By Chef Kevin Powell
Kevin Powell is the executive chef of Woolworth on 5th in Nashville, TN.
Photograph courtesy of Woolworth on Fifth
Woolworth on 5th
The History
Located in downtown Nashville, the Woolworth department store became the site of the first lunch counter sit-in during the tumultuous 1960s Civil Rights Movement. It was February 13th, 1960, when 124 college students from Nashville's historically black colleges and universities walked into the store’s luncheonette and asked to be served at the counter. They were denied.
“The first time US congressman John Lewis was arrested for nonviolent protest challenging segregation and racism was while sitting at the lunch counter on the mezzanine of this Woolworth.”
In April of the same year, four thousand students, including now congressman John Lewis, marched to the courthouse to confront mayor Ben West, asking him if segregation at lunch counters was morally right. He answered no and this day started the process of desegregation at lunch counters.
58 years later, in 2018, movie set caterer Tom Morales (TomKats) set out to correct history and resurrect this historic site with a welcoming and friendly restaurant open to everyone. The 404 Kitchen ownership group is now running the restaurant with chef Kevin Powell at the helm.
Historic lunch counter | Photograph courtesy of Woolworth on Fifth
Honoring the Past
“We've been lucky enough to host several guests who actually participated in the sit-ins at our restaurant. Hearing their stories has been a huge inspiration to our entire staff. We even had Diane Nash [civil rights activist] visit us.”
The Menu
“My focus is bringing back the fountains and diner food. I want to make sure the menu matches the identity and aesthetic of the restaurant. When we were creating the menu, we looked at old Woolworth menus for ideas.”
Super Jumbo Banana Split | Photograph courtesy of Woolworth on 5th
Make sure to order
“Shrimp & Grits, Pot Roast, Pulled Pork Nachos, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Super Jumbo Banana Split, which is truly a show stopper.”
WOOLWORTH ON 5TH
221 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219
T: 615.891.1361
woolworthonfifth.com
Chef Kevin Powell’s Nashville Guide
“Nashville has a diverse food scene and is a melting pot for the North and South. The city is rapidly expanding, so there are new neighborhoods to explore and live music on every corner.”
Breakfast
Photograph courtesy of The Pancake Pantry
Loveless Cafe
Since the 1950s folks have been coming to Loveless Cafe for standard Southern hits like hot biscuits and fried green tomatoes.
“Come here for rich history and Southern cuisine. They also sell jams and preserves from local farmers.”
400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221
T: 615.646.9700
www.lovelesscafe.com
Pancake Pantry
They have been serving scratch-made pancakes since 1961, ranging from Smoky Mountain Buckwheat to Chocolate Chip to Sweet Potato to Swedish crepes.
“If you are willing to wait for a table, this is a great place for breakfast.”
1796 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
T: 615.383.9333
www.thepancakepantry.com
Shops
Photograph courtesy of Two Old Hippies
Gas Lamp Antiques
50,000 square feet of rooms for treasure hunting and one of the largest antique malls in the state of Tennessee.
“Gaslamp Antiques is a fun store with vintage furniture, clothes, and jewelry. It's in a large warehouse, so it definitely takes some digging and patience.”
100 Powell Place, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37204 | T: 615.297.2224
GasLamp Too - 128 Powell Place, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37204 | T: 615.292.2250
gaslampantiques.com
Two Old Hippies
8,000 square feet of men’s, women’s, and kid’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, books, novelty items and musical instruments.
“It's like a local Urban Outfitters.”
401 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.254.7999
www.twooldhippies.com
Lunch
Hattie B’s | Photo Credit ©Find. Eat. Drink.
Brown’s Diner
They began serving their signature burgers in 1927 and hold the city’s oldest beer license.
“Come here for their Chili Frito Pie and Flat Top Burgers.”
2102 Blair Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212
T: 615.269.5509
Hattie B’s
They may not have been the first hot chicken joint in Nashville, but they are the fastest expanding and the one with the line out the door.
“Touristy, but their hot chicken is great.”
Midtown | 112 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203 | T: 615.678.4794
Charlotte | 5209 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 | T: 615.712.71372
Melrose | 222 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204 | T: 615.970.3010
hattieb.com
Sweets
Photography courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes
As the name implies, they specialize in bundt cakes with ten different varieties with classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate to a bit more inventive like red velvet, carrot, and pecan praline.
“This place is a must for sweets.”
21 White Bridge Road, Suite 111B, Nashville, TN 37205
T: 615.354.6300
www.nothingbundtcakes.com
Dinner
Photograph courtesy of Folk
Folk
The new sister restaurant to Rolf & Daughters from chef / owner Philip Krajeck. The 96-seat neighborhood restaurant serves snacks, small plates featuring a dedicated vegetable section, larger mains, and oven-fired pizzas.
“I love the food quality, consistency, and service. Their chefs are very creative when composing dishes.”
823 Meridian Street, Nashville, TN 37207
T: 615.610.2595
www.goodasfolk.com
Bars
Photograph courtesy of Dino’s
Melrose Billiard Parlor
Opened in 1944 and recently given a facelift, they have pool tables, ping pong, shuffleboard, darts, foosball, Golden Tee, and tabletop video trivia.
“A great dive bar that’s really worth checking out.”
2600 8th Avenue South #108, Nashville, TN 37204
T: 615.678.5489
dirtymelrose.com
Dino's
What more needs to be said than this is the oldest dive bar in Nashville.
“This is a cool spot in East Nashville. Get the hot fries or hot chicken.”
411 Gallatin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206
T: 615.226.3566
dinosnashville.com
Late Night
Photograph courtesy of Mafiaoza’s
Broadway Brewhouse
A menu to meet your post-midnight needs with an extensive beer menu and their signature Bushwacker (a creamy, chocolate, boozy adult milkshake).
“Get the Bushwacker or choose from their massive draft selection.”
317 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
T: 615.271.2838
MAFIAoZA’S
An Italian restaurant featuring Mobster-themed pizza pies with names like The Rico Act, The DeMartino, and The Informant.
“They have a killer New York Style pizza and a friendly staff.”
2400 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204
T: 615.269.4646
www.mafiaozas.com
Live Music
Photograph courtesy of Mercy Lounge
Mercy Lounge
A small club featuring both local and national acts like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Dinosaur Jr., Katy Perry, and The White Stripes.
“This is a neat venue with diverse music.”
1 Cannery Row, Nashville, TN 37203
T: 615.251.3020
www.mercylounge.com
The Bluebird Cafe
A 90-seat music club featuring both established and up-and-coming acoustic musical artists.
“A legendary venue for all musicians.”
4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215
T: 615.383.1461
bluebirdcafe.com
Souvenirs To Bring Home
Goo Goo Clusters
Invented in Nashville in 1912 by Howell Campbell who came up with the chocolate-caramel-marshmallow-peanuts combo.
“You can buy them at their shop in downtown Nashville.”
116 3rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201
T: 615.490.6685
googoo.com/find/downtown-nashville
Yazoo Beer
Brewmaster Linus Hall began his beer brewing escapades in college in the 1990s and opened this brewery in 2003.
“Stop by their brewery which has a great beer selection and a super relaxed vibe.”
900 River Bluff Drive, Madison, TN 37115
T: 615.891.4649
yazoobrew.com
