North Carolina is a state that’s abundant in delectable food dishes, and the cuisine is incredibly varied. Therefore, whether you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth or you’re quite the carnivore, North Carolina is the place to be. Ranging all the way from seafood from the coast to country dishes from the mountains, no matter your palate, your tastebuds are sure to be satisfied in North Carolina. Food is a massive part of the culture, so if you find yourself in the state, be sure to indulge in the local delights.
Krispy Kreme Donuts
Krispy Kreme is now available worldwide; however, its original location is Raleigh. Now, it’s fair to say that if you eat too many of these sugary delights, you might find yourself needing some dental implants (Sutton Coldfield). That said, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying these delectable treats in moderation. Today, Krispy Kreme is a household name, but the story of its classic glazed donuts began in Winston-Salem. It was here that the perfect combination of a hot donut and cup of coffee was formed. So, the rest of the world has North Carolina to thank for a brand that most know and love today.
Carolina-Style Hotdogs and Hamburgers
There are multiple eateries within the state in which you’ll be able to enjoy Carolina-style hot dogs and hamburgers. Essentially, Carolina-style is a topping combination that “Carolina-ifies” hot dogs, hamburgers, and multiple other types of food. The topping tends to be a concoction of coleslaw, onion, chili, and occasionally, mustard. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in North Carolina, it’s certainly worth trying the above condiments on hot dogs, burgers, or any other type of barbecue. It’s something that’s exclusive to the area, meaning that it’s not to be missed out on.
Texas Pete
The name of this legendary sauce may seem out of place on this list. Despite this, Texas Pete isn’t actually from Texas, as the name would suggest. Instead, it comes from Winston-Salem, and it was initially proposed that the sauce be called “Mexican Joe”. This was then changed as the family business wanted a name that would reflect the American origins of the sauce. Since Texas was renowned for its spice, Texas Pete was born. The sauce can be purchased at any grocery store in North Carolina and the rest of the US, too.
Calabash Seafood
Calabash seafood is fresh Atlantic seafood that’s caught locally off the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts. The seafood is then lightly battered and deep fried, and it tends to be served as a mixed seafood platter. Naturally, the best place to indulge in Calabash seafood is at a restaurant in a small coastal town. This is because seafood is more likely to be fresh in these areas than anywhere else, and freshness equates to better seafood. Some of the typical components of calabash include hush puppies, flounder, cod, clams, and scallops.
North Carolina-Style Barbecue
Last but certainly not least is North Carolina-style barbecue. After all, North Carolinians are serious about their barbecue. It’s separated into two styles: eastern-style and western-style. Eastern-style barbecue has a vinegar-based sauce and tends to be prepared as a whole hog barbecue. Western-style barbecue (or Lexington-style barbecue) is renowned for its smoky and sweet tomato sauce. Generally speaking, only the pork shoulder is prepared for this style of barbecue.
Most commonly, North Carolina-style barbecue is served as pulled pork, which can be eaten as it is or in a sandwich. Of everything on the list, North Carolina-style barbecue is arguably the biggest staple of the state, so there’s no way that it can be missed.
