I am not originally from Nashville, just like many of the other transplants I have met over the years that live here and have come to love Middle Tennessee. One of my best friends from childhood days lives here, also, and we had a chance to get together for lunch this past Tuesday. As former Mississippi boys, getting together over a great plate of food is something we learned to love and have done many times over the years. Church socials, family get-togethers, ball games, cruising, late night craziness - all these activities almost always included a great meal.
My friend, Joe, lives in the Donelson area, not too far from where a Meat and Three sits in The Crossings Shopping Center on Lebanon Road. It has been quite a number of months since I have been to the
Ole Dinner Bell [
http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/oledinnerbell/] so this was a welcome suggestion. Our old
BBOnline.com crew visited here several times, but I have not previously written about a personal visit.
If you’ve never been, the left entrance door is mainly for to-go orders (it appears they do a healthy to-go business) and the right door takes you directly into the larger dining room. There are a couple of white boards, one in each room, with the day’s specials, but there are a number of meats and veggies offered on the regular menu. Joe chose from both, enjoying a vegetable plate of cabbage, white beans, tomatoes, corn, green beans, and un-sweet tea. My selections included the baked chicken from the menu, lima beans, fried okra, corn bread and sweet tea.
Joe and I arrived about 11:30 and we were able to secure one of the 20 tables in the large room. We were joined by mostly business persons and several TN Highway Patrolmen, but there were a sizeable number of what appeared to be friends just having a good time. On this visit, I missed seeing an old friend of my Dad’s, whom I have seen just about every time I have visited the
Ole Dinner Bell. I asked him one time how often he visits the
Ole Dinner Bell in a typical week. His answer? “Usually no more than 5 days a week.” I guess that about sums it up.
I have observed that same pattern at other Meat and Threes and have heard the same story multiple times. I guess we tend to go places that we like over and over again. We are creatures of habit - taking the same route to work; performing the same morning rituals; etc. Maybe not to the extreme that some folks do, but we all do it to some degree.
So, why don’t you start a new habit today if you have never been to a Meat and Three. Visit one close by or take a drive and discover one on your own. The point is: get out there and find out what all the fuss is about. You’ll never know until you try one. If you find something interesting,
email me about it or comment on one of the existing articles. I look forward to hearing from you.
Phil Roberson (MN3 guy)
