Fried Chicken That Beats Any Chain Is Waiting At This No-Frills Roadside Spot In Wilson

Some of the best fried chicken in North Carolina does not come from a drive-thru with a famous logo. It comes from a plain building along a busy highway in Wilson, where the doors open at 9 in the morning and the parking lot fills up fast. Families have been...

Greenville chef Luke Owens receives Michelin recommendation

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The Michelin Guide American South has named chef and owner Luke Owens of Native Fine Diner in Greenville, as Michelin recommended. Native Fine Diner is located at 907 Dickinson Ave in Greenville, and is a place that celebrates the farmers, fisherman, traditions, and culinary heritage that defines the region. “I’ve always […]

Sweet Potato Biscuits Have Made This Kinston, North Carolina Smokehouse A Required Detour For Decades

Bottles of vinegar sauce riding home in the back seat are usually the first clue that a lunch stop went better than planned. A sprawling, slightly old-fashioned barbecue house in eastern North Carolina has been sending travelers away with full bellies and souvenir sauce for generations. From the outside, it...

The South "meats' global south celebrates cuisine

'A game changer': Meeting held for Rocky Mount residents to learn more about planned Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's held a meeting Thursday with Rocky Mount residents as the company looks to grow its presence in North Carolina. The meeting at the Frederick Turnage Municipal Building gave residents their first look at site plans for the large gas station and food store in their community. According to Buc-ee's,...

Taste of the Inner Banks returns to Chowan County

One of Edenton’s fan favorites, Taste of the Inner Banks, returned with a celebration of northeastern North Carolina cooking that also served as a fundraiser to help feed residents across the region. The event was held on the historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green with about 20 regional restaurants offering samples of their signature dishes. All ticket sales went to the Food Bank of the Albemarle, according to Leslie Hogan, who worked on the fundraiser. Admission to the taste-off was $20, with ticket sales limited to 500. Attendees were also asked to bring nonperishable food to the event for distribution through the regional food bank. Chef Ricky Moore, owner of the Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham and winner of the James Beard Foundation’s 2022 Best Chef, Southeast award, was on hand to judge the event’s contest for best presentation at the taste-off. The James Beard Foundation recognizes excellence in cooking, restaurants and hospitality for the states of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Moore was scheduled to select the Outstanding Dish Award and present the People’s Choice Award. The beneficiary of the fundraiser, the Food Bank of the Albemarle, works with 100 nonprofit and community organizations

This North Carolina BBQ Joint Still Smokes Meat The Old-Fashioned Way And Locals Love It

A replica of the U.S. Capitol dome sits on the roof of a barbecue restaurant. Yes, a capitol dome. On a barbecue joint. The dome went up in 1984, a few years after National Geographic called the place the barbecue capital of the world. I like how the owners took that title literally and built a monument to prove it.

Chamber: Six-hundred tickets sold for Oyster Roast

Nothing brings folks together in eastern North Carolina like an oyster roast. Just ask the attendees of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce’s 34th annual Oyster Roast. Chamber officials sold 600 tickets for the Thursday gathering, and 562 people attended. That was the official count from Chamber Vice President of Operations and Events Taylor Anderson. “We are excited to share that this was the largest event in the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce’s history,” Anderson noted. The gathering, which was held at Smith’s Pavilion of Dortches event venue off Halifax Road, offers attendees traditional steamed oysters and shrimp options, as well as fried chicken strips and fried fish filet, along with side dishes including cooked baked beans, coleslaw and hush puppies. The gathering helps support the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts and the programs, resources and opportunities the pro-business and civic organization provides to members throughout the year. Leon Nixon Catering catered the event while Liquid Pleasure provided the music. Early in the evening, Smith’s Pavilion of Dortches Venue Manager Linda Davis said she loves the sight of the long line of people waiting to get food. “I know that it’s going to be a nice time for everyone

Lenoir County Farmer's Market update October 17, 2026

Make a little time for local this weekend. Explore this week’s vendors, upcoming community events, and six winning recipes from the Lenoir County Fair Casserole Cook-Off.

Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Recipes from the Lenoir County Fair Casserole Cook-Off

On Wednesday night at the Lenoir County Fair, four very lucky folks were judging the Casserole Cook-Off. These super foodies made it easy for you by choosing the winning recipes which I am sharing below. Hope you will enjoy!

The Flying Biscuit Cafe signs agreement for new Greenville site

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A new breakfast restaurant is making its way to town. Viren Patel, a franchise operator, is bringing The Flying Biscuit Cafe to Greenville. This will be the brand’s first restaurant in eastern North Carolina. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch only, closing at 3 pm. “My daughter is the one who […]

Behind A Gravel Lot Off A Country Road, This North Carolina Grill Serves Fried Bologna Sandwiches Stacked An Inch Thick

Six in the morning is when the griddle wakes up at a tiny stand that most drivers in eastern North Carolina zip right past. From the road it looks like nothing special, just a small building, a parking lot, and a few picnic tables. Step up to the window, though,...

MrBeast contestants speak after spending 202 days inside of Greenville grocery store

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Four men who spent 202 days inside a Greenville grocery store as part of Greenville native MrBeast’s latest challenge are sharing their experiences after walking away with a $1 million prize and friendships they say will last a lifetime. The video by Jimmy Donaldson, better...

Foodees Fest Rolls Into Opry Mills This Weekend With 40+ Free Food Trucks

More than 40 food trucks and artisan vendors are at Opry Mills Mall this weekend as Foodees Fest kicks off its three-day run in Nashville. The festival started Friday and continues through Sunday at 433 Opry Mills Drive, mixing street food, crafts and small-business shopping into one free, family-friendly event.

Pancakes for PIE fundraiser returns Dec. 5 at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill in New Bern

Craven County Partners In Education will host its 11th annual Pancakes for PIE fundraiser Saturday, Dec. 5, at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill in downtown New Bern. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. at the restaurant, located at 235 Craven St. Proceeds will support grant programs benefiting Craven County Schools, teachers and students.

Skylight Inn In Ayden Has Been Chopping Whole Hogs Over Wood Since 1947

Some restaurants chase trends every season, and then there is a small barbecue counter in eastern North Carolina that has done the same simple thing for close to eight decades. The menu is short, the setup is plain, and when the day’s food runs out, the day is basically done.

Future second Wawa quickly taking shape in city

There’s been a lot of activity lately at the intersection of North Winstead Avenue and Curtis Ellis Drive: New construction, thriving businesses, plenty of dining options and very soon a second Wawa. Businessman Tom Betts has put it this way: “They ought to nickname it ‘the quality corner,’” Betts said over the phone recently of the progress taking shape at the future second Rocky Mount Wawa convenience store. Alyson Mucha, a public relations representative with the Wawa chain, in recent email correspondence did not provide a specific opening date, but she said that the plan is to have the store ready before the end of the year to begin serving customers. The first Wawa convenience store in Rocky Mount opened in October 2024 off Benvenue Road. The Wawa chain, which is based in Pennsylvania, is famous for hoagie-style sandwiches, coffee and other made-to-order items. Motorists driving by the future second Wawa can see the convenience store building, the overhead refueling canopy, the refueling pumps and the streetside signs are in place. “I’m tickled to death,” Betts said Friday of the work that is going on in the area. Betts also was quick to note the presence of the new Rocky

King’s connects its history with its future as new manager returns to Kinston

Wilbur King remembers peeling potatoes on Saturday mornings when he was 12 years old. Ken Meeks remembers visiting King’s Restaurant as a child and riding the pig inside when he was 11.