If you live in the Nashville area, it is no secret that Arnold's is one of the best meat and three's around! In my opinion it is the best! In fact I can not truly say this, because I am so obsessed with Arnold's, that I have formed a bias and refuse to waste a lunch downtown on any of the other well admired meat and three's. Honestly, if you believe that food is a religion than surely Arnold's in Downtown Nashville is a Holy Mecca to which one must travel and Mr. Arnold is no doubt a Demi-god with lard and pepper as his chosen gifts!
When you enter this small restaurant for the first time you will be worried. There is always a line out the door and the place is always packed. As you wait to get your goodies from the cafeteria style line you will most likely suffer an anxiety attack over where you will sit.Every seat in the place will be full and there will be quite a few people in front of you. This dear people, is not a problem. Due to the aforementioned Demi-god status of Mr. Arnold, a seat will miraculously open up right as you go in search of one. It sounds crazy, but after a few visits you just give in to the great and wonderful forces of the food. It does need to be said that this place is a little cramped and you will not be guaranteed the large round table in the corner, but a seat will open for you. To this you should be thankful...and if you aren't just wait until the first bite!
The people at Arnold's are also all completely and totally happy. Line Servers, the bus boy and patrons alike all smile with the ease of a summer afternoon. The employees are all so happy. They seem (no matter when you go or how many times you go) to be having the best day of their life. For a restaurant this is a truly amazing site to behold. A group of people so fluid in their movements and so happy to be right where they are it is admirable. It is also addictive! As a patron of Arnold's you too will notice the stress of your life melt away with each yummy bite of your Chicken and Dumplings. You will glance around this small eatery and not see a single angry or ill tempered person. Every one and I mean EVERYONE is nice to each other in here. You see people whom outside these walls would never speak to each other share smiles and the salt. If Mr. Obama really wants to stop the war we have going on he just needs to feed those Al Quida guys some Meatloaf and Fried Green Tomatoes. Then they could talk about things like Bama's victory and smile and be...well...happy.
This was my lunch today. Chicken and Dumplings, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes with Chicken Gravy and yeast rolls. OMG DELICIOUS! No fancy plates or presentation needed...that's how good this place is! Across from my food is Marc's and right in the middle are Arnold's famous Fried Green Tomatoes.Arnold's has been in the press for years gaining more and more praise for their simple (but FABULOUS) southern country cooking. Truthfully they deserve it! My Grandmother whom I thought was the greatest cook that had ever lived could have learned a thing or two from Mr. Arnold...and so could your Grandmother. They were most recently featured in Southern Living magazine. (LINK BELOW) And remember that if you come to Nashville, TN and do not eat at Arnold's (it better be a weekend when they are closed) know that you have missed a great Nashville treasure and did not fully get the real Nashville experience!
After this crazy day I have chosen to stay in tonight and relax with a nice bottle of RED...my favorite. For this evening I have chosen Our Daily Red, an Organic Red that is simple but dry with a strong blackberry note...Two things that are always considered a must in my Reds. So tonight I toast Arnold's for being amazing. I damn my company for only having pediatric doses of Hepatitis B shots (I work in health care) causing me to get 2 shots today. And thank Hickory Falls which I will blog about at a later time for my yummy Sienna Pasta dinner. And Here's to my kitchen being finished....SOMEDAY!!!
You get the MATURE LANDSCAPING AWARD FOR THE BEST BLOG TITLE. EVER. ANYWHERE. And did you guys know about Arnold's when I was out there? Were you holding out on me? Awww, man!
ReplyDeleteYes we have known about Arnold's but won't take you there unless you ask. Mr. Arnold uses lots of bacon, butter and lard...you can taste it. The veggies lose all nutritional qualities because of the yummy things done to them and I don't think they have salad. You would have to commit to gaining about 3 pounds from lunch if you want us to take you there. The healthiest thing they have is unsweetened tea!
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