Discover The Deep South USA on a Food Tour

Maggi Smit • 3 January 2018

Deep South USA is a gourmet's delight and restaurants come in all shapes, styles and sizes. There are five-star establishments offering fine dining and beachfront shacks cooking the freshest seafood. Be sure to sample sumptuous Southern specialties such as fried green tomatoes, mint juleps, peach cobbler, gumbo, soul food, jambalaya, fried chicken, barbecue ribs, iced tea, grits, catfish and soft-shell crabs. You'll be spoilt for choice!


Louisiana
When you talk about cuisine, Louisianans really come into their own. Their passion for great food is an intrinsic part of their heritage passed down through generations. From Gumbo, e'toufe'e, beignets, boudin, jambalaya, pralines and TABASCO® using the very best local ingredients lovingly prepared from shared family recipes and not to be missed. New Orleans even invented the cocktail, so make sure you sample a few on your journey!


Mississippi
From the Hill Country to the Coast restaurants make travel in Mississippi a culinary adventure. Catfish and tamales rule in the Delta, as places such as Airport Grocery in Cleveland and The Donut Shop (yes, it serves tamales) in Natchez. Seafood and barbecue take the spotlight on the Coast, as exemplified by the Blow Fly Inn in Gulfport and The Shed Barbeque in Gulfport and Ocean Springs. Traditional favourites include the Crystal Grill and Lusco's in Greenwood, and The Little Dooey for barbecue in Starkville. For a quick stop try Brent's Soda Fountain in Jackson featured in the movie The Help.


Tennessee
The essential made-in-Tennessee product, besides music, is food. Naturally, you'll crave something soulful. At Puckett's Grocery in Franklin and Nashville they're serving the same mouth-watering barbecue that launched the family business back in the 1950s. Also in Franklin is Gray's on Main which skews sophisticated - go for a grilled pimento BLT and pecan-crusted okra inside this handsomely repurposed pharmacy. For stripped-down soul Mason in the capital with two West Tennessee originals: Bozo's Hot Pit Bar-B-Q and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.


Alabama
From sophisticated seafood to decadent desserts, Alabama's signature dishes have loyal fans the world over. Stone-ground baked grits at Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, oysters at Wintzell's on the Gulf Coast and mouth-watering ribs from Dreamland are just a few of our 'Sweet Home' specialities. Alabama is also the home of barbecue with more eateries than any other US state! Read about '100 Dishes To Eat In Alabama Before You Die'.


Kentucky
While best known for its signature drink offerings (bourbon, wine and the famous Kentucky Derby mint julep), The Bluegrass State is also home to a number of innovative food dishes such as Louisville's "hot brown" and a hearty culinary heritage. And of course, Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, perfected his secret recipe and launched his global empire from the café that you can still visit. Kentucky country ham is cured by dry-rubbing rather than soaking, giving it a deliciously unique flavour different from other states. Kentucky barbecue, usually pork or mutton rather than beef, is smoked in a hickory pit, sometimes for a full day, to achieve its distinctive taste.


For more information or to book your Deep South USA holiday contact us on 020 8742 8299, sales@americaasyoulikeit.com

More Than Just Wine: The Ultimate Guide to Grapevine’s Best Festivals & Events

by America As You Like It • 15 October 2026
Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.

Wild Maine: A Season for Every Adventure.

by America As You Like It • 12 October 2026
Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.

Jacksonville: The Flip Side of Florida

by America As You Like It • 1 October 2026
Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.

Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

by America As You Like It • 10 July 2026
You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Nevada: From Neon to Nature

by America As You Like It • 11 June 2026
There are some places that surprise you, and Nevada is one of them.

Make it Memorable―Dutchess County

by America As You Like It • 10 June 2026
Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.

Exploring Crystal River, Florida

by America As You Like It • 14 May 2026
Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.

My Journey through the Pacific Northwest

by America As You Like It • 8 May 2026
Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Race to Bourbon City: Discover Louisville

by America As You Like It • 27 March 2026
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a destination rich in culture, history, and sporting heritage. Nestled along the Ohio River on the border with Indiana, the city is perhaps best known for hosting the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Explore attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center, making Louisville an engaging destination for travellers with diverse interests.

Hidden Gems of Mississippi

by America As You Like It • 10 February 2026
Mississippi is a destination that combines the charm of seaside relaxation with cultural and historical richness. Quiet beaches and vibrant towns, boutique shopping, freshly caught seafood, and scenic landscapes. Mississippi is steeped in history, from Native American heritage to Civil War landmarks, and is renowned for its musical legacy. Its architecture includes impressive antebellum mansions, particularly in Natchez, providing a glimpse into the state’s elegant past. Amtrak rail services along the coast stop in Biloxi and Bay St. Louis, making it easy to explore without hiring a car. For those who do wish to venture further, a fly-drive holiday through the state reveals a wealth of attractions.
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