Walking into the Buca di Beppo in Franklin, right there on Galleria Blvd, feels a bit like stepping into your loud Italian uncle's basement if he also happened to be obsessed with vintage kitsch and Frank Sinatra. It’s chaotic. It’s red-sauced. Honestly, it’s exactly what you expect from a place that built its entire personality on "more is more."
If you’re looking at the Buca di Beppo Franklin TN menu, you need to understand one thing before you even sit down: the portion sizes aren't a suggestion. They are a lifestyle choice. They basically divide everything into "Buca Small" and "Buca Large." Don't let the word "small" fool you; it’s designed to feed two or three people. The "large" is meant for five or more, or perhaps a very hungry local football team.
The Heavy Hitters: Pasta and Those Famous Meatballs
You can’t really talk about this menu without starting with the meatballs. They’re famous for a reason. These things are literally half a pound each. It’s not just a meatball; it’s a commitment.
The Spaghetti with Meatballs is the quintessential order here. In 2026, the price for a small portion usually hovers around $41.39, while the individual lunch portion is closer to $15.99 if you’re flying solo. The sauce is a classic marinara—sweet, heavy on the garlic, and exactly the kind of comfort food that makes you want to take a nap immediately afterward.
If you want something with a bit more of a kick, the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni is a sleeper hit. It’s got chicken breast, garlic, crushed red pepper, and peas in a spicy rosa sauce. It’s $19.49 for a lunch portion, but if you’re sharing the family size, it’s about $41.39. There’s something about that rosa sauce—a mix of marinara and alfredo—that just hits differently when it’s got that red pepper heat.
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- Lasagna: Towering layers of meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan. It’s only available after 12 PM because, frankly, it takes that long to build a pasta skyscraper.
- Fettuccine Alfredo: The "small" is $35.69. It’s rich. It’s creamy. It’s basically a bowl of butter and cheese, and nobody is complaining.
- Baked Ziti: A vegetarian-friendly option for $35.69 (small) that comes topped with Italian-style bread crumbs for that crunch.
Entrées and the "Kitchen Table" Experience
For the folks who aren't just there for the carbs, the Chicken Parmigiana is the undisputed heavyweight champion. It’s topped with homemade marinara and mozzarella, served alongside a side of spaghetti. At the Franklin location, this is often the most-ordered item on the menu.
But here’s a tip: if you want to feel fancy, look at the Chicken Limone ($39.09 for a small). It’s got that bright lemon butter sauce and capers that cut through the richness of everything else on the table. Plus, it’s one of the few items that can be made gluten-friendly if you ask them not to dust it with flour.
Speaking of tables, if you’re booking for a big group, ask about the "Kitchen Table." It’s literally in the kitchen. You get to watch the line cooks sweat over the pasta water while you pass around platters of Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken or Salmon Sorrento. It’s loud, it’s immersive, and it sort of makes the food taste better.
Salad: The "Health" Illusion
We all do it. We order a salad to feel better about the three pounds of pasta coming our way. The Apple Gorgonzola Salad ($29.89) is actually surprisingly good. It’s got Granny Smith apples, spiced walnuts, and dried cranberries. The tartness of the apples actually helps wake up your palate between bites of heavy cheese.
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The Chopped Antipasti Salad is the other big contender. It’s basically a charcuterie board that fell into some lettuce. Pepperoni, salami, red onions, pepperoncini, cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, black and green olives, provolone, feta, and gorgonzola. It’s $29.89 and honestly, it’s enough to be a meal on its own.
Buca di Beppo Franklin TN Menu: Pricing and Deals
Let’s be real—eating here can get pricey if you aren't careful. Since everything is à la carte, the bill adds up fast.
- Lunch Specials: If you’re just one or two people, go during lunch. They have individual portions like the Spaghetti Marinara for $14.49 or the Eggplant Parmigiana for $15.99.
- Buca Bundles: They often run a "$40 Buca Bundle" that feeds four people. It usually includes a salad, a pasta, and bread. It’s the best bang for your buck if you’re on a budget.
- Catering: If you’re hosting a graduation party in Cool Springs, their half-pans serve 10 and full-pans serve 20. A half-pan of Chicken Parmigiana is roughly $80.00.
The Dessert Situation
You probably won't have room for dessert. You should order it anyway. The Tiramisu ($21.89) is massive. It’s got ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso, and it’s layered with mascarpone that’s actually light enough to not kill you after the pasta.
Or, if you’re feeling nostalgic, the Chocolate Chip Cannoli ($18.39) come three to an order. They stuff them fresh, so the shells actually stay crunchy instead of turning into soggy cardboard.
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What to Know Before You Go
Franklin locals know that the Cool Springs area gets slammed on Friday and Saturday nights. This isn't a "quick bite" kind of place. It’s a "we’re going to be here for two hours and leave with three boxes of leftovers" kind of place.
If you’re planning a visit, definitely make a reservation. Even in 2026, the nostalgia for 90s-style Italian dining is strong in Middle Tennessee. The service is usually friendly, though it can get a little frantic when the "Pope Room" (yes, they have a room dedicated to the Pope) is full.
Pro Tip: If you’re ordering delivery through Uber Eats or Grubhub, look for the "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" deals on the Chicken Parmigiana or Spaghetti with Meatballs. It’s a frequent promotion for the Franklin location and basically gives you lunch for the next three days.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Daily Specials: Before you head over to Galleria Blvd, check their website for the "$40 Bundle" or seasonal items like Pork Osso Buco which occasionally pops up.
- Join the E-Club: If you know you're going for a birthday, sign up for their "Buca di Beppo E-Club." They almost always send a $20 off coupon or a free pasta for your birthday month.
- Plan for Leftovers: Bring a bag. Seriously. Unless you’re eating with a professional wrestling team, you are going to have leftovers. The Baked Ziti and Lasagna actually taste better the next day after the flavors have had time to mingle in the fridge.