Philadelphia to Nashville Via I-81 and I-40 South and Home Via Cin, Col, Pgh

Looking for some different stops on the way to and from Nashville this coming week.  Going I-81 and I-40 down and I-65 / 71 to Cincinnati and Columbus, I-70 to Wheeling, up to the PA Tpke and then onto Philadelphia. I'm looking for places I haven't already written up on HollyEats - with emphasis on southern cooking, bbq, burgers and dogs.
 
Thanks in advance.

Holly Moore


Looking for some different stops on the way to and from Nashville this coming week.  Going I-81 and I-40 down and I-65 / 71 to Cincinnati and Columbus, I-70 to Wheeling, up to the PA Tpke and then onto Philadelphia. I'm looking for places I haven't already written up on HollyEats - with emphasis on southern cooking, bbq, burgers and dogs.

Thanks in advance.

 
Holly, it appears that you may be coming though Knoxville.  If that is so, please notify me and I will treat you to some places that I guarantee that you have never ever written about.
 
Louis on Broadway comes to mind with their very special Greek spaghetti sauce.
Litton's have very special desserts and burgers.
Bentons Hams which are world famous is just a 35 minutes drive from Knoxville.
 
Several of Roadfoods have enjoyed all of the above.
 
Paul E. Smith and Roz
Knoxville, TN

Holly,   here is a great place to have some  "dip dogs".  Tney are like a corn dog but not the same..............the batter is completely different.  Our family loves them.............even the daughter in law who normally does not like hot dogs!
 
http://www.dipdogs.net/

IN WASHINGTON PA, JUST ASHORT DRIVE OFF 70 TRY BREEZY HEIGHTS TAVERN....THE CHICKEN IS REALLY UNBELIEVABLE AND THE ATMOSPHERE IS VERY UNIQUE AS WELL
 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30077-d891446-r78001215-Breezy_Heights_Tavern-Avella_Pennsylvania.html

Looking forward to seeing responses for this. I also live in Philly and taking that route to Nashville has been sort of a dream roadtrip for me for a while that I hope to eventually turn into a reality. I'm sure I'll look this thread up when I do.

Hey Holly.
I'm a big fan of your website. I've some good rec's and it was what inspired me to start my website. www.davwudsfoodcourt.blogspot.com
 
Anyway, in Roanoke the Texas Tavern is a really cool spot.
http://xrl.in/6ejk
 
It's been a long while but the Whistle Stop in Glendale, Ky is fantastic. At least it was about 5 years ago. I'm told nothing has changed. http://xrl.in/70vy
 
Martin's BBQ in Nolensville (just south of Nashville) is great BBQ and has been visited by DD&D. http://xrl.in/70vx
 
If you don't mind  a bit of a drive once you're in Nashville, Stan's in Columbia, Tn (about a half hour south) is excellent. Rumour is, it's what Cracker Barrel modeled it's business model on. http://xrl.in/70vv
 
I really want to hit up Knockum Hill for some BBQ.
http://xrl.in/70vw
 
Enjoy and looking forward to the updates.
 
DT

Holly: When you are in Knoxville, here is the list of two restaurants that might have significant value for your writings.
 
1:  Louis on Broadway:  Even though they are listed as Italian, they are really Greek oriented.  When I married my wife who is deceased, we had dinner there on the night we were married in 1964.  They have been in that same area since 1958.  Very unusual spaghetti sauce which is slightly salty and meaty.  Very unusual and ver very good.  Onion rings are very good and a great history with some great shots of their history on the entrance.
 
http://www.theoriginallouis.com/
 
Littons in Fountain City:  Many of our roadfooders have dined there and all have enjoyed it.  Voted Knoxville's best burger for many years in a row.  Great history and great desserts.  You would enjoy writing about them.  They have been there since 1946.  It has a very neat appearance and has added on many times.  They have a huge following.
 
http://www.littonsburgers.com/
 
Looking forward to seeing you.  Perhaps we could do both???.  They are very close and would not be a distraction to your driving.  Give me a call and I will give you exact directions. 
Again, you are invited to overnight in our family suite.
 
Paul E. Smith
Roz Robinson
Knoxville, TN

Thanks all. Agree on Dip Dogs. Have also hit Martins, though their old location.
 
Rest are new and will be working some of them in on this run. All look interesting.

Before I talk Cincinnati: I am completely aware that when you are in Atlanta, pizza is hardly the first, second, or even the hundredth thing on your mind when it comes to eats.  That said, if you find yourself hungry in Atlanta, I urge you on the strongest possible terms to have a pizza or two at Varasano's.
 
and now, back to the requested topic
 
In Cincinnati
 
burger - Terry's Turf Club
 
ice cream - Aglamesis Brothers in Oakley.  Do not go to any other location or you will miss the hundred year old ambience.
 
breakfast (had to include a breakfast spot, knowing your reviews as I do) - Tuckers in Over-the-Rhine -or- Sugar-n-Spice in Bond Hill
 
For groceries and more - Findlay Market in Over the Rhine or Jungle Jims in Fairfield
 
Hot Dog - again, knowing you, I had to include this category - despite the fact there are no great hot dogs locally, imho.  Serious irony for a town once known as Porkopolis, and where the Flying Pig Marathon is held each year. ah well.  Anyway - the closest thing - we do brats and metts, mostly in the summer, mostly on a backyard charcoal grill.   The Sterns got one (http://www.citybeat.com/c...ene-%28part-2%29.html) off the seasonal outdoor grillstand at Avril-Bleh, but that might not be open for the season when you come to town, so I am unsure about good alternatives for that.  You could buy some at Findlay and ice them down and cook them in Philly over charcoal, I suppose. 
 
How's the leg doing?

TJ:  I am not sure he will be coming through Cincy until the end of his trip.  I am sure Holly will enjoy that part of the trip. 
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Holly,
 
I would suggest Jess' Quick Lunch in Harrisonburg, VA (exit 247) for inclusion in HollyEats. Hot dog - mustard, onion, chili - and the fries, while frozen, are always cooked well.
 
There are two locations, I'd go to the original at 22 S. Main St. for the ambiance - unchanged in 50+ years. Jess' is similar in style and feel to Skeeter's in Wytheville.
 
Depending on your departure time from Philadelphia, this would make a great lunch stop to begin your trip.
 

Just off of I-70 in Zanesville, Ohio, is a terrific little ice cream place, named Tom's Ice Cream Bowl, that has been there for years.  Rick Sebak once named it one of his ten favorite ice cream parlors.

Had lunch at Jess' Quick Lunch. Good hot dog, ok hamburger, neat feel.  Must have the longest lunch counter in the Shenandoah Vally.
 
Owner was kinda grumpy - at least when I pulled out my camera and tried to get a pic of the kettle of chili boiling away.
 
There has to be a place in hell reserved for motel desk clerks who can only recommend chain and franchise restaurants.  Desperate to find dinner in Dublin VA.

At Abingdon, VA there's some fine places. Have lunch or dinner at Peppermill or BBQ at Parks BBQ at Exit 17. Ellis Soda Shop and Grill has good salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers and more with outdoor seating as well. Wildflower Bakery and Cafe is great for breakfast,lunch or dinner and it's close to I 81 at Exit 19.
Parks Mill BBQ @ 21405 Parks Mill Rd., Abingdon, VA 276 - 628 - 9191.
http://parksmill.com/
Peppermill Restaurant @ 967 West Main St., Abingdon, VA 276 - 623 - 0530.
http://www.thepeppermill.com/pmillhome.asp
Ellis Soda Shoppe and Grill @ 217 West Main St., Abingdon, VA 276 - 623 - 8187.
http://www.ellissodashoppe.com/
Wild Flower Bakery and Cafe @ 24443 Lee Hwy., Abingdon, VA 276 - 676 - 4221.
　
　

Depending on the day and time you make it through Cincinnati, Mr. Gene's Dog House has a mobile truck. You can follow them on Facebook & Twitter to find out where they are:
http://www.mrgenesdoghouse.com/Mobile_Menu.html
 
There are some other mobile trucks worth trying. Cafe De Wheels has a wonderful burger:
http://www.cafedewheels.com/
 
And New Orleans to go ~~
http://www.neworleanstogopoboys.com/
 
If you get lucky (and come through at lunchtime), you may be able to find all three within close proximity to each other.