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This 75-Year Old Barbecue Landmark Is One Of The Most Nostalgic Destinations In North Carolina

Published Jan 9, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

Enjoy curb service all year round at a most charming and nostalgic destination in North Carolina. Tucked away in Reidsville off of South Scales Street, Short Sugar's Pit Barbecue is nothing short of a treat. Take this journey back to a simpler time when a honk of the horn still brings the most scrumptious food to your vehicle. And the sweet moniker is said to come from the nickname of Eldridge Overby in the 1940s, who wasn't the tallest fellow. The story goes that his girlfriend, when hearing her favorite song playing on a jukebox shouted, “I want to dance with my short sugar.” And the name stuck. After he and his brothers, Johnny and Clyde, built the Overby Brothers Drive-In, sadly Eldridge was killed in a car wreck before it ever opened. The boys aptly named the eatery after their beloved brother and Short Sugar’s Drive-In was born.

When you see this sign be sure to visit for some of the best food you've ever tasted.

Sign for Short Sugars Pit Bar-B-Q, advertising a family special available today. Established in 1949.
Daniel Griffin/Google

If this is the first stop at Short Sugar's, we promise, it won't be the last.

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Exterior of Short Sugar's restaurant, featuring a red and white sign, large windows, and a cloudy sky.
Herve Andrieu/Google

The award-winning barbecue is suburb along with the Southern hospitality.

But wait, a hearty breakfast of buttery pancakes is also unforgettable.

A large pancake topped with butter and syrup on a white plate.
Darryl Thompson/Google

The Big Breakfast Special comes with two eggs, your choice of meat, grits, or tomato, plus pancakes if you can believe it!

Curb service opens at 11:00 a.m., but long before the staff is busy loading wood into the smoker.

A person in an apron prepares wood near a brick oven with flames, next to a sign that says "CURB OPENS 11AM."
Ken T/Foursquare

Nothing is better than taking in the delicious aroma as you wait to order.

A gray car parked under a shelter, with a stack of firewood in the foreground and other cars in the background.
Steven deSteuben/Google

And what will it be for lunch?

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A plate of pulled pork, coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, and hush puppies on a printed paper placemat.
charliespr/Tripadvisor

A Chopped Plate with fries, slaw, and hush puppies?

The pinto beans and cornbread are also delicious choices.

A plate with rice, coleslaw, red beans, and cornbread on a table with a menu underneath.
Jason Evans/Google

And on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., dine-in only, kids eat free with the purchase of

one adult entrée per child.

Or take a sandwich to go, from barbecue to hotdogs, and cheeseburgers.

A close-up of a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on a soft bun, wrapped in paper.
JeffBreedlove/Tripadvisor

The menu has a large variety of mouthwatering choices.

Don't leave without purchasing a memory to take home.

White coffee mug featuring "Short Sugars Bar-B-Q" logo and text about serving BBQ since 1949 in Reidsville, NC.
Short Sugars

You can also continue the taste by ordering Short Sugar's Bar-B-Q sauce with its three generations of tangy, smoked sweetness wrapped in the secret recipe.

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Discover more about Short Sugar's Drive-In on this cool video.

Read on about the interesting history of a most nostalgic destination in North Carolina on Short Sugar's website. While you're there, check out some places to stay on Tripadvisor. Or drive about 20 miles to the surprising town of Eden which makes an excellent weekend getaway in North Carolina.

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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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