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    Shotgun Willie's BBQ

    4.7 (245 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Shotgun Willie's BBQ Photos

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    SHOTGUN WILLIE'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Shotgun Willie's BBQ

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    Ribs, brisket, jalepeno cheese sausage, mac and cheese, dill pickle potato salad, corn bread, Texas chocolate cake dessert

    We visited from California and this was our #1 favorite spot in town that we tried. The brisket was delicious. Ribs were so good with the BBQ sauces. The jalepeño cheese sausage was the best too!! Their best sides are the dill pickle potato salad, along with their mac and cheese & greens. Corn bread was average. But overall we loved everything. The customer service was so welcoming, and they all carry themselves with a smile and great conversation while ordering our food. Will definitely be back!!

    Brisket Sandwich with Mac and Cheese and 2 Beef Sausage and Sauce.
    Ahmad W.

    So my sister is visiting town again. I asked her to get this world famous bbq for me. She actually lives down the street like 10 minutes away! When I visit it's going to be on a Saturday so that I can get a beef rib.Brisket sandwich is loaded I tried the delicious brisket sandwich and the delicious beef sausage. Best beef sausage I ever had from a bbq restaurant! The Mac and cheese is delicious also the sauce is good. My family members tried different entree's from here also This food is delicious! My bro and I watch Ant bbq channel on YouTube iykyk! The food here is delicious! Pull up and check them out if you are ever in the area! I tried this food for the first time today on 4-3-2026.

    Doug G.

    Shotgun Willie's BBQ is located in Madison directly on Gallatin Pike a stones throw off of Briley Parkway and shares a small strip with Vega and Daddy's Dogs. If that isn't ringing a bell, the small strip they occupy sits at the front of the Eastside Bowl complex! This SGW is an upgraded and expanded location for the brand, who used to have a smaller spot just right up the road. The space is large, bigger than expected, and is one large open air space where you almost feel like you are dining in the back of the house. The line forms immediately to the right upon entry and takes you past a wall of BBQ and of course, Willie Nelson, themed decor. It's leads you right to the counter where they are freshly cutting the meats and scooping the sides as you order. The dining room features plenty of seating, and if the weather is good, then they have a large outdoor picnic area to enjoy. It's unconverted, hence the weather dependency. They do have a rule here and ask that you do not grab a table until you order and get your food. And I appreciate that! Now speaking of food, I have d ample a few things on the menu with my normal and favorite being the sliced brisket plate and the habanero cheddar sausage link. I appreciate the option of fatty or lean brisket, which you normally don't get...and I usually go lean, as it gets you more meat in my opinion. The sausage is great, a smokey essence with a perfect snap to the casing. You'd expect more heat, but the balance is nice. We have also gotten the pork shoulder sandwich and it's always tasty. They dust the meat with seasoning before tossing it on a bun, which is a nice touch. They have a solid selection of sides, and while they are all tasty, none really stand out as top tier bbq sides. The Mac n cheese, along with the green beans are usuals, and are both kind of one note in flavor. They aren't terrible by any means, but just okay. Pricing is in line with what you expect at local BBQ joints around Nashville. Lunch for two including drinks and dessert will run you around $50. SGW is a lunch spot, only open 11a - 3p, so if you are hungry, get in there early! Overall, Shotgun Willie's is a good spot that pulls a solid 3.5 stars for me. Not my favorite in town, but tasty and convenient when the meat cravings get the best of me!

    Trinity Plate with a side of mac and cheese
    Ethan C.

    Its always a good sign when you see the owner himself slicing the meats. Everything we tried was a 8/10 or better except the ribs which we found a little dry. Fresh off trying the other nashville bbq last night I can wholeheartedly say Shotgun Willie's blows them out of the water. The owner took some time to talk with every guest as he sliced their meats and the other staff were friendly. Tons of interesting decor on all of the walls. Come check them out!

    Courtnie C.

    Incredible brisket they slice it right in front of you and let you choose how lean or fatty you want it. Portions are very generous. My husband and I shared a plate and added the smoked half chicken, which they split for us. The sauce was solid, the seasoning had great spice, and the queso mac was comfort-food perfection with just a little kick. Paired with a Mexican Coke, it was the perfect lunch. Free and easy parking in their lot makes it even better. A really fantastic spot.

    Shotguns Menu
    Sidney Z.

    I Love BBQ! I've had it from Seattle, WA to Miami, FL! From Portland, ME to San Diego, CA and everywhere in between; I just love it. And, of course I have my favorite places which would take me 30 minutes to name them all. But the top three is easy: Green Street BBQ - Chicago, IL 12 Bones BBQ - Asheville, NC Shotgun Willie's BBQ - Nashville, TN Shotgun Willie's was today (for lunch) and immediately took a Top Three spot on my illustrious list of BBQ joints. Everything about Shotgun Willie's was great: The ambiance was fun, creative and very interesting The service was bright, witty and some of the most expert Q'ers I've ever seen The food was just sublime - the brisket we ordered had just the right amount of fat. The meat was tender as hell and the bark on the edges was addicting This was Texas BBQ at its best; in Tennessee? Go figure. The sides were ridiculously good as my potato salad and cole slaw was like a narcotic. I couldn't get enough of it. The seating was great and mostly communal and the restaurant itself was immaculate. The cutters / servers / cashiers were humorous and fun loving. What else can I say except having a Shotguns Willie BBQ lunch was the very best way to end this very fun golf trip!

    Leeza D.

    I did a mini barbecue tour in Nashville. Shotgun Willie was my absolute favorite in terms of the baby back ribs. They are just beautiful and not only did they look good, they taste very good. I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce though as it was a bit runny for me. However the ribs are flavorful and stand up by themselves with no sauce. The sides were heaping and also very enjoyable compliments to the meat. The restaurant was decorated with nostalgia. This was also the only restaurant I went to with a formidable line and consistently so. Casual. Easy parking. Indoor seating. Please come and create your own adventure.

    Brisket plate, side of queso mac and jalapeño cornbread muffin
    Rachelle H.

    We're big fans of Texas brisket, and I'd heard Shotgun Willy's was the real deal -- and they did not disappoint! My son and I stopped by for lunch today. By the time we arrived, they were already sold out of the cowboy caviar, chicken, and ribs (a good sign, honestly). He ordered the brisket plate with queso mac and a jalapeño cornbread muffin, and I went with the brisket sandwich and dill pickle potato salad. We ate there to soak up the full experience, and everything was delicious. The brisket had a bold, flavorful crust and was melt-in-your-mouth tender -- not too fatty, just right. Honestly, it's the best brisket we've had outside of Texas, and even compared to our favorite Texas spot, it would be a serious contender.

    Lots of seating indoors
    Jeff T.

    The best Brisket in Nashville. The staff are super friendly and the sides are delicious, but their Brisket is the star of the show here with its perfect bark, excellent flavor, all while being perfectly moist and tender. I love that they measure the meat portions; 1/2 pound for a plate and 1/3 pound for a sandwich. You can get your Brisket sandwich slices or chopped. Both are delicious, but I prefer mine chopped. All the sides are homemade and tasty. The Green Beans and the Mac & Cheese are really special. There is lots of seating. I really hope they get their soda dispenser repaired soon. More than half the drinks were out of order, including all of the diet options. I highly recommend Shotgun Willie's BBQ!

    Inside
    Rebecca Y.

    OMG. this place is amazing. Best BBQ I've ever had and #1 in Nashville. The meats were all spiced and cooked to perfection. Wait time is quick and they prepare it as you order. brisket was top tier. Ribs were fantastic. I highly HIGHLY recommend. Absolute 11/10 and will definitely be back!!!

    TX Trinity platter with half rack ribs, links, brisket, hominy green chile casserole, green beans, and mac and cheese. Easily feeds 3-4!
    Kaitlin H.

    We enjoyed the Texas Trinity platter, where the brisket and jalapeño cheddar links were the stand outs. The side of the day was hominy and green chile casserole which was incredible. Casual vibe and fantastic food - what's not to love?

    Brisket Plate
    Betsy T.

    We stopped here on our way out of town at the recommendation of friends we met up with. Everything was incredible! The people working were so friendly- I really enjoyed chatting with them while they prepared our meals! The inside was super cute with tons of seating. We loved the brisket and sausage and all of the sides were great too! Definitely coming back next time we're in Nashville!

    Marisela S.

    My hubs is a big bbq'r, loves brisket, ribs, kiddo loves mac n cheese, and I love all of it, so he mentioned this and said we have to come here, and it did not disappoint. We actually came back again since they had this aged meat that we had to get before we left on our trip. Everything was cooked soo precisely and the right amount of spices and time for the meat, I mean everything was delicious and no wonder they have a great reputation.

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    30 min wait for some of the best BBQ outside of Texas. Highly recommend. Possibly the best chicken I've ever had in my life.

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    Bill L.

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    4 months ago

    Small but fun place for bbq. Lots of nostalgia. Great food. And good service. Don't expect wait service. It's order at the counter.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Shotgun Willie's BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Shotgun Willie's BBQ

    Do they take Reservations?

    No reservations needed but they do close at 3 PM first come first serve

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    Turkey and the Wolf Ice House

    Turkey and the Wolf Ice House

    4.7
    (61 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    I have never left Turkey and the Wolf Ice House disappointed. It is the perfect spot on a pretty…read moreday and it does have some covered seating for a rainy one. It is fast casual service, you order at the window and they give you a little animal as your place card. I most recently went to introduce my friend to the fluffernutter ice cream sandwich but in the past went with a large group that ordered most of the menu and everyone was very happy. I love the sweet potato waffle cut fry salad!

    Finallllly tried this spot for lunch and now I get the hype. Parking can be a little difficult, but…read moreit is possible to find street parking for free. Just pay attention to the signs that block off portions for residents only. The restaurant seating is outside, but they're covered patio has a ton of fans and his temperature regulated. We ate outside on a day that was 80° and it wasn't as bad. The decor is super fun and very 90s themed. There's even a VCR set up near the bar area that plays old movies. Service was fantastic, especially for a fast casual place. Shout out to Grant for amazing recommendations and hospitality. Grant recommended the bologna sandwich and I am so glad I listened. I love bologna, and that was truly the best bologna sandwich I've ever had in my life. Highly recommend getting a side of their fries as well. We also had the lamb roti, which was very unique but had amazing flavor. There are plenty of cocktail options and mocktail options. I didn't try one, but apparently their margaritas are really great with passionfruit. I can't wait to go back to this place and get another bologna sandwich. I may go back tomorrow...

    Photos
    Turkey and the Wolf Ice House
    Fluffernutter ice cream sandwich
    Fluffernutter ice cream sandwich
    The Tomato

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    The Tomato
    The Bottega At Frankies

    The Bottega At Frankies

    5.0
    (2 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    If I could rate this place 10 out of 10, 10 times over it still wouldn't be enough. I stopped by…read morefor lunch on Wednesday specifically to get their chopped Caesar salad sandwich. As a sandwich connoisseur I can safely confirm that this is a top three sandwich of my entire life. The bread was lightly salted and made in house. It was absolutely delicious as was the chicken Caesar salad within the sandwich. my only regret is that I didn't have twice the amount of stomach space to eat two of these sandwiches. I plan to be back every Wednesday that I can to have the sandwich over and over again because it was just that good. They also had incredible olive oil that I tried with their homemade bread. It was also amazing. Highly recommend trying out the Calabrian chili olive oil that they have.

    Husband said the beef sandwich was one of the best he's ever had. The grilled cheese and tomato…read moresoup were delicious. The bread is cooked perfectly, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Took the sandwiches and walked over to get a slice of pizza for some of our party. The clam slice was a big hit. Sicilian pepperoni was very good. Service was fabulous. They sell great products as well. Glad we found this gem as we will be back for sandwiches, bread, pasta, deli and of course pizza slices. The special with slices and wine and beer are great deals.

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    Chicken cease salad sandwich
    Chicken cease salad sandwich
    Chicken Cesar salad sandwich
    Chicken Cesar salad sandwich
    Chicken ceasar salad sandwich

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    Chicken ceasar salad sandwich
    Little Hats Italian Market

    Little Hats Italian Market

    4.5
    (321 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    My wife and I stopped at Little Hats while visiting our daughter in Germantown, and wow, this place…read moredid not disappoint. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan sub, and it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The chicken was super tender, packed with flavor, and the sandwich was huge. I only made it through half and ended up eating the rest later that night. It was just as good the second time around. My wife had the Spicy Italian, and she loved it. The sweet pickles on it really made the sandwich stand out and gave it an awesome flavor. The atmosphere was really cool and felt very authentic. They also have a grocery section where you can buy authentic Italian sauces, pasta noodles, and other items, which was a nice touch. The only thing that surprised us was the fountain drinks being $5 each, but they do come in a souvenir cup. If you're looking for an amazing sub sandwich, I highly recommend Little Hats. The food was fantastic, the staff was friendly, and Germantown itself is a great area to walk around and explore. There are tons of cool places nearby. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Nashville. I'd give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

    I've heard a lot of great things about Little Hats Italian Market, so I was excited to finally…read morecheck it out. We went to the Germantown location, which has a huge, really nice patio and a bar area. We ordered at the counter and didn't get any drinks, but I definitely want to come back and spend more time checking out the retail section because it looked great. I got the chicken Parm sandwich, and while it was good, I felt like it needed a little more flavor. I'm probably a little picky with Italian delis since I'm from New England and have had some really great options, so my expectations were high. I think I need to try another sandwich next time. My sister got the soup, and it came in a big bowl and was really good. Overall, everything was solid, but I did think it was a little expensive for a takeaway deli. We spent around $40, which felt a little high for what we got. I will definitely come back for the patio. It seemed dog friendly, and I'm always looking for new spots to bring my pup. The atmosphere is great, and I'd like to come back to try more of the menu.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Pico meatballs and Goat cheese strawberry salad
    Pico meatballs and Goat cheese strawberry salad
    Strawberry  goat cheese and d see lemons salad

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    Strawberry goat cheese and d see lemons salad
    Mr. Aarons Goods

    Mr. Aarons Goods

    4.9
    (45 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    My favorite bagel in town! I lived in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania as a sprout, so you…read morecan imagine my pretentiousness when it comes to bagels. I love a perfectly executed bagel in the same way that Dale Cooper loves a damn fine cup of coffee. As such, I had kind of given up hope to find an actual bagel in town. Other spots came close, but I always just felt like I was settling. However, Mr. Aaron's Goods does it soooo right. We finally have a bagel in Nashville with the right crust and texture! Would love to see a vegan bagel sandwich on the menu in the future!

    Bagels are my birthright…read more I am a New Jerseyan / New Yorker that left the godless north for Nashville 10+ years ago. I was so afraid I would never have another good bagel again that I literally took bagel-baking classes at the Culinary Institute of America. I was right to be scared. For years, Nashville bagels were just bread donuts. Soft circles of steamed sadness committing breakfast fraud. The kind of thing someone hands you and says, "It's basically the same," right before you question every decision that led you south. Then this place showed up. It started as a pop-up inside TKO, R.I.P., and now it has taken over the whole space. This place gets it right. The bagels are boiled, rolled, baked, chewy, crusty, and spiritually accurate. Not "good for Nashville." Not "pretty close." Just really freaking good bagels. No apologies needed. The place looks the way a bagel shop is supposed to look. Concrete floors. Friendly chaos. People working hard behind the counter. And the people? That's the real thing. Mr. Aaron, his wife, and the whole crew are amazing. They know your name. They bust your chops. You bust theirs. That is community. That is customer service with a pulse. They even have a Mets fan, which proves their commitment to authenticity and long-term emotional damage. It's the kind of place you want to go every day, if your wallet, doctor, and basic sense of shame weren't constantly trying to ruin your life. Nashville finally has a real bagel place. I do not say that lightly. I say that as a man who has opinions about crust, chew, schmear, water, and most things. But this place rules. Go. Eat. Complain about the Mets. Order another bagel. Repeat.

    Photos
    Small grocery items
    Small grocery items
    Pizza bagel with Italian sandwich
    Pizza bagel with Italian sandwich
    Open concept

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    Open concept

    Shotgun Willie's BBQ - bbq - Updated July 2026

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