Elliston Place Soda Shop Is Reborn With Banana Splits and (New) Boozy Milkshakes In Slick New Digs

In its rollicking heyday, Nashville’s iconic Rock Block was where you could soak it all up with late-night bean burritos and greasy pizza served by a local favorite named Buster. The infamous block also marks the spot where Elliston Place Soda Shop has laid fallow in recent years. Locals have long sounded their demands to save the institution, but never really supported the place after an influx of all things shiny and new hit the scene. But now, Elliston Place Soda Shop is reclaiming its chance to shine with the best of them.

Decked to the nines in chrome fixtures and red and black vinyl, the new space is banked with booths featuring original jukeboxes that haven’t played those tiny little records since Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night” topped the charts. Instead, diners can play the beautifully restored Wurlitzer jukebox for free anytime, a blast-from-the-past that sits adjacent to a live performance stage feeding a new era of Rock Block talent. Also, check out a whole new host of celebrity signatures on the stage’s wall, including Kathy Mattea’s inaugural autograph.

But some things never change. Natives will be happy to know Miss Linda continues serving up baskets of crinkle fries, perhaps accompanied by a big fat juicy cheeseburger or chili cheese dog, all with an endearing “Hon” or “Darlin.’” All the meat-and-three staples remain, and most everything is made daily from scratch. Crispy fried chicken, turnip greens, and squash casserole top the menu favorites, along with daily specials such as chicken and dumplings and fried catfish. Sip on fresh-pressed orange juice with breakfast served all day.

Still, save room for dessert. Ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and whole pies or by the slice join root beer floats, flavored sodas, and phosphates bringing out the kid in you. And the shakes? Those big boys have gotten a bit of a facelift too with the addition of boozy ones, as Elliston Place Soda Shop now boasts a full bar.

And sorry, Belmont students: Miss Linda will gladly accept your Bruins bucks meal plan voucher, but not for the booze, no matter how stealthy you think you are. She’s seen it all, after all.

Lucky Vandy kids, their meal plan voucher works for booze too, with proper ID.

Doors open tomorrow, May 11 at 6:30 a.m. Hours will be Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. until. 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.