"Settling into one of Wendell Smith’s well-worn booths in The Nations feels, for just a brief second, like you’ve time-traveled to 1950s Nashville. Not a whole lot has changed in the 70 years it’s been around, including the rotating meat-and-three menu of classic Southern and soul food dishes and sides. The options change daily, but you can’t go wrong with the meatloaf or fried pork chop as your meat and the fresh fried corn, marshmallow yams, and mac and cheese as your three. Always order some banana pudding or chess pie for dessert." - jackie gutierrez jones 2