"Country Cooking" dominates the culinary landscape in Tennessee. Withstanding attacks from dietitians, heart specialists, vegetarians and other well-meaning folks who just don’t understand, Southern "country" cooking persists because it tastes so good. Country foods include such items as barbecue, fried chicken, fried catfish, ribs, country ham, hush puppies, biscuits served with butter and preserves, okra, pinto beans, green beans and collard greens and fried pies.

From Mountain City to Memphis, iced tea is served every day of the year at lunch and dinner, even if a blizzard is raging outside. Moreover, in most places the tea will come already sweetened—sometimes to the extent that it is called 30-weight tea in reference to motor oil viscosity.