Nashville is changing. If you’ve driven down Broadway lately, you’ve seen the neon signs multiplying like rabbits. Every country star with a Top 40 hit seems to have a four-story bar with a rooftop patio and a literal bus parked inside. But there’s one name everyone keeps looking for on those signs: Jelly Roll. People are constantly searching for the Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville location, expecting to find a massive "Whitsitt Chapel" themed steakhouse or a dive bar serving up glazed donuts and moonshine.
It makes sense. Jelly Roll—born Jason DeFord—is the literal embodiment of Nashville. He’s the Antioch kid who went from the Metro Moore Detention Center to selling out Bridgestone Arena. He’s the guy who buys lunch for the entire staff at local joints. You’d think a restaurant would be the first thing on his list.
But here’s the reality that trips people up. As of right now, if you’re looking for a brick-and-mortar building with his name on the lease where you can sit down and order a burger, you’re going to be walking for a long time.
The Truth About the Jelly Roll Restaurant Nashville "Opening"
Let's clear the air. There is no official Jelly Roll restaurant open for business in Nashville today.
I know, it feels wrong. Everyone from Eric Church to Luke Combs has a spot. Even Jon Bon Jovi has a place on Broadway now. But Jelly has taken a different path. Instead of the traditional celebrity bar route, his "restaurant" presence has been a mix of philanthropic pop-ups, partnerships with existing local legends, and a very specific focus on the food he actually grew up eating.
He’s a regular at Bunny’s or Twin Kegs. He talks about Prince’s Hot Chicken like it’s a religious experience. For a long time, the closest thing to a "Jelly Roll restaurant" was actually a food truck.
Back in the day, Jelly was heavily associated with the Bunnie Cakes and various mobile setups, but his most significant culinary footprint has been through his partnership with Raising Cane’s. You might have seen the "Jelly Roll" themed Cane’s locations or the massive charity events he does with them. He didn’t just sign a sponsorship deal; he literally worked the window at the Cane's on Broadway. He treats the local food scene like a fan, not necessarily like a corporate developer.
Why he hasn't opened a Broadway bar (yet)
There’s a specific vibe on Lower Broadway. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it’s very "New Nashville."
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Jelly Roll is "Old Nashville."
He’s the guy who remembers when the Gulch was just a bunch of literal holes in the ground and train tracks. There have been rumors for years about him eyeing property in East Nashville or perhaps staying closer to his roots in Antioch. But opening a Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville fans would actually respect requires a level of authenticity that doesn't always fit into a corporate hospitality group's spreadsheet.
He’s also been incredibly busy being the biggest star in music. Between a grueling tour schedule, filming documentaries, and his massive advocacy work for incarcerated youth, finding time to taste-test 50 different versions of a signature hot chicken sandwich probably isn't his priority.
Honestly? He might be smarter than the rest of them. The restaurant business is notoriously brutal. Even in a town as hot as Nashville, the overhead on those Broadway buildings is astronomical.
What a Jelly Roll Menu Would Actually Look Like
If he does pull the trigger—and the whispers in the local real estate scene suggest it's a matter of "when" not "if"—it won't be a sushi fusion spot.
You’ve gotta look at what the man eats. We’re talking:
- Meat and Three staples.
- Nashville Hot Chicken (but the real stuff, not the touristy version).
- Banana Pudding that reminds you of a church potluck.
- Hardcore comfort food.
He’s mentioned in interviews that he loves the communal aspect of food. He wants people to feel like they’re at a backyard BBQ in Antioch. If a Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville project ever breaks ground, expect it to have a community center vibe. He’s obsessed with giving back, so it wouldn't be surprising if the restaurant functioned as a job training site for people coming out of the justice system. That’s his brand. That’s his life.
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
The Raising Cane's Connection
Since you can't go to a "Jelly Roll Cafe," the Raising Cane's on Broadway is the current pilgrimage site for fans.
When that location opened, it was a massive deal. Jelly was there, 100% in his element, handing out chicken fingers to people who had been waiting for hours. It showed a lot about his business philosophy. He’d rather partner with a brand that already does things right than slap his name on a mediocre burger joint just to cash a check.
He also famously partnered with the Whitsitt Chapel community to do food drives. To Jelly, food isn't about "fine dining." It's about survival and celebration.
Where to Eat if You Want the Jelly Roll Experience
Since the actual Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville spot is still a dream, you have to eat like him to get the vibe. You aren't going to find him at a place with a dress code.
- Prince’s Hot Chicken: This is the blueprint. If you want to understand the soul of Nashville food that Jelly talks about, you go here. Get the medium unless you want to see through time.
- Twin Kegs: A legendary dive. It’s the kind of place where the wood is stained with decades of stories. It’s authentic, unpretentious, and exactly where you’d expect to see a local star hiding in a booth.
- Puckett’s: While a bit more of a "destination" now, it still holds onto that Tennessee roots feeling.
- Raising Cane’s (Broadway): Yeah, it’s a chain, but it’s the one he’s put his stamp on. The "Jelly Roll" influence is felt in the energy of that specific location.
The Business of Celebrity Bars in Music City
To understand why a Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville hasn't happened yet, you have to look at the "Big Three" hospitality groups in town: TC Restaurant Group, Strategic Hospitality, and Big Plan Entertainment.
Most celebrities don't actually "own" their restaurants. They license their names.
- Jason Aldean’s and Luke Bryan’s are managed by the same group.
- Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa is another partnership.
- Garth Brooks took a more hands-on approach with Friends in Low Places, but even he had a massive corporate infrastructure behind him.
Jelly Roll is an independent spirit. If he’s going to do it, he likely wants more control than a standard licensing deal allows. He’s also been vocal about his past, and he’s careful about who he gets into bed with commercially. He wants his business ventures to reflect his redemption story.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
The Rumor Mill
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, rumors swirled about a space near the old Starwood Amphitheater site (rest in peace) or something out in Antioch.
People want him to bring the glory back to the outskirts of town. Nashville's downtown is saturated. If a Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville location opened in the suburbs where he actually grew up, it would be a game-changer for that community. It would also be a very "Jelly" move to snub Broadway and stay true to the neighborhood that raised him.
How to Stay Updated on the Official Opening
Because things move fast in this town, you have to watch his socials. Jelly Roll doesn't announce things through traditional PR wires half the time; he goes live on Instagram or TikTok and just tells his fans what’s up.
If a Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville announcement drops, it will likely happen around a major album release or a hometown show.
Why the wait is a good thing
We've seen too many celebrity spots open and fail within two years because they had no soul. They were just gift shops that happened to sell lukewarm fries.
Jelly Roll cares too much about his reputation with his fans ("The Bad Apples") to give them a subpar experience. When the restaurant finally happens, it’ll probably have the best fried bologna sandwich in the state and a staff that treats you like family.
Actionable Steps for the Jelly Roll Fan in Nashville:
If you are currently in Nashville looking for the Jelly Roll experience, don't waste your time wandering Broadway looking for a sign that isn't there yet. Instead, do this:
- Visit the Broadway Raising Cane's: It’s the most "official" tie-in he has right now. Check out the memorabilia and the vibe.
- Go to Antioch: Eat at the local spots he mentions in his lyrics. Support the small businesses in his hometown.
- Check the Food Truck Schedules: Occasionally, there are pop-ups associated with his charity events, especially during the holidays or around his "Healing Blues" initiatives.
- Follow the "Bad Apples" Fan Groups: These folks usually hear about real estate moves or "coming soon" signs months before the local news catches on.
- Support Metro Moore: If you really want to honor his journey, look into the charities he supports that provide meals and resources to Nashville's at-risk youth. That’s more "Jelly Roll" than any restaurant could ever be.
Nashville is a city of songwriters and dreamers, and Jelly Roll is the king of both right now. The Jelly Roll restaurant Nashville fans are craving will likely be a reality soon, but until then, the man’s flavor is all over the city—you just have to know where to look.