This Tennessee Meat-And-Three Cafeteria Has Side Dishes That Completely Steal The Spotlight

Nashville knows honky-tonk, but Arnold’s Country Kitchen knows how to make side dishes sing lead. This legendary meat-and-three at 605 8th Ave S turns humble vegetables into chart-toppers that upstage even the roast beef.

With cafeteria-line charm, wallet-friendly plates, and a 4.5-star chorus of fans, the vibe is as warm as the steam table. Ready to cheat on your meat with sides that steal the show? Grab a tray.

Cheese Macaroni Mayhem

First up, the mac struts in like it owns Lower Broadway—golden, bubbly, and scandalously creamy. Each forkful slides into a rich, cheese-loaded harmony that refuses to be background vocals. The texture walks a perfect line: tender elbows with a little bounce, cloaked in velvet.

Sharp cheddar throws elbows, while Monterey Jack smooths it out. A whisper of paprika keeps things lively. It’s comfort food with swagger and a side of nostalgia. You’ll forget your entrée exists after the second bite.

Pro tip: pair with ribs for a smoky-cheesy duet that slaps harder than a snare in a honky-tonk.

Turnip Greens With Attitude

Next, the greens step up like they’ve got stories from the Opry backstage—savory, tender, and unapologetically soulful. Simmered low and slow (seasoning varies by day), they carry a smoky backbone that means business.

The broth is sippable, the seasoning confident, and a dash of vinegar sauce makes the flavor pop. These aren’t sad salad cousins; they’re the main event’s hype crew. Add cornbread, crumble liberally, and let it soak up the potlikker.

Suddenly, you’re planning a return trip before lunch is over. They taste like home, even if your home couldn’t boil water. Extra napkins recommended—because happy tears are a thing.

Fried Green Tomatoes, Extra Crispy

Then, the fried green tomatoes crash the party with a shattering crunch that echoes down the line. Each slice is tangy inside, armored in a perfectly seasoned crust that refuses to sog. The fry is clean, the color golden, the bite addictive.

A quick dunk in comeback sauce—boom, you’re grinning like you found front-row seats. They ride the line between zesty and savory, keeping your taste buds curious. Order two; sharing causes immediate regret. They’re the kind of side that makes you check the hours and plan your week.

White Beans That Whisper Comfort

Hold on, because the white beans arrive like a lullaby in bowl form—gentle, creamy, and deeply seasoned. They’re soft without surrendering, swimming in a savory broth that begs for a spoon-and-cornbread combo. Seasoning can vary, but white beans are a regular staple.

Hints of onion and pepper play backup while a subtle smokiness hums along. This is the sleeper hit that regulars quietly hoard. Add a splash of hot sauce and watch the flavor bloom. It’s budget-friendly luxury, the kind that feeds your soul and your lunch break.

Dip, scoop, repeat, and suddenly you’ve achieved bean zen. Meat? Optional. Beans? Obligatory.

Squash Casserole With Southern Swagger

Meanwhile, the squash casserole slides in like your charming cousin who never misses a reunion—soft, custardy, and subtly sweet. Layers of tender squash mingle with onions under a buttery, toasted topping that crackles just so.

Each spoonful brings comfort and a wink of nostalgia. It’s balanced, not cloying, and dangerously easy to inhale. Pair it with roast beef for texture contrast, or go veggie-plate and call it a victory. You didn’t come for finesse, but here it is anyway.

By the last bite, you’ll wonder why squash isn’t headlining every menu in town.

Mashed Potatoes, No Nonsense

Also entering the chat: mashed potatoes that mean business—fluffy, buttery, and thoroughly reliable. They don’t need a filter, just a generous ladle of brown gravy doing the slow river down the middle. Texture stays smooth with a whisper of rustic chunk, like grandma’s best effort on a Sunday.

Salt and pepper hit the right notes without stealing the melody. They anchor your plate and calm your spirit. Pair with meatloaf, roast beef, or everything nearby. When lunch demands comfort, these spuds show up early, clock in, and overdeliver.

Cinnamon Fried Apples That Wink Back

For dessert dressed as a side, the fried apples flirt shamelessly—tender slices glossed with butter, cinnamon, and just-right sweetness. They warm your hands and your mood, sending nostalgic signals to your sweet tooth.

The sauce is syrupy without glue, perfect over biscuits or solo with a spoon. Pair next to pork and prepare for applause. It’s autumn energy year-round, no leaf-peeping required. These apples make skipping pie feel strangely sensible, which is wild, considering the pies slap too.

Take a to-go cup; you’ll want an encore later. Consider this your edible hug from Nashville.

Banana Pudding, Mic-Drop Finish

Finally, the banana pudding moonwalks in and steals dessert thunder without breaking a sweat. Silky custard, fresh banana slices, and those legendary cookies soften to perfect spoonability. A pillowy crown of whipped topping completes the nostalgia parade.

Banana pudding is a well-known Arnold’s staple. It’s balanced, not sugar-shouty, leaving room for one more dreamy bite. Locals swear it’s legit homemade, and your taste buds will testify. After ribs and three sides, this still finds space—because priorities.

Grab an extra to-go for future you, the hero who deserves it. At Arnold’s, this is how a lunch becomes a love story.