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!
2greyrooms
Aug 13, 2007 11:50AM
I think you'll be happier with Fat Mo's (for takeout). Even Merchant's is better than Rotiers despite the upscale pretentions. (order from the sandwich menu downstairs and it isn't overpriced). They are the best I know of in town.
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I'm not sure anything in Nashville will make you happy if Bobbie's didn't. Did you get the sweet potato fries and a peach shake? The greasy loveliness of Rotier's best appreciated with one too many beers in you.
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Brown's Diner is a favorite among many people for hamburgers.
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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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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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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.
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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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This is an interesting comment. I believe that Brown's and Rotier's burgers are #1 and #2 in town, respectively. Maybe I just like the grease and the decor (or lack thereof).
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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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My husband and I tried the Taproom burgers on Friday, and we both gave them the thumbs down. For a $10 hamburger, I'd much rather eat the burgers at Green Hills Grille or Bistro 215. For a cheap hamburger, I'd rather go to Brown's Diner.
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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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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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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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Thanks, notgreg, that's the sort of Rotier's/Brown's info I was looking for. Bricktop's, really? I'll have to check that out.
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Has anyone tried the burger at the Internationally Famous Twin Kegs on Thompson Lane across from Krispy Kreme? I heard it was good at one time, but that was about a decade ago.
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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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Woops, that's Blue Goose, not Grey :)
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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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mccabe pub, sportsmans, or the end zone in green hills.
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I am a Brown's guy, but let me throw out another (surprising?) option: Corner Pub Midtown has a well-seasoned and large burger. If you like steak fries, that's a bonus, too.
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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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Where is it located? I try to stay on top of new restaurants and haven't heard about this one...would love to know more...
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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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thanks! I knew the name sounded familiar so I must have seen the sign while driving by. will have to check it out...
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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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Thanks nm1. I'm a medium rare person as well and also don't love Rotier's so will keep this in mind. The best ones are usually grilled at home, IMO.
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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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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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