Meat & Three's

A true southern tradition, this cafeteria style dining of pick your meat and three sides. It fills your soul and belly too. Nashville is full of Southern comfort food, but these are some of the best. This Is Guitar Foodies TOP 5 Meat and Three's. The best are only open Monday-Friday.

This might actually be the best way to explore the South. Bite by bite, into these age old recipes that were handed down generation to generation. You can truly take a trip back in time through the food of the South. Meat and Three's are a delicious way to do it!

My personal favorite is Arnold's Country Kitchen. It's on Guitar Row (8th street) , and right next to Carter Vintage Guitars. This is my favorite block in Nashville!

Number 5

This is the closest MEAT & THREE to downtown Nashville. Katies Meat & Three, located in the historic Arcade which has numerous eateries all in one spot. Katies has that southern charm cooked right into the food. Specializing in BAKED and FRIED CHICKEN, pick any three sides with a variety of choices of vegetables and experience southern comfort food fast! You will have your food by the time you pay for it. This place is great and just a short walk from lower Broadway. Other restaurants are located in the Arcade, so picky eaters can have their favorite while you rock the Meat and Three!

Make sure to check for the hours of operation for any Meat & Three that you are going to. They usually have odd hours and usually are just open for lunch. Many are not open on weekends as well. Every one listed here has different hours of operation.

Number 4

An age old Nashville favorite, Swett's MEAT & THREE has been around since 1954. Not much has changed menu wise. You can feast on Southern classics like BEEF TIPS, COUNTRY FRIED STEAK, MEAT LOAF, PORK CHOPS, and FRIED CHICKEN. These MEATS are always available, but certain days you can get PIGS FEET, TURKEY AND DRESSING, PORK SHOULDER, FRIED FISH, or BBQ PORK RIBS. Don't worry they will have all the veggies covered too. Great charm and a local favorite for celebrities and tourists for over 60 years!

Number 3

Monell's Cafe and catering has multiple locations around town. The one I most frequent is in Berry Hill. Berry Hill is where most of the commercial studios of Nashville reside. Many of them started moving here in the mid seventies due to the real estate prices of Music Row. Little by little many of these post world war 2 homes have been converted into state of the art studios. In fact Blackbird Studio and House of Blues are the largest commercial studios in Nashville. And right down the road from both of these is Monell's. Yet another Meat and Three known for their FRIED CHICKEN, Monell's sets them selves apart by being skillet fried and has a very light breading that has a Southern ring to it without any heat level. They also have my favorite PEA SALAD that I have been trying to make, with no success for a couple years now. Great cornbread or biscuit to go with every meal. That"s a Meat and Three age old tradition too.

Number 2

The Copper Kettle is nestled in Lipscomb University, just a little South of downtown Nashville. Keeping with Southern tradition the food here is made with love and it shows. My personal favorite is the COCONUT CHICKEN, it soothes my soul. It is a traditional Meat & Three, but also has a wide menu of sandwiches and other made to order foods. The Brunch here on weekends is fantastic. There are a lot of modern twists to the food here. They keep the Southern flare going, but add their own Nashville touch that keeps the locals coming back for more. A little off of the beaten path, but worth the adventure to find.

Number 1

Arnold's Country Kitchen This is it. My personal favorite, so of course it is my Number 1. Not just a sediment of mine. Arnold's is a two time James Beard Award Winner. I can literally point at anything on the line at this MEAT & THREE and describe to you why it is one of the best. My favorite BBQ CHICKEN in the world is right here, not a daily menu item, but if its there when you are there...GET IT! Their MEATLOAF is also a favorite of mine. The ROAST BEEF here is unbelievable! FRIED PORK CHOPS, FRIED CHICKEN, COUNTRY FRIED STEAK, FRIED GROUPER, FRIED CATFISH, BAKED CHICKEN, CHICKEN & DUMPLINS, are all good to go! Their sides are also phenomenal. The CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE, SQUASH CASSEROLE, MAC & CHEESE, GREEN BEANS, CREAMED CORN, COLESLAW, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, GREENS...EVERYTHING! Don't get me started on their pies! Arnold's is not open the weekend. Only weekdays and closes at 2:45pm. Get it while its HOT and open!