EDITOR’S NOTE: For a printable “Southern Sandwich Travel Guide,” click here.
BLT
Merritt’s, Chapel Hill
1009 South Columbia Street
(919) 942-4897
merrittsstoreandgrill.com
You’ll stand in line for a while, but the bacon and local bread are out of this world, making the wait more than worth it.
FRIED BOLOGNA
Brooks Sandwich House, Charlotte
2710 North Brevard Street
(704) 375-7808
eatbrookschili.com
Brooks’s fried bologna sandwich is topped with homemade chili, providing an extra bit of flavor.
ICE CREAM
Nye’s Cream, Wilmington
Retail locations throughout the state
(910) 859-7059
nyescreamsandwiches.com
Both the cookies and ice cream are made from scratch, making this the freshest ice cream sandwich around.
FLUFFERNUTTER
Right from your own pantry.
Go ahead and lick the marshmallow creme off your fingers — no one is watching.
GROUND-STEAK
The Dairy Center, Mount Airy
407 West Lebanon Street
(336) 786-2349
You’ve got a great selection of Mount Airy restaurants where you can try the ground-steak sandwich. For less than $3, The Dairy Center’s option is a fantastic cheap eat.
SHRIMP BURGER
Big Oak Drive-In, Atlantic Beach
1167 Salter Path Road
(252) 247-2588
bigoakdrivein.com
Walk up to the window and order this sandwich that satisfies after a morning spent beachside.
PIMENTO CHEESE
Smith’s Drugs, Forest City
139 East Main Street
(828) 245-4591
smithsdrugsfc.com
With its sweet and tangy combination of American cheese, pimientos, and mayonnaise, this sandwich’s simplicity is what makes it great.
GRILLED CHEESE
American Meltdown, Durham
Food truck location varies
americanmeltdown.org
This isn’t your kid’s grilled cheese. American Meltdown features ingredients such as figs and arugula pesto.
BARBECUE
Oh, you know the place.
We’re not looking to start feuds. But we will say this: Any barbecue from North Carolina is better than whatever Texas is serving.
PORK CHOP
Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy
125 North Main Street
(336) 786-4931
thesnappylunch.com
With its coleslaw, mustard, and chili, this pork chop sandwich is so good, it’s celebrity-endorsed.
BREAKFAST
Flo’s Kitchen, Wilson
1015 Goldsboro Street South
(252) 237-9146
The biscuits are made from scratch, the cheese is bubbly and plentiful, and we can’t think of a better way to start the day.
FRIED GREEN TOMATO
Lindley Park Filling Station, Greensboro
2201 Walker Avenue
(336) 274-2144
Fried green tomatoes get all gussied up with a little herb mayonnaise and cheddar cheese at Lindley Park Filling Station.
FRIED CHICKEN
Price’s Chicken Coop, Charlotte
1614 Camden Road
(704) 333-9866
The chicken is marinated for one day before it’s coated with flour and deep-fried, locking in all those savory juices.
FRIED CATFISH
Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham
608 North Mangum Street
(919) 908-8970
saltboxseafoodjoint.com
The restaurant might be located in a shack, but its fish is as fresh as can be and wonderfully seasoned.
BANANA
At home.
Seriously, where can one get a banana and mayonnaise sandwich around here? Better question: When can one eat such a delectable creation in peace without having taste buds judged? You naysayers can keep your peanut
butter and honey.