Cherokee Steak House

We went for a birthday dinner party and everything was really good as far as taste, but it took kinda long. Idk if that was just because we had a large group, or not but oh well. We ordered the steak for 4, which was probably way to much cause we had a plate full of steak to go in a Togo box. Probably could have gotten the steak for 2 and shared between the 4 of us and still had plenty to take home. So portions are really large! We ordered our steak medium, but only half came out that way, the other half came out well done. Regardless though it was good.

The décor is plain, but the food is great! Been coming here since I was a kid and can’t remember ever being disappointed. Great steaks, pork chops, catfish etc.

The best Prime Rib I’ve ever eaten. It is well worth the drive and wait. The staff is attentive but not intrusive. The setting on the lake allows you to day dream about boating in for dinner.

Best prime rib for the price! The food is high quality though you won’t be paying for ambience which I gladly give up for some good grub. Take some bread from the table out with out to feed the ducks and geese.

The ambiance was nice a little old place by the river. The food was plentiful, we had the steak however the steak was very tough. The potatoes was good and the rolls were fantastic.

We wanted to try something new and took our boat from Blue Turtle Bay Marina in Old Hickory out to Lebanon to try Cherokee. I’d heard mixed reviews from others but we wanted to try it. FYI, it took us a little over an hour to get there by boat going at about a 20mph clip.
The overall experience at the restaurant was just ok. Not bad, but we probably won’t be back. Just pretty average and bland for a steakhouse. The place looks pretty run-​down, which is fine if the food is exceptional but it wasn’t. Again, nothing was terrible, but it feels kind of like a steakhouse version of Shoney’s to me.
The prices are very reasonable, but the ribeye wasn’t great. The prime rib was probably the tastiest of the food we tried. It was pretty good. Service was pretty quick. We got the «shrimp on ice» appetizer and they tasted good but were room temperature and not on ice when they were served. The «german fries» are just chunks of potato with onions but definitely pretty tasty.

We have been here several times and it is always good steak. This visit we were meeting friends and we’re looking forward to having good food for a fair price and good amtosphere. Well they have changed their main dining room from booths to tables (o’charleys in mt juliet did this too) and the noise level was horrid. We had to scream to hear each other. I left with a sore throat from yelling! The food was ok. We won’t be back. Oh and the manager kept walking by but did not speak. Just stared at our table.

My husband and I had a night alone without the kids and wanted to try something different. I would’ve rather gone to Outback. The prices are good and the steak was decent but those are the only pluses. We were seated 15 min and never got greeted. We grabbed another server and asked for water. Several others that came after ordered first. The salad was old and warm and looked like a bite was taken out of the cucumber. The bathrooms were disgusting and the floors were wet. The menus were crusty and dirty. We will not be back.

Classic local steak house with a long pedigree. Very good beef cuts plus chicken and seafood to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Hearty salads and honey buttered rolls. No alcohol license but you can bring your own wine without a corkage fee. Interesting setting at a marina on upper Old Hickory Lake. Lots of local character. Service is cheerful and efficient. This is a popular spot which can lead to a wait. Be patient; go look at ducks and boats. For years we have enjoyed it, and we think you will too.

A steakhouse from the 70’s that is in an excellent location. Nothing fancy here but good food.
Classic southern sides. You will not go home hungry. Onions rings were excellent and we kept a few aside to put on our steaks. We wondered why the steak for 2 was more than twice a single order and then it came to our table. It could have fed 5.
Staff was very friendly, but the restaurant has put as many tables on the floor as they can which can lead to other patrons brushing your table. Also the computer system is not silent, so you hear the noise as the staff enters orders.

Used to go all the time when I was younger, as I grew up in gallatin, but hadn’t been in years! My girlfriend and I took my parents there a few months ago and then we ate there with a couple of friends a week or so later! We got the same waiter both times (sorry I can’t remember his name). The lobster tail, frog legs, and steaks were all perfect!
My girlfriend’s steak was not cooked to her liking, but when she informed the staff they cooked her a new one immediately! The customer service and attention is top notch and the atmosphere is not at all pretentious like some other establishments around Nashville.
Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for good steak and seafood!

I’m giving 4 stars for the onion rings & fried potatoes w/​onions. That was my dinner and I loved it. I sent back the extremely dry prime rib. So my wife & I ended up with their signature steak. Not great but an outstanding value w/​exc. service.

Really liked this spot! I was in town for a work trip and some coworkers suggested this spot and we really quite happy with it. The restaurant itself is kind of a hole in the wall but the food was great and loved the location of the restaurant next to the river. I had the filet and it was great. Don’t think I’ve had a filet that tender and flavored for such a cheap price in a long time and I’m def a steak kind of girl. The only downside was that we were told it was BYOB but once we got there we found out there was an exception to bringing beer. If you are looking for a casual spot with great food I would recommend checking this spot out!

My wife and I came here for dinner on my birthday weekend. We walked up and down the marina looking at the boats before getting seated at our table. The waiting room was tight and packed with people. We got to our table and it was in a loud side room. I ordered the chef special, a ny strip with grilled shrimp. The sides were good, the shrimp were surprisingly small. The steak was cooked pretty good. All in all, I’m not blown away.

This place was recommended by the hotel’s concierge. In the middle of nowhere~ however as you get closer, the place is packed! Steak was pretty good and huge!

Not a very good place! very CRAPPY place to go ur better off to go to your local homeless shelter and eat you’ll get better food there!

I read mixed reviews before coming here, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect; plus, I want my steak just right, so I’m often underwhelmed at steakhouses. Anyway, the filet was easily the best I’ve ever had. It was grain fed, buttery and tender. I’d like to shake that cows hand!
The portion an price were very generous as well.
The ambiance leaves something to be desired if you are looking for a romantic evening, but if you don’t care about that and you just want a fantastic steak, you’ve found the right place. Got the asparagus; they cooked it just right.
Be sure to take a boat ride before dinner if you never have before.

now taking reservations!
but prefer not to seat you until your entire party has arrived.
they are closed on monday. but have specials every night.
service is «old school» and very attentive to your needs !
rolls fresh.
i always go on a tuesday night for the $ 12.95 prime rib special.
so worth it. steak, salad, and 1 side.
it just doesn’t get better than this place !
not fancy. an older crowd. family owned and operated.
loyal customers. friendly.
sits right on Old Hickory Lake. the view is incredible.
if you are looking for stoney river or ruth’s chris, this is NOT the place for you.
go spend your $$$$$ elsewhere, and keep the tables free for those of us
who are faithful to this landmark !!
oh, and BYOB !!! they will chill your beer and bottles.
very hospitable.
very casual.
accessible by boat or car. parking can be crowded when busy.
they do have fuel if you arrive by boat.
i could tell you about all the fun we have here, but i’d be giving away
alot of secrets !!!

We really like Cherokee Steak House, and have for years.
Now, you have to be in the right mood to go here. This family-​run place was built in the 1950’s… and very little has been done since. It’s always crowded, they do not take reservations, and if it’s a nice evening — you will have to wait. They are also BYOB, so come prepared.
Hubby and I decided Saturday night we needed an «adventure» and took a friend of ours who is about to move back to Miami to Cherokee for dinner. (Figured she had to get a few more of those «Middle Tennessee milestone experiences» in before she moved). We tried to be on the early side, but arrived at 7 pm (this place is on Old Hickory Lake basically on the line between Lebanon and Gallatin. That takes awhile from our house.). Saturday afternoon was lovely, so the wait was 1.5 hours. We fed some ducks, walked around the marina, hung out on a bench — just chatting away and, finally, our name was called. It really was an hour and a half — they’ve been doing this awhile.
My only negative — Some parts of the floor under our booth felt a bit «slippery,» but never mind, it’s the floor. The tables were clean and we all laughed at how the booths sat very low, and we felt like kids out to dinner with our parents.
The table ordered the Onion Ring appetizer and shrimp cocktail — both were quite good. Server did a good job of keeping up with tea and water. Dinners came out, two filets and a prime rib — everyone was very pleased.
The most expensive thing on the Cherokee menu is $ 19.95, folks, and that’s for the King Size Prime Rib. My filet, the smaller 6 oz. version, was $ 17.95 and that includes a salad and a side. And this filet is seriously good, seriously!
In the past month, hubby and I have enjoyed a dinner of filet mignon at Stoney River, Sperry’s, and Cherokee… and what’s amusing is the bill at the end of those dinners could not have been more different. Our total was $ 45 for two filets and the shrimp appetizer. Heck, we spend that any day of the week. Now I will be totally honest, I did prefer the Stoney River Legendary Steaks coffee marinated filet dinner to the Cherokee filet. But note the Cherokee dinner was half price of Stoney River.
Cherokee’s slogan you can purchase on your very own t-​shirt is: «You can whip our cream, but you can’t beat our meat!» Listen to them.

Go by boat. this place is great. Bring your own booze and enjoy a good steak at a fair price. Wait can be long in summer so be prepared to wait.