6 Of the best foodie road trips across America
With popular food shows such as Parts Unknown, Diners Drive-Ins & Dives, and Southern Fried Road Trip, vacation-planners now have more to think about than just hitting the local attractions. These are the ultimate foodie road trips that every foodie should add to their bucket list.
Foodies everywhere are upping the ante on travel plans and combining their passion for cuisine with their passion for food as they design entire itineraries around a food tour or culinary style. Known as “food trails,” each of these unique foodie holidays is sure to help expand your discerning palette.
The powerful emergence of food tourism is not surprising. After all, Americans love food, and with many alternative diets embraced by millennials, the possibilities for food-touring are endless. Think vegan restaurants, the best barbecue, or an amazing variety of deep-fried selections — even cheese! Not a foodie yet? Prepare to be inspired!
THE ULTIMATE FOODIE ROAD TRIPS
The Tamale Trail, Mississippi
When you think of Mississippi, you’re most likely to think of the blues, catfish, and cotton. Nevertheless, the tamale culture in Mississippi is stronger than ever. The Hot Tamale Trail is nestled in the Mississippi Delta region and stretches from Vicksburg to Tunica. How tamales came to be in this region is a bit of a mystery, but as the story goes, tamales appeared alongside an influx of migrant workers about a century ago. Here are some of our favourite pit stops:
- Abe’s Hot Tamales: Situated at the crossroads of highway 61 and 49, enjoy succulent barbecued pork with your tamales.
- Hick’s Tamales & BBQ Shop: Sampling these tamales is a dream and it’s no wonder — they take three days to make and have earned rave reviews.
- Ground Zero Blues Club: Fried tamales? Why not!
Here’s why the Hot Tamale Trail should be at the top of your list: no two tamales are made quite the same. Each recipe has its own unique story and history. The Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA) has designed their very own SFA Stories app which provides oral histories along the tour. With nearly 30 venues featured on the app, you can sample a little or a lot as you meander from one end of the trail to the other.
The Barbecue Tour, North Carolina
This tour has been dubbed the “Cradle of ‘Cue” and it’s no wonder why. With 23 well-reviewed stops, prepare to learn the difference between Lexington-style and Eastern-style barbecue. In North Carolina, the reference to barbecue actually means pulled pork and lots of it. Lexington-style barbecue uses only the pork shoulder accompanied by a redder sauce seasoned with ketchup, vinegar, and pepper. Eastern-style uses more of the hog, coated with a vinegar-based sauce.
Try everything on the side of your plate from pickles to slaw and even hush puppies as you ponder who has the best sauce to offer. Make new friends as you stand in line for a plate of culinary bliss at one of these amazing locales.
- B’s Barbecue: For a classic return to the good ol’ days, begin your tour with a stop at the famous Eastern-style shop known as B’s. Come two hours early if you want to be first in line!
- Wilbur’s: For the whole-hog affair.
- Stephenson’s: If you love smokey.
Make your way to other establishments on the list and you won’t be disappointed. Many of them have been in business for decades and each has their own unique story. Be prepared to visit early in the day as the informal rule of the land is that closing time is when the pork sells out. Oh, and if you happen to plan your trip in October, make sure you check out this unique Barbecue festival!
Sample the Tastes of the Taconic State Highway, New York State
If you’re headed to New York City, do as the locals do. Then head upstate for a change of pace and some uniquely authentic treats along the way. The Taconic State Highway offers 104 miles of great views along the Appalachian Mountain Range of the same name. This narrow roadway doesn’t seem like a foodie hotspot at first glance, but it does allow for a few unexpected and delicious exits. Stunning views of the Catskills and the Hudson Highlands don’t hurt either.
- Bread Alone Bakery: Begin your drive and make a stop in Rhinebeck, just off-route on a midway point between NYC and Albany. Sample wood-fired bread made to perfection and hop back in the car when you’re done.
- The Bear Café: Now make your way toward Woodstock. Sure, it’s known for the festival that happened some 60 miles away, but this little town is actually a food lover’s dream.
- Taconic Orchards: Have a quick snack at this century-old farm.
There are a plethora of other noteworthy foodie stops located just a few miles of the Taconic. It’s a bit unexpected since most of the highway seems narrow and embraced by the surrounding forest. With Instagram-worthy sunsets and winding roads, make sure you have your GPS or a classic roadmap on hand so you don’t miss that quick exit!
Bayou Bounty, Louisiana
The Bayou Bounty trail is not for those who shy away from spice and complex flavours. Expand your palette beyond New Orleans and explore the history and culture of Acadiana. This food trail winds its way from Lafayette to Morgan City, with 15 delectable restaurants and famous stops in between. From catfish to Cajun, seafood and spice-lovers are sure to get their fill. Try these southern delights:
- Abears Café: Located in Houma, this stop is famous for catfish.
- Café JoJo’s: Love crab cakes? Head to Café JoJo’s in Morgan City.
- Avery Island: If you love spice, or Tabasco Sauce, head to Avery Island — birthplace of Tabasco Sauce. Make a day of it with a tour, a museum visit, and a cooking class.
You definitely won’t be bored on this trip! For an alternate route travel via Nashville if you love country music.
The Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail, New Mexico
What’s more American than a cheeseburger? Think outside the box and get ready for a bit of a twist. New Mexico has placed its own signature on the classic burger and now you can reap the benefits. The Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail has quite a large following and with over 100 burgers on the trail, it’s hard to know where to start. Let us help you out.
- Owl Bar and Café: A local staple, the earliest customers at the Owl Bar were scientists working on the Manhattan Project. Enjoy your green burger and pin a dollar to the wall.
- Santa Fe Bite: There’s a reason this one has earned several awards of recognition. Santa Fe Bite offers possibly the “best burgers in the nation.” Topped with a blend of Swiss and American cheese, this simple yet drool-worthy burger is superb.
- Sparky’s: With weekly music events and tourist-friendly fare, we recommend a shot of espresso on the side with your green burger.
With simple ingredients part of the allure of the green chile cheeseburger is relishing in the authenticity and uniqueness of local ingredients and spicy flavours.
The Great Wisconsin Cheese Trail
The nation’s self-proclaimed “Dairy State” offers more than quirky Cheeseheads for entertainment. Wisconsin’s cheesemakers take their art seriously. The state is in the midst of an “eat local” movement that isn’t showing signs of slowing down any time soon. Think organic, small batch, hand-made, farmer’s markets and hand-to-table. Although you’ll find some amazing cheese stops across the state, here are the top stops in the Milwaukee-area that centre around local dairy fare.
- Wisconsin Cheese Mart: In the heart of Milwaukee, you’ll find 150 cheese varieties and a claim that the Wisconsin Cheese Mart stocks “the world’s largest selection of Wisconsin cheese.”
- Widmer’s Cheese Cellars: This family business located in Theresa has used the same bricks to weight down new cheese for three generations. During the week, Widmer’s offers a guided tour of traditional methods.
- Beechwood Cheese: Nestled in the Kettle Moraine area, the Beechwood Cheese Factory in Adell is a century-old business. Check out the observation window and make sure you hit this spot on the first Saturday of the month so you can sample jalapeno curds fresh out of the vat.
Beyond Milwaukee, there is some great cheese finds in Madison, Prairie du Sac, Sauk City, and Green County. Pair your cheese with some local wine or brews, and you’ll see why Wisconsinites take so much pride in their local cheese and foodie culture.
Buckle up and prepare to eat your way across America on these ultimate foodie road trips. Great for a long weekend getaway or a longer expedition, these they have something for all food lovers from coast to coast. Ready to book your next epicurean destination and check one more item off your bucket list? Grab your roadmap (or the latest app) and get ready to hit the road.
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