Monday, October 19, 2015

Tupelo Honey Cafe - Franklin

Disclaimer: Dan and I were given a free meal (minus alcohol and gratuity) from a limited menu as part of the restaurant's soft opening.  We were not asked to review our experience in exchange for our meal, and all opinions are my own!

When I heard Tupelo Honey Cafe was opening a location just five miles from where I live and work, I was PUMPED.  Dan and I ate at the original in Asheville on a trip back in 2013, and I really loved it.  I randomly saw something on social media to enter to win tickets to attend a VIP opening event; when I didn't win that, I was given a chance to make a reservation for their limited soft opening.



The restaurant is located in the space on Meridian Blvd. in Cool Springs that used to house Bosco's.  The area is a popular place for business travelers and folks who work in Cool Springs, so I think it will do well with the lunchtime crowd, plus weekend family hordes.




They've definitely transformed the space.  It's so much more bright and open than Bosco's was!  There's a beautiful bar, and I was impressed by the bar menu...  Not only were there a TON of cocktails, but their beer menu (draft, bottle, and can) was extensive.  Dan brews beer for a living, so it's not easy for a "chain" to get his seal of approval on the beer list...  Tupelo Honey not only offered local craft beer, but harder-to-get beers and out-of-state craft too.  Very nice!




Since this was the soft opening, our meal was free, minus any booze.  I noticed that different tables received different menus, in order to help put the new kitchen and waitstaff through their paces.  We had a 12:15pm reservation on a Saturday, so I was a little surprised to receive a brunch menu.  But if you know me, you know I will eat breakfast foods to my heart's content no matter the hour.

We were given one choice of small plate to start; we chose the Appalachian Egg Rolls.  I highly recommend these.  Filled with pulled pork and pickled onions, I devoured mine; I don't even like eating onions, and I couldn't help myself here.  And they were huge.  That said, the price ring on these was $11, as much as some entrees, but I'd argue you'd be satisfied to eat 1/2 or even one of these and split the rest.




Biscuit porn.  Just because.  These are some of my favorite biscuits in the Franklin area.  Fresh jam too.  Solid, and I didn't leave any crumbs behind.




I chose to have the Tupelo Genuine Country Breakfast, because it seemed pretty classic, and I wanted to try the potato cracklins.  The potatoes were amazing.  Eggs and bacon were tasty too, but these potatoes are the star of the show.  Love.




They requested that we order different entrees, but that was not an issue given the awesome choices.  Dan selected the Southern Fried Chicken BLT.  This HUGE sandwich consisted of buttermilk fried chicken breast, maple-peppered bacon, and fixings.  He chose macaroni and cheese as his side.  HUGE portion sizes, and the bite of mac that I stole was good too.  Dan has been disappointed by restaurant mac 'n' cheese in the past, but he really liked this one.

We also peeked over at the table next to ours, which got a different menu, and I definitely saw things that I want to try sometime too!




And since a shared dessert was on the menu, we split the delicious banana pudding.  I have a feeling we're going to be visiting this place pretty regularly!  Can't wait to get back for some more Tupelo Honey.  Special thanks to our server, Lucas, who was an excellent guide to the new place.

The restaurant begins serving dinner TODAY through November 1st, with lunch service beginning on November 2nd.  Expect a crowd, because people will surely show up in droves.




Tupelo Honey Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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