We have never had such a fun experience out dining with family and friends. The environment is amazing, the food is AMAZING!!! and the staff is the bomb. If your looking for a place with great food this is the spot. But what makes it unique is the actual dining experience. It's like sitting around a thanksgiving table. Best way to describe it is like eating at grandmas house on thanksgiving. But the best part is that it's not just a thanksgiving feast but some delicious breakfast on weekends and a variety of lunch and dinner menus. If your in Nashville this should be on your bucket list of restaurants to eat at. Enjoy!
(5)
Ashley M.
If you're looking for a truly Southern dining experience, Monell's is the place! On a recent trip to Nashville, we were excited to venture to Monell's--a place on my "must try" list and it just so happened to be Mother's Day lunch, so we were in for a real treat! Parking can be tricky along the street, but luckily we arrived early and were able to snag a spot directly across from the restaurant. For seating for two, we were told it would be about 45 mins to an hour. The wait was a bit long and true to the promise, but totally bearable as we found seats outside in their garden area. Monell's stocks light snacks and refreshments under a tent for its guests while they wait, which is a nice feature I hardly ever see and really reminds me of how great southern hospitality service can really be. On this particular Sunday, take your pick of tea, water, small bags of chips, or homemade nachos kept warm in a chafer pan! Once we were seated, everyone was ready to start eating--which is great because there's already food and drinks waiting on the table for you to devour. We started off with 3 salads: spinach and pea (my personal favorite), coleslaw, and zucchini and tomato. The drinks on the table are: sweet and unsweet tea, fruit tea, and water. Shortly after being seated, a lady comes over to explain the house rules (pass to the left, no cell phones) and then the food starts pouring in: a huge basket of fresh biscuits, rolls, cornbread, sausage gravy, corn pudding, asparagus casserole, turkey casserole, green beans, pork tenderloin, fried chicken (another personal favorite), and peach pie for dessert. Wow, just wow--everyone gets so excited for all the food, the atmosphere is happy, full, and delightful. The food itself is very southern--soft, salty, and sweet. It's not that this place has the best food you could ever eat, it's that they have the family dining experience to a tee and you oftentimes have more fun dining with these strangers than you could ever imagine. Definitely worth a try and I would happily go back!!!
(4)
Jessica R.
Oh Myyyyy!!!! I could not have chosen a better place for a southern lunch! Such a cool idea, family style dinner where you sit at a table with people you don't know, it makes for very interesting conversations. My bf and I were visiting from CA and met such fun people during our meal, locals and visitors. The locals had great tips and the visitors, great stories about Canada! Haha! As for the food, one word: YUM! Seriously. Mashed Potatoes, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken, fried fish, greens, and for dessert, bread pudding. :D My mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it. Super friendly staff, amazing food, good ambience, and an inviting family style, wish I lived nearby so I could go more often! Definitely a must if you're in Nashville!!
(5)
Brian S.
I had to write another review. I am down here visiting for work this time, and had the dinner service for the first time. Didn't know what to expect, but it was homemade cranberry sauce, baked and fried Chicken, pork chops, chicken salad, baked apples, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cornbread , dressing, banana pudding, corn pudding, and macaroni and cheese. I tasted almost everything. All was really good. Chicken salad was my favorite. Dinner was great, but only 2nd to the breakfast!
(5)
Alex P.
Love the service! Come back for the fried catfish and corn pudding. We love meeting new people from all over and share a meal family style. Like like
(4)
Sharon K.
Maybe it's my lone wolf personality, but I didn't really enjoy eating here. It is a huge table where you sit with a lot of strangers and you have to rely on their good table habits to have a good meal. The food is passed around the table... in theory, but often the food gets bottlenecked by some noob who doesn't realize there are other 10 other people at the table. The waitresses don't really do much for you at this place either, it's hard to get coffee or water. The food itself was good, but you never know what's coming out, if you are ok with lots of comfort food and waiting for coffee, go for it. But I didn't see anything very special about this place. Call me crazy.
(2)
Josh B.
A very unique experience for sure. True family style. Outstanding traditional southern comfort food.
(5)
Jimmy W.
Was on my Nashville "to do" list for a while. Finally showed up, sat a table with complete strangers and passed great food around and talked to each other as if we were family. Great concept and social experiment to go along with awesome food. Making this a mandatory stop!!
(5)
Ju L.
I wasn't sure what to expect but I ended up loooooving our meal here. Community eating just feels good, even though I hate being talked to while I have food in my mouth. Our country breakfast included: - biscuits and [heavily baconed] gravy - corn pudding - potatoes - cheese grits - pancakes - cinnamon buns - ham, bacon, and sausage heaped on one plate - fried chicken - pitchers of sweet tea, water, coffee, tea Hot biscuits, hot damn! It's a lot of food but the sharing makes it easy to pace yourself. I revisited the corn pudding and potatoes. SO GOOD. Everything was delicious - nothing surprising, but familiar/homey stuff is that much better when it comes in heaps. Apparently they make most of their food with vegetable oil instead of lard. Still tastes like lard. Everyone seemed to be a tourist like us. At 10 strangers to a table, conversation didn't necessarily flow perfectly and some parties only talked amongst themselves, which was a little irritating - not because I want to hear Rhonda's life story, but because then you have to wave them down to get food passed. For everyone's sake, at least niceties should be exchanged in the beginning... because yes the carbs and fat are great, but you can do your gutbusting anywhere. The community-oriented meal experience is really the point. I was expecting the interior to just look exactly like someone's house but it just looks like a cozy family restaurant - reminded me strongly of Walker Bros. in Chicago ( yelp.com/biz/walker-brot… ) - warm, but also clean and efficient. The outside of Monell's is surrounded by a garden with lots of greenery and a koi pond, and also a swing chair which I practically had to be pried off of. Worth a visit as a tourist? Absolutely. Our meal came in at just under $15pp, to boot. If I were the one driving I would have taken us back again before leaving Nashville.
(5)
Carissa O.
So much food. So much good food. And so cheap considering how much you get. The cole slaw is great, fried chicken is exceptional. We had something called Brown Betty for dessert and it was amazing. I felt like I was eating at my grandma's house and I would come back for sure!
(4)
Leslie B.
A unique experience with a variety of great tasting southern food! The restaurant is a family style setting meaning you WILL be eating with other people. If this is not your thing, then this isn't the right place for you. In my opinion, that is what adds charm to this restaurant. Above the door before you come in, there is a sign that says "Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends" and I couldn't have said it any better. Both times that we ate at Monell's I can honestly say, we made friends. We traded stories, life experiences and most importantly. we laughed! It was a grand time. As for the food, there's plenty of it...and everything is great. If you've never eaten southern food before, this is a great way to get an "introduction" because of the large variety. The staples are greens, green beans, creamed corn, biscuits, cornbread, beans, coleslaw potatoes (mashed or roasted), pecan pie, sweet tea, and of course yummy fried chicken. The first time we went there, the entrees were chicken casserole and pork chops and the best banana pudding for dessert. The second time, it was spinach lasagna and slow cooked pot roast and ambrosia. The pot roast is AMAZING! You can eat as much of anything as you would like so don't be shy. The service is great, really friendly and down to earth people. They make sure that there's plenty of food on the table. The price is extremely reasonable for all the food that they bring out. Oh one more thing, pass the food to your left, and cell phones are not allowed at the table. When you're here, your focus is the food and people you're sharing the experience with. As they say, respect the dining table...I know it's a bit of old school, but hey I think it's a good thing and we need more of it!
(5)
Kayla S.
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Service, Food, there are no negatives to this place. Went for the first time last week while in town for work. I went back a day later. Met some great people there as well. Highly recommend.
(5)
Sharron H.
Me and Hubby visited Nashville for my birthday and he found this on Yelp early Saturday morning and all I can say is HIGH FIVE TO THE HUBBY!!! This place is absolutely AMAZING!!! The food was so good it make you smack somebody and we felt like we was at home and my Mama and Aunties in the kitchen!! The staff was so attentive and sweet, after brunch all I need was a blanket and couch and I would have been out for the count. If someone ever give this place a bad review they either had a bad day or they on drugs....Lol!! I live in Huntsville and would definitely drive here just to eat and go back home!!!!
(5)
Leslie B.
When I asked anyone who had been before, "where do we have to eat in Nashville?" Monell's was by far the most common answer. I seriously could not believe how many people I knew who had stopped here during a Nashville visit. The boyfriend and I came by on a Saturday morning around 11:00 and were greeted with the 70 or so other people waiting for a table...The process of putting your name down is not so clear, the woman taking names also serves as cashier. Just go inside and stay to the left of the counter. Our predicted wait time of 45 minutes was pretty spot on. You can wait outside in a lovely courtyard area, not sure where you would wait in bad weather. Finally, our name was called. What a unique brunch experience! We were led to our 12 person table with others that were waiting and helped ourselves to sweet tea and coffee. Dining with strangers was pretty awkward at first, especially because our table didn't include the most outgoing of individuals. However, once the food started coming out, everyone was very friendly and more than willing to pass whatever you needed. First, out came cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. These biscuits and gravy were insanely amazing. Being from Chicago, I'm not able to experience authentic biscuits and gravy...these were the real deal. After that came a massive platter of bacon/ham/sausage, all of which were hot and tasty. I especially liked their hearty breakfast sausage. With that came scrambled eggs, cheese grits, baked apples, fried chicken, corn pudding, and I'm probably forgetting another item! Everything was so flavorful and delicious, but my favorite side was the corn pudding. It was outstanding. You literally keep passing and eating until you are forced to throw in the towel thinking you may never eat again. And then when you pay...$27 for both of us. WHERE AM I. Outrageously inexpensive for all of the homemade food thrown your way. Overall, must-go for brunch, or any meal really, in Nashville! Very memorable experience.
(5)
Brittany C.
Delicious! Friendly family-style seating and serving. The potatoes and corn pudding were my favorite dishes. The biscuits were great, too!
(5)
Jeff L.
Went to Monell's by the Airport for a friend's anniversary party and I really loved this place. The family style setup was awesome...think southern soul/comfort food version of Buca Di Beppo or a southern meat and three where you can try everything you want, and still get dessert. Because it's family style with big tables, you can have as much or as little as you want and you may sit with some strangers and make new friends. The no cell phone policy annoys some people, but honestly I'm all for it. We don't interact with new people IRL enough. Get off Yelp! or social media for an hour!
(4)
Mark E.
A REAL gem in Nashville. Probably one of the best values I have ever experienced. No, you don't order off a menu, you have what they are makimg, and that's ok because it's ALL good. The food comes fast and fresh. But don't load up on all the delicious food you're first because as soon as you heap up your plate, they nail with the fried chicken. ..and you HAVE to have the fried chicken. I will be going back in March....CAN T WAIT!!!
Omw.... this place is amazing!!!! You do have to pace yourself otherwise you will get full FAST! The biscuits are unbelievable... and the peach preserves WOW, and I don't even like peach jelly but WOW!!! Best breakfast I've ever eaten and the ambiance is neat too!
(5)
Lauren M.
Food was EXCELLENT. Dining arrangements = awkward, especially if you are going as a pair. We were seated at a table with 10 others we didn't know. Although the food was excellent, it made for very awkward conversation. Still though, all you can eat fried chicken, biscuits, meatloaf, chicken n dumplings with a plethora of salads and sides, plus sweet tea and lemonade for $12 at lunch cannot be scoffed at. Staff here were all very motherly and nice.
(4)
Moira R.
Always my place for visitors. Everyone who comes through Nashville to visit comes through here with me -- because the food is so good. (Corn pudding is delicious x 1000.) Also, I think for my East Coast/Pacific Northwest based family & friends, this place is a really good introduction to what the South is about, in my experience -- food and family. The restaurant is a house with a garden (+ koi pond) that feels like you're hanging out at your Grandma's house on Easter Sunday. If there is a wait, and sometimes there really is, it's not so bad out there, but do be prepared for this. I imagine for some people, the family style seating:12 people to a table whether you came with them or not, passing everything to the left, and "if you sit, you pay" rules are troubling, but that's the style of restaurant this is, and ultimately I find it adds to the charm. (Please do be forewarned that sometimes the family seating can make this experience a little awkward -- I've been sat with families who have had terrible reactions to the "rules", weird groups of people from conferences who were awkward with each other and with the folks I was with by extension, and people who have told me "we've eaten here every night for a week!" which is kind of frightening when you think about it -- this is like a Thanksgiving dinner, folks, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're eating 3,000 calories at once. ) Brunch and dinner have both been delicious. I like that sweet tea, un-sweet tea and lemonade are right on the table for you. (No alcohol.) Ultimately, I've loved everything I've eaten here, but fair warning, the food does have that sloppy made at home feel. If that's not your thing, or if you're looking for something "gourmet", this is not your spot. Check the website for the menu for the day before you go. Also, my service here has always been amazing. The hostess and wait staff have been nothing but welcoming and accommodating when I've been there. Will be back.
(4)
Jerry Y.
The food is pretty good. Family-style southern comfort food. Concept is good, location is great. However for the wait and price for the meal, the value was not there. I would wait 15 minutes for this meal, not an hour plus.
(3)
Ryan M.
Living in Chicago, Monelles may be my first real introduction to authentic southern food - and Monells did not disappoint. We arrived by taxi shortly after 3 and to our extreme disappoint read on the front door sign that lunch hours end at 3. We figured we were already there so my as well go in and see if they were still seating. Well the food isn't the only thing southern here so is the hospitality...the owner was more than willing to oblige. The restaurant is in an old home which provides charm and the seating is family style so be prepared to share food and a table with people you don't know. This was a little uncomfortable for my girlfriend. Everything was excellent but my favorites were the collard greens, meat loaf, and banana pudding. You definitely won't leave hungry. Me and my girlfriend had a good laugh later that evening when we were at a sushi restaurant and ordered a roll and realized that we just paid the same price for some rice, tuna, avocado as we did for a southern feast at Monells.
(5)
Amy N.
Such a great place to take out of town guests for a unique "southern" experience. The food is good, but the real value is in the ambience (the restaurant is a converted Victorian mansion), the company (unless you come with a big group you'll be seated family style with strangers or "new friends"), and the neighborhood (located in the really great part of Germantown so don't miss a chance to take a stroll around the block while you wait for your table. Spoiler alert: if you go on the weekend, you'll be waiting awhile. Luckily there's an awesome cupcake shop (Gigi's?) down the street if you need a treat before you eat.
(5)
Ann F.
Love this place: friendly staff, good food, and a family style dining experience. Thank you!
(5)
Courtenay L.
Wow, where to start? First of all, I realize this is a very popular place that usually gets 4-5 stars. However, I feel like I need to share my experience to show the other side of things. I went here with my boyfriends family one morning for breakfast. It was crowded and the hostess seemed pissed about it (or something else) so we were not greeted in a kind way. She led us to the back and we were a bit confused about how the seating works because none of us had been there before so when she lead us to a huge table we started to sit down and I apparently chose the wrong seat and she said "NO, over there, not there" She wasn't even pointing at anything so I changed seats with little to no direction. Everyone else was confused too and she just said "Sit" to all of us- once again, no kindness. I think it is important that each party at least gets asked "Have you been here before?" before seating them since Monell's does seating and serving a little differently (communal tables and family style). We didn't understand it was this type of a restaurant. I know some people think it is fun to sit next to strangers- I found it awkward and unpleasant. When I saw the hostess walk back I notified her I would not be eating (I am a vegan for health reasons) she said it didn't matter, I would be charged anyway. I would NOT have suggested going here if I knew I was going to pay 14 dollars for a glass of tea. She was so rude, and I understand that is their policy but she should have EXPLAINED that before I sat down and "took up a space". I'll just sit on my boyfriends lap next time, thanks. When I left I did see a sign with very small print on the door explaining the "rules" of Monell's. Screw any restaurant that has rules! Why can't a person relax while eating instead of being forced to sit next to strangers and follow some weird policy?! Anyway I just want to mention the WORST part- there were FLIES swarming everywhere- sitting on the food and all around the dining room- at least 3 at our table at once. I'M SORRY that is just wrong. I was glad I wasn't eating. That being said, everyone enjoyed the food which I am guessing is the reason for most of the positive reviews. So I am sure my experience would have been enhanced had I been able to eat. So I will give it that! A few points to sum it up: The Bad: 1. Rude and lazy staff 2. FLIES everywhere 3. Communal seating (which some people may find fun) 4. You get charged for eating, even if you don't and no one will tell you that until it's too late The Good: 1. The taste of the food This is my first Yelp post- I was that mad!!!
(1)
Steph C.
The highlight of our Nashville trip!! It's like going to Grandma's house. Except that instead of family members, you dine with a table of friendly strangers from different walks of life. There's light laughter and chatter and passing of bowls and pitchers and condiments as everyone readies themselves (and their plates) in anticipation of the feast. And then the food arrives. Friendly waiters with armfuls of bowls and platters and baskets, setting them on any empty space on the table, telling you to go for it. And it just keeps coming. And coming. And it's INSANE. Fried chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken n' dumplings, baked apples, potatoes, mac n' cheese, green beans, asparagus casserole, corn pudding, zucchini salad, cole slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn muffins and bread, and banana pudding. The food was SOOO GOOD. Homey, hearty, comforting, and rich. It was way too much food, but I had to at least try everything, so I took a little of each dish and still ended up with a loaded plate. Taking seconds on anything was out of the question. I can't even single out my favorites, they were all delicious. Other than the banana pudding. That pudding made me want to weep, it was so awesome.
(5)
Ashley A.
I probably gained 5 pounds from eating Brunch at this place alone. The food never ends - grits, pancakes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, cinnamon rolls, sweet corn, fried chicken. Meal is incredibly fast. This is a Nashville Institution.
(4)
S S.
Ate at Monell's for first time today. Let me just say phenomenal! Felt like we were having an early Thanksgiving dinner! Awesome home style dishes. Best part of the meal was you eat family style w people who are strangers when you pray, and friends when before you finish dessert! All I can say is if you are ever in the Nashville area Monell's is a must stop lunch destination!
(5)
Fabiana H.
I have been to this place so much since I moved to town that I got a bit sick of the food. Still, a must go place in town, especially for visitors. Unique southern experience and I love the communal table concept. The food is very good, the menu never changes though. i have tried brunch and lunch. Brunch is by far the best experience there. It is wort the long wait!!! Fresh out of the oven biscuits, delicious fried chicken, the corn pudding is my favorite!
(5)
Mel D.
In Nashville for a conference looking for a unique culinary experience, look no further then Monell's. This Nashville establishment is a gem. Family style dining and INCREDIBLE FOOD!!!! The corn pudd'n is awesome! We were there in there meat loaf night and it was out of this world! Loved the unique experience that eating at a large family style dining brings to the atmosphere. You walk in strangers and leave as friends! Truly a fun experience that you must try when in Nashville!!!!
(5)
T-Roc M.
A great experience I'd say. Dinning with strangers in a table. Kinda like thanksgiving everyday though. We sat with strangers had lunch and chatted away throughout lunch. Fun, and great food.
(5)
Peter D.
I have never in my life experienced hospitality so genuine, so heartfelt, and so absolutely amazing, as I did at Monell's. Michael, the owner, redefined going above and beyond the call of duty; my friends and I were absolutely astonished by his kindness and remain thoroughly grateful. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. I suppose I should tell you first that the food is fantastic. If you're looking for some downhome, legit Southern cooking, this is where you want to be. Forget Olive Garden, you're actually family at Monell's. Everyone here will greet you with a smile, and after a short wait (they are quite popular, but the line moves quickly and the garden you wait in is beautiful), you'll be ushered into what looks like your grandmother's dining room. Unless you have 14 people or so, you're going to be sharing a table with some other folks for a family-style feast. The table was already set with sweet tea, tea punch and other beverages, as well as several types of hot sauce and other condiments you may or may not need. Don't worry about ordering right either, because they are just going to bring you everything. And I mean EVERYTHING: Corn pudding, cheese grits, green beans, vinegar pork, coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, pecan pie...it's all there, and it's all good. You take however much you want, and you pass it to your left. And there will be enough for everyone, I guarantee it. I went back to my favorite items at least twice, and there was definitely still leftovers. Once you've eaten yourself to the point of delicious, perfectly satiated pain, you get up and pay only $20, which is perhaps the best deal I've ever encountered. It is so worth it, I would easily have paid twice that for the privilege of sitting down in their dining room. I was sad I had to leave, but I will be back each and every time I'm in Nashville. This brings me to the only downside of Monell's, as well as the reason they've earned a customer and advocate for life: It's not in the most heavily trafficked area of Nashville. If you don't have a car, it's nearly impossible to get back downtown because there is no public transportation to speak of. However, we had let the owner Michael know that we had a plane to catch, and he was nice enough to call us a cab. The cab company quoted us a wait of about twenty minutes. After half an hour though, there was still no sign of a cab. We were standing on the street out front, starting to get a bit worried, and Michael came outside suddenly and told us to come with him. We followed him to the back, assuming there was a cab waiting on the other side. He unlocked a silver sedan, and told us to pile in. This man was worried that we were going to miss our flight, and he insisted on driving us back to our hotel. Let me repeat that so there's no confusion: the owner of Monell's walked out of his own restaurant during service, and insisted on driving us -- four complete strangers from another city -- back to our hotel in HIS OWN CAR. This selfless gesture of hospitality actually blew my mind. It's not like this man wasn't busy. Michael owns the place. From the time we walked in, he was busy keeping the extensive waitlist, running the cash register, leading folks to their tables...all while cracking jokes and welcoming everyone into the restaurant all on his own. And he just dropped everything and drove us, in his own car, back downtown. Unbelievable. Thank you Michael, for being the absolute definition of Southern hospitality. The sign above the door says that we arrive strangers and leave as friends, and you better believe you've got one in Brooklyn from here on out.
(5)
Andy C.
It's a nice restaurant for a meal. I thought the meal was too fast, and the wait was longer than I expected. I came here by myself. It's better to come in a group. Food was pretty good. Service was good. Nice place. I like the pork, corn, and cake.
(3)
Vince S.
What an experience. My wife and I ate at monells while on our road trip honeymoon. It was by far the most unique dining experience we had on the trip. You sit family style, with strangers. Get to know them. Once dinner starts, you are immediately bombarded with an absurd amount of food. Take a little bit of everything (even the corn pudding!). Each and every item is delicious in its own way. The coleslaw may be the best I've had. The Mac n cheese is amazing. The chicken is great. The beef is so tender. Everything. Just eat it all. Awesome service. Awesome food. Unique experience. Get off of your device and head to monell's!
(5)
Lucy N.
You are in for a real treat if you go here. I was in town form Chicago for a bachelorette weekend in Nashville. The group of girls I was with just randomly decided to go to brunch at this place. Boy were we surprised when we sat down at what felt like Aunt Jemima's kitchen table, and were told to turn off our cell phones! Just go here. The food doesn't disappoint and the friend chicken is the best I've ever had :)
(5)
Tiffany L.
First off come hungry! Monell's was recommended to my boyfriend and I from our Airbnb host while driving through Nashville on our way to Denver. She raved about it! So we went for their country Breakfast/Brunch The Food: The food was great! It comes family style and shared amongst everyone at the table (10-12 people per table) For breakfast they served a selection of pork (bacon, sliced ham, and sausage patties), fried chicken, pancakes, biscuits, corn pudding, cheesy grits..and probably a few things I'm missing! The biscuits were great! The Experience: The inside reminds you of being in your grandmother's home, if it were down in the country! Community style seating with other patrons, which is a great way to meet other folks. The service was excellent, everyone was friendly and kind. The Price: It's a little pricey for breakfast, came out to $30 for the two of us. If you eat a lot it's totally worth it. If you don't eat much then you may be better off going to a regular breakfast restaurant as they only serve family style and everyone who sits gets a meal ticket. The lady next to me didn't eat and there was a whole ordeal about if you sit you must pay...as an fyi. But overall it was delicious and a great experience nonetheless!
(4)
Erik Y.
Like everyone else has stated, it's an awesome brunch! I won't go into details on how it works, etc. Expect a wait, a ton of food, and a fun time! The only thing that prevents a 5 is that they do not have country ham (at least when I was there..) I feel like that would have made it a perfect meal :)
(4)
Maggie C.
Where to even begin? I went there for a rehearsal dinner. The food was to die for! I usually don't like meatloaf and I wanted to keep eating their's. The catfish was delicious as well! Even the coleslaw was great. I can't think of a bad think to say about this place!
(5)
Tai F.
I just don't have a bad thing to say about this place. The service was incredible. The staff was downright ebullient. And even though I didn't really get to have the full family dining experience I had just a lovely time. Thinking I would beat the rush I arrived here at nine am. Well on this freezing cold and snowy Tennessee morning there was barely a person in there. I sat down with a couple who had already been there thirty minutes. They left me alone about fifteen minutes later. Ah well, who doesn't want a huge table of food to themselves!?! My favorite parts were the delicate and juicy fried chicken, the delicious cheese grits, the perfectly flakey biscuits and the fluffy scrambled eggs. I tried everything on the table but still kept coming back to those standards. The pancakes were good, the corn pudding was good, the potatoes and the bacon and the sausage - all good. But I'm telling you, load me up with those biscuits, grits, eggs and chicken and I'm the happiest lady. Next time I'm in town I'd love to come around for the lunch or dinner. Hell, I'll just start the day and end the day here! It's the right thing to do.
(5)
Chris M.
I'm going to do it. I said I never would but I'm going 5 stars. Family style and the great dishes just kept coming. Great. Go eat here!
(5)
Kory K.
Incredible!!! Just as we came in they sat us down next to complete strangers and we instantly started eating. The food just kept on coming. I think I was in heaven. It was like the southern version of Brazilian bbq. I loved getting to meet those we say by, it was a good way to stir up new conversation. The food and atmosphere was So good. The price is well worth it. Two thumbs up from Utah.
(5)
Heather P.
This place takes buffet/family style to a whole new level. On a Saturday morning, my husband and I were the last two to be seated at the table of thirteen. The others had already started eating but were very gracious and welcoming, passing us the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, potatoes, eggs, corn pudding, bacon, country ham, bacon...convinced yet? Then lastly, comes the fried chicken...the four pieces that I had were the best I've ever eaten. This is a true southern experience. If you don't like eating with strangers, then I recommend that you stay away, stay home.
(5)
Sabrina B.
Yummy Southern cooking served family style. You will have more food presented to you than you could ever think of eating. It is down-home grandma cooking at it's best. Yes there will be real butter used in dishes, yes there may be bacon in the green beans, yes there will be biscuit with home made peach marmalade and home made pies and sweet tea. This is the south after all. Monell's has been a Nashville staple for many years and rightly so. The seating is family style, and the dishes seem endless. There is a rotating menu, with some staples available daily. There is a list of daily offerings on their website. So, if you want catfish, check to see if it is on the daily menu. Comfort food at it's best, served with a smile. If you want to share a table with strangers and chow down on truly great southern food, give Monell's a try.
(4)
Ali A.
Might just be the best brunch experience I've ever had. Family style with all the southern food you like or have wanted to try. I would not go back to Nashville and not eat at monells again.
(5)
Jason P.
This place was awesome and takes a new buffet style to the next level with seating you with other people until the large table was full. It was almost like you were on a cruise but everyone was extremely nice and gladly passed you anything that you asked for. The corn pudding was delicious and at any time that you ran out of something they would fix you up a new batch of food. The gravy was not that good and the pancakes had a weird taste in my opinion. The only reason that I didn't give them a 5 star is because of the gravy, pancakes, and the biggest reason is that they do not have any jelly or jam only peach preserves and where I'm from that is essential to breakfast. I would highly recommend this place for others to check out.
(4)
Ted C.
Monell's, oh Monell's! I missed you and love your breakfast so much! We went there for New Years breakfast and since most people were hung over it was a small wait to be seated. I told my girl that the chicken here is amazing and she'd love the carbs. The food is just as good as I remember it and the service was still really good. We struck up a conversation with Pedro who was our busser and he mentioned how all the staff had been there since 11:30 the night before. Monell's serves breakfast from 11:30-3:30 on NYE and they literally stayed the night and still they were helpful, the food good and the experience still awesome. To quote my gf: "We coming to Monell's every time I visit?"-more of a statement and less of a question, folks.
(5)
Alex C.
Literally everything I've had there has been delicious, even things I don't normally like, like collard greens. You WILL come out of there full, and you might even make a few new friends if you eat with folks you don't know. I really like the rule of no cell phones at the table, too.
(5)
Ace B.
If you travel by your self and are looking to meet new people you should definitely check this place out! The food is fabulous and it is communal style eating. Bon appetite :-)
(5)
Colin C.
Great food, atmosphere and prices. We love it!
(4)
Malcolm D.
So much food may not eat for a week, everything good. Experience topped off by sharing a table with a group if guys who get together a couple of times a year welcomed me into their conversation like a local, thanks guys.
(4)
Amanda A.
If there was a time to yelp a place before going, it would be before going to Monell's. while in town for business, everyone and their mother had told us to go to Monell's but no one had told us the concept and AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT KEEPS COMING AND COMING. Though it was a surprise to us, I loved the family cooking and sitting vibe. We got there late on a Tuesday night, so there was a table open for the 4 of us, some random tourists later joined us. There's no menu here. They just bring out bowls of EVERYTHING they make for the night. They told us this after thy had brought out the corn bread and biscuits. Again, had I known this from doing my research on yelp, I would have skipped the bread...though I don't think that would have saved me from the glorious food coma I was in later. Next came the hot food: fried chicken (one of the best ever), veggie lasagna (could have skipped this), beef stew (the best I've had), mashed potatoes, green beans, their famous corn pudding, cannelini beans and turnips. I tell ya, I was in heaven and in pain at the same time. Amazing. Delicious. Real southern home cooking, at its best. After this was dessert, which for the night I was there was peach cobbler. Can't comment on it personally as I didn't have room to try it. My coworkers seemed impressed with it. Skip meals all day and save the room for this. You won't regret it.
(4)
Samantha B.
What an experience! We came on a recent long weekend trip to Nashville for Sunday brunch. We got there at 10, which I was hoping would be a good time. It was packed! We ended up waiting an hour, but it was worth it. We were finally seated at a table in the back, with all of the rooms perfectly decorated for Christmas. Once we were acquainted with our new table of friends, the food started coming out. Biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fried chicken, eggs, baked apples, cheesy grits...the list goes on! Everything was delicious, most notably the biscuits. I wish mine would come out so light and fluffy! Brunch comes to about 17/person including tip. A steal for sure. A must do in Nashville. FYI: make sure to get there on Sundays earlier than 10. We sat at 11 and were the last table to receive brunch. Lunch starts at 11!
(5)
Charles F.
I'll join the chorus of praise on this one. Fantastic dining experience in a beautiful, Gilded Age house in Germantown. There's not much to dislike at Monell's, if anything. Food is served to you by your neighbour to your right - take what you want from the bowl, and pass to the left. Salads, biscuits, cornbread, gravy, fried chicken and catfish, collared greens, mashed potato, corn pudding, mangetouts - all excellent, all really flavourful. So many places now want to do 'their take' on the simple things. Not Monell's - they just do the simple classics right. The corn pudding and collared greens were especially good. Leave room for the banana pudding if you can restrain yourself from stuffing your face - it's pretty good. In spite of Nashville's weird hostility toward pedestrians, you can actually walk here from Broadway in about 15 mins and through Centennial Park, though the walk did involve being stared down by a security guard and ridiculed by an elderly lady on account of us waiting for the pedestrian crossing (what y'all waitin' on?! The little man?? AAAHAA!!)
(5)
Cynthia T.
This is the ONE place I ALWAYS (yes, ALWAYS) bring my visitors to dine. Why? Because it's da-bomb place for all-you-can-eat home-made southern food!!! I've dined there several times and here are my top 3 favorite dishes... Corn Casserole (seriously could eat this all day) Ribs (moist and falls off the bone) Fried Catfish (tender and deliciously seasoned) (honorable mention - fried chicken) They also serve homemade peach preserves. You can look on their website for their daily offerings. Click here: monellstn.com . I've spoken to Michael the owner and he's super friendly and down to earth. Glad he's had success in his business! Here are a few more things to be aware of when you dine at Monell's: 1. It's family style so you sit on large tables and if you're with a small party, you'll most likely be sitting next to what some people would like to call, "strangers" but what I like to call, NEW FRIENDS! 2. They move fast! You'll get your food quickly and you'll feel like they're rushing you. BUT, do not fear. TAKE YOUR TIME, scoop a little of each dish onto your plate at a time. For reals, if it's your first time, don't pile a huge portion onto your plate. You'll regret it later when you get full so fast you can barely get yourself to taste the desserts. I like to take a teeny bit of each thing, taste it and then go back for more of the dishes that I like. One day I will go back for their famous Christmas/Holiday meals! They take reservations for that and book up fast!
(5)
Allie M.
Um.. one word: heaven. Thank you everyone at Monell's for the dining experience I craved whilst here in Nashville. This girl from Baltimore loves you. Holla.
(5)
Jerry B.
Picked this place out of the Yelp list early thus AM. Had no idea what a cool place coupled with a marvelous breakfast served the ole boarding house way we would find! The food just keeps coming! Got a chuckle when the waitress said, pace yourself. If you travel to Nashville make this place a point to go to for sure!
(5)
MyongHi S.
Delicious Southern food and just a really cool and unique concept. Community dining might not be for everyone, but it was definitely a fun experience for me! We met several people from out of state dining at Monell's because it's such a hotspot in Nashville. Because it's so unique, this was definitely one of my favorite things to do while vacationing in Nashville. Mac & cheese is INCREDIBLE. So creamy and cheesy. The fried chicken and oven-roasted chicken were also superb. Those items made the trip entirely worth it. I must say, GO HUNGRY. They aren't joking when they tell you to pace yourselves because it's a ton of food and I found myself getting full before the chicken came out!
(4)
Andrea T.
I'm here to report that breakfast reigns supreme. I mean I haven't had lunch, but breakfast is fierce. If breakfast had fried green tomatoes, I might have to move to Nashville. The breakfast menu is as follows. Coffee, tea, sweet tea, and water. Hot biscuits and cinnamon rolls. I generally do not eat cinnamon rolls, but these were homemade, glazed delicately and really tasty! Then pancakes, corn pudding ( which is to die for), potatoes, scrambled eggs, a big old plate of the best bacon, sausage and ham you ever saw. It is a platter big enough for a turkey with a ton of meat on it. The sausage is spiced perfectly and so damn good. Cheese grits are amazing. The big plus of breakfast is that fried chicken is served!! Oh Monell's what do you put in that damn fried chicken! I can't wait to come back!
(5)
April B.
love the food and family style tables.
(5)
Sophia T.
Monell's country brunch was the highlight of my trip to Nashville. The restaurant is in a refurbished, old fashioned Nashville home, which makes you feel as if you are eating in your grandparents house. I went there at 12:30 PM on a Saturday for the country brunch, which lasts from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We were seated with 3 other parties in 20 minutes on a long wood table in a side room that appeared to be the living room when the restaurant served as a home. Sweat tea, biscuits and gravy and sweet buns were already on the table to pacify us while we waited for the main courses. After snacking on the amuse-bouches, the server came over with family style portions of cheese grits and corn pudding, followed by pancakes and peaches stewed in brown sugar and cinnamon. The entire table dug in, passing each bowl of deliciousness to the left. Before I was able to finish my appetizer, the waiter returned with a sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The sausage circles were perhaps the best that I have ever eaten. The server return for the last time with a basket, the original bucket, of golden, mouth-watering, fried chicken. Check out my picture or better yet go in for breakfast to see for yourself. There was original Louisiana hot sauce on the table to spice it up if that is your preference. Then, we were given meal tickets, which you take up to the front to pay ~$14 without tip for a hearty meal...an amazing deal. After we finished eating, we all exclaimed "I've eaten, and I can't get up!" So, we made friends with the people at our communal table. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a christian priest, baptist minister, and a member of a gospel choir. Before getting up to pay, the Gospel singer agreed to sing a hymn as well as an impromptu song wishing my friends that just graduated Vanderbilt Law luck transitioning into their new phase of life. In conclusion, this restaurant was a 5 for 5 and a all around soulful experience.
(5)
Leann P.
My friends and I had this as our first meal when getting into Nashville, TN. It was fun and delicious! Be prepared to leave in a food-coma state! We got there on a Saturday around noon. We learned that they served breakfast until 1:00 daily. We were sat at a table with a bunch of people we did not know, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a blast! They serve the meal family-style and everyone must pass the plates around the large table. I would definitely suggest pacing yourself when getting your food. I started out putting way too much on my plate and running out of room for everything. The food was all delicious. No complaints! I did appreciate that the request that no one has their cell phone out during the meal. Some people, of course, had their phones out to take pictures, but put them away afterwards. The servers were very kind and prompt. I suggest anyone who visits Nashville experiences Monell's!
Wonderful and well worth the visit. I really enjoyed the experience just as much as the food. Please visitYum Yum
(5)
Sarah Y.
Short story: Monell's has some of the best southern cooking i've ever had. I will go back everytime i'm in Nashville. They have fried chicken that dreams are made of. It's perfect. Longer story: I went to Monell's with a couple friends after New Years Eve celebrations...yes at 2 am! First meal of 2013! Indeed, succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes ARE perfect anytime of the day! The decor is so welcoming and cozy, just like sitting in the living room by the fireplace. I loved passing around the wicker baskets full of goodies, wondering what new item will come out. It seemed like an endless procession. We were all first timers at Monells and it was a hit with everyone.
(5)
Meg B.
Our small group went here on a friend's recommendation and we couldn't have been happier. The biscuits were incredible. Literally perfect. Tied for the best that we tried while traveling in North Carolina and Tennessee. The fried chicken was also deliciously moist. And there was plentiful sweet tea. The atmosphere was also amazing. The truly open family style seating gave us an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers alike, and I loved the setting in an old home. My only recommendation is to pace yourself if you go! Or skip lunch the day of going. There is so much delicious food that pacing oneself is the only challenge.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Contemplating buying an airline ticket just to go eat here again. Its that good. No cell phones at table, its family style and you will leave bursting at the seams. Soooo Good. Mama (owner) is the coolest lady
(5)
Tamera B.
This place is incredible! We were visiting Nashville or 1 day and decided to have dinner here because of the high ratings on Yelp and this was a home run. Yelpers nailed it with this one!! The fried chicken is A-MAZING. The sides were all excellent. The iced tea and lemonade are homemade and wonderful! Don't let the seating arrangement scare you off. We're not the most outgoing couple and we had a lovely experience. We'll never visit Nashville again without visiting Monell's. If you're reading this review, stop and go to Monell's RIGHT NOW.....you'll love it!
(5)
Nancy B.
This is very reasonably priced. I enjoyed this very much. I especially liked that I got here on a good night and didn't have an hour wait. Food was very good, plentiful. I really like the company. It's nice to sit with people and have a conversation. If you like to sit alone or just with yours, this place isn't for you.
(5)
Val W.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. SO. DELICIOUS. Be prepared for the high price, but also know that for the atmosphere, experience, and food, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT. I love the BBQ ribs and the peach preserves are amazing. They sometimes have jars of these you can buy and take home (I recommend doing this), because I eat about four biscuits with preserves every time I go. Servers are very nice, and the place always seems to be busy, yet they will make sure you get seated and eat quickly!
(5)
Sharon L.
If you go to one place in Nashville, this has to be it. It's a truly unique and delightful dining experience that epitomizes the concept of comfort food. In fact, it's downright heart-warming. I just love the idea of strangers getting together to eat food that was clearly made with so much care, like someone's grandma cooked it for Christmas dinner. The only people I would recommend *not* going here are people who dislike children -- there were around six of them at my table because two families stopped by. Other than that caveat, though, I say that you simply MUST go here if you're in Nashville. By the way -- it's vegetarian friendly too, because the sides are great, and on some days they serve spinach lasagna as a main course.
(5)
Sandy T.
Monell's stole the 5 stars in my little black book of southern food! Monell's should be voted to end world hunger and make world peace along with turning everything into green meadows, chocolate, unicorns, and rainbows... Monell's joins the people you don't know aka strangers into a family style dining! After brunch, the couple you didn't know from Adam sitting across the table are your new BFFs... you've exchanged numbers and you're inviting them to your firstborns communion! What may have caused this happy-fear-not-love your neighbor feeling? I don't know, perhaps the owner sprinkled some magic dust on all the guests as they were so friendly welcomed in, perhaps it's the fact of immediately upon sitting having been served baskets and baskets of food, perhaps it's the secret recipe in the homemade biscuits, cheesy grits, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, apples, or the sweet tea! Whatever it is, it worked! We all left happy, our bellies full, well wishing everyone that crossed our path, spreading love and praying for world peace. Monell's you did it again and I Love You!
(5)
Emily K.
Warm, family-style restaurant, where you get to know your fellow eaters over some good home-cooking. The strongest offerings at breakfast were cinnamon rolls and corn putting. But it doesn't matter: you pay a flat fee and try a little it of everything. Would recommend to any out of town visitor.
(4)
Charles M.
Incredible! The staff are great, only outdone by the food. Please, do not eat here unless you are healthy enough to gorge and gorge some more. I cannot say enough about the food. The only weak spot was the gravy for the biscuits, it was boring. The rest of the food made up for it. They even had great iced tea (unsweetened - which is hard to find in these parts).
(5)
Rachael F.
Excellent home cooking! We went for Sunday brunch before heading out of town. I thought I was going to need someone to roll me onto my plane. Anyway, great family style setup. We enjoyed meeting the other folks at our table: a local family eating after church and a traveling couple. Just some advice (that came from our waiter): they serve the inexpensive stuff first (biscuits, cornbread, mac n cheese, veggies...), so don't get full on that before the delicious fried chicken, pot roast, etc is served. Overall, it's great for the food and southern atmosphere!
(5)
Mark M.
This place is phenomenal. We were visiting for the weekend and were sat with a mix of visitors and locals and enjoyed our company almost as much as the food itself. I don't think anyone else could mimic the atmosphere of this place if they tried. Truly a special meal. Thank you Monell's!
(5)
Lettie L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers we held out being hungry during our Toronto - New Orleans road trip and decided to skipped out on all the Mickey D's and Dunkin Donuts to try this amazing family style southern food. It's been almost a year and my boyfriend still talks about this place. Though we can't really recall the taste of the food but the experience was memorable. You are seated with different people and through passing the food around and helping each other dine it almost feel like you are with your family. There are plenty to eat, the fried chicken and fried catfish were super delicious.
(5)
Charles H.
Best "authentic southern" brunch restaurants in Nashville. Monells serves everything family style and it's great! Don't worry if you come with a small party with less than a full table, you'll just get paired up with other people which can make for a fun, interesting brunch experience. Try it all, but pace yourself and save room for a biscuit and a piece of fried chicken!
(5)
Susan L.
i loved everything about monell's - the food, the atmosphere, the people, location even. we came here after walking around centennial park/the parthenon on a saturday, waiting until 1PM so we could catch the lunch menu. we pulled up and found that monell's was almost in a neighborhood-y looking area - super cute. we walked in and got the last two seats at a table that was almost full. it was fun to be seated around a big table with strangers and hear everyone's story, where they were from, recommendations for food where they came from, etc. there was a slaw and pickled cucumber dish on the table when we started, as well as some sweet tea and lemonade. then came the biscuits, cornbread, and gravy. then came corn pudding, mashed potatoes, cheese grits, apples. then came the fried chicken, meatloaf, and ribs. i'm sure i am forgetting some sides here but there was so much food - impossible to keep track of, especially since monell's has a no cell phone policy. the food was delicious and kept getting passed around the table. and to finish, there was banana pudding - the kind with nilla wafers. i wish i had fifteen stomachs so i could keep going back here and eating the food. felt so full afterwards and could barely walk, but had fun checking out the farmer's market nearby. seriously wish i could go back!
(5)
Benita M.
I really shouldn't be reviewing this place as it's pretty much pointless to eat here as a vegetarian, but my meat-eating friends wanted a traditional southern meal and I figured I could fill up on sides. For the sides, I would give it three stars but due to ambiance and the experience, I'm giving it four. My favorite sides were the biscuits, which were amazing, and mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of sweet sides and so didn't care for the rest. Paired with the sweet tea, it was just too much. I couldn't eat my dessert but my friends said the strawberry cobbler-like dessert was very good. But I'm sure no one comes here for the sides. This is definitely where the locals go. As a visitor, I liked the charming location. The family- style seating was nice since we were able to meet others. We were seated with a friendly family, which made the meal more enjoyable.
I visited this restaurant and could not have been happier. I was seated in a large party with an couple from Chicago. The food was to die for, authentic and tasty. As a northeaster I was a little worried about the communal seating, but it added to the charm of the whole place and really made us feel like we were at someones table.
(5)
Nathan K.
Really liked this place. Interesting take on a Meat and 3 establishment. I had the roast beef and the pineapple casserole--both pretty good. I think everyone that had the pineapple casserole recommended it. The potatoes were pretty decent, but I think I would have opted for a more creative option on the menu, if I had it to do again. Parking is a bit of a challenge potentially--there is some around back as well. 4.75 out of 5
(5)
Christopher E.
This is a must visit in Nashville. They make you feel right at home and the food is southern-delicious. Go hungry because you will need the stomach space because the food keeps coming.
(5)
Lauren D.
This place was amazing!! Delicious southern style food that seems never ending, each dish better than the last. I went with a group of ten for a bachelorette party brunch and it was perfect. We came hungry, had only a short wait, and left full and happy! My favorite was the corn pudding and pancakes. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
(5)
Roy C.
Went there during vacation. Nothing but fond memories, and for the first time in years couldn't walk after a meal. Now I understand why people from the South always say breakfast is the best meal of the day. The place came with some communal dining tables, and they tend to fill half of the table before jumping to next. I was with a local family, and a couple driving 2 hours from Arkansas. I surely did feel the soul and passion with the food and service. Being in the original location, the manager was more willing to share the stories about the building. Soon enough they made sure my table was overflown with food, while I was sipping iced tea with real peach juice. Being someone quite uneducated about Southern food, my favorites were the fried chicken, collard greens and biscuit.
(5)
Gale K.
My boyfriend and I came the Sunday before Christmas and were the first people there for breakfast! What a breakfast! The food is served family style in a beautifully festive Victorian room. Each table sat up to 12. There was a lazy Susan with condiments and unsweetened iced tea. The server started off with cinnamon buns, biscuits, gravy, corn pudding, coffee, and sweet tea. That was followed with cheese grits, fried potatos, bacon, huge sausage patties, country ham, fried chicken, fried apples, scrambled eggs, and pancakes! These were all served in big bowls and passed around the table country style. Our table mates were cordial and we shared the food and coversation. The house was beautifully decorated and it was definitely a homey atmosphere! Everything that I ate was delicious. I especially enjoyed the corn pudding which is something I make for holidays. Their's tasted like mine so I highly recommend it ! LOL If you are in Nashville, please take some time to come here for breakfast. Though I haven't tried the other meals, I'm sure they are equally good.
(5)
Josh W.
A great place to take the whole family. Because it's so good you do wait a little bit but it's worth it in the end. You eat with people you don't know but by the time your meal is over you definitely are family! Good ole southern cookin'!
(5)
Ben S.
I was in Nashville for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament and nobody really knew the town well except for 1 guy who INSISTED that we go to Monell's. We went on either a saturday or sunday afternoon (I can't remember exactly) and we were a big party. It was a 30 min wait, so about half the team left to go somewhere else because they were hungry. ...Huge mistake. The food was out of this world. The "main course" was fried catfish, chicken and pork (passed around of course) and these were all quite good. But even better were the sides. Green beans, biscuits, corn, potatoes, cornbread, banana pudding and even more. They were all amazing and delicious. I can't wait to go again the next time I'm in town! (p.s. I literally just got a yelp account just so I could say how good Monell's is)
(5)
Joseph A.
There should be a 6 star rating for extraordinary meals! This place is amazing. Went on a Wednesday evening when they were serving Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Baked Chicken...wow! Sides were Corn Bread dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, peas, and much much more. Desert was a peach cobler-like dish! Wow! Did I mention wow?
(5)
Liz G.
Bottom line: A very memorable southern dining experience! Pros: It is set in what looks like someone's house (great homey feel), it had the best corn muffins Iv've ever tasted, and a large varriety of side entrees and food. The pot roast was amazing, the lassagna was delicious, and the friend chicken was finger lickin' good! Cons: It is a pre determined menu, so you do not get to pick your food. The banana pudding was the only option for dessert that evening and since I don't like it, I missed out! They have strict no cell phone rules and you will get scolded like a child if you pull it out. Also, you are seated at a big table with strangers so if you aren't into that kind of thing, pick another restaurant!
(4)
Kristin A.
The short of it: - family style Southern food restaurant - incredible employees and owner! - cute cottage like building - reasonable prices - extensive variety of food - Favs: skillet fried chicken The long of it: Highlight of my trip to Nashville was eating at Monell's. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew going in was it was a Southern food restaurant and I was sold. The whole experience is best described as family style even down to the seating. You are literally placed at a large table with other parties just like one big happy family. You may not know the person next to you or across from you but get comfy because you will be passing the dishes around to each other. At first you may think its awkward but once the food is at the table all your shyness goes out the door. I think the sight of all the delicious food just makes everyone so happy and you just start talking to your neighbors and it just turns into a great atmosphere. I absolutely love it. The South definitely knows how to eat. I would say we had almost 15 different dishes from biscuits, corn bread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried chicken, baby back ribs, pasta, sweet potato casserole to banana pudding, the list was so long. It felt like an extreme version of Thanskgiving just without the turkey. Overall, the food was good, my favorites that night were the skillet fried chicken and the baby back ribs. Everyday their menu changes slightly, they have the main staples like biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, etc., but there are main dishes that change everyday for example that day's special was fried catfish and baby back ribs. Supposedly the best meal here is breakfast on the weekends. I really wish I had two stomachs because there was so much food I was so full but you just wanted to keep eating. The staff here was so friendly and we even met the owner. Mr. King was a delight and he even drove my friends and I back to the downtown area because the wait for a taxi was 2 hrs that night and it was a bit far to walk to where we needed to go! So grateful and lucky to meet such awesome people! That's really Southern hospitality for you!
(5)
Michelle S.
This place was a very fun interactive experience. We were the last few to arrive to the table for dinner and were quickly caught up to speed on the "rules". You sit with other diners at one large dining room table. They start you off with salads and biscuits and gravy, pass to your left and keep passing as the server refills when needed. The gravy was not very flavorful. Next comes the sides; green beans, fried okra, collards, potatoes, hushpuppies(dry and not the type of hushpuppies i am use to) and more. And then the main event; fried chicken, ribs, fried trout and lasagna. It was rather odd to have the Lasagna. The fried chicken was super crispy but dry on the inside. The ribs were my favorite! Dessert is preset on the table; banana pudding. Not my favorite, so I passed. Wish they had two desserts. It all happens so fast and it's unfortunate that you aren't able to enjoy the meal. Great experience, but I don't think I would go back for dinner
(3)
Smilie G.
So much fun. Love the concept. Pass the food to the left, sit with strangers, no cell phones at table. There are cold sides, then hot sides, then your meats which change daily. Totally different, totally cool. The staff rocks!
(5)
Paul K.
Every time someone was downsized or let go from our company we came here, so naturally Monell's inspires some fear in me. As a vegetarian the options here are a little slimmer for me, but the quality of what you do get, and the quantity also, are amazing. One negative thing to some / fine to others that you should know going in is you will be seated with other people and will be requested to not play with your cell phones. You pass food about and probably better have showered if you're going there or you'll be known as the stinky kid at the table. Wait times are generally minimal unless you're going there Sunday at 12:10, in which case you can plan to wait so bring a sandwich. Parking can be a pain, large groups can be a pain but generally are not, depends on how large - there's a tipping point of pain. We sat with many random strangers as we wished a newly leaving employee best wishes. It got easier with time, which may have been just because our contribution to the table got progressively smaller. One note of warning is bring your loose fitting pants... don't go stretch pants, you need to be a bit classier than that, but your stomach is going to thank you for the extra room.
(4)
C S.
Monell's was an absolute treasure! Family style dining, that makes you feel at home no matter how far you've traveled! Dishes like fried catfish, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans, fried chicken, pudding, etc. are paired with sweat tea, lemonade or water and are just delicious. We didn't eat one bad thing, were served with a smile, and enjoyed the no cell phone rule! If you leave here hungry, or unhappy, it's your own fault!
(5)
Carmanise L.
Monell's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Nashville. I had the privilege of being introduced to this gem about 4 years ago and it stole my stomach's heart. The setup is a little unusual but once you sit down and begin to enjoy those fluffy biscuits and apricot/peach preserves that goes out the window. The food was amazing too, we had fried chicken, roast, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese and other dishes as well. I sat in the seat were every dish started and had the pleasure of trying everything first. With all being said you are doing your stomach a disservice if you do not stop here and eat even if you have to wait it is well worth it.
(5)
Kyle H.
If you're missing having dinner at your grandma's or wonder what southern cooking is all about, you've got to stop by Monell's when you are in Nashville. It's always great, always different and always an experience. My favorite day to go is Friday. Why? I love catfish and fried chicken!
(5)
John A.
We ate breakfast here yesterday... Awesome! Loved the family dining atmosphere and all of the food! Corn pudding = pure goodness.
(5)
Emi H.
My goal in life is to have your Grandma cook for me. In my opinion there are few things better in this world than sitting down in a house and having a Grandma slave away in the kitchen. The meal rarely disappoints because Grandma don't play that. The center of her existence is making sure that the people at her dining room table are happy and stuffed til they can't walk. I don't know many people in Nashville and was not able to crash a family dinner, but Monell's was the next best thing! I walked in not knowing what to expect and was seated at a large dining room table next to two other guests. I left a chair between myself and the male guest but the server warmly scolded me "No hon, you've got to move down and sit right there." Then a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized THIS is what they meant by family style dining! I quickly got acquainted with my dining partners as we shared multiple sides, baskets of biscuits and fried chicken. You're instructed to pass to the left and then go from there. I was not told how much lunch was but get ready for your mind to be blown my yeoples! $12.95 (INSERT HUGE FLASHING LIGHTS HERE) for an all-you-can-eat Southern food extravaganza. Maybe this is an everyday type of thing here in Nashville, but in Honolulu there is no way you could get this type of dining for such a small price tag. In total we had about 15 different sides/dishes (dressing, cabbage, cole slaw, broccoli salad, biscuits w/ peach preserves, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, deep fried pork chops, green beens, strawberry shortcake) as well as lemonade and sweet tea. Some folks might not enjoy sitting down with strangers but it made the experience so much more interesting! Plus I'm vacationing solo and really enjoyed meeting some locals. They have a very strict "No Cellular Phone" policy at Monell's and I applaud this! The waitress asked the woman dining with me to put away her cell phone (very nicely I might add) because she didn't want her boss to ask the woman to leave. I guess the man who owns the restaurant grew up in a family where phones and television were not allowed during supper time and he brought that tradition over to his business. Man, we need that rule at all restaurants! In conclusion my friends, put on those stretchy pants and get ready to stuff your face with home cooking until you go into a self-induced food coma. Southern cuisine is not a part of my everyday existence and thank the Lord or my ass would be huge! Thank you Monell's for welcoming me to your table, showing me Southern hospitality and making me feel like I'm at Grandma's house! Yelp 365 Challenge: #193/365 (The Grandma's Table)
(5)
Kati H.
I am knocking off one star simply because we were the second name on the list for lunch and still somehow had to wait until 1:45 to eat (lunch opens at 1, supposedly) because the kitchen was "running behind." That being said...food was PHENOMENAL. So delicious. I only got a little of everything but there were so many different things that I still ended up eating too much. It was worth the wait, just be warned that even if you do get your name at the top of the list, it could be a while.
(4)
Kathleen K.
This place is old school to the max. I love it. Come hungry - REALLY hungry - and prepare to absolutely stuff your face. You'll eat family style at big tables, too, so don't come in expecting to eat in silence or have a lot of privacy :) I like to come for brunch, because my two favorite things are the fried chicken and the cinnamon rolls. Amazing. My family has also gotten Monell's takeout for Thanksgiving before, and we love it.
(5)
Marissia W.
Family style with great food. House rule: if you sit you pay... Even if you don't eat so travelers with groups be aware
(3)
Jessica S.
Definition of comfort food. You MUST go here if you're ever in Nashville. Seriously, you won't regret it.
(5)
Heidi C.
We went to Monell's based on a recommendation by the person we were staying with. At first, it was a little weird to eat with strangers but it ended up being fun! The food was the best we ate all week. The fried chicken was fabulous as was the rest of the food. We'll be going there again in the future.
(5)
Chenxi L.
Food here tastes good, which is typical 'American food' in my mind, love the ribs and chicken! Great atmosphere, a place worth trying.
(4)
Rachel E.
I'm from the mitten (aka, Michigan) and where we come from, good down-home southern soul food can be hard to come by. Monell's was one of my favorite places when we were visiting Nashville and here's why... 1. The food was excellent. Now, it's not something that I would recommend people eat everyday (or even once per month) because it's not very healthy. However, it was an amazing way to experience true soul-food while in Nashville. We had the country breakfast and it consisted of: **Biscuits & Gravy, ***Corn Pudding, **Cheesy Grits, *Bacon/Ham/Sausage Patty platter, *Potatoes, **Fried Chicken, *Scrambled Eggs, *Pancakes, **Cinnamon Rolls, and *Fried Apples (I gave the dishes a star rating with three stars being the best) 2. The atmosphere added to the overall experience. You didn't feel like the place was trying too hard to be authentic - it IS authentic. You feel like you are sitting with your family at your grandmothers house for sunday brunch. The furniture, the decor and even the dishes looked like they came from a vintage second-hand store. It seemed like it made the food taste that much more country. 3. The service is fast and the prices are decent. As soon as we sat down and helped ourselves to coffee and sweet tea, the first batch of food hit the table. From then on, a steady stream of servers and chefs kept bringing dish after dish of food for you and your guests to pass around the table. We went on a Saturday morning and it was about $14 per person. But because it's all-you-can-eat, I thought the price was very fitting. 4. The rules. Yes, they have rules! Pass the dishes to the left, no cell phones and eat what you take. To me, it just drove home the old-school feel of the place. If you visit Monell's, prepare to waddle out of there! We were sitting at a table with 14 people and as a table, we couldn't finish what they served us, it was a TON of food!
(5)
C.C. S.
My wife has already Yelped this because she LOVES this place, and for good reason. When you drive up, it's like you're going to Grandma's house - literally, it looks like a house on the street. There's a nice area out back with swings where we sat and waited on the rest of our party to show up. I made a rookie mistake - the place is family style, you sit with people who are not in your party and you pass around dishes like the Indians and Pilgrims did. In this case, it was a gang of Vanderbilt students and Oprah Winfrey's dad, but the metaphor still holds water. My rookie mistake was that I filled up on side dishes. The corn casserole, the green beans, hush puppies, and more SO MUCH MORE. Everything is good so I should probably give this place 5 stars but I'm in a tough mood today. The best part of the meal is not the sides, that was my mistake. It's the fried chicken, ribs and the fried catfish, all of which are some of the best I've ever had and I'm from a southern coal mining town. One guy in our party ate at least 30 ribs and I sat there, full-bellied, jealous as hell of the fact that he had reserved his previous stomach space. My main complaint about the place was that I needed more room to put all the goodness. Dessert was just meh - a strawberry shortcake mush that was good but not great. The only real disappointment of the entire meal. The cost is about $16/person and it's extra to add coffee. Pitchers of tea and lemonade were on the table when we got there but I was told by the server that lemonade was not always there - nevertheless, Arnold Palmers were flowing when I was there. Definitely going back and recommending it to friends.
(4)
Ben G.
My wife and I were beating the historical heat in Nashville a few weeks ago when we arrived at Monell's. Our party of two joined a meal already in progress- a party of three and one were already starting in on their biscuits, gravy, and cole slaw. In another ten minutes, our table would be full with other diners. Everything is served family style, and everything is southern. If you're from Savannah, you will note that this place is basically Mrs. Wilke's Dining Room transplanted in Nashville; along with the food quality. Just about every single dish was beyond excellent (the barbecued pork loin was, unfortunately, a tad dry). The skillet fried chicken was the real winner, but everything else also had its high points. Basically you're sitting at a table with all available real estate used by either plates or serving platters & bowls. There is no part of the table left unoccupied. The service was fast & courteous. The prices were great. You cannot beat Monell's, however I would recommend showing up early or on the late side of lunch because the place can be slam-packed. We may not have had the absolute best food of our trip to Nashville at Monell's, but it was certainly the most memorable in the most positive way.
(5)
Sharmeela S.
Great place to bring out of town guests. A southern experience. Sitting. At large tables with mixed company sharing a heavy but delicious. Meal. Love their fried chicken and its served wy every meal even breakfast. If u eat here you wing need anymore food for the rest of the day.
(4)
Anna R.
A true Nashville institution! What a treat! You eat family style so if you didn't know who you were sitting with before you sat down, you certainly will after your meal. The food speaks for itself with nonstop and unlimited Skillet Fried Chicken (a must!), Cinnamon Rolls (the best!), a platter of eggs, a plate o' meats (sausage patties, bacon, and baked ham), a basket o' biscuits (pour on the graaaavy please!), apricot preserves, and pancakes. And my personal fave, good ol' southern sweet tea! It's all you ever thought it would be + more! The property itself is so cute (manicured garden/waiting area) and down home and the service was excellent. We were on a quick weekend trip otherwise I would have eaten at Monell's more than once. This is a must on a Nashville trip!
(5)
Renee M.
Biscuits and homemade jam are out of this world! I go there with my husband and kids - such a fun family place. Prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is FUN and FRIENDLY. I highly recommend.
(5)
Dalan C.
Was very excited to come try this place. If you go here definitely come with a group of people or a huge appetite. The decor is like walking into a house where you are going to have a huge thanksgiving dinner with family. The tables are long and hold about 10 people. The server and hostess was incredibly nice and hospitable. Ok so the food. You are seated family style with a bunch of strangers (note that I cam early and sat by myself) and as the food comes out you take what you want and pass it to the left. I started with some cucumber salad, biscuits (awesome) and corn bread. Then the food really starts to roll in. Fried Chicken Baked Chicken Pork Chop Mash Potato Green Beans Corn dish Cinnamon apples (amazing) Mac and cheese Cole Slaw Banana Bread Pudding Some strawberry dessert And you can eat as much as you want. I might be missing a dish or two as well. Note that each day the menu changes. So overall the food was good, but not great. Something you'd be very happy with at a family gathering. Value for this is amazing (about $13 for lunch). So, if you are looking to meet new people and a fun atmosphere, this is a great place. If you are looking for amazing restaurant food or don't want to stuff yourself silly, you might want to pass.
(3)
Jessica Y.
Family style dining, delicious breakfast, we were so stuffed you had to roll us out of there! A must try if you're in the area
(5)
Lance W.
A great spot for southern cooking served family style! Bring a huge appetite, you'll need it for a meal at Monell's. My family shared a table with several retired couples, a local couple and a young group of tourists. The conversation was lively and the food was incredible... Dinner started with pitchers of unsweetened tea, sweet tea and lemonade. Baskets of cornbread and biscuits soon were followed with bowls of fried green tomatoes, cole slaw and fruit. Mashed potatoes, corn pudding, green beans, white beans and a vegetable medley were served as sides. Fried chicken, BBQ ribs, spinach lasagna and catfish with hush puppies were the main dishes. All were really good and the waitress made sure that every dish was full at all times. I love the family-style service and the food, I plan to come back to try breakfast as soon as I recover from dinner!
(5)
Lee H.
Best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. That's what my husband's cousin and her husband assured us. Monell's is not a place to dine if you are shy, antisocial or prefer to eat in solitary confinement. You see, it's family style in the true sense of the word. You wait your turn until there are at least 10-12 people and an available table. Then the fun begins. We got in on the last seating of the evening, so our table for 12 was occupied by the four in our party, plus four others. Pitchers of sweet and unsweet iced tea, pickled beets, cole slaw, pasta salad, biscuits and peach preserves were waiting for us as we sat down. What ensued over the next 45 minutes was pure southern gluttony in the purest sense. What is commonly referred to in the South as "meat and three" can be translated to "meat and thirteen" at Monell's because those sides just kept on coming. And we kept on eating. We happily chatted with our table mates as we noshed on what is the best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. We chewed on fluffy homemade biscuits, gnawed on ribs, nibbled on corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and collard greens until we were about to burst. And then, we had to make room for banana pudding for dessert. There's a lot of food served at Monell's which produces a lot of leftovers. We inquired what they do with the tons of leftovers and were happy to hear that they donate most of it. Monell's is perfection.
(5)
Mehgan H.
Oh. My. Word. If you are looking for amaaaazing southern cooked food - you have come to the right spot. I have now been here a few times and can't help to come back! From the best fried chicken in Nashville, to mashed potatoes that are to die for, and vegetables that you wouldn't normally touch but can't get enough of - this is the best Sunday meal you can have! Side note - if you go in a small group (1-4) you will possibly be seated with others, as it is pass the food around style, but this is always a great way to meet people! Also, make sure to go on a day where you can take a nap afterwards and also where you throw your calorie counting out the window. I went once for lunch during work, and let's just say I couldn't not accomplish much afterwards! If you haven't tried this yet, this is a Nashville must!
(5)
Nadine E.
Amazing food and company. Go. There. Now.
(5)
Wendy S.
OMG. I have died and gone to Southern food heaven! A definite must do! Worth the wait.
(5)
Jonathon B.
5 stars for everything: Food, Atmosphere, Price... This is the one restaurant a person shouldn't miss in his/her lifetime.
(5)
Ann G.
We went here for brunch - the cinnamon rolls are amazing! Everything is served family style, shared at the table. Eggs, smoked bacon, roasted apples, cheese grits, corn grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, potatoes - I can't remember it all but it was all so tasty.
(5)
Linda M.
I love the family atmosphere. Seating at table of 12 no matter if more than one group. They have the same menu for everyone. Buffet style but you pass the dishes of food to your left. The fried chicken was hot and delicious. Banana pudding, biscuits, spinach lasagna, corn bread pudding (I think) -- I liked. Beverage of tea and lemonade (did not like) included for the $12.50 lunch which I think it is overpriced. I guess I would want a big selection of items I would like. However, I heard that their menu changes daily and you can request items ahead of time to prepare. So I will say try it for yourself.
(2)
Sasha B.
The BEST place to eat home cooked food in Nashville! Went for Sunday lunch and enjoyed most of the food. Left feeling so so full! That fried chicken....yes! Cannot wait to visit again and go for Breakfast.
(5)
D.B. G.
Best Meat & Three in Nashville. Southern comfort food served family style. . . When graduating from Vandy Law a group of my friends and our families enjoyed a private dining room, but I have also shared a table with strangers on some visits and had a blast making friends over peach preserves and homemade biscuits. A must when visiting or living in Nashville!
(5)
J P.
I really love home cooked meals but some of these dishes were so greasy. The meatloaf and BBQ was swimming in oil, The place was very hot, I have been a regular but I think I will find a more healthy menu in the future.
(2)
Kim Y.
You know how on The Simpsons sometimes Homer is making that vacant eyed looks and gross drooling sound for doughnuts? Yeah that is pretty much how I feel during and after eating at Monells. I mean its hard to say something that hasnt already been said below and beyond, but I just had to concur, whip out my yoga pants and add my own little pile of saliva to the masses. They don't always have mac and cheese, so its thats a 'deal breaker' for you, call ahead. They DO always have fried chicken and corn pudding though, oh and those hella great preserves to slather all over the buttery salty biscuits. Seriously - go. If you can get there about 1pm on a weekday, no waits son! PS the coleslaw is my favorite coleslaw ev's.
(5)
Jonathan T.
Interesting family seating option. Met some nice people as we all sat at the same table. The food just kept coming. The corn pudding was good but the star for me was the pineapple casserole. Pot roast and chicken were very good. Lasagna was a little disappointing in comparison as were the green beans. The biscuits and corn muffins were also standouts. Peach jam was OK as were the beans. Cole slaw and broccoli were creamy and OK. Overall a very good dining experience that we will be repeating. I will caution you that with all the good food you will need some serious discipline to not leave feeling stuffed to the gills.
(4)
Kim K.
I can't say enough good things about this place. Great food and great atmosphere!!!
(5)
Chris G.
It's really hard to beat this place. I have a lot of people come in from out of town with my job and they always want to eat "something southern" so this is where we eat lunch. I love the fact you can get biscuits and gravy with lunch and the smothered chicken is always a good thing. If you want to impress clients then you need to bring them here cause everyone always leave happy. It's good for a group and the food choices always fits in with everyone cause it's always broad and even if you just want veggies you can leave happy. Try to get here at 11 and you won't have to wait and hope you get here on banana pudding day cause that's the best!
(5)
Shing H.
I ordered to go, so I didn't get to enjoy the communal family-style meal, but I enjoyed the food quite a lot. I had the meatloaf, which was very flavorful. There was a very generous slice with a light sauce. The other highlight was the corn pudding -- so sweet and creamy! The sweet tea wasn't as sweet as I would've liked, but that's probably good for most people. Overall, great meal stop.
(4)
Lonny Y.
Oh my gosh. All the reviews are right. Hah. I didn't even read any of the others, but this place is AMAZING. My husband and I were lucky enough to come in for the weekend for a friends' wedding and luckily our flight out on Sunday was late enough that we had a chance to try this delicious establishment. My first time sitting family style at a restaurant that actually served family style! We sat with a group of ladies with a baby shower and a local couple. The couple was so nice and gave us a bit of history and "how it all works". But seriously, once the food came out, we were in love. I honestly do not think I've ever eaten this much in MY LIFE. The fried chicken is out of this world and I am on a mission to find comparable chicken in Houston! I actually had 2 pieces of it. Who cares if I was able to literally burst, I was determined to eat as much as possible. All I know is that if I'm lucky enough to come back, this is my first stop, then I'm taking a long nap.
(5)
BykeRyde R.
GO. HUNGRY. and leave happy :) (and really full !) ps- some vegetarian dishes/sides are available, but nothing in the way of being vegan.
(5)
Katie R.
OMG THIS WAS THE BEST. the waitress brought out dessert first in case we got too full to eat it later.
(5)
Damon G.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. The atmosphere, the service, the community family style seating, all equate to a superb venue. Fried chicken, roasted veggies, biscuits and gravy, the corn concoction! Wait, the fresh cucumber and onion salad. Just an amazing place. This alone could be a reason to visit Nashville!
(5)
Dustin D.
Whenever we have a group with us of friends / family and they're craving meat and three (and are hungry!), this is where we go. The food is always delicious here no matter what day you go on. We like Arnolds just as much, however, it's not good for groups even though it is a little cheaper.
(5)
Heather L T.
Monell's is my favorite place to eat in Nashville so far. If you're looking for the most storybook Southern atmosphere and mouth-watering soul-food that dreams are made of, this is the place for you. Monell's never disappoints, everything is unique about this restaurant from the menu to the decor to the meal tickets to the staff. No matter where I may move or live in my life, this restaurant will always have a nice place in my heart. If you haven't been, make sure to try it as soon as possible!
(5)
Kevin C.
Great food and they kept it coming. Well worth the wait.
(5)
Kitcat S.
I took my mom here to introduce her to southern food during her first visit to Nashville. The food was unbelievable. Really well priced in a cute neighborhood. The hostess, who I suspect is the owner, was the nicest person you could meet. I felt right at home and can't wait to come back. The family style also allowed for great conversations with locals.
(5)
Janette W.
This was my first meal in Nashville and even after days of eating my way through town, I can still say this was my best meal. This was our first stop after leaving the airport and it was such a whirlwind of emotions. You are seated at a large table, filled with people you don't know. All of a sudden there are pitchers of sweet tea (yum!) and so much food! There are sides of cucumber salad, macaroni salad, corn pudding, green beans and then.. that's when things started spinning. And once you've passed all of these sides around to your new friends at the table. THEN comes the main courses! Fried chicken, roast beef, and the best meatloaf ever! I couldn't believe they had the nerve to pull out cherry cobbler after all of that!
(5)
Melissa M.
UNBELIEVABLE. YOU. MUST. GO. We had just landed in Nashville, and of course, all I can think about is food. On the cab ride to our hotel I cross checked the Frommers guide (which really is never wrong) to Yelp to try to find a place for lunch. Monells was the winner. We checked into our hotel and walked in the sauna-heat to this place. We arrived just as they opened. The restaurant is in a residential area in a house. They have a really nice garden and sitting area outside. We were the first ones there and really didn't know what to expect. We were put at an empty table that quickly filled up. When we sat down there was some cucumber salad, watermelon, biscuits, iced tea, and lemonade on the table. I started eating when one of the gentlemen sitting next to me commented that he was not going to make the mistake of filling up early. Uh oh, I was in trouble. Next came a ton of sides, fried chicken, fried fish, squash casserole. Everything was delicious. Best fried chicken and fish ever! Perfectly flavored and crispy. So much delicious food and it was about $13 pp. What a deal! The staff was so nice and friendly, and the family style atmosphere is great. You have the opportunity to talk to alot of interesting people. The only downside is that we ate too much and had to walk back to the hotel in the heat! Talk about a food coma! If you are in Nashville, this is a must-do! You will not be let down!
(5)
Casey H.
Here are the highlights: -$12.95 all of you can lunch -family style; you are seated with strangers You have to try: -fried chicken -corn pudding Everything was homemade and really good.
(5)
Evan W.
Monell's is by far one of the best restaurants I've experienced (more than once) in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether you are dining alone or with a group, the family-style environment is perfect - for all situations. I've had birthdays here; my family even did a Thanskgiving meal here one year. For those of you that aren't familiar with 'family style' eating destinations, they are set up so that when you walk in, you are seated with a group of other people that you don't know - you then pass around baskets or bowls of food, taking some for yourself. The food here is in a league of it's own - TRUE southern cuisine, ranging from meatloaf, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, to cherry cobbler, home-made preserves, and so much more. I have never experienced something worthy of a complaint. I definitely recommend this to EVERYONE!
(5)
Ozro D.
Do you like to eat? Of course you do! Monell's is designed around one thing, and one thing only: people's love of food. Unless you're in a group of 15 people, you'll be sat with strangers, and you can all bond over the unholy amount of food that's about to be put in front of you. It's really hard to call this place a meat and three, because that undersells the amount of food you'll be served. A typical meal here probably has 3 or 4 different meats, and somewhere near a dozen different vegetables. And here's the kicker - they're ALL amazing, so you'll want a bit of everything. Or a lot of everything, depending on how you want to play it. The wait can be a bit of a pain, but it's more than worth it. Plus, it gives you some more time to prepare for what's about to happen to your body. Once you're inside, the food comes out quickly, and it doesn't stop coming. The service is great, too. Monell's is a great experience on any day, but if you can make it on a holiday, DO IT! I had Thanksgiving dinner here, and was blown away. The wait was a bit longer (to the point where they had snacks for those of us waiting outside... no joke), but as always, it was worth it. If you love to eat, then you'll love Monell's.
(5)
Varun B.
Just a ridiculous amount of food, brought to you while you're seated at a table seated family style at a table that seats a dozen people, all of whom are quite friendly. Some dishes are a bit of a miss, but some are very good and there are definitely at least a couple of standouts. The main dishes change every day, so keep an eye on the menu. The meatloaf was the absolute best I'd ever had, and the chicken and dumplings and corn mash were a close second. There were a bunch of other good sides, and the fried chicken wasn't bad.
(4)
Jordan M.
WOW. Good, southern, home cooking. Wear stretchy pants for this meal! You will need them. Everything was so delicious. A fun atmosphere, sitting with strangers at a family style table. Their fruit tea was very good too. I also thought it was nice to know that all the left-overs were donated to a church kitchen to feed the homeless. The waitresses were super nice and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Nashville just to eat here. The only negative is that the pricing isn't very apparent and it is about $20 a person on Sundays. Still worth it, but I was a little shocked when I got to the counter to pay.
(5)
Cj L.
super.
(5)
Derrin T.
Yes
(5)
Chelsea J.
The country breakfast is actually insane, in the best way possible. I ate so much and didn't want to stop, but in the name of being socially acceptable I had to cut myself off. The biscuits and gravy were incredible. I am at a loss for words at how good this place was, and you pay a flat price of $14.95 for the breakfast which includes (brace yourself) - biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, corn pudding, grits, fried chicken, spiced apples and there is coffee and sweet/unsweet tea on the table. Ermagerrrdd. We got here around 10am and waited for 10 minutes. I've heard if you arrive after the church crowd the waits can be upwards of an hour. Get there early and with a big appetite and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Tim M.
Back in August, I definitely held back from writing a downgrade review because everyone is allowed to have a bad day or 2. After this past weekend, sure enough, it was just a bad day in that far distant past Monell's. You have convinced me again that you know how to meet customer needs. Owner was host this past Saturday night. He quickly identified me as a Yelper and a frequent customer (I've been 8 times in 11 months). Quickly reading the menu, I noticed there was no broccoli salad on this night. My sister was in town and we both find this our favorite side so I asked for a favor since I had not seen in on my last 2 trips to Monell's. 10 min later - bam a bowl of broccoli salad was at my side! Also, got to try the fried catfish for the 1st time and I enjoyed every bit of it. What deserved more attention - chicken or catfish? My heart leaned on the catfish cuz you can have chicken any time. I really enjoyed their pulled pork during my recent visits but tonight it was a distance behind catfish and chicken.
(5)
Shafi K.
This place is great, if you're trying to get a heart attack. ;) No, really, I like going to Monells about once every couple of months because once you've been here, you'll be too full to come back for a while. The food is fantastic (especially the banana pudding and the corn casserole..). The people are super friendly and you really get the feeling that you've just visited your grandmother's house more than simply ate out at a good restaurant in town.
(5)
Lisa B.
I finally ate at Monell's after hearing so many great things about them, and I'm glad to say that it lived up to the hype! I've heard that they seat you with random people if you don't have a full table, but we had a large party so we had our own table. Since it was Sunday brunch, there was a long wait... mostly due to the party of 32 ahead of us. Yes, 32. I know, right?! There is no ordering, they just start bringing you whatever they're serving that day (family style) for the fixed price. Highlights: Fried chicken, corn pudding, biscuits, mac & cheese... There really wasn't anything I didn't like except sauerkraut, but I don't like any sauerkraut. The term 'meat & 3' is not applicable in this case, it was more like meats & 10. The only thing I would do differently next time is to wear stretchy pants or perhaps an oversized dress. I feel that my choice of wardrobe affected my ability to gorge myself on the delicious soul food.
(4)
Rich C.
Go to Monells... really just go to Monells. It has been 2 months since I have been here, and I am only now writing the review, but I can still taste all that awesome food in my mouth. Now, something about clicking your heels and saying theres no place like Monells? Smothered Chicken, Fried Chicken, Corn bread, Corn Pudding, Beans, Taters.. I could go on like Bubba from Forest Gump when he was talking about shrimp for about 3 hours. If you ever wished to have a grandma/mom that cooked soul food and force fed you among a large extend family, then come here!
(5)
Eliza R.
Plain and simple, the breakfast food at Monell's is proof of the existence of a higher power. The rating speaks for itself, and so do the hundreds of rave reviews, so there's really not much to add. I'm a misplaced northerner who's lived in the south for three and a half years and I've *finally* eaten a proper southern breakfast at Monell's. Everything about the meal was just perfect - the homemade buttery biscuits and cinnamon rolls, the crisp and flavorful fried chicken and bacon, the grits with just the right amount of cheese and the sweet tea with just the right amount of sugar. I wanted to eat so much more than I did, but my stomach just couldn't handle it. Whether you're visiting Nashville or a resident, Monell's is a must-eat restaurant! :)
(5)
Sam L.
Monell's had great southern cooking. We went for the brunch menu and the family style seating made the environment more enjoyable. There was fried chicken, cream corn, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, cheesy grits, sweet tea. Everything was flavorful and made with passion. Come with an empty stomach
(4)
Ryan M.
A MUST do for anyone local or visiting! An experience like no other place!! Everyone is super friendly and the food and atmosphere are amazing!!
(5)
Simon M.
Come here for the experience. It is family style, sitting with strangers, locals and out-of-towners alike, in a beautiful old house. No menu, just a variety of southern comfort foods brought to the table. As to the food itself, the only stand-out is the fried chicken, the rest is fairly mediocre. But who cares- you're belly will be full and you'll have made some new friends.
(3)
Brandon G.
This is a fun spot to hit, everyone should check it out if you have the chance. Family style dining, you sit at a table with strangers and pass around the helpings. Down home southern cookin'.
(4)
Len M.
My sister lives in Nashville, so this place has become one of my haunts while I'm there. First of all, if you want spectacular fried chicken, this is the place to go. Be prepared to loosten your belt and let the eating begin. There is usually at least 5 to 10 side dishes in addition to the star items for the given night (they serve different things on different nights, so read their site carefully) . Some of the sides are just okay, but others are great. Especially their corn pudding. Couple of things to note. 1. The seating arrangement is communial style. You will always be seated (depending on your group size) with a group of about 14 people at a large table. Be prepared to rub elbows and strike up conversation with strangers. It seems ackward at first, but then it loostens up. You may even meet some interesting people. 2. Don't go near closing time or at the end of the brunch service on weekends. They gently apply pressure to get you to finnish your meal so they can close. If you want to take your time and eat, go earlier then when they close. 3. If you are going for the prize (such as fried chicken, pork chops or their beef) - do not indulge in the side dishes. By the time you have biscuits & gravy, mac & cheese, beans, corn pudding, mash potatoes, peas, broccoli and cole slaw, you will not have enough room left for the prize - the fried chicken.... 4. Go and enjoy yourself. The people their are very nice and the price for dinner is reasonable ! I look forward to my next visit.....
(5)
Jared C.
All the other reviews are true. They have to push you out of there because you're so full. The food is fantastic and is definitely worth coming back to. If you stay in Nashville you should make this a primary stop
(5)
Kristin N.
Listen, I'm a born 'n' bred "Northerner," and typically I'm not someone who necessarily enjoys talking to people or socializing with strangers throughout my meal. At Monell's, this is mandatory -- but admittedly, it's also awesome. If nothing else, you can talk to your meal-mates about how the food is freaking FANTASTIC. I think I had about 7 helpings of the pineapple cake casserole (not the official name, but you'll know it when you see it). Their chocolate cake? Dont' even get me started... I don't even LIKE chocolate cake, and I was picking off my neighbor's plate. Everything else was fantastic, too -- served fresh, warm and in true Southern styles and fashion (so says my Nashville-bred boyfriend), and it was all delicious. If it's between this place or another typical meat & 3, please (PLEASE) choose Monell's.
(5)
Scott M.
Holy cow, no really......the cow was awesome, but the fried chicken was much better. If you don't try this place you have no taste at all. This might be one of the finest southern cooking establishments left. TOP menu items include succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes. The owner and staff make you feel like you are part of their family. I LOVE THIS JOINT.
(5)
Sarah S.
Places like this are why I want to move back South. Now, I'm not a "fried chicken and sweet tea all the time" kind of person, but I spent four years in South Carolina for college, and have traveled to Charleston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and countless other Southern cities and I look forward to buttery biscuits, crisp okra, seafood (crawfish and crab especially), cheesy grits, and more every once in a while while I'm below the Mason-Dixon. Monell's offered me my beloved Southern food in a family-style dining setting at a cute little house just outside of downtown Nashville. My best friend and I were in town for a long weekend trip and stopped for lunch on a Saturday. We were seated at a table with a mother and her teenage son in town from California and a trio of friendly social workers from CPS. A lazy susan loaded with pitchers of sweet tea, lemonade, and water sat at the center of the table, and baskets loaded with biscuits and cornbread (alongside homemade jam and gravy) occupied various spots around the table. The "meals of the day" included their staple, fried chicken (crispy, a little buttery, and delicious), as well as spinach lasagna (kind of different for a Southern place, but nice), and fried catfish (it was done traditionally with a cornmeal breading and was tender and delicious, and this is coming from someone who generally dislikes all fish). We had plenty of side dishes to choose from: green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn pudding, among other things. Dessert, a banana pudding (complete with Nilla wafers, a treat I haven't enjoyed since I was a little girl), tempted us from the start, as they brought it out along with the main meal (although, the social workers each insisted their recipes were better and "more authentic"--I never did get any of them to share though...). It was nice to have so many dishes to choose from, and, happily, no one judged me for wolfing down three butter-slathered biscuits during the course of the meal. The food was delicious (though stereotypically Southern, i.e. comfort food that really sticks to your ribs), and the company was even better. New to town, we got the run down of places to see/go to and even got some job search advice from the social workers, who were quite eager to get us to apply for jobs within their office. In a society where people are just as happy to go out alone to coffee shops and cafes and block out the world--studying solo, listening to music while finishing a term paper, reading a book while sipping on a hot beverage--it's refreshing to sit down with new people (total strangers, to be exact) and have a real conversation. You can't just go in here, sit down, smile, and move on with eating while ignoring the table around you. You sit, you introduce yourself, and you talk about just about anything while enjoying some delicious food and great service, and, well, you enjoy it. The building is a neat little house, with indoor (and outdoor?--couldn't tell because of the cold weather) seating and great Southern charm. Parking can be a little tricky, and the area it's in is a little bit scruffy, but it's close to downtown, easy to get to, and it was fairly easy to get a seat. Be sure to check it out if you're in town, but make sure you come in with an empty stomach!
(4)
Priscilla E.
This place was just Ok. Nothing was really great about it. It was a different experience as far as sitting with people that you don't know, the fish was great as well as the biscuits!
(2)
Opal D.
Delicious Southern food served family-style (communal tables). Surprisingly inexpensive for the amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Justin W.
Oh my goodness. What a place! The Saturday morning breakfast is amazing. Family style greatness for a great price. Unlimited fried chicken, country ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits, cinnamon apples, potatoes, eggs, everything...wow. I could eat here over and over without ever getting tired of it. You literally have to come here for a Saturday breakfast!!!
(5)
Carin M.
Wear elastic waist pants! Went here on a girls weekend in Nashville for a traditional "Southern" breakfast and it was as great as the other reviews we had read. Family style eating - and you sit with others which is fun too. And the food is amazing. Fried chicken (ate 3 pieces), biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, grits, corn casserole, bacon/ham/sausage, gravy and apples. I couldn't get enough of the chicken and biscuits but made sure I tried everything. Come hungry - leave stuffed! We didn't eat another thing until late that night. But we were so happily full. Would recommend this to anyone in Nashville looking for a southern breakfast. Feels like you are eating at a relatives house who is a fabulous cook and keeps the food coming!
(5)
Howah L.
This is a unique experience. It is family style dining. So since I came on my own. I was seated at a large table with two other groups. Seven in all with enough room for a couple more. The people i sat with were very friendly, which was nice as i came alone. There was no need to order, food was set in the middle of the table. You grab the food and pass it counter clockwise until all the food has made it around. And you are welcome to seconds. When I came over 10 dishes were served: including pot roast, fried chicken, lasagna, beans, cole slaw, cornbread, bisckets, gravy, corn pudding, mashed potatoe, dessert, etc. In general the food was good and plentiful. The pot roast, corn pudding, and cole slaw were very good in my eye. Everything else was still good. The cost for my lunch was very good too. Under 13 dollars!
(5)
Kletia G.
Wow! this place will knock your socks off as well as blow introverts' minds!! Get ready to sit at a table with a bunch of strangers and eat just plain ole good country cookin! Don't let eating with strangers scare you though, it's really exciting. Turn off your phone and talk to the live person next to you! There is no menu to order off of, just a set daily menu. Expect to get served all you need for a tasty home cooked meal. Salads, biscuits, gravy, a number of sides/casseroles/veggies, a few varieties of meat and some dessert. Flavorful food cooked with love and lard. They bring it out, you eat it up! This place is an experience that is worth trying, and coming back to again and again! Oh, it's a fixed price too, I can't remember exactly how much, but I think it's around $13-$15 per person. Also, they have breakfast/brunch on Saturdays and Sunday's. Haven't been, but I bet it's amazing!
(5)
David O.
Monell's is the ultimate in "Country Cooking"! I brought my parents here because they are always looking for places they don't have up north and this surely qualifies! The amount of food you get for the price is truly mountainous! While I can't admit to liking everything, there is so much that even if you don't like a few of the dishes, you certainly will not go away hungry. I was slightly disappointed at how perfunctory the waiter was, but its possible that its designed so they are out of sight, out of mind appearing only to refill your beverages or bring out more food. Strangely though, I found it lacking a real connection to the staff. Parking also could present a problem, since you are stuck with the limited availability on the street. I highly recommend a visit.
(4)
Zeb M.
Monell's lives up to the hype. I had their country breakfast Saturday morning and I'm still dreaming about their corn pudding. Every single thing was delicious, but I must talk about their fried chicken for a moment. I can't recall the last time I've had such fantastic chicken that wasn't too greasy or tough. I would go back again just for that. While the family style seating may turn off some people, I thought it was nice for a change and only added to the charm of the historic home-turned-restaurant. I can't believe it took me this long to eat at Monell's! But I know this won't be my last visit.
(5)
Matt K.
As a visiting Yankee, I was pretty excited to try this place since it screams Southern to me in every way. I think my expectations were really high, and I was a little bit disappointed. I'll still give it 3 stars though, because the intention was great, essentially unlimited food portions, and just a cool atmosphere. I was extremely hungover from a bachelor party, so couldn't enjoy or stomach as much food as I would have liked.
(3)
Janet Y.
I write this review as I crave Monell's meatloaf. This says a lot, considering I never ate meatloaf after traumatized by my school cafeteria at a young age. Am I the only one who feared Meatloaf Thursdays growing up? With that being said, the food at Monell's overall was hands down delicious. From the corn pudding to the skillet fried chicken, I had to try every bit of the dishes on our table. While everything we ate was a piece of Southern gooey goodness, be prepared for a food coma afterwards. The food is heavy, but I was a willing participant. I also loved the unique set up of the restaurant. You literally sit at a big dinner table. You may not know the person sitting next to you from Adam, but get to know them... because you'll likely have to ask them to pass you the macaroni and cheese! The staff is super friendly, and for me... "all you can eat" has reached a whole new level.
(4)
Terrell L.
I just had another wonderful meal and experience at Monell's Germantown Restaurant.. I took a friend who had never eaten there, of course he was taken back by the Food, Service and Charm of this place. I'm sure he will spread the good word about this establishment to many others. Country Breakfast, The Best Scrambled Eggs, Thick Sliced Bacon, Country Ham, Sausage, Cheese Grits, Home Fried Potato's, Corn Souffle, Pancakes, Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, Juice, Coffee and of course The Best Skillet Fried Chicken in Town. I think there was even more food on the table, however after eating a taste of all this, I had to take my coffee and relax out in the garden for a few minutes, Life is Good and Breakfast Was Great ! Thanks again Monell's !
(5)
D L.
Incredible food! Had a wonderful time with the family style dining. You begin with coffee, sweet and unsweet tea, water and homemade peach preserves. Biscuits, gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls that you are warned not to eat too much of as there is "more coming". That would be an understatement. Has become one of our top 5!
(5)
B G.
Had the best experience!
(5)
Brennan W.
There's not much to add that hasn't been said. So, instead of telling you why you should go, I'm going to tell you why NOT to go to Monell's. - Don't go if you're shy, or hate having fun. You will (most likely) be sitting with strangers. And it will be fun. - Don't go if you're not eat-your-own-skin-if-you-have-to hungry. You go here with a mild appetite, prepare to be severely disappointed. - Don't go if you are one of those people that complains about how fried food and sweet tea are killing America. Your nose will get turned up a little more with every course. - Don't go if you are on a diet. I did, and.... You know what? Go anyway. Consider it a cheat day. - Don't go if you are in a hurry. You're in the south now. Slow down. Have some pie.
(5)
Richard B.
Beyond the food, a fantastic dining experience. The communal dining really was the highlight of the evening, as the entire table of strangers shared food memories from childhood and from the different areas of the country that they hailed from. It has been said by more than one reviewer, and could not be a truer description of what you need to be when you arrive - HUNGRY. I can't recall feeling that full in a long, long time. The catfish was very well prepared, which takes much more skill than most people might think. The cornmeal coating was crisp and thin. The fried chicken was excellent. I found the mashed potatoes to be a bit thin, but of all the mountains of side dishes passed around the table it would be the only thing I could find a minor fault with for the entire evening. Monell's seems to appreciate the fact that they know they will have to roll you out the door at the end of the evening, because the dessert was a small cream cheese, coconut and pineapple tart. Rather than passing on dessert because you're so full, the size of it tempted you to finish of your evening with that last little morsel. And it was absolutely delicious as well. This is a dining experience that I will make the multi-hour drive to Nashville to repeat many times over the next few years.
(5)
Candace B.
Ok this place was awesome....It was too great we left so full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep! The place is set up like and old kitchen. There are old kitchen tables through the place with all the condiments and sweet tea you need. It is family style so you may be sitting with some people you don't know..but oh well I guess make some new friends! By the time we got there we where the last of the night and had a whole table to ourselves. When we where completely stuff there was probably about 10 bowls of great food on our table. I have to say my favorite was the fried chicken. It was cooked perfectly and not greasy at all. We also sampled, lasagna, greens, cornbread, white beans and catfish. There was a ton more but so much I can't remember. So, starve yourself all day then go to Monell's it is worth it!!
(5)
Jack K.
Like the Food Network Show, I can say that this is the best Southern food I ever ate! No joke. If you are ever in Nashville, you MUST go here! What is great is the place is historic. The wait can be long, but it was worth it for my group of 12. We waited outside in the really nice garden area, and we were soon seated in the front part of the building, which is brick on the outside. I've only had the dinner, so that's the only thing I can comment about, but it was amazing. The spread of family style servings of food will make your mouth water. You definitely need to come hungry, or at least practiced stretching out your stomach for a week to be able to eat the amount of food that will be placed on your table! I loved the family style buffet style dinner. We had our own table, but the table next to us had 3 different groups. It really proves that meals are a social treat. You get to pass around huge plates and bowls of food. Everything from the salad to the banana pudding (yum) are really great. The chicken is just how you'd imagine, cooked to perfection, and the mac and cheese makes you feel right at home. The green beans, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are more then acceptable, and once you thing you've had enough, the servers will ask if you would like anything more. We politely declined to more main courses, but we had to have another bowl of the banana pudding. They weren't lying when they said we would want another bowl! I won't say too much about the food because it changes from night to night, but any review that is positive is probably correct. It is that good! You will feel as if you need to "roll out" of there, literally. I have to say, the atmosphere is fun, inviting, warm, and lively. The people around you are into the meal, feel as if we were in someone's home rather then the restaurant. So, come to Monell's for great food, great company, and great service! The price of dinner (or any other meal) can't be beat when you're hungry! You won't be disappointed...unless you dislike eating awesome food!
(5)
Stacy T.
Everyone knows the restaurant is delicious, but I'd like to comment on the catering. We used Monell's to cater our wedding in May. It was somewhat of a difficult thing since our venue didn't have a kitchen and we had to trust that the food would be warm and fresh once it came time for dinner. I can tell you that everything was handled so professionally and you wouldn't have even known the food didn't come STRAIGHT from the oven! It was delicious! The entire catering experience was flawless from beginning to end and I'd recommend them to anyone needing to cater an event - large or small.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Just amazing. Endless dishes at a big table where you meet new people. All the food was great but the meatloaf was amazing.
(5)
Kerriann K.
The experience is what makes the restaurant. Go early - and with your whole group - or expect to wait for a long time. Course after course is served very quickly. Mac and cheese, beans, ribs, catfish, chicken, coleslaw, biscuits, etc. Dishes were refilled as needed, but not the best food I've eaten in this city. Fun place to try.
(3)
James M.
Great southern cooking reminds me of fondue memories back at Pappaw & Granmaw's house down at farm for Sunday dinner. Very nice to sit with diversified people from all races & share a meal. Encourages comunication with other diners for a enjoyable experience. Hope they donate leftovers to a good cause in Nashville !
(5)
Angela Z.
We decided to sniff out a new place for breakfast this weekend, so of course I headed to Yelp to look for suggestion. Monell's was one of the places that popped up on the list. The restaurant is in a beautiful old house with a huge lawn and great parking. We were greeted promptly by a very friendly hostess and seated in about 5 minutes. Our tablemates were not the friendliest in the world, but that's a risk you run when you're eating family style. The meal started with baskets of warm soft biscuits and cinnamon rolls. The gravy was amazing. About 10 minutes later the parade of breakfast dishes began. Corn pudding, potatoes, grits, fried chicken, the best bacon I've ever eaten (thick, crispy goodness) scrambled eggs. I'm sure I"m leaving things out. We'll definitely be back. This will be a great place to bring out of town guests (especially our British family) to introduce them to southern cooking and hospitality!
(4)
Melisa P.
All I have to say is OMG! This place was more than good! It was like eating with long lost family. Even if you aren't the type of person who likes to share or break bread with people you don't really know, you soon get over it because the food is too good not to. My friend and I went right before we drove to Pigeon Forge from Nashville which in hindsight was a big mistake, for me anyway, since I was doing all the driving because after eating such an incredible meal at Monell's all I wanted to do was take a nap ... after the biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, catfish, beans, mashed potatoes, greens and on and on and on that was being passed around the table. This was downright home cooking at it's best! It didn't even matter that my friend and I were the youngest people at the table by about 30 or 40 years ... we have a great time and picked up some life's wisdom in the process.
(5)
Zenda T.
The Best Food EVER!!!! I wanted some good southern food, I was not disappointed.... A must when visiting Nashville.
(5)
Keila N.
Monell's is tucked away in a residential area in German Town. It's nestled in a tranquil garden with colorful flowers with humming bees. I've been here on several occasions, each visit being different from the former. This is family style dining where you sit at a big table with complete strangers. There's ample comfort food served with southern hospitality that you only hear of in the movies. It's truly an intimate experience. I don't eat meat, and I rarely eat carbs. But this place is worth going to just for the ambiance. You can't visit Nashville and not go here.
(5)
Dominic M.
Quintessential Nashville down home southern cooking. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, catfish, okra,etc. It's the stuff your mamma cooked if mamma was cooking for all the farmhands. When friends and family come to Nashville, we take them to Monell's. Be ready to leave in a food coma. I personally hold the folks at Monell's responsible for 20 of the 30 #'s I've gained since moving to Music City. The Mansion location is great too but my fave is the Germantown original.
(5)
Safa S.
This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in Nashville and probably the US. Now that I am back in LA, I am having serious withdrawals from this place. Everything is great about this place: the decor, the service, the atmosphere and most definitely the food. When you walk into the restaurant there is a sign that says "Enter as strangers and leave as friends." This is so true! You are seated at a large family table with other people. We had a great time getting to know some of the people at our table and getting an idea of other local places to try. The food is served family style, so you have pass everything around (I believe the etiquette here is to pass the food to the left). The decor makes you feel like you are at someones house and so does the way the food is served. So, in the end you really feel like you are eating a home cooked meal! Check the website for the daily menu. Everyday different food is served, so I really think the food is fresh. The day we came they had chicken casserole, pot roast, fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn bread and green beans. I may be forgetting one or two items. Overall, this is a must go to restaurant.
(5)
Christina M.
Well I have to say sitting with other people was different but it didn't bother me. I loved all the friendly waitresses & made me aware of the rules & lots of food to come! Everything was delicious we had so much worth the price of $19. Fresh biscuits, fresh fried catfish, fried chicken & ribs just to say the least all excellent. Even my husband whose the not easiest to please liked it so that's saying a lot! Great stop!
(5)
Bryan M.
Everytime I'm in Nashville I try to make it here. SO good!!!
(5)
Chris A.
Holy moly, the food heere is GREAT, the wait is normally about 35-40 minutes, but it's worth it. You get to meet a ton of new people (family style) and get an amazing southern meal for 20$. go here in nashville.
(5)
Jennifer P.
I was raised on traditional Southern cuisine and going to Monell's is just like taking a time machine back to my Mamaw's kitchen. The food is delicious, soulful and traditional. The corn pudding and green beans, especially, taste just like she used to make them. I feel like I get a memory out of every bite. I find the southern comfort and nostalgia of this place to be what I love the most. I love the family style serving and the huge shared tables. I love all of the little trinkets and nic-nacks sprinkled throughout the restaurant. I even love the little eclectic garden they have outside. It just makes you feel at home; pair that with a great meal and you have the recipe for "meat & three" excellence.
(5)
Kevin U.
I felt like I was at grandma's house...so awesome. Enjoyed my soul food...fried chicken, catfish, all kinds of incredible sides and the best banana puddin' I'be ever had. This is a must for your Nashville visit. The service is fun and engaging. Like I said, it was like hanging out at a family member's house for a weekend meal.
(4)
Dagan B.
really good country cooking. you have to set with a group but it ends up being really cool and most people going understand the situation so strangers become friends or at least friendly.the pancakes and cinnimon rolls are the highlights also the biscuits and gravy and fried chicken are really good
(4)
Kevin K.
You have to understand how this place works. It was recommended to us by a friend of mine who just told me the food was really good and you got a lot of it. We pull up to the place, and park on the street in front for free. We walk in and told the lady we have two in our party. She brings us to a big table where seven people are already sitting and they have just started to serve the food. It was all family style, no menu, but they had pasta salad, fried chicken, biscuits, home made preserves, potatoes, etc. There was so much food and as long as you're eating, they keep bringing it, and as soon as you're done, you get up and get out! They always have something different at every meal. At lunch and dinner, they always have some form of chicken and then something else. When we were done and on our way out, we asked the lady up front what are they serving for lunch tomorrow, thinking we would come back, and she didn't know. She told us of the possibilities but she wasn't sure what it would be. Fun place to go, especially with a large group.
(5)
Justin J.
Monell's is Southern dining at its finest! The setup is family style, so if you go by yourself like I did - be prepared to sit with a large group of black woman from out of town. The food consisted of southern style comfort food: Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc... IMO this should be a right of passage when traveling to Nashville.
(5)
Dan H.
My wife and I loved this place. Great tasting fried chicken. Tons of food for a reasonable price. Served family style so you get to meet some new fools. We would highly recommend a meal at Monell's...it won't be your last meal there.
(5)
Trey T.
The food is above average though not as good as what you would get at individually plated restaurant of a similar price point. The amount and variety of food you can get though combined with the wonderful atmosphere more than makes up for this. Excellent place for a large family gathering or getting with a big group of friends! Try the catfish and banana pudding!
(4)
Jamie P.
Monell's is a hostess' secret weapon! It is our go-to restaurant when we have out of town guests. Because of the long table seating, they almost always have room for a large party. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and if I time it right, our company eats so much breakfast that I don't have to cook lunch! I have only ever been to Monell's for breakfast, but I am hoping to change that soon. We do not go too often, as I would rather not eat my own weight in food on a regular occasion, but when we do go, I always feel like a little kid excited to go to Grandma's house for breakfast. The food is delicious, and it tastes deliciously homemade. You can't beat this food for the price.
(5)
Lindsay M.
What a fun experience in Nashville! A friend and I descended upon the city for a long weekend, and her brother dragged us here on a 1.5-mile walk. I probably would have eaten anything at that point, but this far exceeded any expectations I had. It's family-style--and you're seated at a table with other folks who showed up at the time as you. The host was welcoming and inviting--a great start. I recommend you show up around 1 pm to get good, quick service. Otherwise you'll be waiting for the first round of diners to finish. This place does not take reservations. The fixed menu takes all the pressure off ordering. The host is right--don't waste valuable stomach real estate with the cheap stuff (cucumber salad and cole slaw)--though very delicious. Save room for the onslaught of southern culinary genius. Try everything on the table. I promise you it's worth the calories. (you'll feel less guilty if you walk back to the car you left downtown. It's only 1.5 miles.)
(5)
Melissa C.
On my top 10 best & most memorable meal list! From NYC road tripping through Tennessee and had 1 day to spend in Nashville. The food, atmosphere, service and even the neighborhood where the restaurant is were all wonderful! It feels like your having a meal at your Southern Grandmother's home. As a tourist, I found it fun to sit at a big family style table full of strangers to casually chat with people from all over and hear their story. And then the food.....I ate everything they had on the table and everything was absolutely delicious!!! Best Biscuits & Gravy and Fried Chicken I've ever had. There were so many delicious sides and they were endless. I had to make my self stop eating, because I couldn't get enough of how amazing it all was. AND IT ONLY COSTS $13.00 minus TIP!! It may seem like a lot to some but there is so much food and it's never ending. Please DO NOT forget to tip those lovely servers!!! Overall a memorable experience that helped top off my great time in Nashville. If your going to be there or pass nearby Nashville, this cannot be missed!! Best Southern Cooking I ever had.
(5)
Sonja D.
Quantity, not quality. But OH is there quantity! A great place to bring friends who want some classic southern food. The fried chicken was great of course. Everything else was the usual southern sauce-drenched carbo-loaded stuff (for better or worse, depends whether or not you like it like that). I do really love eating family style. You meet some great people - locals, out-of-towners - and everyone is there for the experience so be ready to chat it up!
(3)
Sun O.
We were in town for work (from LA), and stopped by for lunch. The food is astoundingly good, and an great value. I'm glad I tried the strawberry shortcake at the end, not being a dessert lover - it was phenomenal.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Monell's takes the blue ribbon for Southern Hospitality. It felt like I was eating at my Mama's or my Big Mama's house in Mississippi. The food is comforting, yummy, southern fare and the atmosphere is what you would expect if you hail from the south. Run, don't walk to this eating establishment, you will be glad you did!
(5)
Mary C.
July 21, 2012 Breakfast Everything was excellent, and 5 star, read the other reviews for details!!!
(5)
Justin S.
Ate here in 2000 and Monell's has stuck out in my mind for years. For awhile, I've been trying to recall the name and finally figured it out. My food review would be dated regarding specific items, but I will say that it was a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Nashville. If it says anything, it's been 13 years since I've been and it's stuck out in the back of my mind ever since.
(5)
Mark N.
This place has some of the best souther cooking I have ever eaten. Cornbread, biscuits with homemade peach preserves, cucumber salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, southern green beans, sweet tea, and homemade strawberry short cake. All served family style at a table for 14 in a home built in 1880. Too much food for $16. MUST GO if ever in Nashville. I'm now in a food coma.
(5)
Sara L.
Just a note, and a personal opinion--I've now been for dinner as well as for breakfast. Dinner added spinach lasagna, some amazing fried green tomatoes, exceptional cole slaw and cucumber salad, plus really good banana pudding (particularly good, since I don't like bananas). All this was excellent and good and YET for all that, for my money, breakfast is the time to go.
(5)
Caroline B.
This place is fantastic! Love the family style setting and the ability meet new people while enjoying delicious food. The restaurant itself is incredibly charming and paired with the excellent service, creates the ultimate dining experience. Monell's has two rules: Pass to the left and no cell phones at the table. The lack of cell phone use really enhanced our visit. If you're looking for a southern meal and great atmosphere, this is your place.
(5)
Geoff T.
This is not a Five-Star restaurant in the haughty sense. There's no celebrity chef, no over-priced dishes or expensive ingredients, and no exclusive months-long waiting list (unless you come around 11am on a weekend). This is classic southern comfort food developed to perfection with a fun homespun environment thrown in. Monell's is where I take first-time Nashville guests without exception. Both brunch and supper are anchored around their fried chicken, which is my personal favorite. The brunch side dishes include favorites like fried potatoes, a giant breakfast meat platter, homemade biscuits with peach preserves, corn pudding and cheese grits. Being a Yankee transplant, I didn't even like grits before I discovered Monell's. Consider my mind changed. Lunch/Dinner menus tend to focus on tasty southern meat-and-three stalwarts like mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, etc. I love their afternoon menu, but I would push first-timers to get there in time for brunch if they can. The classic original location in Nashville's Germantown is a first priority, but it gets crowded fast. They recently opened the "Manor House" off Murfreesboro Rd (close to the airport) that has much more room and a much smaller wait. There's also an "express" location in Berry Hill and a north-metro satellite in Gallatin. The food is top-notch, but the "family style" dining rooms are almost as integral to the experience. Simply stated, your group does not sit at its own table. You are seated at long tables with several other groups. I have met some very interesting people, both local and guest, through the process of passing the dishes and raving over the fried chicken. Each visit is its own experience. All this writing is making me extremely hungry. I wonder if they'll be crowded at lunch today...
(5)
Hoa T.
Monell's by far has been the best dining experience that I have had here in Nashville. Family style all you can eat of delicious southern cooking. The menu rotates daily with fried chicken as the anchor. I had the chicken and dumplings on Monday and also came for the brunch. First time eating chicken and dumplings, the chicken was tender and amazing. The fried chicken was everything that fried chicken should be, crunchy and juicy. Brunch had eggs, pancakes, ham, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, etc. You will leave here full to the brim, guaranteed.
(5)
Kelli B.
Great lunch experience. This is a truly Southern family style restaurant. Make sure to check in before hitting the door, as there is a "no phones at the table" rule. You are seated at large dining tables, possibly with strangers depending on how large your party is. There is no menu, they bring out all the good family recipes: cucumber salad, biscuits and gravy, corn salad, cornbread, meatloaf, fried chicken, ribs, etc., and a dessert. You will not leave hungry!
(5)
Angie K.
Sit with other families through me off. I now know what family style dining is. Part that is not good is if you come after the family style dining has started you will get cold food passed to you...
(4)
Stephanie K.
I've been searching for truly out-of-this world fried chicken since I came to Nashville, and Monell's did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, Kelly commented that it smelled like her grandmother's house. It has that feeling, even the large dining room tables where they seat you with other guests. I came here on a Saturday at around 12:30, so we were asked to choose whether we wanted breakfast or lunch. After hearing the menu items, we went with breakfast. We were seated at an empty table (I suppose most of the other guests wanted lunch) but we were quickly joined by two others. For breakfast, they serve fried chicken, smoked sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, fried apples, hash browns, cheese grits, pancakes, eggs, and corn pudding. There are pitchers of iced tea and carafes of coffee for the table, so you just help yourself. Everything is brought out as it's ready and passed around the table. When you want more, you just ask someone to pass it down. Everything was great, but there were definitely a few super stars on the menu. For one, the fried chicken. I love skillet fried chicken, and this did not let me down. I was also a big fan of the corn pudding, the fried apples, and the biscuits & gravy. For that amazing all-you-can-eat feast, you're charged only $13 (for breakfast, I think lunch and dinner have different price points). Completely worth it. This is a must-go restaurant if you're in Nashville and dying for some heavenly fried chicken. I can't wait to come back for dinner or lunch and try everything else they have to offer.
(5)
Jed P.
I don't know how it happens. I think I'm watching my portions, but by the time the fried chicken comes around I feel like I've already had two or three dinners. The fried chicken is so good, though, that I have to go in for a fourth: chicken, biscuits, another glass of sweet tea. And a fifth. I have never left Monell's without feeling completely, disgustingly, stop-and-sit-a-minute-on-the-bench-outside full. This is soul food so good that you're willing to push your stomach to its absolute physical limit and then keep going. The communal seating is fun if you're feeling friendly and not a big deal if you're not. The servers embody down-home cordiality and seem to enjoy what they do. On my first visit, I made the mistake of mentioning to our waitress that I thought the Loveless Cafe had decent fried chicken. As it turned out, she was a former Loveless waitress. She launched into a passionate, point-by-point defense of the superiority of Monell's chicken to that of her former employers. And, I have to say, she was absolutely right. She was happy to hear me say so later on. I was raised on Loveless hams and jams, and I'll always love the place for nostalgia's sake, but judging by food alone there is no competition between the two establishments--or, for that matter, between Monell's and any other meat-and-three/southern/soul-food joint in town. If you only have time to visit one restaurant in Nashville, this should be it. Just remember to tap the brakes while you're eating, hard and often. While all dishes are great, a few are out of this world, and you don't want to be too full to enjoy them. Remember that you can always take more of any dish later, once you've tried some of everything.
(5)
Michael J.
Wow. My buddy and I really enjoyed this place. We were seated at a table with a wonderful family and had some great conversation along with a great meal. Way more food than I could eat and at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.
(5)
Michael H.
Wow this is some great southern eating. Come hungry. It is all you can eat family style service. The fried catfish and chicken are amazing. All the sides were great too. The server keep our bowls full at the table. Great place to bring a large party of people to eat together. It is a little pricey but for all that you get including drink it is not bad. The house is also very charming and well decorated.
(5)
Susan W.
If you are from out of town and want a southern experience, this is the place to be. The service was excellent. The sweet tea is excellent. The catfish is excellent. Everything is excellent. I would come back again some day.
(5)
Gail W.
We had mid-morning breakfast at Monell's yesterday (breakfast available on weekends only). I knew to expect a wait and was told by the hostess it would be 30-40 minutes, but we were seated in about 20 (hooray, because I was starving!). The food was wonderful, although the scrambled eggs were a little more done that I like. The cheese grits were perfect! My husband enjoyed the potatoes; I had one taste and they were really good, but I can't pass up grits when they are available. The cinnamon rolls were light and sweet. The bacon was perfectly crispy (sausage and country ham are also available). The fried chicken, one of their specialties, was wonderful -- nicely crispy and moist on the inside. They had fresh sliced tomatoes that looked home grown -- I love sliced tomatoes at breakfast! The corn pudding was good, but a little sweet for my taste. I didn't try the pancakes because I just didn't have the room. I wanted to try the peach preserves but they got lost on the table. Service is family style and you'll be seated at a large table with 10-11 other people. Pass to the left for the first pass and then just ask for whatever else you need. We'll definitely go back next trip to Nashville!
(5)
Teresa T.
Hands down an awesome experience. Monell's has a sign hanging above its door that says "Come in as strangers and leave as friends". Monell's is inside of a home so you really get a comforting feeling. Once your name is called, you walk in and sit at a wooden table with other people (family style) and then it begins. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, water and fruit tea are already laid out on the table with coleslaw, a piece of chess pie for dessert and vegetable salad. The biscuits and corn bread arrive with gravy and peach preserves. And then corn pudding, green beans, a breakfast scramble (sausage, egg, potato, onions? and cheese), mac and cheese, spice apples, beef, pulled pork, cheese grits and fried chicken. I feel like I have missed something else... I could not eat like this every day as I wanted to pass out after but really this is something you need to experience. Just remember if it is your first time to really restrain and try a little bit of everything first and then gorge if you have room.
(5)
Molly G.
OMG SO GOOD. Nothing to complain about. I definitely had to roll myself out when I was done. Really good banana puddin' and sweet tea. You do have to sit at the table with strangers but that is part of the Nash-Vegas experience. I would definitely return. Beware: not for the dieters or health conscious, but HEY I was on vaycay!
(5)
Stacy R.
We had a couple of recommendations from friends to try this place, so we did. While the food was good, it wasn't anything that completely knocked my socks off. Don't get me wrong, the peach jam was absolutely amazing, but as a whole, I wasn't overly impressed. We were warned that it was communal seating with family style serving, which was different and a good way to meet new people, but you need to be in the mood to converse with strangers, and I'm not going to lie, we went early, and we were really tired! Three stars shouldn't deter you from going, just be ready for the atmosphere. There is a lot of food, and again, it's good... for me though, it just wasn't the greatest.
(3)
M M.
you want to out a feed bag on? this is the place for you!!! really excellent fried chicken, great pork chops. The only side I was disappointed in was their Mac and Cheese, very, very bland. Other than that come down and be prepared to be full and happy, or is it happy and full :)
(4)
LLuli A.
Monell's: Where southern foodie dreams come true! I recently experience Monell's dining while at a conference in Nashville. This place really was the highlight of the entire trip. I was in heaven with every bite I took of the peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, the corn pudding, fried chicken, oh and the many more dishes that I tried and can't seem to remember right now. Overall, its great food, family style and the best part is that you get to dine in with friendly strangers from all walks of life. The service is superb and Little Mike, who greeted us ended up giving me a delicious blackberry jam on the house. The food is sooo good here that you will not regret your visit. Stop by whenever you are in TN.
(5)
Penny L.
The concept is fun and entertaining. The food is very fresh and obviously home made. Our favorites Pea salad - wouldn't have imagined that before I tasted it! Chicken and dumplings Meatloaf Peach preserves Not so much Fried chicken - dry and bland, Babes Chicken House in Texas blows them away Green beans - I like mine with bacon and a little kick Would I go again - no but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)
Basil L.
I loved this place. I loved this place so much I would marry it. I'm not going to write a long review, just a couple highlights: - Fried Chicken. For breakfast. Punch me in the face now, it was so good. - Family Style. We had a big group so it was no big deal. They put a couple people to sit with us and it didn't matter. We chatted with them but really just talked about how awesome the food was. There was a ridiculous amount of food, so glad we ran a marathon the previous day.
I flew in for a week for a conference, but in the back of my mind is "where can i find the most authentic southern fried chicken?" Thanks to Yelp, the gps led me safely into Monell's for an experience that was worth returning for. First off, you dont sit by yourself. The place is a big house with lots of rooms and family dining tables scattered throughout. The ambience feels like grandma's home, and you eat what they serve you. Big spoons, big bowls, and lots of ice tea for your likings. Each table sat 8-10 folks, and you are seated in order of entry with your party. So get ready to pass the bowl, have a conversation with a stranger, and eat until you drop. The food here is amazing. Every night differs, and we got to experience pork chops, fried chicken, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, mash, and gosh i forgot already i'm so hungry. We ate until we dropped, but with a smile. Everyone else around was loud and happy, also feeling the pain of overeating after indulging on such wonderful food. The fried chicken and pork chop was still my favorites, each drooling in fried and gravy.. yumm! Price was affordable, and staff was very friendly. I was visiting for 5 days, and came here twice during my stay.
(5)
Gabe F.
Best southern cooking in Nashville. Some of the best southern food in the south. Absolutely amazing! I love going on Sunday afternoon and meeting new people at the family style table.
(5)
david h.
This is a treat of the first order! It is old south at its finest. Breakfast consists of Fried chicken, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits and gravy, plus much more. You sit at a communal table and the food is served family style by a large african american woman named Mavis. It just doesn't get any more southern (or good) than that! Smiley face and a star.
(5)
Anne R.
Visited Monell's for breakfast based on the fabulous reviews and I was so excited!!! We were wanting to check it out with plans of bringing a group of "out-of-towners" here the following week. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with our experience. We got to the restaurant around 10 am with a 20 minute wait but this was not a big deal, we had expected this. And the outside seating area is comfortable and a great space. However, once our name was called and we were seated, we felt as if we were being rushed through our meal. They would put the food down and walk off with not even a smile and then came over right away with our checkout card. We were seated elbow to elbow with those at our table to the point were it was even awkward to cut our food. We also did not receive the pancakes as advertised. When we did leave, the girl at the checkout was obviously in a bad mood. Needless to say, one of the people in our group said as we were leaving "I remember it being so much better in the past." I hated that we had such an experience because now we will need to find another local restaurant to treat our guests....
(2)
Kevin P.
Family style, great food!
(4)
Daniel P.
I've got two bellyfulls to annoint This a top Southern fam'ly-style joint. If a few plates are off (Who wants Beef Stroganoff?) The fried chick. and sides won't disappoint.
(4)
Candice M.
I have been to Monell's on more than one occasion and the food was great, but I must say that the Christmas dinner today was very disappointing! Way too overpriced for what you receive-everything was bland and/or watered down...macaroni and cheese soup, anyone? My family who came to visit for the holiday were certainly not happy with the service or the food-and it was their first time! Maybe it was just a bad day?
(2)
Vanessa P.
My boyfriend and I were visiting one of his friends in Nashville and his friend suggested we come here for lunch. I wish we had a restaurant like this in Chicago! Dining at Monell's is like visiting your Southern grandma's house. Everything is served family style and at communal tables. When we were seated, there were 8 others at the table dining already. We sat and the other diners just started passing all the food to us. I stuck to the sides (as I wasn't eating meat at the time) and had the green beans, corn bread, cucumber salad, coleslaw, another vegetable, biscuits and jam, etc. Even just eating the sides, it was a feast. The sweet tea was a tad too sweet (but, hey, I'm from Chicago). This is a great place to get to know your new tablemates and practice your dining etiquette, all while enjoying some truly Southern cooking.
Monell's is more than a restaurant. It is a dining experience. If you are ever in Nashville, you must try it. Some friends and I went on the recommendation of a Nashville native. We were there about 1 p.m. on a Saturday, which meant we had the Country Breakfast. At Monell's, you sit at a big table with folks you don't know, and all the food is served family style. Someone explained to me that Monell's is like a "meat and three" (one meat main course with three side dishes), only it was a "three meat and 10." The food just keeps coming and coming and coming until you can't take it anymore. We had cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, eggs, breakfast potatoes, corn pudding, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, some kind of apple dish that was amazing, and... I know I'm forgetting something, but everything was so good. If you run out of something on the table, you can ask for more. It's basically an all-you-can-eat deal. The entire meal was only about $13, and I was full way past supper. (It really is like two meals in one.) This is a place I highly recommend.
(5)
Heather W.
As a naturally gregarious foodie, I can only emphatically agree with all the 4- and 5- star reviews already here. I'd like to add another little-known Monell's secret treat, though: I always seem to arrive at Monell's for a late Sunday breakfast. As noon approaches, each time I've been there, I've been treated to the sounds of a very talented acoustic guitarist who sets up near the entrance with a small amp and a barstool. Gorgeous gentle chords, great company and fantastic food - no better way to spend a lazy Sunday. I'd also like to throw in a note about their dishes - plates, cups and some of the servingware looks like it was all a mishmosh of things some eccentric like me picked up at yard sales. Maybe it's silly, but I love choosing my favorite coffee mug from the stack of empties at the breakfast table; it really does feel like Grandma's house.
(5)
Danny H.
This is the first time I ever sat at a table with random people that I have never met before I arrived at the place. Let's just say that going to this place is like having home cookin soul food at your house with some good ol' southern hospitality with some random strangers. But I'm not going to complain, the people here were nice and made it enjoyable. Anyways to the main point, the food...yum, delicious, and finger lickin good! Fried chicken, mac n cheese, country style banana breadpudding, mash potatoes, corn bread, biscuits, pork n cabbage, lasagna, and your choice of lemonade, tea, water. Food cooked just right, not too greasy, not too salty or sweet, just right! For $12.95 lunch, it's a good place to stop by and eat til you drop if you want some good ol' homestyle soul food!
(4)
Jemina B.
Ehhh, am I the only person who thinks this place is just okay? Their southern fare is certainly not up to Loveless Cafe standards, although the wait appeared to be just as long. I dutifully passed around plate/bowl after another of food, but found it all to be a little tasteless. Maybe I was having an off day, or maybe they were?
(3)
Jonathan K.
Amazing Southern food at a family-style restaurant at a solid price. The fried chicken was fantastic, but extremely greasy. The smothered chicken was awesome as well, but not quite as good as the fried chicken. The corn pudding was amazingly good, definitely a highlight of the sides, along with the mashed potatoes. The cole slaw was excellent and the banana pudding was absolutely incredible, definitely the best I've ever had. You sit at communal tables with people you don't know, which is a great opportunity to have some interesting conversation. They have a clear no cell-phone policy and really try to make you feel at home. Our dinner was $15, all-you-can-eat and including tip. Monell's was a great experience and a must-do while in Nashville.
(5)
Stella G.
Last Wednesday, I almost ate myself to death. My husband says to me, "I want some fried chicken." Okay. whatever. great. I'm not even a fried chicken fan. I can live without southern food. Well I could, until we found Monell's. We arrive in a cab and find ourselves in front of a place that looks almost like a large private home, but warmly lit on the inside. As soon as we step through the door, the host's natural southern charm came through and escorted us to the table. Within 60 seconds there is bow tie pasta, sweet tea, cucumber salad and cole slaw. We're then joined at a huge dining table by long time patrons "Becky" and her daughter. They had come to Monell's every week for the past 5 years, plus Christmas and Thanksgiving. And...I can see why. We shared with our new dinner companions the corn pudding, squash cassarole, biscuits and gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, apples with cinamon, fried pork chops, baked chicken, fried chicken, stuffing and peach cobbler. I'm sure i'm missing something. It came out in endless baskets like southern style mana from heaven. If you can remember to leave your cell phone off and pass to the left, you are guaranteed the best dining experience you've ever had.Not only was it amazing, endless amounts of food, but our total including tax, but without the well deserved tip: $29.50. As I was leaving, I noticed that they had a bumper sticker that said "if the colonel had our recipe, he'd be a general." Well, I say, if every place had a Monell's there'd be world peace.
(5)
Justin W.
If you made a list of phrases used to describe southern cuisine (finger-lickin', down home, good old fashioned, etc.), you'd probably go through quite a few in singing praises for Monell's. It's family-style dining, which means that each course is brought out on a big serving platter, and gets passed around amongst everyone at the table. Tables seat 10-12 people, so you'll probably be sharing with people you don't necessarily know as friends or family, but with that understanding, patrons mind their manners, and I've never had any problems asking for a basket of biscuits that was on the other end of the table. You would think that, being an all-you-can-eat establishment, that the quality of the food isn't up to par with made-to-order restaurants, but this is not the case. My great-grandmother was from West Virginia, and there were two things I remember about her food: it was good, and there was lots of it. She would bring plate after plate of food, until your stomach was close to bursting, then she'd bring out another plate and look disappointed when you didn't finish it. Monell's is a lot like that, minus the disappointing looks. The food keeps coming until everyone at the table finally surrenders to the fact that they can't eat anymore, and because there's such a variety of dishes, even the pickiest of eaters will probably find something they like, for breakfast or for dinner. And if you're not a picky eater and want to sample a little of everything, you'll have to eat at least two plates of food. If there's one thing that everyone raves about, it's the fried chicken, which is served both at breakfast and at dinner. And it's popular for good reason; it's the best fried chicken you'll find anywhere in Tennessee, and probably some of the best fried chicken in the country. I was really surprised to learn what I had paid for so much food; breakfast only cost $13 per person. I can't remember what dinners are, but don't remember it being much more expensive. The only thing that I didn't like was that, at the end of the meal, there's still so much good food left over on the table, and your stomach's stubborn protests will not permit you to eat any more of it.
(5)
Lauren A.
I visited Nashville over New Years and after being subjected to hearing about the deliciousness that is Monell's for at least a year from my friends, I was finally able to eat there. And I was not disappointed. I love the family style dining, cozy atmosphere, and the endless amount of delicious food that is being passed around the table. I had almost filled my plate to the brim with delicious side dishes before the main courses came out. I did save room on my plate for the fried chicken though and as amazing as it was, I love the sides the best. I would have been happy with a bowl of Monell's to-die-for cole slaw but the green beans and the corn pudding and the biscuits with homemade jam and the cucumber salad and the banana pudding... let me just say, the food is great. The menu at Monell changes every day I'm told and the one thing I wish they would have been serving when I visited was the Macaroni and Cheese. I hear it will change your life. I will go back to Monell's the next time I'm in Nashville for sure but I might not eat for a few days in advance to prepare myself.
(5)
Lucie O.
Family style dining was a great way to meet some of the wonderful locals and also experience the setting with fellow travelers! The food was absolutely home style rich southern cuisine to die for! They know how to feed here, come hungry, start with small servings because different courses come in heaps throughout the meal. No line to get in for us but was told that's rare, but if you have to wait there is a beautiful garden with several fish ponds and plenty of cozy benches and shade. Whether with a large group, dinner with the family or wanting to experience Nashville, this is the best for your buck!
(5)
Lloyd B.
Really nothing to complain about except that it's just too much food! Went on a Saturday for lunch and we had fried chicken, pulled pork, and meat loaf for entrees. Green beans, corn chowder, baked apples, roasted potatoes for sides. Coleslaw and cucumber salad for appetizers with cornbread and rolls with preserves. Bread pudding for dessert. Service was great, everything tasted great, and the price was ridiculously cheap. I think $16/pp including tax. Much reccomended!
(5)
Jeff L.
I've been to Monell's for both breakfast and dinner and both meals are incredible. I could easily eat their corn pudding for every meal for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. Family style dining, amazing food, reasonable prices, what's not to like? Don't go if you're not hungry.
(5)
Avonel R.
First of all....wow. I've only been here for breakfast but even after seeing all of the other reviews, I still left impressed. I love the family style dining. We were seated around people we didn't know, but overall it was fabulous company. The breakfast choices were seemingly endless. Cheese grits (!!!!!!), corn pudding, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, baked apples, bacon, sausage...the list goes on. I truly needed a nap after this huge Sunday brunch. I will surely be returning for dinner soon! This is one of my new favorite breakfast places in Nashville.
Monell's really made our brief, 36-hour stay in Nashville! Lovely to eat awesome southern cookin family style with a bunch of southerners! We ate next to a couple from KY for lunch who said theyd been there the night before for dinner and were so pleased they came back 12 hours later! The biscuits and peach preserves, corn pudding, fried chicken, and peach cobbler were to die for! I loved that the waitress called me Baby. :) A must-do for visitors! We'll be back!
(5)
Melanie B.
I love eating here! it is amazing for breakfast with pancakes, grits, eggs (REAL ones not that powedered crap some places try to serve), biscuits with yummy fruit preserves, this corn stuff that is amazing, and of course meat and that is just part of the breakfast. Germantown location is a smaller than the Franklin location, but the food is just as tantalizing. The dinner is um... mouthwatering with fried chicken, lasagna, catfish, ribs, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes.. on and on the list goes of wonderful food. I ate here before I became a vegeatarian and still love going after I became one because there are still tons of food to choose from.
(5)
Jen W.
Wear your stretchy pants! If your'e on a diet, then don't go here! If your'e going to be a baby about sitting at a communal table go elsewhere! You don't have to talk to people if you don't want to and I'm a New Yorker! I know all about ignoring people and phasing them out. But here, you kinda soften up a bit, sure you sit at a giant table with strangers you don't know, and you pass the food around like Sunday dinner. There's no menu for you to order off, they just bring the food and you take some and pass it on. Don't get greedy here and take like 5 pieces of fried chicken, there's always more dishes coming. Save space. Dessert is always on the table. Dinner's over in about 30 min. In 30 min you're stuffed to the brim. your stretchy pants have stretched to the point where they might just rip. You have been warned! You can't go wrong with their fried chicken. Corn pudding is amazing. Green beans are always great. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, and lemonade all around. Whatever they're making that night, try some and eat it. You can always have more, but you have to finish what's in the basket first. You can't go wrong with the fried chicken. Don't load up on biscuits, they're good but save space for everything else!
(5)
Tonya O.
Being a Nashville native, I don't know why it took so long for me to dine at Monell's, but my first experience was just last year, and I had the opportunity to dine there again recently. By far, Monell's is awesome for large groups with their boarding house-style dining. I always thought it was called family-style, but my recent visit educated me further. Boarding house-style means that they bring out several meats, vegetables and other sides to pass around and share with anyone and everyone at your table. You may or may not know everyone at your table, but by the end of your meal you will certainly know everyone a little bit better. If you're on a diet, Monell's might not be the best place for you. Their food is so yummy that you'll want to try at least a little bit of everything. I highly recommend trying the preserves with biscuits, which are served with every meal. Fried chicken, cornbread and banana pudding are the other dishes that are served with every meal. Other offerings can vary between fried catfish, pulled pork, meat loaf, green beans, corn pudding, hashbrown casserole and many other possibilities. Around the holidays and on weekends, it's best to make reservations. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit. If the weather is nice, the garden is a lovely place to wait. If you're looking for a place to bring out of town guests, this is the place to take them!
(5)
Brad C.
I am from Australia and in 2010 spent my first ever Thanksgiving at Monells with a Canadian buddy. I was blown away with the food that just kept coming. The fried chicken was so good! The desert such as pumpkin pie was wonderful. Overall, some of the best southern home style cooking I have tasted in nashville. The wait to get a table on thanksgiving was 2hrs and that sort of dampened to excitement but once we were inside, I was won over as soon as I walked in and saw the waiters walking past with hot dishes heading for tables. The other people at the table were friendly. For me it wasn't about the experience of dining at the same table as strangers, it was all about the cooking.
(4)
Simon K.
Cast Iron skillets, genuine southern fried chicken, endless portions, southern hospitality, great company, and you walk out with an experience that you brag to your friends about. Never been more proud of being Nashville local. Monell's is the definition of southern soul food. I try to be a fair critic, so if I had to pick a down-side then it would be that they are not big on desserts. However if you can even make it to dessert, you're not gonna be disappointed with the banana pudding. "The proof is in the pudding," so just try to find a bad review of the place. You can try, but it be a bigger waste of time than watching the new Green Latern movie.
(5)
Cortney L.
You can't come to Nashville without enjoying this Southern staple. Don't miss the turnip greens and fried chicken.
(5)
Bao N.
The Monells dining experience was quite interesting and different from any dining experience I've had. My wife, daughter, and two friends sat at a humungous rectangular wooden table with 10 other strangers and ate family style. For less than a minute, it felt kinda weird, but once the delicious home-cooked food started coming, the conversation with the folks at the table started picking up and it was really cool hearing their stories and experiences in Nashville. The couple that sat at our table shared their favorite activities in Nashville and even recommended a few places to visit before we leave. The food was great. The server brought out a different dish every minute for about 15 minutes. It was crazy. I didn't know when she was going to stop, so I ate as slowly as possible so I can see what else was coming out. I didn't want to get stuffed after just the 3rd dish. From what I can remember, *takes a deep breathe* the server brought out Water, Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Unsweetened Tea, Biscuits and gravy and peach jam, pancakes, sausage patties, fried chicken, bacon, grits, corn pudding, I remember some cooked apples, beans, some desserts and probably some more delicious items that I just forgot. The standout items for me were the extra-thick salty and sweet crispy bacon, soft and fluffy biscuits and creamy corn pudding. OMG! I never had corn pudding before and couldn't get enough. I ate as much as I could to make up for all the years I've been alive and never having the chance to try corn pudding. Everything I tasted was really really good. Overall, great experience and the food was spectacular. Everyone we talked to at the restaurant was soooooooo NICE.
(5)
Angela K.
Oooooooooooh yes. This place is amazing. All the southern cooking goodness you wanted and some you didn't even imagine existed. It's all there at Monell's. You sit family style and pass each succulent dish around the table. My favorite were the peas and squash casserole. Not to mention the gallons of sweet tea I consumed. Go early to avoid an epic wait. If I lived in Nashville I would be here at least once a week, but my waist line is overjoyed that Monell's is a plane ride away.
(5)
Lena N.
My host in Nashville highly recommended this place for good soul food. They've got everything: fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, biscuits, collard greens, etc. My one tip is to come very hungry because the food is plentiful and it is delicious. You will probably eat yourself into a food coma like I did. Besides the amazing food, their biggest selling point is that unless you're part of a big group, you'll be sharing a table with complete strangers. It's family style so you have to ask your tablemates to pass the food. I even talked to my tablemates in between shoveling food into my mouth and they were a fun bunch. I think the family style method really adds to the experience. Just remember to keep it classy and not talk with your mouth full. Bottom line: If you're in Nashville hankering for some soul food, this is the place to go.
(5)
Pete P.
Visiting from out of state and wanting some good southern family style food we heard about this place. Little hesitant about the seating style of the place but it turned out that it was fun getting to meet people from here as well as other far off places. Went this night that had lasagna, pot roast and fried chicken. All was excellent but the chicken was the best. Nothing bad to say about this place
(5)
Kimble M.
I am not the belle of the ball, so when I moseyed in here by my lonesome and was told to take a seat at a large table of strangers, I thought about leaving when I was done blushing. I'm glad I didn't, because this was some of the most finger-lickin' good food I've ever eaten and one of the more pleasant and friendly social experiences still left in this world. The ribs, y'all, they are so delicious, and the people treat you like you're back home, with your granny pushing another helping of fried chicken, or the fantastic, sweet/savory fried green tomatoes. You don't have to like everything to be as happy as a pig in a poke and leave stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, satisfied down to your very soul. Shame that a place like this has to be so far away.
(5)
Ryan O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat and just when you think you are done eating you will eat more. I can't begin to enumerate all the items you get to pick from during a typical visit. It's too much to even list. My personal addiction are the biscuits and (fig?) preserves. I'm not sure what is in the preserves but it is next level good. The family style seating is fun and always makes for an interesting experience each time. Dinner will run about $17 a person but it is worth it considering it is all you can eat and there is something wrong with you if you don't leave feeling fat and sassy.
(5)
Daniel L.
My girlfriend and I visited from CA, and Monell's came up constantly as a go-to BBQ spot when we needed restaurant suggestions. The staff was friendly, the environment was clean and cozy, and the food was as superb as everyone wrote. Their daily meat special was fried catfish, and I knew I had to have it. It was airy, the batter was crisp without being overly rich, and I loved that you could still taste the fish essence. Another staple of Monell's is the fried chicken, and that is a MUST. Never in my life have I eaten skin so delicately crisp yet flavorful without making me feel guilty. It was like a gigantic potato chip covering moist tender chicken meat. I also recommend their green beans (sweet juicy wonderfulness) as well as their corn pudding (tremendous balance of sugary and sweet). Nashville was a fantastically friendly and cultured city, and we will be back soon. Not to mention, we will be back to Monell's. The food was terrific, and the prices were amazingly cheap.
(4)
Elizabeth A.
Monell's is ridiculously delicious. Off the charts fried chicken. Off.The.Charts. The family style dining is fantastic, it adds a flair to the typical dining experience. The panacakes, cheesy grits, eggs, biscuits, coffee, fruit, did I mention the fried chicken? All so yummy. I've only been for Sunday brunch, but this place blows away any other Southern-style brunch I've had in the area. Ahem, Loveless Cafe. May I suggest you bring your appetite!
(4)
Carolyn M.
I wrote a negative review because I went with an out of town guest and was given a very inaccurate wait time. I got a prompt and professional response from the owner and went back to give it another try. It was fabulous! The food is delicious. Just try to avoid going when the meals are switching - people will wait to try both menus and it can take a mighty long time.
(5)
lori C.
I really want to rate this place higher. The atmosphere and decor were wonderful -5 stars. The food on the other hand was just ok or less than that really. Bland, dry over cooked. Even the corn pudding that was rated so high, sweet corm mush. Sorry Monell's. Maybe breakfast is better...
(2)
Andy H.
We had a family dinner here over new years weekend. We got in early so, no wait. Once we sat down the food came out hot, fresh and tasty. All the food was served family style and they only stopped when you asked them to. Be sure to check for the daily specials/menus.
(5)
Akiko K.
Went today before heading bk home to Atlanta and must say had a wonderful time! Dinner was excellent! The highlight of my trip to Nashville. The fried chicken, bbq chicken, broccoli casserole, biscuits and gravy, purple cabbage, corn pudding, sausage, sour kraut, green beans, banana pudding were all superb and flavorful. Not overly-seasoned or under-seasoned. Just right. Go hungry! I should not have ate that pizza before going. I like the fact that everyone sits together at a table. They get parties of 8-10 of different nationalities and it allows you to meet ppl of diff. backgrounds. We sat next to four Asian college girls from Memphis visiting for the weekend and a white couple visiting their daughter from Charlotte. Everyone was so friendly and we had a great conversation with them and shared some laughs. It was different and refreshing. The outside scenery was also nice too. They had live fish in an outside pond along with a cute bench you can rock on. I will definitely go back next time I visit Nashville.
(5)
Marian C.
came too late for the brunch, but lunch was OUTSTANDING!! some of the best fried chicken i've had. loved the family style meal. the food just kept coming. the service was so warm. so awesome!! can't wait to go back.
(5)
Trixy W.
Awesome southern home-style food! Everything is family style and predetermined, but so many options are brought out to the table. It was a little annoying sitting next to people you didn't know as I wanted to catch up with friends I went to dinner with rather than having an additional conversation with folks who I didn't know.
(5)
Kimberly H.
I didn't break my vows to Monell's and I got to eat here with a couple of friends again on my last trip to Nashville. It still as tasty as ever. Love the fried chicken and the preserves! I also wish more restaurants served family style its such a wonderfully welcoming place!
(5)
Nickie G.
I normally get home cookin' twice a year - once at Thanksgiving and once at Christmas. Believe me, I look forward to these days so I can eat enough that the button on my pants pops off! But now I know I can eat like that any time I want at Monell's. So the Dallas BF was in town and even though he's from Dallas and knows about some Southern cookin', he doesn't know about real deep South cookin'. Monell's was recommended and I talked it up big. He was apprehensive about sitting with people we didn't know and "having their fingers all in the bowls" and other such nonsense. Whatever - FRIED CHICKEN with EVERY meal is all I had to hear to know this was a great idea - even if someone sneezed on the food I'd probably still eat it. So we walk in on Sunday at about 1pm and were immediately seated at the last 2 seats at a table. Lucky us because afterwards there appeared to be a wait and also lucky us because food started coming out immediately. Good Lord what a smorgasbord of deliciousness! We had: -vinegar soaked cucumber salad - OM NOM I love this! My mom used to make this all the time and it was tasty -pasta salad - too creamy of a sauce for my tastes, but everyone else loved it -green beans - maybe not quite the way my Granny used to make 'em but still good -corn casserole - who doesn't love creamy delicious corn casserole? - mac and cheese - creamy, a little runny, but again, who doesn't love pasta and cheeeeeeese? - mashed potatoes - what was in these? Crack? They were awesome - greens - turnip or collard? Not sure but I loved it. They didn't even need vinegar - Biscuits - little pieces of fluffy heaven - Pot Roast - this was some flavorful pot roast and the carrots were to die for -Pulled pork - a huge bowl of it. Maybe a touch salty, my BF thought it tasted like Worchester sauce but it was still good - Fried Chicken - not too greasy, just the right amount of crispy, and just the right amount of deliciousness. LOVED it. - Pecan pie topped with whipped cream - not generally my favorite type of pie but the filling was syrupy sweet and the whipped cream was perfect. All of this food is brought out in huge serving bowls and you just pass it around and help yourself. Help yourself to seconds too. Go ahead, be a glutton - you paid $16ish bucks for all you can eat so get to it. Then go home and nap the afternoon away just like you would on Thanksgiving! As for sitting with strangers - I didn't care one bit once the food started coming. I was a little worried that there were so many youngsters at the table but we ended up talking to them more than anyone else. One girl had Bieber fever in a bad way and one boy had about 5 NFL teams he roots for. By the end you all felt like a little random dysfunctional family so it was all good. If you are from out of town , if you are from here and have visitors from out of town, or if you are from here and just want Southern cookin then you MUST try this place!
(5)
Colin S.
Monell's is a Nashville tradition...one that should not be missed. Breakfast is awesome. Food is served family style, and you will not go hungry. What is impressive is that the quality blows away the quantity and that is saying a lot given how much food is served. I tried everything served and everything was superb. The highlights - the chicken (skillet fried), the grits, the bacon (oh, the bacon). This is home-cooking at its finest.
(5)
John K.
Bottom Line: Great food and experience for fair price. Coming from the west coast this type of dining was a first. My party of 5 was seated at a large table for 12 because at Monell's strangers become family! Random folks were seated next to us and the food at the table was shared like it was thanksgiving dinner at grandma's...so to speak. Here are the points to underscore: 1) Always rotate left - for those of you who are new to southern dining (like me), the bowl of gravy, the basket of biscuits, and the all the other goodies are handed to the person to your left. 2) Take a little of each. - there is so much food that if you eat a lot of the biscuits and cornbread because the food isnt coming out....you'll be disappointed. And they offer more so as not to be wasteful at the table. So don't hog the chicken and mac and cheese. Be neighborly and share like it is your family. 3) Order of the food - I went there for lunch on a tuesday. However, the menu changes constantly. The food that came out for us was: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, broccoli with dressing, green beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef with carrots, fried chicken, and peach cobbler for dessert. There were both sweetened and unsweetened tea for beverages along with lemonade. I like Arnold Palmers so that worked out for me. You can easily ask for seconds...and thirds....and fourths.... And for dinner they throw in an additional meat loaf to go around. 4) Service is stellar - simply put...it was like being at home with a nice mother who brought out too much food. Note: For you recluse hermit types, don't fret. You don't have to talk with anyone if you choose not to. But be warned. Even the customers are nice there! Conclusion: if you have family or friends visiting from out-of-town metropolitan areas, show them Monell's for an interesting vibe.
(5)
Phil N.
There are times when you have a great experience that is awe-inspiring and gives meaning to life... dining at Monell's is one of those times. I half-joked that the brick house that Monell's occupied must have been a church at one time. My friend was like "yeah, could be" but looked puzzled until I continued with my thought "cause Jesus must be cookin'" Seriously. Quit reading my review, get your a** to Germantown and put your name in. You'll be waiting to get seats at one of the communal tables that grace this monument to Southern cooking. They set tables of 10-12 or so at a large dining table, family style. They even have rules.. past to the left, take only what you can eat, no cell phones. You meet the folks you are sitting with and get tips from the locals such as "pace yourself, cause the food is just gonna keep comin'. And oh what a meal it is. Typical staples like mac n cheese, cornbread, bisquets and gravy are accompanied by a heavenly squash casserole. Then comes the meat. delicious pork loin, grilled chicken and the world famous fried chicken. Sweet tea, homemade peach preserves and a slice of pie for dessert (which they plated first but no one ate 'cause everyone was too full). If you go to Nashville, you must eat here! If you live in Nashville, I hate you... 'cause you can come here everyday. Enjoy.
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Everything was amazing... Amazing food, service, & experience.... Don't see how anyone can say a bad word about the place.... Amazing amazing amazing
(5)
Kris S.
Visited Nashville in August 2013 and researched must-visit places before I left. Monell's made a lot of other people's lists, so my friends and I decided to go. The service was excellent. We did have to wait a little while but the hostess was very friendly and talked to us the entire time, and even gave us the names of a few spots to visit that weren't so tourist-y. When we finally sat down our server (I wish I remembered her name) was awesome! She told my friends and I that she loved our accents (even though we DON'T have accents!! haha) and our beverage glasses were never empty. The food was amazing. My friends and I filled up on mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens that we ended up napping up until we went out that night. Our server and the busboy even posed for a photo with us :) The only reason Monell's lost a star from me is because the whole idea of sitting next to strangers is to make friends and share a meal over great food. We were sitting next to some Vandy frat boys with their stuck up prissy female friend who wanted no interaction whatsoever until they found out we lived 30 minutes away from NYC... then the chick wouldn't shut up about "Sex and the City" (yeah, because that's SUCH an accurate depiction of being in your 20s and living in the city) and how she's the real life Carrie Bradshaw. Bish please.
(4)
JoAnna L.
My cousin took me here the day I landed in Nashville and I'm so glad she did. We found parking on the street just down the way and then we went to put our name on the list. The seating area does get a bit busy and it looked like Sundays were no exception. Once we had our name called (it took about 20 minutes), we sat at a communal table with about 8 other people and it was great. We had coffee and sweet tea offered and then the plates started to roll out, it was amazing! We had yummy cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, thee best tasting cinnamon rolls I've ever had!, sausage, bacon, and then, of course, very tasty fried chicken. The employees are also very hospitable and friendly. For less than $15, the meal is an absolute steal and very good! The key is to take a little bit at a time, that way you can enjoy it all! I'd love to stop by here again definitely.
(5)
Matthew L.
Had a fun and delicious experience. Couldn't believe how good everything was, how much food, how low a price. I really and completely enjoyed myself. Was in town for business so was alone which meant I was sat right away. Met a bunch of nice locals and had a great time. Everything I tried was delicious. Great experience.
(5)
Annie C.
AMAZING. This is a must in Nashville. The chicken was so delicious and not too oily. The corn pudding was perfect. The biscuits were fluffy and buttery. Slight downsides were the vegetables (overcooked and bitter), the mashed potatoes (tasteless), the ambrosia salad and cole slaw (very very sweet, but I suppose this is how it is supposed to be). If you are in Nashville this is a must.
(5)
Adam B.
This is another place I guess I just don't get. It's nice to serve food family style. It helps strangers be social. But, at $21 a person, you should do better than pretty good fried chicken and then a lot of cafeteria food. The pork chops were dry and tough. The meatloaf was in chunks and bland. The sides were, overall, average. And, when you are remotely done eating, they tell you to leave so the next group can come in.
(2)
Rachel C.
This is southern soul food at it's best. Family style seating makes the meal feel festive and special. The meal started off with biscuits and cornbread with gravy. The biscuits were so soft and fluffy, absolutely perfect for sopping up the savory gravy. The cornbread was slightly salty and delicious, though I prefer sweet cornbread. The cole slaw was the best I ever had, creamy and tangy but not watery. The fruit tea was good for washing everything down. I've never had corn pudding before but man oh man is it good. The mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had both chunks and skin, just how I like it. I think I ate half the tub of spiced apples on my own. The Mac and cheese was so creamy and cheesy and not at all mushy because the pasta was cooked perfectly. The purple sauerkraut was perfect with a bit of everything. Moving on to the meats, the fried chicken was so tender and the skin had the perfect combo of crispness and chew. The roast beef was fall apart tender and stewed in the most delicious brown sauce. The pulled pork also had big flavors. I made room for a couple bites of pecan pie and had no complaints there either. If you're looking for a belly buster meal with good value and awesome home cooked flavors, this is the place.
(5)
Michael S.
Ummmm....yeah....I know I'm supposed to be writing massively long and involved reviews as a supposedly "elite" Yelper, but honestly, there is nothing that can be said about Monell's that ain't been said before. It's just that good, sinfully unhealthy down-home style cooking, with unending portions, and cool family style serving. Love getting to sit with random people who are all drooling over the never ending stream of food. I prefer to go for brunch on the weekends, but I've loved every dinner I've had hear too, so that's just a personal preference, you can't go wrong. And, there's that fantastic little cupcake bakery just a few doors down if you've managed to save a little spot for dessert somewhere....
(5)
Chad P.
Southern, for sure! Going to Monell's is like stepping back in time. Everyone is super friendly, and the food is very good. You sit family style with many other families you don't know. It's a nice way to meet people who come to Nashville from everywhere. Come prepared to eat and not spend a fortune.
(3)
Bridget S.
Wow! What a fun and tasty breakfast. The meal seemed never ending and the fried chicken is the BEST in Nashville. Loved the grits nice and cheesy. Biscuits fluffy, great bacon and sausage. The home made cinnamon rolls were awesome per my hubby ( I was too full to taste). Corn pudding, fried potatoes, ....and sides continue including pancakes and scrambled eggs. Service was great (friendly, kind and smiling). Nice meeting others at a family style table. A true southern breakfast.
(5)
Paul W.
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt University ["Stay Calm and Anchor Down." Or something like that....] I go to Monell's EVERY TIME I AM IN NASHVILLE. EVERY TIME. The place rules. The fried chicken is exceptional. Bless these people, they serve it at breakfast, too. The corn pudding is delicious: I never eat the stuff anywhere else. The biscuits are little pillows of heavenly starch. I have yet to have a bad meal there. It's family style seating and you will probably have to wait for a seat. There is a lovely little garden seating area with a koi pond and a bench swing to wait on. Once you get in, you're seated with a whole table of strangers. I have yet to meet one rude soul there. They pass when you ask and converse when you want. There's plenty of silences 'cause the food's pretty damn good. Have I mentioned I come here every time I'm in Nashville? Because I do. If you like good, home-cooked food, go to Monell's. If you like the company of good people while you dine, go to Monell's. If you like to eat a lot, go to Monell's. But you don't have to pig out to get value here: the food is really that good. Simple and good. If you like yourself and your friends and family, do something nice for yourselves: go to Monell's.
(5)
Colleen S.
Visiting from PA, we were looking for some Southern home-cooking and we found it here! We asked our cab driver for a suggestion since we wanted a local favorite rather than a tourist spot downtown. He suggested Monell's, which is a short drive away from downtown but ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. We walked in with a group of 4 and they directed us to one of their 12-seat tables. I really enjoyed the vintage furniture and decoration. You felt like you were walking into someone's home! This place serves family style, so they will seat you with another party unless you have a large party yourself. The table was beautifully set, with sweet tea, lemonade and a few cold salads/casseroles to start. Hot biscuits, gravy and peach preserves were brought out next while we waited for our table to fill. We immediately began to dig in and had to remind ourselves to slow down for the next course. Once the table is filled, there is a flutter of activity as they begin to bring out baskets and bowls of Southern comfort food! They stagger the dishes and ask everyone to pass to their left to keep it organized. Baked chicken, fried porkchops and fried chicken that was practically falling off of the bone. Next was cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and corn pudding. Everything came out fresh, hot and delicious! We enjoyed the family style seating and the party seated with us was very friendly and talkative. We ate until we could barely move and then realized we had to sample some dessert as well! Small bites of the baked apples and banana pudding were enough for us to officially throw in the towel. With many children in the other party at our table, there was quite a bit of food leftover and we were informed that all of the food is donated to local churches that serve the food to homeless/low-income families, which we were very happy to hear. On our way out, we met the owner who was a jovial man hosting the arriving parties to their tables. He was very funny, cracking jokes about us Northerners and hoping we enjoyed our soul food. When visiting Nashville, avoid downtown and go to Monell's for a GREAT Southern dining experience!
(5)
Carlton H.
I went with a group of friends who traveled to Nashville for a wedding and we went here for breakfast the morning of the wedding at the suggestion of our cab driver. It is a family style place but we had a large enough group to take up a table to ourselves. Once you sit down, the food starts coming and it doesn't end until you're in a blissful food coma. You don't order food but there's an enormous variety and it's all good. I may say that this was the best place I've ever been for breakfast.
(5)
Gregory B.
A must dine if you are visiting Nashville.....from the time you are greeted, throughout the meal you will have no finer experience. Located in historic Germantown in a 19th-century brick home, Monell's offers an all-you-can-eat spread. Long wooden tables seat up to a dozen people, making for a family-style dining experience. Each day's menu includes a featured entree, vegetables, bread, dessert and at dinner, a chef's choice. Diners in our case from all over the United States and one couple from the UK pass around bottomless bowls and platters of Southern entrees, like pork chops, chicken, dumplings and country-fried steak.
(5)
Anonymous S.
Awesome home-style cooking, served at large family tables. If your family isn't with you , don't worry, you'll be assigned one. As a lone traveler- it was a good way to meet people. Several locals told me things I should do while in town. The biscuits were unbelievable. Meatloaf was good. Smothered chicken was a little too heavy for me, I couldn't taste the chicken under the sauce. I guess that's the point - to smother it. Vegies were the usual southern way, a little overcooked and mushy. But everyone does that around here. This isn't just nice southern food, it's an experience.
(4)
Alana H.
Amazing Amazing Amazing I must admit I was nervous about this place when I learned it was family style and that they seat you with strangers, but it totally works and I soon became a believer. My party of 4 were seated at table with another family of 4. You pass all of the food to the left and they bring out as much of everything as long you keep eating. We had fried chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet apples, banana pudding, coleslaw, green beans, biscuits and corn bread and sweet tea. This place is the real deal. The food is good down home southern food that could keep you eating for hours. The fried chicken is moist and crispy and I was a big fan of the Mac and cheese, actually now that I think of it I was a fan of everything, it was a really amazing meal. The final piece of the pie is the service. Everyone is so sweet and constantly bringing more of anything on the table that is running low. I thought it would be weird to sit at a table with strangers, but it was actually really nice and we chatted with them during our meal You have to try this place if you're visiting Nashville, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Tia R.
My family didn't know what to expect from this place, so they were a bit weirded-out sitting with other people for dinner. The food came fast, but we all got full on the sides before the chicken was presented (which is what the restaurant is going for I think). The people we sat with also did not display proper dining etiquette, i.e. taking only a small portion until everyone at the table is served. They all took big heaping double portions, so by the time the bowls got to our end they were empty or just scraps. The waitress brought out more, so we eventually got our fill. All of it tasted wonderful, but not anything extraordinary for southern food. The few bites of chicken we were able to stuff in was great, crunchy and moist on the inside. The food was salted just right (I think a lot of southern food is over-salted). My suggestion would be to forewarn your family so they know what to expect and display proper dining etiquette when food is passed around.
(4)
Ryan R.
Don't think there's much I can say that hasn't been said already. Was in town this past weekend (along with the rest of chicago) for the Bears game and Monell's was a must do for us. Easily exceeded our expectations and was one of the most unique dining experiences we've ever had. Great food. Great people. Great set up.
(5)
Aric R.
This place is, by itself, worth a return visit to Nashville. Friendly people, great food, awesome selection, ABUNDANCE, great food (did I say that already?) I could just arrive at breakfast and just sit there, letting them feed me through dinner. Hands-down, the bext breakfast I've had, and only $11.99 for breakfast INCLUDING tea and coffee. YUM!!!!!
(5)
Roll T.
4.25 stars. Monell's is exactly what makes the South so special to those of us who have lived in the area for any tangible amount of time. Are you looking for a special treat? Look no further than the beautiful mansion at Monell's for some of the best breakfast you will find this side of the Mississippi. You are led to a lengthy table in a Southern-formal room where you eat family style with other patrons. They start you off light with a plate of biscuits, but you have the option of making them quite heavy with a think and creamy peppery white gravy that hearkens back to a time when nutritional labels had no bearing in cooking. After the biscuits and gravy, we were treated to a number of different carbohydrates - the corn pudding that everyone mentions is quite divine but I wasn't too thrilled with the cheese grits here. What was exceptionally well prepared on the carbohydrate plate were the homestyle potatoes and the sweet apples. I had to have second helpings of both of those items. Next, we were treated to a big plate of sausage, bacon, and country ham with the sausage and country ham both exceptionally prepared (the sausage squirts all over the place - it's that juicy - and the country ham has an impressive sweet finish). However, if you are at Monell's, you are saving room for the fried chicken. Monell's does a fantastic job with this decidedly Southern dish with an absolutely perfect crunch for each piece. Sadly, I could only eat one piece given all the food I had eaten during the sitting. If you want an impressive Southern meal at a very reasonable price, Monell's is a great bet. My mouth is salivating just thinking about my next visit.
(4)
Kimberly M.
I love Monell's! It's one of my favorite places in town. Family style dining, so not the place for those who aren't ok with sitting with those you don't know. There is a fixed menu for each day of the week. You definitely get your money's worth at this restaurant! They have some of the best Fried Chicken I've ever had (and that says a lot!).
(5)
Frank B.
Best place in town! We do breakfast here every Sunday after church! Can't be beat! Also had our rehersal dinner here for my wedding and the guest we're blown away. We had the place to ourselves and even allowed to bring wine,beer and other alcoholic beverages. Just an all around spectacular spot!
Monell's is a unique place for some serious southern goodness. The staff are great and friendly. We went for lunch and the food did not disappoint. Of course, between the biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, plus enough fried chicken, pork, meatloaf, there must have been about 6,000 calories per plate. All delicious for sure and the atmosphere around the restaurant was very pleasant, especially if you have to wait. But, I had to give it 4 stars for one reason. The seating...12 seats at each 'family style' table. So if you don't fill them, you are eating with strangers. Maybe in the South that is cool, but this California guy wanted to have serious conversation with our guests. Having random people at your table might be 'friendly', but it does not bode for going out to have intimate time with friends, family, or colleagues to talk shop.
(4)
Jeannette W.
I have to give this place five stars because I ate there TWICE while on the same trip and in the span of less than five days. That's saying a lot since my motto is variety is the spice of life. This place is like going home to grandma's for Sunday dinner (if I was lucky enough to live in the south and she knew Southern cooking). The first meal I had there was dinner after just getting in from the airport. My friend and I were the last two seated at a large wooden community table that maybe seated twelve. The food had already started so there were bowls of sweet corn pudding, biscuits, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cooked apples going around. (There was so much I am sure my list is lacking a couple of things.) Oh, I remember, there was also a pea salad that tasted so fresh (I hate peas) that I couldn't get enough. Then the meats started coming; we had baked chicken, fried chicken and pork chops. The fried chicken was probably some of the best I ever had. This was all washed down with some really good sweet tea. For dessert, we had banana pudding with nilla wafers. I was a little wary, but boy, was it good. The soft fresh banana offset the crispy wafers and made for a great texture adventure. Since my first meal in Nashville was at Monell's, it seemed fitting that my last meal would be there, too. We made sure to get up in time to fit in a country breakfast on Sunday morning. It was well worth it. This time around, there were pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, sweet corn pudding, bacon, country ham (too salty for my taste), sausage patties, fried chicken (lucky me) and cinnamon buns washed down again with sweet tea. The service here is nice and friendly and QUICK! Even though it was always crowded on Sunday morning they kept those tables turning over. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local yelper who deserves a great big thanks for opening up my world to this little slice of heaven. And if you are in town, don't miss the chance to experience this southern comfort.
(5)
Jason R.
Amazing, friendly, simple. We had no wait. Everyone at our table was nice. Lot's of local's actually. Walked off some calories back to downtown through the bicentennial park. Breakfast was amazing - eggs, bacon, sausage, ham ,corn pudding, nice light biscuits, gravy, pancakes, sall good! And I forgot the fried chicken for breakfast.
(5)
Andrew H.
Had breakfast here and it was delicious. The potatoes were best in show, followed by the corn pudding, sausage, and biscuits. The grits and scrambled eggs were good, but not memorable as the other options. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the apples and pancakes (damn you, Lent), but they looked incredible. The cinnamon rolls (again, thanks Lent) LOOKED and SMELLED incredible, too. No one at my table was talking with each other, except "Pass the pancakes". It made it a little awkward, but the food more than made up for it.
(5)
Jeannie M.
Headed back there at the urging of the owner and my family. Seated on a Saturday night at 5pm, it wasn't that crowded and we were eating in no time. Made sure to come to try the catfish and yes, it was worth the wait! I enjoyed it more than the fried chicken. Losing count - must've had 3-4 catfish filets. I also tried the pulled pork - though I'm not as big a pork fan, this was actually pretty tasty. Sides - well, I enjoyed my meats too much to remember the sides.
(5)
Vivek S.
I'm a big fan of Monell's and not just because of the great food! Walking into Monell's is like walking into your grandmother's house during the holidays. You sit at a communal table with people you've never met before and share a wonderful meal that's served family style. Unfortunately, you can't keep your cell phones out to take pictures of all the delicious food, but once you start eating, I don't think you'll want to reach for it anyway! Some of my favorites are the creamed peas, corn pudding, biscuits, and mac n cheese. They serve fried chicken every day and while it's tasty, I think there are places that make better (Arnold's, Prince's, etc.). But overall, a great place to go for lunch or weekend brunch and a fantastic place to take visitors.
(4)
Anush J.
The restaurant is located in a quaint brick structure. Our kids loved walking into the entrance due to colorful flowers and the colorful fish in a little pond. We were surprised that Monell's is family style, and we were seating with strangers. Also, it is a pre-set meal...no ordering. Once we mentally adjusted to those facts, we moved on. The food was DELICIOUS. The items that stuck out for us: corn bread, peach preserves, pork chops, stuffing, cheesy corn pudding/casserole, and the pickled cucumbers - but there were more items. Down home cooking & plenty of food. Service was attentive. We are visiting Nashville, and consider this a good and out of the ordinary dining experience.
(5)
Mimi T.
Monell's is THE definition of southern hospitality and southern cooking! I read their yelp reviews just to see what I would get myself into. You walk up to the house, and when you walk in it's like you're in someone's house. It's so cute and nicely decorated- very homey. Then a very sweet lady walks you into the dinning area where you'll be seated at a very large table. You'll either be the first group at the table and other people come in a little after to join your table, or vise versa. So yes, you'll be sitting with strangers. There's sweet tea and water at the center of the table, so help yourself. Then comes the salad- my advice is to skip all that and get ready for the real meal. The day we came, they served: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, corn bread, chicken & dumplings, and chocolate pecan pie for dessert. All served family style. Don't forget to pass to the left. I made the mistake of eating too much salad before my meal, and that won't happen again the next time I go back. The friend chicken tasted fine, but I think Popeye's is better. I wish they had smaller pieces of chicken. The greens were really good! and THE BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER HAD!! OMG, it really is!! No other macaroni and cheese can top the ones they serve at Monell's. I waited for everyone to leave the table, and ate the rest of the bowl of mac n cheese- really, I'm not kidding. Chicken & dumplings were really good too. I barely had room for dessert, but I just had to get a couple of bites in just to taste it. I took at least one bite of everything. By the end of the meal, we were so full. I would love to give them 5 stars, but I felt so gross and heavy for the rest of the day so -1 star. After your meal, do yourself a favor and go down to Cupcake Collection (on the left if you're facing the house) to the best cupcake bakery EVER!
(4)
Citizen J.
My wife and I visited this spot today for lunch. 5 star service and most, but not all, of the food items would get that rating, too. We both had fried chicken and catfish. I kinda preferred the catfish while my wife preferred the chicken (both lightly fried and not greasy). I'm also a corn nut and liked the corn bread but RAVED about the corn pudding. I wasn't brave enough to also hit one of the biscuits with the sausage gravy boat that was on the table. Collard greens and green beans were solid. They also had some white beans on the table that were excellent. Mashed potatoes were very good, too. For the quality, the price and the service you simply can't go wrong.
(5)
Ross K.
Wow. It is best to show up very hungry and with a plan of attack. So many amazing dishes going around the table. I wish I had a hollow leg so I could have eaten more. Hands down best southern food spot ever. Their slogan, "if the colonel had our recipes he would have been a general," says it all.
(5)
Richard D.
Atmosphere: I love the atmosphere here. You have to enter through the side entrance which takes you through a quaint little garden. The inside is a continuation of this vibe. I would imagine it feels like going back to grandma's house for a meal on Sunday afternoon. It should be noted though that they will probably seat you and your party with another group since the tables are meant for ten. I didn't mind this one bit though; the people I was seated with were extremely friendly and welcoming. Food: Oh my goodness. Why don't they have this stuff in DC? I would pay double what I actually paid if it were. The menu included: skillet fried chicken, smothered chicken & gravy, BBQ ribs, green beans, corn puddin', macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot remember. I don't have the desire nor work ethic to write a description of each item. But suffice it to say, everything was amazing. That's not an exaggeration. I was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Price: The price was very reasonable. $12.95 for lunch. You get quality food and you will leave stuffed. Service: The servers were friendly and attentive. No dish was left empty for more than a few minutes.
(5)
Char L.
Came here on a Saturday at 5pm and there was already a wait for tables. It looks like the restaurant used to be an old house, so when you walk to the door, you pass this cute garden with many porch swings. The food is family style all-you-can-eat for $16.02. You sit at a table with strangers and they just bring on bowls and bowls of meats and sides. We were served: pickled cucumbers broccoli, raisin, nut salad potato salad mashed potatoes corn casserole squash casserole green beans pulled pork fried chicken fried catfish meatloaf biscuits cornbread strawberry shortcake lemonade iced tea I liked the green beans and fried catfish the best. The food was good, altho some were a bit weird, like the mashed potatoes were really thin and watery. Wow Southern food really fills you up! Even though it was all-you-can-eat, my girlfriends and I didn't eat that much. When you usually watch what you eat, you really have to mentally set aside your urge to get a salad, dressing on the side and pig out. And pig out we did. But afterwards, we all felt quesy. I think it's because we usually don't eat such heavy meals. Ok, to the gym now!
(3)
Nick B.
Look, I'll make this real clear. MONELL'S IS THE BEST, PERIOD. There is no dipute, this place is an absolute *must*, not only for the food, but for the experience. One piece of important advice that I need to share with you, is to pace yourself. Regardless of how hungry you are, and how big your stomach is, pace yourself! The food just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Whether you want to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it is all fantastic. The staff is friendly, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Whether you are attending with a small or large group, you will have fun getting to know others at your table. Ok, stop reading this review and hurry up and eat at Monell's!!
(5)
Dee B.
First, and most likely my last time ever dining experience. I wasn't a huge fan of the family style seating. The ppl at the same table were nice, but I just didn't like it. Passing food to the left while trying to eat gets annoying after a while. I suggest they have a bottle of hand sanitizer at the entrance or hand folks a hot wash cloth like the Asian's do before folks just start grabbing their buscuits and cornbread. Overall, the food was ok, nothing to die for. They didn't serve the chocolate cake I've heard so much about. The Fried chicken was decent. The beans and cheese grits had no flavor. I prefered the corn casserole the best. According to my folks at the table, I make better pot roast and maccaroni & cheese. The Mash potatoe was cold, so for me that was ruined. Cucumber salad was normal. How can anyone mess that up. Cole slaw, I wasn't a fan. The fruit tea was alright, I prefer the fruit tea @ B&C. Since there is no taking food home, I wonder what they do with all the food left behind? I suspect they reheat it for the next guest, I know it sounds disgusting right? Overall experience, too expensive, I tried it once and that's all I need. I'm ok with never returning again.
(1)
Flora B.
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place... Included on this "country breakfast" menu, all for $12, were the following items: smoked sausage, bacon, country ham, biscuits & gravy, fried apples, pancakes, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, cheese grits, skillet fried chicken, corn pudding, juice and coffee. The first thing you'll notice is the delectable smell and elegant stained glass. I was expecting a place with picnic tables and sawdust on the floors and found the clean white tiles to be a pleasant surpirse. You will pass everything to the left. Sitting family style, the dishes keep appearing... Frank Sinatra bumping in the background. The best part was what a friend described as the "straight off the pig into the frying pan bacon." Wow. "Great Southern Food Served Family Style in a Historic Setting" - Monell's won't disappoint!
(5)
Leo L.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere. Family style dining was a unique twist that added to the experience.
(5)
John H.
Family style, instructions include pass the food to the left. Tables seat 12 people, seating is first come first serve. If your group is not large enough to fill all the seats at the table you will probably be seated with other guests. This was not a problem for me. Food is southern style comfort food.
(4)
Stevie M.
This is a Nashville 'must do.' Period. You won't find this kind of place anywhere. I don't live in Nashville so I don't get to come to Monell's often but whenever I'm in town I must go. This is southern eating family style. The last time I was there my party was sat with another party at a big dinner table and we all ate together. Imagine that? People sharing food with strangers and it's amazing. The food comes out in waves. Everything southern and beyond in bowls of plenty brought to you table and shared with others. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had but moreover it's the following onslaught of collard greens, black eye peas, beef stroganoff, creamed corn, biscuits, sweet tea, yams and it goes on and on until you can barely keep your eyes open due to the food induced comatose. I suggest fasting the day until you go there and get done with everything you need to do for the day cause when you come out it's going to be slumberland my friend.
(5)
Kim L.
This home style restaurant has as much food as you could ever want. You'll definitely need to loosen your belts if your go here! Very friendly service.
(4)
Karen P.
Still the best vegetables and side dishes in town but the chicken and fish were cold and dry, and we were there at 11:15 for the first sitting at lunch.
(3)
Jim F.
Where to start? We were making a quick weekend trip to Nashville for the first time and wanted to find some good southern cooking for our first meal. We found this place on Yelp and walked north from our downtown hotel. Thanks fellow yelpers. The sat us a a large communal table and we were soon joined by about 10 other people. We were warned to pace ourselves as the courses would keep coming, and boy did they. My personal favorites were the fried chicken and fried pork chops. There were too many sides to mention. And the price is so cheap. I cannot imagine eating this much food for lunch most days but it was a perfect start to the vacation!
(4)
Susy F.
I'm a California girl born and bred and on a recent business trip to Nashville, I asked our host for a good Southern meal, preferably with hushpuppies. I got what I asked for. Monell's is in Germantown, a quaint neighborhood with beautiful old buildings. We had a large party and were seated at a large, rustic wooden table already groaning with dishes full of food. Bowl after bowl of Southern delicacies arrived, including all kinds of salads, fluffy biscuits, sweet potato lasagna, and fried chicken to die for. I never missed the hushpuppies. I had to ask what the white bowl of liquid was for--I thought it was ranch dressing but it turned out to be gravy for the biscuits! I should've known. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fast but relaxed. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to visit around the table. It reminded me of the best of the Sunday church potlucks of my youth growing up in a Southern Baptist church. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sage R.
Family style home cooked food for your sole. Went for the Sunday brunch and literally had my mind blown with over 12 dishes of southern goodness washed down with the headiest sweet tea in the south. If colonial sanders had this fried chicken recipe he would probably be known as the general.
(5)
Amy W.
Went back 2 weeks ago and the mac-n-cheese was spot on. I think my first experience was a fluke. It's a family fave when they come in town now. Thank you!
(5)
Tom S.
Been here for breakfast a couple of times! Very cool place, old mansion! The food is outstanding! You will leave here full I promise you! First dish was biscuits followed by gravy, take as much as you want and pass to the right. Next up pancakes, scrambled eggs, corn pudding and a platter of bacon, ham and patty sausages! Fried chicken for breakfast? Yup, had to, it's hard to let that pass in front of you without taking a piece. They have a peach preserve that has the most amazing flavor and tasted great smeared on a biscuit! Already on the table was pitchers of sweet and unsweetened tea and coffee pots! One girl served all the tables with pretty much no help, she was engaging and very pleasant, hard worker! I would put this on your list of places to go! I had to rewrite this after a pleasant email from the owner. That's what separates 4 from 5 stars!! When the people who own and operate care about your feedback! It's appreciated!! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)
Lisa J.
Food was excellent. The wait was a little too long, and our waitress was too blunt and rude. Don't dare turn on you're cell phone, or ask for another plate, they don't like either one! Fried chicken, fried cat fish, mashed potatoes and corn bread were all excellent though. Serving is family style. Everything is on the table, and you'll share a table with whom ever they seat. Pass your food to the left (or don't get caught going to the right!) and dig in! I was very disappointed that the waitresses didn't properly explain the processes, then was rude when we didn't know proper "procedure". The food was excellent though, so I would recommend it.
(4)
Clay C.
Great dinner served family style at a table you share with other diners. It felt like I was invited to dinner at the neighbors!
(5)
Rae Rae L.
Best ever!
(5)
Caileigh A.
If I could eat at Monell's every night, I would. The options are endless as there is something for everyone! Its true southern comfort food, and the family-style dining is very welcoming. Street parking is plentiful and the dinner option is just $16/person. They have corn pudding, fried chicken, bbq ribs, stewed green beans, brocoli salad, dinner rolls, banana bread pudding, and so much more!
(5)
Bobby C.
How could you NOT like this place? I dare you...try. It is country cooking and hospitality at it's best. You enter through the side entrance...very pretty surrounding area with foliage. You are brought to a large table...for 12 seems to be the norm. You are instantly bombarded with bowls of food...every time a new person or group of people arrive at your table...more bowls of food appear. It started with a giant basket of super yummy biscuits. white gravy, and home-made peach preserves. This is followed by turnip greens, a to die for corn pudding, green beans, pot roast, fried chicken, spinach lasagna, mashed taters, and of course......pecan pie. They force you to be with other people...and ask that you do not use cell phones at the table...OH MY GOD! You mean we have to CONVERSE AT DINNER? Gee...what a 1950's idea...you have to go here if you are staying in Nashville...or even passing though...take your time....lots to try....take small portions so you can have it all though....watch the hours of operation....we got lucky when we showed up....
(5)
Big Daddy G.
as good as it gets! being a local can only go every now and then cause they will put a hurting on you. www. full.com when ever i go
(5)
Linda C.
When I started my new job in Franklin, one of the first lunch hot spots my team took me to was Monell's. Monell's is a house turned into a restaurant and you pass around bowls of food just as you would during a family dinner. They have long dining tables already set up with water, sweet and un-sweet tea, and piles of dishes ready whenever you are. When the food comes, it flows non stop - 2 meats, variety of salads and vegetables, and of course dessert! Even before the bowl is empty, the wait staff refills it with more. My favorites? The fried chicken and banana pudding. Don't be surprised if another party is seated at your table, after all, it is southern food served family style.
(4)
Ryan D.
Ok, so I've been back a half dozen times and this place just has to have 5 stars. I took 14 friends from Atlanta here on New Years day and blew them all away with the insane food. The hot, fresh cinnamon rolls were the icing on the cake and brought smiles to everyones face when they made their entrance. It's funny when you can get 14 old buddies to sit for half an hour and not speak a word, but great food will do that to you. The service continues to remain unparalleled, and the food is always amazing. It's just fantastic. Thank you for all the great times with family, friends and strangers Monell's!
(5)
Julie G.
What's not to love? Food- Delicious. Service- impeccable. Ambiance- unforgettable. I sat with an older gentleman and his grandson. I felt like I was sitting at my granddad's table. The dishes never stopped coming out! Fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, biscuits, white gravy, green beans, turnip salad, corn pudding, black eyed peas, mac and cheese and a dessert called a black Betty. Take small portions so you can have a little bit of everything. Service is just as important as taste and both get an A+. The lemonade and sweet tea were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I could barely move after my meal here. :)
(5)
Lara P.
We stopped in on a recommendation from the hotel we were staying at in Nashville. When we drove up we thought we were at someone's house, but we were soooo glad we checked it out. What we thought would be a romantic dinner for two ended up being a family dining experience with 8 other people at our table (4 of which were children), but we had fun visiting with everyone. The food was incredible! Everything was served in big bowls that we passed around the table. Just at our table we had corn pudding, hash brown casserole, pea salad, fruit salad, corn bread, biscuits, hush puppies, fried catfish, meatloaf, fried chicken, pulled pork, broccoli salad, homemade preserves and strawberry shortcake. And I'm probably forgetting food. Everything was delicious and fresh, and the service was super friendly and fast. The waitress told us that all the leftovers are donated to a homeless shelter nearby, so we didn't feel as bad when we left all that food that we couldn't eat. I heard that the breakfasts are great too. We will definitely be back whenever we are in Nashville.
(5)
Jenna R.
Before dining here, make sure you have your will-power in check! You can seriously hurt yourself at this restaurant. Dining here is like going to your mama's house for Sunday supper. You don't order from a menu. Basically what they serve that day is what you eat. You sit at big family style tables. With people you don't know but walk away knowing. Fried chicken is served everyday, but everything else changes. As soon as you sit, the food starts coming out. All kinds of salads, homemade biscuits and cornbread with gravy and homemade peach preserves graces the table... and just when you're about to pile it up and do some damage, a lovely southern drawl says "now pace yourself cuz there's more coming!" and was she right!!! It was hard but I held back. The food never stops... the table is over-run with platters and dishes. It's GLORIOUS! A definite must-do when you go to Nashville. Trust me on that!
(5)
Brit H.
Best burger in town. Atmosphere, perfectly unexpected for the quality of food. "A diamond in the rough"
(5)
Danny B.
The place to go if you're wanting to try some quality, Southern comfort food. The incredibly friendly staff helps add to the experience.
(4)
miya S.
What is the best meal you've ever eaten in your entire life? Think about that meal, it's taste, it's smell. After you eat at Monell's, that meal is equivalent to a plate of dog crap. You think I'm lying? Why don't you give my theory (/fact) a try.
(5)
Betsy K.
This place is great! We had a great meal. Loved the family style dining. Great, friendly service and delicious food! Bring your appetite though it's all you can eat and they mean it!
(5)
Kevin M.
What a great experience. I went here with a couple of friends while here on business. The food was great, the service was fantastic and the building was gorgeous. We also had a great group of folks seated with us at the table. This is a must if you're in the area.
(5)
Adam C.
I love the family style meals and this place will be a destination whenever we go back to Nashville. The first impression was a little concerning to me, a little more rustic than I prefer. We had the breakfast which included biscuits n gravy and cinnamon rolls to start. Both were good with the edge to the the cinnamon rolls, I have had better biscuits n gravy but still very good. Sweet and unsweetened tea ( for the northerners), sweet tea was just right for me. Out came the cheese grits, corn pudding, baked apples, skillet potatoes, plate full of breakfast meats ham/sausage/bacon. My favorites of those, corn pudding was awesome, baked apples were like mom makes, skillet potatoes were seasoned perfect. Then we had scrambled eggs, pancakes, and last but not least FRIED CHICKEN. Eggs were good, pancakes were not were the room they took up in my stomach given the other options, but the FRIED CHICKEN was second best only to mom's. The skin on the chicken was cooked perfectly and basically melted in your mouth. Meat was tender and juicy, just wish they would soak in salt water for more flavor. Overall, a great breakfast I wish I could have had lunch and dinner too. Next trip to Nashville will include a stop here.
(5)
Anne A.
This restaurant was recommneded to us by our hotel in Nashville. We had asked for something truly Southern and not too touristy. Monell's was great! The food was typical Southern fare, served family style (you're seated at a table with complete strangers and all share big bowls of food). If you're not into dining with people you don't know, it might be a weird experience for you, but I would give it a try anyway! Just for the food. The fried chicken was wonderful and not at all greasy. They give you so much food that it's impossible to eat it all. Although we gave it a good try! The price is really fair for the amount of food you get. I believe it was a little over $13 per person. Don't forget to try the banana cream desert...yum!
(4)
Andrea N.
You need to eat here! I loved the true southern-family style experience. Great ribs, great side dishes & awesome sweet tea. I'm not a big comfort food person, but I loved everything that was on the table. The garden outside the dining area is very beautiful at night.
(5)
Lorrie B.
Fried Chicken and Corn pudding ROCK! It is soooo good. When in town for business I hit this place at least once. Usually I am by myself but I dont mind sitting with strangers eating good food. You MUST try this place at least once or a dozen times. :)
(5)
Ray B.
Love the food, it is awesome, and I have been to the one by the airport several ocassions. On my visit, seating at a table with strangers is not my idea of confort, and as well have people seated at my table with kids who play at the table, and the parents are not in control. But the seating arrangement keeps me from going back. Food, 10, seating 2.5.
(2)
Jason K.
Family style seating. Best sweet tea, corn bread, fried chicken, and banana pudding you will ever eat in your life. Its also a good way to meet new people. My friend and I ate with a family, it was a lovely experience.
(5)
Karol C.
Visited this awesome establishment yesterday (Friday) afternoon for lunch with a group of co-workers. When I walked into the garden, I immediately felt like I was in my grandmothers back yard. We went in, were greeted warmly and were seated in less than five minutes. We were joined at our table by another group. (This Monell's location serves "family style" at a huge dining room table; the food is brought out from the kitchen in large dishes and passed around the table.) The sumptuous yummies started to come out of the kitchen immediately. I could've closed my eyes and would've thought I was at literally at my grandmothers table for Sunday dinner with the family. We were served sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, mashed potatoes, greens, fried chicken, banana pudding and much more. I was totally blown away by the catfish. Being raised partly by my southern grandparents, catfish was a staple in their house. I've never liked it...until now. Monell's serves the most light delicate tasting catfish I've ever had. It was delicious! The service was great as well. Best meal I've had since transplanting to Nashville almost a year ago. My new favorite place.
(5)
Michelle B.
Oh man, I cannot say enough good things about Monell's. My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for a weekend and came here for dinner. When we walked in, we were immediately shown to a table with about 6 other people already there and there was food already on the table and more coming out. The sweet tea was plentiful and delicious, and all the food was spectacular. It really is like sitting in the kitchen of a fantastic southern cook. Highlights included the mashed potatoes, the meat loaf, and the creamed corn-type food which had a southern name (maybe "corn pudding"?). Also, for dessert they bought out incredible strawberry shortcake "mash" which was basically the dessert shells, strawberries, and whipped cream all mixed together to make a multicolored mush which was AMAZING. The table was big- after we sat down there were another 6 or so people who sat down after us. We got to chatting with a couple across the table from us who lived in Sacramento (I live in San Francisco). Then, the next day, my boyfriend and I saw them in the airport and they were on my flight, so they saved me a seat near the front because they had a better boarding number than I did. Sweet! See, Monell's, bringing nice people together with fantastic food. This will be the first place I go if I ever return to Nashville.
(5)
Krystal H.
I have been hearing good things about Monell's Saturday brunch since I moved to Nashville a year ago. I finally made it a point to go with an out of town guest. It was the best choice I could have made for myself as a Nashville resident and for guests! I can't believe I've been missing out for so long. The food, like everyone says, is fantastic. But what really makes this experience special is the atmosphere and the casual chit chat with the wait staff and guests that you sit with. I would probably save this one for special occasions, since it is quite an experience, takes about an hour and a half depending on the wait, and requires some couch time and a long walk afterwards from eating so much good food!
(5)
Erica W.
As good as it gets! On a strong recommendation from my sister in law, I brought a team of business colleagues here for lunch yesterday. Fresh in the from DC we savored the cucumber salad. Then the biscuits and cornbread with peach preserves and gravy came out... I didn't think it could get any better than that- I seriously could eat that all day long! I was wrong! The potato sausage cheese casserole was fantastic and the corn pudding was the best I've ever had. The meatloaf was divine - and I don't even LIKE meatloaf! The macaroni and cheese was delicious. Green beans made my heart sing - the rich taste of pork coming through but they weren't a bit greasy tasting. The mashed potatoes were perfect! The skillet fried chicken made us wish our stomachs could hold more. The sweet tea was top notch as well. In fact the only things I wasn't too keen on were the chicken and dumplings- thought the dumplings needed a little more flavor and the coleslaw- which is probably just me- I think it had green pepper in it and I'm not a fan. Who cares though- even with that it was more fantastic food than would fit in my belly! This non stop stream of deliciousness was topped off with a delicious coconut lemon chess type pie that I had to finish and then I couldn't eat until this morning- whew! The service was attentive and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. The other patrons at our table were delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. An unreserved 5 stars for Monell's. Can't wait to be back in Nashville so I can return!
(5)
Jessica G.
Boy was I glad to take a break from BBQ, and I was even more glad it was at Monells! The restaurant is family style, and it is set in a cute house, in a nice looking neighborhood, with lots of street parking. The food just comes and comes and comes. Don't fill up on the biscuits... even though you want to... and FYI they bring out dessert first! Lets just say it was so GOOD, we went twice in our 4 nights in Nashville! And it is great cause each night is something different. One night we had meatloaf and it was so good (I thought I only liked my moms!), and then we had smothered chicken... being from the west coast, I am not really sure what this is...but I do know that it was YUMMY GOODNESS! Fried Chicken every night! And all the sides and salad, and some good discussions with your fellow table mates that you could want! Now I am on the search for a good authentic southern place in San Francisco! FYI no alcohol is served here, but I believe they might let you bring your own... check before you bring it though!
(5)
Hayley S.
I went to Monell's with a large group of college students as part of a tour to Nashville. It. was. the. best. They started us off with biscuits, peach preserves, cucumber salad, and sweet tea before bringing out heaping bowls of spinach lasagna, fried chicken, ribs, velvet chicken casserole, corn pudding, green beans, fried catfish, hush puppies, and banana pudding. Apparently there were delicious mashed potatoes too, but somehow my table got skipped on those. All of it was absolutely fantastic though, and they just kept bringing us more and more. The family-style atmosphere was great as well... large rectangular tables with a lazy susan in the middle to facilitate maximum efficiency. A word of caution, though: don't eat for at least 10 hours prior. You'll regret ever putting anything not from Monell's in your stomach. Also, no matter how controlled of an eater you are, chances are you'll stuff your face and not be able to move for an hour after. No joke. Don't miss this place!
(5)
Brad T.
Despite my four-stars out of five, don't expect any negative in this review. My wife and I came here on a Monday morning and were instantly thrust into the amazing world of Monell's, the coolest family-style dining restaurant I've ever been to. We entered a beautiful old house surrounded by a very well kept garden and were treated like family dinner guests from the moment our hostess spotted us. Sweet, friendly ladies brought us salads and sweet tea and promised a feast as it was ready. When I say salads, I mean delicious pot luck salads like coleslaw, marshmallow-apple, and a ranch-spinach combo that had me begging for more. An incredibly nice man came and sat with us (as is the custom in this style of restaurant) and was just in time for the fresh baked biscuits and the homemade peach preserves. Soon after another family sat down and made it for the beans, potato salad, and corn pudding. Before we were done passing these around, we were assaulted with fried chicken, baked ham, and chicken dumplings with gravy. Everything was awesome and yummy and had some kind of unhealthy twist that made it oh-so-awesome. Look, I'm the kind of guy who likes chatting with strangers while sucking down green beans mixed with bacon, so I really have nothing bad to say. The decor was folksy and comfortable, the food was excellent (and very fresh and high quality), the prices were so fair I almost felt like I was ripping them off, and the service was outstanding. I'm probably a breakfast visit away from bumping this up to five stars, but my one and only experience leaves me at four stars. Very high recommendation to eat here.
(4)
Chris R.
The Yelp community led me to this gem. You start with sweet tea, fresh biscuits and homemade peach preserves. Follow with "salads"- potato and slaw. The main course of to-die-for fried chicken with various down-home sides is then topped off with strawberry shortcake for dessert. All of this is served family-style on a large dining table you share with other lucky patrons. We had a great meal and met some great Nashville folk. The food, service, and company was all top-notch!
(5)
Aj C.
You start off by being greeted by a very pretty garden and swing and pond and nice seating area out side once you go in they ask how many that u have in your party then they seat you with other people till the big table your at is full once everyone is there they start bringing out the food they bring so much food usually like 3 meats and I think like 5 veggies it's all southern home made food Food is so good if u leave hungry well that's cuse you did not go here to eat I'm a meat a terian and my Sis in law only eats veggies and we both leave so full and that's just the start of this place the atmosphere is worth the few bucks it cost to eat here alone there's usually a mix it's usually out of towners and locals Witch really makes it great for both
(5)
Tom P.
Seriously, the best breakfast/brunch place ever created. I've ate at some amazing places in my day (across Europe, NYC, Vegas, and SF bay area) and this takes the cake. Not only do they provide amazing service (think Southern home attitude) but the idea that you can sit down and meet new strangers is something I like a lot. Just remember, the fried chicken comes at the end so leave some room... and yes, this place will break your diet plan for the month but who cares when the food tastes this good.
(5)
Amanda W.
Monell's had the best Southern food ever! The restaurant is family style so be prepared to meet new people. Being from out of state, it was great talking to people from Nashville. They have the food ready for you so there is minimal waiting time and the price is well worth it. The fried chicken was phenomenal, and the atmosphere felt like home.
(5)
Kris C.
awesome!!!!!!!
(5)
Kelvin M.
Monell's is the gem in Nashville. I flew in CA to visit my daughter in Eastern TN on Thanksgiving Day (a 3.5 hr trip). I decided I needed some "road" food. My cousin in Memphis suggested this place. It didn't disappoint at all. Note though, DON'T GO on Thanksgiving, the lines and wait were long!! Even for a to go order. The issue is that they only had one person seating people, checking them out, signing parties in and taking to go orders!! but He was very friendly and most people including myself understood and patiently wait when I saw the food coming out. I did find it out that in order to appease the people, they had a nacho station out front, in the patio area...LOL. Anyway, on to the food Monell's is arguably hands down one of the best soul food places I have sampled. There were too many sides to order (I got the Meat and 3) but 3 sides wasn't enough. particularly after I saw the corn pudding, devil's eggs, green beans, mac n cheese,etc. I had the turkey which was a little dry. I should have had the chicken instead. Either way the food was marvelous. The next time I am in town to visit the young one. I won't do to go but eat there. After reading the reviews I probably should try the breakfast as well. Overall, the people and experience was great and I like the family style eating as well. People should stop being xenophobic and enjoy eating with someone or some people you don't know. It shows just how much we have in common and less of the differences. We all like good food, now matte who it is. This is definitely on the must return list. Thanks to my cousin!!..
(4)
Miriam W.
Monell's was recommended to us by a bellman at the hotel we were staying at once, and now we go everytime we're in Nashville. The concept is Southern comfort food served family style, so, even if it's just two of you having dinner, you won't be seated at a two top, but at a large farmhouse table with a bunch of other people. Once you've said hi to everyone, the food starts coming, and it doesn't stop until everyone's had enough. Some items to hit the table on our last visit were iced tea, fried chicken (very good), cucumber salad, biscuits with peach preserves, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, pork roast, corn pudding, green beans and banana pudding for dessert. I believe they serve fried chicken every night, and then rotate in another entree, so you can call for that night's selection before you go. The food is terriific, service is great, and I love the atmosphere. I always say strangers are just friends you haven't met yet, and Monell's has taken this thought and created a truly wonderful dining experience.
(4)
Tanda M.
Went here on 7/23/11 for my BF's graduation. They did a great job at handling the VERY large crowd- they called us a private party. Sadly, we had to be split up and not everyone could sit with and see one another, but the food made up for it. They had everything southern you could imagine. Ice Tea, Lemonade, bread pudding, corn pudding, black eyed pea salad, some really good fried chicken, mac and cheese (too runny though), flat green beans (nicely seasoned), collard greens (nicely seasoned), potato salad, fried catfish (i heard it was the bomb), FRESH biscuits (the bomb), corn bread, banana pudding, lasagne (gross), and I am sure I Am missing something else, but the food was nice and tasty. The waitresses were awesome! Southern hospitality! You do need to bring your own bottle of something to "drink". The bathroom was cute, quaint and clean, but only ONE stall. The outside garden was awesome and beautiful, but the mosquitos had a field day with us while we waited for the OTHER party to finish up. Otherwise, nice place, nice food, nice people. Good job Monells...Oh and it was nice to see a painting of a Black woman on the wall (I wonder if that IS the real Monell...?)
(4)
Tami M.
Southern cooking served family style. We decided on Monell's after seeing a recommend on a review for another restaurant. Great food. We had meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken for our mains. Sides included some of the best deviled eggs I've had and green beans to rival my granddaddy's. Roasted potatoes, peas, corn pudding, French toast bread pudding, sweet and sour cucumbers, biscuits and cornbread, green jello salad(how did they know we had folks from Utah with us?) and strawberry shortcake left us fat and happy. The other group we were with recommended the cupcake collection down the street if we needed something else. We didn't, but we did anyway. A must try if you want some down home cooking.
(5)
Joel S.
Five stars as this is Southern Food, I'd never normally visit a place like this, I'm surprised my arteries didn't combust with grease. I am man, hear me roar. 5 starts as this IS southern food(says the new yorker) Had a few hours to burn in Nashville, once dinner time rolled around I thought, southern food, that''ll hit the spot. YELP to the rescue. Score with Monnells Called ahead to find out the menu. Walked in, no reservations, they seated me at a table of 12(2 vacant spots) who were going through their appetizers. It's family style and everyone passes around the dishes. "Can you pass me the sweet potato" Everything was PLENTIFUL, and people were really friendly. Met a local woman(who has been a few times but always meets out-of-towners), and a family of 9 from Buffalo NY. Joining strangers at a table was fun, though i can imagine being seated at the "wrong" table, could make for a good TV show. you can eat as much or as little as you want. More Grease here than Michael Jacksons hair. Southern Food at its finest Didn't think it was possible, but drove on to St. Louis after dinner, no nap required. Just gotta know when to say no.
(5)
chris c.
The perfection of southern home style cooking. I was in town on a vacation and went here with some friends. It was everything I could have wanted and more. In my dreams, about the perfect southern meal it was this place, this food and these wonderful people who work here. Go with a big appetite and I guarantee you will leave with a big smile.
(5)
Ron B.
This was an exceptionally, pleasant tasty surprise. My wife and I were visiting Nashville for business and decided to venture from the big ole resort to find some down home cooking. Based on Yelp and other sites, this received raves. Incan tell you that the fried chicken, creamed corn, string beans, collard greens, chicken salad, cucumber salad and banana pudding were all exceptional. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Nina M.
Awesome experience! Great food and wonderful atmosphere! Feels like Sundays at grandmas for southern soul food!
(5)
Patrick N.
A MUST GO!!!!! Nough Said!!!!!
(5)
Siri K.
Love love love this place. Was visiting from NY and wanted good Southern food. This place was adorable from the outside - roses everywhere, and a koi pond! Inside, it was relaxed with communal tables. We ended up with about 14 dishes at our table - they just brought out one after the next and everything was SO GOOD. Standouts were the fried chicken, best biscuit I've ever had, meatloaf, mashed potatoes. Staff was super sweet and so were the other diners. Definitely visit if you come to Nashville. Oh. And it was such a great deal!!! Less than $15!!!
(5)
Kexin X.
It is quite a heavy breakfast for me, but quite an experience to sit at a big table with others. Waitress are very friendly.
(2)
Tasty G.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reviews I'll ever give. I was spending my last few hours in Nashville alone (since my friends had left the day before) after an epic Bonnaroo trip. I wanted some really good Southern Food to begin my rehab so I checked Yelp and this came up. I'm glad I overcame my social anxiety about eating family style alone because I had a wonderful time with the people at my table. This was a Tuesday afternoon around 1pm so there was virtually no wait--AWESOME! Then the food. Oh my god. This is a top 10 meal of my life so far. Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, corn pudding, spinach lasagne, fried cabbage, lima beans, green beans, pot roast, and bread pudding. Every dish was delicious, hot, fresh, and amazing. I thought I had woken up into one of my culinary fantasies since there's never an all-you-can-eat affair with such excellent quality. I will be back in Nashville, not just for this, but if Monell's was the only reason, that would be way more than enough! By the way the meal costs 13$ for lunch. That's so absurd I actually felt guilty having eaten so much. Go there alone, with friends, with families; crawl, run, walk, climb, jump, whatever you have to do, get there with an empty stomach. I've heard that both dinner and brunch are even better than lunch; I'm not sure how that's possible, but I can't wait to find out.
(5)
travis allen a.
I've only ever been to Monell's on Sunday for brunch, but man-oh-man if that is a good representation of how they do up their meals there, count me in for every day. My goodness. I am still stuffed from last time I went, a few months ago before I moved to Los Angeles. It's $14 for AYCE Soul/Southern fare, served family style at giant tables like back at grandma's place. The restaurant certainly _feels_ like her place. There's a huge garden pavilion outside, and a comfortable den feeling inside. You could show up alone or with three other people, and end up sharing the meal with a few hungry strangers, and when everyone starts asking to "pass the ____, please," you instantly feel like a distant family sharing a reunion meal together. There's nothing quite like this place. Everything is delicious and served at the most perfect time! They start you off with just drinks and biscuits and vegetables and side dishes, then serve up the main course (usually a few different selections of meat; pork chops, fried chicken, ribs, etc.). It's so well-timed that your hunger pangs fade away at a steady, filling pace. But then you stand up. And man, are you stuffed. But not just your stomach--your heart and soul are, too. Why go home for the holidays when you have Monell's in beautiful Historic Germantown? You'll never know the difference.
(5)
Olivia B.
This place was awesome! Think: buffet without leaving your seat. You'll sit with strangers and get absolutely stuffed...I'll be back for sure! A fantastic place for your "cheat day".
(5)
Brian H.
Monell's is a perfect place to take out-of-towners, especially if they haven't spent a lot of time in the south. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and family style setup all contribute to the wonderfully charming southern vibe, but it's the food that sets Monell's apart from the competition. The southern breakfast in particular offers some of the finest breakfast food I've had in Nashville, or anywhere else in the southern United States for that matter. Biscuits & gravy, ham, coffee and other breakfast beverages, even fried chicken are all included. The price seemed a bit steep at first, but if you take advantage of the huge selection and limitless quantities it's quite reasonable. The staff seems to have gotten the seating process down to a science. There is rarely a vacant seat at the large tables and they're willing to accommodate parties of all sizes. Speaking of tables, the dining room is everything you'd expect: a bit crowded at times, but that only contributes to the feeling of dining with a large family. The Germantown location is superb, and it's fun to walk guests around the area to burn off all the southern cuisine that will undoubtedly be stuffed in your stomach after leaving Monell's. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great home-cooked meal in a great Nashville neighborhood.
(5)
Lisa C.
um, yes. that is all i have to say. everything we ate here was pretty delicious and i think the best part was the assortment of goodies they just kept bringing out. the highlights of my meal were the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. the banana pudding was SO good, but it's hard to eat dessert after all the other food has already made its way onto your plate and into your stomach.
(4)
Laura S.
My entire trip to Nashville would have been worth it if only for the breakfast I had on Saturday morning at Monell's. I think I am still full. It was one of the best meals of my life. Monell's serves everything family-style. When we walked up at 8:45 on Saturday, they had one table full, so we walked back to another. We were quickly joined by two other parties. If you're chatty, this would be a great place to make new friends. We did not talk too much with the other groups at our table, but the atmosphere of sharing food up and down the table was still nice. I could tell you all about how they are in a little house with beautiful murals and a cute garden outside and how friendly and helpful the staff are, but that would distract me from telling you about the food. So let it suffice to say that the atmosphere and service live up to the things you are going to eat. Now, to breakfast. Which was the kind of food worth dreaming about. When you arrive at the table, there is a lazy susan with small plates, sweet and unsweet tea, and creamers and sugar. There was also a bowl of peach preserves at either side of the table, which was DELICIOUS - try it on a biscuit with butter, and buy some on your way out the door. If you want coffee, grab a mug and turn it over. We started with biscuits and gravy and sweet rolls. I had never had biscuits and gravy, this alone is almost enough to convince me I need to move to the South. The sweet rolls were also delicious. You will enjoy both of these so much that you will want seconds. DO NOT DO THIS. The main event is about to begin and you will regret filling your stomach with these space-filling carbs. The next round of food to come out is an embarrassment of riches. There was a platter of meats, with perfectly-cooked slightly-crunchy slightly-chewy thick bacon, deliciously spiced sausage patties, and ham. There was fried chicken, which is maybe a reason I should not move to the South because if I had the opportunity to eat this FOR BREAKFAST on a regular basis I would be the size of a house. There was corn pudding, which was so incredibly delicious that you could feed me nothing but that for the rest of my life and I would die happy and content. The hashbrowns had big chunks of potatoes and a were really well-seasoned, and the cheese grits - oh, Lord, you Southerners keep coming up with new carbs for me to try. I am a champion eater, but I could not even manage to try the pancakes, eggs or fried apples. Luckily I have friends and they tell me all were excellent - the pancakes, apparently, have a particularly awesome flavor. This was a very long way of saying: You should eat here. You should not eat for several days beforehand so that you have room to do it justice. And if you live in Nashville, you should say a little prayer of thanks that (unlike me) you're not going to need to board a plane to have breakfast at Monell's.
(5)
Sylvester I.
A boat load of food, that is fresh and very good. Make sure you understand the rules of the table and the rules for billing before you sit down. The host were great and the atmosphere is great if you've never been to a community restaurant.
(4)
Santiago G.
This place was so good. The food had such an amazing home cooked flavor and you could taste the hard work. Everything I wanted in a spin then meal was found here. The wait staff was very friendly and made the experience excellent. A must try in Nashville.
(5)
John L.
Southern cuisine at its finest. Volume at its greatest. Calories not to be mentioned. Fabulous.
(5)
Courtney K.
May I use a bit of vulgarity? This place is the tiiiiiits. During a weekend visit to Nashville, I let my cousin and his boyfriend pick all of the food, since they are the locals and they know what my husband and I like. I was a bit skeptical when I read about this place, because we tend towards the antisocial and so weren't thrilled about the prospect of sitting with strangers. Luckily we had a group of 8 and so were only seated with 4 people we didn't know. They were perfectly pleasant, so no problems there. But oh. My God, the food. Fried chicken, cheddar grits, waffles, scrambled eggs, thick-cut sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy... just... I can't even describe it. Best brunch I've ever had. I'm hungry now just talking about it.
(5)
Ben M.
Know full well that if you do not go in there with a large group of people that you will be seated at a big table with strangers. If having to bust into some strangers conversation on the opposite end of a long table to get someone to pass a pitcher of water down to your end, forcing all the people between you to stop eating and continue passing the pitcher sounds like fun, than this is the place for you. The food was fine, but I would never go here again unless I had enough people to fill a table. Most awkward restaurant I have ever been in.
(2)
Jamie M.
Unique and amazing experience. I recommend you eat very minimal throughout the day before eating here. They serve you biscuits and bread, desserts, about 4 main dinners, and 7/8 sides in an all you can eat fashion. I was seated quickly and the service was excellent very friendly our host so excited for us to be experiencing montells for the first time. All the food that is served is absolutely incredible. If you're stopping in Nashville I recommend you stop by here because not many other cities have something similar to montells.
(5)
Aaron L.
I hope I don't ruin my laptop while writing this review, it's hard to not drool while thinking about this place. I'm from California and was in town for a family reunion and we stumbled upon this place for a nice family dinner. Monell's had some of the best food I ate while in Tennessee, and I ate a lot! We were luck and came on a night where they had fried chicken. We ate fried chicken like we'd never had fried chicken before. This was partially true because their friend chicken was like no fried chicken we had ever tried before. The texture and the flavor was absolutely amazing. Everything else was really good, but I won't be able to write about it because I can't think about anything but that chicken right now. Do yourself a favor and go, and eat a basked of the fried chicken for me.
(5)
Matt C.
Unbelievable meal! It was better home cooking than I ever received at home. When we sat down for lunch, there was a slice of pecan pie waiting for each of us. Come hungry! Lunch was 16.43 per person for everything.
(5)
Shirley S.
My Boyfriend and I were driving through Nashville (from the Northeast) and decided to come here because of the great reviews... which were all true! I loved the family eating style... they sat us at a large dining table in a very warm and cozy dining room (with other dining tables and diners) and we had one of the best dinners of our lives. I have absolutely NO complaints... except that i wish i lived there to experience it more frequently. The food was AMAZING... my belly hurt from eating so much. I hope we can go back soon!!!
(5)
Dave J.
Awesome. Unbelievable. This place definitely provided a southern eating experience for my trip to Nashville. The corn pudding was fantastic, as were the cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sweet tea, and cheese grits. It was fun to eat family style and I really felt like I was at grandma's for breakfast.
(5)
Dessa T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! Everything on the menu is delicious, from the fried chicken to the banana pudding. One of my favorite dishes is the broccoli salad. Their brunch is also good, but the best Monell's experience is the full lunch or dinner menu. This is my number one stop for out-of-town guests--classic Southern cooking, wonderful Southern hospitality, and a unique family-style atmosphere (murals painted on the walls, mismatched country cottage plates and cups. The wooden chairs and family portraits make it feel like grandma's house). I have also been to several special events here and at their location in Franlkin (rehearsal dinner, graduation party, etc.) and it suits them well. They do not take reservations, but it is worth the wait!!
(5)
Alex G.
A year ago, Monell's would have gotten 5-stars from me. Now? Well it's still pretty great, but just not the same. It remains delicious, but I've noticed a little decline in the quality. Also, maybe it's my imagination, but are there fewer sides now? While still a great deal if you have a big appetite, the prices have gone up (particularly for Sunday brunch, which used to be my favorite) and it's not quite the value it once was.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Came to Nashville for the first time ever for a law school competition. I was traveling with five other girls, all of us were under 5'4" (not necessary to the review but come on, hilarious!). As one obsessed with eating, food, and generally just masticating -- I knew we had to stake places out before we traveled. One of our fellow students clued us in to this place saying if you really want great down home southern cooking, this is the place to go. We made it on a Saturday night just in time for the last seating. We were seated at a table with a group of nice out of towners. The food began coming out of the kitchen: corn pudding, potatoes with bacon, green beans with bacon, biscuits, corn bread, fried chicken, fried fish...and much more. Every single bite was absolutely wonderful and more fattening than the next. I was so happy to see all of us eating so much pork that I was giddy. I mean there was pork in EVERYTHING!! Yay! It was fun to meet the people we were seated with, especially when they kept hogging the corn pudding that I wanted. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake and it was okay. Honestly it's the sides that make this place. Lastly, I must comment on the decor. We came to Nashville in March...Monell's had a Christmas tree up, BUT it was decorated with all St. Patrick's Day stuff...huh, awesome! Also, when you leave you put your tip in a boot! Ha ha, I think that's funny. Five stars because it's so filled with pork and so so good. Love that Southern cookin'. Oh and we had plans to go drinking that night, but were all comatose from the amount of food and didn't make it out. Make sure you come here as your last destination for the evening, they practically have to roll you out of the place.
(5)
marisa s.
if you visit nashville and don't visit monell's...then you really didn't visit nashville. it's a country breakfast served family-style with complete strangers at your table. it's a brunch experience that i'll never forget. the servers are so nice and are there to get you full. for $14.99...it's the best deal for an all-you-can-eat and drink (sweet tea, iced tea, OJ and coffee). set in a home that feels like your own, you'll feel nice and comfortable as you southernize your belly with grits, corn chowder, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade preserves, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and country ham. fat & happy baby. fat & happy.
(5)
Archer D.
I spent 3 months working in Nashville, and Monell's was by and far the best and most orginal restuarant we found. Make sure you come hungry, they give you lots and lots of food. As really liked the family style service and seating arrangements. Lots of fun!
(5)
Mark C.
well i sure didn't expect this! you sit down with a bunch of strangers and pass around food and eat. this is unusual being from CA. the fried chicken is very good as well as the meatloaf, green beans, peas, bread, and everything else they serve. there is PLENTY of food to go around so don't be shy like i was. the people are very nice and the food comes right out. you really can't beat this place and i would like to go back next time i'm in nashville
(5)
Mariela C.
This is completely going to gross you all out, but the first time I went to Monell's I ate so much that I puked on my way out next to my car. I know, I'm disgusting. This was the first 'southern cooking' place I went to when I moved to Nashville and had no idea what I had in store. The set up at Monell's is meant to re-create a good southern style meal; you sit at large tables with complete strangers and pass plates around the table. The problem/attribute: the food never stops coming. They bring out side dishes first: corn, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, biscuits and jam. Then come the entrees: fried chicken, pulled pork, bbq chicken, fried fish, etc. Lastly, dessert that which varies depending on the day you go. The first time I went to Monell's around the table sat a motley crew consisting of a group of women from Jersey Shore, a family celebrating a wedding from east Tennessee, and me and my ridiculous friends. When the first round of food came out I shoved everything that passed by me in my face, only to find out that more food was on its way out, and then more food after that. For some reason self-control and will power completely escaped me, and I just kept eating, which then lead to the incident that I previously mentioned. All in all, at Monell's you'll find great food and a great atmosphere. Go check it out, but beef up your self-control before entering. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(5)
Dorian R.
Don't even think about NOT going here! Everything you could want in a restaurant, good food, nice atmosphere and good company! Go here, you'll not be sorry!
(5)
M L.
Being new to Nashville I had to make a point of checking out some Southern fare; yes I am a Yankee. Needless to say Monell's is great as far as I can say. Fried Chicken is the winner, side are great too, but save room for that chicken!
(5)
Timothy F.
My first time at Monells. Food was adequate; could have been seasoned a touch more but nice flavor. The best items were by far the fried chicken as well as the turnip greens. A couple of flaws however; the major flaw was not having raw onion to put on green beans, mashed potatoes, or turnip greens, which all of us true southerners know is absolutely essential for maximum flavor. Also, astoundingly on top of the $12.95 price, if you would like to have coffee with your dessert there is a $2 upcharge. Absolutely unbelievable!!!!! A nice place but really I see no real need to go back for a second visit.
(3)
Matt D.
Best breakfast/brunch in Nashville. Make sure you go hungry and are looking for a lot of food. Make sure you pace yourself so you have room for the fried chicken!! Local Tip: Get there by 9am on the weekends so you don't have to wait.
(5)
Lai T.
Love the atmosphere, love the southern hospitality, love the family style dining, love the waitresses and their attitudes. Love the old fashion restaurant that looks like a house. Love it! Its almost like heading over to your friend's parents' house for dinner, you eat whatever they bring out, and you can't refuse seconds. It's all you can eat, so you pay for the head and coming from out of town, this was a real bargain! Love the skillet fried chicken, didn't taste oily or heavy, love the biscuits, very buttery and soft, first time I had the banana pudding ever and it was delicious. Lots of side dishes and vegetables, can't get enough of everything. So good! Yummy, if I ever find myself in Nashville again, I will definitely be back. Oh, besides the great food and dining experience, at the restaurant's entry vestibule, they showcase jewelry from a local jewelry designer and they are all for sale. There were some very cute novelty pieces and I couldn't help but buy a few since everything was so affordable. Fantastic shopping and food, nothing can go wrong with that combination!
(5)
Denise L.
Everyone talked about our southern lunch here the rest of our visit in Nashville. Food, service and ambiance were better than great.
(5)
Veronica L.
I'm definitely a west coast girl, so I can't say I've experienced much southern cooking.... Actually I can't say I've experienced any of it other than the imitation southern cooking we have on the west coast (very delicious but definitely not the same). This was my first meal in Nashville and it was amaze-balls! It has set a high expectation for all other TN meals to come! Straight away the place looks adorable and quite cozy! The flowers and the garden with the precious seating area outside is absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere does not get any more home-style than that. It feels like I've walked into a relative's house. Right away we get seated at a big long table with another party sitting there chowing down. My sister tried to explain it to me how this all-you-can-eat style place worked but it made no sense till i got there. We all sit around with other parties at this big table and it's like a big family meal! With all these wonderful large bowls of food everywhere! Everyday there is a different main meal, so there is a bit of variation. There was amazing mac - n cheese, cole slaw, biscuits, corn bread, ribs, chicken fried steak, perfectly fried fried chicken! OOOH and the banana bread pudding for dessert!? Perfect. They also made their own peach preserve. It was de--licious. There is no way anyone could leave unhappy or hungry. The place has a warm, comfy, family atmosphere and I'm glad it was my first TN meal.
(4)
Carol F.
Yes, Monell's is as good as it gets here in Nashville for sit down, family style eatin minus hot chicken. Brought the family in for mother's day and treated them nice. The food was incredible (as usual), but the "family" atmosphere was a good one (unusual). We sat next to two nice families with behaved kids. The Nephew did not believe me when I said, "it will be more food than you've ever seen in your life". Showed him. And for once, the Stepdad said, "well.... good job, I guess". Hurray for me! This is the good ole home style food your mom doesn't get to enjoy often. So use it often with or without her.
(5)
Jim C.
When your first meal of the day is southern fried chicken, pulled pork, pot roast, biscuits with gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, cole slaw, cinnamon apples, french toast casserole, custard pie, and sweet tea, you really can't go wrong. No, I didn't try to eat away a hangover this morning and order everything on the menu -- actually there were no menus as everyone eats whatever is brought out. 12 strangers (I think we were the only ones from California and the only ones that wouldn't have minded having some garlic fried rice with our meal) sat together at a big table, made some small talk, watched dish after dish being brought out to us and passed food around like we were family, and ate until we could barely keep our eyes open. Well worth the trip if you are in Nashville. I know that some exercise equipment at the fitness center is going to kick my ass tomorrow morning, yet tomorrow is tomorrow and I still have a big dinner to look forward to in a few hours....... well, someone's gotta do it :-)
(4)
Mindy Y.
Monell's is one of those rare finds that really left its mark on me. I was in Nashville on a business trip, but due to flight delays no one else had made it into town by the time dinner rolled around. Dining alone is never particularly fun, so I wasn't expecting much out of the evening. I happen to stumble across a small blurb on Monell's in my hotel room's "Welcome to Nashville" guide, which again left me a bit wary as to what to expect. I have to say, it turned out to be a perfect night! Great food (that's really cheap - $14.95 inc tax for all the food you could ever want) and the communal dining setting was perfect for a lonely business traveler such as myself. Don't let the price fool you though - the building itself was surrounded by beautiful gardens, murals were painted on the inside walls and it had a real "dinner at Grandma's house" sort of feel to it. I was there on a Tuesday, so the daily selection was fried chicken, pot roast, spinach lasagna, 4 different vegetables, 3 salads, biscuits, corn bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The pot roast and corn pudding were the stars of the meal for me.. I can't say enough about how awesome they were. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and made for an all around great meal. Everyone else at my table was a Nashville native, but I felt very welcomed and grateful for the chance to enjoy some serious Southern hospitality. If I ever make it back to Nashville, Monell's will definitely be on the list of places to go!
(5)
matt c.
3 Stars is good, just not fancy or amazing. This is good local southern-style food. I like the fact that you sit with total strangers. Typically there are lots of tourists there, but also a few devoted locals. TIP: Don't eat till the meat comes out! They try to fill you up with sides first. (Unless sides are your thing, then by all means!). TIP 2: Try to figure out where the food will start being passed. It is passed to the left. If you are the last in the circle it may be picked over by the time it gets to you (at a full table). The chicken was a little dry. When we asked for another basket of fried pork chops however, they were great. If you rent the place yourself, after hours, you can BYO, and there is no fee unless you ask them to open it for you.
(3)
Monica S.
I've enjoyed Monell's both in the Germantown restaurant and when they catered a brunch the day after my wedding. In both scenarios, the food was delicious, the service was pure Southern hospitality, and I couldn't keep myself from seconds...or thirds in some cases! I've had their dinner on a couple of occasions, but I have to say that breakfast/brunch is my absolute favorite with them. I can't get enough of the corn pudding or the cheese grits, and I love being able to get a little bit of so many different things. When eating at the restaurant, the family style seating is actually great- and I'm an introvert who might typically be put off by such an arrangement. I've just found that every time I've been there that the group of people has been interesting, varied, and super nice. I also think that the fact that everyone is being offered an endless supply of delicious food helps to ensure that good moods and good conversation are enjoyed by all.
(4)
corey s.
this was SO GREAT! endless southern food that you dream about when arriving in the south. WOW WOW WOW!!!
(4)
Laura Y.
Ate here with my boyfriend a few days ago, and afterwards we both agreed that it easily was one of the most delicious meals we had ever had. Everything they served, literally every single dish, just was amazing. I'm a northerner and rarely eat the "southern" style dishes they served (too be honest, I didn't even think I liked that type of food that much until I ate here), but I don't think I'll ever stop raving about those biscuits and gravy, and I am still craving the fruity tea that they served us!
(5)
Barry G.
Our large party occupied an entire table in this quaint old home, so we didn't have any interaction with strangers, but we definitely ate like family, which was a pleasure. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, waitresses brought out several large bowls of comfort food, and as they'll kindly remind you, take your serving and pass the bowl to the left. A bountiful table, we were served cole slaw, broccoli salad, green pea salad, biscuits and jam, corn bread, green beans, corn pudding, baked apples, cheese and potato gratin, mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, fried chicken, and a strawberry trifle. I can comfortably say that the meatloaf was the best I've ever had in my whole life. If i hadn't pigged out on the rest of the offerings first, I think I could have eaten 4 pieces. The corn pudding was new to me, and quite delicious. The fried chicken was a tad over-done for my taste, and the biscuits were a bit bitter, which may have been intentional to offset the sweet and tart of the jam. The price is nice, and I'd go back in an irregular heartbeat.
(4)
Will W.
best part, face to face with others. family is more than a style!
(5)
Karen C.
My boyfriend and I have lived in Nashville for almost a year now, and this is probably the only place I truly miss when I travel in terms of food. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had in my life, and the meatloaf is to die for. I would kill for the recipe, haha. If you're in Nashville and want unlimited Southern eats for a very reasonable price, Monell's is the place!
(5)
Jordan T.
On a recent visit to Nashville, a friend introduced us to the down home, country fried, biscuit slingin', cornbread bakin' joint that is Monell's. This place embodies my imagination of the perfect southern cookin' restuarant-warm and welcoming servers, interaction with other customers, a cozy environment, and a ridiculous amount of home cooked food. When you come to Monell's, you sit at a long table with your party, and with other guests as well. Food is promptly served in community serving bowls that are passed around the table. If you grew up in a family where the dinner table was the center of life, this is the perfect place to reminisce; and if not, Monell's will give you an idea of what it means to share a huge spread of delicious food with friends and family.
(5)
Julie B.
After reading the reviews on yelp - I decided to give this place a try and I was not disappointed!! One of the people in our party had never been exposed to southern food - so this turned out to be the perfect place since you are able to try everything on the menu for that day. If you are going here for dinner you may want to skip lunch because you will need all the extra room!!
(5)
Montez B.
I loved Monell's, My family went here for my grandmothers birthday and it was fantastic. The staff here were super friendly! They have a nice concept going on here, Everyone sits in groups of seven(pass round the table ordeal), so you get to meet new people and the food is all you can eat. Overall A+ , The price on the weekend can be a little pricey, but it's worth it!
(5)
Andrew K.
DEElicious fattening yumminess. Their family style puts Buca di Beppo to shame. Everything was great and made from scratch. Basically it's like a homemade buffet in bowls. You get catfish, corn puddin, banana puddin with NIla wafers, fried chicken, green beans, broccoli salad -- they've got it all. Price is reasonable and includes sweet tea. The BIG problemo (and only reason why not 5-stars) is that you sit down and a second later all of the food is in front of you and you stuff your face and you are comatosed about 10 minutes later. I wish it was paced out. My arteries would have too!
(4)
Arlene H.
this place replicates real southern charm. family style eating. southern style cooking. it's hard to keep the portions small on your plate. and there are sooo many options. sides, sides, and more sides! my favorite was the corn side. fried chicken, gravy smothered chicken. this place was so good my friends went here two nights in a row.
(4)
Sean L.
I absolutely love this place! The food is incredible, plentiful and made with Southern love. I make a point of stopping here every time I'm in or passing through Nashville. In addition to the sumptuous fare, the service is always beyond friendly and helpful. I've told anyone and everyone who is spending time in Music City that their trip is not complete without a stop at Monell's. Thankfully, friends have taken my advice and experienced all that this gem of an eatery has to offer.
(5)
Robert P.
Have eaten at Monell's for years at the Germantown location. When my Mother came to visit on Mothers Day I told her I was going to take her to the new location on the New Orleans Manor. She was excited too go and we arrived @ 11:00 and was told it would be an hour and 20 minutes by the lady behind the counter. After an hour and 20 minutes my Mom asked me to ask the man carrying a pad around calling peoples name out how much longer he thought our wait may be after seeing other people asking the same. I asked very politely as he jerked the pad back and said "I think you were told it would be 1:20 minutes when you arrived" I realized this couldn't be a paid employee and recalling an photo from the Germantown restaurant this was the owner!! I said I don't understand why you have a problem letting me know how much longer after letting other people know he said "well after the 4th time you asked well get too you when we get too you". I said this is the first time asking and then he said "I've seen you ask the lady at the front at least 3 times". He even went as far as too ask the lady if I had not been bothering her about how much longer and she even told him I had not asked her even once! He then said in a sarcastic tone "I apologize would you like me too take you off the list??" Obviously the stress of having customers had mentally taken it's toll on this Jerk that should not ever, ever deal with the public directly and leave it too his hard working employees...who I feel for having too work for him. Of course I did not eat there (went too Outback and had great service and great food at half the price). I'm sorry for the stress I may have caused the owner and will relieve him of any of the pressure of taking my money ever again.
(1)
Celia G.
My then-fiance and I gorged on Southern brunch one rainy Saturday this summer, then went straight home with pants buttons undone, enjoying an unproductive food coma for several hours. We soon thereafter decided to take our small wedding party (just immediate family) to Monell's after marrying in East Nashville's Shelby Park on a Friday mid-September. The casual and communal setting -- unfussy, comfortably noisy -- was IDEAL for the group, and the amazing food was devoured by all. I'm talkin' about "Bro, stop hogging the meats on your side of the table!" and "Mom, is that banana pudding as good as Nana's or WHAT?" Meanwhile, those drinkers in the bunch (my family, I confess) passed around the affordable red wine we brought to the restaurant, no corkage fee (!). Seriously, people, this is THE best bet for joining a couple of Southern families and/or friends for an informal rehearsal dinner, or any meal at all! We were so pleased we picked this little spot for our big weekend.
(5)
C K.
The food may be good, but their catering and group parties are extremely disappointing. Inflexible, unfriendly, and with poor follow-up. They have a "my way or the highway" attitude. Unfortunate, because the food is pretty good.
(2)
Rebecca J.
oh my goodness! mama mia! holy moly guacamole! this place is knock your socks off fantastically fabulous! its as if you're going over to yo mama's house for a little din din. but you better pass to the left or the ladies running the joint will get cha! the food is just wonderful and full of all those healthy ingredients like butter and bacon fat! your mouth will water just thinking about this place. mine is already!
(5)
Jasmine M.
Hot-dog eating champion Joey Chestnut might actually have a hard time here. And yes, Monell's was a test of my self-control not for any health concerns, but just not be a goldfish that will eat till the point of explosion. My boyfriend's friend took us to Monell's for lunch and it was much nicer than I expected. I think I was thinking something more along the line of Arnold's, but it was a cute historic house with a garden out back. On second thought, I was worried that it might be ladies who lunch and I would starve. But, nope Monell's put me to the test of all you can eat. The seating is communal. It seemed weird at first to be tapped by someone I don't know to pass the biscuits. But, by the end, we were all friends trying to make sure we all got fed with the amount of biscuits, sweet potatoes, chicken, field peas, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans that we could eat. I made the mistake of filling up on so many things the first round and didn't know that dish after dish would come out. And as many biscuits , tea, sweet potatoes that you could want. Just ask! All the food was excellent and really fresh since the turnover for tables is so high. Oh and did I mention this place is cheap!! The atmosphere is nicer than alot of meat and threes so it is an excellent place to meet for lunch if you want more comfortable surroundings and don't mind sitting next to strangers. There is also a good cupcake store right next door. That is if you can unbutton a few more buttons on your pants.
(4)
Jessica M.
Best brunch in Nashville and great place to take first time visitors to Nashville. Has been a huge hit with my family when they come to town.
(5)
Evermore B.
This is a gem of a place. Family style sit down buffet. Every once in a while I get a craving for southern food like a restaurant that is very popular near Virginia Tech. Hoping to find something similar I went searching on the internet. Man, I am so happy we discovered this place on yelp. After reading the reviews, I had to check it out and it didn't disappoint. We went on a friday night between 5-530 and was able to get 4 seats right away. I was hesitate about sitting with strangers but a minute into sitting down and eating the food, stranger anxiety was gone cuz the corn bread, appetizers were too delicious to focus on anything else. Even my eight year old who doesn't eat macaroni salad..had several servings of it. The fried chicken was wonderful and not greasy at all. There were also cat fish and ribs..mmmm, side dishes..Plenty of food to go around and if you wanted more, they gave you more without being stingy about it. Great experience and would definitely return and bring family visiting from out of town.
(5)
Sam D.
Everyone says you need to go here, and you probably should. It is southern-cooking at its best. But, you will sit with strangers and you'll get a ton of food. A TON. Go with a big group of friends after you run a marathon and it will be perfect.
(3)
Phillip O.
Initially I was skeptical about this place in going for Thanksgiving dinner... I was wrong. My kids and wife loved it.... in fact saved up time from cooking, cleaning, buying, preparing, etc.. time to spend doing other things. Food was great and will be there again this Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. Wished the price was a little lesser for kids.
(5)
Karen R.
Southern comfort food varies depending on what part of the South is comforting you... This was my first visit to Nashville, and I am definitely more accustomed to the Deep South over the Upper South, which could account for my lukewarm feelings about Monells. You start with salads and biscuits... the coleslaw was definitely good, and I'm not a huge coleslaw person, but my favorite was the broccoli. There were four of us and we were sat with another party of about six and then another couple came while we were all enjoying salads. We'd already done the first pass, so we were low on a few of the salads. The server took the low salads to replenish them and then came back and said "sorry, we're out of broccoli salad," kind of annoying given that he'd taken away a partially full bowl and could not give it back. Biscuit wise, is where I am really knocking off points for Monell's to be honest. They tasted more like dinner rolls to me. At first I thought I wasn't a fan because of the incredibly sweet jam, but I tried a second one (to make sure) and didn't put any jam on it. They just didn't have the buttery goodness that a biscuit should have. Next came the sides, which were okay. The macaroni and cheese didn't seem or taste all that different from Stouffers'; the corn pudding is just not something I am familiar with nor did I really enjoy; the dressing was decent and I did like that. The fourth side were the green beans, which were clearly frozen and while I know generations of Southern women have been using frozen or canned green beans and then overcooking them to mush, I'm not sure it justifies actually continuing the tradition. They had a slight bacon or ham taste, and given that I do not eat pork, a little warning there would have been nice. For our meat, we were offered fried chicken, baked chicken and fried porkchops. I did really enjoy the baked chicken, and I would say to all you fried chicken people out there, you're missing out if you don't try the baked chicken at Monell's. For dessert we were offered banana pudding, which I barely tried because the baked apples were so good and I'm not a huge banana fan. All in all, Monell's was a decent experience, but if I lived in Nashville, I'm not sure I'd go back.
(3)
Julia B.
Did'ja know they cater? HUGE breakfast buffet delivered to your location for $11.25/pp. Shit - that not a lot of dough for a lot of lip-smacking deliciousness. Includes their fried chicken and famous corn pudding ... and practically everything else they serve for breakfast. NICE!
(4)
Shannon D.
I was very nervous when the owner of a customer company decided that we would be eating at a "meat and 3" (it's a Tennessee thing) since I eat mostly vegetarian. There were 3 meat dishes but about 10 sides without meat. The squash casserole was delicious as was the cinnamon and brown sugar casserole with some vegetable in it but I can't rememberwhich one. The cornbread stuffing was fantastic. The strawberry pie for dessert taste a little bit too much like the product of a Jell-O gelatin box which was a surprise after the delicious home-cooked meal. The grounds are immaculate with beautiful flowers, a waterfall and lights on strings. The hostess was really cute and seemed genuinely excited to receive and seat customers. It was also very inexpensive. I would go back.
(4)
Caitlin D.
I was delighted by the adorable exterior of the restaurant, which reminded me of an English garden with flowers and a pond and all kinds of benches. The setup of the actual food is simple; you will sit at a large table, probably with people you don't know, and the food comes out without ordering and you pass it clockwise. Fried chicken, catfish, lasagna, cole slaw, green beans, collard greens, biscuits and cornbread, peach jam, gravy... you get the picture. The service was great, very friendly. The fare was good, but honestly, I make fried chicken that packs in a whole lot more taste. It certainly wasn't bad, but I had to disagree with my companions who had raved about it being the best thing since fried chicken... wait a minute...
(3)
Melinda C.
So amazing. Came for lunch on a Sunday, and loved the communal ambiance and the food was amazing. My favorite was the pulled pork (perfectly moist and tender) followed by the sweet potato pie, corn pudding, and fried chicken. But honestly, everything was good, including the cold salads that get passed initially ("don't fill up on them!" advised my friend, the Nashville local). Even the green beans (made with some kind of bacon flavoring, I'm sure) were awesome. The only thumbs down was on the "morning casserole" which was a weird amalgam of sausage, eggs, etc, from the morning, I guess. All in all, a great experience in Nashville.
(5)
L D.
My family and I LOVE Monelle's! The service is ALWAYS great! The food is ALWAYS great! The wait to eat is NEVER too long! They serve home cooked food and serve like grandma...Around a large table with other patrons. Everyone gets along when there's great food involved and you may even get a new friend out of your visit. Try Monelle's... You won't be sorry!
(5)
Dante' T.
Monell's has good food, but I am not a fan of family -style dining. I seem to always wind up at the table with someone who was raised by wolves and has no table manners... If I can gather enough friends to take a whole table, then I am so there!
(4)
David S.
For a while, it seemed like I was going to Monell's every week with a group of people from work. It made for a long lunch since they don't take reservations and the place gets crowded. You'll also be in quite the food coma after eating at Monell's. There are other restaurants that do family style dining, but you may have never been to one. If that's the case, it'll be a little different for you. There are big tables so you may be seated with strangers. A waitress will come out with the dishes that you take and then pass. It comes out in courses. You'll get your salads first, then vegetables and meat, and then dessert. So, the food. Monell's tries to hit the high spots of Southern cooking. Cucumbers and tomatoes, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, smothered steak, meatloaf, fried chicken. You're not going to Monell's for subtlety or refinement. It's comfort food, soul food, grandma's cooking. I tend to get full on salads that come out first and then don't have room for the main meal. Don't make this mistake like I do. Fried chicken days were always the most popular days to go, and it is pretty good fried chicken. Also worth mentioning is the peach preserves. These are yummy even if the biscuits have gone downhill in terms of quality (the last time I went they tasted like my mom's -- out of a can). Since it's all you can eat for one price, there's a good chance you'll pig out. Desserts aren't usually worth saving room for unless they have some banana pudding. Mmmmm, banana pudding. Breakfast on the weekends is supposed to be great, but I've never been in to try it. Someday I will.
(3)
Kelley Lee G.
5 stars for service, food, and company
(5)
Theresa B.
Wow...again...I must say, I am extremely impressed. The owner read my review and contacted me. He's returning my money and sending me a gift card for a return visit. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to trying to rectify the wrong...(unless of course you shoot the manager)...So I have had my faith restored with my favorite restaurant and I get to make the entire country aware...how great is that??
(5)
James R.
Oh, sweet gluttony...thy name is Monell's. Deep within the catacombs of the Vatican, within the canon of cardinal sins, is an engraving of Monell's. For what other place could take you to such heights of home cooked Heaven, yet leave you feeling like a denizen of an overindulgent hell? Granted, you might mention words such as "portion sizes" and "self control", but their prayerful invocations hold no power against such mortal temptations of fried chicken, strawberry shortcake and biscuits with homemade peach preserves. The battered catfish alone is cause for penance, and the piping-hot sides might be a cause for confession. At least the sins are corporate ones, shared by those at your picnic-like tables as the food is served family-style on mismatched plates of vice. Housed within a 19th-century brick home, Monell's brings a stripped literalness to the phrase "all you can eat." Sure, it's possible to come out of Monell's and not be overstuffed and ready for a nap. However, just like time travel and a two-hour Oscar telecast, it's technically possible, but probably just not going to happen. Just make sure that when you go, you bow your head and say a quick prayer of grace. You're going to need it when you're done. Insider Tip: During the week, this place is really hopping at lunch time. The quicker you can get there, the faster you will get seated and let the transgressions begin
(5)
mumin k.
This is one of my favorite places in Nashville. And this comes from somebody who is not big fan of southern food. I like the idea of being seated in a big table with a bunch of strangers and having a family style meal. Whom you are seated in a table might have impact on your experience though. Last time I went there I was seated with a couple, a family of four and two oversize ladies (really oversize). The two oversize ladies were seated on the corner of the table where the server would start passing the food. They would take almost all of the fried chicken pieces and the rest of the table would wait for the next basket only to see that the server handed the basket to the two oversize ladies first again. I could not have much fried chicken that day. The entire table was done with meal adn we were wrapping it up and the server started to clean the table assuming that everybody was done until we heard the two ladies order another basket of fried chicken. I was amazed :) The nice thing about Monell's is that there are so many things that you are very likely to like at least some of them. Great food overall and I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Peter F.
Best deal in town for breakfast and brunch! All you can eat, and I always leave very satisfied and full. The shared table seating always leads to friendly conversation. The fried chicken is to die for, and I love their biscuits & gravy. I've eaten here 3 times already in the last few months, and I definitely plan to go back many more times!
(5)
J C.
This place defines AWESOME. Not to be missed. The fried chicken is the best on the planet. The corn pudding, cornbread, and biscuits are up there as well. We got served everything on the "menu" as soon as we sat down. Take small portions to start, because you'll be served plate after bowl of everything they've got. If I had discovered this place at the start of my trip, I'd have gained 50 pounds. The Tee shirts the staff wears say, "Help! I've eaten and I can't get up!" - rightfully so.
(5)
Anna A.
Monells is one of those places that Nashville is famous for. The general idea is a meat and three served family style so if you aren't a big party be prepared to sit at a large table and pass food around to people you don't know. I don't mind that but I'm just saying, this isn't intimate dining. Now I've gone for breakfast and lunch and my favorite thing is the fried chicken. I don't think they have it everyday but I don't know what their schedule it but if you can land on a fried chicken then you will be pleased. The way that it works is they will fill a large table up and you get tea,water, and or coffee. Then they just start bringing food out, you don't' order anything special off a menu. The menu is set, your server brings it out little by little, and your start passing it around. My only gripe about Monells is that I think it's pricey for what it is. It's just basic southern food, I know they are famous but it really is a bit much for what they offer. It's honestly good and if you are entertaining out of town people looking for some southern flare with a little class, this would be your place.
(4)
Catherine G.
An amazing meal! The location was beautiful and quaint, gorgeous gardens. Seating was in family style tables, a great way to meet people, dinner conversation was nice, not forced. The meal was excellent... Tons of food... Amazing fried chicken, biscuits, corn pudding, squash casserole, fried pork chops, just to name few. The finishing touch was homemade banana pudding ... Delicious.
(5)
JulieAnne R.
Always have a good time here. Whenever I have people come to town I make sure we stop in here for a meal. My boys like it too because they get to pick and choose what they can eat. We love meeting interesting people we eat with.
(4)
Terry M.
Nice large table setting with multiple families at a single table. Food is served family style, salads ,then veg and breads and then fried chicken,fried catfish and falling off the bone pork ribs. Service was excellent and the food was good. I would return again.
(4)
Peter G.
As good as it gets for home style Southern fare such as fried chicken and sauteed greens. It is a truly great experience sitting at a table with other people and sharing the food and the hospitality is outstanding.
(5)
Jeremy B.
This is the kind of place that makes you appreciate Nashville. I have been there many times for their wonderful family style breakfast. Growing up in the south I've developed quite the appetite for a home cooked southern meal and Monells offers food that taste just like I'm used to. This will definitely be a place that recommend to out of town visitors.
(5)
Emily D.
Monell's is just amazing. Everything from the cinnamon rolls to the corn pudding and even down to the coffee was just so delicious! It is honestly the best down home cooking that everyone must experience. Monell's definitely lived up to all of the hype that my husband gave it :)
(5)
T. C.
Since moving away from Nashville, I still dream about this place. Oh Monell's, I miss you morning, noon and night. Your breakfast, as Flora H. has described, is simply scrumptious. Be prepared to eat and eat and eat. Your pancakes are light and fulffy, your hashbrowns are homestyle potatoes with all the right spices, your eggs are plentiful and the corn pudding...oh, that corn pudding. I live and die for that corn pudding. Thank goodness they pretty much serve it at every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner all usually include the corn pudding). Lunch is always busy, as many of the state employees will come here to eat. I had the luck to work around the block from Monell's for a few weeks and made plans with a friend to have an early lunch here. They manage to make pea salad and broccoli salad (two things I've never been a huge fan of) scrumptious. There is always the requisite fried chicken. The last time I went, there was also meatload and pot roast and a mountain of other side dishes. Do NOT fill up on the biscuits...no matter how yummy they are with the butter and preserves. It has been awhile since I've come for dinner. Maybe next time I make my way back to Nashville I will have to insist that we experience Monell's dinner again. There is sometimes a wait simply because Monell's is such a local favorite. But if that's the case, you just let them know you're there, hush your mouth, then head out to the cute little garden out front and sit on a porch swing with your buddies. If you're all by your lonesome, go make new friends. That's what Monell's is all about. Southern hospitality and family style dining. This experience is not for those who are extremely private since unless you have 12 other friends to fill up the table, you almost certainly will be placed at a table with complete strangers. Wear pants with an elastic waistband or be prepared to unbutton in public. This is an experience like no other...quintessential Nashville. It's not to be missed.
(5)
Nicole H.
"Enter as strangers, leave as friends." When I read this statement above the door I knew I was going to enjoy myself. Not only is this dining concept genius but the food is absolutley delicious. my favorite sides were the breakfast casserole, cucmber slad, mac n cheese. The fried chicken is something to write home about! But the best part isnt the food it's the conversation with perfect strangers. Oh and how could i forget the fruit tea!
(4)
Darcy F.
All I can say is this place is amazing. I am not a fan of fried chicken- but Monell's has the best ever skillet filled chicken. And their banana pudding is aboslutely delicious- its soooo good. All the other food is good too; but if you are going to eat; save all your room for the skillet fried chicken and the banana pudding. Don't waste your time going anywhere else in Nashville to eat- they just won't compare!!!
(5)
Seth H.
Great, family-style country cooking. Biscuits on par with that other place way out in the country... but all the sides are much better. Go for brunch and pig out on the fried chicken and cobbler. Love this place!!
(4)
Wallace S.
Man, I've taken my parents to Monell's, I've gone on dates at Monell's, I've rented out entire rooms at Monell's, hell, I've even been kicked out of Monell's (but only after having the biscuits and preserves, arguably the best part of the weekend brunch). I love this place. Great food shared with complete strangers at a wonderful, down home, location. Can't ask for much more.
(5)
Conor S.
The highlight of my trip to Nashville (oh no, tourist review!). Overall I was surprised by how mediocre of a food city Nashville was, but Monell's really stood out. The "restaurant" is really more like a big house with a bunch of huge dining tables. They wait until there are enough people to fill the table to seat you (10-12), and you eat family style with a bunch of strangers. Eating here is like a marathon -- they start you with biscuits, corn bread, sweet tea, and sides, and the food keeps coming. There must have been 15-20 courses, no exaggeration. The menu changes every night, but the items that really stood out for me were the biscuits, meatloaf, and strawberry shortcake. And for all the food you get the bill comes to something like $16 per person. If I ever go back to Nashville I'll be sure to go again!
(5)
Gayle R.
While on vacation to Nashville we had the opportunity to visit a variety of restaurants. Clearly, Monell's was our favorite, hands down. The southern food was amazingly delicious and the food just kept on coming. We were in and out of the restaurant in a quick amount of time. I never liked peas, but their pea salad was amazing. Southern fried chicken was incredible. There was so much food to choose from and the price was right! Course after course came to our table as we passed the bowls...to the left...and enjoyed home cooking and conversation.
(5)
Neal I.
So good, I went 2 days in a row.
(5)
Judson R.
Truly a unique Nashville dinner experience. That is, unless you go home to grandma's!
(5)
Momo O.
I think everyone should go to Monells just once in their life. I still randomly talk about this restaurant to people, sometimes to random people I don't even know. I can't believe a restaurant could be this good. If I lived in Nashville I would be fat because I would come here like everyday...so I guess it's good I don't live there. The food is unreal. Deep southern cooking at it's finest! I have never experienced anything like this before. Its reasonable in price since it's all you can eat. It's in an actual country victorian house which is so cute. The people who work their are oh so friendly. I can go on and on about the food here. Just prepare yourself. Don't eat or drink the night before and prepare to do nothing after you go there because you will be feeling large and in charge but its okay because it's so worth it...It's all about the memories man and food of course!
(5)
Peter M.
maybe one of my favorite meals ever EXCEPT, as mentioned in the other reviews, you are guaranteed to over-eat in a serious way. Pace yourself if at all possible. It didn't help that we showed up really hungry and a little drunk. Fried chicken was succulunt and the breading was so fluffy and rich. Banana pudding was decadent and like your favorite blankey. Juicey southern style green beans. Very excited about the corn pudding. I will go back one day and try to control myself.
(4)
Kimberly S.
There have been copious amounts of reviews on Monell's food and family style service, and the high rating is very much deserved. What hasn't been discussed ad nauseum is their ability to host private parties. My now husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner, and it was so easy to coordinate and such a fun night. We were able to rent the restaurant from 8 PM on. We gathered in the courtyard for a cocktail hour where we were able to bring our own beer and wine-- helllllo savings! After a few (too many) glasses of wine, we sauntered inside to sit down and eat. As usual, the food was on point and gave guests a taste of the South. The service was friendly, and they did a great job of catering to our needs as a wedding party. I highly recommend hosting an event here!
(5)
Heather M.
What a fun place! The grounds are beautiful and the food is super yummy. Be prepared the wait as this place gets busy though. Parties are sat in groups of twelve and the food comes out family style. This is part of the experience. We had a great time chatting and dining with the folks we were seated with. Plates and plates of southern favorites, from fried chicken to biscuits to grits. If you are in Nashville, you must come here!!
(5)
Ben N.
Everything that could be said has probably already been said, so as the 547th review for Monell's I'll keep things short and sweet with some pearls 1) Truly a unique dining experience and a MUST DO while in Nashville. Sit with random people while passing around large plates of food and enjoy it family style 2) Expect a long wait. My group came in around 10ish and waited an hour to be seated. They say they stop serving breakfast at 11 but as long as you get on the list before then, you're guaranteed a southern style breakfast at monells! 3) There are a bunch of other Monell's around nashville that are smaller and don't offer this AYCE experience. Make sure you don't show up to the wrong one like we did! 4) Be quick and sneaky with your food pics because no cell phones allowed at the dinner table! 5) Not sure how much dinner is but breakfast was only 15 bucks +tip 6) Come hungry. I didn't eat for the rest of the day but luckily I saved this place for my last day of the trip so I didn't miss out on any other restaurants TL;DR - must eat restaurant in nashville
(5)
Aashish J.
Not enough words to praise Monell's! If I come to Nashville again, this is where I will go and take all my friends. Pros: 1. Food: Best fried chicken and mac & cheese I've had in a long time. Them biscuits with peach preserves were delicious too. 2. Ambiance: Although seating with strangers on a dinner table felt awkward in the beginning, it was awesome at the end. 3. Overall: a great experience!!! Cons: None. Just be cautious that there may be some waitin' to do 'fore you get seated. Oh yes, the food is great n' it ain't cheap. So bring your appetite.
(5)
Shane S.
Back for another mind blowing experience that I can always count on at Monell's. The food is amzing, the service is impeccable and the conversation is delightful. I can't wait until my next trip to Nashville, just so I can eat at Monell's.
(5)
Kelly N.
Five stars, no questions asked. This place is a gem. I'm not from Nashville, so it was refreshing to go to a restaurant that was genuinely a home cooked southern meal. I appreciated everything about the concept and everything this restaurant has to offer. Even the fact that no cell phones were allowed at the table. I think that was my favorite part. It's southern dining at its finest. The experience is very personable and you get to eat at a large dining room table with a family style experience. The food was spectacular. Everything you could imagine on your grandmothers table for a thanksgiving feast. The menu is pre set, so they just serve you course after course. We started with different types of mixed salads. Then, we moved to the meats and sides. Everything from Mac and cheese to collard greens to mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now for the dessert. I'm not a huge pie fan, but this was by far the best pecan pie I have ever had in my life. I can't wait to go back to Nashville JUST to eat here.
(5)
Joel L.
We LOVE Monell's Dining and Catering!!!! Well, we have only tried their 6th Ave N location, but we have been there twice. I have heard good things about the other locations. On our second visit, we sat with a couple from North Carolina that was on vacation in Nashville for a week. They ate at the Manor on one night, had Monell's catering at a concert they attended on the next night, and loved it so much that they were on their third Monell's experience of the week. And as I was there, I can tell you it was outstanding. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable with outdoor gardens and fountains. Indoors is rustic and inviting. Monell's serves family style so you sit with people that you may not know. This sounds awkward, but it really isn't because the food is so amazing that you are sharing an incredible experience that really brings people together. Different menu items are served on different days, although there are a few things like fried chicken that are regulars at every meal. There are so many options that even picky eaters should find something they like. Please do not miss an opportunity to eat at Monell's. Our lives are a compilation of our experiences. This is an experience that you will not regret.
(5)
Nicole M.
Always leave here in a food coma! Great southern cooking. Family style restaurant which isn't my favorite but the food makes it worth it. All I can say is YUMM!
(5)
Erin U.
What an incredible dining experience. This was hands down my best meal ever. The food is great, but the company is even better. If you're coming here, be ready to turn on those social skills because this restaurant works pretty differently. There's a set menu for the day and everything is served family style on tables seating 10 or more people who you may or may not know. Who you sit next to is a bit of a roulette unless you've got two friends to flank you, but no worries, that southern hospitality will keep you nice and entertained the entire time. Be friendly. Get to know your neighbor. Learn about what it means to be human, all over delicious chicken and pork and anything else they come up with. I would come back to Nashville just for this. It was that incredible.
(5)
Tiffany N.
A must if you've never experienced a family style southern restaurant. My party of 10 was seated almost immediately (which I think we kinda lucked out with). The venue itself is just darling! The home style restaurant is surrounded with flowers, coy fish ponds, and garden seats. Great way to entertain kids while waiting to walk around the grounds. Now, the food is really as amazing as everyone says. The side dishes were so tasty - biscuits light and fluffy with gravy, corn mash, greens, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples... its all so good! The fried chicken and their spinach lasagna shells were incredible. They were my favorite things on the table. Would highly recommend, and save room for the cobbler! I'm dying to go back soon!
(5)
Candra G.
Reminds me of an alternative format buffet. High on quantity, mediocre on taste/quality. To say the least, I wasn't a fan. I mistakenly thought breakfast went until 1pm and was told that it was lunch service only, but I stayed anyway because of all of the positive reviews. Community dining is an interesting concept - today's experience was weird because these people KEPT touching the food and putting it back. GROSS. So, I had to keep an eye on the dishes as they went around to make sure I didn't get the piece that was touched by the guy that kept wiping his nose. Food service was fast and the quantity was overwhelming. I liked the wide selection of the food, but found that the food was generally under-seasoned and seemed like a lot of the side dishes were made with canned food and instant mixes. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed with everything. Oh, and the slice of pie or whatever it was tasted like a stick of butter - I never figured out what it was by the end of the meal. I left full and regretting the calories that I consumed. Monell's nice try....
(2)
Corey W.
Want a true old southern style meal? Well I'm not from the south but I feel like this is probably as close as it gets. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, roasted sweet apples, mac and cheese, corn bread, you name it! It reminds me of eating at grandma's and that is a good thing. You sit and eat family style at a table of about 10. In my opinion this is good and bad. It is great if you come with a large enough group to fill the table. It is bad if you only have a few people and were not wanting to share a table with strangers. Some people embrace this, me most of the time, not so much. Wait times can be brutal sometimes due to how popular this place is. It is not the type of place you can plan on being in and out quickly.
(4)
Ann E.
Family style dining at its best. Delicious southern cooking. Amazing! The food just keeps coming. Wish I could have eaten more. Went for brunch with 7 other people-sat at a large table with 4 other people. Very nice atmosphere warm and friendly. Take the food in front of you and pass to the left, just like at home. Take as much as you like, but leave nothing on your plate (it's the rule)! Pay when you leave. Large parties have tip added onto their check. Another positive-all the food that's left on your table (you can't possibly eat it all!) is donated to the homeless-(I Asked)! GO!
(4)
Melanie -.
I've always loved the idea of family style dining...back in my hometown (Chattanooga), we have this tiny little dive called Bea's where you eat from circular tables and lazy susans... Monell's is this concept amped to epic, decadent, elegant proportions. Monell's has a very homey feel, cozy and just crowded enough. We were seated at a huge rectangular table with a bunch of friendly strangers who quickly became like family. Less than three minutes after we were seated, (no joke!) bowls and platters of the. MOST. AMAZING. FOOD. started cycling around the table. There wasn't one item I didn't like. Everything tasted like homemade. It felt like home. It made me ache with nostalgia. I'm not kidding when I say it healed my heart. We were seated with a very friendly couple from Chicago on one side and a local family with a jovial and dapper old man who chatted with us throughout the entire meal. This is what every restaurant should strive for. P.S. No cellphones at the table! But I promise, you won't miss them.
(5)
Mike L.
Wow! I was told to go for the meal of a lifetime and was not disappointed!! The best meal I have had in Nashville. Must do
(5)
Cait C.
Just bear in mind that the dishes change from night to night so don't come with 1 particular item in mind unless you have checked the menu for that night. This is definitely good homemade southern cooking (super unhealthy!). It can be seen as a positive that its all you can eat, but i cant give stars for that. I will be back yes, and i did like the fried chicken, the baked lasagna shells, the cucumber salad, and corn pudding. I did not enjoy that they used jello in the strawberry shortcake dessert instead of real strawberries. And I did not enjoy the amount of oil on the chicken (dripping). There is no alcohol, which didn't bother me, but bear in mind it is just iced tea and lemonade.
(4)
J W.
We had a great experience! The food was excellent, the staff was great. The price was great, authentic atmosphere, filling food. I could go on for days about this place, we will be back!
(5)
Dae S.
Great southern hospitality, no cell phones at the dinner table just how it would be if you were to have dinner at home. Food WILL FILL YOU TO THE MAX ! You will not leave with a half full stomach. The restaurant has such a cozy feeling. And even though the dessert was accompanied with the meal the waitress recommended us to The Cupcake Collection bakery two houses down to try their famous sweet potato cupcake ( which I must say was amazing ) Overall being said it was the first restaurant I ate at since I touched Nashville I enjoyed it.
(4)
Danny B.
Awesome home cooking. Everything was served family style, which made for interesting table conversation. Food was fresh and service spot on. Looking forward to return visit on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)
Johnny T.
4.5 It's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks. There are a few things that always seem to happen when friends/family visit Nashville. I won't belabor the point by writing about them because we've all been through it. Many of these tasks cause me to shuffle my feet and groan. A trip to Monell's, however, is reason enough to invite visitors. Even Southerners enjoy Monell's -- and that's sayin' something. Sometimes restaurants like this cater to folks from outside the region who wouldn't know the importance of cooking with bacon grease if it hit them in the head with your grandma's skillet. No such slight of hand, here. Monell's is the real deal. You might be surprised, then, to realize that this Southern feast isn't found in some hideaway shack. Monell's food is housed in a gorgeous Germantown Victorian, complete with a koi pond and bridge. Yes, it's true. We even wear shoes -- regularly -- down South, as well. I know! Stereotypes blown before you even walk through the door, Monell's is bringing it. Walk in, tell the hostess how many are in your party and get seated with strangers. Take off your hat. Turn off and put away your damn phone and get ready to share a variety of Southern goodies the way you would if you were a guest in someone's home. If sitting with strangers and having conversations puts you outside your comfort zone, I don't think you'd enjoy yourself. But, if you have a lick of sense and can act right in public, you'll be just fine. One of the things I enjoyed the best about Monell's is that the two pitchers of tea are labelled -- so as to AVOID the non-sweet tea. That's how you do it, folks. That's what you signed up for. On the Saturday afternoon that most recently rocked my world, we started with biscuits & cornbread (with butter and hot sauce, 'natch). This led to: slaw, cheese grits, cucumbers, squash casserole, pulled pork, fried chicken, white beans, potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans, and meatloaf. The plates kept passing and I kept eating. If something ran out, our waitress was on the ball and we got a new helping of it with no wait at all. You know that mechanism in your brain that tells you you're full? I think there's a machine at Monell's that disengages it as everyone at my table ate until they were uncomfortable... as you should. My only disappointment was dessert. I have never been a banana puddling fan. I was in the minority at the table as everyone else dove in to it and didn't come up for air until it was gone. Had there been some apple pie, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, pecan pie, etc., my inner fat kid would have been fully realized. It is was, I could barely walk so, perhaps, it's best that I didn't have dessert. The price for this feast? $15. FIF-TEEN BUCKS. Yeah, it's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks.
(5)
Hooney H.
I don't know how to write this review. Really, I don't. Monell's isn't a restaurant--it's an experience. As such, this will be a very long review. My friends and I went to the top rated (by locals) restaurants in Nashville over a week's span, and Monell's was an undisputed #1. Our party of four went on a Sunday afternoon, and waited about 45 minutes for a table as there was a party of 30 (?!?!!) and several other large groups that had just gotten it of church. The scenery is gorgeous. Bright and vivid flowers in the garden with chairs, benches and a gazebo, you won't mind relaxing and listening to the music while you wait for your name to be called. And once it's called? Man oh man oh man. Yelpers, be very aware. Leave. Your. Phones. In. Your. Pockets. Do NOT take your phone out when you are seated. The sign by the front door expressly tells you that phones are not permitted in the dining room, and for good reason. This is a family style restaurant where the tradition of the Sunday meal reigns supreme. That means you engage in conversation with your party and with whomever else you may be seated, and you enjoy the experience. Do not selfie, do not tweet, do not hashtag. All food is passed to the person on your left for the first round, but once everyone has had their first serving, the dishes move upon request. The fried chicken? I had four or five pieces of the best fried chicken I have ever had in my life. Entirely different animal from Hattie B's hot chicken or Loveless Cafe's skillet fried chicken. But the greatest non hot chicken I have ever had. Cole slaw - HOW DO YOU MAKE COLE SLAW THIS AMAZING? Seriously?! We raved about the coleslaw as we took second and third and fourth helpings of it. Crunchy, so perfectly seasoned with a hint of tang and sweet. Pot roast - no words. There are no words. Why bother describing the bliss of perfectly cooked meat melting in your mouth? Green beans - one of the best recipes I've ever had Pork chops - I had three. THREE. Mashed potatoes - what dreams are made of Corn pudding - world famous. What your dreams dream of. Slice of pineapple pie - instantly regretted not asking for more. Biscuits - second best biscuits in Nashville (sorry!) Gravy - oh you're going to drink this gravy, it's so good. Mac and cheese - I'm lactose intolerant, but this was one of those dishes that was worth the pain and suffering. I wish I had kept a food diary because I've forgotten what else we ate but the table was packed. Sweet tea made my eyes roll back and the fruit tea is very very delicious and interesting. Couldn't really tell which fruits were used but you definitely need to try it. Four people, all the food in the world, $90 bucks before tip. That's a deal.
(5)
Dennis J.
Unique dining experience with very good food. A friend and I stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10 AM, and luckily it wasn't too crowded; a seating had just finished, and we were seated within 5 minutes. It's an interesting experience to sit at a table with people you mostly don't know, asking them to pass various dishes and finding about what brought them to eat there. There is a vast selection of dishes, all of which were fairly tasty; I found the meats (sausage and chicken) in particular to be especially good, particularly the very tender chicken. The corn pudding was also very tasty, as were the biscuits and gravy. There's plenty of food to go around, and it's a great experience for a home cooked meal.
(4)
Michael U.
Items available 5/13/15: Biscuits, Cornbread, Rolls Port Poached Pears Cinnamon Apples Coleslaw Pasta Salad Corn Pudding Green Beans Country Gravy Mashed Potatoes Mac n' Cheese Sage Stuffing Baked Chicken Fried Pork Chop Pan Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Serving Nashville residents and tourists the best in home cooked Southern cuisine for over thirty years, and having now spawned two other locations, it was almost a requirement of a trip to the Tennessee capitol to visit Monnell's, and opting to visit the original location just after 1:00pm on a Tuesday our party of three found the oft-packed 19th century building with just four seats available, a prompt seating seeing food placed before us no less than 60-seconds later with plate after plate soon to follow. Originally opened as a sort of boarding house, the Monnell family serving downhome cooking to persons staying in the residence, the space has since been converted to a one-price all you can eat experience open for lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch, and with some parties opting for a made-to-order meat-and-three option the true 'experience' is most certainly found at a communal table with shared plates passed amongst new friends and travelers, the food every bit as good or better than rumors have it with a pricepoint that really cannot be beat. Beginning first with several passed sides, though some tables may begin with breads or proteins depending on what the kitchen has most recently prepared fresh, it was with attention to the fact that much more was to come that small portions of items such as green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta salad were sampled and first deciding to go all-in on cinnamon apples followed by corn pudding both items proved to be absolutely delightful, the biscuits and country gravy also quite impressive while cornbread proved just a bit drier than one would hope, a situation augmented admirably by butter and honey, or poached pears that are also available by the jar to take home. Moving on, much like the sides Monnell's offers a regularly changing list of entrees and joining ever-present fried chicken that features light batter and minimal grease overlying a lean bird that could have arguably used a bit more brine or seasoning was actually the baked bird that was the best protein available, a nice spice profile overlying skin almost as crisp as that of the fried version, the pork faring far less favorably and quite tough even when taken bite for bite with cinnamon apples, most of mine remaining on the plate to allow for a second helping of corn pudding, the lone dessert of banana pudding proving a competent, if not particularly compelling, iteration with a touch to much sog to the wafers.
(3)
Tia B.
OMG!!! I need a nap after stuffing myself at this southern food family style eatery. Read about this place and it definitely lived up to the hype. A different menu every day. We arrived on Friday and there was catfish on the menu. Yum. You get fried chicken everyday but the catfish was something special and only offered on particular days. Greens, hot biscuits, peach preserves, cream corn casserole, green beans, macaroni salad, banana pudding...I can't remember all the dishes they brought to our table. I just remember passing bowls and platters of food to the left in a haze. Delicious! All you can eat for about $12! And don't even think about using your cell phone at the table. They will kick you out! Lol
(5)
Randy T.
Monell's Dining & Catering takes "family style" and "meat and three" to epic proportions. With tasty Southern homestyle food, it is really better classified as a "3 meats and 9" type of place. Monell's does family style in a special way - there are large rectangular tables that seat approximately 15 people. If your group is smaller than 15 people, then you'll be combined with other groups so you'll have a full table. Food is served in large bowls and passed around the table. The menu will vary from night to night, but when I went we started with cole slaw, cucumber salad, corn bread, and biscuits. The bread was fantastic. You can eat the bread either with fruit preserves or sausage gravy. For meats, I had fried chicken, ribs, and fried catfish. The fried chicken was delicious and moist. The ribs were cooked so the meat came off the bone. Barbecue sauce for the ribs was sweet. The fried catfish had a tasty, salty breading and was served in large pieces. Sides ranged from average to excellent. My favorite was the corn pudding, which had both great texture and flavor. My second favorite side was the pasta shells. If you want to eat something a little more on the healthy side, you can have green beans and turnip greens. Both are very light. My favorite dish of the night was the banana pudding, which was actually on the table at the beginning of the meal. Also, don't be afraid to ask for more of something if you really like it. The staff will be happy to bring refills.
(5)
Rachel M.
I think I actually found this place through a Yelp review in my quest to only eat in the favorite restaurants of Nashville. And I am so grateful you guys sent me here! I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I knew it was soul food and I knew it was family style, but coming from the cold, heartless Northeast, I thought that meant our table would just share some food, not that we'd sit at table with a bunch of random people and share food. But it was such a fun and interesting experience. They just plop you down at a giant oval table with strange people and start setting food in front of you. We went for breakfast and began with warm sweet rolls, biscuits and tomatoes and quickly moved onto a meat plate, fried chicken, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes and scrambled eggs. One of the women at our table told us the fried chicken was the best, and she was not kidding. There wasn't one thing we ate that I didn't like, and the food just kept coming! We only had to wait about a half hour to be sat, and for all this food, it was so cheap. I think it's like $15 a person or something. Ridiculous! Well worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(5)
Tim D.
Great good, great price and great staff. Best chicken I ever had! Love the family style and got to meet some very nice local people
(5)
Seleen T.
Best fried chicken I've ever had for the county breakfast. I would totally go back just for that
(5)
Kenny C.
I wish I could create 10 more Yelp accounts just to give Monell's more 5-star reviews. What can I say about Monell's that hasn't already been said? The place is an institution. When I told people back in New York I was going to Nashville, Monell's was literally the only place that multiple people told me I absolutely had to go to. I told that to the owner Michael King and he had a good laugh and was very humbled. I had planned to make the pilgrimage on President's Day, but unfortunately the winter "storm" came and Monell's shut down for a bit. I had a couple of flight cancellations and Monell's Germantown opened back up on Wednesday for lunch. So it literally took an act of God to get me here. And boy, was it worth it. Here's what we ate at Monell's: -Fried chicken -Baked chicken -Fried pork chops -Corn pudding -Cole slaw -Marshmallow fruit salad -Sweet potato mash -Peas -Green beans -Mashed potatoes -Corn bread with homemade peach preserves -Chess pie And that was just on the first pass. Since the table was half empty, we were able to have seconds, which was a terrible idea for my physical well-being. But everything was so good! We eventually were joined by another three patrons, so they were able to help us clear some plates. But until we said "when", they just kept refilling everything. I wouldn't be surprised if Monell's regularly makes a dent in the local chicken population. Also, lunch was $14!!! How is that even possible?? The staff is AMAZING. You hear about southern hospitality, but they take the concept and crank it to 11. Free hugs at the end!
(5)
Cindy L.
Must come here if you are in Nashville. This place is so friendly and cute. I went on Labor Day (thank good they were open!), which was a Monday. You will be seated with strangers. You will share the entire menu with the whole table, no ordering needed. Their menu changes daily. Mondays they had fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, & the meatloaf. You will also get to have four sides and two dessert. The fried chicken is the best I have ever had (& I live in Atlanta)! Yum!
(5)
Matt S.
Went there for brunch this past Sunday with a large group (10 people). We got there just in time because the place was packed when we left. We had no idea what we were in for, we just found a place through my iPhone. Three people we did not know were seated at our table too, which I just assumed was normal for the place. I didn't have any issue with this as I have been to many places with seating arrangements like this. We sat down expecting menus and all of the sudden the waitresses (extremely nice, I might add) were bringing us bowls and platters of food. Biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken (amazing), corn pudding, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese grits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, roasted potatoes, homemade peach jam, coffee, tea. It was like being at an awesome breakfast buffet except the food was brought to you. This place was awesome and was a great way to cap our amazing weekend in Nashville. Can't speak as to the lunch and dinner options but I drool a little just thinking about what they must be like if they're anything close to what we experienced at breakfast time. Highly recommend and heed their warnings to pace yourself!
(4)
John S.
The food is awesome, the portions are even awesome-er! This is the epitome of southern family-style soul food. You share the table with other groups (depending on how many people you have) and pass the food around while chit-chatting or just stuffing your face with as much food as you can. All the food they serve are fantastic, and it never stops coming. Of all the times I've been here, I've never had a bad experience. There's even a little garden outside that you can hang out in while you wait. If I had to find something to complain about, I guess it would be that there's not a special room of couches or beds for the food coma that follows every meal. Come here and you will not regret it (even though your pants might hate you for it).
(5)
Cory P.
It is not gourmet with a little cute center piece in the middle of your plate. It is an all out food frenzy. We had lunch. It was great and they kept it coming. Everyday is different with meats. Sides are all tasty and fun. If you're scared to sit next to a stranger and interact a little bit. Stay in your home and order in. Those who are foodies and are hungry. This place is sinfully delicious. Price is cheap.
(4)
Nichole K.
Where do I start? Skip breakfast and lunch for this dinner and come hungry. I have been here three times and whenever I'm in Nashville with my family, my brother insists on stopping. I'm one of those people if I ate there once, I've ate there a million times, but I don't make a huge fuss eating there more than once. It is the best southern-home-cooking you can possibly get. There isn't a dish that doesn't remind me of my grandma's home cookin'. It's family style seating which is nice because you meet other families and everyone that works here is very sweet and charming. In short, come hungry, and you'll leave in a food coma.
(5)
Ohhee J.
Such a fun and unique dining experience! You definitely get the real southern experience dining here. Southern hospitality, fried food, fried food and fried food! My favorite was the fried chicken. They bring out tonsssssss of food so make sure to go in your stretchy pants!
(5)
Jackie M.
Wow! Love this place!!! We sat at a table with 10 strangers but by the time we left we were no longer strangers! The food is absolutely delicious and served family style! I couldn't believe how much food we were served and it was all GREAT!! Go here!!!
(5)
Matt V.
This place is in my top 10 of all brunch places. Ever. I like the atmosphere and especially all the delicious food. Been here a couple and look forward to going back.
(5)
Maeling L.
Nice neighborhood. Be prepared to wait. Community seating so get ready to be social and make some friends. It's like eating at your grandma's house. Huge plates of food come out and you take what you want and as much as you want. They only serve tea and water so don't think you're going to drink whatever you want as some of our other dinner-mates had to find out.
(5)
Amber W.
This place was amazing! Walked here from downtown Nashville (tourist with no car haha), approximately 1.5 miles one-way but TOTALLY worth it!!! Here's how it works: 1. You put your name/party on a list. They will call you when the seating is available. 2. Depending on the size of your party, you will probably be seated at a giant family-style table with other customers, who you've never met before! The tables look to seat about 8-15 people. 3. They bring out the food that they are serving for that day/meal (I have a feeling lunch and dinner options are different but trust me if you come for lunch you'll be so full you won't need to come back for dinner!). They have multiple side dishes and at least 2 main entrees. They bring out as much as you ask for... but pace yourself! The food is never ending... We ran out of roasted veggies, corn pudding, and some at our table wanted MORE fried chicken & ribs (I don't know how they do it!) and the staff is always super friendly and comes by to check that you have enough of everything you need/want, including refilling pitchers of water, iced tea, sweet tea as needed. 4. Save room for dessert! 5. Every customer gets a little laminated card to take to the cash register to pay when you are close to being done... "If you take up a seat you will be charged." For us it was about $15 per person for ALL that food, let me tell you our menu: cucumber salad, biscuits & gravy, green beans, roasted potatoes & carrots, sweet corn pudding, fried chicken, ribs (fall off the bone tender goodness!), and don't forget dessert, cherry cobbler... all of this is basically "all you can eat" except they bring the food to you! This place was amazing. Great food, great staff, super cute venue! I would definitely come back again! They sure don't have places like this in California!
(5)
Nancy G.
Came here on a prior visit to Nashville and while initially kind of awkward sharing a table with strangers, it was a great experience in the end. We shared pieces of our lives with them and theirs with us. How interesting it was to make dining and good food a communal experience. The food came hot out of the kitchen in a continuous stream. Bowls among bowls of delicious southern fare. Fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, corn pudding, cornbread, beans, mashed potatoes - just to name a few - were all amazing. Highly recommended, especially if you're interested in seeing the interior of an old southern house too as the restaurant was situated in one.
(5)
Lynette P.
Have an out-of-body experience at Monell's. There is nothing bad here, but the top contenders are the mac and cheese (a hit with everyone I know) and my personal fave, the peach preserves. I don't even like preserves. But these preserves have changed my life. I have never had anything like them and probably won't ever again! Buy some to take home! This place is family style and the one thing that bugged me is that we had a LARGE group yet we were still put at a table with another group. I don't mind family style, but out of personal taste I prefer to have my own group only at my table. It made conversation hard to have to share.
(5)
Carroll M.
I just...uhh...this place and...so full...happy for first time in my life and...um...can I live here or...it's just...unconditional love...well I guess I...never felt this way before so...I mean...nevermind it's just...
(5)
Hollie S.
Absolutely wonderful experience. We arrived around 11:45 on Sunday morning and waited only 15 minutes to be seated. Of course there was only the two of us, much larger parties were waiting quite a while. The food was fabulous! Started off with cole slaw, a cucumber salad and biscuits (or the traditional southern cornbread muffins) and gravy...which tasted like a country ham base rather than the familiar sausage flavor. Very good. Then comes everything else...one problem I found is that all the bowls started at my end of the table, and therefore ended up right in front of me once passed around.... a bit of a challenge reaching the iced tea, but at least I did not need to ask for someone to pass anything for seconds! But on to the food again...corn pudding, baked apples, mac'n cheese and braised pork were out of this world! Fried chicken was what I would have expected and mashed potatoes lacked cream, although everything still tasted great. A bit disappointed with such a "Southern" menu that didn't have any greens or okra, but maybe on a different day. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Nashville. One question our table had was...who gets to take the leftovers home?
(5)
Lee L.
Had a great time at this unique restaurant. Highly recommend this for out of town visitors like myself. My wife and daughter had a early dinner and sat at a large table of around 20 people eating family style and chatting. Was interesting to meet everyone from all over the country at my table. Got to sample a variety of southern favorites like Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, grits, cobbler, biscuits, and much more! My recommendation is go early to avoid the crowds. I ate at 5:30pm and had no wait; but when we left there were large lines outside
(5)
W M.
Scrumptious Delicious! Floridians looking for a nice place to eat. So while driving around trying to decide what we want to eat, I decided to google Southern eating restaurants. The Yelp app appeared, I downloaded it, click search and there where it all started. We ate lunch and the food was AWESOME. Great price, charming and cozy. Southern hospitality at its best. We had a local couple sitting at our table and they the nicest people you'd ever meet. They also offered and paid for our food; who said there aren't nice people in this world? We will back, planning another trip back to Nashville!
(5)
Hui C.
Amazing for real, home-cooked style Southern fare, and big fan of the family-style tables. Definitely a Southern concept; don't think most of my Northern friends would be up for chatting with strangers the whole meal, but everyone in Nashville is friendly and friends I've taken here has loved the experience. I've only been for dinner and everything was great; biscuits and fried chicken were highlights, but save some room for desserts because they're delicious.
(5)
Andrew B.
This place would be 5 stars if it were a buffet, as the hit-and-pass nature of it is cute, but ineffective. This is fried chicken that deserves to be worshipped, not eyed from across a table. The sides were excellent, and it was fun eating as a group, but the food deserves more attention as it's that good, and the system doesn't quite get us where we wished. That said, if it didn't all whiz by, we'd have eaten 3-4,000 extra calories, so there was indeed a silver lining.
(4)
Mike H.
After a long 2 days of drinking every minute I was awake, I couldn't have picked a more satisfying meal to have before I left Nashville. The Natty Light pitchers and Fireballs were replaced with some good ol' southern cookin', and a lot of water. The setup is a nice southern home, with a great garden area to sit in while you are waiting. There are (I think) 3 large tables that sit about 12 people each. It's family style, meaning even if you are hungover, you have to fake a smile to random people so you don't bring down the mood of the table. The food is amazing, and honestly overwelming. The server brings out a dish at a time, and you pass it around the table. We were there for brunch, so we had biscuits with gravy, sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs, cheesie grits, fried chicken, and potatoes (I probably even forgot some stuff). The fried chicken was a little dry, but ultimately, I was having fried chicken for breakfast, so I still won. The bacon was some of the best I've ever had. To top off the meal, a bowl of some of the most amazing cinnamon rolls ever were passed around. Oh, and how much was this meal? About $15. Crazy. What was also crazy was having to drive 8 hours back to Chicago after being completely stuffed from this meal, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
(5)
Brooklyn C.
Best fried chicken I had in my life! Cheese grits too, as well as the corn pudding. The biscuits with fresh peach preserves were superb, as well as the three types of pork - bacon, ham, and sausage. Also on menu was eggs, pancakes, sweet rolls, and candied apples. The wait was not too long and the food was amazing and bargain priced. You must eat here!
(5)
Cathleen N.
I went with my fiance so we were seated at a table where everyone else already knew each other, but it was such a fun lunch experience! I'm a huge fan of sweet tea and lemonade so I was able to make my own Arnold Palmer. The biscuits were delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the peach preserves. It was a bit too sweet for my liking. I tried a little bit of everything, but the fried chicken, creamed corn, spinach lasagna and pickled veggies were my favorite! The ambiance was fantastic as well as the food. I am already looking forward to my next experience at Monell's!
(5)
Uma R.
Not much options for vegetarians. But different experience of communal dining
(3)
Marge J.
I love going here because the food is SOOO good, but I always over eat. Just no way around it when there's so much food around! :o)
(4)
Christopher R.
I sat down. They started bringing me food. First biscuits. Then shells and cheese, fried chicken, grits, and more. I fell in love.
(5)
Michael D.
Quintessential Nashville Brunch! Was here with a group on a Saturday morning, and got seats at the big table in the room you walk into. I highly recommend getting here before 11, as we got a table within a few minutes, but people who arrived 10 minutes after us had a much longer wait. Was big enough to feel like a true restaurant, but small enough to feel like it was a private dining room. Being community-style, as in sharing the table with guests not in our group, was a nice touch. As for the food, well let me tell you, I am glad they advised us on pacing. I'm glad they started small with biscuits and gravy, and sticky buns. It was also good that it didn't come out all at once. The definite favorites were the skillet-fried chicken and the country ham. One more nice touch, which was all food gets passed left when it gets to the table, and no cell phones are allowed. If you're gonna enjoy the Southern hospitality, gotta make sure you follow the rules!
(5)
J B.
Greeeeeatttttttttt!!! Great staff great hospitality... Food was wonderful and bountiful!! Would recommend this place to everyone and anyone!
(5)
Shawn L.
I am not sure what to say. This place has amazing food. I am not a person who would usually eat at a place like this. A good friend of mine said I had to go. I am so glad I went. The variaty of food and the service was great. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back right now.
(5)
Melinda S.
This was the best breakfast ever. I find that I am a huge fan of biscuits and gravy and corn pudding. Skillet fried chicken at every meal? Yes. So much food, a mammoth platter of meat. OK, when's lunch?
(5)
Brit N.
ahhmazing!!!!!
(5)
Ashley P.
Great family style dinning experience with a plethora of great dishes! We will definitely visit again when we return to Nashville.
(5)
Matt E.
The easiest 5-Star Ever. Across the great latitude that is the State of Tennessee there exists a place so scrumptious, so waist-enlarging, so distinctive and so meritorious that it compels you to visit! This place is Monell's. The best traditional breakfast I've ever had. The plates just keep on coming and every one is so yes yes yes talk dirty to me! The creamed corn, cheddar grits, the fried chicken, even fluffy pancakes oh my! Simply put--the food is AMAZING. I was a bit apprehensive about a place that's all you can eat not being up to full made-to-order quality but not an issue at Monell's at all. Come with the friendly attitude and a sturdy voice as you may make small talk with those seated alongside you, but just roll easy, be chatty and take in this southern spectacular. **Random Query: What do they do with all the leftover food that your end of the table doesn't eat? There's so so much...
(5)
Melanie S.
This place is an experience. It reminded me of Babe's in Texas, but more intimate, friendlier, and with more variety. The amount of food they give you is absurd. Come hungry and be prepared to leave painfully full. Coleslaw, cucumber salad, rolls, cornbread, peach preserves, turnip greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese (yum!), corn pudding, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, spinach lasagna, beef ribs, fried chicken, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. I just put little dabs of all of it on my plate and that left me stuffed! All for about $20 each. The staff were extremely kind and attentive. I wouldn't definitely eat here again.
(5)
Migs V.
Skip the rest and go with the best! Especially in the country capital of the US of A. Soul Food served with Southern Hospitality and if more places out here Cali served food this way the rest of the country may think more of us! Stopped on the way to DC from Cali and was blessed by the good cooking! All the way around you cannot go wrong with what is served on their menu daily (be sure to check). Sitting at a table and passing food around helps keep interactions moving at the table but all goes quiet once the main course arrive. Pedro and Patty are solid in running the house and hats off to the two chefs in the back as we met them after hearing they have been on deck there since the beginning. This establishment really is a family Locals praise this spot as being on point and was glad we made it to this side of town so we could get a breath away from the tourists. This spot is going to be on the list of reasons why I stop and or stay in Nashville soon but make sure you take the time to dine at a place where the soul food is divine!
(5)
David M.
I had already selected more restaurants to try than we had time for on our recent trip to Nashville. Then my wife, Reiko, wanted me to add this one. It more than fit our criteria of minimum of 4-stars and minimum of 100 reviews. So, after reading some of the reviews, it went to the top of our list for the limited time we had for restaurants. We went with another couple and were seated at a table for about 12 people, strangers except for our friends. They serve down home country food and serve it family style...meaning they start the different dishes at the table and we just take some and then pass the dish around. This continues until you cannot get up from the table. What I particularly liked is the opportunity to try some dishes that I normally wouldn't order, like collared greens or grits, in case I found out that I didn't like them (I did like everything). We could take a little of each dish in a low pressure setting. Reiko and I had seconds of their meatloaf, and Reiko usually doesn't like meatloaf. The funny part was that, by the end of the meal, the 12 strangers were friends. One of them was even a regular diner at Monell's and gave us some welcome pointers. Lastly, the staff were just lovely-so pleasant, polite with the right amount of sassy, and really made us feel welcomed. We would make a reasonable detour if we were near Nashville again just to eat at Monell's. I just wish there was a special category on Yelp for this type of restaurant that was more than 5-stars. My sincere complements to the chef(s) and all the staff at Monell's!
(5)
Kyron C.
Very solid, Southern Comfort food! Probably, the best thing about this restaurant is the unique atmosphere they create by seating you with strangers at large home-style dining tables. They also serve you as if you were at home. In terms of the food, some of the best Southern sides I have had! The fried chicken was not the very best I have ever had, but still very good. The thing is they offer a vast selection of entrees, so it really isn't an issue. The peach preserves will probably be the thing I remember the most! Overall, if you are in Nashville this would be a great place to stop!
(4)
Kimberli F.
This food will heal your soul of whatever troubles you are going through. It will make you feel at home. AND it is slap yo momma good.
(5)
Laura H.
Monell's in German Town was a fantastic dining experience, last night. The restaurant is in a historic area of German Town, in a wonderful old house, surrounded by a beautiful garden area. The aroma of country cooking hits you as you enter the door. The tables have seating for 12 and the food is served family style. The verse over the door says "enter as strangers, leave as friends. Very true.
(4)
Steve R.
Monells was a five star experience. Good was superb and the service (hospitality) was as southern as it gets. But the experience!! Family style is where is at! We came here unaware of the arrangement. After a ten minute wait we were seated... With 4 other parties of 2-3. At first my wife and I chuckled and joked about darting for the door rather than sharing our meal with a dozen strangers. But after no time flat the food started comin and we were all best friend! "To the left please! Can you pass the fried chicken(again)! Wow these biscuits and gravy are phenomenal!" We thoroughly enjoyed eating with our family for the evening. The no cell phones allowed at the table rule really helped too. Would gladly do it again -and honestly have thought about how to duplicate this is LA.
(5)
Tanya D.
This place is truly unique and awesome. Eat in a southern house with a bunch of strangers passing around platters of heart attack inducing food family style. Make conversation with your neighbors!!! At our table, everyone seemed excited to be there and exceedingly polite. I was anticipating a really steep cost for this wonderful experience, but I think my brunch was 15.00, which for a New Yorker is quite reasonable. I'd totally take my parents here. We had to wait 15 minutes or so to be seated, but they have a beautiful garden to wait in. This place is "special".
(5)
Zach M.
Easily the best food and dining experience we had in Nashville. Would highly recommend visiting Monell's when in town. We knew it would be good when seated with 4 locals. The fried chicken was unbelievable, ribs were great, corn casserole fantastic, I bought a jar of peach preserves and walked away wanting to come back the next day. The locals told us we missed out on the Mac and Cheese, apparently it's the best side they offer. They also raved about the breakfast. We will definitely return here when in Nashville.
(5)
C. Paula D.
I ate at Monell's during a weekend roadtrip to Nashville from Chicago. I had no idea what to expect before coming here (didn't read about the restaurant beforehand, but came on the strong suggestion of a friend without asking any questions), and the family-style share table with strangers concept was such a fun surprise! If you want to have a true Southern dining experience, you must eat at Monell's. The way the restaurant works is that there are a series of Southern dishes (catfish, fried chicken, potatoes, banana pudding, bread, cornbread, etc.) served at a communal table. There is one price for the meal, and even though you are sharing the food with the entire long table, there is more than enough food for everyone! My advice would be to pace yourself--some of the earlier dishes were so tasty that I was almost full before even half of them were served! When we went, we sat at a table with a group who was in Nashville for a religious conference. It was fun talking with them over dinner and sharing food. It was like we were one big family! The ambiance is delightful! Monell's is in a cutely-decorated house with a pond with live fish and a bridge outside. The service is wonderful, and you are never waiting for food to come--it's hard to finish your bite before the next dish starts getting passed around the table! Come to Monell's. Meet "strangers" and exchange life stories. Pace yourself while eating. Leave beyond full. Take a food nap.
(5)
David E.
I have tried countless restaurants, both chain and local, in many cities throughout the country, and this is possibly the best meal I've had in my life. It's a country style dinner for sure. Sitting around a table with 10 strangers seemed odd at first, but by the end of the meal everyone was conversing as friends, mainly about how good the food was. Our lunch consisted of: solid sweet tea, biscuits and gravy, salad, fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, the best green beans I've ever had, pinto beans, slaw, incredible corn pudding, peach preserves, banana pudding, and watermelon. If you live in or are visiting Nashville, you really owe it to yourself to try this place out. They're open 365 days a year, and although I haven't personally tried it, I hear their breakfast is just as good as their lunch/dinner, if not better.
(5)
Scott K.
1. Family style serving, all you c an eat, Check 2. Possibly sitting at a table with complete strangers, Check 3. Desert first, Check 4. Best Fried Chicken, possibly ever, CHECK That basically sums up Monell's in summary. As a southerner trapped in the north, good southern food is like gold when I come across it. I would say most of the food here is above average. The cole slow is gross due to entirely to much mayonnaise. The main winner here and the only reason this place gets Five Stars is the Fried Chicken. My oh my! I love this stuff. I could just eat and eat and eat, nothing but the fried chicken. The last time I was there, I sneaked a peek at the kitchen and they actually cook the chicken in massive cast iron skillets. The chicken makes it worth it, everything else is ok.
(5)
Sandra Z.
Here's the nitty gritty... Small place with large dining tables. You'll be seated at one of these tables alongside other diners. There are pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade to drink with the meal. The dishes of food begin to come out and get passed around the table. You'll start with biscuits and cornbread, some veggies, and something sweet. And the dishes keep coming. And coming. It gets overwhelming, but just pace yourself and don't take too much of one thing too soon. The "rule" is you can take as much food as you want, but finish what is on your plate. The menu changes daily, so go to their website to plan your meal. Or just stop in and you won't be sorry. The food is great. Fried chicken is served every day, and it's good, but I also really liked the baked chicken (Wednesdays). The sides are so fantastic and numerous. The corn pudding is fantastic, as is the mac and cheese. I could eat an entire meal of just those things. What I really do love about this place is everything else. It's a beautiful building with nice gardens and seating outside to wait. It's in a charming neighborhood. This place has loads of character. The experience itself is fun: sitting next to travelers and locals and talking about Nashville. And lovely and kind Dennifer ("Mama"), who greets and seats you and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Give her a smile and you just might get a hug back. It's just the kind of place you MUST GO. It's an incredibly unique experience, and I'm certain we will go every time we're anywhere near Nashville.
(5)
Maggie M.
Family style dining, you will never leave hungry. Something for every one, from meats to veggies to breads to desserts!! Good home cooking and plenty of it. It is what it is Southern home cooking and very good service, everyone nice and very friendly. A family tradition. Have to like the family style dining to really enjoy the whole experience. Give it a try!
Not for me, but I have many friends who love it. The food is mediocre, but the lasagna and greens are pretty good. You often have to sit at a table with other people. It reminds me somewhat of slavery too.
(3)
Robert J.
Wow. Quotes for the day: "I'm in heaven" "Pace yourself" "I need another plate" When I first arrived for brunch and said "whoa, it feels like someone's house", I was met with a "Oh, just you wait; it gets better". The whole experience was pretty surreal, the 45 min wait was totally worth it. Family style tables (about 10 per table, they'll match groups together), and the buffet is brought to you. I thought everything was a complimentary starter and was about to ask where the menus were, when I was met with a heaping tray of scrambled eggs and fried chicken. Biscuits & gravy, cinnamon rolls, cheese grits, fried chicken, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs, and the list keeps going. The price is per person, but very reasonable. We felt extremely guilty for letting the huge plate of bacon go to waste when we were too full to finish it! The staff was excessively friendly and brought us more trays when we needed them. I have zero negative comments for this place other than the wait, but relaxing in the fall weather in the homey courtyard with friends wasn't so bad ;) Quite. The. Experience.
(5)
Steve B.
The food was delicious and the experience was memorable. We sat at a large table with 5 others groups of people. I was thinking it would be a private comfort food lunch on a business trip. And luckily it turned into a real family style southern lunch with loads of food with passed dishes, pleases & thank you'd and sweet tea!
(5)
Yosh B.
The experience I had eating here was phenomenal!! It had the great southern hospitality charm with every bite. I suggest you come hungry. Everything on the breakfast menu was great & plentiful. Also, I couldn't get enough of the bacon!!!
(5)
Amelia C.
Had the country breakfast on a Saturday afternoon - and it was amazing. As out-of-towners we were looking for an epic Southern-style, finger-lickin' meal and Monell's was it! And for under $15 tip included too. The turnover of tables is quite fast because when you sit down, you don't order anything off a menu. All the food comes in large baskets and bowls and you eat it family-style. It was the Southern fried experience I had dreamed of. Highlights included: - corn pudding - fried chicken (just out of the deep fryer, piping hot and lightly crispy) - biscuits - huge pile of bacon and ham - sweet tea by the pitcher
(5)
Sonia C.
What an impression Monell's left on me. My first time to Nashville, so I had to do some research on where to go eat, and this place was given 4.5 stars on Yelp. So it was on my list of places to go. Well people, it's legit. The hours were a little confusing at first, but I didn't care, I came there with an appetite. What does it mean "family style", eating with strangers, not my style. I grew up from a single parent home and pretty much an only child. So all of this was pretty new and scary to me. Showed up, breakfast was still being served, but I wanted lunch. Gave the hostess my name and sat outside in their courtyard and waited for about 45 mins. When we were called, we sat with a family of four (from Philly) and some college kids from Iowa. Ok, so this is family style (I can do this). Then this angel appears with all this food: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, tea, lemonade, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and she starts laying down the rules! What rules? 1. Food goes clockwise. (Really?) 2. No cell phones (that's no fun) 3. It's all you can eat (awesome) 4. Be considerate of others, no seconds, until the bowl has completely gone around the table ( ok with me) After that, more food shows up, I can't even keep track. Corn pudding, banana pudding, squash casserole, baked apples, broad beans, collard greens, meat loaf, pulled pork with vinegar sauce, and fried chicken. Well, there wasn't a lot of talking going on at this table, except for please pass the fried chicken, and we didn't go clock wise. The experience was great. Food is amazing and very reasonably priced. Would definitely go there again. First restaurant in Nashville, and so far very impressed.
(5)
Jay R.
Writing this review is making my mouth water. I came here for brunch with some classmates and was blown away. I had heard good things previously, but didn't expect them to be this mind blowing. The cinnamon rolls were easily the best I've ever had. I didn't know what to expect initially having to eat with strangers, but we really hit it off with our new friends. Everyone was simply there for a great meal, and we all got one. If you're in Nashville, you have to go here.
(5)
Drew A.
We enjoyed Monell's the night we stopped overnight while traveling. We got in at about 7:30pm and it was near closing. I didn't get the usual "I can't believe you're here" attitude that usually comes at closing time. The cashier and server were awesome and seemed generally glad to see us. We shared a table with a nice group from New York in town on business. The food is great. Country cooking served family style. Read: All you can eat, so bring your appetite. If it's country, expect to find it here. You'll see fried chicken, fried pork chops, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, corn, peach cobbler, etc... Defintely a must stop if you want country cooking. Very cool old building too!
(5)
Adam G.
Fantastic soul food. You share a table with strangers, which could've been awkward, but was actually delightful. It helps that the food is so good everyone is in a good mood. And it's all in a wonderfully well preserved old nashville house.
(5)
Jan R.
Loved the family style dining. Amazing fried chicken and corn pudding. Strawberry shortcake for dessert! Really great dinner!
Good food and a lot of it! It was a bit of a bummer for us though because we were kind of separated and the guys at our table easily over took our softer conversations. Like other reviews have said, the ideal way to eat here would be with a larger group of friends or family. It's like having thanksgiving with fried chicken and meatloaf! We both left fat and full!
(4)
Sunshyne P.
I absolutely love everything about this place!! The nice food and people really makes it standout. I come all the way from Louisville, KY and I have family in Nashville. We stopped over here the other day and decided to try something new. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!
(5)
Enjoli G.
Always packed and for good reason. The family style seating encourages interaction and the food is very good and reasonably price. I didnt care for the meatloaf but the rest of the food made up for it. The vibe is friendly and warm. A definite must-go for anyone visiting or living in Nashville.
(4)
Stevee L.
The best meal I had while visiting Tennessee!! Communal dining where you sit with complete strangers and pass the pre-planned menu items to each other. The food was amazing and so was the experience. Loved everyone at our table and had an amazing conversation while eating wonderful food. We had: Cajun chicken, fried pork chops, fried chicken, Mac n cheese, green beans, coleslaw, corn casserole, stuffing, biscuits, cornbread, peach preserves, and banana pudding. This was the best meal we had whole visiting Tennessee!!! And it had the best sweet tea!!! And it was nice to not have cell phones allowed at the table. It was a nice change of pace... No cell phones and eating with complete strangers. Overall, it was an amazing experience with amazing food!!! The food reminded me of my grandmother's dinner from years ago. There was some love cooked in there!
(5)
Noor B.
I have to give this place a five star along with the others. I love the concept of this restaurant. Come as strangers leave as friends. The food was home cooking at its best. No frills, no gourmet , no fancy shmancy, just good food. I liked everything except the cornbread muffin. The tea and lemonade was just right. Biscuit so amazing. The pecan pie. The mash potatoes. I loved it. You have to be ready to eat when you come there because you will leave stuffed. The restaurant looks to be in an area of gentrification. Beautiful landscape in the front. Not a place I would go to often because I don't have self control and I'm trying to watch my waistline. But when I want to pig out then that's the place I'd go to.
(5)
Ryan C.
Monell's is a Nashville must if you are coming in to town and have enough time for a breakfast. For $14.95 you are served with a never ending round of amazing home made comfort food. One of the best fried chicken places I have found and I die for their cinnamon rolls. Make sure to leave room to sample everything they bring you, because it's A LOT. The nice is that they didn't charge me for my baby and toddler, so it's a real nice deal. Just be prepared to share your table with other groups, so be friendly!
(5)
Casey M.
This was my first time at monells and man it was awesome! It is family style you sit at a large table with other guests and immediately the is already biscuits cornbread and gravy waiting for you. There are also pitchers of tea and lemonade. Then they bring out everything on the menu and you help yourself. They bring out replenishments as items get low. Then for dessert they made an incredible banana pudding!
(5)
Rachel S.
I feel as big as a house upon leaving Monell's. I've eaten there 3-4 times this year. Is that too many?? Take it from me - as good as it is, it's not something you should on a regular basis unless you don't care about your weight. (Monell's slogan is rightfully, "I've eaten and I can't get up.") It really is that good. It's comfort food to the max, in a classy setting. It's a little bit soul food, a little bit southern cookin', and there's a vegetarian lasagna sometimes on the menu. (HUH?? It's actually really good, though.) The fried chicken is served daily, and it's been known to convert fried chicken haters to fried chicken lovers. The cold salads like coleslaw and broccoli salad have never disappointed, nor has the corn pudding and other hot southern vegetable dishes. The strawberry shortcake and banana pudding especially have really hit home runs, as far as dessert is concerned. It's really not possible to be a vegan and enjoy a meal at Monell's - sorry vegans.
(4)
Feebee A.
Southern comfort at it's finest! Cute decor, nice staff, and amazing food. Let's start with decor: it's basically a house turned into a restaurant so with that you get that cozy feeling. The backyard was too cute! Makes me want to revisit in the summer time. They had wooden swings, a pond, garden chairs, flowers and lights everywhere. It was adorable. The inside looks like my grandmothers house. High ceilings, chandeliers and amazing curtains. You are seated at a large table with random people unless you with that big of a party. Our party was 7 and we were seated with about 3 other people. Food was served family style. It was breakfast, we were told to pace ourselves and omg, pacing yourself is the best thing. Biscuits, homemade jam, gravy, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, apples, corn pudding, and I'm sure there is more I can't remember it all. And yes, this was all for breakfast, served family style, and as much as wanted. This was amazing! It was delicious! It was homey! I would love to try this place for dinner. I'll most definitely be back to Monells.
(5)
Ken G.
Very good southern home cooking. This from a original southerner. You eat family style which was very pleasant. I met some really nice people but I'm also social. I also really like the fact they have a no cell phone policy at the "dinner table." Definitely worth the wait and I will be coming back on my next trip! I'm
(4)
Katlyn S.
Stumbled upon this place without trying. Turns out it's one of the top 5 restaurants in Nashville! The food is delicious, best southern food I've had yet. My only complaint is that NOBODY tells you what's going on! They just expect that you've been there before. This restaurant is family style which means they will seat you at a large table with a bunch of strangers, and the food is not made to order, you get what you get! If there was a little explanation of how it worked I would have felt a little more comfortable. Every dish is made in bulk and is passed around the table. Once you are comfortable with this, it's kind of fun and exciting to be at a table with a bunch of strangers! Once again, food is fantastic! Def an experience to try at least once!
(4)
Tara W.
One of my favorite places in Nashville. Oh yeah, guys, I live in Nashville now. I don't even know where to start or how to adequately express my love for this place. Should I describe the lovely, lovely women who show you to your table, bring you your food, and just generally make you miss your grandmother? Maybe the fact that you sit at a family-sized table and share food with strangers and although you are not known for loving these things, you love them when you're at Monell's? How about the food that NEVER STOPS COMING? How about that? Do you enjoy an endless stream of breads, casseroles, potatoes, salads, and, oh lord, fried chicken? What about dessert? Do you like endless dessert? This is clearly a slippery slope for me so I'm going to get down some concrete details here: EAT: The biscuits (with butter, please) The green-bean casserole The corn pudding The fried chicken The mashed potatoes The banana pudding Anything else they bring you DRINK: Sweet tea (just don't consume any more sugar for the rest of the week) BRING: People who love you for you, because you're about to eat your own weight in carbs CALL: Your grandmother Go there. Tip well. Thank you.
(5)
Art C.
I admit I loved this place. The food is closer to 4 stars but the overall experience was so enjoyable I rounded up. We brought the whole family out (eight of us) to this family-style, sit down eatery. I don't know why other restaurants don't copy this model. I'm sure the concept will catch on soon enough, though it helps to have a group and to paired with sociable people at your table (since you'll be passing food around the table you'll definitely get to know the strangers at your table). AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) southern-style comfort food, sitting around the dinner table. it doesn't get any better than this. The experience was only enhanced by the gracious staff and great ambiance of this gem. Highly recommended...
(5)
Reshawn L.
WOW!!! Outstanding Food!!! Great community dining concept! Unique venue! A meal at Monell's is an absolute must. I can't believe I've been traveling to Nashville for 3 years and just discovered it. I want to fly my family in just to eat here. It's that good!! Fried chicken, stuffed shells, pot roast, mashed potatoes, biscuits, peaches, corn muffins, corn pudding, greens, green beans, sweet tea, lemonade and banana pudding for dessert. OMG!!! My favorites were the stuffed shells, pot roast and biscuits!! Yummy!! The banana pudding was not great but it did not take away from the experience. We were all stuffed and happy!!
(5)
Milton S.
Got here at 8:30 on a rainy Sunday morning and were the first customers seated- no waiting at all. By 9, steady stream coming in. Staff was friendly, courteous and most welcoming. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I just want to say this is a FABULOUS place for breakfast. Words can hardly describe how perfect the execution is of food delivery, food quality and food taste. Every single item (and that's what is served to every single table, family style) was done to perfection. Don't need any more reviews to tell you how great this place is but I would place this at the top of the list for any future visit to Nashville.
(5)
Paul T.
This place isn't just amazing. It's an--EXPERIENCE. The food is amazing and the fact you can't use your cell phone at the dinner table is GREAT. What? you actually have to talk to people? Unheard of! But you're stuffing your face with the insane amount of food put in front of you anyways. Go here. You won't be disappointed. One of the highlights during my trip to Nashville.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Monell's is GREAT! Plan on making this your only meal of the day (or maybe 2 days). You get SO MUCH FOOD and all of it is delicious. Beautiful old house, family style seating, great for big groups, super for taking visitors.
(5)
Chris H.
It's not fair. It's just not fair how great the food and the atmosphere of this place. Why do I have to live 2000 miles from this wonderful restaurant? Can I just invent a miniturizing beam and shrink this place down to where it will fit in my suitcase? This place would destroy Portland. Just flat destroy it. I would be 800 pounds before I knew it. If you haven't gathered, I highly recommend.
(5)
Brad S.
This place is amazing! Best food on our trip to Nashville. Because the menu changes I won't go into much detail on the food but let's just say awesome. It is family style and we sat with some cool people including locals (so what does that tell you about the food). I love that the nice lady at the front door reminds diners to silence their cell phones and asks people to please leave the table if they must text or use their phones. Nice! This is a keeper and will be back on our next trip to Nashville.
(5)
Kori H.
Came here on the a Wednesday on the way to Bonnaroo in 2014 and this place was phenomenal. They seat you Thanksgiving style around long tables, and just start bring dishes out. The other family seated at the same table was really nice and it was a nice change of pace to sit with people we didn't know, it was very genuine and added a special touch to the atmosphere. The food was southern cooking at its finest, complete with some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. So, next time you are in Nashville, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's.
(5)
Aaron C.
I went for breakfast. After partying hard Not the best fried chicken I have had. I don't care for corn pudding any where and the potatoes were the be st I have had. I like the setting and atmosphere it's different. I like that fact you just send down and start eating. Like the no cell phones at table you get to enjoy the food more. Overall good soul food restaurant and different.
(4)
Allison F.
This is not a meal...this is love shown to you in the best way possible: family-style and topped with butter. I hope you get the chance to eat everything in sight (you won't) at this epic southern comfort communal feast.
(5)
Dan M.
Fun and interesting place. All seating is family style. And the menu is set. So if you are up for meeting and eating with others, this is a great place. If you are more into doing your own thing, you may not enjoy the vibe. Beyond that, everything the serve is fantastic! The salads, the sides, the main courses. Everything! And the fried chicken is out of this world.
(4)
Anna J.
Loosen your belt and get ready to feast. I've been here a few times over the years and it never disappoints each time! The food just keep on coming. Depending on the day, they will have different meats, sides, desserts. If you are a small party, you will likely sit at a table with complete strangers. It's actually pretty fun. The food is served family style, and they just keep bringing out more and more delicious southern food. You will feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It's not ideal for a romantic date night, but a great place for a casual and fulfilling dinner. Price is reasonable as well! Definitely come out here, great way to experience some of the Nashville southern culture!
(4)
Kurt R.
This place is super cool and the food is outstanding. I hate going here because I'm super stuff afterwards and I hate that feeling. Best meat and three in Nashville. It's a must experience when you're in Nashville.
(5)
Mack E.
Do you like people? Do you like all the food at once? Do you like going home feeling like you're going to pop, but also feeling sated and happy after a meal? It's time for Monell's. The meal is a blur, a family-style smorgasbord of menu-free comfort food that goes on much longer than you'd expect from a dinner. The mashed potatoes and the banana pudding stand out among the many offerings as absolutely superior; I went back three or four times for more helpings. After a while the meal felt like Scrooge McDuck's money vault: surrounded by treasure and always moving towards more. Make sure that you bring a large group to gather around the long tables, because you're going to want to share the plates and gab over a very thick and tasty meal.
(5)
Bethany B.
Picture a southern Thanksgiving meal, and you've got Monell's. In terms of price, definitely a great deal for all the food you're getting. Eating with strangers sounds odd at first, but you'll quickly feel like you're at a family table once the food comes around. Real homecooked food.
(5)
Ali S.
Great place to go to stuff yourself silly with southern food. They always have a wonderful staff who are friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!
(5)
Catie B.
This place is not only a restaurant that serves amazing food, but an experience. You get seated at a long table with other people if your party is not big enough and dinner is served family style. It is a flat rate for each person and they do not skimp on the food, which includes dinner from salads to dessert and beverages. It is basically all you can eat, but they do warn you to pace yourself because there is plenty. The menu changes daily, but I have a feeling it is all good. This place was recommended by our Uber driver and we are very happy we decided to go. It is off the beaten path in Germantown but more than worth it!
(5)
Amalia Y.
i really dig the concept. i'd definitely come here with a large group of friends (and if this place was in nj, i'd totally throw a UYE here). seriously, it's a great twist on AYCE and i hope the concept takes off in other markets. this was our first meal upon arriving in nashville. we happened to be seated with some not-too-talkative folks. meh. the food was plentiful, and was pretty good- not great, just good. there was a lot of it. it didn't stop. sadly, nothing stood out as super yummy. i got kinda sick afterwards. not thrilled.
(3)
David M.
Great Southern Food, wonderful atmosphere, and fantastic service. The location being in German Town is also nice especially if you want to walk over and see the Sounds.
(4)
Ria B.
Came for breakfast on a weekday in the middle of a roadtrip. Never had fried chicken and Mac & Cheese for breakfast but, clearly, I've been missing out. Monell's has no standard menu - whatever Monell is making that day is what you're going to get. Family-style dining means you sit with anyone else who has walked into the place and share baskets of food. Old-school table manners require you to take phones and elbows off the table. My two friends and I stuffed our faces with some of the best and most authentic Southern food in the area - and made new friends in the process! Unless you're a very picky eater, definitely check Monell's out.
(5)
Hannah H.
We came here on Mother's Day, and I was ecstatic that we were the first ones in line. There was a nice little patio area with chair swings and a little pond with Koi fish. They open right at 8:30AM on the dot, and the hostess writes down your name and the number in your party. All the members of your group need to be present before you get seated. We were in the main dining area and seated at a large dining table with others. It's a family style setting, so the servers come out with bowls of food; when you receive it, you put however much you want on your plate before you pass it to your left. It goes around and then you just place it in front of you until someone asks you to kindly pass it to them. We had the Weekend Country Breakfast, in which we started off with Biscuits and Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls, and then right into thick-cut bacon (yum!), country ham (with a very sweet sauce), fried apples, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding (yum!), and skilled fried chicken (not seasoned, but great with the Louisiana hot sauce at the table). The food was flavorful and really tasted like a home-cooked meal. You will definitely leave stuffed as you can eat as much to your heart's content. We sat next to a cool guy who brought his mom with him, and he stated that he brings his mother to Monell's for breakfast for every Mother's Day (so sweet!). I love the rule of no cell phones at the table, as that's rude anyways! When you're closet to finishing, you each receive a laminated 'Meal Ticket' card where you go and pay up at the front. I would love to go back and try out their lunch/dinner items! :D +no reservations; first-come, first-serve +hostess writes down the name/number of party on clipboard +family-style buffet +free street parking around the area
(4)
Logan J.
Fabulous family dining with Amazing food! We had people from Cali DC and locals at our table. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes were so good. roast a little salty. Beans and salads very good. House is amazing. Very clean and cozy. Hosts were so nice. Food was served immediately As we went to leave., We asked for cups of water to go. We were told they would be 2.25 each!!! Ouch!
(3)
Brittany S.
One of the most amazing eating experiences I've ever had. We had no idea what we were getting into - all we knew is Yelpers think it's pretty fantastic (and rightly so). I'm going to walk you through our experience chronologically (forgive me for t-totally making up the times): 7:46 p.m.: arrive in Germantown, Nashville at Monell's Dining. Jaw-dropping beauty of the historical house lit up in the evening with a beautiful garden alongside the building. From the outside you can see families feasting. 7:50 p.m.: we realize this is a family-style eatery. The tables that we once thought were ginormous and tremendously diverse families are actually big groups of strangers. (ding, ding! extra cool points) Our diverse family (the table in which we are seated) consists of locals, Bostonians, and a few other folks who I couldn't really hear because the table is so big. 7:51 p.m.: thought to self: where is the menu? seconds later: realization that you don't order here. As my dad said growing up, "what you see is what you get." or "what you don't see, don't ask for." In the case of Monell's, everything you could ever wish for is already in front of you (friendly strangers who love good food and mounds of southern comfort food). 7:55 p.m.: let the face stuffing begin: potato salad, pulled pork (one of my favorites), chicken, fried catfish, greens, breads, so on and so forth. 8:28 p.m.: I feel like I could puke but I totally got my money's worth. But, heyo, wait a minute, those awesome tablemates from Boston insisted on buying my sister and I's dinner. After a few minutes of the check tango, they won. (could this experience get any sweeter? why, yes, yes it could....read on) 3:45 a.m.: remember those locals at the table? Well, they just so happen to work at a recording studio and have all sorts of producer friends. Let's just say we partied hardy with this crew of cool folk. Hell, they even sang us some songs at the studio.
(5)
Brian B.
Just ate the breakfast for the first time yesterday, and it was great. The only thing that was weird, was we had 8 people in our party, and they were trying to tell us where to sit at the table we were assigned. Sorry dude, but my family and I will sit where we please, and the people who show up late will sit where it is available. Nobody ever came and we just moved when he left. Not a big deal, but still. First come, first serve means seating as well guy. I would still go back and sit where I want again. Country Ham is drenched in like a sweet gravy or something, and it was incredible.
(4)
Andrew R.
Went for brunch. Didn't know what to expect. Basically, you sit down at a family style table in a beautiful old home, and they bring you big baskets of everything. Eat what you want, but more is coming. Some things were quite mediocre, but a few were stunningly excellent (especially the fried chicken).
(4)
Keith G.
Be prepared for the biscuits. And the gravy. And the sausage. And the eggs. And the bacon. And the pancakes. And the creamed corn. And the cheesy grits. And the potatoes. And the fried chicken. And the sweet tea. I probably missed about 5-6 other items too. All of the food is excellent! A seemingly endless buffet of Southern staple foods. I've never had Southern food as good as it is at Monell's. I would highly recommend going on a day where you could go home and take a nap afterwards.
(5)
Jessica M.
Monell's is like Thanksgiving every day! They have huge portions of every kind of soul food you can imagine, and it's all served as soon as you get seated. Each table sits about 12-15 people, and you pass all the food around and take what you like. At first I was a little nervous about family style dining, but it worked out well and I met a lot of interesting people while having a pretty epic meal. When I came here for lunch they served biscuits and gravy, mac and cheese, spinach lasagna, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, collard greens, green beans, creamed corn, and more. I was full before they even brought the second round of food out. If you decide to dine here, make sure you pace yourself! Leave plenty of room for the fried chicken. They have huge pitchers of several different teas and water, so you never have to worry about your glass being empty. When you finish your meal, they give you these tickets that say "Help, I've eaten and I can't get up!" In my case that was definitely true, I almost had to drag myself out of my chair and over to the register. The meal was about $20, but I ate my money's worth. I can't wait to come back and try their breakfast as well!
(5)
Inness P.
My friends and I came here for lunch while visiting Nashville. We got there around noon and it wasn't super busy. One entire big table was empty, so we were seated there. I was disappointed because I wanted to enjoy the experience of eating with strangers, which is weird for me because I almost never want to do stuff like that. Happily, the table soon filled up and I got to chat with a few nice families. The food is standard Southern fare. None of it really WOWED me, but it was all good. I especially liked the biscuits, the corn pudding, and the beans. The sweet tea was perfect, too. The peach preserves were not my thing, but many other guests seemed to truly love them. But the best part was just being there. It is just a really nice experience. When we left, it was starting to fill up (around 1 pm) and there was a big wait for table space. Definitely a popular spot! We got lucky.
(4)
Hilary H.
If you want a great traditional southern meal this is the place to go! You sit down at a large dining room table with other guests and pass dishes around family style. There will be a plethora of foods and someone will have to roll you out the door when you're done. For brunch we were served: fried chicken, cheese grits, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon, potatoes, sausage... Just to start. The drinks are limited , so if you're looking for a great mimosa don't come here- instead try "biscuit love". Typically, the only drinks that are served are tea, sweet tea, coffee, water... And maybe lemonade? It's a must try tho! You will love it!
(5)
Rhea B.
The service was excellent and the breakfast fare was exceptionally good. No meal is better made for sharing than the weekend country breakfast family style at Monell's. Country ham, cheese grits, pancakes, and eggs keep company with skillet-fried chicken and corn pudding. And don't worry, there's always plenty to go around.
(4)
Seth A.
I cannot believe the experience my girlfriend and I just had at Monell's for the price of $14.65. No, seriously, Fourteen-dollars and Sixty-Five cents. The food was abundant and delicious, the yellow squash casserole was a home-run. I had three (yes, three) varieties of protein in front of me and I ate every last one of them. The experience is unlike any I have ever had in a restaurant. Everything is served family style; that is, they put bowls of delicious food on a communal table, tell you what it is and when you are finished you pass the bowl to the person next to you. In my case, we were first sat with three older gals that were in Nashville for a reunion tour and they were awesome. Honestly, the part I was worried about the most was being sat in such an intimate, familial setting with a boatload of strangers that I typically would never even consider engaging in conversation with. But you know what? The conversation flowed easily and the continual addition of bowls of carefully crafted food being dropped off at the table only served to additionally compliment the entirety of our experience. In short, don't hesitate to go here. The food is great, the atmosphere is foreign, yet supplies you with a feeling of nostalgia that you can only get whilst sitting at your family table for a holiday gathering. I didn't write too much about the food, because you know what? Every single morsel I consumed was absolutely, 100% exemplary of what you expect when you think of Southern cooking. Don't waste anymore time, go here ASAP.
(5)
Crystle C.
Kill me, because this place was so good I could die right now. I am completely against multiple visits to the same spot when you're traveling but Monells is the exception. After having an AWESOME lunch w my immediate family, I went straight back to the hotel and told all of my aunts and uncles where we'd be having breakfast the next morning. We filled an entire 15 seat table for breakfast, which turned out to be EVEN BETTER than lunch!!! Everyone at the table was very very satisfied!! But mainly I loved this place because of the strict no cell phones at the table rule. They make you put away your phones and really just enjoy each other's company... and while my family is super close it is rare to get through a meal without seeing someone's cellphone on the table. Anyway, the food is so good you don't even miss the dang things! For lunch we ate fried chicken, fried catfish, lasagna, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, greens, cucumber salad, corn on the cob, biscuits, corn bread, gravy, banana pudding and HEAVENLY preserves - $13 bucks, btw! And for breakfast: fried chicken w gravy, bacon, country ham, the BEST sausages, eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, tomatoes, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, baked apples and HEEEEAVENLY (can't stress this enough) preserves and coffee for days for about $15 a head. Just go try the place!!! It's wonderful!! You won't regret it!!
(5)
Darren M.
The only thing I can say is awesome! Great home cooked food! Awesome staff! The venue makes it even better. The only thing they need to add are a few couches for after you've eaten. Truly a great experience!
(5)
Butterbean M.
I pretty much think this is the BEST place in Nashville to eat !!! Got here a little late for breakfast but the lunch was absolutely awesome !!!! The ribs biscuits and the fruit tea was the best !!! All the vegetables was great as well !!!! If u in Nashville definitely come check this place out !!!!!!!
(5)
Adriana M.
This was a great experience! The staff were really nice. It is a place to meet new people and we enjoyed the food! I was very satisfied with everything... The only thing is you eat what they serve :)
(4)
Cynde L.
Came into town for the thanksgiving holiday. Our concierge recommended we try monell's. I loved the farm style seating, we met some great people. But the food was just ok. The green beans were overcooked, and the fried chicken was dry. Spinach lasagna and pot roast were delish. Broccoli salad was good flavor, but the broccoli was soggy... I probably won't go back, too many other places in this great city to try.
(2)
Bernice C.
Absolutely. Freaking. Amazing. I have no idea why this doesn't have 5 stars...4.5 stars is great and all, but it should have 5 stars. Hands down. To start, definitely get a reservation or call ahead of time to find out how full it is. This place gets decently packed. As everyone else has said, you get seated in a long table and eat family style. You can chat with everyone else or keep to your own party...and then the food starts coming. I didn't know how many rounds of food to expect but there were a lot. Easily at least 10 rounds: salad, slaw, green beans, cabbage, corn bread, biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, pulled pork, some corn dish, and peach cobbler. The food comes around in bowls and you scoop what you want and pass it along. You can order as many refills as you want, but there is so much to try that we only asked for refills on the fried chicken. If you're stopping by Nashville at any point in your life/trip/bucket list. This has to be a stop!!
(5)
Thuy N.
I am from South Vietnam and don't know a lot about Southern food growing up, but Monell's is just one of the best family restaurants for good-ole food. Also, it's like Thanksgiving with a lot of strangers, but great conversations with people from all over. I will list my favorites: 1. Biscuits 2. Green Beans 3. Cabbage 4. Fried Chicken 5. meatloaf 6. fried fish okay I can go on and you know what, I can eat and eat and I just don't feel bad!
(5)
Frank D.
Family style at its best...u sit w other families at long tables (9-10/table)...no menu, they simply start bring you food, like Sunday's at Grandmom's! ...and boy is there food! Our dinner consisted of broccoli salad, corn bread, turnip greens, 2-types of beans, corn pudding, pot roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed shells, FRIED CHICKEN, banana pudding, sweet tea - oh my! Food was great, atmosphere was fantastic and meeting new folks at laughing at the table was incredible!!
(4)
Larry G.
Truly one of the best meals I've ever had. Family style southern comfort fare. It is almost impossible to not overeat here. So many choices and all of them were delicious. Best pot roast I've had and the rolls + peach preserves...oh my word. Wear sandals because you're gonna have to wiggle your toes in excitement.
(5)
Douglas W.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of this place by now. This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times now. I never get tired of the fried chicken, corn pudding, muffins, biscuits with their peach preserves, and butter beans. They always have 3 meats to choose from and several sides come out to accompany. This is family style and you sit at a large table with 8 or 10 other strangers who if your lucky will strike up a conversation with you. It's all you can eat and I never leave hungry. Desert is always good. There's pitchers of lemonade, sweet and unsweet tea on the table. It's like Thanksgiving, by the time you take all the sides, there's no room for the turkey on your plate. If you try everything they pass around you'll have a hard time finishing it all! I love this place. I wish I lived in Nashville because I would be here all the time.
(5)
Miriam M.
Think of this place like a more homey and intimate buffet. Being from Cali, the extent of my southern food experiences include KFC and salivating over the Pioneer Woman/Paula Deen on the food network. So I don't have much to compare to but I loved how its all family style and you eat with strangers. Some were locals and others from across the country. Each day of the week they have different meat options which are all posted online. But every night they have fried chicken...which is killer! Drinks include sweet tea, regular tea, lemonade, and water. They also have fresh peach preserves to go with the biscuits and cornbread. Weirdly enough my favorite thing was this pineapple casserole. Idk what's in it but I shamelessly ate multiple servings. My least favorite part was the "strawberry shortcake." It was more of like crumbs mixed with blended strawberries and whip cream. But I was so full it was hard to care. Final tip: where your fat pants.
(4)
Ilana C.
Monell's was the BEST southern food I've ever had. Family style serving so you are forced to interact with the table and pass food around. It was awesome way to get to know people and we had a fun table. The food was so so so delicious. They served biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon bons and more only for about 15.00 and you can eat as much as you want. Friendly staff, don't make you feel rushed and good experience. You will definitely leave that place feeling so full you may want to take a serious nap (in a good way) It's a lot of food but totally worth the wait. Highly Highly recommend it.
(5)
Tara D.
I love this place! My husband, daughter (19 months old) and I went to breakfast on Saturday. Even though we are sat with strangers, we always have good conversation and plenty to eat. This is SOUTHERN food! Leave your diets at home! The food is delicious! If you don't like family style (sitting with strangers), this is not the place for you!
(4)
Ariel S.
My husband and I came at noon and had a late breakfast (lunch starts at 1). You sit at a large family style table with others there for the meal. They bring out food and you pass around the table. The food keeps coming. We were served a variety of breakfast food that included fried chicken! Sweet tea and baked apples were amazing! Good southern cooking and hospitality. This is a must for anyone out this way.
(5)
Fred Q.
Worthy of a #1 rating! Thanks Yelpers for this recommendation. We found it easily, parked in front on the street, and had a feast of a meal. We were seated immediately at a table with 3 business people who were friendly and fun to be with. They already had biscuits, cole slaw, and cucumber/onion salad - the salad course. Had home made peach jam or gravy for the biscuits. Sweet tea, iced tea, lemonade, and water were on the table. When the main courses arrived I thought I'd died and joined Grandma in heaven. Pan fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and peas. We passed everything to the left and had plenty for seconds. Dessert was peach cobbler. The server was attentive, kept our glasses full of ice, and offered more food if we wanted it. Very friendly, homey, and like a trip back to your grandma's house for Sunday dinner circa 1960. After a long day driving, it was a great evening. Walked it off on the District and listened to live music before returning to the hotel. The carbs are wanting me to sleep now. Zzzzzzz,
(5)
Ayesha A.
OMG this place was so flipping fantastic I don't know where to begin. This is a MUST in Nashville, I just love it so much I wish I knew how to run a business so I could open one in Toronto. Everything is cool about this place. It's beautiful. The area is lovely. The food....omg....it's SO good, and it's all you can eat, but do not waste food. The concept of throwing people together at a table makes it different than a regular restaurant experience you would have with friends/family, and it fores you to socialize. The house it's in has so much character. I just absolutely loved the experience and recommend this place. Whatever your brunch/lunch plans are in Nashville, cancel them, and go to Monell's instead. You will thank me for the recommendation ;-)!
(5)
Mac L.
I have been here many times and the food and service is always perfect.
(5)
Amanda K.
Okay, but really. This place is delicious. So. Much. Food! Pace yourself. First arrival, the outside is simply charming. When you enter, you can see several large family style tables. You will be told exactly where to sit, with people you don't know. This is a little odd at first but totally works. Just expect it. The bowls start coming around and its a looong time before they stop! Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, pulled pork, it goes on and on all to be topped off by a delightfully fresh strawberry shortcake. YUM. Anyone who is visiting Nashville, even for just a short time, needs to make room for a visit to Monell's!
(5)
Allie E.
Really good, family style food. Great ribs! Took my in-laws here for some good southern food and we were not disappointed. They had something for everyone including my 2 year old. Go!!
(5)
B M.
Went to the location in the Germantown area of Nashville with friends on a Saturday night. Lots of good food served family style. Accordingly, they didn't seat us until our entire party arrived. Fortunately, we beat the crowd and a table opened up shortly after everyone arrived: we were seated with another family at a large table. They serve a set meal, according the day of the week. I would recommend you check their on line site if you want something special. On our night we got some tasty fried catfish. Going to have to try the Sunday brunch...as soon as I can fit back into my pants after eating too much good food at Monell's!
(4)
Neek C.
A table full of strangers eating great fried chicken and talking about how Elvis was terrible. That was my experience. Who would have known that a great place was hiding near my alma mater.
(5)
D T.
Incredible place! Food was devine and so was the staff. Loved our server. Can't wait to return to this place soon!
(4)
Carolyn B.
Great for the starving or non-carb conscious. This place is a family style, sit with strangers, and chow down kind of setting. The fried chicken is out of this world! Get there early so that you beat the rush, as they don't take reservations.
(4)
Meghan B.
If a friend was only in town for 24 hours and asked me where they HAD to eat before they left, I'd definitely say Monell's. This place delivers not only on their tasty food, but their atmosphere and price. Be aware: there's no ordering here. It's family-style dining and the bowls of food keep on coming so keep passing those bowls to the left! We sat at a table of about 15 people and had a blast. There was corn pudding, fried chicken, eggs, bacon, biscuits, homemade jam, you name it, we had it on the table. Side note: even if theres a wait, if it's warm enough outside there's a beautiful garden to hang out in with plenty of seating, and a pond with coy fish. We only waited about 15 minutes but I would have gladly waited for an hour!
(5)
Harry H.
$38 for the two of us was bafflingly and almost infuriatingly low for the amount and quality of the food and hospitality here. It was family style, and somehow we were seated with ALL fellow NYers, but we still enjoyed ourseves immensely, with food in front of us the second we sat down. Tried at least a bit of every bowl that was passed, and seconds and thirds of most of it -- all superb.
(5)
Stephanie I.
Warning: You will be forced to socialize and share food with strangers here. If you take up a seat, you will have to pay for a meal. Monells is obviously famous for the reasons above. It's a unique experience and if you didn't know that before going, you live in a cave. On top of being a unique experience, the food is AMAZING. We went for the Sunday brunch fully prepared for a food coma. They bring out huge portions of food throughout the meal and you eat as much as your pants will allow. Some of the selections include: huge fluffy biscuits, cinnamon rolls, eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, corn pudding, pancakes, and the star of the show - skillet fried chicken. The chicken falls off the bone and is perfectly fried and seasoned. I didn't feel strange eating fried chicken at 9am one bit. The servers are great, making sure that we never run out of food, sweet tea, or water. This place can get busy so arrive early or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Valerie B.
I didn't like my table because it was right by the register. Even though it wasn't dinging away, it was still awkward to be so close. I would have much preferred to be somewhere else. The food was so so. I thought the catfish had no flavor. I enjoyed my fried chicken and the spinach lasagne but nothing was hot. Now I understand that things were getting passed around so that was fine. But we asked for some extra lasagne and that came out lukewarm at best. The peach preserve stuff was gross! I almost spit it out. But it's still super cool to sit with people. It's a nice experience. And cool to have southern hospitality.
(3)
Blaine L.
What an experience! All the food is brought out to you in a group style setting, and it's delicious! Good old fashioned family style deliciousness
(5)
Rene R.
We went to the Germantown location. We got there around 11:00am. Once all of our group had arrived we were told we would be seated as soon as the members of our party who had their phones out put them away. It was said quite rudely and frankly I would have left if it was up to me. I understand the no cell phone policy. I even like it. But there is certainly a way to inform first time guests of this policy nicely. We were seated with a group of a similar size (family style seating) and the gluttony began. If you haven't been here before, there is not a menu for you to choose from. They post the menu for the day on the door. There was fruit tea, sweet tea, and water on the table when we sat down. Food is passed to the left. There was cucumber salad, and coleslaw to start with. Cornbread and rolls with preserves, butter or gravy. Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, pulled pork, and meatloaf. Sides were mashed potatoes, green beans (AMAZING) corn/bread pudding, and mac and cheese ( tasty but very liquidy ). Our table mates were very nice. We all enjoyed a delightful meal! I would very much like to come for weekend brunch next time we're in town ( brunch is weekends only). Also keep in mind during the week, they do close at 2 and reopen for dinner. Check with them for the exact hours. All in all it was a good time. Got off to a bit of a rude start but our server was very pleasant and of course the food is great.
(3)
Barry H.
My coworker and I had dinner there last night around 6:45 ( great timing ) . The food was GREAT Food. The Service was Fanatic :) And ALL for only $19.00 per persons :) We will go back Every Time we are in town.
(5)
Bill G.
Monell's, a Nashville institution housed in a circa 1880 home in the city's hot property Germantown. No reservations. You wait your turn and then are seated around big tables with about 8 to 12 new friends, in what may have been the former parlor or perhaps a bedroom, decorated with period art and antiques. No menus. For about $14, you eat what's put before you, heaping bowls of slaw, chilled cucumbers/onions and tomatoes in a piquant liquid, greens, corn pudding, mashed new potatoes, green beans, white navy beans, melt in your mouth biscuits (accompanied by cream gravy, butter and homemade peach preserves), and depending on the day, at least two meat selections that could be scrumptious fried chicken, fried catfish fillets, BBQ. ribs, smothered pork chops, turkey and dressing or meat loaf. Big pitchers of iced tea (Southern-style syrupy sweet or plain) and lemonade. Pass to the left, as you visit with your new BFs, while eating into a stunned surfeit of "down home" country cooking delights. The full bowls keep coming until you either force yourself to leave (or fall away from) the table. Oh, almost forgot the banana pudding dessert! Nashville offers many scenic, historic and culinary delights, but Monelle's is a MUST on any trip to Music City! Yee Haw!!!
(5)
Katara J.
Came here for breakfast OMG it was amazing. The fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, and cheese grits were my favorite. Its hard to move after coming here. The food just keeps coming and coming.
(5)
Ryan B.
This is a great spot for a big group. I had an enjoyable lunch here with a group of 9 who all enjoyed the fantastic southern fare. I wouldn't necessarily go back with my family because of the cost, but it was a great spot for our school staff. Favorite: fried chicken.
(3)
Paul A.
Make sure you bring your appetite for soul food! Incredibly happy this place was recommended to me by a friend. I assure you every trip I make to Nashville from here on out will include a stop here. Corn pudding is worth the cost alone!
(5)
Abby H.
Loved this place! I'm wondering why more restaurants don't follow this model. Hubby and I were seated at a table with 6 other people.. what fun! And then the food began to flow.. salads, slaw, veggies, bread, potatoes. and FRIED CHICKEN! We kept requesting hot fresh chicken and our sever would bring whatever piece(s) we wanted. We ate at 5:30pm on weeekday.. not crowded yet. Only thing we didn't like was the lasagna.. kinda weird being dumped into a bowl (and cold).. but the other items were amazing so we really didn't need the lasagna anyway.
(5)
Annabelle K.
Pretty interesting experience. Southern food is not something I like but it was an interesting experience. You get seated at a table with random people who you share food with. At first I was a little bit turned off by sharing with strangers but then just went with it. Dishes upon dishes come out and you eat what you like. The corn pudding was particularly good and the highlight of the night was the peach cobbler. Definitely worth a stop if your visiting Nashville.
(4)
Erica L.
I really don't know what else to say about Monell's that hasn't been already said. All I know is that it's a damn fine winning formula: from the family-style seating and dining experience, to the set menu bit.ly/ncBJqe , and of course, its delicious, mouth-watering, stomach-filling food. Utterly a memorable experience! p.s. My plate prior to the fried chicken: bit.ly/o94n8P -- the corn pudding and green beans were, surprisingly, my favorites!!
(4)
Daniel B.
Five Stars for the Fried Chicken. Tip: Don't eat anything until you eat a few pieces of chicken. Then, go for any of their incredible sides or other meat dishes. Seriously, this place is really amazing in terms of good southern food.
(5)
Lee B.
Monell's is AWESOME. When I visit Nashville, I never miss it and I always take guests, especially if they're foreign. Great ambiance, friendly staff, always interesting people (family style forces you to chat) and the food is fantastic. However, skip a meal or two before before you go to this Nashville institution.
(5)
Jess Y.
4.5 stars. I love Monell's. It has the true Southern homestyle cooking experience and a visit to Nashville would be incomplete without a visit to Monell's. First off, I love the fact that you sit with strangers and share a meal. You meet people from all over with great stories and break bread together. I've been for lunch and dinner before and both visits have been fantastic. The food is absolutely delicious. The last time I went was for Friday lunch which included fried catfish, fried chicken (of course), and spinach lasagna. I've never had spinach lasagna before but it was absolutely amazing. In addition to your three meats, you also get all-you-can-eat sides. I love the corn pudding and the green beans. The meal tends to be a little salty and heavy but it's absolutely scrumptious. The meal begins with sweet tea (and when they say sweet, they really mean it!) and biscuits or corn bread and always ends with dessert. Come hungry because it's all you can eat and it's heavy. But, oh so good. Prepare to want to enter into a food coma after your meal, though. :)
(5)
Kristen Z.
I love going to places that aren't chain restaurants. This was a great dining experience and the food is amazing, southern cooking... just like your grandma's house! They sit you at a farm table... its a long table that probably sits about 12 people. If you don't come with a group, they sit you at a table and as more guest come in they sit people down, until the table fills up! For those of you that have had the joy of sitting down to a big table of family or friends and just have all the food set on the table and you take some and pass it, this is EXACTLY the same! They bring out the food of the day... you don't order. Take the bowls and pass them to the left! There is so much food, so pace yourself! All the food is southern and delicious... so don't go here if you are watching your weight!
(5)
Shawn W.
I visited Monell's while on vacation with my parents and partner on the recommendation of a friend. I was absolutely blown away with the wonderful atmosphere that this old home gave to a wonderful dining experience. We were there for breakfast at 9:30 and we barely had a wait before being seated. My favorite thing on the table was the peach preserves or as our server called it..."bowl of sin" and it was. I could have probably eaten every last drop of that bowl if there had not been other people at the table. I absolutely loved being surrounded by people from different parts of the country and meeting new people, and this was all part of the family style dining experience...LOVED IT! The finding of the restaurant could have proven to be an adventure if I had not had my GPS locator pointing me in the right direction but it was so, so, so worth finding. Service...well, it was incredible to say the least. Our server was friendly, courteous and made sure we all had enough, no...TOO MUCH to eat before we left, and thank goodness for that, because we still had 3 hours to tromp around the grounds at The Hermitage and 2 hours to drive to Lynchberg and spend another 2 hours to view Jack Daniels Distillery. Then another 2 hours to drive before our next meal, and it held us until that next meal! I highly recommend Monell's to everyone who is in Nashville, enjoy and take your time, Make eating here an adventure! The food was awesome1
(5)
Hwventure H.
Look no further, Monell's is THE BEST southern food/soul food restaurant in Nashville. Served family style, the food is delicious and never ending....it just keeps on coming. **Be sure not to confuse this Monell's with Monell's Cafe. (a cafeteria style restaurant.) Monell's is located in a residential area not far from downtown. It's well worth the $$ and the wait. :)
(5)
Reg Z.
Great brunch. Served family style, seating is family style as well (even when not your family ;-) Nothing says huge brunch like fried chicken as a finisher. Come hungry and start slow
(4)
Douglas P.
We had our Thanksgivukkah feast at the Manor House by the airport. The variety was amazing, the food was incredible, the atmosphere was awesome, and the pricing was very fair in light of the complex menu, bountiful portions, and quality of the food. Highly recommend!
(5)
John B.
We ate there and the food was great. We had to wait to be served but the wait wasn't long. Once we were seated it was a little awkward because of the fact of having to be seated with total strangers at one large table. But overall the food was great.
(5)
Kim L.
In town for the weekend and we wanted to experience some real southern food. We ate, and we ate, and we ate, until we couldn't eat anymore. The atmosphere is enjoyable, no phones at the table (YES!!), the endless supply of friend chicken, the friendly staff was amazing! The only bummer- no alcohol served... Would recommend and def go back if we are in town again!
(5)
Eric M.
Just how I would imagine grandma's house, if my grandma was from the south. The biscuits and gravy was the best, the fried chicken was amazing, and my favorite was the lasagna. They are off the beaten path a bit, but a must-visit!
(5)
Christine H.
Put on your Sunday best and get yourself to Monell's for breakfast. I'm going to win the lottery so I can afford to fly from LA to Monell's every Sunday morning. It's one thing to be served heaping platters of Southern food for breakfast, and quite another when that breakfast tastes like your grandmother made it for you because she loves you so much. Whoever the grandmother is at Monell's, I need that corn pudding recipe!
(5)
Zach G.
Went out to Monell's for a birthday dinner for a close friend. I was really excited because I've been really watching what I eat lately and this was going to be my cheat day. Now we were probably the last table being sat for the evening and had a large party of about 12. First off waitress and service and everything was great. Top notch. Well. All of the side dishes were pretty good as were the pork chops but nothing above your standard meat and three kind of place. The fried chicken was dry and not very good, maybe I grabbed a bad piece or it was because we were the last table of the night. I was too full to try the baked chicken. I will say I wasn't a big fan of the peach cobbler or whatever it was, but that's just me, not a quality thing or anything like that, just not my thing, though my friends Aunt loved it and said it was like "Momma's". I'd probably go back but not my first choice for southern fixins.
(2)
Mon T.
There will be something you like here. I enjoyed everything! The food is flavorful so if you prefer bland food this place isn't for you. It's family style and food is pass around... there is plenty to go around! I personally don't enjoy family style but I was able to look past it and the people at our table were friendly. When I was here on a Sunday for lunch they served pulled pork, coleslaw, corn pudding, fried chicken, cheese grits, cinnamon buns, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, cucumbers and onion, meatloaf, pecan pie,mac n cheese, grilled potatoes, sweet tea and something yummy called fruit tea, grilled catfish, cinnamon apples, green beans...not sure if I missed anything else but I think you get the point. Yummm.
(5)
Michael S.
Great southern comfort food at only $16 a person. I took a group of 13 here at 6:30 on a Wednesday. Reservations are not accepted, but it didn't matter because we were seated right away. The place filled up 7. The service was friendly and efficient. Food started coming out of the kitchen right away. We were nicely warned not to eat too much of the bread and salads since tons more food was on the way. It was hard to slow down on the bread, cornbread, peach sauce, cranberry sauce, peas, and cole slaw. Then the main course came out and it was delicious: fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and more. It was all so good and so hard to stop even though we were all full. Then came peach cobbler. All the while sweet and unsweetened tea and lemonade were kept full on our table. The group applauded when we were done! It was easy to pay separately in the end also. Love this pace, but prepared to really eat!
(5)
James C.
This is a great family style dining experience with up to ten people at a table. No menus for you to look at. You eat what they're serving. The fried chicken and meatloaf is some of the best I've ever eaten. Don't miss out on dining here if you're able to!
(5)
Allison L.
We were driving through Nashville on our way to Chicago and we were hungry. I mean starving. We decided to pull off the freeway and saw a huge cupcake sign. My 4 year old daughter thought that cupcakes would be a perfect lunch. I did not, I checked yelp and found this restaurant down the street (we could pick up a cupcake after). They waited to seat us, my husband was on his cellphone. It was the first time we ate with this style. We were sat a a table for 12 with strangers sitting with us. We don't eat pork and the waitress was awesome at steering us towards food with no pork or bacon drippings. Super thoughtful. The corn pudding was insane. The friend chicken was amazing. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy. Thankfully this gem of a spot is in my list for the next time we are in town. True highlight of our road trip.
(5)
AsianRunningDiva S.
House Rule: Pass to the left. This is community dining at its finest! Large table that fits 12 (we were 5) and so we sat with 2 couples and another group of 3. There was already some food at the table when we sat down. Chicken salad, fried okra, banana pudding (they serve dessert first to make sure you have room! haha!), biscuit and gravy, and so much more. Passed around the table like at home; pass to the left! Then came the main courses: ribs, fried chicken, fried fish, hush puppies, green beans, collards, corn, mac and cheese...I'm forgetting so much more, but you get the idea. They refill the community plates so you can pass around some more! Sweet tea, unsweet, and water (no alcohol I think). The cost of this family style buffet is $19/person with tax. GET THERE EARLY! We got there at 5pm and was so lucky to be seated right away. There was a HUGE line waiting when we left about an hour later. Your whole party needs to be there before being seated, so if you have a large party, come when it opens. Rolled out of there stuffed! :) Street parking. Quaint outside with a fish pond and some seating.
(4)
Jane D.
As good as everyone says. Great food and great service...go pig the f*ck out, will ya?! This may be the reason Americans are so fat, but I do not care. Advice: take it slow til the fried chicken comes or you won't be able to have as much as you should. I hope the leftovers go to the homeless, or the waste would be a shame. Sitting with strangers makes new friends possible. Yay Monells!!
(5)
Kristan H.
(Note: This is my 100th review on Yelp!) My boyfriend and I drove down to Nashville for a long weekend to visit a friend, and this was hands-down the culinary highlight of our trip. I knew we would be eating "family style," but I had no idea our family would be made up of whoever walked in the door at the same time as us. It's a very cool concept, and really not that awkward. When the table was ready, 10 of us were led to it. We sat, and right away servers started bringing dishes and telling us to pass to the left. The food was fantastic. PERFECTLY breaded and fried chicken, and the best meatloaf of my life. My fave side was the mac and cheese, and my friends' faves were the corn pudding and biscuits & gravy. The cornbread was drier than I personally prefer, and the pulled pork had a sort of wine-y flavor that I didn't love, but there was so much variety that it didn't matter. I just helped myself to more mashed potatoes, banana pudding, and sweet tea. Basically, this is home cooked Southern food at its finest. And at a great price! The decor is a comfortable mix of "ranch" and "parlor" (like your favorite grandma's house, maybe?) and the servers are friendly and fast. My boyfriend said if we lived in Nashville he would want to eat at Monell's once a week. I told him our waistlines probably couldn't handle that. He said it would be worth the try. Related: One guy "joined our family" after we had already sat and started to eat. He later confessed that he had been at Monell's for breakfast already that day, and this wasn't the first time he'd done that. I can't say that I blame him.
(5)
Scott W.
If you like a lot of food this is a good place to go. Food is very good and served family style. Not my favorite type of food but I am glad we tried it.
(4)
Erika B.
Every single thing that comes to the table is unbelievably delicious and Mama makes you feel at home. Fried chicken, baked chicken, corn pudding, greens, and BANANA PUDDING. We sat down not knowing what to expect and everything they brought to the table was outstanding. Southern hospitality at its best.
(5)
Benjamin R.
Sweet jeebus, this was a lot of food. You don't order here, they plop you down with 8-10 other people at a big wooden family table, and then start piling food onto it. We had potato salad, slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn bread, mac and cheese, cheese grits, green beans, corn pudding, potatoes, pulled pork, fried chicken, meat loaf, and banana pudding. The cost to you? Something like $13. Bon Appetit.
(4)
Glenn F.
I'm back to yelping baby! Monell's is a good southern family dining experience. For locals, once a year will do it though. The fried chicken is pretty solid. The mashed potatoes are whipped with water rather than milk giving them a transparent look, but they taste good. The stuffing was terrible and looked like canned dog food and didn't taste much better. I would give everything else the middle of the road. There are certainly better southern cooking food in Nashville. Try Puckett's or Swett's downtown.
(3)
True R.
Soooo good! This was by far the best breakfast we had during our stay in Nashville. There was so much food it was impossible to even finish the first helping. Just FYI, unless you are in a large party you will be dining with other people at your table, however, everyone that sat with us was extremely polite and we had a great time. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Sandy H.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? You just need to come and eat here if you're in town. We came here on the sliced roast beef and meatloaf night. I usually don't like mac n' cheese, but I just loved the one the make here. All the sides were excellent and the fried chicken was moist and surprisingly less greasy than I thought I would be. Oh, and the banana pudding was amazing!
(5)
Tom M.
Died and gone to Heaven! I have eaten dinner here twice and breakfast once, and on all 3 visits, I was simply blown away. Coming from Suburbia, Ohio, where there is no fried chicken, and landing here was one of the highlights of our trip. The fried chicken was fantastic, the fried green tomatoes were incredible and so was just about everything else on the all you can eat table. The peach preserves, corn pudding, bbq ribs, the biscuits, and the sweet tea.....Good Lord Almighty, the sweet tea. Add all of this great food to the fact you sit and eat family style while chatting and making friends with complete strangers. My favorite place to eat in all of Nashville, and there are many, many great places to eat in Music City! Go for dnner and go for breakfast where even then they serve up fried chicken!
(5)
Peter M.
All I can say is I love this place! It's family style, pass-to-your-left, eat-till-you-puke-then-eat-more, southern fried and fantastic food. I go here almost everytime I am in Nashville. All you can eat for one price. No cellphones at the table and prepare to get to know your table-mates! YEEEHAAW (don't know why I typed that it's not a cowboy place).
(4)
Kay W.
Southern Style famiy dining at its best! This was fun and the food was just like my Southern Gentleman hubby's mama used to make. Collards, corn pudding, fried chicken, slaw, biscuits, peach preserves, the works! And all the stuff I just don't make. We ate here at our last night of five days in Nashville and I am so glad we did. It was nice to eat with a group of people and all share our stories. The staff was very friendly and made us all feel right at home. Keep up the great tradition of the South. We hope to be back one day!
(5)
Tallman F.
Only thing that keeps it from a FIVE is it needs one more meat for lunch. I would hate to go for dinner!!!! this place is special!-ohhh my!!!!!! You have to. You have to go. Did I say, YOU HAVE TO GO? The owner comes out and keeps brining food to the table until everyone is stuffed, like Sunday Dinner at Grandma's. You sit at this large table with people you don't know but within minutes everyone is talking like you rode up on the bus with them from Knoxville. The fried catfish was fried lightly and was fresh. The chicken was above average. they had an assortment of breads and all of the sides were above average, from the mashed potatoes, yellow rice, greens, Mac n cheese, candied yams, and more. Did I tell you have to go? The food is very good BUT the dining experience is something to relish
(4)
Tiff W.
If you are in Nashville and only go to one restaurant, Monell's is it! We went there for the Sunday brunch and hit the post-church crowd...the wait ended up being about an hour and a half but it was completely worth it! You are seated family style next to strangers, but it's a great way to meet new people over amazing food. Mac & cheese, breakfast hash, chicken hash, green beans, cole slaw, corn pudding, biscuits & corn bread, cucumber salad, bbq riblets, mashed potatoes, FRIED CHICKEN....imagine a group of 6 girls devouring plates of food and asking for seconds while our new table friends stared in astonishment. Here's some advice for the ladies: wear a loose dress.
(5)
L. N. D.
Monell's is a good tourist spot and if you like family style dining or you like to try family style dining. There were some really good side items such as the potato casserole, corn pudding; however, I've fried better chicken. We had really good table mates which made the experience just a little worth it but there are some rules, like pass to the left, which can get a little annoying if you're trying to eat or if your table isn't full. I'm also still trying to figure out why the watermelon was brought out before the entrees /-(. This is just my thoughts but I don't feel it was worth $15 per person because you don't even eat that much money worth of food.. No take out here.
(3)
Shelby B.
Perfection! Even waiting to be seated in their garden with my friends, sipping sweetened tea, was perfect. The hostess, servers etc were perfectly friendly and attentive. Not in that fake way that makes you think they are being monitored for behavior, but friendly and welcoming in the way that makes you think 'gosh, these good vibes are buzzin me'! The food, ohhh the food!! Sitting with friends and strangers, from all over Nashville and the world, at a huge, wooden, communal dining table, you will have more than 10 courses served in short succession. 3-4 types of teas are always full and at arms reach in big cute 'grandma' pitchers. Yeah, there's cornbread rolls and biscuits. Yeah, there's gravy and dressing too. And yes, there's turkey, pulled pork and UNGH...pan fried chicken!!! Save room for dessert!! If you've ever had a southern, or else down-on-the-farm type, grandma then come to Monelle's to relive the glorious binge that is like Thanksgiving meal. If you havent had a grandma that cooked from scratch then visit here to live for a single meal in the bliss that could have been. Bring a date, friend or family, or just come alone and you may even meet someone interesting at your table, just an arm's reach away.
(5)
Peter P.
For southern food, Monell's really is as good as it gets. You pay a flat fee, sit at a big picnic table with a bunch of strangers, and pretty quickly get brought bowl after bowl of delicious southern food. They start you off with dessert, typically banana pudding, and then bring the cold sides - cole slaw, bean salad, biscuits, then the hot sides - mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, then finally the main courses which always includes stellar fried chicken and when I was there also included spinach lasagna, fried catfish, and BBQ ribs. Definitely recommend to anyone spending time in Nashville.
(5)
Cydney A.
Our experience was amazing except I was uncomfortable sitting with strangers at first but after awhile I got used to it! They need more windows! Other than that! The food was amazing and tasty and we will go back there again and again and again! :) it takes about an hour for us to get here but it's all worth it!!!
(5)
Michele O.
The best fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea! It's a great experience as well to eat family style at a communal table with a bunch of strangers and chat.
(5)
Heather L T.
Monell's is my favorite place to eat in Nashville so far. If you're looking for the most storybook Southern atmosphere and mouth-watering soul-food that dreams are made of, this is the place for you. Monell's never disappoints, everything is unique about this restaurant from the menu to the decor to the meal tickets to the staff. No matter where I may move or live in my life, this restaurant will always have a nice place in my heart. If you haven't been, make sure to try it as soon as possible!
(5)
Kevin C.
Great food and they kept it coming. Well worth the wait.
(5)
Kitcat S.
I took my mom here to introduce her to southern food during her first visit to Nashville. The food was unbelievable. Really well priced in a cute neighborhood. The hostess, who I suspect is the owner, was the nicest person you could meet. I felt right at home and can't wait to come back. The family style also allowed for great conversations with locals.
(5)
Janette W.
This was my first meal in Nashville and even after days of eating my way through town, I can still say this was my best meal. This was our first stop after leaving the airport and it was such a whirlwind of emotions. You are seated at a large table, filled with people you don't know. All of a sudden there are pitchers of sweet tea (yum!) and so much food! There are sides of cucumber salad, macaroni salad, corn pudding, green beans and then.. that's when things started spinning. And once you've passed all of these sides around to your new friends at the table. THEN comes the main courses! Fried chicken, roast beef, and the best meatloaf ever! I couldn't believe they had the nerve to pull out cherry cobbler after all of that!
(5)
Melissa M.
UNBELIEVABLE. YOU. MUST. GO. We had just landed in Nashville, and of course, all I can think about is food. On the cab ride to our hotel I cross checked the Frommers guide (which really is never wrong) to Yelp to try to find a place for lunch. Monells was the winner. We checked into our hotel and walked in the sauna-heat to this place. We arrived just as they opened. The restaurant is in a residential area in a house. They have a really nice garden and sitting area outside. We were the first ones there and really didn't know what to expect. We were put at an empty table that quickly filled up. When we sat down there was some cucumber salad, watermelon, biscuits, iced tea, and lemonade on the table. I started eating when one of the gentlemen sitting next to me commented that he was not going to make the mistake of filling up early. Uh oh, I was in trouble. Next came a ton of sides, fried chicken, fried fish, squash casserole. Everything was delicious. Best fried chicken and fish ever! Perfectly flavored and crispy. So much delicious food and it was about $13 pp. What a deal! The staff was so nice and friendly, and the family style atmosphere is great. You have the opportunity to talk to alot of interesting people. The only downside is that we ate too much and had to walk back to the hotel in the heat! Talk about a food coma! If you are in Nashville, this is a must-do! You will not be let down!
(5)
Casey H.
Here are the highlights: -$12.95 all of you can lunch -family style; you are seated with strangers You have to try: -fried chicken -corn pudding Everything was homemade and really good.
(5)
Evan W.
Monell's is by far one of the best restaurants I've experienced (more than once) in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether you are dining alone or with a group, the family-style environment is perfect - for all situations. I've had birthdays here; my family even did a Thanskgiving meal here one year. For those of you that aren't familiar with 'family style' eating destinations, they are set up so that when you walk in, you are seated with a group of other people that you don't know - you then pass around baskets or bowls of food, taking some for yourself. The food here is in a league of it's own - TRUE southern cuisine, ranging from meatloaf, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, to cherry cobbler, home-made preserves, and so much more. I have never experienced something worthy of a complaint. I definitely recommend this to EVERYONE!
(5)
Ozro D.
Do you like to eat? Of course you do! Monell's is designed around one thing, and one thing only: people's love of food. Unless you're in a group of 15 people, you'll be sat with strangers, and you can all bond over the unholy amount of food that's about to be put in front of you. It's really hard to call this place a meat and three, because that undersells the amount of food you'll be served. A typical meal here probably has 3 or 4 different meats, and somewhere near a dozen different vegetables. And here's the kicker - they're ALL amazing, so you'll want a bit of everything. Or a lot of everything, depending on how you want to play it. The wait can be a bit of a pain, but it's more than worth it. Plus, it gives you some more time to prepare for what's about to happen to your body. Once you're inside, the food comes out quickly, and it doesn't stop coming. The service is great, too. Monell's is a great experience on any day, but if you can make it on a holiday, DO IT! I had Thanksgiving dinner here, and was blown away. The wait was a bit longer (to the point where they had snacks for those of us waiting outside... no joke), but as always, it was worth it. If you love to eat, then you'll love Monell's.
(5)
Varun B.
Just a ridiculous amount of food, brought to you while you're seated at a table seated family style at a table that seats a dozen people, all of whom are quite friendly. Some dishes are a bit of a miss, but some are very good and there are definitely at least a couple of standouts. The main dishes change every day, so keep an eye on the menu. The meatloaf was the absolute best I'd ever had, and the chicken and dumplings and corn mash were a close second. There were a bunch of other good sides, and the fried chicken wasn't bad.
(4)
Jordan M.
WOW. Good, southern, home cooking. Wear stretchy pants for this meal! You will need them. Everything was so delicious. A fun atmosphere, sitting with strangers at a family style table. Their fruit tea was very good too. I also thought it was nice to know that all the left-overs were donated to a church kitchen to feed the homeless. The waitresses were super nice and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Nashville just to eat here. The only negative is that the pricing isn't very apparent and it is about $20 a person on Sundays. Still worth it, but I was a little shocked when I got to the counter to pay.
(5)
Cj L.
super.
(5)
Derrin T.
Yes
(5)
Chelsea J.
The country breakfast is actually insane, in the best way possible. I ate so much and didn't want to stop, but in the name of being socially acceptable I had to cut myself off. The biscuits and gravy were incredible. I am at a loss for words at how good this place was, and you pay a flat price of $14.95 for the breakfast which includes (brace yourself) - biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, corn pudding, grits, fried chicken, spiced apples and there is coffee and sweet/unsweet tea on the table. Ermagerrrdd. We got here around 10am and waited for 10 minutes. I've heard if you arrive after the church crowd the waits can be upwards of an hour. Get there early and with a big appetite and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Tim M.
Back in August, I definitely held back from writing a downgrade review because everyone is allowed to have a bad day or 2. After this past weekend, sure enough, it was just a bad day in that far distant past Monell's. You have convinced me again that you know how to meet customer needs. Owner was host this past Saturday night. He quickly identified me as a Yelper and a frequent customer (I've been 8 times in 11 months). Quickly reading the menu, I noticed there was no broccoli salad on this night. My sister was in town and we both find this our favorite side so I asked for a favor since I had not seen in on my last 2 trips to Monell's. 10 min later - bam a bowl of broccoli salad was at my side! Also, got to try the fried catfish for the 1st time and I enjoyed every bit of it. What deserved more attention - chicken or catfish? My heart leaned on the catfish cuz you can have chicken any time. I really enjoyed their pulled pork during my recent visits but tonight it was a distance behind catfish and chicken.
(5)
Shafi K.
This place is great, if you're trying to get a heart attack. ;) No, really, I like going to Monells about once every couple of months because once you've been here, you'll be too full to come back for a while. The food is fantastic (especially the banana pudding and the corn casserole..). The people are super friendly and you really get the feeling that you've just visited your grandmother's house more than simply ate out at a good restaurant in town.
(5)
Lisa B.
I finally ate at Monell's after hearing so many great things about them, and I'm glad to say that it lived up to the hype! I've heard that they seat you with random people if you don't have a full table, but we had a large party so we had our own table. Since it was Sunday brunch, there was a long wait... mostly due to the party of 32 ahead of us. Yes, 32. I know, right?! There is no ordering, they just start bringing you whatever they're serving that day (family style) for the fixed price. Highlights: Fried chicken, corn pudding, biscuits, mac & cheese... There really wasn't anything I didn't like except sauerkraut, but I don't like any sauerkraut. The term 'meat & 3' is not applicable in this case, it was more like meats & 10. The only thing I would do differently next time is to wear stretchy pants or perhaps an oversized dress. I feel that my choice of wardrobe affected my ability to gorge myself on the delicious soul food.
(4)
Rich C.
Go to Monells... really just go to Monells. It has been 2 months since I have been here, and I am only now writing the review, but I can still taste all that awesome food in my mouth. Now, something about clicking your heels and saying theres no place like Monells? Smothered Chicken, Fried Chicken, Corn bread, Corn Pudding, Beans, Taters.. I could go on like Bubba from Forest Gump when he was talking about shrimp for about 3 hours. If you ever wished to have a grandma/mom that cooked soul food and force fed you among a large extend family, then come here!
(5)
Eliza R.
Plain and simple, the breakfast food at Monell's is proof of the existence of a higher power. The rating speaks for itself, and so do the hundreds of rave reviews, so there's really not much to add. I'm a misplaced northerner who's lived in the south for three and a half years and I've *finally* eaten a proper southern breakfast at Monell's. Everything about the meal was just perfect - the homemade buttery biscuits and cinnamon rolls, the crisp and flavorful fried chicken and bacon, the grits with just the right amount of cheese and the sweet tea with just the right amount of sugar. I wanted to eat so much more than I did, but my stomach just couldn't handle it. Whether you're visiting Nashville or a resident, Monell's is a must-eat restaurant! :)
(5)
Sam L.
Monell's had great southern cooking. We went for the brunch menu and the family style seating made the environment more enjoyable. There was fried chicken, cream corn, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, cheesy grits, sweet tea. Everything was flavorful and made with passion. Come with an empty stomach
(4)
Ryan M.
A MUST do for anyone local or visiting! An experience like no other place!! Everyone is super friendly and the food and atmosphere are amazing!!
(5)
Simon M.
Come here for the experience. It is family style, sitting with strangers, locals and out-of-towners alike, in a beautiful old house. No menu, just a variety of southern comfort foods brought to the table. As to the food itself, the only stand-out is the fried chicken, the rest is fairly mediocre. But who cares- you're belly will be full and you'll have made some new friends.
(3)
Brandon G.
This is a fun spot to hit, everyone should check it out if you have the chance. Family style dining, you sit at a table with strangers and pass around the helpings. Down home southern cookin'.
(4)
Len M.
My sister lives in Nashville, so this place has become one of my haunts while I'm there. First of all, if you want spectacular fried chicken, this is the place to go. Be prepared to loosten your belt and let the eating begin. There is usually at least 5 to 10 side dishes in addition to the star items for the given night (they serve different things on different nights, so read their site carefully) . Some of the sides are just okay, but others are great. Especially their corn pudding. Couple of things to note. 1. The seating arrangement is communial style. You will always be seated (depending on your group size) with a group of about 14 people at a large table. Be prepared to rub elbows and strike up conversation with strangers. It seems ackward at first, but then it loostens up. You may even meet some interesting people. 2. Don't go near closing time or at the end of the brunch service on weekends. They gently apply pressure to get you to finnish your meal so they can close. If you want to take your time and eat, go earlier then when they close. 3. If you are going for the prize (such as fried chicken, pork chops or their beef) - do not indulge in the side dishes. By the time you have biscuits & gravy, mac & cheese, beans, corn pudding, mash potatoes, peas, broccoli and cole slaw, you will not have enough room left for the prize - the fried chicken.... 4. Go and enjoy yourself. The people their are very nice and the price for dinner is reasonable ! I look forward to my next visit.....
(5)
Jared C.
All the other reviews are true. They have to push you out of there because you're so full. The food is fantastic and is definitely worth coming back to. If you stay in Nashville you should make this a primary stop
(5)
Kristin N.
Listen, I'm a born 'n' bred "Northerner," and typically I'm not someone who necessarily enjoys talking to people or socializing with strangers throughout my meal. At Monell's, this is mandatory -- but admittedly, it's also awesome. If nothing else, you can talk to your meal-mates about how the food is freaking FANTASTIC. I think I had about 7 helpings of the pineapple cake casserole (not the official name, but you'll know it when you see it). Their chocolate cake? Dont' even get me started... I don't even LIKE chocolate cake, and I was picking off my neighbor's plate. Everything else was fantastic, too -- served fresh, warm and in true Southern styles and fashion (so says my Nashville-bred boyfriend), and it was all delicious. If it's between this place or another typical meat & 3, please (PLEASE) choose Monell's.
(5)
Scott M.
Holy cow, no really......the cow was awesome, but the fried chicken was much better. If you don't try this place you have no taste at all. This might be one of the finest southern cooking establishments left. TOP menu items include succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes. The owner and staff make you feel like you are part of their family. I LOVE THIS JOINT.
(5)
Sarah S.
Places like this are why I want to move back South. Now, I'm not a "fried chicken and sweet tea all the time" kind of person, but I spent four years in South Carolina for college, and have traveled to Charleston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and countless other Southern cities and I look forward to buttery biscuits, crisp okra, seafood (crawfish and crab especially), cheesy grits, and more every once in a while while I'm below the Mason-Dixon. Monell's offered me my beloved Southern food in a family-style dining setting at a cute little house just outside of downtown Nashville. My best friend and I were in town for a long weekend trip and stopped for lunch on a Saturday. We were seated at a table with a mother and her teenage son in town from California and a trio of friendly social workers from CPS. A lazy susan loaded with pitchers of sweet tea, lemonade, and water sat at the center of the table, and baskets loaded with biscuits and cornbread (alongside homemade jam and gravy) occupied various spots around the table. The "meals of the day" included their staple, fried chicken (crispy, a little buttery, and delicious), as well as spinach lasagna (kind of different for a Southern place, but nice), and fried catfish (it was done traditionally with a cornmeal breading and was tender and delicious, and this is coming from someone who generally dislikes all fish). We had plenty of side dishes to choose from: green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn pudding, among other things. Dessert, a banana pudding (complete with Nilla wafers, a treat I haven't enjoyed since I was a little girl), tempted us from the start, as they brought it out along with the main meal (although, the social workers each insisted their recipes were better and "more authentic"--I never did get any of them to share though...). It was nice to have so many dishes to choose from, and, happily, no one judged me for wolfing down three butter-slathered biscuits during the course of the meal. The food was delicious (though stereotypically Southern, i.e. comfort food that really sticks to your ribs), and the company was even better. New to town, we got the run down of places to see/go to and even got some job search advice from the social workers, who were quite eager to get us to apply for jobs within their office. In a society where people are just as happy to go out alone to coffee shops and cafes and block out the world--studying solo, listening to music while finishing a term paper, reading a book while sipping on a hot beverage--it's refreshing to sit down with new people (total strangers, to be exact) and have a real conversation. You can't just go in here, sit down, smile, and move on with eating while ignoring the table around you. You sit, you introduce yourself, and you talk about just about anything while enjoying some delicious food and great service, and, well, you enjoy it. The building is a neat little house, with indoor (and outdoor?--couldn't tell because of the cold weather) seating and great Southern charm. Parking can be a little tricky, and the area it's in is a little bit scruffy, but it's close to downtown, easy to get to, and it was fairly easy to get a seat. Be sure to check it out if you're in town, but make sure you come in with an empty stomach!
(4)
Priscilla E.
This place was just Ok. Nothing was really great about it. It was a different experience as far as sitting with people that you don't know, the fish was great as well as the biscuits!
(2)
Opal D.
Delicious Southern food served family-style (communal tables). Surprisingly inexpensive for the amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Justin W.
Oh my goodness. What a place! The Saturday morning breakfast is amazing. Family style greatness for a great price. Unlimited fried chicken, country ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits, cinnamon apples, potatoes, eggs, everything...wow. I could eat here over and over without ever getting tired of it. You literally have to come here for a Saturday breakfast!!!
(5)
Carin M.
Wear elastic waist pants! Went here on a girls weekend in Nashville for a traditional "Southern" breakfast and it was as great as the other reviews we had read. Family style eating - and you sit with others which is fun too. And the food is amazing. Fried chicken (ate 3 pieces), biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, grits, corn casserole, bacon/ham/sausage, gravy and apples. I couldn't get enough of the chicken and biscuits but made sure I tried everything. Come hungry - leave stuffed! We didn't eat another thing until late that night. But we were so happily full. Would recommend this to anyone in Nashville looking for a southern breakfast. Feels like you are eating at a relatives house who is a fabulous cook and keeps the food coming!
(5)
Howah L.
This is a unique experience. It is family style dining. So since I came on my own. I was seated at a large table with two other groups. Seven in all with enough room for a couple more. The people i sat with were very friendly, which was nice as i came alone. There was no need to order, food was set in the middle of the table. You grab the food and pass it counter clockwise until all the food has made it around. And you are welcome to seconds. When I came over 10 dishes were served: including pot roast, fried chicken, lasagna, beans, cole slaw, cornbread, bisckets, gravy, corn pudding, mashed potatoe, dessert, etc. In general the food was good and plentiful. The pot roast, corn pudding, and cole slaw were very good in my eye. Everything else was still good. The cost for my lunch was very good too. Under 13 dollars!
(5)
Kletia G.
Wow! this place will knock your socks off as well as blow introverts' minds!! Get ready to sit at a table with a bunch of strangers and eat just plain ole good country cookin! Don't let eating with strangers scare you though, it's really exciting. Turn off your phone and talk to the live person next to you! There is no menu to order off of, just a set daily menu. Expect to get served all you need for a tasty home cooked meal. Salads, biscuits, gravy, a number of sides/casseroles/veggies, a few varieties of meat and some dessert. Flavorful food cooked with love and lard. They bring it out, you eat it up! This place is an experience that is worth trying, and coming back to again and again! Oh, it's a fixed price too, I can't remember exactly how much, but I think it's around $13-$15 per person. Also, they have breakfast/brunch on Saturdays and Sunday's. Haven't been, but I bet it's amazing!
(5)
David O.
Monell's is the ultimate in "Country Cooking"! I brought my parents here because they are always looking for places they don't have up north and this surely qualifies! The amount of food you get for the price is truly mountainous! While I can't admit to liking everything, there is so much that even if you don't like a few of the dishes, you certainly will not go away hungry. I was slightly disappointed at how perfunctory the waiter was, but its possible that its designed so they are out of sight, out of mind appearing only to refill your beverages or bring out more food. Strangely though, I found it lacking a real connection to the staff. Parking also could present a problem, since you are stuck with the limited availability on the street. I highly recommend a visit.
(4)
Zeb M.
Monell's lives up to the hype. I had their country breakfast Saturday morning and I'm still dreaming about their corn pudding. Every single thing was delicious, but I must talk about their fried chicken for a moment. I can't recall the last time I've had such fantastic chicken that wasn't too greasy or tough. I would go back again just for that. While the family style seating may turn off some people, I thought it was nice for a change and only added to the charm of the historic home-turned-restaurant. I can't believe it took me this long to eat at Monell's! But I know this won't be my last visit.
(5)
Matt K.
As a visiting Yankee, I was pretty excited to try this place since it screams Southern to me in every way. I think my expectations were really high, and I was a little bit disappointed. I'll still give it 3 stars though, because the intention was great, essentially unlimited food portions, and just a cool atmosphere. I was extremely hungover from a bachelor party, so couldn't enjoy or stomach as much food as I would have liked.
(3)
Janet Y.
I write this review as I crave Monell's meatloaf. This says a lot, considering I never ate meatloaf after traumatized by my school cafeteria at a young age. Am I the only one who feared Meatloaf Thursdays growing up? With that being said, the food at Monell's overall was hands down delicious. From the corn pudding to the skillet fried chicken, I had to try every bit of the dishes on our table. While everything we ate was a piece of Southern gooey goodness, be prepared for a food coma afterwards. The food is heavy, but I was a willing participant. I also loved the unique set up of the restaurant. You literally sit at a big dinner table. You may not know the person sitting next to you from Adam, but get to know them... because you'll likely have to ask them to pass you the macaroni and cheese! The staff is super friendly, and for me... "all you can eat" has reached a whole new level.
(4)
Terrell L.
I just had another wonderful meal and experience at Monell's Germantown Restaurant.. I took a friend who had never eaten there, of course he was taken back by the Food, Service and Charm of this place. I'm sure he will spread the good word about this establishment to many others. Country Breakfast, The Best Scrambled Eggs, Thick Sliced Bacon, Country Ham, Sausage, Cheese Grits, Home Fried Potato's, Corn Souffle, Pancakes, Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, Juice, Coffee and of course The Best Skillet Fried Chicken in Town. I think there was even more food on the table, however after eating a taste of all this, I had to take my coffee and relax out in the garden for a few minutes, Life is Good and Breakfast Was Great ! Thanks again Monell's !
(5)
D L.
Incredible food! Had a wonderful time with the family style dining. You begin with coffee, sweet and unsweet tea, water and homemade peach preserves. Biscuits, gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls that you are warned not to eat too much of as there is "more coming". That would be an understatement. Has become one of our top 5!
(5)
B G.
Had the best experience!
(5)
Brennan W.
There's not much to add that hasn't been said. So, instead of telling you why you should go, I'm going to tell you why NOT to go to Monell's. - Don't go if you're shy, or hate having fun. You will (most likely) be sitting with strangers. And it will be fun. - Don't go if you're not eat-your-own-skin-if-you-have-to hungry. You go here with a mild appetite, prepare to be severely disappointed. - Don't go if you are one of those people that complains about how fried food and sweet tea are killing America. Your nose will get turned up a little more with every course. - Don't go if you are on a diet. I did, and.... You know what? Go anyway. Consider it a cheat day. - Don't go if you are in a hurry. You're in the south now. Slow down. Have some pie.
(5)
Richard B.
Beyond the food, a fantastic dining experience. The communal dining really was the highlight of the evening, as the entire table of strangers shared food memories from childhood and from the different areas of the country that they hailed from. It has been said by more than one reviewer, and could not be a truer description of what you need to be when you arrive - HUNGRY. I can't recall feeling that full in a long, long time. The catfish was very well prepared, which takes much more skill than most people might think. The cornmeal coating was crisp and thin. The fried chicken was excellent. I found the mashed potatoes to be a bit thin, but of all the mountains of side dishes passed around the table it would be the only thing I could find a minor fault with for the entire evening. Monell's seems to appreciate the fact that they know they will have to roll you out the door at the end of the evening, because the dessert was a small cream cheese, coconut and pineapple tart. Rather than passing on dessert because you're so full, the size of it tempted you to finish of your evening with that last little morsel. And it was absolutely delicious as well. This is a dining experience that I will make the multi-hour drive to Nashville to repeat many times over the next few years.
(5)
Candace B.
Ok this place was awesome....It was too great we left so full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep! The place is set up like and old kitchen. There are old kitchen tables through the place with all the condiments and sweet tea you need. It is family style so you may be sitting with some people you don't know..but oh well I guess make some new friends! By the time we got there we where the last of the night and had a whole table to ourselves. When we where completely stuff there was probably about 10 bowls of great food on our table. I have to say my favorite was the fried chicken. It was cooked perfectly and not greasy at all. We also sampled, lasagna, greens, cornbread, white beans and catfish. There was a ton more but so much I can't remember. So, starve yourself all day then go to Monell's it is worth it!!
(5)
Jack K.
Like the Food Network Show, I can say that this is the best Southern food I ever ate! No joke. If you are ever in Nashville, you MUST go here! What is great is the place is historic. The wait can be long, but it was worth it for my group of 12. We waited outside in the really nice garden area, and we were soon seated in the front part of the building, which is brick on the outside. I've only had the dinner, so that's the only thing I can comment about, but it was amazing. The spread of family style servings of food will make your mouth water. You definitely need to come hungry, or at least practiced stretching out your stomach for a week to be able to eat the amount of food that will be placed on your table! I loved the family style buffet style dinner. We had our own table, but the table next to us had 3 different groups. It really proves that meals are a social treat. You get to pass around huge plates and bowls of food. Everything from the salad to the banana pudding (yum) are really great. The chicken is just how you'd imagine, cooked to perfection, and the mac and cheese makes you feel right at home. The green beans, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are more then acceptable, and once you thing you've had enough, the servers will ask if you would like anything more. We politely declined to more main courses, but we had to have another bowl of the banana pudding. They weren't lying when they said we would want another bowl! I won't say too much about the food because it changes from night to night, but any review that is positive is probably correct. It is that good! You will feel as if you need to "roll out" of there, literally. I have to say, the atmosphere is fun, inviting, warm, and lively. The people around you are into the meal, feel as if we were in someone's home rather then the restaurant. So, come to Monell's for great food, great company, and great service! The price of dinner (or any other meal) can't be beat when you're hungry! You won't be disappointed...unless you dislike eating awesome food!
(5)
Stacy T.
Everyone knows the restaurant is delicious, but I'd like to comment on the catering. We used Monell's to cater our wedding in May. It was somewhat of a difficult thing since our venue didn't have a kitchen and we had to trust that the food would be warm and fresh once it came time for dinner. I can tell you that everything was handled so professionally and you wouldn't have even known the food didn't come STRAIGHT from the oven! It was delicious! The entire catering experience was flawless from beginning to end and I'd recommend them to anyone needing to cater an event - large or small.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Just amazing. Endless dishes at a big table where you meet new people. All the food was great but the meatloaf was amazing.
(5)
Kerriann K.
The experience is what makes the restaurant. Go early - and with your whole group - or expect to wait for a long time. Course after course is served very quickly. Mac and cheese, beans, ribs, catfish, chicken, coleslaw, biscuits, etc. Dishes were refilled as needed, but not the best food I've eaten in this city. Fun place to try.
(3)
James M.
Great southern cooking reminds me of fondue memories back at Pappaw & Granmaw's house down at farm for Sunday dinner. Very nice to sit with diversified people from all races & share a meal. Encourages comunication with other diners for a enjoyable experience. Hope they donate leftovers to a good cause in Nashville !
(5)
Angela Z.
We decided to sniff out a new place for breakfast this weekend, so of course I headed to Yelp to look for suggestion. Monell's was one of the places that popped up on the list. The restaurant is in a beautiful old house with a huge lawn and great parking. We were greeted promptly by a very friendly hostess and seated in about 5 minutes. Our tablemates were not the friendliest in the world, but that's a risk you run when you're eating family style. The meal started with baskets of warm soft biscuits and cinnamon rolls. The gravy was amazing. About 10 minutes later the parade of breakfast dishes began. Corn pudding, potatoes, grits, fried chicken, the best bacon I've ever eaten (thick, crispy goodness) scrambled eggs. I'm sure I"m leaving things out. We'll definitely be back. This will be a great place to bring out of town guests (especially our British family) to introduce them to southern cooking and hospitality!
(4)
Melisa P.
All I have to say is OMG! This place was more than good! It was like eating with long lost family. Even if you aren't the type of person who likes to share or break bread with people you don't really know, you soon get over it because the food is too good not to. My friend and I went right before we drove to Pigeon Forge from Nashville which in hindsight was a big mistake, for me anyway, since I was doing all the driving because after eating such an incredible meal at Monell's all I wanted to do was take a nap ... after the biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, catfish, beans, mashed potatoes, greens and on and on and on that was being passed around the table. This was downright home cooking at it's best! It didn't even matter that my friend and I were the youngest people at the table by about 30 or 40 years ... we have a great time and picked up some life's wisdom in the process.
(5)
Zenda T.
The Best Food EVER!!!! I wanted some good southern food, I was not disappointed.... A must when visiting Nashville.
(5)
Keila N.
Monell's is tucked away in a residential area in German Town. It's nestled in a tranquil garden with colorful flowers with humming bees. I've been here on several occasions, each visit being different from the former. This is family style dining where you sit at a big table with complete strangers. There's ample comfort food served with southern hospitality that you only hear of in the movies. It's truly an intimate experience. I don't eat meat, and I rarely eat carbs. But this place is worth going to just for the ambiance. You can't visit Nashville and not go here.
(5)
Dominic M.
Quintessential Nashville down home southern cooking. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, catfish, okra,etc. It's the stuff your mamma cooked if mamma was cooking for all the farmhands. When friends and family come to Nashville, we take them to Monell's. Be ready to leave in a food coma. I personally hold the folks at Monell's responsible for 20 of the 30 #'s I've gained since moving to Music City. The Mansion location is great too but my fave is the Germantown original.
(5)
Safa S.
This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in Nashville and probably the US. Now that I am back in LA, I am having serious withdrawals from this place. Everything is great about this place: the decor, the service, the atmosphere and most definitely the food. When you walk into the restaurant there is a sign that says "Enter as strangers and leave as friends." This is so true! You are seated at a large family table with other people. We had a great time getting to know some of the people at our table and getting an idea of other local places to try. The food is served family style, so you have pass everything around (I believe the etiquette here is to pass the food to the left). The decor makes you feel like you are at someones house and so does the way the food is served. So, in the end you really feel like you are eating a home cooked meal! Check the website for the daily menu. Everyday different food is served, so I really think the food is fresh. The day we came they had chicken casserole, pot roast, fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn bread and green beans. I may be forgetting one or two items. Overall, this is a must go to restaurant.
(5)
Christina M.
Well I have to say sitting with other people was different but it didn't bother me. I loved all the friendly waitresses & made me aware of the rules & lots of food to come! Everything was delicious we had so much worth the price of $19. Fresh biscuits, fresh fried catfish, fried chicken & ribs just to say the least all excellent. Even my husband whose the not easiest to please liked it so that's saying a lot! Great stop!
(5)
Bryan M.
Everytime I'm in Nashville I try to make it here. SO good!!!
(5)
Chris A.
Holy moly, the food heere is GREAT, the wait is normally about 35-40 minutes, but it's worth it. You get to meet a ton of new people (family style) and get an amazing southern meal for 20$. go here in nashville.
(5)
Jennifer P.
I was raised on traditional Southern cuisine and going to Monell's is just like taking a time machine back to my Mamaw's kitchen. The food is delicious, soulful and traditional. The corn pudding and green beans, especially, taste just like she used to make them. I feel like I get a memory out of every bite. I find the southern comfort and nostalgia of this place to be what I love the most. I love the family style serving and the huge shared tables. I love all of the little trinkets and nic-nacks sprinkled throughout the restaurant. I even love the little eclectic garden they have outside. It just makes you feel at home; pair that with a great meal and you have the recipe for "meat & three" excellence.
(5)
Kevin U.
I felt like I was at grandma's house...so awesome. Enjoyed my soul food...fried chicken, catfish, all kinds of incredible sides and the best banana puddin' I'be ever had. This is a must for your Nashville visit. The service is fun and engaging. Like I said, it was like hanging out at a family member's house for a weekend meal.
(4)
Dagan B.
really good country cooking. you have to set with a group but it ends up being really cool and most people going understand the situation so strangers become friends or at least friendly.the pancakes and cinnimon rolls are the highlights also the biscuits and gravy and fried chicken are really good
(4)
Kevin K.
You have to understand how this place works. It was recommended to us by a friend of mine who just told me the food was really good and you got a lot of it. We pull up to the place, and park on the street in front for free. We walk in and told the lady we have two in our party. She brings us to a big table where seven people are already sitting and they have just started to serve the food. It was all family style, no menu, but they had pasta salad, fried chicken, biscuits, home made preserves, potatoes, etc. There was so much food and as long as you're eating, they keep bringing it, and as soon as you're done, you get up and get out! They always have something different at every meal. At lunch and dinner, they always have some form of chicken and then something else. When we were done and on our way out, we asked the lady up front what are they serving for lunch tomorrow, thinking we would come back, and she didn't know. She told us of the possibilities but she wasn't sure what it would be. Fun place to go, especially with a large group.
(5)
Justin J.
Monell's is Southern dining at its finest! The setup is family style, so if you go by yourself like I did - be prepared to sit with a large group of black woman from out of town. The food consisted of southern style comfort food: Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc... IMO this should be a right of passage when traveling to Nashville.
(5)
Dan H.
My wife and I loved this place. Great tasting fried chicken. Tons of food for a reasonable price. Served family style so you get to meet some new fools. We would highly recommend a meal at Monell's...it won't be your last meal there.
(5)
Trey T.
The food is above average though not as good as what you would get at individually plated restaurant of a similar price point. The amount and variety of food you can get though combined with the wonderful atmosphere more than makes up for this. Excellent place for a large family gathering or getting with a big group of friends! Try the catfish and banana pudding!
(4)
Jamie P.
Monell's is a hostess' secret weapon! It is our go-to restaurant when we have out of town guests. Because of the long table seating, they almost always have room for a large party. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and if I time it right, our company eats so much breakfast that I don't have to cook lunch! I have only ever been to Monell's for breakfast, but I am hoping to change that soon. We do not go too often, as I would rather not eat my own weight in food on a regular occasion, but when we do go, I always feel like a little kid excited to go to Grandma's house for breakfast. The food is delicious, and it tastes deliciously homemade. You can't beat this food for the price.
(5)
Lindsay M.
What a fun experience in Nashville! A friend and I descended upon the city for a long weekend, and her brother dragged us here on a 1.5-mile walk. I probably would have eaten anything at that point, but this far exceeded any expectations I had. It's family-style--and you're seated at a table with other folks who showed up at the time as you. The host was welcoming and inviting--a great start. I recommend you show up around 1 pm to get good, quick service. Otherwise you'll be waiting for the first round of diners to finish. This place does not take reservations. The fixed menu takes all the pressure off ordering. The host is right--don't waste valuable stomach real estate with the cheap stuff (cucumber salad and cole slaw)--though very delicious. Save room for the onslaught of southern culinary genius. Try everything on the table. I promise you it's worth the calories. (you'll feel less guilty if you walk back to the car you left downtown. It's only 1.5 miles.)
(5)
Melissa C.
On my top 10 best & most memorable meal list! From NYC road tripping through Tennessee and had 1 day to spend in Nashville. The food, atmosphere, service and even the neighborhood where the restaurant is were all wonderful! It feels like your having a meal at your Southern Grandmother's home. As a tourist, I found it fun to sit at a big family style table full of strangers to casually chat with people from all over and hear their story. And then the food.....I ate everything they had on the table and everything was absolutely delicious!!! Best Biscuits & Gravy and Fried Chicken I've ever had. There were so many delicious sides and they were endless. I had to make my self stop eating, because I couldn't get enough of how amazing it all was. AND IT ONLY COSTS $13.00 minus TIP!! It may seem like a lot to some but there is so much food and it's never ending. Please DO NOT forget to tip those lovely servers!!! Overall a memorable experience that helped top off my great time in Nashville. If your going to be there or pass nearby Nashville, this cannot be missed!! Best Southern Cooking I ever had.
(5)
Sonja D.
Quantity, not quality. But OH is there quantity! A great place to bring friends who want some classic southern food. The fried chicken was great of course. Everything else was the usual southern sauce-drenched carbo-loaded stuff (for better or worse, depends whether or not you like it like that). I do really love eating family style. You meet some great people - locals, out-of-towners - and everyone is there for the experience so be ready to chat it up!
(3)
Sun O.
We were in town for work (from LA), and stopped by for lunch. The food is astoundingly good, and an great value. I'm glad I tried the strawberry shortcake at the end, not being a dessert lover - it was phenomenal.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Monell's takes the blue ribbon for Southern Hospitality. It felt like I was eating at my Mama's or my Big Mama's house in Mississippi. The food is comforting, yummy, southern fare and the atmosphere is what you would expect if you hail from the south. Run, don't walk to this eating establishment, you will be glad you did!
(5)
Mary C.
July 21, 2012 Breakfast Everything was excellent, and 5 star, read the other reviews for details!!!
(5)
Justin S.
Ate here in 2000 and Monell's has stuck out in my mind for years. For awhile, I've been trying to recall the name and finally figured it out. My food review would be dated regarding specific items, but I will say that it was a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Nashville. If it says anything, it's been 13 years since I've been and it's stuck out in the back of my mind ever since.
(5)
Mark N.
This place has some of the best souther cooking I have ever eaten. Cornbread, biscuits with homemade peach preserves, cucumber salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, southern green beans, sweet tea, and homemade strawberry short cake. All served family style at a table for 14 in a home built in 1880. Too much food for $16. MUST GO if ever in Nashville. I'm now in a food coma.
(5)
Sara L.
Just a note, and a personal opinion--I've now been for dinner as well as for breakfast. Dinner added spinach lasagna, some amazing fried green tomatoes, exceptional cole slaw and cucumber salad, plus really good banana pudding (particularly good, since I don't like bananas). All this was excellent and good and YET for all that, for my money, breakfast is the time to go.
(5)
Caroline B.
This place is fantastic! Love the family style setting and the ability meet new people while enjoying delicious food. The restaurant itself is incredibly charming and paired with the excellent service, creates the ultimate dining experience. Monell's has two rules: Pass to the left and no cell phones at the table. The lack of cell phone use really enhanced our visit. If you're looking for a southern meal and great atmosphere, this is your place.
(5)
Geoff T.
This is not a Five-Star restaurant in the haughty sense. There's no celebrity chef, no over-priced dishes or expensive ingredients, and no exclusive months-long waiting list (unless you come around 11am on a weekend). This is classic southern comfort food developed to perfection with a fun homespun environment thrown in. Monell's is where I take first-time Nashville guests without exception. Both brunch and supper are anchored around their fried chicken, which is my personal favorite. The brunch side dishes include favorites like fried potatoes, a giant breakfast meat platter, homemade biscuits with peach preserves, corn pudding and cheese grits. Being a Yankee transplant, I didn't even like grits before I discovered Monell's. Consider my mind changed. Lunch/Dinner menus tend to focus on tasty southern meat-and-three stalwarts like mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, etc. I love their afternoon menu, but I would push first-timers to get there in time for brunch if they can. The classic original location in Nashville's Germantown is a first priority, but it gets crowded fast. They recently opened the "Manor House" off Murfreesboro Rd (close to the airport) that has much more room and a much smaller wait. There's also an "express" location in Berry Hill and a north-metro satellite in Gallatin. The food is top-notch, but the "family style" dining rooms are almost as integral to the experience. Simply stated, your group does not sit at its own table. You are seated at long tables with several other groups. I have met some very interesting people, both local and guest, through the process of passing the dishes and raving over the fried chicken. Each visit is its own experience. All this writing is making me extremely hungry. I wonder if they'll be crowded at lunch today...
(5)
Hoa T.
Monell's by far has been the best dining experience that I have had here in Nashville. Family style all you can eat of delicious southern cooking. The menu rotates daily with fried chicken as the anchor. I had the chicken and dumplings on Monday and also came for the brunch. First time eating chicken and dumplings, the chicken was tender and amazing. The fried chicken was everything that fried chicken should be, crunchy and juicy. Brunch had eggs, pancakes, ham, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, etc. You will leave here full to the brim, guaranteed.
(5)
Kelli B.
Great lunch experience. This is a truly Southern family style restaurant. Make sure to check in before hitting the door, as there is a "no phones at the table" rule. You are seated at large dining tables, possibly with strangers depending on how large your party is. There is no menu, they bring out all the good family recipes: cucumber salad, biscuits and gravy, corn salad, cornbread, meatloaf, fried chicken, ribs, etc., and a dessert. You will not leave hungry!
(5)
Angie K.
Sit with other families through me off. I now know what family style dining is. Part that is not good is if you come after the family style dining has started you will get cold food passed to you...
(4)
Stephanie K.
I've been searching for truly out-of-this world fried chicken since I came to Nashville, and Monell's did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, Kelly commented that it smelled like her grandmother's house. It has that feeling, even the large dining room tables where they seat you with other guests. I came here on a Saturday at around 12:30, so we were asked to choose whether we wanted breakfast or lunch. After hearing the menu items, we went with breakfast. We were seated at an empty table (I suppose most of the other guests wanted lunch) but we were quickly joined by two others. For breakfast, they serve fried chicken, smoked sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, fried apples, hash browns, cheese grits, pancakes, eggs, and corn pudding. There are pitchers of iced tea and carafes of coffee for the table, so you just help yourself. Everything is brought out as it's ready and passed around the table. When you want more, you just ask someone to pass it down. Everything was great, but there were definitely a few super stars on the menu. For one, the fried chicken. I love skillet fried chicken, and this did not let me down. I was also a big fan of the corn pudding, the fried apples, and the biscuits & gravy. For that amazing all-you-can-eat feast, you're charged only $13 (for breakfast, I think lunch and dinner have different price points). Completely worth it. This is a must-go restaurant if you're in Nashville and dying for some heavenly fried chicken. I can't wait to come back for dinner or lunch and try everything else they have to offer.
(5)
Jed P.
I don't know how it happens. I think I'm watching my portions, but by the time the fried chicken comes around I feel like I've already had two or three dinners. The fried chicken is so good, though, that I have to go in for a fourth: chicken, biscuits, another glass of sweet tea. And a fifth. I have never left Monell's without feeling completely, disgustingly, stop-and-sit-a-minute-on-the-bench-outside full. This is soul food so good that you're willing to push your stomach to its absolute physical limit and then keep going. The communal seating is fun if you're feeling friendly and not a big deal if you're not. The servers embody down-home cordiality and seem to enjoy what they do. On my first visit, I made the mistake of mentioning to our waitress that I thought the Loveless Cafe had decent fried chicken. As it turned out, she was a former Loveless waitress. She launched into a passionate, point-by-point defense of the superiority of Monell's chicken to that of her former employers. And, I have to say, she was absolutely right. She was happy to hear me say so later on. I was raised on Loveless hams and jams, and I'll always love the place for nostalgia's sake, but judging by food alone there is no competition between the two establishments--or, for that matter, between Monell's and any other meat-and-three/southern/soul-food joint in town. If you only have time to visit one restaurant in Nashville, this should be it. Just remember to tap the brakes while you're eating, hard and often. While all dishes are great, a few are out of this world, and you don't want to be too full to enjoy them. Remember that you can always take more of any dish later, once you've tried some of everything.
(5)
Michael J.
Wow. My buddy and I really enjoyed this place. We were seated at a table with a wonderful family and had some great conversation along with a great meal. Way more food than I could eat and at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.
(5)
Michael H.
Wow this is some great southern eating. Come hungry. It is all you can eat family style service. The fried catfish and chicken are amazing. All the sides were great too. The server keep our bowls full at the table. Great place to bring a large party of people to eat together. It is a little pricey but for all that you get including drink it is not bad. The house is also very charming and well decorated.
(5)
Susan W.
If you are from out of town and want a southern experience, this is the place to be. The service was excellent. The sweet tea is excellent. The catfish is excellent. Everything is excellent. I would come back again some day.
(5)
Gail W.
We had mid-morning breakfast at Monell's yesterday (breakfast available on weekends only). I knew to expect a wait and was told by the hostess it would be 30-40 minutes, but we were seated in about 20 (hooray, because I was starving!). The food was wonderful, although the scrambled eggs were a little more done that I like. The cheese grits were perfect! My husband enjoyed the potatoes; I had one taste and they were really good, but I can't pass up grits when they are available. The cinnamon rolls were light and sweet. The bacon was perfectly crispy (sausage and country ham are also available). The fried chicken, one of their specialties, was wonderful -- nicely crispy and moist on the inside. They had fresh sliced tomatoes that looked home grown -- I love sliced tomatoes at breakfast! The corn pudding was good, but a little sweet for my taste. I didn't try the pancakes because I just didn't have the room. I wanted to try the peach preserves but they got lost on the table. Service is family style and you'll be seated at a large table with 10-11 other people. Pass to the left for the first pass and then just ask for whatever else you need. We'll definitely go back next trip to Nashville!
(5)
Teresa T.
Hands down an awesome experience. Monell's has a sign hanging above its door that says "Come in as strangers and leave as friends". Monell's is inside of a home so you really get a comforting feeling. Once your name is called, you walk in and sit at a wooden table with other people (family style) and then it begins. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, water and fruit tea are already laid out on the table with coleslaw, a piece of chess pie for dessert and vegetable salad. The biscuits and corn bread arrive with gravy and peach preserves. And then corn pudding, green beans, a breakfast scramble (sausage, egg, potato, onions? and cheese), mac and cheese, spice apples, beef, pulled pork, cheese grits and fried chicken. I feel like I have missed something else... I could not eat like this every day as I wanted to pass out after but really this is something you need to experience. Just remember if it is your first time to really restrain and try a little bit of everything first and then gorge if you have room.
(5)
Molly G.
OMG SO GOOD. Nothing to complain about. I definitely had to roll myself out when I was done. Really good banana puddin' and sweet tea. You do have to sit at the table with strangers but that is part of the Nash-Vegas experience. I would definitely return. Beware: not for the dieters or health conscious, but HEY I was on vaycay!
(5)
Stacy R.
We had a couple of recommendations from friends to try this place, so we did. While the food was good, it wasn't anything that completely knocked my socks off. Don't get me wrong, the peach jam was absolutely amazing, but as a whole, I wasn't overly impressed. We were warned that it was communal seating with family style serving, which was different and a good way to meet new people, but you need to be in the mood to converse with strangers, and I'm not going to lie, we went early, and we were really tired! Three stars shouldn't deter you from going, just be ready for the atmosphere. There is a lot of food, and again, it's good... for me though, it just wasn't the greatest.
(3)
M M.
you want to out a feed bag on? this is the place for you!!! really excellent fried chicken, great pork chops. The only side I was disappointed in was their Mac and Cheese, very, very bland. Other than that come down and be prepared to be full and happy, or is it happy and full :)
(4)
LLuli A.
Monell's: Where southern foodie dreams come true! I recently experience Monell's dining while at a conference in Nashville. This place really was the highlight of the entire trip. I was in heaven with every bite I took of the peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, the corn pudding, fried chicken, oh and the many more dishes that I tried and can't seem to remember right now. Overall, its great food, family style and the best part is that you get to dine in with friendly strangers from all walks of life. The service is superb and Little Mike, who greeted us ended up giving me a delicious blackberry jam on the house. The food is sooo good here that you will not regret your visit. Stop by whenever you are in TN.
(5)
Penny L.
The concept is fun and entertaining. The food is very fresh and obviously home made. Our favorites Pea salad - wouldn't have imagined that before I tasted it! Chicken and dumplings Meatloaf Peach preserves Not so much Fried chicken - dry and bland, Babes Chicken House in Texas blows them away Green beans - I like mine with bacon and a little kick Would I go again - no but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)
Basil L.
I loved this place. I loved this place so much I would marry it. I'm not going to write a long review, just a couple highlights: - Fried Chicken. For breakfast. Punch me in the face now, it was so good. - Family Style. We had a big group so it was no big deal. They put a couple people to sit with us and it didn't matter. We chatted with them but really just talked about how awesome the food was. There was a ridiculous amount of food, so glad we ran a marathon the previous day.
I flew in for a week for a conference, but in the back of my mind is "where can i find the most authentic southern fried chicken?" Thanks to Yelp, the gps led me safely into Monell's for an experience that was worth returning for. First off, you dont sit by yourself. The place is a big house with lots of rooms and family dining tables scattered throughout. The ambience feels like grandma's home, and you eat what they serve you. Big spoons, big bowls, and lots of ice tea for your likings. Each table sat 8-10 folks, and you are seated in order of entry with your party. So get ready to pass the bowl, have a conversation with a stranger, and eat until you drop. The food here is amazing. Every night differs, and we got to experience pork chops, fried chicken, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, mash, and gosh i forgot already i'm so hungry. We ate until we dropped, but with a smile. Everyone else around was loud and happy, also feeling the pain of overeating after indulging on such wonderful food. The fried chicken and pork chop was still my favorites, each drooling in fried and gravy.. yumm! Price was affordable, and staff was very friendly. I was visiting for 5 days, and came here twice during my stay.
(5)
Gabe F.
Best southern cooking in Nashville. Some of the best southern food in the south. Absolutely amazing! I love going on Sunday afternoon and meeting new people at the family style table.
(5)
david h.
This is a treat of the first order! It is old south at its finest. Breakfast consists of Fried chicken, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits and gravy, plus much more. You sit at a communal table and the food is served family style by a large african american woman named Mavis. It just doesn't get any more southern (or good) than that! Smiley face and a star.
(5)
Anne R.
Visited Monell's for breakfast based on the fabulous reviews and I was so excited!!! We were wanting to check it out with plans of bringing a group of "out-of-towners" here the following week. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with our experience. We got to the restaurant around 10 am with a 20 minute wait but this was not a big deal, we had expected this. And the outside seating area is comfortable and a great space. However, once our name was called and we were seated, we felt as if we were being rushed through our meal. They would put the food down and walk off with not even a smile and then came over right away with our checkout card. We were seated elbow to elbow with those at our table to the point were it was even awkward to cut our food. We also did not receive the pancakes as advertised. When we did leave, the girl at the checkout was obviously in a bad mood. Needless to say, one of the people in our group said as we were leaving "I remember it being so much better in the past." I hated that we had such an experience because now we will need to find another local restaurant to treat our guests....
(2)
Kevin P.
Family style, great food!
(4)
Daniel P.
I've got two bellyfulls to annoint This a top Southern fam'ly-style joint. If a few plates are off (Who wants Beef Stroganoff?) The fried chick. and sides won't disappoint.
(4)
Candice M.
I have been to Monell's on more than one occasion and the food was great, but I must say that the Christmas dinner today was very disappointing! Way too overpriced for what you receive-everything was bland and/or watered down...macaroni and cheese soup, anyone? My family who came to visit for the holiday were certainly not happy with the service or the food-and it was their first time! Maybe it was just a bad day?
(2)
Vanessa P.
My boyfriend and I were visiting one of his friends in Nashville and his friend suggested we come here for lunch. I wish we had a restaurant like this in Chicago! Dining at Monell's is like visiting your Southern grandma's house. Everything is served family style and at communal tables. When we were seated, there were 8 others at the table dining already. We sat and the other diners just started passing all the food to us. I stuck to the sides (as I wasn't eating meat at the time) and had the green beans, corn bread, cucumber salad, coleslaw, another vegetable, biscuits and jam, etc. Even just eating the sides, it was a feast. The sweet tea was a tad too sweet (but, hey, I'm from Chicago). This is a great place to get to know your new tablemates and practice your dining etiquette, all while enjoying some truly Southern cooking.
Monell's is more than a restaurant. It is a dining experience. If you are ever in Nashville, you must try it. Some friends and I went on the recommendation of a Nashville native. We were there about 1 p.m. on a Saturday, which meant we had the Country Breakfast. At Monell's, you sit at a big table with folks you don't know, and all the food is served family style. Someone explained to me that Monell's is like a "meat and three" (one meat main course with three side dishes), only it was a "three meat and 10." The food just keeps coming and coming and coming until you can't take it anymore. We had cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, eggs, breakfast potatoes, corn pudding, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, some kind of apple dish that was amazing, and... I know I'm forgetting something, but everything was so good. If you run out of something on the table, you can ask for more. It's basically an all-you-can-eat deal. The entire meal was only about $13, and I was full way past supper. (It really is like two meals in one.) This is a place I highly recommend.
(5)
Heather W.
As a naturally gregarious foodie, I can only emphatically agree with all the 4- and 5- star reviews already here. I'd like to add another little-known Monell's secret treat, though: I always seem to arrive at Monell's for a late Sunday breakfast. As noon approaches, each time I've been there, I've been treated to the sounds of a very talented acoustic guitarist who sets up near the entrance with a small amp and a barstool. Gorgeous gentle chords, great company and fantastic food - no better way to spend a lazy Sunday. I'd also like to throw in a note about their dishes - plates, cups and some of the servingware looks like it was all a mishmosh of things some eccentric like me picked up at yard sales. Maybe it's silly, but I love choosing my favorite coffee mug from the stack of empties at the breakfast table; it really does feel like Grandma's house.
(5)
Danny H.
This is the first time I ever sat at a table with random people that I have never met before I arrived at the place. Let's just say that going to this place is like having home cookin soul food at your house with some good ol' southern hospitality with some random strangers. But I'm not going to complain, the people here were nice and made it enjoyable. Anyways to the main point, the food...yum, delicious, and finger lickin good! Fried chicken, mac n cheese, country style banana breadpudding, mash potatoes, corn bread, biscuits, pork n cabbage, lasagna, and your choice of lemonade, tea, water. Food cooked just right, not too greasy, not too salty or sweet, just right! For $12.95 lunch, it's a good place to stop by and eat til you drop if you want some good ol' homestyle soul food!
(4)
Jemina B.
Ehhh, am I the only person who thinks this place is just okay? Their southern fare is certainly not up to Loveless Cafe standards, although the wait appeared to be just as long. I dutifully passed around plate/bowl after another of food, but found it all to be a little tasteless. Maybe I was having an off day, or maybe they were?
(3)
Jonathan K.
Amazing Southern food at a family-style restaurant at a solid price. The fried chicken was fantastic, but extremely greasy. The smothered chicken was awesome as well, but not quite as good as the fried chicken. The corn pudding was amazingly good, definitely a highlight of the sides, along with the mashed potatoes. The cole slaw was excellent and the banana pudding was absolutely incredible, definitely the best I've ever had. You sit at communal tables with people you don't know, which is a great opportunity to have some interesting conversation. They have a clear no cell-phone policy and really try to make you feel at home. Our dinner was $15, all-you-can-eat and including tip. Monell's was a great experience and a must-do while in Nashville.
(5)
Stella G.
Last Wednesday, I almost ate myself to death. My husband says to me, "I want some fried chicken." Okay. whatever. great. I'm not even a fried chicken fan. I can live without southern food. Well I could, until we found Monell's. We arrive in a cab and find ourselves in front of a place that looks almost like a large private home, but warmly lit on the inside. As soon as we step through the door, the host's natural southern charm came through and escorted us to the table. Within 60 seconds there is bow tie pasta, sweet tea, cucumber salad and cole slaw. We're then joined at a huge dining table by long time patrons "Becky" and her daughter. They had come to Monell's every week for the past 5 years, plus Christmas and Thanksgiving. And...I can see why. We shared with our new dinner companions the corn pudding, squash cassarole, biscuits and gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, apples with cinamon, fried pork chops, baked chicken, fried chicken, stuffing and peach cobbler. I'm sure i'm missing something. It came out in endless baskets like southern style mana from heaven. If you can remember to leave your cell phone off and pass to the left, you are guaranteed the best dining experience you've ever had.Not only was it amazing, endless amounts of food, but our total including tax, but without the well deserved tip: $29.50. As I was leaving, I noticed that they had a bumper sticker that said "if the colonel had our recipe, he'd be a general." Well, I say, if every place had a Monell's there'd be world peace.
(5)
Justin W.
If you made a list of phrases used to describe southern cuisine (finger-lickin', down home, good old fashioned, etc.), you'd probably go through quite a few in singing praises for Monell's. It's family-style dining, which means that each course is brought out on a big serving platter, and gets passed around amongst everyone at the table. Tables seat 10-12 people, so you'll probably be sharing with people you don't necessarily know as friends or family, but with that understanding, patrons mind their manners, and I've never had any problems asking for a basket of biscuits that was on the other end of the table. You would think that, being an all-you-can-eat establishment, that the quality of the food isn't up to par with made-to-order restaurants, but this is not the case. My great-grandmother was from West Virginia, and there were two things I remember about her food: it was good, and there was lots of it. She would bring plate after plate of food, until your stomach was close to bursting, then she'd bring out another plate and look disappointed when you didn't finish it. Monell's is a lot like that, minus the disappointing looks. The food keeps coming until everyone at the table finally surrenders to the fact that they can't eat anymore, and because there's such a variety of dishes, even the pickiest of eaters will probably find something they like, for breakfast or for dinner. And if you're not a picky eater and want to sample a little of everything, you'll have to eat at least two plates of food. If there's one thing that everyone raves about, it's the fried chicken, which is served both at breakfast and at dinner. And it's popular for good reason; it's the best fried chicken you'll find anywhere in Tennessee, and probably some of the best fried chicken in the country. I was really surprised to learn what I had paid for so much food; breakfast only cost $13 per person. I can't remember what dinners are, but don't remember it being much more expensive. The only thing that I didn't like was that, at the end of the meal, there's still so much good food left over on the table, and your stomach's stubborn protests will not permit you to eat any more of it.
(5)
Lauren A.
I visited Nashville over New Years and after being subjected to hearing about the deliciousness that is Monell's for at least a year from my friends, I was finally able to eat there. And I was not disappointed. I love the family style dining, cozy atmosphere, and the endless amount of delicious food that is being passed around the table. I had almost filled my plate to the brim with delicious side dishes before the main courses came out. I did save room on my plate for the fried chicken though and as amazing as it was, I love the sides the best. I would have been happy with a bowl of Monell's to-die-for cole slaw but the green beans and the corn pudding and the biscuits with homemade jam and the cucumber salad and the banana pudding... let me just say, the food is great. The menu at Monell changes every day I'm told and the one thing I wish they would have been serving when I visited was the Macaroni and Cheese. I hear it will change your life. I will go back to Monell's the next time I'm in Nashville for sure but I might not eat for a few days in advance to prepare myself.
(5)
Lucie O.
Family style dining was a great way to meet some of the wonderful locals and also experience the setting with fellow travelers! The food was absolutely home style rich southern cuisine to die for! They know how to feed here, come hungry, start with small servings because different courses come in heaps throughout the meal. No line to get in for us but was told that's rare, but if you have to wait there is a beautiful garden with several fish ponds and plenty of cozy benches and shade. Whether with a large group, dinner with the family or wanting to experience Nashville, this is the best for your buck!
(5)
Lloyd B.
Really nothing to complain about except that it's just too much food! Went on a Saturday for lunch and we had fried chicken, pulled pork, and meat loaf for entrees. Green beans, corn chowder, baked apples, roasted potatoes for sides. Coleslaw and cucumber salad for appetizers with cornbread and rolls with preserves. Bread pudding for dessert. Service was great, everything tasted great, and the price was ridiculously cheap. I think $16/pp including tax. Much reccomended!
(5)
Jeff L.
I've been to Monell's for both breakfast and dinner and both meals are incredible. I could easily eat their corn pudding for every meal for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. Family style dining, amazing food, reasonable prices, what's not to like? Don't go if you're not hungry.
(5)
Avonel R.
First of all....wow. I've only been here for breakfast but even after seeing all of the other reviews, I still left impressed. I love the family style dining. We were seated around people we didn't know, but overall it was fabulous company. The breakfast choices were seemingly endless. Cheese grits (!!!!!!), corn pudding, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, baked apples, bacon, sausage...the list goes on. I truly needed a nap after this huge Sunday brunch. I will surely be returning for dinner soon! This is one of my new favorite breakfast places in Nashville.
Monell's really made our brief, 36-hour stay in Nashville! Lovely to eat awesome southern cookin family style with a bunch of southerners! We ate next to a couple from KY for lunch who said theyd been there the night before for dinner and were so pleased they came back 12 hours later! The biscuits and peach preserves, corn pudding, fried chicken, and peach cobbler were to die for! I loved that the waitress called me Baby. :) A must-do for visitors! We'll be back!
(5)
Melanie B.
I love eating here! it is amazing for breakfast with pancakes, grits, eggs (REAL ones not that powedered crap some places try to serve), biscuits with yummy fruit preserves, this corn stuff that is amazing, and of course meat and that is just part of the breakfast. Germantown location is a smaller than the Franklin location, but the food is just as tantalizing. The dinner is um... mouthwatering with fried chicken, lasagna, catfish, ribs, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes.. on and on the list goes of wonderful food. I ate here before I became a vegeatarian and still love going after I became one because there are still tons of food to choose from.
(5)
Jen W.
Wear your stretchy pants! If your'e on a diet, then don't go here! If your'e going to be a baby about sitting at a communal table go elsewhere! You don't have to talk to people if you don't want to and I'm a New Yorker! I know all about ignoring people and phasing them out. But here, you kinda soften up a bit, sure you sit at a giant table with strangers you don't know, and you pass the food around like Sunday dinner. There's no menu for you to order off, they just bring the food and you take some and pass it on. Don't get greedy here and take like 5 pieces of fried chicken, there's always more dishes coming. Save space. Dessert is always on the table. Dinner's over in about 30 min. In 30 min you're stuffed to the brim. your stretchy pants have stretched to the point where they might just rip. You have been warned! You can't go wrong with their fried chicken. Corn pudding is amazing. Green beans are always great. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, and lemonade all around. Whatever they're making that night, try some and eat it. You can always have more, but you have to finish what's in the basket first. You can't go wrong with the fried chicken. Don't load up on biscuits, they're good but save space for everything else!
(5)
Tonya O.
Being a Nashville native, I don't know why it took so long for me to dine at Monell's, but my first experience was just last year, and I had the opportunity to dine there again recently. By far, Monell's is awesome for large groups with their boarding house-style dining. I always thought it was called family-style, but my recent visit educated me further. Boarding house-style means that they bring out several meats, vegetables and other sides to pass around and share with anyone and everyone at your table. You may or may not know everyone at your table, but by the end of your meal you will certainly know everyone a little bit better. If you're on a diet, Monell's might not be the best place for you. Their food is so yummy that you'll want to try at least a little bit of everything. I highly recommend trying the preserves with biscuits, which are served with every meal. Fried chicken, cornbread and banana pudding are the other dishes that are served with every meal. Other offerings can vary between fried catfish, pulled pork, meat loaf, green beans, corn pudding, hashbrown casserole and many other possibilities. Around the holidays and on weekends, it's best to make reservations. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit. If the weather is nice, the garden is a lovely place to wait. If you're looking for a place to bring out of town guests, this is the place to take them!
(5)
Brad C.
I am from Australia and in 2010 spent my first ever Thanksgiving at Monells with a Canadian buddy. I was blown away with the food that just kept coming. The fried chicken was so good! The desert such as pumpkin pie was wonderful. Overall, some of the best southern home style cooking I have tasted in nashville. The wait to get a table on thanksgiving was 2hrs and that sort of dampened to excitement but once we were inside, I was won over as soon as I walked in and saw the waiters walking past with hot dishes heading for tables. The other people at the table were friendly. For me it wasn't about the experience of dining at the same table as strangers, it was all about the cooking.
(4)
Simon K.
Cast Iron skillets, genuine southern fried chicken, endless portions, southern hospitality, great company, and you walk out with an experience that you brag to your friends about. Never been more proud of being Nashville local. Monell's is the definition of southern soul food. I try to be a fair critic, so if I had to pick a down-side then it would be that they are not big on desserts. However if you can even make it to dessert, you're not gonna be disappointed with the banana pudding. "The proof is in the pudding," so just try to find a bad review of the place. You can try, but it be a bigger waste of time than watching the new Green Latern movie.
(5)
Cortney L.
You can't come to Nashville without enjoying this Southern staple. Don't miss the turnip greens and fried chicken.
(5)
Bao N.
The Monells dining experience was quite interesting and different from any dining experience I've had. My wife, daughter, and two friends sat at a humungous rectangular wooden table with 10 other strangers and ate family style. For less than a minute, it felt kinda weird, but once the delicious home-cooked food started coming, the conversation with the folks at the table started picking up and it was really cool hearing their stories and experiences in Nashville. The couple that sat at our table shared their favorite activities in Nashville and even recommended a few places to visit before we leave. The food was great. The server brought out a different dish every minute for about 15 minutes. It was crazy. I didn't know when she was going to stop, so I ate as slowly as possible so I can see what else was coming out. I didn't want to get stuffed after just the 3rd dish. From what I can remember, *takes a deep breathe* the server brought out Water, Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Unsweetened Tea, Biscuits and gravy and peach jam, pancakes, sausage patties, fried chicken, bacon, grits, corn pudding, I remember some cooked apples, beans, some desserts and probably some more delicious items that I just forgot. The standout items for me were the extra-thick salty and sweet crispy bacon, soft and fluffy biscuits and creamy corn pudding. OMG! I never had corn pudding before and couldn't get enough. I ate as much as I could to make up for all the years I've been alive and never having the chance to try corn pudding. Everything I tasted was really really good. Overall, great experience and the food was spectacular. Everyone we talked to at the restaurant was soooooooo NICE.
(5)
Angela K.
Oooooooooooh yes. This place is amazing. All the southern cooking goodness you wanted and some you didn't even imagine existed. It's all there at Monell's. You sit family style and pass each succulent dish around the table. My favorite were the peas and squash casserole. Not to mention the gallons of sweet tea I consumed. Go early to avoid an epic wait. If I lived in Nashville I would be here at least once a week, but my waist line is overjoyed that Monell's is a plane ride away.
(5)
Lena N.
My host in Nashville highly recommended this place for good soul food. They've got everything: fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, biscuits, collard greens, etc. My one tip is to come very hungry because the food is plentiful and it is delicious. You will probably eat yourself into a food coma like I did. Besides the amazing food, their biggest selling point is that unless you're part of a big group, you'll be sharing a table with complete strangers. It's family style so you have to ask your tablemates to pass the food. I even talked to my tablemates in between shoveling food into my mouth and they were a fun bunch. I think the family style method really adds to the experience. Just remember to keep it classy and not talk with your mouth full. Bottom line: If you're in Nashville hankering for some soul food, this is the place to go.
(5)
Pete P.
Visiting from out of state and wanting some good southern family style food we heard about this place. Little hesitant about the seating style of the place but it turned out that it was fun getting to meet people from here as well as other far off places. Went this night that had lasagna, pot roast and fried chicken. All was excellent but the chicken was the best. Nothing bad to say about this place
(5)
Kimble M.
I am not the belle of the ball, so when I moseyed in here by my lonesome and was told to take a seat at a large table of strangers, I thought about leaving when I was done blushing. I'm glad I didn't, because this was some of the most finger-lickin' good food I've ever eaten and one of the more pleasant and friendly social experiences still left in this world. The ribs, y'all, they are so delicious, and the people treat you like you're back home, with your granny pushing another helping of fried chicken, or the fantastic, sweet/savory fried green tomatoes. You don't have to like everything to be as happy as a pig in a poke and leave stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, satisfied down to your very soul. Shame that a place like this has to be so far away.
(5)
Ryan O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat and just when you think you are done eating you will eat more. I can't begin to enumerate all the items you get to pick from during a typical visit. It's too much to even list. My personal addiction are the biscuits and (fig?) preserves. I'm not sure what is in the preserves but it is next level good. The family style seating is fun and always makes for an interesting experience each time. Dinner will run about $17 a person but it is worth it considering it is all you can eat and there is something wrong with you if you don't leave feeling fat and sassy.
(5)
Daniel L.
My girlfriend and I visited from CA, and Monell's came up constantly as a go-to BBQ spot when we needed restaurant suggestions. The staff was friendly, the environment was clean and cozy, and the food was as superb as everyone wrote. Their daily meat special was fried catfish, and I knew I had to have it. It was airy, the batter was crisp without being overly rich, and I loved that you could still taste the fish essence. Another staple of Monell's is the fried chicken, and that is a MUST. Never in my life have I eaten skin so delicately crisp yet flavorful without making me feel guilty. It was like a gigantic potato chip covering moist tender chicken meat. I also recommend their green beans (sweet juicy wonderfulness) as well as their corn pudding (tremendous balance of sugary and sweet). Nashville was a fantastically friendly and cultured city, and we will be back soon. Not to mention, we will be back to Monell's. The food was terrific, and the prices were amazingly cheap.
(4)
Elizabeth A.
Monell's is ridiculously delicious. Off the charts fried chicken. Off.The.Charts. The family style dining is fantastic, it adds a flair to the typical dining experience. The panacakes, cheesy grits, eggs, biscuits, coffee, fruit, did I mention the fried chicken? All so yummy. I've only been for Sunday brunch, but this place blows away any other Southern-style brunch I've had in the area. Ahem, Loveless Cafe. May I suggest you bring your appetite!
(4)
Carolyn M.
I wrote a negative review because I went with an out of town guest and was given a very inaccurate wait time. I got a prompt and professional response from the owner and went back to give it another try. It was fabulous! The food is delicious. Just try to avoid going when the meals are switching - people will wait to try both menus and it can take a mighty long time.
(5)
lori C.
I really want to rate this place higher. The atmosphere and decor were wonderful -5 stars. The food on the other hand was just ok or less than that really. Bland, dry over cooked. Even the corn pudding that was rated so high, sweet corm mush. Sorry Monell's. Maybe breakfast is better...
(2)
Andy H.
We had a family dinner here over new years weekend. We got in early so, no wait. Once we sat down the food came out hot, fresh and tasty. All the food was served family style and they only stopped when you asked them to. Be sure to check for the daily specials/menus.
(5)
Akiko K.
Went today before heading bk home to Atlanta and must say had a wonderful time! Dinner was excellent! The highlight of my trip to Nashville. The fried chicken, bbq chicken, broccoli casserole, biscuits and gravy, purple cabbage, corn pudding, sausage, sour kraut, green beans, banana pudding were all superb and flavorful. Not overly-seasoned or under-seasoned. Just right. Go hungry! I should not have ate that pizza before going. I like the fact that everyone sits together at a table. They get parties of 8-10 of different nationalities and it allows you to meet ppl of diff. backgrounds. We sat next to four Asian college girls from Memphis visiting for the weekend and a white couple visiting their daughter from Charlotte. Everyone was so friendly and we had a great conversation with them and shared some laughs. It was different and refreshing. The outside scenery was also nice too. They had live fish in an outside pond along with a cute bench you can rock on. I will definitely go back next time I visit Nashville.
(5)
Marian C.
came too late for the brunch, but lunch was OUTSTANDING!! some of the best fried chicken i've had. loved the family style meal. the food just kept coming. the service was so warm. so awesome!! can't wait to go back.
(5)
Trixy W.
Awesome southern home-style food! Everything is family style and predetermined, but so many options are brought out to the table. It was a little annoying sitting next to people you didn't know as I wanted to catch up with friends I went to dinner with rather than having an additional conversation with folks who I didn't know.
(5)
Kimberly H.
I didn't break my vows to Monell's and I got to eat here with a couple of friends again on my last trip to Nashville. It still as tasty as ever. Love the fried chicken and the preserves! I also wish more restaurants served family style its such a wonderfully welcoming place!
(5)
Nickie G.
I normally get home cookin' twice a year - once at Thanksgiving and once at Christmas. Believe me, I look forward to these days so I can eat enough that the button on my pants pops off! But now I know I can eat like that any time I want at Monell's. So the Dallas BF was in town and even though he's from Dallas and knows about some Southern cookin', he doesn't know about real deep South cookin'. Monell's was recommended and I talked it up big. He was apprehensive about sitting with people we didn't know and "having their fingers all in the bowls" and other such nonsense. Whatever - FRIED CHICKEN with EVERY meal is all I had to hear to know this was a great idea - even if someone sneezed on the food I'd probably still eat it. So we walk in on Sunday at about 1pm and were immediately seated at the last 2 seats at a table. Lucky us because afterwards there appeared to be a wait and also lucky us because food started coming out immediately. Good Lord what a smorgasbord of deliciousness! We had: -vinegar soaked cucumber salad - OM NOM I love this! My mom used to make this all the time and it was tasty -pasta salad - too creamy of a sauce for my tastes, but everyone else loved it -green beans - maybe not quite the way my Granny used to make 'em but still good -corn casserole - who doesn't love creamy delicious corn casserole? - mac and cheese - creamy, a little runny, but again, who doesn't love pasta and cheeeeeeese? - mashed potatoes - what was in these? Crack? They were awesome - greens - turnip or collard? Not sure but I loved it. They didn't even need vinegar - Biscuits - little pieces of fluffy heaven - Pot Roast - this was some flavorful pot roast and the carrots were to die for -Pulled pork - a huge bowl of it. Maybe a touch salty, my BF thought it tasted like Worchester sauce but it was still good - Fried Chicken - not too greasy, just the right amount of crispy, and just the right amount of deliciousness. LOVED it. - Pecan pie topped with whipped cream - not generally my favorite type of pie but the filling was syrupy sweet and the whipped cream was perfect. All of this food is brought out in huge serving bowls and you just pass it around and help yourself. Help yourself to seconds too. Go ahead, be a glutton - you paid $16ish bucks for all you can eat so get to it. Then go home and nap the afternoon away just like you would on Thanksgiving! As for sitting with strangers - I didn't care one bit once the food started coming. I was a little worried that there were so many youngsters at the table but we ended up talking to them more than anyone else. One girl had Bieber fever in a bad way and one boy had about 5 NFL teams he roots for. By the end you all felt like a little random dysfunctional family so it was all good. If you are from out of town , if you are from here and have visitors from out of town, or if you are from here and just want Southern cookin then you MUST try this place!
(5)
Colin S.
Monell's is a Nashville tradition...one that should not be missed. Breakfast is awesome. Food is served family style, and you will not go hungry. What is impressive is that the quality blows away the quantity and that is saying a lot given how much food is served. I tried everything served and everything was superb. The highlights - the chicken (skillet fried), the grits, the bacon (oh, the bacon). This is home-cooking at its finest.
(5)
Carlton H.
I went with a group of friends who traveled to Nashville for a wedding and we went here for breakfast the morning of the wedding at the suggestion of our cab driver. It is a family style place but we had a large enough group to take up a table to ourselves. Once you sit down, the food starts coming and it doesn't end until you're in a blissful food coma. You don't order food but there's an enormous variety and it's all good. I may say that this was the best place I've ever been for breakfast.
(5)
Gregory B.
A must dine if you are visiting Nashville.....from the time you are greeted, throughout the meal you will have no finer experience. Located in historic Germantown in a 19th-century brick home, Monell's offers an all-you-can-eat spread. Long wooden tables seat up to a dozen people, making for a family-style dining experience. Each day's menu includes a featured entree, vegetables, bread, dessert and at dinner, a chef's choice. Diners in our case from all over the United States and one couple from the UK pass around bottomless bowls and platters of Southern entrees, like pork chops, chicken, dumplings and country-fried steak.
(5)
Anonymous S.
Awesome home-style cooking, served at large family tables. If your family isn't with you , don't worry, you'll be assigned one. As a lone traveler- it was a good way to meet people. Several locals told me things I should do while in town. The biscuits were unbelievable. Meatloaf was good. Smothered chicken was a little too heavy for me, I couldn't taste the chicken under the sauce. I guess that's the point - to smother it. Vegies were the usual southern way, a little overcooked and mushy. But everyone does that around here. This isn't just nice southern food, it's an experience.
(4)
Alana H.
Amazing Amazing Amazing I must admit I was nervous about this place when I learned it was family style and that they seat you with strangers, but it totally works and I soon became a believer. My party of 4 were seated at table with another family of 4. You pass all of the food to the left and they bring out as much of everything as long you keep eating. We had fried chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet apples, banana pudding, coleslaw, green beans, biscuits and corn bread and sweet tea. This place is the real deal. The food is good down home southern food that could keep you eating for hours. The fried chicken is moist and crispy and I was a big fan of the Mac and cheese, actually now that I think of it I was a fan of everything, it was a really amazing meal. The final piece of the pie is the service. Everyone is so sweet and constantly bringing more of anything on the table that is running low. I thought it would be weird to sit at a table with strangers, but it was actually really nice and we chatted with them during our meal You have to try this place if you're visiting Nashville, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Tia R.
My family didn't know what to expect from this place, so they were a bit weirded-out sitting with other people for dinner. The food came fast, but we all got full on the sides before the chicken was presented (which is what the restaurant is going for I think). The people we sat with also did not display proper dining etiquette, i.e. taking only a small portion until everyone at the table is served. They all took big heaping double portions, so by the time the bowls got to our end they were empty or just scraps. The waitress brought out more, so we eventually got our fill. All of it tasted wonderful, but not anything extraordinary for southern food. The few bites of chicken we were able to stuff in was great, crunchy and moist on the inside. The food was salted just right (I think a lot of southern food is over-salted). My suggestion would be to forewarn your family so they know what to expect and display proper dining etiquette when food is passed around.
(4)
Ryan R.
Don't think there's much I can say that hasn't been said already. Was in town this past weekend (along with the rest of chicago) for the Bears game and Monell's was a must do for us. Easily exceeded our expectations and was one of the most unique dining experiences we've ever had. Great food. Great people. Great set up.
(5)
Aric R.
This place is, by itself, worth a return visit to Nashville. Friendly people, great food, awesome selection, ABUNDANCE, great food (did I say that already?) I could just arrive at breakfast and just sit there, letting them feed me through dinner. Hands-down, the bext breakfast I've had, and only $11.99 for breakfast INCLUDING tea and coffee. YUM!!!!!
(5)
Roll T.
4.25 stars. Monell's is exactly what makes the South so special to those of us who have lived in the area for any tangible amount of time. Are you looking for a special treat? Look no further than the beautiful mansion at Monell's for some of the best breakfast you will find this side of the Mississippi. You are led to a lengthy table in a Southern-formal room where you eat family style with other patrons. They start you off light with a plate of biscuits, but you have the option of making them quite heavy with a think and creamy peppery white gravy that hearkens back to a time when nutritional labels had no bearing in cooking. After the biscuits and gravy, we were treated to a number of different carbohydrates - the corn pudding that everyone mentions is quite divine but I wasn't too thrilled with the cheese grits here. What was exceptionally well prepared on the carbohydrate plate were the homestyle potatoes and the sweet apples. I had to have second helpings of both of those items. Next, we were treated to a big plate of sausage, bacon, and country ham with the sausage and country ham both exceptionally prepared (the sausage squirts all over the place - it's that juicy - and the country ham has an impressive sweet finish). However, if you are at Monell's, you are saving room for the fried chicken. Monell's does a fantastic job with this decidedly Southern dish with an absolutely perfect crunch for each piece. Sadly, I could only eat one piece given all the food I had eaten during the sitting. If you want an impressive Southern meal at a very reasonable price, Monell's is a great bet. My mouth is salivating just thinking about my next visit.
(4)
Kimberly M.
I love Monell's! It's one of my favorite places in town. Family style dining, so not the place for those who aren't ok with sitting with those you don't know. There is a fixed menu for each day of the week. You definitely get your money's worth at this restaurant! They have some of the best Fried Chicken I've ever had (and that says a lot!).
(5)
Frank B.
Best place in town! We do breakfast here every Sunday after church! Can't be beat! Also had our rehersal dinner here for my wedding and the guest we're blown away. We had the place to ourselves and even allowed to bring wine,beer and other alcoholic beverages. Just an all around spectacular spot!
Monell's is a unique place for some serious southern goodness. The staff are great and friendly. We went for lunch and the food did not disappoint. Of course, between the biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, plus enough fried chicken, pork, meatloaf, there must have been about 6,000 calories per plate. All delicious for sure and the atmosphere around the restaurant was very pleasant, especially if you have to wait. But, I had to give it 4 stars for one reason. The seating...12 seats at each 'family style' table. So if you don't fill them, you are eating with strangers. Maybe in the South that is cool, but this California guy wanted to have serious conversation with our guests. Having random people at your table might be 'friendly', but it does not bode for going out to have intimate time with friends, family, or colleagues to talk shop.
(4)
Jeannette W.
I have to give this place five stars because I ate there TWICE while on the same trip and in the span of less than five days. That's saying a lot since my motto is variety is the spice of life. This place is like going home to grandma's for Sunday dinner (if I was lucky enough to live in the south and she knew Southern cooking). The first meal I had there was dinner after just getting in from the airport. My friend and I were the last two seated at a large wooden community table that maybe seated twelve. The food had already started so there were bowls of sweet corn pudding, biscuits, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cooked apples going around. (There was so much I am sure my list is lacking a couple of things.) Oh, I remember, there was also a pea salad that tasted so fresh (I hate peas) that I couldn't get enough. Then the meats started coming; we had baked chicken, fried chicken and pork chops. The fried chicken was probably some of the best I ever had. This was all washed down with some really good sweet tea. For dessert, we had banana pudding with nilla wafers. I was a little wary, but boy, was it good. The soft fresh banana offset the crispy wafers and made for a great texture adventure. Since my first meal in Nashville was at Monell's, it seemed fitting that my last meal would be there, too. We made sure to get up in time to fit in a country breakfast on Sunday morning. It was well worth it. This time around, there were pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, sweet corn pudding, bacon, country ham (too salty for my taste), sausage patties, fried chicken (lucky me) and cinnamon buns washed down again with sweet tea. The service here is nice and friendly and QUICK! Even though it was always crowded on Sunday morning they kept those tables turning over. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local yelper who deserves a great big thanks for opening up my world to this little slice of heaven. And if you are in town, don't miss the chance to experience this southern comfort.
(5)
Jason R.
Amazing, friendly, simple. We had no wait. Everyone at our table was nice. Lot's of local's actually. Walked off some calories back to downtown through the bicentennial park. Breakfast was amazing - eggs, bacon, sausage, ham ,corn pudding, nice light biscuits, gravy, pancakes, sall good! And I forgot the fried chicken for breakfast.
(5)
Andrew H.
Had breakfast here and it was delicious. The potatoes were best in show, followed by the corn pudding, sausage, and biscuits. The grits and scrambled eggs were good, but not memorable as the other options. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the apples and pancakes (damn you, Lent), but they looked incredible. The cinnamon rolls (again, thanks Lent) LOOKED and SMELLED incredible, too. No one at my table was talking with each other, except "Pass the pancakes". It made it a little awkward, but the food more than made up for it.
(5)
Jeannie M.
Headed back there at the urging of the owner and my family. Seated on a Saturday night at 5pm, it wasn't that crowded and we were eating in no time. Made sure to come to try the catfish and yes, it was worth the wait! I enjoyed it more than the fried chicken. Losing count - must've had 3-4 catfish filets. I also tried the pulled pork - though I'm not as big a pork fan, this was actually pretty tasty. Sides - well, I enjoyed my meats too much to remember the sides.
(5)
Vivek S.
I'm a big fan of Monell's and not just because of the great food! Walking into Monell's is like walking into your grandmother's house during the holidays. You sit at a communal table with people you've never met before and share a wonderful meal that's served family style. Unfortunately, you can't keep your cell phones out to take pictures of all the delicious food, but once you start eating, I don't think you'll want to reach for it anyway! Some of my favorites are the creamed peas, corn pudding, biscuits, and mac n cheese. They serve fried chicken every day and while it's tasty, I think there are places that make better (Arnold's, Prince's, etc.). But overall, a great place to go for lunch or weekend brunch and a fantastic place to take visitors.
(4)
Anush J.
The restaurant is located in a quaint brick structure. Our kids loved walking into the entrance due to colorful flowers and the colorful fish in a little pond. We were surprised that Monell's is family style, and we were seating with strangers. Also, it is a pre-set meal...no ordering. Once we mentally adjusted to those facts, we moved on. The food was DELICIOUS. The items that stuck out for us: corn bread, peach preserves, pork chops, stuffing, cheesy corn pudding/casserole, and the pickled cucumbers - but there were more items. Down home cooking & plenty of food. Service was attentive. We are visiting Nashville, and consider this a good and out of the ordinary dining experience.
(5)
Mimi T.
Monell's is THE definition of southern hospitality and southern cooking! I read their yelp reviews just to see what I would get myself into. You walk up to the house, and when you walk in it's like you're in someone's house. It's so cute and nicely decorated- very homey. Then a very sweet lady walks you into the dinning area where you'll be seated at a very large table. You'll either be the first group at the table and other people come in a little after to join your table, or vise versa. So yes, you'll be sitting with strangers. There's sweet tea and water at the center of the table, so help yourself. Then comes the salad- my advice is to skip all that and get ready for the real meal. The day we came, they served: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, corn bread, chicken & dumplings, and chocolate pecan pie for dessert. All served family style. Don't forget to pass to the left. I made the mistake of eating too much salad before my meal, and that won't happen again the next time I go back. The friend chicken tasted fine, but I think Popeye's is better. I wish they had smaller pieces of chicken. The greens were really good! and THE BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER HAD!! OMG, it really is!! No other macaroni and cheese can top the ones they serve at Monell's. I waited for everyone to leave the table, and ate the rest of the bowl of mac n cheese- really, I'm not kidding. Chicken & dumplings were really good too. I barely had room for dessert, but I just had to get a couple of bites in just to taste it. I took at least one bite of everything. By the end of the meal, we were so full. I would love to give them 5 stars, but I felt so gross and heavy for the rest of the day so -1 star. After your meal, do yourself a favor and go down to Cupcake Collection (on the left if you're facing the house) to the best cupcake bakery EVER!
(4)
Citizen J.
My wife and I visited this spot today for lunch. 5 star service and most, but not all, of the food items would get that rating, too. We both had fried chicken and catfish. I kinda preferred the catfish while my wife preferred the chicken (both lightly fried and not greasy). I'm also a corn nut and liked the corn bread but RAVED about the corn pudding. I wasn't brave enough to also hit one of the biscuits with the sausage gravy boat that was on the table. Collard greens and green beans were solid. They also had some white beans on the table that were excellent. Mashed potatoes were very good, too. For the quality, the price and the service you simply can't go wrong.
(5)
Ross K.
Wow. It is best to show up very hungry and with a plan of attack. So many amazing dishes going around the table. I wish I had a hollow leg so I could have eaten more. Hands down best southern food spot ever. Their slogan, "if the colonel had our recipes he would have been a general," says it all.
(5)
Richard D.
Atmosphere: I love the atmosphere here. You have to enter through the side entrance which takes you through a quaint little garden. The inside is a continuation of this vibe. I would imagine it feels like going back to grandma's house for a meal on Sunday afternoon. It should be noted though that they will probably seat you and your party with another group since the tables are meant for ten. I didn't mind this one bit though; the people I was seated with were extremely friendly and welcoming. Food: Oh my goodness. Why don't they have this stuff in DC? I would pay double what I actually paid if it were. The menu included: skillet fried chicken, smothered chicken & gravy, BBQ ribs, green beans, corn puddin', macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot remember. I don't have the desire nor work ethic to write a description of each item. But suffice it to say, everything was amazing. That's not an exaggeration. I was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Price: The price was very reasonable. $12.95 for lunch. You get quality food and you will leave stuffed. Service: The servers were friendly and attentive. No dish was left empty for more than a few minutes.
(5)
Char L.
Came here on a Saturday at 5pm and there was already a wait for tables. It looks like the restaurant used to be an old house, so when you walk to the door, you pass this cute garden with many porch swings. The food is family style all-you-can-eat for $16.02. You sit at a table with strangers and they just bring on bowls and bowls of meats and sides. We were served: pickled cucumbers broccoli, raisin, nut salad potato salad mashed potatoes corn casserole squash casserole green beans pulled pork fried chicken fried catfish meatloaf biscuits cornbread strawberry shortcake lemonade iced tea I liked the green beans and fried catfish the best. The food was good, altho some were a bit weird, like the mashed potatoes were really thin and watery. Wow Southern food really fills you up! Even though it was all-you-can-eat, my girlfriends and I didn't eat that much. When you usually watch what you eat, you really have to mentally set aside your urge to get a salad, dressing on the side and pig out. And pig out we did. But afterwards, we all felt quesy. I think it's because we usually don't eat such heavy meals. Ok, to the gym now!
(3)
Nick B.
Look, I'll make this real clear. MONELL'S IS THE BEST, PERIOD. There is no dipute, this place is an absolute *must*, not only for the food, but for the experience. One piece of important advice that I need to share with you, is to pace yourself. Regardless of how hungry you are, and how big your stomach is, pace yourself! The food just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Whether you want to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it is all fantastic. The staff is friendly, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Whether you are attending with a small or large group, you will have fun getting to know others at your table. Ok, stop reading this review and hurry up and eat at Monell's!!
(5)
Dee B.
First, and most likely my last time ever dining experience. I wasn't a huge fan of the family style seating. The ppl at the same table were nice, but I just didn't like it. Passing food to the left while trying to eat gets annoying after a while. I suggest they have a bottle of hand sanitizer at the entrance or hand folks a hot wash cloth like the Asian's do before folks just start grabbing their buscuits and cornbread. Overall, the food was ok, nothing to die for. They didn't serve the chocolate cake I've heard so much about. The Fried chicken was decent. The beans and cheese grits had no flavor. I prefered the corn casserole the best. According to my folks at the table, I make better pot roast and maccaroni & cheese. The Mash potatoe was cold, so for me that was ruined. Cucumber salad was normal. How can anyone mess that up. Cole slaw, I wasn't a fan. The fruit tea was alright, I prefer the fruit tea @ B&C. Since there is no taking food home, I wonder what they do with all the food left behind? I suspect they reheat it for the next guest, I know it sounds disgusting right? Overall experience, too expensive, I tried it once and that's all I need. I'm ok with never returning again.
(1)
Flora B.
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place... Included on this "country breakfast" menu, all for $12, were the following items: smoked sausage, bacon, country ham, biscuits & gravy, fried apples, pancakes, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, cheese grits, skillet fried chicken, corn pudding, juice and coffee. The first thing you'll notice is the delectable smell and elegant stained glass. I was expecting a place with picnic tables and sawdust on the floors and found the clean white tiles to be a pleasant surpirse. You will pass everything to the left. Sitting family style, the dishes keep appearing... Frank Sinatra bumping in the background. The best part was what a friend described as the "straight off the pig into the frying pan bacon." Wow. "Great Southern Food Served Family Style in a Historic Setting" - Monell's won't disappoint!
(5)
Leo L.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere. Family style dining was a unique twist that added to the experience.
(5)
John H.
Family style, instructions include pass the food to the left. Tables seat 12 people, seating is first come first serve. If your group is not large enough to fill all the seats at the table you will probably be seated with other guests. This was not a problem for me. Food is southern style comfort food.
(4)
Stevie M.
This is a Nashville 'must do.' Period. You won't find this kind of place anywhere. I don't live in Nashville so I don't get to come to Monell's often but whenever I'm in town I must go. This is southern eating family style. The last time I was there my party was sat with another party at a big dinner table and we all ate together. Imagine that? People sharing food with strangers and it's amazing. The food comes out in waves. Everything southern and beyond in bowls of plenty brought to you table and shared with others. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had but moreover it's the following onslaught of collard greens, black eye peas, beef stroganoff, creamed corn, biscuits, sweet tea, yams and it goes on and on until you can barely keep your eyes open due to the food induced comatose. I suggest fasting the day until you go there and get done with everything you need to do for the day cause when you come out it's going to be slumberland my friend.
(5)
Kim L.
This home style restaurant has as much food as you could ever want. You'll definitely need to loosen your belts if your go here! Very friendly service.
(4)
Karen P.
Still the best vegetables and side dishes in town but the chicken and fish were cold and dry, and we were there at 11:15 for the first sitting at lunch.
(3)
Jim F.
Where to start? We were making a quick weekend trip to Nashville for the first time and wanted to find some good southern cooking for our first meal. We found this place on Yelp and walked north from our downtown hotel. Thanks fellow yelpers. The sat us a a large communal table and we were soon joined by about 10 other people. We were warned to pace ourselves as the courses would keep coming, and boy did they. My personal favorites were the fried chicken and fried pork chops. There were too many sides to mention. And the price is so cheap. I cannot imagine eating this much food for lunch most days but it was a perfect start to the vacation!
(4)
Susy F.
I'm a California girl born and bred and on a recent business trip to Nashville, I asked our host for a good Southern meal, preferably with hushpuppies. I got what I asked for. Monell's is in Germantown, a quaint neighborhood with beautiful old buildings. We had a large party and were seated at a large, rustic wooden table already groaning with dishes full of food. Bowl after bowl of Southern delicacies arrived, including all kinds of salads, fluffy biscuits, sweet potato lasagna, and fried chicken to die for. I never missed the hushpuppies. I had to ask what the white bowl of liquid was for--I thought it was ranch dressing but it turned out to be gravy for the biscuits! I should've known. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fast but relaxed. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to visit around the table. It reminded me of the best of the Sunday church potlucks of my youth growing up in a Southern Baptist church. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sage R.
Family style home cooked food for your sole. Went for the Sunday brunch and literally had my mind blown with over 12 dishes of southern goodness washed down with the headiest sweet tea in the south. If colonial sanders had this fried chicken recipe he would probably be known as the general.
(5)
Amy W.
Went back 2 weeks ago and the mac-n-cheese was spot on. I think my first experience was a fluke. It's a family fave when they come in town now. Thank you!
(5)
Tom S.
Been here for breakfast a couple of times! Very cool place, old mansion! The food is outstanding! You will leave here full I promise you! First dish was biscuits followed by gravy, take as much as you want and pass to the right. Next up pancakes, scrambled eggs, corn pudding and a platter of bacon, ham and patty sausages! Fried chicken for breakfast? Yup, had to, it's hard to let that pass in front of you without taking a piece. They have a peach preserve that has the most amazing flavor and tasted great smeared on a biscuit! Already on the table was pitchers of sweet and unsweetened tea and coffee pots! One girl served all the tables with pretty much no help, she was engaging and very pleasant, hard worker! I would put this on your list of places to go! I had to rewrite this after a pleasant email from the owner. That's what separates 4 from 5 stars!! When the people who own and operate care about your feedback! It's appreciated!! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)
Lisa J.
Food was excellent. The wait was a little too long, and our waitress was too blunt and rude. Don't dare turn on you're cell phone, or ask for another plate, they don't like either one! Fried chicken, fried cat fish, mashed potatoes and corn bread were all excellent though. Serving is family style. Everything is on the table, and you'll share a table with whom ever they seat. Pass your food to the left (or don't get caught going to the right!) and dig in! I was very disappointed that the waitresses didn't properly explain the processes, then was rude when we didn't know proper "procedure". The food was excellent though, so I would recommend it.
(4)
Clay C.
Great dinner served family style at a table you share with other diners. It felt like I was invited to dinner at the neighbors!
(5)
Rae Rae L.
Best ever!
(5)
Caileigh A.
If I could eat at Monell's every night, I would. The options are endless as there is something for everyone! Its true southern comfort food, and the family-style dining is very welcoming. Street parking is plentiful and the dinner option is just $16/person. They have corn pudding, fried chicken, bbq ribs, stewed green beans, brocoli salad, dinner rolls, banana bread pudding, and so much more!
(5)
Bobby C.
How could you NOT like this place? I dare you...try. It is country cooking and hospitality at it's best. You enter through the side entrance...very pretty surrounding area with foliage. You are brought to a large table...for 12 seems to be the norm. You are instantly bombarded with bowls of food...every time a new person or group of people arrive at your table...more bowls of food appear. It started with a giant basket of super yummy biscuits. white gravy, and home-made peach preserves. This is followed by turnip greens, a to die for corn pudding, green beans, pot roast, fried chicken, spinach lasagna, mashed taters, and of course......pecan pie. They force you to be with other people...and ask that you do not use cell phones at the table...OH MY GOD! You mean we have to CONVERSE AT DINNER? Gee...what a 1950's idea...you have to go here if you are staying in Nashville...or even passing though...take your time....lots to try....take small portions so you can have it all though....watch the hours of operation....we got lucky when we showed up....
(5)
Big Daddy G.
as good as it gets! being a local can only go every now and then cause they will put a hurting on you. www. full.com when ever i go
(5)
Linda C.
When I started my new job in Franklin, one of the first lunch hot spots my team took me to was Monell's. Monell's is a house turned into a restaurant and you pass around bowls of food just as you would during a family dinner. They have long dining tables already set up with water, sweet and un-sweet tea, and piles of dishes ready whenever you are. When the food comes, it flows non stop - 2 meats, variety of salads and vegetables, and of course dessert! Even before the bowl is empty, the wait staff refills it with more. My favorites? The fried chicken and banana pudding. Don't be surprised if another party is seated at your table, after all, it is southern food served family style.
(4)
Ryan D.
Ok, so I've been back a half dozen times and this place just has to have 5 stars. I took 14 friends from Atlanta here on New Years day and blew them all away with the insane food. The hot, fresh cinnamon rolls were the icing on the cake and brought smiles to everyones face when they made their entrance. It's funny when you can get 14 old buddies to sit for half an hour and not speak a word, but great food will do that to you. The service continues to remain unparalleled, and the food is always amazing. It's just fantastic. Thank you for all the great times with family, friends and strangers Monell's!
(5)
Julie G.
What's not to love? Food- Delicious. Service- impeccable. Ambiance- unforgettable. I sat with an older gentleman and his grandson. I felt like I was sitting at my granddad's table. The dishes never stopped coming out! Fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, biscuits, white gravy, green beans, turnip salad, corn pudding, black eyed peas, mac and cheese and a dessert called a black Betty. Take small portions so you can have a little bit of everything. Service is just as important as taste and both get an A+. The lemonade and sweet tea were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I could barely move after my meal here. :)
(5)
Lara P.
We stopped in on a recommendation from the hotel we were staying at in Nashville. When we drove up we thought we were at someone's house, but we were soooo glad we checked it out. What we thought would be a romantic dinner for two ended up being a family dining experience with 8 other people at our table (4 of which were children), but we had fun visiting with everyone. The food was incredible! Everything was served in big bowls that we passed around the table. Just at our table we had corn pudding, hash brown casserole, pea salad, fruit salad, corn bread, biscuits, hush puppies, fried catfish, meatloaf, fried chicken, pulled pork, broccoli salad, homemade preserves and strawberry shortcake. And I'm probably forgetting food. Everything was delicious and fresh, and the service was super friendly and fast. The waitress told us that all the leftovers are donated to a homeless shelter nearby, so we didn't feel as bad when we left all that food that we couldn't eat. I heard that the breakfasts are great too. We will definitely be back whenever we are in Nashville.
(5)
Jenna R.
Before dining here, make sure you have your will-power in check! You can seriously hurt yourself at this restaurant. Dining here is like going to your mama's house for Sunday supper. You don't order from a menu. Basically what they serve that day is what you eat. You sit at big family style tables. With people you don't know but walk away knowing. Fried chicken is served everyday, but everything else changes. As soon as you sit, the food starts coming out. All kinds of salads, homemade biscuits and cornbread with gravy and homemade peach preserves graces the table... and just when you're about to pile it up and do some damage, a lovely southern drawl says "now pace yourself cuz there's more coming!" and was she right!!! It was hard but I held back. The food never stops... the table is over-run with platters and dishes. It's GLORIOUS! A definite must-do when you go to Nashville. Trust me on that!
(5)
Brit H.
Best burger in town. Atmosphere, perfectly unexpected for the quality of food. "A diamond in the rough"
(5)
Danny B.
The place to go if you're wanting to try some quality, Southern comfort food. The incredibly friendly staff helps add to the experience.
(4)
miya S.
What is the best meal you've ever eaten in your entire life? Think about that meal, it's taste, it's smell. After you eat at Monell's, that meal is equivalent to a plate of dog crap. You think I'm lying? Why don't you give my theory (/fact) a try.
(5)
Betsy K.
This place is great! We had a great meal. Loved the family style dining. Great, friendly service and delicious food! Bring your appetite though it's all you can eat and they mean it!
(5)
Kevin M.
What a great experience. I went here with a couple of friends while here on business. The food was great, the service was fantastic and the building was gorgeous. We also had a great group of folks seated with us at the table. This is a must if you're in the area.
(5)
Adam C.
I love the family style meals and this place will be a destination whenever we go back to Nashville. The first impression was a little concerning to me, a little more rustic than I prefer. We had the breakfast which included biscuits n gravy and cinnamon rolls to start. Both were good with the edge to the the cinnamon rolls, I have had better biscuits n gravy but still very good. Sweet and unsweetened tea ( for the northerners), sweet tea was just right for me. Out came the cheese grits, corn pudding, baked apples, skillet potatoes, plate full of breakfast meats ham/sausage/bacon. My favorites of those, corn pudding was awesome, baked apples were like mom makes, skillet potatoes were seasoned perfect. Then we had scrambled eggs, pancakes, and last but not least FRIED CHICKEN. Eggs were good, pancakes were not were the room they took up in my stomach given the other options, but the FRIED CHICKEN was second best only to mom's. The skin on the chicken was cooked perfectly and basically melted in your mouth. Meat was tender and juicy, just wish they would soak in salt water for more flavor. Overall, a great breakfast I wish I could have had lunch and dinner too. Next trip to Nashville will include a stop here.
(5)
Anne A.
This restaurant was recommneded to us by our hotel in Nashville. We had asked for something truly Southern and not too touristy. Monell's was great! The food was typical Southern fare, served family style (you're seated at a table with complete strangers and all share big bowls of food). If you're not into dining with people you don't know, it might be a weird experience for you, but I would give it a try anyway! Just for the food. The fried chicken was wonderful and not at all greasy. They give you so much food that it's impossible to eat it all. Although we gave it a good try! The price is really fair for the amount of food you get. I believe it was a little over $13 per person. Don't forget to try the banana cream desert...yum!
(4)
Andrea N.
You need to eat here! I loved the true southern-family style experience. Great ribs, great side dishes & awesome sweet tea. I'm not a big comfort food person, but I loved everything that was on the table. The garden outside the dining area is very beautiful at night.
(5)
Lorrie B.
Fried Chicken and Corn pudding ROCK! It is soooo good. When in town for business I hit this place at least once. Usually I am by myself but I dont mind sitting with strangers eating good food. You MUST try this place at least once or a dozen times. :)
(5)
Ray B.
Love the food, it is awesome, and I have been to the one by the airport several ocassions. On my visit, seating at a table with strangers is not my idea of confort, and as well have people seated at my table with kids who play at the table, and the parents are not in control. But the seating arrangement keeps me from going back. Food, 10, seating 2.5.
(2)
Jason K.
Family style seating. Best sweet tea, corn bread, fried chicken, and banana pudding you will ever eat in your life. Its also a good way to meet new people. My friend and I ate with a family, it was a lovely experience.
(5)
Karol C.
Visited this awesome establishment yesterday (Friday) afternoon for lunch with a group of co-workers. When I walked into the garden, I immediately felt like I was in my grandmothers back yard. We went in, were greeted warmly and were seated in less than five minutes. We were joined at our table by another group. (This Monell's location serves "family style" at a huge dining room table; the food is brought out from the kitchen in large dishes and passed around the table.) The sumptuous yummies started to come out of the kitchen immediately. I could've closed my eyes and would've thought I was at literally at my grandmothers table for Sunday dinner with the family. We were served sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, mashed potatoes, greens, fried chicken, banana pudding and much more. I was totally blown away by the catfish. Being raised partly by my southern grandparents, catfish was a staple in their house. I've never liked it...until now. Monell's serves the most light delicate tasting catfish I've ever had. It was delicious! The service was great as well. Best meal I've had since transplanting to Nashville almost a year ago. My new favorite place.
(5)
Michelle B.
Oh man, I cannot say enough good things about Monell's. My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for a weekend and came here for dinner. When we walked in, we were immediately shown to a table with about 6 other people already there and there was food already on the table and more coming out. The sweet tea was plentiful and delicious, and all the food was spectacular. It really is like sitting in the kitchen of a fantastic southern cook. Highlights included the mashed potatoes, the meat loaf, and the creamed corn-type food which had a southern name (maybe "corn pudding"?). Also, for dessert they bought out incredible strawberry shortcake "mash" which was basically the dessert shells, strawberries, and whipped cream all mixed together to make a multicolored mush which was AMAZING. The table was big- after we sat down there were another 6 or so people who sat down after us. We got to chatting with a couple across the table from us who lived in Sacramento (I live in San Francisco). Then, the next day, my boyfriend and I saw them in the airport and they were on my flight, so they saved me a seat near the front because they had a better boarding number than I did. Sweet! See, Monell's, bringing nice people together with fantastic food. This will be the first place I go if I ever return to Nashville.
(5)
Krystal H.
I have been hearing good things about Monell's Saturday brunch since I moved to Nashville a year ago. I finally made it a point to go with an out of town guest. It was the best choice I could have made for myself as a Nashville resident and for guests! I can't believe I've been missing out for so long. The food, like everyone says, is fantastic. But what really makes this experience special is the atmosphere and the casual chit chat with the wait staff and guests that you sit with. I would probably save this one for special occasions, since it is quite an experience, takes about an hour and a half depending on the wait, and requires some couch time and a long walk afterwards from eating so much good food!
(5)
Erica W.
As good as it gets! On a strong recommendation from my sister in law, I brought a team of business colleagues here for lunch yesterday. Fresh in the from DC we savored the cucumber salad. Then the biscuits and cornbread with peach preserves and gravy came out... I didn't think it could get any better than that- I seriously could eat that all day long! I was wrong! The potato sausage cheese casserole was fantastic and the corn pudding was the best I've ever had. The meatloaf was divine - and I don't even LIKE meatloaf! The macaroni and cheese was delicious. Green beans made my heart sing - the rich taste of pork coming through but they weren't a bit greasy tasting. The mashed potatoes were perfect! The skillet fried chicken made us wish our stomachs could hold more. The sweet tea was top notch as well. In fact the only things I wasn't too keen on were the chicken and dumplings- thought the dumplings needed a little more flavor and the coleslaw- which is probably just me- I think it had green pepper in it and I'm not a fan. Who cares though- even with that it was more fantastic food than would fit in my belly! This non stop stream of deliciousness was topped off with a delicious coconut lemon chess type pie that I had to finish and then I couldn't eat until this morning- whew! The service was attentive and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. The other patrons at our table were delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. An unreserved 5 stars for Monell's. Can't wait to be back in Nashville so I can return!
(5)
Jessica G.
Boy was I glad to take a break from BBQ, and I was even more glad it was at Monells! The restaurant is family style, and it is set in a cute house, in a nice looking neighborhood, with lots of street parking. The food just comes and comes and comes. Don't fill up on the biscuits... even though you want to... and FYI they bring out dessert first! Lets just say it was so GOOD, we went twice in our 4 nights in Nashville! And it is great cause each night is something different. One night we had meatloaf and it was so good (I thought I only liked my moms!), and then we had smothered chicken... being from the west coast, I am not really sure what this is...but I do know that it was YUMMY GOODNESS! Fried Chicken every night! And all the sides and salad, and some good discussions with your fellow table mates that you could want! Now I am on the search for a good authentic southern place in San Francisco! FYI no alcohol is served here, but I believe they might let you bring your own... check before you bring it though!
(5)
Hayley S.
I went to Monell's with a large group of college students as part of a tour to Nashville. It. was. the. best. They started us off with biscuits, peach preserves, cucumber salad, and sweet tea before bringing out heaping bowls of spinach lasagna, fried chicken, ribs, velvet chicken casserole, corn pudding, green beans, fried catfish, hush puppies, and banana pudding. Apparently there were delicious mashed potatoes too, but somehow my table got skipped on those. All of it was absolutely fantastic though, and they just kept bringing us more and more. The family-style atmosphere was great as well... large rectangular tables with a lazy susan in the middle to facilitate maximum efficiency. A word of caution, though: don't eat for at least 10 hours prior. You'll regret ever putting anything not from Monell's in your stomach. Also, no matter how controlled of an eater you are, chances are you'll stuff your face and not be able to move for an hour after. No joke. Don't miss this place!
(5)
Brad T.
Despite my four-stars out of five, don't expect any negative in this review. My wife and I came here on a Monday morning and were instantly thrust into the amazing world of Monell's, the coolest family-style dining restaurant I've ever been to. We entered a beautiful old house surrounded by a very well kept garden and were treated like family dinner guests from the moment our hostess spotted us. Sweet, friendly ladies brought us salads and sweet tea and promised a feast as it was ready. When I say salads, I mean delicious pot luck salads like coleslaw, marshmallow-apple, and a ranch-spinach combo that had me begging for more. An incredibly nice man came and sat with us (as is the custom in this style of restaurant) and was just in time for the fresh baked biscuits and the homemade peach preserves. Soon after another family sat down and made it for the beans, potato salad, and corn pudding. Before we were done passing these around, we were assaulted with fried chicken, baked ham, and chicken dumplings with gravy. Everything was awesome and yummy and had some kind of unhealthy twist that made it oh-so-awesome. Look, I'm the kind of guy who likes chatting with strangers while sucking down green beans mixed with bacon, so I really have nothing bad to say. The decor was folksy and comfortable, the food was excellent (and very fresh and high quality), the prices were so fair I almost felt like I was ripping them off, and the service was outstanding. I'm probably a breakfast visit away from bumping this up to five stars, but my one and only experience leaves me at four stars. Very high recommendation to eat here.
(4)
Chris R.
The Yelp community led me to this gem. You start with sweet tea, fresh biscuits and homemade peach preserves. Follow with "salads"- potato and slaw. The main course of to-die-for fried chicken with various down-home sides is then topped off with strawberry shortcake for dessert. All of this is served family-style on a large dining table you share with other lucky patrons. We had a great meal and met some great Nashville folk. The food, service, and company was all top-notch!
(5)
Aj C.
You start off by being greeted by a very pretty garden and swing and pond and nice seating area out side once you go in they ask how many that u have in your party then they seat you with other people till the big table your at is full once everyone is there they start bringing out the food they bring so much food usually like 3 meats and I think like 5 veggies it's all southern home made food Food is so good if u leave hungry well that's cuse you did not go here to eat I'm a meat a terian and my Sis in law only eats veggies and we both leave so full and that's just the start of this place the atmosphere is worth the few bucks it cost to eat here alone there's usually a mix it's usually out of towners and locals Witch really makes it great for both
(5)
Tom P.
Seriously, the best breakfast/brunch place ever created. I've ate at some amazing places in my day (across Europe, NYC, Vegas, and SF bay area) and this takes the cake. Not only do they provide amazing service (think Southern home attitude) but the idea that you can sit down and meet new strangers is something I like a lot. Just remember, the fried chicken comes at the end so leave some room... and yes, this place will break your diet plan for the month but who cares when the food tastes this good.
(5)
Amanda W.
Monell's had the best Southern food ever! The restaurant is family style so be prepared to meet new people. Being from out of state, it was great talking to people from Nashville. They have the food ready for you so there is minimal waiting time and the price is well worth it. The fried chicken was phenomenal, and the atmosphere felt like home.
(5)
Kris C.
awesome!!!!!!!
(5)
Kelvin M.
Monell's is the gem in Nashville. I flew in CA to visit my daughter in Eastern TN on Thanksgiving Day (a 3.5 hr trip). I decided I needed some "road" food. My cousin in Memphis suggested this place. It didn't disappoint at all. Note though, DON'T GO on Thanksgiving, the lines and wait were long!! Even for a to go order. The issue is that they only had one person seating people, checking them out, signing parties in and taking to go orders!! but He was very friendly and most people including myself understood and patiently wait when I saw the food coming out. I did find it out that in order to appease the people, they had a nacho station out front, in the patio area...LOL. Anyway, on to the food Monell's is arguably hands down one of the best soul food places I have sampled. There were too many sides to order (I got the Meat and 3) but 3 sides wasn't enough. particularly after I saw the corn pudding, devil's eggs, green beans, mac n cheese,etc. I had the turkey which was a little dry. I should have had the chicken instead. Either way the food was marvelous. The next time I am in town to visit the young one. I won't do to go but eat there. After reading the reviews I probably should try the breakfast as well. Overall, the people and experience was great and I like the family style eating as well. People should stop being xenophobic and enjoy eating with someone or some people you don't know. It shows just how much we have in common and less of the differences. We all like good food, now matte who it is. This is definitely on the must return list. Thanks to my cousin!!..
(4)
Miriam W.
Monell's was recommended to us by a bellman at the hotel we were staying at once, and now we go everytime we're in Nashville. The concept is Southern comfort food served family style, so, even if it's just two of you having dinner, you won't be seated at a two top, but at a large farmhouse table with a bunch of other people. Once you've said hi to everyone, the food starts coming, and it doesn't stop until everyone's had enough. Some items to hit the table on our last visit were iced tea, fried chicken (very good), cucumber salad, biscuits with peach preserves, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, pork roast, corn pudding, green beans and banana pudding for dessert. I believe they serve fried chicken every night, and then rotate in another entree, so you can call for that night's selection before you go. The food is terriific, service is great, and I love the atmosphere. I always say strangers are just friends you haven't met yet, and Monell's has taken this thought and created a truly wonderful dining experience.
(4)
Tanda M.
Went here on 7/23/11 for my BF's graduation. They did a great job at handling the VERY large crowd- they called us a private party. Sadly, we had to be split up and not everyone could sit with and see one another, but the food made up for it. They had everything southern you could imagine. Ice Tea, Lemonade, bread pudding, corn pudding, black eyed pea salad, some really good fried chicken, mac and cheese (too runny though), flat green beans (nicely seasoned), collard greens (nicely seasoned), potato salad, fried catfish (i heard it was the bomb), FRESH biscuits (the bomb), corn bread, banana pudding, lasagne (gross), and I am sure I Am missing something else, but the food was nice and tasty. The waitresses were awesome! Southern hospitality! You do need to bring your own bottle of something to "drink". The bathroom was cute, quaint and clean, but only ONE stall. The outside garden was awesome and beautiful, but the mosquitos had a field day with us while we waited for the OTHER party to finish up. Otherwise, nice place, nice food, nice people. Good job Monells...Oh and it was nice to see a painting of a Black woman on the wall (I wonder if that IS the real Monell...?)
(4)
Tami M.
Southern cooking served family style. We decided on Monell's after seeing a recommend on a review for another restaurant. Great food. We had meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken for our mains. Sides included some of the best deviled eggs I've had and green beans to rival my granddaddy's. Roasted potatoes, peas, corn pudding, French toast bread pudding, sweet and sour cucumbers, biscuits and cornbread, green jello salad(how did they know we had folks from Utah with us?) and strawberry shortcake left us fat and happy. The other group we were with recommended the cupcake collection down the street if we needed something else. We didn't, but we did anyway. A must try if you want some down home cooking.
(5)
Joel S.
Five stars as this is Southern Food, I'd never normally visit a place like this, I'm surprised my arteries didn't combust with grease. I am man, hear me roar. 5 starts as this IS southern food(says the new yorker) Had a few hours to burn in Nashville, once dinner time rolled around I thought, southern food, that''ll hit the spot. YELP to the rescue. Score with Monnells Called ahead to find out the menu. Walked in, no reservations, they seated me at a table of 12(2 vacant spots) who were going through their appetizers. It's family style and everyone passes around the dishes. "Can you pass me the sweet potato" Everything was PLENTIFUL, and people were really friendly. Met a local woman(who has been a few times but always meets out-of-towners), and a family of 9 from Buffalo NY. Joining strangers at a table was fun, though i can imagine being seated at the "wrong" table, could make for a good TV show. you can eat as much or as little as you want. More Grease here than Michael Jacksons hair. Southern Food at its finest Didn't think it was possible, but drove on to St. Louis after dinner, no nap required. Just gotta know when to say no.
(5)
chris c.
The perfection of southern home style cooking. I was in town on a vacation and went here with some friends. It was everything I could have wanted and more. In my dreams, about the perfect southern meal it was this place, this food and these wonderful people who work here. Go with a big appetite and I guarantee you will leave with a big smile.
(5)
Ron B.
This was an exceptionally, pleasant tasty surprise. My wife and I were visiting Nashville for business and decided to venture from the big ole resort to find some down home cooking. Based on Yelp and other sites, this received raves. Incan tell you that the fried chicken, creamed corn, string beans, collard greens, chicken salad, cucumber salad and banana pudding were all exceptional. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Nina M.
Awesome experience! Great food and wonderful atmosphere! Feels like Sundays at grandmas for southern soul food!
(5)
Patrick N.
A MUST GO!!!!! Nough Said!!!!!
(5)
Siri K.
Love love love this place. Was visiting from NY and wanted good Southern food. This place was adorable from the outside - roses everywhere, and a koi pond! Inside, it was relaxed with communal tables. We ended up with about 14 dishes at our table - they just brought out one after the next and everything was SO GOOD. Standouts were the fried chicken, best biscuit I've ever had, meatloaf, mashed potatoes. Staff was super sweet and so were the other diners. Definitely visit if you come to Nashville. Oh. And it was such a great deal!!! Less than $15!!!
(5)
Kexin X.
It is quite a heavy breakfast for me, but quite an experience to sit at a big table with others. Waitress are very friendly.
(2)
Tasty G.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reviews I'll ever give. I was spending my last few hours in Nashville alone (since my friends had left the day before) after an epic Bonnaroo trip. I wanted some really good Southern Food to begin my rehab so I checked Yelp and this came up. I'm glad I overcame my social anxiety about eating family style alone because I had a wonderful time with the people at my table. This was a Tuesday afternoon around 1pm so there was virtually no wait--AWESOME! Then the food. Oh my god. This is a top 10 meal of my life so far. Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, corn pudding, spinach lasagne, fried cabbage, lima beans, green beans, pot roast, and bread pudding. Every dish was delicious, hot, fresh, and amazing. I thought I had woken up into one of my culinary fantasies since there's never an all-you-can-eat affair with such excellent quality. I will be back in Nashville, not just for this, but if Monell's was the only reason, that would be way more than enough! By the way the meal costs 13$ for lunch. That's so absurd I actually felt guilty having eaten so much. Go there alone, with friends, with families; crawl, run, walk, climb, jump, whatever you have to do, get there with an empty stomach. I've heard that both dinner and brunch are even better than lunch; I'm not sure how that's possible, but I can't wait to find out.
(5)
travis allen a.
I've only ever been to Monell's on Sunday for brunch, but man-oh-man if that is a good representation of how they do up their meals there, count me in for every day. My goodness. I am still stuffed from last time I went, a few months ago before I moved to Los Angeles. It's $14 for AYCE Soul/Southern fare, served family style at giant tables like back at grandma's place. The restaurant certainly _feels_ like her place. There's a huge garden pavilion outside, and a comfortable den feeling inside. You could show up alone or with three other people, and end up sharing the meal with a few hungry strangers, and when everyone starts asking to "pass the ____, please," you instantly feel like a distant family sharing a reunion meal together. There's nothing quite like this place. Everything is delicious and served at the most perfect time! They start you off with just drinks and biscuits and vegetables and side dishes, then serve up the main course (usually a few different selections of meat; pork chops, fried chicken, ribs, etc.). It's so well-timed that your hunger pangs fade away at a steady, filling pace. But then you stand up. And man, are you stuffed. But not just your stomach--your heart and soul are, too. Why go home for the holidays when you have Monell's in beautiful Historic Germantown? You'll never know the difference.
(5)
Olivia B.
This place was awesome! Think: buffet without leaving your seat. You'll sit with strangers and get absolutely stuffed...I'll be back for sure! A fantastic place for your "cheat day".
(5)
Brian H.
Monell's is a perfect place to take out-of-towners, especially if they haven't spent a lot of time in the south. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and family style setup all contribute to the wonderfully charming southern vibe, but it's the food that sets Monell's apart from the competition. The southern breakfast in particular offers some of the finest breakfast food I've had in Nashville, or anywhere else in the southern United States for that matter. Biscuits & gravy, ham, coffee and other breakfast beverages, even fried chicken are all included. The price seemed a bit steep at first, but if you take advantage of the huge selection and limitless quantities it's quite reasonable. The staff seems to have gotten the seating process down to a science. There is rarely a vacant seat at the large tables and they're willing to accommodate parties of all sizes. Speaking of tables, the dining room is everything you'd expect: a bit crowded at times, but that only contributes to the feeling of dining with a large family. The Germantown location is superb, and it's fun to walk guests around the area to burn off all the southern cuisine that will undoubtedly be stuffed in your stomach after leaving Monell's. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great home-cooked meal in a great Nashville neighborhood.
(5)
Lisa C.
um, yes. that is all i have to say. everything we ate here was pretty delicious and i think the best part was the assortment of goodies they just kept bringing out. the highlights of my meal were the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. the banana pudding was SO good, but it's hard to eat dessert after all the other food has already made its way onto your plate and into your stomach.
(4)
Laura S.
My entire trip to Nashville would have been worth it if only for the breakfast I had on Saturday morning at Monell's. I think I am still full. It was one of the best meals of my life. Monell's serves everything family-style. When we walked up at 8:45 on Saturday, they had one table full, so we walked back to another. We were quickly joined by two other parties. If you're chatty, this would be a great place to make new friends. We did not talk too much with the other groups at our table, but the atmosphere of sharing food up and down the table was still nice. I could tell you all about how they are in a little house with beautiful murals and a cute garden outside and how friendly and helpful the staff are, but that would distract me from telling you about the food. So let it suffice to say that the atmosphere and service live up to the things you are going to eat. Now, to breakfast. Which was the kind of food worth dreaming about. When you arrive at the table, there is a lazy susan with small plates, sweet and unsweet tea, and creamers and sugar. There was also a bowl of peach preserves at either side of the table, which was DELICIOUS - try it on a biscuit with butter, and buy some on your way out the door. If you want coffee, grab a mug and turn it over. We started with biscuits and gravy and sweet rolls. I had never had biscuits and gravy, this alone is almost enough to convince me I need to move to the South. The sweet rolls were also delicious. You will enjoy both of these so much that you will want seconds. DO NOT DO THIS. The main event is about to begin and you will regret filling your stomach with these space-filling carbs. The next round of food to come out is an embarrassment of riches. There was a platter of meats, with perfectly-cooked slightly-crunchy slightly-chewy thick bacon, deliciously spiced sausage patties, and ham. There was fried chicken, which is maybe a reason I should not move to the South because if I had the opportunity to eat this FOR BREAKFAST on a regular basis I would be the size of a house. There was corn pudding, which was so incredibly delicious that you could feed me nothing but that for the rest of my life and I would die happy and content. The hashbrowns had big chunks of potatoes and a were really well-seasoned, and the cheese grits - oh, Lord, you Southerners keep coming up with new carbs for me to try. I am a champion eater, but I could not even manage to try the pancakes, eggs or fried apples. Luckily I have friends and they tell me all were excellent - the pancakes, apparently, have a particularly awesome flavor. This was a very long way of saying: You should eat here. You should not eat for several days beforehand so that you have room to do it justice. And if you live in Nashville, you should say a little prayer of thanks that (unlike me) you're not going to need to board a plane to have breakfast at Monell's.
(5)
Sylvester I.
A boat load of food, that is fresh and very good. Make sure you understand the rules of the table and the rules for billing before you sit down. The host were great and the atmosphere is great if you've never been to a community restaurant.
(4)
Shannon D.
I was very nervous when the owner of a customer company decided that we would be eating at a "meat and 3" (it's a Tennessee thing) since I eat mostly vegetarian. There were 3 meat dishes but about 10 sides without meat. The squash casserole was delicious as was the cinnamon and brown sugar casserole with some vegetable in it but I can't rememberwhich one. The cornbread stuffing was fantastic. The strawberry pie for dessert taste a little bit too much like the product of a Jell-O gelatin box which was a surprise after the delicious home-cooked meal. The grounds are immaculate with beautiful flowers, a waterfall and lights on strings. The hostess was really cute and seemed genuinely excited to receive and seat customers. It was also very inexpensive. I would go back.
(4)
Caitlin D.
I was delighted by the adorable exterior of the restaurant, which reminded me of an English garden with flowers and a pond and all kinds of benches. The setup of the actual food is simple; you will sit at a large table, probably with people you don't know, and the food comes out without ordering and you pass it clockwise. Fried chicken, catfish, lasagna, cole slaw, green beans, collard greens, biscuits and cornbread, peach jam, gravy... you get the picture. The service was great, very friendly. The fare was good, but honestly, I make fried chicken that packs in a whole lot more taste. It certainly wasn't bad, but I had to disagree with my companions who had raved about it being the best thing since fried chicken... wait a minute...
(3)
Melinda C.
So amazing. Came for lunch on a Sunday, and loved the communal ambiance and the food was amazing. My favorite was the pulled pork (perfectly moist and tender) followed by the sweet potato pie, corn pudding, and fried chicken. But honestly, everything was good, including the cold salads that get passed initially ("don't fill up on them!" advised my friend, the Nashville local). Even the green beans (made with some kind of bacon flavoring, I'm sure) were awesome. The only thumbs down was on the "morning casserole" which was a weird amalgam of sausage, eggs, etc, from the morning, I guess. All in all, a great experience in Nashville.
(5)
L D.
My family and I LOVE Monelle's! The service is ALWAYS great! The food is ALWAYS great! The wait to eat is NEVER too long! They serve home cooked food and serve like grandma...Around a large table with other patrons. Everyone gets along when there's great food involved and you may even get a new friend out of your visit. Try Monelle's... You won't be sorry!
(5)
Dante' T.
Monell's has good food, but I am not a fan of family -style dining. I seem to always wind up at the table with someone who was raised by wolves and has no table manners... If I can gather enough friends to take a whole table, then I am so there!
(4)
David S.
For a while, it seemed like I was going to Monell's every week with a group of people from work. It made for a long lunch since they don't take reservations and the place gets crowded. You'll also be in quite the food coma after eating at Monell's. There are other restaurants that do family style dining, but you may have never been to one. If that's the case, it'll be a little different for you. There are big tables so you may be seated with strangers. A waitress will come out with the dishes that you take and then pass. It comes out in courses. You'll get your salads first, then vegetables and meat, and then dessert. So, the food. Monell's tries to hit the high spots of Southern cooking. Cucumbers and tomatoes, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, smothered steak, meatloaf, fried chicken. You're not going to Monell's for subtlety or refinement. It's comfort food, soul food, grandma's cooking. I tend to get full on salads that come out first and then don't have room for the main meal. Don't make this mistake like I do. Fried chicken days were always the most popular days to go, and it is pretty good fried chicken. Also worth mentioning is the peach preserves. These are yummy even if the biscuits have gone downhill in terms of quality (the last time I went they tasted like my mom's -- out of a can). Since it's all you can eat for one price, there's a good chance you'll pig out. Desserts aren't usually worth saving room for unless they have some banana pudding. Mmmmm, banana pudding. Breakfast on the weekends is supposed to be great, but I've never been in to try it. Someday I will.
(3)
Kelley Lee G.
5 stars for service, food, and company
(5)
Theresa B.
Wow...again...I must say, I am extremely impressed. The owner read my review and contacted me. He's returning my money and sending me a gift card for a return visit. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to trying to rectify the wrong...(unless of course you shoot the manager)...So I have had my faith restored with my favorite restaurant and I get to make the entire country aware...how great is that??
(5)
Carol F.
Yes, Monell's is as good as it gets here in Nashville for sit down, family style eatin minus hot chicken. Brought the family in for mother's day and treated them nice. The food was incredible (as usual), but the "family" atmosphere was a good one (unusual). We sat next to two nice families with behaved kids. The Nephew did not believe me when I said, "it will be more food than you've ever seen in your life". Showed him. And for once, the Stepdad said, "well.... good job, I guess". Hurray for me! This is the good ole home style food your mom doesn't get to enjoy often. So use it often with or without her.
(5)
James R.
Oh, sweet gluttony...thy name is Monell's. Deep within the catacombs of the Vatican, within the canon of cardinal sins, is an engraving of Monell's. For what other place could take you to such heights of home cooked Heaven, yet leave you feeling like a denizen of an overindulgent hell? Granted, you might mention words such as "portion sizes" and "self control", but their prayerful invocations hold no power against such mortal temptations of fried chicken, strawberry shortcake and biscuits with homemade peach preserves. The battered catfish alone is cause for penance, and the piping-hot sides might be a cause for confession. At least the sins are corporate ones, shared by those at your picnic-like tables as the food is served family-style on mismatched plates of vice. Housed within a 19th-century brick home, Monell's brings a stripped literalness to the phrase "all you can eat." Sure, it's possible to come out of Monell's and not be overstuffed and ready for a nap. However, just like time travel and a two-hour Oscar telecast, it's technically possible, but probably just not going to happen. Just make sure that when you go, you bow your head and say a quick prayer of grace. You're going to need it when you're done. Insider Tip: During the week, this place is really hopping at lunch time. The quicker you can get there, the faster you will get seated and let the transgressions begin
(5)
mumin k.
This is one of my favorite places in Nashville. And this comes from somebody who is not big fan of southern food. I like the idea of being seated in a big table with a bunch of strangers and having a family style meal. Whom you are seated in a table might have impact on your experience though. Last time I went there I was seated with a couple, a family of four and two oversize ladies (really oversize). The two oversize ladies were seated on the corner of the table where the server would start passing the food. They would take almost all of the fried chicken pieces and the rest of the table would wait for the next basket only to see that the server handed the basket to the two oversize ladies first again. I could not have much fried chicken that day. The entire table was done with meal adn we were wrapping it up and the server started to clean the table assuming that everybody was done until we heard the two ladies order another basket of fried chicken. I was amazed :) The nice thing about Monell's is that there are so many things that you are very likely to like at least some of them. Great food overall and I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Peter F.
Best deal in town for breakfast and brunch! All you can eat, and I always leave very satisfied and full. The shared table seating always leads to friendly conversation. The fried chicken is to die for, and I love their biscuits & gravy. I've eaten here 3 times already in the last few months, and I definitely plan to go back many more times!
(5)
J C.
This place defines AWESOME. Not to be missed. The fried chicken is the best on the planet. The corn pudding, cornbread, and biscuits are up there as well. We got served everything on the "menu" as soon as we sat down. Take small portions to start, because you'll be served plate after bowl of everything they've got. If I had discovered this place at the start of my trip, I'd have gained 50 pounds. The Tee shirts the staff wears say, "Help! I've eaten and I can't get up!" - rightfully so.
(5)
Anna A.
Monells is one of those places that Nashville is famous for. The general idea is a meat and three served family style so if you aren't a big party be prepared to sit at a large table and pass food around to people you don't know. I don't mind that but I'm just saying, this isn't intimate dining. Now I've gone for breakfast and lunch and my favorite thing is the fried chicken. I don't think they have it everyday but I don't know what their schedule it but if you can land on a fried chicken then you will be pleased. The way that it works is they will fill a large table up and you get tea,water, and or coffee. Then they just start bringing food out, you don't' order anything special off a menu. The menu is set, your server brings it out little by little, and your start passing it around. My only gripe about Monells is that I think it's pricey for what it is. It's just basic southern food, I know they are famous but it really is a bit much for what they offer. It's honestly good and if you are entertaining out of town people looking for some southern flare with a little class, this would be your place.
(4)
Catherine G.
An amazing meal! The location was beautiful and quaint, gorgeous gardens. Seating was in family style tables, a great way to meet people, dinner conversation was nice, not forced. The meal was excellent... Tons of food... Amazing fried chicken, biscuits, corn pudding, squash casserole, fried pork chops, just to name few. The finishing touch was homemade banana pudding ... Delicious.
(5)
JulieAnne R.
Always have a good time here. Whenever I have people come to town I make sure we stop in here for a meal. My boys like it too because they get to pick and choose what they can eat. We love meeting interesting people we eat with.
(4)
Terry M.
Nice large table setting with multiple families at a single table. Food is served family style, salads ,then veg and breads and then fried chicken,fried catfish and falling off the bone pork ribs. Service was excellent and the food was good. I would return again.
(4)
Peter G.
As good as it gets for home style Southern fare such as fried chicken and sauteed greens. It is a truly great experience sitting at a table with other people and sharing the food and the hospitality is outstanding.
(5)
Jeremy B.
This is the kind of place that makes you appreciate Nashville. I have been there many times for their wonderful family style breakfast. Growing up in the south I've developed quite the appetite for a home cooked southern meal and Monells offers food that taste just like I'm used to. This will definitely be a place that recommend to out of town visitors.
(5)
Emily D.
Monell's is just amazing. Everything from the cinnamon rolls to the corn pudding and even down to the coffee was just so delicious! It is honestly the best down home cooking that everyone must experience. Monell's definitely lived up to all of the hype that my husband gave it :)
(5)
T. C.
Since moving away from Nashville, I still dream about this place. Oh Monell's, I miss you morning, noon and night. Your breakfast, as Flora H. has described, is simply scrumptious. Be prepared to eat and eat and eat. Your pancakes are light and fulffy, your hashbrowns are homestyle potatoes with all the right spices, your eggs are plentiful and the corn pudding...oh, that corn pudding. I live and die for that corn pudding. Thank goodness they pretty much serve it at every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner all usually include the corn pudding). Lunch is always busy, as many of the state employees will come here to eat. I had the luck to work around the block from Monell's for a few weeks and made plans with a friend to have an early lunch here. They manage to make pea salad and broccoli salad (two things I've never been a huge fan of) scrumptious. There is always the requisite fried chicken. The last time I went, there was also meatload and pot roast and a mountain of other side dishes. Do NOT fill up on the biscuits...no matter how yummy they are with the butter and preserves. It has been awhile since I've come for dinner. Maybe next time I make my way back to Nashville I will have to insist that we experience Monell's dinner again. There is sometimes a wait simply because Monell's is such a local favorite. But if that's the case, you just let them know you're there, hush your mouth, then head out to the cute little garden out front and sit on a porch swing with your buddies. If you're all by your lonesome, go make new friends. That's what Monell's is all about. Southern hospitality and family style dining. This experience is not for those who are extremely private since unless you have 12 other friends to fill up the table, you almost certainly will be placed at a table with complete strangers. Wear pants with an elastic waistband or be prepared to unbutton in public. This is an experience like no other...quintessential Nashville. It's not to be missed.
(5)
Nicole H.
"Enter as strangers, leave as friends." When I read this statement above the door I knew I was going to enjoy myself. Not only is this dining concept genius but the food is absolutley delicious. my favorite sides were the breakfast casserole, cucmber slad, mac n cheese. The fried chicken is something to write home about! But the best part isnt the food it's the conversation with perfect strangers. Oh and how could i forget the fruit tea!
(4)
Darcy F.
All I can say is this place is amazing. I am not a fan of fried chicken- but Monell's has the best ever skillet filled chicken. And their banana pudding is aboslutely delicious- its soooo good. All the other food is good too; but if you are going to eat; save all your room for the skillet fried chicken and the banana pudding. Don't waste your time going anywhere else in Nashville to eat- they just won't compare!!!
(5)
Seth H.
Great, family-style country cooking. Biscuits on par with that other place way out in the country... but all the sides are much better. Go for brunch and pig out on the fried chicken and cobbler. Love this place!!
(4)
Aaron L.
I hope I don't ruin my laptop while writing this review, it's hard to not drool while thinking about this place. I'm from California and was in town for a family reunion and we stumbled upon this place for a nice family dinner. Monell's had some of the best food I ate while in Tennessee, and I ate a lot! We were luck and came on a night where they had fried chicken. We ate fried chicken like we'd never had fried chicken before. This was partially true because their friend chicken was like no fried chicken we had ever tried before. The texture and the flavor was absolutely amazing. Everything else was really good, but I won't be able to write about it because I can't think about anything but that chicken right now. Do yourself a favor and go, and eat a basked of the fried chicken for me.
(5)
Matt C.
Unbelievable meal! It was better home cooking than I ever received at home. When we sat down for lunch, there was a slice of pecan pie waiting for each of us. Come hungry! Lunch was 16.43 per person for everything.
(5)
Shirley S.
My Boyfriend and I were driving through Nashville (from the Northeast) and decided to come here because of the great reviews... which were all true! I loved the family eating style... they sat us at a large dining table in a very warm and cozy dining room (with other dining tables and diners) and we had one of the best dinners of our lives. I have absolutely NO complaints... except that i wish i lived there to experience it more frequently. The food was AMAZING... my belly hurt from eating so much. I hope we can go back soon!!!
(5)
Dave J.
Awesome. Unbelievable. This place definitely provided a southern eating experience for my trip to Nashville. The corn pudding was fantastic, as were the cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sweet tea, and cheese grits. It was fun to eat family style and I really felt like I was at grandma's for breakfast.
(5)
Dessa T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! Everything on the menu is delicious, from the fried chicken to the banana pudding. One of my favorite dishes is the broccoli salad. Their brunch is also good, but the best Monell's experience is the full lunch or dinner menu. This is my number one stop for out-of-town guests--classic Southern cooking, wonderful Southern hospitality, and a unique family-style atmosphere (murals painted on the walls, mismatched country cottage plates and cups. The wooden chairs and family portraits make it feel like grandma's house). I have also been to several special events here and at their location in Franlkin (rehearsal dinner, graduation party, etc.) and it suits them well. They do not take reservations, but it is worth the wait!!
(5)
Alex G.
A year ago, Monell's would have gotten 5-stars from me. Now? Well it's still pretty great, but just not the same. It remains delicious, but I've noticed a little decline in the quality. Also, maybe it's my imagination, but are there fewer sides now? While still a great deal if you have a big appetite, the prices have gone up (particularly for Sunday brunch, which used to be my favorite) and it's not quite the value it once was.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Came to Nashville for the first time ever for a law school competition. I was traveling with five other girls, all of us were under 5'4" (not necessary to the review but come on, hilarious!). As one obsessed with eating, food, and generally just masticating -- I knew we had to stake places out before we traveled. One of our fellow students clued us in to this place saying if you really want great down home southern cooking, this is the place to go. We made it on a Saturday night just in time for the last seating. We were seated at a table with a group of nice out of towners. The food began coming out of the kitchen: corn pudding, potatoes with bacon, green beans with bacon, biscuits, corn bread, fried chicken, fried fish...and much more. Every single bite was absolutely wonderful and more fattening than the next. I was so happy to see all of us eating so much pork that I was giddy. I mean there was pork in EVERYTHING!! Yay! It was fun to meet the people we were seated with, especially when they kept hogging the corn pudding that I wanted. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake and it was okay. Honestly it's the sides that make this place. Lastly, I must comment on the decor. We came to Nashville in March...Monell's had a Christmas tree up, BUT it was decorated with all St. Patrick's Day stuff...huh, awesome! Also, when you leave you put your tip in a boot! Ha ha, I think that's funny. Five stars because it's so filled with pork and so so good. Love that Southern cookin'. Oh and we had plans to go drinking that night, but were all comatose from the amount of food and didn't make it out. Make sure you come here as your last destination for the evening, they practically have to roll you out of the place.
(5)
marisa s.
if you visit nashville and don't visit monell's...then you really didn't visit nashville. it's a country breakfast served family-style with complete strangers at your table. it's a brunch experience that i'll never forget. the servers are so nice and are there to get you full. for $14.99...it's the best deal for an all-you-can-eat and drink (sweet tea, iced tea, OJ and coffee). set in a home that feels like your own, you'll feel nice and comfortable as you southernize your belly with grits, corn chowder, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade preserves, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and country ham. fat & happy baby. fat & happy.
(5)
Matt D.
Best breakfast/brunch in Nashville. Make sure you go hungry and are looking for a lot of food. Make sure you pace yourself so you have room for the fried chicken!! Local Tip: Get there by 9am on the weekends so you don't have to wait.
(5)
Melanie S.
This place is an experience. It reminded me of Babe's in Texas, but more intimate, friendlier, and with more variety. The amount of food they give you is absurd. Come hungry and be prepared to leave painfully full. Coleslaw, cucumber salad, rolls, cornbread, peach preserves, turnip greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese (yum!), corn pudding, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, spinach lasagna, beef ribs, fried chicken, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. I just put little dabs of all of it on my plate and that left me stuffed! All for about $20 each. The staff were extremely kind and attentive. I wouldn't definitely eat here again.
(5)
Mariela C.
This is completely going to gross you all out, but the first time I went to Monell's I ate so much that I puked on my way out next to my car. I know, I'm disgusting. This was the first 'southern cooking' place I went to when I moved to Nashville and had no idea what I had in store. The set up at Monell's is meant to re-create a good southern style meal; you sit at large tables with complete strangers and pass plates around the table. The problem/attribute: the food never stops coming. They bring out side dishes first: corn, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, biscuits and jam. Then come the entrees: fried chicken, pulled pork, bbq chicken, fried fish, etc. Lastly, dessert that which varies depending on the day you go. The first time I went to Monell's around the table sat a motley crew consisting of a group of women from Jersey Shore, a family celebrating a wedding from east Tennessee, and me and my ridiculous friends. When the first round of food came out I shoved everything that passed by me in my face, only to find out that more food was on its way out, and then more food after that. For some reason self-control and will power completely escaped me, and I just kept eating, which then lead to the incident that I previously mentioned. All in all, at Monell's you'll find great food and a great atmosphere. Go check it out, but beef up your self-control before entering. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(5)
Dorian R.
Don't even think about NOT going here! Everything you could want in a restaurant, good food, nice atmosphere and good company! Go here, you'll not be sorry!
(5)
M L.
Being new to Nashville I had to make a point of checking out some Southern fare; yes I am a Yankee. Needless to say Monell's is great as far as I can say. Fried Chicken is the winner, side are great too, but save room for that chicken!
(5)
Timothy F.
My first time at Monells. Food was adequate; could have been seasoned a touch more but nice flavor. The best items were by far the fried chicken as well as the turnip greens. A couple of flaws however; the major flaw was not having raw onion to put on green beans, mashed potatoes, or turnip greens, which all of us true southerners know is absolutely essential for maximum flavor. Also, astoundingly on top of the $12.95 price, if you would like to have coffee with your dessert there is a $2 upcharge. Absolutely unbelievable!!!!! A nice place but really I see no real need to go back for a second visit.
(3)
Archer D.
I spent 3 months working in Nashville, and Monell's was by and far the best and most orginal restuarant we found. Make sure you come hungry, they give you lots and lots of food. As really liked the family style service and seating arrangements. Lots of fun!
(5)
Lai T.
Love the atmosphere, love the southern hospitality, love the family style dining, love the waitresses and their attitudes. Love the old fashion restaurant that looks like a house. Love it! Its almost like heading over to your friend's parents' house for dinner, you eat whatever they bring out, and you can't refuse seconds. It's all you can eat, so you pay for the head and coming from out of town, this was a real bargain! Love the skillet fried chicken, didn't taste oily or heavy, love the biscuits, very buttery and soft, first time I had the banana pudding ever and it was delicious. Lots of side dishes and vegetables, can't get enough of everything. So good! Yummy, if I ever find myself in Nashville again, I will definitely be back. Oh, besides the great food and dining experience, at the restaurant's entry vestibule, they showcase jewelry from a local jewelry designer and they are all for sale. There were some very cute novelty pieces and I couldn't help but buy a few since everything was so affordable. Fantastic shopping and food, nothing can go wrong with that combination!
(5)
Denise L.
Everyone talked about our southern lunch here the rest of our visit in Nashville. Food, service and ambiance were better than great.
(5)
Veronica L.
I'm definitely a west coast girl, so I can't say I've experienced much southern cooking.... Actually I can't say I've experienced any of it other than the imitation southern cooking we have on the west coast (very delicious but definitely not the same). This was my first meal in Nashville and it was amaze-balls! It has set a high expectation for all other TN meals to come! Straight away the place looks adorable and quite cozy! The flowers and the garden with the precious seating area outside is absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere does not get any more home-style than that. It feels like I've walked into a relative's house. Right away we get seated at a big long table with another party sitting there chowing down. My sister tried to explain it to me how this all-you-can-eat style place worked but it made no sense till i got there. We all sit around with other parties at this big table and it's like a big family meal! With all these wonderful large bowls of food everywhere! Everyday there is a different main meal, so there is a bit of variation. There was amazing mac - n cheese, cole slaw, biscuits, corn bread, ribs, chicken fried steak, perfectly fried fried chicken! OOOH and the banana bread pudding for dessert!? Perfect. They also made their own peach preserve. It was de--licious. There is no way anyone could leave unhappy or hungry. The place has a warm, comfy, family atmosphere and I'm glad it was my first TN meal.
(4)
Mark C.
well i sure didn't expect this! you sit down with a bunch of strangers and pass around food and eat. this is unusual being from CA. the fried chicken is very good as well as the meatloaf, green beans, peas, bread, and everything else they serve. there is PLENTY of food to go around so don't be shy like i was. the people are very nice and the food comes right out. you really can't beat this place and i would like to go back next time i'm in nashville
(5)
Jim C.
When your first meal of the day is southern fried chicken, pulled pork, pot roast, biscuits with gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, cole slaw, cinnamon apples, french toast casserole, custard pie, and sweet tea, you really can't go wrong. No, I didn't try to eat away a hangover this morning and order everything on the menu -- actually there were no menus as everyone eats whatever is brought out. 12 strangers (I think we were the only ones from California and the only ones that wouldn't have minded having some garlic fried rice with our meal) sat together at a big table, made some small talk, watched dish after dish being brought out to us and passed food around like we were family, and ate until we could barely keep our eyes open. Well worth the trip if you are in Nashville. I know that some exercise equipment at the fitness center is going to kick my ass tomorrow morning, yet tomorrow is tomorrow and I still have a big dinner to look forward to in a few hours....... well, someone's gotta do it :-)
(4)
Mindy Y.
Monell's is one of those rare finds that really left its mark on me. I was in Nashville on a business trip, but due to flight delays no one else had made it into town by the time dinner rolled around. Dining alone is never particularly fun, so I wasn't expecting much out of the evening. I happen to stumble across a small blurb on Monell's in my hotel room's "Welcome to Nashville" guide, which again left me a bit wary as to what to expect. I have to say, it turned out to be a perfect night! Great food (that's really cheap - $14.95 inc tax for all the food you could ever want) and the communal dining setting was perfect for a lonely business traveler such as myself. Don't let the price fool you though - the building itself was surrounded by beautiful gardens, murals were painted on the inside walls and it had a real "dinner at Grandma's house" sort of feel to it. I was there on a Tuesday, so the daily selection was fried chicken, pot roast, spinach lasagna, 4 different vegetables, 3 salads, biscuits, corn bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The pot roast and corn pudding were the stars of the meal for me.. I can't say enough about how awesome they were. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and made for an all around great meal. Everyone else at my table was a Nashville native, but I felt very welcomed and grateful for the chance to enjoy some serious Southern hospitality. If I ever make it back to Nashville, Monell's will definitely be on the list of places to go!
(5)
matt c.
3 Stars is good, just not fancy or amazing. This is good local southern-style food. I like the fact that you sit with total strangers. Typically there are lots of tourists there, but also a few devoted locals. TIP: Don't eat till the meat comes out! They try to fill you up with sides first. (Unless sides are your thing, then by all means!). TIP 2: Try to figure out where the food will start being passed. It is passed to the left. If you are the last in the circle it may be picked over by the time it gets to you (at a full table). The chicken was a little dry. When we asked for another basket of fried pork chops however, they were great. If you rent the place yourself, after hours, you can BYO, and there is no fee unless you ask them to open it for you.
(3)
Monica S.
I've enjoyed Monell's both in the Germantown restaurant and when they catered a brunch the day after my wedding. In both scenarios, the food was delicious, the service was pure Southern hospitality, and I couldn't keep myself from seconds...or thirds in some cases! I've had their dinner on a couple of occasions, but I have to say that breakfast/brunch is my absolute favorite with them. I can't get enough of the corn pudding or the cheese grits, and I love being able to get a little bit of so many different things. When eating at the restaurant, the family style seating is actually great- and I'm an introvert who might typically be put off by such an arrangement. I've just found that every time I've been there that the group of people has been interesting, varied, and super nice. I also think that the fact that everyone is being offered an endless supply of delicious food helps to ensure that good moods and good conversation are enjoyed by all.
(4)
corey s.
this was SO GREAT! endless southern food that you dream about when arriving in the south. WOW WOW WOW!!!
(4)
Laura Y.
Ate here with my boyfriend a few days ago, and afterwards we both agreed that it easily was one of the most delicious meals we had ever had. Everything they served, literally every single dish, just was amazing. I'm a northerner and rarely eat the "southern" style dishes they served (too be honest, I didn't even think I liked that type of food that much until I ate here), but I don't think I'll ever stop raving about those biscuits and gravy, and I am still craving the fruity tea that they served us!
(5)
Barry G.
Our large party occupied an entire table in this quaint old home, so we didn't have any interaction with strangers, but we definitely ate like family, which was a pleasure. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, waitresses brought out several large bowls of comfort food, and as they'll kindly remind you, take your serving and pass the bowl to the left. A bountiful table, we were served cole slaw, broccoli salad, green pea salad, biscuits and jam, corn bread, green beans, corn pudding, baked apples, cheese and potato gratin, mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, fried chicken, and a strawberry trifle. I can comfortably say that the meatloaf was the best I've ever had in my whole life. If i hadn't pigged out on the rest of the offerings first, I think I could have eaten 4 pieces. The corn pudding was new to me, and quite delicious. The fried chicken was a tad over-done for my taste, and the biscuits were a bit bitter, which may have been intentional to offset the sweet and tart of the jam. The price is nice, and I'd go back in an irregular heartbeat.
(4)
Will W.
best part, face to face with others. family is more than a style!
(5)
Karen C.
My boyfriend and I have lived in Nashville for almost a year now, and this is probably the only place I truly miss when I travel in terms of food. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had in my life, and the meatloaf is to die for. I would kill for the recipe, haha. If you're in Nashville and want unlimited Southern eats for a very reasonable price, Monell's is the place!
(5)
Jordan T.
On a recent visit to Nashville, a friend introduced us to the down home, country fried, biscuit slingin', cornbread bakin' joint that is Monell's. This place embodies my imagination of the perfect southern cookin' restuarant-warm and welcoming servers, interaction with other customers, a cozy environment, and a ridiculous amount of home cooked food. When you come to Monell's, you sit at a long table with your party, and with other guests as well. Food is promptly served in community serving bowls that are passed around the table. If you grew up in a family where the dinner table was the center of life, this is the perfect place to reminisce; and if not, Monell's will give you an idea of what it means to share a huge spread of delicious food with friends and family.
(5)
Julie B.
After reading the reviews on yelp - I decided to give this place a try and I was not disappointed!! One of the people in our party had never been exposed to southern food - so this turned out to be the perfect place since you are able to try everything on the menu for that day. If you are going here for dinner you may want to skip lunch because you will need all the extra room!!
(5)
Montez B.
I loved Monell's, My family went here for my grandmothers birthday and it was fantastic. The staff here were super friendly! They have a nice concept going on here, Everyone sits in groups of seven(pass round the table ordeal), so you get to meet new people and the food is all you can eat. Overall A+ , The price on the weekend can be a little pricey, but it's worth it!
(5)
Andrew K.
DEElicious fattening yumminess. Their family style puts Buca di Beppo to shame. Everything was great and made from scratch. Basically it's like a homemade buffet in bowls. You get catfish, corn puddin, banana puddin with NIla wafers, fried chicken, green beans, broccoli salad -- they've got it all. Price is reasonable and includes sweet tea. The BIG problemo (and only reason why not 5-stars) is that you sit down and a second later all of the food is in front of you and you stuff your face and you are comatosed about 10 minutes later. I wish it was paced out. My arteries would have too!
(4)
Arlene H.
this place replicates real southern charm. family style eating. southern style cooking. it's hard to keep the portions small on your plate. and there are sooo many options. sides, sides, and more sides! my favorite was the corn side. fried chicken, gravy smothered chicken. this place was so good my friends went here two nights in a row.
(4)
Sean L.
I absolutely love this place! The food is incredible, plentiful and made with Southern love. I make a point of stopping here every time I'm in or passing through Nashville. In addition to the sumptuous fare, the service is always beyond friendly and helpful. I've told anyone and everyone who is spending time in Music City that their trip is not complete without a stop at Monell's. Thankfully, friends have taken my advice and experienced all that this gem of an eatery has to offer.
(5)
Robert P.
Have eaten at Monell's for years at the Germantown location. When my Mother came to visit on Mothers Day I told her I was going to take her to the new location on the New Orleans Manor. She was excited too go and we arrived @ 11:00 and was told it would be an hour and 20 minutes by the lady behind the counter. After an hour and 20 minutes my Mom asked me to ask the man carrying a pad around calling peoples name out how much longer he thought our wait may be after seeing other people asking the same. I asked very politely as he jerked the pad back and said "I think you were told it would be 1:20 minutes when you arrived" I realized this couldn't be a paid employee and recalling an photo from the Germantown restaurant this was the owner!! I said I don't understand why you have a problem letting me know how much longer after letting other people know he said "well after the 4th time you asked well get too you when we get too you". I said this is the first time asking and then he said "I've seen you ask the lady at the front at least 3 times". He even went as far as too ask the lady if I had not been bothering her about how much longer and she even told him I had not asked her even once! He then said in a sarcastic tone "I apologize would you like me too take you off the list??" Obviously the stress of having customers had mentally taken it's toll on this Jerk that should not ever, ever deal with the public directly and leave it too his hard working employees...who I feel for having too work for him. Of course I did not eat there (went too Outback and had great service and great food at half the price). I'm sorry for the stress I may have caused the owner and will relieve him of any of the pressure of taking my money ever again.
(1)
Celia G.
My then-fiance and I gorged on Southern brunch one rainy Saturday this summer, then went straight home with pants buttons undone, enjoying an unproductive food coma for several hours. We soon thereafter decided to take our small wedding party (just immediate family) to Monell's after marrying in East Nashville's Shelby Park on a Friday mid-September. The casual and communal setting -- unfussy, comfortably noisy -- was IDEAL for the group, and the amazing food was devoured by all. I'm talkin' about "Bro, stop hogging the meats on your side of the table!" and "Mom, is that banana pudding as good as Nana's or WHAT?" Meanwhile, those drinkers in the bunch (my family, I confess) passed around the affordable red wine we brought to the restaurant, no corkage fee (!). Seriously, people, this is THE best bet for joining a couple of Southern families and/or friends for an informal rehearsal dinner, or any meal at all! We were so pleased we picked this little spot for our big weekend.
(5)
C K.
The food may be good, but their catering and group parties are extremely disappointing. Inflexible, unfriendly, and with poor follow-up. They have a "my way or the highway" attitude. Unfortunate, because the food is pretty good.
(2)
Rebecca J.
oh my goodness! mama mia! holy moly guacamole! this place is knock your socks off fantastically fabulous! its as if you're going over to yo mama's house for a little din din. but you better pass to the left or the ladies running the joint will get cha! the food is just wonderful and full of all those healthy ingredients like butter and bacon fat! your mouth will water just thinking about this place. mine is already!
(5)
Jasmine M.
Hot-dog eating champion Joey Chestnut might actually have a hard time here. And yes, Monell's was a test of my self-control not for any health concerns, but just not be a goldfish that will eat till the point of explosion. My boyfriend's friend took us to Monell's for lunch and it was much nicer than I expected. I think I was thinking something more along the line of Arnold's, but it was a cute historic house with a garden out back. On second thought, I was worried that it might be ladies who lunch and I would starve. But, nope Monell's put me to the test of all you can eat. The seating is communal. It seemed weird at first to be tapped by someone I don't know to pass the biscuits. But, by the end, we were all friends trying to make sure we all got fed with the amount of biscuits, sweet potatoes, chicken, field peas, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans that we could eat. I made the mistake of filling up on so many things the first round and didn't know that dish after dish would come out. And as many biscuits , tea, sweet potatoes that you could want. Just ask! All the food was excellent and really fresh since the turnover for tables is so high. Oh and did I mention this place is cheap!! The atmosphere is nicer than alot of meat and threes so it is an excellent place to meet for lunch if you want more comfortable surroundings and don't mind sitting next to strangers. There is also a good cupcake store right next door. That is if you can unbutton a few more buttons on your pants.
(4)
Jessica M.
Best brunch in Nashville and great place to take first time visitors to Nashville. Has been a huge hit with my family when they come to town.
(5)
Evermore B.
This is a gem of a place. Family style sit down buffet. Every once in a while I get a craving for southern food like a restaurant that is very popular near Virginia Tech. Hoping to find something similar I went searching on the internet. Man, I am so happy we discovered this place on yelp. After reading the reviews, I had to check it out and it didn't disappoint. We went on a friday night between 5-530 and was able to get 4 seats right away. I was hesitate about sitting with strangers but a minute into sitting down and eating the food, stranger anxiety was gone cuz the corn bread, appetizers were too delicious to focus on anything else. Even my eight year old who doesn't eat macaroni salad..had several servings of it. The fried chicken was wonderful and not greasy at all. There were also cat fish and ribs..mmmm, side dishes..Plenty of food to go around and if you wanted more, they gave you more without being stingy about it. Great experience and would definitely return and bring family visiting from out of town.
(5)
Sam D.
Everyone says you need to go here, and you probably should. It is southern-cooking at its best. But, you will sit with strangers and you'll get a ton of food. A TON. Go with a big group of friends after you run a marathon and it will be perfect.
(3)
Phillip O.
Initially I was skeptical about this place in going for Thanksgiving dinner... I was wrong. My kids and wife loved it.... in fact saved up time from cooking, cleaning, buying, preparing, etc.. time to spend doing other things. Food was great and will be there again this Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. Wished the price was a little lesser for kids.
(5)
Karen R.
Southern comfort food varies depending on what part of the South is comforting you... This was my first visit to Nashville, and I am definitely more accustomed to the Deep South over the Upper South, which could account for my lukewarm feelings about Monells. You start with salads and biscuits... the coleslaw was definitely good, and I'm not a huge coleslaw person, but my favorite was the broccoli. There were four of us and we were sat with another party of about six and then another couple came while we were all enjoying salads. We'd already done the first pass, so we were low on a few of the salads. The server took the low salads to replenish them and then came back and said "sorry, we're out of broccoli salad," kind of annoying given that he'd taken away a partially full bowl and could not give it back. Biscuit wise, is where I am really knocking off points for Monell's to be honest. They tasted more like dinner rolls to me. At first I thought I wasn't a fan because of the incredibly sweet jam, but I tried a second one (to make sure) and didn't put any jam on it. They just didn't have the buttery goodness that a biscuit should have. Next came the sides, which were okay. The macaroni and cheese didn't seem or taste all that different from Stouffers'; the corn pudding is just not something I am familiar with nor did I really enjoy; the dressing was decent and I did like that. The fourth side were the green beans, which were clearly frozen and while I know generations of Southern women have been using frozen or canned green beans and then overcooking them to mush, I'm not sure it justifies actually continuing the tradition. They had a slight bacon or ham taste, and given that I do not eat pork, a little warning there would have been nice. For our meat, we were offered fried chicken, baked chicken and fried porkchops. I did really enjoy the baked chicken, and I would say to all you fried chicken people out there, you're missing out if you don't try the baked chicken at Monell's. For dessert we were offered banana pudding, which I barely tried because the baked apples were so good and I'm not a huge banana fan. All in all, Monell's was a decent experience, but if I lived in Nashville, I'm not sure I'd go back.
(3)
Julia B.
Did'ja know they cater? HUGE breakfast buffet delivered to your location for $11.25/pp. Shit - that not a lot of dough for a lot of lip-smacking deliciousness. Includes their fried chicken and famous corn pudding ... and practically everything else they serve for breakfast. NICE!
(4)
Wallace S.
Man, I've taken my parents to Monell's, I've gone on dates at Monell's, I've rented out entire rooms at Monell's, hell, I've even been kicked out of Monell's (but only after having the biscuits and preserves, arguably the best part of the weekend brunch). I love this place. Great food shared with complete strangers at a wonderful, down home, location. Can't ask for much more.
(5)
Conor S.
The highlight of my trip to Nashville (oh no, tourist review!). Overall I was surprised by how mediocre of a food city Nashville was, but Monell's really stood out. The "restaurant" is really more like a big house with a bunch of huge dining tables. They wait until there are enough people to fill the table to seat you (10-12), and you eat family style with a bunch of strangers. Eating here is like a marathon -- they start you with biscuits, corn bread, sweet tea, and sides, and the food keeps coming. There must have been 15-20 courses, no exaggeration. The menu changes every night, but the items that really stood out for me were the biscuits, meatloaf, and strawberry shortcake. And for all the food you get the bill comes to something like $16 per person. If I ever go back to Nashville I'll be sure to go again!
(5)
Gayle R.
While on vacation to Nashville we had the opportunity to visit a variety of restaurants. Clearly, Monell's was our favorite, hands down. The southern food was amazingly delicious and the food just kept on coming. We were in and out of the restaurant in a quick amount of time. I never liked peas, but their pea salad was amazing. Southern fried chicken was incredible. There was so much food to choose from and the price was right! Course after course came to our table as we passed the bowls...to the left...and enjoyed home cooking and conversation.
(5)
Neal I.
So good, I went 2 days in a row.
(5)
Judson R.
Truly a unique Nashville dinner experience. That is, unless you go home to grandma's!
(5)
Momo O.
I think everyone should go to Monells just once in their life. I still randomly talk about this restaurant to people, sometimes to random people I don't even know. I can't believe a restaurant could be this good. If I lived in Nashville I would be fat because I would come here like everyday...so I guess it's good I don't live there. The food is unreal. Deep southern cooking at it's finest! I have never experienced anything like this before. Its reasonable in price since it's all you can eat. It's in an actual country victorian house which is so cute. The people who work their are oh so friendly. I can go on and on about the food here. Just prepare yourself. Don't eat or drink the night before and prepare to do nothing after you go there because you will be feeling large and in charge but its okay because it's so worth it...It's all about the memories man and food of course!
(5)
Peter M.
maybe one of my favorite meals ever EXCEPT, as mentioned in the other reviews, you are guaranteed to over-eat in a serious way. Pace yourself if at all possible. It didn't help that we showed up really hungry and a little drunk. Fried chicken was succulunt and the breading was so fluffy and rich. Banana pudding was decadent and like your favorite blankey. Juicey southern style green beans. Very excited about the corn pudding. I will go back one day and try to control myself.
(4)
Kimberly S.
There have been copious amounts of reviews on Monell's food and family style service, and the high rating is very much deserved. What hasn't been discussed ad nauseum is their ability to host private parties. My now husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner, and it was so easy to coordinate and such a fun night. We were able to rent the restaurant from 8 PM on. We gathered in the courtyard for a cocktail hour where we were able to bring our own beer and wine-- helllllo savings! After a few (too many) glasses of wine, we sauntered inside to sit down and eat. As usual, the food was on point and gave guests a taste of the South. The service was friendly, and they did a great job of catering to our needs as a wedding party. I highly recommend hosting an event here!
(5)
Heather M.
What a fun place! The grounds are beautiful and the food is super yummy. Be prepared the wait as this place gets busy though. Parties are sat in groups of twelve and the food comes out family style. This is part of the experience. We had a great time chatting and dining with the folks we were seated with. Plates and plates of southern favorites, from fried chicken to biscuits to grits. If you are in Nashville, you must come here!!
(5)
Ben N.
Everything that could be said has probably already been said, so as the 547th review for Monell's I'll keep things short and sweet with some pearls 1) Truly a unique dining experience and a MUST DO while in Nashville. Sit with random people while passing around large plates of food and enjoy it family style 2) Expect a long wait. My group came in around 10ish and waited an hour to be seated. They say they stop serving breakfast at 11 but as long as you get on the list before then, you're guaranteed a southern style breakfast at monells! 3) There are a bunch of other Monell's around nashville that are smaller and don't offer this AYCE experience. Make sure you don't show up to the wrong one like we did! 4) Be quick and sneaky with your food pics because no cell phones allowed at the dinner table! 5) Not sure how much dinner is but breakfast was only 15 bucks +tip 6) Come hungry. I didn't eat for the rest of the day but luckily I saved this place for my last day of the trip so I didn't miss out on any other restaurants TL;DR - must eat restaurant in nashville
(5)
Aashish J.
Not enough words to praise Monell's! If I come to Nashville again, this is where I will go and take all my friends. Pros: 1. Food: Best fried chicken and mac & cheese I've had in a long time. Them biscuits with peach preserves were delicious too. 2. Ambiance: Although seating with strangers on a dinner table felt awkward in the beginning, it was awesome at the end. 3. Overall: a great experience!!! Cons: None. Just be cautious that there may be some waitin' to do 'fore you get seated. Oh yes, the food is great n' it ain't cheap. So bring your appetite.
(5)
Shane S.
Back for another mind blowing experience that I can always count on at Monell's. The food is amzing, the service is impeccable and the conversation is delightful. I can't wait until my next trip to Nashville, just so I can eat at Monell's.
(5)
Kelly N.
Five stars, no questions asked. This place is a gem. I'm not from Nashville, so it was refreshing to go to a restaurant that was genuinely a home cooked southern meal. I appreciated everything about the concept and everything this restaurant has to offer. Even the fact that no cell phones were allowed at the table. I think that was my favorite part. It's southern dining at its finest. The experience is very personable and you get to eat at a large dining room table with a family style experience. The food was spectacular. Everything you could imagine on your grandmothers table for a thanksgiving feast. The menu is pre set, so they just serve you course after course. We started with different types of mixed salads. Then, we moved to the meats and sides. Everything from Mac and cheese to collard greens to mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now for the dessert. I'm not a huge pie fan, but this was by far the best pecan pie I have ever had in my life. I can't wait to go back to Nashville JUST to eat here.
(5)
Joel L.
We LOVE Monell's Dining and Catering!!!! Well, we have only tried their 6th Ave N location, but we have been there twice. I have heard good things about the other locations. On our second visit, we sat with a couple from North Carolina that was on vacation in Nashville for a week. They ate at the Manor on one night, had Monell's catering at a concert they attended on the next night, and loved it so much that they were on their third Monell's experience of the week. And as I was there, I can tell you it was outstanding. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable with outdoor gardens and fountains. Indoors is rustic and inviting. Monell's serves family style so you sit with people that you may not know. This sounds awkward, but it really isn't because the food is so amazing that you are sharing an incredible experience that really brings people together. Different menu items are served on different days, although there are a few things like fried chicken that are regulars at every meal. There are so many options that even picky eaters should find something they like. Please do not miss an opportunity to eat at Monell's. Our lives are a compilation of our experiences. This is an experience that you will not regret.
(5)
Nicole M.
Always leave here in a food coma! Great southern cooking. Family style restaurant which isn't my favorite but the food makes it worth it. All I can say is YUMM!
(5)
Erin U.
What an incredible dining experience. This was hands down my best meal ever. The food is great, but the company is even better. If you're coming here, be ready to turn on those social skills because this restaurant works pretty differently. There's a set menu for the day and everything is served family style on tables seating 10 or more people who you may or may not know. Who you sit next to is a bit of a roulette unless you've got two friends to flank you, but no worries, that southern hospitality will keep you nice and entertained the entire time. Be friendly. Get to know your neighbor. Learn about what it means to be human, all over delicious chicken and pork and anything else they come up with. I would come back to Nashville just for this. It was that incredible.
(5)
Tiffany N.
A must if you've never experienced a family style southern restaurant. My party of 10 was seated almost immediately (which I think we kinda lucked out with). The venue itself is just darling! The home style restaurant is surrounded with flowers, coy fish ponds, and garden seats. Great way to entertain kids while waiting to walk around the grounds. Now, the food is really as amazing as everyone says. The side dishes were so tasty - biscuits light and fluffy with gravy, corn mash, greens, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples... its all so good! The fried chicken and their spinach lasagna shells were incredible. They were my favorite things on the table. Would highly recommend, and save room for the cobbler! I'm dying to go back soon!
(5)
Candra G.
Reminds me of an alternative format buffet. High on quantity, mediocre on taste/quality. To say the least, I wasn't a fan. I mistakenly thought breakfast went until 1pm and was told that it was lunch service only, but I stayed anyway because of all of the positive reviews. Community dining is an interesting concept - today's experience was weird because these people KEPT touching the food and putting it back. GROSS. So, I had to keep an eye on the dishes as they went around to make sure I didn't get the piece that was touched by the guy that kept wiping his nose. Food service was fast and the quantity was overwhelming. I liked the wide selection of the food, but found that the food was generally under-seasoned and seemed like a lot of the side dishes were made with canned food and instant mixes. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed with everything. Oh, and the slice of pie or whatever it was tasted like a stick of butter - I never figured out what it was by the end of the meal. I left full and regretting the calories that I consumed. Monell's nice try....
(2)
Corey W.
Want a true old southern style meal? Well I'm not from the south but I feel like this is probably as close as it gets. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, roasted sweet apples, mac and cheese, corn bread, you name it! It reminds me of eating at grandma's and that is a good thing. You sit and eat family style at a table of about 10. In my opinion this is good and bad. It is great if you come with a large enough group to fill the table. It is bad if you only have a few people and were not wanting to share a table with strangers. Some people embrace this, me most of the time, not so much. Wait times can be brutal sometimes due to how popular this place is. It is not the type of place you can plan on being in and out quickly.
(4)
Ann E.
Family style dining at its best. Delicious southern cooking. Amazing! The food just keeps coming. Wish I could have eaten more. Went for brunch with 7 other people-sat at a large table with 4 other people. Very nice atmosphere warm and friendly. Take the food in front of you and pass to the left, just like at home. Take as much as you like, but leave nothing on your plate (it's the rule)! Pay when you leave. Large parties have tip added onto their check. Another positive-all the food that's left on your table (you can't possibly eat it all!) is donated to the homeless-(I Asked)! GO!
(4)
Melanie -.
I've always loved the idea of family style dining...back in my hometown (Chattanooga), we have this tiny little dive called Bea's where you eat from circular tables and lazy susans... Monell's is this concept amped to epic, decadent, elegant proportions. Monell's has a very homey feel, cozy and just crowded enough. We were seated at a huge rectangular table with a bunch of friendly strangers who quickly became like family. Less than three minutes after we were seated, (no joke!) bowls and platters of the. MOST. AMAZING. FOOD. started cycling around the table. There wasn't one item I didn't like. Everything tasted like homemade. It felt like home. It made me ache with nostalgia. I'm not kidding when I say it healed my heart. We were seated with a very friendly couple from Chicago on one side and a local family with a jovial and dapper old man who chatted with us throughout the entire meal. This is what every restaurant should strive for. P.S. No cellphones at the table! But I promise, you won't miss them.
(5)
Mike L.
Wow! I was told to go for the meal of a lifetime and was not disappointed!! The best meal I have had in Nashville. Must do
(5)
Cait C.
Just bear in mind that the dishes change from night to night so don't come with 1 particular item in mind unless you have checked the menu for that night. This is definitely good homemade southern cooking (super unhealthy!). It can be seen as a positive that its all you can eat, but i cant give stars for that. I will be back yes, and i did like the fried chicken, the baked lasagna shells, the cucumber salad, and corn pudding. I did not enjoy that they used jello in the strawberry shortcake dessert instead of real strawberries. And I did not enjoy the amount of oil on the chicken (dripping). There is no alcohol, which didn't bother me, but bear in mind it is just iced tea and lemonade.
(4)
J W.
We had a great experience! The food was excellent, the staff was great. The price was great, authentic atmosphere, filling food. I could go on for days about this place, we will be back!
(5)
Dae S.
Great southern hospitality, no cell phones at the dinner table just how it would be if you were to have dinner at home. Food WILL FILL YOU TO THE MAX ! You will not leave with a half full stomach. The restaurant has such a cozy feeling. And even though the dessert was accompanied with the meal the waitress recommended us to The Cupcake Collection bakery two houses down to try their famous sweet potato cupcake ( which I must say was amazing ) Overall being said it was the first restaurant I ate at since I touched Nashville I enjoyed it.
(4)
Danny B.
Awesome home cooking. Everything was served family style, which made for interesting table conversation. Food was fresh and service spot on. Looking forward to return visit on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)
Migs V.
Skip the rest and go with the best! Especially in the country capital of the US of A. Soul Food served with Southern Hospitality and if more places out here Cali served food this way the rest of the country may think more of us! Stopped on the way to DC from Cali and was blessed by the good cooking! All the way around you cannot go wrong with what is served on their menu daily (be sure to check). Sitting at a table and passing food around helps keep interactions moving at the table but all goes quiet once the main course arrive. Pedro and Patty are solid in running the house and hats off to the two chefs in the back as we met them after hearing they have been on deck there since the beginning. This establishment really is a family Locals praise this spot as being on point and was glad we made it to this side of town so we could get a breath away from the tourists. This spot is going to be on the list of reasons why I stop and or stay in Nashville soon but make sure you take the time to dine at a place where the soul food is divine!
(5)
David M.
I had already selected more restaurants to try than we had time for on our recent trip to Nashville. Then my wife, Reiko, wanted me to add this one. It more than fit our criteria of minimum of 4-stars and minimum of 100 reviews. So, after reading some of the reviews, it went to the top of our list for the limited time we had for restaurants. We went with another couple and were seated at a table for about 12 people, strangers except for our friends. They serve down home country food and serve it family style...meaning they start the different dishes at the table and we just take some and then pass the dish around. This continues until you cannot get up from the table. What I particularly liked is the opportunity to try some dishes that I normally wouldn't order, like collared greens or grits, in case I found out that I didn't like them (I did like everything). We could take a little of each dish in a low pressure setting. Reiko and I had seconds of their meatloaf, and Reiko usually doesn't like meatloaf. The funny part was that, by the end of the meal, the 12 strangers were friends. One of them was even a regular diner at Monell's and gave us some welcome pointers. Lastly, the staff were just lovely-so pleasant, polite with the right amount of sassy, and really made us feel welcomed. We would make a reasonable detour if we were near Nashville again just to eat at Monell's. I just wish there was a special category on Yelp for this type of restaurant that was more than 5-stars. My sincere complements to the chef(s) and all the staff at Monell's!
(5)
Kyron C.
Very solid, Southern Comfort food! Probably, the best thing about this restaurant is the unique atmosphere they create by seating you with strangers at large home-style dining tables. They also serve you as if you were at home. In terms of the food, some of the best Southern sides I have had! The fried chicken was not the very best I have ever had, but still very good. The thing is they offer a vast selection of entrees, so it really isn't an issue. The peach preserves will probably be the thing I remember the most! Overall, if you are in Nashville this would be a great place to stop!
(4)
Kimberli F.
This food will heal your soul of whatever troubles you are going through. It will make you feel at home. AND it is slap yo momma good.
(5)
Laura H.
Monell's in German Town was a fantastic dining experience, last night. The restaurant is in a historic area of German Town, in a wonderful old house, surrounded by a beautiful garden area. The aroma of country cooking hits you as you enter the door. The tables have seating for 12 and the food is served family style. The verse over the door says "enter as strangers, leave as friends. Very true.
(4)
Steve R.
Monells was a five star experience. Good was superb and the service (hospitality) was as southern as it gets. But the experience!! Family style is where is at! We came here unaware of the arrangement. After a ten minute wait we were seated... With 4 other parties of 2-3. At first my wife and I chuckled and joked about darting for the door rather than sharing our meal with a dozen strangers. But after no time flat the food started comin and we were all best friend! "To the left please! Can you pass the fried chicken(again)! Wow these biscuits and gravy are phenomenal!" We thoroughly enjoyed eating with our family for the evening. The no cell phones allowed at the table rule really helped too. Would gladly do it again -and honestly have thought about how to duplicate this is LA.
(5)
C. Paula D.
I ate at Monell's during a weekend roadtrip to Nashville from Chicago. I had no idea what to expect before coming here (didn't read about the restaurant beforehand, but came on the strong suggestion of a friend without asking any questions), and the family-style share table with strangers concept was such a fun surprise! If you want to have a true Southern dining experience, you must eat at Monell's. The way the restaurant works is that there are a series of Southern dishes (catfish, fried chicken, potatoes, banana pudding, bread, cornbread, etc.) served at a communal table. There is one price for the meal, and even though you are sharing the food with the entire long table, there is more than enough food for everyone! My advice would be to pace yourself--some of the earlier dishes were so tasty that I was almost full before even half of them were served! When we went, we sat at a table with a group who was in Nashville for a religious conference. It was fun talking with them over dinner and sharing food. It was like we were one big family! The ambiance is delightful! Monell's is in a cutely-decorated house with a pond with live fish and a bridge outside. The service is wonderful, and you are never waiting for food to come--it's hard to finish your bite before the next dish starts getting passed around the table! Come to Monell's. Meet "strangers" and exchange life stories. Pace yourself while eating. Leave beyond full. Take a food nap.
(5)
Maggie M.
Family style dining, you will never leave hungry. Something for every one, from meats to veggies to breads to desserts!! Good home cooking and plenty of it. It is what it is Southern home cooking and very good service, everyone nice and very friendly. A family tradition. Have to like the family style dining to really enjoy the whole experience. Give it a try!
I have tried countless restaurants, both chain and local, in many cities throughout the country, and this is possibly the best meal I've had in my life. It's a country style dinner for sure. Sitting around a table with 10 strangers seemed odd at first, but by the end of the meal everyone was conversing as friends, mainly about how good the food was. Our lunch consisted of: solid sweet tea, biscuits and gravy, salad, fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, the best green beans I've ever had, pinto beans, slaw, incredible corn pudding, peach preserves, banana pudding, and watermelon. If you live in or are visiting Nashville, you really owe it to yourself to try this place out. They're open 365 days a year, and although I haven't personally tried it, I hear their breakfast is just as good as their lunch/dinner, if not better.
(5)
Scott K.
1. Family style serving, all you c an eat, Check 2. Possibly sitting at a table with complete strangers, Check 3. Desert first, Check 4. Best Fried Chicken, possibly ever, CHECK That basically sums up Monell's in summary. As a southerner trapped in the north, good southern food is like gold when I come across it. I would say most of the food here is above average. The cole slow is gross due to entirely to much mayonnaise. The main winner here and the only reason this place gets Five Stars is the Fried Chicken. My oh my! I love this stuff. I could just eat and eat and eat, nothing but the fried chicken. The last time I was there, I sneaked a peek at the kitchen and they actually cook the chicken in massive cast iron skillets. The chicken makes it worth it, everything else is ok.
(5)
Sandra Z.
Here's the nitty gritty... Small place with large dining tables. You'll be seated at one of these tables alongside other diners. There are pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade to drink with the meal. The dishes of food begin to come out and get passed around the table. You'll start with biscuits and cornbread, some veggies, and something sweet. And the dishes keep coming. And coming. It gets overwhelming, but just pace yourself and don't take too much of one thing too soon. The "rule" is you can take as much food as you want, but finish what is on your plate. The menu changes daily, so go to their website to plan your meal. Or just stop in and you won't be sorry. The food is great. Fried chicken is served every day, and it's good, but I also really liked the baked chicken (Wednesdays). The sides are so fantastic and numerous. The corn pudding is fantastic, as is the mac and cheese. I could eat an entire meal of just those things. What I really do love about this place is everything else. It's a beautiful building with nice gardens and seating outside to wait. It's in a charming neighborhood. This place has loads of character. The experience itself is fun: sitting next to travelers and locals and talking about Nashville. And lovely and kind Dennifer ("Mama"), who greets and seats you and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Give her a smile and you just might get a hug back. It's just the kind of place you MUST GO. It's an incredibly unique experience, and I'm certain we will go every time we're anywhere near Nashville.
(5)
Jennica P.
Not for me, but I have many friends who love it. The food is mediocre, but the lasagna and greens are pretty good. You often have to sit at a table with other people. It reminds me somewhat of slavery too.
(3)
Amelia C.
Had the country breakfast on a Saturday afternoon - and it was amazing. As out-of-towners we were looking for an epic Southern-style, finger-lickin' meal and Monell's was it! And for under $15 tip included too. The turnover of tables is quite fast because when you sit down, you don't order anything off a menu. All the food comes in large baskets and bowls and you eat it family-style. It was the Southern fried experience I had dreamed of. Highlights included: - corn pudding - fried chicken (just out of the deep fryer, piping hot and lightly crispy) - biscuits - huge pile of bacon and ham - sweet tea by the pitcher
(5)
Sonia C.
What an impression Monell's left on me. My first time to Nashville, so I had to do some research on where to go eat, and this place was given 4.5 stars on Yelp. So it was on my list of places to go. Well people, it's legit. The hours were a little confusing at first, but I didn't care, I came there with an appetite. What does it mean "family style", eating with strangers, not my style. I grew up from a single parent home and pretty much an only child. So all of this was pretty new and scary to me. Showed up, breakfast was still being served, but I wanted lunch. Gave the hostess my name and sat outside in their courtyard and waited for about 45 mins. When we were called, we sat with a family of four (from Philly) and some college kids from Iowa. Ok, so this is family style (I can do this). Then this angel appears with all this food: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, tea, lemonade, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and she starts laying down the rules! What rules? 1. Food goes clockwise. (Really?) 2. No cell phones (that's no fun) 3. It's all you can eat (awesome) 4. Be considerate of others, no seconds, until the bowl has completely gone around the table ( ok with me) After that, more food shows up, I can't even keep track. Corn pudding, banana pudding, squash casserole, baked apples, broad beans, collard greens, meat loaf, pulled pork with vinegar sauce, and fried chicken. Well, there wasn't a lot of talking going on at this table, except for please pass the fried chicken, and we didn't go clock wise. The experience was great. Food is amazing and very reasonably priced. Would definitely go there again. First restaurant in Nashville, and so far very impressed.
(5)
Jay R.
Writing this review is making my mouth water. I came here for brunch with some classmates and was blown away. I had heard good things previously, but didn't expect them to be this mind blowing. The cinnamon rolls were easily the best I've ever had. I didn't know what to expect initially having to eat with strangers, but we really hit it off with our new friends. Everyone was simply there for a great meal, and we all got one. If you're in Nashville, you have to go here.
(5)
Drew A.
We enjoyed Monell's the night we stopped overnight while traveling. We got in at about 7:30pm and it was near closing. I didn't get the usual "I can't believe you're here" attitude that usually comes at closing time. The cashier and server were awesome and seemed generally glad to see us. We shared a table with a nice group from New York in town on business. The food is great. Country cooking served family style. Read: All you can eat, so bring your appetite. If it's country, expect to find it here. You'll see fried chicken, fried pork chops, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, corn, peach cobbler, etc... Defintely a must stop if you want country cooking. Very cool old building too!
(5)
Adam G.
Fantastic soul food. You share a table with strangers, which could've been awkward, but was actually delightful. It helps that the food is so good everyone is in a good mood. And it's all in a wonderfully well preserved old nashville house.
(5)
Jan R.
Loved the family style dining. Amazing fried chicken and corn pudding. Strawberry shortcake for dessert! Really great dinner!
(5)
Tanya D.
This place is truly unique and awesome. Eat in a southern house with a bunch of strangers passing around platters of heart attack inducing food family style. Make conversation with your neighbors!!! At our table, everyone seemed excited to be there and exceedingly polite. I was anticipating a really steep cost for this wonderful experience, but I think my brunch was 15.00, which for a New Yorker is quite reasonable. I'd totally take my parents here. We had to wait 15 minutes or so to be seated, but they have a beautiful garden to wait in. This place is "special".
(5)
Zach M.
Easily the best food and dining experience we had in Nashville. Would highly recommend visiting Monell's when in town. We knew it would be good when seated with 4 locals. The fried chicken was unbelievable, ribs were great, corn casserole fantastic, I bought a jar of peach preserves and walked away wanting to come back the next day. The locals told us we missed out on the Mac and Cheese, apparently it's the best side they offer. They also raved about the breakfast. We will definitely return here when in Nashville.
Good food and a lot of it! It was a bit of a bummer for us though because we were kind of separated and the guys at our table easily over took our softer conversations. Like other reviews have said, the ideal way to eat here would be with a larger group of friends or family. It's like having thanksgiving with fried chicken and meatloaf! We both left fat and full!
(4)
Sunshyne P.
I absolutely love everything about this place!! The nice food and people really makes it standout. I come all the way from Louisville, KY and I have family in Nashville. We stopped over here the other day and decided to try something new. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!
(5)
Enjoli G.
Always packed and for good reason. The family style seating encourages interaction and the food is very good and reasonably price. I didnt care for the meatloaf but the rest of the food made up for it. The vibe is friendly and warm. A definite must-go for anyone visiting or living in Nashville.
(4)
Stevee L.
The best meal I had while visiting Tennessee!! Communal dining where you sit with complete strangers and pass the pre-planned menu items to each other. The food was amazing and so was the experience. Loved everyone at our table and had an amazing conversation while eating wonderful food. We had: Cajun chicken, fried pork chops, fried chicken, Mac n cheese, green beans, coleslaw, corn casserole, stuffing, biscuits, cornbread, peach preserves, and banana pudding. This was the best meal we had whole visiting Tennessee!!! And it had the best sweet tea!!! And it was nice to not have cell phones allowed at the table. It was a nice change of pace... No cell phones and eating with complete strangers. Overall, it was an amazing experience with amazing food!!! The food reminded me of my grandmother's dinner from years ago. There was some love cooked in there!
(5)
Noor B.
I have to give this place a five star along with the others. I love the concept of this restaurant. Come as strangers leave as friends. The food was home cooking at its best. No frills, no gourmet , no fancy shmancy, just good food. I liked everything except the cornbread muffin. The tea and lemonade was just right. Biscuit so amazing. The pecan pie. The mash potatoes. I loved it. You have to be ready to eat when you come there because you will leave stuffed. The restaurant looks to be in an area of gentrification. Beautiful landscape in the front. Not a place I would go to often because I don't have self control and I'm trying to watch my waistline. But when I want to pig out then that's the place I'd go to.
(5)
Ryan C.
Monell's is a Nashville must if you are coming in to town and have enough time for a breakfast. For $14.95 you are served with a never ending round of amazing home made comfort food. One of the best fried chicken places I have found and I die for their cinnamon rolls. Make sure to leave room to sample everything they bring you, because it's A LOT. The nice is that they didn't charge me for my baby and toddler, so it's a real nice deal. Just be prepared to share your table with other groups, so be friendly!
(5)
Casey M.
This was my first time at monells and man it was awesome! It is family style you sit at a large table with other guests and immediately the is already biscuits cornbread and gravy waiting for you. There are also pitchers of tea and lemonade. Then they bring out everything on the menu and you help yourself. They bring out replenishments as items get low. Then for dessert they made an incredible banana pudding!
(5)
Rachel S.
I feel as big as a house upon leaving Monell's. I've eaten there 3-4 times this year. Is that too many?? Take it from me - as good as it is, it's not something you should on a regular basis unless you don't care about your weight. (Monell's slogan is rightfully, "I've eaten and I can't get up.") It really is that good. It's comfort food to the max, in a classy setting. It's a little bit soul food, a little bit southern cookin', and there's a vegetarian lasagna sometimes on the menu. (HUH?? It's actually really good, though.) The fried chicken is served daily, and it's been known to convert fried chicken haters to fried chicken lovers. The cold salads like coleslaw and broccoli salad have never disappointed, nor has the corn pudding and other hot southern vegetable dishes. The strawberry shortcake and banana pudding especially have really hit home runs, as far as dessert is concerned. It's really not possible to be a vegan and enjoy a meal at Monell's - sorry vegans.
(4)
Feebee A.
Southern comfort at it's finest! Cute decor, nice staff, and amazing food. Let's start with decor: it's basically a house turned into a restaurant so with that you get that cozy feeling. The backyard was too cute! Makes me want to revisit in the summer time. They had wooden swings, a pond, garden chairs, flowers and lights everywhere. It was adorable. The inside looks like my grandmothers house. High ceilings, chandeliers and amazing curtains. You are seated at a large table with random people unless you with that big of a party. Our party was 7 and we were seated with about 3 other people. Food was served family style. It was breakfast, we were told to pace ourselves and omg, pacing yourself is the best thing. Biscuits, homemade jam, gravy, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, apples, corn pudding, and I'm sure there is more I can't remember it all. And yes, this was all for breakfast, served family style, and as much as wanted. This was amazing! It was delicious! It was homey! I would love to try this place for dinner. I'll most definitely be back to Monells.
(5)
Ken G.
Very good southern home cooking. This from a original southerner. You eat family style which was very pleasant. I met some really nice people but I'm also social. I also really like the fact they have a no cell phone policy at the "dinner table." Definitely worth the wait and I will be coming back on my next trip! I'm
(4)
Katlyn S.
Stumbled upon this place without trying. Turns out it's one of the top 5 restaurants in Nashville! The food is delicious, best southern food I've had yet. My only complaint is that NOBODY tells you what's going on! They just expect that you've been there before. This restaurant is family style which means they will seat you at a large table with a bunch of strangers, and the food is not made to order, you get what you get! If there was a little explanation of how it worked I would have felt a little more comfortable. Every dish is made in bulk and is passed around the table. Once you are comfortable with this, it's kind of fun and exciting to be at a table with a bunch of strangers! Once again, food is fantastic! Def an experience to try at least once!
(4)
Tara W.
One of my favorite places in Nashville. Oh yeah, guys, I live in Nashville now. I don't even know where to start or how to adequately express my love for this place. Should I describe the lovely, lovely women who show you to your table, bring you your food, and just generally make you miss your grandmother? Maybe the fact that you sit at a family-sized table and share food with strangers and although you are not known for loving these things, you love them when you're at Monell's? How about the food that NEVER STOPS COMING? How about that? Do you enjoy an endless stream of breads, casseroles, potatoes, salads, and, oh lord, fried chicken? What about dessert? Do you like endless dessert? This is clearly a slippery slope for me so I'm going to get down some concrete details here: EAT: The biscuits (with butter, please) The green-bean casserole The corn pudding The fried chicken The mashed potatoes The banana pudding Anything else they bring you DRINK: Sweet tea (just don't consume any more sugar for the rest of the week) BRING: People who love you for you, because you're about to eat your own weight in carbs CALL: Your grandmother Go there. Tip well. Thank you.
(5)
Art C.
I admit I loved this place. The food is closer to 4 stars but the overall experience was so enjoyable I rounded up. We brought the whole family out (eight of us) to this family-style, sit down eatery. I don't know why other restaurants don't copy this model. I'm sure the concept will catch on soon enough, though it helps to have a group and to paired with sociable people at your table (since you'll be passing food around the table you'll definitely get to know the strangers at your table). AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) southern-style comfort food, sitting around the dinner table. it doesn't get any better than this. The experience was only enhanced by the gracious staff and great ambiance of this gem. Highly recommended...
(5)
Reshawn L.
WOW!!! Outstanding Food!!! Great community dining concept! Unique venue! A meal at Monell's is an absolute must. I can't believe I've been traveling to Nashville for 3 years and just discovered it. I want to fly my family in just to eat here. It's that good!! Fried chicken, stuffed shells, pot roast, mashed potatoes, biscuits, peaches, corn muffins, corn pudding, greens, green beans, sweet tea, lemonade and banana pudding for dessert. OMG!!! My favorites were the stuffed shells, pot roast and biscuits!! Yummy!! The banana pudding was not great but it did not take away from the experience. We were all stuffed and happy!!
(5)
Milton S.
Got here at 8:30 on a rainy Sunday morning and were the first customers seated- no waiting at all. By 9, steady stream coming in. Staff was friendly, courteous and most welcoming. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I just want to say this is a FABULOUS place for breakfast. Words can hardly describe how perfect the execution is of food delivery, food quality and food taste. Every single item (and that's what is served to every single table, family style) was done to perfection. Don't need any more reviews to tell you how great this place is but I would place this at the top of the list for any future visit to Nashville.
(5)
Paul T.
This place isn't just amazing. It's an--EXPERIENCE. The food is amazing and the fact you can't use your cell phone at the dinner table is GREAT. What? you actually have to talk to people? Unheard of! But you're stuffing your face with the insane amount of food put in front of you anyways. Go here. You won't be disappointed. One of the highlights during my trip to Nashville.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Monell's is GREAT! Plan on making this your only meal of the day (or maybe 2 days). You get SO MUCH FOOD and all of it is delicious. Beautiful old house, family style seating, great for big groups, super for taking visitors.
(5)
Chris H.
It's not fair. It's just not fair how great the food and the atmosphere of this place. Why do I have to live 2000 miles from this wonderful restaurant? Can I just invent a miniturizing beam and shrink this place down to where it will fit in my suitcase? This place would destroy Portland. Just flat destroy it. I would be 800 pounds before I knew it. If you haven't gathered, I highly recommend.
(5)
Brad S.
This place is amazing! Best food on our trip to Nashville. Because the menu changes I won't go into much detail on the food but let's just say awesome. It is family style and we sat with some cool people including locals (so what does that tell you about the food). I love that the nice lady at the front door reminds diners to silence their cell phones and asks people to please leave the table if they must text or use their phones. Nice! This is a keeper and will be back on our next trip to Nashville.
(5)
Kori H.
Came here on the a Wednesday on the way to Bonnaroo in 2014 and this place was phenomenal. They seat you Thanksgiving style around long tables, and just start bring dishes out. The other family seated at the same table was really nice and it was a nice change of pace to sit with people we didn't know, it was very genuine and added a special touch to the atmosphere. The food was southern cooking at its finest, complete with some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. So, next time you are in Nashville, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's.
(5)
Seleen T.
Best fried chicken I've ever had for the county breakfast. I would totally go back just for that
(5)
Santiago G.
This place was so good. The food had such an amazing home cooked flavor and you could taste the hard work. Everything I wanted in a spin then meal was found here. The wait staff was very friendly and made the experience excellent. A must try in Nashville.
(5)
John L.
Southern cuisine at its finest. Volume at its greatest. Calories not to be mentioned. Fabulous.
(5)
Aaron C.
I went for breakfast. After partying hard Not the best fried chicken I have had. I don't care for corn pudding any where and the potatoes were the be st I have had. I like the setting and atmosphere it's different. I like that fact you just send down and start eating. Like the no cell phones at table you get to enjoy the food more. Overall good soul food restaurant and different.
(4)
Allison F.
This is not a meal...this is love shown to you in the best way possible: family-style and topped with butter. I hope you get the chance to eat everything in sight (you won't) at this epic southern comfort communal feast.
(5)
Dan M.
Fun and interesting place. All seating is family style. And the menu is set. So if you are up for meeting and eating with others, this is a great place. If you are more into doing your own thing, you may not enjoy the vibe. Beyond that, everything the serve is fantastic! The salads, the sides, the main courses. Everything! And the fried chicken is out of this world.
(4)
Anna J.
Loosen your belt and get ready to feast. I've been here a few times over the years and it never disappoints each time! The food just keep on coming. Depending on the day, they will have different meats, sides, desserts. If you are a small party, you will likely sit at a table with complete strangers. It's actually pretty fun. The food is served family style, and they just keep bringing out more and more delicious southern food. You will feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It's not ideal for a romantic date night, but a great place for a casual and fulfilling dinner. Price is reasonable as well! Definitely come out here, great way to experience some of the Nashville southern culture!
(4)
Kurt R.
This place is super cool and the food is outstanding. I hate going here because I'm super stuff afterwards and I hate that feeling. Best meat and three in Nashville. It's a must experience when you're in Nashville.
(5)
Mack E.
Do you like people? Do you like all the food at once? Do you like going home feeling like you're going to pop, but also feeling sated and happy after a meal? It's time for Monell's. The meal is a blur, a family-style smorgasbord of menu-free comfort food that goes on much longer than you'd expect from a dinner. The mashed potatoes and the banana pudding stand out among the many offerings as absolutely superior; I went back three or four times for more helpings. After a while the meal felt like Scrooge McDuck's money vault: surrounded by treasure and always moving towards more. Make sure that you bring a large group to gather around the long tables, because you're going to want to share the plates and gab over a very thick and tasty meal.
(5)
Bethany B.
Picture a southern Thanksgiving meal, and you've got Monell's. In terms of price, definitely a great deal for all the food you're getting. Eating with strangers sounds odd at first, but you'll quickly feel like you're at a family table once the food comes around. Real homecooked food.
(5)
Ali S.
Great place to go to stuff yourself silly with southern food. They always have a wonderful staff who are friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!
(5)
Catie B.
This place is not only a restaurant that serves amazing food, but an experience. You get seated at a long table with other people if your party is not big enough and dinner is served family style. It is a flat rate for each person and they do not skimp on the food, which includes dinner from salads to dessert and beverages. It is basically all you can eat, but they do warn you to pace yourself because there is plenty. The menu changes daily, but I have a feeling it is all good. This place was recommended by our Uber driver and we are very happy we decided to go. It is off the beaten path in Germantown but more than worth it!
(5)
Amalia Y.
i really dig the concept. i'd definitely come here with a large group of friends (and if this place was in nj, i'd totally throw a UYE here). seriously, it's a great twist on AYCE and i hope the concept takes off in other markets. this was our first meal upon arriving in nashville. we happened to be seated with some not-too-talkative folks. meh. the food was plentiful, and was pretty good- not great, just good. there was a lot of it. it didn't stop. sadly, nothing stood out as super yummy. i got kinda sick afterwards. not thrilled.
(3)
David M.
Great Southern Food, wonderful atmosphere, and fantastic service. The location being in German Town is also nice especially if you want to walk over and see the Sounds.
(4)
Ria B.
Came for breakfast on a weekday in the middle of a roadtrip. Never had fried chicken and Mac & Cheese for breakfast but, clearly, I've been missing out. Monell's has no standard menu - whatever Monell is making that day is what you're going to get. Family-style dining means you sit with anyone else who has walked into the place and share baskets of food. Old-school table manners require you to take phones and elbows off the table. My two friends and I stuffed our faces with some of the best and most authentic Southern food in the area - and made new friends in the process! Unless you're a very picky eater, definitely check Monell's out.
(5)
D T.
Incredible place! Food was devine and so was the staff. Loved our server. Can't wait to return to this place soon!
(4)
Carolyn B.
Great for the starving or non-carb conscious. This place is a family style, sit with strangers, and chow down kind of setting. The fried chicken is out of this world! Get there early so that you beat the rush, as they don't take reservations.
(4)
Hannah H.
We came here on Mother's Day, and I was ecstatic that we were the first ones in line. There was a nice little patio area with chair swings and a little pond with Koi fish. They open right at 8:30AM on the dot, and the hostess writes down your name and the number in your party. All the members of your group need to be present before you get seated. We were in the main dining area and seated at a large dining table with others. It's a family style setting, so the servers come out with bowls of food; when you receive it, you put however much you want on your plate before you pass it to your left. It goes around and then you just place it in front of you until someone asks you to kindly pass it to them. We had the Weekend Country Breakfast, in which we started off with Biscuits and Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls, and then right into thick-cut bacon (yum!), country ham (with a very sweet sauce), fried apples, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding (yum!), and skilled fried chicken (not seasoned, but great with the Louisiana hot sauce at the table). The food was flavorful and really tasted like a home-cooked meal. You will definitely leave stuffed as you can eat as much to your heart's content. We sat next to a cool guy who brought his mom with him, and he stated that he brings his mother to Monell's for breakfast for every Mother's Day (so sweet!). I love the rule of no cell phones at the table, as that's rude anyways! When you're closet to finishing, you each receive a laminated 'Meal Ticket' card where you go and pay up at the front. I would love to go back and try out their lunch/dinner items! :D +no reservations; first-come, first-serve +hostess writes down the name/number of party on clipboard +family-style buffet +free street parking around the area
(4)
Logan J.
Fabulous family dining with Amazing food! We had people from Cali DC and locals at our table. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes were so good. roast a little salty. Beans and salads very good. House is amazing. Very clean and cozy. Hosts were so nice. Food was served immediately As we went to leave., We asked for cups of water to go. We were told they would be 2.25 each!!! Ouch!
(3)
Butterbean M.
I pretty much think this is the BEST place in Nashville to eat !!! Got here a little late for breakfast but the lunch was absolutely awesome !!!! The ribs biscuits and the fruit tea was the best !!! All the vegetables was great as well !!!! If u in Nashville definitely come check this place out !!!!!!!
(5)
Adriana M.
This was a great experience! The staff were really nice. It is a place to meet new people and we enjoyed the food! I was very satisfied with everything... The only thing is you eat what they serve :)
(4)
Cynde L.
Came into town for the thanksgiving holiday. Our concierge recommended we try monell's. I loved the farm style seating, we met some great people. But the food was just ok. The green beans were overcooked, and the fried chicken was dry. Spinach lasagna and pot roast were delish. Broccoli salad was good flavor, but the broccoli was soggy... I probably won't go back, too many other places in this great city to try.
(2)
Brittany S.
One of the most amazing eating experiences I've ever had. We had no idea what we were getting into - all we knew is Yelpers think it's pretty fantastic (and rightly so). I'm going to walk you through our experience chronologically (forgive me for t-totally making up the times): 7:46 p.m.: arrive in Germantown, Nashville at Monell's Dining. Jaw-dropping beauty of the historical house lit up in the evening with a beautiful garden alongside the building. From the outside you can see families feasting. 7:50 p.m.: we realize this is a family-style eatery. The tables that we once thought were ginormous and tremendously diverse families are actually big groups of strangers. (ding, ding! extra cool points) Our diverse family (the table in which we are seated) consists of locals, Bostonians, and a few other folks who I couldn't really hear because the table is so big. 7:51 p.m.: thought to self: where is the menu? seconds later: realization that you don't order here. As my dad said growing up, "what you see is what you get." or "what you don't see, don't ask for." In the case of Monell's, everything you could ever wish for is already in front of you (friendly strangers who love good food and mounds of southern comfort food). 7:55 p.m.: let the face stuffing begin: potato salad, pulled pork (one of my favorites), chicken, fried catfish, greens, breads, so on and so forth. 8:28 p.m.: I feel like I could puke but I totally got my money's worth. But, heyo, wait a minute, those awesome tablemates from Boston insisted on buying my sister and I's dinner. After a few minutes of the check tango, they won. (could this experience get any sweeter? why, yes, yes it could....read on) 3:45 a.m.: remember those locals at the table? Well, they just so happen to work at a recording studio and have all sorts of producer friends. Let's just say we partied hardy with this crew of cool folk. Hell, they even sang us some songs at the studio.
(5)
Brian B.
Just ate the breakfast for the first time yesterday, and it was great. The only thing that was weird, was we had 8 people in our party, and they were trying to tell us where to sit at the table we were assigned. Sorry dude, but my family and I will sit where we please, and the people who show up late will sit where it is available. Nobody ever came and we just moved when he left. Not a big deal, but still. First come, first serve means seating as well guy. I would still go back and sit where I want again. Country Ham is drenched in like a sweet gravy or something, and it was incredible.
(4)
Andrew R.
Went for brunch. Didn't know what to expect. Basically, you sit down at a family style table in a beautiful old home, and they bring you big baskets of everything. Eat what you want, but more is coming. Some things were quite mediocre, but a few were stunningly excellent (especially the fried chicken).
(4)
Keith G.
Be prepared for the biscuits. And the gravy. And the sausage. And the eggs. And the bacon. And the pancakes. And the creamed corn. And the cheesy grits. And the potatoes. And the fried chicken. And the sweet tea. I probably missed about 5-6 other items too. All of the food is excellent! A seemingly endless buffet of Southern staple foods. I've never had Southern food as good as it is at Monell's. I would highly recommend going on a day where you could go home and take a nap afterwards.
(5)
Jessica M.
Monell's is like Thanksgiving every day! They have huge portions of every kind of soul food you can imagine, and it's all served as soon as you get seated. Each table sits about 12-15 people, and you pass all the food around and take what you like. At first I was a little nervous about family style dining, but it worked out well and I met a lot of interesting people while having a pretty epic meal. When I came here for lunch they served biscuits and gravy, mac and cheese, spinach lasagna, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, collard greens, green beans, creamed corn, and more. I was full before they even brought the second round of food out. If you decide to dine here, make sure you pace yourself! Leave plenty of room for the fried chicken. They have huge pitchers of several different teas and water, so you never have to worry about your glass being empty. When you finish your meal, they give you these tickets that say "Help, I've eaten and I can't get up!" In my case that was definitely true, I almost had to drag myself out of my chair and over to the register. The meal was about $20, but I ate my money's worth. I can't wait to come back and try their breakfast as well!
(5)
Inness P.
My friends and I came here for lunch while visiting Nashville. We got there around noon and it wasn't super busy. One entire big table was empty, so we were seated there. I was disappointed because I wanted to enjoy the experience of eating with strangers, which is weird for me because I almost never want to do stuff like that. Happily, the table soon filled up and I got to chat with a few nice families. The food is standard Southern fare. None of it really WOWED me, but it was all good. I especially liked the biscuits, the corn pudding, and the beans. The sweet tea was perfect, too. The peach preserves were not my thing, but many other guests seemed to truly love them. But the best part was just being there. It is just a really nice experience. When we left, it was starting to fill up (around 1 pm) and there was a big wait for table space. Definitely a popular spot! We got lucky.
(4)
Hilary H.
If you want a great traditional southern meal this is the place to go! You sit down at a large dining room table with other guests and pass dishes around family style. There will be a plethora of foods and someone will have to roll you out the door when you're done. For brunch we were served: fried chicken, cheese grits, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon, potatoes, sausage... Just to start. The drinks are limited , so if you're looking for a great mimosa don't come here- instead try "biscuit love". Typically, the only drinks that are served are tea, sweet tea, coffee, water... And maybe lemonade? It's a must try tho! You will love it!
(5)
Rhea B.
The service was excellent and the breakfast fare was exceptionally good. No meal is better made for sharing than the weekend country breakfast family style at Monell's. Country ham, cheese grits, pancakes, and eggs keep company with skillet-fried chicken and corn pudding. And don't worry, there's always plenty to go around.
(4)
Seth A.
I cannot believe the experience my girlfriend and I just had at Monell's for the price of $14.65. No, seriously, Fourteen-dollars and Sixty-Five cents. The food was abundant and delicious, the yellow squash casserole was a home-run. I had three (yes, three) varieties of protein in front of me and I ate every last one of them. The experience is unlike any I have ever had in a restaurant. Everything is served family style; that is, they put bowls of delicious food on a communal table, tell you what it is and when you are finished you pass the bowl to the person next to you. In my case, we were first sat with three older gals that were in Nashville for a reunion tour and they were awesome. Honestly, the part I was worried about the most was being sat in such an intimate, familial setting with a boatload of strangers that I typically would never even consider engaging in conversation with. But you know what? The conversation flowed easily and the continual addition of bowls of carefully crafted food being dropped off at the table only served to additionally compliment the entirety of our experience. In short, don't hesitate to go here. The food is great, the atmosphere is foreign, yet supplies you with a feeling of nostalgia that you can only get whilst sitting at your family table for a holiday gathering. I didn't write too much about the food, because you know what? Every single morsel I consumed was absolutely, 100% exemplary of what you expect when you think of Southern cooking. Don't waste anymore time, go here ASAP.
(5)
Crystle C.
Kill me, because this place was so good I could die right now. I am completely against multiple visits to the same spot when you're traveling but Monells is the exception. After having an AWESOME lunch w my immediate family, I went straight back to the hotel and told all of my aunts and uncles where we'd be having breakfast the next morning. We filled an entire 15 seat table for breakfast, which turned out to be EVEN BETTER than lunch!!! Everyone at the table was very very satisfied!! But mainly I loved this place because of the strict no cell phones at the table rule. They make you put away your phones and really just enjoy each other's company... and while my family is super close it is rare to get through a meal without seeing someone's cellphone on the table. Anyway, the food is so good you don't even miss the dang things! For lunch we ate fried chicken, fried catfish, lasagna, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, greens, cucumber salad, corn on the cob, biscuits, corn bread, gravy, banana pudding and HEAVENLY preserves - $13 bucks, btw! And for breakfast: fried chicken w gravy, bacon, country ham, the BEST sausages, eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, tomatoes, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, baked apples and HEEEEAVENLY (can't stress this enough) preserves and coffee for days for about $15 a head. Just go try the place!!! It's wonderful!! You won't regret it!!
(5)
Darren M.
The only thing I can say is awesome! Great home cooked food! Awesome staff! The venue makes it even better. The only thing they need to add are a few couches for after you've eaten. Truly a great experience!
(5)
Bernice C.
Absolutely. Freaking. Amazing. I have no idea why this doesn't have 5 stars...4.5 stars is great and all, but it should have 5 stars. Hands down. To start, definitely get a reservation or call ahead of time to find out how full it is. This place gets decently packed. As everyone else has said, you get seated in a long table and eat family style. You can chat with everyone else or keep to your own party...and then the food starts coming. I didn't know how many rounds of food to expect but there were a lot. Easily at least 10 rounds: salad, slaw, green beans, cabbage, corn bread, biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, pulled pork, some corn dish, and peach cobbler. The food comes around in bowls and you scoop what you want and pass it along. You can order as many refills as you want, but there is so much to try that we only asked for refills on the fried chicken. If you're stopping by Nashville at any point in your life/trip/bucket list. This has to be a stop!!
(5)
Thuy N.
I am from South Vietnam and don't know a lot about Southern food growing up, but Monell's is just one of the best family restaurants for good-ole food. Also, it's like Thanksgiving with a lot of strangers, but great conversations with people from all over. I will list my favorites: 1. Biscuits 2. Green Beans 3. Cabbage 4. Fried Chicken 5. meatloaf 6. fried fish okay I can go on and you know what, I can eat and eat and I just don't feel bad!
(5)
Frank D.
Family style at its best...u sit w other families at long tables (9-10/table)...no menu, they simply start bring you food, like Sunday's at Grandmom's! ...and boy is there food! Our dinner consisted of broccoli salad, corn bread, turnip greens, 2-types of beans, corn pudding, pot roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed shells, FRIED CHICKEN, banana pudding, sweet tea - oh my! Food was great, atmosphere was fantastic and meeting new folks at laughing at the table was incredible!!
(4)
Larry G.
Truly one of the best meals I've ever had. Family style southern comfort fare. It is almost impossible to not overeat here. So many choices and all of them were delicious. Best pot roast I've had and the rolls + peach preserves...oh my word. Wear sandals because you're gonna have to wiggle your toes in excitement.
(5)
Douglas W.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of this place by now. This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times now. I never get tired of the fried chicken, corn pudding, muffins, biscuits with their peach preserves, and butter beans. They always have 3 meats to choose from and several sides come out to accompany. This is family style and you sit at a large table with 8 or 10 other strangers who if your lucky will strike up a conversation with you. It's all you can eat and I never leave hungry. Desert is always good. There's pitchers of lemonade, sweet and unsweet tea on the table. It's like Thanksgiving, by the time you take all the sides, there's no room for the turkey on your plate. If you try everything they pass around you'll have a hard time finishing it all! I love this place. I wish I lived in Nashville because I would be here all the time.
(5)
Miriam M.
Think of this place like a more homey and intimate buffet. Being from Cali, the extent of my southern food experiences include KFC and salivating over the Pioneer Woman/Paula Deen on the food network. So I don't have much to compare to but I loved how its all family style and you eat with strangers. Some were locals and others from across the country. Each day of the week they have different meat options which are all posted online. But every night they have fried chicken...which is killer! Drinks include sweet tea, regular tea, lemonade, and water. They also have fresh peach preserves to go with the biscuits and cornbread. Weirdly enough my favorite thing was this pineapple casserole. Idk what's in it but I shamelessly ate multiple servings. My least favorite part was the "strawberry shortcake." It was more of like crumbs mixed with blended strawberries and whip cream. But I was so full it was hard to care. Final tip: where your fat pants.
(4)
Ilana C.
Monell's was the BEST southern food I've ever had. Family style serving so you are forced to interact with the table and pass food around. It was awesome way to get to know people and we had a fun table. The food was so so so delicious. They served biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon bons and more only for about 15.00 and you can eat as much as you want. Friendly staff, don't make you feel rushed and good experience. You will definitely leave that place feeling so full you may want to take a serious nap (in a good way) It's a lot of food but totally worth the wait. Highly Highly recommend it.
(5)
Tara D.
I love this place! My husband, daughter (19 months old) and I went to breakfast on Saturday. Even though we are sat with strangers, we always have good conversation and plenty to eat. This is SOUTHERN food! Leave your diets at home! The food is delicious! If you don't like family style (sitting with strangers), this is not the place for you!
(4)
Ariel S.
My husband and I came at noon and had a late breakfast (lunch starts at 1). You sit at a large family style table with others there for the meal. They bring out food and you pass around the table. The food keeps coming. We were served a variety of breakfast food that included fried chicken! Sweet tea and baked apples were amazing! Good southern cooking and hospitality. This is a must for anyone out this way.
(5)
B M.
Went to the location in the Germantown area of Nashville with friends on a Saturday night. Lots of good food served family style. Accordingly, they didn't seat us until our entire party arrived. Fortunately, we beat the crowd and a table opened up shortly after everyone arrived: we were seated with another family at a large table. They serve a set meal, according the day of the week. I would recommend you check their on line site if you want something special. On our night we got some tasty fried catfish. Going to have to try the Sunday brunch...as soon as I can fit back into my pants after eating too much good food at Monell's!
(4)
Neek C.
A table full of strangers eating great fried chicken and talking about how Elvis was terrible. That was my experience. Who would have known that a great place was hiding near my alma mater.
(5)
Fred Q.
Worthy of a #1 rating! Thanks Yelpers for this recommendation. We found it easily, parked in front on the street, and had a feast of a meal. We were seated immediately at a table with 3 business people who were friendly and fun to be with. They already had biscuits, cole slaw, and cucumber/onion salad - the salad course. Had home made peach jam or gravy for the biscuits. Sweet tea, iced tea, lemonade, and water were on the table. When the main courses arrived I thought I'd died and joined Grandma in heaven. Pan fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and peas. We passed everything to the left and had plenty for seconds. Dessert was peach cobbler. The server was attentive, kept our glasses full of ice, and offered more food if we wanted it. Very friendly, homey, and like a trip back to your grandma's house for Sunday dinner circa 1960. After a long day driving, it was a great evening. Walked it off on the District and listened to live music before returning to the hotel. The carbs are wanting me to sleep now. Zzzzzzz,
(5)
Ayesha A.
OMG this place was so flipping fantastic I don't know where to begin. This is a MUST in Nashville, I just love it so much I wish I knew how to run a business so I could open one in Toronto. Everything is cool about this place. It's beautiful. The area is lovely. The food....omg....it's SO good, and it's all you can eat, but do not waste food. The concept of throwing people together at a table makes it different than a regular restaurant experience you would have with friends/family, and it fores you to socialize. The house it's in has so much character. I just absolutely loved the experience and recommend this place. Whatever your brunch/lunch plans are in Nashville, cancel them, and go to Monell's instead. You will thank me for the recommendation ;-)!
(5)
Mac L.
I have been here many times and the food and service is always perfect.
(5)
Amanda K.
Okay, but really. This place is delicious. So. Much. Food! Pace yourself. First arrival, the outside is simply charming. When you enter, you can see several large family style tables. You will be told exactly where to sit, with people you don't know. This is a little odd at first but totally works. Just expect it. The bowls start coming around and its a looong time before they stop! Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, pulled pork, it goes on and on all to be topped off by a delightfully fresh strawberry shortcake. YUM. Anyone who is visiting Nashville, even for just a short time, needs to make room for a visit to Monell's!
(5)
Allie E.
Really good, family style food. Great ribs! Took my in-laws here for some good southern food and we were not disappointed. They had something for everyone including my 2 year old. Go!!
(5)
Meghan B.
If a friend was only in town for 24 hours and asked me where they HAD to eat before they left, I'd definitely say Monell's. This place delivers not only on their tasty food, but their atmosphere and price. Be aware: there's no ordering here. It's family-style dining and the bowls of food keep on coming so keep passing those bowls to the left! We sat at a table of about 15 people and had a blast. There was corn pudding, fried chicken, eggs, bacon, biscuits, homemade jam, you name it, we had it on the table. Side note: even if theres a wait, if it's warm enough outside there's a beautiful garden to hang out in with plenty of seating, and a pond with coy fish. We only waited about 15 minutes but I would have gladly waited for an hour!
(5)
Harry H.
$38 for the two of us was bafflingly and almost infuriatingly low for the amount and quality of the food and hospitality here. It was family style, and somehow we were seated with ALL fellow NYers, but we still enjoyed ourseves immensely, with food in front of us the second we sat down. Tried at least a bit of every bowl that was passed, and seconds and thirds of most of it -- all superb.
(5)
Stephanie I.
Warning: You will be forced to socialize and share food with strangers here. If you take up a seat, you will have to pay for a meal. Monells is obviously famous for the reasons above. It's a unique experience and if you didn't know that before going, you live in a cave. On top of being a unique experience, the food is AMAZING. We went for the Sunday brunch fully prepared for a food coma. They bring out huge portions of food throughout the meal and you eat as much as your pants will allow. Some of the selections include: huge fluffy biscuits, cinnamon rolls, eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, corn pudding, pancakes, and the star of the show - skillet fried chicken. The chicken falls off the bone and is perfectly fried and seasoned. I didn't feel strange eating fried chicken at 9am one bit. The servers are great, making sure that we never run out of food, sweet tea, or water. This place can get busy so arrive early or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Valerie B.
I didn't like my table because it was right by the register. Even though it wasn't dinging away, it was still awkward to be so close. I would have much preferred to be somewhere else. The food was so so. I thought the catfish had no flavor. I enjoyed my fried chicken and the spinach lasagne but nothing was hot. Now I understand that things were getting passed around so that was fine. But we asked for some extra lasagne and that came out lukewarm at best. The peach preserve stuff was gross! I almost spit it out. But it's still super cool to sit with people. It's a nice experience. And cool to have southern hospitality.
(3)
Blaine L.
What an experience! All the food is brought out to you in a group style setting, and it's delicious! Good old fashioned family style deliciousness
(5)
Rene R.
We went to the Germantown location. We got there around 11:00am. Once all of our group had arrived we were told we would be seated as soon as the members of our party who had their phones out put them away. It was said quite rudely and frankly I would have left if it was up to me. I understand the no cell phone policy. I even like it. But there is certainly a way to inform first time guests of this policy nicely. We were seated with a group of a similar size (family style seating) and the gluttony began. If you haven't been here before, there is not a menu for you to choose from. They post the menu for the day on the door. There was fruit tea, sweet tea, and water on the table when we sat down. Food is passed to the left. There was cucumber salad, and coleslaw to start with. Cornbread and rolls with preserves, butter or gravy. Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, pulled pork, and meatloaf. Sides were mashed potatoes, green beans (AMAZING) corn/bread pudding, and mac and cheese ( tasty but very liquidy ). Our table mates were very nice. We all enjoyed a delightful meal! I would very much like to come for weekend brunch next time we're in town ( brunch is weekends only). Also keep in mind during the week, they do close at 2 and reopen for dinner. Check with them for the exact hours. All in all it was a good time. Got off to a bit of a rude start but our server was very pleasant and of course the food is great.
(3)
Barry H.
My coworker and I had dinner there last night around 6:45 ( great timing ) . The food was GREAT Food. The Service was Fanatic :) And ALL for only $19.00 per persons :) We will go back Every Time we are in town.
(5)
Bill G.
Monell's, a Nashville institution housed in a circa 1880 home in the city's hot property Germantown. No reservations. You wait your turn and then are seated around big tables with about 8 to 12 new friends, in what may have been the former parlor or perhaps a bedroom, decorated with period art and antiques. No menus. For about $14, you eat what's put before you, heaping bowls of slaw, chilled cucumbers/onions and tomatoes in a piquant liquid, greens, corn pudding, mashed new potatoes, green beans, white navy beans, melt in your mouth biscuits (accompanied by cream gravy, butter and homemade peach preserves), and depending on the day, at least two meat selections that could be scrumptious fried chicken, fried catfish fillets, BBQ. ribs, smothered pork chops, turkey and dressing or meat loaf. Big pitchers of iced tea (Southern-style syrupy sweet or plain) and lemonade. Pass to the left, as you visit with your new BFs, while eating into a stunned surfeit of "down home" country cooking delights. The full bowls keep coming until you either force yourself to leave (or fall away from) the table. Oh, almost forgot the banana pudding dessert! Nashville offers many scenic, historic and culinary delights, but Monelle's is a MUST on any trip to Music City! Yee Haw!!!
(5)
Katara J.
Came here for breakfast OMG it was amazing. The fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, and cheese grits were my favorite. Its hard to move after coming here. The food just keeps coming and coming.
(5)
Ryan B.
This is a great spot for a big group. I had an enjoyable lunch here with a group of 9 who all enjoyed the fantastic southern fare. I wouldn't necessarily go back with my family because of the cost, but it was a great spot for our school staff. Favorite: fried chicken.
(3)
Paul A.
Make sure you bring your appetite for soul food! Incredibly happy this place was recommended to me by a friend. I assure you every trip I make to Nashville from here on out will include a stop here. Corn pudding is worth the cost alone!
(5)
Abby H.
Loved this place! I'm wondering why more restaurants don't follow this model. Hubby and I were seated at a table with 6 other people.. what fun! And then the food began to flow.. salads, slaw, veggies, bread, potatoes. and FRIED CHICKEN! We kept requesting hot fresh chicken and our sever would bring whatever piece(s) we wanted. We ate at 5:30pm on weeekday.. not crowded yet. Only thing we didn't like was the lasagna.. kinda weird being dumped into a bowl (and cold).. but the other items were amazing so we really didn't need the lasagna anyway.
(5)
Annabelle K.
Pretty interesting experience. Southern food is not something I like but it was an interesting experience. You get seated at a table with random people who you share food with. At first I was a little bit turned off by sharing with strangers but then just went with it. Dishes upon dishes come out and you eat what you like. The corn pudding was particularly good and the highlight of the night was the peach cobbler. Definitely worth a stop if your visiting Nashville.
(4)
Erica L.
I really don't know what else to say about Monell's that hasn't been already said. All I know is that it's a damn fine winning formula: from the family-style seating and dining experience, to the set menu bit.ly/ncBJqe , and of course, its delicious, mouth-watering, stomach-filling food. Utterly a memorable experience! p.s. My plate prior to the fried chicken: bit.ly/o94n8P -- the corn pudding and green beans were, surprisingly, my favorites!!
(4)
Daniel B.
Five Stars for the Fried Chicken. Tip: Don't eat anything until you eat a few pieces of chicken. Then, go for any of their incredible sides or other meat dishes. Seriously, this place is really amazing in terms of good southern food.
(5)
Lee B.
Monell's is AWESOME. When I visit Nashville, I never miss it and I always take guests, especially if they're foreign. Great ambiance, friendly staff, always interesting people (family style forces you to chat) and the food is fantastic. However, skip a meal or two before before you go to this Nashville institution.
(5)
Jess Y.
4.5 stars. I love Monell's. It has the true Southern homestyle cooking experience and a visit to Nashville would be incomplete without a visit to Monell's. First off, I love the fact that you sit with strangers and share a meal. You meet people from all over with great stories and break bread together. I've been for lunch and dinner before and both visits have been fantastic. The food is absolutely delicious. The last time I went was for Friday lunch which included fried catfish, fried chicken (of course), and spinach lasagna. I've never had spinach lasagna before but it was absolutely amazing. In addition to your three meats, you also get all-you-can-eat sides. I love the corn pudding and the green beans. The meal tends to be a little salty and heavy but it's absolutely scrumptious. The meal begins with sweet tea (and when they say sweet, they really mean it!) and biscuits or corn bread and always ends with dessert. Come hungry because it's all you can eat and it's heavy. But, oh so good. Prepare to want to enter into a food coma after your meal, though. :)
(5)
Kristen Z.
I love going to places that aren't chain restaurants. This was a great dining experience and the food is amazing, southern cooking... just like your grandma's house! They sit you at a farm table... its a long table that probably sits about 12 people. If you don't come with a group, they sit you at a table and as more guest come in they sit people down, until the table fills up! For those of you that have had the joy of sitting down to a big table of family or friends and just have all the food set on the table and you take some and pass it, this is EXACTLY the same! They bring out the food of the day... you don't order. Take the bowls and pass them to the left! There is so much food, so pace yourself! All the food is southern and delicious... so don't go here if you are watching your weight!
(5)
Shawn W.
I visited Monell's while on vacation with my parents and partner on the recommendation of a friend. I was absolutely blown away with the wonderful atmosphere that this old home gave to a wonderful dining experience. We were there for breakfast at 9:30 and we barely had a wait before being seated. My favorite thing on the table was the peach preserves or as our server called it..."bowl of sin" and it was. I could have probably eaten every last drop of that bowl if there had not been other people at the table. I absolutely loved being surrounded by people from different parts of the country and meeting new people, and this was all part of the family style dining experience...LOVED IT! The finding of the restaurant could have proven to be an adventure if I had not had my GPS locator pointing me in the right direction but it was so, so, so worth finding. Service...well, it was incredible to say the least. Our server was friendly, courteous and made sure we all had enough, no...TOO MUCH to eat before we left, and thank goodness for that, because we still had 3 hours to tromp around the grounds at The Hermitage and 2 hours to drive to Lynchberg and spend another 2 hours to view Jack Daniels Distillery. Then another 2 hours to drive before our next meal, and it held us until that next meal! I highly recommend Monell's to everyone who is in Nashville, enjoy and take your time, Make eating here an adventure! The food was awesome1
(5)
Hwventure H.
Look no further, Monell's is THE BEST southern food/soul food restaurant in Nashville. Served family style, the food is delicious and never ending....it just keeps on coming. **Be sure not to confuse this Monell's with Monell's Cafe. (a cafeteria style restaurant.) Monell's is located in a residential area not far from downtown. It's well worth the $$ and the wait. :)
(5)
Reg Z.
Great brunch. Served family style, seating is family style as well (even when not your family ;-) Nothing says huge brunch like fried chicken as a finisher. Come hungry and start slow
(4)
Douglas P.
We had our Thanksgivukkah feast at the Manor House by the airport. The variety was amazing, the food was incredible, the atmosphere was awesome, and the pricing was very fair in light of the complex menu, bountiful portions, and quality of the food. Highly recommend!
(5)
John B.
We ate there and the food was great. We had to wait to be served but the wait wasn't long. Once we were seated it was a little awkward because of the fact of having to be seated with total strangers at one large table. But overall the food was great.
(5)
Kim L.
In town for the weekend and we wanted to experience some real southern food. We ate, and we ate, and we ate, until we couldn't eat anymore. The atmosphere is enjoyable, no phones at the table (YES!!), the endless supply of friend chicken, the friendly staff was amazing! The only bummer- no alcohol served... Would recommend and def go back if we are in town again!
(5)
Eric M.
Just how I would imagine grandma's house, if my grandma was from the south. The biscuits and gravy was the best, the fried chicken was amazing, and my favorite was the lasagna. They are off the beaten path a bit, but a must-visit!
(5)
Christine H.
Put on your Sunday best and get yourself to Monell's for breakfast. I'm going to win the lottery so I can afford to fly from LA to Monell's every Sunday morning. It's one thing to be served heaping platters of Southern food for breakfast, and quite another when that breakfast tastes like your grandmother made it for you because she loves you so much. Whoever the grandmother is at Monell's, I need that corn pudding recipe!
(5)
True R.
Soooo good! This was by far the best breakfast we had during our stay in Nashville. There was so much food it was impossible to even finish the first helping. Just FYI, unless you are in a large party you will be dining with other people at your table, however, everyone that sat with us was extremely polite and we had a great time. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Zach G.
Went out to Monell's for a birthday dinner for a close friend. I was really excited because I've been really watching what I eat lately and this was going to be my cheat day. Now we were probably the last table being sat for the evening and had a large party of about 12. First off waitress and service and everything was great. Top notch. Well. All of the side dishes were pretty good as were the pork chops but nothing above your standard meat and three kind of place. The fried chicken was dry and not very good, maybe I grabbed a bad piece or it was because we were the last table of the night. I was too full to try the baked chicken. I will say I wasn't a big fan of the peach cobbler or whatever it was, but that's just me, not a quality thing or anything like that, just not my thing, though my friends Aunt loved it and said it was like "Momma's". I'd probably go back but not my first choice for southern fixins.
(2)
Mon T.
There will be something you like here. I enjoyed everything! The food is flavorful so if you prefer bland food this place isn't for you. It's family style and food is pass around... there is plenty to go around! I personally don't enjoy family style but I was able to look past it and the people at our table were friendly. When I was here on a Sunday for lunch they served pulled pork, coleslaw, corn pudding, fried chicken, cheese grits, cinnamon buns, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, cucumbers and onion, meatloaf, pecan pie,mac n cheese, grilled potatoes, sweet tea and something yummy called fruit tea, grilled catfish, cinnamon apples, green beans...not sure if I missed anything else but I think you get the point. Yummm.
(5)
Michael S.
Great southern comfort food at only $16 a person. I took a group of 13 here at 6:30 on a Wednesday. Reservations are not accepted, but it didn't matter because we were seated right away. The place filled up 7. The service was friendly and efficient. Food started coming out of the kitchen right away. We were nicely warned not to eat too much of the bread and salads since tons more food was on the way. It was hard to slow down on the bread, cornbread, peach sauce, cranberry sauce, peas, and cole slaw. Then the main course came out and it was delicious: fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and more. It was all so good and so hard to stop even though we were all full. Then came peach cobbler. All the while sweet and unsweetened tea and lemonade were kept full on our table. The group applauded when we were done! It was easy to pay separately in the end also. Love this pace, but prepared to really eat!
(5)
James C.
This is a great family style dining experience with up to ten people at a table. No menus for you to look at. You eat what they're serving. The fried chicken and meatloaf is some of the best I've ever eaten. Don't miss out on dining here if you're able to!
(5)
Allison L.
We were driving through Nashville on our way to Chicago and we were hungry. I mean starving. We decided to pull off the freeway and saw a huge cupcake sign. My 4 year old daughter thought that cupcakes would be a perfect lunch. I did not, I checked yelp and found this restaurant down the street (we could pick up a cupcake after). They waited to seat us, my husband was on his cellphone. It was the first time we ate with this style. We were sat a a table for 12 with strangers sitting with us. We don't eat pork and the waitress was awesome at steering us towards food with no pork or bacon drippings. Super thoughtful. The corn pudding was insane. The friend chicken was amazing. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy. Thankfully this gem of a spot is in my list for the next time we are in town. True highlight of our road trip.
(5)
AsianRunningDiva S.
House Rule: Pass to the left. This is community dining at its finest! Large table that fits 12 (we were 5) and so we sat with 2 couples and another group of 3. There was already some food at the table when we sat down. Chicken salad, fried okra, banana pudding (they serve dessert first to make sure you have room! haha!), biscuit and gravy, and so much more. Passed around the table like at home; pass to the left! Then came the main courses: ribs, fried chicken, fried fish, hush puppies, green beans, collards, corn, mac and cheese...I'm forgetting so much more, but you get the idea. They refill the community plates so you can pass around some more! Sweet tea, unsweet, and water (no alcohol I think). The cost of this family style buffet is $19/person with tax. GET THERE EARLY! We got there at 5pm and was so lucky to be seated right away. There was a HUGE line waiting when we left about an hour later. Your whole party needs to be there before being seated, so if you have a large party, come when it opens. Rolled out of there stuffed! :) Street parking. Quaint outside with a fish pond and some seating.
(4)
Jane D.
As good as everyone says. Great food and great service...go pig the f*ck out, will ya?! This may be the reason Americans are so fat, but I do not care. Advice: take it slow til the fried chicken comes or you won't be able to have as much as you should. I hope the leftovers go to the homeless, or the waste would be a shame. Sitting with strangers makes new friends possible. Yay Monells!!
(5)
Sandy H.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? You just need to come and eat here if you're in town. We came here on the sliced roast beef and meatloaf night. I usually don't like mac n' cheese, but I just loved the one the make here. All the sides were excellent and the fried chicken was moist and surprisingly less greasy than I thought I would be. Oh, and the banana pudding was amazing!
(5)
Kristan H.
(Note: This is my 100th review on Yelp!) My boyfriend and I drove down to Nashville for a long weekend to visit a friend, and this was hands-down the culinary highlight of our trip. I knew we would be eating "family style," but I had no idea our family would be made up of whoever walked in the door at the same time as us. It's a very cool concept, and really not that awkward. When the table was ready, 10 of us were led to it. We sat, and right away servers started bringing dishes and telling us to pass to the left. The food was fantastic. PERFECTLY breaded and fried chicken, and the best meatloaf of my life. My fave side was the mac and cheese, and my friends' faves were the corn pudding and biscuits & gravy. The cornbread was drier than I personally prefer, and the pulled pork had a sort of wine-y flavor that I didn't love, but there was so much variety that it didn't matter. I just helped myself to more mashed potatoes, banana pudding, and sweet tea. Basically, this is home cooked Southern food at its finest. And at a great price! The decor is a comfortable mix of "ranch" and "parlor" (like your favorite grandma's house, maybe?) and the servers are friendly and fast. My boyfriend said if we lived in Nashville he would want to eat at Monell's once a week. I told him our waistlines probably couldn't handle that. He said it would be worth the try. Related: One guy "joined our family" after we had already sat and started to eat. He later confessed that he had been at Monell's for breakfast already that day, and this wasn't the first time he'd done that. I can't say that I blame him.
(5)
Scott W.
If you like a lot of food this is a good place to go. Food is very good and served family style. Not my favorite type of food but I am glad we tried it.
(4)
Erika B.
Every single thing that comes to the table is unbelievably delicious and Mama makes you feel at home. Fried chicken, baked chicken, corn pudding, greens, and BANANA PUDDING. We sat down not knowing what to expect and everything they brought to the table was outstanding. Southern hospitality at its best.
(5)
Benjamin R.
Sweet jeebus, this was a lot of food. You don't order here, they plop you down with 8-10 other people at a big wooden family table, and then start piling food onto it. We had potato salad, slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn bread, mac and cheese, cheese grits, green beans, corn pudding, potatoes, pulled pork, fried chicken, meat loaf, and banana pudding. The cost to you? Something like $13. Bon Appetit.
(4)
Glenn F.
I'm back to yelping baby! Monell's is a good southern family dining experience. For locals, once a year will do it though. The fried chicken is pretty solid. The mashed potatoes are whipped with water rather than milk giving them a transparent look, but they taste good. The stuffing was terrible and looked like canned dog food and didn't taste much better. I would give everything else the middle of the road. There are certainly better southern cooking food in Nashville. Try Puckett's or Swett's downtown.
(3)
Tom M.
Died and gone to Heaven! I have eaten dinner here twice and breakfast once, and on all 3 visits, I was simply blown away. Coming from Suburbia, Ohio, where there is no fried chicken, and landing here was one of the highlights of our trip. The fried chicken was fantastic, the fried green tomatoes were incredible and so was just about everything else on the all you can eat table. The peach preserves, corn pudding, bbq ribs, the biscuits, and the sweet tea.....Good Lord Almighty, the sweet tea. Add all of this great food to the fact you sit and eat family style while chatting and making friends with complete strangers. My favorite place to eat in all of Nashville, and there are many, many great places to eat in Music City! Go for dnner and go for breakfast where even then they serve up fried chicken!
(5)
Peter M.
All I can say is I love this place! It's family style, pass-to-your-left, eat-till-you-puke-then-eat-more, southern fried and fantastic food. I go here almost everytime I am in Nashville. All you can eat for one price. No cellphones at the table and prepare to get to know your table-mates! YEEEHAAW (don't know why I typed that it's not a cowboy place).
(4)
Tallman F.
Only thing that keeps it from a FIVE is it needs one more meat for lunch. I would hate to go for dinner!!!! this place is special!-ohhh my!!!!!! You have to. You have to go. Did I say, YOU HAVE TO GO? The owner comes out and keeps brining food to the table until everyone is stuffed, like Sunday Dinner at Grandma's. You sit at this large table with people you don't know but within minutes everyone is talking like you rode up on the bus with them from Knoxville. The fried catfish was fried lightly and was fresh. The chicken was above average. they had an assortment of breads and all of the sides were above average, from the mashed potatoes, yellow rice, greens, Mac n cheese, candied yams, and more. Did I tell you have to go? The food is very good BUT the dining experience is something to relish
(4)
Tiff W.
If you are in Nashville and only go to one restaurant, Monell's is it! We went there for the Sunday brunch and hit the post-church crowd...the wait ended up being about an hour and a half but it was completely worth it! You are seated family style next to strangers, but it's a great way to meet new people over amazing food. Mac & cheese, breakfast hash, chicken hash, green beans, cole slaw, corn pudding, biscuits & corn bread, cucumber salad, bbq riblets, mashed potatoes, FRIED CHICKEN....imagine a group of 6 girls devouring plates of food and asking for seconds while our new table friends stared in astonishment. Here's some advice for the ladies: wear a loose dress.
(5)
L. N. D.
Monell's is a good tourist spot and if you like family style dining or you like to try family style dining. There were some really good side items such as the potato casserole, corn pudding; however, I've fried better chicken. We had really good table mates which made the experience just a little worth it but there are some rules, like pass to the left, which can get a little annoying if you're trying to eat or if your table isn't full. I'm also still trying to figure out why the watermelon was brought out before the entrees /-(. This is just my thoughts but I don't feel it was worth $15 per person because you don't even eat that much money worth of food.. No take out here.
(3)
Shelby B.
Perfection! Even waiting to be seated in their garden with my friends, sipping sweetened tea, was perfect. The hostess, servers etc were perfectly friendly and attentive. Not in that fake way that makes you think they are being monitored for behavior, but friendly and welcoming in the way that makes you think 'gosh, these good vibes are buzzin me'! The food, ohhh the food!! Sitting with friends and strangers, from all over Nashville and the world, at a huge, wooden, communal dining table, you will have more than 10 courses served in short succession. 3-4 types of teas are always full and at arms reach in big cute 'grandma' pitchers. Yeah, there's cornbread rolls and biscuits. Yeah, there's gravy and dressing too. And yes, there's turkey, pulled pork and UNGH...pan fried chicken!!! Save room for dessert!! If you've ever had a southern, or else down-on-the-farm type, grandma then come to Monelle's to relive the glorious binge that is like Thanksgiving meal. If you havent had a grandma that cooked from scratch then visit here to live for a single meal in the bliss that could have been. Bring a date, friend or family, or just come alone and you may even meet someone interesting at your table, just an arm's reach away.
(5)
Kay W.
Southern Style famiy dining at its best! This was fun and the food was just like my Southern Gentleman hubby's mama used to make. Collards, corn pudding, fried chicken, slaw, biscuits, peach preserves, the works! And all the stuff I just don't make. We ate here at our last night of five days in Nashville and I am so glad we did. It was nice to eat with a group of people and all share our stories. The staff was very friendly and made us all feel right at home. Keep up the great tradition of the South. We hope to be back one day!
(5)
Peter P.
For southern food, Monell's really is as good as it gets. You pay a flat fee, sit at a big picnic table with a bunch of strangers, and pretty quickly get brought bowl after bowl of delicious southern food. They start you off with dessert, typically banana pudding, and then bring the cold sides - cole slaw, bean salad, biscuits, then the hot sides - mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, then finally the main courses which always includes stellar fried chicken and when I was there also included spinach lasagna, fried catfish, and BBQ ribs. Definitely recommend to anyone spending time in Nashville.
(5)
Cydney A.
Our experience was amazing except I was uncomfortable sitting with strangers at first but after awhile I got used to it! They need more windows! Other than that! The food was amazing and tasty and we will go back there again and again and again! :) it takes about an hour for us to get here but it's all worth it!!!
(5)
Michele O.
The best fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea! It's a great experience as well to eat family style at a communal table with a bunch of strangers and chat.
(5)
Jamie M.
Unique and amazing experience. I recommend you eat very minimal throughout the day before eating here. They serve you biscuits and bread, desserts, about 4 main dinners, and 7/8 sides in an all you can eat fashion. I was seated quickly and the service was excellent very friendly our host so excited for us to be experiencing montells for the first time. All the food that is served is absolutely incredible. If you're stopping in Nashville I recommend you stop by here because not many other cities have something similar to montells.
(5)
Randy T.
Monell's Dining & Catering takes "family style" and "meat and three" to epic proportions. With tasty Southern homestyle food, it is really better classified as a "3 meats and 9" type of place. Monell's does family style in a special way - there are large rectangular tables that seat approximately 15 people. If your group is smaller than 15 people, then you'll be combined with other groups so you'll have a full table. Food is served in large bowls and passed around the table. The menu will vary from night to night, but when I went we started with cole slaw, cucumber salad, corn bread, and biscuits. The bread was fantastic. You can eat the bread either with fruit preserves or sausage gravy. For meats, I had fried chicken, ribs, and fried catfish. The fried chicken was delicious and moist. The ribs were cooked so the meat came off the bone. Barbecue sauce for the ribs was sweet. The fried catfish had a tasty, salty breading and was served in large pieces. Sides ranged from average to excellent. My favorite was the corn pudding, which had both great texture and flavor. My second favorite side was the pasta shells. If you want to eat something a little more on the healthy side, you can have green beans and turnip greens. Both are very light. My favorite dish of the night was the banana pudding, which was actually on the table at the beginning of the meal. Also, don't be afraid to ask for more of something if you really like it. The staff will be happy to bring refills.
(5)
Johnny T.
4.5 It's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks. There are a few things that always seem to happen when friends/family visit Nashville. I won't belabor the point by writing about them because we've all been through it. Many of these tasks cause me to shuffle my feet and groan. A trip to Monell's, however, is reason enough to invite visitors. Even Southerners enjoy Monell's -- and that's sayin' something. Sometimes restaurants like this cater to folks from outside the region who wouldn't know the importance of cooking with bacon grease if it hit them in the head with your grandma's skillet. No such slight of hand, here. Monell's is the real deal. You might be surprised, then, to realize that this Southern feast isn't found in some hideaway shack. Monell's food is housed in a gorgeous Germantown Victorian, complete with a koi pond and bridge. Yes, it's true. We even wear shoes -- regularly -- down South, as well. I know! Stereotypes blown before you even walk through the door, Monell's is bringing it. Walk in, tell the hostess how many are in your party and get seated with strangers. Take off your hat. Turn off and put away your damn phone and get ready to share a variety of Southern goodies the way you would if you were a guest in someone's home. If sitting with strangers and having conversations puts you outside your comfort zone, I don't think you'd enjoy yourself. But, if you have a lick of sense and can act right in public, you'll be just fine. One of the things I enjoyed the best about Monell's is that the two pitchers of tea are labelled -- so as to AVOID the non-sweet tea. That's how you do it, folks. That's what you signed up for. On the Saturday afternoon that most recently rocked my world, we started with biscuits & cornbread (with butter and hot sauce, 'natch). This led to: slaw, cheese grits, cucumbers, squash casserole, pulled pork, fried chicken, white beans, potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans, and meatloaf. The plates kept passing and I kept eating. If something ran out, our waitress was on the ball and we got a new helping of it with no wait at all. You know that mechanism in your brain that tells you you're full? I think there's a machine at Monell's that disengages it as everyone at my table ate until they were uncomfortable... as you should. My only disappointment was dessert. I have never been a banana puddling fan. I was in the minority at the table as everyone else dove in to it and didn't come up for air until it was gone. Had there been some apple pie, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, pecan pie, etc., my inner fat kid would have been fully realized. It is was, I could barely walk so, perhaps, it's best that I didn't have dessert. The price for this feast? $15. FIF-TEEN BUCKS. Yeah, it's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks.
(5)
Kory K.
Incredible!!! Just as we came in they sat us down next to complete strangers and we instantly started eating. The food just kept on coming. I think I was in heaven. It was like the southern version of Brazilian bbq. I loved getting to meet those we say by, it was a good way to stir up new conversation. The food and atmosphere was So good. The price is well worth it. Two thumbs up from Utah.
(5)
Hooney H.
I don't know how to write this review. Really, I don't. Monell's isn't a restaurant--it's an experience. As such, this will be a very long review. My friends and I went to the top rated (by locals) restaurants in Nashville over a week's span, and Monell's was an undisputed #1. Our party of four went on a Sunday afternoon, and waited about 45 minutes for a table as there was a party of 30 (?!?!!) and several other large groups that had just gotten it of church. The scenery is gorgeous. Bright and vivid flowers in the garden with chairs, benches and a gazebo, you won't mind relaxing and listening to the music while you wait for your name to be called. And once it's called? Man oh man oh man. Yelpers, be very aware. Leave. Your. Phones. In. Your. Pockets. Do NOT take your phone out when you are seated. The sign by the front door expressly tells you that phones are not permitted in the dining room, and for good reason. This is a family style restaurant where the tradition of the Sunday meal reigns supreme. That means you engage in conversation with your party and with whomever else you may be seated, and you enjoy the experience. Do not selfie, do not tweet, do not hashtag. All food is passed to the person on your left for the first round, but once everyone has had their first serving, the dishes move upon request. The fried chicken? I had four or five pieces of the best fried chicken I have ever had in my life. Entirely different animal from Hattie B's hot chicken or Loveless Cafe's skillet fried chicken. But the greatest non hot chicken I have ever had. Cole slaw - HOW DO YOU MAKE COLE SLAW THIS AMAZING? Seriously?! We raved about the coleslaw as we took second and third and fourth helpings of it. Crunchy, so perfectly seasoned with a hint of tang and sweet. Pot roast - no words. There are no words. Why bother describing the bliss of perfectly cooked meat melting in your mouth? Green beans - one of the best recipes I've ever had Pork chops - I had three. THREE. Mashed potatoes - what dreams are made of Corn pudding - world famous. What your dreams dream of. Slice of pineapple pie - instantly regretted not asking for more. Biscuits - second best biscuits in Nashville (sorry!) Gravy - oh you're going to drink this gravy, it's so good. Mac and cheese - I'm lactose intolerant, but this was one of those dishes that was worth the pain and suffering. I wish I had kept a food diary because I've forgotten what else we ate but the table was packed. Sweet tea made my eyes roll back and the fruit tea is very very delicious and interesting. Couldn't really tell which fruits were used but you definitely need to try it. Four people, all the food in the world, $90 bucks before tip. That's a deal.
(5)
Dennis J.
Unique dining experience with very good food. A friend and I stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10 AM, and luckily it wasn't too crowded; a seating had just finished, and we were seated within 5 minutes. It's an interesting experience to sit at a table with people you mostly don't know, asking them to pass various dishes and finding about what brought them to eat there. There is a vast selection of dishes, all of which were fairly tasty; I found the meats (sausage and chicken) in particular to be especially good, particularly the very tender chicken. The corn pudding was also very tasty, as were the biscuits and gravy. There's plenty of food to go around, and it's a great experience for a home cooked meal.
(4)
Michael U.
Items available 5/13/15: Biscuits, Cornbread, Rolls Port Poached Pears Cinnamon Apples Coleslaw Pasta Salad Corn Pudding Green Beans Country Gravy Mashed Potatoes Mac n' Cheese Sage Stuffing Baked Chicken Fried Pork Chop Pan Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Serving Nashville residents and tourists the best in home cooked Southern cuisine for over thirty years, and having now spawned two other locations, it was almost a requirement of a trip to the Tennessee capitol to visit Monnell's, and opting to visit the original location just after 1:00pm on a Tuesday our party of three found the oft-packed 19th century building with just four seats available, a prompt seating seeing food placed before us no less than 60-seconds later with plate after plate soon to follow. Originally opened as a sort of boarding house, the Monnell family serving downhome cooking to persons staying in the residence, the space has since been converted to a one-price all you can eat experience open for lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch, and with some parties opting for a made-to-order meat-and-three option the true 'experience' is most certainly found at a communal table with shared plates passed amongst new friends and travelers, the food every bit as good or better than rumors have it with a pricepoint that really cannot be beat. Beginning first with several passed sides, though some tables may begin with breads or proteins depending on what the kitchen has most recently prepared fresh, it was with attention to the fact that much more was to come that small portions of items such as green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta salad were sampled and first deciding to go all-in on cinnamon apples followed by corn pudding both items proved to be absolutely delightful, the biscuits and country gravy also quite impressive while cornbread proved just a bit drier than one would hope, a situation augmented admirably by butter and honey, or poached pears that are also available by the jar to take home. Moving on, much like the sides Monnell's offers a regularly changing list of entrees and joining ever-present fried chicken that features light batter and minimal grease overlying a lean bird that could have arguably used a bit more brine or seasoning was actually the baked bird that was the best protein available, a nice spice profile overlying skin almost as crisp as that of the fried version, the pork faring far less favorably and quite tough even when taken bite for bite with cinnamon apples, most of mine remaining on the plate to allow for a second helping of corn pudding, the lone dessert of banana pudding proving a competent, if not particularly compelling, iteration with a touch to much sog to the wafers.
(3)
Tia B.
OMG!!! I need a nap after stuffing myself at this southern food family style eatery. Read about this place and it definitely lived up to the hype. A different menu every day. We arrived on Friday and there was catfish on the menu. Yum. You get fried chicken everyday but the catfish was something special and only offered on particular days. Greens, hot biscuits, peach preserves, cream corn casserole, green beans, macaroni salad, banana pudding...I can't remember all the dishes they brought to our table. I just remember passing bowls and platters of food to the left in a haze. Delicious! All you can eat for about $12! And don't even think about using your cell phone at the table. They will kick you out! Lol
(5)
Rachel M.
I think I actually found this place through a Yelp review in my quest to only eat in the favorite restaurants of Nashville. And I am so grateful you guys sent me here! I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I knew it was soul food and I knew it was family style, but coming from the cold, heartless Northeast, I thought that meant our table would just share some food, not that we'd sit at table with a bunch of random people and share food. But it was such a fun and interesting experience. They just plop you down at a giant oval table with strange people and start setting food in front of you. We went for breakfast and began with warm sweet rolls, biscuits and tomatoes and quickly moved onto a meat plate, fried chicken, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes and scrambled eggs. One of the women at our table told us the fried chicken was the best, and she was not kidding. There wasn't one thing we ate that I didn't like, and the food just kept coming! We only had to wait about a half hour to be sat, and for all this food, it was so cheap. I think it's like $15 a person or something. Ridiculous! Well worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(5)
Tim D.
Great good, great price and great staff. Best chicken I ever had! Love the family style and got to meet some very nice local people
(5)
Courtney K.
May I use a bit of vulgarity? This place is the tiiiiiits. During a weekend visit to Nashville, I let my cousin and his boyfriend pick all of the food, since they are the locals and they know what my husband and I like. I was a bit skeptical when I read about this place, because we tend towards the antisocial and so weren't thrilled about the prospect of sitting with strangers. Luckily we had a group of 8 and so were only seated with 4 people we didn't know. They were perfectly pleasant, so no problems there. But oh. My God, the food. Fried chicken, cheddar grits, waffles, scrambled eggs, thick-cut sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy... just... I can't even describe it. Best brunch I've ever had. I'm hungry now just talking about it.
(5)
Ben M.
Know full well that if you do not go in there with a large group of people that you will be seated at a big table with strangers. If having to bust into some strangers conversation on the opposite end of a long table to get someone to pass a pitcher of water down to your end, forcing all the people between you to stop eating and continue passing the pitcher sounds like fun, than this is the place for you. The food was fine, but I would never go here again unless I had enough people to fill a table. Most awkward restaurant I have ever been in.
(2)
Alex P.
Love the service! Come back for the fried catfish and corn pudding. We love meeting new people from all over and share a meal family style. Like like
(4)
Kenny C.
I wish I could create 10 more Yelp accounts just to give Monell's more 5-star reviews. What can I say about Monell's that hasn't already been said? The place is an institution. When I told people back in New York I was going to Nashville, Monell's was literally the only place that multiple people told me I absolutely had to go to. I told that to the owner Michael King and he had a good laugh and was very humbled. I had planned to make the pilgrimage on President's Day, but unfortunately the winter "storm" came and Monell's shut down for a bit. I had a couple of flight cancellations and Monell's Germantown opened back up on Wednesday for lunch. So it literally took an act of God to get me here. And boy, was it worth it. Here's what we ate at Monell's: -Fried chicken -Baked chicken -Fried pork chops -Corn pudding -Cole slaw -Marshmallow fruit salad -Sweet potato mash -Peas -Green beans -Mashed potatoes -Corn bread with homemade peach preserves -Chess pie And that was just on the first pass. Since the table was half empty, we were able to have seconds, which was a terrible idea for my physical well-being. But everything was so good! We eventually were joined by another three patrons, so they were able to help us clear some plates. But until we said "when", they just kept refilling everything. I wouldn't be surprised if Monell's regularly makes a dent in the local chicken population. Also, lunch was $14!!! How is that even possible?? The staff is AMAZING. You hear about southern hospitality, but they take the concept and crank it to 11. Free hugs at the end!
(5)
Cindy L.
Must come here if you are in Nashville. This place is so friendly and cute. I went on Labor Day (thank good they were open!), which was a Monday. You will be seated with strangers. You will share the entire menu with the whole table, no ordering needed. Their menu changes daily. Mondays they had fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, & the meatloaf. You will also get to have four sides and two dessert. The fried chicken is the best I have ever had (& I live in Atlanta)! Yum!
(5)
Matt S.
Went there for brunch this past Sunday with a large group (10 people). We got there just in time because the place was packed when we left. We had no idea what we were in for, we just found a place through my iPhone. Three people we did not know were seated at our table too, which I just assumed was normal for the place. I didn't have any issue with this as I have been to many places with seating arrangements like this. We sat down expecting menus and all of the sudden the waitresses (extremely nice, I might add) were bringing us bowls and platters of food. Biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken (amazing), corn pudding, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese grits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, roasted potatoes, homemade peach jam, coffee, tea. It was like being at an awesome breakfast buffet except the food was brought to you. This place was awesome and was a great way to cap our amazing weekend in Nashville. Can't speak as to the lunch and dinner options but I drool a little just thinking about what they must be like if they're anything close to what we experienced at breakfast time. Highly recommend and heed their warnings to pace yourself!
(4)
John S.
The food is awesome, the portions are even awesome-er! This is the epitome of southern family-style soul food. You share the table with other groups (depending on how many people you have) and pass the food around while chit-chatting or just stuffing your face with as much food as you can. All the food they serve are fantastic, and it never stops coming. Of all the times I've been here, I've never had a bad experience. There's even a little garden outside that you can hang out in while you wait. If I had to find something to complain about, I guess it would be that there's not a special room of couches or beds for the food coma that follows every meal. Come here and you will not regret it (even though your pants might hate you for it).
(5)
Cory P.
It is not gourmet with a little cute center piece in the middle of your plate. It is an all out food frenzy. We had lunch. It was great and they kept it coming. Everyday is different with meats. Sides are all tasty and fun. If you're scared to sit next to a stranger and interact a little bit. Stay in your home and order in. Those who are foodies and are hungry. This place is sinfully delicious. Price is cheap.
(4)
Nichole K.
Where do I start? Skip breakfast and lunch for this dinner and come hungry. I have been here three times and whenever I'm in Nashville with my family, my brother insists on stopping. I'm one of those people if I ate there once, I've ate there a million times, but I don't make a huge fuss eating there more than once. It is the best southern-home-cooking you can possibly get. There isn't a dish that doesn't remind me of my grandma's home cookin'. It's family style seating which is nice because you meet other families and everyone that works here is very sweet and charming. In short, come hungry, and you'll leave in a food coma.
(5)
Ohhee J.
Such a fun and unique dining experience! You definitely get the real southern experience dining here. Southern hospitality, fried food, fried food and fried food! My favorite was the fried chicken. They bring out tonsssssss of food so make sure to go in your stretchy pants!
(5)
Jackie M.
Wow! Love this place!!! We sat at a table with 10 strangers but by the time we left we were no longer strangers! The food is absolutely delicious and served family style! I couldn't believe how much food we were served and it was all GREAT!! Go here!!!
(5)
Matt V.
This place is in my top 10 of all brunch places. Ever. I like the atmosphere and especially all the delicious food. Been here a couple and look forward to going back.
(5)
Maeling L.
Nice neighborhood. Be prepared to wait. Community seating so get ready to be social and make some friends. It's like eating at your grandma's house. Huge plates of food come out and you take what you want and as much as you want. They only serve tea and water so don't think you're going to drink whatever you want as some of our other dinner-mates had to find out.
(5)
Amber W.
This place was amazing! Walked here from downtown Nashville (tourist with no car haha), approximately 1.5 miles one-way but TOTALLY worth it!!! Here's how it works: 1. You put your name/party on a list. They will call you when the seating is available. 2. Depending on the size of your party, you will probably be seated at a giant family-style table with other customers, who you've never met before! The tables look to seat about 8-15 people. 3. They bring out the food that they are serving for that day/meal (I have a feeling lunch and dinner options are different but trust me if you come for lunch you'll be so full you won't need to come back for dinner!). They have multiple side dishes and at least 2 main entrees. They bring out as much as you ask for... but pace yourself! The food is never ending... We ran out of roasted veggies, corn pudding, and some at our table wanted MORE fried chicken & ribs (I don't know how they do it!) and the staff is always super friendly and comes by to check that you have enough of everything you need/want, including refilling pitchers of water, iced tea, sweet tea as needed. 4. Save room for dessert! 5. Every customer gets a little laminated card to take to the cash register to pay when you are close to being done... "If you take up a seat you will be charged." For us it was about $15 per person for ALL that food, let me tell you our menu: cucumber salad, biscuits & gravy, green beans, roasted potatoes & carrots, sweet corn pudding, fried chicken, ribs (fall off the bone tender goodness!), and don't forget dessert, cherry cobbler... all of this is basically "all you can eat" except they bring the food to you! This place was amazing. Great food, great staff, super cute venue! I would definitely come back again! They sure don't have places like this in California!
(5)
Nancy G.
Came here on a prior visit to Nashville and while initially kind of awkward sharing a table with strangers, it was a great experience in the end. We shared pieces of our lives with them and theirs with us. How interesting it was to make dining and good food a communal experience. The food came hot out of the kitchen in a continuous stream. Bowls among bowls of delicious southern fare. Fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, corn pudding, cornbread, beans, mashed potatoes - just to name a few - were all amazing. Highly recommended, especially if you're interested in seeing the interior of an old southern house too as the restaurant was situated in one.
(5)
Lynette P.
Have an out-of-body experience at Monell's. There is nothing bad here, but the top contenders are the mac and cheese (a hit with everyone I know) and my personal fave, the peach preserves. I don't even like preserves. But these preserves have changed my life. I have never had anything like them and probably won't ever again! Buy some to take home! This place is family style and the one thing that bugged me is that we had a LARGE group yet we were still put at a table with another group. I don't mind family style, but out of personal taste I prefer to have my own group only at my table. It made conversation hard to have to share.
(5)
Carroll M.
I just...uhh...this place and...so full...happy for first time in my life and...um...can I live here or...it's just...unconditional love...well I guess I...never felt this way before so...I mean...nevermind it's just...
(5)
Hollie S.
Absolutely wonderful experience. We arrived around 11:45 on Sunday morning and waited only 15 minutes to be seated. Of course there was only the two of us, much larger parties were waiting quite a while. The food was fabulous! Started off with cole slaw, a cucumber salad and biscuits (or the traditional southern cornbread muffins) and gravy...which tasted like a country ham base rather than the familiar sausage flavor. Very good. Then comes everything else...one problem I found is that all the bowls started at my end of the table, and therefore ended up right in front of me once passed around.... a bit of a challenge reaching the iced tea, but at least I did not need to ask for someone to pass anything for seconds! But on to the food again...corn pudding, baked apples, mac'n cheese and braised pork were out of this world! Fried chicken was what I would have expected and mashed potatoes lacked cream, although everything still tasted great. A bit disappointed with such a "Southern" menu that didn't have any greens or okra, but maybe on a different day. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Nashville. One question our table had was...who gets to take the leftovers home?
(5)
Lee L.
Had a great time at this unique restaurant. Highly recommend this for out of town visitors like myself. My wife and daughter had a early dinner and sat at a large table of around 20 people eating family style and chatting. Was interesting to meet everyone from all over the country at my table. Got to sample a variety of southern favorites like Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, grits, cobbler, biscuits, and much more! My recommendation is go early to avoid the crowds. I ate at 5:30pm and had no wait; but when we left there were large lines outside
(5)
W M.
Scrumptious Delicious! Floridians looking for a nice place to eat. So while driving around trying to decide what we want to eat, I decided to google Southern eating restaurants. The Yelp app appeared, I downloaded it, click search and there where it all started. We ate lunch and the food was AWESOME. Great price, charming and cozy. Southern hospitality at its best. We had a local couple sitting at our table and they the nicest people you'd ever meet. They also offered and paid for our food; who said there aren't nice people in this world? We will back, planning another trip back to Nashville!
(5)
Lucy N.
You are in for a real treat if you go here. I was in town form Chicago for a bachelorette weekend in Nashville. The group of girls I was with just randomly decided to go to brunch at this place. Boy were we surprised when we sat down at what felt like Aunt Jemima's kitchen table, and were told to turn off our cell phones! Just go here. The food doesn't disappoint and the friend chicken is the best I've ever had :)
(5)
Mike H.
After a long 2 days of drinking every minute I was awake, I couldn't have picked a more satisfying meal to have before I left Nashville. The Natty Light pitchers and Fireballs were replaced with some good ol' southern cookin', and a lot of water. The setup is a nice southern home, with a great garden area to sit in while you are waiting. There are (I think) 3 large tables that sit about 12 people each. It's family style, meaning even if you are hungover, you have to fake a smile to random people so you don't bring down the mood of the table. The food is amazing, and honestly overwelming. The server brings out a dish at a time, and you pass it around the table. We were there for brunch, so we had biscuits with gravy, sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs, cheesie grits, fried chicken, and potatoes (I probably even forgot some stuff). The fried chicken was a little dry, but ultimately, I was having fried chicken for breakfast, so I still won. The bacon was some of the best I've ever had. To top off the meal, a bowl of some of the most amazing cinnamon rolls ever were passed around. Oh, and how much was this meal? About $15. Crazy. What was also crazy was having to drive 8 hours back to Chicago after being completely stuffed from this meal, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
(5)
Brooklyn C.
Best fried chicken I had in my life! Cheese grits too, as well as the corn pudding. The biscuits with fresh peach preserves were superb, as well as the three types of pork - bacon, ham, and sausage. Also on menu was eggs, pancakes, sweet rolls, and candied apples. The wait was not too long and the food was amazing and bargain priced. You must eat here!
(5)
Cathleen N.
I went with my fiance so we were seated at a table where everyone else already knew each other, but it was such a fun lunch experience! I'm a huge fan of sweet tea and lemonade so I was able to make my own Arnold Palmer. The biscuits were delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the peach preserves. It was a bit too sweet for my liking. I tried a little bit of everything, but the fried chicken, creamed corn, spinach lasagna and pickled veggies were my favorite! The ambiance was fantastic as well as the food. I am already looking forward to my next experience at Monell's!
(5)
Uma R.
Not much options for vegetarians. But different experience of communal dining
(3)
Marge J.
I love going here because the food is SOOO good, but I always over eat. Just no way around it when there's so much food around! :o)
(4)
Elmer C.
We have never had such a fun experience out dining with family and friends. The environment is amazing, the food is AMAZING!!! and the staff is the bomb. If your looking for a place with great food this is the spot. But what makes it unique is the actual dining experience. It's like sitting around a thanksgiving table. Best way to describe it is like eating at grandmas house on thanksgiving. But the best part is that it's not just a thanksgiving feast but some delicious breakfast on weekends and a variety of lunch and dinner menus. If your in Nashville this should be on your bucket list of restaurants to eat at. Enjoy!
(5)
Michael D.
Quintessential Nashville Brunch! Was here with a group on a Saturday morning, and got seats at the big table in the room you walk into. I highly recommend getting here before 11, as we got a table within a few minutes, but people who arrived 10 minutes after us had a much longer wait. Was big enough to feel like a true restaurant, but small enough to feel like it was a private dining room. Being community-style, as in sharing the table with guests not in our group, was a nice touch. As for the food, well let me tell you, I am glad they advised us on pacing. I'm glad they started small with biscuits and gravy, and sticky buns. It was also good that it didn't come out all at once. The definite favorites were the skillet-fried chicken and the country ham. One more nice touch, which was all food gets passed left when it gets to the table, and no cell phones are allowed. If you're gonna enjoy the Southern hospitality, gotta make sure you follow the rules!
(5)
J B.
Greeeeeatttttttttt!!! Great staff great hospitality... Food was wonderful and bountiful!! Would recommend this place to everyone and anyone!
(5)
Shawn L.
I am not sure what to say. This place has amazing food. I am not a person who would usually eat at a place like this. A good friend of mine said I had to go. I am so glad I went. The variaty of food and the service was great. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back right now.
(5)
Melinda S.
This was the best breakfast ever. I find that I am a huge fan of biscuits and gravy and corn pudding. Skillet fried chicken at every meal? Yes. So much food, a mammoth platter of meat. OK, when's lunch?
(5)
Brit N.
ahhmazing!!!!!
(5)
Ashley P.
Great family style dinning experience with a plethora of great dishes! We will definitely visit again when we return to Nashville.
(5)
Matt E.
The easiest 5-Star Ever. Across the great latitude that is the State of Tennessee there exists a place so scrumptious, so waist-enlarging, so distinctive and so meritorious that it compels you to visit! This place is Monell's. The best traditional breakfast I've ever had. The plates just keep on coming and every one is so yes yes yes talk dirty to me! The creamed corn, cheddar grits, the fried chicken, even fluffy pancakes oh my! Simply put--the food is AMAZING. I was a bit apprehensive about a place that's all you can eat not being up to full made-to-order quality but not an issue at Monell's at all. Come with the friendly attitude and a sturdy voice as you may make small talk with those seated alongside you, but just roll easy, be chatty and take in this southern spectacular. **Random Query: What do they do with all the leftover food that your end of the table doesn't eat? There's so so much...
(5)
Robert J.
Wow. Quotes for the day: "I'm in heaven" "Pace yourself" "I need another plate" When I first arrived for brunch and said "whoa, it feels like someone's house", I was met with a "Oh, just you wait; it gets better". The whole experience was pretty surreal, the 45 min wait was totally worth it. Family style tables (about 10 per table, they'll match groups together), and the buffet is brought to you. I thought everything was a complimentary starter and was about to ask where the menus were, when I was met with a heaping tray of scrambled eggs and fried chicken. Biscuits & gravy, cinnamon rolls, cheese grits, fried chicken, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs, and the list keeps going. The price is per person, but very reasonable. We felt extremely guilty for letting the huge plate of bacon go to waste when we were too full to finish it! The staff was excessively friendly and brought us more trays when we needed them. I have zero negative comments for this place other than the wait, but relaxing in the fall weather in the homey courtyard with friends wasn't so bad ;) Quite. The. Experience.
(5)
Steve B.
The food was delicious and the experience was memorable. We sat at a large table with 5 others groups of people. I was thinking it would be a private comfort food lunch on a business trip. And luckily it turned into a real family style southern lunch with loads of food with passed dishes, pleases & thank you'd and sweet tea!
(5)
Yosh B.
The experience I had eating here was phenomenal!! It had the great southern hospitality charm with every bite. I suggest you come hungry. Everything on the breakfast menu was great & plentiful. Also, I couldn't get enough of the bacon!!!
(5)
Christopher R.
I sat down. They started bringing me food. First biscuits. Then shells and cheese, fried chicken, grits, and more. I fell in love.
(5)
Kris S.
Visited Nashville in August 2013 and researched must-visit places before I left. Monell's made a lot of other people's lists, so my friends and I decided to go. The service was excellent. We did have to wait a little while but the hostess was very friendly and talked to us the entire time, and even gave us the names of a few spots to visit that weren't so tourist-y. When we finally sat down our server (I wish I remembered her name) was awesome! She told my friends and I that she loved our accents (even though we DON'T have accents!! haha) and our beverage glasses were never empty. The food was amazing. My friends and I filled up on mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens that we ended up napping up until we went out that night. Our server and the busboy even posed for a photo with us :) The only reason Monell's lost a star from me is because the whole idea of sitting next to strangers is to make friends and share a meal over great food. We were sitting next to some Vandy frat boys with their stuck up prissy female friend who wanted no interaction whatsoever until they found out we lived 30 minutes away from NYC... then the chick wouldn't shut up about "Sex and the City" (yeah, because that's SUCH an accurate depiction of being in your 20s and living in the city) and how she's the real life Carrie Bradshaw. Bish please.
(4)
John K.
Bottom Line: Great food and experience for fair price. Coming from the west coast this type of dining was a first. My party of 5 was seated at a large table for 12 because at Monell's strangers become family! Random folks were seated next to us and the food at the table was shared like it was thanksgiving dinner at grandma's...so to speak. Here are the points to underscore: 1) Always rotate left - for those of you who are new to southern dining (like me), the bowl of gravy, the basket of biscuits, and the all the other goodies are handed to the person to your left. 2) Take a little of each. - there is so much food that if you eat a lot of the biscuits and cornbread because the food isnt coming out....you'll be disappointed. And they offer more so as not to be wasteful at the table. So don't hog the chicken and mac and cheese. Be neighborly and share like it is your family. 3) Order of the food - I went there for lunch on a tuesday. However, the menu changes constantly. The food that came out for us was: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, broccoli with dressing, green beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef with carrots, fried chicken, and peach cobbler for dessert. There were both sweetened and unsweetened tea for beverages along with lemonade. I like Arnold Palmers so that worked out for me. You can easily ask for seconds...and thirds....and fourths.... And for dinner they throw in an additional meat loaf to go around. 4) Service is stellar - simply put...it was like being at home with a nice mother who brought out too much food. Note: For you recluse hermit types, don't fret. You don't have to talk with anyone if you choose not to. But be warned. Even the customers are nice there! Conclusion: if you have family or friends visiting from out-of-town metropolitan areas, show them Monell's for an interesting vibe.
(5)
Phil N.
There are times when you have a great experience that is awe-inspiring and gives meaning to life... dining at Monell's is one of those times. I half-joked that the brick house that Monell's occupied must have been a church at one time. My friend was like "yeah, could be" but looked puzzled until I continued with my thought "cause Jesus must be cookin'" Seriously. Quit reading my review, get your a** to Germantown and put your name in. You'll be waiting to get seats at one of the communal tables that grace this monument to Southern cooking. They set tables of 10-12 or so at a large dining table, family style. They even have rules.. past to the left, take only what you can eat, no cell phones. You meet the folks you are sitting with and get tips from the locals such as "pace yourself, cause the food is just gonna keep comin'. And oh what a meal it is. Typical staples like mac n cheese, cornbread, bisquets and gravy are accompanied by a heavenly squash casserole. Then comes the meat. delicious pork loin, grilled chicken and the world famous fried chicken. Sweet tea, homemade peach preserves and a slice of pie for dessert (which they plated first but no one ate 'cause everyone was too full). If you go to Nashville, you must eat here! If you live in Nashville, I hate you... 'cause you can come here everyday. Enjoy.
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Everything was amazing... Amazing food, service, & experience.... Don't see how anyone can say a bad word about the place.... Amazing amazing amazing
(5)
JoAnna L.
My cousin took me here the day I landed in Nashville and I'm so glad she did. We found parking on the street just down the way and then we went to put our name on the list. The seating area does get a bit busy and it looked like Sundays were no exception. Once we had our name called (it took about 20 minutes), we sat at a communal table with about 8 other people and it was great. We had coffee and sweet tea offered and then the plates started to roll out, it was amazing! We had yummy cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, thee best tasting cinnamon rolls I've ever had!, sausage, bacon, and then, of course, very tasty fried chicken. The employees are also very hospitable and friendly. For less than $15, the meal is an absolute steal and very good! The key is to take a little bit at a time, that way you can enjoy it all! I'd love to stop by here again definitely.
(5)
Matthew L.
Had a fun and delicious experience. Couldn't believe how good everything was, how much food, how low a price. I really and completely enjoyed myself. Was in town for business so was alone which meant I was sat right away. Met a bunch of nice locals and had a great time. Everything I tried was delicious. Great experience.
(5)
Annie C.
AMAZING. This is a must in Nashville. The chicken was so delicious and not too oily. The corn pudding was perfect. The biscuits were fluffy and buttery. Slight downsides were the vegetables (overcooked and bitter), the mashed potatoes (tasteless), the ambrosia salad and cole slaw (very very sweet, but I suppose this is how it is supposed to be). If you are in Nashville this is a must.
(5)
Hui C.
Amazing for real, home-cooked style Southern fare, and big fan of the family-style tables. Definitely a Southern concept; don't think most of my Northern friends would be up for chatting with strangers the whole meal, but everyone in Nashville is friendly and friends I've taken here has loved the experience. I've only been for dinner and everything was great; biscuits and fried chicken were highlights, but save some room for desserts because they're delicious.
(5)
Andrew B.
This place would be 5 stars if it were a buffet, as the hit-and-pass nature of it is cute, but ineffective. This is fried chicken that deserves to be worshipped, not eyed from across a table. The sides were excellent, and it was fun eating as a group, but the food deserves more attention as it's that good, and the system doesn't quite get us where we wished. That said, if it didn't all whiz by, we'd have eaten 3-4,000 extra calories, so there was indeed a silver lining.
(4)
Adam B.
This is another place I guess I just don't get. It's nice to serve food family style. It helps strangers be social. But, at $21 a person, you should do better than pretty good fried chicken and then a lot of cafeteria food. The pork chops were dry and tough. The meatloaf was in chunks and bland. The sides were, overall, average. And, when you are remotely done eating, they tell you to leave so the next group can come in.
(2)
Rachel C.
This is southern soul food at it's best. Family style seating makes the meal feel festive and special. The meal started off with biscuits and cornbread with gravy. The biscuits were so soft and fluffy, absolutely perfect for sopping up the savory gravy. The cornbread was slightly salty and delicious, though I prefer sweet cornbread. The cole slaw was the best I ever had, creamy and tangy but not watery. The fruit tea was good for washing everything down. I've never had corn pudding before but man oh man is it good. The mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had both chunks and skin, just how I like it. I think I ate half the tub of spiced apples on my own. The Mac and cheese was so creamy and cheesy and not at all mushy because the pasta was cooked perfectly. The purple sauerkraut was perfect with a bit of everything. Moving on to the meats, the fried chicken was so tender and the skin had the perfect combo of crispness and chew. The roast beef was fall apart tender and stewed in the most delicious brown sauce. The pulled pork also had big flavors. I made room for a couple bites of pecan pie and had no complaints there either. If you're looking for a belly buster meal with good value and awesome home cooked flavors, this is the place.
(5)
Michael S.
Ummmm....yeah....I know I'm supposed to be writing massively long and involved reviews as a supposedly "elite" Yelper, but honestly, there is nothing that can be said about Monell's that ain't been said before. It's just that good, sinfully unhealthy down-home style cooking, with unending portions, and cool family style serving. Love getting to sit with random people who are all drooling over the never ending stream of food. I prefer to go for brunch on the weekends, but I've loved every dinner I've had hear too, so that's just a personal preference, you can't go wrong. And, there's that fantastic little cupcake bakery just a few doors down if you've managed to save a little spot for dessert somewhere....
(5)
Paul W.
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt University ["Stay Calm and Anchor Down." Or something like that....] I go to Monell's EVERY TIME I AM IN NASHVILLE. EVERY TIME. The place rules. The fried chicken is exceptional. Bless these people, they serve it at breakfast, too. The corn pudding is delicious: I never eat the stuff anywhere else. The biscuits are little pillows of heavenly starch. I have yet to have a bad meal there. It's family style seating and you will probably have to wait for a seat. There is a lovely little garden seating area with a koi pond and a bench swing to wait on. Once you get in, you're seated with a whole table of strangers. I have yet to meet one rude soul there. They pass when you ask and converse when you want. There's plenty of silences 'cause the food's pretty damn good. Have I mentioned I come here every time I'm in Nashville? Because I do. If you like good, home-cooked food, go to Monell's. If you like the company of good people while you dine, go to Monell's. If you like to eat a lot, go to Monell's. But you don't have to pig out to get value here: the food is really that good. Simple and good. If you like yourself and your friends and family, do something nice for yourselves: go to Monell's.
(5)
Colleen S.
Visiting from PA, we were looking for some Southern home-cooking and we found it here! We asked our cab driver for a suggestion since we wanted a local favorite rather than a tourist spot downtown. He suggested Monell's, which is a short drive away from downtown but ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. We walked in with a group of 4 and they directed us to one of their 12-seat tables. I really enjoyed the vintage furniture and decoration. You felt like you were walking into someone's home! This place serves family style, so they will seat you with another party unless you have a large party yourself. The table was beautifully set, with sweet tea, lemonade and a few cold salads/casseroles to start. Hot biscuits, gravy and peach preserves were brought out next while we waited for our table to fill. We immediately began to dig in and had to remind ourselves to slow down for the next course. Once the table is filled, there is a flutter of activity as they begin to bring out baskets and bowls of Southern comfort food! They stagger the dishes and ask everyone to pass to their left to keep it organized. Baked chicken, fried porkchops and fried chicken that was practically falling off of the bone. Next was cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and corn pudding. Everything came out fresh, hot and delicious! We enjoyed the family style seating and the party seated with us was very friendly and talkative. We ate until we could barely move and then realized we had to sample some dessert as well! Small bites of the baked apples and banana pudding were enough for us to officially throw in the towel. With many children in the other party at our table, there was quite a bit of food leftover and we were informed that all of the food is donated to local churches that serve the food to homeless/low-income families, which we were very happy to hear. On our way out, we met the owner who was a jovial man hosting the arriving parties to their tables. He was very funny, cracking jokes about us Northerners and hoping we enjoyed our soul food. When visiting Nashville, avoid downtown and go to Monell's for a GREAT Southern dining experience!
(5)
Chad P.
Southern, for sure! Going to Monell's is like stepping back in time. Everyone is super friendly, and the food is very good. You sit family style with many other families you don't know. It's a nice way to meet people who come to Nashville from everywhere. Come prepared to eat and not spend a fortune.
(3)
Bridget S.
Wow! What a fun and tasty breakfast. The meal seemed never ending and the fried chicken is the BEST in Nashville. Loved the grits nice and cheesy. Biscuits fluffy, great bacon and sausage. The home made cinnamon rolls were awesome per my hubby ( I was too full to taste). Corn pudding, fried potatoes, ....and sides continue including pancakes and scrambled eggs. Service was great (friendly, kind and smiling). Nice meeting others at a family style table. A true southern breakfast.
(5)
Ashley M.
If you're looking for a truly Southern dining experience, Monell's is the place! On a recent trip to Nashville, we were excited to venture to Monell's--a place on my "must try" list and it just so happened to be Mother's Day lunch, so we were in for a real treat! Parking can be tricky along the street, but luckily we arrived early and were able to snag a spot directly across from the restaurant. For seating for two, we were told it would be about 45 mins to an hour. The wait was a bit long and true to the promise, but totally bearable as we found seats outside in their garden area. Monell's stocks light snacks and refreshments under a tent for its guests while they wait, which is a nice feature I hardly ever see and really reminds me of how great southern hospitality service can really be. On this particular Sunday, take your pick of tea, water, small bags of chips, or homemade nachos kept warm in a chafer pan! Once we were seated, everyone was ready to start eating--which is great because there's already food and drinks waiting on the table for you to devour. We started off with 3 salads: spinach and pea (my personal favorite), coleslaw, and zucchini and tomato. The drinks on the table are: sweet and unsweet tea, fruit tea, and water. Shortly after being seated, a lady comes over to explain the house rules (pass to the left, no cell phones) and then the food starts pouring in: a huge basket of fresh biscuits, rolls, cornbread, sausage gravy, corn pudding, asparagus casserole, turkey casserole, green beans, pork tenderloin, fried chicken (another personal favorite), and peach pie for dessert. Wow, just wow--everyone gets so excited for all the food, the atmosphere is happy, full, and delightful. The food itself is very southern--soft, salty, and sweet. It's not that this place has the best food you could ever eat, it's that they have the family dining experience to a tee and you oftentimes have more fun dining with these strangers than you could ever imagine. Definitely worth a try and I would happily go back!!!
(4)
Jessica R.
Oh Myyyyy!!!! I could not have chosen a better place for a southern lunch! Such a cool idea, family style dinner where you sit at a table with people you don't know, it makes for very interesting conversations. My bf and I were visiting from CA and met such fun people during our meal, locals and visitors. The locals had great tips and the visitors, great stories about Canada! Haha! As for the food, one word: YUM! Seriously. Mashed Potatoes, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken, fried fish, greens, and for dessert, bread pudding. :D My mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it. Super friendly staff, amazing food, good ambience, and an inviting family style, wish I lived nearby so I could go more often! Definitely a must if you're in Nashville!!
(5)
Brian S.
I had to write another review. I am down here visiting for work this time, and had the dinner service for the first time. Didn't know what to expect, but it was homemade cranberry sauce, baked and fried Chicken, pork chops, chicken salad, baked apples, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cornbread , dressing, banana pudding, corn pudding, and macaroni and cheese. I tasted almost everything. All was really good. Chicken salad was my favorite. Dinner was great, but only 2nd to the breakfast!
(5)
Sharon K.
Maybe it's my lone wolf personality, but I didn't really enjoy eating here. It is a huge table where you sit with a lot of strangers and you have to rely on their good table habits to have a good meal. The food is passed around the table... in theory, but often the food gets bottlenecked by some noob who doesn't realize there are other 10 other people at the table. The waitresses don't really do much for you at this place either, it's hard to get coffee or water. The food itself was good, but you never know what's coming out, if you are ok with lots of comfort food and waiting for coffee, go for it. But I didn't see anything very special about this place. Call me crazy.
(2)
Josh B.
A very unique experience for sure. True family style. Outstanding traditional southern comfort food.
(5)
Jimmy W.
Was on my Nashville "to do" list for a while. Finally showed up, sat a table with complete strangers and passed great food around and talked to each other as if we were family. Great concept and social experiment to go along with awesome food. Making this a mandatory stop!!
(5)
Ju L.
I wasn't sure what to expect but I ended up loooooving our meal here. Community eating just feels good, even though I hate being talked to while I have food in my mouth. Our country breakfast included: - biscuits and [heavily baconed] gravy - corn pudding - potatoes - cheese grits - pancakes - cinnamon buns - ham, bacon, and sausage heaped on one plate - fried chicken - pitchers of sweet tea, water, coffee, tea Hot biscuits, hot damn! It's a lot of food but the sharing makes it easy to pace yourself. I revisited the corn pudding and potatoes. SO GOOD. Everything was delicious - nothing surprising, but familiar/homey stuff is that much better when it comes in heaps. Apparently they make most of their food with vegetable oil instead of lard. Still tastes like lard. Everyone seemed to be a tourist like us. At 10 strangers to a table, conversation didn't necessarily flow perfectly and some parties only talked amongst themselves, which was a little irritating - not because I want to hear Rhonda's life story, but because then you have to wave them down to get food passed. For everyone's sake, at least niceties should be exchanged in the beginning... because yes the carbs and fat are great, but you can do your gutbusting anywhere. The community-oriented meal experience is really the point. I was expecting the interior to just look exactly like someone's house but it just looks like a cozy family restaurant - reminded me strongly of Walker Bros. in Chicago ( yelp.com/biz/walker-brot… ) - warm, but also clean and efficient. The outside of Monell's is surrounded by a garden with lots of greenery and a koi pond, and also a swing chair which I practically had to be pried off of. Worth a visit as a tourist? Absolutely. Our meal came in at just under $15pp, to boot. If I were the one driving I would have taken us back again before leaving Nashville.
(5)
Carissa O.
So much food. So much good food. And so cheap considering how much you get. The cole slaw is great, fried chicken is exceptional. We had something called Brown Betty for dessert and it was amazing. I felt like I was eating at my grandma's house and I would come back for sure!
(4)
Leslie B.
A unique experience with a variety of great tasting southern food! The restaurant is a family style setting meaning you WILL be eating with other people. If this is not your thing, then this isn't the right place for you. In my opinion, that is what adds charm to this restaurant. Above the door before you come in, there is a sign that says "Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends" and I couldn't have said it any better. Both times that we ate at Monell's I can honestly say, we made friends. We traded stories, life experiences and most importantly. we laughed! It was a grand time. As for the food, there's plenty of it...and everything is great. If you've never eaten southern food before, this is a great way to get an "introduction" because of the large variety. The staples are greens, green beans, creamed corn, biscuits, cornbread, beans, coleslaw potatoes (mashed or roasted), pecan pie, sweet tea, and of course yummy fried chicken. The first time we went there, the entrees were chicken casserole and pork chops and the best banana pudding for dessert. The second time, it was spinach lasagna and slow cooked pot roast and ambrosia. The pot roast is AMAZING! You can eat as much of anything as you would like so don't be shy. The service is great, really friendly and down to earth people. They make sure that there's plenty of food on the table. The price is extremely reasonable for all the food that they bring out. Oh one more thing, pass the food to your left, and cell phones are not allowed at the table. When you're here, your focus is the food and people you're sharing the experience with. As they say, respect the dining table...I know it's a bit of old school, but hey I think it's a good thing and we need more of it!
(5)
Kayla S.
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Service, Food, there are no negatives to this place. Went for the first time last week while in town for work. I went back a day later. Met some great people there as well. Highly recommend.
(5)
Sharron H.
Me and Hubby visited Nashville for my birthday and he found this on Yelp early Saturday morning and all I can say is HIGH FIVE TO THE HUBBY!!! This place is absolutely AMAZING!!! The food was so good it make you smack somebody and we felt like we was at home and my Mama and Aunties in the kitchen!! The staff was so attentive and sweet, after brunch all I need was a blanket and couch and I would have been out for the count. If someone ever give this place a bad review they either had a bad day or they on drugs....Lol!! I live in Huntsville and would definitely drive here just to eat and go back home!!!!
(5)
Amy N.
Such a great place to take out of town guests for a unique "southern" experience. The food is good, but the real value is in the ambience (the restaurant is a converted Victorian mansion), the company (unless you come with a big group you'll be seated family style with strangers or "new friends"), and the neighborhood (located in the really great part of Germantown so don't miss a chance to take a stroll around the block while you wait for your table. Spoiler alert: if you go on the weekend, you'll be waiting awhile. Luckily there's an awesome cupcake shop (Gigi's?) down the street if you need a treat before you eat.
(5)
Ann F.
Love this place: friendly staff, good food, and a family style dining experience. Thank you!
(5)
Leslie B.
When I asked anyone who had been before, "where do we have to eat in Nashville?" Monell's was by far the most common answer. I seriously could not believe how many people I knew who had stopped here during a Nashville visit. The boyfriend and I came by on a Saturday morning around 11:00 and were greeted with the 70 or so other people waiting for a table...The process of putting your name down is not so clear, the woman taking names also serves as cashier. Just go inside and stay to the left of the counter. Our predicted wait time of 45 minutes was pretty spot on. You can wait outside in a lovely courtyard area, not sure where you would wait in bad weather. Finally, our name was called. What a unique brunch experience! We were led to our 12 person table with others that were waiting and helped ourselves to sweet tea and coffee. Dining with strangers was pretty awkward at first, especially because our table didn't include the most outgoing of individuals. However, once the food started coming out, everyone was very friendly and more than willing to pass whatever you needed. First, out came cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. These biscuits and gravy were insanely amazing. Being from Chicago, I'm not able to experience authentic biscuits and gravy...these were the real deal. After that came a massive platter of bacon/ham/sausage, all of which were hot and tasty. I especially liked their hearty breakfast sausage. With that came scrambled eggs, cheese grits, baked apples, fried chicken, corn pudding, and I'm probably forgetting another item! Everything was so flavorful and delicious, but my favorite side was the corn pudding. It was outstanding. You literally keep passing and eating until you are forced to throw in the towel thinking you may never eat again. And then when you pay...$27 for both of us. WHERE AM I. Outrageously inexpensive for all of the homemade food thrown your way. Overall, must-go for brunch, or any meal really, in Nashville! Very memorable experience.
(5)
Brittany C.
Delicious! Friendly family-style seating and serving. The potatoes and corn pudding were my favorite dishes. The biscuits were great, too!
(5)
Jeff L.
Went to Monell's by the Airport for a friend's anniversary party and I really loved this place. The family style setup was awesome...think southern soul/comfort food version of Buca Di Beppo or a southern meat and three where you can try everything you want, and still get dessert. Because it's family style with big tables, you can have as much or as little as you want and you may sit with some strangers and make new friends. The no cell phone policy annoys some people, but honestly I'm all for it. We don't interact with new people IRL enough. Get off Yelp! or social media for an hour!
(4)
Mark E.
A REAL gem in Nashville. Probably one of the best values I have ever experienced. No, you don't order off a menu, you have what they are makimg, and that's ok because it's ALL good. The food comes fast and fresh. But don't load up on all the delicious food you're first because as soon as you heap up your plate, they nail with the fried chicken. ..and you HAVE to have the fried chicken. I will be going back in March....CAN T WAIT!!!
Omw.... this place is amazing!!!! You do have to pace yourself otherwise you will get full FAST! The biscuits are unbelievable... and the peach preserves WOW, and I don't even like peach jelly but WOW!!! Best breakfast I've ever eaten and the ambiance is neat too!
(5)
Lauren M.
Food was EXCELLENT. Dining arrangements = awkward, especially if you are going as a pair. We were seated at a table with 10 others we didn't know. Although the food was excellent, it made for very awkward conversation. Still though, all you can eat fried chicken, biscuits, meatloaf, chicken n dumplings with a plethora of salads and sides, plus sweet tea and lemonade for $12 at lunch cannot be scoffed at. Staff here were all very motherly and nice.
(4)
Moira R.
Always my place for visitors. Everyone who comes through Nashville to visit comes through here with me -- because the food is so good. (Corn pudding is delicious x 1000.) Also, I think for my East Coast/Pacific Northwest based family & friends, this place is a really good introduction to what the South is about, in my experience -- food and family. The restaurant is a house with a garden (+ koi pond) that feels like you're hanging out at your Grandma's house on Easter Sunday. If there is a wait, and sometimes there really is, it's not so bad out there, but do be prepared for this. I imagine for some people, the family style seating:12 people to a table whether you came with them or not, passing everything to the left, and "if you sit, you pay" rules are troubling, but that's the style of restaurant this is, and ultimately I find it adds to the charm. (Please do be forewarned that sometimes the family seating can make this experience a little awkward -- I've been sat with families who have had terrible reactions to the "rules", weird groups of people from conferences who were awkward with each other and with the folks I was with by extension, and people who have told me "we've eaten here every night for a week!" which is kind of frightening when you think about it -- this is like a Thanksgiving dinner, folks, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're eating 3,000 calories at once. ) Brunch and dinner have both been delicious. I like that sweet tea, un-sweet tea and lemonade are right on the table for you. (No alcohol.) Ultimately, I've loved everything I've eaten here, but fair warning, the food does have that sloppy made at home feel. If that's not your thing, or if you're looking for something "gourmet", this is not your spot. Check the website for the menu for the day before you go. Also, my service here has always been amazing. The hostess and wait staff have been nothing but welcoming and accommodating when I've been there. Will be back.
(4)
Jerry Y.
The food is pretty good. Family-style southern comfort food. Concept is good, location is great. However for the wait and price for the meal, the value was not there. I would wait 15 minutes for this meal, not an hour plus.
(3)
Ryan M.
Living in Chicago, Monelles may be my first real introduction to authentic southern food - and Monells did not disappoint. We arrived by taxi shortly after 3 and to our extreme disappoint read on the front door sign that lunch hours end at 3. We figured we were already there so my as well go in and see if they were still seating. Well the food isn't the only thing southern here so is the hospitality...the owner was more than willing to oblige. The restaurant is in an old home which provides charm and the seating is family style so be prepared to share food and a table with people you don't know. This was a little uncomfortable for my girlfriend. Everything was excellent but my favorites were the collard greens, meat loaf, and banana pudding. You definitely won't leave hungry. Me and my girlfriend had a good laugh later that evening when we were at a sushi restaurant and ordered a roll and realized that we just paid the same price for some rice, tuna, avocado as we did for a southern feast at Monells.
(5)
Courtenay L.
Wow, where to start? First of all, I realize this is a very popular place that usually gets 4-5 stars. However, I feel like I need to share my experience to show the other side of things. I went here with my boyfriends family one morning for breakfast. It was crowded and the hostess seemed pissed about it (or something else) so we were not greeted in a kind way. She led us to the back and we were a bit confused about how the seating works because none of us had been there before so when she lead us to a huge table we started to sit down and I apparently chose the wrong seat and she said "NO, over there, not there" She wasn't even pointing at anything so I changed seats with little to no direction. Everyone else was confused too and she just said "Sit" to all of us- once again, no kindness. I think it is important that each party at least gets asked "Have you been here before?" before seating them since Monell's does seating and serving a little differently (communal tables and family style). We didn't understand it was this type of a restaurant. I know some people think it is fun to sit next to strangers- I found it awkward and unpleasant. When I saw the hostess walk back I notified her I would not be eating (I am a vegan for health reasons) she said it didn't matter, I would be charged anyway. I would NOT have suggested going here if I knew I was going to pay 14 dollars for a glass of tea. She was so rude, and I understand that is their policy but she should have EXPLAINED that before I sat down and "took up a space". I'll just sit on my boyfriends lap next time, thanks. When I left I did see a sign with very small print on the door explaining the "rules" of Monell's. Screw any restaurant that has rules! Why can't a person relax while eating instead of being forced to sit next to strangers and follow some weird policy?! Anyway I just want to mention the WORST part- there were FLIES swarming everywhere- sitting on the food and all around the dining room- at least 3 at our table at once. I'M SORRY that is just wrong. I was glad I wasn't eating. That being said, everyone enjoyed the food which I am guessing is the reason for most of the positive reviews. So I am sure my experience would have been enhanced had I been able to eat. So I will give it that! A few points to sum it up: The Bad: 1. Rude and lazy staff 2. FLIES everywhere 3. Communal seating (which some people may find fun) 4. You get charged for eating, even if you don't and no one will tell you that until it's too late The Good: 1. The taste of the food This is my first Yelp post- I was that mad!!!
(1)
Andy C.
It's a nice restaurant for a meal. I thought the meal was too fast, and the wait was longer than I expected. I came here by myself. It's better to come in a group. Food was pretty good. Service was good. Nice place. I like the pork, corn, and cake.
(3)
Vince S.
What an experience. My wife and I ate at monells while on our road trip honeymoon. It was by far the most unique dining experience we had on the trip. You sit family style, with strangers. Get to know them. Once dinner starts, you are immediately bombarded with an absurd amount of food. Take a little bit of everything (even the corn pudding!). Each and every item is delicious in its own way. The coleslaw may be the best I've had. The Mac n cheese is amazing. The chicken is great. The beef is so tender. Everything. Just eat it all. Awesome service. Awesome food. Unique experience. Get off of your device and head to monell's!
(5)
Steph C.
The highlight of our Nashville trip!! It's like going to Grandma's house. Except that instead of family members, you dine with a table of friendly strangers from different walks of life. There's light laughter and chatter and passing of bowls and pitchers and condiments as everyone readies themselves (and their plates) in anticipation of the feast. And then the food arrives. Friendly waiters with armfuls of bowls and platters and baskets, setting them on any empty space on the table, telling you to go for it. And it just keeps coming. And coming. And it's INSANE. Fried chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken n' dumplings, baked apples, potatoes, mac n' cheese, green beans, asparagus casserole, corn pudding, zucchini salad, cole slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn muffins and bread, and banana pudding. The food was SOOO GOOD. Homey, hearty, comforting, and rich. It was way too much food, but I had to at least try everything, so I took a little of each dish and still ended up with a loaded plate. Taking seconds on anything was out of the question. I can't even single out my favorites, they were all delicious. Other than the banana pudding. That pudding made me want to weep, it was so awesome.
(5)
Ashley A.
I probably gained 5 pounds from eating Brunch at this place alone. The food never ends - grits, pancakes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, cinnamon rolls, sweet corn, fried chicken. Meal is incredibly fast. This is a Nashville Institution.
(4)
S S.
Ate at Monell's for first time today. Let me just say phenomenal! Felt like we were having an early Thanksgiving dinner! Awesome home style dishes. Best part of the meal was you eat family style w people who are strangers when you pray, and friends when before you finish dessert! All I can say is if you are ever in the Nashville area Monell's is a must stop lunch destination!
(5)
Fabiana H.
I have been to this place so much since I moved to town that I got a bit sick of the food. Still, a must go place in town, especially for visitors. Unique southern experience and I love the communal table concept. The food is very good, the menu never changes though. i have tried brunch and lunch. Brunch is by far the best experience there. It is wort the long wait!!! Fresh out of the oven biscuits, delicious fried chicken, the corn pudding is my favorite!
(5)
Mel D.
In Nashville for a conference looking for a unique culinary experience, look no further then Monell's. This Nashville establishment is a gem. Family style dining and INCREDIBLE FOOD!!!! The corn pudd'n is awesome! We were there in there meat loaf night and it was out of this world! Loved the unique experience that eating at a large family style dining brings to the atmosphere. You walk in strangers and leave as friends! Truly a fun experience that you must try when in Nashville!!!!
(5)
T-Roc M.
A great experience I'd say. Dinning with strangers in a table. Kinda like thanksgiving everyday though. We sat with strangers had lunch and chatted away throughout lunch. Fun, and great food.
(5)
Peter D.
I have never in my life experienced hospitality so genuine, so heartfelt, and so absolutely amazing, as I did at Monell's. Michael, the owner, redefined going above and beyond the call of duty; my friends and I were absolutely astonished by his kindness and remain thoroughly grateful. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. I suppose I should tell you first that the food is fantastic. If you're looking for some downhome, legit Southern cooking, this is where you want to be. Forget Olive Garden, you're actually family at Monell's. Everyone here will greet you with a smile, and after a short wait (they are quite popular, but the line moves quickly and the garden you wait in is beautiful), you'll be ushered into what looks like your grandmother's dining room. Unless you have 14 people or so, you're going to be sharing a table with some other folks for a family-style feast. The table was already set with sweet tea, tea punch and other beverages, as well as several types of hot sauce and other condiments you may or may not need. Don't worry about ordering right either, because they are just going to bring you everything. And I mean EVERYTHING: Corn pudding, cheese grits, green beans, vinegar pork, coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, pecan pie...it's all there, and it's all good. You take however much you want, and you pass it to your left. And there will be enough for everyone, I guarantee it. I went back to my favorite items at least twice, and there was definitely still leftovers. Once you've eaten yourself to the point of delicious, perfectly satiated pain, you get up and pay only $20, which is perhaps the best deal I've ever encountered. It is so worth it, I would easily have paid twice that for the privilege of sitting down in their dining room. I was sad I had to leave, but I will be back each and every time I'm in Nashville. This brings me to the only downside of Monell's, as well as the reason they've earned a customer and advocate for life: It's not in the most heavily trafficked area of Nashville. If you don't have a car, it's nearly impossible to get back downtown because there is no public transportation to speak of. However, we had let the owner Michael know that we had a plane to catch, and he was nice enough to call us a cab. The cab company quoted us a wait of about twenty minutes. After half an hour though, there was still no sign of a cab. We were standing on the street out front, starting to get a bit worried, and Michael came outside suddenly and told us to come with him. We followed him to the back, assuming there was a cab waiting on the other side. He unlocked a silver sedan, and told us to pile in. This man was worried that we were going to miss our flight, and he insisted on driving us back to our hotel. Let me repeat that so there's no confusion: the owner of Monell's walked out of his own restaurant during service, and insisted on driving us -- four complete strangers from another city -- back to our hotel in HIS OWN CAR. This selfless gesture of hospitality actually blew my mind. It's not like this man wasn't busy. Michael owns the place. From the time we walked in, he was busy keeping the extensive waitlist, running the cash register, leading folks to their tables...all while cracking jokes and welcoming everyone into the restaurant all on his own. And he just dropped everything and drove us, in his own car, back downtown. Unbelievable. Thank you Michael, for being the absolute definition of Southern hospitality. The sign above the door says that we arrive strangers and leave as friends, and you better believe you've got one in Brooklyn from here on out.
(5)
Tiffany L.
First off come hungry! Monell's was recommended to my boyfriend and I from our Airbnb host while driving through Nashville on our way to Denver. She raved about it! So we went for their country Breakfast/Brunch The Food: The food was great! It comes family style and shared amongst everyone at the table (10-12 people per table) For breakfast they served a selection of pork (bacon, sliced ham, and sausage patties), fried chicken, pancakes, biscuits, corn pudding, cheesy grits..and probably a few things I'm missing! The biscuits were great! The Experience: The inside reminds you of being in your grandmother's home, if it were down in the country! Community style seating with other patrons, which is a great way to meet other folks. The service was excellent, everyone was friendly and kind. The Price: It's a little pricey for breakfast, came out to $30 for the two of us. If you eat a lot it's totally worth it. If you don't eat much then you may be better off going to a regular breakfast restaurant as they only serve family style and everyone who sits gets a meal ticket. The lady next to me didn't eat and there was a whole ordeal about if you sit you must pay...as an fyi. But overall it was delicious and a great experience nonetheless!
(4)
Erik Y.
Like everyone else has stated, it's an awesome brunch! I won't go into details on how it works, etc. Expect a wait, a ton of food, and a fun time! The only thing that prevents a 5 is that they do not have country ham (at least when I was there..) I feel like that would have made it a perfect meal :)
(4)
Maggie C.
Where to even begin? I went there for a rehearsal dinner. The food was to die for! I usually don't like meatloaf and I wanted to keep eating their's. The catfish was delicious as well! Even the coleslaw was great. I can't think of a bad think to say about this place!
(5)
Tai F.
I just don't have a bad thing to say about this place. The service was incredible. The staff was downright ebullient. And even though I didn't really get to have the full family dining experience I had just a lovely time. Thinking I would beat the rush I arrived here at nine am. Well on this freezing cold and snowy Tennessee morning there was barely a person in there. I sat down with a couple who had already been there thirty minutes. They left me alone about fifteen minutes later. Ah well, who doesn't want a huge table of food to themselves!?! My favorite parts were the delicate and juicy fried chicken, the delicious cheese grits, the perfectly flakey biscuits and the fluffy scrambled eggs. I tried everything on the table but still kept coming back to those standards. The pancakes were good, the corn pudding was good, the potatoes and the bacon and the sausage - all good. But I'm telling you, load me up with those biscuits, grits, eggs and chicken and I'm the happiest lady. Next time I'm in town I'd love to come around for the lunch or dinner. Hell, I'll just start the day and end the day here! It's the right thing to do.
(5)
Chris M.
I'm going to do it. I said I never would but I'm going 5 stars. Family style and the great dishes just kept coming. Great. Go eat here!
(5)
Heather P.
This place takes buffet/family style to a whole new level. On a Saturday morning, my husband and I were the last two to be seated at the table of thirteen. The others had already started eating but were very gracious and welcoming, passing us the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, potatoes, eggs, corn pudding, bacon, country ham, bacon...convinced yet? Then lastly, comes the fried chicken...the four pieces that I had were the best I've ever eaten. This is a true southern experience. If you don't like eating with strangers, then I recommend that you stay away, stay home.
(5)
Sabrina B.
Yummy Southern cooking served family style. You will have more food presented to you than you could ever think of eating. It is down-home grandma cooking at it's best. Yes there will be real butter used in dishes, yes there may be bacon in the green beans, yes there will be biscuit with home made peach marmalade and home made pies and sweet tea. This is the south after all. Monell's has been a Nashville staple for many years and rightly so. The seating is family style, and the dishes seem endless. There is a rotating menu, with some staples available daily. There is a list of daily offerings on their website. So, if you want catfish, check to see if it is on the daily menu. Comfort food at it's best, served with a smile. If you want to share a table with strangers and chow down on truly great southern food, give Monell's a try.
(4)
Ali A.
Might just be the best brunch experience I've ever had. Family style with all the southern food you like or have wanted to try. I would not go back to Nashville and not eat at monells again.
(5)
Jason P.
This place was awesome and takes a new buffet style to the next level with seating you with other people until the large table was full. It was almost like you were on a cruise but everyone was extremely nice and gladly passed you anything that you asked for. The corn pudding was delicious and at any time that you ran out of something they would fix you up a new batch of food. The gravy was not that good and the pancakes had a weird taste in my opinion. The only reason that I didn't give them a 5 star is because of the gravy, pancakes, and the biggest reason is that they do not have any jelly or jam only peach preserves and where I'm from that is essential to breakfast. I would highly recommend this place for others to check out.
(4)
Ted C.
Monell's, oh Monell's! I missed you and love your breakfast so much! We went there for New Years breakfast and since most people were hung over it was a small wait to be seated. I told my girl that the chicken here is amazing and she'd love the carbs. The food is just as good as I remember it and the service was still really good. We struck up a conversation with Pedro who was our busser and he mentioned how all the staff had been there since 11:30 the night before. Monell's serves breakfast from 11:30-3:30 on NYE and they literally stayed the night and still they were helpful, the food good and the experience still awesome. To quote my gf: "We coming to Monell's every time I visit?"-more of a statement and less of a question, folks.
(5)
Alex C.
Literally everything I've had there has been delicious, even things I don't normally like, like collard greens. You WILL come out of there full, and you might even make a few new friends if you eat with folks you don't know. I really like the rule of no cell phones at the table, too.
(5)
Amanda A.
If there was a time to yelp a place before going, it would be before going to Monell's. while in town for business, everyone and their mother had told us to go to Monell's but no one had told us the concept and AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT KEEPS COMING AND COMING. Though it was a surprise to us, I loved the family cooking and sitting vibe. We got there late on a Tuesday night, so there was a table open for the 4 of us, some random tourists later joined us. There's no menu here. They just bring out bowls of EVERYTHING they make for the night. They told us this after thy had brought out the corn bread and biscuits. Again, had I known this from doing my research on yelp, I would have skipped the bread...though I don't think that would have saved me from the glorious food coma I was in later. Next came the hot food: fried chicken (one of the best ever), veggie lasagna (could have skipped this), beef stew (the best I've had), mashed potatoes, green beans, their famous corn pudding, cannelini beans and turnips. I tell ya, I was in heaven and in pain at the same time. Amazing. Delicious. Real southern home cooking, at its best. After this was dessert, which for the night I was there was peach cobbler. Can't comment on it personally as I didn't have room to try it. My coworkers seemed impressed with it. Skip meals all day and save the room for this. You won't regret it.
(4)
Samantha B.
What an experience! We came on a recent long weekend trip to Nashville for Sunday brunch. We got there at 10, which I was hoping would be a good time. It was packed! We ended up waiting an hour, but it was worth it. We were finally seated at a table in the back, with all of the rooms perfectly decorated for Christmas. Once we were acquainted with our new table of friends, the food started coming out. Biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fried chicken, eggs, baked apples, cheesy grits...the list goes on! Everything was delicious, most notably the biscuits. I wish mine would come out so light and fluffy! Brunch comes to about 17/person including tip. A steal for sure. A must do in Nashville. FYI: make sure to get there on Sundays earlier than 10. We sat at 11 and were the last table to receive brunch. Lunch starts at 11!
(5)
Allie M.
Um.. one word: heaven. Thank you everyone at Monell's for the dining experience I craved whilst here in Nashville. This girl from Baltimore loves you. Holla.
(5)
Jerry B.
Picked this place out of the Yelp list early thus AM. Had no idea what a cool place coupled with a marvelous breakfast served the ole boarding house way we would find! The food just keeps coming! Got a chuckle when the waitress said, pace yourself. If you travel to Nashville make this place a point to go to for sure!
(5)
Charles F.
I'll join the chorus of praise on this one. Fantastic dining experience in a beautiful, Gilded Age house in Germantown. There's not much to dislike at Monell's, if anything. Food is served to you by your neighbour to your right - take what you want from the bowl, and pass to the left. Salads, biscuits, cornbread, gravy, fried chicken and catfish, collared greens, mashed potato, corn pudding, mangetouts - all excellent, all really flavourful. So many places now want to do 'their take' on the simple things. Not Monell's - they just do the simple classics right. The corn pudding and collared greens were especially good. Leave room for the banana pudding if you can restrain yourself from stuffing your face - it's pretty good. In spite of Nashville's weird hostility toward pedestrians, you can actually walk here from Broadway in about 15 mins and through Centennial Park, though the walk did involve being stared down by a security guard and ridiculed by an elderly lady on account of us waiting for the pedestrian crossing (what y'all waitin' on?! The little man?? AAAHAA!!)
(5)
Ace B.
If you travel by your self and are looking to meet new people you should definitely check this place out! The food is fabulous and it is communal style eating. Bon appetite :-)
(5)
Colin C.
Great food, atmosphere and prices. We love it!
(4)
Malcolm D.
So much food may not eat for a week, everything good. Experience topped off by sharing a table with a group if guys who get together a couple of times a year welcomed me into their conversation like a local, thanks guys.
(4)
Cynthia T.
This is the ONE place I ALWAYS (yes, ALWAYS) bring my visitors to dine. Why? Because it's da-bomb place for all-you-can-eat home-made southern food!!! I've dined there several times and here are my top 3 favorite dishes... Corn Casserole (seriously could eat this all day) Ribs (moist and falls off the bone) Fried Catfish (tender and deliciously seasoned) (honorable mention - fried chicken) They also serve homemade peach preserves. You can look on their website for their daily offerings. Click here: monellstn.com . I've spoken to Michael the owner and he's super friendly and down to earth. Glad he's had success in his business! Here are a few more things to be aware of when you dine at Monell's: 1. It's family style so you sit on large tables and if you're with a small party, you'll most likely be sitting next to what some people would like to call, "strangers" but what I like to call, NEW FRIENDS! 2. They move fast! You'll get your food quickly and you'll feel like they're rushing you. BUT, do not fear. TAKE YOUR TIME, scoop a little of each dish onto your plate at a time. For reals, if it's your first time, don't pile a huge portion onto your plate. You'll regret it later when you get full so fast you can barely get yourself to taste the desserts. I like to take a teeny bit of each thing, taste it and then go back for more of the dishes that I like. One day I will go back for their famous Christmas/Holiday meals! They take reservations for that and book up fast!
(5)
MyongHi S.
Delicious Southern food and just a really cool and unique concept. Community dining might not be for everyone, but it was definitely a fun experience for me! We met several people from out of state dining at Monell's because it's such a hotspot in Nashville. Because it's so unique, this was definitely one of my favorite things to do while vacationing in Nashville. Mac & cheese is INCREDIBLE. So creamy and cheesy. The fried chicken and oven-roasted chicken were also superb. Those items made the trip entirely worth it. I must say, GO HUNGRY. They aren't joking when they tell you to pace yourselves because it's a ton of food and I found myself getting full before the chicken came out!
(4)
Andrea T.
I'm here to report that breakfast reigns supreme. I mean I haven't had lunch, but breakfast is fierce. If breakfast had fried green tomatoes, I might have to move to Nashville. The breakfast menu is as follows. Coffee, tea, sweet tea, and water. Hot biscuits and cinnamon rolls. I generally do not eat cinnamon rolls, but these were homemade, glazed delicately and really tasty! Then pancakes, corn pudding ( which is to die for), potatoes, scrambled eggs, a big old plate of the best bacon, sausage and ham you ever saw. It is a platter big enough for a turkey with a ton of meat on it. The sausage is spiced perfectly and so damn good. Cheese grits are amazing. The big plus of breakfast is that fried chicken is served!! Oh Monell's what do you put in that damn fried chicken! I can't wait to come back!
Wonderful and well worth the visit. I really enjoyed the experience just as much as the food. Please visitYum Yum
(5)
Sophia T.
Monell's country brunch was the highlight of my trip to Nashville. The restaurant is in a refurbished, old fashioned Nashville home, which makes you feel as if you are eating in your grandparents house. I went there at 12:30 PM on a Saturday for the country brunch, which lasts from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We were seated with 3 other parties in 20 minutes on a long wood table in a side room that appeared to be the living room when the restaurant served as a home. Sweat tea, biscuits and gravy and sweet buns were already on the table to pacify us while we waited for the main courses. After snacking on the amuse-bouches, the server came over with family style portions of cheese grits and corn pudding, followed by pancakes and peaches stewed in brown sugar and cinnamon. The entire table dug in, passing each bowl of deliciousness to the left. Before I was able to finish my appetizer, the waiter returned with a sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The sausage circles were perhaps the best that I have ever eaten. The server return for the last time with a basket, the original bucket, of golden, mouth-watering, fried chicken. Check out my picture or better yet go in for breakfast to see for yourself. There was original Louisiana hot sauce on the table to spice it up if that is your preference. Then, we were given meal tickets, which you take up to the front to pay ~$14 without tip for a hearty meal...an amazing deal. After we finished eating, we all exclaimed "I've eaten, and I can't get up!" So, we made friends with the people at our communal table. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a christian priest, baptist minister, and a member of a gospel choir. Before getting up to pay, the Gospel singer agreed to sing a hymn as well as an impromptu song wishing my friends that just graduated Vanderbilt Law luck transitioning into their new phase of life. In conclusion, this restaurant was a 5 for 5 and a all around soulful experience.
(5)
Leann P.
My friends and I had this as our first meal when getting into Nashville, TN. It was fun and delicious! Be prepared to leave in a food-coma state! We got there on a Saturday around noon. We learned that they served breakfast until 1:00 daily. We were sat at a table with a bunch of people we did not know, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a blast! They serve the meal family-style and everyone must pass the plates around the large table. I would definitely suggest pacing yourself when getting your food. I started out putting way too much on my plate and running out of room for everything. The food was all delicious. No complaints! I did appreciate that the request that no one has their cell phone out during the meal. Some people, of course, had their phones out to take pictures, but put them away afterwards. The servers were very kind and prompt. I suggest anyone who visits Nashville experiences Monell's!
(5)
Mark M.
This place is phenomenal. We were visiting for the weekend and were sat with a mix of visitors and locals and enjoyed our company almost as much as the food itself. I don't think anyone else could mimic the atmosphere of this place if they tried. Truly a special meal. Thank you Monell's!
(5)
Sarah Y.
Short story: Monell's has some of the best southern cooking i've ever had. I will go back everytime i'm in Nashville. They have fried chicken that dreams are made of. It's perfect. Longer story: I went to Monell's with a couple friends after New Years Eve celebrations...yes at 2 am! First meal of 2013! Indeed, succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes ARE perfect anytime of the day! The decor is so welcoming and cozy, just like sitting in the living room by the fireplace. I loved passing around the wicker baskets full of goodies, wondering what new item will come out. It seemed like an endless procession. We were all first timers at Monells and it was a hit with everyone.
(5)
Meg B.
Our small group went here on a friend's recommendation and we couldn't have been happier. The biscuits were incredible. Literally perfect. Tied for the best that we tried while traveling in North Carolina and Tennessee. The fried chicken was also deliciously moist. And there was plentiful sweet tea. The atmosphere was also amazing. The truly open family style seating gave us an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers alike, and I loved the setting in an old home. My only recommendation is to pace yourself if you go! Or skip lunch the day of going. There is so much delicious food that pacing oneself is the only challenge.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Contemplating buying an airline ticket just to go eat here again. Its that good. No cell phones at table, its family style and you will leave bursting at the seams. Soooo Good. Mama (owner) is the coolest lady
(5)
Tamera B.
This place is incredible! We were visiting Nashville or 1 day and decided to have dinner here because of the high ratings on Yelp and this was a home run. Yelpers nailed it with this one!! The fried chicken is A-MAZING. The sides were all excellent. The iced tea and lemonade are homemade and wonderful! Don't let the seating arrangement scare you off. We're not the most outgoing couple and we had a lovely experience. We'll never visit Nashville again without visiting Monell's. If you're reading this review, stop and go to Monell's RIGHT NOW.....you'll love it!
(5)
Nancy B.
This is very reasonably priced. I enjoyed this very much. I especially liked that I got here on a good night and didn't have an hour wait. Food was very good, plentiful. I really like the company. It's nice to sit with people and have a conversation. If you like to sit alone or just with yours, this place isn't for you.
(5)
Val W.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. SO. DELICIOUS. Be prepared for the high price, but also know that for the atmosphere, experience, and food, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT. I love the BBQ ribs and the peach preserves are amazing. They sometimes have jars of these you can buy and take home (I recommend doing this), because I eat about four biscuits with preserves every time I go. Servers are very nice, and the place always seems to be busy, yet they will make sure you get seated and eat quickly!
(5)
Sharon L.
If you go to one place in Nashville, this has to be it. It's a truly unique and delightful dining experience that epitomizes the concept of comfort food. In fact, it's downright heart-warming. I just love the idea of strangers getting together to eat food that was clearly made with so much care, like someone's grandma cooked it for Christmas dinner. The only people I would recommend *not* going here are people who dislike children -- there were around six of them at my table because two families stopped by. Other than that caveat, though, I say that you simply MUST go here if you're in Nashville. By the way -- it's vegetarian friendly too, because the sides are great, and on some days they serve spinach lasagna as a main course.
(5)
Sandy T.
Monell's stole the 5 stars in my little black book of southern food! Monell's should be voted to end world hunger and make world peace along with turning everything into green meadows, chocolate, unicorns, and rainbows... Monell's joins the people you don't know aka strangers into a family style dining! After brunch, the couple you didn't know from Adam sitting across the table are your new BFFs... you've exchanged numbers and you're inviting them to your firstborns communion! What may have caused this happy-fear-not-love your neighbor feeling? I don't know, perhaps the owner sprinkled some magic dust on all the guests as they were so friendly welcomed in, perhaps it's the fact of immediately upon sitting having been served baskets and baskets of food, perhaps it's the secret recipe in the homemade biscuits, cheesy grits, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, apples, or the sweet tea! Whatever it is, it worked! We all left happy, our bellies full, well wishing everyone that crossed our path, spreading love and praying for world peace. Monell's you did it again and I Love You!
(5)
Emily K.
Warm, family-style restaurant, where you get to know your fellow eaters over some good home-cooking. The strongest offerings at breakfast were cinnamon rolls and corn putting. But it doesn't matter: you pay a flat fee and try a little it of everything. Would recommend to any out of town visitor.
(4)
Charles M.
Incredible! The staff are great, only outdone by the food. Please, do not eat here unless you are healthy enough to gorge and gorge some more. I cannot say enough about the food. The only weak spot was the gravy for the biscuits, it was boring. The rest of the food made up for it. They even had great iced tea (unsweetened - which is hard to find in these parts).
(5)
Rachael F.
Excellent home cooking! We went for Sunday brunch before heading out of town. I thought I was going to need someone to roll me onto my plane. Anyway, great family style setup. We enjoyed meeting the other folks at our table: a local family eating after church and a traveling couple. Just some advice (that came from our waiter): they serve the inexpensive stuff first (biscuits, cornbread, mac n cheese, veggies...), so don't get full on that before the delicious fried chicken, pot roast, etc is served. Overall, it's great for the food and southern atmosphere!
(5)
Lettie L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers we held out being hungry during our Toronto - New Orleans road trip and decided to skipped out on all the Mickey D's and Dunkin Donuts to try this amazing family style southern food. It's been almost a year and my boyfriend still talks about this place. Though we can't really recall the taste of the food but the experience was memorable. You are seated with different people and through passing the food around and helping each other dine it almost feel like you are with your family. There are plenty to eat, the fried chicken and fried catfish were super delicious.
(5)
Charles H.
Best "authentic southern" brunch restaurants in Nashville. Monells serves everything family style and it's great! Don't worry if you come with a small party with less than a full table, you'll just get paired up with other people which can make for a fun, interesting brunch experience. Try it all, but pace yourself and save room for a biscuit and a piece of fried chicken!
(5)
Susan L.
i loved everything about monell's - the food, the atmosphere, the people, location even. we came here after walking around centennial park/the parthenon on a saturday, waiting until 1PM so we could catch the lunch menu. we pulled up and found that monell's was almost in a neighborhood-y looking area - super cute. we walked in and got the last two seats at a table that was almost full. it was fun to be seated around a big table with strangers and hear everyone's story, where they were from, recommendations for food where they came from, etc. there was a slaw and pickled cucumber dish on the table when we started, as well as some sweet tea and lemonade. then came the biscuits, cornbread, and gravy. then came corn pudding, mashed potatoes, cheese grits, apples. then came the fried chicken, meatloaf, and ribs. i'm sure i am forgetting some sides here but there was so much food - impossible to keep track of, especially since monell's has a no cell phone policy. the food was delicious and kept getting passed around the table. and to finish, there was banana pudding - the kind with nilla wafers. i wish i had fifteen stomachs so i could keep going back here and eating the food. felt so full afterwards and could barely walk, but had fun checking out the farmer's market nearby. seriously wish i could go back!
(5)
Benita M.
I really shouldn't be reviewing this place as it's pretty much pointless to eat here as a vegetarian, but my meat-eating friends wanted a traditional southern meal and I figured I could fill up on sides. For the sides, I would give it three stars but due to ambiance and the experience, I'm giving it four. My favorite sides were the biscuits, which were amazing, and mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of sweet sides and so didn't care for the rest. Paired with the sweet tea, it was just too much. I couldn't eat my dessert but my friends said the strawberry cobbler-like dessert was very good. But I'm sure no one comes here for the sides. This is definitely where the locals go. As a visitor, I liked the charming location. The family- style seating was nice since we were able to meet others. We were seated with a friendly family, which made the meal more enjoyable.
I visited this restaurant and could not have been happier. I was seated in a large party with an couple from Chicago. The food was to die for, authentic and tasty. As a northeaster I was a little worried about the communal seating, but it added to the charm of the whole place and really made us feel like we were at someones table.
(5)
Nathan K.
Really liked this place. Interesting take on a Meat and 3 establishment. I had the roast beef and the pineapple casserole--both pretty good. I think everyone that had the pineapple casserole recommended it. The potatoes were pretty decent, but I think I would have opted for a more creative option on the menu, if I had it to do again. Parking is a bit of a challenge potentially--there is some around back as well. 4.75 out of 5
(5)
Christopher E.
This is a must visit in Nashville. They make you feel right at home and the food is southern-delicious. Go hungry because you will need the stomach space because the food keeps coming.
(5)
Lauren D.
This place was amazing!! Delicious southern style food that seems never ending, each dish better than the last. I went with a group of ten for a bachelorette party brunch and it was perfect. We came hungry, had only a short wait, and left full and happy! My favorite was the corn pudding and pancakes. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
(5)
Roy C.
Went there during vacation. Nothing but fond memories, and for the first time in years couldn't walk after a meal. Now I understand why people from the South always say breakfast is the best meal of the day. The place came with some communal dining tables, and they tend to fill half of the table before jumping to next. I was with a local family, and a couple driving 2 hours from Arkansas. I surely did feel the soul and passion with the food and service. Being in the original location, the manager was more willing to share the stories about the building. Soon enough they made sure my table was overflown with food, while I was sipping iced tea with real peach juice. Being someone quite uneducated about Southern food, my favorites were the fried chicken, collard greens and biscuit.
(5)
Gale K.
My boyfriend and I came the Sunday before Christmas and were the first people there for breakfast! What a breakfast! The food is served family style in a beautifully festive Victorian room. Each table sat up to 12. There was a lazy Susan with condiments and unsweetened iced tea. The server started off with cinnamon buns, biscuits, gravy, corn pudding, coffee, and sweet tea. That was followed with cheese grits, fried potatos, bacon, huge sausage patties, country ham, fried chicken, fried apples, scrambled eggs, and pancakes! These were all served in big bowls and passed around the table country style. Our table mates were cordial and we shared the food and coversation. The house was beautifully decorated and it was definitely a homey atmosphere! Everything that I ate was delicious. I especially enjoyed the corn pudding which is something I make for holidays. Their's tasted like mine so I highly recommend it ! LOL If you are in Nashville, please take some time to come here for breakfast. Though I haven't tried the other meals, I'm sure they are equally good.
(5)
Josh W.
A great place to take the whole family. Because it's so good you do wait a little bit but it's worth it in the end. You eat with people you don't know but by the time your meal is over you definitely are family! Good ole southern cookin'!
(5)
Ben S.
I was in Nashville for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament and nobody really knew the town well except for 1 guy who INSISTED that we go to Monell's. We went on either a saturday or sunday afternoon (I can't remember exactly) and we were a big party. It was a 30 min wait, so about half the team left to go somewhere else because they were hungry. ...Huge mistake. The food was out of this world. The "main course" was fried catfish, chicken and pork (passed around of course) and these were all quite good. But even better were the sides. Green beans, biscuits, corn, potatoes, cornbread, banana pudding and even more. They were all amazing and delicious. I can't wait to go again the next time I'm in town! (p.s. I literally just got a yelp account just so I could say how good Monell's is)
(5)
Joseph A.
There should be a 6 star rating for extraordinary meals! This place is amazing. Went on a Wednesday evening when they were serving Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Baked Chicken...wow! Sides were Corn Bread dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, peas, and much much more. Desert was a peach cobler-like dish! Wow! Did I mention wow?
(5)
Liz G.
Bottom line: A very memorable southern dining experience! Pros: It is set in what looks like someone's house (great homey feel), it had the best corn muffins Iv've ever tasted, and a large varriety of side entrees and food. The pot roast was amazing, the lassagna was delicious, and the friend chicken was finger lickin' good! Cons: It is a pre determined menu, so you do not get to pick your food. The banana pudding was the only option for dessert that evening and since I don't like it, I missed out! They have strict no cell phone rules and you will get scolded like a child if you pull it out. Also, you are seated at a big table with strangers so if you aren't into that kind of thing, pick another restaurant!
(4)
Kristin A.
The short of it: - family style Southern food restaurant - incredible employees and owner! - cute cottage like building - reasonable prices - extensive variety of food - Favs: skillet fried chicken The long of it: Highlight of my trip to Nashville was eating at Monell's. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew going in was it was a Southern food restaurant and I was sold. The whole experience is best described as family style even down to the seating. You are literally placed at a large table with other parties just like one big happy family. You may not know the person next to you or across from you but get comfy because you will be passing the dishes around to each other. At first you may think its awkward but once the food is at the table all your shyness goes out the door. I think the sight of all the delicious food just makes everyone so happy and you just start talking to your neighbors and it just turns into a great atmosphere. I absolutely love it. The South definitely knows how to eat. I would say we had almost 15 different dishes from biscuits, corn bread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried chicken, baby back ribs, pasta, sweet potato casserole to banana pudding, the list was so long. It felt like an extreme version of Thanskgiving just without the turkey. Overall, the food was good, my favorites that night were the skillet fried chicken and the baby back ribs. Everyday their menu changes slightly, they have the main staples like biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, etc., but there are main dishes that change everyday for example that day's special was fried catfish and baby back ribs. Supposedly the best meal here is breakfast on the weekends. I really wish I had two stomachs because there was so much food I was so full but you just wanted to keep eating. The staff here was so friendly and we even met the owner. Mr. King was a delight and he even drove my friends and I back to the downtown area because the wait for a taxi was 2 hrs that night and it was a bit far to walk to where we needed to go! So grateful and lucky to meet such awesome people! That's really Southern hospitality for you!
(5)
Michelle S.
This place was a very fun interactive experience. We were the last few to arrive to the table for dinner and were quickly caught up to speed on the "rules". You sit with other diners at one large dining room table. They start you off with salads and biscuits and gravy, pass to your left and keep passing as the server refills when needed. The gravy was not very flavorful. Next comes the sides; green beans, fried okra, collards, potatoes, hushpuppies(dry and not the type of hushpuppies i am use to) and more. And then the main event; fried chicken, ribs, fried trout and lasagna. It was rather odd to have the Lasagna. The fried chicken was super crispy but dry on the inside. The ribs were my favorite! Dessert is preset on the table; banana pudding. Not my favorite, so I passed. Wish they had two desserts. It all happens so fast and it's unfortunate that you aren't able to enjoy the meal. Great experience, but I don't think I would go back for dinner
(3)
Smilie G.
So much fun. Love the concept. Pass the food to the left, sit with strangers, no cell phones at table. There are cold sides, then hot sides, then your meats which change daily. Totally different, totally cool. The staff rocks!
(5)
Paul K.
Every time someone was downsized or let go from our company we came here, so naturally Monell's inspires some fear in me. As a vegetarian the options here are a little slimmer for me, but the quality of what you do get, and the quantity also, are amazing. One negative thing to some / fine to others that you should know going in is you will be seated with other people and will be requested to not play with your cell phones. You pass food about and probably better have showered if you're going there or you'll be known as the stinky kid at the table. Wait times are generally minimal unless you're going there Sunday at 12:10, in which case you can plan to wait so bring a sandwich. Parking can be a pain, large groups can be a pain but generally are not, depends on how large - there's a tipping point of pain. We sat with many random strangers as we wished a newly leaving employee best wishes. It got easier with time, which may have been just because our contribution to the table got progressively smaller. One note of warning is bring your loose fitting pants... don't go stretch pants, you need to be a bit classier than that, but your stomach is going to thank you for the extra room.
(4)
C S.
Monell's was an absolute treasure! Family style dining, that makes you feel at home no matter how far you've traveled! Dishes like fried catfish, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans, fried chicken, pudding, etc. are paired with sweat tea, lemonade or water and are just delicious. We didn't eat one bad thing, were served with a smile, and enjoyed the no cell phone rule! If you leave here hungry, or unhappy, it's your own fault!
(5)
Carmanise L.
Monell's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Nashville. I had the privilege of being introduced to this gem about 4 years ago and it stole my stomach's heart. The setup is a little unusual but once you sit down and begin to enjoy those fluffy biscuits and apricot/peach preserves that goes out the window. The food was amazing too, we had fried chicken, roast, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese and other dishes as well. I sat in the seat were every dish started and had the pleasure of trying everything first. With all being said you are doing your stomach a disservice if you do not stop here and eat even if you have to wait it is well worth it.
(5)
Kyle H.
If you're missing having dinner at your grandma's or wonder what southern cooking is all about, you've got to stop by Monell's when you are in Nashville. It's always great, always different and always an experience. My favorite day to go is Friday. Why? I love catfish and fried chicken!
(5)
John A.
We ate breakfast here yesterday... Awesome! Loved the family dining atmosphere and all of the food! Corn pudding = pure goodness.
(5)
Emi H.
My goal in life is to have your Grandma cook for me. In my opinion there are few things better in this world than sitting down in a house and having a Grandma slave away in the kitchen. The meal rarely disappoints because Grandma don't play that. The center of her existence is making sure that the people at her dining room table are happy and stuffed til they can't walk. I don't know many people in Nashville and was not able to crash a family dinner, but Monell's was the next best thing! I walked in not knowing what to expect and was seated at a large dining room table next to two other guests. I left a chair between myself and the male guest but the server warmly scolded me "No hon, you've got to move down and sit right there." Then a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized THIS is what they meant by family style dining! I quickly got acquainted with my dining partners as we shared multiple sides, baskets of biscuits and fried chicken. You're instructed to pass to the left and then go from there. I was not told how much lunch was but get ready for your mind to be blown my yeoples! $12.95 (INSERT HUGE FLASHING LIGHTS HERE) for an all-you-can-eat Southern food extravaganza. Maybe this is an everyday type of thing here in Nashville, but in Honolulu there is no way you could get this type of dining for such a small price tag. In total we had about 15 different sides/dishes (dressing, cabbage, cole slaw, broccoli salad, biscuits w/ peach preserves, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, deep fried pork chops, green beens, strawberry shortcake) as well as lemonade and sweet tea. Some folks might not enjoy sitting down with strangers but it made the experience so much more interesting! Plus I'm vacationing solo and really enjoyed meeting some locals. They have a very strict "No Cellular Phone" policy at Monell's and I applaud this! The waitress asked the woman dining with me to put away her cell phone (very nicely I might add) because she didn't want her boss to ask the woman to leave. I guess the man who owns the restaurant grew up in a family where phones and television were not allowed during supper time and he brought that tradition over to his business. Man, we need that rule at all restaurants! In conclusion my friends, put on those stretchy pants and get ready to stuff your face with home cooking until you go into a self-induced food coma. Southern cuisine is not a part of my everyday existence and thank the Lord or my ass would be huge! Thank you Monell's for welcoming me to your table, showing me Southern hospitality and making me feel like I'm at Grandma's house! Yelp 365 Challenge: #193/365 (The Grandma's Table)
(5)
Kati H.
I am knocking off one star simply because we were the second name on the list for lunch and still somehow had to wait until 1:45 to eat (lunch opens at 1, supposedly) because the kitchen was "running behind." That being said...food was PHENOMENAL. So delicious. I only got a little of everything but there were so many different things that I still ended up eating too much. It was worth the wait, just be warned that even if you do get your name at the top of the list, it could be a while.
(4)
Kathleen K.
This place is old school to the max. I love it. Come hungry - REALLY hungry - and prepare to absolutely stuff your face. You'll eat family style at big tables, too, so don't come in expecting to eat in silence or have a lot of privacy :) I like to come for brunch, because my two favorite things are the fried chicken and the cinnamon rolls. Amazing. My family has also gotten Monell's takeout for Thanksgiving before, and we love it.
(5)
Marissia W.
Family style with great food. House rule: if you sit you pay... Even if you don't eat so travelers with groups be aware
(3)
Jessica S.
Definition of comfort food. You MUST go here if you're ever in Nashville. Seriously, you won't regret it.
(5)
Heidi C.
We went to Monell's based on a recommendation by the person we were staying with. At first, it was a little weird to eat with strangers but it ended up being fun! The food was the best we ate all week. The fried chicken was fabulous as was the rest of the food. We'll be going there again in the future.
(5)
Chenxi L.
Food here tastes good, which is typical 'American food' in my mind, love the ribs and chicken! Great atmosphere, a place worth trying.
(4)
Rachel E.
I'm from the mitten (aka, Michigan) and where we come from, good down-home southern soul food can be hard to come by. Monell's was one of my favorite places when we were visiting Nashville and here's why... 1. The food was excellent. Now, it's not something that I would recommend people eat everyday (or even once per month) because it's not very healthy. However, it was an amazing way to experience true soul-food while in Nashville. We had the country breakfast and it consisted of: **Biscuits & Gravy, ***Corn Pudding, **Cheesy Grits, *Bacon/Ham/Sausage Patty platter, *Potatoes, **Fried Chicken, *Scrambled Eggs, *Pancakes, **Cinnamon Rolls, and *Fried Apples (I gave the dishes a star rating with three stars being the best) 2. The atmosphere added to the overall experience. You didn't feel like the place was trying too hard to be authentic - it IS authentic. You feel like you are sitting with your family at your grandmothers house for sunday brunch. The furniture, the decor and even the dishes looked like they came from a vintage second-hand store. It seemed like it made the food taste that much more country. 3. The service is fast and the prices are decent. As soon as we sat down and helped ourselves to coffee and sweet tea, the first batch of food hit the table. From then on, a steady stream of servers and chefs kept bringing dish after dish of food for you and your guests to pass around the table. We went on a Saturday morning and it was about $14 per person. But because it's all-you-can-eat, I thought the price was very fitting. 4. The rules. Yes, they have rules! Pass the dishes to the left, no cell phones and eat what you take. To me, it just drove home the old-school feel of the place. If you visit Monell's, prepare to waddle out of there! We were sitting at a table with 14 people and as a table, we couldn't finish what they served us, it was a TON of food!
(5)
C.C. S.
My wife has already Yelped this because she LOVES this place, and for good reason. When you drive up, it's like you're going to Grandma's house - literally, it looks like a house on the street. There's a nice area out back with swings where we sat and waited on the rest of our party to show up. I made a rookie mistake - the place is family style, you sit with people who are not in your party and you pass around dishes like the Indians and Pilgrims did. In this case, it was a gang of Vanderbilt students and Oprah Winfrey's dad, but the metaphor still holds water. My rookie mistake was that I filled up on side dishes. The corn casserole, the green beans, hush puppies, and more SO MUCH MORE. Everything is good so I should probably give this place 5 stars but I'm in a tough mood today. The best part of the meal is not the sides, that was my mistake. It's the fried chicken, ribs and the fried catfish, all of which are some of the best I've ever had and I'm from a southern coal mining town. One guy in our party ate at least 30 ribs and I sat there, full-bellied, jealous as hell of the fact that he had reserved his previous stomach space. My main complaint about the place was that I needed more room to put all the goodness. Dessert was just meh - a strawberry shortcake mush that was good but not great. The only real disappointment of the entire meal. The cost is about $16/person and it's extra to add coffee. Pitchers of tea and lemonade were on the table when we got there but I was told by the server that lemonade was not always there - nevertheless, Arnold Palmers were flowing when I was there. Definitely going back and recommending it to friends.
(4)
Ben G.
My wife and I were beating the historical heat in Nashville a few weeks ago when we arrived at Monell's. Our party of two joined a meal already in progress- a party of three and one were already starting in on their biscuits, gravy, and cole slaw. In another ten minutes, our table would be full with other diners. Everything is served family style, and everything is southern. If you're from Savannah, you will note that this place is basically Mrs. Wilke's Dining Room transplanted in Nashville; along with the food quality. Just about every single dish was beyond excellent (the barbecued pork loin was, unfortunately, a tad dry). The skillet fried chicken was the real winner, but everything else also had its high points. Basically you're sitting at a table with all available real estate used by either plates or serving platters & bowls. There is no part of the table left unoccupied. The service was fast & courteous. The prices were great. You cannot beat Monell's, however I would recommend showing up early or on the late side of lunch because the place can be slam-packed. We may not have had the absolute best food of our trip to Nashville at Monell's, but it was certainly the most memorable in the most positive way.
(5)
Sharmeela S.
Great place to bring out of town guests. A southern experience. Sitting. At large tables with mixed company sharing a heavy but delicious. Meal. Love their fried chicken and its served wy every meal even breakfast. If u eat here you wing need anymore food for the rest of the day.
(4)
Anna R.
A true Nashville institution! What a treat! You eat family style so if you didn't know who you were sitting with before you sat down, you certainly will after your meal. The food speaks for itself with nonstop and unlimited Skillet Fried Chicken (a must!), Cinnamon Rolls (the best!), a platter of eggs, a plate o' meats (sausage patties, bacon, and baked ham), a basket o' biscuits (pour on the graaaavy please!), apricot preserves, and pancakes. And my personal fave, good ol' southern sweet tea! It's all you ever thought it would be + more! The property itself is so cute (manicured garden/waiting area) and down home and the service was excellent. We were on a quick weekend trip otherwise I would have eaten at Monell's more than once. This is a must on a Nashville trip!
(5)
Renee M.
Biscuits and homemade jam are out of this world! I go there with my husband and kids - such a fun family place. Prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is FUN and FRIENDLY. I highly recommend.
(5)
Dalan C.
Was very excited to come try this place. If you go here definitely come with a group of people or a huge appetite. The decor is like walking into a house where you are going to have a huge thanksgiving dinner with family. The tables are long and hold about 10 people. The server and hostess was incredibly nice and hospitable. Ok so the food. You are seated family style with a bunch of strangers (note that I cam early and sat by myself) and as the food comes out you take what you want and pass it to the left. I started with some cucumber salad, biscuits (awesome) and corn bread. Then the food really starts to roll in. Fried Chicken Baked Chicken Pork Chop Mash Potato Green Beans Corn dish Cinnamon apples (amazing) Mac and cheese Cole Slaw Banana Bread Pudding Some strawberry dessert And you can eat as much as you want. I might be missing a dish or two as well. Note that each day the menu changes. So overall the food was good, but not great. Something you'd be very happy with at a family gathering. Value for this is amazing (about $13 for lunch). So, if you are looking to meet new people and a fun atmosphere, this is a great place. If you are looking for amazing restaurant food or don't want to stuff yourself silly, you might want to pass.
(3)
Jessica Y.
Family style dining, delicious breakfast, we were so stuffed you had to roll us out of there! A must try if you're in the area
(5)
Lance W.
A great spot for southern cooking served family style! Bring a huge appetite, you'll need it for a meal at Monell's. My family shared a table with several retired couples, a local couple and a young group of tourists. The conversation was lively and the food was incredible... Dinner started with pitchers of unsweetened tea, sweet tea and lemonade. Baskets of cornbread and biscuits soon were followed with bowls of fried green tomatoes, cole slaw and fruit. Mashed potatoes, corn pudding, green beans, white beans and a vegetable medley were served as sides. Fried chicken, BBQ ribs, spinach lasagna and catfish with hush puppies were the main dishes. All were really good and the waitress made sure that every dish was full at all times. I love the family-style service and the food, I plan to come back to try breakfast as soon as I recover from dinner!
(5)
Lee H.
Best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. That's what my husband's cousin and her husband assured us. Monell's is not a place to dine if you are shy, antisocial or prefer to eat in solitary confinement. You see, it's family style in the true sense of the word. You wait your turn until there are at least 10-12 people and an available table. Then the fun begins. We got in on the last seating of the evening, so our table for 12 was occupied by the four in our party, plus four others. Pitchers of sweet and unsweet iced tea, pickled beets, cole slaw, pasta salad, biscuits and peach preserves were waiting for us as we sat down. What ensued over the next 45 minutes was pure southern gluttony in the purest sense. What is commonly referred to in the South as "meat and three" can be translated to "meat and thirteen" at Monell's because those sides just kept on coming. And we kept on eating. We happily chatted with our table mates as we noshed on what is the best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. We chewed on fluffy homemade biscuits, gnawed on ribs, nibbled on corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and collard greens until we were about to burst. And then, we had to make room for banana pudding for dessert. There's a lot of food served at Monell's which produces a lot of leftovers. We inquired what they do with the tons of leftovers and were happy to hear that they donate most of it. Monell's is perfection.
(5)
Mehgan H.
Oh. My. Word. If you are looking for amaaaazing southern cooked food - you have come to the right spot. I have now been here a few times and can't help to come back! From the best fried chicken in Nashville, to mashed potatoes that are to die for, and vegetables that you wouldn't normally touch but can't get enough of - this is the best Sunday meal you can have! Side note - if you go in a small group (1-4) you will possibly be seated with others, as it is pass the food around style, but this is always a great way to meet people! Also, make sure to go on a day where you can take a nap afterwards and also where you throw your calorie counting out the window. I went once for lunch during work, and let's just say I couldn't not accomplish much afterwards! If you haven't tried this yet, this is a Nashville must!
(5)
Nadine E.
Amazing food and company. Go. There. Now.
(5)
Wendy S.
OMG. I have died and gone to Southern food heaven! A definite must do! Worth the wait.
(5)
Jonathon B.
5 stars for everything: Food, Atmosphere, Price... This is the one restaurant a person shouldn't miss in his/her lifetime.
(5)
Ann G.
We went here for brunch - the cinnamon rolls are amazing! Everything is served family style, shared at the table. Eggs, smoked bacon, roasted apples, cheese grits, corn grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, potatoes - I can't remember it all but it was all so tasty.
(5)
Linda M.
I love the family atmosphere. Seating at table of 12 no matter if more than one group. They have the same menu for everyone. Buffet style but you pass the dishes of food to your left. The fried chicken was hot and delicious. Banana pudding, biscuits, spinach lasagna, corn bread pudding (I think) -- I liked. Beverage of tea and lemonade (did not like) included for the $12.50 lunch which I think it is overpriced. I guess I would want a big selection of items I would like. However, I heard that their menu changes daily and you can request items ahead of time to prepare. So I will say try it for yourself.
(2)
Sasha B.
The BEST place to eat home cooked food in Nashville! Went for Sunday lunch and enjoyed most of the food. Left feeling so so full! That fried chicken....yes! Cannot wait to visit again and go for Breakfast.
(5)
D.B. G.
Best Meat & Three in Nashville. Southern comfort food served family style. . . When graduating from Vandy Law a group of my friends and our families enjoyed a private dining room, but I have also shared a table with strangers on some visits and had a blast making friends over peach preserves and homemade biscuits. A must when visiting or living in Nashville!
(5)
J P.
I really love home cooked meals but some of these dishes were so greasy. The meatloaf and BBQ was swimming in oil, The place was very hot, I have been a regular but I think I will find a more healthy menu in the future.
(2)
Kim Y.
You know how on The Simpsons sometimes Homer is making that vacant eyed looks and gross drooling sound for doughnuts? Yeah that is pretty much how I feel during and after eating at Monells. I mean its hard to say something that hasnt already been said below and beyond, but I just had to concur, whip out my yoga pants and add my own little pile of saliva to the masses. They don't always have mac and cheese, so its thats a 'deal breaker' for you, call ahead. They DO always have fried chicken and corn pudding though, oh and those hella great preserves to slather all over the buttery salty biscuits. Seriously - go. If you can get there about 1pm on a weekday, no waits son! PS the coleslaw is my favorite coleslaw ev's.
(5)
Jonathan T.
Interesting family seating option. Met some nice people as we all sat at the same table. The food just kept coming. The corn pudding was good but the star for me was the pineapple casserole. Pot roast and chicken were very good. Lasagna was a little disappointing in comparison as were the green beans. The biscuits and corn muffins were also standouts. Peach jam was OK as were the beans. Cole slaw and broccoli were creamy and OK. Overall a very good dining experience that we will be repeating. I will caution you that with all the good food you will need some serious discipline to not leave feeling stuffed to the gills.
(4)
Kim K.
I can't say enough good things about this place. Great food and great atmosphere!!!
(5)
Chris G.
It's really hard to beat this place. I have a lot of people come in from out of town with my job and they always want to eat "something southern" so this is where we eat lunch. I love the fact you can get biscuits and gravy with lunch and the smothered chicken is always a good thing. If you want to impress clients then you need to bring them here cause everyone always leave happy. It's good for a group and the food choices always fits in with everyone cause it's always broad and even if you just want veggies you can leave happy. Try to get here at 11 and you won't have to wait and hope you get here on banana pudding day cause that's the best!
(5)
Shing H.
I ordered to go, so I didn't get to enjoy the communal family-style meal, but I enjoyed the food quite a lot. I had the meatloaf, which was very flavorful. There was a very generous slice with a light sauce. The other highlight was the corn pudding -- so sweet and creamy! The sweet tea wasn't as sweet as I would've liked, but that's probably good for most people. Overall, great meal stop.
(4)
Lonny Y.
Oh my gosh. All the reviews are right. Hah. I didn't even read any of the others, but this place is AMAZING. My husband and I were lucky enough to come in for the weekend for a friends' wedding and luckily our flight out on Sunday was late enough that we had a chance to try this delicious establishment. My first time sitting family style at a restaurant that actually served family style! We sat with a group of ladies with a baby shower and a local couple. The couple was so nice and gave us a bit of history and "how it all works". But seriously, once the food came out, we were in love. I honestly do not think I've ever eaten this much in MY LIFE. The fried chicken is out of this world and I am on a mission to find comparable chicken in Houston! I actually had 2 pieces of it. Who cares if I was able to literally burst, I was determined to eat as much as possible. All I know is that if I'm lucky enough to come back, this is my first stop, then I'm taking a long nap.
(5)
BykeRyde R.
GO. HUNGRY. and leave happy :) (and really full !) ps- some vegetarian dishes/sides are available, but nothing in the way of being vegan.
(5)
Katie R.
OMG THIS WAS THE BEST. the waitress brought out dessert first in case we got too full to eat it later.
(5)
Damon G.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. The atmosphere, the service, the community family style seating, all equate to a superb venue. Fried chicken, roasted veggies, biscuits and gravy, the corn concoction! Wait, the fresh cucumber and onion salad. Just an amazing place. This alone could be a reason to visit Nashville!
(5)
Dustin D.
Whenever we have a group with us of friends / family and they're craving meat and three (and are hungry!), this is where we go. The food is always delicious here no matter what day you go on. We like Arnolds just as much, however, it's not good for groups even though it is a little cheaper.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Elmer C.
We have never had such a fun experience out dining with family and friends. The environment is amazing, the food is AMAZING!!! and the staff is the bomb. If your looking for a place with great food this is the spot. But what makes it unique is the actual dining experience. It's like sitting around a thanksgiving table. Best way to describe it is like eating at grandmas house on thanksgiving. But the best part is that it's not just a thanksgiving feast but some delicious breakfast on weekends and a variety of lunch and dinner menus. If your in Nashville this should be on your bucket list of restaurants to eat at. Enjoy!
(5)Ashley M.
If you're looking for a truly Southern dining experience, Monell's is the place! On a recent trip to Nashville, we were excited to venture to Monell's--a place on my "must try" list and it just so happened to be Mother's Day lunch, so we were in for a real treat! Parking can be tricky along the street, but luckily we arrived early and were able to snag a spot directly across from the restaurant. For seating for two, we were told it would be about 45 mins to an hour. The wait was a bit long and true to the promise, but totally bearable as we found seats outside in their garden area. Monell's stocks light snacks and refreshments under a tent for its guests while they wait, which is a nice feature I hardly ever see and really reminds me of how great southern hospitality service can really be. On this particular Sunday, take your pick of tea, water, small bags of chips, or homemade nachos kept warm in a chafer pan! Once we were seated, everyone was ready to start eating--which is great because there's already food and drinks waiting on the table for you to devour. We started off with 3 salads: spinach and pea (my personal favorite), coleslaw, and zucchini and tomato. The drinks on the table are: sweet and unsweet tea, fruit tea, and water. Shortly after being seated, a lady comes over to explain the house rules (pass to the left, no cell phones) and then the food starts pouring in: a huge basket of fresh biscuits, rolls, cornbread, sausage gravy, corn pudding, asparagus casserole, turkey casserole, green beans, pork tenderloin, fried chicken (another personal favorite), and peach pie for dessert. Wow, just wow--everyone gets so excited for all the food, the atmosphere is happy, full, and delightful. The food itself is very southern--soft, salty, and sweet. It's not that this place has the best food you could ever eat, it's that they have the family dining experience to a tee and you oftentimes have more fun dining with these strangers than you could ever imagine. Definitely worth a try and I would happily go back!!!
(4)Jessica R.
Oh Myyyyy!!!! I could not have chosen a better place for a southern lunch! Such a cool idea, family style dinner where you sit at a table with people you don't know, it makes for very interesting conversations. My bf and I were visiting from CA and met such fun people during our meal, locals and visitors. The locals had great tips and the visitors, great stories about Canada! Haha! As for the food, one word: YUM! Seriously. Mashed Potatoes, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken, fried fish, greens, and for dessert, bread pudding. :D My mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it. Super friendly staff, amazing food, good ambience, and an inviting family style, wish I lived nearby so I could go more often! Definitely a must if you're in Nashville!!
(5)Brian S.
I had to write another review. I am down here visiting for work this time, and had the dinner service for the first time. Didn't know what to expect, but it was homemade cranberry sauce, baked and fried Chicken, pork chops, chicken salad, baked apples, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cornbread , dressing, banana pudding, corn pudding, and macaroni and cheese. I tasted almost everything. All was really good. Chicken salad was my favorite. Dinner was great, but only 2nd to the breakfast!
(5)Alex P.
Love the service! Come back for the fried catfish and corn pudding. We love meeting new people from all over and share a meal family style. Like like
(4)Sharon K.
Maybe it's my lone wolf personality, but I didn't really enjoy eating here. It is a huge table where you sit with a lot of strangers and you have to rely on their good table habits to have a good meal. The food is passed around the table... in theory, but often the food gets bottlenecked by some noob who doesn't realize there are other 10 other people at the table. The waitresses don't really do much for you at this place either, it's hard to get coffee or water. The food itself was good, but you never know what's coming out, if you are ok with lots of comfort food and waiting for coffee, go for it. But I didn't see anything very special about this place. Call me crazy.
(2)Josh B.
A very unique experience for sure. True family style. Outstanding traditional southern comfort food.
(5)Jimmy W.
Was on my Nashville "to do" list for a while. Finally showed up, sat a table with complete strangers and passed great food around and talked to each other as if we were family. Great concept and social experiment to go along with awesome food. Making this a mandatory stop!!
(5)Ju L.
I wasn't sure what to expect but I ended up loooooving our meal here. Community eating just feels good, even though I hate being talked to while I have food in my mouth. Our country breakfast included: - biscuits and [heavily baconed] gravy - corn pudding - potatoes - cheese grits - pancakes - cinnamon buns - ham, bacon, and sausage heaped on one plate - fried chicken - pitchers of sweet tea, water, coffee, tea Hot biscuits, hot damn! It's a lot of food but the sharing makes it easy to pace yourself. I revisited the corn pudding and potatoes. SO GOOD. Everything was delicious - nothing surprising, but familiar/homey stuff is that much better when it comes in heaps. Apparently they make most of their food with vegetable oil instead of lard. Still tastes like lard. Everyone seemed to be a tourist like us. At 10 strangers to a table, conversation didn't necessarily flow perfectly and some parties only talked amongst themselves, which was a little irritating - not because I want to hear Rhonda's life story, but because then you have to wave them down to get food passed. For everyone's sake, at least niceties should be exchanged in the beginning... because yes the carbs and fat are great, but you can do your gutbusting anywhere. The community-oriented meal experience is really the point. I was expecting the interior to just look exactly like someone's house but it just looks like a cozy family restaurant - reminded me strongly of Walker Bros. in Chicago ( yelp.com/biz/walker-brot… ) - warm, but also clean and efficient. The outside of Monell's is surrounded by a garden with lots of greenery and a koi pond, and also a swing chair which I practically had to be pried off of. Worth a visit as a tourist? Absolutely. Our meal came in at just under $15pp, to boot. If I were the one driving I would have taken us back again before leaving Nashville.
(5)Carissa O.
So much food. So much good food. And so cheap considering how much you get. The cole slaw is great, fried chicken is exceptional. We had something called Brown Betty for dessert and it was amazing. I felt like I was eating at my grandma's house and I would come back for sure!
(4)Leslie B.
A unique experience with a variety of great tasting southern food! The restaurant is a family style setting meaning you WILL be eating with other people. If this is not your thing, then this isn't the right place for you. In my opinion, that is what adds charm to this restaurant. Above the door before you come in, there is a sign that says "Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends" and I couldn't have said it any better. Both times that we ate at Monell's I can honestly say, we made friends. We traded stories, life experiences and most importantly. we laughed! It was a grand time. As for the food, there's plenty of it...and everything is great. If you've never eaten southern food before, this is a great way to get an "introduction" because of the large variety. The staples are greens, green beans, creamed corn, biscuits, cornbread, beans, coleslaw potatoes (mashed or roasted), pecan pie, sweet tea, and of course yummy fried chicken. The first time we went there, the entrees were chicken casserole and pork chops and the best banana pudding for dessert. The second time, it was spinach lasagna and slow cooked pot roast and ambrosia. The pot roast is AMAZING! You can eat as much of anything as you would like so don't be shy. The service is great, really friendly and down to earth people. They make sure that there's plenty of food on the table. The price is extremely reasonable for all the food that they bring out. Oh one more thing, pass the food to your left, and cell phones are not allowed at the table. When you're here, your focus is the food and people you're sharing the experience with. As they say, respect the dining table...I know it's a bit of old school, but hey I think it's a good thing and we need more of it!
(5)Kayla S.
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Service, Food, there are no negatives to this place. Went for the first time last week while in town for work. I went back a day later. Met some great people there as well. Highly recommend.
(5)Sharron H.
Me and Hubby visited Nashville for my birthday and he found this on Yelp early Saturday morning and all I can say is HIGH FIVE TO THE HUBBY!!! This place is absolutely AMAZING!!! The food was so good it make you smack somebody and we felt like we was at home and my Mama and Aunties in the kitchen!! The staff was so attentive and sweet, after brunch all I need was a blanket and couch and I would have been out for the count. If someone ever give this place a bad review they either had a bad day or they on drugs....Lol!! I live in Huntsville and would definitely drive here just to eat and go back home!!!!
(5)Leslie B.
When I asked anyone who had been before, "where do we have to eat in Nashville?" Monell's was by far the most common answer. I seriously could not believe how many people I knew who had stopped here during a Nashville visit. The boyfriend and I came by on a Saturday morning around 11:00 and were greeted with the 70 or so other people waiting for a table...The process of putting your name down is not so clear, the woman taking names also serves as cashier. Just go inside and stay to the left of the counter. Our predicted wait time of 45 minutes was pretty spot on. You can wait outside in a lovely courtyard area, not sure where you would wait in bad weather. Finally, our name was called. What a unique brunch experience! We were led to our 12 person table with others that were waiting and helped ourselves to sweet tea and coffee. Dining with strangers was pretty awkward at first, especially because our table didn't include the most outgoing of individuals. However, once the food started coming out, everyone was very friendly and more than willing to pass whatever you needed. First, out came cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. These biscuits and gravy were insanely amazing. Being from Chicago, I'm not able to experience authentic biscuits and gravy...these were the real deal. After that came a massive platter of bacon/ham/sausage, all of which were hot and tasty. I especially liked their hearty breakfast sausage. With that came scrambled eggs, cheese grits, baked apples, fried chicken, corn pudding, and I'm probably forgetting another item! Everything was so flavorful and delicious, but my favorite side was the corn pudding. It was outstanding. You literally keep passing and eating until you are forced to throw in the towel thinking you may never eat again. And then when you pay...$27 for both of us. WHERE AM I. Outrageously inexpensive for all of the homemade food thrown your way. Overall, must-go for brunch, or any meal really, in Nashville! Very memorable experience.
(5)Brittany C.
Delicious! Friendly family-style seating and serving. The potatoes and corn pudding were my favorite dishes. The biscuits were great, too!
(5)Jeff L.
Went to Monell's by the Airport for a friend's anniversary party and I really loved this place. The family style setup was awesome...think southern soul/comfort food version of Buca Di Beppo or a southern meat and three where you can try everything you want, and still get dessert. Because it's family style with big tables, you can have as much or as little as you want and you may sit with some strangers and make new friends. The no cell phone policy annoys some people, but honestly I'm all for it. We don't interact with new people IRL enough. Get off Yelp! or social media for an hour!
(4)Mark E.
A REAL gem in Nashville. Probably one of the best values I have ever experienced. No, you don't order off a menu, you have what they are makimg, and that's ok because it's ALL good. The food comes fast and fresh. But don't load up on all the delicious food you're first because as soon as you heap up your plate, they nail with the fried chicken. ..and you HAVE to have the fried chicken. I will be going back in March....CAN T WAIT!!!
(4)Carla C.
Who's Monell?? I don't know, but I love her. This place is truly phenomenal in every single way. From the food (obviously), to the location, the ambiance, the service. I guarantee you will leave here fully knowing you just had one of the most unforgettable dining experiences you've ever had. First off, Monell's is kind of on a residential street. We pulled up kind of confused because it's a house. Yes, a house! A quaint little southern house converted into the homiest restaurant I've ever dined in. EVERYONE was taking pictures of the outside so I didn't feel as bad gawking like the tourist I am. Nice little garden area outside serving as the perfect welcome path that leads you to the side of the house where the main entrance is. They don't take reservations, but we barely waited 10-15min (and it was a Friday) before our party of 4 was seated at a table with a family of 4. It's communal seating, so you most likely will be sitting down and sharing your meal with complete strangers FYI. The best way I can describe this place is like you're at Grandma's. The décor is comprised of chotchkies and nicknacks you would literally find at your grandparents' house. Then, picture a buffet of the most amazing food but brought to you tableside... except you never have to get up. Gluttony at its finest. But truly, it just adds to the experience. So your very hospitable server (or two) just starts bringing food to you and keeps it coming the entire time you're there. I literally loved every single thing I tasted (with the exception of the hushpuppies, but I'm just not a fan in general - nothing personal to Monell's!). Honestly, the fried chicken, the mac n' cheese, and the catfish (OMG the catfish) were my top top TOP faves. The rest - ribs, corn putting, green beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes, bread pudding - were just my faves. Oh, and the sweet tea was really, really good, too... Siiigh. A friend I was with heard about this place via Yelp, while I had heard about it from a local I met at Piranha's (amazing dive in downtown Nashville with ridiculous burgers). We, along with the friends we brought with us, were beyond happy that we came here. I am sincere when I say, I would honestly buy a ticket to Nashville just to come back and eat here (and then obviously plan a weekend out of it, but you know what I mean). It's THAT good.
(5)Tara H.
Omw.... this place is amazing!!!! You do have to pace yourself otherwise you will get full FAST! The biscuits are unbelievable... and the peach preserves WOW, and I don't even like peach jelly but WOW!!! Best breakfast I've ever eaten and the ambiance is neat too!
(5)Lauren M.
Food was EXCELLENT. Dining arrangements = awkward, especially if you are going as a pair. We were seated at a table with 10 others we didn't know. Although the food was excellent, it made for very awkward conversation. Still though, all you can eat fried chicken, biscuits, meatloaf, chicken n dumplings with a plethora of salads and sides, plus sweet tea and lemonade for $12 at lunch cannot be scoffed at. Staff here were all very motherly and nice.
(4)Moira R.
Always my place for visitors. Everyone who comes through Nashville to visit comes through here with me -- because the food is so good. (Corn pudding is delicious x 1000.) Also, I think for my East Coast/Pacific Northwest based family & friends, this place is a really good introduction to what the South is about, in my experience -- food and family. The restaurant is a house with a garden (+ koi pond) that feels like you're hanging out at your Grandma's house on Easter Sunday. If there is a wait, and sometimes there really is, it's not so bad out there, but do be prepared for this. I imagine for some people, the family style seating:12 people to a table whether you came with them or not, passing everything to the left, and "if you sit, you pay" rules are troubling, but that's the style of restaurant this is, and ultimately I find it adds to the charm. (Please do be forewarned that sometimes the family seating can make this experience a little awkward -- I've been sat with families who have had terrible reactions to the "rules", weird groups of people from conferences who were awkward with each other and with the folks I was with by extension, and people who have told me "we've eaten here every night for a week!" which is kind of frightening when you think about it -- this is like a Thanksgiving dinner, folks, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're eating 3,000 calories at once. ) Brunch and dinner have both been delicious. I like that sweet tea, un-sweet tea and lemonade are right on the table for you. (No alcohol.) Ultimately, I've loved everything I've eaten here, but fair warning, the food does have that sloppy made at home feel. If that's not your thing, or if you're looking for something "gourmet", this is not your spot. Check the website for the menu for the day before you go. Also, my service here has always been amazing. The hostess and wait staff have been nothing but welcoming and accommodating when I've been there. Will be back.
(4)Jerry Y.
The food is pretty good. Family-style southern comfort food. Concept is good, location is great. However for the wait and price for the meal, the value was not there. I would wait 15 minutes for this meal, not an hour plus.
(3)Ryan M.
Living in Chicago, Monelles may be my first real introduction to authentic southern food - and Monells did not disappoint. We arrived by taxi shortly after 3 and to our extreme disappoint read on the front door sign that lunch hours end at 3. We figured we were already there so my as well go in and see if they were still seating. Well the food isn't the only thing southern here so is the hospitality...the owner was more than willing to oblige. The restaurant is in an old home which provides charm and the seating is family style so be prepared to share food and a table with people you don't know. This was a little uncomfortable for my girlfriend. Everything was excellent but my favorites were the collard greens, meat loaf, and banana pudding. You definitely won't leave hungry. Me and my girlfriend had a good laugh later that evening when we were at a sushi restaurant and ordered a roll and realized that we just paid the same price for some rice, tuna, avocado as we did for a southern feast at Monells.
(5)Amy N.
Such a great place to take out of town guests for a unique "southern" experience. The food is good, but the real value is in the ambience (the restaurant is a converted Victorian mansion), the company (unless you come with a big group you'll be seated family style with strangers or "new friends"), and the neighborhood (located in the really great part of Germantown so don't miss a chance to take a stroll around the block while you wait for your table. Spoiler alert: if you go on the weekend, you'll be waiting awhile. Luckily there's an awesome cupcake shop (Gigi's?) down the street if you need a treat before you eat.
(5)Ann F.
Love this place: friendly staff, good food, and a family style dining experience. Thank you!
(5)Courtenay L.
Wow, where to start? First of all, I realize this is a very popular place that usually gets 4-5 stars. However, I feel like I need to share my experience to show the other side of things. I went here with my boyfriends family one morning for breakfast. It was crowded and the hostess seemed pissed about it (or something else) so we were not greeted in a kind way. She led us to the back and we were a bit confused about how the seating works because none of us had been there before so when she lead us to a huge table we started to sit down and I apparently chose the wrong seat and she said "NO, over there, not there" She wasn't even pointing at anything so I changed seats with little to no direction. Everyone else was confused too and she just said "Sit" to all of us- once again, no kindness. I think it is important that each party at least gets asked "Have you been here before?" before seating them since Monell's does seating and serving a little differently (communal tables and family style). We didn't understand it was this type of a restaurant. I know some people think it is fun to sit next to strangers- I found it awkward and unpleasant. When I saw the hostess walk back I notified her I would not be eating (I am a vegan for health reasons) she said it didn't matter, I would be charged anyway. I would NOT have suggested going here if I knew I was going to pay 14 dollars for a glass of tea. She was so rude, and I understand that is their policy but she should have EXPLAINED that before I sat down and "took up a space". I'll just sit on my boyfriends lap next time, thanks. When I left I did see a sign with very small print on the door explaining the "rules" of Monell's. Screw any restaurant that has rules! Why can't a person relax while eating instead of being forced to sit next to strangers and follow some weird policy?! Anyway I just want to mention the WORST part- there were FLIES swarming everywhere- sitting on the food and all around the dining room- at least 3 at our table at once. I'M SORRY that is just wrong. I was glad I wasn't eating. That being said, everyone enjoyed the food which I am guessing is the reason for most of the positive reviews. So I am sure my experience would have been enhanced had I been able to eat. So I will give it that! A few points to sum it up: The Bad: 1. Rude and lazy staff 2. FLIES everywhere 3. Communal seating (which some people may find fun) 4. You get charged for eating, even if you don't and no one will tell you that until it's too late The Good: 1. The taste of the food This is my first Yelp post- I was that mad!!!
(1)Steph C.
The highlight of our Nashville trip!! It's like going to Grandma's house. Except that instead of family members, you dine with a table of friendly strangers from different walks of life. There's light laughter and chatter and passing of bowls and pitchers and condiments as everyone readies themselves (and their plates) in anticipation of the feast. And then the food arrives. Friendly waiters with armfuls of bowls and platters and baskets, setting them on any empty space on the table, telling you to go for it. And it just keeps coming. And coming. And it's INSANE. Fried chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken n' dumplings, baked apples, potatoes, mac n' cheese, green beans, asparagus casserole, corn pudding, zucchini salad, cole slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn muffins and bread, and banana pudding. The food was SOOO GOOD. Homey, hearty, comforting, and rich. It was way too much food, but I had to at least try everything, so I took a little of each dish and still ended up with a loaded plate. Taking seconds on anything was out of the question. I can't even single out my favorites, they were all delicious. Other than the banana pudding. That pudding made me want to weep, it was so awesome.
(5)Ashley A.
I probably gained 5 pounds from eating Brunch at this place alone. The food never ends - grits, pancakes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, cinnamon rolls, sweet corn, fried chicken. Meal is incredibly fast. This is a Nashville Institution.
(4)S S.
Ate at Monell's for first time today. Let me just say phenomenal! Felt like we were having an early Thanksgiving dinner! Awesome home style dishes. Best part of the meal was you eat family style w people who are strangers when you pray, and friends when before you finish dessert! All I can say is if you are ever in the Nashville area Monell's is a must stop lunch destination!
(5)Fabiana H.
I have been to this place so much since I moved to town that I got a bit sick of the food. Still, a must go place in town, especially for visitors. Unique southern experience and I love the communal table concept. The food is very good, the menu never changes though. i have tried brunch and lunch. Brunch is by far the best experience there. It is wort the long wait!!! Fresh out of the oven biscuits, delicious fried chicken, the corn pudding is my favorite!
(5)Mel D.
In Nashville for a conference looking for a unique culinary experience, look no further then Monell's. This Nashville establishment is a gem. Family style dining and INCREDIBLE FOOD!!!! The corn pudd'n is awesome! We were there in there meat loaf night and it was out of this world! Loved the unique experience that eating at a large family style dining brings to the atmosphere. You walk in strangers and leave as friends! Truly a fun experience that you must try when in Nashville!!!!
(5)T-Roc M.
A great experience I'd say. Dinning with strangers in a table. Kinda like thanksgiving everyday though. We sat with strangers had lunch and chatted away throughout lunch. Fun, and great food.
(5)Peter D.
I have never in my life experienced hospitality so genuine, so heartfelt, and so absolutely amazing, as I did at Monell's. Michael, the owner, redefined going above and beyond the call of duty; my friends and I were absolutely astonished by his kindness and remain thoroughly grateful. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. I suppose I should tell you first that the food is fantastic. If you're looking for some downhome, legit Southern cooking, this is where you want to be. Forget Olive Garden, you're actually family at Monell's. Everyone here will greet you with a smile, and after a short wait (they are quite popular, but the line moves quickly and the garden you wait in is beautiful), you'll be ushered into what looks like your grandmother's dining room. Unless you have 14 people or so, you're going to be sharing a table with some other folks for a family-style feast. The table was already set with sweet tea, tea punch and other beverages, as well as several types of hot sauce and other condiments you may or may not need. Don't worry about ordering right either, because they are just going to bring you everything. And I mean EVERYTHING: Corn pudding, cheese grits, green beans, vinegar pork, coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, pecan pie...it's all there, and it's all good. You take however much you want, and you pass it to your left. And there will be enough for everyone, I guarantee it. I went back to my favorite items at least twice, and there was definitely still leftovers. Once you've eaten yourself to the point of delicious, perfectly satiated pain, you get up and pay only $20, which is perhaps the best deal I've ever encountered. It is so worth it, I would easily have paid twice that for the privilege of sitting down in their dining room. I was sad I had to leave, but I will be back each and every time I'm in Nashville. This brings me to the only downside of Monell's, as well as the reason they've earned a customer and advocate for life: It's not in the most heavily trafficked area of Nashville. If you don't have a car, it's nearly impossible to get back downtown because there is no public transportation to speak of. However, we had let the owner Michael know that we had a plane to catch, and he was nice enough to call us a cab. The cab company quoted us a wait of about twenty minutes. After half an hour though, there was still no sign of a cab. We were standing on the street out front, starting to get a bit worried, and Michael came outside suddenly and told us to come with him. We followed him to the back, assuming there was a cab waiting on the other side. He unlocked a silver sedan, and told us to pile in. This man was worried that we were going to miss our flight, and he insisted on driving us back to our hotel. Let me repeat that so there's no confusion: the owner of Monell's walked out of his own restaurant during service, and insisted on driving us -- four complete strangers from another city -- back to our hotel in HIS OWN CAR. This selfless gesture of hospitality actually blew my mind. It's not like this man wasn't busy. Michael owns the place. From the time we walked in, he was busy keeping the extensive waitlist, running the cash register, leading folks to their tables...all while cracking jokes and welcoming everyone into the restaurant all on his own. And he just dropped everything and drove us, in his own car, back downtown. Unbelievable. Thank you Michael, for being the absolute definition of Southern hospitality. The sign above the door says that we arrive strangers and leave as friends, and you better believe you've got one in Brooklyn from here on out.
(5)Andy C.
It's a nice restaurant for a meal. I thought the meal was too fast, and the wait was longer than I expected. I came here by myself. It's better to come in a group. Food was pretty good. Service was good. Nice place. I like the pork, corn, and cake.
(3)Vince S.
What an experience. My wife and I ate at monells while on our road trip honeymoon. It was by far the most unique dining experience we had on the trip. You sit family style, with strangers. Get to know them. Once dinner starts, you are immediately bombarded with an absurd amount of food. Take a little bit of everything (even the corn pudding!). Each and every item is delicious in its own way. The coleslaw may be the best I've had. The Mac n cheese is amazing. The chicken is great. The beef is so tender. Everything. Just eat it all. Awesome service. Awesome food. Unique experience. Get off of your device and head to monell's!
(5)Lucy N.
You are in for a real treat if you go here. I was in town form Chicago for a bachelorette weekend in Nashville. The group of girls I was with just randomly decided to go to brunch at this place. Boy were we surprised when we sat down at what felt like Aunt Jemima's kitchen table, and were told to turn off our cell phones! Just go here. The food doesn't disappoint and the friend chicken is the best I've ever had :)
(5)Tiffany L.
First off come hungry! Monell's was recommended to my boyfriend and I from our Airbnb host while driving through Nashville on our way to Denver. She raved about it! So we went for their country Breakfast/Brunch The Food: The food was great! It comes family style and shared amongst everyone at the table (10-12 people per table) For breakfast they served a selection of pork (bacon, sliced ham, and sausage patties), fried chicken, pancakes, biscuits, corn pudding, cheesy grits..and probably a few things I'm missing! The biscuits were great! The Experience: The inside reminds you of being in your grandmother's home, if it were down in the country! Community style seating with other patrons, which is a great way to meet other folks. The service was excellent, everyone was friendly and kind. The Price: It's a little pricey for breakfast, came out to $30 for the two of us. If you eat a lot it's totally worth it. If you don't eat much then you may be better off going to a regular breakfast restaurant as they only serve family style and everyone who sits gets a meal ticket. The lady next to me didn't eat and there was a whole ordeal about if you sit you must pay...as an fyi. But overall it was delicious and a great experience nonetheless!
(4)Erik Y.
Like everyone else has stated, it's an awesome brunch! I won't go into details on how it works, etc. Expect a wait, a ton of food, and a fun time! The only thing that prevents a 5 is that they do not have country ham (at least when I was there..) I feel like that would have made it a perfect meal :)
(4)Maggie C.
Where to even begin? I went there for a rehearsal dinner. The food was to die for! I usually don't like meatloaf and I wanted to keep eating their's. The catfish was delicious as well! Even the coleslaw was great. I can't think of a bad think to say about this place!
(5)Tai F.
I just don't have a bad thing to say about this place. The service was incredible. The staff was downright ebullient. And even though I didn't really get to have the full family dining experience I had just a lovely time. Thinking I would beat the rush I arrived here at nine am. Well on this freezing cold and snowy Tennessee morning there was barely a person in there. I sat down with a couple who had already been there thirty minutes. They left me alone about fifteen minutes later. Ah well, who doesn't want a huge table of food to themselves!?! My favorite parts were the delicate and juicy fried chicken, the delicious cheese grits, the perfectly flakey biscuits and the fluffy scrambled eggs. I tried everything on the table but still kept coming back to those standards. The pancakes were good, the corn pudding was good, the potatoes and the bacon and the sausage - all good. But I'm telling you, load me up with those biscuits, grits, eggs and chicken and I'm the happiest lady. Next time I'm in town I'd love to come around for the lunch or dinner. Hell, I'll just start the day and end the day here! It's the right thing to do.
(5)Chris M.
I'm going to do it. I said I never would but I'm going 5 stars. Family style and the great dishes just kept coming. Great. Go eat here!
(5)Kory K.
Incredible!!! Just as we came in they sat us down next to complete strangers and we instantly started eating. The food just kept on coming. I think I was in heaven. It was like the southern version of Brazilian bbq. I loved getting to meet those we say by, it was a good way to stir up new conversation. The food and atmosphere was So good. The price is well worth it. Two thumbs up from Utah.
(5)Heather P.
This place takes buffet/family style to a whole new level. On a Saturday morning, my husband and I were the last two to be seated at the table of thirteen. The others had already started eating but were very gracious and welcoming, passing us the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, potatoes, eggs, corn pudding, bacon, country ham, bacon...convinced yet? Then lastly, comes the fried chicken...the four pieces that I had were the best I've ever eaten. This is a true southern experience. If you don't like eating with strangers, then I recommend that you stay away, stay home.
(5)Sabrina B.
Yummy Southern cooking served family style. You will have more food presented to you than you could ever think of eating. It is down-home grandma cooking at it's best. Yes there will be real butter used in dishes, yes there may be bacon in the green beans, yes there will be biscuit with home made peach marmalade and home made pies and sweet tea. This is the south after all. Monell's has been a Nashville staple for many years and rightly so. The seating is family style, and the dishes seem endless. There is a rotating menu, with some staples available daily. There is a list of daily offerings on their website. So, if you want catfish, check to see if it is on the daily menu. Comfort food at it's best, served with a smile. If you want to share a table with strangers and chow down on truly great southern food, give Monell's a try.
(4)Ali A.
Might just be the best brunch experience I've ever had. Family style with all the southern food you like or have wanted to try. I would not go back to Nashville and not eat at monells again.
(5)Jason P.
This place was awesome and takes a new buffet style to the next level with seating you with other people until the large table was full. It was almost like you were on a cruise but everyone was extremely nice and gladly passed you anything that you asked for. The corn pudding was delicious and at any time that you ran out of something they would fix you up a new batch of food. The gravy was not that good and the pancakes had a weird taste in my opinion. The only reason that I didn't give them a 5 star is because of the gravy, pancakes, and the biggest reason is that they do not have any jelly or jam only peach preserves and where I'm from that is essential to breakfast. I would highly recommend this place for others to check out.
(4)Ted C.
Monell's, oh Monell's! I missed you and love your breakfast so much! We went there for New Years breakfast and since most people were hung over it was a small wait to be seated. I told my girl that the chicken here is amazing and she'd love the carbs. The food is just as good as I remember it and the service was still really good. We struck up a conversation with Pedro who was our busser and he mentioned how all the staff had been there since 11:30 the night before. Monell's serves breakfast from 11:30-3:30 on NYE and they literally stayed the night and still they were helpful, the food good and the experience still awesome. To quote my gf: "We coming to Monell's every time I visit?"-more of a statement and less of a question, folks.
(5)Alex C.
Literally everything I've had there has been delicious, even things I don't normally like, like collard greens. You WILL come out of there full, and you might even make a few new friends if you eat with folks you don't know. I really like the rule of no cell phones at the table, too.
(5)Ace B.
If you travel by your self and are looking to meet new people you should definitely check this place out! The food is fabulous and it is communal style eating. Bon appetite :-)
(5)Colin C.
Great food, atmosphere and prices. We love it!
(4)Malcolm D.
So much food may not eat for a week, everything good. Experience topped off by sharing a table with a group if guys who get together a couple of times a year welcomed me into their conversation like a local, thanks guys.
(4)Amanda A.
If there was a time to yelp a place before going, it would be before going to Monell's. while in town for business, everyone and their mother had told us to go to Monell's but no one had told us the concept and AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT KEEPS COMING AND COMING. Though it was a surprise to us, I loved the family cooking and sitting vibe. We got there late on a Tuesday night, so there was a table open for the 4 of us, some random tourists later joined us. There's no menu here. They just bring out bowls of EVERYTHING they make for the night. They told us this after thy had brought out the corn bread and biscuits. Again, had I known this from doing my research on yelp, I would have skipped the bread...though I don't think that would have saved me from the glorious food coma I was in later. Next came the hot food: fried chicken (one of the best ever), veggie lasagna (could have skipped this), beef stew (the best I've had), mashed potatoes, green beans, their famous corn pudding, cannelini beans and turnips. I tell ya, I was in heaven and in pain at the same time. Amazing. Delicious. Real southern home cooking, at its best. After this was dessert, which for the night I was there was peach cobbler. Can't comment on it personally as I didn't have room to try it. My coworkers seemed impressed with it. Skip meals all day and save the room for this. You won't regret it.
(4)Samantha B.
What an experience! We came on a recent long weekend trip to Nashville for Sunday brunch. We got there at 10, which I was hoping would be a good time. It was packed! We ended up waiting an hour, but it was worth it. We were finally seated at a table in the back, with all of the rooms perfectly decorated for Christmas. Once we were acquainted with our new table of friends, the food started coming out. Biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fried chicken, eggs, baked apples, cheesy grits...the list goes on! Everything was delicious, most notably the biscuits. I wish mine would come out so light and fluffy! Brunch comes to about 17/person including tip. A steal for sure. A must do in Nashville. FYI: make sure to get there on Sundays earlier than 10. We sat at 11 and were the last table to receive brunch. Lunch starts at 11!
(5)Charles F.
I'll join the chorus of praise on this one. Fantastic dining experience in a beautiful, Gilded Age house in Germantown. There's not much to dislike at Monell's, if anything. Food is served to you by your neighbour to your right - take what you want from the bowl, and pass to the left. Salads, biscuits, cornbread, gravy, fried chicken and catfish, collared greens, mashed potato, corn pudding, mangetouts - all excellent, all really flavourful. So many places now want to do 'their take' on the simple things. Not Monell's - they just do the simple classics right. The corn pudding and collared greens were especially good. Leave room for the banana pudding if you can restrain yourself from stuffing your face - it's pretty good. In spite of Nashville's weird hostility toward pedestrians, you can actually walk here from Broadway in about 15 mins and through Centennial Park, though the walk did involve being stared down by a security guard and ridiculed by an elderly lady on account of us waiting for the pedestrian crossing (what y'all waitin' on?! The little man?? AAAHAA!!)
(5)Cynthia T.
This is the ONE place I ALWAYS (yes, ALWAYS) bring my visitors to dine. Why? Because it's da-bomb place for all-you-can-eat home-made southern food!!! I've dined there several times and here are my top 3 favorite dishes... Corn Casserole (seriously could eat this all day) Ribs (moist and falls off the bone) Fried Catfish (tender and deliciously seasoned) (honorable mention - fried chicken) They also serve homemade peach preserves. You can look on their website for their daily offerings. Click here: monellstn.com . I've spoken to Michael the owner and he's super friendly and down to earth. Glad he's had success in his business! Here are a few more things to be aware of when you dine at Monell's: 1. It's family style so you sit on large tables and if you're with a small party, you'll most likely be sitting next to what some people would like to call, "strangers" but what I like to call, NEW FRIENDS! 2. They move fast! You'll get your food quickly and you'll feel like they're rushing you. BUT, do not fear. TAKE YOUR TIME, scoop a little of each dish onto your plate at a time. For reals, if it's your first time, don't pile a huge portion onto your plate. You'll regret it later when you get full so fast you can barely get yourself to taste the desserts. I like to take a teeny bit of each thing, taste it and then go back for more of the dishes that I like. One day I will go back for their famous Christmas/Holiday meals! They take reservations for that and book up fast!
(5)Allie M.
Um.. one word: heaven. Thank you everyone at Monell's for the dining experience I craved whilst here in Nashville. This girl from Baltimore loves you. Holla.
(5)Jerry B.
Picked this place out of the Yelp list early thus AM. Had no idea what a cool place coupled with a marvelous breakfast served the ole boarding house way we would find! The food just keeps coming! Got a chuckle when the waitress said, pace yourself. If you travel to Nashville make this place a point to go to for sure!
(5)MyongHi S.
Delicious Southern food and just a really cool and unique concept. Community dining might not be for everyone, but it was definitely a fun experience for me! We met several people from out of state dining at Monell's because it's such a hotspot in Nashville. Because it's so unique, this was definitely one of my favorite things to do while vacationing in Nashville. Mac & cheese is INCREDIBLE. So creamy and cheesy. The fried chicken and oven-roasted chicken were also superb. Those items made the trip entirely worth it. I must say, GO HUNGRY. They aren't joking when they tell you to pace yourselves because it's a ton of food and I found myself getting full before the chicken came out!
(4)Andrea T.
I'm here to report that breakfast reigns supreme. I mean I haven't had lunch, but breakfast is fierce. If breakfast had fried green tomatoes, I might have to move to Nashville. The breakfast menu is as follows. Coffee, tea, sweet tea, and water. Hot biscuits and cinnamon rolls. I generally do not eat cinnamon rolls, but these were homemade, glazed delicately and really tasty! Then pancakes, corn pudding ( which is to die for), potatoes, scrambled eggs, a big old plate of the best bacon, sausage and ham you ever saw. It is a platter big enough for a turkey with a ton of meat on it. The sausage is spiced perfectly and so damn good. Cheese grits are amazing. The big plus of breakfast is that fried chicken is served!! Oh Monell's what do you put in that damn fried chicken! I can't wait to come back!
(5)April B.
love the food and family style tables.
(5)Sophia T.
Monell's country brunch was the highlight of my trip to Nashville. The restaurant is in a refurbished, old fashioned Nashville home, which makes you feel as if you are eating in your grandparents house. I went there at 12:30 PM on a Saturday for the country brunch, which lasts from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We were seated with 3 other parties in 20 minutes on a long wood table in a side room that appeared to be the living room when the restaurant served as a home. Sweat tea, biscuits and gravy and sweet buns were already on the table to pacify us while we waited for the main courses. After snacking on the amuse-bouches, the server came over with family style portions of cheese grits and corn pudding, followed by pancakes and peaches stewed in brown sugar and cinnamon. The entire table dug in, passing each bowl of deliciousness to the left. Before I was able to finish my appetizer, the waiter returned with a sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The sausage circles were perhaps the best that I have ever eaten. The server return for the last time with a basket, the original bucket, of golden, mouth-watering, fried chicken. Check out my picture or better yet go in for breakfast to see for yourself. There was original Louisiana hot sauce on the table to spice it up if that is your preference. Then, we were given meal tickets, which you take up to the front to pay ~$14 without tip for a hearty meal...an amazing deal. After we finished eating, we all exclaimed "I've eaten, and I can't get up!" So, we made friends with the people at our communal table. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a christian priest, baptist minister, and a member of a gospel choir. Before getting up to pay, the Gospel singer agreed to sing a hymn as well as an impromptu song wishing my friends that just graduated Vanderbilt Law luck transitioning into their new phase of life. In conclusion, this restaurant was a 5 for 5 and a all around soulful experience.
(5)Leann P.
My friends and I had this as our first meal when getting into Nashville, TN. It was fun and delicious! Be prepared to leave in a food-coma state! We got there on a Saturday around noon. We learned that they served breakfast until 1:00 daily. We were sat at a table with a bunch of people we did not know, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a blast! They serve the meal family-style and everyone must pass the plates around the large table. I would definitely suggest pacing yourself when getting your food. I started out putting way too much on my plate and running out of room for everything. The food was all delicious. No complaints! I did appreciate that the request that no one has their cell phone out during the meal. Some people, of course, had their phones out to take pictures, but put them away afterwards. The servers were very kind and prompt. I suggest anyone who visits Nashville experiences Monell's!
(5)Maegan P.
I'd like to re-review this place to once again boast about how awesome they are. I took some friends here for breakfast a while back and they loved it. If you want to experience this place without the crowds, early Saturday morning breakfast is the time to go. You get any kind of meat you could imagine and every type of carb you could imagine and you definitely won't need to eat lunch. This is the country breakfast to top all country breakfasts. I've also had the pleasure of visiting café Monell's in Berry Hill. Here, you can get the Monell's flavor on the go or you can stay a while if that better suits your fancy. What should you get? My favorite thing is still their fried chicken. How do they do it? The breading is just so damn light and crispy! Try it with hot sauce. I definitely recommend the sit down, family style experience to anyone looking to show out of town guests some southern food and hospitality. I took my sister here when she was visiting and she absolutely loved it. Just warn people they're going to get really friendly with some people they've probably never met. It's part of the fun :) And just when you thought that was enough - they do catering! Now, I'm strongly considering having them do my wedding this coming fall. I've heard rave reviews about what great people they are to work with from folks all over town and I know their food won't disappoint. Long story short: Get your own self to Monell's if you haven't already been and, if you have, why aren't you going there today?
(5)Andrea P.
Wonderful and well worth the visit. I really enjoyed the experience just as much as the food. Please visitYum Yum
(5)Sarah Y.
Short story: Monell's has some of the best southern cooking i've ever had. I will go back everytime i'm in Nashville. They have fried chicken that dreams are made of. It's perfect. Longer story: I went to Monell's with a couple friends after New Years Eve celebrations...yes at 2 am! First meal of 2013! Indeed, succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes ARE perfect anytime of the day! The decor is so welcoming and cozy, just like sitting in the living room by the fireplace. I loved passing around the wicker baskets full of goodies, wondering what new item will come out. It seemed like an endless procession. We were all first timers at Monells and it was a hit with everyone.
(5)Meg B.
Our small group went here on a friend's recommendation and we couldn't have been happier. The biscuits were incredible. Literally perfect. Tied for the best that we tried while traveling in North Carolina and Tennessee. The fried chicken was also deliciously moist. And there was plentiful sweet tea. The atmosphere was also amazing. The truly open family style seating gave us an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers alike, and I loved the setting in an old home. My only recommendation is to pace yourself if you go! Or skip lunch the day of going. There is so much delicious food that pacing oneself is the only challenge.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Contemplating buying an airline ticket just to go eat here again. Its that good. No cell phones at table, its family style and you will leave bursting at the seams. Soooo Good. Mama (owner) is the coolest lady
(5)Tamera B.
This place is incredible! We were visiting Nashville or 1 day and decided to have dinner here because of the high ratings on Yelp and this was a home run. Yelpers nailed it with this one!! The fried chicken is A-MAZING. The sides were all excellent. The iced tea and lemonade are homemade and wonderful! Don't let the seating arrangement scare you off. We're not the most outgoing couple and we had a lovely experience. We'll never visit Nashville again without visiting Monell's. If you're reading this review, stop and go to Monell's RIGHT NOW.....you'll love it!
(5)Nancy B.
This is very reasonably priced. I enjoyed this very much. I especially liked that I got here on a good night and didn't have an hour wait. Food was very good, plentiful. I really like the company. It's nice to sit with people and have a conversation. If you like to sit alone or just with yours, this place isn't for you.
(5)Val W.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. SO. DELICIOUS. Be prepared for the high price, but also know that for the atmosphere, experience, and food, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT. I love the BBQ ribs and the peach preserves are amazing. They sometimes have jars of these you can buy and take home (I recommend doing this), because I eat about four biscuits with preserves every time I go. Servers are very nice, and the place always seems to be busy, yet they will make sure you get seated and eat quickly!
(5)Sharon L.
If you go to one place in Nashville, this has to be it. It's a truly unique and delightful dining experience that epitomizes the concept of comfort food. In fact, it's downright heart-warming. I just love the idea of strangers getting together to eat food that was clearly made with so much care, like someone's grandma cooked it for Christmas dinner. The only people I would recommend *not* going here are people who dislike children -- there were around six of them at my table because two families stopped by. Other than that caveat, though, I say that you simply MUST go here if you're in Nashville. By the way -- it's vegetarian friendly too, because the sides are great, and on some days they serve spinach lasagna as a main course.
(5)Sandy T.
Monell's stole the 5 stars in my little black book of southern food! Monell's should be voted to end world hunger and make world peace along with turning everything into green meadows, chocolate, unicorns, and rainbows... Monell's joins the people you don't know aka strangers into a family style dining! After brunch, the couple you didn't know from Adam sitting across the table are your new BFFs... you've exchanged numbers and you're inviting them to your firstborns communion! What may have caused this happy-fear-not-love your neighbor feeling? I don't know, perhaps the owner sprinkled some magic dust on all the guests as they were so friendly welcomed in, perhaps it's the fact of immediately upon sitting having been served baskets and baskets of food, perhaps it's the secret recipe in the homemade biscuits, cheesy grits, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, apples, or the sweet tea! Whatever it is, it worked! We all left happy, our bellies full, well wishing everyone that crossed our path, spreading love and praying for world peace. Monell's you did it again and I Love You!
(5)Emily K.
Warm, family-style restaurant, where you get to know your fellow eaters over some good home-cooking. The strongest offerings at breakfast were cinnamon rolls and corn putting. But it doesn't matter: you pay a flat fee and try a little it of everything. Would recommend to any out of town visitor.
(4)Charles M.
Incredible! The staff are great, only outdone by the food. Please, do not eat here unless you are healthy enough to gorge and gorge some more. I cannot say enough about the food. The only weak spot was the gravy for the biscuits, it was boring. The rest of the food made up for it. They even had great iced tea (unsweetened - which is hard to find in these parts).
(5)Rachael F.
Excellent home cooking! We went for Sunday brunch before heading out of town. I thought I was going to need someone to roll me onto my plane. Anyway, great family style setup. We enjoyed meeting the other folks at our table: a local family eating after church and a traveling couple. Just some advice (that came from our waiter): they serve the inexpensive stuff first (biscuits, cornbread, mac n cheese, veggies...), so don't get full on that before the delicious fried chicken, pot roast, etc is served. Overall, it's great for the food and southern atmosphere!
(5)Mark M.
This place is phenomenal. We were visiting for the weekend and were sat with a mix of visitors and locals and enjoyed our company almost as much as the food itself. I don't think anyone else could mimic the atmosphere of this place if they tried. Truly a special meal. Thank you Monell's!
(5)Lettie L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers we held out being hungry during our Toronto - New Orleans road trip and decided to skipped out on all the Mickey D's and Dunkin Donuts to try this amazing family style southern food. It's been almost a year and my boyfriend still talks about this place. Though we can't really recall the taste of the food but the experience was memorable. You are seated with different people and through passing the food around and helping each other dine it almost feel like you are with your family. There are plenty to eat, the fried chicken and fried catfish were super delicious.
(5)Charles H.
Best "authentic southern" brunch restaurants in Nashville. Monells serves everything family style and it's great! Don't worry if you come with a small party with less than a full table, you'll just get paired up with other people which can make for a fun, interesting brunch experience. Try it all, but pace yourself and save room for a biscuit and a piece of fried chicken!
(5)Susan L.
i loved everything about monell's - the food, the atmosphere, the people, location even. we came here after walking around centennial park/the parthenon on a saturday, waiting until 1PM so we could catch the lunch menu. we pulled up and found that monell's was almost in a neighborhood-y looking area - super cute. we walked in and got the last two seats at a table that was almost full. it was fun to be seated around a big table with strangers and hear everyone's story, where they were from, recommendations for food where they came from, etc. there was a slaw and pickled cucumber dish on the table when we started, as well as some sweet tea and lemonade. then came the biscuits, cornbread, and gravy. then came corn pudding, mashed potatoes, cheese grits, apples. then came the fried chicken, meatloaf, and ribs. i'm sure i am forgetting some sides here but there was so much food - impossible to keep track of, especially since monell's has a no cell phone policy. the food was delicious and kept getting passed around the table. and to finish, there was banana pudding - the kind with nilla wafers. i wish i had fifteen stomachs so i could keep going back here and eating the food. felt so full afterwards and could barely walk, but had fun checking out the farmer's market nearby. seriously wish i could go back!
(5)Benita M.
I really shouldn't be reviewing this place as it's pretty much pointless to eat here as a vegetarian, but my meat-eating friends wanted a traditional southern meal and I figured I could fill up on sides. For the sides, I would give it three stars but due to ambiance and the experience, I'm giving it four. My favorite sides were the biscuits, which were amazing, and mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of sweet sides and so didn't care for the rest. Paired with the sweet tea, it was just too much. I couldn't eat my dessert but my friends said the strawberry cobbler-like dessert was very good. But I'm sure no one comes here for the sides. This is definitely where the locals go. As a visitor, I liked the charming location. The family- style seating was nice since we were able to meet others. We were seated with a friendly family, which made the meal more enjoyable.
(4)John W.
OMG!!! We were not expecting a family style feast just like Thanksgiving without the turkey but included everything else For a modest price, the menu consisted of skillet fried chicken, catfish filets, lasagne, green beans, turnip greens, corn soufflé, and the best macaroni cheese. The cucumber salad and cole slaw were homemade and tasty. The rolls and biscuits were excellent with homemade preserves Iced tea, sweet and non and lemonade was served. I almost forgot to mention the homemade banana pudding for dessert. This was just an exceptional luncheon experience. Then to top it off, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Mr. Michael King. He spoke to us like we were old friends. What a great time. We will certainly return when we visit Nashville in the future
(5)Jon A.
I visited this restaurant and could not have been happier. I was seated in a large party with an couple from Chicago. The food was to die for, authentic and tasty. As a northeaster I was a little worried about the communal seating, but it added to the charm of the whole place and really made us feel like we were at someones table.
(5)Nathan K.
Really liked this place. Interesting take on a Meat and 3 establishment. I had the roast beef and the pineapple casserole--both pretty good. I think everyone that had the pineapple casserole recommended it. The potatoes were pretty decent, but I think I would have opted for a more creative option on the menu, if I had it to do again. Parking is a bit of a challenge potentially--there is some around back as well. 4.75 out of 5
(5)Christopher E.
This is a must visit in Nashville. They make you feel right at home and the food is southern-delicious. Go hungry because you will need the stomach space because the food keeps coming.
(5)Lauren D.
This place was amazing!! Delicious southern style food that seems never ending, each dish better than the last. I went with a group of ten for a bachelorette party brunch and it was perfect. We came hungry, had only a short wait, and left full and happy! My favorite was the corn pudding and pancakes. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
(5)Roy C.
Went there during vacation. Nothing but fond memories, and for the first time in years couldn't walk after a meal. Now I understand why people from the South always say breakfast is the best meal of the day. The place came with some communal dining tables, and they tend to fill half of the table before jumping to next. I was with a local family, and a couple driving 2 hours from Arkansas. I surely did feel the soul and passion with the food and service. Being in the original location, the manager was more willing to share the stories about the building. Soon enough they made sure my table was overflown with food, while I was sipping iced tea with real peach juice. Being someone quite uneducated about Southern food, my favorites were the fried chicken, collard greens and biscuit.
(5)Gale K.
My boyfriend and I came the Sunday before Christmas and were the first people there for breakfast! What a breakfast! The food is served family style in a beautifully festive Victorian room. Each table sat up to 12. There was a lazy Susan with condiments and unsweetened iced tea. The server started off with cinnamon buns, biscuits, gravy, corn pudding, coffee, and sweet tea. That was followed with cheese grits, fried potatos, bacon, huge sausage patties, country ham, fried chicken, fried apples, scrambled eggs, and pancakes! These were all served in big bowls and passed around the table country style. Our table mates were cordial and we shared the food and coversation. The house was beautifully decorated and it was definitely a homey atmosphere! Everything that I ate was delicious. I especially enjoyed the corn pudding which is something I make for holidays. Their's tasted like mine so I highly recommend it ! LOL If you are in Nashville, please take some time to come here for breakfast. Though I haven't tried the other meals, I'm sure they are equally good.
(5)Josh W.
A great place to take the whole family. Because it's so good you do wait a little bit but it's worth it in the end. You eat with people you don't know but by the time your meal is over you definitely are family! Good ole southern cookin'!
(5)Ben S.
I was in Nashville for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament and nobody really knew the town well except for 1 guy who INSISTED that we go to Monell's. We went on either a saturday or sunday afternoon (I can't remember exactly) and we were a big party. It was a 30 min wait, so about half the team left to go somewhere else because they were hungry. ...Huge mistake. The food was out of this world. The "main course" was fried catfish, chicken and pork (passed around of course) and these were all quite good. But even better were the sides. Green beans, biscuits, corn, potatoes, cornbread, banana pudding and even more. They were all amazing and delicious. I can't wait to go again the next time I'm in town! (p.s. I literally just got a yelp account just so I could say how good Monell's is)
(5)Joseph A.
There should be a 6 star rating for extraordinary meals! This place is amazing. Went on a Wednesday evening when they were serving Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Baked Chicken...wow! Sides were Corn Bread dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, peas, and much much more. Desert was a peach cobler-like dish! Wow! Did I mention wow?
(5)Liz G.
Bottom line: A very memorable southern dining experience! Pros: It is set in what looks like someone's house (great homey feel), it had the best corn muffins Iv've ever tasted, and a large varriety of side entrees and food. The pot roast was amazing, the lassagna was delicious, and the friend chicken was finger lickin' good! Cons: It is a pre determined menu, so you do not get to pick your food. The banana pudding was the only option for dessert that evening and since I don't like it, I missed out! They have strict no cell phone rules and you will get scolded like a child if you pull it out. Also, you are seated at a big table with strangers so if you aren't into that kind of thing, pick another restaurant!
(4)Kristin A.
The short of it: - family style Southern food restaurant - incredible employees and owner! - cute cottage like building - reasonable prices - extensive variety of food - Favs: skillet fried chicken The long of it: Highlight of my trip to Nashville was eating at Monell's. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew going in was it was a Southern food restaurant and I was sold. The whole experience is best described as family style even down to the seating. You are literally placed at a large table with other parties just like one big happy family. You may not know the person next to you or across from you but get comfy because you will be passing the dishes around to each other. At first you may think its awkward but once the food is at the table all your shyness goes out the door. I think the sight of all the delicious food just makes everyone so happy and you just start talking to your neighbors and it just turns into a great atmosphere. I absolutely love it. The South definitely knows how to eat. I would say we had almost 15 different dishes from biscuits, corn bread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried chicken, baby back ribs, pasta, sweet potato casserole to banana pudding, the list was so long. It felt like an extreme version of Thanskgiving just without the turkey. Overall, the food was good, my favorites that night were the skillet fried chicken and the baby back ribs. Everyday their menu changes slightly, they have the main staples like biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, etc., but there are main dishes that change everyday for example that day's special was fried catfish and baby back ribs. Supposedly the best meal here is breakfast on the weekends. I really wish I had two stomachs because there was so much food I was so full but you just wanted to keep eating. The staff here was so friendly and we even met the owner. Mr. King was a delight and he even drove my friends and I back to the downtown area because the wait for a taxi was 2 hrs that night and it was a bit far to walk to where we needed to go! So grateful and lucky to meet such awesome people! That's really Southern hospitality for you!
(5)Michelle S.
This place was a very fun interactive experience. We were the last few to arrive to the table for dinner and were quickly caught up to speed on the "rules". You sit with other diners at one large dining room table. They start you off with salads and biscuits and gravy, pass to your left and keep passing as the server refills when needed. The gravy was not very flavorful. Next comes the sides; green beans, fried okra, collards, potatoes, hushpuppies(dry and not the type of hushpuppies i am use to) and more. And then the main event; fried chicken, ribs, fried trout and lasagna. It was rather odd to have the Lasagna. The fried chicken was super crispy but dry on the inside. The ribs were my favorite! Dessert is preset on the table; banana pudding. Not my favorite, so I passed. Wish they had two desserts. It all happens so fast and it's unfortunate that you aren't able to enjoy the meal. Great experience, but I don't think I would go back for dinner
(3)Smilie G.
So much fun. Love the concept. Pass the food to the left, sit with strangers, no cell phones at table. There are cold sides, then hot sides, then your meats which change daily. Totally different, totally cool. The staff rocks!
(5)Paul K.
Every time someone was downsized or let go from our company we came here, so naturally Monell's inspires some fear in me. As a vegetarian the options here are a little slimmer for me, but the quality of what you do get, and the quantity also, are amazing. One negative thing to some / fine to others that you should know going in is you will be seated with other people and will be requested to not play with your cell phones. You pass food about and probably better have showered if you're going there or you'll be known as the stinky kid at the table. Wait times are generally minimal unless you're going there Sunday at 12:10, in which case you can plan to wait so bring a sandwich. Parking can be a pain, large groups can be a pain but generally are not, depends on how large - there's a tipping point of pain. We sat with many random strangers as we wished a newly leaving employee best wishes. It got easier with time, which may have been just because our contribution to the table got progressively smaller. One note of warning is bring your loose fitting pants... don't go stretch pants, you need to be a bit classier than that, but your stomach is going to thank you for the extra room.
(4)C S.
Monell's was an absolute treasure! Family style dining, that makes you feel at home no matter how far you've traveled! Dishes like fried catfish, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans, fried chicken, pudding, etc. are paired with sweat tea, lemonade or water and are just delicious. We didn't eat one bad thing, were served with a smile, and enjoyed the no cell phone rule! If you leave here hungry, or unhappy, it's your own fault!
(5)Carmanise L.
Monell's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Nashville. I had the privilege of being introduced to this gem about 4 years ago and it stole my stomach's heart. The setup is a little unusual but once you sit down and begin to enjoy those fluffy biscuits and apricot/peach preserves that goes out the window. The food was amazing too, we had fried chicken, roast, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese and other dishes as well. I sat in the seat were every dish started and had the pleasure of trying everything first. With all being said you are doing your stomach a disservice if you do not stop here and eat even if you have to wait it is well worth it.
(5)Kyle H.
If you're missing having dinner at your grandma's or wonder what southern cooking is all about, you've got to stop by Monell's when you are in Nashville. It's always great, always different and always an experience. My favorite day to go is Friday. Why? I love catfish and fried chicken!
(5)John A.
We ate breakfast here yesterday... Awesome! Loved the family dining atmosphere and all of the food! Corn pudding = pure goodness.
(5)Emi H.
My goal in life is to have your Grandma cook for me. In my opinion there are few things better in this world than sitting down in a house and having a Grandma slave away in the kitchen. The meal rarely disappoints because Grandma don't play that. The center of her existence is making sure that the people at her dining room table are happy and stuffed til they can't walk. I don't know many people in Nashville and was not able to crash a family dinner, but Monell's was the next best thing! I walked in not knowing what to expect and was seated at a large dining room table next to two other guests. I left a chair between myself and the male guest but the server warmly scolded me "No hon, you've got to move down and sit right there." Then a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized THIS is what they meant by family style dining! I quickly got acquainted with my dining partners as we shared multiple sides, baskets of biscuits and fried chicken. You're instructed to pass to the left and then go from there. I was not told how much lunch was but get ready for your mind to be blown my yeoples! $12.95 (INSERT HUGE FLASHING LIGHTS HERE) for an all-you-can-eat Southern food extravaganza. Maybe this is an everyday type of thing here in Nashville, but in Honolulu there is no way you could get this type of dining for such a small price tag. In total we had about 15 different sides/dishes (dressing, cabbage, cole slaw, broccoli salad, biscuits w/ peach preserves, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, deep fried pork chops, green beens, strawberry shortcake) as well as lemonade and sweet tea. Some folks might not enjoy sitting down with strangers but it made the experience so much more interesting! Plus I'm vacationing solo and really enjoyed meeting some locals. They have a very strict "No Cellular Phone" policy at Monell's and I applaud this! The waitress asked the woman dining with me to put away her cell phone (very nicely I might add) because she didn't want her boss to ask the woman to leave. I guess the man who owns the restaurant grew up in a family where phones and television were not allowed during supper time and he brought that tradition over to his business. Man, we need that rule at all restaurants! In conclusion my friends, put on those stretchy pants and get ready to stuff your face with home cooking until you go into a self-induced food coma. Southern cuisine is not a part of my everyday existence and thank the Lord or my ass would be huge! Thank you Monell's for welcoming me to your table, showing me Southern hospitality and making me feel like I'm at Grandma's house! Yelp 365 Challenge: #193/365 (The Grandma's Table)
(5)Kati H.
I am knocking off one star simply because we were the second name on the list for lunch and still somehow had to wait until 1:45 to eat (lunch opens at 1, supposedly) because the kitchen was "running behind." That being said...food was PHENOMENAL. So delicious. I only got a little of everything but there were so many different things that I still ended up eating too much. It was worth the wait, just be warned that even if you do get your name at the top of the list, it could be a while.
(4)Kathleen K.
This place is old school to the max. I love it. Come hungry - REALLY hungry - and prepare to absolutely stuff your face. You'll eat family style at big tables, too, so don't come in expecting to eat in silence or have a lot of privacy :) I like to come for brunch, because my two favorite things are the fried chicken and the cinnamon rolls. Amazing. My family has also gotten Monell's takeout for Thanksgiving before, and we love it.
(5)Marissia W.
Family style with great food. House rule: if you sit you pay... Even if you don't eat so travelers with groups be aware
(3)Jessica S.
Definition of comfort food. You MUST go here if you're ever in Nashville. Seriously, you won't regret it.
(5)Heidi C.
We went to Monell's based on a recommendation by the person we were staying with. At first, it was a little weird to eat with strangers but it ended up being fun! The food was the best we ate all week. The fried chicken was fabulous as was the rest of the food. We'll be going there again in the future.
(5)Chenxi L.
Food here tastes good, which is typical 'American food' in my mind, love the ribs and chicken! Great atmosphere, a place worth trying.
(4)Rachel E.
I'm from the mitten (aka, Michigan) and where we come from, good down-home southern soul food can be hard to come by. Monell's was one of my favorite places when we were visiting Nashville and here's why... 1. The food was excellent. Now, it's not something that I would recommend people eat everyday (or even once per month) because it's not very healthy. However, it was an amazing way to experience true soul-food while in Nashville. We had the country breakfast and it consisted of: **Biscuits & Gravy, ***Corn Pudding, **Cheesy Grits, *Bacon/Ham/Sausage Patty platter, *Potatoes, **Fried Chicken, *Scrambled Eggs, *Pancakes, **Cinnamon Rolls, and *Fried Apples (I gave the dishes a star rating with three stars being the best) 2. The atmosphere added to the overall experience. You didn't feel like the place was trying too hard to be authentic - it IS authentic. You feel like you are sitting with your family at your grandmothers house for sunday brunch. The furniture, the decor and even the dishes looked like they came from a vintage second-hand store. It seemed like it made the food taste that much more country. 3. The service is fast and the prices are decent. As soon as we sat down and helped ourselves to coffee and sweet tea, the first batch of food hit the table. From then on, a steady stream of servers and chefs kept bringing dish after dish of food for you and your guests to pass around the table. We went on a Saturday morning and it was about $14 per person. But because it's all-you-can-eat, I thought the price was very fitting. 4. The rules. Yes, they have rules! Pass the dishes to the left, no cell phones and eat what you take. To me, it just drove home the old-school feel of the place. If you visit Monell's, prepare to waddle out of there! We were sitting at a table with 14 people and as a table, we couldn't finish what they served us, it was a TON of food!
(5)C.C. S.
My wife has already Yelped this because she LOVES this place, and for good reason. When you drive up, it's like you're going to Grandma's house - literally, it looks like a house on the street. There's a nice area out back with swings where we sat and waited on the rest of our party to show up. I made a rookie mistake - the place is family style, you sit with people who are not in your party and you pass around dishes like the Indians and Pilgrims did. In this case, it was a gang of Vanderbilt students and Oprah Winfrey's dad, but the metaphor still holds water. My rookie mistake was that I filled up on side dishes. The corn casserole, the green beans, hush puppies, and more SO MUCH MORE. Everything is good so I should probably give this place 5 stars but I'm in a tough mood today. The best part of the meal is not the sides, that was my mistake. It's the fried chicken, ribs and the fried catfish, all of which are some of the best I've ever had and I'm from a southern coal mining town. One guy in our party ate at least 30 ribs and I sat there, full-bellied, jealous as hell of the fact that he had reserved his previous stomach space. My main complaint about the place was that I needed more room to put all the goodness. Dessert was just meh - a strawberry shortcake mush that was good but not great. The only real disappointment of the entire meal. The cost is about $16/person and it's extra to add coffee. Pitchers of tea and lemonade were on the table when we got there but I was told by the server that lemonade was not always there - nevertheless, Arnold Palmers were flowing when I was there. Definitely going back and recommending it to friends.
(4)Ben G.
My wife and I were beating the historical heat in Nashville a few weeks ago when we arrived at Monell's. Our party of two joined a meal already in progress- a party of three and one were already starting in on their biscuits, gravy, and cole slaw. In another ten minutes, our table would be full with other diners. Everything is served family style, and everything is southern. If you're from Savannah, you will note that this place is basically Mrs. Wilke's Dining Room transplanted in Nashville; along with the food quality. Just about every single dish was beyond excellent (the barbecued pork loin was, unfortunately, a tad dry). The skillet fried chicken was the real winner, but everything else also had its high points. Basically you're sitting at a table with all available real estate used by either plates or serving platters & bowls. There is no part of the table left unoccupied. The service was fast & courteous. The prices were great. You cannot beat Monell's, however I would recommend showing up early or on the late side of lunch because the place can be slam-packed. We may not have had the absolute best food of our trip to Nashville at Monell's, but it was certainly the most memorable in the most positive way.
(5)Sharmeela S.
Great place to bring out of town guests. A southern experience. Sitting. At large tables with mixed company sharing a heavy but delicious. Meal. Love their fried chicken and its served wy every meal even breakfast. If u eat here you wing need anymore food for the rest of the day.
(4)Anna R.
A true Nashville institution! What a treat! You eat family style so if you didn't know who you were sitting with before you sat down, you certainly will after your meal. The food speaks for itself with nonstop and unlimited Skillet Fried Chicken (a must!), Cinnamon Rolls (the best!), a platter of eggs, a plate o' meats (sausage patties, bacon, and baked ham), a basket o' biscuits (pour on the graaaavy please!), apricot preserves, and pancakes. And my personal fave, good ol' southern sweet tea! It's all you ever thought it would be + more! The property itself is so cute (manicured garden/waiting area) and down home and the service was excellent. We were on a quick weekend trip otherwise I would have eaten at Monell's more than once. This is a must on a Nashville trip!
(5)Renee M.
Biscuits and homemade jam are out of this world! I go there with my husband and kids - such a fun family place. Prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is FUN and FRIENDLY. I highly recommend.
(5)Dalan C.
Was very excited to come try this place. If you go here definitely come with a group of people or a huge appetite. The decor is like walking into a house where you are going to have a huge thanksgiving dinner with family. The tables are long and hold about 10 people. The server and hostess was incredibly nice and hospitable. Ok so the food. You are seated family style with a bunch of strangers (note that I cam early and sat by myself) and as the food comes out you take what you want and pass it to the left. I started with some cucumber salad, biscuits (awesome) and corn bread. Then the food really starts to roll in. Fried Chicken Baked Chicken Pork Chop Mash Potato Green Beans Corn dish Cinnamon apples (amazing) Mac and cheese Cole Slaw Banana Bread Pudding Some strawberry dessert And you can eat as much as you want. I might be missing a dish or two as well. Note that each day the menu changes. So overall the food was good, but not great. Something you'd be very happy with at a family gathering. Value for this is amazing (about $13 for lunch). So, if you are looking to meet new people and a fun atmosphere, this is a great place. If you are looking for amazing restaurant food or don't want to stuff yourself silly, you might want to pass.
(3)Jessica Y.
Family style dining, delicious breakfast, we were so stuffed you had to roll us out of there! A must try if you're in the area
(5)Lance W.
A great spot for southern cooking served family style! Bring a huge appetite, you'll need it for a meal at Monell's. My family shared a table with several retired couples, a local couple and a young group of tourists. The conversation was lively and the food was incredible... Dinner started with pitchers of unsweetened tea, sweet tea and lemonade. Baskets of cornbread and biscuits soon were followed with bowls of fried green tomatoes, cole slaw and fruit. Mashed potatoes, corn pudding, green beans, white beans and a vegetable medley were served as sides. Fried chicken, BBQ ribs, spinach lasagna and catfish with hush puppies were the main dishes. All were really good and the waitress made sure that every dish was full at all times. I love the family-style service and the food, I plan to come back to try breakfast as soon as I recover from dinner!
(5)Lee H.
Best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. That's what my husband's cousin and her husband assured us. Monell's is not a place to dine if you are shy, antisocial or prefer to eat in solitary confinement. You see, it's family style in the true sense of the word. You wait your turn until there are at least 10-12 people and an available table. Then the fun begins. We got in on the last seating of the evening, so our table for 12 was occupied by the four in our party, plus four others. Pitchers of sweet and unsweet iced tea, pickled beets, cole slaw, pasta salad, biscuits and peach preserves were waiting for us as we sat down. What ensued over the next 45 minutes was pure southern gluttony in the purest sense. What is commonly referred to in the South as "meat and three" can be translated to "meat and thirteen" at Monell's because those sides just kept on coming. And we kept on eating. We happily chatted with our table mates as we noshed on what is the best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. We chewed on fluffy homemade biscuits, gnawed on ribs, nibbled on corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and collard greens until we were about to burst. And then, we had to make room for banana pudding for dessert. There's a lot of food served at Monell's which produces a lot of leftovers. We inquired what they do with the tons of leftovers and were happy to hear that they donate most of it. Monell's is perfection.
(5)Mehgan H.
Oh. My. Word. If you are looking for amaaaazing southern cooked food - you have come to the right spot. I have now been here a few times and can't help to come back! From the best fried chicken in Nashville, to mashed potatoes that are to die for, and vegetables that you wouldn't normally touch but can't get enough of - this is the best Sunday meal you can have! Side note - if you go in a small group (1-4) you will possibly be seated with others, as it is pass the food around style, but this is always a great way to meet people! Also, make sure to go on a day where you can take a nap afterwards and also where you throw your calorie counting out the window. I went once for lunch during work, and let's just say I couldn't not accomplish much afterwards! If you haven't tried this yet, this is a Nashville must!
(5)Nadine E.
Amazing food and company. Go. There. Now.
(5)Wendy S.
OMG. I have died and gone to Southern food heaven! A definite must do! Worth the wait.
(5)Jonathon B.
5 stars for everything: Food, Atmosphere, Price... This is the one restaurant a person shouldn't miss in his/her lifetime.
(5)Ann G.
We went here for brunch - the cinnamon rolls are amazing! Everything is served family style, shared at the table. Eggs, smoked bacon, roasted apples, cheese grits, corn grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, potatoes - I can't remember it all but it was all so tasty.
(5)Linda M.
I love the family atmosphere. Seating at table of 12 no matter if more than one group. They have the same menu for everyone. Buffet style but you pass the dishes of food to your left. The fried chicken was hot and delicious. Banana pudding, biscuits, spinach lasagna, corn bread pudding (I think) -- I liked. Beverage of tea and lemonade (did not like) included for the $12.50 lunch which I think it is overpriced. I guess I would want a big selection of items I would like. However, I heard that their menu changes daily and you can request items ahead of time to prepare. So I will say try it for yourself.
(2)Sasha B.
The BEST place to eat home cooked food in Nashville! Went for Sunday lunch and enjoyed most of the food. Left feeling so so full! That fried chicken....yes! Cannot wait to visit again and go for Breakfast.
(5)D.B. G.
Best Meat & Three in Nashville. Southern comfort food served family style. . . When graduating from Vandy Law a group of my friends and our families enjoyed a private dining room, but I have also shared a table with strangers on some visits and had a blast making friends over peach preserves and homemade biscuits. A must when visiting or living in Nashville!
(5)J P.
I really love home cooked meals but some of these dishes were so greasy. The meatloaf and BBQ was swimming in oil, The place was very hot, I have been a regular but I think I will find a more healthy menu in the future.
(2)Kim Y.
You know how on The Simpsons sometimes Homer is making that vacant eyed looks and gross drooling sound for doughnuts? Yeah that is pretty much how I feel during and after eating at Monells. I mean its hard to say something that hasnt already been said below and beyond, but I just had to concur, whip out my yoga pants and add my own little pile of saliva to the masses. They don't always have mac and cheese, so its thats a 'deal breaker' for you, call ahead. They DO always have fried chicken and corn pudding though, oh and those hella great preserves to slather all over the buttery salty biscuits. Seriously - go. If you can get there about 1pm on a weekday, no waits son! PS the coleslaw is my favorite coleslaw ev's.
(5)Jonathan T.
Interesting family seating option. Met some nice people as we all sat at the same table. The food just kept coming. The corn pudding was good but the star for me was the pineapple casserole. Pot roast and chicken were very good. Lasagna was a little disappointing in comparison as were the green beans. The biscuits and corn muffins were also standouts. Peach jam was OK as were the beans. Cole slaw and broccoli were creamy and OK. Overall a very good dining experience that we will be repeating. I will caution you that with all the good food you will need some serious discipline to not leave feeling stuffed to the gills.
(4)Kim K.
I can't say enough good things about this place. Great food and great atmosphere!!!
(5)Chris G.
It's really hard to beat this place. I have a lot of people come in from out of town with my job and they always want to eat "something southern" so this is where we eat lunch. I love the fact you can get biscuits and gravy with lunch and the smothered chicken is always a good thing. If you want to impress clients then you need to bring them here cause everyone always leave happy. It's good for a group and the food choices always fits in with everyone cause it's always broad and even if you just want veggies you can leave happy. Try to get here at 11 and you won't have to wait and hope you get here on banana pudding day cause that's the best!
(5)Shing H.
I ordered to go, so I didn't get to enjoy the communal family-style meal, but I enjoyed the food quite a lot. I had the meatloaf, which was very flavorful. There was a very generous slice with a light sauce. The other highlight was the corn pudding -- so sweet and creamy! The sweet tea wasn't as sweet as I would've liked, but that's probably good for most people. Overall, great meal stop.
(4)Lonny Y.
Oh my gosh. All the reviews are right. Hah. I didn't even read any of the others, but this place is AMAZING. My husband and I were lucky enough to come in for the weekend for a friends' wedding and luckily our flight out on Sunday was late enough that we had a chance to try this delicious establishment. My first time sitting family style at a restaurant that actually served family style! We sat with a group of ladies with a baby shower and a local couple. The couple was so nice and gave us a bit of history and "how it all works". But seriously, once the food came out, we were in love. I honestly do not think I've ever eaten this much in MY LIFE. The fried chicken is out of this world and I am on a mission to find comparable chicken in Houston! I actually had 2 pieces of it. Who cares if I was able to literally burst, I was determined to eat as much as possible. All I know is that if I'm lucky enough to come back, this is my first stop, then I'm taking a long nap.
(5)BykeRyde R.
GO. HUNGRY. and leave happy :) (and really full !) ps- some vegetarian dishes/sides are available, but nothing in the way of being vegan.
(5)Katie R.
OMG THIS WAS THE BEST. the waitress brought out dessert first in case we got too full to eat it later.
(5)Damon G.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. The atmosphere, the service, the community family style seating, all equate to a superb venue. Fried chicken, roasted veggies, biscuits and gravy, the corn concoction! Wait, the fresh cucumber and onion salad. Just an amazing place. This alone could be a reason to visit Nashville!
(5)Dustin D.
Whenever we have a group with us of friends / family and they're craving meat and three (and are hungry!), this is where we go. The food is always delicious here no matter what day you go on. We like Arnolds just as much, however, it's not good for groups even though it is a little cheaper.
(5)Heather L T.
Monell's is my favorite place to eat in Nashville so far. If you're looking for the most storybook Southern atmosphere and mouth-watering soul-food that dreams are made of, this is the place for you. Monell's never disappoints, everything is unique about this restaurant from the menu to the decor to the meal tickets to the staff. No matter where I may move or live in my life, this restaurant will always have a nice place in my heart. If you haven't been, make sure to try it as soon as possible!
(5)Kevin C.
Great food and they kept it coming. Well worth the wait.
(5)Kitcat S.
I took my mom here to introduce her to southern food during her first visit to Nashville. The food was unbelievable. Really well priced in a cute neighborhood. The hostess, who I suspect is the owner, was the nicest person you could meet. I felt right at home and can't wait to come back. The family style also allowed for great conversations with locals.
(5)Janette W.
This was my first meal in Nashville and even after days of eating my way through town, I can still say this was my best meal. This was our first stop after leaving the airport and it was such a whirlwind of emotions. You are seated at a large table, filled with people you don't know. All of a sudden there are pitchers of sweet tea (yum!) and so much food! There are sides of cucumber salad, macaroni salad, corn pudding, green beans and then.. that's when things started spinning. And once you've passed all of these sides around to your new friends at the table. THEN comes the main courses! Fried chicken, roast beef, and the best meatloaf ever! I couldn't believe they had the nerve to pull out cherry cobbler after all of that!
(5)Melissa M.
UNBELIEVABLE. YOU. MUST. GO. We had just landed in Nashville, and of course, all I can think about is food. On the cab ride to our hotel I cross checked the Frommers guide (which really is never wrong) to Yelp to try to find a place for lunch. Monells was the winner. We checked into our hotel and walked in the sauna-heat to this place. We arrived just as they opened. The restaurant is in a residential area in a house. They have a really nice garden and sitting area outside. We were the first ones there and really didn't know what to expect. We were put at an empty table that quickly filled up. When we sat down there was some cucumber salad, watermelon, biscuits, iced tea, and lemonade on the table. I started eating when one of the gentlemen sitting next to me commented that he was not going to make the mistake of filling up early. Uh oh, I was in trouble. Next came a ton of sides, fried chicken, fried fish, squash casserole. Everything was delicious. Best fried chicken and fish ever! Perfectly flavored and crispy. So much delicious food and it was about $13 pp. What a deal! The staff was so nice and friendly, and the family style atmosphere is great. You have the opportunity to talk to alot of interesting people. The only downside is that we ate too much and had to walk back to the hotel in the heat! Talk about a food coma! If you are in Nashville, this is a must-do! You will not be let down!
(5)Casey H.
Here are the highlights: -$12.95 all of you can lunch -family style; you are seated with strangers You have to try: -fried chicken -corn pudding Everything was homemade and really good.
(5)Evan W.
Monell's is by far one of the best restaurants I've experienced (more than once) in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether you are dining alone or with a group, the family-style environment is perfect - for all situations. I've had birthdays here; my family even did a Thanskgiving meal here one year. For those of you that aren't familiar with 'family style' eating destinations, they are set up so that when you walk in, you are seated with a group of other people that you don't know - you then pass around baskets or bowls of food, taking some for yourself. The food here is in a league of it's own - TRUE southern cuisine, ranging from meatloaf, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, to cherry cobbler, home-made preserves, and so much more. I have never experienced something worthy of a complaint. I definitely recommend this to EVERYONE!
(5)Ozro D.
Do you like to eat? Of course you do! Monell's is designed around one thing, and one thing only: people's love of food. Unless you're in a group of 15 people, you'll be sat with strangers, and you can all bond over the unholy amount of food that's about to be put in front of you. It's really hard to call this place a meat and three, because that undersells the amount of food you'll be served. A typical meal here probably has 3 or 4 different meats, and somewhere near a dozen different vegetables. And here's the kicker - they're ALL amazing, so you'll want a bit of everything. Or a lot of everything, depending on how you want to play it. The wait can be a bit of a pain, but it's more than worth it. Plus, it gives you some more time to prepare for what's about to happen to your body. Once you're inside, the food comes out quickly, and it doesn't stop coming. The service is great, too. Monell's is a great experience on any day, but if you can make it on a holiday, DO IT! I had Thanksgiving dinner here, and was blown away. The wait was a bit longer (to the point where they had snacks for those of us waiting outside... no joke), but as always, it was worth it. If you love to eat, then you'll love Monell's.
(5)Varun B.
Just a ridiculous amount of food, brought to you while you're seated at a table seated family style at a table that seats a dozen people, all of whom are quite friendly. Some dishes are a bit of a miss, but some are very good and there are definitely at least a couple of standouts. The main dishes change every day, so keep an eye on the menu. The meatloaf was the absolute best I'd ever had, and the chicken and dumplings and corn mash were a close second. There were a bunch of other good sides, and the fried chicken wasn't bad.
(4)Jordan M.
WOW. Good, southern, home cooking. Wear stretchy pants for this meal! You will need them. Everything was so delicious. A fun atmosphere, sitting with strangers at a family style table. Their fruit tea was very good too. I also thought it was nice to know that all the left-overs were donated to a church kitchen to feed the homeless. The waitresses were super nice and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Nashville just to eat here. The only negative is that the pricing isn't very apparent and it is about $20 a person on Sundays. Still worth it, but I was a little shocked when I got to the counter to pay.
(5)Cj L.
super.
(5)Derrin T.
Yes
(5)Chelsea J.
The country breakfast is actually insane, in the best way possible. I ate so much and didn't want to stop, but in the name of being socially acceptable I had to cut myself off. The biscuits and gravy were incredible. I am at a loss for words at how good this place was, and you pay a flat price of $14.95 for the breakfast which includes (brace yourself) - biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, corn pudding, grits, fried chicken, spiced apples and there is coffee and sweet/unsweet tea on the table. Ermagerrrdd. We got here around 10am and waited for 10 minutes. I've heard if you arrive after the church crowd the waits can be upwards of an hour. Get there early and with a big appetite and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Tim M.
Back in August, I definitely held back from writing a downgrade review because everyone is allowed to have a bad day or 2. After this past weekend, sure enough, it was just a bad day in that far distant past Monell's. You have convinced me again that you know how to meet customer needs. Owner was host this past Saturday night. He quickly identified me as a Yelper and a frequent customer (I've been 8 times in 11 months). Quickly reading the menu, I noticed there was no broccoli salad on this night. My sister was in town and we both find this our favorite side so I asked for a favor since I had not seen in on my last 2 trips to Monell's. 10 min later - bam a bowl of broccoli salad was at my side! Also, got to try the fried catfish for the 1st time and I enjoyed every bit of it. What deserved more attention - chicken or catfish? My heart leaned on the catfish cuz you can have chicken any time. I really enjoyed their pulled pork during my recent visits but tonight it was a distance behind catfish and chicken.
(5)Shafi K.
This place is great, if you're trying to get a heart attack. ;) No, really, I like going to Monells about once every couple of months because once you've been here, you'll be too full to come back for a while. The food is fantastic (especially the banana pudding and the corn casserole..). The people are super friendly and you really get the feeling that you've just visited your grandmother's house more than simply ate out at a good restaurant in town.
(5)Lisa B.
I finally ate at Monell's after hearing so many great things about them, and I'm glad to say that it lived up to the hype! I've heard that they seat you with random people if you don't have a full table, but we had a large party so we had our own table. Since it was Sunday brunch, there was a long wait... mostly due to the party of 32 ahead of us. Yes, 32. I know, right?! There is no ordering, they just start bringing you whatever they're serving that day (family style) for the fixed price. Highlights: Fried chicken, corn pudding, biscuits, mac & cheese... There really wasn't anything I didn't like except sauerkraut, but I don't like any sauerkraut. The term 'meat & 3' is not applicable in this case, it was more like meats & 10. The only thing I would do differently next time is to wear stretchy pants or perhaps an oversized dress. I feel that my choice of wardrobe affected my ability to gorge myself on the delicious soul food.
(4)Rich C.
Go to Monells... really just go to Monells. It has been 2 months since I have been here, and I am only now writing the review, but I can still taste all that awesome food in my mouth. Now, something about clicking your heels and saying theres no place like Monells? Smothered Chicken, Fried Chicken, Corn bread, Corn Pudding, Beans, Taters.. I could go on like Bubba from Forest Gump when he was talking about shrimp for about 3 hours. If you ever wished to have a grandma/mom that cooked soul food and force fed you among a large extend family, then come here!
(5)Eliza R.
Plain and simple, the breakfast food at Monell's is proof of the existence of a higher power. The rating speaks for itself, and so do the hundreds of rave reviews, so there's really not much to add. I'm a misplaced northerner who's lived in the south for three and a half years and I've *finally* eaten a proper southern breakfast at Monell's. Everything about the meal was just perfect - the homemade buttery biscuits and cinnamon rolls, the crisp and flavorful fried chicken and bacon, the grits with just the right amount of cheese and the sweet tea with just the right amount of sugar. I wanted to eat so much more than I did, but my stomach just couldn't handle it. Whether you're visiting Nashville or a resident, Monell's is a must-eat restaurant! :)
(5)Sam L.
Monell's had great southern cooking. We went for the brunch menu and the family style seating made the environment more enjoyable. There was fried chicken, cream corn, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, cheesy grits, sweet tea. Everything was flavorful and made with passion. Come with an empty stomach
(4)Ryan M.
A MUST do for anyone local or visiting! An experience like no other place!! Everyone is super friendly and the food and atmosphere are amazing!!
(5)Simon M.
Come here for the experience. It is family style, sitting with strangers, locals and out-of-towners alike, in a beautiful old house. No menu, just a variety of southern comfort foods brought to the table. As to the food itself, the only stand-out is the fried chicken, the rest is fairly mediocre. But who cares- you're belly will be full and you'll have made some new friends.
(3)Brandon G.
This is a fun spot to hit, everyone should check it out if you have the chance. Family style dining, you sit at a table with strangers and pass around the helpings. Down home southern cookin'.
(4)Len M.
My sister lives in Nashville, so this place has become one of my haunts while I'm there. First of all, if you want spectacular fried chicken, this is the place to go. Be prepared to loosten your belt and let the eating begin. There is usually at least 5 to 10 side dishes in addition to the star items for the given night (they serve different things on different nights, so read their site carefully) . Some of the sides are just okay, but others are great. Especially their corn pudding. Couple of things to note. 1. The seating arrangement is communial style. You will always be seated (depending on your group size) with a group of about 14 people at a large table. Be prepared to rub elbows and strike up conversation with strangers. It seems ackward at first, but then it loostens up. You may even meet some interesting people. 2. Don't go near closing time or at the end of the brunch service on weekends. They gently apply pressure to get you to finnish your meal so they can close. If you want to take your time and eat, go earlier then when they close. 3. If you are going for the prize (such as fried chicken, pork chops or their beef) - do not indulge in the side dishes. By the time you have biscuits & gravy, mac & cheese, beans, corn pudding, mash potatoes, peas, broccoli and cole slaw, you will not have enough room left for the prize - the fried chicken.... 4. Go and enjoy yourself. The people their are very nice and the price for dinner is reasonable ! I look forward to my next visit.....
(5)Jared C.
All the other reviews are true. They have to push you out of there because you're so full. The food is fantastic and is definitely worth coming back to. If you stay in Nashville you should make this a primary stop
(5)Kristin N.
Listen, I'm a born 'n' bred "Northerner," and typically I'm not someone who necessarily enjoys talking to people or socializing with strangers throughout my meal. At Monell's, this is mandatory -- but admittedly, it's also awesome. If nothing else, you can talk to your meal-mates about how the food is freaking FANTASTIC. I think I had about 7 helpings of the pineapple cake casserole (not the official name, but you'll know it when you see it). Their chocolate cake? Dont' even get me started... I don't even LIKE chocolate cake, and I was picking off my neighbor's plate. Everything else was fantastic, too -- served fresh, warm and in true Southern styles and fashion (so says my Nashville-bred boyfriend), and it was all delicious. If it's between this place or another typical meat & 3, please (PLEASE) choose Monell's.
(5)Scott M.
Holy cow, no really......the cow was awesome, but the fried chicken was much better. If you don't try this place you have no taste at all. This might be one of the finest southern cooking establishments left. TOP menu items include succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes. The owner and staff make you feel like you are part of their family. I LOVE THIS JOINT.
(5)Sarah S.
Places like this are why I want to move back South. Now, I'm not a "fried chicken and sweet tea all the time" kind of person, but I spent four years in South Carolina for college, and have traveled to Charleston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and countless other Southern cities and I look forward to buttery biscuits, crisp okra, seafood (crawfish and crab especially), cheesy grits, and more every once in a while while I'm below the Mason-Dixon. Monell's offered me my beloved Southern food in a family-style dining setting at a cute little house just outside of downtown Nashville. My best friend and I were in town for a long weekend trip and stopped for lunch on a Saturday. We were seated at a table with a mother and her teenage son in town from California and a trio of friendly social workers from CPS. A lazy susan loaded with pitchers of sweet tea, lemonade, and water sat at the center of the table, and baskets loaded with biscuits and cornbread (alongside homemade jam and gravy) occupied various spots around the table. The "meals of the day" included their staple, fried chicken (crispy, a little buttery, and delicious), as well as spinach lasagna (kind of different for a Southern place, but nice), and fried catfish (it was done traditionally with a cornmeal breading and was tender and delicious, and this is coming from someone who generally dislikes all fish). We had plenty of side dishes to choose from: green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn pudding, among other things. Dessert, a banana pudding (complete with Nilla wafers, a treat I haven't enjoyed since I was a little girl), tempted us from the start, as they brought it out along with the main meal (although, the social workers each insisted their recipes were better and "more authentic"--I never did get any of them to share though...). It was nice to have so many dishes to choose from, and, happily, no one judged me for wolfing down three butter-slathered biscuits during the course of the meal. The food was delicious (though stereotypically Southern, i.e. comfort food that really sticks to your ribs), and the company was even better. New to town, we got the run down of places to see/go to and even got some job search advice from the social workers, who were quite eager to get us to apply for jobs within their office. In a society where people are just as happy to go out alone to coffee shops and cafes and block out the world--studying solo, listening to music while finishing a term paper, reading a book while sipping on a hot beverage--it's refreshing to sit down with new people (total strangers, to be exact) and have a real conversation. You can't just go in here, sit down, smile, and move on with eating while ignoring the table around you. You sit, you introduce yourself, and you talk about just about anything while enjoying some delicious food and great service, and, well, you enjoy it. The building is a neat little house, with indoor (and outdoor?--couldn't tell because of the cold weather) seating and great Southern charm. Parking can be a little tricky, and the area it's in is a little bit scruffy, but it's close to downtown, easy to get to, and it was fairly easy to get a seat. Be sure to check it out if you're in town, but make sure you come in with an empty stomach!
(4)Priscilla E.
This place was just Ok. Nothing was really great about it. It was a different experience as far as sitting with people that you don't know, the fish was great as well as the biscuits!
(2)Opal D.
Delicious Southern food served family-style (communal tables). Surprisingly inexpensive for the amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)Justin W.
Oh my goodness. What a place! The Saturday morning breakfast is amazing. Family style greatness for a great price. Unlimited fried chicken, country ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits, cinnamon apples, potatoes, eggs, everything...wow. I could eat here over and over without ever getting tired of it. You literally have to come here for a Saturday breakfast!!!
(5)Carin M.
Wear elastic waist pants! Went here on a girls weekend in Nashville for a traditional "Southern" breakfast and it was as great as the other reviews we had read. Family style eating - and you sit with others which is fun too. And the food is amazing. Fried chicken (ate 3 pieces), biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, grits, corn casserole, bacon/ham/sausage, gravy and apples. I couldn't get enough of the chicken and biscuits but made sure I tried everything. Come hungry - leave stuffed! We didn't eat another thing until late that night. But we were so happily full. Would recommend this to anyone in Nashville looking for a southern breakfast. Feels like you are eating at a relatives house who is a fabulous cook and keeps the food coming!
(5)Howah L.
This is a unique experience. It is family style dining. So since I came on my own. I was seated at a large table with two other groups. Seven in all with enough room for a couple more. The people i sat with were very friendly, which was nice as i came alone. There was no need to order, food was set in the middle of the table. You grab the food and pass it counter clockwise until all the food has made it around. And you are welcome to seconds. When I came over 10 dishes were served: including pot roast, fried chicken, lasagna, beans, cole slaw, cornbread, bisckets, gravy, corn pudding, mashed potatoe, dessert, etc. In general the food was good and plentiful. The pot roast, corn pudding, and cole slaw were very good in my eye. Everything else was still good. The cost for my lunch was very good too. Under 13 dollars!
(5)Kletia G.
Wow! this place will knock your socks off as well as blow introverts' minds!! Get ready to sit at a table with a bunch of strangers and eat just plain ole good country cookin! Don't let eating with strangers scare you though, it's really exciting. Turn off your phone and talk to the live person next to you! There is no menu to order off of, just a set daily menu. Expect to get served all you need for a tasty home cooked meal. Salads, biscuits, gravy, a number of sides/casseroles/veggies, a few varieties of meat and some dessert. Flavorful food cooked with love and lard. They bring it out, you eat it up! This place is an experience that is worth trying, and coming back to again and again! Oh, it's a fixed price too, I can't remember exactly how much, but I think it's around $13-$15 per person. Also, they have breakfast/brunch on Saturdays and Sunday's. Haven't been, but I bet it's amazing!
(5)David O.
Monell's is the ultimate in "Country Cooking"! I brought my parents here because they are always looking for places they don't have up north and this surely qualifies! The amount of food you get for the price is truly mountainous! While I can't admit to liking everything, there is so much that even if you don't like a few of the dishes, you certainly will not go away hungry. I was slightly disappointed at how perfunctory the waiter was, but its possible that its designed so they are out of sight, out of mind appearing only to refill your beverages or bring out more food. Strangely though, I found it lacking a real connection to the staff. Parking also could present a problem, since you are stuck with the limited availability on the street. I highly recommend a visit.
(4)Zeb M.
Monell's lives up to the hype. I had their country breakfast Saturday morning and I'm still dreaming about their corn pudding. Every single thing was delicious, but I must talk about their fried chicken for a moment. I can't recall the last time I've had such fantastic chicken that wasn't too greasy or tough. I would go back again just for that. While the family style seating may turn off some people, I thought it was nice for a change and only added to the charm of the historic home-turned-restaurant. I can't believe it took me this long to eat at Monell's! But I know this won't be my last visit.
(5)Matt K.
As a visiting Yankee, I was pretty excited to try this place since it screams Southern to me in every way. I think my expectations were really high, and I was a little bit disappointed. I'll still give it 3 stars though, because the intention was great, essentially unlimited food portions, and just a cool atmosphere. I was extremely hungover from a bachelor party, so couldn't enjoy or stomach as much food as I would have liked.
(3)Janet Y.
I write this review as I crave Monell's meatloaf. This says a lot, considering I never ate meatloaf after traumatized by my school cafeteria at a young age. Am I the only one who feared Meatloaf Thursdays growing up? With that being said, the food at Monell's overall was hands down delicious. From the corn pudding to the skillet fried chicken, I had to try every bit of the dishes on our table. While everything we ate was a piece of Southern gooey goodness, be prepared for a food coma afterwards. The food is heavy, but I was a willing participant. I also loved the unique set up of the restaurant. You literally sit at a big dinner table. You may not know the person sitting next to you from Adam, but get to know them... because you'll likely have to ask them to pass you the macaroni and cheese! The staff is super friendly, and for me... "all you can eat" has reached a whole new level.
(4)Terrell L.
I just had another wonderful meal and experience at Monell's Germantown Restaurant.. I took a friend who had never eaten there, of course he was taken back by the Food, Service and Charm of this place. I'm sure he will spread the good word about this establishment to many others. Country Breakfast, The Best Scrambled Eggs, Thick Sliced Bacon, Country Ham, Sausage, Cheese Grits, Home Fried Potato's, Corn Souffle, Pancakes, Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, Juice, Coffee and of course The Best Skillet Fried Chicken in Town. I think there was even more food on the table, however after eating a taste of all this, I had to take my coffee and relax out in the garden for a few minutes, Life is Good and Breakfast Was Great ! Thanks again Monell's !
(5)D L.
Incredible food! Had a wonderful time with the family style dining. You begin with coffee, sweet and unsweet tea, water and homemade peach preserves. Biscuits, gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls that you are warned not to eat too much of as there is "more coming". That would be an understatement. Has become one of our top 5!
(5)B G.
Had the best experience!
(5)Brennan W.
There's not much to add that hasn't been said. So, instead of telling you why you should go, I'm going to tell you why NOT to go to Monell's. - Don't go if you're shy, or hate having fun. You will (most likely) be sitting with strangers. And it will be fun. - Don't go if you're not eat-your-own-skin-if-you-have-to hungry. You go here with a mild appetite, prepare to be severely disappointed. - Don't go if you are one of those people that complains about how fried food and sweet tea are killing America. Your nose will get turned up a little more with every course. - Don't go if you are on a diet. I did, and.... You know what? Go anyway. Consider it a cheat day. - Don't go if you are in a hurry. You're in the south now. Slow down. Have some pie.
(5)Richard B.
Beyond the food, a fantastic dining experience. The communal dining really was the highlight of the evening, as the entire table of strangers shared food memories from childhood and from the different areas of the country that they hailed from. It has been said by more than one reviewer, and could not be a truer description of what you need to be when you arrive - HUNGRY. I can't recall feeling that full in a long, long time. The catfish was very well prepared, which takes much more skill than most people might think. The cornmeal coating was crisp and thin. The fried chicken was excellent. I found the mashed potatoes to be a bit thin, but of all the mountains of side dishes passed around the table it would be the only thing I could find a minor fault with for the entire evening. Monell's seems to appreciate the fact that they know they will have to roll you out the door at the end of the evening, because the dessert was a small cream cheese, coconut and pineapple tart. Rather than passing on dessert because you're so full, the size of it tempted you to finish of your evening with that last little morsel. And it was absolutely delicious as well. This is a dining experience that I will make the multi-hour drive to Nashville to repeat many times over the next few years.
(5)Candace B.
Ok this place was awesome....It was too great we left so full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep! The place is set up like and old kitchen. There are old kitchen tables through the place with all the condiments and sweet tea you need. It is family style so you may be sitting with some people you don't know..but oh well I guess make some new friends! By the time we got there we where the last of the night and had a whole table to ourselves. When we where completely stuff there was probably about 10 bowls of great food on our table. I have to say my favorite was the fried chicken. It was cooked perfectly and not greasy at all. We also sampled, lasagna, greens, cornbread, white beans and catfish. There was a ton more but so much I can't remember. So, starve yourself all day then go to Monell's it is worth it!!
(5)Jack K.
Like the Food Network Show, I can say that this is the best Southern food I ever ate! No joke. If you are ever in Nashville, you MUST go here! What is great is the place is historic. The wait can be long, but it was worth it for my group of 12. We waited outside in the really nice garden area, and we were soon seated in the front part of the building, which is brick on the outside. I've only had the dinner, so that's the only thing I can comment about, but it was amazing. The spread of family style servings of food will make your mouth water. You definitely need to come hungry, or at least practiced stretching out your stomach for a week to be able to eat the amount of food that will be placed on your table! I loved the family style buffet style dinner. We had our own table, but the table next to us had 3 different groups. It really proves that meals are a social treat. You get to pass around huge plates and bowls of food. Everything from the salad to the banana pudding (yum) are really great. The chicken is just how you'd imagine, cooked to perfection, and the mac and cheese makes you feel right at home. The green beans, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are more then acceptable, and once you thing you've had enough, the servers will ask if you would like anything more. We politely declined to more main courses, but we had to have another bowl of the banana pudding. They weren't lying when they said we would want another bowl! I won't say too much about the food because it changes from night to night, but any review that is positive is probably correct. It is that good! You will feel as if you need to "roll out" of there, literally. I have to say, the atmosphere is fun, inviting, warm, and lively. The people around you are into the meal, feel as if we were in someone's home rather then the restaurant. So, come to Monell's for great food, great company, and great service! The price of dinner (or any other meal) can't be beat when you're hungry! You won't be disappointed...unless you dislike eating awesome food!
(5)Stacy T.
Everyone knows the restaurant is delicious, but I'd like to comment on the catering. We used Monell's to cater our wedding in May. It was somewhat of a difficult thing since our venue didn't have a kitchen and we had to trust that the food would be warm and fresh once it came time for dinner. I can tell you that everything was handled so professionally and you wouldn't have even known the food didn't come STRAIGHT from the oven! It was delicious! The entire catering experience was flawless from beginning to end and I'd recommend them to anyone needing to cater an event - large or small.
(5)Jeffrey C.
Just amazing. Endless dishes at a big table where you meet new people. All the food was great but the meatloaf was amazing.
(5)Kerriann K.
The experience is what makes the restaurant. Go early - and with your whole group - or expect to wait for a long time. Course after course is served very quickly. Mac and cheese, beans, ribs, catfish, chicken, coleslaw, biscuits, etc. Dishes were refilled as needed, but not the best food I've eaten in this city. Fun place to try.
(3)James M.
Great southern cooking reminds me of fondue memories back at Pappaw & Granmaw's house down at farm for Sunday dinner. Very nice to sit with diversified people from all races & share a meal. Encourages comunication with other diners for a enjoyable experience. Hope they donate leftovers to a good cause in Nashville !
(5)Angela Z.
We decided to sniff out a new place for breakfast this weekend, so of course I headed to Yelp to look for suggestion. Monell's was one of the places that popped up on the list. The restaurant is in a beautiful old house with a huge lawn and great parking. We were greeted promptly by a very friendly hostess and seated in about 5 minutes. Our tablemates were not the friendliest in the world, but that's a risk you run when you're eating family style. The meal started with baskets of warm soft biscuits and cinnamon rolls. The gravy was amazing. About 10 minutes later the parade of breakfast dishes began. Corn pudding, potatoes, grits, fried chicken, the best bacon I've ever eaten (thick, crispy goodness) scrambled eggs. I'm sure I"m leaving things out. We'll definitely be back. This will be a great place to bring out of town guests (especially our British family) to introduce them to southern cooking and hospitality!
(4)Melisa P.
All I have to say is OMG! This place was more than good! It was like eating with long lost family. Even if you aren't the type of person who likes to share or break bread with people you don't really know, you soon get over it because the food is too good not to. My friend and I went right before we drove to Pigeon Forge from Nashville which in hindsight was a big mistake, for me anyway, since I was doing all the driving because after eating such an incredible meal at Monell's all I wanted to do was take a nap ... after the biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, catfish, beans, mashed potatoes, greens and on and on and on that was being passed around the table. This was downright home cooking at it's best! It didn't even matter that my friend and I were the youngest people at the table by about 30 or 40 years ... we have a great time and picked up some life's wisdom in the process.
(5)Zenda T.
The Best Food EVER!!!! I wanted some good southern food, I was not disappointed.... A must when visiting Nashville.
(5)Keila N.
Monell's is tucked away in a residential area in German Town. It's nestled in a tranquil garden with colorful flowers with humming bees. I've been here on several occasions, each visit being different from the former. This is family style dining where you sit at a big table with complete strangers. There's ample comfort food served with southern hospitality that you only hear of in the movies. It's truly an intimate experience. I don't eat meat, and I rarely eat carbs. But this place is worth going to just for the ambiance. You can't visit Nashville and not go here.
(5)Dominic M.
Quintessential Nashville down home southern cooking. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, catfish, okra,etc. It's the stuff your mamma cooked if mamma was cooking for all the farmhands. When friends and family come to Nashville, we take them to Monell's. Be ready to leave in a food coma. I personally hold the folks at Monell's responsible for 20 of the 30 #'s I've gained since moving to Music City. The Mansion location is great too but my fave is the Germantown original.
(5)Safa S.
This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in Nashville and probably the US. Now that I am back in LA, I am having serious withdrawals from this place. Everything is great about this place: the decor, the service, the atmosphere and most definitely the food. When you walk into the restaurant there is a sign that says "Enter as strangers and leave as friends." This is so true! You are seated at a large family table with other people. We had a great time getting to know some of the people at our table and getting an idea of other local places to try. The food is served family style, so you have pass everything around (I believe the etiquette here is to pass the food to the left). The decor makes you feel like you are at someones house and so does the way the food is served. So, in the end you really feel like you are eating a home cooked meal! Check the website for the daily menu. Everyday different food is served, so I really think the food is fresh. The day we came they had chicken casserole, pot roast, fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn bread and green beans. I may be forgetting one or two items. Overall, this is a must go to restaurant.
(5)Christina M.
Well I have to say sitting with other people was different but it didn't bother me. I loved all the friendly waitresses & made me aware of the rules & lots of food to come! Everything was delicious we had so much worth the price of $19. Fresh biscuits, fresh fried catfish, fried chicken & ribs just to say the least all excellent. Even my husband whose the not easiest to please liked it so that's saying a lot! Great stop!
(5)Bryan M.
Everytime I'm in Nashville I try to make it here. SO good!!!
(5)Chris A.
Holy moly, the food heere is GREAT, the wait is normally about 35-40 minutes, but it's worth it. You get to meet a ton of new people (family style) and get an amazing southern meal for 20$. go here in nashville.
(5)Jennifer P.
I was raised on traditional Southern cuisine and going to Monell's is just like taking a time machine back to my Mamaw's kitchen. The food is delicious, soulful and traditional. The corn pudding and green beans, especially, taste just like she used to make them. I feel like I get a memory out of every bite. I find the southern comfort and nostalgia of this place to be what I love the most. I love the family style serving and the huge shared tables. I love all of the little trinkets and nic-nacks sprinkled throughout the restaurant. I even love the little eclectic garden they have outside. It just makes you feel at home; pair that with a great meal and you have the recipe for "meat & three" excellence.
(5)Kevin U.
I felt like I was at grandma's house...so awesome. Enjoyed my soul food...fried chicken, catfish, all kinds of incredible sides and the best banana puddin' I'be ever had. This is a must for your Nashville visit. The service is fun and engaging. Like I said, it was like hanging out at a family member's house for a weekend meal.
(4)Dagan B.
really good country cooking. you have to set with a group but it ends up being really cool and most people going understand the situation so strangers become friends or at least friendly.the pancakes and cinnimon rolls are the highlights also the biscuits and gravy and fried chicken are really good
(4)Kevin K.
You have to understand how this place works. It was recommended to us by a friend of mine who just told me the food was really good and you got a lot of it. We pull up to the place, and park on the street in front for free. We walk in and told the lady we have two in our party. She brings us to a big table where seven people are already sitting and they have just started to serve the food. It was all family style, no menu, but they had pasta salad, fried chicken, biscuits, home made preserves, potatoes, etc. There was so much food and as long as you're eating, they keep bringing it, and as soon as you're done, you get up and get out! They always have something different at every meal. At lunch and dinner, they always have some form of chicken and then something else. When we were done and on our way out, we asked the lady up front what are they serving for lunch tomorrow, thinking we would come back, and she didn't know. She told us of the possibilities but she wasn't sure what it would be. Fun place to go, especially with a large group.
(5)Justin J.
Monell's is Southern dining at its finest! The setup is family style, so if you go by yourself like I did - be prepared to sit with a large group of black woman from out of town. The food consisted of southern style comfort food: Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc... IMO this should be a right of passage when traveling to Nashville.
(5)Dan H.
My wife and I loved this place. Great tasting fried chicken. Tons of food for a reasonable price. Served family style so you get to meet some new fools. We would highly recommend a meal at Monell's...it won't be your last meal there.
(5)Trey T.
The food is above average though not as good as what you would get at individually plated restaurant of a similar price point. The amount and variety of food you can get though combined with the wonderful atmosphere more than makes up for this. Excellent place for a large family gathering or getting with a big group of friends! Try the catfish and banana pudding!
(4)Jamie P.
Monell's is a hostess' secret weapon! It is our go-to restaurant when we have out of town guests. Because of the long table seating, they almost always have room for a large party. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and if I time it right, our company eats so much breakfast that I don't have to cook lunch! I have only ever been to Monell's for breakfast, but I am hoping to change that soon. We do not go too often, as I would rather not eat my own weight in food on a regular occasion, but when we do go, I always feel like a little kid excited to go to Grandma's house for breakfast. The food is delicious, and it tastes deliciously homemade. You can't beat this food for the price.
(5)Lindsay M.
What a fun experience in Nashville! A friend and I descended upon the city for a long weekend, and her brother dragged us here on a 1.5-mile walk. I probably would have eaten anything at that point, but this far exceeded any expectations I had. It's family-style--and you're seated at a table with other folks who showed up at the time as you. The host was welcoming and inviting--a great start. I recommend you show up around 1 pm to get good, quick service. Otherwise you'll be waiting for the first round of diners to finish. This place does not take reservations. The fixed menu takes all the pressure off ordering. The host is right--don't waste valuable stomach real estate with the cheap stuff (cucumber salad and cole slaw)--though very delicious. Save room for the onslaught of southern culinary genius. Try everything on the table. I promise you it's worth the calories. (you'll feel less guilty if you walk back to the car you left downtown. It's only 1.5 miles.)
(5)Melissa C.
On my top 10 best & most memorable meal list! From NYC road tripping through Tennessee and had 1 day to spend in Nashville. The food, atmosphere, service and even the neighborhood where the restaurant is were all wonderful! It feels like your having a meal at your Southern Grandmother's home. As a tourist, I found it fun to sit at a big family style table full of strangers to casually chat with people from all over and hear their story. And then the food.....I ate everything they had on the table and everything was absolutely delicious!!! Best Biscuits & Gravy and Fried Chicken I've ever had. There were so many delicious sides and they were endless. I had to make my self stop eating, because I couldn't get enough of how amazing it all was. AND IT ONLY COSTS $13.00 minus TIP!! It may seem like a lot to some but there is so much food and it's never ending. Please DO NOT forget to tip those lovely servers!!! Overall a memorable experience that helped top off my great time in Nashville. If your going to be there or pass nearby Nashville, this cannot be missed!! Best Southern Cooking I ever had.
(5)Sonja D.
Quantity, not quality. But OH is there quantity! A great place to bring friends who want some classic southern food. The fried chicken was great of course. Everything else was the usual southern sauce-drenched carbo-loaded stuff (for better or worse, depends whether or not you like it like that). I do really love eating family style. You meet some great people - locals, out-of-towners - and everyone is there for the experience so be ready to chat it up!
(3)Sun O.
We were in town for work (from LA), and stopped by for lunch. The food is astoundingly good, and an great value. I'm glad I tried the strawberry shortcake at the end, not being a dessert lover - it was phenomenal.
(5)Jennifer H.
Monell's takes the blue ribbon for Southern Hospitality. It felt like I was eating at my Mama's or my Big Mama's house in Mississippi. The food is comforting, yummy, southern fare and the atmosphere is what you would expect if you hail from the south. Run, don't walk to this eating establishment, you will be glad you did!
(5)Mary C.
July 21, 2012 Breakfast Everything was excellent, and 5 star, read the other reviews for details!!!
(5)Justin S.
Ate here in 2000 and Monell's has stuck out in my mind for years. For awhile, I've been trying to recall the name and finally figured it out. My food review would be dated regarding specific items, but I will say that it was a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Nashville. If it says anything, it's been 13 years since I've been and it's stuck out in the back of my mind ever since.
(5)Mark N.
This place has some of the best souther cooking I have ever eaten. Cornbread, biscuits with homemade peach preserves, cucumber salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, southern green beans, sweet tea, and homemade strawberry short cake. All served family style at a table for 14 in a home built in 1880. Too much food for $16. MUST GO if ever in Nashville. I'm now in a food coma.
(5)Sara L.
Just a note, and a personal opinion--I've now been for dinner as well as for breakfast. Dinner added spinach lasagna, some amazing fried green tomatoes, exceptional cole slaw and cucumber salad, plus really good banana pudding (particularly good, since I don't like bananas). All this was excellent and good and YET for all that, for my money, breakfast is the time to go.
(5)Caroline B.
This place is fantastic! Love the family style setting and the ability meet new people while enjoying delicious food. The restaurant itself is incredibly charming and paired with the excellent service, creates the ultimate dining experience. Monell's has two rules: Pass to the left and no cell phones at the table. The lack of cell phone use really enhanced our visit. If you're looking for a southern meal and great atmosphere, this is your place.
(5)Geoff T.
This is not a Five-Star restaurant in the haughty sense. There's no celebrity chef, no over-priced dishes or expensive ingredients, and no exclusive months-long waiting list (unless you come around 11am on a weekend). This is classic southern comfort food developed to perfection with a fun homespun environment thrown in. Monell's is where I take first-time Nashville guests without exception. Both brunch and supper are anchored around their fried chicken, which is my personal favorite. The brunch side dishes include favorites like fried potatoes, a giant breakfast meat platter, homemade biscuits with peach preserves, corn pudding and cheese grits. Being a Yankee transplant, I didn't even like grits before I discovered Monell's. Consider my mind changed. Lunch/Dinner menus tend to focus on tasty southern meat-and-three stalwarts like mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, etc. I love their afternoon menu, but I would push first-timers to get there in time for brunch if they can. The classic original location in Nashville's Germantown is a first priority, but it gets crowded fast. They recently opened the "Manor House" off Murfreesboro Rd (close to the airport) that has much more room and a much smaller wait. There's also an "express" location in Berry Hill and a north-metro satellite in Gallatin. The food is top-notch, but the "family style" dining rooms are almost as integral to the experience. Simply stated, your group does not sit at its own table. You are seated at long tables with several other groups. I have met some very interesting people, both local and guest, through the process of passing the dishes and raving over the fried chicken. Each visit is its own experience. All this writing is making me extremely hungry. I wonder if they'll be crowded at lunch today...
(5)Hoa T.
Monell's by far has been the best dining experience that I have had here in Nashville. Family style all you can eat of delicious southern cooking. The menu rotates daily with fried chicken as the anchor. I had the chicken and dumplings on Monday and also came for the brunch. First time eating chicken and dumplings, the chicken was tender and amazing. The fried chicken was everything that fried chicken should be, crunchy and juicy. Brunch had eggs, pancakes, ham, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, etc. You will leave here full to the brim, guaranteed.
(5)Kelli B.
Great lunch experience. This is a truly Southern family style restaurant. Make sure to check in before hitting the door, as there is a "no phones at the table" rule. You are seated at large dining tables, possibly with strangers depending on how large your party is. There is no menu, they bring out all the good family recipes: cucumber salad, biscuits and gravy, corn salad, cornbread, meatloaf, fried chicken, ribs, etc., and a dessert. You will not leave hungry!
(5)Angie K.
Sit with other families through me off. I now know what family style dining is. Part that is not good is if you come after the family style dining has started you will get cold food passed to you...
(4)Stephanie K.
I've been searching for truly out-of-this world fried chicken since I came to Nashville, and Monell's did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, Kelly commented that it smelled like her grandmother's house. It has that feeling, even the large dining room tables where they seat you with other guests. I came here on a Saturday at around 12:30, so we were asked to choose whether we wanted breakfast or lunch. After hearing the menu items, we went with breakfast. We were seated at an empty table (I suppose most of the other guests wanted lunch) but we were quickly joined by two others. For breakfast, they serve fried chicken, smoked sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, fried apples, hash browns, cheese grits, pancakes, eggs, and corn pudding. There are pitchers of iced tea and carafes of coffee for the table, so you just help yourself. Everything is brought out as it's ready and passed around the table. When you want more, you just ask someone to pass it down. Everything was great, but there were definitely a few super stars on the menu. For one, the fried chicken. I love skillet fried chicken, and this did not let me down. I was also a big fan of the corn pudding, the fried apples, and the biscuits & gravy. For that amazing all-you-can-eat feast, you're charged only $13 (for breakfast, I think lunch and dinner have different price points). Completely worth it. This is a must-go restaurant if you're in Nashville and dying for some heavenly fried chicken. I can't wait to come back for dinner or lunch and try everything else they have to offer.
(5)Jed P.
I don't know how it happens. I think I'm watching my portions, but by the time the fried chicken comes around I feel like I've already had two or three dinners. The fried chicken is so good, though, that I have to go in for a fourth: chicken, biscuits, another glass of sweet tea. And a fifth. I have never left Monell's without feeling completely, disgustingly, stop-and-sit-a-minute-on-the-bench-outside full. This is soul food so good that you're willing to push your stomach to its absolute physical limit and then keep going. The communal seating is fun if you're feeling friendly and not a big deal if you're not. The servers embody down-home cordiality and seem to enjoy what they do. On my first visit, I made the mistake of mentioning to our waitress that I thought the Loveless Cafe had decent fried chicken. As it turned out, she was a former Loveless waitress. She launched into a passionate, point-by-point defense of the superiority of Monell's chicken to that of her former employers. And, I have to say, she was absolutely right. She was happy to hear me say so later on. I was raised on Loveless hams and jams, and I'll always love the place for nostalgia's sake, but judging by food alone there is no competition between the two establishments--or, for that matter, between Monell's and any other meat-and-three/southern/soul-food joint in town. If you only have time to visit one restaurant in Nashville, this should be it. Just remember to tap the brakes while you're eating, hard and often. While all dishes are great, a few are out of this world, and you don't want to be too full to enjoy them. Remember that you can always take more of any dish later, once you've tried some of everything.
(5)Michael J.
Wow. My buddy and I really enjoyed this place. We were seated at a table with a wonderful family and had some great conversation along with a great meal. Way more food than I could eat and at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.
(5)Michael H.
Wow this is some great southern eating. Come hungry. It is all you can eat family style service. The fried catfish and chicken are amazing. All the sides were great too. The server keep our bowls full at the table. Great place to bring a large party of people to eat together. It is a little pricey but for all that you get including drink it is not bad. The house is also very charming and well decorated.
(5)Susan W.
If you are from out of town and want a southern experience, this is the place to be. The service was excellent. The sweet tea is excellent. The catfish is excellent. Everything is excellent. I would come back again some day.
(5)Gail W.
We had mid-morning breakfast at Monell's yesterday (breakfast available on weekends only). I knew to expect a wait and was told by the hostess it would be 30-40 minutes, but we were seated in about 20 (hooray, because I was starving!). The food was wonderful, although the scrambled eggs were a little more done that I like. The cheese grits were perfect! My husband enjoyed the potatoes; I had one taste and they were really good, but I can't pass up grits when they are available. The cinnamon rolls were light and sweet. The bacon was perfectly crispy (sausage and country ham are also available). The fried chicken, one of their specialties, was wonderful -- nicely crispy and moist on the inside. They had fresh sliced tomatoes that looked home grown -- I love sliced tomatoes at breakfast! The corn pudding was good, but a little sweet for my taste. I didn't try the pancakes because I just didn't have the room. I wanted to try the peach preserves but they got lost on the table. Service is family style and you'll be seated at a large table with 10-11 other people. Pass to the left for the first pass and then just ask for whatever else you need. We'll definitely go back next trip to Nashville!
(5)Teresa T.
Hands down an awesome experience. Monell's has a sign hanging above its door that says "Come in as strangers and leave as friends". Monell's is inside of a home so you really get a comforting feeling. Once your name is called, you walk in and sit at a wooden table with other people (family style) and then it begins. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, water and fruit tea are already laid out on the table with coleslaw, a piece of chess pie for dessert and vegetable salad. The biscuits and corn bread arrive with gravy and peach preserves. And then corn pudding, green beans, a breakfast scramble (sausage, egg, potato, onions? and cheese), mac and cheese, spice apples, beef, pulled pork, cheese grits and fried chicken. I feel like I have missed something else... I could not eat like this every day as I wanted to pass out after but really this is something you need to experience. Just remember if it is your first time to really restrain and try a little bit of everything first and then gorge if you have room.
(5)Molly G.
OMG SO GOOD. Nothing to complain about. I definitely had to roll myself out when I was done. Really good banana puddin' and sweet tea. You do have to sit at the table with strangers but that is part of the Nash-Vegas experience. I would definitely return. Beware: not for the dieters or health conscious, but HEY I was on vaycay!
(5)Stacy R.
We had a couple of recommendations from friends to try this place, so we did. While the food was good, it wasn't anything that completely knocked my socks off. Don't get me wrong, the peach jam was absolutely amazing, but as a whole, I wasn't overly impressed. We were warned that it was communal seating with family style serving, which was different and a good way to meet new people, but you need to be in the mood to converse with strangers, and I'm not going to lie, we went early, and we were really tired! Three stars shouldn't deter you from going, just be ready for the atmosphere. There is a lot of food, and again, it's good... for me though, it just wasn't the greatest.
(3)M M.
you want to out a feed bag on? this is the place for you!!! really excellent fried chicken, great pork chops. The only side I was disappointed in was their Mac and Cheese, very, very bland. Other than that come down and be prepared to be full and happy, or is it happy and full :)
(4)LLuli A.
Monell's: Where southern foodie dreams come true! I recently experience Monell's dining while at a conference in Nashville. This place really was the highlight of the entire trip. I was in heaven with every bite I took of the peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, the corn pudding, fried chicken, oh and the many more dishes that I tried and can't seem to remember right now. Overall, its great food, family style and the best part is that you get to dine in with friendly strangers from all walks of life. The service is superb and Little Mike, who greeted us ended up giving me a delicious blackberry jam on the house. The food is sooo good here that you will not regret your visit. Stop by whenever you are in TN.
(5)Penny L.
The concept is fun and entertaining. The food is very fresh and obviously home made. Our favorites Pea salad - wouldn't have imagined that before I tasted it! Chicken and dumplings Meatloaf Peach preserves Not so much Fried chicken - dry and bland, Babes Chicken House in Texas blows them away Green beans - I like mine with bacon and a little kick Would I go again - no but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)Basil L.
I loved this place. I loved this place so much I would marry it. I'm not going to write a long review, just a couple highlights: - Fried Chicken. For breakfast. Punch me in the face now, it was so good. - Family Style. We had a big group so it was no big deal. They put a couple people to sit with us and it didn't matter. We chatted with them but really just talked about how awesome the food was. There was a ridiculous amount of food, so glad we ran a marathon the previous day.
(5)Lee B.
Popped in here on a whim looking for fried green tomatoes while traveling for business in Nashville. Wow what a find. Was traveling solo so I walked in for a wed. lunch. I was the first customer there. A sweet lady behind the front podium welcomed me and asked me to grab a seat at a huge antique table in the front sun room. She said to dig in and she would find some "family" to sit with me as soon as they come in. I sat down at the table which had a pasta salad and a chilled pea salad that were both to die for. Pitchers of sweet and regular tea in the middle along with fresh cornbread and biscuits that are some of the most amazing tasting I have ever ate in my life. As you may have read, don't eat too much at first as you will be constantly fed over and over until your stomach is ready to burst. Soon that kind woman brought me over two more guests from out of town to sit to my right, then two locals to my left and four other locals to their left. They started digging in and out came more sides. Corn pudding! Mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. All spectacular! The entrée of the the day was fried chicken, chicken cutlets and meatloaf. Everything I ate was cooked perfect. The chicken was not greasy at all, very moist and full of meat. The meatloaf was so tasty, it was real southern cooking at its best. I was so full I didn't even get to try the cutlets but they looked great. For dessert they brought out a bowl of banana pudding. What a way to end a huge binge like that. It was sweet and creamy... The experience is something I have never seen in my life before. Maybe growing up in the Northeast we are not accustomed to "family style" meals but this is a great concept and I left feeling like I was treated like a king. All this lunch cost me was around 12$. That is remarkable these days especially considering the quality. I also had the opportunity to meet some really great people while in town and they all made me feel at home.
(5)Tony C.
I flew in for a week for a conference, but in the back of my mind is "where can i find the most authentic southern fried chicken?" Thanks to Yelp, the gps led me safely into Monell's for an experience that was worth returning for. First off, you dont sit by yourself. The place is a big house with lots of rooms and family dining tables scattered throughout. The ambience feels like grandma's home, and you eat what they serve you. Big spoons, big bowls, and lots of ice tea for your likings. Each table sat 8-10 folks, and you are seated in order of entry with your party. So get ready to pass the bowl, have a conversation with a stranger, and eat until you drop. The food here is amazing. Every night differs, and we got to experience pork chops, fried chicken, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, mash, and gosh i forgot already i'm so hungry. We ate until we dropped, but with a smile. Everyone else around was loud and happy, also feeling the pain of overeating after indulging on such wonderful food. The fried chicken and pork chop was still my favorites, each drooling in fried and gravy.. yumm! Price was affordable, and staff was very friendly. I was visiting for 5 days, and came here twice during my stay.
(5)Gabe F.
Best southern cooking in Nashville. Some of the best southern food in the south. Absolutely amazing! I love going on Sunday afternoon and meeting new people at the family style table.
(5)david h.
This is a treat of the first order! It is old south at its finest. Breakfast consists of Fried chicken, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits and gravy, plus much more. You sit at a communal table and the food is served family style by a large african american woman named Mavis. It just doesn't get any more southern (or good) than that! Smiley face and a star.
(5)Anne R.
Visited Monell's for breakfast based on the fabulous reviews and I was so excited!!! We were wanting to check it out with plans of bringing a group of "out-of-towners" here the following week. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with our experience. We got to the restaurant around 10 am with a 20 minute wait but this was not a big deal, we had expected this. And the outside seating area is comfortable and a great space. However, once our name was called and we were seated, we felt as if we were being rushed through our meal. They would put the food down and walk off with not even a smile and then came over right away with our checkout card. We were seated elbow to elbow with those at our table to the point were it was even awkward to cut our food. We also did not receive the pancakes as advertised. When we did leave, the girl at the checkout was obviously in a bad mood. Needless to say, one of the people in our group said as we were leaving "I remember it being so much better in the past." I hated that we had such an experience because now we will need to find another local restaurant to treat our guests....
(2)Kevin P.
Family style, great food!
(4)Daniel P.
I've got two bellyfulls to annoint This a top Southern fam'ly-style joint. If a few plates are off (Who wants Beef Stroganoff?) The fried chick. and sides won't disappoint.
(4)Candice M.
I have been to Monell's on more than one occasion and the food was great, but I must say that the Christmas dinner today was very disappointing! Way too overpriced for what you receive-everything was bland and/or watered down...macaroni and cheese soup, anyone? My family who came to visit for the holiday were certainly not happy with the service or the food-and it was their first time! Maybe it was just a bad day?
(2)Vanessa P.
My boyfriend and I were visiting one of his friends in Nashville and his friend suggested we come here for lunch. I wish we had a restaurant like this in Chicago! Dining at Monell's is like visiting your Southern grandma's house. Everything is served family style and at communal tables. When we were seated, there were 8 others at the table dining already. We sat and the other diners just started passing all the food to us. I stuck to the sides (as I wasn't eating meat at the time) and had the green beans, corn bread, cucumber salad, coleslaw, another vegetable, biscuits and jam, etc. Even just eating the sides, it was a feast. The sweet tea was a tad too sweet (but, hey, I'm from Chicago). This is a great place to get to know your new tablemates and practice your dining etiquette, all while enjoying some truly Southern cooking.
(4)Steph H.
I'm a born and bred Northerner, so the fact that I love Monell's even though they expect you to sit at a table with strangers and make conversation with them while you eat says a lot! Monell's is a good old fashioned family-style Southern (with a capital "S") restaurant. Tables sit 12 or so people so unless you're dining with a big group, you're going to be rubbing elbows and passing the corn pudding to people you don't know. But that's honestly fine because good food goes a long way to making people sociable and happy! The menu is fixed based on the day of the week (as is the price, depending on the meal... Saturday dinner, for instance, costs $16/person), but certain staples always feature: biscuits and corn bread, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and of course the skillet-fried chicken. Along with the chicken, they'll also load you up with at least two other meat options (or veggie lasagna) like meatloaf (so good), pulled pork, fried catfish, or BBQ ribs. On days when we go to Monell's, this is the one meal of the day I have because I always leave stuffed. Everything is always incredibly good and it is all you care to eat... apparently I care to eat a lot. My husband and I always debate which we prefer: Loveless Café or Monell's. It used to be that hands down preferred Loveless, but I think Monell's is starting to edge them out. The biscuits are superior at Loveless, and sometimes the chicken is better there too... but on our recent visit to Monell's, everything was beyond reproach. It was the best fried chicken we have ever had, the meatloaf was out of sight (because it was in our bellies), and the fried green tomatoes were a revelation. Definitely the best FGTs I've ever had (the tomatoes are slightly pickled!). I would go back just for those. Another point in favor of Monell's is that although you may sometimes wait (especially if you've got more than 4 people), the wait is never as atrocious as the Loveless (where we were once told the wait would be TWO HOURS!!!). If you're looking for a great taste of the home-cooked South, Monell's is where you need to go. The atmosphere is actually really fun, and it's a great place to take out of town visitors. Just be sure to pass dishes to the left and save room for some banana pudding and you'll be fine!
(5)Courtney S.
Monell's is more than a restaurant. It is a dining experience. If you are ever in Nashville, you must try it. Some friends and I went on the recommendation of a Nashville native. We were there about 1 p.m. on a Saturday, which meant we had the Country Breakfast. At Monell's, you sit at a big table with folks you don't know, and all the food is served family style. Someone explained to me that Monell's is like a "meat and three" (one meat main course with three side dishes), only it was a "three meat and 10." The food just keeps coming and coming and coming until you can't take it anymore. We had cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, eggs, breakfast potatoes, corn pudding, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, some kind of apple dish that was amazing, and... I know I'm forgetting something, but everything was so good. If you run out of something on the table, you can ask for more. It's basically an all-you-can-eat deal. The entire meal was only about $13, and I was full way past supper. (It really is like two meals in one.) This is a place I highly recommend.
(5)Heather W.
As a naturally gregarious foodie, I can only emphatically agree with all the 4- and 5- star reviews already here. I'd like to add another little-known Monell's secret treat, though: I always seem to arrive at Monell's for a late Sunday breakfast. As noon approaches, each time I've been there, I've been treated to the sounds of a very talented acoustic guitarist who sets up near the entrance with a small amp and a barstool. Gorgeous gentle chords, great company and fantastic food - no better way to spend a lazy Sunday. I'd also like to throw in a note about their dishes - plates, cups and some of the servingware looks like it was all a mishmosh of things some eccentric like me picked up at yard sales. Maybe it's silly, but I love choosing my favorite coffee mug from the stack of empties at the breakfast table; it really does feel like Grandma's house.
(5)Danny H.
This is the first time I ever sat at a table with random people that I have never met before I arrived at the place. Let's just say that going to this place is like having home cookin soul food at your house with some good ol' southern hospitality with some random strangers. But I'm not going to complain, the people here were nice and made it enjoyable. Anyways to the main point, the food...yum, delicious, and finger lickin good! Fried chicken, mac n cheese, country style banana breadpudding, mash potatoes, corn bread, biscuits, pork n cabbage, lasagna, and your choice of lemonade, tea, water. Food cooked just right, not too greasy, not too salty or sweet, just right! For $12.95 lunch, it's a good place to stop by and eat til you drop if you want some good ol' homestyle soul food!
(4)Jemina B.
Ehhh, am I the only person who thinks this place is just okay? Their southern fare is certainly not up to Loveless Cafe standards, although the wait appeared to be just as long. I dutifully passed around plate/bowl after another of food, but found it all to be a little tasteless. Maybe I was having an off day, or maybe they were?
(3)Jonathan K.
Amazing Southern food at a family-style restaurant at a solid price. The fried chicken was fantastic, but extremely greasy. The smothered chicken was awesome as well, but not quite as good as the fried chicken. The corn pudding was amazingly good, definitely a highlight of the sides, along with the mashed potatoes. The cole slaw was excellent and the banana pudding was absolutely incredible, definitely the best I've ever had. You sit at communal tables with people you don't know, which is a great opportunity to have some interesting conversation. They have a clear no cell-phone policy and really try to make you feel at home. Our dinner was $15, all-you-can-eat and including tip. Monell's was a great experience and a must-do while in Nashville.
(5)Stella G.
Last Wednesday, I almost ate myself to death. My husband says to me, "I want some fried chicken." Okay. whatever. great. I'm not even a fried chicken fan. I can live without southern food. Well I could, until we found Monell's. We arrive in a cab and find ourselves in front of a place that looks almost like a large private home, but warmly lit on the inside. As soon as we step through the door, the host's natural southern charm came through and escorted us to the table. Within 60 seconds there is bow tie pasta, sweet tea, cucumber salad and cole slaw. We're then joined at a huge dining table by long time patrons "Becky" and her daughter. They had come to Monell's every week for the past 5 years, plus Christmas and Thanksgiving. And...I can see why. We shared with our new dinner companions the corn pudding, squash cassarole, biscuits and gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, apples with cinamon, fried pork chops, baked chicken, fried chicken, stuffing and peach cobbler. I'm sure i'm missing something. It came out in endless baskets like southern style mana from heaven. If you can remember to leave your cell phone off and pass to the left, you are guaranteed the best dining experience you've ever had.Not only was it amazing, endless amounts of food, but our total including tax, but without the well deserved tip: $29.50. As I was leaving, I noticed that they had a bumper sticker that said "if the colonel had our recipe, he'd be a general." Well, I say, if every place had a Monell's there'd be world peace.
(5)Justin W.
If you made a list of phrases used to describe southern cuisine (finger-lickin', down home, good old fashioned, etc.), you'd probably go through quite a few in singing praises for Monell's. It's family-style dining, which means that each course is brought out on a big serving platter, and gets passed around amongst everyone at the table. Tables seat 10-12 people, so you'll probably be sharing with people you don't necessarily know as friends or family, but with that understanding, patrons mind their manners, and I've never had any problems asking for a basket of biscuits that was on the other end of the table. You would think that, being an all-you-can-eat establishment, that the quality of the food isn't up to par with made-to-order restaurants, but this is not the case. My great-grandmother was from West Virginia, and there were two things I remember about her food: it was good, and there was lots of it. She would bring plate after plate of food, until your stomach was close to bursting, then she'd bring out another plate and look disappointed when you didn't finish it. Monell's is a lot like that, minus the disappointing looks. The food keeps coming until everyone at the table finally surrenders to the fact that they can't eat anymore, and because there's such a variety of dishes, even the pickiest of eaters will probably find something they like, for breakfast or for dinner. And if you're not a picky eater and want to sample a little of everything, you'll have to eat at least two plates of food. If there's one thing that everyone raves about, it's the fried chicken, which is served both at breakfast and at dinner. And it's popular for good reason; it's the best fried chicken you'll find anywhere in Tennessee, and probably some of the best fried chicken in the country. I was really surprised to learn what I had paid for so much food; breakfast only cost $13 per person. I can't remember what dinners are, but don't remember it being much more expensive. The only thing that I didn't like was that, at the end of the meal, there's still so much good food left over on the table, and your stomach's stubborn protests will not permit you to eat any more of it.
(5)Lauren A.
I visited Nashville over New Years and after being subjected to hearing about the deliciousness that is Monell's for at least a year from my friends, I was finally able to eat there. And I was not disappointed. I love the family style dining, cozy atmosphere, and the endless amount of delicious food that is being passed around the table. I had almost filled my plate to the brim with delicious side dishes before the main courses came out. I did save room on my plate for the fried chicken though and as amazing as it was, I love the sides the best. I would have been happy with a bowl of Monell's to-die-for cole slaw but the green beans and the corn pudding and the biscuits with homemade jam and the cucumber salad and the banana pudding... let me just say, the food is great. The menu at Monell changes every day I'm told and the one thing I wish they would have been serving when I visited was the Macaroni and Cheese. I hear it will change your life. I will go back to Monell's the next time I'm in Nashville for sure but I might not eat for a few days in advance to prepare myself.
(5)Lucie O.
Family style dining was a great way to meet some of the wonderful locals and also experience the setting with fellow travelers! The food was absolutely home style rich southern cuisine to die for! They know how to feed here, come hungry, start with small servings because different courses come in heaps throughout the meal. No line to get in for us but was told that's rare, but if you have to wait there is a beautiful garden with several fish ponds and plenty of cozy benches and shade. Whether with a large group, dinner with the family or wanting to experience Nashville, this is the best for your buck!
(5)Lloyd B.
Really nothing to complain about except that it's just too much food! Went on a Saturday for lunch and we had fried chicken, pulled pork, and meat loaf for entrees. Green beans, corn chowder, baked apples, roasted potatoes for sides. Coleslaw and cucumber salad for appetizers with cornbread and rolls with preserves. Bread pudding for dessert. Service was great, everything tasted great, and the price was ridiculously cheap. I think $16/pp including tax. Much reccomended!
(5)Jeff L.
I've been to Monell's for both breakfast and dinner and both meals are incredible. I could easily eat their corn pudding for every meal for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. Family style dining, amazing food, reasonable prices, what's not to like? Don't go if you're not hungry.
(5)Avonel R.
First of all....wow. I've only been here for breakfast but even after seeing all of the other reviews, I still left impressed. I love the family style dining. We were seated around people we didn't know, but overall it was fabulous company. The breakfast choices were seemingly endless. Cheese grits (!!!!!!), corn pudding, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, baked apples, bacon, sausage...the list goes on. I truly needed a nap after this huge Sunday brunch. I will surely be returning for dinner soon! This is one of my new favorite breakfast places in Nashville.
(5)Scott B.
This is definitely a must visit place to eat in Nashville. While visiting my fiancée, Marie, in Nashville, she took me to this wondrous carnaval of food. It was a Saturday morning and we went for breakfast. So, first thing to know is that Monell's is a family style restaurant. So, unless you have a large group, plan on sitting with a bunch of people that you do not know. Once you are seated the passing of food begins. We went with two of Marie's friends and had a grand time chatting away with each others and our new found friends at the table. The food that was passed included cheese grits, bacon, ham, sausage, biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes, corn pudding, fried apples, hashbrowns, and fried chicken, with juice, coffee and tea. And it seemed to never stop. Of course it is all you can eat, so make sure you come hungry. I have heard that dinner is quite amazing too, so next time I go, I will have to give that a try. Happy eating (very happy at this place)
(5)Catherine P.
Monell's really made our brief, 36-hour stay in Nashville! Lovely to eat awesome southern cookin family style with a bunch of southerners! We ate next to a couple from KY for lunch who said theyd been there the night before for dinner and were so pleased they came back 12 hours later! The biscuits and peach preserves, corn pudding, fried chicken, and peach cobbler were to die for! I loved that the waitress called me Baby. :) A must-do for visitors! We'll be back!
(5)Melanie B.
I love eating here! it is amazing for breakfast with pancakes, grits, eggs (REAL ones not that powedered crap some places try to serve), biscuits with yummy fruit preserves, this corn stuff that is amazing, and of course meat and that is just part of the breakfast. Germantown location is a smaller than the Franklin location, but the food is just as tantalizing. The dinner is um... mouthwatering with fried chicken, lasagna, catfish, ribs, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes.. on and on the list goes of wonderful food. I ate here before I became a vegeatarian and still love going after I became one because there are still tons of food to choose from.
(5)Jen W.
Wear your stretchy pants! If your'e on a diet, then don't go here! If your'e going to be a baby about sitting at a communal table go elsewhere! You don't have to talk to people if you don't want to and I'm a New Yorker! I know all about ignoring people and phasing them out. But here, you kinda soften up a bit, sure you sit at a giant table with strangers you don't know, and you pass the food around like Sunday dinner. There's no menu for you to order off, they just bring the food and you take some and pass it on. Don't get greedy here and take like 5 pieces of fried chicken, there's always more dishes coming. Save space. Dessert is always on the table. Dinner's over in about 30 min. In 30 min you're stuffed to the brim. your stretchy pants have stretched to the point where they might just rip. You have been warned! You can't go wrong with their fried chicken. Corn pudding is amazing. Green beans are always great. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, and lemonade all around. Whatever they're making that night, try some and eat it. You can always have more, but you have to finish what's in the basket first. You can't go wrong with the fried chicken. Don't load up on biscuits, they're good but save space for everything else!
(5)Tonya O.
Being a Nashville native, I don't know why it took so long for me to dine at Monell's, but my first experience was just last year, and I had the opportunity to dine there again recently. By far, Monell's is awesome for large groups with their boarding house-style dining. I always thought it was called family-style, but my recent visit educated me further. Boarding house-style means that they bring out several meats, vegetables and other sides to pass around and share with anyone and everyone at your table. You may or may not know everyone at your table, but by the end of your meal you will certainly know everyone a little bit better. If you're on a diet, Monell's might not be the best place for you. Their food is so yummy that you'll want to try at least a little bit of everything. I highly recommend trying the preserves with biscuits, which are served with every meal. Fried chicken, cornbread and banana pudding are the other dishes that are served with every meal. Other offerings can vary between fried catfish, pulled pork, meat loaf, green beans, corn pudding, hashbrown casserole and many other possibilities. Around the holidays and on weekends, it's best to make reservations. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit. If the weather is nice, the garden is a lovely place to wait. If you're looking for a place to bring out of town guests, this is the place to take them!
(5)Brad C.
I am from Australia and in 2010 spent my first ever Thanksgiving at Monells with a Canadian buddy. I was blown away with the food that just kept coming. The fried chicken was so good! The desert such as pumpkin pie was wonderful. Overall, some of the best southern home style cooking I have tasted in nashville. The wait to get a table on thanksgiving was 2hrs and that sort of dampened to excitement but once we were inside, I was won over as soon as I walked in and saw the waiters walking past with hot dishes heading for tables. The other people at the table were friendly. For me it wasn't about the experience of dining at the same table as strangers, it was all about the cooking.
(4)Simon K.
Cast Iron skillets, genuine southern fried chicken, endless portions, southern hospitality, great company, and you walk out with an experience that you brag to your friends about. Never been more proud of being Nashville local. Monell's is the definition of southern soul food. I try to be a fair critic, so if I had to pick a down-side then it would be that they are not big on desserts. However if you can even make it to dessert, you're not gonna be disappointed with the banana pudding. "The proof is in the pudding," so just try to find a bad review of the place. You can try, but it be a bigger waste of time than watching the new Green Latern movie.
(5)Cortney L.
You can't come to Nashville without enjoying this Southern staple. Don't miss the turnip greens and fried chicken.
(5)Bao N.
The Monells dining experience was quite interesting and different from any dining experience I've had. My wife, daughter, and two friends sat at a humungous rectangular wooden table with 10 other strangers and ate family style. For less than a minute, it felt kinda weird, but once the delicious home-cooked food started coming, the conversation with the folks at the table started picking up and it was really cool hearing their stories and experiences in Nashville. The couple that sat at our table shared their favorite activities in Nashville and even recommended a few places to visit before we leave. The food was great. The server brought out a different dish every minute for about 15 minutes. It was crazy. I didn't know when she was going to stop, so I ate as slowly as possible so I can see what else was coming out. I didn't want to get stuffed after just the 3rd dish. From what I can remember, *takes a deep breathe* the server brought out Water, Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Unsweetened Tea, Biscuits and gravy and peach jam, pancakes, sausage patties, fried chicken, bacon, grits, corn pudding, I remember some cooked apples, beans, some desserts and probably some more delicious items that I just forgot. The standout items for me were the extra-thick salty and sweet crispy bacon, soft and fluffy biscuits and creamy corn pudding. OMG! I never had corn pudding before and couldn't get enough. I ate as much as I could to make up for all the years I've been alive and never having the chance to try corn pudding. Everything I tasted was really really good. Overall, great experience and the food was spectacular. Everyone we talked to at the restaurant was soooooooo NICE.
(5)Angela K.
Oooooooooooh yes. This place is amazing. All the southern cooking goodness you wanted and some you didn't even imagine existed. It's all there at Monell's. You sit family style and pass each succulent dish around the table. My favorite were the peas and squash casserole. Not to mention the gallons of sweet tea I consumed. Go early to avoid an epic wait. If I lived in Nashville I would be here at least once a week, but my waist line is overjoyed that Monell's is a plane ride away.
(5)Lena N.
My host in Nashville highly recommended this place for good soul food. They've got everything: fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, biscuits, collard greens, etc. My one tip is to come very hungry because the food is plentiful and it is delicious. You will probably eat yourself into a food coma like I did. Besides the amazing food, their biggest selling point is that unless you're part of a big group, you'll be sharing a table with complete strangers. It's family style so you have to ask your tablemates to pass the food. I even talked to my tablemates in between shoveling food into my mouth and they were a fun bunch. I think the family style method really adds to the experience. Just remember to keep it classy and not talk with your mouth full. Bottom line: If you're in Nashville hankering for some soul food, this is the place to go.
(5)Pete P.
Visiting from out of state and wanting some good southern family style food we heard about this place. Little hesitant about the seating style of the place but it turned out that it was fun getting to meet people from here as well as other far off places. Went this night that had lasagna, pot roast and fried chicken. All was excellent but the chicken was the best. Nothing bad to say about this place
(5)Kimble M.
I am not the belle of the ball, so when I moseyed in here by my lonesome and was told to take a seat at a large table of strangers, I thought about leaving when I was done blushing. I'm glad I didn't, because this was some of the most finger-lickin' good food I've ever eaten and one of the more pleasant and friendly social experiences still left in this world. The ribs, y'all, they are so delicious, and the people treat you like you're back home, with your granny pushing another helping of fried chicken, or the fantastic, sweet/savory fried green tomatoes. You don't have to like everything to be as happy as a pig in a poke and leave stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, satisfied down to your very soul. Shame that a place like this has to be so far away.
(5)Ryan O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat and just when you think you are done eating you will eat more. I can't begin to enumerate all the items you get to pick from during a typical visit. It's too much to even list. My personal addiction are the biscuits and (fig?) preserves. I'm not sure what is in the preserves but it is next level good. The family style seating is fun and always makes for an interesting experience each time. Dinner will run about $17 a person but it is worth it considering it is all you can eat and there is something wrong with you if you don't leave feeling fat and sassy.
(5)Daniel L.
My girlfriend and I visited from CA, and Monell's came up constantly as a go-to BBQ spot when we needed restaurant suggestions. The staff was friendly, the environment was clean and cozy, and the food was as superb as everyone wrote. Their daily meat special was fried catfish, and I knew I had to have it. It was airy, the batter was crisp without being overly rich, and I loved that you could still taste the fish essence. Another staple of Monell's is the fried chicken, and that is a MUST. Never in my life have I eaten skin so delicately crisp yet flavorful without making me feel guilty. It was like a gigantic potato chip covering moist tender chicken meat. I also recommend their green beans (sweet juicy wonderfulness) as well as their corn pudding (tremendous balance of sugary and sweet). Nashville was a fantastically friendly and cultured city, and we will be back soon. Not to mention, we will be back to Monell's. The food was terrific, and the prices were amazingly cheap.
(4)Elizabeth A.
Monell's is ridiculously delicious. Off the charts fried chicken. Off.The.Charts. The family style dining is fantastic, it adds a flair to the typical dining experience. The panacakes, cheesy grits, eggs, biscuits, coffee, fruit, did I mention the fried chicken? All so yummy. I've only been for Sunday brunch, but this place blows away any other Southern-style brunch I've had in the area. Ahem, Loveless Cafe. May I suggest you bring your appetite!
(4)Carolyn M.
I wrote a negative review because I went with an out of town guest and was given a very inaccurate wait time. I got a prompt and professional response from the owner and went back to give it another try. It was fabulous! The food is delicious. Just try to avoid going when the meals are switching - people will wait to try both menus and it can take a mighty long time.
(5)lori C.
I really want to rate this place higher. The atmosphere and decor were wonderful -5 stars. The food on the other hand was just ok or less than that really. Bland, dry over cooked. Even the corn pudding that was rated so high, sweet corm mush. Sorry Monell's. Maybe breakfast is better...
(2)Andy H.
We had a family dinner here over new years weekend. We got in early so, no wait. Once we sat down the food came out hot, fresh and tasty. All the food was served family style and they only stopped when you asked them to. Be sure to check for the daily specials/menus.
(5)Akiko K.
Went today before heading bk home to Atlanta and must say had a wonderful time! Dinner was excellent! The highlight of my trip to Nashville. The fried chicken, bbq chicken, broccoli casserole, biscuits and gravy, purple cabbage, corn pudding, sausage, sour kraut, green beans, banana pudding were all superb and flavorful. Not overly-seasoned or under-seasoned. Just right. Go hungry! I should not have ate that pizza before going. I like the fact that everyone sits together at a table. They get parties of 8-10 of different nationalities and it allows you to meet ppl of diff. backgrounds. We sat next to four Asian college girls from Memphis visiting for the weekend and a white couple visiting their daughter from Charlotte. Everyone was so friendly and we had a great conversation with them and shared some laughs. It was different and refreshing. The outside scenery was also nice too. They had live fish in an outside pond along with a cute bench you can rock on. I will definitely go back next time I visit Nashville.
(5)Marian C.
came too late for the brunch, but lunch was OUTSTANDING!! some of the best fried chicken i've had. loved the family style meal. the food just kept coming. the service was so warm. so awesome!! can't wait to go back.
(5)Trixy W.
Awesome southern home-style food! Everything is family style and predetermined, but so many options are brought out to the table. It was a little annoying sitting next to people you didn't know as I wanted to catch up with friends I went to dinner with rather than having an additional conversation with folks who I didn't know.
(5)Kimberly H.
I didn't break my vows to Monell's and I got to eat here with a couple of friends again on my last trip to Nashville. It still as tasty as ever. Love the fried chicken and the preserves! I also wish more restaurants served family style its such a wonderfully welcoming place!
(5)Nickie G.
I normally get home cookin' twice a year - once at Thanksgiving and once at Christmas. Believe me, I look forward to these days so I can eat enough that the button on my pants pops off! But now I know I can eat like that any time I want at Monell's. So the Dallas BF was in town and even though he's from Dallas and knows about some Southern cookin', he doesn't know about real deep South cookin'. Monell's was recommended and I talked it up big. He was apprehensive about sitting with people we didn't know and "having their fingers all in the bowls" and other such nonsense. Whatever - FRIED CHICKEN with EVERY meal is all I had to hear to know this was a great idea - even if someone sneezed on the food I'd probably still eat it. So we walk in on Sunday at about 1pm and were immediately seated at the last 2 seats at a table. Lucky us because afterwards there appeared to be a wait and also lucky us because food started coming out immediately. Good Lord what a smorgasbord of deliciousness! We had: -vinegar soaked cucumber salad - OM NOM I love this! My mom used to make this all the time and it was tasty -pasta salad - too creamy of a sauce for my tastes, but everyone else loved it -green beans - maybe not quite the way my Granny used to make 'em but still good -corn casserole - who doesn't love creamy delicious corn casserole? - mac and cheese - creamy, a little runny, but again, who doesn't love pasta and cheeeeeeese? - mashed potatoes - what was in these? Crack? They were awesome - greens - turnip or collard? Not sure but I loved it. They didn't even need vinegar - Biscuits - little pieces of fluffy heaven - Pot Roast - this was some flavorful pot roast and the carrots were to die for -Pulled pork - a huge bowl of it. Maybe a touch salty, my BF thought it tasted like Worchester sauce but it was still good - Fried Chicken - not too greasy, just the right amount of crispy, and just the right amount of deliciousness. LOVED it. - Pecan pie topped with whipped cream - not generally my favorite type of pie but the filling was syrupy sweet and the whipped cream was perfect. All of this food is brought out in huge serving bowls and you just pass it around and help yourself. Help yourself to seconds too. Go ahead, be a glutton - you paid $16ish bucks for all you can eat so get to it. Then go home and nap the afternoon away just like you would on Thanksgiving! As for sitting with strangers - I didn't care one bit once the food started coming. I was a little worried that there were so many youngsters at the table but we ended up talking to them more than anyone else. One girl had Bieber fever in a bad way and one boy had about 5 NFL teams he roots for. By the end you all felt like a little random dysfunctional family so it was all good. If you are from out of town , if you are from here and have visitors from out of town, or if you are from here and just want Southern cookin then you MUST try this place!
(5)Colin S.
Monell's is a Nashville tradition...one that should not be missed. Breakfast is awesome. Food is served family style, and you will not go hungry. What is impressive is that the quality blows away the quantity and that is saying a lot given how much food is served. I tried everything served and everything was superb. The highlights - the chicken (skillet fried), the grits, the bacon (oh, the bacon). This is home-cooking at its finest.
(5)John K.
Bottom Line: Great food and experience for fair price. Coming from the west coast this type of dining was a first. My party of 5 was seated at a large table for 12 because at Monell's strangers become family! Random folks were seated next to us and the food at the table was shared like it was thanksgiving dinner at grandma's...so to speak. Here are the points to underscore: 1) Always rotate left - for those of you who are new to southern dining (like me), the bowl of gravy, the basket of biscuits, and the all the other goodies are handed to the person to your left. 2) Take a little of each. - there is so much food that if you eat a lot of the biscuits and cornbread because the food isnt coming out....you'll be disappointed. And they offer more so as not to be wasteful at the table. So don't hog the chicken and mac and cheese. Be neighborly and share like it is your family. 3) Order of the food - I went there for lunch on a tuesday. However, the menu changes constantly. The food that came out for us was: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, broccoli with dressing, green beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef with carrots, fried chicken, and peach cobbler for dessert. There were both sweetened and unsweetened tea for beverages along with lemonade. I like Arnold Palmers so that worked out for me. You can easily ask for seconds...and thirds....and fourths.... And for dinner they throw in an additional meat loaf to go around. 4) Service is stellar - simply put...it was like being at home with a nice mother who brought out too much food. Note: For you recluse hermit types, don't fret. You don't have to talk with anyone if you choose not to. But be warned. Even the customers are nice there! Conclusion: if you have family or friends visiting from out-of-town metropolitan areas, show them Monell's for an interesting vibe.
(5)Phil N.
There are times when you have a great experience that is awe-inspiring and gives meaning to life... dining at Monell's is one of those times. I half-joked that the brick house that Monell's occupied must have been a church at one time. My friend was like "yeah, could be" but looked puzzled until I continued with my thought "cause Jesus must be cookin'" Seriously. Quit reading my review, get your a** to Germantown and put your name in. You'll be waiting to get seats at one of the communal tables that grace this monument to Southern cooking. They set tables of 10-12 or so at a large dining table, family style. They even have rules.. past to the left, take only what you can eat, no cell phones. You meet the folks you are sitting with and get tips from the locals such as "pace yourself, cause the food is just gonna keep comin'. And oh what a meal it is. Typical staples like mac n cheese, cornbread, bisquets and gravy are accompanied by a heavenly squash casserole. Then comes the meat. delicious pork loin, grilled chicken and the world famous fried chicken. Sweet tea, homemade peach preserves and a slice of pie for dessert (which they plated first but no one ate 'cause everyone was too full). If you go to Nashville, you must eat here! If you live in Nashville, I hate you... 'cause you can come here everyday. Enjoy.
(5)Elizabeth A.
Everything was amazing... Amazing food, service, & experience.... Don't see how anyone can say a bad word about the place.... Amazing amazing amazing
(5)Kris S.
Visited Nashville in August 2013 and researched must-visit places before I left. Monell's made a lot of other people's lists, so my friends and I decided to go. The service was excellent. We did have to wait a little while but the hostess was very friendly and talked to us the entire time, and even gave us the names of a few spots to visit that weren't so tourist-y. When we finally sat down our server (I wish I remembered her name) was awesome! She told my friends and I that she loved our accents (even though we DON'T have accents!! haha) and our beverage glasses were never empty. The food was amazing. My friends and I filled up on mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens that we ended up napping up until we went out that night. Our server and the busboy even posed for a photo with us :) The only reason Monell's lost a star from me is because the whole idea of sitting next to strangers is to make friends and share a meal over great food. We were sitting next to some Vandy frat boys with their stuck up prissy female friend who wanted no interaction whatsoever until they found out we lived 30 minutes away from NYC... then the chick wouldn't shut up about "Sex and the City" (yeah, because that's SUCH an accurate depiction of being in your 20s and living in the city) and how she's the real life Carrie Bradshaw. Bish please.
(4)JoAnna L.
My cousin took me here the day I landed in Nashville and I'm so glad she did. We found parking on the street just down the way and then we went to put our name on the list. The seating area does get a bit busy and it looked like Sundays were no exception. Once we had our name called (it took about 20 minutes), we sat at a communal table with about 8 other people and it was great. We had coffee and sweet tea offered and then the plates started to roll out, it was amazing! We had yummy cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, thee best tasting cinnamon rolls I've ever had!, sausage, bacon, and then, of course, very tasty fried chicken. The employees are also very hospitable and friendly. For less than $15, the meal is an absolute steal and very good! The key is to take a little bit at a time, that way you can enjoy it all! I'd love to stop by here again definitely.
(5)Matthew L.
Had a fun and delicious experience. Couldn't believe how good everything was, how much food, how low a price. I really and completely enjoyed myself. Was in town for business so was alone which meant I was sat right away. Met a bunch of nice locals and had a great time. Everything I tried was delicious. Great experience.
(5)Annie C.
AMAZING. This is a must in Nashville. The chicken was so delicious and not too oily. The corn pudding was perfect. The biscuits were fluffy and buttery. Slight downsides were the vegetables (overcooked and bitter), the mashed potatoes (tasteless), the ambrosia salad and cole slaw (very very sweet, but I suppose this is how it is supposed to be). If you are in Nashville this is a must.
(5)Adam B.
This is another place I guess I just don't get. It's nice to serve food family style. It helps strangers be social. But, at $21 a person, you should do better than pretty good fried chicken and then a lot of cafeteria food. The pork chops were dry and tough. The meatloaf was in chunks and bland. The sides were, overall, average. And, when you are remotely done eating, they tell you to leave so the next group can come in.
(2)Rachel C.
This is southern soul food at it's best. Family style seating makes the meal feel festive and special. The meal started off with biscuits and cornbread with gravy. The biscuits were so soft and fluffy, absolutely perfect for sopping up the savory gravy. The cornbread was slightly salty and delicious, though I prefer sweet cornbread. The cole slaw was the best I ever had, creamy and tangy but not watery. The fruit tea was good for washing everything down. I've never had corn pudding before but man oh man is it good. The mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had both chunks and skin, just how I like it. I think I ate half the tub of spiced apples on my own. The Mac and cheese was so creamy and cheesy and not at all mushy because the pasta was cooked perfectly. The purple sauerkraut was perfect with a bit of everything. Moving on to the meats, the fried chicken was so tender and the skin had the perfect combo of crispness and chew. The roast beef was fall apart tender and stewed in the most delicious brown sauce. The pulled pork also had big flavors. I made room for a couple bites of pecan pie and had no complaints there either. If you're looking for a belly buster meal with good value and awesome home cooked flavors, this is the place.
(5)Michael S.
Ummmm....yeah....I know I'm supposed to be writing massively long and involved reviews as a supposedly "elite" Yelper, but honestly, there is nothing that can be said about Monell's that ain't been said before. It's just that good, sinfully unhealthy down-home style cooking, with unending portions, and cool family style serving. Love getting to sit with random people who are all drooling over the never ending stream of food. I prefer to go for brunch on the weekends, but I've loved every dinner I've had hear too, so that's just a personal preference, you can't go wrong. And, there's that fantastic little cupcake bakery just a few doors down if you've managed to save a little spot for dessert somewhere....
(5)Chad P.
Southern, for sure! Going to Monell's is like stepping back in time. Everyone is super friendly, and the food is very good. You sit family style with many other families you don't know. It's a nice way to meet people who come to Nashville from everywhere. Come prepared to eat and not spend a fortune.
(3)Bridget S.
Wow! What a fun and tasty breakfast. The meal seemed never ending and the fried chicken is the BEST in Nashville. Loved the grits nice and cheesy. Biscuits fluffy, great bacon and sausage. The home made cinnamon rolls were awesome per my hubby ( I was too full to taste). Corn pudding, fried potatoes, ....and sides continue including pancakes and scrambled eggs. Service was great (friendly, kind and smiling). Nice meeting others at a family style table. A true southern breakfast.
(5)Paul W.
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt University ["Stay Calm and Anchor Down." Or something like that....] I go to Monell's EVERY TIME I AM IN NASHVILLE. EVERY TIME. The place rules. The fried chicken is exceptional. Bless these people, they serve it at breakfast, too. The corn pudding is delicious: I never eat the stuff anywhere else. The biscuits are little pillows of heavenly starch. I have yet to have a bad meal there. It's family style seating and you will probably have to wait for a seat. There is a lovely little garden seating area with a koi pond and a bench swing to wait on. Once you get in, you're seated with a whole table of strangers. I have yet to meet one rude soul there. They pass when you ask and converse when you want. There's plenty of silences 'cause the food's pretty damn good. Have I mentioned I come here every time I'm in Nashville? Because I do. If you like good, home-cooked food, go to Monell's. If you like the company of good people while you dine, go to Monell's. If you like to eat a lot, go to Monell's. But you don't have to pig out to get value here: the food is really that good. Simple and good. If you like yourself and your friends and family, do something nice for yourselves: go to Monell's.
(5)Colleen S.
Visiting from PA, we were looking for some Southern home-cooking and we found it here! We asked our cab driver for a suggestion since we wanted a local favorite rather than a tourist spot downtown. He suggested Monell's, which is a short drive away from downtown but ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. We walked in with a group of 4 and they directed us to one of their 12-seat tables. I really enjoyed the vintage furniture and decoration. You felt like you were walking into someone's home! This place serves family style, so they will seat you with another party unless you have a large party yourself. The table was beautifully set, with sweet tea, lemonade and a few cold salads/casseroles to start. Hot biscuits, gravy and peach preserves were brought out next while we waited for our table to fill. We immediately began to dig in and had to remind ourselves to slow down for the next course. Once the table is filled, there is a flutter of activity as they begin to bring out baskets and bowls of Southern comfort food! They stagger the dishes and ask everyone to pass to their left to keep it organized. Baked chicken, fried porkchops and fried chicken that was practically falling off of the bone. Next was cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and corn pudding. Everything came out fresh, hot and delicious! We enjoyed the family style seating and the party seated with us was very friendly and talkative. We ate until we could barely move and then realized we had to sample some dessert as well! Small bites of the baked apples and banana pudding were enough for us to officially throw in the towel. With many children in the other party at our table, there was quite a bit of food leftover and we were informed that all of the food is donated to local churches that serve the food to homeless/low-income families, which we were very happy to hear. On our way out, we met the owner who was a jovial man hosting the arriving parties to their tables. He was very funny, cracking jokes about us Northerners and hoping we enjoyed our soul food. When visiting Nashville, avoid downtown and go to Monell's for a GREAT Southern dining experience!
(5)Carlton H.
I went with a group of friends who traveled to Nashville for a wedding and we went here for breakfast the morning of the wedding at the suggestion of our cab driver. It is a family style place but we had a large enough group to take up a table to ourselves. Once you sit down, the food starts coming and it doesn't end until you're in a blissful food coma. You don't order food but there's an enormous variety and it's all good. I may say that this was the best place I've ever been for breakfast.
(5)Gregory B.
A must dine if you are visiting Nashville.....from the time you are greeted, throughout the meal you will have no finer experience. Located in historic Germantown in a 19th-century brick home, Monell's offers an all-you-can-eat spread. Long wooden tables seat up to a dozen people, making for a family-style dining experience. Each day's menu includes a featured entree, vegetables, bread, dessert and at dinner, a chef's choice. Diners in our case from all over the United States and one couple from the UK pass around bottomless bowls and platters of Southern entrees, like pork chops, chicken, dumplings and country-fried steak.
(5)Anonymous S.
Awesome home-style cooking, served at large family tables. If your family isn't with you , don't worry, you'll be assigned one. As a lone traveler- it was a good way to meet people. Several locals told me things I should do while in town. The biscuits were unbelievable. Meatloaf was good. Smothered chicken was a little too heavy for me, I couldn't taste the chicken under the sauce. I guess that's the point - to smother it. Vegies were the usual southern way, a little overcooked and mushy. But everyone does that around here. This isn't just nice southern food, it's an experience.
(4)Alana H.
Amazing Amazing Amazing I must admit I was nervous about this place when I learned it was family style and that they seat you with strangers, but it totally works and I soon became a believer. My party of 4 were seated at table with another family of 4. You pass all of the food to the left and they bring out as much of everything as long you keep eating. We had fried chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet apples, banana pudding, coleslaw, green beans, biscuits and corn bread and sweet tea. This place is the real deal. The food is good down home southern food that could keep you eating for hours. The fried chicken is moist and crispy and I was a big fan of the Mac and cheese, actually now that I think of it I was a fan of everything, it was a really amazing meal. The final piece of the pie is the service. Everyone is so sweet and constantly bringing more of anything on the table that is running low. I thought it would be weird to sit at a table with strangers, but it was actually really nice and we chatted with them during our meal You have to try this place if you're visiting Nashville, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Tia R.
My family didn't know what to expect from this place, so they were a bit weirded-out sitting with other people for dinner. The food came fast, but we all got full on the sides before the chicken was presented (which is what the restaurant is going for I think). The people we sat with also did not display proper dining etiquette, i.e. taking only a small portion until everyone at the table is served. They all took big heaping double portions, so by the time the bowls got to our end they were empty or just scraps. The waitress brought out more, so we eventually got our fill. All of it tasted wonderful, but not anything extraordinary for southern food. The few bites of chicken we were able to stuff in was great, crunchy and moist on the inside. The food was salted just right (I think a lot of southern food is over-salted). My suggestion would be to forewarn your family so they know what to expect and display proper dining etiquette when food is passed around.
(4)Ryan R.
Don't think there's much I can say that hasn't been said already. Was in town this past weekend (along with the rest of chicago) for the Bears game and Monell's was a must do for us. Easily exceeded our expectations and was one of the most unique dining experiences we've ever had. Great food. Great people. Great set up.
(5)Aric R.
This place is, by itself, worth a return visit to Nashville. Friendly people, great food, awesome selection, ABUNDANCE, great food (did I say that already?) I could just arrive at breakfast and just sit there, letting them feed me through dinner. Hands-down, the bext breakfast I've had, and only $11.99 for breakfast INCLUDING tea and coffee. YUM!!!!!
(5)Roll T.
4.25 stars. Monell's is exactly what makes the South so special to those of us who have lived in the area for any tangible amount of time. Are you looking for a special treat? Look no further than the beautiful mansion at Monell's for some of the best breakfast you will find this side of the Mississippi. You are led to a lengthy table in a Southern-formal room where you eat family style with other patrons. They start you off light with a plate of biscuits, but you have the option of making them quite heavy with a think and creamy peppery white gravy that hearkens back to a time when nutritional labels had no bearing in cooking. After the biscuits and gravy, we were treated to a number of different carbohydrates - the corn pudding that everyone mentions is quite divine but I wasn't too thrilled with the cheese grits here. What was exceptionally well prepared on the carbohydrate plate were the homestyle potatoes and the sweet apples. I had to have second helpings of both of those items. Next, we were treated to a big plate of sausage, bacon, and country ham with the sausage and country ham both exceptionally prepared (the sausage squirts all over the place - it's that juicy - and the country ham has an impressive sweet finish). However, if you are at Monell's, you are saving room for the fried chicken. Monell's does a fantastic job with this decidedly Southern dish with an absolutely perfect crunch for each piece. Sadly, I could only eat one piece given all the food I had eaten during the sitting. If you want an impressive Southern meal at a very reasonable price, Monell's is a great bet. My mouth is salivating just thinking about my next visit.
(4)Kimberly M.
I love Monell's! It's one of my favorite places in town. Family style dining, so not the place for those who aren't ok with sitting with those you don't know. There is a fixed menu for each day of the week. You definitely get your money's worth at this restaurant! They have some of the best Fried Chicken I've ever had (and that says a lot!).
(5)Frank B.
Best place in town! We do breakfast here every Sunday after church! Can't be beat! Also had our rehersal dinner here for my wedding and the guest we're blown away. We had the place to ourselves and even allowed to bring wine,beer and other alcoholic beverages. Just an all around spectacular spot!
(5)Geoff L.
An unusual and unforgettable dining experience. You will be sitting with strangers who will become friends by the end of the meal, and there is no menu to order from. Instead, you will get a chance to taste about fifteen different dishes (for dinner, at least), all homemade and all delicious. We were seated, and dinner had just started. We got to feast on cole slaw, biscuits and cornbread, cucumber salad, a sweet and creamy broccoli dish, corn pudding, sautéed vegetables, cinnamon apples...but we were warned to not fill up, because much, much more was on the way. They weren't kidding! We got pulled pork, meat loaf, fried chicken, fried catfish, mashed potatoes (and all the other dishes I'm forgetting at the moment) delivered hot and fresh. Oh, and some of the best banana cream pie any of us had ever tasted. We were in heaven, left to enjoy each other's company. Monell's brings people together (that's the point of good food, right?), so take advantage of the opportunity to get outside your comfort zone and get to know the people at your table. As we were leaving, we asked the owner what they do with all the leftovers. They bring all the leftovers to the local homeless shelter, or they bring them to under the bridge where many of the Nashville homeless call home. It really showed how community-oriented this place is. Not only is $17.50 for this kind of meal a bargain, but you know it's going to a great organization that's in it for more than profits. Though this was the first restaurant I went to in Nashville, I believe it's a must-visit.
(5)Lacey J.
Soul food at its finest. Mmm Mmm good.
(5)James P.
Monell's is a unique place for some serious southern goodness. The staff are great and friendly. We went for lunch and the food did not disappoint. Of course, between the biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, plus enough fried chicken, pork, meatloaf, there must have been about 6,000 calories per plate. All delicious for sure and the atmosphere around the restaurant was very pleasant, especially if you have to wait. But, I had to give it 4 stars for one reason. The seating...12 seats at each 'family style' table. So if you don't fill them, you are eating with strangers. Maybe in the South that is cool, but this California guy wanted to have serious conversation with our guests. Having random people at your table might be 'friendly', but it does not bode for going out to have intimate time with friends, family, or colleagues to talk shop.
(4)Jeannette W.
I have to give this place five stars because I ate there TWICE while on the same trip and in the span of less than five days. That's saying a lot since my motto is variety is the spice of life. This place is like going home to grandma's for Sunday dinner (if I was lucky enough to live in the south and she knew Southern cooking). The first meal I had there was dinner after just getting in from the airport. My friend and I were the last two seated at a large wooden community table that maybe seated twelve. The food had already started so there were bowls of sweet corn pudding, biscuits, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cooked apples going around. (There was so much I am sure my list is lacking a couple of things.) Oh, I remember, there was also a pea salad that tasted so fresh (I hate peas) that I couldn't get enough. Then the meats started coming; we had baked chicken, fried chicken and pork chops. The fried chicken was probably some of the best I ever had. This was all washed down with some really good sweet tea. For dessert, we had banana pudding with nilla wafers. I was a little wary, but boy, was it good. The soft fresh banana offset the crispy wafers and made for a great texture adventure. Since my first meal in Nashville was at Monell's, it seemed fitting that my last meal would be there, too. We made sure to get up in time to fit in a country breakfast on Sunday morning. It was well worth it. This time around, there were pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, sweet corn pudding, bacon, country ham (too salty for my taste), sausage patties, fried chicken (lucky me) and cinnamon buns washed down again with sweet tea. The service here is nice and friendly and QUICK! Even though it was always crowded on Sunday morning they kept those tables turning over. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local yelper who deserves a great big thanks for opening up my world to this little slice of heaven. And if you are in town, don't miss the chance to experience this southern comfort.
(5)Jason R.
Amazing, friendly, simple. We had no wait. Everyone at our table was nice. Lot's of local's actually. Walked off some calories back to downtown through the bicentennial park. Breakfast was amazing - eggs, bacon, sausage, ham ,corn pudding, nice light biscuits, gravy, pancakes, sall good! And I forgot the fried chicken for breakfast.
(5)Andrew H.
Had breakfast here and it was delicious. The potatoes were best in show, followed by the corn pudding, sausage, and biscuits. The grits and scrambled eggs were good, but not memorable as the other options. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the apples and pancakes (damn you, Lent), but they looked incredible. The cinnamon rolls (again, thanks Lent) LOOKED and SMELLED incredible, too. No one at my table was talking with each other, except "Pass the pancakes". It made it a little awkward, but the food more than made up for it.
(5)Jeannie M.
Headed back there at the urging of the owner and my family. Seated on a Saturday night at 5pm, it wasn't that crowded and we were eating in no time. Made sure to come to try the catfish and yes, it was worth the wait! I enjoyed it more than the fried chicken. Losing count - must've had 3-4 catfish filets. I also tried the pulled pork - though I'm not as big a pork fan, this was actually pretty tasty. Sides - well, I enjoyed my meats too much to remember the sides.
(5)Vivek S.
I'm a big fan of Monell's and not just because of the great food! Walking into Monell's is like walking into your grandmother's house during the holidays. You sit at a communal table with people you've never met before and share a wonderful meal that's served family style. Unfortunately, you can't keep your cell phones out to take pictures of all the delicious food, but once you start eating, I don't think you'll want to reach for it anyway! Some of my favorites are the creamed peas, corn pudding, biscuits, and mac n cheese. They serve fried chicken every day and while it's tasty, I think there are places that make better (Arnold's, Prince's, etc.). But overall, a great place to go for lunch or weekend brunch and a fantastic place to take visitors.
(4)Anush J.
The restaurant is located in a quaint brick structure. Our kids loved walking into the entrance due to colorful flowers and the colorful fish in a little pond. We were surprised that Monell's is family style, and we were seating with strangers. Also, it is a pre-set meal...no ordering. Once we mentally adjusted to those facts, we moved on. The food was DELICIOUS. The items that stuck out for us: corn bread, peach preserves, pork chops, stuffing, cheesy corn pudding/casserole, and the pickled cucumbers - but there were more items. Down home cooking & plenty of food. Service was attentive. We are visiting Nashville, and consider this a good and out of the ordinary dining experience.
(5)Mimi T.
Monell's is THE definition of southern hospitality and southern cooking! I read their yelp reviews just to see what I would get myself into. You walk up to the house, and when you walk in it's like you're in someone's house. It's so cute and nicely decorated- very homey. Then a very sweet lady walks you into the dinning area where you'll be seated at a very large table. You'll either be the first group at the table and other people come in a little after to join your table, or vise versa. So yes, you'll be sitting with strangers. There's sweet tea and water at the center of the table, so help yourself. Then comes the salad- my advice is to skip all that and get ready for the real meal. The day we came, they served: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, corn bread, chicken & dumplings, and chocolate pecan pie for dessert. All served family style. Don't forget to pass to the left. I made the mistake of eating too much salad before my meal, and that won't happen again the next time I go back. The friend chicken tasted fine, but I think Popeye's is better. I wish they had smaller pieces of chicken. The greens were really good! and THE BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER HAD!! OMG, it really is!! No other macaroni and cheese can top the ones they serve at Monell's. I waited for everyone to leave the table, and ate the rest of the bowl of mac n cheese- really, I'm not kidding. Chicken & dumplings were really good too. I barely had room for dessert, but I just had to get a couple of bites in just to taste it. I took at least one bite of everything. By the end of the meal, we were so full. I would love to give them 5 stars, but I felt so gross and heavy for the rest of the day so -1 star. After your meal, do yourself a favor and go down to Cupcake Collection (on the left if you're facing the house) to the best cupcake bakery EVER!
(4)Citizen J.
My wife and I visited this spot today for lunch. 5 star service and most, but not all, of the food items would get that rating, too. We both had fried chicken and catfish. I kinda preferred the catfish while my wife preferred the chicken (both lightly fried and not greasy). I'm also a corn nut and liked the corn bread but RAVED about the corn pudding. I wasn't brave enough to also hit one of the biscuits with the sausage gravy boat that was on the table. Collard greens and green beans were solid. They also had some white beans on the table that were excellent. Mashed potatoes were very good, too. For the quality, the price and the service you simply can't go wrong.
(5)Ross K.
Wow. It is best to show up very hungry and with a plan of attack. So many amazing dishes going around the table. I wish I had a hollow leg so I could have eaten more. Hands down best southern food spot ever. Their slogan, "if the colonel had our recipes he would have been a general," says it all.
(5)Richard D.
Atmosphere: I love the atmosphere here. You have to enter through the side entrance which takes you through a quaint little garden. The inside is a continuation of this vibe. I would imagine it feels like going back to grandma's house for a meal on Sunday afternoon. It should be noted though that they will probably seat you and your party with another group since the tables are meant for ten. I didn't mind this one bit though; the people I was seated with were extremely friendly and welcoming. Food: Oh my goodness. Why don't they have this stuff in DC? I would pay double what I actually paid if it were. The menu included: skillet fried chicken, smothered chicken & gravy, BBQ ribs, green beans, corn puddin', macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot remember. I don't have the desire nor work ethic to write a description of each item. But suffice it to say, everything was amazing. That's not an exaggeration. I was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Price: The price was very reasonable. $12.95 for lunch. You get quality food and you will leave stuffed. Service: The servers were friendly and attentive. No dish was left empty for more than a few minutes.
(5)Char L.
Came here on a Saturday at 5pm and there was already a wait for tables. It looks like the restaurant used to be an old house, so when you walk to the door, you pass this cute garden with many porch swings. The food is family style all-you-can-eat for $16.02. You sit at a table with strangers and they just bring on bowls and bowls of meats and sides. We were served: pickled cucumbers broccoli, raisin, nut salad potato salad mashed potatoes corn casserole squash casserole green beans pulled pork fried chicken fried catfish meatloaf biscuits cornbread strawberry shortcake lemonade iced tea I liked the green beans and fried catfish the best. The food was good, altho some were a bit weird, like the mashed potatoes were really thin and watery. Wow Southern food really fills you up! Even though it was all-you-can-eat, my girlfriends and I didn't eat that much. When you usually watch what you eat, you really have to mentally set aside your urge to get a salad, dressing on the side and pig out. And pig out we did. But afterwards, we all felt quesy. I think it's because we usually don't eat such heavy meals. Ok, to the gym now!
(3)Nick B.
Look, I'll make this real clear. MONELL'S IS THE BEST, PERIOD. There is no dipute, this place is an absolute *must*, not only for the food, but for the experience. One piece of important advice that I need to share with you, is to pace yourself. Regardless of how hungry you are, and how big your stomach is, pace yourself! The food just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Whether you want to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it is all fantastic. The staff is friendly, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Whether you are attending with a small or large group, you will have fun getting to know others at your table. Ok, stop reading this review and hurry up and eat at Monell's!!
(5)Dee B.
First, and most likely my last time ever dining experience. I wasn't a huge fan of the family style seating. The ppl at the same table were nice, but I just didn't like it. Passing food to the left while trying to eat gets annoying after a while. I suggest they have a bottle of hand sanitizer at the entrance or hand folks a hot wash cloth like the Asian's do before folks just start grabbing their buscuits and cornbread. Overall, the food was ok, nothing to die for. They didn't serve the chocolate cake I've heard so much about. The Fried chicken was decent. The beans and cheese grits had no flavor. I prefered the corn casserole the best. According to my folks at the table, I make better pot roast and maccaroni & cheese. The Mash potatoe was cold, so for me that was ruined. Cucumber salad was normal. How can anyone mess that up. Cole slaw, I wasn't a fan. The fruit tea was alright, I prefer the fruit tea @ B&C. Since there is no taking food home, I wonder what they do with all the food left behind? I suspect they reheat it for the next guest, I know it sounds disgusting right? Overall experience, too expensive, I tried it once and that's all I need. I'm ok with never returning again.
(1)Flora B.
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place... Included on this "country breakfast" menu, all for $12, were the following items: smoked sausage, bacon, country ham, biscuits & gravy, fried apples, pancakes, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, cheese grits, skillet fried chicken, corn pudding, juice and coffee. The first thing you'll notice is the delectable smell and elegant stained glass. I was expecting a place with picnic tables and sawdust on the floors and found the clean white tiles to be a pleasant surpirse. You will pass everything to the left. Sitting family style, the dishes keep appearing... Frank Sinatra bumping in the background. The best part was what a friend described as the "straight off the pig into the frying pan bacon." Wow. "Great Southern Food Served Family Style in a Historic Setting" - Monell's won't disappoint!
(5)Leo L.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere. Family style dining was a unique twist that added to the experience.
(5)John H.
Family style, instructions include pass the food to the left. Tables seat 12 people, seating is first come first serve. If your group is not large enough to fill all the seats at the table you will probably be seated with other guests. This was not a problem for me. Food is southern style comfort food.
(4)Stevie M.
This is a Nashville 'must do.' Period. You won't find this kind of place anywhere. I don't live in Nashville so I don't get to come to Monell's often but whenever I'm in town I must go. This is southern eating family style. The last time I was there my party was sat with another party at a big dinner table and we all ate together. Imagine that? People sharing food with strangers and it's amazing. The food comes out in waves. Everything southern and beyond in bowls of plenty brought to you table and shared with others. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had but moreover it's the following onslaught of collard greens, black eye peas, beef stroganoff, creamed corn, biscuits, sweet tea, yams and it goes on and on until you can barely keep your eyes open due to the food induced comatose. I suggest fasting the day until you go there and get done with everything you need to do for the day cause when you come out it's going to be slumberland my friend.
(5)Kim L.
This home style restaurant has as much food as you could ever want. You'll definitely need to loosen your belts if your go here! Very friendly service.
(4)Karen P.
Still the best vegetables and side dishes in town but the chicken and fish were cold and dry, and we were there at 11:15 for the first sitting at lunch.
(3)Jim F.
Where to start? We were making a quick weekend trip to Nashville for the first time and wanted to find some good southern cooking for our first meal. We found this place on Yelp and walked north from our downtown hotel. Thanks fellow yelpers. The sat us a a large communal table and we were soon joined by about 10 other people. We were warned to pace ourselves as the courses would keep coming, and boy did they. My personal favorites were the fried chicken and fried pork chops. There were too many sides to mention. And the price is so cheap. I cannot imagine eating this much food for lunch most days but it was a perfect start to the vacation!
(4)Susy F.
I'm a California girl born and bred and on a recent business trip to Nashville, I asked our host for a good Southern meal, preferably with hushpuppies. I got what I asked for. Monell's is in Germantown, a quaint neighborhood with beautiful old buildings. We had a large party and were seated at a large, rustic wooden table already groaning with dishes full of food. Bowl after bowl of Southern delicacies arrived, including all kinds of salads, fluffy biscuits, sweet potato lasagna, and fried chicken to die for. I never missed the hushpuppies. I had to ask what the white bowl of liquid was for--I thought it was ranch dressing but it turned out to be gravy for the biscuits! I should've known. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fast but relaxed. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to visit around the table. It reminded me of the best of the Sunday church potlucks of my youth growing up in a Southern Baptist church. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sage R.
Family style home cooked food for your sole. Went for the Sunday brunch and literally had my mind blown with over 12 dishes of southern goodness washed down with the headiest sweet tea in the south. If colonial sanders had this fried chicken recipe he would probably be known as the general.
(5)Amy W.
Went back 2 weeks ago and the mac-n-cheese was spot on. I think my first experience was a fluke. It's a family fave when they come in town now. Thank you!
(5)Tom S.
Been here for breakfast a couple of times! Very cool place, old mansion! The food is outstanding! You will leave here full I promise you! First dish was biscuits followed by gravy, take as much as you want and pass to the right. Next up pancakes, scrambled eggs, corn pudding and a platter of bacon, ham and patty sausages! Fried chicken for breakfast? Yup, had to, it's hard to let that pass in front of you without taking a piece. They have a peach preserve that has the most amazing flavor and tasted great smeared on a biscuit! Already on the table was pitchers of sweet and unsweetened tea and coffee pots! One girl served all the tables with pretty much no help, she was engaging and very pleasant, hard worker! I would put this on your list of places to go! I had to rewrite this after a pleasant email from the owner. That's what separates 4 from 5 stars!! When the people who own and operate care about your feedback! It's appreciated!! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Lisa J.
Food was excellent. The wait was a little too long, and our waitress was too blunt and rude. Don't dare turn on you're cell phone, or ask for another plate, they don't like either one! Fried chicken, fried cat fish, mashed potatoes and corn bread were all excellent though. Serving is family style. Everything is on the table, and you'll share a table with whom ever they seat. Pass your food to the left (or don't get caught going to the right!) and dig in! I was very disappointed that the waitresses didn't properly explain the processes, then was rude when we didn't know proper "procedure". The food was excellent though, so I would recommend it.
(4)Clay C.
Great dinner served family style at a table you share with other diners. It felt like I was invited to dinner at the neighbors!
(5)Rae Rae L.
Best ever!
(5)Caileigh A.
If I could eat at Monell's every night, I would. The options are endless as there is something for everyone! Its true southern comfort food, and the family-style dining is very welcoming. Street parking is plentiful and the dinner option is just $16/person. They have corn pudding, fried chicken, bbq ribs, stewed green beans, brocoli salad, dinner rolls, banana bread pudding, and so much more!
(5)Bobby C.
How could you NOT like this place? I dare you...try. It is country cooking and hospitality at it's best. You enter through the side entrance...very pretty surrounding area with foliage. You are brought to a large table...for 12 seems to be the norm. You are instantly bombarded with bowls of food...every time a new person or group of people arrive at your table...more bowls of food appear. It started with a giant basket of super yummy biscuits. white gravy, and home-made peach preserves. This is followed by turnip greens, a to die for corn pudding, green beans, pot roast, fried chicken, spinach lasagna, mashed taters, and of course......pecan pie. They force you to be with other people...and ask that you do not use cell phones at the table...OH MY GOD! You mean we have to CONVERSE AT DINNER? Gee...what a 1950's idea...you have to go here if you are staying in Nashville...or even passing though...take your time....lots to try....take small portions so you can have it all though....watch the hours of operation....we got lucky when we showed up....
(5)Big Daddy G.
as good as it gets! being a local can only go every now and then cause they will put a hurting on you. www. full.com when ever i go
(5)Linda C.
When I started my new job in Franklin, one of the first lunch hot spots my team took me to was Monell's. Monell's is a house turned into a restaurant and you pass around bowls of food just as you would during a family dinner. They have long dining tables already set up with water, sweet and un-sweet tea, and piles of dishes ready whenever you are. When the food comes, it flows non stop - 2 meats, variety of salads and vegetables, and of course dessert! Even before the bowl is empty, the wait staff refills it with more. My favorites? The fried chicken and banana pudding. Don't be surprised if another party is seated at your table, after all, it is southern food served family style.
(4)Ryan D.
Ok, so I've been back a half dozen times and this place just has to have 5 stars. I took 14 friends from Atlanta here on New Years day and blew them all away with the insane food. The hot, fresh cinnamon rolls were the icing on the cake and brought smiles to everyones face when they made their entrance. It's funny when you can get 14 old buddies to sit for half an hour and not speak a word, but great food will do that to you. The service continues to remain unparalleled, and the food is always amazing. It's just fantastic. Thank you for all the great times with family, friends and strangers Monell's!
(5)Julie G.
What's not to love? Food- Delicious. Service- impeccable. Ambiance- unforgettable. I sat with an older gentleman and his grandson. I felt like I was sitting at my granddad's table. The dishes never stopped coming out! Fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, biscuits, white gravy, green beans, turnip salad, corn pudding, black eyed peas, mac and cheese and a dessert called a black Betty. Take small portions so you can have a little bit of everything. Service is just as important as taste and both get an A+. The lemonade and sweet tea were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I could barely move after my meal here. :)
(5)Lara P.
We stopped in on a recommendation from the hotel we were staying at in Nashville. When we drove up we thought we were at someone's house, but we were soooo glad we checked it out. What we thought would be a romantic dinner for two ended up being a family dining experience with 8 other people at our table (4 of which were children), but we had fun visiting with everyone. The food was incredible! Everything was served in big bowls that we passed around the table. Just at our table we had corn pudding, hash brown casserole, pea salad, fruit salad, corn bread, biscuits, hush puppies, fried catfish, meatloaf, fried chicken, pulled pork, broccoli salad, homemade preserves and strawberry shortcake. And I'm probably forgetting food. Everything was delicious and fresh, and the service was super friendly and fast. The waitress told us that all the leftovers are donated to a homeless shelter nearby, so we didn't feel as bad when we left all that food that we couldn't eat. I heard that the breakfasts are great too. We will definitely be back whenever we are in Nashville.
(5)Jenna R.
Before dining here, make sure you have your will-power in check! You can seriously hurt yourself at this restaurant. Dining here is like going to your mama's house for Sunday supper. You don't order from a menu. Basically what they serve that day is what you eat. You sit at big family style tables. With people you don't know but walk away knowing. Fried chicken is served everyday, but everything else changes. As soon as you sit, the food starts coming out. All kinds of salads, homemade biscuits and cornbread with gravy and homemade peach preserves graces the table... and just when you're about to pile it up and do some damage, a lovely southern drawl says "now pace yourself cuz there's more coming!" and was she right!!! It was hard but I held back. The food never stops... the table is over-run with platters and dishes. It's GLORIOUS! A definite must-do when you go to Nashville. Trust me on that!
(5)Brit H.
Best burger in town. Atmosphere, perfectly unexpected for the quality of food. "A diamond in the rough"
(5)Danny B.
The place to go if you're wanting to try some quality, Southern comfort food. The incredibly friendly staff helps add to the experience.
(4)miya S.
What is the best meal you've ever eaten in your entire life? Think about that meal, it's taste, it's smell. After you eat at Monell's, that meal is equivalent to a plate of dog crap. You think I'm lying? Why don't you give my theory (/fact) a try.
(5)Betsy K.
This place is great! We had a great meal. Loved the family style dining. Great, friendly service and delicious food! Bring your appetite though it's all you can eat and they mean it!
(5)Kevin M.
What a great experience. I went here with a couple of friends while here on business. The food was great, the service was fantastic and the building was gorgeous. We also had a great group of folks seated with us at the table. This is a must if you're in the area.
(5)Adam C.
I love the family style meals and this place will be a destination whenever we go back to Nashville. The first impression was a little concerning to me, a little more rustic than I prefer. We had the breakfast which included biscuits n gravy and cinnamon rolls to start. Both were good with the edge to the the cinnamon rolls, I have had better biscuits n gravy but still very good. Sweet and unsweetened tea ( for the northerners), sweet tea was just right for me. Out came the cheese grits, corn pudding, baked apples, skillet potatoes, plate full of breakfast meats ham/sausage/bacon. My favorites of those, corn pudding was awesome, baked apples were like mom makes, skillet potatoes were seasoned perfect. Then we had scrambled eggs, pancakes, and last but not least FRIED CHICKEN. Eggs were good, pancakes were not were the room they took up in my stomach given the other options, but the FRIED CHICKEN was second best only to mom's. The skin on the chicken was cooked perfectly and basically melted in your mouth. Meat was tender and juicy, just wish they would soak in salt water for more flavor. Overall, a great breakfast I wish I could have had lunch and dinner too. Next trip to Nashville will include a stop here.
(5)Anne A.
This restaurant was recommneded to us by our hotel in Nashville. We had asked for something truly Southern and not too touristy. Monell's was great! The food was typical Southern fare, served family style (you're seated at a table with complete strangers and all share big bowls of food). If you're not into dining with people you don't know, it might be a weird experience for you, but I would give it a try anyway! Just for the food. The fried chicken was wonderful and not at all greasy. They give you so much food that it's impossible to eat it all. Although we gave it a good try! The price is really fair for the amount of food you get. I believe it was a little over $13 per person. Don't forget to try the banana cream desert...yum!
(4)Andrea N.
You need to eat here! I loved the true southern-family style experience. Great ribs, great side dishes & awesome sweet tea. I'm not a big comfort food person, but I loved everything that was on the table. The garden outside the dining area is very beautiful at night.
(5)Lorrie B.
Fried Chicken and Corn pudding ROCK! It is soooo good. When in town for business I hit this place at least once. Usually I am by myself but I dont mind sitting with strangers eating good food. You MUST try this place at least once or a dozen times. :)
(5)Ray B.
Love the food, it is awesome, and I have been to the one by the airport several ocassions. On my visit, seating at a table with strangers is not my idea of confort, and as well have people seated at my table with kids who play at the table, and the parents are not in control. But the seating arrangement keeps me from going back. Food, 10, seating 2.5.
(2)Jason K.
Family style seating. Best sweet tea, corn bread, fried chicken, and banana pudding you will ever eat in your life. Its also a good way to meet new people. My friend and I ate with a family, it was a lovely experience.
(5)Karol C.
Visited this awesome establishment yesterday (Friday) afternoon for lunch with a group of co-workers. When I walked into the garden, I immediately felt like I was in my grandmothers back yard. We went in, were greeted warmly and were seated in less than five minutes. We were joined at our table by another group. (This Monell's location serves "family style" at a huge dining room table; the food is brought out from the kitchen in large dishes and passed around the table.) The sumptuous yummies started to come out of the kitchen immediately. I could've closed my eyes and would've thought I was at literally at my grandmothers table for Sunday dinner with the family. We were served sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, mashed potatoes, greens, fried chicken, banana pudding and much more. I was totally blown away by the catfish. Being raised partly by my southern grandparents, catfish was a staple in their house. I've never liked it...until now. Monell's serves the most light delicate tasting catfish I've ever had. It was delicious! The service was great as well. Best meal I've had since transplanting to Nashville almost a year ago. My new favorite place.
(5)Michelle B.
Oh man, I cannot say enough good things about Monell's. My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for a weekend and came here for dinner. When we walked in, we were immediately shown to a table with about 6 other people already there and there was food already on the table and more coming out. The sweet tea was plentiful and delicious, and all the food was spectacular. It really is like sitting in the kitchen of a fantastic southern cook. Highlights included the mashed potatoes, the meat loaf, and the creamed corn-type food which had a southern name (maybe "corn pudding"?). Also, for dessert they bought out incredible strawberry shortcake "mash" which was basically the dessert shells, strawberries, and whipped cream all mixed together to make a multicolored mush which was AMAZING. The table was big- after we sat down there were another 6 or so people who sat down after us. We got to chatting with a couple across the table from us who lived in Sacramento (I live in San Francisco). Then, the next day, my boyfriend and I saw them in the airport and they were on my flight, so they saved me a seat near the front because they had a better boarding number than I did. Sweet! See, Monell's, bringing nice people together with fantastic food. This will be the first place I go if I ever return to Nashville.
(5)Krystal H.
I have been hearing good things about Monell's Saturday brunch since I moved to Nashville a year ago. I finally made it a point to go with an out of town guest. It was the best choice I could have made for myself as a Nashville resident and for guests! I can't believe I've been missing out for so long. The food, like everyone says, is fantastic. But what really makes this experience special is the atmosphere and the casual chit chat with the wait staff and guests that you sit with. I would probably save this one for special occasions, since it is quite an experience, takes about an hour and a half depending on the wait, and requires some couch time and a long walk afterwards from eating so much good food!
(5)Erica W.
As good as it gets! On a strong recommendation from my sister in law, I brought a team of business colleagues here for lunch yesterday. Fresh in the from DC we savored the cucumber salad. Then the biscuits and cornbread with peach preserves and gravy came out... I didn't think it could get any better than that- I seriously could eat that all day long! I was wrong! The potato sausage cheese casserole was fantastic and the corn pudding was the best I've ever had. The meatloaf was divine - and I don't even LIKE meatloaf! The macaroni and cheese was delicious. Green beans made my heart sing - the rich taste of pork coming through but they weren't a bit greasy tasting. The mashed potatoes were perfect! The skillet fried chicken made us wish our stomachs could hold more. The sweet tea was top notch as well. In fact the only things I wasn't too keen on were the chicken and dumplings- thought the dumplings needed a little more flavor and the coleslaw- which is probably just me- I think it had green pepper in it and I'm not a fan. Who cares though- even with that it was more fantastic food than would fit in my belly! This non stop stream of deliciousness was topped off with a delicious coconut lemon chess type pie that I had to finish and then I couldn't eat until this morning- whew! The service was attentive and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. The other patrons at our table were delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. An unreserved 5 stars for Monell's. Can't wait to be back in Nashville so I can return!
(5)Jessica G.
Boy was I glad to take a break from BBQ, and I was even more glad it was at Monells! The restaurant is family style, and it is set in a cute house, in a nice looking neighborhood, with lots of street parking. The food just comes and comes and comes. Don't fill up on the biscuits... even though you want to... and FYI they bring out dessert first! Lets just say it was so GOOD, we went twice in our 4 nights in Nashville! And it is great cause each night is something different. One night we had meatloaf and it was so good (I thought I only liked my moms!), and then we had smothered chicken... being from the west coast, I am not really sure what this is...but I do know that it was YUMMY GOODNESS! Fried Chicken every night! And all the sides and salad, and some good discussions with your fellow table mates that you could want! Now I am on the search for a good authentic southern place in San Francisco! FYI no alcohol is served here, but I believe they might let you bring your own... check before you bring it though!
(5)Hayley S.
I went to Monell's with a large group of college students as part of a tour to Nashville. It. was. the. best. They started us off with biscuits, peach preserves, cucumber salad, and sweet tea before bringing out heaping bowls of spinach lasagna, fried chicken, ribs, velvet chicken casserole, corn pudding, green beans, fried catfish, hush puppies, and banana pudding. Apparently there were delicious mashed potatoes too, but somehow my table got skipped on those. All of it was absolutely fantastic though, and they just kept bringing us more and more. The family-style atmosphere was great as well... large rectangular tables with a lazy susan in the middle to facilitate maximum efficiency. A word of caution, though: don't eat for at least 10 hours prior. You'll regret ever putting anything not from Monell's in your stomach. Also, no matter how controlled of an eater you are, chances are you'll stuff your face and not be able to move for an hour after. No joke. Don't miss this place!
(5)Brad T.
Despite my four-stars out of five, don't expect any negative in this review. My wife and I came here on a Monday morning and were instantly thrust into the amazing world of Monell's, the coolest family-style dining restaurant I've ever been to. We entered a beautiful old house surrounded by a very well kept garden and were treated like family dinner guests from the moment our hostess spotted us. Sweet, friendly ladies brought us salads and sweet tea and promised a feast as it was ready. When I say salads, I mean delicious pot luck salads like coleslaw, marshmallow-apple, and a ranch-spinach combo that had me begging for more. An incredibly nice man came and sat with us (as is the custom in this style of restaurant) and was just in time for the fresh baked biscuits and the homemade peach preserves. Soon after another family sat down and made it for the beans, potato salad, and corn pudding. Before we were done passing these around, we were assaulted with fried chicken, baked ham, and chicken dumplings with gravy. Everything was awesome and yummy and had some kind of unhealthy twist that made it oh-so-awesome. Look, I'm the kind of guy who likes chatting with strangers while sucking down green beans mixed with bacon, so I really have nothing bad to say. The decor was folksy and comfortable, the food was excellent (and very fresh and high quality), the prices were so fair I almost felt like I was ripping them off, and the service was outstanding. I'm probably a breakfast visit away from bumping this up to five stars, but my one and only experience leaves me at four stars. Very high recommendation to eat here.
(4)Chris R.
The Yelp community led me to this gem. You start with sweet tea, fresh biscuits and homemade peach preserves. Follow with "salads"- potato and slaw. The main course of to-die-for fried chicken with various down-home sides is then topped off with strawberry shortcake for dessert. All of this is served family-style on a large dining table you share with other lucky patrons. We had a great meal and met some great Nashville folk. The food, service, and company was all top-notch!
(5)Aj C.
You start off by being greeted by a very pretty garden and swing and pond and nice seating area out side once you go in they ask how many that u have in your party then they seat you with other people till the big table your at is full once everyone is there they start bringing out the food they bring so much food usually like 3 meats and I think like 5 veggies it's all southern home made food Food is so good if u leave hungry well that's cuse you did not go here to eat I'm a meat a terian and my Sis in law only eats veggies and we both leave so full and that's just the start of this place the atmosphere is worth the few bucks it cost to eat here alone there's usually a mix it's usually out of towners and locals Witch really makes it great for both
(5)Tom P.
Seriously, the best breakfast/brunch place ever created. I've ate at some amazing places in my day (across Europe, NYC, Vegas, and SF bay area) and this takes the cake. Not only do they provide amazing service (think Southern home attitude) but the idea that you can sit down and meet new strangers is something I like a lot. Just remember, the fried chicken comes at the end so leave some room... and yes, this place will break your diet plan for the month but who cares when the food tastes this good.
(5)Amanda W.
Monell's had the best Southern food ever! The restaurant is family style so be prepared to meet new people. Being from out of state, it was great talking to people from Nashville. They have the food ready for you so there is minimal waiting time and the price is well worth it. The fried chicken was phenomenal, and the atmosphere felt like home.
(5)Kris C.
awesome!!!!!!!
(5)Kelvin M.
Monell's is the gem in Nashville. I flew in CA to visit my daughter in Eastern TN on Thanksgiving Day (a 3.5 hr trip). I decided I needed some "road" food. My cousin in Memphis suggested this place. It didn't disappoint at all. Note though, DON'T GO on Thanksgiving, the lines and wait were long!! Even for a to go order. The issue is that they only had one person seating people, checking them out, signing parties in and taking to go orders!! but He was very friendly and most people including myself understood and patiently wait when I saw the food coming out. I did find it out that in order to appease the people, they had a nacho station out front, in the patio area...LOL. Anyway, on to the food Monell's is arguably hands down one of the best soul food places I have sampled. There were too many sides to order (I got the Meat and 3) but 3 sides wasn't enough. particularly after I saw the corn pudding, devil's eggs, green beans, mac n cheese,etc. I had the turkey which was a little dry. I should have had the chicken instead. Either way the food was marvelous. The next time I am in town to visit the young one. I won't do to go but eat there. After reading the reviews I probably should try the breakfast as well. Overall, the people and experience was great and I like the family style eating as well. People should stop being xenophobic and enjoy eating with someone or some people you don't know. It shows just how much we have in common and less of the differences. We all like good food, now matte who it is. This is definitely on the must return list. Thanks to my cousin!!..
(4)Miriam W.
Monell's was recommended to us by a bellman at the hotel we were staying at once, and now we go everytime we're in Nashville. The concept is Southern comfort food served family style, so, even if it's just two of you having dinner, you won't be seated at a two top, but at a large farmhouse table with a bunch of other people. Once you've said hi to everyone, the food starts coming, and it doesn't stop until everyone's had enough. Some items to hit the table on our last visit were iced tea, fried chicken (very good), cucumber salad, biscuits with peach preserves, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, pork roast, corn pudding, green beans and banana pudding for dessert. I believe they serve fried chicken every night, and then rotate in another entree, so you can call for that night's selection before you go. The food is terriific, service is great, and I love the atmosphere. I always say strangers are just friends you haven't met yet, and Monell's has taken this thought and created a truly wonderful dining experience.
(4)Tanda M.
Went here on 7/23/11 for my BF's graduation. They did a great job at handling the VERY large crowd- they called us a private party. Sadly, we had to be split up and not everyone could sit with and see one another, but the food made up for it. They had everything southern you could imagine. Ice Tea, Lemonade, bread pudding, corn pudding, black eyed pea salad, some really good fried chicken, mac and cheese (too runny though), flat green beans (nicely seasoned), collard greens (nicely seasoned), potato salad, fried catfish (i heard it was the bomb), FRESH biscuits (the bomb), corn bread, banana pudding, lasagne (gross), and I am sure I Am missing something else, but the food was nice and tasty. The waitresses were awesome! Southern hospitality! You do need to bring your own bottle of something to "drink". The bathroom was cute, quaint and clean, but only ONE stall. The outside garden was awesome and beautiful, but the mosquitos had a field day with us while we waited for the OTHER party to finish up. Otherwise, nice place, nice food, nice people. Good job Monells...Oh and it was nice to see a painting of a Black woman on the wall (I wonder if that IS the real Monell...?)
(4)Tami M.
Southern cooking served family style. We decided on Monell's after seeing a recommend on a review for another restaurant. Great food. We had meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken for our mains. Sides included some of the best deviled eggs I've had and green beans to rival my granddaddy's. Roasted potatoes, peas, corn pudding, French toast bread pudding, sweet and sour cucumbers, biscuits and cornbread, green jello salad(how did they know we had folks from Utah with us?) and strawberry shortcake left us fat and happy. The other group we were with recommended the cupcake collection down the street if we needed something else. We didn't, but we did anyway. A must try if you want some down home cooking.
(5)Joel S.
Five stars as this is Southern Food, I'd never normally visit a place like this, I'm surprised my arteries didn't combust with grease. I am man, hear me roar. 5 starts as this IS southern food(says the new yorker) Had a few hours to burn in Nashville, once dinner time rolled around I thought, southern food, that''ll hit the spot. YELP to the rescue. Score with Monnells Called ahead to find out the menu. Walked in, no reservations, they seated me at a table of 12(2 vacant spots) who were going through their appetizers. It's family style and everyone passes around the dishes. "Can you pass me the sweet potato" Everything was PLENTIFUL, and people were really friendly. Met a local woman(who has been a few times but always meets out-of-towners), and a family of 9 from Buffalo NY. Joining strangers at a table was fun, though i can imagine being seated at the "wrong" table, could make for a good TV show. you can eat as much or as little as you want. More Grease here than Michael Jacksons hair. Southern Food at its finest Didn't think it was possible, but drove on to St. Louis after dinner, no nap required. Just gotta know when to say no.
(5)chris c.
The perfection of southern home style cooking. I was in town on a vacation and went here with some friends. It was everything I could have wanted and more. In my dreams, about the perfect southern meal it was this place, this food and these wonderful people who work here. Go with a big appetite and I guarantee you will leave with a big smile.
(5)Ron B.
This was an exceptionally, pleasant tasty surprise. My wife and I were visiting Nashville for business and decided to venture from the big ole resort to find some down home cooking. Based on Yelp and other sites, this received raves. Incan tell you that the fried chicken, creamed corn, string beans, collard greens, chicken salad, cucumber salad and banana pudding were all exceptional. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
(5)Nina M.
Awesome experience! Great food and wonderful atmosphere! Feels like Sundays at grandmas for southern soul food!
(5)Patrick N.
A MUST GO!!!!! Nough Said!!!!!
(5)Siri K.
Love love love this place. Was visiting from NY and wanted good Southern food. This place was adorable from the outside - roses everywhere, and a koi pond! Inside, it was relaxed with communal tables. We ended up with about 14 dishes at our table - they just brought out one after the next and everything was SO GOOD. Standouts were the fried chicken, best biscuit I've ever had, meatloaf, mashed potatoes. Staff was super sweet and so were the other diners. Definitely visit if you come to Nashville. Oh. And it was such a great deal!!! Less than $15!!!
(5)Kexin X.
It is quite a heavy breakfast for me, but quite an experience to sit at a big table with others. Waitress are very friendly.
(2)Tasty G.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reviews I'll ever give. I was spending my last few hours in Nashville alone (since my friends had left the day before) after an epic Bonnaroo trip. I wanted some really good Southern Food to begin my rehab so I checked Yelp and this came up. I'm glad I overcame my social anxiety about eating family style alone because I had a wonderful time with the people at my table. This was a Tuesday afternoon around 1pm so there was virtually no wait--AWESOME! Then the food. Oh my god. This is a top 10 meal of my life so far. Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, corn pudding, spinach lasagne, fried cabbage, lima beans, green beans, pot roast, and bread pudding. Every dish was delicious, hot, fresh, and amazing. I thought I had woken up into one of my culinary fantasies since there's never an all-you-can-eat affair with such excellent quality. I will be back in Nashville, not just for this, but if Monell's was the only reason, that would be way more than enough! By the way the meal costs 13$ for lunch. That's so absurd I actually felt guilty having eaten so much. Go there alone, with friends, with families; crawl, run, walk, climb, jump, whatever you have to do, get there with an empty stomach. I've heard that both dinner and brunch are even better than lunch; I'm not sure how that's possible, but I can't wait to find out.
(5)travis allen a.
I've only ever been to Monell's on Sunday for brunch, but man-oh-man if that is a good representation of how they do up their meals there, count me in for every day. My goodness. I am still stuffed from last time I went, a few months ago before I moved to Los Angeles. It's $14 for AYCE Soul/Southern fare, served family style at giant tables like back at grandma's place. The restaurant certainly _feels_ like her place. There's a huge garden pavilion outside, and a comfortable den feeling inside. You could show up alone or with three other people, and end up sharing the meal with a few hungry strangers, and when everyone starts asking to "pass the ____, please," you instantly feel like a distant family sharing a reunion meal together. There's nothing quite like this place. Everything is delicious and served at the most perfect time! They start you off with just drinks and biscuits and vegetables and side dishes, then serve up the main course (usually a few different selections of meat; pork chops, fried chicken, ribs, etc.). It's so well-timed that your hunger pangs fade away at a steady, filling pace. But then you stand up. And man, are you stuffed. But not just your stomach--your heart and soul are, too. Why go home for the holidays when you have Monell's in beautiful Historic Germantown? You'll never know the difference.
(5)Olivia B.
This place was awesome! Think: buffet without leaving your seat. You'll sit with strangers and get absolutely stuffed...I'll be back for sure! A fantastic place for your "cheat day".
(5)Brian H.
Monell's is a perfect place to take out-of-towners, especially if they haven't spent a lot of time in the south. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and family style setup all contribute to the wonderfully charming southern vibe, but it's the food that sets Monell's apart from the competition. The southern breakfast in particular offers some of the finest breakfast food I've had in Nashville, or anywhere else in the southern United States for that matter. Biscuits & gravy, ham, coffee and other breakfast beverages, even fried chicken are all included. The price seemed a bit steep at first, but if you take advantage of the huge selection and limitless quantities it's quite reasonable. The staff seems to have gotten the seating process down to a science. There is rarely a vacant seat at the large tables and they're willing to accommodate parties of all sizes. Speaking of tables, the dining room is everything you'd expect: a bit crowded at times, but that only contributes to the feeling of dining with a large family. The Germantown location is superb, and it's fun to walk guests around the area to burn off all the southern cuisine that will undoubtedly be stuffed in your stomach after leaving Monell's. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great home-cooked meal in a great Nashville neighborhood.
(5)Lisa C.
um, yes. that is all i have to say. everything we ate here was pretty delicious and i think the best part was the assortment of goodies they just kept bringing out. the highlights of my meal were the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. the banana pudding was SO good, but it's hard to eat dessert after all the other food has already made its way onto your plate and into your stomach.
(4)Laura S.
My entire trip to Nashville would have been worth it if only for the breakfast I had on Saturday morning at Monell's. I think I am still full. It was one of the best meals of my life. Monell's serves everything family-style. When we walked up at 8:45 on Saturday, they had one table full, so we walked back to another. We were quickly joined by two other parties. If you're chatty, this would be a great place to make new friends. We did not talk too much with the other groups at our table, but the atmosphere of sharing food up and down the table was still nice. I could tell you all about how they are in a little house with beautiful murals and a cute garden outside and how friendly and helpful the staff are, but that would distract me from telling you about the food. So let it suffice to say that the atmosphere and service live up to the things you are going to eat. Now, to breakfast. Which was the kind of food worth dreaming about. When you arrive at the table, there is a lazy susan with small plates, sweet and unsweet tea, and creamers and sugar. There was also a bowl of peach preserves at either side of the table, which was DELICIOUS - try it on a biscuit with butter, and buy some on your way out the door. If you want coffee, grab a mug and turn it over. We started with biscuits and gravy and sweet rolls. I had never had biscuits and gravy, this alone is almost enough to convince me I need to move to the South. The sweet rolls were also delicious. You will enjoy both of these so much that you will want seconds. DO NOT DO THIS. The main event is about to begin and you will regret filling your stomach with these space-filling carbs. The next round of food to come out is an embarrassment of riches. There was a platter of meats, with perfectly-cooked slightly-crunchy slightly-chewy thick bacon, deliciously spiced sausage patties, and ham. There was fried chicken, which is maybe a reason I should not move to the South because if I had the opportunity to eat this FOR BREAKFAST on a regular basis I would be the size of a house. There was corn pudding, which was so incredibly delicious that you could feed me nothing but that for the rest of my life and I would die happy and content. The hashbrowns had big chunks of potatoes and a were really well-seasoned, and the cheese grits - oh, Lord, you Southerners keep coming up with new carbs for me to try. I am a champion eater, but I could not even manage to try the pancakes, eggs or fried apples. Luckily I have friends and they tell me all were excellent - the pancakes, apparently, have a particularly awesome flavor. This was a very long way of saying: You should eat here. You should not eat for several days beforehand so that you have room to do it justice. And if you live in Nashville, you should say a little prayer of thanks that (unlike me) you're not going to need to board a plane to have breakfast at Monell's.
(5)Sylvester I.
A boat load of food, that is fresh and very good. Make sure you understand the rules of the table and the rules for billing before you sit down. The host were great and the atmosphere is great if you've never been to a community restaurant.
(4)Santiago G.
This place was so good. The food had such an amazing home cooked flavor and you could taste the hard work. Everything I wanted in a spin then meal was found here. The wait staff was very friendly and made the experience excellent. A must try in Nashville.
(5)John L.
Southern cuisine at its finest. Volume at its greatest. Calories not to be mentioned. Fabulous.
(5)Courtney K.
May I use a bit of vulgarity? This place is the tiiiiiits. During a weekend visit to Nashville, I let my cousin and his boyfriend pick all of the food, since they are the locals and they know what my husband and I like. I was a bit skeptical when I read about this place, because we tend towards the antisocial and so weren't thrilled about the prospect of sitting with strangers. Luckily we had a group of 8 and so were only seated with 4 people we didn't know. They were perfectly pleasant, so no problems there. But oh. My God, the food. Fried chicken, cheddar grits, waffles, scrambled eggs, thick-cut sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy... just... I can't even describe it. Best brunch I've ever had. I'm hungry now just talking about it.
(5)Ben M.
Know full well that if you do not go in there with a large group of people that you will be seated at a big table with strangers. If having to bust into some strangers conversation on the opposite end of a long table to get someone to pass a pitcher of water down to your end, forcing all the people between you to stop eating and continue passing the pitcher sounds like fun, than this is the place for you. The food was fine, but I would never go here again unless I had enough people to fill a table. Most awkward restaurant I have ever been in.
(2)Jamie M.
Unique and amazing experience. I recommend you eat very minimal throughout the day before eating here. They serve you biscuits and bread, desserts, about 4 main dinners, and 7/8 sides in an all you can eat fashion. I was seated quickly and the service was excellent very friendly our host so excited for us to be experiencing montells for the first time. All the food that is served is absolutely incredible. If you're stopping in Nashville I recommend you stop by here because not many other cities have something similar to montells.
(5)Aaron L.
I hope I don't ruin my laptop while writing this review, it's hard to not drool while thinking about this place. I'm from California and was in town for a family reunion and we stumbled upon this place for a nice family dinner. Monell's had some of the best food I ate while in Tennessee, and I ate a lot! We were luck and came on a night where they had fried chicken. We ate fried chicken like we'd never had fried chicken before. This was partially true because their friend chicken was like no fried chicken we had ever tried before. The texture and the flavor was absolutely amazing. Everything else was really good, but I won't be able to write about it because I can't think about anything but that chicken right now. Do yourself a favor and go, and eat a basked of the fried chicken for me.
(5)Matt C.
Unbelievable meal! It was better home cooking than I ever received at home. When we sat down for lunch, there was a slice of pecan pie waiting for each of us. Come hungry! Lunch was 16.43 per person for everything.
(5)Shirley S.
My Boyfriend and I were driving through Nashville (from the Northeast) and decided to come here because of the great reviews... which were all true! I loved the family eating style... they sat us at a large dining table in a very warm and cozy dining room (with other dining tables and diners) and we had one of the best dinners of our lives. I have absolutely NO complaints... except that i wish i lived there to experience it more frequently. The food was AMAZING... my belly hurt from eating so much. I hope we can go back soon!!!
(5)Dave J.
Awesome. Unbelievable. This place definitely provided a southern eating experience for my trip to Nashville. The corn pudding was fantastic, as were the cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sweet tea, and cheese grits. It was fun to eat family style and I really felt like I was at grandma's for breakfast.
(5)Dessa T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! Everything on the menu is delicious, from the fried chicken to the banana pudding. One of my favorite dishes is the broccoli salad. Their brunch is also good, but the best Monell's experience is the full lunch or dinner menu. This is my number one stop for out-of-town guests--classic Southern cooking, wonderful Southern hospitality, and a unique family-style atmosphere (murals painted on the walls, mismatched country cottage plates and cups. The wooden chairs and family portraits make it feel like grandma's house). I have also been to several special events here and at their location in Franlkin (rehearsal dinner, graduation party, etc.) and it suits them well. They do not take reservations, but it is worth the wait!!
(5)Alex G.
A year ago, Monell's would have gotten 5-stars from me. Now? Well it's still pretty great, but just not the same. It remains delicious, but I've noticed a little decline in the quality. Also, maybe it's my imagination, but are there fewer sides now? While still a great deal if you have a big appetite, the prices have gone up (particularly for Sunday brunch, which used to be my favorite) and it's not quite the value it once was.
(4)Rebecca H.
Came to Nashville for the first time ever for a law school competition. I was traveling with five other girls, all of us were under 5'4" (not necessary to the review but come on, hilarious!). As one obsessed with eating, food, and generally just masticating -- I knew we had to stake places out before we traveled. One of our fellow students clued us in to this place saying if you really want great down home southern cooking, this is the place to go. We made it on a Saturday night just in time for the last seating. We were seated at a table with a group of nice out of towners. The food began coming out of the kitchen: corn pudding, potatoes with bacon, green beans with bacon, biscuits, corn bread, fried chicken, fried fish...and much more. Every single bite was absolutely wonderful and more fattening than the next. I was so happy to see all of us eating so much pork that I was giddy. I mean there was pork in EVERYTHING!! Yay! It was fun to meet the people we were seated with, especially when they kept hogging the corn pudding that I wanted. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake and it was okay. Honestly it's the sides that make this place. Lastly, I must comment on the decor. We came to Nashville in March...Monell's had a Christmas tree up, BUT it was decorated with all St. Patrick's Day stuff...huh, awesome! Also, when you leave you put your tip in a boot! Ha ha, I think that's funny. Five stars because it's so filled with pork and so so good. Love that Southern cookin'. Oh and we had plans to go drinking that night, but were all comatose from the amount of food and didn't make it out. Make sure you come here as your last destination for the evening, they practically have to roll you out of the place.
(5)marisa s.
if you visit nashville and don't visit monell's...then you really didn't visit nashville. it's a country breakfast served family-style with complete strangers at your table. it's a brunch experience that i'll never forget. the servers are so nice and are there to get you full. for $14.99...it's the best deal for an all-you-can-eat and drink (sweet tea, iced tea, OJ and coffee). set in a home that feels like your own, you'll feel nice and comfortable as you southernize your belly with grits, corn chowder, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade preserves, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and country ham. fat & happy baby. fat & happy.
(5)Archer D.
I spent 3 months working in Nashville, and Monell's was by and far the best and most orginal restuarant we found. Make sure you come hungry, they give you lots and lots of food. As really liked the family style service and seating arrangements. Lots of fun!
(5)Mark C.
well i sure didn't expect this! you sit down with a bunch of strangers and pass around food and eat. this is unusual being from CA. the fried chicken is very good as well as the meatloaf, green beans, peas, bread, and everything else they serve. there is PLENTY of food to go around so don't be shy like i was. the people are very nice and the food comes right out. you really can't beat this place and i would like to go back next time i'm in nashville
(5)Mariela C.
This is completely going to gross you all out, but the first time I went to Monell's I ate so much that I puked on my way out next to my car. I know, I'm disgusting. This was the first 'southern cooking' place I went to when I moved to Nashville and had no idea what I had in store. The set up at Monell's is meant to re-create a good southern style meal; you sit at large tables with complete strangers and pass plates around the table. The problem/attribute: the food never stops coming. They bring out side dishes first: corn, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, biscuits and jam. Then come the entrees: fried chicken, pulled pork, bbq chicken, fried fish, etc. Lastly, dessert that which varies depending on the day you go. The first time I went to Monell's around the table sat a motley crew consisting of a group of women from Jersey Shore, a family celebrating a wedding from east Tennessee, and me and my ridiculous friends. When the first round of food came out I shoved everything that passed by me in my face, only to find out that more food was on its way out, and then more food after that. For some reason self-control and will power completely escaped me, and I just kept eating, which then lead to the incident that I previously mentioned. All in all, at Monell's you'll find great food and a great atmosphere. Go check it out, but beef up your self-control before entering. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(5)Dorian R.
Don't even think about NOT going here! Everything you could want in a restaurant, good food, nice atmosphere and good company! Go here, you'll not be sorry!
(5)M L.
Being new to Nashville I had to make a point of checking out some Southern fare; yes I am a Yankee. Needless to say Monell's is great as far as I can say. Fried Chicken is the winner, side are great too, but save room for that chicken!
(5)Timothy F.
My first time at Monells. Food was adequate; could have been seasoned a touch more but nice flavor. The best items were by far the fried chicken as well as the turnip greens. A couple of flaws however; the major flaw was not having raw onion to put on green beans, mashed potatoes, or turnip greens, which all of us true southerners know is absolutely essential for maximum flavor. Also, astoundingly on top of the $12.95 price, if you would like to have coffee with your dessert there is a $2 upcharge. Absolutely unbelievable!!!!! A nice place but really I see no real need to go back for a second visit.
(3)Matt D.
Best breakfast/brunch in Nashville. Make sure you go hungry and are looking for a lot of food. Make sure you pace yourself so you have room for the fried chicken!! Local Tip: Get there by 9am on the weekends so you don't have to wait.
(5)Lai T.
Love the atmosphere, love the southern hospitality, love the family style dining, love the waitresses and their attitudes. Love the old fashion restaurant that looks like a house. Love it! Its almost like heading over to your friend's parents' house for dinner, you eat whatever they bring out, and you can't refuse seconds. It's all you can eat, so you pay for the head and coming from out of town, this was a real bargain! Love the skillet fried chicken, didn't taste oily or heavy, love the biscuits, very buttery and soft, first time I had the banana pudding ever and it was delicious. Lots of side dishes and vegetables, can't get enough of everything. So good! Yummy, if I ever find myself in Nashville again, I will definitely be back. Oh, besides the great food and dining experience, at the restaurant's entry vestibule, they showcase jewelry from a local jewelry designer and they are all for sale. There were some very cute novelty pieces and I couldn't help but buy a few since everything was so affordable. Fantastic shopping and food, nothing can go wrong with that combination!
(5)Denise L.
Everyone talked about our southern lunch here the rest of our visit in Nashville. Food, service and ambiance were better than great.
(5)Veronica L.
I'm definitely a west coast girl, so I can't say I've experienced much southern cooking.... Actually I can't say I've experienced any of it other than the imitation southern cooking we have on the west coast (very delicious but definitely not the same). This was my first meal in Nashville and it was amaze-balls! It has set a high expectation for all other TN meals to come! Straight away the place looks adorable and quite cozy! The flowers and the garden with the precious seating area outside is absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere does not get any more home-style than that. It feels like I've walked into a relative's house. Right away we get seated at a big long table with another party sitting there chowing down. My sister tried to explain it to me how this all-you-can-eat style place worked but it made no sense till i got there. We all sit around with other parties at this big table and it's like a big family meal! With all these wonderful large bowls of food everywhere! Everyday there is a different main meal, so there is a bit of variation. There was amazing mac - n cheese, cole slaw, biscuits, corn bread, ribs, chicken fried steak, perfectly fried fried chicken! OOOH and the banana bread pudding for dessert!? Perfect. They also made their own peach preserve. It was de--licious. There is no way anyone could leave unhappy or hungry. The place has a warm, comfy, family atmosphere and I'm glad it was my first TN meal.
(4)Carol F.
Yes, Monell's is as good as it gets here in Nashville for sit down, family style eatin minus hot chicken. Brought the family in for mother's day and treated them nice. The food was incredible (as usual), but the "family" atmosphere was a good one (unusual). We sat next to two nice families with behaved kids. The Nephew did not believe me when I said, "it will be more food than you've ever seen in your life". Showed him. And for once, the Stepdad said, "well.... good job, I guess". Hurray for me! This is the good ole home style food your mom doesn't get to enjoy often. So use it often with or without her.
(5)Jim C.
When your first meal of the day is southern fried chicken, pulled pork, pot roast, biscuits with gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, cole slaw, cinnamon apples, french toast casserole, custard pie, and sweet tea, you really can't go wrong. No, I didn't try to eat away a hangover this morning and order everything on the menu -- actually there were no menus as everyone eats whatever is brought out. 12 strangers (I think we were the only ones from California and the only ones that wouldn't have minded having some garlic fried rice with our meal) sat together at a big table, made some small talk, watched dish after dish being brought out to us and passed food around like we were family, and ate until we could barely keep our eyes open. Well worth the trip if you are in Nashville. I know that some exercise equipment at the fitness center is going to kick my ass tomorrow morning, yet tomorrow is tomorrow and I still have a big dinner to look forward to in a few hours....... well, someone's gotta do it :-)
(4)Mindy Y.
Monell's is one of those rare finds that really left its mark on me. I was in Nashville on a business trip, but due to flight delays no one else had made it into town by the time dinner rolled around. Dining alone is never particularly fun, so I wasn't expecting much out of the evening. I happen to stumble across a small blurb on Monell's in my hotel room's "Welcome to Nashville" guide, which again left me a bit wary as to what to expect. I have to say, it turned out to be a perfect night! Great food (that's really cheap - $14.95 inc tax for all the food you could ever want) and the communal dining setting was perfect for a lonely business traveler such as myself. Don't let the price fool you though - the building itself was surrounded by beautiful gardens, murals were painted on the inside walls and it had a real "dinner at Grandma's house" sort of feel to it. I was there on a Tuesday, so the daily selection was fried chicken, pot roast, spinach lasagna, 4 different vegetables, 3 salads, biscuits, corn bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The pot roast and corn pudding were the stars of the meal for me.. I can't say enough about how awesome they were. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and made for an all around great meal. Everyone else at my table was a Nashville native, but I felt very welcomed and grateful for the chance to enjoy some serious Southern hospitality. If I ever make it back to Nashville, Monell's will definitely be on the list of places to go!
(5)matt c.
3 Stars is good, just not fancy or amazing. This is good local southern-style food. I like the fact that you sit with total strangers. Typically there are lots of tourists there, but also a few devoted locals. TIP: Don't eat till the meat comes out! They try to fill you up with sides first. (Unless sides are your thing, then by all means!). TIP 2: Try to figure out where the food will start being passed. It is passed to the left. If you are the last in the circle it may be picked over by the time it gets to you (at a full table). The chicken was a little dry. When we asked for another basket of fried pork chops however, they were great. If you rent the place yourself, after hours, you can BYO, and there is no fee unless you ask them to open it for you.
(3)Monica S.
I've enjoyed Monell's both in the Germantown restaurant and when they catered a brunch the day after my wedding. In both scenarios, the food was delicious, the service was pure Southern hospitality, and I couldn't keep myself from seconds...or thirds in some cases! I've had their dinner on a couple of occasions, but I have to say that breakfast/brunch is my absolute favorite with them. I can't get enough of the corn pudding or the cheese grits, and I love being able to get a little bit of so many different things. When eating at the restaurant, the family style seating is actually great- and I'm an introvert who might typically be put off by such an arrangement. I've just found that every time I've been there that the group of people has been interesting, varied, and super nice. I also think that the fact that everyone is being offered an endless supply of delicious food helps to ensure that good moods and good conversation are enjoyed by all.
(4)corey s.
this was SO GREAT! endless southern food that you dream about when arriving in the south. WOW WOW WOW!!!
(4)Laura Y.
Ate here with my boyfriend a few days ago, and afterwards we both agreed that it easily was one of the most delicious meals we had ever had. Everything they served, literally every single dish, just was amazing. I'm a northerner and rarely eat the "southern" style dishes they served (too be honest, I didn't even think I liked that type of food that much until I ate here), but I don't think I'll ever stop raving about those biscuits and gravy, and I am still craving the fruity tea that they served us!
(5)Barry G.
Our large party occupied an entire table in this quaint old home, so we didn't have any interaction with strangers, but we definitely ate like family, which was a pleasure. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, waitresses brought out several large bowls of comfort food, and as they'll kindly remind you, take your serving and pass the bowl to the left. A bountiful table, we were served cole slaw, broccoli salad, green pea salad, biscuits and jam, corn bread, green beans, corn pudding, baked apples, cheese and potato gratin, mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, fried chicken, and a strawberry trifle. I can comfortably say that the meatloaf was the best I've ever had in my whole life. If i hadn't pigged out on the rest of the offerings first, I think I could have eaten 4 pieces. The corn pudding was new to me, and quite delicious. The fried chicken was a tad over-done for my taste, and the biscuits were a bit bitter, which may have been intentional to offset the sweet and tart of the jam. The price is nice, and I'd go back in an irregular heartbeat.
(4)Will W.
best part, face to face with others. family is more than a style!
(5)Karen C.
My boyfriend and I have lived in Nashville for almost a year now, and this is probably the only place I truly miss when I travel in terms of food. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had in my life, and the meatloaf is to die for. I would kill for the recipe, haha. If you're in Nashville and want unlimited Southern eats for a very reasonable price, Monell's is the place!
(5)Jordan T.
On a recent visit to Nashville, a friend introduced us to the down home, country fried, biscuit slingin', cornbread bakin' joint that is Monell's. This place embodies my imagination of the perfect southern cookin' restuarant-warm and welcoming servers, interaction with other customers, a cozy environment, and a ridiculous amount of home cooked food. When you come to Monell's, you sit at a long table with your party, and with other guests as well. Food is promptly served in community serving bowls that are passed around the table. If you grew up in a family where the dinner table was the center of life, this is the perfect place to reminisce; and if not, Monell's will give you an idea of what it means to share a huge spread of delicious food with friends and family.
(5)Julie B.
After reading the reviews on yelp - I decided to give this place a try and I was not disappointed!! One of the people in our party had never been exposed to southern food - so this turned out to be the perfect place since you are able to try everything on the menu for that day. If you are going here for dinner you may want to skip lunch because you will need all the extra room!!
(5)Montez B.
I loved Monell's, My family went here for my grandmothers birthday and it was fantastic. The staff here were super friendly! They have a nice concept going on here, Everyone sits in groups of seven(pass round the table ordeal), so you get to meet new people and the food is all you can eat. Overall A+ , The price on the weekend can be a little pricey, but it's worth it!
(5)Andrew K.
DEElicious fattening yumminess. Their family style puts Buca di Beppo to shame. Everything was great and made from scratch. Basically it's like a homemade buffet in bowls. You get catfish, corn puddin, banana puddin with NIla wafers, fried chicken, green beans, broccoli salad -- they've got it all. Price is reasonable and includes sweet tea. The BIG problemo (and only reason why not 5-stars) is that you sit down and a second later all of the food is in front of you and you stuff your face and you are comatosed about 10 minutes later. I wish it was paced out. My arteries would have too!
(4)Arlene H.
this place replicates real southern charm. family style eating. southern style cooking. it's hard to keep the portions small on your plate. and there are sooo many options. sides, sides, and more sides! my favorite was the corn side. fried chicken, gravy smothered chicken. this place was so good my friends went here two nights in a row.
(4)Sean L.
I absolutely love this place! The food is incredible, plentiful and made with Southern love. I make a point of stopping here every time I'm in or passing through Nashville. In addition to the sumptuous fare, the service is always beyond friendly and helpful. I've told anyone and everyone who is spending time in Music City that their trip is not complete without a stop at Monell's. Thankfully, friends have taken my advice and experienced all that this gem of an eatery has to offer.
(5)Robert P.
Have eaten at Monell's for years at the Germantown location. When my Mother came to visit on Mothers Day I told her I was going to take her to the new location on the New Orleans Manor. She was excited too go and we arrived @ 11:00 and was told it would be an hour and 20 minutes by the lady behind the counter. After an hour and 20 minutes my Mom asked me to ask the man carrying a pad around calling peoples name out how much longer he thought our wait may be after seeing other people asking the same. I asked very politely as he jerked the pad back and said "I think you were told it would be 1:20 minutes when you arrived" I realized this couldn't be a paid employee and recalling an photo from the Germantown restaurant this was the owner!! I said I don't understand why you have a problem letting me know how much longer after letting other people know he said "well after the 4th time you asked well get too you when we get too you". I said this is the first time asking and then he said "I've seen you ask the lady at the front at least 3 times". He even went as far as too ask the lady if I had not been bothering her about how much longer and she even told him I had not asked her even once! He then said in a sarcastic tone "I apologize would you like me too take you off the list??" Obviously the stress of having customers had mentally taken it's toll on this Jerk that should not ever, ever deal with the public directly and leave it too his hard working employees...who I feel for having too work for him. Of course I did not eat there (went too Outback and had great service and great food at half the price). I'm sorry for the stress I may have caused the owner and will relieve him of any of the pressure of taking my money ever again.
(1)Celia G.
My then-fiance and I gorged on Southern brunch one rainy Saturday this summer, then went straight home with pants buttons undone, enjoying an unproductive food coma for several hours. We soon thereafter decided to take our small wedding party (just immediate family) to Monell's after marrying in East Nashville's Shelby Park on a Friday mid-September. The casual and communal setting -- unfussy, comfortably noisy -- was IDEAL for the group, and the amazing food was devoured by all. I'm talkin' about "Bro, stop hogging the meats on your side of the table!" and "Mom, is that banana pudding as good as Nana's or WHAT?" Meanwhile, those drinkers in the bunch (my family, I confess) passed around the affordable red wine we brought to the restaurant, no corkage fee (!). Seriously, people, this is THE best bet for joining a couple of Southern families and/or friends for an informal rehearsal dinner, or any meal at all! We were so pleased we picked this little spot for our big weekend.
(5)C K.
The food may be good, but their catering and group parties are extremely disappointing. Inflexible, unfriendly, and with poor follow-up. They have a "my way or the highway" attitude. Unfortunate, because the food is pretty good.
(2)Rebecca J.
oh my goodness! mama mia! holy moly guacamole! this place is knock your socks off fantastically fabulous! its as if you're going over to yo mama's house for a little din din. but you better pass to the left or the ladies running the joint will get cha! the food is just wonderful and full of all those healthy ingredients like butter and bacon fat! your mouth will water just thinking about this place. mine is already!
(5)Jasmine M.
Hot-dog eating champion Joey Chestnut might actually have a hard time here. And yes, Monell's was a test of my self-control not for any health concerns, but just not be a goldfish that will eat till the point of explosion. My boyfriend's friend took us to Monell's for lunch and it was much nicer than I expected. I think I was thinking something more along the line of Arnold's, but it was a cute historic house with a garden out back. On second thought, I was worried that it might be ladies who lunch and I would starve. But, nope Monell's put me to the test of all you can eat. The seating is communal. It seemed weird at first to be tapped by someone I don't know to pass the biscuits. But, by the end, we were all friends trying to make sure we all got fed with the amount of biscuits, sweet potatoes, chicken, field peas, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans that we could eat. I made the mistake of filling up on so many things the first round and didn't know that dish after dish would come out. And as many biscuits , tea, sweet potatoes that you could want. Just ask! All the food was excellent and really fresh since the turnover for tables is so high. Oh and did I mention this place is cheap!! The atmosphere is nicer than alot of meat and threes so it is an excellent place to meet for lunch if you want more comfortable surroundings and don't mind sitting next to strangers. There is also a good cupcake store right next door. That is if you can unbutton a few more buttons on your pants.
(4)Jessica M.
Best brunch in Nashville and great place to take first time visitors to Nashville. Has been a huge hit with my family when they come to town.
(5)Evermore B.
This is a gem of a place. Family style sit down buffet. Every once in a while I get a craving for southern food like a restaurant that is very popular near Virginia Tech. Hoping to find something similar I went searching on the internet. Man, I am so happy we discovered this place on yelp. After reading the reviews, I had to check it out and it didn't disappoint. We went on a friday night between 5-530 and was able to get 4 seats right away. I was hesitate about sitting with strangers but a minute into sitting down and eating the food, stranger anxiety was gone cuz the corn bread, appetizers were too delicious to focus on anything else. Even my eight year old who doesn't eat macaroni salad..had several servings of it. The fried chicken was wonderful and not greasy at all. There were also cat fish and ribs..mmmm, side dishes..Plenty of food to go around and if you wanted more, they gave you more without being stingy about it. Great experience and would definitely return and bring family visiting from out of town.
(5)Sam D.
Everyone says you need to go here, and you probably should. It is southern-cooking at its best. But, you will sit with strangers and you'll get a ton of food. A TON. Go with a big group of friends after you run a marathon and it will be perfect.
(3)Phillip O.
Initially I was skeptical about this place in going for Thanksgiving dinner... I was wrong. My kids and wife loved it.... in fact saved up time from cooking, cleaning, buying, preparing, etc.. time to spend doing other things. Food was great and will be there again this Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. Wished the price was a little lesser for kids.
(5)Karen R.
Southern comfort food varies depending on what part of the South is comforting you... This was my first visit to Nashville, and I am definitely more accustomed to the Deep South over the Upper South, which could account for my lukewarm feelings about Monells. You start with salads and biscuits... the coleslaw was definitely good, and I'm not a huge coleslaw person, but my favorite was the broccoli. There were four of us and we were sat with another party of about six and then another couple came while we were all enjoying salads. We'd already done the first pass, so we were low on a few of the salads. The server took the low salads to replenish them and then came back and said "sorry, we're out of broccoli salad," kind of annoying given that he'd taken away a partially full bowl and could not give it back. Biscuit wise, is where I am really knocking off points for Monell's to be honest. They tasted more like dinner rolls to me. At first I thought I wasn't a fan because of the incredibly sweet jam, but I tried a second one (to make sure) and didn't put any jam on it. They just didn't have the buttery goodness that a biscuit should have. Next came the sides, which were okay. The macaroni and cheese didn't seem or taste all that different from Stouffers'; the corn pudding is just not something I am familiar with nor did I really enjoy; the dressing was decent and I did like that. The fourth side were the green beans, which were clearly frozen and while I know generations of Southern women have been using frozen or canned green beans and then overcooking them to mush, I'm not sure it justifies actually continuing the tradition. They had a slight bacon or ham taste, and given that I do not eat pork, a little warning there would have been nice. For our meat, we were offered fried chicken, baked chicken and fried porkchops. I did really enjoy the baked chicken, and I would say to all you fried chicken people out there, you're missing out if you don't try the baked chicken at Monell's. For dessert we were offered banana pudding, which I barely tried because the baked apples were so good and I'm not a huge banana fan. All in all, Monell's was a decent experience, but if I lived in Nashville, I'm not sure I'd go back.
(3)Julia B.
Did'ja know they cater? HUGE breakfast buffet delivered to your location for $11.25/pp. Shit - that not a lot of dough for a lot of lip-smacking deliciousness. Includes their fried chicken and famous corn pudding ... and practically everything else they serve for breakfast. NICE!
(4)Shannon D.
I was very nervous when the owner of a customer company decided that we would be eating at a "meat and 3" (it's a Tennessee thing) since I eat mostly vegetarian. There were 3 meat dishes but about 10 sides without meat. The squash casserole was delicious as was the cinnamon and brown sugar casserole with some vegetable in it but I can't rememberwhich one. The cornbread stuffing was fantastic. The strawberry pie for dessert taste a little bit too much like the product of a Jell-O gelatin box which was a surprise after the delicious home-cooked meal. The grounds are immaculate with beautiful flowers, a waterfall and lights on strings. The hostess was really cute and seemed genuinely excited to receive and seat customers. It was also very inexpensive. I would go back.
(4)Caitlin D.
I was delighted by the adorable exterior of the restaurant, which reminded me of an English garden with flowers and a pond and all kinds of benches. The setup of the actual food is simple; you will sit at a large table, probably with people you don't know, and the food comes out without ordering and you pass it clockwise. Fried chicken, catfish, lasagna, cole slaw, green beans, collard greens, biscuits and cornbread, peach jam, gravy... you get the picture. The service was great, very friendly. The fare was good, but honestly, I make fried chicken that packs in a whole lot more taste. It certainly wasn't bad, but I had to disagree with my companions who had raved about it being the best thing since fried chicken... wait a minute...
(3)Melinda C.
So amazing. Came for lunch on a Sunday, and loved the communal ambiance and the food was amazing. My favorite was the pulled pork (perfectly moist and tender) followed by the sweet potato pie, corn pudding, and fried chicken. But honestly, everything was good, including the cold salads that get passed initially ("don't fill up on them!" advised my friend, the Nashville local). Even the green beans (made with some kind of bacon flavoring, I'm sure) were awesome. The only thumbs down was on the "morning casserole" which was a weird amalgam of sausage, eggs, etc, from the morning, I guess. All in all, a great experience in Nashville.
(5)L D.
My family and I LOVE Monelle's! The service is ALWAYS great! The food is ALWAYS great! The wait to eat is NEVER too long! They serve home cooked food and serve like grandma...Around a large table with other patrons. Everyone gets along when there's great food involved and you may even get a new friend out of your visit. Try Monelle's... You won't be sorry!
(5)Dante' T.
Monell's has good food, but I am not a fan of family -style dining. I seem to always wind up at the table with someone who was raised by wolves and has no table manners... If I can gather enough friends to take a whole table, then I am so there!
(4)David S.
For a while, it seemed like I was going to Monell's every week with a group of people from work. It made for a long lunch since they don't take reservations and the place gets crowded. You'll also be in quite the food coma after eating at Monell's. There are other restaurants that do family style dining, but you may have never been to one. If that's the case, it'll be a little different for you. There are big tables so you may be seated with strangers. A waitress will come out with the dishes that you take and then pass. It comes out in courses. You'll get your salads first, then vegetables and meat, and then dessert. So, the food. Monell's tries to hit the high spots of Southern cooking. Cucumbers and tomatoes, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, smothered steak, meatloaf, fried chicken. You're not going to Monell's for subtlety or refinement. It's comfort food, soul food, grandma's cooking. I tend to get full on salads that come out first and then don't have room for the main meal. Don't make this mistake like I do. Fried chicken days were always the most popular days to go, and it is pretty good fried chicken. Also worth mentioning is the peach preserves. These are yummy even if the biscuits have gone downhill in terms of quality (the last time I went they tasted like my mom's -- out of a can). Since it's all you can eat for one price, there's a good chance you'll pig out. Desserts aren't usually worth saving room for unless they have some banana pudding. Mmmmm, banana pudding. Breakfast on the weekends is supposed to be great, but I've never been in to try it. Someday I will.
(3)Kelley Lee G.
5 stars for service, food, and company
(5)Theresa B.
Wow...again...I must say, I am extremely impressed. The owner read my review and contacted me. He's returning my money and sending me a gift card for a return visit. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to trying to rectify the wrong...(unless of course you shoot the manager)...So I have had my faith restored with my favorite restaurant and I get to make the entire country aware...how great is that??
(5)James R.
Oh, sweet gluttony...thy name is Monell's. Deep within the catacombs of the Vatican, within the canon of cardinal sins, is an engraving of Monell's. For what other place could take you to such heights of home cooked Heaven, yet leave you feeling like a denizen of an overindulgent hell? Granted, you might mention words such as "portion sizes" and "self control", but their prayerful invocations hold no power against such mortal temptations of fried chicken, strawberry shortcake and biscuits with homemade peach preserves. The battered catfish alone is cause for penance, and the piping-hot sides might be a cause for confession. At least the sins are corporate ones, shared by those at your picnic-like tables as the food is served family-style on mismatched plates of vice. Housed within a 19th-century brick home, Monell's brings a stripped literalness to the phrase "all you can eat." Sure, it's possible to come out of Monell's and not be overstuffed and ready for a nap. However, just like time travel and a two-hour Oscar telecast, it's technically possible, but probably just not going to happen. Just make sure that when you go, you bow your head and say a quick prayer of grace. You're going to need it when you're done. Insider Tip: During the week, this place is really hopping at lunch time. The quicker you can get there, the faster you will get seated and let the transgressions begin
(5)mumin k.
This is one of my favorite places in Nashville. And this comes from somebody who is not big fan of southern food. I like the idea of being seated in a big table with a bunch of strangers and having a family style meal. Whom you are seated in a table might have impact on your experience though. Last time I went there I was seated with a couple, a family of four and two oversize ladies (really oversize). The two oversize ladies were seated on the corner of the table where the server would start passing the food. They would take almost all of the fried chicken pieces and the rest of the table would wait for the next basket only to see that the server handed the basket to the two oversize ladies first again. I could not have much fried chicken that day. The entire table was done with meal adn we were wrapping it up and the server started to clean the table assuming that everybody was done until we heard the two ladies order another basket of fried chicken. I was amazed :) The nice thing about Monell's is that there are so many things that you are very likely to like at least some of them. Great food overall and I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Peter F.
Best deal in town for breakfast and brunch! All you can eat, and I always leave very satisfied and full. The shared table seating always leads to friendly conversation. The fried chicken is to die for, and I love their biscuits & gravy. I've eaten here 3 times already in the last few months, and I definitely plan to go back many more times!
(5)J C.
This place defines AWESOME. Not to be missed. The fried chicken is the best on the planet. The corn pudding, cornbread, and biscuits are up there as well. We got served everything on the "menu" as soon as we sat down. Take small portions to start, because you'll be served plate after bowl of everything they've got. If I had discovered this place at the start of my trip, I'd have gained 50 pounds. The Tee shirts the staff wears say, "Help! I've eaten and I can't get up!" - rightfully so.
(5)Anna A.
Monells is one of those places that Nashville is famous for. The general idea is a meat and three served family style so if you aren't a big party be prepared to sit at a large table and pass food around to people you don't know. I don't mind that but I'm just saying, this isn't intimate dining. Now I've gone for breakfast and lunch and my favorite thing is the fried chicken. I don't think they have it everyday but I don't know what their schedule it but if you can land on a fried chicken then you will be pleased. The way that it works is they will fill a large table up and you get tea,water, and or coffee. Then they just start bringing food out, you don't' order anything special off a menu. The menu is set, your server brings it out little by little, and your start passing it around. My only gripe about Monells is that I think it's pricey for what it is. It's just basic southern food, I know they are famous but it really is a bit much for what they offer. It's honestly good and if you are entertaining out of town people looking for some southern flare with a little class, this would be your place.
(4)Catherine G.
An amazing meal! The location was beautiful and quaint, gorgeous gardens. Seating was in family style tables, a great way to meet people, dinner conversation was nice, not forced. The meal was excellent... Tons of food... Amazing fried chicken, biscuits, corn pudding, squash casserole, fried pork chops, just to name few. The finishing touch was homemade banana pudding ... Delicious.
(5)JulieAnne R.
Always have a good time here. Whenever I have people come to town I make sure we stop in here for a meal. My boys like it too because they get to pick and choose what they can eat. We love meeting interesting people we eat with.
(4)Terry M.
Nice large table setting with multiple families at a single table. Food is served family style, salads ,then veg and breads and then fried chicken,fried catfish and falling off the bone pork ribs. Service was excellent and the food was good. I would return again.
(4)Peter G.
As good as it gets for home style Southern fare such as fried chicken and sauteed greens. It is a truly great experience sitting at a table with other people and sharing the food and the hospitality is outstanding.
(5)Jeremy B.
This is the kind of place that makes you appreciate Nashville. I have been there many times for their wonderful family style breakfast. Growing up in the south I've developed quite the appetite for a home cooked southern meal and Monells offers food that taste just like I'm used to. This will definitely be a place that recommend to out of town visitors.
(5)Emily D.
Monell's is just amazing. Everything from the cinnamon rolls to the corn pudding and even down to the coffee was just so delicious! It is honestly the best down home cooking that everyone must experience. Monell's definitely lived up to all of the hype that my husband gave it :)
(5)T. C.
Since moving away from Nashville, I still dream about this place. Oh Monell's, I miss you morning, noon and night. Your breakfast, as Flora H. has described, is simply scrumptious. Be prepared to eat and eat and eat. Your pancakes are light and fulffy, your hashbrowns are homestyle potatoes with all the right spices, your eggs are plentiful and the corn pudding...oh, that corn pudding. I live and die for that corn pudding. Thank goodness they pretty much serve it at every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner all usually include the corn pudding). Lunch is always busy, as many of the state employees will come here to eat. I had the luck to work around the block from Monell's for a few weeks and made plans with a friend to have an early lunch here. They manage to make pea salad and broccoli salad (two things I've never been a huge fan of) scrumptious. There is always the requisite fried chicken. The last time I went, there was also meatload and pot roast and a mountain of other side dishes. Do NOT fill up on the biscuits...no matter how yummy they are with the butter and preserves. It has been awhile since I've come for dinner. Maybe next time I make my way back to Nashville I will have to insist that we experience Monell's dinner again. There is sometimes a wait simply because Monell's is such a local favorite. But if that's the case, you just let them know you're there, hush your mouth, then head out to the cute little garden out front and sit on a porch swing with your buddies. If you're all by your lonesome, go make new friends. That's what Monell's is all about. Southern hospitality and family style dining. This experience is not for those who are extremely private since unless you have 12 other friends to fill up the table, you almost certainly will be placed at a table with complete strangers. Wear pants with an elastic waistband or be prepared to unbutton in public. This is an experience like no other...quintessential Nashville. It's not to be missed.
(5)Nicole H.
"Enter as strangers, leave as friends." When I read this statement above the door I knew I was going to enjoy myself. Not only is this dining concept genius but the food is absolutley delicious. my favorite sides were the breakfast casserole, cucmber slad, mac n cheese. The fried chicken is something to write home about! But the best part isnt the food it's the conversation with perfect strangers. Oh and how could i forget the fruit tea!
(4)Darcy F.
All I can say is this place is amazing. I am not a fan of fried chicken- but Monell's has the best ever skillet filled chicken. And their banana pudding is aboslutely delicious- its soooo good. All the other food is good too; but if you are going to eat; save all your room for the skillet fried chicken and the banana pudding. Don't waste your time going anywhere else in Nashville to eat- they just won't compare!!!
(5)Seth H.
Great, family-style country cooking. Biscuits on par with that other place way out in the country... but all the sides are much better. Go for brunch and pig out on the fried chicken and cobbler. Love this place!!
(4)Wallace S.
Man, I've taken my parents to Monell's, I've gone on dates at Monell's, I've rented out entire rooms at Monell's, hell, I've even been kicked out of Monell's (but only after having the biscuits and preserves, arguably the best part of the weekend brunch). I love this place. Great food shared with complete strangers at a wonderful, down home, location. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Conor S.
The highlight of my trip to Nashville (oh no, tourist review!). Overall I was surprised by how mediocre of a food city Nashville was, but Monell's really stood out. The "restaurant" is really more like a big house with a bunch of huge dining tables. They wait until there are enough people to fill the table to seat you (10-12), and you eat family style with a bunch of strangers. Eating here is like a marathon -- they start you with biscuits, corn bread, sweet tea, and sides, and the food keeps coming. There must have been 15-20 courses, no exaggeration. The menu changes every night, but the items that really stood out for me were the biscuits, meatloaf, and strawberry shortcake. And for all the food you get the bill comes to something like $16 per person. If I ever go back to Nashville I'll be sure to go again!
(5)Gayle R.
While on vacation to Nashville we had the opportunity to visit a variety of restaurants. Clearly, Monell's was our favorite, hands down. The southern food was amazingly delicious and the food just kept on coming. We were in and out of the restaurant in a quick amount of time. I never liked peas, but their pea salad was amazing. Southern fried chicken was incredible. There was so much food to choose from and the price was right! Course after course came to our table as we passed the bowls...to the left...and enjoyed home cooking and conversation.
(5)Neal I.
So good, I went 2 days in a row.
(5)Judson R.
Truly a unique Nashville dinner experience. That is, unless you go home to grandma's!
(5)Momo O.
I think everyone should go to Monells just once in their life. I still randomly talk about this restaurant to people, sometimes to random people I don't even know. I can't believe a restaurant could be this good. If I lived in Nashville I would be fat because I would come here like everyday...so I guess it's good I don't live there. The food is unreal. Deep southern cooking at it's finest! I have never experienced anything like this before. Its reasonable in price since it's all you can eat. It's in an actual country victorian house which is so cute. The people who work their are oh so friendly. I can go on and on about the food here. Just prepare yourself. Don't eat or drink the night before and prepare to do nothing after you go there because you will be feeling large and in charge but its okay because it's so worth it...It's all about the memories man and food of course!
(5)Peter M.
maybe one of my favorite meals ever EXCEPT, as mentioned in the other reviews, you are guaranteed to over-eat in a serious way. Pace yourself if at all possible. It didn't help that we showed up really hungry and a little drunk. Fried chicken was succulunt and the breading was so fluffy and rich. Banana pudding was decadent and like your favorite blankey. Juicey southern style green beans. Very excited about the corn pudding. I will go back one day and try to control myself.
(4)Kimberly S.
There have been copious amounts of reviews on Monell's food and family style service, and the high rating is very much deserved. What hasn't been discussed ad nauseum is their ability to host private parties. My now husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner, and it was so easy to coordinate and such a fun night. We were able to rent the restaurant from 8 PM on. We gathered in the courtyard for a cocktail hour where we were able to bring our own beer and wine-- helllllo savings! After a few (too many) glasses of wine, we sauntered inside to sit down and eat. As usual, the food was on point and gave guests a taste of the South. The service was friendly, and they did a great job of catering to our needs as a wedding party. I highly recommend hosting an event here!
(5)Heather M.
What a fun place! The grounds are beautiful and the food is super yummy. Be prepared the wait as this place gets busy though. Parties are sat in groups of twelve and the food comes out family style. This is part of the experience. We had a great time chatting and dining with the folks we were seated with. Plates and plates of southern favorites, from fried chicken to biscuits to grits. If you are in Nashville, you must come here!!
(5)Ben N.
Everything that could be said has probably already been said, so as the 547th review for Monell's I'll keep things short and sweet with some pearls 1) Truly a unique dining experience and a MUST DO while in Nashville. Sit with random people while passing around large plates of food and enjoy it family style 2) Expect a long wait. My group came in around 10ish and waited an hour to be seated. They say they stop serving breakfast at 11 but as long as you get on the list before then, you're guaranteed a southern style breakfast at monells! 3) There are a bunch of other Monell's around nashville that are smaller and don't offer this AYCE experience. Make sure you don't show up to the wrong one like we did! 4) Be quick and sneaky with your food pics because no cell phones allowed at the dinner table! 5) Not sure how much dinner is but breakfast was only 15 bucks +tip 6) Come hungry. I didn't eat for the rest of the day but luckily I saved this place for my last day of the trip so I didn't miss out on any other restaurants TL;DR - must eat restaurant in nashville
(5)Aashish J.
Not enough words to praise Monell's! If I come to Nashville again, this is where I will go and take all my friends. Pros: 1. Food: Best fried chicken and mac & cheese I've had in a long time. Them biscuits with peach preserves were delicious too. 2. Ambiance: Although seating with strangers on a dinner table felt awkward in the beginning, it was awesome at the end. 3. Overall: a great experience!!! Cons: None. Just be cautious that there may be some waitin' to do 'fore you get seated. Oh yes, the food is great n' it ain't cheap. So bring your appetite.
(5)Shane S.
Back for another mind blowing experience that I can always count on at Monell's. The food is amzing, the service is impeccable and the conversation is delightful. I can't wait until my next trip to Nashville, just so I can eat at Monell's.
(5)Kelly N.
Five stars, no questions asked. This place is a gem. I'm not from Nashville, so it was refreshing to go to a restaurant that was genuinely a home cooked southern meal. I appreciated everything about the concept and everything this restaurant has to offer. Even the fact that no cell phones were allowed at the table. I think that was my favorite part. It's southern dining at its finest. The experience is very personable and you get to eat at a large dining room table with a family style experience. The food was spectacular. Everything you could imagine on your grandmothers table for a thanksgiving feast. The menu is pre set, so they just serve you course after course. We started with different types of mixed salads. Then, we moved to the meats and sides. Everything from Mac and cheese to collard greens to mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now for the dessert. I'm not a huge pie fan, but this was by far the best pecan pie I have ever had in my life. I can't wait to go back to Nashville JUST to eat here.
(5)Joel L.
We LOVE Monell's Dining and Catering!!!! Well, we have only tried their 6th Ave N location, but we have been there twice. I have heard good things about the other locations. On our second visit, we sat with a couple from North Carolina that was on vacation in Nashville for a week. They ate at the Manor on one night, had Monell's catering at a concert they attended on the next night, and loved it so much that they were on their third Monell's experience of the week. And as I was there, I can tell you it was outstanding. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable with outdoor gardens and fountains. Indoors is rustic and inviting. Monell's serves family style so you sit with people that you may not know. This sounds awkward, but it really isn't because the food is so amazing that you are sharing an incredible experience that really brings people together. Different menu items are served on different days, although there are a few things like fried chicken that are regulars at every meal. There are so many options that even picky eaters should find something they like. Please do not miss an opportunity to eat at Monell's. Our lives are a compilation of our experiences. This is an experience that you will not regret.
(5)Nicole M.
Always leave here in a food coma! Great southern cooking. Family style restaurant which isn't my favorite but the food makes it worth it. All I can say is YUMM!
(5)Erin U.
What an incredible dining experience. This was hands down my best meal ever. The food is great, but the company is even better. If you're coming here, be ready to turn on those social skills because this restaurant works pretty differently. There's a set menu for the day and everything is served family style on tables seating 10 or more people who you may or may not know. Who you sit next to is a bit of a roulette unless you've got two friends to flank you, but no worries, that southern hospitality will keep you nice and entertained the entire time. Be friendly. Get to know your neighbor. Learn about what it means to be human, all over delicious chicken and pork and anything else they come up with. I would come back to Nashville just for this. It was that incredible.
(5)Tiffany N.
A must if you've never experienced a family style southern restaurant. My party of 10 was seated almost immediately (which I think we kinda lucked out with). The venue itself is just darling! The home style restaurant is surrounded with flowers, coy fish ponds, and garden seats. Great way to entertain kids while waiting to walk around the grounds. Now, the food is really as amazing as everyone says. The side dishes were so tasty - biscuits light and fluffy with gravy, corn mash, greens, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples... its all so good! The fried chicken and their spinach lasagna shells were incredible. They were my favorite things on the table. Would highly recommend, and save room for the cobbler! I'm dying to go back soon!
(5)Candra G.
Reminds me of an alternative format buffet. High on quantity, mediocre on taste/quality. To say the least, I wasn't a fan. I mistakenly thought breakfast went until 1pm and was told that it was lunch service only, but I stayed anyway because of all of the positive reviews. Community dining is an interesting concept - today's experience was weird because these people KEPT touching the food and putting it back. GROSS. So, I had to keep an eye on the dishes as they went around to make sure I didn't get the piece that was touched by the guy that kept wiping his nose. Food service was fast and the quantity was overwhelming. I liked the wide selection of the food, but found that the food was generally under-seasoned and seemed like a lot of the side dishes were made with canned food and instant mixes. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed with everything. Oh, and the slice of pie or whatever it was tasted like a stick of butter - I never figured out what it was by the end of the meal. I left full and regretting the calories that I consumed. Monell's nice try....
(2)Corey W.
Want a true old southern style meal? Well I'm not from the south but I feel like this is probably as close as it gets. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, roasted sweet apples, mac and cheese, corn bread, you name it! It reminds me of eating at grandma's and that is a good thing. You sit and eat family style at a table of about 10. In my opinion this is good and bad. It is great if you come with a large enough group to fill the table. It is bad if you only have a few people and were not wanting to share a table with strangers. Some people embrace this, me most of the time, not so much. Wait times can be brutal sometimes due to how popular this place is. It is not the type of place you can plan on being in and out quickly.
(4)Ann E.
Family style dining at its best. Delicious southern cooking. Amazing! The food just keeps coming. Wish I could have eaten more. Went for brunch with 7 other people-sat at a large table with 4 other people. Very nice atmosphere warm and friendly. Take the food in front of you and pass to the left, just like at home. Take as much as you like, but leave nothing on your plate (it's the rule)! Pay when you leave. Large parties have tip added onto their check. Another positive-all the food that's left on your table (you can't possibly eat it all!) is donated to the homeless-(I Asked)! GO!
(4)Melanie -.
I've always loved the idea of family style dining...back in my hometown (Chattanooga), we have this tiny little dive called Bea's where you eat from circular tables and lazy susans... Monell's is this concept amped to epic, decadent, elegant proportions. Monell's has a very homey feel, cozy and just crowded enough. We were seated at a huge rectangular table with a bunch of friendly strangers who quickly became like family. Less than three minutes after we were seated, (no joke!) bowls and platters of the. MOST. AMAZING. FOOD. started cycling around the table. There wasn't one item I didn't like. Everything tasted like homemade. It felt like home. It made me ache with nostalgia. I'm not kidding when I say it healed my heart. We were seated with a very friendly couple from Chicago on one side and a local family with a jovial and dapper old man who chatted with us throughout the entire meal. This is what every restaurant should strive for. P.S. No cellphones at the table! But I promise, you won't miss them.
(5)Mike L.
Wow! I was told to go for the meal of a lifetime and was not disappointed!! The best meal I have had in Nashville. Must do
(5)Cait C.
Just bear in mind that the dishes change from night to night so don't come with 1 particular item in mind unless you have checked the menu for that night. This is definitely good homemade southern cooking (super unhealthy!). It can be seen as a positive that its all you can eat, but i cant give stars for that. I will be back yes, and i did like the fried chicken, the baked lasagna shells, the cucumber salad, and corn pudding. I did not enjoy that they used jello in the strawberry shortcake dessert instead of real strawberries. And I did not enjoy the amount of oil on the chicken (dripping). There is no alcohol, which didn't bother me, but bear in mind it is just iced tea and lemonade.
(4)J W.
We had a great experience! The food was excellent, the staff was great. The price was great, authentic atmosphere, filling food. I could go on for days about this place, we will be back!
(5)Dae S.
Great southern hospitality, no cell phones at the dinner table just how it would be if you were to have dinner at home. Food WILL FILL YOU TO THE MAX ! You will not leave with a half full stomach. The restaurant has such a cozy feeling. And even though the dessert was accompanied with the meal the waitress recommended us to The Cupcake Collection bakery two houses down to try their famous sweet potato cupcake ( which I must say was amazing ) Overall being said it was the first restaurant I ate at since I touched Nashville I enjoyed it.
(4)Danny B.
Awesome home cooking. Everything was served family style, which made for interesting table conversation. Food was fresh and service spot on. Looking forward to return visit on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)Johnny T.
4.5 It's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks. There are a few things that always seem to happen when friends/family visit Nashville. I won't belabor the point by writing about them because we've all been through it. Many of these tasks cause me to shuffle my feet and groan. A trip to Monell's, however, is reason enough to invite visitors. Even Southerners enjoy Monell's -- and that's sayin' something. Sometimes restaurants like this cater to folks from outside the region who wouldn't know the importance of cooking with bacon grease if it hit them in the head with your grandma's skillet. No such slight of hand, here. Monell's is the real deal. You might be surprised, then, to realize that this Southern feast isn't found in some hideaway shack. Monell's food is housed in a gorgeous Germantown Victorian, complete with a koi pond and bridge. Yes, it's true. We even wear shoes -- regularly -- down South, as well. I know! Stereotypes blown before you even walk through the door, Monell's is bringing it. Walk in, tell the hostess how many are in your party and get seated with strangers. Take off your hat. Turn off and put away your damn phone and get ready to share a variety of Southern goodies the way you would if you were a guest in someone's home. If sitting with strangers and having conversations puts you outside your comfort zone, I don't think you'd enjoy yourself. But, if you have a lick of sense and can act right in public, you'll be just fine. One of the things I enjoyed the best about Monell's is that the two pitchers of tea are labelled -- so as to AVOID the non-sweet tea. That's how you do it, folks. That's what you signed up for. On the Saturday afternoon that most recently rocked my world, we started with biscuits & cornbread (with butter and hot sauce, 'natch). This led to: slaw, cheese grits, cucumbers, squash casserole, pulled pork, fried chicken, white beans, potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans, and meatloaf. The plates kept passing and I kept eating. If something ran out, our waitress was on the ball and we got a new helping of it with no wait at all. You know that mechanism in your brain that tells you you're full? I think there's a machine at Monell's that disengages it as everyone at my table ate until they were uncomfortable... as you should. My only disappointment was dessert. I have never been a banana puddling fan. I was in the minority at the table as everyone else dove in to it and didn't come up for air until it was gone. Had there been some apple pie, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, pecan pie, etc., my inner fat kid would have been fully realized. It is was, I could barely walk so, perhaps, it's best that I didn't have dessert. The price for this feast? $15. FIF-TEEN BUCKS. Yeah, it's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks.
(5)Hooney H.
I don't know how to write this review. Really, I don't. Monell's isn't a restaurant--it's an experience. As such, this will be a very long review. My friends and I went to the top rated (by locals) restaurants in Nashville over a week's span, and Monell's was an undisputed #1. Our party of four went on a Sunday afternoon, and waited about 45 minutes for a table as there was a party of 30 (?!?!!) and several other large groups that had just gotten it of church. The scenery is gorgeous. Bright and vivid flowers in the garden with chairs, benches and a gazebo, you won't mind relaxing and listening to the music while you wait for your name to be called. And once it's called? Man oh man oh man. Yelpers, be very aware. Leave. Your. Phones. In. Your. Pockets. Do NOT take your phone out when you are seated. The sign by the front door expressly tells you that phones are not permitted in the dining room, and for good reason. This is a family style restaurant where the tradition of the Sunday meal reigns supreme. That means you engage in conversation with your party and with whomever else you may be seated, and you enjoy the experience. Do not selfie, do not tweet, do not hashtag. All food is passed to the person on your left for the first round, but once everyone has had their first serving, the dishes move upon request. The fried chicken? I had four or five pieces of the best fried chicken I have ever had in my life. Entirely different animal from Hattie B's hot chicken or Loveless Cafe's skillet fried chicken. But the greatest non hot chicken I have ever had. Cole slaw - HOW DO YOU MAKE COLE SLAW THIS AMAZING? Seriously?! We raved about the coleslaw as we took second and third and fourth helpings of it. Crunchy, so perfectly seasoned with a hint of tang and sweet. Pot roast - no words. There are no words. Why bother describing the bliss of perfectly cooked meat melting in your mouth? Green beans - one of the best recipes I've ever had Pork chops - I had three. THREE. Mashed potatoes - what dreams are made of Corn pudding - world famous. What your dreams dream of. Slice of pineapple pie - instantly regretted not asking for more. Biscuits - second best biscuits in Nashville (sorry!) Gravy - oh you're going to drink this gravy, it's so good. Mac and cheese - I'm lactose intolerant, but this was one of those dishes that was worth the pain and suffering. I wish I had kept a food diary because I've forgotten what else we ate but the table was packed. Sweet tea made my eyes roll back and the fruit tea is very very delicious and interesting. Couldn't really tell which fruits were used but you definitely need to try it. Four people, all the food in the world, $90 bucks before tip. That's a deal.
(5)Dennis J.
Unique dining experience with very good food. A friend and I stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10 AM, and luckily it wasn't too crowded; a seating had just finished, and we were seated within 5 minutes. It's an interesting experience to sit at a table with people you mostly don't know, asking them to pass various dishes and finding about what brought them to eat there. There is a vast selection of dishes, all of which were fairly tasty; I found the meats (sausage and chicken) in particular to be especially good, particularly the very tender chicken. The corn pudding was also very tasty, as were the biscuits and gravy. There's plenty of food to go around, and it's a great experience for a home cooked meal.
(4)Michael U.
Items available 5/13/15: Biscuits, Cornbread, Rolls Port Poached Pears Cinnamon Apples Coleslaw Pasta Salad Corn Pudding Green Beans Country Gravy Mashed Potatoes Mac n' Cheese Sage Stuffing Baked Chicken Fried Pork Chop Pan Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Serving Nashville residents and tourists the best in home cooked Southern cuisine for over thirty years, and having now spawned two other locations, it was almost a requirement of a trip to the Tennessee capitol to visit Monnell's, and opting to visit the original location just after 1:00pm on a Tuesday our party of three found the oft-packed 19th century building with just four seats available, a prompt seating seeing food placed before us no less than 60-seconds later with plate after plate soon to follow. Originally opened as a sort of boarding house, the Monnell family serving downhome cooking to persons staying in the residence, the space has since been converted to a one-price all you can eat experience open for lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch, and with some parties opting for a made-to-order meat-and-three option the true 'experience' is most certainly found at a communal table with shared plates passed amongst new friends and travelers, the food every bit as good or better than rumors have it with a pricepoint that really cannot be beat. Beginning first with several passed sides, though some tables may begin with breads or proteins depending on what the kitchen has most recently prepared fresh, it was with attention to the fact that much more was to come that small portions of items such as green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta salad were sampled and first deciding to go all-in on cinnamon apples followed by corn pudding both items proved to be absolutely delightful, the biscuits and country gravy also quite impressive while cornbread proved just a bit drier than one would hope, a situation augmented admirably by butter and honey, or poached pears that are also available by the jar to take home. Moving on, much like the sides Monnell's offers a regularly changing list of entrees and joining ever-present fried chicken that features light batter and minimal grease overlying a lean bird that could have arguably used a bit more brine or seasoning was actually the baked bird that was the best protein available, a nice spice profile overlying skin almost as crisp as that of the fried version, the pork faring far less favorably and quite tough even when taken bite for bite with cinnamon apples, most of mine remaining on the plate to allow for a second helping of corn pudding, the lone dessert of banana pudding proving a competent, if not particularly compelling, iteration with a touch to much sog to the wafers.
(3)Tia B.
OMG!!! I need a nap after stuffing myself at this southern food family style eatery. Read about this place and it definitely lived up to the hype. A different menu every day. We arrived on Friday and there was catfish on the menu. Yum. You get fried chicken everyday but the catfish was something special and only offered on particular days. Greens, hot biscuits, peach preserves, cream corn casserole, green beans, macaroni salad, banana pudding...I can't remember all the dishes they brought to our table. I just remember passing bowls and platters of food to the left in a haze. Delicious! All you can eat for about $12! And don't even think about using your cell phone at the table. They will kick you out! Lol
(5)Randy T.
Monell's Dining & Catering takes "family style" and "meat and three" to epic proportions. With tasty Southern homestyle food, it is really better classified as a "3 meats and 9" type of place. Monell's does family style in a special way - there are large rectangular tables that seat approximately 15 people. If your group is smaller than 15 people, then you'll be combined with other groups so you'll have a full table. Food is served in large bowls and passed around the table. The menu will vary from night to night, but when I went we started with cole slaw, cucumber salad, corn bread, and biscuits. The bread was fantastic. You can eat the bread either with fruit preserves or sausage gravy. For meats, I had fried chicken, ribs, and fried catfish. The fried chicken was delicious and moist. The ribs were cooked so the meat came off the bone. Barbecue sauce for the ribs was sweet. The fried catfish had a tasty, salty breading and was served in large pieces. Sides ranged from average to excellent. My favorite was the corn pudding, which had both great texture and flavor. My second favorite side was the pasta shells. If you want to eat something a little more on the healthy side, you can have green beans and turnip greens. Both are very light. My favorite dish of the night was the banana pudding, which was actually on the table at the beginning of the meal. Also, don't be afraid to ask for more of something if you really like it. The staff will be happy to bring refills.
(5)Rachel M.
I think I actually found this place through a Yelp review in my quest to only eat in the favorite restaurants of Nashville. And I am so grateful you guys sent me here! I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I knew it was soul food and I knew it was family style, but coming from the cold, heartless Northeast, I thought that meant our table would just share some food, not that we'd sit at table with a bunch of random people and share food. But it was such a fun and interesting experience. They just plop you down at a giant oval table with strange people and start setting food in front of you. We went for breakfast and began with warm sweet rolls, biscuits and tomatoes and quickly moved onto a meat plate, fried chicken, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes and scrambled eggs. One of the women at our table told us the fried chicken was the best, and she was not kidding. There wasn't one thing we ate that I didn't like, and the food just kept coming! We only had to wait about a half hour to be sat, and for all this food, it was so cheap. I think it's like $15 a person or something. Ridiculous! Well worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(5)Tim D.
Great good, great price and great staff. Best chicken I ever had! Love the family style and got to meet some very nice local people
(5)Seleen T.
Best fried chicken I've ever had for the county breakfast. I would totally go back just for that
(5)Kenny C.
I wish I could create 10 more Yelp accounts just to give Monell's more 5-star reviews. What can I say about Monell's that hasn't already been said? The place is an institution. When I told people back in New York I was going to Nashville, Monell's was literally the only place that multiple people told me I absolutely had to go to. I told that to the owner Michael King and he had a good laugh and was very humbled. I had planned to make the pilgrimage on President's Day, but unfortunately the winter "storm" came and Monell's shut down for a bit. I had a couple of flight cancellations and Monell's Germantown opened back up on Wednesday for lunch. So it literally took an act of God to get me here. And boy, was it worth it. Here's what we ate at Monell's: -Fried chicken -Baked chicken -Fried pork chops -Corn pudding -Cole slaw -Marshmallow fruit salad -Sweet potato mash -Peas -Green beans -Mashed potatoes -Corn bread with homemade peach preserves -Chess pie And that was just on the first pass. Since the table was half empty, we were able to have seconds, which was a terrible idea for my physical well-being. But everything was so good! We eventually were joined by another three patrons, so they were able to help us clear some plates. But until we said "when", they just kept refilling everything. I wouldn't be surprised if Monell's regularly makes a dent in the local chicken population. Also, lunch was $14!!! How is that even possible?? The staff is AMAZING. You hear about southern hospitality, but they take the concept and crank it to 11. Free hugs at the end!
(5)Cindy L.
Must come here if you are in Nashville. This place is so friendly and cute. I went on Labor Day (thank good they were open!), which was a Monday. You will be seated with strangers. You will share the entire menu with the whole table, no ordering needed. Their menu changes daily. Mondays they had fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, & the meatloaf. You will also get to have four sides and two dessert. The fried chicken is the best I have ever had (& I live in Atlanta)! Yum!
(5)Matt S.
Went there for brunch this past Sunday with a large group (10 people). We got there just in time because the place was packed when we left. We had no idea what we were in for, we just found a place through my iPhone. Three people we did not know were seated at our table too, which I just assumed was normal for the place. I didn't have any issue with this as I have been to many places with seating arrangements like this. We sat down expecting menus and all of the sudden the waitresses (extremely nice, I might add) were bringing us bowls and platters of food. Biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken (amazing), corn pudding, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese grits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, roasted potatoes, homemade peach jam, coffee, tea. It was like being at an awesome breakfast buffet except the food was brought to you. This place was awesome and was a great way to cap our amazing weekend in Nashville. Can't speak as to the lunch and dinner options but I drool a little just thinking about what they must be like if they're anything close to what we experienced at breakfast time. Highly recommend and heed their warnings to pace yourself!
(4)John S.
The food is awesome, the portions are even awesome-er! This is the epitome of southern family-style soul food. You share the table with other groups (depending on how many people you have) and pass the food around while chit-chatting or just stuffing your face with as much food as you can. All the food they serve are fantastic, and it never stops coming. Of all the times I've been here, I've never had a bad experience. There's even a little garden outside that you can hang out in while you wait. If I had to find something to complain about, I guess it would be that there's not a special room of couches or beds for the food coma that follows every meal. Come here and you will not regret it (even though your pants might hate you for it).
(5)Cory P.
It is not gourmet with a little cute center piece in the middle of your plate. It is an all out food frenzy. We had lunch. It was great and they kept it coming. Everyday is different with meats. Sides are all tasty and fun. If you're scared to sit next to a stranger and interact a little bit. Stay in your home and order in. Those who are foodies and are hungry. This place is sinfully delicious. Price is cheap.
(4)Nichole K.
Where do I start? Skip breakfast and lunch for this dinner and come hungry. I have been here three times and whenever I'm in Nashville with my family, my brother insists on stopping. I'm one of those people if I ate there once, I've ate there a million times, but I don't make a huge fuss eating there more than once. It is the best southern-home-cooking you can possibly get. There isn't a dish that doesn't remind me of my grandma's home cookin'. It's family style seating which is nice because you meet other families and everyone that works here is very sweet and charming. In short, come hungry, and you'll leave in a food coma.
(5)Ohhee J.
Such a fun and unique dining experience! You definitely get the real southern experience dining here. Southern hospitality, fried food, fried food and fried food! My favorite was the fried chicken. They bring out tonsssssss of food so make sure to go in your stretchy pants!
(5)Jackie M.
Wow! Love this place!!! We sat at a table with 10 strangers but by the time we left we were no longer strangers! The food is absolutely delicious and served family style! I couldn't believe how much food we were served and it was all GREAT!! Go here!!!
(5)Matt V.
This place is in my top 10 of all brunch places. Ever. I like the atmosphere and especially all the delicious food. Been here a couple and look forward to going back.
(5)Maeling L.
Nice neighborhood. Be prepared to wait. Community seating so get ready to be social and make some friends. It's like eating at your grandma's house. Huge plates of food come out and you take what you want and as much as you want. They only serve tea and water so don't think you're going to drink whatever you want as some of our other dinner-mates had to find out.
(5)Amber W.
This place was amazing! Walked here from downtown Nashville (tourist with no car haha), approximately 1.5 miles one-way but TOTALLY worth it!!! Here's how it works: 1. You put your name/party on a list. They will call you when the seating is available. 2. Depending on the size of your party, you will probably be seated at a giant family-style table with other customers, who you've never met before! The tables look to seat about 8-15 people. 3. They bring out the food that they are serving for that day/meal (I have a feeling lunch and dinner options are different but trust me if you come for lunch you'll be so full you won't need to come back for dinner!). They have multiple side dishes and at least 2 main entrees. They bring out as much as you ask for... but pace yourself! The food is never ending... We ran out of roasted veggies, corn pudding, and some at our table wanted MORE fried chicken & ribs (I don't know how they do it!) and the staff is always super friendly and comes by to check that you have enough of everything you need/want, including refilling pitchers of water, iced tea, sweet tea as needed. 4. Save room for dessert! 5. Every customer gets a little laminated card to take to the cash register to pay when you are close to being done... "If you take up a seat you will be charged." For us it was about $15 per person for ALL that food, let me tell you our menu: cucumber salad, biscuits & gravy, green beans, roasted potatoes & carrots, sweet corn pudding, fried chicken, ribs (fall off the bone tender goodness!), and don't forget dessert, cherry cobbler... all of this is basically "all you can eat" except they bring the food to you! This place was amazing. Great food, great staff, super cute venue! I would definitely come back again! They sure don't have places like this in California!
(5)Nancy G.
Came here on a prior visit to Nashville and while initially kind of awkward sharing a table with strangers, it was a great experience in the end. We shared pieces of our lives with them and theirs with us. How interesting it was to make dining and good food a communal experience. The food came hot out of the kitchen in a continuous stream. Bowls among bowls of delicious southern fare. Fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, corn pudding, cornbread, beans, mashed potatoes - just to name a few - were all amazing. Highly recommended, especially if you're interested in seeing the interior of an old southern house too as the restaurant was situated in one.
(5)Lynette P.
Have an out-of-body experience at Monell's. There is nothing bad here, but the top contenders are the mac and cheese (a hit with everyone I know) and my personal fave, the peach preserves. I don't even like preserves. But these preserves have changed my life. I have never had anything like them and probably won't ever again! Buy some to take home! This place is family style and the one thing that bugged me is that we had a LARGE group yet we were still put at a table with another group. I don't mind family style, but out of personal taste I prefer to have my own group only at my table. It made conversation hard to have to share.
(5)Carroll M.
I just...uhh...this place and...so full...happy for first time in my life and...um...can I live here or...it's just...unconditional love...well I guess I...never felt this way before so...I mean...nevermind it's just...
(5)Hollie S.
Absolutely wonderful experience. We arrived around 11:45 on Sunday morning and waited only 15 minutes to be seated. Of course there was only the two of us, much larger parties were waiting quite a while. The food was fabulous! Started off with cole slaw, a cucumber salad and biscuits (or the traditional southern cornbread muffins) and gravy...which tasted like a country ham base rather than the familiar sausage flavor. Very good. Then comes everything else...one problem I found is that all the bowls started at my end of the table, and therefore ended up right in front of me once passed around.... a bit of a challenge reaching the iced tea, but at least I did not need to ask for someone to pass anything for seconds! But on to the food again...corn pudding, baked apples, mac'n cheese and braised pork were out of this world! Fried chicken was what I would have expected and mashed potatoes lacked cream, although everything still tasted great. A bit disappointed with such a "Southern" menu that didn't have any greens or okra, but maybe on a different day. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Nashville. One question our table had was...who gets to take the leftovers home?
(5)Lee L.
Had a great time at this unique restaurant. Highly recommend this for out of town visitors like myself. My wife and daughter had a early dinner and sat at a large table of around 20 people eating family style and chatting. Was interesting to meet everyone from all over the country at my table. Got to sample a variety of southern favorites like Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, grits, cobbler, biscuits, and much more! My recommendation is go early to avoid the crowds. I ate at 5:30pm and had no wait; but when we left there were large lines outside
(5)W M.
Scrumptious Delicious! Floridians looking for a nice place to eat. So while driving around trying to decide what we want to eat, I decided to google Southern eating restaurants. The Yelp app appeared, I downloaded it, click search and there where it all started. We ate lunch and the food was AWESOME. Great price, charming and cozy. Southern hospitality at its best. We had a local couple sitting at our table and they the nicest people you'd ever meet. They also offered and paid for our food; who said there aren't nice people in this world? We will back, planning another trip back to Nashville!
(5)Hui C.
Amazing for real, home-cooked style Southern fare, and big fan of the family-style tables. Definitely a Southern concept; don't think most of my Northern friends would be up for chatting with strangers the whole meal, but everyone in Nashville is friendly and friends I've taken here has loved the experience. I've only been for dinner and everything was great; biscuits and fried chicken were highlights, but save some room for desserts because they're delicious.
(5)Andrew B.
This place would be 5 stars if it were a buffet, as the hit-and-pass nature of it is cute, but ineffective. This is fried chicken that deserves to be worshipped, not eyed from across a table. The sides were excellent, and it was fun eating as a group, but the food deserves more attention as it's that good, and the system doesn't quite get us where we wished. That said, if it didn't all whiz by, we'd have eaten 3-4,000 extra calories, so there was indeed a silver lining.
(4)Mike H.
After a long 2 days of drinking every minute I was awake, I couldn't have picked a more satisfying meal to have before I left Nashville. The Natty Light pitchers and Fireballs were replaced with some good ol' southern cookin', and a lot of water. The setup is a nice southern home, with a great garden area to sit in while you are waiting. There are (I think) 3 large tables that sit about 12 people each. It's family style, meaning even if you are hungover, you have to fake a smile to random people so you don't bring down the mood of the table. The food is amazing, and honestly overwelming. The server brings out a dish at a time, and you pass it around the table. We were there for brunch, so we had biscuits with gravy, sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs, cheesie grits, fried chicken, and potatoes (I probably even forgot some stuff). The fried chicken was a little dry, but ultimately, I was having fried chicken for breakfast, so I still won. The bacon was some of the best I've ever had. To top off the meal, a bowl of some of the most amazing cinnamon rolls ever were passed around. Oh, and how much was this meal? About $15. Crazy. What was also crazy was having to drive 8 hours back to Chicago after being completely stuffed from this meal, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
(5)Brooklyn C.
Best fried chicken I had in my life! Cheese grits too, as well as the corn pudding. The biscuits with fresh peach preserves were superb, as well as the three types of pork - bacon, ham, and sausage. Also on menu was eggs, pancakes, sweet rolls, and candied apples. The wait was not too long and the food was amazing and bargain priced. You must eat here!
(5)Cathleen N.
I went with my fiance so we were seated at a table where everyone else already knew each other, but it was such a fun lunch experience! I'm a huge fan of sweet tea and lemonade so I was able to make my own Arnold Palmer. The biscuits were delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the peach preserves. It was a bit too sweet for my liking. I tried a little bit of everything, but the fried chicken, creamed corn, spinach lasagna and pickled veggies were my favorite! The ambiance was fantastic as well as the food. I am already looking forward to my next experience at Monell's!
(5)Uma R.
Not much options for vegetarians. But different experience of communal dining
(3)Marge J.
I love going here because the food is SOOO good, but I always over eat. Just no way around it when there's so much food around! :o)
(4)Christopher R.
I sat down. They started bringing me food. First biscuits. Then shells and cheese, fried chicken, grits, and more. I fell in love.
(5)Michael D.
Quintessential Nashville Brunch! Was here with a group on a Saturday morning, and got seats at the big table in the room you walk into. I highly recommend getting here before 11, as we got a table within a few minutes, but people who arrived 10 minutes after us had a much longer wait. Was big enough to feel like a true restaurant, but small enough to feel like it was a private dining room. Being community-style, as in sharing the table with guests not in our group, was a nice touch. As for the food, well let me tell you, I am glad they advised us on pacing. I'm glad they started small with biscuits and gravy, and sticky buns. It was also good that it didn't come out all at once. The definite favorites were the skillet-fried chicken and the country ham. One more nice touch, which was all food gets passed left when it gets to the table, and no cell phones are allowed. If you're gonna enjoy the Southern hospitality, gotta make sure you follow the rules!
(5)J B.
Greeeeeatttttttttt!!! Great staff great hospitality... Food was wonderful and bountiful!! Would recommend this place to everyone and anyone!
(5)Shawn L.
I am not sure what to say. This place has amazing food. I am not a person who would usually eat at a place like this. A good friend of mine said I had to go. I am so glad I went. The variaty of food and the service was great. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back right now.
(5)Melinda S.
This was the best breakfast ever. I find that I am a huge fan of biscuits and gravy and corn pudding. Skillet fried chicken at every meal? Yes. So much food, a mammoth platter of meat. OK, when's lunch?
(5)Brit N.
ahhmazing!!!!!
(5)Ashley P.
Great family style dinning experience with a plethora of great dishes! We will definitely visit again when we return to Nashville.
(5)Matt E.
The easiest 5-Star Ever. Across the great latitude that is the State of Tennessee there exists a place so scrumptious, so waist-enlarging, so distinctive and so meritorious that it compels you to visit! This place is Monell's. The best traditional breakfast I've ever had. The plates just keep on coming and every one is so yes yes yes talk dirty to me! The creamed corn, cheddar grits, the fried chicken, even fluffy pancakes oh my! Simply put--the food is AMAZING. I was a bit apprehensive about a place that's all you can eat not being up to full made-to-order quality but not an issue at Monell's at all. Come with the friendly attitude and a sturdy voice as you may make small talk with those seated alongside you, but just roll easy, be chatty and take in this southern spectacular. **Random Query: What do they do with all the leftover food that your end of the table doesn't eat? There's so so much...
(5)Melanie S.
This place is an experience. It reminded me of Babe's in Texas, but more intimate, friendlier, and with more variety. The amount of food they give you is absurd. Come hungry and be prepared to leave painfully full. Coleslaw, cucumber salad, rolls, cornbread, peach preserves, turnip greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese (yum!), corn pudding, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, spinach lasagna, beef ribs, fried chicken, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. I just put little dabs of all of it on my plate and that left me stuffed! All for about $20 each. The staff were extremely kind and attentive. I wouldn't definitely eat here again.
(5)Migs V.
Skip the rest and go with the best! Especially in the country capital of the US of A. Soul Food served with Southern Hospitality and if more places out here Cali served food this way the rest of the country may think more of us! Stopped on the way to DC from Cali and was blessed by the good cooking! All the way around you cannot go wrong with what is served on their menu daily (be sure to check). Sitting at a table and passing food around helps keep interactions moving at the table but all goes quiet once the main course arrive. Pedro and Patty are solid in running the house and hats off to the two chefs in the back as we met them after hearing they have been on deck there since the beginning. This establishment really is a family Locals praise this spot as being on point and was glad we made it to this side of town so we could get a breath away from the tourists. This spot is going to be on the list of reasons why I stop and or stay in Nashville soon but make sure you take the time to dine at a place where the soul food is divine!
(5)David M.
I had already selected more restaurants to try than we had time for on our recent trip to Nashville. Then my wife, Reiko, wanted me to add this one. It more than fit our criteria of minimum of 4-stars and minimum of 100 reviews. So, after reading some of the reviews, it went to the top of our list for the limited time we had for restaurants. We went with another couple and were seated at a table for about 12 people, strangers except for our friends. They serve down home country food and serve it family style...meaning they start the different dishes at the table and we just take some and then pass the dish around. This continues until you cannot get up from the table. What I particularly liked is the opportunity to try some dishes that I normally wouldn't order, like collared greens or grits, in case I found out that I didn't like them (I did like everything). We could take a little of each dish in a low pressure setting. Reiko and I had seconds of their meatloaf, and Reiko usually doesn't like meatloaf. The funny part was that, by the end of the meal, the 12 strangers were friends. One of them was even a regular diner at Monell's and gave us some welcome pointers. Lastly, the staff were just lovely-so pleasant, polite with the right amount of sassy, and really made us feel welcomed. We would make a reasonable detour if we were near Nashville again just to eat at Monell's. I just wish there was a special category on Yelp for this type of restaurant that was more than 5-stars. My sincere complements to the chef(s) and all the staff at Monell's!
(5)Kyron C.
Very solid, Southern Comfort food! Probably, the best thing about this restaurant is the unique atmosphere they create by seating you with strangers at large home-style dining tables. They also serve you as if you were at home. In terms of the food, some of the best Southern sides I have had! The fried chicken was not the very best I have ever had, but still very good. The thing is they offer a vast selection of entrees, so it really isn't an issue. The peach preserves will probably be the thing I remember the most! Overall, if you are in Nashville this would be a great place to stop!
(4)Kimberli F.
This food will heal your soul of whatever troubles you are going through. It will make you feel at home. AND it is slap yo momma good.
(5)Laura H.
Monell's in German Town was a fantastic dining experience, last night. The restaurant is in a historic area of German Town, in a wonderful old house, surrounded by a beautiful garden area. The aroma of country cooking hits you as you enter the door. The tables have seating for 12 and the food is served family style. The verse over the door says "enter as strangers, leave as friends. Very true.
(4)Steve R.
Monells was a five star experience. Good was superb and the service (hospitality) was as southern as it gets. But the experience!! Family style is where is at! We came here unaware of the arrangement. After a ten minute wait we were seated... With 4 other parties of 2-3. At first my wife and I chuckled and joked about darting for the door rather than sharing our meal with a dozen strangers. But after no time flat the food started comin and we were all best friend! "To the left please! Can you pass the fried chicken(again)! Wow these biscuits and gravy are phenomenal!" We thoroughly enjoyed eating with our family for the evening. The no cell phones allowed at the table rule really helped too. Would gladly do it again -and honestly have thought about how to duplicate this is LA.
(5)Tanya D.
This place is truly unique and awesome. Eat in a southern house with a bunch of strangers passing around platters of heart attack inducing food family style. Make conversation with your neighbors!!! At our table, everyone seemed excited to be there and exceedingly polite. I was anticipating a really steep cost for this wonderful experience, but I think my brunch was 15.00, which for a New Yorker is quite reasonable. I'd totally take my parents here. We had to wait 15 minutes or so to be seated, but they have a beautiful garden to wait in. This place is "special".
(5)Zach M.
Easily the best food and dining experience we had in Nashville. Would highly recommend visiting Monell's when in town. We knew it would be good when seated with 4 locals. The fried chicken was unbelievable, ribs were great, corn casserole fantastic, I bought a jar of peach preserves and walked away wanting to come back the next day. The locals told us we missed out on the Mac and Cheese, apparently it's the best side they offer. They also raved about the breakfast. We will definitely return here when in Nashville.
(5)C. Paula D.
I ate at Monell's during a weekend roadtrip to Nashville from Chicago. I had no idea what to expect before coming here (didn't read about the restaurant beforehand, but came on the strong suggestion of a friend without asking any questions), and the family-style share table with strangers concept was such a fun surprise! If you want to have a true Southern dining experience, you must eat at Monell's. The way the restaurant works is that there are a series of Southern dishes (catfish, fried chicken, potatoes, banana pudding, bread, cornbread, etc.) served at a communal table. There is one price for the meal, and even though you are sharing the food with the entire long table, there is more than enough food for everyone! My advice would be to pace yourself--some of the earlier dishes were so tasty that I was almost full before even half of them were served! When we went, we sat at a table with a group who was in Nashville for a religious conference. It was fun talking with them over dinner and sharing food. It was like we were one big family! The ambiance is delightful! Monell's is in a cutely-decorated house with a pond with live fish and a bridge outside. The service is wonderful, and you are never waiting for food to come--it's hard to finish your bite before the next dish starts getting passed around the table! Come to Monell's. Meet "strangers" and exchange life stories. Pace yourself while eating. Leave beyond full. Take a food nap.
(5)David E.
I have tried countless restaurants, both chain and local, in many cities throughout the country, and this is possibly the best meal I've had in my life. It's a country style dinner for sure. Sitting around a table with 10 strangers seemed odd at first, but by the end of the meal everyone was conversing as friends, mainly about how good the food was. Our lunch consisted of: solid sweet tea, biscuits and gravy, salad, fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, the best green beans I've ever had, pinto beans, slaw, incredible corn pudding, peach preserves, banana pudding, and watermelon. If you live in or are visiting Nashville, you really owe it to yourself to try this place out. They're open 365 days a year, and although I haven't personally tried it, I hear their breakfast is just as good as their lunch/dinner, if not better.
(5)Scott K.
1. Family style serving, all you c an eat, Check 2. Possibly sitting at a table with complete strangers, Check 3. Desert first, Check 4. Best Fried Chicken, possibly ever, CHECK That basically sums up Monell's in summary. As a southerner trapped in the north, good southern food is like gold when I come across it. I would say most of the food here is above average. The cole slow is gross due to entirely to much mayonnaise. The main winner here and the only reason this place gets Five Stars is the Fried Chicken. My oh my! I love this stuff. I could just eat and eat and eat, nothing but the fried chicken. The last time I was there, I sneaked a peek at the kitchen and they actually cook the chicken in massive cast iron skillets. The chicken makes it worth it, everything else is ok.
(5)Sandra Z.
Here's the nitty gritty... Small place with large dining tables. You'll be seated at one of these tables alongside other diners. There are pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade to drink with the meal. The dishes of food begin to come out and get passed around the table. You'll start with biscuits and cornbread, some veggies, and something sweet. And the dishes keep coming. And coming. It gets overwhelming, but just pace yourself and don't take too much of one thing too soon. The "rule" is you can take as much food as you want, but finish what is on your plate. The menu changes daily, so go to their website to plan your meal. Or just stop in and you won't be sorry. The food is great. Fried chicken is served every day, and it's good, but I also really liked the baked chicken (Wednesdays). The sides are so fantastic and numerous. The corn pudding is fantastic, as is the mac and cheese. I could eat an entire meal of just those things. What I really do love about this place is everything else. It's a beautiful building with nice gardens and seating outside to wait. It's in a charming neighborhood. This place has loads of character. The experience itself is fun: sitting next to travelers and locals and talking about Nashville. And lovely and kind Dennifer ("Mama"), who greets and seats you and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Give her a smile and you just might get a hug back. It's just the kind of place you MUST GO. It's an incredibly unique experience, and I'm certain we will go every time we're anywhere near Nashville.
(5)Maggie M.
Family style dining, you will never leave hungry. Something for every one, from meats to veggies to breads to desserts!! Good home cooking and plenty of it. It is what it is Southern home cooking and very good service, everyone nice and very friendly. A family tradition. Have to like the family style dining to really enjoy the whole experience. Give it a try!
(4)Michelangelo S.
My Most Awesome Meal In Nashville! SITREP I'm not kidding. Hands down, bar none, THE BEST dining experience I had in lovely Music City. It was the perfect culinary cap to a great weekend. And what a treat it was for my first-time visit to Nashville! Loved everything I did, everything I ate, everything I drank, and most of all everyone I met! I have fallen hard for Nashville. When I come back (and I will!), I look forward to trying a bunch of new things and going to a bunch of new places I didn't have the chance to do the first time around. But you can make dam sure that I WILL find time to come back to Monell's! THE SETUP My god, where do I start? First, a shout out to my Nashville buddy, Chris G., for taking both the time & the interest to show me a more in depth experience in Nashville than I had the chance to capture before this meal, and that was by bringing me to Monell's. He told me to bring an appetite, and so I did! I skipped breakfast - and I even ate a lighter dinner the night before (which wasn't too hard to do since I was out doing Karaoke all evening long!). So "appetite present" - check! PHYSICAL PLANT The building is beautiful historic Southern charmer, with rich red tones and surrounded by very lovely landscaping. *PATIO The outside patio area, wit all of the bushes, the koi pond & bridge, the lovers' swings, etc., created a gorgeous environment for outside relaxation and sipping on a mint julep. yelp.com/biz_photos/mone… *DINING AREAS Inside, each of the dining areas with large tables, high ceilings, comfortable seating placements at the table, the refinery & place-settings on the table, were elegant. I felt like I was in a culinary sanctuary for where fine-dining would occur, and I wasn't not wrong. *FESTIVE SPIRIT ALIVE! And the seasonal festiveness had not been missed! Mother's Day was just the day before my own Monday lunch experience at Monell's, and there was a beautiful tree up in the lobby - but this tree, instead of being covered in Christmas decorations, was festooned in the livery commensurate with Mother's Day, with elegant garments, knick-knacks, and décor paying respect to the traditions of motherhood. yelp.com/biz_photos/mone… DINING METRICS Monell's Dining & Catering is an exquisite culinary find in the Germantown area of Nashville, and one, quite frankly, you should not miss on your first trip to Nashville. * FAMILY-STYLE / OR IS IT MORE "COMMUNITY-STYLE"? Many call this family style. But I take this one-step further and think the more correct moniker of this social tradition is "community-style". I equate family style with the nuclear family, maybe with some grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., like you would find around the Thanksgiving or Christmas dining table. However, THIS kind of "style" you would more likely find at an Amish-barn raising, or the Manhattan community-dining rooms of the 1910s and 1920s. Because this is MORE than just family, it's neighbors, and complete strangers coming together - as I enjoyed on this dining-experience. * A STRANGER MAY JUST BE AN "UNMET" FRIEND So I won't quibble too much on the definition of "what"-style it is. But whatever metrics you use to ascertain the most correct definition, the facts are, that besides Chris G., the 10 other people sitting around this dining table at the beginning of this lunchtime meal, were complete strangers to us - but by the end of the meal, we all knew a fair amount about each other, their families, and the reasons why they were in Nashville. THE MENU The menu was filled with such Southern stables and prepared with in traditional fashion and you would never find a better bargain for $13.50.. *THE SIDES Oh my goodness! I could have just filled on the following: fresh biscuits, fresh dinner rolls, cut steamed green beans, the corn pudding, the mashed potatoes, asparagus casserole, and cheese grits casserole. *THE DISHES But luckily after two servings of the cheesey grits, I still had room for the tomato meat loaf, the skillet-fried chicken, and the chicken & dumplings. With some down home iced tea and banana crème pie, I was more than satiated with a meal to last me the next two days! THE LOWDOWN A must stop for any trip to experience the best of Nashville dining!
(5)Jennica P.
Not for me, but I have many friends who love it. The food is mediocre, but the lasagna and greens are pretty good. You often have to sit at a table with other people. It reminds me somewhat of slavery too.
(3)Robert J.
Wow. Quotes for the day: "I'm in heaven" "Pace yourself" "I need another plate" When I first arrived for brunch and said "whoa, it feels like someone's house", I was met with a "Oh, just you wait; it gets better". The whole experience was pretty surreal, the 45 min wait was totally worth it. Family style tables (about 10 per table, they'll match groups together), and the buffet is brought to you. I thought everything was a complimentary starter and was about to ask where the menus were, when I was met with a heaping tray of scrambled eggs and fried chicken. Biscuits & gravy, cinnamon rolls, cheese grits, fried chicken, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs, and the list keeps going. The price is per person, but very reasonable. We felt extremely guilty for letting the huge plate of bacon go to waste when we were too full to finish it! The staff was excessively friendly and brought us more trays when we needed them. I have zero negative comments for this place other than the wait, but relaxing in the fall weather in the homey courtyard with friends wasn't so bad ;) Quite. The. Experience.
(5)Steve B.
The food was delicious and the experience was memorable. We sat at a large table with 5 others groups of people. I was thinking it would be a private comfort food lunch on a business trip. And luckily it turned into a real family style southern lunch with loads of food with passed dishes, pleases & thank you'd and sweet tea!
(5)Yosh B.
The experience I had eating here was phenomenal!! It had the great southern hospitality charm with every bite. I suggest you come hungry. Everything on the breakfast menu was great & plentiful. Also, I couldn't get enough of the bacon!!!
(5)Amelia C.
Had the country breakfast on a Saturday afternoon - and it was amazing. As out-of-towners we were looking for an epic Southern-style, finger-lickin' meal and Monell's was it! And for under $15 tip included too. The turnover of tables is quite fast because when you sit down, you don't order anything off a menu. All the food comes in large baskets and bowls and you eat it family-style. It was the Southern fried experience I had dreamed of. Highlights included: - corn pudding - fried chicken (just out of the deep fryer, piping hot and lightly crispy) - biscuits - huge pile of bacon and ham - sweet tea by the pitcher
(5)Sonia C.
What an impression Monell's left on me. My first time to Nashville, so I had to do some research on where to go eat, and this place was given 4.5 stars on Yelp. So it was on my list of places to go. Well people, it's legit. The hours were a little confusing at first, but I didn't care, I came there with an appetite. What does it mean "family style", eating with strangers, not my style. I grew up from a single parent home and pretty much an only child. So all of this was pretty new and scary to me. Showed up, breakfast was still being served, but I wanted lunch. Gave the hostess my name and sat outside in their courtyard and waited for about 45 mins. When we were called, we sat with a family of four (from Philly) and some college kids from Iowa. Ok, so this is family style (I can do this). Then this angel appears with all this food: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, tea, lemonade, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and she starts laying down the rules! What rules? 1. Food goes clockwise. (Really?) 2. No cell phones (that's no fun) 3. It's all you can eat (awesome) 4. Be considerate of others, no seconds, until the bowl has completely gone around the table ( ok with me) After that, more food shows up, I can't even keep track. Corn pudding, banana pudding, squash casserole, baked apples, broad beans, collard greens, meat loaf, pulled pork with vinegar sauce, and fried chicken. Well, there wasn't a lot of talking going on at this table, except for please pass the fried chicken, and we didn't go clock wise. The experience was great. Food is amazing and very reasonably priced. Would definitely go there again. First restaurant in Nashville, and so far very impressed.
(5)Jay R.
Writing this review is making my mouth water. I came here for brunch with some classmates and was blown away. I had heard good things previously, but didn't expect them to be this mind blowing. The cinnamon rolls were easily the best I've ever had. I didn't know what to expect initially having to eat with strangers, but we really hit it off with our new friends. Everyone was simply there for a great meal, and we all got one. If you're in Nashville, you have to go here.
(5)Drew A.
We enjoyed Monell's the night we stopped overnight while traveling. We got in at about 7:30pm and it was near closing. I didn't get the usual "I can't believe you're here" attitude that usually comes at closing time. The cashier and server were awesome and seemed generally glad to see us. We shared a table with a nice group from New York in town on business. The food is great. Country cooking served family style. Read: All you can eat, so bring your appetite. If it's country, expect to find it here. You'll see fried chicken, fried pork chops, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, corn, peach cobbler, etc... Defintely a must stop if you want country cooking. Very cool old building too!
(5)Adam G.
Fantastic soul food. You share a table with strangers, which could've been awkward, but was actually delightful. It helps that the food is so good everyone is in a good mood. And it's all in a wonderfully well preserved old nashville house.
(5)Jan R.
Loved the family style dining. Amazing fried chicken and corn pudding. Strawberry shortcake for dessert! Really great dinner!
(5)Kim S.
Delicious food!! Great company even though we didn't know a soul. The night we went they had fried chicken, veggie lasagna and beef stew. The sides were great and included corn pudding, mashed potatoes, fat green beans, collards and sautéed veggies. There were other things on the table such as biscuits with homemade peach preserves and cornbread. The watermelon and tomato were very fresh and full of flavor. Excellent food-now I want one in Ocala
(5)Micah C.
Good food and a lot of it! It was a bit of a bummer for us though because we were kind of separated and the guys at our table easily over took our softer conversations. Like other reviews have said, the ideal way to eat here would be with a larger group of friends or family. It's like having thanksgiving with fried chicken and meatloaf! We both left fat and full!
(4)Sunshyne P.
I absolutely love everything about this place!! The nice food and people really makes it standout. I come all the way from Louisville, KY and I have family in Nashville. We stopped over here the other day and decided to try something new. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!
(5)Enjoli G.
Always packed and for good reason. The family style seating encourages interaction and the food is very good and reasonably price. I didnt care for the meatloaf but the rest of the food made up for it. The vibe is friendly and warm. A definite must-go for anyone visiting or living in Nashville.
(4)Stevee L.
The best meal I had while visiting Tennessee!! Communal dining where you sit with complete strangers and pass the pre-planned menu items to each other. The food was amazing and so was the experience. Loved everyone at our table and had an amazing conversation while eating wonderful food. We had: Cajun chicken, fried pork chops, fried chicken, Mac n cheese, green beans, coleslaw, corn casserole, stuffing, biscuits, cornbread, peach preserves, and banana pudding. This was the best meal we had whole visiting Tennessee!!! And it had the best sweet tea!!! And it was nice to not have cell phones allowed at the table. It was a nice change of pace... No cell phones and eating with complete strangers. Overall, it was an amazing experience with amazing food!!! The food reminded me of my grandmother's dinner from years ago. There was some love cooked in there!
(5)Noor B.
I have to give this place a five star along with the others. I love the concept of this restaurant. Come as strangers leave as friends. The food was home cooking at its best. No frills, no gourmet , no fancy shmancy, just good food. I liked everything except the cornbread muffin. The tea and lemonade was just right. Biscuit so amazing. The pecan pie. The mash potatoes. I loved it. You have to be ready to eat when you come there because you will leave stuffed. The restaurant looks to be in an area of gentrification. Beautiful landscape in the front. Not a place I would go to often because I don't have self control and I'm trying to watch my waistline. But when I want to pig out then that's the place I'd go to.
(5)Ryan C.
Monell's is a Nashville must if you are coming in to town and have enough time for a breakfast. For $14.95 you are served with a never ending round of amazing home made comfort food. One of the best fried chicken places I have found and I die for their cinnamon rolls. Make sure to leave room to sample everything they bring you, because it's A LOT. The nice is that they didn't charge me for my baby and toddler, so it's a real nice deal. Just be prepared to share your table with other groups, so be friendly!
(5)Casey M.
This was my first time at monells and man it was awesome! It is family style you sit at a large table with other guests and immediately the is already biscuits cornbread and gravy waiting for you. There are also pitchers of tea and lemonade. Then they bring out everything on the menu and you help yourself. They bring out replenishments as items get low. Then for dessert they made an incredible banana pudding!
(5)Rachel S.
I feel as big as a house upon leaving Monell's. I've eaten there 3-4 times this year. Is that too many?? Take it from me - as good as it is, it's not something you should on a regular basis unless you don't care about your weight. (Monell's slogan is rightfully, "I've eaten and I can't get up.") It really is that good. It's comfort food to the max, in a classy setting. It's a little bit soul food, a little bit southern cookin', and there's a vegetarian lasagna sometimes on the menu. (HUH?? It's actually really good, though.) The fried chicken is served daily, and it's been known to convert fried chicken haters to fried chicken lovers. The cold salads like coleslaw and broccoli salad have never disappointed, nor has the corn pudding and other hot southern vegetable dishes. The strawberry shortcake and banana pudding especially have really hit home runs, as far as dessert is concerned. It's really not possible to be a vegan and enjoy a meal at Monell's - sorry vegans.
(4)Feebee A.
Southern comfort at it's finest! Cute decor, nice staff, and amazing food. Let's start with decor: it's basically a house turned into a restaurant so with that you get that cozy feeling. The backyard was too cute! Makes me want to revisit in the summer time. They had wooden swings, a pond, garden chairs, flowers and lights everywhere. It was adorable. The inside looks like my grandmothers house. High ceilings, chandeliers and amazing curtains. You are seated at a large table with random people unless you with that big of a party. Our party was 7 and we were seated with about 3 other people. Food was served family style. It was breakfast, we were told to pace ourselves and omg, pacing yourself is the best thing. Biscuits, homemade jam, gravy, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, apples, corn pudding, and I'm sure there is more I can't remember it all. And yes, this was all for breakfast, served family style, and as much as wanted. This was amazing! It was delicious! It was homey! I would love to try this place for dinner. I'll most definitely be back to Monells.
(5)Ken G.
Very good southern home cooking. This from a original southerner. You eat family style which was very pleasant. I met some really nice people but I'm also social. I also really like the fact they have a no cell phone policy at the "dinner table." Definitely worth the wait and I will be coming back on my next trip! I'm
(4)Katlyn S.
Stumbled upon this place without trying. Turns out it's one of the top 5 restaurants in Nashville! The food is delicious, best southern food I've had yet. My only complaint is that NOBODY tells you what's going on! They just expect that you've been there before. This restaurant is family style which means they will seat you at a large table with a bunch of strangers, and the food is not made to order, you get what you get! If there was a little explanation of how it worked I would have felt a little more comfortable. Every dish is made in bulk and is passed around the table. Once you are comfortable with this, it's kind of fun and exciting to be at a table with a bunch of strangers! Once again, food is fantastic! Def an experience to try at least once!
(4)Tara W.
One of my favorite places in Nashville. Oh yeah, guys, I live in Nashville now. I don't even know where to start or how to adequately express my love for this place. Should I describe the lovely, lovely women who show you to your table, bring you your food, and just generally make you miss your grandmother? Maybe the fact that you sit at a family-sized table and share food with strangers and although you are not known for loving these things, you love them when you're at Monell's? How about the food that NEVER STOPS COMING? How about that? Do you enjoy an endless stream of breads, casseroles, potatoes, salads, and, oh lord, fried chicken? What about dessert? Do you like endless dessert? This is clearly a slippery slope for me so I'm going to get down some concrete details here: EAT: The biscuits (with butter, please) The green-bean casserole The corn pudding The fried chicken The mashed potatoes The banana pudding Anything else they bring you DRINK: Sweet tea (just don't consume any more sugar for the rest of the week) BRING: People who love you for you, because you're about to eat your own weight in carbs CALL: Your grandmother Go there. Tip well. Thank you.
(5)Art C.
I admit I loved this place. The food is closer to 4 stars but the overall experience was so enjoyable I rounded up. We brought the whole family out (eight of us) to this family-style, sit down eatery. I don't know why other restaurants don't copy this model. I'm sure the concept will catch on soon enough, though it helps to have a group and to paired with sociable people at your table (since you'll be passing food around the table you'll definitely get to know the strangers at your table). AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) southern-style comfort food, sitting around the dinner table. it doesn't get any better than this. The experience was only enhanced by the gracious staff and great ambiance of this gem. Highly recommended...
(5)Reshawn L.
WOW!!! Outstanding Food!!! Great community dining concept! Unique venue! A meal at Monell's is an absolute must. I can't believe I've been traveling to Nashville for 3 years and just discovered it. I want to fly my family in just to eat here. It's that good!! Fried chicken, stuffed shells, pot roast, mashed potatoes, biscuits, peaches, corn muffins, corn pudding, greens, green beans, sweet tea, lemonade and banana pudding for dessert. OMG!!! My favorites were the stuffed shells, pot roast and biscuits!! Yummy!! The banana pudding was not great but it did not take away from the experience. We were all stuffed and happy!!
(5)Milton S.
Got here at 8:30 on a rainy Sunday morning and were the first customers seated- no waiting at all. By 9, steady stream coming in. Staff was friendly, courteous and most welcoming. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I just want to say this is a FABULOUS place for breakfast. Words can hardly describe how perfect the execution is of food delivery, food quality and food taste. Every single item (and that's what is served to every single table, family style) was done to perfection. Don't need any more reviews to tell you how great this place is but I would place this at the top of the list for any future visit to Nashville.
(5)Paul T.
This place isn't just amazing. It's an--EXPERIENCE. The food is amazing and the fact you can't use your cell phone at the dinner table is GREAT. What? you actually have to talk to people? Unheard of! But you're stuffing your face with the insane amount of food put in front of you anyways. Go here. You won't be disappointed. One of the highlights during my trip to Nashville.
(5)Jennifer R.
Monell's is GREAT! Plan on making this your only meal of the day (or maybe 2 days). You get SO MUCH FOOD and all of it is delicious. Beautiful old house, family style seating, great for big groups, super for taking visitors.
(5)Chris H.
It's not fair. It's just not fair how great the food and the atmosphere of this place. Why do I have to live 2000 miles from this wonderful restaurant? Can I just invent a miniturizing beam and shrink this place down to where it will fit in my suitcase? This place would destroy Portland. Just flat destroy it. I would be 800 pounds before I knew it. If you haven't gathered, I highly recommend.
(5)Brad S.
This place is amazing! Best food on our trip to Nashville. Because the menu changes I won't go into much detail on the food but let's just say awesome. It is family style and we sat with some cool people including locals (so what does that tell you about the food). I love that the nice lady at the front door reminds diners to silence their cell phones and asks people to please leave the table if they must text or use their phones. Nice! This is a keeper and will be back on our next trip to Nashville.
(5)Kori H.
Came here on the a Wednesday on the way to Bonnaroo in 2014 and this place was phenomenal. They seat you Thanksgiving style around long tables, and just start bring dishes out. The other family seated at the same table was really nice and it was a nice change of pace to sit with people we didn't know, it was very genuine and added a special touch to the atmosphere. The food was southern cooking at its finest, complete with some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. So, next time you are in Nashville, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's.
(5)Aaron C.
I went for breakfast. After partying hard Not the best fried chicken I have had. I don't care for corn pudding any where and the potatoes were the be st I have had. I like the setting and atmosphere it's different. I like that fact you just send down and start eating. Like the no cell phones at table you get to enjoy the food more. Overall good soul food restaurant and different.
(4)Allison F.
This is not a meal...this is love shown to you in the best way possible: family-style and topped with butter. I hope you get the chance to eat everything in sight (you won't) at this epic southern comfort communal feast.
(5)Dan M.
Fun and interesting place. All seating is family style. And the menu is set. So if you are up for meeting and eating with others, this is a great place. If you are more into doing your own thing, you may not enjoy the vibe. Beyond that, everything the serve is fantastic! The salads, the sides, the main courses. Everything! And the fried chicken is out of this world.
(4)Anna J.
Loosen your belt and get ready to feast. I've been here a few times over the years and it never disappoints each time! The food just keep on coming. Depending on the day, they will have different meats, sides, desserts. If you are a small party, you will likely sit at a table with complete strangers. It's actually pretty fun. The food is served family style, and they just keep bringing out more and more delicious southern food. You will feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It's not ideal for a romantic date night, but a great place for a casual and fulfilling dinner. Price is reasonable as well! Definitely come out here, great way to experience some of the Nashville southern culture!
(4)Kurt R.
This place is super cool and the food is outstanding. I hate going here because I'm super stuff afterwards and I hate that feeling. Best meat and three in Nashville. It's a must experience when you're in Nashville.
(5)Mack E.
Do you like people? Do you like all the food at once? Do you like going home feeling like you're going to pop, but also feeling sated and happy after a meal? It's time for Monell's. The meal is a blur, a family-style smorgasbord of menu-free comfort food that goes on much longer than you'd expect from a dinner. The mashed potatoes and the banana pudding stand out among the many offerings as absolutely superior; I went back three or four times for more helpings. After a while the meal felt like Scrooge McDuck's money vault: surrounded by treasure and always moving towards more. Make sure that you bring a large group to gather around the long tables, because you're going to want to share the plates and gab over a very thick and tasty meal.
(5)Bethany B.
Picture a southern Thanksgiving meal, and you've got Monell's. In terms of price, definitely a great deal for all the food you're getting. Eating with strangers sounds odd at first, but you'll quickly feel like you're at a family table once the food comes around. Real homecooked food.
(5)Ali S.
Great place to go to stuff yourself silly with southern food. They always have a wonderful staff who are friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!
(5)Catie B.
This place is not only a restaurant that serves amazing food, but an experience. You get seated at a long table with other people if your party is not big enough and dinner is served family style. It is a flat rate for each person and they do not skimp on the food, which includes dinner from salads to dessert and beverages. It is basically all you can eat, but they do warn you to pace yourself because there is plenty. The menu changes daily, but I have a feeling it is all good. This place was recommended by our Uber driver and we are very happy we decided to go. It is off the beaten path in Germantown but more than worth it!
(5)Amalia Y.
i really dig the concept. i'd definitely come here with a large group of friends (and if this place was in nj, i'd totally throw a UYE here). seriously, it's a great twist on AYCE and i hope the concept takes off in other markets. this was our first meal upon arriving in nashville. we happened to be seated with some not-too-talkative folks. meh. the food was plentiful, and was pretty good- not great, just good. there was a lot of it. it didn't stop. sadly, nothing stood out as super yummy. i got kinda sick afterwards. not thrilled.
(3)David M.
Great Southern Food, wonderful atmosphere, and fantastic service. The location being in German Town is also nice especially if you want to walk over and see the Sounds.
(4)Ria B.
Came for breakfast on a weekday in the middle of a roadtrip. Never had fried chicken and Mac & Cheese for breakfast but, clearly, I've been missing out. Monell's has no standard menu - whatever Monell is making that day is what you're going to get. Family-style dining means you sit with anyone else who has walked into the place and share baskets of food. Old-school table manners require you to take phones and elbows off the table. My two friends and I stuffed our faces with some of the best and most authentic Southern food in the area - and made new friends in the process! Unless you're a very picky eater, definitely check Monell's out.
(5)Hannah H.
We came here on Mother's Day, and I was ecstatic that we were the first ones in line. There was a nice little patio area with chair swings and a little pond with Koi fish. They open right at 8:30AM on the dot, and the hostess writes down your name and the number in your party. All the members of your group need to be present before you get seated. We were in the main dining area and seated at a large dining table with others. It's a family style setting, so the servers come out with bowls of food; when you receive it, you put however much you want on your plate before you pass it to your left. It goes around and then you just place it in front of you until someone asks you to kindly pass it to them. We had the Weekend Country Breakfast, in which we started off with Biscuits and Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls, and then right into thick-cut bacon (yum!), country ham (with a very sweet sauce), fried apples, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding (yum!), and skilled fried chicken (not seasoned, but great with the Louisiana hot sauce at the table). The food was flavorful and really tasted like a home-cooked meal. You will definitely leave stuffed as you can eat as much to your heart's content. We sat next to a cool guy who brought his mom with him, and he stated that he brings his mother to Monell's for breakfast for every Mother's Day (so sweet!). I love the rule of no cell phones at the table, as that's rude anyways! When you're closet to finishing, you each receive a laminated 'Meal Ticket' card where you go and pay up at the front. I would love to go back and try out their lunch/dinner items! :D +no reservations; first-come, first-serve +hostess writes down the name/number of party on clipboard +family-style buffet +free street parking around the area
(4)Logan J.
Fabulous family dining with Amazing food! We had people from Cali DC and locals at our table. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes were so good. roast a little salty. Beans and salads very good. House is amazing. Very clean and cozy. Hosts were so nice. Food was served immediately As we went to leave., We asked for cups of water to go. We were told they would be 2.25 each!!! Ouch!
(3)Brittany S.
One of the most amazing eating experiences I've ever had. We had no idea what we were getting into - all we knew is Yelpers think it's pretty fantastic (and rightly so). I'm going to walk you through our experience chronologically (forgive me for t-totally making up the times): 7:46 p.m.: arrive in Germantown, Nashville at Monell's Dining. Jaw-dropping beauty of the historical house lit up in the evening with a beautiful garden alongside the building. From the outside you can see families feasting. 7:50 p.m.: we realize this is a family-style eatery. The tables that we once thought were ginormous and tremendously diverse families are actually big groups of strangers. (ding, ding! extra cool points) Our diverse family (the table in which we are seated) consists of locals, Bostonians, and a few other folks who I couldn't really hear because the table is so big. 7:51 p.m.: thought to self: where is the menu? seconds later: realization that you don't order here. As my dad said growing up, "what you see is what you get." or "what you don't see, don't ask for." In the case of Monell's, everything you could ever wish for is already in front of you (friendly strangers who love good food and mounds of southern comfort food). 7:55 p.m.: let the face stuffing begin: potato salad, pulled pork (one of my favorites), chicken, fried catfish, greens, breads, so on and so forth. 8:28 p.m.: I feel like I could puke but I totally got my money's worth. But, heyo, wait a minute, those awesome tablemates from Boston insisted on buying my sister and I's dinner. After a few minutes of the check tango, they won. (could this experience get any sweeter? why, yes, yes it could....read on) 3:45 a.m.: remember those locals at the table? Well, they just so happen to work at a recording studio and have all sorts of producer friends. Let's just say we partied hardy with this crew of cool folk. Hell, they even sang us some songs at the studio.
(5)Brian B.
Just ate the breakfast for the first time yesterday, and it was great. The only thing that was weird, was we had 8 people in our party, and they were trying to tell us where to sit at the table we were assigned. Sorry dude, but my family and I will sit where we please, and the people who show up late will sit where it is available. Nobody ever came and we just moved when he left. Not a big deal, but still. First come, first serve means seating as well guy. I would still go back and sit where I want again. Country Ham is drenched in like a sweet gravy or something, and it was incredible.
(4)Andrew R.
Went for brunch. Didn't know what to expect. Basically, you sit down at a family style table in a beautiful old home, and they bring you big baskets of everything. Eat what you want, but more is coming. Some things were quite mediocre, but a few were stunningly excellent (especially the fried chicken).
(4)Keith G.
Be prepared for the biscuits. And the gravy. And the sausage. And the eggs. And the bacon. And the pancakes. And the creamed corn. And the cheesy grits. And the potatoes. And the fried chicken. And the sweet tea. I probably missed about 5-6 other items too. All of the food is excellent! A seemingly endless buffet of Southern staple foods. I've never had Southern food as good as it is at Monell's. I would highly recommend going on a day where you could go home and take a nap afterwards.
(5)Jessica M.
Monell's is like Thanksgiving every day! They have huge portions of every kind of soul food you can imagine, and it's all served as soon as you get seated. Each table sits about 12-15 people, and you pass all the food around and take what you like. At first I was a little nervous about family style dining, but it worked out well and I met a lot of interesting people while having a pretty epic meal. When I came here for lunch they served biscuits and gravy, mac and cheese, spinach lasagna, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, collard greens, green beans, creamed corn, and more. I was full before they even brought the second round of food out. If you decide to dine here, make sure you pace yourself! Leave plenty of room for the fried chicken. They have huge pitchers of several different teas and water, so you never have to worry about your glass being empty. When you finish your meal, they give you these tickets that say "Help, I've eaten and I can't get up!" In my case that was definitely true, I almost had to drag myself out of my chair and over to the register. The meal was about $20, but I ate my money's worth. I can't wait to come back and try their breakfast as well!
(5)Inness P.
My friends and I came here for lunch while visiting Nashville. We got there around noon and it wasn't super busy. One entire big table was empty, so we were seated there. I was disappointed because I wanted to enjoy the experience of eating with strangers, which is weird for me because I almost never want to do stuff like that. Happily, the table soon filled up and I got to chat with a few nice families. The food is standard Southern fare. None of it really WOWED me, but it was all good. I especially liked the biscuits, the corn pudding, and the beans. The sweet tea was perfect, too. The peach preserves were not my thing, but many other guests seemed to truly love them. But the best part was just being there. It is just a really nice experience. When we left, it was starting to fill up (around 1 pm) and there was a big wait for table space. Definitely a popular spot! We got lucky.
(4)Hilary H.
If you want a great traditional southern meal this is the place to go! You sit down at a large dining room table with other guests and pass dishes around family style. There will be a plethora of foods and someone will have to roll you out the door when you're done. For brunch we were served: fried chicken, cheese grits, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon, potatoes, sausage... Just to start. The drinks are limited , so if you're looking for a great mimosa don't come here- instead try "biscuit love". Typically, the only drinks that are served are tea, sweet tea, coffee, water... And maybe lemonade? It's a must try tho! You will love it!
(5)Rhea B.
The service was excellent and the breakfast fare was exceptionally good. No meal is better made for sharing than the weekend country breakfast family style at Monell's. Country ham, cheese grits, pancakes, and eggs keep company with skillet-fried chicken and corn pudding. And don't worry, there's always plenty to go around.
(4)Seth A.
I cannot believe the experience my girlfriend and I just had at Monell's for the price of $14.65. No, seriously, Fourteen-dollars and Sixty-Five cents. The food was abundant and delicious, the yellow squash casserole was a home-run. I had three (yes, three) varieties of protein in front of me and I ate every last one of them. The experience is unlike any I have ever had in a restaurant. Everything is served family style; that is, they put bowls of delicious food on a communal table, tell you what it is and when you are finished you pass the bowl to the person next to you. In my case, we were first sat with three older gals that were in Nashville for a reunion tour and they were awesome. Honestly, the part I was worried about the most was being sat in such an intimate, familial setting with a boatload of strangers that I typically would never even consider engaging in conversation with. But you know what? The conversation flowed easily and the continual addition of bowls of carefully crafted food being dropped off at the table only served to additionally compliment the entirety of our experience. In short, don't hesitate to go here. The food is great, the atmosphere is foreign, yet supplies you with a feeling of nostalgia that you can only get whilst sitting at your family table for a holiday gathering. I didn't write too much about the food, because you know what? Every single morsel I consumed was absolutely, 100% exemplary of what you expect when you think of Southern cooking. Don't waste anymore time, go here ASAP.
(5)Crystle C.
Kill me, because this place was so good I could die right now. I am completely against multiple visits to the same spot when you're traveling but Monells is the exception. After having an AWESOME lunch w my immediate family, I went straight back to the hotel and told all of my aunts and uncles where we'd be having breakfast the next morning. We filled an entire 15 seat table for breakfast, which turned out to be EVEN BETTER than lunch!!! Everyone at the table was very very satisfied!! But mainly I loved this place because of the strict no cell phones at the table rule. They make you put away your phones and really just enjoy each other's company... and while my family is super close it is rare to get through a meal without seeing someone's cellphone on the table. Anyway, the food is so good you don't even miss the dang things! For lunch we ate fried chicken, fried catfish, lasagna, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, greens, cucumber salad, corn on the cob, biscuits, corn bread, gravy, banana pudding and HEAVENLY preserves - $13 bucks, btw! And for breakfast: fried chicken w gravy, bacon, country ham, the BEST sausages, eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, tomatoes, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, baked apples and HEEEEAVENLY (can't stress this enough) preserves and coffee for days for about $15 a head. Just go try the place!!! It's wonderful!! You won't regret it!!
(5)Darren M.
The only thing I can say is awesome! Great home cooked food! Awesome staff! The venue makes it even better. The only thing they need to add are a few couches for after you've eaten. Truly a great experience!
(5)Butterbean M.
I pretty much think this is the BEST place in Nashville to eat !!! Got here a little late for breakfast but the lunch was absolutely awesome !!!! The ribs biscuits and the fruit tea was the best !!! All the vegetables was great as well !!!! If u in Nashville definitely come check this place out !!!!!!!
(5)Adriana M.
This was a great experience! The staff were really nice. It is a place to meet new people and we enjoyed the food! I was very satisfied with everything... The only thing is you eat what they serve :)
(4)Cynde L.
Came into town for the thanksgiving holiday. Our concierge recommended we try monell's. I loved the farm style seating, we met some great people. But the food was just ok. The green beans were overcooked, and the fried chicken was dry. Spinach lasagna and pot roast were delish. Broccoli salad was good flavor, but the broccoli was soggy... I probably won't go back, too many other places in this great city to try.
(2)Bernice C.
Absolutely. Freaking. Amazing. I have no idea why this doesn't have 5 stars...4.5 stars is great and all, but it should have 5 stars. Hands down. To start, definitely get a reservation or call ahead of time to find out how full it is. This place gets decently packed. As everyone else has said, you get seated in a long table and eat family style. You can chat with everyone else or keep to your own party...and then the food starts coming. I didn't know how many rounds of food to expect but there were a lot. Easily at least 10 rounds: salad, slaw, green beans, cabbage, corn bread, biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, pulled pork, some corn dish, and peach cobbler. The food comes around in bowls and you scoop what you want and pass it along. You can order as many refills as you want, but there is so much to try that we only asked for refills on the fried chicken. If you're stopping by Nashville at any point in your life/trip/bucket list. This has to be a stop!!
(5)Thuy N.
I am from South Vietnam and don't know a lot about Southern food growing up, but Monell's is just one of the best family restaurants for good-ole food. Also, it's like Thanksgiving with a lot of strangers, but great conversations with people from all over. I will list my favorites: 1. Biscuits 2. Green Beans 3. Cabbage 4. Fried Chicken 5. meatloaf 6. fried fish okay I can go on and you know what, I can eat and eat and I just don't feel bad!
(5)Frank D.
Family style at its best...u sit w other families at long tables (9-10/table)...no menu, they simply start bring you food, like Sunday's at Grandmom's! ...and boy is there food! Our dinner consisted of broccoli salad, corn bread, turnip greens, 2-types of beans, corn pudding, pot roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed shells, FRIED CHICKEN, banana pudding, sweet tea - oh my! Food was great, atmosphere was fantastic and meeting new folks at laughing at the table was incredible!!
(4)Larry G.
Truly one of the best meals I've ever had. Family style southern comfort fare. It is almost impossible to not overeat here. So many choices and all of them were delicious. Best pot roast I've had and the rolls + peach preserves...oh my word. Wear sandals because you're gonna have to wiggle your toes in excitement.
(5)Douglas W.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of this place by now. This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times now. I never get tired of the fried chicken, corn pudding, muffins, biscuits with their peach preserves, and butter beans. They always have 3 meats to choose from and several sides come out to accompany. This is family style and you sit at a large table with 8 or 10 other strangers who if your lucky will strike up a conversation with you. It's all you can eat and I never leave hungry. Desert is always good. There's pitchers of lemonade, sweet and unsweet tea on the table. It's like Thanksgiving, by the time you take all the sides, there's no room for the turkey on your plate. If you try everything they pass around you'll have a hard time finishing it all! I love this place. I wish I lived in Nashville because I would be here all the time.
(5)Miriam M.
Think of this place like a more homey and intimate buffet. Being from Cali, the extent of my southern food experiences include KFC and salivating over the Pioneer Woman/Paula Deen on the food network. So I don't have much to compare to but I loved how its all family style and you eat with strangers. Some were locals and others from across the country. Each day of the week they have different meat options which are all posted online. But every night they have fried chicken...which is killer! Drinks include sweet tea, regular tea, lemonade, and water. They also have fresh peach preserves to go with the biscuits and cornbread. Weirdly enough my favorite thing was this pineapple casserole. Idk what's in it but I shamelessly ate multiple servings. My least favorite part was the "strawberry shortcake." It was more of like crumbs mixed with blended strawberries and whip cream. But I was so full it was hard to care. Final tip: where your fat pants.
(4)Ilana C.
Monell's was the BEST southern food I've ever had. Family style serving so you are forced to interact with the table and pass food around. It was awesome way to get to know people and we had a fun table. The food was so so so delicious. They served biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon bons and more only for about 15.00 and you can eat as much as you want. Friendly staff, don't make you feel rushed and good experience. You will definitely leave that place feeling so full you may want to take a serious nap (in a good way) It's a lot of food but totally worth the wait. Highly Highly recommend it.
(5)Tara D.
I love this place! My husband, daughter (19 months old) and I went to breakfast on Saturday. Even though we are sat with strangers, we always have good conversation and plenty to eat. This is SOUTHERN food! Leave your diets at home! The food is delicious! If you don't like family style (sitting with strangers), this is not the place for you!
(4)Ariel S.
My husband and I came at noon and had a late breakfast (lunch starts at 1). You sit at a large family style table with others there for the meal. They bring out food and you pass around the table. The food keeps coming. We were served a variety of breakfast food that included fried chicken! Sweet tea and baked apples were amazing! Good southern cooking and hospitality. This is a must for anyone out this way.
(5)Fred Q.
Worthy of a #1 rating! Thanks Yelpers for this recommendation. We found it easily, parked in front on the street, and had a feast of a meal. We were seated immediately at a table with 3 business people who were friendly and fun to be with. They already had biscuits, cole slaw, and cucumber/onion salad - the salad course. Had home made peach jam or gravy for the biscuits. Sweet tea, iced tea, lemonade, and water were on the table. When the main courses arrived I thought I'd died and joined Grandma in heaven. Pan fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and peas. We passed everything to the left and had plenty for seconds. Dessert was peach cobbler. The server was attentive, kept our glasses full of ice, and offered more food if we wanted it. Very friendly, homey, and like a trip back to your grandma's house for Sunday dinner circa 1960. After a long day driving, it was a great evening. Walked it off on the District and listened to live music before returning to the hotel. The carbs are wanting me to sleep now. Zzzzzzz,
(5)Ayesha A.
OMG this place was so flipping fantastic I don't know where to begin. This is a MUST in Nashville, I just love it so much I wish I knew how to run a business so I could open one in Toronto. Everything is cool about this place. It's beautiful. The area is lovely. The food....omg....it's SO good, and it's all you can eat, but do not waste food. The concept of throwing people together at a table makes it different than a regular restaurant experience you would have with friends/family, and it fores you to socialize. The house it's in has so much character. I just absolutely loved the experience and recommend this place. Whatever your brunch/lunch plans are in Nashville, cancel them, and go to Monell's instead. You will thank me for the recommendation ;-)!
(5)Mac L.
I have been here many times and the food and service is always perfect.
(5)Amanda K.
Okay, but really. This place is delicious. So. Much. Food! Pace yourself. First arrival, the outside is simply charming. When you enter, you can see several large family style tables. You will be told exactly where to sit, with people you don't know. This is a little odd at first but totally works. Just expect it. The bowls start coming around and its a looong time before they stop! Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, pulled pork, it goes on and on all to be topped off by a delightfully fresh strawberry shortcake. YUM. Anyone who is visiting Nashville, even for just a short time, needs to make room for a visit to Monell's!
(5)Allie E.
Really good, family style food. Great ribs! Took my in-laws here for some good southern food and we were not disappointed. They had something for everyone including my 2 year old. Go!!
(5)B M.
Went to the location in the Germantown area of Nashville with friends on a Saturday night. Lots of good food served family style. Accordingly, they didn't seat us until our entire party arrived. Fortunately, we beat the crowd and a table opened up shortly after everyone arrived: we were seated with another family at a large table. They serve a set meal, according the day of the week. I would recommend you check their on line site if you want something special. On our night we got some tasty fried catfish. Going to have to try the Sunday brunch...as soon as I can fit back into my pants after eating too much good food at Monell's!
(4)Neek C.
A table full of strangers eating great fried chicken and talking about how Elvis was terrible. That was my experience. Who would have known that a great place was hiding near my alma mater.
(5)D T.
Incredible place! Food was devine and so was the staff. Loved our server. Can't wait to return to this place soon!
(4)Carolyn B.
Great for the starving or non-carb conscious. This place is a family style, sit with strangers, and chow down kind of setting. The fried chicken is out of this world! Get there early so that you beat the rush, as they don't take reservations.
(4)Meghan B.
If a friend was only in town for 24 hours and asked me where they HAD to eat before they left, I'd definitely say Monell's. This place delivers not only on their tasty food, but their atmosphere and price. Be aware: there's no ordering here. It's family-style dining and the bowls of food keep on coming so keep passing those bowls to the left! We sat at a table of about 15 people and had a blast. There was corn pudding, fried chicken, eggs, bacon, biscuits, homemade jam, you name it, we had it on the table. Side note: even if theres a wait, if it's warm enough outside there's a beautiful garden to hang out in with plenty of seating, and a pond with coy fish. We only waited about 15 minutes but I would have gladly waited for an hour!
(5)Harry H.
$38 for the two of us was bafflingly and almost infuriatingly low for the amount and quality of the food and hospitality here. It was family style, and somehow we were seated with ALL fellow NYers, but we still enjoyed ourseves immensely, with food in front of us the second we sat down. Tried at least a bit of every bowl that was passed, and seconds and thirds of most of it -- all superb.
(5)Stephanie I.
Warning: You will be forced to socialize and share food with strangers here. If you take up a seat, you will have to pay for a meal. Monells is obviously famous for the reasons above. It's a unique experience and if you didn't know that before going, you live in a cave. On top of being a unique experience, the food is AMAZING. We went for the Sunday brunch fully prepared for a food coma. They bring out huge portions of food throughout the meal and you eat as much as your pants will allow. Some of the selections include: huge fluffy biscuits, cinnamon rolls, eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, corn pudding, pancakes, and the star of the show - skillet fried chicken. The chicken falls off the bone and is perfectly fried and seasoned. I didn't feel strange eating fried chicken at 9am one bit. The servers are great, making sure that we never run out of food, sweet tea, or water. This place can get busy so arrive early or be prepared to wait.
(5)Valerie B.
I didn't like my table because it was right by the register. Even though it wasn't dinging away, it was still awkward to be so close. I would have much preferred to be somewhere else. The food was so so. I thought the catfish had no flavor. I enjoyed my fried chicken and the spinach lasagne but nothing was hot. Now I understand that things were getting passed around so that was fine. But we asked for some extra lasagne and that came out lukewarm at best. The peach preserve stuff was gross! I almost spit it out. But it's still super cool to sit with people. It's a nice experience. And cool to have southern hospitality.
(3)Blaine L.
What an experience! All the food is brought out to you in a group style setting, and it's delicious! Good old fashioned family style deliciousness
(5)Rene R.
We went to the Germantown location. We got there around 11:00am. Once all of our group had arrived we were told we would be seated as soon as the members of our party who had their phones out put them away. It was said quite rudely and frankly I would have left if it was up to me. I understand the no cell phone policy. I even like it. But there is certainly a way to inform first time guests of this policy nicely. We were seated with a group of a similar size (family style seating) and the gluttony began. If you haven't been here before, there is not a menu for you to choose from. They post the menu for the day on the door. There was fruit tea, sweet tea, and water on the table when we sat down. Food is passed to the left. There was cucumber salad, and coleslaw to start with. Cornbread and rolls with preserves, butter or gravy. Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, pulled pork, and meatloaf. Sides were mashed potatoes, green beans (AMAZING) corn/bread pudding, and mac and cheese ( tasty but very liquidy ). Our table mates were very nice. We all enjoyed a delightful meal! I would very much like to come for weekend brunch next time we're in town ( brunch is weekends only). Also keep in mind during the week, they do close at 2 and reopen for dinner. Check with them for the exact hours. All in all it was a good time. Got off to a bit of a rude start but our server was very pleasant and of course the food is great.
(3)Barry H.
My coworker and I had dinner there last night around 6:45 ( great timing ) . The food was GREAT Food. The Service was Fanatic :) And ALL for only $19.00 per persons :) We will go back Every Time we are in town.
(5)Bill G.
Monell's, a Nashville institution housed in a circa 1880 home in the city's hot property Germantown. No reservations. You wait your turn and then are seated around big tables with about 8 to 12 new friends, in what may have been the former parlor or perhaps a bedroom, decorated with period art and antiques. No menus. For about $14, you eat what's put before you, heaping bowls of slaw, chilled cucumbers/onions and tomatoes in a piquant liquid, greens, corn pudding, mashed new potatoes, green beans, white navy beans, melt in your mouth biscuits (accompanied by cream gravy, butter and homemade peach preserves), and depending on the day, at least two meat selections that could be scrumptious fried chicken, fried catfish fillets, BBQ. ribs, smothered pork chops, turkey and dressing or meat loaf. Big pitchers of iced tea (Southern-style syrupy sweet or plain) and lemonade. Pass to the left, as you visit with your new BFs, while eating into a stunned surfeit of "down home" country cooking delights. The full bowls keep coming until you either force yourself to leave (or fall away from) the table. Oh, almost forgot the banana pudding dessert! Nashville offers many scenic, historic and culinary delights, but Monelle's is a MUST on any trip to Music City! Yee Haw!!!
(5)Katara J.
Came here for breakfast OMG it was amazing. The fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, and cheese grits were my favorite. Its hard to move after coming here. The food just keeps coming and coming.
(5)Ryan B.
This is a great spot for a big group. I had an enjoyable lunch here with a group of 9 who all enjoyed the fantastic southern fare. I wouldn't necessarily go back with my family because of the cost, but it was a great spot for our school staff. Favorite: fried chicken.
(3)Paul A.
Make sure you bring your appetite for soul food! Incredibly happy this place was recommended to me by a friend. I assure you every trip I make to Nashville from here on out will include a stop here. Corn pudding is worth the cost alone!
(5)Abby H.
Loved this place! I'm wondering why more restaurants don't follow this model. Hubby and I were seated at a table with 6 other people.. what fun! And then the food began to flow.. salads, slaw, veggies, bread, potatoes. and FRIED CHICKEN! We kept requesting hot fresh chicken and our sever would bring whatever piece(s) we wanted. We ate at 5:30pm on weeekday.. not crowded yet. Only thing we didn't like was the lasagna.. kinda weird being dumped into a bowl (and cold).. but the other items were amazing so we really didn't need the lasagna anyway.
(5)Annabelle K.
Pretty interesting experience. Southern food is not something I like but it was an interesting experience. You get seated at a table with random people who you share food with. At first I was a little bit turned off by sharing with strangers but then just went with it. Dishes upon dishes come out and you eat what you like. The corn pudding was particularly good and the highlight of the night was the peach cobbler. Definitely worth a stop if your visiting Nashville.
(4)Erica L.
I really don't know what else to say about Monell's that hasn't been already said. All I know is that it's a damn fine winning formula: from the family-style seating and dining experience, to the set menu bit.ly/ncBJqe , and of course, its delicious, mouth-watering, stomach-filling food. Utterly a memorable experience! p.s. My plate prior to the fried chicken: bit.ly/o94n8P -- the corn pudding and green beans were, surprisingly, my favorites!!
(4)Daniel B.
Five Stars for the Fried Chicken. Tip: Don't eat anything until you eat a few pieces of chicken. Then, go for any of their incredible sides or other meat dishes. Seriously, this place is really amazing in terms of good southern food.
(5)Lee B.
Monell's is AWESOME. When I visit Nashville, I never miss it and I always take guests, especially if they're foreign. Great ambiance, friendly staff, always interesting people (family style forces you to chat) and the food is fantastic. However, skip a meal or two before before you go to this Nashville institution.
(5)Jess Y.
4.5 stars. I love Monell's. It has the true Southern homestyle cooking experience and a visit to Nashville would be incomplete without a visit to Monell's. First off, I love the fact that you sit with strangers and share a meal. You meet people from all over with great stories and break bread together. I've been for lunch and dinner before and both visits have been fantastic. The food is absolutely delicious. The last time I went was for Friday lunch which included fried catfish, fried chicken (of course), and spinach lasagna. I've never had spinach lasagna before but it was absolutely amazing. In addition to your three meats, you also get all-you-can-eat sides. I love the corn pudding and the green beans. The meal tends to be a little salty and heavy but it's absolutely scrumptious. The meal begins with sweet tea (and when they say sweet, they really mean it!) and biscuits or corn bread and always ends with dessert. Come hungry because it's all you can eat and it's heavy. But, oh so good. Prepare to want to enter into a food coma after your meal, though. :)
(5)Kristen Z.
I love going to places that aren't chain restaurants. This was a great dining experience and the food is amazing, southern cooking... just like your grandma's house! They sit you at a farm table... its a long table that probably sits about 12 people. If you don't come with a group, they sit you at a table and as more guest come in they sit people down, until the table fills up! For those of you that have had the joy of sitting down to a big table of family or friends and just have all the food set on the table and you take some and pass it, this is EXACTLY the same! They bring out the food of the day... you don't order. Take the bowls and pass them to the left! There is so much food, so pace yourself! All the food is southern and delicious... so don't go here if you are watching your weight!
(5)Shawn W.
I visited Monell's while on vacation with my parents and partner on the recommendation of a friend. I was absolutely blown away with the wonderful atmosphere that this old home gave to a wonderful dining experience. We were there for breakfast at 9:30 and we barely had a wait before being seated. My favorite thing on the table was the peach preserves or as our server called it..."bowl of sin" and it was. I could have probably eaten every last drop of that bowl if there had not been other people at the table. I absolutely loved being surrounded by people from different parts of the country and meeting new people, and this was all part of the family style dining experience...LOVED IT! The finding of the restaurant could have proven to be an adventure if I had not had my GPS locator pointing me in the right direction but it was so, so, so worth finding. Service...well, it was incredible to say the least. Our server was friendly, courteous and made sure we all had enough, no...TOO MUCH to eat before we left, and thank goodness for that, because we still had 3 hours to tromp around the grounds at The Hermitage and 2 hours to drive to Lynchberg and spend another 2 hours to view Jack Daniels Distillery. Then another 2 hours to drive before our next meal, and it held us until that next meal! I highly recommend Monell's to everyone who is in Nashville, enjoy and take your time, Make eating here an adventure! The food was awesome1
(5)Hwventure H.
Look no further, Monell's is THE BEST southern food/soul food restaurant in Nashville. Served family style, the food is delicious and never ending....it just keeps on coming. **Be sure not to confuse this Monell's with Monell's Cafe. (a cafeteria style restaurant.) Monell's is located in a residential area not far from downtown. It's well worth the $$ and the wait. :)
(5)Reg Z.
Great brunch. Served family style, seating is family style as well (even when not your family ;-) Nothing says huge brunch like fried chicken as a finisher. Come hungry and start slow
(4)Douglas P.
We had our Thanksgivukkah feast at the Manor House by the airport. The variety was amazing, the food was incredible, the atmosphere was awesome, and the pricing was very fair in light of the complex menu, bountiful portions, and quality of the food. Highly recommend!
(5)John B.
We ate there and the food was great. We had to wait to be served but the wait wasn't long. Once we were seated it was a little awkward because of the fact of having to be seated with total strangers at one large table. But overall the food was great.
(5)Kim L.
In town for the weekend and we wanted to experience some real southern food. We ate, and we ate, and we ate, until we couldn't eat anymore. The atmosphere is enjoyable, no phones at the table (YES!!), the endless supply of friend chicken, the friendly staff was amazing! The only bummer- no alcohol served... Would recommend and def go back if we are in town again!
(5)Eric M.
Just how I would imagine grandma's house, if my grandma was from the south. The biscuits and gravy was the best, the fried chicken was amazing, and my favorite was the lasagna. They are off the beaten path a bit, but a must-visit!
(5)Christine H.
Put on your Sunday best and get yourself to Monell's for breakfast. I'm going to win the lottery so I can afford to fly from LA to Monell's every Sunday morning. It's one thing to be served heaping platters of Southern food for breakfast, and quite another when that breakfast tastes like your grandmother made it for you because she loves you so much. Whoever the grandmother is at Monell's, I need that corn pudding recipe!
(5)Zach G.
Went out to Monell's for a birthday dinner for a close friend. I was really excited because I've been really watching what I eat lately and this was going to be my cheat day. Now we were probably the last table being sat for the evening and had a large party of about 12. First off waitress and service and everything was great. Top notch. Well. All of the side dishes were pretty good as were the pork chops but nothing above your standard meat and three kind of place. The fried chicken was dry and not very good, maybe I grabbed a bad piece or it was because we were the last table of the night. I was too full to try the baked chicken. I will say I wasn't a big fan of the peach cobbler or whatever it was, but that's just me, not a quality thing or anything like that, just not my thing, though my friends Aunt loved it and said it was like "Momma's". I'd probably go back but not my first choice for southern fixins.
(2)Mon T.
There will be something you like here. I enjoyed everything! The food is flavorful so if you prefer bland food this place isn't for you. It's family style and food is pass around... there is plenty to go around! I personally don't enjoy family style but I was able to look past it and the people at our table were friendly. When I was here on a Sunday for lunch they served pulled pork, coleslaw, corn pudding, fried chicken, cheese grits, cinnamon buns, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, cucumbers and onion, meatloaf, pecan pie,mac n cheese, grilled potatoes, sweet tea and something yummy called fruit tea, grilled catfish, cinnamon apples, green beans...not sure if I missed anything else but I think you get the point. Yummm.
(5)Michael S.
Great southern comfort food at only $16 a person. I took a group of 13 here at 6:30 on a Wednesday. Reservations are not accepted, but it didn't matter because we were seated right away. The place filled up 7. The service was friendly and efficient. Food started coming out of the kitchen right away. We were nicely warned not to eat too much of the bread and salads since tons more food was on the way. It was hard to slow down on the bread, cornbread, peach sauce, cranberry sauce, peas, and cole slaw. Then the main course came out and it was delicious: fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and more. It was all so good and so hard to stop even though we were all full. Then came peach cobbler. All the while sweet and unsweetened tea and lemonade were kept full on our table. The group applauded when we were done! It was easy to pay separately in the end also. Love this pace, but prepared to really eat!
(5)James C.
This is a great family style dining experience with up to ten people at a table. No menus for you to look at. You eat what they're serving. The fried chicken and meatloaf is some of the best I've ever eaten. Don't miss out on dining here if you're able to!
(5)Allison L.
We were driving through Nashville on our way to Chicago and we were hungry. I mean starving. We decided to pull off the freeway and saw a huge cupcake sign. My 4 year old daughter thought that cupcakes would be a perfect lunch. I did not, I checked yelp and found this restaurant down the street (we could pick up a cupcake after). They waited to seat us, my husband was on his cellphone. It was the first time we ate with this style. We were sat a a table for 12 with strangers sitting with us. We don't eat pork and the waitress was awesome at steering us towards food with no pork or bacon drippings. Super thoughtful. The corn pudding was insane. The friend chicken was amazing. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy. Thankfully this gem of a spot is in my list for the next time we are in town. True highlight of our road trip.
(5)AsianRunningDiva S.
House Rule: Pass to the left. This is community dining at its finest! Large table that fits 12 (we were 5) and so we sat with 2 couples and another group of 3. There was already some food at the table when we sat down. Chicken salad, fried okra, banana pudding (they serve dessert first to make sure you have room! haha!), biscuit and gravy, and so much more. Passed around the table like at home; pass to the left! Then came the main courses: ribs, fried chicken, fried fish, hush puppies, green beans, collards, corn, mac and cheese...I'm forgetting so much more, but you get the idea. They refill the community plates so you can pass around some more! Sweet tea, unsweet, and water (no alcohol I think). The cost of this family style buffet is $19/person with tax. GET THERE EARLY! We got there at 5pm and was so lucky to be seated right away. There was a HUGE line waiting when we left about an hour later. Your whole party needs to be there before being seated, so if you have a large party, come when it opens. Rolled out of there stuffed! :) Street parking. Quaint outside with a fish pond and some seating.
(4)Jane D.
As good as everyone says. Great food and great service...go pig the f*ck out, will ya?! This may be the reason Americans are so fat, but I do not care. Advice: take it slow til the fried chicken comes or you won't be able to have as much as you should. I hope the leftovers go to the homeless, or the waste would be a shame. Sitting with strangers makes new friends possible. Yay Monells!!
(5)Kristan H.
(Note: This is my 100th review on Yelp!) My boyfriend and I drove down to Nashville for a long weekend to visit a friend, and this was hands-down the culinary highlight of our trip. I knew we would be eating "family style," but I had no idea our family would be made up of whoever walked in the door at the same time as us. It's a very cool concept, and really not that awkward. When the table was ready, 10 of us were led to it. We sat, and right away servers started bringing dishes and telling us to pass to the left. The food was fantastic. PERFECTLY breaded and fried chicken, and the best meatloaf of my life. My fave side was the mac and cheese, and my friends' faves were the corn pudding and biscuits & gravy. The cornbread was drier than I personally prefer, and the pulled pork had a sort of wine-y flavor that I didn't love, but there was so much variety that it didn't matter. I just helped myself to more mashed potatoes, banana pudding, and sweet tea. Basically, this is home cooked Southern food at its finest. And at a great price! The decor is a comfortable mix of "ranch" and "parlor" (like your favorite grandma's house, maybe?) and the servers are friendly and fast. My boyfriend said if we lived in Nashville he would want to eat at Monell's once a week. I told him our waistlines probably couldn't handle that. He said it would be worth the try. Related: One guy "joined our family" after we had already sat and started to eat. He later confessed that he had been at Monell's for breakfast already that day, and this wasn't the first time he'd done that. I can't say that I blame him.
(5)Scott W.
If you like a lot of food this is a good place to go. Food is very good and served family style. Not my favorite type of food but I am glad we tried it.
(4)Erika B.
Every single thing that comes to the table is unbelievably delicious and Mama makes you feel at home. Fried chicken, baked chicken, corn pudding, greens, and BANANA PUDDING. We sat down not knowing what to expect and everything they brought to the table was outstanding. Southern hospitality at its best.
(5)Benjamin R.
Sweet jeebus, this was a lot of food. You don't order here, they plop you down with 8-10 other people at a big wooden family table, and then start piling food onto it. We had potato salad, slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn bread, mac and cheese, cheese grits, green beans, corn pudding, potatoes, pulled pork, fried chicken, meat loaf, and banana pudding. The cost to you? Something like $13. Bon Appetit.
(4)Glenn F.
I'm back to yelping baby! Monell's is a good southern family dining experience. For locals, once a year will do it though. The fried chicken is pretty solid. The mashed potatoes are whipped with water rather than milk giving them a transparent look, but they taste good. The stuffing was terrible and looked like canned dog food and didn't taste much better. I would give everything else the middle of the road. There are certainly better southern cooking food in Nashville. Try Puckett's or Swett's downtown.
(3)True R.
Soooo good! This was by far the best breakfast we had during our stay in Nashville. There was so much food it was impossible to even finish the first helping. Just FYI, unless you are in a large party you will be dining with other people at your table, however, everyone that sat with us was extremely polite and we had a great time. Definitely recommend!
(5)Sandy H.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? You just need to come and eat here if you're in town. We came here on the sliced roast beef and meatloaf night. I usually don't like mac n' cheese, but I just loved the one the make here. All the sides were excellent and the fried chicken was moist and surprisingly less greasy than I thought I would be. Oh, and the banana pudding was amazing!
(5)Tom M.
Died and gone to Heaven! I have eaten dinner here twice and breakfast once, and on all 3 visits, I was simply blown away. Coming from Suburbia, Ohio, where there is no fried chicken, and landing here was one of the highlights of our trip. The fried chicken was fantastic, the fried green tomatoes were incredible and so was just about everything else on the all you can eat table. The peach preserves, corn pudding, bbq ribs, the biscuits, and the sweet tea.....Good Lord Almighty, the sweet tea. Add all of this great food to the fact you sit and eat family style while chatting and making friends with complete strangers. My favorite place to eat in all of Nashville, and there are many, many great places to eat in Music City! Go for dnner and go for breakfast where even then they serve up fried chicken!
(5)Peter M.
All I can say is I love this place! It's family style, pass-to-your-left, eat-till-you-puke-then-eat-more, southern fried and fantastic food. I go here almost everytime I am in Nashville. All you can eat for one price. No cellphones at the table and prepare to get to know your table-mates! YEEEHAAW (don't know why I typed that it's not a cowboy place).
(4)Kay W.
Southern Style famiy dining at its best! This was fun and the food was just like my Southern Gentleman hubby's mama used to make. Collards, corn pudding, fried chicken, slaw, biscuits, peach preserves, the works! And all the stuff I just don't make. We ate here at our last night of five days in Nashville and I am so glad we did. It was nice to eat with a group of people and all share our stories. The staff was very friendly and made us all feel right at home. Keep up the great tradition of the South. We hope to be back one day!
(5)Tallman F.
Only thing that keeps it from a FIVE is it needs one more meat for lunch. I would hate to go for dinner!!!! this place is special!-ohhh my!!!!!! You have to. You have to go. Did I say, YOU HAVE TO GO? The owner comes out and keeps brining food to the table until everyone is stuffed, like Sunday Dinner at Grandma's. You sit at this large table with people you don't know but within minutes everyone is talking like you rode up on the bus with them from Knoxville. The fried catfish was fried lightly and was fresh. The chicken was above average. they had an assortment of breads and all of the sides were above average, from the mashed potatoes, yellow rice, greens, Mac n cheese, candied yams, and more. Did I tell you have to go? The food is very good BUT the dining experience is something to relish
(4)Tiff W.
If you are in Nashville and only go to one restaurant, Monell's is it! We went there for the Sunday brunch and hit the post-church crowd...the wait ended up being about an hour and a half but it was completely worth it! You are seated family style next to strangers, but it's a great way to meet new people over amazing food. Mac & cheese, breakfast hash, chicken hash, green beans, cole slaw, corn pudding, biscuits & corn bread, cucumber salad, bbq riblets, mashed potatoes, FRIED CHICKEN....imagine a group of 6 girls devouring plates of food and asking for seconds while our new table friends stared in astonishment. Here's some advice for the ladies: wear a loose dress.
(5)L. N. D.
Monell's is a good tourist spot and if you like family style dining or you like to try family style dining. There were some really good side items such as the potato casserole, corn pudding; however, I've fried better chicken. We had really good table mates which made the experience just a little worth it but there are some rules, like pass to the left, which can get a little annoying if you're trying to eat or if your table isn't full. I'm also still trying to figure out why the watermelon was brought out before the entrees /-(. This is just my thoughts but I don't feel it was worth $15 per person because you don't even eat that much money worth of food.. No take out here.
(3)Shelby B.
Perfection! Even waiting to be seated in their garden with my friends, sipping sweetened tea, was perfect. The hostess, servers etc were perfectly friendly and attentive. Not in that fake way that makes you think they are being monitored for behavior, but friendly and welcoming in the way that makes you think 'gosh, these good vibes are buzzin me'! The food, ohhh the food!! Sitting with friends and strangers, from all over Nashville and the world, at a huge, wooden, communal dining table, you will have more than 10 courses served in short succession. 3-4 types of teas are always full and at arms reach in big cute 'grandma' pitchers. Yeah, there's cornbread rolls and biscuits. Yeah, there's gravy and dressing too. And yes, there's turkey, pulled pork and UNGH...pan fried chicken!!! Save room for dessert!! If you've ever had a southern, or else down-on-the-farm type, grandma then come to Monelle's to relive the glorious binge that is like Thanksgiving meal. If you havent had a grandma that cooked from scratch then visit here to live for a single meal in the bliss that could have been. Bring a date, friend or family, or just come alone and you may even meet someone interesting at your table, just an arm's reach away.
(5)Peter P.
For southern food, Monell's really is as good as it gets. You pay a flat fee, sit at a big picnic table with a bunch of strangers, and pretty quickly get brought bowl after bowl of delicious southern food. They start you off with dessert, typically banana pudding, and then bring the cold sides - cole slaw, bean salad, biscuits, then the hot sides - mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, then finally the main courses which always includes stellar fried chicken and when I was there also included spinach lasagna, fried catfish, and BBQ ribs. Definitely recommend to anyone spending time in Nashville.
(5)Cydney A.
Our experience was amazing except I was uncomfortable sitting with strangers at first but after awhile I got used to it! They need more windows! Other than that! The food was amazing and tasty and we will go back there again and again and again! :) it takes about an hour for us to get here but it's all worth it!!!
(5)Michele O.
The best fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea! It's a great experience as well to eat family style at a communal table with a bunch of strangers and chat.
(5)Heather L T.
Monell's is my favorite place to eat in Nashville so far. If you're looking for the most storybook Southern atmosphere and mouth-watering soul-food that dreams are made of, this is the place for you. Monell's never disappoints, everything is unique about this restaurant from the menu to the decor to the meal tickets to the staff. No matter where I may move or live in my life, this restaurant will always have a nice place in my heart. If you haven't been, make sure to try it as soon as possible!
(5)Kevin C.
Great food and they kept it coming. Well worth the wait.
(5)Kitcat S.
I took my mom here to introduce her to southern food during her first visit to Nashville. The food was unbelievable. Really well priced in a cute neighborhood. The hostess, who I suspect is the owner, was the nicest person you could meet. I felt right at home and can't wait to come back. The family style also allowed for great conversations with locals.
(5)Janette W.
This was my first meal in Nashville and even after days of eating my way through town, I can still say this was my best meal. This was our first stop after leaving the airport and it was such a whirlwind of emotions. You are seated at a large table, filled with people you don't know. All of a sudden there are pitchers of sweet tea (yum!) and so much food! There are sides of cucumber salad, macaroni salad, corn pudding, green beans and then.. that's when things started spinning. And once you've passed all of these sides around to your new friends at the table. THEN comes the main courses! Fried chicken, roast beef, and the best meatloaf ever! I couldn't believe they had the nerve to pull out cherry cobbler after all of that!
(5)Melissa M.
UNBELIEVABLE. YOU. MUST. GO. We had just landed in Nashville, and of course, all I can think about is food. On the cab ride to our hotel I cross checked the Frommers guide (which really is never wrong) to Yelp to try to find a place for lunch. Monells was the winner. We checked into our hotel and walked in the sauna-heat to this place. We arrived just as they opened. The restaurant is in a residential area in a house. They have a really nice garden and sitting area outside. We were the first ones there and really didn't know what to expect. We were put at an empty table that quickly filled up. When we sat down there was some cucumber salad, watermelon, biscuits, iced tea, and lemonade on the table. I started eating when one of the gentlemen sitting next to me commented that he was not going to make the mistake of filling up early. Uh oh, I was in trouble. Next came a ton of sides, fried chicken, fried fish, squash casserole. Everything was delicious. Best fried chicken and fish ever! Perfectly flavored and crispy. So much delicious food and it was about $13 pp. What a deal! The staff was so nice and friendly, and the family style atmosphere is great. You have the opportunity to talk to alot of interesting people. The only downside is that we ate too much and had to walk back to the hotel in the heat! Talk about a food coma! If you are in Nashville, this is a must-do! You will not be let down!
(5)Casey H.
Here are the highlights: -$12.95 all of you can lunch -family style; you are seated with strangers You have to try: -fried chicken -corn pudding Everything was homemade and really good.
(5)Evan W.
Monell's is by far one of the best restaurants I've experienced (more than once) in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether you are dining alone or with a group, the family-style environment is perfect - for all situations. I've had birthdays here; my family even did a Thanskgiving meal here one year. For those of you that aren't familiar with 'family style' eating destinations, they are set up so that when you walk in, you are seated with a group of other people that you don't know - you then pass around baskets or bowls of food, taking some for yourself. The food here is in a league of it's own - TRUE southern cuisine, ranging from meatloaf, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, to cherry cobbler, home-made preserves, and so much more. I have never experienced something worthy of a complaint. I definitely recommend this to EVERYONE!
(5)Ozro D.
Do you like to eat? Of course you do! Monell's is designed around one thing, and one thing only: people's love of food. Unless you're in a group of 15 people, you'll be sat with strangers, and you can all bond over the unholy amount of food that's about to be put in front of you. It's really hard to call this place a meat and three, because that undersells the amount of food you'll be served. A typical meal here probably has 3 or 4 different meats, and somewhere near a dozen different vegetables. And here's the kicker - they're ALL amazing, so you'll want a bit of everything. Or a lot of everything, depending on how you want to play it. The wait can be a bit of a pain, but it's more than worth it. Plus, it gives you some more time to prepare for what's about to happen to your body. Once you're inside, the food comes out quickly, and it doesn't stop coming. The service is great, too. Monell's is a great experience on any day, but if you can make it on a holiday, DO IT! I had Thanksgiving dinner here, and was blown away. The wait was a bit longer (to the point where they had snacks for those of us waiting outside... no joke), but as always, it was worth it. If you love to eat, then you'll love Monell's.
(5)Varun B.
Just a ridiculous amount of food, brought to you while you're seated at a table seated family style at a table that seats a dozen people, all of whom are quite friendly. Some dishes are a bit of a miss, but some are very good and there are definitely at least a couple of standouts. The main dishes change every day, so keep an eye on the menu. The meatloaf was the absolute best I'd ever had, and the chicken and dumplings and corn mash were a close second. There were a bunch of other good sides, and the fried chicken wasn't bad.
(4)Jordan M.
WOW. Good, southern, home cooking. Wear stretchy pants for this meal! You will need them. Everything was so delicious. A fun atmosphere, sitting with strangers at a family style table. Their fruit tea was very good too. I also thought it was nice to know that all the left-overs were donated to a church kitchen to feed the homeless. The waitresses were super nice and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Nashville just to eat here. The only negative is that the pricing isn't very apparent and it is about $20 a person on Sundays. Still worth it, but I was a little shocked when I got to the counter to pay.
(5)Cj L.
super.
(5)Derrin T.
Yes
(5)Chelsea J.
The country breakfast is actually insane, in the best way possible. I ate so much and didn't want to stop, but in the name of being socially acceptable I had to cut myself off. The biscuits and gravy were incredible. I am at a loss for words at how good this place was, and you pay a flat price of $14.95 for the breakfast which includes (brace yourself) - biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, corn pudding, grits, fried chicken, spiced apples and there is coffee and sweet/unsweet tea on the table. Ermagerrrdd. We got here around 10am and waited for 10 minutes. I've heard if you arrive after the church crowd the waits can be upwards of an hour. Get there early and with a big appetite and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Tim M.
Back in August, I definitely held back from writing a downgrade review because everyone is allowed to have a bad day or 2. After this past weekend, sure enough, it was just a bad day in that far distant past Monell's. You have convinced me again that you know how to meet customer needs. Owner was host this past Saturday night. He quickly identified me as a Yelper and a frequent customer (I've been 8 times in 11 months). Quickly reading the menu, I noticed there was no broccoli salad on this night. My sister was in town and we both find this our favorite side so I asked for a favor since I had not seen in on my last 2 trips to Monell's. 10 min later - bam a bowl of broccoli salad was at my side! Also, got to try the fried catfish for the 1st time and I enjoyed every bit of it. What deserved more attention - chicken or catfish? My heart leaned on the catfish cuz you can have chicken any time. I really enjoyed their pulled pork during my recent visits but tonight it was a distance behind catfish and chicken.
(5)Shafi K.
This place is great, if you're trying to get a heart attack. ;) No, really, I like going to Monells about once every couple of months because once you've been here, you'll be too full to come back for a while. The food is fantastic (especially the banana pudding and the corn casserole..). The people are super friendly and you really get the feeling that you've just visited your grandmother's house more than simply ate out at a good restaurant in town.
(5)Lisa B.
I finally ate at Monell's after hearing so many great things about them, and I'm glad to say that it lived up to the hype! I've heard that they seat you with random people if you don't have a full table, but we had a large party so we had our own table. Since it was Sunday brunch, there was a long wait... mostly due to the party of 32 ahead of us. Yes, 32. I know, right?! There is no ordering, they just start bringing you whatever they're serving that day (family style) for the fixed price. Highlights: Fried chicken, corn pudding, biscuits, mac & cheese... There really wasn't anything I didn't like except sauerkraut, but I don't like any sauerkraut. The term 'meat & 3' is not applicable in this case, it was more like meats & 10. The only thing I would do differently next time is to wear stretchy pants or perhaps an oversized dress. I feel that my choice of wardrobe affected my ability to gorge myself on the delicious soul food.
(4)Rich C.
Go to Monells... really just go to Monells. It has been 2 months since I have been here, and I am only now writing the review, but I can still taste all that awesome food in my mouth. Now, something about clicking your heels and saying theres no place like Monells? Smothered Chicken, Fried Chicken, Corn bread, Corn Pudding, Beans, Taters.. I could go on like Bubba from Forest Gump when he was talking about shrimp for about 3 hours. If you ever wished to have a grandma/mom that cooked soul food and force fed you among a large extend family, then come here!
(5)Eliza R.
Plain and simple, the breakfast food at Monell's is proof of the existence of a higher power. The rating speaks for itself, and so do the hundreds of rave reviews, so there's really not much to add. I'm a misplaced northerner who's lived in the south for three and a half years and I've *finally* eaten a proper southern breakfast at Monell's. Everything about the meal was just perfect - the homemade buttery biscuits and cinnamon rolls, the crisp and flavorful fried chicken and bacon, the grits with just the right amount of cheese and the sweet tea with just the right amount of sugar. I wanted to eat so much more than I did, but my stomach just couldn't handle it. Whether you're visiting Nashville or a resident, Monell's is a must-eat restaurant! :)
(5)Sam L.
Monell's had great southern cooking. We went for the brunch menu and the family style seating made the environment more enjoyable. There was fried chicken, cream corn, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, cheesy grits, sweet tea. Everything was flavorful and made with passion. Come with an empty stomach
(4)Ryan M.
A MUST do for anyone local or visiting! An experience like no other place!! Everyone is super friendly and the food and atmosphere are amazing!!
(5)Simon M.
Come here for the experience. It is family style, sitting with strangers, locals and out-of-towners alike, in a beautiful old house. No menu, just a variety of southern comfort foods brought to the table. As to the food itself, the only stand-out is the fried chicken, the rest is fairly mediocre. But who cares- you're belly will be full and you'll have made some new friends.
(3)Brandon G.
This is a fun spot to hit, everyone should check it out if you have the chance. Family style dining, you sit at a table with strangers and pass around the helpings. Down home southern cookin'.
(4)Len M.
My sister lives in Nashville, so this place has become one of my haunts while I'm there. First of all, if you want spectacular fried chicken, this is the place to go. Be prepared to loosten your belt and let the eating begin. There is usually at least 5 to 10 side dishes in addition to the star items for the given night (they serve different things on different nights, so read their site carefully) . Some of the sides are just okay, but others are great. Especially their corn pudding. Couple of things to note. 1. The seating arrangement is communial style. You will always be seated (depending on your group size) with a group of about 14 people at a large table. Be prepared to rub elbows and strike up conversation with strangers. It seems ackward at first, but then it loostens up. You may even meet some interesting people. 2. Don't go near closing time or at the end of the brunch service on weekends. They gently apply pressure to get you to finnish your meal so they can close. If you want to take your time and eat, go earlier then when they close. 3. If you are going for the prize (such as fried chicken, pork chops or their beef) - do not indulge in the side dishes. By the time you have biscuits & gravy, mac & cheese, beans, corn pudding, mash potatoes, peas, broccoli and cole slaw, you will not have enough room left for the prize - the fried chicken.... 4. Go and enjoy yourself. The people their are very nice and the price for dinner is reasonable ! I look forward to my next visit.....
(5)Jared C.
All the other reviews are true. They have to push you out of there because you're so full. The food is fantastic and is definitely worth coming back to. If you stay in Nashville you should make this a primary stop
(5)Kristin N.
Listen, I'm a born 'n' bred "Northerner," and typically I'm not someone who necessarily enjoys talking to people or socializing with strangers throughout my meal. At Monell's, this is mandatory -- but admittedly, it's also awesome. If nothing else, you can talk to your meal-mates about how the food is freaking FANTASTIC. I think I had about 7 helpings of the pineapple cake casserole (not the official name, but you'll know it when you see it). Their chocolate cake? Dont' even get me started... I don't even LIKE chocolate cake, and I was picking off my neighbor's plate. Everything else was fantastic, too -- served fresh, warm and in true Southern styles and fashion (so says my Nashville-bred boyfriend), and it was all delicious. If it's between this place or another typical meat & 3, please (PLEASE) choose Monell's.
(5)Scott M.
Holy cow, no really......the cow was awesome, but the fried chicken was much better. If you don't try this place you have no taste at all. This might be one of the finest southern cooking establishments left. TOP menu items include succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes. The owner and staff make you feel like you are part of their family. I LOVE THIS JOINT.
(5)Sarah S.
Places like this are why I want to move back South. Now, I'm not a "fried chicken and sweet tea all the time" kind of person, but I spent four years in South Carolina for college, and have traveled to Charleston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and countless other Southern cities and I look forward to buttery biscuits, crisp okra, seafood (crawfish and crab especially), cheesy grits, and more every once in a while while I'm below the Mason-Dixon. Monell's offered me my beloved Southern food in a family-style dining setting at a cute little house just outside of downtown Nashville. My best friend and I were in town for a long weekend trip and stopped for lunch on a Saturday. We were seated at a table with a mother and her teenage son in town from California and a trio of friendly social workers from CPS. A lazy susan loaded with pitchers of sweet tea, lemonade, and water sat at the center of the table, and baskets loaded with biscuits and cornbread (alongside homemade jam and gravy) occupied various spots around the table. The "meals of the day" included their staple, fried chicken (crispy, a little buttery, and delicious), as well as spinach lasagna (kind of different for a Southern place, but nice), and fried catfish (it was done traditionally with a cornmeal breading and was tender and delicious, and this is coming from someone who generally dislikes all fish). We had plenty of side dishes to choose from: green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn pudding, among other things. Dessert, a banana pudding (complete with Nilla wafers, a treat I haven't enjoyed since I was a little girl), tempted us from the start, as they brought it out along with the main meal (although, the social workers each insisted their recipes were better and "more authentic"--I never did get any of them to share though...). It was nice to have so many dishes to choose from, and, happily, no one judged me for wolfing down three butter-slathered biscuits during the course of the meal. The food was delicious (though stereotypically Southern, i.e. comfort food that really sticks to your ribs), and the company was even better. New to town, we got the run down of places to see/go to and even got some job search advice from the social workers, who were quite eager to get us to apply for jobs within their office. In a society where people are just as happy to go out alone to coffee shops and cafes and block out the world--studying solo, listening to music while finishing a term paper, reading a book while sipping on a hot beverage--it's refreshing to sit down with new people (total strangers, to be exact) and have a real conversation. You can't just go in here, sit down, smile, and move on with eating while ignoring the table around you. You sit, you introduce yourself, and you talk about just about anything while enjoying some delicious food and great service, and, well, you enjoy it. The building is a neat little house, with indoor (and outdoor?--couldn't tell because of the cold weather) seating and great Southern charm. Parking can be a little tricky, and the area it's in is a little bit scruffy, but it's close to downtown, easy to get to, and it was fairly easy to get a seat. Be sure to check it out if you're in town, but make sure you come in with an empty stomach!
(4)Priscilla E.
This place was just Ok. Nothing was really great about it. It was a different experience as far as sitting with people that you don't know, the fish was great as well as the biscuits!
(2)Opal D.
Delicious Southern food served family-style (communal tables). Surprisingly inexpensive for the amazing food. Highly recommended.
(5)Justin W.
Oh my goodness. What a place! The Saturday morning breakfast is amazing. Family style greatness for a great price. Unlimited fried chicken, country ham, sausage, bacon, biscuits, cinnamon apples, potatoes, eggs, everything...wow. I could eat here over and over without ever getting tired of it. You literally have to come here for a Saturday breakfast!!!
(5)Carin M.
Wear elastic waist pants! Went here on a girls weekend in Nashville for a traditional "Southern" breakfast and it was as great as the other reviews we had read. Family style eating - and you sit with others which is fun too. And the food is amazing. Fried chicken (ate 3 pieces), biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, grits, corn casserole, bacon/ham/sausage, gravy and apples. I couldn't get enough of the chicken and biscuits but made sure I tried everything. Come hungry - leave stuffed! We didn't eat another thing until late that night. But we were so happily full. Would recommend this to anyone in Nashville looking for a southern breakfast. Feels like you are eating at a relatives house who is a fabulous cook and keeps the food coming!
(5)Howah L.
This is a unique experience. It is family style dining. So since I came on my own. I was seated at a large table with two other groups. Seven in all with enough room for a couple more. The people i sat with were very friendly, which was nice as i came alone. There was no need to order, food was set in the middle of the table. You grab the food and pass it counter clockwise until all the food has made it around. And you are welcome to seconds. When I came over 10 dishes were served: including pot roast, fried chicken, lasagna, beans, cole slaw, cornbread, bisckets, gravy, corn pudding, mashed potatoe, dessert, etc. In general the food was good and plentiful. The pot roast, corn pudding, and cole slaw were very good in my eye. Everything else was still good. The cost for my lunch was very good too. Under 13 dollars!
(5)Kletia G.
Wow! this place will knock your socks off as well as blow introverts' minds!! Get ready to sit at a table with a bunch of strangers and eat just plain ole good country cookin! Don't let eating with strangers scare you though, it's really exciting. Turn off your phone and talk to the live person next to you! There is no menu to order off of, just a set daily menu. Expect to get served all you need for a tasty home cooked meal. Salads, biscuits, gravy, a number of sides/casseroles/veggies, a few varieties of meat and some dessert. Flavorful food cooked with love and lard. They bring it out, you eat it up! This place is an experience that is worth trying, and coming back to again and again! Oh, it's a fixed price too, I can't remember exactly how much, but I think it's around $13-$15 per person. Also, they have breakfast/brunch on Saturdays and Sunday's. Haven't been, but I bet it's amazing!
(5)David O.
Monell's is the ultimate in "Country Cooking"! I brought my parents here because they are always looking for places they don't have up north and this surely qualifies! The amount of food you get for the price is truly mountainous! While I can't admit to liking everything, there is so much that even if you don't like a few of the dishes, you certainly will not go away hungry. I was slightly disappointed at how perfunctory the waiter was, but its possible that its designed so they are out of sight, out of mind appearing only to refill your beverages or bring out more food. Strangely though, I found it lacking a real connection to the staff. Parking also could present a problem, since you are stuck with the limited availability on the street. I highly recommend a visit.
(4)Zeb M.
Monell's lives up to the hype. I had their country breakfast Saturday morning and I'm still dreaming about their corn pudding. Every single thing was delicious, but I must talk about their fried chicken for a moment. I can't recall the last time I've had such fantastic chicken that wasn't too greasy or tough. I would go back again just for that. While the family style seating may turn off some people, I thought it was nice for a change and only added to the charm of the historic home-turned-restaurant. I can't believe it took me this long to eat at Monell's! But I know this won't be my last visit.
(5)Matt K.
As a visiting Yankee, I was pretty excited to try this place since it screams Southern to me in every way. I think my expectations were really high, and I was a little bit disappointed. I'll still give it 3 stars though, because the intention was great, essentially unlimited food portions, and just a cool atmosphere. I was extremely hungover from a bachelor party, so couldn't enjoy or stomach as much food as I would have liked.
(3)Janet Y.
I write this review as I crave Monell's meatloaf. This says a lot, considering I never ate meatloaf after traumatized by my school cafeteria at a young age. Am I the only one who feared Meatloaf Thursdays growing up? With that being said, the food at Monell's overall was hands down delicious. From the corn pudding to the skillet fried chicken, I had to try every bit of the dishes on our table. While everything we ate was a piece of Southern gooey goodness, be prepared for a food coma afterwards. The food is heavy, but I was a willing participant. I also loved the unique set up of the restaurant. You literally sit at a big dinner table. You may not know the person sitting next to you from Adam, but get to know them... because you'll likely have to ask them to pass you the macaroni and cheese! The staff is super friendly, and for me... "all you can eat" has reached a whole new level.
(4)Terrell L.
I just had another wonderful meal and experience at Monell's Germantown Restaurant.. I took a friend who had never eaten there, of course he was taken back by the Food, Service and Charm of this place. I'm sure he will spread the good word about this establishment to many others. Country Breakfast, The Best Scrambled Eggs, Thick Sliced Bacon, Country Ham, Sausage, Cheese Grits, Home Fried Potato's, Corn Souffle, Pancakes, Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, Juice, Coffee and of course The Best Skillet Fried Chicken in Town. I think there was even more food on the table, however after eating a taste of all this, I had to take my coffee and relax out in the garden for a few minutes, Life is Good and Breakfast Was Great ! Thanks again Monell's !
(5)D L.
Incredible food! Had a wonderful time with the family style dining. You begin with coffee, sweet and unsweet tea, water and homemade peach preserves. Biscuits, gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls that you are warned not to eat too much of as there is "more coming". That would be an understatement. Has become one of our top 5!
(5)B G.
Had the best experience!
(5)Brennan W.
There's not much to add that hasn't been said. So, instead of telling you why you should go, I'm going to tell you why NOT to go to Monell's. - Don't go if you're shy, or hate having fun. You will (most likely) be sitting with strangers. And it will be fun. - Don't go if you're not eat-your-own-skin-if-you-have-to hungry. You go here with a mild appetite, prepare to be severely disappointed. - Don't go if you are one of those people that complains about how fried food and sweet tea are killing America. Your nose will get turned up a little more with every course. - Don't go if you are on a diet. I did, and.... You know what? Go anyway. Consider it a cheat day. - Don't go if you are in a hurry. You're in the south now. Slow down. Have some pie.
(5)Richard B.
Beyond the food, a fantastic dining experience. The communal dining really was the highlight of the evening, as the entire table of strangers shared food memories from childhood and from the different areas of the country that they hailed from. It has been said by more than one reviewer, and could not be a truer description of what you need to be when you arrive - HUNGRY. I can't recall feeling that full in a long, long time. The catfish was very well prepared, which takes much more skill than most people might think. The cornmeal coating was crisp and thin. The fried chicken was excellent. I found the mashed potatoes to be a bit thin, but of all the mountains of side dishes passed around the table it would be the only thing I could find a minor fault with for the entire evening. Monell's seems to appreciate the fact that they know they will have to roll you out the door at the end of the evening, because the dessert was a small cream cheese, coconut and pineapple tart. Rather than passing on dessert because you're so full, the size of it tempted you to finish of your evening with that last little morsel. And it was absolutely delicious as well. This is a dining experience that I will make the multi-hour drive to Nashville to repeat many times over the next few years.
(5)Candace B.
Ok this place was awesome....It was too great we left so full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep! The place is set up like and old kitchen. There are old kitchen tables through the place with all the condiments and sweet tea you need. It is family style so you may be sitting with some people you don't know..but oh well I guess make some new friends! By the time we got there we where the last of the night and had a whole table to ourselves. When we where completely stuff there was probably about 10 bowls of great food on our table. I have to say my favorite was the fried chicken. It was cooked perfectly and not greasy at all. We also sampled, lasagna, greens, cornbread, white beans and catfish. There was a ton more but so much I can't remember. So, starve yourself all day then go to Monell's it is worth it!!
(5)Jack K.
Like the Food Network Show, I can say that this is the best Southern food I ever ate! No joke. If you are ever in Nashville, you MUST go here! What is great is the place is historic. The wait can be long, but it was worth it for my group of 12. We waited outside in the really nice garden area, and we were soon seated in the front part of the building, which is brick on the outside. I've only had the dinner, so that's the only thing I can comment about, but it was amazing. The spread of family style servings of food will make your mouth water. You definitely need to come hungry, or at least practiced stretching out your stomach for a week to be able to eat the amount of food that will be placed on your table! I loved the family style buffet style dinner. We had our own table, but the table next to us had 3 different groups. It really proves that meals are a social treat. You get to pass around huge plates and bowls of food. Everything from the salad to the banana pudding (yum) are really great. The chicken is just how you'd imagine, cooked to perfection, and the mac and cheese makes you feel right at home. The green beans, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw are more then acceptable, and once you thing you've had enough, the servers will ask if you would like anything more. We politely declined to more main courses, but we had to have another bowl of the banana pudding. They weren't lying when they said we would want another bowl! I won't say too much about the food because it changes from night to night, but any review that is positive is probably correct. It is that good! You will feel as if you need to "roll out" of there, literally. I have to say, the atmosphere is fun, inviting, warm, and lively. The people around you are into the meal, feel as if we were in someone's home rather then the restaurant. So, come to Monell's for great food, great company, and great service! The price of dinner (or any other meal) can't be beat when you're hungry! You won't be disappointed...unless you dislike eating awesome food!
(5)Stacy T.
Everyone knows the restaurant is delicious, but I'd like to comment on the catering. We used Monell's to cater our wedding in May. It was somewhat of a difficult thing since our venue didn't have a kitchen and we had to trust that the food would be warm and fresh once it came time for dinner. I can tell you that everything was handled so professionally and you wouldn't have even known the food didn't come STRAIGHT from the oven! It was delicious! The entire catering experience was flawless from beginning to end and I'd recommend them to anyone needing to cater an event - large or small.
(5)Jeffrey C.
Just amazing. Endless dishes at a big table where you meet new people. All the food was great but the meatloaf was amazing.
(5)Kerriann K.
The experience is what makes the restaurant. Go early - and with your whole group - or expect to wait for a long time. Course after course is served very quickly. Mac and cheese, beans, ribs, catfish, chicken, coleslaw, biscuits, etc. Dishes were refilled as needed, but not the best food I've eaten in this city. Fun place to try.
(3)James M.
Great southern cooking reminds me of fondue memories back at Pappaw & Granmaw's house down at farm for Sunday dinner. Very nice to sit with diversified people from all races & share a meal. Encourages comunication with other diners for a enjoyable experience. Hope they donate leftovers to a good cause in Nashville !
(5)Angela Z.
We decided to sniff out a new place for breakfast this weekend, so of course I headed to Yelp to look for suggestion. Monell's was one of the places that popped up on the list. The restaurant is in a beautiful old house with a huge lawn and great parking. We were greeted promptly by a very friendly hostess and seated in about 5 minutes. Our tablemates were not the friendliest in the world, but that's a risk you run when you're eating family style. The meal started with baskets of warm soft biscuits and cinnamon rolls. The gravy was amazing. About 10 minutes later the parade of breakfast dishes began. Corn pudding, potatoes, grits, fried chicken, the best bacon I've ever eaten (thick, crispy goodness) scrambled eggs. I'm sure I"m leaving things out. We'll definitely be back. This will be a great place to bring out of town guests (especially our British family) to introduce them to southern cooking and hospitality!
(4)Melisa P.
All I have to say is OMG! This place was more than good! It was like eating with long lost family. Even if you aren't the type of person who likes to share or break bread with people you don't really know, you soon get over it because the food is too good not to. My friend and I went right before we drove to Pigeon Forge from Nashville which in hindsight was a big mistake, for me anyway, since I was doing all the driving because after eating such an incredible meal at Monell's all I wanted to do was take a nap ... after the biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, catfish, beans, mashed potatoes, greens and on and on and on that was being passed around the table. This was downright home cooking at it's best! It didn't even matter that my friend and I were the youngest people at the table by about 30 or 40 years ... we have a great time and picked up some life's wisdom in the process.
(5)Zenda T.
The Best Food EVER!!!! I wanted some good southern food, I was not disappointed.... A must when visiting Nashville.
(5)Keila N.
Monell's is tucked away in a residential area in German Town. It's nestled in a tranquil garden with colorful flowers with humming bees. I've been here on several occasions, each visit being different from the former. This is family style dining where you sit at a big table with complete strangers. There's ample comfort food served with southern hospitality that you only hear of in the movies. It's truly an intimate experience. I don't eat meat, and I rarely eat carbs. But this place is worth going to just for the ambiance. You can't visit Nashville and not go here.
(5)Dominic M.
Quintessential Nashville down home southern cooking. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, catfish, okra,etc. It's the stuff your mamma cooked if mamma was cooking for all the farmhands. When friends and family come to Nashville, we take them to Monell's. Be ready to leave in a food coma. I personally hold the folks at Monell's responsible for 20 of the 30 #'s I've gained since moving to Music City. The Mansion location is great too but my fave is the Germantown original.
(5)Safa S.
This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in Nashville and probably the US. Now that I am back in LA, I am having serious withdrawals from this place. Everything is great about this place: the decor, the service, the atmosphere and most definitely the food. When you walk into the restaurant there is a sign that says "Enter as strangers and leave as friends." This is so true! You are seated at a large family table with other people. We had a great time getting to know some of the people at our table and getting an idea of other local places to try. The food is served family style, so you have pass everything around (I believe the etiquette here is to pass the food to the left). The decor makes you feel like you are at someones house and so does the way the food is served. So, in the end you really feel like you are eating a home cooked meal! Check the website for the daily menu. Everyday different food is served, so I really think the food is fresh. The day we came they had chicken casserole, pot roast, fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn bread and green beans. I may be forgetting one or two items. Overall, this is a must go to restaurant.
(5)Christina M.
Well I have to say sitting with other people was different but it didn't bother me. I loved all the friendly waitresses & made me aware of the rules & lots of food to come! Everything was delicious we had so much worth the price of $19. Fresh biscuits, fresh fried catfish, fried chicken & ribs just to say the least all excellent. Even my husband whose the not easiest to please liked it so that's saying a lot! Great stop!
(5)Bryan M.
Everytime I'm in Nashville I try to make it here. SO good!!!
(5)Chris A.
Holy moly, the food heere is GREAT, the wait is normally about 35-40 minutes, but it's worth it. You get to meet a ton of new people (family style) and get an amazing southern meal for 20$. go here in nashville.
(5)Jennifer P.
I was raised on traditional Southern cuisine and going to Monell's is just like taking a time machine back to my Mamaw's kitchen. The food is delicious, soulful and traditional. The corn pudding and green beans, especially, taste just like she used to make them. I feel like I get a memory out of every bite. I find the southern comfort and nostalgia of this place to be what I love the most. I love the family style serving and the huge shared tables. I love all of the little trinkets and nic-nacks sprinkled throughout the restaurant. I even love the little eclectic garden they have outside. It just makes you feel at home; pair that with a great meal and you have the recipe for "meat & three" excellence.
(5)Kevin U.
I felt like I was at grandma's house...so awesome. Enjoyed my soul food...fried chicken, catfish, all kinds of incredible sides and the best banana puddin' I'be ever had. This is a must for your Nashville visit. The service is fun and engaging. Like I said, it was like hanging out at a family member's house for a weekend meal.
(4)Dagan B.
really good country cooking. you have to set with a group but it ends up being really cool and most people going understand the situation so strangers become friends or at least friendly.the pancakes and cinnimon rolls are the highlights also the biscuits and gravy and fried chicken are really good
(4)Kevin K.
You have to understand how this place works. It was recommended to us by a friend of mine who just told me the food was really good and you got a lot of it. We pull up to the place, and park on the street in front for free. We walk in and told the lady we have two in our party. She brings us to a big table where seven people are already sitting and they have just started to serve the food. It was all family style, no menu, but they had pasta salad, fried chicken, biscuits, home made preserves, potatoes, etc. There was so much food and as long as you're eating, they keep bringing it, and as soon as you're done, you get up and get out! They always have something different at every meal. At lunch and dinner, they always have some form of chicken and then something else. When we were done and on our way out, we asked the lady up front what are they serving for lunch tomorrow, thinking we would come back, and she didn't know. She told us of the possibilities but she wasn't sure what it would be. Fun place to go, especially with a large group.
(5)Justin J.
Monell's is Southern dining at its finest! The setup is family style, so if you go by yourself like I did - be prepared to sit with a large group of black woman from out of town. The food consisted of southern style comfort food: Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc... IMO this should be a right of passage when traveling to Nashville.
(5)Dan H.
My wife and I loved this place. Great tasting fried chicken. Tons of food for a reasonable price. Served family style so you get to meet some new fools. We would highly recommend a meal at Monell's...it won't be your last meal there.
(5)Trey T.
The food is above average though not as good as what you would get at individually plated restaurant of a similar price point. The amount and variety of food you can get though combined with the wonderful atmosphere more than makes up for this. Excellent place for a large family gathering or getting with a big group of friends! Try the catfish and banana pudding!
(4)Jamie P.
Monell's is a hostess' secret weapon! It is our go-to restaurant when we have out of town guests. Because of the long table seating, they almost always have room for a large party. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and if I time it right, our company eats so much breakfast that I don't have to cook lunch! I have only ever been to Monell's for breakfast, but I am hoping to change that soon. We do not go too often, as I would rather not eat my own weight in food on a regular occasion, but when we do go, I always feel like a little kid excited to go to Grandma's house for breakfast. The food is delicious, and it tastes deliciously homemade. You can't beat this food for the price.
(5)Lindsay M.
What a fun experience in Nashville! A friend and I descended upon the city for a long weekend, and her brother dragged us here on a 1.5-mile walk. I probably would have eaten anything at that point, but this far exceeded any expectations I had. It's family-style--and you're seated at a table with other folks who showed up at the time as you. The host was welcoming and inviting--a great start. I recommend you show up around 1 pm to get good, quick service. Otherwise you'll be waiting for the first round of diners to finish. This place does not take reservations. The fixed menu takes all the pressure off ordering. The host is right--don't waste valuable stomach real estate with the cheap stuff (cucumber salad and cole slaw)--though very delicious. Save room for the onslaught of southern culinary genius. Try everything on the table. I promise you it's worth the calories. (you'll feel less guilty if you walk back to the car you left downtown. It's only 1.5 miles.)
(5)Melissa C.
On my top 10 best & most memorable meal list! From NYC road tripping through Tennessee and had 1 day to spend in Nashville. The food, atmosphere, service and even the neighborhood where the restaurant is were all wonderful! It feels like your having a meal at your Southern Grandmother's home. As a tourist, I found it fun to sit at a big family style table full of strangers to casually chat with people from all over and hear their story. And then the food.....I ate everything they had on the table and everything was absolutely delicious!!! Best Biscuits & Gravy and Fried Chicken I've ever had. There were so many delicious sides and they were endless. I had to make my self stop eating, because I couldn't get enough of how amazing it all was. AND IT ONLY COSTS $13.00 minus TIP!! It may seem like a lot to some but there is so much food and it's never ending. Please DO NOT forget to tip those lovely servers!!! Overall a memorable experience that helped top off my great time in Nashville. If your going to be there or pass nearby Nashville, this cannot be missed!! Best Southern Cooking I ever had.
(5)Sonja D.
Quantity, not quality. But OH is there quantity! A great place to bring friends who want some classic southern food. The fried chicken was great of course. Everything else was the usual southern sauce-drenched carbo-loaded stuff (for better or worse, depends whether or not you like it like that). I do really love eating family style. You meet some great people - locals, out-of-towners - and everyone is there for the experience so be ready to chat it up!
(3)Sun O.
We were in town for work (from LA), and stopped by for lunch. The food is astoundingly good, and an great value. I'm glad I tried the strawberry shortcake at the end, not being a dessert lover - it was phenomenal.
(5)Jennifer H.
Monell's takes the blue ribbon for Southern Hospitality. It felt like I was eating at my Mama's or my Big Mama's house in Mississippi. The food is comforting, yummy, southern fare and the atmosphere is what you would expect if you hail from the south. Run, don't walk to this eating establishment, you will be glad you did!
(5)Mary C.
July 21, 2012 Breakfast Everything was excellent, and 5 star, read the other reviews for details!!!
(5)Justin S.
Ate here in 2000 and Monell's has stuck out in my mind for years. For awhile, I've been trying to recall the name and finally figured it out. My food review would be dated regarding specific items, but I will say that it was a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Nashville. If it says anything, it's been 13 years since I've been and it's stuck out in the back of my mind ever since.
(5)Mark N.
This place has some of the best souther cooking I have ever eaten. Cornbread, biscuits with homemade peach preserves, cucumber salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, southern green beans, sweet tea, and homemade strawberry short cake. All served family style at a table for 14 in a home built in 1880. Too much food for $16. MUST GO if ever in Nashville. I'm now in a food coma.
(5)Sara L.
Just a note, and a personal opinion--I've now been for dinner as well as for breakfast. Dinner added spinach lasagna, some amazing fried green tomatoes, exceptional cole slaw and cucumber salad, plus really good banana pudding (particularly good, since I don't like bananas). All this was excellent and good and YET for all that, for my money, breakfast is the time to go.
(5)Caroline B.
This place is fantastic! Love the family style setting and the ability meet new people while enjoying delicious food. The restaurant itself is incredibly charming and paired with the excellent service, creates the ultimate dining experience. Monell's has two rules: Pass to the left and no cell phones at the table. The lack of cell phone use really enhanced our visit. If you're looking for a southern meal and great atmosphere, this is your place.
(5)Geoff T.
This is not a Five-Star restaurant in the haughty sense. There's no celebrity chef, no over-priced dishes or expensive ingredients, and no exclusive months-long waiting list (unless you come around 11am on a weekend). This is classic southern comfort food developed to perfection with a fun homespun environment thrown in. Monell's is where I take first-time Nashville guests without exception. Both brunch and supper are anchored around their fried chicken, which is my personal favorite. The brunch side dishes include favorites like fried potatoes, a giant breakfast meat platter, homemade biscuits with peach preserves, corn pudding and cheese grits. Being a Yankee transplant, I didn't even like grits before I discovered Monell's. Consider my mind changed. Lunch/Dinner menus tend to focus on tasty southern meat-and-three stalwarts like mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, etc. I love their afternoon menu, but I would push first-timers to get there in time for brunch if they can. The classic original location in Nashville's Germantown is a first priority, but it gets crowded fast. They recently opened the "Manor House" off Murfreesboro Rd (close to the airport) that has much more room and a much smaller wait. There's also an "express" location in Berry Hill and a north-metro satellite in Gallatin. The food is top-notch, but the "family style" dining rooms are almost as integral to the experience. Simply stated, your group does not sit at its own table. You are seated at long tables with several other groups. I have met some very interesting people, both local and guest, through the process of passing the dishes and raving over the fried chicken. Each visit is its own experience. All this writing is making me extremely hungry. I wonder if they'll be crowded at lunch today...
(5)Hoa T.
Monell's by far has been the best dining experience that I have had here in Nashville. Family style all you can eat of delicious southern cooking. The menu rotates daily with fried chicken as the anchor. I had the chicken and dumplings on Monday and also came for the brunch. First time eating chicken and dumplings, the chicken was tender and amazing. The fried chicken was everything that fried chicken should be, crunchy and juicy. Brunch had eggs, pancakes, ham, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, etc. You will leave here full to the brim, guaranteed.
(5)Kelli B.
Great lunch experience. This is a truly Southern family style restaurant. Make sure to check in before hitting the door, as there is a "no phones at the table" rule. You are seated at large dining tables, possibly with strangers depending on how large your party is. There is no menu, they bring out all the good family recipes: cucumber salad, biscuits and gravy, corn salad, cornbread, meatloaf, fried chicken, ribs, etc., and a dessert. You will not leave hungry!
(5)Angie K.
Sit with other families through me off. I now know what family style dining is. Part that is not good is if you come after the family style dining has started you will get cold food passed to you...
(4)Stephanie K.
I've been searching for truly out-of-this world fried chicken since I came to Nashville, and Monell's did not disappoint. As soon as we walked in, Kelly commented that it smelled like her grandmother's house. It has that feeling, even the large dining room tables where they seat you with other guests. I came here on a Saturday at around 12:30, so we were asked to choose whether we wanted breakfast or lunch. After hearing the menu items, we went with breakfast. We were seated at an empty table (I suppose most of the other guests wanted lunch) but we were quickly joined by two others. For breakfast, they serve fried chicken, smoked sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, fried apples, hash browns, cheese grits, pancakes, eggs, and corn pudding. There are pitchers of iced tea and carafes of coffee for the table, so you just help yourself. Everything is brought out as it's ready and passed around the table. When you want more, you just ask someone to pass it down. Everything was great, but there were definitely a few super stars on the menu. For one, the fried chicken. I love skillet fried chicken, and this did not let me down. I was also a big fan of the corn pudding, the fried apples, and the biscuits & gravy. For that amazing all-you-can-eat feast, you're charged only $13 (for breakfast, I think lunch and dinner have different price points). Completely worth it. This is a must-go restaurant if you're in Nashville and dying for some heavenly fried chicken. I can't wait to come back for dinner or lunch and try everything else they have to offer.
(5)Jed P.
I don't know how it happens. I think I'm watching my portions, but by the time the fried chicken comes around I feel like I've already had two or three dinners. The fried chicken is so good, though, that I have to go in for a fourth: chicken, biscuits, another glass of sweet tea. And a fifth. I have never left Monell's without feeling completely, disgustingly, stop-and-sit-a-minute-on-the-bench-outside full. This is soul food so good that you're willing to push your stomach to its absolute physical limit and then keep going. The communal seating is fun if you're feeling friendly and not a big deal if you're not. The servers embody down-home cordiality and seem to enjoy what they do. On my first visit, I made the mistake of mentioning to our waitress that I thought the Loveless Cafe had decent fried chicken. As it turned out, she was a former Loveless waitress. She launched into a passionate, point-by-point defense of the superiority of Monell's chicken to that of her former employers. And, I have to say, she was absolutely right. She was happy to hear me say so later on. I was raised on Loveless hams and jams, and I'll always love the place for nostalgia's sake, but judging by food alone there is no competition between the two establishments--or, for that matter, between Monell's and any other meat-and-three/southern/soul-food joint in town. If you only have time to visit one restaurant in Nashville, this should be it. Just remember to tap the brakes while you're eating, hard and often. While all dishes are great, a few are out of this world, and you don't want to be too full to enjoy them. Remember that you can always take more of any dish later, once you've tried some of everything.
(5)Michael J.
Wow. My buddy and I really enjoyed this place. We were seated at a table with a wonderful family and had some great conversation along with a great meal. Way more food than I could eat and at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.
(5)Michael H.
Wow this is some great southern eating. Come hungry. It is all you can eat family style service. The fried catfish and chicken are amazing. All the sides were great too. The server keep our bowls full at the table. Great place to bring a large party of people to eat together. It is a little pricey but for all that you get including drink it is not bad. The house is also very charming and well decorated.
(5)Susan W.
If you are from out of town and want a southern experience, this is the place to be. The service was excellent. The sweet tea is excellent. The catfish is excellent. Everything is excellent. I would come back again some day.
(5)Gail W.
We had mid-morning breakfast at Monell's yesterday (breakfast available on weekends only). I knew to expect a wait and was told by the hostess it would be 30-40 minutes, but we were seated in about 20 (hooray, because I was starving!). The food was wonderful, although the scrambled eggs were a little more done that I like. The cheese grits were perfect! My husband enjoyed the potatoes; I had one taste and they were really good, but I can't pass up grits when they are available. The cinnamon rolls were light and sweet. The bacon was perfectly crispy (sausage and country ham are also available). The fried chicken, one of their specialties, was wonderful -- nicely crispy and moist on the inside. They had fresh sliced tomatoes that looked home grown -- I love sliced tomatoes at breakfast! The corn pudding was good, but a little sweet for my taste. I didn't try the pancakes because I just didn't have the room. I wanted to try the peach preserves but they got lost on the table. Service is family style and you'll be seated at a large table with 10-11 other people. Pass to the left for the first pass and then just ask for whatever else you need. We'll definitely go back next trip to Nashville!
(5)Teresa T.
Hands down an awesome experience. Monell's has a sign hanging above its door that says "Come in as strangers and leave as friends". Monell's is inside of a home so you really get a comforting feeling. Once your name is called, you walk in and sit at a wooden table with other people (family style) and then it begins. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, water and fruit tea are already laid out on the table with coleslaw, a piece of chess pie for dessert and vegetable salad. The biscuits and corn bread arrive with gravy and peach preserves. And then corn pudding, green beans, a breakfast scramble (sausage, egg, potato, onions? and cheese), mac and cheese, spice apples, beef, pulled pork, cheese grits and fried chicken. I feel like I have missed something else... I could not eat like this every day as I wanted to pass out after but really this is something you need to experience. Just remember if it is your first time to really restrain and try a little bit of everything first and then gorge if you have room.
(5)Molly G.
OMG SO GOOD. Nothing to complain about. I definitely had to roll myself out when I was done. Really good banana puddin' and sweet tea. You do have to sit at the table with strangers but that is part of the Nash-Vegas experience. I would definitely return. Beware: not for the dieters or health conscious, but HEY I was on vaycay!
(5)Stacy R.
We had a couple of recommendations from friends to try this place, so we did. While the food was good, it wasn't anything that completely knocked my socks off. Don't get me wrong, the peach jam was absolutely amazing, but as a whole, I wasn't overly impressed. We were warned that it was communal seating with family style serving, which was different and a good way to meet new people, but you need to be in the mood to converse with strangers, and I'm not going to lie, we went early, and we were really tired! Three stars shouldn't deter you from going, just be ready for the atmosphere. There is a lot of food, and again, it's good... for me though, it just wasn't the greatest.
(3)M M.
you want to out a feed bag on? this is the place for you!!! really excellent fried chicken, great pork chops. The only side I was disappointed in was their Mac and Cheese, very, very bland. Other than that come down and be prepared to be full and happy, or is it happy and full :)
(4)LLuli A.
Monell's: Where southern foodie dreams come true! I recently experience Monell's dining while at a conference in Nashville. This place really was the highlight of the entire trip. I was in heaven with every bite I took of the peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, the corn pudding, fried chicken, oh and the many more dishes that I tried and can't seem to remember right now. Overall, its great food, family style and the best part is that you get to dine in with friendly strangers from all walks of life. The service is superb and Little Mike, who greeted us ended up giving me a delicious blackberry jam on the house. The food is sooo good here that you will not regret your visit. Stop by whenever you are in TN.
(5)Penny L.
The concept is fun and entertaining. The food is very fresh and obviously home made. Our favorites Pea salad - wouldn't have imagined that before I tasted it! Chicken and dumplings Meatloaf Peach preserves Not so much Fried chicken - dry and bland, Babes Chicken House in Texas blows them away Green beans - I like mine with bacon and a little kick Would I go again - no but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)Basil L.
I loved this place. I loved this place so much I would marry it. I'm not going to write a long review, just a couple highlights: - Fried Chicken. For breakfast. Punch me in the face now, it was so good. - Family Style. We had a big group so it was no big deal. They put a couple people to sit with us and it didn't matter. We chatted with them but really just talked about how awesome the food was. There was a ridiculous amount of food, so glad we ran a marathon the previous day.
(5)Lee B.
Popped in here on a whim looking for fried green tomatoes while traveling for business in Nashville. Wow what a find. Was traveling solo so I walked in for a wed. lunch. I was the first customer there. A sweet lady behind the front podium welcomed me and asked me to grab a seat at a huge antique table in the front sun room. She said to dig in and she would find some "family" to sit with me as soon as they come in. I sat down at the table which had a pasta salad and a chilled pea salad that were both to die for. Pitchers of sweet and regular tea in the middle along with fresh cornbread and biscuits that are some of the most amazing tasting I have ever ate in my life. As you may have read, don't eat too much at first as you will be constantly fed over and over until your stomach is ready to burst. Soon that kind woman brought me over two more guests from out of town to sit to my right, then two locals to my left and four other locals to their left. They started digging in and out came more sides. Corn pudding! Mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. All spectacular! The entrée of the the day was fried chicken, chicken cutlets and meatloaf. Everything I ate was cooked perfect. The chicken was not greasy at all, very moist and full of meat. The meatloaf was so tasty, it was real southern cooking at its best. I was so full I didn't even get to try the cutlets but they looked great. For dessert they brought out a bowl of banana pudding. What a way to end a huge binge like that. It was sweet and creamy... The experience is something I have never seen in my life before. Maybe growing up in the Northeast we are not accustomed to "family style" meals but this is a great concept and I left feeling like I was treated like a king. All this lunch cost me was around 12$. That is remarkable these days especially considering the quality. I also had the opportunity to meet some really great people while in town and they all made me feel at home.
(5)Tony C.
I flew in for a week for a conference, but in the back of my mind is "where can i find the most authentic southern fried chicken?" Thanks to Yelp, the gps led me safely into Monell's for an experience that was worth returning for. First off, you dont sit by yourself. The place is a big house with lots of rooms and family dining tables scattered throughout. The ambience feels like grandma's home, and you eat what they serve you. Big spoons, big bowls, and lots of ice tea for your likings. Each table sat 8-10 folks, and you are seated in order of entry with your party. So get ready to pass the bowl, have a conversation with a stranger, and eat until you drop. The food here is amazing. Every night differs, and we got to experience pork chops, fried chicken, yams, mac and cheese, cornbread, mash, and gosh i forgot already i'm so hungry. We ate until we dropped, but with a smile. Everyone else around was loud and happy, also feeling the pain of overeating after indulging on such wonderful food. The fried chicken and pork chop was still my favorites, each drooling in fried and gravy.. yumm! Price was affordable, and staff was very friendly. I was visiting for 5 days, and came here twice during my stay.
(5)Gabe F.
Best southern cooking in Nashville. Some of the best southern food in the south. Absolutely amazing! I love going on Sunday afternoon and meeting new people at the family style table.
(5)david h.
This is a treat of the first order! It is old south at its finest. Breakfast consists of Fried chicken, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits and gravy, plus much more. You sit at a communal table and the food is served family style by a large african american woman named Mavis. It just doesn't get any more southern (or good) than that! Smiley face and a star.
(5)Anne R.
Visited Monell's for breakfast based on the fabulous reviews and I was so excited!!! We were wanting to check it out with plans of bringing a group of "out-of-towners" here the following week. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with our experience. We got to the restaurant around 10 am with a 20 minute wait but this was not a big deal, we had expected this. And the outside seating area is comfortable and a great space. However, once our name was called and we were seated, we felt as if we were being rushed through our meal. They would put the food down and walk off with not even a smile and then came over right away with our checkout card. We were seated elbow to elbow with those at our table to the point were it was even awkward to cut our food. We also did not receive the pancakes as advertised. When we did leave, the girl at the checkout was obviously in a bad mood. Needless to say, one of the people in our group said as we were leaving "I remember it being so much better in the past." I hated that we had such an experience because now we will need to find another local restaurant to treat our guests....
(2)Kevin P.
Family style, great food!
(4)Daniel P.
I've got two bellyfulls to annoint This a top Southern fam'ly-style joint. If a few plates are off (Who wants Beef Stroganoff?) The fried chick. and sides won't disappoint.
(4)Candice M.
I have been to Monell's on more than one occasion and the food was great, but I must say that the Christmas dinner today was very disappointing! Way too overpriced for what you receive-everything was bland and/or watered down...macaroni and cheese soup, anyone? My family who came to visit for the holiday were certainly not happy with the service or the food-and it was their first time! Maybe it was just a bad day?
(2)Vanessa P.
My boyfriend and I were visiting one of his friends in Nashville and his friend suggested we come here for lunch. I wish we had a restaurant like this in Chicago! Dining at Monell's is like visiting your Southern grandma's house. Everything is served family style and at communal tables. When we were seated, there were 8 others at the table dining already. We sat and the other diners just started passing all the food to us. I stuck to the sides (as I wasn't eating meat at the time) and had the green beans, corn bread, cucumber salad, coleslaw, another vegetable, biscuits and jam, etc. Even just eating the sides, it was a feast. The sweet tea was a tad too sweet (but, hey, I'm from Chicago). This is a great place to get to know your new tablemates and practice your dining etiquette, all while enjoying some truly Southern cooking.
(4)Steph H.
I'm a born and bred Northerner, so the fact that I love Monell's even though they expect you to sit at a table with strangers and make conversation with them while you eat says a lot! Monell's is a good old fashioned family-style Southern (with a capital "S") restaurant. Tables sit 12 or so people so unless you're dining with a big group, you're going to be rubbing elbows and passing the corn pudding to people you don't know. But that's honestly fine because good food goes a long way to making people sociable and happy! The menu is fixed based on the day of the week (as is the price, depending on the meal... Saturday dinner, for instance, costs $16/person), but certain staples always feature: biscuits and corn bread, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and of course the skillet-fried chicken. Along with the chicken, they'll also load you up with at least two other meat options (or veggie lasagna) like meatloaf (so good), pulled pork, fried catfish, or BBQ ribs. On days when we go to Monell's, this is the one meal of the day I have because I always leave stuffed. Everything is always incredibly good and it is all you care to eat... apparently I care to eat a lot. My husband and I always debate which we prefer: Loveless Café or Monell's. It used to be that hands down preferred Loveless, but I think Monell's is starting to edge them out. The biscuits are superior at Loveless, and sometimes the chicken is better there too... but on our recent visit to Monell's, everything was beyond reproach. It was the best fried chicken we have ever had, the meatloaf was out of sight (because it was in our bellies), and the fried green tomatoes were a revelation. Definitely the best FGTs I've ever had (the tomatoes are slightly pickled!). I would go back just for those. Another point in favor of Monell's is that although you may sometimes wait (especially if you've got more than 4 people), the wait is never as atrocious as the Loveless (where we were once told the wait would be TWO HOURS!!!). If you're looking for a great taste of the home-cooked South, Monell's is where you need to go. The atmosphere is actually really fun, and it's a great place to take out of town visitors. Just be sure to pass dishes to the left and save room for some banana pudding and you'll be fine!
(5)Courtney S.
Monell's is more than a restaurant. It is a dining experience. If you are ever in Nashville, you must try it. Some friends and I went on the recommendation of a Nashville native. We were there about 1 p.m. on a Saturday, which meant we had the Country Breakfast. At Monell's, you sit at a big table with folks you don't know, and all the food is served family style. Someone explained to me that Monell's is like a "meat and three" (one meat main course with three side dishes), only it was a "three meat and 10." The food just keeps coming and coming and coming until you can't take it anymore. We had cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, eggs, breakfast potatoes, corn pudding, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, some kind of apple dish that was amazing, and... I know I'm forgetting something, but everything was so good. If you run out of something on the table, you can ask for more. It's basically an all-you-can-eat deal. The entire meal was only about $13, and I was full way past supper. (It really is like two meals in one.) This is a place I highly recommend.
(5)Heather W.
As a naturally gregarious foodie, I can only emphatically agree with all the 4- and 5- star reviews already here. I'd like to add another little-known Monell's secret treat, though: I always seem to arrive at Monell's for a late Sunday breakfast. As noon approaches, each time I've been there, I've been treated to the sounds of a very talented acoustic guitarist who sets up near the entrance with a small amp and a barstool. Gorgeous gentle chords, great company and fantastic food - no better way to spend a lazy Sunday. I'd also like to throw in a note about their dishes - plates, cups and some of the servingware looks like it was all a mishmosh of things some eccentric like me picked up at yard sales. Maybe it's silly, but I love choosing my favorite coffee mug from the stack of empties at the breakfast table; it really does feel like Grandma's house.
(5)Danny H.
This is the first time I ever sat at a table with random people that I have never met before I arrived at the place. Let's just say that going to this place is like having home cookin soul food at your house with some good ol' southern hospitality with some random strangers. But I'm not going to complain, the people here were nice and made it enjoyable. Anyways to the main point, the food...yum, delicious, and finger lickin good! Fried chicken, mac n cheese, country style banana breadpudding, mash potatoes, corn bread, biscuits, pork n cabbage, lasagna, and your choice of lemonade, tea, water. Food cooked just right, not too greasy, not too salty or sweet, just right! For $12.95 lunch, it's a good place to stop by and eat til you drop if you want some good ol' homestyle soul food!
(4)Jemina B.
Ehhh, am I the only person who thinks this place is just okay? Their southern fare is certainly not up to Loveless Cafe standards, although the wait appeared to be just as long. I dutifully passed around plate/bowl after another of food, but found it all to be a little tasteless. Maybe I was having an off day, or maybe they were?
(3)Jonathan K.
Amazing Southern food at a family-style restaurant at a solid price. The fried chicken was fantastic, but extremely greasy. The smothered chicken was awesome as well, but not quite as good as the fried chicken. The corn pudding was amazingly good, definitely a highlight of the sides, along with the mashed potatoes. The cole slaw was excellent and the banana pudding was absolutely incredible, definitely the best I've ever had. You sit at communal tables with people you don't know, which is a great opportunity to have some interesting conversation. They have a clear no cell-phone policy and really try to make you feel at home. Our dinner was $15, all-you-can-eat and including tip. Monell's was a great experience and a must-do while in Nashville.
(5)Stella G.
Last Wednesday, I almost ate myself to death. My husband says to me, "I want some fried chicken." Okay. whatever. great. I'm not even a fried chicken fan. I can live without southern food. Well I could, until we found Monell's. We arrive in a cab and find ourselves in front of a place that looks almost like a large private home, but warmly lit on the inside. As soon as we step through the door, the host's natural southern charm came through and escorted us to the table. Within 60 seconds there is bow tie pasta, sweet tea, cucumber salad and cole slaw. We're then joined at a huge dining table by long time patrons "Becky" and her daughter. They had come to Monell's every week for the past 5 years, plus Christmas and Thanksgiving. And...I can see why. We shared with our new dinner companions the corn pudding, squash cassarole, biscuits and gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, apples with cinamon, fried pork chops, baked chicken, fried chicken, stuffing and peach cobbler. I'm sure i'm missing something. It came out in endless baskets like southern style mana from heaven. If you can remember to leave your cell phone off and pass to the left, you are guaranteed the best dining experience you've ever had.Not only was it amazing, endless amounts of food, but our total including tax, but without the well deserved tip: $29.50. As I was leaving, I noticed that they had a bumper sticker that said "if the colonel had our recipe, he'd be a general." Well, I say, if every place had a Monell's there'd be world peace.
(5)Justin W.
If you made a list of phrases used to describe southern cuisine (finger-lickin', down home, good old fashioned, etc.), you'd probably go through quite a few in singing praises for Monell's. It's family-style dining, which means that each course is brought out on a big serving platter, and gets passed around amongst everyone at the table. Tables seat 10-12 people, so you'll probably be sharing with people you don't necessarily know as friends or family, but with that understanding, patrons mind their manners, and I've never had any problems asking for a basket of biscuits that was on the other end of the table. You would think that, being an all-you-can-eat establishment, that the quality of the food isn't up to par with made-to-order restaurants, but this is not the case. My great-grandmother was from West Virginia, and there were two things I remember about her food: it was good, and there was lots of it. She would bring plate after plate of food, until your stomach was close to bursting, then she'd bring out another plate and look disappointed when you didn't finish it. Monell's is a lot like that, minus the disappointing looks. The food keeps coming until everyone at the table finally surrenders to the fact that they can't eat anymore, and because there's such a variety of dishes, even the pickiest of eaters will probably find something they like, for breakfast or for dinner. And if you're not a picky eater and want to sample a little of everything, you'll have to eat at least two plates of food. If there's one thing that everyone raves about, it's the fried chicken, which is served both at breakfast and at dinner. And it's popular for good reason; it's the best fried chicken you'll find anywhere in Tennessee, and probably some of the best fried chicken in the country. I was really surprised to learn what I had paid for so much food; breakfast only cost $13 per person. I can't remember what dinners are, but don't remember it being much more expensive. The only thing that I didn't like was that, at the end of the meal, there's still so much good food left over on the table, and your stomach's stubborn protests will not permit you to eat any more of it.
(5)Lauren A.
I visited Nashville over New Years and after being subjected to hearing about the deliciousness that is Monell's for at least a year from my friends, I was finally able to eat there. And I was not disappointed. I love the family style dining, cozy atmosphere, and the endless amount of delicious food that is being passed around the table. I had almost filled my plate to the brim with delicious side dishes before the main courses came out. I did save room on my plate for the fried chicken though and as amazing as it was, I love the sides the best. I would have been happy with a bowl of Monell's to-die-for cole slaw but the green beans and the corn pudding and the biscuits with homemade jam and the cucumber salad and the banana pudding... let me just say, the food is great. The menu at Monell changes every day I'm told and the one thing I wish they would have been serving when I visited was the Macaroni and Cheese. I hear it will change your life. I will go back to Monell's the next time I'm in Nashville for sure but I might not eat for a few days in advance to prepare myself.
(5)Lucie O.
Family style dining was a great way to meet some of the wonderful locals and also experience the setting with fellow travelers! The food was absolutely home style rich southern cuisine to die for! They know how to feed here, come hungry, start with small servings because different courses come in heaps throughout the meal. No line to get in for us but was told that's rare, but if you have to wait there is a beautiful garden with several fish ponds and plenty of cozy benches and shade. Whether with a large group, dinner with the family or wanting to experience Nashville, this is the best for your buck!
(5)Lloyd B.
Really nothing to complain about except that it's just too much food! Went on a Saturday for lunch and we had fried chicken, pulled pork, and meat loaf for entrees. Green beans, corn chowder, baked apples, roasted potatoes for sides. Coleslaw and cucumber salad for appetizers with cornbread and rolls with preserves. Bread pudding for dessert. Service was great, everything tasted great, and the price was ridiculously cheap. I think $16/pp including tax. Much reccomended!
(5)Jeff L.
I've been to Monell's for both breakfast and dinner and both meals are incredible. I could easily eat their corn pudding for every meal for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. Family style dining, amazing food, reasonable prices, what's not to like? Don't go if you're not hungry.
(5)Avonel R.
First of all....wow. I've only been here for breakfast but even after seeing all of the other reviews, I still left impressed. I love the family style dining. We were seated around people we didn't know, but overall it was fabulous company. The breakfast choices were seemingly endless. Cheese grits (!!!!!!), corn pudding, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, baked apples, bacon, sausage...the list goes on. I truly needed a nap after this huge Sunday brunch. I will surely be returning for dinner soon! This is one of my new favorite breakfast places in Nashville.
(5)Scott B.
This is definitely a must visit place to eat in Nashville. While visiting my fiancée, Marie, in Nashville, she took me to this wondrous carnaval of food. It was a Saturday morning and we went for breakfast. So, first thing to know is that Monell's is a family style restaurant. So, unless you have a large group, plan on sitting with a bunch of people that you do not know. Once you are seated the passing of food begins. We went with two of Marie's friends and had a grand time chatting away with each others and our new found friends at the table. The food that was passed included cheese grits, bacon, ham, sausage, biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes, corn pudding, fried apples, hashbrowns, and fried chicken, with juice, coffee and tea. And it seemed to never stop. Of course it is all you can eat, so make sure you come hungry. I have heard that dinner is quite amazing too, so next time I go, I will have to give that a try. Happy eating (very happy at this place)
(5)Catherine P.
Monell's really made our brief, 36-hour stay in Nashville! Lovely to eat awesome southern cookin family style with a bunch of southerners! We ate next to a couple from KY for lunch who said theyd been there the night before for dinner and were so pleased they came back 12 hours later! The biscuits and peach preserves, corn pudding, fried chicken, and peach cobbler were to die for! I loved that the waitress called me Baby. :) A must-do for visitors! We'll be back!
(5)Melanie B.
I love eating here! it is amazing for breakfast with pancakes, grits, eggs (REAL ones not that powedered crap some places try to serve), biscuits with yummy fruit preserves, this corn stuff that is amazing, and of course meat and that is just part of the breakfast. Germantown location is a smaller than the Franklin location, but the food is just as tantalizing. The dinner is um... mouthwatering with fried chicken, lasagna, catfish, ribs, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes.. on and on the list goes of wonderful food. I ate here before I became a vegeatarian and still love going after I became one because there are still tons of food to choose from.
(5)Jen W.
Wear your stretchy pants! If your'e on a diet, then don't go here! If your'e going to be a baby about sitting at a communal table go elsewhere! You don't have to talk to people if you don't want to and I'm a New Yorker! I know all about ignoring people and phasing them out. But here, you kinda soften up a bit, sure you sit at a giant table with strangers you don't know, and you pass the food around like Sunday dinner. There's no menu for you to order off, they just bring the food and you take some and pass it on. Don't get greedy here and take like 5 pieces of fried chicken, there's always more dishes coming. Save space. Dessert is always on the table. Dinner's over in about 30 min. In 30 min you're stuffed to the brim. your stretchy pants have stretched to the point where they might just rip. You have been warned! You can't go wrong with their fried chicken. Corn pudding is amazing. Green beans are always great. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea, and lemonade all around. Whatever they're making that night, try some and eat it. You can always have more, but you have to finish what's in the basket first. You can't go wrong with the fried chicken. Don't load up on biscuits, they're good but save space for everything else!
(5)Tonya O.
Being a Nashville native, I don't know why it took so long for me to dine at Monell's, but my first experience was just last year, and I had the opportunity to dine there again recently. By far, Monell's is awesome for large groups with their boarding house-style dining. I always thought it was called family-style, but my recent visit educated me further. Boarding house-style means that they bring out several meats, vegetables and other sides to pass around and share with anyone and everyone at your table. You may or may not know everyone at your table, but by the end of your meal you will certainly know everyone a little bit better. If you're on a diet, Monell's might not be the best place for you. Their food is so yummy that you'll want to try at least a little bit of everything. I highly recommend trying the preserves with biscuits, which are served with every meal. Fried chicken, cornbread and banana pudding are the other dishes that are served with every meal. Other offerings can vary between fried catfish, pulled pork, meat loaf, green beans, corn pudding, hashbrown casserole and many other possibilities. Around the holidays and on weekends, it's best to make reservations. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit. If the weather is nice, the garden is a lovely place to wait. If you're looking for a place to bring out of town guests, this is the place to take them!
(5)Brad C.
I am from Australia and in 2010 spent my first ever Thanksgiving at Monells with a Canadian buddy. I was blown away with the food that just kept coming. The fried chicken was so good! The desert such as pumpkin pie was wonderful. Overall, some of the best southern home style cooking I have tasted in nashville. The wait to get a table on thanksgiving was 2hrs and that sort of dampened to excitement but once we were inside, I was won over as soon as I walked in and saw the waiters walking past with hot dishes heading for tables. The other people at the table were friendly. For me it wasn't about the experience of dining at the same table as strangers, it was all about the cooking.
(4)Simon K.
Cast Iron skillets, genuine southern fried chicken, endless portions, southern hospitality, great company, and you walk out with an experience that you brag to your friends about. Never been more proud of being Nashville local. Monell's is the definition of southern soul food. I try to be a fair critic, so if I had to pick a down-side then it would be that they are not big on desserts. However if you can even make it to dessert, you're not gonna be disappointed with the banana pudding. "The proof is in the pudding," so just try to find a bad review of the place. You can try, but it be a bigger waste of time than watching the new Green Latern movie.
(5)Cortney L.
You can't come to Nashville without enjoying this Southern staple. Don't miss the turnip greens and fried chicken.
(5)Bao N.
The Monells dining experience was quite interesting and different from any dining experience I've had. My wife, daughter, and two friends sat at a humungous rectangular wooden table with 10 other strangers and ate family style. For less than a minute, it felt kinda weird, but once the delicious home-cooked food started coming, the conversation with the folks at the table started picking up and it was really cool hearing their stories and experiences in Nashville. The couple that sat at our table shared their favorite activities in Nashville and even recommended a few places to visit before we leave. The food was great. The server brought out a different dish every minute for about 15 minutes. It was crazy. I didn't know when she was going to stop, so I ate as slowly as possible so I can see what else was coming out. I didn't want to get stuffed after just the 3rd dish. From what I can remember, *takes a deep breathe* the server brought out Water, Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Unsweetened Tea, Biscuits and gravy and peach jam, pancakes, sausage patties, fried chicken, bacon, grits, corn pudding, I remember some cooked apples, beans, some desserts and probably some more delicious items that I just forgot. The standout items for me were the extra-thick salty and sweet crispy bacon, soft and fluffy biscuits and creamy corn pudding. OMG! I never had corn pudding before and couldn't get enough. I ate as much as I could to make up for all the years I've been alive and never having the chance to try corn pudding. Everything I tasted was really really good. Overall, great experience and the food was spectacular. Everyone we talked to at the restaurant was soooooooo NICE.
(5)Angela K.
Oooooooooooh yes. This place is amazing. All the southern cooking goodness you wanted and some you didn't even imagine existed. It's all there at Monell's. You sit family style and pass each succulent dish around the table. My favorite were the peas and squash casserole. Not to mention the gallons of sweet tea I consumed. Go early to avoid an epic wait. If I lived in Nashville I would be here at least once a week, but my waist line is overjoyed that Monell's is a plane ride away.
(5)Lena N.
My host in Nashville highly recommended this place for good soul food. They've got everything: fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, biscuits, collard greens, etc. My one tip is to come very hungry because the food is plentiful and it is delicious. You will probably eat yourself into a food coma like I did. Besides the amazing food, their biggest selling point is that unless you're part of a big group, you'll be sharing a table with complete strangers. It's family style so you have to ask your tablemates to pass the food. I even talked to my tablemates in between shoveling food into my mouth and they were a fun bunch. I think the family style method really adds to the experience. Just remember to keep it classy and not talk with your mouth full. Bottom line: If you're in Nashville hankering for some soul food, this is the place to go.
(5)Pete P.
Visiting from out of state and wanting some good southern family style food we heard about this place. Little hesitant about the seating style of the place but it turned out that it was fun getting to meet people from here as well as other far off places. Went this night that had lasagna, pot roast and fried chicken. All was excellent but the chicken was the best. Nothing bad to say about this place
(5)Kimble M.
I am not the belle of the ball, so when I moseyed in here by my lonesome and was told to take a seat at a large table of strangers, I thought about leaving when I was done blushing. I'm glad I didn't, because this was some of the most finger-lickin' good food I've ever eaten and one of the more pleasant and friendly social experiences still left in this world. The ribs, y'all, they are so delicious, and the people treat you like you're back home, with your granny pushing another helping of fried chicken, or the fantastic, sweet/savory fried green tomatoes. You don't have to like everything to be as happy as a pig in a poke and leave stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, satisfied down to your very soul. Shame that a place like this has to be so far away.
(5)Ryan O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Make sure you come hungry because it is all you can eat and just when you think you are done eating you will eat more. I can't begin to enumerate all the items you get to pick from during a typical visit. It's too much to even list. My personal addiction are the biscuits and (fig?) preserves. I'm not sure what is in the preserves but it is next level good. The family style seating is fun and always makes for an interesting experience each time. Dinner will run about $17 a person but it is worth it considering it is all you can eat and there is something wrong with you if you don't leave feeling fat and sassy.
(5)Daniel L.
My girlfriend and I visited from CA, and Monell's came up constantly as a go-to BBQ spot when we needed restaurant suggestions. The staff was friendly, the environment was clean and cozy, and the food was as superb as everyone wrote. Their daily meat special was fried catfish, and I knew I had to have it. It was airy, the batter was crisp without being overly rich, and I loved that you could still taste the fish essence. Another staple of Monell's is the fried chicken, and that is a MUST. Never in my life have I eaten skin so delicately crisp yet flavorful without making me feel guilty. It was like a gigantic potato chip covering moist tender chicken meat. I also recommend their green beans (sweet juicy wonderfulness) as well as their corn pudding (tremendous balance of sugary and sweet). Nashville was a fantastically friendly and cultured city, and we will be back soon. Not to mention, we will be back to Monell's. The food was terrific, and the prices were amazingly cheap.
(4)Elizabeth A.
Monell's is ridiculously delicious. Off the charts fried chicken. Off.The.Charts. The family style dining is fantastic, it adds a flair to the typical dining experience. The panacakes, cheesy grits, eggs, biscuits, coffee, fruit, did I mention the fried chicken? All so yummy. I've only been for Sunday brunch, but this place blows away any other Southern-style brunch I've had in the area. Ahem, Loveless Cafe. May I suggest you bring your appetite!
(4)Carolyn M.
I wrote a negative review because I went with an out of town guest and was given a very inaccurate wait time. I got a prompt and professional response from the owner and went back to give it another try. It was fabulous! The food is delicious. Just try to avoid going when the meals are switching - people will wait to try both menus and it can take a mighty long time.
(5)lori C.
I really want to rate this place higher. The atmosphere and decor were wonderful -5 stars. The food on the other hand was just ok or less than that really. Bland, dry over cooked. Even the corn pudding that was rated so high, sweet corm mush. Sorry Monell's. Maybe breakfast is better...
(2)Andy H.
We had a family dinner here over new years weekend. We got in early so, no wait. Once we sat down the food came out hot, fresh and tasty. All the food was served family style and they only stopped when you asked them to. Be sure to check for the daily specials/menus.
(5)Akiko K.
Went today before heading bk home to Atlanta and must say had a wonderful time! Dinner was excellent! The highlight of my trip to Nashville. The fried chicken, bbq chicken, broccoli casserole, biscuits and gravy, purple cabbage, corn pudding, sausage, sour kraut, green beans, banana pudding were all superb and flavorful. Not overly-seasoned or under-seasoned. Just right. Go hungry! I should not have ate that pizza before going. I like the fact that everyone sits together at a table. They get parties of 8-10 of different nationalities and it allows you to meet ppl of diff. backgrounds. We sat next to four Asian college girls from Memphis visiting for the weekend and a white couple visiting their daughter from Charlotte. Everyone was so friendly and we had a great conversation with them and shared some laughs. It was different and refreshing. The outside scenery was also nice too. They had live fish in an outside pond along with a cute bench you can rock on. I will definitely go back next time I visit Nashville.
(5)Marian C.
came too late for the brunch, but lunch was OUTSTANDING!! some of the best fried chicken i've had. loved the family style meal. the food just kept coming. the service was so warm. so awesome!! can't wait to go back.
(5)Trixy W.
Awesome southern home-style food! Everything is family style and predetermined, but so many options are brought out to the table. It was a little annoying sitting next to people you didn't know as I wanted to catch up with friends I went to dinner with rather than having an additional conversation with folks who I didn't know.
(5)Kimberly H.
I didn't break my vows to Monell's and I got to eat here with a couple of friends again on my last trip to Nashville. It still as tasty as ever. Love the fried chicken and the preserves! I also wish more restaurants served family style its such a wonderfully welcoming place!
(5)Nickie G.
I normally get home cookin' twice a year - once at Thanksgiving and once at Christmas. Believe me, I look forward to these days so I can eat enough that the button on my pants pops off! But now I know I can eat like that any time I want at Monell's. So the Dallas BF was in town and even though he's from Dallas and knows about some Southern cookin', he doesn't know about real deep South cookin'. Monell's was recommended and I talked it up big. He was apprehensive about sitting with people we didn't know and "having their fingers all in the bowls" and other such nonsense. Whatever - FRIED CHICKEN with EVERY meal is all I had to hear to know this was a great idea - even if someone sneezed on the food I'd probably still eat it. So we walk in on Sunday at about 1pm and were immediately seated at the last 2 seats at a table. Lucky us because afterwards there appeared to be a wait and also lucky us because food started coming out immediately. Good Lord what a smorgasbord of deliciousness! We had: -vinegar soaked cucumber salad - OM NOM I love this! My mom used to make this all the time and it was tasty -pasta salad - too creamy of a sauce for my tastes, but everyone else loved it -green beans - maybe not quite the way my Granny used to make 'em but still good -corn casserole - who doesn't love creamy delicious corn casserole? - mac and cheese - creamy, a little runny, but again, who doesn't love pasta and cheeeeeeese? - mashed potatoes - what was in these? Crack? They were awesome - greens - turnip or collard? Not sure but I loved it. They didn't even need vinegar - Biscuits - little pieces of fluffy heaven - Pot Roast - this was some flavorful pot roast and the carrots were to die for -Pulled pork - a huge bowl of it. Maybe a touch salty, my BF thought it tasted like Worchester sauce but it was still good - Fried Chicken - not too greasy, just the right amount of crispy, and just the right amount of deliciousness. LOVED it. - Pecan pie topped with whipped cream - not generally my favorite type of pie but the filling was syrupy sweet and the whipped cream was perfect. All of this food is brought out in huge serving bowls and you just pass it around and help yourself. Help yourself to seconds too. Go ahead, be a glutton - you paid $16ish bucks for all you can eat so get to it. Then go home and nap the afternoon away just like you would on Thanksgiving! As for sitting with strangers - I didn't care one bit once the food started coming. I was a little worried that there were so many youngsters at the table but we ended up talking to them more than anyone else. One girl had Bieber fever in a bad way and one boy had about 5 NFL teams he roots for. By the end you all felt like a little random dysfunctional family so it was all good. If you are from out of town , if you are from here and have visitors from out of town, or if you are from here and just want Southern cookin then you MUST try this place!
(5)Colin S.
Monell's is a Nashville tradition...one that should not be missed. Breakfast is awesome. Food is served family style, and you will not go hungry. What is impressive is that the quality blows away the quantity and that is saying a lot given how much food is served. I tried everything served and everything was superb. The highlights - the chicken (skillet fried), the grits, the bacon (oh, the bacon). This is home-cooking at its finest.
(5)Carlton H.
I went with a group of friends who traveled to Nashville for a wedding and we went here for breakfast the morning of the wedding at the suggestion of our cab driver. It is a family style place but we had a large enough group to take up a table to ourselves. Once you sit down, the food starts coming and it doesn't end until you're in a blissful food coma. You don't order food but there's an enormous variety and it's all good. I may say that this was the best place I've ever been for breakfast.
(5)Gregory B.
A must dine if you are visiting Nashville.....from the time you are greeted, throughout the meal you will have no finer experience. Located in historic Germantown in a 19th-century brick home, Monell's offers an all-you-can-eat spread. Long wooden tables seat up to a dozen people, making for a family-style dining experience. Each day's menu includes a featured entree, vegetables, bread, dessert and at dinner, a chef's choice. Diners in our case from all over the United States and one couple from the UK pass around bottomless bowls and platters of Southern entrees, like pork chops, chicken, dumplings and country-fried steak.
(5)Anonymous S.
Awesome home-style cooking, served at large family tables. If your family isn't with you , don't worry, you'll be assigned one. As a lone traveler- it was a good way to meet people. Several locals told me things I should do while in town. The biscuits were unbelievable. Meatloaf was good. Smothered chicken was a little too heavy for me, I couldn't taste the chicken under the sauce. I guess that's the point - to smother it. Vegies were the usual southern way, a little overcooked and mushy. But everyone does that around here. This isn't just nice southern food, it's an experience.
(4)Alana H.
Amazing Amazing Amazing I must admit I was nervous about this place when I learned it was family style and that they seat you with strangers, but it totally works and I soon became a believer. My party of 4 were seated at table with another family of 4. You pass all of the food to the left and they bring out as much of everything as long you keep eating. We had fried chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet apples, banana pudding, coleslaw, green beans, biscuits and corn bread and sweet tea. This place is the real deal. The food is good down home southern food that could keep you eating for hours. The fried chicken is moist and crispy and I was a big fan of the Mac and cheese, actually now that I think of it I was a fan of everything, it was a really amazing meal. The final piece of the pie is the service. Everyone is so sweet and constantly bringing more of anything on the table that is running low. I thought it would be weird to sit at a table with strangers, but it was actually really nice and we chatted with them during our meal You have to try this place if you're visiting Nashville, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Tia R.
My family didn't know what to expect from this place, so they were a bit weirded-out sitting with other people for dinner. The food came fast, but we all got full on the sides before the chicken was presented (which is what the restaurant is going for I think). The people we sat with also did not display proper dining etiquette, i.e. taking only a small portion until everyone at the table is served. They all took big heaping double portions, so by the time the bowls got to our end they were empty or just scraps. The waitress brought out more, so we eventually got our fill. All of it tasted wonderful, but not anything extraordinary for southern food. The few bites of chicken we were able to stuff in was great, crunchy and moist on the inside. The food was salted just right (I think a lot of southern food is over-salted). My suggestion would be to forewarn your family so they know what to expect and display proper dining etiquette when food is passed around.
(4)Ryan R.
Don't think there's much I can say that hasn't been said already. Was in town this past weekend (along with the rest of chicago) for the Bears game and Monell's was a must do for us. Easily exceeded our expectations and was one of the most unique dining experiences we've ever had. Great food. Great people. Great set up.
(5)Aric R.
This place is, by itself, worth a return visit to Nashville. Friendly people, great food, awesome selection, ABUNDANCE, great food (did I say that already?) I could just arrive at breakfast and just sit there, letting them feed me through dinner. Hands-down, the bext breakfast I've had, and only $11.99 for breakfast INCLUDING tea and coffee. YUM!!!!!
(5)Roll T.
4.25 stars. Monell's is exactly what makes the South so special to those of us who have lived in the area for any tangible amount of time. Are you looking for a special treat? Look no further than the beautiful mansion at Monell's for some of the best breakfast you will find this side of the Mississippi. You are led to a lengthy table in a Southern-formal room where you eat family style with other patrons. They start you off light with a plate of biscuits, but you have the option of making them quite heavy with a think and creamy peppery white gravy that hearkens back to a time when nutritional labels had no bearing in cooking. After the biscuits and gravy, we were treated to a number of different carbohydrates - the corn pudding that everyone mentions is quite divine but I wasn't too thrilled with the cheese grits here. What was exceptionally well prepared on the carbohydrate plate were the homestyle potatoes and the sweet apples. I had to have second helpings of both of those items. Next, we were treated to a big plate of sausage, bacon, and country ham with the sausage and country ham both exceptionally prepared (the sausage squirts all over the place - it's that juicy - and the country ham has an impressive sweet finish). However, if you are at Monell's, you are saving room for the fried chicken. Monell's does a fantastic job with this decidedly Southern dish with an absolutely perfect crunch for each piece. Sadly, I could only eat one piece given all the food I had eaten during the sitting. If you want an impressive Southern meal at a very reasonable price, Monell's is a great bet. My mouth is salivating just thinking about my next visit.
(4)Kimberly M.
I love Monell's! It's one of my favorite places in town. Family style dining, so not the place for those who aren't ok with sitting with those you don't know. There is a fixed menu for each day of the week. You definitely get your money's worth at this restaurant! They have some of the best Fried Chicken I've ever had (and that says a lot!).
(5)Frank B.
Best place in town! We do breakfast here every Sunday after church! Can't be beat! Also had our rehersal dinner here for my wedding and the guest we're blown away. We had the place to ourselves and even allowed to bring wine,beer and other alcoholic beverages. Just an all around spectacular spot!
(5)Geoff L.
An unusual and unforgettable dining experience. You will be sitting with strangers who will become friends by the end of the meal, and there is no menu to order from. Instead, you will get a chance to taste about fifteen different dishes (for dinner, at least), all homemade and all delicious. We were seated, and dinner had just started. We got to feast on cole slaw, biscuits and cornbread, cucumber salad, a sweet and creamy broccoli dish, corn pudding, sautéed vegetables, cinnamon apples...but we were warned to not fill up, because much, much more was on the way. They weren't kidding! We got pulled pork, meat loaf, fried chicken, fried catfish, mashed potatoes (and all the other dishes I'm forgetting at the moment) delivered hot and fresh. Oh, and some of the best banana cream pie any of us had ever tasted. We were in heaven, left to enjoy each other's company. Monell's brings people together (that's the point of good food, right?), so take advantage of the opportunity to get outside your comfort zone and get to know the people at your table. As we were leaving, we asked the owner what they do with all the leftovers. They bring all the leftovers to the local homeless shelter, or they bring them to under the bridge where many of the Nashville homeless call home. It really showed how community-oriented this place is. Not only is $17.50 for this kind of meal a bargain, but you know it's going to a great organization that's in it for more than profits. Though this was the first restaurant I went to in Nashville, I believe it's a must-visit.
(5)Lacey J.
Soul food at its finest. Mmm Mmm good.
(5)James P.
Monell's is a unique place for some serious southern goodness. The staff are great and friendly. We went for lunch and the food did not disappoint. Of course, between the biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, plus enough fried chicken, pork, meatloaf, there must have been about 6,000 calories per plate. All delicious for sure and the atmosphere around the restaurant was very pleasant, especially if you have to wait. But, I had to give it 4 stars for one reason. The seating...12 seats at each 'family style' table. So if you don't fill them, you are eating with strangers. Maybe in the South that is cool, but this California guy wanted to have serious conversation with our guests. Having random people at your table might be 'friendly', but it does not bode for going out to have intimate time with friends, family, or colleagues to talk shop.
(4)Jeannette W.
I have to give this place five stars because I ate there TWICE while on the same trip and in the span of less than five days. That's saying a lot since my motto is variety is the spice of life. This place is like going home to grandma's for Sunday dinner (if I was lucky enough to live in the south and she knew Southern cooking). The first meal I had there was dinner after just getting in from the airport. My friend and I were the last two seated at a large wooden community table that maybe seated twelve. The food had already started so there were bowls of sweet corn pudding, biscuits, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cooked apples going around. (There was so much I am sure my list is lacking a couple of things.) Oh, I remember, there was also a pea salad that tasted so fresh (I hate peas) that I couldn't get enough. Then the meats started coming; we had baked chicken, fried chicken and pork chops. The fried chicken was probably some of the best I ever had. This was all washed down with some really good sweet tea. For dessert, we had banana pudding with nilla wafers. I was a little wary, but boy, was it good. The soft fresh banana offset the crispy wafers and made for a great texture adventure. Since my first meal in Nashville was at Monell's, it seemed fitting that my last meal would be there, too. We made sure to get up in time to fit in a country breakfast on Sunday morning. It was well worth it. This time around, there were pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, sweet corn pudding, bacon, country ham (too salty for my taste), sausage patties, fried chicken (lucky me) and cinnamon buns washed down again with sweet tea. The service here is nice and friendly and QUICK! Even though it was always crowded on Sunday morning they kept those tables turning over. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local yelper who deserves a great big thanks for opening up my world to this little slice of heaven. And if you are in town, don't miss the chance to experience this southern comfort.
(5)Jason R.
Amazing, friendly, simple. We had no wait. Everyone at our table was nice. Lot's of local's actually. Walked off some calories back to downtown through the bicentennial park. Breakfast was amazing - eggs, bacon, sausage, ham ,corn pudding, nice light biscuits, gravy, pancakes, sall good! And I forgot the fried chicken for breakfast.
(5)Andrew H.
Had breakfast here and it was delicious. The potatoes were best in show, followed by the corn pudding, sausage, and biscuits. The grits and scrambled eggs were good, but not memorable as the other options. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the apples and pancakes (damn you, Lent), but they looked incredible. The cinnamon rolls (again, thanks Lent) LOOKED and SMELLED incredible, too. No one at my table was talking with each other, except "Pass the pancakes". It made it a little awkward, but the food more than made up for it.
(5)Jeannie M.
Headed back there at the urging of the owner and my family. Seated on a Saturday night at 5pm, it wasn't that crowded and we were eating in no time. Made sure to come to try the catfish and yes, it was worth the wait! I enjoyed it more than the fried chicken. Losing count - must've had 3-4 catfish filets. I also tried the pulled pork - though I'm not as big a pork fan, this was actually pretty tasty. Sides - well, I enjoyed my meats too much to remember the sides.
(5)Vivek S.
I'm a big fan of Monell's and not just because of the great food! Walking into Monell's is like walking into your grandmother's house during the holidays. You sit at a communal table with people you've never met before and share a wonderful meal that's served family style. Unfortunately, you can't keep your cell phones out to take pictures of all the delicious food, but once you start eating, I don't think you'll want to reach for it anyway! Some of my favorites are the creamed peas, corn pudding, biscuits, and mac n cheese. They serve fried chicken every day and while it's tasty, I think there are places that make better (Arnold's, Prince's, etc.). But overall, a great place to go for lunch or weekend brunch and a fantastic place to take visitors.
(4)Anush J.
The restaurant is located in a quaint brick structure. Our kids loved walking into the entrance due to colorful flowers and the colorful fish in a little pond. We were surprised that Monell's is family style, and we were seating with strangers. Also, it is a pre-set meal...no ordering. Once we mentally adjusted to those facts, we moved on. The food was DELICIOUS. The items that stuck out for us: corn bread, peach preserves, pork chops, stuffing, cheesy corn pudding/casserole, and the pickled cucumbers - but there were more items. Down home cooking & plenty of food. Service was attentive. We are visiting Nashville, and consider this a good and out of the ordinary dining experience.
(5)Mimi T.
Monell's is THE definition of southern hospitality and southern cooking! I read their yelp reviews just to see what I would get myself into. You walk up to the house, and when you walk in it's like you're in someone's house. It's so cute and nicely decorated- very homey. Then a very sweet lady walks you into the dinning area where you'll be seated at a very large table. You'll either be the first group at the table and other people come in a little after to join your table, or vise versa. So yes, you'll be sitting with strangers. There's sweet tea and water at the center of the table, so help yourself. Then comes the salad- my advice is to skip all that and get ready for the real meal. The day we came, they served: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, corn bread, chicken & dumplings, and chocolate pecan pie for dessert. All served family style. Don't forget to pass to the left. I made the mistake of eating too much salad before my meal, and that won't happen again the next time I go back. The friend chicken tasted fine, but I think Popeye's is better. I wish they had smaller pieces of chicken. The greens were really good! and THE BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER HAD!! OMG, it really is!! No other macaroni and cheese can top the ones they serve at Monell's. I waited for everyone to leave the table, and ate the rest of the bowl of mac n cheese- really, I'm not kidding. Chicken & dumplings were really good too. I barely had room for dessert, but I just had to get a couple of bites in just to taste it. I took at least one bite of everything. By the end of the meal, we were so full. I would love to give them 5 stars, but I felt so gross and heavy for the rest of the day so -1 star. After your meal, do yourself a favor and go down to Cupcake Collection (on the left if you're facing the house) to the best cupcake bakery EVER!
(4)Citizen J.
My wife and I visited this spot today for lunch. 5 star service and most, but not all, of the food items would get that rating, too. We both had fried chicken and catfish. I kinda preferred the catfish while my wife preferred the chicken (both lightly fried and not greasy). I'm also a corn nut and liked the corn bread but RAVED about the corn pudding. I wasn't brave enough to also hit one of the biscuits with the sausage gravy boat that was on the table. Collard greens and green beans were solid. They also had some white beans on the table that were excellent. Mashed potatoes were very good, too. For the quality, the price and the service you simply can't go wrong.
(5)Ross K.
Wow. It is best to show up very hungry and with a plan of attack. So many amazing dishes going around the table. I wish I had a hollow leg so I could have eaten more. Hands down best southern food spot ever. Their slogan, "if the colonel had our recipes he would have been a general," says it all.
(5)Richard D.
Atmosphere: I love the atmosphere here. You have to enter through the side entrance which takes you through a quaint little garden. The inside is a continuation of this vibe. I would imagine it feels like going back to grandma's house for a meal on Sunday afternoon. It should be noted though that they will probably seat you and your party with another group since the tables are meant for ten. I didn't mind this one bit though; the people I was seated with were extremely friendly and welcoming. Food: Oh my goodness. Why don't they have this stuff in DC? I would pay double what I actually paid if it were. The menu included: skillet fried chicken, smothered chicken & gravy, BBQ ribs, green beans, corn puddin', macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot remember. I don't have the desire nor work ethic to write a description of each item. But suffice it to say, everything was amazing. That's not an exaggeration. I was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Price: The price was very reasonable. $12.95 for lunch. You get quality food and you will leave stuffed. Service: The servers were friendly and attentive. No dish was left empty for more than a few minutes.
(5)Char L.
Came here on a Saturday at 5pm and there was already a wait for tables. It looks like the restaurant used to be an old house, so when you walk to the door, you pass this cute garden with many porch swings. The food is family style all-you-can-eat for $16.02. You sit at a table with strangers and they just bring on bowls and bowls of meats and sides. We were served: pickled cucumbers broccoli, raisin, nut salad potato salad mashed potatoes corn casserole squash casserole green beans pulled pork fried chicken fried catfish meatloaf biscuits cornbread strawberry shortcake lemonade iced tea I liked the green beans and fried catfish the best. The food was good, altho some were a bit weird, like the mashed potatoes were really thin and watery. Wow Southern food really fills you up! Even though it was all-you-can-eat, my girlfriends and I didn't eat that much. When you usually watch what you eat, you really have to mentally set aside your urge to get a salad, dressing on the side and pig out. And pig out we did. But afterwards, we all felt quesy. I think it's because we usually don't eat such heavy meals. Ok, to the gym now!
(3)Nick B.
Look, I'll make this real clear. MONELL'S IS THE BEST, PERIOD. There is no dipute, this place is an absolute *must*, not only for the food, but for the experience. One piece of important advice that I need to share with you, is to pace yourself. Regardless of how hungry you are, and how big your stomach is, pace yourself! The food just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Whether you want to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it is all fantastic. The staff is friendly, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Whether you are attending with a small or large group, you will have fun getting to know others at your table. Ok, stop reading this review and hurry up and eat at Monell's!!
(5)Dee B.
First, and most likely my last time ever dining experience. I wasn't a huge fan of the family style seating. The ppl at the same table were nice, but I just didn't like it. Passing food to the left while trying to eat gets annoying after a while. I suggest they have a bottle of hand sanitizer at the entrance or hand folks a hot wash cloth like the Asian's do before folks just start grabbing their buscuits and cornbread. Overall, the food was ok, nothing to die for. They didn't serve the chocolate cake I've heard so much about. The Fried chicken was decent. The beans and cheese grits had no flavor. I prefered the corn casserole the best. According to my folks at the table, I make better pot roast and maccaroni & cheese. The Mash potatoe was cold, so for me that was ruined. Cucumber salad was normal. How can anyone mess that up. Cole slaw, I wasn't a fan. The fruit tea was alright, I prefer the fruit tea @ B&C. Since there is no taking food home, I wonder what they do with all the food left behind? I suspect they reheat it for the next guest, I know it sounds disgusting right? Overall experience, too expensive, I tried it once and that's all I need. I'm ok with never returning again.
(1)Flora B.
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place... Included on this "country breakfast" menu, all for $12, were the following items: smoked sausage, bacon, country ham, biscuits & gravy, fried apples, pancakes, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, cheese grits, skillet fried chicken, corn pudding, juice and coffee. The first thing you'll notice is the delectable smell and elegant stained glass. I was expecting a place with picnic tables and sawdust on the floors and found the clean white tiles to be a pleasant surpirse. You will pass everything to the left. Sitting family style, the dishes keep appearing... Frank Sinatra bumping in the background. The best part was what a friend described as the "straight off the pig into the frying pan bacon." Wow. "Great Southern Food Served Family Style in a Historic Setting" - Monell's won't disappoint!
(5)Leo L.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere. Family style dining was a unique twist that added to the experience.
(5)John H.
Family style, instructions include pass the food to the left. Tables seat 12 people, seating is first come first serve. If your group is not large enough to fill all the seats at the table you will probably be seated with other guests. This was not a problem for me. Food is southern style comfort food.
(4)Stevie M.
This is a Nashville 'must do.' Period. You won't find this kind of place anywhere. I don't live in Nashville so I don't get to come to Monell's often but whenever I'm in town I must go. This is southern eating family style. The last time I was there my party was sat with another party at a big dinner table and we all ate together. Imagine that? People sharing food with strangers and it's amazing. The food comes out in waves. Everything southern and beyond in bowls of plenty brought to you table and shared with others. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had but moreover it's the following onslaught of collard greens, black eye peas, beef stroganoff, creamed corn, biscuits, sweet tea, yams and it goes on and on until you can barely keep your eyes open due to the food induced comatose. I suggest fasting the day until you go there and get done with everything you need to do for the day cause when you come out it's going to be slumberland my friend.
(5)Kim L.
This home style restaurant has as much food as you could ever want. You'll definitely need to loosen your belts if your go here! Very friendly service.
(4)Karen P.
Still the best vegetables and side dishes in town but the chicken and fish were cold and dry, and we were there at 11:15 for the first sitting at lunch.
(3)Jim F.
Where to start? We were making a quick weekend trip to Nashville for the first time and wanted to find some good southern cooking for our first meal. We found this place on Yelp and walked north from our downtown hotel. Thanks fellow yelpers. The sat us a a large communal table and we were soon joined by about 10 other people. We were warned to pace ourselves as the courses would keep coming, and boy did they. My personal favorites were the fried chicken and fried pork chops. There were too many sides to mention. And the price is so cheap. I cannot imagine eating this much food for lunch most days but it was a perfect start to the vacation!
(4)Susy F.
I'm a California girl born and bred and on a recent business trip to Nashville, I asked our host for a good Southern meal, preferably with hushpuppies. I got what I asked for. Monell's is in Germantown, a quaint neighborhood with beautiful old buildings. We had a large party and were seated at a large, rustic wooden table already groaning with dishes full of food. Bowl after bowl of Southern delicacies arrived, including all kinds of salads, fluffy biscuits, sweet potato lasagna, and fried chicken to die for. I never missed the hushpuppies. I had to ask what the white bowl of liquid was for--I thought it was ranch dressing but it turned out to be gravy for the biscuits! I should've known. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fast but relaxed. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to visit around the table. It reminded me of the best of the Sunday church potlucks of my youth growing up in a Southern Baptist church. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sage R.
Family style home cooked food for your sole. Went for the Sunday brunch and literally had my mind blown with over 12 dishes of southern goodness washed down with the headiest sweet tea in the south. If colonial sanders had this fried chicken recipe he would probably be known as the general.
(5)Amy W.
Went back 2 weeks ago and the mac-n-cheese was spot on. I think my first experience was a fluke. It's a family fave when they come in town now. Thank you!
(5)Tom S.
Been here for breakfast a couple of times! Very cool place, old mansion! The food is outstanding! You will leave here full I promise you! First dish was biscuits followed by gravy, take as much as you want and pass to the right. Next up pancakes, scrambled eggs, corn pudding and a platter of bacon, ham and patty sausages! Fried chicken for breakfast? Yup, had to, it's hard to let that pass in front of you without taking a piece. They have a peach preserve that has the most amazing flavor and tasted great smeared on a biscuit! Already on the table was pitchers of sweet and unsweetened tea and coffee pots! One girl served all the tables with pretty much no help, she was engaging and very pleasant, hard worker! I would put this on your list of places to go! I had to rewrite this after a pleasant email from the owner. That's what separates 4 from 5 stars!! When the people who own and operate care about your feedback! It's appreciated!! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Lisa J.
Food was excellent. The wait was a little too long, and our waitress was too blunt and rude. Don't dare turn on you're cell phone, or ask for another plate, they don't like either one! Fried chicken, fried cat fish, mashed potatoes and corn bread were all excellent though. Serving is family style. Everything is on the table, and you'll share a table with whom ever they seat. Pass your food to the left (or don't get caught going to the right!) and dig in! I was very disappointed that the waitresses didn't properly explain the processes, then was rude when we didn't know proper "procedure". The food was excellent though, so I would recommend it.
(4)Clay C.
Great dinner served family style at a table you share with other diners. It felt like I was invited to dinner at the neighbors!
(5)Rae Rae L.
Best ever!
(5)Caileigh A.
If I could eat at Monell's every night, I would. The options are endless as there is something for everyone! Its true southern comfort food, and the family-style dining is very welcoming. Street parking is plentiful and the dinner option is just $16/person. They have corn pudding, fried chicken, bbq ribs, stewed green beans, brocoli salad, dinner rolls, banana bread pudding, and so much more!
(5)Bobby C.
How could you NOT like this place? I dare you...try. It is country cooking and hospitality at it's best. You enter through the side entrance...very pretty surrounding area with foliage. You are brought to a large table...for 12 seems to be the norm. You are instantly bombarded with bowls of food...every time a new person or group of people arrive at your table...more bowls of food appear. It started with a giant basket of super yummy biscuits. white gravy, and home-made peach preserves. This is followed by turnip greens, a to die for corn pudding, green beans, pot roast, fried chicken, spinach lasagna, mashed taters, and of course......pecan pie. They force you to be with other people...and ask that you do not use cell phones at the table...OH MY GOD! You mean we have to CONVERSE AT DINNER? Gee...what a 1950's idea...you have to go here if you are staying in Nashville...or even passing though...take your time....lots to try....take small portions so you can have it all though....watch the hours of operation....we got lucky when we showed up....
(5)Big Daddy G.
as good as it gets! being a local can only go every now and then cause they will put a hurting on you. www. full.com when ever i go
(5)Linda C.
When I started my new job in Franklin, one of the first lunch hot spots my team took me to was Monell's. Monell's is a house turned into a restaurant and you pass around bowls of food just as you would during a family dinner. They have long dining tables already set up with water, sweet and un-sweet tea, and piles of dishes ready whenever you are. When the food comes, it flows non stop - 2 meats, variety of salads and vegetables, and of course dessert! Even before the bowl is empty, the wait staff refills it with more. My favorites? The fried chicken and banana pudding. Don't be surprised if another party is seated at your table, after all, it is southern food served family style.
(4)Ryan D.
Ok, so I've been back a half dozen times and this place just has to have 5 stars. I took 14 friends from Atlanta here on New Years day and blew them all away with the insane food. The hot, fresh cinnamon rolls were the icing on the cake and brought smiles to everyones face when they made their entrance. It's funny when you can get 14 old buddies to sit for half an hour and not speak a word, but great food will do that to you. The service continues to remain unparalleled, and the food is always amazing. It's just fantastic. Thank you for all the great times with family, friends and strangers Monell's!
(5)Julie G.
What's not to love? Food- Delicious. Service- impeccable. Ambiance- unforgettable. I sat with an older gentleman and his grandson. I felt like I was sitting at my granddad's table. The dishes never stopped coming out! Fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, biscuits, white gravy, green beans, turnip salad, corn pudding, black eyed peas, mac and cheese and a dessert called a black Betty. Take small portions so you can have a little bit of everything. Service is just as important as taste and both get an A+. The lemonade and sweet tea were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I could barely move after my meal here. :)
(5)Lara P.
We stopped in on a recommendation from the hotel we were staying at in Nashville. When we drove up we thought we were at someone's house, but we were soooo glad we checked it out. What we thought would be a romantic dinner for two ended up being a family dining experience with 8 other people at our table (4 of which were children), but we had fun visiting with everyone. The food was incredible! Everything was served in big bowls that we passed around the table. Just at our table we had corn pudding, hash brown casserole, pea salad, fruit salad, corn bread, biscuits, hush puppies, fried catfish, meatloaf, fried chicken, pulled pork, broccoli salad, homemade preserves and strawberry shortcake. And I'm probably forgetting food. Everything was delicious and fresh, and the service was super friendly and fast. The waitress told us that all the leftovers are donated to a homeless shelter nearby, so we didn't feel as bad when we left all that food that we couldn't eat. I heard that the breakfasts are great too. We will definitely be back whenever we are in Nashville.
(5)Jenna R.
Before dining here, make sure you have your will-power in check! You can seriously hurt yourself at this restaurant. Dining here is like going to your mama's house for Sunday supper. You don't order from a menu. Basically what they serve that day is what you eat. You sit at big family style tables. With people you don't know but walk away knowing. Fried chicken is served everyday, but everything else changes. As soon as you sit, the food starts coming out. All kinds of salads, homemade biscuits and cornbread with gravy and homemade peach preserves graces the table... and just when you're about to pile it up and do some damage, a lovely southern drawl says "now pace yourself cuz there's more coming!" and was she right!!! It was hard but I held back. The food never stops... the table is over-run with platters and dishes. It's GLORIOUS! A definite must-do when you go to Nashville. Trust me on that!
(5)Brit H.
Best burger in town. Atmosphere, perfectly unexpected for the quality of food. "A diamond in the rough"
(5)Danny B.
The place to go if you're wanting to try some quality, Southern comfort food. The incredibly friendly staff helps add to the experience.
(4)miya S.
What is the best meal you've ever eaten in your entire life? Think about that meal, it's taste, it's smell. After you eat at Monell's, that meal is equivalent to a plate of dog crap. You think I'm lying? Why don't you give my theory (/fact) a try.
(5)Betsy K.
This place is great! We had a great meal. Loved the family style dining. Great, friendly service and delicious food! Bring your appetite though it's all you can eat and they mean it!
(5)Kevin M.
What a great experience. I went here with a couple of friends while here on business. The food was great, the service was fantastic and the building was gorgeous. We also had a great group of folks seated with us at the table. This is a must if you're in the area.
(5)Adam C.
I love the family style meals and this place will be a destination whenever we go back to Nashville. The first impression was a little concerning to me, a little more rustic than I prefer. We had the breakfast which included biscuits n gravy and cinnamon rolls to start. Both were good with the edge to the the cinnamon rolls, I have had better biscuits n gravy but still very good. Sweet and unsweetened tea ( for the northerners), sweet tea was just right for me. Out came the cheese grits, corn pudding, baked apples, skillet potatoes, plate full of breakfast meats ham/sausage/bacon. My favorites of those, corn pudding was awesome, baked apples were like mom makes, skillet potatoes were seasoned perfect. Then we had scrambled eggs, pancakes, and last but not least FRIED CHICKEN. Eggs were good, pancakes were not were the room they took up in my stomach given the other options, but the FRIED CHICKEN was second best only to mom's. The skin on the chicken was cooked perfectly and basically melted in your mouth. Meat was tender and juicy, just wish they would soak in salt water for more flavor. Overall, a great breakfast I wish I could have had lunch and dinner too. Next trip to Nashville will include a stop here.
(5)Anne A.
This restaurant was recommneded to us by our hotel in Nashville. We had asked for something truly Southern and not too touristy. Monell's was great! The food was typical Southern fare, served family style (you're seated at a table with complete strangers and all share big bowls of food). If you're not into dining with people you don't know, it might be a weird experience for you, but I would give it a try anyway! Just for the food. The fried chicken was wonderful and not at all greasy. They give you so much food that it's impossible to eat it all. Although we gave it a good try! The price is really fair for the amount of food you get. I believe it was a little over $13 per person. Don't forget to try the banana cream desert...yum!
(4)Andrea N.
You need to eat here! I loved the true southern-family style experience. Great ribs, great side dishes & awesome sweet tea. I'm not a big comfort food person, but I loved everything that was on the table. The garden outside the dining area is very beautiful at night.
(5)Lorrie B.
Fried Chicken and Corn pudding ROCK! It is soooo good. When in town for business I hit this place at least once. Usually I am by myself but I dont mind sitting with strangers eating good food. You MUST try this place at least once or a dozen times. :)
(5)Ray B.
Love the food, it is awesome, and I have been to the one by the airport several ocassions. On my visit, seating at a table with strangers is not my idea of confort, and as well have people seated at my table with kids who play at the table, and the parents are not in control. But the seating arrangement keeps me from going back. Food, 10, seating 2.5.
(2)Jason K.
Family style seating. Best sweet tea, corn bread, fried chicken, and banana pudding you will ever eat in your life. Its also a good way to meet new people. My friend and I ate with a family, it was a lovely experience.
(5)Karol C.
Visited this awesome establishment yesterday (Friday) afternoon for lunch with a group of co-workers. When I walked into the garden, I immediately felt like I was in my grandmothers back yard. We went in, were greeted warmly and were seated in less than five minutes. We were joined at our table by another group. (This Monell's location serves "family style" at a huge dining room table; the food is brought out from the kitchen in large dishes and passed around the table.) The sumptuous yummies started to come out of the kitchen immediately. I could've closed my eyes and would've thought I was at literally at my grandmothers table for Sunday dinner with the family. We were served sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, mashed potatoes, greens, fried chicken, banana pudding and much more. I was totally blown away by the catfish. Being raised partly by my southern grandparents, catfish was a staple in their house. I've never liked it...until now. Monell's serves the most light delicate tasting catfish I've ever had. It was delicious! The service was great as well. Best meal I've had since transplanting to Nashville almost a year ago. My new favorite place.
(5)Michelle B.
Oh man, I cannot say enough good things about Monell's. My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for a weekend and came here for dinner. When we walked in, we were immediately shown to a table with about 6 other people already there and there was food already on the table and more coming out. The sweet tea was plentiful and delicious, and all the food was spectacular. It really is like sitting in the kitchen of a fantastic southern cook. Highlights included the mashed potatoes, the meat loaf, and the creamed corn-type food which had a southern name (maybe "corn pudding"?). Also, for dessert they bought out incredible strawberry shortcake "mash" which was basically the dessert shells, strawberries, and whipped cream all mixed together to make a multicolored mush which was AMAZING. The table was big- after we sat down there were another 6 or so people who sat down after us. We got to chatting with a couple across the table from us who lived in Sacramento (I live in San Francisco). Then, the next day, my boyfriend and I saw them in the airport and they were on my flight, so they saved me a seat near the front because they had a better boarding number than I did. Sweet! See, Monell's, bringing nice people together with fantastic food. This will be the first place I go if I ever return to Nashville.
(5)Krystal H.
I have been hearing good things about Monell's Saturday brunch since I moved to Nashville a year ago. I finally made it a point to go with an out of town guest. It was the best choice I could have made for myself as a Nashville resident and for guests! I can't believe I've been missing out for so long. The food, like everyone says, is fantastic. But what really makes this experience special is the atmosphere and the casual chit chat with the wait staff and guests that you sit with. I would probably save this one for special occasions, since it is quite an experience, takes about an hour and a half depending on the wait, and requires some couch time and a long walk afterwards from eating so much good food!
(5)Erica W.
As good as it gets! On a strong recommendation from my sister in law, I brought a team of business colleagues here for lunch yesterday. Fresh in the from DC we savored the cucumber salad. Then the biscuits and cornbread with peach preserves and gravy came out... I didn't think it could get any better than that- I seriously could eat that all day long! I was wrong! The potato sausage cheese casserole was fantastic and the corn pudding was the best I've ever had. The meatloaf was divine - and I don't even LIKE meatloaf! The macaroni and cheese was delicious. Green beans made my heart sing - the rich taste of pork coming through but they weren't a bit greasy tasting. The mashed potatoes were perfect! The skillet fried chicken made us wish our stomachs could hold more. The sweet tea was top notch as well. In fact the only things I wasn't too keen on were the chicken and dumplings- thought the dumplings needed a little more flavor and the coleslaw- which is probably just me- I think it had green pepper in it and I'm not a fan. Who cares though- even with that it was more fantastic food than would fit in my belly! This non stop stream of deliciousness was topped off with a delicious coconut lemon chess type pie that I had to finish and then I couldn't eat until this morning- whew! The service was attentive and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. The other patrons at our table were delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. An unreserved 5 stars for Monell's. Can't wait to be back in Nashville so I can return!
(5)Jessica G.
Boy was I glad to take a break from BBQ, and I was even more glad it was at Monells! The restaurant is family style, and it is set in a cute house, in a nice looking neighborhood, with lots of street parking. The food just comes and comes and comes. Don't fill up on the biscuits... even though you want to... and FYI they bring out dessert first! Lets just say it was so GOOD, we went twice in our 4 nights in Nashville! And it is great cause each night is something different. One night we had meatloaf and it was so good (I thought I only liked my moms!), and then we had smothered chicken... being from the west coast, I am not really sure what this is...but I do know that it was YUMMY GOODNESS! Fried Chicken every night! And all the sides and salad, and some good discussions with your fellow table mates that you could want! Now I am on the search for a good authentic southern place in San Francisco! FYI no alcohol is served here, but I believe they might let you bring your own... check before you bring it though!
(5)Hayley S.
I went to Monell's with a large group of college students as part of a tour to Nashville. It. was. the. best. They started us off with biscuits, peach preserves, cucumber salad, and sweet tea before bringing out heaping bowls of spinach lasagna, fried chicken, ribs, velvet chicken casserole, corn pudding, green beans, fried catfish, hush puppies, and banana pudding. Apparently there were delicious mashed potatoes too, but somehow my table got skipped on those. All of it was absolutely fantastic though, and they just kept bringing us more and more. The family-style atmosphere was great as well... large rectangular tables with a lazy susan in the middle to facilitate maximum efficiency. A word of caution, though: don't eat for at least 10 hours prior. You'll regret ever putting anything not from Monell's in your stomach. Also, no matter how controlled of an eater you are, chances are you'll stuff your face and not be able to move for an hour after. No joke. Don't miss this place!
(5)Brad T.
Despite my four-stars out of five, don't expect any negative in this review. My wife and I came here on a Monday morning and were instantly thrust into the amazing world of Monell's, the coolest family-style dining restaurant I've ever been to. We entered a beautiful old house surrounded by a very well kept garden and were treated like family dinner guests from the moment our hostess spotted us. Sweet, friendly ladies brought us salads and sweet tea and promised a feast as it was ready. When I say salads, I mean delicious pot luck salads like coleslaw, marshmallow-apple, and a ranch-spinach combo that had me begging for more. An incredibly nice man came and sat with us (as is the custom in this style of restaurant) and was just in time for the fresh baked biscuits and the homemade peach preserves. Soon after another family sat down and made it for the beans, potato salad, and corn pudding. Before we were done passing these around, we were assaulted with fried chicken, baked ham, and chicken dumplings with gravy. Everything was awesome and yummy and had some kind of unhealthy twist that made it oh-so-awesome. Look, I'm the kind of guy who likes chatting with strangers while sucking down green beans mixed with bacon, so I really have nothing bad to say. The decor was folksy and comfortable, the food was excellent (and very fresh and high quality), the prices were so fair I almost felt like I was ripping them off, and the service was outstanding. I'm probably a breakfast visit away from bumping this up to five stars, but my one and only experience leaves me at four stars. Very high recommendation to eat here.
(4)Chris R.
The Yelp community led me to this gem. You start with sweet tea, fresh biscuits and homemade peach preserves. Follow with "salads"- potato and slaw. The main course of to-die-for fried chicken with various down-home sides is then topped off with strawberry shortcake for dessert. All of this is served family-style on a large dining table you share with other lucky patrons. We had a great meal and met some great Nashville folk. The food, service, and company was all top-notch!
(5)Aj C.
You start off by being greeted by a very pretty garden and swing and pond and nice seating area out side once you go in they ask how many that u have in your party then they seat you with other people till the big table your at is full once everyone is there they start bringing out the food they bring so much food usually like 3 meats and I think like 5 veggies it's all southern home made food Food is so good if u leave hungry well that's cuse you did not go here to eat I'm a meat a terian and my Sis in law only eats veggies and we both leave so full and that's just the start of this place the atmosphere is worth the few bucks it cost to eat here alone there's usually a mix it's usually out of towners and locals Witch really makes it great for both
(5)Tom P.
Seriously, the best breakfast/brunch place ever created. I've ate at some amazing places in my day (across Europe, NYC, Vegas, and SF bay area) and this takes the cake. Not only do they provide amazing service (think Southern home attitude) but the idea that you can sit down and meet new strangers is something I like a lot. Just remember, the fried chicken comes at the end so leave some room... and yes, this place will break your diet plan for the month but who cares when the food tastes this good.
(5)Amanda W.
Monell's had the best Southern food ever! The restaurant is family style so be prepared to meet new people. Being from out of state, it was great talking to people from Nashville. They have the food ready for you so there is minimal waiting time and the price is well worth it. The fried chicken was phenomenal, and the atmosphere felt like home.
(5)Kris C.
awesome!!!!!!!
(5)Kelvin M.
Monell's is the gem in Nashville. I flew in CA to visit my daughter in Eastern TN on Thanksgiving Day (a 3.5 hr trip). I decided I needed some "road" food. My cousin in Memphis suggested this place. It didn't disappoint at all. Note though, DON'T GO on Thanksgiving, the lines and wait were long!! Even for a to go order. The issue is that they only had one person seating people, checking them out, signing parties in and taking to go orders!! but He was very friendly and most people including myself understood and patiently wait when I saw the food coming out. I did find it out that in order to appease the people, they had a nacho station out front, in the patio area...LOL. Anyway, on to the food Monell's is arguably hands down one of the best soul food places I have sampled. There were too many sides to order (I got the Meat and 3) but 3 sides wasn't enough. particularly after I saw the corn pudding, devil's eggs, green beans, mac n cheese,etc. I had the turkey which was a little dry. I should have had the chicken instead. Either way the food was marvelous. The next time I am in town to visit the young one. I won't do to go but eat there. After reading the reviews I probably should try the breakfast as well. Overall, the people and experience was great and I like the family style eating as well. People should stop being xenophobic and enjoy eating with someone or some people you don't know. It shows just how much we have in common and less of the differences. We all like good food, now matte who it is. This is definitely on the must return list. Thanks to my cousin!!..
(4)Miriam W.
Monell's was recommended to us by a bellman at the hotel we were staying at once, and now we go everytime we're in Nashville. The concept is Southern comfort food served family style, so, even if it's just two of you having dinner, you won't be seated at a two top, but at a large farmhouse table with a bunch of other people. Once you've said hi to everyone, the food starts coming, and it doesn't stop until everyone's had enough. Some items to hit the table on our last visit were iced tea, fried chicken (very good), cucumber salad, biscuits with peach preserves, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, pork roast, corn pudding, green beans and banana pudding for dessert. I believe they serve fried chicken every night, and then rotate in another entree, so you can call for that night's selection before you go. The food is terriific, service is great, and I love the atmosphere. I always say strangers are just friends you haven't met yet, and Monell's has taken this thought and created a truly wonderful dining experience.
(4)Tanda M.
Went here on 7/23/11 for my BF's graduation. They did a great job at handling the VERY large crowd- they called us a private party. Sadly, we had to be split up and not everyone could sit with and see one another, but the food made up for it. They had everything southern you could imagine. Ice Tea, Lemonade, bread pudding, corn pudding, black eyed pea salad, some really good fried chicken, mac and cheese (too runny though), flat green beans (nicely seasoned), collard greens (nicely seasoned), potato salad, fried catfish (i heard it was the bomb), FRESH biscuits (the bomb), corn bread, banana pudding, lasagne (gross), and I am sure I Am missing something else, but the food was nice and tasty. The waitresses were awesome! Southern hospitality! You do need to bring your own bottle of something to "drink". The bathroom was cute, quaint and clean, but only ONE stall. The outside garden was awesome and beautiful, but the mosquitos had a field day with us while we waited for the OTHER party to finish up. Otherwise, nice place, nice food, nice people. Good job Monells...Oh and it was nice to see a painting of a Black woman on the wall (I wonder if that IS the real Monell...?)
(4)Tami M.
Southern cooking served family style. We decided on Monell's after seeing a recommend on a review for another restaurant. Great food. We had meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken for our mains. Sides included some of the best deviled eggs I've had and green beans to rival my granddaddy's. Roasted potatoes, peas, corn pudding, French toast bread pudding, sweet and sour cucumbers, biscuits and cornbread, green jello salad(how did they know we had folks from Utah with us?) and strawberry shortcake left us fat and happy. The other group we were with recommended the cupcake collection down the street if we needed something else. We didn't, but we did anyway. A must try if you want some down home cooking.
(5)Joel S.
Five stars as this is Southern Food, I'd never normally visit a place like this, I'm surprised my arteries didn't combust with grease. I am man, hear me roar. 5 starts as this IS southern food(says the new yorker) Had a few hours to burn in Nashville, once dinner time rolled around I thought, southern food, that''ll hit the spot. YELP to the rescue. Score with Monnells Called ahead to find out the menu. Walked in, no reservations, they seated me at a table of 12(2 vacant spots) who were going through their appetizers. It's family style and everyone passes around the dishes. "Can you pass me the sweet potato" Everything was PLENTIFUL, and people were really friendly. Met a local woman(who has been a few times but always meets out-of-towners), and a family of 9 from Buffalo NY. Joining strangers at a table was fun, though i can imagine being seated at the "wrong" table, could make for a good TV show. you can eat as much or as little as you want. More Grease here than Michael Jacksons hair. Southern Food at its finest Didn't think it was possible, but drove on to St. Louis after dinner, no nap required. Just gotta know when to say no.
(5)chris c.
The perfection of southern home style cooking. I was in town on a vacation and went here with some friends. It was everything I could have wanted and more. In my dreams, about the perfect southern meal it was this place, this food and these wonderful people who work here. Go with a big appetite and I guarantee you will leave with a big smile.
(5)Ron B.
This was an exceptionally, pleasant tasty surprise. My wife and I were visiting Nashville for business and decided to venture from the big ole resort to find some down home cooking. Based on Yelp and other sites, this received raves. Incan tell you that the fried chicken, creamed corn, string beans, collard greens, chicken salad, cucumber salad and banana pudding were all exceptional. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
(5)Nina M.
Awesome experience! Great food and wonderful atmosphere! Feels like Sundays at grandmas for southern soul food!
(5)Patrick N.
A MUST GO!!!!! Nough Said!!!!!
(5)Siri K.
Love love love this place. Was visiting from NY and wanted good Southern food. This place was adorable from the outside - roses everywhere, and a koi pond! Inside, it was relaxed with communal tables. We ended up with about 14 dishes at our table - they just brought out one after the next and everything was SO GOOD. Standouts were the fried chicken, best biscuit I've ever had, meatloaf, mashed potatoes. Staff was super sweet and so were the other diners. Definitely visit if you come to Nashville. Oh. And it was such a great deal!!! Less than $15!!!
(5)Kexin X.
It is quite a heavy breakfast for me, but quite an experience to sit at a big table with others. Waitress are very friendly.
(2)Tasty G.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reviews I'll ever give. I was spending my last few hours in Nashville alone (since my friends had left the day before) after an epic Bonnaroo trip. I wanted some really good Southern Food to begin my rehab so I checked Yelp and this came up. I'm glad I overcame my social anxiety about eating family style alone because I had a wonderful time with the people at my table. This was a Tuesday afternoon around 1pm so there was virtually no wait--AWESOME! Then the food. Oh my god. This is a top 10 meal of my life so far. Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, corn pudding, spinach lasagne, fried cabbage, lima beans, green beans, pot roast, and bread pudding. Every dish was delicious, hot, fresh, and amazing. I thought I had woken up into one of my culinary fantasies since there's never an all-you-can-eat affair with such excellent quality. I will be back in Nashville, not just for this, but if Monell's was the only reason, that would be way more than enough! By the way the meal costs 13$ for lunch. That's so absurd I actually felt guilty having eaten so much. Go there alone, with friends, with families; crawl, run, walk, climb, jump, whatever you have to do, get there with an empty stomach. I've heard that both dinner and brunch are even better than lunch; I'm not sure how that's possible, but I can't wait to find out.
(5)travis allen a.
I've only ever been to Monell's on Sunday for brunch, but man-oh-man if that is a good representation of how they do up their meals there, count me in for every day. My goodness. I am still stuffed from last time I went, a few months ago before I moved to Los Angeles. It's $14 for AYCE Soul/Southern fare, served family style at giant tables like back at grandma's place. The restaurant certainly _feels_ like her place. There's a huge garden pavilion outside, and a comfortable den feeling inside. You could show up alone or with three other people, and end up sharing the meal with a few hungry strangers, and when everyone starts asking to "pass the ____, please," you instantly feel like a distant family sharing a reunion meal together. There's nothing quite like this place. Everything is delicious and served at the most perfect time! They start you off with just drinks and biscuits and vegetables and side dishes, then serve up the main course (usually a few different selections of meat; pork chops, fried chicken, ribs, etc.). It's so well-timed that your hunger pangs fade away at a steady, filling pace. But then you stand up. And man, are you stuffed. But not just your stomach--your heart and soul are, too. Why go home for the holidays when you have Monell's in beautiful Historic Germantown? You'll never know the difference.
(5)Olivia B.
This place was awesome! Think: buffet without leaving your seat. You'll sit with strangers and get absolutely stuffed...I'll be back for sure! A fantastic place for your "cheat day".
(5)Brian H.
Monell's is a perfect place to take out-of-towners, especially if they haven't spent a lot of time in the south. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and family style setup all contribute to the wonderfully charming southern vibe, but it's the food that sets Monell's apart from the competition. The southern breakfast in particular offers some of the finest breakfast food I've had in Nashville, or anywhere else in the southern United States for that matter. Biscuits & gravy, ham, coffee and other breakfast beverages, even fried chicken are all included. The price seemed a bit steep at first, but if you take advantage of the huge selection and limitless quantities it's quite reasonable. The staff seems to have gotten the seating process down to a science. There is rarely a vacant seat at the large tables and they're willing to accommodate parties of all sizes. Speaking of tables, the dining room is everything you'd expect: a bit crowded at times, but that only contributes to the feeling of dining with a large family. The Germantown location is superb, and it's fun to walk guests around the area to burn off all the southern cuisine that will undoubtedly be stuffed in your stomach after leaving Monell's. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great home-cooked meal in a great Nashville neighborhood.
(5)Lisa C.
um, yes. that is all i have to say. everything we ate here was pretty delicious and i think the best part was the assortment of goodies they just kept bringing out. the highlights of my meal were the fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. the banana pudding was SO good, but it's hard to eat dessert after all the other food has already made its way onto your plate and into your stomach.
(4)Laura S.
My entire trip to Nashville would have been worth it if only for the breakfast I had on Saturday morning at Monell's. I think I am still full. It was one of the best meals of my life. Monell's serves everything family-style. When we walked up at 8:45 on Saturday, they had one table full, so we walked back to another. We were quickly joined by two other parties. If you're chatty, this would be a great place to make new friends. We did not talk too much with the other groups at our table, but the atmosphere of sharing food up and down the table was still nice. I could tell you all about how they are in a little house with beautiful murals and a cute garden outside and how friendly and helpful the staff are, but that would distract me from telling you about the food. So let it suffice to say that the atmosphere and service live up to the things you are going to eat. Now, to breakfast. Which was the kind of food worth dreaming about. When you arrive at the table, there is a lazy susan with small plates, sweet and unsweet tea, and creamers and sugar. There was also a bowl of peach preserves at either side of the table, which was DELICIOUS - try it on a biscuit with butter, and buy some on your way out the door. If you want coffee, grab a mug and turn it over. We started with biscuits and gravy and sweet rolls. I had never had biscuits and gravy, this alone is almost enough to convince me I need to move to the South. The sweet rolls were also delicious. You will enjoy both of these so much that you will want seconds. DO NOT DO THIS. The main event is about to begin and you will regret filling your stomach with these space-filling carbs. The next round of food to come out is an embarrassment of riches. There was a platter of meats, with perfectly-cooked slightly-crunchy slightly-chewy thick bacon, deliciously spiced sausage patties, and ham. There was fried chicken, which is maybe a reason I should not move to the South because if I had the opportunity to eat this FOR BREAKFAST on a regular basis I would be the size of a house. There was corn pudding, which was so incredibly delicious that you could feed me nothing but that for the rest of my life and I would die happy and content. The hashbrowns had big chunks of potatoes and a were really well-seasoned, and the cheese grits - oh, Lord, you Southerners keep coming up with new carbs for me to try. I am a champion eater, but I could not even manage to try the pancakes, eggs or fried apples. Luckily I have friends and they tell me all were excellent - the pancakes, apparently, have a particularly awesome flavor. This was a very long way of saying: You should eat here. You should not eat for several days beforehand so that you have room to do it justice. And if you live in Nashville, you should say a little prayer of thanks that (unlike me) you're not going to need to board a plane to have breakfast at Monell's.
(5)Sylvester I.
A boat load of food, that is fresh and very good. Make sure you understand the rules of the table and the rules for billing before you sit down. The host were great and the atmosphere is great if you've never been to a community restaurant.
(4)Shannon D.
I was very nervous when the owner of a customer company decided that we would be eating at a "meat and 3" (it's a Tennessee thing) since I eat mostly vegetarian. There were 3 meat dishes but about 10 sides without meat. The squash casserole was delicious as was the cinnamon and brown sugar casserole with some vegetable in it but I can't rememberwhich one. The cornbread stuffing was fantastic. The strawberry pie for dessert taste a little bit too much like the product of a Jell-O gelatin box which was a surprise after the delicious home-cooked meal. The grounds are immaculate with beautiful flowers, a waterfall and lights on strings. The hostess was really cute and seemed genuinely excited to receive and seat customers. It was also very inexpensive. I would go back.
(4)Caitlin D.
I was delighted by the adorable exterior of the restaurant, which reminded me of an English garden with flowers and a pond and all kinds of benches. The setup of the actual food is simple; you will sit at a large table, probably with people you don't know, and the food comes out without ordering and you pass it clockwise. Fried chicken, catfish, lasagna, cole slaw, green beans, collard greens, biscuits and cornbread, peach jam, gravy... you get the picture. The service was great, very friendly. The fare was good, but honestly, I make fried chicken that packs in a whole lot more taste. It certainly wasn't bad, but I had to disagree with my companions who had raved about it being the best thing since fried chicken... wait a minute...
(3)Melinda C.
So amazing. Came for lunch on a Sunday, and loved the communal ambiance and the food was amazing. My favorite was the pulled pork (perfectly moist and tender) followed by the sweet potato pie, corn pudding, and fried chicken. But honestly, everything was good, including the cold salads that get passed initially ("don't fill up on them!" advised my friend, the Nashville local). Even the green beans (made with some kind of bacon flavoring, I'm sure) were awesome. The only thumbs down was on the "morning casserole" which was a weird amalgam of sausage, eggs, etc, from the morning, I guess. All in all, a great experience in Nashville.
(5)L D.
My family and I LOVE Monelle's! The service is ALWAYS great! The food is ALWAYS great! The wait to eat is NEVER too long! They serve home cooked food and serve like grandma...Around a large table with other patrons. Everyone gets along when there's great food involved and you may even get a new friend out of your visit. Try Monelle's... You won't be sorry!
(5)Dante' T.
Monell's has good food, but I am not a fan of family -style dining. I seem to always wind up at the table with someone who was raised by wolves and has no table manners... If I can gather enough friends to take a whole table, then I am so there!
(4)David S.
For a while, it seemed like I was going to Monell's every week with a group of people from work. It made for a long lunch since they don't take reservations and the place gets crowded. You'll also be in quite the food coma after eating at Monell's. There are other restaurants that do family style dining, but you may have never been to one. If that's the case, it'll be a little different for you. There are big tables so you may be seated with strangers. A waitress will come out with the dishes that you take and then pass. It comes out in courses. You'll get your salads first, then vegetables and meat, and then dessert. So, the food. Monell's tries to hit the high spots of Southern cooking. Cucumbers and tomatoes, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, smothered steak, meatloaf, fried chicken. You're not going to Monell's for subtlety or refinement. It's comfort food, soul food, grandma's cooking. I tend to get full on salads that come out first and then don't have room for the main meal. Don't make this mistake like I do. Fried chicken days were always the most popular days to go, and it is pretty good fried chicken. Also worth mentioning is the peach preserves. These are yummy even if the biscuits have gone downhill in terms of quality (the last time I went they tasted like my mom's -- out of a can). Since it's all you can eat for one price, there's a good chance you'll pig out. Desserts aren't usually worth saving room for unless they have some banana pudding. Mmmmm, banana pudding. Breakfast on the weekends is supposed to be great, but I've never been in to try it. Someday I will.
(3)Kelley Lee G.
5 stars for service, food, and company
(5)Theresa B.
Wow...again...I must say, I am extremely impressed. The owner read my review and contacted me. He's returning my money and sending me a gift card for a return visit. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to trying to rectify the wrong...(unless of course you shoot the manager)...So I have had my faith restored with my favorite restaurant and I get to make the entire country aware...how great is that??
(5)Carol F.
Yes, Monell's is as good as it gets here in Nashville for sit down, family style eatin minus hot chicken. Brought the family in for mother's day and treated them nice. The food was incredible (as usual), but the "family" atmosphere was a good one (unusual). We sat next to two nice families with behaved kids. The Nephew did not believe me when I said, "it will be more food than you've ever seen in your life". Showed him. And for once, the Stepdad said, "well.... good job, I guess". Hurray for me! This is the good ole home style food your mom doesn't get to enjoy often. So use it often with or without her.
(5)James R.
Oh, sweet gluttony...thy name is Monell's. Deep within the catacombs of the Vatican, within the canon of cardinal sins, is an engraving of Monell's. For what other place could take you to such heights of home cooked Heaven, yet leave you feeling like a denizen of an overindulgent hell? Granted, you might mention words such as "portion sizes" and "self control", but their prayerful invocations hold no power against such mortal temptations of fried chicken, strawberry shortcake and biscuits with homemade peach preserves. The battered catfish alone is cause for penance, and the piping-hot sides might be a cause for confession. At least the sins are corporate ones, shared by those at your picnic-like tables as the food is served family-style on mismatched plates of vice. Housed within a 19th-century brick home, Monell's brings a stripped literalness to the phrase "all you can eat." Sure, it's possible to come out of Monell's and not be overstuffed and ready for a nap. However, just like time travel and a two-hour Oscar telecast, it's technically possible, but probably just not going to happen. Just make sure that when you go, you bow your head and say a quick prayer of grace. You're going to need it when you're done. Insider Tip: During the week, this place is really hopping at lunch time. The quicker you can get there, the faster you will get seated and let the transgressions begin
(5)mumin k.
This is one of my favorite places in Nashville. And this comes from somebody who is not big fan of southern food. I like the idea of being seated in a big table with a bunch of strangers and having a family style meal. Whom you are seated in a table might have impact on your experience though. Last time I went there I was seated with a couple, a family of four and two oversize ladies (really oversize). The two oversize ladies were seated on the corner of the table where the server would start passing the food. They would take almost all of the fried chicken pieces and the rest of the table would wait for the next basket only to see that the server handed the basket to the two oversize ladies first again. I could not have much fried chicken that day. The entire table was done with meal adn we were wrapping it up and the server started to clean the table assuming that everybody was done until we heard the two ladies order another basket of fried chicken. I was amazed :) The nice thing about Monell's is that there are so many things that you are very likely to like at least some of them. Great food overall and I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Peter F.
Best deal in town for breakfast and brunch! All you can eat, and I always leave very satisfied and full. The shared table seating always leads to friendly conversation. The fried chicken is to die for, and I love their biscuits & gravy. I've eaten here 3 times already in the last few months, and I definitely plan to go back many more times!
(5)J C.
This place defines AWESOME. Not to be missed. The fried chicken is the best on the planet. The corn pudding, cornbread, and biscuits are up there as well. We got served everything on the "menu" as soon as we sat down. Take small portions to start, because you'll be served plate after bowl of everything they've got. If I had discovered this place at the start of my trip, I'd have gained 50 pounds. The Tee shirts the staff wears say, "Help! I've eaten and I can't get up!" - rightfully so.
(5)Anna A.
Monells is one of those places that Nashville is famous for. The general idea is a meat and three served family style so if you aren't a big party be prepared to sit at a large table and pass food around to people you don't know. I don't mind that but I'm just saying, this isn't intimate dining. Now I've gone for breakfast and lunch and my favorite thing is the fried chicken. I don't think they have it everyday but I don't know what their schedule it but if you can land on a fried chicken then you will be pleased. The way that it works is they will fill a large table up and you get tea,water, and or coffee. Then they just start bringing food out, you don't' order anything special off a menu. The menu is set, your server brings it out little by little, and your start passing it around. My only gripe about Monells is that I think it's pricey for what it is. It's just basic southern food, I know they are famous but it really is a bit much for what they offer. It's honestly good and if you are entertaining out of town people looking for some southern flare with a little class, this would be your place.
(4)Catherine G.
An amazing meal! The location was beautiful and quaint, gorgeous gardens. Seating was in family style tables, a great way to meet people, dinner conversation was nice, not forced. The meal was excellent... Tons of food... Amazing fried chicken, biscuits, corn pudding, squash casserole, fried pork chops, just to name few. The finishing touch was homemade banana pudding ... Delicious.
(5)JulieAnne R.
Always have a good time here. Whenever I have people come to town I make sure we stop in here for a meal. My boys like it too because they get to pick and choose what they can eat. We love meeting interesting people we eat with.
(4)Terry M.
Nice large table setting with multiple families at a single table. Food is served family style, salads ,then veg and breads and then fried chicken,fried catfish and falling off the bone pork ribs. Service was excellent and the food was good. I would return again.
(4)Peter G.
As good as it gets for home style Southern fare such as fried chicken and sauteed greens. It is a truly great experience sitting at a table with other people and sharing the food and the hospitality is outstanding.
(5)Jeremy B.
This is the kind of place that makes you appreciate Nashville. I have been there many times for their wonderful family style breakfast. Growing up in the south I've developed quite the appetite for a home cooked southern meal and Monells offers food that taste just like I'm used to. This will definitely be a place that recommend to out of town visitors.
(5)Emily D.
Monell's is just amazing. Everything from the cinnamon rolls to the corn pudding and even down to the coffee was just so delicious! It is honestly the best down home cooking that everyone must experience. Monell's definitely lived up to all of the hype that my husband gave it :)
(5)T. C.
Since moving away from Nashville, I still dream about this place. Oh Monell's, I miss you morning, noon and night. Your breakfast, as Flora H. has described, is simply scrumptious. Be prepared to eat and eat and eat. Your pancakes are light and fulffy, your hashbrowns are homestyle potatoes with all the right spices, your eggs are plentiful and the corn pudding...oh, that corn pudding. I live and die for that corn pudding. Thank goodness they pretty much serve it at every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner all usually include the corn pudding). Lunch is always busy, as many of the state employees will come here to eat. I had the luck to work around the block from Monell's for a few weeks and made plans with a friend to have an early lunch here. They manage to make pea salad and broccoli salad (two things I've never been a huge fan of) scrumptious. There is always the requisite fried chicken. The last time I went, there was also meatload and pot roast and a mountain of other side dishes. Do NOT fill up on the biscuits...no matter how yummy they are with the butter and preserves. It has been awhile since I've come for dinner. Maybe next time I make my way back to Nashville I will have to insist that we experience Monell's dinner again. There is sometimes a wait simply because Monell's is such a local favorite. But if that's the case, you just let them know you're there, hush your mouth, then head out to the cute little garden out front and sit on a porch swing with your buddies. If you're all by your lonesome, go make new friends. That's what Monell's is all about. Southern hospitality and family style dining. This experience is not for those who are extremely private since unless you have 12 other friends to fill up the table, you almost certainly will be placed at a table with complete strangers. Wear pants with an elastic waistband or be prepared to unbutton in public. This is an experience like no other...quintessential Nashville. It's not to be missed.
(5)Nicole H.
"Enter as strangers, leave as friends." When I read this statement above the door I knew I was going to enjoy myself. Not only is this dining concept genius but the food is absolutley delicious. my favorite sides were the breakfast casserole, cucmber slad, mac n cheese. The fried chicken is something to write home about! But the best part isnt the food it's the conversation with perfect strangers. Oh and how could i forget the fruit tea!
(4)Darcy F.
All I can say is this place is amazing. I am not a fan of fried chicken- but Monell's has the best ever skillet filled chicken. And their banana pudding is aboslutely delicious- its soooo good. All the other food is good too; but if you are going to eat; save all your room for the skillet fried chicken and the banana pudding. Don't waste your time going anywhere else in Nashville to eat- they just won't compare!!!
(5)Seth H.
Great, family-style country cooking. Biscuits on par with that other place way out in the country... but all the sides are much better. Go for brunch and pig out on the fried chicken and cobbler. Love this place!!
(4)Aaron L.
I hope I don't ruin my laptop while writing this review, it's hard to not drool while thinking about this place. I'm from California and was in town for a family reunion and we stumbled upon this place for a nice family dinner. Monell's had some of the best food I ate while in Tennessee, and I ate a lot! We were luck and came on a night where they had fried chicken. We ate fried chicken like we'd never had fried chicken before. This was partially true because their friend chicken was like no fried chicken we had ever tried before. The texture and the flavor was absolutely amazing. Everything else was really good, but I won't be able to write about it because I can't think about anything but that chicken right now. Do yourself a favor and go, and eat a basked of the fried chicken for me.
(5)Matt C.
Unbelievable meal! It was better home cooking than I ever received at home. When we sat down for lunch, there was a slice of pecan pie waiting for each of us. Come hungry! Lunch was 16.43 per person for everything.
(5)Shirley S.
My Boyfriend and I were driving through Nashville (from the Northeast) and decided to come here because of the great reviews... which were all true! I loved the family eating style... they sat us at a large dining table in a very warm and cozy dining room (with other dining tables and diners) and we had one of the best dinners of our lives. I have absolutely NO complaints... except that i wish i lived there to experience it more frequently. The food was AMAZING... my belly hurt from eating so much. I hope we can go back soon!!!
(5)Dave J.
Awesome. Unbelievable. This place definitely provided a southern eating experience for my trip to Nashville. The corn pudding was fantastic, as were the cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sweet tea, and cheese grits. It was fun to eat family style and I really felt like I was at grandma's for breakfast.
(5)Dessa T.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! Everything on the menu is delicious, from the fried chicken to the banana pudding. One of my favorite dishes is the broccoli salad. Their brunch is also good, but the best Monell's experience is the full lunch or dinner menu. This is my number one stop for out-of-town guests--classic Southern cooking, wonderful Southern hospitality, and a unique family-style atmosphere (murals painted on the walls, mismatched country cottage plates and cups. The wooden chairs and family portraits make it feel like grandma's house). I have also been to several special events here and at their location in Franlkin (rehearsal dinner, graduation party, etc.) and it suits them well. They do not take reservations, but it is worth the wait!!
(5)Alex G.
A year ago, Monell's would have gotten 5-stars from me. Now? Well it's still pretty great, but just not the same. It remains delicious, but I've noticed a little decline in the quality. Also, maybe it's my imagination, but are there fewer sides now? While still a great deal if you have a big appetite, the prices have gone up (particularly for Sunday brunch, which used to be my favorite) and it's not quite the value it once was.
(4)Rebecca H.
Came to Nashville for the first time ever for a law school competition. I was traveling with five other girls, all of us were under 5'4" (not necessary to the review but come on, hilarious!). As one obsessed with eating, food, and generally just masticating -- I knew we had to stake places out before we traveled. One of our fellow students clued us in to this place saying if you really want great down home southern cooking, this is the place to go. We made it on a Saturday night just in time for the last seating. We were seated at a table with a group of nice out of towners. The food began coming out of the kitchen: corn pudding, potatoes with bacon, green beans with bacon, biscuits, corn bread, fried chicken, fried fish...and much more. Every single bite was absolutely wonderful and more fattening than the next. I was so happy to see all of us eating so much pork that I was giddy. I mean there was pork in EVERYTHING!! Yay! It was fun to meet the people we were seated with, especially when they kept hogging the corn pudding that I wanted. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake and it was okay. Honestly it's the sides that make this place. Lastly, I must comment on the decor. We came to Nashville in March...Monell's had a Christmas tree up, BUT it was decorated with all St. Patrick's Day stuff...huh, awesome! Also, when you leave you put your tip in a boot! Ha ha, I think that's funny. Five stars because it's so filled with pork and so so good. Love that Southern cookin'. Oh and we had plans to go drinking that night, but were all comatose from the amount of food and didn't make it out. Make sure you come here as your last destination for the evening, they practically have to roll you out of the place.
(5)marisa s.
if you visit nashville and don't visit monell's...then you really didn't visit nashville. it's a country breakfast served family-style with complete strangers at your table. it's a brunch experience that i'll never forget. the servers are so nice and are there to get you full. for $14.99...it's the best deal for an all-you-can-eat and drink (sweet tea, iced tea, OJ and coffee). set in a home that feels like your own, you'll feel nice and comfortable as you southernize your belly with grits, corn chowder, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade preserves, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and country ham. fat & happy baby. fat & happy.
(5)Matt D.
Best breakfast/brunch in Nashville. Make sure you go hungry and are looking for a lot of food. Make sure you pace yourself so you have room for the fried chicken!! Local Tip: Get there by 9am on the weekends so you don't have to wait.
(5)Melanie S.
This place is an experience. It reminded me of Babe's in Texas, but more intimate, friendlier, and with more variety. The amount of food they give you is absurd. Come hungry and be prepared to leave painfully full. Coleslaw, cucumber salad, rolls, cornbread, peach preserves, turnip greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese (yum!), corn pudding, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, spinach lasagna, beef ribs, fried chicken, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. I just put little dabs of all of it on my plate and that left me stuffed! All for about $20 each. The staff were extremely kind and attentive. I wouldn't definitely eat here again.
(5)Mariela C.
This is completely going to gross you all out, but the first time I went to Monell's I ate so much that I puked on my way out next to my car. I know, I'm disgusting. This was the first 'southern cooking' place I went to when I moved to Nashville and had no idea what I had in store. The set up at Monell's is meant to re-create a good southern style meal; you sit at large tables with complete strangers and pass plates around the table. The problem/attribute: the food never stops coming. They bring out side dishes first: corn, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, biscuits and jam. Then come the entrees: fried chicken, pulled pork, bbq chicken, fried fish, etc. Lastly, dessert that which varies depending on the day you go. The first time I went to Monell's around the table sat a motley crew consisting of a group of women from Jersey Shore, a family celebrating a wedding from east Tennessee, and me and my ridiculous friends. When the first round of food came out I shoved everything that passed by me in my face, only to find out that more food was on its way out, and then more food after that. For some reason self-control and will power completely escaped me, and I just kept eating, which then lead to the incident that I previously mentioned. All in all, at Monell's you'll find great food and a great atmosphere. Go check it out, but beef up your self-control before entering. Don't say I didn't warn you.
(5)Dorian R.
Don't even think about NOT going here! Everything you could want in a restaurant, good food, nice atmosphere and good company! Go here, you'll not be sorry!
(5)M L.
Being new to Nashville I had to make a point of checking out some Southern fare; yes I am a Yankee. Needless to say Monell's is great as far as I can say. Fried Chicken is the winner, side are great too, but save room for that chicken!
(5)Timothy F.
My first time at Monells. Food was adequate; could have been seasoned a touch more but nice flavor. The best items were by far the fried chicken as well as the turnip greens. A couple of flaws however; the major flaw was not having raw onion to put on green beans, mashed potatoes, or turnip greens, which all of us true southerners know is absolutely essential for maximum flavor. Also, astoundingly on top of the $12.95 price, if you would like to have coffee with your dessert there is a $2 upcharge. Absolutely unbelievable!!!!! A nice place but really I see no real need to go back for a second visit.
(3)Archer D.
I spent 3 months working in Nashville, and Monell's was by and far the best and most orginal restuarant we found. Make sure you come hungry, they give you lots and lots of food. As really liked the family style service and seating arrangements. Lots of fun!
(5)Lai T.
Love the atmosphere, love the southern hospitality, love the family style dining, love the waitresses and their attitudes. Love the old fashion restaurant that looks like a house. Love it! Its almost like heading over to your friend's parents' house for dinner, you eat whatever they bring out, and you can't refuse seconds. It's all you can eat, so you pay for the head and coming from out of town, this was a real bargain! Love the skillet fried chicken, didn't taste oily or heavy, love the biscuits, very buttery and soft, first time I had the banana pudding ever and it was delicious. Lots of side dishes and vegetables, can't get enough of everything. So good! Yummy, if I ever find myself in Nashville again, I will definitely be back. Oh, besides the great food and dining experience, at the restaurant's entry vestibule, they showcase jewelry from a local jewelry designer and they are all for sale. There were some very cute novelty pieces and I couldn't help but buy a few since everything was so affordable. Fantastic shopping and food, nothing can go wrong with that combination!
(5)Denise L.
Everyone talked about our southern lunch here the rest of our visit in Nashville. Food, service and ambiance were better than great.
(5)Veronica L.
I'm definitely a west coast girl, so I can't say I've experienced much southern cooking.... Actually I can't say I've experienced any of it other than the imitation southern cooking we have on the west coast (very delicious but definitely not the same). This was my first meal in Nashville and it was amaze-balls! It has set a high expectation for all other TN meals to come! Straight away the place looks adorable and quite cozy! The flowers and the garden with the precious seating area outside is absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere does not get any more home-style than that. It feels like I've walked into a relative's house. Right away we get seated at a big long table with another party sitting there chowing down. My sister tried to explain it to me how this all-you-can-eat style place worked but it made no sense till i got there. We all sit around with other parties at this big table and it's like a big family meal! With all these wonderful large bowls of food everywhere! Everyday there is a different main meal, so there is a bit of variation. There was amazing mac - n cheese, cole slaw, biscuits, corn bread, ribs, chicken fried steak, perfectly fried fried chicken! OOOH and the banana bread pudding for dessert!? Perfect. They also made their own peach preserve. It was de--licious. There is no way anyone could leave unhappy or hungry. The place has a warm, comfy, family atmosphere and I'm glad it was my first TN meal.
(4)Mark C.
well i sure didn't expect this! you sit down with a bunch of strangers and pass around food and eat. this is unusual being from CA. the fried chicken is very good as well as the meatloaf, green beans, peas, bread, and everything else they serve. there is PLENTY of food to go around so don't be shy like i was. the people are very nice and the food comes right out. you really can't beat this place and i would like to go back next time i'm in nashville
(5)Jim C.
When your first meal of the day is southern fried chicken, pulled pork, pot roast, biscuits with gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli salad, cole slaw, cinnamon apples, french toast casserole, custard pie, and sweet tea, you really can't go wrong. No, I didn't try to eat away a hangover this morning and order everything on the menu -- actually there were no menus as everyone eats whatever is brought out. 12 strangers (I think we were the only ones from California and the only ones that wouldn't have minded having some garlic fried rice with our meal) sat together at a big table, made some small talk, watched dish after dish being brought out to us and passed food around like we were family, and ate until we could barely keep our eyes open. Well worth the trip if you are in Nashville. I know that some exercise equipment at the fitness center is going to kick my ass tomorrow morning, yet tomorrow is tomorrow and I still have a big dinner to look forward to in a few hours....... well, someone's gotta do it :-)
(4)Mindy Y.
Monell's is one of those rare finds that really left its mark on me. I was in Nashville on a business trip, but due to flight delays no one else had made it into town by the time dinner rolled around. Dining alone is never particularly fun, so I wasn't expecting much out of the evening. I happen to stumble across a small blurb on Monell's in my hotel room's "Welcome to Nashville" guide, which again left me a bit wary as to what to expect. I have to say, it turned out to be a perfect night! Great food (that's really cheap - $14.95 inc tax for all the food you could ever want) and the communal dining setting was perfect for a lonely business traveler such as myself. Don't let the price fool you though - the building itself was surrounded by beautiful gardens, murals were painted on the inside walls and it had a real "dinner at Grandma's house" sort of feel to it. I was there on a Tuesday, so the daily selection was fried chicken, pot roast, spinach lasagna, 4 different vegetables, 3 salads, biscuits, corn bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The pot roast and corn pudding were the stars of the meal for me.. I can't say enough about how awesome they were. Every dish was perfectly seasoned and made for an all around great meal. Everyone else at my table was a Nashville native, but I felt very welcomed and grateful for the chance to enjoy some serious Southern hospitality. If I ever make it back to Nashville, Monell's will definitely be on the list of places to go!
(5)matt c.
3 Stars is good, just not fancy or amazing. This is good local southern-style food. I like the fact that you sit with total strangers. Typically there are lots of tourists there, but also a few devoted locals. TIP: Don't eat till the meat comes out! They try to fill you up with sides first. (Unless sides are your thing, then by all means!). TIP 2: Try to figure out where the food will start being passed. It is passed to the left. If you are the last in the circle it may be picked over by the time it gets to you (at a full table). The chicken was a little dry. When we asked for another basket of fried pork chops however, they were great. If you rent the place yourself, after hours, you can BYO, and there is no fee unless you ask them to open it for you.
(3)Monica S.
I've enjoyed Monell's both in the Germantown restaurant and when they catered a brunch the day after my wedding. In both scenarios, the food was delicious, the service was pure Southern hospitality, and I couldn't keep myself from seconds...or thirds in some cases! I've had their dinner on a couple of occasions, but I have to say that breakfast/brunch is my absolute favorite with them. I can't get enough of the corn pudding or the cheese grits, and I love being able to get a little bit of so many different things. When eating at the restaurant, the family style seating is actually great- and I'm an introvert who might typically be put off by such an arrangement. I've just found that every time I've been there that the group of people has been interesting, varied, and super nice. I also think that the fact that everyone is being offered an endless supply of delicious food helps to ensure that good moods and good conversation are enjoyed by all.
(4)corey s.
this was SO GREAT! endless southern food that you dream about when arriving in the south. WOW WOW WOW!!!
(4)Laura Y.
Ate here with my boyfriend a few days ago, and afterwards we both agreed that it easily was one of the most delicious meals we had ever had. Everything they served, literally every single dish, just was amazing. I'm a northerner and rarely eat the "southern" style dishes they served (too be honest, I didn't even think I liked that type of food that much until I ate here), but I don't think I'll ever stop raving about those biscuits and gravy, and I am still craving the fruity tea that they served us!
(5)Barry G.
Our large party occupied an entire table in this quaint old home, so we didn't have any interaction with strangers, but we definitely ate like family, which was a pleasure. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, waitresses brought out several large bowls of comfort food, and as they'll kindly remind you, take your serving and pass the bowl to the left. A bountiful table, we were served cole slaw, broccoli salad, green pea salad, biscuits and jam, corn bread, green beans, corn pudding, baked apples, cheese and potato gratin, mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, fried chicken, and a strawberry trifle. I can comfortably say that the meatloaf was the best I've ever had in my whole life. If i hadn't pigged out on the rest of the offerings first, I think I could have eaten 4 pieces. The corn pudding was new to me, and quite delicious. The fried chicken was a tad over-done for my taste, and the biscuits were a bit bitter, which may have been intentional to offset the sweet and tart of the jam. The price is nice, and I'd go back in an irregular heartbeat.
(4)Will W.
best part, face to face with others. family is more than a style!
(5)Karen C.
My boyfriend and I have lived in Nashville for almost a year now, and this is probably the only place I truly miss when I travel in terms of food. The fried chicken is the best I've ever had in my life, and the meatloaf is to die for. I would kill for the recipe, haha. If you're in Nashville and want unlimited Southern eats for a very reasonable price, Monell's is the place!
(5)Jordan T.
On a recent visit to Nashville, a friend introduced us to the down home, country fried, biscuit slingin', cornbread bakin' joint that is Monell's. This place embodies my imagination of the perfect southern cookin' restuarant-warm and welcoming servers, interaction with other customers, a cozy environment, and a ridiculous amount of home cooked food. When you come to Monell's, you sit at a long table with your party, and with other guests as well. Food is promptly served in community serving bowls that are passed around the table. If you grew up in a family where the dinner table was the center of life, this is the perfect place to reminisce; and if not, Monell's will give you an idea of what it means to share a huge spread of delicious food with friends and family.
(5)Julie B.
After reading the reviews on yelp - I decided to give this place a try and I was not disappointed!! One of the people in our party had never been exposed to southern food - so this turned out to be the perfect place since you are able to try everything on the menu for that day. If you are going here for dinner you may want to skip lunch because you will need all the extra room!!
(5)Montez B.
I loved Monell's, My family went here for my grandmothers birthday and it was fantastic. The staff here were super friendly! They have a nice concept going on here, Everyone sits in groups of seven(pass round the table ordeal), so you get to meet new people and the food is all you can eat. Overall A+ , The price on the weekend can be a little pricey, but it's worth it!
(5)Andrew K.
DEElicious fattening yumminess. Their family style puts Buca di Beppo to shame. Everything was great and made from scratch. Basically it's like a homemade buffet in bowls. You get catfish, corn puddin, banana puddin with NIla wafers, fried chicken, green beans, broccoli salad -- they've got it all. Price is reasonable and includes sweet tea. The BIG problemo (and only reason why not 5-stars) is that you sit down and a second later all of the food is in front of you and you stuff your face and you are comatosed about 10 minutes later. I wish it was paced out. My arteries would have too!
(4)Arlene H.
this place replicates real southern charm. family style eating. southern style cooking. it's hard to keep the portions small on your plate. and there are sooo many options. sides, sides, and more sides! my favorite was the corn side. fried chicken, gravy smothered chicken. this place was so good my friends went here two nights in a row.
(4)Sean L.
I absolutely love this place! The food is incredible, plentiful and made with Southern love. I make a point of stopping here every time I'm in or passing through Nashville. In addition to the sumptuous fare, the service is always beyond friendly and helpful. I've told anyone and everyone who is spending time in Music City that their trip is not complete without a stop at Monell's. Thankfully, friends have taken my advice and experienced all that this gem of an eatery has to offer.
(5)Robert P.
Have eaten at Monell's for years at the Germantown location. When my Mother came to visit on Mothers Day I told her I was going to take her to the new location on the New Orleans Manor. She was excited too go and we arrived @ 11:00 and was told it would be an hour and 20 minutes by the lady behind the counter. After an hour and 20 minutes my Mom asked me to ask the man carrying a pad around calling peoples name out how much longer he thought our wait may be after seeing other people asking the same. I asked very politely as he jerked the pad back and said "I think you were told it would be 1:20 minutes when you arrived" I realized this couldn't be a paid employee and recalling an photo from the Germantown restaurant this was the owner!! I said I don't understand why you have a problem letting me know how much longer after letting other people know he said "well after the 4th time you asked well get too you when we get too you". I said this is the first time asking and then he said "I've seen you ask the lady at the front at least 3 times". He even went as far as too ask the lady if I had not been bothering her about how much longer and she even told him I had not asked her even once! He then said in a sarcastic tone "I apologize would you like me too take you off the list??" Obviously the stress of having customers had mentally taken it's toll on this Jerk that should not ever, ever deal with the public directly and leave it too his hard working employees...who I feel for having too work for him. Of course I did not eat there (went too Outback and had great service and great food at half the price). I'm sorry for the stress I may have caused the owner and will relieve him of any of the pressure of taking my money ever again.
(1)Celia G.
My then-fiance and I gorged on Southern brunch one rainy Saturday this summer, then went straight home with pants buttons undone, enjoying an unproductive food coma for several hours. We soon thereafter decided to take our small wedding party (just immediate family) to Monell's after marrying in East Nashville's Shelby Park on a Friday mid-September. The casual and communal setting -- unfussy, comfortably noisy -- was IDEAL for the group, and the amazing food was devoured by all. I'm talkin' about "Bro, stop hogging the meats on your side of the table!" and "Mom, is that banana pudding as good as Nana's or WHAT?" Meanwhile, those drinkers in the bunch (my family, I confess) passed around the affordable red wine we brought to the restaurant, no corkage fee (!). Seriously, people, this is THE best bet for joining a couple of Southern families and/or friends for an informal rehearsal dinner, or any meal at all! We were so pleased we picked this little spot for our big weekend.
(5)C K.
The food may be good, but their catering and group parties are extremely disappointing. Inflexible, unfriendly, and with poor follow-up. They have a "my way or the highway" attitude. Unfortunate, because the food is pretty good.
(2)Rebecca J.
oh my goodness! mama mia! holy moly guacamole! this place is knock your socks off fantastically fabulous! its as if you're going over to yo mama's house for a little din din. but you better pass to the left or the ladies running the joint will get cha! the food is just wonderful and full of all those healthy ingredients like butter and bacon fat! your mouth will water just thinking about this place. mine is already!
(5)Jasmine M.
Hot-dog eating champion Joey Chestnut might actually have a hard time here. And yes, Monell's was a test of my self-control not for any health concerns, but just not be a goldfish that will eat till the point of explosion. My boyfriend's friend took us to Monell's for lunch and it was much nicer than I expected. I think I was thinking something more along the line of Arnold's, but it was a cute historic house with a garden out back. On second thought, I was worried that it might be ladies who lunch and I would starve. But, nope Monell's put me to the test of all you can eat. The seating is communal. It seemed weird at first to be tapped by someone I don't know to pass the biscuits. But, by the end, we were all friends trying to make sure we all got fed with the amount of biscuits, sweet potatoes, chicken, field peas, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans that we could eat. I made the mistake of filling up on so many things the first round and didn't know that dish after dish would come out. And as many biscuits , tea, sweet potatoes that you could want. Just ask! All the food was excellent and really fresh since the turnover for tables is so high. Oh and did I mention this place is cheap!! The atmosphere is nicer than alot of meat and threes so it is an excellent place to meet for lunch if you want more comfortable surroundings and don't mind sitting next to strangers. There is also a good cupcake store right next door. That is if you can unbutton a few more buttons on your pants.
(4)Jessica M.
Best brunch in Nashville and great place to take first time visitors to Nashville. Has been a huge hit with my family when they come to town.
(5)Evermore B.
This is a gem of a place. Family style sit down buffet. Every once in a while I get a craving for southern food like a restaurant that is very popular near Virginia Tech. Hoping to find something similar I went searching on the internet. Man, I am so happy we discovered this place on yelp. After reading the reviews, I had to check it out and it didn't disappoint. We went on a friday night between 5-530 and was able to get 4 seats right away. I was hesitate about sitting with strangers but a minute into sitting down and eating the food, stranger anxiety was gone cuz the corn bread, appetizers were too delicious to focus on anything else. Even my eight year old who doesn't eat macaroni salad..had several servings of it. The fried chicken was wonderful and not greasy at all. There were also cat fish and ribs..mmmm, side dishes..Plenty of food to go around and if you wanted more, they gave you more without being stingy about it. Great experience and would definitely return and bring family visiting from out of town.
(5)Sam D.
Everyone says you need to go here, and you probably should. It is southern-cooking at its best. But, you will sit with strangers and you'll get a ton of food. A TON. Go with a big group of friends after you run a marathon and it will be perfect.
(3)Phillip O.
Initially I was skeptical about this place in going for Thanksgiving dinner... I was wrong. My kids and wife loved it.... in fact saved up time from cooking, cleaning, buying, preparing, etc.. time to spend doing other things. Food was great and will be there again this Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. Wished the price was a little lesser for kids.
(5)Karen R.
Southern comfort food varies depending on what part of the South is comforting you... This was my first visit to Nashville, and I am definitely more accustomed to the Deep South over the Upper South, which could account for my lukewarm feelings about Monells. You start with salads and biscuits... the coleslaw was definitely good, and I'm not a huge coleslaw person, but my favorite was the broccoli. There were four of us and we were sat with another party of about six and then another couple came while we were all enjoying salads. We'd already done the first pass, so we were low on a few of the salads. The server took the low salads to replenish them and then came back and said "sorry, we're out of broccoli salad," kind of annoying given that he'd taken away a partially full bowl and could not give it back. Biscuit wise, is where I am really knocking off points for Monell's to be honest. They tasted more like dinner rolls to me. At first I thought I wasn't a fan because of the incredibly sweet jam, but I tried a second one (to make sure) and didn't put any jam on it. They just didn't have the buttery goodness that a biscuit should have. Next came the sides, which were okay. The macaroni and cheese didn't seem or taste all that different from Stouffers'; the corn pudding is just not something I am familiar with nor did I really enjoy; the dressing was decent and I did like that. The fourth side were the green beans, which were clearly frozen and while I know generations of Southern women have been using frozen or canned green beans and then overcooking them to mush, I'm not sure it justifies actually continuing the tradition. They had a slight bacon or ham taste, and given that I do not eat pork, a little warning there would have been nice. For our meat, we were offered fried chicken, baked chicken and fried porkchops. I did really enjoy the baked chicken, and I would say to all you fried chicken people out there, you're missing out if you don't try the baked chicken at Monell's. For dessert we were offered banana pudding, which I barely tried because the baked apples were so good and I'm not a huge banana fan. All in all, Monell's was a decent experience, but if I lived in Nashville, I'm not sure I'd go back.
(3)Julia B.
Did'ja know they cater? HUGE breakfast buffet delivered to your location for $11.25/pp. Shit - that not a lot of dough for a lot of lip-smacking deliciousness. Includes their fried chicken and famous corn pudding ... and practically everything else they serve for breakfast. NICE!
(4)Wallace S.
Man, I've taken my parents to Monell's, I've gone on dates at Monell's, I've rented out entire rooms at Monell's, hell, I've even been kicked out of Monell's (but only after having the biscuits and preserves, arguably the best part of the weekend brunch). I love this place. Great food shared with complete strangers at a wonderful, down home, location. Can't ask for much more.
(5)Conor S.
The highlight of my trip to Nashville (oh no, tourist review!). Overall I was surprised by how mediocre of a food city Nashville was, but Monell's really stood out. The "restaurant" is really more like a big house with a bunch of huge dining tables. They wait until there are enough people to fill the table to seat you (10-12), and you eat family style with a bunch of strangers. Eating here is like a marathon -- they start you with biscuits, corn bread, sweet tea, and sides, and the food keeps coming. There must have been 15-20 courses, no exaggeration. The menu changes every night, but the items that really stood out for me were the biscuits, meatloaf, and strawberry shortcake. And for all the food you get the bill comes to something like $16 per person. If I ever go back to Nashville I'll be sure to go again!
(5)Gayle R.
While on vacation to Nashville we had the opportunity to visit a variety of restaurants. Clearly, Monell's was our favorite, hands down. The southern food was amazingly delicious and the food just kept on coming. We were in and out of the restaurant in a quick amount of time. I never liked peas, but their pea salad was amazing. Southern fried chicken was incredible. There was so much food to choose from and the price was right! Course after course came to our table as we passed the bowls...to the left...and enjoyed home cooking and conversation.
(5)Neal I.
So good, I went 2 days in a row.
(5)Judson R.
Truly a unique Nashville dinner experience. That is, unless you go home to grandma's!
(5)Momo O.
I think everyone should go to Monells just once in their life. I still randomly talk about this restaurant to people, sometimes to random people I don't even know. I can't believe a restaurant could be this good. If I lived in Nashville I would be fat because I would come here like everyday...so I guess it's good I don't live there. The food is unreal. Deep southern cooking at it's finest! I have never experienced anything like this before. Its reasonable in price since it's all you can eat. It's in an actual country victorian house which is so cute. The people who work their are oh so friendly. I can go on and on about the food here. Just prepare yourself. Don't eat or drink the night before and prepare to do nothing after you go there because you will be feeling large and in charge but its okay because it's so worth it...It's all about the memories man and food of course!
(5)Peter M.
maybe one of my favorite meals ever EXCEPT, as mentioned in the other reviews, you are guaranteed to over-eat in a serious way. Pace yourself if at all possible. It didn't help that we showed up really hungry and a little drunk. Fried chicken was succulunt and the breading was so fluffy and rich. Banana pudding was decadent and like your favorite blankey. Juicey southern style green beans. Very excited about the corn pudding. I will go back one day and try to control myself.
(4)Kimberly S.
There have been copious amounts of reviews on Monell's food and family style service, and the high rating is very much deserved. What hasn't been discussed ad nauseum is their ability to host private parties. My now husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner, and it was so easy to coordinate and such a fun night. We were able to rent the restaurant from 8 PM on. We gathered in the courtyard for a cocktail hour where we were able to bring our own beer and wine-- helllllo savings! After a few (too many) glasses of wine, we sauntered inside to sit down and eat. As usual, the food was on point and gave guests a taste of the South. The service was friendly, and they did a great job of catering to our needs as a wedding party. I highly recommend hosting an event here!
(5)Heather M.
What a fun place! The grounds are beautiful and the food is super yummy. Be prepared the wait as this place gets busy though. Parties are sat in groups of twelve and the food comes out family style. This is part of the experience. We had a great time chatting and dining with the folks we were seated with. Plates and plates of southern favorites, from fried chicken to biscuits to grits. If you are in Nashville, you must come here!!
(5)Ben N.
Everything that could be said has probably already been said, so as the 547th review for Monell's I'll keep things short and sweet with some pearls 1) Truly a unique dining experience and a MUST DO while in Nashville. Sit with random people while passing around large plates of food and enjoy it family style 2) Expect a long wait. My group came in around 10ish and waited an hour to be seated. They say they stop serving breakfast at 11 but as long as you get on the list before then, you're guaranteed a southern style breakfast at monells! 3) There are a bunch of other Monell's around nashville that are smaller and don't offer this AYCE experience. Make sure you don't show up to the wrong one like we did! 4) Be quick and sneaky with your food pics because no cell phones allowed at the dinner table! 5) Not sure how much dinner is but breakfast was only 15 bucks +tip 6) Come hungry. I didn't eat for the rest of the day but luckily I saved this place for my last day of the trip so I didn't miss out on any other restaurants TL;DR - must eat restaurant in nashville
(5)Aashish J.
Not enough words to praise Monell's! If I come to Nashville again, this is where I will go and take all my friends. Pros: 1. Food: Best fried chicken and mac & cheese I've had in a long time. Them biscuits with peach preserves were delicious too. 2. Ambiance: Although seating with strangers on a dinner table felt awkward in the beginning, it was awesome at the end. 3. Overall: a great experience!!! Cons: None. Just be cautious that there may be some waitin' to do 'fore you get seated. Oh yes, the food is great n' it ain't cheap. So bring your appetite.
(5)Shane S.
Back for another mind blowing experience that I can always count on at Monell's. The food is amzing, the service is impeccable and the conversation is delightful. I can't wait until my next trip to Nashville, just so I can eat at Monell's.
(5)Kelly N.
Five stars, no questions asked. This place is a gem. I'm not from Nashville, so it was refreshing to go to a restaurant that was genuinely a home cooked southern meal. I appreciated everything about the concept and everything this restaurant has to offer. Even the fact that no cell phones were allowed at the table. I think that was my favorite part. It's southern dining at its finest. The experience is very personable and you get to eat at a large dining room table with a family style experience. The food was spectacular. Everything you could imagine on your grandmothers table for a thanksgiving feast. The menu is pre set, so they just serve you course after course. We started with different types of mixed salads. Then, we moved to the meats and sides. Everything from Mac and cheese to collard greens to mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Now for the dessert. I'm not a huge pie fan, but this was by far the best pecan pie I have ever had in my life. I can't wait to go back to Nashville JUST to eat here.
(5)Joel L.
We LOVE Monell's Dining and Catering!!!! Well, we have only tried their 6th Ave N location, but we have been there twice. I have heard good things about the other locations. On our second visit, we sat with a couple from North Carolina that was on vacation in Nashville for a week. They ate at the Manor on one night, had Monell's catering at a concert they attended on the next night, and loved it so much that they were on their third Monell's experience of the week. And as I was there, I can tell you it was outstanding. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable with outdoor gardens and fountains. Indoors is rustic and inviting. Monell's serves family style so you sit with people that you may not know. This sounds awkward, but it really isn't because the food is so amazing that you are sharing an incredible experience that really brings people together. Different menu items are served on different days, although there are a few things like fried chicken that are regulars at every meal. There are so many options that even picky eaters should find something they like. Please do not miss an opportunity to eat at Monell's. Our lives are a compilation of our experiences. This is an experience that you will not regret.
(5)Nicole M.
Always leave here in a food coma! Great southern cooking. Family style restaurant which isn't my favorite but the food makes it worth it. All I can say is YUMM!
(5)Erin U.
What an incredible dining experience. This was hands down my best meal ever. The food is great, but the company is even better. If you're coming here, be ready to turn on those social skills because this restaurant works pretty differently. There's a set menu for the day and everything is served family style on tables seating 10 or more people who you may or may not know. Who you sit next to is a bit of a roulette unless you've got two friends to flank you, but no worries, that southern hospitality will keep you nice and entertained the entire time. Be friendly. Get to know your neighbor. Learn about what it means to be human, all over delicious chicken and pork and anything else they come up with. I would come back to Nashville just for this. It was that incredible.
(5)Tiffany N.
A must if you've never experienced a family style southern restaurant. My party of 10 was seated almost immediately (which I think we kinda lucked out with). The venue itself is just darling! The home style restaurant is surrounded with flowers, coy fish ponds, and garden seats. Great way to entertain kids while waiting to walk around the grounds. Now, the food is really as amazing as everyone says. The side dishes were so tasty - biscuits light and fluffy with gravy, corn mash, greens, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples... its all so good! The fried chicken and their spinach lasagna shells were incredible. They were my favorite things on the table. Would highly recommend, and save room for the cobbler! I'm dying to go back soon!
(5)Candra G.
Reminds me of an alternative format buffet. High on quantity, mediocre on taste/quality. To say the least, I wasn't a fan. I mistakenly thought breakfast went until 1pm and was told that it was lunch service only, but I stayed anyway because of all of the positive reviews. Community dining is an interesting concept - today's experience was weird because these people KEPT touching the food and putting it back. GROSS. So, I had to keep an eye on the dishes as they went around to make sure I didn't get the piece that was touched by the guy that kept wiping his nose. Food service was fast and the quantity was overwhelming. I liked the wide selection of the food, but found that the food was generally under-seasoned and seemed like a lot of the side dishes were made with canned food and instant mixes. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed with everything. Oh, and the slice of pie or whatever it was tasted like a stick of butter - I never figured out what it was by the end of the meal. I left full and regretting the calories that I consumed. Monell's nice try....
(2)Corey W.
Want a true old southern style meal? Well I'm not from the south but I feel like this is probably as close as it gets. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, roasted sweet apples, mac and cheese, corn bread, you name it! It reminds me of eating at grandma's and that is a good thing. You sit and eat family style at a table of about 10. In my opinion this is good and bad. It is great if you come with a large enough group to fill the table. It is bad if you only have a few people and were not wanting to share a table with strangers. Some people embrace this, me most of the time, not so much. Wait times can be brutal sometimes due to how popular this place is. It is not the type of place you can plan on being in and out quickly.
(4)Ann E.
Family style dining at its best. Delicious southern cooking. Amazing! The food just keeps coming. Wish I could have eaten more. Went for brunch with 7 other people-sat at a large table with 4 other people. Very nice atmosphere warm and friendly. Take the food in front of you and pass to the left, just like at home. Take as much as you like, but leave nothing on your plate (it's the rule)! Pay when you leave. Large parties have tip added onto their check. Another positive-all the food that's left on your table (you can't possibly eat it all!) is donated to the homeless-(I Asked)! GO!
(4)Melanie -.
I've always loved the idea of family style dining...back in my hometown (Chattanooga), we have this tiny little dive called Bea's where you eat from circular tables and lazy susans... Monell's is this concept amped to epic, decadent, elegant proportions. Monell's has a very homey feel, cozy and just crowded enough. We were seated at a huge rectangular table with a bunch of friendly strangers who quickly became like family. Less than three minutes after we were seated, (no joke!) bowls and platters of the. MOST. AMAZING. FOOD. started cycling around the table. There wasn't one item I didn't like. Everything tasted like homemade. It felt like home. It made me ache with nostalgia. I'm not kidding when I say it healed my heart. We were seated with a very friendly couple from Chicago on one side and a local family with a jovial and dapper old man who chatted with us throughout the entire meal. This is what every restaurant should strive for. P.S. No cellphones at the table! But I promise, you won't miss them.
(5)Mike L.
Wow! I was told to go for the meal of a lifetime and was not disappointed!! The best meal I have had in Nashville. Must do
(5)Cait C.
Just bear in mind that the dishes change from night to night so don't come with 1 particular item in mind unless you have checked the menu for that night. This is definitely good homemade southern cooking (super unhealthy!). It can be seen as a positive that its all you can eat, but i cant give stars for that. I will be back yes, and i did like the fried chicken, the baked lasagna shells, the cucumber salad, and corn pudding. I did not enjoy that they used jello in the strawberry shortcake dessert instead of real strawberries. And I did not enjoy the amount of oil on the chicken (dripping). There is no alcohol, which didn't bother me, but bear in mind it is just iced tea and lemonade.
(4)J W.
We had a great experience! The food was excellent, the staff was great. The price was great, authentic atmosphere, filling food. I could go on for days about this place, we will be back!
(5)Dae S.
Great southern hospitality, no cell phones at the dinner table just how it would be if you were to have dinner at home. Food WILL FILL YOU TO THE MAX ! You will not leave with a half full stomach. The restaurant has such a cozy feeling. And even though the dessert was accompanied with the meal the waitress recommended us to The Cupcake Collection bakery two houses down to try their famous sweet potato cupcake ( which I must say was amazing ) Overall being said it was the first restaurant I ate at since I touched Nashville I enjoyed it.
(4)Danny B.
Awesome home cooking. Everything was served family style, which made for interesting table conversation. Food was fresh and service spot on. Looking forward to return visit on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)Migs V.
Skip the rest and go with the best! Especially in the country capital of the US of A. Soul Food served with Southern Hospitality and if more places out here Cali served food this way the rest of the country may think more of us! Stopped on the way to DC from Cali and was blessed by the good cooking! All the way around you cannot go wrong with what is served on their menu daily (be sure to check). Sitting at a table and passing food around helps keep interactions moving at the table but all goes quiet once the main course arrive. Pedro and Patty are solid in running the house and hats off to the two chefs in the back as we met them after hearing they have been on deck there since the beginning. This establishment really is a family Locals praise this spot as being on point and was glad we made it to this side of town so we could get a breath away from the tourists. This spot is going to be on the list of reasons why I stop and or stay in Nashville soon but make sure you take the time to dine at a place where the soul food is divine!
(5)David M.
I had already selected more restaurants to try than we had time for on our recent trip to Nashville. Then my wife, Reiko, wanted me to add this one. It more than fit our criteria of minimum of 4-stars and minimum of 100 reviews. So, after reading some of the reviews, it went to the top of our list for the limited time we had for restaurants. We went with another couple and were seated at a table for about 12 people, strangers except for our friends. They serve down home country food and serve it family style...meaning they start the different dishes at the table and we just take some and then pass the dish around. This continues until you cannot get up from the table. What I particularly liked is the opportunity to try some dishes that I normally wouldn't order, like collared greens or grits, in case I found out that I didn't like them (I did like everything). We could take a little of each dish in a low pressure setting. Reiko and I had seconds of their meatloaf, and Reiko usually doesn't like meatloaf. The funny part was that, by the end of the meal, the 12 strangers were friends. One of them was even a regular diner at Monell's and gave us some welcome pointers. Lastly, the staff were just lovely-so pleasant, polite with the right amount of sassy, and really made us feel welcomed. We would make a reasonable detour if we were near Nashville again just to eat at Monell's. I just wish there was a special category on Yelp for this type of restaurant that was more than 5-stars. My sincere complements to the chef(s) and all the staff at Monell's!
(5)Kyron C.
Very solid, Southern Comfort food! Probably, the best thing about this restaurant is the unique atmosphere they create by seating you with strangers at large home-style dining tables. They also serve you as if you were at home. In terms of the food, some of the best Southern sides I have had! The fried chicken was not the very best I have ever had, but still very good. The thing is they offer a vast selection of entrees, so it really isn't an issue. The peach preserves will probably be the thing I remember the most! Overall, if you are in Nashville this would be a great place to stop!
(4)Kimberli F.
This food will heal your soul of whatever troubles you are going through. It will make you feel at home. AND it is slap yo momma good.
(5)Laura H.
Monell's in German Town was a fantastic dining experience, last night. The restaurant is in a historic area of German Town, in a wonderful old house, surrounded by a beautiful garden area. The aroma of country cooking hits you as you enter the door. The tables have seating for 12 and the food is served family style. The verse over the door says "enter as strangers, leave as friends. Very true.
(4)Steve R.
Monells was a five star experience. Good was superb and the service (hospitality) was as southern as it gets. But the experience!! Family style is where is at! We came here unaware of the arrangement. After a ten minute wait we were seated... With 4 other parties of 2-3. At first my wife and I chuckled and joked about darting for the door rather than sharing our meal with a dozen strangers. But after no time flat the food started comin and we were all best friend! "To the left please! Can you pass the fried chicken(again)! Wow these biscuits and gravy are phenomenal!" We thoroughly enjoyed eating with our family for the evening. The no cell phones allowed at the table rule really helped too. Would gladly do it again -and honestly have thought about how to duplicate this is LA.
(5)C. Paula D.
I ate at Monell's during a weekend roadtrip to Nashville from Chicago. I had no idea what to expect before coming here (didn't read about the restaurant beforehand, but came on the strong suggestion of a friend without asking any questions), and the family-style share table with strangers concept was such a fun surprise! If you want to have a true Southern dining experience, you must eat at Monell's. The way the restaurant works is that there are a series of Southern dishes (catfish, fried chicken, potatoes, banana pudding, bread, cornbread, etc.) served at a communal table. There is one price for the meal, and even though you are sharing the food with the entire long table, there is more than enough food for everyone! My advice would be to pace yourself--some of the earlier dishes were so tasty that I was almost full before even half of them were served! When we went, we sat at a table with a group who was in Nashville for a religious conference. It was fun talking with them over dinner and sharing food. It was like we were one big family! The ambiance is delightful! Monell's is in a cutely-decorated house with a pond with live fish and a bridge outside. The service is wonderful, and you are never waiting for food to come--it's hard to finish your bite before the next dish starts getting passed around the table! Come to Monell's. Meet "strangers" and exchange life stories. Pace yourself while eating. Leave beyond full. Take a food nap.
(5)Maggie M.
Family style dining, you will never leave hungry. Something for every one, from meats to veggies to breads to desserts!! Good home cooking and plenty of it. It is what it is Southern home cooking and very good service, everyone nice and very friendly. A family tradition. Have to like the family style dining to really enjoy the whole experience. Give it a try!
(4)Michelangelo S.
My Most Awesome Meal In Nashville! SITREP I'm not kidding. Hands down, bar none, THE BEST dining experience I had in lovely Music City. It was the perfect culinary cap to a great weekend. And what a treat it was for my first-time visit to Nashville! Loved everything I did, everything I ate, everything I drank, and most of all everyone I met! I have fallen hard for Nashville. When I come back (and I will!), I look forward to trying a bunch of new things and going to a bunch of new places I didn't have the chance to do the first time around. But you can make dam sure that I WILL find time to come back to Monell's! THE SETUP My god, where do I start? First, a shout out to my Nashville buddy, Chris G., for taking both the time & the interest to show me a more in depth experience in Nashville than I had the chance to capture before this meal, and that was by bringing me to Monell's. He told me to bring an appetite, and so I did! I skipped breakfast - and I even ate a lighter dinner the night before (which wasn't too hard to do since I was out doing Karaoke all evening long!). So "appetite present" - check! PHYSICAL PLANT The building is beautiful historic Southern charmer, with rich red tones and surrounded by very lovely landscaping. *PATIO The outside patio area, wit all of the bushes, the koi pond & bridge, the lovers' swings, etc., created a gorgeous environment for outside relaxation and sipping on a mint julep. yelp.com/biz_photos/mone… *DINING AREAS Inside, each of the dining areas with large tables, high ceilings, comfortable seating placements at the table, the refinery & place-settings on the table, were elegant. I felt like I was in a culinary sanctuary for where fine-dining would occur, and I wasn't not wrong. *FESTIVE SPIRIT ALIVE! And the seasonal festiveness had not been missed! Mother's Day was just the day before my own Monday lunch experience at Monell's, and there was a beautiful tree up in the lobby - but this tree, instead of being covered in Christmas decorations, was festooned in the livery commensurate with Mother's Day, with elegant garments, knick-knacks, and décor paying respect to the traditions of motherhood. yelp.com/biz_photos/mone… DINING METRICS Monell's Dining & Catering is an exquisite culinary find in the Germantown area of Nashville, and one, quite frankly, you should not miss on your first trip to Nashville. * FAMILY-STYLE / OR IS IT MORE "COMMUNITY-STYLE"? Many call this family style. But I take this one-step further and think the more correct moniker of this social tradition is "community-style". I equate family style with the nuclear family, maybe with some grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., like you would find around the Thanksgiving or Christmas dining table. However, THIS kind of "style" you would more likely find at an Amish-barn raising, or the Manhattan community-dining rooms of the 1910s and 1920s. Because this is MORE than just family, it's neighbors, and complete strangers coming together - as I enjoyed on this dining-experience. * A STRANGER MAY JUST BE AN "UNMET" FRIEND So I won't quibble too much on the definition of "what"-style it is. But whatever metrics you use to ascertain the most correct definition, the facts are, that besides Chris G., the 10 other people sitting around this dining table at the beginning of this lunchtime meal, were complete strangers to us - but by the end of the meal, we all knew a fair amount about each other, their families, and the reasons why they were in Nashville. THE MENU The menu was filled with such Southern stables and prepared with in traditional fashion and you would never find a better bargain for $13.50.. *THE SIDES Oh my goodness! I could have just filled on the following: fresh biscuits, fresh dinner rolls, cut steamed green beans, the corn pudding, the mashed potatoes, asparagus casserole, and cheese grits casserole. *THE DISHES But luckily after two servings of the cheesey grits, I still had room for the tomato meat loaf, the skillet-fried chicken, and the chicken & dumplings. With some down home iced tea and banana crème pie, I was more than satiated with a meal to last me the next two days! THE LOWDOWN A must stop for any trip to experience the best of Nashville dining!
(5)David E.
I have tried countless restaurants, both chain and local, in many cities throughout the country, and this is possibly the best meal I've had in my life. It's a country style dinner for sure. Sitting around a table with 10 strangers seemed odd at first, but by the end of the meal everyone was conversing as friends, mainly about how good the food was. Our lunch consisted of: solid sweet tea, biscuits and gravy, salad, fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, the best green beans I've ever had, pinto beans, slaw, incredible corn pudding, peach preserves, banana pudding, and watermelon. If you live in or are visiting Nashville, you really owe it to yourself to try this place out. They're open 365 days a year, and although I haven't personally tried it, I hear their breakfast is just as good as their lunch/dinner, if not better.
(5)Scott K.
1. Family style serving, all you c an eat, Check 2. Possibly sitting at a table with complete strangers, Check 3. Desert first, Check 4. Best Fried Chicken, possibly ever, CHECK That basically sums up Monell's in summary. As a southerner trapped in the north, good southern food is like gold when I come across it. I would say most of the food here is above average. The cole slow is gross due to entirely to much mayonnaise. The main winner here and the only reason this place gets Five Stars is the Fried Chicken. My oh my! I love this stuff. I could just eat and eat and eat, nothing but the fried chicken. The last time I was there, I sneaked a peek at the kitchen and they actually cook the chicken in massive cast iron skillets. The chicken makes it worth it, everything else is ok.
(5)Sandra Z.
Here's the nitty gritty... Small place with large dining tables. You'll be seated at one of these tables alongside other diners. There are pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade to drink with the meal. The dishes of food begin to come out and get passed around the table. You'll start with biscuits and cornbread, some veggies, and something sweet. And the dishes keep coming. And coming. It gets overwhelming, but just pace yourself and don't take too much of one thing too soon. The "rule" is you can take as much food as you want, but finish what is on your plate. The menu changes daily, so go to their website to plan your meal. Or just stop in and you won't be sorry. The food is great. Fried chicken is served every day, and it's good, but I also really liked the baked chicken (Wednesdays). The sides are so fantastic and numerous. The corn pudding is fantastic, as is the mac and cheese. I could eat an entire meal of just those things. What I really do love about this place is everything else. It's a beautiful building with nice gardens and seating outside to wait. It's in a charming neighborhood. This place has loads of character. The experience itself is fun: sitting next to travelers and locals and talking about Nashville. And lovely and kind Dennifer ("Mama"), who greets and seats you and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Give her a smile and you just might get a hug back. It's just the kind of place you MUST GO. It's an incredibly unique experience, and I'm certain we will go every time we're anywhere near Nashville.
(5)Jennica P.
Not for me, but I have many friends who love it. The food is mediocre, but the lasagna and greens are pretty good. You often have to sit at a table with other people. It reminds me somewhat of slavery too.
(3)Amelia C.
Had the country breakfast on a Saturday afternoon - and it was amazing. As out-of-towners we were looking for an epic Southern-style, finger-lickin' meal and Monell's was it! And for under $15 tip included too. The turnover of tables is quite fast because when you sit down, you don't order anything off a menu. All the food comes in large baskets and bowls and you eat it family-style. It was the Southern fried experience I had dreamed of. Highlights included: - corn pudding - fried chicken (just out of the deep fryer, piping hot and lightly crispy) - biscuits - huge pile of bacon and ham - sweet tea by the pitcher
(5)Sonia C.
What an impression Monell's left on me. My first time to Nashville, so I had to do some research on where to go eat, and this place was given 4.5 stars on Yelp. So it was on my list of places to go. Well people, it's legit. The hours were a little confusing at first, but I didn't care, I came there with an appetite. What does it mean "family style", eating with strangers, not my style. I grew up from a single parent home and pretty much an only child. So all of this was pretty new and scary to me. Showed up, breakfast was still being served, but I wanted lunch. Gave the hostess my name and sat outside in their courtyard and waited for about 45 mins. When we were called, we sat with a family of four (from Philly) and some college kids from Iowa. Ok, so this is family style (I can do this). Then this angel appears with all this food: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, tea, lemonade, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and she starts laying down the rules! What rules? 1. Food goes clockwise. (Really?) 2. No cell phones (that's no fun) 3. It's all you can eat (awesome) 4. Be considerate of others, no seconds, until the bowl has completely gone around the table ( ok with me) After that, more food shows up, I can't even keep track. Corn pudding, banana pudding, squash casserole, baked apples, broad beans, collard greens, meat loaf, pulled pork with vinegar sauce, and fried chicken. Well, there wasn't a lot of talking going on at this table, except for please pass the fried chicken, and we didn't go clock wise. The experience was great. Food is amazing and very reasonably priced. Would definitely go there again. First restaurant in Nashville, and so far very impressed.
(5)Jay R.
Writing this review is making my mouth water. I came here for brunch with some classmates and was blown away. I had heard good things previously, but didn't expect them to be this mind blowing. The cinnamon rolls were easily the best I've ever had. I didn't know what to expect initially having to eat with strangers, but we really hit it off with our new friends. Everyone was simply there for a great meal, and we all got one. If you're in Nashville, you have to go here.
(5)Drew A.
We enjoyed Monell's the night we stopped overnight while traveling. We got in at about 7:30pm and it was near closing. I didn't get the usual "I can't believe you're here" attitude that usually comes at closing time. The cashier and server were awesome and seemed generally glad to see us. We shared a table with a nice group from New York in town on business. The food is great. Country cooking served family style. Read: All you can eat, so bring your appetite. If it's country, expect to find it here. You'll see fried chicken, fried pork chops, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, corn, peach cobbler, etc... Defintely a must stop if you want country cooking. Very cool old building too!
(5)Adam G.
Fantastic soul food. You share a table with strangers, which could've been awkward, but was actually delightful. It helps that the food is so good everyone is in a good mood. And it's all in a wonderfully well preserved old nashville house.
(5)Jan R.
Loved the family style dining. Amazing fried chicken and corn pudding. Strawberry shortcake for dessert! Really great dinner!
(5)Tanya D.
This place is truly unique and awesome. Eat in a southern house with a bunch of strangers passing around platters of heart attack inducing food family style. Make conversation with your neighbors!!! At our table, everyone seemed excited to be there and exceedingly polite. I was anticipating a really steep cost for this wonderful experience, but I think my brunch was 15.00, which for a New Yorker is quite reasonable. I'd totally take my parents here. We had to wait 15 minutes or so to be seated, but they have a beautiful garden to wait in. This place is "special".
(5)Zach M.
Easily the best food and dining experience we had in Nashville. Would highly recommend visiting Monell's when in town. We knew it would be good when seated with 4 locals. The fried chicken was unbelievable, ribs were great, corn casserole fantastic, I bought a jar of peach preserves and walked away wanting to come back the next day. The locals told us we missed out on the Mac and Cheese, apparently it's the best side they offer. They also raved about the breakfast. We will definitely return here when in Nashville.
(5)Kim S.
Delicious food!! Great company even though we didn't know a soul. The night we went they had fried chicken, veggie lasagna and beef stew. The sides were great and included corn pudding, mashed potatoes, fat green beans, collards and sautéed veggies. There were other things on the table such as biscuits with homemade peach preserves and cornbread. The watermelon and tomato were very fresh and full of flavor. Excellent food-now I want one in Ocala
(5)Micah C.
Good food and a lot of it! It was a bit of a bummer for us though because we were kind of separated and the guys at our table easily over took our softer conversations. Like other reviews have said, the ideal way to eat here would be with a larger group of friends or family. It's like having thanksgiving with fried chicken and meatloaf! We both left fat and full!
(4)Sunshyne P.
I absolutely love everything about this place!! The nice food and people really makes it standout. I come all the way from Louisville, KY and I have family in Nashville. We stopped over here the other day and decided to try something new. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!
(5)Enjoli G.
Always packed and for good reason. The family style seating encourages interaction and the food is very good and reasonably price. I didnt care for the meatloaf but the rest of the food made up for it. The vibe is friendly and warm. A definite must-go for anyone visiting or living in Nashville.
(4)Stevee L.
The best meal I had while visiting Tennessee!! Communal dining where you sit with complete strangers and pass the pre-planned menu items to each other. The food was amazing and so was the experience. Loved everyone at our table and had an amazing conversation while eating wonderful food. We had: Cajun chicken, fried pork chops, fried chicken, Mac n cheese, green beans, coleslaw, corn casserole, stuffing, biscuits, cornbread, peach preserves, and banana pudding. This was the best meal we had whole visiting Tennessee!!! And it had the best sweet tea!!! And it was nice to not have cell phones allowed at the table. It was a nice change of pace... No cell phones and eating with complete strangers. Overall, it was an amazing experience with amazing food!!! The food reminded me of my grandmother's dinner from years ago. There was some love cooked in there!
(5)Noor B.
I have to give this place a five star along with the others. I love the concept of this restaurant. Come as strangers leave as friends. The food was home cooking at its best. No frills, no gourmet , no fancy shmancy, just good food. I liked everything except the cornbread muffin. The tea and lemonade was just right. Biscuit so amazing. The pecan pie. The mash potatoes. I loved it. You have to be ready to eat when you come there because you will leave stuffed. The restaurant looks to be in an area of gentrification. Beautiful landscape in the front. Not a place I would go to often because I don't have self control and I'm trying to watch my waistline. But when I want to pig out then that's the place I'd go to.
(5)Ryan C.
Monell's is a Nashville must if you are coming in to town and have enough time for a breakfast. For $14.95 you are served with a never ending round of amazing home made comfort food. One of the best fried chicken places I have found and I die for their cinnamon rolls. Make sure to leave room to sample everything they bring you, because it's A LOT. The nice is that they didn't charge me for my baby and toddler, so it's a real nice deal. Just be prepared to share your table with other groups, so be friendly!
(5)Casey M.
This was my first time at monells and man it was awesome! It is family style you sit at a large table with other guests and immediately the is already biscuits cornbread and gravy waiting for you. There are also pitchers of tea and lemonade. Then they bring out everything on the menu and you help yourself. They bring out replenishments as items get low. Then for dessert they made an incredible banana pudding!
(5)Rachel S.
I feel as big as a house upon leaving Monell's. I've eaten there 3-4 times this year. Is that too many?? Take it from me - as good as it is, it's not something you should on a regular basis unless you don't care about your weight. (Monell's slogan is rightfully, "I've eaten and I can't get up.") It really is that good. It's comfort food to the max, in a classy setting. It's a little bit soul food, a little bit southern cookin', and there's a vegetarian lasagna sometimes on the menu. (HUH?? It's actually really good, though.) The fried chicken is served daily, and it's been known to convert fried chicken haters to fried chicken lovers. The cold salads like coleslaw and broccoli salad have never disappointed, nor has the corn pudding and other hot southern vegetable dishes. The strawberry shortcake and banana pudding especially have really hit home runs, as far as dessert is concerned. It's really not possible to be a vegan and enjoy a meal at Monell's - sorry vegans.
(4)Feebee A.
Southern comfort at it's finest! Cute decor, nice staff, and amazing food. Let's start with decor: it's basically a house turned into a restaurant so with that you get that cozy feeling. The backyard was too cute! Makes me want to revisit in the summer time. They had wooden swings, a pond, garden chairs, flowers and lights everywhere. It was adorable. The inside looks like my grandmothers house. High ceilings, chandeliers and amazing curtains. You are seated at a large table with random people unless you with that big of a party. Our party was 7 and we were seated with about 3 other people. Food was served family style. It was breakfast, we were told to pace ourselves and omg, pacing yourself is the best thing. Biscuits, homemade jam, gravy, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, fried chicken, apples, corn pudding, and I'm sure there is more I can't remember it all. And yes, this was all for breakfast, served family style, and as much as wanted. This was amazing! It was delicious! It was homey! I would love to try this place for dinner. I'll most definitely be back to Monells.
(5)Ken G.
Very good southern home cooking. This from a original southerner. You eat family style which was very pleasant. I met some really nice people but I'm also social. I also really like the fact they have a no cell phone policy at the "dinner table." Definitely worth the wait and I will be coming back on my next trip! I'm
(4)Katlyn S.
Stumbled upon this place without trying. Turns out it's one of the top 5 restaurants in Nashville! The food is delicious, best southern food I've had yet. My only complaint is that NOBODY tells you what's going on! They just expect that you've been there before. This restaurant is family style which means they will seat you at a large table with a bunch of strangers, and the food is not made to order, you get what you get! If there was a little explanation of how it worked I would have felt a little more comfortable. Every dish is made in bulk and is passed around the table. Once you are comfortable with this, it's kind of fun and exciting to be at a table with a bunch of strangers! Once again, food is fantastic! Def an experience to try at least once!
(4)Tara W.
One of my favorite places in Nashville. Oh yeah, guys, I live in Nashville now. I don't even know where to start or how to adequately express my love for this place. Should I describe the lovely, lovely women who show you to your table, bring you your food, and just generally make you miss your grandmother? Maybe the fact that you sit at a family-sized table and share food with strangers and although you are not known for loving these things, you love them when you're at Monell's? How about the food that NEVER STOPS COMING? How about that? Do you enjoy an endless stream of breads, casseroles, potatoes, salads, and, oh lord, fried chicken? What about dessert? Do you like endless dessert? This is clearly a slippery slope for me so I'm going to get down some concrete details here: EAT: The biscuits (with butter, please) The green-bean casserole The corn pudding The fried chicken The mashed potatoes The banana pudding Anything else they bring you DRINK: Sweet tea (just don't consume any more sugar for the rest of the week) BRING: People who love you for you, because you're about to eat your own weight in carbs CALL: Your grandmother Go there. Tip well. Thank you.
(5)Art C.
I admit I loved this place. The food is closer to 4 stars but the overall experience was so enjoyable I rounded up. We brought the whole family out (eight of us) to this family-style, sit down eatery. I don't know why other restaurants don't copy this model. I'm sure the concept will catch on soon enough, though it helps to have a group and to paired with sociable people at your table (since you'll be passing food around the table you'll definitely get to know the strangers at your table). AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) southern-style comfort food, sitting around the dinner table. it doesn't get any better than this. The experience was only enhanced by the gracious staff and great ambiance of this gem. Highly recommended...
(5)Reshawn L.
WOW!!! Outstanding Food!!! Great community dining concept! Unique venue! A meal at Monell's is an absolute must. I can't believe I've been traveling to Nashville for 3 years and just discovered it. I want to fly my family in just to eat here. It's that good!! Fried chicken, stuffed shells, pot roast, mashed potatoes, biscuits, peaches, corn muffins, corn pudding, greens, green beans, sweet tea, lemonade and banana pudding for dessert. OMG!!! My favorites were the stuffed shells, pot roast and biscuits!! Yummy!! The banana pudding was not great but it did not take away from the experience. We were all stuffed and happy!!
(5)Milton S.
Got here at 8:30 on a rainy Sunday morning and were the first customers seated- no waiting at all. By 9, steady stream coming in. Staff was friendly, courteous and most welcoming. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I just want to say this is a FABULOUS place for breakfast. Words can hardly describe how perfect the execution is of food delivery, food quality and food taste. Every single item (and that's what is served to every single table, family style) was done to perfection. Don't need any more reviews to tell you how great this place is but I would place this at the top of the list for any future visit to Nashville.
(5)Paul T.
This place isn't just amazing. It's an--EXPERIENCE. The food is amazing and the fact you can't use your cell phone at the dinner table is GREAT. What? you actually have to talk to people? Unheard of! But you're stuffing your face with the insane amount of food put in front of you anyways. Go here. You won't be disappointed. One of the highlights during my trip to Nashville.
(5)Jennifer R.
Monell's is GREAT! Plan on making this your only meal of the day (or maybe 2 days). You get SO MUCH FOOD and all of it is delicious. Beautiful old house, family style seating, great for big groups, super for taking visitors.
(5)Chris H.
It's not fair. It's just not fair how great the food and the atmosphere of this place. Why do I have to live 2000 miles from this wonderful restaurant? Can I just invent a miniturizing beam and shrink this place down to where it will fit in my suitcase? This place would destroy Portland. Just flat destroy it. I would be 800 pounds before I knew it. If you haven't gathered, I highly recommend.
(5)Brad S.
This place is amazing! Best food on our trip to Nashville. Because the menu changes I won't go into much detail on the food but let's just say awesome. It is family style and we sat with some cool people including locals (so what does that tell you about the food). I love that the nice lady at the front door reminds diners to silence their cell phones and asks people to please leave the table if they must text or use their phones. Nice! This is a keeper and will be back on our next trip to Nashville.
(5)Kori H.
Came here on the a Wednesday on the way to Bonnaroo in 2014 and this place was phenomenal. They seat you Thanksgiving style around long tables, and just start bring dishes out. The other family seated at the same table was really nice and it was a nice change of pace to sit with people we didn't know, it was very genuine and added a special touch to the atmosphere. The food was southern cooking at its finest, complete with some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. So, next time you are in Nashville, do yourself a favor and go to Monell's.
(5)Seleen T.
Best fried chicken I've ever had for the county breakfast. I would totally go back just for that
(5)Santiago G.
This place was so good. The food had such an amazing home cooked flavor and you could taste the hard work. Everything I wanted in a spin then meal was found here. The wait staff was very friendly and made the experience excellent. A must try in Nashville.
(5)John L.
Southern cuisine at its finest. Volume at its greatest. Calories not to be mentioned. Fabulous.
(5)Aaron C.
I went for breakfast. After partying hard Not the best fried chicken I have had. I don't care for corn pudding any where and the potatoes were the be st I have had. I like the setting and atmosphere it's different. I like that fact you just send down and start eating. Like the no cell phones at table you get to enjoy the food more. Overall good soul food restaurant and different.
(4)Allison F.
This is not a meal...this is love shown to you in the best way possible: family-style and topped with butter. I hope you get the chance to eat everything in sight (you won't) at this epic southern comfort communal feast.
(5)Dan M.
Fun and interesting place. All seating is family style. And the menu is set. So if you are up for meeting and eating with others, this is a great place. If you are more into doing your own thing, you may not enjoy the vibe. Beyond that, everything the serve is fantastic! The salads, the sides, the main courses. Everything! And the fried chicken is out of this world.
(4)Anna J.
Loosen your belt and get ready to feast. I've been here a few times over the years and it never disappoints each time! The food just keep on coming. Depending on the day, they will have different meats, sides, desserts. If you are a small party, you will likely sit at a table with complete strangers. It's actually pretty fun. The food is served family style, and they just keep bringing out more and more delicious southern food. You will feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It's not ideal for a romantic date night, but a great place for a casual and fulfilling dinner. Price is reasonable as well! Definitely come out here, great way to experience some of the Nashville southern culture!
(4)Kurt R.
This place is super cool and the food is outstanding. I hate going here because I'm super stuff afterwards and I hate that feeling. Best meat and three in Nashville. It's a must experience when you're in Nashville.
(5)Mack E.
Do you like people? Do you like all the food at once? Do you like going home feeling like you're going to pop, but also feeling sated and happy after a meal? It's time for Monell's. The meal is a blur, a family-style smorgasbord of menu-free comfort food that goes on much longer than you'd expect from a dinner. The mashed potatoes and the banana pudding stand out among the many offerings as absolutely superior; I went back three or four times for more helpings. After a while the meal felt like Scrooge McDuck's money vault: surrounded by treasure and always moving towards more. Make sure that you bring a large group to gather around the long tables, because you're going to want to share the plates and gab over a very thick and tasty meal.
(5)Bethany B.
Picture a southern Thanksgiving meal, and you've got Monell's. In terms of price, definitely a great deal for all the food you're getting. Eating with strangers sounds odd at first, but you'll quickly feel like you're at a family table once the food comes around. Real homecooked food.
(5)Ali S.
Great place to go to stuff yourself silly with southern food. They always have a wonderful staff who are friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!
(5)Catie B.
This place is not only a restaurant that serves amazing food, but an experience. You get seated at a long table with other people if your party is not big enough and dinner is served family style. It is a flat rate for each person and they do not skimp on the food, which includes dinner from salads to dessert and beverages. It is basically all you can eat, but they do warn you to pace yourself because there is plenty. The menu changes daily, but I have a feeling it is all good. This place was recommended by our Uber driver and we are very happy we decided to go. It is off the beaten path in Germantown but more than worth it!
(5)Amalia Y.
i really dig the concept. i'd definitely come here with a large group of friends (and if this place was in nj, i'd totally throw a UYE here). seriously, it's a great twist on AYCE and i hope the concept takes off in other markets. this was our first meal upon arriving in nashville. we happened to be seated with some not-too-talkative folks. meh. the food was plentiful, and was pretty good- not great, just good. there was a lot of it. it didn't stop. sadly, nothing stood out as super yummy. i got kinda sick afterwards. not thrilled.
(3)David M.
Great Southern Food, wonderful atmosphere, and fantastic service. The location being in German Town is also nice especially if you want to walk over and see the Sounds.
(4)Ria B.
Came for breakfast on a weekday in the middle of a roadtrip. Never had fried chicken and Mac & Cheese for breakfast but, clearly, I've been missing out. Monell's has no standard menu - whatever Monell is making that day is what you're going to get. Family-style dining means you sit with anyone else who has walked into the place and share baskets of food. Old-school table manners require you to take phones and elbows off the table. My two friends and I stuffed our faces with some of the best and most authentic Southern food in the area - and made new friends in the process! Unless you're a very picky eater, definitely check Monell's out.
(5)D T.
Incredible place! Food was devine and so was the staff. Loved our server. Can't wait to return to this place soon!
(4)Carolyn B.
Great for the starving or non-carb conscious. This place is a family style, sit with strangers, and chow down kind of setting. The fried chicken is out of this world! Get there early so that you beat the rush, as they don't take reservations.
(4)Hannah H.
We came here on Mother's Day, and I was ecstatic that we were the first ones in line. There was a nice little patio area with chair swings and a little pond with Koi fish. They open right at 8:30AM on the dot, and the hostess writes down your name and the number in your party. All the members of your group need to be present before you get seated. We were in the main dining area and seated at a large dining table with others. It's a family style setting, so the servers come out with bowls of food; when you receive it, you put however much you want on your plate before you pass it to your left. It goes around and then you just place it in front of you until someone asks you to kindly pass it to them. We had the Weekend Country Breakfast, in which we started off with Biscuits and Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls, and then right into thick-cut bacon (yum!), country ham (with a very sweet sauce), fried apples, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding (yum!), and skilled fried chicken (not seasoned, but great with the Louisiana hot sauce at the table). The food was flavorful and really tasted like a home-cooked meal. You will definitely leave stuffed as you can eat as much to your heart's content. We sat next to a cool guy who brought his mom with him, and he stated that he brings his mother to Monell's for breakfast for every Mother's Day (so sweet!). I love the rule of no cell phones at the table, as that's rude anyways! When you're closet to finishing, you each receive a laminated 'Meal Ticket' card where you go and pay up at the front. I would love to go back and try out their lunch/dinner items! :D +no reservations; first-come, first-serve +hostess writes down the name/number of party on clipboard +family-style buffet +free street parking around the area
(4)Logan J.
Fabulous family dining with Amazing food! We had people from Cali DC and locals at our table. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes were so good. roast a little salty. Beans and salads very good. House is amazing. Very clean and cozy. Hosts were so nice. Food was served immediately As we went to leave., We asked for cups of water to go. We were told they would be 2.25 each!!! Ouch!
(3)Butterbean M.
I pretty much think this is the BEST place in Nashville to eat !!! Got here a little late for breakfast but the lunch was absolutely awesome !!!! The ribs biscuits and the fruit tea was the best !!! All the vegetables was great as well !!!! If u in Nashville definitely come check this place out !!!!!!!
(5)Adriana M.
This was a great experience! The staff were really nice. It is a place to meet new people and we enjoyed the food! I was very satisfied with everything... The only thing is you eat what they serve :)
(4)Cynde L.
Came into town for the thanksgiving holiday. Our concierge recommended we try monell's. I loved the farm style seating, we met some great people. But the food was just ok. The green beans were overcooked, and the fried chicken was dry. Spinach lasagna and pot roast were delish. Broccoli salad was good flavor, but the broccoli was soggy... I probably won't go back, too many other places in this great city to try.
(2)Brittany S.
One of the most amazing eating experiences I've ever had. We had no idea what we were getting into - all we knew is Yelpers think it's pretty fantastic (and rightly so). I'm going to walk you through our experience chronologically (forgive me for t-totally making up the times): 7:46 p.m.: arrive in Germantown, Nashville at Monell's Dining. Jaw-dropping beauty of the historical house lit up in the evening with a beautiful garden alongside the building. From the outside you can see families feasting. 7:50 p.m.: we realize this is a family-style eatery. The tables that we once thought were ginormous and tremendously diverse families are actually big groups of strangers. (ding, ding! extra cool points) Our diverse family (the table in which we are seated) consists of locals, Bostonians, and a few other folks who I couldn't really hear because the table is so big. 7:51 p.m.: thought to self: where is the menu? seconds later: realization that you don't order here. As my dad said growing up, "what you see is what you get." or "what you don't see, don't ask for." In the case of Monell's, everything you could ever wish for is already in front of you (friendly strangers who love good food and mounds of southern comfort food). 7:55 p.m.: let the face stuffing begin: potato salad, pulled pork (one of my favorites), chicken, fried catfish, greens, breads, so on and so forth. 8:28 p.m.: I feel like I could puke but I totally got my money's worth. But, heyo, wait a minute, those awesome tablemates from Boston insisted on buying my sister and I's dinner. After a few minutes of the check tango, they won. (could this experience get any sweeter? why, yes, yes it could....read on) 3:45 a.m.: remember those locals at the table? Well, they just so happen to work at a recording studio and have all sorts of producer friends. Let's just say we partied hardy with this crew of cool folk. Hell, they even sang us some songs at the studio.
(5)Brian B.
Just ate the breakfast for the first time yesterday, and it was great. The only thing that was weird, was we had 8 people in our party, and they were trying to tell us where to sit at the table we were assigned. Sorry dude, but my family and I will sit where we please, and the people who show up late will sit where it is available. Nobody ever came and we just moved when he left. Not a big deal, but still. First come, first serve means seating as well guy. I would still go back and sit where I want again. Country Ham is drenched in like a sweet gravy or something, and it was incredible.
(4)Andrew R.
Went for brunch. Didn't know what to expect. Basically, you sit down at a family style table in a beautiful old home, and they bring you big baskets of everything. Eat what you want, but more is coming. Some things were quite mediocre, but a few were stunningly excellent (especially the fried chicken).
(4)Keith G.
Be prepared for the biscuits. And the gravy. And the sausage. And the eggs. And the bacon. And the pancakes. And the creamed corn. And the cheesy grits. And the potatoes. And the fried chicken. And the sweet tea. I probably missed about 5-6 other items too. All of the food is excellent! A seemingly endless buffet of Southern staple foods. I've never had Southern food as good as it is at Monell's. I would highly recommend going on a day where you could go home and take a nap afterwards.
(5)Jessica M.
Monell's is like Thanksgiving every day! They have huge portions of every kind of soul food you can imagine, and it's all served as soon as you get seated. Each table sits about 12-15 people, and you pass all the food around and take what you like. At first I was a little nervous about family style dining, but it worked out well and I met a lot of interesting people while having a pretty epic meal. When I came here for lunch they served biscuits and gravy, mac and cheese, spinach lasagna, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, collard greens, green beans, creamed corn, and more. I was full before they even brought the second round of food out. If you decide to dine here, make sure you pace yourself! Leave plenty of room for the fried chicken. They have huge pitchers of several different teas and water, so you never have to worry about your glass being empty. When you finish your meal, they give you these tickets that say "Help, I've eaten and I can't get up!" In my case that was definitely true, I almost had to drag myself out of my chair and over to the register. The meal was about $20, but I ate my money's worth. I can't wait to come back and try their breakfast as well!
(5)Inness P.
My friends and I came here for lunch while visiting Nashville. We got there around noon and it wasn't super busy. One entire big table was empty, so we were seated there. I was disappointed because I wanted to enjoy the experience of eating with strangers, which is weird for me because I almost never want to do stuff like that. Happily, the table soon filled up and I got to chat with a few nice families. The food is standard Southern fare. None of it really WOWED me, but it was all good. I especially liked the biscuits, the corn pudding, and the beans. The sweet tea was perfect, too. The peach preserves were not my thing, but many other guests seemed to truly love them. But the best part was just being there. It is just a really nice experience. When we left, it was starting to fill up (around 1 pm) and there was a big wait for table space. Definitely a popular spot! We got lucky.
(4)Hilary H.
If you want a great traditional southern meal this is the place to go! You sit down at a large dining room table with other guests and pass dishes around family style. There will be a plethora of foods and someone will have to roll you out the door when you're done. For brunch we were served: fried chicken, cheese grits, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon, potatoes, sausage... Just to start. The drinks are limited , so if you're looking for a great mimosa don't come here- instead try "biscuit love". Typically, the only drinks that are served are tea, sweet tea, coffee, water... And maybe lemonade? It's a must try tho! You will love it!
(5)Rhea B.
The service was excellent and the breakfast fare was exceptionally good. No meal is better made for sharing than the weekend country breakfast family style at Monell's. Country ham, cheese grits, pancakes, and eggs keep company with skillet-fried chicken and corn pudding. And don't worry, there's always plenty to go around.
(4)Seth A.
I cannot believe the experience my girlfriend and I just had at Monell's for the price of $14.65. No, seriously, Fourteen-dollars and Sixty-Five cents. The food was abundant and delicious, the yellow squash casserole was a home-run. I had three (yes, three) varieties of protein in front of me and I ate every last one of them. The experience is unlike any I have ever had in a restaurant. Everything is served family style; that is, they put bowls of delicious food on a communal table, tell you what it is and when you are finished you pass the bowl to the person next to you. In my case, we were first sat with three older gals that were in Nashville for a reunion tour and they were awesome. Honestly, the part I was worried about the most was being sat in such an intimate, familial setting with a boatload of strangers that I typically would never even consider engaging in conversation with. But you know what? The conversation flowed easily and the continual addition of bowls of carefully crafted food being dropped off at the table only served to additionally compliment the entirety of our experience. In short, don't hesitate to go here. The food is great, the atmosphere is foreign, yet supplies you with a feeling of nostalgia that you can only get whilst sitting at your family table for a holiday gathering. I didn't write too much about the food, because you know what? Every single morsel I consumed was absolutely, 100% exemplary of what you expect when you think of Southern cooking. Don't waste anymore time, go here ASAP.
(5)Crystle C.
Kill me, because this place was so good I could die right now. I am completely against multiple visits to the same spot when you're traveling but Monells is the exception. After having an AWESOME lunch w my immediate family, I went straight back to the hotel and told all of my aunts and uncles where we'd be having breakfast the next morning. We filled an entire 15 seat table for breakfast, which turned out to be EVEN BETTER than lunch!!! Everyone at the table was very very satisfied!! But mainly I loved this place because of the strict no cell phones at the table rule. They make you put away your phones and really just enjoy each other's company... and while my family is super close it is rare to get through a meal without seeing someone's cellphone on the table. Anyway, the food is so good you don't even miss the dang things! For lunch we ate fried chicken, fried catfish, lasagna, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, greens, cucumber salad, corn on the cob, biscuits, corn bread, gravy, banana pudding and HEAVENLY preserves - $13 bucks, btw! And for breakfast: fried chicken w gravy, bacon, country ham, the BEST sausages, eggs, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, tomatoes, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, baked apples and HEEEEAVENLY (can't stress this enough) preserves and coffee for days for about $15 a head. Just go try the place!!! It's wonderful!! You won't regret it!!
(5)Darren M.
The only thing I can say is awesome! Great home cooked food! Awesome staff! The venue makes it even better. The only thing they need to add are a few couches for after you've eaten. Truly a great experience!
(5)Bernice C.
Absolutely. Freaking. Amazing. I have no idea why this doesn't have 5 stars...4.5 stars is great and all, but it should have 5 stars. Hands down. To start, definitely get a reservation or call ahead of time to find out how full it is. This place gets decently packed. As everyone else has said, you get seated in a long table and eat family style. You can chat with everyone else or keep to your own party...and then the food starts coming. I didn't know how many rounds of food to expect but there were a lot. Easily at least 10 rounds: salad, slaw, green beans, cabbage, corn bread, biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, pulled pork, some corn dish, and peach cobbler. The food comes around in bowls and you scoop what you want and pass it along. You can order as many refills as you want, but there is so much to try that we only asked for refills on the fried chicken. If you're stopping by Nashville at any point in your life/trip/bucket list. This has to be a stop!!
(5)Thuy N.
I am from South Vietnam and don't know a lot about Southern food growing up, but Monell's is just one of the best family restaurants for good-ole food. Also, it's like Thanksgiving with a lot of strangers, but great conversations with people from all over. I will list my favorites: 1. Biscuits 2. Green Beans 3. Cabbage 4. Fried Chicken 5. meatloaf 6. fried fish okay I can go on and you know what, I can eat and eat and I just don't feel bad!
(5)Frank D.
Family style at its best...u sit w other families at long tables (9-10/table)...no menu, they simply start bring you food, like Sunday's at Grandmom's! ...and boy is there food! Our dinner consisted of broccoli salad, corn bread, turnip greens, 2-types of beans, corn pudding, pot roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed shells, FRIED CHICKEN, banana pudding, sweet tea - oh my! Food was great, atmosphere was fantastic and meeting new folks at laughing at the table was incredible!!
(4)Larry G.
Truly one of the best meals I've ever had. Family style southern comfort fare. It is almost impossible to not overeat here. So many choices and all of them were delicious. Best pot roast I've had and the rolls + peach preserves...oh my word. Wear sandals because you're gonna have to wiggle your toes in excitement.
(5)Douglas W.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of this place by now. This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I've eaten here 5 or 6 times now. I never get tired of the fried chicken, corn pudding, muffins, biscuits with their peach preserves, and butter beans. They always have 3 meats to choose from and several sides come out to accompany. This is family style and you sit at a large table with 8 or 10 other strangers who if your lucky will strike up a conversation with you. It's all you can eat and I never leave hungry. Desert is always good. There's pitchers of lemonade, sweet and unsweet tea on the table. It's like Thanksgiving, by the time you take all the sides, there's no room for the turkey on your plate. If you try everything they pass around you'll have a hard time finishing it all! I love this place. I wish I lived in Nashville because I would be here all the time.
(5)Miriam M.
Think of this place like a more homey and intimate buffet. Being from Cali, the extent of my southern food experiences include KFC and salivating over the Pioneer Woman/Paula Deen on the food network. So I don't have much to compare to but I loved how its all family style and you eat with strangers. Some were locals and others from across the country. Each day of the week they have different meat options which are all posted online. But every night they have fried chicken...which is killer! Drinks include sweet tea, regular tea, lemonade, and water. They also have fresh peach preserves to go with the biscuits and cornbread. Weirdly enough my favorite thing was this pineapple casserole. Idk what's in it but I shamelessly ate multiple servings. My least favorite part was the "strawberry shortcake." It was more of like crumbs mixed with blended strawberries and whip cream. But I was so full it was hard to care. Final tip: where your fat pants.
(4)Ilana C.
Monell's was the BEST southern food I've ever had. Family style serving so you are forced to interact with the table and pass food around. It was awesome way to get to know people and we had a fun table. The food was so so so delicious. They served biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon bons and more only for about 15.00 and you can eat as much as you want. Friendly staff, don't make you feel rushed and good experience. You will definitely leave that place feeling so full you may want to take a serious nap (in a good way) It's a lot of food but totally worth the wait. Highly Highly recommend it.
(5)Tara D.
I love this place! My husband, daughter (19 months old) and I went to breakfast on Saturday. Even though we are sat with strangers, we always have good conversation and plenty to eat. This is SOUTHERN food! Leave your diets at home! The food is delicious! If you don't like family style (sitting with strangers), this is not the place for you!
(4)Ariel S.
My husband and I came at noon and had a late breakfast (lunch starts at 1). You sit at a large family style table with others there for the meal. They bring out food and you pass around the table. The food keeps coming. We were served a variety of breakfast food that included fried chicken! Sweet tea and baked apples were amazing! Good southern cooking and hospitality. This is a must for anyone out this way.
(5)B M.
Went to the location in the Germantown area of Nashville with friends on a Saturday night. Lots of good food served family style. Accordingly, they didn't seat us until our entire party arrived. Fortunately, we beat the crowd and a table opened up shortly after everyone arrived: we were seated with another family at a large table. They serve a set meal, according the day of the week. I would recommend you check their on line site if you want something special. On our night we got some tasty fried catfish. Going to have to try the Sunday brunch...as soon as I can fit back into my pants after eating too much good food at Monell's!
(4)Neek C.
A table full of strangers eating great fried chicken and talking about how Elvis was terrible. That was my experience. Who would have known that a great place was hiding near my alma mater.
(5)Fred Q.
Worthy of a #1 rating! Thanks Yelpers for this recommendation. We found it easily, parked in front on the street, and had a feast of a meal. We were seated immediately at a table with 3 business people who were friendly and fun to be with. They already had biscuits, cole slaw, and cucumber/onion salad - the salad course. Had home made peach jam or gravy for the biscuits. Sweet tea, iced tea, lemonade, and water were on the table. When the main courses arrived I thought I'd died and joined Grandma in heaven. Pan fried chicken, baked chicken, fried pork chops, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and peas. We passed everything to the left and had plenty for seconds. Dessert was peach cobbler. The server was attentive, kept our glasses full of ice, and offered more food if we wanted it. Very friendly, homey, and like a trip back to your grandma's house for Sunday dinner circa 1960. After a long day driving, it was a great evening. Walked it off on the District and listened to live music before returning to the hotel. The carbs are wanting me to sleep now. Zzzzzzz,
(5)Ayesha A.
OMG this place was so flipping fantastic I don't know where to begin. This is a MUST in Nashville, I just love it so much I wish I knew how to run a business so I could open one in Toronto. Everything is cool about this place. It's beautiful. The area is lovely. The food....omg....it's SO good, and it's all you can eat, but do not waste food. The concept of throwing people together at a table makes it different than a regular restaurant experience you would have with friends/family, and it fores you to socialize. The house it's in has so much character. I just absolutely loved the experience and recommend this place. Whatever your brunch/lunch plans are in Nashville, cancel them, and go to Monell's instead. You will thank me for the recommendation ;-)!
(5)Mac L.
I have been here many times and the food and service is always perfect.
(5)Amanda K.
Okay, but really. This place is delicious. So. Much. Food! Pace yourself. First arrival, the outside is simply charming. When you enter, you can see several large family style tables. You will be told exactly where to sit, with people you don't know. This is a little odd at first but totally works. Just expect it. The bowls start coming around and its a looong time before they stop! Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, pulled pork, it goes on and on all to be topped off by a delightfully fresh strawberry shortcake. YUM. Anyone who is visiting Nashville, even for just a short time, needs to make room for a visit to Monell's!
(5)Allie E.
Really good, family style food. Great ribs! Took my in-laws here for some good southern food and we were not disappointed. They had something for everyone including my 2 year old. Go!!
(5)Meghan B.
If a friend was only in town for 24 hours and asked me where they HAD to eat before they left, I'd definitely say Monell's. This place delivers not only on their tasty food, but their atmosphere and price. Be aware: there's no ordering here. It's family-style dining and the bowls of food keep on coming so keep passing those bowls to the left! We sat at a table of about 15 people and had a blast. There was corn pudding, fried chicken, eggs, bacon, biscuits, homemade jam, you name it, we had it on the table. Side note: even if theres a wait, if it's warm enough outside there's a beautiful garden to hang out in with plenty of seating, and a pond with coy fish. We only waited about 15 minutes but I would have gladly waited for an hour!
(5)Harry H.
$38 for the two of us was bafflingly and almost infuriatingly low for the amount and quality of the food and hospitality here. It was family style, and somehow we were seated with ALL fellow NYers, but we still enjoyed ourseves immensely, with food in front of us the second we sat down. Tried at least a bit of every bowl that was passed, and seconds and thirds of most of it -- all superb.
(5)Stephanie I.
Warning: You will be forced to socialize and share food with strangers here. If you take up a seat, you will have to pay for a meal. Monells is obviously famous for the reasons above. It's a unique experience and if you didn't know that before going, you live in a cave. On top of being a unique experience, the food is AMAZING. We went for the Sunday brunch fully prepared for a food coma. They bring out huge portions of food throughout the meal and you eat as much as your pants will allow. Some of the selections include: huge fluffy biscuits, cinnamon rolls, eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, corn pudding, pancakes, and the star of the show - skillet fried chicken. The chicken falls off the bone and is perfectly fried and seasoned. I didn't feel strange eating fried chicken at 9am one bit. The servers are great, making sure that we never run out of food, sweet tea, or water. This place can get busy so arrive early or be prepared to wait.
(5)Valerie B.
I didn't like my table because it was right by the register. Even though it wasn't dinging away, it was still awkward to be so close. I would have much preferred to be somewhere else. The food was so so. I thought the catfish had no flavor. I enjoyed my fried chicken and the spinach lasagne but nothing was hot. Now I understand that things were getting passed around so that was fine. But we asked for some extra lasagne and that came out lukewarm at best. The peach preserve stuff was gross! I almost spit it out. But it's still super cool to sit with people. It's a nice experience. And cool to have southern hospitality.
(3)Blaine L.
What an experience! All the food is brought out to you in a group style setting, and it's delicious! Good old fashioned family style deliciousness
(5)Rene R.
We went to the Germantown location. We got there around 11:00am. Once all of our group had arrived we were told we would be seated as soon as the members of our party who had their phones out put them away. It was said quite rudely and frankly I would have left if it was up to me. I understand the no cell phone policy. I even like it. But there is certainly a way to inform first time guests of this policy nicely. We were seated with a group of a similar size (family style seating) and the gluttony began. If you haven't been here before, there is not a menu for you to choose from. They post the menu for the day on the door. There was fruit tea, sweet tea, and water on the table when we sat down. Food is passed to the left. There was cucumber salad, and coleslaw to start with. Cornbread and rolls with preserves, butter or gravy. Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, pulled pork, and meatloaf. Sides were mashed potatoes, green beans (AMAZING) corn/bread pudding, and mac and cheese ( tasty but very liquidy ). Our table mates were very nice. We all enjoyed a delightful meal! I would very much like to come for weekend brunch next time we're in town ( brunch is weekends only). Also keep in mind during the week, they do close at 2 and reopen for dinner. Check with them for the exact hours. All in all it was a good time. Got off to a bit of a rude start but our server was very pleasant and of course the food is great.
(3)Barry H.
My coworker and I had dinner there last night around 6:45 ( great timing ) . The food was GREAT Food. The Service was Fanatic :) And ALL for only $19.00 per persons :) We will go back Every Time we are in town.
(5)Bill G.
Monell's, a Nashville institution housed in a circa 1880 home in the city's hot property Germantown. No reservations. You wait your turn and then are seated around big tables with about 8 to 12 new friends, in what may have been the former parlor or perhaps a bedroom, decorated with period art and antiques. No menus. For about $14, you eat what's put before you, heaping bowls of slaw, chilled cucumbers/onions and tomatoes in a piquant liquid, greens, corn pudding, mashed new potatoes, green beans, white navy beans, melt in your mouth biscuits (accompanied by cream gravy, butter and homemade peach preserves), and depending on the day, at least two meat selections that could be scrumptious fried chicken, fried catfish fillets, BBQ. ribs, smothered pork chops, turkey and dressing or meat loaf. Big pitchers of iced tea (Southern-style syrupy sweet or plain) and lemonade. Pass to the left, as you visit with your new BFs, while eating into a stunned surfeit of "down home" country cooking delights. The full bowls keep coming until you either force yourself to leave (or fall away from) the table. Oh, almost forgot the banana pudding dessert! Nashville offers many scenic, historic and culinary delights, but Monelle's is a MUST on any trip to Music City! Yee Haw!!!
(5)Katara J.
Came here for breakfast OMG it was amazing. The fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, and cheese grits were my favorite. Its hard to move after coming here. The food just keeps coming and coming.
(5)Ryan B.
This is a great spot for a big group. I had an enjoyable lunch here with a group of 9 who all enjoyed the fantastic southern fare. I wouldn't necessarily go back with my family because of the cost, but it was a great spot for our school staff. Favorite: fried chicken.
(3)Paul A.
Make sure you bring your appetite for soul food! Incredibly happy this place was recommended to me by a friend. I assure you every trip I make to Nashville from here on out will include a stop here. Corn pudding is worth the cost alone!
(5)Abby H.
Loved this place! I'm wondering why more restaurants don't follow this model. Hubby and I were seated at a table with 6 other people.. what fun! And then the food began to flow.. salads, slaw, veggies, bread, potatoes. and FRIED CHICKEN! We kept requesting hot fresh chicken and our sever would bring whatever piece(s) we wanted. We ate at 5:30pm on weeekday.. not crowded yet. Only thing we didn't like was the lasagna.. kinda weird being dumped into a bowl (and cold).. but the other items were amazing so we really didn't need the lasagna anyway.
(5)Annabelle K.
Pretty interesting experience. Southern food is not something I like but it was an interesting experience. You get seated at a table with random people who you share food with. At first I was a little bit turned off by sharing with strangers but then just went with it. Dishes upon dishes come out and you eat what you like. The corn pudding was particularly good and the highlight of the night was the peach cobbler. Definitely worth a stop if your visiting Nashville.
(4)Erica L.
I really don't know what else to say about Monell's that hasn't been already said. All I know is that it's a damn fine winning formula: from the family-style seating and dining experience, to the set menu bit.ly/ncBJqe , and of course, its delicious, mouth-watering, stomach-filling food. Utterly a memorable experience! p.s. My plate prior to the fried chicken: bit.ly/o94n8P -- the corn pudding and green beans were, surprisingly, my favorites!!
(4)Daniel B.
Five Stars for the Fried Chicken. Tip: Don't eat anything until you eat a few pieces of chicken. Then, go for any of their incredible sides or other meat dishes. Seriously, this place is really amazing in terms of good southern food.
(5)Lee B.
Monell's is AWESOME. When I visit Nashville, I never miss it and I always take guests, especially if they're foreign. Great ambiance, friendly staff, always interesting people (family style forces you to chat) and the food is fantastic. However, skip a meal or two before before you go to this Nashville institution.
(5)Jess Y.
4.5 stars. I love Monell's. It has the true Southern homestyle cooking experience and a visit to Nashville would be incomplete without a visit to Monell's. First off, I love the fact that you sit with strangers and share a meal. You meet people from all over with great stories and break bread together. I've been for lunch and dinner before and both visits have been fantastic. The food is absolutely delicious. The last time I went was for Friday lunch which included fried catfish, fried chicken (of course), and spinach lasagna. I've never had spinach lasagna before but it was absolutely amazing. In addition to your three meats, you also get all-you-can-eat sides. I love the corn pudding and the green beans. The meal tends to be a little salty and heavy but it's absolutely scrumptious. The meal begins with sweet tea (and when they say sweet, they really mean it!) and biscuits or corn bread and always ends with dessert. Come hungry because it's all you can eat and it's heavy. But, oh so good. Prepare to want to enter into a food coma after your meal, though. :)
(5)Kristen Z.
I love going to places that aren't chain restaurants. This was a great dining experience and the food is amazing, southern cooking... just like your grandma's house! They sit you at a farm table... its a long table that probably sits about 12 people. If you don't come with a group, they sit you at a table and as more guest come in they sit people down, until the table fills up! For those of you that have had the joy of sitting down to a big table of family or friends and just have all the food set on the table and you take some and pass it, this is EXACTLY the same! They bring out the food of the day... you don't order. Take the bowls and pass them to the left! There is so much food, so pace yourself! All the food is southern and delicious... so don't go here if you are watching your weight!
(5)Shawn W.
I visited Monell's while on vacation with my parents and partner on the recommendation of a friend. I was absolutely blown away with the wonderful atmosphere that this old home gave to a wonderful dining experience. We were there for breakfast at 9:30 and we barely had a wait before being seated. My favorite thing on the table was the peach preserves or as our server called it..."bowl of sin" and it was. I could have probably eaten every last drop of that bowl if there had not been other people at the table. I absolutely loved being surrounded by people from different parts of the country and meeting new people, and this was all part of the family style dining experience...LOVED IT! The finding of the restaurant could have proven to be an adventure if I had not had my GPS locator pointing me in the right direction but it was so, so, so worth finding. Service...well, it was incredible to say the least. Our server was friendly, courteous and made sure we all had enough, no...TOO MUCH to eat before we left, and thank goodness for that, because we still had 3 hours to tromp around the grounds at The Hermitage and 2 hours to drive to Lynchberg and spend another 2 hours to view Jack Daniels Distillery. Then another 2 hours to drive before our next meal, and it held us until that next meal! I highly recommend Monell's to everyone who is in Nashville, enjoy and take your time, Make eating here an adventure! The food was awesome1
(5)Hwventure H.
Look no further, Monell's is THE BEST southern food/soul food restaurant in Nashville. Served family style, the food is delicious and never ending....it just keeps on coming. **Be sure not to confuse this Monell's with Monell's Cafe. (a cafeteria style restaurant.) Monell's is located in a residential area not far from downtown. It's well worth the $$ and the wait. :)
(5)Reg Z.
Great brunch. Served family style, seating is family style as well (even when not your family ;-) Nothing says huge brunch like fried chicken as a finisher. Come hungry and start slow
(4)Douglas P.
We had our Thanksgivukkah feast at the Manor House by the airport. The variety was amazing, the food was incredible, the atmosphere was awesome, and the pricing was very fair in light of the complex menu, bountiful portions, and quality of the food. Highly recommend!
(5)John B.
We ate there and the food was great. We had to wait to be served but the wait wasn't long. Once we were seated it was a little awkward because of the fact of having to be seated with total strangers at one large table. But overall the food was great.
(5)Kim L.
In town for the weekend and we wanted to experience some real southern food. We ate, and we ate, and we ate, until we couldn't eat anymore. The atmosphere is enjoyable, no phones at the table (YES!!), the endless supply of friend chicken, the friendly staff was amazing! The only bummer- no alcohol served... Would recommend and def go back if we are in town again!
(5)Eric M.
Just how I would imagine grandma's house, if my grandma was from the south. The biscuits and gravy was the best, the fried chicken was amazing, and my favorite was the lasagna. They are off the beaten path a bit, but a must-visit!
(5)Christine H.
Put on your Sunday best and get yourself to Monell's for breakfast. I'm going to win the lottery so I can afford to fly from LA to Monell's every Sunday morning. It's one thing to be served heaping platters of Southern food for breakfast, and quite another when that breakfast tastes like your grandmother made it for you because she loves you so much. Whoever the grandmother is at Monell's, I need that corn pudding recipe!
(5)True R.
Soooo good! This was by far the best breakfast we had during our stay in Nashville. There was so much food it was impossible to even finish the first helping. Just FYI, unless you are in a large party you will be dining with other people at your table, however, everyone that sat with us was extremely polite and we had a great time. Definitely recommend!
(5)Zach G.
Went out to Monell's for a birthday dinner for a close friend. I was really excited because I've been really watching what I eat lately and this was going to be my cheat day. Now we were probably the last table being sat for the evening and had a large party of about 12. First off waitress and service and everything was great. Top notch. Well. All of the side dishes were pretty good as were the pork chops but nothing above your standard meat and three kind of place. The fried chicken was dry and not very good, maybe I grabbed a bad piece or it was because we were the last table of the night. I was too full to try the baked chicken. I will say I wasn't a big fan of the peach cobbler or whatever it was, but that's just me, not a quality thing or anything like that, just not my thing, though my friends Aunt loved it and said it was like "Momma's". I'd probably go back but not my first choice for southern fixins.
(2)Mon T.
There will be something you like here. I enjoyed everything! The food is flavorful so if you prefer bland food this place isn't for you. It's family style and food is pass around... there is plenty to go around! I personally don't enjoy family style but I was able to look past it and the people at our table were friendly. When I was here on a Sunday for lunch they served pulled pork, coleslaw, corn pudding, fried chicken, cheese grits, cinnamon buns, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, cucumbers and onion, meatloaf, pecan pie,mac n cheese, grilled potatoes, sweet tea and something yummy called fruit tea, grilled catfish, cinnamon apples, green beans...not sure if I missed anything else but I think you get the point. Yummm.
(5)Michael S.
Great southern comfort food at only $16 a person. I took a group of 13 here at 6:30 on a Wednesday. Reservations are not accepted, but it didn't matter because we were seated right away. The place filled up 7. The service was friendly and efficient. Food started coming out of the kitchen right away. We were nicely warned not to eat too much of the bread and salads since tons more food was on the way. It was hard to slow down on the bread, cornbread, peach sauce, cranberry sauce, peas, and cole slaw. Then the main course came out and it was delicious: fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and more. It was all so good and so hard to stop even though we were all full. Then came peach cobbler. All the while sweet and unsweetened tea and lemonade were kept full on our table. The group applauded when we were done! It was easy to pay separately in the end also. Love this pace, but prepared to really eat!
(5)James C.
This is a great family style dining experience with up to ten people at a table. No menus for you to look at. You eat what they're serving. The fried chicken and meatloaf is some of the best I've ever eaten. Don't miss out on dining here if you're able to!
(5)Allison L.
We were driving through Nashville on our way to Chicago and we were hungry. I mean starving. We decided to pull off the freeway and saw a huge cupcake sign. My 4 year old daughter thought that cupcakes would be a perfect lunch. I did not, I checked yelp and found this restaurant down the street (we could pick up a cupcake after). They waited to seat us, my husband was on his cellphone. It was the first time we ate with this style. We were sat a a table for 12 with strangers sitting with us. We don't eat pork and the waitress was awesome at steering us towards food with no pork or bacon drippings. Super thoughtful. The corn pudding was insane. The friend chicken was amazing. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy. Thankfully this gem of a spot is in my list for the next time we are in town. True highlight of our road trip.
(5)AsianRunningDiva S.
House Rule: Pass to the left. This is community dining at its finest! Large table that fits 12 (we were 5) and so we sat with 2 couples and another group of 3. There was already some food at the table when we sat down. Chicken salad, fried okra, banana pudding (they serve dessert first to make sure you have room! haha!), biscuit and gravy, and so much more. Passed around the table like at home; pass to the left! Then came the main courses: ribs, fried chicken, fried fish, hush puppies, green beans, collards, corn, mac and cheese...I'm forgetting so much more, but you get the idea. They refill the community plates so you can pass around some more! Sweet tea, unsweet, and water (no alcohol I think). The cost of this family style buffet is $19/person with tax. GET THERE EARLY! We got there at 5pm and was so lucky to be seated right away. There was a HUGE line waiting when we left about an hour later. Your whole party needs to be there before being seated, so if you have a large party, come when it opens. Rolled out of there stuffed! :) Street parking. Quaint outside with a fish pond and some seating.
(4)Jane D.
As good as everyone says. Great food and great service...go pig the f*ck out, will ya?! This may be the reason Americans are so fat, but I do not care. Advice: take it slow til the fried chicken comes or you won't be able to have as much as you should. I hope the leftovers go to the homeless, or the waste would be a shame. Sitting with strangers makes new friends possible. Yay Monells!!
(5)Sandy H.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? You just need to come and eat here if you're in town. We came here on the sliced roast beef and meatloaf night. I usually don't like mac n' cheese, but I just loved the one the make here. All the sides were excellent and the fried chicken was moist and surprisingly less greasy than I thought I would be. Oh, and the banana pudding was amazing!
(5)Kristan H.
(Note: This is my 100th review on Yelp!) My boyfriend and I drove down to Nashville for a long weekend to visit a friend, and this was hands-down the culinary highlight of our trip. I knew we would be eating "family style," but I had no idea our family would be made up of whoever walked in the door at the same time as us. It's a very cool concept, and really not that awkward. When the table was ready, 10 of us were led to it. We sat, and right away servers started bringing dishes and telling us to pass to the left. The food was fantastic. PERFECTLY breaded and fried chicken, and the best meatloaf of my life. My fave side was the mac and cheese, and my friends' faves were the corn pudding and biscuits & gravy. The cornbread was drier than I personally prefer, and the pulled pork had a sort of wine-y flavor that I didn't love, but there was so much variety that it didn't matter. I just helped myself to more mashed potatoes, banana pudding, and sweet tea. Basically, this is home cooked Southern food at its finest. And at a great price! The decor is a comfortable mix of "ranch" and "parlor" (like your favorite grandma's house, maybe?) and the servers are friendly and fast. My boyfriend said if we lived in Nashville he would want to eat at Monell's once a week. I told him our waistlines probably couldn't handle that. He said it would be worth the try. Related: One guy "joined our family" after we had already sat and started to eat. He later confessed that he had been at Monell's for breakfast already that day, and this wasn't the first time he'd done that. I can't say that I blame him.
(5)Scott W.
If you like a lot of food this is a good place to go. Food is very good and served family style. Not my favorite type of food but I am glad we tried it.
(4)Erika B.
Every single thing that comes to the table is unbelievably delicious and Mama makes you feel at home. Fried chicken, baked chicken, corn pudding, greens, and BANANA PUDDING. We sat down not knowing what to expect and everything they brought to the table was outstanding. Southern hospitality at its best.
(5)Benjamin R.
Sweet jeebus, this was a lot of food. You don't order here, they plop you down with 8-10 other people at a big wooden family table, and then start piling food onto it. We had potato salad, slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn bread, mac and cheese, cheese grits, green beans, corn pudding, potatoes, pulled pork, fried chicken, meat loaf, and banana pudding. The cost to you? Something like $13. Bon Appetit.
(4)Glenn F.
I'm back to yelping baby! Monell's is a good southern family dining experience. For locals, once a year will do it though. The fried chicken is pretty solid. The mashed potatoes are whipped with water rather than milk giving them a transparent look, but they taste good. The stuffing was terrible and looked like canned dog food and didn't taste much better. I would give everything else the middle of the road. There are certainly better southern cooking food in Nashville. Try Puckett's or Swett's downtown.
(3)Tom M.
Died and gone to Heaven! I have eaten dinner here twice and breakfast once, and on all 3 visits, I was simply blown away. Coming from Suburbia, Ohio, where there is no fried chicken, and landing here was one of the highlights of our trip. The fried chicken was fantastic, the fried green tomatoes were incredible and so was just about everything else on the all you can eat table. The peach preserves, corn pudding, bbq ribs, the biscuits, and the sweet tea.....Good Lord Almighty, the sweet tea. Add all of this great food to the fact you sit and eat family style while chatting and making friends with complete strangers. My favorite place to eat in all of Nashville, and there are many, many great places to eat in Music City! Go for dnner and go for breakfast where even then they serve up fried chicken!
(5)Peter M.
All I can say is I love this place! It's family style, pass-to-your-left, eat-till-you-puke-then-eat-more, southern fried and fantastic food. I go here almost everytime I am in Nashville. All you can eat for one price. No cellphones at the table and prepare to get to know your table-mates! YEEEHAAW (don't know why I typed that it's not a cowboy place).
(4)Tallman F.
Only thing that keeps it from a FIVE is it needs one more meat for lunch. I would hate to go for dinner!!!! this place is special!-ohhh my!!!!!! You have to. You have to go. Did I say, YOU HAVE TO GO? The owner comes out and keeps brining food to the table until everyone is stuffed, like Sunday Dinner at Grandma's. You sit at this large table with people you don't know but within minutes everyone is talking like you rode up on the bus with them from Knoxville. The fried catfish was fried lightly and was fresh. The chicken was above average. they had an assortment of breads and all of the sides were above average, from the mashed potatoes, yellow rice, greens, Mac n cheese, candied yams, and more. Did I tell you have to go? The food is very good BUT the dining experience is something to relish
(4)Tiff W.
If you are in Nashville and only go to one restaurant, Monell's is it! We went there for the Sunday brunch and hit the post-church crowd...the wait ended up being about an hour and a half but it was completely worth it! You are seated family style next to strangers, but it's a great way to meet new people over amazing food. Mac & cheese, breakfast hash, chicken hash, green beans, cole slaw, corn pudding, biscuits & corn bread, cucumber salad, bbq riblets, mashed potatoes, FRIED CHICKEN....imagine a group of 6 girls devouring plates of food and asking for seconds while our new table friends stared in astonishment. Here's some advice for the ladies: wear a loose dress.
(5)L. N. D.
Monell's is a good tourist spot and if you like family style dining or you like to try family style dining. There were some really good side items such as the potato casserole, corn pudding; however, I've fried better chicken. We had really good table mates which made the experience just a little worth it but there are some rules, like pass to the left, which can get a little annoying if you're trying to eat or if your table isn't full. I'm also still trying to figure out why the watermelon was brought out before the entrees /-(. This is just my thoughts but I don't feel it was worth $15 per person because you don't even eat that much money worth of food.. No take out here.
(3)Shelby B.
Perfection! Even waiting to be seated in their garden with my friends, sipping sweetened tea, was perfect. The hostess, servers etc were perfectly friendly and attentive. Not in that fake way that makes you think they are being monitored for behavior, but friendly and welcoming in the way that makes you think 'gosh, these good vibes are buzzin me'! The food, ohhh the food!! Sitting with friends and strangers, from all over Nashville and the world, at a huge, wooden, communal dining table, you will have more than 10 courses served in short succession. 3-4 types of teas are always full and at arms reach in big cute 'grandma' pitchers. Yeah, there's cornbread rolls and biscuits. Yeah, there's gravy and dressing too. And yes, there's turkey, pulled pork and UNGH...pan fried chicken!!! Save room for dessert!! If you've ever had a southern, or else down-on-the-farm type, grandma then come to Monelle's to relive the glorious binge that is like Thanksgiving meal. If you havent had a grandma that cooked from scratch then visit here to live for a single meal in the bliss that could have been. Bring a date, friend or family, or just come alone and you may even meet someone interesting at your table, just an arm's reach away.
(5)Kay W.
Southern Style famiy dining at its best! This was fun and the food was just like my Southern Gentleman hubby's mama used to make. Collards, corn pudding, fried chicken, slaw, biscuits, peach preserves, the works! And all the stuff I just don't make. We ate here at our last night of five days in Nashville and I am so glad we did. It was nice to eat with a group of people and all share our stories. The staff was very friendly and made us all feel right at home. Keep up the great tradition of the South. We hope to be back one day!
(5)Peter P.
For southern food, Monell's really is as good as it gets. You pay a flat fee, sit at a big picnic table with a bunch of strangers, and pretty quickly get brought bowl after bowl of delicious southern food. They start you off with dessert, typically banana pudding, and then bring the cold sides - cole slaw, bean salad, biscuits, then the hot sides - mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, then finally the main courses which always includes stellar fried chicken and when I was there also included spinach lasagna, fried catfish, and BBQ ribs. Definitely recommend to anyone spending time in Nashville.
(5)Cydney A.
Our experience was amazing except I was uncomfortable sitting with strangers at first but after awhile I got used to it! They need more windows! Other than that! The food was amazing and tasty and we will go back there again and again and again! :) it takes about an hour for us to get here but it's all worth it!!!
(5)Michele O.
The best fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea! It's a great experience as well to eat family style at a communal table with a bunch of strangers and chat.
(5)Jamie M.
Unique and amazing experience. I recommend you eat very minimal throughout the day before eating here. They serve you biscuits and bread, desserts, about 4 main dinners, and 7/8 sides in an all you can eat fashion. I was seated quickly and the service was excellent very friendly our host so excited for us to be experiencing montells for the first time. All the food that is served is absolutely incredible. If you're stopping in Nashville I recommend you stop by here because not many other cities have something similar to montells.
(5)Randy T.
Monell's Dining & Catering takes "family style" and "meat and three" to epic proportions. With tasty Southern homestyle food, it is really better classified as a "3 meats and 9" type of place. Monell's does family style in a special way - there are large rectangular tables that seat approximately 15 people. If your group is smaller than 15 people, then you'll be combined with other groups so you'll have a full table. Food is served in large bowls and passed around the table. The menu will vary from night to night, but when I went we started with cole slaw, cucumber salad, corn bread, and biscuits. The bread was fantastic. You can eat the bread either with fruit preserves or sausage gravy. For meats, I had fried chicken, ribs, and fried catfish. The fried chicken was delicious and moist. The ribs were cooked so the meat came off the bone. Barbecue sauce for the ribs was sweet. The fried catfish had a tasty, salty breading and was served in large pieces. Sides ranged from average to excellent. My favorite was the corn pudding, which had both great texture and flavor. My second favorite side was the pasta shells. If you want to eat something a little more on the healthy side, you can have green beans and turnip greens. Both are very light. My favorite dish of the night was the banana pudding, which was actually on the table at the beginning of the meal. Also, don't be afraid to ask for more of something if you really like it. The staff will be happy to bring refills.
(5)Johnny T.
4.5 It's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks. There are a few things that always seem to happen when friends/family visit Nashville. I won't belabor the point by writing about them because we've all been through it. Many of these tasks cause me to shuffle my feet and groan. A trip to Monell's, however, is reason enough to invite visitors. Even Southerners enjoy Monell's -- and that's sayin' something. Sometimes restaurants like this cater to folks from outside the region who wouldn't know the importance of cooking with bacon grease if it hit them in the head with your grandma's skillet. No such slight of hand, here. Monell's is the real deal. You might be surprised, then, to realize that this Southern feast isn't found in some hideaway shack. Monell's food is housed in a gorgeous Germantown Victorian, complete with a koi pond and bridge. Yes, it's true. We even wear shoes -- regularly -- down South, as well. I know! Stereotypes blown before you even walk through the door, Monell's is bringing it. Walk in, tell the hostess how many are in your party and get seated with strangers. Take off your hat. Turn off and put away your damn phone and get ready to share a variety of Southern goodies the way you would if you were a guest in someone's home. If sitting with strangers and having conversations puts you outside your comfort zone, I don't think you'd enjoy yourself. But, if you have a lick of sense and can act right in public, you'll be just fine. One of the things I enjoyed the best about Monell's is that the two pitchers of tea are labelled -- so as to AVOID the non-sweet tea. That's how you do it, folks. That's what you signed up for. On the Saturday afternoon that most recently rocked my world, we started with biscuits & cornbread (with butter and hot sauce, 'natch). This led to: slaw, cheese grits, cucumbers, squash casserole, pulled pork, fried chicken, white beans, potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans, and meatloaf. The plates kept passing and I kept eating. If something ran out, our waitress was on the ball and we got a new helping of it with no wait at all. You know that mechanism in your brain that tells you you're full? I think there's a machine at Monell's that disengages it as everyone at my table ate until they were uncomfortable... as you should. My only disappointment was dessert. I have never been a banana puddling fan. I was in the minority at the table as everyone else dove in to it and didn't come up for air until it was gone. Had there been some apple pie, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, pecan pie, etc., my inner fat kid would have been fully realized. It is was, I could barely walk so, perhaps, it's best that I didn't have dessert. The price for this feast? $15. FIF-TEEN BUCKS. Yeah, it's a Nashville institution for a reason, folks.
(5)Kory K.
Incredible!!! Just as we came in they sat us down next to complete strangers and we instantly started eating. The food just kept on coming. I think I was in heaven. It was like the southern version of Brazilian bbq. I loved getting to meet those we say by, it was a good way to stir up new conversation. The food and atmosphere was So good. The price is well worth it. Two thumbs up from Utah.
(5)Hooney H.
I don't know how to write this review. Really, I don't. Monell's isn't a restaurant--it's an experience. As such, this will be a very long review. My friends and I went to the top rated (by locals) restaurants in Nashville over a week's span, and Monell's was an undisputed #1. Our party of four went on a Sunday afternoon, and waited about 45 minutes for a table as there was a party of 30 (?!?!!) and several other large groups that had just gotten it of church. The scenery is gorgeous. Bright and vivid flowers in the garden with chairs, benches and a gazebo, you won't mind relaxing and listening to the music while you wait for your name to be called. And once it's called? Man oh man oh man. Yelpers, be very aware. Leave. Your. Phones. In. Your. Pockets. Do NOT take your phone out when you are seated. The sign by the front door expressly tells you that phones are not permitted in the dining room, and for good reason. This is a family style restaurant where the tradition of the Sunday meal reigns supreme. That means you engage in conversation with your party and with whomever else you may be seated, and you enjoy the experience. Do not selfie, do not tweet, do not hashtag. All food is passed to the person on your left for the first round, but once everyone has had their first serving, the dishes move upon request. The fried chicken? I had four or five pieces of the best fried chicken I have ever had in my life. Entirely different animal from Hattie B's hot chicken or Loveless Cafe's skillet fried chicken. But the greatest non hot chicken I have ever had. Cole slaw - HOW DO YOU MAKE COLE SLAW THIS AMAZING? Seriously?! We raved about the coleslaw as we took second and third and fourth helpings of it. Crunchy, so perfectly seasoned with a hint of tang and sweet. Pot roast - no words. There are no words. Why bother describing the bliss of perfectly cooked meat melting in your mouth? Green beans - one of the best recipes I've ever had Pork chops - I had three. THREE. Mashed potatoes - what dreams are made of Corn pudding - world famous. What your dreams dream of. Slice of pineapple pie - instantly regretted not asking for more. Biscuits - second best biscuits in Nashville (sorry!) Gravy - oh you're going to drink this gravy, it's so good. Mac and cheese - I'm lactose intolerant, but this was one of those dishes that was worth the pain and suffering. I wish I had kept a food diary because I've forgotten what else we ate but the table was packed. Sweet tea made my eyes roll back and the fruit tea is very very delicious and interesting. Couldn't really tell which fruits were used but you definitely need to try it. Four people, all the food in the world, $90 bucks before tip. That's a deal.
(5)Dennis J.
Unique dining experience with very good food. A friend and I stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10 AM, and luckily it wasn't too crowded; a seating had just finished, and we were seated within 5 minutes. It's an interesting experience to sit at a table with people you mostly don't know, asking them to pass various dishes and finding about what brought them to eat there. There is a vast selection of dishes, all of which were fairly tasty; I found the meats (sausage and chicken) in particular to be especially good, particularly the very tender chicken. The corn pudding was also very tasty, as were the biscuits and gravy. There's plenty of food to go around, and it's a great experience for a home cooked meal.
(4)Michael U.
Items available 5/13/15: Biscuits, Cornbread, Rolls Port Poached Pears Cinnamon Apples Coleslaw Pasta Salad Corn Pudding Green Beans Country Gravy Mashed Potatoes Mac n' Cheese Sage Stuffing Baked Chicken Fried Pork Chop Pan Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Serving Nashville residents and tourists the best in home cooked Southern cuisine for over thirty years, and having now spawned two other locations, it was almost a requirement of a trip to the Tennessee capitol to visit Monnell's, and opting to visit the original location just after 1:00pm on a Tuesday our party of three found the oft-packed 19th century building with just four seats available, a prompt seating seeing food placed before us no less than 60-seconds later with plate after plate soon to follow. Originally opened as a sort of boarding house, the Monnell family serving downhome cooking to persons staying in the residence, the space has since been converted to a one-price all you can eat experience open for lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch, and with some parties opting for a made-to-order meat-and-three option the true 'experience' is most certainly found at a communal table with shared plates passed amongst new friends and travelers, the food every bit as good or better than rumors have it with a pricepoint that really cannot be beat. Beginning first with several passed sides, though some tables may begin with breads or proteins depending on what the kitchen has most recently prepared fresh, it was with attention to the fact that much more was to come that small portions of items such as green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta salad were sampled and first deciding to go all-in on cinnamon apples followed by corn pudding both items proved to be absolutely delightful, the biscuits and country gravy also quite impressive while cornbread proved just a bit drier than one would hope, a situation augmented admirably by butter and honey, or poached pears that are also available by the jar to take home. Moving on, much like the sides Monnell's offers a regularly changing list of entrees and joining ever-present fried chicken that features light batter and minimal grease overlying a lean bird that could have arguably used a bit more brine or seasoning was actually the baked bird that was the best protein available, a nice spice profile overlying skin almost as crisp as that of the fried version, the pork faring far less favorably and quite tough even when taken bite for bite with cinnamon apples, most of mine remaining on the plate to allow for a second helping of corn pudding, the lone dessert of banana pudding proving a competent, if not particularly compelling, iteration with a touch to much sog to the wafers.
(3)Tia B.
OMG!!! I need a nap after stuffing myself at this southern food family style eatery. Read about this place and it definitely lived up to the hype. A different menu every day. We arrived on Friday and there was catfish on the menu. Yum. You get fried chicken everyday but the catfish was something special and only offered on particular days. Greens, hot biscuits, peach preserves, cream corn casserole, green beans, macaroni salad, banana pudding...I can't remember all the dishes they brought to our table. I just remember passing bowls and platters of food to the left in a haze. Delicious! All you can eat for about $12! And don't even think about using your cell phone at the table. They will kick you out! Lol
(5)Rachel M.
I think I actually found this place through a Yelp review in my quest to only eat in the favorite restaurants of Nashville. And I am so grateful you guys sent me here! I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I knew it was soul food and I knew it was family style, but coming from the cold, heartless Northeast, I thought that meant our table would just share some food, not that we'd sit at table with a bunch of random people and share food. But it was such a fun and interesting experience. They just plop you down at a giant oval table with strange people and start setting food in front of you. We went for breakfast and began with warm sweet rolls, biscuits and tomatoes and quickly moved onto a meat plate, fried chicken, cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes and scrambled eggs. One of the women at our table told us the fried chicken was the best, and she was not kidding. There wasn't one thing we ate that I didn't like, and the food just kept coming! We only had to wait about a half hour to be sat, and for all this food, it was so cheap. I think it's like $15 a person or something. Ridiculous! Well worth checking out if you're in Nashville.
(5)Tim D.
Great good, great price and great staff. Best chicken I ever had! Love the family style and got to meet some very nice local people
(5)Courtney K.
May I use a bit of vulgarity? This place is the tiiiiiits. During a weekend visit to Nashville, I let my cousin and his boyfriend pick all of the food, since they are the locals and they know what my husband and I like. I was a bit skeptical when I read about this place, because we tend towards the antisocial and so weren't thrilled about the prospect of sitting with strangers. Luckily we had a group of 8 and so were only seated with 4 people we didn't know. They were perfectly pleasant, so no problems there. But oh. My God, the food. Fried chicken, cheddar grits, waffles, scrambled eggs, thick-cut sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy... just... I can't even describe it. Best brunch I've ever had. I'm hungry now just talking about it.
(5)Ben M.
Know full well that if you do not go in there with a large group of people that you will be seated at a big table with strangers. If having to bust into some strangers conversation on the opposite end of a long table to get someone to pass a pitcher of water down to your end, forcing all the people between you to stop eating and continue passing the pitcher sounds like fun, than this is the place for you. The food was fine, but I would never go here again unless I had enough people to fill a table. Most awkward restaurant I have ever been in.
(2)Alex P.
Love the service! Come back for the fried catfish and corn pudding. We love meeting new people from all over and share a meal family style. Like like
(4)Kenny C.
I wish I could create 10 more Yelp accounts just to give Monell's more 5-star reviews. What can I say about Monell's that hasn't already been said? The place is an institution. When I told people back in New York I was going to Nashville, Monell's was literally the only place that multiple people told me I absolutely had to go to. I told that to the owner Michael King and he had a good laugh and was very humbled. I had planned to make the pilgrimage on President's Day, but unfortunately the winter "storm" came and Monell's shut down for a bit. I had a couple of flight cancellations and Monell's Germantown opened back up on Wednesday for lunch. So it literally took an act of God to get me here. And boy, was it worth it. Here's what we ate at Monell's: -Fried chicken -Baked chicken -Fried pork chops -Corn pudding -Cole slaw -Marshmallow fruit salad -Sweet potato mash -Peas -Green beans -Mashed potatoes -Corn bread with homemade peach preserves -Chess pie And that was just on the first pass. Since the table was half empty, we were able to have seconds, which was a terrible idea for my physical well-being. But everything was so good! We eventually were joined by another three patrons, so they were able to help us clear some plates. But until we said "when", they just kept refilling everything. I wouldn't be surprised if Monell's regularly makes a dent in the local chicken population. Also, lunch was $14!!! How is that even possible?? The staff is AMAZING. You hear about southern hospitality, but they take the concept and crank it to 11. Free hugs at the end!
(5)Cindy L.
Must come here if you are in Nashville. This place is so friendly and cute. I went on Labor Day (thank good they were open!), which was a Monday. You will be seated with strangers. You will share the entire menu with the whole table, no ordering needed. Their menu changes daily. Mondays they had fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, & the meatloaf. You will also get to have four sides and two dessert. The fried chicken is the best I have ever had (& I live in Atlanta)! Yum!
(5)Matt S.
Went there for brunch this past Sunday with a large group (10 people). We got there just in time because the place was packed when we left. We had no idea what we were in for, we just found a place through my iPhone. Three people we did not know were seated at our table too, which I just assumed was normal for the place. I didn't have any issue with this as I have been to many places with seating arrangements like this. We sat down expecting menus and all of the sudden the waitresses (extremely nice, I might add) were bringing us bowls and platters of food. Biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken (amazing), corn pudding, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese grits, scrambled eggs, pancakes, roasted potatoes, homemade peach jam, coffee, tea. It was like being at an awesome breakfast buffet except the food was brought to you. This place was awesome and was a great way to cap our amazing weekend in Nashville. Can't speak as to the lunch and dinner options but I drool a little just thinking about what they must be like if they're anything close to what we experienced at breakfast time. Highly recommend and heed their warnings to pace yourself!
(4)John S.
The food is awesome, the portions are even awesome-er! This is the epitome of southern family-style soul food. You share the table with other groups (depending on how many people you have) and pass the food around while chit-chatting or just stuffing your face with as much food as you can. All the food they serve are fantastic, and it never stops coming. Of all the times I've been here, I've never had a bad experience. There's even a little garden outside that you can hang out in while you wait. If I had to find something to complain about, I guess it would be that there's not a special room of couches or beds for the food coma that follows every meal. Come here and you will not regret it (even though your pants might hate you for it).
(5)Cory P.
It is not gourmet with a little cute center piece in the middle of your plate. It is an all out food frenzy. We had lunch. It was great and they kept it coming. Everyday is different with meats. Sides are all tasty and fun. If you're scared to sit next to a stranger and interact a little bit. Stay in your home and order in. Those who are foodies and are hungry. This place is sinfully delicious. Price is cheap.
(4)Nichole K.
Where do I start? Skip breakfast and lunch for this dinner and come hungry. I have been here three times and whenever I'm in Nashville with my family, my brother insists on stopping. I'm one of those people if I ate there once, I've ate there a million times, but I don't make a huge fuss eating there more than once. It is the best southern-home-cooking you can possibly get. There isn't a dish that doesn't remind me of my grandma's home cookin'. It's family style seating which is nice because you meet other families and everyone that works here is very sweet and charming. In short, come hungry, and you'll leave in a food coma.
(5)Ohhee J.
Such a fun and unique dining experience! You definitely get the real southern experience dining here. Southern hospitality, fried food, fried food and fried food! My favorite was the fried chicken. They bring out tonsssssss of food so make sure to go in your stretchy pants!
(5)Jackie M.
Wow! Love this place!!! We sat at a table with 10 strangers but by the time we left we were no longer strangers! The food is absolutely delicious and served family style! I couldn't believe how much food we were served and it was all GREAT!! Go here!!!
(5)Matt V.
This place is in my top 10 of all brunch places. Ever. I like the atmosphere and especially all the delicious food. Been here a couple and look forward to going back.
(5)Maeling L.
Nice neighborhood. Be prepared to wait. Community seating so get ready to be social and make some friends. It's like eating at your grandma's house. Huge plates of food come out and you take what you want and as much as you want. They only serve tea and water so don't think you're going to drink whatever you want as some of our other dinner-mates had to find out.
(5)Amber W.
This place was amazing! Walked here from downtown Nashville (tourist with no car haha), approximately 1.5 miles one-way but TOTALLY worth it!!! Here's how it works: 1. You put your name/party on a list. They will call you when the seating is available. 2. Depending on the size of your party, you will probably be seated at a giant family-style table with other customers, who you've never met before! The tables look to seat about 8-15 people. 3. They bring out the food that they are serving for that day/meal (I have a feeling lunch and dinner options are different but trust me if you come for lunch you'll be so full you won't need to come back for dinner!). They have multiple side dishes and at least 2 main entrees. They bring out as much as you ask for... but pace yourself! The food is never ending... We ran out of roasted veggies, corn pudding, and some at our table wanted MORE fried chicken & ribs (I don't know how they do it!) and the staff is always super friendly and comes by to check that you have enough of everything you need/want, including refilling pitchers of water, iced tea, sweet tea as needed. 4. Save room for dessert! 5. Every customer gets a little laminated card to take to the cash register to pay when you are close to being done... "If you take up a seat you will be charged." For us it was about $15 per person for ALL that food, let me tell you our menu: cucumber salad, biscuits & gravy, green beans, roasted potatoes & carrots, sweet corn pudding, fried chicken, ribs (fall off the bone tender goodness!), and don't forget dessert, cherry cobbler... all of this is basically "all you can eat" except they bring the food to you! This place was amazing. Great food, great staff, super cute venue! I would definitely come back again! They sure don't have places like this in California!
(5)Nancy G.
Came here on a prior visit to Nashville and while initially kind of awkward sharing a table with strangers, it was a great experience in the end. We shared pieces of our lives with them and theirs with us. How interesting it was to make dining and good food a communal experience. The food came hot out of the kitchen in a continuous stream. Bowls among bowls of delicious southern fare. Fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, corn pudding, cornbread, beans, mashed potatoes - just to name a few - were all amazing. Highly recommended, especially if you're interested in seeing the interior of an old southern house too as the restaurant was situated in one.
(5)Lynette P.
Have an out-of-body experience at Monell's. There is nothing bad here, but the top contenders are the mac and cheese (a hit with everyone I know) and my personal fave, the peach preserves. I don't even like preserves. But these preserves have changed my life. I have never had anything like them and probably won't ever again! Buy some to take home! This place is family style and the one thing that bugged me is that we had a LARGE group yet we were still put at a table with another group. I don't mind family style, but out of personal taste I prefer to have my own group only at my table. It made conversation hard to have to share.
(5)Carroll M.
I just...uhh...this place and...so full...happy for first time in my life and...um...can I live here or...it's just...unconditional love...well I guess I...never felt this way before so...I mean...nevermind it's just...
(5)Hollie S.
Absolutely wonderful experience. We arrived around 11:45 on Sunday morning and waited only 15 minutes to be seated. Of course there was only the two of us, much larger parties were waiting quite a while. The food was fabulous! Started off with cole slaw, a cucumber salad and biscuits (or the traditional southern cornbread muffins) and gravy...which tasted like a country ham base rather than the familiar sausage flavor. Very good. Then comes everything else...one problem I found is that all the bowls started at my end of the table, and therefore ended up right in front of me once passed around.... a bit of a challenge reaching the iced tea, but at least I did not need to ask for someone to pass anything for seconds! But on to the food again...corn pudding, baked apples, mac'n cheese and braised pork were out of this world! Fried chicken was what I would have expected and mashed potatoes lacked cream, although everything still tasted great. A bit disappointed with such a "Southern" menu that didn't have any greens or okra, but maybe on a different day. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Nashville. One question our table had was...who gets to take the leftovers home?
(5)Lee L.
Had a great time at this unique restaurant. Highly recommend this for out of town visitors like myself. My wife and daughter had a early dinner and sat at a large table of around 20 people eating family style and chatting. Was interesting to meet everyone from all over the country at my table. Got to sample a variety of southern favorites like Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, grits, cobbler, biscuits, and much more! My recommendation is go early to avoid the crowds. I ate at 5:30pm and had no wait; but when we left there were large lines outside
(5)W M.
Scrumptious Delicious! Floridians looking for a nice place to eat. So while driving around trying to decide what we want to eat, I decided to google Southern eating restaurants. The Yelp app appeared, I downloaded it, click search and there where it all started. We ate lunch and the food was AWESOME. Great price, charming and cozy. Southern hospitality at its best. We had a local couple sitting at our table and they the nicest people you'd ever meet. They also offered and paid for our food; who said there aren't nice people in this world? We will back, planning another trip back to Nashville!
(5)Lucy N.
You are in for a real treat if you go here. I was in town form Chicago for a bachelorette weekend in Nashville. The group of girls I was with just randomly decided to go to brunch at this place. Boy were we surprised when we sat down at what felt like Aunt Jemima's kitchen table, and were told to turn off our cell phones! Just go here. The food doesn't disappoint and the friend chicken is the best I've ever had :)
(5)Mike H.
After a long 2 days of drinking every minute I was awake, I couldn't have picked a more satisfying meal to have before I left Nashville. The Natty Light pitchers and Fireballs were replaced with some good ol' southern cookin', and a lot of water. The setup is a nice southern home, with a great garden area to sit in while you are waiting. There are (I think) 3 large tables that sit about 12 people each. It's family style, meaning even if you are hungover, you have to fake a smile to random people so you don't bring down the mood of the table. The food is amazing, and honestly overwelming. The server brings out a dish at a time, and you pass it around the table. We were there for brunch, so we had biscuits with gravy, sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs, cheesie grits, fried chicken, and potatoes (I probably even forgot some stuff). The fried chicken was a little dry, but ultimately, I was having fried chicken for breakfast, so I still won. The bacon was some of the best I've ever had. To top off the meal, a bowl of some of the most amazing cinnamon rolls ever were passed around. Oh, and how much was this meal? About $15. Crazy. What was also crazy was having to drive 8 hours back to Chicago after being completely stuffed from this meal, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
(5)Brooklyn C.
Best fried chicken I had in my life! Cheese grits too, as well as the corn pudding. The biscuits with fresh peach preserves were superb, as well as the three types of pork - bacon, ham, and sausage. Also on menu was eggs, pancakes, sweet rolls, and candied apples. The wait was not too long and the food was amazing and bargain priced. You must eat here!
(5)Cathleen N.
I went with my fiance so we were seated at a table where everyone else already knew each other, but it was such a fun lunch experience! I'm a huge fan of sweet tea and lemonade so I was able to make my own Arnold Palmer. The biscuits were delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the peach preserves. It was a bit too sweet for my liking. I tried a little bit of everything, but the fried chicken, creamed corn, spinach lasagna and pickled veggies were my favorite! The ambiance was fantastic as well as the food. I am already looking forward to my next experience at Monell's!
(5)Uma R.
Not much options for vegetarians. But different experience of communal dining
(3)Marge J.
I love going here because the food is SOOO good, but I always over eat. Just no way around it when there's so much food around! :o)
(4)Elmer C.
We have never had such a fun experience out dining with family and friends. The environment is amazing, the food is AMAZING!!! and the staff is the bomb. If your looking for a place with great food this is the spot. But what makes it unique is the actual dining experience. It's like sitting around a thanksgiving table. Best way to describe it is like eating at grandmas house on thanksgiving. But the best part is that it's not just a thanksgiving feast but some delicious breakfast on weekends and a variety of lunch and dinner menus. If your in Nashville this should be on your bucket list of restaurants to eat at. Enjoy!
(5)Michael D.
Quintessential Nashville Brunch! Was here with a group on a Saturday morning, and got seats at the big table in the room you walk into. I highly recommend getting here before 11, as we got a table within a few minutes, but people who arrived 10 minutes after us had a much longer wait. Was big enough to feel like a true restaurant, but small enough to feel like it was a private dining room. Being community-style, as in sharing the table with guests not in our group, was a nice touch. As for the food, well let me tell you, I am glad they advised us on pacing. I'm glad they started small with biscuits and gravy, and sticky buns. It was also good that it didn't come out all at once. The definite favorites were the skillet-fried chicken and the country ham. One more nice touch, which was all food gets passed left when it gets to the table, and no cell phones are allowed. If you're gonna enjoy the Southern hospitality, gotta make sure you follow the rules!
(5)J B.
Greeeeeatttttttttt!!! Great staff great hospitality... Food was wonderful and bountiful!! Would recommend this place to everyone and anyone!
(5)Shawn L.
I am not sure what to say. This place has amazing food. I am not a person who would usually eat at a place like this. A good friend of mine said I had to go. I am so glad I went. The variaty of food and the service was great. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back right now.
(5)Melinda S.
This was the best breakfast ever. I find that I am a huge fan of biscuits and gravy and corn pudding. Skillet fried chicken at every meal? Yes. So much food, a mammoth platter of meat. OK, when's lunch?
(5)Brit N.
ahhmazing!!!!!
(5)Ashley P.
Great family style dinning experience with a plethora of great dishes! We will definitely visit again when we return to Nashville.
(5)Matt E.
The easiest 5-Star Ever. Across the great latitude that is the State of Tennessee there exists a place so scrumptious, so waist-enlarging, so distinctive and so meritorious that it compels you to visit! This place is Monell's. The best traditional breakfast I've ever had. The plates just keep on coming and every one is so yes yes yes talk dirty to me! The creamed corn, cheddar grits, the fried chicken, even fluffy pancakes oh my! Simply put--the food is AMAZING. I was a bit apprehensive about a place that's all you can eat not being up to full made-to-order quality but not an issue at Monell's at all. Come with the friendly attitude and a sturdy voice as you may make small talk with those seated alongside you, but just roll easy, be chatty and take in this southern spectacular. **Random Query: What do they do with all the leftover food that your end of the table doesn't eat? There's so so much...
(5)Robert J.
Wow. Quotes for the day: "I'm in heaven" "Pace yourself" "I need another plate" When I first arrived for brunch and said "whoa, it feels like someone's house", I was met with a "Oh, just you wait; it gets better". The whole experience was pretty surreal, the 45 min wait was totally worth it. Family style tables (about 10 per table, they'll match groups together), and the buffet is brought to you. I thought everything was a complimentary starter and was about to ask where the menus were, when I was met with a heaping tray of scrambled eggs and fried chicken. Biscuits & gravy, cinnamon rolls, cheese grits, fried chicken, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs, and the list keeps going. The price is per person, but very reasonable. We felt extremely guilty for letting the huge plate of bacon go to waste when we were too full to finish it! The staff was excessively friendly and brought us more trays when we needed them. I have zero negative comments for this place other than the wait, but relaxing in the fall weather in the homey courtyard with friends wasn't so bad ;) Quite. The. Experience.
(5)Steve B.
The food was delicious and the experience was memorable. We sat at a large table with 5 others groups of people. I was thinking it would be a private comfort food lunch on a business trip. And luckily it turned into a real family style southern lunch with loads of food with passed dishes, pleases & thank you'd and sweet tea!
(5)Yosh B.
The experience I had eating here was phenomenal!! It had the great southern hospitality charm with every bite. I suggest you come hungry. Everything on the breakfast menu was great & plentiful. Also, I couldn't get enough of the bacon!!!
(5)Christopher R.
I sat down. They started bringing me food. First biscuits. Then shells and cheese, fried chicken, grits, and more. I fell in love.
(5)Kris S.
Visited Nashville in August 2013 and researched must-visit places before I left. Monell's made a lot of other people's lists, so my friends and I decided to go. The service was excellent. We did have to wait a little while but the hostess was very friendly and talked to us the entire time, and even gave us the names of a few spots to visit that weren't so tourist-y. When we finally sat down our server (I wish I remembered her name) was awesome! She told my friends and I that she loved our accents (even though we DON'T have accents!! haha) and our beverage glasses were never empty. The food was amazing. My friends and I filled up on mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens that we ended up napping up until we went out that night. Our server and the busboy even posed for a photo with us :) The only reason Monell's lost a star from me is because the whole idea of sitting next to strangers is to make friends and share a meal over great food. We were sitting next to some Vandy frat boys with their stuck up prissy female friend who wanted no interaction whatsoever until they found out we lived 30 minutes away from NYC... then the chick wouldn't shut up about "Sex and the City" (yeah, because that's SUCH an accurate depiction of being in your 20s and living in the city) and how she's the real life Carrie Bradshaw. Bish please.
(4)John K.
Bottom Line: Great food and experience for fair price. Coming from the west coast this type of dining was a first. My party of 5 was seated at a large table for 12 because at Monell's strangers become family! Random folks were seated next to us and the food at the table was shared like it was thanksgiving dinner at grandma's...so to speak. Here are the points to underscore: 1) Always rotate left - for those of you who are new to southern dining (like me), the bowl of gravy, the basket of biscuits, and the all the other goodies are handed to the person to your left. 2) Take a little of each. - there is so much food that if you eat a lot of the biscuits and cornbread because the food isnt coming out....you'll be disappointed. And they offer more so as not to be wasteful at the table. So don't hog the chicken and mac and cheese. Be neighborly and share like it is your family. 3) Order of the food - I went there for lunch on a tuesday. However, the menu changes constantly. The food that came out for us was: biscuits, cornbread, gravy, broccoli with dressing, green beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, roast beef with carrots, fried chicken, and peach cobbler for dessert. There were both sweetened and unsweetened tea for beverages along with lemonade. I like Arnold Palmers so that worked out for me. You can easily ask for seconds...and thirds....and fourths.... And for dinner they throw in an additional meat loaf to go around. 4) Service is stellar - simply put...it was like being at home with a nice mother who brought out too much food. Note: For you recluse hermit types, don't fret. You don't have to talk with anyone if you choose not to. But be warned. Even the customers are nice there! Conclusion: if you have family or friends visiting from out-of-town metropolitan areas, show them Monell's for an interesting vibe.
(5)Phil N.
There are times when you have a great experience that is awe-inspiring and gives meaning to life... dining at Monell's is one of those times. I half-joked that the brick house that Monell's occupied must have been a church at one time. My friend was like "yeah, could be" but looked puzzled until I continued with my thought "cause Jesus must be cookin'" Seriously. Quit reading my review, get your a** to Germantown and put your name in. You'll be waiting to get seats at one of the communal tables that grace this monument to Southern cooking. They set tables of 10-12 or so at a large dining table, family style. They even have rules.. past to the left, take only what you can eat, no cell phones. You meet the folks you are sitting with and get tips from the locals such as "pace yourself, cause the food is just gonna keep comin'. And oh what a meal it is. Typical staples like mac n cheese, cornbread, bisquets and gravy are accompanied by a heavenly squash casserole. Then comes the meat. delicious pork loin, grilled chicken and the world famous fried chicken. Sweet tea, homemade peach preserves and a slice of pie for dessert (which they plated first but no one ate 'cause everyone was too full). If you go to Nashville, you must eat here! If you live in Nashville, I hate you... 'cause you can come here everyday. Enjoy.
(5)Elizabeth A.
Everything was amazing... Amazing food, service, & experience.... Don't see how anyone can say a bad word about the place.... Amazing amazing amazing
(5)JoAnna L.
My cousin took me here the day I landed in Nashville and I'm so glad she did. We found parking on the street just down the way and then we went to put our name on the list. The seating area does get a bit busy and it looked like Sundays were no exception. Once we had our name called (it took about 20 minutes), we sat at a communal table with about 8 other people and it was great. We had coffee and sweet tea offered and then the plates started to roll out, it was amazing! We had yummy cheese grits, corn pudding, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, thee best tasting cinnamon rolls I've ever had!, sausage, bacon, and then, of course, very tasty fried chicken. The employees are also very hospitable and friendly. For less than $15, the meal is an absolute steal and very good! The key is to take a little bit at a time, that way you can enjoy it all! I'd love to stop by here again definitely.
(5)Matthew L.
Had a fun and delicious experience. Couldn't believe how good everything was, how much food, how low a price. I really and completely enjoyed myself. Was in town for business so was alone which meant I was sat right away. Met a bunch of nice locals and had a great time. Everything I tried was delicious. Great experience.
(5)Annie C.
AMAZING. This is a must in Nashville. The chicken was so delicious and not too oily. The corn pudding was perfect. The biscuits were fluffy and buttery. Slight downsides were the vegetables (overcooked and bitter), the mashed potatoes (tasteless), the ambrosia salad and cole slaw (very very sweet, but I suppose this is how it is supposed to be). If you are in Nashville this is a must.
(5)Hui C.
Amazing for real, home-cooked style Southern fare, and big fan of the family-style tables. Definitely a Southern concept; don't think most of my Northern friends would be up for chatting with strangers the whole meal, but everyone in Nashville is friendly and friends I've taken here has loved the experience. I've only been for dinner and everything was great; biscuits and fried chicken were highlights, but save some room for desserts because they're delicious.
(5)Andrew B.
This place would be 5 stars if it were a buffet, as the hit-and-pass nature of it is cute, but ineffective. This is fried chicken that deserves to be worshipped, not eyed from across a table. The sides were excellent, and it was fun eating as a group, but the food deserves more attention as it's that good, and the system doesn't quite get us where we wished. That said, if it didn't all whiz by, we'd have eaten 3-4,000 extra calories, so there was indeed a silver lining.
(4)Adam B.
This is another place I guess I just don't get. It's nice to serve food family style. It helps strangers be social. But, at $21 a person, you should do better than pretty good fried chicken and then a lot of cafeteria food. The pork chops were dry and tough. The meatloaf was in chunks and bland. The sides were, overall, average. And, when you are remotely done eating, they tell you to leave so the next group can come in.
(2)Rachel C.
This is southern soul food at it's best. Family style seating makes the meal feel festive and special. The meal started off with biscuits and cornbread with gravy. The biscuits were so soft and fluffy, absolutely perfect for sopping up the savory gravy. The cornbread was slightly salty and delicious, though I prefer sweet cornbread. The cole slaw was the best I ever had, creamy and tangy but not watery. The fruit tea was good for washing everything down. I've never had corn pudding before but man oh man is it good. The mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had both chunks and skin, just how I like it. I think I ate half the tub of spiced apples on my own. The Mac and cheese was so creamy and cheesy and not at all mushy because the pasta was cooked perfectly. The purple sauerkraut was perfect with a bit of everything. Moving on to the meats, the fried chicken was so tender and the skin had the perfect combo of crispness and chew. The roast beef was fall apart tender and stewed in the most delicious brown sauce. The pulled pork also had big flavors. I made room for a couple bites of pecan pie and had no complaints there either. If you're looking for a belly buster meal with good value and awesome home cooked flavors, this is the place.
(5)Michael S.
Ummmm....yeah....I know I'm supposed to be writing massively long and involved reviews as a supposedly "elite" Yelper, but honestly, there is nothing that can be said about Monell's that ain't been said before. It's just that good, sinfully unhealthy down-home style cooking, with unending portions, and cool family style serving. Love getting to sit with random people who are all drooling over the never ending stream of food. I prefer to go for brunch on the weekends, but I've loved every dinner I've had hear too, so that's just a personal preference, you can't go wrong. And, there's that fantastic little cupcake bakery just a few doors down if you've managed to save a little spot for dessert somewhere....
(5)Paul W.
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt University ["Stay Calm and Anchor Down." Or something like that....] I go to Monell's EVERY TIME I AM IN NASHVILLE. EVERY TIME. The place rules. The fried chicken is exceptional. Bless these people, they serve it at breakfast, too. The corn pudding is delicious: I never eat the stuff anywhere else. The biscuits are little pillows of heavenly starch. I have yet to have a bad meal there. It's family style seating and you will probably have to wait for a seat. There is a lovely little garden seating area with a koi pond and a bench swing to wait on. Once you get in, you're seated with a whole table of strangers. I have yet to meet one rude soul there. They pass when you ask and converse when you want. There's plenty of silences 'cause the food's pretty damn good. Have I mentioned I come here every time I'm in Nashville? Because I do. If you like good, home-cooked food, go to Monell's. If you like the company of good people while you dine, go to Monell's. If you like to eat a lot, go to Monell's. But you don't have to pig out to get value here: the food is really that good. Simple and good. If you like yourself and your friends and family, do something nice for yourselves: go to Monell's.
(5)Colleen S.
Visiting from PA, we were looking for some Southern home-cooking and we found it here! We asked our cab driver for a suggestion since we wanted a local favorite rather than a tourist spot downtown. He suggested Monell's, which is a short drive away from downtown but ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. We walked in with a group of 4 and they directed us to one of their 12-seat tables. I really enjoyed the vintage furniture and decoration. You felt like you were walking into someone's home! This place serves family style, so they will seat you with another party unless you have a large party yourself. The table was beautifully set, with sweet tea, lemonade and a few cold salads/casseroles to start. Hot biscuits, gravy and peach preserves were brought out next while we waited for our table to fill. We immediately began to dig in and had to remind ourselves to slow down for the next course. Once the table is filled, there is a flutter of activity as they begin to bring out baskets and bowls of Southern comfort food! They stagger the dishes and ask everyone to pass to their left to keep it organized. Baked chicken, fried porkchops and fried chicken that was practically falling off of the bone. Next was cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and corn pudding. Everything came out fresh, hot and delicious! We enjoyed the family style seating and the party seated with us was very friendly and talkative. We ate until we could barely move and then realized we had to sample some dessert as well! Small bites of the baked apples and banana pudding were enough for us to officially throw in the towel. With many children in the other party at our table, there was quite a bit of food leftover and we were informed that all of the food is donated to local churches that serve the food to homeless/low-income families, which we were very happy to hear. On our way out, we met the owner who was a jovial man hosting the arriving parties to their tables. He was very funny, cracking jokes about us Northerners and hoping we enjoyed our soul food. When visiting Nashville, avoid downtown and go to Monell's for a GREAT Southern dining experience!
(5)Chad P.
Southern, for sure! Going to Monell's is like stepping back in time. Everyone is super friendly, and the food is very good. You sit family style with many other families you don't know. It's a nice way to meet people who come to Nashville from everywhere. Come prepared to eat and not spend a fortune.
(3)Bridget S.
Wow! What a fun and tasty breakfast. The meal seemed never ending and the fried chicken is the BEST in Nashville. Loved the grits nice and cheesy. Biscuits fluffy, great bacon and sausage. The home made cinnamon rolls were awesome per my hubby ( I was too full to taste). Corn pudding, fried potatoes, ....and sides continue including pancakes and scrambled eggs. Service was great (friendly, kind and smiling). Nice meeting others at a family style table. A true southern breakfast.
(5)Ashley M.
If you're looking for a truly Southern dining experience, Monell's is the place! On a recent trip to Nashville, we were excited to venture to Monell's--a place on my "must try" list and it just so happened to be Mother's Day lunch, so we were in for a real treat! Parking can be tricky along the street, but luckily we arrived early and were able to snag a spot directly across from the restaurant. For seating for two, we were told it would be about 45 mins to an hour. The wait was a bit long and true to the promise, but totally bearable as we found seats outside in their garden area. Monell's stocks light snacks and refreshments under a tent for its guests while they wait, which is a nice feature I hardly ever see and really reminds me of how great southern hospitality service can really be. On this particular Sunday, take your pick of tea, water, small bags of chips, or homemade nachos kept warm in a chafer pan! Once we were seated, everyone was ready to start eating--which is great because there's already food and drinks waiting on the table for you to devour. We started off with 3 salads: spinach and pea (my personal favorite), coleslaw, and zucchini and tomato. The drinks on the table are: sweet and unsweet tea, fruit tea, and water. Shortly after being seated, a lady comes over to explain the house rules (pass to the left, no cell phones) and then the food starts pouring in: a huge basket of fresh biscuits, rolls, cornbread, sausage gravy, corn pudding, asparagus casserole, turkey casserole, green beans, pork tenderloin, fried chicken (another personal favorite), and peach pie for dessert. Wow, just wow--everyone gets so excited for all the food, the atmosphere is happy, full, and delightful. The food itself is very southern--soft, salty, and sweet. It's not that this place has the best food you could ever eat, it's that they have the family dining experience to a tee and you oftentimes have more fun dining with these strangers than you could ever imagine. Definitely worth a try and I would happily go back!!!
(4)Jessica R.
Oh Myyyyy!!!! I could not have chosen a better place for a southern lunch! Such a cool idea, family style dinner where you sit at a table with people you don't know, it makes for very interesting conversations. My bf and I were visiting from CA and met such fun people during our meal, locals and visitors. The locals had great tips and the visitors, great stories about Canada! Haha! As for the food, one word: YUM! Seriously. Mashed Potatoes, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken, fried fish, greens, and for dessert, bread pudding. :D My mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it. Super friendly staff, amazing food, good ambience, and an inviting family style, wish I lived nearby so I could go more often! Definitely a must if you're in Nashville!!
(5)Brian S.
I had to write another review. I am down here visiting for work this time, and had the dinner service for the first time. Didn't know what to expect, but it was homemade cranberry sauce, baked and fried Chicken, pork chops, chicken salad, baked apples, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cornbread , dressing, banana pudding, corn pudding, and macaroni and cheese. I tasted almost everything. All was really good. Chicken salad was my favorite. Dinner was great, but only 2nd to the breakfast!
(5)Sharon K.
Maybe it's my lone wolf personality, but I didn't really enjoy eating here. It is a huge table where you sit with a lot of strangers and you have to rely on their good table habits to have a good meal. The food is passed around the table... in theory, but often the food gets bottlenecked by some noob who doesn't realize there are other 10 other people at the table. The waitresses don't really do much for you at this place either, it's hard to get coffee or water. The food itself was good, but you never know what's coming out, if you are ok with lots of comfort food and waiting for coffee, go for it. But I didn't see anything very special about this place. Call me crazy.
(2)Josh B.
A very unique experience for sure. True family style. Outstanding traditional southern comfort food.
(5)Jimmy W.
Was on my Nashville "to do" list for a while. Finally showed up, sat a table with complete strangers and passed great food around and talked to each other as if we were family. Great concept and social experiment to go along with awesome food. Making this a mandatory stop!!
(5)Ju L.
I wasn't sure what to expect but I ended up loooooving our meal here. Community eating just feels good, even though I hate being talked to while I have food in my mouth. Our country breakfast included: - biscuits and [heavily baconed] gravy - corn pudding - potatoes - cheese grits - pancakes - cinnamon buns - ham, bacon, and sausage heaped on one plate - fried chicken - pitchers of sweet tea, water, coffee, tea Hot biscuits, hot damn! It's a lot of food but the sharing makes it easy to pace yourself. I revisited the corn pudding and potatoes. SO GOOD. Everything was delicious - nothing surprising, but familiar/homey stuff is that much better when it comes in heaps. Apparently they make most of their food with vegetable oil instead of lard. Still tastes like lard. Everyone seemed to be a tourist like us. At 10 strangers to a table, conversation didn't necessarily flow perfectly and some parties only talked amongst themselves, which was a little irritating - not because I want to hear Rhonda's life story, but because then you have to wave them down to get food passed. For everyone's sake, at least niceties should be exchanged in the beginning... because yes the carbs and fat are great, but you can do your gutbusting anywhere. The community-oriented meal experience is really the point. I was expecting the interior to just look exactly like someone's house but it just looks like a cozy family restaurant - reminded me strongly of Walker Bros. in Chicago ( yelp.com/biz/walker-brot… ) - warm, but also clean and efficient. The outside of Monell's is surrounded by a garden with lots of greenery and a koi pond, and also a swing chair which I practically had to be pried off of. Worth a visit as a tourist? Absolutely. Our meal came in at just under $15pp, to boot. If I were the one driving I would have taken us back again before leaving Nashville.
(5)Carissa O.
So much food. So much good food. And so cheap considering how much you get. The cole slaw is great, fried chicken is exceptional. We had something called Brown Betty for dessert and it was amazing. I felt like I was eating at my grandma's house and I would come back for sure!
(4)Leslie B.
A unique experience with a variety of great tasting southern food! The restaurant is a family style setting meaning you WILL be eating with other people. If this is not your thing, then this isn't the right place for you. In my opinion, that is what adds charm to this restaurant. Above the door before you come in, there is a sign that says "Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends" and I couldn't have said it any better. Both times that we ate at Monell's I can honestly say, we made friends. We traded stories, life experiences and most importantly. we laughed! It was a grand time. As for the food, there's plenty of it...and everything is great. If you've never eaten southern food before, this is a great way to get an "introduction" because of the large variety. The staples are greens, green beans, creamed corn, biscuits, cornbread, beans, coleslaw potatoes (mashed or roasted), pecan pie, sweet tea, and of course yummy fried chicken. The first time we went there, the entrees were chicken casserole and pork chops and the best banana pudding for dessert. The second time, it was spinach lasagna and slow cooked pot roast and ambrosia. The pot roast is AMAZING! You can eat as much of anything as you would like so don't be shy. The service is great, really friendly and down to earth people. They make sure that there's plenty of food on the table. The price is extremely reasonable for all the food that they bring out. Oh one more thing, pass the food to your left, and cell phones are not allowed at the table. When you're here, your focus is the food and people you're sharing the experience with. As they say, respect the dining table...I know it's a bit of old school, but hey I think it's a good thing and we need more of it!
(5)Kayla S.
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Service, Food, there are no negatives to this place. Went for the first time last week while in town for work. I went back a day later. Met some great people there as well. Highly recommend.
(5)Sharron H.
Me and Hubby visited Nashville for my birthday and he found this on Yelp early Saturday morning and all I can say is HIGH FIVE TO THE HUBBY!!! This place is absolutely AMAZING!!! The food was so good it make you smack somebody and we felt like we was at home and my Mama and Aunties in the kitchen!! The staff was so attentive and sweet, after brunch all I need was a blanket and couch and I would have been out for the count. If someone ever give this place a bad review they either had a bad day or they on drugs....Lol!! I live in Huntsville and would definitely drive here just to eat and go back home!!!!
(5)Amy N.
Such a great place to take out of town guests for a unique "southern" experience. The food is good, but the real value is in the ambience (the restaurant is a converted Victorian mansion), the company (unless you come with a big group you'll be seated family style with strangers or "new friends"), and the neighborhood (located in the really great part of Germantown so don't miss a chance to take a stroll around the block while you wait for your table. Spoiler alert: if you go on the weekend, you'll be waiting awhile. Luckily there's an awesome cupcake shop (Gigi's?) down the street if you need a treat before you eat.
(5)Ann F.
Love this place: friendly staff, good food, and a family style dining experience. Thank you!
(5)Leslie B.
When I asked anyone who had been before, "where do we have to eat in Nashville?" Monell's was by far the most common answer. I seriously could not believe how many people I knew who had stopped here during a Nashville visit. The boyfriend and I came by on a Saturday morning around 11:00 and were greeted with the 70 or so other people waiting for a table...The process of putting your name down is not so clear, the woman taking names also serves as cashier. Just go inside and stay to the left of the counter. Our predicted wait time of 45 minutes was pretty spot on. You can wait outside in a lovely courtyard area, not sure where you would wait in bad weather. Finally, our name was called. What a unique brunch experience! We were led to our 12 person table with others that were waiting and helped ourselves to sweet tea and coffee. Dining with strangers was pretty awkward at first, especially because our table didn't include the most outgoing of individuals. However, once the food started coming out, everyone was very friendly and more than willing to pass whatever you needed. First, out came cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. These biscuits and gravy were insanely amazing. Being from Chicago, I'm not able to experience authentic biscuits and gravy...these were the real deal. After that came a massive platter of bacon/ham/sausage, all of which were hot and tasty. I especially liked their hearty breakfast sausage. With that came scrambled eggs, cheese grits, baked apples, fried chicken, corn pudding, and I'm probably forgetting another item! Everything was so flavorful and delicious, but my favorite side was the corn pudding. It was outstanding. You literally keep passing and eating until you are forced to throw in the towel thinking you may never eat again. And then when you pay...$27 for both of us. WHERE AM I. Outrageously inexpensive for all of the homemade food thrown your way. Overall, must-go for brunch, or any meal really, in Nashville! Very memorable experience.
(5)Brittany C.
Delicious! Friendly family-style seating and serving. The potatoes and corn pudding were my favorite dishes. The biscuits were great, too!
(5)Jeff L.
Went to Monell's by the Airport for a friend's anniversary party and I really loved this place. The family style setup was awesome...think southern soul/comfort food version of Buca Di Beppo or a southern meat and three where you can try everything you want, and still get dessert. Because it's family style with big tables, you can have as much or as little as you want and you may sit with some strangers and make new friends. The no cell phone policy annoys some people, but honestly I'm all for it. We don't interact with new people IRL enough. Get off Yelp! or social media for an hour!
(4)Mark E.
A REAL gem in Nashville. Probably one of the best values I have ever experienced. No, you don't order off a menu, you have what they are makimg, and that's ok because it's ALL good. The food comes fast and fresh. But don't load up on all the delicious food you're first because as soon as you heap up your plate, they nail with the fried chicken. ..and you HAVE to have the fried chicken. I will be going back in March....CAN T WAIT!!!
(4)Carla C.
Who's Monell?? I don't know, but I love her. This place is truly phenomenal in every single way. From the food (obviously), to the location, the ambiance, the service. I guarantee you will leave here fully knowing you just had one of the most unforgettable dining experiences you've ever had. First off, Monell's is kind of on a residential street. We pulled up kind of confused because it's a house. Yes, a house! A quaint little southern house converted into the homiest restaurant I've ever dined in. EVERYONE was taking pictures of the outside so I didn't feel as bad gawking like the tourist I am. Nice little garden area outside serving as the perfect welcome path that leads you to the side of the house where the main entrance is. They don't take reservations, but we barely waited 10-15min (and it was a Friday) before our party of 4 was seated at a table with a family of 4. It's communal seating, so you most likely will be sitting down and sharing your meal with complete strangers FYI. The best way I can describe this place is like you're at Grandma's. The décor is comprised of chotchkies and nicknacks you would literally find at your grandparents' house. Then, picture a buffet of the most amazing food but brought to you tableside... except you never have to get up. Gluttony at its finest. But truly, it just adds to the experience. So your very hospitable server (or two) just starts bringing food to you and keeps it coming the entire time you're there. I literally loved every single thing I tasted (with the exception of the hushpuppies, but I'm just not a fan in general - nothing personal to Monell's!). Honestly, the fried chicken, the mac n' cheese, and the catfish (OMG the catfish) were my top top TOP faves. The rest - ribs, corn putting, green beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes, bread pudding - were just my faves. Oh, and the sweet tea was really, really good, too... Siiigh. A friend I was with heard about this place via Yelp, while I had heard about it from a local I met at Piranha's (amazing dive in downtown Nashville with ridiculous burgers). We, along with the friends we brought with us, were beyond happy that we came here. I am sincere when I say, I would honestly buy a ticket to Nashville just to come back and eat here (and then obviously plan a weekend out of it, but you know what I mean). It's THAT good.
(5)Tara H.
Omw.... this place is amazing!!!! You do have to pace yourself otherwise you will get full FAST! The biscuits are unbelievable... and the peach preserves WOW, and I don't even like peach jelly but WOW!!! Best breakfast I've ever eaten and the ambiance is neat too!
(5)Lauren M.
Food was EXCELLENT. Dining arrangements = awkward, especially if you are going as a pair. We were seated at a table with 10 others we didn't know. Although the food was excellent, it made for very awkward conversation. Still though, all you can eat fried chicken, biscuits, meatloaf, chicken n dumplings with a plethora of salads and sides, plus sweet tea and lemonade for $12 at lunch cannot be scoffed at. Staff here were all very motherly and nice.
(4)Moira R.
Always my place for visitors. Everyone who comes through Nashville to visit comes through here with me -- because the food is so good. (Corn pudding is delicious x 1000.) Also, I think for my East Coast/Pacific Northwest based family & friends, this place is a really good introduction to what the South is about, in my experience -- food and family. The restaurant is a house with a garden (+ koi pond) that feels like you're hanging out at your Grandma's house on Easter Sunday. If there is a wait, and sometimes there really is, it's not so bad out there, but do be prepared for this. I imagine for some people, the family style seating:12 people to a table whether you came with them or not, passing everything to the left, and "if you sit, you pay" rules are troubling, but that's the style of restaurant this is, and ultimately I find it adds to the charm. (Please do be forewarned that sometimes the family seating can make this experience a little awkward -- I've been sat with families who have had terrible reactions to the "rules", weird groups of people from conferences who were awkward with each other and with the folks I was with by extension, and people who have told me "we've eaten here every night for a week!" which is kind of frightening when you think about it -- this is like a Thanksgiving dinner, folks, and I wouldn't be surprised if you're eating 3,000 calories at once. ) Brunch and dinner have both been delicious. I like that sweet tea, un-sweet tea and lemonade are right on the table for you. (No alcohol.) Ultimately, I've loved everything I've eaten here, but fair warning, the food does have that sloppy made at home feel. If that's not your thing, or if you're looking for something "gourmet", this is not your spot. Check the website for the menu for the day before you go. Also, my service here has always been amazing. The hostess and wait staff have been nothing but welcoming and accommodating when I've been there. Will be back.
(4)Jerry Y.
The food is pretty good. Family-style southern comfort food. Concept is good, location is great. However for the wait and price for the meal, the value was not there. I would wait 15 minutes for this meal, not an hour plus.
(3)Ryan M.
Living in Chicago, Monelles may be my first real introduction to authentic southern food - and Monells did not disappoint. We arrived by taxi shortly after 3 and to our extreme disappoint read on the front door sign that lunch hours end at 3. We figured we were already there so my as well go in and see if they were still seating. Well the food isn't the only thing southern here so is the hospitality...the owner was more than willing to oblige. The restaurant is in an old home which provides charm and the seating is family style so be prepared to share food and a table with people you don't know. This was a little uncomfortable for my girlfriend. Everything was excellent but my favorites were the collard greens, meat loaf, and banana pudding. You definitely won't leave hungry. Me and my girlfriend had a good laugh later that evening when we were at a sushi restaurant and ordered a roll and realized that we just paid the same price for some rice, tuna, avocado as we did for a southern feast at Monells.
(5)Courtenay L.
Wow, where to start? First of all, I realize this is a very popular place that usually gets 4-5 stars. However, I feel like I need to share my experience to show the other side of things. I went here with my boyfriends family one morning for breakfast. It was crowded and the hostess seemed pissed about it (or something else) so we were not greeted in a kind way. She led us to the back and we were a bit confused about how the seating works because none of us had been there before so when she lead us to a huge table we started to sit down and I apparently chose the wrong seat and she said "NO, over there, not there" She wasn't even pointing at anything so I changed seats with little to no direction. Everyone else was confused too and she just said "Sit" to all of us- once again, no kindness. I think it is important that each party at least gets asked "Have you been here before?" before seating them since Monell's does seating and serving a little differently (communal tables and family style). We didn't understand it was this type of a restaurant. I know some people think it is fun to sit next to strangers- I found it awkward and unpleasant. When I saw the hostess walk back I notified her I would not be eating (I am a vegan for health reasons) she said it didn't matter, I would be charged anyway. I would NOT have suggested going here if I knew I was going to pay 14 dollars for a glass of tea. She was so rude, and I understand that is their policy but she should have EXPLAINED that before I sat down and "took up a space". I'll just sit on my boyfriends lap next time, thanks. When I left I did see a sign with very small print on the door explaining the "rules" of Monell's. Screw any restaurant that has rules! Why can't a person relax while eating instead of being forced to sit next to strangers and follow some weird policy?! Anyway I just want to mention the WORST part- there were FLIES swarming everywhere- sitting on the food and all around the dining room- at least 3 at our table at once. I'M SORRY that is just wrong. I was glad I wasn't eating. That being said, everyone enjoyed the food which I am guessing is the reason for most of the positive reviews. So I am sure my experience would have been enhanced had I been able to eat. So I will give it that! A few points to sum it up: The Bad: 1. Rude and lazy staff 2. FLIES everywhere 3. Communal seating (which some people may find fun) 4. You get charged for eating, even if you don't and no one will tell you that until it's too late The Good: 1. The taste of the food This is my first Yelp post- I was that mad!!!
(1)Andy C.
It's a nice restaurant for a meal. I thought the meal was too fast, and the wait was longer than I expected. I came here by myself. It's better to come in a group. Food was pretty good. Service was good. Nice place. I like the pork, corn, and cake.
(3)Vince S.
What an experience. My wife and I ate at monells while on our road trip honeymoon. It was by far the most unique dining experience we had on the trip. You sit family style, with strangers. Get to know them. Once dinner starts, you are immediately bombarded with an absurd amount of food. Take a little bit of everything (even the corn pudding!). Each and every item is delicious in its own way. The coleslaw may be the best I've had. The Mac n cheese is amazing. The chicken is great. The beef is so tender. Everything. Just eat it all. Awesome service. Awesome food. Unique experience. Get off of your device and head to monell's!
(5)Steph C.
The highlight of our Nashville trip!! It's like going to Grandma's house. Except that instead of family members, you dine with a table of friendly strangers from different walks of life. There's light laughter and chatter and passing of bowls and pitchers and condiments as everyone readies themselves (and their plates) in anticipation of the feast. And then the food arrives. Friendly waiters with armfuls of bowls and platters and baskets, setting them on any empty space on the table, telling you to go for it. And it just keeps coming. And coming. And it's INSANE. Fried chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken n' dumplings, baked apples, potatoes, mac n' cheese, green beans, asparagus casserole, corn pudding, zucchini salad, cole slaw, biscuits and gravy, corn muffins and bread, and banana pudding. The food was SOOO GOOD. Homey, hearty, comforting, and rich. It was way too much food, but I had to at least try everything, so I took a little of each dish and still ended up with a loaded plate. Taking seconds on anything was out of the question. I can't even single out my favorites, they were all delicious. Other than the banana pudding. That pudding made me want to weep, it was so awesome.
(5)Ashley A.
I probably gained 5 pounds from eating Brunch at this place alone. The food never ends - grits, pancakes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, cinnamon rolls, sweet corn, fried chicken. Meal is incredibly fast. This is a Nashville Institution.
(4)S S.
Ate at Monell's for first time today. Let me just say phenomenal! Felt like we were having an early Thanksgiving dinner! Awesome home style dishes. Best part of the meal was you eat family style w people who are strangers when you pray, and friends when before you finish dessert! All I can say is if you are ever in the Nashville area Monell's is a must stop lunch destination!
(5)Fabiana H.
I have been to this place so much since I moved to town that I got a bit sick of the food. Still, a must go place in town, especially for visitors. Unique southern experience and I love the communal table concept. The food is very good, the menu never changes though. i have tried brunch and lunch. Brunch is by far the best experience there. It is wort the long wait!!! Fresh out of the oven biscuits, delicious fried chicken, the corn pudding is my favorite!
(5)Mel D.
In Nashville for a conference looking for a unique culinary experience, look no further then Monell's. This Nashville establishment is a gem. Family style dining and INCREDIBLE FOOD!!!! The corn pudd'n is awesome! We were there in there meat loaf night and it was out of this world! Loved the unique experience that eating at a large family style dining brings to the atmosphere. You walk in strangers and leave as friends! Truly a fun experience that you must try when in Nashville!!!!
(5)T-Roc M.
A great experience I'd say. Dinning with strangers in a table. Kinda like thanksgiving everyday though. We sat with strangers had lunch and chatted away throughout lunch. Fun, and great food.
(5)Peter D.
I have never in my life experienced hospitality so genuine, so heartfelt, and so absolutely amazing, as I did at Monell's. Michael, the owner, redefined going above and beyond the call of duty; my friends and I were absolutely astonished by his kindness and remain thoroughly grateful. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. I suppose I should tell you first that the food is fantastic. If you're looking for some downhome, legit Southern cooking, this is where you want to be. Forget Olive Garden, you're actually family at Monell's. Everyone here will greet you with a smile, and after a short wait (they are quite popular, but the line moves quickly and the garden you wait in is beautiful), you'll be ushered into what looks like your grandmother's dining room. Unless you have 14 people or so, you're going to be sharing a table with some other folks for a family-style feast. The table was already set with sweet tea, tea punch and other beverages, as well as several types of hot sauce and other condiments you may or may not need. Don't worry about ordering right either, because they are just going to bring you everything. And I mean EVERYTHING: Corn pudding, cheese grits, green beans, vinegar pork, coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, pecan pie...it's all there, and it's all good. You take however much you want, and you pass it to your left. And there will be enough for everyone, I guarantee it. I went back to my favorite items at least twice, and there was definitely still leftovers. Once you've eaten yourself to the point of delicious, perfectly satiated pain, you get up and pay only $20, which is perhaps the best deal I've ever encountered. It is so worth it, I would easily have paid twice that for the privilege of sitting down in their dining room. I was sad I had to leave, but I will be back each and every time I'm in Nashville. This brings me to the only downside of Monell's, as well as the reason they've earned a customer and advocate for life: It's not in the most heavily trafficked area of Nashville. If you don't have a car, it's nearly impossible to get back downtown because there is no public transportation to speak of. However, we had let the owner Michael know that we had a plane to catch, and he was nice enough to call us a cab. The cab company quoted us a wait of about twenty minutes. After half an hour though, there was still no sign of a cab. We were standing on the street out front, starting to get a bit worried, and Michael came outside suddenly and told us to come with him. We followed him to the back, assuming there was a cab waiting on the other side. He unlocked a silver sedan, and told us to pile in. This man was worried that we were going to miss our flight, and he insisted on driving us back to our hotel. Let me repeat that so there's no confusion: the owner of Monell's walked out of his own restaurant during service, and insisted on driving us -- four complete strangers from another city -- back to our hotel in HIS OWN CAR. This selfless gesture of hospitality actually blew my mind. It's not like this man wasn't busy. Michael owns the place. From the time we walked in, he was busy keeping the extensive waitlist, running the cash register, leading folks to their tables...all while cracking jokes and welcoming everyone into the restaurant all on his own. And he just dropped everything and drove us, in his own car, back downtown. Unbelievable. Thank you Michael, for being the absolute definition of Southern hospitality. The sign above the door says that we arrive strangers and leave as friends, and you better believe you've got one in Brooklyn from here on out.
(5)Tiffany L.
First off come hungry! Monell's was recommended to my boyfriend and I from our Airbnb host while driving through Nashville on our way to Denver. She raved about it! So we went for their country Breakfast/Brunch The Food: The food was great! It comes family style and shared amongst everyone at the table (10-12 people per table) For breakfast they served a selection of pork (bacon, sliced ham, and sausage patties), fried chicken, pancakes, biscuits, corn pudding, cheesy grits..and probably a few things I'm missing! The biscuits were great! The Experience: The inside reminds you of being in your grandmother's home, if it were down in the country! Community style seating with other patrons, which is a great way to meet other folks. The service was excellent, everyone was friendly and kind. The Price: It's a little pricey for breakfast, came out to $30 for the two of us. If you eat a lot it's totally worth it. If you don't eat much then you may be better off going to a regular breakfast restaurant as they only serve family style and everyone who sits gets a meal ticket. The lady next to me didn't eat and there was a whole ordeal about if you sit you must pay...as an fyi. But overall it was delicious and a great experience nonetheless!
(4)Erik Y.
Like everyone else has stated, it's an awesome brunch! I won't go into details on how it works, etc. Expect a wait, a ton of food, and a fun time! The only thing that prevents a 5 is that they do not have country ham (at least when I was there..) I feel like that would have made it a perfect meal :)
(4)Maggie C.
Where to even begin? I went there for a rehearsal dinner. The food was to die for! I usually don't like meatloaf and I wanted to keep eating their's. The catfish was delicious as well! Even the coleslaw was great. I can't think of a bad think to say about this place!
(5)Tai F.
I just don't have a bad thing to say about this place. The service was incredible. The staff was downright ebullient. And even though I didn't really get to have the full family dining experience I had just a lovely time. Thinking I would beat the rush I arrived here at nine am. Well on this freezing cold and snowy Tennessee morning there was barely a person in there. I sat down with a couple who had already been there thirty minutes. They left me alone about fifteen minutes later. Ah well, who doesn't want a huge table of food to themselves!?! My favorite parts were the delicate and juicy fried chicken, the delicious cheese grits, the perfectly flakey biscuits and the fluffy scrambled eggs. I tried everything on the table but still kept coming back to those standards. The pancakes were good, the corn pudding was good, the potatoes and the bacon and the sausage - all good. But I'm telling you, load me up with those biscuits, grits, eggs and chicken and I'm the happiest lady. Next time I'm in town I'd love to come around for the lunch or dinner. Hell, I'll just start the day and end the day here! It's the right thing to do.
(5)Chris M.
I'm going to do it. I said I never would but I'm going 5 stars. Family style and the great dishes just kept coming. Great. Go eat here!
(5)Heather P.
This place takes buffet/family style to a whole new level. On a Saturday morning, my husband and I were the last two to be seated at the table of thirteen. The others had already started eating but were very gracious and welcoming, passing us the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, potatoes, eggs, corn pudding, bacon, country ham, bacon...convinced yet? Then lastly, comes the fried chicken...the four pieces that I had were the best I've ever eaten. This is a true southern experience. If you don't like eating with strangers, then I recommend that you stay away, stay home.
(5)Sabrina B.
Yummy Southern cooking served family style. You will have more food presented to you than you could ever think of eating. It is down-home grandma cooking at it's best. Yes there will be real butter used in dishes, yes there may be bacon in the green beans, yes there will be biscuit with home made peach marmalade and home made pies and sweet tea. This is the south after all. Monell's has been a Nashville staple for many years and rightly so. The seating is family style, and the dishes seem endless. There is a rotating menu, with some staples available daily. There is a list of daily offerings on their website. So, if you want catfish, check to see if it is on the daily menu. Comfort food at it's best, served with a smile. If you want to share a table with strangers and chow down on truly great southern food, give Monell's a try.
(4)Ali A.
Might just be the best brunch experience I've ever had. Family style with all the southern food you like or have wanted to try. I would not go back to Nashville and not eat at monells again.
(5)Jason P.
This place was awesome and takes a new buffet style to the next level with seating you with other people until the large table was full. It was almost like you were on a cruise but everyone was extremely nice and gladly passed you anything that you asked for. The corn pudding was delicious and at any time that you ran out of something they would fix you up a new batch of food. The gravy was not that good and the pancakes had a weird taste in my opinion. The only reason that I didn't give them a 5 star is because of the gravy, pancakes, and the biggest reason is that they do not have any jelly or jam only peach preserves and where I'm from that is essential to breakfast. I would highly recommend this place for others to check out.
(4)Ted C.
Monell's, oh Monell's! I missed you and love your breakfast so much! We went there for New Years breakfast and since most people were hung over it was a small wait to be seated. I told my girl that the chicken here is amazing and she'd love the carbs. The food is just as good as I remember it and the service was still really good. We struck up a conversation with Pedro who was our busser and he mentioned how all the staff had been there since 11:30 the night before. Monell's serves breakfast from 11:30-3:30 on NYE and they literally stayed the night and still they were helpful, the food good and the experience still awesome. To quote my gf: "We coming to Monell's every time I visit?"-more of a statement and less of a question, folks.
(5)Alex C.
Literally everything I've had there has been delicious, even things I don't normally like, like collard greens. You WILL come out of there full, and you might even make a few new friends if you eat with folks you don't know. I really like the rule of no cell phones at the table, too.
(5)Amanda A.
If there was a time to yelp a place before going, it would be before going to Monell's. while in town for business, everyone and their mother had told us to go to Monell's but no one had told us the concept and AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT KEEPS COMING AND COMING. Though it was a surprise to us, I loved the family cooking and sitting vibe. We got there late on a Tuesday night, so there was a table open for the 4 of us, some random tourists later joined us. There's no menu here. They just bring out bowls of EVERYTHING they make for the night. They told us this after thy had brought out the corn bread and biscuits. Again, had I known this from doing my research on yelp, I would have skipped the bread...though I don't think that would have saved me from the glorious food coma I was in later. Next came the hot food: fried chicken (one of the best ever), veggie lasagna (could have skipped this), beef stew (the best I've had), mashed potatoes, green beans, their famous corn pudding, cannelini beans and turnips. I tell ya, I was in heaven and in pain at the same time. Amazing. Delicious. Real southern home cooking, at its best. After this was dessert, which for the night I was there was peach cobbler. Can't comment on it personally as I didn't have room to try it. My coworkers seemed impressed with it. Skip meals all day and save the room for this. You won't regret it.
(4)Samantha B.
What an experience! We came on a recent long weekend trip to Nashville for Sunday brunch. We got there at 10, which I was hoping would be a good time. It was packed! We ended up waiting an hour, but it was worth it. We were finally seated at a table in the back, with all of the rooms perfectly decorated for Christmas. Once we were acquainted with our new table of friends, the food started coming out. Biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fried chicken, eggs, baked apples, cheesy grits...the list goes on! Everything was delicious, most notably the biscuits. I wish mine would come out so light and fluffy! Brunch comes to about 17/person including tip. A steal for sure. A must do in Nashville. FYI: make sure to get there on Sundays earlier than 10. We sat at 11 and were the last table to receive brunch. Lunch starts at 11!
(5)Allie M.
Um.. one word: heaven. Thank you everyone at Monell's for the dining experience I craved whilst here in Nashville. This girl from Baltimore loves you. Holla.
(5)Jerry B.
Picked this place out of the Yelp list early thus AM. Had no idea what a cool place coupled with a marvelous breakfast served the ole boarding house way we would find! The food just keeps coming! Got a chuckle when the waitress said, pace yourself. If you travel to Nashville make this place a point to go to for sure!
(5)Charles F.
I'll join the chorus of praise on this one. Fantastic dining experience in a beautiful, Gilded Age house in Germantown. There's not much to dislike at Monell's, if anything. Food is served to you by your neighbour to your right - take what you want from the bowl, and pass to the left. Salads, biscuits, cornbread, gravy, fried chicken and catfish, collared greens, mashed potato, corn pudding, mangetouts - all excellent, all really flavourful. So many places now want to do 'their take' on the simple things. Not Monell's - they just do the simple classics right. The corn pudding and collared greens were especially good. Leave room for the banana pudding if you can restrain yourself from stuffing your face - it's pretty good. In spite of Nashville's weird hostility toward pedestrians, you can actually walk here from Broadway in about 15 mins and through Centennial Park, though the walk did involve being stared down by a security guard and ridiculed by an elderly lady on account of us waiting for the pedestrian crossing (what y'all waitin' on?! The little man?? AAAHAA!!)
(5)Ace B.
If you travel by your self and are looking to meet new people you should definitely check this place out! The food is fabulous and it is communal style eating. Bon appetite :-)
(5)Colin C.
Great food, atmosphere and prices. We love it!
(4)Malcolm D.
So much food may not eat for a week, everything good. Experience topped off by sharing a table with a group if guys who get together a couple of times a year welcomed me into their conversation like a local, thanks guys.
(4)Cynthia T.
This is the ONE place I ALWAYS (yes, ALWAYS) bring my visitors to dine. Why? Because it's da-bomb place for all-you-can-eat home-made southern food!!! I've dined there several times and here are my top 3 favorite dishes... Corn Casserole (seriously could eat this all day) Ribs (moist and falls off the bone) Fried Catfish (tender and deliciously seasoned) (honorable mention - fried chicken) They also serve homemade peach preserves. You can look on their website for their daily offerings. Click here: monellstn.com . I've spoken to Michael the owner and he's super friendly and down to earth. Glad he's had success in his business! Here are a few more things to be aware of when you dine at Monell's: 1. It's family style so you sit on large tables and if you're with a small party, you'll most likely be sitting next to what some people would like to call, "strangers" but what I like to call, NEW FRIENDS! 2. They move fast! You'll get your food quickly and you'll feel like they're rushing you. BUT, do not fear. TAKE YOUR TIME, scoop a little of each dish onto your plate at a time. For reals, if it's your first time, don't pile a huge portion onto your plate. You'll regret it later when you get full so fast you can barely get yourself to taste the desserts. I like to take a teeny bit of each thing, taste it and then go back for more of the dishes that I like. One day I will go back for their famous Christmas/Holiday meals! They take reservations for that and book up fast!
(5)MyongHi S.
Delicious Southern food and just a really cool and unique concept. Community dining might not be for everyone, but it was definitely a fun experience for me! We met several people from out of state dining at Monell's because it's such a hotspot in Nashville. Because it's so unique, this was definitely one of my favorite things to do while vacationing in Nashville. Mac & cheese is INCREDIBLE. So creamy and cheesy. The fried chicken and oven-roasted chicken were also superb. Those items made the trip entirely worth it. I must say, GO HUNGRY. They aren't joking when they tell you to pace yourselves because it's a ton of food and I found myself getting full before the chicken came out!
(4)Andrea T.
I'm here to report that breakfast reigns supreme. I mean I haven't had lunch, but breakfast is fierce. If breakfast had fried green tomatoes, I might have to move to Nashville. The breakfast menu is as follows. Coffee, tea, sweet tea, and water. Hot biscuits and cinnamon rolls. I generally do not eat cinnamon rolls, but these were homemade, glazed delicately and really tasty! Then pancakes, corn pudding ( which is to die for), potatoes, scrambled eggs, a big old plate of the best bacon, sausage and ham you ever saw. It is a platter big enough for a turkey with a ton of meat on it. The sausage is spiced perfectly and so damn good. Cheese grits are amazing. The big plus of breakfast is that fried chicken is served!! Oh Monell's what do you put in that damn fried chicken! I can't wait to come back!
(5)April B.
love the food and family style tables.
(5)Maegan P.
I'd like to re-review this place to once again boast about how awesome they are. I took some friends here for breakfast a while back and they loved it. If you want to experience this place without the crowds, early Saturday morning breakfast is the time to go. You get any kind of meat you could imagine and every type of carb you could imagine and you definitely won't need to eat lunch. This is the country breakfast to top all country breakfasts. I've also had the pleasure of visiting café Monell's in Berry Hill. Here, you can get the Monell's flavor on the go or you can stay a while if that better suits your fancy. What should you get? My favorite thing is still their fried chicken. How do they do it? The breading is just so damn light and crispy! Try it with hot sauce. I definitely recommend the sit down, family style experience to anyone looking to show out of town guests some southern food and hospitality. I took my sister here when she was visiting and she absolutely loved it. Just warn people they're going to get really friendly with some people they've probably never met. It's part of the fun :) And just when you thought that was enough - they do catering! Now, I'm strongly considering having them do my wedding this coming fall. I've heard rave reviews about what great people they are to work with from folks all over town and I know their food won't disappoint. Long story short: Get your own self to Monell's if you haven't already been and, if you have, why aren't you going there today?
(5)Andrea P.
Wonderful and well worth the visit. I really enjoyed the experience just as much as the food. Please visitYum Yum
(5)Sophia T.
Monell's country brunch was the highlight of my trip to Nashville. The restaurant is in a refurbished, old fashioned Nashville home, which makes you feel as if you are eating in your grandparents house. I went there at 12:30 PM on a Saturday for the country brunch, which lasts from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We were seated with 3 other parties in 20 minutes on a long wood table in a side room that appeared to be the living room when the restaurant served as a home. Sweat tea, biscuits and gravy and sweet buns were already on the table to pacify us while we waited for the main courses. After snacking on the amuse-bouches, the server came over with family style portions of cheese grits and corn pudding, followed by pancakes and peaches stewed in brown sugar and cinnamon. The entire table dug in, passing each bowl of deliciousness to the left. Before I was able to finish my appetizer, the waiter returned with a sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The sausage circles were perhaps the best that I have ever eaten. The server return for the last time with a basket, the original bucket, of golden, mouth-watering, fried chicken. Check out my picture or better yet go in for breakfast to see for yourself. There was original Louisiana hot sauce on the table to spice it up if that is your preference. Then, we were given meal tickets, which you take up to the front to pay ~$14 without tip for a hearty meal...an amazing deal. After we finished eating, we all exclaimed "I've eaten, and I can't get up!" So, we made friends with the people at our communal table. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a christian priest, baptist minister, and a member of a gospel choir. Before getting up to pay, the Gospel singer agreed to sing a hymn as well as an impromptu song wishing my friends that just graduated Vanderbilt Law luck transitioning into their new phase of life. In conclusion, this restaurant was a 5 for 5 and a all around soulful experience.
(5)Leann P.
My friends and I had this as our first meal when getting into Nashville, TN. It was fun and delicious! Be prepared to leave in a food-coma state! We got there on a Saturday around noon. We learned that they served breakfast until 1:00 daily. We were sat at a table with a bunch of people we did not know, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a blast! They serve the meal family-style and everyone must pass the plates around the large table. I would definitely suggest pacing yourself when getting your food. I started out putting way too much on my plate and running out of room for everything. The food was all delicious. No complaints! I did appreciate that the request that no one has their cell phone out during the meal. Some people, of course, had their phones out to take pictures, but put them away afterwards. The servers were very kind and prompt. I suggest anyone who visits Nashville experiences Monell's!
(5)Mark M.
This place is phenomenal. We were visiting for the weekend and were sat with a mix of visitors and locals and enjoyed our company almost as much as the food itself. I don't think anyone else could mimic the atmosphere of this place if they tried. Truly a special meal. Thank you Monell's!
(5)Sarah Y.
Short story: Monell's has some of the best southern cooking i've ever had. I will go back everytime i'm in Nashville. They have fried chicken that dreams are made of. It's perfect. Longer story: I went to Monell's with a couple friends after New Years Eve celebrations...yes at 2 am! First meal of 2013! Indeed, succulent fried chicken, cured ham, thick bacon and fat sausages, mashed potatoes ARE perfect anytime of the day! The decor is so welcoming and cozy, just like sitting in the living room by the fireplace. I loved passing around the wicker baskets full of goodies, wondering what new item will come out. It seemed like an endless procession. We were all first timers at Monells and it was a hit with everyone.
(5)Meg B.
Our small group went here on a friend's recommendation and we couldn't have been happier. The biscuits were incredible. Literally perfect. Tied for the best that we tried while traveling in North Carolina and Tennessee. The fried chicken was also deliciously moist. And there was plentiful sweet tea. The atmosphere was also amazing. The truly open family style seating gave us an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers alike, and I loved the setting in an old home. My only recommendation is to pace yourself if you go! Or skip lunch the day of going. There is so much delicious food that pacing oneself is the only challenge.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Contemplating buying an airline ticket just to go eat here again. Its that good. No cell phones at table, its family style and you will leave bursting at the seams. Soooo Good. Mama (owner) is the coolest lady
(5)Tamera B.
This place is incredible! We were visiting Nashville or 1 day and decided to have dinner here because of the high ratings on Yelp and this was a home run. Yelpers nailed it with this one!! The fried chicken is A-MAZING. The sides were all excellent. The iced tea and lemonade are homemade and wonderful! Don't let the seating arrangement scare you off. We're not the most outgoing couple and we had a lovely experience. We'll never visit Nashville again without visiting Monell's. If you're reading this review, stop and go to Monell's RIGHT NOW.....you'll love it!
(5)Nancy B.
This is very reasonably priced. I enjoyed this very much. I especially liked that I got here on a good night and didn't have an hour wait. Food was very good, plentiful. I really like the company. It's nice to sit with people and have a conversation. If you like to sit alone or just with yours, this place isn't for you.
(5)Val W.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. SO. DELICIOUS. Be prepared for the high price, but also know that for the atmosphere, experience, and food, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT. I love the BBQ ribs and the peach preserves are amazing. They sometimes have jars of these you can buy and take home (I recommend doing this), because I eat about four biscuits with preserves every time I go. Servers are very nice, and the place always seems to be busy, yet they will make sure you get seated and eat quickly!
(5)Sharon L.
If you go to one place in Nashville, this has to be it. It's a truly unique and delightful dining experience that epitomizes the concept of comfort food. In fact, it's downright heart-warming. I just love the idea of strangers getting together to eat food that was clearly made with so much care, like someone's grandma cooked it for Christmas dinner. The only people I would recommend *not* going here are people who dislike children -- there were around six of them at my table because two families stopped by. Other than that caveat, though, I say that you simply MUST go here if you're in Nashville. By the way -- it's vegetarian friendly too, because the sides are great, and on some days they serve spinach lasagna as a main course.
(5)Sandy T.
Monell's stole the 5 stars in my little black book of southern food! Monell's should be voted to end world hunger and make world peace along with turning everything into green meadows, chocolate, unicorns, and rainbows... Monell's joins the people you don't know aka strangers into a family style dining! After brunch, the couple you didn't know from Adam sitting across the table are your new BFFs... you've exchanged numbers and you're inviting them to your firstborns communion! What may have caused this happy-fear-not-love your neighbor feeling? I don't know, perhaps the owner sprinkled some magic dust on all the guests as they were so friendly welcomed in, perhaps it's the fact of immediately upon sitting having been served baskets and baskets of food, perhaps it's the secret recipe in the homemade biscuits, cheesy grits, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried chicken, apples, or the sweet tea! Whatever it is, it worked! We all left happy, our bellies full, well wishing everyone that crossed our path, spreading love and praying for world peace. Monell's you did it again and I Love You!
(5)Emily K.
Warm, family-style restaurant, where you get to know your fellow eaters over some good home-cooking. The strongest offerings at breakfast were cinnamon rolls and corn putting. But it doesn't matter: you pay a flat fee and try a little it of everything. Would recommend to any out of town visitor.
(4)Charles M.
Incredible! The staff are great, only outdone by the food. Please, do not eat here unless you are healthy enough to gorge and gorge some more. I cannot say enough about the food. The only weak spot was the gravy for the biscuits, it was boring. The rest of the food made up for it. They even had great iced tea (unsweetened - which is hard to find in these parts).
(5)Rachael F.
Excellent home cooking! We went for Sunday brunch before heading out of town. I thought I was going to need someone to roll me onto my plane. Anyway, great family style setup. We enjoyed meeting the other folks at our table: a local family eating after church and a traveling couple. Just some advice (that came from our waiter): they serve the inexpensive stuff first (biscuits, cornbread, mac n cheese, veggies...), so don't get full on that before the delicious fried chicken, pot roast, etc is served. Overall, it's great for the food and southern atmosphere!
(5)Lettie L.
Thanks to all the Yelpers we held out being hungry during our Toronto - New Orleans road trip and decided to skipped out on all the Mickey D's and Dunkin Donuts to try this amazing family style southern food. It's been almost a year and my boyfriend still talks about this place. Though we can't really recall the taste of the food but the experience was memorable. You are seated with different people and through passing the food around and helping each other dine it almost feel like you are with your family. There are plenty to eat, the fried chicken and fried catfish were super delicious.
(5)Charles H.
Best "authentic southern" brunch restaurants in Nashville. Monells serves everything family style and it's great! Don't worry if you come with a small party with less than a full table, you'll just get paired up with other people which can make for a fun, interesting brunch experience. Try it all, but pace yourself and save room for a biscuit and a piece of fried chicken!
(5)Susan L.
i loved everything about monell's - the food, the atmosphere, the people, location even. we came here after walking around centennial park/the parthenon on a saturday, waiting until 1PM so we could catch the lunch menu. we pulled up and found that monell's was almost in a neighborhood-y looking area - super cute. we walked in and got the last two seats at a table that was almost full. it was fun to be seated around a big table with strangers and hear everyone's story, where they were from, recommendations for food where they came from, etc. there was a slaw and pickled cucumber dish on the table when we started, as well as some sweet tea and lemonade. then came the biscuits, cornbread, and gravy. then came corn pudding, mashed potatoes, cheese grits, apples. then came the fried chicken, meatloaf, and ribs. i'm sure i am forgetting some sides here but there was so much food - impossible to keep track of, especially since monell's has a no cell phone policy. the food was delicious and kept getting passed around the table. and to finish, there was banana pudding - the kind with nilla wafers. i wish i had fifteen stomachs so i could keep going back here and eating the food. felt so full afterwards and could barely walk, but had fun checking out the farmer's market nearby. seriously wish i could go back!
(5)Benita M.
I really shouldn't be reviewing this place as it's pretty much pointless to eat here as a vegetarian, but my meat-eating friends wanted a traditional southern meal and I figured I could fill up on sides. For the sides, I would give it three stars but due to ambiance and the experience, I'm giving it four. My favorite sides were the biscuits, which were amazing, and mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of sweet sides and so didn't care for the rest. Paired with the sweet tea, it was just too much. I couldn't eat my dessert but my friends said the strawberry cobbler-like dessert was very good. But I'm sure no one comes here for the sides. This is definitely where the locals go. As a visitor, I liked the charming location. The family- style seating was nice since we were able to meet others. We were seated with a friendly family, which made the meal more enjoyable.
(4)John W.
OMG!!! We were not expecting a family style feast just like Thanksgiving without the turkey but included everything else For a modest price, the menu consisted of skillet fried chicken, catfish filets, lasagne, green beans, turnip greens, corn soufflé, and the best macaroni cheese. The cucumber salad and cole slaw were homemade and tasty. The rolls and biscuits were excellent with homemade preserves Iced tea, sweet and non and lemonade was served. I almost forgot to mention the homemade banana pudding for dessert. This was just an exceptional luncheon experience. Then to top it off, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Mr. Michael King. He spoke to us like we were old friends. What a great time. We will certainly return when we visit Nashville in the future
(5)Jon A.
I visited this restaurant and could not have been happier. I was seated in a large party with an couple from Chicago. The food was to die for, authentic and tasty. As a northeaster I was a little worried about the communal seating, but it added to the charm of the whole place and really made us feel like we were at someones table.
(5)Nathan K.
Really liked this place. Interesting take on a Meat and 3 establishment. I had the roast beef and the pineapple casserole--both pretty good. I think everyone that had the pineapple casserole recommended it. The potatoes were pretty decent, but I think I would have opted for a more creative option on the menu, if I had it to do again. Parking is a bit of a challenge potentially--there is some around back as well. 4.75 out of 5
(5)Christopher E.
This is a must visit in Nashville. They make you feel right at home and the food is southern-delicious. Go hungry because you will need the stomach space because the food keeps coming.
(5)Lauren D.
This place was amazing!! Delicious southern style food that seems never ending, each dish better than the last. I went with a group of ten for a bachelorette party brunch and it was perfect. We came hungry, had only a short wait, and left full and happy! My favorite was the corn pudding and pancakes. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
(5)Roy C.
Went there during vacation. Nothing but fond memories, and for the first time in years couldn't walk after a meal. Now I understand why people from the South always say breakfast is the best meal of the day. The place came with some communal dining tables, and they tend to fill half of the table before jumping to next. I was with a local family, and a couple driving 2 hours from Arkansas. I surely did feel the soul and passion with the food and service. Being in the original location, the manager was more willing to share the stories about the building. Soon enough they made sure my table was overflown with food, while I was sipping iced tea with real peach juice. Being someone quite uneducated about Southern food, my favorites were the fried chicken, collard greens and biscuit.
(5)Gale K.
My boyfriend and I came the Sunday before Christmas and were the first people there for breakfast! What a breakfast! The food is served family style in a beautifully festive Victorian room. Each table sat up to 12. There was a lazy Susan with condiments and unsweetened iced tea. The server started off with cinnamon buns, biscuits, gravy, corn pudding, coffee, and sweet tea. That was followed with cheese grits, fried potatos, bacon, huge sausage patties, country ham, fried chicken, fried apples, scrambled eggs, and pancakes! These were all served in big bowls and passed around the table country style. Our table mates were cordial and we shared the food and coversation. The house was beautifully decorated and it was definitely a homey atmosphere! Everything that I ate was delicious. I especially enjoyed the corn pudding which is something I make for holidays. Their's tasted like mine so I highly recommend it ! LOL If you are in Nashville, please take some time to come here for breakfast. Though I haven't tried the other meals, I'm sure they are equally good.
(5)Josh W.
A great place to take the whole family. Because it's so good you do wait a little bit but it's worth it in the end. You eat with people you don't know but by the time your meal is over you definitely are family! Good ole southern cookin'!
(5)Ben S.
I was in Nashville for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament and nobody really knew the town well except for 1 guy who INSISTED that we go to Monell's. We went on either a saturday or sunday afternoon (I can't remember exactly) and we were a big party. It was a 30 min wait, so about half the team left to go somewhere else because they were hungry. ...Huge mistake. The food was out of this world. The "main course" was fried catfish, chicken and pork (passed around of course) and these were all quite good. But even better were the sides. Green beans, biscuits, corn, potatoes, cornbread, banana pudding and even more. They were all amazing and delicious. I can't wait to go again the next time I'm in town! (p.s. I literally just got a yelp account just so I could say how good Monell's is)
(5)Joseph A.
There should be a 6 star rating for extraordinary meals! This place is amazing. Went on a Wednesday evening when they were serving Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Baked Chicken...wow! Sides were Corn Bread dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, peas, and much much more. Desert was a peach cobler-like dish! Wow! Did I mention wow?
(5)Liz G.
Bottom line: A very memorable southern dining experience! Pros: It is set in what looks like someone's house (great homey feel), it had the best corn muffins Iv've ever tasted, and a large varriety of side entrees and food. The pot roast was amazing, the lassagna was delicious, and the friend chicken was finger lickin' good! Cons: It is a pre determined menu, so you do not get to pick your food. The banana pudding was the only option for dessert that evening and since I don't like it, I missed out! They have strict no cell phone rules and you will get scolded like a child if you pull it out. Also, you are seated at a big table with strangers so if you aren't into that kind of thing, pick another restaurant!
(4)Kristin A.
The short of it: - family style Southern food restaurant - incredible employees and owner! - cute cottage like building - reasonable prices - extensive variety of food - Favs: skillet fried chicken The long of it: Highlight of my trip to Nashville was eating at Monell's. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew going in was it was a Southern food restaurant and I was sold. The whole experience is best described as family style even down to the seating. You are literally placed at a large table with other parties just like one big happy family. You may not know the person next to you or across from you but get comfy because you will be passing the dishes around to each other. At first you may think its awkward but once the food is at the table all your shyness goes out the door. I think the sight of all the delicious food just makes everyone so happy and you just start talking to your neighbors and it just turns into a great atmosphere. I absolutely love it. The South definitely knows how to eat. I would say we had almost 15 different dishes from biscuits, corn bread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried chicken, baby back ribs, pasta, sweet potato casserole to banana pudding, the list was so long. It felt like an extreme version of Thanskgiving just without the turkey. Overall, the food was good, my favorites that night were the skillet fried chicken and the baby back ribs. Everyday their menu changes slightly, they have the main staples like biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, etc., but there are main dishes that change everyday for example that day's special was fried catfish and baby back ribs. Supposedly the best meal here is breakfast on the weekends. I really wish I had two stomachs because there was so much food I was so full but you just wanted to keep eating. The staff here was so friendly and we even met the owner. Mr. King was a delight and he even drove my friends and I back to the downtown area because the wait for a taxi was 2 hrs that night and it was a bit far to walk to where we needed to go! So grateful and lucky to meet such awesome people! That's really Southern hospitality for you!
(5)Michelle S.
This place was a very fun interactive experience. We were the last few to arrive to the table for dinner and were quickly caught up to speed on the "rules". You sit with other diners at one large dining room table. They start you off with salads and biscuits and gravy, pass to your left and keep passing as the server refills when needed. The gravy was not very flavorful. Next comes the sides; green beans, fried okra, collards, potatoes, hushpuppies(dry and not the type of hushpuppies i am use to) and more. And then the main event; fried chicken, ribs, fried trout and lasagna. It was rather odd to have the Lasagna. The fried chicken was super crispy but dry on the inside. The ribs were my favorite! Dessert is preset on the table; banana pudding. Not my favorite, so I passed. Wish they had two desserts. It all happens so fast and it's unfortunate that you aren't able to enjoy the meal. Great experience, but I don't think I would go back for dinner
(3)Smilie G.
So much fun. Love the concept. Pass the food to the left, sit with strangers, no cell phones at table. There are cold sides, then hot sides, then your meats which change daily. Totally different, totally cool. The staff rocks!
(5)Paul K.
Every time someone was downsized or let go from our company we came here, so naturally Monell's inspires some fear in me. As a vegetarian the options here are a little slimmer for me, but the quality of what you do get, and the quantity also, are amazing. One negative thing to some / fine to others that you should know going in is you will be seated with other people and will be requested to not play with your cell phones. You pass food about and probably better have showered if you're going there or you'll be known as the stinky kid at the table. Wait times are generally minimal unless you're going there Sunday at 12:10, in which case you can plan to wait so bring a sandwich. Parking can be a pain, large groups can be a pain but generally are not, depends on how large - there's a tipping point of pain. We sat with many random strangers as we wished a newly leaving employee best wishes. It got easier with time, which may have been just because our contribution to the table got progressively smaller. One note of warning is bring your loose fitting pants... don't go stretch pants, you need to be a bit classier than that, but your stomach is going to thank you for the extra room.
(4)C S.
Monell's was an absolute treasure! Family style dining, that makes you feel at home no matter how far you've traveled! Dishes like fried catfish, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans, fried chicken, pudding, etc. are paired with sweat tea, lemonade or water and are just delicious. We didn't eat one bad thing, were served with a smile, and enjoyed the no cell phone rule! If you leave here hungry, or unhappy, it's your own fault!
(5)Carmanise L.
Monell's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Nashville. I had the privilege of being introduced to this gem about 4 years ago and it stole my stomach's heart. The setup is a little unusual but once you sit down and begin to enjoy those fluffy biscuits and apricot/peach preserves that goes out the window. The food was amazing too, we had fried chicken, roast, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese and other dishes as well. I sat in the seat were every dish started and had the pleasure of trying everything first. With all being said you are doing your stomach a disservice if you do not stop here and eat even if you have to wait it is well worth it.
(5)Kyle H.
If you're missing having dinner at your grandma's or wonder what southern cooking is all about, you've got to stop by Monell's when you are in Nashville. It's always great, always different and always an experience. My favorite day to go is Friday. Why? I love catfish and fried chicken!
(5)John A.
We ate breakfast here yesterday... Awesome! Loved the family dining atmosphere and all of the food! Corn pudding = pure goodness.
(5)Emi H.
My goal in life is to have your Grandma cook for me. In my opinion there are few things better in this world than sitting down in a house and having a Grandma slave away in the kitchen. The meal rarely disappoints because Grandma don't play that. The center of her existence is making sure that the people at her dining room table are happy and stuffed til they can't walk. I don't know many people in Nashville and was not able to crash a family dinner, but Monell's was the next best thing! I walked in not knowing what to expect and was seated at a large dining room table next to two other guests. I left a chair between myself and the male guest but the server warmly scolded me "No hon, you've got to move down and sit right there." Then a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized THIS is what they meant by family style dining! I quickly got acquainted with my dining partners as we shared multiple sides, baskets of biscuits and fried chicken. You're instructed to pass to the left and then go from there. I was not told how much lunch was but get ready for your mind to be blown my yeoples! $12.95 (INSERT HUGE FLASHING LIGHTS HERE) for an all-you-can-eat Southern food extravaganza. Maybe this is an everyday type of thing here in Nashville, but in Honolulu there is no way you could get this type of dining for such a small price tag. In total we had about 15 different sides/dishes (dressing, cabbage, cole slaw, broccoli salad, biscuits w/ peach preserves, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, fried chicken, baked chicken, deep fried pork chops, green beens, strawberry shortcake) as well as lemonade and sweet tea. Some folks might not enjoy sitting down with strangers but it made the experience so much more interesting! Plus I'm vacationing solo and really enjoyed meeting some locals. They have a very strict "No Cellular Phone" policy at Monell's and I applaud this! The waitress asked the woman dining with me to put away her cell phone (very nicely I might add) because she didn't want her boss to ask the woman to leave. I guess the man who owns the restaurant grew up in a family where phones and television were not allowed during supper time and he brought that tradition over to his business. Man, we need that rule at all restaurants! In conclusion my friends, put on those stretchy pants and get ready to stuff your face with home cooking until you go into a self-induced food coma. Southern cuisine is not a part of my everyday existence and thank the Lord or my ass would be huge! Thank you Monell's for welcoming me to your table, showing me Southern hospitality and making me feel like I'm at Grandma's house! Yelp 365 Challenge: #193/365 (The Grandma's Table)
(5)Kati H.
I am knocking off one star simply because we were the second name on the list for lunch and still somehow had to wait until 1:45 to eat (lunch opens at 1, supposedly) because the kitchen was "running behind." That being said...food was PHENOMENAL. So delicious. I only got a little of everything but there were so many different things that I still ended up eating too much. It was worth the wait, just be warned that even if you do get your name at the top of the list, it could be a while.
(4)Kathleen K.
This place is old school to the max. I love it. Come hungry - REALLY hungry - and prepare to absolutely stuff your face. You'll eat family style at big tables, too, so don't come in expecting to eat in silence or have a lot of privacy :) I like to come for brunch, because my two favorite things are the fried chicken and the cinnamon rolls. Amazing. My family has also gotten Monell's takeout for Thanksgiving before, and we love it.
(5)Marissia W.
Family style with great food. House rule: if you sit you pay... Even if you don't eat so travelers with groups be aware
(3)Jessica S.
Definition of comfort food. You MUST go here if you're ever in Nashville. Seriously, you won't regret it.
(5)Heidi C.
We went to Monell's based on a recommendation by the person we were staying with. At first, it was a little weird to eat with strangers but it ended up being fun! The food was the best we ate all week. The fried chicken was fabulous as was the rest of the food. We'll be going there again in the future.
(5)Chenxi L.
Food here tastes good, which is typical 'American food' in my mind, love the ribs and chicken! Great atmosphere, a place worth trying.
(4)Rachel E.
I'm from the mitten (aka, Michigan) and where we come from, good down-home southern soul food can be hard to come by. Monell's was one of my favorite places when we were visiting Nashville and here's why... 1. The food was excellent. Now, it's not something that I would recommend people eat everyday (or even once per month) because it's not very healthy. However, it was an amazing way to experience true soul-food while in Nashville. We had the country breakfast and it consisted of: **Biscuits & Gravy, ***Corn Pudding, **Cheesy Grits, *Bacon/Ham/Sausage Patty platter, *Potatoes, **Fried Chicken, *Scrambled Eggs, *Pancakes, **Cinnamon Rolls, and *Fried Apples (I gave the dishes a star rating with three stars being the best) 2. The atmosphere added to the overall experience. You didn't feel like the place was trying too hard to be authentic - it IS authentic. You feel like you are sitting with your family at your grandmothers house for sunday brunch. The furniture, the decor and even the dishes looked like they came from a vintage second-hand store. It seemed like it made the food taste that much more country. 3. The service is fast and the prices are decent. As soon as we sat down and helped ourselves to coffee and sweet tea, the first batch of food hit the table. From then on, a steady stream of servers and chefs kept bringing dish after dish of food for you and your guests to pass around the table. We went on a Saturday morning and it was about $14 per person. But because it's all-you-can-eat, I thought the price was very fitting. 4. The rules. Yes, they have rules! Pass the dishes to the left, no cell phones and eat what you take. To me, it just drove home the old-school feel of the place. If you visit Monell's, prepare to waddle out of there! We were sitting at a table with 14 people and as a table, we couldn't finish what they served us, it was a TON of food!
(5)C.C. S.
My wife has already Yelped this because she LOVES this place, and for good reason. When you drive up, it's like you're going to Grandma's house - literally, it looks like a house on the street. There's a nice area out back with swings where we sat and waited on the rest of our party to show up. I made a rookie mistake - the place is family style, you sit with people who are not in your party and you pass around dishes like the Indians and Pilgrims did. In this case, it was a gang of Vanderbilt students and Oprah Winfrey's dad, but the metaphor still holds water. My rookie mistake was that I filled up on side dishes. The corn casserole, the green beans, hush puppies, and more SO MUCH MORE. Everything is good so I should probably give this place 5 stars but I'm in a tough mood today. The best part of the meal is not the sides, that was my mistake. It's the fried chicken, ribs and the fried catfish, all of which are some of the best I've ever had and I'm from a southern coal mining town. One guy in our party ate at least 30 ribs and I sat there, full-bellied, jealous as hell of the fact that he had reserved his previous stomach space. My main complaint about the place was that I needed more room to put all the goodness. Dessert was just meh - a strawberry shortcake mush that was good but not great. The only real disappointment of the entire meal. The cost is about $16/person and it's extra to add coffee. Pitchers of tea and lemonade were on the table when we got there but I was told by the server that lemonade was not always there - nevertheless, Arnold Palmers were flowing when I was there. Definitely going back and recommending it to friends.
(4)Ben G.
My wife and I were beating the historical heat in Nashville a few weeks ago when we arrived at Monell's. Our party of two joined a meal already in progress- a party of three and one were already starting in on their biscuits, gravy, and cole slaw. In another ten minutes, our table would be full with other diners. Everything is served family style, and everything is southern. If you're from Savannah, you will note that this place is basically Mrs. Wilke's Dining Room transplanted in Nashville; along with the food quality. Just about every single dish was beyond excellent (the barbecued pork loin was, unfortunately, a tad dry). The skillet fried chicken was the real winner, but everything else also had its high points. Basically you're sitting at a table with all available real estate used by either plates or serving platters & bowls. There is no part of the table left unoccupied. The service was fast & courteous. The prices were great. You cannot beat Monell's, however I would recommend showing up early or on the late side of lunch because the place can be slam-packed. We may not have had the absolute best food of our trip to Nashville at Monell's, but it was certainly the most memorable in the most positive way.
(5)Sharmeela S.
Great place to bring out of town guests. A southern experience. Sitting. At large tables with mixed company sharing a heavy but delicious. Meal. Love their fried chicken and its served wy every meal even breakfast. If u eat here you wing need anymore food for the rest of the day.
(4)Anna R.
A true Nashville institution! What a treat! You eat family style so if you didn't know who you were sitting with before you sat down, you certainly will after your meal. The food speaks for itself with nonstop and unlimited Skillet Fried Chicken (a must!), Cinnamon Rolls (the best!), a platter of eggs, a plate o' meats (sausage patties, bacon, and baked ham), a basket o' biscuits (pour on the graaaavy please!), apricot preserves, and pancakes. And my personal fave, good ol' southern sweet tea! It's all you ever thought it would be + more! The property itself is so cute (manicured garden/waiting area) and down home and the service was excellent. We were on a quick weekend trip otherwise I would have eaten at Monell's more than once. This is a must on a Nashville trip!
(5)Renee M.
Biscuits and homemade jam are out of this world! I go there with my husband and kids - such a fun family place. Prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is FUN and FRIENDLY. I highly recommend.
(5)Dalan C.
Was very excited to come try this place. If you go here definitely come with a group of people or a huge appetite. The decor is like walking into a house where you are going to have a huge thanksgiving dinner with family. The tables are long and hold about 10 people. The server and hostess was incredibly nice and hospitable. Ok so the food. You are seated family style with a bunch of strangers (note that I cam early and sat by myself) and as the food comes out you take what you want and pass it to the left. I started with some cucumber salad, biscuits (awesome) and corn bread. Then the food really starts to roll in. Fried Chicken Baked Chicken Pork Chop Mash Potato Green Beans Corn dish Cinnamon apples (amazing) Mac and cheese Cole Slaw Banana Bread Pudding Some strawberry dessert And you can eat as much as you want. I might be missing a dish or two as well. Note that each day the menu changes. So overall the food was good, but not great. Something you'd be very happy with at a family gathering. Value for this is amazing (about $13 for lunch). So, if you are looking to meet new people and a fun atmosphere, this is a great place. If you are looking for amazing restaurant food or don't want to stuff yourself silly, you might want to pass.
(3)Jessica Y.
Family style dining, delicious breakfast, we were so stuffed you had to roll us out of there! A must try if you're in the area
(5)Lance W.
A great spot for southern cooking served family style! Bring a huge appetite, you'll need it for a meal at Monell's. My family shared a table with several retired couples, a local couple and a young group of tourists. The conversation was lively and the food was incredible... Dinner started with pitchers of unsweetened tea, sweet tea and lemonade. Baskets of cornbread and biscuits soon were followed with bowls of fried green tomatoes, cole slaw and fruit. Mashed potatoes, corn pudding, green beans, white beans and a vegetable medley were served as sides. Fried chicken, BBQ ribs, spinach lasagna and catfish with hush puppies were the main dishes. All were really good and the waitress made sure that every dish was full at all times. I love the family-style service and the food, I plan to come back to try breakfast as soon as I recover from dinner!
(5)Lee H.
Best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. That's what my husband's cousin and her husband assured us. Monell's is not a place to dine if you are shy, antisocial or prefer to eat in solitary confinement. You see, it's family style in the true sense of the word. You wait your turn until there are at least 10-12 people and an available table. Then the fun begins. We got in on the last seating of the evening, so our table for 12 was occupied by the four in our party, plus four others. Pitchers of sweet and unsweet iced tea, pickled beets, cole slaw, pasta salad, biscuits and peach preserves were waiting for us as we sat down. What ensued over the next 45 minutes was pure southern gluttony in the purest sense. What is commonly referred to in the South as "meat and three" can be translated to "meat and thirteen" at Monell's because those sides just kept on coming. And we kept on eating. We happily chatted with our table mates as we noshed on what is the best skillet fried chicken in Nashville. We chewed on fluffy homemade biscuits, gnawed on ribs, nibbled on corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and collard greens until we were about to burst. And then, we had to make room for banana pudding for dessert. There's a lot of food served at Monell's which produces a lot of leftovers. We inquired what they do with the tons of leftovers and were happy to hear that they donate most of it. Monell's is perfection.
(5)Mehgan H.
Oh. My. Word. If you are looking for amaaaazing southern cooked food - you have come to the right spot. I have now been here a few times and can't help to come back! From the best fried chicken in Nashville, to mashed potatoes that are to die for, and vegetables that you wouldn't normally touch but can't get enough of - this is the best Sunday meal you can have! Side note - if you go in a small group (1-4) you will possibly be seated with others, as it is pass the food around style, but this is always a great way to meet people! Also, make sure to go on a day where you can take a nap afterwards and also where you throw your calorie counting out the window. I went once for lunch during work, and let's just say I couldn't not accomplish much afterwards! If you haven't tried this yet, this is a Nashville must!
(5)Nadine E.
Amazing food and company. Go. There. Now.
(5)Wendy S.
OMG. I have died and gone to Southern food heaven! A definite must do! Worth the wait.
(5)Jonathon B.
5 stars for everything: Food, Atmosphere, Price... This is the one restaurant a person shouldn't miss in his/her lifetime.
(5)Ann G.
We went here for brunch - the cinnamon rolls are amazing! Everything is served family style, shared at the table. Eggs, smoked bacon, roasted apples, cheese grits, corn grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, potatoes - I can't remember it all but it was all so tasty.
(5)Linda M.
I love the family atmosphere. Seating at table of 12 no matter if more than one group. They have the same menu for everyone. Buffet style but you pass the dishes of food to your left. The fried chicken was hot and delicious. Banana pudding, biscuits, spinach lasagna, corn bread pudding (I think) -- I liked. Beverage of tea and lemonade (did not like) included for the $12.50 lunch which I think it is overpriced. I guess I would want a big selection of items I would like. However, I heard that their menu changes daily and you can request items ahead of time to prepare. So I will say try it for yourself.
(2)Sasha B.
The BEST place to eat home cooked food in Nashville! Went for Sunday lunch and enjoyed most of the food. Left feeling so so full! That fried chicken....yes! Cannot wait to visit again and go for Breakfast.
(5)D.B. G.
Best Meat & Three in Nashville. Southern comfort food served family style. . . When graduating from Vandy Law a group of my friends and our families enjoyed a private dining room, but I have also shared a table with strangers on some visits and had a blast making friends over peach preserves and homemade biscuits. A must when visiting or living in Nashville!
(5)J P.
I really love home cooked meals but some of these dishes were so greasy. The meatloaf and BBQ was swimming in oil, The place was very hot, I have been a regular but I think I will find a more healthy menu in the future.
(2)Kim Y.
You know how on The Simpsons sometimes Homer is making that vacant eyed looks and gross drooling sound for doughnuts? Yeah that is pretty much how I feel during and after eating at Monells. I mean its hard to say something that hasnt already been said below and beyond, but I just had to concur, whip out my yoga pants and add my own little pile of saliva to the masses. They don't always have mac and cheese, so its thats a 'deal breaker' for you, call ahead. They DO always have fried chicken and corn pudding though, oh and those hella great preserves to slather all over the buttery salty biscuits. Seriously - go. If you can get there about 1pm on a weekday, no waits son! PS the coleslaw is my favorite coleslaw ev's.
(5)Jonathan T.
Interesting family seating option. Met some nice people as we all sat at the same table. The food just kept coming. The corn pudding was good but the star for me was the pineapple casserole. Pot roast and chicken were very good. Lasagna was a little disappointing in comparison as were the green beans. The biscuits and corn muffins were also standouts. Peach jam was OK as were the beans. Cole slaw and broccoli were creamy and OK. Overall a very good dining experience that we will be repeating. I will caution you that with all the good food you will need some serious discipline to not leave feeling stuffed to the gills.
(4)Kim K.
I can't say enough good things about this place. Great food and great atmosphere!!!
(5)Chris G.
It's really hard to beat this place. I have a lot of people come in from out of town with my job and they always want to eat "something southern" so this is where we eat lunch. I love the fact you can get biscuits and gravy with lunch and the smothered chicken is always a good thing. If you want to impress clients then you need to bring them here cause everyone always leave happy. It's good for a group and the food choices always fits in with everyone cause it's always broad and even if you just want veggies you can leave happy. Try to get here at 11 and you won't have to wait and hope you get here on banana pudding day cause that's the best!
(5)Shing H.
I ordered to go, so I didn't get to enjoy the communal family-style meal, but I enjoyed the food quite a lot. I had the meatloaf, which was very flavorful. There was a very generous slice with a light sauce. The other highlight was the corn pudding -- so sweet and creamy! The sweet tea wasn't as sweet as I would've liked, but that's probably good for most people. Overall, great meal stop.
(4)Lonny Y.
Oh my gosh. All the reviews are right. Hah. I didn't even read any of the others, but this place is AMAZING. My husband and I were lucky enough to come in for the weekend for a friends' wedding and luckily our flight out on Sunday was late enough that we had a chance to try this delicious establishment. My first time sitting family style at a restaurant that actually served family style! We sat with a group of ladies with a baby shower and a local couple. The couple was so nice and gave us a bit of history and "how it all works". But seriously, once the food came out, we were in love. I honestly do not think I've ever eaten this much in MY LIFE. The fried chicken is out of this world and I am on a mission to find comparable chicken in Houston! I actually had 2 pieces of it. Who cares if I was able to literally burst, I was determined to eat as much as possible. All I know is that if I'm lucky enough to come back, this is my first stop, then I'm taking a long nap.
(5)BykeRyde R.
GO. HUNGRY. and leave happy :) (and really full !) ps- some vegetarian dishes/sides are available, but nothing in the way of being vegan.
(5)Katie R.
OMG THIS WAS THE BEST. the waitress brought out dessert first in case we got too full to eat it later.
(5)Damon G.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. The atmosphere, the service, the community family style seating, all equate to a superb venue. Fried chicken, roasted veggies, biscuits and gravy, the corn concoction! Wait, the fresh cucumber and onion salad. Just an amazing place. This alone could be a reason to visit Nashville!
(5)Dustin D.
Whenever we have a group with us of friends / family and they're craving meat and three (and are hungry!), this is where we go. The food is always delicious here no matter what day you go on. We like Arnolds just as much, however, it's not good for groups even though it is a little cheaper.
(5)