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Spend The Weekend On An Eclectic Culinary Tour Of Historical, Innovative, And Artisanal Foods In North Carolina

Published Jun 24, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

Enjoy an eclectic culinary tour in North Carolina offering delicious food in several historic places. Taste Carolina Food walking tours are available every weekend in some of the best restaurants in interesting cities and neighborhoods. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations from the chefs, learn about the architecture and culinary landscapes of the downtown areas, and consume delicious food and drink along the way.

Weekend tours are open to the public with a maximum number of about 15 people.

A group of people poses together in front of a bull statue in an urban setting on a sunny day.
Taste Carolina/Facebook

Locally owned restaurants participate in these events to provide fun, informative adventures, in such cities as Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Asheville, Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.

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Folks take a well-chosen pause during a downtown Durham tour.

The highlights of your trip will vary from scrumptious desserts to interesting appetizers and everything in between.

A slice of crepe topped with strawberries, blueberries, chocolate drizzle, and a dollop of whipped cream on a paper plate.
Lauren Diggs/Tripadvisor

We love the opportunity to try the food at multiple eateries.

The wonderful experiences showcase the best these places have to offer from wine to cuisine at each stop.

A table set with glasses of wine, water, and a plate of salad, cheese, and grapes, surrounded by diners.
Crissy/Tripadvisor

Tours include interesting stories and history about the towns in which they are located provided by experienced guides.

This perfect evening in Winston-Salem included a live cooking demonstration from an experienced chef.

A person in an apron slices food on a wooden cutting board in a cafe kitchen.
RV There Yet/Tripadvisor

The food is amazing and the nature of the walking tour allows you to burn calories. This particular tour was about three miles.

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Another experience in Charlotte is a brunch tour that encompasses six stops with plenty of food and drink.

A platter of pulled pork sliders with coleslaw in small metal cups, garnished with wooden skewers.
Doug P/Tripadvisor

And if you can't eat it all there, to-go boxes are usually offered.

This group tucked in from the rain to enjoy the local offerings in Durham.

A group of seven people sitting at a wooden table in a cafe, enjoying food and drinks, smiling at the camera.
Taste Carolina/Facebook

Custom and corporate tours are available for groups of eight and up.

Get out in these magical cities and learn about the best restaurants in town.

Three women walk down a city street at sunset, with colorful lights from nearby shops illuminating the scene.
Taste Carolina/Facebook

Which tour will you sign up for?

Discover more about this culinary tour in North Carolina on the Taste Carolina website. If you've taken one of these exciting food journeys, please share your experience in the comments below. While we're thinking about eating, here are some strange food combinations people in North Carolina seem to love. And if you're out traveling around, consider booking a cool Vrbo.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/food-combinations-nc/

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Food

Word On The Street Is That Huli Sue’s Serves The Best BBQ In North Carolina

Published Aug 26, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill in Asheville is an eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina. This Hawaiian-Texan-inspired cuisine offers a unique and delicious taste that stands out in an area with plenty of traditional barbecue options. Find out why this barbecue joint in North Carolina is a step above the rest.

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Constructed in 1928, the Grove Arcade has undergone many phases during its interesting existence.

A bustling outdoor dining area with umbrellas, surrounded by trees and parked cars, near a historic building.
Grove Arcade/Facebook

The Grand Opening took place in 1929 and became home to local shops and businesses offering a variety of services and products over the years.

In 2021 the historic Grove Arcade welcomed the addition of Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill opened by Lisa Vann and Ben Krueger who also have The Fish and The Hog in Waimea, Hawaii.

Outdoor dining area of a restaurant with blue umbrellas, yellow chairs, and colorful flowers in front.
Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill/Facebook

It didn't take long for this to become an eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina.

You can taste the island's influence on the Texas barbecue and Hawaiian dishes.

A vibrant restaurant interior with colorful decor, seating areas, and a mural of a cowboy on a horse.
Joel R/Tripadvisor

For example, folks are impressed to find an authentic and scrumptious poke bowl in Asheville.

A bowl of rice topped with diced tuna, avocado, seaweed, and orange roe, alongside a refreshing drink and flowers.
Management/Tripadvisor

This version comes with ginger-sesame-shoyu seared sashimi-grade fish, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and aioli.

But first things first as cocktails evocative of another era - crafted with fresh juices, fruits, and adorned with lovely flowers and umbrellas - shouldn't be overlooked.

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Three colorful cocktails are raised in a toast, featuring garnishes like flowers and umbrellas, in a lively restaurant setting.
Ashley R/Tripadvisor

The Lava Flow has rum with cream of coconut, pineapple, strawberry, and lime.

For the table, a nice order of Rueben Spring Rolls contain house-made pastrami, Swiss, crunchy sauerkraut, and Russian dip.

A plate of crispy fried snacks filled with meat and cabbage, served with a dipping sauce on the side.
Management/Tripadvisor

Be warned - these cultivate a mean craving that hits you in the middle of the night.

And speaking of pastrami, you can also find it on a sandwich here - deli-style - with a choice of house-cut fries, sweet Maui Onion Chips, or a salad.

A plate featuring a grilled sandwich, a pickle, and a side of crispy sweet potato fries.
Lockie H/Tripadvisor

If you come with barbecue in mind, however; The Sampler plate delivers with brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, and house-made sausage.

A plate of barbecue featuring ribs, pulled pork, pickles, and baked beans, with drinks and onion rings in the background.
Management/Tripadvisor

The desserts are worthy of time all on their own for a sweet date night.

A slice of layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, banana, cream, and chocolate drizzle on top.
Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill/Facebook

Try the Banana Cream Pie, Pineapple Upside Cake, or the Haupia (coconut) Layer Cake.

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Discover more about this eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina on the Huli Sue's website. While you're in this eclectic city, find out why you might fall in love with Asheville. And check out some very cool overnight or weekend options on Vrbo.

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Food

A Pure Oil Station Is Now North Carolina’s Best New Place To Find A Duck Confit Grilled Cheese

Published Aug 7, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

It's a special event when you run into an all-day eatery with excellent food in North Carolina — especially in the heart of Black Mountain. This restaurant opened in December of 2022 offering some delightful cuisine. But the most interesting feature of the historic building turned restaurant in North Carolina is that it once was a Pure Oil Station. While those memories are gone, the community spirit in this saved building is intact. Read on about The Pure & Proper.

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A Pure Oil Station that opened in the 1940s was the beginning of a bond with the Black Mountain community.

Historic black-and-white photo of a vintage gas station with a distinctive architectural style and old gas pumps.
The Pure And Proper

The cool, historic structure stood as a beloved landmark reminding folks of the simpler times. It was lovingly saved and turned into The Pure & Proper.

A charming white building with a sloped roof, decorated for the holidays, illuminated by a vintage streetlamp at dusk.
The Pure And Proper

New life brings a warm and welcoming repurposed space with a cozy open upstairs dining room and another intimate dining room downstairs.

This all-day eatery is decorated with elegant and creative details in a variety of materials.

Cozy restaurant interior with wooden tables, chairs, and a bar, featuring warm lighting and rustic decor.
The Pure And Proper

We love the furry seats, exposed beams, and rough bricks where you'll find lunch, a cocktail hour, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Start with the Cheese Board featuring three local cheeses, seasonal pickles, mustard, olives, marcona almonds, and stecca bread.

A wooden platter featuring assorted cheeses, olives, pickles, nuts, and crispy bread slices.
Mixa's Travels/Tripadvisor

This is a very nice item to share and goes well with one of the signature cocktails or mocktails.

While Brussels sprouts come as a side with sorghum and sherry vinaigrette, try the elegant way they are served as an entree.

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A bowl of roasted Brussels sprouts topped with crumbled cheese, crushed nuts, and a drizzle of sauce.
Lockie H/Tripadvisor

Topped with whipped ricotta, tomato jam, spiced cashews, and fresh basil, they are a piece of art.

And speaking of art, the Flat Iron Steak with crispy potatoes is a sculpture of hearty love.

A plate of steak topped with crispy fried onions and sauce, served with a knife and fork on a marble table.
LanSluderBelize/Tripadvisor

This eatery in North Carolina also makes a convenient stop for lunch after hiking up the Lookout Mountain Trail with a fresh salad, a ham and cheese, and your favorite beer or wine.

A plate of salad with greens, nuts, and cheese, alongside a sandwich, drinks, and a bottle on a table.
Harriet T/Tripadvisor

When it's nice, take advantage of the patio, and find the hike on the AllTrails website.

While the aforementioned entrees are delicious, the Duck Confit Grilled Cheese is the best grilled cheese you will ever eat.

A grilled cheese sandwich with crispy edges, served on a plate with a dark beverage in the background.
Miriam S/Tripadvisor

It's comprised of pulled duck leg confit (duck legs slow-roasted in duck fat), griddled onion, arugula, Gruyere cheese, and tomato jam.

Discover more about this historic building turned restaurant in North Carolina on The Pure & Proper website. And find out why Black Mountain is also a great place to visit in the winter.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/snowiest-town-winter-getaway-nc/

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