Who doesn't love to walk into their grandmother's kitchen to the smell of chicken frying on the stove and cornbread baking in the oven--definitely not any self-respecting southerner I know! Well, no offense to my grandma or any other precious, apron-wearing southern cook, but this place serves the best southern soul food you'll ever put in your mouth, better than any I've ever had from a home kitchen. How they do it is still a mystery to me, but Jared and I have been four times now (every time I visit since the night we found the place) and they have never disappointed us. Their consistency is what keeps customers coming back, sometimes twice in one day!
This week's little gem is simply named Bailey & Cato Family Restaurant Google entry
I would post a link to their website but they don't have one...this may be one of the reasons their food tastes so good. It's almost as if Bailey & Cato is frozen in a time where good food reigned supreme and restaurants didn't need fancy websites to draw customers in.
Let me try to put you there...you're driving through East Nashville on McGavock Pike. It's a nice drive, you're passing cute neighborhoods filled with quaint cottage-style homes. The road is two-laned and curvy and for a minute of two you find yourself lost in the simple charm of your surroundings...then you see it.
Apart from the pink exterior, it actually doesn't stick out much from all of the other old homes you've been passing. What will stick out is the full parking lot and the constant exchange of people entering the doors with wide eyes and people leaving with satisfied tummies and hearts. The food they serve here is not only exceptional for the appetite, it is truly a necessity for the soul. After eating here just one time you will frequently find yourself longing for the comfort and deliciousness it provides. My mouth is watering as I'm typing this and I haven't even gotten to the food yet! It's worth making the trip for the atmosphere alone.
We thought the first time we went to Bailey and Cato was just by chance...we now know it was a gift from God. Jared googled "Best Fried Chicken in Nashville" and B&C is the first place that popped up. We got directions and went on our way...having no idea that we were about to partake in the best meal either of us had ever eaten.
When we pulled into the parking lot we were a little taken back--if this place was supposed to have the best fried chicken in the entire city why was it so small? Why did it look so simple?? ...we should have known that the best gifts sometimes come in unconventional packages. Regardless of our initial reservations, we walked up to the door and went inside. As soon as we walked in, we knew. There was a line of people waiting for their turn at the counter to choose their "meat & 3." On the glass over the counter was a hand-made sign telling customers they would NOT be served if talking on their cell phone when it came their turn--I knew I loved this place already. We looked at the menu while waiting (they serve a different variety every day) and finally made our selection. I chose chicken and dressing with gravy, macaroni and cheese, and white beans with cornbread. Jared was the smart one and went with fried chicken, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. When we finally got up to the counter, the server told Jared it would be twenty minutes for his chicken because they make it when you order it. We had nothing to do so waiting wasn't a problem...I am so thankful we waited. Twenty minutes later we were served the most delicious meal either of us had ever eaten. We didn't speak the entire time...we just kept taking bite after bite and looking at each other in disbelief, "could it really be this good?" As we kept eating the generous portions that were heaped onto our plates and sipping the best sweat tea we'd ever had we started to pick bites off each other's plates. I had one bite of the fried chicken and I was hooked.
I'm a creature of habit and when I find something I love I usually don't change it. After the first night we went I have ordered the same thing-fried chicken (all white meat), turnip greens, and white beans with cornbread. Don't get me wrong, everything I ordered that first night was amazing, but there are no words to describe the fried chicken...none.
So, if you're ever in East Nashville (or anywhere near it) please don't pass up the opportunity to eat at B&C. I promise with all of my heart you will not be disappointed. If they tell you that you're going to have to wait on your meal, don't get angry or impatient...get excited! As we've all heard before, good things come to those who wait. Just pour yourself the first of what is sure to be many glasses of sweet tea, find yourself a seat on one of about 15 chairs in the entire place or prop yourself up against the wall and take in everything around you. Talk with the locals or even the staff, you won't meet an enemy anywhere in the place. And when your meal is finally ready, try your best to eat it slowly and savor all the love they put right into their food.
Here are some of Jared's recommendations that are different from mine:
- Smoked pork shoulder (get the hot barbeque sauce on the side)
- Short ribs
- Mashed potatoes (these are amazing)
- Fried corn
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