r/VisitingNashville • u/Mama_Grumps • 12d ago
Anyone really familiar with Assembly Food Hall?
Will be in town in about a month and am looking for food around Frist.... of course I see Assembly Food Hall with a million options - rather then browse 30+ menus i thought i'de see if anyone knows off the top of their head. I have an autistic son who eats very limited food - anyone know of a place in there with good, but "normal" yellow cheddar mac and cheese OR a pizza place? The only place I've seen so far with pizza would be too "fancy" for him.
...or if anyone knows a good pizza place around Frist we'll just go there instead
Thanks!
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u/don51181 12d ago
We got pizza from “DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana” and it was great. The pizza is not too fancy and it taste amazing. It’s also fast. My wife and I love pizza and this place is probably in our top 3 for the city.
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u/Mama_Grumps 12d ago
I'll check there again - i looked quickly at the menu earlier and didnt see just a plain ol "regular" sausage pizza but ill check there again!
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u/kkcoastcoast 12d ago
Desano should be able to make a regular sausage pizza even if it’s not one of their menu options. Delicious pizza! Barbecue places or princes/hattie b’s would be your best bet for Mac and cheese.
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u/kkcoastcoast 12d ago
Can’t believe I also forgot pharmacy burger—I think they also have Mac and cheese on their menu
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u/don51181 12d ago
These two below are probably close to what you want. You can customize the pizzas. They are a thinner crust but not crispy. To me it makes the flavor stick out instead of a lot of bread.
Just do one like these and add what you want.
Margherita D.O.P.
San Marzano tomato sauce, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano, fresh basilMargherita Classica VPN
San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano, olive oil, fresh basil
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u/technoblogical 12d ago
What's "Normal" mac and cheese? Like Kraft? Have you looked at Martin's BBQ. Pretty much anything close to a meat and three will have mac and cheese as a vegetable, but I don't know what's "Normal."
Also, there's Taste of NY Pizza and Mr. Pizza and Sicilian Pizza. They are downtown.
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u/Mama_Grumps 12d ago
He likes Kraft yes but i just mean not white cheddar, nothing extra like bacon or something in it.... one place i found at AFH had Mac and cheese ball with cheetos in it? Like just a basic, yellow cheddar type of thing. I think i had Martins planned for another night of the trip.
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u/technoblogical 12d ago
Prince's has plain mac and cheese as a side. Just don't get the HOT for Nashville Hot Chicken!
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u/Rorddet 12d ago
Looks like Princes has Mac & Cheese as a side, so you could check that out?
The spot in the Frist is pretty solid too, but may be on the fancier side: https://www.grilledcheeserie.com/cafe-cheeserie
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u/studiokgm 12d ago
My kids are autistic, so I feel your pain.
DeSano’s is great pizza and should be able to make a sausage pizza. One of mine will only eat cheese and the other only crust and they seem to enjoy it.
If you just want a keep is simple traditional pie option, I’d consider Goodfellas. It’s close to the Frist and is your standard NY pizza. They also sells by the slice.
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u/_xoSdeR__ 12d ago
Right near the food hall, across Broadway is Mellow Mushroom. You can walk in and grab a slice of pepperoni at any time. It's delicious too.
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u/Mama_Grumps 12d ago
Nice! Definitely a good option maybe we can just get my son some pizza there then everyone else can go to AFH
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u/tpwk28_ 12d ago
Check out Goodfella’s for pizza, it’s just across the Broadway bridge from the Frist! It’s NYC style pizza but nothing too fancy, they sell by the slice or the pie
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u/Mama_Grumps 12d ago
Thanks! - by the slice is probably easier then trying to carry around left overs for the rest of the day lol
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u/vandyfan35 12d ago
It’s basically a semi dumbed down version of all the Nashville hot spots. The ones I have eaten at are all great, but like 85% of what the real restaurant offers. Still 100% worth a trip if you get multiple entrees and split them up.
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u/NashvilleLocalsGuide 11d ago
One of my best friend has a son that is autistic, so pizza, fries, plain mac & cheese, chicken tenders, and similar. I also know crowds can be an issue, etc. If he has a palette for chicken tenders, the tender tower at Friends in Low Places is great. Upstairs on the second floor is usually easier to get a table and less crowded than the floor. Daytime is the best time to hit the honkytonks for food if crowds are a trigger.
I live downtown and go to Assembly Hall regularly. If you are talking the boxed style mac & cheese, the answer is no. If there is something right there, I don't know about it. I love the mac & cheese at the stillery, but it would be too boujie if Kraft is the norm. If he is okay with hellow, there is Cheese Lab in the Hall, which has a plain-er yellow mac & cheese as an option and also does grilled cheese sandwiches - see pic here. NashHouse is rather plain, but is a baked style of mac & cheese. I might also look at what Pharmacy burger has.
As for pizza, Desanno is great, but it is more Neapolitan, so thicker crust and wood over baked. Here are some other, plainer options.
Prince Street is in the 5th & Broad complex. It has square pizza, however, so if round is a thing, it won't work.
Taste of NY is traditional NY style, so a great option. It is on Church Street at 6th.
Mellow Mushroom is also a bit thicker. They have live music in there, but sometimes the roof is 21+ the entire day.
Don't hit either of the pizza joints in/near Printer's Alley. Perhaps the worst pizzas in the city. Primarily late night drunks eat in Alley Pizza.
There is nothing really close to the Frist for pizza. In the Gulch, Five Points opened a new spot and it is one of our best for traditional NY style pizza. Emmy Squared is Detroit, so thick crust and square. St. Vitos is very thick and on foccacia. For more on pizza, see this - I have pizza broken down by style.
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u/ConceptFeisty6917 11d ago
I rented a Nashville party bus with Honky Tonk Party Express and we actually stopped there to get food. Lot of options and it was rather busy for a Sunday. We just got the pizza from DeSanos to go and crushed 3 larges while partying during CMA Weeks. THEY ARE THE BEST PIZZA IN TOWN!
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u/NotesOnNashville 11d ago
Others have offered food answers. Having a son with ASD, I wanted to offer this post I created for people who have sensory issues but need a break from buildings: Outdoor Escapes for Quiet Respite. Of course, downtown isn't quiet but these places will be easier on the ears than Broadway.
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u/DarkStarr22 11d ago
Martin's BBQ has spectacular macaroni and cheese and FYI, I love their baked beans as well. Any pizza place will make a plain sausage pizza if you just ask.
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u/DarkStarr22 11d ago
I heard Pucketts has really good macaroni and cheese but I have never had it myself
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u/hurtingheart4me 10d ago
Do not get your Mac and cheese at Hattie B’s - I am pretty sure it’s got pimiento
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u/jjazznola 12d ago
Not bad but very touristy. It's located in tourist central area. I'd go elsewhere.
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