Editor's Note: Unfortunately, since the time of publication this restaurant has since closed.

Destination eateries turn an ordinary road trip into a delicious adventure and Shatley Springs Restaurant in Crumpler, North Carolina is one of the most popular out-of-the-way restaurants in the state. It's located at the site of a mineral spring discovered in 1890; a spring people still rely on today for its healing properties. But the experience of visiting Shatley Springs Restaurant and its associated attractions has also become a restorative venture. Aside from the amazing Southern cooking, a visit to this destination eatery is also food for the soul.

The complex at Shatley Springs includes a sizable restaurant, a small variety store, a shop with jewelry and gifts, an arts and crafts store, and a coffee house.

There is so much to see and do here, you could spend an entire day. Or, if you want to make a longer trip of it, they have cozy little cabins you can rent.

But it's the food that brings people back again and again. Shatley Springs is open seasonally, every day (except Monday) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

And even though it's situated way out in the boonies, visitors keep it hoppin' all day, every day.

Because visitors have to drive such a long distance to arrive at Shatley Springs, the restaurant takes reservations (they are highly recommended!) for lunch and dinner every day of the week. Breakfast, however, is first-come, first-served and no reservations are offered.

There is plenty to keep you busy while you wait for your table. On select weekends, live music from the Shatley Spring Restaurant's outdoor stage next to the restaurant fills up the valley with vibrant sounds. Some outdoor dining is available next to the stage area.

Once seated, visitors can order individual meals from the menu or everyone at the table can choose a family style country lunch or dinner.

With the family style meal, visitors select meats and sides and then wait for the feast to begin.

The restaurant is famous for their fried chicken and country ham. If it's your first time at Shatley Springs, you can't go wrong with either! Other delicious choices include chicken pie, fried flounder, ground beef steak, and a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups.

Whatever you do, be sure to save room for the cobbler dessert. The flavor changes daily, but could be peach, cherry, blackberry, or strawberry — served with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Getting to Shatley Springs means taking a fun little road trip through the Tar Heel State.

The destination eatery is found 120 miles from Charlotte, Greensboro, and Asheville. It's 30 miles from Boone, and 200 miles from Fayetteville.

Shatley Springs Restaurant is open seasonally. The hours are generally Tuesday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Live music is only available on certain days. You can check the open hours and the music schedule at this link. Reservations are highly recommended; call (336)982-2236. If you're headed there for breakfast, be sure to arrive prior to 9:30 a.m. to put your name on the list. No names will be added after that time. Learn more from the official website. And if you're looking for more ways to fill your day after your visit to this destination eatery, you can head over to the tiny town of West Jefferson for more things to see and do.