Source
r/Predators•
mach311

Jets fans coming to Nashville. Advice?

Me and my 8 year old son are Jets fans and coming to Nashville for our first NHL game. We are staying at Opryland hotel and ubering to downtown. Any tips on a good place to eat that is kid friendly (we like BBQ and wings/pizza/bar food) within walking distance to stadium? Also, will we be okay walking around downtown/ going to the game in Jets gear? Our seats are section 202 row A, which I'm hoping are pretty good. Any tips/advice are much appreciated.

Posted Oct 5, 2018, 1:59 AM UTC

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Rm909090•

Martins downtown is fairly close to the Arena and has good BBQ. Huge place, so shouldn’t be too crowded.

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Mh1189NSH•

Spoiler alert: it will be crowded, if you're going there get there by 5:30

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BarbarianDwight#19•

For BBQ I like Peg Leg Porkers. It’s a bit far if you’re wanting somewhere close to the arena though.

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covinerNSH•

Well worth the Lyft price. It's the best BBQ in Nashville

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JeanClaudeSegal•

I second this. Peg Leg is hands down my favorite. Their ribs are out of control good. Jack's on Broadway is also solid and the most convenient.

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WillCode4CatsDisciple of the Church of Saros•

Root for the Preds ;)

There are plenty of good restaurants within walking distance of the arena. Our arena is right in the heart of Broadway, so it's in an amazing location.

It depends on what you want - the tourist experience or something more casual (honestly a better choice)?

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mach311OP•

Hmm, probably whatever would be more enjoyable for an 8 year old, maybe the tourist experience? I just like good food but I'm sure he wouldn't mind some entertainment

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williamlee•

I went to see the Preds-jets match up last march. Fams from both teams were pretty cordial with each other. However, expect to hear 'J-E-T-S Suck Suck Suck' chant quite a bit as well as some mild heckling when the Jets start to lose. Nothing as vulgar as an NFL or MLS game, though.

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mach311OP•

I figured there would be virtually zero Jets fans in Nashville, but I may be wrong. I've been to a lot of NFL games, so I can handle some mild heckling, just not Eagles-fan level abuse.

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williamlee•

A surprising amount of people travel for the Jets. They're a damn good team, which hurts to say. Also, gives them an excuse to leave Winnipeg.

Also, Eagles fans are ruthless but I'll take 'em over a Falcons fan anyday.

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bcsmith317#WTWFT•

You’d honestly be surprised. It seems a lot of the Canadian teams travel well to Nashville. If you want BBQ downtown, go to Martins. Don’t be a jerk to Preds fans and they won’t be jerks to you, regardless of what team colors you’re wearing. We’re a fun bunch of people as long as you’re nice.

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roll_tide5#35•

I went to a preds/jets game last year and there were a lot more than I expected. It was nice to chat with some folks from Winnipeg, as you aren’t able to do so often. Hope you enjoy the city and the game! Make sure to eat some hot chicken!

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mach311OP•

Is there a good place to eat hot chicken downtown near the stadium?

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befree1231NSH•

Honestly, not really. Your closest option is probably Hattie B's in midtown, which will most likely have a long line and isn't that close to the arena. There will be a bunch of places that will have it on the menu, (most of them will have just renamed their buffalo chicken sandwich/tenders to capitalize on the trend) but if it's not from Prince's, Boltons, Pepperfire, Hattie B's, or a few other places that are specifically serving hot chicken, then it's not going to be worth eating. When it comes down to it, it's still just really spicy fried chicken. I love it, and eat it often, but you're not necessarily missing the next great culinary revolution if you don't eat it, and if you can't get to a real hot chicken place, please do not accept a substitute.

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roll_tide5#35•

I’m not from Nashville, so I’m not sure how well thought of it is in comparison to other places, but we went to Nudies Honky Tonk because they had a live band playing, and I thought the chicken was pretty great. It’s right on broadway just a couple of blocks down from Bridgestone arena too!

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AphoticApex•

Since the current iteration of the Jets relocated from Atlanta, you could see quite a bit of Jets and/or Thrashers fans. Last time I went to a game (I'm from Cincinnati, OH, wish I could head down more often), there were a lot of those jerseys and the Jets weren't even in town.

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mach311OP•

What, really? You saw Jets jerseys in Nashville even though they weren't even playing? I didn't expect that.

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458MAG•

A lot of fans were Thrashers fans before they moved the team. I know I was. When I got over it and started watching hockey I picked the team that was the most inviting when I used to travel to games. Nashville hands down.

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rationalitiesNSH•

I was also at the March game and I can confirm with there was a non-trivial number of Jets fans.

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dbfan2007#92•

Is it the Opryland Hotel and Resort?

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mach311OP•

Yes

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dbfan2007#92•

My friend paid for 2 nights at that hotel. He missed his flight so I took advantage of the free room. I still had to pay $100. Just thought I’d share since that’s a lot of money to me. Especially for a room already paid for. A little over half was parking. But they still had resort fees and something else. Which was basically two bottles of water for me. I’d take advantage of the resort if you can since you’re paying for it.

As for Nashville itself. I love the view from the Pedestrian bridge coming from Nissan stadium. You get a great view of the Nashville skyline as well as the other bridge. I don’t think fans will be too hostile. If there are one or two dickheads then I sincerely apologize. Drunk people can have a mind of their own.

At Bridgestone, I think it’s some of the best “stadium food” I’ve ever had and at a decent price. Feel free to check out some BBQ Nachos. You sound like you have a pretty decent seat. Be sure to let workers know of any issues you might have and also give us an update on your trip.

I’m no expert on Nashville because I live 3 hours away but I’ve been down there a lot because I have season tickets. There are others in the thread who are Nashville born and raised and day one fans, so I’m sure they can help with any questions you might have.

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BarbarianDwight#19•

You should be fine walking around in Jets gear. There might be some heckling from a drunk person since Bridgestone is right in the middle of downtown, but most of us try to be friendly.

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ns10fanIf you shoot it, goals will come.•

Here is my mini-bbq-manifesto (mostly uber locations with regards to stadium proximity):

Personally, I'd skip Martin's. One man's opinion, and lots of people love it, so I might've caught it on an odd off day. I had high hopes for it, and its whole hog cooking tout, but wasn't impressed by anything we ate. Having to wade through a gift shop to order was pretty tacky. Atmosphere was pretty cool though once you got your food.

I've never been, but I've been meaning to get to peg leg porker. My bro recommends, so I can trust in that although I've never been.

People gonna hate, but at the opry Mills Mall is a place called mission bbq. You can walk there from the hotel if you want. It's a regional chain, and in a mall, but I'll be damned if their food isn't some of the better, if not best, in town. To be honest, it's kinda embarrassing for Nashville, but I'm not too elitist to deny great consistent BBQ. Recommend the brisket (order lean if that's your fancy) with their Nashville hot chicken sauce. I dunno who makes that sauce, but it is straight up stupid amazing on anything. If they have blueberry cobbler, you're in for a treat.

People also gonna hate, but Jack's is pretty legit. If the Broadway locale is too hectic (almost always is... haven't eaten at that location in over ten years) the one on Trinity is usually walk in and chow. Recommend brisket. It's super smoked out. Mash and Mac. Their cornbread is the bomb.

East side, skip edley's (overrated) and hit up drifters. They're open late if you wanna do after game chow, they have a cool patio too. Parking is a pain, but if you're ubering, you're good. I cannot overestimate how insane their hush puppies are. Borderline worth a visit just for them, but also recommend their pork or the tofu sandwich if you're into that business. 😁 They also have standard bar/grill fare.

If you're feeling a touristy journey to Hendersonville, center point pit is a solid stop. Yes, guy fieri has been there, but it's a kitschy little corner place that hits the smokers hard. Their minced pork with the sweet and sassy sauce is a great combo.

Finally, though they closed their South End location, if you're interested in a good lunch, check out b&c in the Farmer's market. Their grit game is pretty boss...like Rinaldo! 🙄 Seriously though, there are other good restaurants there too and a decent way to spend a lazy afternoon. Recommend pork over grits.

Upper scale pricing, kitchen notes at the Omni hotel downtown is boss comfort food. You will not go hungry there.

Hot chicken, I've heard pepperfire, Hattie B's, and Bolton's. Despite being here almost a decade, I've never had hot chicken, but from my friends who dig that, those are the recommended in order.

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mach311OP•

This is another awesome response, thanks to everyone for all the info!

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inviscidfluidNSH•

I feel like I need to chime in and say that while I appreciate this fells detailed response, I am a passionate believer that while Jack's downtown is convenient, the one time I have tried it it was utterly trash. Maybe I got it on a bad day, but it was waaaaay dry, overpriced, and slow as all get out. I really like Peg Leg Porker and is a short uber ride from downtown.

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mach311OP•

What do you think of Martin's?

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inviscidfluidNSH•

Its not GREAT, but that is what I would do if I was craving BBQ and wanted to walk from the restaurant to the game. I also think it is more kid-friendly than Jacks.

Another place downtown that generally has good food is the rooftop of rock bottom. The place isn't like a party place, has good food, nice view, and I feel like I would think its cool to eat on top of a building if I was a kid. Pizza-wise I would go with Luigis. It isn't going to change how you feel about pizza, but I know sometimes kids get an idea stuck in their head regarding what they feel like eating. Flying Saucer also is good. Lots of good food and beer, and I think its kid friendly enough to get away with (although they do have about 5X more beer than food).

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PredsBooksFood2019 for Pekka; TDT: 1/3•

Hey, I hope you and your kid have a good time! I don't think you will have trouble with your Jets jerseys. I saw quite a few down town during the playoffs and no one was bothering them. I would have loved to have chatted with some of the Jets fans I saw but some of the hate from their fans was scary so I just kept my distance and minded my business.

There is so much good food down town, I don't know if you could really go wrong. I love Nashville and am very biased though!

View from section 202

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mach311OP•

I'm sure we will have a great time. I think our seats will be fine, especially since we're on the front row. Thanks for the Pic.

I have to say I'm very impressed with you Preds fans here on Reddit. I may start pulling for the Preds more often, unless we're in a heated battle for first again this year, hopefully that will be the case.

5
Ski-Daddy•

Broadway Brewhouse has decent burgers and close to the arena. And you won’t have any issues wearing the opposing jerseys downtown.

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David_PoileDaddy•

I’m sorry that was rude. You are more than welcome in our city and I hope you enjoy it. It’s incredible. Please forgive my salt. I downvoted myself.

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mach311OP•

I didn't see the rudeness before it was deleted so it's all good

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David_PoileDaddy•

Uber from Opry is going to cost you a penny btw.

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mach311OP•

Would I be better off just driving in and parking downtown?

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dbfan2007#92•

If you do drive, you can park at Nissan Stadium for free. Personally, I love it.

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o_mh_c•

If you’re not drinking, park at the football stadium and walk across the bridge. Free parking and a great view from the bridge.

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David_PoileDaddy•

If you’re drinking(which I suggest you do), no. our highway patrol is ruthless. If that’s not your thing, yeah find a cheap lot early and enjoy downtown, it’ll save you some cash.

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