The Original Bush's Baked Beans Factory Of Tennessee Is In One Of The Most Charming Small Towns You'll Ever Visit
By Chris Dodge|Updated on April 01, 2024(Originally published August 03, 2023)
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
If you have been around Tennessee for any amount of time then you know all about our sacred tradition of the meat and three. For those who might not know, I will let you in on this delicious dining equation. A “meat and three” is exactly what it sounds like. When you go to a restaurant, you’ll order one of the meat options and three sides. Well, there is one side that is *always* a must: baked beans. Bush’s Baked Beans actually originated here in Tennessee, and while you can certainly find Bush’s, the best baked beans around, at any grocery store, let’s take a trip through the rolling countryside to the place that started it all: the town of Chestnut Hill, Tennessee.
Enjoy the fog rolling in over the hills in the morning and see the iconic white fences lining farmlands. Watch the cows grazing in the fields and enjoy the windy roads near the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. This is Chestnut Hill, an unincorporated Tennessee town between Dandridge and Sevierville and one of the best small towns in Tennessee. This is bucolic beauty at its best, and out on the horizon, you might catch a glimpse of... a giant can of beans?!
That's right: the Bush’s Baked Beans plant has wrapped a tower with their famous label and it stands as a beacon for this highly sought-after side dish.
This is the original location of Bush’s and it's not just a roadside attraction. There are actually several things you can do here and I highly recommend taking a trip inside to learn more about these beautiful beans!
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You won’t be able to tour the actual factory, but you can do the next best thing at the Visitor’s Center.
Start your journey at the Bush’s Family Cafe. Sit down for a meal that features several unique ways to use baked beans, like their Bush’s Pinto Bean Pecan Pie(!!). Simple but great-tasting options from sandwiches to finger foods are available, too, and every meal comes with a free sample of the "bean of the day." This rotating option at Bush’s Baked Beans restaurant sometimes features yet-to-be-released flavors, too!
After your meal, the store is the perfect place to stop. Inside you will find an old-fashioned general store with cans of beans lining the walls and plenty of interesting gifts to buy.
The museum will take guests through the company's journey from a canning business to becoming a huge enterprise housing everyone's favorite "meat and three" side.
You can walk through historical set pieces with plenty of interactive exhibits throughout. You might not have ever had the desire to attend a museum based solely on beans, but once you're here, you'll be delighted and pleasantly surprised!
Those who love Bush’s will instantly recognize their iconic mascot, Duke. This lovable golden retriever has become famous for his great acting and participation in many of the company's commercials. On his off days, he might even show up to greet guests with a wagging tail.
This can be a fun day trip for anyone who finds themselves in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, but that isn't the only unique and fun thing to do in the area.
Forbidden Caverns is just down the road and is an amazing cave you should visit. On an hour-long guided tour, you will witness spectacular rock formations, grottos, and dynamic lighting, making the whole experience a visual treat.
You can easily pair these two activities into a day trip, for a wholly unique adventure in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
When you are done and looking for a place to stay for the night, check out this tiny home in the hills. With its clever use of space, this cozy home is the perfect way to end your day trip -- and the next morning, you'll wake up to the classic smoke rolling off the mountains once again.
Did you know about Bush’s Baked Beans in Tennessee? You might have eaten these beans dozens of times without realizing that you are tasting a piece of Tennessee’s history. This is just another reason we can be proud to call this state our home! So next time you are looking for something unique and different to do in Tennessee, remember this little adventure we put together for you, and get out there and have some fun!
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