Bless Her Heart

I miss my mama’s cooking. 

In fact, I’ve missed my mama’s cooking. 

And I’ve never learned to cook quite like she can. 

But fortunately, many cooks and the chefs did listen to their moms and grandmothers while they were growing uP and can cook up a storm…or a good meatloaf or a good casserole or a good whatever-it-is that-you-might-want. 

One place where you can still find good Southern cooking…like your mom’s, or at least like my mom’s…is a good old Southern meat-n-three. 

A meat-n-three serves a sort of “blue plate special” with one big difference – you have a nearly limitless choice of meats and vegetables. 

Like the Harvey House chain, meat-n-three’s developed as a result of change in American society during the late 1800s and early 1900s…but the meat-n-three was a response of people moving into the cities, not out West. 

As people swarmed into big cities in the South – Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville – to find work in factories and offices, restaurants had to change to meet the demand. 

The meat ‘n’ three was designed to food huge lines of people quickly and efficiently,  

The beauty of a meat and three lies in flexibility and variety, Each diner can choose from a variety of flavors and textures to create a satisfying, customized meal that suits their tastes and preferences.  

During the Great Depression, the meat-n-three became even more popular, Families needed a budget-friendly source for nutritious meals.  

Since that time, the concept of the meat-n-three has spread throughout the South, becoming a cherished tradition in states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.  

The meat-n-three serves hearty, flavorful meals that often remind diners of home-cooked meals that they enjoyed while they were growing up. 

The modern meat-n-three showcases Southern cuisine at its finest. 

Options now include regional variations, seasonal ingredients,  

Menus are based on traditional Southern cooking, locally-sourced ingredients, influences of the region’s history,  – such as the African, Native American and European traditions of people settling in a specific area.  

Modern menus include lighter and healthier options…as well as vegetarian and vegan options. 

Several dishes are also designed to provide diners with gluten-free alternatives. 

So let’s learn how to plan and cook great Southern-style Blue Plate meals…shall we? 

Welcome to The Red Plate Diner…