East Side diner sings with musical quirks, rib-sticking fare

Pied Piper's Monty Python Cristo

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

But the fine folks at Piped Piper Eatery (PPE) are willing to serve a free dessert.

Actually, if you dine at the quirky East Nashville joint, you can “win” that sugary goodness — in the form of pies, cakes, tarts, puddings or the glorious Pied Piper Creamery ice cream — by knowing your music.

The eatery, which opened in late 2008, features various dining tables with vinyl albums and album artwork from the 1970s and ’80s. Visualize Culture Club, The Who, Lionel Richie, Elton John… you know, all that classic music that subconsciously spurs one to crave a PPE David Hasselhoff Turkey Reuben (actual menu item name).

But it’s the table with a collage of about 40 artists that most catches the eye.

“If you name all the musicians, we’ll give you a free dessert,” said Andy Piper, co-owner with sister Becky of the Riverside Drive diner that bears the siblings’ surname. “So far, we’ve had two customers get close enough, so we gave them the free dessert.”

Good customer relations, Andy.

Even if the PPE food wasn’t so good — and it is — folks likely would still embrace this playfully kitschy diner, as the eatery’s 20 employees treat visitors warmly.

Piper said a few months after PPE opened, a gentleman arrived visibly agitated. While venting, according to Piper, the man assertively told manager Jeff Grammer that since the diner opened, he had nearly been hit head-on three times while trying to turn his vehicle left from Porter Road and onto Riverside Drive.

Piper recalled that the man said each of the three near-accidents was the result of a motorist turning the wrong way on Riverside and into the Pied Piper Eatery parking lot.

“When the man finished,” Piper said, “Jeff’s reply came without missing a beat: ‘Well, sir, I’m not sure what to tell you, except that we just feed ’em; we don’t tell ’em how to drive.’ The man couldn’t help but chuckle. Jeff apologized for the man’s frustration and sent him on his way. He left happy, no less.”

They all leave happy at the Pied Piper.

And they should, given the eatery’s tasty fare and numerous menu items, many of which are so cleverly named as to elicit smiles from customers.

There are the Johnny Cash Onion Ring of Fire ($5.95), the Brick House Salad ($4.95), the Fleetwood Mac ’N Cheese ($6.95), the Ribeye of the Tiger ($8.95) and the Philadelphia Freedom Burger ($8.45).

Another key characteristic of Pied Piper Eatery is its child-friendly vibe. Near the main entrance sits a miniature train set-up and various other toys.

“During dinner, every other table has children,” Piper said. “We advertise ourselves as kid friendly.”

In fact, the Pied Piper of Hamelin is a legend about the abduction of many children from a German town with the same name and made famous by The Brothers Grimm. “Pied” means “patches of two or more colors,” with minstrels of the Middle Ages opting for the look.

But don’t be fooled into anticipating a meal at some freakish fairy tale venue. Pied Piper Eatery, though receptive to tykes and tots, focuses on comfort food that adults crave.

During a recent visit, this writer nixed playing with the toy train and, instead, chowed down on the Bonnaroo’s Most Wanted Veggie Burger, while also enjoying (from the plates of relatives) steamed broccoli, cole slaw and fried okra. The bursts of flavor brought forth an urge to sing a classic rock song but better judgment prevailed.

Piper said he and Becky are “huge music fans,” and wanted a fun theme for the eatery.

“Nothing made more sense for us than music,” he said. “Early on, we had the idea of decorating the tables with album covers and music memorabilia, and the theme grew around that.”

The music idea strikes an ear-pleasing chord, as seen with PPE’s tables, menu, wall art and front counter, the latter of which is peppered with vinyl 45s. These include, among many others, K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” and Wham’s “Careless Whisper” (featuring the legendary George Michael).

Regarding the 45 of Blue Oyster Cult’s timeless “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” Andy Piper said with a wink, “That one’s not very kid friendly.”

No matter, as both kiddies and their parents will thrill to the nostalgic fun at Pied Piper Eatery.

The kitsch factor is best represented in the tables. The Pipers purchased those tables (and, actually, the business and lease) from the owners of previous tenant Veggie Café.

“We were looking at the cost involved with replacing all the tables and chairs — upwards of $7,000 — and decided to come up with a way to make them work without replacing them,” Piper said. “The idea was to decorate with album covers. After some research, we decided to make a go of it.”

Using an epoxy and the album art, the Pipers took the non-descript wood tables and transformed them.

“Maybe we saved a tree or two,” Piper said.

The Pipers are not new to the restaurant business. Becky brings 14 years in the industry to the table, having worked as a bartender, server and manager, while Andy has put in almost as many years.

"One of my first jobs was busing tables at a steakhouse when I was 15 years old,” Andy said. “I have been in the restaurant or food industry for the majority of time since — going on 13 years. I have been a server, cook, kitchen manager and more at many different places."

And, their sister Jenny Piper owns Pied Piper Creamery, a popular ice cream parlor located in nearby Five Points.

With both the creamery and eatery, Pied Piper has become a household name of sorts in East Nashville.

“Not much is ready for public announcement, but we do have some things in the works,” Piper said. “The potential for more Pied Piper ventures is great.”

Pied Piper Eatery
1601 Riverside Drive
228-2795
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday