There are two types of people in this world: Those who always ask for the dessert menu, and those who rarely do. If you're a dessert person, you know that a good one can really make or break the overall restaurant experience, and that some places are more likely to have better desserts than others. For example, a Michelin-starred restaurant is almost guaranteed to have high-quality pastries or homemade ice cream,
Luckily, the answer is simple. Chicken fried steak is simply a thin, pounded-out cut of beef, breaded and fried like chicken. It's then topped with creamy country gravy - another Southern staple that can be confusing for those unacquainted - and often served alongside mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables, or even breakfast items to create a complete, hearty meal.
Though these hearts of palm are not actually cabbage, the classic Southern dish got its quirky name both for the palm trees' location in the Florida swamps and for the fact that they're also often colloquially referred to as "cabbage palms." Most modern variations of the recipe also include chopped green cabbage. Made with thick bacon, smoked sausage, and the "holy trinity" of peppers, onions, and celery, this stewed cabbage can be side dish or a well-rounded meal in itself.
Game day is just around the corner, and if you're planning to skip the stadium crowds and tailgate from the comfort of your own home, you're in luck. Some of the South's most talented chefs are sharing their winning recipes: the kind that turn any living room into the ultimate watch party destination. From New Orleans' iconic seafood-forward bites to South Florida's fresh Mediterranean flavors, these dishes bring professional flair to your home spread without requiring a culinary degree.
Taylor says she knew instantly that she'd met her future husband when she and Brandon connected over spicy pickleback shots at a last-minute get-together with mutual friends. Eighteen months later, Brandon proposed on the beach in Ocean City. A hot-pink-and-orange color scheme and a maximalist display of bold flowers; colorful linens and signage; disco balls; and extra sparkle carried out their "sassy Southern disco" wedding theme.
For her series California Foodways, Lisa Morehouse is reporting a story about food and farming from each of California's 58 counties. Mike Reddick, who's worked at CJ's for about five years, sharpened knives. Larry Turner trimmed, rinsed and seasoned slabs of ribs, the way he's done for more than 15 years. Nick Gamble took inventory of the freezers. Watching and managing it all was Gamble's uncle, Charles Evans - CJ himself - who's nearly 80.
The American South is renowned for its comforting cuisine, with home-cooking often deeply rooted in family traditions. Hearty, warming meals are commonplace, and ingredients like pork, seafood, and corn are especially popular. Southern recipes often call for slow cooking or deep-frying techniques, which yield wonderfully satisfying textures and flavors. And, it's not just dinner and dessert that this region does best.
A country breakfast, or farmer's breakfast, is meant to be big and filling. It's a high-calorie meal that can include eggs, hash browns, steak, sausage, ham, bacon, pancakes, grits, gravy, or more. It's traditionally meant to fill you up and give you the energy you need for an early start to the day on a farm. Even during the Depression, farmers got a jump on the day with these hearty meals.
In an article by Southern Living, Huck's was almost immediately named as a prime spot for tasty chicken. The roadside snack is Goldilocks-esque: not too spicy, not too salty and with a soft interior and a crisp exterior. "I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by their tasty chicken and will be eating it again!" revealed blogger Marty Wombacher of Meanwhile, Back in Peoria. His colorful review noted its value for money, juicy meat, and crunchy breading - emphasizing the tastiness of Butch's dipping sauce.
Few cookbooks can be found on every chef's bookshelf, but Edna Lewis' "The Taste of Country Cooking" is typically part of the best talent's repertoire. Lewis is one of the many women who changed the food industry forever, earning a place alongside icons like Julia Child and Bewei Yang Chao. First published in 1976, Lewis' "The Taste of Country Cooking" was a pioneering work, showcasing America's Southern cuisine in a whole new light.
Once a sprawling restaurant chain in the Southern states, Quincy's Family Steakhouse is now more or less a relic of the past. Without noticing, you might think it only exists in distant memories, but that's not entirely true. There are still two Quincy's locations left, one in Monroe, North Carolina, and the other in Florence, South Carolina, where you can still step in and feel as if you are transported back in time.
It's a beautiful world, indeed, with beau monde seasoning. This French-named, all-purpose blend translates to "beautiful world," but its popularity is perhaps most dominant in the home kitchens of the American South. Although, Ernest Hemingway's go-to burger recipe was seasoned with beau monde - and Hemingway was born just outside of Chicago, nowhere near the South. Clearly, the blend made famous by Spice Islands brand has reached fans well beyond the Mason-Dixon Line.
Whether you're taking a road trip to Disneyworld or simply took a wrong turn at Albuquerque, count your blessings if you find yourself in the South - because you're about to be treated to some mighty fine dining. Images of chicken fried everything and mounds of butter may be the first things that pop into your mind when it comes to Southern eating, but don't be so hasty to judge.
The holiday season just got a whole lot more flavorful with the arrival of "The Bradshaw Family Cookbook," officially launched on September 16, 2025. This isn't just another celebrity cookbook: it's a genuine family collaboration that brings together four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw, his wife Tammy, their daughters Rachel and Lacey, and award-winning chef son-in-law Noah Hester. Co-authored with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author James O. Fraioli and published by Flatiron Books, this collection has already earned its spot on USA Today's "Best Sellers" list.
Chef Dorian Southall describes his approach as an immersive narrative, where each menu item reflects seasonal ingredients and cultural homage, marrying bold innovation with tradition.
Black Nile Food Truck serves Halal-certified seafood and soulful Southern classics to New Yorkers, delivering plates infused with intention and built from scratch with love.
"Cooking grits, at least in the South, is a very serious conversation, and there's one thing all southerners should know ... there is NO such thing as instant grits, so don't let the grocery stores fool you!"
Fried bologna sandwiches, especially popular in the South, bring a nostalgic flavor while introducing modern culinary creativity, emphasizing both texture and taste in bologna’s crispy edges.
