North Carolina is full of hole in the wall restaurants; it’s basically a staple of the state. From award-winning BBQ joints down long, country roads, to a cash-only burger joint at the end of a dead end road. There are so many hole in the wall restaurants, I’ve done a number of articles on the subject. From my first compiled list, to the second, to even hard to find but worth the search restaurants.
For this list of unassuming eateries, I wanted to feature restaurants maybe you don’t even know exist. These nine are a must try!
- Brooks’ Sandwich House, Charlotte
Yelp / Tonya P.
Yelp / Greg P. The first time I stumbled upon Brooks’ (while turning around down a dead end) I assumed it was an abandoned building. Nope, this cash only burger joint serves some of the best, simple, classic and greasy fare. Get a burger ‘all the way’ (chili, cheese, slaw).
- Saxapahaw General Store, Saxaphaw
Facebook / Saxapahaw General Store
Facebook / Saxaphaw General Store Coined as a ‘five-star’ gas station, Saxapahaw General Store isn’t just a place to get fresh produce, household items, and unique finds. It’s perfect for an unexpected, delicious meal from breakfast to dinner.
- Hap’s Grill, Salisbury
Yelp / Brad Y.
Facebook / Hap’s Grill INC. Tucked away, and sometimes hard to find (unless you spot the usual lunch line) Hap’s is the perfect spot to grab a chili cheese dog and wash it down with an ice cold Cheerwine (in the birthplace of Cheerwine). It’s a true hidden gem to those outside of Salisbury, while the interior is tight, grab it to go and stroll the historic district.
- Wildlife Restaurant & Grill, Southport
Facebook / Monty Green
Facebook / Monty Green Wildlife is a local hangout, which serves delicious, affordable, home cooked breakfast and lunch. Talk about country cookin’ right on the coast!
- Warren’s Hot Dogs and Pizza Too, Greenville
Facebook / Syed Ali
Yelp / Zach F. Located near the airport in Greenville, Warren’s is a place an outsider might pass and think “uh, no” but it’s actually home to some of the best hot dogs on the East Coast. You can’t go wrong with an all the way dog and make sure to try their spicy chili sauce.
- Duke’s Grill, Monroe
Yelp / Kennedy K.
Yelp / Shawn N. Duke’s Grill is a local favorite but worth the drive for those in nearby cities or towns. You can’t go wrong with an all the way burger but make sure to get a side of crispy onion rings.
- Roxxi & Lulu’s Bistro and Bakery, Elkin
Google Street View
Yelp / Deborah F. Roxxi & Lulu’s is the perfect place for a quaint breakfast, like their homemade oatmeal pancakes, or a hearty lunch like a club sandwich piled high with the freshest ingredients. The majority of the ingredients are locally sourced and you can’t beat the attention to detail in each meal. Don’t forget to finish it off with some sonker (a local dessert).
- Claremont Cafe, Claremont
Yelp / Bill W.
Yelp / Fred B. Claremont Cafe is about as simple as it gets, and definitely not a stop for the more health conscious. It’s the place for greasy goodness, from a slaw dog to a cheeseburger…simple but delicious should be their business slogan!
- Louie’s Cafe, Forest City
Facebook / Louie’s Cafe
Facebook / Louie’s Cafe While we’ve covered a wide range of burger joints and even a bistro…one section left unmentioned is Italian. Louie’s Cafe in Forest City has some of the best pizza you’ll ever try in North Carolina! You can’t beat their calzones or even a classic spaghetti.
Burgers, pizza, hot dogs, oatmeal pancakes? Now I want it all! If you didn’t see your favorite on the list, I can almost guarantee you’ll find it in one of the top three links in the beginning paragraph! This is a new list to spruce up your dining bucket list! Have you dined at these places before or want to add anymore to the list?
Yelp / Tonya P.
Yelp / Greg P.
The first time I stumbled upon Brooks’ (while turning around down a dead end) I assumed it was an abandoned building. Nope, this cash only burger joint serves some of the best, simple, classic and greasy fare. Get a burger ‘all the way’ (chili, cheese, slaw).
Facebook / Saxapahaw General Store
Facebook / Saxaphaw General Store
Coined as a ‘five-star’ gas station, Saxapahaw General Store isn’t just a place to get fresh produce, household items, and unique finds. It’s perfect for an unexpected, delicious meal from breakfast to dinner.
Yelp / Brad Y.
Facebook / Hap’s Grill INC.
Tucked away, and sometimes hard to find (unless you spot the usual lunch line) Hap’s is the perfect spot to grab a chili cheese dog and wash it down with an ice cold Cheerwine (in the birthplace of Cheerwine). It’s a true hidden gem to those outside of Salisbury, while the interior is tight, grab it to go and stroll the historic district.
Facebook / Monty Green
Wildlife is a local hangout, which serves delicious, affordable, home cooked breakfast and lunch. Talk about country cookin’ right on the coast!
Facebook / Syed Ali
Yelp / Zach F.
Located near the airport in Greenville, Warren’s is a place an outsider might pass and think “uh, no” but it’s actually home to some of the best hot dogs on the East Coast. You can’t go wrong with an all the way dog and make sure to try their spicy chili sauce.
Yelp / Kennedy K.
Yelp / Shawn N.
Duke’s Grill is a local favorite but worth the drive for those in nearby cities or towns. You can’t go wrong with an all the way burger but make sure to get a side of crispy onion rings.
Google Street View
Yelp / Deborah F.
Roxxi & Lulu’s is the perfect place for a quaint breakfast, like their homemade oatmeal pancakes, or a hearty lunch like a club sandwich piled high with the freshest ingredients. The majority of the ingredients are locally sourced and you can’t beat the attention to detail in each meal. Don’t forget to finish it off with some sonker (a local dessert).
Yelp / Bill W.
Yelp / Fred B.
Claremont Cafe is about as simple as it gets, and definitely not a stop for the more health conscious. It’s the place for greasy goodness, from a slaw dog to a cheeseburger…simple but delicious should be their business slogan!
Facebook / Louie’s Cafe
While we’ve covered a wide range of burger joints and even a bistro…one section left unmentioned is Italian. Louie’s Cafe in Forest City has some of the best pizza you’ll ever try in North Carolina! You can’t beat their calzones or even a classic spaghetti.
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