Owner Helen Turner, one of only a few female pit-cooks in the country, took over this Brownsville barbecue establishment in 1996, turning out flavorful pulled pork sandwiches, smoked bologna sandwiches, and potato salad worth a detour.

Folks flock to the Texas-style BBQ food trailer in Martin, TN for oak-smoked meats aplenty, alongside daily specials (like Chick-fil-A Polynesian-glazed smoked ham), vinegar slaw, baked beans, and homemade desserts.

The historic railroad depot-turned-restaurant in Paducah Kentucky serves up bourbon flights alongside a rotating menu of New American cuisine featuring local farmers and partners from chef Sara Bradley. Shrimp and pimento cheese grits, Brussels sprouts salad, and the griddled burger are all popular picks here.

Located in historic downtown Florence, Alabama, owner Celeste Pillow’s Odette is inspired by her time spent working in Manhattan restaurants and her love of art, designed to be the type of neighborhood restaurant she wants to frequent. The restaurant is named after her paternal great-grandmother, with a farm-focused menu of deviled eggs, crispy pork belly, blackened catfish, and grilled Manchester Farms quail from chef Josh Quick. Save room for peanut butter-pretzel cheesecake with garam masala peanut brittle, hot fudge, and whipped cream.

Since 1969, this cash-or-check-only kitschy Indiana standby is known for its Christmas decor and far-reaching menu of Lebanese fare alongside Italian dishes, steak, and seafood.

Located just about an hour west of Nashville, The Beacon Light Tea Room has been a Middle Tennessee tradition since first opening its doors in 1936. It's had a number of owners over the years (including Loveless Cafe's namesake at one point), but it's still turning out Southern cooking (including all day breakfast) worth the drive.

A long-standing essential in Pulaski, Tennessee, Hickory House breathed new life when owners Jonathan and Jackie Perry took over in 2014 and upped the ante for quality by offering fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and some of the best Certified Angus Beef steaks in Tennessee. Weathering a pandemic by shifting the model from its former buffet heyday and adding a full bar, the Perry family shows the staying power of a tried-and-true local favorite by pivoting in the toughest of times for the restaurant industry. 

Chef Ryan Yokley, a Pulaski native, spent seven years working in fine dining establishments across Franklin and Nashville before returning home to Pulaski to open his own place, and its another one worth the drive for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu offers little of everything from barbecue poutine with smoked queso to strawberry salad, cauliflower steaks, and yes, even Nashville hot chicken.

Huffs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, and is one of the last general stores still operating in Middle Tennessee. They’re known today for great sandwiches, honey, and wide selection of Case knives.

Head South on 65 to Exit 14 and you can easily venture over to Lynchburg for a Jack Daniels Distillery tour. You can also pop into quaint downtown Fayetteville for a solid Philly cheesesteak (yep). Owned by Fayetteville natives and husband-and-wife duo Chanse and Catherine Bartlett, the Local Cafe boasts a solid lineup of cheesesteaks from traditional to the chicken “Fedvilly”, all served on Amoroso rolls and ready to be loaded up with cheese, peppers, and onions. 

The lunch buffet is open daily at the Bowling Green Indian food destination. At dinner, order off the a la carte menu for vegetable or lamb-filled samosas, Mulligatawny soup, Karahi tandoori chicken saag, and plenty of naan.

Take a weekend drive south of town to this working gristmill, which dates back to the early 1800s. The onsite restaurant serves up hearty, traditional dishes for breakfast, lunch, and brunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Head to Bonaroo’s hometown for cheeseburgers and crisp tater tots served in a 1950’s-style diner with checkerboard floors, and walls decked out in collectibles.