Lake Wedowee Tasting Tour

You can almost smell the hickory smoke before you pull into the parking lot at Boondocks BBQ and Creamery. Part hometown gathering place and part weekend tradition, Boondocks has become woven into the rhythm of life around Wedowee. From Thursday through Sunday, locals and visitors alike make their way in for slow-smoked barbecue, smoked wings and homemade ice cream after long days exploring the lake and the scenic back roads of Randolph County. The barbecue is tender, smoky and packed with flavor, exactly the kind of meal you crave after a summer day outdoors. Families linger over ice cream while friends catch up across picnic tables, giving the restaurant the easygoing energy that defines weekends in Wedowee. More than anything, Boondocks feels fun. It feels local. It feels like summer in east Alabama. But…if you are around in the fall or winter… Ask about their grits and greens, you will be glad you did. 

Every small town needs a restaurant where everybody seems to know each other, and in Wedowee, that place is Miss Amber’s Cafe. Walk through the doors and you are greeted with the familiar sounds of conversation, laughter and plates coming out of the kitchen piled high with Southern comfort food. It is the kind of place where regulars wave from across the room and first-time visitors are welcomed like old friends. Miss Amber’s has built a loyal following around its lunch menu and beloved Sunday lunch buffet, where locals gather after church for heaping plates and homemade favorites. On Saturdays, breakfast

There are restaurants people enjoy, and then there are restaurants people crave. Lynniebo’s falls firmly into the second category. Around Wedowee, mention seafood and somebody will almost certainly point you toward this local favorite. The restaurant has become especially known for its catfish, served either perfectly fried with a crisp golden coating or grilled for those wanting a lighter option. Either way, locals will tell you the same thing: this is the place to go for seafood. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is welcoming and the food carries that unmistakable small-town Southern quality where everything tastes homemade and familiar. It is easy to see why loyal customers keep returning week after week. Places like Lynniebo’s remind travelers that some Lunniebo's of the best seafood meals in Alabama are not always found along the coast.

Some restaurants simply know how to have fun, and Porch Dogs captures that easygoing small-town spirit perfectly. What makes the story even more impressive is that the restaurant is owned by a 16-year-old entrepreneur, a detail that has helped turn Porch Dogs into one of the most talked-about food spots around Wedowee. The menu is built around creative hot dogs loaded with toppings and personality, offering everything from classic combinations to messy, flavor-packed creations that customers return for again and again. It is the kind of place where families stop after ballgames, friends grab a casual bite and visitors discover something unexpectedly memorable in a small Alabama town. Nothing about Porch Dogs feels overly polished, and that is exactly its charm. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food is fun and the story behind it makes people root for the restaurant before they even take the first bite. In many ways, Porch Dogs represents the entrepreneurial spirit and community pride that make small towns like Wedowee special. 

One of the most unexpected discoveries in Wedowee may also be one of its best. Thai Table Kitchen brings authentic Thai flavors to the middle of rural Alabama in a way that feels both surprising and completely natural at the same time. The colorful curries, noodle dishes and stir fry plates arrive packed with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that stand out in the best possible way. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared, offering something different from the traditional Southern staples found throughout the area. What makes Thai Table Kitchen so memorable is not simply the food. It is the experience of finding something this unique tucked away among the rolling hills and quiet roads of Randolph County. Travel long enough through small Southern towns and you learn the best surprises are often the ones you never expected to find.

Mornings around Wedowee seem to start at Wake & Shake Donut Shop. Bright, cheerful and full of energy, the shop has quickly become a favorite stop for both locals and visitors needing coffee, donuts and a little fuel before heading out for the day. What makes Wake & Shake especially memorable is that the donuts are made to order, allowing customers to pile on all their favorite toppings and create combinations that feel both indulgent and fun. From classic glazed favorites to over-the-top specialty creations, every order arrives warm, fresh and impossible to resist. One standout is the apple pie donut, a sweet, cinnamon-sprinkled favorite that tastes like fall comfort wrapped into one perfect bite. But surprisingly, one of the most crave-worthy items on the menu may not be a donut at all. The avocado toast on homemade sourdough has quietly developed a loyal following of its own. Fresh, flavorful and served on thick slices of house-made bread, it offers the perfect balance to the sweeter side of the menu and gives Wake & Shake a little something for everyone. Families gather around tables, children press against the glass trying to decide which toppings to choose and travelers fuel up before another day exploring east Alabama. It is hard not to smile walking into a place like Wake & Shake.