While many people flock to big cities for a five-star meal, sometimes the best cookin' you can find is at a hole-in-the-wall in small town North Carolina. Here, the food is made fresh and does more than fulfill your appetite but allows you to reminisce on home-cooked meals, simpler times, and plain good food. If you're looking for the perfect mix of 'feels like supper' with a bit of a classic touch, Roxxi and Lulu's Bistro and Bakery in Elkin will give you just that.

Editor's Note: Unfortunately Roxxi and Lulu's Bistro and Bakery has been closed. We will miss the delicious offerings here. 

The small town of Elkin is situated on the Yadkin River and divided between Surry and Wilkes Counties. With a population of just around 5,000, it's a quiet small town nestled in the Foothills and nearby by both Pilot Mountain and Mount Airy. Although it might seem like you're in a bit of 'nowhersville' this entire area is a cultural heart of wineries, sonker, down-home charm and nearby 'Mayberry' vibes. Roxxi and Lulus is indeed very lowkey on the surface, it could even appear as someone's personal residence but once you step inside you'll be surprised.

The inside is decorated with wooden dining tables, some circular and perfect for a party of two...other large, rectangular tables feel like dining back and mom and dad's. An open kitchen gives you a peek-in on the action while all the tea is served sweet and a wealth of interesting specials (and featured sonker) allows Roxxi and Lulu's to infuse a dose of creativity into the normal menu that ranges from brunch to dinner.

On the fence about what to order? You really can't go wrong with the homemade oatmeal pancakes prepared with steel cut oats and seasonal toppings. Each dish is prepared fresh utilizing local ingredients. Sandwiches are piled high with thick cuts of meat, crunchy lettuce, garden-grown tomatoes and generous portions of cheese. The made to order farmhouse hash comes out piping hot with two eggs your choice, corned beef, onions and a potato medley.

Brunch is certainly one of the main attractions at Roxxi an Lulu's and we can't blame the many diners who flood the small restaurant come Saturday morning. Try the homestyle french toast, a warm bistro brunch salad with local greens, or daily quiche. Sure, brunch and the oatmeal pancakes are phenomenal, but I'm personally a big fan of their sandwiches. The Bistro Market Club is everything you've dreamed a club could be while the croque monsieur or madame will have you saying 'Bonjour.' There are also vegetarian options like the mushmelt, made with baby portobellas and Swiss cheese, and also the roasted veggie panini.

When visiting you MUST try the sonker. A regional dessert to Surry County, it has a cobbler base with warm fruit compote, and it's prepared in a variety of ways. There's even an entire sonker trail throughout this area where you can taste the different variations (some fancy and some down home). Roxxi and Lulu's is on the sonker trail with the head chef following her Grandmother's stovetop recipe that involves frying the dough then adding toppings. While no two sonkers are alike, you can usually count on the fact they'll be served with a healthy dollop of vanilla ice cream. Roxxi and Lulu's keeps it interesting by using seasonal berries and fruits as their sonker topping.

Pressed for time but still want to try it out? The bakery features an array of fresh-made pastries you can enjoy with a morning cup of Joe or espresso. It's pretty amazing a restaurant of this caliber is hiding in small town North Carolina, but at the same time, it really doesn't surprise me. It seems most of North Carolina's hidden gems are found down long dirt roads.

Roxxi and Lulu's is SO delicious, take the detour and try this place out! Have you dined here before?

You'll find it at -

280 Standard Street

Elkin, NC 28621

Speaking of another restaurant out in the Boonies but worth the drive, you'll get both stellar views and food here.