monell's restaurant

much better the second time around. ok so i wrote a poor review on this restaurant the first time i had been there, i was in nashville again and a friend wanted to go -- i didnt really wanna go but i must say it was well worth the visit, the food was hot thetablewas great every one got along really well and the service was good, all and all i would say the second visit was 100 times better then the first... i would go back again.. and the ribs were awsome :)


-----30 sep, 2013-----

bummed out big time. i visit nashville several times a year and the first two times i ate there it was pretty good, but this last time was a mess, we were pushed threw told they were out of chicken my glass was dirty we had to beg for ice the server was awful the black women at the counter must not have liked white men cause clearly she was rude as all get out to me but was as nice as pie to the black women behind me.. i was sad it was so awful i normally like the place ... not to mention we sat at atablewith rude people, i mean just plain rude, they did not have the pork chops as the menu stated they would and it was just a mess a big hot mess... i wont be going back again ever

breakfast bonnaroo. first time to monell's....but won't be the last. for the breakfast hardy crowd this a treat. we (party of 3) came at 9am and were seated with 8 others at atablefor 12. sharing conversations of those from missouri, ohio and florida made the "nashville experience" as binding as the sawmill gravy to the buttermilk biscuits. if you have to wait don't worry, it is worth it and the patio garden allows for a social garden party even of itself. make sure you don't let the cinnamon roll go by at the start because after the eggs, corn pudding, bacon, ham, sausage, pancakes, you will be hoping you can still have room to put some peach preserves on the a biscuit for dessert. from the days of heehaw and a nod toward, "hey, grandpa, 'what's for dinner?'" i say, monell's--salute!.

hmmmm...not sold. visited monell's this past sunday for breakfast based on the fabulous reviews and i was so excited!!! we were wanting to check it out with plans of bringing a group of "out-of-towners" here the following week. unfortunately, i was disappointed with our experience. we got to the restaurant around 10 am with a 20 minute wait but this was not a big deal, we had expected this. and the outside seating area is comfortable and a great space. however, once our name was called and we were seated, we felt as if we were being rushed through our meal. they would put the food down and walk off with not even a smile and then came over right away with our checkout card. we were seated elbow to elbow with those at ourtableto the point were it was even awkward to cut our food. we also did not receive the pancakes as advertised. when we did leave, the girl at the checkout was obviously in a bad mood. needless to say, one of the people in our group said as we were leaving "i remember it being so much better in the past." i hated that we had such an experience because now we will need to find another local restaurant to treat our guests....

what a fun way to experience southern food and hospitality! it was like having thanksgiving dinner early. the fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, spinach lasagna and green beans were amazing. others at thetablereally enjoyed the broccoli salad and banana pudding, but i could have stopped with the top four. service was friendly and i loved the family style dining, as i like to meet new people.

wonderful food experience! not only do you get to eat tasty home style southern cooking, the communal dining style reflects the southern hospitality of the staff - like you are going to your relative's house for a meal! a big meal! the amount of food we passed around was never-ending...i expected the bill to be quite expensive, but it was such a great value! so much good food for a great price. the standouts were...well, everything! from the fried chicken to the creamy mashed potatoes, meatloaf, biscuits and gravy, corn pudding, mac and cheese, beans, strawberry shortcake, peach preserves...those where only a few of the dishes, because they pack thattableas if it were thanksgiving and christmas! the great thing about the communal dining is that you meet new people. you go in hungry, you leave full and satisfied and with new friends!

well, this is the place, family dining at the absolute best, we arrived for the afternoon, waited for atablefor 45 min. and it was well worth the wait and then some....the family style seating was great for great conversations, when the food came i went for the wings again and again, everyone else went for the breasts and legs, but i got the best of the best, all of the sides were great southern dishes.

highly recommended.

excellent food. the shared tables (there were 4 other parties at our table) seemed odd at first but everyone had good conversations. did i mention the food was excellent? we went for lunch and there was barely any wait. for a family of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) the bill was under $50. and i can't say it enough....the food was excellent. the banana pudding was an exceptional pleasant surprise. the wait staff were on top of everything. none of the bowls or baskets at thetableever went empty. just in case i wasn't clear before, the food was excellent.

nothing but good times. i have visited monell's lately each time i travel to nashville for business or pleasure. i am always taking someone with me (pleasure trips) that has not had an opportunity to enjoy or tell someone about the good times i have had. the food is delicious and the ambience is excellent. i have never sat at atablewith guest that were not friendly. the conversation and sharing of "is this your first time", "where are you from" "would you pass this, would you pass that" makes this an excellent place to visit.

a nashville tradition in germantown. ate at monell's for dinner while in nashville mid-january on a friday night. not much of a wait so we were seated and eating within 15 minutes of arriving. food was good and plentiful. drink choices are limited to tea, lemonade, or water. enjoyed our conversation with others at thetableduring dinner. only disappointment was dessert. expected a pie or cake not pudding. will return again in the future.

interesting. definitely a unique experience. i happened to have atablefull of hilarious people and we all had a good time. however, for the same price, i could have gone to a country buffet. you're paying to sit with people for a different experience. not the quality of food. although the quantity was overwhelming.

cold food. the concept seemed to be a good idea, but boy was i wrong. i was told to sit at atableand when i pulled out a chair it flipped out into the floor. i sat down the food was not being passed, so now i am at the mercy of strangers to pass the food. the food was brought out by some guy in a dirty apron and tossed onto the table. mostly you had no idea what was on thetableexcept the fried chicken that was cold. i did not get any food that was suppose to be hot even warm. the cold was room temperature. well, at least i didn't have to wait; i understand some times there is a long wait. wait for this, never. i could go on, but i have said enough. i am 69 years old and could wait to leave. this is an honest and true experience and hope this is posted.

take me back to a simpler time.... when i was young and my whole family sat down around thetablefor meals... chicken crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, veggies excellent...love the mac-n-cheese. eggs for breakfast are to die for not to mention the panfried potatoes and onions!! just a wonderful place that still imbues a sense of community and humanity via socialization!!

very unique place. awesome food, wonderful service and great times! if you have a shy personality, you may not want to eat here because you will be sat at atablewith other people.
you sit at a largetableand they bring plates and plates of different foods out. it's endless, so if something runs out, the staff are great about keeping an eye out and bringing more out quickly.

the food is wonderful. the owner/manager is a great guy who is just as much on the floor and in plain view than he is monitoring the kitchen. wonderful, homey feel to it!

great experience. we arrived around 11:30 on a saturday morning to find out that they were serving breakfast until 1pm. this turned out to be a great thing. after about a 30 minute wait we were seated. we were served biscuits and gravy, pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, corn pudding, etc. it was excellent. my only word of advice is to pace yourself. the food keeps coming. my group, from mississippi and north carolina, was seated at atablewith a couple on vacation from chicago and a group of locals. the conversation made the experience that much more enjoyable.

we arrived at opryland horel and all restaurants were booked. we used urban spoon and found monnels in germantown. called and michael told us to come on, he'd be waiting for us for the victorian christmas dinner. we arrived, we're greeted with a hug, and seated promptly. we were a few courses behind and were quickly caught up with fabulous trio of appetizers including delicious smoked salmon, then a great soup, followed by fresh salad. dinner included tender sliced beef and moist chicken which were each infused with so much flavor that i can't even adequately describe them. sides of pineapple casserole, fabulous potatoes, asparagus so well seasoned that i are it, enjoyed it and i don't like asparagus as well as a few other sides. the fruity tea was an excellent compliment to the meal. i just realized that i failed to mention we started with a warm wassel cider. dessert was light, chocolate and delicious. served with flair and friendliness. dining room decorated so lovely. china, crystal andtablelinens were exquisite!!! quarter singing christmas carols added to the ambience. an unexpected pleasure at each turn of the meal!! felt like we'd arrived for a family dinner. we can't wait to return and bring our daughters. such a lovely home for the setting built in 1880's.