Varallo’s in 2023
Varallo’s Restaurant — a downtown Nashville establishment identified for its spaghetti chili and breakfast fare and billed as Tennessee’s longest-operational restaurant — has completely ceased operations.
Varallo’s proprietor Bob Peabody says he is unhappy he was not in a position to proceed enterprise.
“I hoped to both promote the enterprise or preserve it, however the prices to function had been prohibitive,” says Peabody, who labored six days every week on the enterprise and employed three people.
Peabody says he was unable to barter a positive lease with the proprietor, New York-based Linfield Capital (with native actual property skilled Rob Lowe additionally having some possession). The tackle of the 119-year-old restaurant, which additionally served burgers, fries, fish and hotdogs, is 239 Fourth Ave. N.
Linfield Capital and Lowe additionally personal the adjoining Arcade and have been in a position to retain longtime Arcade tenants Percy’s Shoe Shine Service, Seema’s and Tony’s Shoe Companies.
Relatedly, The Peanut Store lately closed however will reopen with new possession, whereas holdovers Monty’s Barbershop, Manny’s Home of Pizza and a U.S Publish Workplace location beforehand ceased operations as updates to the ability (now completed) had been underway.
Now on Fourth Avenue, the enterprise has been slinging chili since 1907
The Varallo’s web site notes that Frank Varallo Sr. immigrated to the USA from Viggiano, Italy, within the late 1800s. Varallo labored as an interpreter at Ellis Island in New York Metropolis earlier than shifting to Nashville to pursue a profession as a violinist. He was later injured in a looking accident and pivoted to working a chili restaurant. Varallo’s Restaurant opened in 1907.
As Scene sister publication the Nashville Publish reported in December 2019, Peabody purchased the family-owned chili parlor enterprise from Todd Varallo, a fourth-generation member of the Varallo household. Todd Varallo had run the enterprise for 34 years on the time of the transaction.
Varallo’s was identified for its fundamental menu with moderately priced choices and its old-school inside vibe. It was open Mondays via Fridays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to midday.
This text was first printed by our sister publication, the Nashville Publish.
