beans are for lovers

Valentine's Day found hubby and me in Greeneville, Tenn. at the Bean Barn. First thing when you walk through the front door, it's like you've traveled through time to the general store era. Yep, they've got dusty cases filled with even dustier products up front, and then as you wend your way through the store to the back, the tables, counter, and grill appear. The Bean Barn was on my list of places to eat since sometime last year. Fred Sauceman talked about it in an address he made on Appalachian food. What's unique about these beans is that they are made with lard. I figure they plop it in the bottom of the bowl before they ladle over the beans. They were good; I had mine all the way. The cornbread was disappointing. French fries were good, and the pie could have been better with a homemade crust. Ian had the chocolate pie and I had the coconut. The chocolate tasted just like my grandmother's recipe; the coconut, like every other coconut pie I've had. All in all, an interesting lunch experience.