North Carolina Tips
BBQ Jew does a great blog of Carolina Chopped BBQ
Ayden, NC
Eats-
Skylight Inn, 4618 Lee Street Ayden, NC 28513 (252) 746-4113-Not an inn, just a restaurant specializing in whole hog bbq, chopped up and served with a vinegary hot sauce premixed in. The defination of NC bbq.
Asheville, NC
The Local weekly alternative paper for Asheville is the Mountain Xpress. There is a glossy arts mag called the Laurel of Asheville.
Bars-
The Double Crown – speakeasy in a tiny house offering live R&B, soul & rock, : 375 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 Most nights 5PM–2:30AM- Greg Cartwright of the Reigning Sound has a weekly DJ Gig here
Fleetwood’s-496 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, North Carolina 28806-Bar with occasional punk shows with touring bands.
Eats-
Early Girl Eatery-Trashy Travel hates the words farm to table, but this joint has great takes on southern food. Vegan friendly too. 8 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801 Breakfast all day
12 Bones-Local BBQ joint with a few locations
Buxton Hall Barbecue- 32 Banks Ave, Asheville, NC 28801-kind of fancy for a bbq joint, DO NOT MISS THE BANANA CREAM PIE. Great slaw, Dont try anything other than the pulled pork for meat, yummy sprouts, actual homemade waffle fries, hushpuppies served with tartar dipping sauce, Brunswick stew, sweet potato mash.
Tastee Diner-575 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 412-5566-Diner with awesome burgers.
Record Stores-
Harvest Records-415 Haywood Rd
Static Age Records -110 N Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC
Live Music-
The Altamont Theatre -18 Church St, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 782-3334
The Odditorium – 1045 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 til 2AM
(828) 575-9299
The Orange Peel -101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 398-1837 1000 person venue
Broadway’s-120 North Lexington Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 285-0400
Bars
Lazy Diamond -4 Woodfin St, Asheville, NC 28801
Tiger Mountain-112 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801(828) 407-0666 Bar with occasional live music/touring bands
The Mothlight -701 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-5433
Belmont, NC
Attraction, Haunted Mill and Black Light Mini Golf-We love black light mini golf at Trashy Travel.
Blowing Rock, NC
Attraction-
Mystery Hill – 3 museums with Native American artifacts & exhibits from giant bubbles to optical illusions in a mystery spot.: 129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828) 264-2792
Beulaville, NC
Eats-
Mike’s Farm & Country Store -767 Luther Banks Rd, Beulaville, NC 28518(910) 324-3422-down home cooking restaurant and working farm.
Boone, NC
Live Music
Black Cat Burrito-127 North Depot Street, Boone, NC, (828) 263-9511-Live music and dance parties every 3rd Friday at this restaurant
Brevard, NC
Eats-
Lola’s Old Hickory House-1196 N Country Club Rd,Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-5652-closed briefly, now reopened and gettting decent reviews for their Carolina BBQ.
Bryson City, NC
Eats-
Nabers Drive In-1245 Main St, Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 488-2877-Burgers, ice cream and chili dogs on the river in a old drive in with speakers.
Carrboro, NC (Chapel Hill)
Venues-The Station – 201 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510 til 2 AM (919) 918-3923
Cary, NC
Eats-
Ashworth Drugs- 105 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 (919) 467-1877-Drugstore soda fountain.
Chapel Hill, NC
Live music-
Cat’s Cradle -300 E. Main St. Carrboro NC 919.967.9053-live venue for Chapel Hill/Carrboro metro area.
Local 506-506 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, (919) 942-5506
Jack Sprat Cafe jackspratcafe.com-Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-3575 coffeeshop with the occasional live band. Check sched on myspace
The Cave, Chapel Hill’s oldest tavern-452 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 968-9308 Home of the annual Black Beards lost weekender.
Nightlight – 405 W Rosemary St Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 960-6101-More DIY type shows here
Eats-
Sutton’s Drug Store- 159 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 942-5161-old fashioned soda fountain with great burgers.
Dip’s Country Kitchen-408 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill, NC – (919) 942-5837
Time-Out Restaurant -24 hour counter serve dispensing chicken-cheddar biscuits & other Southern eats-201 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Trolley Stop Hot Dogs-Near the Cave. 306 W Franklin. Open Late
Joe’s Joint Hot Dogs- 161 1/2 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Allen & Son Barbeque -6203 Millhouse Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 942-7576-Eastern style pulled pork, sweet slaw, pecan pie with homemade vanilla ice cream
Record Stores-
CD Alley, 405-C W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Record Exchange, 128 C E Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Schoolkids, 144 E. Franklin, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Two Way Pull, 405 C W. Franklin, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Charlotte, NC
The local alternative weekly for Charlotte is
Live Music-
Amo’s South End-1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 704-377-6874-Downtown music bar.
Keg & Cue -2135 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 333-0074 Dive bar with touring acts and Cue, I presume.
Tremont Music Hall and the Casbah-400 West Tremont Ave-Charlotte, 704-343-9494-Large and small home of national touring acts.
The Room, formerly Mojos-1812 Montford Dr-Charlotte, NC-(704) 523-2291-some indie shows come in, but its more techno.
Jeff’s Bucket Shop- 1601 Montford Dr., Charlotte, NC-small bands play there, mainly college bands, but it’s a good congealing spot for dating and maybe drinking a Shirley Temple
Dance Club-
Mythos 300 North College Street , Charlotte (704) 375-8765-Dance club designed by people who had a hand in Studio 54
Prices Chicken Coop-1614 Camden Road – 704.333.9866-said to be among the best fried chicken in America. ALL DINNERS SERVED WITH COLE SLAW, TATER ROUNDS, HUSHPUPPIES & ROLL
the Penguin-1921 Commonwealth Ave- the best spot in Charlotte. It used to be an old diner. It changed into a dive bar. They have everything from 1 pound burgers with pimento cheese to jumbo soy dogs. They also have the best jukebox in town.
Mattie’s Diner, Across from the NC Music Factory, 915 Hamilton Street Charlotte, NC 28206 (704) 376-1020-old timey diner in an old timey diner car
Amusement Park
Vintage Clothing-
The Rats Nest-Also, the occasion Rock show
Paramount’s Carowinds: 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273-Phone Number: (704) 588-2600 Very good Paramount owned amusement park. One of the coasters goes on an interstate trip each circuit. The phones at each end of the park have different area codes.
Record Stores-
Milestone Records, 1515 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Manifest Disc and Tape, 6239 S. Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28217
BBQ King– 2900 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-399-8344-carolina style minced bbq in vinegar sauce. plus a special fried chicken dipped in bbq sauce and then fried again…..Onion rings and drinks like a cherry lemon sundrop.
Durham, NC/Raleigh, NC
The Local alternative paper for Raleigh/Durham is the Independant.
Eats-Make sure you eat at one of the many locations of the CHAR GRILL or COOK OUT. At char grill they have delicious gigantic hamburgers and bright red slaw dogs. You order with a golf pencil and mark off your choices on a card and drop it in a slot. There is no human interaction until you pay. Also in town, lots of BOJANGLES fried chicken.
More Eats-
The Roast Grill -60 plus year old hot dog joint- 7 S West St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Most days 11 am to 4 pm. Closed Sunday (919) 832-8292
Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque-since 1938. 327 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 832-7614
Chuck’s -237 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 322-0126-A little more fancy than trashy travel likes but this burger joint has amazing onion rings. Part of a restaurant group with a few upscale american classics like a chicken joint and a diner.
Live Music-
Duke Coffeehouse – Crowell Building, Epworth Dorm Ln, Durham, NC 27705 til 2 AM
The Brewery-3009 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 919.834.7018-despite its yuppie name, this place gets a lot of great and diverse bands.
Lakeside Lounge-227 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh, NC 27601-sister club to NYC’s East Village bar of the same name. 919.833.6557
The Ritz-2820 Industrial Drive-Raleigh, NC 27629
Deep South the Bar-430 S Dawson St, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Pinhook-117 W Main St Durham, NC 27701 (919) 667-1100
Kings Barcade-14 W MARTIN ST RALEIGH NC 27601
Motorco Music Hall -Address: 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
The Berkeley Cafe-217 West Martin Street Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 821-0777
Slims Downtown-Raleigh’s oldest bar, offering a jukebox, pool table, smoking patio and sometimes live music.-227 S Wilmington St Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 833-6557
Bar-The Green Room-1108 Broad St-Durham, NC 27705 (919) 286-2359-Old Dive bar pool hall. Kinda fun
Record Store-
Millenium Music, 905 W. Main St. Suite 18, Durham, NC 27701
Schoolkids, 2316-210 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27607
Dunn, NC
There is a plaque dedicated to Famed Guitar Player Link Wray. There may also be a Link Wray Music Festival, but it is unclear as to weather it is still active. The Dunn Historical Musuem is also supposed to have a small section on Link Wray. Plaque address information at Roadside America.
Eats-
Ole Time Grill-101 W Wellons St Four Oaks, NC 27577 Closed Sundays. Great Burgers and Hot Dogs.
Millies Hot Dogs-109 S Brightleaf Blvd Smithfield, NC 27577 Tiny Shack. Closes around 3. Closed Sunday. Other fare as well.
Hot Dog and Hamburger Heaven-700 E Cumberland St Dunn, NC 28334
Jims Seafood-1126 W Broad St Dunn, NC 28334 Southern Fried Seafood Joint
Gastonia, NC
Eats-
Tony’s Ice Cream-604 East Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054-Old timey ice cream and snack shop with thing like Livermush sandwiches.
Goldsboro, NC
Eats-
Wilber’s Barbecue- 4172 Hwy 70 East, Goldsboro, NC 27534 (919) 778-5218
Greenville, NC
Bars-
PLAYER’S RETREAT-pool bar with very rare live music,1631 Pactolus Hwy, Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 758-0006 most days· 11AM–2AM
Eats-
B’s Barbecue-BBQ take out window with wood-smoked chicken, pork & fried cornbread sticks.-751 Bs Barbecue Road, Greenville, NC 27858 Closed Sunday and Monday
Pop’s Old Fashion Cheeseburgers -1011 S Charles Blvd ,Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 329-0048, burgers, fries, chili dogs, sloppy joes, fried pickles.
Sup Dogs-213 E 5th St, Greenville, NC 27858-hot dogs and burgers, they have a “nacho average burger” with tortilla chips on it. Amazing Looking onion rings.
The Scullery-431 Evans St,Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 321-1550 breakfast and brunch place with lots of veggie options including a black bean burger. Listed here for their pig sandwich.
Greensboro, NC
Eats- Stamey’s Barbecue-2812 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27408
Beef-Burger-1040 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403 Retro fast-food drive-in dishing up broiled burgers from an old-school recipe, Shakes, etc. They use the “Whirl-a-burger” technique. Two rotating broiling platforms cook your beef, and then “drip” the fat onto your buns as they toast em.
Big Burger Spot– 3750 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 617-3777 and another location. Normally Trashy travel shys away from joints with too many burgers, but this place looks legit and has awesome rings, and good looking fries you can get in multiple flavors.
Yum Yum Better Ice Cream-Cash-only 112 year old ice cream and chili slaw dog stand, since 1906! 1219 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403 (336) 272-8284
Record Store-
Center for Better Grooves-1827 Spring Garden St.
Greensboro, NC 336.451.8945
Hippo Records ?-2823 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403
Phone:(336) 420-4871
Live Music-
Touring bands play at the Green Bean, a coffee shop, restaurant bar, 341 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 691-9990-shows on myspace.
The Blind Tiger-1819 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403
Phone:(336) 272-9888
Hendersonville, NC
Attractions-Pinball Museum-Theres also one in Asheville-538 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Bakery-
McFarlan Bake Shop-309 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 693-4256-Amazing old fashioned bakery with the best black and white cookie I’ve ever had ever and a mocha and chocolate version too.
Eats-
Hot Dog World-Great chili dogs and onion rings and religious sayings on the sign. Amazing Slaw-226 Kanuga Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Monte’s Sub Shop- 2024 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791 (828) 693-3112-Subs with the meat rollerover method like La Spadas in South Florida
High Point, NC
Eats-
Dog House Inc- 668 N Main St, High Point, NC 27260 (336) 886-4953-since 1942, wonderful sloppy chili dogs and burgers.
Jacksonville, NC (May be afffected by Hurricane Florence)
Lots of International Food in this town.
Eats-
Elsa’s Place -610 Court St, Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 346-1652-Caribbean Restaurant. Jerk chicken and more.
The Spot Down South Cajun Seafood -99 Village Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (910) 376-9169
Jeff’s Burgers Dogs & Shakes-2550 Onslow Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 989-2500-Chili Burgers and dogs. Since 2002
Liliana’s Colombian Restaurant & Bakery -4075 Gum Branch Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 939-4072-Fancier Columbian Restaurant.
Pollos Tete-222 Brynn Marr Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28546, (910) 333-0696-Peruvian roast chicken joint.
Thig’s Bbq House & Catering -1722 Catherine Lake Rd., Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 324-1161-Since 1989-Carolina bbq and a few other good bbq and southern foods.
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Eats-
The Kill Devil Grill -2008 S Virginia Dare Trl, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948(252) 449-8181-looks like a diner on the outside, peel and eat shrimp and blue plate specials.
Kinston, NC
Eats-
Kings Restaurant-since 1947, now a mini chain-405 E New Bern Rd, Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 527-2101
Lexington, NC
Little town loaded with Carolina BBQ
Eats-
Cook’s Barbecue- 8195, 366 Valiant Dr, Lexington, NC 27292: (336) 798-1928
Hill’s Lexington Barbecue Inc-4005 Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 (336) 767-2184
Lexington Barbecue -Barbecue Restaurant- 100 Smokehouse Ln, Lexington, NC 27295
Phone:(336) 249-9814-skip the fries, get the pulled pork, unusual dark “red” slaw, finger sized hush puppies and Onion rings.
Madison, NC
Eats-
Airport Drive-In Restaurant- 910 Ayersville Rd, Madison, NC 27025 (336) 548-2605-Great bright red chili dogs and also homestyle food on a rotating menu. Apparantly there used to be an airstrip behind the restaurant where pilots would land for food but its now a tire plant.
Monroe, NC
Eats-
Duke’s Grill -1114 Concord Ave, Monroe, NC 28110 (704) 283-4960-carolina style cheeseburgers, slaw dogs
Morehead City, NC
Eats-
El’s Drive-In-3706 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557 (252) 648-0864-Walk up window burger joint with the regional shrimp burger and oyster burgers. Both are fried seafood on buns with slaw, tartar sauce and ketchup. Also the chili and slaw topped superburger. Yummmm. Since 1959
Mount Airy, NC
Eats-
Dairy Center-407 W Lebanon St, Mount Airy, NC 27030 (336) 786-2349-Chili and Slaw dogs, burgers and ice cream.
Snappy Lunch-125 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030 (336) 786-4931-famous for a pork chop sandwich but has great hot dogs too.
New Bern, NC (This town was heavily affected by Hurricane Florence flooding in 2018)
Eats-
DAWGZ-2700 Trent Rd · (252) 626-3913-Great sausage and hot dog joint with a regional spicy chili with beans or a beanless chili.
Cow Cafe -319 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560 (252) 672-9269-Cute ice cream cafe with a large collection of cat knick knacks.
Moore’s Olde Tyme Barbeque -3621 Dr M L King Jr Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562 (252) 638-3937-Eastern Carolina BBQ which means…..stick to the pork! Its a small chain
MJ’s Raw Bar & Grille -216 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560 (252) 635-6890-Good crabcakes
Baker’s Kitchen-227 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560 (252) 637-0304-Meatloaf with homemade bbq sauce, Chicken fried steak, cinammon rolls.
Reidsville, NC
Eats-
Short Sugars Pit Bar-B-Q– 1328 S Scales St, Reidsville, NC 27320 (336) 342-7487
Statesville, NC (not far from Winston Salem)
Eats-
Jay Bee’s-320 Mocksville Highway,Statesville, NC
704-872-8033-This is a little burger/dog shack with something called a prarie dog. A hot dog with cheese, onions and BBQ sauce.
Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Ghost Town in the Sky– Address: 890 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 Phone Number: (828) 926-1140. Wild West Themed Park with a couple of coasters, one of which ends with a lift hill because its built on a mountainside.
UPDATE: GHOST TOWN ENDANGERED. CLOSED FOR
2003 SEASON! Was supposed to reopen for 2016 but did not.
Salisbury, NC (between Charlotte and Winston Salem)
Eats
College Barbecue – 117 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704) 633-9953 most days til 8, with the witch doctor, cherry sprite, cheerwine and dill pickles
Hap’s Grill-116 N Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704) 633-5872 Burgers and dogs.
Salter Path, NC (May be affected by Hurricane Florence)
Eats-
Big Oak Drive In & Bar-B-Que -1167 Salter Path Rd, Salter Path, NC 28575 (252) 777-0734-Walk up window with regional bbq pork and also the regional shrimpburger, which is fried shrimp on a bun with tartar sauce, ketchup and cole slaw and you can add their own hot sauce.
The Crab Shack-146 Headed Ln, Salter Path, NC 28575 (252) 247-3444-I would choose big oak but if you want a more sit down on the water experience this marina restaurant is your average crab shack.
Shelby, NC
MUST VISIT!!!!
Eats-
Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge-2000 E Dixon Blvd,Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 482-8567-Amazing sign and restaurant. Great chopped BBQ, “red slaw”, Skinny hush puppies and amazing fries. Rings are tempura style that I am not a fan of. Also try Mama B’s pimento cheese
Siler City, NC (Near Greensboro)
MUST VISIT
Eats-Johnson’s Drive-In-Restaurant with perfect burgers and chili slaw dogs since 1946. They use Velveeta! 1520 E 11th St, Siler City, NC 27344
Surf City, NC (May be affected by Hurricane Florence)
Eats-
Hot Diggity Dogz -103 S Shore Dr, Surf City, NC 28445 (252) 943-5383-Cool looking multi variety hot dog joint that serves Nathans hot dogs.
Wake Forest, NC
Eats-
Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs- 214 S White St, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 556-8026
Washington, NC
Eats-
Bill’s Hot Dog Stand- 109 Gladden St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-3343 Since 1928 chili dogs. But the chili…is on the bottom!
Weldon, NC
Eats-
Ralph’s Barbecue-since 1952: 1400 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy, Weldon, NC 27890 (252) 536-2102
Wilmington, NC
Venues-
Reggies 42nd Street-1415 S 42nd St, Wilmington, North Carolina (910) 799-6465
Record Stores-CD Alley, 8 Market St.,Wilmington, NC 28401
Manifest Disc and Tape, 4314 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28403
Jackson’s Big Oak Barbecue-920 S Kerr Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 799-1581 Non chain good bbq. Get pulled pork, not ribs, good looking fried chicken and okra, “country fries” that are steakhouse and sprinkled with seasoning, black eyed peas, hushpuppies and cornsticks.
Eats-
Skippy’s-624 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-Hot Dogs served on Pretzel buns! Closed Sunday
Kermit’s Hot Dog House -2220 Thomasville Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
(336) 788-9945 Hot Dogs and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches. Open 50 years.
PB’s Takeout-1412 South Hawthorne Road , Winston Salem, NC 27103 More tasty chili dogs!
Mary’s Gourmet Diner – 723 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 723-7239
Phone: (336) 955-1888
Phone:(336) 777-1127
NC MUSIC LINKS
Chapel Hill Clubs–
Triangle Rock NC clubs
Waynesville, NC
Eats-
Ammons’ Drive Inn & Dairy Bar- 1451 Dellwood Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: (828) 926-0734-Chili Dogs and Ice cream, Pork BBQ, Fried Seafood, Baked goods including cheesecake and cobbler.
Wilson, NC
Eats-
Dick’s Hot Dog Stand -Since 1921- 1500 Nash St N, Wilson, NC 27893 Closed Monday, Lunch only on Saturday Most days 10AM–8PM
Menu: dickshotdogstand.com
Phone: (252) 243-6313
Bill Ellis Barbecue– since1963 -3007 Downing St SW, Wilson, NC 27893 : (252) 237-4372
Parker’s Barbecue- 2514 US-301, Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 237-0972
Yanceyville, NC
Eats-
Briggs Bar-B-Que-989 Main St, Yanceyville, NC 27379 (336) 694-4743-Your standard Carolina pulled pork only bbq along with pie, Hoecakes and hush puppies. Also great chili slaw dogs.
postcard from Topsail Island, NC 1965