Certainly in the running for the most popular burger spot in town, Burger Republic operates one of its four Middle Tennessee locations in Murfreesboro’s Fountains at Gateway center, offering fantastic burgers with a variety of different toppings, a wide assortment of other sandwich options, a great outdoor seating area, a large bar and an impressive milkshake menu.
“Eat More Meat,” a sign proclaims, and if you like that idea, select one of the burgers with toppings that appeal to your preference from the ample though not intimidating menu.
Burger Republic offers approximately 16 specialty burgers, such as The 96, packed with delicious beefy and bleu cheese flavors along with mushrooms, bacon, onions, shoestring fries and a garlic-horseradish aioli.
A Burger Republic server says The Tennessee is another of the most popular items, with a Jack Daniel’s honey glaze, American cheese, smoked ketchup, maple-basted bacon and crispy onions, topped with a mini statue of Jack himself.
Hunter Adams calls the burger joint his “go-to for burgers. Their Jack Daniel’s burger is amazing,” he says.
The Taco Truck—a burger with taco spice, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, guacamole, tortilla strips, sour cream and habanero jack cheese—sounds like an interesting twist on the burger, while the West Coast Burger uses two thin patties, rather than the standard large Burger Republic single patty, topped with mustard, cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onion.
The Big Papi features a patty with a blend of beef and hot Italian sausage, while the Buy the Farm, with egg, red pepper relish and bacon, is another customer favorite. The burger plates are served with a heavy-duty knife to cut the burger in half, as that often makes it more manageable for the diner.
While the burgers are the star of the show, the milkshakes are probably second in command at the Republic. The establishment offers many different shakes, such as the white chocolate strawberry, the Assasination by Chocolate, Nutella and the banana split shake, and various spiked shakes as well. The adult milkshake menu includes the maple bourbon shake, a frozen black Irish, the bananas foster shake with banana ice cream and RumChata cinnamon cream liqueur and other blends.
Burger Republic is the place if you have a craving for a burger and a milkshake, according to diner Erica Puckett.
“The burgers are out-of-this-world good, and there are so many to choose from. Also, the tater tot fondue is the best appetizer I think I’ve ever had,” she says. “The milkshake menu has a little something for everyone. I highly recommend the Nutella or the cookie butter, but you can’t go wrong no matter which you choose.”
Another online reviewer stated the burgers are “cooked just right and very juicy and flavorful. If you are in town and want a good burger or an adult milkshake this is the place to come.”
The restaurant displays a rugged but streamlined military theme, with ammo boxes on the tables holding condiments, napkins, straws and menus.
In addition to the original store in the Lenox Village neighborhood of South Nashville, Burger Republic founder Drew Jackman now owns locations in the Gulch downtown, Mt. Juliet and Murfreesboro.
The Burger Republic team slices Benton’s Bacon, a product of East Tennessee, in house.
The bar in Murfreesboro features lots of different beers on tap with selections from Black Abbey, Steel Barrel, Einstock, Yazoo, Tennessee Brew Works, Mayday, Jackalope, Stone and more.
“Awesome burgers and beer selection,” Brian Emamalie says.
The Burger Republic locations even offer a custom beer from Hap and Harry’s, a red ale known as Steel Penny.
“One of our bartenders at the Lenox Village location came up with the name,” said Murfreesboro Burger Republic Manager Jason Oren.
He says the crew aims to keep a comfortable atmosphere in all of the stores.
“There’s a good vibe in here,” Oren says, as a nice breeze drifts in the restaurant on a pleasant fall day from its large open garage doors, which lead to the outdoor patio.
These doors remain open when the weather is nice, and many customers enjoy having their burger and shake at the great outdoor seating area.
“Lots of dog people come here,” Oren says.
A few of the outdoor tables feature a fire in the center, to offer a more comfortable outdoor experience in cooler weather. And the restaurant even offers some loaner blankets if customers become cold.
Those on the patio can view the large outdoor movie screen at the Fountains when it shows movies.
Kenz Ladd says that he frequents Burger Republic for “a great burger, amazing milkshakes and awesome atmosphere. But, the one thing that makes me go back is the outdoor patio.”
He went on to state that he feels Burger Republic separates itself from other area burger establishments “by the amazing Angus beef they use.”
Burger Republic makes its juicy and tender burgers by blending a special mix of brisket, short loin and chuck cuts, according to its menu.
“Defend Quality” is the restaurant’s slogan.
If you can’t make it into the restaurant to experience the atmosphere in person, Burger Republic is available on Uber Eats.
“Some just want a couple of milkshakes delivered to their door,” Oren says
For something unique, the restaurant offers seasonal egg roll specials. October’s featured egg roll contained bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauteed onion and cheese, served with a beer mustard sauce for dipping—though that may change soon.
The establishment offers many more sandwiches in addition to beef burgers: turkey and veggie burgers, chicken and tuna sandwiches and a Philly cheesesteak.
The sweet potato tots are also a popular item.
Most diners seem very impressed with the food quality, with most of the criticisms having to do with the price point.
Ernesto Delgado said he found the burgers a bit overpriced.
“They’re good, just not worth $14 dollars,” he reported.
Others in Murfreesboro say that, while certainly high quality, the tab can get “a little pricey,” and that the price reflects the new, trendy location within the Fountains.
Though, you definitely get what you pay for, as one diner noted.
To try it out on a budget, Burger Republic offers happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 3–6 p.m. with 2-for-1 draft beers and $5 totchos or tator tot fondue.
Predators fans can always catch the game at Burger Republic, and now the restaurant hosts Nerdy Talk Trivia each Thursday at 7 p.m.
Burger Republic
1440 Medical Center Pkwy., Suite C, Murfreesboro
Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
615-962-7762
Classic burger with fries, tots or chips: $10.95; Ahi tuna burger: $12.95; Tator tot fondue: $8.95; Buy the Farm (burger with gouda, egg, red pepper relish, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion): $11.95; Spinach and crab dip: $9.95; Das EggRollz (egg rolls with bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauteed onion and cheese served with beer mustard): $9
burgerrepublic.com
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