A Memphis burger joint still cooks in grease it has strained and saved since 1912. I had to read that twice. Then I wanted to know what else from my Tennessee childhood is still frying, baking, and smoking away.
It turns out that plenty of it is. A candy bar that once rode along with Grand Ole Opry radio ads is still being made. A snack cake named after a curly-haired little girl still fills lunchboxes.
I love that so many of these flavors outlasted big hair, cassette tapes, and the Walkman. They were cheap and filling. Many were tied to a grandparent, a road trip, or a Friday night.
So grab a sweet tea and get comfortable. How many of these did you sneak before supper?
1. MoonPie
Coal miners in the early 1900s asked for a snack as big as the moon. Chattanooga Bakery listened, and the MoonPie rolled out in 1917.
The idea came from a traveling salesman named Earl Mitchell. Miners told him they wanted something filling that fit in a lunch pail.
The answer was simple and kind of perfect. Two round graham cookies were stacked around marshmallow, then dipped in a coating.
By the 1980s, a MoonPie was a gas station staple across Tennessee. You probably grabbed one on the way to the lake or after a long ballgame.
Then there was the famous pairing. A MoonPie and an RC Cola became known as the working man’s lunch in the South.
Plenty of folks still swear by the combo today, and honestly, who could argue? The sweet, soft pie and the fizzy cola just work together.
Flavors have grown well past chocolate. Banana, vanilla, and salted caramel have joined the lineup over the years.
There are double deckers too, for those days when one layer of marshmallow felt like a tease. Mini versions came along for snackers who like smaller bites.
Want a fun trick from childhood? Pop a MoonPie in the microwave for a few seconds, and the marshmallow puffs up like a cloud.
Watch it closely, though. That marshmallow can grow fast and make a sticky mess in a hurry.
Chattanooga Bakery is still family owned and still bakes MoonPies in the same city where it all began. That’s a pretty rare story for a snack this famous.
The company even runs a MoonPie General Store in Chattanooga. It’s a fun stop if you want souvenirs alongside your snack.
Next time you spot one by the register, go ahead and grab it. Your inner nine-year-old will thank you.
Address: 151 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402
2. Goo Goo Cluster
Nashville can claim a candy first that rarely gets enough credit. The Goo Goo Cluster, created in 1912, is known as America’s first combination candy bar.
Before it came along, candy bars were mostly one thing. Howell Campbell at Standard Candy Company mixed several ingredients into a single treat.
The classic version packs caramel, marshmallow nougat, and roasted peanuts. Milk chocolate covers the whole lumpy round.
That shape is part of the charm. It doesn’t look like a neat rectangle, and it never tried to.
If your family kept the radio tuned to the Grand Ole Opry, you heard the name a lot. Goo Goo became a longtime sponsor of the show.
So the candy and country music grew up side by side. That connection made it feel like part of Tennessee itself.
Kids in the 1980s often found Goo Goos at the drugstore counter. Grandparents seemed to keep them stashed for visits, too.
The lineup has grown since then. The Supreme version swaps peanuts for pecans, and the Peanut Butter version adds a creamy twist.
Curious where the name came from? One popular story says it nods to the first words a baby says.
The company has shared that story over the years, and it fits. One bite really can make you babble a little.
Today, you can visit the Goo Goo Shop in downtown Nashville. It sells the candy bars and offers dessert creations built around them.
That makes it a sweet stop between other sights on a Music City trip. Bring along anyone who’s never tried one.
A Goo Goo also makes a great gift for a homesick friend who moved away. A taste of Nashville fits right in a mailbox.
Address: 116 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
3. Prince’s Hot Chicken
According to family legend, Nashville hot chicken started as payback. The story says Thornton Prince’s girlfriend loaded his fried chicken with pepper to punish his wandering ways.
The joke backfired. He loved it, and the family eventually opened a chicken shack in the 1930s.
In 1980, his great-niece André Prince Jeffries took over the business. She has been the face of Prince’s ever since.
So if you grew up in Nashville during the 1980s, Prince’s was already around. Back then, hot chicken was mostly a local secret.
Now it’s famous far beyond Tennessee. Chain restaurants across the country have borrowed the idea.
Still, Prince’s is widely credited as the original. That’s a big claim to fame for one family recipe.
The chicken comes in heat levels, and they mean business. Starting mild is a smart move if you’re new.
Classic plates come on white bread with pickles on top. The bread soaks up the spicy oil, and the pickles give your mouth a little break.
Got a friend who brags about handling spice? Let them order the hottest level and see how long the bragging lasts.
Keep a cold drink close by, just in case. Your taste buds might need backup.
Prince’s has received a James Beard America’s Classics award. That honor goes to beloved restaurants with deep local roots.
The main shop sits on Nolensville Pike in south Nashville. Expect a casual counter setup focused on the food.
Plenty of copycats exist today, but the family story keeps people coming back to the source. Some flavors just taste better with a legend attached.
Address: 5814 Nolensville Pike #110, Nashville, TN 37211
4. Rendezvous Dry Ribs
Memphis barbecue in a basement down an alley sounds like a secret club. That’s the Rendezvous, and while it opened in 1948, its famous dry-rubbed ribs didn’t arrive until the 1950s.
Charlie Vergos opened the spot below street level in downtown Memphis. He found an old coal chute in the basement and turned it into a vent for his grill.
His ribs became famous for one thing. They’re seasoned with a dry rub instead of a thick, wet sauce.
That rub includes spices with a Greek touch, a nod to the Vergos family heritage. It gives the ribs a flavor you won’t mix up with anyone else’s.
By the 1980s, the Rendezvous was already a Memphis legend. Families celebrated big moments there, and visitors made it a must-stop.
The walls are packed with photos and memorabilia from decades past. You could spend a whole meal just looking around.
Sauce lovers, don’t panic. The restaurant also offers sauce, so you can choose your own path.
Many fans still say the dry ribs are the way to go. That’s how the Rendezvous made its name, after all.
Planning a visit? Look for the entrance in General Washburn Alley across from the Peabody Hotel.
It’s easy to walk past if you’re not paying attention. Follow your nose, and you’ll find it.
The Vergos family still runs the place today. That steady ownership is part of why it feels connected to its roots.
Memphis has a lot of barbecue joints worth trying. Still, few have shaped how people think of Memphis ribs quite like this one.
Bring extra napkins and a healthy appetite for history. You’ll leave with both.
Address: 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103
5. Loveless Cafe Biscuits
Some Tennessee road trips were planned around a basket of biscuits. The Loveless Cafe on Highway 100 has been one of those destinations for decades.
Lon and Annie Loveless started serving fried chicken and biscuits in 1951. They fed travelers right from their home along the highway.
Annie’s biscuit recipe became the star. Paired with homemade preserves, those biscuits earned the place a loyal following.
If your family drove out there in the 1980s, you may remember the famous sign. That neon Loveless Motel sign is still a favorite photo spot.
The menu still leans hard into Southern breakfast. Country ham, fried chicken, and red-eye gravy are part of the lineup.
Biscuits arrive with preserves, so you get a sweet start. Peach and strawberry are familiar flavors there.
Biscuit maker Carol Fay Ellison became well known for her work in the kitchen. She even appeared on national TV to show off her skills.
Her story is part of why the biscuits feel so special. Recipes carry people with them.
The property has grown well beyond a small cafe. Shops, a barn event space, and a market selling preserves and mixes share the grounds.
That means you can take a taste home. Biscuit mix in your pantry is a pretty great souvenir.
Want a tip? Go early or on a weekday if your schedule allows, since this is a popular spot.
Also, consider a drive along the nearby Natchez Trace Parkway. The northern end is close by, so it’s an easy add-on.
Fresh biscuits plus a scenic road make a pretty perfect Tennessee morning. Some traditions are worth keeping.
Address: 8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221
6. Mayfield Ice Cream
Yellow milk jugs might be the most Tennessee thing in the dairy aisle. Mayfield Dairy Farms says that color helps protect milk from light.
The company traces its roots to 1923 in Athens, Tennessee. Thomas B. Mayfield Jr. started the dairy, and it grew into a regional favorite.
For many 1980s kids, Mayfield meant ice cream. A carton in the freezer felt like a small family treasure.
Classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate always had fans. Moose Tracks became another big favorite over the years.
Remember fighting over the last scoop? That little battle happened in kitchens all over East Tennessee.
Mayfield also became known for its plant tours. Field trips to Athens let kids see how milk and ice cream were made.
A visitor center in Athens still welcomes guests. It offers a look at the dairy’s history and products.
You can also grab a scoop of ice cream at the visitor center. Few souvenirs beat a cone in your hand.
Check hours and tour options before you go. Schedules can change, and you’ll want to plan ahead.
Here’s a simple summer idea. Pair a Mayfield milkshake with a drive through the nearby Cherokee National Forest.
That combo blends cool treats with mountain views. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.
Mayfield products still show up in plenty of Southern grocery stores. So that yellow jug is probably closer than you think.
Next time you see one, give it a nod. It carried a lot of childhood breakfasts.
Address: 4 Mayfield Ln, Athens, TN 37303
7. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Spicy fried chicken in a tiny West Tennessee town became a legend through word of mouth. That town was Mason, and the cook behind it was Napoleon Vanderbilt.
He and his wife, Ms. Maggie, started cooking their recipe in the 1950s. Their son Gus later took over and gave the place its famous name.
The chicken has a crisp, spicy crust with a reddish tint. It isn’t as fiery as Nashville hot chicken, but it carries a kick.
Back in the 1980s, people drove out to Mason just for a plate. It was a road trip with a delicious reward.
The Memphis location on South Front Street opened later. It helped the brand reach visitors downtown.
Today, Gus’s has locations in several states. Still, its roots stay planted in Tennessee.
Plates often come with sides like baked beans and coleslaw. White bread also shows up, and it’s handy for mopping up.
Fried green tomatoes and fried pickles are on the menu too. Pecan pie and chess pie make a sweet ending.
Craving the original vibe? The Mason location still serves chicken on US Highway 70.
It’s a fun stop if you’re driving between Memphis and Nashville. Few road snacks beat fried chicken.
Tip for first-timers: order more than you think you need. Leftover fried chicken makes a top-notch next-day lunch.
Cold or reheated, it holds up surprisingly well. Your fridge will be grateful.
Address: 505 US-70, Mason, TN 38049
8. Pancake Pantry Pancakes
Long lines in Gatlinburg aren’t always for a ride or a mountain view. Sometimes people are waiting for pancakes.
Pancake Pantry opened in 1960 on the Parkway. It’s often called Tennessee’s first pancake house.
If your family vacationed in the Smokies during the 1980s, this place may ring a bell. A big breakfast before hiking was a classic move.
The menu offers a long list of pancakes and crepes. Sweet potato pancakes and buttermilk pancakes are among the choices.
Waffles and egg dishes show up too. That gives non-pancake people something to enjoy.
The building has stone and wood touches that fit the mountain town. It feels right at home in Gatlinburg.
Breakfast is the main event here. The restaurant generally serves breakfast and lunch rather than dinner.
Plan your morning with that in mind. Showing up hungry at night won’t help.
Here’s a smart trick for busy seasons. Arrive early in the morning before the crowds pick up.
Gatlinburg gets packed in summer and fall. An early start leaves time for the park afterward.
Pair breakfast with a trip into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park entrance is close by.
Burning off pancakes on a trail is about as Tennessee as it gets. Your legs might grumble, but your stomach won’t.
Nostalgia tastes extra sweet with syrup. Some vacation traditions deserve a repeat with the next generation.
Address: 628 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
9. Arnold’s Country Kitchen Meat and Three
Nashville’s lunch crowd learned a new address in 1982. That’s when Jack Arnold opened Arnold’s Country Kitchen.
The idea was simple and very Southern. Pick a meat, add three sides, and grab a tray.
That style is called a meat and three. It’s one of the most beloved lunch traditions in Tennessee.
Arnold’s serves it cafeteria style. You move down the line and choose what looks best that day.
Roast beef has long been a big draw. Fried chicken and other comfort classics also appear on the menu.
Sides might include mac and cheese, greens, and other Southern staples. Cornbread rounds out the plate nicely.
Save room for pie if you can. Desserts are part of the fun at Arnold’s.
The restaurant earned a James Beard America’s Classics award in 2009. That honor celebrates timeless spots tied to their communities.
It’s still a family business. Jack’s son Kahlil has been part of running it in recent years.
Here’s a practical tip. Arnold’s is known as a weekday lunch spot, so plan ahead.
Lines can form around noon. Showing up a little early can help.
Meat and three restaurants once filled Nashville. Arnold’s shows why people still crave them.
If you grew up with a plate like this, one bite might feel like a family Sunday. Comfort food earns its name for a reason.
Address: 605 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
10. Dyer’s Burgers
Grease with a birth certificate might be Memphis’s strangest food fact. Dyer’s says it has kept the same cooking grease going since 1912.
The secret is in how they handle it. The grease is strained and topped off rather than dumped and replaced.
Burgers get smashed thin and deep-fried in that grease. The result is a crispy-edged patty with a flavor all its own.
By the 1980s, Dyer’s already had decades of stories behind it. Generations of Memphians grew up hearing about the grease.
The restaurant now sits on Beale Street. That’s one of the most famous music streets in the country.
So you can grab a burger and soak in the Beale Street scene. It’s dinner plus a show without buying a ticket.
Classic toppings keep it simple. Mustard, pickles, and onions are part of the traditional build.
Fries and milkshakes come along nicely. Some folks go for a double or even a triple patty.
Curious about how the grease travels? Dyer’s has shared the story that it was moved to the Beale Street location under police escort.
It’s the kind of detail that sounds too wild to be true. Memphis loves a good legend, though.
This burger isn’t health food, and it never pretended to be. It’s a treat with a century of history baked in.
Got friends coming to town? Send them here, then tell them about the grease after they finish.
Address: 205 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
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