Whether you consider yourself a ‘foodie’ or not, everyone appreciates a nice meal. A nice helping of taste bud-satisfying food is enough to make your day sometimes. Perhaps in some way, everyone is a foodie?
Vacation eating is another activity that we think everyone should try. Get off your diet and patterned eating for a while, and go with the flow.
In this article, we will talk about some of the best places to eat when visiting the great state of Tennessee. Few people venture out to T.N. as it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when planning your vacation within the U.S. However, Tennessee has some of the best scenic retreats in the U.S and deserves more attention than it’s currently getting. It is the most underrated place, and you might agree with us by the end of this article.
Food and travel that’s what this piece is all about. Here is the foodie’s guide to exploring Tennessee.
Dinner in the Smoky Mountains
The Great Smokies are perhaps one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the U.S. There is so much to see and do in the mountains, especially in the city of Pigeon Forge. It is also the best place to see the world-famous Dollywood vacationing in Tennessee. The Dolly Parton theme park, one of the biggest in the nation, has grown into an entertainment empire courtesy of her success. What better way to explore the theme park than to see the iconic Dolly Parton’s Stampede, one of its key draws? They serve you meals in addition to the entertaining show!
You can get many options by searching for the “best places to eat pigeon forge.” Therefore, you get a great source of entertainment and a four-course meal that will leave a great taste in your mouth and a fun memory or two.
The feast is one of the event’s main attractions and has become known as a right of passage when visiting Tennessee. Do try it out; who doesn’t want a nice evening dinner?
Also read: 8 Most Popular Locations to Visit in Tennessee
Good Old’ Southern Barbeque
When visiting T.N., it would be a shame if you didn’t try out some BBQ for which the south is known. If there’s one thing you should know about the south, they’re serious about their barbecue. Therefore, give it a shot and see if it lives up to the hype! There are various places you can try in Knoxville and Memphis. We understand that BBQ sauce is an acquired taste because some people don’t appreciate the sweet and savory combination. We suggest to try it and see what you think about it.
BBQ in the south is different, and you may grow to like the way they do things here. Pork belly, Burgers, and Ribs are some of the best things to try for BBQ. They also have a unique take on catfish, but many people don’t like that. If you’re feeling risky, then you must try something new.
Coffee in Maxwell
Not exactly a foodie thing, but it’s certainly something to excite your taste buds. Some of the most famous coffee in the world comes from Maxwell. Maxwell House Coffee is a staple throughout the U.S and much of the world. Though the company has been bought over, you can still find the Maxwell charm around the city.
They say Tennessee is the Coffee Capital of the south. Therefore, if not Maxwell, consider some other famous coffee shops. When visiting T.N, getting a taste of a good Southern Brew should be on the bucket list.
Moreover, if you are in the mood for something stronger, consider a cup of Tennessee Mud. A mixture of whiskey, coffee, and cream gives you a kick and a taste of something different. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you drive after that.
Sweet potato fries
You can get these just about anywhere in the country, but T.N. has a special way of improving them. As we mentioned earlier, everything in the south has a lot more character to it as far as taste is concerned. There is so much more to appreciate through taste that some people can’t handle. It truly is a different experience, especially if you are coming down from the north, where food is known to be slightly blander.
Sweet potato fries will likely give you a newfound appreciation for sweet and savory.
You can find authentic T.N. fries just about anywhere. However, the big cities are usually the best option because they must maintain certain standards to meet the competition. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Maxwell would be great places to find sweet potato fries. Can’t find them? Ask a local.
Find a steak joint
It will help if you establish that meat is big in this country. It may not be the Texas-level beef consumption, but it’s big around this part of the country. Find a nice affordable steak joint and try out the southern way of eating steaks. You have a nice meal with a nice glass of red wine.
Steak and wine are a fine combination together. Tennessee is also known for producing some of the best alcohol in the country. T.N. is known for its whiskey but let’s stick to the wine tonight if you’re driving home.
Conclusion
There you explored Tennessee through the eyes of a food lover. You can further expand your search by finding specific restaurants in the area. Give Tennessee a chance, and it won’t disappoint you. There are plenty of things to see and get the best bang for your buck out of this vacation.
Eating and drinking are an integral part of your retreat. We covered everything from the feast in the mountains to steak, whisky, and wine. We hope this article has been helpful and that you take something positive away from this read.
The entire gist of traveling is to try something new. Therefore, keep an open mind and don’t think too much about the process. Let it flow naturally.
Also read: Top 8 Tourist Attractions in Tennessee
