This 40-Year-Old Murfreesboro Restaurant Is Still Drawing a Crowd
I STOPPED IN FOR A SATURDAY AFTERNOON MEAL TO SEE WHAT KEEPS TOOT’S A MURFREESBORO FAVORITE.
Toot’s is one of those restaurants that just feels like part of Murfreesboro.
It has been serving the community since 1985, and I’ve eaten here a handful of times over the years. It’s casual, fun, and the menu has a little bit of everything.
After spending the morning exploring Stones River National Battlefield, Toot’s seemed like the perfect place to grab a late lunch.
From longtime menu favorites to some fun touches inside the restaurant, there’s a lot that makes Toot’s unique. Our visit also gave us a chance to try several different things from the menu.
If you’ve never eaten at Toot’s, here’s what you can expect. I’ll also share what we ordered, what stood out, and why this restaurant remains a Murfreesboro staple.
A Murfreesboro Staple for 40 Years
Toot’s first opened in Murfreesboro in 1985 and has been a local favorite ever since. Forty years later, it still feels very much like a Murfreesboro restaurant.
You can see some of that history right on the menu. Toot’s still serves several items that appeared on its original menu back in 1985.
One of those original items happens to be one of my favorites: fried pickles.
According to Toot’s, it was the first restaurant to bring fried pickles to Middle Tennessee. As someone who orders fried pickles almost anytime I see them on a menu, I obviously had to get them.
TRAVELISTA TIP: There are a surprising number of appetizer options on their menu. But if you are like me, the fried pickles win out every time!
The history also carries over into the restaurant itself. Each table or booth has a small wooden placard featuring a different year. We happened to sit at the 1985 table, which felt pretty fitting.
Under the plexiglass tabletop were old newspaper clippings, advertisements, and other pieces from that year. I love this little bit of nostalgia! It was such a fun detail and gave us plenty to look at while we waited for our food.
The rest of the restaurant has that same quirky personality. There’s an old-fashioned gas pump near the entrance, signs, stickers, neon lights, and memorabilia everywhere you look.
You’ll also spot plenty of Ruthies award banners from over the years. The annual awards are voted on by local residents, and Toot’s has been a repeat winner. It’s another sign that this isn’t just a restaurant that has survived for 40 years. Murfreesboro locals are still choosing it as one of their favorites.
That original Murfreesboro restaurant has also grown over the years. Today, Toot’s has three locations spread out throughout Murfreesboro.
For a restaurant that started as one local spot in 1985, that kind of staying power says a lot.
It doesn’t feel polished or trendy, and I mean that in the best way. It feels like a restaurant that has been part of Murfreesboro for decades and knows exactly what it is.
What We Ordered at Toot’s
We started with an order of the fried pickles I mentioned earlier. I already love fried pickles, and Toot’s version did not disappoint. They were crispy, flavorful, and a great way to start the meal.
For our entrées, all three of us went in completely different directions. That actually gives you a pretty good idea of how varied the menu is.
I ordered the mushroom Swiss burger with a side of curly fries. Toot’s grinds its beef fresh for its burgers, and I could really taste the difference. The burger tasted fresh instead of like a frozen, pre-formed patty.
My daughter went with the chicken finger basket and chose fresh fruit for her side. My husband ordered the fried clams with fries.
There are plenty of other choices too. You’ll find salads, burgers, sliders, sandwiches, pulled pork, seafood, and more. I’ve ordered the French dip on previous visits and really enjoyed that too.
Then we finished with dessert.
We ordered one of Toot’s Chocolate Brownie Monster Bash’s to share. It came in a huge bowl with brownie, ice cream, chocolate and caramel sauce, whipped cream, and cherries.
And when I say huge, I mean huge!
It was only around $10, and the three of us still couldn’t finish it. For a dessert large enough to share with the whole table, I thought it was a great value.
Between the appetizer, three very different entrées, and dessert, everyone found something they liked. That variety is one of the things that makes Toot’s an easy choice when you’re eating with a family or group.
TRAVELISTA TIP: Toot’s also makes my list of 40 Best Restaurants in Murfreesboro, but if you are looking for even more dining inspiration be sure to check out that list!
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A Surprisingly Good Option for Families
Eating out with a family can get expensive fast. That makes the prices at Toot’s stand out even more right now.
Prices throughout the menu are still pretty reasonable. There are plenty of options for families without turning a casual meal out into a huge expense. Even our giant dessert was only around $10 and was easily big enough to share.
But one of the best deals is for families with younger kids.
Kids 12 and under can get a free hot dog basket any day of the week. It comes with a hot dog, side, drink, and even ice cream for dessert.
I was surprised to see this because kids-eat-free deals seem much harder to find these days. Many restaurants also limit them to one particular night of the week.
Toot’s offers its free hot dog basket every day.
There are other choices on the kids menu if your child doesn’t want a hot dog. Those aren’t included in the free meal deal, but there are several kid-friendly options available.
Between the affordable menu and free kids meal, Toot’s can be a great option for families. That’s especially true when you’re trying to keep the cost of eating out under control.
TRAVELISTA TIP: If you want to make a fun, family day of it, pair a meal at Toot’s with some of these family-friendly activities in Murfreesboro.
Our Experience at Toot’s Murfreesboro
We arrived at Toot’s around 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon. It was well past lunch but still pretty early for dinner.
Even at that time, I would guess the restaurant was around 70% full. For me, that said a lot about how popular Toot’s still is with locals.
Despite the crowd, we didn’t have to wait for a table. We were seated right away, and our server came over quickly.
The service stayed just as good throughout our meal. Our food came out quickly, our drinks stayed filled, and our server checked on us regularly.
At one point, my husband asked for some extra sauce. Our server brought it out quickly and even apologized for the delay. We hadn’t thought there was a delay at all!
I really appreciated how attentive the staff was, especially with such a busy dining room. The number of people there never affected our experience.
Everything felt relaxed, friendly, and efficient from the time we sat down until we finished our meal.
Planning a Murfreesboro Trip?
There’s a lot more to Murfreesboro than you might expect, like our historic downtown, our campus life at Middle Tennessee State University, and our fantastic proximity to Nashville. Having a local help plan your trip can make it easier to find the places worth adding to your itinerary.
I can help you plan a trip that mixes Murfreesboro’s attractions with local restaurants like Toot’s. I’ll take care of the research and build an itinerary around your interests, travel style, and time.
Ready to start planning your Murfreesboro trip?
Final Thoughts: Toot’s Murfreesboro
After 40 years, Toot’s still feels like a true Murfreesboro restaurant.
It isn’t fancy or trying to be trendy. It’s a fun, casual place with good food, reasonable prices, and plenty of local personality.
Our meal was good, the service was excellent, and we never felt rushed despite the busy dining room. I also love the little pieces of Toot’s history you find throughout the restaurant.
There’s a reason people are still filling the tables four decades later.
If you’re visiting Murfreesboro and want to eat somewhere that feels connected to the community, Toot’s is worth adding to your list. And if you’re a local, there’s a good chance you already understand why it has stuck around this long.
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