If you are from Cookeville, or have ever been there, you will know that eating out is a pretty big deal. Locals refer to Interstate Drive as "Restaurant Row," because it is right off of Interstate 40 and it houses many chain restaurants. There are so many restaurants to choose from when deciding to go out to eat, it’s almost impossible to just pick one!

Although Restaurant Row has plenty of mainstream options to choose from, many of the best places to eat are located deep within the heart of Cookeville’s West Side. These restaurants are all owned and operated by locals, and all have unique characteristics that make them stand out from the chain restaurants.

Eating at these locally-owned businesses is essential to keeping the Cookeville community growing and thriving. Eating locally also encourages eating within the seasons, which is when produce and meats are at their most abundant and least expensive. It’s also good for the environment! Here are some of the best locally-owned restaurants in Cookeville that you should try on your next night out!

Crawdaddy’s West Side Grill

A local hotspot, Crawdaddy’s is “like a slice of New Orleans right in the middle of Cookeville,” as their website describes. They offer lunch, dinner and a delicious brunch on Sunday mornings. Many of their entrees are Cajun-Inspired, but they don’t limit themselves to just that. Their menu offers a wide variety of choices! Some of their more popular items include appetizers such as their Gator Bites, Pesto Goat Cheese and Bayou Shrimp Dip. Some of their most popular entrees include the Carpetbagger Filet, the French Cut Pork Chop and the Pesto Grilled Chicken.

This is one of my all time favorites. Growing up in Cookeville, I have enjoyed every time I have eaten here over the years. Their Pesto Chicken is my go-to favorite!

As a college student, I find this place very reasonably priced. I often get the Salmon Caesar Salad (which is to die for) and it runs about $10 for the meal! They also have such a cozy atmosphere. On a pretty day, it’s a wonderful place to grab lunch out on their patio. On Friday nights and at Sunday morning brunch, they have a band playing a variety of music making it a perfect setting for date nights! Check out their website here.

Father Tom’s Pub

Father Tom’s is a local secret located on the West Side of Cookeville’s town square. They have a limited menu, offering your classic pub food with new age grub as their website advertises. They also offer a wide variety of beer on tap that is often from locally-owned or smaller breweries. They are known for hosting various events throughout the year including beer and wine tastings.

I discovered Father Tom’s Pub only last year, and I have to say, this is my go-to place to grab a bite in town at the moment! Their menu is very reasonably priced, especially for us college students. My two most favorite things are the Fish & Chips and the Moose Burger with sweet potato fries. They also have nice patio seating tucked away for your enjoyment. Just a short walk around the corner is Cream City, a local ice cream shop where you can top off the wonderful meal you just ate here. Check out their website and their upcoming events here.

Spankie’s

Spankie’s is an old college favorite. It’s located practically on Tennessee Tech’s campus, right across from campus housing. They are a locally owned restaurant striving to be different from your average cookie-cutter chain. They pride themselves on affordable college food and their most popular items include the Chicken Spankies and the Grouper Dianne. They also offer wide variety of entertainment which includes acoustic solo acts on Tuesdays and Thursday nights and band acts on the weekends.

I love eating at Spankie’s. It is so easy just to walk over from campus and very affordable. Most of the sandwiches are nine bucks or less. Their cheesy bread appetizer is too die for! I cannot praise it enough. I always get a to-go box and take some home with me when I leave. The live music also makes it a great place to go hangout with friends. You can check out their website here for more information.

Mauricio’s Italian Restaurant

Mauricio’s is a more upscale Italian Restaurant also located on Cookeville’s West Side. They offer traditional Italian cuisine, old music from the '40s and '50s, and a great atmosphere. The restaurant is located within an old house that was built in 1910 and features several dining rooms with fireplaces and an outdoor patio.

I love Italian food and that makes it so easy to love Mauricio’s as well. This restaurant is more for fine dining and date nights. Since it is an upscale restaurant, they do take reservations which this makes it a very popular spot on special occasions such as Valentine’s Day! Visit their website here.

Seven Senses Food & Cheer

Another unique restaurant that you will not find in any other city is Seven Sense. They offer a Southern American restaurant style food and they were named “for its ability to take you beyond the norm and out of the box, to new boundaries you’ve not sensed before." They serve lunch and dinner and have different happy hour specials throughout the week. On Wednesday nights, starting at 7:30 p.m. they offer a TTU Pride Night with a variety of discounted beers, wines, and food for college students, faculty, and staff with a valid TTU ID!

My personal favorite is their Hot Chicken Sandwich, but everything I have sampled there has always been delicious. They serve most of their entrees with their House Chips. If you are a Tech student, you have to check them out on Wednesdays. Visit their website here to see their discounts, menus, and more!

World Foods

World Foods is an international grocery and delicatessen. Their cuisine is based on Italian-style choices and their menu offers a variety of unique sandwiches, salads and pizza, with the most popular being their pizzas. They have specialty pizzas and sandwiches that vary from day to day. You can also purchase an array of international items such as coffee, condiments, and spices.

When looking to grab a quick bite, I love to stop by World Foods. Their pizza is the best in town. You can call in and order a whole pizza or just stop by and pick up a couple of slices! Whenever you go, you have to try one of their desserts; their cannoli is the best I have ever had. It is a rather small restaurant so it might not be the best setting for your next group outing, but I always get my pizzas to-go and enjoy them nearby at Dogwood park! Check out their Facebook page here to see what daily specials they have.

The Back Room Bistro

This bistro style restaurant features the freshest, highest quality locally grown. They pride themselves on using local farmers to produce their menu items and use organic products whenever it is possible. Their menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, while also featuring several quiches and soups. They also have daily and seasonal specials that vary from time to time.

This is one of my favorite places to stop in and catch up with friends, especially when I am trying to eat clean. I cannot praise this restaurant enough; from their Organic Beef Burgers to their Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - everything served here is sure to please. It is a great place for college students to grab a bite as it is close to campus and they also offer a Tech discount with a valid ID! They even have a dinner to-go option for people always on the run that can serve from 2-4 people. Check out their website here to see their menus and learn more about what all they do to help local farmers!

If you live in Cookeville or are just passing through go check out these places and support the local community!