There’s nothing quite like mouthwatering, hearty, and filling country cooking. Luckily, you’ll find a wide variety of country cuisine and beyond in Humphreys County. Here are some of the best spots to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the snacky times in between.
For fresh, delicious Mexican comfort food, head to Tequila Johns Mexican Grill & Cantina in New Johnsonville, not far from Loretta Lynn’s hometown of Hurricane Mills. Originally founded in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1992, Tequila Johns moved to Tennessee in 2008 and has strived to bring only the best Mexican cuisine to the community ever since. Join Chef John S. Reveles in the casual dining room, and enjoy satisfying Mexican comfort foods like tacos, enchiladas, chile relleno, burritos, and nachos. Those who prefer a different type of comfort food will also find burgers and chicken tenders on the menu. For a quick bite, sit at the bar and enjoy a selection of botanas (snacks) and cervezas bien fria (very cold beers). For dessert, how do traditional flan, buñuelo, or cheesecake-filled flautas sound? Sounds downright delicious to us! Dine in or call for takeout.
If it’s fine, hand-cut steaks and succulent seafood you’re after, look no further than Jen’s Steak and Seafood. Established in 2004, Jen’s is a small-town American, family-style restaurant with locations in Waverly and Hurricane Mills. Here, you’re invited to “sit long, talk much, and laugh often.” Enjoy USDA certified steaks cut and trimmed right in the kitchen, from prime rib, to 8-ounce top sirloin, ribeye, and filet mignon, all the way up to a signature 20-ounce ribeye cut by request. Seafood lovers can choose from the likes of jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, snow crab legs, swordfish, catfish, and much more. Though Jen’s specialties are steak and seafood, the menu doesn’t stop there by any means. Choose from plenty of selections like chicken, pork, pasta, dinner salads, soups, and of course, desserts such as triple-layer chocolate cake, pecan pie, and ice cream sundaes.
You’ll find Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen in Hurricane Mills, home of the one and only Loretta Lynn Ranch. Featuring good ol’ country cooking and a friendly, casual environment, Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen serves up down-home dishes like country fried steak, pot roast, potatoes, greens, creamed corn, mac ‘n cheese, and southern style biscuits. While they do have a buffet, it’s currently closed due to the pandemic. In addition to the hearty fare and friendly service, you’ll delight in classic country music and memorabilia from the 1980s film Coal Miner’s Daughter. Learn all about Loretta Lynn herself, and then pick up a souvenir or two in the shop.
Known in Waverly for being “more than just a cup of coffee,” Waverly Café is a casual, relaxed spot serving up breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and a full espresso bar. For breakfast, try a breakfast croissant or panini, a French toast plate, and baked goods like muffins, scones, and cinnamon rolls. The daily lunch menu includes assorted salads, sandwiches, and soups of the day. Be sure to check out their daily lunch specials as well. As if all of that weren’t enough, Waverly Café offers free internet access for those who like to enjoy a delicious bite to eat or a cup of specialty coffee while they work remotely. Monthly drink specials like the iced coconut latte or the Almond Jolt o’ Joy (an almond, coconut, and chocolate latte that evokes one of our favorite nostalgic candy bars) are sure to make a regular out of you. Good thing Waverly Café has a loyalty card program and a Coffee Club for their frequent patrons! While you’re there, check out the café’s local arts and crafts gallery, collection of new and used books, and display of historical photographs of Humphreys County.
Log Cabin Restaurant knows a thing or two about great service and delicious food. After all, they’ve served the community of Hurricane Mills and travelers along Interstate 40 since 1966. Housed in a rustic log building that was built as a private home nearly one hundred years ago, Log Cabin’s mission is “to provide our guests with a genuine atmosphere, good service, and a meal that reminds them of home.” The restaurant is proud of its history and the authentic country-style menu, and for good reason. Need a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast on a weekend morning? You’ll find hearty choices like a breakfast skillet, steak and eggs, omelets, pancakes, and French toast. Lunch and dinner selections include assorted pastas, country fried steak, burgers, pork chops, ribs, steaks, and loaded country dinner plates. For lighter fare, try their salads, seafood, and sandwiches.
For a taste of northeastern flair in Middle Tennessee, head to Bella Blak Pizzeria in Waverly Plaza. The Klein Family, originally from New York, opened Bella Blak in 2010 and have since changed locations and expanded their seating and menu. The daily menu offers up New York-style pizzas, hot wings, subs, pastas, salads, and more. Be sure to stop by on a Thursday through Sunday to sample the specialty menu, which includes savory dishes like steak au poivre, shrimp scampi, and chicken marsala. For dessert, try the molten lava cake, chocolate tuxedo cake, or New York-style cheesecake. Bella Blak’s mission statement emphasizes “providing our guests with fine food and excellent service, striving to exceed expectations for hospitality and quality.” Dine in or order takeout with delivery service starting at 11am daily.
When you want fine food served in a relaxed environment with a side of southern hospitality, Samuel’s on the Square is the place for you. Located in Waverly, Samuel’s on the Square is a full-service dining experience. Specializing in upscale Italian cuisine and American grill favorites, Samuel’s guarantees only the best quality beef, chicken, and seafood in Middle Tennessee. Try the Capon Florentine, their signature dish, or choose from specialties like prime rib, homemade meatballs, cheesy chicken marinara, and more. Offerings from the grill include steak, shrimp, mahi mahi, salmon, and chicken. For southern favorites, there’s catfish, pork chops, and Shrimp Julie. Samuel’s on the Square is a wonderful place to dine, but it’s also the perfect spot for hosting your next event in Waverly. Whether it’s a reception, rehearsal dinner, prom, class reunion, or a corporate function, Samuel’s has your back.
Looking to imbibe in some pre-dinner spirits? Head to Gutter Bound Distillery in Hurricane Mills. Located just off I-40, right behind Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen, Gutter Bound is the first legal distillery in Humphreys County. Master Distiller Sanford Markham opened Gutter Bound Distillery with his wife Jess in the fall of 2019. Their goal is simple, they say. “We produce Craft American Spirits, in the spirit of the American Craftsman. We do it ourselves, and we do it right.” Gutter Bound’s locally crafted, never outsourced, small batch spirits include moonshine, whiskey and bourbon, spiced rum and oak-aged at the top of every hour. Learn about all Gutter Bound Distillery has to offer, and sample everything they produce that is currently available for sale. For those who prefer cocktails, everything on their cocktail menu has been created by family, friends, and patrons using Gutter Bound spirits.
ITINERARY POINTS OF INTEREST
Enjoy Fresh, delicious Mexican comfort food in the casual dining room, and indulge in satisfying Mexican comfort foods like tacos, enchiladas, chile relleno, burritos, and nachos.
With two different locations in Humphreys County to serve you, Jen’s is a small-town American, family-style restaurant where you’re invited to “sit long, talk much, and laugh often.” Enjoy USDA certified steaks cut and trimmed right in the kitchen as well as seafood favorites like jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, snow crab legs, swordfish, catfish, and much more.
Featuring good ol’ country cooking and a friendly, casual environment, Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen serves up down-home dishes like country fried steak, pot roast, potatoes, greens, creamed corn, mac ‘n cheese, and southern style biscuits. Although the buffet is currently closed due to Covid-19, they are still offering their same delicious home style cooking for a nice sit-down family dinner.
Known in Waverly for being “more than just a cup of coffee,” Waverly Café is a casual, relaxed spot serving up breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and a full espresso bar. While you’re there, check out the café’s local arts and crafts gallery, collection of new and used books, and display of historical photographs of Humphreys County.
Housed in a rustic log building that was built as a private home nearly one hundred years ago, Log Cabin’s mission is “to provide our guests with a genuine atmosphere, good service, and a meal that reminds them of home.” The restaurant is proud of its history and the authentic country-style menu that covers breakfast to dinner and everything in between.
Bringing the Big Apple taste to small town life, the daily menu at Bella Blak offers up New York-style pizzas, hot wings, subs, pastas, salads, and more while their Thursday through Sunday specialty menu includes savory dishes like steak au poivre, shrimp scampi, and chicken marsala.
Specializing in upscale Italian cuisine and American grill favorites, Samuel’s guarantees only the best quality beef, chicken, and seafood in Middle Tennessee. Try the Capon Florentine, their signature dish, or choose from specialties like prime rib, homemade meatballs, cheesy chicken marinara, and more.
Gutter Bound is the first legal distillery in Humphreys County and offers locally crafted, never outsourced, small batch spirits that include moonshine, whiskey and bourbon, spiced rum, and vodka. Stillroom tours and tastings cost just $10 and begin at the top of every hour.