CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – It seems like many people are looking for something new to try when they are making plans for dining out or finding something with local flavor. One such restaurant that many people think about when the subject of eating out comes up is Cumberland Grille on 1503 Madison Street in Clarksville.

Cumberland Grille is celebrating their tenth year serving customers. I sat down recently with Roy Smith, who doesn’t describe himself as the owner or boss but simply as the “Background Guy” at the restaurant. Cumberland Grille’s location on Madison Street was also the site of the former Plaza Restaurant for many years.

Smith talked about starting out in the restaurant business when he was only 13 years old. He would wash pizza pans at Shakey’s, his father’s restaurant on Riverside Drive. Smith stated that he worked there for about nine years and then moved around to various restaurants. In 1985, he returned to Riverside Drive to work at the new O’ Charley’s restaurant.

Smith stayed with O’ Charley’s for 16 years and moved up the ladder to General Manager and Supervisor positions. It was around this time that Smith was approached with a business proposition from his insurance agent. Three brothers, Bailey, Brad and Doug Martin, asked him if he would like to own his own restaurant.

One of the first questions I asked Smith was about the name Cumberland Grille and where it came from.

“It came from my Stepmom, we were talking about names like Old Roy’s and a bunch of silly things like that and she said how about the Cumberland Grille. I said man that’s got a good ring to it, so that’s how it happened,” Smith said.

Cumberland Grille opened up with a bang, according to Smith. The success allowed him to open a second Cumberland Grille on Fort Campbell Boulevard a few years later. Unfortunately, that location did not do as well as the Cumberland Grille on Madison Street, and Roy was forced to close the restaurant.

“I buy the best product I can, I’m real proud of what we do, our portions are more than adequate and our prices are competitive,” Smith said as he talked about Cumberland Grille. Smith also bragged about some of their special menu items, such as the restaurant’s rib eye steaks, quesadillas, Philly sandwich and his catfish sandwich, which he says is unique.

When it comes to their menu items, “We don’t want to rock the boat too much, but we’re always looking for a dish we can add. We feel good with what we’ve got and we’ll try to throw something new out there every now and then.”

Kabobles are one new dish Smith described, “It’s actually kabobs without the stick. It’s tons of beef, chicken, shrimp, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and rice, with some pineapple on top.”

One of the newest things Cumberland Grille offers is their value meal.

“Our portions are so large I think that hurts us sometimes. There is just too much food and you can’t eat it all, so we run half portions on a lot of those meals.” Smith said.

Catering for small or large groups is another of Cumberland Grille’s services and they offer anything on the menu. You can also call Cumberland Grille and get your favorite menu items for take out.

Join Cumberland Grille for lunch or dinner and help them celebrate 10 years of serving Clarksville. They are open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. You’ll find Cumberland Grille at 1503 Madison Street or you can call them at (931) 572-1002.



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