Price:
$
Last updated 2.23.11
Category:
Payment Methods:
Check, American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats
Cuisine:
What People Are Saying About Arnold's Country Kitchen
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – Located just outside downtown, Jack Arnold's place has been one of the city's favorite meat-and-threes for decades. The front wall displays hand-signed portraits of regular customers who happen to be known in these parts--everyone from Chet Atkins and the Dixie Chicks to Joe Biddle and ex-Vandy hoops coach C.M. Newton. Served cafeteria-style, Arnold's features basic Southern cooking: roast beef, fried chicken, turnip greens, whipped potatoes, mac and cheese, corn muffins and cornbread.
Editor's Tips
- The Extras:
- Arnold's does serve a garden salad and it could be the only thing on the menu not made with butter.
Arnold's: A Southern Gem
by Stu243 at Citysearch
I go there about once a month, usually with folks from work and sometimes we bring guests from out of town. These out of town guests often comment on the southern charm of Arnold's, especially the friendly service. They have several tasty meat choices, some are only available on certain days of the week. All are good as are the vegetables and desserts, but I usually don't get a dessert as I get full on the meat and 3. Get there early if you don't want to stand in a long line. I once tried to avoid the crowd by getting there late (around 2pm) but I don't recommend this as the meat I wanted was sold out.
Pros: Great southern food, SWEET tea!, friendly service
Cons: The line can get long.
Arnold's Country Kitchen is Over Rated
by theonlyschmoopie at Citysearch
I used to go to Arnold's back in the 90's and it was awesome. We loved their roast beef and all their veggies. My three sons and I decided to go a couple of weeks ago and it was so disappointing. The roast beef was wayyy over cooked, dry and the tall dark haired young man slicing it was trying to slice it soooo thin his knife kept slipping off the hunk of beef. He shaved the dried up over cooked roast so thin it almost looked like powdered beef mixed with almost transparent slices. Also, when I asked the young man if he could please slice it thicker he told us that that is the way it comes. He was rude. The vegetable portions have gotten smaller too. So sad to see this happen, it used to be wonderful. Not anymore. We had driven over 50 miles to eat there, so we went ahead and ate it but will never ever go back and never recommend to anyone. I know it get's rave reviews, but if you had not been there years ago when they were really exceptional, then you would not know what you are missing. Looks like the kids of the original owner are running the place now, cutting corners AND not taking care to maintain the food quality or customer service because they have inherited a huge following from their parents years of hard work.
Pros: NONE
Cons: No where near what it used to be.
AMAZING MEAT-AND-THREE!
by kevinfromnashville at Citysearch
When food dies, it wants to go to Arnold's. This is the finest example of funky Southern comfort food. The roast beef is top shelf and the flat corn bread could probably cure cancer. You owe it to yourself to go to Arnold's. You don't know what you're missing. Go now. Stop reading this and GO NOW!
- Pros: Food that makes you want to slap your mama!
- Cons: Not open 24-7
Authentic Nashville
by JadedEater at Citysearch
If you like southern food (or think you do), this is place you've been dreaming about. I walked around in a fog, not really knowing what true southern food tasted like, until I came to Arnold's. The first time you try the food, it's almost explosive. I never knew roast beef could be so flavorful! And that gravy could have such punch! Or that green beans or squash casserole could really lead to a party in your mouth.
The line staff are very friendly and if you've been in there more than a couple of times, they come to recognize you. While it is cafeteria style, there is a fellow who walks around with pitchers of tea and water to refill your beverages. Their lemonade is also top notch. Pricing is reasonable. Expect a pretty good line between the hours of 11 and 2, although it moves at a fairly rapid clip.
This place blows all other southern meat and threes out of the water in Nashville. This is a joint that knows flavor goes beyond salt and pepper. 5 stars. Try it and don't look back.
- Pros: Roast Beef
- Cons: Only open for lunch on weekdays
Best in the World
by gbp15 at Citysearch
I just spent the last week in Nashville and ate lunch all week at Arnold's -- it was the best food that I have ever eaten. Each day there was a new special and awesome veggies -- I tried and loved food that I previously would have thrown away. I went to all of the Nashville attractions and I would return back to Nashville -- only for Arnold's- I really appreciate how they made me feel at home -- especially Arthur. Now everthing that I eat is so bland and boring. If I lived in Nashville I would always be eating at Arnold's -- Nasville please stop in for the best home cooking around and I promise that you will come back for seconds -- Thanks Nashville.
- Pros: Everything -- Especially the Customer Service
- Cons: Closed on the weekends


