Top Three Restaurants You Need to Visit in 2021

We’re big into finding the best restaurants around, and it’s not an easy task. You could spend hours upon hours online searching through reviews to find a restaurant that’ll be perfect. That’s why we’re here, y’all! Here are the top three restaurants you need to visit in 2021 PLUS an honorable mention section because there are too many good ones!

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#3 Howard Station in Boone, North Carolina

Howard Station is fairly new to Boone and it’s owned by the most incredible couple. They’ve created a restaurant that has an awesome vibe, which we love. It actually has one of only three rooftop eating areas in Boone, and it was packed when we visited. Even though the view is great, we opted to sit inside.

The meats are smoked. The mac and cheese is smoked. The cobbler is smoked. Wait, what?

Yeah, you read that right. They have a smoked blueberry cobbler that is positively to die for, y’all! But we’re pretty convinced that you can’t go wrong with ANYTHING on the menu.

howard station in boone north carolina

One of our favorite parts about Howard Station was that they created they’re own sauces. They have a wide variety for all palettes. We even found that some sauces are perfect for the fried green beans while another sauce is great with the pulled pork sandwich.

They’re always coming up with new ideas for menu items and sauces. We’re currently waiting for them to bottle those delicious creations, so we can enjoy them from Crestview, Florida.

#2 freight house in Paducah, Kentucky

If you’ve met us in real life then you’ll know we’re kind of a broken record about freight house. NOT SORRY!

It’s owned by Top Chef alum, Sara Bradley, and it’s basically everything you want in a restaurant plus even more. The atmosphere feels so cool, a little upscale, but not pretentious. And the food… y’all, the food is some of the best you’ll ever eat in your life!

We actually have two videos on our channel about freight house, because we truly can’t get enough. If it was right down the street, we would need a once-a-week trip.

They have a seasonal menu, so it’s constantly changing, and Chef Sara prides herself on using fresh ingredients gathered locally.

Pictured below is the best burger on the face of the planet. It’s so good that Jenni, when talking about a good burger, has to say, “Oh, yeah it’s a great burger if you don’t compare it to freight house.” It’s just another level and it has to have a category of its own. It’s the freight house burger and everyone else.

freight house in paducah kentucky

If you ever find yourself in Paducah, Kentucky (it’s worth the trip just for freight house, honestly), then you have to pop in and try some of Chef Sara’s genius creations.

At first, some of it might seem like an odd mistake, but trust us when we say it’s all pure perfection.

We haven’t had a single thing at freight house that we regretted trying. Everything from the pork rinds with blueberry maple glaze to the pepperoni dip and the buffalo cauliflower. It’s all so freaking delicious, y’all.

Do yourself a favor and GO TO FREIGHT HOUSE! Make sure you tell them that Joanie and Jenni sent you.

#1 Clyde’s Table and Tavern in Cleveland, Georgia

Coming in at the top spot is the winner of our 2020 Positively Perfect in Every Way Restaurant Award. Clyde’s is just a great place for everyone. There’s something on the menu that anyone can enjoy, no matter how picky of an eater they are.

We’ve had everything from the smoked brisket to the chicken tenders, and you really can’t go wrong with anything! The last time we visited Clyde’s we sat next to a lovely couple that actually came to the restaurant for the first time because of our video review. That was the best feeling! Not because they came from our video, but because they loved it just as much as we did! That’s priceless!

clyde's table and tavern in cleveland georgia

If you visit Clyde’s there are a few things that you absolutely HAVE to try… the fried banana peppers are super unique and delicious. The jalapeño grit fritters are a little spicy and a WHOLE lot of delicious! The fried pickles are to die for. The chicken tenders are hand breaded and fried, so they’re pretty flipping amazing. The brisket is tender and delicious even without sauce. And the white chocolate bread pudding is too good for words.

The moral of the story is COME HUNGRY! There are so many yummy things to try!

Honorable Mention

We have been to a lot of incredibly delicious restaurants, so narrowing it down to three was next to impossible. So, naturally, we needed an honorable mention section, right? Here are some other awesome choices for 2021:

DiMaggio’s in Fairfield, Illinois
Rose and Daisy in Catawba, North Carolina
Café Rule in Hickory, North Carolina
Bodensee in Helen, Georgia
Max’s Brick Oven in Paducah, Kentucky
Lagerheads in Key West, Florida
Blackworth Live Fire Grill in Lititz, Pennsylvania
Tomato Pie in Lititz, Pennsylvania
Appalachian Brewing Company in Lititz, Pennsylvania
Bluebird in Stanford, Kentucky
Star Hill Provisions at the Maker’s Mark Distillery
Bradford BBQ in Lancaster, Kentucky

That’s almost every restaurant we visited in 2020… whoops! They’re all just so good, y’all! Yummy and LOCAL! Does it get any better than that?! I don’t think so.

Thank you so much for reading this post! If you loved it, share it with a friend! And a special thank you to our patrons and sponsors:

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