COMPILED BYJEFFREY TURNER& SARAH PERRY

64 PLACESJUST OFF

THE ROAD

64 PLACESJUST OFF

THE ROADJEFFREY TURNER& SARAH PERRY

THE ROAD

Bryson City NA-BERS DRIVE-IN

1245 Main Street(828) 488-2877

Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 19What to order: Hamburgers, fried chicken, and ice cream. Na-bers is a classic drive-in with a 50-year-old reputation for being one of the best places in Bryson City to stop for a quick bite. The fried chicken and roasted corn combo is your best bet here, although the fries are allegedly something worth fi ghting for.

Pisgah Forest DOLLY’S DAIRY BAR

128 Pisgah Highway(828) 862-6610

Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 276What to order: Ice cream. For a treat on your way into Pisgah Forest, stop here and fi nd nearly every fl avor of ice cream you can imagine — the names refl ect the many summer camps in the area.

Asheville CITY BAKERY

60 Biltmore Avenue(828) 252-4426

Where you’re coming from:Interstate 240What to order: Breakfast and lunch. The made-from-scratch bagels and Cheddar biscuit sandwiches are an easy and delicious meal on your way home from the mountains. So good, in fact, that you may want to circle back.

Skyland FRENCH FRYZ

2109 Hendersonville Road(828) 684-0416

Where you’re coming from:Interstate 240What to order: Hamburgers. And you can add your own cinnamon to the thick-cut sweet potato fries, or blend two of the best fl avors ever created to make the best milk shake ever created: peanut butter and chocolate. Get your sugar fi x for the road.

Hendersonville HARRY’S GRILL AND

PIGGY’S ICE CREAM102 Duncan Hill Road(828) 692-1995

Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 64What to order: Come in for the banana split and leave with a 40-year-old tractor sign. While ice cream and antiques are a pair you don’t often see, somehow the combination works. Head on down the highway with your souvenir, either the antique one or the edible one.

Flat Rock VILLAGE CAFÉ

2770 U.S. Highway 25(828) 692-5770 Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 25What to order: Biscuits and sandwiches. In this gas station, you can have fi ne food that wasn’t shipped in on a truck three weeks ago. Try the Big Momma sandwich and sit surrounded by pictures of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Spruce Pine CITY DRIVE-IN

670 Oak Avenue (828) 765-4480

Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 19EWhat to order: Burgers and hot dogs. Park beneath the wavy blue tin roof along with the rest of the classic cars you might fi nd here. Well, the classic cars aren’t always here, but the carhop who delivers your order will be.

Morganton ALLISON’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

1010 Burkemont Avenue(828) 438-3662

Where you’re coming from:Interstate 40What to order: Livermush and egg sandwich for breakfast or a hamburger or hot dog for lunch. And don’t leave without a scoop of homemade ice cream, especially if blueberry cheesecake is in season. They’ll even put it in a cone for you: One hand for driving, one hand for eating.

Gastonia TONY’S ICE CREAM

604 East Franklin Boulevard(704) 853-0018

Where you’re coming from:U.S. Highway 74What to order: Hot dogs and ice cream. What is it about driving that gives you a sweet tooth? Polish off a hot dog, and then try one of the 28 fl avors of ice cream. We like the tropical almond joy or the only-at-Tony’s grape fl avor. If you

EATSROADSIDE

CHECKLIST

FROM WEST TO EAST

want more, go ahead and order by the half-gallon; just be sure you packed the cooler in the car.

Claremont CLAREMONT CAFÉ

(& POOL ROOM)4485 South Depot Street (828) 459-2190

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 70 What to order: Burgers and sandwiches. For less than $15, three people can fill up on tomato sandwiches and pork burgers. Kid-friendly tater tots make this a good stop for families.

Mount Holly NEIGHBOR’S BRIGHTSTAR

DRIVE-IN GRILL205 Madora Street (704) 827-0212

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 85 What to order: Lunch (including buffet) and dinner. Here, the rock ’n’ roll radio station may draw you through the doors, but the simple LottaBurger — a freshly grilled burger made to order — well-stocked salad bar, and pizza buffet will have you stopping here on every trip you make down I-85.

Statesville JAY BEE’S

320 Mocksville Highway (704) 872-8033

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 77 What to order: Hot dogs. You’ll find a wide variety of hot dogs here, including the Prairie Dog, a foot-long slathered in barbecue sauce, chopped onions, and cheese. Make it a game: You start eating at one end, your passenger starts at the other, and you meet in the middle, Lady and the Tramp-style.

Cornelius TENDERS FRESH FOOD

18341 Statesville Road (704) 895-6017

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 77 What to order: Fried chicken sandwich. The lightly breaded, juicy chicken is the biggest hit at Tenders, and the hand-cut fries and house-made salad dressings are worth sampling.

Mooresville BOB’S GRILL

252 North Main Street (704) 664-3099

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 21 What to order: Breakfast and lunch. The comfort food served here will keep your belly full all day. Opt for the homemade apple pie for extra satisfaction. Also, bring cash and expect to stand if it’s busy. After being in the car for a while, though, you might appreciate the leg stretch.

BIG BITE’Z GRILL843 Williamson Road (704) 663-2439

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 77 What to order: Sandwiches with a Greek twist. And something called the Trout-o-Burger. If that doesn’t pique your interest, then the fist-sized, made-from-scratch onion rings will.

FAT BOYS114 Days Inn Drive (704) 663-7089

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 77 What to order: Buffet. It offers all the classic items — fried chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese. It’s difficult not to eat too much.

Mount Airy SPEEDY CHEF

1516 South Main Street (336) 789-2396

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 52 What to order: Burgers and ice cream. Known for its inexpensive, tasty food and quick service, Speedy Chef is also popular for its hot-fudge cake — a giant portion of cake, vanilla ice cream, walnuts, and syrup for only $2.49.

THE DAIRY CENTER407 West Lebanon Street (336) 786-2349

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 52 What to order: Hot dogs and milk shakes. The ground-steak sandwich at the Dairy Center has earned this diner a devoted following in Mount Airy for decades. And a pineapple-coconut milk shake rounds out the meal here.

SNAPPY LUNCH125 North Main Street (336) 786-4931

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 52 What to order: We bet we don’t even have to tell you — get the pork chop sandwich. This famed spot — yes, this is the same Snappy Lunch mentioned on “The Andy Griffith Show” — has been around for nearly a century. Andy Griffith himself used to frequent Snappy Lunch because his high school didn’t have a cafeteria.

Mocksville MILLER’S RESTAURANT

710 Wilkesboro Street (336) 751-2621

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: Breakfast (all day) and lunch. Miller’s has been around for more than 60 years, and in their time, the owners have learned a thing or two. They learned to put pimento cheese on a cheeseburger to make it one of their signature items, and they haven’t forgotten that people still love a classic bologna sandwich.

Salisbury HAP’S GRILL

116 North Main Street (704) 633-5872

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 70 What to order: Hot dogs. Yes, plural. The lines here frequently extend out the door, and locals say it may be one of the best hot dog spots in the state, so you’ll want more than one. Park, order, and plan to eat in your car — there’s only room for about six people inside the restaurant.

Pilot Mountain WILLARD AND WILMOTH

SANDWICH SHOPPE (AKA THE SQUEEZE BOX)200 East Main Street (336) 368-2289

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 52 What to order: This breakfast-only joint is in an old trailer, and you’ll have to squeeze into one of the 12 seats at the counter to see the cooks fry your bacon and eggs.

King DAIRI-O

365 East Dalton Road (336) 983-5560

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 52 What to order: Burgers and hot dogs. Many fast-food places offer deals like two hot dogs, fries, and a soda for less than $6. But Dairi-O stands out for another extra-special reason — they offer packets of Texas Pete to spice up your hot dog.

Kernersville DOSS’ OLD-FASHION

ICE CREAM406 North Main Street (336) 996-1930

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 421 What to order: The homemade pimento cheese sandwich and Brunswick stew are good reasons to stop in at Doss’. But the menu offers plenty of good-tasting, homemade fast food, like burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, and hand-dipped ice cream.

High Point DOG HOUSE

668 North Main Street (336) 886-4953

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 74 What to order: They don’t serve your food on plates here. Instead, you eat your chili dog or your fried bologna sandwich on wax paper. And they don’t take credit cards; it’s a cash-only place.

CORNER GRILL1600 West Lexington Avenue (336) 887-6191

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 74 What to order: Breakfast and lunch. Corner Grill is difficult to spot, but once you find it, order a healthy-sized burger for lunch or a liver pudding and egg sandwich for breakfast. At lunch, be sure to ask for the Glenn Special — a hamburger patty on a bed of lettuce, loaded with cheese, bacon, chili, slaw, and onions.

Archdale ARCHDALE SODA SHOP

11206 North Main Street (336) 431-2813

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 85 What to order: This is a throwback to the old-timey burger joints before there were big-box burger joints. Grab a seat in a booth, order a cheeseburger, and wash it down with a Cheerwine. Now that’s something you won’t find everywhere. You’ll know when it’s time to get back on the road by the Cheerwine clock on the wall.

Asheboro THE BISCUIT CO.

558 Albemarle Road (336) 629-5822

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 220 What to order: The name of the place says it all: You’re going to want to get a biscuit. A convenient drive-through makes it so you don’t even have to get out of the car; three bucks gets you two sausage biscuits that’ll keep you full until you get to where you’re going. If you go inside, order the biscuits with gravy — those are a little too hard to eat while driving.

Greensboro BIG BURGER SPOT

3750-A Battleground Avenue (336) 617-3777

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 220 What to order: The “almost” size is big; the “big” size is bigger; and “colossal,” well, it’s just plain huge. And the hand-pattied Angus beef comes however you like it: classic style (lettuce, tomato, mayo); Carolina style (chili, mustard, slaw, onions); or pimento cheese style (we don’t need to explain that one). The white truffle fries are unlike anything you’ve ever had from a fast-food joint. Plus, this burger spot adjoins a gas station. Fill up after you’ve, well, filled up.

BEEF-BURGER1040 West Lee Street (336) 272-7505

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40; U.S. Highway 220 What to order: Burgers and hot wings.

Open since 1961, everything about this place says classic ’50s and ’60s drive-in. An old-school Roto-Red Broiler still grills beef patties and toasts buns. And the secret burger sauce — you won’t find it anywhere else — keeps people coming back.

Liberty KIDD’S DRIVE-IN

171 South Greensboro Street (336) 622-4338

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 421 What to order: Chili cheeseburger all the way. It’s what the locals suggest. Make it a meal with fries and a soda. You’ll feel patriotic eating an American classic in a town named Liberty.

Pinehurst THE VILLAGER DELI

6 Chinquapin Road (910) 295-1005

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 501 What to order: Build your own sandwich. Choose from three meats and two cheeses, and finish it off with a slice of Kentucky Derby pie — this is horse country, after all.

Siler City BROWNIE-LU RESTAURANT

919 North Second Avenue (919) 663-3913

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: A chicken salad sandwich. That and an order of fries cost less than $5. The moist and crunchy fried chicken is good, too.

Burlington ZACK’S HOT DOGS

201 West Davis Street (336) 226-4746

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40/U.S. Highway 70 What to order: Hot dogs, burgers, and breakfast. A Greek immigrant named Zack Touloupas started this restaurant in 1928. The chili, dark and meaty, is his own recipe. And Zack’s grandson and namesake is the third generation to run the family business.

Carthage RONNIE’S CHUCKWAGON

306 Monroe Street (910) 947-5435

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 15-501 What to order: Burgers, hot dogs, country cooking. Hot dogs for 90 cents, and a seafood plate for less than $10. There’s plenty of parking here, even for big trucks. And Fido can join you on the patio outside.

Sanford D&M SCOOPS

815 Wicker Street (919) 774-8872

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 1 What to order: Two hot dogs, $2.60. They’ve got a sausage dog, too. Scoops keeps it simple: drive-through or walk-up. There’s no seating, so you’ll have to eat in your car. Lick your fingers good before you put them back on the steering wheel, though.

Pittsboro S&T SODA SHOPPE

85 Hillsboro Street (919) 545-0007

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: Milk shakes and the banana split. Both are large enough to share with your travel companion.

AL’S DINER535 West Street (919) 542-5800

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: Burgers and hot dogs. Order a basket of onion rings and just listen to the stories the waitresses tell you from across the counter. Locals say the staff members here are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Hillsborough VILLAGE DINER

600 West King Street (919) 732-7032

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 85 What to order: A buffet is served Monday through Friday with some of the best country cooking imaginable: fried chicken, barbecue, and country-fried steak. Food like this has kept the doors

open for more than 30 years, making this the oldest restaurant in town.

Chapel Hill SUNRISE BISCUIT KITCHEN

1305 East Franklin Street (919) 933-1324

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40 What to order: This drive-through-only place begins serving its famous fried chicken biscuits at 6 a.m. Most days they run out, so if you’re passing through, make sure it’s early and expect to wait in line.

Fayetteville THE BISCUIT KITCHEN

128 Grove Street (910) 483-8982

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 95 What to order: Try a cinnamon roll. These don’t even need that sugary, white frosting like you see in a plastic wrapper. They’re fine just the way they come: hot and wrapped in foil.

Whiteville WARD’S GRILL

706 South Madison Street (910) 642-2004

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 701 What to order: Burgers and hot dogs. The line usually goes out the door. By that measure, this take-out-only place is worth the stop downtown. It’s easy to miss, so look for the blue awning.

Raleigh CHAR-GRILL

618 Hillsborough Street (919) 821-7636

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40 What to order: Oh, this is a good burger. Park your car, walk up to the window, write down your order, and slip your ticket to the cook. He’ll prepare a mouth-watering, flame-kissed burger right before your eyes. Ten franchises are open in North Carolina, but this is the original.

Dunn ERNIE’S BUFFET

1008 West Cumberland Street (910) 892-2225

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 421 What to order: Fried chicken, stewed cabbage, corn fritters, and peach cobbler. The list could go on and on, so the best thing is to stop in to see for yourself.

Benson MISS MAUDE’S CAFE

206 East Main Street (919) 207-9000

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 95 What to order: Homemade spaghetti with a side of buttery toast. The sauce is meaty, like chili. It’s the right way to fill a travel-weary belly.

Wake Forest SHORTY’S FAMOUS HOT DOGS

214 South White Street (919) 556-8026

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 1 What to order: Hot dogs. Shorty’s meaty chili makes a great Southern dog. Eat one and wash it down with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola.

Meadow community MEADOW VILLAGE RESTAURANT

7400 N.C. Highway 50 South (919) 894-5430

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40 What to order: Country cooking and desserts. There’s a buffet full of them here. You won’t have to decide between pie, cake, or pudding.

Smithfield CRICKET’S GRILL

507 East Market Street (919) 631-3059

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 95 What to order: Don’t let the humble appearance of this trailer home-turned-take-out place fool you. Locals say the hot dogs and steak sandwiches are can’t-miss. Add a side of fries and lemonade, and you’ve got a meal.

Wilmington SOUTH COLLEGE

SANDWICH AND DELI332 South College Road (910) 392-0002

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40 What to order: Beef on weck sandwich. Never heard of it? It’s a recipe for a roast beef sandwich that has its origins in Buffalo, New York. The meat is cooked rare, served inside a kummelweck roll, dipped in au jus.

Wilson THE CREAMERY

FAMILY RESTAURANT1616 South Goldsboro Street SW (252) 243-2934

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264 What to order: Burgers and country cooking. Be sure to finish with a hot-fudge sundae.

DICK’S HOT DOG STAND1500 Nash Street North (252) 243-6313

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264; Interstate 95 What to order: Hot dogs topped with mustard, chili, and onions. It’s the same chili recipe that’s been used for 93 years at this iconic eatery, and it’s still the best way to top your dog.

FLO’S KITCHEN1015 Goldsboro Street South (252) 237-9146

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 795 What to order: The cars wrap around this tiny building and servers lean out the drive-through window to deliver enormous biscuits (and we’re not exaggerating). Try the pork tenderloin; it’s lightly breaded and pairs well with a large sweet tea.

Rocky Point PAUL’S PLACE

11725 U.S. Highway 117 South (910) 675-2345

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 40 What to order: Hot dogs with red relish. When beef was rationed in World War II, Paul invented this tangy topping as a substitute for chili. If you ever drove U.S. Highway 117 to the beach before the days of Interstate 40, you remember Paul’s.

La Grange KEN’S GRILL

7645 U.S. Highway 70 West

(252) 566-4765

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 70 What to order: Apple turnover with ice cream. And if you’re here on a Wednesday or Saturday, there’s fresh barbecue and crispy pork skins.

Rocky Mount CENTRAL CAFE

132 South Church Street (252) 446-8568

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: Burgers and hot dogs at this hometown institution, where the hot dogs are bright red and the hamburgers are juicy. Chat with the locals — you’ll hear a good story.

HIGHWAY DINER910 North Winstead Avenue (252) 451-5270

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 95/N.C. Highway 64 What to order: Try the Classic Carolina Burger. Top it with slaw, chili, mustard, and if you dare, sautéed onions and bacon. You can’t miss this place right off the road; it looks for all the world like a silver bullet.

Roanoke Rapids BROWNING’S GRILL

2066 West 10th Street (252) 537-1106

Where you’re coming from: Interstate 95 What to order: Pull your car into the gravel parking lot, and someone will come out to take your order, just as they’ve done for half a century.

Kinston BYRD’S RESTAURANT

196 N.C. Highway 58 South (252) 523-3422

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 70 What to order: Pork tenderloin and gravy biscuit. It’s — dare we say it? — better than Grandma’s, and it’s the size of a saucer. And the cheese biscuit, it’s exclusive to Eastern North Carolina — with hoop cheese baked inside.

Farmville LITTLE ROCKET

4200 South Main Street (252) 753-3722

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264 What to order: There’s a walk-up window, out of which comes a warm cheese biscuit for breakfast. Time how quick you’re able to get back in the car.

Jacksonville ANGIE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

233 South Marine Boulevard (910) 989-1990

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 17 Business What to order: Country cooking and breakfast. Laminated menus indicate what kind of place this is. It’s the right spot to stop in for breakfast.

Greenville POP’S OLD FASHIONED

CHEESEBURGERS1011-F South Charles Boulevard (252) 329-0048

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264 What to order: Beef for the hamburgers here is fresh Angus. That makes the burgers a little different. They’re down-home in every sense. You’ll understand what we mean after the first bite.

Washington KING CHICKEN DRIVE-IN

601 Carolina Avenue (252) 946-4594

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264 What to order: Fried chicken. This take-out-only food stand sells chicken by the piece. Put a chicken leg in one hand, a cup of sweet tea in the other, but don’t you dare put the car in gear. This meal is worth taking a moment to enjoy.

BILL’S HOT DOG STAND109 Gladden Street (252) 946-3343

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 264 What to order: A hot dog with spicy white bean chili. It’s the one uncommon ingredient at this favorite, familiar hot dog shop. To eat one is to taste a piece of history because since 1928, hot dogs have been the cornerstone of Bill’s success.

Manteo BIG AL’S SODA FOUNTAIN

AND GRILL716 South Highway 64 (252) 473-5570

Where you’re coming from: U.S. Highway 64 What to order: Big Al’s BBQ Bacon Burger. It’s topped with pulled pork, bacon, Cheddar cheese, an onion ring, and Al’s Coca-Cola barbecue sauce. It’ll hold you over until you get to where you’re going. Guy Fieri’s a fan.