Rotier’s Restaurant

Visited 01/​26/​2016
We were really disappointed in the service and food. Our server was not very friendly and came off rude as if she didn’t want to be there. I would try to ask something and she would either walk away or just have an attitude. Brought our drinks and no straws, when we asked for one, she just threw the straw on the table. When she took our order, I tried to tell her I did not want any of the fixings on it and no mustard. well she ignored me. When she brought our food, she was snorting (as if to suck back snot) it grossed me out. I asked for a box for my food which there was quite a bit left and she brings me a small box that wouldn’t even fit the rest of my burger. When she brought the check, she just slapped it on the table and said BOOM. Who does that? For being a Nashville staple. I was disappointed and will not be returning.

This place should be on exactly zero «best burger in Nashville» lists. Maybe I ordered the wrong one, but the signature French bread burger was fine but nothing special whatsoever. Cheap beer and a big tv in the back room though, so that’s a plus. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here… Nashville institution or no Nashville institution, you’re in for an apathetic diner experience more than anything else.

Horrible Customer Service!!!
Wish I could give this review no stars! We were told we were the next large party by one owner and the older owner (who has no customer service skills) gave the next big table to a party that came in after us because they were a larger party. We came in 10 mins before the party that they seated. After we had waited 45 mins, they expected us to wait for a different table. We weren’t able to eat with all of family and forced to leave! Older owner pretty much blew us off because it was his mistake. We will never eat at this substandard restaurant — who cares how good their burgers are if they have horrible service!

Awesome food. Kinda disorgaiized walking in but it was a buy lunch crowd which says a lot about the food. Would def recommend to anyoone visiting Nashville who wants a «local» vibe.

I was blown away that this place won best burger in Tennessee! I have tried so many delicious burgers in Nashville thus far, and Rotier’s just isn’t cutting it. Not only was the beef not grade A, but my side, the sweet potato tots were the worst I’ve ever ordered! Tasted worse than frozen from Walmart. The burger was greasy over glorified bar food. Not only was the food terrible but the price was outrageous. Paid about 14 – 15 bucks for something I could of got for 5 bucks anywhere else. I really don’t know why this place is rated so high as well as talked about throughout the community. I was very dissatisfied and will never go back. I will also tell everyone I know never to try it out. It makes me wonder how in the world a place like this could even compare to the other restaurants in Nashville not to mention won an award for best burger…
The system is f… d if you ask me!

It was just okay. Good burger but nothing worth going out of the way for.

Met some friends who live in Nashville here for a long visit and good food. The mozzarella sticks were so good, as were the cheeseburgers and onion rings. The family vibe here is great; seems that all of the employees truly like each other. After being in business since 1945, obviously they are doing something right!

Had an inclination for a burger today so took myself and my honey to Rotiers … Despite the broken springs in the booth benches, still had a great time.
Service is fast and friendly… Burger (no cheese, no mustard, add bacon, on a whole wheat toast?) was delicious… With sweet potato fries… Odd that soda comes in a 16-​oz bottle that I pour myself but I guess that’s a cost saving feature… Love the «dive» mood set up by 60s/​70s-​era wood paneling and dark green booth vinyl … illuminated by «rope» Christmas lights… Lots of neon on the walls and framed beer signs … You can hear everybody’s conversation all around you so if you’re hoping for a place to sit and conduct serious «deals», privacy won’t be had here…
Food just arrived so gotta go…

The hotel I was staying at recommended this restaurant for a good local burger place. It did not disappoint! The service was excellent and the food was delicious! I will definitely go back next time I and in Nashville. I recommend the French bread burger or fried chicken.

I’ve heard a lot about Rotier’s burger over the years so I was really excited to go when a friend suggested it. I wasn’t expecting it to be a hole in the wall but it is, complete with graffiti on the bathroom ceiling. An exceptionally sweet lady at the counter gave us a ticket number and we waited patiently for about five minutes until a server escorted us to a table matching that number.
The burger was good. Not the best burger in Nashville like some claim but good. It tasted like it was grilled in the backyard. The fries were okay. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed but I would probably eat there again if I was in the area and exceptionally hungry.

Service wasn’t great. We had the fried shrimp and zucchini appetizer which were pretty good but it was downhill from there. My oldest daughter had the grilled chicken salad that was all yellow iceberg lettuce. I had the «famous» French bread burger. The bread was barely toasted and the burger was incredibly overdone to the point that the cheese was almost completely melted off. The meat crumbled it was so dry. This place definitely is on the decline.

A BIT OF OLD NASHVILLE
We stopped in here for lunch after visiting Vanderbuilt University. This small restaurant has been in business for 70 years and remains popular with locals and out-​of-​towners alike. The 6 of us sat at the counter and had a grand old time. I had, believe it or not, the Fried Baloney Sandwich, and it was delicious.
There is clearly an «old Nashville» atmosphere and it’s a real treat to dine here.

This place is a gem. They have been open forever and there is a reason why. You are not going to get the healthiest food here but that isn’t the goal. The service is outstanding. I recently tried the fish sandwich, a menu item that has been unchanged for 50 years, it was hands down the best fish sandwich I have ever had. The onion rings were great as well. I highly recommend this classic Nashville staple.

Ok. First impression is that the place is kind of a dump. Second is that the food looks a little sketchy when it arrives. But! This place is awesome and I highly recommend it.
Firstly, we ordered food that was not burgers. We got the bbq plate and fish n’ chips. Pork plate came with corn on the cob, a baked potato and green beans. Everything was of good quality and tasted very fresh. I mean, how many joints have you been to that serve you garbage beans from a can and tell you it’s actual food? Fish was served with fries and a side ‘salad’. Ok, the salad was iceberg lettuce and tomato pieces. But hey, it wasn’t wilted or brown so I was happy. Fish was tender and flaky, and coated in a peppered batter. Fries were fries, not oily and freshly made.
Also had the fried pickles and remoulade. I really enjoyed the sauce, it had a little spice and (I think) relish. Ok maybe it’s closer to thousand island, but still delicious.
I will for sure go here again. But will be sure to wear stretchy pants.

I love a good diner and this places strikes me as a good diner. Walked in and was told to sit anywhere I liked so I grabbed a seat at the bar. Was given a short menu to peruse, I decided to try their famous French bread burger with their homemade chips. I was here around lunch and it wasn’t too busy but steadily picked up and continued for the next half hour. My burger came out quickly. French bread wasn’t life-​changing to me but I enjoyed the burger as a whole. My homemade chips were fresh made and still warm as I ate then. This good old-​timey diner uses square! (Or something similar) with tip I paid less than $ 10, emailed myself my receipt and went on my merry way. This feels like a great local spot with good food. Solid four stars.

** you will need to find off street parking for this place.
Read a lot about his cute little joint and saw all the awards they have won over the last 20 years. Of course, I tried the famed french bread cheeseburger. I added pepperjack, local bacon, and an egg. The beef was definitely fresh, but not grassfed. The local bacon was the best part of the whole burger. The bread was alright. The house made chips that come with it were stale and not seasoned enough. Overall, I was mildly pleased with what I ate for the price.
My husband got the open faced beef sandwich and wasn’t really pleased with it. The beef was tough, fatty, and under seasoned. The mashed potatoes were very chunky and also under seasoned. The flavor of the gravy was pretty good, though.
The service was nice but I waited almost 30 minutes for my check. That truly made an okay experience worse. I understand that servers have other customers and needs to attend to… But 30 minutes for a check?
They also do not have fountain carbonated sodas and serve them from a bottle, and they were flat.
I won’t come back here, but its worth a try if you like simple food for a good price.

The menu says the signature burger on French bread put them on the map– but I’d say it’s the service.
We were pleased and pampered from the moment we walked through the door. (Which was an experience in itself) the door does not do this place justice– the outside is less than appealing, and just inside is an old school cigarette vending machine, the kind with a glass display box on top. It’s dark and rather crowded with beer signs everywhere– but once inside, this is a gem.
We ordered two signature cheeseburgers. The waitress made sure we knew they serve them on French bread– but it was in a kind way that said in its tone that she would make sure it was made on any kind of bread in the world if we just said the word. We were excited about the French bread (and rightfully so; it’s delicious) since it’s the signature dish so we thanked her and ordered chicken strips for one kid and a veggie plate for the other.
Everything was fantastic!
Our six-​year-​old said the chicken was the best he’s ever had! We have to agree it was really, really good chicken! I would not be surprised to learn that a Southern grandmother made it by hand just for my kids. That’s just the kind of place this is.

This is as charming and competent a mom and pop eatery as you can hope to find in the South. Not only are there the southern standards you expect, but even my Dad would love the chicken gizzards and livers that are highly vaunted by locals. The classic French bread burger has been on the menu since the 1940s when the first Rotier opened the restaurant after The War, and it’s been an attraction for local appetites ever since. I was even introduced to crowder peas, which are an earthy, tasty combination between peas and beans that make for fantastic comfort food.
It’s the friendly, welcoming, immediately-​familiar service that really has me pining to come back. I had animated, wide-​ranging conversations with the entire family and felt like I was sitting in their kitchen sampling the contents of their fridge for an hour and a half. I now have a soft spot in my heart for these great people and their storied restaurant, and am excited to bring friends and coworkers to this hidden gem.

I have been here twice now. I wasn’t a big fan of the French bread burger the first time. I had the option to have a regular bun. But this second time, I went ahead and got it again. Its what made this place unique.
The atmosphere is wonderful, its like walking back in time (before you notice the iPad and the Square payment option)
I got the burger how I wanted. The burger was good. The French bread combo is odd but you have to at least try it. I love French bread also.
Fries were decent. There’s lots on the menu here so I can picture myself returning in the future.

I came here for the grilled cheese burger based on the picture from another Unilocaler. If you don’t want to make one yourself, which it seems like you can make this at home, but if you’re hung over, stopping in here would be a good idea. I’d probably come back to try the traditional burger, but I didn’t find anything amazing here except how nice everyone was.
I did quite enjoy the homemade chips they brought out with the burger. I don’t know. It was good. Legendary and best burger in Nashville? Hmmmm.