3 Nashville Institutions Make List Of Nation's Best Casual Restaurants

NASHVILLE, TN — Three Nashville restaurants most everybody would agree are Music City institutions are among the 101 best casual restaurants in the country, according to a newly published ranking by The Daily Meal.

Most long-time residents could likely pick out the trio without much effort, as they are often held-up as the quintessence of Nashville's major contributions to the culinary world: big southern meals, meat and three, and hot chicken. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Prince's — the birthplace of Nashville's fiery fowl — is the highest ranked of the three at 22. The Daily Meal says "Served with white bread and pickle coins, the chicken itself is crispy, crunchy, and fall-off-the-bone tender. A trip to Prince’s is one you’re not likely to forget (especially if you order extra hot)."

Loveless Cafe came in at 62 on the list, with the website offering particular praise for the fried chicken: "Not only is their fried chicken one of the city’s most beloved dishes, but a lot of love goes into their food — and has for over 60 years. The fried chicken recipe, which has remained unchanged since 1951, uses self-rising flour and a special house blend of spices."

The last Nashville entrant may be the one that sparks the most controversy, as Swett's sneaked in at No. 96, perhaps too low for the half of the city who are Swett's defenders and vexing the other half, which aligns with Arnold's in Nashville's endless dispute about the city's best meat-and-three. In any event, Daily Meal says Swett's is "Arguably Nashville's most legendary restaurant" and the "standard bearer" for the meat-and-three. Team Arnold's stews.

Check out the full rankings.

Image via Flickr user Sean Russell, used under Creative Commons