Sophisticated menu of updated Southern classic dishes & low-lit ambiance amid dramatic decor.
Shadawn White
Beautiful space, warm atmosphere, and attentive, friendly staff made for a great experience from the start. The food was amazing—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made from scratch with real care. The trout special was spectacular, and we also loved the lamb chops and guacamole. The salmon with sweet potatoes was perfectly cooked as well. Definitely a spot worth coming back to!
… moreAdrienne Marshall
Great experience at The Red Pony! The red snapper was incredible probably the best I’ve ever had. The seafood pesto was a bit mild but still worth trying. Carnitas were super tender and flavorful, just not the traditional tortilla style. Shrimp and grits had a unique twist and were very tasty.
The atmosphere was great, and even without a reservation, we were able to sit upstairs at the bar. The bartender was patient and gave excellent service. We’ll definitely be back!
… moreZach Helton
I like to come here for cocktails throughout the year, but the annual NYE fixed price dinner is simply amazing! I’m normally not a big steak guy, but every steak I get here is so tender it literally melts in your mouth!
… moreAnn-Marie
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE! My husband and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. Our server made the experience wonderful. He was very attentive and knew the menu very well. The atmosphere is elevated but not fancy. There are about 10 tables and a large bar downstairs and more dining upstairs. We sat downstairs where you can see into the kitchen. The morning dew cocktail was sooo good– not too sweet and definitely refreshing. For appetizers, we had the hamachi crudo, grilled halloumi and pork belly biscuits. Our favorite was definitely the biscuits. We did not care for the crudo. Although the fish itself was tasty, the heavy white sauce and large sunchokes took away from the delicate flavor of the fish. The biscuits, on the other hand, were addictive. The pork belly is served separately with an apple butter sauce, which was fantastic. We never had halloumi before and wanted to try it. We would definitely have it again. It came with grilled vegetables and you can definitely taste the grilling. For the entree we split the snapper. The fish seemed slightly overcooked but we enjoyed the corn, pico de gallo, fried onions and cornbread crumbles that came with it. It was large enough to share, especially after the three appetizers. We enjoyed creme brulee and chocolate mousse for dessert. Surprisingly, we thought the creme brulee was slightly better than the chocolate mousse. This is a nice spot to celebrate a special occasion. Highly recommend.
… moreCameron Carpenter
A treat of a restaurant located in downtown, historic Franklin, TN, the Red Pony is a fine example of upscale and fine dining. The menu has all the staples that will please nearly any diner as well as some wonderful cocktails that complimented the meal exceedingly well. I had their surf and turf special which was, I believe, a beef tenderloin with a familiar yet unique set of seasonings including a cocoa butter, alongside langoustine tail. My wife had their pork porterhouse which was delightful with their cherry, sherry cream, mushroom, and truffle mashed potatoes all mixed into the dish. I can also recommend their pork belly fried Brussels sprouts and their brisket bao (steam buns).
The service was excellent, and we got a reservation for a 5:45 time slot with no major issues. Staff was attentive and seemed to be well oiled in their routine. Our waiter, whom I regret to say I forgot his name, was phenomenal with excellent recommendations for cocktails, starters, entrees, and everything linking it all together.
… moreMichael Parise
Honest Review of Red Pony
We recently went to Red Pony in Franklin for a special occasion. We’ve heard a lot about the restaurant over the years and had been looking forward to finally experiencing it.
Coming from the food and hospitality industry, and being well-versed in both food and wine, I’ll admit I can be a bit critical—especially when expectations are set high.
Service:
The service was very good—borderline fantastic. Attentive, professional, and polished. I have absolutely no complaints in this department. Presentation of the wine and overall pacing of service were excellent.
Food:
This is where things fell short for me.
While the food was okay, it wasn’t anything mind-blowing. The menu felt dated, particularly the appetizer section, which came across as lackluster and not especially well thought out. I expected more creativity and refinement here.
For my entrée, I ordered the elk meatloaf wrapped in bacon. It was fine, but not memorable. I also ordered the potatoes fried in tallow—exactly what you’d expect, nothing more, nothing less.
Overall, the dishes lacked the level of excitement and innovation that the restaurant’s reputation led me to expect.
Value:
This was the biggest disappointment. The prices felt extremely high for the level of food and execution. In my opinion, in a larger or more competitive food city, Red Pony would simply register as a solid but unremarkable restaurant—not a destination.
I imagine when Red Pony first opened, it was likely very cutting-edge. However, with so many modern, creative, and forward-thinking restaurants opening today, this menu now feels stuck in the past and lands firmly in the mediocre zone.
Would I return?
Probably not.
Would I try their sister restaurant, Cork & Cow?
Based on this experience, also probably not.
That said, I did enjoy the evening—I enjoyed the atmosphere, the service, and most importantly, spending time with my family. I just don’t feel the food justified the price or the reputation.
Final Takeaway:
Red Pony delivers excellent service in a comfortable setting, but the food and menu no longer match the hype or the pricing.
… moreMike Carpenter
First time dining at the Red Pony. Did not have reservations, but still got a table right away. Great atmosphere…feels like a bit like a speakeasy. Friendly and efficient service. The food and cocktails were excellent. I seriously couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. Will definitely be back!
… moreYulonda Johnson (Y)
My husband and I had dinner at Red Pony tonight for our anniversary. We have been wanting to try it for the longest time but they rarely have times available for dinner. Now, I understand why. The food was great. Our server was attentive. The atmosphere was nice although it did get really loud when a large party came in for dinner. Luckily, we were almost done. We will definitely be back!
… moreHeather
Came here for a work dinner and the ambiance is dark amd moody with a masculine vibe. Drinks were on point, the meal was excellent as I had the lettuce wraps as an app, the squash soup and some beef entrees with creme brulee for dessert. While this is a higher price point for a meal it’s great for special occasions. Loved the decor!
… moreGrande Baliad
Holy wow, that was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while! I got the ribeye and my wife had the chicken entree and we both agree our meals were amazing! We arrived and they told us it was an hour wait unless we wanted to go upstairs and wait for a table near the bar. When we went upstairs there were three tables open and I’m really sure the difference between the tables we were at and the “normal” ones. All that to say, skip the wait and go upstairs if you can. The food was pricey, but it was worth it!
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