"Waffle House is as much a part of our lives as our kids are," said the bride in this artistically rich multimedia slideshow from the Gwinnett Daily Post in Georgia. She's been working with her now groom at the iconic Southern chain for almost three years, so when he had to work on the wedding day, she knew it was the fated venue. Like Dan Dickinson of the blog VJArmy, I am so entranced by this. The colors, the love, and the thought of having celebratory grits and hash browns. Related: With this slice, I thee wed... More

At Lane Southern Orchards, peaches are categorized by peak juicy date. In Georgia it’s now officially peach season, which runs until mid-August. This fluorescent orange-bordered sign inside the Lane Southern Orchards market shop in Fort Valley, Georgia, goes into more peach detail than the average stone fruit–eater probably knows. A peach is a peach is a peach, right? Not at this 2,700-acre peach orchard, where the varieties Lane Luck and Cary Mac are peachiest now. Inside the market, the drupe comes in multiple forms: butter, marmalade, salsa, and ice cream at the attached café. Lane Southern Orchards 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley, GA 31030 (map) 478-825-3362 lanesouthernorchards.com... More

Fried pickles from Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile, Alabama. When visiting a couple weeks ago, I was more excited for these than the actual oysters. To save a half-second, just call them "frickles." Snackable like French fries or popcorn shrimp, these deep-fried discs have the briney flavor of salt and vinegar chips and the addictive quality of, well, anything deep-fried. Apparently pickle spears can get too soggy, so most restaurants serve the bread-and-butter kind usually found on hamburgers. To cut the vinegary punch, orders are usually served with a creamy dipping sauce. See what restaurant kitchens are sizzling pickles, not just potatoes and onions, after the jump. Note: Frickle-making is especially common in a certain region of the country.... More

About five miles from "downtown" Savannah, Sweet Potatoes is an unpretentious gas station neighbor with "endearing food," as the restaurant likes to call it. They serve Southern fare with an eclectic, sometimes fruity Caribbean twist, and in honor of the namesake, a different sweet potato dish each day. As someone who loves the sweet orange spud, I was already giddy in the parking lot. More

Like a Disneyland gift shop, it's full of hyperactive tourists pointing at Paula's poofy hair and grin slapped onto salad dressing labels, stationary and mugs. While inside last week, here were some of my favorite finds. More

Southern Foodways appears on Fridays as part of our collaboration with the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization based in Oxford, Mississippi, that "documents and celebrates the diverse food cultures of the American South." Dig in! Arguably one of the hottest tickets in town, if not in the country, the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction celebrates its 16th year. Last year, the auction set records as the most successful live auction in its 15-year history, bringing in revenues of more than $1.8 million. Friday night’s gala and Saturday’s live auction are already sold out. But, there is still space available at many of the events leading up to the big finale, one we think you’ll particularly enjoy because we planned it... More

Southern Foodways appears on Fridays as part of our collaboration with the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization based in Oxford, Mississippi, that "documents and celebrates the diverse food cultures of the American South." Dig in! Georgia Organics is hosting its 11th annual conference, Quantum Leap: Taking Food & Farms Back...to the Future, February 28 to March 1 at the North West Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton, Georgia. Listen and learn as we imagine a future where farm, family, and community values merge with sustainable innovation—where thriving family farms connect with consumers at school, at work, at play. At this conference, you’ll gather the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to take your food and farms into that future. Learn... More

Southern Foodways appears on Fridays as part of our collaboration with the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization based in Oxford, Mississippi, that "documents and celebrates the diverse food cultures of the American South." Dig in! A few months ago, just as the weather was turning cold, I waxed nostalgic about hog killing. I included some pictures of the practice and an essay from Southern Food Alliance member Evan Hatch. At The Old South Farm Museum and Agricultural Learning Center, they don’t just talk about, write about, or photograph hog killing—they actually do it. And, if you ask nicely, they’ll let you help. The Woodland, Georgia museum traces Southern rural life from the 1800s to the 1960s. On the property you’ll... More