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Hunkering down can mean many different things. To Southerners, it can also mean sitting down to Mama’s home cooking and eating yourself silly.
Well, here’s a place for anybody who loves to hunker down to good old-fashioned Southern fare — Barbara’s Homecookin’ in the Grassland area of Franklin.
It’s so good it almost tastes like your Mama made it but I assure you it has been made by the owner, Barbara Thomas, a Southern Mississippi transplant, who cooks up some of the best comfort food around.
As my Daddy once said about the place, "It ain’t much to look at but the food sure is good." Amen, Daddy!
On The Menu
For $8.95 at lunch time, you can choose a meat from among items like Poppyseed Chicken Casserole (maybe the best in town?), Fried Chicken, or Roast Beef.
With that comes your choice of 2 side vegetables from a list that includes fried okra, sweet potato fries, spinach artichoke casserole, or Barbara’s mashed potatoes (declared "Best of the South" by Southern Living Magazine).
If you’re not up for hunkering down, you can opt for some of their delicious homemade chicken salad made with grapes and just the right amount of pepper.
Whatever you order, you’ll be treated to some of the best sour dough yeast rolls you’ve ever eaten. Made fresh each day, the rolls are available to take home in a pack of 6 for $3.50 fresh/$2.50 for day old. Don’t forget the chicken salad to go with it!
It’s hard to leave room for dessert at a joint like this but I urge you to apply yourself because if you do, you’ll be rewarded handsomely. The warm Banana Pudding was described online by a customer as a religious experience. I know that their Strawberry Shortcake, with its homemade shortcake, was pretty heavenly on a recent visit. I had the Strawberry Fruit Tea, available on occasion, too and felt lucky to have had the special treat!
Barbara’s serves up lunch and dinner Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturdays, you’ll have to fend for yourselves because these ladies need a day off! But, coming this Valentine’s Day they will indeed open the restaurant on Saturday for a very special Valentine’s Day Dinner featuring romantic fare that reflects their more refined catering menu offerings.
Barbara’s is not a fancy place and you’re going to feel comfortable there in anything short of your pajamas, although I’m sure the gals there would get a giggle out of that too and welcome you anyway. Her clientele includes everybody from local families and business people to Snoop Dogg who came over once from Castle Recording Studios (who even knew that was there?). On any visit, somebody there is going to welcome you with a smile.
Valentine’s Day Specials
This Valentine’s Day, Barbara’s will open on Saturday for a special dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Dinners range between $15.95 to $19.95. Among the offerings will be:
Baby Spinach Salad with Fresh Fruit and Homemade Poppyseed Dressing,
Medallions of Beef Tenderloin with Sauce Au Poivre,
Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Aioli Sauce
Cornish Game Hen with Wild Rice
A complimentary mini dessert sampler will complete the dinner.
It is always B.Y.O.B. at Barbara’s, and they will furnish wine glasses, beer mugs and set-ups. If you want a romantic evening at home, take-out orders are available for the Valentine’s Day Dinner too. To make reservations, or, to place a take-out order, call (615) 794-9633.
Catering and Super Bowl Orders
Barbara’s offers a full service, set-up, tear-down, catering service. While the usual restaurant menu is available, they also offer the more refined items they are highlighting for their Valentine’s Day Dinner.
Barbara also wants folks to know that the deadline for Super Bowl Sunday To-Go Orders is January 30th. Among the offerings are:
Fresh Baked Rolls
Chicken Salad
Chicken Tenders
Party Trays
Beef or Pork Tenderloin
Seafood Gumbo
Chili
Special desserts
Mardi Gras Celebration
This Tuesday, February 24th, Barbara’s will also host a Mardi Gras celebration in homage to her Southern Mississippi roots and her New Orleans family.
King Cake, Gumbo, Beignets, Etouffee, and Jambalaya (somebody say a loud "a-eee"!) will all be on the menu that day.
Don’t forget to stop by!
Location
Barbara’s Homecookin’ is located just off Hillsboro Road on Old Hillsboro Road in the Grassland area of Franklin.
1232 Old Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069
(615) 794-9533
Here’ s a map to Barbara’s Homecookin’ in Franklin, Tennessee.
I’m a native Nashvillian, and I’ve lived in Franklin for over 10 years. I have lived many other places and find that Franklin is the place that I truly love. It’s like living in Mayberry! I’m excited to have this new opportunity to share my experiences in this town with you.
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