Barbara’s Home Cooking

While there isn't currently a Barbara, there are two amazing sisters from South Africa who know how to do home cooking. So grateful to these ladies whom I called up early Monday morning of Thanksgiving week, after my Thanksgiving plans fell through, to see if there was any possibility of ordering Thanksgiving dinner for myself. I was staying at an extended stay without the ability to cook. They were incredibly accommodating, even though it was last minute and the deadline to order had been a few days before. When I picked up my food, they gave me extra to go containers and wonderful portion sizes that allowed me to have Thanksgiving over the next 3 days. The turkey was wonderful, as was the pumpkin pie and gravy and stuffing and green bean casserole and sweet potatoes. It reminded me of my grandmother's cooking. Also, unlike some of the steakhouses around town that were charging $50 or $60 for a Thanksgiving plate, I paid less than $25. Looking forward to going back and eating at the restaurant when when time permits. The atmosphere is Southern home adorable.

Phenomenal food and kind, friendly service for an amazing price. The name tells all—truly tastes like a home cooked meal enjoyed in the comfort of someone’s home. Rarely do I send someone to a “5-star” restaurant and tell them to order chicken fingers, but if you do, you won’t regret it. The country fried steak, mac and cheese, cinnamon apples, fried okra, and sweet potato casserole were also all amazing. (I have to add that the sweetest couple took care of our check after we were telling them this was our first time in the area. Southern hospitality doesn’t miss. If you’re reading this couple, you made our day! Thank you! 🤍)

Great food and it was a beautiful day to sit outside...a tiny hidden gem of a restaurant. Very nice and friendly family who runs the place. Fabulous yeast rolls, everything was so, so good. We've lived in Nashville forever (hubby born here) and just now finding this delicious little place. Even our dog got to sit out with us and get lots of pets and spoiling from the nice owners. Catfish, slaw (yum), and mac and cheese, fried pork chop, fried apples, and okra, followed by fudge pie and banana pudding. No picture of the yeast rolls (with real butter) because we inhaled them before the rest of the food came out 😋.

This is a cultural experience worth trying. I’m told original owner sold to her head cook and they haven’t changed anything. I had the poppyseed chicken casserole (needed more butter), sweet potato casserole (needed more sugar), and green beans (seemed slightly sweetened). Fudge pie was good but the vanilla ice cream was pretty bland. I’ll be back to try other items on the menu.

First, let's start off with the positives. The service with the lady at the register was a super nice and friendly experience, and the atmosphere was good. Now let's get to the food. The yeast rolls were really good. I think they're made from scratch. The roast beef had really good flavor it was really fatty, though the mac and cheese and turnip greens had absolutely no flavor at all very bland if you were on a diet and wanted vegetables without meat or anything like that it would be perfect. The price point for the portion sizes were a bit above average. I will definitely try to go back to try other things to see if that was just a fluke. With my reviews, I do not make anything personal but to only give my honest opinion.

Delicious southern cooking! The roll I was given while I waited for my food was warm and delicious, the country fried steak was amazing with the perfect gravy, the fried okra was crispy and fresh, the mac and cheese needed some hot sauce to make it great, but that’s more of a personal taste thing. Even the sweet tea was a perfect blend of sugar and tea. I was also called sweetie pie by a nice lady, and that made me feel right at home! 😁 All in all, a great, tasty experience!

I'd give the food a 3.5 probably but the service was nice and we enjoyed ourselves overall, so a 4 it is! I'd had Barbara's in my Nashville-area bookmarks and so when we took a day trip up to Brentwood for my dad to take a wood working class, we decided to visit here! This restaurant is basically a small house in a more suburban part of town. Parking is kinda limited. Upon walking in, you'll be greeted by a pleasant host. Decorations are mostly signed memorabilia from famous folks who've visited. It was exciting to see something signed by my namesake, Baillie and the Boys! I thought they were a pretty small act since I'd never seen much about them anywhere (my parents just liked the name), but as soon as we were seated, I looked up and there it was! Glad my parents changed the spelling to something a bit more conventional, though. ;) There's a medium-sized cooler containing desserts and take home items like chicken salad and pimento cheese. The menu is written on a blackboard. Some things are constants but there are also specialties depending on the day. Our waitress was very pleasant and answered all our questions to our satisfaction. Every table is brought out a few yeast rolls to start their meal. This was maybe my favorite part! So soft, warm, and yeasty. My mom and I ordered a sweet tea to drink and enjoyed that, too. For entrees, I got the fried chicken with sweet potato casserole and fried okra. My dad got chicken fried steak, greens, and mashed potatoes. Lastly, my mom got the poppyseed chicken casserole with fried okra and I thiiiink mashed potatoes. Now usually at country cooking/meat and three type places, I tend to think the sides shine and the entrees/meats fall flat, but that was not the case here! Everyone's entrees were delicious. My mom's chicken poppyseed casserole in particular was good, so creamy and savory! My fried chicken was boneless, which I didn't expect but do prefer. It had a nice, fairly thin breading, nice crisp, juicy meat. Same for the chicken fried steak. Unfortunately, the sides were mostly kind of bleh. The best thing was the fried okra -- good breading, super hot -- though it needed some salt. The sweet potato casserole wasn't very sweet and was a little stringy. But the mashed potatoes were the least popular item; my parents both felt like they'd had better frozen mashed potatoes. Kind of surprising! It's certainly worth a visit, though I wouldn't rank it up there with my favorite meat and threes or anything. The desserts looked yummy but we were too full to try. Stop by if you get the chance!

Loved it ! 😍 Feels like you are eating at home 😀 At this restaurant you will find comfort style foods. As soon as I entered the parking lot you will notice the parking lot is not asphalt like the rest ( which I love) You will notice the restaurant looks like someone's house. Upon entering you meet the hostess she will let you know which tables are available depending on the size of your party. Once seated your waitress will stop by and bring you some complimentary bread and butter as well as taking your beverage orders. While you wait for your drinks , if this is your first visit you will want to check out the menu located on the wall it will have listed everything they make . You simply pick and choose what you would like for your meal . Pick your meat and then two sides. After your meal don't forget to check out their deserts. When you are ready to leave you pay up front at the counter where the hostess is. Today I went with " Fried Chicken , mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese " With sweat tea as my beverage. My food came out in a timely manner, hot and fresh 🤩 I was very pleased with my meal as well as the customer service. If I'm ever in this area again I plan to stop by for another delicious meal made here 😎 I recommend you try this restaurant out and see for yourself. If you like the mom and pop home style food then this is the place for you 👍 Thanks for taking time to read my review and have a super terrific day! 😊

I've been eating lunch here for over 30 years and it still offers a fabulous meat and 3 or 4. Wonderful yeast rolls. The staff is so nice. The atmosphere is like visiting an old Southern aunt who fixes you Sunday lunch. You will not leave hungry.

Anybody that doesn't know about Barbara and Nashville you just haven't eaten home. Cooking from Tennessee wonderful place. Wonderful food is the real deal.

Love everything about out Barbara's. Mouth watering goodness! My favorite is the creamed corn which was sold out the day I went but everything is so delicious

Barbara's is truly good home cooking. Its only possible downside is the place is on the small side. The service is good and the owners are friendly.

Barbara's is another regional gem that everyone can celebrate for surviving COVID-19! And the plain, roadside, meat-and-two, lunch-only diner still wears its countryness with pride as the Williamson County woods disappear around it (beware the stump in the middle of the gravel parking lot that didn't disappear.) Also, beware that you can drive right past the restaurant if you're not careful (yep... too long off my beaten path, I actually missed it after 6 years between visits.) Lunch is consistently no-frills-real with real people serving real food that's as good (or better) than family comfort favorites most folk might cook (or once did) in their own kitchens. Offering nothing from the bayou, the menu is still broad enough to comfort most any Southern appetite, yet limited enough to ensure consistency. Since it has been years, I can confirm the food has been consistently good through the years. The fried okra was as crispy at room temp as it was when it was almost too hot to eat. The fried chicken and country-fried steak each are worth the drive. And the fresh-made yeast rolls... sigh... (nawp, even I don't take time to make fresh rolls) and be careful because they can make a meal on their own.

Not too many places like this anymore. Such a hidden gem! Authentic as can be and OH SO KIND!!! The food is amazing. You can taste the love

Awesome authentic country food and atmosphere! Love their homemade yeast rolls! Have to make myself stop!!! The best friend chicken too anywhere

The peach cobbler at the height of peach season is out of this world. Barbar's Home Cookin is as authentic as it is delicious.

Best home cooking, reminds me of my own when I just do t feel like cooking, I have the absolutely best time with my family.

Cool little throwback Meat & Two kinda place. Menu of 8 main dishes...all meats except for a veggie platter if you're so inclined. 11 side items to pick from. Converted home but a fair amount of seating in different rooms plus some outside seating. I chose the fried chicken (one drum/ one breast) with sides of sweet potato casserole and mac 'n' cheese. They give you a roll and I ordered black coffee. Both were good. Quality medium roast coffee, The mac 'n' cheese was soupier than I prefer but that's pretty common. Flavor was good though and the mac (spiral cut) wasn't cooked to mush so that's a "win". The sweet potato casserole was really tasty and is definitely recommended. The chicken was precooked of course for time purposes (my meal arrived in five minutes) but still flavorful and plenty meaty. With coffee the bill was $17 before tax. Maybe a bit high but that's the new economy I suppose and you do have the Williamson County Beauty Tax :-) Great service by everyone involved....and the lady at the checkout had a cool English accent...even if she didn't offer me a complimentary "biscuit" as I was leaving :-) Give this place a try...just for the old school vibe and service.

Best home cooking in the Nashville area! Love Barbra's! Haven't had better fried chicken anywhere and the banana pudding is a must if it's on the menu!

Leave Nashville and go to this quaint little house for some real southern cooking. You won't be disappointed.. We pulled up to a small house right in the middle of a neighborhood. There sat a house with a sign in front and one on the window of the house. BARBARA'S HOME COOKING.. It was a Sunday, only open from 11-2. We're wondering, how could this place stay in business and be a great place to eat. Well let me tell you it was the best. Friendliest people I've ever met. Everyone of the employees were wonderful. the food was exceptional. We tried fried chicken, pork chops, cream corn, mac & cheese, mash potatoes, a bit of almost everything. After our meal they even brought us into the kitchen to meet the cooks. If i'm ever in Franklin or Nashville again that'll be the first place I'll stop for the BEST SOUTHERN HOME COOKING there is!!!

We sat on the front porch which brought back great memories. The fried chicken was the best in Franklin, not greasy but moist. The catfifish was okay, maybe a little over fried. Loved the cucumber tomato,salad. We were served by a delightful women with an Aussie accenti love the hot rolls that melt in your mouth. My wife had the fried chicken which was moist but not greasy. We will be returning

Really tasty fried chicken and sides. Will definitely be back. Was a wonderful Father's Day meal to go.

We wanted to go outside of downtown Nashville to experience something different for lunch and boy, what a fantastic choice. Barbara's is a family run business that is happy to welcome you and they serve really delicious food. Their food tastes like grandma used to make, that is if your grandma was a good cook.

This is a cute, quaint little place that has a home feel. I was a little disappointed with the flavor of my meal. Some items were bland, some were very salty, and some were delicious. The staff was friendly and service was quick. I would like to give them another try to see if it was just an off day. The building itself needs some attention and repairs, made me hesitant of the sanitation.

I am pretty sure that Barbara would throw her hands up if she was alive today and came in the restaurant... They had vitamins and other household items all over the front counter... A personal water bottle in the cooler where the pies are... Other different kinds of household items on top of the cooler... It wasn't clean like it used to be dirty mop bucket in the bathroom right across from where you sit on the toilet... Things have gone down and it is sad because I have always love this place and honestly they are not paying homage to Barbara... Being that they are only open from 11 to 2 it shows how lazy they are now whoever is running it... Very sad

I've lived in Nashville for years and never heard of this place. OMG!!!! The food was off the chain! The skillet fried chicken was crisp, hot (just cooked), probably one of the best creamed corn sides I ever had and the rolls..... warm honey rolls! Everything was great. Will def be back again!! Check this place out.

Fantastic! It was my first time here. Ordered the skillet fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and turnip greens. It came with two soft rolls with butter and gravy on the side. The chicken had a great crunch and was super juicy. I got a leg and breast. The leg was bone-in and the breast was boneless, which was a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, it was still super moist. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Food came out fast. All in all, a great meal and I'll be back.

food is delicious! nothing like a good set of chicken with their delicious rolls. The service is great and makes you feel welcome. the area is a little shaggy but that just adds to the experience! 5 stars

Literally the definition of a home-cooked meal. Great experience from start to finish, and all the baking is done on premises.

Southern meat and three at its best. The people at Barbara's are extremely hospitable and the food is just like I remember my great grandmothers cooking. Go try it if you haven't.

The last local food place that hasn't been infiltrated by Californians. It's wonderful to have great service!

Best fried chicken and mashed potato's. Service is hospitable and quick. The dinner rolls are some of the best I have had. Highly recommend this hidden gem.

Best rolls and strawberry cake in Middle TN hands down!

Just fabulous. The rolls, the chicken, the friendly staff, the ambiance. It was superb.

If you're looking for a great catering experience, contact Odette at Barbara's. We initially scheduled our family reunion for summer 2020, but of course, Covid had other plans. We had to reschedule for 2021, and Odette was super understanding and accommodating. She honored our original quote and her team was professional at our event. Her price per person cannot be beat, and we had 100 people to keep happy. So many people commented on the food, especially the roast beef. I highly recommend Barbara's for any event.

Some of the best fried chicken I've had! No lie, one of the best Sunday afternoon fried chicken lunches. My 4 kids ate more of the food than all of the places we have tried. The sides where amazing, Mac and cheese was a huge hit as well. We inhaled the Chess pie so fast I didn't get a pic. Well worth it, this was legit for real

Fab food and great service and atmosphere. It a family run restaurant and we loved it.

I'm from Texas and come to the Franklin area for musical events at least yearly. This was my second trip to Barbara's Home Cookin', and I will definitely be back! The food is incredible, we'll seasoned and cooked, great selections and delicious. The poppyseed chicken and roast beef are amazing, but my favorites have been the vegetables. The creamed corn, fried okra, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are great. It really is home cooking at its best!

At first, you think you are hearing things. A British accent served up with the best southern food you can imagine? Yes. Barbara's is delicious food from an old house off of the road run by a lady from England. You might miss it if you drive by too fast. My favorite main dish is poppyseed chicken. The menu has limited choices, but all are good. The digs aren't fancy, but it feels like you are eating in someone's home. Sides and desserts are a bonus. You can eat for about $15 a person for a meat, two sides and a drink. Worth the wait if there is a line outside!

First time here and we had a group of 8 on a Sunday. Staff was great and accommodating. Place looked deceivingly small, but had good seating indoor and outdoor. Staff was attentive and nice. They served rolls & butter first and they were great. We ordered the meatloaf with creamed corn and green beans, and fried chicken with fried okra, mashed potatoes and cucumber/tomato salad. Fried chicken was good, chicken was moist and coating was different, but yummy and crunchy. The mashed potatoes were good, just a little salty. Fried okra was good and recommend their cucumber/tomato salad (great blend of acid and sweet). They came to our table after we ordered, and said they ran out of meatloaf, which was a bummer so got the roast beef. The beef was a little too fatty but had good flavor. Creamed corn and green beans were okay, but next time probably opt for a different side. Their desserts looked great, but we were too stuffed to have one. Portions are a good size and prices were reasonable. The place itself was great. Seating outside, and kids can play in the front yard. Parking wasn't bad. All in all, a good experience and good staff. We'll probably revisit!

Small house - will almost pass it but don't! The Southern meat & 3 has food that will remind you of Sundays at your grandmother's dinner table. Vegetables cooked ' just right'! The yeast rolls melt in your mouth & desserts are simply wonderful. Highly recommend it! BTW the staff are friendly & attentive.

Stopped in for lunch today Front door had closed sign posted very confusing my start Cooks not wearing masks Crab cakes green beans and sweet potatoes Bland No spices Yuck Could not finish $14.28 at check out Told the person at the front desk that food was horrible, bland, and tasteless. No reaction White bread and water would have more taste Doubt I will be back

Barbara's is just good ole cooking. The poppy seed chicken is a must have and the rolls are good, but not light and fluffy, so pace yourself! If you get lucky you will be there when the cobbler comes out of the oven. If that happens, order it, doesn't matter what kind of cobbler, you won't be disappointed!

I cannot rave enough about Barbara's Home Cooking! My boyfriend and I dropped by on our way out of Nashville on recommendation from a good friend. Did not disappoint. The food tastes like the southern influenced home style cooking I grew up on. I tried the pot roast with fried okra and cream corn. My boyfriend, the fried chicken with pineapple casserole and coleslaw. We both enjoyed a warm peach cobbler and a warm blackberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream for desert. Soon as you pull up to the house (restaurant) you can smell the cooking wafting through the doors and windows. Menu and shop hours are located by the door for convenience. On entrance, a service counter with house made goods on sale, and some diner seating. There is more seating located through the next room, and in the back of the house towards the right of the service desk. The atmosphere is very relaxed--come as you are vibes. I don't recall any alcoholic beverages on the menu, but do try the iced tea, or iced tea with lemonade with your meal. Can't go wrong there! Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. She gave great recommendations, and provided vivid descriptions of the dishes on inquiry. I believe the owner also came through the dining room to meet and greet the guests--friendly lady. If you are ever in the Nashville area, go ahead and hop off the beaten path to try this wonderful gem.

Barbara's is our favorite lunch destination...period. It's fun to see the folks that work so hard to make the best- from scratch - homemade meatloaf, roast beef, poppyseed chicken, and the greatest fried chicken in Nashville. Also - outstanding catering. If you are traveling thru, stop and experience great hospitality and wonderful food - and be sure to take time to say howdy to the folks around ya. Since the Castle Recording Studio is just around the corner, you will be amazed at who is sitting next to ya at lunch. Don't leave without dessert - I mean it! If you share, share several. You won't find pies, cakes and cobbler this good -

Great home cooking that hits like home!! Staff was great!! They cook everything fresh. Real homemade country fried streak! It was great.

Food was pretty good, interesting place. The set up and atmosphere is not what you would normally expect from a restaurant. Staff is super friendly and service was great! I would go back.

The food here is amazing. Literally home cooking at its finest. We loved the fried chicken, pork chops and roast beef. You can't go wrong with anything you get. We loved the at home feel and the service was phenomenal. Make sure to save room for dessert!!!

Incredible hospitality, food quality, and very fair pricing put this home cooking at the top of my Tennessee restaurant list. Just visited Barbara's for the first time, and I had a great conversation with the South African staff. Norma and Odette treated me like family, provided excellent recommendations, and I look forward to my next trip. In case you're curious, I had the roast beef, okra, and sweet potato casserole ($10). It was all delicious, and they even let me sample a few other dishes!

What a gem! Off the beaten path but the food was excellent. My husband said he knew the food would be good based on some healthy men enjoying their meal outside! We got pork chops and 3 sides and rolls - enough for two sizable meals. Great chess pie and yeast rolls. Their meat selections are varied but are limited to a particular day, e.g. pork chops on Friday, chicken on Thursday, etc. You can order ahead and pick up that day or the next or you can eat outside. Friendly staff. Highly recommend!

OMG this place was the best restaurant that i've been to in a while. the owner was the sweetest little south African lady, and she said her goal was to try and make you feel more as if you were visiting grandmas house, not a restaurant. and she did just that! this place was so charming, cozy, and the food was DELICIOUS!! I highly recommend the chicken tenders, they were so moist and seasoned, don't even get me started on the mac n cheese AND the sweet potato casserole. IT WAS SO GOOD. definitely go check this place out!

Such a great local spot for southern meat and two. Depending on how many rolls you eat- it could be meat and one because the rolls are addicting! The poppy seed chicken is a favorite dish here so I had to order it. I got mashed potatoes and fried okra as my sides. The mashed potatoes were smooth and delicious. The okra didn't have as much flavoring as I would like. The chicken was just right! The food came out hot which was great because we waited a little while for it. Barbra's is usually busy and they did the best they could to keep up with the demand for food. Glad we stopped by today! It was such a perfect meal for a Sunday afternoon on a sunny fall day. We loved seating on the porch and taking in the fresh air while sipping sweet tea. This place has all the southern charm you need!

I love this place. Amazing food and cool people. Excellent fried chicken, sweet potatoes, and fried okra. I'm sure everything else is just as good.

Ok so service was weird more than weird - food wAs ok - not amazing but ok - but the kicker was 3 meals , water fir drinks and 3 desserts was SIXTY EIGHT DOLLARS fir a building that is in desperate need of cleaning and repair - I hope they are gonna fix this place up bc tHen I could justify the prices ! Oh and I am not sure why anyone said thEir rolls are beTter than Loveless Cafe bc the best we got clearly cane out of a package and tasted like tore bought

Barbra's is exceptional. Always has been and always will be. It is a staple for us locals. Pay no attention to the city folk who said the tea was too sweet or that the "building wasn't very nice". The family who owns Barbra's are as kind as can be. Stop by if you like your chicken fried, tea sweet, and service with a smile!

Another trip to Barb's, another happy customer in me. This is like dining at your Aunts or Cousins who hasn't seen you in 2 years or so. The ladies there are the most nice & polite people you'll ever meet. They always have many choices and options for lunch when we dine here too. I had the fried chicken and green beans this trip, tasted my sons macaroni n cheese, it was excellent too. I'll be back next time I'm in Nashville like I always do.

Sweet people.....But Someone please clean this place!! Flys, holes in the floor, the dessert display was filthy with condensation dripping on the pies and old food smeared on the glass. The restroom area smells the entire hallway (that is next to the kitchen) up like sewer. I really don't how this place passes health inspection?!?

The name says it all - just good ol' fashioned home cooking! The chicken tenders are the right combo of juicy and crispy. They don't have too much batter, and they're not oily. The sweet potato casserole has a crumble on top and they're definitely from a can. I would recommend them to any sweet potato connoisseur. Now, I'm not a creamed corn fan, but I feel like at places like Barbara's the server knows best. So at her recommendation, I ordered the creamed corn. I was not disappointed at all. Sprinkled with a little hot sauce, and I ate em up! The pork chops are so flavorful and the roast beef had a peppery flavor. Top it off with some homemade pecan pie, and you've got yourself an invite into a real southern home kitchen.