Jim Myers

jtmyers@tennessean.com

What is the sound of one ham clapping?

It's the rejoicing of fans of the iconic meat-and-three Arnold's Country Kitchen with news that the expansion construction is finally underway.

Arnold's has maintained the same footprint at 605 Eighth Ave. S. since opening in 1982. After years of leasing and negotiations, the Arnold family finally was able to purchase their building and adjacent parking on Oct. 10, 2012.

"I remember that date because it's Jack's birthday," says Rose Arnold, referring to her husband and the founder of the restaurant. She says they will add 2,576 square feet, more than doubling its size.

"We're still working on the configuration, but we will be adding about one-third more seats, and putting in booths on each side. We're also adding more kitchen space, redoing the bathrooms and putting a small patio out front."

In addition, Arnold says they will add a bar where patrons can refill their drinks, which should relieve clogging near the register.

Mathematicians have long struggled to explain the algorithm that drives the lunchtime seating at Arnold's. Even when the line snakes out the door, there is always a seat when you leave the line and try to sit down.

Second generation chief cook and smoker Kahlil Arnold, who took over cooking duties when Jack retired, says he can always spot an out-of-towner because they try to hold a seat before they get their food.

"They don't like it when I politely tell them to just get in the line, but I promise, I promise them, they will have a seat when they need one," he says.

Rose Arnold says they are taking the construction slowly and anticipate closing some time in late December or early January to finish the kitchen expansion. The dining room, she says, should be ready by the summer of 2015.

"We're using all recycled building materials. The only thing we bought new was the stove. We will also have more windows, but we're trying to keep the same feel," Arnold says.

"We won't lose any parking except the front spaces," she says adding, "I don't anticipate raising prices beyond the usual cost-of-inflation increases."

Reach Jim Myers at 615-259-8367 and on Twitter @ReadJimMyers.