Jack's Bar-B-Que

A man of taste and multi-talents, Jack Cawthon first began in the food service business as Cawthon's Caterer, Inc. in 1976. While catering to Nashville's social functions over the years, Cawthon found there was a void in "good Nashville barbecue," and so began his homework. Jack's Bar-B-Que was the first casual restaurant on Broadway to open after many years of decline on lower Broadway. Some people say that Jack's Bar-B-Que started the first revitalization of lower Broadway. This free standing building poured out a steady stream of hickory-flavored smoke, drawing people from all over the world on their visit to Nashville. Jack's Bar-B-Que was written up in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Southern Living, and USA Today as “The Best Bar-B-Que in Nashville, Tennessee”. As demand increased for Jack's Bar-B-Que he added a second location on West Trinity Lane and a third on Charlotte Avenue Jack's BBQ NashvilleDowntown, known as the District, began to flourish as 2nd Ave started making a turn around and special events were taking place at Riverfront Park. This area began to look attractive to outside business; Opryland opened the Wild Horse Saloon on 2nd Ave and Hard Rock Cafe chose 100 Broadway for their new Nashville location. Jack lost his lease and the building has since been torn down and made into a parking lot for Hard Rock Cafe.