5 North Carolina Country Stores That Serve Food Worth The Detour
There’s something magical about those little country stores tucked away on North Carolina’s backroads.
I’ve spent countless weekends hunting down these hidden gems where shelves of local goods share space with some of the tastiest homemade food you’ll ever find.
These aren’t fancy restaurants – they’re authentic slices of small-town life where farmers, travelers, and locals gather around simple tables for meals that’ll knock your socks off.
Join me on a mouthwatering journey to country stores where the food alone is worth going miles out of your way.
1. Mast General Store (Valle Crucis)
Stepping into Mast General Store feels like time-traveling back to 1883. Last summer, I stopped in after hiking nearby and nearly fainted from the heavenly smell of fresh biscuits wafting from their kitchen corner.
The wooden floors creak under your feet as you navigate past barrels of candy and shelves of mountain crafts to reach their food counter. Their country ham biscuits are legendary – salty, savory, and slathered with just enough butter to make your heart skip (probably literally).
Grab a bottle of their local root beer and sit on the porch in one of the rocking chairs. The view of the surrounding mountains makes everything taste even better. Don’t leave without trying their apple stack cake, a traditional Appalachian dessert that’s been on their menu for generations.
2. Fred’s Mercantile With Backside Deli (Beech Mountain)
Perched at a lung-busting 5,000 feet elevation, Fred’s has been fueling mountain adventures since 1979. I discovered it after a brutal mountain bike ride when my stomach was growling louder than a bear.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you – tucked in the back of this hardware-meets-grocery store is the Backside Deli, home to sandwiches taller than some of the local mountains. Their signature “Fred’s Club” stacks turkey, ham, bacon, and three cheeses between homemade sourdough that they bake fresh each morning.
Locals swear by their homemade chicken salad, loaded with grapes and walnuts. During winter, skiers crowd in for their famous hot chocolate topped with a mountain of whipped cream and chocolate shavings – liquid energy before hitting Beech Mountain’s slopes again.
3. Davis Country Store & Café (Old Fort)
My car practically steers itself to Davis Country Store whenever I’m near Old Fort. Housed in a former textile mill, this place serves breakfast all day – hallelujah for us late risers!
Farmers in muddy boots and businesspeople in suits sit side by side at the mismatched tables, all digging into plates of their famous cathead biscuits. These fluffy monsters earned their name by being “as big as a cat’s head” and come smothered in sausage gravy with specks of black pepper visible throughout.
The walls are decorated with black-and-white photos of Old Fort’s history, and the staff calls everyone “honey” regardless of whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. Their fresh-squeezed lemonade comes in Mason jars so big you’ll need two hands to lift them – perfect for washing down their crispy fried chicken livers that convert even the skeptics.
4. Saxapahaw General Store (Saxapahaw)
“Gas station gourmet” sounds like an oxymoron until you’ve eaten at Saxapahaw General Store. Housed in a former cotton mill on the banks of the Haw River, this place flipped my food expectations upside down faster than you can say “fill ‘er up.”
The chef, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, creates daily specials that would make big-city restaurants jealous. One day it might be duck confit tacos with pickled red onions, the next day local grass-fed burgers with goat cheese and fig jam. All this while maintaining the soul of a country store with local eggs, milk, and produce lining the shelves.
During summer months, their patio hosts Sunday evening concerts where locals spread blankets on the grass and feast on their famous pimento cheese while listening to everything from bluegrass to jazz. Their craft beer selection rivals urban bottle shops, with many brewed just miles away.
5. Clark’s Ole Time Music Center & Country Store
Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, Clark’s Ole Time Music Center & Country Store is a haven for music lovers and food enthusiasts alike. This charming establishment offers a unique blend of live bluegrass performances and mouthwatering Southern comfort food.
The aroma of freshly baked cornbread and simmering collard greens invites visitors to indulge in a truly authentic experience.
Did you know? This store has been a community gathering spot since the early 1900s, hosting impromptu jam sessions that keep local traditions alive. A visit here is a step back in time, blending history and hospitality.