Step onto East Mulberry Street and you can almost hear the clink of vintage soda glasses at Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain. Locals swear it feels like opening a time capsule, and the first sip of a hand-dipped float proves them right. Classic Southern plates, a buzzing lunch crowd, and that unmistakable small town warmth make it irresistible. Come hungry, but stay for the stories tucked into every booth and bite.
A Step Back In Time Atmosphere
Walk through the door and the world slows to a gentler pace. Checkerboard floors, polished wood booths, and framed snapshots of Collierville history create a cozy stage for comfort food memories. You feel like a regular instantly, even if it is your first visit, because the room invites conversation and lingering.
The soda fountain counter hums with old school charm, where fountains hiss and sundaes tower. Light filters through front windows onto daily specials chalked by hand. It is the sort of place where you set your phone down, lean in, and let the afternoon unfold over sweet tea and pie.
Hearty Southern Plates Locals Crave
Menus change with the day, but the spirit stays the same. Expect country fried steak with peppered gravy, hand-breaded catfish, and vegetables cooked low and slow until they taste like Sunday afternoons. Each plate arrives generous and proud, a reminder that simple food can be grand when done right.
You will tap your fork against a warm cornbread muffin and watch steam curl up like a promise. Sides matter here, from butter beans to turnip greens, every bite seasoned with care not shortcuts. It is the kind of lunch that feels like a hug, and you will want to linger for dessert.
Old-School Soda Fountain Magic
There is a thrill to hearing a metal spindle whir as a milkshake thickens in the tin. At the counter, floats fizz and bob with scoops of vanilla and bright cherry syrup, making you grin before the first sip. Malts taste toasty and nostalgic, like summer break in a glass.
Order a phosphate if you want the full vintage experience, tart and playful on the tongue. The staff crafts each drink with a steady rhythm, no rush, just the pleasure of doing it right. You watch the bubbles rise and remember why simple, cold sweetness can feel downright celebratory.
Daily Meat-and-Three Tradition
Arrive between 11 and 2 on weekdays and you will catch the beloved meat-and-three rhythm. Choose your main, then point happily at sides that taste like home: mac n cheese, squash casserole, okra, or whipped potatoes with gravy. The line moves quickly, but the choices make you pause and smile.
Locals debate the best combination like sports fans discussing lineups. You get to build a plate that matches your mood, hearty or bright, indulgent or balanced. By the last bite, you are already planning your next lineup and which casserole will headline.
Grandma-Approved Desserts
Pies cool behind glass with that irresistible, flaky promise. Coconut cream stands tall, chess pie winks with a caramel crust, and chocolate meringue swoops in showy peaks. A warm fruit cobbler may steal your heart, especially with melting scoops of vanilla cascading over the edges.
You will swear you can taste family reunions and church suppers in every forkful. The crusts are hand worked and the fillings balanced, never cloying, always comforting. Save room or you will regret it, because dessert feels like the Silver Caboose signature handshake.
Friendly, Family-Owned Service
From the greeting at the door to the coffee refill at goodbye, kindness anchors the experience. Staff remember returning faces and favorite orders, and newcomers get the same easygoing warmth. Questions about the menu are answered with stories, not scripts, which makes choosing lunch feel personal.
There is no rush, just steady attention and honest hospitality. You might hear a recommendation for Thursday dinner hours if you want a later visit. By the time you step back onto Mulberry Street, you will understand why 4.6 stars feels almost modest.
Know Before You Go: Hours And Rhythm
Timing matters here, so plan smart. Lunch runs Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 11 to 2, with Tuesday the same, and Thursday extending to dinner until 7. Sunday brunch hours bring a gentle crowd from 10:30 to 2, while Saturday stays quiet with doors closed.
Arrive early to beat the line and secure your favorite table near the window. If a relaxed pace sounds perfect, slide in after the initial rush and enjoy a slower back half. Either way, you will find the rhythm that fits your day and appetite.
Location On The Historic Square
Find Silver Caboose at 132 E Mulberry Street, steps from Collierville Town Square. Brick sidewalks, shade trees, and local shops make the stroll part of the fun. Park nearby, breathe in that small town pace, and let the square set the tone for lunch.
After eating, wander past boutiques or sit by the gazebo and people watch. The restaurant feels like a natural extension of the neighborhood, where history still whispers. It is easy to make an afternoon of it with a plate, a float, and a walk.
Good Value For Comfort Cravings
With a $$ price point, portions land in that sweet spot of generous without being wasteful. You get quality ingredients, careful seasoning, and the kind of cooking that turns simple staples into craveable favorites. The bill arrives and feels fair, the way neighborhood restaurants used to do it.
It is easy to treat a friend to lunch or add dessert without hesitation. Value here comes from flavor, warmth, and time well spent, not gimmicks. When comfort food is this steady and sincere, your wallet and your heart both leave satisfied.
How To Make The Most Of Your Visit
Come hungry, then start with a classic fountain drink to set the tone. Ask about the day’s specials and build a meat-and-three plate that hits your cravings. Save room for pie, even if you split a slice with your table to keep things balanced.
Snap a photo by the counter, chat with staff about Collierville history, and plan a post-lunch stroll on the square. If you want a later bite, remember Thursday evening hours. By the time you head out, you will understand why locals call it a time capsule worth opening again.