
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You have to seperate the burgers into to catagories: Gourmet and Everday...
Gourmet:
#1 J. Alexanders...(hickory grilled steakburger)
#2 Hickory Falls...(again with hickory grilled)
#3 Bricktops....(smaller portion but still delicious)
#4 Jacksons in hillsboro village...(kinda trendy)Everyday
#1 Rotiers...( greasy burger on french bread...not special but, I like it)
#2 Five guys...(great fast food style burger..kinda like johnny rockets)
#3 Fat Mo's...(used to be jucier than they are now, spicy and worth a try)
#4 Browns Diner...(not that special, but some people really like it)›3 Replies -
Its Still Mooing
Nov 28, 2007 09:45 AM
I've gotta go with Fat Mo's - never a disappointment there, plus they are available in a variation of sizes to fit the diner's appetite(from large to very large).
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re: Its Still Mooing
Since Fat Mo's and 5 Guys are in a similar vein I feel a comparison is fair, and I have to give 5 guys the edge. This is coming from a formers FM devotee, but 5 guys' burgers just seem to pack more flavor, not to mention their fries blow FM's out of the water. Fat Mo's is still a very good burger, and whenever I want to eat my last meal of the day at 11 a.m, I was still drive over for 27 ounces of beefy goodness.
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jamiecarroll
Nov 28, 2007 09:17 AM
As of this week, my answer to this question has changed. Two words: FIVE GUYS.
I have been to 5G in the DC area before, but didn't realize just how good the burgers are until I ate at the new Nashville location this week. I've already been twice since they opened on Sunday, and I'm officially sold. There is not another burger in Nashville that can rival this one.
Anyone else a fan of the Five Guys?
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re: jcr05
jamiecarroll
Nov 29, 2007 07:59 AM
In the new Hill Center in Green Hills (also where the new Whole Foods is). I spoke to the manager and learned that a location is opening on West End in January (in the new shopping center where Fuddruckers used to be).
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re: jamiecarroll
I just tried Five Guys and wasn't blown away. It's a first-rate, not too greasy, well-done burger. The trouble is, I don't like my burgers well done; I like them medium rare. I think that must be why I don't like the burgers at Rotier's, too. I'm kind of glad to have figured out what the problem is, for me, and I will recommend Five Guys to anyone who doesn't share my compulsion to see and taste a little pink left in the burger.
Oh, and the fries are good there.
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re: jamiecarroll
I've eaten at the 5G on Franklin rd and the one in Murfreesboro. For some reason the 5G in the Boro has a fresher taste to me. And those fries... Incredible. I take my 82 y/o mother and she can eat almost the whole bag of fries. If you want an unadulterated old fashioned cheeseburger with fresh peanut-oil fried fries, 5G is the way to go.
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There is this great little sppot in Silvan Park called Mcabe Pub. They have a fabulous Bacon Cheese Burger, my fiance is a huge fan of them, and eats at least 2 a week.
:-)
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I'm fairly new to the area myself, and I liked Rotiers but didn't see what all the fuss was about, so maybe our tastes are similar. I found a terrific burger at The Grey Goose on main street in Hendersonville (might actually be Goodlettsville, it's near there if not). The fries and tots are also both great. Be sure to carry cash or a check, no credit cards.
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I think the best burger is to be found at sportsmans Grill in Hillsboro Village. I am partial to their patty melt, but their regular cheeseburger is awfully good as wel.
As far as Bobbies goes, I think since it was sold this year, that the quality has gone downhill considerably. Their ice cream does not have that super rich-denseness anymore, which really saddened me.
Also, I don't think Cheeseburger Charleys is too bad, either.
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re: tritecliche
nm1,
When I first moved to Nashville I had to try the cheeseburger on French bread that everyone raved about, and that first time was enough. I have been back for the simple grilled cheeseburger, but the french bread completely swallows the (too) modest patty at Rotier's. I think Brown's has a better ratio of meat to bread. And to whoever said Sportsman's grille had a good burger, I second that. Also, Bricktop's at the old Houston's spot has a pretty mean half pounder that I'll admit to craving occasionally.-
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re: willtmc
jamiecarroll
Feb 5, 2010 01:23 PM
I ate at the Twin Kegs today...hadn't been there in years. The burger was much better than I remembered. I think it really is among the best in town. If you get the BBB ("Big Bad Burger"), which is their specialty, it is actually a "jucy lucy" (melted cheese in the middle of the burger patty - I did not remember that. I don't know of anyone else in Nashville that serves this kind of burger.
A word of warning, though - this place is a DIVE. And it is not the least bit non-smoking.
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jcr05
Aug 14, 2007 01:13 PM
I would have to add the burger at 12th South Taproom as one of my faves in town...big, thick and well seasoned and the fries are great if you like steak fries.
http://www.12southtaproom.com/I agree that Rotier's is nothing special...it's not even really grilled but cooked on a griddle. Give 12th South a try, I think you'll like it.
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re: jcr05
I with you on 12 South. That pub burger is superb. The last time I went it seems they even refined it. No more guacamole on it. But superb just the same. Wash it down with a Terrapin or Sweetwater Ale.
Don't forget Blackstones burger either. I just don't care for any of their beer 'cept the special and infrequently brewed IPA
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re: jcr05
Will Owen
Jan 1, 2010 04:00 PM
"Rotier's is nothing special...it's not even really grilled but cooked on a griddle"... See my post above. There is one school that wants an open grill with a flame underneath so that all that fat and stuff can go away; there is another who wants a flat, hot steel surface so that the fat and juices can hang around to add moisture and flavor, and therefore the griddle (as you call it) is exactly the correct implement. The burgers at Brown's and Rotier's (and I think Bobbie's, but it's been an awful long time) are cooked on the flat grill, which is exactly why many of us like them so much. YMMV, as they say...
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re: nm1
Will Owen
Feb 1, 2010 05:09 PM
If that's what they're feeding people these days I'm sorry to hear it, unless you mean grey IN THE MIDDLE, meaning done. I guess in my Nashville days it never occurred to me to expect any pink in any burger. Brown outside, with some crunchy bits, greyish inside. Brown's made theirs the same way. I would eat the burger over my plate of fries, and the juices would drip down and bathe them - my version of potatoes and gravy!
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Do those of you who are recommending the burgers at Brown's enjoy the burgers at Rotiers? Because I'm with 2greyrooms in not getting the Rotiers thing at all, so I'm wondering whether Brown's is more of the same. (I'm not saying this to be nasty about Rotiers, which can withstand a couple of people not liking it -- different people have different tastes in burgers, which is as it should be.)
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re: nm1
I like the burgers at Rotier's, but not on French bread. Too much bread! I can't taste anything else! I do adore their grilled cheeseburgers, though. If I'm at Rotier's, I'm usually getting their wonderful fried chicken (I usually ask for some honey, and what I'll do is sprinkle some of the tabasco pepper vinegar and drizzle a little bit of honey onto the chicken...too good for words!).
Sarah M.
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re: StrandedYankee
a burger on french bread is stupid. and the french bread sux. i once asked for an oyster po boy on french bread there and ms. rotier told me to go to elsewhere. she had the bread and the oysters but what the hell. reminded me of the scene with jack nicholsen in 5 easy pieces. but i remained calm. forget rotiers. old hat, as they say. if you want to go in drunk or get drunk, maybe ok.
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Two suggestions:
The patty melt at the Gold Rush is nothing short of perfect. I can't imagine their burgers could be that far off. Greasy, gooey goodness.
I'm sure I'm going to get crucified for saying this, but the Hardee's thickburger has never failed me. For real. For a big, juicy, messy, drippy burger, I'm telling you, it's great. We drive from East Nashville to Elm Hill Pike for our monthly Hardee's fix. I do NOT eat fast food anywhere else. -
It's psychologically tough for me to pay $10 for a burger, but I can't beat Ted's Montana Grill on West End in park Place near Centennial Park. I usually get the buffalo burger, but I've had the beef burger, and it is incredibly juicy and tasty. Another extraordinary $10 burger as is the one at J Alexander's near Vandy on West End. Both are sitdown places, though, so if you're looking for a greasy spoon, you might have to stick with Rotier's (which is pretty good, even without too many beers) or Brown's (I'm a native, and still the charm of Brown's eludes me -- I can't stand the greasy smoke and the burgers are plain jane and often overcooked) or Bobbie's (which I think is terrific -- they use Angus chuck, my favorite).
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re: fluffernutter
j. alex is a fern bar. rotiers is old, gloomy, boring and run by people half asleep. burger is ho hum---all reputation; where's the beef???? teds is good. nashville needs way more diners, dives, and drive-ins. you could stay home and grill your own fantastic burger. not much exciting in music city as in other cities.....yet
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re: Jennie
I would also agree that Brown's might suit your needs. It is on 21st/Hillsboro road by the Harris Teeter. If you go, you may find that the fries are indeed a bit lackluster, but the burger is consistently tasty. Also, if you are willing to go for a "gourmet" burger, I have found Radius 10 and Sunset Grill both do very good renditions, with radius 10's being a bit cheaper.
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re: notgreg
Will Owen
Jan 1, 2010 03:53 PM
This person wants a CHARRED burger. That requires flame broiling, which some sadly misguided souls believe to be the proper way to cook a burger. Anyone who didn't like Bobbie's won't like Brown's - both are flat-grilled, as the Lord intended (in my emphatically non-humble opinion).
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