I'm not sure what I can say to you to describe how good this place is! I had the chicken and dumplings, green beans and mac n cheese. He had the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Both of us didn't talk much while we were eating since we were too busy inhaling our food. Afterward we both looked at each other and said "Wow. That was amazing". Don't get discouraged by the line that might be going out the door. The line moves very quick and the tables turn quick. This is a must stop!!
(5)
Tristan W.
holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredible. if you have a problem with this place you're a damn fool. amazing. the rolls are even homemade!!!!!!!! and the folks that work there are sweet as shit. go.
(5)
Kathie C.
The place had a long line even tho we got there after 1 pm. Very noisy and crowded. However the roast beef, the BBQ brisket, the squash casserole were very good. The black eyed beans were blah, as was the coconut creme pie. And the hot chocolate pie was very HOT!
(4)
Austin C.
This is the best of hole in the wall food in Nashville! The atmosphere is great as it is always crowded and sometimes a squeeze to find a seat but it only adds to the southern charm! And the food is ridiculous! Large portions of home made southern staples. I highly recommend seeing what day the roast beef special is as it is my favorite! And the Cheyenne pepper fudge pie is phenomenal! I highly recommend for a southern meal right outside downtown Nashville.
(5)
Eighty S.
I am a southern boy, so when I heard of Arnold's Country Kitchen and all of their accolades, I had to go. I grabbed my big appetite cousin and we headed over the railroad tracks. Luckily we got there just before the big rush, the place was almost packed, but fifteen minutes later there was a line outside the door and it spilled over into the parking area. The place is small with just a few tables but that's cool. It wouldn't hurt them to do a deep cleaning. The order line, plates, and eating utensils reminded me of a prison cafeteria (never been, but seen them on TV). So we are about to order and the good thing is, you can see all the food you are about to devour (especially my beloved CHESS PIE). It was Tuesday so I ordered the meatloaf, 1 piece of catfish, candied yams, turnip greens, mac & cheese, hot water cornbread and chess pie of course. My cousin ordered the meatloaf as well, along with the same sides plus the white beans. Everything was just ok, but the turnip greens were missing that love and extra home cooked flavor. The meatloaf was not my fave but edible; however, the mac and cheese was the winner on the plate. The chess pie was average (try Rose's home-style catering and bakery chess squares). I made the catfish work with a lil added hot sauce. Oh boy I wish they would have had some good sweet red Kool-Aid ha-ha. One of the good things was the service, they moved the line pretty fast and everyone had a smile on their face. They recognized the regulars, and chit chatted with every guest. The price for portion size of food is pretty accurate. I can't say it's the best meat and three in Nashville, but all in all the food was average nothing to tell mother about. This establishment is part of Nashville's' history, but James Beard award winner, I don't think so. More important, this is a Nashville institution that the people here love.
(3)
Chris E.
Cafeteria-style dining. The food was great. I had the roast beef, green beans, and pinto beans. Probably the best roast beef I've ever had. My wife loved her meal, too.
(5)
Joe P.
Awesome meat and 3. If you don't get there before 11:30, chances are high that the line will be out the door. I suggest waiting though bc it will move fast!
(5)
Scott C.
Great, great, great place for lunch on a weekday. Favorite day by far is Thursday when they have the country fried steak and fried green tomatoes. Add some mashed potatoes and their amazing Mac and cheese...boom!! If you really want it all, then get the banana pudding and then grab a pillow and blanket for your afternoon nap.
(4)
Ross T.
HOLY COW!! How come no one told about this place before!! I LOVE IT! Cafeteria style with BOSS Southern food. Extremely friendly folks who know how to cook and deliver it with a smile. Country fried steak was the special of the day, and they loaded it up with collards and mashed potatoes. I wish I could have eaten 3 servings. Went with vegetarian wife and two friends and everyone said the same thing. This place is an institution for a reason. Well worth it and we'll be back again. First stop after the airport.
(5)
Teresa B.
Easily the best Meat and 3 in town! The mac & cheese is the real deal, the roast beef is to die for and don't pass up the fried green tomatoes! It's like going to grandma's house except that you have to get back in line for seconds so you better pile up the plate the first time around!
(5)
Michelle P.
Well, when one thinks of a restaurant that wins a James Beard award, it doesn't usually look like Arnold's. Arnold's really is a down home, southern style restaurant that serves amazingly good food, with equally amazing service and comfy cafeteria style seating. I will absolutely return...if I can make the hours of course & if I have the time to wait on the line for lunch!!
(5)
David O.
Arnolds is probably the best Meat and three that I've been to. But that statement comes with some important caveats. First of all, its very popular, and thus very busy. We went for lunch, and arrived at around 10:45am. By 11am the place was packed. Secondly, its not very friendly to newcomers. Make sure you know what you want before you get in line. They take a "no bullsh*t" approach to getting you through the line. No doubt because of how busy it is. Its not that they aren't friendly, its just that they don't have time to hold your hand. I can see how this might be off-putting to newcomers. The food itself is really good, and does have that "Just like grandma makes" feel to it. If you are looking for a Meat and 3, you really can't go wrong with Arnolds. Just make sure you get there early!
(4)
Nate H.
Oh god no. Never again. We came here based on the great reviews guaranteeing a cheap authentic Nashville meal only to receive a pile of fatty brisket and a plate of flavorless vegetables, FOR 30 DOLLARS. I'd say I got two decent pieces of meat, the rest was all fat and it destroyed my appetite. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN. To tack on to this, it was disgustingly hot in the restaurant. I am sorry, I genuinely don't exaggerate reviews, but this place made us leave Nashville feeling sour.
(1)
Elizabeth M.
Best food ever! I have no idea what they put in the squash it is heavenly. Nothing fancy a cafeteria style meal of the best food you will ever eat!
(5)
Janette C.
One of the diners dives and drive in spots and it is completely worth stopping for! The lunch crowd can go out the door so go early!
(5)
Amber S.
This is the best southern food I have ever had, with exception of course to my mother-in-law's. The place is a little dive, easy to miss if you're driving through, and definitely a no-frills atmosphere. The clientele is mostly friendly blue-collar, good ol' country folk, with a few of the downtown corporate types thrown into the mix. The line was long when we arrived, but moved very quickly. The guys behind the counter were so warm and welcoming, and every bit southern gentleman ("yes ma'am, no ma'am"). I had the roast beef, hubby had the catfish, and we both had the mac and cheese, greens and mashed potatoes. The roast beef is by far the BEST roast beef I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly, juicy and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was slightly wetter than I'm used to, but had a really good cheese flavor. I had heard that the greens were the best in Nashville, and I have to say, they were awesome! They had a great smoky pork flavor with a hint of sweetness. The mashed potatoes were buttery and yummy. My husband loved the catfish, and he doesn't eat seafood! We had pecan pie for desert, and wow was it sweet! I took a few bites, and had to put the rest in a little box for later. The atmosphere here is wonderful. Everyone treats each other like they're old friends, and will invite you to sit with them at their table if it's a little extra crowded. The owner is a super nice guy and goes out of his way to make sure you feel special. I recommend trying out Arnold's if you're in the mood for a great Meat & Three. I definitely see myself becoming a regular here.
(5)
Brent G.
The meat and threes here are, indeed, absolutely fantastic. The mustard greens are the best I have tasted. The owner was present and walking around. I had seen him on TV. He was nice enough to tell us that he got the fish batter so puffy by adding more baking soda to the mix. Terrific, cheap, but crowded. Get there early! Going back Ina few days and I live in California. Also, the man has won a James Beard award for Pete's sake! This, along with Monelle's are my absolute must stops when in Nashville!
(5)
Lauren L.
I really like this place. I went here on a friend's recommendation, and it's really good. There's always a line, but it moves pretty fast, so nobody has to wait long. It can also be a little crowded within the restaurant, but that's not really a factor for me when I go somewhere for lunch.
(4)
Harold L.
When the person in front of you in line is regularly on the food network you know that you're in a great spot. Everything that I had was delicious and the staff were incredibly friendly. If you're looking for southern style home cooking this is it! On a 2 week road trip this may have been the best food we ate the entire way. Next time I'm in town this will be my first stop!
(5)
C K.
Super good. My first visit to a real meat & 3. So delicious!
(4)
Daniel L.
Yes, yes, and more yes. If I lived near here, I would frequent Arnold's daily and immediately gain fifty pounds. Besides, when the first comment you're told is to grab a plate and eat because you've traveled across the country, you know you're in a great place. My girlfriend and I lined up cafeteria-style and sampled their roast beef, tilapia, and kielbasa. The beef was tender and seasoned perfectly without being overly salty; the tilapia was flaky, moist, and placed over plump white rice with a great sauce (I forget what it was, but it rocked); and the kielbasa was grilled to perfection with crusty skin yet juicy plump innards. The sides were also quite good, but what struck us the most was the friendliness. We experienced it everywhere in Nashville, but never did we feel more at home than in Arnold's with the wonderful hospitality. The staff joked with everyone, and they were extremely helpful in explaining what different sides were. Inside is a little cramped, but that doesn't really matter. Everything is so great that you can't help but scarf it down before your stomach can protest. And, that is how I'll gain my fifty pounds.
(5)
Em P.
Arnold's is one of those places I can only afford to lunch at when I'm not crazy busy at work, because once you scarf down a plate full of this deliciousness, your afternoon is spent in a food coma popping tums. When I moved here, I had no idea what a meat & 3 was. It's kinda like a lunch counter without the counter. Except this one has a Beard award. Yeah. I usually get the roasted beef and usually ask for some of the garlic pulled from the roast. I'm real nice when I ask, though. I've had their fried chicken (very solid) and meatloaf too (really good for meatloaf). Next time I think I'll get a plate of sides, because that's usually where on the line I get indecisive...mac and cheese is stellar, fried green tomatoes are heaven, mashed potatoes are creamy...I don't care if my entire plate is a beige tone. I wonder if they'll still give me the roasted garlic out of the beef if I'm not ordering the beef? Hmmm... Line moves fast, so don't get upset if it's out the door as it usually is. Make your mind up before you get close to the line, don't linger too long, and leave a couple of bucks for the guy that cheerfully busses your table. Staff is very friendly except if you're some mook who came in because they saw this place on Diner's Drive Ins and Dives wanting to try fried green tomatoes for the first time. I've seen several politicians here too, from local to federal. My husband has the unfounded complaint that "it's dirty" but he's kind of uppity sometimes. It's not a place for vegetarians, as I'm pretty sure everything has some sort of animal fat in it. Though I have lunched with otherwise vegetarian friends who turned a blind eye for the afternoon. I also enjoy that you have to grab your dessert first. Good philosophy!
(4)
Jonathan M.
I am from the north and didn't know what to expect with this place. The atmosphere is straight up like a cafeteria. The food was great. It's about as southern as it gets. They only have a handful of options per day so if you have some picky eaters with you don't go here. I had some sort of meat that melted in my mouth. The downside to the place is the whole group I went with basically fell asleep when we got back to the studio. If you need to be productive after work stay as far away from this place as possible. If you are in need of some good sleep, go back for seconds. ; )
(4)
Sara S.
YUM YUM YUMMY. If you are in the mood for some good down-home family cooking, look no further. They have tons of side items from green beans to mashed potatoes, and everyday they have specials on meat. I tried the kielbasa and sauerkraut and boy was it outta this world! I also had to treat myself to a slice of chess pie. I tell you what, that crust...oh my goodness. Oh yeah- they have RC on tap!!! Talk about throwback! Love it.
(5)
Eddy W.
Just good food!!! nothing else to be said
(5)
Tony C.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! that is all
(5)
Elaine K.
I'd rather give 3.5 stars. Lunch on Monday was crowded. Line moves fast! Fried chicken delicious. It's not Gus's. Greens tangy and spicy good. Creamed corn and nana pudding best thing we ate. Roast beef just good. did not blow our socks off. Glad to have tried this Nashville icon.
(4)
Lisa B.
This is seriously, in my opinion, the best meat and three in Nashville. When I was pregnant I was fortunate enough to work a couple of streets away and I can't begin to tell you how great that was...I try and take any out-of-towners here I can! Yes there can be a killer line and no parking if you go in the middle of lunch hour...but go a little after and you are golden. Its delicious, people. GO!
(5)
Julia F.
On my visit to Nashville I relied on Yelp to steer me to good Southern Food. Being from Southern CA, I don't have any experience with Southern Food, and so I don't really have much to compare it to, but I loved all the food I had here. I even enjoyed waiting in line and watching what everyone else was eating. I was really impressed by the fried green tomatoes; major yumminess. So flavorful and crispy. I absolutely loved the grit cake, and the banana pudding dessert thing. I loved my entree as well, it was some sort of shredded pork with this gooey cheese sauce :) I loved the cafeteria style of this place, and all the people were so friendly to us, making sure we enjoyed our first taste of the south.
(5)
Dan B.
Great food. Very busy but worth the wait! Loved the catfish and the collards.
(4)
Linda B.
Moved to TN over a year ago and just now made it to Arnold's. I have to say. Hands down, the best southern food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was amazing from the roast beef to the grits cake to the banana pudding. Like others have said, best fried green tomatoes ever. Come early. Come often.
(5)
Clarice C.
was helping my friend road trip from atlanta to denver and we drove through nashville at lunchtime. I was only allowed one meal here and SO glad I made it Arnold's! I'm sure you can tell by the Yelp reviews and line out the door but I just want to re-iterate that this is a MUST if you are in nashville! def has a cozy southern feel. it's like a cafeteria style ordering system. they have certain dishes on certain days. i got the Roast beef, fried green tomatoes, chocolate pie, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for LUNCH! and ate it ALL. like who does that?? don't be intimidated by the line because it moves quickly and the food is so worth it!
(5)
Spider J.
Everything was good here, but the banana pudding was NUTS. The staff was really friendly, as we came in with a baby, and they had someone carry a tray so we could carry the baby. The roast beef was medium rare and delightful. My only beef (ahahahaha. beef.) is that I didn't come on the right day to try the chicken, and it looks like they don't do brisket at all, which is a damned shame. Also, the plate that the chocolate cream meringue pie came on smelled of dishwater, and the smell kind of got into the pie. :-/ But even the vegetarian in our group was a happy monkey, so yeah. I know my friend who lives near here will start bringing her husband now that we've found it.
(4)
Kendyl M.
Everything we had was delicious! Green beans, Mac n cheese, ribs, cat fish, chicken and dumplings. The banana pudding definitely lives up to the hype! Pecan pie and peach pie were yummy too. There was a fairly long line when we pulled up but it went by really quick and we got a seat as soon as we got our food.
(5)
Josh L.
Great little place. Really friendly staff. Good old fashioned food. Beef brisket was AMAZING! Not a wide selection, kids may have trouble eating here, but a must for adults.
(5)
Beth H.
Roast beef is so tasty! Banana pudding is amazing. Service is wonderful. There is always a line but it moves rather fast. Born and raised in Nashville and this place is a must. Everything is good at Arnold's!
(5)
John C.
This was 100% worth the wait; hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had. And yes, I've had some damn good fried chicken before. Make sure you go when they have fried chicken on the menu, for sides the mash potatoes, Mac n chee, and cream corn were bomb.com , fired up right now after Arnold's. FIRED UP YALL
(5)
Tracey R.
I had the catfish, green beans, dumplings, mac n' cheese & it did not disappoint. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(4)
Alicia J.
Arnold's provided us with a great early lunch while maintaining the prices one would expect at a buffet-style restaurant. I'd say they bring buffet food to the next level. We initially arrived at 9:00, as some other websites state that they open at 6:00AM. We were further confused by their door sign saying 10:_0 (missing a number), but after some waiting, we were admitted at 10:30, when Arnold's actually opens. The procurement system is a buffet where you move down the line choosing desserts, sides, salads, bread, mains and drinks, in roughly that order. This kept things moving rather quickly. We ordered meatloaf and roast beef as our mains; fried green tomatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and a strawberry bacon spinach salad as our sides; sweet tea, cornbread, and rolls; and finally chocolate pie for dessert. That's a lot for two people at a very reasonable price of $23. The meats were very good and cooked well. Both roast beef and meatloaf gets prepared in mass, so we figured them to be the best choices for a buffet. Still, I wish I had splurged on the fried catfish in retrospect. The real stars of the meal turned out to be the sides. I never expect much of green beans, but these were something special. Slightly spicy and meaty from being cooked with some pork (I think), I found myself finishing the beans before I took more than a bite of the meatloaf. The mashed potatoes were creamy and served with ample gravy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded admirably and gave a satisfying crunch to accompany the tartness of the tomato. They were better than any fried green tomato I had in Atlanta. Both the cornbread (cooked like a pancake) and the rolls were tasty. The chocolate pie was extraordinarily rich and a very nice completion to the meal. Arnold's has a menu which rotates daily which makes me sad to say I am leaving Nashville tomorrow!
(5)
Susan W.
I really like the place. The Fried Green Tomato is very unique and definitely have a flavor of its own.
(4)
Peter K.
Yep...still the best damn meat & 3 in Nashville. See the picture for today's meal...be sure to ask for corn bread fresh off the grill....trust me.
(5)
Michael S.
My wife and I found this hole in the wall restaurant. It's really good, it was on the food network show Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins. After checking Yelp it seemed like everyone loved it. Their menu changes daily, so you may want to call ahead. It is set up assembly line style. Grab a tray, move along the line, tell the person on the other side of the counter what you want. We had the chicken it was delicious. Some of the best chicken I've had. All fantastic country cooking. The decor is not that great, it's not that nice inside. It is less than appealing. Don't let this change your mind about trying it though. Two people can eat for 20 bucks, that's food, drinks, and desert. I recommend the pecan pie, chicken and any of the sides(mashed potatoes and mac & cheese).
(4)
Kimberly K.
Comfort food at its best. Arrived at 10 am and the doors were open. There were plenty of seats available at this time. By 10:30 am (opening time), the line was out the door. The employees started to serve us at exactly 10:30 am (impressive!). {Ambiance} Laid back. Homey. There is quite a bit of seating available, but it gets packed in here quick. Customers eat fairly quickly though. By the time you're done standing in line for your food, you should be able to find a table. {Service} Cafeteria style. Once you enter, stand in line and grab a tray. Silverware and napkins can be found at the beginning of the line. A few of the menu items are laid out for you to grab yourself (ie. salads, desserts, bread) and some are given to you by the employees (ie. meats, veg). You pay the cashier at the end of the line. Once you have your tray of food, seat yourself. You will see a lot of Jack Arnold's family members working here. Everyone is so kind, positive, and hard working. They really go out of their way to make their customers feel special and comfortable. {Food} It's all about the Meat and Three. Arnold's offers different types of meats and vegetables every day. Corn Muffins, Biscuits, and Corn Cakes are complimentary. We decided to try the Roast Beef, Meatloaf, Fried Green Tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn Pudding, Chess Pie, Banana Pudding, and Bread Pudding. The Roast Beef was cooked medium rare and was seasoned perfectly. It was not too salty and had a bit of kick to it from the black pepper and other spices. The Au jus was well prepared. The Meatloaf was tender, juicy, and seasoned perfectly. The sauce on top was a bit tangy and went well with the savory meat. The Fried Green Tomatoes were lovely. The coating was golden, crisp, and seasoned well. The tomato itself was juicy, tart, and warm. The Mashed Potatoes just melt in your mouth. It's warm, smooth, and comforting. The Mac & Cheese will satisfy your cheese craving without making you go through a cheese coma. The Corn Pudding was sweet and savory. The Corn Muffins and Corn Cakes are freshly made but lacked flavor and were a bit too dry. The Biscuits were soft and buttery. If you like bread pudding, definitely try the one from Arnold's. It has to be illegal to make bread pudding this delicious. Filled with loads of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. It was soft and creamy but still had enough resistance. The Banana Pudding was also amazing. The pudding did not taste like some of the others I've had in the past. This pudding was fresh, home made, not too sweet, and light. The whipped topping was also fresh. The crust on the Chess Pie was beautiful. The pie is creamy and tastes like an egg custard. It's an extremely sweet and rich dessert. Eating an entire slice will definitely put you in a sugar coma. {Price} $7.95 Meat & Three, $6.95 Meat & Two, $6.64 Four Veg and Bread. Everything here is made from scratch and you can TASTE the difference. Oh yea, and Guy Fieri was here :D
(5)
Lindsay R.
SO BEYOND BUSY! Very successful place. Great mac n cheese, wish I had gone on a day when they had chicken, I'm not a huge fan of roast beef and/or steak, but still pretty decent....great sweet tea, mashed potatoes, pie...a little too much gravy for my taste, but people love it and line up forever, so they have a great thing going! Very hot inside, due to kitchen/cooking and all of the people, really hard to find a seat....fun experience!
(4)
Shannon W.
I saw this on Diner's Drive-Ins, & Dives and thought this to be a cool place to go and asked my husband to try it with me when we went to Nashville. I think I'll let my husband pick the next place. To start, the parking area was rough & small. The only Handicapped parking spot was beside another parking spot where the person had to park at an angle to avoid the wall, thus overlapped into the handicapped spot. There was a line and we expected it. What I didn't expect was wall to wall seating. It was cafeteria style, but very close to each other. I ordered Country Fried Steak, Beans, Mashed Potatoes and Fried Green Tomatoes. The Fried green tomatoes were good. Never had them before. The Mashed potatoes were OK, the green beans had too much vinegar in them, and the Country fried steak was very thick breading and mushy to the point of not sure where the steak was. My husband ordered the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which was much better than mine. He didn't like the other sides he had ordered. We both got sweet iced tea and even for the true southerner, that was overly sweet. I mixed mine with some lemons and unsweet tea, which made it better. My husband said he couldn't drink it. The best thing about the place was the friendly busser. He talked with everyone and was very nice. Definitely not worth the wait in line. Not sure how long ago Guy Fieri was there, but it's not the same as what I saw on TV.
(1)
Britt Y.
Yesssssssss. I'm a southerner. Arnold's does not disappoint. The roast beef is SO GOOOOOD. Seasoned perfectly, juicy and tender. The sides are wonderful. The banana pudding is delicious. The tea is sweet. I don't know what to tell you, except to go. But you should be prepared to wait in a loooong line and struggle to figure out where to sit. It can be frustrating at first, but once you start eating, you'll understand.
(4)
Andy O.
Arnold's is probably the most overrated restaurant in Nashville...unless you like to eat with an endless line of strangers looking at you, a lot of butts in your face, no service, and filthy tables. On my most recent visit, I went with the catfish and was given the leftover shake from the bottom of the pan. It was enough to make up about 1/2 of their normal portion. When I asked for a normal piece, I got a lot of attitude from one of the owner's kids and a number to indicate I was waiting on catfish (ended up waiting about 10 minutes). As someone else mentioned, the portions (especially the sides) are pretty skimpy by meat & 3 standards, so you may want to go with one of their deserts if you're a hungry guy. The best way to describe this place - as a born & bred southerner who comes from a long line of southern cooking - is: People who aren't used to downhome southern cooking will probably mistakenly think this place is authentic southern fare. However, any real southerner knows chicken & dumplins are supposed to be thick, white and eaten with a fork...rather than tortilla pieces boiled in a thin chicken broth and peppered beyond recognition. I have likely made my last visit to Arnold's. A word of advice: Try out Peg Leg's in the alley just behind Arnold's, instead.
(2)
Lisa P.
Do not pass by this place just because it doesn't look like a 5 star diner, you'll be sorry. It's worth the wait in line, it moves quickly anyway. This isn't really a place where people sit and chat after eating. Lots of the working community eat here and the tables free up quickly. So, the food... Best collard greens I've ever had. Loved the black eyed peas. Chicken and dumplings were thick and creamy with lots of flavor. The brisket was fork tender and deelish. All of the desserts were like homemade. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. This is a don't miss!
(5)
Dan S.
Everything about this place was great until I made it thru the line and had my plate of food. The servings of everthing (vegetables & my fried catfish) were WAY TOO SMALL Fortunately, they made up for that with a ridiculiously LARGE pricetag. This place is SOOOOOO over-rated - it really stinks. I love down home Country food but, since you don't get any here, I won't be back.
(1)
Sherri G.
The catfish was awesome! So glad I walked over there after the stroke conference. Didn't know what to order so I had what the woman before me had. It was awesome.
(4)
Douglas W.
I have been trying to get here for lunch for years. It seems I am always blowing through on a weekend or an evening and can't seem to time it. It was worth the wait. I had fried chicken, squash casserole, greens, johnny cake and chess pie. Everything but the fried chicken was amazingly good. The fried chicken was almost average but the sides were a revelation. This was the best chess pie I have ever had. I love the cafeteria setting. The line is long but moves very quickly. Great meat and three. I will try to come back on another day and try something else besides the chicken. Saw them on DDD and they use margarine in everything. Disgusting. 3 times more likely to cause a heart attack than if you use butter. It's not the 1940s anymore. It's not WW2. Step up and switch to real food.
(3)
Charles S.
Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. Well, not literally. I need an Arnold's T-Shirt, that would be awesome! There's not a whole lot one can add to the Arnold's discussion. I can't believe I took as long as I did to try this place; I've been back multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The chicken and dumplings are a personal favorite and only two people in the world make greens I like better than Arnold's: My grandmother and myself. No one makes better fried green tomatoes. Yes, the line moves pretty quickly, as long as people don't hold things up trying make decisions at the last minute. *AHEM*, speed it up newbies :) In short, it's a Nashville icon. Any out of town friends would appreciate a trip here, unless they're vegans.
(5)
Kristine P.
My friend and I decided to check this place out while I was in town. We could smell the wonderfulness from the parking lot once we got out of the car. This place is small and the line was out the door. Even though the line was long, we moved along at a good pace. The food is served cafeteria style and you tell them what you want. I got the Bbq ribs, green beans, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. They said their green beans were cooked in pork for 2 days so I just had to get them because that sounded like heaven! Those green beans were to die for! I think they were the best and most flavorful green beans I'd ever had. The meat off the ribs was tender and I loved the sauce that they used. The mac and cheese was creamy, but it was bland. My friend and I thought there wasn't enough cheese in it. The fried green tomatoes were good, but I wasn't a fan of the type of breading they used. I like Monell's fried green tomatoes better. If you are craving southern food, come check this place out! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Patricia B.
This place doesn't live up to the hype. Very salty. Not worth the wait when there are so many other options around
(3)
Jasmin M.
YUCK! I don't understand the love for this place. I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say this, but it truly reminded me of a soup kitchen. The tables were dirty, it was crowded, and the crowd looked dodgy! When I finally get to the food they ran out of the Meat loaf, so I tried the BBQ chicken and Mash Potatoes. The food did not look delicious. When I tried it, it was confirmed, NO BUENO!!! I am truly confused as to why this place has gotten stellar reviews. They rush you through the line, it's screaming soup kitchen. Move, move, move, and did I mention MOVE... I couldn't wait to leave. I left 2 stars because the corn bread and mash potatoes were good. But the chicken was all bone. I just hated it. I'm sorry, but I would never recommend this place to anyone, nor would I return. We left hungry, we all went to Mc. Donalds after and ate chicken nuggets.... enough said.
(2)
Chris P.
Well, this place is one you expect to walk in and have grandma's cooking, but it's not nearly that good. It may be better than your typical fast food lunch but it's also much more expensive. $30 for two people to have lunch in burnt out downtown Nashville is a bit steep. The liver I had was fried and dried out. The roast beef was good and the sides are pretty hard to mess up. I really wanted some good banana pudding because I walked in knowing it was on the menu, but what I got was diabetes in a cup most of which I didn't finish. Didn't live up to hype.
(3)
Dustin D.
I work downtown and love to go here with my co-workers for lunch. Pro-tips: get there early before the line goes out the door, if the line is already out the door --- don't worry it moves quickly, and last of all (we made this mistake) DON'T sit down and try to reserve a seat. When we did this, the guy that bus tables asked up to get up... at first we were a little offended, but now I completely agree with him. It keeps the people who actually have food already able to sit down and eat and not once have we gone there and not had a place to sit regardless of how busy it gets.
(5)
Nin A.
Per the online reviews, Arnold's is the place to go to if you want legit Nashville food. So I heeded the advice and checked out Arnold's that one day I was in town. I knew it was going to be a cafeteria-style place but I was still sorta surprised and hesitated a bit when I walked in--probably because I don't go to places like this at home so I just wasn't used to the atmosphere. The interior is the opposite of fancy. There was a long line that just didn't end! Fortunately, the service was very fast and good. They definitely know what they're doing. The staff members were all very friendly and made us feel comfortable. The menu could be a tad confusing or intimidating so I just kept my order simple. THE ROAST BEEF WAS TO DIE FOR! I don't think I will find any other place that can top that. The rest was also very good but the roast beef was a real standout. Their sweet tea was too sweet it was undrinkable. I couldn't handle any more than 2 sips. I give the food alone 5 stars. My overall experience is probably a 3.5.
(3)
Tim M.
Redemption Baby! Gave Arnold's another chance as bunch of friends were going. Roast beef - cooked medium. The employee took great care to cut thin slices that I didn't have to exert too much effort to cut the meat. Mashed potatoes were good as well as the green beans. The mac and cheese is always great in my opinion. The line was not moving as efficiently as it would at Swett's or Niki's but the pace is good as it allowed for tables to be constantly turned over and you weren't left standing and waiting for a table. Even with the line at the door as we walked in, only took ~10 min to proceed through the line.
(4)
Queen B.
I so enjoy this place. Brought two friends with me, for their first visit. They got a kick out of the place, the people, the crowd, the line... One of my friends actually got stressed thinking how he was going to go to lunch, get his tray, pay, and then not have anywhere to sit.. We sat with some other people and everyone chatted as they ate and remarked how good the food was. It's really nothing special. It's home cooked food like the old days. No low fat crap, no fat free crap. Tons of food made with plenty of flour! Hearty, stick to your ribs, filling comfort food. You can pick wisely or you can go full throttle on the gravies, macaroni and cheese, breaded pork chops, chili pepper chocolate fudge pie.. You will still walk out of there completely satisfied with lunch. Not a great place to meet friends and have a leisurely lunch. People are eying your seat and gauging how quickly you finish your lunch. No, this is not a place to sit, have coffee, chat... this is a place to chow down and get back to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing. You really can't go wrong with this place, if you're jonesing for comfort food.
(5)
Sabina A.
I really wanted to like this place given the reviews; however was disappointed. The staff is nice but the food is underwhelming. My roast beef was cold and the sides were over-salty. My husbands fried chicken was decent at best. Given the long lines, this is a restaurant I would pass up.
(2)
Laura C.
Super nice staff, great decor and the food is amazing! It's always super packed at lunch but if you're getting food to go, you can walk straight to the front of the line. You have to try the green beans, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and my personal favorite, catfish (wed/fri).
(5)
Kirsten J.
Arnold's is definitely an experience. I really enjoyed it, but I don't mind the tiny noisy diner feel and not knowing what exactly I'm getting. As a Midwestern visitor, I was really proud of getting there before my 4 yr Nashville based brother. Do: Read the board outside and have an idea of what you think sounds good. Think 1 meat, 3 sides. Drink: go for water unless you want to experience / like sweet tea. Dessert: may be a bit pricey but the banana pudding was absolutely delicious. Ok, now that you think you've decided, go in. Look at everyone who is eating and decide what looks best. If it's the same, great. If not, change now and get ready to order. Definitely watch and listen to the people before you. Don't: Freak out because everything isn't perfect. It's a good fun place to go, not a 5 star napkin on your lap delicacy. Assume it's going to be cheap. Try to pick out a table when you go in. There will be one open when you're through the line. Be ok with helping bus the table before you.
(4)
Tracy F.
After over a year of living in Nashville, we finally decided to take the plunge and head to Arnold's for lunch on a quiet Monday afternoon. For the most part, we had a great experience! The food is certainly good and the atmosphere is adorable and so 'Nashville'. Each of us enjoyed a classic meat and three for lunch, with the following items: -Fried Chicken (the fiance): He enjoyed this the most of everything he ate. He said it was crispy and flavorful on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. He'd come back to Arnold's for the chicken alone. -Blackened trout (me): Perfectly cooked and a huge portion, flavored nicely except for a little too much salt -Mac and cheese (both): I thought it was creamy deliciousness. Fiance thought the cheese overpowered the pasta - he prefers a less saucy mac-and-cheese -Green beans (me): Delicious, but VERY salty. I like salty, but this was a bit much even for me -Tomato salad (fiance): In his words, "too dressing-y". After stealing a taste, I thought these marinated tomato slices were delicious, but they weren't really his thing. -Pinto beans (me): Also delicious, also VERY salty. The smoky flavor was fantastic, though! -Creamed corn (fiance): We both loved every bite of this. The corn was perfectly sweet and just creamy enough without being overly rich. -Cornbread (me): YUM. Enough said. -Hoecake (fiance): He enjoyed this more and more as he ate it, though he had a bit of food envy after tasting my cornbread. -Pecan pie (both): YUM. Some of the best I've had in town. I'd come to Arnold's just for dessert, since their other pies and the warm bread pudding looked incredible, as well. The food was delicious, but we especially loved the lively and charming waitstaff. Everyone was working hard serving food, bussing tables, replacing food on the line, etc, but every single employee was smiling and talkative. We especially enjoyed our conversations with the 2 men bussing tables; they made us feel welcomed, answered our questions about other items on the menu and invited us to come back soon - which we will!
(4)
Jay G.
This is one of Nashville's most historic and premier soul/comfort food spots. It is such unique place and experience. They always have a line, but trust me it is worth the wait and it is not a slow line. They keep it rolling; most of the times I've been here the line begins outside, but we always manage to be eating within ten minutes. Another unique aspect is the cafeteria style atmosphere it contains. I have already exhausted the line waiting so we will move on from that, but the seating is just big long tables with set of smaller tables surrounding the larger ones, much like school cafeterias. Thus, you might be sitting with people you don't know, but that's part of the experience. It gives one a reminder that they are in a great southern city that still believes in fellowship with your fellow man or woman. Now, once you snake your way through the line, you get to the good stuff...food. They have a big chalk board explaining the daily specials, therefore you might want to find out ahead of time what day it is and what it is they are serving. It's the usual meat and two or three program. Trust me you get full at this place since it is southern comfort food it is meant to stick to your bones. They also have some great lemonade so if you like lemons then add ask them to add the aid.
(4)
Tran T.
Don't get discourage by the long line. It went by very quick (10-15 minutes). My first visit at Arnold's was definitely 5/5. I got there at 1:30 PM and the line was out of the door. Met a Yelper from L.A and we chatted it up while getting in line (Hi Courtney!!). The ordering process was easy. Get in the long line (Idk if there is a time this place doesn't have a line), grab a tray, pick a desert or a salad, pick the meat and 2 sides (don't forget the corn bread! Came with your meal), pick your drink, and pay up. I looked at what other people ordered and decided to get the Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Peach Pie, and a Sweet Tea. Fried Chicken was crispy, flavorful, and non-greasy. Mac & Cheese, Wow! The best Mac & Cheese I had so far. I normally don't drink water/tea while eating, however I finished the whole cup of Sweet Tea, not that the tea was good (too much ice, tasted like Milo's tea at Walmart), it was because the Baked Beans were so salty. Skip this if you don't like salty food. I accidentally dropped the piece of Peach Pie (it just slid off the plate lol) on my napkin and the lady behind me said "Just pick it up, still good!" She wasn't wrong. The pie wasn't sweet and the peach tasted surprisingly fresh. I left Arnold's feeling satisfied and couldn't wait to go back. I got here at 10:45 AM (Monday) on my second visit. Since the fried chicken I had the first time was so good, I ordered it again. The Fried Chicken looked burnt and tasted like it was cooked in old oil. This is the part that I don't understand. They close on the weekend and open at 10:30 AM on Monday. Did they reuse the oil from last Friday!? Gross. I would look at the color of the fried chicken first (golden, not burnt) before I order next time. I also had the Fried Apples and Pecan Pie on the side. They both were overly sweet. Skip these if you don't want diabetes at young age. Parking was never a problem for me. Finding a table could be a problem with big groups (more than 4). Overall, I will come back to try other food (no more fried chicken for a while) and their famous Fried Green Tomato! 2013/#68
(4)
Christine L.
knocked 1 star because I'm not the biggest fan of excessive SODIUM intake. but besides that I loved the food. Southern hospitality / comfort fo sho. Fried catfish is delicious! definitely made my meal. I also got mac n cheese which to me had too much salt and too much pepper, and the green beans which was WAY salty. The lemonade is AMAZING definitely get! Cafeteria style ordering, you go up in a line and get your food. then pay and then find your own seating. Pro Tip: clean up your own mess afterwards and put your tray up like you're supposed to. I saw a few ppl leave their mess behind which led to disgruntled employees.
(4)
Nicole B.
5+ stars!! We love Arnold's!! We eat here every single weekday we are in town. There's a reason the line is out the door! It's got great food and an awesome atmosphere. The family owned business is currently ran by some very friendly people! We love the chicken and dumplings, greens, and their grill makes an amazing grilled cheese! ;-) Must eat in Nashvile!
(5)
Roland G.
You wouldn't expect to be able to eat healthy off a menu like this but boy- are you in for a nutritional and delicious meal option. I chose blackened trout with green beans and greens! Wow- they nailed all three and created a flashback to my dear Mother's superb cooking. Well worth the few extra miles off the interstate exit. Will gladly visit again on our next road trip!
(5)
Jordan S.
Great southern food. I went with a group of 5 and not one person had anything but rave reviews for the food. People were friendly. Only thing is get there early because lines build up right away. However, it moves quickly.
(5)
B M.
My daughter and I have been on a food network food road trip this week and ARNOLDS is by far the BEST place we visited. Amazing how many restaurants end up on TV but really suck! We were fortunate to bump into the young chef as he was writing the specials on the board and he took the time to talk to us. The entire staff is friendly. We had the ham, fish, mac and cheese, meat loaf (thanks chef!), sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, banana pie and chocolate cream pie... oh and the cabbage. I assume it was cabbage as I don't usually eat it but this was fantastic. Each dish was uniquely flavored and now having been to about a dozen restaurants, I know that it probably took a lot of work to cook that way. I'm about a thousand miles from home and was glad I made the trip here. I was worth every mile. Absolutely delicious!
(5)
Bob G.
I just don't get it. Ok it's a simple, no frills place, which is fine by me. I've had great food from places where the money isn't spent on fancy decor. Of course I saw plenty of reviewers who loved it and that's why we went, but I have to be brutally honest here, the food is mush. Suck it through a straw cooking. If this is southern cooking at its best, then in my opinion keep it in the south! For those who like the food, I'm sure it's a sensation. Bon appetite!
(1)
Jessie M.
Hot damn this place is good. I lost at least 4 years off my life from the food, but those would have been the lame years anyways. These folks have their priorities right.
(5)
Oldair D.
I always wondered what the expression "so good you'll want to slap yo mamma" meant and I must say that I finally found out at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The food here is DELICIOUS and worth the wait, we got there at around 11:30AM and the line was already out the door, I asked one of the locals what's good here and he said "everything" and he was not lying. I had the fried catfish, collard greens, mac and cheese, and hush puppies and was in heaven, delicious home-cooked food. My wife had the brisket which melted like butter. The banana pudding is freaking awesome and a must. I would most definitely recommend visiting Arnold's when in Nashville.
(5)
Celia T.
Only four stars and not five because Carver's Country Kitchen in Atlanta was better. Crazy huh! Came on a monday and had fried chicken, creamed corn and collard greens. this place was saltier than Carver's for me. For healthy food loving people, RUN from this place because you will feel like dying. For unhealthy food loving people, RUN INSIDE NOW! Then feel terrible about it later, but feel satisfied about your super fatty meal. the creamed corn was good, but extra sweet and salty. I had the unsweet tea and that kind of helped to ease the feelings of my arteries clogging. Its a good thing I don't live near here or else I would eat this too often, which in my opinion would be something like more than once a year! But I'm a sucker for southern food !! This place has a line out the door so you stand in line and then you will see the deserts first then the menu board up on top with the meats of the day then the sides. You tell them what sides you want, then the meat guy will ask you what meat you want. You will then get your drink and pay at the end. If you wan to order to go just write it on paper and go up to the cash register, no need to wait in line. There was a busboy cleaning up the tables, so if you read this help them out to consolidate everything onto one tray and it will help them to accommodate more people! Parking is free in the private lot and its pretty spacious so no worries there!
(4)
Marcus W.
First time visiting this well known establishment. Parking available and free. Their was probably 50 people waiting to get a meal at the serving line; however, it was worth the wait. I tried the roast beef, greens, Mac and cheese, and chocolate pepper pie. I've tried some very good southern cooking, but this was some of the best I've had yet. My wife and friends agreed wholeheartedly as well. These were simple, home cooked meals, made with a great attention to detail; all for a reasonable price (about $13/person). Well definitely be back when were in town.
(5)
Brad W.
Food was excellent and atmosphere is simple. Serving size is perfect. This place is genuine... No imposter behavior, not tidy, no extravagant decorations, and a simple menu. Everything available is good and worth trying. Really a great value!
(5)
Melinda L.
Landed in Nashville on an empty stomach, searched through Yelp for a decent local stop to grab a bite, 4.5 star and 1 $ at this place called Arnold's? SURE! Why the hell not! Best start to a work trip ever. First time I had a local "meat and three" (three veggies, one of them being considered mac n' cheese, of course. God I love the South). Picked out the meat loaf, mash potatoes and gravy, best friking collard greens ever, fried corn bread that looked like a pancake, a spicy chocolate pie, and a sweet ice tea. did I like the food? ....I ate the whole gotdamn plate without a word being shared between my coworker and I.
(4)
Megan T.
Arnold's is my favorite meat & three in town. I ordered the vegetable plate with mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, squash casserole & mac n cheese with a slice of chocolate pie. The fried green tomatoes and chocolate pie are the best I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and squash casserole were also delicious. All of their sides have great flavor...I wish i knew their secret. Their lemonade was also delicious, very sweet though. The line is always long when I've gone but it moves quickly. And I've never had trouble finding a parking spot but I've always arrived by 11:30.
(5)
Melissa B.
On a recent road trip I carefully planned my drive through Nashville to make sure I could stop here! I was getting nervous I'd made a mistake when we pulled up- I didn't! It was heaven! The hours are very limited. I believe they are open Mon-Fri for lunch only. The restaurant is cafeteria style-nothing fancy. I think we were the only couple in the place that wasn't a local. The meat choices on the menu change daily. I still can't believe the meal we had for the price- I was full for 2 days! Here's what we had... Fried steak-heaven Fried shrimp Rolls/butter 2 orders green beans Mac and cheese- perfect! Mashed potatoes and gravy Fried green tomatoes- the best on earth Cucumber salad Slice of pie- still unsure which kind, but I was in love! Sweet tea Lemonade All of this for under $25 and it was all homemade and wonderful! I want to take another road-trip through Nashville soon!
(5)
Andy S.
A well-deserved 5 stars. Don't hand these out willy-nilly. Great atmosphere and super food. Employees were incredibly friendly, even serving us just before closing time.
(5)
Will M.
I hate to say it, but I'm in no way surprised at the ratings. dude, i know, I completely understand.. waiting in line sucks. Then you remember, only in Nashville, be jealous my friends in Iowa, be very jealous.
(5)
Sujan P.
Phenomenal service by the charming pretty tanned blonde. THANK YOU for your warm southern charm! Roast beef w Au jus-4.5 stars Mac & cheese- 3 stars Turnip greens-4.5 stars Yeast rolls-4 stars Chess pie- 5 stars Hot Chocolate pie (aka spicy brownie pie)-4.5 stars Sweet tea-4 stars Banana pudding-3 stars Service- 10 stars One of my favorite Nashville Tennessee memories ever!
(5)
Anna J.
As if this place needed another awesome review! The food speaks for itself. I had the best meatloaf and chocolate pie here. Can't wait to go back! The line was long but moves quickly. I can't belive this old place is churning out such amazing food.
(4)
Scott M.
Well, well, well. My Nashville musician buddies said they couldn't wait to take the Big Chicago Foodie (me) to a "Meat and Three" in NashVegas for some good ole Southern hospitality. And damned if they weren't right. The place is nothing much to look at, insanely crowded, with community seating. There was an old Black guy who was busboy and door greeter, very personable and cheery. Asked where we were from, I said "Chicago" and he immediately dubbed me "Al Capone". We duked him a few fazools and told him to save a few seats for us, as you have to stand in line to get your food, then try to procure a seat. The line moved slow, and you were scuffling directly along folks eating their lunch. Kinda uncomfortable, but it gave you time to see what they were eating, and by the time I got to the counter, I had decided to order one of everything on it. (and standing in line, I saw their JAMES BEARD AWARD!!) I got the fish on corn cake with cajun gravy, with greens, and beans. Piece of hot pepper chocolate pie. (pense on that for a second-hot pepper chocolate pie...) Every little bit of the meal was intensely flavorful and fabulous. A great, great feed. Arnolds moves onto the "must" list for each visit to Nashville. Oh yes...
(5)
Cathy P.
So good, in the way that stuff that's bad for is... Great experience. This is our second time here. Cafeteria style, very funky.
(5)
Melissa A.
You know the food must be good when the line is out the door..and the yelp reviews rave about the food. I came on a Friday during lunch and the wait wasn't too long. I split a plate of the roast beef with sides of turnip greens, corn, and fried green tomatoes as well as the fried catfish with my boyfriend. My favorites were the catfish, fried green tomatoes, and corn. The fried green tomatoes were as good as everyone said..fried and flavorful. The roast beef was good but was a little dry but we might have just gotten a bad piece. I had never heard of a "meat and three" until I found this place on yelp and boy, am I glad! If I've ever in Nashville again I will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Bob S.
What is there to say that has not been said before. So many Favorites here. I thinking Fried Pork Chop!!
(5)
LaDonna T.
My first time here and I was blown away! I got the greens, Mac and cheese, gumbo, and roast beef. I tasted the cherry smoked chicken and fried green tomatoes.. AMAZING!! Absolutely no complaints!! Only 4 stars since it's my first time here...
(4)
Tom M.
Classic Three and Meat Southern Diner I heard about this place from a couple lawyers and a truck driver and was told that it has a really diverse crowd, from workmen in overalls, to City Councilmen. I showed up right at 11:30, as they were putting out fresh friend chicken, and got a plate full with potatoes, mac and cheese and vegis. The food was outstanding and yes I saw guys in dirty overalls and guys in suits shoveling the food in their mouths side and side. This is a classic and a not to miss restaurant (along with tthe Loveless Cafe) in Nashville.
(5)
Jennie L.
Exactly what it says. Country food at its finest. Don't expect to find anything healthy - but so worth it! Ribs are fall off the bone tender, and the sweet tea hits the spot. You'll probably wait in line and think you'll never get a seat, but the line moves fast and they'll find you a spot! Do yourself a southern favor, and GO!
(4)
Paddy O.
I've never been to a place where people are happy to sit down at a table just vacated and not yet bused or next to someone that they don't know half way thru their lunch I've also never been to a James Beard award winning restaurant that most people would drive past or walk out of when first seeing it. Those people would be fools, utter fools Meat and 3, need I say more/
(5)
Dorothy M.
Fabulous down-home, tastes like mama's been cookin all day, kinda food. It amazes me every time I visit & stop in how quick they serve @ this meat & 3...yet the food makes you feel spoiled & cared for. Hits the spot.
(5)
John Michael E.
My absolute favorite lunch in Nashville. Can barely call it "a hole in the wall" because of how popular it is but if you're not from the south or if you're not from Nashville it is a MUST VISIT. The banana pudding is my favorite, and the corn cakes are amazing. I have not had one thing I didn't like, the staff is very helpful and kind. An absolute treat.
(5)
Patricia S.
I had a friend recommend Arnold's, as well as my waiter at Etch. I didn't quite get the Meat and 3 concept, but I sure did when I arrived. We were lucky to arrive just before the line got crazy, and it sure did get crazy. The line goes quickly, and the food is surely affordable. The bus boy, ok not a boy at all, but an older man who is super friendly, funny and enjoyable. The servers are very efficient and are quite patient with us tourists when we ask questions. The fact that some people have to share tables actually makes for an accommodating and interesting environment. Kind of loved it. Must Haves: Turnip Greens Mac and Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Hot Chocolate Pie - fudge-like chocolate with hot pepper in a pie crust
(5)
Kim Y.
Arnolds makes me like things I don't even like. I mean, can you often say places do that much for you? As I wait in the humongous yet always lightening fast line I meander through the daily options with a major open mind. Pork chops? Blech! Oh wait - I AM at Arnold's. Hit the top of the line - think fast Kim! The regulars behind you are about to go crazy on yo' butt! "I'll have the pork chop with collard greens and mac n cheese". What's gotten into me!? But man, the pork chop was fork tender, the collards not a bit bitter and the mac n cheese wasn't reminiscent of kindergarten paste; in fact the noodles were still in tact and actually tasted like cheese. I'm usually a biscuit/roll girl, and the yeasty monsters they serve here are delicious, but if you're a first timer, please order cornbread to soak up your greens juice/broth - its a southern staple according to my old guard friend and he doesn't steer me wrong! Other tips: don't be shy and don't show up with more than a group of 2 or 3 during the lunch rush - a place to sit may be tough to come by, but everyone is so happy and content from their plate lunch, they are in great moods and happy to share close quarters!
(5)
Rudy L.
Can you say James Beard award winner. This is a Nashville food institution. Friday was amazing with having the option to taste their fried catfish. Overall this is a must visit for any Nashvillian and tourist.
(4)
Ashley H.
Meh.. That's how I felt after eating here. Everything was very sloppy and cafeteria style which was sort of a turn off for me. My chicken was a little dry, but the greens were pretty good... All in all just an average meat and 3 in a sea of a million. Nothing left me wanting more.
(3)
Avery J.
Some of the Best Homestyle Country Cookin' that I have ever had! Get the Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Turnip Greens. Don't forget the homemade Strawberry Pie if you have room for it!
(5)
Jeremy S.
Unreal! Best meat & 3 you're ever gonna find. Seriously legit roast beef, excellent sides, super sweet tea and pies like your granny used to make. If you haven't been to Arnold's, stop what you're doing and get there now!!!
(5)
Glenn G.
I travel for a living and eat and have eaten at great restuarants around the country. However, once in a while you eat in a place that forever changes the paradigm on how you view either an individual dish or a whole dining category. Arnolds is that kind of place for me. Arnold's Mac and Cheese is in my opion the standard that all Mac and Cheese in the country should be measured against. It's not $15 lobster, truffle oil, heritage bacon, etc... mac and cheese that every high dollar steakhouse tries to pull off, and some do, its just mac and cheese. Mac and Cheese isn't even my go to thing normally, but I'd drive 100 miles out of the way to eat Arnolds. I don't know what it is about it, it's got kind of a sharp funky taste but it is absolutely the best I've ever had. Another of their paradigm shifters is their roast beef. Once again, don't know what it is about it but if you've never eaten it, go there now and order it. And if you do, make sure they cut you some of the crust to go with your medium rare center because its the best. I could write for hours about this place. I moved from Nashville last February back to Fort Worth and I miss Arnolds on a daily basis. When I lived in Nashville I ate at Arnolds about 3 times a week, mainly just getting the vegetable plate and I am now in the desert of vegetables. If you haven't eaten at Arnold's or are considering eating at Arnold's in the future, stop reading this and go right now if they are open. If you read a review here that questions the quality of the food, please ignore it as that person was likely dropped on their head as a child and their advice is questionable at best. God Bless you Arnold's Country Kitchen!! I miss you dearly.
(5)
Derek K.
Most meat and threes are gross to me but I will say that Arnolds usually delivers. I live walking distance from this place. Here's what I've learned from a couple dozen trips to Arnolds: The Good: roast beef, corn bread, sweet tea, pork chops, peach pie, strawberry pie, ribs, au jus sauce, amazing green fried tomatoes. The Bad: sometimes the roast beef slicer gives you a bunch of fatty meat, sometimes the roast beef is bloody, creamy chocolate pie is not very good (too sweet and gritty texture), mac and cheese while good is sometimes mushy, food is very salty, fried fish was mushy when I tried it, chicken dumpling soup was mushy and too salty. Overall a good place to eat. Usually fast, relatively cheap (unless you get pie and drink other than water). Best meat and three I've tried so far in Nashville.
(4)
Guy F.
I would like to give Arnold's three and a half stars, but can not give it 4, so I gave it 3. Arnold's is not a place for the health-conscious. Everything is fried -- well, nearly everything. The catfish which Laura got was fried, the fried green tomatoes were, well, battered and fried, and delicious. If you want to indulge and can just enjoy a meal without worrying about this or that, Arnold's is cool. I had the collard greens, which were superb, the mac and cheese, which was good (and unusual: soft and mushy, rather than firm), and sweet corn, which was fine. My chicken and dumplings were quite good, quite peppery, delicious. My lemonade was undrinkably sweet. Years ago I might've gone for that much sugar. They do offer sweet iced tea and unsweetened iced tea (wish I'd known beforehand; now you do). The atmosphere is casual, informal, noisy, and fun. Ben had the chocolate pie, which was quite sweet and quite good. I'm not sure I'd go back, but I sure am glad we went; this was our first time in Nashville. Very much worth the trip.
(3)
Jonathan T.
Good simple food. The roast beef and the creamed corn was good and the fried shrimp was fine. The sourdough bread was very good as were the pies and the bread pudding. Mac and cheese was just OK as were the beans and the cornbread. The line went very fast and it was not hard to find a table as throughout was fast as well.
(3)
Deb H.
Well if Guy Fieri says it's good, we had to try it! It isn't much to look at on the inside but don't worry. Once you get that first bite of mac & cheese in your mouth you'll swear you're in heaven. :) The roast beef and mashed potatoes are equally outstanding. The fried green tomatoes were tasty and the chocolate pie was pretty good too. The service was hit or miss. The pie lady was a little cranky, the sides man was delightful, the owner's wife was losing her patience with us first-timers and the man who bused the tables was amazingly sweet and kind. One of the owner's sons was walking around checking on people too. He was very friendly and made us feel right at home. Overall it was a great meal and I would come back every other day for the mac & cheese. The five hour drive is the only thing holding me back!
(5)
Amy H.
LIterally drove like a maniac to make it here before 2:30pm. Made it just in time! What's not to love about this place? You line up and pick out what you want to eat (everything), pay for it (cheap), and sit down to chow down on good ol' Southern comfort food. The parking lot is super small so be prepared for that, especially if you're like everyone else in the South and own a gigantic Ford F150. Also, don't come here if you're on a diet. You might-could have to be rolled out of there because there is just no resisting all that deliciousness.
(5)
Ozro D.
There are several great meat-and-threes in Nashville, but I think Arnold's tops my list. And based on the line that is always out the door, I'd say I'm not the only one. If you're eating at a place like this, the requirements for success are pretty simple: 1) Good meat 2) Good sides What more do you want? Everything I've had here is great, but I'll always recommend going on Monday. That's fried chicken day. Grab whatever sides you like... they're all good. Are you looking for a trendy place for lunch where you can get random, exotic and organic foods on your plate? Go somewhere else. But if you're looking for somewhere to sit elbow-to-elbow with a random southern stranger as you all eat yourself into the happiest food coma of your life, go to Arnold's.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Just Yum! It's totally off my diet but well worth a cheat day! Every time I'm in there I'm treated like family, it's really refreshing these days with all the hipster "waiters" out there who act like you're bothering them. I take everyone here for a truly good, unique Nashville eatery!
(5)
Cliffton D.
I came to this place over the holidays. I always take my stepsisters out to eat in Dallas and they wanted to take me to somewhere the Nashville locals ate. I was not disappointed. We went on a Friday so I had the Roast Beef. I had the meat and 3 combo with collard greens, mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. Everything was so good! I love country/soul food and this definitely hit the spot. I also had this chocolate peppered pie that was very interesting. It was chocolaty but had a spicy kick at the end. All in all, I finished everything and would definitely come here again the next time I am in Nashville.
(4)
Shannon L.
Oh my...died and gone to greasy delicious fried food heaven! Meat and three was so so good...I got the fried pork chop, with mashed potatoes, green beans and mac and cheese. So much butter and tastiness just all over the plate and I made sure to eat it all. I have a weakness for comfort food and this definitely hit the spot. Try to schedule a nap after the meal.
(5)
Janette W.
Meat and three? Yes, please! I went on a Friday, which is the day you have to decide between Meatloaf and Chicken & Dumplings. But the decision was made for me when I saw Fried Catfish. They filled up my plate with green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and more. It was a great meal and there were unlimited refills on sweet tea. Yes it did suck waiting in a 60 person line to get to the counter. But the best thing about the long line is that it weaves so closely to the seated customers, that they really eat and get out fast!
(4)
Douglas B.
What can you say, it lived up to the hype. Iwould go back if they only had turnip greens. Had roast beef, green beans, greens, cornbread and pecan pie....then a nap. My only regret was that I didn't manage to try the banana pudding.
(5)
Hugh G.
I don't understand the negative reviews. After visiting probably 1,500 restaurants, this is likely the best. Five star service, excellent atmosphere, perfect portions, and the best food you'll ever eat, all for a very fair price. You can here every day, and never get tired of it. It's a true gem. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I see virtually no problem with the restaurant, besides the interior, which I find actually more inviting than the typical white color scheme of modern restaurants. The cafeteria style dining, to me, is nostalgic and makes the (short) wait part of the experience. Disregard ANY AND ALL negative reviews, this review is coming from a veteran of dozens of restaurants, and I NEVER leave a five-star review unless it is absolutely THE BEST restaurant I've dined in.
(5)
Katie I.
The absolute BEST meat & three in town. Amazing roast beef, the Mac and cheese will blow your mind. The pies- out of this world. Love the cornbread. Simply indulgent comfort food at its best. Go early, that line forms quick. Love the place and everyone who works here, too. Second to none!
(5)
Michael M.
Total dive, but the food is just amazing!!!
(5)
Casey H.
I like this place. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, you tell them what you want and they will build the plate for you. This place is always busy but the line moves pretty quick. I loved the friendly service and the lemonade. I had the brisket and it was delisio!
(4)
Varun B.
Fun, busy spot. The line was over 20 people long when i showed up, but it moves very, very fast. There was this wonderful lady in line who helped me pick items as I'm clearly an ignorant Northerner (Westerner??). The dinner rolls are clearly baked with some incredibly addictive substance, because i could probably eat 50 of them. The chess pie is pretty much the richest thing I've ever tasted. I couldn't finish it for fear that I might just drop dead of a heart attack right there. Everyone who works there is just so incredibly friendly!
(4)
Heather H.
File this one under "Places I never would have tried if not for out-of-towners." I immediately loved the atmosphere and great mix of people. It was crowded, but as the guy who helped me carry stuff to a slightly occupied table said, "you just might meet new friends or family." That's the vibe alright, and I like it. I ended up with a vegetable plate and pie. I love how mac and cheese is vegetable in the South. It was good, a tad salty, but I'd definitely order it again. I had a little of Spider J.'s banana pudding on her insistence, which I had passed on because it was unidentifiable and therefore suspect, but yeah, really really good. I'd get it over pie next time. Staff was super friendly and genuine.
(4)
Ann E.
My fellow Yelpers did not fail me. Never even heard of a meat and three place. Arnold's was fun and SO delicious-go if you are in Nashville!
(5)
Brandon M.
This was one, if not the best meal of my trip to Nashville. YOU HAVE TO go to this place and get your grub on. I had Chicken fried steak, roast beef, collared greens, cheese grits, green beans, corn bread, banana pudding, chess pie and fried shrimp. Don't worry Mrs. Obama I was with two other people and I did a lot of walking that day. The food was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. If you are only going to have one Down Home Southern meal, this is the spot you need to experience! Quick tip: The food is not healthy (it is just freakin' tasty). Do not go with people who are not going to let you enjoy every calorie. Quick tip 2: Go early and on a weekday if possible. The lines are long but they are worth it I promise. Quick tip 3: Have the Chess Pie...The best I have ever had. Rub - A - Dub - Dub...Arnold's thanks for the amazing grub!
(5)
Daniel N.
After seeing this on triple D, we made it a priority to stop in our next time in Nashville. The line was long, but it went quick. I was pleasantly surprised that in addition to the Monday-Friday listed menu there was a daily special as well. Shredded roast beef on top of a cornmeal pancake smothered in jalapeno cheddar cheese. Yes, it was as amazing as it sounds. For sides I went mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried green tomatoes. The mac & cheese was by far my favorite. The mashed potatoes were good, but I wish I had known I could get gravy. The fried green tomatoes were the first I've ever had, and they were good, but a bit soggy with grease. Spicy chocolate pie. Of course I'm going to try that. It looked and tasted like a brownie with a pie crust, and then about 5 seconds after you chew and swallow you just get nailed with heat. I'm going to have to find that recipe, I've not experienced anything like it. My girlfriend got the chess pie, and while I liked it, it was too much for her. The consensus was that it tastes like white cake batter. Overly sweet, rich and heavy. I will admit the seating situation frustrated me...but I am easily frustrated by that sort of thing.
(4)
Amy P.
Meat and 3!!! I was in Nashville for work and decided to stop here for lunch. What the heck! This place is amazing. You would never guess how good this place is from the outside or even the inside for that matter. No ambiance, nothin. You order cafeteria style where you walk down the line and pick out your meat and then your three sides. I had pot roast on a biscuit with macaroni and cheese, green beans, and collared greens. Out of this world. Shocked at how awesome it was. If you are in the area go for it!
(5)
Austin H.
This place was great. The food was legendary. If you go to a meat and three choose this one!
(5)
Michelle M.
This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had in my life, WOW!! The warm bread pudding melts in your mouth and all the food looks and tastes homemade. Don't miss this restaurant when in Nashville!
(5)
Richard W.
Arnold's is great when you want dinner for lunch. The food is CHEAP and the servings plentiful enough. Cornbread is a bit disappointing but otherwise for home cookin' out of a can it's just fine. Foodies will definitely want to avoid this place like the plague. :-)
(4)
Piyush S.
There are very few places, where you can get in, get good quality balanced food in quick time, eat and get out. Arnold's in one of those places. Its open only for lunch and only on weekdays and that is a problem for me. But anyway, I ate a meatloaf and shared some of the roast beef from my wife's plate. They were both very very good especially the roast beef. If anyone likes roast beef, it has to be eaten at arnolds. You know one of the most abused word these days, apart from of course "GOURMET", "LEGIT"....it is HOME STYLE COOKING. Most places really don't have that home style taste to their food. Arnolds is different. You have to try food here, especially if you are not from Nashville and not familiar with meat and three concept. By the way, the veggies are as good as the meat. Please, please try the greens and green beans. The only reason, I don't give it a 5, is because I want to eat more of their stuff that I haven't tried. This is a Nashville Gem.
(4)
Anthony S.
Some of the greatest "southern" style food I've ever eaten in my life. And I've had some seriously good stuff. Food is consistent, service is friendly, feels very much like a community kitchen. If you go during peak lunch hours be prepared to wait in a line that stretches out the door, but it will be worth it.
(5)
Doctor W.
I finally got around to trying Arnold's for lunch and I won't be making a return trip if I can help it. Plenty of folks have raved about their soul food offerings on yelp and elsewhere, but I can tell you that the hype is just that. I went in around 1:00 pm, got in line and grabbed a tray. I had read in another yelp review that you choose your dessert first, so I pulled a piece of chocolate pie off the counter. I asked for the baked chicken (white meat, which was 25 cents extra), mashed potatoes, squash, and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes were totally acceptable. I wish I could say the same for the rest of it. Before I was handed my plate, an employee put a piece of chicken on it, then took it off noting that it wasn't white meat. He took my plate into the back (out of sight) and came back to tell me the chicken would be a few minutes and that he'd bring it to me. No big deal. The cashier asked me what I would like to drink and I chose lemonade. She rang me up and I got my first surprise. My total was $14.67! I asked the cashier if that was correct and she explained that the drink and dessert cost extra. I looked at the menu board to see how I could have overlooked this, and was fairly unsurprised to see stacks of styrofoam bowls and cups stacked so high on the counter that they obscured the dessert section of the menu. You also can't get a clear view of the menu board itself until you're half way through the line, which was the first of many signs that the staff probably don't care about providing a consistent experience. It would be so easy to put that information somewhere else like, oh I don't know, the front of the restaurant where you first walk in. I grabbed the nearest empty seat and started working on my side dishes. The squash was cooked casserole style with some sort of crunchy crust. It had a near mushy texture that was really off-putting. When my chicken did arrive (about five minutes later), it was covered in a brownish gravy that had a sort of stove-top stuffing quality to it, which wouldn't have been that bad if it hadn't looked so congealed. I cut the skin off and found some meat on the bone, though the "seasoning" and gravy didn't do much to conceal the bland non-flavor of the meat. At least it was white meat like I had asked for. The "lemonade" was basically sugar water. I tried to squeeze a handful of lemon wedges to add some tartness, but the fact that I even had to spoke volumes about the staff's commitment to the food. This was red flag number two. I took a few bites of the $3.50 chocolate pie, which was now sitting in a small puddle of moisture on the plate. I'm not sure if that's the result of a meringue getting warm or what, but it didn't matter because there was enough sugar in it to induce a diabetic coma, and the crust tasted store-bought, so I picked at it a bit and left most of it behind. Even the yeast roll had a metallic taste to it, and the pats of "butter" were anything but. As for service the clientele and the staff seemed to share a very casual rapport, and you got the sense that most of the folks there were regulars, but what other yelpers have said about this place having a soup kitchen vibe is spot on. Well, except for the prices. Even though I mentioned being a first-timer, no effort was made to guide me through how ordering worked, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't even greeted by the staff; just asked what I wanted in as few words as possible. Which reminds me, being barked at to make my selection in order to move the line faster also doesn't scream "quality eatery" to me. It all combined to form a strong reminder of the "cafeteria" types of places my grandparents used to go to, and that could be forgiven if I hadn't paid $14.67 for my meal. I had to fight the urge to ask for a refund. If you're okay with paying that kind of money for soul food, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's in Germantown. You'll get all you can eat, and the food is of higher quality. I'm told the line is out the door at Arnold's on a daily basis, and I'm sure it's true. Ignorance is bliss after all. Arnold's is one of the most/best reviewed restaurants in Nashville, and I also see a lot of five-star reviews saying they can't believe how someone could rate it lower. Maybe if you live on a diet of fast food and wal-mart fare, you could be forgiven for thinking Arnold's is soul food just like mama used to make. If you have a taste for real food though, you may want to take your money elsewhere.
(2)
Nadia G.
We were passing through Nashville while on vacay and did a Yelp search for a good place to eat that was kid friendly. We got here around lunchtime and the line was out the door, but it did move quickly as others have said. The place is small and needs a bigger dining room, but I certainly understand the old school charm. Hubby and I had the ham and the kids had meatloaf. For sides, we had the yams, Mac and cheese, green beans and mashed potatoes. For dessert, we had pecan pie and banana pudding. The portions are ok, lots of meat, but priced a little higher than I would have thought for the setting. The ham and yams were outstanding. The kids and Hubby liked the meatloaf, but Hubby said he would have preferred a brown gravy. The Mac and cheese was disappointing. I like my Mac and cheese thicker and cheesier than Arnold's, but that was minor because I LOVED the yams! The pecan pie was wonderful and the banana pudding was also good. Hubby did not like the lemonade because he said it had too much sugar and tasted like syrup. If we ever pass through Nashville again, then we will certainly come back to Arnold's.
(4)
Tim A.
I have never experienced like this place before or since. You wouldn't stop at this place based on its appearance; I imagine everyone in there is present based on either word-of-mouth or experience. Hands down, no question about it, best meat-and-three in Nashville. Don't pick any of the cold sides, but all the hot ones are a safe bet (double thumbs up for the mac n' cheese and the green beans). Also, best pecan pie I've ever had. A Nashville staple.
(5)
William M.
Went to Arnold's for lunch when I was in Nashville for business. The restaurant was super packed and I thought we would never get a seat. Went right through the a la cart style line and instantly found a place to sit with 3 of my coworkers. The food was absolutely amazing and the prime rib was probably on of the best I have had in a long time. The chicken was absolutely perfect and pulled right off the bone! This is a must eat if you are in town looking for a fast, affordable, delicious lunch!
(4)
Charles H.
Great meat and three joint! It gets really busy during lunch time on the weekdays so plan on waiting 15-30 minutes in line for food and good luck grabbing a table. But obviously the crowd is indicative of the great cornbread, collards, etc.
(4)
Daniel B.
In terms of a true meat and three...awesome! In terms of what a meat and three should be: Food: There is so much flavor in every menu item at Arnolds. Ambiance: Get in line, grab a tray, grab a serving of Banana Pudding or Chocolate Pie, choose your sides, lament that you that you can't eat all of them, choose a meat, lament that you can't eat all of them, choose your bread, pick up a drink, pay...and take a seat at a table. Eat. You will be happy. Speed: The longest line out the door will only take about 10-15 mins to get served...so no worries. Usually, it only takes 3-5 minutes to walk in before you are eating. Bread: I don't let bread be the main event here! Price: A little steeper than a country meant and three...but worth every penny!
(4)
Matthew L.
Great Southern Food! A little salty but overall worth visiting while in Nashville.
(4)
Paulius N.
Arnold give you love Gastronomic holiness A shrine to awesome Go here, eat here, and do not be alarmed if you find out that the food will take years off of your life. It will be worth it. Carry on...
(5)
John M.
I'm a Meat-n-Veg guy and have been to hundreds of these places. This is the best YET!!!! Paula Dean needs to come here and take some cooking lessons. The best Fried Green Tomato's I've had since my grandmothers. These are cooked the right way - with cornbread coating...not that nasty flour batter most places use. The hot pepper chocolate pie is to die for! Every item we had (Corn bread, Green Beans, Collards, Meat Loaf, White Beans, etc.) was prepared with love and care and full of flavor. Get there early. We arrived as the doors were opening. Will, the all-around-waiter etc., greeted us at the door and made sure every aspect of our meal was exactly what we wanted. I guess he knew we were first timers. By the time we were done with our meal, the place was packed and there was a long line. Price for two was $21 (we each added a dessert.) This is the type of place I'm glad isn't near where I live or I would eat there every single day! I will definitely be back anytime I'm anywhere near the Nashville area. And since I don't have plans for lunch tomorrow....
(5)
Melissa R.
Highlight of a trip to Nashville!
(5)
Damon G.
As good as any southern food I've ever had! Got the chicken and dumplings because it's something you just don't make at home often, they were great, but I couldn't help to look at all the roast beef and meatloaf on everyone's plate. Turnip greens were the best that I've ever had as well, fun joint, cafeteria style, great service, friendly family environment, a must when in Nashville!
(4)
Catherine H.
I came to Arnold's for lunch. On a Monday after the rush, so the line didn't go out the door (it apparently normally does). I had a meat with 3 (sides). Roast beef was really good. Sides of collard greens, green beans, and candied yams - I devoured all of them except the candied yams, which were too sweet for my taste. I also got a chocolate meringue pie, which was ok. The sweet tea was also way too sweet for me, so I drank some and added some unsweetened tea to balance it out. Note that I am a native Californian with a sweet tooth. Not sure what made everything so sweet at Arnold's, but their stuff was even sweeter than the sweet tea and desserts I had in other places in Nashville.
(3)
Carl M.
On a recent trip to Nashville I was told about Arnold's Country Kitchen. Being new to true southern cooking I was blown away by this place. When we got there the line was clear out the door but moved pretty fast. Once inside you can see how popular the place is. Daily specials are written on the wall that leads up to the cafeteria style serving line. I had the roast beef and five different sides. (corn bread muffin, fried green tomatoes and grits, chess pie, creamed corn and salad). I rate this place 5 Stars !! It is a must place to visit if you ever make a trip to Nashville.
(5)
Kletia G.
oh Arnold's! I so wish you were open past 2:30 and on weekends! This place is great! Small location, cafeteria style service, long line out the door (that moves relatively quickly), nice and helpful staff and amazing food! Don't get discouraged when you show up and realize that the line for lunch is out the door. Don't think to yourself, "if I had only come earlier, or later, or on another day, I wouldn't have to wait." Wrong! There is always a long line, but it moves relatively quickly, and trust me, it is worth the wait. Killer, I mean, the most flavorful I've ever tasted, collard greens! I lay awake at night thinking about these scrumptious veggies. The roast beef was tender and delicious. The chicken and dumplings were in a thick, savory, creamy stock/gravy. The dumplings were soft and pillowy, just like I like 'em! Awesome cornbread, decadent desserts. Oh ya, all of this makes me a happy girl! Definitely worth a drive if you live outside of Nashville! Just remember, they close at 2:30 every day and are NOT open on the weekends. Enjoy!
(5)
Rebecca C.
When I was eating my fried green tomatoes, angels were singing Hallelulah, I swear! I took pictures and sent texts at the same time, and in no way of awesomeness was the food affected, to rave about how delicious this meal was. I have never had a Southern meal like this, and by no means, at breakfast time. I have also never seen a place so busy for home-cooked yumminess at 10:30am. I knew that this was the place I had to go after scouting out the amazing Yelp reviews on my very short visit to Nashville. And this was it and did not disappoint one bit. I parked outside and waited an hour before it opened and watched as others started to do the same. This place is cafeteria style and has different specials each day of the week. The staff is more than nice, made me feel welcome and at home. They don't serve no fancy-pants breakfast items like omelettes and Eggs Benedict, but you get the full fixins for the morning, like fried catfish, fried shrimp, white beans, mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, and full slices of pie (pecan, merengue, key lime, take your choice). Wish I had room for the pie. It was amazing, I will never forget my best breakfast ever. And at times since I've left last weekend, I have been tempted to move to Nashville simply for Arnold's. But so far, I've controlled myself. But seriously, I told everyone I met there that they had to go. Oh - and please don't forget the sweet tea or else your meal won't be complete.
(5)
Peter P.
Best meat & three I've been to. Everything just tastes really good.
(5)
Jenn W.
I am giving this a 5 star rating based on the food which is absolutely divine. We were visiting Nashville and decided to check this out based on Yelp reviews. You walk in and you smell the yummy goodness. It is set up where you grab a tray and choose your items from a buffet line. We arrived and quickly found out that this place get SUPER busy. The line was literally out the door however the line moves quickly and there always ended up being a table. Given that the restaurant is so busy we quickly found out that the expectation is that you get in and get out. The first time we ate here (yes, we went twice!) I had the fried chicken and my husband had the roast beef. This chicken was definitely some of the best chicken I've ever had. My husband loved the roast beef so much he got it both times we went. Sides we had were cream corn (yummy), mac and cheese (so-so), and mashed potatoes (tasty). Sampled the pecan pie, banana pudding, and chess pie --- all were a little too sweet for my liking but good. The staff is pretty friendly especially the bus-guy who was absolute wonderful to our family and always made sure we had help to our table (since I was toting around a 7 mo old and a 3 year old). A definite must go!
(5)
check p.
My favorite kind of restaurant! very cozy, cafeteria line, daily specials. I walked here from the hotel, and it was about a mile and a half. I had the brisket (four thin slices), and three: okra- (really tasty); black eye peas (so full of ham hocks, more like a stew!), and greens, also well seasoned. The line was fairly long at 1:30, but moved fast. You just eat where there's a seat, which is fun. Folks are really friendly. Lots of people eating the fried fish, and the baked chicken. Brisket was too thin for me, and not very fatty, so I was a little disappointed. I wish I had room for the pie, but I just couldn't eat any more. Worth the walk.
(4)
Jonathon B.
I'm from Kentucky but moved north and it's been a long time since I had the food I grew up on. This experience was like going back in time and eating the same great food. The only difference is that it was done PERFECTLY. That word isn't used lightly and it's the only way to describe the food.
(5)
Tim Z.
Going here with other travelers after already having lunch, we only intended on coming in and sampling the much-revered banana pudding, but the kind eyes behind the counter took one look at me and my two friends, asked us "is that really all you want?" and then proceeded to slice up an entire plate of samples - roast beef, greens, yams, chicken - if we weren't full before arriving, we certainly were before we left. And if not for the limitations on our bellies, we would've unanimously decided to have stayed for seconds, while paying for both! This is how a Country Kitchen ought to be, all over the country.
(4)
Olga P.
The best food I have had down south. A must to visit if you want to eat some really great southern food. Their desserts are insane. Spiced chocolate cake, apple cobbler, strawberry pie with homemade whipped cream. All prepared fresh and with love, you can tell. The smoked brisket and the catfish were amazing as well. No wonder people line up to get in here. The line stretches down the block most days at lunch time.
(5)
Totcho J.
I stopped in here on my cross country drive, and nearly decided to call Nashville my new home. That is how wonderful the food is. I went with the roast beef, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie. I'm planning a return trip just to eat here a dozen more times.
(5)
Amber Y.
It's a good thing I'm off work today - because after lunch at Arnold's, I'm in severe need of a nap (and that's a good thing). Arnold's is a classic meat & 3. But, instead of being one of those where you leave and say, "yeah, that was pretty good", you swear your grandmother works in the kitchen. Leave the salt and pepper on the table - the food is perfectly seasoned and doesn't need a thing. My recommendation? You HAVE to get the roast beef. A. It's amazing and B. The guy slicing it is adorable (I think he's one of the sons?). Shut up! He is! You really can't go wrong with anything you get - the mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes . . . they're all wonderful. The only mistake I could possibly see someone making would be to get a side salad. Have a salad later. The food is too good at Arnold's too fill up precious belly space with nonsense like lettuce. Nap time!
(5)
Adele n.
You know what's amazing about these meat-plus-three places? The wide array of incredible vegetarian options. Arnold's will serve you a plate of four heaping helpings of delicious sides plus cornbread for $6.60. Good Lordy! I had mashed potatoes (smooth, buttery goodness); mac and cheese (creamy and awesome); turnip greens (to die and/or kill for); and green beans (peppery kick!) This was without a doubt the best meal of my recent roadtrip, which involved yummy eats from all over the south. Fun, casual, cafeteria style. Be prepared to wait in line for lunch. So worth it.
(5)
Jay M.
How can I eat another plate of southern comfort food without being disappointed? This was the question I asked myself after finishing my meal at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The James Beard Awards will never steer you wrong. I arrived at 1:15 PM and the line was out the door, but I didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes to order. Everyone behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. I ordered the meat and 3 with roast beef, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and jalapeño cheese grits (veggie special of the day), as well as a slice of the spicy chocolate pie (per Yelp reviews) and a sweet tea to help wash down the mountain of food in front of me (after all, when is a displaced easterner going to be back in Nashville again?). Every bite was a mix of rich flavors that comforted me to my core. The traditional bitterness of the turnip greens was replaced with a smoky, savory plate of a vegetable that could please even the staunchest meat and carb lovers. The mac and cheese was everything you'd expect it to be: cheesy and thick with a little kick of heat to cut through the dairy. My personal favorite was the jalapeño cheddar grits. These grits were essentially a vessel to shovel as much cheese into your body as humanly possible, and boy did I love them! If there wasn't a slight graininess to the grits, I would have thought I was eating mac and cheese. The roast beef was solid and well cooked, but at the end of the day, good roast beef is good roast beef, and the sides stole the show. I didn't have room for the spicy chocolate pie, but thankfully I have a dessert stomach (medical miracle, I know). This pie is essentially a brownie baked inside a pie crust, but the heat that hits you 5 seconds after you swallow your bite of pie is surprising, if not reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. Oh, and that sweet tea? Not overly sweet and the perfect way to "cleanse your palate" during a fantastic meal. Let me tell you something, dear Yelpers, I was so full and happy after my meal, I could have been mistaken for a stuffed animal at the toy store. Well, a stuffed animal who started asking some metaphysical questions on the nature of food. How could I have eaten grits or greens so many times in my life and yet never had anything that tasted quite like this? After eating at Arnold's Country Kitchen, you will be disappointed with every other rendition of grits or greens that you find. Yelpers, you have been warned.
(5)
Josh K.
Best meat and three in the country and I stand by this with my life. it is amazing food and friendly people. one of the best lunches in town.
(5)
Heidi W.
UPDATE: Just re-read this and changed it to 5 stars! If any restaurant deserves 5 stars, it's this one!! Best Roast Beef- period. Best Mac & Cheese-period. Best Strawberry Pie-period. Best Jalapeno Cheese Grits. PERIOD. Only reason this favorite spot of mine doesn't get 5 stars, is because it's not open 24 hours a day!
(5)
Ally W.
My mom convinced me to go after searching for food places in Nashville that had been on the food network, Since we had just moved to the area and I love southern food, I was happy to give it a try and I was not disappointed! I got the ham, mac and cheese yams and corn pudding all were delicious. The sweet tea was amazing and I also had the peach pie which was FANTASTIC! my husband had all of the same but the chicken and dumplings, which I preferred the ones at Cracker Barrel. All in all it's definitely a place we will come back to, and we will bring our guests. I just wish they are open on weekends!
(5)
Megan W.
Loved it. My family's from Georgia. Southern food is a part of the foundation of my life. The food here is the real deal. One of my chicken thighs was too salty, but hey, that happens. I'm talking strictly from the theory behind the food. It's dead...on. The cornbread walks a solid line between sweet and savory styles, the mashed potatoes (actually whipped) are quality and the collards are slow cooked as proper, Southern collards should be. The roast beef was GREAT. I'd never had chess pie before, but this was fun. Be prepared for a Southern take on the use of sugar here...the tea is like candy and the pie will keep you up for hours, but it's authentic. I don't usually comment on service because I eat for the food, but everybody was great. They overfilled my tea and splashed some on the tray but promptly cleaned it up, while replacing a couple of slightly wet napkins and apologizing. I would have done it myself, but the fact that they noticed was cool. I was sad I didn't get to try the seafood. Definitely will if I'm back in the area though.
(5)
Fritz N.
While I don't think this place needs another stellar review, I can't help myself. I spent two days in Nashville and ate here twice. Every bite of everything I ate was delicious. And people that worked there were so nice, I couldn't believe it. Line out the door around noon and the line moved quickly. Can't wait to eat here again.
(5)
Rebecca G.
Read the fellow Yelper's reviews and decided to try this place while in Nashville for the Rock and Roll Marathon. I walked in and was surprised that it was cafeteria style dining, but OMG! the food was great! Home made Southern food at its finest! I ordered the meat and 3 sides, plus a salad, plus pie, plus a sweet tea.... again, OMG! all of it was FANTASTIC!! The meat was sliced thin and had such great flavor. The fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had. The mashed taters and grits with a kick were again... FANTASTIC!! The staff was OUT OF THIS WORLD FRIENDLY and HELPFUL when I told them I was a first timer... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ARNOLD'S if you want GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD at a GREAT PRICE!!!
(5)
Carin M.
Never been to Nashville and everyone said this was a "must". We were concerned by the line - but it moved quick and everyone was RIGHT. Food is amazing. We ate everything on our plates and all of us thought it was delicious. Catfish is to die for with hush puppies, greens, and fried green tomatoes. And had to finish off lunch with pecan pie. This is southern food at it's best and a must stop if you are visiting Nashville!
(5)
Michelle A.
The food may be good but you can get great meat and three anywhere in Nashville. The owner is so rude that I could not believe it. After eating we started to do some shopping in the adjacent shops and were told that we would have to MOVE OUR CAR. Clearly there is some bad blood among the neighbors but that shouldn't extend to the customers. The other 2 shops in the building were super nice and apologized for the rudeness. I would rather spend my money where it is appreciated!
(1)
Billy P.
Finally made the plunge into Arnold's Country Kitchen. It must be good because the "don't you leave until you see me" Kia commercial guy was at the table next to me. Ha ha. Seriously though. If you're away from home and need some comforting, then this is the place to go. Just great home cooking served with a smile. Awesome.
(5)
Kate M.
This wasn't a normal visit, so keep that in mind... We heard great things about Arnold's but only had one day to get to it. We arrived at 2:40, 10 minutes after they closed for the day. We were still hopeful and rushed in but were told that it was too late. As we started to turn away, the owner asked where we were from and said that since it was so far away (DC), she couldn't turn us away hungry. She offered us a takeout container that she had packed for her husband - catfish and black eyed peas - and the staff pulled together salad with homemade dressing and sweet tea. After she refused our money, we gobbled it all down while chatting with the owner and various staff members as they cleaned up around us. I'm relieved that we didn't have to choose what we were ordering - it was all absolutely perfect. This was one of the most hospitable experiences I've had - what a warm, wonderful place, on top of the delicious, fresh-tasting food. Arnold's is top-notch!
(5)
Christine O.
Loved the food ! First visit to Nashville ... will be back to Arnolds . Was well worth waiting in line which moved quickly. The staff & service was outstanding. Try the fried green tomatoes !
(5)
Mari K.
Absolutely delicious! Perfect welcome to Nashville. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes and okra.
(4)
Maxx M.
It took me three attempts to get a chance to eat at this Nashville institution. They are only open from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and were closed the first two times I went there. But finally around noon on the third try, I got a chance to see what the fuss was all about. Although it was a little crowed, the food was good and the staff friendly. I had baked chicken, squash, fried okra, mac-n-cheese, and sweet tea, a meal so good that I ordered a second meal to-go, to eat the "next" day. Seating can be a little bit of a challenge during the lunch hour, but it's worth enduring. The next time I'll try to make it a little earlier, or closer to 2pm, so I can get a seat.
(4)
Tom J.
Yummy comfort food. Pulled roast beef was the best. Staff was nice. Get there at 10:30 or prepare to wait in long line.
(5)
Liz H.
Love me some southern comfort food! This is the type of restaurant I grew up going to with the family. Menu changes daily, so you might want to do your research if you plan to go there for something in particluar, but there are a couple of offerings each day and I looove the collard greens, fried green tomatoes, & chicken livers. That's right. I said chicken livers. I came here frequently in my last month of pregnancy craving this nutritious source of iron, zinc,vitamin B6, B12, folate & more!
(5)
Richard N.
Went to Arnold's wanting to get some soul food. It was friggin awesome. I like the cafeteria style set up. I had chicken and dumplings, pecan pie, mac and cheese and collared greens. Totally worth it.
(5)
Kenneth B.
By far, the best meat and three in Nashville. Here is a detailed review that I wrote after one of my many visits. tennesseefoodie.wordpres… OH MY, THE AROMA ALONE IS A TREAT! I am a big fan of Arnold's and have considered my visits over the years as more of a treat than just getting something for lunch. No matter if you call it southern cooking, comfort food, or country fixins - you can be sure to call it Nashville' Best Meat and Three! Arnold's Country Kitchen is a long-time fixture on 8th Avenue South earning its esteemed reputation via word of mouth from Nashvillians and visitors alike. There is no need to spend money on advertising for this eatery as individuals, print articles, and internet blogs over the years take care of that necessity of operating a small business. WHAT TO EXPECT. A long line is always a good sign as a testimonial for good food. Don't be discouraged as you will move quickly through the line and approach the counter. Take these moments to enjoy the atmosphere. Standing in line you will notice the walls are filled with numerous photos, signatures, and articles from over the years touting praises and loyalty. Laughter and conversation is abounding as good people from all walks of life talk about daily living and hot topics. As you take your steps forward and get close to the counter take note of the very friendly staff (many have stayed with Arnold's for numerous years) as you can hear them helping the customers decide on what goodies to eat. This will be a good time to see if there are any tables available and decide if you will be eating sitting down or taking your food to go. FOOD! Oh my, the aroma alone is worth the visit! The food is prepared fresh each day with the best ingredients. Each day offers a slightly different menu with a few meats to choose from and a vast selection of sides. You can also treat yourself to the homemade pies. What do you like? All homemade, all delicious! - Meats: roast beef, liver and onions, fried chicken, carved ham, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, fried whole catfish, BBQ pork, baked chicken and dressing, chicken livers, country fried steak, fried shrimp; Sides: green beans, various types of greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, boiled potatoes, white beans, boiled cabbage, candied yams, salads, black eyed peas, baked squash (casserole), fried or stewed okra, fried green tomatoes; Desserts: pies, pies, pies of chocolate, fudge, lemon, banana, coconut, buttermilk, chess, pecan, icebox; banana or bread pudding. This is a list of what you may find depending on the day that you visit. My favorites: roast beef, fried chicken, country fried steak, fried catfish, chicken and dressing, greens, pintos, fried green tomatoes, green beans, and squash casserole. BUSINESS HOURS. Let's go to Arnold's! Get there early or past 1:30 p.m.! As you approach the restaurant you will see that the parking lot is full but you will find a spot as the lunchtime business is fast-pace and many people like to order their food to go. Monday-Friday; 10:30 am - 2:45 pm. Price Range $6-$12 (depending on add-ons). CONTACT. Arnold's - 605 8th
(5)
Jack W.
Tied for my favorite meat-and-3 in town, next to Copper Kettle.
(5)
Holly L.
My boyfriend and I came here for our last meal before heading back to phoenix and thank goodness we made it. We arrived after closing time but they served us anyway and EVERY person there was super friendly. I'd give 5 stars on customer service alone-it works out well that the food rocked also. We devoured everything in 10 minutes and left smiling and giggling about what we had just experienced. We had the fried catfish, roast beef, green beans (best ever), mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes (yum!), squash casserole, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, and sweet tea. Loved it all. Seriously considered going back for more green beans, although other reviews were right about them being especially salty. Next time i'll try the chicken and dumplings, which one employee specifically recommended. Amazing meal with amazing people.
(5)
Kevin G.
All the positive review led me here... and they could not have been more right!!! This place is great country cookin!
(4)
Joey H.
First time trying Fried Green Tomatoes here! Also got the roast beef, which was tender and juicy...except for the bits of hard stuff that was also there. Good, solid meal. Would probably come more often if I worked nearby, but it isn't really worth a trek out for its weekday lunch-only hours. Line moves fast, but finding a place to sit might be a struggle.
(3)
Vivek S.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Arnold's was recently (2008) a winner of the James Beard Foundation's "America's Classic" awards - and it was well deserved. The food is served cafeteria style and the people that work there are always there. Kalil, Arnold's son, runs the place and is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. I've honestly never had anything bad. The menu rotates every day, but staples they always have are a massive roast beef, studded with garlic, that is hand carved to order, mac n cheese, greens, green beans, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Some of the specialty items I like are the fried catfish (Wed+Friday), fried chicken (Mon), BBQ brisket (Wed). The pies and bread pudding are good, but my favorite desert is the banana pudding. If you are visiting Nashville, don't miss out on this place. If you're from Nashville, then go find out an exceptional representation of good southern cooking. But remember, they are only open from 10:30-2:30 every day for lunch.
(5)
Rico A.
This has to be the best meat and 3 in Nashville. They give you a lot of food for a great price. Everything taste home made. Don't forget to grab a slice of chess pie.
(5)
Aaron L.
Holy sh*t! This place is awesome! I'm from California and was in town on vacation and decided to give this place a try. I'm so glad I did. I felt like I really got the southern experience inside this place. The people were so nice and the food was amazing. My brother and I walked in and it felt like we were thrown into a tornado of deliciousness and walked out with trays full of food that there was no way we would be able to finish in two sittings. If you're looking for a good southern cooking experience, I highly recommend coming here, just make sure you're hungry.
(5)
Jackie W.
This was my very first meal in the south, and i was not disappointed. We got here around 130 and the line was out the door. It took longer than advertised (their sign said the line moves quickly) to get inside and get our food, but it was certainly worth it. I had the fried chicken, turnip greens, fried apples (a Monday menu item), and a small salad. I don't know why I thought I could handle a "meat and 3," because I can barely finish a sandwich, but I had to go full southern. The fried chicken was the business. Like really. Now, since I'm from California, maybe I'm not the fried chicken expert, but man. It was the only thing I made sure I finished. The turnip greens were more acidic than I had expected, but I enjoyed them. The apples were also different than I'd expected (I guess I was thinking battered and fried) but they were pretty good. Don't waste your time with the salad. Seriously, you may want to have some fresh vegetables, but don't bother. Although they take cards, bring a couple bucks for the guy that cleans up your food. He's really sweet and funny!
(4)
Meeta A.
I had never heard of "meat and three" before reading reviews of Nashville eateries on Yelp... but all of the reviews of Arnold's were great, so I decided to give it a try. We were visiting during the off-season (November) and it was a little scary how few people we saw at all of the tourist spots and throughout town. Then we came to Arnold's for lunch and found that the entire city was hiding out inside! As expected, there was a line out the door, and each table was packed at all times. Although the decor (such as it is) isn't much to look at, the food is finger-licking and artery-clogging good. The fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, hush puppies, etc. were all delicious. Ooh, and the corn muffins and corn cakes. On the "healthy" side, I ordered asparagus, but of course they had a delicious cheesy buttery sauce for that too. I got the fried catfish and a fried shrimp "just happened to jump into my plate" since the server saw me eyeing the shrimp hungrily. They definitely had items beyond what was listed on the board, and the people serving were super friendly and helpful on picking what to eat. Even with the crazy rush, I didn't feel pressured. I meant to post this review four months ago, so I'm not sure what I can add -- I don't remember much beyond the happy feeling I had there and how nice everyone was. If you're in Nashville, this place is a must.
(5)
Renata P.
Arnold's doesn't seem like much walking in with it's cafeteria style seating. Then I noticed that the Food Network had been there and I got excited that the food was going to be excellent. Well... The chicken I had was great but the collard greens were a little salty for my tastes. It's definitely a Nashville favorite as the line literally goes out the door at lunch time but I admit I felt it was just ok.
(3)
Michael S.
The wife and I decided to give Arnold's a try after reading so many good reviews, wow some good food for sure. I had the Roast Beef and the wife had the baked Chicken, she chose the Dressing and Mashed potatoes as her sides. I got the Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese and Mashed potatoes as my sides. The people working the line where very friendly and helpful, it made me really enjoy the experience. The Roast Beef was great, the crust was the best part, I didn't have a side I didn't like, they all tasted great. The wife thoroughly enjoyed her chicken, she really loved the dressing. My wife is a pretty slow eater, today she wolfed it down in record time. This will be one of my go to places each time I visit the Nashville area.
(4)
Sean M.
This may well be the best food in all Nashville. It is definately the best southern food I have ever had and I have lived in the south for over 17 years. Don't miss the pecan pie!
(5)
Theresa D.
Fried fish good. Collards good. Vinegar with tabasco peppers on everything very good. Chess pie, just heaven (and even 30 minutes before closing, lots of great options!).
(5)
Sam D.
It's a classic meat-n-three. It's the one that's in all of the tourist guidebooks. You'll find Arnold there most days himself, serving up the meat on the buffet line. You may even see a celebrity or two. I caught John Prine there eating some green beans once. There may be a line.
(3)
ivan n.
I love Arnold and his bananna pudding.. No homo
(5)
Ryan H.
Hands down the best meat in three......EVER. If you haven't been there, it will in fact change your life.
(5)
Rebecca B.
If you live in Nashville and long for really good and authentic southern cooking than look no further than Arnold's!! This particular "meat and three" has home-made everything! It is a family-run restaurant that has its walls adorned with every famous country legend that has ever worked in Nashville. Its definitely a hole in the wall but it's really a gem as far as Nashville meat and three's go. I prefer to go on Monday's for their keilbasa and kraut. I always get the mashed potatoes with some gravy off the roast beef for the day. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes when they have them, and ALWAYS get their lemonade with a splash of sweet tea. The ONLY thing that stinks about this place is how BUSY it is at lunch.There is literally a LINE OUT THE DOOR come noon time, but this is only because the food is to DIE FOR! Thankfully it moves very fast. Seriously though, the family is getting ready to renovate their building to give it some more seating and much needed kitchen space. So look for Arnold's to be EVEN BETTER in the future!! My little tip for pretty young things, steer clear of Arnold himself. He is a dirty ol' man with a vulgar mouth! I'm sure he is totally harmless and his sons that run the restaurant (with their mother at the helm) are very charming and good looking! Definitely get there super early or late unless you like sharing a table with people about to leave.
(5)
Dana S.
The restaurant has plenty of southern casual atmosphere but overall the food is just average. Compared to delicious deep southern food I was raised up on, Arnold's is simply blah. The greens are pretty good but the roast beef, cornbread, even the tea and lemonade is just so-so. At least they do come around to offer drink refills.
(3)
jenny v.
holy crap! this was one of my best meals ever. my husband did not believe me when i told him that southern cafeteria meat & threes is some fine eatin', but one visit to arnold's made him a convert. the fried chicken was divine and the soft rolls are amazing (must be the delicious lard). anyhoo, arnold's is why i've now decided that i must move to nashville!
(5)
Ben F.
I've eaten at restaurants all over the United States, but none are as good as Arnold's when it comes to cooking meat and threes from scratch.
(5)
Logan G.
Wow...this place was unbelievable. Seriously 5 stars all around. Smelled fantastic, people were super friendly (except the woman cashier who was texting while we were paying for our food, definitely uncharacteristic of everything about this place.) The rest of the staff was genuinely friendly and cared about taking care of you. I mean genuine. The food was sort of like a flashback, going thru the cafeteria line at school and while ordering the food I was kind of taken aback. BTW the guys putting your plate together were extremely nice as well (just that dang lady texting at the register? wtf are you doing there?) I had read reviews before coming and was prepared for a good meal but all I could think about was the cafeteria line at school. NOT THE CASE ON THE FIRST BITE! Holy smokes this is grandma's cookin' with fllllaaaavooor! Yes probably the most flavorful meal of down home cooking I have ever had. Mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Pops had the fried grouper and it was unreal too. Super light crispy batter, again tons of flavor! Unbelievable...You must go, seriously. Treat yourself.
(5)
J B.
What can I say that has not convinced you to try this place? I read about this place from Yelp, and I was convinced that I had to try it. After walking through a sketchy part of town and finding Arnold's, I knew that this place was amazing the second I stepped in through the door. Southern, cafeteria-style, heavenly "meat and three" scented bliss awaited me.
(5)
Jacob R.
I'm surprised this doesn't have more reviews. Neighborhood is fine, the place is excellent.
(5)
Heidi R.
I didn't know what a Meat & Three was til I moved to Nashville nearly 7 years ago. It took me years to try Arnold's -- but maybe I unknowingly saved the best for last. Arnold's is by far the BEST Meat & Three in Nashville (and in the rest of TN). It is also one of the most affordable. All of their food is wonderful but the roast beef w mashed potatoes and gravy and greens are AMAZING. If you are looking for fried chicken, theirs is very good but you can find better in Nashville. The corncakes are worth the wait if they've run out. The desserts r delish. And, I'm gonna say it again --all their food is wonderful... the epitome of what a true southern resteraunt should taste like -- delicious. I've got company coming into town next week and I'm going to take them there and make them wait in line... for food that will leave them asking for more whether it is roast beef or catfish, mashed potatoes or corn casserole, greens or green beans.
(5)
Will O.
Best Meat and Three in town....Period. Probably one of the best I have been to anywhere. The sweet tea is like cold liquid sugar. Awesome!
(5)
Robert K.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat n' three joint in downtown Nashville. Arnold's serves up some seriously tasty southern style chicken dishes. Arnold's is distinctly different from the other meat n' three places in Nashville, in that there have been boat loads of celebrities that have visited the place. Arnold's has the pictures to prove it, the concrete block walls are adorn with pictures of country music heroes and local celebrities. The absolute best thing on the menu is the ham, which they serve on Tuesdays. They cut the slices so fat, it takes up the entire plate. Of course, they have the traditional meat n' three sides like mashed potatoes and string beans or some sort of veggie. Like most of the food at Arnold's, they smother the string beans in butter or the like! If your kids are not eating their vegetables, bring them to Arnold's they will gobble the string beans right up!
(4)
Rozina K.
We came here while driving cross country and we LOVED it! This place has amazing food and the sweetest staff! Their macaroni and cheese and pecan pie are things to write home about. Make sure you eat here!
(5)
Thomas J.
If there's one thing I've learned from living in Seattle for 25 years, it's southern food. And for traditional southern home cooking, this place will be hard to top. I can't really add to what's been said here - I can't vouch for the authenticity of the place (I'm guessing it is) but the food was delicious. The meatloaf was fantastic, the mashed potatoes were pretty much perfect, and the only flaw I found was the mac-and-cheese. I suspect it's just a personal thing, though, so don't take the minor criticism seriously. Super friendly.
(4)
Kevin P.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat and three in Nashville. Welcome to the South baby! The prime rib, creamy mashed potatoes, and thick Mac-and-cheese were just exactly what you want when it's time for comfort food; corn bread, pancake, the whole nine yards. Don't kid yourself, you need to power through and try the wicked SWEEEET banana pudding (with Nilla wafers, oh yeah). And remember, it's just around the corner from the Gulch.
(5)
Jenny L.
Best meat and three hands down! I have cravings to go here all the time. The mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and green beans are so delicious and really tasty. Last time I went, I sampled my friend's roast beef and had fried shrimp for myself. We left Arnolds holding our stomachs and just enjoying our food coma. I highly recommend people to try and check this place out if they can. They only serve throughout the weekend and lunch hours too. They have long lines but it goes by pretty quick, so just be patient!
(5)
Becky C.
Love this place!! Great Southern food. I took my friends here from out of town and we all went for the first time. We got there right at 11:00am and didn't have to wait at all. Everything we had was wonderful. I really don't even know what to say besides go to Arnold's if you get the chance. You won't regret it. My friends loved it too.
(5)
Heather N.
Just what a restaurant should be. Will welcomes you when you walk in, checks on you when you're eating and says good-bye when you leave. The Grouper, roast beef, chicken and dumplings were all amazing. Loved everything.
(5)
Bill K.
Love, love, love this place. Food was outstanding, service was even better. We ended up taking 3 whole pies home. I wore a Steelers shirt and the whole staff razzed me in a fun, friendly southern way. Mom and daughter were super friendly and hugged me on the way out. Can't wait to be back in Nashville to go back.
(5)
Aileen F.
So good!! I was in Nashville for work, and we used Yelp to figure out where the best place for lunch was and this had the most positive reviews. I had never heard of "meat and threes" before, but I am officially a fan now :) The employees were so friendly and gave me suggestions on what to get since it was my first time. The decor seemed to even add to the whole appeal. I would definitely come here again if I get to return to Nasvhille!
(5)
Matt L.
Let me begin by saying this: I hate meat and three. It's a strong word, and I mean it as much as I can. Nothing grosses me out more than looking at food which is often hours old, heated under lamps, and often soggy from swimming in the own juices. It makes me ill. That being said, I did take the opportunity to visit Arnold's because it was rated that well. People could not say enough good things about it. Now I still acted with caution. I first considered the fried chicken, but it didn't look fresh, so I chose the roast beef instead. I looked over the various sides, and chose the mashed potatoes and green beans (drained). And it was all very tasty. I'm not saying I am a huge fan, but it was palatable, which is unique among meat and three places I have visited. If you like meat and three, and want to try the very best, this is the place. If you're a Yankee food snob (like me) and want to gingerly try a southern cooking place that won't send you screaming, definitely give Arnold's a shot.
(3)
Anna M.
I saw this place on a Diners, Drive In's and Dives episode and was intrigued. The next day I dragged my boyfriend with me for one of the absolute best lunches I have ever had in Nashville. I mean really. Everything I had was amazing from the roast beef to the sweet tea to the mac and cheese. Every single bite was heavenly. Also, don't even think about skipping out on the pie. It's heavenly
(5)
Julia G.
This place is a Nashville institution, and an important part (OK, perhaps THE most important part) of my itinerary every time I visit. Like any meat and three, Arnolds' food options rotate daily. Everything tastes good. In my experience, the catfish, fried chicken, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding are particularly delightful. Skip breakfast before you go, and don't make any big plans for afterwards either - you will be completely incapacitated by your food coma. Eat fast so you can pack as much down your gullet as possible. You will feel a little guilty afterwards, but you won't regret it.
(5)
Ryan O.
serious contender for the best food in nashville and some of the best i've ever eaten. the chess pie is without a doubt the best pie i've ever had. take a bite and wait for your eyes to roll to the back of your head. possibly even better than the pie is the bread pudding. you simply have to try it as nothing i could write here would do it justice. from the brisket to the roast beef to the fried green tomatoes, it's hard to top this place. southern comfort food at its finest.
(5)
Susan V.
THIS PLACE is considered the best meat and three in Nashville? THIS?! My country-fried steak (the kind doused in brown gravy) was mushy and looked kind of disgusting, but it was pretty tasty. I failed to finish it not because the portion was too big (about average sized) but because my mouth had developed salt fatigue and the whole affair wasn't actually tasty enough to warrant forcing myself. I modestly ordered meat and one knowing I would have some chess pie for dessert. My side was mac and cheese, which was creamy and melty and like my steak, did not require much chewing, and though the portion was very small, I still couldn't finish it because of the salt-burn from my dog-food steak. Already surprised and disappointed in myself for not being able to lick my plate clean from meat and one while not exactly feeling full, I went on to fail my champion stomach by merely picking at my pie. It was certainly sweet enough, but the crust was missing that lardy je-ne-sais-quoi that I always look forward to in a good Southern pie. I might go back to try something else; my friend's chicken livers were pretty good, and I like the not-overbearing but friendly cafeteria-style of service here. But I can honestly say that there are far better meat and threes in this city and I regretted having brought my out-of-town friends to this one.
(2)
Erin B.
BEST food I've ever had . Better than Grandma's cooking.
(5)
Nancy S.
I loved this place so much that I may just fly to Nashville to eat and fly home! Real authentic old school vibe. Food was like my mother cooked it. Assembly cafeteria line leads to the register. it's very much self serve and not very fancy on the inside and outside but the food was fantastic. I had fried green tomatoes, collard greens, mac n cheese, and roast beef. The corn bread was really delicious too. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't the place. If you're looking for real tasty and delicious home cooked food at a decent price, THIS IS THE PLACE. I guess they're not open all day so it's best to go earlier in the day. I'm sad I discovered this place the actual day I was flying back home. I can't wait to get back to Nashville and eat here.
(5)
Nash B.
one of the best meat & three's in Nashville. don't miss it. basically, they have good ol' Southern food.....so jump in & experience it. the other meat & three's that I like in Nashville are: Wendell Smith's Swett's You can't go wrong at these fine Southern establishments! (Arnold's, yes, can have a line to wait in....but it's always worth it to me....unless you're extremely pressed for time. they make the line move pretty fast too.)
(5)
Yuki H.
Southern cafeteria style. Good ole' southern style soul food home cooked meals. YUM! The restaurant is located in the middle of nowhere and on a corner in red. So hood! Got in at around 2:15 PM. 15 minutes before closing. You heard right. They only open from 10:30-2:30. 4 hours of deep concentrated eating! The classic "meat and three" for under $7. GOODNESS. Remember it's cafeteria style so line up and go down the line. Started off with a nice crisp salad, then got down to business. Had the "catfish" (in the south, they love dem they catfish) And let me tell you. Their's were 10x better than the one's I tried off of Beale Street in Memphis. I had the meatloaf. I loathe meatloaf too but this one was sweet and juicy. For my sides had to get me some greens. Green Beans, Turnip Greens (a first and definitely not the last) and mashed potatoes (no gravy necessary). One thing I wish they had that particular day were the Fried Green Tomatoes that everyone on Yelp was raving about! I will next time for sure. For dessert I had this Coconut Crunch Pie. I'm telling you. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I had to order TWO of these. No one makes a pie like this one. Talked with the owner's wife Rosario (You are so kind. Thank you for visiting me and my associates later on at the auction!) and had a grand ole time. All the people working at Arnold's were kind and very intuitive in refilling your drink or helping with anything you need. It really felt like home. While walking out, I saw that they recently just received the James Beard award. WHAT? That is nuts. They won as the America's Classics Award winner. I see on Yelp that there are only 30-something reviews for this place? Where are all you Nashville people at?
(5)
Daniela J.
Amazing food, especially considering the (incredibly) reasonable prices - two full, heaping lunch plates plus drinks for less than $20. The servers were all super friendly and when they found out we were from out of town they brought us even more food to try (didn't hurt that it was after 3pm and the lunch shift was done). Plus one guy sat down to chat with us and tell us where the locals go at night to party. Get the spicy chocolate cake!
(5)
Tin N.
One of the best meat & twos/threes cafeterias in Nashville in my opinion. I like the variety offered each day, even though not every item available is necessarily great. For example, the banana pudding is a bit too sweet for me. But these are minor issues that do not take away from the overall quality of food.
(5)
Sydney M.
It's surprisingly hard to find good country cookin in Nashville. I'm from Mississippi so I'm used to a certain caliber of greasy foods. Arnold's does not disappoint. Probably some of the best fried green tomatoes I've had. A really good meat and 3. Get there early or the line will be out the door.
(4)
Becca G.
Roast beef, collard greens, mac n' cheese, fried green tomatoes, corn cakes, unsweet tea. Fin.
(5)
Sally B.
I am a huge fan and would return every single day if diabetes didn't run in my family. Main course: the best soul food. You cannot leave without trying the Fried Green Tomatoes! When I went, I had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, and the squash casserole. The roast beef was not extraordinary, but it was the best I have had in town. The fried green tomatoes were the highlight. You get a small bowl of fried green tomato slices. Exceptional. It tastes like home grown tomatoes! It was amazing. The squash casserole was great, again the best in town. Dessert: I had the chocolate pie for dessert. It was a lot of food so that was probably a mistake. But it was delicious, not too sweet but very satisfying! Drinks: they have sweet tea and lemonade :) Atmosphere: friendly. Everyone is so nice, cashiers, cooks, everyone. People dining there are often business men/women that work nearby. Tips: Show up early; it gets busy around lunch. Order the fried green tomatoes! :)
(5)
Paul P.
Oh Arnold's, how I love you so. Mondays they have blackened tilapia. I know, you're like, whuh, blackened tilapia at a meat & three? And I'm like, yeah buddy, and you're like, holy crap, this is awesome. The end. Or, I'm like, I'm going for a veggie-4-plate today, and you're like, what are you, a wussy? And I'm like, nay, a real man eats his Greens, just look at Popeye. And you're like, truth. Line moves fast, meal is $10, and there's lots of iced tea, if you're into that kind of thing.
(5)
Joshua P.
Whoa. Lived in Nashville for 3 years before I got myself over here. That was a mistake. I'll be coming here a couple times a month for the rest of my life from now on. Best brisket I have ever had. Definitely earned their James Beard Award.
(5)
Travis B.
After hearing about Arnold's for months, I finally checked it out with a friend. I was blown away. Being from southern Alabama, I've had my share of good soul food. But this place took it up a notch. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans...all incredible. If you live in Nashville or visit Nashville, you've got to check out Arnold's.
(5)
Kristen W.
Happened to be in Nashville on a Friday afternoon, and decided to take advantage and check out Arnold's while it was open. We walked the mile from our downtown hotel in the 100+ degree heat and I am very happy to say it was worth it. While waiting in line, I was convinced by a man eating that I needed to get the fried shrimp. I also got the fried green tomatoes, asparagus, and candied yams. For dessert, peach pie. Hubs got the lunch special BBQ beef on a jalapeno grit cake, + his 3 sides, and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm. Everything was excellent. Believe the hype. You don't earn 2 James beard awards for being mediocre. I hope to make it back someday, the sooner the better.
(5)
April S.
Is it a dump? Yes. Is parking a pain in the butt? Absolutely. Do I wish I could blink and make it come directly to me, hot and ready? Of course! Is it worth it? Hell, yes. Arnold's in an institution in Nashville and rightly so. I've eaten there more times than I would like to admit. Each time it is delectable; an out of body experience, really. The fried green tomatoes are delicious and flavorful, the roast beef nice and pink, the mashed potatoes and green beans are out of this world,!! Heck, even the simple sliced tomatoes are yummy--you can tell they are super fresh! I'm a true southerner and have grown up eating the good stuff, well prepared right from our garden. This is southern cooking at it's finest--no canned soups here. Oh, and don't forget chocolate or pecan pie. It's delicious!
(5)
Steven S.
Arnold's is an awesome meat and three. It is definitely the best one in all of Nashville. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I am partial to their homemade chicken and dumplings. Also you have got to try their banana pudding. Mmmm good!
(5)
Hoa T.
A must eat if you are ever in Nashville. I feel like I actually live here now that I have eaten at Arnold's. Cafeteria style, the line may be long but it moves quickly. I had the roast beef, greens, asparagus, and cucumbers. Everything was great and hey I finished in like 10 minutes. Great for lunch.
(4)
Kristen D.
Let me begin by saying, I read the reviews and did not believe that it could be true. My mom throws down, my grandmother is a cooking fool, and my great-grandmother NEVER played in the kitchen. So I KNOW good soul food when I taste it. I thought this must be some city folks that have never had a real meal before. I was wrong. Arnold's is some of the best everything I've ever had....in my life...believe it. The place is packed tight, but moves quickly. The building itself is nothing to speak of but seriously with food this good I'd buy it out of somebody's trunk! Go! Its at a great value for the meat and three around 7 dollars a plates. Sweet patato pie is a killer! Greens...OMG...even the sweet tea is amazing.... You will love this place....
(5)
Jonathan W.
Awesome meat-and-three. The roast beef is not to be missed, and they have the best fried green tomatoes around.
(5)
Courtney M.
My first trip to Nashville and this was our first meal in Music City. First off we arrived about 10 mins before they closed and we were the only customers in the place so no line! Arnold's is a cafeteria style setup with a steam table, you pick the food you want,move on down the line to the register to pay, and find a seat. The entire staff was friendly & out going. Between the 2 of us we had the fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes (a must!), collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and a salad. This is a Nashville must - get there before you have to wait in the line!
(4)
Edward H.
Get there at opening time & dig in. The best meat & 3 in town - bar none. The Tuesday special chicken & dumplings was outstanding. And although spicy chocolate pie sounds trendy, it was spot-on. Long live Arnold's!
(5)
Sara L.
things to do when planning to go to Arnold's: 1. be prepared for the line. If you are on your own, talk to the people in line. Swap favorite Arnold's foods and think about what you'll order. 2. If its raining--bring an umbrella, because you may be standing outside. 3. Remember the line moves fast--particularly important once you can smell the food inside and start to get hungry! 4. Come on an empty stomach, because you will want to try everything and there is lots to try!!! At Arnold's: 1. check out the specials--when I was there they had an amazing asparagus with tarragon sauce. very good. 2. I also had roast beef (excellent), macaroni and cheese and turnip greens. I liked them all--the turnip greens were amazing against the richness of the cheese and the roast beef was great. The yeast rolls were good, but mainly to soak up the roast beef gravy and extra tarragon sauce. 3. Eat some pie. I tried the chocolate, which tasted like a s'more. Next time I would try the peach, which the person next to me said was amazing. 4. Which is another thing to note--you should talk to people in line and be prepared to share a table. Chat with those people too--you can get ideas for what you want to eat next time. 5. Finally, happy and full, bus your table. There are a lot of people coming through and only a few people working to keep the tables clear. So be kind and take your stuff to the back on your own.
We've lived here for 3 years and had not visited Arnold's until today. I'm kicking myself now for having waited so long! My parents are visiting from Michigan so it was a perfect time to have a real southern lunch. Oh.My.Word. Everything was PERFECT and the people couldn't have been friendlier. (They knew we were rookies the moment we walked in the door LOL) Chicken and Dumplings - fantastic. Fried Green Tomatoes - the best EVER. Turnip Greens - you cannot deny that there is a God in heaven that wants us to be happy. Banana Pudding - I saved room for this and am so glad, to miss it would have been a travesty. We shared bites of everything and it was all delicious. Even the side of fresh, ripe tomatoes tasted better than it does anywhere else. We will be back and back and back. YUM!!!
(5)
David K.
Excellent food, possibly the best that I ate while in Nashville. The Meat and three was excellent as was the bannana pudding and pie that we had for dessert. Will make sure to go every time we are in town!
(5)
Christian S.
Not trying to be redundant, but the meat & three is clearly the way to go. 4 meat choices per day, double that for sides and it's still only $7.19! You get two different types of homemade cornbread along with your meal, as well. Roast beef, macaroni & cheese and the mashed potatoes are all highly recommended.
(5)
Christiane A.
I wouldn't have ever visited Tennessee if it were not for my friend and partially because of the food. And let me tell you I had a southern food baby at Arnold's, named it Earl. Earl is part catfish (on Wednesdays), green beans, black eyed peas, and corn bread. Let me tell you something, Earl was quite the big and happy food baby. A week in the South is like my years worth of calories. There are no words to describe the party that happened in my mouth, other than if Paris Hilton knew about, she'd try to crash THAT party (and yes I just cancelled out what I just said because I did describe it, shaddup). If you decide to visit Southern states that are predominantly white and are any other race other than White, prepare to get stared at. I don't think they normally see an Asian eating like a pig, or an Asian for that matter.
(5)
Brent W.
This was the first place I ate at when visiting Nashville and it was delicious. I have never heard of "meat plus three" until now. The place is kind of small and off the beaten path a bit. I went on a Thursday and it was packed. They have about 3-4 different meat specials every day and I ordered the chicken fried steak which was covered in brown gravy and cooked onions. This was phenomenal! It wasn't too salty and it was very crunchy, definitely not what I expected so I was impressed. My three sides were the mashed potatoes, green beans and mac & cheese. The potatoes and green beans were good, but the mac & cheese was very good. My girlfriend let me try her roast beef and turnip greens, which I loved the roast beef, but didn't prefer the turnip greens. I wish I would have ordered a slice of pecan pie but I was too full from the lunch. I recommend this place for anyone visiting Nashville if they are looking for some good ol' southern home cookin'.
(5)
Leanne B.
The food is good yes but I think the desert portions are a little small! I walked across downtown just to go here and I don't think the chess cake was any better than what I had at Jacks the previous day!! Mash was good but nothing special!
(3)
Laura E.
AWESOME HOMEMADE SOUTHERN FOOD!!! People working there are simply GREAT!!! funny and helpful!!! Mac n cheese are a MUST HAVE!!! DELICIOUS!!!!
(5)
Frances D.
THE BEST fried green tomatoes, macaroni, and greens. Don't let the line discourage you. It moves quickly, and you will leave full and happy.
(5)
Chef X.
Really People?!?! Everything they serve is dead, gray, limp and way past due. My Navy buddy says it reminds him of his days in the service going through the chow line. Somebody please explain to me what I ain't gettin'. I'm all ears!
(1)
Dustin A.
I'm not going to go on a huge rant about this place as you can get plenty of detailed info from other reviews, but man .... This place is GOOD. I'm not talking "you find a 5'er in your pocket on laundry day" good. I'm talking "once you've eaten here it is HARD to not want to eat here ATLEAST once a week" good. The food in incredible, the crowd is diversified and the staff are always in a good mood. It honestly seems like they enjoy working there. Its such a weird vibe. I love it. You get your food quick and you get full quick cause you cant slow down the plate to fork to mouth motion. Do yourself a favor and try out what has been voted "best meat n three" around. You wont be sad you did.
(5)
Candy W.
The best meat & three in Nashville. Maybe, in the country. I absolutely have nothing bad to say about Arnold's. Roasted beef is not to be missed!! Juicy, tender, flavorful gravy. Collard greens are the best I ever have. Excellent flavor....I can eat it every day of my life. Their chess pie is super delicious. Everything is delicious. Come to see it yourself why it's a Nashville institute.
(5)
Ken L.
First time in Nashville so did a lil yelp'in once I got here. Had NO IDEA what a meat and 3 was either. Needless to say when I heard about this place I had to try.... with all the high rankings and all..... I ordered a few things since I was in town for a short period of time. I ordered the meat 'n 3: Chicken with yams, collards, and grits. I didn't know what GOOD chicken was until I ate chicken here. So juicy and cooked just right. I ordered the homemade cobbler and that hit the spot. The guy in charge gave me some generous "samplings" of their prime rib slices with au jus. Places like this make me wish I lived here. The service was very friendly too. So kind. Then again, just about everyone in Nashville were really nice folks.
(5)
Susan K.
This is one place where you could really eat your face off. Very low key, cafeteria-style, and apparently where a lot of big wig politicians in Nashville like to graze. I got the 4 vegetables plate, and I chose squash casserole, turnip greens, asparagus, and macaroni & cheese. It came with a corn muffin and a corn cake. Everything I chose was cooked to perfection, and nothing was overly salty. This was something I was afraid of, because typically southern food is highly salted, if not floating in butter. Needless to say, I WILL be coming back here, but I would advise getting water unless you like your tea syrup sweet. Next time I'd like to try a meat and maybe even a dessert. My coworker said the banana pudding is to die for. Arnold's definitely left me wanting more.
(5)
Rhonda P.
We read the reviews and thought we would give it a try. The food was fair, not at all like we expected. The mashed potatoes had a large lump the size of an egg, no seasoning. The ham was mostly fat and the rest of very salty and seemed undercooked. The price was way too high for quality of food we got. Will NOT go back here again.
(1)
Brad B.
old school. the family could have franchised, opened more locations in better parts of town, even closed this little place down and move to Green Hills or Williamson County -- but they didn't. Just the right size. Lines are omnipresent, but by the time you get your food, there's always a table available. Arrive early for your best choice - when it's gone, it's gone. Fried green tomatoes with hot sauce, barbecue chicken, chipotle grits, roast beef, pecan pie, banana pudding, sigh. Any restaurant that can run lunch M-F only and stay in business for 50 years is doing it the right way. One of my favorite places to eat in Nashville, and it will be one of your favorites, too.
(5)
Craig M.
My type of place! Everything was tasty and the staff was friendly. Came at closing time and asked about a dish and they offered me a sample as it was closing time. Went twice this year and I am from NJ!
(4)
Mell F.
Damn you Yelp for forcing me to choose either 3 or 4 stars when I really need 3.5 here. You expect me to be so firm and decisive when I want to be laid back and non-committal! I'm tempted to give 4 stars, but I refuse to sacrifice what's left of my objectivity and reputation just to fit in with the bulk of humanity... However, I do reserve the right to increase my rating upon subsequent visits or if the loneliness becomes too much to bear. (I almost feel like there should be a distinction between cafeteria style M&3s like Arnold's, and sit-down M&3s like Southern Bred or H&T's. But whatever.) Good food, friendly and efficient staff, old-school dining area, and come-as-you are feel make this a solid choice to add to your lunch rotation. I enjoyed the country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. The yeast rolls and banana pudding were also tasty. Nothing was mind blowing today, but it was all good. The county-fried steak was served from a pan full of brown gravy. I prefer the small-batch, white gravy variety so I'm not sure I would get it again since there are so many other entree options. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more stuff, including a very serious looking bread pudding. Maybe I'll see you.
(3)
Carrie T.
best ever. sweet tea, yes please, my only complaint is the Styrofoam cups. I ate here at least once a week when I was pregnant earlier this year. I love the food and I adore all the guys that work there. It is hands down the most up beat and kind staff of any restaurant in town. Someone earlier said the greens weren't good but every time I have them they are so so so good, but then again an actual southern girl is gonna love her some actual southern food.
(5)
Lynda O.
Wow first visit and it was everything thatit was suppose to be! I had fried chicken, pinto beans, creamed potatoes, and marinated cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It was all delicious! Everything was seasoned to perfection! Can't wait to get back to Nashville so I can eat there again!
(5)
Rach M.
The food here is great. It's a popular place so expect a crowd. Great flavors and choices.
(4)
Caesar R.
Awesome meal here for Friday's lunch while here in Nashville. The line was long, but moved quickly and the service was super friendly. The guys dishing out the goods from behind the cafeteria style service bar were funny and really showed us a good time, even being from NY and all. This food was no joke. Got one of the last orders of the fried green tomatoes in the place. These things were fried to perfection and just perfect melt in your mouth consistency. The roast beef and meat loaf were both devoured by the GF and myself. The green beans with ham in them, white beans and mac and cheese didn't stand a chance either. The pecan pie was super sweet, but managed to win the fight as we were too full to enjoy the treat. This food was a great representation of southern cooking and it was the only place in town that I have experienced decent corn bread. Believe it!
(4)
Eric B.
dear arnold, i love you. lovingly, eric b
(5)
Mae K.
Maybe I'm a Yankee, but I thought this was good, but maybe not as good as the other reviews say. I left happy, but not blown away. The mac and cheese was fantastic and the fried green tomatoes were meltingly soft in the middle, but for my taste, I would've preferred a bit less fried breading on the tomatoes.
(3)
Nic B.
Ultra salty, uber sweet, undeniably southern
(3)
Darcy L.
I moved, and now my boyfriend & I live one block from this place. Resistance is futile! (Especially on days when they serve beef brisket)
(5)
shaun p.
I had the roastbeef my girlfriend had the country fried steak both were great freshly sliced beef you cannt go wrong. It was very tender and full of flavor.The country fried was smothered in a brown gravy with onions very tasty.Now the sides were outstanding the sweet cream corn,the turnip greens,mashed taters and mac and cheese were all top of the line southern style cooking.It can with cornbread muffins and hot water corn bread.We ended the lunch banana pudding which was the best I have ever had.It was a perfect ending to the lunch.This place was super busy which is a good thing seating was a bit off putting but we found a empty table.The line was long the whole time we were there.Best meat and three in nashville
(5)
Nathan W.
OMG Jeffrey, this place is amazing! Not because it has won a James Beard award, not because it gets to call itself a meat and 3. No, its amazing because as crowded as it is, as noisy as it is, its still the best at what it does. The food shines. Nothing on the daily menu is bad, and if you make a mistake ordering don't worry, your still going to be happy. You literally can't go wrong.
(5)
Wendy M.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? It is awesome, I love it and today they gave me the absolute BEST CHEESE GRITS I have ever had! And I love that the greens have wasabi in them. That's just the very definition of the New South.....
(5)
Erin D.
Okay, so when I saw that all the reviews had given this place five stars I was a bit skeptical. I mean how could "everybody" love this restaurant? Well after lunch today, I'm a believer and had to give my own raving review. I was really nervous we weren't going to be able to find parking because of the demand but they have a huge lot. The line wasn't that long when we got there at about 12:30p on a Thursday. They had three different meat choices and a ton of veggies. I had the fried green tomatoes (SO yummy), Mac N Cheese and green beans. The food was fantastic. Eating there is a bit much. It's really crammed but the employees are super sweet and really on top of busing tables. This is the best meat and three I've ever been to. I wish it were open for more than just weekday lunches.
(5)
Cara P.
Yeah, it still is that good. My parents are visiting from CA & we took them to Arnold's for lunch (we had to explain the concept of a meat n three to them--not something you find in Newport Beach). They were just blown away. As they should've been. The greens were fabulous, so were the fried green tomatoes. The meatloaf was yummy. My dad had the fried catfish & is still talking about it. The ONLY bad thing about Arnold's is that they're only open for lunch on weekdays, so we can't go very often! Guys? Couldja open for lunch on Saturdays maybe? Just one Saturday a month even? Please?
(5)
Chris P.
Yep, this place is awesome. I was in Nashville this past weekend and used Yelp to find a good place for some country food and I'm so happy that I was pointed to this joint. I got the meat & 3 but really had a hard time deciding on what to get - I finally just had to ask them to pick whatever they like and put it on my plate. As the man said behind the counter "they fixed me up real good". The food was awesome, authentic country food and a place that I will visit anytime I'm back in Nashville. The line was outside the door when we arrived, but it went very quickly.
(5)
Curtis H.
Awesome selection of southern favorites. The bbq pork crepe (corn pancake) with a smoked gouda sauce was a nice surprise. Sides all tasted great. Finished off with the pecan pie, which was very good.
(4)
Nikki E.
I got to visit Arnold's on a visit to Nashville and it was amazing. The food was delicious from the collard greens to the roast beef. I would go there again in a heartbeat and it helps that everyone was super friendly.
(5)
carrie s.
Oh my gosh what can I say. Call it Southern food, Comfort Food or a meat and 3 vegetable place, I don't care, this place is the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Only open for lunch and line up and share a table but believe you will not be disappointed. I would almost make a trip back just to eat here.
(5)
Simone F.
That line is a little intimidating for a newbie, but my my how delicious was my "meat & 2?" Fried shrimp, mashed potatoes & gravy, fried green tomatoes & chess pie! This is kind of what i always thought Southern food was and I was not disappointed. A bit of a frenzy placing your order, but once gotten and a place found at a table, there was no sense of being rushed and I enjoyed every tasty bite. No, it's probably not great for your health, but who cares? I'll die a little happier knowing I've eaten here.
(5)
Bo H.
Being a native Californian who's never driven past Las Vegas, needless to say, my experience with Southern food is limited. And to be honest, the first thing that intrigued me about Arnold's was the James Beard Award. I know, I know, typical Hollywood shallowness. Where's the substance you ask? Well, that's in the food. I'll come clean, I've never heard of "Meat and three" until I came across yelps on Arnald's. Boy, what a revelation! Choice of meat and three sides on a plate. No pretense, no frills, just great food. As if the South collectively decided to stick their culinary middle finger at French cuisine. Bi-coastal natives like myself might find it awkward but, typical to this part of the country, Arnald's is a cafeteria style restaurant. Get in line, grab a plate, choose your food, pay and find an open seat. Efficiency is the name of the game. Fantastic food, genuinely sweet staff, super cheap, has the "Oscars of the food world" medal hanging on the wall. What's not to like?
(5)
Kera T.
Now I am no fan at all of going into the city, but it is worth it to come here! If you are planning on visiting Middle Tennessee and you want to try some authentic soul food in Nashville, this is definitely the place! They are only open for lunch, and they are rather crowded. The best time to go is when they first open, or about half hour to 45 minutes before they close. You can either get a meat and two sides, or a meat and three. They have all of the classics and they have them down! For example you can get yourself greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, beans, brisket, chicken and dumplings, and so much more. The sweet tea is some of the best... And don't even think about leaving without dessert! They are renowned for their chocolate pie, which I love, but my favorite is the chess. Chess pie is a true Southern classic! Seating is a bit hard to find, but there will always be a seat available. No matter who you are you will fit right in because this is the kind of place that everyone goes to. You will enjoy it!
(5)
Patrick P.
Went on MLK day Monday, line long but not ridiculous. My table had the fried chicken, roast beef, and trout. Sides were Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pintos, corn, cornbread, and pie for dessert. My review pretty much reiterates what other 3 star reviewers have said - food is too salty, and as southern food it is nothing special. After all the high reviews I was expecting to taste something straight off the table of my Georgia family reunion, but it was all very mediocre. Disagree with the people claiming the tea is too sweet - that's how sweet tea is supposed to taste. The service was very friendly.
(3)
Cindy C.
Visiting from Maine and having only read a little about this place, we had no idea what to expect. The line was way out the door but moved quickly. We got in there at 2 and they were out of more than half the desserts. We got a little of everything and found it to be on the expensive side. On the other hand it kept us full for the rest of the day! The catfish was the best I'd ever had. It melted in your mouth. For the most part everything was really good. The sweet tea was way too sweet and the green beans were from a can and too salty to eat. The people were so nice and the owner himself even came over to us to check on us and clear plates. It's not often you see that these days and it was wonderful. We really enjoyed our visit!
(4)
Howard L.
I've been coming here for years and Arnold's puts all other meat and threes to shame. Swetts and Monells pale in comparison. Arnold's even kicks Paula Deen's famous butt to the curb. You could order blind folded and still make out like a bandit when you hit the cafeteria style hot bar. Everything I have ever had from Arnold's was good. Squash casserole, mac and cheese, greens, gravy... Spotlight: Hushpuppies: If they have these babies available, get an order or 5. They hardly ever have them around (used to make them all the time when they had fried seafood available), so snatch them up quick if you see them. Absolutely fantastic and they take the place of your roll. Roast Beef: The spices! The garlic! The Au Jus! The BLOOD! Yes, if you ask and if they have it, they will hook you up with slices done your way. The rarer the better, I think. But really the flavor is outstanding. Way beyond just salt and pepper. Jalapeno Cheese Grits: I used to pass in favor of mac and cheese or greens, but I can't get the taste of these guys off my mind. They are delicious. Fried Liver: I hate liver. I've avoided it for most of my life, but I tried their fried liver on a whim and I was not disappointed. It has a very mild flavor with just a hint of liver taste, just enough to let you know it's not beefsteak you're eating. Lemonade: Best in the city. I dare you to try it. Addendum: What's with the people bad mouthing the country fried steak? Dear idiots: it's a smothered country fried steak. You might have grown up on Cracker Barrel, but the rest of us know that this is a legitimate recipe and it's SUPPOSED TO BE SOGGY. If you don't like soggy country fried steak, DON'T ORDER THE SOGGY LOOKING COUNTRY FRIED STEAK SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE HOT BAR. It's pretty simple. To the people complaining about bland veggies...what? Who has good veggies if not Arnold's? If you say you prefer them raw, you need a smack in the face. All veggies here are packed with flavor. To the one guy who gave this place ONE star...are you really a professional chef? Because you gave this place one star for serving food cafeteria style and because according to you, it was gray and "past due"... Really? Every item on the bar was "past due"? And you could tell with your professional chef eye? Even the greens? Do you just blanche yours? Is that how the pros do it? Because down here, they cook the shit out of it and that's the way it's supposed to be. I don't believe any of your negative reviews anymore because you gave this place 1 star. That's the lowest of the low, which this place doesn't rate. Even somebody who hates southern food would have to begrudgingly give this place 3 stars after a few tastes. Hot tip: If you're ordering to go, head to the front of the line. You can place your order, hang out with your hands in your pockets, and be gone before the lines moved 15 feet.
(5)
Devil D.
My 45 minutes in Arnold's yesterday was the most blissful, stress-free interlude I have had in a very long time. Once I sat down and started eating the mere-words-can't-do-it-justice food, my cares and worries disappeared. I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it's really true. And another thing: I dislike vegetables and eat them begrudgingly (for my health), yet I am still thinking about the phenomenal turnip greens and fried green tomatoes that I ate there.
(5)
Justin W.
Arnold's has the best Fried Green Tomatoes I've ever had, anywhere. There is nowhere better, not even close. Multiple attempts at recreating these at home have failed. Multiple attempts to stealthily install hidden cameras at Arnold's have also failed. Multiple attempts to break in after hours to find the recipe have...been marginally successful? Alright, they all failed, and resulted in an arrest record, and many hours of community service, and an unsolicited prison tattoo that has made wearing shorts outside an act of public indecency. But seriously, they are very good. Aside from the Fried Green Tomatoes, it's the only meat-and-three type place I've been to where the mashed potatoes didn't start with a bag of freeze-dried potato flakes. These are the kind of mashed potatoes my mom makes. The only day of the week I eat here is on Fridays, and I get the same thing every time: roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. One of the highlights of my Fridays is when my girlfriend brings Arnolds for lunch and we can just spend our lunch break eating good southern food together. It's just straightforward great southern cooking, and that's really all you need to know to try this place out, and then come back for more. One thing, though: they're only open for lunch. That's the only bad news.
(5)
AM S.
Let me start by explaining this was not what I expected. Such high reviews and it was nothing more than a disappointment. It was about $8.00 a person and the service was LOUSY! The last piece of pie was refused to me because the server wanted it for himself! The food itself was mediocre and unless you're going there for "the experience" I wouldn't recommend going here to anyone. I went to this restaurant because it was on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and in my opinion, Guy Fieri made a mistake.
(2)
Aaron D.
Another awesome lunch at Arnold's. Tried the kielbasa for the first time and it hit the spot. Turnip greens and creamed corn were fantastic as usual. Banana pudding is my usual sweet treat, but I had heard the pecan pie was can't miss and it was indeed the best slice I've had in TN so far. Plus I feel much more confident in our state's leadership after knowing that Governor Haslam eats at Arnold's. The Gov happened to be sitting directly behind me and he graciously welcomed all the visitors who stopped by (myself included) to shake his hand and wish him well in his efforts to lead our state forward. So that was cool. And I got a sweet tea refill tableside which rarely happens (usually in my experience refills are self-serve), so I just sorta felt extra special all day.
(5)
Scott N.
i ate at arnold's twice in my week-long stint in nashville and i almost cried it was so damn good. love the walkthrough line and the slop-it-on-the-plate attitude. get there early b/c the line will be out the door by 11:30. great sweet tea, great service. this place has it going on. it's everything i could ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(5)
Dint I.
Remarkable. Absolutely bbq ribs order again!!!!
(5)
Kara M.
What's not to love at Arnold's? My family and I chanced upon this little treasure on a business trip to Nashville. The place was not hard to find but you have to keep an eye out for it since it's just a small building in a side of downtown one won't normally head to. Good thing the red and yellow of ARNOLD'S pops right out. Parking was easy. There was a line once we got inside but which moved fairly quickly for our hungry tummies. We were lucky enough to snag a table and save it while in line for our food. Imagine our surprise when we saw the spray painted stenciled in face of Guy Fieri and he'd visited the place for DD&D! That certainly upped our excitement and we were not disappointed at all. The people in front of us were friendly and eager to suggest their favorites (everything). The staff was friendly, the son of the owner was friendly, the busmen were friendly. Again I ask: "What's not to love at Arnold's?" They are open M-F from 10:30 am - 2:30pm. I read a sign that they cater, too. They have certain foods that are served on certain days so be sure to check if you're craving for a particular food. What we had: - Cornbread pancakes - Oh. My. Gosh. - Roast Beef - To die for. Really. This is the best roast beef I've ever had (Sorry, Papa, yours is good but theirs is just..... the bomb). - Mashed potatoes - Not too thick, just the right consistency and hecka tasty. - Green beans - This is also the best I've ever had. Even my toddler (who used to eat veggies without any hassle but is sadly not the same anymore) loved them! Granted, I did mash most of it into the potatoes but she didn't mind the green color at all. In fact, she kept saying Mmmm and More please! - Sweet tea was delish. We mixed it with some of the lemonade we got which I'm not afraid to say is one of the lightest drinks with just the right amount of sugar. Yum. This was one of the best eats on my first trip to Tennessee. Makes me want to come back all the more. I keep telling anyone who would listen to me to go to Arnold's if they ever find themselves in TN. I'm definitely going to make my way back.
(5)
Lee B.
I will give this a 5 star review because I have not experienced a country style cafeteria meal in a very long time. The food was amazing and the prices were great. Very simple, clean and friendly atmosphere. I had black-eyed peas, corn bread, beef brisket and green beans. Unfortunately the day I was there wasn't a day that they offer fried green tomatoes but maybe next time. PROS -CLEAN -FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE -VERY GOOD SOUL FOOD -PLENTY OF PARKING CONS -A TAD CROWDED BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN
(5)
S C.
After living in the northeast for a few years, Arnold's definitely reminded me of what eating in the south is all about. Very traditional preparations (not all of which I am crazy about for lunch-- lots of lard, bacon, grease). The service is friendly, the location is easy to get to from downtown and the food is authentic.
(4)
Kathryn C.
Stopped here for lunch during my road trip from Houston, TX to Dayton, OH. It was featured on... you guessed it -DDD! So, so glad we stopped. Yes, it was crowded, but that is usually a good sign! I noticed lots of suits in there too, even though it's a pretty divey place. Doesn't matter, because the roast beef and fried green tomatoes were out of this world! The creamed corn was very sweet and tasty and the cornbread and flatcakes were a nice compliment. Good Southern, finger-licking food! Would love to come back some day.
(4)
Brian W.
If I ever find myself in the unfortunate position of having to choose my last meal, at least I already know what it would be: Arnold's roast beef, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and green beans.
(5)
Amanda H.
Wish I was in Nashville longer to be able to go back on a different day and try different entrees and sides. I think it may have been some of the best roast beef I have ever had though! Sides were equally tasty and I was certainly in the clean plate club that day. The line moves at an impressive rate.
(5)
Jill R.
Oh my goodness. Best damn brisket I've ever had - i'm pretty sure I yelled it while I was still in the place. Also, their pecan pie...there are no words. If you're in Nashville, LOOK THIS PLACE UP!
(5)
Geneviève E.
I don't like chicken on the bone, but Arnold's fried chicken is irresistable! Great authentic southern food!
(5)
Claudia Y.
it's so damn good. you just have to go. that's all there is to it. and a bonus to the truly great food is the people who work there are incredibly warm and sincerely kind.
(5)
MTraveler H.
Friends of ours who frequent Nashville recommended that we try out Arnold's during our first visit in town. It is southern food at its best and has a large selection to choose from. I would qualify it as a cafeteria style, very casual place. The portions are generous, I had the fried green tomatoes, bbq beef and white bean side dish-delicious! Not the best place for calorie counters, more for those who want a good, true blue, mostly fried, southern meal at a reasonable price. We walked from the Marriott downtown, I would not do this walk alone and definitely not at night...the neighborhood seems to be in a slight transitional stage. Arnold's is yum, yum!
(5)
Rachael S.
My mother was recently in town and I had a great excuse to fill my self up with starch with her here. We headed to Arnold's and fell completly in love!!! The food is amazing and yes! I did see a James Beard award on the wall, holy cow! I love fried chicken and the mac and cheese here is to die for!
(5)
Seth H.
Possibly the best meat-n-three in the world, yes the world. Eat the deserts, no excuse. Prepare to wait in line, but holy cow is it worth it. That's all that needs be said.
(5)
Jonathon S.
Walked all the way from the Parthenon to get to Arnold's, which my friend had somehow heard about beforehand (probably on here). We were hungry, but decided to walk the extra distance to check it out (even passed a Jack in the Box, which isn't easy for me to do since there aren't any where I live in Florida). I am glad we did! You stand in line with your tray, maybe grab a piece of pie (you should), tell the friendly folks behind the counter whatchuwant, which can be a Meat and One, Two, Three or Four. The meats we got: fried catfish, roast beef, chicken and dumplings. The sides: mashed potatos and gravy, fried green tomatos, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese. Fresh squeezed lemonade. All of it delicious. Arnold's is just simple Southern comfort food done very, very well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kenzi N.
Recently, my husband and I had a day getaway to Nashville. I was looking for a new place to add to our food list. My husband had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, greens, and mac n cheese. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I loved everything, except for the roast beef. The greens were some of the best I have ever had. Wish we had gotten desert! We got there around 10:45, and as we left the crowd started to form. I loved the corn bread, but loved the corn cake even more. I live over an hour away, and I am looking for an excuse to drive back soon!
(5)
Tim A.
Best meat and three in Nashville, hands down. Try to avoid during 12-1, otherwise the line will be out the door, with good reason. Try the fried green tomatoes and bread pudding!
(5)
Steve C.
Had lunch there today. Food was well seasoned and tasty. The roast beef wasn't overcooked and the au jus had lots of flavor. Only got three very thin slices of meat. Portion sizes were very small and I was still hungry when I left. I won't bother ever going back. Obviously they're just handing out James Beard awards these days. I would have expected some sort of remolaude sauce or something for the fried green tomatoes. Basically I was very disappointed, considering the accolades this place has gotten. Very run of the mill as far as I'm concerned.
(3)
Kelly S.
Wow! This was the first place we tried in Nashville. It is amazing. And the owner and staff were wonderful to us tourists from Vegas. You won't be disappointed. It's delicious.
(5)
Ziggy M.
It was our last day of vacation and decided to stop by Arnold's for lunch. Being from the east coast I remember when diners like this were a fixture in CT during the sixties and seventies. Arnold's knows how to put together a great meal in a great atmosphere with great people.
(4)
Tim O.
Arnold's is an outstanding meat and three. Fried chicken was great and each side was better than the last. My four and a half year old ( a foodie in training ) has asked for Arnold's chicken everyday since we left Nashville more than a week ago.
(5)
Kay K.
I love Arnold's and have been there several times, which is why it was on my list as one of the Nashville "musts" for my foreign boyfriend to try. Why is it when you build up something it always, always falls short? I ordered fried green tomatoes and macaroni. My boyfriend the roast beef, mashed potatoes and sweet tea. The faces he made after one bite of the beef were something I hope I never see again. Ghastly. Poor boyfriend then reached for the sweet tea and nearly went into glucose shock. It was at this point I tasted his plate and confirmed that his items were terrible. The roast beef was so overly salted (and I have lived in the South many years - I understand the difference between salty and over salted) that it was inedible. The tea was truly horrific tasting and had a viscosity I haven't encountered since science lab. We still laugh about how I tried to poison him with Southern food. Have I been back? Yes. Has it been good? Yes. Does it have the possibility of being the worst experience of your life? Yes. So, it may be tasty but the stuff will kill you - somewhere down the line, or even on your first visit.
(2)
Bradley H.
Great food! Don't be turned away if there is a long line out the door. The line actually moves quickly. Best cafe food you can find. The pork chop and chicken and dumplings are amazing. Whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert. The selection of pies change daily, but all are excellent examples of good southern dessert. Be warned southern dessert and sweet tea are just that sweet.
(5)
Ty J.
OK, this is embarassing but I've been a TN resident for 45 years and never heard of Arnold's until a buddy visiting from OH found it on DDD and wanted to try it. We're both pretty big fellas so Arnold's was more of a "meat plus 4 or 5" and dessert for us, especially since we had a lot of lost time to make up for. I told him while we were in line, which was out the door at 1:15 but moved very quickly, that I recognized one of the gentlemen eating at a nearby table. "That's either a local politician or a TV anchor", I told him. I knew I'd seen him before. 5 minutes later I realized, it was the Governor! A good sign. We could've kept on going all day - everything was superb. I'll be back to try the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and chicken & dumplings soon!
(5)
Peter H.
open weird hours for me. I think its open from 6-230 am. Got there at around 1100 and a good thing because when we finished eating, a line had already started to form outside in the smothering memphis heat. Food service is cafeteria style. Our meat was bbq pork which was cooked very well with just enough bbq sauce on top. The sides were excellent. I opted for meat plus three. I got the squash which aside from some more roughage, tasted excellent. The green beans were okay but the mac and cheese was very good. I topped it off with an iced tea. Meal was under 10 dollars and delicious but not very filling. I guess my stretched out american stomach wanted a bigger portion. Otherwise I love the authenticity of this place.
(4)
Todd D.
This place is excellent!
(5)
Carolyn F.
I can't rave enough about this place. It's not just the food, but the whole experience. I wish we had this sort of place in SF, though its charm probably derives a lot from Southern hospitality. We got here around noon on a Friday and the line was out the door. But it moved very fast and soon enough I was picking up my tray near the counter and shouting my meat-and-three order. From the Friday menu, I opted for meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes = Amazing! These are not to be missed! My companion got the chicken fried steak (a special, not on the printed menu), mac & cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes & gravy. The steak came with a blue cheese sauce, and it was delicious and better than my meatloaf (which was still good). The collard greens were tasty, the green beans were not, and the mac & cheese was nice and buttery. Everything was just a nice representation of what you want Southern food to be. Everyone is extremely friendly, which I suppose is important when you sit at communal tables. It wasn't hard to find seating though the place was crowded.
(5)
Josh M.
Arnold's is consistently great. They never let me down. This place is hands down the best "Meat and Three" in town. Honestly, I think it's the best "Lunch if You Don't Have to Work in the Afternoon Spot" in town. My most recent meal there consisted of BBQ Beef on a Cornbread Cake with Fried Green Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad. With Sweet Tea to wash it down, I was in heaven...thankfully, I had taken a half-day off work.
(5)
Iris T.
Came here looking for an authentic Southern meal and came out full but not exactly satiated. I happened to come here on a Friday so I decided to get the roast beef with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. All three diff types of food on my plate were salty and I found myself tearing through the rolls of bread just to alleviate the saltiness. Looking at the reviews, maybe I just came on a bad day but I'm willing to give it another shot on any future visits to Nashville.
(2)
Andrea F.
Comfort food doesn't get any better than this! If you are lucky enough to make it on Fried Green Tomato Day, you must try them!
(5)
Mark L.
I'd come back again even if I had to wait in line for another thirty minutes. It's worth it
(4)
Chris S.
Takes AMEX - pretty unusual for a place like this. 3 stars means its pretty good. I'll give it 4 for the simple review of taste. The creole meatloaf tasted good. The banana pudding tasted good. The white beans tasted beyond good. The mac and cheese tasted pretty good. Comparatively, this place is a solid 3 stars - I've been to too many country/soul food places to place the taste of the food in the realm of great. The service, however, was.
(4)
Steph H.
If ever there were a place worthy of skipping work for, Arnold's is it. I have long lamented that they are only opened during the week and only for lunch since they're not really near my daytime haunts and I come from a one-car household. But, this past Friday my husband and I decided to take a three-day weekend to celebrate our four-year anniversary and as part of the celebration we FINALLY went to Arnold's for lunch. I feel pretty awful that I've lived in Nashville for six years and this was my first time visiting... but certainly not the last! Given that this was a traditional meat and three, I was surprised to read that they open at 10:30, as I don't know many people who eat lunch that early. Still, we got there at 10:45 and a line was already forming. By the time we finished our meal ( a little after 11), the line was almost out the door! Since they're only open for lunch, I guess people are willing to wait for the food and the earlier you get there, the better! And really, is there ever a meal at which mac and cheese or pecan pie isn't welcome? If so, I don't want any part of it. Service is cafeteria style: you sidle up to counter with your bright orange tray and tell the server behind the counter what meat and sides you want. I got the meatloaf, turnip greens, and mac & cheese. My husband got the chicken & dumplings, the mac & cheese, and the fried green tomatoes. Everything was really tasty, but I have to give special mention to the FGTs: so crisp and crunchy and I LOVE that they put rosemary in the seasoning. We also got a slice of pecan pie and coconut crunch pie for dessert and both were extremely good (and I am a hardcore pecan pie fan), but the CC pie was especially addictive... I'd happily go back just for that! At first I thought the servings might have been a bit stingy, but the food is extremely rich and by the end I was pleasantly full and already planning my return trip! As we were leaving, my husband remarked that Arnold's is pretty much the epitome of everything that is great about the South. The food was solid, some of it very good, though some items were not the best iteration I've had. That said, the service is really what puts this place over the top as everyone is so friendly and warm. The man who was bussing tables actually opened the door for us when we came in, and was pleasantly chatty with us throughout our meal. We really felt welcome and like this place was brimming with love. It just goes to show that a restaurant doesn't have to be fancy in order to be successful. In the end, all I can say is that Arnold's is where I'll be going whenever I need a little Southern Hospitatily.
(5)
Lisa H.
After seeing Diners Drive ins and Dives recommendation and that they were a James Beard Award winning place, I decided to take my mom there when she flew in for a visit. So glad I did! Not much to look at, but I expected that. The food was fantastic! LOVED the mac and cheese! My husband was in love with the banana pudding and my mom loved the chicken and everything too! I use a walker and one of the employees found a table (the place is very long and narrow) where they could put us and not have my walker too much in the way and everyone was just so nice! We were actually seated with some other men who were just finishing up their meal. Thanks Arnold's for helping make my mom's visit successful!
(5)
Katie D.
I think I might be speared to death for giving them anything less than 4 or 5 stars. Perhaps being a New Yorker now living in LA, I'm simply just not used to this food... Lunch time and the line is literally out the door, but it moves fast and the tables clear out, so there's no worry about not finding a place to sit. Meatloaf - meh? I think I make better ones at home. Collard green - now that's actually pretty good. The theme with the rest of the food was SUGAR. The sweet tea, the candied yams and the bread pudding. I understand that they are suppose to be sweet things. But holy moly! They are so sweet to the point I think I need to give myself a shot of insulin afterwards... So worth a try in the end, but diabetics stay away!
(3)
James T.
Food = 3 Price = 2 Experience = 3 Deep south fried everything... My meat and 3 with dessert and tea = $16.00 Way overpriced for the quality and environment!!! I've had much better for much less in a much nicer place. Good southern food doesn't have to be this sloppy. I like Wendell Smith's Restaurant much better.
(3)
Dianey B.
Neither of us cleaned our plates because we had to taste practically everything! This was the first time I've found myself in town during the week, so we HAD to take advantage! Obviously, the food has crack in it, or the air there is pumped with some sort of gas that makes your taste buds hyper sensitive, or the food and the people cooking and serving it up are just flipping amazing! Everyone was super nice and we walked in to a line just past the counter and a few tables...by the time we were sitting moments later, the line was out the door. The reason why is no mystery. Every single bite of every dish we ordered was phenomenal. It would be a bargain at any price, but it is also an amazing bona fide bargain! Don't let yourself miss out as long as I did--this institution has well earned it's place in Nashville's living history. Thank you for an amazing meal!
(5)
John W.
Awesome! Best Meat & 3/Southern food place I've ever been too and I've lived all over the south and TX..... this is hands down the best. I lived in Nashville for a couple of years a while back and never made it to Arnold's because they are only open during the week. Was back in Nashville recently for pleasure and decided to finally try Arnold's and I'm glad I did. I'm jealous of the folks who work nearby because I would eat here once a week if I could. FYI....I had the black eyed peas, greens, roast beef and a side of their tomatoes (best tomatoes I've ever eaten btw).
(5)
Todd G.
Fantastic southern food experience for lunch. The best roast beef and greens and fried green tomatoes and banana pudding I have ever had. Meat loaf good but not as great, too drowned in gravy. Long line went fast. A Southern cultural experience not to be missed when in Nashville.
(5)
Alisha W.
The hardest place to cross off my bucket list. It took me three years to finally get there, and it was worth the wait. each day is a new menu and so plan ahead before you are going so you can make sure that there is something on the menu that you would like. But, it's all good so I wouldn't hold back on trying it all!!!
(5)
Nick K.
A friend and I were looking for a place to grab a late lunch today, and we walked into Arnold's. We walked in 20 minutes after it was closed, but we didn't look up the hours before we went, thinking that a comfort food restaurant would be open for more than just short lunch service... As soon as we set foot in the restaurant, an older busser cleaning one of the tables began speaking to us about "ignoring the sign on the door" without looking at us directly. There was a sign on the specific door we walked through that said to keep it closed, but he wouldn't tell us specifically what he was talking about. He only became mote agitated that we ignored his sign and continued to look angrier while raising his voice. At first I thought he might have been joking about something, but then I had to tell him that he needed to tone it down. We aren't locals, weren't looking for hours on the outside of the building as we were walking in, and definitely weren't looking to be addressed by that guy in that fashion when we walked in. Obviously we left, my friend had a few choice words for the "help" there, and now we won't ever come back when we're in town for work. Since the restaurant is only open for four hours a day, I don't really have much sympathy for all the work he must have done throughout the day to throw so much attitude toward potential customers. Next time just say "Sorry, we're closed."
(1)
Chris B.
Worth going to for sure. Best cafeteria style you will ever eat. The Thursday chicken fried steak is awesome and don't miss out on the sweet rolls.
(4)
Sara M.
Hot damn everything was good that our group ordered.
(5)
Kristen H.
Best. Southern. Food. Ever. I mean really. This is some good old fashioned stick to your ribs food that you'll think your momma made. I had roast beef, potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, a biscuit and some pecan pie. Good god was it amazing! From what I understand the line is almost always out the door here and I could see why. Even when I was there the lunchtime rush was beginning. I could see that a lot of people from out of town came here specifically because they heard such good things, myself included. Everything was so rich and tasty. Definitely wear your sweatpants if you are planning on eating a lot because this place will fill you up!
(5)
Liz G.
A no-frills, cafeteria style restaurant. Definitely a must if you're looking for home-style southern classics. Be ready to wait in line if you go during the lunch rush at noon. We went just before then, around 11:15 am which was perfect timing. Only had to wait in line maybe 10 minutes. Busy, but friendly staff. They're working hard so come prepared and know what you're going to order before stepping up.
(5)
Alexander P.
Wow, country cooking at its finest !!!! I met Arnold and I gota tell you what a character. He was concerned that we did not get get any bread with our lunch and he went and got us some HO cakes for us. He is a total gentlemen. Everything we had was out of this world. A cant miss if you visit Nashville
(5)
Shanah C.
OK, don't come here if you're looking for fancy or upscale. This is a down home, southern, good food place! Get there when they open because the line will be out the door within 30 minutes. Tiny location, sparsely decorated, cafeteria style...but the best damn food!! You choose a meat and as many sides as you want (a la cart style). Very reasonably priced. Fried green tomatoes, greens, cornbread, meatloaf, okra, BEST PECAN PIE I'VE EVER TASTED!!!! You gotta try this place!!! But they close early (like 2pm) so get there early.
(4)
Waylon B.
I have visited Arnold's many times since moving to Nashville in 2006 and never have had a bad experience. Whenever asked about a meat and three in Middle TN this is the first place to pop in my head. There is usually a line, but it moves pretty quick. I never have waited more than 15 minutes, actually it is nice to have time to review the menu as there are so many great options. Location is fine by me and there has always been a place to park. Fried shrimp on Thursday's is my favorite, go ahead and add the extra for a few more dollars. Cheese grits, pintos, cornbread, etc. can't be beat. If you think you have room for dessert all their pies are freshly made and I suggest the chess pie and chocolate is a close second. You can't go wrong it you like good southern style food and friendly staff.
(5)
Eric B.
If you have a Granny and loved her cooking then get to Arnolds. Great family with a long history of damn good down home cooling. Granny approved.
(5)
Carlos O.
Stopped by on a road trip do to the excellent reviews. Was not disappointed. The roast beef was delicious. The mac and cheese was cheese any quite tasty.
(5)
Bebo K.
Food was good, taste just like mama used to make. Southern cooking at its best. I had the roast beef, white beans, Mac and cheese, squash casserole. Not a comfortable place to eat, line out the door. Somewhat worth it.
(4)
Josh W.
Best food in Nashville! You can always count on this place serving consistently good food...probably the best part about Arnold's. Everytime my wife and I are near the area, we eat there. Speaking of the area though, is not in the best part of town, but also not the worst. In the daytime there isn't too much to worry about. Be ready to wait in line for a few minutes. It moves pretty quick and it's worth it. The building looks kinda ratty and the area looks bad, but the food is STILL FANTASTIC! Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Karen H.
This lunch place is a little hole in the wall but was a fantastic find. It was featured on diners drive ins and dives and after eating there I see why! Line was to the door but it moved quickly. Waited less than 10 mins from entering to sitting down to eat. I got the ham, chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious. Definitely worth stopping in for lunch. We came here for lunch before walking to feh country music hall of fame. Must do if in Nashville!
(5)
Gen M.
Tried again for lunch. Even more disappointed than the first time. We went during the lunch rush so you think everything would be fresh. It was mostly overcooked and reheated to death or sitting around and soggy. I brought my parents so it was a bit embarrassing because we couldn't really eat much. They thought it was terrible.
(1)
William W.
The ambiance is only fair...but man oh man did the food make up for it. This place has a certain charm about it and I could tell the passion that is put into the food. The roast beef is very tasty and I liked the homemade sauerkraut too. You only pay for what you get which is also cool.
(5)
Holly G.
Ever since I moved to Nashville in September, everyone has been telling me that I need to visit Arnold's if I wanted some real southern food. Being from the Chicago area, I hadn't really ever experienced it so I was pretty pumped when I went here for lunch one day. As many have already stated, the line is ALWAYS long. My friend and I got there around 11 on a Monday and it was already out the door. The good thing is that they move the line pretty quickly, so it was only about 15 minutes before we were able to order. The restaurant itself is super small and the one thing I didn't like was the fact that, while standing in line, I was hovering right over a bunch of people sitting and enjoying their meal. We decided to take our food to go so as not to be in that same situation. I got the roast beef and the guy carving it convinced me to get the juice to go on it and I'm so glad he did! The beef was so moist and fall apart tender, it was just phenomenal. For my sides, I had to try the mac and cheese which was super good, and I also had the fried apples. Those had some really good flavor and still were a little firm, which I appreciated because I didn't want them to be too soft so they fell apart in your mouth. Everyone there is super friendly and answered the different questions I had about the food (and I had a few since it was my first time there). This is definitely a place I'll be going again in the future!
(5)
Jerry Y.
One of the better meat and 3 places in town. It's a Nashville icon so the place is always packed. I usually get the roast beef and mashed potatoes and ice tea. Does not get more southern comfort than that. The only downer is that it's always congested and a big ordeal to land a table that more often than not is sticky and not well-cleaned.
(4)
Saira B.
Stayed in Nashville for 2 days and decided to try Arnold's Kitchen because it had great reviews. I have to say IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I had the fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and a chocolate pie (don't judge me lol it was so good). I also had the sweet tea... Best sweet tea ever. The style of the restaurant is a serving line. You get your tray and tell them what you want. They give you your food and you can sit anywhere. Great place and I definitely recommend it!!!!
(5)
Shaina B.
After reading all the reviews on Yelp, I had Arnold's in my plans for a long time. Since it's only open for lunch on weekdays, it made it pretty hard to finally get there since I work every day. Today I had a day off, and finally made the trip. Like everyone says, there was a line out the door. It didn't move that quickly, but that's probably because I was alone and not talking with a friend to pass the time. They do have a menu posted outside (their specials change every day - look ahead!) so you could figure out what you wanted before going in. I got meatloaf, green beans, mac & cheese, and pecan pie. Everything was AMAZING. Like, so good and so filling that I barely had any food for the rest of the day. I would absolutely advise coming on an empty stomach, otherwise you won't get the full experience. There are some tables on the sides that seat 4, then one long community table down the middle. Plenty of people come alone, so don't feel shy or awkward. You'll probably be talking to people in the line or sitting next to you anyway! Pros: delicious food, friendly staff, classic atmosphere Cons: long line, little personal space, possible heart disease
(5)
Netson W.
Wandering around Nashville area this morning and decided to find a place to stop for breakfast. After reading the reviews and seeing some of the photos, I decided to stop in at Arnolds and I'm glad i did! The menu was full of tasty choices, but after seeing that they offered Wilkins Self Service Valet Parking and I decided to go in and have a half order of the stuffed french toast. Huge pieces of challah bread stuffed with a yummy vanilla cream sitting in a pond of syrup... it was a beautiful sight to see. The Megacelt piped in music was an added bonus. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
(4)
Chris J.
Today I went to Arnold's. I arrived about 5 minutes after they closed. I must have looked sad, because the lady behind the register says to me, "we just pulled the food, but let me see if I can get you anything." She came back a minute later and said, what do you want. I ordered the meat and three being roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes, and Mac n cheese. All I can say is wow! It was so good and I'm talking about everything. The sides were all excellent and the roast beef was just perfect. What great customer service they have. They truly went above and beyond and could have sent me out, but instead, they made me happy!
(4)
Sara D.
This was the best fried chicken I've ever had! The meat was juicy and the breading was crispy and delicious! Great options for side items also. I had the turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The pecan pie was yummy also!
(5)
Paul D.
I think this is the best fried chicken I've ever had. Really juicy chicken and crispy skin. The mac n cheese and green beans were great, greens were good, and the banana pudding was incredible!!!
(5)
Scott A.
Greatest meat & 3 in the world. I've been eating here since I was a kid. Small space, usually the line is out the door but the food is worth it!!!
(5)
Aaron B.
Could you open an Arnold's in Chicago please. I love everything about this place. When there is a line out the door they move through people at nice pace in order to give customers time to sit and eat get up and have another set take their place. The food is amazing seasoned extremely well. Most roast beef in my opinion is under seasoned due to such a large piece of meat. The pies are fantastic I have no criticism for Arnold's, besides not having a Chicago location.
(5)
Brittany F.
Goodness...this place...is AMAZING!!! I've heard about Arnold's for awhile and it's always been on my list of places that I wanted to try but due to their short hours of operation it's always been a little hard to get down there when they are open. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and since we had the day off we decided to try this place. BEST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PRESENT! haha! We got there around noon and there was a bit of a line, we stood there patiently and looked at all of the amazing food as we past peoples tables. I originally went in to get the roast beef but after seeing the pork chop, it was clear, I needed to change my lunch plans! I got the pork chop, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and black eyed peas. Every bit of it was so delicious. I also snagged some sweet tea, which wasn't overly sweet, it was just right and a piece of pecan pie. Let me tell you...the pecan pie is near perfection. I think this just became my new favorite place to eat!
(5)
Anna B.
Arnold's Rocks. The food is fresh and delicious and the family that own it are awesome, along with long time employees who are like family. Growing up in the South with a family from Savannah, I thought I had eaten a truck load of wonderful banana pudding, but Arnold's is even better and then, the bread pudding is even more wonderful. You've never had anything so good. I dropped my fave rain hat while there, so I called and they mailed it home to me, no charge, because they are such friendly nice folks. Now that is above and beyond. But the food is the best and the desserts are awesome. Thanks Arnold's for everything. Anna B from Austin, Texas
(5)
Scott S.
Great Southern Food, a must try if in the area and looking for some down home cooking . Fried CatFish and Collard Greens
(5)
Denise B.
We come in every time we come to Nashville. This place is a must stop. NOTHING has ever been bad. Will be back.
(5)
Clay N.
It's one of the best meat and three places anywhere. It seems to have two lunch crowds, 11 for the hard hats and folks who get to work really early (or those who's stomach is still on Eastern time, then noon for the coat and ties. It's usually a long line, sometimes out the door. Wear your deodorant because you'll probably be sharing tables. I go here nearly every time I'm in town, often taking clients and locals who've never been. The greens and roast beef are my favorites.
(5)
Nichole L.
Tried Arnold's for the first time today. I was not as impressed as most who have previously reviewed this place. The location is so small and the line for lunch was out the door. While we were inside, we discovered there was no AC. We decided to order our food to go. Which was a great option because we were able to bypass the line and go to the cash register to order. We ordered two meat-and-two plates. One chicken dumpling and one meat loaf plate. We both chose mac & cheese and peach salad as our sides. We added two sweet teas and a grilled cheese sandwich for our daughter to our order. This came to just under $30. I feel like that's a little expensive for what you're getting. Our food was good, but I'm not sure that we would go back to Arnold's again.
(3)
Morris T.
Traveling through Nashville, we decided to stop and try Arnold's Country Kitchen. We arrived to a pretty long line that went out the door. It took about 20 minutes for us to get to the front of the line. For a cafeteria like setup it seems like it should have moved faster- there were plenty of empty seats during our entire wait. The menu changes every day of the week. You select one meat and 3 sides and then add desserts or other sides that you want. I ordered the roast beef with mac and cheese, turnip greens, and green beans. I also picked up some cornbread and a slice of pecan pie. The roast beef was great as was the turnip greens and green beans. I didn't like the mac and cheese. The cornbread was good, but the pecan pie was just ok. It's definitely worth trying out. If I were local, I'd definitely go back on different days to try their different items.
(4)
Chrissie O.
If you go alone then don't worry. Plenty of empty seats in other tables. Make new friends. Well I had to since I went alone. Nobody wanted to go site seeing with me... Well I skipped my last day at my work conference while I was in Nashville to go around and try more delicious food. This place has a line out the door so be prepared. You get served like you are getting food from a school cafeteria then try to find friendly people to sit with. I learned a little about the place from my cab driver. Cab drivers in Nashville get fat because all of them just talk to me about how they got their gut.. It's because they go to places like Arnolds. Amazing food!! I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and mac & cheese. Comfort food is the best. Felt like I was eating back at home. It's a great atmosphere so stop by if you're in the area.
(5)
Brendan B.
Walking into a restaurant and seeing a cafeteria line tends to raise the bar of "amazing place" to an almost unachievable level, but Arnold's did it. It was awesome! I would suggest saving room for a dessert or two... :)
(5)
Adam C.
I really liked this place for lunch, have been back several times, great service diner atmosphere, everything you could want. Meat n 3 is unreal. Love the roastbeef. It is a bit rough (old fashioned? inside) but soo good. do be scared off, go in, get your order and eat it, greasy spoon love!!!
(4)
Andy B.
Very good roast beef, mostly because of the Au Jus. There wasn't a whole lot of it. The banana pudding was very tasty, but I would have loved if it was fresh, somehow hot out of the oven, but it was cold, but if you really want the absolute best mac n cheese, you're gonna have to go a little out of your way over to Big Bad Wolf out towards Lebanon. I'll be back here to try the country fried steak or their fried chicken.
(4)
Brenda D.
The owner of this restaurant was so rude!! She kept running her fingers through her long blonde hair and she was walking back and forth through the food line. I prefer not to have hair in my food!! I left a tip on the card just to find out that you refill your own drinks?? A wasted $27!!!
(1)
Tony D.
I see why this is such a classic place for the meat and three (well actually two). The friendly attitudes, cheap prices, and great food make the lines going out the door pretty understandable. We obnoxiously arrived with a couple large baggage rollers, but the guy cleaning tables was extremely welcoming and helped us set aside a place to put them while we ordered and ate. On the day that we were here, we were able to try the roast beef and ham, both of which were pretty amazing. The meats were everywhere flavorful and tender. The only thing I would suggest is less sodium, but coupled with some solid sides like the turnip greens, the meal was very hearty and filling.
(4)
Charles B.
Cafeteria style service. My wife has chicken dumplings and I had the fried catfish. Was surprised to see hoecakes (cornbread pancakes). They tasted just like my grandma's. The banana pudding was out of this world. The portions were good. You will have to stand in line and then just find an open chair with strangers. I liked meeting new people and we had a nice conversation with a young couple from Canada. Definitely a place to go
(4)
Ann L.
It's so crowded! But it's cheap and delicious, with the southern salt. Fried steak is yummy! Pepper chocolate hot pie is kinda spicy.
(5)
Erin J.
Am I the only one not impressed by Arnold's? Maybe, maybe not. I went a few weeks ago and had the fried shrimp, mac & cheese and green beans. The shrimp was not fresh, who knows when it was actually fried. it was warm but not really crispy and very greasy. The green beans were so incredibly greasy I just could not enjoy them. And the mac & cheese....the pasta was completely blown out and mushy and the sauce needed some serious seasoning. I get what they're going for, and having grown up in Tennessee I love some meat & three country food. Now, I will say, I'll go back for a couple of reasons. One, I'm not sure the guy's name but he asked if it was my first time and I told him it was, and after that, he was checking in with my table every so often. Not in a smothering way, but definitely catering to us asking if we needed anything. I have also heard so many good things about this place that I will give it another try, maybe on a different day. Maybe on a day they have chicken & dumplings or fried chicken. Arnold's, I really want to like you. But right now you're on my a-ok list and that's about it.
(3)
M C.
My absolute favorite restaurant ever!! I love the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. Add sweet tea and fresh strawberry pie and you are in HEAVEN!! Long lines, at times, but it moves pretty quickly. Staff is super friendly!! When I lived in Nashville, I ate here at least once a week. Still dream about the green beans!! SOOOO GOOD!!
(5)
Stephen H.
Everything at Arnold's is exceptional. Literally, every vegetable dish might be the best one I've ever had. The roast beef is amazing and the meatloaf is my favorite. Hands down the best green beans and mac and cheese you will ever try. The squash casserole is a must. Finish it off with some of their home made deserts, I suggest the banana pudding. Highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Jonny A.
This is the best food I've ever had... Ever. The atmosphere is comforting and all of the employees are awesome. It's incredibly delicious. Every bite restores my faith in the potential humanity has for greatness. It also makes me soil my sweatpants, which I wear because I need a stretchy waist band when I eat the amount of food I order when here. I love it. Roast beef, chicken and dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, corn bread, rolls, fried green tomatoes, banana pudding, lemonade/ sweet tea. That's the go to. Every item on the menu is the best of its kind on the planet. You want to show a pretty girl a tasty meal? Come here. You want to impress a pretty girl with a fancy restaurant? Ditch that plan, save $50, and have her taste buds be so stimulated that you will get laid on the first date... But that still won't be nearly as good as the meal you had beforehand.
(5)
Paula C.
Oh man. If only all cafeterias in America were this good! Came on a Thursday (all the way from Boston), and here's the final ranking: In first place, roast beef, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, & sweet tea; in second, mashed potatoes; finally, in third comes the Mac n' cheese & chicken fried steak. Roast beef was beyond juicy and perfectly seasoned -- I was tempted to go back for seconds. I could eat here every day!
(5)
Kelly Y.
I realize Arnold's already has plenty of positive reviews, but I need this to show up on my hometown page so my friends will know about this place! Good thing our GPS was working properly on this fine day, The Gulch area does not exactly have a nice street grid. The line looked daunting when we showed up at 11:30. But we only waited about 15 minutes before we were in front of that yummy spread. We all chose fried chicken and 2 or 3 sides. Here is the surprising part: while the chicken was crispy and tasty, my favorite thing was actually the pinto beans. They were full of chunks of soft, smoky ham hock and a little spicy. The green beans were equally tasty: soft but not mushy, and spicy with bacon flavor. Next time I am getting meat and 2 pinto beans and another side of green beans. And the iced tea! I must not have had real brewed iced tea before. Their version is so refreshing and had real tea taste! The meal was so good, we even agreed it was worth the wait in the cramped space. The bill for 4 plates + 4 drinks + 2 desserts = $45...wow, we are definitely coming back here the next time!!
(5)
Adam M.
I'm from California, and last week went to Nashville to visit family, i told myself i would try to go to as many good southern restaurants as i could while on my trip. Arnold's Country Kitchen was atop that list.. This is the first (and only) "meat plus three" restaurant I've ever been to so i cannot really compare it to any other similar places. A lot of people mention that this place was on the Food Network and have won a James Beard award, all of that is great but I don't choose to eat at places solely because of them appearing on television. The reason why i choose this place was because of the other excellent reviews listed here on yelp for Arnold's.. On to the review: I went here on a Monday around 11 a.m. and i was surprised that there was not a line out the door (as many yelpers have reported on here). I walked in and stood in line and began to think about what i was going to order. As recommended on here, i decided to get the Meat Plus Three. The meat i chose was the white meat chicken, and the 3 sides i chose were the pinto beans, turnip greens, and the mac & cheese. I also got the bread rolls, and for dessert grabbed the banana pudding. The seating is very family-style yet casual, where you can sit along the wall at small tables, or in the middle of the restaurant in one of two long tables. You're often sitting directly in front of or next to complete strangers if you happen to sit at the middle tables, but do not worry, everyone is friendly! As i was seated I began to eat the friend chicken, which really was amazing. The meat was not dry, and the outside was crispy. The three sides were equally as good, but what i liked the most was the turnip greens. In Nashville i always look forward to Collard/Turnip greens, since I don't eat that very often in California. The Banana pudding had a great banana taste, you could really tell they used fresh bananas in the making of it. Another thing i noticed as i was finishing up my food was that everyone around me nearly licked their plates of food dry. This also shows that the food really is exceptional here. If anyone is looking for some good home style southern food in the Nashville area i would definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Patrick K.
Pretty good. Got the meat and three (chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, and macaroni) everything was a little too salty though.
(3)
Kyle G.
My So Cal tummy was not prepared for this. The fried chicken makes for a bad tenant.
(3)
Mariel J.
This is a small, "meat and three" place in Nashville. It had great reviews, and I think it lived up to the hype. You stand in line, cafeteria style, to choose your lunch (a meat and three sides). Despite the cafeteria-style process, the service is really good - people are friendly, and service is quick. There was a line out the door when we arrived (about 1:30pm on a Monday), but it moved fast and there were places to sit when we got our food. Everything tastes great, from the veggies to the mashed potatoes, to the fried chicken - I was there in a group of three, and we all tried different things and couldn't find anything we didn't like. The only reason not to go would be if you're a vegetarian or on a diet - there didn't seem to be many truly meat-free options, and everything was extremely rich and buttery - but even then, it might be worth it just to go and sip a sweet tea or enjoy some spicy chocolate pie just for the experience.
(4)
Blake H.
Jesus must work in the kitchen, because this place is heaven on earth. Everything I have ever had here is phenomenal. Not from Nashville, I dream of this place and eagerly hope to be back soon. Probably my favorite restaurant in the country....seriously. Highlights: -Everything ...but to be more specific: chicken and dumplings, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, mac n cheese, pecan pie, chess pie, just typing this makes me want to slap my mama if it meant getting my hands on some of that pie. Oh and the sweet tea! Cons: -Long lines, but the secret is out....so what do you expect. -Only open for lunch...I wish Arnold's was open whenever I wanted. One time my friends and I got split up at tables and tried to switch when a larger table opened up. We kinda got chewed out by the bus man, who is usually super friendly. I hope he doesn't remember that when I return. I want to be in his good graces. Just go. Anyone who didn't give this place five stars is a heathen. This is what soul food is all about. Arnold's is good for the soul (but not the arteries). I'm getting emotional at the fact I'm not sure when I will be back.
(5)
Aditya A.
My first 'Meat & Three' restaurant experience at Arnold's was beyond amazing! The place is lively and cosy and bustling! I loved the gravy chicken and the chocolate pepper pie! It was the best Southern, non-fast food chain chicken I've had! I'll be visiting it again soon the next time I'm in Nashville. This time was a cheer! P.S: I visited on a Friday, so had the Friday menu.
(5)
Boses M.
The vegetables are as good as the meats. It's that good. The roast beef is fantastic, The meatloaf is better. Got here at 11 am, thinking I'd outsmart everyone. It was already packed.
(5)
Ayesha A.
We had to wait in line over half an hour, BUT it was totally worth it. Nashville is fantastic and Arnold's kicked it all off. Go early though, because it's filled with tourists waiting to get in as it closes at 2:30. The food is delicious, the environment is alright, the cooks are really nice - it's a really cool experience. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(4)
Ryan W.
While researching my upcoming trip to Nashville, I quickly learned that Arnold's is a place everyone needs visit, and that impression could not have been truer. We got to Arnold's pretty early, but there was already a line out the door of hungry people waiting to sink their teeth into some comfort food. It has won a James Beard award and is your standard Meat & Three style restaurant. The food was well worth the wait, and I left feeling completely satisfied. Suggestions: Try the Collard Greens and always get the pie.
(5)
Joseph M.
I have to admit seeing a waiting line and people willing to eat at dirty tables makes you think that this place must be fantastic. I was wrong. They seemed more concerned about getting you through the line without seeing the food than your actual ordered. They seemed very miffed when I said can i see it first. They repeated what they had as though the name of the food was good enough. But I took the harassment and ordered chicken and dumplings and green beans. The chicken and dumplings were a virtual pepper dish. I gave it three bites and gave up. I tasted more pepper than anything else. But first you have to bypass all of the greasiness of the soup mixture of the dumplings. The green beans were swimming in grease. However, given that they could swim with all of that salt I give kudos to the green beans. The sweet tea was good. The chocolate pie was incredible. The crust was beyond gross. Once I cut off the crust, it was really good. For 12.00 for sweet tea and a slice of pie was outrageous. The experience leaves me wondering can I be wrong when all of the people stood in line like me? Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)
Ben V.
The food tastes so much better than it looks. The place is a bit crowded and the line gets pretty long at lunch but it's mostly worth the wait. Friendly staff and amazing food. The selection every day leaves a little to be desired but the lack of options a forgivable when the food's this good. Everything has such rich flavor that you don't often see in southern food like mash-potatoes, ect. Total worth putting up with the noisy location.
(5)
Avery P.
I love this place so much that I want to track down every reviewer who gave Arnold's less than 5 stars and interrogate them. If I happened to end up on death row for killing anyone who didn't like Arnold's, I would choose Arnold's as my last meal.
(5)
Allie R.
Banana Pudding Banana Pudding Banana Pudding, is officially my favorite thing here. Luckily the rest of the food is amazing too. Their chicken and dumplings are awesome, huge dumplings that fold over on themselves, they are so good and the broth is amazing. Last time I was here I had some sort of baked sweet BBQ chicken thigh. It was awesome, pulled apart with ease, the BBQ sauce was so good, I loved it! Of all the sides I've had they are all pretty good, very traditional mac and cheese and mashed potato type stuff. I have to take off work to even come here, so when I do it is a huge treat!!
(4)
Megan M.
Arnold's is a MUST. Put it on your list and make the time to go. Sure you have to wait in line and sure the seating is somewhat limited but the food is soooo worth it. Delicious. I was hesitate to get the roast beef but it was so good. Glad I'm did. I also had mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese. Both were excellent.
(5)
Jason K.
- cafeteria style southern love on a plate - chicken friend steak and turnip greens are fantastic - lemonade is amazing if they have it too! - TIP: Go early!! There will be a line of people whenever you arrive. Good thing is that the line moves fast, and
(5)
Amie K.
It's worth the wait. From the daily offerings that pop up and are delicious, to the tender roast beef and cornbread, you must try this place.
(5)
Michael M.
On my way home from the smokey mountains and I get to eat the best food I have had all vacation. WoW this place is good and to think I almost passed on it. I will say I almost gave it a four for lack of space and the long line. I guess that is just the price you pay for amazing food. While here I had the pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the macaroni. Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. To top it off I also had some pie. The peach pie was also a nice little piece of heaven. Most reviews would be over here. Nope not this one. This food is so good I got a to go order and ate it in the car. The second order was roast beef with the same sides. This roast beef just melts in your mouth. Not sure how one place gets everything so right while others can't even do one thing right. Last but not least the second time around had the pecan pie. I am not much for pecan pie but with everything else being awesome why not try. Let's just say it is THE BEST PECAN PIE i have ever had. Part of me wishes this place was just down the street from me, but my waste line is happy that it isn't . This is a must stop for any foodie coming through Nashville.
(5)
Scott S.
Straight hot fire! My girlfriend and I tried this place while we were in Nashville for a wedding. We looked up this restaurant off of diners drive inns and dives so we were expecting it to be bomb.com and it was! It's usually a good sign when you show up and there's a line out the door. Next time we are in Nashville we will definitely be back!!
(5)
Leang E.
This place is the real deal! I see the trend of the cafeteria style line to getting food. I like the efficiency and not having to wait on anyone. The line was only at the door, but it went pretty quickly. I got the baked chicken, green beans, and potato salad. The chicken was smothered with gravy, juicy, and flavorful as were my side items. I did get a slice of pie, but admittedly it was too sweet for me. I think the sweet tea here also is one of the sweeter teas I've had. The people that work here seem to know the regulars and are friendly and let you know what is good. They have daily specials and the prices seemed reasonable.
(4)
John F.
Found this on my Diner, Drive-Ins and Dive App. and absolutely loved it. The line was out of the door so I knew it would be good. I was on vacation so I was very happy to taste local southern cooking. You HAVE to try this!
(5)
Kenneth D.
I'll keep it short and sweet, but not overly sweet. I've been meaning to get over here for a long time now, the hype, the recommendations from friends, I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, what Arnold's is about is some damn fine soul food. The Roast Beef was tender and flavorful, especially with the Au Jus on top. The sides were all really good as well. The Mac and Cheese was really good, not the best I've had, but I'd absolutely order it again next time. The Cheese Grits with Stewed Tomatoes were surprisingly good. I grew up eating grits my whole life and have never had them prepared this way, it was a nice deviation. Now the Turnip Greens, perfection. Tender, smokey, a little salty, just perfect. Had I ended my meal there we'd be close to 5 stars, but at dessert things started to go down hill. I hate to say this, but the bread pudding is absolutely the worst I've ever had, anywhere. Hailing from New Orleans, I pride myself in being a bread pudding aficionado, and this isn't it. The "pudding" itself was even sweeter than the topping. Let's just say the sweet tea didn't even taste sweet after a bite of this, it was aggressively sweet. Aside from that, the consistency was that of sweet potato casserole, nothing at all resembling bread pudding. In one word, mush. The only saving grace may be that we got the bottom barrel servings, since after I ordered I heard them say there was only one serving left, and they were scooping it out of a crock pot. Regardless, I doubt I'll ever have the balls to try it again, so I guess it's just hit or miss, as so many people seemed to recommend it. The chocolate pie was really good though, and the hint of cayenne was a nice touch. But to finish the negative sandwich, the Pecan Pie, also, way too sweet. I know what you're thinking, but I've had tons and have made several myself, never have I had one so overly sweet. As bad of an experience as I had with dessert, I really can't wait to get back here. Their savory offerings are more than worth the trip and there were several other dessert choices, so hopefully next time I hit a home run. All around good food, very nice staff and a quick line(if you don't come at noon of course). I'd say the hype is mostly warranted.
(4)
Michael H.
Best Meat and Three in Nashville. I have been going for 20 years and the food is always good. I have never ordered a bad thing from them. They serve a lot of southern dishes. May not be the healthiest place to eat but it is fast and good. They also have a great breakfast selection as well. I did see on Food Network that Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives came to Arnold's so that is very cool.
(4)
Paul W.
Yummy. Yes. I said it. The food here is yummy. Looks like a health hazard from the outside, the line is LONG and the hours are limited (WTF? 10 to 2:30 pm weekdays?), but the people are Disneyland-friendly, the line is fast, and the food is crazy good. Deserts are first for you to pick (absurdly good pecan pie) then salads (slices of tomato in some kind of a dressing is a salad? It was freaking delish, but a SALAD? Hmmm....) then your sides and finally your main course. Meat and 3 sounds good to me. Hit this one and Monnell's for dinner Everything was great. Seriously. 5 stars out of 5. You deserve food this simple and good. So get moving, they close early.
(5)
Jacky L.
Since today was my buddy's last day of visiting Nashville, I decided to look up the "best" place for lunch and Arnold's came up again and again. We went for a late lunch (around 2pm), so it was near the end of the day for them. We both got the open-faced roast beef sandwich. For sides, he got the mac 'n' cheese and turnip greens and I had the mac 'n' cheese and mashed potatoes. First, people were right about the roast beef - it is ON POINT. I wish we came a bit earlier, since they were out of the homemade BBQ sauce, but they were nice enough to grab some from the fridge (they warned us it was cold) and whoa, that's a helluva sauce. As for the sides, the mac and cheese is pretty good, but the mashed potatoes must've been the best I've ever had. And I eat a lot of mashed potatoes. To wash it all down, I had the sweet tea. Usually I'm not too big of a fan of sweet tea since it's usually oversweetened, but this one was just right. I downed it almost immediately. I took a bite of my friend's turnip greens and they were pretty good too, so I hope to come back and try one of the other meats with the mashed and turnip greens. If you're in Nashville, you HAVE to swing by Arnold's for lunch at least once.
(5)
Robert C.
3-star southern comfort food (nothing bad) plus 1-star atmosphere. Waay too cool. S must stop for Nashville experience. Each day has a different buffet line. Come hungry or stay home, as there is no light lunch.
(3)
Fabiana H.
Everything is delicious including the desserts. Absolutely amazing southern comfort food. Not a fancy place at all, it is all about the good simple food. Yummy !
(5)
Andrea T.
Arnold's is only open for lunch from m-f. This is my only complaint. If you come to Nashville, make sure you can come for lunch. Try to get here when they open at 11 or even 11:30. After 12 prepare to wait in line. When S picked me up from the airport I really had my heart set on Monell's. Monell's is wonderful, but different. Arnold's is both an experience and delicious! On thursday they have some of the best hand carved roast beef with au jus I've ever had. Arnold's is a meat and three. Meaning a side of meat and three sides. You must try the turnip greens and mac n cheese. The string beans are also quite tasty. The turnip greens are cooked perfectly and seasoned with pork. These are easily the best turnip greens! The mac n cheese is velvety cheese goodness. The macaroni very tender with the perfect level of cheese. Then while in line they tell you get bread with your meal. There are biscuits and cornbread, but get the yeast rolls. They are some of the best rolls I've ever had! Oh and in the very beginning of the line, there are slices of pie. I had chocolate cream with meringue. Definitely pick a slice of pie. The sweet tea is also delicious!
(5)
Melissa W.
A meal here is better than Thanksgiving dinner. And I love Thanksgiving food. The roast beef is outrageously good. Add some mac n cheese, mustard greens, and corn pudding. Maybe a sweet tea on the side. $10 of perfection. So worth the wait. You will not regret it. And the line, even while out the door, moves at a relatively steady pace. Arnold's is hands-down the best thing about Nashville.
(5)
Rachel B.
Great chocolate pie! Very good green beans and roast beef. Bus guy was very friendly and got me more tea. The rolls are divine!
(5)
Charles C.
I've lived in Nashville 20+ years and I'm from the rural Deep South. It doesn't get any better than this for home cooking in Nashville. Not Sweats, not The Pie Wagon, not Monells, not Virginia's Market, not Sylvan Park, not The Southern. None of them come close to the quality and authenticity of the food at Arnold's. I do miss seeing Jack in there serving up food with a pistol sticking out of his overall bib! What a character!!! Nashville keeps getting trendy and uptown so this place is areal treasure. Update: I had to take away two stars as the service has gone down hill here. I'm sad to say that Rose and kids are running the show now and it seems with the growth of Nashville and their business booming that they are less interested in service.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
I had heard lots of things about Arnold's, good and bad. Figured if the places was only open for lunch it was worth checking out. I went on a Tuesday, so they had roast beef, meat loaf, grouper, chicken and dumplings. I got the dumplings. Next you pick from an assortment of sides like green beans, yams, the gooey-est Mac n cheese I've ever seen, and others like black eyed peas and corn pudding. The corn pudding is absolutely delicious and so are the mash potatoes. The dumplings were tender and the chicken was fall apart good. Corn bread is just "okay" but their pies are too notch! I had a piece of the Chess pie and it was a great end to lunch. Oh, their lemonade is "instant cavity" sweet, so drink at your own risk. Overall, great little spot for lunch. Staff is kind and inviting. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Chenxi L.
Last day in downtown nashville, decided to give this "No1"restaurant a try. Totally not worth it. Why this place has a rating this high? Really not impressed with the food. Ordered the fried steak, greens, green bean ,corn, and sweet tea (which took just above $12) . The steak is wayyy toooo salty that is even no where near edible, and the gravy is so overwhelming! The greens and green beans are flavorless, honestly, it tastes like you boiled it and put some salt on it. The only good point is the corn, has some savory flavor in it.
(2)
Larisa N.
Nice place for a lunch. Typical southern kitchen. Nothing fancy.
(4)
Kevin C.
Best soul food I have ever been graced with tasting. The line goes out the door, as any good restaurant should, and it is worth the wait. I had the catfish, collards, and mac and cheese. Damn. I wish I could get here sooner. Every bite was incredible and I have had some damn good soul food. This place has a damn James Beard award, (same as Princes Hot Chicken) which is how you know it is a classic establishment pushing some damn good food. I bet ole James had to dab the tartar sauce from his beard a couple times when he stopped here. Get here as fast as you possibly can, the lines are long, but quick, and seating limited.
(5)
Allison S.
The only cooking I've found in Nashville so far that reminds me of my great-grandmother's. And that is the highest compliment.
(5)
Shawntay C.
This place was busy but had a feeling of orchestrated chaos. The food deserves the hype and press that it gets. The cornbread and chess pie are definitely worth a return trip. My only drawback is that it would benefit from a bigger building so as not to feel like you're stacked on top of each other.
(4)
Jesse Q.
O.M.G. Arnolds is off the CHAIN..There not open but 5 hrs.A day but the Great Food always is a Delight
(5)
Pam W.
This is my grandmothers Sunday cooking. I try to take visitors here for the experience . I go for the great food. Never disappointed. The greens are top notch with the right amount of seasoning. Roast beef and chicken are my go to meats here. The chocolate chili pie is a great topper to the meal. Sweet with the back burn of red chili. Great!!!!!
A two time James Beard award winner, this is a definite foodie stop! a menu that rotates every day. Turnip greens were amazing, as was the light and airy fry on the fish fillet! Only open during lunch, get there well before noon as tables fill up quickly. Chicken and dumplings are hearty and homey. Opt for unsweetened tea if you get dessert and you know you will with a selection of pies including pecan and chess pie and bread pudding.
(5)
Moda M.
Excellent Southern cooking going on at this place! Choose a slice of homemade pie first, then choose your meat (we had country fried steak and fried shrimp). The sides we chose were fantastic...collard greens, fried green tomatoes, potato salad. Pecan pie excellent...chocolate pie with baked meringue topping looked delicious too! They have different menu daily... I would love to go back on Chicken N Dumplings day. I'm sure they are excellent! We are from Chicago and will definitely go back when in Nashville again!
(5)
Heather M.
Amazing! Everything!! Roast beef, Mac n cheese, greens, even the salad! My two year old said "yeah buddy!"
(5)
Stephanie C.
As seen Diners Drive-ins and Dives! It is a cafeteria style place where you pick what you want. Collard greens and pork chop was amazing! It gets really crowed and parking is scare.
(3)
Josh M.
This is a little out of the way meat and three cafeteria style restaurant, but defiantly worth the trip. You can find it easily by looking for the line out the door. Don't let the line deter you. Everything we ate was fantastic. The meatloaf, spicy chocolate pie, lemonade and sweet tea really stood out. The fried green tomatoes were the best we have ever had.
(4)
John S.
Arnold's is good and I've always been wanting to try it since I've heard so much. The food is definitely good, good service, fast lines; overall it meets the expectations I had and the descriptions I've read. I think their sides are really good, and the meats are pretty good but not the best I've had. The pork chop was a very good size and the gravy that went on it is good, but the pork chop itself was a little dry. Their red bean on jalapeno grits, and their cajun fries are both really good, as well as their rolls. My friend had mac and cheese which was also good. I didn't get a chance to try their fried green tomatoes but next time I will definitely try them. Delicious? Definitely. Should you go check it out? No doubt. Is it as mind-blowing and amazing like all the hype? Well...you can decide for yourself.
(4)
Maya K.
I think that my experience at Arnold's was kind of my fault - I on the recommendation of a Nashville resident, but without doing any of my usual yelp research, so I wasn't sure exactly what to order. I also came in at the tail end of lunch (around 2pm), so I wonder if that had an impact on my order as well. The food was good, but not super hot (temperature wise) -- I had the roast beef, which was decent; the green beans, which were way too salty for me; and the mac and cheese, which was SOOOO good. If I could go back and do it again (which I'd like to, because seeing all of these 5 star reviews pains me about my own so-so experience), I'd probably try a different meat and get the turnip greens instead. I've learned my lesson: always check the yelp recs before ordering!
(3)
Owen R.
Interesting experience, really enjoyed a southern unhealthy, treat/meal. Major downside; the line! Set up is more annoyance than quaint. People on top of people, not for the claustrophobic. Unique and I hope you can get there right when they open or slightly before close, otherwise a hassle!
(3)
Jeff M.
Arnold's was the first establishment to have ever served a meat and three to me. In fact, it was the first place I went to on a recent trip to Nashville. I had no idea what to expect walking into this unassuming restaurant. I knew about the James Beard on the wall but had no idea that that spiky bleached blond idiot from the Food Network visited this place untill I saw his photo on the wall. I told the guy behind the counter I was from Boston and had no idea what I was doing. He served me roast beef, greens, mac and cheese, tomato basil pie, bread budding, butter pecan pie and two pieces of cornbread. The total for all of this was $11.69. I couldn't believe the price. Getting to what was on the plate, the roast beef was pretty basic, but, nonethless good. The mac and cheese had too much pepper and more liquidy than I like. The greens were greens. The tomato basil pie may have been the best thing on my tray. The bread pudding was too dense, had no bounce to it and the sugar in the creme anglaise was over overpowering. The better pecan pie was very good, but, to order it, you better like sugar. I don't include price in my review but if I did this would have to be a five star cheap eat.
(3)
Cally B.
This place lives up to the hype. Best baked chicken I have ever had. Line seems really long but it moves fast and is well worth it!
(5)
Laura F.
Despite all the raving reviews, I found the food to be serviceable. Had it been freshly made I'm sure it would've been better. It also may have been better had I not done carry-out.
(3)
Jasmine M.
Yes the two guys across the street from Arnold's were smoking crack when we passed them. Ok so it might be a slightly dicey part of town, but I did want to tell them there was no need for drug crack when you have fried green tomato crack across the street. Addictive but much better for you. Arnold's is typical get your grub on no frills cafeteria style lunch. If you want a nicer place, go to Monnell's. Though for food, I think Arnold's schools Monnell's. One the fried green tomatoes are incredible. By far, the best I have ever had. They are really nicely seasoned with some spicy kick to them. The macaroni cheese is great as is the creamed corn. I had fried shrimp and my boyfriend had roast beef. There were a number of other choices too that all looked and smelled incredible. The meal was heavenly, and because it was a meat and three and not an all you can eat, I left stuffed but not sick. Yeah, I have to let someone else control my portion size. The staff was super friendly and on hand for refills of sweet tea.
(5)
Ryan S.
Great food and excellent staff as well. The only drawback was the line being out the door, but I will definitely be back regardless.
(4)
Andrea N.
I will come out of my way to eat here. The vegetables are so tasty, and the beef was juicy. The service was friendly and made us feel comfortable knowing that we weren't from Nashville. Unfortunately, I only had 1 meal here...wish I had more.
(5)
Kaiping S.
meat and 3 is no joke. do not trifle with your lunch here. you really can't go wrong with any of the sides (especially fried green tomatoes!) or meat you choose. sweet tea is on point, and as other reviewers mentioned, the banana pudding is ridiculously tasty. if you are in the mood for desert be sure to pick that bad boy up. my only regret is not being able to come here every day of the week to try the different meats available. cafeteria style so prices are cheap and line could be long but don't let that fool you. the line moves quickly and you will enjoy anything you try here. also great because its walking distance to downtown for visitors without a car.
(5)
steven c.
Wow! What can I say that has not already been said. Simply the best meat and 3 ever.
(5)
Dot V.
I loved it! I wish we had places like this in metro Atlanta. We arrived at 1p.m. but the line was still a little bit out the door. The tables were all full and I wondered how we were going to find a place to sit but, surprisingly, they clear out fast. The food is country cookin at it's best. I had the roast beef with mashed potatoes and squash. I'm not a cornbread fan so I chose the yeast rolls. They were melt in your mouth goodness. Everything was very yummy. The only drawbacks for me were the parking lot being so rough and the restaurant being extremely noisy and crowded.
(4)
Sue S.
Don't worry about the line - it moves fast and it's worth it. And every single dish will be the best "insert food here" you've ever tasted. A serious yum.
(5)
Scott G.
Solid meat & 3 but nothing incredible. Can be hard to get a seat at lunch time.
(3)
Zlata P.
This place reminded me of home, since cafeteria style restaurants are still pretty big in Russia. Be ready to wait in line, but it will be worth it. They serve a different variety every day, the menu is on the door. Just grab a tray and pick what you like. I had meatloaf with side of mashed potatoes, some greens and a bread pudding. Southern comfort at its best! Meatloaf was delicious and the creole gravy was perfect. One of the best greens I've had too! So so good! Definitely check it out while in Nashville. It's close to the Gulch and downtown as well, so it's easy to squeeze it in, if you don't have much time in Nashville
(5)
Danielle S.
Favorite food in Nashville. And we have great food here. Cafeteria style. Meat and 3. DELICIOUS southern food. All the meats and all the sides have been amazing. It's such a cool atmosphere. They serve different things on different days but I can't imagine you'd ever be disappointed in your options. Just go try it and taste how amazing it is.
(5)
Kayla H.
I think this place speaks for itself. The best meat-and-three in the area! A must-go for out-of-town visitors especially. The peach cobbler was particularly delicious. The other diners and the staff were super nice too. Coming here made me miss Nashville for all the right reasons. :)
(5)
Kristie A.
Line goes by pretty fast. I'm a Nashville native but I still waited in line in the midst of other tourists. Food changes every week so call before coming if there's a particular meal you'd like to try. Don't save spots either. By the time you get to the end of the line, you'll have a table. Don't worry about that! Get their chocolate pudding. it is soooo delicious. The price is just right with the amount of food that you get. Try to avoid lunch rush!
(4)
Vickie R.
Honestly, we had so much good food in Nashville that was way fancier and way more expensive, but my meal at Arnold's is still my favorite. I came down to the South to get the southern food that I had missed, and this is now my new gold standard. There are no bells and whistles to the cafeteria style Arnold's Country Kitchen, only excellent food that I will have a hard time finding something comparable to. Everyone in the town of Nashville obviously knows this place is amazing too, as we arrived at 11 and there was already a "short" line, and the people never stopped coming, it was literally out the door. Since it's cafeteria style, we didn't have to wait on any waiters. You get your food, sit down, eat, and leave. We were in and out in half an hour. The bussers are really good with cleaning up as soon as you leave for the next patrons because the line is unending. My "bar" for any southern meal to be measured against - fried chicken (all dark meat), mashed potatoes with gravy, mac & cheese, and greens. There were many other things I could've tried, but as a reviewer, those are my staples. Everything met my expectations of good southern food and then some. The chicken was fried to a golden brown and delicious, the meat was still juicy and tender. The mac was creamy, the mashed taters weren't powdery, the gravy isn't bland (in fact, flavorful), and the greens still had texture to it and the broth it was cooked in was delicious. Even with an iced tea, it was barely $10. That was the perfect meal to end my trip to Nashville.
(5)
Marcin S.
Honestly, I believe it is over-hyped. The food is good, but for our tastes most of the dishes were significantly too salty and as far as chicken and dumplings were concerned, the restaurant went overboard with black pepper. The price is right, though and I believe we got a good value for our money. We got roast beef, BBQ chicken, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes + chocolate pie and banana pudding. Out of these, we liked our meats and fried green tomatoes. The rest were OK. Deserts were very rich and slightly too sweet for us. The place is open only for lunch and is quite popular - it took us more than 30 minutes to get in. It has a bit of a school cafeteria feel and if you are looking for spotless cleanness, this is not the place. As we came there at noon, before we got to the counter, they run out of many dishes already (no fried catfish, shrimp or beans for us...) I am sure, that if we came on a slightly less busy day and it was not so excruciatingly hot outside (half an hour in blazing, Southern sun at ~100 F does not make one very enthusiastic), our perception could have been different. To sum up: it is a decent place, but we will not be coming back, at least not in summer...
(3)
Tim G.
This is one of the truly amazing meat and three type places that absolutely make your mouth water. I come here all the time for work, as it's not far from the office. I suggest you get there early, or plan to wait in line. The Mac and Cheese is the best side. The Roast beef is the best meat. And DO NOT FORGET to get banana pudding! You will not be sorry. You can thank me later.
(5)
Michael U.
Items Selected: Fried Grouper Chicken n' Dumplings White Beans Candied Yams Mac n' Cheese Corn Muffin Pancake Banana Pudding Chess Pie Pecan Pie Leaving a fair amount of breakfast from Pancake Pantry on the table before heading north to Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills mall it was after several hours of walking and shopping that we returned to downtown Nashville for a two-part lunch, the first stop seeing our trio just beat the crowd at Beard Award Winning Arnold's, a landmark cafeteria-styled luncheonette fabled by locals and tourists alike. Open in its current format for nearly as long as I've been alive and featuring Southern Classics in a setting where communal seating always at a premium, Arnold's sits next to a rather sizable parking lot in a rapidly gentrifying area along 8th Ave and with rotating daily specials plus several standby signatures the only real question is how long a wait and what to order - our answers to this being no time at all, and two "Meat & 2s" plus bread and three plates of sweets in our case. Not particularly renowned for their service, the staff left to navigate a rather narrow space behind steamer tables brimming with choices as line cooks worked feverishly at their backs, it is perhaps fortunate that many selections are of the 'help yourself' variety while mains and hot sides are scooped and slopped on plates to be stacked on trays, a bit of persistence needed in our case to get the chicken n' dumplings that we'd ordered as the woman taking orders turned her attention elsewhere immediately after scooping up some candied yams and white beans. Undoubtedly the most affordable meal of the trip, a whole lot of homestyle cuisine served up for just a shade over twenty bucks, it was immediately after sitting down that we tucked in and although both the pancake and cornbread were almost insufferably dry everything else on the plate was reference standard cafeteria grub - not the sort of 'upscale American' being peddled for top dollar elsewhere, just flaky fish beneath golden batter and rich stock with tender noodles and chicken plus the sort of sides you'd associate with holidays at Grandma's house - the smoky beans particularly delicious, while the yams were sweet enough that they could have served as dessert themselves. Moving onward to proper desserts, an older African American man circulating to refill beverages and clear trays in order to promptly seat new patrons, those fancying Southern staples would be well served to visit Arnold's if only for some pudding and pie, the former a 'Nilla wafer studded homemade iteration with stick-a-spoon-up-straight thickness and the later a tossup between Pecan and Chess as to which was better, the former almost purely nuts without much filler while the later was amongst the most creamy I've tasted despite a top that was cooked till cracking, an absolute steal at just $2.75.
(4)
Lauren H.
A solid stop on the Nashville food tour that we have been on since arriving. The staff is incredibly attentive and sweet (like their great sweet tea). The Roast Beef is not to be beat, and the sides are all solid! We tried the Mac and Cheese, cole slaw, green beans, corn bread, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. Of those I highly recommend the cole slaw, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. Must have the pecan pie!!
(4)
Lin G.
The line out the door was an excruciating one. A sure sign of quality right? Well... I guess the rumor from the couple in front of us is that this place was featured on some tv show and hence its fame. A lady cutting so-called Georgia peaches kept us distracted and proffered samples of her peaches, which can be purchased at $8 in cash for a brown paper bag of who knows how many peaches (maybe 3?) and who knows what quality are in the bags. Walking in, I felt like hot air has been blown up my ass in the form of hype. THANK YOU YELP, YOU ASSHOLES. Piles of dirty dishes on dirty trays were strewn across dirty tables like orc carcasses left after a Lord of the Rings battle. A single elderly male worker meandered about, SLOWLY collecting the dirty dishes and stacking the used trays around the room, leaving huge tracts of tables just totally unattended with dirty dishes and trays piled 3-6 stacks deep, caked with half eaten food. His lethargic pace was so slow it was almost impressive, especially considering the amount of people eating and waiting to eat here. The portion sizes were very modest and I tried the roast beef, some sort of candied vegetable, and the fried green tomatoes. The roast beef was okay but nothing to write home about and doled out in meager servings. The candied veggies, well, I think they could drizzle that syrup over poison ivy and it'd probably taste pretty decent. The fried green tomatoes was the most flavorful and interesting. It was definitely my favorite thing here. I tried a bite of the chocolate pie and again, I don't really know what the hype is about. For less that $10 a tray, I guess it's okay. But I would't trust anything I see on television again!
(3)
Josh C.
Highly recommend this place to anyone who has even one meal in the Nashville area. My friend and I were literally talking about it for the entire rest of the trip. Make sure to come hungry and not plan on eating much for the rest of the day! Wonderful place. Highly recommend the chicken and dumplings and the bread pudding.
(5)
Robert J.
Mixed feelings. The food was great, but the way in which I got the food was not. We waited in a good line out in the sun for about 15 minutes, followed by another awkward 10 minutes of standing in line in very close proximity to people as they ate. While eating, I was continuously bumped (sometimes hard) by people standing in the very squished line right behind me. The food was great. The chicken & dumpling soup felt more like a chicken noodle (with big, soft noodles), but it was very good. The Roast beef (sorry I know everyone here has said it) was like a party in my mouth. I'll admit that I was hesitant, because I've never had amazing RB before. However, the sample that I stole from my friend's plate was enough to change my mind! Everything else was very good, but not great. The setup (again) was weird. Cafeteria-style like was disorganized and we weren't clear on what exactly was included or how much it cost. They had some items the menu didn't list and didn't have at least one that the menu said they would. I really didn't care for the little bowls & plates of food that took up my entire tray. I'd rather put multiple items on the same plate. I'd probably come back here, but it was really a pain and an awkward situation. Getting food to go might be a MUCH better idea ;)
(3)
Catherine L.
As Nashvillian (is that a term?) as it gets. If you're visiting, get thee here. Get thee here during the week, as they are sadly closed on the weekends. Get thee here (early) and wait in line. It's worth it. Get thee here and order the Roast Beef (if they have it that day). Get some turnip greens (you must, you must!) Get the mac n' cheese. Fried Green Tomatoes, just because. Then round off the meal, with some amazing Banana pudding, because it's banana pudding. Every bite was delectable. I wiped my plate clean. Sit yourself down, as I did, with a local. Enjoy your lunch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy this amazing local meat and three and savor it all. I'm still dreaming about those amazing turnip greens, and well, everything I ate there too. Perfection.
(5)
Nathan M.
A local landmark. If you want quick delicious southern food, go here. Served cafeteria style with plenty of table seating (family style or booths). Had the 4 vegetable plate: collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes. I devoured all of this in 5 minutes because it was that good. Definitely will plan on coming back.
(4)
Ted C.
What I'm not going to do is repeat what I said earlier. I will say that the food is still the same quality-I want to say that they were skimping a little but it was during the 'winter apocalypse' where it seemed like everyone was storing food, because apparently two inches of snow is like Hoth around here. Anyway, I still got the roast beef with au jus, while my friend got the kielbasa and kraut AND the chicken. Honestly, at a place like this there's really no point in keeping things to yourself. There was so much food between the four of us that we basically got a little of everything off the menu. The fried chicken here was also delicious, skillet fried is time consuming and sometimes you don't get what you want (luckily they had white meat available) but it's definitely worth it. The breading was crisp and the meat succulent and juicy. Definitely glad I brought people here.
(4)
Robert B.
Great quality country food. Meat and three with a great choice of deserts. Try the chocolate pepper pie. You will not regret it.
(5)
Grant J.
If you are visiting Nashville, this is a must and a long time staple of the city. The line is long for a reason, but don't fret...it goes fast and the food is definitely worth it! If you live in Nashville and haven't been, shame on you! I had the chicken and dumplings with a side of Mac n cheese and mash taters and I have been dreaming of it ever since. Can't wait to return on my next visit and try something different as the menu changes daily.
(5)
Monte R.
This place is a mixed bag. The atmosphere was dirty and grungy, I felt like walking into greasy spoon in some nasty part of the city. It was gross. Tables were a mess. The "cleanliness" was a major concern. However, Arnold's delivered on some might tasty food. The sides and brisket were awesome. I just don't get how owners of a place let it get so dirty, with pretty good stream of customers and plenty of revenue, they don't take the time to clean up and remodel the place for modern times.
(3)
Katie U.
Caveat: I am not from the south and so I may just not "get it". But there were three of us eating and not a single one of us said "wow - this is really good" about anything we got. I didn't even eat my leftovers - they were super salty. It's a nice atmosphere - the staff clearly like what they do. And the friendly, crowded atmosphere is fun. It's cool that they have daily menus with several really good-sounding items each day. But I can't say the food was any better than other decent barbeque or meat-and-3s I've been to. The green beans - your normal salty, light green beans cooked in bacon. The country-fried steak - flavorless meat in lots of gravy. The cornbread - the same salty, dry cakes you can get anywhere...
(2)
Dan H.
Arnold's was another in the long list of restaurants I have found in the Road Food book. It is an institution in Nashville. Another place where you will wait in a line. I liked one of the articles that was on the wall that I happened to read while I was waiting in said line. It said something about lines being the great equalizer. Everyone is equal when they are standing in a line. So true. Yet another meat and 3 place. Or a meat and 2. Or just veggies if you prefer to go that route. I was there on a Friday and one of the meat specials was roast beef. Yes please. I was happy to get up there when they were cutting into some of the medium to medium rare meat. Yes, they have someone standing there carving the meat. That is a good thing. Paired that up with some collard greens and mac and cheese along with a slice of pumpkin pie, some dinner rolls and a glass of sweet tea which seemed to be more crushed ice and not so much tea, but I'll get back to that in a bit. I was there by myself so I found a seat at one of the longer tables and ended up being joined by other folks that were on their own. Be prepared to share your space with strangers. That is just how it works here. The roast beef was very tender and very flavorful. Don't know what they rub on it, but it was very good and not too salty. The rest of the meal was very good too. I mentioned about the tea earlier. Do not fret if you get a glass of ice and a small amount of tea. They have a filling station and you can refill your tea as much as you'd like. I ended up filling up before leaving and finding a cover so that I could take it to go. The wait is worth it.
(4)
Sim T.
Real authentic southern food, cholesterol and all. High sodium and high fat, but who cares because you are coming for the true southern soul food experience. The roast beef is on point and the staff is super nice. The sweet tea is basically sugar with a little bit of water. Good meal to have at least once in your life not everyday.
(4)
Rob H.
Roast beef, black eyed peas, baked squash casserole and dressing. Here on vacation and it's a must see if you're ok with no frills and no regard for caloric intake. The food was very good - juicy roast beef, sweet and savory dressing, almost too sweet squash. Very intense flavors, but very fresh and delicious. Regarding the complaints about the line and people bumping into you - if you have an issue with "personal space invaders" this isn't the place for you. I wouldn't want to deal w/it everyday, but I actually enjoyed it as part of the experience.
(5)
Jason B.
Have you ever eaten so hard that you started to sweat? I'm talking about sweat rolling down your forehead from your lust for a steaming bowl of chicken n dumplings? That's what just happened to me as slurped some soupy, delicious, boiled dough from this tiny little place. I've been in Nashville for 15 years. I've always heard about Arnold's and how good it was.. I've read the reviews. I've seen it on TV. I've even flown by a few times for lunch, but was turned off by the line that was out the door and around the corner. Today was my lucky day. I was actually trying to eat sushi, but Wild Wasabi was packed, so we somehow ended up at the Arnold's...about the farthest thing from sushi on the food spectrum. I've never written a 5 star review for a restaurant. Some call me a food snob. Others think I'm just insatiable. Whatever the case may be, this place lived up to the hype more than any other place I've ever been. My friend and I were undecided on what to order. Everybody we passed had the smoked barbecue chicken and it looked delicious. Chicken and dumplings are their staple. The roast beef looked like prime rib from a high end steak house. Too many good options. I had the dumplings, and they were better than any I've ever had. Sorry mom. RIP grandma. They are simply better at Arnold's. The green beans were stupid good. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy and extra buttery. My friend had the catfish, hush puppies, mac n cheese, and greens. The catfish had a great flavor and cripsy fried batter. I can only dream about how good it would've been freshly prepared. The mac n cheese had just a hint of hot sauce which cut through the creaminess. The greens tastes like they'd been cooking for hours in a delicious, rich, ham hock broth. AMAZING. Let's not stop there...we also split a piece of pecan pie and carrot cake. This was total indulgence for a Friday lunch. There's nothing to say about the desserts except OMG (in my Usher voice). I'm so happy that Arnold's lived up to the hype; the expectations fueled by raving reviews and countless TV shows. FIVE BAJILLION STARS!
(5)
Abram M.
The brisket and roast beef melt in your mouth. So much flavor in everything I tried. Home made and delicious! Couldn't get enough of the mashed potatoes with the au jus on them. Also the banana pudding is out of this world!
(5)
Fishstick Y.
Came here on Monday for the fried chicken special. Crispiest fried chicken I've ever had. Gf got the roast beef, which was very good but the fried chicken was better IMO. All the sides we got - mashed potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese were good. Banana pudding was spot on. Excellent lunch spot. Oh and the line isn't bad, it moves pretty quickly.
(5)
Jane H.
Best meat and three in town! Love the taste of roast beef, green beans, bread and pie! Yum
(5)
Tim M.
Have been wanting to come here since I saw it on DDD. definitely worth the ride. The roast beef and the brisket were awesome. The sides were equally as good. Will be back soon. Great people great food.
(5)
Ruiqiu K.
I've been hearing about fried green tomatoes and had no idea what they looked like or tasted. Imagine my embarrassment when I thought I was buying a weird-looking chocolate chip cookie, only to find out that I bought fried green tomatoes. They were actually the best part of my meal, and something I was looking for but didn't think they had available when I visited. I had their catfish, which was plentiful, but decent. I wasn't too keen on their stewed okra, but wanted to try okra cooked a different way than what I'm used to. I've never had chess pie and it was delicious. Our wait was probably about 20 minutes, but it went quickly. You reach the area where you point to the items you want put on your tray. You may have to share tables, but we were seated at our own table. Still a long line when we left, which just shows how popular this place is. Wish I could have tried out their set menus on the other days.
(4)
Kristi G.
Triple D got this one right. Arnold's Country Kitchen is delicious! Everyone in our party of 6 agreed this place rocked the homestyle cooking. From the roast beef, fried catfish, baked chicken, to all the super yummy sides everything was a hit. Oh and don't forget the dessert, the pecan and chess pie were the perfect ending to our super guilty cheat meal!
(5)
Sarah S.
My friend and I drove by a couple of times before finally stopping in. We got scared seeing a line way out the door but the line actually moves pretty quickly and somehow there always seems to be enough seating to accomodate everyone. It would help a bit if tables were bussed more quickly as then there would be a bit more space for seating. A few tables we saw were overrun with dishes leaving no room for people to sit down. Arnold's is kind of a cafeteria style setup - Long line of people, pick the food you want that's dished out from various trays, pick up some pie if you want it and off you go to the register to pay, then to find a seat. When you pick your food, you choose a meat main dish and three side dishes cleverly referred to as Meat & Three. There are usually 4 or 5 mains to pick from and about 10 side dishes. For my main I picked the Chicken & Dumplings which comes in a separate little bowl. I liked them but wasn't in love at first bite. For one of my sides, I knew I had to have the mac & cheese. Again, I liked it but wasn't over the moon. It reminded me of Stouffer's with a bit of seasonings. Don't get me wrong, Stouffer's mac & cheese is some ish, but it's just not my favorite way of having it with a slightly processed cheese feel to it. My other sides were a corn tomato souffle special and fried okra or greens - can't remember which it was now. But of these side dishes were sadly quite forgettable. I ate them, liked them, but mind not blown. For dessert, they have a few pies to pick from including a spicy one! I got the standard chocolate pie covered in a thick layer, way more thick than the pie itself, of marshmallow fluff. As with everything else, I liked it just fine but didn't love it and crave more as I usually do with chocolate treats. Would I go back? Yes in a heartbeat but I think I'd try some different dishes. I was going in expecting to love everything about Arnold's so I'm kind of sad I didn't like it more than I did.
(3)
Nikita L.
Stopped by for a quick lunch. The brisket was soo good! Side dishes are very salty, but overall a good place for lunch.
(4)
Michelle M.
We ate an enormous lunch at Arnold's on our way out of Nashville. My husband ran inside and picked up our meal while I waited in the car with the pug, and we struggled to eat the gigantic quantity of food inside the car while simultaneously preventing said pug from eating it all himself. It was worth the trouble! I had fried shrimp, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, cheese grits and cornbread. The shrimp were tasty but nothing super special- the stand-outs were the sides. The potatoes were creamy and buttery, the mac was DELICIOUS and the cheese grits had a really delicious and unique flavor. It was all really good and I ate every bite! We also shared a slice of chess pie, which I had never had before, but both of us liked it. It was sweet and creamy and a perfect way to round out the meal (and leave us positively stuffed). Yum!
(4)
Robin B.
Friendly service, fast pace, and TOO MUCH SUGAR. I cannot stress how overly thick and sweet their sweet tea was, and the chocolate pie was not at all silky, but grainy and thick. Green beans were somewhat too salty, but were on par with typical meat and three type places around the south. Stand in line, and order cafeteria style. High notes: free lot parking, grouper was perfectly crisped, and turnip greens were tender and meaty.
(3)
Evan W.
- A Nashville Legend - After multiple recommendations I finally decided to drive here at lunch ( ONLY LUNCH) This place was a local hot spot catering to a crowd so diverse you'll see a lawyer standing behind a farmer! The food speaks for itself : Roast be
(5)
Ferdinand H.
I have a weakness for chicken fried steak... You know, the beef that's battered in bread then fried? Like, fried steak? That's called chicken? It makes sense to me now, although it still throws me for a loop. At any rate, I'd asked around Nashville where I might find some of the chicken fried steak in the area, and most of the chefs and diners that I'd asked said Arnold's. Well, they didn't have it that day (it's there sometimes), but an entree and several sides later, I did come to the conclusion that there's great value at eating at this yon hole-in-the-wall that brings the cafeteria style mix and match plate menu concept to a a high level of quality. While you're not likely to keep a trim figure if you decided to eat here every meal, neither will you find the grease extra-excessive, nor seasoning extra-sodium-hypertension-causing. Flavorful, zesty, and homey... it's neither showy nor exuberant... it's honest cooking that is unabashedly southern.
(5)
Mackenzie N.
Don't let the line scare you away. It goes quickly and the food is delicious! Homemade everything. The banana pudding is the best I've ever had!
(5)
Kimberli F.
Soul food is my favorite type of food ever. And this is right on the money. Mouth watering!
(5)
Peter D.
Was passing through Nashville and Arnold's continued to come up as a must try. I went with moderate expectations given I'm not that into the southern style food but Arnold's is an exception. I enjoyed the cafeteria style ordering process especially because I was in a hurry. I could see though how during peak times it could get pretty packed and a pain to wait it out though. I had the special of the day which was the country fried steak. I was tempted by the roast beef which looked great but the novelty of the steak got me. I got mashed, fried green tomatoes and greens as sides. Steak was delicious and surprisingly not overly heavy. Greens/mashed were as expected but the fried tomatoes was great. Highly recommend.
(5)
sam a.
I didn't even know what a "meat and three" was until I went here. Now its all I ever want. Everything about this place was unique and delicious. This food could easily be plated a little differently and sold in a hip Brooklyn bar to hordes of foodies eagerly paying $80 a plate. Instead you get this food for bargain prices in an awesomely communal setting. Come here hungry and try one of everything.
(5)
Mich M.
Visiting Nashville and found this place after receivi g a recommendation from a local. We made it in time before they closed. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in a while. Roast beef was excellent. BBQ chicken good a little too sweet would be just fine without the sauce. Cornbread yummy. Mac and cheese, corn casserole uber good. Service was excellent. I went with a vegetarian and even they loved the non meat sides. The sides are not an after thought. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Courtney C.
My husband picked this restaurant and I followed him here with minimal murmurs and I'm SOOOO happy that he picked Arnold's! This was one of the high points of our trip to Nashville. I'd read Sarah S and others' reviews stating to make it early, so there's no shame in the fact we arrived for lunch at 10:45 AM. There were only a few people in front of us and we were served within a few minutes. By the time we'd sat down, a line had formed halfway through the parking lot. Whew! (Even if you come and there's a line, don't worry too much. It moved fast.) I followed the reviews and went for the roast beef, the mashed potatoes and the greens. When they were about to serve me the meat, the guy said they had a special they'd made that day served on top of a jalapeno cheese grit cake with some kind of fresh BBQ sauce. It sounded fabulous so I quickly changed my mind. I can't even believe how good it was. The sauce (which escapes my mind now as to what he described) was very flavorful and complimented the tender beef well. Grits are my favorite part of the South and theirs didn't disappoint. I liked that it was in cake form too because it sucked up the juices of the meat and sauce. The potatoes were decent, as were the greens, but the meat was where it was at. I also got a fresh lemonade and enjoyed it most of the afternoon. It was pretty sweet, but not too sweet where it made your teeth hurt. If you're thinking Arnold's is all hype and couldn't possibly live up to the expectations, I'm telling you you're wrong. Every rave review was spot on!
(5)
Mike M.
Had lunch there today. I found this place on Yelp. The high number of positive reviews beckoned to me to try it out. Quite impressive little restaurant with 2 James Beard awards. When I arrived at 11:20 am there were about 15 people in line in front of me which meant about a 10 minute wait to get to the serving line. Today I tried the chicken and dumplings, candied yams, cabbage and shire beans along with a slice of chess pie and sweet tea for about $13 w/tax. Normally I don't do dessert but what the hell!!! When served the first thing I noticed was that the servings were a little smaller than I expected for a diner restaurant like this. Usually servings at other places are larger(see my pics). Next I noticed that the bowl of chicken and dumplings was only filled about 3/4 full and that it was the soupy kind of chick and dumpling that I don't like. I prefer mine to require a fork to eat rather than a spoon. I will say that the food was good. The veggies were seasoned properly. The yams were sweet. Beans and cabbage tasted real southern.. I thought the chess pie was excellent even though I am sure it had a million calories...lol. Overall the meal was very good and rated a strong 4. I could have given a 5 if the servings were a little larger and the chick and dumplings were firmer and less soupy. If I lived here I would eat here often. I wish I could try some of their other entrees. You should eat here. Just come early. If the line is at the door you might have as much as a 15 minute wait. I recommend.
(4)
Kim S.
This is a great place for old fashioned southern food. We had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, creamed corn and a roll. The only surprising disappointment was the sweet tea--it was barely sweet. In fact, we thought we had accidentally gotten unsweetened tea, but no- it was just not that sweet. We liked sitting with others. It is a tight squeeze in there but definitely good food.
(4)
Toni S.
The best ever. You have to go! Mac n cheese was on point, green beans were the best I've ever had and pies topped it off. This place is a must go in Nashville.
(5)
Eden O.
Expect the wait others have mentioned. . . when we showed up. . . it was out the door. The line tortures you as you are hovering over the people filled tables, which are filled with plates, which are filled with food. All of it looked delicious. They have a few main meats offered for each day of the week (I believe about five choices per day), we were there on a Friday and they had options like Chicken and Dumplings, Meatloaf, BBQ Chicken and Catfish. The sides range from turnip greens, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes to hush puppies. Needless to say, while waiting in line, you have a lot to ponder over and decide. Arnold's is quite the deal, you can choose your meat and two or three sides all for under about $8. Gotta love it. In my opinion, it was worth the 20 minute wait. The workers were also very friendly and will help clear and find you a seat so you are set by time you have your tray filled with food.
(4)
LaDonna F.
Don't be discouraged by the long line. It moves quickly. Surveying the people in line, Arnold's draws a mix of tourist and locals. Servers are hospitable, but the food is only Okay. #ihadbetter
(3)
Katie D.
This restaurant is totally worth the wait. Speaking of the line, it moves quickly! It's the perfect amount of time to decide what you want. I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fried green tomatoes. I also got banana pudding and tried some pecan pie. Everything was completely delicious! The fried green tomatoes were nice and tart. Great atmosphere and service!
(5)
Steever M.
Lordy, Lordy! Wonderful Southern places like this are getting harder and harder to find. Nashville has a few and I love this one. Close to downtown and even shabby chic would be a stretch, but you can get your food on in classic southern fare with every walk of life. You gotta go sometime.
(4)
Emily C.
I came here twice. Meat + 3 sides were cheap. $7-8. The first time, we got the chicken dumplings which was way too salty. I got the turnip greens, green beans, creamed corn. The creamed corn was the best - sweet and just the right amount of cream. The mashed potatoes and gravy was decent, I prefer them more fluffy. The second time, we came for fried chicken and Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and green beans. This was great comfort food and too heavy for my tastes.
(3)
Aliza R.
Omg best home style cooking food ever!! Don't worry abt the line it goes by so quick! The roast beef is to die for!! The mac and cheese and grubby potatoes are awesome! The banana pudding is out if this world!! This is should be in everyone ones bucket list if good eats!! Can't be in Nashville & not come here
(5)
Jules W.
Oh, for cryin' out loud. So full still from the huge meal at lunch. There was a line out the door when I arrived, but so glad I went ahead and waited (it wasn't too bad of a wait, really!). I am pretty sure I ate my weight in food - the portion size is ridic. I had chicken and dumplings, greens (this is a don't miss side - the flavor was incredible!), mac & cheese, green beans. So yummy. Don't miss the sweet tea and of course, save room for pecan pie. Work out before you go, lol - You won't be disappointed. The parking lot is a little wobbly, probably should have had on different footware, but you can park here for free, which is nice. And the seating is a little of a free for all, but in a way, that kind of adds to the charm of Arnold's.
(5)
Molly D.
The food here is downright phenomenal. You will wait in a line but it is totally worth it. Lots of veggie options for non-meat peeps. It is cafeteria style and non pretentious. Everything is bursting with flavor and will make you wanna slap yo mamma, as they say in the south :)) I had a plate with four sides: sweet potato casserole, fried apples (unbelievable-had a marshmallow flavor somehow), collard greens and green beans. I had possibly the best slice of pie I've ever had. It was a chocolate cream with a buttery crisp crust, dense smooth chocolate filling and a light airy cream on top. If you are in Nashville, this is an absolute must!
(5)
Rachel M.
How is it that I have lived in the Nashville area for 4 years without trying this tiny restaurant of awesome? How? I am a born-and-raised (or reared, if you want to get grammatically correct) southern girl! This place is like everyone's southern grandmothers got together and made a cookbook specifically for this restaurant. I will go ahead and admit I was a little skeptical when my husband and I pulled up and the line was out the door. I knew to expect this, but still. A little daunting. I was even more skeptical when I saw how many people were inside and how small the space was. I am not claustrophobic or agoraphobic, but I prefer my large crowds in larger spaces. I was EVEN MORE skeptical of the cafeteria-style serving line. Again, I knew to expect this, but still. I still have bad memories of a Piccadilly's in...Georgia, I think. But then. We sat down with our food, and I took the first bite. Hot damn! Ok, so it was not as good or better than anything my grandmothers have ever made. OF COURSE. However, I dare say it was a close second. I wasn't into the meat choices they had that day; it was Wednesday. They have a set menu for every day. I finally decided on roast beef with mac and cheese, squash casserole, and tomatoes and okra. Chess pie for dessert. Sweet tea to drink. I mean, if you're gonna do it, do it. Right? Y'all, I'm not kidding. That roast beef was amazing. I think the squash casserole had a hint of crack in it. The mac and cheese needed no pepper or anything to help it along. The tomatoes and okra were good...for vegetables. I'm just kidding. I wouldn't hate on vegetables. Then there was the pie. I just... Just some tips: do not freak out about the amount of cars in the lot or the amount of people waiting outside. It is not going to take you any time at all to get through the line. Wednesday is not fried green tomato day. If you see something on the board, but you don't see it in line, ask. They will probably have more in the kitchen. Lastly, get the sweet tea. We're in Tennessee; it's the only right choice. :)
(5)
Mo Z.
Wasn't impressed with their fried chicken, collard greens, beef ribs or grits. Not much flavor at all. It's a dump inside but that's acceptable for a BBQ joint, I'm not trying to have a fancy meal out obviously. The one thing this place does right is fried green tomatoes- they're delicious!!
(3)
Will P.
Flawless meal, soul food at its best Before leaving Nashville, I stopped in to Arnold's for lunch. They have limited hours and their menu changes each day. Went in and between my companion and I we had fried chicken, tilapia, sweet corn, greens, mac and cheese, rolls, apples, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding. Everything, and I mean EVERY SINGLE DISH was phenomenal. I mean no bite was bad, it was all outstanding. The corn was sweet and flavorful, same with the apples. The greens were also well seasoned with bold flavor. The mash was simple yet delicious. The mac and cheese seemed more like mac and gravy with the texture of it, nevertheless very good. The rolls were light and delicious. I am not big on fish, but the tilapia was amazing. I could eat it every day. Same with the fried chicken. Well seasoned, nice and crispy. The bread pudding was a well executed dessert also. Perfect Soul Food meal.
(5)
Scott M.
Good food. Follow their simple rules on ordering and the line keeps moving. Fried green tomatoes and pie was excellent. Mix of people eating lunch makes everything more interesting. Short lunch hours keeps things hopping. Glad we tried it.
(5)
Chris K.
I'm dumbfounded and humbled...perhaps by the awesome chocolate pepper pie! This is one of those experiences that is hard to explain, because you cannot put into words how a cafeteria style restaurant can earn 5 stars. My daughter and I visited Arnold's because of the great reviews, but I was skeptical as the pictures of the food didn't look phenomenal. This was one of the rare occasions in which a picture did NOT mean a thousand words. Rather, the TASTE and SERVICE had the last say. I have NEVER had such tender and succulent roast beef as we had at Arnolds. It was so good that my daughter was upset because I ate too much of it off her plate . We also ordered the collard greens, Mac n cheese, meat loaf, mashed sweet potatoes, pecan pie, and chocolate pepper pie. ALL GOOD! Sounds pedestrian-like food, but every bite was good, and the service friendly. You will want to arrive early for lunch if you want a seat; the lunch crowd is long, but the line goes quickly, as do tables open up as people don't linger, but make room for others. We will be back, and this time, I won't be touching my daughters roast beef plate!
(5)
Kellen S.
Catfish is dope. Classic meat and three. Old school southern. Great for a hangover.
(4)
Josh H.
"Meat & Three" is a style of restaurant found in Nashville. Pick a southern meat and three southern sides. Arnold's is without a doubt THE meat & three. You might have seen Arnold's featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I can assure you that they got this one right. Need more proof? Admire their James Beard "American Classic" Award on the wall as you wait in the cafeteria-style line (which might be out the door, but moves quickly enough). But really, come see for yourself. This longtime family-run restaurant is as friendly and down-home as it gets. Their roast beef is the best I've ever had, as are their greens. Other outstanding sides include the mac & cheese, jalapeño cheese grits, white beans, and their famous fried green tomatoes. If you're doing Arnold's, you might as well grab a dessert - I recommend the chess pie. To drink, their fresh squeezed lemonade goes well with everything. They're only open for lunch and on weekdays. Be sure to schedule time for a quick afternoon nap afterward.
(5)
James M.
College football, sweet tea, mosquitos, and Arnold's. These are things that are quintessential to the Southern experience. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you get here. You will leave with a twang in your voice and a happiness in your belly. Take pride in your visit to this Nashville landmark and make sure to order the collard greens. This is the best meat & three that you'll ever eat, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, whether it be a regular thing like the roast beef and potatoes, or a bit irregular like the pork chops and cream corn. They also have a tempting selection of pies for your over-consumptive tendencies. Go, stand in line, eat, and be happy!
(5)
Thomas B.
I haven't had anything I don't like here. I usually get a meat and 3 because everything is so good, but a meat and 2 is enough to make me stuffed. My favorite meat is the shrimp or the meatloaf, which is very unique. The line is always out the door but don't let that stop you. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes. Even though the place is small the tables turn over quickly.
(5)
Brian V.
After reading all the reviews I was so excited to try this place. We arrived and saw a line out the door, and thought that had to be a good sign. I ordered the fried catfish, mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes and buttermilk pie. The catfish was smaller and drier than I had expected. The mac and cheese was good and was the best thing I ate there. The green beans would have been great ,but they were so salty I could barely eat. The fried green tomatoes were good. The dessert was average. Maybe if my expectations weren't so high, I would have enjoyed it more.
(3)
Steffanie W.
The sweet tea is for real suhhweeeet! I highly recommend that you make it to Arnold's. It was one of my favorite places during our trip to Nashville. The line starts forming early so if you are in a hurry get their before they open. One of the best things about this place is the open, community seating. More restaurants should be like this. It made people watching a lot of fun.
(5)
Jordan F.
The food here didn't do it for me. The roast beef was mostly fat and sides were salty. But, it was my first time trying fried green tomatoes which makes the trip worth it!
(2)
Peter T.
We got here at 1pm on a Monday, it's cafeteria style service, we had a line...easy menu , nice selections. Nice staff. Okay prices, I think it would keep the locals away. We had fried chicken, dark meat...good spices and fried just right. I had collar greens, squash and zucchini, corn bread , cucumber salad and finally pepper chocolate pie... All of my good was great. My spouse had potatoes, and mac and cheese,with a okay banana flavored bread pudding or something like bread pudding...not her Flav, a three for her meal...thus the four on total score.
(4)
Jami C.
I was told this is a must stop place when visiting Nashville. If you love southern cooking this is your place. The fried catfish is by far the best I've had. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. The seasoning they use in their breading is so good. And it helps they had delicious sweet tea. I love that you can really customize your meal.
(5)
Harry H.
We stopped by on a Wednesday morning and it was characteristically slammed, with super hospitable staff circulating the narrow aisles. It was $31.50 well spent for two generous portions of some of the most comforting food you could ever hope to find, plus some refill-'em-yourself sweet teas.
(5)
Brandon A.
I know this place gets a lot of great reviews but a good thing can't be repeated enough, especially when it comes to amazing Southern cooking. Now I will start by saying I've lived my whole life either in Philadelphia or Boston but like to think I have tried a pretty varied range of foods. I'd also like to think I've have good "southern" food but I know it is a lot different than living in the south. However, I digress and say with confidence that Arnold's in Nashville is the real deal! So, yes there is a long line pretty much whenever you go (according to reviews) and from my one experience when I was visiting Nashvillle. I don't think I minded the wait in retrospect about thirty seconds into digging into my meal. I knew at that precious moment when I was in their cozy, family-friendly cafeteria style line I may not be back in Tennessee for some time, so I should indulge within reason. The wall is filled with accolades, critical acclaim and beloved guests of Arnold's both famous globally and loyal locals. I enjoyed making conversation with a good range of people while I was in line. An older couple from Canada, three girls from Florida, a local construction worker born in Nashville, you name it. It's such a beautiful thing when awesome food can bring together a broad spectrum of people. So what wowed me on my visit to Arnold's? I had the roast beef, fried green tomatoes, turnip greens, cornbread and of course a shameless dish of bread pudding. Well, known for the barbecue, I was pleasantly satisfied with their roast beef which is not one of my go-to choices really anywhere. It just smelled so fantastic wafting through the crowded room. This was a great example of very tender meat that just melted in your mouth in succulent strips. I love collards and turnip greens and Arnold's does them justice for sure! Fried green tomatoes were nice and crispy with a rich gooey core. Flavor was so-so but I was not fretting about that, for I had delicious lightly golden brown cornbread and heaping portion of bread pudding. Now bread pudding isn't a huge thing where I'm from so my experiences have been limited. Game changer. I have converted to the Church of Bread Pudding. Sign me up. Sweet, decadent layers of flaky and gooey richness. I basically waddled of Arnold's in a happy place, no a very happy place. Wait it out for Arnold's. You will NOT be sorry!
(5)
Shandon F.
Classic meat-and-three lunch counter that'll make you feel like you're a little kid having Sunday dinner. I had meatloaf, green beans, fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes -- all delicious. Plus, the bread pudding tasted like a diced cinnamon roll. Service and seating are cafeteria style and the staff is as warm and welcoming as the food. My lunch companion got a free piece of pie because she "looked like she needed some extra nourishment." Highly recommended if you're looking for a classic Nashville eating experience.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Everyone likes Arnold's...lots of options, great comfort food, delicious desserts. I like Arnold's but don't LOVE it hence the 3 stars. Food is pretty consistent...sometimes it's a little on the salty side for me. It's always crowded which causes seating issues especially if you have a big group and you feel rushed to finish your food so others can sit. I never walk away thinking "that was awesome".
(3)
Rhonda G.
I'm so glad I heeded the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and had lunch at Arnold's on a recent trip to Nashville. Wait until the lunch crowd dies down because there is a line and the parking lot gets full. Fortunately, most people are considerate and give up their table soon after eating. The catfish is crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. The turnip greens were tender, salty, and tangy. The mashed potatoes were creamy. My companion loved her roast chicken. Less than $8 for meat and 2 sides with generous portions. I can also recommend the chocolate pie and pecan pie. Few places like Arnold's are around anymore.
(5)
Jonathon Y.
This place is amazing cheap food that is just plain delicious and fast. I was in and out in 30 mins with the line that was out the door. The fried chicken is amazing it is full of flavor. The staff is nice and helpful. I will be going back ASAP!!
(5)
Jason L.
Quiet possibly one of the best southern style places I've ever eaten at. Simply amazing food. One of the unknown things I didn't get before coming here was that all they have to eat Is daily specials, but each one of them is amazing. Can be a little intimidating ordering if you've never been here before but that doesn't mean anything when your delicious food is awaiting you. By far the best bread pudding I've ever had in my whole life. And this is coming from someone that eats bread pudding once a week! Arnold's you're my new favorite place!
(5)
Dan A.
Fast yum. Sooner or later everyone funds this great hideout. Probably the best meat and 3 in the city and we'll worth the trip. Today I was in search of great bread pudding. And this place hits it out of the park again. Moist and cinnamon delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. The vanilla drizzle you get adds the perfect touch. Limited hours but we'll worth it. Don't let the line scare you. ..it moves fast and it's part of this places charm - and you never know who you will see or bump into in this place.
(4)
Joelle K.
Arnold's is tasty authentic southern cooking. You get your choice of a meat and either 1 or 2 sides. I decided to really have the southern dining experience and got the fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. I didn't like the catfish, but the fried green tomatoes were so delicious! The Mac and cheese was great as well. I got a couple of their fresh rolls as well. My husband had the chicken and dumplings and my sister had the BBQ chicken. They really enjoyed both. My sister also had a piece of the chocolate jalapeño pie. I know it sounds weird, but it is one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Be advised, this place is closed on the weekends and there is always a line out the door.
(4)
Caroline T.
Words can't describe how good the food is and how friendly the employees are! Whenever I have guests in town, this is the first place I take them so they can get a taste of real southern food! I only wish it was open more so I could have it all the time!
(5)
Vivian C.
Really more of a 3.5 but decided to round down due to just how salty the food was. When it comes to the classic Nashville "meat and three", there are a ton of options, but only so much stomach space. Thus, on our three day tour of Nashville, we opted for Arnold's, which had been touted as one of the best places to enjoy a "meat and three", a Nashville staple. The day was gorgeous as we walked toward Arnold's - sun shining and birds chirping - we were ready for some classic Southern fare. One thing to note is there isn't much around Arnold's so if you're expecting to hit up a bar or see some sights around Arnold's (by foot), that is definitely not possible. If you're going to Arnold's, there is one goal in mind, eating at Arnold's. We arrived on the earlier side for lunch and only saw a small line forming. As we were leaving, it had crawled to the end of the small parking lot. However, the line moves quite quickly, so don't get discouraged it there is a line! Arnold's isn't a large establishment relative to the number of diners they serve. Yet with seating for only 40-50 patrons, even with the large demand there always seems to be a seat available. This is because, as mentioned above, people are here to eat. Once they eat, they leave. All in all, a pretty efficient system! Also, you might need to share a table when it is quite crowded (as we did), but it is all part of the charm! Plus, for Adam and I having eaten at enough Asian places, we weren't turned off by this system. As you make your way toward the front, you'll have a chance to see the daily specials and the weekly menu. If you really have your heart set on something particular, it might be good to take a look at the weekly menu to at least know if what you want will be served that day. You can like them on Facebook to keep up-to-date with their daily specials. As we continued toward the front of the line, we realized that Arnold's had won a James Beard Award! This glowing endorsement for their food only made us more excited to reach the front. Unfortunately, quite soon after that, we came across an endorsement from Guy Fieri, the worst...He really gets to tag every restaurant that he goes to for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or as he so lovingly calls it, Triple D)? Terrible. Anyway, soon we had made it to the front of the line and were first presented with the pies and salads on offer. How Arnold's works is you take a tray, pile it up with what you want on display, let the staff know what you want for your meat and three and then pay. Adam opted for the roast beef, mashed potatoes and turnip greens with a tomato salad on the side. Adam really enjoyed all of the parts of his meat and three and enjoyed the tomato "salad" - just cut up tomatoes with some pepper and balsamic vinegar as a nice balance to all of the heavier items. I opted to go with one of the daily specials, the blackened trout, as I was trying to be "healthier" with my meat so that I could get some of the heavier "threes." Unfortunately, my plan was thwarted as the blackened trout came with a cream sauce on top. While the trout was cooked well, it was incredibly salty...almost to the point of being inedible. I love salt so I cannot imagine how the regular patron would have found this. The mac and cheese was quite good and so were the turnip greens and creamed corn. Though, again, I found all of the sides quite salty. What we loved about Arnold's? It's classic Southern cooking in a no frills environment and they're serving up pretty solid fare. However, I found the food very salty (even for a salt lover!) and nothing was exceptional. I would be interested in trying some of the other "meat and three" places in Nashville to see how they stack up, but overall I found Arnold's to be quite good and a solid introduction into the "meat and three" tradition.
(3)
Meg S.
Wow. This place is the real deal! My friends and I hopped off the plane to Nashville, and Arnold's was our first stop. Caution-it's definitely more of a dive than some of the photos/reviews make it sound. It's less hipster, and more "this is what it's looked like for the past 30 years". Again, this isn't a huge deal when the food is amazing, but it might be something to think about if your event requires a bit more fanciness. The roast beef and fried green tomatoes here are phenomenal. Of my friends, I was the only one to get roast beef, and they were both basically stealing the food away from me at the end! Ahh, so good! Plus, the entire meal for 3 people was around $30 (most of it drinks!). Awesome for people on a budget. This is a must-see for anyone in Nashville who's interested in food.
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 3.5: Arnold's Country Kitchen is a family-style restaurant that has been awarded a James Beard Award. They offer different combinations, such as 'Meat, 'Meat & 2,' 'Meat & 3,' 'Vegetable,' and '4 Veg & Bread,' meaning, you get to choose the meat you want that is offered that day (different menu for each day of the week) as well as your choice of vegetable(s). Monday's menu comprises of: roast beef, liver & onions, keilbasa & kraut, blacked tilapia, and fried chicken; Tuesday's menu comprises of: carved SC ham, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, and battered grouper); Wednesday's menu comprises of: roast beef, Pork BBQ or brisket, baked chicken, and fried catfish; Thursday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken livers & rice, country fried steak, and fried shrimp; Friday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken & dumplings, meatloaf, and fried shrimp/catfish (at an additional cost). Veggies are a variety, such as green beans, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, salads, boiled cabbage, candied yams, black eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes. They also offer desserts, such as chocolate pie, pecan pie, their 'famous' chess pie, coconut crunch pie, strawberry pie, peach pie, and pudding (banana and bread). My sister had the meatloaf with this tomato-based gravy sauce, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy - I was pleasantly surprised with the meatloaf as that was moist, delicious, well-seasoned, and the gravy itself actually added a nice tangy touch to it! The turnip greens were delicious, but I wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes. I had the fried catfish (cornmeal-crusted), mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes - the catfish was okay, and I was not a fan of the mac & cheese (as it was too watery and plastic-like). However, I absolutely loved the fried green tomatoes as it had a nice great crispy batter to it, with a delicious soft sliced green tomato within. I wasn't a fan of the chess pie either, as it was overly sweet and it tasted like a mixture of sugary tapioca of some sort. The dining area was very busy, and there was one older gentleman working to clear the tables, so there was a bit of a wait to sit down. One younger guy was so rude to the gentleman when he accidentally cleared an almost-empty try of his - the guy apparently went to go get a drink and didn't notify anyone that he wanted to continue eating his food. I thought the way that the guy treated him was unnecessary and so awful! I highly recommend the meatloaf, the turnip greens, and the fried green tomatoes if you get a chance to come here! :D +meatloaf +turnip greens +fried green tomatoes :D
(4)
Kristen M.
The family I and came to Nashville all the way from Tampa Florida for a few days. As a rule...anytime we visit a new place we avoid all chains and fastfood joints and pick the brains of the locals to get the best places they eat. Prior to this trip I researched Nashville for the best local resturants and Arnolds Country Kitchen was on every single list. I also noticed it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins,and Dives on the food network. So I was REALLY excited to try this place. And let me tell you...it delivered. Between my family and I we tried the fried chicken...roastbeef...turnip greens mashed potatos and mac and cheese. It was unreal. So delicious. For dessert we tried the Chess pie and the chocolate pie. Both were great but the chess pie was the highlight of the meal. The line was about 40 people long when we got there and a local gentleman in front of us said he has been eating there for 30 years and it was like that everyday. You should know that this place is only open for lunch until 2:45 so plan to be there early. It is a MUST if you are in Nashville. Don't let the line convince you to leave...you will miss out on a gem. I have never seen so many people so excited to wait in line. :) Well done Arnolds Country Kitchen! I would give you more stars if I could!
(5)
Michael W.
Best meat and three in Nashville and it is not even close.
(5)
Randy C.
Meat and Three. Great people work here. It is a bit intimidating to be in line and not even know what is available as you approach the food area and the guy wants to know what you want. The good news, it is all tasty stuff. Line moves fast. People leave tables fast.
(5)
Chyng H.
As soon as we landed at the Nashville airport, we drove straight to Arnold's Kitchen. It was our first stop and we planned it before we even boarded the plane. You walk into this place and you will see all a diverse crowd - men in business suits, tourists, students...everyone loves this place. It is cafeteria style and the daily specials and menu are all on the wall on the right. Be prepared to order, the staff runs the line like a well oiled machine! I've been told I've never had "proper fried green tomatoes" so I definitely had an order. The coating was perfectly crunchy, not too greasy, and the well seasoned. It set the bar for me as far as fried green tomatoes go! The macaroni and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes were also amazing. I'm more of a veggie sides (and yes, I consider mac & cheese to be a veggie side) so I walked away from Arnold's very full!
(5)
Heath C.
I loved this place! The food was so delicious and the staff is awesome! My wife and I came here at noon and there was a line that stretched out the door (that's a good sign!) and was filled with all kinds of people, from police, judges, business people, college students, tourists etc. I ordered the fried grouper, greens, mac & cheese, corn pancake, strawberry peace pie and a coke. The food was so tasty and hot and the dessert was fresh and delicious. I was very impressed with the food! The staff here are great. They're always walking by and checking on you. They were fast and helpful and never stopped smiling. Though there was a super long line, we were able to get through, order and sit down in about 15 minutes. If you visit Nashville, you gotta try this place!
(5)
Elliott W.
Like everyone else, I was well pleased with my Arnold's experience. All meat and 3's will forever be compared to Arnold's and even the best of the rest (like Barbara's) won't stack up. Fried green tomatoes are a must. Everything else is excellent. Make your way back until you've tried it all.
(5)
Adam S.
If I was forced to pick my absolute favorite restaurant in Nashville, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Arnold's. Every time I go, I leave in a food coma (that's a good thing) that I don't want to wake up from. Not only is the food stellar, but the staff is some of the nicest people you'll meet. I just feel at home there.
(5)
Catherine S.
Definitely the best Southern dining in Nashville (beating out loveless cafe and others). It's a friendly, family-owned establishment and the food is spectacular! They even have RC cola fountain drinks... pretty amazingly Southern. The first time we went there, I had the fried grouper which was awesome. The batter on the fish was extremely light (like a beer batter), and all of the sides are delish (especially the corn pudding, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and mac & cheese). Their rolls are also to die for. During our meal, one of the family sons came to eat with us (Franz). Overall, it's an amazing experience... also a great way to meet new people because you might have to sit next to someone you don't know because it's usually a packed house.
(5)
Jamie A.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was pretty disappointed with my first Arnold's experience. When I walked in I noticed a huge sign for takeout orders and assumed that is where you go to place a takeout order. Makes sense, right? It was just kind of a cluster. After standing there, feeling completely in the way, for a few minutes the lady behind the register brought instructed me to write down my order on a sheet of paper. After locating the slips of paper myself. I wrote down my order. It proceeded to get handed back and forth for a few minutes between at least 4 people before it was prepared (there were very few people in line at this point, 11am). I did notice that a lot of people were getting their to-go orders in the line. I get home with the tasty smelling food only to realize that they left the awesome looking gravy off of the potatoes *sad face*! They were just okay. Kind of dry. Mac and Cheese was the definite star. The yeast rolls were also heaven sent. Green Beans were okay, too much pepper. Creamed corn was a bit off. I am definitely going to give it another try...I will have to try one of the meat options next time. Also, next time I will go through the line and make sure my complete order ends up in the box. This is probably a more appropriate 2 star review, but that mac & cheese and yeast rolls. I'll be dreaming of them.
(3)
Jason L.
Best meat and three in Nashville. The catfish is incredible. The green beans were awesome . And I do not like green beans. Great casual atmosphere.
(5)
Mackenzie N.
Don't let the line scare you away. It goes quickly and the food is delicious! Homemade everything. The banana pudding is the best I've ever had!
(5)
Kimberli F.
Soul food is my favorite type of food ever. And this is right on the money. Mouth watering!
(5)
Peter D.
Was passing through Nashville and Arnold's continued to come up as a must try. I went with moderate expectations given I'm not that into the southern style food but Arnold's is an exception. I enjoyed the cafeteria style ordering process especially because I was in a hurry. I could see though how during peak times it could get pretty packed and a pain to wait it out though. I had the special of the day which was the country fried steak. I was tempted by the roast beef which looked great but the novelty of the steak got me. I got mashed, fried green tomatoes and greens as sides. Steak was delicious and surprisingly not overly heavy. Greens/mashed were as expected but the fried tomatoes was great. Highly recommend.
(5)
sam a.
I didn't even know what a "meat and three" was until I went here. Now its all I ever want. Everything about this place was unique and delicious. This food could easily be plated a little differently and sold in a hip Brooklyn bar to hordes of foodies eagerly paying $80 a plate. Instead you get this food for bargain prices in an awesomely communal setting. Come here hungry and try one of everything.
(5)
Mich M.
Visiting Nashville and found this place after receivi g a recommendation from a local. We made it in time before they closed. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in a while. Roast beef was excellent. BBQ chicken good a little too sweet would be just fine without the sauce. Cornbread yummy. Mac and cheese, corn casserole uber good. Service was excellent. I went with a vegetarian and even they loved the non meat sides. The sides are not an after thought. Would highly recommend.
(5)
LaDonna F.
Don't be discouraged by the long line. It moves quickly. Surveying the people in line, Arnold's draws a mix of tourist and locals. Servers are hospitable, but the food is only Okay. #ihadbetter
(3)
Katie D.
This restaurant is totally worth the wait. Speaking of the line, it moves quickly! It's the perfect amount of time to decide what you want. I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fried green tomatoes. I also got banana pudding and tried some pecan pie. Everything was completely delicious! The fried green tomatoes were nice and tart. Great atmosphere and service!
(5)
Steever M.
Lordy, Lordy! Wonderful Southern places like this are getting harder and harder to find. Nashville has a few and I love this one. Close to downtown and even shabby chic would be a stretch, but you can get your food on in classic southern fare with every walk of life. You gotta go sometime.
(4)
Emily C.
I came here twice. Meat + 3 sides were cheap. $7-8. The first time, we got the chicken dumplings which was way too salty. I got the turnip greens, green beans, creamed corn. The creamed corn was the best - sweet and just the right amount of cream. The mashed potatoes and gravy was decent, I prefer them more fluffy. The second time, we came for fried chicken and Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and green beans. This was great comfort food and too heavy for my tastes.
(3)
Rachel M.
How is it that I have lived in the Nashville area for 4 years without trying this tiny restaurant of awesome? How? I am a born-and-raised (or reared, if you want to get grammatically correct) southern girl! This place is like everyone's southern grandmothers got together and made a cookbook specifically for this restaurant. I will go ahead and admit I was a little skeptical when my husband and I pulled up and the line was out the door. I knew to expect this, but still. A little daunting. I was even more skeptical when I saw how many people were inside and how small the space was. I am not claustrophobic or agoraphobic, but I prefer my large crowds in larger spaces. I was EVEN MORE skeptical of the cafeteria-style serving line. Again, I knew to expect this, but still. I still have bad memories of a Piccadilly's in...Georgia, I think. But then. We sat down with our food, and I took the first bite. Hot damn! Ok, so it was not as good or better than anything my grandmothers have ever made. OF COURSE. However, I dare say it was a close second. I wasn't into the meat choices they had that day; it was Wednesday. They have a set menu for every day. I finally decided on roast beef with mac and cheese, squash casserole, and tomatoes and okra. Chess pie for dessert. Sweet tea to drink. I mean, if you're gonna do it, do it. Right? Y'all, I'm not kidding. That roast beef was amazing. I think the squash casserole had a hint of crack in it. The mac and cheese needed no pepper or anything to help it along. The tomatoes and okra were good...for vegetables. I'm just kidding. I wouldn't hate on vegetables. Then there was the pie. I just... Just some tips: do not freak out about the amount of cars in the lot or the amount of people waiting outside. It is not going to take you any time at all to get through the line. Wednesday is not fried green tomato day. If you see something on the board, but you don't see it in line, ask. They will probably have more in the kitchen. Lastly, get the sweet tea. We're in Tennessee; it's the only right choice. :)
(5)
Mo Z.
Wasn't impressed with their fried chicken, collard greens, beef ribs or grits. Not much flavor at all. It's a dump inside but that's acceptable for a BBQ joint, I'm not trying to have a fancy meal out obviously. The one thing this place does right is fried green tomatoes- they're delicious!!
(3)
Will P.
Flawless meal, soul food at its best Before leaving Nashville, I stopped in to Arnold's for lunch. They have limited hours and their menu changes each day. Went in and between my companion and I we had fried chicken, tilapia, sweet corn, greens, mac and cheese, rolls, apples, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding. Everything, and I mean EVERY SINGLE DISH was phenomenal. I mean no bite was bad, it was all outstanding. The corn was sweet and flavorful, same with the apples. The greens were also well seasoned with bold flavor. The mash was simple yet delicious. The mac and cheese seemed more like mac and gravy with the texture of it, nevertheless very good. The rolls were light and delicious. I am not big on fish, but the tilapia was amazing. I could eat it every day. Same with the fried chicken. Well seasoned, nice and crispy. The bread pudding was a well executed dessert also. Perfect Soul Food meal.
(5)
Scott M.
Good food. Follow their simple rules on ordering and the line keeps moving. Fried green tomatoes and pie was excellent. Mix of people eating lunch makes everything more interesting. Short lunch hours keeps things hopping. Glad we tried it.
(5)
Jules W.
Oh, for cryin' out loud. So full still from the huge meal at lunch. There was a line out the door when I arrived, but so glad I went ahead and waited (it wasn't too bad of a wait, really!). I am pretty sure I ate my weight in food - the portion size is ridic. I had chicken and dumplings, greens (this is a don't miss side - the flavor was incredible!), mac & cheese, green beans. So yummy. Don't miss the sweet tea and of course, save room for pecan pie. Work out before you go, lol - You won't be disappointed. The parking lot is a little wobbly, probably should have had on different footware, but you can park here for free, which is nice. And the seating is a little of a free for all, but in a way, that kind of adds to the charm of Arnold's.
(5)
Chris K.
I'm dumbfounded and humbled...perhaps by the awesome chocolate pepper pie! This is one of those experiences that is hard to explain, because you cannot put into words how a cafeteria style restaurant can earn 5 stars. My daughter and I visited Arnold's because of the great reviews, but I was skeptical as the pictures of the food didn't look phenomenal. This was one of the rare occasions in which a picture did NOT mean a thousand words. Rather, the TASTE and SERVICE had the last say. I have NEVER had such tender and succulent roast beef as we had at Arnolds. It was so good that my daughter was upset because I ate too much of it off her plate . We also ordered the collard greens, Mac n cheese, meat loaf, mashed sweet potatoes, pecan pie, and chocolate pepper pie. ALL GOOD! Sounds pedestrian-like food, but every bite was good, and the service friendly. You will want to arrive early for lunch if you want a seat; the lunch crowd is long, but the line goes quickly, as do tables open up as people don't linger, but make room for others. We will be back, and this time, I won't be touching my daughters roast beef plate!
(5)
Kellen S.
Catfish is dope. Classic meat and three. Old school southern. Great for a hangover.
(4)
Josh H.
"Meat & Three" is a style of restaurant found in Nashville. Pick a southern meat and three southern sides. Arnold's is without a doubt THE meat & three. You might have seen Arnold's featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I can assure you that they got this one right. Need more proof? Admire their James Beard "American Classic" Award on the wall as you wait in the cafeteria-style line (which might be out the door, but moves quickly enough). But really, come see for yourself. This longtime family-run restaurant is as friendly and down-home as it gets. Their roast beef is the best I've ever had, as are their greens. Other outstanding sides include the mac & cheese, jalapeño cheese grits, white beans, and their famous fried green tomatoes. If you're doing Arnold's, you might as well grab a dessert - I recommend the chess pie. To drink, their fresh squeezed lemonade goes well with everything. They're only open for lunch and on weekdays. Be sure to schedule time for a quick afternoon nap afterward.
(5)
James M.
College football, sweet tea, mosquitos, and Arnold's. These are things that are quintessential to the Southern experience. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you get here. You will leave with a twang in your voice and a happiness in your belly. Take pride in your visit to this Nashville landmark and make sure to order the collard greens. This is the best meat & three that you'll ever eat, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, whether it be a regular thing like the roast beef and potatoes, or a bit irregular like the pork chops and cream corn. They also have a tempting selection of pies for your over-consumptive tendencies. Go, stand in line, eat, and be happy!
(5)
Molly D.
The food here is downright phenomenal. You will wait in a line but it is totally worth it. Lots of veggie options for non-meat peeps. It is cafeteria style and non pretentious. Everything is bursting with flavor and will make you wanna slap yo mamma, as they say in the south :)) I had a plate with four sides: sweet potato casserole, fried apples (unbelievable-had a marshmallow flavor somehow), collard greens and green beans. I had possibly the best slice of pie I've ever had. It was a chocolate cream with a buttery crisp crust, dense smooth chocolate filling and a light airy cream on top. If you are in Nashville, this is an absolute must!
(5)
Thomas B.
I haven't had anything I don't like here. I usually get a meat and 3 because everything is so good, but a meat and 2 is enough to make me stuffed. My favorite meat is the shrimp or the meatloaf, which is very unique. The line is always out the door but don't let that stop you. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes. Even though the place is small the tables turn over quickly.
(5)
Brian V.
After reading all the reviews I was so excited to try this place. We arrived and saw a line out the door, and thought that had to be a good sign. I ordered the fried catfish, mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes and buttermilk pie. The catfish was smaller and drier than I had expected. The mac and cheese was good and was the best thing I ate there. The green beans would have been great ,but they were so salty I could barely eat. The fried green tomatoes were good. The dessert was average. Maybe if my expectations weren't so high, I would have enjoyed it more.
(3)
Steffanie W.
The sweet tea is for real suhhweeeet! I highly recommend that you make it to Arnold's. It was one of my favorite places during our trip to Nashville. The line starts forming early so if you are in a hurry get their before they open. One of the best things about this place is the open, community seating. More restaurants should be like this. It made people watching a lot of fun.
(5)
Jordan F.
The food here didn't do it for me. The roast beef was mostly fat and sides were salty. But, it was my first time trying fried green tomatoes which makes the trip worth it!
(2)
Brandon A.
I know this place gets a lot of great reviews but a good thing can't be repeated enough, especially when it comes to amazing Southern cooking. Now I will start by saying I've lived my whole life either in Philadelphia or Boston but like to think I have tried a pretty varied range of foods. I'd also like to think I've have good "southern" food but I know it is a lot different than living in the south. However, I digress and say with confidence that Arnold's in Nashville is the real deal! So, yes there is a long line pretty much whenever you go (according to reviews) and from my one experience when I was visiting Nashvillle. I don't think I minded the wait in retrospect about thirty seconds into digging into my meal. I knew at that precious moment when I was in their cozy, family-friendly cafeteria style line I may not be back in Tennessee for some time, so I should indulge within reason. The wall is filled with accolades, critical acclaim and beloved guests of Arnold's both famous globally and loyal locals. I enjoyed making conversation with a good range of people while I was in line. An older couple from Canada, three girls from Florida, a local construction worker born in Nashville, you name it. It's such a beautiful thing when awesome food can bring together a broad spectrum of people. So what wowed me on my visit to Arnold's? I had the roast beef, fried green tomatoes, turnip greens, cornbread and of course a shameless dish of bread pudding. Well, known for the barbecue, I was pleasantly satisfied with their roast beef which is not one of my go-to choices really anywhere. It just smelled so fantastic wafting through the crowded room. This was a great example of very tender meat that just melted in your mouth in succulent strips. I love collards and turnip greens and Arnold's does them justice for sure! Fried green tomatoes were nice and crispy with a rich gooey core. Flavor was so-so but I was not fretting about that, for I had delicious lightly golden brown cornbread and heaping portion of bread pudding. Now bread pudding isn't a huge thing where I'm from so my experiences have been limited. Game changer. I have converted to the Church of Bread Pudding. Sign me up. Sweet, decadent layers of flaky and gooey richness. I basically waddled of Arnold's in a happy place, no a very happy place. Wait it out for Arnold's. You will NOT be sorry!
(5)
Shandon F.
Classic meat-and-three lunch counter that'll make you feel like you're a little kid having Sunday dinner. I had meatloaf, green beans, fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes -- all delicious. Plus, the bread pudding tasted like a diced cinnamon roll. Service and seating are cafeteria style and the staff is as warm and welcoming as the food. My lunch companion got a free piece of pie because she "looked like she needed some extra nourishment." Highly recommended if you're looking for a classic Nashville eating experience.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Everyone likes Arnold's...lots of options, great comfort food, delicious desserts. I like Arnold's but don't LOVE it hence the 3 stars. Food is pretty consistent...sometimes it's a little on the salty side for me. It's always crowded which causes seating issues especially if you have a big group and you feel rushed to finish your food so others can sit. I never walk away thinking "that was awesome".
(3)
Peter T.
We got here at 1pm on a Monday, it's cafeteria style service, we had a line...easy menu , nice selections. Nice staff. Okay prices, I think it would keep the locals away. We had fried chicken, dark meat...good spices and fried just right. I had collar greens, squash and zucchini, corn bread , cucumber salad and finally pepper chocolate pie... All of my good was great. My spouse had potatoes, and mac and cheese,with a okay banana flavored bread pudding or something like bread pudding...not her Flav, a three for her meal...thus the four on total score.
(4)
Jami C.
I was told this is a must stop place when visiting Nashville. If you love southern cooking this is your place. The fried catfish is by far the best I've had. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. The seasoning they use in their breading is so good. And it helps they had delicious sweet tea. I love that you can really customize your meal.
(5)
Harry H.
We stopped by on a Wednesday morning and it was characteristically slammed, with super hospitable staff circulating the narrow aisles. It was $31.50 well spent for two generous portions of some of the most comforting food you could ever hope to find, plus some refill-'em-yourself sweet teas.
(5)
Rhonda G.
I'm so glad I heeded the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and had lunch at Arnold's on a recent trip to Nashville. Wait until the lunch crowd dies down because there is a line and the parking lot gets full. Fortunately, most people are considerate and give up their table soon after eating. The catfish is crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. The turnip greens were tender, salty, and tangy. The mashed potatoes were creamy. My companion loved her roast chicken. Less than $8 for meat and 2 sides with generous portions. I can also recommend the chocolate pie and pecan pie. Few places like Arnold's are around anymore.
(5)
Jonathon Y.
This place is amazing cheap food that is just plain delicious and fast. I was in and out in 30 mins with the line that was out the door. The fried chicken is amazing it is full of flavor. The staff is nice and helpful. I will be going back ASAP!!
(5)
Jason L.
Quiet possibly one of the best southern style places I've ever eaten at. Simply amazing food. One of the unknown things I didn't get before coming here was that all they have to eat Is daily specials, but each one of them is amazing. Can be a little intimidating ordering if you've never been here before but that doesn't mean anything when your delicious food is awaiting you. By far the best bread pudding I've ever had in my whole life. And this is coming from someone that eats bread pudding once a week! Arnold's you're my new favorite place!
(5)
Vivian C.
Really more of a 3.5 but decided to round down due to just how salty the food was. When it comes to the classic Nashville "meat and three", there are a ton of options, but only so much stomach space. Thus, on our three day tour of Nashville, we opted for Arnold's, which had been touted as one of the best places to enjoy a "meat and three", a Nashville staple. The day was gorgeous as we walked toward Arnold's - sun shining and birds chirping - we were ready for some classic Southern fare. One thing to note is there isn't much around Arnold's so if you're expecting to hit up a bar or see some sights around Arnold's (by foot), that is definitely not possible. If you're going to Arnold's, there is one goal in mind, eating at Arnold's. We arrived on the earlier side for lunch and only saw a small line forming. As we were leaving, it had crawled to the end of the small parking lot. However, the line moves quite quickly, so don't get discouraged it there is a line! Arnold's isn't a large establishment relative to the number of diners they serve. Yet with seating for only 40-50 patrons, even with the large demand there always seems to be a seat available. This is because, as mentioned above, people are here to eat. Once they eat, they leave. All in all, a pretty efficient system! Also, you might need to share a table when it is quite crowded (as we did), but it is all part of the charm! Plus, for Adam and I having eaten at enough Asian places, we weren't turned off by this system. As you make your way toward the front, you'll have a chance to see the daily specials and the weekly menu. If you really have your heart set on something particular, it might be good to take a look at the weekly menu to at least know if what you want will be served that day. You can like them on Facebook to keep up-to-date with their daily specials. As we continued toward the front of the line, we realized that Arnold's had won a James Beard Award! This glowing endorsement for their food only made us more excited to reach the front. Unfortunately, quite soon after that, we came across an endorsement from Guy Fieri, the worst...He really gets to tag every restaurant that he goes to for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or as he so lovingly calls it, Triple D)? Terrible. Anyway, soon we had made it to the front of the line and were first presented with the pies and salads on offer. How Arnold's works is you take a tray, pile it up with what you want on display, let the staff know what you want for your meat and three and then pay. Adam opted for the roast beef, mashed potatoes and turnip greens with a tomato salad on the side. Adam really enjoyed all of the parts of his meat and three and enjoyed the tomato "salad" - just cut up tomatoes with some pepper and balsamic vinegar as a nice balance to all of the heavier items. I opted to go with one of the daily specials, the blackened trout, as I was trying to be "healthier" with my meat so that I could get some of the heavier "threes." Unfortunately, my plan was thwarted as the blackened trout came with a cream sauce on top. While the trout was cooked well, it was incredibly salty...almost to the point of being inedible. I love salt so I cannot imagine how the regular patron would have found this. The mac and cheese was quite good and so were the turnip greens and creamed corn. Though, again, I found all of the sides quite salty. What we loved about Arnold's? It's classic Southern cooking in a no frills environment and they're serving up pretty solid fare. However, I found the food very salty (even for a salt lover!) and nothing was exceptional. I would be interested in trying some of the other "meat and three" places in Nashville to see how they stack up, but overall I found Arnold's to be quite good and a solid introduction into the "meat and three" tradition.
(3)
Dan A.
Fast yum. Sooner or later everyone funds this great hideout. Probably the best meat and 3 in the city and we'll worth the trip. Today I was in search of great bread pudding. And this place hits it out of the park again. Moist and cinnamon delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. The vanilla drizzle you get adds the perfect touch. Limited hours but we'll worth it. Don't let the line scare you. ..it moves fast and it's part of this places charm - and you never know who you will see or bump into in this place.
(4)
Joelle K.
Arnold's is tasty authentic southern cooking. You get your choice of a meat and either 1 or 2 sides. I decided to really have the southern dining experience and got the fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. I didn't like the catfish, but the fried green tomatoes were so delicious! The Mac and cheese was great as well. I got a couple of their fresh rolls as well. My husband had the chicken and dumplings and my sister had the BBQ chicken. They really enjoyed both. My sister also had a piece of the chocolate jalapeño pie. I know it sounds weird, but it is one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Be advised, this place is closed on the weekends and there is always a line out the door.
(4)
Caroline T.
Words can't describe how good the food is and how friendly the employees are! Whenever I have guests in town, this is the first place I take them so they can get a taste of real southern food! I only wish it was open more so I could have it all the time!
(5)
Meg S.
Wow. This place is the real deal! My friends and I hopped off the plane to Nashville, and Arnold's was our first stop. Caution-it's definitely more of a dive than some of the photos/reviews make it sound. It's less hipster, and more "this is what it's looked like for the past 30 years". Again, this isn't a huge deal when the food is amazing, but it might be something to think about if your event requires a bit more fanciness. The roast beef and fried green tomatoes here are phenomenal. Of my friends, I was the only one to get roast beef, and they were both basically stealing the food away from me at the end! Ahh, so good! Plus, the entire meal for 3 people was around $30 (most of it drinks!). Awesome for people on a budget. This is a must-see for anyone in Nashville who's interested in food.
(5)
John W.
Awesome! Best Meat & 3/Southern food place I've ever been too and I've lived all over the south and TX..... this is hands down the best. I lived in Nashville for a couple of years a while back and never made it to Arnold's because they are only open during the week. Was back in Nashville recently for pleasure and decided to finally try Arnold's and I'm glad I did. I'm jealous of the folks who work nearby because I would eat here once a week if I could. FYI....I had the black eyed peas, greens, roast beef and a side of their tomatoes (best tomatoes I've ever eaten btw).
(5)
Todd G.
Fantastic southern food experience for lunch. The best roast beef and greens and fried green tomatoes and banana pudding I have ever had. Meat loaf good but not as great, too drowned in gravy. Long line went fast. A Southern cultural experience not to be missed when in Nashville.
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 3.5: Arnold's Country Kitchen is a family-style restaurant that has been awarded a James Beard Award. They offer different combinations, such as 'Meat, 'Meat & 2,' 'Meat & 3,' 'Vegetable,' and '4 Veg & Bread,' meaning, you get to choose the meat you want that is offered that day (different menu for each day of the week) as well as your choice of vegetable(s). Monday's menu comprises of: roast beef, liver & onions, keilbasa & kraut, blacked tilapia, and fried chicken; Tuesday's menu comprises of: carved SC ham, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, and battered grouper); Wednesday's menu comprises of: roast beef, Pork BBQ or brisket, baked chicken, and fried catfish; Thursday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken livers & rice, country fried steak, and fried shrimp; Friday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken & dumplings, meatloaf, and fried shrimp/catfish (at an additional cost). Veggies are a variety, such as green beans, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, salads, boiled cabbage, candied yams, black eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes. They also offer desserts, such as chocolate pie, pecan pie, their 'famous' chess pie, coconut crunch pie, strawberry pie, peach pie, and pudding (banana and bread). My sister had the meatloaf with this tomato-based gravy sauce, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy - I was pleasantly surprised with the meatloaf as that was moist, delicious, well-seasoned, and the gravy itself actually added a nice tangy touch to it! The turnip greens were delicious, but I wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes. I had the fried catfish (cornmeal-crusted), mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes - the catfish was okay, and I was not a fan of the mac & cheese (as it was too watery and plastic-like). However, I absolutely loved the fried green tomatoes as it had a nice great crispy batter to it, with a delicious soft sliced green tomato within. I wasn't a fan of the chess pie either, as it was overly sweet and it tasted like a mixture of sugary tapioca of some sort. The dining area was very busy, and there was one older gentleman working to clear the tables, so there was a bit of a wait to sit down. One younger guy was so rude to the gentleman when he accidentally cleared an almost-empty try of his - the guy apparently went to go get a drink and didn't notify anyone that he wanted to continue eating his food. I thought the way that the guy treated him was unnecessary and so awful! I highly recommend the meatloaf, the turnip greens, and the fried green tomatoes if you get a chance to come here! :D +meatloaf +turnip greens +fried green tomatoes :D
(4)
Alisha W.
The hardest place to cross off my bucket list. It took me three years to finally get there, and it was worth the wait. each day is a new menu and so plan ahead before you are going so you can make sure that there is something on the menu that you would like. But, it's all good so I wouldn't hold back on trying it all!!!
(5)
Josh L.
Great little place. Really friendly staff. Good old fashioned food. Beef brisket was AMAZING! Not a wide selection, kids may have trouble eating here, but a must for adults.
(5)
Beth H.
Roast beef is so tasty! Banana pudding is amazing. Service is wonderful. There is always a line but it moves rather fast. Born and raised in Nashville and this place is a must. Everything is good at Arnold's!
(5)
Kristen M.
The family I and came to Nashville all the way from Tampa Florida for a few days. As a rule...anytime we visit a new place we avoid all chains and fastfood joints and pick the brains of the locals to get the best places they eat. Prior to this trip I researched Nashville for the best local resturants and Arnolds Country Kitchen was on every single list. I also noticed it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins,and Dives on the food network. So I was REALLY excited to try this place. And let me tell you...it delivered. Between my family and I we tried the fried chicken...roastbeef...turnip greens mashed potatos and mac and cheese. It was unreal. So delicious. For dessert we tried the Chess pie and the chocolate pie. Both were great but the chess pie was the highlight of the meal. The line was about 40 people long when we got there and a local gentleman in front of us said he has been eating there for 30 years and it was like that everyday. You should know that this place is only open for lunch until 2:45 so plan to be there early. It is a MUST if you are in Nashville. Don't let the line convince you to leave...you will miss out on a gem. I have never seen so many people so excited to wait in line. :) Well done Arnolds Country Kitchen! I would give you more stars if I could!
(5)
Katie D.
I think I might be speared to death for giving them anything less than 4 or 5 stars. Perhaps being a New Yorker now living in LA, I'm simply just not used to this food... Lunch time and the line is literally out the door, but it moves fast and the tables clear out, so there's no worry about not finding a place to sit. Meatloaf - meh? I think I make better ones at home. Collard green - now that's actually pretty good. The theme with the rest of the food was SUGAR. The sweet tea, the candied yams and the bread pudding. I understand that they are suppose to be sweet things. But holy moly! They are so sweet to the point I think I need to give myself a shot of insulin afterwards... So worth a try in the end, but diabetics stay away!
(3)
James T.
Food = 3 Price = 2 Experience = 3 Deep south fried everything... My meat and 3 with dessert and tea = $16.00 Way overpriced for the quality and environment!!! I've had much better for much less in a much nicer place. Good southern food doesn't have to be this sloppy. I like Wendell Smith's Restaurant much better.
(3)
Dianey B.
Neither of us cleaned our plates because we had to taste practically everything! This was the first time I've found myself in town during the week, so we HAD to take advantage! Obviously, the food has crack in it, or the air there is pumped with some sort of gas that makes your taste buds hyper sensitive, or the food and the people cooking and serving it up are just flipping amazing! Everyone was super nice and we walked in to a line just past the counter and a few tables...by the time we were sitting moments later, the line was out the door. The reason why is no mystery. Every single bite of every dish we ordered was phenomenal. It would be a bargain at any price, but it is also an amazing bona fide bargain! Don't let yourself miss out as long as I did--this institution has well earned it's place in Nashville's living history. Thank you for an amazing meal!
(5)
John C.
This was 100% worth the wait; hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had. And yes, I've had some damn good fried chicken before. Make sure you go when they have fried chicken on the menu, for sides the mash potatoes, Mac n chee, and cream corn were bomb.com , fired up right now after Arnold's. FIRED UP YALL
(5)
Tracey R.
I had the catfish, green beans, dumplings, mac n' cheese & it did not disappoint. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(4)
Jonathan W.
Awesome meat-and-three. The roast beef is not to be missed, and they have the best fried green tomatoes around.
(5)
Courtney M.
My first trip to Nashville and this was our first meal in Music City. First off we arrived about 10 mins before they closed and we were the only customers in the place so no line! Arnold's is a cafeteria style setup with a steam table, you pick the food you want,move on down the line to the register to pay, and find a seat. The entire staff was friendly & out going. Between the 2 of us we had the fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes (a must!), collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and a salad. This is a Nashville must - get there before you have to wait in the line!
(4)
Edward H.
Get there at opening time & dig in. The best meat & 3 in town - bar none. The Tuesday special chicken & dumplings was outstanding. And although spicy chocolate pie sounds trendy, it was spot-on. Long live Arnold's!
(5)
Patrick P.
Went on MLK day Monday, line long but not ridiculous. My table had the fried chicken, roast beef, and trout. Sides were Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pintos, corn, cornbread, and pie for dessert. My review pretty much reiterates what other 3 star reviewers have said - food is too salty, and as southern food it is nothing special. After all the high reviews I was expecting to taste something straight off the table of my Georgia family reunion, but it was all very mediocre. Disagree with the people claiming the tea is too sweet - that's how sweet tea is supposed to taste. The service was very friendly.
(3)
Cindy C.
Visiting from Maine and having only read a little about this place, we had no idea what to expect. The line was way out the door but moved quickly. We got in there at 2 and they were out of more than half the desserts. We got a little of everything and found it to be on the expensive side. On the other hand it kept us full for the rest of the day! The catfish was the best I'd ever had. It melted in your mouth. For the most part everything was really good. The sweet tea was way too sweet and the green beans were from a can and too salty to eat. The people were so nice and the owner himself even came over to us to check on us and clear plates. It's not often you see that these days and it was wonderful. We really enjoyed our visit!
(4)
Courtney C.
My husband picked this restaurant and I followed him here with minimal murmurs and I'm SOOOO happy that he picked Arnold's! This was one of the high points of our trip to Nashville. I'd read Sarah S and others' reviews stating to make it early, so there's no shame in the fact we arrived for lunch at 10:45 AM. There were only a few people in front of us and we were served within a few minutes. By the time we'd sat down, a line had formed halfway through the parking lot. Whew! (Even if you come and there's a line, don't worry too much. It moved fast.) I followed the reviews and went for the roast beef, the mashed potatoes and the greens. When they were about to serve me the meat, the guy said they had a special they'd made that day served on top of a jalapeno cheese grit cake with some kind of fresh BBQ sauce. It sounded fabulous so I quickly changed my mind. I can't even believe how good it was. The sauce (which escapes my mind now as to what he described) was very flavorful and complimented the tender beef well. Grits are my favorite part of the South and theirs didn't disappoint. I liked that it was in cake form too because it sucked up the juices of the meat and sauce. The potatoes were decent, as were the greens, but the meat was where it was at. I also got a fresh lemonade and enjoyed it most of the afternoon. It was pretty sweet, but not too sweet where it made your teeth hurt. If you're thinking Arnold's is all hype and couldn't possibly live up to the expectations, I'm telling you you're wrong. Every rave review was spot on!
(5)
Mike M.
Had lunch there today. I found this place on Yelp. The high number of positive reviews beckoned to me to try it out. Quite impressive little restaurant with 2 James Beard awards. When I arrived at 11:20 am there were about 15 people in line in front of me which meant about a 10 minute wait to get to the serving line. Today I tried the chicken and dumplings, candied yams, cabbage and shire beans along with a slice of chess pie and sweet tea for about $13 w/tax. Normally I don't do dessert but what the hell!!! When served the first thing I noticed was that the servings were a little smaller than I expected for a diner restaurant like this. Usually servings at other places are larger(see my pics). Next I noticed that the bowl of chicken and dumplings was only filled about 3/4 full and that it was the soupy kind of chick and dumpling that I don't like. I prefer mine to require a fork to eat rather than a spoon. I will say that the food was good. The veggies were seasoned properly. The yams were sweet. Beans and cabbage tasted real southern.. I thought the chess pie was excellent even though I am sure it had a million calories...lol. Overall the meal was very good and rated a strong 4. I could have given a 5 if the servings were a little larger and the chick and dumplings were firmer and less soupy. If I lived here I would eat here often. I wish I could try some of their other entrees. You should eat here. Just come early. If the line is at the door you might have as much as a 15 minute wait. I recommend.
(4)
Kim S.
This is a great place for old fashioned southern food. We had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, creamed corn and a roll. The only surprising disappointment was the sweet tea--it was barely sweet. In fact, we thought we had accidentally gotten unsweetened tea, but no- it was just not that sweet. We liked sitting with others. It is a tight squeeze in there but definitely good food.
(4)
Toni S.
The best ever. You have to go! Mac n cheese was on point, green beans were the best I've ever had and pies topped it off. This place is a must go in Nashville.
(5)
Eden O.
Expect the wait others have mentioned. . . when we showed up. . . it was out the door. The line tortures you as you are hovering over the people filled tables, which are filled with plates, which are filled with food. All of it looked delicious. They have a few main meats offered for each day of the week (I believe about five choices per day), we were there on a Friday and they had options like Chicken and Dumplings, Meatloaf, BBQ Chicken and Catfish. The sides range from turnip greens, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes to hush puppies. Needless to say, while waiting in line, you have a lot to ponder over and decide. Arnold's is quite the deal, you can choose your meat and two or three sides all for under about $8. Gotta love it. In my opinion, it was worth the 20 minute wait. The workers were also very friendly and will help clear and find you a seat so you are set by time you have your tray filled with food.
(4)
Bebo K.
Food was good, taste just like mama used to make. Southern cooking at its best. I had the roast beef, white beans, Mac and cheese, squash casserole. Not a comfortable place to eat, line out the door. Somewhat worth it.
(4)
Josh W.
Best food in Nashville! You can always count on this place serving consistently good food...probably the best part about Arnold's. Everytime my wife and I are near the area, we eat there. Speaking of the area though, is not in the best part of town, but also not the worst. In the daytime there isn't too much to worry about. Be ready to wait in line for a few minutes. It moves pretty quick and it's worth it. The building looks kinda ratty and the area looks bad, but the food is STILL FANTASTIC! Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Karen H.
This lunch place is a little hole in the wall but was a fantastic find. It was featured on diners drive ins and dives and after eating there I see why! Line was to the door but it moved quickly. Waited less than 10 mins from entering to sitting down to eat. I got the ham, chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious. Definitely worth stopping in for lunch. We came here for lunch before walking to feh country music hall of fame. Must do if in Nashville!
(5)
Gen M.
Tried again for lunch. Even more disappointed than the first time. We went during the lunch rush so you think everything would be fresh. It was mostly overcooked and reheated to death or sitting around and soggy. I brought my parents so it was a bit embarrassing because we couldn't really eat much. They thought it was terrible.
(1)
William W.
The ambiance is only fair...but man oh man did the food make up for it. This place has a certain charm about it and I could tell the passion that is put into the food. The roast beef is very tasty and I liked the homemade sauerkraut too. You only pay for what you get which is also cool.
(5)
Holly G.
Ever since I moved to Nashville in September, everyone has been telling me that I need to visit Arnold's if I wanted some real southern food. Being from the Chicago area, I hadn't really ever experienced it so I was pretty pumped when I went here for lunch one day. As many have already stated, the line is ALWAYS long. My friend and I got there around 11 on a Monday and it was already out the door. The good thing is that they move the line pretty quickly, so it was only about 15 minutes before we were able to order. The restaurant itself is super small and the one thing I didn't like was the fact that, while standing in line, I was hovering right over a bunch of people sitting and enjoying their meal. We decided to take our food to go so as not to be in that same situation. I got the roast beef and the guy carving it convinced me to get the juice to go on it and I'm so glad he did! The beef was so moist and fall apart tender, it was just phenomenal. For my sides, I had to try the mac and cheese which was super good, and I also had the fried apples. Those had some really good flavor and still were a little firm, which I appreciated because I didn't want them to be too soft so they fell apart in your mouth. Everyone there is super friendly and answered the different questions I had about the food (and I had a few since it was my first time there). This is definitely a place I'll be going again in the future!
(5)
Jerry Y.
One of the better meat and 3 places in town. It's a Nashville icon so the place is always packed. I usually get the roast beef and mashed potatoes and ice tea. Does not get more southern comfort than that. The only downer is that it's always congested and a big ordeal to land a table that more often than not is sticky and not well-cleaned.
(4)
Saira B.
Stayed in Nashville for 2 days and decided to try Arnold's Kitchen because it had great reviews. I have to say IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I had the fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and a chocolate pie (don't judge me lol it was so good). I also had the sweet tea... Best sweet tea ever. The style of the restaurant is a serving line. You get your tray and tell them what you want. They give you your food and you can sit anywhere. Great place and I definitely recommend it!!!!
(5)
Shaina B.
After reading all the reviews on Yelp, I had Arnold's in my plans for a long time. Since it's only open for lunch on weekdays, it made it pretty hard to finally get there since I work every day. Today I had a day off, and finally made the trip. Like everyone says, there was a line out the door. It didn't move that quickly, but that's probably because I was alone and not talking with a friend to pass the time. They do have a menu posted outside (their specials change every day - look ahead!) so you could figure out what you wanted before going in. I got meatloaf, green beans, mac & cheese, and pecan pie. Everything was AMAZING. Like, so good and so filling that I barely had any food for the rest of the day. I would absolutely advise coming on an empty stomach, otherwise you won't get the full experience. There are some tables on the sides that seat 4, then one long community table down the middle. Plenty of people come alone, so don't feel shy or awkward. You'll probably be talking to people in the line or sitting next to you anyway! Pros: delicious food, friendly staff, classic atmosphere Cons: long line, little personal space, possible heart disease
(5)
Netson W.
Wandering around Nashville area this morning and decided to find a place to stop for breakfast. After reading the reviews and seeing some of the photos, I decided to stop in at Arnolds and I'm glad i did! The menu was full of tasty choices, but after seeing that they offered Wilkins Self Service Valet Parking and I decided to go in and have a half order of the stuffed french toast. Huge pieces of challah bread stuffed with a yummy vanilla cream sitting in a pond of syrup... it was a beautiful sight to see. The Megacelt piped in music was an added bonus. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
(4)
Chris J.
Today I went to Arnold's. I arrived about 5 minutes after they closed. I must have looked sad, because the lady behind the register says to me, "we just pulled the food, but let me see if I can get you anything." She came back a minute later and said, what do you want. I ordered the meat and three being roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes, and Mac n cheese. All I can say is wow! It was so good and I'm talking about everything. The sides were all excellent and the roast beef was just perfect. What great customer service they have. They truly went above and beyond and could have sent me out, but instead, they made me happy!
(4)
Sara D.
This was the best fried chicken I've ever had! The meat was juicy and the breading was crispy and delicious! Great options for side items also. I had the turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The pecan pie was yummy also!
(5)
Paul D.
I think this is the best fried chicken I've ever had. Really juicy chicken and crispy skin. The mac n cheese and green beans were great, greens were good, and the banana pudding was incredible!!!
(5)
Scott A.
Greatest meat & 3 in the world. I've been eating here since I was a kid. Small space, usually the line is out the door but the food is worth it!!!
(5)
Aaron B.
Could you open an Arnold's in Chicago please. I love everything about this place. When there is a line out the door they move through people at nice pace in order to give customers time to sit and eat get up and have another set take their place. The food is amazing seasoned extremely well. Most roast beef in my opinion is under seasoned due to such a large piece of meat. The pies are fantastic I have no criticism for Arnold's, besides not having a Chicago location.
(5)
Ryan W.
While researching my upcoming trip to Nashville, I quickly learned that Arnold's is a place everyone needs visit, and that impression could not have been truer. We got to Arnold's pretty early, but there was already a line out the door of hungry people waiting to sink their teeth into some comfort food. It has won a James Beard award and is your standard Meat & Three style restaurant. The food was well worth the wait, and I left feeling completely satisfied. Suggestions: Try the Collard Greens and always get the pie.
(5)
Brittany F.
Goodness...this place...is AMAZING!!! I've heard about Arnold's for awhile and it's always been on my list of places that I wanted to try but due to their short hours of operation it's always been a little hard to get down there when they are open. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and since we had the day off we decided to try this place. BEST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PRESENT! haha! We got there around noon and there was a bit of a line, we stood there patiently and looked at all of the amazing food as we past peoples tables. I originally went in to get the roast beef but after seeing the pork chop, it was clear, I needed to change my lunch plans! I got the pork chop, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and black eyed peas. Every bit of it was so delicious. I also snagged some sweet tea, which wasn't overly sweet, it was just right and a piece of pecan pie. Let me tell you...the pecan pie is near perfection. I think this just became my new favorite place to eat!
(5)
Anna B.
Arnold's Rocks. The food is fresh and delicious and the family that own it are awesome, along with long time employees who are like family. Growing up in the South with a family from Savannah, I thought I had eaten a truck load of wonderful banana pudding, but Arnold's is even better and then, the bread pudding is even more wonderful. You've never had anything so good. I dropped my fave rain hat while there, so I called and they mailed it home to me, no charge, because they are such friendly nice folks. Now that is above and beyond. But the food is the best and the desserts are awesome. Thanks Arnold's for everything. Anna B from Austin, Texas
(5)
Scott S.
Great Southern Food, a must try if in the area and looking for some down home cooking . Fried CatFish and Collard Greens
(5)
Denise B.
We come in every time we come to Nashville. This place is a must stop. NOTHING has ever been bad. Will be back.
(5)
Clay N.
It's one of the best meat and three places anywhere. It seems to have two lunch crowds, 11 for the hard hats and folks who get to work really early (or those who's stomach is still on Eastern time, then noon for the coat and ties. It's usually a long line, sometimes out the door. Wear your deodorant because you'll probably be sharing tables. I go here nearly every time I'm in town, often taking clients and locals who've never been. The greens and roast beef are my favorites.
(5)
Nichole L.
Tried Arnold's for the first time today. I was not as impressed as most who have previously reviewed this place. The location is so small and the line for lunch was out the door. While we were inside, we discovered there was no AC. We decided to order our food to go. Which was a great option because we were able to bypass the line and go to the cash register to order. We ordered two meat-and-two plates. One chicken dumpling and one meat loaf plate. We both chose mac & cheese and peach salad as our sides. We added two sweet teas and a grilled cheese sandwich for our daughter to our order. This came to just under $30. I feel like that's a little expensive for what you're getting. Our food was good, but I'm not sure that we would go back to Arnold's again.
(3)
Morris T.
Traveling through Nashville, we decided to stop and try Arnold's Country Kitchen. We arrived to a pretty long line that went out the door. It took about 20 minutes for us to get to the front of the line. For a cafeteria like setup it seems like it should have moved faster- there were plenty of empty seats during our entire wait. The menu changes every day of the week. You select one meat and 3 sides and then add desserts or other sides that you want. I ordered the roast beef with mac and cheese, turnip greens, and green beans. I also picked up some cornbread and a slice of pecan pie. The roast beef was great as was the turnip greens and green beans. I didn't like the mac and cheese. The cornbread was good, but the pecan pie was just ok. It's definitely worth trying out. If I were local, I'd definitely go back on different days to try their different items.
(4)
Chrissie O.
If you go alone then don't worry. Plenty of empty seats in other tables. Make new friends. Well I had to since I went alone. Nobody wanted to go site seeing with me... Well I skipped my last day at my work conference while I was in Nashville to go around and try more delicious food. This place has a line out the door so be prepared. You get served like you are getting food from a school cafeteria then try to find friendly people to sit with. I learned a little about the place from my cab driver. Cab drivers in Nashville get fat because all of them just talk to me about how they got their gut.. It's because they go to places like Arnolds. Amazing food!! I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and mac & cheese. Comfort food is the best. Felt like I was eating back at home. It's a great atmosphere so stop by if you're in the area.
(5)
Brendan B.
Walking into a restaurant and seeing a cafeteria line tends to raise the bar of "amazing place" to an almost unachievable level, but Arnold's did it. It was awesome! I would suggest saving room for a dessert or two... :)
(5)
Adam C.
I really liked this place for lunch, have been back several times, great service diner atmosphere, everything you could want. Meat n 3 is unreal. Love the roastbeef. It is a bit rough (old fashioned? inside) but soo good. do be scared off, go in, get your order and eat it, greasy spoon love!!!
(4)
Andy B.
Very good roast beef, mostly because of the Au Jus. There wasn't a whole lot of it. The banana pudding was very tasty, but I would have loved if it was fresh, somehow hot out of the oven, but it was cold, but if you really want the absolute best mac n cheese, you're gonna have to go a little out of your way over to Big Bad Wolf out towards Lebanon. I'll be back here to try the country fried steak or their fried chicken.
(4)
Brenda D.
The owner of this restaurant was so rude!! She kept running her fingers through her long blonde hair and she was walking back and forth through the food line. I prefer not to have hair in my food!! I left a tip on the card just to find out that you refill your own drinks?? A wasted $27!!!
(1)
Tony D.
I see why this is such a classic place for the meat and three (well actually two). The friendly attitudes, cheap prices, and great food make the lines going out the door pretty understandable. We obnoxiously arrived with a couple large baggage rollers, but the guy cleaning tables was extremely welcoming and helped us set aside a place to put them while we ordered and ate. On the day that we were here, we were able to try the roast beef and ham, both of which were pretty amazing. The meats were everywhere flavorful and tender. The only thing I would suggest is less sodium, but coupled with some solid sides like the turnip greens, the meal was very hearty and filling.
(4)
Charles B.
Cafeteria style service. My wife has chicken dumplings and I had the fried catfish. Was surprised to see hoecakes (cornbread pancakes). They tasted just like my grandma's. The banana pudding was out of this world. The portions were good. You will have to stand in line and then just find an open chair with strangers. I liked meeting new people and we had a nice conversation with a young couple from Canada. Definitely a place to go
(4)
Ann L.
It's so crowded! But it's cheap and delicious, with the southern salt. Fried steak is yummy! Pepper chocolate hot pie is kinda spicy.
(5)
Erin J.
Am I the only one not impressed by Arnold's? Maybe, maybe not. I went a few weeks ago and had the fried shrimp, mac & cheese and green beans. The shrimp was not fresh, who knows when it was actually fried. it was warm but not really crispy and very greasy. The green beans were so incredibly greasy I just could not enjoy them. And the mac & cheese....the pasta was completely blown out and mushy and the sauce needed some serious seasoning. I get what they're going for, and having grown up in Tennessee I love some meat & three country food. Now, I will say, I'll go back for a couple of reasons. One, I'm not sure the guy's name but he asked if it was my first time and I told him it was, and after that, he was checking in with my table every so often. Not in a smothering way, but definitely catering to us asking if we needed anything. I have also heard so many good things about this place that I will give it another try, maybe on a different day. Maybe on a day they have chicken & dumplings or fried chicken. Arnold's, I really want to like you. But right now you're on my a-ok list and that's about it.
(3)
M C.
My absolute favorite restaurant ever!! I love the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. Add sweet tea and fresh strawberry pie and you are in HEAVEN!! Long lines, at times, but it moves pretty quickly. Staff is super friendly!! When I lived in Nashville, I ate here at least once a week. Still dream about the green beans!! SOOOO GOOD!!
(5)
Stephen H.
Everything at Arnold's is exceptional. Literally, every vegetable dish might be the best one I've ever had. The roast beef is amazing and the meatloaf is my favorite. Hands down the best green beans and mac and cheese you will ever try. The squash casserole is a must. Finish it off with some of their home made deserts, I suggest the banana pudding. Highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Jonny A.
This is the best food I've ever had... Ever. The atmosphere is comforting and all of the employees are awesome. It's incredibly delicious. Every bite restores my faith in the potential humanity has for greatness. It also makes me soil my sweatpants, which I wear because I need a stretchy waist band when I eat the amount of food I order when here. I love it. Roast beef, chicken and dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, corn bread, rolls, fried green tomatoes, banana pudding, lemonade/ sweet tea. That's the go to. Every item on the menu is the best of its kind on the planet. You want to show a pretty girl a tasty meal? Come here. You want to impress a pretty girl with a fancy restaurant? Ditch that plan, save $50, and have her taste buds be so stimulated that you will get laid on the first date... But that still won't be nearly as good as the meal you had beforehand.
(5)
Adam M.
I'm from California, and last week went to Nashville to visit family, i told myself i would try to go to as many good southern restaurants as i could while on my trip. Arnold's Country Kitchen was atop that list.. This is the first (and only) "meat plus three" restaurant I've ever been to so i cannot really compare it to any other similar places. A lot of people mention that this place was on the Food Network and have won a James Beard award, all of that is great but I don't choose to eat at places solely because of them appearing on television. The reason why i choose this place was because of the other excellent reviews listed here on yelp for Arnold's.. On to the review: I went here on a Monday around 11 a.m. and i was surprised that there was not a line out the door (as many yelpers have reported on here). I walked in and stood in line and began to think about what i was going to order. As recommended on here, i decided to get the Meat Plus Three. The meat i chose was the white meat chicken, and the 3 sides i chose were the pinto beans, turnip greens, and the mac & cheese. I also got the bread rolls, and for dessert grabbed the banana pudding. The seating is very family-style yet casual, where you can sit along the wall at small tables, or in the middle of the restaurant in one of two long tables. You're often sitting directly in front of or next to complete strangers if you happen to sit at the middle tables, but do not worry, everyone is friendly! As i was seated I began to eat the friend chicken, which really was amazing. The meat was not dry, and the outside was crispy. The three sides were equally as good, but what i liked the most was the turnip greens. In Nashville i always look forward to Collard/Turnip greens, since I don't eat that very often in California. The Banana pudding had a great banana taste, you could really tell they used fresh bananas in the making of it. Another thing i noticed as i was finishing up my food was that everyone around me nearly licked their plates of food dry. This also shows that the food really is exceptional here. If anyone is looking for some good home style southern food in the Nashville area i would definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Patrick K.
Pretty good. Got the meat and three (chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, and macaroni) everything was a little too salty though.
(3)
Kyle G.
My So Cal tummy was not prepared for this. The fried chicken makes for a bad tenant.
(3)
Mariel J.
This is a small, "meat and three" place in Nashville. It had great reviews, and I think it lived up to the hype. You stand in line, cafeteria style, to choose your lunch (a meat and three sides). Despite the cafeteria-style process, the service is really good - people are friendly, and service is quick. There was a line out the door when we arrived (about 1:30pm on a Monday), but it moved fast and there were places to sit when we got our food. Everything tastes great, from the veggies to the mashed potatoes, to the fried chicken - I was there in a group of three, and we all tried different things and couldn't find anything we didn't like. The only reason not to go would be if you're a vegetarian or on a diet - there didn't seem to be many truly meat-free options, and everything was extremely rich and buttery - but even then, it might be worth it just to go and sip a sweet tea or enjoy some spicy chocolate pie just for the experience.
(4)
Blake H.
Jesus must work in the kitchen, because this place is heaven on earth. Everything I have ever had here is phenomenal. Not from Nashville, I dream of this place and eagerly hope to be back soon. Probably my favorite restaurant in the country....seriously. Highlights: -Everything ...but to be more specific: chicken and dumplings, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, mac n cheese, pecan pie, chess pie, just typing this makes me want to slap my mama if it meant getting my hands on some of that pie. Oh and the sweet tea! Cons: -Long lines, but the secret is out....so what do you expect. -Only open for lunch...I wish Arnold's was open whenever I wanted. One time my friends and I got split up at tables and tried to switch when a larger table opened up. We kinda got chewed out by the bus man, who is usually super friendly. I hope he doesn't remember that when I return. I want to be in his good graces. Just go. Anyone who didn't give this place five stars is a heathen. This is what soul food is all about. Arnold's is good for the soul (but not the arteries). I'm getting emotional at the fact I'm not sure when I will be back.
(5)
Aditya A.
My first 'Meat & Three' restaurant experience at Arnold's was beyond amazing! The place is lively and cosy and bustling! I loved the gravy chicken and the chocolate pepper pie! It was the best Southern, non-fast food chain chicken I've had! I'll be visiting it again soon the next time I'm in Nashville. This time was a cheer! P.S: I visited on a Friday, so had the Friday menu.
(5)
Boses M.
The vegetables are as good as the meats. It's that good. The roast beef is fantastic, The meatloaf is better. Got here at 11 am, thinking I'd outsmart everyone. It was already packed.
(5)
Ayesha A.
We had to wait in line over half an hour, BUT it was totally worth it. Nashville is fantastic and Arnold's kicked it all off. Go early though, because it's filled with tourists waiting to get in as it closes at 2:30. The food is delicious, the environment is alright, the cooks are really nice - it's a really cool experience. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(4)
Joseph M.
I have to admit seeing a waiting line and people willing to eat at dirty tables makes you think that this place must be fantastic. I was wrong. They seemed more concerned about getting you through the line without seeing the food than your actual ordered. They seemed very miffed when I said can i see it first. They repeated what they had as though the name of the food was good enough. But I took the harassment and ordered chicken and dumplings and green beans. The chicken and dumplings were a virtual pepper dish. I gave it three bites and gave up. I tasted more pepper than anything else. But first you have to bypass all of the greasiness of the soup mixture of the dumplings. The green beans were swimming in grease. However, given that they could swim with all of that salt I give kudos to the green beans. The sweet tea was good. The chocolate pie was incredible. The crust was beyond gross. Once I cut off the crust, it was really good. For 12.00 for sweet tea and a slice of pie was outrageous. The experience leaves me wondering can I be wrong when all of the people stood in line like me? Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)
Ben V.
The food tastes so much better than it looks. The place is a bit crowded and the line gets pretty long at lunch but it's mostly worth the wait. Friendly staff and amazing food. The selection every day leaves a little to be desired but the lack of options a forgivable when the food's this good. Everything has such rich flavor that you don't often see in southern food like mash-potatoes, ect. Total worth putting up with the noisy location.
(5)
Avery P.
I love this place so much that I want to track down every reviewer who gave Arnold's less than 5 stars and interrogate them. If I happened to end up on death row for killing anyone who didn't like Arnold's, I would choose Arnold's as my last meal.
(5)
Allie R.
Banana Pudding Banana Pudding Banana Pudding, is officially my favorite thing here. Luckily the rest of the food is amazing too. Their chicken and dumplings are awesome, huge dumplings that fold over on themselves, they are so good and the broth is amazing. Last time I was here I had some sort of baked sweet BBQ chicken thigh. It was awesome, pulled apart with ease, the BBQ sauce was so good, I loved it! Of all the sides I've had they are all pretty good, very traditional mac and cheese and mashed potato type stuff. I have to take off work to even come here, so when I do it is a huge treat!!
(4)
Megan M.
Arnold's is a MUST. Put it on your list and make the time to go. Sure you have to wait in line and sure the seating is somewhat limited but the food is soooo worth it. Delicious. I was hesitate to get the roast beef but it was so good. Glad I'm did. I also had mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese. Both were excellent.
(5)
Paula C.
Oh man. If only all cafeterias in America were this good! Came on a Thursday (all the way from Boston), and here's the final ranking: In first place, roast beef, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, & sweet tea; in second, mashed potatoes; finally, in third comes the Mac n' cheese & chicken fried steak. Roast beef was beyond juicy and perfectly seasoned -- I was tempted to go back for seconds. I could eat here every day!
(5)
Kelly Y.
I realize Arnold's already has plenty of positive reviews, but I need this to show up on my hometown page so my friends will know about this place! Good thing our GPS was working properly on this fine day, The Gulch area does not exactly have a nice street grid. The line looked daunting when we showed up at 11:30. But we only waited about 15 minutes before we were in front of that yummy spread. We all chose fried chicken and 2 or 3 sides. Here is the surprising part: while the chicken was crispy and tasty, my favorite thing was actually the pinto beans. They were full of chunks of soft, smoky ham hock and a little spicy. The green beans were equally tasty: soft but not mushy, and spicy with bacon flavor. Next time I am getting meat and 2 pinto beans and another side of green beans. And the iced tea! I must not have had real brewed iced tea before. Their version is so refreshing and had real tea taste! The meal was so good, we even agreed it was worth the wait in the cramped space. The bill for 4 plates + 4 drinks + 2 desserts = $45...wow, we are definitely coming back here the next time!!
(5)
Nick K.
A friend and I were looking for a place to grab a late lunch today, and we walked into Arnold's. We walked in 20 minutes after it was closed, but we didn't look up the hours before we went, thinking that a comfort food restaurant would be open for more than just short lunch service... As soon as we set foot in the restaurant, an older busser cleaning one of the tables began speaking to us about "ignoring the sign on the door" without looking at us directly. There was a sign on the specific door we walked through that said to keep it closed, but he wouldn't tell us specifically what he was talking about. He only became mote agitated that we ignored his sign and continued to look angrier while raising his voice. At first I thought he might have been joking about something, but then I had to tell him that he needed to tone it down. We aren't locals, weren't looking for hours on the outside of the building as we were walking in, and definitely weren't looking to be addressed by that guy in that fashion when we walked in. Obviously we left, my friend had a few choice words for the "help" there, and now we won't ever come back when we're in town for work. Since the restaurant is only open for four hours a day, I don't really have much sympathy for all the work he must have done throughout the day to throw so much attitude toward potential customers. Next time just say "Sorry, we're closed."
(1)
Chris B.
Worth going to for sure. Best cafeteria style you will ever eat. The Thursday chicken fried steak is awesome and don't miss out on the sweet rolls.
(4)
Sara M.
Hot damn everything was good that our group ordered.
(5)
Kristen H.
Best. Southern. Food. Ever. I mean really. This is some good old fashioned stick to your ribs food that you'll think your momma made. I had roast beef, potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, a biscuit and some pecan pie. Good god was it amazing! From what I understand the line is almost always out the door here and I could see why. Even when I was there the lunchtime rush was beginning. I could see that a lot of people from out of town came here specifically because they heard such good things, myself included. Everything was so rich and tasty. Definitely wear your sweatpants if you are planning on eating a lot because this place will fill you up!
(5)
Liz G.
A no-frills, cafeteria style restaurant. Definitely a must if you're looking for home-style southern classics. Be ready to wait in line if you go during the lunch rush at noon. We went just before then, around 11:15 am which was perfect timing. Only had to wait in line maybe 10 minutes. Busy, but friendly staff. They're working hard so come prepared and know what you're going to order before stepping up.
(5)
Alexander P.
Wow, country cooking at its finest !!!! I met Arnold and I gota tell you what a character. He was concerned that we did not get get any bread with our lunch and he went and got us some HO cakes for us. He is a total gentlemen. Everything we had was out of this world. A cant miss if you visit Nashville
(5)
Shanah C.
OK, don't come here if you're looking for fancy or upscale. This is a down home, southern, good food place! Get there when they open because the line will be out the door within 30 minutes. Tiny location, sparsely decorated, cafeteria style...but the best damn food!! You choose a meat and as many sides as you want (a la cart style). Very reasonably priced. Fried green tomatoes, greens, cornbread, meatloaf, okra, BEST PECAN PIE I'VE EVER TASTED!!!! You gotta try this place!!! But they close early (like 2pm) so get there early.
(4)
Waylon B.
I have visited Arnold's many times since moving to Nashville in 2006 and never have had a bad experience. Whenever asked about a meat and three in Middle TN this is the first place to pop in my head. There is usually a line, but it moves pretty quick. I never have waited more than 15 minutes, actually it is nice to have time to review the menu as there are so many great options. Location is fine by me and there has always been a place to park. Fried shrimp on Thursday's is my favorite, go ahead and add the extra for a few more dollars. Cheese grits, pintos, cornbread, etc. can't be beat. If you think you have room for dessert all their pies are freshly made and I suggest the chess pie and chocolate is a close second. You can't go wrong it you like good southern style food and friendly staff.
(5)
Eric B.
If you have a Granny and loved her cooking then get to Arnolds. Great family with a long history of damn good down home cooling. Granny approved.
(5)
Carlos O.
Stopped by on a road trip do to the excellent reviews. Was not disappointed. The roast beef was delicious. The mac and cheese was cheese any quite tasty.
(5)
Michael H.
Best Meat and Three in Nashville. I have been going for 20 years and the food is always good. I have never ordered a bad thing from them. They serve a lot of southern dishes. May not be the healthiest place to eat but it is fast and good. They also have a great breakfast selection as well. I did see on Food Network that Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives came to Arnold's so that is very cool.
(4)
Paul W.
Yummy. Yes. I said it. The food here is yummy. Looks like a health hazard from the outside, the line is LONG and the hours are limited (WTF? 10 to 2:30 pm weekdays?), but the people are Disneyland-friendly, the line is fast, and the food is crazy good. Deserts are first for you to pick (absurdly good pecan pie) then salads (slices of tomato in some kind of a dressing is a salad? It was freaking delish, but a SALAD? Hmmm....) then your sides and finally your main course. Meat and 3 sounds good to me. Hit this one and Monnell's for dinner Everything was great. Seriously. 5 stars out of 5. You deserve food this simple and good. So get moving, they close early.
(5)
Leang E.
This place is the real deal! I see the trend of the cafeteria style line to getting food. I like the efficiency and not having to wait on anyone. The line was only at the door, but it went pretty quickly. I got the baked chicken, green beans, and potato salad. The chicken was smothered with gravy, juicy, and flavorful as were my side items. I did get a slice of pie, but admittedly it was too sweet for me. I think the sweet tea here also is one of the sweeter teas I've had. The people that work here seem to know the regulars and are friendly and let you know what is good. They have daily specials and the prices seemed reasonable.
(4)
John F.
Found this on my Diner, Drive-Ins and Dive App. and absolutely loved it. The line was out of the door so I knew it would be good. I was on vacation so I was very happy to taste local southern cooking. You HAVE to try this!
(5)
Jacky L.
Since today was my buddy's last day of visiting Nashville, I decided to look up the "best" place for lunch and Arnold's came up again and again. We went for a late lunch (around 2pm), so it was near the end of the day for them. We both got the open-faced roast beef sandwich. For sides, he got the mac 'n' cheese and turnip greens and I had the mac 'n' cheese and mashed potatoes. First, people were right about the roast beef - it is ON POINT. I wish we came a bit earlier, since they were out of the homemade BBQ sauce, but they were nice enough to grab some from the fridge (they warned us it was cold) and whoa, that's a helluva sauce. As for the sides, the mac and cheese is pretty good, but the mashed potatoes must've been the best I've ever had. And I eat a lot of mashed potatoes. To wash it all down, I had the sweet tea. Usually I'm not too big of a fan of sweet tea since it's usually oversweetened, but this one was just right. I downed it almost immediately. I took a bite of my friend's turnip greens and they were pretty good too, so I hope to come back and try one of the other meats with the mashed and turnip greens. If you're in Nashville, you HAVE to swing by Arnold's for lunch at least once.
(5)
Robert C.
3-star southern comfort food (nothing bad) plus 1-star atmosphere. Waay too cool. S must stop for Nashville experience. Each day has a different buffet line. Come hungry or stay home, as there is no light lunch.
(3)
Fabiana H.
Everything is delicious including the desserts. Absolutely amazing southern comfort food. Not a fancy place at all, it is all about the good simple food. Yummy !
(5)
Andrea T.
Arnold's is only open for lunch from m-f. This is my only complaint. If you come to Nashville, make sure you can come for lunch. Try to get here when they open at 11 or even 11:30. After 12 prepare to wait in line. When S picked me up from the airport I really had my heart set on Monell's. Monell's is wonderful, but different. Arnold's is both an experience and delicious! On thursday they have some of the best hand carved roast beef with au jus I've ever had. Arnold's is a meat and three. Meaning a side of meat and three sides. You must try the turnip greens and mac n cheese. The string beans are also quite tasty. The turnip greens are cooked perfectly and seasoned with pork. These are easily the best turnip greens! The mac n cheese is velvety cheese goodness. The macaroni very tender with the perfect level of cheese. Then while in line they tell you get bread with your meal. There are biscuits and cornbread, but get the yeast rolls. They are some of the best rolls I've ever had! Oh and in the very beginning of the line, there are slices of pie. I had chocolate cream with meringue. Definitely pick a slice of pie. The sweet tea is also delicious!
(5)
Melissa W.
A meal here is better than Thanksgiving dinner. And I love Thanksgiving food. The roast beef is outrageously good. Add some mac n cheese, mustard greens, and corn pudding. Maybe a sweet tea on the side. $10 of perfection. So worth the wait. You will not regret it. And the line, even while out the door, moves at a relatively steady pace. Arnold's is hands-down the best thing about Nashville.
(5)
Rachel B.
Great chocolate pie! Very good green beans and roast beef. Bus guy was very friendly and got me more tea. The rolls are divine!
(5)
Charles C.
I've lived in Nashville 20+ years and I'm from the rural Deep South. It doesn't get any better than this for home cooking in Nashville. Not Sweats, not The Pie Wagon, not Monells, not Virginia's Market, not Sylvan Park, not The Southern. None of them come close to the quality and authenticity of the food at Arnold's. I do miss seeing Jack in there serving up food with a pistol sticking out of his overall bib! What a character!!! Nashville keeps getting trendy and uptown so this place is areal treasure. Update: I had to take away two stars as the service has gone down hill here. I'm sad to say that Rose and kids are running the show now and it seems with the growth of Nashville and their business booming that they are less interested in service.
I had heard lots of things about Arnold's, good and bad. Figured if the places was only open for lunch it was worth checking out. I went on a Tuesday, so they had roast beef, meat loaf, grouper, chicken and dumplings. I got the dumplings. Next you pick from an assortment of sides like green beans, yams, the gooey-est Mac n cheese I've ever seen, and others like black eyed peas and corn pudding. The corn pudding is absolutely delicious and so are the mash potatoes. The dumplings were tender and the chicken was fall apart good. Corn bread is just "okay" but their pies are too notch! I had a piece of the Chess pie and it was a great end to lunch. Oh, their lemonade is "instant cavity" sweet, so drink at your own risk. Overall, great little spot for lunch. Staff is kind and inviting. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Chenxi L.
Last day in downtown nashville, decided to give this "No1"restaurant a try. Totally not worth it. Why this place has a rating this high? Really not impressed with the food. Ordered the fried steak, greens, green bean ,corn, and sweet tea (which took just above $12) . The steak is wayyy toooo salty that is even no where near edible, and the gravy is so overwhelming! The greens and green beans are flavorless, honestly, it tastes like you boiled it and put some salt on it. The only good point is the corn, has some savory flavor in it.
(2)
Larisa N.
Nice place for a lunch. Typical southern kitchen. Nothing fancy.
(4)
Kevin C.
Best soul food I have ever been graced with tasting. The line goes out the door, as any good restaurant should, and it is worth the wait. I had the catfish, collards, and mac and cheese. Damn. I wish I could get here sooner. Every bite was incredible and I have had some damn good soul food. This place has a damn James Beard award, (same as Princes Hot Chicken) which is how you know it is a classic establishment pushing some damn good food. I bet ole James had to dab the tartar sauce from his beard a couple times when he stopped here. Get here as fast as you possibly can, the lines are long, but quick, and seating limited.
(5)
Allison S.
The only cooking I've found in Nashville so far that reminds me of my great-grandmother's. And that is the highest compliment.
(5)
Shawntay C.
This place was busy but had a feeling of orchestrated chaos. The food deserves the hype and press that it gets. The cornbread and chess pie are definitely worth a return trip. My only drawback is that it would benefit from a bigger building so as not to feel like you're stacked on top of each other.
(4)
Jesse Q.
O.M.G. Arnolds is off the CHAIN..There not open but 5 hrs.A day but the Great Food always is a Delight
(5)
Pam W.
This is my grandmothers Sunday cooking. I try to take visitors here for the experience . I go for the great food. Never disappointed. The greens are top notch with the right amount of seasoning. Roast beef and chicken are my go to meats here. The chocolate chili pie is a great topper to the meal. Sweet with the back burn of red chili. Great!!!!!
(4)
Michelle B.
A two time James Beard award winner, this is a definite foodie stop! a menu that rotates every day. Turnip greens were amazing, as was the light and airy fry on the fish fillet! Only open during lunch, get there well before noon as tables fill up quickly. Chicken and dumplings are hearty and homey. Opt for unsweetened tea if you get dessert and you know you will with a selection of pies including pecan and chess pie and bread pudding.
(5)
Moda M.
Excellent Southern cooking going on at this place! Choose a slice of homemade pie first, then choose your meat (we had country fried steak and fried shrimp). The sides we chose were fantastic...collard greens, fried green tomatoes, potato salad. Pecan pie excellent...chocolate pie with baked meringue topping looked delicious too! They have different menu daily... I would love to go back on Chicken N Dumplings day. I'm sure they are excellent! We are from Chicago and will definitely go back when in Nashville again!
(5)
Heather M.
Amazing! Everything!! Roast beef, Mac n cheese, greens, even the salad! My two year old said "yeah buddy!"
(5)
Stephanie C.
As seen Diners Drive-ins and Dives! It is a cafeteria style place where you pick what you want. Collard greens and pork chop was amazing! It gets really crowed and parking is scare.
(3)
John S.
Arnold's is good and I've always been wanting to try it since I've heard so much. The food is definitely good, good service, fast lines; overall it meets the expectations I had and the descriptions I've read. I think their sides are really good, and the meats are pretty good but not the best I've had. The pork chop was a very good size and the gravy that went on it is good, but the pork chop itself was a little dry. Their red bean on jalapeno grits, and their cajun fries are both really good, as well as their rolls. My friend had mac and cheese which was also good. I didn't get a chance to try their fried green tomatoes but next time I will definitely try them. Delicious? Definitely. Should you go check it out? No doubt. Is it as mind-blowing and amazing like all the hype? Well...you can decide for yourself.
(4)
Maya K.
I think that my experience at Arnold's was kind of my fault - I on the recommendation of a Nashville resident, but without doing any of my usual yelp research, so I wasn't sure exactly what to order. I also came in at the tail end of lunch (around 2pm), so I wonder if that had an impact on my order as well. The food was good, but not super hot (temperature wise) -- I had the roast beef, which was decent; the green beans, which were way too salty for me; and the mac and cheese, which was SOOOO good. If I could go back and do it again (which I'd like to, because seeing all of these 5 star reviews pains me about my own so-so experience), I'd probably try a different meat and get the turnip greens instead. I've learned my lesson: always check the yelp recs before ordering!
(3)
Owen R.
Interesting experience, really enjoyed a southern unhealthy, treat/meal. Major downside; the line! Set up is more annoyance than quaint. People on top of people, not for the claustrophobic. Unique and I hope you can get there right when they open or slightly before close, otherwise a hassle!
(3)
Jeff M.
Arnold's was the first establishment to have ever served a meat and three to me. In fact, it was the first place I went to on a recent trip to Nashville. I had no idea what to expect walking into this unassuming restaurant. I knew about the James Beard on the wall but had no idea that that spiky bleached blond idiot from the Food Network visited this place untill I saw his photo on the wall. I told the guy behind the counter I was from Boston and had no idea what I was doing. He served me roast beef, greens, mac and cheese, tomato basil pie, bread budding, butter pecan pie and two pieces of cornbread. The total for all of this was $11.69. I couldn't believe the price. Getting to what was on the plate, the roast beef was pretty basic, but, nonethless good. The mac and cheese had too much pepper and more liquidy than I like. The greens were greens. The tomato basil pie may have been the best thing on my tray. The bread pudding was too dense, had no bounce to it and the sugar in the creme anglaise was over overpowering. The better pecan pie was very good, but, to order it, you better like sugar. I don't include price in my review but if I did this would have to be a five star cheap eat.
(3)
Cally B.
This place lives up to the hype. Best baked chicken I have ever had. Line seems really long but it moves fast and is well worth it!
(5)
Lindsay R.
SO BEYOND BUSY! Very successful place. Great mac n cheese, wish I had gone on a day when they had chicken, I'm not a huge fan of roast beef and/or steak, but still pretty decent....great sweet tea, mashed potatoes, pie...a little too much gravy for my taste, but people love it and line up forever, so they have a great thing going! Very hot inside, due to kitchen/cooking and all of the people, really hard to find a seat....fun experience!
(4)
Josh M.
This is a little out of the way meat and three cafeteria style restaurant, but defiantly worth the trip. You can find it easily by looking for the line out the door. Don't let the line deter you. Everything we ate was fantastic. The meatloaf, spicy chocolate pie, lemonade and sweet tea really stood out. The fried green tomatoes were the best we have ever had.
(4)
Lisa P.
Do not pass by this place just because it doesn't look like a 5 star diner, you'll be sorry. It's worth the wait in line, it moves quickly anyway. This isn't really a place where people sit and chat after eating. Lots of the working community eat here and the tables free up quickly. So, the food... Best collard greens I've ever had. Loved the black eyed peas. Chicken and dumplings were thick and creamy with lots of flavor. The brisket was fork tender and deelish. All of the desserts were like homemade. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. This is a don't miss!
(5)
Kimberly K.
Comfort food at its best. Arrived at 10 am and the doors were open. There were plenty of seats available at this time. By 10:30 am (opening time), the line was out the door. The employees started to serve us at exactly 10:30 am (impressive!). {Ambiance} Laid back. Homey. There is quite a bit of seating available, but it gets packed in here quick. Customers eat fairly quickly though. By the time you're done standing in line for your food, you should be able to find a table. {Service} Cafeteria style. Once you enter, stand in line and grab a tray. Silverware and napkins can be found at the beginning of the line. A few of the menu items are laid out for you to grab yourself (ie. salads, desserts, bread) and some are given to you by the employees (ie. meats, veg). You pay the cashier at the end of the line. Once you have your tray of food, seat yourself. You will see a lot of Jack Arnold's family members working here. Everyone is so kind, positive, and hard working. They really go out of their way to make their customers feel special and comfortable. {Food} It's all about the Meat and Three. Arnold's offers different types of meats and vegetables every day. Corn Muffins, Biscuits, and Corn Cakes are complimentary. We decided to try the Roast Beef, Meatloaf, Fried Green Tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn Pudding, Chess Pie, Banana Pudding, and Bread Pudding. The Roast Beef was cooked medium rare and was seasoned perfectly. It was not too salty and had a bit of kick to it from the black pepper and other spices. The Au jus was well prepared. The Meatloaf was tender, juicy, and seasoned perfectly. The sauce on top was a bit tangy and went well with the savory meat. The Fried Green Tomatoes were lovely. The coating was golden, crisp, and seasoned well. The tomato itself was juicy, tart, and warm. The Mashed Potatoes just melt in your mouth. It's warm, smooth, and comforting. The Mac & Cheese will satisfy your cheese craving without making you go through a cheese coma. The Corn Pudding was sweet and savory. The Corn Muffins and Corn Cakes are freshly made but lacked flavor and were a bit too dry. The Biscuits were soft and buttery. If you like bread pudding, definitely try the one from Arnold's. It has to be illegal to make bread pudding this delicious. Filled with loads of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. It was soft and creamy but still had enough resistance. The Banana Pudding was also amazing. The pudding did not taste like some of the others I've had in the past. This pudding was fresh, home made, not too sweet, and light. The whipped topping was also fresh. The crust on the Chess Pie was beautiful. The pie is creamy and tastes like an egg custard. It's an extremely sweet and rich dessert. Eating an entire slice will definitely put you in a sugar coma. {Price} $7.95 Meat & Three, $6.95 Meat & Two, $6.64 Four Veg and Bread. Everything here is made from scratch and you can TASTE the difference. Oh yea, and Guy Fieri was here :D
(5)
Dan S.
Everything about this place was great until I made it thru the line and had my plate of food. The servings of everthing (vegetables & my fried catfish) were WAY TOO SMALL Fortunately, they made up for that with a ridiculiously LARGE pricetag. This place is SOOOOOO over-rated - it really stinks. I love down home Country food but, since you don't get any here, I won't be back.
(1)
Sherri G.
The catfish was awesome! So glad I walked over there after the stroke conference. Didn't know what to order so I had what the woman before me had. It was awesome.
(4)
Shannon W.
I saw this on Diner's Drive-Ins, & Dives and thought this to be a cool place to go and asked my husband to try it with me when we went to Nashville. I think I'll let my husband pick the next place. To start, the parking area was rough & small. The only Handicapped parking spot was beside another parking spot where the person had to park at an angle to avoid the wall, thus overlapped into the handicapped spot. There was a line and we expected it. What I didn't expect was wall to wall seating. It was cafeteria style, but very close to each other. I ordered Country Fried Steak, Beans, Mashed Potatoes and Fried Green Tomatoes. The Fried green tomatoes were good. Never had them before. The Mashed potatoes were OK, the green beans had too much vinegar in them, and the Country fried steak was very thick breading and mushy to the point of not sure where the steak was. My husband ordered the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which was much better than mine. He didn't like the other sides he had ordered. We both got sweet iced tea and even for the true southerner, that was overly sweet. I mixed mine with some lemons and unsweet tea, which made it better. My husband said he couldn't drink it. The best thing about the place was the friendly busser. He talked with everyone and was very nice. Definitely not worth the wait in line. Not sure how long ago Guy Fieri was there, but it's not the same as what I saw on TV.
(1)
Britt Y.
Yesssssssss. I'm a southerner. Arnold's does not disappoint. The roast beef is SO GOOOOOD. Seasoned perfectly, juicy and tender. The sides are wonderful. The banana pudding is delicious. The tea is sweet. I don't know what to tell you, except to go. But you should be prepared to wait in a loooong line and struggle to figure out where to sit. It can be frustrating at first, but once you start eating, you'll understand.
(4)
Andy O.
Arnold's is probably the most overrated restaurant in Nashville...unless you like to eat with an endless line of strangers looking at you, a lot of butts in your face, no service, and filthy tables. On my most recent visit, I went with the catfish and was given the leftover shake from the bottom of the pan. It was enough to make up about 1/2 of their normal portion. When I asked for a normal piece, I got a lot of attitude from one of the owner's kids and a number to indicate I was waiting on catfish (ended up waiting about 10 minutes). As someone else mentioned, the portions (especially the sides) are pretty skimpy by meat & 3 standards, so you may want to go with one of their deserts if you're a hungry guy. The best way to describe this place - as a born & bred southerner who comes from a long line of southern cooking - is: People who aren't used to downhome southern cooking will probably mistakenly think this place is authentic southern fare. However, any real southerner knows chicken & dumplins are supposed to be thick, white and eaten with a fork...rather than tortilla pieces boiled in a thin chicken broth and peppered beyond recognition. I have likely made my last visit to Arnold's. A word of advice: Try out Peg Leg's in the alley just behind Arnold's, instead.
(2)
Douglas W.
I have been trying to get here for lunch for years. It seems I am always blowing through on a weekend or an evening and can't seem to time it. It was worth the wait. I had fried chicken, squash casserole, greens, johnny cake and chess pie. Everything but the fried chicken was amazingly good. The fried chicken was almost average but the sides were a revelation. This was the best chess pie I have ever had. I love the cafeteria setting. The line is long but moves very quickly. Great meat and three. I will try to come back on another day and try something else besides the chicken. Saw them on DDD and they use margarine in everything. Disgusting. 3 times more likely to cause a heart attack than if you use butter. It's not the 1940s anymore. It's not WW2. Step up and switch to real food.
(3)
Charles S.
Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. Well, not literally. I need an Arnold's T-Shirt, that would be awesome! There's not a whole lot one can add to the Arnold's discussion. I can't believe I took as long as I did to try this place; I've been back multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The chicken and dumplings are a personal favorite and only two people in the world make greens I like better than Arnold's: My grandmother and myself. No one makes better fried green tomatoes. Yes, the line moves pretty quickly, as long as people don't hold things up trying make decisions at the last minute. *AHEM*, speed it up newbies :) In short, it's a Nashville icon. Any out of town friends would appreciate a trip here, unless they're vegans.
(5)
Jason K.
- cafeteria style southern love on a plate - chicken friend steak and turnip greens are fantastic - lemonade is amazing if they have it too! - TIP: Go early!! There will be a line of people whenever you arrive. Good thing is that the line moves fast, and
(5)
Amie K.
It's worth the wait. From the daily offerings that pop up and are delicious, to the tender roast beef and cornbread, you must try this place.
(5)
Michael M.
On my way home from the smokey mountains and I get to eat the best food I have had all vacation. WoW this place is good and to think I almost passed on it. I will say I almost gave it a four for lack of space and the long line. I guess that is just the price you pay for amazing food. While here I had the pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the macaroni. Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. To top it off I also had some pie. The peach pie was also a nice little piece of heaven. Most reviews would be over here. Nope not this one. This food is so good I got a to go order and ate it in the car. The second order was roast beef with the same sides. This roast beef just melts in your mouth. Not sure how one place gets everything so right while others can't even do one thing right. Last but not least the second time around had the pecan pie. I am not much for pecan pie but with everything else being awesome why not try. Let's just say it is THE BEST PECAN PIE i have ever had. Part of me wishes this place was just down the street from me, but my waste line is happy that it isn't . This is a must stop for any foodie coming through Nashville.
(5)
Scott S.
Straight hot fire! My girlfriend and I tried this place while we were in Nashville for a wedding. We looked up this restaurant off of diners drive inns and dives so we were expecting it to be bomb.com and it was! It's usually a good sign when you show up and there's a line out the door. Next time we are in Nashville we will definitely be back!!
(5)
Kenneth D.
I'll keep it short and sweet, but not overly sweet. I've been meaning to get over here for a long time now, the hype, the recommendations from friends, I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, what Arnold's is about is some damn fine soul food. The Roast Beef was tender and flavorful, especially with the Au Jus on top. The sides were all really good as well. The Mac and Cheese was really good, not the best I've had, but I'd absolutely order it again next time. The Cheese Grits with Stewed Tomatoes were surprisingly good. I grew up eating grits my whole life and have never had them prepared this way, it was a nice deviation. Now the Turnip Greens, perfection. Tender, smokey, a little salty, just perfect. Had I ended my meal there we'd be close to 5 stars, but at dessert things started to go down hill. I hate to say this, but the bread pudding is absolutely the worst I've ever had, anywhere. Hailing from New Orleans, I pride myself in being a bread pudding aficionado, and this isn't it. The "pudding" itself was even sweeter than the topping. Let's just say the sweet tea didn't even taste sweet after a bite of this, it was aggressively sweet. Aside from that, the consistency was that of sweet potato casserole, nothing at all resembling bread pudding. In one word, mush. The only saving grace may be that we got the bottom barrel servings, since after I ordered I heard them say there was only one serving left, and they were scooping it out of a crock pot. Regardless, I doubt I'll ever have the balls to try it again, so I guess it's just hit or miss, as so many people seemed to recommend it. The chocolate pie was really good though, and the hint of cayenne was a nice touch. But to finish the negative sandwich, the Pecan Pie, also, way too sweet. I know what you're thinking, but I've had tons and have made several myself, never have I had one so overly sweet. As bad of an experience as I had with dessert, I really can't wait to get back here. Their savory offerings are more than worth the trip and there were several other dessert choices, so hopefully next time I hit a home run. All around good food, very nice staff and a quick line(if you don't come at noon of course). I'd say the hype is mostly warranted.
(4)
Kristine P.
My friend and I decided to check this place out while I was in town. We could smell the wonderfulness from the parking lot once we got out of the car. This place is small and the line was out the door. Even though the line was long, we moved along at a good pace. The food is served cafeteria style and you tell them what you want. I got the Bbq ribs, green beans, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. They said their green beans were cooked in pork for 2 days so I just had to get them because that sounded like heaven! Those green beans were to die for! I think they were the best and most flavorful green beans I'd ever had. The meat off the ribs was tender and I loved the sauce that they used. The mac and cheese was creamy, but it was bland. My friend and I thought there wasn't enough cheese in it. The fried green tomatoes were good, but I wasn't a fan of the type of breading they used. I like Monell's fried green tomatoes better. If you are craving southern food, come check this place out! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Patricia B.
This place doesn't live up to the hype. Very salty. Not worth the wait when there are so many other options around
(3)
Jasmin M.
YUCK! I don't understand the love for this place. I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say this, but it truly reminded me of a soup kitchen. The tables were dirty, it was crowded, and the crowd looked dodgy! When I finally get to the food they ran out of the Meat loaf, so I tried the BBQ chicken and Mash Potatoes. The food did not look delicious. When I tried it, it was confirmed, NO BUENO!!! I am truly confused as to why this place has gotten stellar reviews. They rush you through the line, it's screaming soup kitchen. Move, move, move, and did I mention MOVE... I couldn't wait to leave. I left 2 stars because the corn bread and mash potatoes were good. But the chicken was all bone. I just hated it. I'm sorry, but I would never recommend this place to anyone, nor would I return. We left hungry, we all went to Mc. Donalds after and ate chicken nuggets.... enough said.
(2)
Chris P.
Well, this place is one you expect to walk in and have grandma's cooking, but it's not nearly that good. It may be better than your typical fast food lunch but it's also much more expensive. $30 for two people to have lunch in burnt out downtown Nashville is a bit steep. The liver I had was fried and dried out. The roast beef was good and the sides are pretty hard to mess up. I really wanted some good banana pudding because I walked in knowing it was on the menu, but what I got was diabetes in a cup most of which I didn't finish. Didn't live up to hype.
(3)
Nin A.
Per the online reviews, Arnold's is the place to go to if you want legit Nashville food. So I heeded the advice and checked out Arnold's that one day I was in town. I knew it was going to be a cafeteria-style place but I was still sorta surprised and hesitated a bit when I walked in--probably because I don't go to places like this at home so I just wasn't used to the atmosphere. The interior is the opposite of fancy. There was a long line that just didn't end! Fortunately, the service was very fast and good. They definitely know what they're doing. The staff members were all very friendly and made us feel comfortable. The menu could be a tad confusing or intimidating so I just kept my order simple. THE ROAST BEEF WAS TO DIE FOR! I don't think I will find any other place that can top that. The rest was also very good but the roast beef was a real standout. Their sweet tea was too sweet it was undrinkable. I couldn't handle any more than 2 sips. I give the food alone 5 stars. My overall experience is probably a 3.5.
(3)
Tim M.
Redemption Baby! Gave Arnold's another chance as bunch of friends were going. Roast beef - cooked medium. The employee took great care to cut thin slices that I didn't have to exert too much effort to cut the meat. Mashed potatoes were good as well as the green beans. The mac and cheese is always great in my opinion. The line was not moving as efficiently as it would at Swett's or Niki's but the pace is good as it allowed for tables to be constantly turned over and you weren't left standing and waiting for a table. Even with the line at the door as we walked in, only took ~10 min to proceed through the line.
(4)
Queen B.
I so enjoy this place. Brought two friends with me, for their first visit. They got a kick out of the place, the people, the crowd, the line... One of my friends actually got stressed thinking how he was going to go to lunch, get his tray, pay, and then not have anywhere to sit.. We sat with some other people and everyone chatted as they ate and remarked how good the food was. It's really nothing special. It's home cooked food like the old days. No low fat crap, no fat free crap. Tons of food made with plenty of flour! Hearty, stick to your ribs, filling comfort food. You can pick wisely or you can go full throttle on the gravies, macaroni and cheese, breaded pork chops, chili pepper chocolate fudge pie.. You will still walk out of there completely satisfied with lunch. Not a great place to meet friends and have a leisurely lunch. People are eying your seat and gauging how quickly you finish your lunch. No, this is not a place to sit, have coffee, chat... this is a place to chow down and get back to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing. You really can't go wrong with this place, if you're jonesing for comfort food.
(5)
Kirsten J.
Arnold's is definitely an experience. I really enjoyed it, but I don't mind the tiny noisy diner feel and not knowing what exactly I'm getting. As a Midwestern visitor, I was really proud of getting there before my 4 yr Nashville based brother. Do: Read the board outside and have an idea of what you think sounds good. Think 1 meat, 3 sides. Drink: go for water unless you want to experience / like sweet tea. Dessert: may be a bit pricey but the banana pudding was absolutely delicious. Ok, now that you think you've decided, go in. Look at everyone who is eating and decide what looks best. If it's the same, great. If not, change now and get ready to order. Definitely watch and listen to the people before you. Don't: Freak out because everything isn't perfect. It's a good fun place to go, not a 5 star napkin on your lap delicacy. Assume it's going to be cheap. Try to pick out a table when you go in. There will be one open when you're through the line. Be ok with helping bus the table before you.
(4)
Christine L.
knocked 1 star because I'm not the biggest fan of excessive SODIUM intake. but besides that I loved the food. Southern hospitality / comfort fo sho. Fried catfish is delicious! definitely made my meal. I also got mac n cheese which to me had too much salt and too much pepper, and the green beans which was WAY salty. The lemonade is AMAZING definitely get! Cafeteria style ordering, you go up in a line and get your food. then pay and then find your own seating. Pro Tip: clean up your own mess afterwards and put your tray up like you're supposed to. I saw a few ppl leave their mess behind which led to disgruntled employees.
(4)
Nicole B.
5+ stars!! We love Arnold's!! We eat here every single weekday we are in town. There's a reason the line is out the door! It's got great food and an awesome atmosphere. The family owned business is currently ran by some very friendly people! We love the chicken and dumplings, greens, and their grill makes an amazing grilled cheese! ;-) Must eat in Nashvile!
(5)
Tracy F.
After over a year of living in Nashville, we finally decided to take the plunge and head to Arnold's for lunch on a quiet Monday afternoon. For the most part, we had a great experience! The food is certainly good and the atmosphere is adorable and so 'Nashville'. Each of us enjoyed a classic meat and three for lunch, with the following items: -Fried Chicken (the fiance): He enjoyed this the most of everything he ate. He said it was crispy and flavorful on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. He'd come back to Arnold's for the chicken alone. -Blackened trout (me): Perfectly cooked and a huge portion, flavored nicely except for a little too much salt -Mac and cheese (both): I thought it was creamy deliciousness. Fiance thought the cheese overpowered the pasta - he prefers a less saucy mac-and-cheese -Green beans (me): Delicious, but VERY salty. I like salty, but this was a bit much even for me -Tomato salad (fiance): In his words, "too dressing-y". After stealing a taste, I thought these marinated tomato slices were delicious, but they weren't really his thing. -Pinto beans (me): Also delicious, also VERY salty. The smoky flavor was fantastic, though! -Creamed corn (fiance): We both loved every bite of this. The corn was perfectly sweet and just creamy enough without being overly rich. -Cornbread (me): YUM. Enough said. -Hoecake (fiance): He enjoyed this more and more as he ate it, though he had a bit of food envy after tasting my cornbread. -Pecan pie (both): YUM. Some of the best I've had in town. I'd come to Arnold's just for dessert, since their other pies and the warm bread pudding looked incredible, as well. The food was delicious, but we especially loved the lively and charming waitstaff. Everyone was working hard serving food, bussing tables, replacing food on the line, etc, but every single employee was smiling and talkative. We especially enjoyed our conversations with the 2 men bussing tables; they made us feel welcomed, answered our questions about other items on the menu and invited us to come back soon - which we will!
(4)
Dustin D.
I work downtown and love to go here with my co-workers for lunch. Pro-tips: get there early before the line goes out the door, if the line is already out the door --- don't worry it moves quickly, and last of all (we made this mistake) DON'T sit down and try to reserve a seat. When we did this, the guy that bus tables asked up to get up... at first we were a little offended, but now I completely agree with him. It keeps the people who actually have food already able to sit down and eat and not once have we gone there and not had a place to sit regardless of how busy it gets.
(5)
Sabina A.
I really wanted to like this place given the reviews; however was disappointed. The staff is nice but the food is underwhelming. My roast beef was cold and the sides were over-salty. My husbands fried chicken was decent at best. Given the long lines, this is a restaurant I would pass up.
(2)
Laura C.
Super nice staff, great decor and the food is amazing! It's always super packed at lunch but if you're getting food to go, you can walk straight to the front of the line. You have to try the green beans, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and my personal favorite, catfish (wed/fri).
(5)
Jay G.
This is one of Nashville's most historic and premier soul/comfort food spots. It is such unique place and experience. They always have a line, but trust me it is worth the wait and it is not a slow line. They keep it rolling; most of the times I've been here the line begins outside, but we always manage to be eating within ten minutes. Another unique aspect is the cafeteria style atmosphere it contains. I have already exhausted the line waiting so we will move on from that, but the seating is just big long tables with set of smaller tables surrounding the larger ones, much like school cafeterias. Thus, you might be sitting with people you don't know, but that's part of the experience. It gives one a reminder that they are in a great southern city that still believes in fellowship with your fellow man or woman. Now, once you snake your way through the line, you get to the good stuff...food. They have a big chalk board explaining the daily specials, therefore you might want to find out ahead of time what day it is and what it is they are serving. It's the usual meat and two or three program. Trust me you get full at this place since it is southern comfort food it is meant to stick to your bones. They also have some great lemonade so if you like lemons then add ask them to add the aid.
(4)
Tran T.
Don't get discourage by the long line. It went by very quick (10-15 minutes). My first visit at Arnold's was definitely 5/5. I got there at 1:30 PM and the line was out of the door. Met a Yelper from L.A and we chatted it up while getting in line (Hi Courtney!!). The ordering process was easy. Get in the long line (Idk if there is a time this place doesn't have a line), grab a tray, pick a desert or a salad, pick the meat and 2 sides (don't forget the corn bread! Came with your meal), pick your drink, and pay up. I looked at what other people ordered and decided to get the Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Peach Pie, and a Sweet Tea. Fried Chicken was crispy, flavorful, and non-greasy. Mac & Cheese, Wow! The best Mac & Cheese I had so far. I normally don't drink water/tea while eating, however I finished the whole cup of Sweet Tea, not that the tea was good (too much ice, tasted like Milo's tea at Walmart), it was because the Baked Beans were so salty. Skip this if you don't like salty food. I accidentally dropped the piece of Peach Pie (it just slid off the plate lol) on my napkin and the lady behind me said "Just pick it up, still good!" She wasn't wrong. The pie wasn't sweet and the peach tasted surprisingly fresh. I left Arnold's feeling satisfied and couldn't wait to go back. I got here at 10:45 AM (Monday) on my second visit. Since the fried chicken I had the first time was so good, I ordered it again. The Fried Chicken looked burnt and tasted like it was cooked in old oil. This is the part that I don't understand. They close on the weekend and open at 10:30 AM on Monday. Did they reuse the oil from last Friday!? Gross. I would look at the color of the fried chicken first (golden, not burnt) before I order next time. I also had the Fried Apples and Pecan Pie on the side. They both were overly sweet. Skip these if you don't want diabetes at young age. Parking was never a problem for me. Finding a table could be a problem with big groups (more than 4). Overall, I will come back to try other food (no more fried chicken for a while) and their famous Fried Green Tomato! 2013/#68
(4)
Roland G.
You wouldn't expect to be able to eat healthy off a menu like this but boy- are you in for a nutritional and delicious meal option. I chose blackened trout with green beans and greens! Wow- they nailed all three and created a flashback to my dear Mother's superb cooking. Well worth the few extra miles off the interstate exit. Will gladly visit again on our next road trip!
(5)
Jordan S.
Great southern food. I went with a group of 5 and not one person had anything but rave reviews for the food. People were friendly. Only thing is get there early because lines build up right away. However, it moves quickly.
(5)
B M.
My daughter and I have been on a food network food road trip this week and ARNOLDS is by far the BEST place we visited. Amazing how many restaurants end up on TV but really suck! We were fortunate to bump into the young chef as he was writing the specials on the board and he took the time to talk to us. The entire staff is friendly. We had the ham, fish, mac and cheese, meat loaf (thanks chef!), sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, banana pie and chocolate cream pie... oh and the cabbage. I assume it was cabbage as I don't usually eat it but this was fantastic. Each dish was uniquely flavored and now having been to about a dozen restaurants, I know that it probably took a lot of work to cook that way. I'm about a thousand miles from home and was glad I made the trip here. I was worth every mile. Absolutely delicious!
(5)
Bob G.
I just don't get it. Ok it's a simple, no frills place, which is fine by me. I've had great food from places where the money isn't spent on fancy decor. Of course I saw plenty of reviewers who loved it and that's why we went, but I have to be brutally honest here, the food is mush. Suck it through a straw cooking. If this is southern cooking at its best, then in my opinion keep it in the south! For those who like the food, I'm sure it's a sensation. Bon appetite!
(1)
Jessie M.
Hot damn this place is good. I lost at least 4 years off my life from the food, but those would have been the lame years anyways. These folks have their priorities right.
(5)
Oldair D.
I always wondered what the expression "so good you'll want to slap yo mamma" meant and I must say that I finally found out at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The food here is DELICIOUS and worth the wait, we got there at around 11:30AM and the line was already out the door, I asked one of the locals what's good here and he said "everything" and he was not lying. I had the fried catfish, collard greens, mac and cheese, and hush puppies and was in heaven, delicious home-cooked food. My wife had the brisket which melted like butter. The banana pudding is freaking awesome and a must. I would most definitely recommend visiting Arnold's when in Nashville.
(5)
Celia T.
Only four stars and not five because Carver's Country Kitchen in Atlanta was better. Crazy huh! Came on a monday and had fried chicken, creamed corn and collard greens. this place was saltier than Carver's for me. For healthy food loving people, RUN from this place because you will feel like dying. For unhealthy food loving people, RUN INSIDE NOW! Then feel terrible about it later, but feel satisfied about your super fatty meal. the creamed corn was good, but extra sweet and salty. I had the unsweet tea and that kind of helped to ease the feelings of my arteries clogging. Its a good thing I don't live near here or else I would eat this too often, which in my opinion would be something like more than once a year! But I'm a sucker for southern food !! This place has a line out the door so you stand in line and then you will see the deserts first then the menu board up on top with the meats of the day then the sides. You tell them what sides you want, then the meat guy will ask you what meat you want. You will then get your drink and pay at the end. If you wan to order to go just write it on paper and go up to the cash register, no need to wait in line. There was a busboy cleaning up the tables, so if you read this help them out to consolidate everything onto one tray and it will help them to accommodate more people! Parking is free in the private lot and its pretty spacious so no worries there!
(4)
Marcus W.
First time visiting this well known establishment. Parking available and free. Their was probably 50 people waiting to get a meal at the serving line; however, it was worth the wait. I tried the roast beef, greens, Mac and cheese, and chocolate pepper pie. I've tried some very good southern cooking, but this was some of the best I've had yet. My wife and friends agreed wholeheartedly as well. These were simple, home cooked meals, made with a great attention to detail; all for a reasonable price (about $13/person). Well definitely be back when were in town.
(5)
Brad W.
Food was excellent and atmosphere is simple. Serving size is perfect. This place is genuine... No imposter behavior, not tidy, no extravagant decorations, and a simple menu. Everything available is good and worth trying. Really a great value!
(5)
Melinda L.
Landed in Nashville on an empty stomach, searched through Yelp for a decent local stop to grab a bite, 4.5 star and 1 $ at this place called Arnold's? SURE! Why the hell not! Best start to a work trip ever. First time I had a local "meat and three" (three veggies, one of them being considered mac n' cheese, of course. God I love the South). Picked out the meat loaf, mash potatoes and gravy, best friking collard greens ever, fried corn bread that looked like a pancake, a spicy chocolate pie, and a sweet ice tea. did I like the food? ....I ate the whole gotdamn plate without a word being shared between my coworker and I.
(4)
Megan T.
Arnold's is my favorite meat & three in town. I ordered the vegetable plate with mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, squash casserole & mac n cheese with a slice of chocolate pie. The fried green tomatoes and chocolate pie are the best I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and squash casserole were also delicious. All of their sides have great flavor...I wish i knew their secret. Their lemonade was also delicious, very sweet though. The line is always long when I've gone but it moves quickly. And I've never had trouble finding a parking spot but I've always arrived by 11:30.
(5)
Melissa B.
On a recent road trip I carefully planned my drive through Nashville to make sure I could stop here! I was getting nervous I'd made a mistake when we pulled up- I didn't! It was heaven! The hours are very limited. I believe they are open Mon-Fri for lunch only. The restaurant is cafeteria style-nothing fancy. I think we were the only couple in the place that wasn't a local. The meat choices on the menu change daily. I still can't believe the meal we had for the price- I was full for 2 days! Here's what we had... Fried steak-heaven Fried shrimp Rolls/butter 2 orders green beans Mac and cheese- perfect! Mashed potatoes and gravy Fried green tomatoes- the best on earth Cucumber salad Slice of pie- still unsure which kind, but I was in love! Sweet tea Lemonade All of this for under $25 and it was all homemade and wonderful! I want to take another road-trip through Nashville soon!
(5)
Andy S.
A well-deserved 5 stars. Don't hand these out willy-nilly. Great atmosphere and super food. Employees were incredibly friendly, even serving us just before closing time.
(5)
Will M.
I hate to say it, but I'm in no way surprised at the ratings. dude, i know, I completely understand.. waiting in line sucks. Then you remember, only in Nashville, be jealous my friends in Iowa, be very jealous.
(5)
Scott M.
Well, well, well. My Nashville musician buddies said they couldn't wait to take the Big Chicago Foodie (me) to a "Meat and Three" in NashVegas for some good ole Southern hospitality. And damned if they weren't right. The place is nothing much to look at, insanely crowded, with community seating. There was an old Black guy who was busboy and door greeter, very personable and cheery. Asked where we were from, I said "Chicago" and he immediately dubbed me "Al Capone". We duked him a few fazools and told him to save a few seats for us, as you have to stand in line to get your food, then try to procure a seat. The line moved slow, and you were scuffling directly along folks eating their lunch. Kinda uncomfortable, but it gave you time to see what they were eating, and by the time I got to the counter, I had decided to order one of everything on it. (and standing in line, I saw their JAMES BEARD AWARD!!) I got the fish on corn cake with cajun gravy, with greens, and beans. Piece of hot pepper chocolate pie. (pense on that for a second-hot pepper chocolate pie...) Every little bit of the meal was intensely flavorful and fabulous. A great, great feed. Arnolds moves onto the "must" list for each visit to Nashville. Oh yes...
(5)
Cathy P.
So good, in the way that stuff that's bad for is... Great experience. This is our second time here. Cafeteria style, very funky.
(5)
Melissa A.
You know the food must be good when the line is out the door..and the yelp reviews rave about the food. I came on a Friday during lunch and the wait wasn't too long. I split a plate of the roast beef with sides of turnip greens, corn, and fried green tomatoes as well as the fried catfish with my boyfriend. My favorites were the catfish, fried green tomatoes, and corn. The fried green tomatoes were as good as everyone said..fried and flavorful. The roast beef was good but was a little dry but we might have just gotten a bad piece. I had never heard of a "meat and three" until I found this place on yelp and boy, am I glad! If I've ever in Nashville again I will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Bob S.
What is there to say that has not been said before. So many Favorites here. I thinking Fried Pork Chop!!
(5)
LaDonna T.
My first time here and I was blown away! I got the greens, Mac and cheese, gumbo, and roast beef. I tasted the cherry smoked chicken and fried green tomatoes.. AMAZING!! Absolutely no complaints!! Only 4 stars since it's my first time here...
(4)
Tom M.
Classic Three and Meat Southern Diner I heard about this place from a couple lawyers and a truck driver and was told that it has a really diverse crowd, from workmen in overalls, to City Councilmen. I showed up right at 11:30, as they were putting out fresh friend chicken, and got a plate full with potatoes, mac and cheese and vegis. The food was outstanding and yes I saw guys in dirty overalls and guys in suits shoveling the food in their mouths side and side. This is a classic and a not to miss restaurant (along with tthe Loveless Cafe) in Nashville.
(5)
Sujan P.
Phenomenal service by the charming pretty tanned blonde. THANK YOU for your warm southern charm! Roast beef w Au jus-4.5 stars Mac & cheese- 3 stars Turnip greens-4.5 stars Yeast rolls-4 stars Chess pie- 5 stars Hot Chocolate pie (aka spicy brownie pie)-4.5 stars Sweet tea-4 stars Banana pudding-3 stars Service- 10 stars One of my favorite Nashville Tennessee memories ever!
(5)
Anna J.
As if this place needed another awesome review! The food speaks for itself. I had the best meatloaf and chocolate pie here. Can't wait to go back! The line was long but moves quickly. I can't belive this old place is churning out such amazing food.
(4)
Jennie L.
Exactly what it says. Country food at its finest. Don't expect to find anything healthy - but so worth it! Ribs are fall off the bone tender, and the sweet tea hits the spot. You'll probably wait in line and think you'll never get a seat, but the line moves fast and they'll find you a spot! Do yourself a southern favor, and GO!
(4)
Paddy O.
I've never been to a place where people are happy to sit down at a table just vacated and not yet bused or next to someone that they don't know half way thru their lunch I've also never been to a James Beard award winning restaurant that most people would drive past or walk out of when first seeing it. Those people would be fools, utter fools Meat and 3, need I say more/
(5)
Ashley H.
Meh.. That's how I felt after eating here. Everything was very sloppy and cafeteria style which was sort of a turn off for me. My chicken was a little dry, but the greens were pretty good... All in all just an average meat and 3 in a sea of a million. Nothing left me wanting more.
(3)
Avery J.
Some of the Best Homestyle Country Cookin' that I have ever had! Get the Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Turnip Greens. Don't forget the homemade Strawberry Pie if you have room for it!
(5)
Jeremy S.
Unreal! Best meat & 3 you're ever gonna find. Seriously legit roast beef, excellent sides, super sweet tea and pies like your granny used to make. If you haven't been to Arnold's, stop what you're doing and get there now!!!
(5)
Glenn G.
I travel for a living and eat and have eaten at great restuarants around the country. However, once in a while you eat in a place that forever changes the paradigm on how you view either an individual dish or a whole dining category. Arnolds is that kind of place for me. Arnold's Mac and Cheese is in my opion the standard that all Mac and Cheese in the country should be measured against. It's not $15 lobster, truffle oil, heritage bacon, etc... mac and cheese that every high dollar steakhouse tries to pull off, and some do, its just mac and cheese. Mac and Cheese isn't even my go to thing normally, but I'd drive 100 miles out of the way to eat Arnolds. I don't know what it is about it, it's got kind of a sharp funky taste but it is absolutely the best I've ever had. Another of their paradigm shifters is their roast beef. Once again, don't know what it is about it but if you've never eaten it, go there now and order it. And if you do, make sure they cut you some of the crust to go with your medium rare center because its the best. I could write for hours about this place. I moved from Nashville last February back to Fort Worth and I miss Arnolds on a daily basis. When I lived in Nashville I ate at Arnolds about 3 times a week, mainly just getting the vegetable plate and I am now in the desert of vegetables. If you haven't eaten at Arnold's or are considering eating at Arnold's in the future, stop reading this and go right now if they are open. If you read a review here that questions the quality of the food, please ignore it as that person was likely dropped on their head as a child and their advice is questionable at best. God Bless you Arnold's Country Kitchen!! I miss you dearly.
(5)
Derek K.
Most meat and threes are gross to me but I will say that Arnolds usually delivers. I live walking distance from this place. Here's what I've learned from a couple dozen trips to Arnolds: The Good: roast beef, corn bread, sweet tea, pork chops, peach pie, strawberry pie, ribs, au jus sauce, amazing green fried tomatoes. The Bad: sometimes the roast beef slicer gives you a bunch of fatty meat, sometimes the roast beef is bloody, creamy chocolate pie is not very good (too sweet and gritty texture), mac and cheese while good is sometimes mushy, food is very salty, fried fish was mushy when I tried it, chicken dumpling soup was mushy and too salty. Overall a good place to eat. Usually fast, relatively cheap (unless you get pie and drink other than water). Best meat and three I've tried so far in Nashville.
(4)
Guy F.
I would like to give Arnold's three and a half stars, but can not give it 4, so I gave it 3. Arnold's is not a place for the health-conscious. Everything is fried -- well, nearly everything. The catfish which Laura got was fried, the fried green tomatoes were, well, battered and fried, and delicious. If you want to indulge and can just enjoy a meal without worrying about this or that, Arnold's is cool. I had the collard greens, which were superb, the mac and cheese, which was good (and unusual: soft and mushy, rather than firm), and sweet corn, which was fine. My chicken and dumplings were quite good, quite peppery, delicious. My lemonade was undrinkably sweet. Years ago I might've gone for that much sugar. They do offer sweet iced tea and unsweetened iced tea (wish I'd known beforehand; now you do). The atmosphere is casual, informal, noisy, and fun. Ben had the chocolate pie, which was quite sweet and quite good. I'm not sure I'd go back, but I sure am glad we went; this was our first time in Nashville. Very much worth the trip.
(3)
Jonathan T.
Good simple food. The roast beef and the creamed corn was good and the fried shrimp was fine. The sourdough bread was very good as were the pies and the bread pudding. Mac and cheese was just OK as were the beans and the cornbread. The line went very fast and it was not hard to find a table as throughout was fast as well.
(3)
Deb H.
Well if Guy Fieri says it's good, we had to try it! It isn't much to look at on the inside but don't worry. Once you get that first bite of mac & cheese in your mouth you'll swear you're in heaven. :) The roast beef and mashed potatoes are equally outstanding. The fried green tomatoes were tasty and the chocolate pie was pretty good too. The service was hit or miss. The pie lady was a little cranky, the sides man was delightful, the owner's wife was losing her patience with us first-timers and the man who bused the tables was amazingly sweet and kind. One of the owner's sons was walking around checking on people too. He was very friendly and made us feel right at home. Overall it was a great meal and I would come back every other day for the mac & cheese. The five hour drive is the only thing holding me back!
(5)
Amy H.
LIterally drove like a maniac to make it here before 2:30pm. Made it just in time! What's not to love about this place? You line up and pick out what you want to eat (everything), pay for it (cheap), and sit down to chow down on good ol' Southern comfort food. The parking lot is super small so be prepared for that, especially if you're like everyone else in the South and own a gigantic Ford F150. Also, don't come here if you're on a diet. You might-could have to be rolled out of there because there is just no resisting all that deliciousness.
(5)
Ozro D.
There are several great meat-and-threes in Nashville, but I think Arnold's tops my list. And based on the line that is always out the door, I'd say I'm not the only one. If you're eating at a place like this, the requirements for success are pretty simple: 1) Good meat 2) Good sides What more do you want? Everything I've had here is great, but I'll always recommend going on Monday. That's fried chicken day. Grab whatever sides you like... they're all good. Are you looking for a trendy place for lunch where you can get random, exotic and organic foods on your plate? Go somewhere else. But if you're looking for somewhere to sit elbow-to-elbow with a random southern stranger as you all eat yourself into the happiest food coma of your life, go to Arnold's.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Just Yum! It's totally off my diet but well worth a cheat day! Every time I'm in there I'm treated like family, it's really refreshing these days with all the hipster "waiters" out there who act like you're bothering them. I take everyone here for a truly good, unique Nashville eatery!
(5)
Cliffton D.
I came to this place over the holidays. I always take my stepsisters out to eat in Dallas and they wanted to take me to somewhere the Nashville locals ate. I was not disappointed. We went on a Friday so I had the Roast Beef. I had the meat and 3 combo with collard greens, mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. Everything was so good! I love country/soul food and this definitely hit the spot. I also had this chocolate peppered pie that was very interesting. It was chocolaty but had a spicy kick at the end. All in all, I finished everything and would definitely come here again the next time I am in Nashville.
(4)
Shannon L.
Oh my...died and gone to greasy delicious fried food heaven! Meat and three was so so good...I got the fried pork chop, with mashed potatoes, green beans and mac and cheese. So much butter and tastiness just all over the plate and I made sure to eat it all. I have a weakness for comfort food and this definitely hit the spot. Try to schedule a nap after the meal.
(5)
Janette W.
Meat and three? Yes, please! I went on a Friday, which is the day you have to decide between Meatloaf and Chicken & Dumplings. But the decision was made for me when I saw Fried Catfish. They filled up my plate with green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and more. It was a great meal and there were unlimited refills on sweet tea. Yes it did suck waiting in a 60 person line to get to the counter. But the best thing about the long line is that it weaves so closely to the seated customers, that they really eat and get out fast!
(4)
Douglas B.
What can you say, it lived up to the hype. Iwould go back if they only had turnip greens. Had roast beef, green beans, greens, cornbread and pecan pie....then a nap. My only regret was that I didn't manage to try the banana pudding.
(5)
Hugh G.
I don't understand the negative reviews. After visiting probably 1,500 restaurants, this is likely the best. Five star service, excellent atmosphere, perfect portions, and the best food you'll ever eat, all for a very fair price. You can here every day, and never get tired of it. It's a true gem. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I see virtually no problem with the restaurant, besides the interior, which I find actually more inviting than the typical white color scheme of modern restaurants. The cafeteria style dining, to me, is nostalgic and makes the (short) wait part of the experience. Disregard ANY AND ALL negative reviews, this review is coming from a veteran of dozens of restaurants, and I NEVER leave a five-star review unless it is absolutely THE BEST restaurant I've dined in.
(5)
Katie I.
The absolute BEST meat & three in town. Amazing roast beef, the Mac and cheese will blow your mind. The pies- out of this world. Love the cornbread. Simply indulgent comfort food at its best. Go early, that line forms quick. Love the place and everyone who works here, too. Second to none!
(5)
Michael M.
Total dive, but the food is just amazing!!!
(5)
Casey H.
I like this place. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, you tell them what you want and they will build the plate for you. This place is always busy but the line moves pretty quick. I loved the friendly service and the lemonade. I had the brisket and it was delisio!
(4)
Varun B.
Fun, busy spot. The line was over 20 people long when i showed up, but it moves very, very fast. There was this wonderful lady in line who helped me pick items as I'm clearly an ignorant Northerner (Westerner??). The dinner rolls are clearly baked with some incredibly addictive substance, because i could probably eat 50 of them. The chess pie is pretty much the richest thing I've ever tasted. I couldn't finish it for fear that I might just drop dead of a heart attack right there. Everyone who works there is just so incredibly friendly!
(4)
Heather H.
File this one under "Places I never would have tried if not for out-of-towners." I immediately loved the atmosphere and great mix of people. It was crowded, but as the guy who helped me carry stuff to a slightly occupied table said, "you just might meet new friends or family." That's the vibe alright, and I like it. I ended up with a vegetable plate and pie. I love how mac and cheese is vegetable in the South. It was good, a tad salty, but I'd definitely order it again. I had a little of Spider J.'s banana pudding on her insistence, which I had passed on because it was unidentifiable and therefore suspect, but yeah, really really good. I'd get it over pie next time. Staff was super friendly and genuine.
(4)
Ann E.
My fellow Yelpers did not fail me. Never even heard of a meat and three place. Arnold's was fun and SO delicious-go if you are in Nashville!
(5)
Brandon M.
This was one, if not the best meal of my trip to Nashville. YOU HAVE TO go to this place and get your grub on. I had Chicken fried steak, roast beef, collared greens, cheese grits, green beans, corn bread, banana pudding, chess pie and fried shrimp. Don't worry Mrs. Obama I was with two other people and I did a lot of walking that day. The food was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. If you are only going to have one Down Home Southern meal, this is the spot you need to experience! Quick tip: The food is not healthy (it is just freakin' tasty). Do not go with people who are not going to let you enjoy every calorie. Quick tip 2: Go early and on a weekday if possible. The lines are long but they are worth it I promise. Quick tip 3: Have the Chess Pie...The best I have ever had. Rub - A - Dub - Dub...Arnold's thanks for the amazing grub!
(5)
Daniel N.
After seeing this on triple D, we made it a priority to stop in our next time in Nashville. The line was long, but it went quick. I was pleasantly surprised that in addition to the Monday-Friday listed menu there was a daily special as well. Shredded roast beef on top of a cornmeal pancake smothered in jalapeno cheddar cheese. Yes, it was as amazing as it sounds. For sides I went mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried green tomatoes. The mac & cheese was by far my favorite. The mashed potatoes were good, but I wish I had known I could get gravy. The fried green tomatoes were the first I've ever had, and they were good, but a bit soggy with grease. Spicy chocolate pie. Of course I'm going to try that. It looked and tasted like a brownie with a pie crust, and then about 5 seconds after you chew and swallow you just get nailed with heat. I'm going to have to find that recipe, I've not experienced anything like it. My girlfriend got the chess pie, and while I liked it, it was too much for her. The consensus was that it tastes like white cake batter. Overly sweet, rich and heavy. I will admit the seating situation frustrated me...but I am easily frustrated by that sort of thing.
(4)
Amy P.
Meat and 3!!! I was in Nashville for work and decided to stop here for lunch. What the heck! This place is amazing. You would never guess how good this place is from the outside or even the inside for that matter. No ambiance, nothin. You order cafeteria style where you walk down the line and pick out your meat and then your three sides. I had pot roast on a biscuit with macaroni and cheese, green beans, and collared greens. Out of this world. Shocked at how awesome it was. If you are in the area go for it!
(5)
Austin H.
This place was great. The food was legendary. If you go to a meat and three choose this one!
(5)
Michelle M.
This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had in my life, WOW!! The warm bread pudding melts in your mouth and all the food looks and tastes homemade. Don't miss this restaurant when in Nashville!
(5)
Richard W.
Arnold's is great when you want dinner for lunch. The food is CHEAP and the servings plentiful enough. Cornbread is a bit disappointing but otherwise for home cookin' out of a can it's just fine. Foodies will definitely want to avoid this place like the plague. :-)
(4)
Piyush S.
There are very few places, where you can get in, get good quality balanced food in quick time, eat and get out. Arnold's in one of those places. Its open only for lunch and only on weekdays and that is a problem for me. But anyway, I ate a meatloaf and shared some of the roast beef from my wife's plate. They were both very very good especially the roast beef. If anyone likes roast beef, it has to be eaten at arnolds. You know one of the most abused word these days, apart from of course "GOURMET", "LEGIT"....it is HOME STYLE COOKING. Most places really don't have that home style taste to their food. Arnolds is different. You have to try food here, especially if you are not from Nashville and not familiar with meat and three concept. By the way, the veggies are as good as the meat. Please, please try the greens and green beans. The only reason, I don't give it a 5, is because I want to eat more of their stuff that I haven't tried. This is a Nashville Gem.
(4)
Anthony S.
Some of the greatest "southern" style food I've ever eaten in my life. And I've had some seriously good stuff. Food is consistent, service is friendly, feels very much like a community kitchen. If you go during peak lunch hours be prepared to wait in a line that stretches out the door, but it will be worth it.
(5)
Doctor W.
I finally got around to trying Arnold's for lunch and I won't be making a return trip if I can help it. Plenty of folks have raved about their soul food offerings on yelp and elsewhere, but I can tell you that the hype is just that. I went in around 1:00 pm, got in line and grabbed a tray. I had read in another yelp review that you choose your dessert first, so I pulled a piece of chocolate pie off the counter. I asked for the baked chicken (white meat, which was 25 cents extra), mashed potatoes, squash, and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes were totally acceptable. I wish I could say the same for the rest of it. Before I was handed my plate, an employee put a piece of chicken on it, then took it off noting that it wasn't white meat. He took my plate into the back (out of sight) and came back to tell me the chicken would be a few minutes and that he'd bring it to me. No big deal. The cashier asked me what I would like to drink and I chose lemonade. She rang me up and I got my first surprise. My total was $14.67! I asked the cashier if that was correct and she explained that the drink and dessert cost extra. I looked at the menu board to see how I could have overlooked this, and was fairly unsurprised to see stacks of styrofoam bowls and cups stacked so high on the counter that they obscured the dessert section of the menu. You also can't get a clear view of the menu board itself until you're half way through the line, which was the first of many signs that the staff probably don't care about providing a consistent experience. It would be so easy to put that information somewhere else like, oh I don't know, the front of the restaurant where you first walk in. I grabbed the nearest empty seat and started working on my side dishes. The squash was cooked casserole style with some sort of crunchy crust. It had a near mushy texture that was really off-putting. When my chicken did arrive (about five minutes later), it was covered in a brownish gravy that had a sort of stove-top stuffing quality to it, which wouldn't have been that bad if it hadn't looked so congealed. I cut the skin off and found some meat on the bone, though the "seasoning" and gravy didn't do much to conceal the bland non-flavor of the meat. At least it was white meat like I had asked for. The "lemonade" was basically sugar water. I tried to squeeze a handful of lemon wedges to add some tartness, but the fact that I even had to spoke volumes about the staff's commitment to the food. This was red flag number two. I took a few bites of the $3.50 chocolate pie, which was now sitting in a small puddle of moisture on the plate. I'm not sure if that's the result of a meringue getting warm or what, but it didn't matter because there was enough sugar in it to induce a diabetic coma, and the crust tasted store-bought, so I picked at it a bit and left most of it behind. Even the yeast roll had a metallic taste to it, and the pats of "butter" were anything but. As for service the clientele and the staff seemed to share a very casual rapport, and you got the sense that most of the folks there were regulars, but what other yelpers have said about this place having a soup kitchen vibe is spot on. Well, except for the prices. Even though I mentioned being a first-timer, no effort was made to guide me through how ordering worked, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't even greeted by the staff; just asked what I wanted in as few words as possible. Which reminds me, being barked at to make my selection in order to move the line faster also doesn't scream "quality eatery" to me. It all combined to form a strong reminder of the "cafeteria" types of places my grandparents used to go to, and that could be forgiven if I hadn't paid $14.67 for my meal. I had to fight the urge to ask for a refund. If you're okay with paying that kind of money for soul food, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's in Germantown. You'll get all you can eat, and the food is of higher quality. I'm told the line is out the door at Arnold's on a daily basis, and I'm sure it's true. Ignorance is bliss after all. Arnold's is one of the most/best reviewed restaurants in Nashville, and I also see a lot of five-star reviews saying they can't believe how someone could rate it lower. Maybe if you live on a diet of fast food and wal-mart fare, you could be forgiven for thinking Arnold's is soul food just like mama used to make. If you have a taste for real food though, you may want to take your money elsewhere.
(2)
Nadia G.
We were passing through Nashville while on vacay and did a Yelp search for a good place to eat that was kid friendly. We got here around lunchtime and the line was out the door, but it did move quickly as others have said. The place is small and needs a bigger dining room, but I certainly understand the old school charm. Hubby and I had the ham and the kids had meatloaf. For sides, we had the yams, Mac and cheese, green beans and mashed potatoes. For dessert, we had pecan pie and banana pudding. The portions are ok, lots of meat, but priced a little higher than I would have thought for the setting. The ham and yams were outstanding. The kids and Hubby liked the meatloaf, but Hubby said he would have preferred a brown gravy. The Mac and cheese was disappointing. I like my Mac and cheese thicker and cheesier than Arnold's, but that was minor because I LOVED the yams! The pecan pie was wonderful and the banana pudding was also good. Hubby did not like the lemonade because he said it had too much sugar and tasted like syrup. If we ever pass through Nashville again, then we will certainly come back to Arnold's.
(4)
Tim A.
I have never experienced like this place before or since. You wouldn't stop at this place based on its appearance; I imagine everyone in there is present based on either word-of-mouth or experience. Hands down, no question about it, best meat-and-three in Nashville. Don't pick any of the cold sides, but all the hot ones are a safe bet (double thumbs up for the mac n' cheese and the green beans). Also, best pecan pie I've ever had. A Nashville staple.
(5)
William M.
Went to Arnold's for lunch when I was in Nashville for business. The restaurant was super packed and I thought we would never get a seat. Went right through the a la cart style line and instantly found a place to sit with 3 of my coworkers. The food was absolutely amazing and the prime rib was probably on of the best I have had in a long time. The chicken was absolutely perfect and pulled right off the bone! This is a must eat if you are in town looking for a fast, affordable, delicious lunch!
(4)
Charles H.
Great meat and three joint! It gets really busy during lunch time on the weekdays so plan on waiting 15-30 minutes in line for food and good luck grabbing a table. But obviously the crowd is indicative of the great cornbread, collards, etc.
(4)
Daniel B.
In terms of a true meat and three...awesome! In terms of what a meat and three should be: Food: There is so much flavor in every menu item at Arnolds. Ambiance: Get in line, grab a tray, grab a serving of Banana Pudding or Chocolate Pie, choose your sides, lament that you that you can't eat all of them, choose a meat, lament that you can't eat all of them, choose your bread, pick up a drink, pay...and take a seat at a table. Eat. You will be happy. Speed: The longest line out the door will only take about 10-15 mins to get served...so no worries. Usually, it only takes 3-5 minutes to walk in before you are eating. Bread: I don't let bread be the main event here! Price: A little steeper than a country meant and three...but worth every penny!
(4)
Matthew L.
Great Southern Food! A little salty but overall worth visiting while in Nashville.
(4)
Paulius N.
Arnold give you love Gastronomic holiness A shrine to awesome Go here, eat here, and do not be alarmed if you find out that the food will take years off of your life. It will be worth it. Carry on...
(5)
John M.
I'm a Meat-n-Veg guy and have been to hundreds of these places. This is the best YET!!!! Paula Dean needs to come here and take some cooking lessons. The best Fried Green Tomato's I've had since my grandmothers. These are cooked the right way - with cornbread coating...not that nasty flour batter most places use. The hot pepper chocolate pie is to die for! Every item we had (Corn bread, Green Beans, Collards, Meat Loaf, White Beans, etc.) was prepared with love and care and full of flavor. Get there early. We arrived as the doors were opening. Will, the all-around-waiter etc., greeted us at the door and made sure every aspect of our meal was exactly what we wanted. I guess he knew we were first timers. By the time we were done with our meal, the place was packed and there was a long line. Price for two was $21 (we each added a dessert.) This is the type of place I'm glad isn't near where I live or I would eat there every single day! I will definitely be back anytime I'm anywhere near the Nashville area. And since I don't have plans for lunch tomorrow....
(5)
Damon G.
As good as any southern food I've ever had! Got the chicken and dumplings because it's something you just don't make at home often, they were great, but I couldn't help to look at all the roast beef and meatloaf on everyone's plate. Turnip greens were the best that I've ever had as well, fun joint, cafeteria style, great service, friendly family environment, a must when in Nashville!
(4)
Catherine H.
I came to Arnold's for lunch. On a Monday after the rush, so the line didn't go out the door (it apparently normally does). I had a meat with 3 (sides). Roast beef was really good. Sides of collard greens, green beans, and candied yams - I devoured all of them except the candied yams, which were too sweet for my taste. I also got a chocolate meringue pie, which was ok. The sweet tea was also way too sweet for me, so I drank some and added some unsweetened tea to balance it out. Note that I am a native Californian with a sweet tooth. Not sure what made everything so sweet at Arnold's, but their stuff was even sweeter than the sweet tea and desserts I had in other places in Nashville.
(3)
Carl M.
On a recent trip to Nashville I was told about Arnold's Country Kitchen. Being new to true southern cooking I was blown away by this place. When we got there the line was clear out the door but moved pretty fast. Once inside you can see how popular the place is. Daily specials are written on the wall that leads up to the cafeteria style serving line. I had the roast beef and five different sides. (corn bread muffin, fried green tomatoes and grits, chess pie, creamed corn and salad). I rate this place 5 Stars !! It is a must place to visit if you ever make a trip to Nashville.
(5)
Kletia G.
oh Arnold's! I so wish you were open past 2:30 and on weekends! This place is great! Small location, cafeteria style service, long line out the door (that moves relatively quickly), nice and helpful staff and amazing food! Don't get discouraged when you show up and realize that the line for lunch is out the door. Don't think to yourself, "if I had only come earlier, or later, or on another day, I wouldn't have to wait." Wrong! There is always a long line, but it moves relatively quickly, and trust me, it is worth the wait. Killer, I mean, the most flavorful I've ever tasted, collard greens! I lay awake at night thinking about these scrumptious veggies. The roast beef was tender and delicious. The chicken and dumplings were in a thick, savory, creamy stock/gravy. The dumplings were soft and pillowy, just like I like 'em! Awesome cornbread, decadent desserts. Oh ya, all of this makes me a happy girl! Definitely worth a drive if you live outside of Nashville! Just remember, they close at 2:30 every day and are NOT open on the weekends. Enjoy!
(5)
Rebecca C.
When I was eating my fried green tomatoes, angels were singing Hallelulah, I swear! I took pictures and sent texts at the same time, and in no way of awesomeness was the food affected, to rave about how delicious this meal was. I have never had a Southern meal like this, and by no means, at breakfast time. I have also never seen a place so busy for home-cooked yumminess at 10:30am. I knew that this was the place I had to go after scouting out the amazing Yelp reviews on my very short visit to Nashville. And this was it and did not disappoint one bit. I parked outside and waited an hour before it opened and watched as others started to do the same. This place is cafeteria style and has different specials each day of the week. The staff is more than nice, made me feel welcome and at home. They don't serve no fancy-pants breakfast items like omelettes and Eggs Benedict, but you get the full fixins for the morning, like fried catfish, fried shrimp, white beans, mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, and full slices of pie (pecan, merengue, key lime, take your choice). Wish I had room for the pie. It was amazing, I will never forget my best breakfast ever. And at times since I've left last weekend, I have been tempted to move to Nashville simply for Arnold's. But so far, I've controlled myself. But seriously, I told everyone I met there that they had to go. Oh - and please don't forget the sweet tea or else your meal won't be complete.
(5)
Peter P.
Best meat & three I've been to. Everything just tastes really good.
(5)
Jenn W.
I am giving this a 5 star rating based on the food which is absolutely divine. We were visiting Nashville and decided to check this out based on Yelp reviews. You walk in and you smell the yummy goodness. It is set up where you grab a tray and choose your items from a buffet line. We arrived and quickly found out that this place get SUPER busy. The line was literally out the door however the line moves quickly and there always ended up being a table. Given that the restaurant is so busy we quickly found out that the expectation is that you get in and get out. The first time we ate here (yes, we went twice!) I had the fried chicken and my husband had the roast beef. This chicken was definitely some of the best chicken I've ever had. My husband loved the roast beef so much he got it both times we went. Sides we had were cream corn (yummy), mac and cheese (so-so), and mashed potatoes (tasty). Sampled the pecan pie, banana pudding, and chess pie --- all were a little too sweet for my liking but good. The staff is pretty friendly especially the bus-guy who was absolute wonderful to our family and always made sure we had help to our table (since I was toting around a 7 mo old and a 3 year old). A definite must go!
(5)
check p.
My favorite kind of restaurant! very cozy, cafeteria line, daily specials. I walked here from the hotel, and it was about a mile and a half. I had the brisket (four thin slices), and three: okra- (really tasty); black eye peas (so full of ham hocks, more like a stew!), and greens, also well seasoned. The line was fairly long at 1:30, but moved fast. You just eat where there's a seat, which is fun. Folks are really friendly. Lots of people eating the fried fish, and the baked chicken. Brisket was too thin for me, and not very fatty, so I was a little disappointed. I wish I had room for the pie, but I just couldn't eat any more. Worth the walk.
(4)
Jonathon B.
I'm from Kentucky but moved north and it's been a long time since I had the food I grew up on. This experience was like going back in time and eating the same great food. The only difference is that it was done PERFECTLY. That word isn't used lightly and it's the only way to describe the food.
(5)
Tim Z.
Going here with other travelers after already having lunch, we only intended on coming in and sampling the much-revered banana pudding, but the kind eyes behind the counter took one look at me and my two friends, asked us "is that really all you want?" and then proceeded to slice up an entire plate of samples - roast beef, greens, yams, chicken - if we weren't full before arriving, we certainly were before we left. And if not for the limitations on our bellies, we would've unanimously decided to have stayed for seconds, while paying for both! This is how a Country Kitchen ought to be, all over the country.
(4)
Olga P.
The best food I have had down south. A must to visit if you want to eat some really great southern food. Their desserts are insane. Spiced chocolate cake, apple cobbler, strawberry pie with homemade whipped cream. All prepared fresh and with love, you can tell. The smoked brisket and the catfish were amazing as well. No wonder people line up to get in here. The line stretches down the block most days at lunch time.
(5)
Richard N.
Went to Arnold's wanting to get some soul food. It was friggin awesome. I like the cafeteria style set up. I had chicken and dumplings, pecan pie, mac and cheese and collared greens. Totally worth it.
(5)
Kenneth B.
By far, the best meat and three in Nashville. Here is a detailed review that I wrote after one of my many visits. tennesseefoodie.wordpres… OH MY, THE AROMA ALONE IS A TREAT! I am a big fan of Arnold's and have considered my visits over the years as more of a treat than just getting something for lunch. No matter if you call it southern cooking, comfort food, or country fixins - you can be sure to call it Nashville' Best Meat and Three! Arnold's Country Kitchen is a long-time fixture on 8th Avenue South earning its esteemed reputation via word of mouth from Nashvillians and visitors alike. There is no need to spend money on advertising for this eatery as individuals, print articles, and internet blogs over the years take care of that necessity of operating a small business. WHAT TO EXPECT. A long line is always a good sign as a testimonial for good food. Don't be discouraged as you will move quickly through the line and approach the counter. Take these moments to enjoy the atmosphere. Standing in line you will notice the walls are filled with numerous photos, signatures, and articles from over the years touting praises and loyalty. Laughter and conversation is abounding as good people from all walks of life talk about daily living and hot topics. As you take your steps forward and get close to the counter take note of the very friendly staff (many have stayed with Arnold's for numerous years) as you can hear them helping the customers decide on what goodies to eat. This will be a good time to see if there are any tables available and decide if you will be eating sitting down or taking your food to go. FOOD! Oh my, the aroma alone is worth the visit! The food is prepared fresh each day with the best ingredients. Each day offers a slightly different menu with a few meats to choose from and a vast selection of sides. You can also treat yourself to the homemade pies. What do you like? All homemade, all delicious! - Meats: roast beef, liver and onions, fried chicken, carved ham, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, fried whole catfish, BBQ pork, baked chicken and dressing, chicken livers, country fried steak, fried shrimp; Sides: green beans, various types of greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, boiled potatoes, white beans, boiled cabbage, candied yams, salads, black eyed peas, baked squash (casserole), fried or stewed okra, fried green tomatoes; Desserts: pies, pies, pies of chocolate, fudge, lemon, banana, coconut, buttermilk, chess, pecan, icebox; banana or bread pudding. This is a list of what you may find depending on the day that you visit. My favorites: roast beef, fried chicken, country fried steak, fried catfish, chicken and dressing, greens, pintos, fried green tomatoes, green beans, and squash casserole. BUSINESS HOURS. Let's go to Arnold's! Get there early or past 1:30 p.m.! As you approach the restaurant you will see that the parking lot is full but you will find a spot as the lunchtime business is fast-pace and many people like to order their food to go. Monday-Friday; 10:30 am - 2:45 pm. Price Range $6-$12 (depending on add-ons). CONTACT. Arnold's - 605 8th
(5)
Jack W.
Tied for my favorite meat-and-3 in town, next to Copper Kettle.
(5)
Holly L.
My boyfriend and I came here for our last meal before heading back to phoenix and thank goodness we made it. We arrived after closing time but they served us anyway and EVERY person there was super friendly. I'd give 5 stars on customer service alone-it works out well that the food rocked also. We devoured everything in 10 minutes and left smiling and giggling about what we had just experienced. We had the fried catfish, roast beef, green beans (best ever), mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes (yum!), squash casserole, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, and sweet tea. Loved it all. Seriously considered going back for more green beans, although other reviews were right about them being especially salty. Next time i'll try the chicken and dumplings, which one employee specifically recommended. Amazing meal with amazing people.
(5)
Kevin G.
All the positive review led me here... and they could not have been more right!!! This place is great country cookin!
(4)
Joey H.
First time trying Fried Green Tomatoes here! Also got the roast beef, which was tender and juicy...except for the bits of hard stuff that was also there. Good, solid meal. Would probably come more often if I worked nearby, but it isn't really worth a trek out for its weekday lunch-only hours. Line moves fast, but finding a place to sit might be a struggle.
(3)
Linda A.
We've lived here for 3 years and had not visited Arnold's until today. I'm kicking myself now for having waited so long! My parents are visiting from Michigan so it was a perfect time to have a real southern lunch. Oh.My.Word. Everything was PERFECT and the people couldn't have been friendlier. (They knew we were rookies the moment we walked in the door LOL) Chicken and Dumplings - fantastic. Fried Green Tomatoes - the best EVER. Turnip Greens - you cannot deny that there is a God in heaven that wants us to be happy. Banana Pudding - I saved room for this and am so glad, to miss it would have been a travesty. We shared bites of everything and it was all delicious. Even the side of fresh, ripe tomatoes tasted better than it does anywhere else. We will be back and back and back. YUM!!!
(5)
Simone F.
That line is a little intimidating for a newbie, but my my how delicious was my "meat & 2?" Fried shrimp, mashed potatoes & gravy, fried green tomatoes & chess pie! This is kind of what i always thought Southern food was and I was not disappointed. A bit of a frenzy placing your order, but once gotten and a place found at a table, there was no sense of being rushed and I enjoyed every tasty bite. No, it's probably not great for your health, but who cares? I'll die a little happier knowing I've eaten here.
(5)
Bo H.
Being a native Californian who's never driven past Las Vegas, needless to say, my experience with Southern food is limited. And to be honest, the first thing that intrigued me about Arnold's was the James Beard Award. I know, I know, typical Hollywood shallowness. Where's the substance you ask? Well, that's in the food. I'll come clean, I've never heard of "Meat and three" until I came across yelps on Arnald's. Boy, what a revelation! Choice of meat and three sides on a plate. No pretense, no frills, just great food. As if the South collectively decided to stick their culinary middle finger at French cuisine. Bi-coastal natives like myself might find it awkward but, typical to this part of the country, Arnald's is a cafeteria style restaurant. Get in line, grab a plate, choose your food, pay and find an open seat. Efficiency is the name of the game. Fantastic food, genuinely sweet staff, super cheap, has the "Oscars of the food world" medal hanging on the wall. What's not to like?
(5)
Kera T.
Now I am no fan at all of going into the city, but it is worth it to come here! If you are planning on visiting Middle Tennessee and you want to try some authentic soul food in Nashville, this is definitely the place! They are only open for lunch, and they are rather crowded. The best time to go is when they first open, or about half hour to 45 minutes before they close. You can either get a meat and two sides, or a meat and three. They have all of the classics and they have them down! For example you can get yourself greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, beans, brisket, chicken and dumplings, and so much more. The sweet tea is some of the best... And don't even think about leaving without dessert! They are renowned for their chocolate pie, which I love, but my favorite is the chess. Chess pie is a true Southern classic! Seating is a bit hard to find, but there will always be a seat available. No matter who you are you will fit right in because this is the kind of place that everyone goes to. You will enjoy it!
(5)
Kevin P.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat and three in Nashville. Welcome to the South baby! The prime rib, creamy mashed potatoes, and thick Mac-and-cheese were just exactly what you want when it's time for comfort food; corn bread, pancake, the whole nine yards. Don't kid yourself, you need to power through and try the wicked SWEEEET banana pudding (with Nilla wafers, oh yeah). And remember, it's just around the corner from the Gulch.
(5)
Jenny L.
Best meat and three hands down! I have cravings to go here all the time. The mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and green beans are so delicious and really tasty. Last time I went, I sampled my friend's roast beef and had fried shrimp for myself. We left Arnolds holding our stomachs and just enjoying our food coma. I highly recommend people to try and check this place out if they can. They only serve throughout the weekend and lunch hours too. They have long lines but it goes by pretty quick, so just be patient!
(5)
Becky C.
Love this place!! Great Southern food. I took my friends here from out of town and we all went for the first time. We got there right at 11:00am and didn't have to wait at all. Everything we had was wonderful. I really don't even know what to say besides go to Arnold's if you get the chance. You won't regret it. My friends loved it too.
(5)
Howard L.
I've been coming here for years and Arnold's puts all other meat and threes to shame. Swetts and Monells pale in comparison. Arnold's even kicks Paula Deen's famous butt to the curb. You could order blind folded and still make out like a bandit when you hit the cafeteria style hot bar. Everything I have ever had from Arnold's was good. Squash casserole, mac and cheese, greens, gravy... Spotlight: Hushpuppies: If they have these babies available, get an order or 5. They hardly ever have them around (used to make them all the time when they had fried seafood available), so snatch them up quick if you see them. Absolutely fantastic and they take the place of your roll. Roast Beef: The spices! The garlic! The Au Jus! The BLOOD! Yes, if you ask and if they have it, they will hook you up with slices done your way. The rarer the better, I think. But really the flavor is outstanding. Way beyond just salt and pepper. Jalapeno Cheese Grits: I used to pass in favor of mac and cheese or greens, but I can't get the taste of these guys off my mind. They are delicious. Fried Liver: I hate liver. I've avoided it for most of my life, but I tried their fried liver on a whim and I was not disappointed. It has a very mild flavor with just a hint of liver taste, just enough to let you know it's not beefsteak you're eating. Lemonade: Best in the city. I dare you to try it. Addendum: What's with the people bad mouthing the country fried steak? Dear idiots: it's a smothered country fried steak. You might have grown up on Cracker Barrel, but the rest of us know that this is a legitimate recipe and it's SUPPOSED TO BE SOGGY. If you don't like soggy country fried steak, DON'T ORDER THE SOGGY LOOKING COUNTRY FRIED STEAK SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE HOT BAR. It's pretty simple. To the people complaining about bland veggies...what? Who has good veggies if not Arnold's? If you say you prefer them raw, you need a smack in the face. All veggies here are packed with flavor. To the one guy who gave this place ONE star...are you really a professional chef? Because you gave this place one star for serving food cafeteria style and because according to you, it was gray and "past due"... Really? Every item on the bar was "past due"? And you could tell with your professional chef eye? Even the greens? Do you just blanche yours? Is that how the pros do it? Because down here, they cook the shit out of it and that's the way it's supposed to be. I don't believe any of your negative reviews anymore because you gave this place 1 star. That's the lowest of the low, which this place doesn't rate. Even somebody who hates southern food would have to begrudgingly give this place 3 stars after a few tastes. Hot tip: If you're ordering to go, head to the front of the line. You can place your order, hang out with your hands in your pockets, and be gone before the lines moved 15 feet.
(5)
Bill K.
Love, love, love this place. Food was outstanding, service was even better. We ended up taking 3 whole pies home. I wore a Steelers shirt and the whole staff razzed me in a fun, friendly southern way. Mom and daughter were super friendly and hugged me on the way out. Can't wait to be back in Nashville to go back.
(5)
Vivek S.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Arnold's was recently (2008) a winner of the James Beard Foundation's "America's Classic" awards - and it was well deserved. The food is served cafeteria style and the people that work there are always there. Kalil, Arnold's son, runs the place and is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. I've honestly never had anything bad. The menu rotates every day, but staples they always have are a massive roast beef, studded with garlic, that is hand carved to order, mac n cheese, greens, green beans, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Some of the specialty items I like are the fried catfish (Wed+Friday), fried chicken (Mon), BBQ brisket (Wed). The pies and bread pudding are good, but my favorite desert is the banana pudding. If you are visiting Nashville, don't miss out on this place. If you're from Nashville, then go find out an exceptional representation of good southern cooking. But remember, they are only open from 10:30-2:30 every day for lunch.
(5)
Rico A.
This has to be the best meat and 3 in Nashville. They give you a lot of food for a great price. Everything taste home made. Don't forget to grab a slice of chess pie.
(5)
Jackie W.
This was my very first meal in the south, and i was not disappointed. We got here around 130 and the line was out the door. It took longer than advertised (their sign said the line moves quickly) to get inside and get our food, but it was certainly worth it. I had the fried chicken, turnip greens, fried apples (a Monday menu item), and a small salad. I don't know why I thought I could handle a "meat and 3," because I can barely finish a sandwich, but I had to go full southern. The fried chicken was the business. Like really. Now, since I'm from California, maybe I'm not the fried chicken expert, but man. It was the only thing I made sure I finished. The turnip greens were more acidic than I had expected, but I enjoyed them. The apples were also different than I'd expected (I guess I was thinking battered and fried) but they were pretty good. Don't waste your time with the salad. Seriously, you may want to have some fresh vegetables, but don't bother. Although they take cards, bring a couple bucks for the guy that cleans up your food. He's really sweet and funny!
(4)
Aaron L.
Holy sh*t! This place is awesome! I'm from California and was in town on vacation and decided to give this place a try. I'm so glad I did. I felt like I really got the southern experience inside this place. The people were so nice and the food was amazing. My brother and I walked in and it felt like we were thrown into a tornado of deliciousness and walked out with trays full of food that there was no way we would be able to finish in two sittings. If you're looking for a good southern cooking experience, I highly recommend coming here, just make sure you're hungry.
(5)
Melissa R.
Highlight of a trip to Nashville!
(5)
Heather N.
Just what a restaurant should be. Will welcomes you when you walk in, checks on you when you're eating and says good-bye when you leave. The Grouper, roast beef, chicken and dumplings were all amazing. Loved everything.
(5)
Meeta A.
I had never heard of "meat and three" before reading reviews of Nashville eateries on Yelp... but all of the reviews of Arnold's were great, so I decided to give it a try. We were visiting during the off-season (November) and it was a little scary how few people we saw at all of the tourist spots and throughout town. Then we came to Arnold's for lunch and found that the entire city was hiding out inside! As expected, there was a line out the door, and each table was packed at all times. Although the decor (such as it is) isn't much to look at, the food is finger-licking and artery-clogging good. The fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, hush puppies, etc. were all delicious. Ooh, and the corn muffins and corn cakes. On the "healthy" side, I ordered asparagus, but of course they had a delicious cheesy buttery sauce for that too. I got the fried catfish and a fried shrimp "just happened to jump into my plate" since the server saw me eyeing the shrimp hungrily. They definitely had items beyond what was listed on the board, and the people serving were super friendly and helpful on picking what to eat. Even with the crazy rush, I didn't feel pressured. I meant to post this review four months ago, so I'm not sure what I can add -- I don't remember much beyond the happy feeling I had there and how nice everyone was. If you're in Nashville, this place is a must.
(5)
Renata P.
Arnold's doesn't seem like much walking in with it's cafeteria style seating. Then I noticed that the Food Network had been there and I got excited that the food was going to be excellent. Well... The chicken I had was great but the collard greens were a little salty for my tastes. It's definitely a Nashville favorite as the line literally goes out the door at lunch time but I admit I felt it was just ok.
(3)
Michael S.
The wife and I decided to give Arnold's a try after reading so many good reviews, wow some good food for sure. I had the Roast Beef and the wife had the baked Chicken, she chose the Dressing and Mashed potatoes as her sides. I got the Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese and Mashed potatoes as my sides. The people working the line where very friendly and helpful, it made me really enjoy the experience. The Roast Beef was great, the crust was the best part, I didn't have a side I didn't like, they all tasted great. The wife thoroughly enjoyed her chicken, she really loved the dressing. My wife is a pretty slow eater, today she wolfed it down in record time. This will be one of my go to places each time I visit the Nashville area.
(4)
Rozina K.
We came here while driving cross country and we LOVED it! This place has amazing food and the sweetest staff! Their macaroni and cheese and pecan pie are things to write home about. Make sure you eat here!
(5)
Thomas J.
If there's one thing I've learned from living in Seattle for 25 years, it's southern food. And for traditional southern home cooking, this place will be hard to top. I can't really add to what's been said here - I can't vouch for the authenticity of the place (I'm guessing it is) but the food was delicious. The meatloaf was fantastic, the mashed potatoes were pretty much perfect, and the only flaw I found was the mac-and-cheese. I suspect it's just a personal thing, though, so don't take the minor criticism seriously. Super friendly.
(4)
Aileen F.
So good!! I was in Nashville for work, and we used Yelp to figure out where the best place for lunch was and this had the most positive reviews. I had never heard of "meat and threes" before, but I am officially a fan now :) The employees were so friendly and gave me suggestions on what to get since it was my first time. The decor seemed to even add to the whole appeal. I would definitely come here again if I get to return to Nasvhille!
(5)
Matt L.
Let me begin by saying this: I hate meat and three. It's a strong word, and I mean it as much as I can. Nothing grosses me out more than looking at food which is often hours old, heated under lamps, and often soggy from swimming in the own juices. It makes me ill. That being said, I did take the opportunity to visit Arnold's because it was rated that well. People could not say enough good things about it. Now I still acted with caution. I first considered the fried chicken, but it didn't look fresh, so I chose the roast beef instead. I looked over the various sides, and chose the mashed potatoes and green beans (drained). And it was all very tasty. I'm not saying I am a huge fan, but it was palatable, which is unique among meat and three places I have visited. If you like meat and three, and want to try the very best, this is the place. If you're a Yankee food snob (like me) and want to gingerly try a southern cooking place that won't send you screaming, definitely give Arnold's a shot.
(3)
Anna M.
I saw this place on a Diners, Drive In's and Dives episode and was intrigued. The next day I dragged my boyfriend with me for one of the absolute best lunches I have ever had in Nashville. I mean really. Everything I had was amazing from the roast beef to the sweet tea to the mac and cheese. Every single bite was heavenly. Also, don't even think about skipping out on the pie. It's heavenly
(5)
Julia G.
This place is a Nashville institution, and an important part (OK, perhaps THE most important part) of my itinerary every time I visit. Like any meat and three, Arnolds' food options rotate daily. Everything tastes good. In my experience, the catfish, fried chicken, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding are particularly delightful. Skip breakfast before you go, and don't make any big plans for afterwards either - you will be completely incapacitated by your food coma. Eat fast so you can pack as much down your gullet as possible. You will feel a little guilty afterwards, but you won't regret it.
(5)
Ryan O.
serious contender for the best food in nashville and some of the best i've ever eaten. the chess pie is without a doubt the best pie i've ever had. take a bite and wait for your eyes to roll to the back of your head. possibly even better than the pie is the bread pudding. you simply have to try it as nothing i could write here would do it justice. from the brisket to the roast beef to the fried green tomatoes, it's hard to top this place. southern comfort food at its finest.
(5)
Susan V.
THIS PLACE is considered the best meat and three in Nashville? THIS?! My country-fried steak (the kind doused in brown gravy) was mushy and looked kind of disgusting, but it was pretty tasty. I failed to finish it not because the portion was too big (about average sized) but because my mouth had developed salt fatigue and the whole affair wasn't actually tasty enough to warrant forcing myself. I modestly ordered meat and one knowing I would have some chess pie for dessert. My side was mac and cheese, which was creamy and melty and like my steak, did not require much chewing, and though the portion was very small, I still couldn't finish it because of the salt-burn from my dog-food steak. Already surprised and disappointed in myself for not being able to lick my plate clean from meat and one while not exactly feeling full, I went on to fail my champion stomach by merely picking at my pie. It was certainly sweet enough, but the crust was missing that lardy je-ne-sais-quoi that I always look forward to in a good Southern pie. I might go back to try something else; my friend's chicken livers were pretty good, and I like the not-overbearing but friendly cafeteria-style of service here. But I can honestly say that there are far better meat and threes in this city and I regretted having brought my out-of-town friends to this one.
(2)
Erin B.
BEST food I've ever had . Better than Grandma's cooking.
(5)
Nancy S.
I loved this place so much that I may just fly to Nashville to eat and fly home! Real authentic old school vibe. Food was like my mother cooked it. Assembly cafeteria line leads to the register. it's very much self serve and not very fancy on the inside and outside but the food was fantastic. I had fried green tomatoes, collard greens, mac n cheese, and roast beef. The corn bread was really delicious too. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't the place. If you're looking for real tasty and delicious home cooked food at a decent price, THIS IS THE PLACE. I guess they're not open all day so it's best to go earlier in the day. I'm sad I discovered this place the actual day I was flying back home. I can't wait to get back to Nashville and eat here.
(5)
Nash B.
one of the best meat & three's in Nashville. don't miss it. basically, they have good ol' Southern food.....so jump in & experience it. the other meat & three's that I like in Nashville are: Wendell Smith's Swett's You can't go wrong at these fine Southern establishments! (Arnold's, yes, can have a line to wait in....but it's always worth it to me....unless you're extremely pressed for time. they make the line move pretty fast too.)
(5)
David K.
Excellent food, possibly the best that I ate while in Nashville. The Meat and three was excellent as was the bannana pudding and pie that we had for dessert. Will make sure to go every time we are in town!
(5)
Christian S.
Not trying to be redundant, but the meat & three is clearly the way to go. 4 meat choices per day, double that for sides and it's still only $7.19! You get two different types of homemade cornbread along with your meal, as well. Roast beef, macaroni & cheese and the mashed potatoes are all highly recommended.
(5)
Yuki H.
Southern cafeteria style. Good ole' southern style soul food home cooked meals. YUM! The restaurant is located in the middle of nowhere and on a corner in red. So hood! Got in at around 2:15 PM. 15 minutes before closing. You heard right. They only open from 10:30-2:30. 4 hours of deep concentrated eating! The classic "meat and three" for under $7. GOODNESS. Remember it's cafeteria style so line up and go down the line. Started off with a nice crisp salad, then got down to business. Had the "catfish" (in the south, they love dem they catfish) And let me tell you. Their's were 10x better than the one's I tried off of Beale Street in Memphis. I had the meatloaf. I loathe meatloaf too but this one was sweet and juicy. For my sides had to get me some greens. Green Beans, Turnip Greens (a first and definitely not the last) and mashed potatoes (no gravy necessary). One thing I wish they had that particular day were the Fried Green Tomatoes that everyone on Yelp was raving about! I will next time for sure. For dessert I had this Coconut Crunch Pie. I'm telling you. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I had to order TWO of these. No one makes a pie like this one. Talked with the owner's wife Rosario (You are so kind. Thank you for visiting me and my associates later on at the auction!) and had a grand ole time. All the people working at Arnold's were kind and very intuitive in refilling your drink or helping with anything you need. It really felt like home. While walking out, I saw that they recently just received the James Beard award. WHAT? That is nuts. They won as the America's Classics Award winner. I see on Yelp that there are only 30-something reviews for this place? Where are all you Nashville people at?
(5)
Daniela J.
Amazing food, especially considering the (incredibly) reasonable prices - two full, heaping lunch plates plus drinks for less than $20. The servers were all super friendly and when they found out we were from out of town they brought us even more food to try (didn't hurt that it was after 3pm and the lunch shift was done). Plus one guy sat down to chat with us and tell us where the locals go at night to party. Get the spicy chocolate cake!
(5)
Tin N.
One of the best meat & twos/threes cafeterias in Nashville in my opinion. I like the variety offered each day, even though not every item available is necessarily great. For example, the banana pudding is a bit too sweet for me. But these are minor issues that do not take away from the overall quality of food.
(5)
Sydney M.
It's surprisingly hard to find good country cookin in Nashville. I'm from Mississippi so I'm used to a certain caliber of greasy foods. Arnold's does not disappoint. Probably some of the best fried green tomatoes I've had. A really good meat and 3. Get there early or the line will be out the door.
(4)
Becca G.
Roast beef, collard greens, mac n' cheese, fried green tomatoes, corn cakes, unsweet tea. Fin.
(5)
Christiane A.
I wouldn't have ever visited Tennessee if it were not for my friend and partially because of the food. And let me tell you I had a southern food baby at Arnold's, named it Earl. Earl is part catfish (on Wednesdays), green beans, black eyed peas, and corn bread. Let me tell you something, Earl was quite the big and happy food baby. A week in the South is like my years worth of calories. There are no words to describe the party that happened in my mouth, other than if Paris Hilton knew about, she'd try to crash THAT party (and yes I just cancelled out what I just said because I did describe it, shaddup). If you decide to visit Southern states that are predominantly white and are any other race other than White, prepare to get stared at. I don't think they normally see an Asian eating like a pig, or an Asian for that matter.
(5)
Brent W.
This was the first place I ate at when visiting Nashville and it was delicious. I have never heard of "meat plus three" until now. The place is kind of small and off the beaten path a bit. I went on a Thursday and it was packed. They have about 3-4 different meat specials every day and I ordered the chicken fried steak which was covered in brown gravy and cooked onions. This was phenomenal! It wasn't too salty and it was very crunchy, definitely not what I expected so I was impressed. My three sides were the mashed potatoes, green beans and mac & cheese. The potatoes and green beans were good, but the mac & cheese was very good. My girlfriend let me try her roast beef and turnip greens, which I loved the roast beef, but didn't prefer the turnip greens. I wish I would have ordered a slice of pecan pie but I was too full from the lunch. I recommend this place for anyone visiting Nashville if they are looking for some good ol' southern home cookin'.
(5)
Leanne B.
The food is good yes but I think the desert portions are a little small! I walked across downtown just to go here and I don't think the chess cake was any better than what I had at Jacks the previous day!! Mash was good but nothing special!
(3)
Laura E.
AWESOME HOMEMADE SOUTHERN FOOD!!! People working there are simply GREAT!!! funny and helpful!!! Mac n cheese are a MUST HAVE!!! DELICIOUS!!!!
(5)
Frances D.
THE BEST fried green tomatoes, macaroni, and greens. Don't let the line discourage you. It moves quickly, and you will leave full and happy.
(5)
Chef X.
Really People?!?! Everything they serve is dead, gray, limp and way past due. My Navy buddy says it reminds him of his days in the service going through the chow line. Somebody please explain to me what I ain't gettin'. I'm all ears!
(1)
Dustin A.
I'm not going to go on a huge rant about this place as you can get plenty of detailed info from other reviews, but man .... This place is GOOD. I'm not talking "you find a 5'er in your pocket on laundry day" good. I'm talking "once you've eaten here it is HARD to not want to eat here ATLEAST once a week" good. The food in incredible, the crowd is diversified and the staff are always in a good mood. It honestly seems like they enjoy working there. Its such a weird vibe. I love it. You get your food quick and you get full quick cause you cant slow down the plate to fork to mouth motion. Do yourself a favor and try out what has been voted "best meat n three" around. You wont be sad you did.
(5)
Candy W.
The best meat & three in Nashville. Maybe, in the country. I absolutely have nothing bad to say about Arnold's. Roasted beef is not to be missed!! Juicy, tender, flavorful gravy. Collard greens are the best I ever have. Excellent flavor....I can eat it every day of my life. Their chess pie is super delicious. Everything is delicious. Come to see it yourself why it's a Nashville institute.
(5)
Ken L.
First time in Nashville so did a lil yelp'in once I got here. Had NO IDEA what a meat and 3 was either. Needless to say when I heard about this place I had to try.... with all the high rankings and all..... I ordered a few things since I was in town for a short period of time. I ordered the meat 'n 3: Chicken with yams, collards, and grits. I didn't know what GOOD chicken was until I ate chicken here. So juicy and cooked just right. I ordered the homemade cobbler and that hit the spot. The guy in charge gave me some generous "samplings" of their prime rib slices with au jus. Places like this make me wish I lived here. The service was very friendly too. So kind. Then again, just about everyone in Nashville were really nice folks.
(5)
Carrie T.
best ever. sweet tea, yes please, my only complaint is the Styrofoam cups. I ate here at least once a week when I was pregnant earlier this year. I love the food and I adore all the guys that work there. It is hands down the most up beat and kind staff of any restaurant in town. Someone earlier said the greens weren't good but every time I have them they are so so so good, but then again an actual southern girl is gonna love her some actual southern food.
(5)
Caesar R.
Awesome meal here for Friday's lunch while here in Nashville. The line was long, but moved quickly and the service was super friendly. The guys dishing out the goods from behind the cafeteria style service bar were funny and really showed us a good time, even being from NY and all. This food was no joke. Got one of the last orders of the fried green tomatoes in the place. These things were fried to perfection and just perfect melt in your mouth consistency. The roast beef and meat loaf were both devoured by the GF and myself. The green beans with ham in them, white beans and mac and cheese didn't stand a chance either. The pecan pie was super sweet, but managed to win the fight as we were too full to enjoy the treat. This food was a great representation of southern cooking and it was the only place in town that I have experienced decent corn bread. Believe it!
(4)
Eric B.
dear arnold, i love you. lovingly, eric b
(5)
Mae K.
Maybe I'm a Yankee, but I thought this was good, but maybe not as good as the other reviews say. I left happy, but not blown away. The mac and cheese was fantastic and the fried green tomatoes were meltingly soft in the middle, but for my taste, I would've preferred a bit less fried breading on the tomatoes.
(3)
Nic B.
Ultra salty, uber sweet, undeniably southern
(3)
Darcy L.
I moved, and now my boyfriend & I live one block from this place. Resistance is futile! (Especially on days when they serve beef brisket)
(5)
shaun p.
I had the roastbeef my girlfriend had the country fried steak both were great freshly sliced beef you cannt go wrong. It was very tender and full of flavor.The country fried was smothered in a brown gravy with onions very tasty.Now the sides were outstanding the sweet cream corn,the turnip greens,mashed taters and mac and cheese were all top of the line southern style cooking.It can with cornbread muffins and hot water corn bread.We ended the lunch banana pudding which was the best I have ever had.It was a perfect ending to the lunch.This place was super busy which is a good thing seating was a bit off putting but we found a empty table.The line was long the whole time we were there.Best meat and three in nashville
(5)
Nathan W.
OMG Jeffrey, this place is amazing! Not because it has won a James Beard award, not because it gets to call itself a meat and 3. No, its amazing because as crowded as it is, as noisy as it is, its still the best at what it does. The food shines. Nothing on the daily menu is bad, and if you make a mistake ordering don't worry, your still going to be happy. You literally can't go wrong.
(5)
Wendy M.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? It is awesome, I love it and today they gave me the absolute BEST CHEESE GRITS I have ever had! And I love that the greens have wasabi in them. That's just the very definition of the New South.....
(5)
Lynda O.
Wow first visit and it was everything thatit was suppose to be! I had fried chicken, pinto beans, creamed potatoes, and marinated cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It was all delicious! Everything was seasoned to perfection! Can't wait to get back to Nashville so I can eat there again!
(5)
Rach M.
The food here is great. It's a popular place so expect a crowd. Great flavors and choices.
(4)
Erin D.
Okay, so when I saw that all the reviews had given this place five stars I was a bit skeptical. I mean how could "everybody" love this restaurant? Well after lunch today, I'm a believer and had to give my own raving review. I was really nervous we weren't going to be able to find parking because of the demand but they have a huge lot. The line wasn't that long when we got there at about 12:30p on a Thursday. They had three different meat choices and a ton of veggies. I had the fried green tomatoes (SO yummy), Mac N Cheese and green beans. The food was fantastic. Eating there is a bit much. It's really crammed but the employees are super sweet and really on top of busing tables. This is the best meat and three I've ever been to. I wish it were open for more than just weekday lunches.
(5)
Cara P.
Yeah, it still is that good. My parents are visiting from CA & we took them to Arnold's for lunch (we had to explain the concept of a meat n three to them--not something you find in Newport Beach). They were just blown away. As they should've been. The greens were fabulous, so were the fried green tomatoes. The meatloaf was yummy. My dad had the fried catfish & is still talking about it. The ONLY bad thing about Arnold's is that they're only open for lunch on weekdays, so we can't go very often! Guys? Couldja open for lunch on Saturdays maybe? Just one Saturday a month even? Please?
(5)
Chris P.
Yep, this place is awesome. I was in Nashville this past weekend and used Yelp to find a good place for some country food and I'm so happy that I was pointed to this joint. I got the meat & 3 but really had a hard time deciding on what to get - I finally just had to ask them to pick whatever they like and put it on my plate. As the man said behind the counter "they fixed me up real good". The food was awesome, authentic country food and a place that I will visit anytime I'm back in Nashville. The line was outside the door when we arrived, but it went very quickly.
(5)
Curtis H.
Awesome selection of southern favorites. The bbq pork crepe (corn pancake) with a smoked gouda sauce was a nice surprise. Sides all tasted great. Finished off with the pecan pie, which was very good.
(4)
Nikki E.
I got to visit Arnold's on a visit to Nashville and it was amazing. The food was delicious from the collard greens to the roast beef. I would go there again in a heartbeat and it helps that everyone was super friendly.
(5)
carrie s.
Oh my gosh what can I say. Call it Southern food, Comfort Food or a meat and 3 vegetable place, I don't care, this place is the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Only open for lunch and line up and share a table but believe you will not be disappointed. I would almost make a trip back just to eat here.
(5)
Kathryn C.
Stopped here for lunch during my road trip from Houston, TX to Dayton, OH. It was featured on... you guessed it -DDD! So, so glad we stopped. Yes, it was crowded, but that is usually a good sign! I noticed lots of suits in there too, even though it's a pretty divey place. Doesn't matter, because the roast beef and fried green tomatoes were out of this world! The creamed corn was very sweet and tasty and the cornbread and flatcakes were a nice compliment. Good Southern, finger-licking food! Would love to come back some day.
(4)
Brian W.
If I ever find myself in the unfortunate position of having to choose my last meal, at least I already know what it would be: Arnold's roast beef, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and green beans.
(5)
Amanda H.
Wish I was in Nashville longer to be able to go back on a different day and try different entrees and sides. I think it may have been some of the best roast beef I have ever had though! Sides were equally tasty and I was certainly in the clean plate club that day. The line moves at an impressive rate.
(5)
Jill R.
Oh my goodness. Best damn brisket I've ever had - i'm pretty sure I yelled it while I was still in the place. Also, their pecan pie...there are no words. If you're in Nashville, LOOK THIS PLACE UP!
(5)
Geneviève E.
I don't like chicken on the bone, but Arnold's fried chicken is irresistable! Great authentic southern food!
(5)
Claudia Y.
it's so damn good. you just have to go. that's all there is to it. and a bonus to the truly great food is the people who work there are incredibly warm and sincerely kind.
(5)
MTraveler H.
Friends of ours who frequent Nashville recommended that we try out Arnold's during our first visit in town. It is southern food at its best and has a large selection to choose from. I would qualify it as a cafeteria style, very casual place. The portions are generous, I had the fried green tomatoes, bbq beef and white bean side dish-delicious! Not the best place for calorie counters, more for those who want a good, true blue, mostly fried, southern meal at a reasonable price. We walked from the Marriott downtown, I would not do this walk alone and definitely not at night...the neighborhood seems to be in a slight transitional stage. Arnold's is yum, yum!
(5)
Rachael S.
My mother was recently in town and I had a great excuse to fill my self up with starch with her here. We headed to Arnold's and fell completly in love!!! The food is amazing and yes! I did see a James Beard award on the wall, holy cow! I love fried chicken and the mac and cheese here is to die for!
(5)
Seth H.
Possibly the best meat-n-three in the world, yes the world. Eat the deserts, no excuse. Prepare to wait in line, but holy cow is it worth it. That's all that needs be said.
(5)
Jonathon S.
Walked all the way from the Parthenon to get to Arnold's, which my friend had somehow heard about beforehand (probably on here). We were hungry, but decided to walk the extra distance to check it out (even passed a Jack in the Box, which isn't easy for me to do since there aren't any where I live in Florida). I am glad we did! You stand in line with your tray, maybe grab a piece of pie (you should), tell the friendly folks behind the counter whatchuwant, which can be a Meat and One, Two, Three or Four. The meats we got: fried catfish, roast beef, chicken and dumplings. The sides: mashed potatos and gravy, fried green tomatos, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese. Fresh squeezed lemonade. All of it delicious. Arnold's is just simple Southern comfort food done very, very well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kenzi N.
Recently, my husband and I had a day getaway to Nashville. I was looking for a new place to add to our food list. My husband had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, greens, and mac n cheese. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I loved everything, except for the roast beef. The greens were some of the best I have ever had. Wish we had gotten desert! We got there around 10:45, and as we left the crowd started to form. I loved the corn bread, but loved the corn cake even more. I live over an hour away, and I am looking for an excuse to drive back soon!
(5)
Tim A.
Best meat and three in Nashville, hands down. Try to avoid during 12-1, otherwise the line will be out the door, with good reason. Try the fried green tomatoes and bread pudding!
(5)
Steve C.
Had lunch there today. Food was well seasoned and tasty. The roast beef wasn't overcooked and the au jus had lots of flavor. Only got three very thin slices of meat. Portion sizes were very small and I was still hungry when I left. I won't bother ever going back. Obviously they're just handing out James Beard awards these days. I would have expected some sort of remolaude sauce or something for the fried green tomatoes. Basically I was very disappointed, considering the accolades this place has gotten. Very run of the mill as far as I'm concerned.
(3)
Kelly S.
Wow! This was the first place we tried in Nashville. It is amazing. And the owner and staff were wonderful to us tourists from Vegas. You won't be disappointed. It's delicious.
(5)
Ziggy M.
It was our last day of vacation and decided to stop by Arnold's for lunch. Being from the east coast I remember when diners like this were a fixture in CT during the sixties and seventies. Arnold's knows how to put together a great meal in a great atmosphere with great people.
(4)
Tim O.
Arnold's is an outstanding meat and three. Fried chicken was great and each side was better than the last. My four and a half year old ( a foodie in training ) has asked for Arnold's chicken everyday since we left Nashville more than a week ago.
(5)
Kay K.
I love Arnold's and have been there several times, which is why it was on my list as one of the Nashville "musts" for my foreign boyfriend to try. Why is it when you build up something it always, always falls short? I ordered fried green tomatoes and macaroni. My boyfriend the roast beef, mashed potatoes and sweet tea. The faces he made after one bite of the beef were something I hope I never see again. Ghastly. Poor boyfriend then reached for the sweet tea and nearly went into glucose shock. It was at this point I tasted his plate and confirmed that his items were terrible. The roast beef was so overly salted (and I have lived in the South many years - I understand the difference between salty and over salted) that it was inedible. The tea was truly horrific tasting and had a viscosity I haven't encountered since science lab. We still laugh about how I tried to poison him with Southern food. Have I been back? Yes. Has it been good? Yes. Does it have the possibility of being the worst experience of your life? Yes. So, it may be tasty but the stuff will kill you - somewhere down the line, or even on your first visit.
(2)
Bradley H.
Great food! Don't be turned away if there is a long line out the door. The line actually moves quickly. Best cafe food you can find. The pork chop and chicken and dumplings are amazing. Whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert. The selection of pies change daily, but all are excellent examples of good southern dessert. Be warned southern dessert and sweet tea are just that sweet.
(5)
Ty J.
OK, this is embarassing but I've been a TN resident for 45 years and never heard of Arnold's until a buddy visiting from OH found it on DDD and wanted to try it. We're both pretty big fellas so Arnold's was more of a "meat plus 4 or 5" and dessert for us, especially since we had a lot of lost time to make up for. I told him while we were in line, which was out the door at 1:15 but moved very quickly, that I recognized one of the gentlemen eating at a nearby table. "That's either a local politician or a TV anchor", I told him. I knew I'd seen him before. 5 minutes later I realized, it was the Governor! A good sign. We could've kept on going all day - everything was superb. I'll be back to try the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and chicken & dumplings soon!
(5)
Peter H.
open weird hours for me. I think its open from 6-230 am. Got there at around 1100 and a good thing because when we finished eating, a line had already started to form outside in the smothering memphis heat. Food service is cafeteria style. Our meat was bbq pork which was cooked very well with just enough bbq sauce on top. The sides were excellent. I opted for meat plus three. I got the squash which aside from some more roughage, tasted excellent. The green beans were okay but the mac and cheese was very good. I topped it off with an iced tea. Meal was under 10 dollars and delicious but not very filling. I guess my stretched out american stomach wanted a bigger portion. Otherwise I love the authenticity of this place.
(4)
Todd D.
This place is excellent!
(5)
Laura F.
Despite all the raving reviews, I found the food to be serviceable. Had it been freshly made I'm sure it would've been better. It also may have been better had I not done carry-out.
(3)
Jasmine M.
Yes the two guys across the street from Arnold's were smoking crack when we passed them. Ok so it might be a slightly dicey part of town, but I did want to tell them there was no need for drug crack when you have fried green tomato crack across the street. Addictive but much better for you. Arnold's is typical get your grub on no frills cafeteria style lunch. If you want a nicer place, go to Monnell's. Though for food, I think Arnold's schools Monnell's. One the fried green tomatoes are incredible. By far, the best I have ever had. They are really nicely seasoned with some spicy kick to them. The macaroni cheese is great as is the creamed corn. I had fried shrimp and my boyfriend had roast beef. There were a number of other choices too that all looked and smelled incredible. The meal was heavenly, and because it was a meat and three and not an all you can eat, I left stuffed but not sick. Yeah, I have to let someone else control my portion size. The staff was super friendly and on hand for refills of sweet tea.
(5)
Ryan S.
Great food and excellent staff as well. The only drawback was the line being out the door, but I will definitely be back regardless.
(4)
Andrea N.
I will come out of my way to eat here. The vegetables are so tasty, and the beef was juicy. The service was friendly and made us feel comfortable knowing that we weren't from Nashville. Unfortunately, I only had 1 meal here...wish I had more.
(5)
Kaiping S.
meat and 3 is no joke. do not trifle with your lunch here. you really can't go wrong with any of the sides (especially fried green tomatoes!) or meat you choose. sweet tea is on point, and as other reviewers mentioned, the banana pudding is ridiculously tasty. if you are in the mood for desert be sure to pick that bad boy up. my only regret is not being able to come here every day of the week to try the different meats available. cafeteria style so prices are cheap and line could be long but don't let that fool you. the line moves quickly and you will enjoy anything you try here. also great because its walking distance to downtown for visitors without a car.
(5)
steven c.
Wow! What can I say that has not already been said. Simply the best meat and 3 ever.
(5)
Dot V.
I loved it! I wish we had places like this in metro Atlanta. We arrived at 1p.m. but the line was still a little bit out the door. The tables were all full and I wondered how we were going to find a place to sit but, surprisingly, they clear out fast. The food is country cookin at it's best. I had the roast beef with mashed potatoes and squash. I'm not a cornbread fan so I chose the yeast rolls. They were melt in your mouth goodness. Everything was very yummy. The only drawbacks for me were the parking lot being so rough and the restaurant being extremely noisy and crowded.
(4)
Sue S.
Don't worry about the line - it moves fast and it's worth it. And every single dish will be the best "insert food here" you've ever tasted. A serious yum.
(5)
Scott G.
Solid meat & 3 but nothing incredible. Can be hard to get a seat at lunch time.
(3)
Sean M.
This may well be the best food in all Nashville. It is definately the best southern food I have ever had and I have lived in the south for over 17 years. Don't miss the pecan pie!
(5)
Theresa D.
Fried fish good. Collards good. Vinegar with tabasco peppers on everything very good. Chess pie, just heaven (and even 30 minutes before closing, lots of great options!).
(5)
Sam D.
It's a classic meat-n-three. It's the one that's in all of the tourist guidebooks. You'll find Arnold there most days himself, serving up the meat on the buffet line. You may even see a celebrity or two. I caught John Prine there eating some green beans once. There may be a line.
(3)
Susan K.
This is one place where you could really eat your face off. Very low key, cafeteria-style, and apparently where a lot of big wig politicians in Nashville like to graze. I got the 4 vegetables plate, and I chose squash casserole, turnip greens, asparagus, and macaroni & cheese. It came with a corn muffin and a corn cake. Everything I chose was cooked to perfection, and nothing was overly salty. This was something I was afraid of, because typically southern food is highly salted, if not floating in butter. Needless to say, I WILL be coming back here, but I would advise getting water unless you like your tea syrup sweet. Next time I'd like to try a meat and maybe even a dessert. My coworker said the banana pudding is to die for. Arnold's definitely left me wanting more.
(5)
Rhonda P.
We read the reviews and thought we would give it a try. The food was fair, not at all like we expected. The mashed potatoes had a large lump the size of an egg, no seasoning. The ham was mostly fat and the rest of very salty and seemed undercooked. The price was way too high for quality of food we got. Will NOT go back here again.
(1)
Brad B.
old school. the family could have franchised, opened more locations in better parts of town, even closed this little place down and move to Green Hills or Williamson County -- but they didn't. Just the right size. Lines are omnipresent, but by the time you get your food, there's always a table available. Arrive early for your best choice - when it's gone, it's gone. Fried green tomatoes with hot sauce, barbecue chicken, chipotle grits, roast beef, pecan pie, banana pudding, sigh. Any restaurant that can run lunch M-F only and stay in business for 50 years is doing it the right way. One of my favorite places to eat in Nashville, and it will be one of your favorites, too.
(5)
Craig M.
My type of place! Everything was tasty and the staff was friendly. Came at closing time and asked about a dish and they offered me a sample as it was closing time. Went twice this year and I am from NJ!
(4)
Mell F.
Damn you Yelp for forcing me to choose either 3 or 4 stars when I really need 3.5 here. You expect me to be so firm and decisive when I want to be laid back and non-committal! I'm tempted to give 4 stars, but I refuse to sacrifice what's left of my objectivity and reputation just to fit in with the bulk of humanity... However, I do reserve the right to increase my rating upon subsequent visits or if the loneliness becomes too much to bear. (I almost feel like there should be a distinction between cafeteria style M&3s like Arnold's, and sit-down M&3s like Southern Bred or H&T's. But whatever.) Good food, friendly and efficient staff, old-school dining area, and come-as-you are feel make this a solid choice to add to your lunch rotation. I enjoyed the country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. The yeast rolls and banana pudding were also tasty. Nothing was mind blowing today, but it was all good. The county-fried steak was served from a pan full of brown gravy. I prefer the small-batch, white gravy variety so I'm not sure I would get it again since there are so many other entree options. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more stuff, including a very serious looking bread pudding. Maybe I'll see you.
(3)
Will O.
Best Meat and Three in town....Period. Probably one of the best I have been to anywhere. The sweet tea is like cold liquid sugar. Awesome!
(5)
Robert K.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat n' three joint in downtown Nashville. Arnold's serves up some seriously tasty southern style chicken dishes. Arnold's is distinctly different from the other meat n' three places in Nashville, in that there have been boat loads of celebrities that have visited the place. Arnold's has the pictures to prove it, the concrete block walls are adorn with pictures of country music heroes and local celebrities. The absolute best thing on the menu is the ham, which they serve on Tuesdays. They cut the slices so fat, it takes up the entire plate. Of course, they have the traditional meat n' three sides like mashed potatoes and string beans or some sort of veggie. Like most of the food at Arnold's, they smother the string beans in butter or the like! If your kids are not eating their vegetables, bring them to Arnold's they will gobble the string beans right up!
(4)
ivan n.
I love Arnold and his bananna pudding.. No homo
(5)
Ryan H.
Hands down the best meat in three......EVER. If you haven't been there, it will in fact change your life.
(5)
Rebecca B.
If you live in Nashville and long for really good and authentic southern cooking than look no further than Arnold's!! This particular "meat and three" has home-made everything! It is a family-run restaurant that has its walls adorned with every famous country legend that has ever worked in Nashville. Its definitely a hole in the wall but it's really a gem as far as Nashville meat and three's go. I prefer to go on Monday's for their keilbasa and kraut. I always get the mashed potatoes with some gravy off the roast beef for the day. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes when they have them, and ALWAYS get their lemonade with a splash of sweet tea. The ONLY thing that stinks about this place is how BUSY it is at lunch.There is literally a LINE OUT THE DOOR come noon time, but this is only because the food is to DIE FOR! Thankfully it moves very fast. Seriously though, the family is getting ready to renovate their building to give it some more seating and much needed kitchen space. So look for Arnold's to be EVEN BETTER in the future!! My little tip for pretty young things, steer clear of Arnold himself. He is a dirty ol' man with a vulgar mouth! I'm sure he is totally harmless and his sons that run the restaurant (with their mother at the helm) are very charming and good looking! Definitely get there super early or late unless you like sharing a table with people about to leave.
(5)
Dana S.
The restaurant has plenty of southern casual atmosphere but overall the food is just average. Compared to delicious deep southern food I was raised up on, Arnold's is simply blah. The greens are pretty good but the roast beef, cornbread, even the tea and lemonade is just so-so. At least they do come around to offer drink refills.
(3)
jenny v.
holy crap! this was one of my best meals ever. my husband did not believe me when i told him that southern cafeteria meat & threes is some fine eatin', but one visit to arnold's made him a convert. the fried chicken was divine and the soft rolls are amazing (must be the delicious lard). anyhoo, arnold's is why i've now decided that i must move to nashville!
(5)
Ben F.
I've eaten at restaurants all over the United States, but none are as good as Arnold's when it comes to cooking meat and threes from scratch.
(5)
Logan G.
Wow...this place was unbelievable. Seriously 5 stars all around. Smelled fantastic, people were super friendly (except the woman cashier who was texting while we were paying for our food, definitely uncharacteristic of everything about this place.) The rest of the staff was genuinely friendly and cared about taking care of you. I mean genuine. The food was sort of like a flashback, going thru the cafeteria line at school and while ordering the food I was kind of taken aback. BTW the guys putting your plate together were extremely nice as well (just that dang lady texting at the register? wtf are you doing there?) I had read reviews before coming and was prepared for a good meal but all I could think about was the cafeteria line at school. NOT THE CASE ON THE FIRST BITE! Holy smokes this is grandma's cookin' with fllllaaaavooor! Yes probably the most flavorful meal of down home cooking I have ever had. Mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Pops had the fried grouper and it was unreal too. Super light crispy batter, again tons of flavor! Unbelievable...You must go, seriously. Treat yourself.
(5)
J B.
What can I say that has not convinced you to try this place? I read about this place from Yelp, and I was convinced that I had to try it. After walking through a sketchy part of town and finding Arnold's, I knew that this place was amazing the second I stepped in through the door. Southern, cafeteria-style, heavenly "meat and three" scented bliss awaited me.
(5)
Jacob R.
I'm surprised this doesn't have more reviews. Neighborhood is fine, the place is excellent.
(5)
Heidi R.
I didn't know what a Meat & Three was til I moved to Nashville nearly 7 years ago. It took me years to try Arnold's -- but maybe I unknowingly saved the best for last. Arnold's is by far the BEST Meat & Three in Nashville (and in the rest of TN). It is also one of the most affordable. All of their food is wonderful but the roast beef w mashed potatoes and gravy and greens are AMAZING. If you are looking for fried chicken, theirs is very good but you can find better in Nashville. The corncakes are worth the wait if they've run out. The desserts r delish. And, I'm gonna say it again --all their food is wonderful... the epitome of what a true southern resteraunt should taste like -- delicious. I've got company coming into town next week and I'm going to take them there and make them wait in line... for food that will leave them asking for more whether it is roast beef or catfish, mashed potatoes or corn casserole, greens or green beans.
(5)
Dorothy M.
Fabulous down-home, tastes like mama's been cookin all day, kinda food. It amazes me every time I visit & stop in how quick they serve @ this meat & 3...yet the food makes you feel spoiled & cared for. Hits the spot.
(5)
John Michael E.
My absolute favorite lunch in Nashville. Can barely call it "a hole in the wall" because of how popular it is but if you're not from the south or if you're not from Nashville it is a MUST VISIT. The banana pudding is my favorite, and the corn cakes are amazing. I have not had one thing I didn't like, the staff is very helpful and kind. An absolute treat.
(5)
Patricia S.
I had a friend recommend Arnold's, as well as my waiter at Etch. I didn't quite get the Meat and 3 concept, but I sure did when I arrived. We were lucky to arrive just before the line got crazy, and it sure did get crazy. The line goes quickly, and the food is surely affordable. The bus boy, ok not a boy at all, but an older man who is super friendly, funny and enjoyable. The servers are very efficient and are quite patient with us tourists when we ask questions. The fact that some people have to share tables actually makes for an accommodating and interesting environment. Kind of loved it. Must Haves: Turnip Greens Mac and Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Hot Chocolate Pie - fudge-like chocolate with hot pepper in a pie crust
(5)
Kim Y.
Arnolds makes me like things I don't even like. I mean, can you often say places do that much for you? As I wait in the humongous yet always lightening fast line I meander through the daily options with a major open mind. Pork chops? Blech! Oh wait - I AM at Arnold's. Hit the top of the line - think fast Kim! The regulars behind you are about to go crazy on yo' butt! "I'll have the pork chop with collard greens and mac n cheese". What's gotten into me!? But man, the pork chop was fork tender, the collards not a bit bitter and the mac n cheese wasn't reminiscent of kindergarten paste; in fact the noodles were still in tact and actually tasted like cheese. I'm usually a biscuit/roll girl, and the yeasty monsters they serve here are delicious, but if you're a first timer, please order cornbread to soak up your greens juice/broth - its a southern staple according to my old guard friend and he doesn't steer me wrong! Other tips: don't be shy and don't show up with more than a group of 2 or 3 during the lunch rush - a place to sit may be tough to come by, but everyone is so happy and content from their plate lunch, they are in great moods and happy to share close quarters!
(5)
Rudy L.
Can you say James Beard award winner. This is a Nashville food institution. Friday was amazing with having the option to taste their fried catfish. Overall this is a must visit for any Nashvillian and tourist.
(4)
Jamie A.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was pretty disappointed with my first Arnold's experience. When I walked in I noticed a huge sign for takeout orders and assumed that is where you go to place a takeout order. Makes sense, right? It was just kind of a cluster. After standing there, feeling completely in the way, for a few minutes the lady behind the register brought instructed me to write down my order on a sheet of paper. After locating the slips of paper myself. I wrote down my order. It proceeded to get handed back and forth for a few minutes between at least 4 people before it was prepared (there were very few people in line at this point, 11am). I did notice that a lot of people were getting their to-go orders in the line. I get home with the tasty smelling food only to realize that they left the awesome looking gravy off of the potatoes *sad face*! They were just okay. Kind of dry. Mac and Cheese was the definite star. The yeast rolls were also heaven sent. Green Beans were okay, too much pepper. Creamed corn was a bit off. I am definitely going to give it another try...I will have to try one of the meat options next time. Also, next time I will go through the line and make sure my complete order ends up in the box. This is probably a more appropriate 2 star review, but that mac & cheese and yeast rolls. I'll be dreaming of them.
(3)
Jason L.
Best meat and three in Nashville. The catfish is incredible. The green beans were awesome . And I do not like green beans. Great casual atmosphere.
(5)
April B.
I'm not sure what I can say to you to describe how good this place is! I had the chicken and dumplings, green beans and mac n cheese. He had the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Both of us didn't talk much while we were eating since we were too busy inhaling our food. Afterward we both looked at each other and said "Wow. That was amazing". Don't get discouraged by the line that might be going out the door. The line moves very quick and the tables turn quick. This is a must stop!!
(5)
Tristan W.
holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredible. if you have a problem with this place you're a damn fool. amazing. the rolls are even homemade!!!!!!!! and the folks that work there are sweet as shit. go.
(5)
Kathie C.
The place had a long line even tho we got there after 1 pm. Very noisy and crowded. However the roast beef, the BBQ brisket, the squash casserole were very good. The black eyed beans were blah, as was the coconut creme pie. And the hot chocolate pie was very HOT!
(4)
Austin C.
This is the best of hole in the wall food in Nashville! The atmosphere is great as it is always crowded and sometimes a squeeze to find a seat but it only adds to the southern charm! And the food is ridiculous! Large portions of home made southern staples. I highly recommend seeing what day the roast beef special is as it is my favorite! And the Cheyenne pepper fudge pie is phenomenal! I highly recommend for a southern meal right outside downtown Nashville.
(5)
Eighty S.
I am a southern boy, so when I heard of Arnold's Country Kitchen and all of their accolades, I had to go. I grabbed my big appetite cousin and we headed over the railroad tracks. Luckily we got there just before the big rush, the place was almost packed, but fifteen minutes later there was a line outside the door and it spilled over into the parking area. The place is small with just a few tables but that's cool. It wouldn't hurt them to do a deep cleaning. The order line, plates, and eating utensils reminded me of a prison cafeteria (never been, but seen them on TV). So we are about to order and the good thing is, you can see all the food you are about to devour (especially my beloved CHESS PIE). It was Tuesday so I ordered the meatloaf, 1 piece of catfish, candied yams, turnip greens, mac & cheese, hot water cornbread and chess pie of course. My cousin ordered the meatloaf as well, along with the same sides plus the white beans. Everything was just ok, but the turnip greens were missing that love and extra home cooked flavor. The meatloaf was not my fave but edible; however, the mac and cheese was the winner on the plate. The chess pie was average (try Rose's home-style catering and bakery chess squares). I made the catfish work with a lil added hot sauce. Oh boy I wish they would have had some good sweet red Kool-Aid ha-ha. One of the good things was the service, they moved the line pretty fast and everyone had a smile on their face. They recognized the regulars, and chit chatted with every guest. The price for portion size of food is pretty accurate. I can't say it's the best meat and three in Nashville, but all in all the food was average nothing to tell mother about. This establishment is part of Nashville's' history, but James Beard award winner, I don't think so. More important, this is a Nashville institution that the people here love.
(3)
Chris E.
Cafeteria-style dining. The food was great. I had the roast beef, green beans, and pinto beans. Probably the best roast beef I've ever had. My wife loved her meal, too.
(5)
Joe P.
Awesome meat and 3. If you don't get there before 11:30, chances are high that the line will be out the door. I suggest waiting though bc it will move fast!
(5)
Scott C.
Great, great, great place for lunch on a weekday. Favorite day by far is Thursday when they have the country fried steak and fried green tomatoes. Add some mashed potatoes and their amazing Mac and cheese...boom!! If you really want it all, then get the banana pudding and then grab a pillow and blanket for your afternoon nap.
(4)
Ross T.
HOLY COW!! How come no one told about this place before!! I LOVE IT! Cafeteria style with BOSS Southern food. Extremely friendly folks who know how to cook and deliver it with a smile. Country fried steak was the special of the day, and they loaded it up with collards and mashed potatoes. I wish I could have eaten 3 servings. Went with vegetarian wife and two friends and everyone said the same thing. This place is an institution for a reason. Well worth it and we'll be back again. First stop after the airport.
(5)
Teresa B.
Easily the best Meat and 3 in town! The mac & cheese is the real deal, the roast beef is to die for and don't pass up the fried green tomatoes! It's like going to grandma's house except that you have to get back in line for seconds so you better pile up the plate the first time around!
(5)
Michelle P.
Well, when one thinks of a restaurant that wins a James Beard award, it doesn't usually look like Arnold's. Arnold's really is a down home, southern style restaurant that serves amazingly good food, with equally amazing service and comfy cafeteria style seating. I will absolutely return...if I can make the hours of course & if I have the time to wait on the line for lunch!!
(5)
David O.
Arnolds is probably the best Meat and three that I've been to. But that statement comes with some important caveats. First of all, its very popular, and thus very busy. We went for lunch, and arrived at around 10:45am. By 11am the place was packed. Secondly, its not very friendly to newcomers. Make sure you know what you want before you get in line. They take a "no bullsh*t" approach to getting you through the line. No doubt because of how busy it is. Its not that they aren't friendly, its just that they don't have time to hold your hand. I can see how this might be off-putting to newcomers. The food itself is really good, and does have that "Just like grandma makes" feel to it. If you are looking for a Meat and 3, you really can't go wrong with Arnolds. Just make sure you get there early!
(4)
Nate H.
Oh god no. Never again. We came here based on the great reviews guaranteeing a cheap authentic Nashville meal only to receive a pile of fatty brisket and a plate of flavorless vegetables, FOR 30 DOLLARS. I'd say I got two decent pieces of meat, the rest was all fat and it destroyed my appetite. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN. To tack on to this, it was disgustingly hot in the restaurant. I am sorry, I genuinely don't exaggerate reviews, but this place made us leave Nashville feeling sour.
(1)
Elizabeth M.
Best food ever! I have no idea what they put in the squash it is heavenly. Nothing fancy a cafeteria style meal of the best food you will ever eat!
(5)
Janette C.
One of the diners dives and drive in spots and it is completely worth stopping for! The lunch crowd can go out the door so go early!
(5)
Amber S.
This is the best southern food I have ever had, with exception of course to my mother-in-law's. The place is a little dive, easy to miss if you're driving through, and definitely a no-frills atmosphere. The clientele is mostly friendly blue-collar, good ol' country folk, with a few of the downtown corporate types thrown into the mix. The line was long when we arrived, but moved very quickly. The guys behind the counter were so warm and welcoming, and every bit southern gentleman ("yes ma'am, no ma'am"). I had the roast beef, hubby had the catfish, and we both had the mac and cheese, greens and mashed potatoes. The roast beef is by far the BEST roast beef I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly, juicy and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was slightly wetter than I'm used to, but had a really good cheese flavor. I had heard that the greens were the best in Nashville, and I have to say, they were awesome! They had a great smoky pork flavor with a hint of sweetness. The mashed potatoes were buttery and yummy. My husband loved the catfish, and he doesn't eat seafood! We had pecan pie for desert, and wow was it sweet! I took a few bites, and had to put the rest in a little box for later. The atmosphere here is wonderful. Everyone treats each other like they're old friends, and will invite you to sit with them at their table if it's a little extra crowded. The owner is a super nice guy and goes out of his way to make sure you feel special. I recommend trying out Arnold's if you're in the mood for a great Meat & Three. I definitely see myself becoming a regular here.
(5)
Brent G.
The meat and threes here are, indeed, absolutely fantastic. The mustard greens are the best I have tasted. The owner was present and walking around. I had seen him on TV. He was nice enough to tell us that he got the fish batter so puffy by adding more baking soda to the mix. Terrific, cheap, but crowded. Get there early! Going back Ina few days and I live in California. Also, the man has won a James Beard award for Pete's sake! This, along with Monelle's are my absolute must stops when in Nashville!
(5)
Lauren L.
I really like this place. I went here on a friend's recommendation, and it's really good. There's always a line, but it moves pretty fast, so nobody has to wait long. It can also be a little crowded within the restaurant, but that's not really a factor for me when I go somewhere for lunch.
(4)
Harold L.
When the person in front of you in line is regularly on the food network you know that you're in a great spot. Everything that I had was delicious and the staff were incredibly friendly. If you're looking for southern style home cooking this is it! On a 2 week road trip this may have been the best food we ate the entire way. Next time I'm in town this will be my first stop!
(5)
C K.
Super good. My first visit to a real meat & 3. So delicious!
(4)
Daniel L.
Yes, yes, and more yes. If I lived near here, I would frequent Arnold's daily and immediately gain fifty pounds. Besides, when the first comment you're told is to grab a plate and eat because you've traveled across the country, you know you're in a great place. My girlfriend and I lined up cafeteria-style and sampled their roast beef, tilapia, and kielbasa. The beef was tender and seasoned perfectly without being overly salty; the tilapia was flaky, moist, and placed over plump white rice with a great sauce (I forget what it was, but it rocked); and the kielbasa was grilled to perfection with crusty skin yet juicy plump innards. The sides were also quite good, but what struck us the most was the friendliness. We experienced it everywhere in Nashville, but never did we feel more at home than in Arnold's with the wonderful hospitality. The staff joked with everyone, and they were extremely helpful in explaining what different sides were. Inside is a little cramped, but that doesn't really matter. Everything is so great that you can't help but scarf it down before your stomach can protest. And, that is how I'll gain my fifty pounds.
(5)
Em P.
Arnold's is one of those places I can only afford to lunch at when I'm not crazy busy at work, because once you scarf down a plate full of this deliciousness, your afternoon is spent in a food coma popping tums. When I moved here, I had no idea what a meat & 3 was. It's kinda like a lunch counter without the counter. Except this one has a Beard award. Yeah. I usually get the roasted beef and usually ask for some of the garlic pulled from the roast. I'm real nice when I ask, though. I've had their fried chicken (very solid) and meatloaf too (really good for meatloaf). Next time I think I'll get a plate of sides, because that's usually where on the line I get indecisive...mac and cheese is stellar, fried green tomatoes are heaven, mashed potatoes are creamy...I don't care if my entire plate is a beige tone. I wonder if they'll still give me the roasted garlic out of the beef if I'm not ordering the beef? Hmmm... Line moves fast, so don't get upset if it's out the door as it usually is. Make your mind up before you get close to the line, don't linger too long, and leave a couple of bucks for the guy that cheerfully busses your table. Staff is very friendly except if you're some mook who came in because they saw this place on Diner's Drive Ins and Dives wanting to try fried green tomatoes for the first time. I've seen several politicians here too, from local to federal. My husband has the unfounded complaint that "it's dirty" but he's kind of uppity sometimes. It's not a place for vegetarians, as I'm pretty sure everything has some sort of animal fat in it. Though I have lunched with otherwise vegetarian friends who turned a blind eye for the afternoon. I also enjoy that you have to grab your dessert first. Good philosophy!
(4)
Jonathan M.
I am from the north and didn't know what to expect with this place. The atmosphere is straight up like a cafeteria. The food was great. It's about as southern as it gets. They only have a handful of options per day so if you have some picky eaters with you don't go here. I had some sort of meat that melted in my mouth. The downside to the place is the whole group I went with basically fell asleep when we got back to the studio. If you need to be productive after work stay as far away from this place as possible. If you are in need of some good sleep, go back for seconds. ; )
(4)
Sara S.
YUM YUM YUMMY. If you are in the mood for some good down-home family cooking, look no further. They have tons of side items from green beans to mashed potatoes, and everyday they have specials on meat. I tried the kielbasa and sauerkraut and boy was it outta this world! I also had to treat myself to a slice of chess pie. I tell you what, that crust...oh my goodness. Oh yeah- they have RC on tap!!! Talk about throwback! Love it.
(5)
Eddy W.
Just good food!!! nothing else to be said
(5)
Tony C.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! that is all
(5)
Elaine K.
I'd rather give 3.5 stars. Lunch on Monday was crowded. Line moves fast! Fried chicken delicious. It's not Gus's. Greens tangy and spicy good. Creamed corn and nana pudding best thing we ate. Roast beef just good. did not blow our socks off. Glad to have tried this Nashville icon.
(4)
Lisa B.
This is seriously, in my opinion, the best meat and three in Nashville. When I was pregnant I was fortunate enough to work a couple of streets away and I can't begin to tell you how great that was...I try and take any out-of-towners here I can! Yes there can be a killer line and no parking if you go in the middle of lunch hour...but go a little after and you are golden. Its delicious, people. GO!
(5)
Julia F.
On my visit to Nashville I relied on Yelp to steer me to good Southern Food. Being from Southern CA, I don't have any experience with Southern Food, and so I don't really have much to compare it to, but I loved all the food I had here. I even enjoyed waiting in line and watching what everyone else was eating. I was really impressed by the fried green tomatoes; major yumminess. So flavorful and crispy. I absolutely loved the grit cake, and the banana pudding dessert thing. I loved my entree as well, it was some sort of shredded pork with this gooey cheese sauce :) I loved the cafeteria style of this place, and all the people were so friendly to us, making sure we enjoyed our first taste of the south.
(5)
Dan B.
Great food. Very busy but worth the wait! Loved the catfish and the collards.
(4)
Linda B.
Moved to TN over a year ago and just now made it to Arnold's. I have to say. Hands down, the best southern food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was amazing from the roast beef to the grits cake to the banana pudding. Like others have said, best fried green tomatoes ever. Come early. Come often.
(5)
Clarice C.
was helping my friend road trip from atlanta to denver and we drove through nashville at lunchtime. I was only allowed one meal here and SO glad I made it Arnold's! I'm sure you can tell by the Yelp reviews and line out the door but I just want to re-iterate that this is a MUST if you are in nashville! def has a cozy southern feel. it's like a cafeteria style ordering system. they have certain dishes on certain days. i got the Roast beef, fried green tomatoes, chocolate pie, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for LUNCH! and ate it ALL. like who does that?? don't be intimidated by the line because it moves quickly and the food is so worth it!
(5)
Spider J.
Everything was good here, but the banana pudding was NUTS. The staff was really friendly, as we came in with a baby, and they had someone carry a tray so we could carry the baby. The roast beef was medium rare and delightful. My only beef (ahahahaha. beef.) is that I didn't come on the right day to try the chicken, and it looks like they don't do brisket at all, which is a damned shame. Also, the plate that the chocolate cream meringue pie came on smelled of dishwater, and the smell kind of got into the pie. :-/ But even the vegetarian in our group was a happy monkey, so yeah. I know my friend who lives near here will start bringing her husband now that we've found it.
(4)
Heidi W.
UPDATE: Just re-read this and changed it to 5 stars! If any restaurant deserves 5 stars, it's this one!! Best Roast Beef- period. Best Mac & Cheese-period. Best Strawberry Pie-period. Best Jalapeno Cheese Grits. PERIOD. Only reason this favorite spot of mine doesn't get 5 stars, is because it's not open 24 hours a day!
(5)
Ally W.
My mom convinced me to go after searching for food places in Nashville that had been on the food network, Since we had just moved to the area and I love southern food, I was happy to give it a try and I was not disappointed! I got the ham, mac and cheese yams and corn pudding all were delicious. The sweet tea was amazing and I also had the peach pie which was FANTASTIC! my husband had all of the same but the chicken and dumplings, which I preferred the ones at Cracker Barrel. All in all it's definitely a place we will come back to, and we will bring our guests. I just wish they are open on weekends!
(5)
Adele n.
You know what's amazing about these meat-plus-three places? The wide array of incredible vegetarian options. Arnold's will serve you a plate of four heaping helpings of delicious sides plus cornbread for $6.60. Good Lordy! I had mashed potatoes (smooth, buttery goodness); mac and cheese (creamy and awesome); turnip greens (to die and/or kill for); and green beans (peppery kick!) This was without a doubt the best meal of my recent roadtrip, which involved yummy eats from all over the south. Fun, casual, cafeteria style. Be prepared to wait in line for lunch. So worth it.
(5)
Alicia J.
Arnold's provided us with a great early lunch while maintaining the prices one would expect at a buffet-style restaurant. I'd say they bring buffet food to the next level. We initially arrived at 9:00, as some other websites state that they open at 6:00AM. We were further confused by their door sign saying 10:_0 (missing a number), but after some waiting, we were admitted at 10:30, when Arnold's actually opens. The procurement system is a buffet where you move down the line choosing desserts, sides, salads, bread, mains and drinks, in roughly that order. This kept things moving rather quickly. We ordered meatloaf and roast beef as our mains; fried green tomatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and a strawberry bacon spinach salad as our sides; sweet tea, cornbread, and rolls; and finally chocolate pie for dessert. That's a lot for two people at a very reasonable price of $23. The meats were very good and cooked well. Both roast beef and meatloaf gets prepared in mass, so we figured them to be the best choices for a buffet. Still, I wish I had splurged on the fried catfish in retrospect. The real stars of the meal turned out to be the sides. I never expect much of green beans, but these were something special. Slightly spicy and meaty from being cooked with some pork (I think), I found myself finishing the beans before I took more than a bite of the meatloaf. The mashed potatoes were creamy and served with ample gravy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded admirably and gave a satisfying crunch to accompany the tartness of the tomato. They were better than any fried green tomato I had in Atlanta. Both the cornbread (cooked like a pancake) and the rolls were tasty. The chocolate pie was extraordinarily rich and a very nice completion to the meal. Arnold's has a menu which rotates daily which makes me sad to say I am leaving Nashville tomorrow!
(5)
Susan W.
I really like the place. The Fried Green Tomato is very unique and definitely have a flavor of its own.
(4)
Peter K.
Yep...still the best damn meat & 3 in Nashville. See the picture for today's meal...be sure to ask for corn bread fresh off the grill....trust me.
(5)
Michael S.
My wife and I found this hole in the wall restaurant. It's really good, it was on the food network show Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins. After checking Yelp it seemed like everyone loved it. Their menu changes daily, so you may want to call ahead. It is set up assembly line style. Grab a tray, move along the line, tell the person on the other side of the counter what you want. We had the chicken it was delicious. Some of the best chicken I've had. All fantastic country cooking. The decor is not that great, it's not that nice inside. It is less than appealing. Don't let this change your mind about trying it though. Two people can eat for 20 bucks, that's food, drinks, and desert. I recommend the pecan pie, chicken and any of the sides(mashed potatoes and mac & cheese).
(4)
Sally B.
I am a huge fan and would return every single day if diabetes didn't run in my family. Main course: the best soul food. You cannot leave without trying the Fried Green Tomatoes! When I went, I had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, and the squash casserole. The roast beef was not extraordinary, but it was the best I have had in town. The fried green tomatoes were the highlight. You get a small bowl of fried green tomato slices. Exceptional. It tastes like home grown tomatoes! It was amazing. The squash casserole was great, again the best in town. Dessert: I had the chocolate pie for dessert. It was a lot of food so that was probably a mistake. But it was delicious, not too sweet but very satisfying! Drinks: they have sweet tea and lemonade :) Atmosphere: friendly. Everyone is so nice, cashiers, cooks, everyone. People dining there are often business men/women that work nearby. Tips: Show up early; it gets busy around lunch. Order the fried green tomatoes! :)
(5)
Paul P.
Oh Arnold's, how I love you so. Mondays they have blackened tilapia. I know, you're like, whuh, blackened tilapia at a meat & three? And I'm like, yeah buddy, and you're like, holy crap, this is awesome. The end. Or, I'm like, I'm going for a veggie-4-plate today, and you're like, what are you, a wussy? And I'm like, nay, a real man eats his Greens, just look at Popeye. And you're like, truth. Line moves fast, meal is $10, and there's lots of iced tea, if you're into that kind of thing.
(5)
Joshua P.
Whoa. Lived in Nashville for 3 years before I got myself over here. That was a mistake. I'll be coming here a couple times a month for the rest of my life from now on. Best brisket I have ever had. Definitely earned their James Beard Award.
(5)
Travis B.
After hearing about Arnold's for months, I finally checked it out with a friend. I was blown away. Being from southern Alabama, I've had my share of good soul food. But this place took it up a notch. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans...all incredible. If you live in Nashville or visit Nashville, you've got to check out Arnold's.
(5)
Kristen W.
Happened to be in Nashville on a Friday afternoon, and decided to take advantage and check out Arnold's while it was open. We walked the mile from our downtown hotel in the 100+ degree heat and I am very happy to say it was worth it. While waiting in line, I was convinced by a man eating that I needed to get the fried shrimp. I also got the fried green tomatoes, asparagus, and candied yams. For dessert, peach pie. Hubs got the lunch special BBQ beef on a jalapeno grit cake, + his 3 sides, and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm. Everything was excellent. Believe the hype. You don't earn 2 James beard awards for being mediocre. I hope to make it back someday, the sooner the better.
(5)
April S.
Is it a dump? Yes. Is parking a pain in the butt? Absolutely. Do I wish I could blink and make it come directly to me, hot and ready? Of course! Is it worth it? Hell, yes. Arnold's in an institution in Nashville and rightly so. I've eaten there more times than I would like to admit. Each time it is delectable; an out of body experience, really. The fried green tomatoes are delicious and flavorful, the roast beef nice and pink, the mashed potatoes and green beans are out of this world,!! Heck, even the simple sliced tomatoes are yummy--you can tell they are super fresh! I'm a true southerner and have grown up eating the good stuff, well prepared right from our garden. This is southern cooking at it's finest--no canned soups here. Oh, and don't forget chocolate or pecan pie. It's delicious!
(5)
Steven S.
Arnold's is an awesome meat and three. It is definitely the best one in all of Nashville. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I am partial to their homemade chicken and dumplings. Also you have got to try their banana pudding. Mmmm good!
(5)
Hoa T.
A must eat if you are ever in Nashville. I feel like I actually live here now that I have eaten at Arnold's. Cafeteria style, the line may be long but it moves quickly. I had the roast beef, greens, asparagus, and cucumbers. Everything was great and hey I finished in like 10 minutes. Great for lunch.
(4)
Kristen D.
Let me begin by saying, I read the reviews and did not believe that it could be true. My mom throws down, my grandmother is a cooking fool, and my great-grandmother NEVER played in the kitchen. So I KNOW good soul food when I taste it. I thought this must be some city folks that have never had a real meal before. I was wrong. Arnold's is some of the best everything I've ever had....in my life...believe it. The place is packed tight, but moves quickly. The building itself is nothing to speak of but seriously with food this good I'd buy it out of somebody's trunk! Go! Its at a great value for the meat and three around 7 dollars a plates. Sweet patato pie is a killer! Greens...OMG...even the sweet tea is amazing.... You will love this place....
(5)
Devil D.
My 45 minutes in Arnold's yesterday was the most blissful, stress-free interlude I have had in a very long time. Once I sat down and started eating the mere-words-can't-do-it-justice food, my cares and worries disappeared. I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it's really true. And another thing: I dislike vegetables and eat them begrudgingly (for my health), yet I am still thinking about the phenomenal turnip greens and fried green tomatoes that I ate there.
(5)
Sara L.
things to do when planning to go to Arnold's: 1. be prepared for the line. If you are on your own, talk to the people in line. Swap favorite Arnold's foods and think about what you'll order. 2. If its raining--bring an umbrella, because you may be standing outside. 3. Remember the line moves fast--particularly important once you can smell the food inside and start to get hungry! 4. Come on an empty stomach, because you will want to try everything and there is lots to try!!! At Arnold's: 1. check out the specials--when I was there they had an amazing asparagus with tarragon sauce. very good. 2. I also had roast beef (excellent), macaroni and cheese and turnip greens. I liked them all--the turnip greens were amazing against the richness of the cheese and the roast beef was great. The yeast rolls were good, but mainly to soak up the roast beef gravy and extra tarragon sauce. 3. Eat some pie. I tried the chocolate, which tasted like a s'more. Next time I would try the peach, which the person next to me said was amazing. 4. Which is another thing to note--you should talk to people in line and be prepared to share a table. Chat with those people too--you can get ideas for what you want to eat next time. 5. Finally, happy and full, bus your table. There are a lot of people coming through and only a few people working to keep the tables clear. So be kind and take your stuff to the back on your own.
Best meat and three in Nashville and it is not even close.
(5)
Randy C.
Meat and Three. Great people work here. It is a bit intimidating to be in line and not even know what is available as you approach the food area and the guy wants to know what you want. The good news, it is all tasty stuff. Line moves fast. People leave tables fast.
(5)
Chyng H.
As soon as we landed at the Nashville airport, we drove straight to Arnold's Kitchen. It was our first stop and we planned it before we even boarded the plane. You walk into this place and you will see all a diverse crowd - men in business suits, tourists, students...everyone loves this place. It is cafeteria style and the daily specials and menu are all on the wall on the right. Be prepared to order, the staff runs the line like a well oiled machine! I've been told I've never had "proper fried green tomatoes" so I definitely had an order. The coating was perfectly crunchy, not too greasy, and the well seasoned. It set the bar for me as far as fried green tomatoes go! The macaroni and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes were also amazing. I'm more of a veggie sides (and yes, I consider mac & cheese to be a veggie side) so I walked away from Arnold's very full!
(5)
Heath C.
I loved this place! The food was so delicious and the staff is awesome! My wife and I came here at noon and there was a line that stretched out the door (that's a good sign!) and was filled with all kinds of people, from police, judges, business people, college students, tourists etc. I ordered the fried grouper, greens, mac & cheese, corn pancake, strawberry peace pie and a coke. The food was so tasty and hot and the dessert was fresh and delicious. I was very impressed with the food! The staff here are great. They're always walking by and checking on you. They were fast and helpful and never stopped smiling. Though there was a super long line, we were able to get through, order and sit down in about 15 minutes. If you visit Nashville, you gotta try this place!
(5)
Elliott W.
Like everyone else, I was well pleased with my Arnold's experience. All meat and 3's will forever be compared to Arnold's and even the best of the rest (like Barbara's) won't stack up. Fried green tomatoes are a must. Everything else is excellent. Make your way back until you've tried it all.
(5)
Adam S.
If I was forced to pick my absolute favorite restaurant in Nashville, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Arnold's. Every time I go, I leave in a food coma (that's a good thing) that I don't want to wake up from. Not only is the food stellar, but the staff is some of the nicest people you'll meet. I just feel at home there.
(5)
Catherine S.
Definitely the best Southern dining in Nashville (beating out loveless cafe and others). It's a friendly, family-owned establishment and the food is spectacular! They even have RC cola fountain drinks... pretty amazingly Southern. The first time we went there, I had the fried grouper which was awesome. The batter on the fish was extremely light (like a beer batter), and all of the sides are delish (especially the corn pudding, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and mac & cheese). Their rolls are also to die for. During our meal, one of the family sons came to eat with us (Franz). Overall, it's an amazing experience... also a great way to meet new people because you might have to sit next to someone you don't know because it's usually a packed house.
(5)
Totcho J.
I stopped in here on my cross country drive, and nearly decided to call Nashville my new home. That is how wonderful the food is. I went with the roast beef, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie. I'm planning a return trip just to eat here a dozen more times.
(5)
Kendyl M.
Everything we had was delicious! Green beans, Mac n cheese, ribs, cat fish, chicken and dumplings. The banana pudding definitely lives up to the hype! Pecan pie and peach pie were yummy too. There was a fairly long line when we pulled up but it went by really quick and we got a seat as soon as we got our food.
(5)
Amber Y.
It's a good thing I'm off work today - because after lunch at Arnold's, I'm in severe need of a nap (and that's a good thing). Arnold's is a classic meat & 3. But, instead of being one of those where you leave and say, "yeah, that was pretty good", you swear your grandmother works in the kitchen. Leave the salt and pepper on the table - the food is perfectly seasoned and doesn't need a thing. My recommendation? You HAVE to get the roast beef. A. It's amazing and B. The guy slicing it is adorable (I think he's one of the sons?). Shut up! He is! You really can't go wrong with anything you get - the mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes . . . they're all wonderful. The only mistake I could possibly see someone making would be to get a side salad. Have a salad later. The food is too good at Arnold's too fill up precious belly space with nonsense like lettuce. Nap time!
(5)
Jay M.
How can I eat another plate of southern comfort food without being disappointed? This was the question I asked myself after finishing my meal at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The James Beard Awards will never steer you wrong. I arrived at 1:15 PM and the line was out the door, but I didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes to order. Everyone behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. I ordered the meat and 3 with roast beef, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and jalapeño cheese grits (veggie special of the day), as well as a slice of the spicy chocolate pie (per Yelp reviews) and a sweet tea to help wash down the mountain of food in front of me (after all, when is a displaced easterner going to be back in Nashville again?). Every bite was a mix of rich flavors that comforted me to my core. The traditional bitterness of the turnip greens was replaced with a smoky, savory plate of a vegetable that could please even the staunchest meat and carb lovers. The mac and cheese was everything you'd expect it to be: cheesy and thick with a little kick of heat to cut through the dairy. My personal favorite was the jalapeño cheddar grits. These grits were essentially a vessel to shovel as much cheese into your body as humanly possible, and boy did I love them! If there wasn't a slight graininess to the grits, I would have thought I was eating mac and cheese. The roast beef was solid and well cooked, but at the end of the day, good roast beef is good roast beef, and the sides stole the show. I didn't have room for the spicy chocolate pie, but thankfully I have a dessert stomach (medical miracle, I know). This pie is essentially a brownie baked inside a pie crust, but the heat that hits you 5 seconds after you swallow your bite of pie is surprising, if not reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. Oh, and that sweet tea? Not overly sweet and the perfect way to "cleanse your palate" during a fantastic meal. Let me tell you something, dear Yelpers, I was so full and happy after my meal, I could have been mistaken for a stuffed animal at the toy store. Well, a stuffed animal who started asking some metaphysical questions on the nature of food. How could I have eaten grits or greens so many times in my life and yet never had anything that tasted quite like this? After eating at Arnold's Country Kitchen, you will be disappointed with every other rendition of grits or greens that you find. Yelpers, you have been warned.
(5)
Justin W.
Arnold's has the best Fried Green Tomatoes I've ever had, anywhere. There is nowhere better, not even close. Multiple attempts at recreating these at home have failed. Multiple attempts to stealthily install hidden cameras at Arnold's have also failed. Multiple attempts to break in after hours to find the recipe have...been marginally successful? Alright, they all failed, and resulted in an arrest record, and many hours of community service, and an unsolicited prison tattoo that has made wearing shorts outside an act of public indecency. But seriously, they are very good. Aside from the Fried Green Tomatoes, it's the only meat-and-three type place I've been to where the mashed potatoes didn't start with a bag of freeze-dried potato flakes. These are the kind of mashed potatoes my mom makes. The only day of the week I eat here is on Fridays, and I get the same thing every time: roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. One of the highlights of my Fridays is when my girlfriend brings Arnolds for lunch and we can just spend our lunch break eating good southern food together. It's just straightforward great southern cooking, and that's really all you need to know to try this place out, and then come back for more. One thing, though: they're only open for lunch. That's the only bad news.
(5)
AM S.
Let me start by explaining this was not what I expected. Such high reviews and it was nothing more than a disappointment. It was about $8.00 a person and the service was LOUSY! The last piece of pie was refused to me because the server wanted it for himself! The food itself was mediocre and unless you're going there for "the experience" I wouldn't recommend going here to anyone. I went to this restaurant because it was on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and in my opinion, Guy Fieri made a mistake.
(2)
Aaron D.
Another awesome lunch at Arnold's. Tried the kielbasa for the first time and it hit the spot. Turnip greens and creamed corn were fantastic as usual. Banana pudding is my usual sweet treat, but I had heard the pecan pie was can't miss and it was indeed the best slice I've had in TN so far. Plus I feel much more confident in our state's leadership after knowing that Governor Haslam eats at Arnold's. The Gov happened to be sitting directly behind me and he graciously welcomed all the visitors who stopped by (myself included) to shake his hand and wish him well in his efforts to lead our state forward. So that was cool. And I got a sweet tea refill tableside which rarely happens (usually in my experience refills are self-serve), so I just sorta felt extra special all day.
(5)
Scott N.
i ate at arnold's twice in my week-long stint in nashville and i almost cried it was so damn good. love the walkthrough line and the slop-it-on-the-plate attitude. get there early b/c the line will be out the door by 11:30. great sweet tea, great service. this place has it going on. it's everything i could ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(5)
Dint I.
Remarkable. Absolutely bbq ribs order again!!!!
(5)
Kara M.
What's not to love at Arnold's? My family and I chanced upon this little treasure on a business trip to Nashville. The place was not hard to find but you have to keep an eye out for it since it's just a small building in a side of downtown one won't normally head to. Good thing the red and yellow of ARNOLD'S pops right out. Parking was easy. There was a line once we got inside but which moved fairly quickly for our hungry tummies. We were lucky enough to snag a table and save it while in line for our food. Imagine our surprise when we saw the spray painted stenciled in face of Guy Fieri and he'd visited the place for DD&D! That certainly upped our excitement and we were not disappointed at all. The people in front of us were friendly and eager to suggest their favorites (everything). The staff was friendly, the son of the owner was friendly, the busmen were friendly. Again I ask: "What's not to love at Arnold's?" They are open M-F from 10:30 am - 2:30pm. I read a sign that they cater, too. They have certain foods that are served on certain days so be sure to check if you're craving for a particular food. What we had: - Cornbread pancakes - Oh. My. Gosh. - Roast Beef - To die for. Really. This is the best roast beef I've ever had (Sorry, Papa, yours is good but theirs is just..... the bomb). - Mashed potatoes - Not too thick, just the right consistency and hecka tasty. - Green beans - This is also the best I've ever had. Even my toddler (who used to eat veggies without any hassle but is sadly not the same anymore) loved them! Granted, I did mash most of it into the potatoes but she didn't mind the green color at all. In fact, she kept saying Mmmm and More please! - Sweet tea was delish. We mixed it with some of the lemonade we got which I'm not afraid to say is one of the lightest drinks with just the right amount of sugar. Yum. This was one of the best eats on my first trip to Tennessee. Makes me want to come back all the more. I keep telling anyone who would listen to me to go to Arnold's if they ever find themselves in TN. I'm definitely going to make my way back.
(5)
Lee B.
I will give this a 5 star review because I have not experienced a country style cafeteria meal in a very long time. The food was amazing and the prices were great. Very simple, clean and friendly atmosphere. I had black-eyed peas, corn bread, beef brisket and green beans. Unfortunately the day I was there wasn't a day that they offer fried green tomatoes but maybe next time. PROS -CLEAN -FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE -VERY GOOD SOUL FOOD -PLENTY OF PARKING CONS -A TAD CROWDED BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN
(5)
S C.
After living in the northeast for a few years, Arnold's definitely reminded me of what eating in the south is all about. Very traditional preparations (not all of which I am crazy about for lunch-- lots of lard, bacon, grease). The service is friendly, the location is easy to get to from downtown and the food is authentic.
(4)
Carolyn F.
I can't rave enough about this place. It's not just the food, but the whole experience. I wish we had this sort of place in SF, though its charm probably derives a lot from Southern hospitality. We got here around noon on a Friday and the line was out the door. But it moved very fast and soon enough I was picking up my tray near the counter and shouting my meat-and-three order. From the Friday menu, I opted for meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes = Amazing! These are not to be missed! My companion got the chicken fried steak (a special, not on the printed menu), mac & cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes & gravy. The steak came with a blue cheese sauce, and it was delicious and better than my meatloaf (which was still good). The collard greens were tasty, the green beans were not, and the mac & cheese was nice and buttery. Everything was just a nice representation of what you want Southern food to be. Everyone is extremely friendly, which I suppose is important when you sit at communal tables. It wasn't hard to find seating though the place was crowded.
(5)
Josh M.
Arnold's is consistently great. They never let me down. This place is hands down the best "Meat and Three" in town. Honestly, I think it's the best "Lunch if You Don't Have to Work in the Afternoon Spot" in town. My most recent meal there consisted of BBQ Beef on a Cornbread Cake with Fried Green Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad. With Sweet Tea to wash it down, I was in heaven...thankfully, I had taken a half-day off work.
(5)
Iris T.
Came here looking for an authentic Southern meal and came out full but not exactly satiated. I happened to come here on a Friday so I decided to get the roast beef with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. All three diff types of food on my plate were salty and I found myself tearing through the rolls of bread just to alleviate the saltiness. Looking at the reviews, maybe I just came on a bad day but I'm willing to give it another shot on any future visits to Nashville.
(2)
Andrea F.
Comfort food doesn't get any better than this! If you are lucky enough to make it on Fried Green Tomato Day, you must try them!
(5)
Mark L.
I'd come back again even if I had to wait in line for another thirty minutes. It's worth it
(4)
Chris S.
Takes AMEX - pretty unusual for a place like this. 3 stars means its pretty good. I'll give it 4 for the simple review of taste. The creole meatloaf tasted good. The banana pudding tasted good. The white beans tasted beyond good. The mac and cheese tasted pretty good. Comparatively, this place is a solid 3 stars - I've been to too many country/soul food places to place the taste of the food in the realm of great. The service, however, was.
(4)
Steph H.
If ever there were a place worthy of skipping work for, Arnold's is it. I have long lamented that they are only opened during the week and only for lunch since they're not really near my daytime haunts and I come from a one-car household. But, this past Friday my husband and I decided to take a three-day weekend to celebrate our four-year anniversary and as part of the celebration we FINALLY went to Arnold's for lunch. I feel pretty awful that I've lived in Nashville for six years and this was my first time visiting... but certainly not the last! Given that this was a traditional meat and three, I was surprised to read that they open at 10:30, as I don't know many people who eat lunch that early. Still, we got there at 10:45 and a line was already forming. By the time we finished our meal ( a little after 11), the line was almost out the door! Since they're only open for lunch, I guess people are willing to wait for the food and the earlier you get there, the better! And really, is there ever a meal at which mac and cheese or pecan pie isn't welcome? If so, I don't want any part of it. Service is cafeteria style: you sidle up to counter with your bright orange tray and tell the server behind the counter what meat and sides you want. I got the meatloaf, turnip greens, and mac & cheese. My husband got the chicken & dumplings, the mac & cheese, and the fried green tomatoes. Everything was really tasty, but I have to give special mention to the FGTs: so crisp and crunchy and I LOVE that they put rosemary in the seasoning. We also got a slice of pecan pie and coconut crunch pie for dessert and both were extremely good (and I am a hardcore pecan pie fan), but the CC pie was especially addictive... I'd happily go back just for that! At first I thought the servings might have been a bit stingy, but the food is extremely rich and by the end I was pleasantly full and already planning my return trip! As we were leaving, my husband remarked that Arnold's is pretty much the epitome of everything that is great about the South. The food was solid, some of it very good, though some items were not the best iteration I've had. That said, the service is really what puts this place over the top as everyone is so friendly and warm. The man who was bussing tables actually opened the door for us when we came in, and was pleasantly chatty with us throughout our meal. We really felt welcome and like this place was brimming with love. It just goes to show that a restaurant doesn't have to be fancy in order to be successful. In the end, all I can say is that Arnold's is where I'll be going whenever I need a little Southern Hospitatily.
(5)
Lisa H.
After seeing Diners Drive ins and Dives recommendation and that they were a James Beard Award winning place, I decided to take my mom there when she flew in for a visit. So glad I did! Not much to look at, but I expected that. The food was fantastic! LOVED the mac and cheese! My husband was in love with the banana pudding and my mom loved the chicken and everything too! I use a walker and one of the employees found a table (the place is very long and narrow) where they could put us and not have my walker too much in the way and everyone was just so nice! We were actually seated with some other men who were just finishing up their meal. Thanks Arnold's for helping make my mom's visit successful!
(5)
Josh K.
Best meat and three in the country and I stand by this with my life. it is amazing food and friendly people. one of the best lunches in town.
(5)
Megan W.
Loved it. My family's from Georgia. Southern food is a part of the foundation of my life. The food here is the real deal. One of my chicken thighs was too salty, but hey, that happens. I'm talking strictly from the theory behind the food. It's dead...on. The cornbread walks a solid line between sweet and savory styles, the mashed potatoes (actually whipped) are quality and the collards are slow cooked as proper, Southern collards should be. The roast beef was GREAT. I'd never had chess pie before, but this was fun. Be prepared for a Southern take on the use of sugar here...the tea is like candy and the pie will keep you up for hours, but it's authentic. I don't usually comment on service because I eat for the food, but everybody was great. They overfilled my tea and splashed some on the tray but promptly cleaned it up, while replacing a couple of slightly wet napkins and apologizing. I would have done it myself, but the fact that they noticed was cool. I was sad I didn't get to try the seafood. Definitely will if I'm back in the area though.
(5)
Fritz N.
While I don't think this place needs another stellar review, I can't help myself. I spent two days in Nashville and ate here twice. Every bite of everything I ate was delicious. And people that worked there were so nice, I couldn't believe it. Line out the door around noon and the line moved quickly. Can't wait to eat here again.
(5)
Rebecca G.
Read the fellow Yelper's reviews and decided to try this place while in Nashville for the Rock and Roll Marathon. I walked in and was surprised that it was cafeteria style dining, but OMG! the food was great! Home made Southern food at its finest! I ordered the meat and 3 sides, plus a salad, plus pie, plus a sweet tea.... again, OMG! all of it was FANTASTIC!! The meat was sliced thin and had such great flavor. The fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had. The mashed taters and grits with a kick were again... FANTASTIC!! The staff was OUT OF THIS WORLD FRIENDLY and HELPFUL when I told them I was a first timer... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ARNOLD'S if you want GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD at a GREAT PRICE!!!
(5)
Carin M.
Never been to Nashville and everyone said this was a "must". We were concerned by the line - but it moved quick and everyone was RIGHT. Food is amazing. We ate everything on our plates and all of us thought it was delicious. Catfish is to die for with hush puppies, greens, and fried green tomatoes. And had to finish off lunch with pecan pie. This is southern food at it's best and a must stop if you are visiting Nashville!
(5)
Michelle A.
The food may be good but you can get great meat and three anywhere in Nashville. The owner is so rude that I could not believe it. After eating we started to do some shopping in the adjacent shops and were told that we would have to MOVE OUR CAR. Clearly there is some bad blood among the neighbors but that shouldn't extend to the customers. The other 2 shops in the building were super nice and apologized for the rudeness. I would rather spend my money where it is appreciated!
(1)
Billy P.
Finally made the plunge into Arnold's Country Kitchen. It must be good because the "don't you leave until you see me" Kia commercial guy was at the table next to me. Ha ha. Seriously though. If you're away from home and need some comforting, then this is the place to go. Just great home cooking served with a smile. Awesome.
(5)
Kate M.
This wasn't a normal visit, so keep that in mind... We heard great things about Arnold's but only had one day to get to it. We arrived at 2:40, 10 minutes after they closed for the day. We were still hopeful and rushed in but were told that it was too late. As we started to turn away, the owner asked where we were from and said that since it was so far away (DC), she couldn't turn us away hungry. She offered us a takeout container that she had packed for her husband - catfish and black eyed peas - and the staff pulled together salad with homemade dressing and sweet tea. After she refused our money, we gobbled it all down while chatting with the owner and various staff members as they cleaned up around us. I'm relieved that we didn't have to choose what we were ordering - it was all absolutely perfect. This was one of the most hospitable experiences I've had - what a warm, wonderful place, on top of the delicious, fresh-tasting food. Arnold's is top-notch!
(5)
Christine O.
Loved the food ! First visit to Nashville ... will be back to Arnolds . Was well worth waiting in line which moved quickly. The staff & service was outstanding. Try the fried green tomatoes !
(5)
Mari K.
Absolutely delicious! Perfect welcome to Nashville. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes and okra.
(4)
Maxx M.
It took me three attempts to get a chance to eat at this Nashville institution. They are only open from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and were closed the first two times I went there. But finally around noon on the third try, I got a chance to see what the fuss was all about. Although it was a little crowed, the food was good and the staff friendly. I had baked chicken, squash, fried okra, mac-n-cheese, and sweet tea, a meal so good that I ordered a second meal to-go, to eat the "next" day. Seating can be a little bit of a challenge during the lunch hour, but it's worth enduring. The next time I'll try to make it a little earlier, or closer to 2pm, so I can get a seat.
(4)
Tom J.
Yummy comfort food. Pulled roast beef was the best. Staff was nice. Get there at 10:30 or prepare to wait in long line.
(5)
Liz H.
Love me some southern comfort food! This is the type of restaurant I grew up going to with the family. Menu changes daily, so you might want to do your research if you plan to go there for something in particluar, but there are a couple of offerings each day and I looove the collard greens, fried green tomatoes, & chicken livers. That's right. I said chicken livers. I came here frequently in my last month of pregnancy craving this nutritious source of iron, zinc,vitamin B6, B12, folate & more!
(5)
Lauren H.
A solid stop on the Nashville food tour that we have been on since arriving. The staff is incredibly attentive and sweet (like their great sweet tea). The Roast Beef is not to be beat, and the sides are all solid! We tried the Mac and Cheese, cole slaw, green beans, corn bread, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. Of those I highly recommend the cole slaw, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. Must have the pecan pie!!
(4)
Danielle S.
Favorite food in Nashville. And we have great food here. Cafeteria style. Meat and 3. DELICIOUS southern food. All the meats and all the sides have been amazing. It's such a cool atmosphere. They serve different things on different days but I can't imagine you'd ever be disappointed in your options. Just go try it and taste how amazing it is.
(5)
Kayla H.
I think this place speaks for itself. The best meat-and-three in the area! A must-go for out-of-town visitors especially. The peach cobbler was particularly delicious. The other diners and the staff were super nice too. Coming here made me miss Nashville for all the right reasons. :)
(5)
Kristie A.
Line goes by pretty fast. I'm a Nashville native but I still waited in line in the midst of other tourists. Food changes every week so call before coming if there's a particular meal you'd like to try. Don't save spots either. By the time you get to the end of the line, you'll have a table. Don't worry about that! Get their chocolate pudding. it is soooo delicious. The price is just right with the amount of food that you get. Try to avoid lunch rush!
(4)
Tim G.
This is one of the truly amazing meat and three type places that absolutely make your mouth water. I come here all the time for work, as it's not far from the office. I suggest you get there early, or plan to wait in line. The Mac and Cheese is the best side. The Roast beef is the best meat. And DO NOT FORGET to get banana pudding! You will not be sorry. You can thank me later.
(5)
Vickie R.
Honestly, we had so much good food in Nashville that was way fancier and way more expensive, but my meal at Arnold's is still my favorite. I came down to the South to get the southern food that I had missed, and this is now my new gold standard. There are no bells and whistles to the cafeteria style Arnold's Country Kitchen, only excellent food that I will have a hard time finding something comparable to. Everyone in the town of Nashville obviously knows this place is amazing too, as we arrived at 11 and there was already a "short" line, and the people never stopped coming, it was literally out the door. Since it's cafeteria style, we didn't have to wait on any waiters. You get your food, sit down, eat, and leave. We were in and out in half an hour. The bussers are really good with cleaning up as soon as you leave for the next patrons because the line is unending. My "bar" for any southern meal to be measured against - fried chicken (all dark meat), mashed potatoes with gravy, mac & cheese, and greens. There were many other things I could've tried, but as a reviewer, those are my staples. Everything met my expectations of good southern food and then some. The chicken was fried to a golden brown and delicious, the meat was still juicy and tender. The mac was creamy, the mashed taters weren't powdery, the gravy isn't bland (in fact, flavorful), and the greens still had texture to it and the broth it was cooked in was delicious. Even with an iced tea, it was barely $10. That was the perfect meal to end my trip to Nashville.
(5)
Marcin S.
Honestly, I believe it is over-hyped. The food is good, but for our tastes most of the dishes were significantly too salty and as far as chicken and dumplings were concerned, the restaurant went overboard with black pepper. The price is right, though and I believe we got a good value for our money. We got roast beef, BBQ chicken, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes + chocolate pie and banana pudding. Out of these, we liked our meats and fried green tomatoes. The rest were OK. Deserts were very rich and slightly too sweet for us. The place is open only for lunch and is quite popular - it took us more than 30 minutes to get in. It has a bit of a school cafeteria feel and if you are looking for spotless cleanness, this is not the place. As we came there at noon, before we got to the counter, they run out of many dishes already (no fried catfish, shrimp or beans for us...) I am sure, that if we came on a slightly less busy day and it was not so excruciatingly hot outside (half an hour in blazing, Southern sun at ~100 F does not make one very enthusiastic), our perception could have been different. To sum up: it is a decent place, but we will not be coming back, at least not in summer...
(3)
Aliza R.
Omg best home style cooking food ever!! Don't worry abt the line it goes by so quick! The roast beef is to die for!! The mac and cheese and grubby potatoes are awesome! The banana pudding is out if this world!! This is should be in everyone ones bucket list if good eats!! Can't be in Nashville & not come here
(5)
Michael U.
Items Selected: Fried Grouper Chicken n' Dumplings White Beans Candied Yams Mac n' Cheese Corn Muffin Pancake Banana Pudding Chess Pie Pecan Pie Leaving a fair amount of breakfast from Pancake Pantry on the table before heading north to Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills mall it was after several hours of walking and shopping that we returned to downtown Nashville for a two-part lunch, the first stop seeing our trio just beat the crowd at Beard Award Winning Arnold's, a landmark cafeteria-styled luncheonette fabled by locals and tourists alike. Open in its current format for nearly as long as I've been alive and featuring Southern Classics in a setting where communal seating always at a premium, Arnold's sits next to a rather sizable parking lot in a rapidly gentrifying area along 8th Ave and with rotating daily specials plus several standby signatures the only real question is how long a wait and what to order - our answers to this being no time at all, and two "Meat & 2s" plus bread and three plates of sweets in our case. Not particularly renowned for their service, the staff left to navigate a rather narrow space behind steamer tables brimming with choices as line cooks worked feverishly at their backs, it is perhaps fortunate that many selections are of the 'help yourself' variety while mains and hot sides are scooped and slopped on plates to be stacked on trays, a bit of persistence needed in our case to get the chicken n' dumplings that we'd ordered as the woman taking orders turned her attention elsewhere immediately after scooping up some candied yams and white beans. Undoubtedly the most affordable meal of the trip, a whole lot of homestyle cuisine served up for just a shade over twenty bucks, it was immediately after sitting down that we tucked in and although both the pancake and cornbread were almost insufferably dry everything else on the plate was reference standard cafeteria grub - not the sort of 'upscale American' being peddled for top dollar elsewhere, just flaky fish beneath golden batter and rich stock with tender noodles and chicken plus the sort of sides you'd associate with holidays at Grandma's house - the smoky beans particularly delicious, while the yams were sweet enough that they could have served as dessert themselves. Moving onward to proper desserts, an older African American man circulating to refill beverages and clear trays in order to promptly seat new patrons, those fancying Southern staples would be well served to visit Arnold's if only for some pudding and pie, the former a 'Nilla wafer studded homemade iteration with stick-a-spoon-up-straight thickness and the later a tossup between Pecan and Chess as to which was better, the former almost purely nuts without much filler while the later was amongst the most creamy I've tasted despite a top that was cooked till cracking, an absolute steal at just $2.75.
(4)
Zlata P.
This place reminded me of home, since cafeteria style restaurants are still pretty big in Russia. Be ready to wait in line, but it will be worth it. They serve a different variety every day, the menu is on the door. Just grab a tray and pick what you like. I had meatloaf with side of mashed potatoes, some greens and a bread pudding. Southern comfort at its best! Meatloaf was delicious and the creole gravy was perfect. One of the best greens I've had too! So so good! Definitely check it out while in Nashville. It's close to the Gulch and downtown as well, so it's easy to squeeze it in, if you don't have much time in Nashville
(5)
Lin G.
The line out the door was an excruciating one. A sure sign of quality right? Well... I guess the rumor from the couple in front of us is that this place was featured on some tv show and hence its fame. A lady cutting so-called Georgia peaches kept us distracted and proffered samples of her peaches, which can be purchased at $8 in cash for a brown paper bag of who knows how many peaches (maybe 3?) and who knows what quality are in the bags. Walking in, I felt like hot air has been blown up my ass in the form of hype. THANK YOU YELP, YOU ASSHOLES. Piles of dirty dishes on dirty trays were strewn across dirty tables like orc carcasses left after a Lord of the Rings battle. A single elderly male worker meandered about, SLOWLY collecting the dirty dishes and stacking the used trays around the room, leaving huge tracts of tables just totally unattended with dirty dishes and trays piled 3-6 stacks deep, caked with half eaten food. His lethargic pace was so slow it was almost impressive, especially considering the amount of people eating and waiting to eat here. The portion sizes were very modest and I tried the roast beef, some sort of candied vegetable, and the fried green tomatoes. The roast beef was okay but nothing to write home about and doled out in meager servings. The candied veggies, well, I think they could drizzle that syrup over poison ivy and it'd probably taste pretty decent. The fried green tomatoes was the most flavorful and interesting. It was definitely my favorite thing here. I tried a bite of the chocolate pie and again, I don't really know what the hype is about. For less that $10 a tray, I guess it's okay. But I would't trust anything I see on television again!
(3)
Josh C.
Highly recommend this place to anyone who has even one meal in the Nashville area. My friend and I were literally talking about it for the entire rest of the trip. Make sure to come hungry and not plan on eating much for the rest of the day! Wonderful place. Highly recommend the chicken and dumplings and the bread pudding.
(5)
Robert J.
Mixed feelings. The food was great, but the way in which I got the food was not. We waited in a good line out in the sun for about 15 minutes, followed by another awkward 10 minutes of standing in line in very close proximity to people as they ate. While eating, I was continuously bumped (sometimes hard) by people standing in the very squished line right behind me. The food was great. The chicken & dumpling soup felt more like a chicken noodle (with big, soft noodles), but it was very good. The Roast beef (sorry I know everyone here has said it) was like a party in my mouth. I'll admit that I was hesitant, because I've never had amazing RB before. However, the sample that I stole from my friend's plate was enough to change my mind! Everything else was very good, but not great. The setup (again) was weird. Cafeteria-style like was disorganized and we weren't clear on what exactly was included or how much it cost. They had some items the menu didn't list and didn't have at least one that the menu said they would. I really didn't care for the little bowls & plates of food that took up my entire tray. I'd rather put multiple items on the same plate. I'd probably come back here, but it was really a pain and an awkward situation. Getting food to go might be a MUCH better idea ;)
(3)
Catherine L.
As Nashvillian (is that a term?) as it gets. If you're visiting, get thee here. Get thee here during the week, as they are sadly closed on the weekends. Get thee here (early) and wait in line. It's worth it. Get thee here and order the Roast Beef (if they have it that day). Get some turnip greens (you must, you must!) Get the mac n' cheese. Fried Green Tomatoes, just because. Then round off the meal, with some amazing Banana pudding, because it's banana pudding. Every bite was delectable. I wiped my plate clean. Sit yourself down, as I did, with a local. Enjoy your lunch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy this amazing local meat and three and savor it all. I'm still dreaming about those amazing turnip greens, and well, everything I ate there too. Perfection.
(5)
Nathan M.
A local landmark. If you want quick delicious southern food, go here. Served cafeteria style with plenty of table seating (family style or booths). Had the 4 vegetable plate: collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes. I devoured all of this in 5 minutes because it was that good. Definitely will plan on coming back.
(4)
Ted C.
What I'm not going to do is repeat what I said earlier. I will say that the food is still the same quality-I want to say that they were skimping a little but it was during the 'winter apocalypse' where it seemed like everyone was storing food, because apparently two inches of snow is like Hoth around here. Anyway, I still got the roast beef with au jus, while my friend got the kielbasa and kraut AND the chicken. Honestly, at a place like this there's really no point in keeping things to yourself. There was so much food between the four of us that we basically got a little of everything off the menu. The fried chicken here was also delicious, skillet fried is time consuming and sometimes you don't get what you want (luckily they had white meat available) but it's definitely worth it. The breading was crisp and the meat succulent and juicy. Definitely glad I brought people here.
(4)
Robert B.
Great quality country food. Meat and three with a great choice of deserts. Try the chocolate pepper pie. You will not regret it.
(5)
Grant J.
If you are visiting Nashville, this is a must and a long time staple of the city. The line is long for a reason, but don't fret...it goes fast and the food is definitely worth it! If you live in Nashville and haven't been, shame on you! I had the chicken and dumplings with a side of Mac n cheese and mash taters and I have been dreaming of it ever since. Can't wait to return on my next visit and try something different as the menu changes daily.
(5)
Monte R.
This place is a mixed bag. The atmosphere was dirty and grungy, I felt like walking into greasy spoon in some nasty part of the city. It was gross. Tables were a mess. The "cleanliness" was a major concern. However, Arnold's delivered on some might tasty food. The sides and brisket were awesome. I just don't get how owners of a place let it get so dirty, with pretty good stream of customers and plenty of revenue, they don't take the time to clean up and remodel the place for modern times.
(3)
Katie U.
Caveat: I am not from the south and so I may just not "get it". But there were three of us eating and not a single one of us said "wow - this is really good" about anything we got. I didn't even eat my leftovers - they were super salty. It's a nice atmosphere - the staff clearly like what they do. And the friendly, crowded atmosphere is fun. It's cool that they have daily menus with several really good-sounding items each day. But I can't say the food was any better than other decent barbeque or meat-and-3s I've been to. The green beans - your normal salty, light green beans cooked in bacon. The country-fried steak - flavorless meat in lots of gravy. The cornbread - the same salty, dry cakes you can get anywhere...
(2)
Dan H.
Arnold's was another in the long list of restaurants I have found in the Road Food book. It is an institution in Nashville. Another place where you will wait in a line. I liked one of the articles that was on the wall that I happened to read while I was waiting in said line. It said something about lines being the great equalizer. Everyone is equal when they are standing in a line. So true. Yet another meat and 3 place. Or a meat and 2. Or just veggies if you prefer to go that route. I was there on a Friday and one of the meat specials was roast beef. Yes please. I was happy to get up there when they were cutting into some of the medium to medium rare meat. Yes, they have someone standing there carving the meat. That is a good thing. Paired that up with some collard greens and mac and cheese along with a slice of pumpkin pie, some dinner rolls and a glass of sweet tea which seemed to be more crushed ice and not so much tea, but I'll get back to that in a bit. I was there by myself so I found a seat at one of the longer tables and ended up being joined by other folks that were on their own. Be prepared to share your space with strangers. That is just how it works here. The roast beef was very tender and very flavorful. Don't know what they rub on it, but it was very good and not too salty. The rest of the meal was very good too. I mentioned about the tea earlier. Do not fret if you get a glass of ice and a small amount of tea. They have a filling station and you can refill your tea as much as you'd like. I ended up filling up before leaving and finding a cover so that I could take it to go. The wait is worth it.
(4)
Sim T.
Real authentic southern food, cholesterol and all. High sodium and high fat, but who cares because you are coming for the true southern soul food experience. The roast beef is on point and the staff is super nice. The sweet tea is basically sugar with a little bit of water. Good meal to have at least once in your life not everyday.
(4)
Rob H.
Roast beef, black eyed peas, baked squash casserole and dressing. Here on vacation and it's a must see if you're ok with no frills and no regard for caloric intake. The food was very good - juicy roast beef, sweet and savory dressing, almost too sweet squash. Very intense flavors, but very fresh and delicious. Regarding the complaints about the line and people bumping into you - if you have an issue with "personal space invaders" this isn't the place for you. I wouldn't want to deal w/it everyday, but I actually enjoyed it as part of the experience.
(5)
Jason B.
Have you ever eaten so hard that you started to sweat? I'm talking about sweat rolling down your forehead from your lust for a steaming bowl of chicken n dumplings? That's what just happened to me as slurped some soupy, delicious, boiled dough from this tiny little place. I've been in Nashville for 15 years. I've always heard about Arnold's and how good it was.. I've read the reviews. I've seen it on TV. I've even flown by a few times for lunch, but was turned off by the line that was out the door and around the corner. Today was my lucky day. I was actually trying to eat sushi, but Wild Wasabi was packed, so we somehow ended up at the Arnold's...about the farthest thing from sushi on the food spectrum. I've never written a 5 star review for a restaurant. Some call me a food snob. Others think I'm just insatiable. Whatever the case may be, this place lived up to the hype more than any other place I've ever been. My friend and I were undecided on what to order. Everybody we passed had the smoked barbecue chicken and it looked delicious. Chicken and dumplings are their staple. The roast beef looked like prime rib from a high end steak house. Too many good options. I had the dumplings, and they were better than any I've ever had. Sorry mom. RIP grandma. They are simply better at Arnold's. The green beans were stupid good. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy and extra buttery. My friend had the catfish, hush puppies, mac n cheese, and greens. The catfish had a great flavor and cripsy fried batter. I can only dream about how good it would've been freshly prepared. The mac n cheese had just a hint of hot sauce which cut through the creaminess. The greens tastes like they'd been cooking for hours in a delicious, rich, ham hock broth. AMAZING. Let's not stop there...we also split a piece of pecan pie and carrot cake. This was total indulgence for a Friday lunch. There's nothing to say about the desserts except OMG (in my Usher voice). I'm so happy that Arnold's lived up to the hype; the expectations fueled by raving reviews and countless TV shows. FIVE BAJILLION STARS!
(5)
Abram M.
The brisket and roast beef melt in your mouth. So much flavor in everything I tried. Home made and delicious! Couldn't get enough of the mashed potatoes with the au jus on them. Also the banana pudding is out of this world!
(5)
Fishstick Y.
Came here on Monday for the fried chicken special. Crispiest fried chicken I've ever had. Gf got the roast beef, which was very good but the fried chicken was better IMO. All the sides we got - mashed potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese were good. Banana pudding was spot on. Excellent lunch spot. Oh and the line isn't bad, it moves pretty quickly.
(5)
Jane H.
Best meat and three in town! Love the taste of roast beef, green beans, bread and pie! Yum
(5)
Tim M.
Have been wanting to come here since I saw it on DDD. definitely worth the ride. The roast beef and the brisket were awesome. The sides were equally as good. Will be back soon. Great people great food.
(5)
Ruiqiu K.
I've been hearing about fried green tomatoes and had no idea what they looked like or tasted. Imagine my embarrassment when I thought I was buying a weird-looking chocolate chip cookie, only to find out that I bought fried green tomatoes. They were actually the best part of my meal, and something I was looking for but didn't think they had available when I visited. I had their catfish, which was plentiful, but decent. I wasn't too keen on their stewed okra, but wanted to try okra cooked a different way than what I'm used to. I've never had chess pie and it was delicious. Our wait was probably about 20 minutes, but it went quickly. You reach the area where you point to the items you want put on your tray. You may have to share tables, but we were seated at our own table. Still a long line when we left, which just shows how popular this place is. Wish I could have tried out their set menus on the other days.
(4)
Kristi G.
Triple D got this one right. Arnold's Country Kitchen is delicious! Everyone in our party of 6 agreed this place rocked the homestyle cooking. From the roast beef, fried catfish, baked chicken, to all the super yummy sides everything was a hit. Oh and don't forget the dessert, the pecan and chess pie were the perfect ending to our super guilty cheat meal!
(5)
Sarah S.
My friend and I drove by a couple of times before finally stopping in. We got scared seeing a line way out the door but the line actually moves pretty quickly and somehow there always seems to be enough seating to accomodate everyone. It would help a bit if tables were bussed more quickly as then there would be a bit more space for seating. A few tables we saw were overrun with dishes leaving no room for people to sit down. Arnold's is kind of a cafeteria style setup - Long line of people, pick the food you want that's dished out from various trays, pick up some pie if you want it and off you go to the register to pay, then to find a seat. When you pick your food, you choose a meat main dish and three side dishes cleverly referred to as Meat & Three. There are usually 4 or 5 mains to pick from and about 10 side dishes. For my main I picked the Chicken & Dumplings which comes in a separate little bowl. I liked them but wasn't in love at first bite. For one of my sides, I knew I had to have the mac & cheese. Again, I liked it but wasn't over the moon. It reminded me of Stouffer's with a bit of seasonings. Don't get me wrong, Stouffer's mac & cheese is some ish, but it's just not my favorite way of having it with a slightly processed cheese feel to it. My other sides were a corn tomato souffle special and fried okra or greens - can't remember which it was now. But of these side dishes were sadly quite forgettable. I ate them, liked them, but mind not blown. For dessert, they have a few pies to pick from including a spicy one! I got the standard chocolate pie covered in a thick layer, way more thick than the pie itself, of marshmallow fluff. As with everything else, I liked it just fine but didn't love it and crave more as I usually do with chocolate treats. Would I go back? Yes in a heartbeat but I think I'd try some different dishes. I was going in expecting to love everything about Arnold's so I'm kind of sad I didn't like it more than I did.
(3)
Nikita L.
Stopped by for a quick lunch. The brisket was soo good! Side dishes are very salty, but overall a good place for lunch.
(4)
Michelle M.
We ate an enormous lunch at Arnold's on our way out of Nashville. My husband ran inside and picked up our meal while I waited in the car with the pug, and we struggled to eat the gigantic quantity of food inside the car while simultaneously preventing said pug from eating it all himself. It was worth the trouble! I had fried shrimp, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, cheese grits and cornbread. The shrimp were tasty but nothing super special- the stand-outs were the sides. The potatoes were creamy and buttery, the mac was DELICIOUS and the cheese grits had a really delicious and unique flavor. It was all really good and I ate every bite! We also shared a slice of chess pie, which I had never had before, but both of us liked it. It was sweet and creamy and a perfect way to round out the meal (and leave us positively stuffed). Yum!
(4)
Robin B.
Friendly service, fast pace, and TOO MUCH SUGAR. I cannot stress how overly thick and sweet their sweet tea was, and the chocolate pie was not at all silky, but grainy and thick. Green beans were somewhat too salty, but were on par with typical meat and three type places around the south. Stand in line, and order cafeteria style. High notes: free lot parking, grouper was perfectly crisped, and turnip greens were tender and meaty.
(3)
Evan W.
- A Nashville Legend - After multiple recommendations I finally decided to drive here at lunch ( ONLY LUNCH) This place was a local hot spot catering to a crowd so diverse you'll see a lawyer standing behind a farmer! The food speaks for itself : Roast be
(5)
Ferdinand H.
I have a weakness for chicken fried steak... You know, the beef that's battered in bread then fried? Like, fried steak? That's called chicken? It makes sense to me now, although it still throws me for a loop. At any rate, I'd asked around Nashville where I might find some of the chicken fried steak in the area, and most of the chefs and diners that I'd asked said Arnold's. Well, they didn't have it that day (it's there sometimes), but an entree and several sides later, I did come to the conclusion that there's great value at eating at this yon hole-in-the-wall that brings the cafeteria style mix and match plate menu concept to a a high level of quality. While you're not likely to keep a trim figure if you decided to eat here every meal, neither will you find the grease extra-excessive, nor seasoning extra-sodium-hypertension-causing. Flavorful, zesty, and homey... it's neither showy nor exuberant... it's honest cooking that is unabashedly southern.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
April B.
I'm not sure what I can say to you to describe how good this place is! I had the chicken and dumplings, green beans and mac n cheese. He had the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Both of us didn't talk much while we were eating since we were too busy inhaling our food. Afterward we both looked at each other and said "Wow. That was amazing". Don't get discouraged by the line that might be going out the door. The line moves very quick and the tables turn quick. This is a must stop!!
(5)Tristan W.
holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredible. if you have a problem with this place you're a damn fool. amazing. the rolls are even homemade!!!!!!!! and the folks that work there are sweet as shit. go.
(5)Kathie C.
The place had a long line even tho we got there after 1 pm. Very noisy and crowded. However the roast beef, the BBQ brisket, the squash casserole were very good. The black eyed beans were blah, as was the coconut creme pie. And the hot chocolate pie was very HOT!
(4)Austin C.
This is the best of hole in the wall food in Nashville! The atmosphere is great as it is always crowded and sometimes a squeeze to find a seat but it only adds to the southern charm! And the food is ridiculous! Large portions of home made southern staples. I highly recommend seeing what day the roast beef special is as it is my favorite! And the Cheyenne pepper fudge pie is phenomenal! I highly recommend for a southern meal right outside downtown Nashville.
(5)Eighty S.
I am a southern boy, so when I heard of Arnold's Country Kitchen and all of their accolades, I had to go. I grabbed my big appetite cousin and we headed over the railroad tracks. Luckily we got there just before the big rush, the place was almost packed, but fifteen minutes later there was a line outside the door and it spilled over into the parking area. The place is small with just a few tables but that's cool. It wouldn't hurt them to do a deep cleaning. The order line, plates, and eating utensils reminded me of a prison cafeteria (never been, but seen them on TV). So we are about to order and the good thing is, you can see all the food you are about to devour (especially my beloved CHESS PIE). It was Tuesday so I ordered the meatloaf, 1 piece of catfish, candied yams, turnip greens, mac & cheese, hot water cornbread and chess pie of course. My cousin ordered the meatloaf as well, along with the same sides plus the white beans. Everything was just ok, but the turnip greens were missing that love and extra home cooked flavor. The meatloaf was not my fave but edible; however, the mac and cheese was the winner on the plate. The chess pie was average (try Rose's home-style catering and bakery chess squares). I made the catfish work with a lil added hot sauce. Oh boy I wish they would have had some good sweet red Kool-Aid ha-ha. One of the good things was the service, they moved the line pretty fast and everyone had a smile on their face. They recognized the regulars, and chit chatted with every guest. The price for portion size of food is pretty accurate. I can't say it's the best meat and three in Nashville, but all in all the food was average nothing to tell mother about. This establishment is part of Nashville's' history, but James Beard award winner, I don't think so. More important, this is a Nashville institution that the people here love.
(3)Chris E.
Cafeteria-style dining. The food was great. I had the roast beef, green beans, and pinto beans. Probably the best roast beef I've ever had. My wife loved her meal, too.
(5)Joe P.
Awesome meat and 3. If you don't get there before 11:30, chances are high that the line will be out the door. I suggest waiting though bc it will move fast!
(5)Scott C.
Great, great, great place for lunch on a weekday. Favorite day by far is Thursday when they have the country fried steak and fried green tomatoes. Add some mashed potatoes and their amazing Mac and cheese...boom!! If you really want it all, then get the banana pudding and then grab a pillow and blanket for your afternoon nap.
(4)Ross T.
HOLY COW!! How come no one told about this place before!! I LOVE IT! Cafeteria style with BOSS Southern food. Extremely friendly folks who know how to cook and deliver it with a smile. Country fried steak was the special of the day, and they loaded it up with collards and mashed potatoes. I wish I could have eaten 3 servings. Went with vegetarian wife and two friends and everyone said the same thing. This place is an institution for a reason. Well worth it and we'll be back again. First stop after the airport.
(5)Teresa B.
Easily the best Meat and 3 in town! The mac & cheese is the real deal, the roast beef is to die for and don't pass up the fried green tomatoes! It's like going to grandma's house except that you have to get back in line for seconds so you better pile up the plate the first time around!
(5)Michelle P.
Well, when one thinks of a restaurant that wins a James Beard award, it doesn't usually look like Arnold's. Arnold's really is a down home, southern style restaurant that serves amazingly good food, with equally amazing service and comfy cafeteria style seating. I will absolutely return...if I can make the hours of course & if I have the time to wait on the line for lunch!!
(5)David O.
Arnolds is probably the best Meat and three that I've been to. But that statement comes with some important caveats. First of all, its very popular, and thus very busy. We went for lunch, and arrived at around 10:45am. By 11am the place was packed. Secondly, its not very friendly to newcomers. Make sure you know what you want before you get in line. They take a "no bullsh*t" approach to getting you through the line. No doubt because of how busy it is. Its not that they aren't friendly, its just that they don't have time to hold your hand. I can see how this might be off-putting to newcomers. The food itself is really good, and does have that "Just like grandma makes" feel to it. If you are looking for a Meat and 3, you really can't go wrong with Arnolds. Just make sure you get there early!
(4)Nate H.
Oh god no. Never again. We came here based on the great reviews guaranteeing a cheap authentic Nashville meal only to receive a pile of fatty brisket and a plate of flavorless vegetables, FOR 30 DOLLARS. I'd say I got two decent pieces of meat, the rest was all fat and it destroyed my appetite. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN. To tack on to this, it was disgustingly hot in the restaurant. I am sorry, I genuinely don't exaggerate reviews, but this place made us leave Nashville feeling sour.
(1)Elizabeth M.
Best food ever! I have no idea what they put in the squash it is heavenly. Nothing fancy a cafeteria style meal of the best food you will ever eat!
(5)Janette C.
One of the diners dives and drive in spots and it is completely worth stopping for! The lunch crowd can go out the door so go early!
(5)Amber S.
This is the best southern food I have ever had, with exception of course to my mother-in-law's. The place is a little dive, easy to miss if you're driving through, and definitely a no-frills atmosphere. The clientele is mostly friendly blue-collar, good ol' country folk, with a few of the downtown corporate types thrown into the mix. The line was long when we arrived, but moved very quickly. The guys behind the counter were so warm and welcoming, and every bit southern gentleman ("yes ma'am, no ma'am"). I had the roast beef, hubby had the catfish, and we both had the mac and cheese, greens and mashed potatoes. The roast beef is by far the BEST roast beef I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly, juicy and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was slightly wetter than I'm used to, but had a really good cheese flavor. I had heard that the greens were the best in Nashville, and I have to say, they were awesome! They had a great smoky pork flavor with a hint of sweetness. The mashed potatoes were buttery and yummy. My husband loved the catfish, and he doesn't eat seafood! We had pecan pie for desert, and wow was it sweet! I took a few bites, and had to put the rest in a little box for later. The atmosphere here is wonderful. Everyone treats each other like they're old friends, and will invite you to sit with them at their table if it's a little extra crowded. The owner is a super nice guy and goes out of his way to make sure you feel special. I recommend trying out Arnold's if you're in the mood for a great Meat & Three. I definitely see myself becoming a regular here.
(5)Brent G.
The meat and threes here are, indeed, absolutely fantastic. The mustard greens are the best I have tasted. The owner was present and walking around. I had seen him on TV. He was nice enough to tell us that he got the fish batter so puffy by adding more baking soda to the mix. Terrific, cheap, but crowded. Get there early! Going back Ina few days and I live in California. Also, the man has won a James Beard award for Pete's sake! This, along with Monelle's are my absolute must stops when in Nashville!
(5)Lauren L.
I really like this place. I went here on a friend's recommendation, and it's really good. There's always a line, but it moves pretty fast, so nobody has to wait long. It can also be a little crowded within the restaurant, but that's not really a factor for me when I go somewhere for lunch.
(4)Harold L.
When the person in front of you in line is regularly on the food network you know that you're in a great spot. Everything that I had was delicious and the staff were incredibly friendly. If you're looking for southern style home cooking this is it! On a 2 week road trip this may have been the best food we ate the entire way. Next time I'm in town this will be my first stop!
(5)C K.
Super good. My first visit to a real meat & 3. So delicious!
(4)Daniel L.
Yes, yes, and more yes. If I lived near here, I would frequent Arnold's daily and immediately gain fifty pounds. Besides, when the first comment you're told is to grab a plate and eat because you've traveled across the country, you know you're in a great place. My girlfriend and I lined up cafeteria-style and sampled their roast beef, tilapia, and kielbasa. The beef was tender and seasoned perfectly without being overly salty; the tilapia was flaky, moist, and placed over plump white rice with a great sauce (I forget what it was, but it rocked); and the kielbasa was grilled to perfection with crusty skin yet juicy plump innards. The sides were also quite good, but what struck us the most was the friendliness. We experienced it everywhere in Nashville, but never did we feel more at home than in Arnold's with the wonderful hospitality. The staff joked with everyone, and they were extremely helpful in explaining what different sides were. Inside is a little cramped, but that doesn't really matter. Everything is so great that you can't help but scarf it down before your stomach can protest. And, that is how I'll gain my fifty pounds.
(5)Em P.
Arnold's is one of those places I can only afford to lunch at when I'm not crazy busy at work, because once you scarf down a plate full of this deliciousness, your afternoon is spent in a food coma popping tums. When I moved here, I had no idea what a meat & 3 was. It's kinda like a lunch counter without the counter. Except this one has a Beard award. Yeah. I usually get the roasted beef and usually ask for some of the garlic pulled from the roast. I'm real nice when I ask, though. I've had their fried chicken (very solid) and meatloaf too (really good for meatloaf). Next time I think I'll get a plate of sides, because that's usually where on the line I get indecisive...mac and cheese is stellar, fried green tomatoes are heaven, mashed potatoes are creamy...I don't care if my entire plate is a beige tone. I wonder if they'll still give me the roasted garlic out of the beef if I'm not ordering the beef? Hmmm... Line moves fast, so don't get upset if it's out the door as it usually is. Make your mind up before you get close to the line, don't linger too long, and leave a couple of bucks for the guy that cheerfully busses your table. Staff is very friendly except if you're some mook who came in because they saw this place on Diner's Drive Ins and Dives wanting to try fried green tomatoes for the first time. I've seen several politicians here too, from local to federal. My husband has the unfounded complaint that "it's dirty" but he's kind of uppity sometimes. It's not a place for vegetarians, as I'm pretty sure everything has some sort of animal fat in it. Though I have lunched with otherwise vegetarian friends who turned a blind eye for the afternoon. I also enjoy that you have to grab your dessert first. Good philosophy!
(4)Jonathan M.
I am from the north and didn't know what to expect with this place. The atmosphere is straight up like a cafeteria. The food was great. It's about as southern as it gets. They only have a handful of options per day so if you have some picky eaters with you don't go here. I had some sort of meat that melted in my mouth. The downside to the place is the whole group I went with basically fell asleep when we got back to the studio. If you need to be productive after work stay as far away from this place as possible. If you are in need of some good sleep, go back for seconds. ; )
(4)Sara S.
YUM YUM YUMMY. If you are in the mood for some good down-home family cooking, look no further. They have tons of side items from green beans to mashed potatoes, and everyday they have specials on meat. I tried the kielbasa and sauerkraut and boy was it outta this world! I also had to treat myself to a slice of chess pie. I tell you what, that crust...oh my goodness. Oh yeah- they have RC on tap!!! Talk about throwback! Love it.
(5)Eddy W.
Just good food!!! nothing else to be said
(5)Tony C.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! that is all
(5)Elaine K.
I'd rather give 3.5 stars. Lunch on Monday was crowded. Line moves fast! Fried chicken delicious. It's not Gus's. Greens tangy and spicy good. Creamed corn and nana pudding best thing we ate. Roast beef just good. did not blow our socks off. Glad to have tried this Nashville icon.
(4)Lisa B.
This is seriously, in my opinion, the best meat and three in Nashville. When I was pregnant I was fortunate enough to work a couple of streets away and I can't begin to tell you how great that was...I try and take any out-of-towners here I can! Yes there can be a killer line and no parking if you go in the middle of lunch hour...but go a little after and you are golden. Its delicious, people. GO!
(5)Julia F.
On my visit to Nashville I relied on Yelp to steer me to good Southern Food. Being from Southern CA, I don't have any experience with Southern Food, and so I don't really have much to compare it to, but I loved all the food I had here. I even enjoyed waiting in line and watching what everyone else was eating. I was really impressed by the fried green tomatoes; major yumminess. So flavorful and crispy. I absolutely loved the grit cake, and the banana pudding dessert thing. I loved my entree as well, it was some sort of shredded pork with this gooey cheese sauce :) I loved the cafeteria style of this place, and all the people were so friendly to us, making sure we enjoyed our first taste of the south.
(5)Dan B.
Great food. Very busy but worth the wait! Loved the catfish and the collards.
(4)Linda B.
Moved to TN over a year ago and just now made it to Arnold's. I have to say. Hands down, the best southern food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was amazing from the roast beef to the grits cake to the banana pudding. Like others have said, best fried green tomatoes ever. Come early. Come often.
(5)Clarice C.
was helping my friend road trip from atlanta to denver and we drove through nashville at lunchtime. I was only allowed one meal here and SO glad I made it Arnold's! I'm sure you can tell by the Yelp reviews and line out the door but I just want to re-iterate that this is a MUST if you are in nashville! def has a cozy southern feel. it's like a cafeteria style ordering system. they have certain dishes on certain days. i got the Roast beef, fried green tomatoes, chocolate pie, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for LUNCH! and ate it ALL. like who does that?? don't be intimidated by the line because it moves quickly and the food is so worth it!
(5)Spider J.
Everything was good here, but the banana pudding was NUTS. The staff was really friendly, as we came in with a baby, and they had someone carry a tray so we could carry the baby. The roast beef was medium rare and delightful. My only beef (ahahahaha. beef.) is that I didn't come on the right day to try the chicken, and it looks like they don't do brisket at all, which is a damned shame. Also, the plate that the chocolate cream meringue pie came on smelled of dishwater, and the smell kind of got into the pie. :-/ But even the vegetarian in our group was a happy monkey, so yeah. I know my friend who lives near here will start bringing her husband now that we've found it.
(4)Kendyl M.
Everything we had was delicious! Green beans, Mac n cheese, ribs, cat fish, chicken and dumplings. The banana pudding definitely lives up to the hype! Pecan pie and peach pie were yummy too. There was a fairly long line when we pulled up but it went by really quick and we got a seat as soon as we got our food.
(5)Josh L.
Great little place. Really friendly staff. Good old fashioned food. Beef brisket was AMAZING! Not a wide selection, kids may have trouble eating here, but a must for adults.
(5)Beth H.
Roast beef is so tasty! Banana pudding is amazing. Service is wonderful. There is always a line but it moves rather fast. Born and raised in Nashville and this place is a must. Everything is good at Arnold's!
(5)John C.
This was 100% worth the wait; hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had. And yes, I've had some damn good fried chicken before. Make sure you go when they have fried chicken on the menu, for sides the mash potatoes, Mac n chee, and cream corn were bomb.com , fired up right now after Arnold's. FIRED UP YALL
(5)Tracey R.
I had the catfish, green beans, dumplings, mac n' cheese & it did not disappoint. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(4)Alicia J.
Arnold's provided us with a great early lunch while maintaining the prices one would expect at a buffet-style restaurant. I'd say they bring buffet food to the next level. We initially arrived at 9:00, as some other websites state that they open at 6:00AM. We were further confused by their door sign saying 10:_0 (missing a number), but after some waiting, we were admitted at 10:30, when Arnold's actually opens. The procurement system is a buffet where you move down the line choosing desserts, sides, salads, bread, mains and drinks, in roughly that order. This kept things moving rather quickly. We ordered meatloaf and roast beef as our mains; fried green tomatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and a strawberry bacon spinach salad as our sides; sweet tea, cornbread, and rolls; and finally chocolate pie for dessert. That's a lot for two people at a very reasonable price of $23. The meats were very good and cooked well. Both roast beef and meatloaf gets prepared in mass, so we figured them to be the best choices for a buffet. Still, I wish I had splurged on the fried catfish in retrospect. The real stars of the meal turned out to be the sides. I never expect much of green beans, but these were something special. Slightly spicy and meaty from being cooked with some pork (I think), I found myself finishing the beans before I took more than a bite of the meatloaf. The mashed potatoes were creamy and served with ample gravy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded admirably and gave a satisfying crunch to accompany the tartness of the tomato. They were better than any fried green tomato I had in Atlanta. Both the cornbread (cooked like a pancake) and the rolls were tasty. The chocolate pie was extraordinarily rich and a very nice completion to the meal. Arnold's has a menu which rotates daily which makes me sad to say I am leaving Nashville tomorrow!
(5)Susan W.
I really like the place. The Fried Green Tomato is very unique and definitely have a flavor of its own.
(4)Peter K.
Yep...still the best damn meat & 3 in Nashville. See the picture for today's meal...be sure to ask for corn bread fresh off the grill....trust me.
(5)Michael S.
My wife and I found this hole in the wall restaurant. It's really good, it was on the food network show Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins. After checking Yelp it seemed like everyone loved it. Their menu changes daily, so you may want to call ahead. It is set up assembly line style. Grab a tray, move along the line, tell the person on the other side of the counter what you want. We had the chicken it was delicious. Some of the best chicken I've had. All fantastic country cooking. The decor is not that great, it's not that nice inside. It is less than appealing. Don't let this change your mind about trying it though. Two people can eat for 20 bucks, that's food, drinks, and desert. I recommend the pecan pie, chicken and any of the sides(mashed potatoes and mac & cheese).
(4)Kimberly K.
Comfort food at its best. Arrived at 10 am and the doors were open. There were plenty of seats available at this time. By 10:30 am (opening time), the line was out the door. The employees started to serve us at exactly 10:30 am (impressive!). {Ambiance} Laid back. Homey. There is quite a bit of seating available, but it gets packed in here quick. Customers eat fairly quickly though. By the time you're done standing in line for your food, you should be able to find a table. {Service} Cafeteria style. Once you enter, stand in line and grab a tray. Silverware and napkins can be found at the beginning of the line. A few of the menu items are laid out for you to grab yourself (ie. salads, desserts, bread) and some are given to you by the employees (ie. meats, veg). You pay the cashier at the end of the line. Once you have your tray of food, seat yourself. You will see a lot of Jack Arnold's family members working here. Everyone is so kind, positive, and hard working. They really go out of their way to make their customers feel special and comfortable. {Food} It's all about the Meat and Three. Arnold's offers different types of meats and vegetables every day. Corn Muffins, Biscuits, and Corn Cakes are complimentary. We decided to try the Roast Beef, Meatloaf, Fried Green Tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn Pudding, Chess Pie, Banana Pudding, and Bread Pudding. The Roast Beef was cooked medium rare and was seasoned perfectly. It was not too salty and had a bit of kick to it from the black pepper and other spices. The Au jus was well prepared. The Meatloaf was tender, juicy, and seasoned perfectly. The sauce on top was a bit tangy and went well with the savory meat. The Fried Green Tomatoes were lovely. The coating was golden, crisp, and seasoned well. The tomato itself was juicy, tart, and warm. The Mashed Potatoes just melt in your mouth. It's warm, smooth, and comforting. The Mac & Cheese will satisfy your cheese craving without making you go through a cheese coma. The Corn Pudding was sweet and savory. The Corn Muffins and Corn Cakes are freshly made but lacked flavor and were a bit too dry. The Biscuits were soft and buttery. If you like bread pudding, definitely try the one from Arnold's. It has to be illegal to make bread pudding this delicious. Filled with loads of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. It was soft and creamy but still had enough resistance. The Banana Pudding was also amazing. The pudding did not taste like some of the others I've had in the past. This pudding was fresh, home made, not too sweet, and light. The whipped topping was also fresh. The crust on the Chess Pie was beautiful. The pie is creamy and tastes like an egg custard. It's an extremely sweet and rich dessert. Eating an entire slice will definitely put you in a sugar coma. {Price} $7.95 Meat & Three, $6.95 Meat & Two, $6.64 Four Veg and Bread. Everything here is made from scratch and you can TASTE the difference. Oh yea, and Guy Fieri was here :D
(5)Lindsay R.
SO BEYOND BUSY! Very successful place. Great mac n cheese, wish I had gone on a day when they had chicken, I'm not a huge fan of roast beef and/or steak, but still pretty decent....great sweet tea, mashed potatoes, pie...a little too much gravy for my taste, but people love it and line up forever, so they have a great thing going! Very hot inside, due to kitchen/cooking and all of the people, really hard to find a seat....fun experience!
(4)Shannon W.
I saw this on Diner's Drive-Ins, & Dives and thought this to be a cool place to go and asked my husband to try it with me when we went to Nashville. I think I'll let my husband pick the next place. To start, the parking area was rough & small. The only Handicapped parking spot was beside another parking spot where the person had to park at an angle to avoid the wall, thus overlapped into the handicapped spot. There was a line and we expected it. What I didn't expect was wall to wall seating. It was cafeteria style, but very close to each other. I ordered Country Fried Steak, Beans, Mashed Potatoes and Fried Green Tomatoes. The Fried green tomatoes were good. Never had them before. The Mashed potatoes were OK, the green beans had too much vinegar in them, and the Country fried steak was very thick breading and mushy to the point of not sure where the steak was. My husband ordered the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which was much better than mine. He didn't like the other sides he had ordered. We both got sweet iced tea and even for the true southerner, that was overly sweet. I mixed mine with some lemons and unsweet tea, which made it better. My husband said he couldn't drink it. The best thing about the place was the friendly busser. He talked with everyone and was very nice. Definitely not worth the wait in line. Not sure how long ago Guy Fieri was there, but it's not the same as what I saw on TV.
(1)Britt Y.
Yesssssssss. I'm a southerner. Arnold's does not disappoint. The roast beef is SO GOOOOOD. Seasoned perfectly, juicy and tender. The sides are wonderful. The banana pudding is delicious. The tea is sweet. I don't know what to tell you, except to go. But you should be prepared to wait in a loooong line and struggle to figure out where to sit. It can be frustrating at first, but once you start eating, you'll understand.
(4)Andy O.
Arnold's is probably the most overrated restaurant in Nashville...unless you like to eat with an endless line of strangers looking at you, a lot of butts in your face, no service, and filthy tables. On my most recent visit, I went with the catfish and was given the leftover shake from the bottom of the pan. It was enough to make up about 1/2 of their normal portion. When I asked for a normal piece, I got a lot of attitude from one of the owner's kids and a number to indicate I was waiting on catfish (ended up waiting about 10 minutes). As someone else mentioned, the portions (especially the sides) are pretty skimpy by meat & 3 standards, so you may want to go with one of their deserts if you're a hungry guy. The best way to describe this place - as a born & bred southerner who comes from a long line of southern cooking - is: People who aren't used to downhome southern cooking will probably mistakenly think this place is authentic southern fare. However, any real southerner knows chicken & dumplins are supposed to be thick, white and eaten with a fork...rather than tortilla pieces boiled in a thin chicken broth and peppered beyond recognition. I have likely made my last visit to Arnold's. A word of advice: Try out Peg Leg's in the alley just behind Arnold's, instead.
(2)Lisa P.
Do not pass by this place just because it doesn't look like a 5 star diner, you'll be sorry. It's worth the wait in line, it moves quickly anyway. This isn't really a place where people sit and chat after eating. Lots of the working community eat here and the tables free up quickly. So, the food... Best collard greens I've ever had. Loved the black eyed peas. Chicken and dumplings were thick and creamy with lots of flavor. The brisket was fork tender and deelish. All of the desserts were like homemade. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. This is a don't miss!
(5)Dan S.
Everything about this place was great until I made it thru the line and had my plate of food. The servings of everthing (vegetables & my fried catfish) were WAY TOO SMALL Fortunately, they made up for that with a ridiculiously LARGE pricetag. This place is SOOOOOO over-rated - it really stinks. I love down home Country food but, since you don't get any here, I won't be back.
(1)Sherri G.
The catfish was awesome! So glad I walked over there after the stroke conference. Didn't know what to order so I had what the woman before me had. It was awesome.
(4)Douglas W.
I have been trying to get here for lunch for years. It seems I am always blowing through on a weekend or an evening and can't seem to time it. It was worth the wait. I had fried chicken, squash casserole, greens, johnny cake and chess pie. Everything but the fried chicken was amazingly good. The fried chicken was almost average but the sides were a revelation. This was the best chess pie I have ever had. I love the cafeteria setting. The line is long but moves very quickly. Great meat and three. I will try to come back on another day and try something else besides the chicken. Saw them on DDD and they use margarine in everything. Disgusting. 3 times more likely to cause a heart attack than if you use butter. It's not the 1940s anymore. It's not WW2. Step up and switch to real food.
(3)Charles S.
Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. Well, not literally. I need an Arnold's T-Shirt, that would be awesome! There's not a whole lot one can add to the Arnold's discussion. I can't believe I took as long as I did to try this place; I've been back multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The chicken and dumplings are a personal favorite and only two people in the world make greens I like better than Arnold's: My grandmother and myself. No one makes better fried green tomatoes. Yes, the line moves pretty quickly, as long as people don't hold things up trying make decisions at the last minute. *AHEM*, speed it up newbies :) In short, it's a Nashville icon. Any out of town friends would appreciate a trip here, unless they're vegans.
(5)Kristine P.
My friend and I decided to check this place out while I was in town. We could smell the wonderfulness from the parking lot once we got out of the car. This place is small and the line was out the door. Even though the line was long, we moved along at a good pace. The food is served cafeteria style and you tell them what you want. I got the Bbq ribs, green beans, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. They said their green beans were cooked in pork for 2 days so I just had to get them because that sounded like heaven! Those green beans were to die for! I think they were the best and most flavorful green beans I'd ever had. The meat off the ribs was tender and I loved the sauce that they used. The mac and cheese was creamy, but it was bland. My friend and I thought there wasn't enough cheese in it. The fried green tomatoes were good, but I wasn't a fan of the type of breading they used. I like Monell's fried green tomatoes better. If you are craving southern food, come check this place out! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Patricia B.
This place doesn't live up to the hype. Very salty. Not worth the wait when there are so many other options around
(3)Jasmin M.
YUCK! I don't understand the love for this place. I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say this, but it truly reminded me of a soup kitchen. The tables were dirty, it was crowded, and the crowd looked dodgy! When I finally get to the food they ran out of the Meat loaf, so I tried the BBQ chicken and Mash Potatoes. The food did not look delicious. When I tried it, it was confirmed, NO BUENO!!! I am truly confused as to why this place has gotten stellar reviews. They rush you through the line, it's screaming soup kitchen. Move, move, move, and did I mention MOVE... I couldn't wait to leave. I left 2 stars because the corn bread and mash potatoes were good. But the chicken was all bone. I just hated it. I'm sorry, but I would never recommend this place to anyone, nor would I return. We left hungry, we all went to Mc. Donalds after and ate chicken nuggets.... enough said.
(2)Chris P.
Well, this place is one you expect to walk in and have grandma's cooking, but it's not nearly that good. It may be better than your typical fast food lunch but it's also much more expensive. $30 for two people to have lunch in burnt out downtown Nashville is a bit steep. The liver I had was fried and dried out. The roast beef was good and the sides are pretty hard to mess up. I really wanted some good banana pudding because I walked in knowing it was on the menu, but what I got was diabetes in a cup most of which I didn't finish. Didn't live up to hype.
(3)Dustin D.
I work downtown and love to go here with my co-workers for lunch. Pro-tips: get there early before the line goes out the door, if the line is already out the door --- don't worry it moves quickly, and last of all (we made this mistake) DON'T sit down and try to reserve a seat. When we did this, the guy that bus tables asked up to get up... at first we were a little offended, but now I completely agree with him. It keeps the people who actually have food already able to sit down and eat and not once have we gone there and not had a place to sit regardless of how busy it gets.
(5)Nin A.
Per the online reviews, Arnold's is the place to go to if you want legit Nashville food. So I heeded the advice and checked out Arnold's that one day I was in town. I knew it was going to be a cafeteria-style place but I was still sorta surprised and hesitated a bit when I walked in--probably because I don't go to places like this at home so I just wasn't used to the atmosphere. The interior is the opposite of fancy. There was a long line that just didn't end! Fortunately, the service was very fast and good. They definitely know what they're doing. The staff members were all very friendly and made us feel comfortable. The menu could be a tad confusing or intimidating so I just kept my order simple. THE ROAST BEEF WAS TO DIE FOR! I don't think I will find any other place that can top that. The rest was also very good but the roast beef was a real standout. Their sweet tea was too sweet it was undrinkable. I couldn't handle any more than 2 sips. I give the food alone 5 stars. My overall experience is probably a 3.5.
(3)Tim M.
Redemption Baby! Gave Arnold's another chance as bunch of friends were going. Roast beef - cooked medium. The employee took great care to cut thin slices that I didn't have to exert too much effort to cut the meat. Mashed potatoes were good as well as the green beans. The mac and cheese is always great in my opinion. The line was not moving as efficiently as it would at Swett's or Niki's but the pace is good as it allowed for tables to be constantly turned over and you weren't left standing and waiting for a table. Even with the line at the door as we walked in, only took ~10 min to proceed through the line.
(4)Queen B.
I so enjoy this place. Brought two friends with me, for their first visit. They got a kick out of the place, the people, the crowd, the line... One of my friends actually got stressed thinking how he was going to go to lunch, get his tray, pay, and then not have anywhere to sit.. We sat with some other people and everyone chatted as they ate and remarked how good the food was. It's really nothing special. It's home cooked food like the old days. No low fat crap, no fat free crap. Tons of food made with plenty of flour! Hearty, stick to your ribs, filling comfort food. You can pick wisely or you can go full throttle on the gravies, macaroni and cheese, breaded pork chops, chili pepper chocolate fudge pie.. You will still walk out of there completely satisfied with lunch. Not a great place to meet friends and have a leisurely lunch. People are eying your seat and gauging how quickly you finish your lunch. No, this is not a place to sit, have coffee, chat... this is a place to chow down and get back to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing. You really can't go wrong with this place, if you're jonesing for comfort food.
(5)Sabina A.
I really wanted to like this place given the reviews; however was disappointed. The staff is nice but the food is underwhelming. My roast beef was cold and the sides were over-salty. My husbands fried chicken was decent at best. Given the long lines, this is a restaurant I would pass up.
(2)Laura C.
Super nice staff, great decor and the food is amazing! It's always super packed at lunch but if you're getting food to go, you can walk straight to the front of the line. You have to try the green beans, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and my personal favorite, catfish (wed/fri).
(5)Kirsten J.
Arnold's is definitely an experience. I really enjoyed it, but I don't mind the tiny noisy diner feel and not knowing what exactly I'm getting. As a Midwestern visitor, I was really proud of getting there before my 4 yr Nashville based brother. Do: Read the board outside and have an idea of what you think sounds good. Think 1 meat, 3 sides. Drink: go for water unless you want to experience / like sweet tea. Dessert: may be a bit pricey but the banana pudding was absolutely delicious. Ok, now that you think you've decided, go in. Look at everyone who is eating and decide what looks best. If it's the same, great. If not, change now and get ready to order. Definitely watch and listen to the people before you. Don't: Freak out because everything isn't perfect. It's a good fun place to go, not a 5 star napkin on your lap delicacy. Assume it's going to be cheap. Try to pick out a table when you go in. There will be one open when you're through the line. Be ok with helping bus the table before you.
(4)Tracy F.
After over a year of living in Nashville, we finally decided to take the plunge and head to Arnold's for lunch on a quiet Monday afternoon. For the most part, we had a great experience! The food is certainly good and the atmosphere is adorable and so 'Nashville'. Each of us enjoyed a classic meat and three for lunch, with the following items: -Fried Chicken (the fiance): He enjoyed this the most of everything he ate. He said it was crispy and flavorful on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. He'd come back to Arnold's for the chicken alone. -Blackened trout (me): Perfectly cooked and a huge portion, flavored nicely except for a little too much salt -Mac and cheese (both): I thought it was creamy deliciousness. Fiance thought the cheese overpowered the pasta - he prefers a less saucy mac-and-cheese -Green beans (me): Delicious, but VERY salty. I like salty, but this was a bit much even for me -Tomato salad (fiance): In his words, "too dressing-y". After stealing a taste, I thought these marinated tomato slices were delicious, but they weren't really his thing. -Pinto beans (me): Also delicious, also VERY salty. The smoky flavor was fantastic, though! -Creamed corn (fiance): We both loved every bite of this. The corn was perfectly sweet and just creamy enough without being overly rich. -Cornbread (me): YUM. Enough said. -Hoecake (fiance): He enjoyed this more and more as he ate it, though he had a bit of food envy after tasting my cornbread. -Pecan pie (both): YUM. Some of the best I've had in town. I'd come to Arnold's just for dessert, since their other pies and the warm bread pudding looked incredible, as well. The food was delicious, but we especially loved the lively and charming waitstaff. Everyone was working hard serving food, bussing tables, replacing food on the line, etc, but every single employee was smiling and talkative. We especially enjoyed our conversations with the 2 men bussing tables; they made us feel welcomed, answered our questions about other items on the menu and invited us to come back soon - which we will!
(4)Jay G.
This is one of Nashville's most historic and premier soul/comfort food spots. It is such unique place and experience. They always have a line, but trust me it is worth the wait and it is not a slow line. They keep it rolling; most of the times I've been here the line begins outside, but we always manage to be eating within ten minutes. Another unique aspect is the cafeteria style atmosphere it contains. I have already exhausted the line waiting so we will move on from that, but the seating is just big long tables with set of smaller tables surrounding the larger ones, much like school cafeterias. Thus, you might be sitting with people you don't know, but that's part of the experience. It gives one a reminder that they are in a great southern city that still believes in fellowship with your fellow man or woman. Now, once you snake your way through the line, you get to the good stuff...food. They have a big chalk board explaining the daily specials, therefore you might want to find out ahead of time what day it is and what it is they are serving. It's the usual meat and two or three program. Trust me you get full at this place since it is southern comfort food it is meant to stick to your bones. They also have some great lemonade so if you like lemons then add ask them to add the aid.
(4)Tran T.
Don't get discourage by the long line. It went by very quick (10-15 minutes). My first visit at Arnold's was definitely 5/5. I got there at 1:30 PM and the line was out of the door. Met a Yelper from L.A and we chatted it up while getting in line (Hi Courtney!!). The ordering process was easy. Get in the long line (Idk if there is a time this place doesn't have a line), grab a tray, pick a desert or a salad, pick the meat and 2 sides (don't forget the corn bread! Came with your meal), pick your drink, and pay up. I looked at what other people ordered and decided to get the Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Peach Pie, and a Sweet Tea. Fried Chicken was crispy, flavorful, and non-greasy. Mac & Cheese, Wow! The best Mac & Cheese I had so far. I normally don't drink water/tea while eating, however I finished the whole cup of Sweet Tea, not that the tea was good (too much ice, tasted like Milo's tea at Walmart), it was because the Baked Beans were so salty. Skip this if you don't like salty food. I accidentally dropped the piece of Peach Pie (it just slid off the plate lol) on my napkin and the lady behind me said "Just pick it up, still good!" She wasn't wrong. The pie wasn't sweet and the peach tasted surprisingly fresh. I left Arnold's feeling satisfied and couldn't wait to go back. I got here at 10:45 AM (Monday) on my second visit. Since the fried chicken I had the first time was so good, I ordered it again. The Fried Chicken looked burnt and tasted like it was cooked in old oil. This is the part that I don't understand. They close on the weekend and open at 10:30 AM on Monday. Did they reuse the oil from last Friday!? Gross. I would look at the color of the fried chicken first (golden, not burnt) before I order next time. I also had the Fried Apples and Pecan Pie on the side. They both were overly sweet. Skip these if you don't want diabetes at young age. Parking was never a problem for me. Finding a table could be a problem with big groups (more than 4). Overall, I will come back to try other food (no more fried chicken for a while) and their famous Fried Green Tomato! 2013/#68
(4)Christine L.
knocked 1 star because I'm not the biggest fan of excessive SODIUM intake. but besides that I loved the food. Southern hospitality / comfort fo sho. Fried catfish is delicious! definitely made my meal. I also got mac n cheese which to me had too much salt and too much pepper, and the green beans which was WAY salty. The lemonade is AMAZING definitely get! Cafeteria style ordering, you go up in a line and get your food. then pay and then find your own seating. Pro Tip: clean up your own mess afterwards and put your tray up like you're supposed to. I saw a few ppl leave their mess behind which led to disgruntled employees.
(4)Nicole B.
5+ stars!! We love Arnold's!! We eat here every single weekday we are in town. There's a reason the line is out the door! It's got great food and an awesome atmosphere. The family owned business is currently ran by some very friendly people! We love the chicken and dumplings, greens, and their grill makes an amazing grilled cheese! ;-) Must eat in Nashvile!
(5)Roland G.
You wouldn't expect to be able to eat healthy off a menu like this but boy- are you in for a nutritional and delicious meal option. I chose blackened trout with green beans and greens! Wow- they nailed all three and created a flashback to my dear Mother's superb cooking. Well worth the few extra miles off the interstate exit. Will gladly visit again on our next road trip!
(5)Jordan S.
Great southern food. I went with a group of 5 and not one person had anything but rave reviews for the food. People were friendly. Only thing is get there early because lines build up right away. However, it moves quickly.
(5)B M.
My daughter and I have been on a food network food road trip this week and ARNOLDS is by far the BEST place we visited. Amazing how many restaurants end up on TV but really suck! We were fortunate to bump into the young chef as he was writing the specials on the board and he took the time to talk to us. The entire staff is friendly. We had the ham, fish, mac and cheese, meat loaf (thanks chef!), sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, banana pie and chocolate cream pie... oh and the cabbage. I assume it was cabbage as I don't usually eat it but this was fantastic. Each dish was uniquely flavored and now having been to about a dozen restaurants, I know that it probably took a lot of work to cook that way. I'm about a thousand miles from home and was glad I made the trip here. I was worth every mile. Absolutely delicious!
(5)Bob G.
I just don't get it. Ok it's a simple, no frills place, which is fine by me. I've had great food from places where the money isn't spent on fancy decor. Of course I saw plenty of reviewers who loved it and that's why we went, but I have to be brutally honest here, the food is mush. Suck it through a straw cooking. If this is southern cooking at its best, then in my opinion keep it in the south! For those who like the food, I'm sure it's a sensation. Bon appetite!
(1)Jessie M.
Hot damn this place is good. I lost at least 4 years off my life from the food, but those would have been the lame years anyways. These folks have their priorities right.
(5)Oldair D.
I always wondered what the expression "so good you'll want to slap yo mamma" meant and I must say that I finally found out at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The food here is DELICIOUS and worth the wait, we got there at around 11:30AM and the line was already out the door, I asked one of the locals what's good here and he said "everything" and he was not lying. I had the fried catfish, collard greens, mac and cheese, and hush puppies and was in heaven, delicious home-cooked food. My wife had the brisket which melted like butter. The banana pudding is freaking awesome and a must. I would most definitely recommend visiting Arnold's when in Nashville.
(5)Celia T.
Only four stars and not five because Carver's Country Kitchen in Atlanta was better. Crazy huh! Came on a monday and had fried chicken, creamed corn and collard greens. this place was saltier than Carver's for me. For healthy food loving people, RUN from this place because you will feel like dying. For unhealthy food loving people, RUN INSIDE NOW! Then feel terrible about it later, but feel satisfied about your super fatty meal. the creamed corn was good, but extra sweet and salty. I had the unsweet tea and that kind of helped to ease the feelings of my arteries clogging. Its a good thing I don't live near here or else I would eat this too often, which in my opinion would be something like more than once a year! But I'm a sucker for southern food !! This place has a line out the door so you stand in line and then you will see the deserts first then the menu board up on top with the meats of the day then the sides. You tell them what sides you want, then the meat guy will ask you what meat you want. You will then get your drink and pay at the end. If you wan to order to go just write it on paper and go up to the cash register, no need to wait in line. There was a busboy cleaning up the tables, so if you read this help them out to consolidate everything onto one tray and it will help them to accommodate more people! Parking is free in the private lot and its pretty spacious so no worries there!
(4)Marcus W.
First time visiting this well known establishment. Parking available and free. Their was probably 50 people waiting to get a meal at the serving line; however, it was worth the wait. I tried the roast beef, greens, Mac and cheese, and chocolate pepper pie. I've tried some very good southern cooking, but this was some of the best I've had yet. My wife and friends agreed wholeheartedly as well. These were simple, home cooked meals, made with a great attention to detail; all for a reasonable price (about $13/person). Well definitely be back when were in town.
(5)Brad W.
Food was excellent and atmosphere is simple. Serving size is perfect. This place is genuine... No imposter behavior, not tidy, no extravagant decorations, and a simple menu. Everything available is good and worth trying. Really a great value!
(5)Melinda L.
Landed in Nashville on an empty stomach, searched through Yelp for a decent local stop to grab a bite, 4.5 star and 1 $ at this place called Arnold's? SURE! Why the hell not! Best start to a work trip ever. First time I had a local "meat and three" (three veggies, one of them being considered mac n' cheese, of course. God I love the South). Picked out the meat loaf, mash potatoes and gravy, best friking collard greens ever, fried corn bread that looked like a pancake, a spicy chocolate pie, and a sweet ice tea. did I like the food? ....I ate the whole gotdamn plate without a word being shared between my coworker and I.
(4)Megan T.
Arnold's is my favorite meat & three in town. I ordered the vegetable plate with mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, squash casserole & mac n cheese with a slice of chocolate pie. The fried green tomatoes and chocolate pie are the best I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and squash casserole were also delicious. All of their sides have great flavor...I wish i knew their secret. Their lemonade was also delicious, very sweet though. The line is always long when I've gone but it moves quickly. And I've never had trouble finding a parking spot but I've always arrived by 11:30.
(5)Melissa B.
On a recent road trip I carefully planned my drive through Nashville to make sure I could stop here! I was getting nervous I'd made a mistake when we pulled up- I didn't! It was heaven! The hours are very limited. I believe they are open Mon-Fri for lunch only. The restaurant is cafeteria style-nothing fancy. I think we were the only couple in the place that wasn't a local. The meat choices on the menu change daily. I still can't believe the meal we had for the price- I was full for 2 days! Here's what we had... Fried steak-heaven Fried shrimp Rolls/butter 2 orders green beans Mac and cheese- perfect! Mashed potatoes and gravy Fried green tomatoes- the best on earth Cucumber salad Slice of pie- still unsure which kind, but I was in love! Sweet tea Lemonade All of this for under $25 and it was all homemade and wonderful! I want to take another road-trip through Nashville soon!
(5)Andy S.
A well-deserved 5 stars. Don't hand these out willy-nilly. Great atmosphere and super food. Employees were incredibly friendly, even serving us just before closing time.
(5)Will M.
I hate to say it, but I'm in no way surprised at the ratings. dude, i know, I completely understand.. waiting in line sucks. Then you remember, only in Nashville, be jealous my friends in Iowa, be very jealous.
(5)Sujan P.
Phenomenal service by the charming pretty tanned blonde. THANK YOU for your warm southern charm! Roast beef w Au jus-4.5 stars Mac & cheese- 3 stars Turnip greens-4.5 stars Yeast rolls-4 stars Chess pie- 5 stars Hot Chocolate pie (aka spicy brownie pie)-4.5 stars Sweet tea-4 stars Banana pudding-3 stars Service- 10 stars One of my favorite Nashville Tennessee memories ever!
(5)Anna J.
As if this place needed another awesome review! The food speaks for itself. I had the best meatloaf and chocolate pie here. Can't wait to go back! The line was long but moves quickly. I can't belive this old place is churning out such amazing food.
(4)Scott M.
Well, well, well. My Nashville musician buddies said they couldn't wait to take the Big Chicago Foodie (me) to a "Meat and Three" in NashVegas for some good ole Southern hospitality. And damned if they weren't right. The place is nothing much to look at, insanely crowded, with community seating. There was an old Black guy who was busboy and door greeter, very personable and cheery. Asked where we were from, I said "Chicago" and he immediately dubbed me "Al Capone". We duked him a few fazools and told him to save a few seats for us, as you have to stand in line to get your food, then try to procure a seat. The line moved slow, and you were scuffling directly along folks eating their lunch. Kinda uncomfortable, but it gave you time to see what they were eating, and by the time I got to the counter, I had decided to order one of everything on it. (and standing in line, I saw their JAMES BEARD AWARD!!) I got the fish on corn cake with cajun gravy, with greens, and beans. Piece of hot pepper chocolate pie. (pense on that for a second-hot pepper chocolate pie...) Every little bit of the meal was intensely flavorful and fabulous. A great, great feed. Arnolds moves onto the "must" list for each visit to Nashville. Oh yes...
(5)Cathy P.
So good, in the way that stuff that's bad for is... Great experience. This is our second time here. Cafeteria style, very funky.
(5)Melissa A.
You know the food must be good when the line is out the door..and the yelp reviews rave about the food. I came on a Friday during lunch and the wait wasn't too long. I split a plate of the roast beef with sides of turnip greens, corn, and fried green tomatoes as well as the fried catfish with my boyfriend. My favorites were the catfish, fried green tomatoes, and corn. The fried green tomatoes were as good as everyone said..fried and flavorful. The roast beef was good but was a little dry but we might have just gotten a bad piece. I had never heard of a "meat and three" until I found this place on yelp and boy, am I glad! If I've ever in Nashville again I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Bob S.
What is there to say that has not been said before. So many Favorites here. I thinking Fried Pork Chop!!
(5)LaDonna T.
My first time here and I was blown away! I got the greens, Mac and cheese, gumbo, and roast beef. I tasted the cherry smoked chicken and fried green tomatoes.. AMAZING!! Absolutely no complaints!! Only 4 stars since it's my first time here...
(4)Tom M.
Classic Three and Meat Southern Diner I heard about this place from a couple lawyers and a truck driver and was told that it has a really diverse crowd, from workmen in overalls, to City Councilmen. I showed up right at 11:30, as they were putting out fresh friend chicken, and got a plate full with potatoes, mac and cheese and vegis. The food was outstanding and yes I saw guys in dirty overalls and guys in suits shoveling the food in their mouths side and side. This is a classic and a not to miss restaurant (along with tthe Loveless Cafe) in Nashville.
(5)Jennie L.
Exactly what it says. Country food at its finest. Don't expect to find anything healthy - but so worth it! Ribs are fall off the bone tender, and the sweet tea hits the spot. You'll probably wait in line and think you'll never get a seat, but the line moves fast and they'll find you a spot! Do yourself a southern favor, and GO!
(4)Paddy O.
I've never been to a place where people are happy to sit down at a table just vacated and not yet bused or next to someone that they don't know half way thru their lunch I've also never been to a James Beard award winning restaurant that most people would drive past or walk out of when first seeing it. Those people would be fools, utter fools Meat and 3, need I say more/
(5)Dorothy M.
Fabulous down-home, tastes like mama's been cookin all day, kinda food. It amazes me every time I visit & stop in how quick they serve @ this meat & 3...yet the food makes you feel spoiled & cared for. Hits the spot.
(5)John Michael E.
My absolute favorite lunch in Nashville. Can barely call it "a hole in the wall" because of how popular it is but if you're not from the south or if you're not from Nashville it is a MUST VISIT. The banana pudding is my favorite, and the corn cakes are amazing. I have not had one thing I didn't like, the staff is very helpful and kind. An absolute treat.
(5)Patricia S.
I had a friend recommend Arnold's, as well as my waiter at Etch. I didn't quite get the Meat and 3 concept, but I sure did when I arrived. We were lucky to arrive just before the line got crazy, and it sure did get crazy. The line goes quickly, and the food is surely affordable. The bus boy, ok not a boy at all, but an older man who is super friendly, funny and enjoyable. The servers are very efficient and are quite patient with us tourists when we ask questions. The fact that some people have to share tables actually makes for an accommodating and interesting environment. Kind of loved it. Must Haves: Turnip Greens Mac and Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Hot Chocolate Pie - fudge-like chocolate with hot pepper in a pie crust
(5)Kim Y.
Arnolds makes me like things I don't even like. I mean, can you often say places do that much for you? As I wait in the humongous yet always lightening fast line I meander through the daily options with a major open mind. Pork chops? Blech! Oh wait - I AM at Arnold's. Hit the top of the line - think fast Kim! The regulars behind you are about to go crazy on yo' butt! "I'll have the pork chop with collard greens and mac n cheese". What's gotten into me!? But man, the pork chop was fork tender, the collards not a bit bitter and the mac n cheese wasn't reminiscent of kindergarten paste; in fact the noodles were still in tact and actually tasted like cheese. I'm usually a biscuit/roll girl, and the yeasty monsters they serve here are delicious, but if you're a first timer, please order cornbread to soak up your greens juice/broth - its a southern staple according to my old guard friend and he doesn't steer me wrong! Other tips: don't be shy and don't show up with more than a group of 2 or 3 during the lunch rush - a place to sit may be tough to come by, but everyone is so happy and content from their plate lunch, they are in great moods and happy to share close quarters!
(5)Rudy L.
Can you say James Beard award winner. This is a Nashville food institution. Friday was amazing with having the option to taste their fried catfish. Overall this is a must visit for any Nashvillian and tourist.
(4)Ashley H.
Meh.. That's how I felt after eating here. Everything was very sloppy and cafeteria style which was sort of a turn off for me. My chicken was a little dry, but the greens were pretty good... All in all just an average meat and 3 in a sea of a million. Nothing left me wanting more.
(3)Avery J.
Some of the Best Homestyle Country Cookin' that I have ever had! Get the Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Turnip Greens. Don't forget the homemade Strawberry Pie if you have room for it!
(5)Jeremy S.
Unreal! Best meat & 3 you're ever gonna find. Seriously legit roast beef, excellent sides, super sweet tea and pies like your granny used to make. If you haven't been to Arnold's, stop what you're doing and get there now!!!
(5)Glenn G.
I travel for a living and eat and have eaten at great restuarants around the country. However, once in a while you eat in a place that forever changes the paradigm on how you view either an individual dish or a whole dining category. Arnolds is that kind of place for me. Arnold's Mac and Cheese is in my opion the standard that all Mac and Cheese in the country should be measured against. It's not $15 lobster, truffle oil, heritage bacon, etc... mac and cheese that every high dollar steakhouse tries to pull off, and some do, its just mac and cheese. Mac and Cheese isn't even my go to thing normally, but I'd drive 100 miles out of the way to eat Arnolds. I don't know what it is about it, it's got kind of a sharp funky taste but it is absolutely the best I've ever had. Another of their paradigm shifters is their roast beef. Once again, don't know what it is about it but if you've never eaten it, go there now and order it. And if you do, make sure they cut you some of the crust to go with your medium rare center because its the best. I could write for hours about this place. I moved from Nashville last February back to Fort Worth and I miss Arnolds on a daily basis. When I lived in Nashville I ate at Arnolds about 3 times a week, mainly just getting the vegetable plate and I am now in the desert of vegetables. If you haven't eaten at Arnold's or are considering eating at Arnold's in the future, stop reading this and go right now if they are open. If you read a review here that questions the quality of the food, please ignore it as that person was likely dropped on their head as a child and their advice is questionable at best. God Bless you Arnold's Country Kitchen!! I miss you dearly.
(5)Derek K.
Most meat and threes are gross to me but I will say that Arnolds usually delivers. I live walking distance from this place. Here's what I've learned from a couple dozen trips to Arnolds: The Good: roast beef, corn bread, sweet tea, pork chops, peach pie, strawberry pie, ribs, au jus sauce, amazing green fried tomatoes. The Bad: sometimes the roast beef slicer gives you a bunch of fatty meat, sometimes the roast beef is bloody, creamy chocolate pie is not very good (too sweet and gritty texture), mac and cheese while good is sometimes mushy, food is very salty, fried fish was mushy when I tried it, chicken dumpling soup was mushy and too salty. Overall a good place to eat. Usually fast, relatively cheap (unless you get pie and drink other than water). Best meat and three I've tried so far in Nashville.
(4)Guy F.
I would like to give Arnold's three and a half stars, but can not give it 4, so I gave it 3. Arnold's is not a place for the health-conscious. Everything is fried -- well, nearly everything. The catfish which Laura got was fried, the fried green tomatoes were, well, battered and fried, and delicious. If you want to indulge and can just enjoy a meal without worrying about this or that, Arnold's is cool. I had the collard greens, which were superb, the mac and cheese, which was good (and unusual: soft and mushy, rather than firm), and sweet corn, which was fine. My chicken and dumplings were quite good, quite peppery, delicious. My lemonade was undrinkably sweet. Years ago I might've gone for that much sugar. They do offer sweet iced tea and unsweetened iced tea (wish I'd known beforehand; now you do). The atmosphere is casual, informal, noisy, and fun. Ben had the chocolate pie, which was quite sweet and quite good. I'm not sure I'd go back, but I sure am glad we went; this was our first time in Nashville. Very much worth the trip.
(3)Jonathan T.
Good simple food. The roast beef and the creamed corn was good and the fried shrimp was fine. The sourdough bread was very good as were the pies and the bread pudding. Mac and cheese was just OK as were the beans and the cornbread. The line went very fast and it was not hard to find a table as throughout was fast as well.
(3)Deb H.
Well if Guy Fieri says it's good, we had to try it! It isn't much to look at on the inside but don't worry. Once you get that first bite of mac & cheese in your mouth you'll swear you're in heaven. :) The roast beef and mashed potatoes are equally outstanding. The fried green tomatoes were tasty and the chocolate pie was pretty good too. The service was hit or miss. The pie lady was a little cranky, the sides man was delightful, the owner's wife was losing her patience with us first-timers and the man who bused the tables was amazingly sweet and kind. One of the owner's sons was walking around checking on people too. He was very friendly and made us feel right at home. Overall it was a great meal and I would come back every other day for the mac & cheese. The five hour drive is the only thing holding me back!
(5)Amy H.
LIterally drove like a maniac to make it here before 2:30pm. Made it just in time! What's not to love about this place? You line up and pick out what you want to eat (everything), pay for it (cheap), and sit down to chow down on good ol' Southern comfort food. The parking lot is super small so be prepared for that, especially if you're like everyone else in the South and own a gigantic Ford F150. Also, don't come here if you're on a diet. You might-could have to be rolled out of there because there is just no resisting all that deliciousness.
(5)Ozro D.
There are several great meat-and-threes in Nashville, but I think Arnold's tops my list. And based on the line that is always out the door, I'd say I'm not the only one. If you're eating at a place like this, the requirements for success are pretty simple: 1) Good meat 2) Good sides What more do you want? Everything I've had here is great, but I'll always recommend going on Monday. That's fried chicken day. Grab whatever sides you like... they're all good. Are you looking for a trendy place for lunch where you can get random, exotic and organic foods on your plate? Go somewhere else. But if you're looking for somewhere to sit elbow-to-elbow with a random southern stranger as you all eat yourself into the happiest food coma of your life, go to Arnold's.
(5)Jennifer C.
Just Yum! It's totally off my diet but well worth a cheat day! Every time I'm in there I'm treated like family, it's really refreshing these days with all the hipster "waiters" out there who act like you're bothering them. I take everyone here for a truly good, unique Nashville eatery!
(5)Cliffton D.
I came to this place over the holidays. I always take my stepsisters out to eat in Dallas and they wanted to take me to somewhere the Nashville locals ate. I was not disappointed. We went on a Friday so I had the Roast Beef. I had the meat and 3 combo with collard greens, mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. Everything was so good! I love country/soul food and this definitely hit the spot. I also had this chocolate peppered pie that was very interesting. It was chocolaty but had a spicy kick at the end. All in all, I finished everything and would definitely come here again the next time I am in Nashville.
(4)Shannon L.
Oh my...died and gone to greasy delicious fried food heaven! Meat and three was so so good...I got the fried pork chop, with mashed potatoes, green beans and mac and cheese. So much butter and tastiness just all over the plate and I made sure to eat it all. I have a weakness for comfort food and this definitely hit the spot. Try to schedule a nap after the meal.
(5)Janette W.
Meat and three? Yes, please! I went on a Friday, which is the day you have to decide between Meatloaf and Chicken & Dumplings. But the decision was made for me when I saw Fried Catfish. They filled up my plate with green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and more. It was a great meal and there were unlimited refills on sweet tea. Yes it did suck waiting in a 60 person line to get to the counter. But the best thing about the long line is that it weaves so closely to the seated customers, that they really eat and get out fast!
(4)Douglas B.
What can you say, it lived up to the hype. Iwould go back if they only had turnip greens. Had roast beef, green beans, greens, cornbread and pecan pie....then a nap. My only regret was that I didn't manage to try the banana pudding.
(5)Hugh G.
I don't understand the negative reviews. After visiting probably 1,500 restaurants, this is likely the best. Five star service, excellent atmosphere, perfect portions, and the best food you'll ever eat, all for a very fair price. You can here every day, and never get tired of it. It's a true gem. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I see virtually no problem with the restaurant, besides the interior, which I find actually more inviting than the typical white color scheme of modern restaurants. The cafeteria style dining, to me, is nostalgic and makes the (short) wait part of the experience. Disregard ANY AND ALL negative reviews, this review is coming from a veteran of dozens of restaurants, and I NEVER leave a five-star review unless it is absolutely THE BEST restaurant I've dined in.
(5)Katie I.
The absolute BEST meat & three in town. Amazing roast beef, the Mac and cheese will blow your mind. The pies- out of this world. Love the cornbread. Simply indulgent comfort food at its best. Go early, that line forms quick. Love the place and everyone who works here, too. Second to none!
(5)Michael M.
Total dive, but the food is just amazing!!!
(5)Casey H.
I like this place. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, you tell them what you want and they will build the plate for you. This place is always busy but the line moves pretty quick. I loved the friendly service and the lemonade. I had the brisket and it was delisio!
(4)Varun B.
Fun, busy spot. The line was over 20 people long when i showed up, but it moves very, very fast. There was this wonderful lady in line who helped me pick items as I'm clearly an ignorant Northerner (Westerner??). The dinner rolls are clearly baked with some incredibly addictive substance, because i could probably eat 50 of them. The chess pie is pretty much the richest thing I've ever tasted. I couldn't finish it for fear that I might just drop dead of a heart attack right there. Everyone who works there is just so incredibly friendly!
(4)Heather H.
File this one under "Places I never would have tried if not for out-of-towners." I immediately loved the atmosphere and great mix of people. It was crowded, but as the guy who helped me carry stuff to a slightly occupied table said, "you just might meet new friends or family." That's the vibe alright, and I like it. I ended up with a vegetable plate and pie. I love how mac and cheese is vegetable in the South. It was good, a tad salty, but I'd definitely order it again. I had a little of Spider J.'s banana pudding on her insistence, which I had passed on because it was unidentifiable and therefore suspect, but yeah, really really good. I'd get it over pie next time. Staff was super friendly and genuine.
(4)Ann E.
My fellow Yelpers did not fail me. Never even heard of a meat and three place. Arnold's was fun and SO delicious-go if you are in Nashville!
(5)Brandon M.
This was one, if not the best meal of my trip to Nashville. YOU HAVE TO go to this place and get your grub on. I had Chicken fried steak, roast beef, collared greens, cheese grits, green beans, corn bread, banana pudding, chess pie and fried shrimp. Don't worry Mrs. Obama I was with two other people and I did a lot of walking that day. The food was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. If you are only going to have one Down Home Southern meal, this is the spot you need to experience! Quick tip: The food is not healthy (it is just freakin' tasty). Do not go with people who are not going to let you enjoy every calorie. Quick tip 2: Go early and on a weekday if possible. The lines are long but they are worth it I promise. Quick tip 3: Have the Chess Pie...The best I have ever had. Rub - A - Dub - Dub...Arnold's thanks for the amazing grub!
(5)Daniel N.
After seeing this on triple D, we made it a priority to stop in our next time in Nashville. The line was long, but it went quick. I was pleasantly surprised that in addition to the Monday-Friday listed menu there was a daily special as well. Shredded roast beef on top of a cornmeal pancake smothered in jalapeno cheddar cheese. Yes, it was as amazing as it sounds. For sides I went mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried green tomatoes. The mac & cheese was by far my favorite. The mashed potatoes were good, but I wish I had known I could get gravy. The fried green tomatoes were the first I've ever had, and they were good, but a bit soggy with grease. Spicy chocolate pie. Of course I'm going to try that. It looked and tasted like a brownie with a pie crust, and then about 5 seconds after you chew and swallow you just get nailed with heat. I'm going to have to find that recipe, I've not experienced anything like it. My girlfriend got the chess pie, and while I liked it, it was too much for her. The consensus was that it tastes like white cake batter. Overly sweet, rich and heavy. I will admit the seating situation frustrated me...but I am easily frustrated by that sort of thing.
(4)Amy P.
Meat and 3!!! I was in Nashville for work and decided to stop here for lunch. What the heck! This place is amazing. You would never guess how good this place is from the outside or even the inside for that matter. No ambiance, nothin. You order cafeteria style where you walk down the line and pick out your meat and then your three sides. I had pot roast on a biscuit with macaroni and cheese, green beans, and collared greens. Out of this world. Shocked at how awesome it was. If you are in the area go for it!
(5)Austin H.
This place was great. The food was legendary. If you go to a meat and three choose this one!
(5)Michelle M.
This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had in my life, WOW!! The warm bread pudding melts in your mouth and all the food looks and tastes homemade. Don't miss this restaurant when in Nashville!
(5)Richard W.
Arnold's is great when you want dinner for lunch. The food is CHEAP and the servings plentiful enough. Cornbread is a bit disappointing but otherwise for home cookin' out of a can it's just fine. Foodies will definitely want to avoid this place like the plague. :-)
(4)Piyush S.
There are very few places, where you can get in, get good quality balanced food in quick time, eat and get out. Arnold's in one of those places. Its open only for lunch and only on weekdays and that is a problem for me. But anyway, I ate a meatloaf and shared some of the roast beef from my wife's plate. They were both very very good especially the roast beef. If anyone likes roast beef, it has to be eaten at arnolds. You know one of the most abused word these days, apart from of course "GOURMET", "LEGIT"....it is HOME STYLE COOKING. Most places really don't have that home style taste to their food. Arnolds is different. You have to try food here, especially if you are not from Nashville and not familiar with meat and three concept. By the way, the veggies are as good as the meat. Please, please try the greens and green beans. The only reason, I don't give it a 5, is because I want to eat more of their stuff that I haven't tried. This is a Nashville Gem.
(4)Anthony S.
Some of the greatest "southern" style food I've ever eaten in my life. And I've had some seriously good stuff. Food is consistent, service is friendly, feels very much like a community kitchen. If you go during peak lunch hours be prepared to wait in a line that stretches out the door, but it will be worth it.
(5)Doctor W.
I finally got around to trying Arnold's for lunch and I won't be making a return trip if I can help it. Plenty of folks have raved about their soul food offerings on yelp and elsewhere, but I can tell you that the hype is just that. I went in around 1:00 pm, got in line and grabbed a tray. I had read in another yelp review that you choose your dessert first, so I pulled a piece of chocolate pie off the counter. I asked for the baked chicken (white meat, which was 25 cents extra), mashed potatoes, squash, and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes were totally acceptable. I wish I could say the same for the rest of it. Before I was handed my plate, an employee put a piece of chicken on it, then took it off noting that it wasn't white meat. He took my plate into the back (out of sight) and came back to tell me the chicken would be a few minutes and that he'd bring it to me. No big deal. The cashier asked me what I would like to drink and I chose lemonade. She rang me up and I got my first surprise. My total was $14.67! I asked the cashier if that was correct and she explained that the drink and dessert cost extra. I looked at the menu board to see how I could have overlooked this, and was fairly unsurprised to see stacks of styrofoam bowls and cups stacked so high on the counter that they obscured the dessert section of the menu. You also can't get a clear view of the menu board itself until you're half way through the line, which was the first of many signs that the staff probably don't care about providing a consistent experience. It would be so easy to put that information somewhere else like, oh I don't know, the front of the restaurant where you first walk in. I grabbed the nearest empty seat and started working on my side dishes. The squash was cooked casserole style with some sort of crunchy crust. It had a near mushy texture that was really off-putting. When my chicken did arrive (about five minutes later), it was covered in a brownish gravy that had a sort of stove-top stuffing quality to it, which wouldn't have been that bad if it hadn't looked so congealed. I cut the skin off and found some meat on the bone, though the "seasoning" and gravy didn't do much to conceal the bland non-flavor of the meat. At least it was white meat like I had asked for. The "lemonade" was basically sugar water. I tried to squeeze a handful of lemon wedges to add some tartness, but the fact that I even had to spoke volumes about the staff's commitment to the food. This was red flag number two. I took a few bites of the $3.50 chocolate pie, which was now sitting in a small puddle of moisture on the plate. I'm not sure if that's the result of a meringue getting warm or what, but it didn't matter because there was enough sugar in it to induce a diabetic coma, and the crust tasted store-bought, so I picked at it a bit and left most of it behind. Even the yeast roll had a metallic taste to it, and the pats of "butter" were anything but. As for service the clientele and the staff seemed to share a very casual rapport, and you got the sense that most of the folks there were regulars, but what other yelpers have said about this place having a soup kitchen vibe is spot on. Well, except for the prices. Even though I mentioned being a first-timer, no effort was made to guide me through how ordering worked, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't even greeted by the staff; just asked what I wanted in as few words as possible. Which reminds me, being barked at to make my selection in order to move the line faster also doesn't scream "quality eatery" to me. It all combined to form a strong reminder of the "cafeteria" types of places my grandparents used to go to, and that could be forgiven if I hadn't paid $14.67 for my meal. I had to fight the urge to ask for a refund. If you're okay with paying that kind of money for soul food, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's in Germantown. You'll get all you can eat, and the food is of higher quality. I'm told the line is out the door at Arnold's on a daily basis, and I'm sure it's true. Ignorance is bliss after all. Arnold's is one of the most/best reviewed restaurants in Nashville, and I also see a lot of five-star reviews saying they can't believe how someone could rate it lower. Maybe if you live on a diet of fast food and wal-mart fare, you could be forgiven for thinking Arnold's is soul food just like mama used to make. If you have a taste for real food though, you may want to take your money elsewhere.
(2)Nadia G.
We were passing through Nashville while on vacay and did a Yelp search for a good place to eat that was kid friendly. We got here around lunchtime and the line was out the door, but it did move quickly as others have said. The place is small and needs a bigger dining room, but I certainly understand the old school charm. Hubby and I had the ham and the kids had meatloaf. For sides, we had the yams, Mac and cheese, green beans and mashed potatoes. For dessert, we had pecan pie and banana pudding. The portions are ok, lots of meat, but priced a little higher than I would have thought for the setting. The ham and yams were outstanding. The kids and Hubby liked the meatloaf, but Hubby said he would have preferred a brown gravy. The Mac and cheese was disappointing. I like my Mac and cheese thicker and cheesier than Arnold's, but that was minor because I LOVED the yams! The pecan pie was wonderful and the banana pudding was also good. Hubby did not like the lemonade because he said it had too much sugar and tasted like syrup. If we ever pass through Nashville again, then we will certainly come back to Arnold's.
(4)Tim A.
I have never experienced like this place before or since. You wouldn't stop at this place based on its appearance; I imagine everyone in there is present based on either word-of-mouth or experience. Hands down, no question about it, best meat-and-three in Nashville. Don't pick any of the cold sides, but all the hot ones are a safe bet (double thumbs up for the mac n' cheese and the green beans). Also, best pecan pie I've ever had. A Nashville staple.
(5)William M.
Went to Arnold's for lunch when I was in Nashville for business. The restaurant was super packed and I thought we would never get a seat. Went right through the a la cart style line and instantly found a place to sit with 3 of my coworkers. The food was absolutely amazing and the prime rib was probably on of the best I have had in a long time. The chicken was absolutely perfect and pulled right off the bone! This is a must eat if you are in town looking for a fast, affordable, delicious lunch!
(4)Charles H.
Great meat and three joint! It gets really busy during lunch time on the weekdays so plan on waiting 15-30 minutes in line for food and good luck grabbing a table. But obviously the crowd is indicative of the great cornbread, collards, etc.
(4)Daniel B.
In terms of a true meat and three...awesome! In terms of what a meat and three should be: Food: There is so much flavor in every menu item at Arnolds. Ambiance: Get in line, grab a tray, grab a serving of Banana Pudding or Chocolate Pie, choose your sides, lament that you that you can't eat all of them, choose a meat, lament that you can't eat all of them, choose your bread, pick up a drink, pay...and take a seat at a table. Eat. You will be happy. Speed: The longest line out the door will only take about 10-15 mins to get served...so no worries. Usually, it only takes 3-5 minutes to walk in before you are eating. Bread: I don't let bread be the main event here! Price: A little steeper than a country meant and three...but worth every penny!
(4)Matthew L.
Great Southern Food! A little salty but overall worth visiting while in Nashville.
(4)Paulius N.
Arnold give you love Gastronomic holiness A shrine to awesome Go here, eat here, and do not be alarmed if you find out that the food will take years off of your life. It will be worth it. Carry on...
(5)John M.
I'm a Meat-n-Veg guy and have been to hundreds of these places. This is the best YET!!!! Paula Dean needs to come here and take some cooking lessons. The best Fried Green Tomato's I've had since my grandmothers. These are cooked the right way - with cornbread coating...not that nasty flour batter most places use. The hot pepper chocolate pie is to die for! Every item we had (Corn bread, Green Beans, Collards, Meat Loaf, White Beans, etc.) was prepared with love and care and full of flavor. Get there early. We arrived as the doors were opening. Will, the all-around-waiter etc., greeted us at the door and made sure every aspect of our meal was exactly what we wanted. I guess he knew we were first timers. By the time we were done with our meal, the place was packed and there was a long line. Price for two was $21 (we each added a dessert.) This is the type of place I'm glad isn't near where I live or I would eat there every single day! I will definitely be back anytime I'm anywhere near the Nashville area. And since I don't have plans for lunch tomorrow....
(5)Melissa R.
Highlight of a trip to Nashville!
(5)Damon G.
As good as any southern food I've ever had! Got the chicken and dumplings because it's something you just don't make at home often, they were great, but I couldn't help to look at all the roast beef and meatloaf on everyone's plate. Turnip greens were the best that I've ever had as well, fun joint, cafeteria style, great service, friendly family environment, a must when in Nashville!
(4)Catherine H.
I came to Arnold's for lunch. On a Monday after the rush, so the line didn't go out the door (it apparently normally does). I had a meat with 3 (sides). Roast beef was really good. Sides of collard greens, green beans, and candied yams - I devoured all of them except the candied yams, which were too sweet for my taste. I also got a chocolate meringue pie, which was ok. The sweet tea was also way too sweet for me, so I drank some and added some unsweetened tea to balance it out. Note that I am a native Californian with a sweet tooth. Not sure what made everything so sweet at Arnold's, but their stuff was even sweeter than the sweet tea and desserts I had in other places in Nashville.
(3)Carl M.
On a recent trip to Nashville I was told about Arnold's Country Kitchen. Being new to true southern cooking I was blown away by this place. When we got there the line was clear out the door but moved pretty fast. Once inside you can see how popular the place is. Daily specials are written on the wall that leads up to the cafeteria style serving line. I had the roast beef and five different sides. (corn bread muffin, fried green tomatoes and grits, chess pie, creamed corn and salad). I rate this place 5 Stars !! It is a must place to visit if you ever make a trip to Nashville.
(5)Kletia G.
oh Arnold's! I so wish you were open past 2:30 and on weekends! This place is great! Small location, cafeteria style service, long line out the door (that moves relatively quickly), nice and helpful staff and amazing food! Don't get discouraged when you show up and realize that the line for lunch is out the door. Don't think to yourself, "if I had only come earlier, or later, or on another day, I wouldn't have to wait." Wrong! There is always a long line, but it moves relatively quickly, and trust me, it is worth the wait. Killer, I mean, the most flavorful I've ever tasted, collard greens! I lay awake at night thinking about these scrumptious veggies. The roast beef was tender and delicious. The chicken and dumplings were in a thick, savory, creamy stock/gravy. The dumplings were soft and pillowy, just like I like 'em! Awesome cornbread, decadent desserts. Oh ya, all of this makes me a happy girl! Definitely worth a drive if you live outside of Nashville! Just remember, they close at 2:30 every day and are NOT open on the weekends. Enjoy!
(5)Rebecca C.
When I was eating my fried green tomatoes, angels were singing Hallelulah, I swear! I took pictures and sent texts at the same time, and in no way of awesomeness was the food affected, to rave about how delicious this meal was. I have never had a Southern meal like this, and by no means, at breakfast time. I have also never seen a place so busy for home-cooked yumminess at 10:30am. I knew that this was the place I had to go after scouting out the amazing Yelp reviews on my very short visit to Nashville. And this was it and did not disappoint one bit. I parked outside and waited an hour before it opened and watched as others started to do the same. This place is cafeteria style and has different specials each day of the week. The staff is more than nice, made me feel welcome and at home. They don't serve no fancy-pants breakfast items like omelettes and Eggs Benedict, but you get the full fixins for the morning, like fried catfish, fried shrimp, white beans, mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, and full slices of pie (pecan, merengue, key lime, take your choice). Wish I had room for the pie. It was amazing, I will never forget my best breakfast ever. And at times since I've left last weekend, I have been tempted to move to Nashville simply for Arnold's. But so far, I've controlled myself. But seriously, I told everyone I met there that they had to go. Oh - and please don't forget the sweet tea or else your meal won't be complete.
(5)Peter P.
Best meat & three I've been to. Everything just tastes really good.
(5)Jenn W.
I am giving this a 5 star rating based on the food which is absolutely divine. We were visiting Nashville and decided to check this out based on Yelp reviews. You walk in and you smell the yummy goodness. It is set up where you grab a tray and choose your items from a buffet line. We arrived and quickly found out that this place get SUPER busy. The line was literally out the door however the line moves quickly and there always ended up being a table. Given that the restaurant is so busy we quickly found out that the expectation is that you get in and get out. The first time we ate here (yes, we went twice!) I had the fried chicken and my husband had the roast beef. This chicken was definitely some of the best chicken I've ever had. My husband loved the roast beef so much he got it both times we went. Sides we had were cream corn (yummy), mac and cheese (so-so), and mashed potatoes (tasty). Sampled the pecan pie, banana pudding, and chess pie --- all were a little too sweet for my liking but good. The staff is pretty friendly especially the bus-guy who was absolute wonderful to our family and always made sure we had help to our table (since I was toting around a 7 mo old and a 3 year old). A definite must go!
(5)check p.
My favorite kind of restaurant! very cozy, cafeteria line, daily specials. I walked here from the hotel, and it was about a mile and a half. I had the brisket (four thin slices), and three: okra- (really tasty); black eye peas (so full of ham hocks, more like a stew!), and greens, also well seasoned. The line was fairly long at 1:30, but moved fast. You just eat where there's a seat, which is fun. Folks are really friendly. Lots of people eating the fried fish, and the baked chicken. Brisket was too thin for me, and not very fatty, so I was a little disappointed. I wish I had room for the pie, but I just couldn't eat any more. Worth the walk.
(4)Jonathon B.
I'm from Kentucky but moved north and it's been a long time since I had the food I grew up on. This experience was like going back in time and eating the same great food. The only difference is that it was done PERFECTLY. That word isn't used lightly and it's the only way to describe the food.
(5)Tim Z.
Going here with other travelers after already having lunch, we only intended on coming in and sampling the much-revered banana pudding, but the kind eyes behind the counter took one look at me and my two friends, asked us "is that really all you want?" and then proceeded to slice up an entire plate of samples - roast beef, greens, yams, chicken - if we weren't full before arriving, we certainly were before we left. And if not for the limitations on our bellies, we would've unanimously decided to have stayed for seconds, while paying for both! This is how a Country Kitchen ought to be, all over the country.
(4)Olga P.
The best food I have had down south. A must to visit if you want to eat some really great southern food. Their desserts are insane. Spiced chocolate cake, apple cobbler, strawberry pie with homemade whipped cream. All prepared fresh and with love, you can tell. The smoked brisket and the catfish were amazing as well. No wonder people line up to get in here. The line stretches down the block most days at lunch time.
(5)Totcho J.
I stopped in here on my cross country drive, and nearly decided to call Nashville my new home. That is how wonderful the food is. I went with the roast beef, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie. I'm planning a return trip just to eat here a dozen more times.
(5)Amber Y.
It's a good thing I'm off work today - because after lunch at Arnold's, I'm in severe need of a nap (and that's a good thing). Arnold's is a classic meat & 3. But, instead of being one of those where you leave and say, "yeah, that was pretty good", you swear your grandmother works in the kitchen. Leave the salt and pepper on the table - the food is perfectly seasoned and doesn't need a thing. My recommendation? You HAVE to get the roast beef. A. It's amazing and B. The guy slicing it is adorable (I think he's one of the sons?). Shut up! He is! You really can't go wrong with anything you get - the mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes . . . they're all wonderful. The only mistake I could possibly see someone making would be to get a side salad. Have a salad later. The food is too good at Arnold's too fill up precious belly space with nonsense like lettuce. Nap time!
(5)Adele n.
You know what's amazing about these meat-plus-three places? The wide array of incredible vegetarian options. Arnold's will serve you a plate of four heaping helpings of delicious sides plus cornbread for $6.60. Good Lordy! I had mashed potatoes (smooth, buttery goodness); mac and cheese (creamy and awesome); turnip greens (to die and/or kill for); and green beans (peppery kick!) This was without a doubt the best meal of my recent roadtrip, which involved yummy eats from all over the south. Fun, casual, cafeteria style. Be prepared to wait in line for lunch. So worth it.
(5)Jay M.
How can I eat another plate of southern comfort food without being disappointed? This was the question I asked myself after finishing my meal at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The James Beard Awards will never steer you wrong. I arrived at 1:15 PM and the line was out the door, but I didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes to order. Everyone behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. I ordered the meat and 3 with roast beef, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and jalapeño cheese grits (veggie special of the day), as well as a slice of the spicy chocolate pie (per Yelp reviews) and a sweet tea to help wash down the mountain of food in front of me (after all, when is a displaced easterner going to be back in Nashville again?). Every bite was a mix of rich flavors that comforted me to my core. The traditional bitterness of the turnip greens was replaced with a smoky, savory plate of a vegetable that could please even the staunchest meat and carb lovers. The mac and cheese was everything you'd expect it to be: cheesy and thick with a little kick of heat to cut through the dairy. My personal favorite was the jalapeño cheddar grits. These grits were essentially a vessel to shovel as much cheese into your body as humanly possible, and boy did I love them! If there wasn't a slight graininess to the grits, I would have thought I was eating mac and cheese. The roast beef was solid and well cooked, but at the end of the day, good roast beef is good roast beef, and the sides stole the show. I didn't have room for the spicy chocolate pie, but thankfully I have a dessert stomach (medical miracle, I know). This pie is essentially a brownie baked inside a pie crust, but the heat that hits you 5 seconds after you swallow your bite of pie is surprising, if not reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. Oh, and that sweet tea? Not overly sweet and the perfect way to "cleanse your palate" during a fantastic meal. Let me tell you something, dear Yelpers, I was so full and happy after my meal, I could have been mistaken for a stuffed animal at the toy store. Well, a stuffed animal who started asking some metaphysical questions on the nature of food. How could I have eaten grits or greens so many times in my life and yet never had anything that tasted quite like this? After eating at Arnold's Country Kitchen, you will be disappointed with every other rendition of grits or greens that you find. Yelpers, you have been warned.
(5)Josh K.
Best meat and three in the country and I stand by this with my life. it is amazing food and friendly people. one of the best lunches in town.
(5)Heidi W.
UPDATE: Just re-read this and changed it to 5 stars! If any restaurant deserves 5 stars, it's this one!! Best Roast Beef- period. Best Mac & Cheese-period. Best Strawberry Pie-period. Best Jalapeno Cheese Grits. PERIOD. Only reason this favorite spot of mine doesn't get 5 stars, is because it's not open 24 hours a day!
(5)Ally W.
My mom convinced me to go after searching for food places in Nashville that had been on the food network, Since we had just moved to the area and I love southern food, I was happy to give it a try and I was not disappointed! I got the ham, mac and cheese yams and corn pudding all were delicious. The sweet tea was amazing and I also had the peach pie which was FANTASTIC! my husband had all of the same but the chicken and dumplings, which I preferred the ones at Cracker Barrel. All in all it's definitely a place we will come back to, and we will bring our guests. I just wish they are open on weekends!
(5)Megan W.
Loved it. My family's from Georgia. Southern food is a part of the foundation of my life. The food here is the real deal. One of my chicken thighs was too salty, but hey, that happens. I'm talking strictly from the theory behind the food. It's dead...on. The cornbread walks a solid line between sweet and savory styles, the mashed potatoes (actually whipped) are quality and the collards are slow cooked as proper, Southern collards should be. The roast beef was GREAT. I'd never had chess pie before, but this was fun. Be prepared for a Southern take on the use of sugar here...the tea is like candy and the pie will keep you up for hours, but it's authentic. I don't usually comment on service because I eat for the food, but everybody was great. They overfilled my tea and splashed some on the tray but promptly cleaned it up, while replacing a couple of slightly wet napkins and apologizing. I would have done it myself, but the fact that they noticed was cool. I was sad I didn't get to try the seafood. Definitely will if I'm back in the area though.
(5)Fritz N.
While I don't think this place needs another stellar review, I can't help myself. I spent two days in Nashville and ate here twice. Every bite of everything I ate was delicious. And people that worked there were so nice, I couldn't believe it. Line out the door around noon and the line moved quickly. Can't wait to eat here again.
(5)Rebecca G.
Read the fellow Yelper's reviews and decided to try this place while in Nashville for the Rock and Roll Marathon. I walked in and was surprised that it was cafeteria style dining, but OMG! the food was great! Home made Southern food at its finest! I ordered the meat and 3 sides, plus a salad, plus pie, plus a sweet tea.... again, OMG! all of it was FANTASTIC!! The meat was sliced thin and had such great flavor. The fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had. The mashed taters and grits with a kick were again... FANTASTIC!! The staff was OUT OF THIS WORLD FRIENDLY and HELPFUL when I told them I was a first timer... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ARNOLD'S if you want GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD at a GREAT PRICE!!!
(5)Carin M.
Never been to Nashville and everyone said this was a "must". We were concerned by the line - but it moved quick and everyone was RIGHT. Food is amazing. We ate everything on our plates and all of us thought it was delicious. Catfish is to die for with hush puppies, greens, and fried green tomatoes. And had to finish off lunch with pecan pie. This is southern food at it's best and a must stop if you are visiting Nashville!
(5)Michelle A.
The food may be good but you can get great meat and three anywhere in Nashville. The owner is so rude that I could not believe it. After eating we started to do some shopping in the adjacent shops and were told that we would have to MOVE OUR CAR. Clearly there is some bad blood among the neighbors but that shouldn't extend to the customers. The other 2 shops in the building were super nice and apologized for the rudeness. I would rather spend my money where it is appreciated!
(1)Billy P.
Finally made the plunge into Arnold's Country Kitchen. It must be good because the "don't you leave until you see me" Kia commercial guy was at the table next to me. Ha ha. Seriously though. If you're away from home and need some comforting, then this is the place to go. Just great home cooking served with a smile. Awesome.
(5)Kate M.
This wasn't a normal visit, so keep that in mind... We heard great things about Arnold's but only had one day to get to it. We arrived at 2:40, 10 minutes after they closed for the day. We were still hopeful and rushed in but were told that it was too late. As we started to turn away, the owner asked where we were from and said that since it was so far away (DC), she couldn't turn us away hungry. She offered us a takeout container that she had packed for her husband - catfish and black eyed peas - and the staff pulled together salad with homemade dressing and sweet tea. After she refused our money, we gobbled it all down while chatting with the owner and various staff members as they cleaned up around us. I'm relieved that we didn't have to choose what we were ordering - it was all absolutely perfect. This was one of the most hospitable experiences I've had - what a warm, wonderful place, on top of the delicious, fresh-tasting food. Arnold's is top-notch!
(5)Christine O.
Loved the food ! First visit to Nashville ... will be back to Arnolds . Was well worth waiting in line which moved quickly. The staff & service was outstanding. Try the fried green tomatoes !
(5)Mari K.
Absolutely delicious! Perfect welcome to Nashville. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes and okra.
(4)Maxx M.
It took me three attempts to get a chance to eat at this Nashville institution. They are only open from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and were closed the first two times I went there. But finally around noon on the third try, I got a chance to see what the fuss was all about. Although it was a little crowed, the food was good and the staff friendly. I had baked chicken, squash, fried okra, mac-n-cheese, and sweet tea, a meal so good that I ordered a second meal to-go, to eat the "next" day. Seating can be a little bit of a challenge during the lunch hour, but it's worth enduring. The next time I'll try to make it a little earlier, or closer to 2pm, so I can get a seat.
(4)Tom J.
Yummy comfort food. Pulled roast beef was the best. Staff was nice. Get there at 10:30 or prepare to wait in long line.
(5)Liz H.
Love me some southern comfort food! This is the type of restaurant I grew up going to with the family. Menu changes daily, so you might want to do your research if you plan to go there for something in particluar, but there are a couple of offerings each day and I looove the collard greens, fried green tomatoes, & chicken livers. That's right. I said chicken livers. I came here frequently in my last month of pregnancy craving this nutritious source of iron, zinc,vitamin B6, B12, folate & more!
(5)Richard N.
Went to Arnold's wanting to get some soul food. It was friggin awesome. I like the cafeteria style set up. I had chicken and dumplings, pecan pie, mac and cheese and collared greens. Totally worth it.
(5)Kenneth B.
By far, the best meat and three in Nashville. Here is a detailed review that I wrote after one of my many visits. tennesseefoodie.wordpres… OH MY, THE AROMA ALONE IS A TREAT! I am a big fan of Arnold's and have considered my visits over the years as more of a treat than just getting something for lunch. No matter if you call it southern cooking, comfort food, or country fixins - you can be sure to call it Nashville' Best Meat and Three! Arnold's Country Kitchen is a long-time fixture on 8th Avenue South earning its esteemed reputation via word of mouth from Nashvillians and visitors alike. There is no need to spend money on advertising for this eatery as individuals, print articles, and internet blogs over the years take care of that necessity of operating a small business. WHAT TO EXPECT. A long line is always a good sign as a testimonial for good food. Don't be discouraged as you will move quickly through the line and approach the counter. Take these moments to enjoy the atmosphere. Standing in line you will notice the walls are filled with numerous photos, signatures, and articles from over the years touting praises and loyalty. Laughter and conversation is abounding as good people from all walks of life talk about daily living and hot topics. As you take your steps forward and get close to the counter take note of the very friendly staff (many have stayed with Arnold's for numerous years) as you can hear them helping the customers decide on what goodies to eat. This will be a good time to see if there are any tables available and decide if you will be eating sitting down or taking your food to go. FOOD! Oh my, the aroma alone is worth the visit! The food is prepared fresh each day with the best ingredients. Each day offers a slightly different menu with a few meats to choose from and a vast selection of sides. You can also treat yourself to the homemade pies. What do you like? All homemade, all delicious! - Meats: roast beef, liver and onions, fried chicken, carved ham, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, fried whole catfish, BBQ pork, baked chicken and dressing, chicken livers, country fried steak, fried shrimp; Sides: green beans, various types of greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, boiled potatoes, white beans, boiled cabbage, candied yams, salads, black eyed peas, baked squash (casserole), fried or stewed okra, fried green tomatoes; Desserts: pies, pies, pies of chocolate, fudge, lemon, banana, coconut, buttermilk, chess, pecan, icebox; banana or bread pudding. This is a list of what you may find depending on the day that you visit. My favorites: roast beef, fried chicken, country fried steak, fried catfish, chicken and dressing, greens, pintos, fried green tomatoes, green beans, and squash casserole. BUSINESS HOURS. Let's go to Arnold's! Get there early or past 1:30 p.m.! As you approach the restaurant you will see that the parking lot is full but you will find a spot as the lunchtime business is fast-pace and many people like to order their food to go. Monday-Friday; 10:30 am - 2:45 pm. Price Range $6-$12 (depending on add-ons). CONTACT. Arnold's - 605 8th
(5)Jack W.
Tied for my favorite meat-and-3 in town, next to Copper Kettle.
(5)Holly L.
My boyfriend and I came here for our last meal before heading back to phoenix and thank goodness we made it. We arrived after closing time but they served us anyway and EVERY person there was super friendly. I'd give 5 stars on customer service alone-it works out well that the food rocked also. We devoured everything in 10 minutes and left smiling and giggling about what we had just experienced. We had the fried catfish, roast beef, green beans (best ever), mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes (yum!), squash casserole, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, and sweet tea. Loved it all. Seriously considered going back for more green beans, although other reviews were right about them being especially salty. Next time i'll try the chicken and dumplings, which one employee specifically recommended. Amazing meal with amazing people.
(5)Kevin G.
All the positive review led me here... and they could not have been more right!!! This place is great country cookin!
(4)Joey H.
First time trying Fried Green Tomatoes here! Also got the roast beef, which was tender and juicy...except for the bits of hard stuff that was also there. Good, solid meal. Would probably come more often if I worked nearby, but it isn't really worth a trek out for its weekday lunch-only hours. Line moves fast, but finding a place to sit might be a struggle.
(3)Vivek S.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Arnold's was recently (2008) a winner of the James Beard Foundation's "America's Classic" awards - and it was well deserved. The food is served cafeteria style and the people that work there are always there. Kalil, Arnold's son, runs the place and is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. I've honestly never had anything bad. The menu rotates every day, but staples they always have are a massive roast beef, studded with garlic, that is hand carved to order, mac n cheese, greens, green beans, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Some of the specialty items I like are the fried catfish (Wed+Friday), fried chicken (Mon), BBQ brisket (Wed). The pies and bread pudding are good, but my favorite desert is the banana pudding. If you are visiting Nashville, don't miss out on this place. If you're from Nashville, then go find out an exceptional representation of good southern cooking. But remember, they are only open from 10:30-2:30 every day for lunch.
(5)Rico A.
This has to be the best meat and 3 in Nashville. They give you a lot of food for a great price. Everything taste home made. Don't forget to grab a slice of chess pie.
(5)Aaron L.
Holy sh*t! This place is awesome! I'm from California and was in town on vacation and decided to give this place a try. I'm so glad I did. I felt like I really got the southern experience inside this place. The people were so nice and the food was amazing. My brother and I walked in and it felt like we were thrown into a tornado of deliciousness and walked out with trays full of food that there was no way we would be able to finish in two sittings. If you're looking for a good southern cooking experience, I highly recommend coming here, just make sure you're hungry.
(5)Jackie W.
This was my very first meal in the south, and i was not disappointed. We got here around 130 and the line was out the door. It took longer than advertised (their sign said the line moves quickly) to get inside and get our food, but it was certainly worth it. I had the fried chicken, turnip greens, fried apples (a Monday menu item), and a small salad. I don't know why I thought I could handle a "meat and 3," because I can barely finish a sandwich, but I had to go full southern. The fried chicken was the business. Like really. Now, since I'm from California, maybe I'm not the fried chicken expert, but man. It was the only thing I made sure I finished. The turnip greens were more acidic than I had expected, but I enjoyed them. The apples were also different than I'd expected (I guess I was thinking battered and fried) but they were pretty good. Don't waste your time with the salad. Seriously, you may want to have some fresh vegetables, but don't bother. Although they take cards, bring a couple bucks for the guy that cleans up your food. He's really sweet and funny!
(4)Meeta A.
I had never heard of "meat and three" before reading reviews of Nashville eateries on Yelp... but all of the reviews of Arnold's were great, so I decided to give it a try. We were visiting during the off-season (November) and it was a little scary how few people we saw at all of the tourist spots and throughout town. Then we came to Arnold's for lunch and found that the entire city was hiding out inside! As expected, there was a line out the door, and each table was packed at all times. Although the decor (such as it is) isn't much to look at, the food is finger-licking and artery-clogging good. The fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, hush puppies, etc. were all delicious. Ooh, and the corn muffins and corn cakes. On the "healthy" side, I ordered asparagus, but of course they had a delicious cheesy buttery sauce for that too. I got the fried catfish and a fried shrimp "just happened to jump into my plate" since the server saw me eyeing the shrimp hungrily. They definitely had items beyond what was listed on the board, and the people serving were super friendly and helpful on picking what to eat. Even with the crazy rush, I didn't feel pressured. I meant to post this review four months ago, so I'm not sure what I can add -- I don't remember much beyond the happy feeling I had there and how nice everyone was. If you're in Nashville, this place is a must.
(5)Renata P.
Arnold's doesn't seem like much walking in with it's cafeteria style seating. Then I noticed that the Food Network had been there and I got excited that the food was going to be excellent. Well... The chicken I had was great but the collard greens were a little salty for my tastes. It's definitely a Nashville favorite as the line literally goes out the door at lunch time but I admit I felt it was just ok.
(3)Michael S.
The wife and I decided to give Arnold's a try after reading so many good reviews, wow some good food for sure. I had the Roast Beef and the wife had the baked Chicken, she chose the Dressing and Mashed potatoes as her sides. I got the Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese and Mashed potatoes as my sides. The people working the line where very friendly and helpful, it made me really enjoy the experience. The Roast Beef was great, the crust was the best part, I didn't have a side I didn't like, they all tasted great. The wife thoroughly enjoyed her chicken, she really loved the dressing. My wife is a pretty slow eater, today she wolfed it down in record time. This will be one of my go to places each time I visit the Nashville area.
(4)Sean M.
This may well be the best food in all Nashville. It is definately the best southern food I have ever had and I have lived in the south for over 17 years. Don't miss the pecan pie!
(5)Theresa D.
Fried fish good. Collards good. Vinegar with tabasco peppers on everything very good. Chess pie, just heaven (and even 30 minutes before closing, lots of great options!).
(5)Sam D.
It's a classic meat-n-three. It's the one that's in all of the tourist guidebooks. You'll find Arnold there most days himself, serving up the meat on the buffet line. You may even see a celebrity or two. I caught John Prine there eating some green beans once. There may be a line.
(3)ivan n.
I love Arnold and his bananna pudding.. No homo
(5)Ryan H.
Hands down the best meat in three......EVER. If you haven't been there, it will in fact change your life.
(5)Rebecca B.
If you live in Nashville and long for really good and authentic southern cooking than look no further than Arnold's!! This particular "meat and three" has home-made everything! It is a family-run restaurant that has its walls adorned with every famous country legend that has ever worked in Nashville. Its definitely a hole in the wall but it's really a gem as far as Nashville meat and three's go. I prefer to go on Monday's for their keilbasa and kraut. I always get the mashed potatoes with some gravy off the roast beef for the day. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes when they have them, and ALWAYS get their lemonade with a splash of sweet tea. The ONLY thing that stinks about this place is how BUSY it is at lunch.There is literally a LINE OUT THE DOOR come noon time, but this is only because the food is to DIE FOR! Thankfully it moves very fast. Seriously though, the family is getting ready to renovate their building to give it some more seating and much needed kitchen space. So look for Arnold's to be EVEN BETTER in the future!! My little tip for pretty young things, steer clear of Arnold himself. He is a dirty ol' man with a vulgar mouth! I'm sure he is totally harmless and his sons that run the restaurant (with their mother at the helm) are very charming and good looking! Definitely get there super early or late unless you like sharing a table with people about to leave.
(5)Dana S.
The restaurant has plenty of southern casual atmosphere but overall the food is just average. Compared to delicious deep southern food I was raised up on, Arnold's is simply blah. The greens are pretty good but the roast beef, cornbread, even the tea and lemonade is just so-so. At least they do come around to offer drink refills.
(3)jenny v.
holy crap! this was one of my best meals ever. my husband did not believe me when i told him that southern cafeteria meat & threes is some fine eatin', but one visit to arnold's made him a convert. the fried chicken was divine and the soft rolls are amazing (must be the delicious lard). anyhoo, arnold's is why i've now decided that i must move to nashville!
(5)Ben F.
I've eaten at restaurants all over the United States, but none are as good as Arnold's when it comes to cooking meat and threes from scratch.
(5)Logan G.
Wow...this place was unbelievable. Seriously 5 stars all around. Smelled fantastic, people were super friendly (except the woman cashier who was texting while we were paying for our food, definitely uncharacteristic of everything about this place.) The rest of the staff was genuinely friendly and cared about taking care of you. I mean genuine. The food was sort of like a flashback, going thru the cafeteria line at school and while ordering the food I was kind of taken aback. BTW the guys putting your plate together were extremely nice as well (just that dang lady texting at the register? wtf are you doing there?) I had read reviews before coming and was prepared for a good meal but all I could think about was the cafeteria line at school. NOT THE CASE ON THE FIRST BITE! Holy smokes this is grandma's cookin' with fllllaaaavooor! Yes probably the most flavorful meal of down home cooking I have ever had. Mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Pops had the fried grouper and it was unreal too. Super light crispy batter, again tons of flavor! Unbelievable...You must go, seriously. Treat yourself.
(5)J B.
What can I say that has not convinced you to try this place? I read about this place from Yelp, and I was convinced that I had to try it. After walking through a sketchy part of town and finding Arnold's, I knew that this place was amazing the second I stepped in through the door. Southern, cafeteria-style, heavenly "meat and three" scented bliss awaited me.
(5)Jacob R.
I'm surprised this doesn't have more reviews. Neighborhood is fine, the place is excellent.
(5)Heidi R.
I didn't know what a Meat & Three was til I moved to Nashville nearly 7 years ago. It took me years to try Arnold's -- but maybe I unknowingly saved the best for last. Arnold's is by far the BEST Meat & Three in Nashville (and in the rest of TN). It is also one of the most affordable. All of their food is wonderful but the roast beef w mashed potatoes and gravy and greens are AMAZING. If you are looking for fried chicken, theirs is very good but you can find better in Nashville. The corncakes are worth the wait if they've run out. The desserts r delish. And, I'm gonna say it again --all their food is wonderful... the epitome of what a true southern resteraunt should taste like -- delicious. I've got company coming into town next week and I'm going to take them there and make them wait in line... for food that will leave them asking for more whether it is roast beef or catfish, mashed potatoes or corn casserole, greens or green beans.
(5)Will O.
Best Meat and Three in town....Period. Probably one of the best I have been to anywhere. The sweet tea is like cold liquid sugar. Awesome!
(5)Robert K.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat n' three joint in downtown Nashville. Arnold's serves up some seriously tasty southern style chicken dishes. Arnold's is distinctly different from the other meat n' three places in Nashville, in that there have been boat loads of celebrities that have visited the place. Arnold's has the pictures to prove it, the concrete block walls are adorn with pictures of country music heroes and local celebrities. The absolute best thing on the menu is the ham, which they serve on Tuesdays. They cut the slices so fat, it takes up the entire plate. Of course, they have the traditional meat n' three sides like mashed potatoes and string beans or some sort of veggie. Like most of the food at Arnold's, they smother the string beans in butter or the like! If your kids are not eating their vegetables, bring them to Arnold's they will gobble the string beans right up!
(4)Rozina K.
We came here while driving cross country and we LOVED it! This place has amazing food and the sweetest staff! Their macaroni and cheese and pecan pie are things to write home about. Make sure you eat here!
(5)Thomas J.
If there's one thing I've learned from living in Seattle for 25 years, it's southern food. And for traditional southern home cooking, this place will be hard to top. I can't really add to what's been said here - I can't vouch for the authenticity of the place (I'm guessing it is) but the food was delicious. The meatloaf was fantastic, the mashed potatoes were pretty much perfect, and the only flaw I found was the mac-and-cheese. I suspect it's just a personal thing, though, so don't take the minor criticism seriously. Super friendly.
(4)Kevin P.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat and three in Nashville. Welcome to the South baby! The prime rib, creamy mashed potatoes, and thick Mac-and-cheese were just exactly what you want when it's time for comfort food; corn bread, pancake, the whole nine yards. Don't kid yourself, you need to power through and try the wicked SWEEEET banana pudding (with Nilla wafers, oh yeah). And remember, it's just around the corner from the Gulch.
(5)Jenny L.
Best meat and three hands down! I have cravings to go here all the time. The mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and green beans are so delicious and really tasty. Last time I went, I sampled my friend's roast beef and had fried shrimp for myself. We left Arnolds holding our stomachs and just enjoying our food coma. I highly recommend people to try and check this place out if they can. They only serve throughout the weekend and lunch hours too. They have long lines but it goes by pretty quick, so just be patient!
(5)Becky C.
Love this place!! Great Southern food. I took my friends here from out of town and we all went for the first time. We got there right at 11:00am and didn't have to wait at all. Everything we had was wonderful. I really don't even know what to say besides go to Arnold's if you get the chance. You won't regret it. My friends loved it too.
(5)Heather N.
Just what a restaurant should be. Will welcomes you when you walk in, checks on you when you're eating and says good-bye when you leave. The Grouper, roast beef, chicken and dumplings were all amazing. Loved everything.
(5)Bill K.
Love, love, love this place. Food was outstanding, service was even better. We ended up taking 3 whole pies home. I wore a Steelers shirt and the whole staff razzed me in a fun, friendly southern way. Mom and daughter were super friendly and hugged me on the way out. Can't wait to be back in Nashville to go back.
(5)Aileen F.
So good!! I was in Nashville for work, and we used Yelp to figure out where the best place for lunch was and this had the most positive reviews. I had never heard of "meat and threes" before, but I am officially a fan now :) The employees were so friendly and gave me suggestions on what to get since it was my first time. The decor seemed to even add to the whole appeal. I would definitely come here again if I get to return to Nasvhille!
(5)Matt L.
Let me begin by saying this: I hate meat and three. It's a strong word, and I mean it as much as I can. Nothing grosses me out more than looking at food which is often hours old, heated under lamps, and often soggy from swimming in the own juices. It makes me ill. That being said, I did take the opportunity to visit Arnold's because it was rated that well. People could not say enough good things about it. Now I still acted with caution. I first considered the fried chicken, but it didn't look fresh, so I chose the roast beef instead. I looked over the various sides, and chose the mashed potatoes and green beans (drained). And it was all very tasty. I'm not saying I am a huge fan, but it was palatable, which is unique among meat and three places I have visited. If you like meat and three, and want to try the very best, this is the place. If you're a Yankee food snob (like me) and want to gingerly try a southern cooking place that won't send you screaming, definitely give Arnold's a shot.
(3)Anna M.
I saw this place on a Diners, Drive In's and Dives episode and was intrigued. The next day I dragged my boyfriend with me for one of the absolute best lunches I have ever had in Nashville. I mean really. Everything I had was amazing from the roast beef to the sweet tea to the mac and cheese. Every single bite was heavenly. Also, don't even think about skipping out on the pie. It's heavenly
(5)Julia G.
This place is a Nashville institution, and an important part (OK, perhaps THE most important part) of my itinerary every time I visit. Like any meat and three, Arnolds' food options rotate daily. Everything tastes good. In my experience, the catfish, fried chicken, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding are particularly delightful. Skip breakfast before you go, and don't make any big plans for afterwards either - you will be completely incapacitated by your food coma. Eat fast so you can pack as much down your gullet as possible. You will feel a little guilty afterwards, but you won't regret it.
(5)Ryan O.
serious contender for the best food in nashville and some of the best i've ever eaten. the chess pie is without a doubt the best pie i've ever had. take a bite and wait for your eyes to roll to the back of your head. possibly even better than the pie is the bread pudding. you simply have to try it as nothing i could write here would do it justice. from the brisket to the roast beef to the fried green tomatoes, it's hard to top this place. southern comfort food at its finest.
(5)Susan V.
THIS PLACE is considered the best meat and three in Nashville? THIS?! My country-fried steak (the kind doused in brown gravy) was mushy and looked kind of disgusting, but it was pretty tasty. I failed to finish it not because the portion was too big (about average sized) but because my mouth had developed salt fatigue and the whole affair wasn't actually tasty enough to warrant forcing myself. I modestly ordered meat and one knowing I would have some chess pie for dessert. My side was mac and cheese, which was creamy and melty and like my steak, did not require much chewing, and though the portion was very small, I still couldn't finish it because of the salt-burn from my dog-food steak. Already surprised and disappointed in myself for not being able to lick my plate clean from meat and one while not exactly feeling full, I went on to fail my champion stomach by merely picking at my pie. It was certainly sweet enough, but the crust was missing that lardy je-ne-sais-quoi that I always look forward to in a good Southern pie. I might go back to try something else; my friend's chicken livers were pretty good, and I like the not-overbearing but friendly cafeteria-style of service here. But I can honestly say that there are far better meat and threes in this city and I regretted having brought my out-of-town friends to this one.
(2)Erin B.
BEST food I've ever had . Better than Grandma's cooking.
(5)Nancy S.
I loved this place so much that I may just fly to Nashville to eat and fly home! Real authentic old school vibe. Food was like my mother cooked it. Assembly cafeteria line leads to the register. it's very much self serve and not very fancy on the inside and outside but the food was fantastic. I had fried green tomatoes, collard greens, mac n cheese, and roast beef. The corn bread was really delicious too. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't the place. If you're looking for real tasty and delicious home cooked food at a decent price, THIS IS THE PLACE. I guess they're not open all day so it's best to go earlier in the day. I'm sad I discovered this place the actual day I was flying back home. I can't wait to get back to Nashville and eat here.
(5)Nash B.
one of the best meat & three's in Nashville. don't miss it. basically, they have good ol' Southern food.....so jump in & experience it. the other meat & three's that I like in Nashville are: Wendell Smith's Swett's You can't go wrong at these fine Southern establishments! (Arnold's, yes, can have a line to wait in....but it's always worth it to me....unless you're extremely pressed for time. they make the line move pretty fast too.)
(5)Yuki H.
Southern cafeteria style. Good ole' southern style soul food home cooked meals. YUM! The restaurant is located in the middle of nowhere and on a corner in red. So hood! Got in at around 2:15 PM. 15 minutes before closing. You heard right. They only open from 10:30-2:30. 4 hours of deep concentrated eating! The classic "meat and three" for under $7. GOODNESS. Remember it's cafeteria style so line up and go down the line. Started off with a nice crisp salad, then got down to business. Had the "catfish" (in the south, they love dem they catfish) And let me tell you. Their's were 10x better than the one's I tried off of Beale Street in Memphis. I had the meatloaf. I loathe meatloaf too but this one was sweet and juicy. For my sides had to get me some greens. Green Beans, Turnip Greens (a first and definitely not the last) and mashed potatoes (no gravy necessary). One thing I wish they had that particular day were the Fried Green Tomatoes that everyone on Yelp was raving about! I will next time for sure. For dessert I had this Coconut Crunch Pie. I'm telling you. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I had to order TWO of these. No one makes a pie like this one. Talked with the owner's wife Rosario (You are so kind. Thank you for visiting me and my associates later on at the auction!) and had a grand ole time. All the people working at Arnold's were kind and very intuitive in refilling your drink or helping with anything you need. It really felt like home. While walking out, I saw that they recently just received the James Beard award. WHAT? That is nuts. They won as the America's Classics Award winner. I see on Yelp that there are only 30-something reviews for this place? Where are all you Nashville people at?
(5)Daniela J.
Amazing food, especially considering the (incredibly) reasonable prices - two full, heaping lunch plates plus drinks for less than $20. The servers were all super friendly and when they found out we were from out of town they brought us even more food to try (didn't hurt that it was after 3pm and the lunch shift was done). Plus one guy sat down to chat with us and tell us where the locals go at night to party. Get the spicy chocolate cake!
(5)Tin N.
One of the best meat & twos/threes cafeterias in Nashville in my opinion. I like the variety offered each day, even though not every item available is necessarily great. For example, the banana pudding is a bit too sweet for me. But these are minor issues that do not take away from the overall quality of food.
(5)Sydney M.
It's surprisingly hard to find good country cookin in Nashville. I'm from Mississippi so I'm used to a certain caliber of greasy foods. Arnold's does not disappoint. Probably some of the best fried green tomatoes I've had. A really good meat and 3. Get there early or the line will be out the door.
(4)Becca G.
Roast beef, collard greens, mac n' cheese, fried green tomatoes, corn cakes, unsweet tea. Fin.
(5)Sally B.
I am a huge fan and would return every single day if diabetes didn't run in my family. Main course: the best soul food. You cannot leave without trying the Fried Green Tomatoes! When I went, I had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, and the squash casserole. The roast beef was not extraordinary, but it was the best I have had in town. The fried green tomatoes were the highlight. You get a small bowl of fried green tomato slices. Exceptional. It tastes like home grown tomatoes! It was amazing. The squash casserole was great, again the best in town. Dessert: I had the chocolate pie for dessert. It was a lot of food so that was probably a mistake. But it was delicious, not too sweet but very satisfying! Drinks: they have sweet tea and lemonade :) Atmosphere: friendly. Everyone is so nice, cashiers, cooks, everyone. People dining there are often business men/women that work nearby. Tips: Show up early; it gets busy around lunch. Order the fried green tomatoes! :)
(5)Paul P.
Oh Arnold's, how I love you so. Mondays they have blackened tilapia. I know, you're like, whuh, blackened tilapia at a meat & three? And I'm like, yeah buddy, and you're like, holy crap, this is awesome. The end. Or, I'm like, I'm going for a veggie-4-plate today, and you're like, what are you, a wussy? And I'm like, nay, a real man eats his Greens, just look at Popeye. And you're like, truth. Line moves fast, meal is $10, and there's lots of iced tea, if you're into that kind of thing.
(5)Joshua P.
Whoa. Lived in Nashville for 3 years before I got myself over here. That was a mistake. I'll be coming here a couple times a month for the rest of my life from now on. Best brisket I have ever had. Definitely earned their James Beard Award.
(5)Travis B.
After hearing about Arnold's for months, I finally checked it out with a friend. I was blown away. Being from southern Alabama, I've had my share of good soul food. But this place took it up a notch. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans...all incredible. If you live in Nashville or visit Nashville, you've got to check out Arnold's.
(5)Kristen W.
Happened to be in Nashville on a Friday afternoon, and decided to take advantage and check out Arnold's while it was open. We walked the mile from our downtown hotel in the 100+ degree heat and I am very happy to say it was worth it. While waiting in line, I was convinced by a man eating that I needed to get the fried shrimp. I also got the fried green tomatoes, asparagus, and candied yams. For dessert, peach pie. Hubs got the lunch special BBQ beef on a jalapeno grit cake, + his 3 sides, and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm. Everything was excellent. Believe the hype. You don't earn 2 James beard awards for being mediocre. I hope to make it back someday, the sooner the better.
(5)April S.
Is it a dump? Yes. Is parking a pain in the butt? Absolutely. Do I wish I could blink and make it come directly to me, hot and ready? Of course! Is it worth it? Hell, yes. Arnold's in an institution in Nashville and rightly so. I've eaten there more times than I would like to admit. Each time it is delectable; an out of body experience, really. The fried green tomatoes are delicious and flavorful, the roast beef nice and pink, the mashed potatoes and green beans are out of this world,!! Heck, even the simple sliced tomatoes are yummy--you can tell they are super fresh! I'm a true southerner and have grown up eating the good stuff, well prepared right from our garden. This is southern cooking at it's finest--no canned soups here. Oh, and don't forget chocolate or pecan pie. It's delicious!
(5)Steven S.
Arnold's is an awesome meat and three. It is definitely the best one in all of Nashville. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I am partial to their homemade chicken and dumplings. Also you have got to try their banana pudding. Mmmm good!
(5)Hoa T.
A must eat if you are ever in Nashville. I feel like I actually live here now that I have eaten at Arnold's. Cafeteria style, the line may be long but it moves quickly. I had the roast beef, greens, asparagus, and cucumbers. Everything was great and hey I finished in like 10 minutes. Great for lunch.
(4)Kristen D.
Let me begin by saying, I read the reviews and did not believe that it could be true. My mom throws down, my grandmother is a cooking fool, and my great-grandmother NEVER played in the kitchen. So I KNOW good soul food when I taste it. I thought this must be some city folks that have never had a real meal before. I was wrong. Arnold's is some of the best everything I've ever had....in my life...believe it. The place is packed tight, but moves quickly. The building itself is nothing to speak of but seriously with food this good I'd buy it out of somebody's trunk! Go! Its at a great value for the meat and three around 7 dollars a plates. Sweet patato pie is a killer! Greens...OMG...even the sweet tea is amazing.... You will love this place....
(5)Jonathan W.
Awesome meat-and-three. The roast beef is not to be missed, and they have the best fried green tomatoes around.
(5)Courtney M.
My first trip to Nashville and this was our first meal in Music City. First off we arrived about 10 mins before they closed and we were the only customers in the place so no line! Arnold's is a cafeteria style setup with a steam table, you pick the food you want,move on down the line to the register to pay, and find a seat. The entire staff was friendly & out going. Between the 2 of us we had the fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes (a must!), collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and a salad. This is a Nashville must - get there before you have to wait in the line!
(4)Edward H.
Get there at opening time & dig in. The best meat & 3 in town - bar none. The Tuesday special chicken & dumplings was outstanding. And although spicy chocolate pie sounds trendy, it was spot-on. Long live Arnold's!
(5)Sara L.
things to do when planning to go to Arnold's: 1. be prepared for the line. If you are on your own, talk to the people in line. Swap favorite Arnold's foods and think about what you'll order. 2. If its raining--bring an umbrella, because you may be standing outside. 3. Remember the line moves fast--particularly important once you can smell the food inside and start to get hungry! 4. Come on an empty stomach, because you will want to try everything and there is lots to try!!! At Arnold's: 1. check out the specials--when I was there they had an amazing asparagus with tarragon sauce. very good. 2. I also had roast beef (excellent), macaroni and cheese and turnip greens. I liked them all--the turnip greens were amazing against the richness of the cheese and the roast beef was great. The yeast rolls were good, but mainly to soak up the roast beef gravy and extra tarragon sauce. 3. Eat some pie. I tried the chocolate, which tasted like a s'more. Next time I would try the peach, which the person next to me said was amazing. 4. Which is another thing to note--you should talk to people in line and be prepared to share a table. Chat with those people too--you can get ideas for what you want to eat next time. 5. Finally, happy and full, bus your table. There are a lot of people coming through and only a few people working to keep the tables clear. So be kind and take your stuff to the back on your own.
(5)Rupard M.
Cafeteria style serving here. We arrived early and barely had to wait in line but by the time we were done eating, the line was out the door. I definitely loved the smoky flavor from the wood smoked BBQ ribs I had as an entrée. They did go a little heavy on the BBQ sauce which took away from the authentic flavor of smoked ribs. I also had a cornbread muffin and it too had a smoky flavor which made it seem more home cooked. Definitely a fan of this place!!
(4)Linda A.
We've lived here for 3 years and had not visited Arnold's until today. I'm kicking myself now for having waited so long! My parents are visiting from Michigan so it was a perfect time to have a real southern lunch. Oh.My.Word. Everything was PERFECT and the people couldn't have been friendlier. (They knew we were rookies the moment we walked in the door LOL) Chicken and Dumplings - fantastic. Fried Green Tomatoes - the best EVER. Turnip Greens - you cannot deny that there is a God in heaven that wants us to be happy. Banana Pudding - I saved room for this and am so glad, to miss it would have been a travesty. We shared bites of everything and it was all delicious. Even the side of fresh, ripe tomatoes tasted better than it does anywhere else. We will be back and back and back. YUM!!!
(5)David K.
Excellent food, possibly the best that I ate while in Nashville. The Meat and three was excellent as was the bannana pudding and pie that we had for dessert. Will make sure to go every time we are in town!
(5)Christian S.
Not trying to be redundant, but the meat & three is clearly the way to go. 4 meat choices per day, double that for sides and it's still only $7.19! You get two different types of homemade cornbread along with your meal, as well. Roast beef, macaroni & cheese and the mashed potatoes are all highly recommended.
(5)Christiane A.
I wouldn't have ever visited Tennessee if it were not for my friend and partially because of the food. And let me tell you I had a southern food baby at Arnold's, named it Earl. Earl is part catfish (on Wednesdays), green beans, black eyed peas, and corn bread. Let me tell you something, Earl was quite the big and happy food baby. A week in the South is like my years worth of calories. There are no words to describe the party that happened in my mouth, other than if Paris Hilton knew about, she'd try to crash THAT party (and yes I just cancelled out what I just said because I did describe it, shaddup). If you decide to visit Southern states that are predominantly white and are any other race other than White, prepare to get stared at. I don't think they normally see an Asian eating like a pig, or an Asian for that matter.
(5)Brent W.
This was the first place I ate at when visiting Nashville and it was delicious. I have never heard of "meat plus three" until now. The place is kind of small and off the beaten path a bit. I went on a Thursday and it was packed. They have about 3-4 different meat specials every day and I ordered the chicken fried steak which was covered in brown gravy and cooked onions. This was phenomenal! It wasn't too salty and it was very crunchy, definitely not what I expected so I was impressed. My three sides were the mashed potatoes, green beans and mac & cheese. The potatoes and green beans were good, but the mac & cheese was very good. My girlfriend let me try her roast beef and turnip greens, which I loved the roast beef, but didn't prefer the turnip greens. I wish I would have ordered a slice of pecan pie but I was too full from the lunch. I recommend this place for anyone visiting Nashville if they are looking for some good ol' southern home cookin'.
(5)Leanne B.
The food is good yes but I think the desert portions are a little small! I walked across downtown just to go here and I don't think the chess cake was any better than what I had at Jacks the previous day!! Mash was good but nothing special!
(3)Laura E.
AWESOME HOMEMADE SOUTHERN FOOD!!! People working there are simply GREAT!!! funny and helpful!!! Mac n cheese are a MUST HAVE!!! DELICIOUS!!!!
(5)Frances D.
THE BEST fried green tomatoes, macaroni, and greens. Don't let the line discourage you. It moves quickly, and you will leave full and happy.
(5)Chef X.
Really People?!?! Everything they serve is dead, gray, limp and way past due. My Navy buddy says it reminds him of his days in the service going through the chow line. Somebody please explain to me what I ain't gettin'. I'm all ears!
(1)Dustin A.
I'm not going to go on a huge rant about this place as you can get plenty of detailed info from other reviews, but man .... This place is GOOD. I'm not talking "you find a 5'er in your pocket on laundry day" good. I'm talking "once you've eaten here it is HARD to not want to eat here ATLEAST once a week" good. The food in incredible, the crowd is diversified and the staff are always in a good mood. It honestly seems like they enjoy working there. Its such a weird vibe. I love it. You get your food quick and you get full quick cause you cant slow down the plate to fork to mouth motion. Do yourself a favor and try out what has been voted "best meat n three" around. You wont be sad you did.
(5)Candy W.
The best meat & three in Nashville. Maybe, in the country. I absolutely have nothing bad to say about Arnold's. Roasted beef is not to be missed!! Juicy, tender, flavorful gravy. Collard greens are the best I ever have. Excellent flavor....I can eat it every day of my life. Their chess pie is super delicious. Everything is delicious. Come to see it yourself why it's a Nashville institute.
(5)Ken L.
First time in Nashville so did a lil yelp'in once I got here. Had NO IDEA what a meat and 3 was either. Needless to say when I heard about this place I had to try.... with all the high rankings and all..... I ordered a few things since I was in town for a short period of time. I ordered the meat 'n 3: Chicken with yams, collards, and grits. I didn't know what GOOD chicken was until I ate chicken here. So juicy and cooked just right. I ordered the homemade cobbler and that hit the spot. The guy in charge gave me some generous "samplings" of their prime rib slices with au jus. Places like this make me wish I lived here. The service was very friendly too. So kind. Then again, just about everyone in Nashville were really nice folks.
(5)Susan K.
This is one place where you could really eat your face off. Very low key, cafeteria-style, and apparently where a lot of big wig politicians in Nashville like to graze. I got the 4 vegetables plate, and I chose squash casserole, turnip greens, asparagus, and macaroni & cheese. It came with a corn muffin and a corn cake. Everything I chose was cooked to perfection, and nothing was overly salty. This was something I was afraid of, because typically southern food is highly salted, if not floating in butter. Needless to say, I WILL be coming back here, but I would advise getting water unless you like your tea syrup sweet. Next time I'd like to try a meat and maybe even a dessert. My coworker said the banana pudding is to die for. Arnold's definitely left me wanting more.
(5)Rhonda P.
We read the reviews and thought we would give it a try. The food was fair, not at all like we expected. The mashed potatoes had a large lump the size of an egg, no seasoning. The ham was mostly fat and the rest of very salty and seemed undercooked. The price was way too high for quality of food we got. Will NOT go back here again.
(1)Brad B.
old school. the family could have franchised, opened more locations in better parts of town, even closed this little place down and move to Green Hills or Williamson County -- but they didn't. Just the right size. Lines are omnipresent, but by the time you get your food, there's always a table available. Arrive early for your best choice - when it's gone, it's gone. Fried green tomatoes with hot sauce, barbecue chicken, chipotle grits, roast beef, pecan pie, banana pudding, sigh. Any restaurant that can run lunch M-F only and stay in business for 50 years is doing it the right way. One of my favorite places to eat in Nashville, and it will be one of your favorites, too.
(5)Craig M.
My type of place! Everything was tasty and the staff was friendly. Came at closing time and asked about a dish and they offered me a sample as it was closing time. Went twice this year and I am from NJ!
(4)Mell F.
Damn you Yelp for forcing me to choose either 3 or 4 stars when I really need 3.5 here. You expect me to be so firm and decisive when I want to be laid back and non-committal! I'm tempted to give 4 stars, but I refuse to sacrifice what's left of my objectivity and reputation just to fit in with the bulk of humanity... However, I do reserve the right to increase my rating upon subsequent visits or if the loneliness becomes too much to bear. (I almost feel like there should be a distinction between cafeteria style M&3s like Arnold's, and sit-down M&3s like Southern Bred or H&T's. But whatever.) Good food, friendly and efficient staff, old-school dining area, and come-as-you are feel make this a solid choice to add to your lunch rotation. I enjoyed the country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. The yeast rolls and banana pudding were also tasty. Nothing was mind blowing today, but it was all good. The county-fried steak was served from a pan full of brown gravy. I prefer the small-batch, white gravy variety so I'm not sure I would get it again since there are so many other entree options. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more stuff, including a very serious looking bread pudding. Maybe I'll see you.
(3)Carrie T.
best ever. sweet tea, yes please, my only complaint is the Styrofoam cups. I ate here at least once a week when I was pregnant earlier this year. I love the food and I adore all the guys that work there. It is hands down the most up beat and kind staff of any restaurant in town. Someone earlier said the greens weren't good but every time I have them they are so so so good, but then again an actual southern girl is gonna love her some actual southern food.
(5)Lynda O.
Wow first visit and it was everything thatit was suppose to be! I had fried chicken, pinto beans, creamed potatoes, and marinated cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It was all delicious! Everything was seasoned to perfection! Can't wait to get back to Nashville so I can eat there again!
(5)Rach M.
The food here is great. It's a popular place so expect a crowd. Great flavors and choices.
(4)Caesar R.
Awesome meal here for Friday's lunch while here in Nashville. The line was long, but moved quickly and the service was super friendly. The guys dishing out the goods from behind the cafeteria style service bar were funny and really showed us a good time, even being from NY and all. This food was no joke. Got one of the last orders of the fried green tomatoes in the place. These things were fried to perfection and just perfect melt in your mouth consistency. The roast beef and meat loaf were both devoured by the GF and myself. The green beans with ham in them, white beans and mac and cheese didn't stand a chance either. The pecan pie was super sweet, but managed to win the fight as we were too full to enjoy the treat. This food was a great representation of southern cooking and it was the only place in town that I have experienced decent corn bread. Believe it!
(4)Eric B.
dear arnold, i love you. lovingly, eric b
(5)Mae K.
Maybe I'm a Yankee, but I thought this was good, but maybe not as good as the other reviews say. I left happy, but not blown away. The mac and cheese was fantastic and the fried green tomatoes were meltingly soft in the middle, but for my taste, I would've preferred a bit less fried breading on the tomatoes.
(3)Nic B.
Ultra salty, uber sweet, undeniably southern
(3)Darcy L.
I moved, and now my boyfriend & I live one block from this place. Resistance is futile! (Especially on days when they serve beef brisket)
(5)shaun p.
I had the roastbeef my girlfriend had the country fried steak both were great freshly sliced beef you cannt go wrong. It was very tender and full of flavor.The country fried was smothered in a brown gravy with onions very tasty.Now the sides were outstanding the sweet cream corn,the turnip greens,mashed taters and mac and cheese were all top of the line southern style cooking.It can with cornbread muffins and hot water corn bread.We ended the lunch banana pudding which was the best I have ever had.It was a perfect ending to the lunch.This place was super busy which is a good thing seating was a bit off putting but we found a empty table.The line was long the whole time we were there.Best meat and three in nashville
(5)Nathan W.
OMG Jeffrey, this place is amazing! Not because it has won a James Beard award, not because it gets to call itself a meat and 3. No, its amazing because as crowded as it is, as noisy as it is, its still the best at what it does. The food shines. Nothing on the daily menu is bad, and if you make a mistake ordering don't worry, your still going to be happy. You literally can't go wrong.
(5)Wendy M.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? It is awesome, I love it and today they gave me the absolute BEST CHEESE GRITS I have ever had! And I love that the greens have wasabi in them. That's just the very definition of the New South.....
(5)Erin D.
Okay, so when I saw that all the reviews had given this place five stars I was a bit skeptical. I mean how could "everybody" love this restaurant? Well after lunch today, I'm a believer and had to give my own raving review. I was really nervous we weren't going to be able to find parking because of the demand but they have a huge lot. The line wasn't that long when we got there at about 12:30p on a Thursday. They had three different meat choices and a ton of veggies. I had the fried green tomatoes (SO yummy), Mac N Cheese and green beans. The food was fantastic. Eating there is a bit much. It's really crammed but the employees are super sweet and really on top of busing tables. This is the best meat and three I've ever been to. I wish it were open for more than just weekday lunches.
(5)Cara P.
Yeah, it still is that good. My parents are visiting from CA & we took them to Arnold's for lunch (we had to explain the concept of a meat n three to them--not something you find in Newport Beach). They were just blown away. As they should've been. The greens were fabulous, so were the fried green tomatoes. The meatloaf was yummy. My dad had the fried catfish & is still talking about it. The ONLY bad thing about Arnold's is that they're only open for lunch on weekdays, so we can't go very often! Guys? Couldja open for lunch on Saturdays maybe? Just one Saturday a month even? Please?
(5)Chris P.
Yep, this place is awesome. I was in Nashville this past weekend and used Yelp to find a good place for some country food and I'm so happy that I was pointed to this joint. I got the meat & 3 but really had a hard time deciding on what to get - I finally just had to ask them to pick whatever they like and put it on my plate. As the man said behind the counter "they fixed me up real good". The food was awesome, authentic country food and a place that I will visit anytime I'm back in Nashville. The line was outside the door when we arrived, but it went very quickly.
(5)Curtis H.
Awesome selection of southern favorites. The bbq pork crepe (corn pancake) with a smoked gouda sauce was a nice surprise. Sides all tasted great. Finished off with the pecan pie, which was very good.
(4)Nikki E.
I got to visit Arnold's on a visit to Nashville and it was amazing. The food was delicious from the collard greens to the roast beef. I would go there again in a heartbeat and it helps that everyone was super friendly.
(5)carrie s.
Oh my gosh what can I say. Call it Southern food, Comfort Food or a meat and 3 vegetable place, I don't care, this place is the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Only open for lunch and line up and share a table but believe you will not be disappointed. I would almost make a trip back just to eat here.
(5)Simone F.
That line is a little intimidating for a newbie, but my my how delicious was my "meat & 2?" Fried shrimp, mashed potatoes & gravy, fried green tomatoes & chess pie! This is kind of what i always thought Southern food was and I was not disappointed. A bit of a frenzy placing your order, but once gotten and a place found at a table, there was no sense of being rushed and I enjoyed every tasty bite. No, it's probably not great for your health, but who cares? I'll die a little happier knowing I've eaten here.
(5)Bo H.
Being a native Californian who's never driven past Las Vegas, needless to say, my experience with Southern food is limited. And to be honest, the first thing that intrigued me about Arnold's was the James Beard Award. I know, I know, typical Hollywood shallowness. Where's the substance you ask? Well, that's in the food. I'll come clean, I've never heard of "Meat and three" until I came across yelps on Arnald's. Boy, what a revelation! Choice of meat and three sides on a plate. No pretense, no frills, just great food. As if the South collectively decided to stick their culinary middle finger at French cuisine. Bi-coastal natives like myself might find it awkward but, typical to this part of the country, Arnald's is a cafeteria style restaurant. Get in line, grab a plate, choose your food, pay and find an open seat. Efficiency is the name of the game. Fantastic food, genuinely sweet staff, super cheap, has the "Oscars of the food world" medal hanging on the wall. What's not to like?
(5)Kera T.
Now I am no fan at all of going into the city, but it is worth it to come here! If you are planning on visiting Middle Tennessee and you want to try some authentic soul food in Nashville, this is definitely the place! They are only open for lunch, and they are rather crowded. The best time to go is when they first open, or about half hour to 45 minutes before they close. You can either get a meat and two sides, or a meat and three. They have all of the classics and they have them down! For example you can get yourself greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, beans, brisket, chicken and dumplings, and so much more. The sweet tea is some of the best... And don't even think about leaving without dessert! They are renowned for their chocolate pie, which I love, but my favorite is the chess. Chess pie is a true Southern classic! Seating is a bit hard to find, but there will always be a seat available. No matter who you are you will fit right in because this is the kind of place that everyone goes to. You will enjoy it!
(5)Patrick P.
Went on MLK day Monday, line long but not ridiculous. My table had the fried chicken, roast beef, and trout. Sides were Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pintos, corn, cornbread, and pie for dessert. My review pretty much reiterates what other 3 star reviewers have said - food is too salty, and as southern food it is nothing special. After all the high reviews I was expecting to taste something straight off the table of my Georgia family reunion, but it was all very mediocre. Disagree with the people claiming the tea is too sweet - that's how sweet tea is supposed to taste. The service was very friendly.
(3)Cindy C.
Visiting from Maine and having only read a little about this place, we had no idea what to expect. The line was way out the door but moved quickly. We got in there at 2 and they were out of more than half the desserts. We got a little of everything and found it to be on the expensive side. On the other hand it kept us full for the rest of the day! The catfish was the best I'd ever had. It melted in your mouth. For the most part everything was really good. The sweet tea was way too sweet and the green beans were from a can and too salty to eat. The people were so nice and the owner himself even came over to us to check on us and clear plates. It's not often you see that these days and it was wonderful. We really enjoyed our visit!
(4)Howard L.
I've been coming here for years and Arnold's puts all other meat and threes to shame. Swetts and Monells pale in comparison. Arnold's even kicks Paula Deen's famous butt to the curb. You could order blind folded and still make out like a bandit when you hit the cafeteria style hot bar. Everything I have ever had from Arnold's was good. Squash casserole, mac and cheese, greens, gravy... Spotlight: Hushpuppies: If they have these babies available, get an order or 5. They hardly ever have them around (used to make them all the time when they had fried seafood available), so snatch them up quick if you see them. Absolutely fantastic and they take the place of your roll. Roast Beef: The spices! The garlic! The Au Jus! The BLOOD! Yes, if you ask and if they have it, they will hook you up with slices done your way. The rarer the better, I think. But really the flavor is outstanding. Way beyond just salt and pepper. Jalapeno Cheese Grits: I used to pass in favor of mac and cheese or greens, but I can't get the taste of these guys off my mind. They are delicious. Fried Liver: I hate liver. I've avoided it for most of my life, but I tried their fried liver on a whim and I was not disappointed. It has a very mild flavor with just a hint of liver taste, just enough to let you know it's not beefsteak you're eating. Lemonade: Best in the city. I dare you to try it. Addendum: What's with the people bad mouthing the country fried steak? Dear idiots: it's a smothered country fried steak. You might have grown up on Cracker Barrel, but the rest of us know that this is a legitimate recipe and it's SUPPOSED TO BE SOGGY. If you don't like soggy country fried steak, DON'T ORDER THE SOGGY LOOKING COUNTRY FRIED STEAK SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE HOT BAR. It's pretty simple. To the people complaining about bland veggies...what? Who has good veggies if not Arnold's? If you say you prefer them raw, you need a smack in the face. All veggies here are packed with flavor. To the one guy who gave this place ONE star...are you really a professional chef? Because you gave this place one star for serving food cafeteria style and because according to you, it was gray and "past due"... Really? Every item on the bar was "past due"? And you could tell with your professional chef eye? Even the greens? Do you just blanche yours? Is that how the pros do it? Because down here, they cook the shit out of it and that's the way it's supposed to be. I don't believe any of your negative reviews anymore because you gave this place 1 star. That's the lowest of the low, which this place doesn't rate. Even somebody who hates southern food would have to begrudgingly give this place 3 stars after a few tastes. Hot tip: If you're ordering to go, head to the front of the line. You can place your order, hang out with your hands in your pockets, and be gone before the lines moved 15 feet.
(5)Devil D.
My 45 minutes in Arnold's yesterday was the most blissful, stress-free interlude I have had in a very long time. Once I sat down and started eating the mere-words-can't-do-it-justice food, my cares and worries disappeared. I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it's really true. And another thing: I dislike vegetables and eat them begrudgingly (for my health), yet I am still thinking about the phenomenal turnip greens and fried green tomatoes that I ate there.
(5)Justin W.
Arnold's has the best Fried Green Tomatoes I've ever had, anywhere. There is nowhere better, not even close. Multiple attempts at recreating these at home have failed. Multiple attempts to stealthily install hidden cameras at Arnold's have also failed. Multiple attempts to break in after hours to find the recipe have...been marginally successful? Alright, they all failed, and resulted in an arrest record, and many hours of community service, and an unsolicited prison tattoo that has made wearing shorts outside an act of public indecency. But seriously, they are very good. Aside from the Fried Green Tomatoes, it's the only meat-and-three type place I've been to where the mashed potatoes didn't start with a bag of freeze-dried potato flakes. These are the kind of mashed potatoes my mom makes. The only day of the week I eat here is on Fridays, and I get the same thing every time: roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. One of the highlights of my Fridays is when my girlfriend brings Arnolds for lunch and we can just spend our lunch break eating good southern food together. It's just straightforward great southern cooking, and that's really all you need to know to try this place out, and then come back for more. One thing, though: they're only open for lunch. That's the only bad news.
(5)AM S.
Let me start by explaining this was not what I expected. Such high reviews and it was nothing more than a disappointment. It was about $8.00 a person and the service was LOUSY! The last piece of pie was refused to me because the server wanted it for himself! The food itself was mediocre and unless you're going there for "the experience" I wouldn't recommend going here to anyone. I went to this restaurant because it was on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and in my opinion, Guy Fieri made a mistake.
(2)Aaron D.
Another awesome lunch at Arnold's. Tried the kielbasa for the first time and it hit the spot. Turnip greens and creamed corn were fantastic as usual. Banana pudding is my usual sweet treat, but I had heard the pecan pie was can't miss and it was indeed the best slice I've had in TN so far. Plus I feel much more confident in our state's leadership after knowing that Governor Haslam eats at Arnold's. The Gov happened to be sitting directly behind me and he graciously welcomed all the visitors who stopped by (myself included) to shake his hand and wish him well in his efforts to lead our state forward. So that was cool. And I got a sweet tea refill tableside which rarely happens (usually in my experience refills are self-serve), so I just sorta felt extra special all day.
(5)Scott N.
i ate at arnold's twice in my week-long stint in nashville and i almost cried it was so damn good. love the walkthrough line and the slop-it-on-the-plate attitude. get there early b/c the line will be out the door by 11:30. great sweet tea, great service. this place has it going on. it's everything i could ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(5)Dint I.
Remarkable. Absolutely bbq ribs order again!!!!
(5)Kara M.
What's not to love at Arnold's? My family and I chanced upon this little treasure on a business trip to Nashville. The place was not hard to find but you have to keep an eye out for it since it's just a small building in a side of downtown one won't normally head to. Good thing the red and yellow of ARNOLD'S pops right out. Parking was easy. There was a line once we got inside but which moved fairly quickly for our hungry tummies. We were lucky enough to snag a table and save it while in line for our food. Imagine our surprise when we saw the spray painted stenciled in face of Guy Fieri and he'd visited the place for DD&D! That certainly upped our excitement and we were not disappointed at all. The people in front of us were friendly and eager to suggest their favorites (everything). The staff was friendly, the son of the owner was friendly, the busmen were friendly. Again I ask: "What's not to love at Arnold's?" They are open M-F from 10:30 am - 2:30pm. I read a sign that they cater, too. They have certain foods that are served on certain days so be sure to check if you're craving for a particular food. What we had: - Cornbread pancakes - Oh. My. Gosh. - Roast Beef - To die for. Really. This is the best roast beef I've ever had (Sorry, Papa, yours is good but theirs is just..... the bomb). - Mashed potatoes - Not too thick, just the right consistency and hecka tasty. - Green beans - This is also the best I've ever had. Even my toddler (who used to eat veggies without any hassle but is sadly not the same anymore) loved them! Granted, I did mash most of it into the potatoes but she didn't mind the green color at all. In fact, she kept saying Mmmm and More please! - Sweet tea was delish. We mixed it with some of the lemonade we got which I'm not afraid to say is one of the lightest drinks with just the right amount of sugar. Yum. This was one of the best eats on my first trip to Tennessee. Makes me want to come back all the more. I keep telling anyone who would listen to me to go to Arnold's if they ever find themselves in TN. I'm definitely going to make my way back.
(5)Lee B.
I will give this a 5 star review because I have not experienced a country style cafeteria meal in a very long time. The food was amazing and the prices were great. Very simple, clean and friendly atmosphere. I had black-eyed peas, corn bread, beef brisket and green beans. Unfortunately the day I was there wasn't a day that they offer fried green tomatoes but maybe next time. PROS -CLEAN -FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE -VERY GOOD SOUL FOOD -PLENTY OF PARKING CONS -A TAD CROWDED BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN
(5)S C.
After living in the northeast for a few years, Arnold's definitely reminded me of what eating in the south is all about. Very traditional preparations (not all of which I am crazy about for lunch-- lots of lard, bacon, grease). The service is friendly, the location is easy to get to from downtown and the food is authentic.
(4)Kathryn C.
Stopped here for lunch during my road trip from Houston, TX to Dayton, OH. It was featured on... you guessed it -DDD! So, so glad we stopped. Yes, it was crowded, but that is usually a good sign! I noticed lots of suits in there too, even though it's a pretty divey place. Doesn't matter, because the roast beef and fried green tomatoes were out of this world! The creamed corn was very sweet and tasty and the cornbread and flatcakes were a nice compliment. Good Southern, finger-licking food! Would love to come back some day.
(4)Brian W.
If I ever find myself in the unfortunate position of having to choose my last meal, at least I already know what it would be: Arnold's roast beef, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and green beans.
(5)Amanda H.
Wish I was in Nashville longer to be able to go back on a different day and try different entrees and sides. I think it may have been some of the best roast beef I have ever had though! Sides were equally tasty and I was certainly in the clean plate club that day. The line moves at an impressive rate.
(5)Jill R.
Oh my goodness. Best damn brisket I've ever had - i'm pretty sure I yelled it while I was still in the place. Also, their pecan pie...there are no words. If you're in Nashville, LOOK THIS PLACE UP!
(5)Geneviève E.
I don't like chicken on the bone, but Arnold's fried chicken is irresistable! Great authentic southern food!
(5)Claudia Y.
it's so damn good. you just have to go. that's all there is to it. and a bonus to the truly great food is the people who work there are incredibly warm and sincerely kind.
(5)MTraveler H.
Friends of ours who frequent Nashville recommended that we try out Arnold's during our first visit in town. It is southern food at its best and has a large selection to choose from. I would qualify it as a cafeteria style, very casual place. The portions are generous, I had the fried green tomatoes, bbq beef and white bean side dish-delicious! Not the best place for calorie counters, more for those who want a good, true blue, mostly fried, southern meal at a reasonable price. We walked from the Marriott downtown, I would not do this walk alone and definitely not at night...the neighborhood seems to be in a slight transitional stage. Arnold's is yum, yum!
(5)Rachael S.
My mother was recently in town and I had a great excuse to fill my self up with starch with her here. We headed to Arnold's and fell completly in love!!! The food is amazing and yes! I did see a James Beard award on the wall, holy cow! I love fried chicken and the mac and cheese here is to die for!
(5)Seth H.
Possibly the best meat-n-three in the world, yes the world. Eat the deserts, no excuse. Prepare to wait in line, but holy cow is it worth it. That's all that needs be said.
(5)Jonathon S.
Walked all the way from the Parthenon to get to Arnold's, which my friend had somehow heard about beforehand (probably on here). We were hungry, but decided to walk the extra distance to check it out (even passed a Jack in the Box, which isn't easy for me to do since there aren't any where I live in Florida). I am glad we did! You stand in line with your tray, maybe grab a piece of pie (you should), tell the friendly folks behind the counter whatchuwant, which can be a Meat and One, Two, Three or Four. The meats we got: fried catfish, roast beef, chicken and dumplings. The sides: mashed potatos and gravy, fried green tomatos, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese. Fresh squeezed lemonade. All of it delicious. Arnold's is just simple Southern comfort food done very, very well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kenzi N.
Recently, my husband and I had a day getaway to Nashville. I was looking for a new place to add to our food list. My husband had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, greens, and mac n cheese. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I loved everything, except for the roast beef. The greens were some of the best I have ever had. Wish we had gotten desert! We got there around 10:45, and as we left the crowd started to form. I loved the corn bread, but loved the corn cake even more. I live over an hour away, and I am looking for an excuse to drive back soon!
(5)Tim A.
Best meat and three in Nashville, hands down. Try to avoid during 12-1, otherwise the line will be out the door, with good reason. Try the fried green tomatoes and bread pudding!
(5)Steve C.
Had lunch there today. Food was well seasoned and tasty. The roast beef wasn't overcooked and the au jus had lots of flavor. Only got three very thin slices of meat. Portion sizes were very small and I was still hungry when I left. I won't bother ever going back. Obviously they're just handing out James Beard awards these days. I would have expected some sort of remolaude sauce or something for the fried green tomatoes. Basically I was very disappointed, considering the accolades this place has gotten. Very run of the mill as far as I'm concerned.
(3)Kelly S.
Wow! This was the first place we tried in Nashville. It is amazing. And the owner and staff were wonderful to us tourists from Vegas. You won't be disappointed. It's delicious.
(5)Ziggy M.
It was our last day of vacation and decided to stop by Arnold's for lunch. Being from the east coast I remember when diners like this were a fixture in CT during the sixties and seventies. Arnold's knows how to put together a great meal in a great atmosphere with great people.
(4)Tim O.
Arnold's is an outstanding meat and three. Fried chicken was great and each side was better than the last. My four and a half year old ( a foodie in training ) has asked for Arnold's chicken everyday since we left Nashville more than a week ago.
(5)Kay K.
I love Arnold's and have been there several times, which is why it was on my list as one of the Nashville "musts" for my foreign boyfriend to try. Why is it when you build up something it always, always falls short? I ordered fried green tomatoes and macaroni. My boyfriend the roast beef, mashed potatoes and sweet tea. The faces he made after one bite of the beef were something I hope I never see again. Ghastly. Poor boyfriend then reached for the sweet tea and nearly went into glucose shock. It was at this point I tasted his plate and confirmed that his items were terrible. The roast beef was so overly salted (and I have lived in the South many years - I understand the difference between salty and over salted) that it was inedible. The tea was truly horrific tasting and had a viscosity I haven't encountered since science lab. We still laugh about how I tried to poison him with Southern food. Have I been back? Yes. Has it been good? Yes. Does it have the possibility of being the worst experience of your life? Yes. So, it may be tasty but the stuff will kill you - somewhere down the line, or even on your first visit.
(2)Bradley H.
Great food! Don't be turned away if there is a long line out the door. The line actually moves quickly. Best cafe food you can find. The pork chop and chicken and dumplings are amazing. Whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert. The selection of pies change daily, but all are excellent examples of good southern dessert. Be warned southern dessert and sweet tea are just that sweet.
(5)Ty J.
OK, this is embarassing but I've been a TN resident for 45 years and never heard of Arnold's until a buddy visiting from OH found it on DDD and wanted to try it. We're both pretty big fellas so Arnold's was more of a "meat plus 4 or 5" and dessert for us, especially since we had a lot of lost time to make up for. I told him while we were in line, which was out the door at 1:15 but moved very quickly, that I recognized one of the gentlemen eating at a nearby table. "That's either a local politician or a TV anchor", I told him. I knew I'd seen him before. 5 minutes later I realized, it was the Governor! A good sign. We could've kept on going all day - everything was superb. I'll be back to try the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and chicken & dumplings soon!
(5)Peter H.
open weird hours for me. I think its open from 6-230 am. Got there at around 1100 and a good thing because when we finished eating, a line had already started to form outside in the smothering memphis heat. Food service is cafeteria style. Our meat was bbq pork which was cooked very well with just enough bbq sauce on top. The sides were excellent. I opted for meat plus three. I got the squash which aside from some more roughage, tasted excellent. The green beans were okay but the mac and cheese was very good. I topped it off with an iced tea. Meal was under 10 dollars and delicious but not very filling. I guess my stretched out american stomach wanted a bigger portion. Otherwise I love the authenticity of this place.
(4)Todd D.
This place is excellent!
(5)Carolyn F.
I can't rave enough about this place. It's not just the food, but the whole experience. I wish we had this sort of place in SF, though its charm probably derives a lot from Southern hospitality. We got here around noon on a Friday and the line was out the door. But it moved very fast and soon enough I was picking up my tray near the counter and shouting my meat-and-three order. From the Friday menu, I opted for meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes = Amazing! These are not to be missed! My companion got the chicken fried steak (a special, not on the printed menu), mac & cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes & gravy. The steak came with a blue cheese sauce, and it was delicious and better than my meatloaf (which was still good). The collard greens were tasty, the green beans were not, and the mac & cheese was nice and buttery. Everything was just a nice representation of what you want Southern food to be. Everyone is extremely friendly, which I suppose is important when you sit at communal tables. It wasn't hard to find seating though the place was crowded.
(5)Josh M.
Arnold's is consistently great. They never let me down. This place is hands down the best "Meat and Three" in town. Honestly, I think it's the best "Lunch if You Don't Have to Work in the Afternoon Spot" in town. My most recent meal there consisted of BBQ Beef on a Cornbread Cake with Fried Green Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad. With Sweet Tea to wash it down, I was in heaven...thankfully, I had taken a half-day off work.
(5)Iris T.
Came here looking for an authentic Southern meal and came out full but not exactly satiated. I happened to come here on a Friday so I decided to get the roast beef with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. All three diff types of food on my plate were salty and I found myself tearing through the rolls of bread just to alleviate the saltiness. Looking at the reviews, maybe I just came on a bad day but I'm willing to give it another shot on any future visits to Nashville.
(2)Andrea F.
Comfort food doesn't get any better than this! If you are lucky enough to make it on Fried Green Tomato Day, you must try them!
(5)Mark L.
I'd come back again even if I had to wait in line for another thirty minutes. It's worth it
(4)Chris S.
Takes AMEX - pretty unusual for a place like this. 3 stars means its pretty good. I'll give it 4 for the simple review of taste. The creole meatloaf tasted good. The banana pudding tasted good. The white beans tasted beyond good. The mac and cheese tasted pretty good. Comparatively, this place is a solid 3 stars - I've been to too many country/soul food places to place the taste of the food in the realm of great. The service, however, was.
(4)Steph H.
If ever there were a place worthy of skipping work for, Arnold's is it. I have long lamented that they are only opened during the week and only for lunch since they're not really near my daytime haunts and I come from a one-car household. But, this past Friday my husband and I decided to take a three-day weekend to celebrate our four-year anniversary and as part of the celebration we FINALLY went to Arnold's for lunch. I feel pretty awful that I've lived in Nashville for six years and this was my first time visiting... but certainly not the last! Given that this was a traditional meat and three, I was surprised to read that they open at 10:30, as I don't know many people who eat lunch that early. Still, we got there at 10:45 and a line was already forming. By the time we finished our meal ( a little after 11), the line was almost out the door! Since they're only open for lunch, I guess people are willing to wait for the food and the earlier you get there, the better! And really, is there ever a meal at which mac and cheese or pecan pie isn't welcome? If so, I don't want any part of it. Service is cafeteria style: you sidle up to counter with your bright orange tray and tell the server behind the counter what meat and sides you want. I got the meatloaf, turnip greens, and mac & cheese. My husband got the chicken & dumplings, the mac & cheese, and the fried green tomatoes. Everything was really tasty, but I have to give special mention to the FGTs: so crisp and crunchy and I LOVE that they put rosemary in the seasoning. We also got a slice of pecan pie and coconut crunch pie for dessert and both were extremely good (and I am a hardcore pecan pie fan), but the CC pie was especially addictive... I'd happily go back just for that! At first I thought the servings might have been a bit stingy, but the food is extremely rich and by the end I was pleasantly full and already planning my return trip! As we were leaving, my husband remarked that Arnold's is pretty much the epitome of everything that is great about the South. The food was solid, some of it very good, though some items were not the best iteration I've had. That said, the service is really what puts this place over the top as everyone is so friendly and warm. The man who was bussing tables actually opened the door for us when we came in, and was pleasantly chatty with us throughout our meal. We really felt welcome and like this place was brimming with love. It just goes to show that a restaurant doesn't have to be fancy in order to be successful. In the end, all I can say is that Arnold's is where I'll be going whenever I need a little Southern Hospitatily.
(5)Lisa H.
After seeing Diners Drive ins and Dives recommendation and that they were a James Beard Award winning place, I decided to take my mom there when she flew in for a visit. So glad I did! Not much to look at, but I expected that. The food was fantastic! LOVED the mac and cheese! My husband was in love with the banana pudding and my mom loved the chicken and everything too! I use a walker and one of the employees found a table (the place is very long and narrow) where they could put us and not have my walker too much in the way and everyone was just so nice! We were actually seated with some other men who were just finishing up their meal. Thanks Arnold's for helping make my mom's visit successful!
(5)Katie D.
I think I might be speared to death for giving them anything less than 4 or 5 stars. Perhaps being a New Yorker now living in LA, I'm simply just not used to this food... Lunch time and the line is literally out the door, but it moves fast and the tables clear out, so there's no worry about not finding a place to sit. Meatloaf - meh? I think I make better ones at home. Collard green - now that's actually pretty good. The theme with the rest of the food was SUGAR. The sweet tea, the candied yams and the bread pudding. I understand that they are suppose to be sweet things. But holy moly! They are so sweet to the point I think I need to give myself a shot of insulin afterwards... So worth a try in the end, but diabetics stay away!
(3)James T.
Food = 3 Price = 2 Experience = 3 Deep south fried everything... My meat and 3 with dessert and tea = $16.00 Way overpriced for the quality and environment!!! I've had much better for much less in a much nicer place. Good southern food doesn't have to be this sloppy. I like Wendell Smith's Restaurant much better.
(3)Dianey B.
Neither of us cleaned our plates because we had to taste practically everything! This was the first time I've found myself in town during the week, so we HAD to take advantage! Obviously, the food has crack in it, or the air there is pumped with some sort of gas that makes your taste buds hyper sensitive, or the food and the people cooking and serving it up are just flipping amazing! Everyone was super nice and we walked in to a line just past the counter and a few tables...by the time we were sitting moments later, the line was out the door. The reason why is no mystery. Every single bite of every dish we ordered was phenomenal. It would be a bargain at any price, but it is also an amazing bona fide bargain! Don't let yourself miss out as long as I did--this institution has well earned it's place in Nashville's living history. Thank you for an amazing meal!
(5)John W.
Awesome! Best Meat & 3/Southern food place I've ever been too and I've lived all over the south and TX..... this is hands down the best. I lived in Nashville for a couple of years a while back and never made it to Arnold's because they are only open during the week. Was back in Nashville recently for pleasure and decided to finally try Arnold's and I'm glad I did. I'm jealous of the folks who work nearby because I would eat here once a week if I could. FYI....I had the black eyed peas, greens, roast beef and a side of their tomatoes (best tomatoes I've ever eaten btw).
(5)Todd G.
Fantastic southern food experience for lunch. The best roast beef and greens and fried green tomatoes and banana pudding I have ever had. Meat loaf good but not as great, too drowned in gravy. Long line went fast. A Southern cultural experience not to be missed when in Nashville.
(5)Alisha W.
The hardest place to cross off my bucket list. It took me three years to finally get there, and it was worth the wait. each day is a new menu and so plan ahead before you are going so you can make sure that there is something on the menu that you would like. But, it's all good so I wouldn't hold back on trying it all!!!
(5)Nick K.
A friend and I were looking for a place to grab a late lunch today, and we walked into Arnold's. We walked in 20 minutes after it was closed, but we didn't look up the hours before we went, thinking that a comfort food restaurant would be open for more than just short lunch service... As soon as we set foot in the restaurant, an older busser cleaning one of the tables began speaking to us about "ignoring the sign on the door" without looking at us directly. There was a sign on the specific door we walked through that said to keep it closed, but he wouldn't tell us specifically what he was talking about. He only became mote agitated that we ignored his sign and continued to look angrier while raising his voice. At first I thought he might have been joking about something, but then I had to tell him that he needed to tone it down. We aren't locals, weren't looking for hours on the outside of the building as we were walking in, and definitely weren't looking to be addressed by that guy in that fashion when we walked in. Obviously we left, my friend had a few choice words for the "help" there, and now we won't ever come back when we're in town for work. Since the restaurant is only open for four hours a day, I don't really have much sympathy for all the work he must have done throughout the day to throw so much attitude toward potential customers. Next time just say "Sorry, we're closed."
(1)Chris B.
Worth going to for sure. Best cafeteria style you will ever eat. The Thursday chicken fried steak is awesome and don't miss out on the sweet rolls.
(4)Sara M.
Hot damn everything was good that our group ordered.
(5)Kristen H.
Best. Southern. Food. Ever. I mean really. This is some good old fashioned stick to your ribs food that you'll think your momma made. I had roast beef, potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, a biscuit and some pecan pie. Good god was it amazing! From what I understand the line is almost always out the door here and I could see why. Even when I was there the lunchtime rush was beginning. I could see that a lot of people from out of town came here specifically because they heard such good things, myself included. Everything was so rich and tasty. Definitely wear your sweatpants if you are planning on eating a lot because this place will fill you up!
(5)Liz G.
A no-frills, cafeteria style restaurant. Definitely a must if you're looking for home-style southern classics. Be ready to wait in line if you go during the lunch rush at noon. We went just before then, around 11:15 am which was perfect timing. Only had to wait in line maybe 10 minutes. Busy, but friendly staff. They're working hard so come prepared and know what you're going to order before stepping up.
(5)Alexander P.
Wow, country cooking at its finest !!!! I met Arnold and I gota tell you what a character. He was concerned that we did not get get any bread with our lunch and he went and got us some HO cakes for us. He is a total gentlemen. Everything we had was out of this world. A cant miss if you visit Nashville
(5)Shanah C.
OK, don't come here if you're looking for fancy or upscale. This is a down home, southern, good food place! Get there when they open because the line will be out the door within 30 minutes. Tiny location, sparsely decorated, cafeteria style...but the best damn food!! You choose a meat and as many sides as you want (a la cart style). Very reasonably priced. Fried green tomatoes, greens, cornbread, meatloaf, okra, BEST PECAN PIE I'VE EVER TASTED!!!! You gotta try this place!!! But they close early (like 2pm) so get there early.
(4)Waylon B.
I have visited Arnold's many times since moving to Nashville in 2006 and never have had a bad experience. Whenever asked about a meat and three in Middle TN this is the first place to pop in my head. There is usually a line, but it moves pretty quick. I never have waited more than 15 minutes, actually it is nice to have time to review the menu as there are so many great options. Location is fine by me and there has always been a place to park. Fried shrimp on Thursday's is my favorite, go ahead and add the extra for a few more dollars. Cheese grits, pintos, cornbread, etc. can't be beat. If you think you have room for dessert all their pies are freshly made and I suggest the chess pie and chocolate is a close second. You can't go wrong it you like good southern style food and friendly staff.
(5)Eric B.
If you have a Granny and loved her cooking then get to Arnolds. Great family with a long history of damn good down home cooling. Granny approved.
(5)Carlos O.
Stopped by on a road trip do to the excellent reviews. Was not disappointed. The roast beef was delicious. The mac and cheese was cheese any quite tasty.
(5)Bebo K.
Food was good, taste just like mama used to make. Southern cooking at its best. I had the roast beef, white beans, Mac and cheese, squash casserole. Not a comfortable place to eat, line out the door. Somewhat worth it.
(4)Josh W.
Best food in Nashville! You can always count on this place serving consistently good food...probably the best part about Arnold's. Everytime my wife and I are near the area, we eat there. Speaking of the area though, is not in the best part of town, but also not the worst. In the daytime there isn't too much to worry about. Be ready to wait in line for a few minutes. It moves pretty quick and it's worth it. The building looks kinda ratty and the area looks bad, but the food is STILL FANTASTIC! Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Karen H.
This lunch place is a little hole in the wall but was a fantastic find. It was featured on diners drive ins and dives and after eating there I see why! Line was to the door but it moved quickly. Waited less than 10 mins from entering to sitting down to eat. I got the ham, chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious. Definitely worth stopping in for lunch. We came here for lunch before walking to feh country music hall of fame. Must do if in Nashville!
(5)Gen M.
Tried again for lunch. Even more disappointed than the first time. We went during the lunch rush so you think everything would be fresh. It was mostly overcooked and reheated to death or sitting around and soggy. I brought my parents so it was a bit embarrassing because we couldn't really eat much. They thought it was terrible.
(1)William W.
The ambiance is only fair...but man oh man did the food make up for it. This place has a certain charm about it and I could tell the passion that is put into the food. The roast beef is very tasty and I liked the homemade sauerkraut too. You only pay for what you get which is also cool.
(5)Holly G.
Ever since I moved to Nashville in September, everyone has been telling me that I need to visit Arnold's if I wanted some real southern food. Being from the Chicago area, I hadn't really ever experienced it so I was pretty pumped when I went here for lunch one day. As many have already stated, the line is ALWAYS long. My friend and I got there around 11 on a Monday and it was already out the door. The good thing is that they move the line pretty quickly, so it was only about 15 minutes before we were able to order. The restaurant itself is super small and the one thing I didn't like was the fact that, while standing in line, I was hovering right over a bunch of people sitting and enjoying their meal. We decided to take our food to go so as not to be in that same situation. I got the roast beef and the guy carving it convinced me to get the juice to go on it and I'm so glad he did! The beef was so moist and fall apart tender, it was just phenomenal. For my sides, I had to try the mac and cheese which was super good, and I also had the fried apples. Those had some really good flavor and still were a little firm, which I appreciated because I didn't want them to be too soft so they fell apart in your mouth. Everyone there is super friendly and answered the different questions I had about the food (and I had a few since it was my first time there). This is definitely a place I'll be going again in the future!
(5)Jerry Y.
One of the better meat and 3 places in town. It's a Nashville icon so the place is always packed. I usually get the roast beef and mashed potatoes and ice tea. Does not get more southern comfort than that. The only downer is that it's always congested and a big ordeal to land a table that more often than not is sticky and not well-cleaned.
(4)Saira B.
Stayed in Nashville for 2 days and decided to try Arnold's Kitchen because it had great reviews. I have to say IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I had the fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and a chocolate pie (don't judge me lol it was so good). I also had the sweet tea... Best sweet tea ever. The style of the restaurant is a serving line. You get your tray and tell them what you want. They give you your food and you can sit anywhere. Great place and I definitely recommend it!!!!
(5)Shaina B.
After reading all the reviews on Yelp, I had Arnold's in my plans for a long time. Since it's only open for lunch on weekdays, it made it pretty hard to finally get there since I work every day. Today I had a day off, and finally made the trip. Like everyone says, there was a line out the door. It didn't move that quickly, but that's probably because I was alone and not talking with a friend to pass the time. They do have a menu posted outside (their specials change every day - look ahead!) so you could figure out what you wanted before going in. I got meatloaf, green beans, mac & cheese, and pecan pie. Everything was AMAZING. Like, so good and so filling that I barely had any food for the rest of the day. I would absolutely advise coming on an empty stomach, otherwise you won't get the full experience. There are some tables on the sides that seat 4, then one long community table down the middle. Plenty of people come alone, so don't feel shy or awkward. You'll probably be talking to people in the line or sitting next to you anyway! Pros: delicious food, friendly staff, classic atmosphere Cons: long line, little personal space, possible heart disease
(5)Netson W.
Wandering around Nashville area this morning and decided to find a place to stop for breakfast. After reading the reviews and seeing some of the photos, I decided to stop in at Arnolds and I'm glad i did! The menu was full of tasty choices, but after seeing that they offered Wilkins Self Service Valet Parking and I decided to go in and have a half order of the stuffed french toast. Huge pieces of challah bread stuffed with a yummy vanilla cream sitting in a pond of syrup... it was a beautiful sight to see. The Megacelt piped in music was an added bonus. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
(4)Chris J.
Today I went to Arnold's. I arrived about 5 minutes after they closed. I must have looked sad, because the lady behind the register says to me, "we just pulled the food, but let me see if I can get you anything." She came back a minute later and said, what do you want. I ordered the meat and three being roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes, and Mac n cheese. All I can say is wow! It was so good and I'm talking about everything. The sides were all excellent and the roast beef was just perfect. What great customer service they have. They truly went above and beyond and could have sent me out, but instead, they made me happy!
(4)Sara D.
This was the best fried chicken I've ever had! The meat was juicy and the breading was crispy and delicious! Great options for side items also. I had the turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The pecan pie was yummy also!
(5)Paul D.
I think this is the best fried chicken I've ever had. Really juicy chicken and crispy skin. The mac n cheese and green beans were great, greens were good, and the banana pudding was incredible!!!
(5)Scott A.
Greatest meat & 3 in the world. I've been eating here since I was a kid. Small space, usually the line is out the door but the food is worth it!!!
(5)Aaron B.
Could you open an Arnold's in Chicago please. I love everything about this place. When there is a line out the door they move through people at nice pace in order to give customers time to sit and eat get up and have another set take their place. The food is amazing seasoned extremely well. Most roast beef in my opinion is under seasoned due to such a large piece of meat. The pies are fantastic I have no criticism for Arnold's, besides not having a Chicago location.
(5)Brittany F.
Goodness...this place...is AMAZING!!! I've heard about Arnold's for awhile and it's always been on my list of places that I wanted to try but due to their short hours of operation it's always been a little hard to get down there when they are open. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and since we had the day off we decided to try this place. BEST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PRESENT! haha! We got there around noon and there was a bit of a line, we stood there patiently and looked at all of the amazing food as we past peoples tables. I originally went in to get the roast beef but after seeing the pork chop, it was clear, I needed to change my lunch plans! I got the pork chop, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and black eyed peas. Every bit of it was so delicious. I also snagged some sweet tea, which wasn't overly sweet, it was just right and a piece of pecan pie. Let me tell you...the pecan pie is near perfection. I think this just became my new favorite place to eat!
(5)Anna B.
Arnold's Rocks. The food is fresh and delicious and the family that own it are awesome, along with long time employees who are like family. Growing up in the South with a family from Savannah, I thought I had eaten a truck load of wonderful banana pudding, but Arnold's is even better and then, the bread pudding is even more wonderful. You've never had anything so good. I dropped my fave rain hat while there, so I called and they mailed it home to me, no charge, because they are such friendly nice folks. Now that is above and beyond. But the food is the best and the desserts are awesome. Thanks Arnold's for everything. Anna B from Austin, Texas
(5)Scott S.
Great Southern Food, a must try if in the area and looking for some down home cooking . Fried CatFish and Collard Greens
(5)Denise B.
We come in every time we come to Nashville. This place is a must stop. NOTHING has ever been bad. Will be back.
(5)Clay N.
It's one of the best meat and three places anywhere. It seems to have two lunch crowds, 11 for the hard hats and folks who get to work really early (or those who's stomach is still on Eastern time, then noon for the coat and ties. It's usually a long line, sometimes out the door. Wear your deodorant because you'll probably be sharing tables. I go here nearly every time I'm in town, often taking clients and locals who've never been. The greens and roast beef are my favorites.
(5)Nichole L.
Tried Arnold's for the first time today. I was not as impressed as most who have previously reviewed this place. The location is so small and the line for lunch was out the door. While we were inside, we discovered there was no AC. We decided to order our food to go. Which was a great option because we were able to bypass the line and go to the cash register to order. We ordered two meat-and-two plates. One chicken dumpling and one meat loaf plate. We both chose mac & cheese and peach salad as our sides. We added two sweet teas and a grilled cheese sandwich for our daughter to our order. This came to just under $30. I feel like that's a little expensive for what you're getting. Our food was good, but I'm not sure that we would go back to Arnold's again.
(3)Morris T.
Traveling through Nashville, we decided to stop and try Arnold's Country Kitchen. We arrived to a pretty long line that went out the door. It took about 20 minutes for us to get to the front of the line. For a cafeteria like setup it seems like it should have moved faster- there were plenty of empty seats during our entire wait. The menu changes every day of the week. You select one meat and 3 sides and then add desserts or other sides that you want. I ordered the roast beef with mac and cheese, turnip greens, and green beans. I also picked up some cornbread and a slice of pecan pie. The roast beef was great as was the turnip greens and green beans. I didn't like the mac and cheese. The cornbread was good, but the pecan pie was just ok. It's definitely worth trying out. If I were local, I'd definitely go back on different days to try their different items.
(4)Chrissie O.
If you go alone then don't worry. Plenty of empty seats in other tables. Make new friends. Well I had to since I went alone. Nobody wanted to go site seeing with me... Well I skipped my last day at my work conference while I was in Nashville to go around and try more delicious food. This place has a line out the door so be prepared. You get served like you are getting food from a school cafeteria then try to find friendly people to sit with. I learned a little about the place from my cab driver. Cab drivers in Nashville get fat because all of them just talk to me about how they got their gut.. It's because they go to places like Arnolds. Amazing food!! I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and mac & cheese. Comfort food is the best. Felt like I was eating back at home. It's a great atmosphere so stop by if you're in the area.
(5)Brendan B.
Walking into a restaurant and seeing a cafeteria line tends to raise the bar of "amazing place" to an almost unachievable level, but Arnold's did it. It was awesome! I would suggest saving room for a dessert or two... :)
(5)Adam C.
I really liked this place for lunch, have been back several times, great service diner atmosphere, everything you could want. Meat n 3 is unreal. Love the roastbeef. It is a bit rough (old fashioned? inside) but soo good. do be scared off, go in, get your order and eat it, greasy spoon love!!!
(4)Andy B.
Very good roast beef, mostly because of the Au Jus. There wasn't a whole lot of it. The banana pudding was very tasty, but I would have loved if it was fresh, somehow hot out of the oven, but it was cold, but if you really want the absolute best mac n cheese, you're gonna have to go a little out of your way over to Big Bad Wolf out towards Lebanon. I'll be back here to try the country fried steak or their fried chicken.
(4)Brenda D.
The owner of this restaurant was so rude!! She kept running her fingers through her long blonde hair and she was walking back and forth through the food line. I prefer not to have hair in my food!! I left a tip on the card just to find out that you refill your own drinks?? A wasted $27!!!
(1)Tony D.
I see why this is such a classic place for the meat and three (well actually two). The friendly attitudes, cheap prices, and great food make the lines going out the door pretty understandable. We obnoxiously arrived with a couple large baggage rollers, but the guy cleaning tables was extremely welcoming and helped us set aside a place to put them while we ordered and ate. On the day that we were here, we were able to try the roast beef and ham, both of which were pretty amazing. The meats were everywhere flavorful and tender. The only thing I would suggest is less sodium, but coupled with some solid sides like the turnip greens, the meal was very hearty and filling.
(4)Charles B.
Cafeteria style service. My wife has chicken dumplings and I had the fried catfish. Was surprised to see hoecakes (cornbread pancakes). They tasted just like my grandma's. The banana pudding was out of this world. The portions were good. You will have to stand in line and then just find an open chair with strangers. I liked meeting new people and we had a nice conversation with a young couple from Canada. Definitely a place to go
(4)Ann L.
It's so crowded! But it's cheap and delicious, with the southern salt. Fried steak is yummy! Pepper chocolate hot pie is kinda spicy.
(5)Erin J.
Am I the only one not impressed by Arnold's? Maybe, maybe not. I went a few weeks ago and had the fried shrimp, mac & cheese and green beans. The shrimp was not fresh, who knows when it was actually fried. it was warm but not really crispy and very greasy. The green beans were so incredibly greasy I just could not enjoy them. And the mac & cheese....the pasta was completely blown out and mushy and the sauce needed some serious seasoning. I get what they're going for, and having grown up in Tennessee I love some meat & three country food. Now, I will say, I'll go back for a couple of reasons. One, I'm not sure the guy's name but he asked if it was my first time and I told him it was, and after that, he was checking in with my table every so often. Not in a smothering way, but definitely catering to us asking if we needed anything. I have also heard so many good things about this place that I will give it another try, maybe on a different day. Maybe on a day they have chicken & dumplings or fried chicken. Arnold's, I really want to like you. But right now you're on my a-ok list and that's about it.
(3)M C.
My absolute favorite restaurant ever!! I love the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. Add sweet tea and fresh strawberry pie and you are in HEAVEN!! Long lines, at times, but it moves pretty quickly. Staff is super friendly!! When I lived in Nashville, I ate here at least once a week. Still dream about the green beans!! SOOOO GOOD!!
(5)Stephen H.
Everything at Arnold's is exceptional. Literally, every vegetable dish might be the best one I've ever had. The roast beef is amazing and the meatloaf is my favorite. Hands down the best green beans and mac and cheese you will ever try. The squash casserole is a must. Finish it off with some of their home made deserts, I suggest the banana pudding. Highly recommend this place!!
(5)Jonny A.
This is the best food I've ever had... Ever. The atmosphere is comforting and all of the employees are awesome. It's incredibly delicious. Every bite restores my faith in the potential humanity has for greatness. It also makes me soil my sweatpants, which I wear because I need a stretchy waist band when I eat the amount of food I order when here. I love it. Roast beef, chicken and dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, corn bread, rolls, fried green tomatoes, banana pudding, lemonade/ sweet tea. That's the go to. Every item on the menu is the best of its kind on the planet. You want to show a pretty girl a tasty meal? Come here. You want to impress a pretty girl with a fancy restaurant? Ditch that plan, save $50, and have her taste buds be so stimulated that you will get laid on the first date... But that still won't be nearly as good as the meal you had beforehand.
(5)Paula C.
Oh man. If only all cafeterias in America were this good! Came on a Thursday (all the way from Boston), and here's the final ranking: In first place, roast beef, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, & sweet tea; in second, mashed potatoes; finally, in third comes the Mac n' cheese & chicken fried steak. Roast beef was beyond juicy and perfectly seasoned -- I was tempted to go back for seconds. I could eat here every day!
(5)Kelly Y.
I realize Arnold's already has plenty of positive reviews, but I need this to show up on my hometown page so my friends will know about this place! Good thing our GPS was working properly on this fine day, The Gulch area does not exactly have a nice street grid. The line looked daunting when we showed up at 11:30. But we only waited about 15 minutes before we were in front of that yummy spread. We all chose fried chicken and 2 or 3 sides. Here is the surprising part: while the chicken was crispy and tasty, my favorite thing was actually the pinto beans. They were full of chunks of soft, smoky ham hock and a little spicy. The green beans were equally tasty: soft but not mushy, and spicy with bacon flavor. Next time I am getting meat and 2 pinto beans and another side of green beans. And the iced tea! I must not have had real brewed iced tea before. Their version is so refreshing and had real tea taste! The meal was so good, we even agreed it was worth the wait in the cramped space. The bill for 4 plates + 4 drinks + 2 desserts = $45...wow, we are definitely coming back here the next time!!
(5)Adam M.
I'm from California, and last week went to Nashville to visit family, i told myself i would try to go to as many good southern restaurants as i could while on my trip. Arnold's Country Kitchen was atop that list.. This is the first (and only) "meat plus three" restaurant I've ever been to so i cannot really compare it to any other similar places. A lot of people mention that this place was on the Food Network and have won a James Beard award, all of that is great but I don't choose to eat at places solely because of them appearing on television. The reason why i choose this place was because of the other excellent reviews listed here on yelp for Arnold's.. On to the review: I went here on a Monday around 11 a.m. and i was surprised that there was not a line out the door (as many yelpers have reported on here). I walked in and stood in line and began to think about what i was going to order. As recommended on here, i decided to get the Meat Plus Three. The meat i chose was the white meat chicken, and the 3 sides i chose were the pinto beans, turnip greens, and the mac & cheese. I also got the bread rolls, and for dessert grabbed the banana pudding. The seating is very family-style yet casual, where you can sit along the wall at small tables, or in the middle of the restaurant in one of two long tables. You're often sitting directly in front of or next to complete strangers if you happen to sit at the middle tables, but do not worry, everyone is friendly! As i was seated I began to eat the friend chicken, which really was amazing. The meat was not dry, and the outside was crispy. The three sides were equally as good, but what i liked the most was the turnip greens. In Nashville i always look forward to Collard/Turnip greens, since I don't eat that very often in California. The Banana pudding had a great banana taste, you could really tell they used fresh bananas in the making of it. Another thing i noticed as i was finishing up my food was that everyone around me nearly licked their plates of food dry. This also shows that the food really is exceptional here. If anyone is looking for some good home style southern food in the Nashville area i would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Patrick K.
Pretty good. Got the meat and three (chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, and macaroni) everything was a little too salty though.
(3)Kyle G.
My So Cal tummy was not prepared for this. The fried chicken makes for a bad tenant.
(3)Mariel J.
This is a small, "meat and three" place in Nashville. It had great reviews, and I think it lived up to the hype. You stand in line, cafeteria style, to choose your lunch (a meat and three sides). Despite the cafeteria-style process, the service is really good - people are friendly, and service is quick. There was a line out the door when we arrived (about 1:30pm on a Monday), but it moved fast and there were places to sit when we got our food. Everything tastes great, from the veggies to the mashed potatoes, to the fried chicken - I was there in a group of three, and we all tried different things and couldn't find anything we didn't like. The only reason not to go would be if you're a vegetarian or on a diet - there didn't seem to be many truly meat-free options, and everything was extremely rich and buttery - but even then, it might be worth it just to go and sip a sweet tea or enjoy some spicy chocolate pie just for the experience.
(4)Blake H.
Jesus must work in the kitchen, because this place is heaven on earth. Everything I have ever had here is phenomenal. Not from Nashville, I dream of this place and eagerly hope to be back soon. Probably my favorite restaurant in the country....seriously. Highlights: -Everything ...but to be more specific: chicken and dumplings, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, mac n cheese, pecan pie, chess pie, just typing this makes me want to slap my mama if it meant getting my hands on some of that pie. Oh and the sweet tea! Cons: -Long lines, but the secret is out....so what do you expect. -Only open for lunch...I wish Arnold's was open whenever I wanted. One time my friends and I got split up at tables and tried to switch when a larger table opened up. We kinda got chewed out by the bus man, who is usually super friendly. I hope he doesn't remember that when I return. I want to be in his good graces. Just go. Anyone who didn't give this place five stars is a heathen. This is what soul food is all about. Arnold's is good for the soul (but not the arteries). I'm getting emotional at the fact I'm not sure when I will be back.
(5)Aditya A.
My first 'Meat & Three' restaurant experience at Arnold's was beyond amazing! The place is lively and cosy and bustling! I loved the gravy chicken and the chocolate pepper pie! It was the best Southern, non-fast food chain chicken I've had! I'll be visiting it again soon the next time I'm in Nashville. This time was a cheer! P.S: I visited on a Friday, so had the Friday menu.
(5)Boses M.
The vegetables are as good as the meats. It's that good. The roast beef is fantastic, The meatloaf is better. Got here at 11 am, thinking I'd outsmart everyone. It was already packed.
(5)Ayesha A.
We had to wait in line over half an hour, BUT it was totally worth it. Nashville is fantastic and Arnold's kicked it all off. Go early though, because it's filled with tourists waiting to get in as it closes at 2:30. The food is delicious, the environment is alright, the cooks are really nice - it's a really cool experience. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(4)Ryan W.
While researching my upcoming trip to Nashville, I quickly learned that Arnold's is a place everyone needs visit, and that impression could not have been truer. We got to Arnold's pretty early, but there was already a line out the door of hungry people waiting to sink their teeth into some comfort food. It has won a James Beard award and is your standard Meat & Three style restaurant. The food was well worth the wait, and I left feeling completely satisfied. Suggestions: Try the Collard Greens and always get the pie.
(5)Joseph M.
I have to admit seeing a waiting line and people willing to eat at dirty tables makes you think that this place must be fantastic. I was wrong. They seemed more concerned about getting you through the line without seeing the food than your actual ordered. They seemed very miffed when I said can i see it first. They repeated what they had as though the name of the food was good enough. But I took the harassment and ordered chicken and dumplings and green beans. The chicken and dumplings were a virtual pepper dish. I gave it three bites and gave up. I tasted more pepper than anything else. But first you have to bypass all of the greasiness of the soup mixture of the dumplings. The green beans were swimming in grease. However, given that they could swim with all of that salt I give kudos to the green beans. The sweet tea was good. The chocolate pie was incredible. The crust was beyond gross. Once I cut off the crust, it was really good. For 12.00 for sweet tea and a slice of pie was outrageous. The experience leaves me wondering can I be wrong when all of the people stood in line like me? Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)Ben V.
The food tastes so much better than it looks. The place is a bit crowded and the line gets pretty long at lunch but it's mostly worth the wait. Friendly staff and amazing food. The selection every day leaves a little to be desired but the lack of options a forgivable when the food's this good. Everything has such rich flavor that you don't often see in southern food like mash-potatoes, ect. Total worth putting up with the noisy location.
(5)Avery P.
I love this place so much that I want to track down every reviewer who gave Arnold's less than 5 stars and interrogate them. If I happened to end up on death row for killing anyone who didn't like Arnold's, I would choose Arnold's as my last meal.
(5)Allie R.
Banana Pudding Banana Pudding Banana Pudding, is officially my favorite thing here. Luckily the rest of the food is amazing too. Their chicken and dumplings are awesome, huge dumplings that fold over on themselves, they are so good and the broth is amazing. Last time I was here I had some sort of baked sweet BBQ chicken thigh. It was awesome, pulled apart with ease, the BBQ sauce was so good, I loved it! Of all the sides I've had they are all pretty good, very traditional mac and cheese and mashed potato type stuff. I have to take off work to even come here, so when I do it is a huge treat!!
(4)Megan M.
Arnold's is a MUST. Put it on your list and make the time to go. Sure you have to wait in line and sure the seating is somewhat limited but the food is soooo worth it. Delicious. I was hesitate to get the roast beef but it was so good. Glad I'm did. I also had mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese. Both were excellent.
(5)Jason K.
- cafeteria style southern love on a plate - chicken friend steak and turnip greens are fantastic - lemonade is amazing if they have it too! - TIP: Go early!! There will be a line of people whenever you arrive. Good thing is that the line moves fast, and
(5)Amie K.
It's worth the wait. From the daily offerings that pop up and are delicious, to the tender roast beef and cornbread, you must try this place.
(5)Michael M.
On my way home from the smokey mountains and I get to eat the best food I have had all vacation. WoW this place is good and to think I almost passed on it. I will say I almost gave it a four for lack of space and the long line. I guess that is just the price you pay for amazing food. While here I had the pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the macaroni. Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. To top it off I also had some pie. The peach pie was also a nice little piece of heaven. Most reviews would be over here. Nope not this one. This food is so good I got a to go order and ate it in the car. The second order was roast beef with the same sides. This roast beef just melts in your mouth. Not sure how one place gets everything so right while others can't even do one thing right. Last but not least the second time around had the pecan pie. I am not much for pecan pie but with everything else being awesome why not try. Let's just say it is THE BEST PECAN PIE i have ever had. Part of me wishes this place was just down the street from me, but my waste line is happy that it isn't . This is a must stop for any foodie coming through Nashville.
(5)Scott S.
Straight hot fire! My girlfriend and I tried this place while we were in Nashville for a wedding. We looked up this restaurant off of diners drive inns and dives so we were expecting it to be bomb.com and it was! It's usually a good sign when you show up and there's a line out the door. Next time we are in Nashville we will definitely be back!!
(5)Leang E.
This place is the real deal! I see the trend of the cafeteria style line to getting food. I like the efficiency and not having to wait on anyone. The line was only at the door, but it went pretty quickly. I got the baked chicken, green beans, and potato salad. The chicken was smothered with gravy, juicy, and flavorful as were my side items. I did get a slice of pie, but admittedly it was too sweet for me. I think the sweet tea here also is one of the sweeter teas I've had. The people that work here seem to know the regulars and are friendly and let you know what is good. They have daily specials and the prices seemed reasonable.
(4)John F.
Found this on my Diner, Drive-Ins and Dive App. and absolutely loved it. The line was out of the door so I knew it would be good. I was on vacation so I was very happy to taste local southern cooking. You HAVE to try this!
(5)Kenneth D.
I'll keep it short and sweet, but not overly sweet. I've been meaning to get over here for a long time now, the hype, the recommendations from friends, I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, what Arnold's is about is some damn fine soul food. The Roast Beef was tender and flavorful, especially with the Au Jus on top. The sides were all really good as well. The Mac and Cheese was really good, not the best I've had, but I'd absolutely order it again next time. The Cheese Grits with Stewed Tomatoes were surprisingly good. I grew up eating grits my whole life and have never had them prepared this way, it was a nice deviation. Now the Turnip Greens, perfection. Tender, smokey, a little salty, just perfect. Had I ended my meal there we'd be close to 5 stars, but at dessert things started to go down hill. I hate to say this, but the bread pudding is absolutely the worst I've ever had, anywhere. Hailing from New Orleans, I pride myself in being a bread pudding aficionado, and this isn't it. The "pudding" itself was even sweeter than the topping. Let's just say the sweet tea didn't even taste sweet after a bite of this, it was aggressively sweet. Aside from that, the consistency was that of sweet potato casserole, nothing at all resembling bread pudding. In one word, mush. The only saving grace may be that we got the bottom barrel servings, since after I ordered I heard them say there was only one serving left, and they were scooping it out of a crock pot. Regardless, I doubt I'll ever have the balls to try it again, so I guess it's just hit or miss, as so many people seemed to recommend it. The chocolate pie was really good though, and the hint of cayenne was a nice touch. But to finish the negative sandwich, the Pecan Pie, also, way too sweet. I know what you're thinking, but I've had tons and have made several myself, never have I had one so overly sweet. As bad of an experience as I had with dessert, I really can't wait to get back here. Their savory offerings are more than worth the trip and there were several other dessert choices, so hopefully next time I hit a home run. All around good food, very nice staff and a quick line(if you don't come at noon of course). I'd say the hype is mostly warranted.
(4)Michael H.
Best Meat and Three in Nashville. I have been going for 20 years and the food is always good. I have never ordered a bad thing from them. They serve a lot of southern dishes. May not be the healthiest place to eat but it is fast and good. They also have a great breakfast selection as well. I did see on Food Network that Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives came to Arnold's so that is very cool.
(4)Paul W.
Yummy. Yes. I said it. The food here is yummy. Looks like a health hazard from the outside, the line is LONG and the hours are limited (WTF? 10 to 2:30 pm weekdays?), but the people are Disneyland-friendly, the line is fast, and the food is crazy good. Deserts are first for you to pick (absurdly good pecan pie) then salads (slices of tomato in some kind of a dressing is a salad? It was freaking delish, but a SALAD? Hmmm....) then your sides and finally your main course. Meat and 3 sounds good to me. Hit this one and Monnell's for dinner Everything was great. Seriously. 5 stars out of 5. You deserve food this simple and good. So get moving, they close early.
(5)Jacky L.
Since today was my buddy's last day of visiting Nashville, I decided to look up the "best" place for lunch and Arnold's came up again and again. We went for a late lunch (around 2pm), so it was near the end of the day for them. We both got the open-faced roast beef sandwich. For sides, he got the mac 'n' cheese and turnip greens and I had the mac 'n' cheese and mashed potatoes. First, people were right about the roast beef - it is ON POINT. I wish we came a bit earlier, since they were out of the homemade BBQ sauce, but they were nice enough to grab some from the fridge (they warned us it was cold) and whoa, that's a helluva sauce. As for the sides, the mac and cheese is pretty good, but the mashed potatoes must've been the best I've ever had. And I eat a lot of mashed potatoes. To wash it all down, I had the sweet tea. Usually I'm not too big of a fan of sweet tea since it's usually oversweetened, but this one was just right. I downed it almost immediately. I took a bite of my friend's turnip greens and they were pretty good too, so I hope to come back and try one of the other meats with the mashed and turnip greens. If you're in Nashville, you HAVE to swing by Arnold's for lunch at least once.
(5)Robert C.
3-star southern comfort food (nothing bad) plus 1-star atmosphere. Waay too cool. S must stop for Nashville experience. Each day has a different buffet line. Come hungry or stay home, as there is no light lunch.
(3)Fabiana H.
Everything is delicious including the desserts. Absolutely amazing southern comfort food. Not a fancy place at all, it is all about the good simple food. Yummy !
(5)Andrea T.
Arnold's is only open for lunch from m-f. This is my only complaint. If you come to Nashville, make sure you can come for lunch. Try to get here when they open at 11 or even 11:30. After 12 prepare to wait in line. When S picked me up from the airport I really had my heart set on Monell's. Monell's is wonderful, but different. Arnold's is both an experience and delicious! On thursday they have some of the best hand carved roast beef with au jus I've ever had. Arnold's is a meat and three. Meaning a side of meat and three sides. You must try the turnip greens and mac n cheese. The string beans are also quite tasty. The turnip greens are cooked perfectly and seasoned with pork. These are easily the best turnip greens! The mac n cheese is velvety cheese goodness. The macaroni very tender with the perfect level of cheese. Then while in line they tell you get bread with your meal. There are biscuits and cornbread, but get the yeast rolls. They are some of the best rolls I've ever had! Oh and in the very beginning of the line, there are slices of pie. I had chocolate cream with meringue. Definitely pick a slice of pie. The sweet tea is also delicious!
(5)Melissa W.
A meal here is better than Thanksgiving dinner. And I love Thanksgiving food. The roast beef is outrageously good. Add some mac n cheese, mustard greens, and corn pudding. Maybe a sweet tea on the side. $10 of perfection. So worth the wait. You will not regret it. And the line, even while out the door, moves at a relatively steady pace. Arnold's is hands-down the best thing about Nashville.
(5)Rachel B.
Great chocolate pie! Very good green beans and roast beef. Bus guy was very friendly and got me more tea. The rolls are divine!
(5)Charles C.
I've lived in Nashville 20+ years and I'm from the rural Deep South. It doesn't get any better than this for home cooking in Nashville. Not Sweats, not The Pie Wagon, not Monells, not Virginia's Market, not Sylvan Park, not The Southern. None of them come close to the quality and authenticity of the food at Arnold's. I do miss seeing Jack in there serving up food with a pistol sticking out of his overall bib! What a character!!! Nashville keeps getting trendy and uptown so this place is areal treasure. Update: I had to take away two stars as the service has gone down hill here. I'm sad to say that Rose and kids are running the show now and it seems with the growth of Nashville and their business booming that they are less interested in service.
(3)Elizabeth B.
I had heard lots of things about Arnold's, good and bad. Figured if the places was only open for lunch it was worth checking out. I went on a Tuesday, so they had roast beef, meat loaf, grouper, chicken and dumplings. I got the dumplings. Next you pick from an assortment of sides like green beans, yams, the gooey-est Mac n cheese I've ever seen, and others like black eyed peas and corn pudding. The corn pudding is absolutely delicious and so are the mash potatoes. The dumplings were tender and the chicken was fall apart good. Corn bread is just "okay" but their pies are too notch! I had a piece of the Chess pie and it was a great end to lunch. Oh, their lemonade is "instant cavity" sweet, so drink at your own risk. Overall, great little spot for lunch. Staff is kind and inviting. I will definitely be back!
(4)Chenxi L.
Last day in downtown nashville, decided to give this "No1"restaurant a try. Totally not worth it. Why this place has a rating this high? Really not impressed with the food. Ordered the fried steak, greens, green bean ,corn, and sweet tea (which took just above $12) . The steak is wayyy toooo salty that is even no where near edible, and the gravy is so overwhelming! The greens and green beans are flavorless, honestly, it tastes like you boiled it and put some salt on it. The only good point is the corn, has some savory flavor in it.
(2)Larisa N.
Nice place for a lunch. Typical southern kitchen. Nothing fancy.
(4)Kevin C.
Best soul food I have ever been graced with tasting. The line goes out the door, as any good restaurant should, and it is worth the wait. I had the catfish, collards, and mac and cheese. Damn. I wish I could get here sooner. Every bite was incredible and I have had some damn good soul food. This place has a damn James Beard award, (same as Princes Hot Chicken) which is how you know it is a classic establishment pushing some damn good food. I bet ole James had to dab the tartar sauce from his beard a couple times when he stopped here. Get here as fast as you possibly can, the lines are long, but quick, and seating limited.
(5)Allison S.
The only cooking I've found in Nashville so far that reminds me of my great-grandmother's. And that is the highest compliment.
(5)Shawntay C.
This place was busy but had a feeling of orchestrated chaos. The food deserves the hype and press that it gets. The cornbread and chess pie are definitely worth a return trip. My only drawback is that it would benefit from a bigger building so as not to feel like you're stacked on top of each other.
(4)Jesse Q.
O.M.G. Arnolds is off the CHAIN..There not open but 5 hrs.A day but the Great Food always is a Delight
(5)Pam W.
This is my grandmothers Sunday cooking. I try to take visitors here for the experience . I go for the great food. Never disappointed. The greens are top notch with the right amount of seasoning. Roast beef and chicken are my go to meats here. The chocolate chili pie is a great topper to the meal. Sweet with the back burn of red chili. Great!!!!!
(4)CalamityJane T.
Imagine you discover your house suddenly going up in flames. At times like that, you need to think quick and act fast as there are mere seconds left to make some really important decisions. Right? Well that was me on my recent trip through Nashville. We were in the midst of a long drive from Mississippi to North Carolina with a deadline to contend with, so there wasn't a whole lot of time to spend in Nashville. It was imperative that I prioritize what we would do with a couple of hours there and we hadn't yet eaten. It's tough making life-saving decisions on an empty stomach, but luckily for me, it is my stomach that guides me wisely through this life. It truly was a tough call as I probably won't be back in Nashville in my lifetime. I decided to spend my time in Nashville eating fried chicken and sought out the best. I chose Arnold's but unfortunately, they weren't serving fried chicken that day, so I picked something else from their daily schedule of options. It was a Friday--no better day than a Friday for some fried chicken, but no such luck. It was about 1pm and the place was rammed, lineup right out the door: young, old, black, white--and then there was us--varying levels of social classes, taking up all kinds of space in this long, cafeteria-style joint. We spent most of the time in the lineup talking to this trucker who was cracking me up. It was hard to get a good look at the different foods on offer that day--looking at the menu on the board didn't help as I need to SEE the food, plus it was too far to see from where we stood in line for some time so I actually didn't know we were limited to a handful of mains and when your turn to order comes up, you'd best know what you want! As we stood in line, I was checking out what everyone was eating and ended up going for the fried shrimp with three sides: mac & cheese, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. My friend got some kind of BBQ chicken, string beans, and something else I can't recall because I didn't care to notice at the time. We washed down our food with the necessary sweet teas and shared a slice of pecan pie. I later discovered there was a hot pepper chocolate pie, but there was no way I was getting my own dessert during this long drive. Thankfully I had enough discipline in me to draw the line somewhere! The fried shrimp were good but a tiny bit dry as they were cooked ahead of time and sat in a pile, waiting to be picked so they may not be served to you piping hot unless you get here just as they're being pulled out of the fryer. The breading was just right, and crispy. I enjoyed them more than my friend's chicken, which was OK but a little too saucy for me. The sauce was alright but I guess I was fixated on something fried that day and nothing else mattered. His sides were also nothing special, but I definitely made the right choices! My mac & cheese was nice and creamy, not too salty but just enough to even out the slight blandness of the collard greens which were lightly boiled and salted, having the right amount of crunch to it. I'd never had fried green tomatoes so of course I had to get them, which came about five per order. They were alright but I don't know that I'd name a movie after them. I also know what they're *supposed* to taste like and surely everyone's mama and gramma has their own way of doing these up but they were battered, fried, and rather peppery (I'm talking black pepper), so much so that unless you love pepper that much, you might want to make sure you have something else to go with it. Like lots of water. The pecan pie was like no other I've ever had--I don't know what it was but my friend and I were in such awe that we couldn't even speak. Like primates, we communicated our love for this quickly-devoured slice of pie with grunts, moans, and facial expressions. The crust wasn't as good as other pie crusts I've had, but the layer of gooey wasn't overly thick (thank God because that's not my fave part) and the candied pecans on top were something else! I think we burped a couple of times before we got up, me with my sweet tea in hand, and headed east in silence for the first hour or so--no need for words after a meal like that! If you're in the area, be sure to stop in. Prices are good, portions aren't massive but there will definitely be more than enough on your plate. I can't tell you what will be on the menu the day you go but I'm pretty sure you'll leave satisfied. Service can be a bit brisk but it's not the kind of place to be all hmming and hawing when your turn comes up. The ladies working do so at a frantic pace probably all day long and people have been waiting in line for a while so try to have a clue when it's your turn, order, pay for your food, and find a seat. Don't expect anything fancy in terms of the décor--it's straight up simple: tables and chairs. And no need to get dressed up like it's Saturday night: easy-breezy does it.
(4)Michelle B.
A two time James Beard award winner, this is a definite foodie stop! a menu that rotates every day. Turnip greens were amazing, as was the light and airy fry on the fish fillet! Only open during lunch, get there well before noon as tables fill up quickly. Chicken and dumplings are hearty and homey. Opt for unsweetened tea if you get dessert and you know you will with a selection of pies including pecan and chess pie and bread pudding.
(5)Moda M.
Excellent Southern cooking going on at this place! Choose a slice of homemade pie first, then choose your meat (we had country fried steak and fried shrimp). The sides we chose were fantastic...collard greens, fried green tomatoes, potato salad. Pecan pie excellent...chocolate pie with baked meringue topping looked delicious too! They have different menu daily... I would love to go back on Chicken N Dumplings day. I'm sure they are excellent! We are from Chicago and will definitely go back when in Nashville again!
(5)Heather M.
Amazing! Everything!! Roast beef, Mac n cheese, greens, even the salad! My two year old said "yeah buddy!"
(5)Stephanie C.
As seen Diners Drive-ins and Dives! It is a cafeteria style place where you pick what you want. Collard greens and pork chop was amazing! It gets really crowed and parking is scare.
(3)Josh M.
This is a little out of the way meat and three cafeteria style restaurant, but defiantly worth the trip. You can find it easily by looking for the line out the door. Don't let the line deter you. Everything we ate was fantastic. The meatloaf, spicy chocolate pie, lemonade and sweet tea really stood out. The fried green tomatoes were the best we have ever had.
(4)John S.
Arnold's is good and I've always been wanting to try it since I've heard so much. The food is definitely good, good service, fast lines; overall it meets the expectations I had and the descriptions I've read. I think their sides are really good, and the meats are pretty good but not the best I've had. The pork chop was a very good size and the gravy that went on it is good, but the pork chop itself was a little dry. Their red bean on jalapeno grits, and their cajun fries are both really good, as well as their rolls. My friend had mac and cheese which was also good. I didn't get a chance to try their fried green tomatoes but next time I will definitely try them. Delicious? Definitely. Should you go check it out? No doubt. Is it as mind-blowing and amazing like all the hype? Well...you can decide for yourself.
(4)Maya K.
I think that my experience at Arnold's was kind of my fault - I on the recommendation of a Nashville resident, but without doing any of my usual yelp research, so I wasn't sure exactly what to order. I also came in at the tail end of lunch (around 2pm), so I wonder if that had an impact on my order as well. The food was good, but not super hot (temperature wise) -- I had the roast beef, which was decent; the green beans, which were way too salty for me; and the mac and cheese, which was SOOOO good. If I could go back and do it again (which I'd like to, because seeing all of these 5 star reviews pains me about my own so-so experience), I'd probably try a different meat and get the turnip greens instead. I've learned my lesson: always check the yelp recs before ordering!
(3)Owen R.
Interesting experience, really enjoyed a southern unhealthy, treat/meal. Major downside; the line! Set up is more annoyance than quaint. People on top of people, not for the claustrophobic. Unique and I hope you can get there right when they open or slightly before close, otherwise a hassle!
(3)Jeff M.
Arnold's was the first establishment to have ever served a meat and three to me. In fact, it was the first place I went to on a recent trip to Nashville. I had no idea what to expect walking into this unassuming restaurant. I knew about the James Beard on the wall but had no idea that that spiky bleached blond idiot from the Food Network visited this place untill I saw his photo on the wall. I told the guy behind the counter I was from Boston and had no idea what I was doing. He served me roast beef, greens, mac and cheese, tomato basil pie, bread budding, butter pecan pie and two pieces of cornbread. The total for all of this was $11.69. I couldn't believe the price. Getting to what was on the plate, the roast beef was pretty basic, but, nonethless good. The mac and cheese had too much pepper and more liquidy than I like. The greens were greens. The tomato basil pie may have been the best thing on my tray. The bread pudding was too dense, had no bounce to it and the sugar in the creme anglaise was over overpowering. The better pecan pie was very good, but, to order it, you better like sugar. I don't include price in my review but if I did this would have to be a five star cheap eat.
(3)Cally B.
This place lives up to the hype. Best baked chicken I have ever had. Line seems really long but it moves fast and is well worth it!
(5)Laura F.
Despite all the raving reviews, I found the food to be serviceable. Had it been freshly made I'm sure it would've been better. It also may have been better had I not done carry-out.
(3)Jasmine M.
Yes the two guys across the street from Arnold's were smoking crack when we passed them. Ok so it might be a slightly dicey part of town, but I did want to tell them there was no need for drug crack when you have fried green tomato crack across the street. Addictive but much better for you. Arnold's is typical get your grub on no frills cafeteria style lunch. If you want a nicer place, go to Monnell's. Though for food, I think Arnold's schools Monnell's. One the fried green tomatoes are incredible. By far, the best I have ever had. They are really nicely seasoned with some spicy kick to them. The macaroni cheese is great as is the creamed corn. I had fried shrimp and my boyfriend had roast beef. There were a number of other choices too that all looked and smelled incredible. The meal was heavenly, and because it was a meat and three and not an all you can eat, I left stuffed but not sick. Yeah, I have to let someone else control my portion size. The staff was super friendly and on hand for refills of sweet tea.
(5)Ryan S.
Great food and excellent staff as well. The only drawback was the line being out the door, but I will definitely be back regardless.
(4)Andrea N.
I will come out of my way to eat here. The vegetables are so tasty, and the beef was juicy. The service was friendly and made us feel comfortable knowing that we weren't from Nashville. Unfortunately, I only had 1 meal here...wish I had more.
(5)Kaiping S.
meat and 3 is no joke. do not trifle with your lunch here. you really can't go wrong with any of the sides (especially fried green tomatoes!) or meat you choose. sweet tea is on point, and as other reviewers mentioned, the banana pudding is ridiculously tasty. if you are in the mood for desert be sure to pick that bad boy up. my only regret is not being able to come here every day of the week to try the different meats available. cafeteria style so prices are cheap and line could be long but don't let that fool you. the line moves quickly and you will enjoy anything you try here. also great because its walking distance to downtown for visitors without a car.
(5)steven c.
Wow! What can I say that has not already been said. Simply the best meat and 3 ever.
(5)Dot V.
I loved it! I wish we had places like this in metro Atlanta. We arrived at 1p.m. but the line was still a little bit out the door. The tables were all full and I wondered how we were going to find a place to sit but, surprisingly, they clear out fast. The food is country cookin at it's best. I had the roast beef with mashed potatoes and squash. I'm not a cornbread fan so I chose the yeast rolls. They were melt in your mouth goodness. Everything was very yummy. The only drawbacks for me were the parking lot being so rough and the restaurant being extremely noisy and crowded.
(4)Sue S.
Don't worry about the line - it moves fast and it's worth it. And every single dish will be the best "insert food here" you've ever tasted. A serious yum.
(5)Scott G.
Solid meat & 3 but nothing incredible. Can be hard to get a seat at lunch time.
(3)Zlata P.
This place reminded me of home, since cafeteria style restaurants are still pretty big in Russia. Be ready to wait in line, but it will be worth it. They serve a different variety every day, the menu is on the door. Just grab a tray and pick what you like. I had meatloaf with side of mashed potatoes, some greens and a bread pudding. Southern comfort at its best! Meatloaf was delicious and the creole gravy was perfect. One of the best greens I've had too! So so good! Definitely check it out while in Nashville. It's close to the Gulch and downtown as well, so it's easy to squeeze it in, if you don't have much time in Nashville
(5)Danielle S.
Favorite food in Nashville. And we have great food here. Cafeteria style. Meat and 3. DELICIOUS southern food. All the meats and all the sides have been amazing. It's such a cool atmosphere. They serve different things on different days but I can't imagine you'd ever be disappointed in your options. Just go try it and taste how amazing it is.
(5)Kayla H.
I think this place speaks for itself. The best meat-and-three in the area! A must-go for out-of-town visitors especially. The peach cobbler was particularly delicious. The other diners and the staff were super nice too. Coming here made me miss Nashville for all the right reasons. :)
(5)Kristie A.
Line goes by pretty fast. I'm a Nashville native but I still waited in line in the midst of other tourists. Food changes every week so call before coming if there's a particular meal you'd like to try. Don't save spots either. By the time you get to the end of the line, you'll have a table. Don't worry about that! Get their chocolate pudding. it is soooo delicious. The price is just right with the amount of food that you get. Try to avoid lunch rush!
(4)Vickie R.
Honestly, we had so much good food in Nashville that was way fancier and way more expensive, but my meal at Arnold's is still my favorite. I came down to the South to get the southern food that I had missed, and this is now my new gold standard. There are no bells and whistles to the cafeteria style Arnold's Country Kitchen, only excellent food that I will have a hard time finding something comparable to. Everyone in the town of Nashville obviously knows this place is amazing too, as we arrived at 11 and there was already a "short" line, and the people never stopped coming, it was literally out the door. Since it's cafeteria style, we didn't have to wait on any waiters. You get your food, sit down, eat, and leave. We were in and out in half an hour. The bussers are really good with cleaning up as soon as you leave for the next patrons because the line is unending. My "bar" for any southern meal to be measured against - fried chicken (all dark meat), mashed potatoes with gravy, mac & cheese, and greens. There were many other things I could've tried, but as a reviewer, those are my staples. Everything met my expectations of good southern food and then some. The chicken was fried to a golden brown and delicious, the meat was still juicy and tender. The mac was creamy, the mashed taters weren't powdery, the gravy isn't bland (in fact, flavorful), and the greens still had texture to it and the broth it was cooked in was delicious. Even with an iced tea, it was barely $10. That was the perfect meal to end my trip to Nashville.
(5)Marcin S.
Honestly, I believe it is over-hyped. The food is good, but for our tastes most of the dishes were significantly too salty and as far as chicken and dumplings were concerned, the restaurant went overboard with black pepper. The price is right, though and I believe we got a good value for our money. We got roast beef, BBQ chicken, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes + chocolate pie and banana pudding. Out of these, we liked our meats and fried green tomatoes. The rest were OK. Deserts were very rich and slightly too sweet for us. The place is open only for lunch and is quite popular - it took us more than 30 minutes to get in. It has a bit of a school cafeteria feel and if you are looking for spotless cleanness, this is not the place. As we came there at noon, before we got to the counter, they run out of many dishes already (no fried catfish, shrimp or beans for us...) I am sure, that if we came on a slightly less busy day and it was not so excruciatingly hot outside (half an hour in blazing, Southern sun at ~100 F does not make one very enthusiastic), our perception could have been different. To sum up: it is a decent place, but we will not be coming back, at least not in summer...
(3)Tim G.
This is one of the truly amazing meat and three type places that absolutely make your mouth water. I come here all the time for work, as it's not far from the office. I suggest you get there early, or plan to wait in line. The Mac and Cheese is the best side. The Roast beef is the best meat. And DO NOT FORGET to get banana pudding! You will not be sorry. You can thank me later.
(5)Michael U.
Items Selected: Fried Grouper Chicken n' Dumplings White Beans Candied Yams Mac n' Cheese Corn Muffin Pancake Banana Pudding Chess Pie Pecan Pie Leaving a fair amount of breakfast from Pancake Pantry on the table before heading north to Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills mall it was after several hours of walking and shopping that we returned to downtown Nashville for a two-part lunch, the first stop seeing our trio just beat the crowd at Beard Award Winning Arnold's, a landmark cafeteria-styled luncheonette fabled by locals and tourists alike. Open in its current format for nearly as long as I've been alive and featuring Southern Classics in a setting where communal seating always at a premium, Arnold's sits next to a rather sizable parking lot in a rapidly gentrifying area along 8th Ave and with rotating daily specials plus several standby signatures the only real question is how long a wait and what to order - our answers to this being no time at all, and two "Meat & 2s" plus bread and three plates of sweets in our case. Not particularly renowned for their service, the staff left to navigate a rather narrow space behind steamer tables brimming with choices as line cooks worked feverishly at their backs, it is perhaps fortunate that many selections are of the 'help yourself' variety while mains and hot sides are scooped and slopped on plates to be stacked on trays, a bit of persistence needed in our case to get the chicken n' dumplings that we'd ordered as the woman taking orders turned her attention elsewhere immediately after scooping up some candied yams and white beans. Undoubtedly the most affordable meal of the trip, a whole lot of homestyle cuisine served up for just a shade over twenty bucks, it was immediately after sitting down that we tucked in and although both the pancake and cornbread were almost insufferably dry everything else on the plate was reference standard cafeteria grub - not the sort of 'upscale American' being peddled for top dollar elsewhere, just flaky fish beneath golden batter and rich stock with tender noodles and chicken plus the sort of sides you'd associate with holidays at Grandma's house - the smoky beans particularly delicious, while the yams were sweet enough that they could have served as dessert themselves. Moving onward to proper desserts, an older African American man circulating to refill beverages and clear trays in order to promptly seat new patrons, those fancying Southern staples would be well served to visit Arnold's if only for some pudding and pie, the former a 'Nilla wafer studded homemade iteration with stick-a-spoon-up-straight thickness and the later a tossup between Pecan and Chess as to which was better, the former almost purely nuts without much filler while the later was amongst the most creamy I've tasted despite a top that was cooked till cracking, an absolute steal at just $2.75.
(4)Lauren H.
A solid stop on the Nashville food tour that we have been on since arriving. The staff is incredibly attentive and sweet (like their great sweet tea). The Roast Beef is not to be beat, and the sides are all solid! We tried the Mac and Cheese, cole slaw, green beans, corn bread, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. Of those I highly recommend the cole slaw, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. Must have the pecan pie!!
(4)Lin G.
The line out the door was an excruciating one. A sure sign of quality right? Well... I guess the rumor from the couple in front of us is that this place was featured on some tv show and hence its fame. A lady cutting so-called Georgia peaches kept us distracted and proffered samples of her peaches, which can be purchased at $8 in cash for a brown paper bag of who knows how many peaches (maybe 3?) and who knows what quality are in the bags. Walking in, I felt like hot air has been blown up my ass in the form of hype. THANK YOU YELP, YOU ASSHOLES. Piles of dirty dishes on dirty trays were strewn across dirty tables like orc carcasses left after a Lord of the Rings battle. A single elderly male worker meandered about, SLOWLY collecting the dirty dishes and stacking the used trays around the room, leaving huge tracts of tables just totally unattended with dirty dishes and trays piled 3-6 stacks deep, caked with half eaten food. His lethargic pace was so slow it was almost impressive, especially considering the amount of people eating and waiting to eat here. The portion sizes were very modest and I tried the roast beef, some sort of candied vegetable, and the fried green tomatoes. The roast beef was okay but nothing to write home about and doled out in meager servings. The candied veggies, well, I think they could drizzle that syrup over poison ivy and it'd probably taste pretty decent. The fried green tomatoes was the most flavorful and interesting. It was definitely my favorite thing here. I tried a bite of the chocolate pie and again, I don't really know what the hype is about. For less that $10 a tray, I guess it's okay. But I would't trust anything I see on television again!
(3)Josh C.
Highly recommend this place to anyone who has even one meal in the Nashville area. My friend and I were literally talking about it for the entire rest of the trip. Make sure to come hungry and not plan on eating much for the rest of the day! Wonderful place. Highly recommend the chicken and dumplings and the bread pudding.
(5)Robert J.
Mixed feelings. The food was great, but the way in which I got the food was not. We waited in a good line out in the sun for about 15 minutes, followed by another awkward 10 minutes of standing in line in very close proximity to people as they ate. While eating, I was continuously bumped (sometimes hard) by people standing in the very squished line right behind me. The food was great. The chicken & dumpling soup felt more like a chicken noodle (with big, soft noodles), but it was very good. The Roast beef (sorry I know everyone here has said it) was like a party in my mouth. I'll admit that I was hesitant, because I've never had amazing RB before. However, the sample that I stole from my friend's plate was enough to change my mind! Everything else was very good, but not great. The setup (again) was weird. Cafeteria-style like was disorganized and we weren't clear on what exactly was included or how much it cost. They had some items the menu didn't list and didn't have at least one that the menu said they would. I really didn't care for the little bowls & plates of food that took up my entire tray. I'd rather put multiple items on the same plate. I'd probably come back here, but it was really a pain and an awkward situation. Getting food to go might be a MUCH better idea ;)
(3)Catherine L.
As Nashvillian (is that a term?) as it gets. If you're visiting, get thee here. Get thee here during the week, as they are sadly closed on the weekends. Get thee here (early) and wait in line. It's worth it. Get thee here and order the Roast Beef (if they have it that day). Get some turnip greens (you must, you must!) Get the mac n' cheese. Fried Green Tomatoes, just because. Then round off the meal, with some amazing Banana pudding, because it's banana pudding. Every bite was delectable. I wiped my plate clean. Sit yourself down, as I did, with a local. Enjoy your lunch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy this amazing local meat and three and savor it all. I'm still dreaming about those amazing turnip greens, and well, everything I ate there too. Perfection.
(5)Nathan M.
A local landmark. If you want quick delicious southern food, go here. Served cafeteria style with plenty of table seating (family style or booths). Had the 4 vegetable plate: collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes. I devoured all of this in 5 minutes because it was that good. Definitely will plan on coming back.
(4)Ted C.
What I'm not going to do is repeat what I said earlier. I will say that the food is still the same quality-I want to say that they were skimping a little but it was during the 'winter apocalypse' where it seemed like everyone was storing food, because apparently two inches of snow is like Hoth around here. Anyway, I still got the roast beef with au jus, while my friend got the kielbasa and kraut AND the chicken. Honestly, at a place like this there's really no point in keeping things to yourself. There was so much food between the four of us that we basically got a little of everything off the menu. The fried chicken here was also delicious, skillet fried is time consuming and sometimes you don't get what you want (luckily they had white meat available) but it's definitely worth it. The breading was crisp and the meat succulent and juicy. Definitely glad I brought people here.
(4)Robert B.
Great quality country food. Meat and three with a great choice of deserts. Try the chocolate pepper pie. You will not regret it.
(5)Grant J.
If you are visiting Nashville, this is a must and a long time staple of the city. The line is long for a reason, but don't fret...it goes fast and the food is definitely worth it! If you live in Nashville and haven't been, shame on you! I had the chicken and dumplings with a side of Mac n cheese and mash taters and I have been dreaming of it ever since. Can't wait to return on my next visit and try something different as the menu changes daily.
(5)Monte R.
This place is a mixed bag. The atmosphere was dirty and grungy, I felt like walking into greasy spoon in some nasty part of the city. It was gross. Tables were a mess. The "cleanliness" was a major concern. However, Arnold's delivered on some might tasty food. The sides and brisket were awesome. I just don't get how owners of a place let it get so dirty, with pretty good stream of customers and plenty of revenue, they don't take the time to clean up and remodel the place for modern times.
(3)Katie U.
Caveat: I am not from the south and so I may just not "get it". But there were three of us eating and not a single one of us said "wow - this is really good" about anything we got. I didn't even eat my leftovers - they were super salty. It's a nice atmosphere - the staff clearly like what they do. And the friendly, crowded atmosphere is fun. It's cool that they have daily menus with several really good-sounding items each day. But I can't say the food was any better than other decent barbeque or meat-and-3s I've been to. The green beans - your normal salty, light green beans cooked in bacon. The country-fried steak - flavorless meat in lots of gravy. The cornbread - the same salty, dry cakes you can get anywhere...
(2)Dan H.
Arnold's was another in the long list of restaurants I have found in the Road Food book. It is an institution in Nashville. Another place where you will wait in a line. I liked one of the articles that was on the wall that I happened to read while I was waiting in said line. It said something about lines being the great equalizer. Everyone is equal when they are standing in a line. So true. Yet another meat and 3 place. Or a meat and 2. Or just veggies if you prefer to go that route. I was there on a Friday and one of the meat specials was roast beef. Yes please. I was happy to get up there when they were cutting into some of the medium to medium rare meat. Yes, they have someone standing there carving the meat. That is a good thing. Paired that up with some collard greens and mac and cheese along with a slice of pumpkin pie, some dinner rolls and a glass of sweet tea which seemed to be more crushed ice and not so much tea, but I'll get back to that in a bit. I was there by myself so I found a seat at one of the longer tables and ended up being joined by other folks that were on their own. Be prepared to share your space with strangers. That is just how it works here. The roast beef was very tender and very flavorful. Don't know what they rub on it, but it was very good and not too salty. The rest of the meal was very good too. I mentioned about the tea earlier. Do not fret if you get a glass of ice and a small amount of tea. They have a filling station and you can refill your tea as much as you'd like. I ended up filling up before leaving and finding a cover so that I could take it to go. The wait is worth it.
(4)Sim T.
Real authentic southern food, cholesterol and all. High sodium and high fat, but who cares because you are coming for the true southern soul food experience. The roast beef is on point and the staff is super nice. The sweet tea is basically sugar with a little bit of water. Good meal to have at least once in your life not everyday.
(4)Rob H.
Roast beef, black eyed peas, baked squash casserole and dressing. Here on vacation and it's a must see if you're ok with no frills and no regard for caloric intake. The food was very good - juicy roast beef, sweet and savory dressing, almost too sweet squash. Very intense flavors, but very fresh and delicious. Regarding the complaints about the line and people bumping into you - if you have an issue with "personal space invaders" this isn't the place for you. I wouldn't want to deal w/it everyday, but I actually enjoyed it as part of the experience.
(5)Jason B.
Have you ever eaten so hard that you started to sweat? I'm talking about sweat rolling down your forehead from your lust for a steaming bowl of chicken n dumplings? That's what just happened to me as slurped some soupy, delicious, boiled dough from this tiny little place. I've been in Nashville for 15 years. I've always heard about Arnold's and how good it was.. I've read the reviews. I've seen it on TV. I've even flown by a few times for lunch, but was turned off by the line that was out the door and around the corner. Today was my lucky day. I was actually trying to eat sushi, but Wild Wasabi was packed, so we somehow ended up at the Arnold's...about the farthest thing from sushi on the food spectrum. I've never written a 5 star review for a restaurant. Some call me a food snob. Others think I'm just insatiable. Whatever the case may be, this place lived up to the hype more than any other place I've ever been. My friend and I were undecided on what to order. Everybody we passed had the smoked barbecue chicken and it looked delicious. Chicken and dumplings are their staple. The roast beef looked like prime rib from a high end steak house. Too many good options. I had the dumplings, and they were better than any I've ever had. Sorry mom. RIP grandma. They are simply better at Arnold's. The green beans were stupid good. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy and extra buttery. My friend had the catfish, hush puppies, mac n cheese, and greens. The catfish had a great flavor and cripsy fried batter. I can only dream about how good it would've been freshly prepared. The mac n cheese had just a hint of hot sauce which cut through the creaminess. The greens tastes like they'd been cooking for hours in a delicious, rich, ham hock broth. AMAZING. Let's not stop there...we also split a piece of pecan pie and carrot cake. This was total indulgence for a Friday lunch. There's nothing to say about the desserts except OMG (in my Usher voice). I'm so happy that Arnold's lived up to the hype; the expectations fueled by raving reviews and countless TV shows. FIVE BAJILLION STARS!
(5)Abram M.
The brisket and roast beef melt in your mouth. So much flavor in everything I tried. Home made and delicious! Couldn't get enough of the mashed potatoes with the au jus on them. Also the banana pudding is out of this world!
(5)Fishstick Y.
Came here on Monday for the fried chicken special. Crispiest fried chicken I've ever had. Gf got the roast beef, which was very good but the fried chicken was better IMO. All the sides we got - mashed potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese were good. Banana pudding was spot on. Excellent lunch spot. Oh and the line isn't bad, it moves pretty quickly.
(5)Jane H.
Best meat and three in town! Love the taste of roast beef, green beans, bread and pie! Yum
(5)Tim M.
Have been wanting to come here since I saw it on DDD. definitely worth the ride. The roast beef and the brisket were awesome. The sides were equally as good. Will be back soon. Great people great food.
(5)Ruiqiu K.
I've been hearing about fried green tomatoes and had no idea what they looked like or tasted. Imagine my embarrassment when I thought I was buying a weird-looking chocolate chip cookie, only to find out that I bought fried green tomatoes. They were actually the best part of my meal, and something I was looking for but didn't think they had available when I visited. I had their catfish, which was plentiful, but decent. I wasn't too keen on their stewed okra, but wanted to try okra cooked a different way than what I'm used to. I've never had chess pie and it was delicious. Our wait was probably about 20 minutes, but it went quickly. You reach the area where you point to the items you want put on your tray. You may have to share tables, but we were seated at our own table. Still a long line when we left, which just shows how popular this place is. Wish I could have tried out their set menus on the other days.
(4)Kristi G.
Triple D got this one right. Arnold's Country Kitchen is delicious! Everyone in our party of 6 agreed this place rocked the homestyle cooking. From the roast beef, fried catfish, baked chicken, to all the super yummy sides everything was a hit. Oh and don't forget the dessert, the pecan and chess pie were the perfect ending to our super guilty cheat meal!
(5)Sarah S.
My friend and I drove by a couple of times before finally stopping in. We got scared seeing a line way out the door but the line actually moves pretty quickly and somehow there always seems to be enough seating to accomodate everyone. It would help a bit if tables were bussed more quickly as then there would be a bit more space for seating. A few tables we saw were overrun with dishes leaving no room for people to sit down. Arnold's is kind of a cafeteria style setup - Long line of people, pick the food you want that's dished out from various trays, pick up some pie if you want it and off you go to the register to pay, then to find a seat. When you pick your food, you choose a meat main dish and three side dishes cleverly referred to as Meat & Three. There are usually 4 or 5 mains to pick from and about 10 side dishes. For my main I picked the Chicken & Dumplings which comes in a separate little bowl. I liked them but wasn't in love at first bite. For one of my sides, I knew I had to have the mac & cheese. Again, I liked it but wasn't over the moon. It reminded me of Stouffer's with a bit of seasonings. Don't get me wrong, Stouffer's mac & cheese is some ish, but it's just not my favorite way of having it with a slightly processed cheese feel to it. My other sides were a corn tomato souffle special and fried okra or greens - can't remember which it was now. But of these side dishes were sadly quite forgettable. I ate them, liked them, but mind not blown. For dessert, they have a few pies to pick from including a spicy one! I got the standard chocolate pie covered in a thick layer, way more thick than the pie itself, of marshmallow fluff. As with everything else, I liked it just fine but didn't love it and crave more as I usually do with chocolate treats. Would I go back? Yes in a heartbeat but I think I'd try some different dishes. I was going in expecting to love everything about Arnold's so I'm kind of sad I didn't like it more than I did.
(3)Nikita L.
Stopped by for a quick lunch. The brisket was soo good! Side dishes are very salty, but overall a good place for lunch.
(4)Michelle M.
We ate an enormous lunch at Arnold's on our way out of Nashville. My husband ran inside and picked up our meal while I waited in the car with the pug, and we struggled to eat the gigantic quantity of food inside the car while simultaneously preventing said pug from eating it all himself. It was worth the trouble! I had fried shrimp, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, cheese grits and cornbread. The shrimp were tasty but nothing super special- the stand-outs were the sides. The potatoes were creamy and buttery, the mac was DELICIOUS and the cheese grits had a really delicious and unique flavor. It was all really good and I ate every bite! We also shared a slice of chess pie, which I had never had before, but both of us liked it. It was sweet and creamy and a perfect way to round out the meal (and leave us positively stuffed). Yum!
(4)Robin B.
Friendly service, fast pace, and TOO MUCH SUGAR. I cannot stress how overly thick and sweet their sweet tea was, and the chocolate pie was not at all silky, but grainy and thick. Green beans were somewhat too salty, but were on par with typical meat and three type places around the south. Stand in line, and order cafeteria style. High notes: free lot parking, grouper was perfectly crisped, and turnip greens were tender and meaty.
(3)Evan W.
- A Nashville Legend - After multiple recommendations I finally decided to drive here at lunch ( ONLY LUNCH) This place was a local hot spot catering to a crowd so diverse you'll see a lawyer standing behind a farmer! The food speaks for itself : Roast be
(5)Ferdinand H.
I have a weakness for chicken fried steak... You know, the beef that's battered in bread then fried? Like, fried steak? That's called chicken? It makes sense to me now, although it still throws me for a loop. At any rate, I'd asked around Nashville where I might find some of the chicken fried steak in the area, and most of the chefs and diners that I'd asked said Arnold's. Well, they didn't have it that day (it's there sometimes), but an entree and several sides later, I did come to the conclusion that there's great value at eating at this yon hole-in-the-wall that brings the cafeteria style mix and match plate menu concept to a a high level of quality. While you're not likely to keep a trim figure if you decided to eat here every meal, neither will you find the grease extra-excessive, nor seasoning extra-sodium-hypertension-causing. Flavorful, zesty, and homey... it's neither showy nor exuberant... it's honest cooking that is unabashedly southern.
(5)Mackenzie N.
Don't let the line scare you away. It goes quickly and the food is delicious! Homemade everything. The banana pudding is the best I've ever had!
(5)Kimberli F.
Soul food is my favorite type of food ever. And this is right on the money. Mouth watering!
(5)Peter D.
Was passing through Nashville and Arnold's continued to come up as a must try. I went with moderate expectations given I'm not that into the southern style food but Arnold's is an exception. I enjoyed the cafeteria style ordering process especially because I was in a hurry. I could see though how during peak times it could get pretty packed and a pain to wait it out though. I had the special of the day which was the country fried steak. I was tempted by the roast beef which looked great but the novelty of the steak got me. I got mashed, fried green tomatoes and greens as sides. Steak was delicious and surprisingly not overly heavy. Greens/mashed were as expected but the fried tomatoes was great. Highly recommend.
(5)sam a.
I didn't even know what a "meat and three" was until I went here. Now its all I ever want. Everything about this place was unique and delicious. This food could easily be plated a little differently and sold in a hip Brooklyn bar to hordes of foodies eagerly paying $80 a plate. Instead you get this food for bargain prices in an awesomely communal setting. Come here hungry and try one of everything.
(5)Mich M.
Visiting Nashville and found this place after receivi g a recommendation from a local. We made it in time before they closed. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in a while. Roast beef was excellent. BBQ chicken good a little too sweet would be just fine without the sauce. Cornbread yummy. Mac and cheese, corn casserole uber good. Service was excellent. I went with a vegetarian and even they loved the non meat sides. The sides are not an after thought. Would highly recommend.
(5)Courtney C.
My husband picked this restaurant and I followed him here with minimal murmurs and I'm SOOOO happy that he picked Arnold's! This was one of the high points of our trip to Nashville. I'd read Sarah S and others' reviews stating to make it early, so there's no shame in the fact we arrived for lunch at 10:45 AM. There were only a few people in front of us and we were served within a few minutes. By the time we'd sat down, a line had formed halfway through the parking lot. Whew! (Even if you come and there's a line, don't worry too much. It moved fast.) I followed the reviews and went for the roast beef, the mashed potatoes and the greens. When they were about to serve me the meat, the guy said they had a special they'd made that day served on top of a jalapeno cheese grit cake with some kind of fresh BBQ sauce. It sounded fabulous so I quickly changed my mind. I can't even believe how good it was. The sauce (which escapes my mind now as to what he described) was very flavorful and complimented the tender beef well. Grits are my favorite part of the South and theirs didn't disappoint. I liked that it was in cake form too because it sucked up the juices of the meat and sauce. The potatoes were decent, as were the greens, but the meat was where it was at. I also got a fresh lemonade and enjoyed it most of the afternoon. It was pretty sweet, but not too sweet where it made your teeth hurt. If you're thinking Arnold's is all hype and couldn't possibly live up to the expectations, I'm telling you you're wrong. Every rave review was spot on!
(5)Mike M.
Had lunch there today. I found this place on Yelp. The high number of positive reviews beckoned to me to try it out. Quite impressive little restaurant with 2 James Beard awards. When I arrived at 11:20 am there were about 15 people in line in front of me which meant about a 10 minute wait to get to the serving line. Today I tried the chicken and dumplings, candied yams, cabbage and shire beans along with a slice of chess pie and sweet tea for about $13 w/tax. Normally I don't do dessert but what the hell!!! When served the first thing I noticed was that the servings were a little smaller than I expected for a diner restaurant like this. Usually servings at other places are larger(see my pics). Next I noticed that the bowl of chicken and dumplings was only filled about 3/4 full and that it was the soupy kind of chick and dumpling that I don't like. I prefer mine to require a fork to eat rather than a spoon. I will say that the food was good. The veggies were seasoned properly. The yams were sweet. Beans and cabbage tasted real southern.. I thought the chess pie was excellent even though I am sure it had a million calories...lol. Overall the meal was very good and rated a strong 4. I could have given a 5 if the servings were a little larger and the chick and dumplings were firmer and less soupy. If I lived here I would eat here often. I wish I could try some of their other entrees. You should eat here. Just come early. If the line is at the door you might have as much as a 15 minute wait. I recommend.
(4)Kim S.
This is a great place for old fashioned southern food. We had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, creamed corn and a roll. The only surprising disappointment was the sweet tea--it was barely sweet. In fact, we thought we had accidentally gotten unsweetened tea, but no- it was just not that sweet. We liked sitting with others. It is a tight squeeze in there but definitely good food.
(4)Toni S.
The best ever. You have to go! Mac n cheese was on point, green beans were the best I've ever had and pies topped it off. This place is a must go in Nashville.
(5)Eden O.
Expect the wait others have mentioned. . . when we showed up. . . it was out the door. The line tortures you as you are hovering over the people filled tables, which are filled with plates, which are filled with food. All of it looked delicious. They have a few main meats offered for each day of the week (I believe about five choices per day), we were there on a Friday and they had options like Chicken and Dumplings, Meatloaf, BBQ Chicken and Catfish. The sides range from turnip greens, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes to hush puppies. Needless to say, while waiting in line, you have a lot to ponder over and decide. Arnold's is quite the deal, you can choose your meat and two or three sides all for under about $8. Gotta love it. In my opinion, it was worth the 20 minute wait. The workers were also very friendly and will help clear and find you a seat so you are set by time you have your tray filled with food.
(4)LaDonna F.
Don't be discouraged by the long line. It moves quickly. Surveying the people in line, Arnold's draws a mix of tourist and locals. Servers are hospitable, but the food is only Okay. #ihadbetter
(3)Katie D.
This restaurant is totally worth the wait. Speaking of the line, it moves quickly! It's the perfect amount of time to decide what you want. I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fried green tomatoes. I also got banana pudding and tried some pecan pie. Everything was completely delicious! The fried green tomatoes were nice and tart. Great atmosphere and service!
(5)Steever M.
Lordy, Lordy! Wonderful Southern places like this are getting harder and harder to find. Nashville has a few and I love this one. Close to downtown and even shabby chic would be a stretch, but you can get your food on in classic southern fare with every walk of life. You gotta go sometime.
(4)Emily C.
I came here twice. Meat + 3 sides were cheap. $7-8. The first time, we got the chicken dumplings which was way too salty. I got the turnip greens, green beans, creamed corn. The creamed corn was the best - sweet and just the right amount of cream. The mashed potatoes and gravy was decent, I prefer them more fluffy. The second time, we came for fried chicken and Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and green beans. This was great comfort food and too heavy for my tastes.
(3)Aliza R.
Omg best home style cooking food ever!! Don't worry abt the line it goes by so quick! The roast beef is to die for!! The mac and cheese and grubby potatoes are awesome! The banana pudding is out if this world!! This is should be in everyone ones bucket list if good eats!! Can't be in Nashville & not come here
(5)Jules W.
Oh, for cryin' out loud. So full still from the huge meal at lunch. There was a line out the door when I arrived, but so glad I went ahead and waited (it wasn't too bad of a wait, really!). I am pretty sure I ate my weight in food - the portion size is ridic. I had chicken and dumplings, greens (this is a don't miss side - the flavor was incredible!), mac & cheese, green beans. So yummy. Don't miss the sweet tea and of course, save room for pecan pie. Work out before you go, lol - You won't be disappointed. The parking lot is a little wobbly, probably should have had on different footware, but you can park here for free, which is nice. And the seating is a little of a free for all, but in a way, that kind of adds to the charm of Arnold's.
(5)Molly D.
The food here is downright phenomenal. You will wait in a line but it is totally worth it. Lots of veggie options for non-meat peeps. It is cafeteria style and non pretentious. Everything is bursting with flavor and will make you wanna slap yo mamma, as they say in the south :)) I had a plate with four sides: sweet potato casserole, fried apples (unbelievable-had a marshmallow flavor somehow), collard greens and green beans. I had possibly the best slice of pie I've ever had. It was a chocolate cream with a buttery crisp crust, dense smooth chocolate filling and a light airy cream on top. If you are in Nashville, this is an absolute must!
(5)Rachel M.
How is it that I have lived in the Nashville area for 4 years without trying this tiny restaurant of awesome? How? I am a born-and-raised (or reared, if you want to get grammatically correct) southern girl! This place is like everyone's southern grandmothers got together and made a cookbook specifically for this restaurant. I will go ahead and admit I was a little skeptical when my husband and I pulled up and the line was out the door. I knew to expect this, but still. A little daunting. I was even more skeptical when I saw how many people were inside and how small the space was. I am not claustrophobic or agoraphobic, but I prefer my large crowds in larger spaces. I was EVEN MORE skeptical of the cafeteria-style serving line. Again, I knew to expect this, but still. I still have bad memories of a Piccadilly's in...Georgia, I think. But then. We sat down with our food, and I took the first bite. Hot damn! Ok, so it was not as good or better than anything my grandmothers have ever made. OF COURSE. However, I dare say it was a close second. I wasn't into the meat choices they had that day; it was Wednesday. They have a set menu for every day. I finally decided on roast beef with mac and cheese, squash casserole, and tomatoes and okra. Chess pie for dessert. Sweet tea to drink. I mean, if you're gonna do it, do it. Right? Y'all, I'm not kidding. That roast beef was amazing. I think the squash casserole had a hint of crack in it. The mac and cheese needed no pepper or anything to help it along. The tomatoes and okra were good...for vegetables. I'm just kidding. I wouldn't hate on vegetables. Then there was the pie. I just... Just some tips: do not freak out about the amount of cars in the lot or the amount of people waiting outside. It is not going to take you any time at all to get through the line. Wednesday is not fried green tomato day. If you see something on the board, but you don't see it in line, ask. They will probably have more in the kitchen. Lastly, get the sweet tea. We're in Tennessee; it's the only right choice. :)
(5)Mo Z.
Wasn't impressed with their fried chicken, collard greens, beef ribs or grits. Not much flavor at all. It's a dump inside but that's acceptable for a BBQ joint, I'm not trying to have a fancy meal out obviously. The one thing this place does right is fried green tomatoes- they're delicious!!
(3)Will P.
Flawless meal, soul food at its best Before leaving Nashville, I stopped in to Arnold's for lunch. They have limited hours and their menu changes each day. Went in and between my companion and I we had fried chicken, tilapia, sweet corn, greens, mac and cheese, rolls, apples, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding. Everything, and I mean EVERY SINGLE DISH was phenomenal. I mean no bite was bad, it was all outstanding. The corn was sweet and flavorful, same with the apples. The greens were also well seasoned with bold flavor. The mash was simple yet delicious. The mac and cheese seemed more like mac and gravy with the texture of it, nevertheless very good. The rolls were light and delicious. I am not big on fish, but the tilapia was amazing. I could eat it every day. Same with the fried chicken. Well seasoned, nice and crispy. The bread pudding was a well executed dessert also. Perfect Soul Food meal.
(5)Scott M.
Good food. Follow their simple rules on ordering and the line keeps moving. Fried green tomatoes and pie was excellent. Mix of people eating lunch makes everything more interesting. Short lunch hours keeps things hopping. Glad we tried it.
(5)Chris K.
I'm dumbfounded and humbled...perhaps by the awesome chocolate pepper pie! This is one of those experiences that is hard to explain, because you cannot put into words how a cafeteria style restaurant can earn 5 stars. My daughter and I visited Arnold's because of the great reviews, but I was skeptical as the pictures of the food didn't look phenomenal. This was one of the rare occasions in which a picture did NOT mean a thousand words. Rather, the TASTE and SERVICE had the last say. I have NEVER had such tender and succulent roast beef as we had at Arnolds. It was so good that my daughter was upset because I ate too much of it off her plate . We also ordered the collard greens, Mac n cheese, meat loaf, mashed sweet potatoes, pecan pie, and chocolate pepper pie. ALL GOOD! Sounds pedestrian-like food, but every bite was good, and the service friendly. You will want to arrive early for lunch if you want a seat; the lunch crowd is long, but the line goes quickly, as do tables open up as people don't linger, but make room for others. We will be back, and this time, I won't be touching my daughters roast beef plate!
(5)Kellen S.
Catfish is dope. Classic meat and three. Old school southern. Great for a hangover.
(4)Josh H.
"Meat & Three" is a style of restaurant found in Nashville. Pick a southern meat and three southern sides. Arnold's is without a doubt THE meat & three. You might have seen Arnold's featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I can assure you that they got this one right. Need more proof? Admire their James Beard "American Classic" Award on the wall as you wait in the cafeteria-style line (which might be out the door, but moves quickly enough). But really, come see for yourself. This longtime family-run restaurant is as friendly and down-home as it gets. Their roast beef is the best I've ever had, as are their greens. Other outstanding sides include the mac & cheese, jalapeño cheese grits, white beans, and their famous fried green tomatoes. If you're doing Arnold's, you might as well grab a dessert - I recommend the chess pie. To drink, their fresh squeezed lemonade goes well with everything. They're only open for lunch and on weekdays. Be sure to schedule time for a quick afternoon nap afterward.
(5)James M.
College football, sweet tea, mosquitos, and Arnold's. These are things that are quintessential to the Southern experience. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you get here. You will leave with a twang in your voice and a happiness in your belly. Take pride in your visit to this Nashville landmark and make sure to order the collard greens. This is the best meat & three that you'll ever eat, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, whether it be a regular thing like the roast beef and potatoes, or a bit irregular like the pork chops and cream corn. They also have a tempting selection of pies for your over-consumptive tendencies. Go, stand in line, eat, and be happy!
(5)Thomas B.
I haven't had anything I don't like here. I usually get a meat and 3 because everything is so good, but a meat and 2 is enough to make me stuffed. My favorite meat is the shrimp or the meatloaf, which is very unique. The line is always out the door but don't let that stop you. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes. Even though the place is small the tables turn over quickly.
(5)Brian V.
After reading all the reviews I was so excited to try this place. We arrived and saw a line out the door, and thought that had to be a good sign. I ordered the fried catfish, mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes and buttermilk pie. The catfish was smaller and drier than I had expected. The mac and cheese was good and was the best thing I ate there. The green beans would have been great ,but they were so salty I could barely eat. The fried green tomatoes were good. The dessert was average. Maybe if my expectations weren't so high, I would have enjoyed it more.
(3)Steffanie W.
The sweet tea is for real suhhweeeet! I highly recommend that you make it to Arnold's. It was one of my favorite places during our trip to Nashville. The line starts forming early so if you are in a hurry get their before they open. One of the best things about this place is the open, community seating. More restaurants should be like this. It made people watching a lot of fun.
(5)Jordan F.
The food here didn't do it for me. The roast beef was mostly fat and sides were salty. But, it was my first time trying fried green tomatoes which makes the trip worth it!
(2)Peter T.
We got here at 1pm on a Monday, it's cafeteria style service, we had a line...easy menu , nice selections. Nice staff. Okay prices, I think it would keep the locals away. We had fried chicken, dark meat...good spices and fried just right. I had collar greens, squash and zucchini, corn bread , cucumber salad and finally pepper chocolate pie... All of my good was great. My spouse had potatoes, and mac and cheese,with a okay banana flavored bread pudding or something like bread pudding...not her Flav, a three for her meal...thus the four on total score.
(4)Jami C.
I was told this is a must stop place when visiting Nashville. If you love southern cooking this is your place. The fried catfish is by far the best I've had. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. The seasoning they use in their breading is so good. And it helps they had delicious sweet tea. I love that you can really customize your meal.
(5)Harry H.
We stopped by on a Wednesday morning and it was characteristically slammed, with super hospitable staff circulating the narrow aisles. It was $31.50 well spent for two generous portions of some of the most comforting food you could ever hope to find, plus some refill-'em-yourself sweet teas.
(5)Brandon A.
I know this place gets a lot of great reviews but a good thing can't be repeated enough, especially when it comes to amazing Southern cooking. Now I will start by saying I've lived my whole life either in Philadelphia or Boston but like to think I have tried a pretty varied range of foods. I'd also like to think I've have good "southern" food but I know it is a lot different than living in the south. However, I digress and say with confidence that Arnold's in Nashville is the real deal! So, yes there is a long line pretty much whenever you go (according to reviews) and from my one experience when I was visiting Nashvillle. I don't think I minded the wait in retrospect about thirty seconds into digging into my meal. I knew at that precious moment when I was in their cozy, family-friendly cafeteria style line I may not be back in Tennessee for some time, so I should indulge within reason. The wall is filled with accolades, critical acclaim and beloved guests of Arnold's both famous globally and loyal locals. I enjoyed making conversation with a good range of people while I was in line. An older couple from Canada, three girls from Florida, a local construction worker born in Nashville, you name it. It's such a beautiful thing when awesome food can bring together a broad spectrum of people. So what wowed me on my visit to Arnold's? I had the roast beef, fried green tomatoes, turnip greens, cornbread and of course a shameless dish of bread pudding. Well, known for the barbecue, I was pleasantly satisfied with their roast beef which is not one of my go-to choices really anywhere. It just smelled so fantastic wafting through the crowded room. This was a great example of very tender meat that just melted in your mouth in succulent strips. I love collards and turnip greens and Arnold's does them justice for sure! Fried green tomatoes were nice and crispy with a rich gooey core. Flavor was so-so but I was not fretting about that, for I had delicious lightly golden brown cornbread and heaping portion of bread pudding. Now bread pudding isn't a huge thing where I'm from so my experiences have been limited. Game changer. I have converted to the Church of Bread Pudding. Sign me up. Sweet, decadent layers of flaky and gooey richness. I basically waddled of Arnold's in a happy place, no a very happy place. Wait it out for Arnold's. You will NOT be sorry!
(5)Shandon F.
Classic meat-and-three lunch counter that'll make you feel like you're a little kid having Sunday dinner. I had meatloaf, green beans, fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes -- all delicious. Plus, the bread pudding tasted like a diced cinnamon roll. Service and seating are cafeteria style and the staff is as warm and welcoming as the food. My lunch companion got a free piece of pie because she "looked like she needed some extra nourishment." Highly recommended if you're looking for a classic Nashville eating experience.
(5)Jennifer R.
Everyone likes Arnold's...lots of options, great comfort food, delicious desserts. I like Arnold's but don't LOVE it hence the 3 stars. Food is pretty consistent...sometimes it's a little on the salty side for me. It's always crowded which causes seating issues especially if you have a big group and you feel rushed to finish your food so others can sit. I never walk away thinking "that was awesome".
(3)Rhonda G.
I'm so glad I heeded the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and had lunch at Arnold's on a recent trip to Nashville. Wait until the lunch crowd dies down because there is a line and the parking lot gets full. Fortunately, most people are considerate and give up their table soon after eating. The catfish is crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. The turnip greens were tender, salty, and tangy. The mashed potatoes were creamy. My companion loved her roast chicken. Less than $8 for meat and 2 sides with generous portions. I can also recommend the chocolate pie and pecan pie. Few places like Arnold's are around anymore.
(5)Jonathon Y.
This place is amazing cheap food that is just plain delicious and fast. I was in and out in 30 mins with the line that was out the door. The fried chicken is amazing it is full of flavor. The staff is nice and helpful. I will be going back ASAP!!
(5)Jason L.
Quiet possibly one of the best southern style places I've ever eaten at. Simply amazing food. One of the unknown things I didn't get before coming here was that all they have to eat Is daily specials, but each one of them is amazing. Can be a little intimidating ordering if you've never been here before but that doesn't mean anything when your delicious food is awaiting you. By far the best bread pudding I've ever had in my whole life. And this is coming from someone that eats bread pudding once a week! Arnold's you're my new favorite place!
(5)Dan A.
Fast yum. Sooner or later everyone funds this great hideout. Probably the best meat and 3 in the city and we'll worth the trip. Today I was in search of great bread pudding. And this place hits it out of the park again. Moist and cinnamon delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. The vanilla drizzle you get adds the perfect touch. Limited hours but we'll worth it. Don't let the line scare you. ..it moves fast and it's part of this places charm - and you never know who you will see or bump into in this place.
(4)Joelle K.
Arnold's is tasty authentic southern cooking. You get your choice of a meat and either 1 or 2 sides. I decided to really have the southern dining experience and got the fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. I didn't like the catfish, but the fried green tomatoes were so delicious! The Mac and cheese was great as well. I got a couple of their fresh rolls as well. My husband had the chicken and dumplings and my sister had the BBQ chicken. They really enjoyed both. My sister also had a piece of the chocolate jalapeño pie. I know it sounds weird, but it is one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Be advised, this place is closed on the weekends and there is always a line out the door.
(4)Caroline T.
Words can't describe how good the food is and how friendly the employees are! Whenever I have guests in town, this is the first place I take them so they can get a taste of real southern food! I only wish it was open more so I could have it all the time!
(5)Vivian C.
Really more of a 3.5 but decided to round down due to just how salty the food was. When it comes to the classic Nashville "meat and three", there are a ton of options, but only so much stomach space. Thus, on our three day tour of Nashville, we opted for Arnold's, which had been touted as one of the best places to enjoy a "meat and three", a Nashville staple. The day was gorgeous as we walked toward Arnold's - sun shining and birds chirping - we were ready for some classic Southern fare. One thing to note is there isn't much around Arnold's so if you're expecting to hit up a bar or see some sights around Arnold's (by foot), that is definitely not possible. If you're going to Arnold's, there is one goal in mind, eating at Arnold's. We arrived on the earlier side for lunch and only saw a small line forming. As we were leaving, it had crawled to the end of the small parking lot. However, the line moves quite quickly, so don't get discouraged it there is a line! Arnold's isn't a large establishment relative to the number of diners they serve. Yet with seating for only 40-50 patrons, even with the large demand there always seems to be a seat available. This is because, as mentioned above, people are here to eat. Once they eat, they leave. All in all, a pretty efficient system! Also, you might need to share a table when it is quite crowded (as we did), but it is all part of the charm! Plus, for Adam and I having eaten at enough Asian places, we weren't turned off by this system. As you make your way toward the front, you'll have a chance to see the daily specials and the weekly menu. If you really have your heart set on something particular, it might be good to take a look at the weekly menu to at least know if what you want will be served that day. You can like them on Facebook to keep up-to-date with their daily specials. As we continued toward the front of the line, we realized that Arnold's had won a James Beard Award! This glowing endorsement for their food only made us more excited to reach the front. Unfortunately, quite soon after that, we came across an endorsement from Guy Fieri, the worst...He really gets to tag every restaurant that he goes to for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or as he so lovingly calls it, Triple D)? Terrible. Anyway, soon we had made it to the front of the line and were first presented with the pies and salads on offer. How Arnold's works is you take a tray, pile it up with what you want on display, let the staff know what you want for your meat and three and then pay. Adam opted for the roast beef, mashed potatoes and turnip greens with a tomato salad on the side. Adam really enjoyed all of the parts of his meat and three and enjoyed the tomato "salad" - just cut up tomatoes with some pepper and balsamic vinegar as a nice balance to all of the heavier items. I opted to go with one of the daily specials, the blackened trout, as I was trying to be "healthier" with my meat so that I could get some of the heavier "threes." Unfortunately, my plan was thwarted as the blackened trout came with a cream sauce on top. While the trout was cooked well, it was incredibly salty...almost to the point of being inedible. I love salt so I cannot imagine how the regular patron would have found this. The mac and cheese was quite good and so were the turnip greens and creamed corn. Though, again, I found all of the sides quite salty. What we loved about Arnold's? It's classic Southern cooking in a no frills environment and they're serving up pretty solid fare. However, I found the food very salty (even for a salt lover!) and nothing was exceptional. I would be interested in trying some of the other "meat and three" places in Nashville to see how they stack up, but overall I found Arnold's to be quite good and a solid introduction into the "meat and three" tradition.
(3)Meg S.
Wow. This place is the real deal! My friends and I hopped off the plane to Nashville, and Arnold's was our first stop. Caution-it's definitely more of a dive than some of the photos/reviews make it sound. It's less hipster, and more "this is what it's looked like for the past 30 years". Again, this isn't a huge deal when the food is amazing, but it might be something to think about if your event requires a bit more fanciness. The roast beef and fried green tomatoes here are phenomenal. Of my friends, I was the only one to get roast beef, and they were both basically stealing the food away from me at the end! Ahh, so good! Plus, the entire meal for 3 people was around $30 (most of it drinks!). Awesome for people on a budget. This is a must-see for anyone in Nashville who's interested in food.
(5)Hannah H.
About a 3.5: Arnold's Country Kitchen is a family-style restaurant that has been awarded a James Beard Award. They offer different combinations, such as 'Meat, 'Meat & 2,' 'Meat & 3,' 'Vegetable,' and '4 Veg & Bread,' meaning, you get to choose the meat you want that is offered that day (different menu for each day of the week) as well as your choice of vegetable(s). Monday's menu comprises of: roast beef, liver & onions, keilbasa & kraut, blacked tilapia, and fried chicken; Tuesday's menu comprises of: carved SC ham, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, and battered grouper); Wednesday's menu comprises of: roast beef, Pork BBQ or brisket, baked chicken, and fried catfish; Thursday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken livers & rice, country fried steak, and fried shrimp; Friday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken & dumplings, meatloaf, and fried shrimp/catfish (at an additional cost). Veggies are a variety, such as green beans, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, salads, boiled cabbage, candied yams, black eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes. They also offer desserts, such as chocolate pie, pecan pie, their 'famous' chess pie, coconut crunch pie, strawberry pie, peach pie, and pudding (banana and bread). My sister had the meatloaf with this tomato-based gravy sauce, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy - I was pleasantly surprised with the meatloaf as that was moist, delicious, well-seasoned, and the gravy itself actually added a nice tangy touch to it! The turnip greens were delicious, but I wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes. I had the fried catfish (cornmeal-crusted), mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes - the catfish was okay, and I was not a fan of the mac & cheese (as it was too watery and plastic-like). However, I absolutely loved the fried green tomatoes as it had a nice great crispy batter to it, with a delicious soft sliced green tomato within. I wasn't a fan of the chess pie either, as it was overly sweet and it tasted like a mixture of sugary tapioca of some sort. The dining area was very busy, and there was one older gentleman working to clear the tables, so there was a bit of a wait to sit down. One younger guy was so rude to the gentleman when he accidentally cleared an almost-empty try of his - the guy apparently went to go get a drink and didn't notify anyone that he wanted to continue eating his food. I thought the way that the guy treated him was unnecessary and so awful! I highly recommend the meatloaf, the turnip greens, and the fried green tomatoes if you get a chance to come here! :D +meatloaf +turnip greens +fried green tomatoes :D
(4)Kristen M.
The family I and came to Nashville all the way from Tampa Florida for a few days. As a rule...anytime we visit a new place we avoid all chains and fastfood joints and pick the brains of the locals to get the best places they eat. Prior to this trip I researched Nashville for the best local resturants and Arnolds Country Kitchen was on every single list. I also noticed it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins,and Dives on the food network. So I was REALLY excited to try this place. And let me tell you...it delivered. Between my family and I we tried the fried chicken...roastbeef...turnip greens mashed potatos and mac and cheese. It was unreal. So delicious. For dessert we tried the Chess pie and the chocolate pie. Both were great but the chess pie was the highlight of the meal. The line was about 40 people long when we got there and a local gentleman in front of us said he has been eating there for 30 years and it was like that everyday. You should know that this place is only open for lunch until 2:45 so plan to be there early. It is a MUST if you are in Nashville. Don't let the line convince you to leave...you will miss out on a gem. I have never seen so many people so excited to wait in line. :) Well done Arnolds Country Kitchen! I would give you more stars if I could!
(5)Michael W.
Best meat and three in Nashville and it is not even close.
(5)Randy C.
Meat and Three. Great people work here. It is a bit intimidating to be in line and not even know what is available as you approach the food area and the guy wants to know what you want. The good news, it is all tasty stuff. Line moves fast. People leave tables fast.
(5)Chyng H.
As soon as we landed at the Nashville airport, we drove straight to Arnold's Kitchen. It was our first stop and we planned it before we even boarded the plane. You walk into this place and you will see all a diverse crowd - men in business suits, tourists, students...everyone loves this place. It is cafeteria style and the daily specials and menu are all on the wall on the right. Be prepared to order, the staff runs the line like a well oiled machine! I've been told I've never had "proper fried green tomatoes" so I definitely had an order. The coating was perfectly crunchy, not too greasy, and the well seasoned. It set the bar for me as far as fried green tomatoes go! The macaroni and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes were also amazing. I'm more of a veggie sides (and yes, I consider mac & cheese to be a veggie side) so I walked away from Arnold's very full!
(5)Heath C.
I loved this place! The food was so delicious and the staff is awesome! My wife and I came here at noon and there was a line that stretched out the door (that's a good sign!) and was filled with all kinds of people, from police, judges, business people, college students, tourists etc. I ordered the fried grouper, greens, mac & cheese, corn pancake, strawberry peace pie and a coke. The food was so tasty and hot and the dessert was fresh and delicious. I was very impressed with the food! The staff here are great. They're always walking by and checking on you. They were fast and helpful and never stopped smiling. Though there was a super long line, we were able to get through, order and sit down in about 15 minutes. If you visit Nashville, you gotta try this place!
(5)Elliott W.
Like everyone else, I was well pleased with my Arnold's experience. All meat and 3's will forever be compared to Arnold's and even the best of the rest (like Barbara's) won't stack up. Fried green tomatoes are a must. Everything else is excellent. Make your way back until you've tried it all.
(5)Adam S.
If I was forced to pick my absolute favorite restaurant in Nashville, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Arnold's. Every time I go, I leave in a food coma (that's a good thing) that I don't want to wake up from. Not only is the food stellar, but the staff is some of the nicest people you'll meet. I just feel at home there.
(5)Catherine S.
Definitely the best Southern dining in Nashville (beating out loveless cafe and others). It's a friendly, family-owned establishment and the food is spectacular! They even have RC cola fountain drinks... pretty amazingly Southern. The first time we went there, I had the fried grouper which was awesome. The batter on the fish was extremely light (like a beer batter), and all of the sides are delish (especially the corn pudding, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and mac & cheese). Their rolls are also to die for. During our meal, one of the family sons came to eat with us (Franz). Overall, it's an amazing experience... also a great way to meet new people because you might have to sit next to someone you don't know because it's usually a packed house.
(5)Jamie A.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was pretty disappointed with my first Arnold's experience. When I walked in I noticed a huge sign for takeout orders and assumed that is where you go to place a takeout order. Makes sense, right? It was just kind of a cluster. After standing there, feeling completely in the way, for a few minutes the lady behind the register brought instructed me to write down my order on a sheet of paper. After locating the slips of paper myself. I wrote down my order. It proceeded to get handed back and forth for a few minutes between at least 4 people before it was prepared (there were very few people in line at this point, 11am). I did notice that a lot of people were getting their to-go orders in the line. I get home with the tasty smelling food only to realize that they left the awesome looking gravy off of the potatoes *sad face*! They were just okay. Kind of dry. Mac and Cheese was the definite star. The yeast rolls were also heaven sent. Green Beans were okay, too much pepper. Creamed corn was a bit off. I am definitely going to give it another try...I will have to try one of the meat options next time. Also, next time I will go through the line and make sure my complete order ends up in the box. This is probably a more appropriate 2 star review, but that mac & cheese and yeast rolls. I'll be dreaming of them.
(3)Jason L.
Best meat and three in Nashville. The catfish is incredible. The green beans were awesome . And I do not like green beans. Great casual atmosphere.
(5)Mackenzie N.
Don't let the line scare you away. It goes quickly and the food is delicious! Homemade everything. The banana pudding is the best I've ever had!
(5)Kimberli F.
Soul food is my favorite type of food ever. And this is right on the money. Mouth watering!
(5)Peter D.
Was passing through Nashville and Arnold's continued to come up as a must try. I went with moderate expectations given I'm not that into the southern style food but Arnold's is an exception. I enjoyed the cafeteria style ordering process especially because I was in a hurry. I could see though how during peak times it could get pretty packed and a pain to wait it out though. I had the special of the day which was the country fried steak. I was tempted by the roast beef which looked great but the novelty of the steak got me. I got mashed, fried green tomatoes and greens as sides. Steak was delicious and surprisingly not overly heavy. Greens/mashed were as expected but the fried tomatoes was great. Highly recommend.
(5)sam a.
I didn't even know what a "meat and three" was until I went here. Now its all I ever want. Everything about this place was unique and delicious. This food could easily be plated a little differently and sold in a hip Brooklyn bar to hordes of foodies eagerly paying $80 a plate. Instead you get this food for bargain prices in an awesomely communal setting. Come here hungry and try one of everything.
(5)Mich M.
Visiting Nashville and found this place after receivi g a recommendation from a local. We made it in time before they closed. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in a while. Roast beef was excellent. BBQ chicken good a little too sweet would be just fine without the sauce. Cornbread yummy. Mac and cheese, corn casserole uber good. Service was excellent. I went with a vegetarian and even they loved the non meat sides. The sides are not an after thought. Would highly recommend.
(5)LaDonna F.
Don't be discouraged by the long line. It moves quickly. Surveying the people in line, Arnold's draws a mix of tourist and locals. Servers are hospitable, but the food is only Okay. #ihadbetter
(3)Katie D.
This restaurant is totally worth the wait. Speaking of the line, it moves quickly! It's the perfect amount of time to decide what you want. I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fried green tomatoes. I also got banana pudding and tried some pecan pie. Everything was completely delicious! The fried green tomatoes were nice and tart. Great atmosphere and service!
(5)Steever M.
Lordy, Lordy! Wonderful Southern places like this are getting harder and harder to find. Nashville has a few and I love this one. Close to downtown and even shabby chic would be a stretch, but you can get your food on in classic southern fare with every walk of life. You gotta go sometime.
(4)Emily C.
I came here twice. Meat + 3 sides were cheap. $7-8. The first time, we got the chicken dumplings which was way too salty. I got the turnip greens, green beans, creamed corn. The creamed corn was the best - sweet and just the right amount of cream. The mashed potatoes and gravy was decent, I prefer them more fluffy. The second time, we came for fried chicken and Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and green beans. This was great comfort food and too heavy for my tastes.
(3)Rachel M.
How is it that I have lived in the Nashville area for 4 years without trying this tiny restaurant of awesome? How? I am a born-and-raised (or reared, if you want to get grammatically correct) southern girl! This place is like everyone's southern grandmothers got together and made a cookbook specifically for this restaurant. I will go ahead and admit I was a little skeptical when my husband and I pulled up and the line was out the door. I knew to expect this, but still. A little daunting. I was even more skeptical when I saw how many people were inside and how small the space was. I am not claustrophobic or agoraphobic, but I prefer my large crowds in larger spaces. I was EVEN MORE skeptical of the cafeteria-style serving line. Again, I knew to expect this, but still. I still have bad memories of a Piccadilly's in...Georgia, I think. But then. We sat down with our food, and I took the first bite. Hot damn! Ok, so it was not as good or better than anything my grandmothers have ever made. OF COURSE. However, I dare say it was a close second. I wasn't into the meat choices they had that day; it was Wednesday. They have a set menu for every day. I finally decided on roast beef with mac and cheese, squash casserole, and tomatoes and okra. Chess pie for dessert. Sweet tea to drink. I mean, if you're gonna do it, do it. Right? Y'all, I'm not kidding. That roast beef was amazing. I think the squash casserole had a hint of crack in it. The mac and cheese needed no pepper or anything to help it along. The tomatoes and okra were good...for vegetables. I'm just kidding. I wouldn't hate on vegetables. Then there was the pie. I just... Just some tips: do not freak out about the amount of cars in the lot or the amount of people waiting outside. It is not going to take you any time at all to get through the line. Wednesday is not fried green tomato day. If you see something on the board, but you don't see it in line, ask. They will probably have more in the kitchen. Lastly, get the sweet tea. We're in Tennessee; it's the only right choice. :)
(5)Mo Z.
Wasn't impressed with their fried chicken, collard greens, beef ribs or grits. Not much flavor at all. It's a dump inside but that's acceptable for a BBQ joint, I'm not trying to have a fancy meal out obviously. The one thing this place does right is fried green tomatoes- they're delicious!!
(3)Will P.
Flawless meal, soul food at its best Before leaving Nashville, I stopped in to Arnold's for lunch. They have limited hours and their menu changes each day. Went in and between my companion and I we had fried chicken, tilapia, sweet corn, greens, mac and cheese, rolls, apples, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding. Everything, and I mean EVERY SINGLE DISH was phenomenal. I mean no bite was bad, it was all outstanding. The corn was sweet and flavorful, same with the apples. The greens were also well seasoned with bold flavor. The mash was simple yet delicious. The mac and cheese seemed more like mac and gravy with the texture of it, nevertheless very good. The rolls were light and delicious. I am not big on fish, but the tilapia was amazing. I could eat it every day. Same with the fried chicken. Well seasoned, nice and crispy. The bread pudding was a well executed dessert also. Perfect Soul Food meal.
(5)Scott M.
Good food. Follow their simple rules on ordering and the line keeps moving. Fried green tomatoes and pie was excellent. Mix of people eating lunch makes everything more interesting. Short lunch hours keeps things hopping. Glad we tried it.
(5)Jules W.
Oh, for cryin' out loud. So full still from the huge meal at lunch. There was a line out the door when I arrived, but so glad I went ahead and waited (it wasn't too bad of a wait, really!). I am pretty sure I ate my weight in food - the portion size is ridic. I had chicken and dumplings, greens (this is a don't miss side - the flavor was incredible!), mac & cheese, green beans. So yummy. Don't miss the sweet tea and of course, save room for pecan pie. Work out before you go, lol - You won't be disappointed. The parking lot is a little wobbly, probably should have had on different footware, but you can park here for free, which is nice. And the seating is a little of a free for all, but in a way, that kind of adds to the charm of Arnold's.
(5)Chris K.
I'm dumbfounded and humbled...perhaps by the awesome chocolate pepper pie! This is one of those experiences that is hard to explain, because you cannot put into words how a cafeteria style restaurant can earn 5 stars. My daughter and I visited Arnold's because of the great reviews, but I was skeptical as the pictures of the food didn't look phenomenal. This was one of the rare occasions in which a picture did NOT mean a thousand words. Rather, the TASTE and SERVICE had the last say. I have NEVER had such tender and succulent roast beef as we had at Arnolds. It was so good that my daughter was upset because I ate too much of it off her plate . We also ordered the collard greens, Mac n cheese, meat loaf, mashed sweet potatoes, pecan pie, and chocolate pepper pie. ALL GOOD! Sounds pedestrian-like food, but every bite was good, and the service friendly. You will want to arrive early for lunch if you want a seat; the lunch crowd is long, but the line goes quickly, as do tables open up as people don't linger, but make room for others. We will be back, and this time, I won't be touching my daughters roast beef plate!
(5)Kellen S.
Catfish is dope. Classic meat and three. Old school southern. Great for a hangover.
(4)Josh H.
"Meat & Three" is a style of restaurant found in Nashville. Pick a southern meat and three southern sides. Arnold's is without a doubt THE meat & three. You might have seen Arnold's featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I can assure you that they got this one right. Need more proof? Admire their James Beard "American Classic" Award on the wall as you wait in the cafeteria-style line (which might be out the door, but moves quickly enough). But really, come see for yourself. This longtime family-run restaurant is as friendly and down-home as it gets. Their roast beef is the best I've ever had, as are their greens. Other outstanding sides include the mac & cheese, jalapeño cheese grits, white beans, and their famous fried green tomatoes. If you're doing Arnold's, you might as well grab a dessert - I recommend the chess pie. To drink, their fresh squeezed lemonade goes well with everything. They're only open for lunch and on weekdays. Be sure to schedule time for a quick afternoon nap afterward.
(5)James M.
College football, sweet tea, mosquitos, and Arnold's. These are things that are quintessential to the Southern experience. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you get here. You will leave with a twang in your voice and a happiness in your belly. Take pride in your visit to this Nashville landmark and make sure to order the collard greens. This is the best meat & three that you'll ever eat, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, whether it be a regular thing like the roast beef and potatoes, or a bit irregular like the pork chops and cream corn. They also have a tempting selection of pies for your over-consumptive tendencies. Go, stand in line, eat, and be happy!
(5)Molly D.
The food here is downright phenomenal. You will wait in a line but it is totally worth it. Lots of veggie options for non-meat peeps. It is cafeteria style and non pretentious. Everything is bursting with flavor and will make you wanna slap yo mamma, as they say in the south :)) I had a plate with four sides: sweet potato casserole, fried apples (unbelievable-had a marshmallow flavor somehow), collard greens and green beans. I had possibly the best slice of pie I've ever had. It was a chocolate cream with a buttery crisp crust, dense smooth chocolate filling and a light airy cream on top. If you are in Nashville, this is an absolute must!
(5)Thomas B.
I haven't had anything I don't like here. I usually get a meat and 3 because everything is so good, but a meat and 2 is enough to make me stuffed. My favorite meat is the shrimp or the meatloaf, which is very unique. The line is always out the door but don't let that stop you. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes. Even though the place is small the tables turn over quickly.
(5)Brian V.
After reading all the reviews I was so excited to try this place. We arrived and saw a line out the door, and thought that had to be a good sign. I ordered the fried catfish, mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes and buttermilk pie. The catfish was smaller and drier than I had expected. The mac and cheese was good and was the best thing I ate there. The green beans would have been great ,but they were so salty I could barely eat. The fried green tomatoes were good. The dessert was average. Maybe if my expectations weren't so high, I would have enjoyed it more.
(3)Steffanie W.
The sweet tea is for real suhhweeeet! I highly recommend that you make it to Arnold's. It was one of my favorite places during our trip to Nashville. The line starts forming early so if you are in a hurry get their before they open. One of the best things about this place is the open, community seating. More restaurants should be like this. It made people watching a lot of fun.
(5)Jordan F.
The food here didn't do it for me. The roast beef was mostly fat and sides were salty. But, it was my first time trying fried green tomatoes which makes the trip worth it!
(2)Brandon A.
I know this place gets a lot of great reviews but a good thing can't be repeated enough, especially when it comes to amazing Southern cooking. Now I will start by saying I've lived my whole life either in Philadelphia or Boston but like to think I have tried a pretty varied range of foods. I'd also like to think I've have good "southern" food but I know it is a lot different than living in the south. However, I digress and say with confidence that Arnold's in Nashville is the real deal! So, yes there is a long line pretty much whenever you go (according to reviews) and from my one experience when I was visiting Nashvillle. I don't think I minded the wait in retrospect about thirty seconds into digging into my meal. I knew at that precious moment when I was in their cozy, family-friendly cafeteria style line I may not be back in Tennessee for some time, so I should indulge within reason. The wall is filled with accolades, critical acclaim and beloved guests of Arnold's both famous globally and loyal locals. I enjoyed making conversation with a good range of people while I was in line. An older couple from Canada, three girls from Florida, a local construction worker born in Nashville, you name it. It's such a beautiful thing when awesome food can bring together a broad spectrum of people. So what wowed me on my visit to Arnold's? I had the roast beef, fried green tomatoes, turnip greens, cornbread and of course a shameless dish of bread pudding. Well, known for the barbecue, I was pleasantly satisfied with their roast beef which is not one of my go-to choices really anywhere. It just smelled so fantastic wafting through the crowded room. This was a great example of very tender meat that just melted in your mouth in succulent strips. I love collards and turnip greens and Arnold's does them justice for sure! Fried green tomatoes were nice and crispy with a rich gooey core. Flavor was so-so but I was not fretting about that, for I had delicious lightly golden brown cornbread and heaping portion of bread pudding. Now bread pudding isn't a huge thing where I'm from so my experiences have been limited. Game changer. I have converted to the Church of Bread Pudding. Sign me up. Sweet, decadent layers of flaky and gooey richness. I basically waddled of Arnold's in a happy place, no a very happy place. Wait it out for Arnold's. You will NOT be sorry!
(5)Shandon F.
Classic meat-and-three lunch counter that'll make you feel like you're a little kid having Sunday dinner. I had meatloaf, green beans, fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes -- all delicious. Plus, the bread pudding tasted like a diced cinnamon roll. Service and seating are cafeteria style and the staff is as warm and welcoming as the food. My lunch companion got a free piece of pie because she "looked like she needed some extra nourishment." Highly recommended if you're looking for a classic Nashville eating experience.
(5)Jennifer R.
Everyone likes Arnold's...lots of options, great comfort food, delicious desserts. I like Arnold's but don't LOVE it hence the 3 stars. Food is pretty consistent...sometimes it's a little on the salty side for me. It's always crowded which causes seating issues especially if you have a big group and you feel rushed to finish your food so others can sit. I never walk away thinking "that was awesome".
(3)Peter T.
We got here at 1pm on a Monday, it's cafeteria style service, we had a line...easy menu , nice selections. Nice staff. Okay prices, I think it would keep the locals away. We had fried chicken, dark meat...good spices and fried just right. I had collar greens, squash and zucchini, corn bread , cucumber salad and finally pepper chocolate pie... All of my good was great. My spouse had potatoes, and mac and cheese,with a okay banana flavored bread pudding or something like bread pudding...not her Flav, a three for her meal...thus the four on total score.
(4)Jami C.
I was told this is a must stop place when visiting Nashville. If you love southern cooking this is your place. The fried catfish is by far the best I've had. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. The seasoning they use in their breading is so good. And it helps they had delicious sweet tea. I love that you can really customize your meal.
(5)Harry H.
We stopped by on a Wednesday morning and it was characteristically slammed, with super hospitable staff circulating the narrow aisles. It was $31.50 well spent for two generous portions of some of the most comforting food you could ever hope to find, plus some refill-'em-yourself sweet teas.
(5)Rhonda G.
I'm so glad I heeded the reviews of my fellow Yelpers and had lunch at Arnold's on a recent trip to Nashville. Wait until the lunch crowd dies down because there is a line and the parking lot gets full. Fortunately, most people are considerate and give up their table soon after eating. The catfish is crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. The turnip greens were tender, salty, and tangy. The mashed potatoes were creamy. My companion loved her roast chicken. Less than $8 for meat and 2 sides with generous portions. I can also recommend the chocolate pie and pecan pie. Few places like Arnold's are around anymore.
(5)Jonathon Y.
This place is amazing cheap food that is just plain delicious and fast. I was in and out in 30 mins with the line that was out the door. The fried chicken is amazing it is full of flavor. The staff is nice and helpful. I will be going back ASAP!!
(5)Jason L.
Quiet possibly one of the best southern style places I've ever eaten at. Simply amazing food. One of the unknown things I didn't get before coming here was that all they have to eat Is daily specials, but each one of them is amazing. Can be a little intimidating ordering if you've never been here before but that doesn't mean anything when your delicious food is awaiting you. By far the best bread pudding I've ever had in my whole life. And this is coming from someone that eats bread pudding once a week! Arnold's you're my new favorite place!
(5)Vivian C.
Really more of a 3.5 but decided to round down due to just how salty the food was. When it comes to the classic Nashville "meat and three", there are a ton of options, but only so much stomach space. Thus, on our three day tour of Nashville, we opted for Arnold's, which had been touted as one of the best places to enjoy a "meat and three", a Nashville staple. The day was gorgeous as we walked toward Arnold's - sun shining and birds chirping - we were ready for some classic Southern fare. One thing to note is there isn't much around Arnold's so if you're expecting to hit up a bar or see some sights around Arnold's (by foot), that is definitely not possible. If you're going to Arnold's, there is one goal in mind, eating at Arnold's. We arrived on the earlier side for lunch and only saw a small line forming. As we were leaving, it had crawled to the end of the small parking lot. However, the line moves quite quickly, so don't get discouraged it there is a line! Arnold's isn't a large establishment relative to the number of diners they serve. Yet with seating for only 40-50 patrons, even with the large demand there always seems to be a seat available. This is because, as mentioned above, people are here to eat. Once they eat, they leave. All in all, a pretty efficient system! Also, you might need to share a table when it is quite crowded (as we did), but it is all part of the charm! Plus, for Adam and I having eaten at enough Asian places, we weren't turned off by this system. As you make your way toward the front, you'll have a chance to see the daily specials and the weekly menu. If you really have your heart set on something particular, it might be good to take a look at the weekly menu to at least know if what you want will be served that day. You can like them on Facebook to keep up-to-date with their daily specials. As we continued toward the front of the line, we realized that Arnold's had won a James Beard Award! This glowing endorsement for their food only made us more excited to reach the front. Unfortunately, quite soon after that, we came across an endorsement from Guy Fieri, the worst...He really gets to tag every restaurant that he goes to for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or as he so lovingly calls it, Triple D)? Terrible. Anyway, soon we had made it to the front of the line and were first presented with the pies and salads on offer. How Arnold's works is you take a tray, pile it up with what you want on display, let the staff know what you want for your meat and three and then pay. Adam opted for the roast beef, mashed potatoes and turnip greens with a tomato salad on the side. Adam really enjoyed all of the parts of his meat and three and enjoyed the tomato "salad" - just cut up tomatoes with some pepper and balsamic vinegar as a nice balance to all of the heavier items. I opted to go with one of the daily specials, the blackened trout, as I was trying to be "healthier" with my meat so that I could get some of the heavier "threes." Unfortunately, my plan was thwarted as the blackened trout came with a cream sauce on top. While the trout was cooked well, it was incredibly salty...almost to the point of being inedible. I love salt so I cannot imagine how the regular patron would have found this. The mac and cheese was quite good and so were the turnip greens and creamed corn. Though, again, I found all of the sides quite salty. What we loved about Arnold's? It's classic Southern cooking in a no frills environment and they're serving up pretty solid fare. However, I found the food very salty (even for a salt lover!) and nothing was exceptional. I would be interested in trying some of the other "meat and three" places in Nashville to see how they stack up, but overall I found Arnold's to be quite good and a solid introduction into the "meat and three" tradition.
(3)Dan A.
Fast yum. Sooner or later everyone funds this great hideout. Probably the best meat and 3 in the city and we'll worth the trip. Today I was in search of great bread pudding. And this place hits it out of the park again. Moist and cinnamon delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. The vanilla drizzle you get adds the perfect touch. Limited hours but we'll worth it. Don't let the line scare you. ..it moves fast and it's part of this places charm - and you never know who you will see or bump into in this place.
(4)Joelle K.
Arnold's is tasty authentic southern cooking. You get your choice of a meat and either 1 or 2 sides. I decided to really have the southern dining experience and got the fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese. I didn't like the catfish, but the fried green tomatoes were so delicious! The Mac and cheese was great as well. I got a couple of their fresh rolls as well. My husband had the chicken and dumplings and my sister had the BBQ chicken. They really enjoyed both. My sister also had a piece of the chocolate jalapeño pie. I know it sounds weird, but it is one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Be advised, this place is closed on the weekends and there is always a line out the door.
(4)Caroline T.
Words can't describe how good the food is and how friendly the employees are! Whenever I have guests in town, this is the first place I take them so they can get a taste of real southern food! I only wish it was open more so I could have it all the time!
(5)Meg S.
Wow. This place is the real deal! My friends and I hopped off the plane to Nashville, and Arnold's was our first stop. Caution-it's definitely more of a dive than some of the photos/reviews make it sound. It's less hipster, and more "this is what it's looked like for the past 30 years". Again, this isn't a huge deal when the food is amazing, but it might be something to think about if your event requires a bit more fanciness. The roast beef and fried green tomatoes here are phenomenal. Of my friends, I was the only one to get roast beef, and they were both basically stealing the food away from me at the end! Ahh, so good! Plus, the entire meal for 3 people was around $30 (most of it drinks!). Awesome for people on a budget. This is a must-see for anyone in Nashville who's interested in food.
(5)John W.
Awesome! Best Meat & 3/Southern food place I've ever been too and I've lived all over the south and TX..... this is hands down the best. I lived in Nashville for a couple of years a while back and never made it to Arnold's because they are only open during the week. Was back in Nashville recently for pleasure and decided to finally try Arnold's and I'm glad I did. I'm jealous of the folks who work nearby because I would eat here once a week if I could. FYI....I had the black eyed peas, greens, roast beef and a side of their tomatoes (best tomatoes I've ever eaten btw).
(5)Todd G.
Fantastic southern food experience for lunch. The best roast beef and greens and fried green tomatoes and banana pudding I have ever had. Meat loaf good but not as great, too drowned in gravy. Long line went fast. A Southern cultural experience not to be missed when in Nashville.
(5)Hannah H.
About a 3.5: Arnold's Country Kitchen is a family-style restaurant that has been awarded a James Beard Award. They offer different combinations, such as 'Meat, 'Meat & 2,' 'Meat & 3,' 'Vegetable,' and '4 Veg & Bread,' meaning, you get to choose the meat you want that is offered that day (different menu for each day of the week) as well as your choice of vegetable(s). Monday's menu comprises of: roast beef, liver & onions, keilbasa & kraut, blacked tilapia, and fried chicken; Tuesday's menu comprises of: carved SC ham, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, and battered grouper); Wednesday's menu comprises of: roast beef, Pork BBQ or brisket, baked chicken, and fried catfish; Thursday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken livers & rice, country fried steak, and fried shrimp; Friday's menu comprises of: roast beef, chicken & dumplings, meatloaf, and fried shrimp/catfish (at an additional cost). Veggies are a variety, such as green beans, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, salads, boiled cabbage, candied yams, black eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes. They also offer desserts, such as chocolate pie, pecan pie, their 'famous' chess pie, coconut crunch pie, strawberry pie, peach pie, and pudding (banana and bread). My sister had the meatloaf with this tomato-based gravy sauce, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy - I was pleasantly surprised with the meatloaf as that was moist, delicious, well-seasoned, and the gravy itself actually added a nice tangy touch to it! The turnip greens were delicious, but I wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes. I had the fried catfish (cornmeal-crusted), mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes - the catfish was okay, and I was not a fan of the mac & cheese (as it was too watery and plastic-like). However, I absolutely loved the fried green tomatoes as it had a nice great crispy batter to it, with a delicious soft sliced green tomato within. I wasn't a fan of the chess pie either, as it was overly sweet and it tasted like a mixture of sugary tapioca of some sort. The dining area was very busy, and there was one older gentleman working to clear the tables, so there was a bit of a wait to sit down. One younger guy was so rude to the gentleman when he accidentally cleared an almost-empty try of his - the guy apparently went to go get a drink and didn't notify anyone that he wanted to continue eating his food. I thought the way that the guy treated him was unnecessary and so awful! I highly recommend the meatloaf, the turnip greens, and the fried green tomatoes if you get a chance to come here! :D +meatloaf +turnip greens +fried green tomatoes :D
(4)Alisha W.
The hardest place to cross off my bucket list. It took me three years to finally get there, and it was worth the wait. each day is a new menu and so plan ahead before you are going so you can make sure that there is something on the menu that you would like. But, it's all good so I wouldn't hold back on trying it all!!!
(5)Josh L.
Great little place. Really friendly staff. Good old fashioned food. Beef brisket was AMAZING! Not a wide selection, kids may have trouble eating here, but a must for adults.
(5)Beth H.
Roast beef is so tasty! Banana pudding is amazing. Service is wonderful. There is always a line but it moves rather fast. Born and raised in Nashville and this place is a must. Everything is good at Arnold's!
(5)Kristen M.
The family I and came to Nashville all the way from Tampa Florida for a few days. As a rule...anytime we visit a new place we avoid all chains and fastfood joints and pick the brains of the locals to get the best places they eat. Prior to this trip I researched Nashville for the best local resturants and Arnolds Country Kitchen was on every single list. I also noticed it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins,and Dives on the food network. So I was REALLY excited to try this place. And let me tell you...it delivered. Between my family and I we tried the fried chicken...roastbeef...turnip greens mashed potatos and mac and cheese. It was unreal. So delicious. For dessert we tried the Chess pie and the chocolate pie. Both were great but the chess pie was the highlight of the meal. The line was about 40 people long when we got there and a local gentleman in front of us said he has been eating there for 30 years and it was like that everyday. You should know that this place is only open for lunch until 2:45 so plan to be there early. It is a MUST if you are in Nashville. Don't let the line convince you to leave...you will miss out on a gem. I have never seen so many people so excited to wait in line. :) Well done Arnolds Country Kitchen! I would give you more stars if I could!
(5)Katie D.
I think I might be speared to death for giving them anything less than 4 or 5 stars. Perhaps being a New Yorker now living in LA, I'm simply just not used to this food... Lunch time and the line is literally out the door, but it moves fast and the tables clear out, so there's no worry about not finding a place to sit. Meatloaf - meh? I think I make better ones at home. Collard green - now that's actually pretty good. The theme with the rest of the food was SUGAR. The sweet tea, the candied yams and the bread pudding. I understand that they are suppose to be sweet things. But holy moly! They are so sweet to the point I think I need to give myself a shot of insulin afterwards... So worth a try in the end, but diabetics stay away!
(3)James T.
Food = 3 Price = 2 Experience = 3 Deep south fried everything... My meat and 3 with dessert and tea = $16.00 Way overpriced for the quality and environment!!! I've had much better for much less in a much nicer place. Good southern food doesn't have to be this sloppy. I like Wendell Smith's Restaurant much better.
(3)Dianey B.
Neither of us cleaned our plates because we had to taste practically everything! This was the first time I've found myself in town during the week, so we HAD to take advantage! Obviously, the food has crack in it, or the air there is pumped with some sort of gas that makes your taste buds hyper sensitive, or the food and the people cooking and serving it up are just flipping amazing! Everyone was super nice and we walked in to a line just past the counter and a few tables...by the time we were sitting moments later, the line was out the door. The reason why is no mystery. Every single bite of every dish we ordered was phenomenal. It would be a bargain at any price, but it is also an amazing bona fide bargain! Don't let yourself miss out as long as I did--this institution has well earned it's place in Nashville's living history. Thank you for an amazing meal!
(5)John C.
This was 100% worth the wait; hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had. And yes, I've had some damn good fried chicken before. Make sure you go when they have fried chicken on the menu, for sides the mash potatoes, Mac n chee, and cream corn were bomb.com , fired up right now after Arnold's. FIRED UP YALL
(5)Tracey R.
I had the catfish, green beans, dumplings, mac n' cheese & it did not disappoint. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(4)Jonathan W.
Awesome meat-and-three. The roast beef is not to be missed, and they have the best fried green tomatoes around.
(5)Courtney M.
My first trip to Nashville and this was our first meal in Music City. First off we arrived about 10 mins before they closed and we were the only customers in the place so no line! Arnold's is a cafeteria style setup with a steam table, you pick the food you want,move on down the line to the register to pay, and find a seat. The entire staff was friendly & out going. Between the 2 of us we had the fried shrimp, fried green tomatoes (a must!), collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and a salad. This is a Nashville must - get there before you have to wait in the line!
(4)Edward H.
Get there at opening time & dig in. The best meat & 3 in town - bar none. The Tuesday special chicken & dumplings was outstanding. And although spicy chocolate pie sounds trendy, it was spot-on. Long live Arnold's!
(5)Patrick P.
Went on MLK day Monday, line long but not ridiculous. My table had the fried chicken, roast beef, and trout. Sides were Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pintos, corn, cornbread, and pie for dessert. My review pretty much reiterates what other 3 star reviewers have said - food is too salty, and as southern food it is nothing special. After all the high reviews I was expecting to taste something straight off the table of my Georgia family reunion, but it was all very mediocre. Disagree with the people claiming the tea is too sweet - that's how sweet tea is supposed to taste. The service was very friendly.
(3)Cindy C.
Visiting from Maine and having only read a little about this place, we had no idea what to expect. The line was way out the door but moved quickly. We got in there at 2 and they were out of more than half the desserts. We got a little of everything and found it to be on the expensive side. On the other hand it kept us full for the rest of the day! The catfish was the best I'd ever had. It melted in your mouth. For the most part everything was really good. The sweet tea was way too sweet and the green beans were from a can and too salty to eat. The people were so nice and the owner himself even came over to us to check on us and clear plates. It's not often you see that these days and it was wonderful. We really enjoyed our visit!
(4)Courtney C.
My husband picked this restaurant and I followed him here with minimal murmurs and I'm SOOOO happy that he picked Arnold's! This was one of the high points of our trip to Nashville. I'd read Sarah S and others' reviews stating to make it early, so there's no shame in the fact we arrived for lunch at 10:45 AM. There were only a few people in front of us and we were served within a few minutes. By the time we'd sat down, a line had formed halfway through the parking lot. Whew! (Even if you come and there's a line, don't worry too much. It moved fast.) I followed the reviews and went for the roast beef, the mashed potatoes and the greens. When they were about to serve me the meat, the guy said they had a special they'd made that day served on top of a jalapeno cheese grit cake with some kind of fresh BBQ sauce. It sounded fabulous so I quickly changed my mind. I can't even believe how good it was. The sauce (which escapes my mind now as to what he described) was very flavorful and complimented the tender beef well. Grits are my favorite part of the South and theirs didn't disappoint. I liked that it was in cake form too because it sucked up the juices of the meat and sauce. The potatoes were decent, as were the greens, but the meat was where it was at. I also got a fresh lemonade and enjoyed it most of the afternoon. It was pretty sweet, but not too sweet where it made your teeth hurt. If you're thinking Arnold's is all hype and couldn't possibly live up to the expectations, I'm telling you you're wrong. Every rave review was spot on!
(5)Mike M.
Had lunch there today. I found this place on Yelp. The high number of positive reviews beckoned to me to try it out. Quite impressive little restaurant with 2 James Beard awards. When I arrived at 11:20 am there were about 15 people in line in front of me which meant about a 10 minute wait to get to the serving line. Today I tried the chicken and dumplings, candied yams, cabbage and shire beans along with a slice of chess pie and sweet tea for about $13 w/tax. Normally I don't do dessert but what the hell!!! When served the first thing I noticed was that the servings were a little smaller than I expected for a diner restaurant like this. Usually servings at other places are larger(see my pics). Next I noticed that the bowl of chicken and dumplings was only filled about 3/4 full and that it was the soupy kind of chick and dumpling that I don't like. I prefer mine to require a fork to eat rather than a spoon. I will say that the food was good. The veggies were seasoned properly. The yams were sweet. Beans and cabbage tasted real southern.. I thought the chess pie was excellent even though I am sure it had a million calories...lol. Overall the meal was very good and rated a strong 4. I could have given a 5 if the servings were a little larger and the chick and dumplings were firmer and less soupy. If I lived here I would eat here often. I wish I could try some of their other entrees. You should eat here. Just come early. If the line is at the door you might have as much as a 15 minute wait. I recommend.
(4)Kim S.
This is a great place for old fashioned southern food. We had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, creamed corn and a roll. The only surprising disappointment was the sweet tea--it was barely sweet. In fact, we thought we had accidentally gotten unsweetened tea, but no- it was just not that sweet. We liked sitting with others. It is a tight squeeze in there but definitely good food.
(4)Toni S.
The best ever. You have to go! Mac n cheese was on point, green beans were the best I've ever had and pies topped it off. This place is a must go in Nashville.
(5)Eden O.
Expect the wait others have mentioned. . . when we showed up. . . it was out the door. The line tortures you as you are hovering over the people filled tables, which are filled with plates, which are filled with food. All of it looked delicious. They have a few main meats offered for each day of the week (I believe about five choices per day), we were there on a Friday and they had options like Chicken and Dumplings, Meatloaf, BBQ Chicken and Catfish. The sides range from turnip greens, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes to hush puppies. Needless to say, while waiting in line, you have a lot to ponder over and decide. Arnold's is quite the deal, you can choose your meat and two or three sides all for under about $8. Gotta love it. In my opinion, it was worth the 20 minute wait. The workers were also very friendly and will help clear and find you a seat so you are set by time you have your tray filled with food.
(4)Bebo K.
Food was good, taste just like mama used to make. Southern cooking at its best. I had the roast beef, white beans, Mac and cheese, squash casserole. Not a comfortable place to eat, line out the door. Somewhat worth it.
(4)Josh W.
Best food in Nashville! You can always count on this place serving consistently good food...probably the best part about Arnold's. Everytime my wife and I are near the area, we eat there. Speaking of the area though, is not in the best part of town, but also not the worst. In the daytime there isn't too much to worry about. Be ready to wait in line for a few minutes. It moves pretty quick and it's worth it. The building looks kinda ratty and the area looks bad, but the food is STILL FANTASTIC! Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Karen H.
This lunch place is a little hole in the wall but was a fantastic find. It was featured on diners drive ins and dives and after eating there I see why! Line was to the door but it moved quickly. Waited less than 10 mins from entering to sitting down to eat. I got the ham, chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious. Definitely worth stopping in for lunch. We came here for lunch before walking to feh country music hall of fame. Must do if in Nashville!
(5)Gen M.
Tried again for lunch. Even more disappointed than the first time. We went during the lunch rush so you think everything would be fresh. It was mostly overcooked and reheated to death or sitting around and soggy. I brought my parents so it was a bit embarrassing because we couldn't really eat much. They thought it was terrible.
(1)William W.
The ambiance is only fair...but man oh man did the food make up for it. This place has a certain charm about it and I could tell the passion that is put into the food. The roast beef is very tasty and I liked the homemade sauerkraut too. You only pay for what you get which is also cool.
(5)Holly G.
Ever since I moved to Nashville in September, everyone has been telling me that I need to visit Arnold's if I wanted some real southern food. Being from the Chicago area, I hadn't really ever experienced it so I was pretty pumped when I went here for lunch one day. As many have already stated, the line is ALWAYS long. My friend and I got there around 11 on a Monday and it was already out the door. The good thing is that they move the line pretty quickly, so it was only about 15 minutes before we were able to order. The restaurant itself is super small and the one thing I didn't like was the fact that, while standing in line, I was hovering right over a bunch of people sitting and enjoying their meal. We decided to take our food to go so as not to be in that same situation. I got the roast beef and the guy carving it convinced me to get the juice to go on it and I'm so glad he did! The beef was so moist and fall apart tender, it was just phenomenal. For my sides, I had to try the mac and cheese which was super good, and I also had the fried apples. Those had some really good flavor and still were a little firm, which I appreciated because I didn't want them to be too soft so they fell apart in your mouth. Everyone there is super friendly and answered the different questions I had about the food (and I had a few since it was my first time there). This is definitely a place I'll be going again in the future!
(5)Jerry Y.
One of the better meat and 3 places in town. It's a Nashville icon so the place is always packed. I usually get the roast beef and mashed potatoes and ice tea. Does not get more southern comfort than that. The only downer is that it's always congested and a big ordeal to land a table that more often than not is sticky and not well-cleaned.
(4)Saira B.
Stayed in Nashville for 2 days and decided to try Arnold's Kitchen because it had great reviews. I have to say IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I had the fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and a chocolate pie (don't judge me lol it was so good). I also had the sweet tea... Best sweet tea ever. The style of the restaurant is a serving line. You get your tray and tell them what you want. They give you your food and you can sit anywhere. Great place and I definitely recommend it!!!!
(5)Shaina B.
After reading all the reviews on Yelp, I had Arnold's in my plans for a long time. Since it's only open for lunch on weekdays, it made it pretty hard to finally get there since I work every day. Today I had a day off, and finally made the trip. Like everyone says, there was a line out the door. It didn't move that quickly, but that's probably because I was alone and not talking with a friend to pass the time. They do have a menu posted outside (their specials change every day - look ahead!) so you could figure out what you wanted before going in. I got meatloaf, green beans, mac & cheese, and pecan pie. Everything was AMAZING. Like, so good and so filling that I barely had any food for the rest of the day. I would absolutely advise coming on an empty stomach, otherwise you won't get the full experience. There are some tables on the sides that seat 4, then one long community table down the middle. Plenty of people come alone, so don't feel shy or awkward. You'll probably be talking to people in the line or sitting next to you anyway! Pros: delicious food, friendly staff, classic atmosphere Cons: long line, little personal space, possible heart disease
(5)Netson W.
Wandering around Nashville area this morning and decided to find a place to stop for breakfast. After reading the reviews and seeing some of the photos, I decided to stop in at Arnolds and I'm glad i did! The menu was full of tasty choices, but after seeing that they offered Wilkins Self Service Valet Parking and I decided to go in and have a half order of the stuffed french toast. Huge pieces of challah bread stuffed with a yummy vanilla cream sitting in a pond of syrup... it was a beautiful sight to see. The Megacelt piped in music was an added bonus. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
(4)Chris J.
Today I went to Arnold's. I arrived about 5 minutes after they closed. I must have looked sad, because the lady behind the register says to me, "we just pulled the food, but let me see if I can get you anything." She came back a minute later and said, what do you want. I ordered the meat and three being roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes, and Mac n cheese. All I can say is wow! It was so good and I'm talking about everything. The sides were all excellent and the roast beef was just perfect. What great customer service they have. They truly went above and beyond and could have sent me out, but instead, they made me happy!
(4)Sara D.
This was the best fried chicken I've ever had! The meat was juicy and the breading was crispy and delicious! Great options for side items also. I had the turnip greens and mashed potatoes. The pecan pie was yummy also!
(5)Paul D.
I think this is the best fried chicken I've ever had. Really juicy chicken and crispy skin. The mac n cheese and green beans were great, greens were good, and the banana pudding was incredible!!!
(5)Scott A.
Greatest meat & 3 in the world. I've been eating here since I was a kid. Small space, usually the line is out the door but the food is worth it!!!
(5)Aaron B.
Could you open an Arnold's in Chicago please. I love everything about this place. When there is a line out the door they move through people at nice pace in order to give customers time to sit and eat get up and have another set take their place. The food is amazing seasoned extremely well. Most roast beef in my opinion is under seasoned due to such a large piece of meat. The pies are fantastic I have no criticism for Arnold's, besides not having a Chicago location.
(5)Ryan W.
While researching my upcoming trip to Nashville, I quickly learned that Arnold's is a place everyone needs visit, and that impression could not have been truer. We got to Arnold's pretty early, but there was already a line out the door of hungry people waiting to sink their teeth into some comfort food. It has won a James Beard award and is your standard Meat & Three style restaurant. The food was well worth the wait, and I left feeling completely satisfied. Suggestions: Try the Collard Greens and always get the pie.
(5)Brittany F.
Goodness...this place...is AMAZING!!! I've heard about Arnold's for awhile and it's always been on my list of places that I wanted to try but due to their short hours of operation it's always been a little hard to get down there when they are open. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and since we had the day off we decided to try this place. BEST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PRESENT! haha! We got there around noon and there was a bit of a line, we stood there patiently and looked at all of the amazing food as we past peoples tables. I originally went in to get the roast beef but after seeing the pork chop, it was clear, I needed to change my lunch plans! I got the pork chop, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and black eyed peas. Every bit of it was so delicious. I also snagged some sweet tea, which wasn't overly sweet, it was just right and a piece of pecan pie. Let me tell you...the pecan pie is near perfection. I think this just became my new favorite place to eat!
(5)Anna B.
Arnold's Rocks. The food is fresh and delicious and the family that own it are awesome, along with long time employees who are like family. Growing up in the South with a family from Savannah, I thought I had eaten a truck load of wonderful banana pudding, but Arnold's is even better and then, the bread pudding is even more wonderful. You've never had anything so good. I dropped my fave rain hat while there, so I called and they mailed it home to me, no charge, because they are such friendly nice folks. Now that is above and beyond. But the food is the best and the desserts are awesome. Thanks Arnold's for everything. Anna B from Austin, Texas
(5)Scott S.
Great Southern Food, a must try if in the area and looking for some down home cooking . Fried CatFish and Collard Greens
(5)Denise B.
We come in every time we come to Nashville. This place is a must stop. NOTHING has ever been bad. Will be back.
(5)Clay N.
It's one of the best meat and three places anywhere. It seems to have two lunch crowds, 11 for the hard hats and folks who get to work really early (or those who's stomach is still on Eastern time, then noon for the coat and ties. It's usually a long line, sometimes out the door. Wear your deodorant because you'll probably be sharing tables. I go here nearly every time I'm in town, often taking clients and locals who've never been. The greens and roast beef are my favorites.
(5)Nichole L.
Tried Arnold's for the first time today. I was not as impressed as most who have previously reviewed this place. The location is so small and the line for lunch was out the door. While we were inside, we discovered there was no AC. We decided to order our food to go. Which was a great option because we were able to bypass the line and go to the cash register to order. We ordered two meat-and-two plates. One chicken dumpling and one meat loaf plate. We both chose mac & cheese and peach salad as our sides. We added two sweet teas and a grilled cheese sandwich for our daughter to our order. This came to just under $30. I feel like that's a little expensive for what you're getting. Our food was good, but I'm not sure that we would go back to Arnold's again.
(3)Morris T.
Traveling through Nashville, we decided to stop and try Arnold's Country Kitchen. We arrived to a pretty long line that went out the door. It took about 20 minutes for us to get to the front of the line. For a cafeteria like setup it seems like it should have moved faster- there were plenty of empty seats during our entire wait. The menu changes every day of the week. You select one meat and 3 sides and then add desserts or other sides that you want. I ordered the roast beef with mac and cheese, turnip greens, and green beans. I also picked up some cornbread and a slice of pecan pie. The roast beef was great as was the turnip greens and green beans. I didn't like the mac and cheese. The cornbread was good, but the pecan pie was just ok. It's definitely worth trying out. If I were local, I'd definitely go back on different days to try their different items.
(4)Chrissie O.
If you go alone then don't worry. Plenty of empty seats in other tables. Make new friends. Well I had to since I went alone. Nobody wanted to go site seeing with me... Well I skipped my last day at my work conference while I was in Nashville to go around and try more delicious food. This place has a line out the door so be prepared. You get served like you are getting food from a school cafeteria then try to find friendly people to sit with. I learned a little about the place from my cab driver. Cab drivers in Nashville get fat because all of them just talk to me about how they got their gut.. It's because they go to places like Arnolds. Amazing food!! I had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and mac & cheese. Comfort food is the best. Felt like I was eating back at home. It's a great atmosphere so stop by if you're in the area.
(5)Brendan B.
Walking into a restaurant and seeing a cafeteria line tends to raise the bar of "amazing place" to an almost unachievable level, but Arnold's did it. It was awesome! I would suggest saving room for a dessert or two... :)
(5)Adam C.
I really liked this place for lunch, have been back several times, great service diner atmosphere, everything you could want. Meat n 3 is unreal. Love the roastbeef. It is a bit rough (old fashioned? inside) but soo good. do be scared off, go in, get your order and eat it, greasy spoon love!!!
(4)Andy B.
Very good roast beef, mostly because of the Au Jus. There wasn't a whole lot of it. The banana pudding was very tasty, but I would have loved if it was fresh, somehow hot out of the oven, but it was cold, but if you really want the absolute best mac n cheese, you're gonna have to go a little out of your way over to Big Bad Wolf out towards Lebanon. I'll be back here to try the country fried steak or their fried chicken.
(4)Brenda D.
The owner of this restaurant was so rude!! She kept running her fingers through her long blonde hair and she was walking back and forth through the food line. I prefer not to have hair in my food!! I left a tip on the card just to find out that you refill your own drinks?? A wasted $27!!!
(1)Tony D.
I see why this is such a classic place for the meat and three (well actually two). The friendly attitudes, cheap prices, and great food make the lines going out the door pretty understandable. We obnoxiously arrived with a couple large baggage rollers, but the guy cleaning tables was extremely welcoming and helped us set aside a place to put them while we ordered and ate. On the day that we were here, we were able to try the roast beef and ham, both of which were pretty amazing. The meats were everywhere flavorful and tender. The only thing I would suggest is less sodium, but coupled with some solid sides like the turnip greens, the meal was very hearty and filling.
(4)Charles B.
Cafeteria style service. My wife has chicken dumplings and I had the fried catfish. Was surprised to see hoecakes (cornbread pancakes). They tasted just like my grandma's. The banana pudding was out of this world. The portions were good. You will have to stand in line and then just find an open chair with strangers. I liked meeting new people and we had a nice conversation with a young couple from Canada. Definitely a place to go
(4)Ann L.
It's so crowded! But it's cheap and delicious, with the southern salt. Fried steak is yummy! Pepper chocolate hot pie is kinda spicy.
(5)Erin J.
Am I the only one not impressed by Arnold's? Maybe, maybe not. I went a few weeks ago and had the fried shrimp, mac & cheese and green beans. The shrimp was not fresh, who knows when it was actually fried. it was warm but not really crispy and very greasy. The green beans were so incredibly greasy I just could not enjoy them. And the mac & cheese....the pasta was completely blown out and mushy and the sauce needed some serious seasoning. I get what they're going for, and having grown up in Tennessee I love some meat & three country food. Now, I will say, I'll go back for a couple of reasons. One, I'm not sure the guy's name but he asked if it was my first time and I told him it was, and after that, he was checking in with my table every so often. Not in a smothering way, but definitely catering to us asking if we needed anything. I have also heard so many good things about this place that I will give it another try, maybe on a different day. Maybe on a day they have chicken & dumplings or fried chicken. Arnold's, I really want to like you. But right now you're on my a-ok list and that's about it.
(3)M C.
My absolute favorite restaurant ever!! I love the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. Add sweet tea and fresh strawberry pie and you are in HEAVEN!! Long lines, at times, but it moves pretty quickly. Staff is super friendly!! When I lived in Nashville, I ate here at least once a week. Still dream about the green beans!! SOOOO GOOD!!
(5)Stephen H.
Everything at Arnold's is exceptional. Literally, every vegetable dish might be the best one I've ever had. The roast beef is amazing and the meatloaf is my favorite. Hands down the best green beans and mac and cheese you will ever try. The squash casserole is a must. Finish it off with some of their home made deserts, I suggest the banana pudding. Highly recommend this place!!
(5)Jonny A.
This is the best food I've ever had... Ever. The atmosphere is comforting and all of the employees are awesome. It's incredibly delicious. Every bite restores my faith in the potential humanity has for greatness. It also makes me soil my sweatpants, which I wear because I need a stretchy waist band when I eat the amount of food I order when here. I love it. Roast beef, chicken and dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, corn bread, rolls, fried green tomatoes, banana pudding, lemonade/ sweet tea. That's the go to. Every item on the menu is the best of its kind on the planet. You want to show a pretty girl a tasty meal? Come here. You want to impress a pretty girl with a fancy restaurant? Ditch that plan, save $50, and have her taste buds be so stimulated that you will get laid on the first date... But that still won't be nearly as good as the meal you had beforehand.
(5)Adam M.
I'm from California, and last week went to Nashville to visit family, i told myself i would try to go to as many good southern restaurants as i could while on my trip. Arnold's Country Kitchen was atop that list.. This is the first (and only) "meat plus three" restaurant I've ever been to so i cannot really compare it to any other similar places. A lot of people mention that this place was on the Food Network and have won a James Beard award, all of that is great but I don't choose to eat at places solely because of them appearing on television. The reason why i choose this place was because of the other excellent reviews listed here on yelp for Arnold's.. On to the review: I went here on a Monday around 11 a.m. and i was surprised that there was not a line out the door (as many yelpers have reported on here). I walked in and stood in line and began to think about what i was going to order. As recommended on here, i decided to get the Meat Plus Three. The meat i chose was the white meat chicken, and the 3 sides i chose were the pinto beans, turnip greens, and the mac & cheese. I also got the bread rolls, and for dessert grabbed the banana pudding. The seating is very family-style yet casual, where you can sit along the wall at small tables, or in the middle of the restaurant in one of two long tables. You're often sitting directly in front of or next to complete strangers if you happen to sit at the middle tables, but do not worry, everyone is friendly! As i was seated I began to eat the friend chicken, which really was amazing. The meat was not dry, and the outside was crispy. The three sides were equally as good, but what i liked the most was the turnip greens. In Nashville i always look forward to Collard/Turnip greens, since I don't eat that very often in California. The Banana pudding had a great banana taste, you could really tell they used fresh bananas in the making of it. Another thing i noticed as i was finishing up my food was that everyone around me nearly licked their plates of food dry. This also shows that the food really is exceptional here. If anyone is looking for some good home style southern food in the Nashville area i would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Patrick K.
Pretty good. Got the meat and three (chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, and macaroni) everything was a little too salty though.
(3)Kyle G.
My So Cal tummy was not prepared for this. The fried chicken makes for a bad tenant.
(3)Mariel J.
This is a small, "meat and three" place in Nashville. It had great reviews, and I think it lived up to the hype. You stand in line, cafeteria style, to choose your lunch (a meat and three sides). Despite the cafeteria-style process, the service is really good - people are friendly, and service is quick. There was a line out the door when we arrived (about 1:30pm on a Monday), but it moved fast and there were places to sit when we got our food. Everything tastes great, from the veggies to the mashed potatoes, to the fried chicken - I was there in a group of three, and we all tried different things and couldn't find anything we didn't like. The only reason not to go would be if you're a vegetarian or on a diet - there didn't seem to be many truly meat-free options, and everything was extremely rich and buttery - but even then, it might be worth it just to go and sip a sweet tea or enjoy some spicy chocolate pie just for the experience.
(4)Blake H.
Jesus must work in the kitchen, because this place is heaven on earth. Everything I have ever had here is phenomenal. Not from Nashville, I dream of this place and eagerly hope to be back soon. Probably my favorite restaurant in the country....seriously. Highlights: -Everything ...but to be more specific: chicken and dumplings, fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, mac n cheese, pecan pie, chess pie, just typing this makes me want to slap my mama if it meant getting my hands on some of that pie. Oh and the sweet tea! Cons: -Long lines, but the secret is out....so what do you expect. -Only open for lunch...I wish Arnold's was open whenever I wanted. One time my friends and I got split up at tables and tried to switch when a larger table opened up. We kinda got chewed out by the bus man, who is usually super friendly. I hope he doesn't remember that when I return. I want to be in his good graces. Just go. Anyone who didn't give this place five stars is a heathen. This is what soul food is all about. Arnold's is good for the soul (but not the arteries). I'm getting emotional at the fact I'm not sure when I will be back.
(5)Aditya A.
My first 'Meat & Three' restaurant experience at Arnold's was beyond amazing! The place is lively and cosy and bustling! I loved the gravy chicken and the chocolate pepper pie! It was the best Southern, non-fast food chain chicken I've had! I'll be visiting it again soon the next time I'm in Nashville. This time was a cheer! P.S: I visited on a Friday, so had the Friday menu.
(5)Boses M.
The vegetables are as good as the meats. It's that good. The roast beef is fantastic, The meatloaf is better. Got here at 11 am, thinking I'd outsmart everyone. It was already packed.
(5)Ayesha A.
We had to wait in line over half an hour, BUT it was totally worth it. Nashville is fantastic and Arnold's kicked it all off. Go early though, because it's filled with tourists waiting to get in as it closes at 2:30. The food is delicious, the environment is alright, the cooks are really nice - it's a really cool experience. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(4)Joseph M.
I have to admit seeing a waiting line and people willing to eat at dirty tables makes you think that this place must be fantastic. I was wrong. They seemed more concerned about getting you through the line without seeing the food than your actual ordered. They seemed very miffed when I said can i see it first. They repeated what they had as though the name of the food was good enough. But I took the harassment and ordered chicken and dumplings and green beans. The chicken and dumplings were a virtual pepper dish. I gave it three bites and gave up. I tasted more pepper than anything else. But first you have to bypass all of the greasiness of the soup mixture of the dumplings. The green beans were swimming in grease. However, given that they could swim with all of that salt I give kudos to the green beans. The sweet tea was good. The chocolate pie was incredible. The crust was beyond gross. Once I cut off the crust, it was really good. For 12.00 for sweet tea and a slice of pie was outrageous. The experience leaves me wondering can I be wrong when all of the people stood in line like me? Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)Ben V.
The food tastes so much better than it looks. The place is a bit crowded and the line gets pretty long at lunch but it's mostly worth the wait. Friendly staff and amazing food. The selection every day leaves a little to be desired but the lack of options a forgivable when the food's this good. Everything has such rich flavor that you don't often see in southern food like mash-potatoes, ect. Total worth putting up with the noisy location.
(5)Avery P.
I love this place so much that I want to track down every reviewer who gave Arnold's less than 5 stars and interrogate them. If I happened to end up on death row for killing anyone who didn't like Arnold's, I would choose Arnold's as my last meal.
(5)Allie R.
Banana Pudding Banana Pudding Banana Pudding, is officially my favorite thing here. Luckily the rest of the food is amazing too. Their chicken and dumplings are awesome, huge dumplings that fold over on themselves, they are so good and the broth is amazing. Last time I was here I had some sort of baked sweet BBQ chicken thigh. It was awesome, pulled apart with ease, the BBQ sauce was so good, I loved it! Of all the sides I've had they are all pretty good, very traditional mac and cheese and mashed potato type stuff. I have to take off work to even come here, so when I do it is a huge treat!!
(4)Megan M.
Arnold's is a MUST. Put it on your list and make the time to go. Sure you have to wait in line and sure the seating is somewhat limited but the food is soooo worth it. Delicious. I was hesitate to get the roast beef but it was so good. Glad I'm did. I also had mashed potatoes and Mac n cheese. Both were excellent.
(5)Paula C.
Oh man. If only all cafeterias in America were this good! Came on a Thursday (all the way from Boston), and here's the final ranking: In first place, roast beef, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, & sweet tea; in second, mashed potatoes; finally, in third comes the Mac n' cheese & chicken fried steak. Roast beef was beyond juicy and perfectly seasoned -- I was tempted to go back for seconds. I could eat here every day!
(5)Kelly Y.
I realize Arnold's already has plenty of positive reviews, but I need this to show up on my hometown page so my friends will know about this place! Good thing our GPS was working properly on this fine day, The Gulch area does not exactly have a nice street grid. The line looked daunting when we showed up at 11:30. But we only waited about 15 minutes before we were in front of that yummy spread. We all chose fried chicken and 2 or 3 sides. Here is the surprising part: while the chicken was crispy and tasty, my favorite thing was actually the pinto beans. They were full of chunks of soft, smoky ham hock and a little spicy. The green beans were equally tasty: soft but not mushy, and spicy with bacon flavor. Next time I am getting meat and 2 pinto beans and another side of green beans. And the iced tea! I must not have had real brewed iced tea before. Their version is so refreshing and had real tea taste! The meal was so good, we even agreed it was worth the wait in the cramped space. The bill for 4 plates + 4 drinks + 2 desserts = $45...wow, we are definitely coming back here the next time!!
(5)Nick K.
A friend and I were looking for a place to grab a late lunch today, and we walked into Arnold's. We walked in 20 minutes after it was closed, but we didn't look up the hours before we went, thinking that a comfort food restaurant would be open for more than just short lunch service... As soon as we set foot in the restaurant, an older busser cleaning one of the tables began speaking to us about "ignoring the sign on the door" without looking at us directly. There was a sign on the specific door we walked through that said to keep it closed, but he wouldn't tell us specifically what he was talking about. He only became mote agitated that we ignored his sign and continued to look angrier while raising his voice. At first I thought he might have been joking about something, but then I had to tell him that he needed to tone it down. We aren't locals, weren't looking for hours on the outside of the building as we were walking in, and definitely weren't looking to be addressed by that guy in that fashion when we walked in. Obviously we left, my friend had a few choice words for the "help" there, and now we won't ever come back when we're in town for work. Since the restaurant is only open for four hours a day, I don't really have much sympathy for all the work he must have done throughout the day to throw so much attitude toward potential customers. Next time just say "Sorry, we're closed."
(1)Chris B.
Worth going to for sure. Best cafeteria style you will ever eat. The Thursday chicken fried steak is awesome and don't miss out on the sweet rolls.
(4)Sara M.
Hot damn everything was good that our group ordered.
(5)Kristen H.
Best. Southern. Food. Ever. I mean really. This is some good old fashioned stick to your ribs food that you'll think your momma made. I had roast beef, potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, a biscuit and some pecan pie. Good god was it amazing! From what I understand the line is almost always out the door here and I could see why. Even when I was there the lunchtime rush was beginning. I could see that a lot of people from out of town came here specifically because they heard such good things, myself included. Everything was so rich and tasty. Definitely wear your sweatpants if you are planning on eating a lot because this place will fill you up!
(5)Liz G.
A no-frills, cafeteria style restaurant. Definitely a must if you're looking for home-style southern classics. Be ready to wait in line if you go during the lunch rush at noon. We went just before then, around 11:15 am which was perfect timing. Only had to wait in line maybe 10 minutes. Busy, but friendly staff. They're working hard so come prepared and know what you're going to order before stepping up.
(5)Alexander P.
Wow, country cooking at its finest !!!! I met Arnold and I gota tell you what a character. He was concerned that we did not get get any bread with our lunch and he went and got us some HO cakes for us. He is a total gentlemen. Everything we had was out of this world. A cant miss if you visit Nashville
(5)Shanah C.
OK, don't come here if you're looking for fancy or upscale. This is a down home, southern, good food place! Get there when they open because the line will be out the door within 30 minutes. Tiny location, sparsely decorated, cafeteria style...but the best damn food!! You choose a meat and as many sides as you want (a la cart style). Very reasonably priced. Fried green tomatoes, greens, cornbread, meatloaf, okra, BEST PECAN PIE I'VE EVER TASTED!!!! You gotta try this place!!! But they close early (like 2pm) so get there early.
(4)Waylon B.
I have visited Arnold's many times since moving to Nashville in 2006 and never have had a bad experience. Whenever asked about a meat and three in Middle TN this is the first place to pop in my head. There is usually a line, but it moves pretty quick. I never have waited more than 15 minutes, actually it is nice to have time to review the menu as there are so many great options. Location is fine by me and there has always been a place to park. Fried shrimp on Thursday's is my favorite, go ahead and add the extra for a few more dollars. Cheese grits, pintos, cornbread, etc. can't be beat. If you think you have room for dessert all their pies are freshly made and I suggest the chess pie and chocolate is a close second. You can't go wrong it you like good southern style food and friendly staff.
(5)Eric B.
If you have a Granny and loved her cooking then get to Arnolds. Great family with a long history of damn good down home cooling. Granny approved.
(5)Carlos O.
Stopped by on a road trip do to the excellent reviews. Was not disappointed. The roast beef was delicious. The mac and cheese was cheese any quite tasty.
(5)Michael H.
Best Meat and Three in Nashville. I have been going for 20 years and the food is always good. I have never ordered a bad thing from them. They serve a lot of southern dishes. May not be the healthiest place to eat but it is fast and good. They also have a great breakfast selection as well. I did see on Food Network that Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives came to Arnold's so that is very cool.
(4)Paul W.
Yummy. Yes. I said it. The food here is yummy. Looks like a health hazard from the outside, the line is LONG and the hours are limited (WTF? 10 to 2:30 pm weekdays?), but the people are Disneyland-friendly, the line is fast, and the food is crazy good. Deserts are first for you to pick (absurdly good pecan pie) then salads (slices of tomato in some kind of a dressing is a salad? It was freaking delish, but a SALAD? Hmmm....) then your sides and finally your main course. Meat and 3 sounds good to me. Hit this one and Monnell's for dinner Everything was great. Seriously. 5 stars out of 5. You deserve food this simple and good. So get moving, they close early.
(5)Leang E.
This place is the real deal! I see the trend of the cafeteria style line to getting food. I like the efficiency and not having to wait on anyone. The line was only at the door, but it went pretty quickly. I got the baked chicken, green beans, and potato salad. The chicken was smothered with gravy, juicy, and flavorful as were my side items. I did get a slice of pie, but admittedly it was too sweet for me. I think the sweet tea here also is one of the sweeter teas I've had. The people that work here seem to know the regulars and are friendly and let you know what is good. They have daily specials and the prices seemed reasonable.
(4)John F.
Found this on my Diner, Drive-Ins and Dive App. and absolutely loved it. The line was out of the door so I knew it would be good. I was on vacation so I was very happy to taste local southern cooking. You HAVE to try this!
(5)Jacky L.
Since today was my buddy's last day of visiting Nashville, I decided to look up the "best" place for lunch and Arnold's came up again and again. We went for a late lunch (around 2pm), so it was near the end of the day for them. We both got the open-faced roast beef sandwich. For sides, he got the mac 'n' cheese and turnip greens and I had the mac 'n' cheese and mashed potatoes. First, people were right about the roast beef - it is ON POINT. I wish we came a bit earlier, since they were out of the homemade BBQ sauce, but they were nice enough to grab some from the fridge (they warned us it was cold) and whoa, that's a helluva sauce. As for the sides, the mac and cheese is pretty good, but the mashed potatoes must've been the best I've ever had. And I eat a lot of mashed potatoes. To wash it all down, I had the sweet tea. Usually I'm not too big of a fan of sweet tea since it's usually oversweetened, but this one was just right. I downed it almost immediately. I took a bite of my friend's turnip greens and they were pretty good too, so I hope to come back and try one of the other meats with the mashed and turnip greens. If you're in Nashville, you HAVE to swing by Arnold's for lunch at least once.
(5)Robert C.
3-star southern comfort food (nothing bad) plus 1-star atmosphere. Waay too cool. S must stop for Nashville experience. Each day has a different buffet line. Come hungry or stay home, as there is no light lunch.
(3)Fabiana H.
Everything is delicious including the desserts. Absolutely amazing southern comfort food. Not a fancy place at all, it is all about the good simple food. Yummy !
(5)Andrea T.
Arnold's is only open for lunch from m-f. This is my only complaint. If you come to Nashville, make sure you can come for lunch. Try to get here when they open at 11 or even 11:30. After 12 prepare to wait in line. When S picked me up from the airport I really had my heart set on Monell's. Monell's is wonderful, but different. Arnold's is both an experience and delicious! On thursday they have some of the best hand carved roast beef with au jus I've ever had. Arnold's is a meat and three. Meaning a side of meat and three sides. You must try the turnip greens and mac n cheese. The string beans are also quite tasty. The turnip greens are cooked perfectly and seasoned with pork. These are easily the best turnip greens! The mac n cheese is velvety cheese goodness. The macaroni very tender with the perfect level of cheese. Then while in line they tell you get bread with your meal. There are biscuits and cornbread, but get the yeast rolls. They are some of the best rolls I've ever had! Oh and in the very beginning of the line, there are slices of pie. I had chocolate cream with meringue. Definitely pick a slice of pie. The sweet tea is also delicious!
(5)Melissa W.
A meal here is better than Thanksgiving dinner. And I love Thanksgiving food. The roast beef is outrageously good. Add some mac n cheese, mustard greens, and corn pudding. Maybe a sweet tea on the side. $10 of perfection. So worth the wait. You will not regret it. And the line, even while out the door, moves at a relatively steady pace. Arnold's is hands-down the best thing about Nashville.
(5)Rachel B.
Great chocolate pie! Very good green beans and roast beef. Bus guy was very friendly and got me more tea. The rolls are divine!
(5)Charles C.
I've lived in Nashville 20+ years and I'm from the rural Deep South. It doesn't get any better than this for home cooking in Nashville. Not Sweats, not The Pie Wagon, not Monells, not Virginia's Market, not Sylvan Park, not The Southern. None of them come close to the quality and authenticity of the food at Arnold's. I do miss seeing Jack in there serving up food with a pistol sticking out of his overall bib! What a character!!! Nashville keeps getting trendy and uptown so this place is areal treasure. Update: I had to take away two stars as the service has gone down hill here. I'm sad to say that Rose and kids are running the show now and it seems with the growth of Nashville and their business booming that they are less interested in service.
(3)CalamityJane T.
Imagine you discover your house suddenly going up in flames. At times like that, you need to think quick and act fast as there are mere seconds left to make some really important decisions. Right? Well that was me on my recent trip through Nashville. We were in the midst of a long drive from Mississippi to North Carolina with a deadline to contend with, so there wasn't a whole lot of time to spend in Nashville. It was imperative that I prioritize what we would do with a couple of hours there and we hadn't yet eaten. It's tough making life-saving decisions on an empty stomach, but luckily for me, it is my stomach that guides me wisely through this life. It truly was a tough call as I probably won't be back in Nashville in my lifetime. I decided to spend my time in Nashville eating fried chicken and sought out the best. I chose Arnold's but unfortunately, they weren't serving fried chicken that day, so I picked something else from their daily schedule of options. It was a Friday--no better day than a Friday for some fried chicken, but no such luck. It was about 1pm and the place was rammed, lineup right out the door: young, old, black, white--and then there was us--varying levels of social classes, taking up all kinds of space in this long, cafeteria-style joint. We spent most of the time in the lineup talking to this trucker who was cracking me up. It was hard to get a good look at the different foods on offer that day--looking at the menu on the board didn't help as I need to SEE the food, plus it was too far to see from where we stood in line for some time so I actually didn't know we were limited to a handful of mains and when your turn to order comes up, you'd best know what you want! As we stood in line, I was checking out what everyone was eating and ended up going for the fried shrimp with three sides: mac & cheese, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. My friend got some kind of BBQ chicken, string beans, and something else I can't recall because I didn't care to notice at the time. We washed down our food with the necessary sweet teas and shared a slice of pecan pie. I later discovered there was a hot pepper chocolate pie, but there was no way I was getting my own dessert during this long drive. Thankfully I had enough discipline in me to draw the line somewhere! The fried shrimp were good but a tiny bit dry as they were cooked ahead of time and sat in a pile, waiting to be picked so they may not be served to you piping hot unless you get here just as they're being pulled out of the fryer. The breading was just right, and crispy. I enjoyed them more than my friend's chicken, which was OK but a little too saucy for me. The sauce was alright but I guess I was fixated on something fried that day and nothing else mattered. His sides were also nothing special, but I definitely made the right choices! My mac & cheese was nice and creamy, not too salty but just enough to even out the slight blandness of the collard greens which were lightly boiled and salted, having the right amount of crunch to it. I'd never had fried green tomatoes so of course I had to get them, which came about five per order. They were alright but I don't know that I'd name a movie after them. I also know what they're *supposed* to taste like and surely everyone's mama and gramma has their own way of doing these up but they were battered, fried, and rather peppery (I'm talking black pepper), so much so that unless you love pepper that much, you might want to make sure you have something else to go with it. Like lots of water. The pecan pie was like no other I've ever had--I don't know what it was but my friend and I were in such awe that we couldn't even speak. Like primates, we communicated our love for this quickly-devoured slice of pie with grunts, moans, and facial expressions. The crust wasn't as good as other pie crusts I've had, but the layer of gooey wasn't overly thick (thank God because that's not my fave part) and the candied pecans on top were something else! I think we burped a couple of times before we got up, me with my sweet tea in hand, and headed east in silence for the first hour or so--no need for words after a meal like that! If you're in the area, be sure to stop in. Prices are good, portions aren't massive but there will definitely be more than enough on your plate. I can't tell you what will be on the menu the day you go but I'm pretty sure you'll leave satisfied. Service can be a bit brisk but it's not the kind of place to be all hmming and hawing when your turn comes up. The ladies working do so at a frantic pace probably all day long and people have been waiting in line for a while so try to have a clue when it's your turn, order, pay for your food, and find a seat. Don't expect anything fancy in terms of the décor--it's straight up simple: tables and chairs. And no need to get dressed up like it's Saturday night: easy-breezy does it.
(4)Elizabeth B.
I had heard lots of things about Arnold's, good and bad. Figured if the places was only open for lunch it was worth checking out. I went on a Tuesday, so they had roast beef, meat loaf, grouper, chicken and dumplings. I got the dumplings. Next you pick from an assortment of sides like green beans, yams, the gooey-est Mac n cheese I've ever seen, and others like black eyed peas and corn pudding. The corn pudding is absolutely delicious and so are the mash potatoes. The dumplings were tender and the chicken was fall apart good. Corn bread is just "okay" but their pies are too notch! I had a piece of the Chess pie and it was a great end to lunch. Oh, their lemonade is "instant cavity" sweet, so drink at your own risk. Overall, great little spot for lunch. Staff is kind and inviting. I will definitely be back!
(4)Chenxi L.
Last day in downtown nashville, decided to give this "No1"restaurant a try. Totally not worth it. Why this place has a rating this high? Really not impressed with the food. Ordered the fried steak, greens, green bean ,corn, and sweet tea (which took just above $12) . The steak is wayyy toooo salty that is even no where near edible, and the gravy is so overwhelming! The greens and green beans are flavorless, honestly, it tastes like you boiled it and put some salt on it. The only good point is the corn, has some savory flavor in it.
(2)Larisa N.
Nice place for a lunch. Typical southern kitchen. Nothing fancy.
(4)Kevin C.
Best soul food I have ever been graced with tasting. The line goes out the door, as any good restaurant should, and it is worth the wait. I had the catfish, collards, and mac and cheese. Damn. I wish I could get here sooner. Every bite was incredible and I have had some damn good soul food. This place has a damn James Beard award, (same as Princes Hot Chicken) which is how you know it is a classic establishment pushing some damn good food. I bet ole James had to dab the tartar sauce from his beard a couple times when he stopped here. Get here as fast as you possibly can, the lines are long, but quick, and seating limited.
(5)Allison S.
The only cooking I've found in Nashville so far that reminds me of my great-grandmother's. And that is the highest compliment.
(5)Shawntay C.
This place was busy but had a feeling of orchestrated chaos. The food deserves the hype and press that it gets. The cornbread and chess pie are definitely worth a return trip. My only drawback is that it would benefit from a bigger building so as not to feel like you're stacked on top of each other.
(4)Jesse Q.
O.M.G. Arnolds is off the CHAIN..There not open but 5 hrs.A day but the Great Food always is a Delight
(5)Pam W.
This is my grandmothers Sunday cooking. I try to take visitors here for the experience . I go for the great food. Never disappointed. The greens are top notch with the right amount of seasoning. Roast beef and chicken are my go to meats here. The chocolate chili pie is a great topper to the meal. Sweet with the back burn of red chili. Great!!!!!
(4)Michelle B.
A two time James Beard award winner, this is a definite foodie stop! a menu that rotates every day. Turnip greens were amazing, as was the light and airy fry on the fish fillet! Only open during lunch, get there well before noon as tables fill up quickly. Chicken and dumplings are hearty and homey. Opt for unsweetened tea if you get dessert and you know you will with a selection of pies including pecan and chess pie and bread pudding.
(5)Moda M.
Excellent Southern cooking going on at this place! Choose a slice of homemade pie first, then choose your meat (we had country fried steak and fried shrimp). The sides we chose were fantastic...collard greens, fried green tomatoes, potato salad. Pecan pie excellent...chocolate pie with baked meringue topping looked delicious too! They have different menu daily... I would love to go back on Chicken N Dumplings day. I'm sure they are excellent! We are from Chicago and will definitely go back when in Nashville again!
(5)Heather M.
Amazing! Everything!! Roast beef, Mac n cheese, greens, even the salad! My two year old said "yeah buddy!"
(5)Stephanie C.
As seen Diners Drive-ins and Dives! It is a cafeteria style place where you pick what you want. Collard greens and pork chop was amazing! It gets really crowed and parking is scare.
(3)John S.
Arnold's is good and I've always been wanting to try it since I've heard so much. The food is definitely good, good service, fast lines; overall it meets the expectations I had and the descriptions I've read. I think their sides are really good, and the meats are pretty good but not the best I've had. The pork chop was a very good size and the gravy that went on it is good, but the pork chop itself was a little dry. Their red bean on jalapeno grits, and their cajun fries are both really good, as well as their rolls. My friend had mac and cheese which was also good. I didn't get a chance to try their fried green tomatoes but next time I will definitely try them. Delicious? Definitely. Should you go check it out? No doubt. Is it as mind-blowing and amazing like all the hype? Well...you can decide for yourself.
(4)Maya K.
I think that my experience at Arnold's was kind of my fault - I on the recommendation of a Nashville resident, but without doing any of my usual yelp research, so I wasn't sure exactly what to order. I also came in at the tail end of lunch (around 2pm), so I wonder if that had an impact on my order as well. The food was good, but not super hot (temperature wise) -- I had the roast beef, which was decent; the green beans, which were way too salty for me; and the mac and cheese, which was SOOOO good. If I could go back and do it again (which I'd like to, because seeing all of these 5 star reviews pains me about my own so-so experience), I'd probably try a different meat and get the turnip greens instead. I've learned my lesson: always check the yelp recs before ordering!
(3)Owen R.
Interesting experience, really enjoyed a southern unhealthy, treat/meal. Major downside; the line! Set up is more annoyance than quaint. People on top of people, not for the claustrophobic. Unique and I hope you can get there right when they open or slightly before close, otherwise a hassle!
(3)Jeff M.
Arnold's was the first establishment to have ever served a meat and three to me. In fact, it was the first place I went to on a recent trip to Nashville. I had no idea what to expect walking into this unassuming restaurant. I knew about the James Beard on the wall but had no idea that that spiky bleached blond idiot from the Food Network visited this place untill I saw his photo on the wall. I told the guy behind the counter I was from Boston and had no idea what I was doing. He served me roast beef, greens, mac and cheese, tomato basil pie, bread budding, butter pecan pie and two pieces of cornbread. The total for all of this was $11.69. I couldn't believe the price. Getting to what was on the plate, the roast beef was pretty basic, but, nonethless good. The mac and cheese had too much pepper and more liquidy than I like. The greens were greens. The tomato basil pie may have been the best thing on my tray. The bread pudding was too dense, had no bounce to it and the sugar in the creme anglaise was over overpowering. The better pecan pie was very good, but, to order it, you better like sugar. I don't include price in my review but if I did this would have to be a five star cheap eat.
(3)Cally B.
This place lives up to the hype. Best baked chicken I have ever had. Line seems really long but it moves fast and is well worth it!
(5)Lindsay R.
SO BEYOND BUSY! Very successful place. Great mac n cheese, wish I had gone on a day when they had chicken, I'm not a huge fan of roast beef and/or steak, but still pretty decent....great sweet tea, mashed potatoes, pie...a little too much gravy for my taste, but people love it and line up forever, so they have a great thing going! Very hot inside, due to kitchen/cooking and all of the people, really hard to find a seat....fun experience!
(4)Josh M.
This is a little out of the way meat and three cafeteria style restaurant, but defiantly worth the trip. You can find it easily by looking for the line out the door. Don't let the line deter you. Everything we ate was fantastic. The meatloaf, spicy chocolate pie, lemonade and sweet tea really stood out. The fried green tomatoes were the best we have ever had.
(4)Lisa P.
Do not pass by this place just because it doesn't look like a 5 star diner, you'll be sorry. It's worth the wait in line, it moves quickly anyway. This isn't really a place where people sit and chat after eating. Lots of the working community eat here and the tables free up quickly. So, the food... Best collard greens I've ever had. Loved the black eyed peas. Chicken and dumplings were thick and creamy with lots of flavor. The brisket was fork tender and deelish. All of the desserts were like homemade. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. This is a don't miss!
(5)Kimberly K.
Comfort food at its best. Arrived at 10 am and the doors were open. There were plenty of seats available at this time. By 10:30 am (opening time), the line was out the door. The employees started to serve us at exactly 10:30 am (impressive!). {Ambiance} Laid back. Homey. There is quite a bit of seating available, but it gets packed in here quick. Customers eat fairly quickly though. By the time you're done standing in line for your food, you should be able to find a table. {Service} Cafeteria style. Once you enter, stand in line and grab a tray. Silverware and napkins can be found at the beginning of the line. A few of the menu items are laid out for you to grab yourself (ie. salads, desserts, bread) and some are given to you by the employees (ie. meats, veg). You pay the cashier at the end of the line. Once you have your tray of food, seat yourself. You will see a lot of Jack Arnold's family members working here. Everyone is so kind, positive, and hard working. They really go out of their way to make their customers feel special and comfortable. {Food} It's all about the Meat and Three. Arnold's offers different types of meats and vegetables every day. Corn Muffins, Biscuits, and Corn Cakes are complimentary. We decided to try the Roast Beef, Meatloaf, Fried Green Tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn Pudding, Chess Pie, Banana Pudding, and Bread Pudding. The Roast Beef was cooked medium rare and was seasoned perfectly. It was not too salty and had a bit of kick to it from the black pepper and other spices. The Au jus was well prepared. The Meatloaf was tender, juicy, and seasoned perfectly. The sauce on top was a bit tangy and went well with the savory meat. The Fried Green Tomatoes were lovely. The coating was golden, crisp, and seasoned well. The tomato itself was juicy, tart, and warm. The Mashed Potatoes just melt in your mouth. It's warm, smooth, and comforting. The Mac & Cheese will satisfy your cheese craving without making you go through a cheese coma. The Corn Pudding was sweet and savory. The Corn Muffins and Corn Cakes are freshly made but lacked flavor and were a bit too dry. The Biscuits were soft and buttery. If you like bread pudding, definitely try the one from Arnold's. It has to be illegal to make bread pudding this delicious. Filled with loads of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. It was soft and creamy but still had enough resistance. The Banana Pudding was also amazing. The pudding did not taste like some of the others I've had in the past. This pudding was fresh, home made, not too sweet, and light. The whipped topping was also fresh. The crust on the Chess Pie was beautiful. The pie is creamy and tastes like an egg custard. It's an extremely sweet and rich dessert. Eating an entire slice will definitely put you in a sugar coma. {Price} $7.95 Meat & Three, $6.95 Meat & Two, $6.64 Four Veg and Bread. Everything here is made from scratch and you can TASTE the difference. Oh yea, and Guy Fieri was here :D
(5)Dan S.
Everything about this place was great until I made it thru the line and had my plate of food. The servings of everthing (vegetables & my fried catfish) were WAY TOO SMALL Fortunately, they made up for that with a ridiculiously LARGE pricetag. This place is SOOOOOO over-rated - it really stinks. I love down home Country food but, since you don't get any here, I won't be back.
(1)Sherri G.
The catfish was awesome! So glad I walked over there after the stroke conference. Didn't know what to order so I had what the woman before me had. It was awesome.
(4)Shannon W.
I saw this on Diner's Drive-Ins, & Dives and thought this to be a cool place to go and asked my husband to try it with me when we went to Nashville. I think I'll let my husband pick the next place. To start, the parking area was rough & small. The only Handicapped parking spot was beside another parking spot where the person had to park at an angle to avoid the wall, thus overlapped into the handicapped spot. There was a line and we expected it. What I didn't expect was wall to wall seating. It was cafeteria style, but very close to each other. I ordered Country Fried Steak, Beans, Mashed Potatoes and Fried Green Tomatoes. The Fried green tomatoes were good. Never had them before. The Mashed potatoes were OK, the green beans had too much vinegar in them, and the Country fried steak was very thick breading and mushy to the point of not sure where the steak was. My husband ordered the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which was much better than mine. He didn't like the other sides he had ordered. We both got sweet iced tea and even for the true southerner, that was overly sweet. I mixed mine with some lemons and unsweet tea, which made it better. My husband said he couldn't drink it. The best thing about the place was the friendly busser. He talked with everyone and was very nice. Definitely not worth the wait in line. Not sure how long ago Guy Fieri was there, but it's not the same as what I saw on TV.
(1)Britt Y.
Yesssssssss. I'm a southerner. Arnold's does not disappoint. The roast beef is SO GOOOOOD. Seasoned perfectly, juicy and tender. The sides are wonderful. The banana pudding is delicious. The tea is sweet. I don't know what to tell you, except to go. But you should be prepared to wait in a loooong line and struggle to figure out where to sit. It can be frustrating at first, but once you start eating, you'll understand.
(4)Andy O.
Arnold's is probably the most overrated restaurant in Nashville...unless you like to eat with an endless line of strangers looking at you, a lot of butts in your face, no service, and filthy tables. On my most recent visit, I went with the catfish and was given the leftover shake from the bottom of the pan. It was enough to make up about 1/2 of their normal portion. When I asked for a normal piece, I got a lot of attitude from one of the owner's kids and a number to indicate I was waiting on catfish (ended up waiting about 10 minutes). As someone else mentioned, the portions (especially the sides) are pretty skimpy by meat & 3 standards, so you may want to go with one of their deserts if you're a hungry guy. The best way to describe this place - as a born & bred southerner who comes from a long line of southern cooking - is: People who aren't used to downhome southern cooking will probably mistakenly think this place is authentic southern fare. However, any real southerner knows chicken & dumplins are supposed to be thick, white and eaten with a fork...rather than tortilla pieces boiled in a thin chicken broth and peppered beyond recognition. I have likely made my last visit to Arnold's. A word of advice: Try out Peg Leg's in the alley just behind Arnold's, instead.
(2)Douglas W.
I have been trying to get here for lunch for years. It seems I am always blowing through on a weekend or an evening and can't seem to time it. It was worth the wait. I had fried chicken, squash casserole, greens, johnny cake and chess pie. Everything but the fried chicken was amazingly good. The fried chicken was almost average but the sides were a revelation. This was the best chess pie I have ever had. I love the cafeteria setting. The line is long but moves very quickly. Great meat and three. I will try to come back on another day and try something else besides the chicken. Saw them on DDD and they use margarine in everything. Disgusting. 3 times more likely to cause a heart attack than if you use butter. It's not the 1940s anymore. It's not WW2. Step up and switch to real food.
(3)Charles S.
Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. Well, not literally. I need an Arnold's T-Shirt, that would be awesome! There's not a whole lot one can add to the Arnold's discussion. I can't believe I took as long as I did to try this place; I've been back multiple times and I've never been disappointed. The chicken and dumplings are a personal favorite and only two people in the world make greens I like better than Arnold's: My grandmother and myself. No one makes better fried green tomatoes. Yes, the line moves pretty quickly, as long as people don't hold things up trying make decisions at the last minute. *AHEM*, speed it up newbies :) In short, it's a Nashville icon. Any out of town friends would appreciate a trip here, unless they're vegans.
(5)Jason K.
- cafeteria style southern love on a plate - chicken friend steak and turnip greens are fantastic - lemonade is amazing if they have it too! - TIP: Go early!! There will be a line of people whenever you arrive. Good thing is that the line moves fast, and
(5)Amie K.
It's worth the wait. From the daily offerings that pop up and are delicious, to the tender roast beef and cornbread, you must try this place.
(5)Michael M.
On my way home from the smokey mountains and I get to eat the best food I have had all vacation. WoW this place is good and to think I almost passed on it. I will say I almost gave it a four for lack of space and the long line. I guess that is just the price you pay for amazing food. While here I had the pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the macaroni. Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. To top it off I also had some pie. The peach pie was also a nice little piece of heaven. Most reviews would be over here. Nope not this one. This food is so good I got a to go order and ate it in the car. The second order was roast beef with the same sides. This roast beef just melts in your mouth. Not sure how one place gets everything so right while others can't even do one thing right. Last but not least the second time around had the pecan pie. I am not much for pecan pie but with everything else being awesome why not try. Let's just say it is THE BEST PECAN PIE i have ever had. Part of me wishes this place was just down the street from me, but my waste line is happy that it isn't . This is a must stop for any foodie coming through Nashville.
(5)Scott S.
Straight hot fire! My girlfriend and I tried this place while we were in Nashville for a wedding. We looked up this restaurant off of diners drive inns and dives so we were expecting it to be bomb.com and it was! It's usually a good sign when you show up and there's a line out the door. Next time we are in Nashville we will definitely be back!!
(5)Kenneth D.
I'll keep it short and sweet, but not overly sweet. I've been meaning to get over here for a long time now, the hype, the recommendations from friends, I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, what Arnold's is about is some damn fine soul food. The Roast Beef was tender and flavorful, especially with the Au Jus on top. The sides were all really good as well. The Mac and Cheese was really good, not the best I've had, but I'd absolutely order it again next time. The Cheese Grits with Stewed Tomatoes were surprisingly good. I grew up eating grits my whole life and have never had them prepared this way, it was a nice deviation. Now the Turnip Greens, perfection. Tender, smokey, a little salty, just perfect. Had I ended my meal there we'd be close to 5 stars, but at dessert things started to go down hill. I hate to say this, but the bread pudding is absolutely the worst I've ever had, anywhere. Hailing from New Orleans, I pride myself in being a bread pudding aficionado, and this isn't it. The "pudding" itself was even sweeter than the topping. Let's just say the sweet tea didn't even taste sweet after a bite of this, it was aggressively sweet. Aside from that, the consistency was that of sweet potato casserole, nothing at all resembling bread pudding. In one word, mush. The only saving grace may be that we got the bottom barrel servings, since after I ordered I heard them say there was only one serving left, and they were scooping it out of a crock pot. Regardless, I doubt I'll ever have the balls to try it again, so I guess it's just hit or miss, as so many people seemed to recommend it. The chocolate pie was really good though, and the hint of cayenne was a nice touch. But to finish the negative sandwich, the Pecan Pie, also, way too sweet. I know what you're thinking, but I've had tons and have made several myself, never have I had one so overly sweet. As bad of an experience as I had with dessert, I really can't wait to get back here. Their savory offerings are more than worth the trip and there were several other dessert choices, so hopefully next time I hit a home run. All around good food, very nice staff and a quick line(if you don't come at noon of course). I'd say the hype is mostly warranted.
(4)Kristine P.
My friend and I decided to check this place out while I was in town. We could smell the wonderfulness from the parking lot once we got out of the car. This place is small and the line was out the door. Even though the line was long, we moved along at a good pace. The food is served cafeteria style and you tell them what you want. I got the Bbq ribs, green beans, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. They said their green beans were cooked in pork for 2 days so I just had to get them because that sounded like heaven! Those green beans were to die for! I think they were the best and most flavorful green beans I'd ever had. The meat off the ribs was tender and I loved the sauce that they used. The mac and cheese was creamy, but it was bland. My friend and I thought there wasn't enough cheese in it. The fried green tomatoes were good, but I wasn't a fan of the type of breading they used. I like Monell's fried green tomatoes better. If you are craving southern food, come check this place out! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Patricia B.
This place doesn't live up to the hype. Very salty. Not worth the wait when there are so many other options around
(3)Jasmin M.
YUCK! I don't understand the love for this place. I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say this, but it truly reminded me of a soup kitchen. The tables were dirty, it was crowded, and the crowd looked dodgy! When I finally get to the food they ran out of the Meat loaf, so I tried the BBQ chicken and Mash Potatoes. The food did not look delicious. When I tried it, it was confirmed, NO BUENO!!! I am truly confused as to why this place has gotten stellar reviews. They rush you through the line, it's screaming soup kitchen. Move, move, move, and did I mention MOVE... I couldn't wait to leave. I left 2 stars because the corn bread and mash potatoes were good. But the chicken was all bone. I just hated it. I'm sorry, but I would never recommend this place to anyone, nor would I return. We left hungry, we all went to Mc. Donalds after and ate chicken nuggets.... enough said.
(2)Chris P.
Well, this place is one you expect to walk in and have grandma's cooking, but it's not nearly that good. It may be better than your typical fast food lunch but it's also much more expensive. $30 for two people to have lunch in burnt out downtown Nashville is a bit steep. The liver I had was fried and dried out. The roast beef was good and the sides are pretty hard to mess up. I really wanted some good banana pudding because I walked in knowing it was on the menu, but what I got was diabetes in a cup most of which I didn't finish. Didn't live up to hype.
(3)Nin A.
Per the online reviews, Arnold's is the place to go to if you want legit Nashville food. So I heeded the advice and checked out Arnold's that one day I was in town. I knew it was going to be a cafeteria-style place but I was still sorta surprised and hesitated a bit when I walked in--probably because I don't go to places like this at home so I just wasn't used to the atmosphere. The interior is the opposite of fancy. There was a long line that just didn't end! Fortunately, the service was very fast and good. They definitely know what they're doing. The staff members were all very friendly and made us feel comfortable. The menu could be a tad confusing or intimidating so I just kept my order simple. THE ROAST BEEF WAS TO DIE FOR! I don't think I will find any other place that can top that. The rest was also very good but the roast beef was a real standout. Their sweet tea was too sweet it was undrinkable. I couldn't handle any more than 2 sips. I give the food alone 5 stars. My overall experience is probably a 3.5.
(3)Tim M.
Redemption Baby! Gave Arnold's another chance as bunch of friends were going. Roast beef - cooked medium. The employee took great care to cut thin slices that I didn't have to exert too much effort to cut the meat. Mashed potatoes were good as well as the green beans. The mac and cheese is always great in my opinion. The line was not moving as efficiently as it would at Swett's or Niki's but the pace is good as it allowed for tables to be constantly turned over and you weren't left standing and waiting for a table. Even with the line at the door as we walked in, only took ~10 min to proceed through the line.
(4)Queen B.
I so enjoy this place. Brought two friends with me, for their first visit. They got a kick out of the place, the people, the crowd, the line... One of my friends actually got stressed thinking how he was going to go to lunch, get his tray, pay, and then not have anywhere to sit.. We sat with some other people and everyone chatted as they ate and remarked how good the food was. It's really nothing special. It's home cooked food like the old days. No low fat crap, no fat free crap. Tons of food made with plenty of flour! Hearty, stick to your ribs, filling comfort food. You can pick wisely or you can go full throttle on the gravies, macaroni and cheese, breaded pork chops, chili pepper chocolate fudge pie.. You will still walk out of there completely satisfied with lunch. Not a great place to meet friends and have a leisurely lunch. People are eying your seat and gauging how quickly you finish your lunch. No, this is not a place to sit, have coffee, chat... this is a place to chow down and get back to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing. You really can't go wrong with this place, if you're jonesing for comfort food.
(5)Kirsten J.
Arnold's is definitely an experience. I really enjoyed it, but I don't mind the tiny noisy diner feel and not knowing what exactly I'm getting. As a Midwestern visitor, I was really proud of getting there before my 4 yr Nashville based brother. Do: Read the board outside and have an idea of what you think sounds good. Think 1 meat, 3 sides. Drink: go for water unless you want to experience / like sweet tea. Dessert: may be a bit pricey but the banana pudding was absolutely delicious. Ok, now that you think you've decided, go in. Look at everyone who is eating and decide what looks best. If it's the same, great. If not, change now and get ready to order. Definitely watch and listen to the people before you. Don't: Freak out because everything isn't perfect. It's a good fun place to go, not a 5 star napkin on your lap delicacy. Assume it's going to be cheap. Try to pick out a table when you go in. There will be one open when you're through the line. Be ok with helping bus the table before you.
(4)Christine L.
knocked 1 star because I'm not the biggest fan of excessive SODIUM intake. but besides that I loved the food. Southern hospitality / comfort fo sho. Fried catfish is delicious! definitely made my meal. I also got mac n cheese which to me had too much salt and too much pepper, and the green beans which was WAY salty. The lemonade is AMAZING definitely get! Cafeteria style ordering, you go up in a line and get your food. then pay and then find your own seating. Pro Tip: clean up your own mess afterwards and put your tray up like you're supposed to. I saw a few ppl leave their mess behind which led to disgruntled employees.
(4)Nicole B.
5+ stars!! We love Arnold's!! We eat here every single weekday we are in town. There's a reason the line is out the door! It's got great food and an awesome atmosphere. The family owned business is currently ran by some very friendly people! We love the chicken and dumplings, greens, and their grill makes an amazing grilled cheese! ;-) Must eat in Nashvile!
(5)Tracy F.
After over a year of living in Nashville, we finally decided to take the plunge and head to Arnold's for lunch on a quiet Monday afternoon. For the most part, we had a great experience! The food is certainly good and the atmosphere is adorable and so 'Nashville'. Each of us enjoyed a classic meat and three for lunch, with the following items: -Fried Chicken (the fiance): He enjoyed this the most of everything he ate. He said it was crispy and flavorful on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. He'd come back to Arnold's for the chicken alone. -Blackened trout (me): Perfectly cooked and a huge portion, flavored nicely except for a little too much salt -Mac and cheese (both): I thought it was creamy deliciousness. Fiance thought the cheese overpowered the pasta - he prefers a less saucy mac-and-cheese -Green beans (me): Delicious, but VERY salty. I like salty, but this was a bit much even for me -Tomato salad (fiance): In his words, "too dressing-y". After stealing a taste, I thought these marinated tomato slices were delicious, but they weren't really his thing. -Pinto beans (me): Also delicious, also VERY salty. The smoky flavor was fantastic, though! -Creamed corn (fiance): We both loved every bite of this. The corn was perfectly sweet and just creamy enough without being overly rich. -Cornbread (me): YUM. Enough said. -Hoecake (fiance): He enjoyed this more and more as he ate it, though he had a bit of food envy after tasting my cornbread. -Pecan pie (both): YUM. Some of the best I've had in town. I'd come to Arnold's just for dessert, since their other pies and the warm bread pudding looked incredible, as well. The food was delicious, but we especially loved the lively and charming waitstaff. Everyone was working hard serving food, bussing tables, replacing food on the line, etc, but every single employee was smiling and talkative. We especially enjoyed our conversations with the 2 men bussing tables; they made us feel welcomed, answered our questions about other items on the menu and invited us to come back soon - which we will!
(4)Dustin D.
I work downtown and love to go here with my co-workers for lunch. Pro-tips: get there early before the line goes out the door, if the line is already out the door --- don't worry it moves quickly, and last of all (we made this mistake) DON'T sit down and try to reserve a seat. When we did this, the guy that bus tables asked up to get up... at first we were a little offended, but now I completely agree with him. It keeps the people who actually have food already able to sit down and eat and not once have we gone there and not had a place to sit regardless of how busy it gets.
(5)Sabina A.
I really wanted to like this place given the reviews; however was disappointed. The staff is nice but the food is underwhelming. My roast beef was cold and the sides were over-salty. My husbands fried chicken was decent at best. Given the long lines, this is a restaurant I would pass up.
(2)Laura C.
Super nice staff, great decor and the food is amazing! It's always super packed at lunch but if you're getting food to go, you can walk straight to the front of the line. You have to try the green beans, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and my personal favorite, catfish (wed/fri).
(5)Jay G.
This is one of Nashville's most historic and premier soul/comfort food spots. It is such unique place and experience. They always have a line, but trust me it is worth the wait and it is not a slow line. They keep it rolling; most of the times I've been here the line begins outside, but we always manage to be eating within ten minutes. Another unique aspect is the cafeteria style atmosphere it contains. I have already exhausted the line waiting so we will move on from that, but the seating is just big long tables with set of smaller tables surrounding the larger ones, much like school cafeterias. Thus, you might be sitting with people you don't know, but that's part of the experience. It gives one a reminder that they are in a great southern city that still believes in fellowship with your fellow man or woman. Now, once you snake your way through the line, you get to the good stuff...food. They have a big chalk board explaining the daily specials, therefore you might want to find out ahead of time what day it is and what it is they are serving. It's the usual meat and two or three program. Trust me you get full at this place since it is southern comfort food it is meant to stick to your bones. They also have some great lemonade so if you like lemons then add ask them to add the aid.
(4)Tran T.
Don't get discourage by the long line. It went by very quick (10-15 minutes). My first visit at Arnold's was definitely 5/5. I got there at 1:30 PM and the line was out of the door. Met a Yelper from L.A and we chatted it up while getting in line (Hi Courtney!!). The ordering process was easy. Get in the long line (Idk if there is a time this place doesn't have a line), grab a tray, pick a desert or a salad, pick the meat and 2 sides (don't forget the corn bread! Came with your meal), pick your drink, and pay up. I looked at what other people ordered and decided to get the Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Peach Pie, and a Sweet Tea. Fried Chicken was crispy, flavorful, and non-greasy. Mac & Cheese, Wow! The best Mac & Cheese I had so far. I normally don't drink water/tea while eating, however I finished the whole cup of Sweet Tea, not that the tea was good (too much ice, tasted like Milo's tea at Walmart), it was because the Baked Beans were so salty. Skip this if you don't like salty food. I accidentally dropped the piece of Peach Pie (it just slid off the plate lol) on my napkin and the lady behind me said "Just pick it up, still good!" She wasn't wrong. The pie wasn't sweet and the peach tasted surprisingly fresh. I left Arnold's feeling satisfied and couldn't wait to go back. I got here at 10:45 AM (Monday) on my second visit. Since the fried chicken I had the first time was so good, I ordered it again. The Fried Chicken looked burnt and tasted like it was cooked in old oil. This is the part that I don't understand. They close on the weekend and open at 10:30 AM on Monday. Did they reuse the oil from last Friday!? Gross. I would look at the color of the fried chicken first (golden, not burnt) before I order next time. I also had the Fried Apples and Pecan Pie on the side. They both were overly sweet. Skip these if you don't want diabetes at young age. Parking was never a problem for me. Finding a table could be a problem with big groups (more than 4). Overall, I will come back to try other food (no more fried chicken for a while) and their famous Fried Green Tomato! 2013/#68
(4)Roland G.
You wouldn't expect to be able to eat healthy off a menu like this but boy- are you in for a nutritional and delicious meal option. I chose blackened trout with green beans and greens! Wow- they nailed all three and created a flashback to my dear Mother's superb cooking. Well worth the few extra miles off the interstate exit. Will gladly visit again on our next road trip!
(5)Jordan S.
Great southern food. I went with a group of 5 and not one person had anything but rave reviews for the food. People were friendly. Only thing is get there early because lines build up right away. However, it moves quickly.
(5)B M.
My daughter and I have been on a food network food road trip this week and ARNOLDS is by far the BEST place we visited. Amazing how many restaurants end up on TV but really suck! We were fortunate to bump into the young chef as he was writing the specials on the board and he took the time to talk to us. The entire staff is friendly. We had the ham, fish, mac and cheese, meat loaf (thanks chef!), sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, banana pie and chocolate cream pie... oh and the cabbage. I assume it was cabbage as I don't usually eat it but this was fantastic. Each dish was uniquely flavored and now having been to about a dozen restaurants, I know that it probably took a lot of work to cook that way. I'm about a thousand miles from home and was glad I made the trip here. I was worth every mile. Absolutely delicious!
(5)Bob G.
I just don't get it. Ok it's a simple, no frills place, which is fine by me. I've had great food from places where the money isn't spent on fancy decor. Of course I saw plenty of reviewers who loved it and that's why we went, but I have to be brutally honest here, the food is mush. Suck it through a straw cooking. If this is southern cooking at its best, then in my opinion keep it in the south! For those who like the food, I'm sure it's a sensation. Bon appetite!
(1)Jessie M.
Hot damn this place is good. I lost at least 4 years off my life from the food, but those would have been the lame years anyways. These folks have their priorities right.
(5)Oldair D.
I always wondered what the expression "so good you'll want to slap yo mamma" meant and I must say that I finally found out at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The food here is DELICIOUS and worth the wait, we got there at around 11:30AM and the line was already out the door, I asked one of the locals what's good here and he said "everything" and he was not lying. I had the fried catfish, collard greens, mac and cheese, and hush puppies and was in heaven, delicious home-cooked food. My wife had the brisket which melted like butter. The banana pudding is freaking awesome and a must. I would most definitely recommend visiting Arnold's when in Nashville.
(5)Celia T.
Only four stars and not five because Carver's Country Kitchen in Atlanta was better. Crazy huh! Came on a monday and had fried chicken, creamed corn and collard greens. this place was saltier than Carver's for me. For healthy food loving people, RUN from this place because you will feel like dying. For unhealthy food loving people, RUN INSIDE NOW! Then feel terrible about it later, but feel satisfied about your super fatty meal. the creamed corn was good, but extra sweet and salty. I had the unsweet tea and that kind of helped to ease the feelings of my arteries clogging. Its a good thing I don't live near here or else I would eat this too often, which in my opinion would be something like more than once a year! But I'm a sucker for southern food !! This place has a line out the door so you stand in line and then you will see the deserts first then the menu board up on top with the meats of the day then the sides. You tell them what sides you want, then the meat guy will ask you what meat you want. You will then get your drink and pay at the end. If you wan to order to go just write it on paper and go up to the cash register, no need to wait in line. There was a busboy cleaning up the tables, so if you read this help them out to consolidate everything onto one tray and it will help them to accommodate more people! Parking is free in the private lot and its pretty spacious so no worries there!
(4)Marcus W.
First time visiting this well known establishment. Parking available and free. Their was probably 50 people waiting to get a meal at the serving line; however, it was worth the wait. I tried the roast beef, greens, Mac and cheese, and chocolate pepper pie. I've tried some very good southern cooking, but this was some of the best I've had yet. My wife and friends agreed wholeheartedly as well. These were simple, home cooked meals, made with a great attention to detail; all for a reasonable price (about $13/person). Well definitely be back when were in town.
(5)Brad W.
Food was excellent and atmosphere is simple. Serving size is perfect. This place is genuine... No imposter behavior, not tidy, no extravagant decorations, and a simple menu. Everything available is good and worth trying. Really a great value!
(5)Melinda L.
Landed in Nashville on an empty stomach, searched through Yelp for a decent local stop to grab a bite, 4.5 star and 1 $ at this place called Arnold's? SURE! Why the hell not! Best start to a work trip ever. First time I had a local "meat and three" (three veggies, one of them being considered mac n' cheese, of course. God I love the South). Picked out the meat loaf, mash potatoes and gravy, best friking collard greens ever, fried corn bread that looked like a pancake, a spicy chocolate pie, and a sweet ice tea. did I like the food? ....I ate the whole gotdamn plate without a word being shared between my coworker and I.
(4)Megan T.
Arnold's is my favorite meat & three in town. I ordered the vegetable plate with mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, squash casserole & mac n cheese with a slice of chocolate pie. The fried green tomatoes and chocolate pie are the best I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and squash casserole were also delicious. All of their sides have great flavor...I wish i knew their secret. Their lemonade was also delicious, very sweet though. The line is always long when I've gone but it moves quickly. And I've never had trouble finding a parking spot but I've always arrived by 11:30.
(5)Melissa B.
On a recent road trip I carefully planned my drive through Nashville to make sure I could stop here! I was getting nervous I'd made a mistake when we pulled up- I didn't! It was heaven! The hours are very limited. I believe they are open Mon-Fri for lunch only. The restaurant is cafeteria style-nothing fancy. I think we were the only couple in the place that wasn't a local. The meat choices on the menu change daily. I still can't believe the meal we had for the price- I was full for 2 days! Here's what we had... Fried steak-heaven Fried shrimp Rolls/butter 2 orders green beans Mac and cheese- perfect! Mashed potatoes and gravy Fried green tomatoes- the best on earth Cucumber salad Slice of pie- still unsure which kind, but I was in love! Sweet tea Lemonade All of this for under $25 and it was all homemade and wonderful! I want to take another road-trip through Nashville soon!
(5)Andy S.
A well-deserved 5 stars. Don't hand these out willy-nilly. Great atmosphere and super food. Employees were incredibly friendly, even serving us just before closing time.
(5)Will M.
I hate to say it, but I'm in no way surprised at the ratings. dude, i know, I completely understand.. waiting in line sucks. Then you remember, only in Nashville, be jealous my friends in Iowa, be very jealous.
(5)Scott M.
Well, well, well. My Nashville musician buddies said they couldn't wait to take the Big Chicago Foodie (me) to a "Meat and Three" in NashVegas for some good ole Southern hospitality. And damned if they weren't right. The place is nothing much to look at, insanely crowded, with community seating. There was an old Black guy who was busboy and door greeter, very personable and cheery. Asked where we were from, I said "Chicago" and he immediately dubbed me "Al Capone". We duked him a few fazools and told him to save a few seats for us, as you have to stand in line to get your food, then try to procure a seat. The line moved slow, and you were scuffling directly along folks eating their lunch. Kinda uncomfortable, but it gave you time to see what they were eating, and by the time I got to the counter, I had decided to order one of everything on it. (and standing in line, I saw their JAMES BEARD AWARD!!) I got the fish on corn cake with cajun gravy, with greens, and beans. Piece of hot pepper chocolate pie. (pense on that for a second-hot pepper chocolate pie...) Every little bit of the meal was intensely flavorful and fabulous. A great, great feed. Arnolds moves onto the "must" list for each visit to Nashville. Oh yes...
(5)Cathy P.
So good, in the way that stuff that's bad for is... Great experience. This is our second time here. Cafeteria style, very funky.
(5)Melissa A.
You know the food must be good when the line is out the door..and the yelp reviews rave about the food. I came on a Friday during lunch and the wait wasn't too long. I split a plate of the roast beef with sides of turnip greens, corn, and fried green tomatoes as well as the fried catfish with my boyfriend. My favorites were the catfish, fried green tomatoes, and corn. The fried green tomatoes were as good as everyone said..fried and flavorful. The roast beef was good but was a little dry but we might have just gotten a bad piece. I had never heard of a "meat and three" until I found this place on yelp and boy, am I glad! If I've ever in Nashville again I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Bob S.
What is there to say that has not been said before. So many Favorites here. I thinking Fried Pork Chop!!
(5)LaDonna T.
My first time here and I was blown away! I got the greens, Mac and cheese, gumbo, and roast beef. I tasted the cherry smoked chicken and fried green tomatoes.. AMAZING!! Absolutely no complaints!! Only 4 stars since it's my first time here...
(4)Tom M.
Classic Three and Meat Southern Diner I heard about this place from a couple lawyers and a truck driver and was told that it has a really diverse crowd, from workmen in overalls, to City Councilmen. I showed up right at 11:30, as they were putting out fresh friend chicken, and got a plate full with potatoes, mac and cheese and vegis. The food was outstanding and yes I saw guys in dirty overalls and guys in suits shoveling the food in their mouths side and side. This is a classic and a not to miss restaurant (along with tthe Loveless Cafe) in Nashville.
(5)Sujan P.
Phenomenal service by the charming pretty tanned blonde. THANK YOU for your warm southern charm! Roast beef w Au jus-4.5 stars Mac & cheese- 3 stars Turnip greens-4.5 stars Yeast rolls-4 stars Chess pie- 5 stars Hot Chocolate pie (aka spicy brownie pie)-4.5 stars Sweet tea-4 stars Banana pudding-3 stars Service- 10 stars One of my favorite Nashville Tennessee memories ever!
(5)Anna J.
As if this place needed another awesome review! The food speaks for itself. I had the best meatloaf and chocolate pie here. Can't wait to go back! The line was long but moves quickly. I can't belive this old place is churning out such amazing food.
(4)Jennie L.
Exactly what it says. Country food at its finest. Don't expect to find anything healthy - but so worth it! Ribs are fall off the bone tender, and the sweet tea hits the spot. You'll probably wait in line and think you'll never get a seat, but the line moves fast and they'll find you a spot! Do yourself a southern favor, and GO!
(4)Paddy O.
I've never been to a place where people are happy to sit down at a table just vacated and not yet bused or next to someone that they don't know half way thru their lunch I've also never been to a James Beard award winning restaurant that most people would drive past or walk out of when first seeing it. Those people would be fools, utter fools Meat and 3, need I say more/
(5)Ashley H.
Meh.. That's how I felt after eating here. Everything was very sloppy and cafeteria style which was sort of a turn off for me. My chicken was a little dry, but the greens were pretty good... All in all just an average meat and 3 in a sea of a million. Nothing left me wanting more.
(3)Avery J.
Some of the Best Homestyle Country Cookin' that I have ever had! Get the Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Turnip Greens. Don't forget the homemade Strawberry Pie if you have room for it!
(5)Jeremy S.
Unreal! Best meat & 3 you're ever gonna find. Seriously legit roast beef, excellent sides, super sweet tea and pies like your granny used to make. If you haven't been to Arnold's, stop what you're doing and get there now!!!
(5)Glenn G.
I travel for a living and eat and have eaten at great restuarants around the country. However, once in a while you eat in a place that forever changes the paradigm on how you view either an individual dish or a whole dining category. Arnolds is that kind of place for me. Arnold's Mac and Cheese is in my opion the standard that all Mac and Cheese in the country should be measured against. It's not $15 lobster, truffle oil, heritage bacon, etc... mac and cheese that every high dollar steakhouse tries to pull off, and some do, its just mac and cheese. Mac and Cheese isn't even my go to thing normally, but I'd drive 100 miles out of the way to eat Arnolds. I don't know what it is about it, it's got kind of a sharp funky taste but it is absolutely the best I've ever had. Another of their paradigm shifters is their roast beef. Once again, don't know what it is about it but if you've never eaten it, go there now and order it. And if you do, make sure they cut you some of the crust to go with your medium rare center because its the best. I could write for hours about this place. I moved from Nashville last February back to Fort Worth and I miss Arnolds on a daily basis. When I lived in Nashville I ate at Arnolds about 3 times a week, mainly just getting the vegetable plate and I am now in the desert of vegetables. If you haven't eaten at Arnold's or are considering eating at Arnold's in the future, stop reading this and go right now if they are open. If you read a review here that questions the quality of the food, please ignore it as that person was likely dropped on their head as a child and their advice is questionable at best. God Bless you Arnold's Country Kitchen!! I miss you dearly.
(5)Derek K.
Most meat and threes are gross to me but I will say that Arnolds usually delivers. I live walking distance from this place. Here's what I've learned from a couple dozen trips to Arnolds: The Good: roast beef, corn bread, sweet tea, pork chops, peach pie, strawberry pie, ribs, au jus sauce, amazing green fried tomatoes. The Bad: sometimes the roast beef slicer gives you a bunch of fatty meat, sometimes the roast beef is bloody, creamy chocolate pie is not very good (too sweet and gritty texture), mac and cheese while good is sometimes mushy, food is very salty, fried fish was mushy when I tried it, chicken dumpling soup was mushy and too salty. Overall a good place to eat. Usually fast, relatively cheap (unless you get pie and drink other than water). Best meat and three I've tried so far in Nashville.
(4)Guy F.
I would like to give Arnold's three and a half stars, but can not give it 4, so I gave it 3. Arnold's is not a place for the health-conscious. Everything is fried -- well, nearly everything. The catfish which Laura got was fried, the fried green tomatoes were, well, battered and fried, and delicious. If you want to indulge and can just enjoy a meal without worrying about this or that, Arnold's is cool. I had the collard greens, which were superb, the mac and cheese, which was good (and unusual: soft and mushy, rather than firm), and sweet corn, which was fine. My chicken and dumplings were quite good, quite peppery, delicious. My lemonade was undrinkably sweet. Years ago I might've gone for that much sugar. They do offer sweet iced tea and unsweetened iced tea (wish I'd known beforehand; now you do). The atmosphere is casual, informal, noisy, and fun. Ben had the chocolate pie, which was quite sweet and quite good. I'm not sure I'd go back, but I sure am glad we went; this was our first time in Nashville. Very much worth the trip.
(3)Jonathan T.
Good simple food. The roast beef and the creamed corn was good and the fried shrimp was fine. The sourdough bread was very good as were the pies and the bread pudding. Mac and cheese was just OK as were the beans and the cornbread. The line went very fast and it was not hard to find a table as throughout was fast as well.
(3)Deb H.
Well if Guy Fieri says it's good, we had to try it! It isn't much to look at on the inside but don't worry. Once you get that first bite of mac & cheese in your mouth you'll swear you're in heaven. :) The roast beef and mashed potatoes are equally outstanding. The fried green tomatoes were tasty and the chocolate pie was pretty good too. The service was hit or miss. The pie lady was a little cranky, the sides man was delightful, the owner's wife was losing her patience with us first-timers and the man who bused the tables was amazingly sweet and kind. One of the owner's sons was walking around checking on people too. He was very friendly and made us feel right at home. Overall it was a great meal and I would come back every other day for the mac & cheese. The five hour drive is the only thing holding me back!
(5)Amy H.
LIterally drove like a maniac to make it here before 2:30pm. Made it just in time! What's not to love about this place? You line up and pick out what you want to eat (everything), pay for it (cheap), and sit down to chow down on good ol' Southern comfort food. The parking lot is super small so be prepared for that, especially if you're like everyone else in the South and own a gigantic Ford F150. Also, don't come here if you're on a diet. You might-could have to be rolled out of there because there is just no resisting all that deliciousness.
(5)Ozro D.
There are several great meat-and-threes in Nashville, but I think Arnold's tops my list. And based on the line that is always out the door, I'd say I'm not the only one. If you're eating at a place like this, the requirements for success are pretty simple: 1) Good meat 2) Good sides What more do you want? Everything I've had here is great, but I'll always recommend going on Monday. That's fried chicken day. Grab whatever sides you like... they're all good. Are you looking for a trendy place for lunch where you can get random, exotic and organic foods on your plate? Go somewhere else. But if you're looking for somewhere to sit elbow-to-elbow with a random southern stranger as you all eat yourself into the happiest food coma of your life, go to Arnold's.
(5)Jennifer C.
Just Yum! It's totally off my diet but well worth a cheat day! Every time I'm in there I'm treated like family, it's really refreshing these days with all the hipster "waiters" out there who act like you're bothering them. I take everyone here for a truly good, unique Nashville eatery!
(5)Cliffton D.
I came to this place over the holidays. I always take my stepsisters out to eat in Dallas and they wanted to take me to somewhere the Nashville locals ate. I was not disappointed. We went on a Friday so I had the Roast Beef. I had the meat and 3 combo with collard greens, mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. Everything was so good! I love country/soul food and this definitely hit the spot. I also had this chocolate peppered pie that was very interesting. It was chocolaty but had a spicy kick at the end. All in all, I finished everything and would definitely come here again the next time I am in Nashville.
(4)Shannon L.
Oh my...died and gone to greasy delicious fried food heaven! Meat and three was so so good...I got the fried pork chop, with mashed potatoes, green beans and mac and cheese. So much butter and tastiness just all over the plate and I made sure to eat it all. I have a weakness for comfort food and this definitely hit the spot. Try to schedule a nap after the meal.
(5)Janette W.
Meat and three? Yes, please! I went on a Friday, which is the day you have to decide between Meatloaf and Chicken & Dumplings. But the decision was made for me when I saw Fried Catfish. They filled up my plate with green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and more. It was a great meal and there were unlimited refills on sweet tea. Yes it did suck waiting in a 60 person line to get to the counter. But the best thing about the long line is that it weaves so closely to the seated customers, that they really eat and get out fast!
(4)Douglas B.
What can you say, it lived up to the hype. Iwould go back if they only had turnip greens. Had roast beef, green beans, greens, cornbread and pecan pie....then a nap. My only regret was that I didn't manage to try the banana pudding.
(5)Hugh G.
I don't understand the negative reviews. After visiting probably 1,500 restaurants, this is likely the best. Five star service, excellent atmosphere, perfect portions, and the best food you'll ever eat, all for a very fair price. You can here every day, and never get tired of it. It's a true gem. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I see virtually no problem with the restaurant, besides the interior, which I find actually more inviting than the typical white color scheme of modern restaurants. The cafeteria style dining, to me, is nostalgic and makes the (short) wait part of the experience. Disregard ANY AND ALL negative reviews, this review is coming from a veteran of dozens of restaurants, and I NEVER leave a five-star review unless it is absolutely THE BEST restaurant I've dined in.
(5)Katie I.
The absolute BEST meat & three in town. Amazing roast beef, the Mac and cheese will blow your mind. The pies- out of this world. Love the cornbread. Simply indulgent comfort food at its best. Go early, that line forms quick. Love the place and everyone who works here, too. Second to none!
(5)Michael M.
Total dive, but the food is just amazing!!!
(5)Casey H.
I like this place. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, you tell them what you want and they will build the plate for you. This place is always busy but the line moves pretty quick. I loved the friendly service and the lemonade. I had the brisket and it was delisio!
(4)Varun B.
Fun, busy spot. The line was over 20 people long when i showed up, but it moves very, very fast. There was this wonderful lady in line who helped me pick items as I'm clearly an ignorant Northerner (Westerner??). The dinner rolls are clearly baked with some incredibly addictive substance, because i could probably eat 50 of them. The chess pie is pretty much the richest thing I've ever tasted. I couldn't finish it for fear that I might just drop dead of a heart attack right there. Everyone who works there is just so incredibly friendly!
(4)Heather H.
File this one under "Places I never would have tried if not for out-of-towners." I immediately loved the atmosphere and great mix of people. It was crowded, but as the guy who helped me carry stuff to a slightly occupied table said, "you just might meet new friends or family." That's the vibe alright, and I like it. I ended up with a vegetable plate and pie. I love how mac and cheese is vegetable in the South. It was good, a tad salty, but I'd definitely order it again. I had a little of Spider J.'s banana pudding on her insistence, which I had passed on because it was unidentifiable and therefore suspect, but yeah, really really good. I'd get it over pie next time. Staff was super friendly and genuine.
(4)Ann E.
My fellow Yelpers did not fail me. Never even heard of a meat and three place. Arnold's was fun and SO delicious-go if you are in Nashville!
(5)Brandon M.
This was one, if not the best meal of my trip to Nashville. YOU HAVE TO go to this place and get your grub on. I had Chicken fried steak, roast beef, collared greens, cheese grits, green beans, corn bread, banana pudding, chess pie and fried shrimp. Don't worry Mrs. Obama I was with two other people and I did a lot of walking that day. The food was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. If you are only going to have one Down Home Southern meal, this is the spot you need to experience! Quick tip: The food is not healthy (it is just freakin' tasty). Do not go with people who are not going to let you enjoy every calorie. Quick tip 2: Go early and on a weekday if possible. The lines are long but they are worth it I promise. Quick tip 3: Have the Chess Pie...The best I have ever had. Rub - A - Dub - Dub...Arnold's thanks for the amazing grub!
(5)Daniel N.
After seeing this on triple D, we made it a priority to stop in our next time in Nashville. The line was long, but it went quick. I was pleasantly surprised that in addition to the Monday-Friday listed menu there was a daily special as well. Shredded roast beef on top of a cornmeal pancake smothered in jalapeno cheddar cheese. Yes, it was as amazing as it sounds. For sides I went mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried green tomatoes. The mac & cheese was by far my favorite. The mashed potatoes were good, but I wish I had known I could get gravy. The fried green tomatoes were the first I've ever had, and they were good, but a bit soggy with grease. Spicy chocolate pie. Of course I'm going to try that. It looked and tasted like a brownie with a pie crust, and then about 5 seconds after you chew and swallow you just get nailed with heat. I'm going to have to find that recipe, I've not experienced anything like it. My girlfriend got the chess pie, and while I liked it, it was too much for her. The consensus was that it tastes like white cake batter. Overly sweet, rich and heavy. I will admit the seating situation frustrated me...but I am easily frustrated by that sort of thing.
(4)Amy P.
Meat and 3!!! I was in Nashville for work and decided to stop here for lunch. What the heck! This place is amazing. You would never guess how good this place is from the outside or even the inside for that matter. No ambiance, nothin. You order cafeteria style where you walk down the line and pick out your meat and then your three sides. I had pot roast on a biscuit with macaroni and cheese, green beans, and collared greens. Out of this world. Shocked at how awesome it was. If you are in the area go for it!
(5)Austin H.
This place was great. The food was legendary. If you go to a meat and three choose this one!
(5)Michelle M.
This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had in my life, WOW!! The warm bread pudding melts in your mouth and all the food looks and tastes homemade. Don't miss this restaurant when in Nashville!
(5)Richard W.
Arnold's is great when you want dinner for lunch. The food is CHEAP and the servings plentiful enough. Cornbread is a bit disappointing but otherwise for home cookin' out of a can it's just fine. Foodies will definitely want to avoid this place like the plague. :-)
(4)Piyush S.
There are very few places, where you can get in, get good quality balanced food in quick time, eat and get out. Arnold's in one of those places. Its open only for lunch and only on weekdays and that is a problem for me. But anyway, I ate a meatloaf and shared some of the roast beef from my wife's plate. They were both very very good especially the roast beef. If anyone likes roast beef, it has to be eaten at arnolds. You know one of the most abused word these days, apart from of course "GOURMET", "LEGIT"....it is HOME STYLE COOKING. Most places really don't have that home style taste to their food. Arnolds is different. You have to try food here, especially if you are not from Nashville and not familiar with meat and three concept. By the way, the veggies are as good as the meat. Please, please try the greens and green beans. The only reason, I don't give it a 5, is because I want to eat more of their stuff that I haven't tried. This is a Nashville Gem.
(4)Anthony S.
Some of the greatest "southern" style food I've ever eaten in my life. And I've had some seriously good stuff. Food is consistent, service is friendly, feels very much like a community kitchen. If you go during peak lunch hours be prepared to wait in a line that stretches out the door, but it will be worth it.
(5)Doctor W.
I finally got around to trying Arnold's for lunch and I won't be making a return trip if I can help it. Plenty of folks have raved about their soul food offerings on yelp and elsewhere, but I can tell you that the hype is just that. I went in around 1:00 pm, got in line and grabbed a tray. I had read in another yelp review that you choose your dessert first, so I pulled a piece of chocolate pie off the counter. I asked for the baked chicken (white meat, which was 25 cents extra), mashed potatoes, squash, and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes were totally acceptable. I wish I could say the same for the rest of it. Before I was handed my plate, an employee put a piece of chicken on it, then took it off noting that it wasn't white meat. He took my plate into the back (out of sight) and came back to tell me the chicken would be a few minutes and that he'd bring it to me. No big deal. The cashier asked me what I would like to drink and I chose lemonade. She rang me up and I got my first surprise. My total was $14.67! I asked the cashier if that was correct and she explained that the drink and dessert cost extra. I looked at the menu board to see how I could have overlooked this, and was fairly unsurprised to see stacks of styrofoam bowls and cups stacked so high on the counter that they obscured the dessert section of the menu. You also can't get a clear view of the menu board itself until you're half way through the line, which was the first of many signs that the staff probably don't care about providing a consistent experience. It would be so easy to put that information somewhere else like, oh I don't know, the front of the restaurant where you first walk in. I grabbed the nearest empty seat and started working on my side dishes. The squash was cooked casserole style with some sort of crunchy crust. It had a near mushy texture that was really off-putting. When my chicken did arrive (about five minutes later), it was covered in a brownish gravy that had a sort of stove-top stuffing quality to it, which wouldn't have been that bad if it hadn't looked so congealed. I cut the skin off and found some meat on the bone, though the "seasoning" and gravy didn't do much to conceal the bland non-flavor of the meat. At least it was white meat like I had asked for. The "lemonade" was basically sugar water. I tried to squeeze a handful of lemon wedges to add some tartness, but the fact that I even had to spoke volumes about the staff's commitment to the food. This was red flag number two. I took a few bites of the $3.50 chocolate pie, which was now sitting in a small puddle of moisture on the plate. I'm not sure if that's the result of a meringue getting warm or what, but it didn't matter because there was enough sugar in it to induce a diabetic coma, and the crust tasted store-bought, so I picked at it a bit and left most of it behind. Even the yeast roll had a metallic taste to it, and the pats of "butter" were anything but. As for service the clientele and the staff seemed to share a very casual rapport, and you got the sense that most of the folks there were regulars, but what other yelpers have said about this place having a soup kitchen vibe is spot on. Well, except for the prices. Even though I mentioned being a first-timer, no effort was made to guide me through how ordering worked, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't even greeted by the staff; just asked what I wanted in as few words as possible. Which reminds me, being barked at to make my selection in order to move the line faster also doesn't scream "quality eatery" to me. It all combined to form a strong reminder of the "cafeteria" types of places my grandparents used to go to, and that could be forgiven if I hadn't paid $14.67 for my meal. I had to fight the urge to ask for a refund. If you're okay with paying that kind of money for soul food, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's in Germantown. You'll get all you can eat, and the food is of higher quality. I'm told the line is out the door at Arnold's on a daily basis, and I'm sure it's true. Ignorance is bliss after all. Arnold's is one of the most/best reviewed restaurants in Nashville, and I also see a lot of five-star reviews saying they can't believe how someone could rate it lower. Maybe if you live on a diet of fast food and wal-mart fare, you could be forgiven for thinking Arnold's is soul food just like mama used to make. If you have a taste for real food though, you may want to take your money elsewhere.
(2)Nadia G.
We were passing through Nashville while on vacay and did a Yelp search for a good place to eat that was kid friendly. We got here around lunchtime and the line was out the door, but it did move quickly as others have said. The place is small and needs a bigger dining room, but I certainly understand the old school charm. Hubby and I had the ham and the kids had meatloaf. For sides, we had the yams, Mac and cheese, green beans and mashed potatoes. For dessert, we had pecan pie and banana pudding. The portions are ok, lots of meat, but priced a little higher than I would have thought for the setting. The ham and yams were outstanding. The kids and Hubby liked the meatloaf, but Hubby said he would have preferred a brown gravy. The Mac and cheese was disappointing. I like my Mac and cheese thicker and cheesier than Arnold's, but that was minor because I LOVED the yams! The pecan pie was wonderful and the banana pudding was also good. Hubby did not like the lemonade because he said it had too much sugar and tasted like syrup. If we ever pass through Nashville again, then we will certainly come back to Arnold's.
(4)Tim A.
I have never experienced like this place before or since. You wouldn't stop at this place based on its appearance; I imagine everyone in there is present based on either word-of-mouth or experience. Hands down, no question about it, best meat-and-three in Nashville. Don't pick any of the cold sides, but all the hot ones are a safe bet (double thumbs up for the mac n' cheese and the green beans). Also, best pecan pie I've ever had. A Nashville staple.
(5)William M.
Went to Arnold's for lunch when I was in Nashville for business. The restaurant was super packed and I thought we would never get a seat. Went right through the a la cart style line and instantly found a place to sit with 3 of my coworkers. The food was absolutely amazing and the prime rib was probably on of the best I have had in a long time. The chicken was absolutely perfect and pulled right off the bone! This is a must eat if you are in town looking for a fast, affordable, delicious lunch!
(4)Charles H.
Great meat and three joint! It gets really busy during lunch time on the weekdays so plan on waiting 15-30 minutes in line for food and good luck grabbing a table. But obviously the crowd is indicative of the great cornbread, collards, etc.
(4)Daniel B.
In terms of a true meat and three...awesome! In terms of what a meat and three should be: Food: There is so much flavor in every menu item at Arnolds. Ambiance: Get in line, grab a tray, grab a serving of Banana Pudding or Chocolate Pie, choose your sides, lament that you that you can't eat all of them, choose a meat, lament that you can't eat all of them, choose your bread, pick up a drink, pay...and take a seat at a table. Eat. You will be happy. Speed: The longest line out the door will only take about 10-15 mins to get served...so no worries. Usually, it only takes 3-5 minutes to walk in before you are eating. Bread: I don't let bread be the main event here! Price: A little steeper than a country meant and three...but worth every penny!
(4)Matthew L.
Great Southern Food! A little salty but overall worth visiting while in Nashville.
(4)Paulius N.
Arnold give you love Gastronomic holiness A shrine to awesome Go here, eat here, and do not be alarmed if you find out that the food will take years off of your life. It will be worth it. Carry on...
(5)John M.
I'm a Meat-n-Veg guy and have been to hundreds of these places. This is the best YET!!!! Paula Dean needs to come here and take some cooking lessons. The best Fried Green Tomato's I've had since my grandmothers. These are cooked the right way - with cornbread coating...not that nasty flour batter most places use. The hot pepper chocolate pie is to die for! Every item we had (Corn bread, Green Beans, Collards, Meat Loaf, White Beans, etc.) was prepared with love and care and full of flavor. Get there early. We arrived as the doors were opening. Will, the all-around-waiter etc., greeted us at the door and made sure every aspect of our meal was exactly what we wanted. I guess he knew we were first timers. By the time we were done with our meal, the place was packed and there was a long line. Price for two was $21 (we each added a dessert.) This is the type of place I'm glad isn't near where I live or I would eat there every single day! I will definitely be back anytime I'm anywhere near the Nashville area. And since I don't have plans for lunch tomorrow....
(5)Damon G.
As good as any southern food I've ever had! Got the chicken and dumplings because it's something you just don't make at home often, they were great, but I couldn't help to look at all the roast beef and meatloaf on everyone's plate. Turnip greens were the best that I've ever had as well, fun joint, cafeteria style, great service, friendly family environment, a must when in Nashville!
(4)Catherine H.
I came to Arnold's for lunch. On a Monday after the rush, so the line didn't go out the door (it apparently normally does). I had a meat with 3 (sides). Roast beef was really good. Sides of collard greens, green beans, and candied yams - I devoured all of them except the candied yams, which were too sweet for my taste. I also got a chocolate meringue pie, which was ok. The sweet tea was also way too sweet for me, so I drank some and added some unsweetened tea to balance it out. Note that I am a native Californian with a sweet tooth. Not sure what made everything so sweet at Arnold's, but their stuff was even sweeter than the sweet tea and desserts I had in other places in Nashville.
(3)Carl M.
On a recent trip to Nashville I was told about Arnold's Country Kitchen. Being new to true southern cooking I was blown away by this place. When we got there the line was clear out the door but moved pretty fast. Once inside you can see how popular the place is. Daily specials are written on the wall that leads up to the cafeteria style serving line. I had the roast beef and five different sides. (corn bread muffin, fried green tomatoes and grits, chess pie, creamed corn and salad). I rate this place 5 Stars !! It is a must place to visit if you ever make a trip to Nashville.
(5)Kletia G.
oh Arnold's! I so wish you were open past 2:30 and on weekends! This place is great! Small location, cafeteria style service, long line out the door (that moves relatively quickly), nice and helpful staff and amazing food! Don't get discouraged when you show up and realize that the line for lunch is out the door. Don't think to yourself, "if I had only come earlier, or later, or on another day, I wouldn't have to wait." Wrong! There is always a long line, but it moves relatively quickly, and trust me, it is worth the wait. Killer, I mean, the most flavorful I've ever tasted, collard greens! I lay awake at night thinking about these scrumptious veggies. The roast beef was tender and delicious. The chicken and dumplings were in a thick, savory, creamy stock/gravy. The dumplings were soft and pillowy, just like I like 'em! Awesome cornbread, decadent desserts. Oh ya, all of this makes me a happy girl! Definitely worth a drive if you live outside of Nashville! Just remember, they close at 2:30 every day and are NOT open on the weekends. Enjoy!
(5)Rebecca C.
When I was eating my fried green tomatoes, angels were singing Hallelulah, I swear! I took pictures and sent texts at the same time, and in no way of awesomeness was the food affected, to rave about how delicious this meal was. I have never had a Southern meal like this, and by no means, at breakfast time. I have also never seen a place so busy for home-cooked yumminess at 10:30am. I knew that this was the place I had to go after scouting out the amazing Yelp reviews on my very short visit to Nashville. And this was it and did not disappoint one bit. I parked outside and waited an hour before it opened and watched as others started to do the same. This place is cafeteria style and has different specials each day of the week. The staff is more than nice, made me feel welcome and at home. They don't serve no fancy-pants breakfast items like omelettes and Eggs Benedict, but you get the full fixins for the morning, like fried catfish, fried shrimp, white beans, mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, and full slices of pie (pecan, merengue, key lime, take your choice). Wish I had room for the pie. It was amazing, I will never forget my best breakfast ever. And at times since I've left last weekend, I have been tempted to move to Nashville simply for Arnold's. But so far, I've controlled myself. But seriously, I told everyone I met there that they had to go. Oh - and please don't forget the sweet tea or else your meal won't be complete.
(5)Peter P.
Best meat & three I've been to. Everything just tastes really good.
(5)Jenn W.
I am giving this a 5 star rating based on the food which is absolutely divine. We were visiting Nashville and decided to check this out based on Yelp reviews. You walk in and you smell the yummy goodness. It is set up where you grab a tray and choose your items from a buffet line. We arrived and quickly found out that this place get SUPER busy. The line was literally out the door however the line moves quickly and there always ended up being a table. Given that the restaurant is so busy we quickly found out that the expectation is that you get in and get out. The first time we ate here (yes, we went twice!) I had the fried chicken and my husband had the roast beef. This chicken was definitely some of the best chicken I've ever had. My husband loved the roast beef so much he got it both times we went. Sides we had were cream corn (yummy), mac and cheese (so-so), and mashed potatoes (tasty). Sampled the pecan pie, banana pudding, and chess pie --- all were a little too sweet for my liking but good. The staff is pretty friendly especially the bus-guy who was absolute wonderful to our family and always made sure we had help to our table (since I was toting around a 7 mo old and a 3 year old). A definite must go!
(5)check p.
My favorite kind of restaurant! very cozy, cafeteria line, daily specials. I walked here from the hotel, and it was about a mile and a half. I had the brisket (four thin slices), and three: okra- (really tasty); black eye peas (so full of ham hocks, more like a stew!), and greens, also well seasoned. The line was fairly long at 1:30, but moved fast. You just eat where there's a seat, which is fun. Folks are really friendly. Lots of people eating the fried fish, and the baked chicken. Brisket was too thin for me, and not very fatty, so I was a little disappointed. I wish I had room for the pie, but I just couldn't eat any more. Worth the walk.
(4)Jonathon B.
I'm from Kentucky but moved north and it's been a long time since I had the food I grew up on. This experience was like going back in time and eating the same great food. The only difference is that it was done PERFECTLY. That word isn't used lightly and it's the only way to describe the food.
(5)Tim Z.
Going here with other travelers after already having lunch, we only intended on coming in and sampling the much-revered banana pudding, but the kind eyes behind the counter took one look at me and my two friends, asked us "is that really all you want?" and then proceeded to slice up an entire plate of samples - roast beef, greens, yams, chicken - if we weren't full before arriving, we certainly were before we left. And if not for the limitations on our bellies, we would've unanimously decided to have stayed for seconds, while paying for both! This is how a Country Kitchen ought to be, all over the country.
(4)Olga P.
The best food I have had down south. A must to visit if you want to eat some really great southern food. Their desserts are insane. Spiced chocolate cake, apple cobbler, strawberry pie with homemade whipped cream. All prepared fresh and with love, you can tell. The smoked brisket and the catfish were amazing as well. No wonder people line up to get in here. The line stretches down the block most days at lunch time.
(5)Richard N.
Went to Arnold's wanting to get some soul food. It was friggin awesome. I like the cafeteria style set up. I had chicken and dumplings, pecan pie, mac and cheese and collared greens. Totally worth it.
(5)Kenneth B.
By far, the best meat and three in Nashville. Here is a detailed review that I wrote after one of my many visits. tennesseefoodie.wordpres… OH MY, THE AROMA ALONE IS A TREAT! I am a big fan of Arnold's and have considered my visits over the years as more of a treat than just getting something for lunch. No matter if you call it southern cooking, comfort food, or country fixins - you can be sure to call it Nashville' Best Meat and Three! Arnold's Country Kitchen is a long-time fixture on 8th Avenue South earning its esteemed reputation via word of mouth from Nashvillians and visitors alike. There is no need to spend money on advertising for this eatery as individuals, print articles, and internet blogs over the years take care of that necessity of operating a small business. WHAT TO EXPECT. A long line is always a good sign as a testimonial for good food. Don't be discouraged as you will move quickly through the line and approach the counter. Take these moments to enjoy the atmosphere. Standing in line you will notice the walls are filled with numerous photos, signatures, and articles from over the years touting praises and loyalty. Laughter and conversation is abounding as good people from all walks of life talk about daily living and hot topics. As you take your steps forward and get close to the counter take note of the very friendly staff (many have stayed with Arnold's for numerous years) as you can hear them helping the customers decide on what goodies to eat. This will be a good time to see if there are any tables available and decide if you will be eating sitting down or taking your food to go. FOOD! Oh my, the aroma alone is worth the visit! The food is prepared fresh each day with the best ingredients. Each day offers a slightly different menu with a few meats to choose from and a vast selection of sides. You can also treat yourself to the homemade pies. What do you like? All homemade, all delicious! - Meats: roast beef, liver and onions, fried chicken, carved ham, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, fried whole catfish, BBQ pork, baked chicken and dressing, chicken livers, country fried steak, fried shrimp; Sides: green beans, various types of greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, creamed corn, fried apples, boiled potatoes, white beans, boiled cabbage, candied yams, salads, black eyed peas, baked squash (casserole), fried or stewed okra, fried green tomatoes; Desserts: pies, pies, pies of chocolate, fudge, lemon, banana, coconut, buttermilk, chess, pecan, icebox; banana or bread pudding. This is a list of what you may find depending on the day that you visit. My favorites: roast beef, fried chicken, country fried steak, fried catfish, chicken and dressing, greens, pintos, fried green tomatoes, green beans, and squash casserole. BUSINESS HOURS. Let's go to Arnold's! Get there early or past 1:30 p.m.! As you approach the restaurant you will see that the parking lot is full but you will find a spot as the lunchtime business is fast-pace and many people like to order their food to go. Monday-Friday; 10:30 am - 2:45 pm. Price Range $6-$12 (depending on add-ons). CONTACT. Arnold's - 605 8th
(5)Jack W.
Tied for my favorite meat-and-3 in town, next to Copper Kettle.
(5)Holly L.
My boyfriend and I came here for our last meal before heading back to phoenix and thank goodness we made it. We arrived after closing time but they served us anyway and EVERY person there was super friendly. I'd give 5 stars on customer service alone-it works out well that the food rocked also. We devoured everything in 10 minutes and left smiling and giggling about what we had just experienced. We had the fried catfish, roast beef, green beans (best ever), mac n cheese, fried green tomatoes (yum!), squash casserole, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, and sweet tea. Loved it all. Seriously considered going back for more green beans, although other reviews were right about them being especially salty. Next time i'll try the chicken and dumplings, which one employee specifically recommended. Amazing meal with amazing people.
(5)Kevin G.
All the positive review led me here... and they could not have been more right!!! This place is great country cookin!
(4)Joey H.
First time trying Fried Green Tomatoes here! Also got the roast beef, which was tender and juicy...except for the bits of hard stuff that was also there. Good, solid meal. Would probably come more often if I worked nearby, but it isn't really worth a trek out for its weekday lunch-only hours. Line moves fast, but finding a place to sit might be a struggle.
(3)Linda A.
We've lived here for 3 years and had not visited Arnold's until today. I'm kicking myself now for having waited so long! My parents are visiting from Michigan so it was a perfect time to have a real southern lunch. Oh.My.Word. Everything was PERFECT and the people couldn't have been friendlier. (They knew we were rookies the moment we walked in the door LOL) Chicken and Dumplings - fantastic. Fried Green Tomatoes - the best EVER. Turnip Greens - you cannot deny that there is a God in heaven that wants us to be happy. Banana Pudding - I saved room for this and am so glad, to miss it would have been a travesty. We shared bites of everything and it was all delicious. Even the side of fresh, ripe tomatoes tasted better than it does anywhere else. We will be back and back and back. YUM!!!
(5)Simone F.
That line is a little intimidating for a newbie, but my my how delicious was my "meat & 2?" Fried shrimp, mashed potatoes & gravy, fried green tomatoes & chess pie! This is kind of what i always thought Southern food was and I was not disappointed. A bit of a frenzy placing your order, but once gotten and a place found at a table, there was no sense of being rushed and I enjoyed every tasty bite. No, it's probably not great for your health, but who cares? I'll die a little happier knowing I've eaten here.
(5)Bo H.
Being a native Californian who's never driven past Las Vegas, needless to say, my experience with Southern food is limited. And to be honest, the first thing that intrigued me about Arnold's was the James Beard Award. I know, I know, typical Hollywood shallowness. Where's the substance you ask? Well, that's in the food. I'll come clean, I've never heard of "Meat and three" until I came across yelps on Arnald's. Boy, what a revelation! Choice of meat and three sides on a plate. No pretense, no frills, just great food. As if the South collectively decided to stick their culinary middle finger at French cuisine. Bi-coastal natives like myself might find it awkward but, typical to this part of the country, Arnald's is a cafeteria style restaurant. Get in line, grab a plate, choose your food, pay and find an open seat. Efficiency is the name of the game. Fantastic food, genuinely sweet staff, super cheap, has the "Oscars of the food world" medal hanging on the wall. What's not to like?
(5)Kera T.
Now I am no fan at all of going into the city, but it is worth it to come here! If you are planning on visiting Middle Tennessee and you want to try some authentic soul food in Nashville, this is definitely the place! They are only open for lunch, and they are rather crowded. The best time to go is when they first open, or about half hour to 45 minutes before they close. You can either get a meat and two sides, or a meat and three. They have all of the classics and they have them down! For example you can get yourself greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, beans, brisket, chicken and dumplings, and so much more. The sweet tea is some of the best... And don't even think about leaving without dessert! They are renowned for their chocolate pie, which I love, but my favorite is the chess. Chess pie is a true Southern classic! Seating is a bit hard to find, but there will always be a seat available. No matter who you are you will fit right in because this is the kind of place that everyone goes to. You will enjoy it!
(5)Kevin P.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat and three in Nashville. Welcome to the South baby! The prime rib, creamy mashed potatoes, and thick Mac-and-cheese were just exactly what you want when it's time for comfort food; corn bread, pancake, the whole nine yards. Don't kid yourself, you need to power through and try the wicked SWEEEET banana pudding (with Nilla wafers, oh yeah). And remember, it's just around the corner from the Gulch.
(5)Jenny L.
Best meat and three hands down! I have cravings to go here all the time. The mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and green beans are so delicious and really tasty. Last time I went, I sampled my friend's roast beef and had fried shrimp for myself. We left Arnolds holding our stomachs and just enjoying our food coma. I highly recommend people to try and check this place out if they can. They only serve throughout the weekend and lunch hours too. They have long lines but it goes by pretty quick, so just be patient!
(5)Becky C.
Love this place!! Great Southern food. I took my friends here from out of town and we all went for the first time. We got there right at 11:00am and didn't have to wait at all. Everything we had was wonderful. I really don't even know what to say besides go to Arnold's if you get the chance. You won't regret it. My friends loved it too.
(5)Howard L.
I've been coming here for years and Arnold's puts all other meat and threes to shame. Swetts and Monells pale in comparison. Arnold's even kicks Paula Deen's famous butt to the curb. You could order blind folded and still make out like a bandit when you hit the cafeteria style hot bar. Everything I have ever had from Arnold's was good. Squash casserole, mac and cheese, greens, gravy... Spotlight: Hushpuppies: If they have these babies available, get an order or 5. They hardly ever have them around (used to make them all the time when they had fried seafood available), so snatch them up quick if you see them. Absolutely fantastic and they take the place of your roll. Roast Beef: The spices! The garlic! The Au Jus! The BLOOD! Yes, if you ask and if they have it, they will hook you up with slices done your way. The rarer the better, I think. But really the flavor is outstanding. Way beyond just salt and pepper. Jalapeno Cheese Grits: I used to pass in favor of mac and cheese or greens, but I can't get the taste of these guys off my mind. They are delicious. Fried Liver: I hate liver. I've avoided it for most of my life, but I tried their fried liver on a whim and I was not disappointed. It has a very mild flavor with just a hint of liver taste, just enough to let you know it's not beefsteak you're eating. Lemonade: Best in the city. I dare you to try it. Addendum: What's with the people bad mouthing the country fried steak? Dear idiots: it's a smothered country fried steak. You might have grown up on Cracker Barrel, but the rest of us know that this is a legitimate recipe and it's SUPPOSED TO BE SOGGY. If you don't like soggy country fried steak, DON'T ORDER THE SOGGY LOOKING COUNTRY FRIED STEAK SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE HOT BAR. It's pretty simple. To the people complaining about bland veggies...what? Who has good veggies if not Arnold's? If you say you prefer them raw, you need a smack in the face. All veggies here are packed with flavor. To the one guy who gave this place ONE star...are you really a professional chef? Because you gave this place one star for serving food cafeteria style and because according to you, it was gray and "past due"... Really? Every item on the bar was "past due"? And you could tell with your professional chef eye? Even the greens? Do you just blanche yours? Is that how the pros do it? Because down here, they cook the shit out of it and that's the way it's supposed to be. I don't believe any of your negative reviews anymore because you gave this place 1 star. That's the lowest of the low, which this place doesn't rate. Even somebody who hates southern food would have to begrudgingly give this place 3 stars after a few tastes. Hot tip: If you're ordering to go, head to the front of the line. You can place your order, hang out with your hands in your pockets, and be gone before the lines moved 15 feet.
(5)Bill K.
Love, love, love this place. Food was outstanding, service was even better. We ended up taking 3 whole pies home. I wore a Steelers shirt and the whole staff razzed me in a fun, friendly southern way. Mom and daughter were super friendly and hugged me on the way out. Can't wait to be back in Nashville to go back.
(5)Vivek S.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Arnold's was recently (2008) a winner of the James Beard Foundation's "America's Classic" awards - and it was well deserved. The food is served cafeteria style and the people that work there are always there. Kalil, Arnold's son, runs the place and is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. I've honestly never had anything bad. The menu rotates every day, but staples they always have are a massive roast beef, studded with garlic, that is hand carved to order, mac n cheese, greens, green beans, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Some of the specialty items I like are the fried catfish (Wed+Friday), fried chicken (Mon), BBQ brisket (Wed). The pies and bread pudding are good, but my favorite desert is the banana pudding. If you are visiting Nashville, don't miss out on this place. If you're from Nashville, then go find out an exceptional representation of good southern cooking. But remember, they are only open from 10:30-2:30 every day for lunch.
(5)Rico A.
This has to be the best meat and 3 in Nashville. They give you a lot of food for a great price. Everything taste home made. Don't forget to grab a slice of chess pie.
(5)Jackie W.
This was my very first meal in the south, and i was not disappointed. We got here around 130 and the line was out the door. It took longer than advertised (their sign said the line moves quickly) to get inside and get our food, but it was certainly worth it. I had the fried chicken, turnip greens, fried apples (a Monday menu item), and a small salad. I don't know why I thought I could handle a "meat and 3," because I can barely finish a sandwich, but I had to go full southern. The fried chicken was the business. Like really. Now, since I'm from California, maybe I'm not the fried chicken expert, but man. It was the only thing I made sure I finished. The turnip greens were more acidic than I had expected, but I enjoyed them. The apples were also different than I'd expected (I guess I was thinking battered and fried) but they were pretty good. Don't waste your time with the salad. Seriously, you may want to have some fresh vegetables, but don't bother. Although they take cards, bring a couple bucks for the guy that cleans up your food. He's really sweet and funny!
(4)Aaron L.
Holy sh*t! This place is awesome! I'm from California and was in town on vacation and decided to give this place a try. I'm so glad I did. I felt like I really got the southern experience inside this place. The people were so nice and the food was amazing. My brother and I walked in and it felt like we were thrown into a tornado of deliciousness and walked out with trays full of food that there was no way we would be able to finish in two sittings. If you're looking for a good southern cooking experience, I highly recommend coming here, just make sure you're hungry.
(5)Melissa R.
Highlight of a trip to Nashville!
(5)Heather N.
Just what a restaurant should be. Will welcomes you when you walk in, checks on you when you're eating and says good-bye when you leave. The Grouper, roast beef, chicken and dumplings were all amazing. Loved everything.
(5)Meeta A.
I had never heard of "meat and three" before reading reviews of Nashville eateries on Yelp... but all of the reviews of Arnold's were great, so I decided to give it a try. We were visiting during the off-season (November) and it was a little scary how few people we saw at all of the tourist spots and throughout town. Then we came to Arnold's for lunch and found that the entire city was hiding out inside! As expected, there was a line out the door, and each table was packed at all times. Although the decor (such as it is) isn't much to look at, the food is finger-licking and artery-clogging good. The fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, hush puppies, etc. were all delicious. Ooh, and the corn muffins and corn cakes. On the "healthy" side, I ordered asparagus, but of course they had a delicious cheesy buttery sauce for that too. I got the fried catfish and a fried shrimp "just happened to jump into my plate" since the server saw me eyeing the shrimp hungrily. They definitely had items beyond what was listed on the board, and the people serving were super friendly and helpful on picking what to eat. Even with the crazy rush, I didn't feel pressured. I meant to post this review four months ago, so I'm not sure what I can add -- I don't remember much beyond the happy feeling I had there and how nice everyone was. If you're in Nashville, this place is a must.
(5)Renata P.
Arnold's doesn't seem like much walking in with it's cafeteria style seating. Then I noticed that the Food Network had been there and I got excited that the food was going to be excellent. Well... The chicken I had was great but the collard greens were a little salty for my tastes. It's definitely a Nashville favorite as the line literally goes out the door at lunch time but I admit I felt it was just ok.
(3)Michael S.
The wife and I decided to give Arnold's a try after reading so many good reviews, wow some good food for sure. I had the Roast Beef and the wife had the baked Chicken, she chose the Dressing and Mashed potatoes as her sides. I got the Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese and Mashed potatoes as my sides. The people working the line where very friendly and helpful, it made me really enjoy the experience. The Roast Beef was great, the crust was the best part, I didn't have a side I didn't like, they all tasted great. The wife thoroughly enjoyed her chicken, she really loved the dressing. My wife is a pretty slow eater, today she wolfed it down in record time. This will be one of my go to places each time I visit the Nashville area.
(4)Rozina K.
We came here while driving cross country and we LOVED it! This place has amazing food and the sweetest staff! Their macaroni and cheese and pecan pie are things to write home about. Make sure you eat here!
(5)Thomas J.
If there's one thing I've learned from living in Seattle for 25 years, it's southern food. And for traditional southern home cooking, this place will be hard to top. I can't really add to what's been said here - I can't vouch for the authenticity of the place (I'm guessing it is) but the food was delicious. The meatloaf was fantastic, the mashed potatoes were pretty much perfect, and the only flaw I found was the mac-and-cheese. I suspect it's just a personal thing, though, so don't take the minor criticism seriously. Super friendly.
(4)Aileen F.
So good!! I was in Nashville for work, and we used Yelp to figure out where the best place for lunch was and this had the most positive reviews. I had never heard of "meat and threes" before, but I am officially a fan now :) The employees were so friendly and gave me suggestions on what to get since it was my first time. The decor seemed to even add to the whole appeal. I would definitely come here again if I get to return to Nasvhille!
(5)Matt L.
Let me begin by saying this: I hate meat and three. It's a strong word, and I mean it as much as I can. Nothing grosses me out more than looking at food which is often hours old, heated under lamps, and often soggy from swimming in the own juices. It makes me ill. That being said, I did take the opportunity to visit Arnold's because it was rated that well. People could not say enough good things about it. Now I still acted with caution. I first considered the fried chicken, but it didn't look fresh, so I chose the roast beef instead. I looked over the various sides, and chose the mashed potatoes and green beans (drained). And it was all very tasty. I'm not saying I am a huge fan, but it was palatable, which is unique among meat and three places I have visited. If you like meat and three, and want to try the very best, this is the place. If you're a Yankee food snob (like me) and want to gingerly try a southern cooking place that won't send you screaming, definitely give Arnold's a shot.
(3)Anna M.
I saw this place on a Diners, Drive In's and Dives episode and was intrigued. The next day I dragged my boyfriend with me for one of the absolute best lunches I have ever had in Nashville. I mean really. Everything I had was amazing from the roast beef to the sweet tea to the mac and cheese. Every single bite was heavenly. Also, don't even think about skipping out on the pie. It's heavenly
(5)Julia G.
This place is a Nashville institution, and an important part (OK, perhaps THE most important part) of my itinerary every time I visit. Like any meat and three, Arnolds' food options rotate daily. Everything tastes good. In my experience, the catfish, fried chicken, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding are particularly delightful. Skip breakfast before you go, and don't make any big plans for afterwards either - you will be completely incapacitated by your food coma. Eat fast so you can pack as much down your gullet as possible. You will feel a little guilty afterwards, but you won't regret it.
(5)Ryan O.
serious contender for the best food in nashville and some of the best i've ever eaten. the chess pie is without a doubt the best pie i've ever had. take a bite and wait for your eyes to roll to the back of your head. possibly even better than the pie is the bread pudding. you simply have to try it as nothing i could write here would do it justice. from the brisket to the roast beef to the fried green tomatoes, it's hard to top this place. southern comfort food at its finest.
(5)Susan V.
THIS PLACE is considered the best meat and three in Nashville? THIS?! My country-fried steak (the kind doused in brown gravy) was mushy and looked kind of disgusting, but it was pretty tasty. I failed to finish it not because the portion was too big (about average sized) but because my mouth had developed salt fatigue and the whole affair wasn't actually tasty enough to warrant forcing myself. I modestly ordered meat and one knowing I would have some chess pie for dessert. My side was mac and cheese, which was creamy and melty and like my steak, did not require much chewing, and though the portion was very small, I still couldn't finish it because of the salt-burn from my dog-food steak. Already surprised and disappointed in myself for not being able to lick my plate clean from meat and one while not exactly feeling full, I went on to fail my champion stomach by merely picking at my pie. It was certainly sweet enough, but the crust was missing that lardy je-ne-sais-quoi that I always look forward to in a good Southern pie. I might go back to try something else; my friend's chicken livers were pretty good, and I like the not-overbearing but friendly cafeteria-style of service here. But I can honestly say that there are far better meat and threes in this city and I regretted having brought my out-of-town friends to this one.
(2)Erin B.
BEST food I've ever had . Better than Grandma's cooking.
(5)Nancy S.
I loved this place so much that I may just fly to Nashville to eat and fly home! Real authentic old school vibe. Food was like my mother cooked it. Assembly cafeteria line leads to the register. it's very much self serve and not very fancy on the inside and outside but the food was fantastic. I had fried green tomatoes, collard greens, mac n cheese, and roast beef. The corn bread was really delicious too. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't the place. If you're looking for real tasty and delicious home cooked food at a decent price, THIS IS THE PLACE. I guess they're not open all day so it's best to go earlier in the day. I'm sad I discovered this place the actual day I was flying back home. I can't wait to get back to Nashville and eat here.
(5)Nash B.
one of the best meat & three's in Nashville. don't miss it. basically, they have good ol' Southern food.....so jump in & experience it. the other meat & three's that I like in Nashville are: Wendell Smith's Swett's You can't go wrong at these fine Southern establishments! (Arnold's, yes, can have a line to wait in....but it's always worth it to me....unless you're extremely pressed for time. they make the line move pretty fast too.)
(5)David K.
Excellent food, possibly the best that I ate while in Nashville. The Meat and three was excellent as was the bannana pudding and pie that we had for dessert. Will make sure to go every time we are in town!
(5)Christian S.
Not trying to be redundant, but the meat & three is clearly the way to go. 4 meat choices per day, double that for sides and it's still only $7.19! You get two different types of homemade cornbread along with your meal, as well. Roast beef, macaroni & cheese and the mashed potatoes are all highly recommended.
(5)Yuki H.
Southern cafeteria style. Good ole' southern style soul food home cooked meals. YUM! The restaurant is located in the middle of nowhere and on a corner in red. So hood! Got in at around 2:15 PM. 15 minutes before closing. You heard right. They only open from 10:30-2:30. 4 hours of deep concentrated eating! The classic "meat and three" for under $7. GOODNESS. Remember it's cafeteria style so line up and go down the line. Started off with a nice crisp salad, then got down to business. Had the "catfish" (in the south, they love dem they catfish) And let me tell you. Their's were 10x better than the one's I tried off of Beale Street in Memphis. I had the meatloaf. I loathe meatloaf too but this one was sweet and juicy. For my sides had to get me some greens. Green Beans, Turnip Greens (a first and definitely not the last) and mashed potatoes (no gravy necessary). One thing I wish they had that particular day were the Fried Green Tomatoes that everyone on Yelp was raving about! I will next time for sure. For dessert I had this Coconut Crunch Pie. I'm telling you. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I had to order TWO of these. No one makes a pie like this one. Talked with the owner's wife Rosario (You are so kind. Thank you for visiting me and my associates later on at the auction!) and had a grand ole time. All the people working at Arnold's were kind and very intuitive in refilling your drink or helping with anything you need. It really felt like home. While walking out, I saw that they recently just received the James Beard award. WHAT? That is nuts. They won as the America's Classics Award winner. I see on Yelp that there are only 30-something reviews for this place? Where are all you Nashville people at?
(5)Daniela J.
Amazing food, especially considering the (incredibly) reasonable prices - two full, heaping lunch plates plus drinks for less than $20. The servers were all super friendly and when they found out we were from out of town they brought us even more food to try (didn't hurt that it was after 3pm and the lunch shift was done). Plus one guy sat down to chat with us and tell us where the locals go at night to party. Get the spicy chocolate cake!
(5)Tin N.
One of the best meat & twos/threes cafeterias in Nashville in my opinion. I like the variety offered each day, even though not every item available is necessarily great. For example, the banana pudding is a bit too sweet for me. But these are minor issues that do not take away from the overall quality of food.
(5)Sydney M.
It's surprisingly hard to find good country cookin in Nashville. I'm from Mississippi so I'm used to a certain caliber of greasy foods. Arnold's does not disappoint. Probably some of the best fried green tomatoes I've had. A really good meat and 3. Get there early or the line will be out the door.
(4)Becca G.
Roast beef, collard greens, mac n' cheese, fried green tomatoes, corn cakes, unsweet tea. Fin.
(5)Christiane A.
I wouldn't have ever visited Tennessee if it were not for my friend and partially because of the food. And let me tell you I had a southern food baby at Arnold's, named it Earl. Earl is part catfish (on Wednesdays), green beans, black eyed peas, and corn bread. Let me tell you something, Earl was quite the big and happy food baby. A week in the South is like my years worth of calories. There are no words to describe the party that happened in my mouth, other than if Paris Hilton knew about, she'd try to crash THAT party (and yes I just cancelled out what I just said because I did describe it, shaddup). If you decide to visit Southern states that are predominantly white and are any other race other than White, prepare to get stared at. I don't think they normally see an Asian eating like a pig, or an Asian for that matter.
(5)Brent W.
This was the first place I ate at when visiting Nashville and it was delicious. I have never heard of "meat plus three" until now. The place is kind of small and off the beaten path a bit. I went on a Thursday and it was packed. They have about 3-4 different meat specials every day and I ordered the chicken fried steak which was covered in brown gravy and cooked onions. This was phenomenal! It wasn't too salty and it was very crunchy, definitely not what I expected so I was impressed. My three sides were the mashed potatoes, green beans and mac & cheese. The potatoes and green beans were good, but the mac & cheese was very good. My girlfriend let me try her roast beef and turnip greens, which I loved the roast beef, but didn't prefer the turnip greens. I wish I would have ordered a slice of pecan pie but I was too full from the lunch. I recommend this place for anyone visiting Nashville if they are looking for some good ol' southern home cookin'.
(5)Leanne B.
The food is good yes but I think the desert portions are a little small! I walked across downtown just to go here and I don't think the chess cake was any better than what I had at Jacks the previous day!! Mash was good but nothing special!
(3)Laura E.
AWESOME HOMEMADE SOUTHERN FOOD!!! People working there are simply GREAT!!! funny and helpful!!! Mac n cheese are a MUST HAVE!!! DELICIOUS!!!!
(5)Frances D.
THE BEST fried green tomatoes, macaroni, and greens. Don't let the line discourage you. It moves quickly, and you will leave full and happy.
(5)Chef X.
Really People?!?! Everything they serve is dead, gray, limp and way past due. My Navy buddy says it reminds him of his days in the service going through the chow line. Somebody please explain to me what I ain't gettin'. I'm all ears!
(1)Dustin A.
I'm not going to go on a huge rant about this place as you can get plenty of detailed info from other reviews, but man .... This place is GOOD. I'm not talking "you find a 5'er in your pocket on laundry day" good. I'm talking "once you've eaten here it is HARD to not want to eat here ATLEAST once a week" good. The food in incredible, the crowd is diversified and the staff are always in a good mood. It honestly seems like they enjoy working there. Its such a weird vibe. I love it. You get your food quick and you get full quick cause you cant slow down the plate to fork to mouth motion. Do yourself a favor and try out what has been voted "best meat n three" around. You wont be sad you did.
(5)Candy W.
The best meat & three in Nashville. Maybe, in the country. I absolutely have nothing bad to say about Arnold's. Roasted beef is not to be missed!! Juicy, tender, flavorful gravy. Collard greens are the best I ever have. Excellent flavor....I can eat it every day of my life. Their chess pie is super delicious. Everything is delicious. Come to see it yourself why it's a Nashville institute.
(5)Ken L.
First time in Nashville so did a lil yelp'in once I got here. Had NO IDEA what a meat and 3 was either. Needless to say when I heard about this place I had to try.... with all the high rankings and all..... I ordered a few things since I was in town for a short period of time. I ordered the meat 'n 3: Chicken with yams, collards, and grits. I didn't know what GOOD chicken was until I ate chicken here. So juicy and cooked just right. I ordered the homemade cobbler and that hit the spot. The guy in charge gave me some generous "samplings" of their prime rib slices with au jus. Places like this make me wish I lived here. The service was very friendly too. So kind. Then again, just about everyone in Nashville were really nice folks.
(5)Carrie T.
best ever. sweet tea, yes please, my only complaint is the Styrofoam cups. I ate here at least once a week when I was pregnant earlier this year. I love the food and I adore all the guys that work there. It is hands down the most up beat and kind staff of any restaurant in town. Someone earlier said the greens weren't good but every time I have them they are so so so good, but then again an actual southern girl is gonna love her some actual southern food.
(5)Caesar R.
Awesome meal here for Friday's lunch while here in Nashville. The line was long, but moved quickly and the service was super friendly. The guys dishing out the goods from behind the cafeteria style service bar were funny and really showed us a good time, even being from NY and all. This food was no joke. Got one of the last orders of the fried green tomatoes in the place. These things were fried to perfection and just perfect melt in your mouth consistency. The roast beef and meat loaf were both devoured by the GF and myself. The green beans with ham in them, white beans and mac and cheese didn't stand a chance either. The pecan pie was super sweet, but managed to win the fight as we were too full to enjoy the treat. This food was a great representation of southern cooking and it was the only place in town that I have experienced decent corn bread. Believe it!
(4)Eric B.
dear arnold, i love you. lovingly, eric b
(5)Mae K.
Maybe I'm a Yankee, but I thought this was good, but maybe not as good as the other reviews say. I left happy, but not blown away. The mac and cheese was fantastic and the fried green tomatoes were meltingly soft in the middle, but for my taste, I would've preferred a bit less fried breading on the tomatoes.
(3)Nic B.
Ultra salty, uber sweet, undeniably southern
(3)Darcy L.
I moved, and now my boyfriend & I live one block from this place. Resistance is futile! (Especially on days when they serve beef brisket)
(5)shaun p.
I had the roastbeef my girlfriend had the country fried steak both were great freshly sliced beef you cannt go wrong. It was very tender and full of flavor.The country fried was smothered in a brown gravy with onions very tasty.Now the sides were outstanding the sweet cream corn,the turnip greens,mashed taters and mac and cheese were all top of the line southern style cooking.It can with cornbread muffins and hot water corn bread.We ended the lunch banana pudding which was the best I have ever had.It was a perfect ending to the lunch.This place was super busy which is a good thing seating was a bit off putting but we found a empty table.The line was long the whole time we were there.Best meat and three in nashville
(5)Nathan W.
OMG Jeffrey, this place is amazing! Not because it has won a James Beard award, not because it gets to call itself a meat and 3. No, its amazing because as crowded as it is, as noisy as it is, its still the best at what it does. The food shines. Nothing on the daily menu is bad, and if you make a mistake ordering don't worry, your still going to be happy. You literally can't go wrong.
(5)Wendy M.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? It is awesome, I love it and today they gave me the absolute BEST CHEESE GRITS I have ever had! And I love that the greens have wasabi in them. That's just the very definition of the New South.....
(5)Lynda O.
Wow first visit and it was everything thatit was suppose to be! I had fried chicken, pinto beans, creamed potatoes, and marinated cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It was all delicious! Everything was seasoned to perfection! Can't wait to get back to Nashville so I can eat there again!
(5)Rach M.
The food here is great. It's a popular place so expect a crowd. Great flavors and choices.
(4)Erin D.
Okay, so when I saw that all the reviews had given this place five stars I was a bit skeptical. I mean how could "everybody" love this restaurant? Well after lunch today, I'm a believer and had to give my own raving review. I was really nervous we weren't going to be able to find parking because of the demand but they have a huge lot. The line wasn't that long when we got there at about 12:30p on a Thursday. They had three different meat choices and a ton of veggies. I had the fried green tomatoes (SO yummy), Mac N Cheese and green beans. The food was fantastic. Eating there is a bit much. It's really crammed but the employees are super sweet and really on top of busing tables. This is the best meat and three I've ever been to. I wish it were open for more than just weekday lunches.
(5)Cara P.
Yeah, it still is that good. My parents are visiting from CA & we took them to Arnold's for lunch (we had to explain the concept of a meat n three to them--not something you find in Newport Beach). They were just blown away. As they should've been. The greens were fabulous, so were the fried green tomatoes. The meatloaf was yummy. My dad had the fried catfish & is still talking about it. The ONLY bad thing about Arnold's is that they're only open for lunch on weekdays, so we can't go very often! Guys? Couldja open for lunch on Saturdays maybe? Just one Saturday a month even? Please?
(5)Chris P.
Yep, this place is awesome. I was in Nashville this past weekend and used Yelp to find a good place for some country food and I'm so happy that I was pointed to this joint. I got the meat & 3 but really had a hard time deciding on what to get - I finally just had to ask them to pick whatever they like and put it on my plate. As the man said behind the counter "they fixed me up real good". The food was awesome, authentic country food and a place that I will visit anytime I'm back in Nashville. The line was outside the door when we arrived, but it went very quickly.
(5)Curtis H.
Awesome selection of southern favorites. The bbq pork crepe (corn pancake) with a smoked gouda sauce was a nice surprise. Sides all tasted great. Finished off with the pecan pie, which was very good.
(4)Nikki E.
I got to visit Arnold's on a visit to Nashville and it was amazing. The food was delicious from the collard greens to the roast beef. I would go there again in a heartbeat and it helps that everyone was super friendly.
(5)carrie s.
Oh my gosh what can I say. Call it Southern food, Comfort Food or a meat and 3 vegetable place, I don't care, this place is the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Only open for lunch and line up and share a table but believe you will not be disappointed. I would almost make a trip back just to eat here.
(5)Kathryn C.
Stopped here for lunch during my road trip from Houston, TX to Dayton, OH. It was featured on... you guessed it -DDD! So, so glad we stopped. Yes, it was crowded, but that is usually a good sign! I noticed lots of suits in there too, even though it's a pretty divey place. Doesn't matter, because the roast beef and fried green tomatoes were out of this world! The creamed corn was very sweet and tasty and the cornbread and flatcakes were a nice compliment. Good Southern, finger-licking food! Would love to come back some day.
(4)Brian W.
If I ever find myself in the unfortunate position of having to choose my last meal, at least I already know what it would be: Arnold's roast beef, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and green beans.
(5)Amanda H.
Wish I was in Nashville longer to be able to go back on a different day and try different entrees and sides. I think it may have been some of the best roast beef I have ever had though! Sides were equally tasty and I was certainly in the clean plate club that day. The line moves at an impressive rate.
(5)Jill R.
Oh my goodness. Best damn brisket I've ever had - i'm pretty sure I yelled it while I was still in the place. Also, their pecan pie...there are no words. If you're in Nashville, LOOK THIS PLACE UP!
(5)Geneviève E.
I don't like chicken on the bone, but Arnold's fried chicken is irresistable! Great authentic southern food!
(5)Claudia Y.
it's so damn good. you just have to go. that's all there is to it. and a bonus to the truly great food is the people who work there are incredibly warm and sincerely kind.
(5)MTraveler H.
Friends of ours who frequent Nashville recommended that we try out Arnold's during our first visit in town. It is southern food at its best and has a large selection to choose from. I would qualify it as a cafeteria style, very casual place. The portions are generous, I had the fried green tomatoes, bbq beef and white bean side dish-delicious! Not the best place for calorie counters, more for those who want a good, true blue, mostly fried, southern meal at a reasonable price. We walked from the Marriott downtown, I would not do this walk alone and definitely not at night...the neighborhood seems to be in a slight transitional stage. Arnold's is yum, yum!
(5)Rachael S.
My mother was recently in town and I had a great excuse to fill my self up with starch with her here. We headed to Arnold's and fell completly in love!!! The food is amazing and yes! I did see a James Beard award on the wall, holy cow! I love fried chicken and the mac and cheese here is to die for!
(5)Seth H.
Possibly the best meat-n-three in the world, yes the world. Eat the deserts, no excuse. Prepare to wait in line, but holy cow is it worth it. That's all that needs be said.
(5)Jonathon S.
Walked all the way from the Parthenon to get to Arnold's, which my friend had somehow heard about beforehand (probably on here). We were hungry, but decided to walk the extra distance to check it out (even passed a Jack in the Box, which isn't easy for me to do since there aren't any where I live in Florida). I am glad we did! You stand in line with your tray, maybe grab a piece of pie (you should), tell the friendly folks behind the counter whatchuwant, which can be a Meat and One, Two, Three or Four. The meats we got: fried catfish, roast beef, chicken and dumplings. The sides: mashed potatos and gravy, fried green tomatos, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese. Fresh squeezed lemonade. All of it delicious. Arnold's is just simple Southern comfort food done very, very well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kenzi N.
Recently, my husband and I had a day getaway to Nashville. I was looking for a new place to add to our food list. My husband had the roast beef, mashed potatoes, greens, and mac n cheese. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I loved everything, except for the roast beef. The greens were some of the best I have ever had. Wish we had gotten desert! We got there around 10:45, and as we left the crowd started to form. I loved the corn bread, but loved the corn cake even more. I live over an hour away, and I am looking for an excuse to drive back soon!
(5)Tim A.
Best meat and three in Nashville, hands down. Try to avoid during 12-1, otherwise the line will be out the door, with good reason. Try the fried green tomatoes and bread pudding!
(5)Steve C.
Had lunch there today. Food was well seasoned and tasty. The roast beef wasn't overcooked and the au jus had lots of flavor. Only got three very thin slices of meat. Portion sizes were very small and I was still hungry when I left. I won't bother ever going back. Obviously they're just handing out James Beard awards these days. I would have expected some sort of remolaude sauce or something for the fried green tomatoes. Basically I was very disappointed, considering the accolades this place has gotten. Very run of the mill as far as I'm concerned.
(3)Kelly S.
Wow! This was the first place we tried in Nashville. It is amazing. And the owner and staff were wonderful to us tourists from Vegas. You won't be disappointed. It's delicious.
(5)Ziggy M.
It was our last day of vacation and decided to stop by Arnold's for lunch. Being from the east coast I remember when diners like this were a fixture in CT during the sixties and seventies. Arnold's knows how to put together a great meal in a great atmosphere with great people.
(4)Tim O.
Arnold's is an outstanding meat and three. Fried chicken was great and each side was better than the last. My four and a half year old ( a foodie in training ) has asked for Arnold's chicken everyday since we left Nashville more than a week ago.
(5)Kay K.
I love Arnold's and have been there several times, which is why it was on my list as one of the Nashville "musts" for my foreign boyfriend to try. Why is it when you build up something it always, always falls short? I ordered fried green tomatoes and macaroni. My boyfriend the roast beef, mashed potatoes and sweet tea. The faces he made after one bite of the beef were something I hope I never see again. Ghastly. Poor boyfriend then reached for the sweet tea and nearly went into glucose shock. It was at this point I tasted his plate and confirmed that his items were terrible. The roast beef was so overly salted (and I have lived in the South many years - I understand the difference between salty and over salted) that it was inedible. The tea was truly horrific tasting and had a viscosity I haven't encountered since science lab. We still laugh about how I tried to poison him with Southern food. Have I been back? Yes. Has it been good? Yes. Does it have the possibility of being the worst experience of your life? Yes. So, it may be tasty but the stuff will kill you - somewhere down the line, or even on your first visit.
(2)Bradley H.
Great food! Don't be turned away if there is a long line out the door. The line actually moves quickly. Best cafe food you can find. The pork chop and chicken and dumplings are amazing. Whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert. The selection of pies change daily, but all are excellent examples of good southern dessert. Be warned southern dessert and sweet tea are just that sweet.
(5)Ty J.
OK, this is embarassing but I've been a TN resident for 45 years and never heard of Arnold's until a buddy visiting from OH found it on DDD and wanted to try it. We're both pretty big fellas so Arnold's was more of a "meat plus 4 or 5" and dessert for us, especially since we had a lot of lost time to make up for. I told him while we were in line, which was out the door at 1:15 but moved very quickly, that I recognized one of the gentlemen eating at a nearby table. "That's either a local politician or a TV anchor", I told him. I knew I'd seen him before. 5 minutes later I realized, it was the Governor! A good sign. We could've kept on going all day - everything was superb. I'll be back to try the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and chicken & dumplings soon!
(5)Peter H.
open weird hours for me. I think its open from 6-230 am. Got there at around 1100 and a good thing because when we finished eating, a line had already started to form outside in the smothering memphis heat. Food service is cafeteria style. Our meat was bbq pork which was cooked very well with just enough bbq sauce on top. The sides were excellent. I opted for meat plus three. I got the squash which aside from some more roughage, tasted excellent. The green beans were okay but the mac and cheese was very good. I topped it off with an iced tea. Meal was under 10 dollars and delicious but not very filling. I guess my stretched out american stomach wanted a bigger portion. Otherwise I love the authenticity of this place.
(4)Todd D.
This place is excellent!
(5)Laura F.
Despite all the raving reviews, I found the food to be serviceable. Had it been freshly made I'm sure it would've been better. It also may have been better had I not done carry-out.
(3)Jasmine M.
Yes the two guys across the street from Arnold's were smoking crack when we passed them. Ok so it might be a slightly dicey part of town, but I did want to tell them there was no need for drug crack when you have fried green tomato crack across the street. Addictive but much better for you. Arnold's is typical get your grub on no frills cafeteria style lunch. If you want a nicer place, go to Monnell's. Though for food, I think Arnold's schools Monnell's. One the fried green tomatoes are incredible. By far, the best I have ever had. They are really nicely seasoned with some spicy kick to them. The macaroni cheese is great as is the creamed corn. I had fried shrimp and my boyfriend had roast beef. There were a number of other choices too that all looked and smelled incredible. The meal was heavenly, and because it was a meat and three and not an all you can eat, I left stuffed but not sick. Yeah, I have to let someone else control my portion size. The staff was super friendly and on hand for refills of sweet tea.
(5)Ryan S.
Great food and excellent staff as well. The only drawback was the line being out the door, but I will definitely be back regardless.
(4)Andrea N.
I will come out of my way to eat here. The vegetables are so tasty, and the beef was juicy. The service was friendly and made us feel comfortable knowing that we weren't from Nashville. Unfortunately, I only had 1 meal here...wish I had more.
(5)Kaiping S.
meat and 3 is no joke. do not trifle with your lunch here. you really can't go wrong with any of the sides (especially fried green tomatoes!) or meat you choose. sweet tea is on point, and as other reviewers mentioned, the banana pudding is ridiculously tasty. if you are in the mood for desert be sure to pick that bad boy up. my only regret is not being able to come here every day of the week to try the different meats available. cafeteria style so prices are cheap and line could be long but don't let that fool you. the line moves quickly and you will enjoy anything you try here. also great because its walking distance to downtown for visitors without a car.
(5)steven c.
Wow! What can I say that has not already been said. Simply the best meat and 3 ever.
(5)Dot V.
I loved it! I wish we had places like this in metro Atlanta. We arrived at 1p.m. but the line was still a little bit out the door. The tables were all full and I wondered how we were going to find a place to sit but, surprisingly, they clear out fast. The food is country cookin at it's best. I had the roast beef with mashed potatoes and squash. I'm not a cornbread fan so I chose the yeast rolls. They were melt in your mouth goodness. Everything was very yummy. The only drawbacks for me were the parking lot being so rough and the restaurant being extremely noisy and crowded.
(4)Sue S.
Don't worry about the line - it moves fast and it's worth it. And every single dish will be the best "insert food here" you've ever tasted. A serious yum.
(5)Scott G.
Solid meat & 3 but nothing incredible. Can be hard to get a seat at lunch time.
(3)Sean M.
This may well be the best food in all Nashville. It is definately the best southern food I have ever had and I have lived in the south for over 17 years. Don't miss the pecan pie!
(5)Theresa D.
Fried fish good. Collards good. Vinegar with tabasco peppers on everything very good. Chess pie, just heaven (and even 30 minutes before closing, lots of great options!).
(5)Sam D.
It's a classic meat-n-three. It's the one that's in all of the tourist guidebooks. You'll find Arnold there most days himself, serving up the meat on the buffet line. You may even see a celebrity or two. I caught John Prine there eating some green beans once. There may be a line.
(3)Susan K.
This is one place where you could really eat your face off. Very low key, cafeteria-style, and apparently where a lot of big wig politicians in Nashville like to graze. I got the 4 vegetables plate, and I chose squash casserole, turnip greens, asparagus, and macaroni & cheese. It came with a corn muffin and a corn cake. Everything I chose was cooked to perfection, and nothing was overly salty. This was something I was afraid of, because typically southern food is highly salted, if not floating in butter. Needless to say, I WILL be coming back here, but I would advise getting water unless you like your tea syrup sweet. Next time I'd like to try a meat and maybe even a dessert. My coworker said the banana pudding is to die for. Arnold's definitely left me wanting more.
(5)Rhonda P.
We read the reviews and thought we would give it a try. The food was fair, not at all like we expected. The mashed potatoes had a large lump the size of an egg, no seasoning. The ham was mostly fat and the rest of very salty and seemed undercooked. The price was way too high for quality of food we got. Will NOT go back here again.
(1)Brad B.
old school. the family could have franchised, opened more locations in better parts of town, even closed this little place down and move to Green Hills or Williamson County -- but they didn't. Just the right size. Lines are omnipresent, but by the time you get your food, there's always a table available. Arrive early for your best choice - when it's gone, it's gone. Fried green tomatoes with hot sauce, barbecue chicken, chipotle grits, roast beef, pecan pie, banana pudding, sigh. Any restaurant that can run lunch M-F only and stay in business for 50 years is doing it the right way. One of my favorite places to eat in Nashville, and it will be one of your favorites, too.
(5)Craig M.
My type of place! Everything was tasty and the staff was friendly. Came at closing time and asked about a dish and they offered me a sample as it was closing time. Went twice this year and I am from NJ!
(4)Mell F.
Damn you Yelp for forcing me to choose either 3 or 4 stars when I really need 3.5 here. You expect me to be so firm and decisive when I want to be laid back and non-committal! I'm tempted to give 4 stars, but I refuse to sacrifice what's left of my objectivity and reputation just to fit in with the bulk of humanity... However, I do reserve the right to increase my rating upon subsequent visits or if the loneliness becomes too much to bear. (I almost feel like there should be a distinction between cafeteria style M&3s like Arnold's, and sit-down M&3s like Southern Bred or H&T's. But whatever.) Good food, friendly and efficient staff, old-school dining area, and come-as-you are feel make this a solid choice to add to your lunch rotation. I enjoyed the country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. The yeast rolls and banana pudding were also tasty. Nothing was mind blowing today, but it was all good. The county-fried steak was served from a pan full of brown gravy. I prefer the small-batch, white gravy variety so I'm not sure I would get it again since there are so many other entree options. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more stuff, including a very serious looking bread pudding. Maybe I'll see you.
(3)Will O.
Best Meat and Three in town....Period. Probably one of the best I have been to anywhere. The sweet tea is like cold liquid sugar. Awesome!
(5)Robert K.
Arnold's is the quintessential meat n' three joint in downtown Nashville. Arnold's serves up some seriously tasty southern style chicken dishes. Arnold's is distinctly different from the other meat n' three places in Nashville, in that there have been boat loads of celebrities that have visited the place. Arnold's has the pictures to prove it, the concrete block walls are adorn with pictures of country music heroes and local celebrities. The absolute best thing on the menu is the ham, which they serve on Tuesdays. They cut the slices so fat, it takes up the entire plate. Of course, they have the traditional meat n' three sides like mashed potatoes and string beans or some sort of veggie. Like most of the food at Arnold's, they smother the string beans in butter or the like! If your kids are not eating their vegetables, bring them to Arnold's they will gobble the string beans right up!
(4)ivan n.
I love Arnold and his bananna pudding.. No homo
(5)Ryan H.
Hands down the best meat in three......EVER. If you haven't been there, it will in fact change your life.
(5)Rebecca B.
If you live in Nashville and long for really good and authentic southern cooking than look no further than Arnold's!! This particular "meat and three" has home-made everything! It is a family-run restaurant that has its walls adorned with every famous country legend that has ever worked in Nashville. Its definitely a hole in the wall but it's really a gem as far as Nashville meat and three's go. I prefer to go on Monday's for their keilbasa and kraut. I always get the mashed potatoes with some gravy off the roast beef for the day. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes when they have them, and ALWAYS get their lemonade with a splash of sweet tea. The ONLY thing that stinks about this place is how BUSY it is at lunch.There is literally a LINE OUT THE DOOR come noon time, but this is only because the food is to DIE FOR! Thankfully it moves very fast. Seriously though, the family is getting ready to renovate their building to give it some more seating and much needed kitchen space. So look for Arnold's to be EVEN BETTER in the future!! My little tip for pretty young things, steer clear of Arnold himself. He is a dirty ol' man with a vulgar mouth! I'm sure he is totally harmless and his sons that run the restaurant (with their mother at the helm) are very charming and good looking! Definitely get there super early or late unless you like sharing a table with people about to leave.
(5)Dana S.
The restaurant has plenty of southern casual atmosphere but overall the food is just average. Compared to delicious deep southern food I was raised up on, Arnold's is simply blah. The greens are pretty good but the roast beef, cornbread, even the tea and lemonade is just so-so. At least they do come around to offer drink refills.
(3)jenny v.
holy crap! this was one of my best meals ever. my husband did not believe me when i told him that southern cafeteria meat & threes is some fine eatin', but one visit to arnold's made him a convert. the fried chicken was divine and the soft rolls are amazing (must be the delicious lard). anyhoo, arnold's is why i've now decided that i must move to nashville!
(5)Ben F.
I've eaten at restaurants all over the United States, but none are as good as Arnold's when it comes to cooking meat and threes from scratch.
(5)Logan G.
Wow...this place was unbelievable. Seriously 5 stars all around. Smelled fantastic, people were super friendly (except the woman cashier who was texting while we were paying for our food, definitely uncharacteristic of everything about this place.) The rest of the staff was genuinely friendly and cared about taking care of you. I mean genuine. The food was sort of like a flashback, going thru the cafeteria line at school and while ordering the food I was kind of taken aback. BTW the guys putting your plate together were extremely nice as well (just that dang lady texting at the register? wtf are you doing there?) I had read reviews before coming and was prepared for a good meal but all I could think about was the cafeteria line at school. NOT THE CASE ON THE FIRST BITE! Holy smokes this is grandma's cookin' with fllllaaaavooor! Yes probably the most flavorful meal of down home cooking I have ever had. Mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and meatloaf. Pops had the fried grouper and it was unreal too. Super light crispy batter, again tons of flavor! Unbelievable...You must go, seriously. Treat yourself.
(5)J B.
What can I say that has not convinced you to try this place? I read about this place from Yelp, and I was convinced that I had to try it. After walking through a sketchy part of town and finding Arnold's, I knew that this place was amazing the second I stepped in through the door. Southern, cafeteria-style, heavenly "meat and three" scented bliss awaited me.
(5)Jacob R.
I'm surprised this doesn't have more reviews. Neighborhood is fine, the place is excellent.
(5)Heidi R.
I didn't know what a Meat & Three was til I moved to Nashville nearly 7 years ago. It took me years to try Arnold's -- but maybe I unknowingly saved the best for last. Arnold's is by far the BEST Meat & Three in Nashville (and in the rest of TN). It is also one of the most affordable. All of their food is wonderful but the roast beef w mashed potatoes and gravy and greens are AMAZING. If you are looking for fried chicken, theirs is very good but you can find better in Nashville. The corncakes are worth the wait if they've run out. The desserts r delish. And, I'm gonna say it again --all their food is wonderful... the epitome of what a true southern resteraunt should taste like -- delicious. I've got company coming into town next week and I'm going to take them there and make them wait in line... for food that will leave them asking for more whether it is roast beef or catfish, mashed potatoes or corn casserole, greens or green beans.
(5)Dorothy M.
Fabulous down-home, tastes like mama's been cookin all day, kinda food. It amazes me every time I visit & stop in how quick they serve @ this meat & 3...yet the food makes you feel spoiled & cared for. Hits the spot.
(5)John Michael E.
My absolute favorite lunch in Nashville. Can barely call it "a hole in the wall" because of how popular it is but if you're not from the south or if you're not from Nashville it is a MUST VISIT. The banana pudding is my favorite, and the corn cakes are amazing. I have not had one thing I didn't like, the staff is very helpful and kind. An absolute treat.
(5)Patricia S.
I had a friend recommend Arnold's, as well as my waiter at Etch. I didn't quite get the Meat and 3 concept, but I sure did when I arrived. We were lucky to arrive just before the line got crazy, and it sure did get crazy. The line goes quickly, and the food is surely affordable. The bus boy, ok not a boy at all, but an older man who is super friendly, funny and enjoyable. The servers are very efficient and are quite patient with us tourists when we ask questions. The fact that some people have to share tables actually makes for an accommodating and interesting environment. Kind of loved it. Must Haves: Turnip Greens Mac and Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Hot Chocolate Pie - fudge-like chocolate with hot pepper in a pie crust
(5)Kim Y.
Arnolds makes me like things I don't even like. I mean, can you often say places do that much for you? As I wait in the humongous yet always lightening fast line I meander through the daily options with a major open mind. Pork chops? Blech! Oh wait - I AM at Arnold's. Hit the top of the line - think fast Kim! The regulars behind you are about to go crazy on yo' butt! "I'll have the pork chop with collard greens and mac n cheese". What's gotten into me!? But man, the pork chop was fork tender, the collards not a bit bitter and the mac n cheese wasn't reminiscent of kindergarten paste; in fact the noodles were still in tact and actually tasted like cheese. I'm usually a biscuit/roll girl, and the yeasty monsters they serve here are delicious, but if you're a first timer, please order cornbread to soak up your greens juice/broth - its a southern staple according to my old guard friend and he doesn't steer me wrong! Other tips: don't be shy and don't show up with more than a group of 2 or 3 during the lunch rush - a place to sit may be tough to come by, but everyone is so happy and content from their plate lunch, they are in great moods and happy to share close quarters!
(5)Rudy L.
Can you say James Beard award winner. This is a Nashville food institution. Friday was amazing with having the option to taste their fried catfish. Overall this is a must visit for any Nashvillian and tourist.
(4)Jamie A.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was pretty disappointed with my first Arnold's experience. When I walked in I noticed a huge sign for takeout orders and assumed that is where you go to place a takeout order. Makes sense, right? It was just kind of a cluster. After standing there, feeling completely in the way, for a few minutes the lady behind the register brought instructed me to write down my order on a sheet of paper. After locating the slips of paper myself. I wrote down my order. It proceeded to get handed back and forth for a few minutes between at least 4 people before it was prepared (there were very few people in line at this point, 11am). I did notice that a lot of people were getting their to-go orders in the line. I get home with the tasty smelling food only to realize that they left the awesome looking gravy off of the potatoes *sad face*! They were just okay. Kind of dry. Mac and Cheese was the definite star. The yeast rolls were also heaven sent. Green Beans were okay, too much pepper. Creamed corn was a bit off. I am definitely going to give it another try...I will have to try one of the meat options next time. Also, next time I will go through the line and make sure my complete order ends up in the box. This is probably a more appropriate 2 star review, but that mac & cheese and yeast rolls. I'll be dreaming of them.
(3)Jason L.
Best meat and three in Nashville. The catfish is incredible. The green beans were awesome . And I do not like green beans. Great casual atmosphere.
(5)April B.
I'm not sure what I can say to you to describe how good this place is! I had the chicken and dumplings, green beans and mac n cheese. He had the roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Both of us didn't talk much while we were eating since we were too busy inhaling our food. Afterward we both looked at each other and said "Wow. That was amazing". Don't get discouraged by the line that might be going out the door. The line moves very quick and the tables turn quick. This is a must stop!!
(5)Tristan W.
holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredible. if you have a problem with this place you're a damn fool. amazing. the rolls are even homemade!!!!!!!! and the folks that work there are sweet as shit. go.
(5)Kathie C.
The place had a long line even tho we got there after 1 pm. Very noisy and crowded. However the roast beef, the BBQ brisket, the squash casserole were very good. The black eyed beans were blah, as was the coconut creme pie. And the hot chocolate pie was very HOT!
(4)Austin C.
This is the best of hole in the wall food in Nashville! The atmosphere is great as it is always crowded and sometimes a squeeze to find a seat but it only adds to the southern charm! And the food is ridiculous! Large portions of home made southern staples. I highly recommend seeing what day the roast beef special is as it is my favorite! And the Cheyenne pepper fudge pie is phenomenal! I highly recommend for a southern meal right outside downtown Nashville.
(5)Eighty S.
I am a southern boy, so when I heard of Arnold's Country Kitchen and all of their accolades, I had to go. I grabbed my big appetite cousin and we headed over the railroad tracks. Luckily we got there just before the big rush, the place was almost packed, but fifteen minutes later there was a line outside the door and it spilled over into the parking area. The place is small with just a few tables but that's cool. It wouldn't hurt them to do a deep cleaning. The order line, plates, and eating utensils reminded me of a prison cafeteria (never been, but seen them on TV). So we are about to order and the good thing is, you can see all the food you are about to devour (especially my beloved CHESS PIE). It was Tuesday so I ordered the meatloaf, 1 piece of catfish, candied yams, turnip greens, mac & cheese, hot water cornbread and chess pie of course. My cousin ordered the meatloaf as well, along with the same sides plus the white beans. Everything was just ok, but the turnip greens were missing that love and extra home cooked flavor. The meatloaf was not my fave but edible; however, the mac and cheese was the winner on the plate. The chess pie was average (try Rose's home-style catering and bakery chess squares). I made the catfish work with a lil added hot sauce. Oh boy I wish they would have had some good sweet red Kool-Aid ha-ha. One of the good things was the service, they moved the line pretty fast and everyone had a smile on their face. They recognized the regulars, and chit chatted with every guest. The price for portion size of food is pretty accurate. I can't say it's the best meat and three in Nashville, but all in all the food was average nothing to tell mother about. This establishment is part of Nashville's' history, but James Beard award winner, I don't think so. More important, this is a Nashville institution that the people here love.
(3)Chris E.
Cafeteria-style dining. The food was great. I had the roast beef, green beans, and pinto beans. Probably the best roast beef I've ever had. My wife loved her meal, too.
(5)Joe P.
Awesome meat and 3. If you don't get there before 11:30, chances are high that the line will be out the door. I suggest waiting though bc it will move fast!
(5)Scott C.
Great, great, great place for lunch on a weekday. Favorite day by far is Thursday when they have the country fried steak and fried green tomatoes. Add some mashed potatoes and their amazing Mac and cheese...boom!! If you really want it all, then get the banana pudding and then grab a pillow and blanket for your afternoon nap.
(4)Ross T.
HOLY COW!! How come no one told about this place before!! I LOVE IT! Cafeteria style with BOSS Southern food. Extremely friendly folks who know how to cook and deliver it with a smile. Country fried steak was the special of the day, and they loaded it up with collards and mashed potatoes. I wish I could have eaten 3 servings. Went with vegetarian wife and two friends and everyone said the same thing. This place is an institution for a reason. Well worth it and we'll be back again. First stop after the airport.
(5)Teresa B.
Easily the best Meat and 3 in town! The mac & cheese is the real deal, the roast beef is to die for and don't pass up the fried green tomatoes! It's like going to grandma's house except that you have to get back in line for seconds so you better pile up the plate the first time around!
(5)Michelle P.
Well, when one thinks of a restaurant that wins a James Beard award, it doesn't usually look like Arnold's. Arnold's really is a down home, southern style restaurant that serves amazingly good food, with equally amazing service and comfy cafeteria style seating. I will absolutely return...if I can make the hours of course & if I have the time to wait on the line for lunch!!
(5)David O.
Arnolds is probably the best Meat and three that I've been to. But that statement comes with some important caveats. First of all, its very popular, and thus very busy. We went for lunch, and arrived at around 10:45am. By 11am the place was packed. Secondly, its not very friendly to newcomers. Make sure you know what you want before you get in line. They take a "no bullsh*t" approach to getting you through the line. No doubt because of how busy it is. Its not that they aren't friendly, its just that they don't have time to hold your hand. I can see how this might be off-putting to newcomers. The food itself is really good, and does have that "Just like grandma makes" feel to it. If you are looking for a Meat and 3, you really can't go wrong with Arnolds. Just make sure you get there early!
(4)Nate H.
Oh god no. Never again. We came here based on the great reviews guaranteeing a cheap authentic Nashville meal only to receive a pile of fatty brisket and a plate of flavorless vegetables, FOR 30 DOLLARS. I'd say I got two decent pieces of meat, the rest was all fat and it destroyed my appetite. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN. To tack on to this, it was disgustingly hot in the restaurant. I am sorry, I genuinely don't exaggerate reviews, but this place made us leave Nashville feeling sour.
(1)Elizabeth M.
Best food ever! I have no idea what they put in the squash it is heavenly. Nothing fancy a cafeteria style meal of the best food you will ever eat!
(5)Janette C.
One of the diners dives and drive in spots and it is completely worth stopping for! The lunch crowd can go out the door so go early!
(5)Amber S.
This is the best southern food I have ever had, with exception of course to my mother-in-law's. The place is a little dive, easy to miss if you're driving through, and definitely a no-frills atmosphere. The clientele is mostly friendly blue-collar, good ol' country folk, with a few of the downtown corporate types thrown into the mix. The line was long when we arrived, but moved very quickly. The guys behind the counter were so warm and welcoming, and every bit southern gentleman ("yes ma'am, no ma'am"). I had the roast beef, hubby had the catfish, and we both had the mac and cheese, greens and mashed potatoes. The roast beef is by far the BEST roast beef I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly, juicy and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was slightly wetter than I'm used to, but had a really good cheese flavor. I had heard that the greens were the best in Nashville, and I have to say, they were awesome! They had a great smoky pork flavor with a hint of sweetness. The mashed potatoes were buttery and yummy. My husband loved the catfish, and he doesn't eat seafood! We had pecan pie for desert, and wow was it sweet! I took a few bites, and had to put the rest in a little box for later. The atmosphere here is wonderful. Everyone treats each other like they're old friends, and will invite you to sit with them at their table if it's a little extra crowded. The owner is a super nice guy and goes out of his way to make sure you feel special. I recommend trying out Arnold's if you're in the mood for a great Meat & Three. I definitely see myself becoming a regular here.
(5)Brent G.
The meat and threes here are, indeed, absolutely fantastic. The mustard greens are the best I have tasted. The owner was present and walking around. I had seen him on TV. He was nice enough to tell us that he got the fish batter so puffy by adding more baking soda to the mix. Terrific, cheap, but crowded. Get there early! Going back Ina few days and I live in California. Also, the man has won a James Beard award for Pete's sake! This, along with Monelle's are my absolute must stops when in Nashville!
(5)Lauren L.
I really like this place. I went here on a friend's recommendation, and it's really good. There's always a line, but it moves pretty fast, so nobody has to wait long. It can also be a little crowded within the restaurant, but that's not really a factor for me when I go somewhere for lunch.
(4)Harold L.
When the person in front of you in line is regularly on the food network you know that you're in a great spot. Everything that I had was delicious and the staff were incredibly friendly. If you're looking for southern style home cooking this is it! On a 2 week road trip this may have been the best food we ate the entire way. Next time I'm in town this will be my first stop!
(5)C K.
Super good. My first visit to a real meat & 3. So delicious!
(4)Daniel L.
Yes, yes, and more yes. If I lived near here, I would frequent Arnold's daily and immediately gain fifty pounds. Besides, when the first comment you're told is to grab a plate and eat because you've traveled across the country, you know you're in a great place. My girlfriend and I lined up cafeteria-style and sampled their roast beef, tilapia, and kielbasa. The beef was tender and seasoned perfectly without being overly salty; the tilapia was flaky, moist, and placed over plump white rice with a great sauce (I forget what it was, but it rocked); and the kielbasa was grilled to perfection with crusty skin yet juicy plump innards. The sides were also quite good, but what struck us the most was the friendliness. We experienced it everywhere in Nashville, but never did we feel more at home than in Arnold's with the wonderful hospitality. The staff joked with everyone, and they were extremely helpful in explaining what different sides were. Inside is a little cramped, but that doesn't really matter. Everything is so great that you can't help but scarf it down before your stomach can protest. And, that is how I'll gain my fifty pounds.
(5)Em P.
Arnold's is one of those places I can only afford to lunch at when I'm not crazy busy at work, because once you scarf down a plate full of this deliciousness, your afternoon is spent in a food coma popping tums. When I moved here, I had no idea what a meat & 3 was. It's kinda like a lunch counter without the counter. Except this one has a Beard award. Yeah. I usually get the roasted beef and usually ask for some of the garlic pulled from the roast. I'm real nice when I ask, though. I've had their fried chicken (very solid) and meatloaf too (really good for meatloaf). Next time I think I'll get a plate of sides, because that's usually where on the line I get indecisive...mac and cheese is stellar, fried green tomatoes are heaven, mashed potatoes are creamy...I don't care if my entire plate is a beige tone. I wonder if they'll still give me the roasted garlic out of the beef if I'm not ordering the beef? Hmmm... Line moves fast, so don't get upset if it's out the door as it usually is. Make your mind up before you get close to the line, don't linger too long, and leave a couple of bucks for the guy that cheerfully busses your table. Staff is very friendly except if you're some mook who came in because they saw this place on Diner's Drive Ins and Dives wanting to try fried green tomatoes for the first time. I've seen several politicians here too, from local to federal. My husband has the unfounded complaint that "it's dirty" but he's kind of uppity sometimes. It's not a place for vegetarians, as I'm pretty sure everything has some sort of animal fat in it. Though I have lunched with otherwise vegetarian friends who turned a blind eye for the afternoon. I also enjoy that you have to grab your dessert first. Good philosophy!
(4)Jonathan M.
I am from the north and didn't know what to expect with this place. The atmosphere is straight up like a cafeteria. The food was great. It's about as southern as it gets. They only have a handful of options per day so if you have some picky eaters with you don't go here. I had some sort of meat that melted in my mouth. The downside to the place is the whole group I went with basically fell asleep when we got back to the studio. If you need to be productive after work stay as far away from this place as possible. If you are in need of some good sleep, go back for seconds. ; )
(4)Sara S.
YUM YUM YUMMY. If you are in the mood for some good down-home family cooking, look no further. They have tons of side items from green beans to mashed potatoes, and everyday they have specials on meat. I tried the kielbasa and sauerkraut and boy was it outta this world! I also had to treat myself to a slice of chess pie. I tell you what, that crust...oh my goodness. Oh yeah- they have RC on tap!!! Talk about throwback! Love it.
(5)Eddy W.
Just good food!!! nothing else to be said
(5)Tony C.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! that is all
(5)Elaine K.
I'd rather give 3.5 stars. Lunch on Monday was crowded. Line moves fast! Fried chicken delicious. It's not Gus's. Greens tangy and spicy good. Creamed corn and nana pudding best thing we ate. Roast beef just good. did not blow our socks off. Glad to have tried this Nashville icon.
(4)Lisa B.
This is seriously, in my opinion, the best meat and three in Nashville. When I was pregnant I was fortunate enough to work a couple of streets away and I can't begin to tell you how great that was...I try and take any out-of-towners here I can! Yes there can be a killer line and no parking if you go in the middle of lunch hour...but go a little after and you are golden. Its delicious, people. GO!
(5)Julia F.
On my visit to Nashville I relied on Yelp to steer me to good Southern Food. Being from Southern CA, I don't have any experience with Southern Food, and so I don't really have much to compare it to, but I loved all the food I had here. I even enjoyed waiting in line and watching what everyone else was eating. I was really impressed by the fried green tomatoes; major yumminess. So flavorful and crispy. I absolutely loved the grit cake, and the banana pudding dessert thing. I loved my entree as well, it was some sort of shredded pork with this gooey cheese sauce :) I loved the cafeteria style of this place, and all the people were so friendly to us, making sure we enjoyed our first taste of the south.
(5)Dan B.
Great food. Very busy but worth the wait! Loved the catfish and the collards.
(4)Linda B.
Moved to TN over a year ago and just now made it to Arnold's. I have to say. Hands down, the best southern food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was amazing from the roast beef to the grits cake to the banana pudding. Like others have said, best fried green tomatoes ever. Come early. Come often.
(5)Clarice C.
was helping my friend road trip from atlanta to denver and we drove through nashville at lunchtime. I was only allowed one meal here and SO glad I made it Arnold's! I'm sure you can tell by the Yelp reviews and line out the door but I just want to re-iterate that this is a MUST if you are in nashville! def has a cozy southern feel. it's like a cafeteria style ordering system. they have certain dishes on certain days. i got the Roast beef, fried green tomatoes, chocolate pie, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes for LUNCH! and ate it ALL. like who does that?? don't be intimidated by the line because it moves quickly and the food is so worth it!
(5)Spider J.
Everything was good here, but the banana pudding was NUTS. The staff was really friendly, as we came in with a baby, and they had someone carry a tray so we could carry the baby. The roast beef was medium rare and delightful. My only beef (ahahahaha. beef.) is that I didn't come on the right day to try the chicken, and it looks like they don't do brisket at all, which is a damned shame. Also, the plate that the chocolate cream meringue pie came on smelled of dishwater, and the smell kind of got into the pie. :-/ But even the vegetarian in our group was a happy monkey, so yeah. I know my friend who lives near here will start bringing her husband now that we've found it.
(4)Heidi W.
UPDATE: Just re-read this and changed it to 5 stars! If any restaurant deserves 5 stars, it's this one!! Best Roast Beef- period. Best Mac & Cheese-period. Best Strawberry Pie-period. Best Jalapeno Cheese Grits. PERIOD. Only reason this favorite spot of mine doesn't get 5 stars, is because it's not open 24 hours a day!
(5)Ally W.
My mom convinced me to go after searching for food places in Nashville that had been on the food network, Since we had just moved to the area and I love southern food, I was happy to give it a try and I was not disappointed! I got the ham, mac and cheese yams and corn pudding all were delicious. The sweet tea was amazing and I also had the peach pie which was FANTASTIC! my husband had all of the same but the chicken and dumplings, which I preferred the ones at Cracker Barrel. All in all it's definitely a place we will come back to, and we will bring our guests. I just wish they are open on weekends!
(5)Adele n.
You know what's amazing about these meat-plus-three places? The wide array of incredible vegetarian options. Arnold's will serve you a plate of four heaping helpings of delicious sides plus cornbread for $6.60. Good Lordy! I had mashed potatoes (smooth, buttery goodness); mac and cheese (creamy and awesome); turnip greens (to die and/or kill for); and green beans (peppery kick!) This was without a doubt the best meal of my recent roadtrip, which involved yummy eats from all over the south. Fun, casual, cafeteria style. Be prepared to wait in line for lunch. So worth it.
(5)Alicia J.
Arnold's provided us with a great early lunch while maintaining the prices one would expect at a buffet-style restaurant. I'd say they bring buffet food to the next level. We initially arrived at 9:00, as some other websites state that they open at 6:00AM. We were further confused by their door sign saying 10:_0 (missing a number), but after some waiting, we were admitted at 10:30, when Arnold's actually opens. The procurement system is a buffet where you move down the line choosing desserts, sides, salads, bread, mains and drinks, in roughly that order. This kept things moving rather quickly. We ordered meatloaf and roast beef as our mains; fried green tomatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and a strawberry bacon spinach salad as our sides; sweet tea, cornbread, and rolls; and finally chocolate pie for dessert. That's a lot for two people at a very reasonable price of $23. The meats were very good and cooked well. Both roast beef and meatloaf gets prepared in mass, so we figured them to be the best choices for a buffet. Still, I wish I had splurged on the fried catfish in retrospect. The real stars of the meal turned out to be the sides. I never expect much of green beans, but these were something special. Slightly spicy and meaty from being cooked with some pork (I think), I found myself finishing the beans before I took more than a bite of the meatloaf. The mashed potatoes were creamy and served with ample gravy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded admirably and gave a satisfying crunch to accompany the tartness of the tomato. They were better than any fried green tomato I had in Atlanta. Both the cornbread (cooked like a pancake) and the rolls were tasty. The chocolate pie was extraordinarily rich and a very nice completion to the meal. Arnold's has a menu which rotates daily which makes me sad to say I am leaving Nashville tomorrow!
(5)Susan W.
I really like the place. The Fried Green Tomato is very unique and definitely have a flavor of its own.
(4)Peter K.
Yep...still the best damn meat & 3 in Nashville. See the picture for today's meal...be sure to ask for corn bread fresh off the grill....trust me.
(5)Michael S.
My wife and I found this hole in the wall restaurant. It's really good, it was on the food network show Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins. After checking Yelp it seemed like everyone loved it. Their menu changes daily, so you may want to call ahead. It is set up assembly line style. Grab a tray, move along the line, tell the person on the other side of the counter what you want. We had the chicken it was delicious. Some of the best chicken I've had. All fantastic country cooking. The decor is not that great, it's not that nice inside. It is less than appealing. Don't let this change your mind about trying it though. Two people can eat for 20 bucks, that's food, drinks, and desert. I recommend the pecan pie, chicken and any of the sides(mashed potatoes and mac & cheese).
(4)Sally B.
I am a huge fan and would return every single day if diabetes didn't run in my family. Main course: the best soul food. You cannot leave without trying the Fried Green Tomatoes! When I went, I had roast beef, fried green tomatoes, and the squash casserole. The roast beef was not extraordinary, but it was the best I have had in town. The fried green tomatoes were the highlight. You get a small bowl of fried green tomato slices. Exceptional. It tastes like home grown tomatoes! It was amazing. The squash casserole was great, again the best in town. Dessert: I had the chocolate pie for dessert. It was a lot of food so that was probably a mistake. But it was delicious, not too sweet but very satisfying! Drinks: they have sweet tea and lemonade :) Atmosphere: friendly. Everyone is so nice, cashiers, cooks, everyone. People dining there are often business men/women that work nearby. Tips: Show up early; it gets busy around lunch. Order the fried green tomatoes! :)
(5)Paul P.
Oh Arnold's, how I love you so. Mondays they have blackened tilapia. I know, you're like, whuh, blackened tilapia at a meat & three? And I'm like, yeah buddy, and you're like, holy crap, this is awesome. The end. Or, I'm like, I'm going for a veggie-4-plate today, and you're like, what are you, a wussy? And I'm like, nay, a real man eats his Greens, just look at Popeye. And you're like, truth. Line moves fast, meal is $10, and there's lots of iced tea, if you're into that kind of thing.
(5)Joshua P.
Whoa. Lived in Nashville for 3 years before I got myself over here. That was a mistake. I'll be coming here a couple times a month for the rest of my life from now on. Best brisket I have ever had. Definitely earned their James Beard Award.
(5)Travis B.
After hearing about Arnold's for months, I finally checked it out with a friend. I was blown away. Being from southern Alabama, I've had my share of good soul food. But this place took it up a notch. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans...all incredible. If you live in Nashville or visit Nashville, you've got to check out Arnold's.
(5)Kristen W.
Happened to be in Nashville on a Friday afternoon, and decided to take advantage and check out Arnold's while it was open. We walked the mile from our downtown hotel in the 100+ degree heat and I am very happy to say it was worth it. While waiting in line, I was convinced by a man eating that I needed to get the fried shrimp. I also got the fried green tomatoes, asparagus, and candied yams. For dessert, peach pie. Hubs got the lunch special BBQ beef on a jalapeno grit cake, + his 3 sides, and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm. Everything was excellent. Believe the hype. You don't earn 2 James beard awards for being mediocre. I hope to make it back someday, the sooner the better.
(5)April S.
Is it a dump? Yes. Is parking a pain in the butt? Absolutely. Do I wish I could blink and make it come directly to me, hot and ready? Of course! Is it worth it? Hell, yes. Arnold's in an institution in Nashville and rightly so. I've eaten there more times than I would like to admit. Each time it is delectable; an out of body experience, really. The fried green tomatoes are delicious and flavorful, the roast beef nice and pink, the mashed potatoes and green beans are out of this world,!! Heck, even the simple sliced tomatoes are yummy--you can tell they are super fresh! I'm a true southerner and have grown up eating the good stuff, well prepared right from our garden. This is southern cooking at it's finest--no canned soups here. Oh, and don't forget chocolate or pecan pie. It's delicious!
(5)Steven S.
Arnold's is an awesome meat and three. It is definitely the best one in all of Nashville. Everything on the menu is delicious, but I am partial to their homemade chicken and dumplings. Also you have got to try their banana pudding. Mmmm good!
(5)Hoa T.
A must eat if you are ever in Nashville. I feel like I actually live here now that I have eaten at Arnold's. Cafeteria style, the line may be long but it moves quickly. I had the roast beef, greens, asparagus, and cucumbers. Everything was great and hey I finished in like 10 minutes. Great for lunch.
(4)Kristen D.
Let me begin by saying, I read the reviews and did not believe that it could be true. My mom throws down, my grandmother is a cooking fool, and my great-grandmother NEVER played in the kitchen. So I KNOW good soul food when I taste it. I thought this must be some city folks that have never had a real meal before. I was wrong. Arnold's is some of the best everything I've ever had....in my life...believe it. The place is packed tight, but moves quickly. The building itself is nothing to speak of but seriously with food this good I'd buy it out of somebody's trunk! Go! Its at a great value for the meat and three around 7 dollars a plates. Sweet patato pie is a killer! Greens...OMG...even the sweet tea is amazing.... You will love this place....
(5)Devil D.
My 45 minutes in Arnold's yesterday was the most blissful, stress-free interlude I have had in a very long time. Once I sat down and started eating the mere-words-can't-do-it-justice food, my cares and worries disappeared. I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it's really true. And another thing: I dislike vegetables and eat them begrudgingly (for my health), yet I am still thinking about the phenomenal turnip greens and fried green tomatoes that I ate there.
(5)Sara L.
things to do when planning to go to Arnold's: 1. be prepared for the line. If you are on your own, talk to the people in line. Swap favorite Arnold's foods and think about what you'll order. 2. If its raining--bring an umbrella, because you may be standing outside. 3. Remember the line moves fast--particularly important once you can smell the food inside and start to get hungry! 4. Come on an empty stomach, because you will want to try everything and there is lots to try!!! At Arnold's: 1. check out the specials--when I was there they had an amazing asparagus with tarragon sauce. very good. 2. I also had roast beef (excellent), macaroni and cheese and turnip greens. I liked them all--the turnip greens were amazing against the richness of the cheese and the roast beef was great. The yeast rolls were good, but mainly to soak up the roast beef gravy and extra tarragon sauce. 3. Eat some pie. I tried the chocolate, which tasted like a s'more. Next time I would try the peach, which the person next to me said was amazing. 4. Which is another thing to note--you should talk to people in line and be prepared to share a table. Chat with those people too--you can get ideas for what you want to eat next time. 5. Finally, happy and full, bus your table. There are a lot of people coming through and only a few people working to keep the tables clear. So be kind and take your stuff to the back on your own.
(5)Rupard M.
Cafeteria style serving here. We arrived early and barely had to wait in line but by the time we were done eating, the line was out the door. I definitely loved the smoky flavor from the wood smoked BBQ ribs I had as an entrée. They did go a little heavy on the BBQ sauce which took away from the authentic flavor of smoked ribs. I also had a cornbread muffin and it too had a smoky flavor which made it seem more home cooked. Definitely a fan of this place!!
(4)Michael W.
Best meat and three in Nashville and it is not even close.
(5)Randy C.
Meat and Three. Great people work here. It is a bit intimidating to be in line and not even know what is available as you approach the food area and the guy wants to know what you want. The good news, it is all tasty stuff. Line moves fast. People leave tables fast.
(5)Chyng H.
As soon as we landed at the Nashville airport, we drove straight to Arnold's Kitchen. It was our first stop and we planned it before we even boarded the plane. You walk into this place and you will see all a diverse crowd - men in business suits, tourists, students...everyone loves this place. It is cafeteria style and the daily specials and menu are all on the wall on the right. Be prepared to order, the staff runs the line like a well oiled machine! I've been told I've never had "proper fried green tomatoes" so I definitely had an order. The coating was perfectly crunchy, not too greasy, and the well seasoned. It set the bar for me as far as fried green tomatoes go! The macaroni and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes were also amazing. I'm more of a veggie sides (and yes, I consider mac & cheese to be a veggie side) so I walked away from Arnold's very full!
(5)Heath C.
I loved this place! The food was so delicious and the staff is awesome! My wife and I came here at noon and there was a line that stretched out the door (that's a good sign!) and was filled with all kinds of people, from police, judges, business people, college students, tourists etc. I ordered the fried grouper, greens, mac & cheese, corn pancake, strawberry peace pie and a coke. The food was so tasty and hot and the dessert was fresh and delicious. I was very impressed with the food! The staff here are great. They're always walking by and checking on you. They were fast and helpful and never stopped smiling. Though there was a super long line, we were able to get through, order and sit down in about 15 minutes. If you visit Nashville, you gotta try this place!
(5)Elliott W.
Like everyone else, I was well pleased with my Arnold's experience. All meat and 3's will forever be compared to Arnold's and even the best of the rest (like Barbara's) won't stack up. Fried green tomatoes are a must. Everything else is excellent. Make your way back until you've tried it all.
(5)Adam S.
If I was forced to pick my absolute favorite restaurant in Nashville, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Arnold's. Every time I go, I leave in a food coma (that's a good thing) that I don't want to wake up from. Not only is the food stellar, but the staff is some of the nicest people you'll meet. I just feel at home there.
(5)Catherine S.
Definitely the best Southern dining in Nashville (beating out loveless cafe and others). It's a friendly, family-owned establishment and the food is spectacular! They even have RC cola fountain drinks... pretty amazingly Southern. The first time we went there, I had the fried grouper which was awesome. The batter on the fish was extremely light (like a beer batter), and all of the sides are delish (especially the corn pudding, fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and mac & cheese). Their rolls are also to die for. During our meal, one of the family sons came to eat with us (Franz). Overall, it's an amazing experience... also a great way to meet new people because you might have to sit next to someone you don't know because it's usually a packed house.
(5)Totcho J.
I stopped in here on my cross country drive, and nearly decided to call Nashville my new home. That is how wonderful the food is. I went with the roast beef, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie. I'm planning a return trip just to eat here a dozen more times.
(5)Kendyl M.
Everything we had was delicious! Green beans, Mac n cheese, ribs, cat fish, chicken and dumplings. The banana pudding definitely lives up to the hype! Pecan pie and peach pie were yummy too. There was a fairly long line when we pulled up but it went by really quick and we got a seat as soon as we got our food.
(5)Amber Y.
It's a good thing I'm off work today - because after lunch at Arnold's, I'm in severe need of a nap (and that's a good thing). Arnold's is a classic meat & 3. But, instead of being one of those where you leave and say, "yeah, that was pretty good", you swear your grandmother works in the kitchen. Leave the salt and pepper on the table - the food is perfectly seasoned and doesn't need a thing. My recommendation? You HAVE to get the roast beef. A. It's amazing and B. The guy slicing it is adorable (I think he's one of the sons?). Shut up! He is! You really can't go wrong with anything you get - the mac and cheese, green beans, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes . . . they're all wonderful. The only mistake I could possibly see someone making would be to get a side salad. Have a salad later. The food is too good at Arnold's too fill up precious belly space with nonsense like lettuce. Nap time!
(5)Jay M.
How can I eat another plate of southern comfort food without being disappointed? This was the question I asked myself after finishing my meal at Arnold's Country Kitchen. The James Beard Awards will never steer you wrong. I arrived at 1:15 PM and the line was out the door, but I didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes to order. Everyone behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. I ordered the meat and 3 with roast beef, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and jalapeño cheese grits (veggie special of the day), as well as a slice of the spicy chocolate pie (per Yelp reviews) and a sweet tea to help wash down the mountain of food in front of me (after all, when is a displaced easterner going to be back in Nashville again?). Every bite was a mix of rich flavors that comforted me to my core. The traditional bitterness of the turnip greens was replaced with a smoky, savory plate of a vegetable that could please even the staunchest meat and carb lovers. The mac and cheese was everything you'd expect it to be: cheesy and thick with a little kick of heat to cut through the dairy. My personal favorite was the jalapeño cheddar grits. These grits were essentially a vessel to shovel as much cheese into your body as humanly possible, and boy did I love them! If there wasn't a slight graininess to the grits, I would have thought I was eating mac and cheese. The roast beef was solid and well cooked, but at the end of the day, good roast beef is good roast beef, and the sides stole the show. I didn't have room for the spicy chocolate pie, but thankfully I have a dessert stomach (medical miracle, I know). This pie is essentially a brownie baked inside a pie crust, but the heat that hits you 5 seconds after you swallow your bite of pie is surprising, if not reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. Oh, and that sweet tea? Not overly sweet and the perfect way to "cleanse your palate" during a fantastic meal. Let me tell you something, dear Yelpers, I was so full and happy after my meal, I could have been mistaken for a stuffed animal at the toy store. Well, a stuffed animal who started asking some metaphysical questions on the nature of food. How could I have eaten grits or greens so many times in my life and yet never had anything that tasted quite like this? After eating at Arnold's Country Kitchen, you will be disappointed with every other rendition of grits or greens that you find. Yelpers, you have been warned.
(5)Justin W.
Arnold's has the best Fried Green Tomatoes I've ever had, anywhere. There is nowhere better, not even close. Multiple attempts at recreating these at home have failed. Multiple attempts to stealthily install hidden cameras at Arnold's have also failed. Multiple attempts to break in after hours to find the recipe have...been marginally successful? Alright, they all failed, and resulted in an arrest record, and many hours of community service, and an unsolicited prison tattoo that has made wearing shorts outside an act of public indecency. But seriously, they are very good. Aside from the Fried Green Tomatoes, it's the only meat-and-three type place I've been to where the mashed potatoes didn't start with a bag of freeze-dried potato flakes. These are the kind of mashed potatoes my mom makes. The only day of the week I eat here is on Fridays, and I get the same thing every time: roast beef with mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. One of the highlights of my Fridays is when my girlfriend brings Arnolds for lunch and we can just spend our lunch break eating good southern food together. It's just straightforward great southern cooking, and that's really all you need to know to try this place out, and then come back for more. One thing, though: they're only open for lunch. That's the only bad news.
(5)AM S.
Let me start by explaining this was not what I expected. Such high reviews and it was nothing more than a disappointment. It was about $8.00 a person and the service was LOUSY! The last piece of pie was refused to me because the server wanted it for himself! The food itself was mediocre and unless you're going there for "the experience" I wouldn't recommend going here to anyone. I went to this restaurant because it was on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and in my opinion, Guy Fieri made a mistake.
(2)Aaron D.
Another awesome lunch at Arnold's. Tried the kielbasa for the first time and it hit the spot. Turnip greens and creamed corn were fantastic as usual. Banana pudding is my usual sweet treat, but I had heard the pecan pie was can't miss and it was indeed the best slice I've had in TN so far. Plus I feel much more confident in our state's leadership after knowing that Governor Haslam eats at Arnold's. The Gov happened to be sitting directly behind me and he graciously welcomed all the visitors who stopped by (myself included) to shake his hand and wish him well in his efforts to lead our state forward. So that was cool. And I got a sweet tea refill tableside which rarely happens (usually in my experience refills are self-serve), so I just sorta felt extra special all day.
(5)Scott N.
i ate at arnold's twice in my week-long stint in nashville and i almost cried it was so damn good. love the walkthrough line and the slop-it-on-the-plate attitude. get there early b/c the line will be out the door by 11:30. great sweet tea, great service. this place has it going on. it's everything i could ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(5)Dint I.
Remarkable. Absolutely bbq ribs order again!!!!
(5)Kara M.
What's not to love at Arnold's? My family and I chanced upon this little treasure on a business trip to Nashville. The place was not hard to find but you have to keep an eye out for it since it's just a small building in a side of downtown one won't normally head to. Good thing the red and yellow of ARNOLD'S pops right out. Parking was easy. There was a line once we got inside but which moved fairly quickly for our hungry tummies. We were lucky enough to snag a table and save it while in line for our food. Imagine our surprise when we saw the spray painted stenciled in face of Guy Fieri and he'd visited the place for DD&D! That certainly upped our excitement and we were not disappointed at all. The people in front of us were friendly and eager to suggest their favorites (everything). The staff was friendly, the son of the owner was friendly, the busmen were friendly. Again I ask: "What's not to love at Arnold's?" They are open M-F from 10:30 am - 2:30pm. I read a sign that they cater, too. They have certain foods that are served on certain days so be sure to check if you're craving for a particular food. What we had: - Cornbread pancakes - Oh. My. Gosh. - Roast Beef - To die for. Really. This is the best roast beef I've ever had (Sorry, Papa, yours is good but theirs is just..... the bomb). - Mashed potatoes - Not too thick, just the right consistency and hecka tasty. - Green beans - This is also the best I've ever had. Even my toddler (who used to eat veggies without any hassle but is sadly not the same anymore) loved them! Granted, I did mash most of it into the potatoes but she didn't mind the green color at all. In fact, she kept saying Mmmm and More please! - Sweet tea was delish. We mixed it with some of the lemonade we got which I'm not afraid to say is one of the lightest drinks with just the right amount of sugar. Yum. This was one of the best eats on my first trip to Tennessee. Makes me want to come back all the more. I keep telling anyone who would listen to me to go to Arnold's if they ever find themselves in TN. I'm definitely going to make my way back.
(5)Lee B.
I will give this a 5 star review because I have not experienced a country style cafeteria meal in a very long time. The food was amazing and the prices were great. Very simple, clean and friendly atmosphere. I had black-eyed peas, corn bread, beef brisket and green beans. Unfortunately the day I was there wasn't a day that they offer fried green tomatoes but maybe next time. PROS -CLEAN -FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE -VERY GOOD SOUL FOOD -PLENTY OF PARKING CONS -A TAD CROWDED BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN
(5)S C.
After living in the northeast for a few years, Arnold's definitely reminded me of what eating in the south is all about. Very traditional preparations (not all of which I am crazy about for lunch-- lots of lard, bacon, grease). The service is friendly, the location is easy to get to from downtown and the food is authentic.
(4)Carolyn F.
I can't rave enough about this place. It's not just the food, but the whole experience. I wish we had this sort of place in SF, though its charm probably derives a lot from Southern hospitality. We got here around noon on a Friday and the line was out the door. But it moved very fast and soon enough I was picking up my tray near the counter and shouting my meat-and-three order. From the Friday menu, I opted for meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes = Amazing! These are not to be missed! My companion got the chicken fried steak (a special, not on the printed menu), mac & cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes & gravy. The steak came with a blue cheese sauce, and it was delicious and better than my meatloaf (which was still good). The collard greens were tasty, the green beans were not, and the mac & cheese was nice and buttery. Everything was just a nice representation of what you want Southern food to be. Everyone is extremely friendly, which I suppose is important when you sit at communal tables. It wasn't hard to find seating though the place was crowded.
(5)Josh M.
Arnold's is consistently great. They never let me down. This place is hands down the best "Meat and Three" in town. Honestly, I think it's the best "Lunch if You Don't Have to Work in the Afternoon Spot" in town. My most recent meal there consisted of BBQ Beef on a Cornbread Cake with Fried Green Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad. With Sweet Tea to wash it down, I was in heaven...thankfully, I had taken a half-day off work.
(5)Iris T.
Came here looking for an authentic Southern meal and came out full but not exactly satiated. I happened to come here on a Friday so I decided to get the roast beef with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. All three diff types of food on my plate were salty and I found myself tearing through the rolls of bread just to alleviate the saltiness. Looking at the reviews, maybe I just came on a bad day but I'm willing to give it another shot on any future visits to Nashville.
(2)Andrea F.
Comfort food doesn't get any better than this! If you are lucky enough to make it on Fried Green Tomato Day, you must try them!
(5)Mark L.
I'd come back again even if I had to wait in line for another thirty minutes. It's worth it
(4)Chris S.
Takes AMEX - pretty unusual for a place like this. 3 stars means its pretty good. I'll give it 4 for the simple review of taste. The creole meatloaf tasted good. The banana pudding tasted good. The white beans tasted beyond good. The mac and cheese tasted pretty good. Comparatively, this place is a solid 3 stars - I've been to too many country/soul food places to place the taste of the food in the realm of great. The service, however, was.
(4)Steph H.
If ever there were a place worthy of skipping work for, Arnold's is it. I have long lamented that they are only opened during the week and only for lunch since they're not really near my daytime haunts and I come from a one-car household. But, this past Friday my husband and I decided to take a three-day weekend to celebrate our four-year anniversary and as part of the celebration we FINALLY went to Arnold's for lunch. I feel pretty awful that I've lived in Nashville for six years and this was my first time visiting... but certainly not the last! Given that this was a traditional meat and three, I was surprised to read that they open at 10:30, as I don't know many people who eat lunch that early. Still, we got there at 10:45 and a line was already forming. By the time we finished our meal ( a little after 11), the line was almost out the door! Since they're only open for lunch, I guess people are willing to wait for the food and the earlier you get there, the better! And really, is there ever a meal at which mac and cheese or pecan pie isn't welcome? If so, I don't want any part of it. Service is cafeteria style: you sidle up to counter with your bright orange tray and tell the server behind the counter what meat and sides you want. I got the meatloaf, turnip greens, and mac & cheese. My husband got the chicken & dumplings, the mac & cheese, and the fried green tomatoes. Everything was really tasty, but I have to give special mention to the FGTs: so crisp and crunchy and I LOVE that they put rosemary in the seasoning. We also got a slice of pecan pie and coconut crunch pie for dessert and both were extremely good (and I am a hardcore pecan pie fan), but the CC pie was especially addictive... I'd happily go back just for that! At first I thought the servings might have been a bit stingy, but the food is extremely rich and by the end I was pleasantly full and already planning my return trip! As we were leaving, my husband remarked that Arnold's is pretty much the epitome of everything that is great about the South. The food was solid, some of it very good, though some items were not the best iteration I've had. That said, the service is really what puts this place over the top as everyone is so friendly and warm. The man who was bussing tables actually opened the door for us when we came in, and was pleasantly chatty with us throughout our meal. We really felt welcome and like this place was brimming with love. It just goes to show that a restaurant doesn't have to be fancy in order to be successful. In the end, all I can say is that Arnold's is where I'll be going whenever I need a little Southern Hospitatily.
(5)Lisa H.
After seeing Diners Drive ins and Dives recommendation and that they were a James Beard Award winning place, I decided to take my mom there when she flew in for a visit. So glad I did! Not much to look at, but I expected that. The food was fantastic! LOVED the mac and cheese! My husband was in love with the banana pudding and my mom loved the chicken and everything too! I use a walker and one of the employees found a table (the place is very long and narrow) where they could put us and not have my walker too much in the way and everyone was just so nice! We were actually seated with some other men who were just finishing up their meal. Thanks Arnold's for helping make my mom's visit successful!
(5)Josh K.
Best meat and three in the country and I stand by this with my life. it is amazing food and friendly people. one of the best lunches in town.
(5)Megan W.
Loved it. My family's from Georgia. Southern food is a part of the foundation of my life. The food here is the real deal. One of my chicken thighs was too salty, but hey, that happens. I'm talking strictly from the theory behind the food. It's dead...on. The cornbread walks a solid line between sweet and savory styles, the mashed potatoes (actually whipped) are quality and the collards are slow cooked as proper, Southern collards should be. The roast beef was GREAT. I'd never had chess pie before, but this was fun. Be prepared for a Southern take on the use of sugar here...the tea is like candy and the pie will keep you up for hours, but it's authentic. I don't usually comment on service because I eat for the food, but everybody was great. They overfilled my tea and splashed some on the tray but promptly cleaned it up, while replacing a couple of slightly wet napkins and apologizing. I would have done it myself, but the fact that they noticed was cool. I was sad I didn't get to try the seafood. Definitely will if I'm back in the area though.
(5)Fritz N.
While I don't think this place needs another stellar review, I can't help myself. I spent two days in Nashville and ate here twice. Every bite of everything I ate was delicious. And people that worked there were so nice, I couldn't believe it. Line out the door around noon and the line moved quickly. Can't wait to eat here again.
(5)Rebecca G.
Read the fellow Yelper's reviews and decided to try this place while in Nashville for the Rock and Roll Marathon. I walked in and was surprised that it was cafeteria style dining, but OMG! the food was great! Home made Southern food at its finest! I ordered the meat and 3 sides, plus a salad, plus pie, plus a sweet tea.... again, OMG! all of it was FANTASTIC!! The meat was sliced thin and had such great flavor. The fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever had. The mashed taters and grits with a kick were again... FANTASTIC!! The staff was OUT OF THIS WORLD FRIENDLY and HELPFUL when I told them I was a first timer... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ARNOLD'S if you want GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD at a GREAT PRICE!!!
(5)Carin M.
Never been to Nashville and everyone said this was a "must". We were concerned by the line - but it moved quick and everyone was RIGHT. Food is amazing. We ate everything on our plates and all of us thought it was delicious. Catfish is to die for with hush puppies, greens, and fried green tomatoes. And had to finish off lunch with pecan pie. This is southern food at it's best and a must stop if you are visiting Nashville!
(5)Michelle A.
The food may be good but you can get great meat and three anywhere in Nashville. The owner is so rude that I could not believe it. After eating we started to do some shopping in the adjacent shops and were told that we would have to MOVE OUR CAR. Clearly there is some bad blood among the neighbors but that shouldn't extend to the customers. The other 2 shops in the building were super nice and apologized for the rudeness. I would rather spend my money where it is appreciated!
(1)Billy P.
Finally made the plunge into Arnold's Country Kitchen. It must be good because the "don't you leave until you see me" Kia commercial guy was at the table next to me. Ha ha. Seriously though. If you're away from home and need some comforting, then this is the place to go. Just great home cooking served with a smile. Awesome.
(5)Kate M.
This wasn't a normal visit, so keep that in mind... We heard great things about Arnold's but only had one day to get to it. We arrived at 2:40, 10 minutes after they closed for the day. We were still hopeful and rushed in but were told that it was too late. As we started to turn away, the owner asked where we were from and said that since it was so far away (DC), she couldn't turn us away hungry. She offered us a takeout container that she had packed for her husband - catfish and black eyed peas - and the staff pulled together salad with homemade dressing and sweet tea. After she refused our money, we gobbled it all down while chatting with the owner and various staff members as they cleaned up around us. I'm relieved that we didn't have to choose what we were ordering - it was all absolutely perfect. This was one of the most hospitable experiences I've had - what a warm, wonderful place, on top of the delicious, fresh-tasting food. Arnold's is top-notch!
(5)Christine O.
Loved the food ! First visit to Nashville ... will be back to Arnolds . Was well worth waiting in line which moved quickly. The staff & service was outstanding. Try the fried green tomatoes !
(5)Mari K.
Absolutely delicious! Perfect welcome to Nashville. Definitely get the fried green tomatoes and okra.
(4)Maxx M.
It took me three attempts to get a chance to eat at this Nashville institution. They are only open from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and were closed the first two times I went there. But finally around noon on the third try, I got a chance to see what the fuss was all about. Although it was a little crowed, the food was good and the staff friendly. I had baked chicken, squash, fried okra, mac-n-cheese, and sweet tea, a meal so good that I ordered a second meal to-go, to eat the "next" day. Seating can be a little bit of a challenge during the lunch hour, but it's worth enduring. The next time I'll try to make it a little earlier, or closer to 2pm, so I can get a seat.
(4)Tom J.
Yummy comfort food. Pulled roast beef was the best. Staff was nice. Get there at 10:30 or prepare to wait in long line.
(5)Liz H.
Love me some southern comfort food! This is the type of restaurant I grew up going to with the family. Menu changes daily, so you might want to do your research if you plan to go there for something in particluar, but there are a couple of offerings each day and I looove the collard greens, fried green tomatoes, & chicken livers. That's right. I said chicken livers. I came here frequently in my last month of pregnancy craving this nutritious source of iron, zinc,vitamin B6, B12, folate & more!
(5)Lauren H.
A solid stop on the Nashville food tour that we have been on since arriving. The staff is incredibly attentive and sweet (like their great sweet tea). The Roast Beef is not to be beat, and the sides are all solid! We tried the Mac and Cheese, cole slaw, green beans, corn bread, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. Of those I highly recommend the cole slaw, mashed potatoes and creamed corn. Must have the pecan pie!!
(4)Danielle S.
Favorite food in Nashville. And we have great food here. Cafeteria style. Meat and 3. DELICIOUS southern food. All the meats and all the sides have been amazing. It's such a cool atmosphere. They serve different things on different days but I can't imagine you'd ever be disappointed in your options. Just go try it and taste how amazing it is.
(5)Kayla H.
I think this place speaks for itself. The best meat-and-three in the area! A must-go for out-of-town visitors especially. The peach cobbler was particularly delicious. The other diners and the staff were super nice too. Coming here made me miss Nashville for all the right reasons. :)
(5)Kristie A.
Line goes by pretty fast. I'm a Nashville native but I still waited in line in the midst of other tourists. Food changes every week so call before coming if there's a particular meal you'd like to try. Don't save spots either. By the time you get to the end of the line, you'll have a table. Don't worry about that! Get their chocolate pudding. it is soooo delicious. The price is just right with the amount of food that you get. Try to avoid lunch rush!
(4)Tim G.
This is one of the truly amazing meat and three type places that absolutely make your mouth water. I come here all the time for work, as it's not far from the office. I suggest you get there early, or plan to wait in line. The Mac and Cheese is the best side. The Roast beef is the best meat. And DO NOT FORGET to get banana pudding! You will not be sorry. You can thank me later.
(5)Vickie R.
Honestly, we had so much good food in Nashville that was way fancier and way more expensive, but my meal at Arnold's is still my favorite. I came down to the South to get the southern food that I had missed, and this is now my new gold standard. There are no bells and whistles to the cafeteria style Arnold's Country Kitchen, only excellent food that I will have a hard time finding something comparable to. Everyone in the town of Nashville obviously knows this place is amazing too, as we arrived at 11 and there was already a "short" line, and the people never stopped coming, it was literally out the door. Since it's cafeteria style, we didn't have to wait on any waiters. You get your food, sit down, eat, and leave. We were in and out in half an hour. The bussers are really good with cleaning up as soon as you leave for the next patrons because the line is unending. My "bar" for any southern meal to be measured against - fried chicken (all dark meat), mashed potatoes with gravy, mac & cheese, and greens. There were many other things I could've tried, but as a reviewer, those are my staples. Everything met my expectations of good southern food and then some. The chicken was fried to a golden brown and delicious, the meat was still juicy and tender. The mac was creamy, the mashed taters weren't powdery, the gravy isn't bland (in fact, flavorful), and the greens still had texture to it and the broth it was cooked in was delicious. Even with an iced tea, it was barely $10. That was the perfect meal to end my trip to Nashville.
(5)Marcin S.
Honestly, I believe it is over-hyped. The food is good, but for our tastes most of the dishes were significantly too salty and as far as chicken and dumplings were concerned, the restaurant went overboard with black pepper. The price is right, though and I believe we got a good value for our money. We got roast beef, BBQ chicken, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes + chocolate pie and banana pudding. Out of these, we liked our meats and fried green tomatoes. The rest were OK. Deserts were very rich and slightly too sweet for us. The place is open only for lunch and is quite popular - it took us more than 30 minutes to get in. It has a bit of a school cafeteria feel and if you are looking for spotless cleanness, this is not the place. As we came there at noon, before we got to the counter, they run out of many dishes already (no fried catfish, shrimp or beans for us...) I am sure, that if we came on a slightly less busy day and it was not so excruciatingly hot outside (half an hour in blazing, Southern sun at ~100 F does not make one very enthusiastic), our perception could have been different. To sum up: it is a decent place, but we will not be coming back, at least not in summer...
(3)Aliza R.
Omg best home style cooking food ever!! Don't worry abt the line it goes by so quick! The roast beef is to die for!! The mac and cheese and grubby potatoes are awesome! The banana pudding is out if this world!! This is should be in everyone ones bucket list if good eats!! Can't be in Nashville & not come here
(5)Michael U.
Items Selected: Fried Grouper Chicken n' Dumplings White Beans Candied Yams Mac n' Cheese Corn Muffin Pancake Banana Pudding Chess Pie Pecan Pie Leaving a fair amount of breakfast from Pancake Pantry on the table before heading north to Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills mall it was after several hours of walking and shopping that we returned to downtown Nashville for a two-part lunch, the first stop seeing our trio just beat the crowd at Beard Award Winning Arnold's, a landmark cafeteria-styled luncheonette fabled by locals and tourists alike. Open in its current format for nearly as long as I've been alive and featuring Southern Classics in a setting where communal seating always at a premium, Arnold's sits next to a rather sizable parking lot in a rapidly gentrifying area along 8th Ave and with rotating daily specials plus several standby signatures the only real question is how long a wait and what to order - our answers to this being no time at all, and two "Meat & 2s" plus bread and three plates of sweets in our case. Not particularly renowned for their service, the staff left to navigate a rather narrow space behind steamer tables brimming with choices as line cooks worked feverishly at their backs, it is perhaps fortunate that many selections are of the 'help yourself' variety while mains and hot sides are scooped and slopped on plates to be stacked on trays, a bit of persistence needed in our case to get the chicken n' dumplings that we'd ordered as the woman taking orders turned her attention elsewhere immediately after scooping up some candied yams and white beans. Undoubtedly the most affordable meal of the trip, a whole lot of homestyle cuisine served up for just a shade over twenty bucks, it was immediately after sitting down that we tucked in and although both the pancake and cornbread were almost insufferably dry everything else on the plate was reference standard cafeteria grub - not the sort of 'upscale American' being peddled for top dollar elsewhere, just flaky fish beneath golden batter and rich stock with tender noodles and chicken plus the sort of sides you'd associate with holidays at Grandma's house - the smoky beans particularly delicious, while the yams were sweet enough that they could have served as dessert themselves. Moving onward to proper desserts, an older African American man circulating to refill beverages and clear trays in order to promptly seat new patrons, those fancying Southern staples would be well served to visit Arnold's if only for some pudding and pie, the former a 'Nilla wafer studded homemade iteration with stick-a-spoon-up-straight thickness and the later a tossup between Pecan and Chess as to which was better, the former almost purely nuts without much filler while the later was amongst the most creamy I've tasted despite a top that was cooked till cracking, an absolute steal at just $2.75.
(4)Zlata P.
This place reminded me of home, since cafeteria style restaurants are still pretty big in Russia. Be ready to wait in line, but it will be worth it. They serve a different variety every day, the menu is on the door. Just grab a tray and pick what you like. I had meatloaf with side of mashed potatoes, some greens and a bread pudding. Southern comfort at its best! Meatloaf was delicious and the creole gravy was perfect. One of the best greens I've had too! So so good! Definitely check it out while in Nashville. It's close to the Gulch and downtown as well, so it's easy to squeeze it in, if you don't have much time in Nashville
(5)Lin G.
The line out the door was an excruciating one. A sure sign of quality right? Well... I guess the rumor from the couple in front of us is that this place was featured on some tv show and hence its fame. A lady cutting so-called Georgia peaches kept us distracted and proffered samples of her peaches, which can be purchased at $8 in cash for a brown paper bag of who knows how many peaches (maybe 3?) and who knows what quality are in the bags. Walking in, I felt like hot air has been blown up my ass in the form of hype. THANK YOU YELP, YOU ASSHOLES. Piles of dirty dishes on dirty trays were strewn across dirty tables like orc carcasses left after a Lord of the Rings battle. A single elderly male worker meandered about, SLOWLY collecting the dirty dishes and stacking the used trays around the room, leaving huge tracts of tables just totally unattended with dirty dishes and trays piled 3-6 stacks deep, caked with half eaten food. His lethargic pace was so slow it was almost impressive, especially considering the amount of people eating and waiting to eat here. The portion sizes were very modest and I tried the roast beef, some sort of candied vegetable, and the fried green tomatoes. The roast beef was okay but nothing to write home about and doled out in meager servings. The candied veggies, well, I think they could drizzle that syrup over poison ivy and it'd probably taste pretty decent. The fried green tomatoes was the most flavorful and interesting. It was definitely my favorite thing here. I tried a bite of the chocolate pie and again, I don't really know what the hype is about. For less that $10 a tray, I guess it's okay. But I would't trust anything I see on television again!
(3)Josh C.
Highly recommend this place to anyone who has even one meal in the Nashville area. My friend and I were literally talking about it for the entire rest of the trip. Make sure to come hungry and not plan on eating much for the rest of the day! Wonderful place. Highly recommend the chicken and dumplings and the bread pudding.
(5)Robert J.
Mixed feelings. The food was great, but the way in which I got the food was not. We waited in a good line out in the sun for about 15 minutes, followed by another awkward 10 minutes of standing in line in very close proximity to people as they ate. While eating, I was continuously bumped (sometimes hard) by people standing in the very squished line right behind me. The food was great. The chicken & dumpling soup felt more like a chicken noodle (with big, soft noodles), but it was very good. The Roast beef (sorry I know everyone here has said it) was like a party in my mouth. I'll admit that I was hesitant, because I've never had amazing RB before. However, the sample that I stole from my friend's plate was enough to change my mind! Everything else was very good, but not great. The setup (again) was weird. Cafeteria-style like was disorganized and we weren't clear on what exactly was included or how much it cost. They had some items the menu didn't list and didn't have at least one that the menu said they would. I really didn't care for the little bowls & plates of food that took up my entire tray. I'd rather put multiple items on the same plate. I'd probably come back here, but it was really a pain and an awkward situation. Getting food to go might be a MUCH better idea ;)
(3)Catherine L.
As Nashvillian (is that a term?) as it gets. If you're visiting, get thee here. Get thee here during the week, as they are sadly closed on the weekends. Get thee here (early) and wait in line. It's worth it. Get thee here and order the Roast Beef (if they have it that day). Get some turnip greens (you must, you must!) Get the mac n' cheese. Fried Green Tomatoes, just because. Then round off the meal, with some amazing Banana pudding, because it's banana pudding. Every bite was delectable. I wiped my plate clean. Sit yourself down, as I did, with a local. Enjoy your lunch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy this amazing local meat and three and savor it all. I'm still dreaming about those amazing turnip greens, and well, everything I ate there too. Perfection.
(5)Nathan M.
A local landmark. If you want quick delicious southern food, go here. Served cafeteria style with plenty of table seating (family style or booths). Had the 4 vegetable plate: collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes. I devoured all of this in 5 minutes because it was that good. Definitely will plan on coming back.
(4)Ted C.
What I'm not going to do is repeat what I said earlier. I will say that the food is still the same quality-I want to say that they were skimping a little but it was during the 'winter apocalypse' where it seemed like everyone was storing food, because apparently two inches of snow is like Hoth around here. Anyway, I still got the roast beef with au jus, while my friend got the kielbasa and kraut AND the chicken. Honestly, at a place like this there's really no point in keeping things to yourself. There was so much food between the four of us that we basically got a little of everything off the menu. The fried chicken here was also delicious, skillet fried is time consuming and sometimes you don't get what you want (luckily they had white meat available) but it's definitely worth it. The breading was crisp and the meat succulent and juicy. Definitely glad I brought people here.
(4)Robert B.
Great quality country food. Meat and three with a great choice of deserts. Try the chocolate pepper pie. You will not regret it.
(5)Grant J.
If you are visiting Nashville, this is a must and a long time staple of the city. The line is long for a reason, but don't fret...it goes fast and the food is definitely worth it! If you live in Nashville and haven't been, shame on you! I had the chicken and dumplings with a side of Mac n cheese and mash taters and I have been dreaming of it ever since. Can't wait to return on my next visit and try something different as the menu changes daily.
(5)Monte R.
This place is a mixed bag. The atmosphere was dirty and grungy, I felt like walking into greasy spoon in some nasty part of the city. It was gross. Tables were a mess. The "cleanliness" was a major concern. However, Arnold's delivered on some might tasty food. The sides and brisket were awesome. I just don't get how owners of a place let it get so dirty, with pretty good stream of customers and plenty of revenue, they don't take the time to clean up and remodel the place for modern times.
(3)Katie U.
Caveat: I am not from the south and so I may just not "get it". But there were three of us eating and not a single one of us said "wow - this is really good" about anything we got. I didn't even eat my leftovers - they were super salty. It's a nice atmosphere - the staff clearly like what they do. And the friendly, crowded atmosphere is fun. It's cool that they have daily menus with several really good-sounding items each day. But I can't say the food was any better than other decent barbeque or meat-and-3s I've been to. The green beans - your normal salty, light green beans cooked in bacon. The country-fried steak - flavorless meat in lots of gravy. The cornbread - the same salty, dry cakes you can get anywhere...
(2)Dan H.
Arnold's was another in the long list of restaurants I have found in the Road Food book. It is an institution in Nashville. Another place where you will wait in a line. I liked one of the articles that was on the wall that I happened to read while I was waiting in said line. It said something about lines being the great equalizer. Everyone is equal when they are standing in a line. So true. Yet another meat and 3 place. Or a meat and 2. Or just veggies if you prefer to go that route. I was there on a Friday and one of the meat specials was roast beef. Yes please. I was happy to get up there when they were cutting into some of the medium to medium rare meat. Yes, they have someone standing there carving the meat. That is a good thing. Paired that up with some collard greens and mac and cheese along with a slice of pumpkin pie, some dinner rolls and a glass of sweet tea which seemed to be more crushed ice and not so much tea, but I'll get back to that in a bit. I was there by myself so I found a seat at one of the longer tables and ended up being joined by other folks that were on their own. Be prepared to share your space with strangers. That is just how it works here. The roast beef was very tender and very flavorful. Don't know what they rub on it, but it was very good and not too salty. The rest of the meal was very good too. I mentioned about the tea earlier. Do not fret if you get a glass of ice and a small amount of tea. They have a filling station and you can refill your tea as much as you'd like. I ended up filling up before leaving and finding a cover so that I could take it to go. The wait is worth it.
(4)Sim T.
Real authentic southern food, cholesterol and all. High sodium and high fat, but who cares because you are coming for the true southern soul food experience. The roast beef is on point and the staff is super nice. The sweet tea is basically sugar with a little bit of water. Good meal to have at least once in your life not everyday.
(4)Rob H.
Roast beef, black eyed peas, baked squash casserole and dressing. Here on vacation and it's a must see if you're ok with no frills and no regard for caloric intake. The food was very good - juicy roast beef, sweet and savory dressing, almost too sweet squash. Very intense flavors, but very fresh and delicious. Regarding the complaints about the line and people bumping into you - if you have an issue with "personal space invaders" this isn't the place for you. I wouldn't want to deal w/it everyday, but I actually enjoyed it as part of the experience.
(5)Jason B.
Have you ever eaten so hard that you started to sweat? I'm talking about sweat rolling down your forehead from your lust for a steaming bowl of chicken n dumplings? That's what just happened to me as slurped some soupy, delicious, boiled dough from this tiny little place. I've been in Nashville for 15 years. I've always heard about Arnold's and how good it was.. I've read the reviews. I've seen it on TV. I've even flown by a few times for lunch, but was turned off by the line that was out the door and around the corner. Today was my lucky day. I was actually trying to eat sushi, but Wild Wasabi was packed, so we somehow ended up at the Arnold's...about the farthest thing from sushi on the food spectrum. I've never written a 5 star review for a restaurant. Some call me a food snob. Others think I'm just insatiable. Whatever the case may be, this place lived up to the hype more than any other place I've ever been. My friend and I were undecided on what to order. Everybody we passed had the smoked barbecue chicken and it looked delicious. Chicken and dumplings are their staple. The roast beef looked like prime rib from a high end steak house. Too many good options. I had the dumplings, and they were better than any I've ever had. Sorry mom. RIP grandma. They are simply better at Arnold's. The green beans were stupid good. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy and extra buttery. My friend had the catfish, hush puppies, mac n cheese, and greens. The catfish had a great flavor and cripsy fried batter. I can only dream about how good it would've been freshly prepared. The mac n cheese had just a hint of hot sauce which cut through the creaminess. The greens tastes like they'd been cooking for hours in a delicious, rich, ham hock broth. AMAZING. Let's not stop there...we also split a piece of pecan pie and carrot cake. This was total indulgence for a Friday lunch. There's nothing to say about the desserts except OMG (in my Usher voice). I'm so happy that Arnold's lived up to the hype; the expectations fueled by raving reviews and countless TV shows. FIVE BAJILLION STARS!
(5)Abram M.
The brisket and roast beef melt in your mouth. So much flavor in everything I tried. Home made and delicious! Couldn't get enough of the mashed potatoes with the au jus on them. Also the banana pudding is out of this world!
(5)Fishstick Y.
Came here on Monday for the fried chicken special. Crispiest fried chicken I've ever had. Gf got the roast beef, which was very good but the fried chicken was better IMO. All the sides we got - mashed potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese were good. Banana pudding was spot on. Excellent lunch spot. Oh and the line isn't bad, it moves pretty quickly.
(5)Jane H.
Best meat and three in town! Love the taste of roast beef, green beans, bread and pie! Yum
(5)Tim M.
Have been wanting to come here since I saw it on DDD. definitely worth the ride. The roast beef and the brisket were awesome. The sides were equally as good. Will be back soon. Great people great food.
(5)Ruiqiu K.
I've been hearing about fried green tomatoes and had no idea what they looked like or tasted. Imagine my embarrassment when I thought I was buying a weird-looking chocolate chip cookie, only to find out that I bought fried green tomatoes. They were actually the best part of my meal, and something I was looking for but didn't think they had available when I visited. I had their catfish, which was plentiful, but decent. I wasn't too keen on their stewed okra, but wanted to try okra cooked a different way than what I'm used to. I've never had chess pie and it was delicious. Our wait was probably about 20 minutes, but it went quickly. You reach the area where you point to the items you want put on your tray. You may have to share tables, but we were seated at our own table. Still a long line when we left, which just shows how popular this place is. Wish I could have tried out their set menus on the other days.
(4)Kristi G.
Triple D got this one right. Arnold's Country Kitchen is delicious! Everyone in our party of 6 agreed this place rocked the homestyle cooking. From the roast beef, fried catfish, baked chicken, to all the super yummy sides everything was a hit. Oh and don't forget the dessert, the pecan and chess pie were the perfect ending to our super guilty cheat meal!
(5)Sarah S.
My friend and I drove by a couple of times before finally stopping in. We got scared seeing a line way out the door but the line actually moves pretty quickly and somehow there always seems to be enough seating to accomodate everyone. It would help a bit if tables were bussed more quickly as then there would be a bit more space for seating. A few tables we saw were overrun with dishes leaving no room for people to sit down. Arnold's is kind of a cafeteria style setup - Long line of people, pick the food you want that's dished out from various trays, pick up some pie if you want it and off you go to the register to pay, then to find a seat. When you pick your food, you choose a meat main dish and three side dishes cleverly referred to as Meat & Three. There are usually 4 or 5 mains to pick from and about 10 side dishes. For my main I picked the Chicken & Dumplings which comes in a separate little bowl. I liked them but wasn't in love at first bite. For one of my sides, I knew I had to have the mac & cheese. Again, I liked it but wasn't over the moon. It reminded me of Stouffer's with a bit of seasonings. Don't get me wrong, Stouffer's mac & cheese is some ish, but it's just not my favorite way of having it with a slightly processed cheese feel to it. My other sides were a corn tomato souffle special and fried okra or greens - can't remember which it was now. But of these side dishes were sadly quite forgettable. I ate them, liked them, but mind not blown. For dessert, they have a few pies to pick from including a spicy one! I got the standard chocolate pie covered in a thick layer, way more thick than the pie itself, of marshmallow fluff. As with everything else, I liked it just fine but didn't love it and crave more as I usually do with chocolate treats. Would I go back? Yes in a heartbeat but I think I'd try some different dishes. I was going in expecting to love everything about Arnold's so I'm kind of sad I didn't like it more than I did.
(3)Nikita L.
Stopped by for a quick lunch. The brisket was soo good! Side dishes are very salty, but overall a good place for lunch.
(4)Michelle M.
We ate an enormous lunch at Arnold's on our way out of Nashville. My husband ran inside and picked up our meal while I waited in the car with the pug, and we struggled to eat the gigantic quantity of food inside the car while simultaneously preventing said pug from eating it all himself. It was worth the trouble! I had fried shrimp, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, cheese grits and cornbread. The shrimp were tasty but nothing super special- the stand-outs were the sides. The potatoes were creamy and buttery, the mac was DELICIOUS and the cheese grits had a really delicious and unique flavor. It was all really good and I ate every bite! We also shared a slice of chess pie, which I had never had before, but both of us liked it. It was sweet and creamy and a perfect way to round out the meal (and leave us positively stuffed). Yum!
(4)Robin B.
Friendly service, fast pace, and TOO MUCH SUGAR. I cannot stress how overly thick and sweet their sweet tea was, and the chocolate pie was not at all silky, but grainy and thick. Green beans were somewhat too salty, but were on par with typical meat and three type places around the south. Stand in line, and order cafeteria style. High notes: free lot parking, grouper was perfectly crisped, and turnip greens were tender and meaty.
(3)Evan W.
- A Nashville Legend - After multiple recommendations I finally decided to drive here at lunch ( ONLY LUNCH) This place was a local hot spot catering to a crowd so diverse you'll see a lawyer standing behind a farmer! The food speaks for itself : Roast be
(5)Ferdinand H.
I have a weakness for chicken fried steak... You know, the beef that's battered in bread then fried? Like, fried steak? That's called chicken? It makes sense to me now, although it still throws me for a loop. At any rate, I'd asked around Nashville where I might find some of the chicken fried steak in the area, and most of the chefs and diners that I'd asked said Arnold's. Well, they didn't have it that day (it's there sometimes), but an entree and several sides later, I did come to the conclusion that there's great value at eating at this yon hole-in-the-wall that brings the cafeteria style mix and match plate menu concept to a a high level of quality. While you're not likely to keep a trim figure if you decided to eat here every meal, neither will you find the grease extra-excessive, nor seasoning extra-sodium-hypertension-causing. Flavorful, zesty, and homey... it's neither showy nor exuberant... it's honest cooking that is unabashedly southern.
(5)