Korean Fried Chicken Chain Bonchon Heads to Nashville Suburbs, Plus 5 More Upcoming Bars and Restaurants

January 26, 2022

Franklin/Murfreesboro/Smyrna: Bonchon, the popular family-friendly South Korean fried chicken chain, is headed to the Nashville burbs in 2022. In the brand’s first foray into Tennesse, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Smyrna will all score locations of the popular chain — which translates to “my hometown” in Korean. Expect crispy, crunchy twice-fried Korean fried chicken alongside bulgogi, Korean tacos, and japchae — a popular glass noodle dish with vegetables, sliced marinated ribeye, soy garlic sauce, and sesame oil. Bonchon was founded by Jinduk Seo in Busan, South Korea in 2002 and opened its first location in the United States in 2006. Today there are 385-plus locations worldwide. Bonchon recently announced it is ramping up its growth initiative in key cities across the United States, including the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern markets. Bonchon has signed a franchise agreement to open six locations throughout the Greater Nashville market in neighborhoods throughout Montgomery, Davidson, Sumner, Williamson, and Rutherford counties. Neng “Alan” Lan and Xuefang Chen are developing the Korean fried chicken restaurants in the area, with the first location set to open in 2022.

North Nashville: Bag Lady’s Chip & Fry Co., a French fry-focused food truck, is opening a permanent spot at 1402 Buchanan Street in North Nashville this spring. Founded by brothers and Nashville natives James Littleton and Brandon Littleton during the early days of the pandemic, Bag Lady is known for piled-high fries, nachos, and chicken. The brothers say operations will continue as normal on the food truck and catering side, and they plan to open more locations in the future.

Bag Lady’s Co./Facebook

Donelson: The Darsino family, owners of East Nashville’s fast-casual Greek go-to Greko and popular Donelson destination Darfors, are rolling out a new development in the Donelson neighborhood that will offer two new restaurants. The first will be a collaboration with meat-master Pat Martin — a sports bar and family-friendly spot called Greeno and Shorty’s, and the second is an Italian restaurant, Salento Italia. One other “major” restaurant tenant is said to be finalizing its lease.

Germantown: Take Me Out To The Brewery (TMOTTB), a new craft beer bar, is slated to take the downstairs space in the building by First Horizon Park, beside Brooklyn Bowl and below Third and Home, at 915 Third Avenue North. The menu is said to focus on craft beer and pizza.

Five Points: Bartaco, the popular bachelorette destination for all things tacos, guacamole, and margaritas, is opening its second Nashville outpost next to Edley’s BBQ in East Nashville, in a to-be-named building replacing the Five Points former home of Family Dollar at 1000 Woodland Street.

Downtown: Boqueria, a Spanish tapas restaurant that originated in the Flatiron District in New York, is expected to open its 8th location in Nashville in February. The Spanish stalwart, which first opened in 2006, has steadily grown to seven locations spread throughout New York, DC, and Chicago. The Nashville Boqueria will be located in the Fifth + Broadway complex at 5005 Broadway Place and will serve the same menu of Barcelona-style tapas like patatas bravas, paella, and Spanish omelets.

Boqueria/Facebook