The Roast Beef At This Old-School Restaurant Is Worth The Drive From Anywhere In Tennessee This Year

Every state has that one dish people will happily travel for. In Tennessee, roast beef sandwiches have a loyal fan base, especially when they’re made the old-school way.

Think generous slices of slow-cooked beef, warm bread, and a flavor that feels comforting the moment you taste it. Nothing fancy, just real food done right.

Word spreads quickly when a restaurant masters something this classic. Soon locals, road-trippers, and curious food lovers are all pulling in for the same reason.

One bite explains everything. The roast beef served at this longtime Tennessee restaurant easily earns its reputation.

The Italian Beef Sandwich That Started It All

A sandwich does not earn a loyal following by accident. At this place, the Italian beef sandwich is the anchor of the entire menu, and for good reason.

Thin-sliced, well-seasoned beef gets piled high on a soft Italian roll that holds up surprisingly well even when dipped in rich, savory gravy.

Customers can choose how much gravy they want through four distinct options: dry, light, dipped, or baptized. The dipped option, where both ends of the roll are submerged in the au jus, tends to be the most recommended by regulars.

Each bite delivers a satisfying combination of tender meat and flavorful broth that soaks just enough into the bread without making it fall apart.

Reviewers who grew up in Chicago consistently point out that the flavor profile matches what they remember from back home. For anyone in Tennessee who has never tried a Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich, this could easily become a new favorite.

The sandwich alone makes the drive to Murfreesboro worth every mile.

Giardiniera And Sweet Peppers: The Toppings That Elevate Everything

Toppings can make or break a sandwich, and at Buona, the topping game is taken seriously. Giardiniera, a tangy Italian relish made from pickled vegetables, adds a sharp, briny contrast to the richness of the slow-cooked beef.

Sweet peppers offer a softer, slightly caramelized flavor that balances the heat and acidity of the giardiniera beautifully.

Some customers prefer to order both toppings together, layering the flavors for a more complex bite. A few reviewers have noted that the giardiniera could be chopped a bit smaller for easier eating, but the flavor itself has received consistent praise.

The customization options make it easy for first-timers and regulars alike to build a sandwich that suits their personal taste.

For anyone who enjoys bold, layered flavors, adding giardiniera and sweet peppers to the Italian beef is a strongly recommended move. The toppings bring a Chicago authenticity that is hard to replicate, and the fact that they are available at a Tennessee location makes this spot genuinely special.

Visiting without trying at least one of these toppings could mean missing out on the full experience.

The Bread: Soft, Sturdy, And Surprisingly The Star

Bread is often an afterthought at fast food spots, but at Buona, multiple customers have specifically called out the roll as a highlight of the meal. One reviewer went as far as saying the bread is the star of the show, which is a bold claim when sitting next to a pile of tender, seasoned beef.

The roll has a soft interior that absorbs the gravy without turning to mush, which is a genuinely difficult balance to achieve.

The outer crust provides just enough structure to hold everything together, even when the sandwich is ordered dipped or baptized in sauce. That structural integrity matters a lot when you are eating on the go or working through a heavily loaded sandwich.

It is the kind of bread that does its job quietly and effectively without overshadowing the filling.

For anyone who pays attention to bread quality, this detail will stand out immediately. A great roll signals that the kitchen cares about every component of the dish, not just the headline ingredient.

The bread at Buona at 2724 Roby Corlew Ln in Murfreesboro reinforces the overall impression that this is a restaurant built around getting the details right from top to bottom.

The Gravy Dipping System: Dry, Light, Dipped, Or Baptized

One of the most unique and talked-about features of the Buona experience is the gravy dipping system. Ordering the sandwich is not just about picking toppings, it also involves choosing exactly how much au jus contact the bread gets.

The four levels, dry, light, dipped, and baptized, give each customer real control over the final texture and flavor intensity of the sandwich.

Dry keeps the bread firm and lets the seasoned beef speak for itself. Light adds a modest amount of gravy to the surface without soaking through.

Dipped submerges both ends of the roll into the warm au jus, which is the option most staff and regulars recommend for a first visit. Baptized goes all the way, with the entire sandwich dunked into the sauce for maximum flavor and moisture.

First-timers might want to start with dipped to get a feel for the experience before committing to the full baptized version. The system adds an interactive, almost ceremonial quality to the ordering process that makes the meal feel more personal.

It is a small detail that ends up having a big impact on how the sandwich tastes and feels from the very first bite.

Fries, Onion Rings, And Sides Worth Ordering

A great sandwich deserves an equally solid supporting cast, and the sides at Buona hold their own without much effort. The fries have been described in multiple reviews as hot, crispy, and consistently fresh, which are the three qualities that matter most when it comes to fast food fries.

Onion rings have also earned specific praise, with several regulars mentioning them as a go-to add-on.

The restaurant offers these sides as part of meal combos, making it easy to round out the order without overthinking it. Potato salad has also been mentioned by at least one reviewer as a satisfying alternative for those who prefer something lighter than fried sides.

The portion sizes have been noted as appropriate for the price point, which tends to vary depending on add-ons and customization choices.

Ordering a side along with the main sandwich is worth doing, especially on a first visit when the goal is to get the full picture of what the kitchen can produce. The sides are not just filler, they complement the richness of the beef and help pace the meal at a comfortable rhythm from start to finish.

The Kiosk Ordering System And What To Expect

Ordering at Buona is done through a self-service kiosk system, which means customers place their orders on a screen rather than at a traditional counter. For some visitors, this setup feels fast and efficient, especially during busy periods when a staffed counter might create a longer wait.

The kiosk interface has been described as easy to navigate, with clear options for customizing each menu item.

A few customers have noted that the kiosk does not always display every sauce level option, such as the light gravy setting, which means it could be worth adding a note in the comments section if a specific preference is needed. Overall, the system keeps the ordering process moving at a steady pace, which contributes to the restaurant’s reputation for quick service.

The drive-through option is also available for those who prefer to pick up their order without going inside.

For anyone dining in for the first time, taking a moment to review the full menu on the kiosk before selecting is a good approach. The customization options are extensive, and knowing what is available ahead of time helps avoid the pressure of deciding on the spot.

The system rewards customers who come prepared with a clear idea of what they want to try.

What The Atmosphere Feels Like Inside Buona

Multiple reviewers have commented on how tidy the restaurant is, with staff actively cleaning tables during busy service periods. The lighting is bright without being harsh, and the overall layout keeps the flow of customers moving comfortably between the kiosk, the pickup area, and the seating sections.

The venue can get crowded during peak hours, and at least one reviewer mentioned that finding a seat could be a challenge during busy stretches. Arriving slightly before or after the main lunch rush could help secure a comfortable spot without the wait.

The noise level during busier periods reflects the energy of a popular spot, which adds to the lively feel rather than detracting from it.

The overall atmosphere leans casual and communal, the kind of place where people come in hungry, eat well, and leave satisfied without a lot of fuss. There is nothing overly formal about the setup, and that relaxed quality makes it easy to enjoy the food at a comfortable pace.

The cleanliness and organization of the space signal that the team takes the dining environment as seriously as the menu itself.

Hours, Location, And Planning Your Visit

Planning ahead makes any restaurant visit smoother, and knowing the basics about Buona before arriving helps avoid surprises. The restaurant opens at 10:30 AM every day of the week, which means late-morning visits are an option for those who want to beat the lunch crowd.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the location stays open until 11 PM, while the rest of the week closes at 10:30 PM, giving plenty of flexibility for evening visits as well.

Buona can be reached by phone at +1 615-625-2232, and the official website at buona.com/locations/murfreesboro provides additional details about the menu and any current offerings. The restaurant is situated in a part of Murfreesboro that is accessible from multiple directions, making it a reasonable stop for visitors coming from Nashville or other nearby areas.

Several reviewers mentioned making the drive specifically from Nashville just for the Italian beef, which speaks to the pull this location has developed in a short time.

Arriving during off-peak hours, such as mid-afternoon on a weekday, could offer a quieter and more relaxed experience. The combination of accessible hours, a clear menu, and a welcoming space makes Buona a practical and satisfying destination for both planned outings and spontaneous cravings throughout the week.

Why Chicagoans And Tennessee Locals Both Keep Coming Back

A restaurant earns repeat visits when it consistently delivers on its promise, and Buona has managed to appeal to two very different audiences at the same time. Chicagoans who relocated to the Murfreesboro and Nashville area have found a taste of home that genuinely holds up to memory, which is a high standard to meet.

Tennessee locals who had never encountered a Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich before are discovering a new favorite that feels both familiar and exciting.

The reviews from both groups share a common thread: the food is fresh, the flavors are honest, and the experience feels worth repeating. Some customers have visited multiple times within the same month, trying different menu items and different gravy levels each time to explore what the kitchen offers.

The combination of a strong signature item and a menu with enough variety to support return visits is a formula that tends to build lasting loyalty.

The space continues to attract a steady crowd that reflects the broader demographic shift happening across Middle Tennessee. Both longtime residents and newer arrivals seem to find common ground over a well-made sandwich, which is perhaps the most genuine endorsement any restaurant can receive from its community.