When Andreas Herholz arrived in the United States from Freiberg, Germany, in April 2001, he had a dream of opening an authentic German restaurant. Seven years and one month later, his dream came true.

Freiberg’s is named for his hometown in the German state of Saxony, and the restaurant is located in Johnson City, Tenn.

“I enjoy being in the Northeast Tennessee Valley because people here go out to eat all the time,” Herholz says. “Business has been going very well. I average about 10,000 meals a month.”

The menu at Freiberg’s includes sauerbraten, schnitzel and rouladen, which is a beef roll filled with bacon, pickle, onion and mustard. It also stocks several import beers from Germany, and features desserts such as Black Forest cake, apple strudel, German cheesecake and fried ice cream.

Ridgewood Barbecue in Bluff City, Tenn., is renowned for its smoked, pulled pork, and tangy, dark red, smoky sauce.

Other noted dining spots include 12 Bones Smokehouse in Kingsport, Tenn., which specializes in ribs and soul food; and Russo’s Restaurant in Johnson City, which is known for its New Orleans-style cuisine.

Meanwhile, Gate City, Va., has a couple of popular eateries that serve their own distinctive dishes.

Campus Drive-In specializes in home-style food that includes such items as a sirloin steak and cheese sandwich topped with green peppers and onions.

At The Mustard Seed lunchtime restaurant, menu choices include a grilled corned beef sandwich served on marble rye bread that is shipped in from New York.

“I get all my fresh breads directly from a New York deli, plus all of my salads feature surprises such as cranberries or lavender-colored blackberry dressing,” says Robin Norris, owner of The Mustard Seed. “Be sure to try our big portions of spinach or chicken fajita quiche that we serve every day, and save room for a slice of coconut cake or skillet-fried peach pie for dessert.”