The Loveless Cafe, Nashville
Iconic sign of the Loveless Cafe (although no longer a motel – the rooms have either been converted in order to extend the dining areas or to the market shop. In this post, we head to the Loveless Cafe…
On any road trip in the USA, it’s really very likely that you’ll be clocking up a lot of mileage. And you know what, driving through America is one of the best ways to experience it! It’s not just a convenient way to get from place to place, there is a certain freedom about being on the big ol’ open road in America. On the road is where you’ll find some incredible landscapes but also where you can experience one of those truly American institutions – an American diner.
Just outside of Nashville, there is one such diner that’s a bit of an institution itself. Located on Highway 100, less than half a mile from the top of the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Loveless Cafe is the perfect pit stop for some bonafide country cooking that the Deep South is famous for.
The Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville
Photo by Ron Cogswell The Grand Ole Opry is the house that made Country music famous.
Exploring the USA with the convenience of your own car is a great way to see the country. And with the Americans love of cars, it’s also probably the best way to experience the USA like a local. We’ve got low-cost car hire available throughout the USA. Visit our USA car hire page for more information and to get a quote.
Head to the Loveless Cafe for country cooking and country everything
The Loveless Cafe has been around for 60 years and despite it having changed hands several times over the years, the concept for the original cafe remains much the same (including some of the recipes). In fact, the idea of a traditional country cafe has only been built upon. So although the Lovelesses (it was husband and wife, Lon and Annie Loveless who first opened the cafe up in 1951) have long gone, the Loveless Cafe has only gone from strength to strength. As well as extended dining rooms and a barn for special events, it also has its own market store and online shop selling food from the cafe and all manner of country chintz. It’s popular too and although you can’t make reservations, they do have a decent queueing system where you get given a little device that tells you when a table is ready. This just means that you have time to check out the country store! Oh, and the food is also pretty damn tasty…
The Loveless Cafe
Photo of Loveless Cafe’s exterier by Jamie
As a general rule, when dining out in the southern states, come hungry! This is definitely true of the Loveless Cafe. I had the ‘Famous country ham’ with two eggs, gravy and grits. As with all their breakfast platters and plates, you also get their famous biscuits with home made preserves as well.
Erm… biscuits?
Yes, biscuits with breakfast… If you didn’t know already, biscuits in America are basically what us Brits would refer to as scones. Biscuits are savoury (so no sultanas, raisins or sugar in them) and usually served with butter and/or gravy (I get the butter, I can’t say I get the gravy thing). They are also a traditional breakfast accompaniment in the South and sometimes a dinner accompaniment too. Also, I LOVE them! Actually, I think I may have got a little bit obsessed with having them wherever I was! Alongside peanut butter, it might be my favourite thing that the USA has given us.
I could have been happy just having biscuit refills along with my coffee refills but with so much country cooking on offer, it really would be a shame not to have more of it. Eggs anyway you want (I couldn’t tell you how many options there are so I went with the only one I could think off and that’s Sunny Side Up) and ham that is the thickest and tastiest piece of ham I’ve ever had. You’re given a lot of it too! Grits is another traditional breakfast menu item often found in the South. It’s a warm maize-based porridge that I think is tastiest when cooked with added cheese and a bit of spice. Here, it’s served simply but works better to off-set the rich saltiness of the ham.
Biscuits
Country ham, eggs & grits
Breakfast is served all day at the Loveless Cafe and although the menu for that is big, there is also a big ’supper’ menu you can order from available from 11.00am. I hear that the fried chicken is excellent!
Finding the Loveless Cafe
Loveless Cafe 8400 Highway 100 Nashville Tennessee 37221
Tel: (615) 646-9700 www.lovelesscafe.com
Opening hours: Daily from 7.00am to 9.00pm.
The Loveless Cafe is about half an hour’s drive from Nashville’s city centre. There is car parking available at the cafe’s grounds. Visit www.carjet.com if you still need to book your USA car hire.