A jumbo sundae called the Cow Trough comes with seven scoops of ice cream. Seven.
I believe that name is a warning and an invitation at the same time.
The cows making the milk live right behind the shop. This dairy family has farmed since 1929, and they moved their whole herd across the country to Tennessee.
That’s a long trip for a cow, and a short one for your milk.
The menu doesn’t stop at scoops, either. There’s a sandwich stacking pulled pork and mac and cheese on sourdough.
There are cheese curds in flavors like ranch and horseradish.
I like how a simple country drive can end with a farm tour, a fresh grilled cheese, and a pint for the road. So which would you grab first, the cheese or the cone?
Four Generations of Dairy Know-How Moved Cross-Country for This
Back in 1929, Wallace and Ida Nash started a dairy farm in central California. Nearly a century later, their family is still milking cows, just in a very different zip code.
Nash Family Creamery is the newest chapter of that story. Water shortages and tough milk prices pushed the family to relocate their farm to Tennessee in 2013 and 2014.
Construction on a new dairy began in 2013, right behind where the creamery stands now. Cody Nash, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, then had a simple idea.
Why not sell the farm’s products straight to the people eating them?
The doors opened in September 2020. A year later, the Nash Cheese Company joined in, turning fresh milk from the dairy into cheddar and curds.
That history matters when you take your first bite. The ice cream isn’t shipped in from somewhere far away.
It starts with cows living just steps from the counter.
I love that kind of short supply chain. It’s farm to cone in the most literal way possible.
And it makes a country drive feel like a visit with a family that really knows its milk.
Twenty Flavors Wait in the Case, So Choose Wisely
Over one hundred flavors have been created here since opening day. That’s a lot of taste testing, and somebody had a very good job.
On any visit, you’ll find twenty flavors ready to scoop. That number keeps things exciting without turning the menu into a homework assignment.
Cones and waffle bowls are both on hand. Milkshakes are a big deal too, blended thick from the same farm-fresh ice cream.
Sundaes get their own spotlight. The Brownie Fudge Sundae pairs two classic treats in one dish.
Then there’s the Cow Trough, a jumbo creation loaded with seven scoops.
My advice? Bring backup for that one.
Seven scoops is a team sport, not a solo mission.
Ice cream nachos also show up on the menu, which sounds like dessert wearing a party hat. It’s a fun pick for a group that can’t agree on one flavor.
Want some for later? Pints and half gallons are available to take home.
Just pack a cooler in the car, because Tennessee summers don’t wait for anybody to get home.
The Piggy Mac Might Steal the Show From Dessert
Pulled pork and mac and cheese, pressed together on sourdough. Yes, that’s one sandwich, and it’s called the Piggy Mac.
Nash Family Creamery serves a short lunch menu that leans hard on its own cheese. That makes sense when the cheese company sits on the same farm.
The grilled cheese is the simple classic here. Sometimes simple is exactly right, especially when the cheddar comes from cows down the road.
A turkey and cranberry grilled cheese brings a little holiday energy to any month. The deviled egg salad sandwich is another option for anyone wanting something different.
There’s also a seasonal chicken salad croissant. Seasonal means it may not always be there, so grab it when you see it.
Here’s my favorite plan for a visit. Eat a sandwich first, then reward yourself with ice cream.
Call it a balanced meal, because it technically has two courses.
The menu stays small, and that feels smart. Fewer choices means less time staring at the board and more time eating.
Horseradish Cheese Curds Are Worth the Detour Alone
Cheese curds come in Original, Jalapeño, Ranch, and Horseradish here. That last one is for brave snackers who like a little kick.
The Nash Cheese Company started in 2021 using fresh milk from the family dairy. Its lineup covers a nice range of cheddar styles.
You can pick from White Cheddar or Sharp White Cheddar. Prefer color in your cheese?
Yellow Cheddar and Sharp Yellow Cheddar are on the list too.
Spice fans should look for the Jalapeño White Cheddar. It’s the kind of block that turns plain crackers into a real snack.
Cheese is available to take home, which is great news for road trips. Toss some curds in a cooler and the drive back gets tastier.
I can’t imagine a better souvenir from a dairy farm. A magnet is nice, but you can’t put a magnet on a burger.
Planning a party? A mix of flavored curds makes an easy tray.
Your guests will ask where you found them, and you’ll get to tell the whole farm story.
Save Room for Cobbler and a Coffee Refill
Ice cream gets top billing, but the bakery case is sneaky good company. Brownies, cobblers, cinnamon rolls, and cookies are all freshly baked.
Cobbler and ice cream belong together like porch swings and summer evenings. Ordering one without the other almost feels like breaking a rule.
A coffee bar is a recent addition to Nash Family Creamery. That’s handy for anyone who needs a pick-me-up before driving the back roads home.
Coffee and a cinnamon roll make a solid late-morning stop. The doors open at 11 AM, so it works for an early lunch crowd too.
The country market adds even more to browse. Local meats are available, so you can stock up on dinner while grabbing dessert.
I like that a quick ice cream run can turn into a small grocery trip. It’s efficient, and nobody has to know the cookies didn’t make it home.
Bring a bag if you plan to shop. Between cheese, pints, meat, and baked goods, your hands fill up faster than expected.
Plenty of Seats Inside and Out, Even for the Dog
A recent expansion gave the creamery more room to eat and more space to order. That’s welcome news on a busy weekend afternoon.
Indoor seating keeps you cool on hot summer days. Outdoor seating lets you soak up the farm views while you eat.
Pets get some love too. The outdoor areas of the property are dog-friendly, so your four-legged buddy can tag along.
Just remember the inside belongs to the humans. Pick an outdoor table if your pup is part of the crew.
Nash Family Creamery keeps a country market inside as well. Browse it while you wait for sandwiches to come off the grill.
I like a place that plans for families, friends, and furry passengers alike. It makes the whole stop feel relaxed.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays closed. Friday and Saturday stay open the latest, until 9 PM.
Sunday closes earlier, at 7 PM. So if you’re planning a Sunday drive, aim for the afternoon instead of a late dinner stop.
Roll the Windows Down for the Highway 41A Drive
Roughly 25 miles south of Nashville, the city traffic fades and the hills take over. That’s where this sweet stop waits along Highway 41A.
The address is 4019 US-41A N, Chapel Hill, TN 37034. Plug it in and enjoy the scenery on the way down.
Rolling Tennessee hills make the ride part of the fun. It’s the kind of road trip where nobody minds the drive.
Nash Family Creamery works well as a destination or a pit stop. Day trippers from Nashville can make it a lazy afternoon outing.
Travelers heading south get a tasty break from the highway. A shake beats a gas station snack every single time.
I believe the best drives end with a reward. Here, that reward could be a cone, a sandwich, or a cooler full of cheese.
Plan around the seasons for the most fun. Spring and summer bring farm tours, while fall brings the corn maze.
Any time of year, though, the ice cream is ready. And that alone makes the trip worth the miles.
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