55 South

Why We Love It: 55 South refers to the interstate that connects Memphis and New Orleans. Chef Jason McConnell has brought the cuisine you’ll find traveling down that road to downtown Franklin. The dining room has rustic Southern charm with weathered wood and reclaimed materials. McConnell (who has a degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and also owns Red Pony Restaurant ) has created a menu with his take on down-home Southern comfort food. Fresh oysters are a feature of the menu, along with Southern-inspired bar snacks (smoked wings and green chile-bacon tater tots) and New Orleans cuisine (gumbo, po’ boys, jambalaya). 55 South is open for Lunch Monday-Friday, Dinner Monday-Saturday and Brunch Saturday & Sunday.