Ask the people of Murfreesboro to name their favorite local restaurant, and The Alley on Main comes up frequently in that conversation, among other top local establishments.

Situated at the corner of West Main Street and Walnut Street, just a block from the Murfreesboro Public Square, the Alley blends an American neighborhood steakhouse with traditional Italian dishes in a laid-back community setting.

Shawn and Christy Hackinson seized the opportunity to open their dining concept in the downtown Murfreesboro space in 2014, after the space housed Rooster’s BBQ for a short-lived stint.

Not only has the Alley served many, many satisfied customers at its restaurant over the past decade, the Hackinsons have gotten very involved in the Murfreesboro community, providing food for numerous business events, fundraisers, receptions, parties, weddings and gatherings all over town throughout the past decade.

Among favorites at the restaurant, find linguine and meatball—not “meatballs,” but a singular, giant meatball made with beef, pork, garlic and cheese served atop the pasta—a recipe inspired by Shawn’s Aunt Rose.

Fish and chips

The standard Alley food menu is fairly simple and straightforward—not overwhelming, but nonetheless containing plenty of variety. The eatery focuses on serving quality, flavorful steaks, fish, chicken-fried chicken, pasta and pork chops.

“One of the best filets I’ve ever had in my life; the absolute best Brussels sprouts I’ve ever eaten,” customer Mary Bolin posted in a review after an experience at the Alley. “If you leave without trying the Thoroughbred pie [made with Bourbon, chocolate and walnuts] and salted caramel ice cream, you’re not living your best life.”

Others rave about the deconstructed kabobs, seasoned chunks of beef and peppers.

“Get the blue cheese bacon butter and rub it on the steak,” another diner advises.

The Alley serves some delicious, freshly cut, house-made fries. And the crispy, fried Brussels sprouts also make a popular side.

Other selections include fried green tomatoes, Nashville hot chicken, green beans with bacon, and gumbo.

Their seasonal items and rotating specials allow for some experimentation; these can range from grouper, chicken-fried steak, shrimp po boys and seared Ahi tuna to catfish sandwiches, Hungarian mushroom soup and crab fingers—bits of crab meat on the claw prepared in a white wine, bacon and butter sauce.

Crab fingers

“We recommend the bruschetta and calamari appetizers! The bruschetta is very flavorful and the tempura-like breading on the calamari was light and crisp,” reported Val, another pleased Alley patron. “The steak salad has always been excellent.”

This steak salad [pictured at top]—eight ounces of beef tenderloin served atop veggies—makes a fantastic lunch for those trying to stay low-carb.

The broad beverage menu contains all sorts of signature and classic cocktails, mojitos and margaritas along with an extensive list of wines, Scotches, Bourbons and tequilas and more.

Numerous customers recommend the Gangster’s Sidepiece, a blend of gin, violet, cucumber and lemon.

Alley Naked and Famous Bluegrass Mule

The Alley has developed its own special ginger beer, now produced at Murfreesboro’s Cedar Glade Brews, a partnership between the two local businesses. Find this ginger beer as a standalone beverage at the Alley and also as an ingredient included in various other concoctions—the Moscow Mule, made with vodka, Chambord, grapefruit and lime, as well as the ginger beer; the Dark and Stormy, combining rum with the house ginger beer; or the Bluegrass Mule with Bourbon.

The Alley is quite popular with the community; customers often spill out of the doorway during peak times. But to many, that is the sign of a quality establishment, and plenty of diners choose to wait for a table here rather than settle for subpar (but perhaps quicker) fare elsewhere.

As far as drawbacks, aside from the occasional necessary wait time and crowd, some diners have raised concerns about inconsistency, saying an item that they once had and enjoyed wasn’t prepared to the same standard on another visit. Perhaps some of the team members are more adept at creating the dishes than others. Others point out that the atmosphere is not particularly fancy or noteworthy, and some of the tables are wobbly, but many would prefer to err on the side of too-casual rather than overly stuffy, white tablecloth or pretentious, and the spot remains beloved to many passionate supporters of local business.

One Yelper, Mike, described it as the perfect “Southern hipster restaurant”—“The Southern food is elevated, but not warped by unnecessary creativity,” he said.

At one time, the Hackinsons unveiled plans to construct a multi-story building in the lot next to the restaurant to expand the Alley. While those plans did not materialize, they did put some work into the outdoor dining area located there, adding some turf, shaded areas and lots of seating, making it a favorite outside eating space for many Murfreesboro consumers and, oftentimes, their dogs.

The family’s downtown Murfreesboro restaurant presence will indeed soon expand in 2024 with the Hackinsons’ recent purchase of the building at 103 N. Maple St. Plans are in place to open One of Nineteen Cocktails and Raw Bar within its lower level on the Square.

In the meantime, for home cooking with a community vibe, a great steak, surprising seasonal selections, an extensive drink menu, chicken, seafood and Brussels sprouts, head down Main Street in Murfreesboro and stop in the Alley.

Oh . . . and don’t overlook the dessert options. “Get the carrot cake,” one reviewer suggests.

The Alley on Main
223 W. Main St.
alleyonmain.com
Mon.–Fri.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat. 3–9 p.m.
615-203-3498
Chicken-fried chicken with gravy, a salad and one side: $14.99
Steak salad: $15.99
Icelandic cod fish and chips, with a salad and one side: $15.99
Goat cheese bruschetta: $8.99
Mojito, margarita or sangria: $9
16-oz. boneless ribeye $28.99
Bowl of gumbo: $6.99
2-oz. pour of WhistlePig Farmstock Rye Bourbon: $16