Southern Culinary Delights: 5 dishes to try in the Deep South

Food might not be what first attracts you to America’s Deep South, but you’ll find it begin to satisfy your soul as well as your taste-buds, helping you grasp Southern culture, history and traditions.

five iconic dishes you must try in the deep south

Po’ boys, Louisiana

The story goes that brothers Benny and Clovis Martin fed striking transit workers with free sandwiches in 1929 and henceforth these sandwiches were known as po’boys or poor boys. This is a simple recipe of crusty French bread filled with meat, such as roast beef, ham, sausage, or fried seafood, such as shrimp, crayfish, oysters, or crab – and dressed with mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, and tomato.

Peach Cobbler, Georgia

It might be tempting to fill up on delicious barbecue, but we suggest leaving room for a generous slice of peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream for dessert. And where better to try this Southern delicacy than in Georgia, the Peach State itself? Rustic and delicious, this dish will be one of the most comforting things you can try – just don’t be surprised when you find yourself asking for the recipe to take home!

Hot Chicken, Tennessee

The origin story of hot chicken is almost as fiery as the delicacy itself. It is rumoured that in the 1930s, a scorned lover sought revenge by cooking up some exceptionally spicy chicken for her wayward boyfriend. The plan backfired though and instead inspired the recipient, Thornton Prince, to open his own hot chicken shack. Today, Nashville is teaming with hot chicken joints where you can devour deep-fried seasoned chicken, topped with pickles and served with fries on a slice of toasted white bread.

Fried Green Tomatoes, Alabama

If you dig back far enough, you’ll find that fried green tomatoes did not actually originate in the South, but that doesn’t stop them from being a staple in Southern food culture. It is thought that the dish was brought to the US in the 19th century by Jewish immigrants and only became popular in the Deep South following the release of the cookbook, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, and the film of the same name. Fried green tomatoes are well-seasoned, lightly battered and served alongside a dipping sauce – not to mention surprisingly delicious!

Shrimp and Grits, South Carolina

Grits, a creamy ground corn porridge, was first introduced by Native Americans in the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 1950s in Charleston, South Carolina that shrimp and grits first appeared together in a published cookbook. By 1976, the dish was so popular that the state declared it their official state food. Originally this would have been a breakfast meal, but you will now find it on lunch, brunch and dinnertime menus. If you don’t like seafood, don’t worry – many restaurants serve grits with a whole range of delightful toppings.

Discover the joys of American cuisine for yourself and browse our range of Holidays to the Deep South.