Bailey and Cato

I am a food snob and have searched high and low for good tasting, smoke flavored, tender ribs. Well I found them at Bailey and Catos’s. You have your choice of short ribs, spare ribs and country styles ribs and your choice of sauces. I prefer spare ribs which are practically extinct at most restaurants. I am a carnivore so I don’t take advantage of the various sides they offer. Their ribs have such good flavor that I even pass on the bbq sauce. You may want bbq sauce, but I have the same thinking about good bbq smoked ribs as I do about a perfectly cooked and seasoned steak, no sauce is needed. Their ribs are smoked and juicy. They have them in a sauce that compliments the ribs which keeps them moist. Bailey and Cato is my place for good bbq ribs. Check out their website for their daily specials. But ribs are on the menu daily.

This is the best soul food spot anywhere in town. The BBQ, Ribs, and Chicken n Dressing are great. Skillet Corn is a must. Rolls or cornbread? You want the corn fists. Everything has always been so good I’ve tried things I never would before, ox tails and neck bones, and glad I did. All very good

When I come home to visit, I usually stop here for ribs. And I really don’t ever order ribs when I eat out. But they are pretty good here. You don’t even need sauce, and that’s saying a lot from me. The restaurant is tiny. It’s not somewhere I’d sit to eat. The line is usually backed up to the door, so be prepared to wait. Know what you want before you get to the counter, otherwise you’ll hold everybody up. The side items are hit or miss. We do like the fried corn, delicious. I always choose the cornbread. Several pieces come in a grease soaked brown bag — yum!
Parking is an issue, just a few spots in front. But there are more in the gravel lot in back.
If you’re in the mood for traditional meat ‘n three Soul Food, give them a try.

I’ve been to a few meat and threes in Nashville and this is by far the best one. Always clean and quick, their serving size is huge and the price is very nice. I suggest beef tips any chance you get.

Good southern «soul food» at a solid price. The menu varies day to day, but is set by the day of the week so you can see what’s available by looking online. Lines are often literally out the door. Don’t expect the staff to be overly friendly as they are usually very busy.

Well, I went with 3 other people and one service dog and we decided to leave because they refused to wait on us inside with the dog. No matter how much we explained that by federal law service animals are allowed they were adamant. They said they would take our order outside — so we left. Too bad because the food looked good.

Could not find anything good to say about my experience from the attitude of the service girl to the quality and taste of the food. It has a style and much potential. I only went once so maybe it was an complete off day. But chances are high I won’t be going back unless no where else is open.

The food is a 5… So good I drive all the way from Brentwood! If I go too long in between visits I start to start to crave the Ribs. However, I ALWAYS have to wait for something… At least 20 minutes mind you! So make sure you aren’t in a rush when you visit.
The service is a 2 but I admit I put up with the sometime rude interaction for the food.

Ohhhh, if your grandma kitchen was a restaurant, THIS WILL BE IT!!! This is down home country cooking, OX tail, pig feet, ribs, chicken, catfish, and everything else country you can think off. You can’t go wrong no matter what you pick. You can get a solid meal for under $ 10. PS! You have to the special Corn Bread here, no where else in the world they have corn beard as good as they do here!!!

Apparently my expectations were too great after reading so many great reviews. The Salisbury steak seemed like it was a processed piece of meat and I am not sure the mashed potatoes were real. Will not go back.

Ate here today for the first time. This is an old hole in the wall type establishment. You know just like growing up and everybody standing in the kitchen waiting their turn to fix their plate. Act like you home here. I read a comment of somebody complaining about somebody attitude. Boy ain’t nobody got time for that. They open 12 hours in a hot ass kitchen cooking soulful food with blessed hands. Can you cook like that? Please! You probably went expecting to be treated like you at a 4-​star. No boo you ain’t getting that here. You mama didn’t do it… They ain’t either. So next time you come check your «attitude» at the door.
I’ll be back around new years. Loved it!

A coworker would often have lunch here and bring us orders back to the office. I noticed we usually call in and pick up our orders as it had been suggested by other coworkers who eat here regularly. I had never eaten here but, an office coworker suggested we call in the order and she would pick it up. The food was pretty good and reasonably priced so I placed an order. I enjoyed the food so I thought I’d swing by on another occasion when I happen to be in the area. I didn’t understand why everyone was so insistent on calling the order in UNTIL I visited the actual place!
I try to be understanding and reasonable. Everyone didn’t have access to the best of education and service training. And maybe, they were just so used to the customer base that they felt comfortable not extending certain formalities to customers like smiling, being polite or not rolling their eyes when you asked a question. Maybe they have served the same people so much they feel you should already know the menu or how the food is prepared. Maybe that is why it is still in this hovel shack while places with food that isn’t half as good seem to prosper well. The servers had the worst attitudes; they could not have been ruder if they tried! And the place was cluttered and looked to have a layer of grime on everything. Like it had been «Spot» cleaned but never properly, thoroughly cleaned in decades. Hello, I see those stains!!!
If the cheap food is your priority this is a good place but I won’t spend another dime in a place where my presence is an annoyance to the servers. I will not pay to be mistreated for food I can cook better at home or get at another place that has good service. The sad part is the food itself is really good. But, the atmosphere and the bad service are not worth a second trip.

Jumped off the plane from L.A. and headed straight here. Pretty much a shack with 5 tables inside and 2 outside. There is a giant menu sign outside listing the daily specials.
I went for a two meat order with sides. Quarter dark meat fried chicken had a tasty coating that kept the chicken moist. Ribs were unbelievable. Mr. Bailey Jr. described the smoking process. They use charcoal and put the meat above the other meats. Awesome rub.
Turnip greens with a nice hunk of pork in there for taste. Mashed potatoes with brown gravey, corn, mac and cheese and a big Pepsi for under $ 20 is a bargain.
We sat outside and enjoyed the mid 70s weather. Surprised that Jr. came out to check on us and tell us about his family.
A comfortable spot that you would never find in southern California.

Soul food place that’s been established for add long as I can remember… Food is good as to be expected.
My latest experience was unusual… The cashier had an attitude for no reason and the flies were uncontrollable. Parking can also use some improvement I hope my next visit won’t be as this one.

Really wanted to like this place but sorry to say it’s just ehhh.
It’s old style food that’s nothing special. Nice people but they gotta step their game up if they wanna compete with all the food options in East Nashville.
There’s no smoker so the ribs are done in the oven and the sauce is just tricked up store bought stuff.
The wings were decent though.

Very good and affordable! Peach cobbler to die for! Ribs are cooked to perfection, meatloaf was a bit salty to me but my fiancé loved that and the catfish

Disclaimer… I’m a northerner, not familiar with southern cuisine… so,
Visiting nashville, found it using Unilocal… The staff warmly greeted us and took our order… I had the thurs special liver gravy & onions. very good !!!
Sides were good also. One of the most low key places I’ve been…
Just plain old fashioned good food. they do a brisk takeout business…
It is the opposite of the yuppie BBQ place across the road.
I want to come back…

Well I drove across town to come to this restaurant the girl serving the food she don’t get no prize for customers relations… she had a very I don’t care attitude… But regardless I ordered macaroni and cheese, corn, fried pork chops with turnip greens

Being from New Orleans i can always appreciate food that has some real love put into it and that love can certainly be experienced here. I’m more of a cajun seasoning-​type and don’t usually go for much soul food but i definitely would not mind revisiting this place to try some other items on their menu.
I went in and ordered the Tuesday special which was the smoked neck-​bones (awesome!) and a side of macaroni and cheese with greens and cornbread, completed with a bottled drink for under nine bucks?! Can’t beat that no matter where you go, and the servings are healthy as well, i ate twice off one plate.
Everything was really good, i found the cornbread to be… different. Not bad, just a little dry (could have been because they were not fresh) i like my cornbread a bit more moist, and i’m used to the plain, simple square piece but that would not keep me away from this place.
Next time i’m in Nashville i’ll definitely make a reappearance!

Soul food at its best. Period. If you are looking for prim and proper white tablecloth kind of dining this is not your place. But if you are looking for the best damn soul food in East Nashville this is it! Everything is great — the catfish and hush puppies are the best! Leave room for dessert! Seating and parking is limited so bring your patience :) seriously… the food is worth it! Smile and enjoy the conversation with the locals!