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.