Local Favorites
Every community has a local favorite: a one-of-a-kind place where locals gather for a special dish, a certain atmosphere, or a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors over good food.
Like the folks on that television classic "Cheers," we all like to stop at a place "where everybody knows your name." Those local favorites have become more than restaurants. They are extensions of home, where someone is always glad you stopped by. That's just how Tennessee's own Cracker Barrel got started.
The interstate system was young, in the late 1960s, when Dan Evins cogitated on how to keep the real flavor of America available to folks on the road. To Evins, mealtime was that connection between the comfort of made-from-scratch food and time to enjoy catching up--with family, with friends or just with your own thoughts. That first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store opened in 1969 on the outskirts of Lebanon. Standards were firm: cornbread came from cornmeal, not a mix; prices could not "break" people; and, fortunately, the people who worked there made sure a trip to Cracker Barrel was like a friendly visit to a neighbor's home. Soon, people were lined up for turnip greens, biscuits and gravy and the good things served at Cracker Barrel.
Local favorites keep people coming back. Ruby Tuesday was founded on the campus of the University of Tennessee by Sandy Beall, who had a vision of food and drinks handcrafted, made fresh with quality ingredients and full of flavor, served by friendly people.
Not all local favorites have grown to cover the state. Many remain what they have always been: a neighborhood eatery with a reputation for good food and friendly service.
Capture vintage classic at Memphis' Arcade Restaurant, located in the middle of the historic district. Charming Fountain City, in North Knoxville, sees Litton's Market, Restaurant & Bakery spin platters of mouth-watering burgers, chili dogs, key lime pie, red velvet cake and more, while locals gather in a back room to discuss "the truth according to Litton's." An institution in Nashville, Monell's family-style hospitality serves up the finest fried chicken, cornbread, green beans, sweet tea, catfish--and the desserts are something else.
Rock-A-Billy Cafe
Authentic soda shop and grill, open May until December. Hand-dipped ice cream, real, old-fashioned milkshakes, burgers, fries and more. ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Clarkrange, TN
Phone: (931) 863-3880
Rotiers Restaurant
Started in 1945, Rotiers is really a meat-and-three-vegetable eatery in old mid-south style. It just happens to be famous for its hamburgers. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Nashville, TN
Phone: (615) 327-9892
Rouxbarb
Chef of the Year Bruce Bogartz is the master of Southern cuisine with an innovative twist. Since his days as an executive chef for Warner Bros. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-212-0024
Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday is driven by uncompromising freshness and quality, gracious hospitality and a growing list of Five-Star restaurants destined to be the envy of the casual dining business.
We have locations throughout Tennessee. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Maryville, TN
Phone: 865-379-5700
Rumba Room
The first salsa nightclub located in downtown Memphis, The Rumba Room is introducing Latin culture to the midsouth through food, music and dance.
The Rumba Room specializes in Latin food, tropical mixed drinks and live entertainment. ...more
Region: Memphis & Surrounding Areas
City: Memphis, TN
Phone: 901-523-0020
Rush Street Neighborhood Grill
From burgers and pizza to sesame crusted salmon and slow roasted barbecue chicken, Rush Street has been serving great food for 25 years. Originally a Chicago-style pizza and beer establishment, Rush Street has expanded its menu to include all the taste treats diners expect at a full-service restaurant. ...more
Region: Northeast
City: Kingsport, TN
Phone: 423-247-3184
Rusty Fish Hook
Visit here for a bite of freshwater fish, where catfish is always the specialty. ...more
Region: Middle Tennessee
City: Linden, TN
Phone: 931-589-2626
S&W Grand
Built in 1936 as a stylish, ultramodern art deco cafeteria, the S&W was downtown's most popular eatery for more than 40 years. Patrons enjoyed four levels of dining and unique features such as a live organist, grand spiral staircase and opulent mezzanine, and a movie room. ...more
Region:
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-566-9800
Saffire Restaurant & Bar
Saffire Restaurant & Bar – Named “Best Restaurant in Williamson County” five times by Nashville Scene readers. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Franklin, TN
Phone: (615) 599-4995
Sample's Restaurant
Enjoy country cooking at its best; order the daily “meat and three” specials with real, down-home flavor.
Visit us on Facebook. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Estill Springs, TN
Phone: 931-649-3933
Scott's Place
Come hungry and see if you can eat the "Big C" a full pound of hamburger beef; and save room for handdipped ice cream in a variety of flavors. ...more
Region: East Tennessee
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-525-7771
Scott's-Parker's Bar-B-Q
This legendary spot has been serving locally raised, whole-hog BBQ since 1960. Its most recent honor was being voted in the top 10 "Country's Best BBQ Joints" by Vanity Fair magazine. ...more
Region: Southwest
City: Lexington, TN
Phone: (731) 968-0420
Seasons Cafe
Set in upscale, relaxed pace sophistication, Seasons offers innovative, American bistro-style cuisine. The menu is influenced by classical cooking techniques and seasonal offerings with an emphasis on freshness. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-671-3679
Sernicola's Restaurant
Italian family culinary traditions meet home-style favorites at this local spot. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Cowan, TN
Phone: 931-962-3380
Shelby Forest General Store
Stop by this charming market for fresh-made biscuits and world-famous cheeseburgers, live music on weekends and an authentic
general store experience. This is the kind of place where locals gather for coffee on the front porch, and it’s also a favorite hangout of Millington’s
famous son, musician/actor Justin Timberlake. ...more
Region: West Tennessee
City: Millington, TN
Phone: (901) 876-5770
