Driving from the sunny suburbs of Tampa, FL to the snow-kissed village of Germantown, WI, my family discovered a few dives, joints and bars that are sure to enliven any northern voyage from the southern states down below.
It was sunny and 75°F on the ‘swinter’ morning that our Kia Sedona hit the road blasting “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” My family of four was about as confident about fighting the impending cold with our decorative scarfs, as we were driving about a 20-hour road trip straight through. With mom and dad dedicated to burning rubber, refusing a halfway “Holiday Inn” refuel, the only thing that kept me sane was the tasty promise of another staple pit stop around the corner.
Starting Line: Datz in Tampa, FL
Anticipation was high and stomachs were growling; we kick-started our adventure with a farewell brunch in the Sunshine State. Unanimously deciding on Datz, a trendy café, with reviews from The Food Network to USA Today, we set off for South Tampa. With a photogenic menu, its food tastes as good as it looks—more than a pretty face. Your plate won’t just satisfy your Snap story.
Datz’s Egg Barbocoa, pictured above and thoroughly enjoyed by yours truly, is an unlikely combo of eggs, pulled pork and New Mexican flavor. A “datz-a-classic” and house favorite, this bold brunch dish is as original as the café itself.
Both drinks, pictured above, pitch the perfect punch to any meal. The Datz-A-Mary takes a twist on a brunch bloody, but if you’re feeling festive, Datz’s seasonal Apple Cider Mimosa serves some holiday kick.
Ten Hours Later: Acme Feed and Seed in Nashville, TN
Morale was low. Hanger was high. We forgot what solid ground felt like and were trying to forget what ten hours in a car looked like. With dinner and a show in Music City, alive with lights and buzzing with life, it was easy to forget Nashville was just a pit stop along the way.
Kicking back on the first floor of a four-story, rustic rooftop bar, I felt like a local by the time I finished my rack of ribs. If you’re not licking your fingers, stomping your feet, and singing along, then you’ve done Nashville wrong.
After dinner and a show, feed your soul on the breathtaking view from four stories up. Overlooking the city, Acme’s rooftop bar surveys a kaleidoscope of city lights. Welcome to the top of the world.
Stop Two: Jim Beam Distillery in Louisville, KY
From Tennessee’s neon lights to the moonlit highway, we were burning rubber until the sunrise welcomed us past Kentucky state lines. Making a beeline for the Jim Beam Distillery, we sat back, ate our crackers and dreamt of Kentucky bourbon.
Just in time for the first tasting of the day, we grabbed four bar stools and sat in awe of Jim’s bourbon wonderland.
I learned three things. First off, somehow Kentucky manages to craft 95% of the world’s bourbon supply. Insane. Secondly, to be bottled it has to be at least 80 proof. Bluegrass country says, “Go big or go home,” apparently. Number three, Kentuckians love their bourbon; talk about state spirit.
Finish Line: Bub’s Irish Pub in Germantown, WI
A thousand miles, twenty hours and seven states later—we had arrived. From sandals to snow boots and French fries to cheese curds, Germantown’s local gem is no sunny city café or iconic bourbon distillery. Bub’s Irish Pub, nestled in between snow-kissed cottage homes and sitting across the railroad tracks, is something all its own. A family-owned bar and music venue, with some mid-western charm and ‘shot-skis’ to go around, is run by ‘Bub’ himself, my dad’s old college roommate. Bub’s will forever be “the place” for a beer, some fried food and a snowball fight in the parking lot.
From Tampa’s boojie brunch to an authentic Tennessee throw down, a distillery tasting with our own bourbon guru to discovering Wisconsin’s small town treasure—we were finally home for Christmas.