Nashville: the overrated list (Franklin, Philadelphia: bankruptcy, living, versus)

[bluemarlin08]

One of the best places for soul food is in the back of the grocery store on Lafayette st. across from the projects. They have been serving meat and 3 for decades now.

What is the name?

[DonCorleone]

I don't think this is the same place, but it's on Lafayette and I prefer it to Arnold's (though I'm not ready to put Arnold's on the overrated list quite yet):

Dandgure's Cafeteria...aka Dan's Cafe.

[Antioch]

Originally Posted by bluemarlin08

What is the name?

Its know as Eddie's, I think that may had been the name of the store years ago but I think it is something different now but it is on the back side of Cameron Middle School right on the main street across from the projects. I think they only serve between like 11-4, and I'm pretty sure they are closed on Sunday and maybe even Saturday.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Sadly, I never had the chance to go to the Loveless when the Biscuit Lady was still alive. I still find it charming and the food is delivered hot and fast. I would NOT wait an hour or two or even more than maybe 15 minutes to eat there, but all of the out of town guests I have taken there seem to really enjoy it.

I love going to the Ryman for concerts, but I paid to go inside for a 'tour' once and found it lacking for the price. The tour itself, not the Ryman. LOVE the Ryman!

[budgiegirl]

Adding to the overrated list... Sperry's.
I went there once and thought you have got to be kidding me.
They throw a steak on a plate (was there even a garnish?), and you have to pay extra for the sides, and then extra if you order bernaise sauce for the sides??
There was the most mundane salad bar ever, that is poorly set up against a wall, such that we had a line of people wrapping around our table because they were all waiting in line for the salad.
I made the mistake of ordering surf n turf and the lobster tasted like bad fish.
I know our bill for 2 was well over 100 and that was with 1 glass of wine and no appetizers or desserts.
We could have grilled a couple of rib eyes at our house and had a much better meal...
Also they did not even have enough menus for us, so we had to wait at the table for a while, and finally the waiter brought over one menu for us to share... I cannot fathom why anybody would pay that kind of money for that kind of experience. It is a far cry from fine dining.

[Antioch]

I think the show Nashville is overrated. I watch it and all, and like it for the most part, but I feel that it overrally exagerates the country, southern sterotype of Nashville. Evenyone has a country accent on it, all they show is country everything.

[DonCorleone]

Originally Posted by budgiegirl

Adding to the overrated list... Sperry's.
I went there once and thought you have got to be kidding me.
They throw a steak on a plate (was there even a garnish?), and you have to pay extra for the sides, and then extra if you order bernaise sauce for the sides??
There was the most mundane salad bar ever, that is poorly set up against a wall, such that we had a line of people wrapping around our table because they were all waiting in line for the salad.
I made the mistake of ordering surf n turf and the lobster tasted like bad fish.
I know our bill for 2 was well over 100 and that was with 1 glass of wine and no appetizers or desserts.
We could have grilled a couple of rib eyes at our house and had a much better meal...
Also they did not even have enough menus for us, so we had to wait at the table for a while, and finally the waiter brought over one menu for us to share... I cannot fathom why anybody would pay that kind of money for that kind of experience. It is a far cry from fine dining.

Yikes. They must have slipped. I have been there 5 or more times and had great experiences each time. It's been at least 5 years, however. I do agree about the odd salad bar. It also is not a place to go for a quiet meal as the noise level is fairly high (though nothing like the Palm...which I would put on my overrated list anytime if I considered it to be a bonafide Nashville institution instead of a chain).

[bluemarlin08]

Sorry you had a bad experience at Sperry's, we have been eating there since it opened and always enjoyed. Recently had a coupon for 2 meals for $40, however had lots of wine and the bill was steep. Sperry's and Jimmy Kelley's are all that's left of old Nashville restaurants.

[DonCorleone]

They often have great deals at Sperry's. Seems like they used offer buy one get one free gift cards for a few weeks at a time. I'm signed up for their e newsletter and see they have wine and bourbon tastings often...stuff like that.

I've never really cared for Jimmy Kelley's. I've only been twice, but it didn't blow me away. Agreed that its an institution though. I have to admit that I always forget about it when I'm planning a nice date night though. We tend to gravitate to the newer restaurants like City House, Eastland Cafe, Rolf & Daughters...et al.

***

It is with a heavy heart that I nominate Elliston Place Soda Shop for the overrated list. Ambiance...can't beat it. It is the closest thing to a living time machine we have. It's a place I want to like. I've had such bad service there over the years, though. The food is very average in my opinion. I will say their shakes are better than most. But a place like Elliston Place should have knockout burgers, great breakfasts...be better than average at all the standard diner fare. In my experience, it's just not that great.

That said, I'm glad they avoided bankruptcy or eviction...whichever it was a few years ago. But I have to say I will pass by it every day in order to eat at Rotier's. (Which, I recognize, might also be a popular choice for "overrated", but I love it).

[bluemarlin08]

Ever since Mr. Chandler stopped running the place it has gone downhill. Use to be very good and the place would be packed at lunch and breakfast, no longer. BTW, found an outstanding meat and three this week at the first Smithville exit on 40, Rose Garden.