NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Loveless Cafe was honored with a historical marker on Saturday.
Since opening in 1951, the beloved restaurant serves more than 500,000 guests per year.
Metro Nashville Councilman Dave Rosenberg, members of the Bellevue Harpeth Chamber of Commerce and Metropolitan Historical Commission gathered at The Loveless Cafe for a ceremony as the restaurant received its official historic designation.
“Since our humble beginnings in 1951, we’ve become an iconic destination for Nashville locals and visitors alike to enjoy a scratch-made Southern meal together,” said Mike Mitchell, COO for Loveless Properties. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Metropolitan Historical Commission as a cherished ingredient in Nashville’s rich history.”
The official marker posted outside the restaurant reads:
"In 1951, Lon and Annie Loveless began serving fried chicken, biscuits and jams at picnic tables to hungry travelers from Highway 100, then the main road between Nashville and Memphis. They soon converted their 4-room home into a restaurant, added the 14-room Loveless Motel, a smokehouse and the iconic neon sign. Known for scratch-made Southern meals using recipes passed down by Lon and Annie, The Loveless Cafe remains a staple that welcomes over half a million guests each year."
