Another longtime Nashville institution is closing its doors. Arnold’s Country Kitchen on 8th Avenue will serve up its final meat-and-three plates on Saturday after 40 years in business.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsThe line stretched down the block during the penultimate weekday lunch rush at Arnold’s Country Kitchen on Jan. 5, 2023.
Owner Rose Arnold announced at the beginning of the year that she had sold their building with plans to retire. She and her husband, Jack, first opened their doors in 1982.
Nashvillians stood in line for more than an hour on Thursday for one of their final lunch services.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsOnce inside, those in line started to excitedly chatter about what they were ordering for themselves — and only themself, as plates were limited to one per customer.
“The hardest part is holding back the tears when you see so many people you’ve gotten to know … every few minutes. That’s been the hardest part,” said Kahlil Arnold, chef and co-owner of his family’s restaurant.
Regular Alex Fulton said he’d been coming for more than 15 years, always for the same thing:
“Potatoes! Greens! Green Beans!” he recited to one of Arnold’s employees. “Thank you.”
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsWPLN afternoon editor Julia Ritchey (top) ordered the chicken fried steak with fried green tomatoes, turnip greens and mac and cheese, while digital editor Rachel Iacovone (bottom) got fried shrimp, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and creamed corn.
With a rotating menu of proteins, Thursday’s big draw was the roast beef with jus.
“That is the fountain of youth: Arnold’s roast beef,” said Coco, a longtime employee, while laughing and serving customers on the hot line.
Others in line chose the fried green tomatoes, sweet creamed corn, tender turnip greens and mac and cheese. Desserts were sold out by noon.
“We’re losing what people may classify as heart-and-soul,” said Fulton. “I understand that their family has put heart–and–soul into this area — before these high rises and the like.”
Jennifer Melendez was wearing nurse scrubs and trying to squeeze in a quick trip on her lunch break. She’d been coming here her whole life, too.
“It’s just a sense of home leaving,” she said. “It’s a staple of the city.”
Melendez recalled making frequent stops for the chocolate pie while she was pregnant.
“Kahlil made the chocolate pies then, probably still does now,” said Melendez. “He got wind that I didn’t really care for the crust, so I would come in and be greeted with a bowl of just the filling and topping on top. He’s to blame for a lot of my pounds.”
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsA final, bigger menu board greeted customers before they reached the front and ordered their plates.
Kahlil Arnold has plans to open another restaurant somewhere else in the future when he finds the “exact right spot.” One of the concepts, he said, will “hopefully compare to Arnold’s.”
Thursday, though, Kahlil was busy. He dumped two pitchers of white sugar into the sweet tea, hugged patrons and tried to maintain his composure.
“I feel like I lost a family member,” said Kahlil. “I mean, I did.”
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsAs customers enjoyed their plates, many sat at the familiar long tables with strangers before running into friends at nearby booths or in line.
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