Dive into a cozy Nashville eatery dishing out homestyle Southern classics like fried chicken and collard greens, all served up with warm, friendly vibes.
"Swett’s first opened in 1954, serving everyone from civil rights activists and local sports legends to Mary J. Blige and other celebrities (all pictured on the wall as you walk in). And after all these years, this iconic meat and three isn’t resting on its laurels. Make your way through the cafeteria-style set-up, shimmy into a booth, and dive into the huge portions of down-home cooking. The baked barbecue chicken—drizzled in an irresistible tangy, peppery sauce—falls off the bone, and the fried chicken is moist and well-seasoned. Swett’s continues its march of masterpieces with sides like the cheesy potato casserole, the fluffy squash casserole, and peach cobbler or chess pie. Don’t plan anything for after lunch—you’re gonna need to sleep this off. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Food Rundown photo credit: Casey Irwin Baked Barbecue Chicken The texture of this melt-off-the-bone chicken is one that you would be hard-pressed to replicate as a mere mortal. And its peppery, slightly sour sauce brings it together in a way that makes you question all the barbecue chicken that you've had before this. This one is often swapped on the menu for a Nashville Hot version, which we haven’t tried yet, but we have a feeling it’ll be just as transcendent. Squash Casserole This is THE elite side on the menu. A Southern classic, this casserole is almost dessert-like in its decadence. The inside texture resembles a souffle—airy and delicate, full of tender squash pieces—while the top layer of cheese acts as a savory crust that pulls it all together. Cobblers Served piping hot from the pan, Swett’s cobblers are summer in a bowl. Whether you choose peach or blackberry, you’ll lose yourself in the flaky, buttery crust with hints of cinnamon and vanilla and the sweet-tart fruit filling." - Bailey Freeman
"For nearly 70 years, the family-owned Swett’s has been dishing up homestyle Southern food to hungry Nashvillians from a low-key space off Clifton Avenue. In classic meat-and-three fashion, Swett’s serves its menu cafeteria-style; proteins like country-fried steak, meatloaf, and pork chops hold court alongside candied yams, fried cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. Note that your Swett’s experience isn’t complete without a peach cobbler or a slice of chess pie." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff
"Tennessee natives Susie and Walter Swett had 10 children to care for, an education capped at second grade, and faced pervasive racism. Despite the odds, they opened Swett’s Restaurant in 1954, creating what has become a Nashville institution. The family’s homey meat and three has served meats, vegetables, and desserts cafeteria-style on the city’s west side ever since, from pork chops to ribs, turnip greens, cornbread, and cobbler." - Kellie Walton
"Swett’s dishes out homestyle southern fare, and no surprise, one of the more popular choices is the fried chicken (best complimented by collard greens, cornbread, and peach cobbler). For those looking to get a fried chicken fix at BNA, there’s a new Swett’s outpost there." - Eater Staff
"This was one of Tim McGraw’s recommendations: Swett’s serves Meat & Three, which means it's your choice of meat plus three sides, which could include collard greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, apple or peach pie, and more. The fried chicken here is superb…crunchy and not oily on the outside and juicy on the inside. "
