While most of our college budgets don’t lend themselves to extravagant vacations, roadtrips are an affordable way to see the country without blowing too much cash. And for foodies in search of the best eats in the south, we’ve got you covered with our list of best southern cities to roadtrip to for (affordable) food.
Savannah, GA:
Only three and a half hours from Gainesville, Savannah is one of the most accessible cities to drive to. Famous for their good ole southern cooking, Savannah serves up classic southern staples like fried chicken, shrimp n’ grits, and macaroni and cheese. If it’s a picture with the Paula Deen cutout you’re looking for, then head to the Lady and Sons. However, if it’s truly good food you’re after, visit Narobia’s Grits & Gravy ($), Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room ($$), Wiley’s Championship BBQ ($$), and Clary’s Café ($). And if you really want to do the Savannah food scene right, sign up for a Savannah Taste Experience food tour. The three-hour walking tour costs $45 and takes you to seven food spots throughout the city.
Miami, FL:
A departure from traditional southern cooking, Miami serves up a range of global cuisine, with influences from South America, the Caribbean and Cuba, just to name a few. Just a five-hour drive from Gainesville, Miami will make you feel as though you’ve arrived in another country. Visit the Cuban eaterie Tinta y Café ($) or Mexican restaurant Con Sabor A Mexico Carnitas Estilo Michoacan ($). (Try saying that five times fast.) For fast, inexpensive dining options make sure you check out Miami’s range of food trucks, including gastroPod ($), Mr. Good Stuff ($) and Sugar Rush ($). The Miami food scene is also spiced up each February when the Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival comes to town.
Charleston, SC:
Known for their “Low Country Cuisine,” Charleston has begun to combine traditional southern fare with local, indigenous ingredients. Five hours from Gainesville, Charleston has recently become more of a draw for foodies. Recommendations include sandwich-centric Butcher & Bee ($$), southern-style Hominy Grill ($$), which is famous for their “Big Nasty” chicken biscuit, and authentic low country cooking at Poogan’s Porch($$). And for $42, you can experience a range of flavors with Culinary Tours of Charleston on their two-hour walking tour.
New Orleans, LA:
Okay, so this one is a bit farther away. But if you do find yourself eight hours from Gainesville in New Orleans, you better get ready to eat. This city just screams Cajun, Creole and southern all at once. With dishes ranging from shrimp po’boys and spicy jambalaya to warm beignets, New Orleans will perk up your taste buds. If you’re in search of affordable Cajun/Creole fare, head uptown to Jacques-Imo’s Café ($$) or try Cochon ($$). For dessert, Café Du Monde ($) is of course word famous for their beignets, but Café Beignet ($) is also a fan favorite. If you’re feeling extra hungry and ready to try all types of American cuisine, New Orlean’s weekend-long food festival FoodFest is just the ticket. In addition to traditional Louisiana staples, FoodFest serves up famous foods from across the country.
Atlanta, GA:
Thought Atlanta was just about southern food? Think again. Atlanta has grown to become a huge food mecca in the south. With a range of cuisines, from Korean barbecue to classic Italian, Atlanta has it all. Visit Antico Pizza ($$) for a slice or two, head to Café Agora ($$) for traditional Turkish fare, or try Heirloom Market BBQ ($$) for some pulled por. For a quick bite, head over to the Atlanta Food Truck Park, where you’ll find a range of food trucks and, on the weekends, a market. And if in doubt, check out the food blog Eat It, Atlanta to help you narrow down your choices.
Photos courtesy of (top to bottom): savannahcitymarket.com, exclusivepropertiesinmiami.com, tripadvisor.com, wikimedia.org and railplanning.com.
