Today's Takeout Pick: Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Much of the restaurant industry has had to change its business model in a couple of weeks due to COVID-19, and we’re trying to highlight the Nashville places that are attempting to stay open. Each day we will give you a critic’s pick for a restaurant and a dish, as well as a running list of restaurants still open that you can support. Today: Arnold's Country Kitchen.

Arnold’s is all-time. Everyone knows it. It’s such a universal truth that we started this year’s Chefs Survey by asking local pros what their favorite lunch is excluding Arnold’s, because we feared we’d get 15 of the same answers otherwise. So why, you ask, are we profiling them as today’s carryout pick? Simple: COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t give a shit whether you’re a fledgling food truck, a neighborhood mainstay or a 10-seat bar with the fanciest tasting menu in town. In fact, many of Nashville’s most successful restaurants are struggling too, because they pay high rents, employ dozens of people and are doing everything humanly possible not to leave those people high and dry. Arnold’s is just such a place. The fact that it’s helmed by Kahlil Arnold — a gregarious dude who’s the closest Nashville gets to having our own Bill Murray — is just whipped cream on the banana pudding.

Start your order with a family meal. For $54, pick two sides and a meat. I go with brisket, simmered low and slow, in a salty, luscious gravy. Once refrigerated, the liquid becomes solid, which is a key indicator it’s been made with the most important ingredient: love. (I’m kidding; the ingredient is fat.) Add smoky green beans, creamy mac-and-cheese and cornbread or rolls, and you’ve got a meal that will easily feed four. If you’re a pro, tack on a pie for $21 and a serving of something fried that you can tear into in the car. (The fried pork chop will light up every pleasure center in your brain.) Whatever you choose, rest assured you won’t be hungry for 48 hours. Need more proof that Arnold is a world-class humanitarian? He’s now serving his usual Monday-only fried chicken every day they’re open. We are not worthy.

You can order Arnold’s delivery online, but I’d call in carryout orders so you can ask after the sides 'n' “frieds” of the day. If you’re reading this Friday afternoon and you’re pissed Arnold’s is closed for the week, hold that itchy Facebook finger: Red Perch — another stellar local business that’s shuttered short-term — will be slinging paella in the parking lot for pickup from 6-6:30 p.m., and Arnold’s will see you Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Below is a list of Nashville restaurants (with links) remaining open for takeout and delivery during the COVID-19 shutdown. While some may have had existing relationships with delivery providers most of this list are offering the service for the first time. Most offer curbside pickup, but check when you order. As this list is a moving target, please leave any changes, suggestions or omissions in the comments.

Ashley Brantley

Places with takeout or delivery as of Friday, March 28

Ashley Brantley

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Like what you read?

Calendar

May 21 - May 27, 2026 (Vol. 45, No. 17)

Cover Stories

Progressive Clergy Find Purpose in Downtown Nashville

Gavel Down: This Year at the Tennessee General Assembly

Sections

Services

Follow Us