It’s a calm, dreary Friday in Gladeville – the last day of January, to be precise. It’s cold outside. I’m in the area, and I’m craving one of those big, hearty southern meat and three meals. So, the only logical choice is The Glade Diner.
It’s a charming little spot with the old country atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re far, far away from the stifling traffic of Nashville. Worn hardwood floors, antique china, and photographs of Gladeville and Lebanon history give The Glade Diner the type of character that makes it feel like home.
Pics
Ratings
Food: 7.5/10 – I treated my mom to lunch on Friday. She got the hamburger and a side of onion rings. I asked her for an official rating, but she politely declined. I’ll just say this – I don’t think, in the entire 33 years of my existence, I’ve seen her eat an entire hamburger, and she didn’t leave any of this one behind. I did try the onion rings, and they were phenomenal (and fresh).
For my entree, I elected to go with the hamburger steak (Friday is usually catfish day, but I just wasn’t feelin’ it – maybe next time). I usually like a little A1 on my hamburger steak, but when prompted for gravy….I couldn’t refuse. Just sounded like that was going to hit the spot. Smothered in gravy, onions, mushrooms, and cooked to a juicy perfection, it’s one of the best hamburger steaks I’ve tried. They’re easy to overcook, but they nailed it on Friday. For my sides, I went with mashed potatoes and gravy (let’s just double down on the gravy – why not?) and a broccoli casserole that caught my eye. If you like broccoli and cheese, this side is the move to make.
But the real show-stealer of this meal was the jalapeno cornbread. Spicy and filling – this was what comfort food is supposed to be.
You want a good meal? There’s no need to venture out of the boonies for some of the best food in the area. There’s kind of a no man’s land out around Gladeville – you either venture into Providence or make the drive to Lebanon, Smyrna, or Murfreesboro. The Glade Diner eliminates that stress.
Value: 6.2/10 – With a tip, we ended up spending around $25 for two entrees and two drinks. That damn sure beats what you’re going to spend downtown or even in Mount Juliet. But, I wouldn’t classify it as a steal necessarily either. A fair to decent price for a rock solid meal.
Atmosphere: 6/10 – I absolutely love the charm of The Glade Diner. Like I said, it just feels like home. It’s like Mayberry. But, at the same time, it’s small. Luckily, we went after the lunch rush and found a table just fine. But, I’ve also been in there when there wasn’t a seat to sit on. If you’re dead set on it, calling ahead and placing a to-go order might be the safer bet.
Overall: 6.57/10 – You go to The Glade Diner for the food, plain and simple. Fairly priced and loaded with down home flavor, there isn’t a substitute for miles.
CURRENT NASHVILLE RESTAURANT RANKINGS
- Butcher & Bee (8.5/10)
- Nectar: Urban Cantina (8.44/10)
- Von Elrod’s (8.17/10)
- Catch 22 (Mount Juliet) (7.125/10)
- Phat Bites (6.83/10)
*Keep in mind, we’re just starting out. This list is only 19 deep at this point. Stay tuned as we continue to build our anthology of Nashville reviews.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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