Chinwag Opens Oct. 22 in Murfreesboro From Hell's Kitchen Winner

Chinwag, the new bistro-style restaurant from Murfreesboro native and Hell's Kitchen Season 21 winner Alex Belew and partner Shane Nasby, starts dinner service Oct. 22 at 1440 Medical Center Parkway. Lunch follows Nov. 3.

Chinwag, the new bistro-style restaurant from Murfreesboro native Alex Belew and partner Shane Nasby, begins dinner service on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at 1440 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 1C. The restaurant's website lists dinner as starting Oct. 22 and lunch as starting Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Belew is the winner of Season 21 of *Hell's Kitchen*, and Chinwag is his return to the local restaurant scene. The Fountains at Gateway lists Chinwag Social among the eateries at the Medical Center Parkway development, where it is marked "Coming Soon."

When does Chinwag open in Murfreesboro?

Chinwag's website gives two start dates. Dinner begins Oct. 22, and lunch begins Nov. 3. The posted schedule is:

• Monday: closed
• Lunch: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (starting Nov. 3)
• Dinner: Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m. (starting Oct. 22)
• Dinner: Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.

The website links to reservations and a job application form. It also lists info@chinwagsocial.com and the @dinechinwag accounts on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Who is behind Chinwag?

Chinwag's about page says the restaurant was founded in 2026 by veteran chefs and restaurateurs Alex Belew and Shane Nasby.

Alex Belew is Chinwag's executive chef and a partner. The restaurant says he won Season 21 of *Hell's Kitchen* and was then invited to become head chef at Hell's Kitchen Caesars Atlantic City. Before the show, Belew ran a catering company and owned the Murfreesboro fine-dining restaurant Dallas and Jane.

Shane Nasby is a chef, a restaurateur and a Grand Champion BBQ pitmaster. He founded the burger restaurant Cledis Burgers & Beer, which has several Nashville-area locations. According to Chinwag, Nasby sold that business in 2021 and has since built other dining concepts through his company, Raven Hospitality. The about page says his honors include Nashville's Battle of the Burger and a World Burger Competition title.

Belew sums up the idea on the about page: "We're serving everyday food prepared with a little extra thought and attention to detail, but without pretension."

What kind of restaurant is Chinwag?

Chinwag calls itself an original concept: full service and casual, with some upscale touches. The about page describes food that "blends smoke, fire, fresh and delicious ingredients," uses cooking techniques from around the world and comes with a full cocktail, beer and wine program.

The name comes from an old British word for a good conversation between friends. The restaurant says it wants guests to feel joy and connection over a meal. It also plans seasonal specials and ticketed collaboration dinners with guest chefs from around the country, and it will announce those on social media.

What's on the Chinwag menu?

Chinwag has posted separate lunch and dinner menus on its website. The menus do not list prices.

Dinner includes:

• Snacks such as brisket nachos, cheddar rillettes, wood-fired meatballs, General Tso wings, a Key West shrimp fritter and salmon tiradito
• Salads, including a Napa Caesar and a Thai shrimp salad
• Wood-fired "Wagbread" flatbreads, including Classic Pepperoni, Ranch Hand, Smoke Show and Orchard Pig
• Entrées such as the Wag Burger with dry-aged beef and marrow aioli, steak frites with an 8-ounce wagyu strip, miso salmon, a 12-hour short rib, potato gnocchi and a fried pork chop with fish sauce caramel

Lunch keeps the snacks, salads and Wagbread. It adds sandwiches, including a smoked banh mi, Korean fried chicken and a brisket grilled cheese, plus lunch entrées such as chicken katsu, short rib gnocchi and a smoked brisket hash.

Where is Chinwag?

Chinwag is at 1440 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 1C, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. The restaurant is part of The Fountains at Gateway, which is close to The Avenue Murfreesboro and the Medical Center Parkway shopping area. Chinwag also has a business directory listing.

For other recent openings, see OnlyInMurfreesboro's new restaurants guide. The restaurants hub and the date night guide have more dinner ideas. Medical Center Parkway also has seasonal treats this month, including Krispy Kreme's Looney Tunes Halloween doughnuts. Another new restaurant on the way is Flying Biscuit Café, which has signed a Murfreesboro franchisee.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Chinwag open?

Chinwag's website says dinner service begins Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Lunch service begins Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Where is Chinwag in Murfreesboro?

Chinwag is at 1440 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 1C, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. The Fountains at Gateway lists it among the development's eateries.

Who owns Chinwag?

Chinwag was founded by Alex Belew, the Murfreesboro native who won Season 21 of *Hell's Kitchen*, and Shane Nasby, who founded Cledis Burgers & Beer. Belew is the executive chef.

What are Chinwag's hours?

Chinwag is closed Mondays. Lunch runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner runs 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Does Chinwag serve alcohol?

Yes. Chinwag says it has a full cocktail, beer and wine program.

Is Chinwag hiring?

Chinwag's website links to an online job application form.

Sources: Chinwag homepage, Chinwag about page, Chinwag dinner menu, Chinwag lunch menu, Fountains at Gateway eateries directory.

*Photo: Chinwag.*