For now, one of Nashville's oldest dive bars has a new name.
Dino's has become Dolly's, temporarily tweaking its sign in honor of Dolly Parton. But by Aug. 26, a sudden downpour had already begun washing away the paper letters affixed to the bar's window.
Across Nashville, other businesses are finding their own ways to remember the Tennessee icon following her death at 80. Loveless Cafe is serving pink biscuits. Raising Cane's closed its Dolly-themed booth for the day. Ugly Bagel is bringing back its Dolly Bagel, with proceeds supporting Parton's Imagination Library.
The tributes range from playful to personal, much like Parton herself. Some also reflect the example she set by turning compassion into action.
"I just give from my heart," Parton said
while accepting the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022. "I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will."
Here is how Nashville restaurants are honoring her life and legacy.
Ugly Bagel brings back the Dolly Bagel
Ugly Bagel is bringing back a Dolly-inspired creation that is every bit as over the top as it should be.
The Dolly Bagel starts with a sparkly pink bagel and piles on banana pudding schmear and Nilla wafers. Previously offered during CMA Fest, the specialty bagel returns Aug. 28 and will remain available through Sept. 4.
Ugly Bagel said all proceeds from the Dolly Bagel will benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the book-gifting program Parton founded in 1995. Family members requested Imagination Library donations in lieu of flowers following her death.
For Ugly Bagel publicist Conner McKiever, the loss is personal. He was 19 when Parton's Blue Smoke World Tour became the first public relations campaign he worked on.
"It was where I had the privilege of witnessing her generosity and humanitarian spirit firsthand," McKiever said.
As people began asking how Nashville could come together in Parton's memory, McKiever saw the fundraiser as a way to continue that work.
"I think there's a meaningful way for Nashville to mourn through collective action and give back to the work she cared so deeply about," he said.
Dino's becomes Dolly's, at least for now
Calling the East Nashville dive Dino's "Dolly's" has long been an affectionate joke. Now Dino's has made it temporarily official, adding paper letters to its front windows to change the bar's name to the star's.
"It all started with the head of Dolly," the bar wrote on Instagram, referring to a larger-than-life portrait created by Nashville artist Brett Douglas Hunter and given to Dino's by a regular years ago.
The collection grew to include photographs, fan art, sketches and life-size cardboard figures. Regulars even made a game of stealing one cardboard Dolly and later returning her.
In 2022, the bar added its most elaborate tribute: Dolly's Lemonade Stand, a patio bar built from a giant lemon-shaped concession stand and topped with another Dolly sculpture by Hunter.
Parton apparently approved. After the stand opened, one of her assistants delivered a signed photograph bearing a message to Dino's: "I will always love you."
The name change isn't permanent, according to the post. "But the impression she left on our hearts is forever."
Customers are welcome to hug the lemonade stand. The staff has just one request: "Please, don't steal Dolly."
Loveless Cafe serves pink biscuits
Loveless Cafe is adding a little extra color to its famous biscuits in Parton's honor.
The Nashville landmark will serve pink biscuits throughout the week as a tribute to a woman remembered for her "signature charm, a little glitter, plenty of pink" and commitment to kindness, compassion and hope.
"A little extra color for someone who made our corner of the world so much brighter," the cafe wrote in its tribute announcement.
Raising Cane's closes its Dolly booth for the day
The Raising Cane's flagship on Lower Broadway includes a Dolly Parton-themed seating area, one of several tributes to country music stars throughout the restaurant.
Following Parton's death, the restaurant took the table out of service and placed a sign there.
"In honor of the passing of Dolly Parton, we are closing this booth for the day," it read. "R.I.P. Dolly."
Reach senior dining reporter Mackensy Lunsford at mlunsford@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dino's becomes Dolly's: Nashville restaurants, bars honor Parton
