Recently I traveled down to Nashville and went on a quest to find the best southern home-style cooking the city had to offer.
Several Uber drivers suggested the same old spots along the tourist strips. So when I came across Monell’s I was surprised no one had recommended it. I now realize it’s probably because this gem of a place is a Nashville staple and they were trying to keep it a secret.
When you arrive at Monell’s original location in Germantown you’ll notice that it’s a house. With Victorian style features throughout, you will experience a home-style meal in a home-style setting that’s almost true to its 1905 original design.
An elderly black woman will greet you as you walk in and she’ll loudly ask for your name while simultaneously running the cash register. This lady may or may not have been Monell herself but she definitely gave me Black Auntie vibes so I was happy. One of the rules of Monell’s is “First Come, First Served” so they do not take reservations.
Meals are served family style which means you’ll be sitting with complete strangers sharing dishes. I’ve eaten like this once before and I loved it, but I understand for some, the idea of sharing a four to five-course meal with strangers is not ideal.
There are just a few quick rules: If you take up a seat, you will be charged and no cell phones at the table. That second rule was subject to table consensus though. Everyone at our table immediately started snapping photos when our food started to come out and parade its way around the table.
The Food
If you go for lunch like I did, your meal includes fried chicken, meats of the day, hot southern veggies, salads, iced tea, lemonade, biscuits, and dessert.
The meat options included chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, pulled pork, fried chicken. Veggies consisted of mashed potatoes, green beans, creamed corn, and baked beans. There was also Coleslaw and a broccoli salad for appetizers and baked apples and bread pudding for dessert. Finally, there were unlimited biscuits and cornbread with butter and my favorite, peach preserves and jam.
When my brother and I were younger, we’d find an excuse to eat dessert before dinner. We’d make these things called “jelly plates” where you glob jelly onto a biscuit and call it an appetizer.
It has been many years since I have eaten a jelly plate and when the peach jam came my way, I went to town. I had 4 jelly plates before I even started on my meal.
Beyond the mounds of delicious food, the ambiance is the best reason to go to Monell’s. Even though I had never met any of the folks I was sitting with, we all got to know each other and enjoy a great meal in a home-style setting.
For under $20 you can have lunch that will keep you full until dinner and have some great conversations. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is right at the end of the block so you can walk off your food after a hearty meal too.
I have never tried this place or even been to Nashville for that matter.After reading though I would be interested to try this place. I have never experienced this style of eating before and wouldn’t be opposed to trying it at least one time. Food and environment sounds awesome though.
Ahh love Nashville! I need to try this place next time I go.
Now I’m craving southern food! It all looks so good!
xo
Sami
The Classic Brunette
I’ve always wanted to go to Nashville! The food looks delicious!
My type of southern grub.
Also loving your outfit so much!
ohhh might have to visit some time 🙂 the food does look really tasty!
your outfit is so adorable!!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
mmm this looks delicious! I loveee Nashville food and will have to try Monells next time I’m in town!!
How yummy! I would love to check them out when I visit Nashville 🙂
That place sounds amazing! The food looks yummy!
You can’t go wrong with comfort food!!
Nashville is so fun! I love Monell’s!!!!
I have actually never been to Nashville (!!!) but I’m hoping to go at some point in the next few years, and I’ll have to remember Monell’s! Who doesn’t love yummy Southern food?!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
WOW this place sounds so delicious! If I’m ever in Nashville, I’ll be sure to make a stop there!
Looks like some good southern comfort food!
This place looks so great!
ahh this looks like amazing comfort food
ohhh that sounds so yummy!! i don’t know if i’ll ever be going to nashville, but i definitely think it’s worth a trip one day 🙂 the pictures you took look so appetizing!
This place sounds sooo good! I would so love to try it out!
I haven’t heard of this place but I love the idea of sharing a table. Nothing beats southern cooking!
That food looks delicious! I want to try some!
That food looks so yummy!! my stomach is grumbling
Omg this looks so good and is definitely making me hungry! Great post
LOL I’ve lived in Nashville 3 years and I still haven’t been here! This sounds amazing! I will have to hit it up this weekend! xo Rach
Love it, I used to eat Jelly Plates for lunch when I was a Kid! “We’d make these things called “jelly plates” where you glob jelly onto a biscuit and call it an appetizer.”