Chefs share three restaurant chains serving standout fried green tomatoes and coleslaw.
Fried green tomatoes are a Southern staple, known for their crisp coating and tangy, firm texture. Coleslaw is a natural companion, adding a cool, crunchy contrast to the hot, savory tomatoes. But not every restaurant gets these two sides right. While traveling to Nashville for CMA Fest, celebrity pitmaster Ty Sherrell, who is also the founder of TX Brew & Barbecue and co-host of Boos, Brews & BBQ, made a point of seeking out fried green tomatoes and coleslaw along the way. “Fried green tomatoes and coleslaw can easily become an afterthought, but these three spots stood out to me,” he says. Here are the restaurant chains Sherrell recommends for these classic Southern sides.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
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Known for its signature fried chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken also serves a selection of Southern-style sides. Its menu includes both fried green tomatoes and coleslaw, making it a stop for diners looking to build a meal around more than just the restaurant’s famous chicken. “Everybody talks about the chicken at Gus’s, and they should,” says Sherrell. “But the fried green tomatoes and slaw deserve some attention too. The tomatoes have that sharp, tart flavor you want from a green tomato, and the ranch works really well with it.” He explains, “Then the slaw gives you that cool, fresh bite you need. They use actual shredded cabbage, which matters. I want cabbage with dressing, not a cup of dressing with a little cabbage hiding in it. That hot fried tomato and coleslaw combination just works.”
Puckett’s Restaurant
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With six locations in Tennessee, Puckett’s Restaurant combines Southern comfort food with a casual, barbecue-focused menu. Fried green tomatoes and house-made coleslaw are among the sides available alongside its larger selection of entrées. “Puckett’s doesn’t overcomplicate the fried green tomato– it’s green tomato, cornmeal breading and remoulade, and that’s a combination I can get behind,” Sherrell says. “You want the breading to give you some crunch, but you still need to taste the tomato.” He adds, “I would pair them with the homemade slaw instead of another fried side. Good slaw should give you a cool, fresh bite and get you ready to go back for another tomato. It should not just take up space on the plate.”
55 South
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55 South has two locations in the Nashville area and takes a creative approach to Southern-inspired cooking. Its menu features fried green tomatoes prepared as a composed appetizer, along with classic sides such as coleslaw. “55 South is the one I would recommend if you want a different take on fried green tomatoes,” Sherrell states. “They top them with chilled shrimp, comeback sauce and scallions. That is a lot going on, but the hot-and-cold contrast makes it work.” He says, “You get the warm, crisp tomato with the chilled shrimp and sauce on top. Since there is already a lot happening with the appetizer, I would keep the side simple and go with the coleslaw. You don’t need another heavy side trying to compete with it.”
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