An interesting list by Bill Addison, long time food writer for Atlanta Magazine and now restaurant editor for Eater:
The South's 38 Essential Restaurants - Eater
I’ve known Bill for 20+ years, and in addition to being a very nice guy, he’s an outstanding food/restaurant critic.
Here’s how his list matches up with the list I might have made:
Alabama
Don’t know Fisher’s, but Highlands Bar and Grill is one of the very best restaurant’s in the USA. Chef/owner Frank Stitt is culinary genius.
I might include Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, and possibly Wentzell’s Oyster House in Mobile for the sheer fun of it.
Arkansas
No information at all, I’m happy to say.
Florida
Don’t know the two he chose, but I would have Bern’s in Tampa on my list—more for the wine and the overall experience than for the food, which is reasonably good steakhouse quality but not exciting. And I would consider adding Juana’s Pagoda/Sailor’s Grill on the causeway in Navarre Beach, my favorite beach bar/restaurant ever. Anything you want, as long as it’s fried!
Georgia
He did a damn fine job. I might leave a couple of his off and add a couple of my own—but there are no notable errors of commission or omission. The only one I don’t know personally is The Grey, but friends who have been there sing it’s praises. The only one I know I would add is a joint in Atlanta called the Busy Bee Café.
The meal I enjoyed recently at Staplehouse was the finest I can remember having in at least 10 years.
Kentucky
No information that’s current enough to comment on.
Louisiana
Dooky Chase is my favorite joint in New Orleans; Herbsaint is my favorite upscale place; and everyone should eat at Galatoire’s.
I would substitute Mahoney’s for Parkway Bakery in the po-boy category, and Cochon Butcher for La Petite Grocery, but we’re just talking personal preference. All are outstanding at what they do. The “Peacemaker” po-boy at Mahoney’s—fried oysters, remoulade, bacon, American cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce—is beyond awesome.
The only place I would add is Central Grocery. Everyone should have a genuine muffuletta on their culinary bucket list; Central invented it, and I’ve yet to find one better.
Mississippi
I haven’t been to Snackbar, but it’s a John Currence restaurant and that qualifies it for anyone’s list; best place I’ve eaten in MS is City Grocery, followed by Big Bad Breakfast (I have a t-shirt)—both John Currence restaurants.
But I see a serious omission here: Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville—serving average steaks which are redeemed by what have to be the best tamales on Planet Earth.
North Carolina
Bill absolutely nailed it, with a single exception: Skylight Inn in Ayden is the second-best BBQ joint in the world. First place belongs to B’s Barbecue in Greenville (located at the intersection of Falkland Hwy. and B’s Barbecue Road). Period. Full stop.
South Carolina
Bill named two great places in Charleston, but I personally prefer Husk over FIG. And Columbia SC has developed such a vibrant culinary scene that it’s hard for me to think that there’s not at least one place there that should be on the list.
But I can’t really argue with the two he named.
Tennessee
The only one I know on his list is Prince’s Hot Chicken, and it deserves a place on anyone’s list for starting it all.
Virginia
Don’t know his two places, but I would list The Roosevelt in Richmond.
Discuss. I’m particularly interested in any places you consider glaring omissions.