The southern United States is an RV hotspot, especially during the winter months when they experience a mild climate. It’s easy to cover recreation and attractions in this region because it’s loaded with coastlines, rivers, mountains and charming cities that have great history, architecture and events. Personally, I love just about everything in the south but there’s one thing in particular that really hits a nerve. The food.
The southern culinary experience is so unique with a ton of different flavors, localized dishes and recipes that are unique to specific towns and even restaurants. From the barbecue to the seafood, I can eat my way across the south without ever tasting the same thing twice. If you love food and culturally rich dining experiences, consider hitting a few of these locations to enrich your pallet on a southern RV food tour.
Food Categories to Experience
This is just a general sampling of the common food categories. Chefs aren’t afraid to draw outside the lines and you will frequently find different variations of these dishes and categories. Use this as a starting point to determine what you want to experience on any given day.
BBQ
For me, it’s all about the barbecue. The hardwoods and slow smoked ribs, pulled pork and general meats are out of this world. The sauces are all unique and some of the best barbecue in the world comes from the southern states.
Fried Chicken
Although it’s a single food item, fried chicken is a standalone category in the south. It’s a little different everywhere and restaurants exist that operate entirely around their unique seasoning and styles of fried chicken.
Sides
Don’t forget the sides! Cornbread, okra, unique vegetable dishes, comfort foods and more. If the main dish doesn’t fill you up (and it will), the sides are incredible. Side dishes are major differentiators at different restaurants and you will find some unique, mouthwatering options around the south.
Seafood
A coastal environment lends itself well to the flavorful food culture. Seafood soups, pasta dishes, gumbo, jambalaya and more are common. It’s not from the sea but everyone should try a catfish dish or two as well.
Desserts
Pastries, peach cobbler and plenty of sweets make the first course and final course on many days. If you’re a fan of sweets, the options are endless as you tour the south.
Memphis, Tennessee
When it comes to soul food, Memphis might be the capital. Grab yourself some barbecue here or go for the fried chicken or fried catfish. No meal is complete without fried okra, collard greens and more sides. Throw in some pie or a pastry for dessert and you’ve done it right in Memphis. Central Barbecue (get the nachos), Gus’s Fried Chicken, Brother’s Junipers (breakfast) and JJ’s Soul Food are just a few of the places to stop when you hit town.
A Memphis food tour works well for travelers because the area has a bunch of great campgrounds. Cook’s Lake RV Resort, Agricenter International and the Graceland RV Park are good starting points. Between meals, you can visit the Memphis Zoo, Graceland and the Memphis Rock n’ Soul Museum. It’s a happening town with great music, food and events throughout the year.
Birmingham, Alabama
Located in the heart of Alabama, Birmingham really isn’t that far from Memphis and the flavors have some similarities. Staple dishes like fried catfish and world class barbecue options are abundant. The location is also within a reasonable drive of the coast so you will find oysters and more seafood injected into the scene as well.
Chez Fonfon brings a french flavor to town while Eugene’s Hot Chicken is a comfort food paradise. The variety in Birmingham is also nice because they have plenty of soul food but also unique options from around the globe mixed into the restaurant scene. It’s surprisingly diverse and while many visitors come for the ribs, they leave talking about Thai food from Blue Pacific.
For RV camping, the variety is also excellent. You can opt for a wooded site at Oak Mountain State Park, stay in a city campground or head just outside the city to the Lakeside Marina on the Coosa River. The area has great fishing, boating, paddling and plenty of trails to stay active when you're not eating great food.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Many travelers overlook New Orleans, assuming it’s too densely populated for RV travel. There are some great RV parks here however and they make it easy to set up a basecamp as you explore the city. The French Quarter even has an RV resort and you can find RV parks on the water with marina access if you happen to tow a boat as well. If you’ve ever wanted all the best of New Orleans with the comfort of your own bed, book an RV site and drive there.
On the food front, this stop is something you will be dreaming about for years after. New Orleans has its own flavor with dishes like Jambalaya, Muffuletta, Gumbo, various methods of crawfish presentations, po-boys and so much more. I love the spicy nature of the food here and the robust flavor profiles. Look to the Creole restaurants, Olde Nola Cookery, Brennan’s for breakfast and the French Quarter dessert shops. While there are plenty of high end options and big name restaurants, finding those off the beaten path restaurants where the locals dine is the ticket in New Orleans.
Fort Worth, Texas
When you’ve had enough soul food and spicy Louisiana crawfish, give Fort Worth a try for barbecue, TexMex and big steaks cooked medium rare. In Fort Worth, the steakhouses are exceptional and they have a mix of different flavor profiles from around the south. For my money, the TexMex and barbecue are winners however and they make the food scene unique.
Hit Risky’s Steakhouse when you’re near the Stockyards or try Panther City BBQ for some ribs and smoked meats. Goldee’s BBQ is also one to visit. You could actually just make the rounds at every mouthwatering BBQ joint in this area and be pretty happy.
When you’re not busy eating, find a campsite at one of the numerous RV parks in the area. The lakefront options are especially attractive. Look to Lake Fort Worth as a starting point and expand from there. Bring a fishing rod for the bass or plan your trip around a big rodeo event. The city is loaded with events and you can always make a quick trip into Dallas if desired.
Are you ready to taste your way across the south?
Taking a food tour comes with a few side effects. It’s a good idea to try a few restaurants in each region but don’t go overboard! Stay active between stops by following a simple RV fitness plan. You can still eat great and burn the calories while enjoying the trails and parks in each location. Also, keep in mind that we have barely scratched the surface here. You might need a few seasons just to get through the best food in Texas!
Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and every bit of the southern states as they transition into the midwest offer iconic food stops. So go ahead, test your pallet, try some new dishes and enjoy some of the best cooking in the world on a southern RV food tour.
