When you come to Alabama, you'd better come hungry.

Eat. It's something we've all got to do. But in the South — and particularly in Alabama — it's something we love to do. Simply put: It's a passion. And when you get a taste of what we've got cooking in Alabama, you'll understand why.

When you think about it, Alabama is a pretty diverse state. If you start in the mountains in the North and travel all the way down to the Gulf Coast (or vice versa, it doesn't really matter), you'll see everything from geography to foliage to lifestyles change along the way. But wherever you go, there will always be one constant: food. A deep love and reverence for the long-standing Southern tradition of treating ourselves and our guests to the best fare we can conjure up.

Truth is, food is an integral part of our culture here in the South. Many consider this an extension of Southern hospitality — the fact that sharing food from your kitchen is just another way to share kindness, generosity and the goodness of Southern life. And considering the role food still plays in our rather genteel world today, that assessment rings fairly true. It's how we celebrate births and weddings, welcome people into our communities, and how we comfort our neighbors in times of loss. It really is the tie that binds us all together, and makes us genuinely Southern. And, interestingly enough, it's been that way since the South became the South.

Needless to say, because of our enduring and somewhat obsessive interest in food, we've had several centuries to perfect its preparation. To truly elevate cooking to an art form. And to create a uniquely delicious cuisine that can make even the most discerning mouth water. That's why today, wherever you travel in our fair state, however small or large the town, the locals will tell you there are one or more places you have to eat before you head on down the road.

For example, (and rest assured that this is a very abbreviated list of Alabama "must eats," as there isn't possibly enough room to include them all here), it could potentially be considered traveler's malpractice if you visited Decatur but didn't stop at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-b-que, or if you skipped a plate of fried green tomatoes at the Irondale Café while in Irondale. And, of course, a shining example of the world-class status of Southern cuisine can be found in Birmingham at legendary Chef Frank Stitt's Highlands Bar and Grill, which was recently named the fifth best restaurant in the nation by Gourmet magazine. If eating fried chicken is on your to-do list while in Alabama, you must stop at the Cotton Patch in Eutaw, and, of course, you can eat your fill of the best fresh Southern seafood at a whole host of establishments on the Alabama Gulf Coast, including Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile.

For a more complete list of Alabama "must eats," click here. Hope you're hungry!