One Tennessee drugstore building dates back to 1915, and you can still sit at its soda fountain and order an egg cream. No eggs are involved, by the way. It’s just chocolate syrup, milk, and carbonated water, and I love that it has survived this long.
That’s only one stop. Another spot serves over-the-top burgers, creative mac and cheese dishes, and extravagant milkshakes that make it worth the drive. A third assigns a hostess to each table who shares stories while you pass the fried chicken.
Small towns hold onto food like this. One boarding house story on this list starts back in 1908. Nobody seems in a rush to modernize the pie case, and honestly, I hope they never do.
The tricky part is that most of these places sit far off the interstate. So which one would you drive to first?
1. Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant, Lynchburg
Lunch here comes with a storyteller assigned to your table. A hostess sits with your group and shares bits of history while the bowls go around.
The story starts in 1908. That’s when Miss Mary Bobo and her husband took over the boarding house on Main Street in Lynchburg.
She lived just shy of her 102nd birthday, passing in 1983. Her style of Southern hospitality didn’t leave with her, and the dining room still runs on that same idea.
Meals are served family-style, so you’re passing platters with folks at your table. It feels a lot like Sunday dinner at a relative’s house, minus the awkward questions about your love life.
The menu changes daily, which keeps things interesting. You might see Southern Fried Chicken, Boarding House Meatloaf, Chicken Pastry, Fried Catfish, or Country-Style BBQ Ribs.
Sides are where the table really fills up. Seasoned Greens, Fried Okra, Candied Apples, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, and Mashed Potatoes can all make an appearance.
Bread comes in two forms, cornbread and biscuits. You don’t have to choose, and nobody will judge you for taking both.
Save room for pie, because the lineup is serious. Chess, Fudge, Pecan, Oatmeal, and Buttermilk pies often show up near the end of the meal.
Here’s your practical tip: reservations for lunch are highly recommended. Seats are limited, and showing up hungry without a plan could leave you staring longingly at the porch.
Plan a little extra time in town too. Lynchburg is small and walkable, so a stroll after lunch is a smart move for your stomach.
2. Bell Buckle Cafe, Bell Buckle
Red-checkered tablecloths are a promise, and this cafe keeps it. Since 1992, owner Jeanette Heinike and her family have been dishing up comfort food in Bell Buckle.
You’ll find it right in Railroad Square, the heart of this tiny town. It’s the kind of address that tells you exactly how local the place is.
The specialty here is the classic meat and three. If you’re new to that, it simply means one main dish plus three sides of your choosing.
Meatloaf and pulled pork are popular picks for the meat part. Then the fun begins with sides like mac and cheese, fried okra, and a grit cake.
Chicken pot pie is another favorite on the menu. It’s a good choice on a chilly day when you want something that feels like a blanket on a plate.
Prefer a sandwich? The lineup includes BBQ pork, fried catfish, and a grilled chicken breast option.
Portions are generous, so pace yourself. You’ll want space for the blackberry cobbler, which deserves your full attention.
The cafe also features live music. Good food plus a tune in the background makes a slow lunch feel like an event.
Check the calendar before you go, because the hours are specific. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Mondays and Tuesdays are off days. Show up then and you’ll just be admiring the square with an empty stomach.
After eating, take a slow loop around town. Bell Buckle is small, charming, and perfect for walking off that second helping of cobbler.
3. The Old Mill Restaurant, Pigeon Forge
Some restaurants buy their grits, but this one has a working gristmill next door. The historic Old Mill was built in 1830 and still grinds grain used in the kitchen.
History runs deep here. The area got the name Pigeon Forge in 1841, when its first post office opened at The Old Mill.
The restaurant itself has been family-owned since 1993. It sits right along the Little Pigeon River, so your meal comes with a view of water and old timber.
Breakfast is a big deal. Classic plates arrive with orange juice and banana nut muffins, which feels like a bonus round before the main event.
The Country Breakfast goes all in. Think eggs, pancakes, stone-ground grits, biscuits, seasonal preserves, home fried potatoes, and country sausage gravy.
Lunch and dinner have their own famous starter. Entrees come with a cup of corn chowder and corn fritters with maple butter.
Mashed potatoes and green beans are served family-style too. That’s before you even get to your main plate.
Options include Southern Fried Catfish, Spicy Broiled Catfish, and Southern Country Fried Steak. Traditional Turkey and Dressing, Homemade Meatloaf, and Southern-Style Pot Roast and Gravy round things out.
Desserts keep it classic with Blackberry Cobbler, Chocolate Cake, and Pecan Pie. You’ll probably need a walk afterward, and luckily there’s plenty to explore.
The district includes shops and a pottery studio. Strolling them is a great way to make room for a muffin you might have pocketed.
One heads-up: reservations aren’t accepted. The restaurant opens daily at 8:00 AM and closes at 9:30 PM, so timing your visit wisely helps.
4. Foglight Foodhouse, Walling
Swamp cakes might sound like something from a fairy tale. At this hillside spot in Walling, they’re actually crab cakes, and they’re a menu highlight.
The restaurant opened on January 23, 1997. Its name came from what the owners call a happy accident.
Water, woods, countryside, and fog all inspired it. Once you see the setting, the name makes perfect sense.
Foglight sits on a hill overlooking the Caney Fork River. Outdoor seating lets you enjoy that view while you eat, weather permitting.
The feel is rustic and one of a kind. It’s not a chain-style dining room, and that’s the whole charm.
The menu is chef-driven and eclectic. You’ll see hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, pork, and poultry.
Authentic Cajun cooking is part of the lineup too. That’s a fun twist to find in rural Tennessee, far from the Louisiana bayous.
Pair those swamp cakes with the herbed grits. It’s a combo that leans Southern and Cajun at the same time.
For dessert, a pecan pie topped with fresh whipped cream makes a sweet finish. It’s a smart reason to skip seconds on bread.
Timing matters a lot here. Dinner runs Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday brings both lunch, from noon to 2:00 PM, and dinner, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Sundays and Mondays are closed.
Plan your drive with a little daylight to spare. Seeing the river from that hillside is half the fun of the trip.
5. The Grind, Martin
Mac and cheese got top billing in the name, and that tells you a lot. This Martin burger bar treats the cheesy noodle as a star, not a side.
Brothers Mark and Alan Laderman founded the restaurant. They built it around three big ideas: burgers, mac and cheese, and wild milkshakes.
Those shakes are famously over-the-top. If you like your dessert to look like it’s showing off, you’ll feel right at home.
The mac and cheese comes in several versions. That makes it fun to bring friends and order different bowls to share.
Burgers anchor the menu. Pairing one with a side of mac might be the most satisfying decision you make all week.
Keep an eye out for the Liberty Fries. There’s also a bacon item with a name that sounds like it won the lottery.
Where exactly is Martin? It sits about two and a half hours from both Nashville and Memphis.
That puts it in the northwest corner of Tennessee. It’s a solid stop if you’re road-tripping across the western half of the state.
The mood is lively and welcoming. Families and groups of friends fit right in here.
When the weather cooperates, grab a seat outside. Outdoor tables make a shake taste even better on a sunny afternoon.
Hours are generous, which is great for road trippers. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch an extra hour, until 10:00 PM.
That leaves plenty of time for a late milkshake run.
Bring an appetite and maybe a friend to split things with. Your belt will thank you on the drive home.
6. The Riverstone Restaurant, Townsend
Early birds and night owls can both eat here. The doors open at 7:30 AM and stay open until 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
That schedule runs year-round in Townsend. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all on the table, which makes planning a mountain day easy.
Terry and Belinda Haley opened the restaurant in 2004. It’s also known as Riverstone Family Restaurant, so don’t get confused if you see both names.
Here’s a fun detail for beef fans. The restaurant is licensed as a Certified Angus Restaurant.
You’ll taste that in the Hamburger Steak, made with Certified Angus Beef. It’s a hearty pick after a long day outdoors.
Comfort food leads the menu. Pot Roast and Country Fried Steak are the kind of plates that make you want a nap afterward.
Want something lighter? The Grilled Rainbow Trout feels right at home this close to mountain streams.
A Fried Catfish Sandwich is another option for lunch. Start things off with Fried Green Tomatoes if you’re sharing.
Breakfast gets plenty of love too. There’s a Western Omelet and a Country Ham breakfast with eggs, grits, and hash browns.
That ham plate is great fuel before heading into the Smokies. Townsend sits close to the mountains, so plenty of visitors pass through.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu. Little ones get options sized for them, which saves everyone some stress.
When the weather is nice, ask about the outdoor patio. Eating outside in the mountain air is a simple joy.
7. Becky’s Grocery & Grill, Maryville
Before you hop in the car, check your wallet for cash or a checkbook. That’s the only way to pay here, so cards stay home.
The story stretches back to 1973. Becky Cable’s mother ran it as a country grocery store that also served food.
Becky bought the business from her mom in 2000. It’s still a rural mom-and-pop spot with that country grocery feel.
It has even been featured on Tennessee Crossroads. That’s a nice nod for a little place on Laws Chapel Road.
The menu sticks to burgers, sandwiches, and plate lunches. Hamburgers and patty melts are easy places to start.
Feeling bold? Fried chicken livers and fried gizzards are on the menu for fans of classic country cooking.
Fried catfish, pulled pork barbecue, and meatloaf are here too. Those are the kinds of plates that feel like a visit to grandma’s kitchen.
Now, about dessert, because it’s a big deal. Homemade options may include coconut, chocolate, and peanut butter pies.
Banana pudding shows up as well. Then there are the fun names, like Sweet Dreams Pie and Earthquake Cake.
Honestly, Earthquake Cake sounds like something worth trying just for the name. Go ahead and get two forks.
Watch the hours closely, since they’re short. It’s open Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM, with last orders at 6:15 PM. Saturday runs 11:00 AM to 2:45 PM, with last orders at 2:30 PM.
Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are closed.
8. Thomas Drugs, Cross Plains
Prescriptions on one side, banana splits on the other. That’s the everyday mix at this historic drugstore in Cross Plains.
The building went up in 1915 as a general store. The pharmacy opened in 1930, and it’s still filling prescriptions today.
The soda fountain started serving food in January 1991. Two years later, on November 4, 1993, the place joined the National Register of Historic Places.
Sarah and Jeremy Felker became the owners in 2022. They’re keeping the old-fashioned spirit going strong.
Inside, you’ll spot black-and-white checkered floors and red stools. It looks like a scene from an old movie.
The shakes come in chocolate, vanilla, and specialty flavors. Root beer floats, sundaes, and ice cream sodas are also on the list.
Curious about the egg cream? It’s chocolate syrup, milk, and carbonated water, with zero eggs.
The ice cream is hand-dipped Purity Ice Cream. Purity is a longtime Tennessee name, so that feels fitting.
Lunch keeps it simple with BLTs, burgers, and other classic sandwiches. Dine-in sodas come with free refills too.
Hours take a little planning. The fountain serves treats Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to noon.
Lunch runs weekdays from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Sundays are closed, so aim for a weekday if you want a sandwich with your float.
Grab a red stool if one is open. Spinning a little while you wait is totally allowed.
9. Grindstone Cowboy, Eagleville
Your barista might work for a country singer. Craig Campbell and his wife, Mindy, own this Eagleville spot.
It opened in April 2022 inside a historic building on the town square. The plan began as a coffee shop.
Things grew fast from there. It turned into a full restaurant and a music venue too.
The listening room is the big draw. Live country music plays in an intimate, rustic setting where you can actually hear the songs.
Food covers breakfast and lunch, plus soups and sandwiches. Baked goods and gourmet coffees and lattes keep the coffee shop roots alive.
Meet The Boss Hog, the sandwich with a swagger. It stacks pulled pork, pimento cheese, bacon, and pickles. That combo is pure Southern comfort.
If you want something simpler, try the regular Pulled Pork Sandwich.
The Grilled Cheese uses a five-cheese blend. Five cheeses means you’re not messing around with lunch.
Hours shift during the week, so plan ahead. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Those longer evenings are your best bet for catching some music.
Sundays are closed. Mark your calendar so you don’t pull into the square hungry for nothing.
Eagleville is a small town in Middle Tennessee. Having a coffee shop and stage like this on the square is a fun surprise.
Order a latte, find a seat, and let the music do its thing. You may leave with a new favorite song and an empty plate.
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