15 Legendary Restaurant Dishes Our Readers Are Willing To Travel For
I don’t know about y’all, but any time I’m planning a trip, food is a big consideration. If I’m traveling in the South, it’s even more important since our region is blessed with such great cuisine and restaurants. When I’m headed to the coast, fresh seafood is always at the top of my “to eat” list, and if I’m venturing to Texas, brisket and breakfast tacos are high priority. If I’m visiting a bona fide food city like New Orleans, Atlanta, or Charleston, I’ve been known to plan the entire trip around where I want to eat.
Food is a huge part of culture in the South. It’s important, and our readers tend to agree. Y’all aren’t afraid of going a little—or a lot—out of the way for a really great meal. The 650-plus enthusiastic responses to our Facebook ask: “What’s a restaurant dish so good you travel for it?” definitely proved that. I made note of nearly every single one for future travels (thanks, everyone!), but in case you need a more digestible list, here are 15 that came up more often than others. These are the Southern restaurant dishes so delicious they’re worth traveling for, according to our readers.
Stone Crab from Joe’s Stone Crab
jessiesgirl614/Flickr/Creative Commons
Miami Beach, Florida
Another legendary establishment, Joe’s opened in Miami Beach in 1913, but didn’t start selling its now-namesake dish until 1921, when the restaurant started experimenting with serving the local crustacean. Today, people plan their trips to this part of Florida around stone crab season which runs from mid-October through May when the crab is freshest (though you can get the crab year-round).
joesstonecrab.com; 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139; 305-673-0365
Shrimp and Grits from Fleet Landing
Courtesy of Fleet Landing
Charleston, South Carolina
There are hundreds of great versions of shrimp and grits served at restaurants across the South, but one that our readers are particularly fond of is at Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar in Charleston. The waterfront spot has prime location at the foot of City Market in the city’s historic downtown, which is the perfect place to tuck into a bowl of their creamy grits topped with shrimp and Andouille sausage smothered in Tasso ham gravy.
fleetlanding.net; 186 Concord St., Charleston, SC 29401; 843-722-8100
Charbroiled Oysters from Drago’s
The Spruce/Maxwell Cozzi
New Orleans, Lousiana
I’ve been to New Orleans several times over the years but never had the opportunity to craft my own itinerary until I went for New Year’s a couple years ago. Before going, I solicited restaurant recommendations from basically everyone I know, and nearly all said I had to try the charbroiled oysters at Drago’s. Our readers seem to have similar taste, as more than 50 recommended the dish, which originated in 1933 when the original owner’s son decided to experiment by brushing a garlic-butter-herb sauce on oysters, then cooking in their shells on a hot grill.
dragosrestaurant.com; multiple locations
Pulled Pork Sandwich from Corky’s
Corky’s BBQ
Memphis, Tennessee
If there’s one thing Southerners will always travel for, it’s barbecue. Just ask our contributing editor Robert Moss, who has crisscrosses our region on a regular basis on the never-ending hunt for excellent barbecue. Everyone’s got their favorite neighborhood joint, but readers from everywhere are partial to the pulled pork sandwich at Corky’s in Memphis. Their barbecue has become so popular since the original spot opened in the 1980s that there are now seven other locations across Tennessee and Arkansas, as well as the option to have pounds of meat shipped to your home.
corkysbbq.com; 5259 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119; 901-685-9744
Crab Sardou at Galatoire’s
Wikimedia Commons/Bobak Ha’Eri
New Orleans, Louisiana
There are few places in the country—and even the world—that rival New Orleans when it comes to iconic restaurants. Galatoire’s, a French fine dining spot that has been open since 1905, may be one of the city’s best and brightest. The bucket-list-worthy restaurant is known for lots of dishes (including its Turtle Soup Au Sherry, Shrimp Remoulade, and Souffle Potatoes,), but the one our readers mentioned the most is their Crab Sardou, which pairs Louisiana jumbo lump crab meat with creamed spinach, artichoke hearts, and hollandaise.
galatoires.com; 209 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-525-2021
Barbecue from Franklin Barbecue
Austin, Texas
No one leaves Austin without chowing down on at least one tray of smoked meats (preferably lined with butcher paper and featuring both brisket and ribs), but lots of folks will travel great lengths to seek out the Texas-style meats from famous pitmaster Aaron Franklin. The lines haven’t dwindled in the least since they opened in a barbecue trailer on the side of the road in 2009.
franklinbbq.com; 900 E. 11th Austin, TX 78702; 512-653-1187
Key Lime Pie from Blue Heaven
Courtesy of Blue Heaven
Key West, Florida
There’s no dish more synonymous with a destination than key lime pie in the Florida Keys. A while back, we polled our readers to find out their favorite spots for the dessert, and their answers ranged several places. However, when we asked what dishes people travel for, the only key lime pie to be mentioned was the one at Blue Heaven in Key West. It features a buttery, graham cracker crust; a creamy filling made with condensed milk and tart, fresh-squeezed key lime juice; and a giant mound of toasted meringue on top.
blueheavenkw.com; 729 Thomas St, Key West, FL 33040; 305-296-8666
She Crab Soup from Lee’s Inlet Kitchen
Courtesy of Lee’s Inlet Kitchen
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Voted as the Best Seafood Restaurant in South Carolina in our 2023 South’s Best poll, we already know our readers are big fans of this seafood spot in Murrells Inlet. And while they love pretty much everything on the menu, people are particularly excited about their She Crab Soup, which is also the 7-time winner of the city’s annual chowder contest.
leesinletkitchen.com; 4460 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576; 843-651-2881
Chili Cheese Dogs from The Varsity
Atlanta, Georgia
You may not think there’s not much to a dish as simple as a chili cheese dog, but people who have tried the version at The Varsity in Atlanta will beg to differ. The beloved burger joint is known for their classic drive-in fare, from burgers to dogs to onion rings to milkshakes. But the menu item our readers can’t get enough of is their chili cheese dogs on a toasted bun.
thevarsity.com; 61 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308; 404-881-1706
Bread Pudding from Poogan’s Porch
Courtesy of Poogan’s Porch
Charleston, South Carolina
Another Charleston mainstay, Poogan’s Porch has been a gathering place for folks from all walks of life since 1976. Named for a lovable neighborhood dog who spent his days sunning on the historic home’s porch, Poogan’s is the kind of place where everyone feels right at home. Whether stopping in for brunch or dinner, everyone’s favorite way to end a meal is with an order of bread pudding. The decadent dessert is topped with candied pecans, caramel apples, apple butterscotch, and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
poogansporch.com; 72 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401; 843-829-4332
Bread Pudding Soufflé from Commander’s Palace
New Orleans, Louisiana
Rounding out our readers’ mentions of legendary Big Easy dishes is the Bread Pudding Soufflé from Commander’s Palace. Follow the turquoise-and-white-striped awning into this history-filled eatery that’s been rocking and rolling since 1893 and has since won seven James Beard Awards. Nicknamed the Queen of Creole Desserts, the dish is made with meringue into a custard made with bread from Leidenheimer Baking Company, plus vanilla, cinnamon, and raisins. The finished light and fluffy soufflé is served tableside with warm whiskey cream. It’s an experience as much as it is a dessert.
commanderspalace.com; 1403 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-899-8221
Thin Fried Catfish from Middendorf’s
Courtesy of Middendorf’s
Manchac and Slidell, Louisiana
Most Southerners have had fried catfish a time or two in their lives, but no one makes this downhome delicacy quite like Middendorf’s. The Louisiana institution has been serving its signature version of paper-thin, sliced fish that’s battered and deep fried to a crispy, golden-brown perfection since 1934. Visit one of two locations (Manchac or Slidell) and order a basket.
Ribs from Charlie Vergos Rendezvous
Charlie Vergos Rendezvous
Memphis, Tennessee
This iconic barbecue joint has been a Bluff City staple since it opened in 1948, with locals swearing by their signature style of Memphis ‘cue. However, folks come from far and wide to sample their famous charcoal-fired, dry-rubbed ribs, which the city is now known for. While more than 40 of our poll responders mentioned traveling straight to the source for these chewy, meaty ribs, if you can’t make the drive, the restaurant can ship slabs (fully cooked and frozen) directly to your door.
hogsfly.com; 52 S. Second Street, Memphis, TN 38103; 901-523-2746
Chicken and White Sauce from Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que
Decatur, Alabama
One of our readers proudly shared that they “make the drive from Houston to Decatur several times a year” for the smoked chicken and signature Alabama white sauce at Big Bob Gibson. “You can’t replicate the way they cook the chicken,” they wrote. And they’re right—this place is world-famous for hickory smoked barbecue chicken and white sauce (which you can buy bottled in grocery stores) too. However, if you want the dish worth traveling for, you’ve got to head to Decatur in North Alabama.
Cuban Sandwich from La Segunda
Tampa, Florida
Both Tampa and Miami are known for their authentic Cuban sandwiches, and there are dozens of places that make great ones. Last year, our readers voted The Columbia as having the best version in Tampa, but this go around the one they mentioned traveling for is at La Segunda. Our advice? Plan a trip to Tampa, try them both (and maybe a few more), and decide for yourself which is best.
lasegundabakery.com; 4015 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609; 813-248-1531
