When we wrote our post, Charlotte Avenue: It Just keeps Giving, lots of you emailed to say, “You forgot to include Stone Fox.” Not only were the comments overwhelmingly passionate about the food, the music and the overall experience, everyone viewed this restaurant as their brand spankin’ new neighborhood joint.
Just so you know, we didn’t intentionally exclude them; we just decided it would take a whole post to tell you how great this place is!
An eclectic restaurant located in the Nations neighborhood (which is in west Nashville, north of Sylvan Park), the Stone Fox has received high marks for just about everything from the get-go. The menu has a personality of its own with items like Cajun Macaroni and Cheese, Marakesh Express Salad and the Sweet P.L.T for vegetarians.
What I knew going in was that the owners grew up in right around the block from me, but what I didn’t know was how much the entire family is involved in making the Stone Fox a success.
Brother and sister duo Elise and William Tyler are entrepreneurs at heart. If you will recall, Elise started Halcyon Bikes, now in the 12th Avenue South area when she was a mere babe. Her brother William is known as an accomplished guitarist. Together, they saw a niche in marrying food and music on the WEST side of town. Now, don’t get me wrong. I adore what is going on in East Nashville, the Gulch and 12 Ave South, but I live on the West side of town. So for any of you in and around I-440 who, like me, have been craving a piece of “Nowville,” I am happy to report that the Stone Fox is delivering it, big time.
The menu includes many beloved family recipes, like the Tyler Family Gumbo or a Nashville fave, The Laughing Man from the now defunct Slice of Life Cafe in Music Row. Adele Tyler, their mom, is responsible for the incredible desserts you find listed on the blackboard.
Music is an important part of the Stone Fox experience and must be in Elise and William’s DNA, since seasoned music exec Dan Tyler is their dad. It makes sense that they would offer local musicians a venue to perform and continually introduce new music to a hungry audience.
Before I visited, the intro on their website hooked me: “Homemade, homegrown, local ingredients, organic. That is how the Stone Fox kitchen can be described.” But it keeps getting better. They maintain their own organic garden right next door where many of the ingredients are grown for their salads, salsas and seasonings for their entrees.
I know kale salads abound in Music City, but I put the Stone Fox’s Kale and Basmati rice salad right up there with the big boys. At every turn their menu gives you just a little bit more–who doesn’t love pimento cheese and saltines?
Stone Fox offers sides galore–everything from Housemade Chips to Braised Greens. If you like a good bar, they do a respectable job with local beers offering a a nice selection on tap. Â
The cocktails are in keeping with Stone Fox’s mission to keep it interesting.
Grab yourself a piece of MOM’S APPLE PIE with Short Mountain Apple Pie Moonshine, ginger, lemon. The drink specials start at $7.
You’ll find syrups in the brew from Bang Candy Company. The SUPER KUSH is a cilantro pineapple margarita with Habanero Lime simple syrup.
The Nations neighborhood is ever-so-slightly off the beaten track, but so worth the drive to experience the Stone Fox. Elise and William are trailblazers, no doubt, and their vision will continue on. Check back in a year–we all may be surprised by what we find.
For a complete menu and directions to Stone Fox, click here.
