Flatiron Grille and Bistro
Flatiron Grille and Bistro is a much-loved restaurant in Jackson. As well as a fantastic seasonal menu that specializes in grilled meat and fish, with subtle French influences, Flatiron hosts regular brunch events throughout the month. Dishes currently include Shrimp Louie, where Gulf shrimp are fried in a buttery garlic sauce. Similarly, Santos chicken is a delicious combination of chicken, prosciutto and parmesan risotto, a delightfully warming dish that is perfect for a cold winter evening.
Flatiron Grille and Bistro, 1160 Vann Drive, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 668 3528
Gulf Shrimp | © Larry Hoffman / Flickr
Old Country Store
The Old Country Store is a historically inspired restaurant found at the Casey Jones Home and Railway Museum. Casey Jones was a famous railway engineer, celebrated for his heroic sacrifice in 1900 where he lost his own life to save the lives of his passengers. The restaurant serves a buffet that exhibits some of the best in Southern-style cuisine, with fried chicken, corn, and gravy available in large and delicious portions.
Old Country Store, 56 Casey Jones Lane, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 668 1223
Baked Cheescake | © Store at Casey Jones Village, Jackson, TN / Flickr
Reggie’s BBQ and Wings
Complete with a fully functioning smoked hickory-pit barbecue, Reggie’s BBQ and Wings serves classic Southern barbecue to its guests on a daily basis. The restaurant is independently owned and family run, with recipes passed down by different generations. Head chef and owner Reggie has over 28 years of experience in barbecuing all manner of delicious meats, including pork and beef, with techniques he picked up while working in the Mississippi Delta. Diners can choose between steaming plates of slowly smoked meat, or sandwiches piled high with tender pulled pork or chicken. Guests can choose combinations as well.
Reggie’s BBQ and Wings, 292 Parkstone Place, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 660 8600
BBQ Wings | © Edsel Little/Flickr
Tulum
Tulum is a Mexican grill with a difference, only the freshest in local ingredients are used. Tulum takes inspiration from the tropical flavors of Cancun, Cabo, San Lucas and San Diego to create a menu that is quite unlike any other Mexican restaurant. The California burrito comes stuffed with tempura shrimp, French fries and guacamole, while the Cabo Catoche chimichanga comes packed with four different types of cheese and a selection of meat.
Tulum, 71 Carriage House Drive, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 984 7401
Burrito | © jeffreyw/Flickr
Picasso
Picasso has won numerous awards for its pizzas, but the restaurant is not just about food. The walls are adorned with artworks provided by Any Art Studio in the downtown Jackson area. As well as a number of brilliant pizza, pasta and meat dishes, the Picasso restaurant also boasts a great selection of ‘master calzones’. These are fully customizable, folded pizzas that can be filled with all manner of meats, vegetables and delicious sauces.
Picasso, 10 Stonebridge Boulevard, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 664 5070
Calzone | © Alexis Lamster / Flickr
Baudos
Baudos was opened in 1965 by dynamic husband and wife duo Buzz and Helen Baudos. The restaurant brought Jackson both its first pizza and first Italian restaurant. While Buzz and Helen ran the restaurant for a number of years, these days it is run by their children. Dishes include a great selection of starters, followed by meat and pasta dishes, as well as some fabulously fresh and tasty pizzas.
Baudos, 559 Wiley Parker Road, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 668 1447
Pasta / © Pexels
Dumplins of Jackson
With a homely name like Dumplins of Jackson, this spot has people flocking from all over west Tennessee. The restaurant has been going strong since 1990 and has enjoyed almost a quarter-century of fantastic home-cooked food. With casseroles, family dinners and weekend brunches, Dumplins of Jackson is perfect for every day of the week. There are a selection of daily specials available, with meatloaf, chicken pot pie and roast beef available once a week. Desserts are the main event however, as Dumplins is celebrated for its many puddings, including fruit pies and baked cheesecake.
Dumplins of Jackson, 31 Wiley Parker Road, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 664 4959
Baked Cheescake | © digipam / Flickr
Rock’n Dough
Combining a love of pizza and rock music, Rock’n Dough is the brick-and-mortar establishment of husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Amanda Denno. Greeting guests as they arrive, Rock’n Dough is a true family affair. With a pizza oven that is heated to more than 700 degrees fahrenheit, and filled with smoky hickory wood, the pizzas are cooked in a distinctive Memphis style. Pizzas come with a variety of toppings, with meat and vegetarian options available throughout.
Rock’n Dough, 1243 Ridgeway Road, Memphis, TN, USA, +1 901 435 6238
Pizza© Shaiith / Shutterstock
Catfish Cabin
Catfish Cabin originally opened its doors in 1980, and has gained a reputation for serving fantastic food. Known locally as ‘The Cabin’, Catfish Cabin’s menu features a great number of different items, all with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in fried fish dishes, but there are a great number of meat options as well, including steaks, for the carnivores out there.
Catfish Cabin, 1290 South Highland Avenue, Jackson, TN, USA, +1 731 422 1001
Fried Fish | © David Blaikie / Flickr
Exit 87 BBQ
Right on the corner of Exit 87 in Jackson Tennessee, this barbecue spot is a small, family-run truck stop. Specialising in smoked and barbecued meats, Exit 87 BBQ is frequented by hungry truck drivers and barbecue enthusiasts alike. Every day, Exit 87 BBQ’s broiler is packed full of meat, briskets, pork butts and whole chickens, which are then slow cooked until the meat falls at the touch. This is then served in combination plates, or sandwiches, to the ravenous guests that hold it so dearly.
Exit 87 BBQ, 2049 Highway 70 East, Jackson, TN, USA,+1 731 988 6222
Dino BBQ Wings | © Daniel Krieger