Guy Fieri and his wildly popular show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives put a spotlight on little joints with bold flavor. So what happens when Food Network turns North Carolina’s beloved local restaurants into destinations?
hole-in-the-wall joints
Tried & True: The Mystique of Hole-in-the-Wall Joints
These love-worn restaurants are revered, not reviewed: We flock to them for everything they are — cash only, unfussy, hard-to-find — and aren’t, because what matters most is always on the inside.
John’s Drive In in Kitty Hawk
Every Dolphin Boat sandwich and milkshake that this stop serves comes with a side of nostalgia.
The Burger Spot: Shake Shop in Cherryville
Shake Shop’s "lotta" style is unique to the shop, and Cherryville: slaw, tomato, and pickle.