10Best: Iconic Southern restaurants by Eric Grossman, Special for USA TODAY 1:13 p.m. EDT September 15, 2014 From humble little cafes to ubiquitous chain restaurants, Southern food can be found in nearly every corner of every state in the country. But to truly appreciate the spirit and flavors of classic Southern fare, its best to head straight to the source. Here are the regions best options for enjoying traditional Southern favorites. Ajax Diner – Oxford, Miss. Best known as the home of the University of Mississippi, idyllic Oxford has quietly become one of the regions most inviting food cities, with the likes of John Currences City Grocery winning national acclaim. For a more casual introduction to the citys culinary offerings, grab a table at the Ajax Diner, which sits in the heart of Oxford facing Courthouse Square. Pork chops, fried chicken, and a kaleidoscope of sides – butter beans, fried okra, and just about every kind of vegetable casserole imaginable – all capture the imagination of devotees including John Grisham and Eli Manning. Arnolds Country Kitchen – Nashville, Tenn. One of Music Citys biggest names isnt a country music legend or pioneer hero. Over several decades, Arnolds has grown in stature to become synonymous with the term meat and three, and today the humble red-and-yellow cinder block building is on the short list of top attractions for anyone passing through Nashville. Open on weekdays only for lunch, Arnolds takes its customers back to their school days, as everyone waits patiently in line, moving along the cafeteria-style buffet to see what strikes their fancy. An eclectic mix of local power brokers, maintenance workers, and everyone in between rubs shoulders while downing portions of chicken and dumplings, catfish, meatloaf, and fried green tomatoes. 605 8th Avenue South, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 256-4455 The Colonnade – Atlanta, Ga. In the city that offers the greatest assortment of truly authentic Southern dining options, The Colonnade stands out for its deep roots in the community. Open since 1927, the restaurant has served as a second dining room for generations of Atlantans, many of whom are eager to introduce the frozen-in-time experience to the uninitiated. Friendly servers – several of whom have been at the restaurant for decades – patiently help first-timers navigate the mind-blowing list of 30-plus sides. (Scores of diners are delighted to pick-and-choose a plate from the likes of rutabagas, baby limas, tomato aspic, pole beans, and celery dressing.) Popular entrees run the gamut from fried chicken and tender pot roast to a heaping plate of chicken livers, served fried or broiled. Early Girl Eatery – Asheville, N.C. One of Ashevilles most popular anytime eating places, Early Girl reflects the youthful, earnest nature of its home city. The lengthy menu of made-from-scratch items alternates between Southern classics and modern dishes rooted in Western North Carolinas considerable culinary history. Lighter appetites opt for grilled cheese made with house-made pimento cheese; heartier types can mix-and-match a meat-and-two from the likes of fried catfish, meatloaf, collard greens, black-eyes peas, and more. Hominy Grill – Charleston, S.C. In a city full of decorated restaurants, none have seemingly won as many best of awards as the Hominy Grill. Perhaps best known for its country breakfasts and down-home day starters like the Charleston Nasty Biscuit (fried chicken, cheddar, and sausage gravy), the kitchen also churns out a steady stream of expertly-crafted Southern classics. Starters include fried green tomatoes, pickled shrimp, and homemade hot pepper jelly (served with cooling goat cheese); featured entrees include fried chicken, sauteed chicken livers, and slow-smoked ribs smothered in blackstrap molasses BBQ sauce. Housed in a typically atmospheric Charleston space that was once a barbershop, the casual eatery offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Jestine’s Kitchen – Charleston, S.C. Charleston can make a claim as the capital of New Southern cooking, but for those looking to enjoy Southern classics as well as some Low Country signatures, the always-packed Jestines fits the bill. The legend of Jestine Matthews, who died at the age of 112 in 1997, lives on through each plate of homemade goodness. Tables are topped with a mix of regional favorites (e.g. shrimp and grits) and classics such as cornbread, fried green tomatoes, and fried chicken. Loveless Cafe – Nashville, Tenn. Truly a destination restaurant, the Loveless sits on the far edge of town, a 30 minute drive from Downtown Nashville. That doesnt stop hordes of devoted fans from driving to the edge of the Natchez Trace Parkway to satisfy their cravings for the Lovelesss picture-perfect biscuits, famous country ham, and signature red-eye gravy. Next to the spacious restaurant sits a proper country store, where visitors can select from a wide range of cheeky memorabilia (e.g. items adorned with Praise the lard and pass the biscuits) and foodstuffs such as fruit preserves and vacuum-packed country hams. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta, Ga. Centrally-located and constantly packed, Mary Macs is a great choice for first-time visitors to Atlanta looking for a classic Southern experience. The restaurant is one of the last of a dying breed; Atlanta sported more than a dozen tea rooms back in the 1940s. Recently, Georgias House of Representatives drafted a special resolution naming Mary Macs Atlantas Dining Room. Personable staffers – several of whom have been fixtures for more than four decades – encourage customers to delay their diets for another day while delivering overflowing platters of meatloaf, fried catfish, mac-and-cheese, sweet potato soufflé, collard greens, and more. Few are able to leave without ordering a homemade cinnamon roll; many buy them by the dozen to enjoy at home. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room – Savannah, Ga. The best-known eatery in town, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room hosts a steady stream of out-of-towners ranging from President Obama to curious foreign tourists who dont know a collard green from a black-eyed pea. Open for lunch only, the restaurant offers a family-style meal at communal tables; customers become fast friends with their tablemates as they pass large dishes of mashed potatoes and fried chicken back and forth. The subterranean space, which is located in the atmospheric Historic District, provides an ideal one-stop opportunity for those curious to experience all of the Southern classics: candied yams, mac-and-cheese, okra, and butter beans, just to name a few. Endless glasses of sweet tea and a choice of dessert round out the experience. Two Sisters Kitchen – Jackson, Miss. Housed in a historic home that dates back to 1903, Two Sisters opened in 1989 and has served enough fried chicken, catfish, cornbread, and biscuits to become one of the most popular eateries in Mississippis largest city. The buffet-style offerings usually include catfish, cornbread, tomato gravy, and mac-and-cheese. The houses cozy dining rooms are often packed with Capitol Building workers, who can enjoy a break from the office while keeping an eye on it from the restaurants front porch. 707 N Congress Street, Jackson, Miss., (601) 353-1180
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 20:49:53 +0000
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