Sally’s Stay Awhile

When chef and co-owner Andy Little closed his neighborhood restaurant Josephine after a 10-year run in 12 South, the trendy neighborhood lost one of its most beloved local anchors. Richly tufted leather booths, vintage rugs, and a spectacular bar in the center of it all invited neighbors and visitors for everything from special occasion dinners to family brunch to cocktails and snacks at the bar. His accessible Pennsylvania Dutch-meets-Southern fare was further elevated by the genuine hospitality that permeated every visit. I still think about the roast chicken for two (and the joy I felt when  I learned you could get that delicious feast boxed up to go) and will forever wonder why more restaurants don’t send you out the door with a tidy pack of cookies. It’s no surprise that Little’s time at Josephine earned him two James Beard Semi-Finalist Best Chef (Southeast) nods. 

With Josephine closing, the Strategic Hospitality team quickly snatched up the talented chef for a new role, Director of Culinary Operations. Then, earlier this year, they partnered together on the opening of Sally’s Stay Awhile. 

It’s easy to draw comparisons between the two restaurants. Much like Josephine, Sally’s feels deeply cozy, albeit in a different way. It’s a bit more casual, quirkier — one part diner but also lined with velvet banquettes that invite you to sink in for a leisurely, low-lit dinner complemented by a stellar bottle of wine. In a year where Nashville has watched real estate prices continue to soar, with large restaurant groups buying up properties for second or third locations of their out-of-state concepts, Sally’s is the energy our city so desperately needs. 

Located on Wedgewood Avenue, a safe distance away from the chaos and construction of Wedgewood Houston’s busy streets, Sally’s neon sign stands like a beacon in the middle of a wide parking lot — a FREE parking lot! The “stay awhile” is legit; the restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with options to dine at the bar, tucked into a booth or table in one of the mid-century-inspired dining rooms or, if you time it just right, on one of the patios. 

Breakfast offerings range from house-baked pastries, both savory (pretzel croissant with ham and cheese) and sweet (cookies, bars, and muffins). There are healthy options, too, like yogurt and granola, and avocado toast. From the griddle, you can order waffles, French toast, and pancakes. And classic plates from steak and eggs to Eggs Benedict round things out. Local Crema Coffee is the brew of choice, and you can expect a seasonal drink menu that rotates throughout the year. 

Lunch rolls in with a variety of appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps, and a smash burger of my dreams. Many of the items, including entrée plates like the whole (or half) roasted rotisserie chicken with “Sally’s” sauce, latke crusted chicken schnitzel, steak frites, and Mr. Aaron’s Goods Sketti-o’s make a repeat appearance at dinner. No matter what you order day or night, be sure to snack on the mozzarella schnitzel, fried crisp with herbed breadcrumbs, served with a zesty tomato sauce for dipping. 

Add in happy hour daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with 2-for-1 beer, wine, and highballs alongside a hot dog du jour, plus brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and Sally’s proves to be Nashville’s neighborhood destination any day of the week.