Some of the best lunches in Tennessee are not served in restaurants at all. They come from the deli counters of old-school country stores, the kind of places where you can buy hoop cheese by the wedge, pick up a jar of jam, and walk out with a sandwich made right in front of you.
This list covers seven of those stores, from a famous fried bologna stop in Scott County to Amish markets slicing meats and cheeses in Middle and West Tennessee. Save it for your next back-road trip, because each one gives you a reason to pull over and a reason to come home with a full bag.
1. RM Brooks Store, Robbins, TN
Fried bologna has a fan club, and a surprising number of its members have made the trip to a small store on Rugby Parkway just to taste it. RM Brooks Store has become a road trip target for people who first spotted it in online videos and decided they had to see it for themselves.
The star of the menu is the fried bologna sandwich, often ordered with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It is simple food, and that is exactly the appeal.
Beyond the headliner, the kitchen turns out home cooked meals, burgers, and homemade fried pies. Hoop cheese is also on hand, which fits right in with the store’s old-fashioned roadside character.
The building has a quaint, retro style that matches its long history in rural Scott County. There is even a campground next door, so it can be more than a quick lunch stop if you are exploring the area.
Plan your timing carefully. The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds. If you want a calmer visit, Tuesday or Thursday morning is a smarter bet.
2. Adas Country Store and Cafe, Bethel Springs, TN
Pennsylvania Dutch flavors in West Tennessee might sound unexpected, but that is exactly what you will find on the shelves along US-45. Adas Country Store and Cafe stocks hoop cheese, Lebanon bologna, and Kutztown sodas, along with other craft soda brands.
That mix makes it a fun place to build a lunch. Fresh deli sandwiches are made to order, and a ham sandwich is one of the menu highlights.
The sweet side of the store gets plenty of attention too. Homemade cookies, cakes, and pies share space with honey, jams, spices, and snack items like nuts.
I like this stop for its practical perks. There is dine-in seating, takeout, coffee, breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a restroom, plus free parking in the lot and on the street.
Most visits run about $10 to $20 per person, which keeps it friendly for a family lunch. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sunday.
Midweek mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the quietest. Saturday afternoon is when the store sees its biggest rush.
3. Yoder’s Country Market, Bulls Gap, TN
Lebanon bologna is hard to come by in East Tennessee, which is one reason this market on Andrew Johnson Highway has such a loyal following. Yoder’s Country Market keeps it in the deli case, along with plenty of other sliced meats and cheeses.
The bologna sandwich here is the kind of lunch people plan a whole drive around. Deli sandwiches in general are a big part of the store’s reputation.
Cheese lovers get a good selection to browse. Cheddar, gouda, and hoop cheese are all available, and the prices are fair.
Save room, or at least trunk space, for the bakery. Pies and pumpkin rolls are standouts, and the shelves also carry bulk goods and locally sourced items.
The market sits a little off the interstate, so it makes an easy detour on a trip through the region. There is plenty of parking and a restroom on site.
Hours run 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, with later closing at 6 PM on Thursday and Friday. The store is closed on Sunday, and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons get busy.
4. Flatrock Cheese & More, Pulaski, TN
Picky eaters, meet your sandwich counter. At Flatrock Cheese & More, the deli works on a build-your-own system where you choose the bread, meat, cheese, and toppings.
That setup puts you in charge of lunch, and the cheese case gives you plenty of options. The store carries a wide range of gourmet cheese varieties, and the Horseradish Cheese is a favorite worth trying.
Lunch meats are sliced at the deli counter, so you can also take some home for later.
Flatrock is more than a deli, though. The shelves hold essential groceries, bulk foods, homestyle preserves, baked goods, candies, and good produce.
Then the store takes a turn you might not expect. It also sells variety store items, outdoor furniture, and even storage sheds, so a sandwich run can easily turn into a shopping trip.
Check the calendar before heading to Giles County. The store is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Saturday until 4 PM, and closed Tuesday and Sunday.
Friday tends to be the quietest day to stop in.
5. Country View Market, Charlotte, TN
Late lunch cravings are easier to handle here than at most country stores. Country View Market stays open until 7 PM on weekdays, which gives commuters and afternoon travelers a real shot at a deli sandwich.
Sandwiches are made to order at the deli counter. Pair one with a fried pie from the bakery, and you have a classic country store lunch.
The store is a strong pick for anyone who likes Amish products. Homemade jams, breads, spices, and baking items fill the shelves, and many items are handmade.
Bulk foods and produce round out the selection. The produce section is one of the store’s highlights, so it is a handy place to stock up on fresh items too.
The staff are known for being friendly and helpful, which makes browsing unfamiliar products a lot easier.
You will find the market on Hwy 48 North in Charlotte, a small community in Dickson County. Weekday hours are 8:30 AM to 7 PM, Saturday runs 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and the store is closed Sunday.
Saturday is the busy day. Wednesday evening is usually the calmest time to go.
6. Yoders Country Store, Paris, TN
Small does not mean limited at this West Tennessee stop. Yoders Country Store packs a wide selection into a quaint space on Anderson Road, just outside Paris in rural Henry County.
For sandwich purposes, the deli is the place to start. Sliced deli meats and cheese pair naturally with the store’s homemade bread, so you can put together a lunch with ingredients made close to home.
The bakery side sells bread, pastries, and other baked treats. It is the kind of store where a quick stop often ends with a loaf tucked under your arm.
Fresh milk, local dairy, and farm raised meats set this store apart from a typical deli. Frozen meats are available too, along with bulk pantry staples like flour, herbs, grains, pastas, and spices.
In season, you may find homegrown heirloom tomatoes, which are perfect for a sandwich.
The shelves also hold kitchen tools, knives, soap, and home decor. Prices are fair, especially on old-time country items.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sunday. Midweek mornings are the quietest.
7. Amish Country Store, Ethridge, TN
Sourdough is the secret weapon at this Lawrence County stop. The counter deli at Amish Country Store slices traditional cheeses and meats and serves sandwiches on fresh sourdough bread.
Ethridge is home to a well-known Amish community, and the store fits right into that setting on Brewer Road. It is an easy lunch stop if you are exploring the countryside around the area.
Early risers get an advantage here. The store opens at 7 AM Tuesday through Friday, and coffee is on the menu, so it works for a morning stop as well as lunch.
The shelves carry butter, chocolates, jams, jarred preserves, cheeses, fresh eggs, and honey. Locally sourced produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods are also available, including sourdough cookies.
The selection is not massive, but it is thoughtful. Goods from local farmers, makers, and crafters include all-natural health, body, and skincare items.
Parking can be a little tricky, since spaces fill up. There is a free lot and free street parking.
Saturday hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, and the store is closed Sunday and Monday. Most visits cost around $10 to $20 per person.
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