T h e n & N o w : G a l l a t in ’s F o o d S c e n e

then&now g a l l a t in 's fo o d s c e n e

Mary’s Place owners Tyler Clark (left) and Renee Clark (right) with City Councilman Jimmy Overton, a regular at the restaurant.

How does the restaurant scene in Gallatin today compare to what was available 25 years ago? The difference is night and day.

enee Clark, owner of Mary’s Place Restaurant on

North Water Ave., remembers how things were. “There wasn’t much back then,” she said, “just a few meat-and-three places.” Renee knows a thing or two about the restaurant business. She took over running Mary’s Place in 2013 after the previous owner, her mother-in-law Mary Lucille Clark, passed away.

For the Clarks, running a restaurant has always been a family affair. Often working in partnership with her sister, Arlene, Mary had owned and operated restaurants in Gallatin since 1990. Everyone in the family pitched in. For Renee, picking up where Mary left off was a natural next step. “I always dreamed of having a restaurant of my own,” Renee said. “My customers are like part of my family.”

Gallatin City Councilman Jimmy Overton also remembers a very different dining landscape 25 years ago. “If you wanted a nice dinner, you had to go to Hendersonville or Nashville,” he explained. “There was nothing here in town.”

As the city’s population has grown, many regional and national chains have set up shop here. Today, you can get

“Twenty-five years ago, we didn’t have enough places to eat. Today, people are excited about all the choices available right here in Gallatin.”

Nutrition Nook, Esperanza Nutrition and Pelican's Snoballs will satisfy your craving. When it’s pizza night, try Marco's Pizza, Fairvue Pizza & Pub, and Prince Street Pizza and Pub. If you’re looking for the best wings in town, try Kings Place.

If you’re not comfortable heading out for dinner just yet, or you’re looking for great take-out options, several of the city’s catering companies can help. Bit-O-Heaven Catering, CRAVE Catering, C&G’s Fine Foods, and Two Fat Men Catering are all great choices. If your sweet tooth is acting up and you don’t want to leave home, call Sticky Tops and order a batch of delectable pecan rolls.

T ent e ears a e i n t ha e en u h aces t eat Jimmy added. “Today, people are excited about all the choices available right here in Gallatin.” §

When restaurants were forced to close their dining rooms during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most shifted to carry-out service.

the a rs u cra e fr na es u n inc u in c na s an es hic uffa i in s har e s estaurant + Bar, Whitt's Barbecue, and Cracker Barrel.

Growth has also made the city a magnet for restaurant entrepreneurs eager to test new concepts. Taste the results of their efforts at Swaney Swift's on the Square, Black Press Coffee Shop, Stompin Grounds, Kávé, Klatch, Southern Bites, Govan's Salon & Coffee Café, Starr Ranch, Filly's Game & Grill, Awedaddy's Bar & Grill, Grant's Kitchen and Grill, EPIC Eatery, Alberto’s, and Osaka Japanese Restaurant.

u can n ust a ut any taste you crave from a Gallatin restaurant. Looking for Mexican? Check out Cancun Lagoon or DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill. For meat-and-three lovers, try Mary's Place. In the mood for a cool treat? The Ice Cream Social,

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Platinum Realty Partners

If you’re in the real estate business, knowing your market is half the battle. That’s where Justin Tucker has an advantage. Born and raised in Gallatin, Justin knows the hills and valleys of Middle Tennessee like the back of his hand. Real estate runs in his blood; his mother-in-law, Betty Newbury, a well-known realtor in the area, introduced him to the business in 2014 and he hasn’t looked back.

fter earnin the r es at a ar e rea estate r Justin ventured off on his own, launching Platinum Realty Partners last year. Today, Justin and his growing team of real estate professionals help hundreds of families stake their claim in Sumner County every year. Though he has a soft spot for rst ti e h e u ers ustin en s ui in e er buyer and seller through the process. “It would be very hard to choose one type of buyer or seller as my favorite because I love them all,” he said. “The main thing is that I’m helping people.”

Gallatin City Hall in 1960, where the Gallatin Chamber office stands today.