‘Welcome to Arnold’s’: Inside the revival of a fan-favorite meat-and-three

Nashville’s beloved meat-and-three, Arnold’s, closed in January, but this week, it’s opening its doors again for a series of pop-ups.

Earlier this year, the business had sold and intended to move locations, but the deal fell through. A steady stream of people braved the heavy construction in The Gulch to eat there Monday. They formed an orderly line that wrapped around the restaurant, but not around the whole block at opening time Day 1.

Rachel Iacovone WPLN News

Customers at the front of the line Monday waited for about 90 minutes before Arnold’s opened its doors.

The first people in line had been waiting an hour and a half, and shared their go-to orders:

“Some fried chicken,” Joe said.

His wife, Debbie, was planning on getting the “carved roast beef.” Their adult son joined them for lunch and planned on “just sides” this time.

Rachel Iacovone WPLN News

I got the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried apples, a roll and a slice chocolate chess pie. My colleague, Rachel Iacovone, also got the fried chicken and traded the greens for macaroni and cheese (no judgment).

I chose fried chicken myself when I got to the counter after so many people had recommended it. I rounded out the meal with fried apples, mashed potatoes and turnip greens — for a “healthy” option. Plus, of course, a slice of the chocolate chess pie.

It was my first time trying Arnold’s. It had closed before I moved to Nashville, and the pop-up lived up to the former restaurant’s reputation. The whole meal was fresh, hot, well-seasoned and the chicken was crispy and moist. You can hear me take my first bite in the audio above. (Content warning for those with misophonia, or general problems with mouth noises.)

Rose Arnold opened the restaurant with her husband, Jack, in 1982. She announced at the beginning of this year that she had sold their building with plans to retire. However, since that fell though, Arnold’s is remaining at its current location for now, beginning with these pop-ups.

The rapid development of The Gulch is a key factor in the family’s plans to move.

“There’s so much construction down here,” Rose Arnold said. “There’s always someone blocking our lot, but we’ll work out the kinks I guess. I’ll tell people we’re back and that we would love a little respect, but it’ll be good.”

Arnold’s is open again Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rachel Iacovone WPLN News

Arnold’s is carrying several kinds of pie each day during its pop-ups, including spicy chocolate, chocolate chess, chess meringue, and chess. Just grab a slice from the top of the counter as you enter the main ordering line.