Top 14 North Carolina Food Staples to Try - I'm Fixin' To (2024)

Being born and raised in North Carolina, one of my favorite aspects of this space is sharing the best that my home state has to offer! North Carolina cuisine is truly spectacular and one of the reasons I started writing travel guides here. So, today, I’m sharing my top 14 food staples in North Carolina that you need to try on your next visit to the Old North State! Be sure to tell me in the comments below which ones you have tried and which are your favorites.

This post was originally published in January 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2023.

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts

Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts is located in Halifax County, one of the largest peanut-producing counties in the state and my home county! This family-owned small business has been in operation since the mid-80s. Bob Allsbrook, son of Ruby Allsbrook, operates the agribusiness, A&B Milling Company, which presents all peanut products. Their peanuts are known for lower fat content, large meaty size, and excellent flavor and texture. Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts are also distributed nationally from their plant in Enfield. While their country-style ones are the ones I remember fondly from childhood, I love their Cajun-style and their chocolate peanut clusters are a great gift idea!

Bojangles’

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

I’ve written about the best Bojangles’ in North Carolina before (it’s in Nashville, y’all) and I even took Courtney and Glory on a fast food adventure to try the cheddar bo. With that in mind, of course, it would make the list as a North Carolina food staple to try where the restaurant was founded in Charlotte.

While I do like to order the cheddar bo with bo rounds and a sweet tea for breakfast, I converted David to being a fan of their chicken supreme dinner with seasoned fries. And you can never go wrong with their cajun filet biscuit combo either. Whatever you do, though, be sure to get their honey mustard on the side!

Calabash Seafood

Photo via Southern Foodways Alliance

Calabash-style seafood put Calabash, NC on the map as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” Calabash is about an hour south of Wilmington, and its seafood is lightly breaded and fried. You can find Calabash-style seafood restaurants, usually with a huge buffet, in eastern North Carolina and even inland in Raleigh at Captain Stanley’s.

Carolina-Style Cheeseburger or Hotdog

I remember folks ordering things “all the way” when I was growing up at local burger joints. Getting a cheeseburger (or hotdogs for those of you who eat them) Carolina-style means it comes with chili, slaw, onions, and in some cases, mustard.

Worth mentioning, that while I do not eat hot dogs, Bright Leaf Hot Dogs are made in Johnston County. If you head down to Johnston County for a day trip (check out my guides for Benson and Clayton), there is a Bright Leaf Hot Dog Trail should that be of interest to you!

Cheerwine

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

When we talk about a classic North Carolina staple, Cheerwine immediately comes to mind for me. This cherry-flavored soda was created in Salisbury, NC over 100 years ago. Though I stopped drinking soda a long time ago, a Cheerwine over crushed ice as an afternoon treat is something I indulge in from time to time.

As an aside, Merritt’s Grill in Chapel Hill serves up the absolute best BLTs in the world. I pair my BLT with a Cheerwine for an indulgent lunch with absolutely no regrets whenever I’m in town!

Cookout

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

I mean, listen, there ain’t nothing better than a Junior Tray with a burger, friends, and a fountain Cheerwine. Also, their selection of milkshakes is the best around. I had my first taste of Cookout while in college and I was happy to see them start expanding east past Raleigh. This fast-food chain was founded in Greensboro and really is one of the best things to come out of North Carolina.

Corn Sticks

Photo via Parker’s BBQ

Corn sticks are one of the best sides for barbecue and the best place to find them is at Parker’s BBQ in Greenville! This old-fashioned, deep-fried treat is a delight and served with your meal there along with fresh hushpuppies.

Eastern North Carolina BBQ

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

I know, I know, some people prefer western North Carolina BBQ. Not this North Carolinian, though. I am a self-proclaimed BBQ snob and enjoy finding the best around the state, and more recently, Raleigh. The vinegar-based BBQ sauce is what I grew up eating and is still one of my favorite meals when coupled with cornsticks, fried okra, and mac & cheese.

Ground Steak Sandwich

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

Back in August of 2023, I tried my first ground steak sammie at the Dairy Center in Mt. Airy and it has lived rent-free in my head since then. There is a Ground Steak Trail in Surry County highlighting this staple. If you have never tried one, do make a trip to do so! You won’t be disappointed!

Krispy Kreme Donuts

Photo via Mashed

While I am not one with a major sweet tooth, I cannot turn down a classic glazed donut from Krispy Kreme. This business was founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem‘s Old Salem neighborhood! David is a fan of their glazed chocolate cake donut. The location in Oakwood is such an iconic location in Raleigh and is such a fun place to stop and grab dessert after grabbing pizza at Oakwood Pizza Box.

Mount Olive Pickles

Photo via Mt. Olive Pickles

Mount Olive pickles are a major economic force in eastern North Carolina and their dill chips are a favorite around our home in the summer for our favorite grilling recipes. We also love their roasted red peppers for soups and pasta dishes, as well.

Sonker

Another first for me in August 2023 was trying the official dessert of Surry County, a sonker. I tried a strawberry rhubarb one and took home the blackberry one. Stop by Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies to try her take on it, which can be served with a moonshine glaze. The Sonker Trail is another Surry County gem that gets you to explore the different varieties of this take on a cobbler.

Sweet Potatoes

Photo by GloryRoze Photography

Eastern North Carolina produces 40% of the national sweet potatoes in the United States, so that makes it natural that sweet potato casserole is one of the staples around here, right? I love sweet potato casserole during the holidays and colder months, as well. You can find the recipe I use here. Another favorite of mine are roasted sweet potatoes! If you’re dining out, be sure to try the ones at Longleaf Swine in downtown Raleigh!

Texas Pete

Photo via Margaritas on the Rocks

Texas Pete, a Louisiana-style hot sauce, was created in Winston-Salem and has some great other options as well. Like, buffalo sauce and dry dust seasoning. If you’re into hot sauce and haven’t given Texas Pete a try, you’re missing out!

Honorable Mentions

Fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, Lance crackers, and Pepsi are all noteworthy ones. I don’t specifically call out pimento cheese here as it did not specifically originate in North Carolina; however, there are some amazing takes at restaurants around the state!

Interested in more North Carolina features? Check out my love letter to NC, why I love eastern North Carolina, my North Carolina bucket list, Eastern North Carolina Destination Restaurants, and 10 unique hotels in North Carolina.