The Family Wash/Garage Coffee
| Address: | 626 Main St A, Nashville, TN 37206, USA |
| Phone: | +1 615-645-9930 |
| Site: | familywash.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 8AM–1AM 8AM–1AM 8AM–1AM 8AM–1AM 8AM–1AM 8AM–1AM 9AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
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Ernie Gray
Founded in 2003, The Family Wash, recently relocated to Main Street from her former location tucked away on the far side of Porter Rd, still retains the essential character that made it internationally known. If there is one establishment that helped define the eclectic mythos of the "East Nashville Scene" its The Wash - a vibrant, playful, artsy juke joint with live music every night. The community of artists, writers, musicians and patrons who have congregated at the Wash have always been a diverse mix of creative types who like to kick back, drink a few pints, talk about life and listen to friends old and new share their music. The Wash has seen several proprietary partners come and go, but the guy who has always been the heart and soul of the joint is singer, songwriter, guitar slinger, music nerd & restaurateur, James Rubin. Jamie ran the place practically single-handed in the early days: booking the acts, tending bar, and even surviving a hold up at their old location. Today, he is the music director of the new location & partnership, curating a focused mix of local stars, top session players and up-and-coming regional troubadours. Many a night I have wandered into the Wash to discover Jamie himself and his rotating coterie of sickeningly good all star guests rocking through sets of classic tunes by Neil Young, Beatles, Bowie... and the list goes on. Dont be surprised to see legendary sidemen or nationally known stars hop on stage for the next number. Contrary to what you might think about music joints, as the name suggests, The FAMILY Wash IS actually family friendly. The music doesnt get loud until later in the evening, and yes, you can bring your kids. Theres even a kids menu. The Family Wash isnt really a bar, it isnt really a restaurant or coffee house -- its a fountain of Nashvilles creative culture that just keeps flowing. Now lets just hope the tourists dont come and ruin it.
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A Private User
Ive had two experiences at The Family Wash. On the first, I received mediocre service and had bad food (their famous "Shepherds Pie", which is a bunch of random stuff mixed together in a metal tin and is about as tasty as a microwavable Chicken Pot Pie.) The second experience went as follows: After waiting 15 minutes and no service I thought maybe you had to place your order at the bar. But everyone around me appeared to be giving their orders to the two female servers who were working. Then I noticed that most of the people placing their orders had gotten there AFTER I had. So I waited another 20 minutes occasionally making a gesture to the servers that I would like to place my order. Finally I was acknowledged by one of the servers when she made a snide comment about my 2 year-old daughter being in the way of doing her job (which was total BS). So after 35 minutes of sitting there and not being offered a menu, a glass of water or even a simple "hello", I realized I should take my business and money to an actual RESTAURANT. If you are visiting Nashville and want to see what East Nashville is all about, avoid this place. Youd have a much better experience at The Wild Cow or Los Maracas on Gallatin Ave. The food will be good...and someone will actually take your order!
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Ryan U
I hate leaving bad reviews and experiences. This experience had nothing to do with the quality of food I have had in their prior location. I was excited to take the boyfriend there and had been raving about the Shepherds Pie which I have loved for years. Seating relatively prompt for a busy night, but that was the end of the good experience. We sat and watched 2-3 other groups be seated and promptly given attention. To make matters worse two parties were within arms reach. No hello, no water, no menu... After watching a group of servers stand in the back and gab for five minutes doing nothing I was done. Cherry on the cake now.... Got up to leave and told the hostess about it on the way out and the only response was a half assed apology and no attempt to rectify the situation. I will at some point give them another try, but the attitude totally soured my opinion of what was once a beloved dining spot. UPDATE: GM and Executive Chef both reached out separately to apologize about the situation and ask for a return visit which we will be doing.
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Dana A.
Didnt get to eat here due to an unknown, possibly extended wait time (we had some older folks with us, seating was going to be difficult for them at the time). I hear the food is good, but be wary of the parking lot. A lot of the cars were backed into their spaces, and I learned why the hard way: there are low concrete pillars protecting a fenced in area that empty kegs appear to be stored in. I drive a Highlander suv and when backing up, you cant see the bumper-high columns at all. My bumper was crushed in by one of the pillars, so now I have an expensive repair to make. Putting reflective tape or wrap on them or even painting these short pillars a bright color or attaching cones to make them more visible would sure help keep tourists like me from having this problem. (Some other unlucky soul had apparently recently busted a taillight by backing into one, based on the debris by another short pillar). It would sure be hospitable of the business to look out for its patrons a little better.
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Angela Smith
We went to The Family Wash tonight for the first time. I ordered the chicken pot pie. It was horrible, and Im not that hard to please. The food had some type of spice that simply should not be in a chicken pot pie. It was sweet, really odd. I was starving and barely ate half. It had a "biscuit" on top, and I couldnt even begin to explain what that was like, definitely not a biscuit. Lastly, I ordered wine, Pinot Grigio. However, they only had a Chardonnay, a very cheap one at that, and I paid $10 for no more than 5 ounces. My date ordered a Bud Lite, and they didnt even carry that. Overall, not a good experience. I will not go again. There are so many other really good places in Nashville, so dont waste your time or money here.
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A Private User
We decided to try Family Wash this weekend and I am sadly disappointed. I was told they had great shepherds pie. Well, that is far from the case. For $11 dollars you get a pre-made pie reheated in an oven in a disposable tin. The pie is mostly mashed potatoes and is bland as the presentation it comes in. The decor looks like someone tried then got lazy. I wouldnt expect this place to be open much longer... unless they some how got on to TVs "Kitchen Nightmare". Oh did I mention the hostess was having a beer when we got there? Yea the service was pretty crummy too. Its a shame, but there are plenty of MUCH better places to eat in east nashville than Family Wash.
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Mary Graham
Id like to "wash" this place right out of my hair! Though our waitress and trainee were great, sorry but its just not as "cool" and "hip" as it seems to try so hard to be. You have your magazine reading, texting, arrogant hostess, your red, ripped bar stools held together by black tape and questionable menu. Gorgonzola chips were tasty but the chips, we know, were from a bag. The "pies", served in a to-go pie tin, had way too much cheese on them and not much else. I totally get wanting that, oh, seedy, sort of eclectic feel about a bar of this sort but cant help feeling we, as customers, deserve more. Lots of competition out there folks!
