Food North Carolina Is Known For: 17 Iconic Eats — Chef Denise (2024)

Are you looking to find out what food North Carolina is known for? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

My husband Mike and I have just returned from a wonderful trip through the state of North Carolina during which we were able to take a deep dive into the unique foods of one of my favorite Southern states.

Although I love aspects of all Southern cuisine, for me the Tar Heel state is a particularly special part of the American South. One big reason is the way the state’s geographic diversity is reflected in the deeply varied North Carolina cuisine.

From NC’s coastal plains, through the foothills of the Piedmont, into the mountains of the western part of the state, North Carolina foods have a delicious way of interweaving a rich history with fresh local ingredients to turn out unique local fare throughout the state. The diverse dishes also make an amazing trail of wonderful North Carolina foodie destinations.

Food North Carolina Is Known For

Join me on this culinary journey through North Carolina’s varied food scene to discover the foods North Carolinians love most—whether they’re the famous foods now known far away from home, or the well-kept secrets still cherished mostly by locals and visitors lucky enough to try them during their stay in North Carolina.

While the state is a great place to experience local examples of the South’s signature dishes, North Carolina’s cuisine is also distinguished by those dishes that have a truly unique thing about them that sets them apart from versions you might get in any other spot in the Southern United States.

So, let’s dig into the North Carolina foods that stand out as something special whose unique flavors, styles, preparations, or presentations make them one-of-a-kind wonders worth celebrating!

1. North Carolina Barbecue

Barbecue is without a doubt one of the most popular foods in North Carolina. And arguing over which style of North Carolina barbecue is best is one of the most popular pastimes of North Carolina barbecue lovers.

Although both eastern North Carolina and the western part of the state have great barbecue, their styles differ. The only things about NC barbecue the state can seem to agree on is that pork is the meat of choice, it must be barbecued over a hardwood fire, and the barbecue sauce that accompanies the pork must be vinegar-based.

Eastern Style BBQ

Eastern-style barbecue is whole hog barbecue, meaning, as the locals say, they use “every part of the hog except the squeal.” The hog is seasoned with black pepper and cooked low and slow over hardwood or hardwood coals, with the smoke providing much of the flavor as the meat becomes oh-so-tender after at least 12 hours of exposure to low heat.

Once done, the meat is pulled, mixed, and chopped to provide a symphony of flavors and textures that include bits of the crackling skin. The resulting pulled pork is usually accompanied by slaw if served on a plate, or topped with slaw if piled into a sandwich. The barbecue sauce is a vinegar-based sauce with a bit of a bite; it NEVER contains ketchup or tomato sauce.

Lexington-Style Barbecue

Lexington-style barbecue, Lexington barbecue, or western style barbecue are all names for the style of barbecue favored in western North Carolina. The style was born in the town of Lexington, which is still the capital of this type of ‘cue.

Unlike Eastern barbecue, Lexington barbecue uses only pork shoulder rather than the whole hog. This means the meat cooks for shorter periods of time, but still comes out incredibly delicious.

Lexington barbecue sauce adds ketchup to a vinegar base and usually a mix of proprietary seasonings that vary from pit boss to pit boss. The result is typically a tangy sauce whose rough edges have been smoothed out by the sweetness of tomato.

The Lexington sauce—sometimes referred to as “dip”—is also used in place of mayo in the making of the local slaw, which carries a red hue as a result of its unique preparation.

Choose Your ‘Cue

Both Eastern and Lexington-style barbecue are amazing North Carolina famous foods worth seeking out, and there are tons of worthy barbecue joints across the state.

Both the Barbecue Center and Lexington Barbecue are legendary purveyors of the barbecue style their names carry. Both of these barbecue restaurants are located in Lexington.

Skylight Inn in Ayden, NC, is a living shrine to Eastern style barbeque. Bum’s, also in Ayden, is another of the best restaurants at which to try the local BBQ style.

2. Fried Chicken

One of the signature foods of the South, fried chicken is one of the famous foods from North Carolina that is enjoyed throughout the state in different ways.

Traditional fried chicken tickles taste buds in every region, with each family recipe differing from all others and being passed down to keep treasured flavors alive and well for each new generation.

Bojangle’s

One recipe that made it to the big time is that of Bojangle’s, a chain of fried chicken restaurants that started out in Charlotte, NC, back in 1977 and now operates over 800 locations in 17 states.

Also known for its biscuits and sweet tea, this ambassador of North Carolina taste has found great success beyond the borders of NC, but still has a deep love of home.

In fact, Bojangle’s is an official tailgating partner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, and hometown parking lot partying is a big part of game day football fun in Charlotte.

North Carolina Dipped Fried Chicken

Another style of beloved broiler in the Tarheel State is North Carolina Dipped Fried Chicken, the local answer to next-door Tennessee’s famous Nashville hot chicken.

As its name hints at, NC’s spicy fried chicken derives its heat from the dip in which it is dunked or that gets drizzled on top after frying. Everyone’s dip is different, but it’s typically some combination of apple cider vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire Sauce, and hot sauce—often North Carolina’s own Texas Pete (more on Pete later).

Whether your preferred fried chicken is sizzlingly spiced or a more sedate savory, rest assured that North Carolina has a pick to please your palate.

3. Hot Dogs

Although North Carolinians take pride in their own brand of hot dogs—the bright red Bright Leaf dogs—it’s the unique way that locals dress their hot dogs that sets them apart from elsewhere in the United States.

Dressing your dogs “the Carolina way” or going “all the way” in NC means adding a combination of slaw, chili, raw onions, and mustard to keep your hot dog company in its bun.

Originating in the Piedmont part of the state, “the Carolina way” is also a common style of having hamburgers prepared too. Join the locals and take it all the way the next time you find yourself in North Carolina.

4. Calabash Seafood

Calabash seafood is one of the iconic dishes of coastal North Carolina. It takes its name from the small fishing town of Calabash, which is known as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” It’s where catching and eating delicious seafood is a way of life.

This traditional food North Carolina is known for consists of some combination of fish, shrimp, clams, oysters, and mussels freshly caught in the Atlantic Ocean, then lightly battered, quickly fried, and served to adoring restaurant goers not only in Calabash but in small towns up and down the coast.

Fun fact: Since Calabash is just over the border from South Carolina, Calabash seafood finds itself on many restaurant menus along the coast of the Palmetto State too, alongside such South Carolina famous foods as Frogmore Stew, Lowcountry Boil, and She-Crab Soup.

5. Mountain Trout

With its 300 miles of coastline, North Carolina local foods include plenty of fresh catch from the Atlantic, but the mountains in the western part of the state boast more than 3,000 miles of rivers, streams, and lakes brimming with trout.

The most widely enjoyed varieties are Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, which are prepared in a myriad of ways. Whether they’re baked, broiled, blackened, fried, or grilled, digging into a freshly caught and expertly prepared local trout is a real treat!

6. Brunswick Stew

North Carolina is not the only state to claim Brunswick Stew as its own; both Virginia and Georgia insist that theirs is the original Brunswick. Whatever the true origins of the dish are, there is no doubt that Brunswick Stew is among the North Carolina food specialties that locals love and visitors should surely try.

The thick stew is a hearty treat that begins with a tomato paste base and typically contains corn, lima beans, potatoes, tomatoes, chicken, barbecued pork, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and peppers of preference.

With as many recipes as there are cooks who make it, no two Brunswick Stews are the same, but they’re always a welcome addition to the table, especially in the colder winter months.

With barbecue pork a key component, the stew is often offered at barbecue joints among the available side dishes, but in many homes, deliciously filling Brunswick Stew is a standalone meal all its own.

7. North Carolina Clam Chowder

Although nowhere near as well known as New England’s famous clam chowder or the San Francisco clam chowder served in its sourdough bowl, the North Carolina clam chowder made along the Outer Banks barrier islands is a uniquely delicious crowd pleaser in its own right.

Unlike the more famous cream-thickened wonders, the NC clam chowder is all about spotlighting the clams. Accompanied by just potatoes, celery, onion, crispy bacon, simple seasonings, and lots of clam juice, the local clams delight you with their briny, meaty goodness and low-key brothy backup.

While not a food NC is famous for, the in-the-know know not to pass up a chance to try this unique NC coastal clam classic.

8. Livermush

When you see a word like “livermush” on a menu, it’s hard to discern which part of the term could possibly put your mind at ease: “liver” or “mush.” But that stripped-down straightforwardness is a testimony to the enduring appeal of what most outsiders think of as “that weird North Carolina food.”

There’s nothing fancy or misleading about the name, the ingredients, or the flavor, and it’s certainly not a North Carolina typical food universally embraced: You either love it or you don’t.

The dish is basically a sausage without casing that is made from pork liver, pork head parts, and cornmeal. It’s formed into a block, and then slices are fried up and served as breakfast meat or enjoyed hot or cold on a sandwich as a lunch option.

Although tracing its roots way back to German settlers making their way to western North Carolina during Colonial times, livermush is still enjoyed today. In recent years, in fact, there’s been a resurgence in popularity, with craft makers even creating new spicy versions in addition to the tried and true original.

9. Fried Green Tomatoes

The fact that this classic Southern dish actually traces its history back to America’s Northeast does not in any way impact its popularity below the Mason-Dixon line. So, it’s no surprise that this delicious treat holds a special place on the list of famous North Carolina foods.

Introduced to a wider American audience by the 1991 film of the same name, fried green tomatoes have long been just as at home in the Tar Heel State as are collard greens and mac and cheese.

These tasty tomato treats are made from unripe red tomatoes (that’s why they’re green) because the lower moisture content of green tomatoes prevents them from getting soggy when they are dredged in flour and cornmeal, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, then pan fried until golden brown.

Their crisp tangy flavor is a celebration of summertime and the sweet pleasure of enjoying nature’s bounty cooked up just right.

One of the most famous and best places to enjoy superb fried green tomatoes in North Carolina is Mama Dip’s Kitchen in Chapel Hill.

10. Pimento Cheese

Another of the typical foods of the South that got its start in the North, pimento cheese is a ubiquitous appetizer spread in North Carolina traditionally enjoyed on crackers or celery sticks. However, it’s sometimes featured as the star of its own sandwich.

Unlike the original northern versions, today’s Southern pimento cheese switches out the original cream cheese for cheddar cheese but still adds mayo and pimentos. The choice of which mayo and seasonings to include accounts for the differences between the many versions of pimento cheese you’ll find in North Carolina.

Toasted as the paté of the South, pimento cheese is always at home on small plates at North Carolina co*cktail parties, family gatherings, and backyard barbecues. It shows up on many restaurant menus as well.

11. Sweet Potatoes

Since the Tar Heel State is the nation’s top producer of sweet potatoes, it should come as no surprise that these delicious, nutritious spuds are an incredibly popular local food. But they’re actually an official food of North Carolina too—the state vegetable!

Perfectly suited to the local soil and climate, sweet potatoes are also incredibly versatile. They show up for breakfast in pancakes, waffles, and biscuits, and pop up on plates for lunch and dinner too, whether baked, mashed, fried, roasted, or candied.

But don’t forget about dessert: Sweet potato pie is one of North Carolina’s all-time favorites, and many in the state can’t imagine a Thanksgiving without one.

12. Mt. Olive Pickles

Although not a North Carolina state food, Mt. Olive pickles have certainly carved out a place in North Carolina food history.

The Mt. Olive Pickle Company was founded in 1926 in the tiny town of Mount Olive as a community effort to ensure that area cucumber farmers would always have a reliable market for their crop. Thirty-seven shareholders pulled their money together back then to begin what is today the largest independent pickle company in the United States.

In addition to producing dozens of types of pickles, Mt. Olive now offers numerous types of pickled peppers, okra, and onions as well.

Mt. Olive dominates the pickle market in the nation’s Southeast and is one of the top sellers throughout the United States. The next time you’re in your hometown grocery store, you might be surprised to see how many Mt. Olive products you spot on the shelves.

13. Texas Pete

Despite its name, Texas Pete is another culinary success story with deep North Carolina roots. Back in 1929, the Garner Family of Winston-Salem came up with a new tangy, tasty, red pepper sauce that they wanted to bring to market.

Sam Garner, the family’s patriarch, wanted an all-American name for the new product. Since Texas had the nation’s biggest reputation for spicy food at that time, and one of Sam’s sons was named “Pete,” Texas Pete Hot Sauce was decided on as the new product’s official moniker. A cowboy was added to the label to symbolize America’s rugged individualism and can-do spirit.

Despite finding fame far beyond its home state, Texas Pete is still an integral part of North Carolina cuisine. In addition to being used as an accompaniment to barbecue, a key component of NC dipped fried chicken, and a not-so-secret ingredient in many a Brunswick Stew, Texas Pete is something North Carolinians aren’t shy about adding to any food that needs a kick.

14. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme doughnuts are today not only a North Carolina famous food, but an internationally renowned brand with over 700 locations spanning 5 continents.

It all began when an enterprising man named Vernon Rudolph bought the original glazed doughnut recipe from a French chef in New Orleans, then opened his own business in Winston-Salem, NC, in 1937.

Although his creations were originally sold only to grocery stores, the smell of doughnuts being made at the production facility attracted passers-by who would ask to purchase whatever’s being made inside. Mr. Rudolph soon installed a service window in the building so customers could buy the heavenly doughnuts right off the street.

As Krispy Kreme retail shops opened afterward, they were designed to show the doughnuts being made before they were transferred to glass display counters. The growth of their popularity continued for decades, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts became the most famous products made in NC.

In 1992, locations added a “Hot Now” neon sign that lit up outside of each store every time a new batch of doughnuts was available. Customers now knew exactly when they could pop in for the freshest hot donut experience.

Today, Krispy Kreme is a publicly traded company, and people around the world are still popping in for any of two dozen varieties of fresh doughnuts, with over a billion sold every year.

15. Peach Cobbler

While big fans of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, North Carolinians have enough of a sweet tooth to enjoy scrumptious baked goods as well. This includes a special place for peach cobbler, one of the state’s most-loved desserts.

With North Carolina being among the top 10 peach-producing states in the US, there are plenty of delicious peaches on hand come summertime to bake up irresistible peach cobblers.

Filled with the sweet fruit of the season, piled into a buttery crust, accented by cinnamon, and baked to perfection, these cobblers are always a hit. Topped with a big scoop of ice cream or generous dollop of whipped cream, this NC food is nothing short of divine.

16. Sonker

If you’ve never heard of a sonker before, you’re in good company. I didn’t discover them until I started visiting North Carolina—and I am glad I did!

Originating with Scotch-Irish immigrants who made their way to the colony of North Carolina in the 1700s, sonkers are a cross between a cobbler and a deep-dish pie. Dough is mixed with a fruit of choice—from any kind of berry you can think of to peaches, apples, and apricots. This being North Carolina, sweet potatoes are also used.

Once baked, the free-form concoction is typically drizzled with a cream sauce called “dip,” which is sweetened with brown sugar or molasses.

If you ever see a sonker on a menu or at a bakery, be sure to try one. They’re absolutely lovely! If you happen to be visiting North Carolina during the first Saturday in October, you can sample sonkers to your heart’s content at the annual Sonker Festival, held every year just outside of Mount Airy.

17. Moravian Sugar Cookies

Another of the traditional foods of North Carolina that owe their existence to European settlers arriving in the colonial era are Moravian sugar cookies. These were a special food made by Moravians who came from what is known today as the Czech Republic, or Czechia.

The cookies are incredibly thin with a satisfying crunch, sweet but not annoyingly so, and come in traditional vanilla and ginger flavors, as well as more modern spice blends and Meyer lemon offerings.

In addition to keeping alive the cultural traditions of the Moravian settlers, these cookies are a Christmastime treat enjoyed by many throughout the state, and they are among the most popular North Carolina food gifts of the Christmas season.

What To Have With Food North Carolina Is Known For

Well, now that you know 17 foods to enjoy in North Carolina, you shouldn’t go hungry while visiting this fun and flavorful state. So that I can be sure you won’t go thirsty during your stay, I’ll give you a few drinks North Carolina is famous for too.

Cheerwine

Despite its name, Cheerwine is not a wine or alcoholic beverage at all. It’s a carbonated soft drink that was created in 1917 in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it has been a hit in its home state ever since.

The soda has a wild cherry flavor, a color reminiscent of red wine, and a taste that its creator thought would put its drinkers in a cheerful mood. As a result, the name “Cheerwine” was chosen for the beverage that was to become the “nectar of the Tarheels.”

I am not exaggerating when I say Cheerwine is beloved in North Carolina. I saw it sold at every grocery store, convenience store, gas station, and most restaurants we went to. Mixed with vanilla ice cream, the Cheerwine Float is almost as popular today as when Cheerwine was still just a fountain drink in its infancy. There’s even an annual Cheerwine Festival held every spring in Salisbury to celebrate the bubbly beverage.

Indeed, Cheerwine’s popularity shows no sign of letting up. When you make it to North Carolina, be sure to try some and see what all the fuss is about.

Pepsi

Of course you know Pepsi, but did you know that New Bern, North Carolina, is the birthplace of Pepsi? It was there in 1893 that Caleb Bradham created the original recipe for the legendary beverage that he first called “Brad’s Drink.”

The name was changed to Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and many ups and downs followed, but Pepsi is still going strong today as the second-best-selling soft drink in the world, eclipsed only by Coca-Cola.

Craft Beer

North Carolina is home to the greatest number of craft breweries in the Southern United States. More than 400 breweries and brew pubs make their home in the Tar Heel State.

While Ashville is recognized as one of the craft brew capitals of the entire US, there are plenty of other shining lights in NC. Wilmington, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Elizabeth City are some of the other spots in the state that have a dynamic beer scene worth checking out.

Enjoying the Food North Carolina Is Known For

I love spending time in NC, and I always leave already knowing I want to come back and explore some more. I’ve been lucky enough to trek through the rugged mountains out west, spend time in some of the sophisticated centers of the Research Triangle, soak up the laid-back coastal charms of the Outer Banks, and see a lot of sights in between. And the food in North Carolina is always an exciting part of my visits.

I hope you have a chance to visit sometime soon and enjoy some of the state’s wonderful cuisine and discover your own North Carolina foodie favorites. When you go, let me know what North Carolina dishes you found to be most delicious. Likewise, drop me a line if you’ve already been and tell me what foods made a big impression on you.

I wish you great eating and safe travels!