Robert's Western World

"Think of Robert’s Western World as the CBGB of Nashville, except here it stands for Cold Beer and Great Bolos. The original home of Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company is one of the last true honky-tonks left in Nashville. It’s also the best place to drink cheap beer and eat fried bologna sandwiches on Broadway. The owner’s band, Brazilbilly, has been the official house band since 1995, but there’s a steady rotation of live music every day. Hit up Robert’s on a Wednesday or Thursday night (especially if you’re hosting out-of-towners) for people-watching, when it’s common to spot a few country stars in the crowd. And, make sure to dance while Kelley’s Heroes plays their headline set. Two words: upright bass." - adam sloan

"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

"Robert’s Western World is one of the few honky-tonks that harkens back to when Broadway wasn’t owned by every A-list country singer. It feels like it’s been around forever, and in Nashville, where new concepts open and close at the drop of a hat, it kind of has. The building’s lived many lives (as a warehouse, steel guitar factory, boot shop), but today, it’s a great spot to pop into during the day with some friends and family, listen to some bluegrass or country, and fuel up with a legendary Nashville meal deal: Robert’s recession special. For a bargain price of $6, you get a fried bologna sandwich, a Moon Pie, Lays potato chips, and a PBR. At night, it’s adults-only and a perfect place to listen to some music, sip a beer (don’t even try to order a cocktail here), and get a glimpse of the music style that launched Nashville to fame." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak

"Robert’s Western World feels like it’s been around forever. And in Nashville, where new concepts open and close at the drop of a hat, it kind of has. The building’s lived many lives (as a warehouse, steel guitar factory, boot shop), but the old-Nashville feel—less Kid Rock, more Johnny Cash—is still there. During the day, you’ll find people of all ages listening to some bluegrass and filling up on Robert’s recession special: a fried bologna sandwich, Moon Pie, Lays potato chips, and a PBR, all for $6. But at night, it’s adults-only and a perfect place to listen to some music, sip that beer (don’t even try to order a cocktail here), and get a glimpse of the down-home music style that launched Nashville to fame." - bailey freeman, jackie gutierrez jones 2

"Before Broadway’s streetscape was overtaken by three-story mega-bars named after modern country music stars, Robert’s Western World has consistently offered old-school country music and rockabilly for those seeking a true Nashville honky-tonk experience. And while this is undoubtedly more bar than restaurant, Robert’s $6 Recession Special — a fried bologna sandwich with an icy PBR and Moon Pie for dessert — is an iconic Music City meal." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff