The Beacon Light Tea Room

American restaurant · Hickman County

The Beacon Light Tea Room

American restaurant · Hickman County

1

6276 TN-100, Bon Aqua, TN 37025

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The Beacon Light Tea Room by TripAdvisor/The Beacon Light Team Room
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The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
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The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null
The Beacon Light Tea Room by null

Highlights

Southern cooking: fried chicken, biscuits, preserves, steak  

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6276 TN-100, Bon Aqua, TN 37025 Get directions

beaconlightrestaurant.com

$$ · Menu

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6276 TN-100, Bon Aqua, TN 37025 Get directions

+1 931 670 3880
beaconlightrestaurant.com

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 16, 2025

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18 Restaurants Worth a Drive Out of Nashville | Eater Nashville

"Located just about an hour west of Nashville, The Beacon Light Tea Room has been a Middle Tennessee tradition since first opening its doors in 1936. It’s had a number of owners over the years (including Loveless Cafe’s namesake at one point), but it’s still turning out Southern cooking (including all day breakfast) worth the drive." - Delia Jo Ramsey

https://nashville.eater.com/maps/best-road-trip-restaurants-tennessee
View Postcard for The Beacon Light Tea Room

Todd Ernest

Google
We started out with the biscuits, which were extremely delicious especially when you top them with the whipped butter or the strawberry or peach preserves that come with them! Yummy. We ordered the fried pickles for an appetizer and they came out super fast. It was almost like they were waiting for us and knew we were going to order them Lol. They were very crispy and perfectly cooked and not greasy For dinner. We had a couple of ribeyes, fried chicken, and the double meat bacon cheeseburger. The fried chicken was absolutely fantastic. It was nice and juicy with a crispy succulent skin. The double meat cheeseburger was really good and stacked high. So high that you almost have to dislocate your jaw just to get your mouth on it lol The ribeye steaks were the least favorite of the evening. They were not bad. They just were not great. I think they could do better sourcing the meat and my recommendation would be to just put salt and pepper on it. I’m not sure what you guys marinade in, but it tasted a little like soy. Again, it wasn’t bad just not great. They did cook it just as requested though so all in all, they did a fantastic job. The service was fantastic as well. They had plenty of staff and our waitress was very attentive and always checking on us. This place is a solid 4.5 star restaurant. I wish I could give it a 5 all around but I can’t. Either way, we will certainly be back many times in the future.

bubba mann

Google
Use to my favorite. Must of been a bad day. Fried chicken. Was wonderful every time but this time. Should of never been sent out like that. My wife and I both got the fried chicken. Not only way over cooked to the point all the moisture was gone was Visible it was very burnt. Don't know what has happened to all the go to favorites. Have recommend to Several. Hopefully was just a bad day. Wish the business the best..

KyLee Productions

Google
You just can’t find these hidden gems on the local maps, especially if you’re not a local, so I want to help the travelers looking for a fantastic little restaurant that is local favorite and you can tell by the Sunday lunch crowd! Luckily we beat it. BEST FRIED CHICKEN I’ve EVER HAD… and I love a good chicken 🍗!! The lard biscuits were unique and delicious. Everything was fantastic, for a table of 7.

Zachary Elder

Google
If you’re in Bon Aqua on a Sunday and want a delicious breakfast or a good southern meal any other time! Stop by Beacon Light! We love our little blessing of a local southern cooked meal and hope you do too! My wife and I usually grab to go because our proximity but the food has been great. She loves the steak and I love their fried chicken! And I went ahead and grabbed some pictures of the menu for anyone that needs them since I was having trouble finding them I’m sure others are as well!

Bethany Lecomte

Google
Ate dinner here last night. It was our first time and it was great. My husband ordered the steak and I got the fried chicken. Seasoned and cooked well and very delicious. My beans were cold and the gravy didn’t deliver, but overall good experience. Waitress was pleasant and did the best she could. They were a bit busy. The atmosphere was nice and quaint. We will be going back, but I think it’ll be for breakfast next time.

Jared Cook

Google
The food and service were great! The waitress was very friendly and attentive to our needs. We had breakfast this morning but the forever menu looks delicious as well! Can’t wait to go back!

Janice Vetter

Google
A must try, the Beacon Light is a sweet little country restaurant with homemade jellies and tea biscuits served hot. Highly recommend the tenderloin breakfast and fried chicken dinner. We always buy their homemade blackberry jam, which is like my grandma used to make...

Cody Luther

Google
The epitomy of everything that is good about the South. The food, people, and atmosphere here is second to none. It really brings you back to simpler times in all the best ways.

Robbie J.

Yelp
Worth the drive from Nashville. It's all good. Just order what you like. Friendly customers and staff.
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Jeff T.

Yelp
Delicious Home Cooked Food! We visited the Beacon Light Tea Room on a cold Saturday morning for breakfast, and I'm so glad we did! The staff greeted us warmly and the cozy restaurant makes you feel right at home. Their biscuits are small but tasty, especially when accompanied by their jams and gravies. I love their Sawmill gravy and I'd strongly recommend you add the hashbrown casserole to any breakfast you order. The coffee was fresh and my eggs were cooked perfectly. I look forward to returning!
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Holly T.

Yelp
What a quaint find! We stopped in for breakfast on an early January Sunday- the holiday decorations were still up and it felt nice. Love the twisted break fireplace in the middle of the room when you walk inside. We were asked to sit anywhere we liked, greeted quickly and our food came quickly as well. A nice basket of biscuits came and we dove right in with the complimentary and delicious peach and strawberry preserves- both were so good. Our sausage and eggs came with choice of gravy and we bit went with sawmill, then out our sausage patties on the biscuits we still had and voila! Perfection! The staff were friendly and we enjoyed looking at the Bon Aqua and restaurant history via photos placed in the hallways . Very interesting. Men's and women's restrooms were clean, ample parking and a good all around stop!

Rachael L.

Yelp
Well....the BISCUITS are flat, and I mean like crackers. The jam is canned fruit...mostly the water. And if you're claustrophobic....get whatever you want to go.
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Mary Kate E.

Yelp
It's not what it used to be. It used to be good food, good portions, and an easy staple to bring a friend for some good southern cooking. Since covid, it has not really hit back to where it once was. It is unfortunate because this place used to be a hit with the chicken and potatoes. I used to like their desserts, too, but those have also gone downhill. I did see a couple of mice. That was absolutely disgusting. I get that this is in an old building, but obviously, you're not doing something right if you're attracting vermin. Take your business elsewhere if you don't want to have to worry about cleanliness with both food and the restaurant itself.
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Ray R.

Yelp
Was looking for a place for Sunday breakfast that was far enough to enjoy the morning on our motorcycle, but close enough to get home before the heat. Found this place and decide to go here to eat. The food wasn't very good and portions were small and the service well in efforts to be nice let's just skip that potion of the comment. But I was disappointed in everything from the biscuits to the breakfast. But hey you don't know if you don't try right? The inside was cozy with a down home feel but that's really the only appeal.

Ken D.

Yelp
Cool little spot with great ambiance and great service. The food, however, left a lot to be desired. Everything we had was both over salted and way over cooked. Such a disappointment.
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Matk K.

Yelp
Unbelievably good breakfast food is amazing. The workers are amazing five star all the way.

Nicole N.

Yelp
This place is the cutest! Great customer service with the best fried chicken I've ever had! Highly recommend!
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Brian H.

Yelp
Great service, friendly people, super fast food to table Eggs and ham were good (no not green eggs and ham). Pancake was excellent. Topped it off with a couple delicious chocolate chip cookies- probably a ton of sugar but yum!! Hash browns casserole was not my favorite but if you like that style am sure you would enjoy it. It was a 40 minute drive so I probably won't race back but if you are closer or driving by - you should stop in!!! Weekend breakfast.
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Rachel J.

Yelp
This is great little stop. My husband LOVED his fried chicken which came highly recommended by some friends and the waitress. However, I had the chicken strips and they were similar to what you receive on a kids meal at other places. The biscuits and jam were absolutely AMAZING!
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David S.

Yelp
This place has a real heart. It's also a place you'll drive past unless you've heard about it and know to stop. NPT's Tennessee Crossroads (re-run?) put the Tea Room on my radar and I'm glad it did. The fact that I'm a food snob is readily apparent if you've read many of my reviews. I'm a country boy at heart with a love for great country cooking, but I praise when it's earned and punish when it's deserved. Beacon Light is off my beaten path, far from the city, and deep enough into county and country to be in the sticks. Thankfully, the kitchen is true to those roots. The tea room is the best thing I've found in years for simple, down-home, satisfying southern flavors and textures. The full menu was available even before 11 AM. Some of the items offered are old-school and traditional preparations that you probably won't find anywhere else (e.g. I've not experienced the syrupy compote/preserves in some 40 years...and nope, they're not fancy but, yep, they're a real thing on both sides of the Mississippi.)  My fried chicken order was perfectly cooked and the best I've eaten in DECADES. The okra was the most lightly and perfectly crisped I've ever had from any restaurant...and that's nearly unbelievable. The gravy wasn't my Granny's, but it came from a roux, not a package. I can live with that. Your mileage may vary as every visit to any place has its hits and misses. I'll look forward to coming back and miss this place until then.
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Katie B.

Yelp
Best food in the area I've tried so far. Loved the beacon burger and the mesquite bbq chicken is marinated to perfection. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for flavorful food. The service and ambiance is just an added bonus to this awesome restaurant.
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Carroll V.

Yelp
A rural Middle Tennessee jewel begun by the Loveless family out of Nashville in the Mid-20th century. Now owned and operated by Hickman County locals, the Beacon Light maintains, even expands upon generations of goodness. I'm old school in my southern roadside cafes and love the few that still serve breakfast through the day. Here is one of the best country ham breakfasts going-a full center cut grilled just right, with red eye gravy to boot. And the biscuits:OMG just the best, light not doughy and as many as you wish.Good coffee too. Chicken dinners and tenders are a fav then there are daily specials. Yep, soup and sandwich but hearty ones too--like meatloaf and two sides for under $7! Don't let the tea room designation fool ya--if you are hungry, the Beacon can punch your ticket too. Outstanding friendly service.
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Nancy J.

Yelp
This place was a disappointment. We went last night with a group of friends. I had fried chicken and it was not what I was expecting. The breast was not fully cooked. Still pink with red in the center. I've had better fried chicken elsewhere. Nothing special. The mashed potatoes were instant and cole slaw was out of a bucket. Gross ! Canned green beans with little flavor and baked potatoes were all cold. My impression was very low quality food probably from Gorden Food service. The biscuits were the size of tiny cookies. Never have seen biscuits that were this shallow. No way to open to put butter on them. The Jam was merely water with pieces of fruit and sugar. Nothing special. I am sure this place is fine with local people. We will never go back. Also tried the coconut pie. It was the poorest excuse for dessert. Cool whip with dry coconut added to it. Horrible and obviously someone who has no clue about dessert making. We all agreed that the food was pure garbage.
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Joyce W.

Yelp
The Beacon Light Tea Room is a Bon Aqua/Lyles Treasure! The story of the light (which no longer exists) located across the street from the restaurant guiding airplanes between Nashville and Memphis circa 1936 before high tech navigation systems makes it even more appealing. But you really want to know "what's the food like"? It is delicious. I had a difficult time making a decision what to try--Southern comfort food at its best! What's not to love about mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade biscuits and jam, pork tenderloin and freshly made coffee. My husband tried the country ham and fried okra which were as delicious. Just like MaMa, they sent us home with a basket of biscuits and homemade jam at they said goodbye! Can't wait to try fried chicken next visit!

Timothy K.

Yelp
We had the meatloaf special with beans and mashes potatoes. The biscuits were like small little cloud puffs of home made goodness, and with the home made preserves they became dessert. The service was great and everyone was so nice. The restaurant has a very homey feel. It has been here since 1938 and with food and service like this they will be here long after I'm gone.
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Kevin E.

Yelp
This place never disappoints. Consistently good food, great service, in a setting that makes you feel like you're eating at a relatives home. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the southern hospitality blends perfectly with the "tastes like home cooked" meal. Well, to be fair, I can't cook chicken like that. The perfectly fried half chicken is a favorite each time we come. Don't miss this gem. Mostly locals here, you'll see why it's on their list once you've been.
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Michelle D.

Yelp
The fried chicken is delicious! The biscuits were good but very thin. The preserves were also delicious. Very friendly staff! Worth the drive!

Mlsq55 E.

Yelp
absolutely one of the worst meals I have ever had. potatoes cold hamburger steak floating in grease. total waste of money. 2 bites left the rest of it. took a long time to get this lousy meal.
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Heather S.

Yelp
We went here for brunch on a Sunday and it was really neat! The front room is decorated rustic and was really neat and quaint. They have a newly renovated back room that is nice but just not the same. It's very bright and cold which is nothing like the front of the restaurant. The service was spot on. Our waitress was right to us with drinks and a basket of delicious biscuits. I had the pork loin and eggs medium with the hash brown casserole. The pork loin was over cooked but still good. The hash brown casserole stole the show! The biscuits are soooo good! They're small so you can take 4-5 down and not even think twice....HOWEVER- they must swell up because by the time I got home I felt like I had eaten 20 and had concrete in my belly! Ha! The man had the same as me but with the steak. It tasted good but was not what you'd think of as a steak. It tasted more like hamburger steak but was a very rich serloin marinated a very long time in what tasted like Worcestershire sauce. Everyone was very friendly and the food was good with great prices. Overall, we will be back many times!!

Chris W.

Yelp
Felt like I was at a Sunday Family Dinner! Staff was so welcoming, incredible homemade food. Had the fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and these biscuits that I am pretty sure I could eat all day.

Sheri A.

Yelp
Lovely restaurant & true Tennessee icon. Delicious food-classic Southern cuisine served by friendly, warm staff. Biscuits like I wish my grandmother had made. With spreadable butter & yummy preserves, eating these biscuits is like the best part of going home. Definitely worth a stop to this great family-run establishment

Chris H.

Yelp
Yummy comfort foods. Great friendly service. And the tea biscuits and preserves are the best! Been coming for years mainly for the biscuits!
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Amanda B.

Yelp
This is the real deal. Totally worth the drive. Everything is made from scratch. They have a little grandmother in the kitchen cooking. They even had molasses for the biscuits. That's real old times country for those who don't know. The staff there is on point very attentive friendly and sweet. Be sore to tip them well as they deserve it!!
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Robert S.

Yelp
Yes I'm eating at a family run, amazingly quaint place in the middle of nowhere that everyone should visit if you haven't. From the awesome and very attentive staff, to the simple country cookin' this place is the absolute tops! One of my favorite places to eat hands down!!! Try the biscuits they are so delicious!!!
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Leigh M.

Yelp
Beacon Light is the sort of place that one doesn't find very often because they tend to disappear. Rural family restaurants in the American South sadly fade away for a number of reasons, be it highways taking away traffic or descendants not wanting to continue the family business. This place has been serving comfort staples for nearly a century and is only a couple miles from a house where one of my Tennessee grandparents were born. This is the very sort of small country eatery that "southern-food" restaurants try so hard (and fail) to emulate. Do yourself a favor and get the skillet-fried chicken. If they're busy, you might have to wait a while; that's what happens when you skillet-fry to order instead of just dumping breaded chicken into a commercial fryer. Just sit back and enjoy those amazing tea biscuits while you wait.
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Bradley M.

Yelp
Love this place. Recently heard about it and made a trip with some friends for dinner on Saturday. It's about 40 minutes from home. Southern food was great, service was friendly and efficient, it was a great visit. So great we took our boys there for lunch in Sunday a few weeks later. Food is home town favorites; we loved the fried chicken, ground steak, catfish. A great place for its genre, worth the drive and I recommend it.
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Jeff C.

Yelp
My wife and I have gone there several times in two years. They have great fried chicken but the biscuits are thin and hard and the "preserve" are watery the rest of the menu isn't really good.

Deborah K.

Yelp
Food was amazing service was super friendly and on point. Everyone made you feel like you are family. Oh yeah the biscuits are out of this world AMAZING
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Michael P.

Yelp
No doilies and fancy hats just good food in a warm atmosphere. If your looking for darjeeling tea and watercress sandwiches keep driving, but if your in the mood for southern cooking stop by and say hi to the nice folks at the Beacon Tea Room. I started with a salad. It was a basic iceberg lettuce salad but the tomatoes and cucumbers tasted like they just came from the garden. The grilled chicken sandwich was tender and came with a combination of American and Swiss cheese, which wouldn't have been my first choice but the more I ate the more it grew on me. The sandwich was topped with lettuce and another of the home grown tomatoes that really helped it's overall flavour. I didn't try the fried chicken dinner but a few were walked past my table and they looked great. All in all it was a good meal but the biscuits and preserves were the show stopper, truly wonderful. They can give Loveless a run for their money. They even give you the remaining biscuits to go! The atmosphere is more down home than tea room with lots of wood and brick. The walls are lined with local crafts and jars of preserves so you can take a little part of your experience home.
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Steve S.

Yelp
I've only eaten breakfast here. It's not far from my house, but pretty far from everything else. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a visit. It's very quiet, small, and cozy. The staff is very nice and hospitable. I feel like I've traveled back in time to an old farmhouse when I'm there. They always give you little biscuits and jelly preserves to munch on while waiting for your meal. They are very good and the preserves are homemade. You can also get some gravy for the biscuits if you so desire. Everything I've ordered there has been great. My favorite is the pancakes. Very buttery and fluffy. I'd compare this place to the Loveless Cafe. If I had to choose, I'd go to the Beacon Light every time. The food is just as good if not better but the price is nearly half and there is never a wait.
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Dylan G.

Yelp
If you're traveling between Memphis and Nashville on I-40, you aren't going to find many restaurants with meals made from scratch. Fortunately, the Beacon Light has delicious homemade fried chicken and biscuits to help you on your way. These biscuits are so good that you can forgive the five mile detour from the interstate. Beacon Light biscuits are so small and round (imagine a soft pillowy Oreo) and are the type that when you eat them you start thinking about if you've ever enjoyed food this much before. I had ham biscuits, fried chicken, and biscuits with preserves. By the way, the preserves are thin by design--you want to bite each biscuit and then rest the exposed interior in a bit of preserves, which do a good job of soaking and flavoring the next scrumptious, shiny bite. My only worry is that there will be thousands of travelers between Memphis and Nashville that never find this American treasure. Today was my first visit--I guarantee I will be back soon.
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Kevin G.

Yelp
A step back in time with friendly, Southern hospitality and great country cooking. Fried chicken from a pan and country ham with generous servings of biscuits for the table. Charming folks with great eats! My doctor is glad I don't live too close to it. So is my heart! We will be back. The 5th star is for the coconut ice box pie. Next time, I'm hoping for apple!
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Liliana G.

Yelp
THE. BEST. BISCUITS. PERIOD. also, some pretty damn good fried chicken and country ham. but back to those biscuits - so fluffy, flaky, hot right from the oven to the table. they don't even need butter or jam, but those additions certainly won't hurt. these are the biscuits you'll be dreaming about 6 months later. thank goodness i only get to eat here once a year or i'd need one of those rascal scooters to get around my local safeway. i noticed one reviewer was put off by the saltiness of the ham, but you need to know it is country ham, a salt cured ham that is always salty as hell. just put it on one of those heavenly clouds of a biscuit with some preserves and it'll all be just fine! speaking of preserves, the blackberry preserves are perfection, as are the strawberry. as for the decor, well, you've gotta take it with a grain of salt. the restaurant's original owner was seventh day adventist. yes, there is a ton of christian art on the walls (as i like to say, it's real jesus-y in there) and bible verses on the tables, but the atmosphere is warm and cozy. it feels like you're eating in somebody's grandma's living room and her niece is bringing you hot biscuits every time the basket gets empty. on my last visit i learned that the restaurant has been recently acquired by the cousin of the original owner. the food hasn't changed (if anything, it's better), but we did notice a slight decline in the amount of religious paraphernalia. will there be further changes? only time will tell...
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Saucey M.

Yelp
I looooove this family dining!! Kim is my husbands coworkers wife and she is the sweetest woman!!! The food is phenomenal, authentic home cook style cooking. Must try their fried chicken and mashed potatoes with white gravy. Their burger are HUUUUGE and very delicious, homemade style!!!! Can't wait to go back.
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Guglielmo F.

Yelp
Great food, super nice people and a really nice vibe. The bacon was exactly as I ordered it, and full of flavor, the eggs and hash browns were also perfect.
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Carter B.

Yelp
I have been to the Beacon Light occasionally through the years and was there on a recent Sunday evening. The service was good and the food was adequate for the occasion. We each had the fried chicken and two vegetables. I was surprised, however, at the preserves which instead of being real preserves were just a few pieces of fruit in a sweet syrup. Since both of them on the table were like that, I assume the recipe has been changed. It's just like pouring juice on your biscuit. The iced tea was not fresh; I would guess it had been made late Saturday and held over. I do hope the owners aren't trying to cut costs by cheapening the food. Raise the price by a little and serve the good stuff is my recommendation. The name, by the way, comes from a beacon light that was erected by the government in the 1920s to guide airmail pilots from Memphis to Nashville. There were many put up all over the country. This one was dismantled many years ago.

J Britt H.

Yelp
Oh, wow! The fried chicken is a MUST get. So good! The biscuits were also good. I got the (real) mashed potatoes and coleslaw as sides, and it also came with a side of gravy. The gravy was good on the biscuits. They had a meatloaf special that looked good. Maybe if I went there every week and got fried chicken I'd try something else occasionally. Otherwise, if it's your only time to visit, you really need to order the fried chicken! The server was also really nice and attentive, even though she was the only one working. It was a very pleasant dining experience. Well worth the 9 mile detour of of I-40.

Chuck P.

Yelp
been here for breakfast twice. i really want to like it's close and the people seem nice, but the breakfasts are unremarkable, the biscuits are really not great and there were so many flies buzzing around inside and around the tables, it kind of ruins it for you
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Robin H.

Yelp
We love this place as the 100% beef hamburger steak is our favorite and they have the best around! Not to mention you feel like family here
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Bela F.

Yelp
Southern fried chicken at its best! Taste like my grandma's. The biscuits and home made preserves are so good. The mashed potatoes & fried okra were our favorite sides. On pulling in the building is older but inside is quaint. Rare find!
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Audrey H.

Yelp
Yummy fried chicken. Excellent people. Nice farm setting. The jelly is delicious alongside the biscuits. I would highly recommend this for family dinner night.
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Chad T.

Yelp
Great food in a rustic setting. We were greeted when entering and thanked when leaving. Server was courteous and attended to everyone at the table.
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Lisa J.

Yelp
My family and I went here for breakfast. The pancakes were dry and the rest of the food lacked flavor. Nice people & staff, but no one cared for any of the food. That is why we go out to restaurants - so that someone else can cook something edible. Just didn't happen for us.

Daniel B.

Yelp
Southern Biscuits, Southern Preserves and Skillet Fried Chicken....with lard. Yes! Lard! Biscuits: The Beacon Light's biscuits don't try to "get above their raisin'" and remain true to southern country biscuits (don't be looking for high falootin fluffiness here). They haven't changed the recipe in more than 80 years. They are perfect in flavor, and texture. One might think that cooking with lard would make these biscuits heavy or greasy in flavor and texture, but this is not the case at The Beacon Light. The lard in these biscuits imparts a wonderful flavor and gives the biscuit a light airy texture on the inside with a noticeable crust on the outside while remaining soft. When you add a little real butter and preserves to the top, it really is heaven on earth. They will keep bringing the biscuits, so go ahead and pig out. Check out my pictures and see the biscuits and preserves. Fried Chicken: Similar to the biscuits, the lard used in cooking this chicken (cooked to order) imparts flavor without adding any heaviness or greasiness. Instead, the lard offers a mild wonderful flavor that can't be found with processed oils. Not to mention, the light but crispy skin that it works on the chicken. The chicken is cooked to order and worth the short wait while eating biscuits. Sides: I've had many of the sides including the salad. They are all good but nothing really stands out, but they don't have to. Here, the main players are the Biscuits, Preserves, and Fried Chicken. Their menu offers more and should be explored. My other "go to" is the Country Ham, but it's really challenging for me to make the drive and not the chicken. Worth the Drive: I like Loveless Cafe (mostly because it's closer) but seriously The Beacon Light out performs when it comes to their biscuits. The Joint: This small humble little place in the middle of nowhere exchanged ownership a couple of years ago. It still has a family connection to the last longtime owner, but the new owner has done a really great job cleaning up the place and giving it a fresher feel.
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Nickie G.

Yelp
The Beacon Light has been around forever but I never frequented it when I grew up in Fairview. Honestly I thought it was a place that little ole ladies went in their Sunday best to have tea and crustless sandwiches. But that's not it at all. I drug the parents here for a late lunch so I could try the fried chicken. Ambiance is like a house really, with nooks and crannies stuffed with tables. Religious decor is on the wall, as well as light houses. There are even scripture quote cards on the table. We were seated and got our drinks. Thank God for Coke products - love it. They brought out biscuits immediately. Yum. Not puffy biscuits, more flat, but buttery and pretty much like crack. Soft butter served with them as well as some peach and strawberry preserves. I could eat these all damn day. The menu consists of things like fried chicken, country ham, fried chicken tenders, and even breakfast all day (except pancakes, those are only served until 11AM so keep that in mind. I ordered up the half chicken that is skillet fried with green beans and fried okra. This a'int no diet place so order up some fried items! Hells yeah, this is GREAT fried chicken. The breading doesn't have spices in it, which I like, but it is a fine example of perfect Southern fried chicken. Juicy on the inside, crispy but not too greasy on the outside. I ate the leg, the wing, and most of the breast. If I can almost polish off a half chicken then you know it is gooooood. Green beans were good but I just can't find any that are just like my Granny's, you know? And fried okra, well, that's always good. I wanted to stuff my face forever, calories be damned! It was delicious and I'm putting it on the "where to go eat" list when I visit my parents from here on out. When you get done eating, tip on the table and take the check up to the register. They take credit cards so you don't have to scramble for cash. Dinner for three people and a to go order to bring to my Granny was only $44 and WELL worth every penny. Once you pay, hobble out to the car and fall into it, fat and happy, dreaming of your next taste of their delicious fried chicken. If you are out this way, you MUST try this place. Even if you aren't, drive out one day and give it a shot - you are going to love it.
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Aaron D.

Yelp
Five stars for the amazing fried chicken - succulent, juicy, tender with an incredibly thin and flavorful crust. Five stars also for the wonderful country ham. Our favorite side dishes were the fried okra (as with the chicken, the kitchen seems to have a deft hand with light and flavorful frying) and the baked apples. Five stars for the bisquits - smaller than the famous Loveless variety, but just as good in their own way. The homemade strawberry and peace preserves were fantastic. I was especially impressed by the peach in which the peach pieces were huge, but so tender that they practically dissolved in your mouth. On the recommendation of Holly Eats (http://www.hollyeats.com/BeaconLight.htm) I tried the icebox pie. It was good, but a little too sweet for my tastes. It would probably be just right if shared among 3-4 people (or one person with a huge sweet tooth). Similarly, I'm usually a sweet tea guy, but Beacon Light's tea was even a little too sweet for me. Atmosphere is definitely unique and local. Many of the other patrons seemed to be regulars judging from their conversations with the friendly waitstaff. Even though we were first-timers, we also received excellent service. It's definitely a little bit of a hike for Nashvillians to get to Bon Aqua and the Beacon Light Tea Room, but the drive takes you through some lovely Tennessee countryside and can make a nice evening out. Do be aware that the winding country roads (Route 100) get very dark and slightly challenging after sunset. If you're looking to make a day out of your trip to Bon Aqua, you could combine it with a visit to the Natchez Trace Parkway (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bowie-park-and-nature-center-fairview) PS - If you're looking to adopt a kitten, there are several cuties romping in the field behind Beacon Light. Apparently someone dropped off a couple of adult cats and nature took its course.
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Joshua J.

Yelp
Been here several times. Lard biscuits, homemade preserves, homemade whipped butter. As I've never been to Loveless Cafe up the road I've heard that the people who started the cafe used to work at The Beacon Light before they opened the cafe. It's a small place but they do have extra seating in the back. The food inspector gave them a 100 when I was in there last. They serve breakfast all day long with a perfect side item to those biscuits, country ham. The last time I went I got the beacon burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, bacon and an over easy fried egg on it. I got fries as a side item. The burger is very nice size and the vegetables were fresh. If your out an about just enjoying the day it's a great place to stop by and grab a great meal.