A lot of you are hitting the road this summer, so in case you need some direction, we suggest following the food. Why not have some of the country’s best shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and Frito pie? After all, when in America.
The Restaurant: The Olde Pink House
The Locale: Savannah, Georgia
The Dish: Fried Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Bites
A lot of you are hitting the road this summer, so in case you need some direction, we suggest following the food. Why not have some of the country’s best shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and Frito pie? After all, when in America.
The Restaurant: The Olde Pink House
The Locale: Savannah, Georgia
The Dish: Fried Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Bites
Just when you think Mac and Cheese can’t get any better, The Old Pink House deep fries the heck out of it. Yes, it’s worth it. The experience is only elevated in the charming old house, on this quintessential Charleston tree-lined street that oozes the deep South.
The Restaurant: Five and Dime General Store
The Locale: Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Dish: Frito Pie
This is really a bag of corn chips filled with homemade chili, onions and cheese. And this is really a five and dime store, where you saddle up to the counter and eat the iconic comfort food of the region out of a Fritos bag. It’s as New Mexico as it gets, and it’s delicious.
The Restaurant: Magnolia's
The Locale: Charleston, South Carolina
The Dish: Shrimp & Grits
We just need to know how they get those grits so creamy. There have been many an opening in Charleston, but the standby that has even opened for takeout to show they have staying power is Magnolia's. It is the for sure, good elevated Southern cooking standby, that long after the trendy restaurants have moved on, will always be there. And they served a damned good traditional shrimp and grits.
The Restaurant: Irondale Café
The Locale: Outside Birmingham, Alabama
The Dish: Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green tomatoes so iconic that the Irondale Café inspired the original Whistle Stop in a movie. This is a true Southern diner so no great shakes on atmosphere, but authentic fried green tomatoes in a savory yet lightly coated can eat it without the tomatoes batter. And of course there’s that roumelade.
The Dish: Disco Fries
Locale: Chicago Illinois
The Restaurant: Bandit
Chicago is known for their cheese fries, and the Bandit takes it to the next level with waffle fries as the base, smothered in a cheese sauce, scallions and braised short ribs with kimchi on the side.
The Dish: Fried Chicken
Locale: Miami, Florida
The Restaurant: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
This is the category that deserves its own article, and we know you die hards are saying that your favorite is good old fashioned Kentucky Fried Chicken. We’re not arguing, but for now, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar serves up a more elevated fast food fried chicken (sometimes served with watermelon) and has additional locations in Vegas and LA too.
