Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant

When planning my whiskey tour through Tennessee and Kentucky, I knew I wanted to begin with a tour and tasting at Jack Daniel’s Distillery. But after a late night departure, an early morning connection through Chicago, and a nearly two hour drive to Lynchburg, I was certain I’d also need a good meal.

In my research, one place consistently stood out: Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant, just down the road from the distillery. Everyone raved about it, calling it a must do experience. The only catch? The restaurant offers just two daily seatings – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. With my flight from Los Angeles to Nashville via a stopover in Chicago arriving at 9:00 am, my only hope was to book the 11:30 am distillery tour and make it out in time for the 1:00 lunch.

Unfortunately, I and a few others had to cut our tasting time during the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour and Tasting a little short – as our tour guide ran a bit over. As such, those of us with 1pm reservations sped walk our way down the Main Street to our lunch.

As we arrived at the beautiful Greek Revival building, I was at once pleased with the classic architecture. It was well maintained and beautiful.

 

Once inside, I was led to one of the lower dining rooms, where I was surprised to see a family style circular table with a large lazy Susan at its center.

This was not what I expected. Forced communication and being social? After two flights, a two hour drive, and a two hour walking tour?

I sighed. I guess so. I didn’t know if I was exhausted or hungry. But, as we all arrived at 1:10pm – I was just happy to have made my reservation and still be able to get a seat.

Composing myself, I locked it in and found an open seat and sat next to our group’s host. After a few pleasantries with the group, I gathered my lunch and felt the Southern heritage of my Texas linage energetically give me a huge comforting hug as my second wind kicked in.

The menu of the day was brilliantly, beautifully Southern:

Fried Catfish
Everyday Southern Fried Okra (Recipe)
Biscuits
Cucumber Salad
Beans
Ribs
Green Chili And Rice Casserole
Collard Greens
Lynchburg Candied Apples (Recipe)

The accoutrements influenced whipped fresh butter and pepper vinegar. The pepper sauce went perfectly with the collard greens. My sweet tea was always filled by one of the scholarship recipient students that work at Miss Mary Bobo’s.

As our hostess explained, the students that work in service at the restaurant are from Lynchburg and receive work scholarships through Jack Daniels. Through the program, they also receive coaching and mentorship about how to transition from being teenagers to responsible adults. I thought it was a brilliant and beautiful process. I admired the program’s thoughtfulness: teaching service, mentorship, and life skills alongside providing a meal.

Dessert was a perfect slice of pecan pie with Jack Daniel’s Whipped Cream. Honestly, it was one of the best slices of pecan pie I’d ever savored.

It was smooth, perfect and full of flavor. I truly wish my mother was sitting next to me, enjoying the experience. Especially, the pie.

As our hostess regaled us in conversation, I learned about her experiences in Lynchburg. Little Richard used to have a house nearby. I was also amused to learn that Lynchburg – home of the world’s most famous whiskey – remains in a dry county, along with four others in Tennessee.

The entire experience was more than a delicious Southern meal. It felt like a comforting hug from my ancestors through food.

Afterward, I walked around the gift shop and the grounds a bit more, before getting on the Jack Daniel’s shuttle to return to the gift shop to buy a bottle of whiskey.

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