I actually have no idea how long Arnold’s has been around. I do know that it took me almost two years after moving to Nashville to try the food, even though this place was one of the first places I was suggested to try. From the looks of it, the squat, red, brick building has been in the same location for decades, its freshly painted exterior hiding an interior straight out of the 60’s or 70’s. If I knew pop culture I may have recognized what era the celebrities in black and white photos adorning the walls were from. Alas, I know nothing (which is also why I have very little to contribute at our weekly trivia time outings).
Back to Arnold’s: the place has something, though I can’t quite conjure up the right word. After being greeted by employees chillaxin outside on my way in, glancing around the small interior, and ordering up my (as I would later find out, face-meltingly-good) food via cafeteria-style assembly line, I don’t think “old school” is the correct adjective. What is it then? Passionate? Family-style? Comfort food? Soul? That comes close. History? Maybe it’s a combination of history and soul in such a hole in the wall that reminds me of all the other establishments John T. Edge wrote of in his book Southern Belly: The Ultimate Food Lover’s Companion to the South. Yes, this is it; this is what I love: the hole-in-the-wall that slaps you in the face with awesome food at dirt-cheap prices. It’s not in the same league as The French Laundry, not even Cheesecake Factory. No. This is a whole different beast, a concept similar to Prince’s Hot Chicken. Only locals would know this type of joint, as well as tourists who dig around the literature, because these places are written up like mad in food books, newspapers, and OMG foodblogs!
Well, as much as I’d like to ramble on and on about food and restaurant culture, I must cut this short (it’s nearing midnight, and I should be studying right now). I just want to say I like this place. I wish they were open at times other than lunch on weekdays, but I guess that’s part of their charm. The fried green tomatoes are crisp on the outside, and not so tomatoey on the inside to the point you feel like you’re eating a vegetarian version of a meat sandwich when dipping them in ketchup, if that makes sense at all (probably not). I didn’t use ketchup, by the way–they were good without it. In fact, I didn’t use condiments at all. The meatloaf was disgustingly good, for lack of better adverb. Usually the loaf is what makes the meatloaf, and the sauce is just a sideshow, but I found a new love for meatloaf sauce–this one included chunks of onions, tomatoes, and okra in it, not at all ketchupy like other meatloaf sauces. The actual loaf of meat was good as well.
Hopefully I can make time to go back. My belly demands it.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen 605 8th Ave S Nashville, TN (615) 256-4455
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