About us

For more than 15 years, Sopapillas has been serving authentic Southwestern and New Mexican-inspired cuisine in Franklin, Tennessee. Known for our Hatch green chile, made-from-scratch recipes, fresh ingredients, and award-winning margaritas, we've become a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Our menu celebrates the bold flavors of the Southwest with signature enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, burgers, salads, and our famous sopapillas. Whether you're joining us for lunch, happy hour, dinner, catering, or a private event, our goal is simple: serve exceptional food with genuine hospitality in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

At Sopapillas, we believe great restaurants are about more than great food—they're about bringing people together. We invite you to pull up a chair, relax, and enjoy one of Franklin's favorite local dining experiences.

Even though Music City was kind to Dale, he really missed the traditional foods and flavors he loved out west. He longed for something that tasted like home, but he couldn't find it. So he began cooking many of his favorite dishes and often shared them with his bandmates. While touring, Dale and Little Big Town would throw special post-show Fiesta Nights where he would cook his southwestern delights. These gatherings became increasingly popular, and his dream of opening a New Mexican restaurant started to take shape.

With the encouragement of the band, friends, and family, Dale opened the first Sopapillas in 2010. After expanding the Franklin restaurant and doubling its space in 2011, Sopapillas continued to grow and has won multiple awards, including "Best Mexican Restaurant" in Nashville. This year, Sopapillas proudly celebrates 15 years of serving the community with fresh, authentic southwestern flavors. Dale and his wife, Emily, who work together in the restaurant, are passionate about providing the freshest southwestern food to their guests.

Although this may not have been the most conventional path to becoming a restaurateur, Dale is thankful for the journey and the blessings along the way. When asked if he misses the music, he replies, "Yes, I do, but I love creating what people enjoy to taste, hear, smell, and see when they come to Sopapillas. It's the ultimate creative process. The guests are everything—and when their faces come alive to a new flavor, it's all worth it.