Aba in Wedgewood-Houston
Emily Dorio
Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has entered the Nashville market with the first of two restaurant concepts planned for this year.
Food from Aba
Photo: Jeff Marini
Mediterranean restaurant concept Aba has opened in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, according to a release.
The two-story, 12,000-square-foot space at 435 Houston St. accommodates up to 340 people and includes private dining space for 80.
With existing locations in Austin and Chicago, the Nashville location is Aba’s largest space to date and Lettuce’s first restaurant in Tennessee.
Led by executive partner and divisional president Marc Jacobs, alongside chef partner and Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson, Aba offers a modern approach to Mediterranean cooking with a California influence. Aba Nashville includes the brand’s outdoor dining, including a multi-level wraparound patio.
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises operates more than 100 restaurants in eight states, now including Tennessee, and in Washington, D.C..
The multi-concept operator is slated to open its second Nashville concept, Sushi-San, later this year in the 12South area at Ashwood 12South at 2212 12th Ave. S., a company representative told the Post.
“We are thrilled to join the creative, up-and-coming neighborhood of Wedgewood-Houston,” Jacobs said in the release. “The innovative food scene in Nashville continues to grow, and we are excited to be a part of the restaurant community.”
Lipstick Lounge founders open sports-focused concept
Opening day at Chapstick, Sept. 15, 2025
Photo: Angelina Castillo
Chapstick, a sister restaurant to East Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge, has opened in a 1,500-square-foot addition at 1400 Woodland St.
Owners Christa Suppan and Jonda Valentine, who have operated the Lipstick Lounge for more than 20 years, are expanding their brand with the new sports-focused concept.
The venue offers patio seating, a dart board and a pool table. The kitchen offers burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas, nachos, fries and appetizers.
“Just like the Lipstick Lounge is a bar for humans, Chapstick is sportsball for all. That means every single person has a seat set at Chapstick. We are all inclusive,” the owners stated on Instagram, adding that men’s and women’s games will be featured and a women’s game of the week will be highlighted when possible.
Red Door Saloon expands with Donelson location
The Red Door Saloon has opened its third Nashville location at 2715 Old Lebanon Pike in Donelson, occupying the former Fletcher’s Pizza building.
Red Door Saloon in Donelson
Photo courtesy of Red Door
The 0.66-acre property, purchased for $1.45 million in September 2023 through KKJ Enterprises LLC, houses a Chicago sports–themed décor seen in the city’s other Red Door locations.
The new venue joins Red Door Saloon’s Midtown and East Nashville locations, as well as an outpost in Destin, Fla. It’s owned by local hospitality veterans and co-owners Ric Clarke and Kelly Jones — who also operate Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill on Lower Broadway and Brewhouse West.
“The Donelson spot looks fantastic and will no doubt prove to be a popular venue for everyone,” the team said in a statement.
Slim & Husky’s now open in Franklin
Slim & Husky’s pizza
Photo: Eric England
Nashville-based pizza restaurant Slim & Husky’s has opened its first Williamson County location in The Factory at Franklin, according to a release.
The company was founded in 2017 and has six locations in Nashville, two in Georgia and one in Mississippi. Its Fifth & Broadway location recently closed.
Slim & Husky’s offers pizzas, wings, salad, cinnamon rolls and cheesy bread, with the Franklin location to offer service at the Factory’s food hall.
“Slim & Husky’s has always been about more than pizza — it’s about culture, creativity and connection,” Clint Gray, co-founder of Slim & Husky’s Pizza, said in a news release. “Opening at The Factory at Franklin allows us to bring those values to Williamson County and share our flavors with a brand new community.”
Other restaurants at The Factory at Franklin include Hattie B’s, Etch, Saffire and Mojo’s Tacos, among other eateries.
Dining and Cooking