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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

                    B A S S,  B E R R Y  &  S I M S   P L C
                    A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

2700 FIRST AMERICAN CENTER                       1700 RIVERVIEW TOWER
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37238-2700                  POST OFFICE BOX 1509
TELEPHONE (615) 742-6200                         KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 37901-1509
TELECOPIER (615) 742-6293                        TELEPHONE (423) 521-6200
                                                 TELECOPIER (423) 521-6234

   

                                 April 30, 1999

J. Alexander's Corporation
P.O. Box 24300
3401 West End Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37203

         Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as your counsel in connection with your preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") initially
filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
March 23, 1999, as amended, covering 1,089,067 shares of common stock, par value
$.05 per share (the "Common Stock"), of J. Alexander's Corporation (the
"Company") issuable upon the exercise of 5,445,335 rights to purchase 0.2 share
of common stock.
    

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such
records, documents, certificates, and other instruments as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate in order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth
and have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents
of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies.

         Based on the foregoing and such other matters as we have deemed
relevant, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be issued by
the Company when issued and delivered against receipt by the Company of the
agreed consideration therefor, will be, validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the reference to our law firm in the Registration
Statement under the caption "Legal Matters" and filing of this opinion with the
Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.


                                           Very truly yours,



                                           /s/   Bass, Berry & Sims PLC




