Tennessee’s food scene isn’t just about hot chicken and barbecue joints on every corner. Hidden throughout the state are tiny, unassuming restaurants where the locals eat, the kind of places you’d drive right past if you didn’t know better.
These hole-in-the-wall spots serve up some of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have, and once you find them, you’ll understand why people keep coming back year after year.
1. Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Nashville
Meat-and-three heaven exists, and it’s tucked into a modest brick building on the south side of Nashville. Arnold’s has been feeding hungry folks since 1982, and the line out the door at lunch tells you everything you need to know.
You’ll find this legendary spot at 605 8th Avenue South in Nashville, where cafeteria-style service means you pick your protein and three sides from a rotating daily menu. The fried chicken is crispy perfection, but regulars also swear by the chocolate pie…