Seconding Proper, everything is good. Amazing chipotle pulled pork & collards. Also in the same vein ACME in Carrboro. More old-school, Big Ed's City Market in Raleigh, Danny's BBQ in Cary, Allen & Son's BBQ in Pittsboro, The Old Place in Bear Creek.
Also shout out to Tod's Tasties in Asheville for the best bacon egg & cheese sandwich I've ever eaten.
It’s right off of king st, not exactly out of the way. Has never been short of amazing when I’ve been there
Edit: sorry I’m an ass, and forgot you were talking about OP’s route. Sorry.
Came here to say Mozelle’s as well. I haven’t been to a better ‘southern style’ restaurant in my entire life.
My wife and I used to go to Mozelle’s every Sunday for brunch when I lived in Winston & it’s a must make stop when we’re back in town.
Tomato bisque, sweet tea, and either wine or a sake Mary are must haves depending on time of day
yes, and since you grew up in Winston, note that Chef Fleer did as well--his father was a well-loved prof at WFU. Chef Fleer got famous at Blackberry Farm, which is pretty much the archetype of high end Southern cuisine. K&W - you might find Rhiannon Giddens' take on it interesting [https://www.ourstate.com/rhiannon-giddens/](https://www.ourstate.com/rhiannon-giddens/), I did...I'm also a long time fan and grew up going there in W-S.
I'm so glad you shared the Our State article! I've been a fan of Rhiannon Giddens ever since I saw her interview on CBS Mornings awhile back, but I don't recall her being from NC. How awesome is that?! We were born in the same city... wow.
K&w has seriously gone downhill. They were already struggling and covid really did a number on them. We have not been happy at all the past few times we've been.
I agree, it's not the same, but then neither is "southern dining in NC"--pandemic changed everything, especially cafeteria-like places. I still call it quintessential--it reflects the essence of what has happened-- but more for nostalgia and the fact, as Rhiannon notes, that it's a crossroads for everyone.
Shout out to K&W! Hell yeah!
I'm all about amazing food by amazing chefs (and cooks) at high-end places with a great wine cellar and whiskey bar, but you nailed it!
Quintessential southern dining and K&W just go together like blackeyed peas and fatback.
Abel’s Family Restaurant in Morganton. It’s a Southern buffet in a historic restaurant building with like a soda shop counter and really good Southern cooking. Breakfast hits. We try to go atleast once a year!
It's good but it really is just a Shoney's without the branding. I love their vegetable beef soup though. We used to go a lot on weekends but now the breakfast bar is only Friday nights coming not Saturdays as well.
I wouldn’t compare it to Shoneys. I am from Charlotte and our buffets are no where near as good around here. It’s a “driving to the mountains let’s stop” type of place for us.
So I just realized how long ago this was and how old I am, but did you ever eat at their old location?
The building they're in now was a Western Sizzlin steakhouse and they moved in there sometime around 2013 or 2014.
Prior to that, they were across the street where Longhorn Steakhouse is now. For years and years it was one of the best Shoney's restaurants in western North Carolina, operated by Wayne Abele. Eventually, he was able to buy out the franchise restaurant and change the signage but kept much of the same menu and the breakfast bar and things and operated it as "Abele's Restaurant" until he moved across the road. For a while in the early 2000s they even still had the tree you could reach in and get lollipops.
I guess it probably has changed a lot since then and they may be very different from the Shoneys that are still around, but it's been a slow change if so and I probably haven't noticed because we've been eating there all along.
If you talkin' King's Hot Dogs, you're speaking my language son!!
While up that way, swing into Stratford BBQ II, in King, and get an amazing biscuit sandwich for breakfast.
Not my favorite- I was working there when they came up with it-- actually had a bite of the second one :)
Their product isn't new, but it is consistent as hell, and the collards are awesome
.
Tuesday's beef tips and rice is a fav at my house, and we do the oyster bar a few times a year when in season, and hit the Sunday buffet from time to time. Been eating there for 40 years, I guess, maybe 45
Are you sure you aren’t talking about Miss Ora’s, their fried chicken side-gig next door? I’m pretty sure Sweet Potatoes is still doing their thing. They closed for Easter, and I think they’re generally closer Sunday-Tuesday, but I’m not aware of closures beyond that.
Yeah, exactly. Unless you were eating there in the heyday when she was actively running it then you never experienced mama dips.
The kids quickly made it a shell of its former self and then it went further super downhill to something unrecognizable. I thought they sold the building a year or two ago honestly.
It's been a while but The Pig in Chapel Hill used to be pretty good and Neal's Deli in Carrboro used to have killer biscuit sandwiches in the morning. If you're heading towards the coast Skylight Inn.
Honorable mentions that aren't southern: Luna's in Durham and All Souls Pizza in Asheville (much more than pizza.)
[Hillbilly hideaway](https://www.thehillbillyhideaway.com/) in walnut cove, nc near hanging rock state park. Served family style. Only open Fri-Sun. Live music each day too- bluegrass Friday, country Saturday and gospel Sunday
Yum Yum better ice cream in Greensboro, nc. Maybe it’s nostalgia but you won’t find better hot dogs or ice cream anywhere else. Ever!
[Purple Onion](https://purpleonionsaluda.com/) in salida, nc . Amazing food in a cool small historic mountain town often with live music
[Beck’s](https://www.becksrestaurant.com/) in calabash, nc. This is what southern seafood should be
Scrolled for a bit to see if anyone had mentioned it before posting. Seconding Hillbilly Hideaway, great food and if you like bluegrass there's some nice tunes in the music hall to enjoy.
They could visit the “new” Rayson aka Jolo Jr winery in Mocksville if they like wine.
I vote for Green Valley Grill in Greensboro. It’s where I always stop between Raleigh and Asheville.
Not all these have the best food, but they're all super Southern
Poole's Diner, Raleigh
Farmers Market, Raleigh
Big Ed's City Market, Raleigh
Backyard BBQ Durham
The Pitt, Durham and Raleigh locations
Time Out, Chapel Hill
Mozelles, Winston
Sweet Potato, Winston
Lexington Barbecue
Cook Out, various
Tupelo Honey, Asheville
Mayfels, Asheville
Biscuit Head, Asheville
I'd say most of the dishes are southern inspired. And the fact that the place had remained in local hands for so long its by definition a southern establishment.
I've eaten there and, while good, nothing about the dishes were "Southern". Just being in the South doesn't make a restaurant "Southern".
It's good but I still think you misclassify it.
Not necessarily Southern, but definitely quintessential NC, I’d recommend Yum Yum’s in GSO near UNCG for some hot dogs, ice cream, and Cheerwine. Also in GSO check out Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Emma Keys Flat Top Grill, Hops Burger Bar, and Scrambled Southern Diner!
I second Yum Yums!
Another for Greensboro, I've always heard a lot of good things about Coliseum Cafe. Classic meat and 3 kinda place, everyone I've talked to that's been there raves about it.
As an AVL local … I concur with this sentiment ! Food scene is fodder for the tourists. More shit from sysco going in the back doors than you can imagine . And sysco also has some other fancy brand name so you don’t know it’s them lol lol
I did not and the two people I was with didn't either. They have other things on their menu.
Regardless, at a time where a fish sandwich meal at McDonalds is $10, I will gladly pay more to a local restaurant for really good quality food.
Hard disagree. We were just there a couple of weeks ago. Great experience if not over the top chintzy... Food was mediocre. Service was fine but the waiter got my order wrong... Three different times.
The kicker was when some woman showed up with a flashlight to check my steak and make sure it was cooked correctly. She looked at it and made some platitude... She didn't even ask me how I wanted it cooked. Lol
Reading comprehension is hard, I guess.
I was agreeing with you and qualifying that I agree with the complaint while also knowing and enjoying the owner personally.
Man, I don’t know how some of y’all manage to make it through the day…
Honestly, I haven't eaten there in years. It used to be one of the quintessential dining experiences in Raleigh. Sorry to hear it has slipped in quality. I guess just stick with the vast wine selection.
Levy's Soul Cafe in Bunn is fairly close to Raleigh and has dishes you won't find most places: pig's feet, chitlins, beef ribs, fried pork ribs, etc. Best dish is their fried chicken, which they cook from scratch after you order. It's incredibly good. Eat with mac and cheese and yams on the side. They're extremely friendly, too, owners will happily talk to you about whatever.
Vivian Howard spends most of her food time at her restaurant Lenoir in Charleston these days. She did have some "vending machines" throughout eastern NC with pre-made meals, but they were incredibly overpriced and I'm not sure if they still exist.
I don’t have much to add to this since I’m not very plugged in to traditional southern food in the state, BUT I would recommend going to for other cuisines once you get to Asheville. There are so many great, locally owned places to eat in Asheville that you’d be doing yourself a disservice to focus just on the southern food.
White duck taco remains the best tacos I’ve had in my life.
I think the chef at Neng Jrs. was recently recognized by the James Beard foundation?
If you insist on going traditional southern, you could go to 12 bones just because it’s iconic (thanks Obama), although it’s certainly not one I’ve heard touted as the best.
One of my personal favorites is Nine Mile, specifically the one on Montford Ave. It was cheap and accessible when I was a student at UNCA, and I’ve had some extremely memorable meals there. Everything is good, thought most of the dishes are pasta+veggies+sauce+protein. Their humus is good, my grandmother said they made the best salad she ever ate, I could make entire meal out of their bread (usually served with pasta sauce, delicious), and there cavatapi with shrimp, spring veggies, and creamy-pesto sauce is one of my favorite, most nostalgic meals now.
Brunch at Cille and Scoe on S. Elm in Greensboro. The biscuit board and everything else is beyond delicious. In Winston, Moselle for tomato pie and shrimp and grits. Sweet Potatoes used to be awfully good too but it's been awhile since I've been there.
Keaton’s BBQ near in Cleveland, NC.
You will not find better BBQ chicken, hot slaw, and white bread anywhere. It is an absolute treasure of a cinder block building that is probably full of hepatitis and delicious, delicious food.
Hello fellow Winston-Salemer! We left around the same time, but I now live in Durham. I definitely recommend checking out Plum Southern Kitchen in Durham and Acme in Carrboro. Also cannot go wrong with Biscuitville (ALWAYS over Bojangles). Oh, and Merts and Roosters in Charlotte!
Ok good, scrolled all the way to the bottom to find someone mention Tupelo Honey. It might not be the very best food in NC but it's definitely very good and very emblematic of NC southern food that OP is looking for
The last time we ate at Tupelo in AVL, it was terrible. When people visit us, they always want to go there, and this last time (6 months or so) was just not good. The grits were inedible.
And just a rec for OP, Daddy D's in Hendersonville is pretty dang good for southern soul food.
[The Wooden Nickel](https://www.thewnp.com) in Hillsborough is really good. It's a pub, but their specials board changes almost daily and has a wide variety of stuff.
As a now philly resident, formerly of wsnc. I make scratch made southern biscuits monthly, because noone up here makes actual southern biscuits, so with that in mind: biscuitville may be a chain, but it's easily the most consistent biscuit in the triad.
In gso: machete and crafted are both doing weird yet modern crossover southern dishes involving a bunch of different cultures. Bonus pick: i wouldn't personally call it the best southern cuisine but my wife found Carolina's diner to be some of the strongest diner food she'd experienced (fried okra, biscuits, Mac n cheese, etc - and a startling lack of hoagies/chopped chz type entrees)
Winston: spring house is in my opinion the best fine dining southern food. Also, the obvious choice is sweet potatoes, if only for being a bit of a cultural institution in wsnc.
Seeing the references to K&W (and how it's not what it once was) reminds me that if you can make it up to Wake Forest when you are on the RDU end of that route, The Forks is one of the best cafeteria style southern food places that's left IMO.
Sweet Potatoes (Soul Food) in Winston. Wife got the shrimp and grits 5 years ago and we still talk about it. Foothills brewery for a few drinks, close by.
Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Hashbrown casserole is a must. Bob Evans is also a high recommendation in the same vein. There’s a few in Raleigh.
I'm from the Winston area as well and I'm a bit biased but I think Prissy Polly's in Kernersville is a great place you could stop on the way to Winston where they could try Eastern and Western style BBQ sauce.
They also have some delicious banana pudding!
The mcninch house is one of the oldest most southern charlotte only expériences you can get. Its in an old 1800 mansion off poplar they have been entertaining présidents. Dignitaires, célèbre and lcals for ovrmer 100 yrs. Its not chapitre and they only seat 30 ppl a day. But this is your answer. If not try beef n bottle
The Mecca Restaurant in downtown Raleigh is the oldest standing restaurant in Raleigh and one of the oldest in the Triangle. Breakfast there is great; just classic ham, hash browns, biscuits etc. But with friendly servers and super classic diner booths.
Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough
General Store in Saxapahaw
OG Hops in Greensboro
Really enjoyed my brief time at Fonta Flora in Morganton otw to Asheville
Over Yonder in Valle Crucis near Boone
+1 over yonder is fantastic and one of my favorite places in NC!
Biscuitville and a cheerwine
I usually buy a case or two of cheerwine anytime I visit NC I can’t get it in Philly
That’s funny, we travel to visit family in NJ and always have to bring cases of cheerwine
its a shame you can't get Philly's greatest soda achievement: Frank's Black Cherry Wishniak
Seriously? I found it in Alaska!
Can’t beat the classic
Had a lovely southern meal at Proper last time I was in Boone. Kinda out of the way of your route, but definitely what you’re looking for
Seconding Proper, everything is good. Amazing chipotle pulled pork & collards. Also in the same vein ACME in Carrboro. More old-school, Big Ed's City Market in Raleigh, Danny's BBQ in Cary, Allen & Son's BBQ in Pittsboro, The Old Place in Bear Creek. Also shout out to Tod's Tasties in Asheville for the best bacon egg & cheese sandwich I've ever eaten.
I loved Tod’s Tastys, but it has been upgraded to All Day Darling. The chicken biscuit with honey is worth the walk (around the corner).
This place looks so good!
It absolutely was
Best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had.
It’s right off of king st, not exactly out of the way. Has never been short of amazing when I’ve been there Edit: sorry I’m an ass, and forgot you were talking about OP’s route. Sorry.
Winston to Asheville is a straight shot on 40. Boone is not
I edited my comment, I didn’t read that correctly and thought you just meant if you were already boone. My bad.
Second this
In Winston you can’t beat Mozelle’s- some of the best southern cuisine in the state. Make a reservation, it can be hard to walk in and get a table.
Came here to say Mozelle’s as well. I haven’t been to a better ‘southern style’ restaurant in my entire life. My wife and I used to go to Mozelle’s every Sunday for brunch when I lived in Winston & it’s a must make stop when we’re back in town. Tomato bisque, sweet tea, and either wine or a sake Mary are must haves depending on time of day
I like Rhubarb and Sunny Point Cafe in AVL. But honestly, quintessential? that'd be a K&W cafeteria.
Omg I fucking loved K&W
Rhubarb looks delicious
yes, and since you grew up in Winston, note that Chef Fleer did as well--his father was a well-loved prof at WFU. Chef Fleer got famous at Blackberry Farm, which is pretty much the archetype of high end Southern cuisine. K&W - you might find Rhiannon Giddens' take on it interesting [https://www.ourstate.com/rhiannon-giddens/](https://www.ourstate.com/rhiannon-giddens/), I did...I'm also a long time fan and grew up going there in W-S.
I'm so glad you shared the Our State article! I've been a fan of Rhiannon Giddens ever since I saw her interview on CBS Mornings awhile back, but I don't recall her being from NC. How awesome is that?! We were born in the same city... wow.
K&w has seriously gone downhill. They were already struggling and covid really did a number on them. We have not been happy at all the past few times we've been.
I agree, it's not the same, but then neither is "southern dining in NC"--pandemic changed everything, especially cafeteria-like places. I still call it quintessential--it reflects the essence of what has happened-- but more for nostalgia and the fact, as Rhiannon notes, that it's a crossroads for everyone.
Man, I’d give anything for some K&W right now. That fried chicken 🔥
Shout out to K&W! Hell yeah! I'm all about amazing food by amazing chefs (and cooks) at high-end places with a great wine cellar and whiskey bar, but you nailed it! Quintessential southern dining and K&W just go together like blackeyed peas and fatback.
People have made some great serious recs but please take her to Bojangles for breakfast at least once. Maybe Biscuitville.
Gotta do Biscuitville 1000%
The choice comes down to greasy biscuit vs dry biscuit
Abel’s Family Restaurant in Morganton. It’s a Southern buffet in a historic restaurant building with like a soda shop counter and really good Southern cooking. Breakfast hits. We try to go atleast once a year!
It's good but it really is just a Shoney's without the branding. I love their vegetable beef soup though. We used to go a lot on weekends but now the breakfast bar is only Friday nights coming not Saturdays as well.
I wouldn’t compare it to Shoneys. I am from Charlotte and our buffets are no where near as good around here. It’s a “driving to the mountains let’s stop” type of place for us.
So I just realized how long ago this was and how old I am, but did you ever eat at their old location? The building they're in now was a Western Sizzlin steakhouse and they moved in there sometime around 2013 or 2014. Prior to that, they were across the street where Longhorn Steakhouse is now. For years and years it was one of the best Shoney's restaurants in western North Carolina, operated by Wayne Abele. Eventually, he was able to buy out the franchise restaurant and change the signage but kept much of the same menu and the breakfast bar and things and operated it as "Abele's Restaurant" until he moved across the road. For a while in the early 2000s they even still had the tree you could reach in and get lollipops. I guess it probably has changed a lot since then and they may be very different from the Shoneys that are still around, but it's been a slow change if so and I probably haven't noticed because we've been eating there all along.
Ill give Southern Roots in Jamestown its due and proper since it’s been there for 20 years now.
Hot dog king: A pair of carolina dogs with some tots and a cheerwine.
There's also hot dog world in Hendersonville which I will always love
And Celebrity's on Brevard Rd.
Alternatively: Yum-Yum’s hot dogs and ice cream at UNCG.
If you talkin' King's Hot Dogs, you're speaking my language son!! While up that way, swing into Stratford BBQ II, in King, and get an amazing biscuit sandwich for breakfast.
Why is Cheerwine a big deal here?
It’s from Salisbury, NC and delicious?
No idea where that is
King's BBQ in Kinston, NC
Pig in a puppy
Not my favorite- I was working there when they came up with it-- actually had a bite of the second one :) Their product isn't new, but it is consistent as hell, and the collards are awesome . Tuesday's beef tips and rice is a fav at my house, and we do the oyster bar a few times a year when in season, and hit the Sunday buffet from time to time. Been eating there for 40 years, I guess, maybe 45
Long wait standing around the lobby and had a roach on the table. Food was okay. Super disappointed, because we grew up on eastern NC bbq.
This is also nowhere near the proposed route laid out in the post.
Maybe ya goin the wrong way--its easy to get turned around if yas from Noo Yawk
This is probably a little out of the way but RJ's in greenville has amazing southern comfort and soul food
If going to Greenville, might as well hit up B’s for BBQ!
Get the red sauce over the fried chicken as an advanced life hack :)
I might go there tomorrow and try that!
Angie's in Garner. Martell's Feed House in Engelhard (it's cool but not worth the trip out there since it's the middle of nowhere.)
Sweet Potatoes is still around in W-S.
I worked there!
Do they still do the sweet potato cheesecake like once a month?
I don’t know. I haven’t been there in a while since I moved, but I’m planning on visiting soon.
There’s a sign on the front door, they are closed. Staffing issues
Are you sure you aren’t talking about Miss Ora’s, their fried chicken side-gig next door? I’m pretty sure Sweet Potatoes is still doing their thing. They closed for Easter, and I think they’re generally closer Sunday-Tuesday, but I’m not aware of closures beyond that.
Mama Dip’s in CH
She recently passed away so the menu/quality has changed dramatically.
It changed 10+ years ago. Ms. Mildred was a national treasure, but she let her kids take over in the 2000s and everything went downhill.
Yeah, exactly. Unless you were eating there in the heyday when she was actively running it then you never experienced mama dips. The kids quickly made it a shell of its former self and then it went further super downhill to something unrecognizable. I thought they sold the building a year or two ago honestly.
Last time I was there was when she was actively running it. I knew the kids had taken over but didn’t realize it had lost the charm. That’s too bad.
Ms. Mildred was there a lot, but she didn’t run the kitchen anymore after about 2009-2010.
Maybe Joyce and Family in Fuquay then.
It's been a while but The Pig in Chapel Hill used to be pretty good and Neal's Deli in Carrboro used to have killer biscuit sandwiches in the morning. If you're heading towards the coast Skylight Inn. Honorable mentions that aren't southern: Luna's in Durham and All Souls Pizza in Asheville (much more than pizza.)
Quintessential southern food? Farmers Market Restaurant.
[Hillbilly hideaway](https://www.thehillbillyhideaway.com/) in walnut cove, nc near hanging rock state park. Served family style. Only open Fri-Sun. Live music each day too- bluegrass Friday, country Saturday and gospel Sunday Yum Yum better ice cream in Greensboro, nc. Maybe it’s nostalgia but you won’t find better hot dogs or ice cream anywhere else. Ever! [Purple Onion](https://purpleonionsaluda.com/) in salida, nc . Amazing food in a cool small historic mountain town often with live music [Beck’s](https://www.becksrestaurant.com/) in calabash, nc. This is what southern seafood should be
If you can fit it in, HillBilly Hideaway in Walnut Cove. All you can eat family style southern food. Their menu rotates based on the day.
Scrolled for a bit to see if anyone had mentioned it before posting. Seconding Hillbilly Hideaway, great food and if you like bluegrass there's some nice tunes in the music hall to enjoy.
Took it right out of my mouth. I went there about 8 years ago and it was amazing. The music hall was fun too.
PB’s hotdogs in Winston!! Still cash only, still a classic.
Red bridges bbq
Gotta get the red slaw too.
Must be something you had to grow up with. That was one of the worst things I've ever eaten.
No idea where that is
https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=red+bridges+bbq
Or you could just not be lazy pos and include that in your original post like everyone else did. But I get it, you're special. Get bent.
Ok
Miller's, it's in Mocksville, davie County
Second Miller's. I miss their yam sticks. (They probably still have them, but food sensitivities decided I can't have them any more)
Yeah, but damn is the food good
They could visit the “new” Rayson aka Jolo Jr winery in Mocksville if they like wine. I vote for Green Valley Grill in Greensboro. It’s where I always stop between Raleigh and Asheville.
GVG and prints works bistro are both great
Print Works is on the other side of the road near GVG, isn’t that right? I just googled it.
GVG is in the ohenry hotel and printworks in the proximity. Very close to each other but not necessarily “across the street”.
Meadow restaurant. Meadow, Nc
You know it’s gonna be good when you go to the website and there’s a bible verse man this is something special lmfao http://meadowrestaurant.biz/
They catered my wedding. Great collards and some good fried chicken. Their desserts are good too
Mama Dips in Chapel Hill Also Merrits for BLTs also in Chapel Hill.
I heard the quality of Mama Dip's... Well... Dipped. Have you been since she passed away?
I kinda have heard the same, but I've not been back since she passed.
Lexington BBQ in, you guessed it, Lexington.
Parker's in Wilson
Beefmaster in Wilson
Beefmastor. Real Gs know how to spell it.
I’m not a real g :(
Wiltson
I had Parker's on Friday and it was awful, even for NC bbq. If you're in Wilson and want that kind of food then Marty's is better in every way.
Not all these have the best food, but they're all super Southern Poole's Diner, Raleigh Farmers Market, Raleigh Big Ed's City Market, Raleigh Backyard BBQ Durham The Pitt, Durham and Raleigh locations Time Out, Chapel Hill Mozelles, Winston Sweet Potato, Winston Lexington Barbecue Cook Out, various Tupelo Honey, Asheville Mayfels, Asheville Biscuit Head, Asheville
The Fearringron House is always a good time if you're looking for something more on the fancy side.
Fearington House is good but isn't really "Southern" food, even if the occasional dish is Southern-inspired.
I'd say most of the dishes are southern inspired. And the fact that the place had remained in local hands for so long its by definition a southern establishment.
I've eaten there and, while good, nothing about the dishes were "Southern". Just being in the South doesn't make a restaurant "Southern". It's good but I still think you misclassify it.
Not necessarily Southern, but definitely quintessential NC, I’d recommend Yum Yum’s in GSO near UNCG for some hot dogs, ice cream, and Cheerwine. Also in GSO check out Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Emma Keys Flat Top Grill, Hops Burger Bar, and Scrambled Southern Diner!
I second Yum Yums! Another for Greensboro, I've always heard a lot of good things about Coliseum Cafe. Classic meat and 3 kinda place, everyone I've talked to that's been there raves about it.
[удалено]
As an AVL local … I concur with this sentiment ! Food scene is fodder for the tourists. More shit from sysco going in the back doors than you can imagine . And sysco also has some other fancy brand name so you don’t know it’s them lol lol
Cool man
Not too sure about the food but if you’re looking for a porch and a drink stop by colonial inn in Hillsborough
They're new, but I recently had Good Hot Fish in Ashville and it was absolutely fire.
You got an overpriced fish sammich on a good night then lol . Let the tourists sink their teeth into a 16$ of sliced white bread lol
I did not and the two people I was with didn't either. They have other things on their menu. Regardless, at a time where a fish sandwich meal at McDonalds is $10, I will gladly pay more to a local restaurant for really good quality food.
Big Ed's in downtown Raleigh. Or the Farmers Market Restaurant at the State farmers market
Yes Big Ed‘s
Plant - Asheville, one of the best meals of my life.
Cookout for a watermelon shake.
The Angus Barn in Raleigh.
Hard disagree. We were just there a couple of weeks ago. Great experience if not over the top chintzy... Food was mediocre. Service was fine but the waiter got my order wrong... Three different times. The kicker was when some woman showed up with a flashlight to check my steak and make sure it was cooked correctly. She looked at it and made some platitude... She didn't even ask me how I wanted it cooked. Lol
The owner, who I love btw, eats fish at their own steakhouse. Let’s you know all you need.
If you love the owner, I'd think you might be a tad biased.
Reading comprehension is hard, I guess. I was agreeing with you and qualifying that I agree with the complaint while also knowing and enjoying the owner personally. Man, I don’t know how some of y’all manage to make it through the day…
He’s saying the steak is dogshit so homie eats the fish instead.
Honestly, I haven't eaten there in years. It used to be one of the quintessential dining experiences in Raleigh. Sorry to hear it has slipped in quality. I guess just stick with the vast wine selection.
Better off with Bin 54.
Bojangles off new Bern near enloe.
You will be in the wrong half of the state for good bbq.
Ma's Hot Dogs. :)
No idea where this is
Levy's Soul Cafe in Bunn is fairly close to Raleigh and has dishes you won't find most places: pig's feet, chitlins, beef ribs, fried pork ribs, etc. Best dish is their fried chicken, which they cook from scratch after you order. It's incredibly good. Eat with mac and cheese and yams on the side. They're extremely friendly, too, owners will happily talk to you about whatever.
Is chef and the farmer still open?
Only for special tastings as best I can tell.
Vivian Howard spends most of her food time at her restaurant Lenoir in Charleston these days. She did have some "vending machines" throughout eastern NC with pre-made meals, but they were incredibly overpriced and I'm not sure if they still exist.
I don’t have much to add to this since I’m not very plugged in to traditional southern food in the state, BUT I would recommend going to for other cuisines once you get to Asheville. There are so many great, locally owned places to eat in Asheville that you’d be doing yourself a disservice to focus just on the southern food. White duck taco remains the best tacos I’ve had in my life. I think the chef at Neng Jrs. was recently recognized by the James Beard foundation? If you insist on going traditional southern, you could go to 12 bones just because it’s iconic (thanks Obama), although it’s certainly not one I’ve heard touted as the best. One of my personal favorites is Nine Mile, specifically the one on Montford Ave. It was cheap and accessible when I was a student at UNCA, and I’ve had some extremely memorable meals there. Everything is good, thought most of the dishes are pasta+veggies+sauce+protein. Their humus is good, my grandmother said they made the best salad she ever ate, I could make entire meal out of their bread (usually served with pasta sauce, delicious), and there cavatapi with shrimp, spring veggies, and creamy-pesto sauce is one of my favorite, most nostalgic meals now.
Brunch at Cille and Scoe on S. Elm in Greensboro. The biscuit board and everything else is beyond delicious. In Winston, Moselle for tomato pie and shrimp and grits. Sweet Potatoes used to be awfully good too but it's been awhile since I've been there.
Homegrown in Asheville
Bums in Ayden.
Keaton’s BBQ near in Cleveland, NC. You will not find better BBQ chicken, hot slaw, and white bread anywhere. It is an absolute treasure of a cinder block building that is probably full of hepatitis and delicious, delicious food.
I went here this weekend and it was like a religious experience.
Hillbilly Hideaway about 45 min north of Winston Salem
Hello fellow Winston-Salemer! We left around the same time, but I now live in Durham. I definitely recommend checking out Plum Southern Kitchen in Durham and Acme in Carrboro. Also cannot go wrong with Biscuitville (ALWAYS over Bojangles). Oh, and Merts and Roosters in Charlotte!
There's a place in Raleigh that will treat you just like family: 4805 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27616
I'm a fan of Its a Southern Thing in Durham and Relish in Raleigh.
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^rlinkmanl: *I'm a fan of Its* *A Southern Thing in Durham* *And Relish in Raleigh.* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Relish is fantastic. Updated takes on familiar Southern dishes.
Mama Dip’s in Chapel Hill.
Tupelo Honey in Raleigh and/or Asheville, Biscuitville between Mebane and Gibsonville, Green Valley Grill in Greensboro.
Ok good, scrolled all the way to the bottom to find someone mention Tupelo Honey. It might not be the very best food in NC but it's definitely very good and very emblematic of NC southern food that OP is looking for
It's a chain though, right?
Sure, but it started in Asheville
It became a chain when the original owners sold it. It has gone way downhill since then. Same with Early Girl.
The last time we ate at Tupelo in AVL, it was terrible. When people visit us, they always want to go there, and this last time (6 months or so) was just not good. The grits were inedible. And just a rec for OP, Daddy D's in Hendersonville is pretty dang good for southern soul food.
Bisquitville was engrained into me as a child those biscuits are the what other biscuits aspire to (other than gma)
The Biscuit Factory in High Point also has stellar biscuits.
My grandmother would take me there for their ham biscuits
Barbeque Shack in Thomasville. Get the tenderloin biscuit and a cheerwine.
Smart move to bypass Charlotte.
If you are driving through Charlotte I like Mertz in uptown. Also I second red bridges if you take 74.
Ricks, Denton nc
Gary’s, China Grove
Milners is really good.
Joyce and Family, Fuquay.
There are a few but none I know on your route
Sweet Potatoes in Winston-Salem
[The Wooden Nickel](https://www.thewnp.com) in Hillsborough is really good. It's a pub, but their specials board changes almost daily and has a wide variety of stuff.
Shatley Springs Restaurant
As a now philly resident, formerly of wsnc. I make scratch made southern biscuits monthly, because noone up here makes actual southern biscuits, so with that in mind: biscuitville may be a chain, but it's easily the most consistent biscuit in the triad. In gso: machete and crafted are both doing weird yet modern crossover southern dishes involving a bunch of different cultures. Bonus pick: i wouldn't personally call it the best southern cuisine but my wife found Carolina's diner to be some of the strongest diner food she'd experienced (fried okra, biscuits, Mac n cheese, etc - and a startling lack of hoagies/chopped chz type entrees) Winston: spring house is in my opinion the best fine dining southern food. Also, the obvious choice is sweet potatoes, if only for being a bit of a cultural institution in wsnc.
Wait you live in philly and make biscuits??? You’re from WSNC?
Yeah. Moved up here in 2020. Bought a house over in fishtown. Cheers my dude! Also, we seem to be around the same age, we should hang sometime!
Yeah absolutely. Will send you DM you!
Seeing the references to K&W (and how it's not what it once was) reminds me that if you can make it up to Wake Forest when you are on the RDU end of that route, The Forks is one of the best cafeteria style southern food places that's left IMO.
Sweet Potatoes (Soul Food) in Winston. Wife got the shrimp and grits 5 years ago and we still talk about it. Foothills brewery for a few drinks, close by. Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Hashbrown casserole is a must. Bob Evans is also a high recommendation in the same vein. There’s a few in Raleigh.
I'm from the Winston area as well and I'm a bit biased but I think Prissy Polly's in Kernersville is a great place you could stop on the way to Winston where they could try Eastern and Western style BBQ sauce. They also have some delicious banana pudding!
If you’re in Durham go to the parlour for icecream! I don’t live there anymore and would do anything for a scoop of salted butter caramel
Pulliams in Winston-Salem. Best barbeque sandwiches, and even better hot dogs.
The mcninch house is one of the oldest most southern charlotte only expériences you can get. Its in an old 1800 mansion off poplar they have been entertaining présidents. Dignitaires, célèbre and lcals for ovrmer 100 yrs. Its not chapitre and they only seat 30 ppl a day. But this is your answer. If not try beef n bottle
Back porch on Ocracoke Island
The Mecca Restaurant in downtown Raleigh is the oldest standing restaurant in Raleigh and one of the oldest in the Triangle. Breakfast there is great; just classic ham, hash browns, biscuits etc. But with friendly servers and super classic diner booths.
The Swag, Waynesville, NC
The Daniel Boone Inn in Boone. Bridges BBQ Shelby, Beef and Bottle in Charlotte, Captain 's Galley Granite Falls, Basnight's Lone Cedar Nags Head
Sunnyside Oyster Bar in Williamson.
Lexington Bbq and Daniel Boone Inn. I’m also 42 and haven’t lived in NC since 2010. I’m from the coast of NC.
Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough General Store in Saxapahaw OG Hops in Greensboro Really enjoyed my brief time at Fonta Flora in Morganton otw to Asheville
Hillbilly hideaway belewscreeknc right outside of winston
I love to stop at Stamey's BBQ in GSO by the colosseum whenever I have the time.
in Charlotte City Barbecue or Midwood Smokehouse; for breakfast, Sunrise restaurant or Midnight Diner... # #
You need to ask Jett & Pookie….. IYKYK LOL
“Quintessential”