Chef Dino Mitsides serves phyllo spinach pie — along with a “Strawberry Fields” salad — at his restaurant. photograph by Tim Robison
In the leather booths of this Jackson County diner, guests dig into American classics like buttermilk-fried chicken on Belgian waffles, burgers, BLTs, and phyllo spinach pie, which nods to the owner’s Greek heritage. And even little guests are celebrated at this establishment: Instead of children’s menus, kids are given pieces of paper and crayons to draw masterpieces that will be taped on the wall of the restaurant after their meal, leaving colorful pieces of art for future patrons to admire as they savor fluffy biscuits and steaming cups of coffee.
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612 West Main Street
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4601
lucyintherye.com
Slices of Franklinville Diner’s vanilla pound cake are grilled in butter on the flat-top. The cake is made using the owner’s great-grandmother’s recipe. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
This eatery’s location in the heart of Franklinville makes it an ideal gathering place for groups like the men’s Monday morning Bible fellowship, firefighters from the local station, those celebrating special occasions. Although the diner dishes out comforting classics like omelets in the morning and meatloaf for lunch, locals flock for one menu item in particular: grilled pound cake This family recipe is made with care and includes buttering each slice before toasting it on the griddle.
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159 West Main Street
Franklinville, NC 27248
(336) 824-2117
facebook.com/franklinvilledinernc
East Frank’s menu has almost a dozen innovative sandwiches choose from, alongside hot dogs, plates, salads, and breakfast dishes. photograph by Joshua Vasko
With a rotating menu of cleverly named sandwiches and burgers, this retro-inspired restaurant sources as much as they can from local growers the owners have met over the years. Though classic breakfasts and lunch plates are always up for grabs, menu items extend beyond just diner mainstays: vegan and vegetarian options abound, from loaded grits to tofu cheesesteaks.
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209 East Franklin Street
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 776-9451
eastfranksuperetteandkitchen.com
Old Bridge Diner keep the locals and vacationers fed with popular dishes like the Loaded Biscuit, topped with sausage, hash browns, Cheddar, gravy, and eggs. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
Whether you order benedicts, pancakes, waffles, fried seafood, or the restaurant’s famous clam chowder — which, yes, you can purchase by the pint to take home — this Brunswick County staple is a welcoming space for everyone from beach bums to snowbirds. And time stands still in more ways than one: Owner Michael Jones designed the daily menu to cover both breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. “You can get a cheeseburger at 6 a.m. or an omelet at 1:30 in the afternoon,” he says.
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132 Country Club Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465
(910) 250-1184
oldbridgediner.com
The Original Salt Works’ special house omelets are stuffed with ham, bacon, sausage, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
At this tiny coastal diner, loaded omelets are served with a side of crispy potatoes and local love. The Original Salt Works has been a Wilmington landmark since 1973, and current owner Bob Hubbard — who bought the restaurant in 2003 — has kept the menu traditional and familiar while adding his own laser-like attention to detail: The slaw and chili that top the hot dogs are homemade, as is the chicken salad. The baby lima bean soup recipe was passed down from the restaurant’s first owners and is a secret. And the cheeseburgers, Hubbard’s personal favorite, are loaded with fresh toppings and crowned with slices of American cheese — everything that any burger snob could hope for.
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6301 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-0018
facebook.com/the-original-salt-works
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