Food scene in Clarksville is coming of age

Food scene in Middle Tennessee town is coming of age

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — You may not think of Clarksville as a food destination, but after spending three days in this historic town on the banks of the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee, I discovered a food scene that is coming of age.

It was 20 years ago this year that a tornado blew through town, destroying many downtown buildings. City officials and business leaders, though, turned the loss into a gain, pushing ahead with plans for downtown redevelopment that were already being considered. Restaurants now fill once-empty storefronts and bring hometown folks, students from nearby Austin Peay State University and visitors to enjoy the flavors of the city.

“One of our greatest challenges is just getting people off the interstate into downtown,” says Michelle Dickerson, director of media and marketing for Visit Clarksville. “Once they do, they come back. The historic architecture, downtown vibe and good food are part of what makes the memorable experience of Clarksville.”

What makes the foodways of this city a little different from others are the international flavors that veterans from nearby Fort Campbell bring to the table. Clarksville is about an hour northwest of Nashville and maybe 20 minutes south of the military base just across the state line in Kentucky. Dickerson says the majority of Clarksville’s restaurants are owned by veterans, many of whom were stationed overseas and brought back the flavors of the countries in which they served.

Like many towns, Clarksville has witnessed the food trend of buying and serving local foods, and this, Dickerson feels, has also helped spur interest in supporting local restaurants. And while she says at this time the town is more of a regional dining destination, “we’re moving in the direction of people coming here for the weekend to stay and try our restaurants.”

Here’s a taste of the Clarksville experience. › Smokin’ Chickin, 1820 Tiny Town Road

You might drive right past this shopping center eatery. For starters, it’s on a busy road, and you

PHOTOS BY ANNE BRALY Take a seat in the garden for a delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or weekend brunch at The Looking Glass. The menu features homemade biscuits served in various ways, such as a Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit served with crispy potatoes.

The Catfish House, located on the banks of the Cumberland River, serves more than catfish, such as grilled shrimp over rice, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a table that isn’t filled with the best catfish in the city. Roux AmeriCajun set the bar for historic preservation in downtown Clarksville and became the first restaurant in town to feature Cajun and Creole specialties.

Located in Clarksville’s Strawberry Alley, where strawberry fields once stood, Strawberry Alley Ale Works has an extensive menu of burgers, salads, shrimp and grits, and fish tacos, including Pescado Street Tacos on the appetizer menu, but the generous serving makes for a dinner entree as well.