William W.
Yelp
I don't casually hand out five-star reviews to every hip restaurant I walk into, as some do. But The Goat truly made an indelible impression on me, a trendy eatery with a beautiful, lofty interior, retractable garage doors that can be opened in moderate weather, and stellar westward views of the JW Marriott and the high rises of The Gulch. This venue is emblematic of the new Nashville, with striking decor, a fabulously inventive menu that celebrates local food, and a bar where you'll hear tales from out-of-state transplants. And it's well within walking distance of the tourist hotspots, but a little quieter and just beyond the madness.
In a city that hardly sleeps, The Goat offers lengthy hours from early morning breakfasts to late-night dinners, and even stays open several hours past midnight on the weekend. The thriving SoBro neighborhood had so little to offer when I moved to Nashville in 1994. But now, within that miniscule 2.6 square miles, you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, the convention center, and celebrated restaurants like Etch, Bakersfield, and The Southern. The Goat now adds to that repertoire, one of the new kids on the block anchoring the LC SoBro apartment building. Technically, the property lies in the adjacent Rutledge Hill section just feet away from SoBro, but they're an honorary member or the neighborhood and I'm okay with that.
With a bevy of irresistible appetizers, I settled on the Farmhouse Tots. Thick tater tots arrive with toppings like little chunks of pork belly, fresh scallions, cheese sauce, a tangy sriracha aioli, and a fried egg that bursts open and covers the dish. This amalgamation of flavors was truly wonderful.
My main course was the Nashvegas Burger, and it rivals some of Nashville's best hamburgers like The Pharmacy and Jack Brown's. The towering, double-pattied masterpiece offers the rich flavor of aged Angus beef with a spicy, house-made pimento cheese spread on brioche. Fried onions add to the experience, although they were a little soggy amidst the cheese. Many of the knowledgeable chefs in Nashville find ways to incorporate bacon from the much-heralded Benton's meat shop in East Tennessee. And indeed, two beautifully salty Benton's bacon strips protrude from this burger, adding the perfect smoky flavor to every bite.
There are many intriguing menu items that beckon my return, so I'll be back. The food is realistically a 4.5, but the atmosphere and location are perfect. So I think the five-star rating is deserved! You've earned the approval of this elite Yelper.