The 'Ridgewood' is almost a national landmark, boasting one of the best barbecue sandwiches in America. Check out the barbecue aficianado websites (you can also check out the review at Roadfood.com). People come from all over the country to sample Ms. Proffitt's secret recipe. They smoke all their own hams on site, make fresh cut fries and have great slaw and fabulous baked beans. It's worth the drive (about two hours from Knoxville) to say you've had it.

From Johnson City, take the Volunteer Parkway (Hwy 25E, I think) north to the new 4-lane over to the Elizabethton (I think that's Hwy. 19). Turn right toward Elizabethton, go just a mile or so and turn right on the old Elizabethton Road. It's out there about a mile or so, in the middle of nothing else. You can also take the Blountville exit off I-81 (exit 69, I think), head south/east over toward the Bristol Motor Speedway, turn south/west onto Volunteer Parkway toward Johnson City (again, I think that's 25E, but you can't miss it), go about 3-4 miles, then left on the 4-lane toward Elizabethton, right on the old Elizabethton Road.