Burgers, home-cookin' and wings: Where to eat during Spring Fling

Nancy DeGennaro Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Burger Republic's Buy the Farm burger features smoked Gouda cheese, a fried organic egg, red pepper relish, applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato and red onion.

Spring Fling is in full swing this week and thousands will be looking for places to dine. Whether you're a local or you're just visiting, here are some ideas for best places to eat.

More:Spring Fling: Players to watch

More:Spring Fling 2018: A survival guide for Murfreesboro, Rutherford County residents

6 new

Burger Republic, 1500 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Angus beef, hand-spun milkshakes and craft brews served here. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

CoreLife Eatery, 2330 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Healthy menu items include bowls that feature greens, grains and bone broths. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Taco Garage, 1911 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Customized tacos, quesadillas and nachos, along with craft beer. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

Freebirds World Burrito, 2222 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Expect scratch-made burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, bowls and salads. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 10:30-8 p.m. Sunday.

Mission BBQ, 2314 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Smoked meat is king, along with scratch-made sides and desserts. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. 

Party Fowl, 127 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro: Nashville hot chicken, Southern sides and desserts, craft beers and cocktails are served. It's happy hour all day Tuesday and 3-6 p.m. other weekdays. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

More:20 Rutherford County restaurants that opened in 2017

The combo platter at Slick Pig BBQ features beef brisket, half-rack ribs, shredded pork, six wings, slaw and Brunswick stew.

7 tried and true

Slick Pig, 1920 E. Main St., Murfreesboro: Award-winning smoked pork, wings, brisket and turkey have drawn crowds for decades. Dine in or grab to go. There's also patio seating. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Buster's Place, 1615 N.W. Broad St., Murfreesboro: Award-winning burgers along with wings, chili and classic side items are served here. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Sir Pizza, 1901 E. Main St., Murfreesboro: Thin-crust pizza dough is served alongside other Italian-style dishes, as well as popular appetizers and sandwiches. A buffet is available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as 5-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Other locations: 3219 Memorial Blvd. and 110 Veterans Parkway in Murfreesboro; 1925 Madison Square Blvd., La Vergne.

Kleervu Lunchroom, 225 S. Highland Ave., Murfreesboro: If you're looking for scratch-made soul food, look no further than Kleervu, not far from MTSU. Hours for this award-winning eatery are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Legend's Steakhouse, 1918 Almaville Road, Smyrna: Expect a large selection of steaks, seafood and Southern comfort fare as well as kid-friendly options and a full bar. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

8 late-night spots

Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 1500 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Tex-Mex favorites with a twist. There's also a covered patio, frozen drinks and a fully stocked bar. Hours are 8 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

The Boulevard Bar & Grille, 2154 Middle Tennessee Blvd., Murfreesboro: Expect salads, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and a fully stocked bar. There's also patio seating and dozens of TVs airing your favorite sports games. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-midnight,

Toot's, multiple locations in Smyrna and Murfreesboro: The restaurant is known for its wings, burgers, ribs, chicken and so much more. You'll also find a fully stocked bar. Locations include: 860 N.W. Broad St. and 2992-C S. Church St. in Murfreesboro and 301 Sam Ridley Parkway W. in Smyrna. Hours at Toot's restaurants are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday.

Jefferson's, 1910 E. Main St., Murfreesboro: Scratch-made pub food can be found at Jefferson's near MTSU. Made-to-order burgers and hot wings with over a dozen heat levels. Salads, sandwiches and seafood are also served. Dine inside or on the patio. Daily specials are offered and hours are 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 

Sam's Sports Bar, 1720 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro: Expect salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, ribs, wings, pizza and much more. And of course, there's a fully stocked bar and plenty of space for large groups. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes at 2 a.m.

Jonathan's Grille, 2911 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Expect to find more than two dozen burgers and sandwiches, more than a dozen hand-crafted salads, ribs, steaks, flatbreads, tacos and much more. There's a gluten-free menu and daily specials. Hours are 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

BJ's Brewhouse, 2455 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro: Hand-crafted pizzas and sodas, along with plenty of salads, burgers, seafood, ribs, steaks and decadent desserts are on the menu, along with a fully stocked bar. Hours are 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday and open until 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Casual Pint, 427 Sam Ridley Parkway, Smyrna: Although a destination for craft beer lovers, you'll find flatbreads, wings and sandwiches. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday.

9 near venues

Blackman High School: 

  • Donatos, 3284 Franklin Road, Murfreesboro: Thin-crust pizzas are made with edge-to-edge toppings, along with Italian favorites, are served at Donatos. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. 

Smyrna High School

  • Karin's Kustard and Hamburgers, 470 S. Lowry St.: Made-to-order burgers complemented by a cool cone of custard. Walk up or drive through. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-8 p.m. Sunday

MTCS

Oakland High School

  • Station Grill, 2053 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro: Enjoy burgers, wings, appetizers and a fully stocked bar with plenty of TV screens and pool. Hours are 11 a.m.-midnight daily.

Old Fort Park/Adams Tennis Complex

Siegel High School/Siegel Soccer Park

  • Camino Real, 3359 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro: Find all your Mexican favorites served in a kid-friendly atmosphere. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

La Vergne High School

  • Hickory Falls, 999 Industrial Blvd., Smyrna: American grill fare that includes steak, pasta and salads are on the menu. It's kid-friendly. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

Riverdale High School

  • Rick's BBQ, 212 Warrior Drive, Murfreesboro: Enjoy barbecue sandwiches and platters, along with baked potatoes, salads and desserts. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

MTSU

  • La Siesta, 1111 Greenland Drive, Murfreesboro: Walk across the street from campus for your favorite Mexican fare. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.