Jeff T.
Yelp
The Salty adds yet another option for coffee and donuts in 12 South, but the newly opened shop has some really nice features. You order at the counter and they give you a number if you're dining in. They then bring your food & drinks to you.
First, they have a nice selection of sweet and savory treats. I tried the "Honey and Sea Salt Cragel." It reminded me of a glazed soft Greek Bagel with a nice honey glaze. But it's $6. Butter or cream cheese would have been $1 more.
I also tried the Maple & Brown Sugar Cold Brew for $6. It was flavorful, but milkier than I expected.
The Salty is nice and it has a lot going for it, including some unique pastries and lunch service (sandwiches, a salad, and a power bowl) until 3:00 pm. Their outdoor patio is spacious and wonderful, with lots of tables. There is also music coming through speakers on the patio. The location is a good one and the coffee bar makes some tasty drinks.
There are also a few negatives here. First, for me, my order did not arrive at one time; my Cragel arrived quickly and my Cold Brew arrived 5 minutes later. It would have been nice if everything had arrived together. Also, please be aware there are only 8 different donuts, including 1 gluten free option and 1 Vegan option. So, only 6 if you desire fat and gluten.
But, pricing and value are the real negatives here. It costs $52 for one dozen donuts. And, you're not getting anything free for that price; no 13th donut and no price break. In fact, 6 donuts cost $26, exactly half the cost of a dozen. They're not even trying to give us a quantity price break. There's also a $1.25 up charge in the fine print for adding Almond Milk, Oat Milk, or Half & Half to your coffee or espresso beverage. Yikes!
Overall, the store is clean, the patio is nice, the flavors are good, but the prices are the highest in Nashville. There is no value here. You're paying more because it's in 12 South. But so is Buttermilk Ranch, Five Daughters, and Hearts.