When you walk in, Arnold's has a menu of over 75 items that was a bit intimidating. After a minute, I focused on the day's menu and that brought the options down by quite a bit. They're known for their roast beef but there are so many things that most people want to try so they offer half portions of most of their proteins. The setup is cafeteria style, where you grab a tray and ask each server which item you want. I was completely lost, but the servers were really nice and helped us through the process. The food: 1/2 order of roast beef - this is what they're known for, so if you eat beef, order this one. Tender, very meaty, with tons of jus. Blackened salmon - I'm always skeptical of seafood in a cafeteria setting, but I had a bite of my friend's dish and this was perfectly cooked. Fried Chicken - crispy skin, tender meat, well seasoned. Turnip Greens - flavorful, not mushy Cornbread - solid Desserts - Chess Pie and Pecan Pie - sweet, but as expected. Pretty good Cauliflower hash - very cheesy, could pass for potato hashbrowns but a little drier. It was ok. Creamed corn - way too sweet for my preference Arnold's is a fun time. They paid homage to Masters of the Universe while we were there. The live action movie playing on one TV and the animated series playing on another. There's even a free arcade game emulator out in the front lobby. Arnold's approach to food is no frills. They crank out comfort food that is reminiscent of a home kitchen, in a good way - nothing crazy, just the classics. read more

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Authentic southern cuisine so delicious and you don't need to add salt or pepper at all. The owners and employees are so welcoming and friendly. The owners actually work on the serving line . The ambiance is lively and welcoming ! This place is a must try when you visit Nashville. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Roast Beef Mac & Cheese Stewed Vegetables Turnip Greens Cornmeal Muffin Strawberry Pie - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Favorite so far in Nashville. Will definitely be coming back to try everything. First visit was roast beef, which was delicious, moist and well seasoned. The mashed potatoes were some of the best I ever tasted. And I had bread pudding which was stellar! Wife has the same roast beef but has the macaroni and cheese as well as fried green tomatoes and raved about both. We got it to-go but the owner was out greeting and spoke to my wife, so you know they care about the quality of the food and service. Absolutely a must try. read more

I love a good cafeteria, and this one is even a James Beard classic! Also, as a tourist, walking distance from the Gulch was a big bonus - though they seemed to have plenty of parking. The dining room has a cute, old-school kitschy vibe. There was no wait in the lunch line when we went. All the food was delicious and they had refillable fountain drinks & tea, of course. Everything was so good - wish I could have some right now! read more

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Arnold's Country Kitchen was one of the tops on our list in out Tennessee visit. The James Beard and Michelin awards sealed the deal for us. We had to visit this great place. They have limited lunchtime only hours and we came toward the end of their day so it wasn't too crowded. That meant that we got to chat up the staff and one of the cooks even came out while we were eating and checked up on us. Fun conversations. The staff was super cool and friendly and that goes a long way with me. The food here is very good with lots of choices. We chose the chicken fried chicken and the meatloaf. For sides we had the mac n cheese, corn pudding, chicken and dumplings and for dessert, a slice of the delectable pecan pie. Everything we had was scrumptious! However, my wife likes my meatloaf better though (bless her heart!). The chicken fried chicken breading was light but dense and full of flavor. It complimented the chicken well (so did the gravy!). The sides were yummy as well. If I lived in the area, I'd eat here several times a week. Definitely will return here one day. This place is iconic and if in Nashville, you need to check it out. read more

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This was a great place, both the food and the service and the people make it what it is. Been around a long time and we were led here when visiting Nashville after seeing it on Guy Fieri's triple D as well as Somebody Feed Phil. When you walk in you are directed to the cafeteria style line, grabbing a tray and such. The guys behind the counter are great! Making recommendations and being patient with me when I couldn't choose. Some offerings were unavailable, but we were there more near to closing. I decided on fried chicken, okra, and green beans. Chicken was crunchy and had great flavor, the okra was cooked well and not greasy, I tried to stop eating them but they were good. Grean beans were good. One of the Arnold's was going around making sure everyone was good and enjoying themselves. He was great. I would visit here again on another trip to try other things read more

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Do you know how hard it is to make 4 different old Asian people happy?! I accomplished that feat here. If I could give this place 100 stars I would I frequent this place regularly. It's always amazing, authentic southern style food. But what makes this place so special is the people. The Arnold's put so much love and care into their place, you can't help but feel like one of them. I brought my mom, dad, aunt, and uncle here. My dad loves grouper and when I saw fried grouper on the menu I knew he had to try it. Only problem was they served it on Tuesday and he wouldn't get in until Thursday. Cut to my insane ass showing up and asking them if they could please serve it on that specific Thursday because my dad wanted to try it but he wouldn't get in on time and I wanted to make his trip special because I am truly a daddy's girl and he's my fav bestie right now. Yes I rambled all of that at them in one breath, I am a a talkative lil broad. They not only made my crazy special day fried grouper happen, but made a special point of dropping by the table to welcome my family to Nashville and extend well wishes on us. Okay so now that I've established that the Arnold's are such warm and loving people I can talk about the food. Oh my god the food. I got the roast beef, which is basically prime rib and can be drowned in au jus that I would drink straight from a cup, it's a divine nectar of the gods. We got almost every single side and loved every single side. I'm obsessed with fried green tomatoes so those were my star side, but my mother loved the greens and my dad loved the corn. Do not miss the bread pudding it is like a hug from your tastebuds to your brain. If you're like oh I don't like bread pudding I don't care shut up and order it it's that good it will convert you. I love you guys. I appreciate y'all so much. I'll see you soon I need more bread pudding. I was trying to be a skinny bitch to bamboozle a man to fall in love with me but unfortunately I'm about to have a bread pudding summer so that will not be happening and I am a okay with that because that bread pudding loves and treats me better more than any man ever could. read more

The second you walk in here you feel like you're at home and with family. Everyone was so friendly and the owner makes sure to walk around and se how everything is. The food was yummy but not the best in the area and the price wasn't bad. We got the ribs, brisket, salmon and biscuits and gravy. I really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy and the ribs. I found the brisket to be quite dry and the salmon a little overcooked but nonetheless delicious. Overall, if you're in town you have to try this Nashville Staple. read more

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This place was unbelievable! The portions were huge. The food was delicious and the staff were so nice and helpful. The atmosphere was welcoming and parking was easy read more

We just happened to drive by and see that Arnold's was back in their original location. We had or service dog Nash ( Nashville) with us and they welcomed him gladly. It was hard to choose, anything you pick is terrific. I had the meatloaf mac and cheese and green beans. Helpings were huge and hit the spot. Several people stopped and said hello to Nash. Good reasonable price and free parking spot for diners. They close early, a great lunch spot. read more

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There was before Arnold's and now thankfully there is after Arnold's. The food was so incredibly good that this felt like an out of body experience and it's safe to say I am changed. There's a reason this place has been around for years and it's because both the food and service are outstanding. I should've read some reviews because I was initially very confused at if I sat myself or how things worked. After sitting at the bar with another confused stranger, a staff member kindly came and gave us the rundown of the cafeteria style of this restaurant. He talked me through the options and I ended up with the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, grits and green beans. The chicken was moist and crispy. The Mac and cheese and grits were seasoned to perfection. I was worried the Jalepenos might make the grits too spicy for me but they were perfect. The green beans were also great and as someone who doesn't always love green beans, I was impressed. I finished my meal with some of the best banana pudding I've ever had. If it tells you anything, I immediately texted friends to brag about how good it was and I went back to grab takeout for my boyfriend. The staff was lovely and super helpful again and we even cracked a few jokes. Throughout my meal I was checked on and I noticed how much of a family institution this is. The staff talks to everyone like they are family and lights up when they see a familiar face. The food and service together make this a Nashville staple and I will be running back here to make sure I try everything they make. I came hungry and left too full to go run errands after and I'm not mad about that one bit read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Banana pudding, Green Beans, Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

A James Beard award recipient, yes Arnold's is one. Friendly, authentic and delicious. It's the real deal for home country meals. And it's a treasure. read more

For context, I grew up in the South (northern and central Alabama) and the thing I miss the most about living there is the availability of meat and 3s. I came here alone on a Wednesday afternoon around 130pm to have lunch on my own before my work conference officially started. The service is stellar - everyone is so kind including the owners who personally walks around and talks to each customer. I love southern sides and they exceeded my expectations. They make their own cheese sauce for their Mac and cheese in house. The fried okra is perfectly fried and salted. And the green beans are cooked in pork fat and gave me the illusion that I was illusion that I was eating something healthy. I would highly recommend this place if you're craving some comfort food in a casual setting. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I believe my husband found this restaurant by a recommendation on fb. After we flew into Nashville and checked into our hotel we headed to this restaurant around 1:30. Its closes at 2:45. A unique time that you will remember. When you go in it is a cafeteria style. The is a menu of what they are having each day of the week on the wall. Grab a tray and pick what meat you want, then vegetables, corn bread or roll. Let the cashier know what you're drinking( sodas, tea, water). You can pay with cash and if using a credit card there is a fee. Find a seat, depending when you go you may get a booth or sit beside a local. Everyone is really nice. I will have to say that the food was so good that we came back a second time before leaving town. My husband and I have not had county cooking like that in some time. We both agree that it might be better than our Mississippi mom's cooking but don't tell them This is a must stop if you like this type of food. Our future visits will always include this stop. Enjoy! read more

After our disappointing meal at Saint Anejo the night before, Arnold's completely redeemed Nashville food for us. Such a classic comfort food spot with a super friendly server and an easy setup where you get in line, grab your food, then find a table. The fried fish was honestly the star. Perfectly crispy on the outside while still soft and flaky inside. So satisfying. The fried pork chop was a little dry for my taste, but all the sides were delicious and made up for it. The mac and cheese especially was sooo good. Overall, really comforting Southern food with a welcoming atmosphere and definitely worth trying if you want a more authentic Nashville experience. read more

4 Stars may be blasphemy to the faithful, but I can't completely get on board with the fan boys. Years back, I might be more inline. As a cafeteria goes, it is fine, but feels a bit down after previous experiences years ago. Perhaps it was my fond memories that set too high a bar? Either way, still above average (3 stars) and worth a visit to this icon. Arnold's is a cafeteria. You walk into a line, choose your meat, add two sides and roll or corn bread and then march to the cashier (owner). You then find a seat. I opted for the pulled pork, which was average to slightly above in Nashville. Girlfriend got the chicken, which was better. The rest of the sides were pretty much average. My favorite part was talking to the owners son, who is opening a new place in North Nashville (daytime only, which locals understand). It will also have BBQ as an option. Would I return? Yes. Arnold's is a staple and an icon for Nashville. It is a bit more expensive now than years ago, but the taxes on the place are $80k/year now and going up over $100k, so the location hurts them. If you are interested in going, do it soon, as I was told the place will shut down once they sell it, which is inevitable with the growth in the Lower Gulch. Last time they announced a closure, the place was packed from open to close all week (deal fell through and the story I heard indicates a really s***ty business person tried to buy them). read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Pulled pork, grits, and lima beans. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Amazing southern comfort food served cafeteria style with a daily menu. Check their website or yelp photos to see the rotation. They have staples that they have every day with daily specials every day as well. All of the staff were extremely friendly. They seemed to have alot of regulars as staff members stopped by tables and spoke like friends or family. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Battered Grouper, Meatloaf, Turnip Greens, Mac & Cheese, Boiled Cabbage - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've been wanting to stop by for the longest time but always seemed to be just too late. Luckily, I had some family in town over the weekend and it fit PERFECTLY into our schedule! The vibe was so cool; a throwback to older Nashville. The cafeteria style feels like it's a true Nashville staple, especially when it comes to their meat and three meals. I wound up getting the chicken and pancake special and it was GREAT. You could tell everything was made fresh and the prices wasn't bad at all. My mom wound up getting the roast beef and that was fantastic as well. All of the staff was friendly and helpful. 100% recommend going while in the area! read more

My friend who lives here in Nashville recommended this place since I am here for a conference and it did not disappoint. The food reminds me of growing up with my grandma and it brought back happy memories. The servers were so nice and Kathy behind the register was very sweet. The ambience is really casual, but good for dining alone and coming in groups for lunch. I hope to make it back before I leave. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Khalil and the crew at Arnold's are amazing. The food is always great. The traditional meat and 3 is the menu. But it's always different. Roast beef, chicken fried steak, shrimp, meatloaf, tacos and whatever else you have ever liked. It's always different everyday. They are open only for lunch now. The sides are to die for. There is no place like Arnold's. If you are in Nashville you have to eat there. read more

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Went here because it's a DDD which means Guy Fieri went here and he goes to some amazing places. We were instantly greeted by a friendly staff member who must have been either the owner or manager as he was walking around later asking everyone how the food was. There is a buffet style line where you pick the meat and sides you want. I ordered fried chicken which was delicious, but I regretted my choice when I saw the 7up pancakes and chicken fingers which I will be getting next time I'm in Nashville. Parking was a little confusing, don't scan the sign in the lot. Wait til you get inside and scan it and then it's free. Great place, clean and friendly staff. read more

Definitely must go to place when Nashville. As this was our first time going to Nashville we were looking for some good food. Our cousin recommended this place and it did not disappoint. The food here was really good. Got the fried chicken with mash potatoes and green beans. It was really good. The chicken was moist and crispy as it was a fresh batch from the kitchen. It didn't disappoint. I love their fried chicken as it was flavorful, moist, and crispy. The mash potatoes was perfect (buttery and smooth). The green beans was tender and flavorful. I would definitely come back here again and recommend it to others. The food is cafeteria style order and bring the tray to your table. The lemonade was fresh and tastes great for Arnold Palmers. This is a go to place for some good southern food. Lots of tables for parties is all sizes. This place is a must go to in Nashville for southern food read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Came here for the spicy red pepper chocolate pie and it was so satisfying and lived up to my expectations. I was so happy that it tasted like a deep dark chocolate brownie with a spicy kick. It was one of my favorite things I've eaten in all of Nashville! The brisket was fatty than the roast beef and both were served a bit cold - wished it was hotter but that is the only thing I would have to knock down a star for. Everything else was delicious and hearty. There were some good storytelling and Great Southern hospitality from the owner that it felt like a nice neighborhood local spot. I would definitely come back for more pie! read more

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I don't have enough good things to say about Arnold's. I have been hearing about this place for so many years and finally got the chance to go! It's a casual meat and 3 place. You go into the cafeteria line, take a look, and pick out what you want. This makes it the perfect place to come for a quick bite. Oh, and they also give you free parking inside the resturant, which is an added extra perk. Going through the line, everything looked absolutely delicious, but I decided upon the chicken & dumplings, green beans, mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, spicy chocolate pie, and sweet tea. Everything was out of this world! Chicken & Dumplings- 5/5, a little bit on the salty side, but so comforting and made with love Green Beans- 10/5, I've never had green beans this good? I didn't know it was possible to knock it out of the park with such a simple dish! Mac and Cheese- 1000/5, the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten, hands down. I wish I got three sides of just this. Spicy Chocolate Pie- 5/5, so decadant and such an interesting flavor (you feel the sting of the spiciness after a few bites. Fried Green Tomatoes- 4/5, I don't usually like fried green tomatoes, so this is more of a me problem. They were very crispy and had the desired sour taste though! Sweet Tea- 5/5, exactly what you would expect from a true southern place Seriously, come here! Portion sizes are also huge so you will definitely leave this place so so full! read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Chicken & Dumplings, Green Beans, Mac & Cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Spicy Chocolate Pie - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

It was a cafeteria style eating establishment Food was ok, high volume kitchen with large portions. Lots of celebrities pictures on the wall. Parking was included with the meal. read more

The food is all right. The mashed potatoes were not homemade, I was anticipating a true southern homemade kitchen, but overall it's more kind of like a Cracker Barrel. read more

I just ate at Arnold's for the first time. What a wonderful experience. I met my son there for lunch. The owner and staff couldn't have been kinder or more welcoming. It's a real, authentic, meat and three institution. I've lived in Nashville for almost 27 years and I have been missing out. The brisket was delicious and so were the sides. And large portions. My son had the roast beef. I was a little overwhelmed by the parking, but the parking attendant was so kind in helping me find a spot. There was a woman in the parking lot also helping me to find a spot. I gave them both a hug afterward. I later learned she was the original owner of Arnold's. Her son owns it now and she was just being a great mom, helping people park. Parking is free for an hour when you are dining. I hardly recognize much of Nashville. It's changed so much. Arnold's had the food and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of the Nashville I remember. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Entrance side of Arnold's from the parking lot. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I haven't eaten here in a while but the food was always hot and fresh. Great place for meat and three. Friendly people and usually the owners are out serving as well! Typical diner atmosphere. read more

Finally tried this place. It did not disappoint. I ordered the meat and 3 sides and added a extra side. I was hungry lol. I ordered the roast beef, Mac and cheese, green beans,mashed potatoes with gravy and white beans. Everything was delicious seasoned perfectly. Luckily there was no line like it normally is. So i literally got my food in 2 minutes and sat down. Everyone was very nice, super clean can't wait to go back. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, Mac and cheese, green beans, white beans - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This is a must try barbecue place. It's so good friendly staff and great attitude overall. we came in at around 1 PM on a Saturday. There was no wait and lots of seating as well. pork ribs are fall off the bone brisket was very tender and the fried chicken is delicious. Service was outstanding everything about this place is amazing, must try! read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - pancakes (top) fried chicken (left) pork ribs with potatoes (right) brisket (bottom) - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The food is amazing and the service was as well. Everybody was really nice and welcoming. I would highly recommend coming here if you are coming to Nashville. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Brisket, Fried Chicken, 7up pancakes, Smoked ribs with potatoes - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Exactly what I think "down home country cooking" is! Cafeteria style, family owned, regular customers whose orders are already known, reasonable prices, and great tasting food! You grab a tray, get in line, and pick what you want. I got the meat and three: fried pork chop, squash casserole, mashed potatoes, and greens. The squash casserole was a revelation, first time having it and won't be the last...already scouring the internet for recipes. The greens were tender and savory but not mushy. The pork chop! Fresh out of the fryer, crispy outside, well seasoned and tender inside, and delicious! Worth the line and best food I had in Nashville. Reasonably priced, picnic tables and some booths inside with tables outside for seating. Not fancy just good eats! read more

I visited Arnold's Country Kitchen on Monday, October 14, 2024, around 1 PM. The place was busy, as it's a popular spot in downtown Nashville. Parking is limited, but you can scan a QR code to park for free for an hour. Arnold's offers classic southern comfort food with a "meat and three" concept. You line up like in a cafeteria, choose your dishes, and pay at the end. I tried the rib, green beans, and coleslaw. The rib was truly fall-off-the-bone tender--juicy and full of flavor without being mushy. The green beans were cooked perfectly, and the coleslaw had a creamy, refreshing taste. I really enjoyed the cafeteria-style setup; there were so many options to choose from, and the menu changes daily. Overall, the food was delicious and the staff friendly. Just a heads-up: if you go during peak hours, parking can be a bit tricky. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Ribs and Green Beans - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Arnold's is a home run. I've never had a bad bite here. You can tell that thought and love go into every recipe. I love going here and seeing all the family working together, serving their customers with a smile! Couldn't recommend this place more! read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Fried chicken and turnip greens are best ever!!!! Fast and friendly service. Been here many times....will return many times.

My girlfriend and I work from home on Fridays and we've been meaning to check this place out. So today was the day! She's from New England and was new to the whole cafeteria style meat and three. I hail from the South so I knew what to expect. Or at least I thought. Walking in you might be taken by how quiet things are. Lots of people, some casual conversation. Let me just tell you don't be alarmed, it's quiet here because people are stuffing their faces with this delicious food. We hopped in line. Obviously I have to try some sweets. I grabbed a peach pie and my lady chose the chocolate chess (winner winner on her part, that slice was delicious with hints of coffee and chocolate mixed together). Entrees, I picked the fried shrimp and my girlfriend chose fried catfish (another first for her). We topped off sides with Mac, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a couple of rolls. We sat down, unaware of the flavors that were about to grace our unsuspecting palettes. The first thing out of my girlfriend's mouth was, "I love food where love is an ingredient." I can safely say this is one of the most delicious meals I've had in a while. Perfect on a Friday slump that wasn't too hot. We had the chance to meet the owner and he kindly gave us some extra treats since it was our first time. It should be unsurprising to no one by this point, it was delicious. If you're visiting, come have a unique experience here. If you're a local, relish in the fact that the first restaurant in TN to win a James Beard award is this gem of a place in the heart of Nashville. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Exterior sign - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I have been coming to Arnold's for years. There is usually a line out the door. All food is homemade my favorite is fried shrimp which they serve on Thursdays. I love the southern cooking. All the pies are good. They have a tomato basil pie you have not lived until you taste that. Rose is the owner and she makes herself available to talk. Love this place. read more

The food was amazing but the service is what made it worth the trip! They are genuinely so kind and happy to be there

Arnold's Country Kitchen is an authentic spot for a meat and three meal. This is a cafeteria style joint. When you walk in, don't stand there waiting for someone to direct you. There's a big menu on the wall, walk toward it behind the bar, grab a tray, and then follow the line. The staff is super friendly. They gave good recommendations and were also very polite helping us. We probably gave them a few laughs with all of our questions and not understanding how to order food, but all in good spirit. I ordered the catfish and mashed potatoes, which were both phenomenal. I also really liked their lemonade. I would visit Arnold's Country Kitchen again. read more

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Catfish, greens, corn bread, mashed potatoes - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Went to Arnold's for lunch during our visit to Nashville. We arrived around 12:40 PM on a Tuesday afternoon. We walked in the door and stood waiting for a hostess, but there wasn't one and there were no signs indicating seat yourself. After a few awkward minutes standing in the doorway, we realized we needed to walk across the way to get in line for a tray and to order. It's cafeteria style and you select your dessert , then salad, then protein and sides as you scoot your tray along the walkway. You have a choice of a roll or cornbread. You order drinks when you pay and then walk around to the left and then hang a right to serve yourself drinks (which appear to be with free refills) and grab silverware. And then it's a scramble to look for a seat. Rolls of paper towels were at each table. You clear your own table and nobody wipes them down after they are cleared so be prepared to wipe your own table down - the table we found was very soiled and we had to wipe down the table and booth seats. My dining partner and I both got chicken and dumplings. Be careful as there are bones hidden in it!! There were only a couple of pieces of chicken in it and we felt shorted on the dumplings. I also got mac and cheese and corn pudding. He got boiled cabbage. Both of us had rolls. Our assessment: the food was over peppered, over salted and the rolls were over buttered. Being first time diners here, we didn't know what to expect other than a good ole Southern meal. For some folks, this may be your thing! It usually is for us but it was pretty dang salty. Perhaps we caught them on a bad day. Our chicken and dumplings were served in a flat-style ceramic bowl but our sides were in styrofoam bowls. They were skimpy on the corn pudding and mac and cheese but the boiled cabbage bowl was overloaded. We would try them again. The atmosphere was hectic and not too loud. They offer free parking. Most of the staff were extremely pleasant. read more

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