How to Discover the Perfect Roadside Restaurants on a Roadtrip
Looking for better food on your next road trip? In this episode, Lisa sits down with food writer Hannah Raskin, founder of The Food Section, to share expert tips for finding incredible local restaurants, hidden roadside gems, and authentic regional dishes throughout the American South. Learn how to use Google Maps like a pro, discover unique local specialties, and turn every road trip meal into a memorable travel experience.
One of my favorite parts of traveling is discovering incredible local restaurants that I'd never find if I simply followed the interstate signs. Some of our most memorable meals have come from little family-owned restaurants tucked just a few minutes off the highway.
If you've ever wondered how to find those hidden gems without wasting hours searching, this episode of the This Travel Tribe Podcast is for you.
I sat down with Hannah Raskin, founder of The Food Section, a daily newsletter dedicated to helping readers better understand the American South through food. As a longtime restaurant critic and food writer, Hannah has spent years searching for the kinds of roadside restaurants that most travelers drive right past.
She shared practical tips that anyone can use to eat better on a road trip, whether you're exploring the South or anywhere else in the country.
The Secret to Better Road Trip Meals Starts Before You Leave
It can be tempting to wait until you're hungry and pull off at the nearest exit. Unfortunately, that's usually how you end up eating somewhere forgettable.
Hannah recommends doing just a little planning before you hit the road.
Instead of deciding where to eat at the last minute:
Estimate where you'll be around lunchtime.
Pick an exit ahead of time.
Spend a few minutes researching restaurants nearby.
You lose a tiny bit of spontaneity, but you're much more likely to find somewhere you'll actually remember long after your trip is over.
Don't Trust the Highway Signs
Many travelers assume the restaurants listed on interstate signs are the only nearby options.
They're not! Keep looking!
Businesses pay a significant amount of money to appear on those signs, which means many fantastic locally owned restaurants never show up there.
Instead, Hannah starts every search the same way.
She opens Google Maps and looks at every restaurant within about a five-minute drive of the interstate exit. That simple strategy opens up dozens of options you might otherwise miss.
Use Google Maps Like a Food Critic
Most of us immediately look at star ratings. Hannah looks somewhere else first…
Browse the Photos
Customer photos tell you far more than reviews ever will.
If you're craving tacos, barbecue, or burgers, you can usually tell pretty quickly whether the food looks fresh, homemade, and worth the stop.
Photos are objective. Reviews are opinions.
Check Out the Menu
Menus reveal a lot about a restaurant.
Look for:
House specialties
Seasonal ingredients
Local dishes
Homemade desserts
Variety for different dietary needs
Together, the photos and menu often give you a much better picture than a simple star rating.
Discover the Foods That Define a Region
One of Hannah's favorite travel tips is to seek out foods that are unique to the area you're visiting.
Every region has dishes that locals may not even think to recommend because they've grown up eating them.
For example, western North Carolina is famous for liver mush, a regional specialty that's surprisingly difficult to find anywhere else.
Another favorite is dip chicken, a local dish near Statesville, North Carolina. It starts with crispy fried chicken that's dipped into a spicy barbecue sauce, combining two Southern favorites into one unforgettable meal.
These aren't necessarily foods you'll find at chain restaurants, but they're exactly the kinds of meals that make travel memorable.
Before You Go
Spend a few minutes learning about the culinary traditions of the area you'll be visiting.
Ask yourself:
What foods is this region known for?
Are there seasonal specialties?
Is there a dish I can't easily find back home?
Trying local specialties is one of the easiest ways to experience the culture of a destination.
Why Supporting Local Restaurants Matters
Stopping at a locally owned restaurant doesn't just lead to a better meal.
It also supports families and small businesses that often don't have large advertising budgets.
Hannah pointed out that many small restaurants near interstate exits simply can't afford the marketing that chain restaurants can. Word of mouth, online reviews, and social media often make a huge difference for these businesses.
If you discover an incredible roadside restaurant:
Leave a review.
Share photos.
Tell your friends.
Post about it on social media.
You might help another traveler discover their new favorite stop while giving a small business some well-deserved attention.
One of my favorite parts of traveling is sharing those hidden gems with others. Sometimes it's hard to give away a secret, but knowing you're helping a local business makes it worth it.
Ask the Locals What to Order
Once you've found a restaurant, don't be afraid to ask a few questions.
Many local restaurants have large menus, but there are often a few standout dishes that regulars order every time.
Ask your server:
What is your most popular dish?
What do the locals usually order?
Is there anything that's unique to this area?
If you see something on the menu you've never heard of, ask about it. You might discover a new favorite.
I also love paying attention as I'm walking to my table. If I keep seeing the same dish on everyone's table, that's usually a pretty good sign it's worth trying.
Think About the Season
One tip I hadn't considered before talking with Hannah is that the time of year can make a big difference.
Some local restaurants change their menus based on what's being harvested nearby.
For example, one barbecue restaurant on Hannah's North Carolina food map only serves collard greens when they're in season.
If you're traveling through a farming region, look for menu items featuring fresh local produce or seasonal specialties. It can make your meal feel even more connected to the place you're visiting.
The Best Restaurants Often Feel Like Home
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Hannah describe the atmosphere at many small-town restaurants.
She said one of the biggest clues you've found a great place is looking around the dining room and seeing everyone enjoying their meal.
You'll often find:
Friendly servers who genuinely enjoy talking with guests.
Locals who are happy to recommend their favorite dishes.
A welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the community.
Road trips are about more than getting from one destination to another. They're an opportunity to connect with people and experience places you might otherwise pass by.
Travel With Someone Who Likes to Share
One of my favorite road trip strategies is ordering multiple dishes and sharing everything.
That way everyone gets to try more of the menu without leaving completely stuffed.
This works especially well at local restaurants where there are several regional specialties you'd like to sample.
Hannah also pointed out that restaurants with larger menus make traveling with different dietary preferences much easier. Whether someone in your group is vegetarian, gluten-free, or simply picky, a little research beforehand can help you find somewhere everyone will enjoy.
A Great Resource for Road Tripping Through the South
If you're planning a road trip through the southeastern United States, Hannah's publication, The Food Section, is an excellent resource.
The newsletter covers food stories from across much of the South and includes restaurant recommendations, regional food traditions, and practical travel tips. Their website also has an archive of several years of articles, making it easy to search for destinations before your trip.
Follow along on their Instagram!
Final Thoughts
Finding memorable restaurants on a road trip doesn't require hours of research or a professional food writer's experience.
With just a little planning, a quick search on Google Maps, and a willingness to venture beyond the interstate chains, you can discover incredible local restaurants that become some of the most memorable parts of your trip.
The next time you're planning a road trip, try skipping the familiar fast food stop. You might end up discovering a family-owned diner, a regional specialty you've never tasted before, or a hidden gem that becomes the highlight of your journey.
Sometimes the best travel memories are made around the table.