Today I am returning from a few days in Nashville. I have always loved this city and came back with two of my sons as part of my book tour. We had a ball from the great food to the amazing music to the outstanding historical sites. Even with temperatures at 100 (and even higher with humidity), we loved every minute in Nashville.
When we arrived in the city, we immediately went to a local favorite, Hattie B’s. While Prince’s is another favorite, the sauces at this “chicken shack” are a crowd pleaser. However, be warned: when they say “hot” they mean it. There are three categories of heat with the middle being the range that most of us are used to.
I went with the “hot” option in the middle category and, despite liking hot and spicy food, it was a bit too hot for me. However, it was delicious. I particularly liked the Pimento Mac & Cheese.
For dinner, we went to Jack’s Bar-B-Que in the middle of the music scene on the West End. It was awesome. The boys had the brisket sandwiches and found them addictive. I had the ribs and loved them. (I think, however, I might go with the brisket the next time after tasting their dishes). This is some of the best Bar-B-Que that you are going to find.
That night, we went to various bars to hear the live music. When you walk down the street, it is a cacophony of sounds from live music in dozens of bars. We went to various bars and had a great deal until I let the boys head off without their buzz-kill father (There were some perfunctory objections before they ran off to a loud bar down the street).
The next day we visited the Tennessee State Museum, which has a fantastic collection. It has a impressive collection that stretches across time, including informative films on everything from the geologic history of Tennessee to the Civil Rights period. It is free and I could not recommend it more highly. (For military history buffs like myself, it was also fun to see the rifle and kit of Sgt. Alvin York from World War I). There is also a great farmer’s market and food court next door.
Near the museum is also the State Capitol. We loved the visit. You can walk into the House and Senate floor as well as the original Tennessee Supreme Court chamber. There is also the burial place of James Polk (one of three Tennessee presidents with Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson). It is a beautiful building and the staff could not be more friendly.
We also ate at a new place that is a favorite among locals. On the way back from the museum, our cab driver said that he and many locals go to Peg Leg Porkers. We immediately asked him to drive us and it was awesome. (I was a bit less enthusiastic about the pull pork string rolls). The pulled pork and ribs were fantastic and it is clearly popular with locals.
My only regret is that our trip was too short to visit the Civil War locations. However, that just gives me an excuse to come back to this wonderful city.
Thank you, Nashville.
I love Nashville, too. It has definitely been Californized a bit these days, but a special place. 😊😊 Have had fun there.
Jonathan Turley, once again you misused ‘myself’ where just ‘me’ is correct.
You couldn’t have had a very good 7th grade English teacher, IMO.
Get a life.
I ran the whole thing through Grammarly and it found “a impressive” and pulled pork “string” rolls (whatever those are), but no complaint about “myself”.
Just noticed the very last photo. They are clearly pulled pork “spring” rolls.
Creekan, good for you but clearly Grammarly isn’t all there is.
That isn’t clear. I score it 2-0.
David was correcting other students grammar the night all the other students went to the prom.
Only been once, before COVID, but I loved it and now you make me want to return with this list. Also great: the Johnny Cash museum and the Bikeshare system (assuming it’s still running).
Jonathan: Looks like you enjoyed the food scene in Nashville during your book tour. Too bad you didn’t have time to visit Ryman Auditorium, once the home for the Grand Ole Opry where the legends of county music performed.
Too bad also you didn’t have time to visit the “Battle of Nashville” historical marker, erected in 2021. Arguably, it was the the decisive battle of the Civil War. The 13th USCT (United States Colored Troops) led the charge of Peach Orchard Hill–the plan by Union Gen. Thomas to isolate Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood’s troops. The plan worked. Hood’s army was defeated, removing his army from Tennessee and allowing Gen. Grant to crush Lee in Northern Virginia on April 9, 1965–ending the Civil War. But the Battle of Peach Orchard Hill came at great cost. The 13th USCT lost 270 officers and men–almost 50% of the regiment.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the former slaves who served in the 13th USCT, fighting and destroying the army that wanted to keep them enslaved. The “Battle of Nashville” also led to the Civil Rights Movement. As for me, the “Battle of Nashville” marker would have been my first destination. I guess we have different priorities.
No you wouldn’t. You would head for the nearest restaurant.
“….the “Battle of Nashville” historical marker, erected in 2021. Arguably, it was the the decisive battle of the Civil War. ”
LMAO MORE LIBTURD FRAUD AND LIES AS USUAL, TOTAL FANTASY ALL OF IT
“it was erected right next to gorged fraud floyd, our libdemon drug addict gun ghetto criminal, a hero for us menace demoncrats”
the civil war had a conscription, you idiot
“fighting and destroying the army that wanted to keep them enslaved” ANOTHER MENACE FANTASY LIE
Dennis the first place you’d probably go would be to look into a mirror.
Dennis, Too bad you’ve yet to make one worthwhile comment ever.
Nahshvul
Speakup…….Hear, hear! 🙂
I enjoyed Nashville very much on my visit. Next time you go, be sure to see the famed full-sized replica of the Athenian Parthenon, in a park in Nashville (Centennial Park?). It is an exact replica of the original in Athens, and a stunning revelation of how Greek architecture really looked 2400 years ago, not like the faded and broken ruins still visible. It is beautiful.
The KKK costume is a FRAUD, it is so obvious.
The peg leg porker meal is disgusting, how could you even eat it ?
Jacks bar b que looks okay on some meals https://www.yelp.com/biz/jacks-bbq-lakewood-lakewood
Nice shot of the active horse carriage and street and lights. A+
Beautiful pics and great commentary! Thanks for sharing!
Your post made me hungry.
Zelensky has been more brave than Thomas Jefferson.
Zelensky stayed in Kiev, whereas Thomas Jefferson ran away from Richmond.
There should be statues of Zelensky erected.
Or in other words, “I hate my father and myself”. Why the need to bring TJ into it? Oh, I know, to virtue signal.
Seems very suss and pathetic. Zelensky has a trillion dollar war machine protecting his every fart. He flies all over the world with you pzychos praising him. He’s an actor not a leader or a politician. His every word is scripted, as was his “run” with a cheap ukrywood “movie”. He is not allowed to wear a suit.
Zelensky and his cronies have skimmed some $400m off all the aid we have given him.
Zelensky jets all over the world, eats well, while sending real men to die for his and Biden’s war.
Zelensky should be in prison for corruption.
To pull your stupid diatribe into the context or Turley’s column, Zelenskyy should be deposed, barbecued, and portions of his seared flesh force-fed to the members of the Azov Brigade as their last meal before being executed.
Why? You’ve already got an erection for Zelensky.
I got to know Nashville well when my son lived there for several years. As the professor’s note reveals there are wonderful places for food and fun and music. A lot of cities in the south have similar histories and areas of fun. Nashville is one of the best as is Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans (during the day). One of my favorites is Chattanooga with the river coursing through as well as Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga Battlefield, Wilmington N.C. With the USS North Carolina nearby and Mobile, AL with the USS Alabama there also for tours. The cities along the shores of the south from Virginia – Texas are packed with history and beautiful scenery . The drive along the Coast from Charleston, S.C. To Savannah and then down to Brunswick Ga. And encompassing St Simon’s and Jekyll Island are gorgeous. Just have to remember the coast is as hot as Mobile AL since the coasts are at sea level whereas Atlanta in 1000 feet above sea level and milder. US 90 from west of Mobile to Biloxi to Gulfport to Bay St Louis is fun and literally at the Beach. It was a great rout to travel between Atlanta and Houston. Interstate 10 came later and is set well back from the coast so you don’t get to see the coast as well, if at all.
Growing up in Atlanta meant I got to travel all those roads and places throughout my life.
Avoid the coast during Hurricane season. Those are not fun.
And if you find yourself near Mobile, it’s definitely worth your while to visit the Naval Aviation Museum in nearby Pensacola. It’s definitely one of the top aviation museums in the country.
For Civil War buffs, TN is arguably the theater of operations most instrumental to the success of the Union forces and the preservation of our Republic. It also was the principal theater of operations of the most underrated Union General, the Virginian General George H. Thomas, the “Rock of Chickamauga.” There are few memorials to General Thomas, but the most notable one is in Thomas Circle in Washington, DC.
Michael Young-Chattanooga is also great with the “Battle in the Clouds”, and the charge of the Union Army of the Tennessee up Missionary Ridge where Douglas MacArthur’s father won his Medal of Honor. And of course Chattanooga was the kickoff of William T Shermans campaign to take Atlanta through New Hope Church, Reseca, Kennesaw Mountain and others. A brilliant campaign as Sherman feinted and lightly hit entrenched confederate units and then flanked them and moved on. The one time he tried a frontal assault was on Kennesaw Mountain, just north of Atlanta, and was repulsed, and then went back to flanking movements.
Basically Sherman, in today’s military, would be considered an Army Group commander since he commanded the Army of the Tennessee, Army of the Ohio, and the Army of the Cumberland. Union armies were named after rivers and confederate armies were named after the location. Thats why you had the Union Army of the Tennessee clashing with the confederate Army of Tennessee.
Thomas was also the commander at the Battle of Franklin where he basically destroyed John B. Hoods Army of Tennessee
@michael young
Sc@@w “our republic”!
I wanted to leave this relationship but my abusive husband wouldn’t let me.
Good music, good food, good times with a bit of history!
Good Catch, Well Said, and Spot On!
Years ago the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) held its Annual Reunion (for years that meant we gathered to demonstrate we could still drink too much) in Nashville. I rate it as the best of the many I have have attended due to the presence of Music Row, those wonderful places to eat, the music, and the sheer good naturedness of the people of Nashville.
An especially moving evening took place of all places…..the Grand Ol’ Opry music hall.
We attended a performance in mass…nearly two thousand pilots and family and one of the “Girl Singers” dedicated her song to us. She began by telling us of her Brother’s account of having been severely wounded as an Infantryman and how much he owed his life to the helicopter crew that flew into a hail of ground fire from rifles, machine-guns, and RPG’s to retrieve him and his friends who had been wounded. Something we did out of our dedication to those on the ground that we did so often and without hesitation but at great cost.
She put her heart into that performance….and won our hearts in return….thanking us for her Brother and those like him.
The Standing Ovation by our members, long…loud….and raucous probably set the record for a singer at the Opry that night.
So much of Nashville reminds us of both the goodness and greatness of America and everyone should take the opportunity to enjoy what it offers.
Professor Turley certainly knows of which he speaks as he describes his visit.
Gerinimo – all I can say is thank you for what you did out of dedication!
Next visit carve out some time for Carnton Plantation, site of the Battle of Franklin & believed to have been the bloodiest hours of the Civil War. It involved a massive frontal assault larger than Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. The majority of the combat occurred in the dark and at close quarters. The Battle of Franklin lasted barely five hours and led to some 9,500 soldiers being killed, wounded, captured, or counted as missing. It is a beautiful site today, quite serene, and profoundly moving. More here:
https://boft.org/carnton-history
Professor…..So glad you enjoyed your trip! Thank you for the photos.
While in the Tennessee State Museum you missed the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust which got moved from the Capitol after decades of protests. I’m curious if the move to the museum gave it even more exposure than before?
I hope so! Forrest was a great man, and a great general.
The Fort Pillow Massacre was certainly a career highlight, that and being the first Grand Dragon. What’s not to celebrate?
Enema back for another stop on his grievance tour.
Some people are just predictable that way.
I know. Lets celebrate the 17 people killed in Chicago over July 4 weekend.
It was more than that and a HUNDRED PLUS WERE ALSO SHOT, THE GHETTO WHINERS, OF COURSE.
I’m sure mr racist enema is right on it, denouncing the slaughter and the horrible black non community
Well, you know, complaining about slavery back in the 1800s keeps one from having to face the realities of 2024. Like the weekly violence in Chicago, the rate of illegitimate children, the failure of black kids to achieve at grade level, etc. Plus, it allows one to be lazy, and not put one’s actions where one’s mouth is. Because Time has moved on, and you can’t fix slavery or Jim Crow laws, but the problems of 2024 are fixable. But then, you gotta get up off the couch, and away from the keyboard, and do some actual work to make things better. Nah too much work – so just keep on voting for Forrest’s party – the Democrats. Yawn.
Good points thank you.
People like you are the reason people like George exist.
Assuming you’re talking about old George, people like him are the reason I exist.
I agree! You know, Forrest freed his slaves before the War ended, in case he was killed in battle, and the South prevailed. He gave them their freedom papers. He gave the several hundred of them a choice – continue driving his supply wagons for him, or leave if they wished, and make their way to the Union lines. Only one of the former slaves left him. But you know, you should be proud of Forrest! In a way, he was the very first Democrat Community organizer!
Shadrack the father, nathan the son, guess what ?
Yep, total cohencidence.
NOT
Looks like a great trip. Enjoyed the photos. Thanks for sharing.
It is refreshing to see an Eastern intellectual who enjoys visiting the middle of America.
You call Nashville, TN “the middle of America”? What do you call Two Spoons, South Dakota? (Not to be confused with Twin Forks).
Oh it’s so pathetic actually to have someone say it and point out what traitors the elite coastals are in effect.
We love you in Nashville, Jonathan. The next time you’re in town, visit Elder’s Bookstore on White Bridge Road, the best antiquarian bookstore in the south.