After an exciting day on the river, try these state delicacies!
When you think of Tennessee, what are the first things that come to mind? Music, history, the beautiful outdoors, whiskey?! But if food isn’t on that initial list, it 100% should be! Tennessee is famous for its Southern cuisine and has a number of delicious dishes to choose from, both sweet and savory.
After an exciting day of whitewater rafting, there’s nothing better than changing into warm, dry clothes, sitting around the table with something delicious to tuck into, and reminiscing about the day’s adventures. Whether you’re heading to a restaurant, picking up something to eat to take back to your accommodation, or are going to spend the evening camping in the great outdoors, here are a few ideas to taste some of those famous Tennessee foods to complete your day in the Volunteer State!
RC Cola & Moon Pie
Let’s start sweet. We’ll all want a sugar boost after using all that energy navigating through the Chattanooga rapids. We couldn’t think of a better way than to tuck into a traditional Moon Pie (two graham crackers between a layer of marshmallow and dipped in chocolate) washed down with Tennessee’s very own 100+-year-old RC Cola.
And if you think we’re joking, each year on the third Saturday of June, Bell Buckle, Tennessee throws its very own RC Cola MoonPie Festival! So if you liked the combo that much, take the 1-hour drive from Nashville to the tiny town of Bell Buckle and immerse yourself in some family-friendly Tennessee culture.
Tennessee BBQ
Now we have your attention. Tennessee, and the south for that matter, has a long, wonderful history with the BBQ. As a nationally renowned state for this American tradition, Tennessee boasts a whole host of mouthwatering barbequed foods like dry and wet ribs, pulled pork, cured and smoked meats, assorted rubs, and so much more.
There’s nothing better than pulling your chair up to a table filled with these southern delights after a day on the river. Chattanooga, a convenient 45-minute drive from our whitewater rafting station, has a whole host of BBQ and smokehouse restaurants for you to choose from. The hardest decision aside from choosing what to eat is where!
Fried Catfish
As a favorite of the Deep South, fried catfish is also a popular staple in Tennessee. Particularly popular in Memphis, restaurants, cafes, and family cooks have their own variations on how to make this delicious dish, and many, for good reason, keep it a secret. Everyone starts with catfish fillets and in general, ingredients include buttermilk, cornmeal, and various seasonings. But don’t feel like you have to travel all the way to Memphis to try some of the state’s best produce, Bea’s Restaurant in Chattanooga is well-known for its catfish among other delights.
Tennessee Mountain Stack Cake
Back to sweet and we have no regrets. The Tennessee stack cake is piled to a glorious height, filled with a sweet apple mixture, and normally topped with icing sugar. It’s quite a labor-intensive cake but it’s certainly worth the effort. The apples are mixed with a lovely blend of ripened local apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg and the dough layers of the cake are rolled out like cookies. Once you’ve pieced the cake together, it will need to be wrapped and refrigerated at least overnight before being enjoyed.
Country Ham & Sweet Tea
Last but certainly not least, country ham and sweet tea. Country ham is arguably the most popular food in Tennessee and you can’t leave the state without trying a glass of delicious sweet tea.
Although the origin is contested, the Tennessee-style country ham as opposed to the wet cure that city hams get, country ham is dry-cured, heavily salted, and left for sometimes months at a time. Mixed with sugars and other herbs and spices, the country ham can also be smoked either before or after the curing process and quite simply, it’s delicious.
As opposed to ice tea, sweet tea speaks for itself – it has sugar in it. Sweet tea can be enjoyed by both kids and adults (that’s right, after a day on the river, a cool, refreshing alcoholic sweet tea hits the spot). A basic version of the tea is hot water, English breakfast tea bags, white sugar, cold water, and baking soda served over ice and a wedge of lemon. However, for those feeling a little more adventurous, other recipes include Jack Daniels, vodka, rum, triple sec, sugar syrup, lemon, and topped up with cola (maybe RC if you’re feeling very Tennessean).
Regardless of your food and drink preferences, there are so many wonderful treats and traditions to try while you’re in Tennessee. So after your day on the Ocoee River, be sure to try one of the state’s delicacies mentioned above.