From bar nachos in Nashville to chile relleno in Columbia, discover how this band member stays full on the road.
Noelle Scaggs, co-vocalist, songwriter, and co-composer of Fits and the Tantrums, moved from LA to Nashville 11 years ago and continues to discover amazing food while on tour. “I’m a huge food person—I grew up cooking in a family of caterers and home cooks,” she says. “Through touring, I’ve also had the chance to meet and be inspired by world-class chefs, including Sean Brock, Josh Habiger, and Trevor Moran here in Nashville, Jamie Bissonnette, Andrew Carmellini, and the Voltaggio brothers.” She launched Adventures with Scaggs, a personal travel journal, to share her best bites. “The website now lives as a collection of city guides and highlights from places I’ve visited over the years,” she says, noting that she’d love to revisit and expand the concept. While still touring with the band—known for hits like “Out of My League” (written by Scaggs)—she recently released her first solo LP, Money Fame Love, which “leans more toward the dance floor, blending electropop and alt-pop with my soul-rooted songwriting.” Here’s what she eats at home and on tour.
Adventures with Scaggs started as a personal travel journal—my way of keeping track of the places I’d discover while touring. I’d note neighborhoods, coffee shops, markets, and restaurants I found while exploring cities between soundcheck and the show.”
Nashville
“Some of my must-stops when I’m home are Locust for the concept and execution, especially the beef tartare with caviar; Bastion, both the bar and the restaurant (the bar nachos are unbeatable); Epice—the beyrouti hummus with ground sirloin and pine nuts is my must-have; and a new restaurant called Aba, my go-to with girlfriends or date night—the short rib hummus and garlic shrimp are to die for.”
Savannah, Georgia
“Common Thread. Amazing for a girls’ night out, the cuisine is seasonal with some remixed staples. Highly recommend.”
Austin, Texas
“Have lunch at The Peacock inside the Proper Hotel. Save room for a romantic dinner at Comedor; be sure to order the bone marrow tacos.”
Columbia, South Carolina
“Monterrey Mexican Restaurant. I did not expect to find Mexican food like the Mexican food I grew up with in LA, outside of LA, but Monterrey gave me that—chile relleno, refried beans, Mexican rice. All the things I would miss being on the road. My dining experience there further educated me on what the South has to offer culturally, beyond traditional American Southern cuisine.”
Listen to Noelle Scaggs’ Latest Album, Money Fame Love, On Spotify Here:
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Tate Jacaruso
Tate Jacaruso loves celebrating Southern food, travel, and culture as associate editor at the Local Palate. She is based in Charleston and is currently making her way through every bowl of pasta and oyster on the half shell in town. Her work has appeared in Charleston Living Magazine and CHStoday.
