| Cookeville, Tennessee may be a small town, but | | | | from steak, chicken, fajita are hard to resist even in |
| services that are offered rival many in much larger | | | | the early morning hours. |
| cities and are definitely unrivaled in the Upper | | | | If you are thinking Italian, you still do not have to |
| Cumberland area. | | | | venture too far away from the strip to get a decent |
| One of the issues that would be on the mind of | | | | taste of Italy in the local Olive Garden in Cookeville. |
| someone considering moving to Cookeville, Tennessee | | | | The Cookeville Olive Garden is always busy with very |
| is the availability of choices when it comes to dining. | | | | friendly staff willing to go the extra mile to make you |
| Cookeville is a town of 30,000, but when it comes to | | | | feel at home. I love their endless, bottomless, salad and |
| dining choices in Cookeville Tennessee, they are | | | | bread steaks. Salad has the benefit of not making you |
| definitely not limited by the small size of the city. When | | | | feel guilty after few servings. On the other side, you |
| I first moved to Putnam county, there was not a lot of | | | | can find a not so Italian, not so American restaurant |
| chain restaurants available in Cookeville. This changed | | | | call Puleos Grille. It has some Interesting menu choices |
| within the past few years with a large number of such | | | | that range from Italian to seafood to some that qualify |
| restaurants emerging along a strip parallel to the I-40 | | | | as country food. The best Italian food is, however, off |
| Interstate. Driving from Nashville towards the east this | | | | the Interstate Drive in three hidden gems. |
| strip of restaurants and island of lights is the first that | | | | These three Italian restaurants in Cookeville are well |
| meets you between exits 286 and 287. In this one mile | | | | hidden from the non-locals away from the Interstate |
| you find restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines | | | | and close to downtown Cookeville. The first is on |
| including the traditional American food. Let me start | | | | Washington Ave and is called DeAngelo's Pizza. It |
| with my favorite Logan's restaurant with its casual | | | | provides the best brick-oven pizza you can get in |
| dining atmosphere with endless peanuts and hot rolls | | | | middle Tennessee. The setting is very Casual, but the |
| and a menu that can accommodate a wide range of | | | | pizza is great and prices are reasonable. Across the |
| budgets. | | | | road is another larger restaurant that offer variety for |
| The kids of course enjoy this atmosphere and | | | | Italian food choices. They pride themselves on not |
| throwing peanuts' shells on the floor. If you are hungry | | | | being a no fast food restaurant so if you are in a hurry |
| and looking for quality food at a great price, you should | | | | do not plan to visit Mama Rosa's. But if you are in the |
| definitely consider Cheddar's Casual Cafe. They are | | | | mood for good Italian food and great prices, you must |
| always busy and no wonder with great food that | | | | try it. The third choice and best hidden Italian food is on |
| satisfies low budget prices. The Cookeville O'Charlie's | | | | Peach tree in an old house converted to a cozy and |
| offers good steaks at reasonable prices. They are a | | | | romantic dining environment. I love the atmosphere |
| good choice especially if hot soft rolls are high on your | | | | especially in a winter night next to the fire place. The |
| list of must eat. Steak and Shake and Chick Fillet offer | | | | bread and olive oil is a signature and their authentic |
| an experience that is middle the road between a | | | | Italian food along with the candles and service make it |
| restaurant and a fast food restaurant. They are not | | | | a great dining experience. It does not come cheap |
| my favorites, but they have their loyal following. On the | | | | although it is worth it. |
| weekend, it is worth paying a visit to the local IHOP on | | | | Cookeville offers much more choices when it comes |
| interstate drive in Cookeville. The selection of Omelets | | | | to dining, but these are the subjects for future articles! |