Two perfect hours in downtown Nashville

We have two hours in downtown Nashville. Not a lot of time.

Where should we go? Jack's, everyone tells us.

And so at about 7 p.m. on a Saturday night my friend Dina and I find ourselves in a line winding outside this hole-in-the-wall on Broadway. The line moves fast and soon we're choosing between freshly smoked pork shoulder, Texas beef brisket, and St. Louis ribs.

I decide on a brisket sandwich and two sides—creamed corn and baked beans. Dina gets the same thing with pork. The only mistake we made was ordering a regular sandwich "We should have ordered the jumbo," Dina says.

When our plates are clean, we head next door to Robert's where a local band plays Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Allman Bros. covers. Cowboy boots in every color line shelves on one wall; the other wall is plastered in photographs of stars like Dolly Parton who have played on the stage. Two Blue Moon beers, one set, and we're out the door.

Two perfect hours in downtown Nashville.