The state’s first official state food has just been decided on by lawmakers – “hot slaw” which doesn’t mean warm coleslaw, is a vinegar based coleslaw with mustard and heat added to it such as red pepper flakes or chilies.
Hot slaw is said to have started in Cleveland, TN at the Star-Vue drive-in in 1955. In fact, the city hosts an annual festival honoring this dish. If you want to see what the hype is all about the Hot Slaw festival is scheduled for April 6th this year.
While I love slaw, when I think of food that represents Tennessee I think of Nashville hot chicken, Memphis BBQ, and MoonPies.
Shockingly, Tennessee’s official state beverage isn’t whiskey or even moonshine, it’s milk…
