How Restaurants Are Approaching Problems Caused (and Worsened) by the Pandemic Talking to a handful of local restaurateurs about staffing, safety, pay and more Tweet Share
The Nashville hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the one-two punch of COVID-19 and last year’s unimaginable series of disastrous events. As quickly as the dining spigot was cut off by mayoral fiat back in March 2020, it has reopened to a gushing cascade as capacity constraints and mask regulations have been lifted. This has introduced an all-new series of challenges for local food and beverage workers.
It’s easy to assume that some of the things that have gone away think family-style and buffet dining will never return. But Monell’s, for instance, is back with full tables around the lazy Susan. Other new aspects of the dining experience like carryout from fine-dining establishments and the option to buy booze to-go will probably remain a regular
Elliston Place Soda Shop Is Set to Bring Folks Back to the Rock Block The time-honored milkshakes-and-more spot is scheduled to reopen May 11 Tweet
Photo: Eric England
For nearly three decades, Miss Linda full name Linda Melton baked pies and seated people in booths at the Elliston Place Soda Shop. Using her grandmother’s recipes, she’s been the face behind the chess pies, meringue pies (the taller the better) and banana pudding that have satisfied locals’ sugar cravings for decades. In late 2019, then-owner Skip Bibb announced he was going to close the classic spot, which had fed folks on what’s now known as the Rock Block since 1939. Rents were rising, the restaurant needed renovations and repairs, and an expansion to a location in Cool Springs had failed, staying open less than two years. Bibb bought the restaurant from the previous owners in 2013 another point when it had been at risk of being shuttered. There had als