Here is this season's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile subscription box. J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Cooking Salt
Our cooking salt is great for applications where it will dissolve. Use in baking, in soups, stews and sauces. The bright, bold flavor will set your cooking apart!

ALLEGHENY TREENWARE
Salt Cellar
Made in WV from local cherry, this cellar is great to keep salt by the stove or on the dining table. Use for sauces too!

THOMAS WORK
Salt Shovel
This is made from local maple by Matt Thomas in WV. It is a great way to distribute salt over your food.

J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Bath Salts
Ready to relax? Try this amazing blend of our salt, essential oils, and botanicals in your next bath.

AMISH SMOKEHOUSE
Beef Sticks
Made in Ohio,these delicious beef sticks are a great on-the-go healthy snack.

BROWNWOOD FARMS
Dill Pickle Ketchup
Made in OH, this ketchup is great on anything. Try it on fries, burgers, dogs, and top a meatloaf!

Dollywood is a theme park in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains that blends roller coasters, Appalachian culture, live music, crafts and Southern food into one of the South’s biggest tourist attractions. Co-owned by Dolly Parton, the park opened as Dollywood in 1986, though the site itself dates back to 1961 when it operated as Rebel Railroad. Spotlight Bakery is one of the park’s signature sweet shops, located near the front of the park in the Showstreet section. It’s known for oversized desserts, pastries and classic theme park bakery treats, and there’s often a line stretching out the door during busy days. The cinnamon bread a warm, pull-apart loaf drenched in butter, cinnamon and sugar. The bread lands somewhere between a cinnamon roll and monkey bread. Before baking, deep cuts are sliced into the dough so the butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture seeps into every layer. The outside gets slightly crisp and caramelized, while the inside stays soft, fluffy and gooey enough to pull apart piece by piece. Aunt Granny's is Dollywood’s large family-style restaurant known for Southern comfort food served in big shareable portions. Named after Dolly Parton’s real-life Aunt Granny, the restaurant leans heavily into the idea of a big Appalachian family meal, with servers constantly bringing bowls and platters of food to the table. Inside, the restaurant has a warm, farmhouse-style feel with wood accents, quilts, family photos and mountain décor that matches the nostalgic Smoky Mountain atmosphere throughout the park. Platters of fried chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and other classic sides are brought out continuously, giving it more of a Sunday dinner feel than a typical theme park restaurant. My group opted for hand-breaded fried chicken, herb-baked chicken and pot roasted with vegetables and gravy. For sides, we tried corn pudding, mac & cheese, braised cabbage and mashed potatoes with gravy. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake. Splinters Trail Side Snacks is a grab-and-go snack stand in the Wilderness Pass section of the park. It's known for over-the-top funnel cakes and portable versions of Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread. Funnel cakes are the main draw, especially customizable versions topped with strawberries, apple pie filling, whipped cream, Oreos, hot fudge or ice cream. The butterfly-shaped funnel cake ties into the park’s Flower & Food Festival and Dolly Parton’s longtime butterfly imagery. Instead of the traditional tangled-circle funnel cake shape, the batter is poured into wide wings, making a butterfly shape. It’s topped with powdered sugar.

West Virginia doesn't have enough soul food restaurants. So when I learned of one opening in Welch -- at the bottom of the state -- I planned a day trip without delay. Rosco’s Soul Food was a locally owned restaurant in downtown Welch that was known for their plates, which included options like ribs, brisket and pulled pork and sides like mac & cheese, fresh collard greens and yams. It was a fairly small operation with only a handful of dining tables indide. I tried the cornbread, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, mac & cheese and potato salad. All delicious and beyond tender. The mac was a bit dry. Have you been? Grade: B

Boat Bites is an updated food truck that primarily sticks to the Trojan Landing area but has recently been expanding to area events. The menu features hot dogs, chicken strips, chicken sandwiches and burgers. But what caught my eye was the fish tacos - crispy fried fish, pico de gallo, slaw and boat sauce. Plus a side of macaroni & cheese. I love a good fish taco, specifically the juxtaposition between the hot crispiness and a cold sauce. The former was good, the latter could use a bit more work. But still a solid rendition. Grade: B

Dollywood’s Splash Country is Dollywood’s seasonal water park in Pigeon Forge, located right next to the main Dollywood theme park in the Smoky Mountains. The park opened in 2001 and signature rides include the Big Bear Plunge whitewater raft ride, Fire Tower Falls drop slides, TailSpin Racer mat slides and the Downbound Float Trip lazy river. Campsite Grill — the main meal spot with burgers, chicken tenders, fries, pizza, hot dogs and sandwiches. Ned’s Bear Paws is one of the signature snack spots at Dollywood’s Splash Country, and it’s best known for its giant “Mountain Fried Dough” treats. These are basically oversized funnel cake fried dough desserts with fruit toppings. Mountain Waves Creamery - soft serve ice cream, sundaes and frozen treats near the wave pool. I ordered the Toffee Turtle Churn - Mayfield soft churned ice cream mixed with toffee pieces, caramel, and candied pecans. Dogs N Taters — hot dogs, loaded fries and other quick snack foods. Can't go wrong with a good ol' hot dog.

Heartwood Coffee is a small coffee shop tucked inside the lobby of New Heights Church in downtown Milton. It opened in 2020 and operates with limited daytime hours, primarily serving morning and early afternoon traffic. The vibe leans simple and friendly. It’s understated and functional — but still cute. On the menu, you’ll find the expected lineup of espresso drinks — lattes, flavored coffees and seasonal specials. If you're looking for food options, they offer muffins, brownies, cookies and the like. I enjoyed a caramel frappe, which had a nice balance of boldness and sweetness. For me. A savory biscuit sealed the deal. Have you been? Grade: B

Mellow Mushroom began in 1974 in Atlanta, where three college friends opened a small pizza shop near Georgia Tech with a counterculture vibe. Over time, it grew into a national chain, with each location being locally owned and designed with local art to create an almost '70s retro vibe. While in Asheville, my friends and I ordered delivery:

Buffalo Chicken – Chicken tossed in buffalo sauce with mozzarella, bacon and onions, finished with a ranch drizzle.

Great White – No red sauce; instead uses garlic and olive oil with ricotta, mozzarella, feta, onions and tomatoes.

Pepperoni Mellow Rollz - Dough stuffed with pepperoni and melted mozzarella, then brushed with garlic butter and topped with Parmesan and chives Tangy buffalo sauce leads with mild heat while tender chicken, smoky bacon and a cooling ranch drizzle balance it all out.

A garlic and olive oil base lets creamy ricotta, salty feta and fresh tomato carry a lighter, more subtle mix of flavors and textures. I only wish some of the slices weren't overtaken with giant air bubbles.

Soft, cheesy and brushed with garlic butter, these eat much like my beloved pepperoni rolls. A marinara dipper takes it over the top. Grade: B

Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge is a small world dedicated to Jimmy Buffett, and at the center is a full-service restaurant with: seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and tropical cocktails; a big outdoor deck overlooking the Little Pigeon River; and live music and a lively bar scene. Margaritaville is an escapism lifestyle built around the laidback, beachy world created by Jimmy Buffett. It takes its name from his 1977 hit song Margaritaville, which romanticized an easygoing life of tropical drinks, sandy beaches and not taking things too seriously. Bright tropical decor, neon signage and a steady soundtrack of Jimmy Buffett blares through the space. It’s casual, with guests in flip-flops, drinks front and center, and the experience driven more by atmosphere than the food itself. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken & Shrimp - Grilled & basted, seasonal vegetables, basmati rice, grilled pineapple, sesame seeds. It may have been a mistake not getting the Cheeseburger in Paradise. The dish was OK. Something crunchy or creamy would have made the dish more well-rounded and exciting. But it is more of a healthier option that still had some flavor - so kudos for that. Grade: C