One of the few locally owned restaurants in the area specializing in brunch, Goodness Gracious features a fantastic menu containing various eggs Benedict creations, a Monte Cristo sandwich, omelets, French toast, quiche, pancakes and breakfast burritos, as well as burgers, salads and casseroles.

The Murfreesboro eatery first got its start in 2008 and now, after a few location and menu changes and the transfer of the business from founder Karen Ford to her son Eric and his wife, Nicole, it continues to thrive at its Fountains at Gateway home.

From pancakes and the traditional breakfast favorites to Benedicts, Polish sausages, chicken salad and more, many in Murfreesboro count Goodness Gracious among the top local brunch spots.

The Short Rib Spuds at the restaurant punctuates “a big bowl of hash browns” with braised short ribs, sautéed onions and poblanos, cheddar cheese, eggs and a chipotle hollandaise, while the Goodness Gracious Polish plate includes pierogis, kielbasa, eggs and a side choice, garnished with horseradish, sour cream and applesauce.

“The lemon blueberry French toast was a standout, but the chicken and waffles were also incredible,” according to a local diner, Stephen. “Definitely a new go-to brunch spot for us. It’s exquisite.”

Goodness Gracious offers specialty pancakes including the cinnamon swirl pancakes—swirled with cinnamon and topped with a cream cheese icing—and the white chocolate raspberry pancakes—filled with white chocolate chips and a raspberry swirl and topped with raspberry mousse.

The B.A.T. eggs Benedict makes a delicious, very peppery creation featuring cream cheese, pepper bacon, avocado and tomato along with the poached eggs and the chipotle hollandaise atop English muffins.

One recent customer stated that she found “the egg was cooked perfect” in the Goodness Gracious Benedict.

The Florentine eggs Benedict comes topped with spinach while the traditional eggs Benedict includes ham along with the poached eggs, English muffin and hollandaise sauce.

At times Goodness Gracious will offer eggs Benedict with salmon and other specials.

Considering the plating and preparation of the Benedicts, the swirls in the pancakes, the way the flavors are popping and interesting but not overwhelming, The Fords seem to appreciate the artistry of preparing food: the presentation, the details.

Also on the menu find a chicken puff—a chicken casserole-like blend of chicken, cheese and bacon stuffed in a puff pastry and baked until golden brown; a smoked turkey, brie and apple butter sandwich on toasted wheat bread; and two types of pimento cheese: sun-dried tomato or smokehouse.

“Lord have mercy! The food was absolutely incredible. Comfort food and then some,” a Yelper named Luis posted about Goodness Gracious. “You can taste the love, flavor and care with every bite.”

After Karen Ford operated the Front Porch Cafe on College Street in downtown Murfreesboro (in the space currently occupied by Milano II), she launched Goodness Gracious on Northfield Boulevard in 2008. She moved the business to the restaurant space at the Readyville Mill, where it stayed for a decade. During that time, Eric and Nicole Ford assumed ownership of the business, and the couple took the opportunity to snag one of the restaurant spaces at Fountains at Gateway in 2022, relocating the restaurant once again.

“It’s been quite the journey,” Nicole said following a busy day at the restaurant, as old-school jazzy music played over the restaurant speakers in the background. The response to the Fountains at Gateway location has “exceeded our expectations,” she added.

A visitor to Murfreesboro from California recently stopped at Goodness Gracious and reported that “the menu has a great variety and options”; she was also pleased that the restaurant’s patio was completely shaded during a 10 a.m. brunch.

As many options as the large menu offers, it’s still “dialed down from Readyville,” Nicole said.

While the original GG location on Northfield had somewhat of a dainty tea room atmosphere, popular with ladies dining on chicken salad, croissants and fruit, Eric wanted to add some burgers, kielbasa and meaty omelets, so meat-eating men and hungry patrons of all ages can feel comfortable in the establishment, whether they opt for eggs Benedict, French Toast, a burger or a casserole.

As far as the burgers, some of the offerings include the smokehouse burger with the Goodness Gracious smokehouse pimento cheese, sautéed red onion and peppered bacon, and the Patti melt, served on swirl rye bread with ranch dressing, Swiss cheese and grilled onions.

Choosing side options for a plate can be a difficult decision with a lot of delectable, rich, uncommon options available, such as long-time favorites gouda grits and filled strawberries along with hashbrown casserole, chocolate gravy, a sweet potato pancake topped with sautéed apples, pineapple cheese casserole, bacon and blue cheese slaw, and other rotating selections such as a fluffy and sweet pistachio and marshmallow salad creation.

The gouda grits are excellent for those who enjoy the smoky flavor of gouda cheese.

“Best hashbrown casserole ever,” Kris Young said.

One patron said she found the pineapple casserole a little too sweet, but gave high marks to the French toast and breakfast burrito.

The popular local eatery has truly positioned itself as one of the true culinary institutions of Murfreesboro.

“You simply have to get the pancakes . . . order the pancakes. They may just be the best buttermilk pancakes I’ve had in ages,” another Yelper, Hayley, posted after a recent meal. “Goodness Gracious is, by far, my new favorite brunch spot in town. Their new location at the Fountains is so cute and nicely decorated.

“The bacon and gouda omelet was perfectly savory, the stuffed strawberries were great, and the biscuits are soft and perfect.”

Goodness Gracious Restaurant & Catering
1430 Medical Center Pkwy., Ste.1A, Murfreesboro
Tues.–Sun.: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
615-603-7834
B.A.T. eggs Benedict: $18; Monte Cristo: $15; Corned beef Reuben and two sides: $15; Ham and cheese omelet with two sides: $15; Polish plate: $16; Cinnamon swirl or white chocolate raspberry pancakes: $16
ggboro.com