Jack's Bar-B-Que

 I first heard about Jack’s Bar-B-Que while researching online for places to eat in Nashville.  It seemed like a good dinner option since unlike many good places there, such as the meat-and-threes, Jack’s stayed open for dinner.  Most of the other dinner options consisted of bars with live country music.  My coworker, her husband, and I attempted to go to Jack’s for dinner the first evening we were in Nashville, on Monday, February 9.  Unfortunately, it was closed for a private party so we went to Rippy’s instead.  For the second evening, Tuesday, February 10, my coworker and her husband caught a ride to an upscale mall where they ate at CPK.  I decided to try Jack’s on my own.

Just like the previous evening I walked north on 4th Street, crossed 4th and Broadway and quickly arrived at Jack’s.  The streets were crowded with people, some in jerseys, who were going to see the local NHL team, the Nashville Predators, play the Detroit Red Wings at the Sommet Center.  Jack’s was open for business and it wasn’t too crowded, a little over half full.  I guess the fans had left to see the game that started at 7 pm.  I had considered attending the game but I figured I could attend a Kings game back home if I wanted to see the NHL.  I later learned that another attendee of the conference I was in Nashville to attend is a big hockey fan.  Perhaps next time we’re in Nashville we can go to a Predators game.

I entered Jack’s and noticed it was different from most dinner places in Nashville in that it didn’t have live music or even a stage for live music.  It was fairly small.  Customers order at the counter in the right back of the restaurant.  Above the counter is a large menu with barbecue favorites including pork shoulder, beef brisket, and Texas sausage.  They also have sides such as macaroni and cheese, green beans, and baked beans.  I placed my order and they served it up right in front of me on a tray.  Then I went to find a table.

Jack’s has many tables for two consisting of two small booth benches with a small table in between.  I found that the benches were low with well-worn cushions.  This made the table seem high when I sat down.  There are a few tables for larger groups.  The place has very dim lighting.  It also has high ceilings with game heads such as deer on the walls.  I sat down at a small booth near the window but then noticed someone from the conference sitting at another booth so I went over to sit with him.  He works as a statistician for Noridian in Fargo, North Dakota.  I enjoyed hearing his Midwestern accent that differed from the Southern accents of the natives to Nashville.  We talked about statistics and his background.  He has a PHD and has taught statistics at the college level.

The food I ordered was very good.  Like the barbecue I had at Rippy’s the evening before, my Texas sausage from Jack’s did not come with barbecue sauce.  But the sausage still had a great smoky flavor.  It came sliced and in a hamburger bun.  For one side I had the green beans that were pretty good and cooked to the right consistency.  But what really made my meal was the other side I had:  fried apples.  It was like apple pie without the crust, sweet with just a bit of tart apple flavor, and it was a good amount, too; more than just a spoonful.  It was like having dessert for dinner.  The other conference attendee ordered a different barbecued meat option.  It looked like a pork shoulder and it looked like it came with sauce.  After we finished we returned to our respective hotels.  My jacket and cloths smelled a bit like smoky barbecue; definitely not a bad thing.