The Alley on Main

This is one of my favorite restaurants period. I love the fact that it’s family owned & operated, is authentic, has a nice atmosphere, great service, and of course — the food is delicious. The BEST thing on the menu is the chicken fried chicken. The chicken dipped in the gravy — heaven! I’ve had the steak and lasagna as well and they are both wonderful. Great fries too!

Excellent food every time I visit. Their wait staff is friendly and professional. I highly recommend this place for lunch on your own, dinner date with friends or family or date night with the misses.

We had a party of 8 and were easily accommodated. I only had one of the two types of wine we had for the table, the Cabernet Sauvignon (don’t recall the name) was lovely. I had the blackened salmon. I think it might just be the best ever. It was cooked to perfection, in no way was it overdone. My husband had the filet. We were supposed to share… I got one bite. And it was out of this world, the way a filet should be. Melted in my mouth, very cliché but an appropriate description. For dessert, we split a slice of derby pie. Outstanding. I also got to sample the carrot cake — pro: no raisins; con-​the icing was a little too sweet, needed a little more cream cheese. Still yummy though. Overall, it was a great meal and tremendous service. We’ll be back!

I had the pork chops. The quantity was good, but the quality was so-​so. They were breaded (didn’t say so on the menu) and the breading fell off with each cut. Speaking of breading… there is no complimentary bread. In fact, there is no complimentary anything. Even gravy on your mashed potatoes is $ 1.50 extra! You shouldn’t be so expensive if you’re going to be so cheap. I thought the prices were too high for the lack of any extra touches like bread, butter, a second side vegetable.
The owner did stop by our table and ask how everything was. The proportions are excellent, the quality mediocre, but the nickel and dime extras (that were in reality a dollar or two) really turned me off.

This is a gem in the Boro! Every time we visit, the steaks are cooked perfectly, the trout is delicious, and the Tennessee Mule with homemade ginger beer is out of this world! The proprietor is very customer driven who ensures that his customers are well fed and taken care of. Highly recommend The Alley on Main!

My friend and I had lunch the other day, the lady that waited on us was very friendly. The other people that worked there seemed to care if everything tasted good. We split an appetizer shrimp wontons I didn’t like it, but the blackened chicken salad I ordered was very good. The chicken was nice and hot and it was cold that day so just what I needed.

Atmosphere:
We stopped by on a Saturday for lunch and it was not packed… needless to say it didn’t stay that way and by the time we ordered our meal it was slammed. Parking shouldn’t be an issue.
Service:
Overall it took some time for our food to come out by it wasn’t that bad of a wait. Our waitress was quick and straight to the point. She did forget about our house salads but we didn’t mind.
Food:
I had the 10oz Filet w/​Mashed Potatoes and House Salad. As far as presentation goes there really wasnt much to it. Just my meat and potatoes. That being said it was probably one of the better steaks I’ve had in Murfreesboro. I ordered it medium rare and it came out a bit more on the rare side. Of course this blows out any of the chain steakhouses which make up most of the local steakhouses in town.
Potatoes and House salad were just okay.
My girlfriend had the pasta with meatball which wasn’t all that special. Tasted about the equivalent of the one you get from Buca.
Overall:
Price wise it can definitely add up. Some of the menu items are justified however some are definitely not.
I’ve seen 3 different business, that I know of, reside in this building in hte past 4 years. I’m hoping this one finds success!
If I could give this place a 3.5 I would. I’ll definitely be back to make sure the place earns the full 4 stars.

I have to say, The Alley, was a pleasant surprise.
It’s a nice casual but cozy place in downtown Mufreesboro. Simple and a very clean design.
Their menu features Italian, steak and southern classic dishes at very reasonable prices. Wide selections of alcoholic beverages as well.
I went there for lunch which you can choose a smaller portion of their popular dishes at a reasonable prize. I had the chicken fried chicken with gravy, which it was very tender and juicy. With a choice of side, I can’t decide on one so I got both the mushrooms and green beans. Very nicely done green beans with a slight kick of heat and the mushrooms are phenomenally done, very flavorful and juicy.
I can’t wait to come back and try a proper meal (dinner/​supper)!

Ok, where’s the six star button on this thing? I absolutely loved this restaurant! I have delicious t-​bone steak cooked perfectly and my wife had a delicious salad followed by a great dessert. The wait staff was phenomenal and we even had the pleasure of speaking with the owner who seems like an upstanding kind of guy. The prices were reasonable and the location was great he will definitely be back and definitely be making this place at one of our regular spots!

Oh my goodness! I’ve been here twice and everything I’ve had to eat or drink is amazing. The bruschetta is fantastic, the Moscow mule is the best I’ve ever had, and the Derby pie… just order it. You won’t be sorry.

Our waitress, Mary, was brilliant as was the meal. The chicken fried steak was the best we’ve tasted in a long time! The garlic mashed potatoes had a mixed review with us: my husband likes the skin in mashed, but I prefer without (just a preference I know but I wanted to mention it for anyone who needs to know).
If I had anything poor to say about the salad, it would be that they could kick it up a notch with adding sliced carrot or croutons. All it had was lettuce, parm, tomato and the dressing. Just feel it needed a little «umph».
Also, the dinners were great, but the Bourbon pie was disappointing & the carrot cake was OK, but I am used to my Blue Ribbon recipe that I make myself, so I’m spoiled when it comes to carrot cake…
We will be back to try more stuff!

This place has a lot of potential but needs to make some changes.
The Positive:
Great homemade salad dressings
Good menu variety
Managers or owners always ask how everything was.
All the Main Entrees we have tried are very good.
Areas that need work:
Server was slow to respond to needs i. e extra napkins, refills, lemons, no crackers offered with salads.
They need to serve bread!
It’s kind of pricy for dinner menu.
Green beans have spicy seasonings and not very good.
Overall a lot better than average. Had we had better service I would have given them a 4.

This place was great! My husband and I went for dinner on our anniversary. We both ordered the sirloin, and both were cooked perfectly! It’s easily one of the best steaks in Murfreesboro, especially for the price. The wine prices were average. I do wish they had a little more of a beer selection, but that’s not a deal breaker at all. Overall, great meal, great service, great price. We will definitely be back!

Alley on Main has great prices for such quality food. My wife, brother, and I went there for drinks and dinner. We got an app of avocado salsa. It was excellent. Fresh ingredients and some heat.
For my entrée, I had the blackened trout with the lime salsa. Very good. My wife and brother got steak. Seasoned and cooked well. I didn’t care for the steamed broccoli. You get a whole head of broccoli, but it was very tart and inedible for me.
The sangria was very good, made with fresh fruit!
Can’t wait to go back to try something else!

Great food and a quiet atmosphere. Honestly the best catfish around. What sets them apart though are their steaks — high quality meat and expertly grilled. I have never had to return a steak because it was over-​cooked (a rarity!). Their drinks are good too — I recommend the TN Mule (especially if you’re in the mood to drink local).
Not sure you could go wrong with anything on the menu — food or drink alike. And, because they are right on the square — you can enjoy a great walk around Murfreesboro afterward.

All together a wonderful dining experience. Tasty, fresh food, attentive service, and reasonably priced.
We started dinner with the avocado salsa appetizer that was like nothing we’ve ever had. Seemed like tomatillos finely diced with avocado, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro served with crisp corn chips. Delicious!
For entrees my wife had the 6 oz filet with garlic mashed potatoes. I had the blackened trout with green beans. Both meals were also served with a nice simple salad made with fresh greens.
My wife’s steak came out under cooked but that was quickly rectified. Both meals were delicious. I loved the trout. Each meal came with some nice unusual touches. The trout was served with a small cup of fresh cilantro pesto and the steak with a blue cheese, bacon, butter topping. These really complimented the entrees. Even the green beans were kicked up a notch with a hint of spice.
Our server was very helpful with suggestions about the menu. Although it seemed he’d never tasted any of the food he was at least able to tell which items were most popular.
The atmosphere is nice, uncluttered and casual, but underwhelming compared to the food. Somehow the food is classier than the restaurant itself.
Can’t wait to go back!!!

We had an excellent meal with excellent service at The Alley on Main this weekend. We were seated immediately and ordered goat cheese bruschetta as an appetizer. It was awesome! I loved the bread was crisp but still chewy, so it didn’t crumble upon biting into it like others I’ve had. The goat cheese was the best I’ve ever had — smooth, mild and creamy.
Our server recommended the chicken fried chicken as an entrée, so that’s what my husband ordered along with a salad and the garlic mashed potatoes I’d seen so well reviewed on Unilocal.The chicken was tender and the gravy that came with it was so rich and delicious. And yes, the mashed potatoes were wonderful. For my entrée, I ordered the trout with cilantro-​lime sauce, steamed broccoli and salad. My trout was perfectly cooked, and the sauce paired nicely with it. They also served a small ramekin of cooked onions and tomatoes that also paired well with the trout. The broccoli was like none other I’ve had. I couldn’t identify the seasoning with it. It definitely had a citrus/​acid component to it along with a savory seasoning like soy sauce, maybe. Whatever it was, it added a great flavor to the broccoli.
We’re thrilled to find a locally owned steak/​seafood/​pasta restaurant that is not too formal and in a great location on the edge of the square. We’ll definitely return!

My wife and I arrived at 6:39pm, seated immediately! We were greeted by our server Eric within 45 seconds of being seated.
We ordered a bottle of wine (did not card us) and asked for recommendations as we’ve never been here before and were told the Chicken fried chicken and the Lasagna were very popular. Previous Unilocal reviews have expressed these as two of the most disappointing dishes on the menu. Eric did also recommend the Bone in Ribeye which did receive very favorable reviews.
Side note: it’s uncomfortably hot and humid in the restaurant, and it is a bit loud!
Water was delivered within 3 minutes, plastic cups, straws with the paper covering the top only of the straw only.
The wine was delivered and served by the owner Christie 13 minutes after being seated, very well presented and poured. The appetizer was delivered immediately after also at 13 minutes after seating.
We ordered the Shrimp Wonton appetizer; it arrived with 4 wonton on room temperature iceberg lettuce, chopped. Alongside was a cherry mustard dipping sauce reminiscent of MCD’S hot mustard dipping sauce. The wonton were perfectly fried, the shrimp fresh and juicy, a burst of processed cheese and jalapeño (flavor, not heat) fills your mouth on the first bite. It would taste better with a smoked Gouda cheese filling or even pepper Jack, but, overall is tasty.
My wife ordered the Bone in Ribeye, med rare with bleu cheese bacon butter, green beans and house salad, while I challenged our server with the fried Catfish with a side of garlic, butter pasta and meatball, house salad with balsamic dressing. Ordered at 7:09pm.
Salads arrived at 7:16pm (7min), I ordered a balsamic vinnigrette, my salad arrived however with oil and vinegar instead. It took another 4 minutes of waiting before Eric checked back and for me to establish that there was instead a balsamic vinnigrette, but, it wasn’t something readily available for table service? I also inquired as to the type of oil they used and our server was quite confused by this as if he didn’t know the difference between olive oil, vegetable oil or soybean oil. Upon his return I was informed it was «salad» oil. ?? I opted instead for the Honey Mint dressing, in house made, fresh, bright and delicious.
Our entrees arrived at 7:27pm, 22 minutes after ordering and 11 minutes after the salads arrived. So far their timing is quite good!
My wife’s Ribeye was perfectly cooked, the flavor of the meat was on par with Logan’s or Longhorn’s, but Oh the Bacon Bleu Cheese Butter on top is a most welcome flavor on top!
The green beans have an old school canned and seasoned taste but classic and appealing.
The meatball is large, but, average tasting at best, there’s no real outstanding flavor.
The pasta in garlic butter sauce is heavy on the garlic, but, not unpleasant, again, nothing special or standing out about the meatball or spaghetti.
The fried Catfish I ordered was very well battered, piping hot, even after 5 minutes of resting. The flavor is… okay, relatively bland to be honest, which is a shame as I love a good fried Catfish. The most prevalent taste is the flour from the batter.
We tested our servers patience throughout the meal and performed adequately despite not knowing the type or difference in oils served.
We asked if they corked open bottles to which they said yes, then only pushed the corked back in and gave us an open plastic bag to place the bottle in. Technically this is still considered an open bottle.
We didn’t finish our meals, the portions were very large, so we did not order dessert.
Overall, this is a nice diner like hometown restaurant, the portions are large and more than satisfying even if the flavors are not. I’m not sure there is enough on the menu or in the lackluster flavor profiles to lure us back for a second visit, that’s unfortunate. The staff is pleasant, Christie the owner was very accommodating and forthcoming with information about her and her husband’s background, their family and overall very friendly to talk with.
The bill came to $ 90.31, 25.99 for the ribeye… cooked well, underseasoned save for the sauce on top, not a price I would normally pay for such a dish. We didn’t get charged for the side of pasta (Bonus!)
A side note: from 11 – 3 on Saturdays they offer live music on the patio/​covered seating, a Bloody Mary Bar and they are putting in 2 Bocci Ball courts also.

I’ve had two meals here and both have been great. My meal today was the browned butter and garlic pasta with grill chicken Breast. Sounds like a simple dish but very hard to get right and they got it perfect. I will be back.

After a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce I stayed for a lunch meeting.
My burger was AWESOME and the grilled chicken my guest had looked great too.
Our server was new and nervous but the place has only been open two weeks, she’ll be fine with some time. She was very kind and busy.
I like the feel of The Alley and will visit again.