Franklin, Tennessee is a town where there are an endless number of places to eat and shop.  And, with the projected growth in the area for the next 10 years, that fact is bound to continue and thrive.  I want to tell you about 2 of my recent finds — places to which I’d definitely want to return.

Attractive exterior

The first is Sopapilla’s, a wonderful New Mexican restaurant at 1109 Davenport Boulevard.  Notice that I DIDN’T say a new Mexican restaurant.  I purposely capitalized New because the cuisine is that of the State of New Mexico, rather than typical Mexican.  Owner Steve Dale, from both Phoenix and Albuquerque, came to Nashville to pursue a career in music and found much success in that area.  What he DIDN’T find was food with the flavors he loved from “back home.”  He enjoyed cooking for his friends after concerts and gained quite a reputation there, as well.  After awhile, he chose to pursue his passion for great food, and Sopapilla’s was born.

Chips and salsa — fresh, fresh, fresh.

One of the not-so-secret ingredients in the dishes of Sopapilla’s are the chiles shipped from Hatch, New Mexico.  The flavor is unique to other chiles, and the town is known far and wide for its peppers.  Learn more by checking out this website.

Three of our grandchildren and their parents gave Sopapilla’s a big thumbs up when we celebrated a family birthday there recently. All of the dishes we had were wonderful, but Steve and I especially enjoyed the Guacamole with Grilled Pineapple and Sweet Glazed Shrimp.  It was over-the-top good.

Children’s menu

Sopapilla’s is grandkid-approved.

Guacamole with grilled pineapple and shrimp.

And, when our meal ended with the signature sopapillas, we were drooling, oohing and ahh-ing.  All of that deliciousness AND honey?  Oh my!

Soft, fluffy sopapillas with honey.

Before you leave the area, be sure to walk around to The Herban Market at 3078 Maddux Way, just a few stores down from Sopapilla’s. As the name implies, there are plenty of herbs and spices, but SO much more.  You’ll find organic produce, an olive oil and balsamic tasting bar, local meat and dairy products plus fish shipped from Alaska, and even an organic juice bar.  The Herban Market also encourages local artists with a wall dedicated to displays of their works.  During our visit, good friend Kay Dekalb Smith had several paintings on that wall.  I guarantee you’ll be tempted to take some products home and cook up something special.

Wall for local artists near the Juice Bar.

Goats milk soap.

Herbs in bulk.