4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $35 01/22/2026 We returned to one of our favorite places downtown due to receiving a special offer through email. We started with a delicious Tupelo Margarita and a dark lager beer, from their good selection of tap beers. For our dinner, my wife ordered the Tupelo Shrimp & Grits (see picture) and I opted for the Smothered Chicken with cream corn and green beans (see picture) for sides. As we've come to expect from our visits to Tupelo Honey, both main dishes as well as the sides were delicious - chicken was crispy and juicy and both the Shrimp & Grits and cream corn were buttery and creamy. When they say Southern Comfort Food...they mean it! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. read more

I would like to preface this review by saying, the reason I gave 2 stars is because our server was so kind and the "Kiss My Grits" sign in the entrance of the restaurant was cute. As far as the remaining experience, significantly disappointing. I have never had such bland food in my life. I got the Chicken & Waffles, cooked perfectly, however the flavor profile was similar to that of loose leaf paper. I was so hungry coming from my flight that I ate it but it took likely enough salt and butter to raise my blood pressure for there to be a smidge of taste in my meal. It's a pretty restaurant to go grab drinks and maybe an appetizer but not much else. Overall 3/10. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Sangria - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I want to start by saying I'm from Bay Area California- so my food experiences and expectations are high. Food was 6/10. I got the smothered chicken which was good. Side of Mac & cheese and grits. Both sides were cold when they arrived in front of me and both were quite bland. Although the server was kind, I felt a bit ignored- after food arrived, I was only checked on once and then the check. When I arrived, I sat next to a filthy table that was empty when I arrived. It wasn't cleaned at all for the duration of my almost hour visit which made me not enjoy the environment as much. There were also 7 other tables that were dirty around me and have all been empty since arrival - I've attached photo. Music was nice, corporate people dining here, moderate pricing. Honestly came here because the reviews looks great and although the food looks great, could just use a bit more seasoning. Probably won't come back here, unfortunately. For the price, I can find other areas that excel in the areas noted above. read more

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As a true southerner I crave good down home comfort food that specializes in comfort dishes such as "Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen,' in downtown Des Moines with their heaping helping of shrimp and grits. Grits with goat cheese is an acquired taste. The shrimp was delicious and the slice of Mississippi Mud Pie as well as the cheese cake was divine. If you like honey fried chicken with a soft crunch -- that is topped off with crispy deliciously flavored French fries-- this is the place. Pete -- the bar manager -- as well as Jennifer, wait staffer, recommended the people's favorite dishes. The total atmosphere was large enough with good acoustics that allowed you to savor the moment of exquisite comfort food showcasing a lovely presentation. read more

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It's been a bit since our last trip to Tupelo Honey, but it did not disappoint. It's hard to beat the price for delicious southern comfort food. Tonight I had the sweet and spicy chicken waffles with honey Sriracha syrup. Absolutely delicious! Between that and my smoky collards with bacon and some heat, I couldn't have been happier. My wife got the Smother Lovin' Biscuit Sandwich and really liked it. Country fried potatoes on the side were just enough for her. My son got a basic cheese burger and fries and crushed every last crumb! The waitress was attentive and kind and the food was on the table inside of 12 minutes. This is a great little place in downtown Des Moines, and you should give it a go if southern cookin' is your thing! read more

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We did make reservations and were seated on time. Everything I tried had good flavor and everything looked yummy. Food was cold for a few of us when served. We had a party of 11 and food took a while to be served. We should have asked for kids to get their food first. The Mac and cheese is little spicy for the adults. They make the kids version not spicy. Service was good considering we had 11 of us. Ambiance was nice. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Salmon with Caesar salad and Mac and cheese - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

OMG! The fried chicken with honey dust was deeeelish! Fried green tomatoes were firm and crunchy and were in the top three I've ever had. Wasn't a huge fan of the mash potatoes honestly. The biscuits were hearty and went well with the tasty blueberry jam and butter. Grits! On point. Ambience- A+ with fun, clean decore. read more

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Good food in the heart of the city. It was hot and fresh and the staff was attentive and ready to assist. For a chain it is a great place for some southern food read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Fried chicken - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The food is terrible. I got fried chicken and the breading is soggy and greasy and falls off. The flavor is less to be desired. I also ordered the poblano chicken soup. It was ice cold. This was my second time. I gave it another chance and it is just as bad as the first time. Never eat here. Its disgusting. read more

Great service. Friendly staff. Food was delicious and was authentic southern food. Will definitely return when in town! read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Southern Chicken BLT with fried okra and hot tea with honey. - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

First time ordering and the flavors are bland. No type of "soul food" in there. I had the quater chicken, collard greens, fried green tomatoes, Mac and cheese and pecan pie. The chicken is not spicy at all, cold and lacks seasoning. Pretty much all the food lack seasoning and flavor and is cold. The tomatoes are absolutely the worst. I would rather order Walmart pecan pie than theirs. It had an odd after flavor. Pretty disappointed in wasting $50+ after reading so many wonderful reviews. The portion for the Mac and cheese and collard is a joke. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Famous Fried Green Tomatoes* Brown Butter Pecan Pie*half sweet and spicy quarter chicken* Mac and cheese* - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We're in town for the weekend and while riding around downtown this place caught my eye while searching restaurants. There was about a 30 minute wait but it was Fathers Day and we didn't make reservations. I tried the peach lemonade. It was good but i didn't taste the peach too much. I also got the glazed fried chicken with Brussels sprouts. I didn't understand the pickles that come with it but they complimented the meal. Very cute inside. Service was good as well. read more

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This place has been on my radar (yes I know it's a chain but I don't have one near). We walked in to being greeted promptly and shown our table. The waitress was not too far behind. Tried the biscuits for an appetizer. They were ok. A little bit too salty but soft and flaky. Hubs liked the jam. We then proceeded with the sweet and spicy chicken and waffles and the honey dusted chicken. The entrees came kind of fast so I suggested it may be precooked and the dryness of my chicken proved that. Hubs liked his entree but his entree was dripped in sauce. Overall I may not be back but it wasn't a bad experience. read more

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Great options for Gluten-free, staff was friendly and knowledgeable, food was excellent.

Horrible service and very unfriendly staff. Sitting at the bar you'd think you'd get some attention ... nope. I won't come back

The restaurant is easy to get to If you're staying in the city which is nice. Alex our server was wonderful and honest about wait times due to a large party. The pimento cheese was bland but the tortillas that came with the appetizer were yummy. The fried chicken was a little dry but the dry rub on the chicken was delicious. This was my favorite dish here and the fires A+. Overall this was a nice place to have dinner. The interior is clean and beautifully decorated. The staff was kind and helpful which is wonderful. read more

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Delicious food and beautifully decorated establishment. I had the honey dusted fried chicken dinner and although I generally don't like sweet on my fried chicken, this recipe was SO good. The slight sweetness with the kick of heat was mouthwatering. Or was it the chicken that was mouthwatering? LOL. I paired it with the green beans which were seasoned to perfection. The side salad which was a tad wilted but very good. The service was outstanding. Immediate warm greeting and very attentive waitress. I highly recommend. And will go again. read more

Stopped for lunch on a Tuesday and sat right down. Waitress was friendly. It's a bright, sun filled place. Hubby had two pieces of fried chicken with a pepper sauce & he loved it! He was disappointed they didn't offer mashed potatoes so he had a Caesar salad instead. I had a mixed green salad and chicken tenders. The tenders were kind of dry - - the sauce was tasty with them so that helped. Son had a chicken sandwich with french fries. The fries were really good. The chicken wasn't very big so I gave him one of my four nuggets. It's nice and bright and cherry and hubby loved his chicken. Son and I thought it was fine but not as good as we had hoped. Will probably try it again. read more

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Original wait time was supposed to be 20 minutes. Ended up being around 35 minutes which was fine. We got seated. Took about 20 minutes just for us to get our drink and then food was at least another 30 to 40 minutes after ordering. The food is great, but it seemed shortstaffed and staff did not seem very inviting. The inside is very beautiful and lovely atmosphere. read more

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Good times with good people! Everything was lovely, mid day lunch. Nice natural lighting, sound was perfect. Good conversations going on around us. Loved my chicken and waffles forgot to take a pic. Mac & cheese was ok but nice presentation. Mimosa flight was perfect. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Gifts and souvenirs for purchase. - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Their chicken is out of this world ! Wow. I will definitely come back and try more of their menu items

I had the chicken and waffle and it was okay . Chicken was a little fried hard and the waffle were too crispy . The food was good in flavor but too much batter on chicken and too crispy so I couldn't enjoy it the way h wanted to . The sweetness and spicy were perfect . The server and host were super nice and accommodating and the place was quiet and super cute when I was there . I will give it a second chance but will not be going anytime soon. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Chicken and Classic Chicken* & Waffles - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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When in Iowa... In the mood for some good food after a long day watching our daughter compete in the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. The Wife, teenager & I visited Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen, hoping & praying for good Southern style food. The Fried Green Tomatoes were panko crusted, basil, roasted red pepper sauce, heirloom grits with goat cheese. I gave it 4 Stars out of 5. I'm a sucker for fried green tomatoes & these did not disappoint, although I've had better, I would recommend these to any fried green tomato lovers. The Wife ordered a Bloody Mary and gave it 4 stars - it came with fresh lemon, pickled okra, olives, & lime salt. She liked it a lot. Traditional Chicken & waffle -- two & half stars bc they only gave the wife a little syrup & things got pretty dry. Old skool Breakfast bowl -- was my speed and I would definitely get it again. Sweet & Spicy Chicken Sandwich -- was also really good as well. Overall, this was a good experience & we enjoyed our time, and although I can't imagine us visiting Iowa again, if I did, I'd visit again. read more

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The shrimp and grits were amazing. My wife had chicken and waffles, which was also very good in the bloody. Mary was outstanding.

Awesome food, great service. Knowledgeable staff, beautiful upscale dining room. Had sweet and spicy chicken and waffles.

A southern restaurant, in Des Moines Iowa? This is just about as far away from the south as one can be. What can possibly go wrong here? I mean surely disappointment looms....right? To my astonishment, Tupelo Honey is the real deal. Tupelo Honey first and foremost, has created a beautiful open dining space. It's bright and inviting. The menu is loaded with creative takes on southern classics like biscuits, shrimp n grits, fried chicken, and even fried green tomatoes. That's just a small percentage of the way too many offerings to name. There are so many drinks to choose from, both alcoholic and non. The blueberry lavender soda is super refreshing and equally delicious. As hard as it is to choose, you don't pass up Asheville hot chicken with Mac n cheese waffles. How was this even conceived?! The chicken thighs(the only part of the chicken worthy of being paired with a waffle) is nicely seasoned. Sure the pickles and ranch and siracha all pair well together, but the real winner hear is the waffle itself. The texture, the chew. It's perfection. Sure I've had cheddar waffles, but someone said forget cheddar, let's throw the entire Mac n cheese INSIDE of the waffle. In theory this hardly makes, but it's absolute deliciousness. You evil genius! Southern cooking is often imitated but seldom successfully duplicated. Tupelo Honey has managed to basically franchise(25+ locations) a beloved American cuisine while keeping its authenticity, introducing it to folks who otherwise would not have been exposed to what I easily feel is the best and most satisfying cuisine our country has to offer. Des Moines, you got yourself a good one! This is a borderline 5 start experience. I'll hold off the final star for my next visit ! read more

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A taste of Southern sunshine at Tupelo Honey in Des Moines: A review Craving a hearty taste of the South? Look no further than Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar in Des Moines! My wife and I recently ventured there for a delightful dinner, and let me tell you, it was finger-lickin' good. Here's the lowdown: Ambiance: Stepping into Tupelo Honey is like stepping into a warm, inviting Southern home. The exposed brick walls, rustic wooden accents, and twinkle lights create a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed evening with friends and family. The big doors were slamming closed with the cold weather - so be careful! Food: Now, onto the star of the show - the food! We arrived just before 5:30 pm, snagging a prime spot for the "Hoot & Holler Value Menu" deals. My wife, a fried chicken aficionado, couldn't resist the siren song of Tupelo's famous honey-dusted bone-in fried chicken. And let me tell you, it lived up to the hype! The crust was shatteringly crisp, the chicken juicy and flavorful, and the honey glaze added a touch of sweetness that balanced everything perfectly. I, on the other hand, decided to go a little adventurous with the fried chicken and mac-n-cheese waffles with Asheville hot fried chicken. (ask for extra sauce) This dish was fun! The sweet and fluffy waffles provided the perfect base for the creamy, cheesy mac, and the hot fried chicken added a fiery kick that was subtle and not overwhelming. It was a unique and delicious combination that I highly recommend to anyone looking for something a little different. Drinks: Speaking of drinks, Tupelo Honey has a fantastic selection of handcrafted cocktails, Southern-inspired beers, and refreshing iced teas. We opted for the happy hour specials, which run until 6 pm, and enjoyed perfectly purple people eater and a gin and tonic that were the ideal complement to our spicy and savory food. Service: The service at Tupelo Honey was lax. We were never sure who our server was... and no one ever checked back on us to see how our meal was. :( The bartender was the only standout on this night... Overall: Our experience at Tupelo Honey was just slightly above average. The combination of delicious Southern food, warm ambiance, and great drinks made for a truly enjoyable evening. We left feeling happy and satisfied. Tips: Get there before 5:30 pm to take advantage of the "Hoot & Holler Value Menu" deals. Happy hour runs until 6 pm, so try a handcrafted cocktail if you're there early. I hope this review helps you decide whether to give Tupelo Honey a try. And if you do, let me know what you think! read more

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Way to salty. Some might like the 18 hour salt brine guess not me. Maybe next time I'll try something else. NOT read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Ch - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I was introduced to Tupelo Honey through a Yelp event and was quite impressed. I decided that I needed the fried pickles again, stat. The pickles have a hint of garlic that shines through the light breading. They're probably the best I've ever had. Service has been solid both times I've dined at the bar. They check in with you regularly, but not annoyingly so. On my most recent visit, I had the cast iron pork. Fork tender and flavorful. The menu boasts this dish is cooked in duck fat. I could feel my arteries clogging, which is a good thing. The pickled red onions serve as a perfect complement to the entree. This meal comes with two sides. I opted for the collared greens, which are fire. The portion is generous and has subtle bacon accents. The potatoes were slightly disappointing but I couldn't put my finger on why...it may have been a temperature issue. I also had one of their "Biscuits for a Cause". It comes with whipped butter and blueberry jam...you can also get honey upon request. Tupelo is definitely on my radar for many visits down the road. read more

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Large national chain. I would say drinks are overpriced and while food is decent, nothing exceptional. Stick to Bubba's for fried chicken.

After reading multiple reviews of this place having terrible service and they quality of the food was not up to par - I was a little nervous to try it. But I do want to say with all honesty it was a great place to eat and overall great experience. Was served in a timely manner and server was very attentive. Would recommend! read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Famers Farmhouse Breakfast Platter - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Fresh and fun decor sets the tone for a satisfying dining experience. Our server, Araceli was delightful and attentive. The lemon salad was delicious and light - we added grilled shrimp - while the chicken was flavorful. We amped it up with a little bit sauce. Loved the Mac and cheese and the collard greens were great with a hit of white vinegar. read more

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Service was warm and welcoming, restaurant was clean, cool, and had a great atmosphere. Food was amazing, I had the sweet and spicy fried chicken and it was the perfect balance of heat and sweetness that kept you wanting more! 10/10 will return here soon! read more

Son and I are here for a few days in Des Moines. Stopped in Tupelo for lunch. The decor is very inviting here. Our server was attentive and friendly. My extra spicy Bloody Mary wasn't spicy and they barley chili salted the rim. I had the seersucker salad. Must say it was delicious. The fried salt and vinegar onions on it were amazing. Also had a side of greens. The greens were everything you want greens to be. Only sad note was you didn't get very much. Over all we had a good meal. read more

This has been on my list to try for quite awhile. Arrived at 5 p.m. on a Friday evening and the place was mostly empty, so we were seated right away, and the traffic picked up quickly over the next 90 minutes. The spicy cauliflower bites were flavorful as an appetizer, but the dipping sauce is what made them. This was a selection of someone else at the table and not something I would have necessarily tried otherwise, but I wasn't disappointed. I'll have a different app next time. I also ordered a biscuit with jam. It was not light and fluffy as you would expect, but it was good with the jam and honey. I think next time I would save the biscuit to pair with the grits just to have something to soak the juices instead. The jam was on point, though, because I don't particularly enjoy blueberry jam but I ate all of this. Ordered a Cheeky Tiki during happy hour which was quite flavorful. The beverage menu has plenty of options although I would like to see more rum options as opposed to the plethora of vodka options. But there should be something on the menu for all the drinkers in your party. I chose the shrimp and grits as my entree. The shrimp portion was generous, but I have to agree with some other posters that these were closer to polenta than to traditional southern grits. The flavor of the grits by themselves was nothing special, but the flavors in the dish as a whole worked well together. The decor is crisp and modern with a touch of fun (check out the water glasses). The atmosphere is flexible enough for a nice family dinner, a gathering of friends, or a pre-show dinner. Service was friendly and good although it did take a minute to get a second glass of wine during the meal. I enjoyed the food and the evening enough that I would definitely go again and not hesitate to recommend Tupelo Honey to those who are looking for a nice lunch, a good dinner, or a place to kick back for a bit during happy hour. read more

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The main things I liked about the place is the location and service. We were at a convention of sociologists nearby and this restaurant was very close and open conveniently early and late. The service was good, there's probably no more annoying group to serve than 8 random sociologists. At least two will be "gluten-free," two more will be Vegan, and one or more will need Halal, Kosher, or have a seafood allergy. All but two will be cheap tippers. And yet, our waitress got the complicated split orders completely correct. And got me my drink in the right glass with no hidden upcharge. The food is okay, interesting, but I would be more enamored if I had never lived in the South. Try the gumbo. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

A good place to stop and have your basic chicken strips and fries but elevated! I was treated like a sit down restaurant but was an order at the counter... service was great. I went there with friends and it was an easy in and out and left full! read more

Fantastic! We split the fried chicken and biscuit with gravy. More than enough for two peckish eaters. The fried chicken was crispy and well seasoned. The gravy was creamy and complimented the homemade biscuit well. We had the lavender blueberry mimosa and that rocked too. Well done. read more

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar - Kiss 'em! - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Very close to five stars! I'm always hesitant to pull the trigger on that last star! If you've been on Yelp for a minute and follow my reviews.... You know there are two things I typically stay clear of... Downtown and upscale. Well...I shot that all to heck tonight. Lol I was invited to an event with around 30 of my closest friends. That's a lie.... I barely know most of these people. But I'm a talker and a little bit of an extrovert so that's never an issue. Let's cut right to the chase... Amuse Bouche: Buttermilk biscuit w/ blueberry jam So fluffy! The only thing that could have made this better was another biscuit and some homemade sausage gravy... I'd have gotten a picture of the blueberry jam and butter...but someone jumped on into it with their knife and screwed up the aesthetics. Snack: Fried Green Tomatoes This was a beautiful plate! There are two camps with fried green tomatoes. Both like a crispy breading. Some like their tomatoes a little bony and some like them a little softer. These were bony. I'm not a grits person, but the bed of cheese grits these were served on weren't too bad. Entrée: Asheville Hot Chicken with Mac-n-Cheese Waffles This dish is worth the price of admission alone! Crispy boneless chicken, great seasoning to the breading, sweet perfectly cooked waffles, and a little mac and cheese between the layers. Throw on some ranch and hot sauce along with some pickles for good measure. So good! Mini Dessert: Brown Butter Pecan Pie Is there bad pecan pie...? Whiskey flight: Featuring Revelton Distilling Co. Honey whiskey Sweet. More of a bite than Wild Turkey American Honey. Shine White whiskey I expected this to be harsh. It was surprisingly smooth. Perfectly chased with a couple of fried dill pickles I stole from the gal across from me. Whiskey & Cream liqueur Very good. Kind of like Baileys or the Buffalo Trace version. Something I'd throw in hot chocolate or coffee. After dinner cocktail: "Spring City Soother" cocktail A little fluff to end the night with. Made with the honey whiskey. This was a tea base with a twist of lemon. Sweet with a citrus tingle garnished with an umbrella. Street parking was easy. Our reservation was for 600 pm. Greeted immediately and seated as soon as we walked in. The layout is open and airy. Lots of windows and high ceilings. Mostly tables and chairs with a bar. I think there were a few booths along one of the walls... The servers and staff were on top of their game the entire night from start to finish. The manager checked with every table of our party multiple times in the 2 1/2 hours we were their guests. A stellar performance and we couldn't have asked for better hosts. Now I pretty much led with that I don't do downtown or upscale... Well color me impressed. I'd go back in a heartbeat. https://tupelohoneycafe.com/restaurant/des-moines/ read more

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The atmosphere was cute and the food was good. It's a great place for groups since it's so spacious. With the location and the look it's very clean, IG aesthetic worthy, and good food. I got the fried green tomatoes and it was perfectly fried and crispy with a tart green tomato. The grits was a bit thick for my liking but still cheesy and good. The honey dusted chicken was the show and so was the giant biscuit! The honest dusted chicken was perfectly juicy and tender but with a lightly dusted crispy coating! It's so much better than those heavily battered fried chicken. The seasoning was on point with the flavorful honey with a bit of pepper. My sides were Mac & Cheese and a side salad with Lemon Herb dressing. The Mac and cheese isn't like a cheesy coated pasta, instead it's more of macaroni pasta with some cheese baked into it. So it's a different kind of Mac and cheese. Not my favorite, but was okay. The herb dressing was another favorite. It was light, even though it was creamy, it was lemony, tart, and sour. It went well with the fried food and cut the fat/grease taste. The biscuit was fluffy, soft inside, buttery, and a crack top. It was definitely delicious. And paired with the blueberry compote! Perfectly sweet and reminds you of blueberry pie. For dessert I got the banana pudding and a bite of the pecan pie. The banana pudding was fluffy, light, sweet, and had bits of banana in it. It did not taste or look artificial at all, so none of that perfume smell or taste. Great job to the chef that made it. The other dishes are the Asheville Hot chicken and Mac and cheese waffles. The chicken was a light spice level for still cooked perfectly tender and juicy meat with crispy outer skin. The waffles are not what it was in the past. The recipe may have changed because it's no longer the Belgian crispy outside and soft fully inside waffles. It's more of a pancake batter based waffle. And with the macaroni pasta mixed with the pancake batter, it was just soft and no difference in texture. The cheese part is on the outside with a cheese friend coat. So not mixed with the batter and waffled. The fried pickles were perfect! It was lightly battered with a nice black pepper seasoning! So it was crispy, peppery, and sour. Perfect appetizer. The whiskey flight was good. Although I would say in order of favorite I would choose Whiskey and cream liqueur is the top and the least is the Shine-White. Shine-white is definitely more on the moonshine straight burn. And the whiskey and cream liqueur would've been a great pair with ice cream. And the the honey whiskey had sweet notes after and can taste the buttery caramel notes too. The last drink was the Spring City Soother. It's a tart, lemony and ginger cocktail that reminds me a hot tody but cold. Would be a great drink during brunch. read more

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