Arnold's Country Kitchen: is it worth it?
Our score, honest verdict, what it costs, how to avoid the crowds, and what to do instead if it is not for you.
Our verdict: worth it for a classic Southern lunch
Arnold's is the meat-and-three to know, and the James Beard American Classics recognition is real. It is lunch only, so plan around the hours, and expect a line at midday.
Meat-and-three fare is typically good value, but prices were not on the page I opened, so this is provisional.
Lunch only, so lines can form at midday.
A James Beard American Classics winner (2009).
Limited hours: weekday lunch and Saturday brunch.
Who should go, and who should skip it
- You want a classic meat-and-three lunch
- You can go on a weekday
- You need dinner or Sunday service (it is not on the posted hours)
To compare, read our review of Loveless Cafe, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack and Mas Tacos Por Favor.
Better alternatives and what pairs well
FOODPhoto: Dale Cruse, CC BY 2.0Loveless Cafe
A roadside cafe known for biscuits and fried chicken, serving since 1951.
FOODPhoto: Sean Russell from Knoxville, TN, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
A hot chicken restaurant that calls itself Nashville's original hot chicken.
Mas Tacos Por Favor
A cult-favorite taco window with scratch-made street food in East Nashville.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Arnold's Country Kitchen?
605 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203; phone (615) 256-4455.
What are the hours?
Lunch Monday to Friday, 10:30 AM to 2:45 PM, and brunch on Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM. It is closed December 24 to 27 and January 1.
Why is it famous?
It won a James Beard American Classics Award in 2009, and the James Beard Foundation highlights its meat-and-three fare and vegetables.
