“These are the three ‘Cs’ of Nashville: creativity, collaboration, and construction,” said Karen-Lee Ryan, guide and founder of Walk Eat Nashville. We all laughed as we took in the view of cars squeezing into tight spots alongside cranes and construction vehicles from our vantage on the pedestrian bridge. The twelve of us were gathered for the Sobro (South of Broadway) leg of the Walk Eat Nashville tour. We listened intently as Karen-Lee shared her thoughts and experiences on everything from the farm-to-table movement to the booming growth the city was experiencing. A firm believer that the food industry thrives where creative types thrive, we were set to see how her theory held up.
Though her former career in journalism was more than successful, Karen-Lee found her niche in sharing her love for good food in the city she calls home by starting Walk Eat Nashville. She started with an East Nashville tour, and when the demand grew and her business began to flourish, she added the Midtown/Vanderbilt tour, and most recently, the SoBro tour, naturally growing her business along with the growth of the Nashville food scene.
As we strolled through SoBro, the heat from the pavement and the beating sun made the cool and refreshing Southernaire Market— our first stop— that much more enjoyable. A more casual mercantile-style offshoot of the Southern, a Nashville staple, the Southernaire Market exudes charm and hospitality. It’s a perfect spot to grab a local craft beer as you peruse the shelves of local artisan wares. Homemade pottery, pasta, and hot sauces are just a few finds. A quick look over the deli counter and you’ll get a peek at some in-house made pasta salad or pimento cheese, both of which are addictive. If you’re not hungry during your visit, there’s always the option to take some cuts home to prepare yourself, or even have them delivered to your door.
