Great experience loved the concept of sharing a table with other people and getting to know them over breakfast

Amazing place to eat. Great southern cooking with more portions than you can imagine. Service is outstanding. Pass the peas, chicken, mashed taters, etc. 5 stars all day/week long! read more

Great Idea or Bad Mistake? I walked in knowing the food was served family style. The rustic, quaint, historic-looking house was charming. We came with a party of 13 and figured this place would be a great test for a large group. It's clearly a popular spot, but even with plenty of guests, they seated us very quickly. I think we arrived at a good time, between rushes. The staff were very kind, and by the time we sat down, fresh food and drinks were already waiting on the table. I've never sat down and started eating so quickly! I didn't realize you don't actually order anything at this soul food hot spot. They just bring out whatever they've made that day as it's ready. I love this concept. All the sides were good. I didn't care for the cornbread, but others enjoyed it. The biscuits were fantastic! There was so much food that I won't go through everything, since the menu may be different when you go. I'll just say I didn't love a couple of the sides or one of the mains, but everything else was delicious, and it's all you can eat! The lemonade was really good, too. The inside felt like an old German house, like we were dining in someone's home. Very cozy and unique. All in all, coming here was a great idea, and I'd definitely come back. Great experience. Well done! read more

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We stopped by Monell's for lunch today and fell in love with everything. The food was all amazing and would not stop. When you approach the location from the street you see what appears to be an old home in Germantown. You see the Koi pond and start to get excited. You see the sign letting you know you enter as strangers, but will leave as friends. Then you get seated at a table with strangers who you strike up a conversation with. Soon you are conversing like old friends catching up on life and what's been going on. And then the food arrives and a hush falls over the table as you begin to eat. When we sat down the table had beverages, coleslaw, banana pudding, and cucumbers. These were a great start, but then the fried chicken, squash and corn pudding, green beans and turnip greens, mash potatoes, pasta, pot roast arrive and you are in heaven. The food is unlimited, but could table could not even finish the first round. We got sit with a family visiting from San Diego and three coworkers from Michelin on their lunch break. After the meal, you pay a set price for lunch which was under 20 dollars. As we chatted with the staff about the food she said that the lunch and dinner menu changes daily, but the breakfast menu is set. The setting was wonderful and added to the overall experience. It felt like we were back in college getting together with everyone at the end of a long day to share stories. If you are in Nashville, you HAVE to stop by and share a story here with a friend you haven't met yet. read more

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The idea of family style dinner is amazing for this venue, we are in Nashville, TN enjoying our Guy's Trip and made it to Monell's, where family stylebis key. Now they get busy and food is made when your entire table is seated and just know this once your seated, everyone at your table is family, get to know them. Fabulous concept and great way to have good conversation and get to know everyone. We loved the atmosphere, the grammar style food and service and how the servers and staff made us feel at home, If you are in Nashville, TN make sure to head here and have either breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Monell's is a staple here in Nashville, serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, family style and for a very fair price. We waited about 30 minutes to be seated, when we were told it would take 45 to an hour. By the time we left, the wait time was 2 hours, so make sure to come early! It's clear to see why this place is so loved. The restaurant just feels like you're at home. The biscuits and cinnamon rolls were delicious, along with the grits, fried chicken, potatoes and eggs. Personally, the only thing not worth your time were the pancakes. You will definitely leave full when eating here. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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The hotel manager recommended Monell's and we were not disappointed. Family style dining- meaning parties sit together at big tables and food is passed- just like we do at home. The restaurant is a renovated house - the walls are decorated with awards and once you taste the food - you know why. They also have a lovely collection of teapots in the windows. But about the food... It felt like being invited to a holiday dinner in someone's home. Except for the server who seemed a little anxious for us to eat quickly and leave. Which is the only complaint. Once the other party left, he started clearing the table- which was a little off putting. The food was phenomenal. The party at our table must have sat down a few minutes before us because some of the dishes had already begun to come out. The amazing spread included, perfectly fried and seasoned pork chops, chicken, baked chicken, creamy mac & cheese, wide green beans, corn, dressing with a lot of sage, mash potatoes & gravy, cucumbers, cole slaw, biscuits, cornbread, peach preserves, apples, banana pudding. Their merch has a catchy slogan about eating too much- which is fitting. lol. The other thing is the price point is incredible. Highly recommend visiting them if you find yourself in Nashville! read more

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This was the best place. We sat at a big table and we were served family style. What's on the menu at the time is what you get. The bring out bowls of different items and we pass them around. We had breakfast and everything we tried was delicious. We sat with a great group of people. Definitly wished we had this place in California. read more

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We ordered food to go from here. And it was delicious. The restaurant is a family style seating and eating. Kind of unique Had the skillet fried chicken and potatoes. read more

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Real Southern hospitality, served family style in a gorgeous historic building with a charming courtyard. The fried chicken and biscuits kept coming, and the whole vibe lives up to their motto: "enter as strangers, leave as friends." Heads up -- it's a communal table setup, phones stay off at the table, and the "meal ticket" cards ("I've eaten and I can't get up!") are a fun touch. Great food, great value, great atmosphere. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Nashville. read more

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Went here with my father when he visited Nashville. Have been living in town for almost five years and always have wanted to go- but I was always waiting for the right time. Couldn't have asked for a better breakfast with papa. The strangers at our table were very friendly, one of the women was sneaking drinking alcohol the whole time but I didn't mind she isn't hurting anyone! - John J. Baker read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Breakfast - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

A one of a kind experience that embodies true southern hospitality and a cultural experience that needs to be embraced a lot more. You'll be seated with other groups at a large table and be served family style. All the food comes out hot and is delicious. You leave with a full belly AND a new group of friends! read more

Family style dining which I didn't know before going to the restaurant. It's really all you can eat . The food is still made fresh ! The service was great ! read more

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This was an absolute GEM in Nashville to visit. Family style southern home cooking. Came in here with a decent size group because one of our tour guides recommended it. We were so happy we gave this a chance and waited the hour+ to get in. Without doing much research, the surprises throughout the dining experience made it even better. They pair you up at a large table with other guests. You're introduced as cousins, brothers and sisters, friends, whatever you want! But you're going to be passing dishes the entire start and getting to know your neighbors at the table. So many things came out that were incredibly delicious to try. Chicken, pot roast, mac and cheese, corn mash, coleslaw, potatoes, sweet potato, biscuits, pasta! All of it was incredible. There's peach tea and lemonade too at the table and a pecan dessert at the end. Amazing experience and it was so cheap too. Only recommendation other than to absolutely try this place is to be respectful of the time you're there. They cycle people in and out pretty quick and you're given a card to remind you that when you notice tables near you getting reset for another group, your time is up and it's time to go! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Came here one morning on my way out Nashville. I wanted a good breakfast, and all my research told me I had to come check this place out. I'm glad I did. This place was a wonderful little experience. We were greeted with the sign outside, "Enter as Strangers and Leave as Friends," which is one of my life philosophies. We got there right at opening, so we got seated first along with one of their years-long regulars. A friendly local lady who provided us with pleasant conversation until the next patrons arrived, who were seated right next to us at the same table, family style. Then the next people, then the next. Sitting, talking, passing the food around the table. It was a nice experience. And the ambiance was nice, too. Plain, wooden chairs, white tile flooring, vintage holiday decor, it was like being in a grandma's house. Very comforting. The food came out one or two dishes at a time. Everything was good enough, but it also was apparent that it was mass produced in a catering style. The basics like the bacon and ham were very good, but the fried chicken, I wouldn't take a big piece, save your stomach room for other things. Whatever other things you grab, make sure you grab a biscuit and get ahold of their homemade peach preserves. That stuff was 10/10 excellent. It's so good, they jar it and sell it at the front desk. I totally recommend. Overall, breakfast is one of the most important meal of the day, so if you find yourself in Nashville, I would implore you to come and check out this city staple of over 30 years now. read more

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Hello everyone, what can I say about my visit. we visited on a Sunday and they are only open from 8-4 pm. We sat outside to wait for our name to be called. The area had plenty of seating that includes benches, bistro seating and table and chairs with umbrellas as if you were sitting in a garden with big beautiful elephant ears. The restaurant is in German town a nice residential area because this place use to be a big home. Please note you will be seated with strangers and if you have a problem with that grab take out. The prices are great for the tasty food. 17-25 dollars. Also a set menu and price for take out. They would like for you not to use your phone, while visiting so i don't have food pictures. Also by the time i placed all my food on the plate, I was like that won't look right to snap. I will make this comment and if you know you know.. "all those church folks were leaving and i was like ooh...i cant wait to taste and come out with a smile. Please look up the website to see what they serve; because it will be different at the table every day. However, on this day we were served tender roast beef ( well done) seasoned crispy chicken and ribs. Our sides were mash, greens, green beans and not thrown out of the can, chicken casserole, corn soufflé, gravy, biscuits mac n cheese ( peach preserve) corn bread. Cole slaw ( good) and cucumber salad both teas and lemonade or this punch just delicious. pecan pie or banana pudding. So between the good food and the meeting of new people with laughter. I came out stuffed and with a smile. Also no RSVP but worth the wait. If you miss that feeling of home or just want comfort stop by to be welcomed. read more

Pros: Ambiance was very nice here. Very homey. It was like you were in a big house with a bunch of dinner tables and knickknacks all along the walls. Very comforting. Service was such as homey. The sign says family style, and they sure do treat you like family. And when you have people sit next to you at your table, they treat you like family, too. The most striking thing you'll eat here are the homemade peach preserves. That stuff was delicious and goes well on the biscuits and pretty much everything else, too. Cons: Some of the food was a little under seasoned, or maybe lacking in texture, but when you make such food at such a large scale, I'm sure it's unavoidable. But it was a very enjoyable meal! Tips: Try everything. Don't load up on too much of one thing at once. Don't worry, you'll get more opportunities to get more of everything. read more

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I'm going to do my vehement best to keep this short; so many sweet memories were made during my first visit to Monell's. Nestled in the eclectic neighborhood of Germantown, Monell's is nestled in the middle of the block between business and homes. Walking up to the family style restaurant instantly gives Sundays at grandmas vibes. There's a lovely patio outside (diners can eat outside as well) and areas to take pictures. We stepped inside and were immediately greeted by the host. We sat down, quickly familiarized ourselves with the "Monell's way" and began chatting with the people at our table. One couple was visiting from Detroit, a father and son were dining (son now lives in NJ) and two best friends (one now lives in the Smoky Mountains)..a nice mix of first timers and regulars which made for great conversation. Minutes later the staff appeared out of nowhere with the feast: fried chicken, baked chicken, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, biscuits, corn bread, corn pudding, green beans, peach preserves (omg!), and I am sure I am forgetting a thing or two. And the food kept coming! For dessert we enjoyed freshly made banana pudding. Sweet and unsweetened teas were already on the table to enjoy as much as we want. I literally felt like I was in Kentucky visiting family. We met Sam, who I renamed "Uncle Sam" who checked on us frequently and made sure we were good. I was legitimately sad when lunch ended, feeling like I was departing from life long friends. What an indelible experience at Monell's; it quickly made our must do list each time we are in Nashville. read more

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So, this was an interesting experience. This place was highly recommended while a group of us were in town. When we got there, we realized that this was a family style place so we sat at the table with strangers lol. It was a little awkward at first, but it was cool. They had a variety of foods. The apples were so delicious. It's a beautiful place with plenty of photo opportunities. read more

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Some places feed you. Some places hug your soul and send you home different. Monell's does the second... and yeah, they'll also ruin every other fried chicken you ever thought was "good." Let's just get this out of the way. The food is ridiculous. Not trendy, not overthought, just flat out right. The fried chicken? Best in the South. I said it. Best in the East too while we're at it. Nashville included. It's the kind of chicken that makes you pause mid-bite and question your past life decisions. Then the corn pudding shows up and suddenly you're quiet. Like, actually quiet. It's that good. The cornbread and biscuits? I refuse to choose. That's not a decision any reasonable person should have to make. And the peach jam... if happiness had a flavor, that's it. I'm not saying it'll bring a tear to your eye, but I'm also not not saying that. The meatloaf hit me out of nowhere. First time I've liked meatloaf since I was a kid. That alone deserves recognition. And if you leave without the banana pudding, you've made a critical error. Best of the best. No debate. Now here's where it flips. You walk in and there's a sign that says enter as strangers, leave as friends. Usually that kind of thing feels like a nice idea. Here, it actually happens. You're seated family style. No phones. No distractions. Just people. Real conversation. Passing dishes. Laughing with folks you met five minutes ago. Fold this part in your mind for a second. In a world where everyone is staring at a screen, this place forces you to look up... and somehow it works. And inside those four walls, something clicks. People from everywhere, different backgrounds, different stories, all just sitting down and breaking bread together. It's simple. It's rare. It's magic. This is not just a meal. It's an experience. The kind you remember. The kind you make a point to come back to. I make it a stop every single time I'm in town. Never missed. Never disappointed. Five stars. And if Yelp had more, they'd get those too. read more

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I'm upset with myself for putting this off. Street parking was easy, the experience was lovely, the culture was evident and the food hit the spot in all the best ways. Service was efficient and welcoming; I loved the outdoor space and homey feel inside. I will be brining everyone back and I can't wait! No photos because I am a rule follower read more

Overall: Such a cool concept of eating family style Southern food and I've been wanting to come here forever. So glad I finally got to visit! It's all-you-can-eat, and literally every single dish that came out was DELICIOUS. Well priced too :) Service: We came in the morning, and waited about 20-25 minutes. Stopped by a nearby cafe during our wait. Once called in and seated, everything comes out timely (started out with the cinammon rolls). You just pass it to the next person at the table! Ambiance: Warm, Southern, lovely, homey! It looks so beautiful from the outside. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Really loved this family style restaurant. We had a party of 19 and while they don't take reservations, they did accommodate our party to be able to dine together for breakfast. They have street parking and a small parking lot across the street where you can pay to park on your phone. Our server was excellent and kept the food coming, accommodated our need for a highchair, and was very warm and friendly throughout. The food was delicious. I tried a little bit of everything. Biscuits, cinnamon apples, corn pudding, pancakes, eggs, sausage, ham, fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, potatoes, it was all great. The restrooms were clean, the service was friendly, the food was excellent. I'd love to come back for lunch sometime! read more

We had our pre-wedding celebration dinner here and I'm so glad we did! The food was delicious!! Every single thing my husband and I tried was very good. My kiddo loved the rolls and catfish. Everyone else found at least one thing they really liked. They managed to seat 18 of us without issue and without reservations. Loved this place! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - There's something for everyone here! - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

So my friend wanted to go to Monell's for breakfast/brunch while on a weekend trip to Nashville. It ended up being fathers day Sunday but the wait went by very fast. We didn't realize until we were being sat that this is true family style. I hate that but it was too late now so we went with it. Be warned that you are seated with strangers and will all be sharing all you can eat plates. Again, I am not a fan of seating arrangements like this at all but otherwise everything was great. So many different food options are included and almost all were surprisingly good. Good deal for what you pay. read more

Monell's is amazing!! This is one restaurant my husband and I were looking forward to dining at. It is good old southern food. The amount of food they gave us was extraordinary. Due to it being family style we were able to eat a little of everything. To start we had coleslaw and a cucumber salad, biscuits and cornbread. The biscuits were light and fluffy and the corn bread with the apple butter was absolutely delicious!! We had green beans, fried apples, corn, mashed potatoes, white gravy, macaroni and cheese, meat loaf, fried chicken, pulled pork and chicken and dumplings. I personally loved the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, green beans, biscuits and cornbread bread with the apple butter. It was also enjoyable dining with others from around the country. The service was excellent!!! Monell's is a must when in Nashville. We will definitely be back! read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

When you're craving a home cooked meal but far from home, go to Monell's for a meal that tastes like it was made with love! Right when you walk in to Monell's you are sat at a table of around 10 and told they'll be your family for the next hour. There's a set menu each day and plate after plate of delicious Southern style comfort food is then served to you family style. The crispy Southern fried chicken, juicy meatloaf, and sweet corn pudding were my absolute favorite. I would've easily paid double or triple for all the food I ate but the full experience is very reasonable priced.I would've easily paid definitely recommend trying Monell's if you're in the area but be sure to save an appetite. read more

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This restaurant was recommended to me and it definitely made my experience here in Nashville. We were here on Labors Day weekend and waited for about 1.5-2 hours. We walked around the neighborhood during our wait. It was worth the wait. We sat with an another group of family with two kids. The moment we sat down, side dishes started to come out non-stop then the entrées. My favorite dishes were the cat fish, fried chicken, this smashed corn thing and ribs! It was such a fun experience. read more

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I'm from NYC but coming to Monell's was like stepping into my grandma's house for thanksgiving. For only $20, all you can eat breakfast southern comfort food is amazing. Everything is served family style so you will be socializing with the guest sharing the table. The food was absolutely delicious and so filling. The service was great even though we rarely need anything. Monell's is a Must Go for anyone visiting Nashville read more

This was hands down one of the most delicious and enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Nashville. I originally came for the fried chicken, and it did not disappoint--it was absolutely amazing. Perfectly crispy, not greasy or oily at all, just done right. But what really blew me away was the fish. It was honestly one of the best I've ever had--crispy on the outside, light, fresh, and not soggy in the slightest. You can tell everything is made with care. I also tried the corn pudding, and wow... I've been trying to find something like it ever since and haven't had any luck. It was that good. I came here while on vacation, and I'm honestly so sad I didn't get the chance to go back again before leaving. I would've ordered everything all over again without hesitation. Definitely a must-visit if you're in the area. read more

Monell's Dining and Catering was a delightful peek into southern comfort food. Our office got catering from here, and I loved trying a little bit of everything! My favorite dish was the egg bake, which had just the right amount of spice and a wealth of potatoes and peppers throughout. Other standouts were the biscuits and gravy, with the gravy being the perfect thick consistency, and the biscuits being soft and warm. The food is a bit heavier than the breakfast I'm used to having, so my only advice would be to prepare and pace yourself! read more

What a fun and delicious experience! It's a huge family style meal and it feels like you're just in someone's kitchen. They had all the staples and it seemed like endless plates of food were being passed around. Ribs, fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn pudding, biscuits - you name it. Dessert was phenomenal as well. Price was great for the amount of food we had. Attentive service as well. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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This is a unique restaurant. There is no menu. You simply get whatever they are dishing up that day and it is all you can eat for one price (I think around $20 or so per person during our visit). I believe fried chicken is on the menu no matter if you come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or the midnight buffet (seriously). You get seated at a communal table with strangers and then an onslaught of food begins. Dishes of veggies, breads, and proteins are delivered to the table, everything is passed to the left, and you take whatever you want and however much you want. It is an absolute feeding frenzy. I felt like I was training to be a competitive eater. Overall, the food was fine. The best item was the pulled pork which was absolutely delicious. The fried chicken was pretty dry. The biscuits and cornbread were good (the peach preserves were particularly good). There was also green beans, fried okra, mashed potatoes, barbecue beans, coleslaw (very good), corn pudding mac and cheese, and fried catfish (dry as a bone). I am probably missing one or more foods. The banana pudding for dessert was wonderful. It's not fantastic food but you get a ton of it so you will get value. The companionship at the table, like the food, can be hit or miss but that is part of the experience. Our service was wonderful. You want more chicken? Bang, it's on the table in 30 seconds. More lemonade, sweet tea, ice cubes, coleslaw, cornbread, whatever? Bang, no problem, you get it within seconds. There were plenty of staff and they were ever present, slinging new dishes of food left and right. The place looks like an old house and I assume it was a residence at one time. The outside garden area is lovely. I am glad I went once and, if I had not eaten for two days before, I might come back and gorge myself. I just wish the food quality was a touch better. read more

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I LOVE Monell's! The food is unbelievably good. This is hands down my favorite spot for classic Southern comfort food. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and seated right away. The staff was so kind and welcoming! You sit at a big family-style table with other guests and pass dishes around. It's more than just a meal--it's an experience. The fried chicken was incredible, and the banana pudding was the perfect finish. It's all-you-can-eat, so make sure you come with an empty stomach! read more

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Excellent family-style dinner. We met nice people and had a GREAT meal. Just like farm-to-table without the farm. We ate pork chops, fried chicken, baked chicken, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans, gravey and many more fixins". Loved it!!!! read more

Unfortunately I have no pictures - but there are more than enough here. How I missed this review when I was in Nashville is beyond me! Here's the deal - being a single diner is highly in your favor. I came on a super busy Sunday morning and the wait for groups was around an hour. Little old me? Hopped into a single seat at a table with a lovely party of folks in town for a wedding in about 5 minutes. Eat. Drink the sweet tea. Make new friends. Eat some more. Laugh about your whole table being hungover except you. Eat the pie. Roll out. Good old southern food for a good price. Enjoy yourself. 10/10 will return read more

Omg this place was an EXPERIENCE! I didn't do any research beforehand as my friend suggested we go and we were tired and hungry so I just went with the flow. I did not expect this at all but this place is a vibe! Even at 2am it was bustling and people were lively and having fun, all with the lights on. The food came out so fast as soon as I had finished realizing we were sitting with strangers and sharing a meal together. And wow, the food was so good. Maybe it was after a couple drinks and it being so late at night but this hit the spot and it was truly unlimited although we couldn't finish a single thing out of a 6 person table. Definitely a spot to hit up if you're in town! read more

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Delicious food and tons of it! It's an old school, pass the food around the table place. It has all the hits... Fried Chicken Baked Chicken and Dressing Fried Pork Chops Pot Roast And all the classic southern sides including biscuits and gravy! The only thing for me is sharing the table. It wasn't all bad, in fact our people were really nice. But I'm not always in the mood for social conversation so to have to may limit if I feel like going. read more

First time coming to Monell's and wow I was not expecting this. I'm from the Midwest so I already knew southern hospitality was a thing and was so excited. You walk in and they sit you at a huge table with total strangers and everyone just shares food like it's Thanksgiving! They're from all across the world or just neighbors. At first it felt kind of weird but then you get used to it fast and it felt homey. They give you so much food like I'm multiple courses and will give you more if you ask. Appetizers, main dishes, sides, dessert cake at the end. It's all you can eat and super affordable. I think it was around 15 to 20 per person which is wild for how much you get. There's something for everyone. I'm not vegetarian but I noticed there were plenty of options! The vibe was really welcoming. All ages, all races, everyone!! The workers are so so friendly too! Insanely nice and I understand southern hospitality now :) read more

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Feels like home! Atmosphere is like a big Sunday dinner with family. Down home cooking including corn pudding, fried chicken, meat loaf. Chicken was fabulous. I really enjoyed the cucumber salad and green beans. Tables are communal and seat about 12 people, so prepare to get to know your neighbor. Food is served family style and you just pass it to the left. Take what you like and skip what you done. Cell phones are prohibited at the table so you get the chance to chat with those around you. I highly recommend. read more

Monell's Dining & Catering - House Rules - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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