Upcoming Roadtrip to US - from England!!

Hi everyone,
 
Wondered if i can get some advice. 
 
I have been a watcher since at least 2006 on the forums and website as I have a fascination with american food and when visiting have sampled what I can.
 
Next spring I am organising a road trip for myself and 2 other friends to arrive in Washington DC and drive down to Atlanta (hopefully!) on a route first going a bit north to Amish country around lancaster - visit Gettysburg (we are followers of military history also!) - down the blue ridge mountain trail and then carry on to Atlanta - we could change and head east after mts though towards Richmond etc instead!!
 
Any thoughts of roadfood places to stop at - ideas of towns etc to stay in that have great roadfood places - and some good breakfast places in particular!!
 
I personally would love to try some real bbq - cannot get anything good in the UK - apart from a few "american" styled restuarants that try to do it although I cannot imagine it would be as good as the real thing.
 
Thks for any help!!
 
Paul
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Flipperblack, if you mean BoDean's in London,
Bodean's BBQ Restaurants in London
they toured KC and maybe other areas, and I'd bet would make at least acceptable UK Q.
Can't help you with your request cuz  I'm on the left coast.
Bill

Paul I would imagine people are going to have a number of suggestions for different spots along your route but as you're planning the route itself let me put in a word for the Blue Ridge Parkway http://www.blueridgeparkway.org   It's a slower road than the interstates so it will eat up some time all by itself but you aren't going to see lovelier vistas along the way than on that road.  And if you're coming in late spring along the Asheville part of the route you'll be in time for mountain laurel season, and that's just lovely.
 
Since you'll be working your way through North Carolina you won't hurt for good locations for barbecue.  What I would suggest is try to get your route down as close as possible, then use the forum search feature here (it helps to specify the 'Where Should I Eat' and 'Trip Reports' areas) to look for specific towns and possible side trips.  I hope you and your friends have a brilliant time.

If time permits, avoid our wonderful interstate system as much as possible. Instead take the US Routes which are mostly the roads Americans traveled before the interstate highways.   US 15 South or US Route 11 South might be a good starting off point from Gettysburg. You'd need to get over to the Shenandoah Valley to pick up Rte 11.

From everything I've heard you should stop at Chubby's barbeque in Emmistburg, Maryland if you are planning on visiting Gettysburg. Check out the photos of food posted here by chewingthefat.
 

I suggest you take Nancypalooza's suggestion and use the SEARCH FUNCTION on here. Also, you might consider becoming a "Roadfood Insider" It's $19.95USD. You'll be able to access reviews of all kinds of places along your route and get specific info not found easily on the general web site. Since you're a Military History Buff, there's all kinds of web sites to give you info on locations of the Civil War Battlegrounds. PA to GA is the Heart of Civil War History.

Thank you to you all for your great advice.
 
I will take some more time to pin down the route and then look at some places on the way.
 
Bill - I have been to Bodeans - they have a number of locations in London and I have been to the one in soho near Oxford Street. It is ok but never seems to match some of the great experiences some of you post on here about your bbq eating. perhaps you have to eat it in its native surroundings!! 
 
Probably like eating fish and chips in the US!!
 
Thks to you all once again.
 
i will post more details of my trip and locations closer to the time and any further suggestions would be most welcome.
 
Regards Paul

As I have had many wonderful trips to the UK, let me return the favor. In Amish country, you must have a meal at Dienners on rt. 30 near paradise. You can read much talk of it here on other threads. Run by Mennonite and Amish,it's a superb buffet, and authentic Amish food...the Amish, as well as tourists eat there. And I would echo the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is indeed one of the most beautiful roads in America.

http://dienners.com/
  Here's the web site for Dienners...but get there early...it's not a very large restaurant....you can find other great comments about my favorite Amish restaurant on other roadfood threads. This is not a commercial place,like the bigger Plain and Fancy Farm and other such places. This is actually run by the Amish...the real thing!!

thks again for this.
 
Anyone know of any good places in Charlotte and Atlanta?
 
Thks
 
Paul
 
 

In Atlanta, you need to go to The Varsity if not for the Hot Dogs, then just the experience. Be sure to go to the main location downtown at 61 North Avenue.
http://www.thevarsity.com/history.php 
Also, A visit to see the Big Chicken in Marietta, GA just north of Atlanta is in order as well as the Coca-Cola Museum and Complex in downtown ATL.
http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/
Since you're a Military History Buff, I visit to Stone Mountain would be of possible interest to you. 

Actually, I would recommend Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park over Stone Mountain for miltary history.  The former actually saw combat and there's a small, albeit interesting museum.  Stone Mountain just has a big carving in the side of it.
 
The Big Chicken is not far from Kennesaw Mountain, but despite the amazing building itself being incredibly interesting, the restaurant inside is just another KFC and not worth the visit.  As far as food in the region, I've written up dozens of local places on my food blog...
 
http://marieletseat.blogs...rch/label/atlanta%20ga
http://marieletseat.blogs...cherokee%20county%20ga
 
The Atlanta area is often overlooked.  Plenty of excellent places to try here.

If your going to be at Gettysburg you can make a quick drive Sw to Emmittsburg & Chubby's & from there head down Rt 15 to Frederick & then over to Antietam battlefield, site of the bloodiest single day of fighting during the Civil war.  From there it's a just across the river to Virginia & the upper Shenandoah Valley.

You might also try looking at my second most favorite food blog on the web. Roadfood.com of course being my No. 1 favorite.
http://Chowhound.chow.com/boards
Select an area you're going to visit and click on that area.
 
Have fun!
 

I highly recommend Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta. http://www.marymacs.com/
 
Can't beat the fried chicken, the homemade rolls, the wonderful vegetables, and the "pot likker." It's near the historic Fox Theatre, and is convenient to public transportation, although I understand you'll have a car.
 
I don't suppose you'll be looking for art museums, but the High Museum in Atlanta is fantastic.
http://www.high.org/
 

If you're passing through Delaware on your way south, stop by one of the local chain Capriotti's for a Bobbie (our traditional Thanksgiving dinner fare made into what is possibly the world's best sandwich) or a Philadelphia style hoagie or cheesesteak.  Here's a link:http://www.capriottis.com/menu.html

A visit to the Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta might be worth your time.

While beautiful, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a virtual culinary wasteland. There are a couple of really great restaraunts in Asheville (see other trip reports here). If you are looking for southern style, home cooking, search for "Hillbilly Hideaway" in Walnut Cove, NC if your path takes you anywhere close to there. There was recently a terrific review and summary of a number of BBQ places in the Raleigh/Durham area. i can't speak for them personally, but that review was well written.

Far be it for me to discourage anybody spending tourist dollars in Atlanta, but as far as The World of Coca-Cola goes, I'm with Conan O'Brien - there's something a bit ridiculous about spending $15 to be advertised to.  As far as I can tell, the only point to the tour at all is the opportunity to try Fanta Raspberry, which is a bit rich for $15.
 
On the other hand, there is an awesome aquarium right next door to it, and a darn fine burger place (Googie) about five minutes' walk in the park.

Play27


While beautiful, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a virtual culinary wasteland. There are a couple of really great restaraunts in Asheville (see other trip reports here). If you are looking for southern style, home cooking, search for "Hillbilly Hideaway" in Walnut Cove, NC if your path takes you anywhere close to there. There was recently a terrific review and summary of a number of BBQ places in the Raleigh/Durham area. i can't speak for them personally, but that review was well written.

If you get off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Spruce Pine NC and head about 10 miles to Burnsville ,you're in a quaint ,pretty ,mountain town, looking like Mayberry in the Andy Griffith show. Well the Nu-Wray in on the town square serves a superb family style meal. I still dream of the smoked ham we had there. It's also a great place to spend the night as the place is a historic site. Highly recommended

http://hothttp://www.insiderpages.com/b/15247345386/nu-wray-inn-burnsvilleels.uptake.com/north_carolina/burnsville/nuwray_inn_15177175.html
 
Here's are a few links about the place....pictures just don't do it justice. 

Here's a previous thread about BBQ in North Carolina. Good Places
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/North-Carolina-BBQ-Society-Historical-BBQ-Trail-m609100.aspx

Thanks to you all for some great suggestions - we now have to decide what we exactly want to do in the time we have!
 
The links you all kindly added into your replies were especially helpful. My friend was amazed by the avalanche challenge in one of the restaurants. We will definately go close by that one!
 
Our only worry is that we are coming over in late Feb and worried about how much snow you chaps get!! Not used to it living in southern England!
 
Thks again
 
Paul.
 
 

Since you're starting in Washington, DC and going to SE Pennsylvania, Va and Through the Blue Ridge Mountians, there's a very good possibility you will be in snow. As a matter of fact, you can count on it! Once you get south of NC, the chances of snow lessen, but the probability of Ice storms will be present. Suggest you rent a vehicle that has all wheel traction. You probably not need 4 wheel drive, but all wheel traction is advisable. Generally, the road are well maintained and the major roads and Interstates are generally kept very clear. Our TV and radio stations provide pretty good road advisories. The Weather Channel on TV is very good with up to date reports. There are Ski areas in the western part of NC so they do get some good accumulations as well as man-made snow. The closer you are to the lowlands and the Atlantic Coast, the less chance of bad weather. The further inland, the greater chance of challenging weather.

If you were going to try the Blue Ridge Parkway, be aware it closes in snow events. there are major interstates in the same area for alternate routes, just not as scenic.

Hope I'm not too late. If you want bbq in Atlanta, go to Harold's. It's the real deal in both bbq AND atmosphere!

If interestd in our War Between The States ( War for Southern Independance) :) this iste may help.

Be aware tha BBQ tastes vary by state and that served in North carolina and the north tends to be vinegar based while that in South carolina and most of Georgia is mustard based. Pork rules in the east as beef is rarely done or done well.
Once you have a mote definitive route, people can give better advice about the food options. Cold and snow will be likely in Feb in the northern most states and even Atlanta will be cold. Sort of like a windy day in Feb in Ipswich.

flyguyfl


Be aware tha BBQ tastes vary by state and that served in North carolina and the north tends to be vinegar based while that in South carolina and most of Georgia is mustard based. Pork rules in the east as beef is rarely done or done well. 

A slight correction. The Smoked Pork Meat itself is relatively the same. What is different are the sauces that are used to baste the meat and are served with the meat. Unless otherwise specified, expect to get coleslaw on a BBQ Sandwich in NC.

rumaki


I highly recommend Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta. http://www.marymacs.com/

Can't beat the fried chicken, the homemade rolls, the wonderful vegetables, and the "pot likker." It's near the historic Fox Theatre, and is convenient to public transportation, although I understand you'll have a car.

I don't suppose you'll be looking for art museums, but the High Museum in Atlanta is fantastic.
http://www.high.org/

I approve of this message. Mary Mac's is unbeatable.

Hi everyone - thks for the answers so far.
 
We were still planning our trip but we now have final route!! My two friends have never experinced real roadfood so I am keen to try a few stops on the way!!
 
The final route is Washington dc to Lancaster (PA) to Gettysburg to Staunton (blue ridge) to Richmond to virginia Beach to Williamsburg back to washington dc - then fly home!!
 
Any ideas for good stops along way will be great.
 
thks to you all in advance!
 
Paul