Tennessee Food Trip (Nashville Hot Chicken, Pulled Pork, Ribs, & More)
July 17, 2024 by Laura
Tennessee is known for it's spicy chicken sandwiches and incredible barbeque. We had so much delicious food during our vacation. Here you will find all the best spots to dine in Tennessee!
Our Food Trip to Tennessee
One of our favorite things about traveling is trying all the new foods! Tennessee has some of the best spots to eat. They are most known for their amazing barbeque and those addicting Nashville hot chicken sandwiches.
Our goal when visiting a new state is to eat food that is local to the area. We do lots of research to make sure we are eating some of the best food the state has to offer. In this blog post, you will read about all the food we ate during our 9-day trip to Tennessee.
If you are looking for more Tennessee content check out our other travel blogs!: 9-Day Tennessee Itinerary, Nashville Itinerary, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Itinerary, Memphis Itinerary.
1. Elwood's Shack
4523 Summer Avenue
Memphis, TN 38122
This was our very first stop in Tennessee. After taking the first bite of food from Elwood's Shack, I instantly knew that it was going to be a hard one to follow-up.
Elwood's Shack is located in Memphis right next to a Lowe's. When researching the best places to eat in Memphis online, Elwood's Shack was constantly being recommended, and now we know why. It is so good. I ordered the Elwood's BBQ Pizza which had so much melted mozzarella and crispy pulled pork piled on top of it. The pizza dough was perfection as well. The only downside was that I got too full to finish the whole thing. I got close though!
Brian ordered the Red Headed Step Child which is a sandwich filled with beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, two BBQ sauces, and slaw. This sandwich is piled high and messy to eat, but boy is it good. This is a great option when you can't decide which barbequed meat you want to order.
While we only ordered those two items from the menu, I am fairly confident that you really could not go wrong with anything else that is listed on the menu.
2. Gibson's Donuts
760 Mount Moriah Road
Memphis, TN 38117
One of the best ways to start your morning in Memphis is eating donuts from Gibson's Donuts. Gibson's has been making and serving delicious donuts since 1967. The outside of Gibson's has a retro look to it with neon letters and a rotating sign. I loved it!
Inside you will find a huge display of all kinds of donuts. It is difficult to choose because they all look so delicious. We finally decided on the red velvet donut, the donut of the month which was salted caramel, and two blueberry cake donuts.
The blueberry cake donut was my favorite. They usually are! They are wonderful blueberry flavor and the perfect consistency. The red velvet donut was basically cake. There was so much icing, and it was incredibly sweet. It had such good flavor though. The salted caramel donut tasted just like fall. The salty sweet combination sure was tasty. Make sure you grab a hot black coffee while you are there because you will want something to wash down that delicious sweetness!
3. Payne’s Bar-B-Que
1762 Lamar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38114
One of the must-try foods on our list for Tennessee was pulled pork. Everybody online raved about the pulled pork sandwiches from Payne's so we had to check them out.
Payne's has a very small menu. But when you are good at what you do, you don't need a bunch! The pulled pork sandwich comes with mustard slaw and is piled onto a bun covered in sauce. This was hands-down the best pulled pork sandwich I have ever eaten! The slaw was perfect, the pork was perfect, and the sauce was perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it!
Heads up, Payne's is only open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday so make sure you plan your day around their opening times.
4. B.B. King's Blues Club
143 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
We did not eat a full meal here, but we did stop for a bit to grab a couple cocktails and a snack. B.B. King's Blues Club almost always has live blues playing which makes it the perfect spot to chill. You just can't come to Beale Street without listening to some blues!
I ordered a Blackberry Smash which is a cocktail made with Old Dominick 85 Tenneessee Whiskey, Blackberry brandy, lemon juice, and ginger beer. It was delicious and very refreshing. Brian sipped on Memphis brewed beer.
For a snack, we ordered a plate of fried dill pickles which came with a horseradish dipping sauce. These weren't the best fried pickles we had ever had, but the ambience and cocktails made up for it all.
Just note that there is a $10 per person cover charge to enter B.B. King's Blues Club.
5. The Bar-B-Q Shop
1782 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Another food that was a must-try for a Tennessee trip was dry rub ribs. After lots of research, I decided that The Bar-B-Q Shop was the place to get our rib fix.
We ordered the slab of ribs which is set up for two people. We got half glazed ribs and half dry rub ribs. It also came with Bar-B-Q beans, slaw, and Texas toast. Everything was delicious, but the dry rub ribs were to die for. These ribs had such good flavor, and they were fall-off-the-bone and perfectly cooked. Some of the best ribs I have ever eaten!
Of course, you also gotta add a side of Bar-B-Q Spaghetti. This spaghetti is exactly what it sounds like- spaghetti topped with delicious barbeque and barbeque sauce. It was definitely interesting, but I actually really liked it. You just gotta try it for yourself! Apparently, this was a favorite of Elvis Presley.
6. Sunrise Memphis
5469 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
If you are looking for a good way to start your day in Memphis then look no further! Sunrise Memphis is a cute and delicious spot to have breakfast or brunch. The specialty is biscuits which are big, fluffy, and buttery.
I ordered the Dirty South which is a biscuit filled with pimento cheese, a fried green tomato, pepper relish, and an egg. I can't express enough how good this biscuit was. Brian ordered the McBetter which is a basic breakfast biscuit filled with sausage, egg, and cheese. He said the name definitely fit this biscuit as it was indeed McBetter!
I also loved how well decorated the restaurant was (I especially loved all the chickens). It was also fun that you receive a random coffee mug to drink your hot coffee out of!
7. Log Cabin
15530 TN-13
Hurricane Mills, TN 37078
After leaving Memphis, we headed towards Nashville. About one hour west of Nashville, there is a small town named Hurricane Mills. This is where you will find the Log Cabin Restaurant!
Log Cabin is sure to satisfy your Southern food craving. The inside looks just like a log cabin house, hence the name. Everything is wood, and there is a big fireplace right in the middle.
I ordered the Catfish Platter which included fried catfish filets, french fries, coleslaw, white beans, and hushpuppies. I love fried catfish, and this platter was good and filling. Brian ordered the Country Fried Steak which included fried steak smothered in gravy, fried okra, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. This was different than most chicken fried steaks that we were used to, but it had good flavor.
To finish the meal off, we ordered a slice of coconut pie which had mile-high meringue. Honestly, this was my favorite part of the meal. That pie was dang good!
8. Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe
428 Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
This food stop was not actually planned, but I figured I'd mention it just in case you run into the same problem we did. We had planned on eating dinner at McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery in Franklin. However, they are closed on Sunday evenings- oops, dropped the ball on that one. Once we realized they were closed, we found that quite a few restaurants were also closed on Sunday evenings. We didn't want a super fancy meal so we landed on this Mediterranean place.
Taziki's is a chain with many locations so it is not local to Franklin. Though, the lamb gyros we ordered were pretty tasty, and we decided this wasn't such a bad stop after all. It was probably good to get something light and fresh into our bodies after all the heavy fried food we had been enjoying. So if you are looking for something light and quick while in Franklin, Taziki's is your place.
9. Hattie B's Hot Chicken
2222 8th Avenue
Nashville, TN 37204
Now when you start researching the best hot chicken in Nashville, you will run into so much controversy. I couldn't believe that almost every single person online had a different opinion about who served up the best Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.
I looked up hot chicken place after hot chicken place for what seemed like hours to ensure we got the best out there. This all ended up being practically a waste of time because our schedule landed us eating hot chicken on a Monday lunch, and all the small local places are closed on Mondays (and Tuesdays too). This was a huge bummer as I'm sure they are the ones with the best!
This left us with two options- Hattie B's and Prince's. The Reddit forums where they are discussing which of these two restaurants is best is practically a war zone. So, at the end of the day, I felt like we couldn't go wrong with either. Prince's was the original hot chicken sandwich which is cool, but Hattie B's location worked best with our schedule so that is what we went with.
We both ordered hot chicken sandwiches in medium. I know, I know. It's not really a hot chicken sandwich if you get medium seasoning. I get that, but we honestly just didn't want our stomachs to hurt for the rest of the day just in case something didn't set right with us! The seasoning had such good flavor, and I do wish we could have tried it hotter.
While the flavoring was good, we were left a little disappointed in the chicken itself. It was a weird texture which was a bit off-putting. Our sides of Southern Greens and Pimento Mac & Cheese were delicious, and the banana pudding was really good too!
10. Goo Goo Chocolate Co.
113 3rd Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37201
The Goo Goo Chocolate Store is located right off of Broadway Street in Nashville and is absolutely worth the visit! Inside the store, you will of course find all sorts of pre-packaged goodies featuring the candy. However, the real fun is the make your own Goo Goo Chocolate bar kiosk!
At the self-serve kiosk, you can create your very own candy bar and choose from many different filling options. We chose to add potato chips, nuts, and nougat to ours. After choosing all your add-ins and paying (it costs $15), you can go to the order window and watch them make your candy bar. When they are done you will have a 4-ounce chocolate bar to devour.
Honestly, this Goo Goo bar was so good! I almost wished that we would have made our own instead of sharing because it was so tasty.
If you have a lot of time, you can also book an experience where you can assemble your own Goo Goo Chocolate bars.
11. Robert's Western World
416 Broadway #B
Nashville, TN 37203
Broadway Street is so much fun because there is live music blasting out of all the restaurants and bars. This is great for awhile, but we really aren't the kind of people to listen to extremely loud music for a long time. Robert's Western World was the perfect spot for us.
Robert's had one man playing Hank Williams and other old country songs at the front. This is our kind of place! Even if you don't like old country music, Robert's is still worth a stop for their Recession Special. This special comes with a fried bologna sandwich, potato chips, a moon pie, and a PBR beer- all for only $6. You just can't beat that!
The smell of bologna frying on the griddle, the taste of cheap light beer, the sound of old country- what a vibe!
12. 3rd & Lindsley
818 3rd Avenue S
Nashville, TN 37210
We didn't actually eat a full meal here, but I thought it was worth mentioning since it is such a fun venue. 3rd & Lindsley is a restaurant and a music venue. While you listen to live music on the stage, you can enjoy some grub and drinks.
We ordered a couple of mocktails which were delicious, and some hot sauce & chips. If you go on a Monday then you will have the pleasure of watching The Time Jumpers who put on an excellent show. Get there early when the doors open to secure a good table. We went straight upstairs and grabbed the table that was right in front of the stage. We personally think we had the best seat in the house!
13. Big Al's Deli
1828 4th Avenue N
Nashville, TN 37208
Possibly one of the very best meals we had during our Tennessee trip was at Big Al's. Big Al's is this small little restaurant located in a neighborhood. When you walk in you'll see just a few tables and Al himself cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
If you are in the market for some good ol' comfort breakfast food then here's your spot. I ordered Big Al's Breakfast which came with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a biscuit. The biscuit was perfectly fluffy and those hash browns were incredible. They were perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Brian ordered a bacon biscuit and the biscuits & gravy. The gravy was unlike any gravy I had ever eaten. It was spicy and so flavorful.
The only upsetting part about Big Al's is that we live so far away. We would come here all the time if we lived in Nashville!
Be sure to check Big Al's Facebook and Instagram page before heading over as the restaurant is sometimes closed due to catering events.
14. East Side Bahn Mi
1000 Gallatin Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
You may not think about eating a bahn mi sandwich when visiting Nashville, but maybe you should! East Side Bahn Mi definitely knows what they are doing. These sandwiches were incredible! They make their bread fresh every morning which really makes them stand out.
We both ordered The No. 1 which had a classic cold cut combo of ham hock terrine, pâté, and smoked giffords bologna. We also ordered two Vietnamese Iced Coffees which were delicious as well!
You can eat inside or you can order online beforehand and it will be there waiting for you when you show up.
15. Chapulines Street Tacos
2428 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN 37803
After our time in Nashville, we headed towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We weren't expecting to find incredible Mexican food heading this way, but we sure did! Chapulines is located right next to a gas station, but please do not let that deter you. There is some delicious food inside this building.
Both Brian and I cannot turn down a big burrito so that is exactly what we ordered. These burritos are big and packed full. I ordered the carnitas which had so much flavor. I can't imagine any of the meat options being bad at this place. They also have tacos, quesadillas, tortas, rice bowls, and nachos on the menu as well.
Don't forget to stock up on the salsas at the salsa bar. I tried one of each, and I liked all of them!
16. Tennessee Shine Co.
3303 Wears Valley Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
Delicious drinks belong on a food guide too, right? I think so! In between Townsend and Gatlinburg by the mountains, you will find moonshine. At Tennessee Shine Co. they will offer you free moonshine samples so that you can try a variety and figure out which one is your favorite. Just don't forget to tip your bartender!
We tried several, but both of our favorite at the end was the Deep Blue Margarita. We bought a jar of it, and it sure was refreshing to drink while soaking in our hot tub at our cabin in the woods.
17. Donut Friar
634 Parkway #15
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
By now you may have started to realize we like to start our mornings off right by eating delicious food. This morning was no different. Right before we drove into the park, we stopped at Donut Friar. You can park on the Parkway for free before 9:00AM. We went at around 6:30AM, and we were practically the only people in sight!
Also, Donut Friar is cash only so make sure you bring some cash with your or you will have to pay a small fee at their ATM machine.
They had lots of donuts to choose from since we went early in the morning. Some people say they run out quick as the morning goes on. We got a glazed crossiant, cream cheese danish, cinnamon cake, and a glazed donut. They are all excellent, but my favorite was the glazed crossiant. It was so light, fluffy, and sweet. Grab a hot coffee while you are there too to wash down that delicious sweetness!
18. Burger Master Drive-In
8439 TN-73
Townsend, TN 37882
After a long day of hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a good burger from Burger Master Drive-In really hits the spot. This little restaurant is order at the window only. After ordering, you can either take it to-go or sit on one of the many picnic tables they have.
We ordered a classic cheeseburger, a smoky burger (comes with bacon, BBQ, and grilled onions), and fries. This was just a plain good burger and exactly what we were looking for. Those fries were nothing to sneeze at either. They were so good!
The guy in front of us ordered a hot dog, and it looked so delicious too. They also have lots of ice cream treats as well!
19. Jack Daniel's Distillery
133 Lynchburg Highway
Lynchburg, TN 37352
This one really belongs on a drinking tour guide, but since I do not have one of those, I will add it to this food guide. At Jack Daniel's Distillery, you can tour the entire establishment where the whisky is made. You will learn all about production of the whisky and Jack Daniel himself. This was such a fun and educational tour!
At the end of the tour, you will go into the tasting room to try samples of the whisky. We paid $5 more per person to get the Angel's Share tour. This means we got to sample the little bit fancier stuff. If you like whisky, I highly recommend you splurge for the Angel's Share!
20. Slawburger Festival
Fayetteville, TN 37334
If you are passing through Tennessee between Chattanooga and Memphis in mid-April, check to see if the famous slawburger festival is going on in Fayetteville! Fayetteville is home to the slawburger, a hamburger topped with delicious mustard slaw. This was definitely a unique find, and I was quite a fan of them. The mustard slaw was a nice change of pace from the usual mayonnaise and vinegar slaws we get here in Texas.
At the festival you will be able to find slawburgers at several booths and are sold at a few brick & mortar restaurants as well. There's many types of vendors here, live music, and even a slawburger eating contest!
21. Volunteer Fry Co.
Location varies
Volunteer Fry Co. is a food truck based out of Waynesboro, Tennessee, but their location varies. Check their Facebook to see where they will be set up at. We had Volunteer Fry Co. at the Slawburger Festival in Fayetteville.
They have the best loaded fries! Brian ordered the Korean BBQ which is fries topped with beef, kimchi, green onions, mozzarella, Korean BBQ sauce, and sesame seeds. I ordered the Tennessee Nacho which is fries topped with chicken, cheddar cheese, chipotle-lime sauce, sliced jalapeno, fresh salsa, and tortilla chip strips. These fries were so tasty and the ultimate comfort food.
22. Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken
3633 Millbranch Road
Memphis, TN 38116
Our very last stop in Tennessee was such a good one! We decided to hit Memphis again and try out Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken. I am so glad we did. This fried chicken was absolute perfection. The chicken comes covered in the sauce known as Sweet Spicy Love which was named by Guy Fieri. I can't express enough how good this sauce is!
Before you devour all the fried chicken, make sure you leave some room for some honey butter biscuits. These biscuits are incredible. I think I could eat a dozen in one sitting! Eat them as a side, eat them as dessert. They are good either way!
Before you leave the restaurant, make sure you grab your own bottle of Sweet Spicy Love. It goes great on pretty much anything!
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50 States by 50
Tennessee was our fourth state for our 50 states by 50 challenge. My husband, Brian, and I are planning to visit all the states in the United States by the time we turn 50 years old. To choose which state we travel to next, we will draw it randomly!
For each state, we will plan at least a 4 day trip that consists of visiting the state capitol and state museum, exploring a state park, and eating whatever food that state is most known for. I will be documenting all of our travels here on my blog and making vlogs as well which will be posted on YouTube. Read more about our 50 States by 50 Bucket List.
We ate a lot while we were visiting Tennessee, but we didn't get to try it all. I wish we could have! If you feel like we missed out on some famous Tennessee foods or a famous restaurant, please let me know! If you have any questions or just want to share your Tennessee food, please leave a comment down below.
Category: Tennessee, Food & Restaurants
Keywords: best food in Tennessee, what to eat in Tennessee, where to eat in Tennessee, best restaurants in Tennessee
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Bon Voyage!
July 17, 2024 by Laura Ehlers
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