The Grind is one-of-a-kind dining experience

The Road With Jerry Porter Jerry Hits The Byways and Highways To Find Delectable Dishes On The Road

Many times great food is found in out-of-the-way places, not just in those restaurants that you might expect. Recently, I set out to prove that belief. I took a road trip around North Mississippi on my 2017 Honda motorcycle, had an adventure, you might say…and located a few of those fantastic restaurants, drive-ins, and off-the-beaten-path places.

I will be bringing you more of these as I travel. Maybe it will inspire you to take a day or two for yourself and have your own adven-

Adestination eatery off the beaten path is a place where hundreds of people venture annually to a corner spot in Northwest Tennessee where they find nostalgia and stay for the food. The Grind - Mac & Burger Bar, located in Martin, Tennessee, found its niche in 2017 and has been providing happy taste buds for its visitors since.

Owned and operated by the Laderman family of Martin, The Grind features a variety of menu items that have been spotlighted in tourist magazines near and far. From burger patties sandwiched between a glazed donut to over-the-top milkshakes that look too good to eat, this family eatery is one that needs to be on your day-trip bucket list.

The Grind offers traditional menu items such as a mushroom and swiss burger, hot wings and tater tots. It also offers unique items for foodies, such as a Star-Spangled Burger and Mac and Cheese Burger. Their varieties of the Southern staple, mac and cheese, even include one with bits of lobster.

The Grind is also well-known for its friendly servers, who add to the dining tures. I found delicious hamburgers that melted in my mouth, terrific catfish and chicken, fried in unique ways, BBQ that would set your taste buds alive with flavor. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere friendly and congenial, and the experience priceless. I can't encourage you enough to go on your own quest for adventure or visit a few of mine and enjoy great food, fun, and the awesome scenery of nature that God has provided for us. So until we meet again "on the road" or in the paper… experience. Those who finish their meal with a S'More the Merrier milkshake get to witness their server "toasting" the marshmallow topping right at the table. The milkshakes are topped with a variety of cereals around the rim and served in larger-than-traditional glasses. They have door patio is now open for dining. It is located at 112 Lovelace St. in Martin, Tenn., a little over two hours from Corinth, Miss. Check out The Grind's Facebook page, which boasts nearly 142,000 followers. Or give them a call at 731-587-6912 for additional information.

From steaks, chicken, sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers and sides to milkshakes and even a wide variety of cocktail blends for mom and dad, the menu boasts enough items to have you unsure of what to get because it all sounds so good. One might think it's expensive before walking in the door, but specialty burgers average around $15, while milkshakes cost right at $12. The Grind even offers a kids' menu for those 10 and under.

Just to add to the flavorful twists on classic food, The Grind offers one-of-akind Bourbon Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs on the appetizer menu.

Last year, The Grind was featured on "America's Best Restaurants." It was also named among the top destination spots in West Tennessee by Tennessee Tourism. To add to their growing accolades, Mountain Dew created a signature can design with The Grind's logo, sold throughout stores in the South.

If you're making a trip to Martin, now is a great time of year to stroll through the University of Tennessee at Martin campus, named one of the safest colleges in Tennessee. Take a trip through downtown and see the 21st-Century Martin Public Library, which is a model for big-city libraries in the Volunteer State.

One may even want to take in the sights before a trip to The Grind so as to not miss anything as a result of a potential food coma from two-handed cheeseburgers and dreamy milkshakes.

Hats Off to the

been the subject of many photo ops from the eatery throughout the years.

Adining experience begins outside as patrons can pose in front of a colorful, large-scale display featuring donuts and milkshakes. It is a great place for a family photo op, before heading inside to take in the eclectic decor, featuring popular items from the 80s and 90s.

The Grind is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. With the arrival of warm weather, the out-