Where to Eat
We want to show you where to eat in Lawrenceburg, Ethridge, Summertown and Loretto Tennessee! Since where to eat will vary from person to person, we break down each division of restaurant types in order to categorize what they offer.
We have something for everyone here. Lawrence County has been known as a top retirement and active senior community. These demographics are influential in what drew Keestone Resorts to headquarter their enterprise in Loretto, Tennessee. These new retirees and visitors desire locally-owned restaurants with an original take on their menu items. The places we list will be our recommendations for the area. Since you are on our Amish of Ethridge page, we take everything north of the Best Western Plus as part of Ethridge. Since so many visitors choose this hotel, we will feature the restaurants closest to Amish country. The rest of the restaurants will be in Lawrenceburg and other towns in Lawrence County! We want to feature restaurants that are original or small chain restaurants, so we will only include photos of the chain restaurants at the bottom of the page.
Hinie's BBQ
Hinie's BBQ is a passion project of Mr. Tripp Weigel, who started the Top Gun Arms company. When his father died, he took up the family BBQ sauce his father perfected and started making pulled pork, ribs, and other BBQ favorites on a welded cooker of his own making. Tripp and his family started with a food truck they called the "Hinie Wagon," designed by them and was the most impressive cooking machine we have ever seen. The Amish of Ethridge crew has seen the cooking equipment and setup and the menu they used to train their staff. Their suppliers can get top-quality foods here, and the management is top-notch. Hinie's BBQ includes brick oven pizzas, quesadillas, and other food choices not usually found in a BBQ restaurant. We have a page devoted to Hinie's BBQ linked in the button below for the whole story!
Bob's Café - Ethridge
The absolute closest place to eat in Amish country is Bob's Café. The best sandwich shop in Lawrence county is next door to the Amish Wagon Tours. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. If you don't see something on the menu you like, then ask the owner, chef Austin, to make you a custom sandwich. If he has the ingredients, he will make you your special sandwich. The team here at Amish of Ethridge eats here regularly and has had our favorite meals to date right here at Bob's Café! His spicy burgers will melt your face, so beware when ordering his most spicy options. They also have hot dogs and fish sandwiches when they can get fish fillets. Sweet treats are available occasionally; you can get a salad as a side or ask for an Austin salad for one large enough to eat in one sitting barely. Bob's Café is so well-liked we devoted a webpage to them, linked in the button below!
Shaffer Farms Custom Meat Market and Texas BBQ
Texas BBQ from a real Texan! Some of the best BBQ and brisket around can be found here! Mr. Shaffer wanted a Texas-style BBQ place where he could get his favorite foods, so when there wasn't any to be found, he made his restaurant and smokers to make him the best quality BBQ and brisket you can find outside of Texas! The crew here at The Amish of Ethridge have sent other Texans to this restaurant, and they all say it is just like home! You get authentic Texas BBQ, sausages, ribs, brisket, steaks, and more right here north of Ethridge. They also have a meat market where you can find the same choice cuts of meat used in the restaurant and beef raised on their farms. You can also find exotic meats like gator tail, ostrich, buffalo, and wild meats you will not find anywhere in a store to cook at home or in your RV! They are open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. See our dedicated page linked in the button below!
Ike's Amish Depot and General Store
You have to see Ike's Amish Depot and General Store. They only cook Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm, but you can get burgers and fried bologna sandwiches made on a cooktop from the 1940s! They have a milkshake machine from 1933 that still makes custom shakes to this day, and you can see and taste it all every Saturday at Ike's! Today, Ike's is the greyhound bus depot the Amish use to travel long distances to see relatives or see members in the hospital. You will feel like you stepped back into 1940 after entering the store. It's great to see kids experience the same food bar their great-grandparents would have used when they were kids. Click on the button below for our dedicated page!
Butter Bean Cafe
Currently, the Butter Bean Cafe serves the largest grass-fed steak in Lawrence County! This 16 ounce steak from Shaffer Farms is grilled to perfection by the Vietnam veteran owner, who loves to cook for his visitors. You can also get seafood and other favorites here. The Butter Bean and Bob's Cafe are the only dedicated restaurants in Ethridge with the Butter Bean staying open at night, so the locals come to the Butter Bean for dinner. See the photos in the gallery and click the button below for our dedicated webpage! The Butter Bean Cafe is the closest restaurant for those who take afternoon wagon ride tours in Amish country and want to eat afterward!
Amish Country Smoke House
In the heart of the Amish community in Ethridge is the Amish Country Smoke House. Many people believed it was the Amish people who were building this place but it is owned by Paul and Linda McBride who wanted a restaurant with no waiters or service crew but just good old fashioned smokehouse bbq that the customer would enjoy. The smokers are in another room in the back that take real Amish cut logs to give you the real smoke rings you can only get with a low and slow cooking time. The sides are southern favorites with green beans, baked beans, mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. The meats are smoked chicken, pulled pork, half or full rack of ribs, and brisket. See their page below as they are open Thursday through Saturday 10am till 6pm or when they run out of food.
Marshall's Grocery
The only place for breakfast in Ethridge is Marshall's Grocery. They have a bar section in the back where you can order breakfast at 5 am! The place is fixed up like the nostalgic '90s with old VHS tapes and restaurant-style tables that remind you of the 1980s and 90s era booths we used to see. They also have lunch menu items and pies, but it's their breakfast we are most proud of. They have southern favorites that are different than other places to eat. Like chocolate gravy and fried bologna that locals love! By clicking on the button below, you can look at our dedicated webpage for more information. They also sell race car fuel and nonethanol gas, so we advise our Amish visitors to fuel up here at their regular pumps before wandering into Amish country in their cars. They are open from 4:45 am to 6:45 pm Monday through Saturday.
Allie Grace Bakery
Right across the highway from the Best Western Plus Hotel is the Allie Grace Bakery. They are the place you go for sweet treats like cupcakes, eclairs, cakes, sticky buns, brownies, and croissants but no doughnuts. Meals include salads, sandwiches, and tacos that are more clean eating and vegetarian-friendly. Most ingredients are made in-house with special organic or local sourcing. Many of the menu items are products of the invention of Allie herself, and she loves it when her customers enjoy her creations, so see the link to her website and Facebook page, where she posts regularly and shows her latest creations! She is open 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday.
The Hitching Rail Diner
Southern eats abound here at the Hitching Rail Diner. The same people own the Laurel Hill Lake restaurant, so you know they cook fish the best! You can get sizeable 12-ounce steak and variations of catfish plates for those who want the old-fashioned bone-in or large fillets. Throughout the week, they have southern favorites for a special. Like their chili, pot pies, and casseroles of different kinds of southern meals we are famous for in the south. They also have breakfast starting at 5 am for those who start early. The Hitching Rail Diner is excellent for those who want to eat breakfast before going into the Amish community from the top down or end their Amish visit in the Summertown area. See our dedicated page for more about the Hitching Rail Diner!
Restaurants in the Area
We want to list great places to eat in the rest of Lawrence County below. Since the Amish of Ethridge is focused on the northern section of Lawrence County, we want to list the places to eat south of the Best Western Plus Hotel. We leave out the typical chain restaurants so you can get an original local place with the charm of local life.
The Square Forty
Named for its address at 40 Public Square, Square 40 is the best place for breakfast and early lunch on the downtown Lawrenceburg Square. This is an actual walk-up and point out what you want buffet-style restaurant. You can also order off the menu if you are not interested in the buffet. They have great coffee for those of us who must have a few cups, and the walls are covered in detailed paintings and old photographs you can walk around and look at! Square 40 is one of our top recommended restaurants for breakfast. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 7 am to 2 pm and Saturday from 7 am to 11 am.
Crockett's Mill Restaurant at David Crockett Park
Inside David Crockett State Park is a great restaurant that overlooks Lake Lindsey. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch. They are also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 10 am but their hours and days change often. During the week, you can order off the menu, and the weekends are for all you care to eat family-style dining. This family-style system best allows two or more people to eat with plates of food to be passed around the table to distribute food to where it is most wanted. The beauty of the park can be seen when coming to eat here. You can see deer and turkeys on just about every trip to the park. Plus, it is the place to eat when staying in the park cabins. See our dedicated page to David Crockett State Park!
1819 The Restaurant
The 1819 The Restaurant is Lawrenceburg's finest ambiance. Here is a place where you can take your date to propose! The leather seating, excellent lighting, exposed brick and chandeliers show luxury and class that is paired with a wonderful kitchen and menu choices. Now don't let the mid century modern and fine adornments scare you off as they open at 11am for lunch and have many dishes under the $20 mark. They even have a kids menu and desserts that pair with the best macaroni and cheese. The dinner section is where this place really shines as the lights go down and the elegance goes up. The back stairway takes you to an unforgettable bar scene where you can order the best wines and spirits and entertain yourself with those who care to talk or bring friends for an afternoon of food and drinks. Some events do have music or entertainment so check out their website and social media links below to see what is coming during your visit!
The Brass Lantern
One of our best restaurants is right across from Winnie's Bed and Breakfast in east Lawrenceburg. This place serves excellent steaks, pasta, and a little more. Locals know it as the place to get prime rib with a great beer at their new bar section. They also have a great selection of seafood favorites like fish and shrimp plates with blackened catfish that you must try! The seating area is much nicer than other places, making the brass rooms seem more luxurious, like a fine dining experience without the reservations and high cost of luxury dining. They can accommodate a crowd if you have several coming with you to eat and a drive-through in the back to serve you if you call ahead with an order to take back to your room. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and Friday through Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm. Click the link below to find out more about the Brass Lantern Restaurant!
Strikers Steakhouse and Kingpin Lanes
You don't even have to leave the parking lot to have a great dinner with bowling excitement! This combo is a great way to meet up with friends and family for a great meal in the restaurant section, with bowling in the alley! A door section separates them, so the restaurant doesn't carry the loud sounds of the bowling area, so you can eat or have drinks at the bar and still hear your friends talking. The bowling side is kid friendly with a kid's menu and pub foods for adults. They also have bumper bowling to keep balls out of the gutters. Smaller kids have an aid to roll the lighter ball down a ramp so they can play with others. The restaurant has large steaks and burgers with pasta and seafood plates for those who want something different. Strikers and Kingpin Lanes are on our list of top places to go for indoor entertainment so see our dedicated page for more information!
Rick's BBQ
Rick's BBQ restaurants are headquartered in Leoma, Tennessee. The corporate office supplies 10 Rick's BBQ stores with BBQ and other products made by their team. Rick Lanning has been smoking BBQ since he opened his first store in 1979, and now Rick's BBQ locations are in Tennessee and North Alabama. These restaurants have a country feel to them and offer up country favorites like pulled pork, ribs, chicken tenders, smoked chicken breast with Texas toast, baked beans, large loaded baked potatoes with pulled pork, potato salad, green beans, and other southern recipes that Rick got from his mom Liz. You can also find desserts like peach cobbler, a giant brownie, and homemade ice cream! See their website for the location you would like to visit! Most restaurants are open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
Society American Nosherie
Right on the Public Square in Lawrenceburg is the Society American Nosherie Restaurant. An African American, brother owned small business that serves burgers, steaks, salads, sandwiches of all kinds, and desserts, but we want to feature their pizzas and pasta meals here. We recommend them to those attending a Crockett Theatre concert since the theater is within walking distance. You get premium foods and drinks here. They have trained cooks and staff, so the Nosherie is more upscale than others on this page. There are few places to get pasta in Lawrence County, and the Nosherie is excellent for noodles and pizza. We linked their website below with their full menu for you to review before ordering. They cater to the sports bar and cocktail meetups with friends crowd and regularly have live music inside and outside the restaurant. They are open Sunday through Friday from 11 am to 10 pm and Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Stetar's Restaurant
Those who want a sports bar will be happy at Stetar's Restaurant. TVs are everywhere, and the scene is more aligned with fast casual seating for a relaxed level and mood. The food is excellent, and although they sell steaks and seafood entrees, you will also see these in taco form. They have burgers and other sandwiches along with some pasta dishes. The dessert menu is diverse, with tarts and pies drizzled with something sweet. Their bar section is spirited, and there are plenty of mixed drinks and drafts to enjoy as you watch the big game on TV. They have a kid's menu and a sides section if you want to order something special. They are open from 11:00 am to 8 pm, Wednesday through Saturday and Sundays 11am - 3pm.
Asian Restaurants
For a small town like Lawrenceburg, We have 4 different kinds of Asian restaurants. These vary by Japanese and Chinese-inspired places. Two are Japanese-styled, and two are Chinese buffet-related places. Oishi is very modern looking inside, with Yamato looking very traditional inside. China Buffet looks elegant with gold fixtures inside, while the Oriental Restaurant looks more modern with just a few paintings. These restaurants are the choices you have when looking for Asian-inspired cuisine in Lawrence County!
Oishi Japanese Express
One of our top choices for Japanese sushi is the husband and wife team behind Oishi Japanese Express. They have a long list of sushi and maki rolls to choose from. They also have a hibachi menu, but they cook it in the kitchen, so there isn't a show. The food tastes clean here without using soy sauce or marinade. They have udon and lo mein bowls along with other noodle dishes. Soups include miso and other traditional soup stocks. They also have ginger salads that can come with entrée plates of hibachi. We believe you will enjoy eating here, but they don't have Facebook or a website. They only have a phone number, so you must call (931) 244-6772 for more information. They are open from 11 am to 9 pm Tuesday through Saturday and from Noon to 8:30 pm on Sunday. They are closed Mondays.
Yamato Japanese Steakhouse
Inside Yamato is a very traditional styled layout with bamboo accents and Asian icons that give this place a very calming appearance. They have a hibachi grill where you can see it, but there isn't a show like other Japanese restaurants. The sushi is wonderful and a bit different; many rolls are spicy or wrapped in rice paper, which makes for a different experience than traditional sushi. If a person wants a traditional roll or sashimi, you can also find it here at Yamato. Noodle lovers will enjoy soba meals, and salad lovers have many choices. The soups all have Asian-inspired recipes, from clear miso to a delicious seafood soup! They are open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm and are closed on Sunday.
China Buffet
At China Buffet, you get an authentic Chinese food experience from a husband and wife team who are originally from China! But, of course, they serve the more Americanized version we have all seen and loved. The buffet has several bars for a large selection, and Friday and Saturday nights usually feature seafood, crawfish, frog legs, and other happy surprises from the kitchen. The inside is adorned with red and gold inlaid details with Chinese-inspired paintings and décor that add to the eating experience. They are open from 11 am to 9 pm Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday. You can order takeout or deliver it to your room on their website, so click the link below for the China Buffet website!
Oriental Restaurant - Lawrenceburg
This is the location of the first Chinese restaurant in Lawrenceburg that was called the Golden Panda. Today it is the Oriental Restaurant Lawrenceburg. It has a buffet, or you can order off the menu with several Chinese favorites. They have a drive-through on the side of the building and online ordering to be ready when you arrive to pick it up. They have a Japanese menu and sushi offerings of light maki rolls and nigiri. People who prefer the Oriental Restaurant typically order off their menu. The Chef's Specialty section of the menu is for those who know what they want to eat. They have dishes you don't see anywhere else. Items with potatoes or pancakes are on the menu, and some dishes that look like omelets. We believe you can find something to enjoy or try something different here at Oriental Restaurant. They are open Wednesday through Monday from 11 am to 9:30 pm and are closed on Sunday. Their website is linked in the button below!
Mexican Restaurants
Our Mexican-inspired restaurants have a style all their own. Today there are six places in Lawrence County to get Mexican cuisine. In all honesty, five places are Tex-Mex restaurants. The fajitas, tacos, burritos, and nachos we all love are a fusion of Mexican-inspired Texas foods. The Taqueria Delicias Madai and Maeda Tienda Latina is a food truck that does serve authentic Mexican foods with corn tortillas and traditional Mexican spices. They also have a store where you can buy Mexican foods to take home and try yourself. We will start north of town and showcase each restaurant!
Fiesta Mexicana - Lawrenceburg
At Fiesta Mexicana in Lawrenceburg, you get a Tex-Mex steakhouse experience with wooden walls and a full bar for drinks if you choose. On certain nights you can hear live music in the bar section that you only get in a few Mexican restaurants. They offer Happy Hour specials from 2 - 7 pm. Since this is a steakhouse and Mexican restaurant, they have T-bone and ribeye steaks with some steaks coming with grilled shrimp! They have an extensive menu with all the tacos and burritos you would want and an excellent fajita selection. Nacho lovers will have plenty of choices, and during the day, they have a lunch menu and a kid's section for those who want smaller portions. Add anything to your order or get your favorite items with their ala carte selection. They have party seating if you need to host a group. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10:30 pm.
Puente Grande - Lawrenceburg
Puente Grande is located where the first Mexican restaurant opened in Lawrenceburg. Then, it was called La Hacienda, and Puente Grande has expanded the original restaurant into a little Mexican town with stucco wall coverings. They also have an expanded menu that includes multiple versions of grilled steaks, chicken, pork, and seafood. Several items have portions for two that will save you a dollar or two on the price. In addition, they have a take-out delivery system that will let you order from the menu and let a delivery service take it to your room. We like the Puente Grande for its interesting take on Mexican classics. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10:30 pm.
Cocina Real - Lawrenceburg
At Cocina Real, you get visually attractive décor with hanging sombreros and Mexican iconography. The colors are consistent with the old west, and their paintings and artworks reflect the desert landscape. The food is very clean here, with a fresh taste of newly chopped cilantro. The fajitas and burritos are large and are brought to your table smoking from the oven. They have many menu items for kids and a la carte ordering, and you can get things delivered or to-go with the forms in the button below. The outside patio area is great for being seen or when you want to enjoy the weather outside. Their drink selection is vast, and there are plenty of happy hour sales and specials to give you a night on the town. The crew from the Amish of Ethridge seem to favor Cocina Real even though we eat at the other Mexican restaurants in Lawrence County. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10:30 pm.
El Azteca Mexican Grill
This was the location of the Ponderosa Steakhouse, and inside the restaurant, the wooden walls and coverings can still be seen but with icons of central Mexico! El Azteca Mexican Grill has a different spice combination for most menu items. We believe this is a great place to try out as their plates are large, and their Molcajete is one of the more interesting entrées you can get anywhere. They have good traditional salsa and chips that come out as usual, and their kid's menu is good for kids who may not like Mexican food items or are picky eaters. The bar section has signature drinks we believe you will love. Trivia and live music are held on certain nights, so watch for those if you want to participate. We have their website linked below, and they are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 9:30 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Taqueria Delicias Madai and Maeda Tienda Latina
Here at Taqueria Delicias Madai and Maeda Tienda Latina, you get the added benefit of ordering food at the food truck, going inside their store, and finding the ingredients to make the dish at home. This is our most authentic Mexican restaurant in Lawrence county. You will see corn rather than flour tortillas for your tacos and burritos. They use authentic Mexican spices instead of the Tex-Mex versions you will find at other restaurants. We are not saying one place is better than another but that Taqueria Delicias Madai and Maeda Tienda Latina are closer to what people in Mexico serve. They have some non-Mexican items for those of your party who prefer something other than this kind of food. The link below has an online ordering form where you can order food from their food truck. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Fiesta Mexicana - Loretto
A few miles south of Lawrenceburg is the city of Loretto, where Fiesta Mexicana is the only Mexican restaurant in town. This is an option for those who go to see the Loretto History Museum or go to the Loretto Farmers Market or other events. This restaurant is in the same line of restaurants as the Fiesta Mexicana in Lawrenceburg, so the menu is similar. Several restaurants have occupied this location in the past, so it was natural to try out an excellent Mexican restaurant. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.
The Taco Shack at Sycamore Creek Campground
While many say it's out of the way, we say nay! The Taco Shack is one of those creek bank type of places where you can go get in a kayak at Upa Creek Kayak Rentals and float down to the Taco Shack for some good food and beer. These large burgers and sides are cooked inhouse and the tacos are amazing.
Pizza in Lawrence County
We all love pizza and pasta here, along with other Italian-inspired favorites! We have several places to get Italian cuisine that may be different from the first place you would look. Even some of our BBQ restaurants have pizza, and our Brass Lantern, known for its steaks, has an extensive pasta menu, so we want to give you our list of places to get Italian favorites. Many will offer a delivery system or pick-up. We will list these places according to our opinions and experience, with each place with a preference for locally owned restaurants that deliver superior service and products over chain stores.
The Noble Fox
The Noble Fox in Loretto has the best pizza in Lawrence County due to their brick oven that can flame the thinner crust, make the dough puff up, and crunch with the toppings. The chef at The Noble Fox is educated and has invented many top recipes and dishes that look and taste like a fine dining experience. They also have burgers, tacos, oysters, and other menu items you wouldn't think you would find in a small restaurant off the highway. Of course, you must try the pizza and steak here if you like large ribeyes and filets! They have a unique menu but are only open Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 pm and Sundays from 12 to 3 pm for brunch.
Deb-O's-Pizza
Everyone has a hometown pizzeria, and Deb-O's is ours. They are on Depot Street in downtown Lawrenceburg where the train depot was years ago. You will see a buffet of ingredients ready to go on your pizza when you enter. You order by size, so the large cheese pizza costs about the same as their 21 toppings pizza, so load it up with toppings! All items on the menu go through the rotary oven that perfectly cooks the dough to a crunchy consistency. The cheesy volcano, chicken wings, cinnamon rolls, build-your-own sandwiches, and calzones are also available as additions or for your main dish. There is no place to eat inside, but there is a covered patio where you can picnic and eat. Deb-O's is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday from 11 am to 8 pm, and Saturday from Noon to 8 pm. We recommend you call ahead or use a delivery service if you are in a hurry. They can only do one pizza at a time, which can delay your eating times.
Ed's Pizza and More - Closed in 2023
This may be our best restaurant for those with children. They have a game room for kids to play while the parents eat. The pool tables don't require quarters, and the other games work when someone wants to play with them. Sadly the guy who started the restaurant died, and the husband and wife team who were friends with Ed are taking up his cause to run the restaurant with the same menu, plus a few family secret recipes. Like the crown wings that are the best-selling, most popular wings they sell! Their steaks are large. The T-bone and ribeye are 16 oz choice cut Black Angus! Their pizza is a real homemade treat cooked in a pizza oven. The chicken bacon ranch and supreme are the most ordered, but sometimes they make specialty pizzas where you can add cactus as a topping. Please take a look at their menu, as they have many non-traditional items. The owners don't want anyone to go home hungry, so the portions are large. This place is perfect for those leaving Ethridge to see the Stantonville Amish community and Shiloh. They also have a drive-thru for those in a rush! They are open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm. Friday and Saturday from Noon to 10 pm and Sunday from Noon to 9 pm. See their Facebook link below to see some of their foods!
The Pie Factory of Lawrenceburg
The Pie Factory started in Florence Alabama on Court Street and added Muscle Shoals and Jasper Alabama to it's chain of stores. Lawrenceburg is their fourth location and they have pizzas named after their famous Alabama persons and places. They don't seem to care much about Tennessee. The sports bar scene here is favorable to college age to middle aged adults who like the many televisions on the walls and cold beer to have with their pizzas. The decor is industrial and makes for a nice contrast from other local establishments so it is more of a bar than a pizza restaurant. Below is a map and links to their website and Facebook Page. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11am till 10pm and 11am till 11pm on Friday and Saturday.
Southern Favorite Restaurants
The southern states are known for their foods and drinks. Some of the top restaurants in the nation are in the south. We have recipes that are famous and known everywhere. We have a few restaurants in Lawrence County with very country and Southern foods and décor. Some call our dishes "comfort foods" as they make you feel good when eating them. Others refer to these foods as "Soul Food," which originated in the 1960s when "soul" was a common term for African-American culture. We are known for combining foods for casseroles or cooking things in a pot like a stew. Even our desserts are combined with ice cream or drizzled with a sauce or topping. Below are our favorite Southern restaurants that are sure to comfort you!
Pat's Cafe
If you need somewhere you can get breakfast all day, then Pat's Cafe is your place. They also serve southern favorites and menu items, but their breakfast keeps you coming back. You must see their Facebook page for the lunch menu, which changes daily. Pat's Cafe caters to retirees and makes a great place to come in for a coffee and western omelet in the mornings. The lunch menu favors plates like spaghetti, meatloaf, beans, and hamburger steaks with brown gravy, for example. Pat's Cafe is a great place to hang out in the morning, where you can also see several of our political officeholders eating before they have to go downtown to their offices. Kids like pancakes and French toast; they serve catfish, steaks, burgers, salads, country-fried steak, and more for adults! They are open from 6 am to 2 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday but are closed Sunday and Wednesday.
The Kuntry Kitchen
This place is so country they spell it with a "K"! You will find the most country and southern place in all of Lawrenceburg! You can get all the beans and cornbread, country-fried catfish and shrimp, cabbage, green beans, and peach cobbler you want under one roof! Let's keep going! Fried okra, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, fried chicken, country greens, pork chops, turkey and dressing, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, country steak with sawmill or brown gravy! Oh, my, this place specializes in southern specialties! The hours are short between opening and closing, so get in during their open hours. Open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 2 pm, Friday from 10:30 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm.
Preston's Restaurant
Just south of Lawrenceburg is the town of Leoma. You will find a great Southern restaurant off Highway 43 South here! They are famous for their catfish plates. You can get them whole or fillet with many southern sides like slaw and baked potatoes. They also have the best chicken fingers around, according to the locals. Preston's has tables to gather without loud TVs to distract you. They also have hot wings, onion straws, potato skins, and cheese sticks for appetizers. Oysters, clams, scallops, and fish can also be included in their seafood menu. They have a kid's menu and side items that can be ordered separately. Preston's is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 8 pm.
The Leoma Cafe
This place is very country, from its block wall construction to its gravel parking lot. Nothing says country fixings like the smell of catfish frying in the kitchen! They are famous for giant catfish, whole or fillet, scallops, clams, or shrimp. Hamburger steaks, chuckwagon steaks, chicken liver dinners, and frog legs on occasion! Sides include loaded baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, tater tots, onion rings, and white beans! Kids have a separate menu, and you can order a la carte if necessary. They have a great breakfast menu with chocolate gravy, a Southern tradition! They have desserts, but they change, so see the Facebook link below to call or message them before you arrive. The Leoma Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 6 am to 8 pm.
St. Joe Cafe
St. Joseph is south of Loretto and north of the Alabama border. Here at the St. Joe Cafe, they specialize in "meat and three plates." You come in and see their buffet and point out what you want. It is not a buffet but a buffet to help you choose your meal. The salad bar is great if you like various choices, and the desserts are a real treat! St. Joe Cafe is great for those on the go due to the fast turnaround of available seating and the fact that the food is already prepared on the buffet. So you come in and order and get your plate right then! Plus, the location is excellent for those playing disc golf or horse riding at St. Joe Park! We like the whole catfish and pork chops, but you must call or message them on Facebook to see what they will be serving the day you arrive. They also have breakfast all day if you need a place that has famous cinnamon roll pancakes! They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 7 am to 3 pm.
Shef's Kitchen - Closed in 2023
Shef's is a drive-through restaurant with no dine-in options. Previously, they had a location in Rogersville, Alabama, that offered steak tips, chicken, fish, sandwiches, and Southern favorites. The Lawrenceburg location offers steak tips, fish strips, burgers, sandwiches, salads, grilled chicken, and fried chicken bites. Some items are offered as mini-meals or dinners. In addition, they have a kid's menu and dessert options for those with families or a sweet tooth. Shef's opened this location in 2022 next to the Dairy Queen and features a drive-through for ordering and food pick up. Call 931-244-7014 to order ahead.
Legend's Express Brisketville
Under the canopy is the ultimate for express lunches. Several local industry workers go here for lunch with the quick service on the brisketville train! At Legend's Express, you can get meat and two sides. Choose from meatloaf, fried catfish, BBQ, brisket or burnt ends, fried chicken breast, or other meats with BBQ beans, white beans, green beans, potatoes, creamed corn, and fried okra. In addition, they have several salads and burgers to choose from, like our favorite, the brisket Reuben! You can also get meats by the pound and family packs and eat across the street at Rotary Park for a family picnic!
The Quick Fixt Restaurant and Auction House
You don't see many restaurants doubling as eating establishments and auction houses. Instead, you must see their daily menu and come when something you like happens to be served. The Friday night auction house will have you bidding on items with an auctioneer and number, but the food is where it's at here! They have served lasagna with garlic bread and a salad, BBQ ribs with pinto beans and cornbread, meatloaf with mashed potatoes or white beans with slaw, and many more Southern favorites. See their Facebook page linked below for their daily menu. They are open from 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and Wednesday from 11 am to 6 pm. They are most known for their wings, ice cream, and a 32 oz banana split. Call (931) 852-4525 if their Facebook page has not been updated.
Soups Salads and Cheese Sticks
Some people like a lighter fare and want to be able to finish their meal without having to take the rest to go or throw it away. The places below feature a la carte and smaller portions with higher-quality ingredients. These places are also great for those who want healthy options or a change from their regular diet.
Sue Sue's Sandwich Shop
Sue Sue's specializes in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Many of her sauces are her invention. She also has soups and smoothies for those who want something in a cup. Add a drink and chips to any order to make it a meal combo. Then, you can sit inside or outside on the patio and eat. The ultimate pimento and cheese sandwich, Cuban sandwich and Reuben are must-try, and their salads are large enough to be a meal on their own. The Southwest chicken and California wraps are local favorites, and the fruit and yogurt wrap can complement any order as a dessert. She has smoothies, teas, coffee, and hot chocolate for drinks. They do have a kid's menu for the little ones. Sue Sue's is open from 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Sue Sue's is closed on Sunday.
Artful Harvest LLC
Here is where salads and antipasto reign supreme. You have to go on a day when the menu is what you want. For example, there is Meaty Monday, Teriyaki Tuesday, Spaghetti Wednesday (pizza and Key lime pie sometimes), Winner Winner Thursdays, Fishy Fridays, and so on. You can also learn how to paint and make bead art while you are here. You will have to message or call them for upcoming event details or menu changes. They are open on the downtown square Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. See their Facebook page linked below!
Berryhill's Snack Bar
For over 40 years, Berryhill's Snack Bar has been fixing hamburgers and handmade corndogs with various desserts for those who need to get on their way quickly. They don't have a dining area but rely on a drive-through window. Call ahead or tell them at the window, and they will prepare your order. The link below goes to their Facebook page, where you can message them and see if they have updated their hours or have to be closed that day. Please call them at (931) 629-4506 for the day's desserts or to have your order ready at a specific time. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.
The next type of restaurant we want to feature is the "Themed Restaurant." The places below have a style and theme to their menu and appearance. They tend to give you the emotion of being in a specific time or food exploration. We hope you enjoy the restaurants below!
The Daydream Diner
The Daydream Diner will have you back in the 1950s with its décor of old diner-style booths and checkerboard floors. The burgers are iconic with their flat-top grill marks, and steamed cheese melts with the classic onion, lettuce, and tomato on a rounded bun. The shakes are thick and tall, with the oversized straw sticking high off the lid. The Daydream Diner is also known for its cheesesteak sandwiches made on a sub sandwich bun with a meaty middle of your choice, sliced steak or chicken. In addition, they now have a Po Boy sandwich on a hoagie roll. They also have platters if you want something other than the bread. If you have room for sweets, then you are in luck. Their ice creams, floats, shakes, and sundaes are a crowd favorite here, and the concrete mix-ins and banana splits are legendary for their appearance and place in 1950s culture. They are open from 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays for breakfast. Click the link below to go to their Facebook page!
Lirette's Cajun Seafood
At Lirette's Cajun Seafood, you get authentic Cajun foods from real authentic Cajun people! They are from Houma, Louisiana, and bring the swamp to the South! This food truck is a shrimp cooking machine with low country boil, gator tail, boudin balls, shrimp, crawfish, and crabs! Along with fish nuggets, red beans and rice, and gator sausage! Since they are a food truck, they tell everyone on their Facebook page where they will be next, so we can't reliably share their hours. So instead, click the button below or call them at (931) 638-9714 to order before you get there or to price their seafood!
Three Sisters Soul Food
At the Native American events around Lawrence and Giles Counties, you will usually find Three Sisters Soul Food cooking their famous Fry Bread. This is a passed-down recipe for a type of bread that is put in a pot of oil and fried. Not just any bread can be made like this, and the only way to get this kind is to go to a Pow-Wow and get it from a vendor like Three Sisters Soul Food! Our favorite is the Mexican style with the salsa on top. Since they are a food vendor, there is no way of determining hours of operation. Below is an example of Native American Fry Bread with salsa on top. We hope you get to try it yourself if you haven't already done so.
Chain Restaurants in Lawrence County
We have some of the most known chain restaurants in the country right here in Lawrence County! These chain restaurants are great for staying open longer or having the consistency that chains are known for.
Chicken Places in Lawrenceburg
Lawrence County - Sonic Drive-In
Just so you know, the Sonic in Summertown is the best in the USA, as they were the Dr. Pepper Sonic Games champions in Dallas, Texas, for the 2nd year in a row!
Lawrence County - Subway
Pizza Chains - Lawrenceburg
Burger Chains - Lawrence County
Other Chains - Lawrenceburg
Did you see something you liked?
We have another food-related page showing our local Bakeries, Drinks, and Nightlife where you can dance the night away! Sometimes you need a little self-indulgence, and something special like comfort food or drinks can make you happy! See the link below to take you to our other page!
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