Culinary Tourism Opportunities in Tennessee

West Tennessee | Middle Tennessee | East Tennessee

West Tennessee

Obion County/Union City

  • Flippen's Fruit Farm and Hillbilly Barn
    3734 West Shawtown Road, Troy, TN, 38260
    731-538-2933
    www.flippenhillbillybarn.com
    Hours:
    • Hillbilly Barn: Monday–Saturday, 8 am–5 pm.
    • Restaurant: Monday–Thursday, 8 am–3 pm; Friday & Saturday, 8 am–8:30 pm
    • Catfish and country ham buffet Friday & Saturday, 4–8 pm

    Home of the "World's Best Fried Pies," Flippen's Hillbilly Barn sells seasonal fresh fruit from their orchard, as well as "Mama Dan" Flippen's jams, apple butter, and signature fried pies. Don't miss her good Southern-style cooking in the restaurant, which overlooks the orchard and pond.

  • Obion County Fall Fest
    Union City, TN 38261
    731-885-8330
    Held in September. Call for specific dates.

    Features a traditional Western Tennessee Barbeque Cook-off.

  • Reelfoot Lake Restaurants

    Try these popular local restaurants for family-style meals of catfish, country ham, and fried chicken. Hours are seasonal.

    • Lakeview Restaurant
      3550 State Route 21 East, Tiptonville, TN 38079
      731-253-7516
    • Blue Bank Fishhouse & Grill
      3330 State Route 21 East, Tiptonville, TN 38079
      731-253-8976
      www.bluebankresort.com
    • Boyette's Resort
      30 Boyette Road, Highway 21 East, Tiptonville, TN 38079
      1-888-465-6523
      www.lakereelfoot.net

Henry County/Paris

  • World's Biggest Fish Fry
    Paris, TN 38242
    1-800-345-1103
    www.paristnchamber.com
    Held in April. Visit the website for dates, prices, and additional information.

    Enjoy all-you-can eat catfish — there will be 5 tons, so they won't run out — along with hushpuppies, coleslaw, white beans, and French Fries. Other highlights include a Grand Parade, Catfish Races, and much more.

    If you can't make it to Paris in time for the World's Biggest Fish Fry, try the catfish at these local restaurants:

    • 1850 Log House Restaurant
      2635 Highway 641 North, Camden, TN 38320
      731-584-7814
      Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 3 pm–9 pm

      A log house, full of antiques, near Camden, in Benton County. Serves great catfish and sides.

    • Knott's Landing
      209 North Poplar Street, Paris, TN 38242
      731-642-4718
      Hours: Monday–Saturday 6:00 am–8:30 pm

      A more rugged atmosphere, but great catfish.

  • Trolinger's BBQ and Butcher Shop
    2305 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242
    731-642-8667
    Hours: Monday–Saturday, 7 am–6 pm/7 pm DST; Sunday 9 am–6 pm/7pm DST

    A family tradition since 1917, Trolinger's offers an old-fashioned butcher shop, and pulled pork BBQ with a West Tennessee style tomato-based sauce.

  • Lewis and Williams Market
    220 North Poplar Street, Paris, TN 38242
    731-642-4351
    Hours: Monday–Saturday, 6:30 am–5 pm

    A small town market that still delivers groceries. Serves BBQ and hamburgers.

  • Sally Lane's Candy Farm
    3335 Highway 79 North, Paris, TN 38242
    731-642-5801
    Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 am–5:30 pm; Sunday, pm–5:30 pm

    A Paris institution since the 1950s. One hundred varieties of handmade candies, including peanut brittle, pecan logs, pralines, pecan divinity, and their signature pink and green mints.

  • Clifty Farms Country Hams
    Paris, TN 38242
    1-800-486-HAMS
    www.cliftyfarm.com

    Clifty Farms have been producing hickory smoked country hams for three generations. Their ham and barbeque can be found in grocery stores throughout the southeast.

  • Miller's Country Store
    75 Anderson Road, Paris, TN 38242
    731-644-7535
    Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 am–5 pm

    This Mennonite country store features homemade jams and baked goods, local dairy products, and bulk foods. The Mennonite community in Paris, which currently consists of about 50 families, moved to this area from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1971.

  • Yoder Brothers Meat Processing
    1650 Briarpatch Lake Road, Paris, TN 38242
    731-642-3333
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm; Saturday, 8 am–2 pm

    Just down the road from Miller's Country Store, this fellow Mennonite business sells fresh pork, beef, chicken, and catfish, and offers custom meat processing as well. Don't miss their delicious summer sausage.

Ripley, Henning and Lauderdale County

  • Lauderdale Cellars
    1900 Highway 51 South, Ripley, TN 38063
    731-635-4321
    Hours: Seasonal.

    This family owned and operated winery was founded in 1994. It produces a variety of traditional wines, in addition to some unique wines which spotlight regional grapes and fruit. Although still modest in size, its vineyard is the largest in West Tennessee.

  • Halliburton's Handy-Pac
    610 Barfield Avenue, Henning, TN 38041
    731-738-5770
    Hours: From around 7 am–Midnight

    Features home cooked meals, including dessert. The biggest taco salads and cheeseburgers around.

  • Lauderdale County Tomato Festival
    Ripley, TN 38063
    731-635-9541
    www.lctn.com/tomato-festival/
    Held in July. Visit the website for dates, prices and additional information.

    A celebration of "Tennessee's finest" tomatoes, grown locally in Ripley. Highlights include tomato tasting context, contest for the biggest, oddest, and best tomatoes, a barbeque cook-off, and much more.

Gibson County

  • West Tennessee Agricultural Museum
    3 Ledbetter Gate Road, Milan, TN 38358
    901-686-8067
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm; Saturday, Noon–4 pm; Closed Sunday and holidays.
    Free admission.

    Hundreds of farm and farmhouse artifacts illustrate West Tennessee's agricultural history.

  • West Tennessee Strawberry Festival
    1200 Main Street, Humboldt, TN 38343
    731-784-1842
    www.humboldttnchamber.org/strawberry.html
    First full week of May.
    Visit the website for dates, prices and additional information.

    Held in Humboldt since 1934. Highlights include the Junior Strawberry Parade, Grand Float Parade, and the Governor's Lunch.

Shelby County

  • Choctaw Indian Heritage Festival
    Memphis, TN 38109
    901-785-3160
    cas.memphis.edu/chucalissa/
    Held in August. Call or visit website for additional information.

    This festival, sponsored by the Chucalissa Museum, provides an opportunity to learn about the culture and heritage of the Choctaw people. Features music, singing, dancing, and artisans' wares, such as pottery and baskets.

Tipton County

  • The World's Oldest Bar-B-Q Festival
    Covington, TN 38019
    901-476-9727
    Second weekend in October.

    Enjoy some Memphis-style barbeque in this West Tennessee town.

Middle Tennessee

Robertson County/Springfield

  • Orlinda Milling Company
    9145 Highway 49 East, Orlinda, TN 37141
    615-654-3633
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–4 pm

    The 100-year-old machinery in this four-story roller mill produces 7,500 pounds of Jewel Mills brand flour per week. Milled from locally-grown soft red wheat, Jewel Mills flour can be purchased at the mill or in area grocery stores. Call ahead to arrange a tour.

  • Thomas Drugs
    7802 Highway 25 East, Cross Plains, TN 37049
    615-654-3877
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–6 pm; Saturday, 8 am–Noon; Closed Sunday.

    Step back in time to an old fashioned soda fountain. If you crave a phosphate, ice cream soda, egg cream, coke float, milkshake, malt, banana split, or sundae, this is the place for you.

  • J.I. Baldwin and Son Pit Barbecue
    300 Central Avenue. E., Springfield, TN 37172
    615-384-3426
    Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 am–7 pm; Friday–Saturday, 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, 10 am–5 pm

    Now in its fourth generation, Baldwin's has been in operation since 1926. Typical of Robertson County style BBQ, the tender pulled pork is doused with a vinegar-based sauce. Rumor has it that their pie is excellent as well.

Williamson County/Franklin

  • Barbara's Home Cookin'
    1232 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37069
    615-794-9533
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 am–8 pm; Sunday, 11 am–3 pm

    Barbara's Home Cookin' has attracted national attention for its down-home food. Its fried chicken, voted a reader's favorite in Southern Living magazine, is available Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • One Stop Cafe 901 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064
    615-794-3881
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 6 am–2 pm; Saturday, 7–11 am

    Formerly one of Williamson County's African-American-owned BBQ joints. Although under new management since 2001, the original pull sauce and corn light bread recipes are still in use. Serves great catfish on Fridays.

  • Puckett's Grocery Store
    4142 Old Hillsboro Road, Leipers Fork Village, TN
    615-794-1308
    www.puckettsgrocery.com
    Hours: Sunday–Tuesday, am–- 6 pm; Wednesday–Friday, 6 am–7 pm; Saturday, 6 am–8 pm

    The original Puckett's Grocery Store, located in historic Leipers Fork Village. Offers a meat-&-two style lunch (your choice of meat and two vegetables), and old fashioned hamburgers. Reservations required for their Friday night dinner and live music show.

  • Puckett's Grocery Store
    120 Fourth Avenue, South Franklin, TN 37064
    615-794-5527
    Hours: Opens at 7:00 am Breakfast & lunch served 7 days/week. Dinner served Wednesday–Saturday, 5 pm–9 pm Live music Saturday nights. (Reservations required.)

    This second Puckett's Grocery Store recently opened in Franklin. Offers traditional breakfasts and meat & three lunches seven days a week. Dinner, available Wednesday–Saturday, includes fried catfish, BBQ, baby back ribs, and rib eye steak, as well as lighter fare.

Maury County

  • Mule Day Celebration
    Columbia, TN 38402
    931-381-9557
    The first weekend in April (unless it coincides with Easter; then held on the second weekend).

    "Mule Day" in Columbia, Tennessee, has been a tradition since around 1840, when farmers would gather for the animal livestock show and Mule Market on the first Monday in April. Mule Day eventually evolved into a week-long celebration, which attracts over two hundred thousand spectators.

  • Spring Hill Country Ham Festival
    Spring Hill, TN
    931-540-0800
    First weekend in October

    Features a country ham curing demonstration, country ham biscuits for sale, hog calling, and much more.

Moore County

  • Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
    Lynchburg, TN
    1-877-SPIRITS
    www.jackdaniels.com
    Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

    The oldest registered distillery in the country, Jack Daniel's was licensed in 1866 and continues make its "old-time Tennessee sipping whiskey." Tours of the distillery are available.

Coffee County

  • George A. Dickel Distillery
    1950 Cascade Hollow Road, Normandy, TN 37360
    931-857-3124 ext. 230
    Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9 am–4 pm Except major holidays.

    Started by in 1870 by George Dickel, this distillery closed down during Prohibition. It did not reopen until 1958, when Ralph Dupps rebuilt the distillery near its original location and used Dickel's records to recreate the original whisky.

East Tennessee

Hawkins County/Rogersville

  • Davidson Farm and Market
    993 Carters Valley Road, Rogersville, TN 37857
    423-345-2704
    Call for hours.

    Davidson Farm is a fourth generation family farm producing a large variety of vegetables and fruits. Their newly refurbished Farm Market store, originally built by the first generation in 1902, was recently reopened. They offer a variety of fresh farm produce, and products made from Davidson Farm produce and family recipes.

  • OH Henrys
    201 East Main Street, Rogersville, TN 37857
    423-272-0980
    Hours: Monday–Saturday, 6 am–10:30 pm

    A family-owned restaurant, OH Henry's serves excellent down-home cooking.

  • El Pueblito
    120 East Main Street, Rogersville, TN 37857
    423-921-0057
    Hours: Open seven days a week, 11 am–10 pm (Friday and Saturday until 10:30 pm)

    El Pueblito offers authentic Mexican food.

Anderson County

  • Museum of Appalachia
    2819 Andersonville Highway, Norris, TN 37716
    865-494-7680
    www.museumofappalachia.com
    Hours: Daylight hours year round. Closed on Christmas Day. See website for admission fees and event information.

    This museum strives to preserve the old Appalachian way of life. The 65-acre site contains dozens of structures, such as a corn mill, log kitchen, and smokehouse. The Tennessee Fall Homecoming in October features the making of sorghum molasses, apple butter, apple cider, hominy, kraut, and vinegar.

Maryville and Blount County

  • Cades Cove and Cable Mill
    Townsend, TN 37882
    865-436-1200 (Great Smoky Mountains National Park recorded message)
    www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/cadescove.html
    www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalfacilities.htm
    Hours: Cades Cove visitor center is open year round, with seasonal hours. Cable Mill is open seasonally.

    Cades Cove, a 6,800-acre valley near Townsend, Tennessee, is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The visitor center features indoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life, including the Cable Mill, an operating grist mill.

  • Townsend Spring Festival/Townsend Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day
    Townsend Visitors Center, 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882
    800-525-6834
    Held in April and late September. Call for specific dates.
    Free admission.

    Come celebrate the heritage of Townsend, Blount County, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Bill Alexander will most likely be here, making his Appalachian mountain berry baskets.

  • Allison Catfish Farm & Restaurant
    403 South Union Grove Road, Friendsville, TN 37737
    865-995-9245
    Hours: Friday–Saturday, 5–9 pm, March through November

    A popular local catfish place.

  • Tuckaleechee Trout Farm and Restaurant
    142 Tipton Road, Townsend, TN 37882
    865-448-2290 or 865-448-6395
    Hours: Open April–late October, Tuesday–Sunday, 4 pm–8 pm

    Catch your own trout in spring-fed ponds, and the restaurant will prepare your fresh-caught dinner for you. If you prefer, you can simply order from the menu.

  • Highway 321, heading East from Maryville to Townsend

    If you're driving along this stretch of highway, keep your eyes open for produce stands and honey stands, such as Bunny's Honey.

Knox County

  • Ramsey House Plantation
    2614 Thorn Grove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914
    865-546-0745
    www.ramseyhouse.org
    Hours: Open year round. Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm; Sunday 1 pm–4 pm Closed holidays. Call for Country Market dates.
    Admission: $7.00 Adults; $5.00 Children 6-12. Senior and AAA discounts available. Family rate of $19.00 for three or more.

    Tour the 1797 Georgian-style home and heirloom gardens, and purchase heritage seeds from the gift shop. At the annual fall Country Market, shop for heirloom plants and enjoy homemade bread, bean soup, cornbread, fried pies, jams, pickles, and more.

Sevier County

  • The Apple Barn and Cider Mill
    230 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
    865-453-9319
    www.applebarncidermill.com
    Hours: Open year round with seasonal hours.

    Hillsides covered with over 4,000 apple trees overlook a large tourist complex, which includes a three-story antique barn bursting with apples and apple-themed merchandise, an apple winery, a cider bar, a candy factory, and more. The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant specializes in country cooking and serves apple fritters before every meal.

Cocke County

  • Cosby Ramp Festival
    Cosby, TN
    423-625-9675
    www.cosbyrampfestival.org
    Held in May.

    A Cosby tradition since 1954, this festival celebrates the springtime appearance of the ramp, also known as the wild leek. Mountain people long valued the ramp as a spring tonic, despite its potent odor.

Loudon County

  • Sweetwater Valley Farm
    17988 West Lee Highway, Philadelphia, TN 37846
    877-862-4332
    Open all year.
    Hours: Monday, 8:30 am–5 pm; Tuesday–Friday, 8:30 am–6 pm; Saturday, 9 am–5 pm

    Sweetwater Valley Farm creates quality Tennessee farmstead cheeses. Stop in to see how cheese is made, and enjoy some samples. Walking tours to the barn are available from April–October.

  • Sequoyah Birth Place Museum & Gift Shop
    576 Hwy 360, Vonore, TN 37885
    423-884-6246
    www.sequoyahmuseum.org
    Hours: Open year round. Monday–Saturday, 9 am–5 pm; Sunday, noon–5 pm See the website for special event information.
    Nominal admission.

    Operated by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum seeks to promote understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the Cherokee in Eastern Tennessee. During the Nancy Ward Heritage Days, you can see, taste, and examine traditional foods and learn how they were gathered, preserved and prepared.

Monroe County

  • Benton's Smoky Mountains Country Hams
    2603 Hwy 411, Madisonville, TN 37354
    423-442-5003
    Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:30 am–5 pm

    Benton's has used traditional methods to slow cure country hams, bacon, and sausage since 1947. You may walk through and see how the naturally cured, hickory smoked bacon and country hams are made.

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