by Catherine Currin
Headed out of town? From sport shops to hot dog stands we polled our readers to round up their favorite places in North Carolina to make a pit stop. So whether you’re headed East or West, consider one of these spots.
Neuse Sport Shop, Kinston
“Call in your order at King’s so it’s ready after you’ve shopped/browsed/used the restroom at the Neuse. Then you can eat in the car on your way to the beach!”
“Super clean bathrooms, farmers market in the summer to stock up on local produce, and dog friendly!”
Bill’s Hot Dogs, Washington
Newton Grove Drug Co.
“Best hand-squeezed lemonade I’ve ever had!”
Little Richards BBQ (multiple locations)
“Great BBQ and sauces. And great people! Eat-in or take-out, depending on your schedule. Right off the highway.”
Village Store Exxon, Wallace
“BEST deli with sub sandwiches”
Provision Co., Southport
Lexington BBQ, Lexington
“Curb service, classic barbecue, awesome iced tea”
Ken’s Grill, La Grange
“Ken and his brother Dave have been cooking for years and every Friday evening is fried flounder, fried shrimp or old fashioned N.C. Fish Stew night. And you can always go with a famous Ken’s Big Boy Cheeseburger. For my entire life we stop at Ken’s on our way to Atlantic Beach, it’s exactly half way, and my kids love the old school swivel bar stools…as did I when I was a kid! Oh and they cook a pig on Wednesday and Saturdays every week!”
Pro Shop, Glade Valley
“This is near Camp Cheerio. Homemade malted milk balls, sourdough bread, chocolate covered peanuts, fresh produce (tomatoes!)”
Butch’s BBQ, Morganton
Stamey’s Barbecue, Greensboro
“BBQ is simple and delicious. The service is friendly and super fast making it perfect for a pit stop. It’s right off of 40 too, making it super convenient.”
Our Daily Bread, Boone
“I go to visit my dear friend in Asheville quite a bit, I will literally drive out of my way to go to Boone to ODB for their “art heart” press sandwich (I add tempeh and avocado) I don’t know what magic they put in there—I’ve tried to duplicate the sandwich and cannot. But seriously, ODB IS THE BEST SANDWICH SHOP IN N.C., in my opinion.”
