A burger joint in this state has been straining and reusing the same cooking grease for more than a century. When the restaurant moved, that grease reportedly rode along with a police escort. I love that so much.
That story got me curious about the other old-timers still feeding people across Tennessee. One spot turned an old elevator shaft into a smoker. Another serves lunch at shared tables, where a host tells stories while the food goes around.
These aren’t museum pieces behind velvet ropes. They still flip pancakes, fry chicken, and bake pie for anyone who walks through the door. Some have outlasted the cars, songs, and hairstyles of the decades they opened in.
Every place below has been at it for at least 70 years. I can’t decide whether I want the hot chicken first or the fudge pie.
1. The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis
Elvis Presley had a favorite booth here, and the restaurant still leans proudly into that bit of rock and roll history. Not bad for a diner that opened decades before he ever picked up a guitar.
Greek immigrant Speros Zepatos founded the place in 1919. That makes it the oldest restaurant in Memphis, which is quite a title in a city this serious about food.
In 1955, his son Harry gave the room the look you see today. Think boomerang table designs, neon signs, and a full dose of 1950s style.
The family is now in its third generation of ownership. That kind of staying power is rare, and it shows in how carefully the retro details are kept.
Hollywood noticed, too. Scenes from movies like Walk the Line, The Firm, The Client, and Elizabethtown were filmed here.
Now, about the food. Southern-style breakfast is served all day, so you can order sweet potato pancakes at any hour without anyone blinking.
Country fried steak with eggs, breakfast casserole, and biscuits and gravy are also on the menu. Lunch brings meat-and-two daily specials, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas.
Then there’s the Fried Peanut Butter N’ Banana sandwich. It’s tied to Elvis, and ordering one feels like a small tribute to the King.
Need a pick-me-up? An expansion in May 2019 added more seating and an espresso bar.
Here’s a tip for your visit. Ask about the Elvis booth, snap a photo of the neon, and save room for those pancakes.
2. Brown’s Diner, Nashville
Few restaurants can say their dining room used to roll down a track. Brown’s Diner sits inside a converted trolley car, and that alone earns it a spot on your list.
Charlie Brown opened the business in 1927 at the intersection where Brown’s Diner still operates today.
Over the years, more space was added around it. A room nicknamed the green room came along in 1987, joining the original bar room.
Live music plays nightly, which makes sense in Nashville. Music names like Don Everly, Keith Urban, and Vince Gill have stopped by over the decades.
Burgers are the big draw here. The cheeseburgers have a long reputation as some of the best in the city.
You can go with the Smash, the Bacon Cheese, or the Chili Cheese burger. Chicken sandwiches, BLTs, grilled cheese, and hot dogs round out the lineup.
Sides cover the classics, like french fries, tater tots, onion rings, and fried pickles. Coleslaw and salads are there if you want something lighter.
Chef Bret Tuck took over in 2021. In March 2024, he relaunched an all-day Southern breakfast menu.
That means made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and homemade buttermilk pancakes. Curious diners can also try a dish called Chicken and Cake.
Save room for a milkshake, because there are more than 15 flavors. Old-fashioned Chocolate Malt and Banana Puddin’ are two that make choosing tough.
Honestly, a burger and shake in a nearly century-old trolley is a very Nashville afternoon. Bring a friend so you can split two shakes.
3. Elliston Place Soda Shop, Nashville
Nineteen house-made soda flavors are waiting at this counter. Good luck picking just one on your first try.
The story goes back to 1939. That’s when Lynn Chandler bought the soda fountain business from Elliston Pharmacy.
Since then, it has become one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Nashville. It’s also credited with pioneering the meat-and-three style of eating the city loves.
The shop is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, red and white tiled walls and stainless steel counters set a strong 1950s mood.
Look closely at the tables, too. Individual jukeboxes sit right there, ready for your song request.
In 2019, Tony and Lisa Giarratana stepped in to preserve the shop. They moved it next door into a historic 1907 building and tripled the seating.
There’s an important civil rights chapter here as well. It was one of the first places to serve Howard Gentry, later Nashville’s vice mayor, during desegregation.
On the menu, breakfast runs all day with French toast, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch and dinner bring Soda Shop Burgers, Patty Melts, and fried green tomatoes.
Meat-and-three plates are a must. Macaroni and cheese and mashed sweet potatoes count as vegetables here, which feels like a rule worth supporting.
History fans should try the Bean Roll, the original from the Gold Rush. Then head straight to the fountain for shakes, malts, or a banana split.
And don’t skip pie. Ms. Linda has been making them since 1993, which is a tradition all its own.
4. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Nashville
Legend says Nashville hot chicken started as payback from a jilted girlfriend. She loaded his fried chicken with fiery spice, and he liked it so much he built a business around it.
That man was Thornton Prince. He opened his first restaurant in 1936, helping establish what would become Nashville’s famous hot chicken tradition.
Prince’s is widely credited as the originator of Nashville hot chicken. So yes, you’re eating at the source.
In 1980, his great-niece André Prince Jeffries took over. She renamed it Prince’s Hot Chicken and still keeps the family tradition going.
The original Ewing Drive spot closed in 2018. Today, the Nolensville Pike location serves as the flagship.
Let’s talk heat, because that’s the main event. Levels run from Plain all the way up to XXX-Hot.
A friendly warning: even Mild packs a real kick. First-timers may want to start low and work their way up.
You can order whole or half chickens, breast quarters, leg quarters, tenders, or whole wings. The Andre Chicken Sandwich and a Fried Chicken Salad are options too.
Sides include baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, fries, and mac and cheese. The greens go by the name Get it Girl, which is just fun to say.
White bread and dill pickles come along for a reason. Those pickles help balance the fire, so treat them like your best friend.
5. Tootie’s Restaurant, Bristol
A soldier came home from World War II and opened a candy shop. Almost 80 years later, that little idea is the oldest restaurant in Bristol.
Claude Vance founded Vance’s Confectionary in 1945. It became a local fixture long before it got the name it carries today.
In 1982, his son Arvil and daughter-in-law Jane Vance took ownership. Arvil’s nickname was Tootie, and the new name stuck.
The family still runs the place. Breakfast is served all day, so sleeping in won’t cost you your eggs.
Burgers get most of the attention here. The signature Arvil Burger honors the man himself.
Craving something messier? The Willie Boom Burger is a chili burger, so grab extra napkins.
Hot dogs, hot and cold subs, and grilled cheese are on the menu too. Heartier eaters can go for a hamburger steak dinner or pork chops.
The sides list is a fun one. You’ll find fries, onion rings, tater tots, chili cheese fries, corn nuggets, and even tamales.
Dessert lovers, this part is for you. Ice cream comes in cones, sundaes, and floats.
The milkshake flavors get creative. Moon Pie and Blueberry Cheesecake are two of them, and both sound like a great idea.
Inside, yellow and white walls give the diner a cheerful look. A few arcade games add a playful touch for kids and grown-ups alike.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. A chili burger and a Moon Pie shake outside sounds like a fine Tennessee afternoon.
6. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, Memphis
An old elevator shaft changed Memphis barbecue forever. Charlie Vergos turned that shaft into a smoker, and his little basement snack spot became a legend.
The restaurant opened in 1948. Back then, it sold ham sandwiches, which is a humble start for a place now famous for ribs.
In the late 1950s, Charlie developed his dry rub rib recipe. The seasoning blend draws inspiration from his Greek heritage.
The ribs are charcoal-grilled and finished with a vinegar wash. Then that rub goes on, and you get the style people travel to Memphis for.
The family is now in its third generation here. Charlie’s granddaughter, Anna Vergos Blair, manages the restaurant today.
Look around while you wait. Red and white checkered tablecloths, neon signs, and vintage memorabilia fill the space.
Ribs are the star, but the menu goes further. Pork shoulder, beef brisket, lamb riblets, and chicken all get a turn.
For starters, there’s a smoked sausage and cheese plate. Barbecue nachos are another way to warm up your appetite.
Sides include baked beans, potato salad, red beans and rice, and a mustard and vinegar slaw. Mama’s Real Greek Salad uses a dressing recipe from Mama’s Greek village.
Finish with a pie tart in pecan, buttermilk chess, chocolate chess, or key lime. Valet parking makes the downtown stop a little easier.
7. Loveless Cafe, Nashville
Up to 10,000 biscuits a day come out of this kitchen. That’s a lot of dough, and it all started on a front porch.
In 1951, Lon and Annie Loveless began serving fried chicken and biscuits to travelers on Highway 100. People loved the food so much that the couple turned their home into a restaurant.
In 1952, they added a 14-room motel. Those rooms now hold shops and event spaces.
The biscuits are scratch-made, and the homemade preserves are a big part of the fun. Country ham and fried chicken complete the classic trio.
Breakfast is served all day. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, omelets, bacon, and sausage are all on the menu.
Want something different? Try the Country Breakfast Bowl or the Build Your Own Biscuit Sliders.
Lunch and supper bring more Southern favorites. Fried catfish, char-grilled cheeseburgers, and pit-cooked pork BBQ sandwiches are all options.
That BBQ is smoked over Tennessee hickory for 22 hours. Patience like that deserves a fork and a big appetite.
Sides are scratch-made too. Mashed potatoes, turnip greens, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes are among the choices.
Pecan pie is the featured dessert. It’s a sweet way to end a meal that’s already heavy on comfort.
In 2020, the cafe was named a Nashville Historic Marker. The property also has the Loveless Barn and Harpeth Room for events and concerts.
Before you leave, browse Hams and Jams Country Market and Loveless Outfitters. A jar of preserves makes a pretty great souvenir.
8. Wendell Smith’s Restaurant, Nashville
Four generations, one family, and the same recipes. That’s the quiet secret behind this west Nashville diner.
Wendell Lee Smith opened the restaurant in 1952. His family has kept the cooking style going ever since.
It’s known as a classic Nashville meat-and-three. If you’re new to the idea, you pick one main dish and three vegetable sides.
Sounds simple, right? The hard part is narrowing down your choices.
The menu rotates, so the meats change. Fried chicken, roast beef with gravy, meatloaf, and chicken and dressing often show up. Pork chops and fried catfish make regular appearances too.
Checking the day’s options is half the fun.
Sides are house-made. Collard greens, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and fried corn are among the picks.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, and breakfast is available all day. Eggs, omelets, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, and pancakes are ready when you are.
Sandwich fans have good options as well. A fried bologna sandwich is a true Southern classic, and the open-faced roast beef is hearty.
Don’t forget dessert. Banana pudding, cobblers, and pies are waiting for you.
The mood here is casual and nostalgic. It’s a place built around traditional cooking, not trends or flashy plating.
Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Go hungry, pick a meat you grew up with, and let the sides do the talking.
Restaurants that stay in one family this long are rare in Tennessee or anywhere else. A plate here feels like a little piece of that history.
9. Swett’s, Nashville
The Library of Congress preserves this family’s story as part of American history. That’s quite an honor for a restaurant known for fried chicken and candied yams.
Walter and Susie Swett opened the doors in 1954. Today, it ranks among the oldest Black-owned meat-and-three soul food restaurants in Nashville.
Three generations have kept it going. David Swett carries the legacy now.
Over the years, it became a community hub. Its guests have ranged from civil rights activists to celebrities.
Service is cafeteria-style, so you’ll move down the line and point at what you want. Portions are known for being hearty.
Meats and vegetables rotate daily. The fried chicken is famous, and baked barbecue chicken is a tasty alternative.
Catfish, meatloaf, and pork chops also show up. Choosing just one might be the toughest decision of your day.
The vegetable list is long and made from scratch. Cheesy potato casserole, squash casserole, collard greens, and mac and cheese are options.
Candied yams and baked beans add sweetness to the plate. Dinner rolls are available too.
Then comes the cornbread question. You can get it baked or fried, and both camps have strong opinions.
Leave space for dessert. Peach cobbler, chess pie, and banana pudding are staples.
Tip for your visit: grab a little of several sides if you can’t decide. Then come back another day for the ones you missed.
10. Dyer’s Burgers, Memphis
Some families pass down jewelry. Dyer’s passes down cooking grease, and it has been in use since 1912.
Elmer Doc Dyer opened his Memphis cafe that year. The grease has been strained and replenished daily ever since.
According to the restaurant, its famous cooking grease was transported between locations under armed police escort, adding another colorful chapter to Dyer’s long history.
So how do the burgers work? The beef patties are cooked in a skillet, deep-fried in that seasoned grease.
Tradition says keep it simple. Mustard, pickle, and onions are the classic toppings.
The Beale Street location sits across from W.C. Handy Park. That puts you right in the middle of Memphis music history.
You can order a Single, Double, or Triple. Ambitious eaters know which one they’re picking.
Hot dogs, chicken tenders, and milkshakes are on the menu too. Then there’s the Deep Fried PB&J, a dessert you won’t forget fast.
A second spot, Dyer’s Cafe, operates in Collierville. It serves the same World Famous Burgers plus hand-dipped shakes and floats.
Collierville also offers all-you-can-eat catfish on Fridays and Sundays. It comes with fresh cut fries, hushpuppies, slaw, and tartar sauce.
That location adds homemade soups, salads, hot tamales, and hand-breaded fried pickles. Both spots keep a retro diner feel.
11. Boyette’s Dining Room, Tiptonville
Frog legs, quail, and all-you-can-eat catfish are on the same menu here. That tells you a lot about this corner of northwest Tennessee.
Boyette’s sits near Reelfoot Lake. Visitors come to the area for fishing, hunting, and bird watching, and plenty of them end up here hungry.
The story starts in 1921. Nannie Boyette opened a grocery store across the road from today’s site.
The current building went up in 1936. Cypress walls give the dining room a look that fits the lake country perfectly.
Sisters Jan Boyd and Fran Hearn co-own the restaurant now. Their parents bought it in the 1960s, so family roots run deep.
Catfish is the headliner, and it’s U.S. farm-raised. The all-you-can-eat deal is a big reason people make the drive.
Crispy fried chicken and country ham are also favorites. Certified Angus Beef steaks, hamburgers, shrimp, and chicken livers fill out the list.
Meals are often served family-style. Homemade hushpuppies, onion rings, and French fries come along for the ride.
Country sides include slaw, green beans, and white beans. The coffee gets special praise, and there’s a variety of teas too.
Boyette’s is part of Boyette’s Resort, which offers cabins and houses. A seasonal swimming pool and a gift shop are also on the property. That makes it easy to turn dinner into a weekend.
Spend the day by the lake, then come back for seconds on catfish.
12. Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe, Tracy City
Some of the baking equipment here dates back to the 1920s. And the bakery itself is even older than that.
Swiss immigrant John Baggenstoss and his wife, Louise, founded the bakery in 1902. It’s known as one of Tennessee’s oldest bakeries.
The bakery closed in 2003, but Cindy Day purchased it in 2005 and reopened it 18 months later. She continues using traditional family recipes and historic baking equipment.
Bread is the heart of the place. More than a dozen kinds are made by hand from scratch.
Salt-rising bread is a popular pick, and it’s not something you see every day. Sourdough and black olive roasted red pepper are other favorites.
Got a sweet tooth? Cakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, eclairs, and fruit tarts fill the cases.
Dutch Maid isn’t only a bakery, though. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch.
Morning options include pancakes, French toast, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and cheese omelets. That’s a solid start to a mountain day.
Lunch brings plate lunch specials, homemade soups, and salads. Sandwiches are made on bread baked right there, which is the dream.
Wooden floors and historical memorabilia give the cafe its charm. It feels like a small-town spot that knows its own story.
Food TV fans may recognize it. The bakery was featured on Guy’s All-American Road Trip in 2023.
13. Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant, Lynchburg
Eleanor Roosevelt ate here in 1940. You can sit down at the same kind of shared table and pass the fried chicken with total strangers.
The motto says you enter as strangers and leave as friends. Family-style seating makes that pretty easy.
Miss Mary Evans Bobo bought the historic Salmon Hotel in 1908. That’s when her legacy of Southern hospitality began.
The building is much older. Part of it dates to the 1820s, with an addition from 1867.
Here’s the fun twist. A local host sits at your table and shares stories about Miss Mary and Lynchburg history.
Meals are served midday. The menu changes daily, but it usually includes two entrees, several sides, and hot bread.
Fried chicken, pork roast, beef roast, fried catfish, and meatloaf are common entrees. You never quite know which ones you’ll get, and that’s part of the charm.
Sides often include mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried okra. Baked apples and a creamy rice casserole show up too.
Sweet tea is the drink of choice. It’s about as Tennessee as a glass can get.
Now, the big finish. Miss Mary’s chocolate fudge pie is the famous one. Buttermilk and chess pie are also great choices.
Honestly, nobody would blame you for asking about seconds.
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