North Carolina has no shortage of under-the-radar dining options, as made obvious by our article outlining establishments with rather modest exteriors. They’re all the prime example of that old adage, ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover.’ In that same spirit, we’d like to introduce a new handful of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina. Whether you’re a barbecue fan, burger enthusiast, or have a fondness for fresh and local ingredients, you’re bound to find something on this list to suit your palette.

  1. Pik N Pig, Carthage

Pik N Pig / Facebook Located on a private airstrip, Pik N Pig is lunch and entertainment rolled into one. A once in a lifetime experience for all BBQ lovers. Check out the official Pik N Pig website to learn more about this hole in the wall barbecue joint in North Carolina.

  1. Hap’s, Salisbury

Hap’s Grill INC. / Facebook If you’re craving a hot dog, Hap’s is the place to go. They’re delicious and the usual wait just proves it even more. More information on this no-nonsense eatery can be found by visiting the restaurant’s Facebook page.

  1. Granny’s, Cherokee

Granny’s Kitchen, Country Cooking Buffet Style in Cherokee, NC / Facebook Granny’s offers mouthwatering, down-home country cookin’ served a-la-carte. If you’re looking for an especially delicious meal, go for breakfast on your next trip to the mountains.

  1. Keaton’s Barbecue, Cleveland

Krista / flickr Since 1953, Keaton’s has been a North Carolina classic with a BBQ sauce that is unmatched. Of course, the pork BBQ is delicious, but everything else is amazing, too, like the BBQ chicken. You’ll just have to visit for yourself to see what makes this North Carolina barbecue joint so special.

  1. El’s Drive-In, Morehead City

El’s Drive In / Google Of course, another delicious shrimp burger joint made our previous list, but another great one is El’s. While at the beach, how can you go without a shrimp burger? Between El’s and Big Oak, everyone has their favorite, but they both deserve equal credit for deliciousness. One thing’s for sure: you’ll need your appetite when you visit this fantastic coastal restaurant.

  1. Provision Company, Southport

Provision Company / Facebook Provision Company is about as coastal as you can get. The exterior is extremely low-key, but the food is amazing. You’ll be treated to a wide assortment of the freshest fried seafood in North Carolina .

  1. Sugar Plum Shoppe, Wilson

Old Bull / Google Sugar Plum Shoppe operates mainly as a bakery, but their grab n’ go options are amazing. Pro tip: order the chicken salad or pimento cheese from this amazing hole in the wall restaurant in North Carolina.

  1. Bill’s Hot Dog Stand, Washington

Bill’s Hot Dogs / Facebook If you’re looking for some of the best hot dogs in North Carolina, look no farther than Bill’s. They’ve been in business since 1928…so you know it’s going to be good. When it comes to some of the best local restaurants in North Carolina, Bill’s tops the list.

  1. Grady’s Barbecue, Dudley

Tim Chang / Google Collard greens, BBQ, hushpuppies, friendly staff and that hickory-smoked smell in the air. Grady’s is the definition of a ‘joint.’ You must try it if you haven’t. Grady’s Barbecue in Dudley concludes our list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more to explore.

Well after reviewing this list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, I’m officially starving and ready for some down-home, southern-style food. Yum! Did your favorite make the list? What would you add?

Pik N Pig / Facebook

Located on a private airstrip, Pik N Pig is lunch and entertainment rolled into one. A once in a lifetime experience for all BBQ lovers. Check out the official Pik N Pig website to learn more about this hole in the wall barbecue joint in North Carolina.

Hap’s Grill INC. / Facebook

If you’re craving a hot dog, Hap’s is the place to go. They’re delicious and the usual wait just proves it even more. More information on this no-nonsense eatery can be found by visiting the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Granny’s Kitchen, Country Cooking Buffet Style in Cherokee, NC / Facebook

Granny’s offers mouthwatering, down-home country cookin’ served a-la-carte. If you’re looking for an especially delicious meal, go for breakfast on your next trip to the mountains.

Krista / flickr

Since 1953, Keaton’s has been a North Carolina classic with a BBQ sauce that is unmatched. Of course, the pork BBQ is delicious, but everything else is amazing, too, like the BBQ chicken. You’ll just have to visit for yourself to see what makes this North Carolina barbecue joint so special.

El’s Drive In / Google

Of course, another delicious shrimp burger joint made our previous list, but another great one is El’s. While at the beach, how can you go without a shrimp burger? Between El’s and Big Oak, everyone has their favorite, but they both deserve equal credit for deliciousness. One thing’s for sure: you’ll need your appetite when you visit this fantastic coastal restaurant.

Provision Company / Facebook

Provision Company is about as coastal as you can get. The exterior is extremely low-key, but the food is amazing. You’ll be treated to a wide assortment of the freshest fried seafood in North Carolina .

Old Bull / Google

Sugar Plum Shoppe operates mainly as a bakery, but their grab n’ go options are amazing. Pro tip: order the chicken salad or pimento cheese from this amazing hole in the wall restaurant in North Carolina.

Bill’s Hot Dogs / Facebook

If you’re looking for some of the best hot dogs in North Carolina, look no farther than Bill’s. They’ve been in business since 1928…so you know it’s going to be good. When it comes to some of the best local restaurants in North Carolina, Bill’s tops the list.

Tim Chang / Google

Collard greens, BBQ, hushpuppies, friendly staff and that hickory-smoked smell in the air. Grady’s is the definition of a ‘joint.’ You must try it if you haven’t. Grady’s Barbecue in Dudley concludes our list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more to explore.

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Address: 194 Gilliam McConnell Rd, Carthage, NC 28327, USAAddress: 116 1/2 N Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144, USAAddress: 1098 Paint Town Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USAAddress: 17365 Cool Springs Rd, Cleveland, NC 27013, USAAddress: Els Ct, Morehead City, NC 28557, USAAddress: 130 Yacht Basin Dr, Southport, NC 28461, USAAddress: 117 Nash St N W, Wilson, NC 27893, USAAddress: 109 Gladden St, Washington, NC 27889, USAAddress: Grady’s Barbecue, 3096 Arrington Bridge Rd, Dudley, NC 28333, USA

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Best Hole In The Wall Restaurants In North Carolina July 20, 2020 Beth C. What are the best hidden gem restaurants in North Carolina? As you can tell from our list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, it’s often the case that the more unassuming the exterior, the better the food! Many such unassuming eateries in North Carolina have truly stood the test of time. If you’re looking for more of the best hidden gem restaurants in North Carolina, you might want to try Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, Slappy’s Chicken in Winston-Salem, Catch in Wilmington, Shatley Springs in Crumpler, and Ella’s in Calabash. When you visit any of these unique restaurants in North Carolina, be sure to bring your appetite with you. Where can I find the best burgers in North Carolina? Ask 10 different North Carolinians where the best burgers in North Carolina can be found, and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. However, many folks agree that some of the best burgers in North Carolina are hiding in establishments such as Cowbell in Charlotte, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in Raleigh, Burger Bach in Durham, Burger Warfare in Greensboro, the Ashbury in Charlotte, Church Street Depot in Waynesville, Carolina Burger in Lenoir, and the Fork N’ Cork in Willmington. Looking for a little more burger inspiration? Check out our list of some of the very best burgers in North Carolina. What country restaurants in North Carolina are worth the drive? While North Carolina’s bigger cities boast some seriously fine dining options, it’s often the smaller towns that offer the most authentic North Carolina culinary experience. If you’re willing to make the trip, there are several country restaurants in the Tar Heel State that will be well worth the effort. Some of the most delicious country restaurants in North Carolina include the Country Squire in Warsaw, Meadow Village Restaurant in Benson, Mike’s Farm and Country Store in Beulaville, Corapeake Country Restaurant in Corapeake, Miller’s Restaurant in Mocksville, and Ye Old Country Store in Burnsville.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hole In The Wall Restaurants In North Carolina

July 20, 2020

Beth C.

What are the best hidden gem restaurants in North Carolina? As you can tell from our list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, it’s often the case that the more unassuming the exterior, the better the food! Many such unassuming eateries in North Carolina have truly stood the test of time. If you’re looking for more of the best hidden gem restaurants in North Carolina, you might want to try Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, Slappy’s Chicken in Winston-Salem, Catch in Wilmington, Shatley Springs in Crumpler, and Ella’s in Calabash. When you visit any of these unique restaurants in North Carolina, be sure to bring your appetite with you. Where can I find the best burgers in North Carolina? Ask 10 different North Carolinians where the best burgers in North Carolina can be found, and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. However, many folks agree that some of the best burgers in North Carolina are hiding in establishments such as Cowbell in Charlotte, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in Raleigh, Burger Bach in Durham, Burger Warfare in Greensboro, the Ashbury in Charlotte, Church Street Depot in Waynesville, Carolina Burger in Lenoir, and the Fork N’ Cork in Willmington. Looking for a little more burger inspiration? Check out our list of some of the very best burgers in North Carolina. What country restaurants in North Carolina are worth the drive? While North Carolina’s bigger cities boast some seriously fine dining options, it’s often the smaller towns that offer the most authentic North Carolina culinary experience. If you’re willing to make the trip, there are several country restaurants in the Tar Heel State that will be well worth the effort. Some of the most delicious country restaurants in North Carolina include the Country Squire in Warsaw, Meadow Village Restaurant in Benson, Mike’s Farm and Country Store in Beulaville, Corapeake Country Restaurant in Corapeake, Miller’s Restaurant in Mocksville, and Ye Old Country Store in Burnsville.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

As you can tell from our list of some of the best hole in the wall restaurants in North Carolina, it’s often the case that the more unassuming the exterior, the better the food! Many such unassuming eateries in North Carolina have truly stood the test of time. If you’re looking for more of the best hidden gem restaurants in North Carolina, you might want to try Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, Slappy’s Chicken in Winston-Salem, Catch in Wilmington, Shatley Springs in Crumpler, and Ella’s in Calabash. When you visit any of these unique restaurants in North Carolina, be sure to bring your appetite with you.

Where can I find the best burgers in North Carolina?

Ask 10 different North Carolinians where the best burgers in North Carolina can be found, and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. However, many folks agree that some of the best burgers in North Carolina are hiding in establishments such as Cowbell in Charlotte, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in Raleigh, Burger Bach in Durham, Burger Warfare in Greensboro, the Ashbury in Charlotte, Church Street Depot in Waynesville, Carolina Burger in Lenoir, and the Fork N’ Cork in Willmington. Looking for a little more burger inspiration? Check out our list of some of the very best burgers in North Carolina.

What country restaurants in North Carolina are worth the drive?

While North Carolina’s bigger cities boast some seriously fine dining options, it’s often the smaller towns that offer the most authentic North Carolina culinary experience. If you’re willing to make the trip, there are several country restaurants in the Tar Heel State that will be well worth the effort. Some of the most delicious country restaurants in North Carolina include the Country Squire in Warsaw, Meadow Village Restaurant in Benson, Mike’s Farm and Country Store in Beulaville, Corapeake Country Restaurant in Corapeake, Miller’s Restaurant in Mocksville, and Ye Old Country Store in Burnsville.