Brown's Diner, located just off 21st Avenue on Blair Boulevard, is a Nashville institution. That said, it always amazes me how many locals have never been there. This place has been around forever and is home to what is quite possibly the Music City's best dive joint burger.
Brown's Diner is housed in what appears to be a trailer of some sort, though it's been added on to at some point. There is a small bar located in the front end of the establishment, but most of the space is dedicated to the diner, which is entered from the rear parking lot.
There is a small variety of sandwiches and other items on the menu, but frankly, I'd be hard pressed to tell you what they are. Most people go to Brown's for one thing. The hamburgers. There has been a long-standing dispute in Nashville as to who has the best burgers in town. Brown's Diner has its own staunch camp of followers and I would easily put them in the top three without any effort. They're the good old-fashioned fried burgers that many restaurants no longer make. They're greasy, they're delicious and they're as cheap (or cheaper) than a fast food joint's inferior sandwiches.
The decor at Brown's Diner is largely of the fake wood panel and neon beer light variety. A couple of TV's mounted on the walls offer music videos or sports, depending on time of the day. There is not a nonsmoking section, so if that bothers you, I recommend you go elsewhere. This is just a regular Joe's kind of place and neither the staff nor the patrons put on a lot of airs. Everyone is friendly and the service is good, but no one is likely to cater to the overly sensitive.
Brown's Diner is a good place to go if you have to buy someone else their lunch, incidentally. Two people can eat for just over ten dollars, so you'll get off easy. Your companion won't resent you for being a cheapskate, though, because they'll be too preoccupied enjoying their burger.