The History of Meat and Three's

New MEATandTHREE.com Blog on Google Blogger Service

Phil Roberson — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:06:00 GMT

Hello, fellow Meat and Three fans. As of late last night (July 29, 2007), MEATandTHREE.com began using a new blogger service.

Click this link to go to the new blog address: http://meat-and-three-restaurants.blogspot.com

I have had zero trouble with the GoDaddy free blog service, but just felt like I wanted to make a change, and the Blogger resource over at Google seemed to be the one to go with at this time. All of the existing blog articles that I have written under the GoDaddy QuickBlog service will still be available for as long as the MEATandTHREE.com site exists, barring some unforeseen circumstance. They are also referenced on the Blog Posts page on MEATandTHREE.com.

If you have any questions, need more information, or have suggestions, please go to either MEATandTHREE.com home page (see bottom of page for contact info) or the New Blog, and shoot me an email or give me a call.

Thank you,

Phil Roberson (still "mn3guy")

Adams, TN Schoolhouse Cafeteria and Tea Room

Phil Roberson — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:09:00 GMT

Here's a response to a blog article I wrote about the Schoolhouse Cafeteria in Adams, Tennessee, on November 5, 2006. The response is from Miriam Winters, who has given her permission for me to use her comments here.

"I enjoyed your article about my favorite place in the world to eat, the Adams Schoolhouse Cafeteria and Tea Room, located in Adams, TN. We live about 25 minutes away but it feels like you're in another world. Everyone is so friendly and the food is consistently delicious. You really should have tried the Fried Oreo Sundae which is heavenly and served in a cute miniature iron skillet. Another favorite is their Tea Room Lunch basket: chicken salad on one of their homemade yeast rolls, pasta salad or fruit salad served in a little jam jar with a lid and a small wrapped up dessert of the day, all quaintly placed in a little basket and some fruit tea to go along with it.

People travel from far and wide for their fried chicken too. The menu changes every day, everything is made from scratch and wonderful. It is worth the trip."

Miriam Winters

I say, "Yum yum". Man, that sounds good. Thanks, Miriam.

Here's a picture I took of the Schoolhouse Cafeteria earlier this year. I did a little Photo Tour of many of the Meat and Three's in Middle Tennessee. Click this link to see the Photo Tour.

Latest additions as of 5/29/07

Phil Roberson — Wed, 30 May 2007 12:02:00 GMT

THANK YOU to several people who have recommended meat and three restaurants to be added to the site. There are many more to come, but here is a quick update on several of the latest additions to the site, as of Tuesday, May 29, 2007:

Kuntry Villa - Byron, GA
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ga/kuntryvilla/]

Andrew’s Restaurant - Louisville, KY
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ky/andrewsrestaurant/]

College Ashland Marathon Mart (gas station) - Richmond, KY
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ky/collegemarathon/]

Opal‘s, Too (Richmond Mall Food Court) - Richmond, KY
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ky/opalstoo/]

Taylor’s Billiards & Lunch - Richmond, KY
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ky/taylorsbilliards/]

Mary’s Kitchen at Elm Lake Golf Course - Columbus, MS
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ms/maryskitchen/]

Nanny’s Country Kitchen - Hattiesburg, MS
[http://www.meatandthree.com/ms/nannyscountry/]

Hominy Grill - Charleston, SC
[http://www.meatandthree.com/sc/hominygrill/]

Martha Lou’s Kitchen - Charleston, SC
[http://www.meatandthree.com/sc/marthalouskitchen/]

Carson’s Country Kitchen - Greenville, SC
[http://www.meatandthree.com/sc/carsonscountry/]

Vittle’s Restaurant - Brentwood, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/vittlesbrentwood/]

Wally’s Restaurant Downtown - Chattanooga, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/wallysdowntown/]

Wally’s Restaurant Eastridge - Chattanooga, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/wallyseastridge/]

Vittle’s Restaurant - Hermitage, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/vittleshermitage/]

K & F Cafe - Madison, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/kandfcafe/]

Gracie’s Restaurant - Maryville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/graciesrestaurant/]

Jeff’s Family Restaurant - Murfreesboro, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/jeffsfamily/]

417 Union - Nashville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/417union/]

Carol’s Place - Nashville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/carolsplace/]

Sylvan Park East - Nashville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/sylvanparkeast/]

Todd’s Butcher Shop - Nashville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/toddsbutchershop/]

Vittle’s Restaurant - Nashville, TN
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/vittlesnashville/]

Threadgill’s Restaurant - Austin, TX
[http://www.meatandthree.com/tx/threadgills/]

If you know of a Meat and Three (read our definition here: www.meatandthree.com/definition.html) that is not on this site, please let me know about it. We always check to make sure that the establishment does offer a menu item that consists of at least one meat choice, and a choice of three (or two) side items, before adding them to the site. You can email me at phil@meatandthree.com to provide the details. All the contact information you can forward to me is most helpful.

Thanks,

Phil (mn3guy)

Lunch at the Copper Kettle Cafe in Nashville, TN

Phil Roberson — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:18:00 GMT

If you enjoy a cozy little place set near a medium-sized, private college in a town that is widely known for its music, its warm and hospitable citizens, and great southern cooking, then the Copper Kettle Cafe & Catering [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/copperkettle/] might be the place for you. It could become one of your favorites.

There’s a little strip of businesses that is located just across the street from Lipscomb University on Granny White Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. It can be a challenge, at times, to acquire a parking place in one of the few spots in front of the stores or across the street, but it is worth your time trying. There may be some other parking around back, but I have luckily never had to go there.

On a nice day, you can sit at one of a few outside tables where you can observe the traffic, pedestrians, and the busy stream of students - doing what students do. Inside, the eclectic feel has a country touch that is very clean and well done. Tan walls feature various copper pieces, some window frames, music posters and a wall displaying multiple signatures. You won’t find all meat-and-three plates at Copper Kettle Cafe, but the meat and veggies you choose will please your palate.

Similar to sandwich shops and fine deli’s, you walk through the room that consists of 15 or so tables to enter the line, pick up a tray, and cast an eye upon the many choices in front of you and on the menu board. In addition to the meat and two or three fare, you may select sandwiches, wraps or salads, as well. A nice dessert can complete your meal.

On this particular day last week, I was joined by my friend, Joe Lovell, whom I grew up with down in the Jackson, Mississippi area, and have known for over 30 years. Joe decided to go with a four-vegetable plate consisting of strawberry salad, turnip greens, black eye peas, and mixed veggies. My lunch plate was filled with fried chicken, black eye peas, green beans, and a slice of cornbread. The self-serve drink area provided us both with tea.

Joe and I both observed how clean and well-kept the Copper Kettle Cafe appeared to be. The staff was quite friendly and on top of things, promptly clearing tables to make way for the new diners coming through the door. Speaking of tables, the wood tables included a couple of chairs on one side and a bench seat on the other side.

As noted in a previous post [http://historyblog.meatandthree.com/2007/01/24/copper-kettle-cafe-in-nashville-tn-still-strong-after-2004-fire.aspx ], the Copper Kettle Cafe was damaged in a fire a few years ago. However, you would never know it by the way it appears today. With the decor, style and food choices, I could well imagine this cafe being picked up and placed in any number of quaint, small towns throughout the US, or on exclusive streets in many cities both here and in Europe. It seems to have that type of wide-ranging appeal.

Now that school is out, cruise on over to Green Hills and Granny White Pike, just off Woodmont Blvd. If you are on your way to Music City for a vacation or coming for business, don’t spend all of your time in the typical downtown tourist areas. Step outside a bit and visit one of the great Nashville-area meat and three restaurants like Copper Kettle Cafe & Catering - I think you will be glad you did.

The best regards,

Phil (mn3guy)

Take a Kid to a Meat and Three

Phil Roberson — Fri, 18 May 2007 17:40:00 GMT

Moms and Dads, Grandmothers and Grandfathers, Aunts and Uncles. They take kids to all kinds of places. And, there are all kinds of "Take Your Kid to ____" days out there throughout the country. Some of them include: work/office, zoos, ball games, camps, movies, fishing, car shows, golf courses, concerts, theaters, colleges, lakes, parks... you get the point.

Well, what about making it a point to take a kid to a Meat and Three restaurant, cafe or diner? Either as the main course, so to speak, or as part of a trip to one of the previously mentioned places. As summer is nearing and the kids are getting out of school, you are bound to go "somewhere" in the next few months, and you will most likely need to eat on the way to or from your destination. So, why not add a little "meat and three" to your trip and introduce the kids to one of these great little spots?

A meat-and-three restaurant can be a fun place to take the kids, especially the meat and threes that have some character to them, either in the building itself or the decor. They are sometimes located in unusual places, like an old industrial building or a little shack by the tracks. Many of them have interesting and/or unusual pictures or sayings on the walls, or old knick-knacks from days gone by, which can be great entertainment for the kids. And, you do not typically have to worry too much about bringing the kids to most of them because they are generally not too fancy ... and kids are almost always welcome. Kid's plates are generally cheaper and offer smaller portion sizes, so you won't be wasting much money or food. If a particular meat and three does not offer a kid's plate, just ask them. They may be able to work something out for you. Or, just add a vegetable or two "a la carte" and ask for an extra plate.

Sure, kids love fast food, and it is often much easier to just hit the drive-through or pop in to a fast-food chain and eat a quick burger and fries. I have been there with my three kids, so I know the drill. But, think of what you and the kids are missing. Think of the memories you can make and even some history that can be taught while visiting a meat and three restaurant. They provide a great setting, given the type of food that is served, to reminisce a little about the food that you had when you were a kid. Maybe recall some meals that your grandma and/or mom used to make for you. Those times are great opportunities for stories - ways to pass along a little of the family heritage with edible object lessons right in front of you.

So, whether you visit the little cafe or diner a few blocks over, or make a few turns off the beaten path to visit a meat and three, in coordination with a short day trip, make sure the kids are part of the plan. Take an extra 30 minutes to enjoy some great down-home, southern comfort food, and make some memories for your kids or grandkids, nieces or nephews. You will be glad you did, and your kids will develop memories that they will treasure in the years to come. You can find several hundred meat-and-three restaurants on MEATandTHREE.com, the internet's first and only web site devoted exclusively to "one meat and three sides/veggies" restaurants.
Most humble regards,

Phil (mn3guy)

Lunch at Sylvan Park in Nashville, TN times three

Phil Roberson — Fri, 18 May 2007 12:15:00 GMT

If you have been paying attention in Nashville to the meat-and-three scene at all, you know that Sylvan Park is a pretty popular name around these parts. Serving savory veggies, wonderful meat choices, and delicious desserts, especially the banana pudding and the pies.

"Wait a minute ... which Sylvan Park are you talking about, man?"

"Oh, you didn't know there was more than one?"

"Why, yes there is more than one, and there's a new one in town, too. Let me tell you about it."

That type of conversation has likely already occurred in the Middle Tennessee area, and I am sure it will happen more over the coming weeks/months. Believe it or not, I had never been to one of the Sylvan Park meat and three restaurants. Had planned to several times, but something always came up.

This week, I decided to do something about that, and have a little fun with it. Starting with the newest addition to the Sylvan Park lineup, I visited the Sylvan Park East location [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/sylvanparkeast/] on Gallatin Road in East Nashville on Monday with my good friend, Randy Fought. This is the location of the former Knife & Fork Restaurant that I mentioned in a previous post [http://historyblog.meatandthree.com/2007/05/16/lunch-visit-to-k-and-f-cafe-in-madison-tn.aspx].

One interesting thing we noticed was the drive-thru window which, I am sure, is a pretty popular feature at times with our American dining style. Outside the restaurant, the old Knife & Fork signs are still on display, but there is a note on the door informing patrons that it is now Sylvan Park.

Once inside, the interior appears to have been updated - light walls and a rose-colored trim. There is no smoking in the restaurant, but the ceiling fans and a few other clues indicate that the previous owner allowed smoking. The interior is not fancy, with just a few paintings and drawings on the wall and a faux brick wall on the left room where Randy and I sat. We were able to get a table right away at 11:30 at one of the booths in the left room. There is a mix of tables and booths, and a party of several guys corraled a large area next to the kitchen entrance.

As in all of the Sylvan Park restaurants I visited, the menu is essentially the same, with a standard choice of meats and vegetables for each day. Sausage and kraut, cole slaw, green beans, and congealed fruit salad filled Randy's plate while I opted for the meat loaf, green peas, potato salad, and baked squash. We both also enjoyed sweet tea and corn bread.

Tuesday, Sylvan Park Melrose [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/sylvanparkmelrose/] was the choice, with my mother joining me for another meeting. This one is located in between a couple of auto dealerships (Beamon Lincoln Mercury and Throughbred) on 8th Avenue, just down from the Douglas Corner area, with its antique stores and Zanie's Comedy Club. The building formerly housed Melpark Restaurant, and looks as though it possibly had a life as a steakhouse at some point in the past.

With over 30 booths and some large tables, this one is the largest restaurant of the three Sylvan Park restaurants. It is also non-smoking, and enjoyed a wide mix of diners from all walks of life, age groups, ethnicity, etc. on the day we visited. There is a "celebrity" wall which features a number of signed glossies of entertainers, as best as I could tell from my vantage point in the center of the restaurant.

We were seated right away, although the parking lot was essentially full at 12:45. Mom ordered a veggie plate of cabbage, spinach, fried okra and a drink. The catfish sounded appealing, so I ordered it along with green beans, cole slaw, black-eye peas, sweet tea and corn bread. The waitresses were very busy, but were attentive and friendly and, actually, right on time with our refills. There was an ample amount of "honey" and "sweetie", also, which is fine with this southern boy.

On Wednesday, I enjoyed a nice lunch with my son (Chris), my daughter (Kelley) and my mother again. My daughter and mother take an art class together on Wednesdays with one of my neighbors, Christy Pilkinton, an excellent Nashville portrait artist (check out her website at http://www.portraitcreations.com) and I grabbed them to come along.

We made our way over to Murphy Road, across from the entrance to the McCabe Golf Course. Our goal was the first Sylvan Park Restaurant [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/sylvanpark/], located at the confluence of Murphy Road, 45th Avenue North, Westlawn Drive, and 46th Avenue. It's a neat little area with a number of dining establishments and shops in a great extended neighborhood of older homes that are being renovated and updated.

This small meat-and-three restaurant has 11 tables and a couple of booths, and is fairly plainly decorated with white walls, black trim and not a whole lot else. This is a place to come to eat and socialize and be treated like you belong. Our waitress, Nita, took our orders and was as sweet as she could be from beginning to end. Our choices varied from meatloaf with creole sauce to country fried steak, and the vegetables included green beans, cole slaw, spinach, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, corn, lima beans, and candied yams. I can tell you that there was virtually nothing left on our plates. However, we did leave enough room to share a big bowl of banana pudding. One member of our party had eyes bigger than his (or her) stomach when ordering the banana pudding, and we were more than happy to pitch in and help him (or her) finish it off.

It seems that Eleanor Clay, Sylvan Park's owner, has a solid recipe for success with meat-and-threes here in Nashville. Maybe you won't hit all of them on consecutive days like I did this week, but you should visit at least one of them in the near future, whether you are a local or a traveler/tourist coming to or through Music City. Take someone with you or pop in by yourself and make a new friend. Just do it soon.

Phil (mn3guy)

Carol's Place in Nashville, TN for lunch

Phil Roberson — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:30:00 GMT

One of the things I love so much about meat-and-three restaurants is the variety seen in each one that I visit. While the meats are often the same or similar among most, and the vegetables do not differ much, the diversity of choices allow one to experience an entirely new plate each day. In contrast, it is fun (at least to me) to compare the same items from one place to another, noting how you can like one restaurant’s take on green beans, for example, just as much as you can enjoy another restaurant’s preparation of that very same vegetable.

I have discovered that randomly visiting meat and threes offers some great little surprises. Last Monday, my youngest daughter and I had some business in Lebanon to take care of and, timed around the lunch hour, we needed a place to eat. We took a round about journey home, venturing by our old house in Antioch, which brought to mind a place nearby that I had discovered a few weeks prior. It seemed like the right place to go.

Carol’s Place [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/carolsplace/] sits in the Norton’s Corner Shopping Center on Murfreesboro Road, just east of the Donelson Pike/Murfreesboro Pike intersection, next to a Thai restaurant. It is convenient to the airport, the Dell complex, and a number of other office buildings nearby. On first glance, you figure Carol’s Place is not a very big place. Walking in the door, you discover you are right - that it is mostly kitchen/food prep with only two or three places to sit at a bar next to the front window. You order inside at the steam table and then pay.

Outside, there are just a couple of picnic tables and another table that seats six. Therefore, it eventually made sense how this place operates successfully, as a pretty continual stream of take-out patrons came and went during our visit. The food even comes in Styrofoam take-out boxes no matter which option you choose … take-out or dine-in. Throw in a healthy catering business and you can see this place doing really well.

It happened to be an absolutely perfect day to do about anything out of doors, and enjoying a really good meal with one of your kids is tops on my list on a day like that. The meal, for Kelley, consisted of chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, regular cornbread, and tea. The jalapeno cornbread, green beans, and white beans all went well with the meatloaf (with brown sugar in the ketchup topping) I chose. You guessed it - the sweet tea was just right.

Each day’s meat choices consist of 2-3 items which are pretty much set for each day of the week, with 10 or more vegetable choices consistently offered each day. A few salad choices and desserts round out the offerings, while there are various daily/seasonal specials, which you can find out about by calling ahead (615-399-9282).

If you live or work in the area, you need to visit Carol’s Place. It would be a great option for a catered office lunch, a quick meal when you need to get out of the office for lunch, or for catching a nice meal for yourself and/or your family on the way home from work when you don‘t feel like cooking. Let Carol’s Place do the cooking for you. It might surprise you like it did me.

Enjoy!

Phil (mn3guy)

Lunch visit to K and F Cafe in Madison, TN

Phil Roberson — Thu, 17 May 2007 11:05:00 GMT

I guess you could say it's "all in the family"...

Since the early seventies, a lady named Opal Kittrell operated a popular dining establishment in East Nashville called the Knife and Fork Restaurant. Located on Gallatin Road, “the place where the locals eat” satisfied many regular customers over the years with great southern comfort food. Family friends of mine ate there many times over the years and, like many, recruited other folks along with them to enjoy the food and the friendliness of the staff (my parents included).

A few weeks ago, Opal retired, having sold the restaurant to the owner of a couple of other meat-and-threes in the Nashville area, under the Sylvan Park name (more about them in another post). At about the same time as Miss Opal’s retirement (actually, a few weeks earlier), her daughter, Michelle, opened a meat and three restaurant in Madison, in the spot formerly housed by the B&B Cafe [http://historyblog.meatandthree.com/2006/11/17/bb-cafe-in-madison-tn-is-closed.aspx].

The K & F Cafe [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/kandfcafe/index.html], located right in the heart of Madison on Gallatin Road, a few doors down from the popular Berry’s Pawn store, underwent a pretty extensive renovation of the space before opening, with fresh paint (cream color scheme) throughout the dining area, new interior elements, new tile on the floors, and all new furniture. It features a much better, cleaner appearance than the outdated B&B Cafe had maintained the last few years that it was open.

On my visit to the K & F Cafe several days ago, I enjoyed the company of my mother again for a half-pleasure, half-business meeting. We got there fairly late on the lunch hour and, unfortunately, did not have a ton of time to talk with Michelle about the business, but discovered we have some mutual friends via the Knife and Fork. We did have a very nice chat with our waitress who was very friendly and attentive. There already seemed to be a few "regulars"; one in particular sounded like he had been coming every day, and alread had his favorite spot.

Upon entering the K & F Cafe, the white board set on an easel notifies you of the day’s specials, which may include items such as meatloaf, country style steak, franks and kraut, mac-n-cheese, turnip greens, cabbage, etc. The menu consists of items that are carried every day, and the regular price includes a meat and two veggies. Three-or-four vegetables plates are available as well as “a la carte” veggies and a variety of desserts. Sandwiches, salads, and other specialty items are also available. Breakfast is served until 11:00 am. Monday is the only day the restaurant is not open. On our Friday, May 4th visit, Mom’s choices consisted of salmon patties with sauce, fresh turnip greens, fresh cabbage and a drink. I opted for the catfish with tartar sauce, potato salad, yams, corn bread and some sweet tea.

Even though smoking is allowed in the K & F Cafe, as it was at the B&B Café in years past, the new special ceiling fans did a nice job of keeping the smoke at a bare minimum and was barely noticeable. I think that if any of Miss Opal’s ability to attract regular visitors for an extended time has rubbed off on her daughter, and consistent interest and satisfaction of customers’ dining desires is maintained, good things are in store for Madison diners. I would also venture to guess that, as the word gets out about who is running the K & F Cafe, it won’t just be Madison residents who will be among the regulars. Based on my experience, it is worth giving this new place a try. Give them a call today to check what daily specials are available (615-868-9288).

Blessings,

Phil (mn3guy)

Grassland Soda Shop in Franklin, TN is closed

Phil Roberson — Wed, 16 May 2007 23:20:00 GMT

I received notice today (5/16/07) that the Grassland Soda Shop in Franklin, TN has closed. I called their number and it was no longer in service, and I also spoke with a neighboring business, as well.

One of my daughters and I had visited for lunch and I wrote about that visit. You can imagine that we were surprised to hear of its closing. If you are interested, you can read my previous entry by clicking the following link: http://historyblog.meatandthree.com/2007/04/27/lunch-at-grassland-soda-shop-in-franklin-tn.aspx. It's a shame that is has closed because we enjoyed the food and our time there.

If you know of other Meat and Three closings (and openings), please let me know by emailing me at phil@meatandthree.com, and I will check it out.

Phil (mn3guy)

Walker's Cafeteria in Birmingham, AL

Phil Roberson — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:23:00 GMT

Monday, May 14, 2007

Walker's Cafeteria
2100 Pinson Valley Pkwy.
Birmingham, AL 35217
(205) 849-0704

If you know any history about Walker's Cafeteria or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Providing feedback to Meat and Three owners

Phil Roberson — Fri, 04 May 2007 22:30:00 GMT

Greetings, Meat and Three lovers!

I hope your week has been a fruitful one. Mine has been very busy, but also very enjoyable as I have been able to get some important things done and checked off my list. That always feels good, doesn't it.

As I have been thinking about how to continue to help Meat and Three restaurants with the blog articles and the information on MEATandTHREE.com, while discussing ideas and corresponding with various people through email, I pondered the ways that people follow through on the information that is available in the blog articles. One question kept coming back to me. Are the owners really getting a sense of how many people are seeing them on the internet through the blog and MEATandTHREE.com?

That question is a tough one to answer. However, my curious mind really wants to know the answer. And, I would think that the Meat and Three restaurant owners would like to know when and why new people come to visit.

I may not be able to get feedback from all the owners when "I" am wanting it, but there is one thing that you, as blog readers and MEATandTHREE.com viewers can do to help. Unless you decide to also email or contact me and let me know, I still won't know the answer to my burning question, but that is not the most important thing.

What IS important is that you, as a loyal supporter of meat-and-three cafes, restaurants and diners, let the owners know how you found out about them. My hope (of course) is that you found them through the blog or the web site. If you did, I am sure that the owner would appreciate it if you let them know. I would bet, too, that they would be interested in "why" you keep coming back.

Here are a few ways that you can do that:

Print the specific blog article that mentions their Meat and Three restaurant and get it in their hands. Printing the article is really easy to do - once you have clicked to their specific article, click the small, square box with a printer in it. It is near the top of the article, just to the right of the article's title under the phrase that begins, "This entry was posted on ...". A window will pop up that will allow you to print the article. Once printed, you can either take it with you on your next visit or mail it with a short note and maybe your business card, just to say hi and to let them know where some of their business is coming from an maybe why you are a frequent guest.
Print either their MEATandTHREE.com state page or their individual restaurant page and either take it with you when you are headed their way, or mail it as mentioned above. Include a note, a business card, a gift certificate, an invitation to a party, etc. Be creative and entertain them with it - have some fun.
Enter a comment on their blog article telling a story about your last visit to their meat and three, or about the country music entertainer you saw there, or about the day that you forgot your money and they made you wash the dishes. Who knows, someone may read your comment and decide they have got to visit this place. You have then helped that particular Meat and Three out - and that new guest may subsequently 1) tell someone else, 2) print the article/comment out and show the owner, 3) call the local newspaper and advise them to do a review on this place, or 4) improvise and really tell the world about them in a super creative way. Of course, you could print the article and the comment yourself, but that wouldn't the most humble thing to do, would it?
Contact local news and entertainment resources like the newspaper, business journal, radio or TV station and let them know about a wonderful meat and three that you have discovered. Hey, what can it hurt? They are always looking for good, solid information that will help them win big awards and maybe even get another meal to put on their expense report. If the restaurant is newly opened, they may not have heard of it yet, and your "news" could provide a big boost to the restaurant. Now, wouldn't you feel good about that?
Tell your friends, relatives and business associates. Word of mouth - it's hard to beat.
Better yet, take a friend with you (or the whole office, if you are the boss) and introduce them to this great little place you have found. Can you see the look on the owner's face when you come in with 23 of your closest associates for the Friday catfish lunch? Make sure you take your camera and send us a picture. I'll find a way to get that one on the site.

Ok, I am probably having a little too much fun with this, but you get the point. These are just some initial ideas to get you started. As much as I would like for all the patrons that visit meat and threes to have gone there because of this blog and the web site, I know that that is a really "off the wall" idea. However, I do know that meat and three restaurants are no different from other dining options, in the sense that they like to know that they are doing a good job, and they appreciate positive feedback and helpful information.

If you would just take a little time and effort to provide some feedback to the owners and the staff, you will be contributing to the growth of this slice of American dining and doing a really good thing. Go ahead and do it - you know it will be fun. And, if you get a chance to either email me (phil@meatandthree.com) or comment on this article, and let me know about your experience, I would love to hear about it. That would help me to know, too, that this blog and the MEATandTHREE.com web site are on the right track. Additionally, you can always provide any suggestions or ideas to me. I am always open to hearing from you.

Have a great weekend!

Phil (mn3guy)

Mary's Kitchen at Elm Lake Golf Course in Columbus, MS

Phil Roberson — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:57:00 GMT

Friday, May 4, 2007

Mary's Kitchen
1609 Taylor Thurston Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-8964

If you know any history about the Mary's Kitchen or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Carson's Country Cooking in Greenville, SC

Phil Roberson — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:50:00 GMT

Monday, April 30, 2007

Carson's Country Cooking
402 Duncan Chapel Road
Greenville, SC 29617
(864) 246-0168

If you know any history about the Carson's Country Cooking or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

The New York Restaurant in Copperhill, TN

Phil Roberson — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:27:00 GMT

Friday, April 27, 2007

The New York Restaurant
121 Ocoee Street
Copperhill, TN 37317
(423) 496-3855

If you know any history about the The New York Restaurant or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Lunch at Grassland Soda Shop in Franklin, TN

Phil Roberson — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:05:00 GMT

How long has it been since you had an old-fashioned hand-made milkshake? Any chance it was in conjunction with a great meal at one of your favorite meat and threes? In case it has been a while, know that you can still enjoy both at the same place, although I am not sure how many of them are out there these days. There is one in Franklin, Tennessee - a place called Grassland Soda Shop [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/grassland grill/] - and I visited it yesterday with my daughter, Kelley. We just happened to be in the area just after the main lunch rush, so we had no wait and were seated immediately. Our waitress was wearing an Elliston Soda Shop shirt, which I thought was kind of interesting. She said the cook worked there for several years, and they still have a great relationship with them. Sounds like the way to do it, to me.

The menu includes the daily meat-and-three offerings as well as some sandwiches, burgers, desserts, etc. The term, “Southern Cooking”, is posted in large letters on the front windows, so there is a certain expectation a southern-born guy and his daughter have when visiting a place that makes that claim. Kelley took them up on the idea and ordered fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, macaroni and cheese, a roll and water. The meatloaf with tomato sauce sounded good to me, and I added some green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy as my sides. Cornbread and sweet tea rounded out my meal.

We could not leave without taking advantage of one of those hand-made milkshakes, even though we both declared that we did not really need it at the time. The strawberry-banana shake, which Kelley and I shared, delivered and put us over the edge - we would have to say that the meal and shake met our “southern comfort food” expectations.

Grassland Soda Shop, previously called Grassland Grill, is located on Hillsboro Road, between the Grassland Shopping Center and a Citgo gas station. It’s also directly next to a dry cleaning business. Walk in the door and you immediately notice the soda fountain area, with 12 or so silver and black stools on the right going along the wall, with one booth and a table near the front. The photos on the wall above the booth and table give a little sense of the history in the area. Speaking of photos, you can see a front view of this meat and three, from my Middle Tennessee Photo Tour back in late January, by clicking here.

The left front side includes the register area, with an Icee machine, and is backed up along the left wall by several wooden-backed booths and a TV high on the back wall. About six 2-seater tables and a couple of 4-seater tables finish off the dining space in the center of the room. The upper section of the walls are painted white while the lower section is painted red. There’s also a juke box up front and a large blackboard on the wall to display the day’s dessert offerings (yesterday, it was banana pudding, pecan pie and apple pie). Note that there is no smoking at the Grassland Soda Shop.

If you have been to the Grassland Soda Shop, and have an experience or some history that you want to share, email me at phil@meatandthree.com and let me know about it, or enter a comment below. I’d also like to hear about any other meat and threes that include a soda fountain, so feel free to give me a heads up. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Phil (mn3guy)

Louie's Restaurant in Paris, KY

Phil Roberson — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:53:00 GMT

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Louie's Restaurant
1000 Pleasant Street
Paris, KY 40361
(859) 987-6116

If you know any history about the Louie's Restaurant or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Lloyd's Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama

Phil Roberson — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:37:00 GMT

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Lloyd's Restaurant
5301 US Highway 280
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-5530

If you know any history about the Lloyd's Restaurant or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Bell and Sons Cafeteria in Winston Salem, NC

Phil Roberson — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Bell & Sons Cafeteria
4320 North Liberty Street
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 767-0703

If you know any history about the Bell & Sons Cafeteria or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

Jeff's Family Restaurant is new in Murfreesboro, TN

Phil Roberson — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:17:00 GMT

Jeff's Family Restaurant, LLC [http://www.meatandthree.com/tn/jeffsfamily/] is a recently-opened meat and three restaurant located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, home of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The meat-and-three restaurant, which opened in December 2006, is located a few blocks off beautiful East Main Street in a residential section of town.

Weaver D's in Athens, Georgia

Phil Roberson — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:53:00 GMT

Monday, April 23, 2007

Weaver D's
1016 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 353-7797

If you know any history about the Weaver D's or want to share a story about this Meat and Three, please comment below or send an email to phil@meatandthree.com. Thank you.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)