Yay Yay’s on Jefferson Street is a place of respite in North Nashville allowing guests to experience good food and fellowship. The brainchild of acclaimed chef, Charlotte Miller and Jason Luntz, they strive to be a place to Gather, Nourish, and Indulge. After enjoying your food and the atmosphere, you will be sure to leave refreshed, with a smile on your face feeling connected to something bigger.
For Charlotte Miller, the CEO, co-owner, and Executive Chef, and Jason Luntz, co-owner and Director of Sales & Marketing, starting a business in Nashville has been difficult. Finding a space for Yay Yay’s has been particularly challenging in this city where real estate is not affordable. There is also the challenge of being a company led by a black woman, in a space where white people continue to cook black food and are awarded for it. Finding capital has been an issue, forcing them to bootstrap the majority of the business.
With that being said, Charlotte chose Nashville because this is her home and they want to make sure with all the growth it is inclusive to everyone. They want all people to be represented, and the hospitality industry to look like their very own friends and family.
What to eat:
The quality of her biscuits was a major reason Charlotte started Yay Yay’s. She has always received compliments from people about how delicious they were and comments on how other biscuits around town were just not as good. There was also nowhere in North Nashville that provided quality, home-cooked food on the spot by somebody in a location that was welcoming and designed with the community in mind.
The most popular items on the menu are the Fruit Parfait Biscuit which is prepared open with greek vanilla yogurt, berries, and granola, the Power Bowl Grits which come with comes avocado, mushrooms, kale, radish, with a miso ginger dressing, and of course everyone loves the Fried Chicken Biscuit.
(And if you are interested in special treats, ask about the “secret” menu.)
Besides being open Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 am – 4 pm, as a coffee shop, Yay Yay’s is also a private event space providing a space for those in the community to host events in an elevated yet affordable manner. If you are looking for an event space to book on weekends or evenings, you can contact them for more information at hostyourevent@yayyaynashville.com.
Photos: Elle Danielle
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