Unearth The Voyage
Some places don’t chase trends, and RM Brooks Store is proof that staying true to your roots can outlast almost anything. Tucked into the tiny community of Robbins, Tennessee, near Historic Rugby, this old general store has been feeding folks the same honest way since the 1920s.
People drive from Nashville, South Carolina, and even farther just to sit by the wood stove and eat a fried bologna sandwich made the old-fashioned way. It’s the kind of spot where the current owner treats strangers like cousins and the walls hold nearly a century of memories.
If you like your history unpolished and your pie homemade, this Appalachian landmark deserves a slow afternoon of your time. Here’s everything worth knowing before you point the car toward Rugby.
Where to Find This Century-Old Landmark
Down a quiet stretch of country road at 2830 Rugby Pkwy in Robbins, Tennessee, sits a weathered wooden building that has anchored this corner of Scott County for a hundred years. RM Brooks Store rests near Historic Rugby and the edge of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
The place first opened in the early 1920s, built by R.M. Brooks and his wife Nettie.
It quickly became the heart of the surrounding community, a spot where neighbors gathered and news traveled fast.
Today the store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which tells you plenty about how much it matters. Getting here means a scenic backroad drive, and that is half the reward.
Because it sits close to Rugby’s trails and campgrounds, hikers and cyclists often make it their lunch stop. It is remote enough to feel like a discovery, yet easy enough to reach for a weekend outing.
A Family Story That Spans Four Generations
Nettie and R.M. Brooks started something in the 1920s that their descendants never let go of.
The store passed down through the family, and by the 1930s it had become a cornerstone of daily life in Rugby and the nearby settlement of Brewster-town.
These days the counter is run by Tiffany Jones Terry, the great-granddaughter of the founders, alongside her children. That continuity is rare, and it shows in how personally she treats the place.
Regulars mention that Tiffany greets guests like family and often lingers for real conversations. Keeping a business alive across four generations takes stubborn love, and the Brooks family clearly has it.
The store has stood the test of time not by modernizing everything, but by honoring what made it special in the first place. Walking through the door feels like being welcomed into someone’s living room that happens to serve lunch.
The Fried Bologna Sandwich Worth Driving For
People have crossed state lines for one thing above all else: the fried bologna sandwich. One guest famously traveled 2,500 miles to taste it, and folks routinely make the 2.5 hour drive from towns like Spring Hill just for a bite.
Mentioned dozens of times by happy diners, the sandwich has earned a near-legendary reputation around Big South Fork. It is cooked the way country stores have done it for generations, simple and satisfying.
Some come for the grilled bologna and cheese instead, which fans call the best they have ever had. Either way, this is the dish that put the little store on the map.
It pairs perfectly with a cold IBC root beer and a seat by the stove. When a humble sandwich draws travelers from thousands of miles away, you know there is something honest behind it.
Homemade Fried Pies and Sweet Treats
Save room, because the dessert case here is where things get dangerous. The homemade fried pies come in flavors like fresh cherry, and they have their own loyal following among folks who stop through.
Beyond the pies, the store whips up thick shakes, including a peanut butter version that gets talked about often. The old-fashioned Creme Drops have their fans too, described as out of this world.
Everything leans toward classic country-store sweetness, made in-house rather than shipped in. There is no pretense to any of it, just recipes that have satisfied travelers for years.
Grabbing a fried pie for the road is practically a tradition. It is the kind of treat that makes the backroad drive home feel a little sweeter.
A Menu Beyond the Famous Bologna
Bologna may be the headliner, but the kitchen turns out plenty more. Diners rave about the hand cut fries, cheeseburgers, Reubens, and pulled pork on a bun described as soft as pastry.
Lighter options show up too, like grilled turkey and cheddar, tater tots, and homemade chicken noodle soup on chilly days. There is even a grilled chicken breast that one very lucky dog approved of heartily.
Prices stay refreshingly low. The owners deliberately keep things affordable so they never price out the locals who have supported them for decades.
That mix of quality and fairness is a big part of the charm. You can feed the whole family here without the meal feeling like a splurge.
Antiques, Hoop Cheese, and Curious Finds
Half the fun here has nothing to do with eating. Every wall, shelf, and rafter is packed with antiques, vintage toys, old wasp nests, and oddities collected over a century.
Look closely and you might spot a big wild turkey mount, historic photos, and even pictures of President Jimmy Carter from a visit long ago. There is a stuffed parrot named Polly who has been a fixture for more than 40 years.
The store still sells goods too, from hoop cheese cut to order to local crafts and repurposed treasures. Browsers walk out with t-shirts, wind chimes, and small keepsakes.
Poking around slowly is encouraged, since new discoveries hide in every corner. It is part shop, part museum, and entirely one of a kind.
That Step-Back-in-Time Atmosphere
The moment you cross the threshold, the decades seem to peel away. Original wooden floors, a pot-bellied stove, and rocking chairs create a scene that feels straight out of the 1930s.
On a chilly October morning, guests have been known to sit by the wood fire for hours, chatting with the owners and other travelers. That relaxed, unhurried feeling is exactly the draw.
Many describe the vibe as Mayberry-like, a true representation of Appalachian culture and community. The walls full of memories give the whole place a soulful quality.
Live music has been part of the experience too, adding to the small-town warmth. It is the sort of spot that reminds you how good the simple things can feel.
The Electricity-Free Tree House Stay
Want to make a whole night of it? The store offers a unique accommodation called the Lovebird Tree House, a quaint retreat you can rent for an overnight escape.
Do not expect modern luxuries here. The tree house runs without electricity, lit instead by battery-powered lights, which is exactly what gives it such a peaceful, unplugged feel.
Guests praise the quiet setting, tucked into the natural beauty near Rugby. It is basic by design, trading amenities for calm and privacy among the trees.
For anyone wanting to disconnect for a spell, it is a memorable choice. Pairing a tree house night with breakfast at the store makes for a proper backroad adventure.
A Perfect Trailhead Pit Stop
Outdoor lovers have long treated this store as basecamp. Sitting near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the Sheltowee Trace, it is a favorite lunch stop for cyclists and hikers passing through Rugby.
Trail crews working the Sheltowee Trace have made it their home base, praising the easy camping and warm hospitality. The store also operates a campground and RV park called Brooks Corner.
Outdoor patio seating means you can refuel without changing out of your hiking boots. It bridges the gap between rugged adventure and a comfortable, friendly break.
After a long day on the trails, a hot meal and a rocking chair go a long way. Few pit stops manage to feel this restorative.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Trip
A little planning helps, because this store keeps country hours. It opens Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and stays closed on Sunday and Monday.
Regulars advise arriving early, especially on busy days, since the good stuff can go fast. The store carries a 4.8 star rating across more than 440 reviews, which speaks to how consistently it delivers.
Prices are famously gentle, kept low on purpose so locals are never priced out. You can reach the store at 423-628-2533 or check details at rmbrooksstore.com before heading out.
Between the historic setting, the honest food, and the four generations of family behind the counter, RM Brooks Store is the kind of Tennessee treasure worth guarding and sharing. Point your car toward Rugby, take the slow road, and give yourself the whole afternoon.
