Saxapahaw General Store has some of the best beef and seafood in North Carolina. Enjoy the savory aroma of lunch or breakfast cooking while you shop the shelves of this charming grocery. The staff emphasizes the importance of fresh, locally-produced, and artisan goods, while striving to support needs of convenience. A wide variety of produce is grown both in Alamance County and North Carolina, meaning the berries, mushrooms, lettuce, and peppers sitting on the grocery shelves are also served from the farm to your plate when ordered from the wide variety of menu items. And when local produce is not available not to worry, whenever possible, organically-grown food is brought in from small farms, continuing that support for small communities.

What do a butcher, a chef, a teacher, a biscuit-maker, and a visionary all have in common?

In June 2008, Jeff Barney, Cameron Ratliff, and Mac Jordan revived the gas station and convenience store that had served the community for several years, creating The Saxapahaw General Store.

After 14 years, they have succeeded in fulfilling their hopes and dreams of serving the people of Saxapahaw, while supporting the local economy.

Whether it is from the grocery or the restaurant — local and nutritious meats, vegetables, snacks, wine, beer, and eco-conscious dry goods are offered.

The purpose is to strengthen and fortify the local economy and promote other small businesses and farmers.

Taste the difference that comes in the effort of finding the nearby gifted artisans and farmers, producing some of the most appetizing, wholesome foods in the world.

Are you ready for dinner? Try these red wine-braised short ribs made from grass-fed beef. This pile of meat is served with broccoli and creamy garlic mashed potatoes. The staff is flexible — try for a substitute veggie if these choices aren't your thing.

Something a little more casual comes in the form of a good, old-fashioned hamburger.

Again, this quality sandwich is created with grass-fed beef, topped with tomato, lettuce, Swiss, house-made pickles, and caramelized onions. Talk about details — there is no shortage of hard work here.

Something a little different and for soul-food lovers, try this scrumptious, crispy sandwich.

If you like chicken livers, you'll love these made from locally-raised chickens, putting a whole new twist on freshness.

For seafood lovers, another specialty dinner item is this generous portion of scallops.

And that lovely stuff underneath is creamy, applewood bacon succotash, made of onion, roasted potato, corn, and garbanzo beans. The topping is fresh and locally-grown asparagus, drizzled with a white wine butter sauce.

Seafood can even come for breakfast, served New York-style, with an H&H Bagel, topped with delicious smoked lox.

Be creative and try some fresh alfalfa sprouts.

And lighter options are available, with meat or without.

Check out the freshness of the locally-grown veggies in this one.

Even the eggs are being made as we speak — right down the lane. Pictured are pullet eggs, which come from the first year of a laying hen's life. They are smaller and mostly kept by farmers, as most stores do not want them.

But sometimes dynamite comes in small packages, and these eggs are high on quality with larger yolks, and lesser egg whites, giving them a bolder, creamier flavor.

Chefs love these little beauties which can end up on your plate at The Saxapahaw General Store.

The "basic breakfast" is made with locally, raised eggs; meat, grits or home fries; and a fluffy, homemade biscuit.

Remember to save room for these delicious desserts.

This chocolate chip cannoli is just waiting for a hungry customer.

When you see this sign lit up in the window, don't pass it by if you want a memorable dining experience. Whichever meal brings you in — breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner — something outstanding is waiting for you on the menu.

Get some shrimp-n-grits, or try something on the Sunday brunch menu. Take it to go, or just do some grocery shopping.

Are you ready to go visit Saxapahaw General Store? If general stores are something you desire to visit more in North Carolina, try out some of these.  Each one is sure to lead to a discovery of some of the best food in the state.