Landing at Nashville International Airport in the early AM on Saturday with Queen Celeste, her husband Tom and their adorable tow-headed baby daughter in tow, we were delighted to discover that we were all of the same mind - baby included.
We were hungry. And, being on Southern turf, we were overcome with the desire to sit down to an authentic, country breakfast. A car was rented, baby seat installed, air conditioning turned on full-blast and we hit the road in search for Country Ham, Grits and their breakfast brethren.
The search seemed endless. Bizarrely, Nashville appeared to be composed solely of recording studios, fast food stops, Starbuck's aplenty, souvenir shops, restaurants that don't open until 12noon, and oodles of sushi joints. Not even a Waffle House in sight.
Oy!
Finally we pulled over and gave into our lowly Yankee survival instincts. We resorted to a guidebook. And, the guidebook led us to Nashville nirvana: Monell's. Thank goodness for lowly Yankee survival insticts.
Monell's is a family style restaurant, where you join other hungry souls at long wooden tables and down glasses of Iced Sweet Tea (pictured below), while awaiting an onslaught of downhome fare.
First wave included a basket of warm, freshly baked Biscuits with Sausage Gravy. If the salty gravy wasn't your thing, Monell's also supplied a tub of housemade Peach Preserves, for a honeyed start to the day. A satisfied groan of pleasure enveloped the table as we laid waste to the Biscuits. Baby girl did her part too...
Then baskets, platters and bowls came at us at breakneck speed. Fluffy Scrambled Eggs. Creamy Cheese Grits. Rich, golden Corn Pudding.
Pancakes by the dozen. Sugary Stewed Apples. Heaping portions of Country Ham, crisp Bacon and browned Sausage Patties.
Hash Browned Potatoes. And, Monell's crowning glory - beautiful, Skillet-Fried Chicken.
One final cup of Coffee with light cream to wash it all down and I was out for the count. A nap was definitely in order. Luckily, it was getting to be late enough to check into our hotel and take an afternoon snooze.
We paid a whopping $12 each for our breakfast and drove away from Monell's in contented silence.
Mmmm...I was feeling good. Drowsy. Stuffed. Mmmm...Mighty good.
And to think, I still had a pig pickin' wedding to look forward to in the afternoon.
Dang, if I wasn't taking a shine to Nashville!
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