Merridee's Breadbasket

Introduction / Overview: A Franklin Institution for Scratch-Made Goodness

For over four decades, Merridee's Breadbasket has been a beloved fixture in Historic Downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Established in 1984 in an old hardware store warehouse that was once a harness shop, this spot is much more than a bakery—it's a full-service bakery cafe and breakfast restaurant built on the foundation of old-fashioned, scratch-made recipes. Since its beginning, Merridee's has proudly committed to baking everything fresh, using simple, high-quality staples like bags of flour, whole grains, eggs, and real creamery butter. You will not find any pre-made mixes here.

This dedication to quality has earned Merridee’s recognition, including features in Southern Living Magazine, on the Food Network’s “Best of Baker’s Show,” and multiple Sizzle Awards for being voted the Best Bakery in Williamson County. For local Tennessee patrons, Merridee's is a true community gathering place, known for its warm hospitality and bustling, adorable atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick, freshly baked pastry, sitting down for a full breakfast, or grabbing a savory deli sandwich made on one of their signature homemade breads, Merridee's offers a genuine taste of Southern comfort and tradition.

Merridee's Breadbasket perfectly blends the functions of a classic bakery and a casual American restaurant. While the display case is brimming with a variety of daily-made pastries, pies, and cookies, the kitchen also serves an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, featuring everything from French Toast and signature Quiches to gourmet sandwiches like the Ultimate Club and the famous Reuben—all served on bread baked on-site. The ethos remains the same as when founder Merridee Erickson began retailing her goods in 1981: providing delicious, homemade food and a place for locals and visitors to share good conversation.

Location and Accessibility

Merridee's Breadbasket is ideally located in the heart of Historic Downtown Franklin, making it highly convenient for those visiting or residing in Middle Tennessee.

The physical address is: 110 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064, USA.

The bakery and cafe occupy a prime spot, contributing significantly to the downtown area's vibrant atmosphere. They prioritize making the establishment accessible to everyone with the following features:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot (Generally referring to nearby public options)

For parking, customers have several options available near the downtown location:

• Free Parking Garage
• Free Parking Lot
• Free Street Parking

The experience is characterized by a counter-ordering system where food is delivered to your table. While the indoor space is often described as bustling and busy, reflecting its popularity, the restaurant also features several dog-friendly tables outside on the back patio, offering a relaxed environment for patrons and their pets. It is a perfect destination for a quick visit, whether you’re passing through or making it a daily ritual.

Services Offered

Merridee's Breadbasket operates as a combined bakery, cafe, and breakfast restaurant, offering a comprehensive suite of services to the Tennessee community throughout the day.

Services Offered include:

• Full Breakfast Service: Served daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, featuring hot plates like French Toast, Omelettes, Biscuits & Gravy, and breakfast sandwiches served on homemade breads or croissants.
• Lunch Service: Available throughout the day, focusing on fresh, homemade soups, quiches, salads, and gourmet deli and grill sandwiches (e.g., Reuben, Monte Cristo, Ultimate Club) made on their signature breads.
• Dine-in Service: The cafe welcomes guests to enjoy their meals and baked goods on-site in the cozy, homey, and sometimes bustling indoor area, or at the outdoor tables.
• Takeout & In-Store Pickup: A quick and easy option for ordering any of the bakery items, breakfast, or lunch menu items to go.
• Delivery: Services available to selected local areas, providing convenience for home or office meals.
• Catering & Party Platters: Extensive catering options are available, likely utilizing their popular homemade breads, fresh salads, and large selection of baked goods.
• Specialty Coffees & Hot Beverages: Offering a variety of hot drinks, including standard coffee, espresso drinks (Latte, Mocha, Cappuccino), and hot teas (Hot Spice Tea, London Fog).
• Payment Flexibility: Accepts Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments for ease of transaction.

Features and Product Highlights

Merridee's is built on the strength of its homemade foundational products and an extensive, rotating menu that ensures there is always something new to try.

Key Features and Highlights include:

• Original, Scratch-Made Breads: The cornerstone of the establishment, all breads are baked daily from scratch. Varieties include Egg Bread (natural white), Sourdough, Oatmeal Bread, and the hearty, whole-grain Viking Bread.
• Daily-Changing Pastries and Muffins: The bakery case rotates a large selection of fresh-baked goods daily, ensuring variety. Pastry highlights include the Old Fashioned Cinnamon Roll, Sticky Buns, Almond Swirl, various Turnovers (Apple, Cherry, Lemon), and daily-changing Muffins (Chocolate, Blueberry, Morning Glory, etc.).
• Famous Pies: Specializing in hand-rolled, homemade pie crusts with real fruit fillings. Their menu includes a robust list of favorites and specialty pies such as Key Lime, Pecan, Chocolate Chess, Blue Ribbon Blackberry, and Peanut Butter Pie.
• The Savory Menu: Offering excellent lunch options built around their breads and baked items, including their highly praised deli salads (Chicken Salad, Curry Chicken Salad, Gourmet Tuna, Pimento Cheese) and grill plates like the Reuben on Viking Bread or the Ultimate Club on grilled Egg Bread.
• Homemade Breakfast & Lunch Plates: The breakfast menu is a major draw, with items like the house-made Sausage Breakfast Braid and hearty breakfast platters. For lunch, their daily homemade Soups and various Quiche selections (like the Three Cheese or the daily special) are popular.
• Recognition and Legacy: Long-standing local favorite since 1984, recognized multiple times as the Best Bakery in Williamson County, affirming its lasting quality and community status.

Contact Information

To plan your visit, place an order, or inquire about their daily specials in Franklin, TN, please use the following contact details:

• Address: 110 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064, USA (Located in Historic Downtown Franklin)
• Phone: (615) 790-3755
• Mobile Phone: +1 615-790-3755
• Typical Operating Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
• Breakfast Service Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM daily (excluding Sunday)

What is Worth Choosing

For Tennessee locals and visitors seeking a truly traditional, Southern-style, scratch-made dining and bakery experience, Merridee's Breadbasket offers a unique historical value and culinary depth that makes it a Franklin landmark worth choosing.

The greatest value in choosing Merridee’s is the integration of a full-service cafe with an authentic bakery. Unlike places that only offer baked goods, Merridee's allows you to experience their famous fresh breads, from Egg Bread to Viking Bread, not just as loaves to take home, but as the foundation for their highly praised breakfast and lunch items. The Ultimate Club or the Reuben sandwich, served on bread baked that morning, is a culinary experience distinct to this establishment.

The bakery items themselves are the star attraction. The extensive selection of scratch-made pastries, especially the Old Fashioned Cinnamon Roll (though quality can sometimes vary based on customer reviews), and their seasonal fruit and cream pies, ensure a sweet reward for any visit. Customers consistently rave about the baked goods, with many opting to visit solely for the array of daily offerings, highlighting the quality of the freshly prepared items in the display case.

While some recent customer reviews have pointed out isolated issues with food freshness and service details—specifically regarding expired milk and initial lack of friendliness—the vast majority of historical and current feedback highlights the high quality of the main baked and cooked items. The homemade biscuit and savory selections like the daily Quiche and well-seasoned breakfast plates are frequently commended.

Ultimately, you choose Merridee's for a taste of authentic Franklin history, a bustling, homey atmosphere, and a menu that guarantees your breakfast or lunch will be served on some of the freshest, most famous bread in Williamson County. It is the ideal stop for anyone who appreciates Southern culinary tradition executed with a scratch-made commitment.