A Football Fan’s Guide to Nashville Food

Of all the sports teams that call Nashville home, the biggest annual heartbreak comes from the football franchise, the Tennessee Titans. Poached from Houston (then the Oilers) in 1997, the renamed AFC South club has had its share of what-ifs: The Derrick Henry era, which ended after the 2023 season, was a lot of fun for fans of the run game. But the future remains undefined in 2024 with new head coach Brian Callahan, a green quarterback and a roster depleted by retirements and trades. Music City’s soccer fans are eager for a big year and postseason success, but while they wait, at least there’s no shortage of good food on site, including a short walk from Nissan Stadium, home of the Titans. We’ve picked our favorite restaurants to visit and stadium food to try when we’re in town for a Tennessee Titans game.

Nissan Stadium food

Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese

Macaroni smothered in white queso and studded with hot popcorn chicken? We are intrigued. Throwing it in a cone? Suddenly it’s portable. Creamy and indulgent, this Stadium Select contrasts well with a Dos Peros, the Mexican-style brown ale from local Yazoo Brewing Company. You’ll find it in three concessions spread throughout the stadium.

Dad’s dogs

Local chain Dad’s dogsfounded in 2015 by Sean Porter in his garage, creates a lineman-sized offensive Big Daddy in the stadium stands. Start with a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog—it’s big—then top it with cream cheese, chopped bacon, grilled onion, jalapeño, a pickle spear, and chipotle mayo. It’s the total package for halftime hunger.

St. Vito Focacceria

While the Rigatoni Verdi al Ragu, studded with chunks of braised pork and every herb under the sun, is a must-try for a sit-down, St. Vito Focaccerias bread and butter is his share. Chef Michael Hanna, born and raised in Music City, loves his sfincione-style pizza dough made up to 72 hours in advance: super hydrated, naturally leavened and carefully folded with fontina cheese. It’s then topped with appealing combinations like a pepperoni mulch slathered with saffron-infused honey or a spicy giardiniera tomato sauce offset with a giant slab of burrata cheese.

Bolton’s famous hot chicken and fish

It occupies a low-rise concrete block building just over a mile from the Titans stadium. Bolton’s makes the best hot chicken in Nashville. Granted, there aren’t many frills, but the generations-old recipe embodies the city’s best-known culinary contribution. Go for the Leg Quarter mild – trust me, it’s spicy enough – with a side of porky string beans and an extra helping of napkins to cover the sweat and snot.

Peg-bone pork

Since 2013, pitmaster Carey Bringle has been spreading the good news of Memphis-style barbecue in Music City. Bee Peg-leg porkhis pork ribs are smoked for three to four hours before a patented dry rub is applied just before serving. (Kansas City fan? A sauce option is also available.) The brown sugar and bacon baked beans and the big cap mac and cheese sides are local favorites. Save room for your sweet tooth: Fried pies, made in house with chocolate, apple or peach, are heavenly when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Four walls

Not a speakeasy, but still tucked away, the Joseph hotel’s secret bar, less than a mile from the stadium, is my choice for elevated drinks and unique snacks. Sit with Four walls‘blood-red Italian marble bar and cheddar-dusted, lightly fried farfalle pasta; savory Korean-inspired bulgogi beef jerky; and sweet Marcona almonds with curry while watching Spaghetti Westerns on TV.

Gabby’s burgers and fries

When the press from NFL fans gets too insulting, hit the hole and head south, where Gabby’s burgers serves the working class public. Order the Gabby, a grass-fed smash-style double with American cheese and hand-cut sweet potato fries, seasoned with nutmeg, cloves and a touch of sugar. Wash it down with a second visit to the soda fountain.

Henrietta Red

The standout seafood restaurant in town, Henrietta Red is a must for anyone in love with the raw bar. 2018 F&W Best New Chef Julia Sullivan balances a deep oyster bed with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and perfect wine pairings. The restaurant’s daily happy hour is worth setting an alarm for.