Tennessee’s meat-and-three tradition is built around comfort food, but locals know the real stars are often the sides. Creamy mac and cheese, slow-cooked greens, fried okra, squash casserole, and buttery cornbread regularly steal attention from the meat itself.
Across the state, these restaurants have perfected the art of unforgettable Southern side dishes. Whether you’re a lifelong Tennessean or just passing through, these 15 spots will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about lunch.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Walk into Arnold’s Country Kitchen on any weekday and the smell alone will stop you in your tracks. This legendary Nashville cafeteria has been setting the standard for meat-and-three dining longer than most regulars can remember.
The roast beef and fried chicken are solid, but nobody leaves without talking about the sides…