8 North Carolina Sweet Potato Dishes That Show Why The State Owns The Crop
North Carolina grows more sweet potatoes than any other state in America, producing over half the nation’s supply.
This orange-fleshed root vegetable isn’t just a Thanksgiving side dish here – it’s a year-round staple that chefs transform into everything from pies to pancakes.
These 8 dishes showcase how North Carolina has mastered the art of sweet potato cooking in ways that celebrate the state’s agricultural pride.
1. Cornmeal Magic at Sam Jones BBQ
Nothing complements smoky whole-hog barbecue quite like Sam Jones’ famous sweet potato muffins. These golden-brown treasures blend cornmeal with sweet potato for a texture that’s both hearty and tender.
Locals in Raleigh and Greenville have been known to order extra 8-packs to take home, creating their own barbecue experience days later.
The subtle sweetness cuts through rich pork fat perfectly, making these muffins the unsung heroes of the barbecue plate.
2. Sweet Meets Savory at Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Orange-hued waffle perfection awaits at Dame’s locations across the Triangle and Triad. Their sweet potato waffles transform the classic chicken and waffle combo into something uniquely North Carolinian.
The crisp exterior gives way to a tender, slightly sweet interior that pairs brilliantly with their flavored butter ‘shmears.’
Try the maple-pecan or vanilla-almond varieties drizzled atop for an unforgettable flavor explosion that showcases sweet potatoes’ versatility.
3. Biscuit Head’s Sweet Potato Butter Bonanza
Asheville’s Biscuit Head elevates breakfast with their Mimosa Fried Chicken Biscuit, slathered in sweet potato butter. I stumbled upon this creation during a mountain getaway and found myself returning three mornings straight.
The orange-hued butter melts into every crevice of their famous cathead biscuit. When paired with the crunch of mimosa-battered chicken and spicy sriracha slaw, it creates perfect harmony.
For the truly adventurous, their sweet potato coconut gravy takes the experience to another level entirely.
4. Good Hot Fish’s Crispy Sweet Potato Pancake
Asheville’s Good Hot Fish creates culinary magic with their Sweet Potato-Cabbage Pancake. Roasted sweet potatoes pressed into a crispy exterior that shatters with each bite, revealing a tender interior.
The honey hot sauce delivers perfect heat balance while pickled collard stems add bright acidity.
The finishing touch of furikake (Japanese seasoning) sprinkled on top represents the chef’s imagination at its finest – connecting Southern roots with Asian influences in a dish that defies easy categorization.
5. King’s BBQ’s Legendary Sweet Potato Pie
No trip to Kinston is complete without sampling King’s BBQ’s famous sweet potato pie. My grandfather would drive 30 miles just for a slice of this Eastern North Carolina treasure.
Made fresh daily, this 9-inch pie features a silky-smooth filling with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flaky crust provides perfect textural contrast to the creamy center.
Available for nationwide shipping, it spreads the Carolina sweet potato gospel far beyond state lines.
6. Bojangles’ Portable Sweet Potato Delight
North Carolina’s homegrown fast-food chain, Bojangles, keeps the sweet potato tradition alive with their handheld pies. These portable pastries feature crisp, cinnamon-dusted exteriors that crackle when bitten.
The smooth, spiced filling inside delivers pure sweet potato flavor in a convenient road trip format. I’ve witnessed heated debates among North Carolinians about whether these or the chain’s famous Bo-Berry Biscuits make the better dessert.
For sweet potato purists, there’s simply no competition.
7. The Pit’s Double Sweet Potato Feature
Downtown Raleigh’s whole-hog barbecue destination, The Pit, offers not one but two sweet potato sides that showcase the vegetable’s range. Their sweet potato fries arrive perfectly crisp outside while maintaining a creamy interior.
For those seeking comfort food bliss, the sweet potato casserole delivers marshmallow-topped decadence. Pairing either with their chopped pork creates the quintessential North Carolina plate.
The restaurant’s commitment to featuring dual sweet potato options speaks volumes about the tuber’s importance in local cuisine.
8. Elmo’s Diner’s Tex-Mex Sweet Potato Twist
Durham’s beloved Elmo’s Diner creates Tex-Mex magic with their Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burrito. Green chile-spiced sweet potatoes bring smoky sweetness that perfectly complements earthy black beans.
Wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with traditional fixings, this vegetarian option converts even dedicated carnivores.
The contrast between the soft, orange-hued potato chunks and black beans creates visual appeal matched only by the flavor.
This dish proves sweet potatoes transcend traditional Southern preparations into cross-cultural territory.