Our favorite road trip eateries in the South

A food road trip through the South isn't complete without some barbecue, and we think Central BBQ in Downtown Memphis has some of the best. Memphis-style barbecue is unique in that it doesn't use any liquids or sauces, only dry rubs and seasonings. And Central BBQ takes this very, very seriously. In fact, its slogan even says "smoke is our sauce." All of the barbecue is seasoned and slowly smoked over hickory and pecan chips for 24 hours. The result is some mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. The ribs at Central BBQ are the real star, but you can also get pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, and a wide variety of salads and sides.

There are a lot of great places to eat in Nashville, but the Loveless Cafe is a true Tennessee landmark. Started by a husband and wife duo back in 1951, the cafe had a very simple purpose: Give hungry travelers a quick place to stop and enjoy some fried chicken and biscuits. Word quickly spread about the incredible food and gracious owners, and soon people were coming from all over just to try the famous Loveless biscuits. That trend continued and now the cafe makes more than 10,000 biscuits every day. The menu has expanded quite a bit since 1951 and features both all-day breakfast and dinner from 11 a.m. until close. You can also purchase some Loveless biscuit mix at the on-site store and take the famous recipe home with you.

This next stop might surprise you, as it's not technically a restaurant or cafe, but it does give you both a beautiful place to camp and a chance to try some great, local food (meals taste better around a campfire). At the Blue Ridge / Toccoa River KOA Holiday, guests can camp right along the Toccoa River and choose between a tent site, an RV site, or a cabin rental—all of which come with fire pits so you can get down on some s'mores. There is coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available 24/7 at the main lodge, as well as a large pavilion for group dinners and gatherings. This particular KOA also has some great seasonal food options, including apple picking in the fall and local food trucks in the summer.

Located in a restored Victorian-style house in the French Quarter neighborhood of Charleston is a charming place called Husk. Known for its ever-changing menu, Husk is one of South Carolina's most famous restaurants, and for good reason—the food here is truly one of a kind. Stepping through the vine-covered gate and into the main entrance, you'll immediately feel as if you've been invited to an intimate dinner party. There are multiple places to dine, including inside near the fireplace, outside in the garden, and upstairs on the porch (we highly recommend the porch).

Because the menu changes daily, it's hard to recommend one dish but everything on the menu takes what you thought you knew about traditional Southern dining and flips it on its head (think pig ear lettuce wraps and bourbon-barrel-smoked dinner rolls). And whatever you do, don't forget to visit Husk's bar, which is located right next door, and treat yourself to a delicious nightcap.

In addition to being a beautiful campground surrounded by lush woodland, the Point South / I-95 / Yemassee KOA Holiday is also a food-lovers paradise. In fact, you won't even have to leave the grounds to try a wide variety of local food and drinks. Here you'll find Hunt Brother's Pizza Shop, a great little pizzeria that utilizes local ingredients and lets you to build your own personal pie. Be sure to try their famous breakfast pizza, which is loaded with eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese. (Pro tip: If you stay in one of the Deluxe Cabins, you get a free pizza!) For drinks, stop by the KOA's Swimming Mermaid Coffee House & Wine Bar. This adorable little bar serves speciality coffees in the morning, local craft beers in the afternoon, and wine tastings every night. For less than $10, you can sample four different pours from local wineries and get a true taste of South Carolina's budding wine industry.

If you've ever had a Mexican paleta, then you know what to expect from King of Pops. Unlike typical grocery store popsicles, King of Pops doesn't use any additives or preservatives and keeps to just a few natural ingredients—mostly fresh fruit—to make a deliciously sweet, frozen treat. Founded in 2010 by three brothers, what first started as a few pops sold from an ice cream cart has since grown into a multi-store successful business. But staying local to the South has always remained a core part of the company. King of Pops gets all of its fruit and dairy from local farmers, and only utilizes products that are in season. They also have no plans to expand outside of the South, as they want to stay as close to home as possible. Flavors range from classic (chocolate and orange cream) to complex (key lime pie and matcha lemonade) but all are utterly delightful and refreshing.

Tucked away inside a small antique shop in Southside Birmingham are some of the best sandwiches in all of the South. At the Garage, simplicity is key. Using only fresh, local ingredients, all sandwiches are made-to-order and come with chips and a pickle. You can choose from four different breads, four different cheeses, six different meats, and an endless list of toppings and condiments. The tuna salad is a local favorite, served as a sandwich or on its own with crackers. While you're there, take your time and enjoy the space. The antique shop is full of incredible finds, and the back patio often has live music playing. On weekends, the Garage stays open until midnight and offers a full bar (and late night sandwiches, too).

With a large number of the Southern states either directly touching or being right next to water, it's no surprise that seafood is a big part of Southern cuisine. And at Fisher's in Orange Beach, Alabama, you can have incredible seafood any way you like. The restaurant is actually divided into two parts: Fisher's Dockside, a casual, open-air cafe right along the water; and Fisher's Upstairs, an elegant and sophisticated indoor dining experience set back from the water. Both places are run by Executive Chef Bill Briand, who has been a James Beard Award semi-finalist for three years running. Menus at both Dockside and Upstairs emphasize classic flavors and include a variety of just-caught Alabama Gulf seafood. We recommend the fried oysters, crab cakes, and shrimp gumbo.