Three Pike County restaurants are among 225 restaurants across the state that are featured in “Alabama Food,” the official book for the Alabama Tourism Department’s Year of Alabama Food promotion.

Troy restaurants, Mossy Grove Schoolhouse and Crowe’s Chicken, along with Sit N Sip in Brundidge were chosen for the prestigious listing.

Mossy Grove was selected for its beans and cornbread and Crowe’s for its chicken fingers and dipping sauce. Sit N Sip was selected for its chicken salad with pear salad.

“Alabama Food” is based on the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure and emphasizes unique and original Alabama restaurants.

All three Pike County restaurants were included in the 2012 edition of “100 Dishes.”

Robert Jones, owner of Crowe’s of Troy, said it is an honor to be included in the “Alabama Food” hardback edition.

“Any time that your business is recognized for its service and its products, that’s an honor,” Jones said. “At Crowe’s, we pride ourselves in doing our very best to provide the best service and best products for our customers.

“It’s a real honor to be selected again.”

Jones said, according to his customers, it’s the dipping sauce that sets Crowe’s chicken apart.

“It’s just something about the sauce,” said Jones, who keeps the sauce a best-kept secret.

Jones worked at Crowe’s Chicken in Troy from 1980 until 1997, when he took ownership of the businesses.

His goal is to maintain the high quality of service and products that his customers are accustomed to in hopes that they will keep on “dipping.”

The colorful 128-page “Alabama Food” covers the food scene in the state by geographic region, starting in North Alabama and ending with the Gulf Coast.

The hardcover book also has sections devoted to farmers markets, u-pick farms, food

festivals, and Alabama wines and craft beers.

The book profiles 11 of the state’s award-winning chefs including Troy native Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert Homemade Rolls of Luverne.

Barnes wrote the foreword to the book and will sign copes of “Alabama Food” during Christmas Open House at the Governor’s Mansion on Dec. 3.

Contributors Brian S. Jones and Marilyn Jones Stamps will sign copies during tours on Dec. 10 and 17.

The book signings will be inside the gift shop across the street from the mansion.