From Conway Twitty to Charley Pride, Minnie Pearl to Dolly Parton, there is no other city that resonates more with the history of country music than Nashville. In the beating heart of American country music legend and lore is where you’ll find fuel fit for guitar-twanging crooners. Let’s explore local grub: must eat in Nashville edition!
What you really must eat while in Nashville is what the likes of George Jones and Tammy Wynette ate between shows on the stage and on the air at the Grand Ole Opry. Simple food that’s fortifying, supported by strong, locally distilled drink is what this city and its tuneful Americana are made of.
Local Grub: Must Eat In Nashville Edition
Grown-up in Nashville and forever written in the rolls of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville food is distinct and storied. There’s no cure for a broken heart or a repossessed truck that doesn’t involve something deep-fried, BBQed, or distilled from sour mash. So let’s find out more about what food Nashville is known for and why it’s so special!
Nashville Hot Chicken
Colonel Sanders does not have a snowball’s chance against the fiery fried chicken of Music City. In fact, if you can handle it, Nashville hot chicken is your number one “must eat” while visiting. Spicy as you like it, hot chicken has only recently ascended to public notoriety. What’s certain is that this is a food Nashville is increasingly known for.
Nashville hot chicken started out as a revenge plot against a cheating lover, no less than 80 years ago. Andre Prince Jeffries is the keeper of the hot chicken flame because her great uncle was that wayward lover. Suspecting him of infidelity, his woman of the moment secretly “spiced up” his chicken to an unreasonable degree. But the cheater loved it and Nashville hot chicken was born! You must eat this infernal fried chicken while in Nashville but get ready to burn like the spicy little devil you are!
Meat-and-Three
If you’re seeking a local Nashville experience to draw you into the city’s food culture, there’s no tradition quite like the meat-and-three. This local style of eatery offers the choice of a meat course accompanied by three down-home side dishes and is one of the absolute “must-eat” food experiences in Nashville.
The story goes that the Nashville meat-and-three restaurant concept originates in a 1930s employee cafeteria. Employees could choose from a selection of meats and sides. Because they would create their own meal from whatever was cooking that day for just 25 cents. While meat-and-threes aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were in Nashville, what is happening is they’re becoming known among visitors looking for authentic food experiences. It’s hoped that visitor interest will maintain this homegrown Nashville culinary tradition well into the future.
Tennessee Whiskey
George Jones sang of it eloquently, acknowledging his personal struggles with Tennessee whiskey in the process. With 8 distilleries located just south of Nashville, it can safely be said that Tennessee whiskey is a homegrown troublemaker with a sterling reputation. What’s happening now is that Tennessee whiskey is becoming known as a good reason for checking out Nashville’s food and drink scene. So, tourism has driven expansion in this local sector.
While Tennessee whiskey is not something you eat, it’s a leading source of local pride you must try while in Nashville as a unique regional product. All whiskey in the state is produced using the sour mash method. Grain is ground and then combined with water, rendering starch that’s next converted into sugar. Via the fermentation process, this starch eventually becomes the world-famous Tennessee whiskey.
But it won’t reach that lofty status until the Lincoln County Process is applied. The raw whiskey is either filtered through or steeped in charcoal from maple wood before going in the barrel. Because this significantly mellows the flavor. At this point, it’s true Tennessee whiskey – ready to make trouble. Eat the best local food, then you must savor the flavor of a fine Tennessee whiskey while you’re in Nashville.
Food Fire + Knives Brings You Must Eats In Nashville
Let the private chefs at Food Fire + Knives show you the best of Nashville’s gastronomic wonders. We’ll cook them for you right in your home. While chef is describing the food prep, local sourcing, food history, and other in-depth information to whet your appetite.
Experience what Nashville’s culinary life and its amazing food are known for in real time. FFK makes catering a seamless joy and vacation eating as culturally satisfying as it is sublimely tasty. Reserve your personal chef today!
