6 Unique Tennessee Eats To Add To Your List + 6 Hidden Spots That Totally Blew Us Away
Tennessee’s food scene has more soul than a gospel choir! When I road-tripped across the Volunteer State last summer, my taste buds went on the adventure of a lifetime.
From Nashville’s fiery chicken to Memphis’ legendary barbecue, Tennessee serves up flavors that tell stories of tradition, innovation, and Southern hospitality.
Join me as I share the must-try Tennessee classics and those magical hidden spots that left me speechless.
1. Nashville Hot Chicken at Prince’s
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I bit into that first piece of Prince’s Hot Chicken. The original hot chicken institution isn’t playing around, folks! Their recipe dates back to the 1930s when, legend has it, a scorned girlfriend tried punishing Thornton Prince with overly-spiced chicken. The plan backfired spectacularly.
Located on Nolensville Pike, the no-frills joint serves quarter birds on white bread with pickle chips – a combination that changed my life. I ordered ‘medium’ and still needed three napkins and a gallon of sweet tea. The crispy, cayenne-coated skin delivers that signature flavor that’s been imitated nationwide but never truly duplicated.
2. Heavenly Biscuits at Loveless Cafe
The smell hit me before I even stepped inside – that buttery, flour-dusted aroma of biscuits that have been perfected since 1951. Loveless Cafe sits at the edge of Nashville, a landmark with its iconic neon sign welcoming hungry travelers. Carol Fay Ellison, the ‘Biscuit Lady,’ might be gone, but her recipe lives on in every pillowy bite.
These aren’t your average biscuits. They practically float off the plate! Crisp exteriors give way to cloud-like interiors that soak up homemade preserves like they were made for each other. I watched families around me passing baskets, their conversations pausing momentarily with each fresh bite.
Worth the wait? Absolutely. The line outside told that story long before my taste buds confirmed it.
3. Memphis Dry-Rub Ribs at Rendezvous
Hidden in an alley downtown, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous wasn’t easy to find, but my nose led the way. The smoky perfume of their legendary dry-rub ribs wafted through Memphis streets like an irresistible invitation. When that first rack arrived, I knew immediately why barbecue pilgrims have been making this journey since 1948.
Unlike saucy ribs elsewhere, these beauties come coated in a magical dust – paprika, oregano, and secret spices form a crust that transforms over charcoal flames. The meat itself? Fall-off-the-bone tender with that perfect smoke ring.
The waiters, some serving for decades, move with practiced efficiency through the basement dining room. “No wet naps needed here,” my server winked as I savored every spice-crusted bite.
4. Payne’s Neon-Yellow Slaw Sandwich
First impressions can be deceiving. Payne’s Bar-B-Q looks like nothing special from the outside – a converted gas station with minimal signage. But barbecue insiders whisper about this place with reverence. One bite of their chopped pork sandwich and I understood why this family-run spot has survived since 1972.
The magic happens when that tender, smoke-infused pork meets their legendary mustard slaw. That neon-yellow creation delivers a tangy crunch that cuts through the rich meat perfectly. The sandwich comes on a plain white bun, beautifully unpretentious.
Ms. Flora, manning the counter when I visited, chopped the meat with practiced precision, each whack of her cleaver building anticipation. “Hot or mild?” she asked. I chose hot and received a smile that suggested I’d made the right decision.
5. The Original Petro Bowl in Knoxville
“You’re eating history,” my server announced as she set down my Petro at the original Market Square location in Knoxville. This quirky corn chip creation was born during the 1982 World’s Fair and hasn’t changed much since. The bowl arrived steaming hot – a foundation of Fritos topped with chili, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, and jalapeños.
Comfort food engineering at its finest! Each layer creates a perfect bite – crunchy, spicy, creamy, and savory all at once. I watched locals around me expertly navigating their bowls, clearly following a lifetime of Petro-eating strategy.
What struck me most was how this simple creation has become such a point of local pride. “Can’t leave Knoxville without having one,” a friendly couple at the next table insisted, and they weren’t wrong.
6. Sweet Nostalgia: Goo Goo Clusters
Standing in the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. shop on 3rd Avenue, I felt like I’d stepped into a candy wonderland. Nashville’s iconic confection has been satisfying sweet tooths since 1912, making it America’s first combination candy bar. The classic cluster – a delightful mess of caramel, marshmallow nougat, roasted peanuts and milk chocolate – sits behind glass like the celebrity it is.
But I didn’t just eat history – I made it! Their Design-A-Goo-Goo experience let me create my own cluster with white chocolate, pecans, and toffee bits. The chocolatier smiled as I struggled to keep my creation from becoming a magnificent disaster.
“Everyone becomes a kid again here,” she said, watching me lick chocolate from my fingers with zero shame. Some souvenirs get packed in suitcases – these barely made it to the hotel room!
7. Mas Tacos Por Favor’s Foodie Paradise
“Cash only” read the sign at this East Nashville gem, and I scrambled to the ATM across the street. The humble exterior of Mas Tacos Por Favor gives no hint of the culinary magic happening inside. What began as a food truck has evolved into a brick-and-mortar taco institution with a line that forms before they even open.
My fried avocado taco arrived wrapped in a handmade corn tortilla, the creamy green wedges perfectly crisp outside and buttery within. The chicken tortilla soup, recommended by literally everyone in line, lived up to its reputation – rich broth swimming with tender chicken, avocado chunks, and crispy tortilla strips.
The tiny, eclectic space buzzes with energy. Strangers share tables and taco recommendations with equal enthusiasm. “Try the elote,” my table neighbor insisted, and that street corn became an instant addiction.
8. Cozy Corner’s Unexpected BBQ Treasures
Smoke signals led me to Cozy Corner, where Memphis barbecue traditions take delightful detours. Tucked in an unassuming building, this family-owned spot has survived fire and relocation while maintaining its soul. The aquarium smoker glowed with embers as I approached the counter, mesmerized by what came out of it.
“First time?” asked the pitmaster. When I nodded, he suggested their Cornish game hen – not my expected Memphis order but an absolute revelation. The tiny bird emerged mahogany-colored, smoke-infused, and impossibly juicy. Rib tips followed, their charred edges giving way to tender meat.
Most surprising was their barbecued bologna – thick-cut slices transformed into something entirely new through smoke and spice. The dining room filled with neighborhood regulars who nodded approvingly at my increasingly sauce-stained face.
9. Bluegrass Grill’s Breakfast Symphony
Morning sunshine streamed through windows at Bluegrass Grill as I joined the line of Chattanooga locals waiting for their breakfast fix. This Southside institution doesn’t need flashy signs – just the aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and sizzling corned beef hash to draw crowds. The tiny family-run spot only has about 10 tables, making each seat feel like winning the breakfast lottery.
My server, who I later learned was the owner’s daughter, recommended the daily quiche – a fluffy creation bursting with local vegetables and sharp cheddar. Every bite tasted like someone’s grandmother was in the kitchen, cooking with decades of love and butter.
“Everything’s made from scratch here,” my neighboring diner explained between bites of pancakes the size of dinner plates. “Been coming every Saturday for fifteen years.” After one meal, I understood his devotion completely.
10. Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe’s Mountain Magic
Rain tapped gently on the roof of Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe as I ducked inside, guided by the scent of slow-cooked barbecue. Nestled at the foot of Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga’s historic St. Elmo neighborhood, this cozy spot feels like walking into someone’s welcoming kitchen. Checkered tablecloths and friendly faces greeted me as I shook off raindrops.
Their pulled pork sandwich arrived piled high on a soft bun, the meat tender enough to cut with a plastic fork. The house-made sauce – slightly sweet with a vinegar tang – complemented rather than overwhelmed the smokiness.
“Save room for banana split cake,” my server warned, and I’m eternally grateful for heeding her advice. That layered dessert – part pudding, part cookie, part fresh fruit – was worth the drive alone. Tourists heading to the Incline Railway nearby had no idea what they were missing.
11. The Tomato Head’s Creative Comfort
Jazz music floated through The Tomato Head as I settled into a corner table overlooking Knoxville’s bustling Market Square. This indie café has been feeding the city’s creative spirits since 1990 with food as eclectic as the local art decorating its walls. While tourists flock to chain restaurants, locals pack this place for good reason.
Their #6 pizza arrived with an airy, chewy crust supporting roasted chicken, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes – a combination that made me temporarily forget my pizza loyalties back home. The hummus plate featured warm pita alongside three vibrant spreads – classic garbanzo, black bean, and a seasonal roasted beet that turned my fork into a paintbrush between dips.
“Weekend brunch here is practically a religion,” my server confided as she refilled my coffee. I immediately changed my departure plans to experience this local ritual.
12. Arnold’s Country Kitchen’s Soulful Plates
The red cinderblock building doesn’t scream “Nashville institution,” but the line stretching down the sidewalk tells another story. Arnold’s Country Kitchen, the city’s beloved meat-and-three, reopened after briefly closing, and locals celebrated like a favorite relative had returned home. I joined the cafeteria line, tray in hand, watching the colorful parade of Southern classics pass by.
Roast beef, sliced thin and swimming in rich gravy, became my protein choice. For sides – turnip greens with pot likker, mac and cheese that redefines creamy, and stewed okra that would convert any skeptic. The chess pie for dessert? Sweet, slightly lemony perfection with that signature cornmeal crust.
“Been eating here thirty years,” the gentleman behind me shared. “Best plate lunch in Tennessee.” After cleaning my tray completely, I couldn’t find reason to argue.