1. The Loveless Cafe; Nashville, TN
8400 Highway 100, Nashville, Tennessee 37221
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Fried chicken and biscuits. These tried and true Southern food staples have been a part of Loveless Cafe’s history for more than sixty years.
Today the Loveless Cafe serves more than 450,000 guests a year and makes between 4,000 to 7,000 biscuits a day — still using that same secret recipe from Annie Loveless all those years ago. If only Annie could see today what her little cafe has become. As Donna McCabe, another long-time owner of the Loveless said, “People just like real food.”
2. Miss Shirley’s Cafe; Baltimore, MD
513 W Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, Maryland 21210 | 750 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 | 1 Park Place, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
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Miss Shirley’s Cafe offers guests an exceptional award winning culinary experience for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Their specialties are rooted in Southern fundamentals and the abundance of fresh ingredients from the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. They pride themselves in beautifully presented plates, prompt and professional service, as well as clean, comfortable and well-maintained premises for guests.
3. Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant; Nashville, TN
500 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
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With locations in downtown Franklin, downtown Nashville and downtown Columbia, the Puckett’s roots go way back to the 1950s, and a little grocery store in the village of Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. Ever since then, they’ve been focused on providing friends new and old with great food and Southern hospitality.
When it comes down to it, Puckett’s is a community kitchen, with live pickin’ performances just a few feet from your table. Authentic comfort food— barbecue smoked slow ‘n’ low over cherry wood, the home-cooked sides, even a few upscale dishes— is what they aim for you to remember.
4. Mama J’s; Richmond, VA
415 N. 1st Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
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Mama J’s is a neighborhood restaurant based on the family tradition of going to grandma’s for Sunday dinner.
5. Handsome Biscuit; Norfolk, VA
2511 Colonial Ave, Norfolk, Virginia
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Handsome Biscuit is the best place to get fried chicken for breakfast. They have three sweet potato biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken.
6. BBQ Exchange; Gordonsville, VA
102 Martinsburg Ave, Gordonsville, Virginia 22942
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The Barbeque Exchange in downtown Gordonsville VA features hickory-smoked and slow-roasted pork shoulders and spareribs. They fry up their chicken right, with lard, and don’t leave there without trying some of their homemade sauces!
7. The River And Rail; Roanoke, VA
2201 Crystal Spring Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24014
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The River and Rail, a southern Bistro, is located in the heart of Western Virginia. Chef Aaron Deal changes the lunch, dinner and brunch menus weekly based on the availability of seasonal products from local providers. He and his team are producing updated Southern/Appalachian and French classic dishes for this neighborhood restaurant, located just a block away from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in the old Lipes Pharmacy, in the City of Roanoke.
8. Pies’n’Thighs; Brooklyn, NY
166 South 4th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211
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As three ladies from the North and California, the owners of Pies’n’Thighs aren’t scared of messing around with Southern food – they believe that comfort food speaks to everyone.
With specials like their fried chicken box, chicken & waffles, chicken biscuit and their fried chicken sandwich, you’re sure to find something you’ll love at Pies’n’Thighs.
9. City Cafe; Baltimore, MD
1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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Located at the corner of Cathedral & Eager Streets in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon Cultural District City Cafe is a neighborhood favorite with a citywide following. Their award winning food is served with warm hospitality in a stylish downtown setting.
10. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, DC
1308 G St NW, Washington, DC 20004
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At Astro, they satisfy your inner cravings for two all-American favorites: fried chicken and doughnuts. Call it an astronomical clash of two iconic comfort food classics, exploding on the DC scene together. Their chicken and doughnuts are prepared daily and on-site. Expect an artful and whimsical touch to Astro’s daily rotation of doughnut flavors with nostalgic flavors like peanut butter and jelly or dessert-inspired renditions like crème brulee. Count on classic buttermilk fried chicken, but Astro gives a nod to spice with a Sriracha blend, too.
11. Dot’s Back Inn; Richmond, VA
4030 Macarthur Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23227-4051
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Dots Back Inn is a destination diner in Richmond, VA. Serving all the diner classics in a big and delicious way.
12. Local Roots Restaurant; Roanoke, VA
1314 Grandin Rd, Roanoke, VA 24015
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Located in Roanoke’s Historic Grandin District, Local Roots Restaurant celebrates the absolute best of the region, from locally-farmed vegetables and meat to the handcrafted dining room tables produced by area artisans.
13. Hill Country Chicken, NYC
1123 Broadway, New York, New York 10010
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Hill Country Chicken is inspired by its founder’s childhood memories and his passion for the Texas-style home cooking of his mother and grandmothers, Betty and Momma Els – hearty, crave-able comfort food served lovingly, casually and unpretentiously by people with big smiles on their faces.
14. Smith Street Diner; Greensboro, NC
438 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Located in the heart of downtown Greensboro, They have been serving up some of the best Fried chicken in Greensboro for decades. They are also a delicious breakfast spot, so if you’re ever up early enough to catch their specials you better do it!
15. The Honey Pot; Winston-Salem
285 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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The Honey Pot is more of an upscale dining experience, but don’t let that fool you. They have some of the crispiest and delicious Fried chicken you can find.
Make sure to experience all the other Southern Cuisine they have to offer when you visit them!
16. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles; Greensboro, NC
301 Martin Luther King, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Dame’s made a name for themselves in the great city of Durham before deciding to transition into the Triad. They’re known for the chicken & waffles, but also offer several other delicious southern style pairings that are sure to please your taste buds.
17. The Lunch Bell; Newport News, VA
694 Town Center Dr, Newport News, VA 23606
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The Lunch Bell has been serving fresh, homemade food for over 30 years! In addition to serving freshly made soups, salads and sandwiches, they also have daily hot specials including Hot Chicken Salad, Fried Chicken, Pot Roast and Meatloaf. Plus, they have a variety of quiches available every day.
18. Tanglewood Ordinary Country Restaurant; Maidens, VA
2210 River Rd West, Maidens, Virginia 23102
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Fine FamilyStyle dining in Tanglewood’s historic log cabin, built originally as a country dance hall. Bowls of their signature fried chicken, scratch mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits and much more– all homemade and all you can eat!
19. Blue 44, DC
5507 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC, 20015
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Blue 44 serves seasonal classic American cuisine infused with the flavors of Italy and France. This neighborhood kitchen and bar was created with the belief that serving delicious, fresh food from the best ingredients – sourced locally whenever possible – promotes a healthier and more sustainable community. Located on The Avenue in the heart of Chevy Chase, Blue 44 was inspired by friends and family with a goal of providing great food and a welcoming environment for residents, students, and children of all ages.
20. Wayside Fried Chicken; Charlottesville, VA
2203 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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For over 40 years, Wayside Takeout & Catering, featuring Ole Virginia Fried Chicken, has been a favorite eatery in Charlottesville, serving up “some of the best fried chicken in the south.”
Listed in Southern Living’s “Best of the South”, they cater to visitors in the area, businesses and the University of Virginia with the same fast & friendly service as their regular loyal local customers.
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy Top 20 Soul Food Spots In Virginia and Top 20 Virginia Sandwich Spots.
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Maggie Comeau, Content Manager
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