There's something about the South and biscuits that have been and forever will be inseparable. Maybe it's something about that longstanding Southern-inspired king of combos, biscuits and gravy, that make our heart skip a beat when we think of them. Here are the 10 Best Places for Biscuits in the South morning, noon and night, all made from scratch.
Handsome Biscuit, Norfolk, Va.
Sure, it's hip and trendy, but the biscuits here pack a punch since they are served as sandwiches. You can order the house specialty, a plain sweet potato biscuit. But why stop there when you can get it as a sandwich the Hella Fitzgerald (with fried chicken, cheddar, bacon and red-eye gravy) a PB&J, or A.C. Slawter with pulled pork BBQ, apple coleslaw and hot sauce.
404 Kitchen, Nashville, Tenn.
Chef Matt Bolus doesn't mess around. His buttermilk biscuits have been known to convert people to Southern cooking. He plates them with aged Benton's Country Ham (sliced to perfection) and Tennessee Whiskey jelly. And a ramekin of red-eye gravy. Many a guest has had to exercise restraint when tucking into a plate.
International Biscuit Festival, Knoxville, Tenn.
Not technically a cafe or restaurant serving up biscuits it's actually better. Mark your calendar for May 14-16, 2015 for a festival of the best homemade biscuits the city's bakers have to offer. And we're talking variety: Sweet potato casserole biscuits, Marcona crumble and candied bacon biscuits and orange spice cardamom biscuits have topped winner's lists recently. Chef Tyler Florence even supplied the festival with his own Knoxville-inspired biscuit recipe.
Biscuits and Buns on Banks, New Orleans, La.
Think of it as akin to going over to a neighbor's house. That's the vibe. The biscuits are even better. If you're limited to one selection, the shrimp etouffee comes with a NOLA-rockin' herb biscuit that hits the spot. There's also Pizza Domenica, but don't be fooled. Their weekend brunch features buttermilk biscuits with divine, prosciutto country gravy. Biscuits and Buns on Banks,4337 Banks St, New Orleans, (504) 273-4600
Silver Skillet, Atlanta, Ga.
Atlanta, unsurprisingly has a small legion of iconic biscuit places, Thumbs Up Diner and Stilesboro Biscuits (770-429-5552) among them. But this throwback diner (from the '50's) has wowed consistently with their biscuit varieties that range from country ham, link sausage, egg and cheese and steak or just plain with country gravy.
Flying Biscuit Cafe, Charlotte, N.C.
The biscuits here have locals in the queen city lining up every day. It's tough to beat the standard since they do it so well here: eggs, hash browns, sausage biscuits and gravy. A word about the biscuits: They're as tall as a tower. Go for lunch or dinner and get a biscuit fix in their biscuit topped chicken pot pie. Another serious Charlotte contender is Tupelo Honey Cafe.
McElroy's Beach House, Biloxi, Miss.
Rebuilt since suffering hurricane Katrina damage, the waterfront restaurant is back to serving up it's legendary biscuits. Oh so fluffy and good, they're served with gravy speckled with sausage bits and black pepper, which after you slice and butter them only makes a good thing even better. 295 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS, (228) 435-5001
Husk, Charleston, S.C.
Locals have been known to go here for brunch just because of the biscuits. Order a plate for the table. Torn buttermilk biscuits are served with fresh and local South Carolina berries and given just the right amount of lilt with North Carolina sorghum.
Roanoker Restaurant, Roanoke, Va.
Almost 75 years since it first opened its doors, this cozy place still takes pride in its buttermilk biscuits. Best advice is go local. Order the Country Scrambled Canoe that comes with eggs, bacon, sausage or ham, cheddar cheese and those glorious biscuits with sausage gravy.
The Original Ms. Rose's Fine Food and Cocktails, Charleston, SC
Another local go-to brunch spot in Charleston is The Original Ms. Rose's Fine Food and Cocktails. Biscuits here take a turn on the savory side. They're simple, homemade and downright delicious. Served with sage sausage gravy, they also come topped with a sunny side up egg. Many a regular has been known to order a second plate.
