Must Visit Food Destinations On A Southern Road Trip
There’s something magical about hitting the open road in the American South with an empty stomach and a full tank of gas.
From smoky BBQ joints to seafood shacks where the catch was swimming hours earlier, Southern cuisine tells the story of a region rich in history and flavor.
Pack your stretchy pants and bring your appetite as we explore 15 unforgettable food stops that make a Southern road trip worth every delicious mile.
1. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana
Walking into Dooky Chase’s feels like entering a living museum of Creole cooking and civil rights history. The late Chef Leah Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, created a legendary spot where presidents and freedom riders alike broke bread.
The gumbo here simmers with generations of tradition, thick with okra and bursting with seafood freshness. Don’t miss the fried chicken, crispy outside and juicy inside, a recipe perfected over decades.
What makes this place special isn’t just the food but the atmosphere walls adorned with African American art collected by Leah herself, and tables that have hosted conversations that changed American history. Even after Chef Chase’s passing, her family keeps her culinary legacy thriving.
2. Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas
People start lining up before sunrise outside this unassuming building, proving that Franklin Barbecue isn’t just a meal it’s a pilgrimage. Aaron Franklin’s brisket has achieved mythical status, with its perfect smoke ring and melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s worth every minute of the notorious wait.
The secret lies in the simplicity: prime beef, salt, pepper, and about 12 hours of oak smoke at precisely controlled temperatures. Meat this good needs no sauce, though they offer some excellent ones anyway.
Friendly staff members often walk the line offering water and chairs to waiting customers. Even celebrities and food critics happily stand in line no special treatment here. When you finally reach the counter and see that glistening brisket being sliced, you’ll understand why this is considered barbecue nirvana.
3. Mama’s Oyster House in Biloxi, Mississippi
If heaven had a seafood shack, it would taste like Mama’s Oyster House. Perched just steps from where fishing boats unload their daily catch, this Gulf Coast gem serves oysters so fresh they practically taste like sea spray.
Chargrilled oysters arrive sizzling with garlic butter and parmesan that caramelizes at the edges a perfect introduction for oyster newcomers. The seafood gumbo features whatever was swimming nearby that morning, thick with okra and rich roux that speaks of generations of coastal cooking.
When the sun starts setting, grab a spot on the weathered deck where pelicans perch nearby. Order the seafood platter with its mountain of fried shrimp, oysters, and catfish alongside hushpuppies that somehow manage to be both light and substantial. The sweet tea comes in mason jars, naturally.
4. Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, Georgia
Stepping into Mary Mac’s feels like visiting your Southern grandmother’s house if your grandmother fed 2,000 people daily since 1945. The Georgia legislature officially declared it “Atlanta’s Dining Room,” a title this institution lives up to with every serving of its legendary fried chicken.
Your meal begins with complimentary pot likker (the nutritious liquid from cooked greens) and cornbread an old Southern tradition that sets the tone for what’s coming. The menu reads like a greatest hits of Southern cuisine: fried green tomatoes, pork chops smothered in gravy, and collard greens cooked with ham hocks.
Don’t rush through your meal here. The waitstaff, some who’ve worked here for decades, share stories about famous visitors and Atlanta history as they refill your sweet tea. Save room for the peach cobbler it’s the Georgia state fruit done proper justice.
5. Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee
The neon sign at Loveless Cafe has been welcoming hungry travelers since 1951, and the biscuits have been perfected for just as long. Located at what was once the end of Highway 100, this former motel now serves as Nashville’s unofficial welcome committee.
Those biscuits deserve their reputation light as clouds with a buttery crust, served with homemade preserves made from local fruits. Country ham, cured and smoked on-site, provides the perfect salty companion. The fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed in decades because perfection needs no improvement.
What I love about Loveless is how it balances being a tourist destination with remaining a true local favorite. On weekend mornings, you’ll see Nashville music royalty in jeans and baseball caps waiting alongside visitors from Japan and Germany, all drawn by the promise of Southern breakfast that transcends language barriers.
6. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston, South Carolina
James Beard Award-winner Rodney Scott cooks pigs the way his family has for generations whole hogs splayed over wood coals, basted with a vinegar-pepper mop sauce that’s simple yet revolutionary. His journey from tiny Hemingway, SC, to culinary fame hasn’t changed his hands-on approach to barbecue.
The pulled pork sandwich comes with crispy skin bits (what Scott calls “pig skins”) mixed in a textural contrast that elevates this beyond ordinary barbecue. His signature “Rod Sauce” balances vinegar tang with subtle heat and sweetness that complements rather than masks the meat’s smokiness.
His Charleston restaurant maintains the genuine hospitality of his roots. Scott often walks through, checking on diners with his trademark smile. The walls display his philosophy: “Every Day Is a Good Day.” After tasting his ribs and collards seasoned with smoked pork, you’ll find it hard to disagree with that sentiment.
7. Willie Mae’s Scotch House in New Orleans, Louisiana
Hidden in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood, this modest building houses what many consider America’s best fried chicken. Willie Mae’s survived Hurricane Katrina thanks to devoted fans who helped rebuild it that’s how important this chicken is to the cultural fabric of the city.
The chicken’s crust shatters with an audible crunch, revealing impossibly juicy meat beneath. The secret recipe remains closely guarded, though rumors suggest the batter contains evaporated milk. Whatever the magic, it creates chicken that’s simultaneously light and substantial.
Arriving early is essential lines form before opening, and they sometimes sell out. While waiting, chat with locals who’ll share stories about Willie Mae Seaton, who ran the kitchen well into her 90s. When your chicken finally arrives with a side of buttery lima beans or red beans and rice, savor each bite of this New Orleans institution that’s far from the tourist crowds of Bourbon Street.
8. Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
When John “Big Daddy” Bishop opened Dreamland in 1958, the menu was beautifully simple: ribs, white bread, and sauce. Decades later, that focused approach remains the backbone of this Alabama institution where football Saturdays bring crowds of crimson-clad fans.
These aren’t fancy, competition-style ribs. They’re rustic, smoky slabs with a distinctive chew that speaks to their authenticity. The sauce tangy, slightly sweet with a vinegar kick comes in mason jars for liberal application to both ribs and the slices of white bread served alongside.
The walls of the original location are plastered with Alabama football memorabilia and faded photos of famous visitors. Sitting at worn wooden tables in the smoky warmth, you’ll experience barbecue as community tradition rather than culinary trend. When they ask “Ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere,” about those ribs, you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement.
9. Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama
Chef Frank Stitt transformed Southern dining by marrying French technique with regional ingredients decades before “farm-to-table” became fashionable. Highlands Bar & Grill earned Alabama its first James Beard Award, proving that sophisticated Southern cuisine deserves global recognition.
The menu changes daily based on what local farmers provide, but certain signature dishes remain. Stone-ground baked grits with country ham and mushrooms elevate a humble breakfast staple into fine dining territory. Seasonal vegetables shine in simple preparations that highlight their freshness.
Despite its accolades, Highlands maintains its Southern hospitality. The dining room balances elegance with comfort white tablecloths but no pretension. Dolester Miles, their pastry chef who won her own James Beard Award, creates desserts that honor Southern traditions while standing alongside any in the world. Her coconut pecan cake alone justifies the journey to Birmingham.
10. Lexington Barbecue in Lexington, North Carolina
They call this place “The Honey Monk” locally, a nickname that stuck from founder Wayne Monk’s dedication to perfecting North Carolina’s distinctive barbecue style. In a state divided between eastern and western barbecue traditions, Lexington proudly champions western-style with pork shoulders (not whole hog) and a tomato-tinged vinegar sauce.
The chopped barbecue sandwich comes on a simple bun with their signature red slaw – cabbage dressed with the same vinegar-tomato sauce that seasons the meat. This creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s simultaneously tangy, slightly sweet, and deeply smoky.
The restaurant’s wood-paneled walls and paper plates reflect its focus on substance over style. During the annual Lexington Barbecue Festival, which draws over 100,000 visitors, this is ground zero for authentic Carolina ‘cue. Ask for “outside brown” meat to get the flavorful, caramelized exterior pieces mixed with the tender interior pork.
11. Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville, Tennessee
The origin story of Nashville hot chicken involves jealousy, revenge, and a dish designed as punishment that backfired spectacularly. Prince’s, the originator of this now-famous style, continues serving chicken so spicy it borders on hallucinogenic at their no-frills location.
Each piece comes atop white bread with pickle chips not mere garnish but essential coolants. The chicken’s mahogany-red coating contains a secret blend of cayenne and spices that creates heat that builds gradually rather than immediately overwhelming. Even the “medium” will have most newcomers reaching for relief.
Don’t be surprised to see people from all walks of life sweating side by side here. Nashville hot chicken has gone global, but Prince’s remains the pilgrimage site for heat-seekers. The chicken’s juiciness provides momentary relief before the next wave of spice hits, creating an addictive cycle that explains why, despite the pain, customers keep coming back for more.
12. Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi
What began in 1941 as a grocery store in the front room of Dominick “Doe” Signa’s family home has evolved into a James Beard Award-winning steak institution that defies categorization. The entrance through the kitchen sets the tone you’re entering someone’s home, not just a restaurant.
The porterhouse steaks arrive weighing 2-3 pounds, cooked to perfection in cast iron skillets that have been seasoning for decades. These aren’t fancy prime cuts but well-marbled beef cooked by people who understand meat on an intuitive level. The hot tamales a Delta specialty with mysterious Southern-Mexican origins provide the perfect starter.
The building retains its original humble character: mismatched chairs, worn linoleum floors, and walls covered with decades of photographs and memorabilia. Presidents have dined alongside local farmers here, everyone equal in pursuit of those legendary steaks. Cash only, no reservations Doe’s operates on its own timeless terms.
13. Pecan Lodge in Dallas, Texas
Rising from farmers market stall to barbecue royalty, Pecan Lodge proves great Texas barbecue exists beyond the small towns. Owners Justin and Diane Fourton left corporate careers to pursue smoky perfection, and their Deep Ellum restaurant now anchors Dallas’s barbecue renaissance.
The beef rib a massive, dinosaur-sized portion has become their signature. Pepper-crusted and smoke-ringed, it represents Texas barbecue’s primal appeal. The “Hot Mess” a sweet potato stuffed with barbacoa, chipotle cream, and cheese showcases their creative side while honoring Texas’s Mexican influences.
During peak hours, the line stretches around the block, but regulars know to look for the “Express Line” that opens when ordering 5+ pounds making friends with hungry strangers has never been more rewarding. The dining room’s reclaimed wood and metal maintains connection to Texas’s ranching heritage while the food demonstrates that tradition and innovation can peacefully coexist.
14. Cochon in New Orleans, Louisiana
Chef Donald Link celebrates Louisiana’s rural Cajun roots at Cochon, where the humble pig becomes transcendent in dishes that honor bayou traditions while feeling thoroughly contemporary. The warehouse district location with exposed brick and wood beams creates the perfect backdrop for food that’s simultaneously sophisticated and soulful.
The wood-fired cochon (roasted pig) with turnips, cabbage, and cracklins demonstrates how a single ingredient can anchor an entire culinary philosophy. Boudin balls fried spheres of the traditional Cajun rice and pork sausage arrive with pickled peppers that cut through the richness perfectly.
Link’s commitment to whole-animal butchery means the menu features cuts and preparations rarely seen elsewhere. The restaurant makes its own charcuterie, pickles, and even hot sauces. Louisiana microbrews and craft cocktails featuring local spirits complete the experience of a restaurant that proves regional cuisine can be both authentic and innovative without sacrificing either quality.
15. Arnold’s Country Kitchen in Nashville, Tennessee
For over 35 years, this cafeteria-style meat-and-three has represented Nashville’s culinary soul better than any trendy newcomer. The James Beard Award-winning Arnold’s serves no-nonsense Southern classics to a democratic mix of construction workers, music executives, and tourists smart enough to follow locals.
The line moves efficiently past steam tables laden with rotating daily specials. Monday’s roast beef with perfect gravy, Tuesday’s fried chicken, Wednesday’s turkey and dressing regulars plan their week around these specialties. Three sides might include creamed corn, turnip greens, or mac and cheese that puts upscale versions to shame.
Perhaps most impressive is how Arnold’s maintains quality while serving hundreds daily. The Arnold family works the line, ensuring every plate meets their standards. The chess pie alone justifies a visit sweet but not cloying, with a perfectly flaky crust. At around $15 for a complete meal with cornbread and tea, it remains one of Nashville’s best values.
