On September 20th, The Tennessean posted a list of the 150 lowest health inspection scores in Middle Tennessee. As I thumbed through, I noticed a list of places I had heard horror stories about, some of which came from personal experience. But as I continued through, I was hit with waves of nostalgia. Places with good memories and good food. Look, I get it. Cleanliness is next to godliness. But let’s also keep in mind that “To Err is Human, to Forgive is Divine”, so keep an open mind as I argue redemption points for four places that received poor scores.
Pizza Perfect (357 Clofton Road)– This pizza joint has been a Bellevue staple for years. It’s got all the makings of a vintage pizza joint—including an arcade. Things come and go, but at one point, they even had Laser Tag available. They have a full menu of Italian cuisine that goes beyond pies, including pasta and subs (I recommend giving that lasagna a try). Do you long for the nostalgia of the 90s? Remember a time when a pizza party followed the end of your baseball/soccer/football/insert-your-childhood-sport-here season? Give Pizza Perfect another chance.
Edessa Restaurant (3802 Nolensville Pike)– In case you’re new to Nashville, you may be unaware that some of the most diverse dining options can be found driving up and down Nolensville Pike. Edessa is no exception, a Kurdish & Turkish restaurant that offers traditional Mediterranean plates. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, generous portions and here’s the real kicker; it’s directly across the street from the Nashville Zoo. Make a day of it! Go see some giraffes, pet a goat, touch some grass, then head over to Edessa and knock out some chicken kebab.
Lemongrass Thai (73 White Bridge Road #107)– So there’s two Lemongrass Thai’s in Nashville, and sometimes I’m not fully paying attention to my online order and I’ll pick the wrong location, turning my quick pick-up trip into a full on journey. That being said, even with my negligence extending my quest for dinner, I haven’t been disappointed yet. The ambiance may be simple, but the plates ain’t. The White Bridge location is a go-to for great curry, and my to-go plates have always been ready on arrival for the long journey home.
Wendell Smith’s (407 53rd Ave N)– I mean, let me be as perfectly clear as I can, this is the best meat and three in Nashville. Bar none. One of Old Nashville’s best kept secrets, Wendell’s has been around since 1952. When you walk in, you see autographed 8x10s of Nashville royalty lining the walls, and I guarantee if you asked any of them, they’d say those cooked greens are to die for. They have a handwritten menu that boasts true downhome country cooking, from Meat Loaf on Tuesdays, Bar-B-Que Spare Ribs on Monday (every other week, hope you picked the right one!), to that Fried Chicken on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s not a whole lot of places you can go wrong on this menu. They also offer traditional sandwiches and fries you’d come to expect from a diner. The truest selling point of Wendell’s lies in it’s kind and hospitable staff, who make you feel like you’re back at grandma’s dinner table. I’m giving away all my secrets here, but this is the first spot I’ll take an out-of-towner to try a real deal Nashville restaurant.
So there you have it! Look, I know you have your concerns. If you’re going out to eat, you expect that you and your loved ones will be taken care of to the highest ability. That’s why I’m putting my neck out for these four that have absolutely redeemable qualities. This is like, my second article for SoBros Network. I, Cinderella Man, One Take O, Outspoken Owen, put my good name, my integrity and my stamp of approval on all four of these places. If you try one and like it, let me know! Well, I’m not on social media like that, but let Stoney know to let me know!
Love y’all, stay safe and happy eating!
Outspoken Owen Reed is the co-host of The Unofficial Titans Podcast, host of LMAOwen on the SoBros Patreon, and lifestyle contributor for SoBros Network. You can’t follow Owen on social media – just enjoy his work here.
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