Foodie quiz: How well do you know Nashville's restaurant scene?

Tennessean Staff
Updated ·2 min read
Locust is located on 12th Avenue in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville's dining scene is growing in leaps and bounds. Have you kept your finger on the pulse? Test your knowledge with the Tennessean's food + drink trivia.

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Now on to the trivia!

What is Nashville's oldest restaurant?

The oldest restaurant in Tennessee, the no-frills “chili parlor” Varallo’s Restaurant, opened in 1907. The restaurant’s founder, Frank Varallo Sr., an Italian immigrant, made his way from New York to Nashville for the same reason thousands of others have since — hoping to make a career as a musician. After he was injured in a hunting accident, he was forced to give up his passion for the violin and he devoted himself to a different passion: chili. Since then, Varallo’s has ingrained itself as an irreplaceable part of Nashville’s fabric thanks to its “three-way chili” — served on top of spaghetti and a tamale — burgers and all-day breakfast.

For bonus points: What is Nashville's oldest bar?

Springwater Supper Club, which is also the oldest bar in the state, is located in West Nashville. It's been operational since 1896, and it's known for being a bit of a dive.

Want more? Bookmark this link to learn more about some of Nashville's 9 oldest restaurants

How did hot chicken come to be?

In the 1930, the main squeeze of well-known womanizer Thornton Prince threw some extra hot pepper on his Sunday chicken to punish him after he stayed out late — again — the night before. Turns out Prince loved it and launched an iconic, family-owned hot chicken restaurant afterward.

What is Nashville's highest restaurant?

Bourbon Steak is located on the 34th floor of the J.W. Marriott, which was built on one of the highest elevation points in the city, providing incredible skyline views from every vantage point.

What street in Nashville is best known for its international cuisine?

Nolensville Road has incredible food and a varied tapestry of restaurants from Thai eateries to Turkish cuisine. If you're into international flavors and tons of options, the area is like Disney World. Here's your guide to the five best restaurants along Nolensville Road.

What is often referred to as "Nashville's Official Candy"?

The Goo Goo Cluster, "a roundish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts and real milk chocolate"

Nashville's dining scene in pop culture: Rapid-fire bonus round

  • In what season of Bravo's "Top Chef" was Nashville featured? Nashville was featured on episode nine of Season 16 in 2019. That season was based in Kentucky.

  • Which Food Network "Chopped" star owns multiple restaurants in Nashville, where she now lives? Chef Maneet Chauhan

  • Name the Nashville burger joint that "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal visited with country star Brad Paisley during a Nashville-based episode of Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil." Joyland, an East Nashville restaurant owned by renowned chef Sean Brock

So how did you do? We're sure you aced it! If you'd like more food knowledge to share with your friends, you might want to check out:

What's your favorite local spot that you think should've made our Top 25 list? Email mlunsford@tennessean.com and let us know!

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville restaurants and dining: Trivia tests your food scene smarts