8 Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Across Tennessee That Locals Keep Returning To

Tennessee’s food scene isn’t just about hot chicken and barbecue joints on every corner. Hidden throughout the state are tiny, unassuming restaurants where the locals eat, the kind of places you’d drive right past if you didn’t know better.

These hole-in-the-wall spots serve up some of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have, and once you find them, you’ll understand why people keep coming back year after year.

1. Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Nashville

Meat-and-three heaven exists, and it’s tucked into a modest brick building on the south side of Nashville. Arnold’s has been feeding hungry folks since 1982, and the line out the door at lunch tells you everything you need to know.

You’ll find this legendary spot at 605 8th Avenue South in Nashville, where cafeteria-style service means you pick your protein and three sides from a rotating daily menu. The fried chicken is crispy perfection, but regulars also swear by the chocolate pie.

Cash only, so hit the ATM first.

2. The Arcade Restaurant – Memphis

Memphis’s oldest cafe has been slinging plates since 1919, and walking through those doors feels like stepping back in time. The long counter, vintage booths, and black-and-white checkered floor haven’t changed much over the decades.

Located at 540 South Main Street in downtown Memphis, The Arcade became famous after Elvis Presley used to stop by for their peanut butter and banana sandwich. Breakfast is served all day, and the sweet potato pancakes are absolutely worth the trip.

Don’t skip the homemade pies either.

3. Ridgewood Barbecue – Bluff City

Barbecue purists make pilgrimages to this unassuming spot in the far northeastern corner of Tennessee. Since 1948, Ridgewood has been smoking pork over hickory wood and serving it with a vinegar-based sauce that’s become legendary in barbecue circles.

The restaurant sits at 900 Elizabethton Highway in Bluff City, and they only serve dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Get there early because when the meat runs out, they close.

The coleslaw and baked beans are house-made perfection, and the no-frills atmosphere keeps the focus squarely on the food.

4. Litton’s Market & Restaurant – Knoxville

Part butcher shop, part burger joint, Litton’s has been a Knoxville institution since 1947. The burgers here are hand-patted daily from freshly ground beef, and locals will tell you they’re the best in East Tennessee without hesitation.

Find this gem at 2803 Essary Drive in Knoxville, where the vintage neon sign still glows in the window. Order at the counter, grab a seat at one of the old booths, and prepare for a burger that’s juicy, messy, and absolutely perfect.

The onion rings are hand-battered and fried to golden perfection too.

5. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Mason

Before Gus’s expanded across the South, it started in a tiny building in Mason, Tennessee, and that original location still draws crowds from hours away. The recipe hasn’t changed since 1953, and one bite of that spicy, crispy chicken explains why people are so devoted.

Located at 505 Highway 70 in Mason, this is where the magic began. The chicken is marinated, hand-battered, and fried to order, so expect a wait.

It’s worth every single minute, especially when paired with their tangy coleslaw and baked beans that somehow taste even better the next day.

6. Pancake Pantry – Gatlinburg

Breakfast lovers have been lining up outside this log cabin-style restaurant since 1960, and the wait can stretch to an hour during peak season. But those pancakes are worth standing in the mountain air for, especially the signature sweet potato pancakes topped with cinnamon cream syrup.

Located at 628 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, the Pancake Pantry opens early and serves breakfast all day long. They make 24 varieties of pancakes from scratch, plus omelets, waffles, and French toast.

The portions are generous, and the mountain views from some tables make the experience even sweeter.

7. Soulshine Pizza Factory – Franklin

Pizza with a Southern twist exists at this funky spot that combines New York-style pies with creative toppings and a laid-back vibe. The walls are covered in colorful murals, and the energy feels more like a music venue than a typical pizza joint.

Find this original location at Hughes Crossing #101, Franklin. The BBQ chicken pizza topped with house-made barbecue sauce is a local favorite, but adventurous eaters love the Thai pie with peanut sauce and fresh vegetables.

They also serve salads, calzones, and craft beers on tap to wash it all down perfectly.

8. Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant – Leiper’s Fork

Country cooking meets live music at this former grocery store that’s been feeding folks since 1953. The building still has its original wooden floors and vintage shelves, but now they’re serving up Southern comfort food alongside nightly performances from local musicians.

You’ll find this charming spot at 4142 Old Hillsboro Road in Leiper’s Fork, a tiny village southwest of Nashville. The slow-smoked pulled pork and fried green tomatoes are menu standouts, and the banana pudding tastes like something your grandmother would make.

Get there early on weekends because this place fills up fast with both tourists and locals who know good food.