Robert’s Western World - Review - Downtown - Nashville - The Infatuation
"Robert's is really the only place we'd consistently brave Broadway for. The building itself has a long history, but if you want to get a feel for what pre-Kid Rock Broadway looked and felt like, this is the place. Add in the finest fried bologna sandwich in the city and the cheapest beer on the strip, and you have somewhere that’s not only our favorite honkytonk on the strip, but a downright Nashville institution. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Robert’s is next to the Ryman, the Mother Church of Country Music. And yes, there’s legit live country music—no covers of Sisqo’s Thong Song. The space is fairly narrow, with a bunch of old framed posters, well-worn beer signage, and dusty boots lined up against the room. All of this makes Robert’s feel way older than it is. The Honky Tonk Grill here keeps it simple, but they know what they do well, and they stick to it. Namely, appropriately greasy cheeseburger, alcohol-cushioning cheese curds, and one of the best fried bologna sandwiches you’re going to find in Nashville. They’ve got domestic beer specials running all day, where you can score a PBR or Miller High Life for only $2.50. Robert’s is and always has been a place to let loose, where you can walk in on a bright day or late night, grab a fried bologna sandwich to keep you company during a show, and really understand what Nashville used to be like. In this city, it’s about as close to time-traveling as you can get. Food Rundown photo credit: Casey Irwin Recession special You haven’t really been to Nashville if you haven’t tried the recession special at Robert’s. For $6, the grill hooks it up with a bag of chips, a Moon Pie, a PBR, and a crispy slab of fried bologna in between a bun. The sandwich is slightly slick with grease, satisfyingly salty, and easily worth three times the price. photo credit: Casey Irwin Cheeseburger If fried bologna isn’t your thing, the cheeseburger is a solid choice. It’s stripped down to the basics: a simply seasoned patty topped with a melted slice of american cheese, onions, and pickles. It comes with chips, but pay the extra money for the delightfully crispy crinkle-cut fry upgrade. photo credit: Casey Irwin Cheese curds The cheese curds are a must-order at Robert’s. These little nuggets are fried to golden perfection and served hot in a basket. They taste like tiny, bite-sized mozzarella sticks, only better." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
