This article on CNN.com's Travel page about "food tourism" got me thinking: Would
you travel far distances to try out or enjoy different foods in North Carolina? If so, what would they be?
"Nationwide, an increasing number of vacationers are basing their travel around food and wine — and a study released Wednesday says that 27 million Americans have made culinary activities a part of their travels within the last three years," says CNN.
" 'It's something that really took off in the past five years or so,' said Cathy Keefe, the manager of media relations for the Travel Industry Association of America, which h
elped pay for the study along with Gourmet magazine and other organizations. ..."
Personally, there are some places that are known for food and worth the drive. The obvious ones are barbecue in Goldsboro, Wilson or Kinston; seafood in Morehead City; Moravian cookies in Old Salem; wine in Asheville.
But some are not so obvious: A Pepsi in the soda's birthplace, New Bern; Ashe County cheese in West Jefferson.
I'm sure there are more out there. What are your choices?
you travel far distances to try out or enjoy different foods in North Carolina? If so, what would they be?"Nationwide, an increasing number of vacationers are basing their travel around food and wine — and a study released Wednesday says that 27 million Americans have made culinary activities a part of their travels within the last three years," says CNN.
" 'It's something that really took off in the past five years or so,' said Cathy Keefe, the manager of media relations for the Travel Industry Association of America, which h
elped pay for the study along with Gourmet magazine and other organizations. ..."Personally, there are some places that are known for food and worth the drive. The obvious ones are barbecue in Goldsboro, Wilson or Kinston; seafood in Morehead City; Moravian cookies in Old Salem; wine in Asheville.
But some are not so obvious: A Pepsi in the soda's birthplace, New Bern; Ashe County cheese in West Jefferson.
I'm sure there are more out there. What are your choices?
16 comments:
In early spring (February through April), the herring are running on the Roanoke River. You eat them fried whole, fried crispy. They are awesome! My favorite place to get them is at the Cypress Grill, right beside the river in Jamesville. Get them with slaw, hush puppies, boiled potatoes and fried roe. YUM! An N.C. classic!
Have thought long and hard at times about making the trek from Raleigh to Goldsboro for some Wilbur's BBQ. Also, don't forget Duplin wine! (I'm kidding.)
Sir Pizza. Not gourmet food. Not seafood. Nothing that says "North Carolina." Just the best pizza ever.
Two locations in High Point.
Others in Asheboro, Randleman. Can't think of the others.
Another one I forgot: The Village Tavern in Winston-Salem. I'd make the trip just for the trout. Unbelievable.
Dan'l Boone Inn in Boone, Sweet Potatoes in downtown Winston-Salem (the sweet potato french fries are AWESOME), fresh seafood on the coast (NC, SC, and especially in Charleston), and I'm on the Western side of the BBQ debate so I usually have to drive to get that!
Everyone thinks about going east for BBQ but coming from Greensboro, I grew up with the idea that Lexington is also a BBQ mecca. Just like the far side of I-95, the best places are white-washed cinderblock buildings with "Coke" signs, and a fire-pit out back.
I think a pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch in downtown Mt. Airy is a must for all Andy Griffith fans. (And if heading back to Raleigh, you can stop at Baptist Hospital in Winston because that's about as far as your heart is going to make it.)
The tourist boom has already begun in the "Yappa" valley (Yadkin River valley) to the point that ABC News did a story on it a few months ago. There are tourists coming from all over the country staying in B&Bs and touring the vineyards. Shelton is only one of the many and they are starting to become internationally know for the quality of the wine too.
I agree. The BBQ mecca is Lexington.
Yes, absolutely Lexington for bbq. As far as I knew growing up, that was the ONLY bbq.
Some great feeback here.
Matthew - I have never heard of the Cypress Grill. Gives me something to go to Jamesville for!
Kelly -- Is Sweet Potatoes the name of the place? I'll have to try that sometime!
I know i'm biased, but I've never been more grossed out than I was when I finally got to try Lexington 'cue. It was all gristle and fat -- and what wasn't gristle and fat wasn't very good. Perhaps I should give it another shot -- though I'm hesitant.
And Tommy, you and I usually agree on most, but I've never been more disappointed with something than I was with the Pork Chop Sandwich. It was just "meh."
Oh, and a couple more food "destinations": Calabash and Crook's Corner and/or Mama Dip's, both in Chapel Hill.
By the way, I've added photos of three places mention: Snappy Lunch, Dan'l Boone Inn and Wilber's.
Whoa whoa whoa! Where in the blue blazes did all these Lexington BBQ fans come from?!?
I thought I KNEW y'all...And to think--I've been fraternizing with Lexington 'Q fans this whole time...
Granted--Lexington Q is superior to 99% of the foods on this planet. When properly executed, Lexington Q is one of finest foods known to man.
BUT...
It takes a pretty poorly cooked whole hog to convince someone that Eastern Style Q is inferior to Lexington. You'd have to char it, rub it in the dirt, then burn it some more to convince me to choose pulled pork soaked in that abomination of a sauce that folks in the Piedmont voluntarily choose to use.
I mean, why waste so much of the pig, anyway? Shoulders make good meat, but what about the ribs? The dark meat? The crispy skin from a well-cooked whole hog? Just think of all the pork you COULD be eating...I could go on for hours.
Suffice to say, Eastern Style is, in my opinion, the superior of the two styles. If one is looking for a Mecca of good Q, just point your compass for somewhere in the middle of Wilson-Rocky Mount-Greenville-Goldsboro. Ayden's Skylight Inn. Parker's. Wilbur's. These are the shrines to seek out the Manna The Walked On All Fours.
Lexington. Bah!
wilson, lexington, blah, blah, blah
sims barbecue in granite falls is the best barbecue in NC. it is very hard to find. it is in a BARN in the middle of nowhere. they only serve on thur., fri., and sat. and they have bluegrass music every night.
i also should say that the angus barn is worth traveling for.
Stacy,
Believe it or not, the first barbecue I ever had as a child was at Sims!
My grandparents would take us on our trips to the beach, and we would have a blast! The cloggers there are awesome, and we kids used to get up on stage to do the broom dance (think musical chairs mixed with square dancing).
For the longest time I've been trying to recall the name of that place and where it's located. Thanks!
Just a follow-up to the Piedmont vs. Coastal Plain BBQ posts. Until I came to Raleigh, I had never seen nor heard of ANYONE putting butter on a hush puppy. Maybe if you go far enough east, they put lard on them. In my parts, we use ketchup (or cocktail sauce if at a fish place.
Matt, sure there's some crappy BBQ places in Lexington just as there are bad cajun joints in New Orleans. (By the way, Stamey's BBQ in G'boro and Winston is good stuff too.)
I would never go again but Fearrington Inn has a great reputation. (I would rather eat Magnolia Grill 3 times.)
My favorite restaurant is 1618 West Seafood Grill in G'boro and it's getting a good reputation. Same owners as Southern Lights for those who know.
Interesting, Tommy. Thanks for reminding me.
Stamey's BBQ in High Point is what I grew up on. To me, that is BBQ. I didn't know there such a thing as Eastern or Piedmont BBQ. Or even that BBQ was a North Carolina thing.
Now that I'm in D.C., people just say "North Carolina BBQ," and it's too confusing to tell them that there are different kinds or that all the BBQ here is terrible.
Tommy,
I may have to make a pilgrimage to G'boro to hit Southern Lights, 1618 ... and of course Yum Yum!
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