"When it comes to meat-and-threes, it’s hard to get any better than Arnold’s in the Gulch. After a brief hiatus in 2023, it reopened with the same cafeteria line and steaming trays of Southern classics that hit the spot for a quick but really filling lunch. Depending on what they’re serving that day, our go-to picks from the line are the home-cooked fried chicken, hearty roast beef, creamy mac and cheese, perfectly al dente black-eyed peas, and cornbread with a super satisfying blister on the crust. And no tray is complete without dessert. In Arnold’s case, that means chess pie. There are a few varieties, but the classic is always spot-on. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Arnold’s is the spot you go to for a casual midday meal during the work day. Or after running to Home Depot to find the right doodad for that leaky kitchen faucet. In both scenarios, you’ll feel right at home with the mix of Downtown suits, fanny pack-sporting tourists, and low-key locals catching up on the weekend’s drama inside one of the red booths or closely-stacked dining tables. Food Rundown photo credit: Casey Irwin Roast Beef The roast beef is a regular on Arnold’s daily rotation. You’ll find it sitting on a carving board, ready to be sliced up and served onto your tray. There’s the famous savory rub that crusted on the outside—the one that people have unsuccessfully tried to crack the ingredient code for. It’s slightly salty and offers a peppery kick to Bear Creek Farm’s beef. Mac & Cheese Made with a mix of american and parmesan, Arnold’s version has a thicker and cheesier consistency than most. Because of that, it tastes extra buttery and slightly tangy with a bright pop of sweet spice, thanks to the dash of paprika. It’s a meal within itself. Cornbread Every meal comes with your choice of cornbread or biscuit. If you have to pick one, the sweet cornbread muffins with the occasionally blistering crust are the way to go. But in the spirit of YOLO, get both. photo credit: Casey Irwin Chess Pie Arnold’s nails the sugary simplicity of a chess pie. The crust has the right amount of flakiness, the filling is sweet and custardy, and the whole thing elicits vivid nostalgic happiness. We’re talking about the feeling of sneaking some after-school baked goods from the refrigerator and washing them down with a cold glass of milk." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
