Tennessee Road Food

 Going through Tennessee on way to Gatlinburg, along I-24.  Would love some great roadfood along the way.  Nothing fancy, just great food.  We are foodies always looking for places the concierge won't tell us about.  Thanks for suggestions.  I can help with St. Louis if anyone needs it.

If you're in Nashville and love pancakes, the Pancake Pantry near Vanderbilt University is a good stop. (1796 21st Ave. S.)  On Nolensville Rd. (a major road) there are several ethnic places, especially Mexican restaurants with goat stew, menudo, tacos, etc., if you like that kind of thing.

I assume that once you get to Nashville, you will switch to I-40 if your destination is Gatlinburg.

In Marion, IL:  While I can't personally vouch for it, I have heard from many that the 17th Street Bar and Grille has excellent BBQ.

Paducah, KY has several places I would recommend:  Tribeca (Mexican), Doe's Eat Place (great steak), Jeremiah's (steak) and Whaler's Catch.  All of these are in the downtown area.  Flamingo Row (Caribbean) is another good choice.

Nashville, TN:  I like Jack's BBQ (right in the middle of the touristy area on Broadway.  After eating there, walk down the street to Mike's Ice Cream.  Demos Steak & Spaghetti House is pretty good too.  I recommend the Loveless Cafe which is on the outskirts of town (Southwest) - get their country ham.

In Gatlinburg:  The "Best Italian Restaurant" is very good.  We also liked the Pancake Pantry and Howard's Steakhouse (since 1946).

On the east side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is Cherokee, NC - another touristy area.  My wife and I enjoyed eating at Paul's Restaurant (get their Indian Taco).  Also, we had a great breakfast there at Peter's Pancakes and Waffles.

Have a good trip.  Also, if you have the time, I would appreciate hearing your suggestions for the St. Louis area.

Mike Sneddon

I like Stroud's BBQ in Cookeville TN. From I-40 take HY 111 north to Hy 70 west. Go about 1/2 mile. On the left.  Bobby Q's near Tenn Tech has good Q, fish, hushpuppies and HOT slaw. In Crossville there is a great authentic Mexican place on HY 27 as you get into downtown. Forgot the name. On the left going south, right before French's Boots. Verdict is still out about the best barbecue around Knoxville. Good eatin'

You can always stop by the Bon Ton Mini Mart in Henderson, KY (on U.S. 41, just below Evansville, IN) for some fabulous fried chicken.

 Thanks so much to everyone.  These are just what I was looking for.  I'll report back on what I tried.
Sharon

Mike, St. Louis has a great number of restaurants of all cuisines and is seeing quite a number of new ethnic restaurants as well.  My first pick is Blues City Deli on the south side of the city. www.bluescitydeli.com  Can't go wrong with anything there.  As far a road food, Check out Iron Barley, good stuff. www.ironbarley.com  Then for burgers, try O'Connell's Pub, www.saucemagazine.com/oconnells/  Then there's Crown Candy Kitchen for great ice cream sundae's and shakes and malts and a great egg salad sandwich.  www.crowncandykitchen.net  For great vietnamese food try Pho Grand www.phogrand.com and for Italian, any place on the Hill is great.  My friend owns a place called Frank Papa's (not roadfood or cheap though.)  For pizza try Pi or The Good Pie.  Both are excellent www.restaurantpi.com/ , www.thegoodpie.com

For BBQ, go to Pappy's Smokehouse, www.pappyssmokehouse.com and then for music and a funky patio go to Venice Cafe
www.thevenicecafe.com and not far in Illinois is Fast Eddie's Bon Air.  www.fasteddiesbonair.com



Hope that helps.  
You can check out a lot of these at Sauce Magazine online
www.saucemagazine.com
We are a huge restaurant mag and online restaurant guide.  
Sharon

Sounds like you're really on a Road trip. That's not the most direct route coming from Atlanta/Chattanooga. Could you give a little more info so we can help you more better?

I was just giving Mike some suggestions for St. Louis and I forgot a few for Greek Food.  Go to Michael's Bar and Grill on Manchester and then Olympia Kabob House on McCausland and for breakfast go to a Greek Diner called Majestic Restaurant in the Central West End.  Try the Bill's Omelette.  

As far as my trip goes, we are going from St. Louis to Gatlinburg and then to Myrtle Beach.  I-24 to Nashville and then I-40 to Knoxville and on to Columbia, SC to Myrtle Beach, so any suggestion from here to there are greatly appreciated.  I know it is a long route, but I still appreciate any help.
Thanks so much!  
Sharon

calamariveal


I was just giving Mike some suggestions for St. Louis and I forgot a few for Greek Food.  Go to Michael's Bar and Grill on Manchester and then Olympia Kabob House on McCausland and for breakfast go to a Greek Diner called Majestic Restaurant in the Central West End.  Try the Bill's Omelette.  

As far as my trip goes, we are going from St. Louis to Gatlinburg and then to Myrtle Beach.  I-24 to Nashville and then I-40 to Knoxville and on to Columbia, SC to Myrtle Beach, so any suggestion from here to there are greatly appreciated.  I know it is a long route, but I still appreciate any help.
Thanks so much!  
Sharon

 
OK, that helps alot. We were thinking you were coming up I-24 from the South. Got it!
How much time do you plan to spend in Nashville & Knoxville? Where do you plan to stay along the route?  Is this a leasurely trip or are you going to be "Booking it" to Myrtle Beach and just eating along the road? How far off the road are you willing to go? Enquiring minds want to know!

If you like it spicy, you should definitely stop in Nashville at Prince's and get some hot chicken.

Why does everyone get so excited about pancakes? Meh.

 We are driving from St. Louis to Gatlinburg, but are in no big hurry, so we can stop along the way.  Don't want to get more than 15-20 minutes off the route, though.  We are staying 2 nights in Gatlinburg and one of those days we are white water rafting on the Nantahala (sp?).  Then we leave to go to Myrtle Beach, 5-nights.  Then leave and drive back to Nashville, 1-night and back to St. Louis. Thanks for all the recommendations.

Louis


You can always stop by the Bon Ton Mini Mart in Henderson, KY (on U.S. 41, just below Evansville, IN) for some fabulous fried chicken.

MMMM...  Broasted Chicken!!!  Great stuff!  Enjoy it plain or with honey or sour cream!
 
Here's a store locater so you can find it near you (hopefully):  http://www.broaster.com/slocator.htm

Don't forget the Loveless Cafe: http://www.lovelesscafe.com/  It's a few miles west of Nashville on Rt. 100 (three miles from exit 192 on I-40).

It's been widely praised here on Roadfood and Food Network, Southern Living, etc.  I've been dying to try it and I'm finally going to "hit it" on my way back home to McKinney, TX.

The Loveless has slipped in recent years... It's grown into a shiny tourist stop and the food has suffered...  The Beacon Light Tea Room in further down Hwy 100 in Lyles, TN and is everything food wise that the Loveless used to be... It's been around as long if not longer and they share a history... It's is reviewed here on Road Food... I'm leaving Dallas tomorrow for Nashville and will sneak in as many visits as possible.