Ludlow and Prime Brentwood Tennessee: What Really Happened to the Local Favorite

Ludlow and Prime Brentwood Tennessee: What Really Happened to the Local Favorite

If you’ve driven through the Brentwood Place Shopping Center lately, you might have noticed something missing. The familiar glow of the wood-fired grill and the bustle of the bar at 330 Franklin Road has gone quiet. It’s a weird feeling for locals who spent years treating this spot like their second living room.

Honestly, the story of Ludlow and Prime Brentwood Tennessee is a bit of a rollercoaster. It wasn’t just another steakhouse. It was the place where you went for a 14 oz Prime NY Strip but stayed because the gumbo reminded you of New Orleans.

But as of January 2025, the Brentwood chapter officially closed.

Why Ludlow and Prime Brentwood Tennessee isn’t there anymore

People were pretty shocked when the news hit. One day you’re ordering crawfish hushpuppies, and the next, there’s a sign on the door. Owner Tim Kohler made the call to "transition operations," which is basically business-speak for moving everything to their newer, shiny location in Berry Farms.

It wasn't just a simple move, though.

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Behind the scenes, things were getting a little messy. The parent company, Ludlow Hospitality LLC, actually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2024. We're talking liabilities between $1 million and $10 million. That's a lot of steak dinners. When you owe the Small Business Administration a million bucks, "business as usual" starts to look a lot different.

They decided to consolidate. Instead of fighting it out in two locations, they bet everything on Franklin.

The Berry Farms shift: Is it the same vibe?

If you’re craving that specific wood-fired flavor, you have to head south to 6001 Hughes Crossing in Franklin now. It’s only about fifteen minutes away, but for some Brentwood regulars, that feels like a trek.

The new spot is polished. It's got that "urban sophistication" thing going on—lots of glass, a big 360-degree bar, and a patio that’s actually decent for people-watching. But let’s be real: Brentwood had a certain lived-in charm that’s hard to replicate in a brand-new development.

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What’s still on the menu (and what it costs)

If you do make the drive, most of the staples survived the move. You're still looking at high-end prices, so don't expect a cheap night out.

  • The Gumbo: This is still the local legend. It’s got a dark, rich roux that takes forever to make. Usually around $12 for a large bowl.
  • USDA Prime Steaks: They still use that 1800-degree Montague Broiler. The 8 oz Filet will run you about $49, while the 16 oz Ribeye sits closer to $62.
  • The "Steak Bomb": This was the sleeper hit in Brentwood. Shaved steak, salami, peppers, and onions. It’s basically a high-society Philly cheesesteak.

The "Inconsistency" Problem

I’ve gotta be honest here—if you look at recent reviews from late 2025 and early 2026, people are split. Some folks swear the food is better than ever. Others? They’re complaining about "gourmet prices" for service that feels a little hit-or-miss.

One regular mentioned that their shrimp and grits was spectacular one week and "inedible" the next. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you're dropping $200 on a dinner for two. It seems like the transition from Brentwood to Franklin hasn't been without its growing pains.

What most people get wrong about the closure

There’s a rumor floating around that they closed because the food went downhill. That’s probably oversimplifying it.

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The reality of the Nashville-area restaurant scene right now is brutal. Rent is skyrocketing, labor is hard to find, and the competition in Brentwood is insane. You’ve got Stoney River right nearby and plenty of other upscale options. When you add a massive bankruptcy filing to that mix, closing one location to save the brand starts to look like a survival move rather than a failure.

Planning a visit to the new spot?

If you're heading to the Franklin location to chase those Ludlow and Prime Brentwood Tennessee memories, here’s the ground truth for 2026:

  1. Reservations are a must. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Even with the move, they still get slammed.
  2. Watch the surcharge. They’ve been adding a 3% credit card fee. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s annoying if you aren’t expecting it. Use cash if you want to save a few bucks.
  3. Happy Hour is the sweet spot. If you want the vibe without the $60 steak, hit the bar between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The cocktails are solid, and you can grab some deviled eggs with bacon jam for way less.
  4. Try the Pork Chop. Oddly enough, while they’re a steakhouse, the Duroc Bone-In Pork Chop with the blackberry reduction is often the most consistent thing on the menu.

The Brentwood location might be a ghost now, but the brand is trying to reinvent itself. It’s a different era for them. Whether the "Berry Farms chapter" lives up to the original Brentwood hype is still kind of up in the air, but for now, the wood fire is still burning—just a few miles further down I-65.

If you're missing the old spot, the best move is to check out the Berry Farms location during their weekend brunch. It's usually a bit more relaxed than the dinner rush, and the chicken and waffles are a decent way to ease into the new environment. Just keep an eye on your receipt and don't be afraid to speak up if that steak isn't hitting the mark.