14 Hole-In-The-Wall Spots In North Carolina That Locals Rave About
North Carolina is packed with hidden culinary gems where flavor takes center stage and charm comes free of charge.
These hole-in-the-wall spots might be easy to miss, but once discovered, they leave a lasting impression.
From sizzling plates to comforting classics, each eatery offers dishes crafted with care and a dash of local pride.
For those willing to wander off the beaten path, these small, unassuming restaurants deliver big taste and unforgettable experiences.
1. Skylight Inn BBQ: The Pork Palace of Ayden
Smoke signals rise from this BBQ landmark that’s been serving wood-fired whole hog since 1947. The menu is beautifully simple: pork, cornbread, and slaw. That’s it!
Lines form early for their chopped pork sandwiches topped with crispy skin bits that add perfect texture.
The James Beard Foundation even named it an “America’s Classic,” but locals were singing its praises long before the awards rolled in.
2. B’s Barbecue: The No-Frills Pork Paradise
Blink and you’ll miss this tiny roadside shack with no phone, no website, and no credit card machine. Cash only, folks! B’s opens at 9 AM and closes when they sell out – which happens almost daily by noon.
Hungry patrons travel for miles to devour their oak-smoked pork and legendary chicken. The tangy vinegar sauce cuts through the rich meat perfectly. Family-owned for generations, they stick to what works without changing a single recipe.
3. Snappy Lunch: Andy Griffith’s Childhood Haunt
Famous for its pork chop sandwich, this Mount Airy diner earned a mention on The Andy Griffith Show for good reason!
The breaded, fried pork chop overflows the bun, topped with coleslaw, tomato, and their special sauce.
Founded in 1923, Snappy Lunch still has its original counter seating where locals chat over coffee at 6 AM. The prices seem frozen in time too – you can get a full breakfast for what you’d pay for coffee elsewhere.
4. El’s Drive-In: Coastal Burger Heaven
Shrimpburgers rule at this Morehead City institution where fishing boats deliver their catch just blocks away.
Crispy fried shrimp piled high on a soft bun with tartar sauce has kept customers coming back since 1959. Pull up to this classic drive-in where carhops still deliver trays to your window.
The recipe hasn’t changed in decades – why mess with perfection? Locals swear the secret is in their light, crispy batter that doesn’t overwhelm the fresh seafood.
5. Big Oak Drive In & Bar-B-Q: Seafood Sandwich Specialists
Fishermen unload their boats and head straight to Big Oak for a post-work feast in tiny Salter Path.
Their legendary shrimpburger comes loaded with ketchup, cole slaw, and tartar sauce – a messy masterpiece worth every napkin!
Hurricane survivors many times over, this resilient spot keeps locals fed with unfussy, delicious coastal comfort food.
The tiny parking lot fills up fast during summer, but regulars know to call ahead and skip the wait.
6. Sutton’s Drug Store: The Pharmacy with Flavor
UNC students have been fueling up at this Chapel Hill institution since 1923. The functioning pharmacy doubles as a diner where burgers sizzle on the flat-top while prescriptions get filled.
Thousands of photos cover every inch of wall space, showcasing decades of happy customers.
Their hand-patted burgers and thick milkshakes taste like they’re from another era. Order the orangeade – freshly squeezed right before your eyes for a sweet-tart treat college kids swear cures hangovers.
7. Merritt’s Grill: BLT Brilliance
Housed in an old gas station, Merritt’s serves the world’s best BLT – a bold claim they back up with every bite. Thick-cut bacon piled six strips high on toasted sourdough makes this sandwich legendary across the state.
Weekend lines stretch around the building for these simple yet perfect creations. Choose single, double, or triple bacon layers depending on your appetite!
What began as a country store in 1929 evolved into a sandwich shop that proves sometimes the simplest foods, done perfectly, create the strongest cravings.
8. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen: Drive-Thru Breakfast Bliss
Morning commuters idle in a line that wraps around the block for these heavenly cathead biscuits.
The tiny drive-thru-only building has no seating, but that doesn’t stop Chapel Hill residents from making this their essential breakfast stop.
Fluffy, buttery, and bigger than your palm, these biscuits come stuffed with country ham, fried chicken, or pimento cheese.
Founded in 1978, they’ve never changed their technique of hand-kneading dough throughout the day. One bite explains why this humble shack has survived while flashier breakfast spots have come and gone.
9. Brooks’ Sandwich House: Burger Joint with Heart
Twin brothers opened this tiny red hut in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood in 1973, and it’s been a landmark ever since.
The all-beef burgers come “all the way” with mustard, onions, and their secret homemade chili. Cash only, no phone, and only open weekdays for lunch – Brooks’ plays by its own rules.
The modest building has just a walk-up window, no seating, and a gravel lot where regulars eat from the hoods of their cars. Despite tragedy when one brother passed away in 2019, the family keeps the tradition alive for loyal customers.
10. Mr. Barbecue: Winston-Salem’s Smoky Gem
Locals don’t mind the no-frills setting when the hickory-smoked pork is this good.
Since 1962, Mr. Barbecue has been serving Lexington-style ‘cue with a distinctive red slaw that complements the tangy meat perfectly.
A devastating fire in 2019 couldn’t keep this place down – customers celebrated wildly when they reopened. The hush puppies alone are worth the trip, crispy outside and pillowy within.
Three generations of the same family still work the pits, keeping traditions and flavors exactly as they’ve always been.
11. Lexington Barbecue: The Barbecue Mecca
Nicknamed “The Monk” after founder Wayne Monk, this temple of pork shoulder has defined North Carolina barbecue since 1962.
Pitmasters slow-cook meat over smoldering hickory coals for ten hours, creating that perfect pink smoke ring.
Don’t expect fancy fixings – food comes on paper plates with plastic forks. The sweet-tangy red slaw and crisp hush puppies complement the smoky chopped pork perfectly.
Food pilgrims travel hundreds of miles just for lunch here, proving that sometimes a humble cinder block building houses culinary greatness.
12. Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge: Family Tradition Since 1946
Time stops at this Shelby institution where three generations of the Bridges family have been smoking pork over hickory coals for 24 hours.
The pit-cooked meat gets chopped or sliced, then dressed with their tangy vinegar sauce. Red and white checkered tablecloths cover tables in the wood-paneled dining room that hasn’t changed in decades.
Their secret weapon? The red slaw – finely chopped cabbage in a sweet-hot ketchup dressing instead of mayonnaise. Arrive hungry because portions are generous enough to feed a small village.
13. Stamey’s Barbecue: Greensboro’s Smoky Secret
Founded by legendary pitmaster C. Warner Stamey in 1930, this Greensboro staple taught many of the state’s great barbecue cooks.
The brick pits use only hickory wood for their distinctive smoky flavor that permeates every bite of chopped pork.
Don’t bother asking for a fork with your sandwich – true fans know this is hands-only territory! Sweet tea comes in huge glasses with unlimited refills.
Located near the Greensboro Coliseum, Stamey’s feeds hungry concert-goers and locals alike with the same recipes that made them famous nearly a century ago.
14. Goody Goody Omelet House: Wilmington’s 24-Hour Wonder
Night owls, early birds, and beach-goers all flock to this Wilmington diner where breakfast is served round the clock. The massive three-egg omelets come stuffed with everything from avocado to country ham.
College students recover from late nights at the worn counter seats while fishermen fuel up before dawn. The no-nonsense waitresses know regulars by name and order.
Opened in 1977, this fluorescent-lit time capsule maintains its charm with bottomless coffee, enormous pancakes, and prices that won’t empty your wallet.