The Tennessee Hole In The Wall That's The Oldest Dive Bar In Nashville

A lot of dive bars survive the test of time because they have a schtick. For Colorado's Adrift Tiki Bar, it's a pop of colorful Polynesian flair in the midst of the Mile High City. For Dino's, the ageless late-night hole-in-the-wall in East Nashville, it's Dolly Parton. Saint Dolly resides over the bar, gazing benevolently down from the walls, and her pink-cheeked, grinning visage overlooks Dolly's Lemonade Stand in Dino's seasonal backyard bar. Yes, it is shaped like a giant lemon. Otherwise, Dino's is your run-of-the-mill, grimy watering hole. A teeny-tiny dining room of dark, weathered wooden booths overlooks the small kitchen, where cooks in greasy aprons cozy up to the flattop and flip burgers under the dim glow of swagged Christmas lights. Dino's may not be picturesque, depending on your personal taste, but it's still legendary.

Dino's has been a Nashville institution since the 1970s. Tracking down its opening date seems next to impossible, but it appears that everyone who matters in the Music City has been there. Country superstars like Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, and the Brothers Osbourne have been photographed against its moody backdrop, and Anthony Bourdain, who toured diners, drive-ins, and dives on "No Reservations" before Guy Fieri hit the road, enjoyed a beer and hot fries at the bar, appreciating the rich history imbued in the graffitied, stick-covered walls. Of course, Dolly herself has given her blessing, leaving a love note that reads, "Dino's I will always love you. Love, Dolly."

Not only is Dino's convenient, staying open until 3 a.m. every night and doing a brisk wee-hours trade with the city's service workers, but the food is said to be some of Nashville's best. Yet Dino's menu is not a lengthy, fussy affair. There's a burger, a veggie burger, a hot chicken sandwich — it's Nashville, of course there's hot chicken — grilled cheese, and Frito pie, among a small handful of other entrees that are low on sophistication and high on deliciousness. Like Gordon Ramsay's favorite fast food burger joint, In-N-Out, Dino's offers you the opportunity to smother your french fries "animal style" with Velveeta, grilled onions, and "special sauce" for an upcharge. No, that cheese really is not cheddar or American ... the beloved processed cheese product gets name-checked explicitly.

The beer and liquor list is likewise compact and un-fancy, featuring everyman delights like PBR and Bud Light. We have a list of tips to make cheap beer taste better, but we're also of the opinion that nothing soothes the soul like a low-budget brew, a juicy burger, good company, and an atmosphere with excellent vibes — and Dino's delivers that in spades. When current owners Miranda Whitcomb Pontes and Alex Wendkos bought the place, there were widespread concerns that they would gussy it up too much. Luckily for Nashville, however, Pontes and Wendkos were smart enough to leave a good thing alone, and Dino's retains its working-class, dingy flair well into its fifth decade.