Today's Takeout Pick: 12 South Taproom

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: 12 South Taproom.

Of the many things COVID-19 is robbing us of right now — paychecks, health insurance, social niceties — one of the little joys I miss the most at the turn of spring is dining al fresco. There’s a great moment when the first warm days of spring make it enjoyable enough to sit outside with friends and share a drink or a meal (or both). Hopefully in a matter of weeks we’ll be back to doing just that, and the first place I’m going is 12 South Taproom. Until then, I’m ordering takeout from them just so I can get a Golden Girl — what I would argue is one of the two best chicken sandwiches in the city (the other being the one from BokBox). It’s a grilled breast with cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, red onion, tomato and a house-made barbecue sauce with just a little bit of heat, all on a toasted bun.

I know what you’re saying — there’s a version of this sandwich on half the menus in America, under the moniker of a “Southwest” chicken or something similar. And because I have tried every single one of them, I can say with confidence that this one is the best. Maybe it’s the way the chicken is grilled. Maybe it’s the sauce. Maybe someone in the back made a deal with the devil a long time ago. I’m not sure, but this one has it all: a little salt from the bacon, a little cool fat from the avocado, a little zing from the sauce. (Just leave off the lettuce, because lettuce on a sandwich is ALWAYS A BAD IDEA.) Order it to go (or have it delivered via Postmates) and sit outside with a beer. Soon enough we can do this on 12 South's great patio together. Or order something else from their menu, because I've never had a bad bite from the place.

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 (the bottom list) 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.

Steve Cavendish

Places with takeout or delivery as of Thursday, March 26 at Noon.

Steve Cavendish

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