Merridee's Breadbasket — Restaurant in Franklin

Merridee’s Breadbasket: Few Clean Tables, Obnoxiously Loud Kitchen, and A Sneaky Upcharge.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon this April, my wife and I ventured into Merridee’s Breadbasket for a late lunch. There were plenty of enticing items on the menu. I chose the Patty Melt, which according to the menu came with one side. The woman at the cashier entered my choice in the computer, asked if I wanted a drink (I did) and gave me the total. I said, “Don’t you want to know what my side is?” She said, “It comes with chips, but you can sub for another side.” “Baked Mac and cheese would be great, please.”

She read the total again, which sounded a little high to me, and I tapped my card. She didn’t offer a receipt, so I asked her for one. Examining the charges as I walked to the soda fountain, I realized she had added a $2 upcharge for the Mac and cheese. There was no mention of this on the menu and she didn’t say anything to me about it. She just added it.

Then we had to find a table, which ultimately was quite simple because every table that was vacant was also littered with dirty dishes from earlier patrons. There were two open tables that were clean: a large four-top in the middle of the dining room and a two-top in a quiet corner. We chose the two-top and were grateful it was clean.

A short while later we noticed a solitary bus person clearing and cleaning the dirty tables. Then our food arrived. It looked really tasty and we happily started eating. Within a couple of minutes, we heard the sink turn on in the kitchen, which turned out to be on the other side of the wall where we were seated. For the next 30 minutes, the noise from the kitchen - booms, bangs, the clatter of silverware and plates - overwhelmed our conversation. There were moments when it was easier to eat in silence than try to talk over the din.

In the end, our good was, as my father used to say, “absolutely average”. The Mac and cheese was bland, as was my wife’s Cobb salad and blue cheese dressing. The patty melt was substantial, if a little greasy.

I think it will be a long time before we try Merridee’s again. We can have an average experience anywhere, and there are many other options in...

As a Nashville native, this has been one of my favorite spots for years. Even when I was in college out of state, I would come home for the first snow and to have breakfast at Merridee's (if you're a Gilmore Girls fan, you'll really understand this reference).

Merridee's has always been my "Luke's Diner" - the ambiance is special, the food is delicious, the drip coffee is delicious, and the fresh baked breads will keep you coming back. It's my favorite place to dine in Nashville.

The ambiance is cozy with antique and vintage chairs and booths (truly a church pew situation), baskets hanging from the ceiling, a large case full of sweets, fresh baked breads lining the back wall, and freezer goodies in the corner. It's a place where you order above the case of delicious baked goods, before taking a number to your seat where a friendly employee will drop off your food when it's ready. You grab your own mug or to go cup and serve yourself drip coffee or sweet tea (unless you order a specialty drink).

If you go on the weekend, be prepared to wait in line and embrace the hustle and bustle.

Food Favorites - BREAKFAST: the breakfast burrito is the best in town (a perfect amount of cheese, egg, and bacon - or sausage perfectly pressed in a flour tortilla) and their hashbrown casserole is delightful (I sub that for fruit). YALL, don't sleep on ordering the cream cheese stuffed cinnamon french toast for your breakfast or for a shared plate for the table.

If you'd like something sweet, their cinnamon twists are great, molasses cookies are a fan favorite, seven layer bars are scrumptious and I have heard wonderful things about their mint chocolate bars and Bailey's bars.

LUNCH: best club sandwich in town is the ultimate club - served on toasted viking or sourdough. The house salad with a scoop of chicken salad is delightful. Their tomato pie...

Despite being crazy busy on the Monday before new years they took orders in an orderly fashion and brought out the meals in a timely fashion.

Everything was amazing, food wise. The breads are fresh baked and the foundation for their sandwiches.

The Rueben was fantastic. The pastrami was hot, crispy with melty cheese. The side of 1,000 was tart and tangy and the perfect accompaniment. It was on toasted, marbled rye. Rueben perfection.

The wrap was perfect. It was the spicy chicken wrap and earned its name. Just the right amount of spice, good flavor, nicely sauced with shredded cheese.

The patty melt was very good. Quality burger patty with melty cheese. It was on toasted sourdough and came with a side of 1,000.

The Club was outstanding. Shaved deli meats, piled high on toasted bread. This will have you going Clubbing!

The salad samplers came with chicken salad; cold, Flavorful with chunks of celery, tuna salad, sort of bbq-Smokey-in a good way, and the egg salad reminiscent of grandma’s. These came with their homemade bread and cinnamon bread and butter. These came cinnamon bread was out of this county good. The salads also came with a small tin of ambrosia! Surprisingly good too.

Finally, the Mac and cheese is homemade cheesy goodness. It’s not orange kraft out of box here. It’s just salty-enough, Smokey, hot and gooey. Try this Mac and cheese. Sides are bag of chips, or fruit.

Soft drinks were bubbly.

So excellent food and efficient service, however the person taking our order went out of his way to NOT be friendly. You did not go to the counter until you were summoned. Other than this power trip, no complaints. He’s likely not happy with some of his life choices.

Regardless, great grub and an overall great experience and...