Chicken and dumplings might be the most comforting bowl in the South, and Tennessee cooks take it seriously. Some places roll their dumplings flat like slick noodles, while others drop them fluffy and puffy into a thick, savory broth.
If you have ever wondered where to find the real deal made from scratch, this list is for you. From meat-and-three counters in Nashville to small-town diners in East Tennessee, here are nine spots where a warm bowl feels like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house any day of the week.
1. Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Nashville, TN
Nashville has plenty of meat-and-three spots, but Arnold’s is one of the most celebrated in the whole city. The cafeteria line has been a lunchtime tradition for locals and visitors who want honest Southern cooking without any fuss.
You grab a tray, slide down the line, and point at what looks good. The rotating daily specials often include comfort classics, and the sides read like a greatest-hits list of Southern vegetables…