Comfort Food for All!
A signature Over The Top shake from The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar in Martin. (Credit: state of Tennessee)
The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar
Martin
Yes, The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar has stellar mac and cheese and burgers. But its become a Martin destination restaurant for its amazing and over-the-top sweets.
The towering concoctions are literally called “Over The Top Shakes” because, well, “the toppings are literally over-flowing from the top of the glass.” But the over flow does not spill. (Though, the shakes regularly spill onto social media.) Consider the Chocolate Freak Shake: a chocolate milk shake, served in glass rimmed with Cocoa Pebbles, topped with chocolate cake, chocolate whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and a cherry. Flavor like that is bound to bring comfort on a bad day.
If chocolate doesn’t do it for you, The Grind has a s’mores shake, strawberry shortcake, churro, cookies and cream, and more.
The Grind has an equally impressive menu of fresh-ground (get it?) burgers, too, like The Gambler with ham, barbecue sauce, onion ring, and cheddar cheese. Do not skip the mac and cheese, especially the bruschetta chicken mac. *drools*
If you’re driving through the Tri-Cities, you can’t miss Pal’s. (Credit: state of Tennessee)
Pal’s Sudden Service
Tri-Cities
Sometimes you just need Pal’s.
Tri-Cities comfort food is, sometimes, a Big Pal burger, perfectly crispy Frenchie Fries, and refreshing Peachy Tea.
Fred "Pal" Barger opened the first Pal’s Sudden Service in Kingsport in 1956. Nearly 70 years, later, the regional restaurant icon has 31 locations spread through northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia.
And you can’t miss these locations. Most of them feature huge reproductions of hot dogs, hamburgers, a soft drink cup, and a bag of Frenchie Fries. The light blue buildings also usually have “Pal’s” painted in huge red letters on the side.
But two things inside those buildings set the chain apart. A full line of hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches are lovingly made with fresh ingredients. Also, Pal’s is about its people. The restaurant’s 1,100 employees undergo rigorous training to ensure lightning-fast drive-thrus and precision order accuracy.
We’re ready to go to Pal’s whenever y’all are. Tenderloin biscuit for breakfast and the sauce burger at lunch, please and thank you.
Dutch Maid Bakery has made its signature sweets and breads the same way for over 100 years. (Credit: state of Tennessee)
Dutch Maid Bakery
Tracy City
“If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.” That’s the motto at Dutch Maid Bakery in Tracy City. And they mean it.
The bakery uses the same reliable mixers, ovens, and even recipes that its founder, Swiss immigrant John Baggenstoss, used over 100 years ago. That means the flavor, too, is a slice of history and proof that “these aren’t processed cakes in plastic pouches,” as the bakery says online.
Dutch Maid Bakery has been serving sweet memories on top of the Cumberland Plateau since 1902. It is Tennessee’s oldest family-owned bakery Executive chef and baker Cindy Day is Dutch Maid’s third owner.
Stop in for a sit-down breakfast of French toast or pancakes or grab-and-go an egg sandwich on Dutch Maid bread. Lunch was made for Famous Fran’s chicken salad sandwich or a classic turkey on panini bread.
But don’t leave without the baked goods that make Dutch Maid shine — Pecan Tasties, apple dumplings, eclairs, bread (of course), and cakes for any occasion.
Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, Dutch Maid Bakery offers a delightful taste of Tennessee history.
