Nestled between the antique shops that line Railroad Square, you'll find the best country cookin' - and lookin' - this side of the railroad tracks.
No, it's not Grandma cooking up some of her famous fried chicken or homemade apple pie in her cozy kitchen, but it's pretty doggone close.
That's what hungry folks will find at the Bell Buckle Café.
From the moment a foot is placed inside the door, the smells and sounds of good country cookin' take over.
The never-ending crackling of catfish and okra frying in the pan provides the background music for the kitchen area.
The aroma of ostrich burgers - yes, ostrich burgers - grilling sends an appetizing scent throughout the whole restaurant.
The sound of dirty dishes clattering as they are being washed maintains a constant beat.
And to top it all off, sounds of laughter and friendly greetings are guaranteed to fill each section of the eatery, making the little café a real-life Cheers for many.
Just take Breann Pendleton's word for it. She has been a waitress there for more than three years and has seen it for herself.
"I see a lot of the same people in here week after week. I guess they just like the food and the people a lot," Pendleton says.
Co-owner Heidi Heinike said that's one of the aspects she enjoys most about the café.
"I like the people and being able to meet people from all over [the country]. Plus, we cook good food," she says.
As the menu states, the Bell Buckle Café is "world-famous" for serving up generous helpings of authentic country cookin' including grandma-style blackberry cobbler and white beans and cornbread.
But that's not all. It is also well-known for its good 'ol Southern-style atmosphere.
"I feel like I just stepped out of reality and straight into the South," customer Jenny Rone says. "It's the perfect picture of a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant that everyone hears about and flocks to."
"It reminds me of a countrified hometown honky-tonk. Just look around," Autumn Beckham says as she glances around the main eating room once again, pointing out the authentic RC Cola-Moon Pie Festival clock hanging proudly on the wall above her head.
The café's décor and atmosphere is not what you would typically expect to find in a well-known, jam-packed restaurant.
But then again, the Bell Buckle Café isn't like every other restaurant.
White and pink lights and Christmas garland outline the doorways to add a special touch.
Oversized business cards of local businesses serve as colorful ceiling tiles high above the customers' heads.
An old wagon wheel hangs from above and serves as the room's "chandelier" by filling the entire room with bright light.
The hunter green walls are plastered with autographed pictures of smiling celebrities who have visited the café throughout the years.
And who could overlook the rusty license plate nailed to the side wall - "Tennessee Roadkill ... It's what's for dinner!"
"I really liked the old-fashioned stuff that was all around the place - the guitars, the handmade quilt, the wood tables and chairs," Tara Landrum says about eating at the restaurant for the first time. "It made me feel like I didn't have to act all proper while I was there. It had a very friendly and relaxing atmosphere."
But if anything in this place reminds Beckham of a honky-tonk, it's got to be the bluegrass trio the Not Brothers performing on the stage throughout the night.
The sounds of their guitars, harmonicas and banjos provided two-stepping, bluegrass tunes all night as patrons came and went from the hoppin' restaurant.
Every Friday and Saturday night, the café plays host to different bluegrass bands who provide lively entertainment to all who come for a tasty meal.
On Saturday afternoons, the J. Gregory Jamboree graces the café with live music that is aired live on neighboring Shelbyville's local radio station.
This special music touch that the Bell Buckle Café provides has continued to be a hit since 1992 when Greg and Janette Heinike opened the café in downtown Bell Buckle.
In addition to the live acts that perform on weekend nights, Thursday nights are a time for musically inclined people to shine.
Each week, Songwriter's Night provides the opportunity for writers and artists to perform their original songs in front of the crowd of the night.
Participants in this event have ranged from young teenagers to older adults who just want to sing their cherished songs.
"The music fits the atmosphere perfectly - country and southern," Landrum says.
Bluegrass music and good food - that's what the Bell Buckle Café is all about.
For more information, visit www.bellbucklecafe.com or call (931) 389-9693.
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