North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners, and Barbecue Joints

Southern Gateways Guides

by D.G. Martin

D. G. Martin is back with an updated and expanded edition of North Carolina's Roadside Eateries. Now there are even more restaurants and things to do for the interstate traveler. North Carolina's favorite TV host and columnist has spent years traveling the major roadways of the Tar Heel State on the lookout for community, local history, and, of course, a good home-cooked meal. Here, D. G. is your personal tour guide to 129 notable local roadway haunts that serve not only as great places to eat but also as fixtures of their communities. A North Carolinian since childhood, D. G. urges travelers--both local and those just visiting--to forget the countless chain restaurants that dot our highways and go just a little out of the way to find the most memorable roadside pit stops, including everything from BBQ joints and country kitchens to Mexican restaurants and the occasional Greek diner. From the mountains to the coast and everywhere in between, D. G. highlights the best eats on the road and reminds us of the human stories behind the ribs, fried chicken, and collards.

Included in this new edition are detailed and up-to-date contact information, hours, directions, and points of interest to explore after you eat.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2016

About the author

D.G. Martin has hosted North Carolina Bookwatch on UNC-TV since the series' third season in 1999. A Yale Law School graduate and former Green Beret, Martin has been involved with public service and politics throughout his life, including stints as interim Vice Chancellor for Development and University Affairs at both UNC-Pembroke and North Carolina Central University, and as the Carolinas Director of the Trust for Public Land. Martin writes a weekly newspaper column, "One on One" and has been a popular guest writer and panel moderator for Ashe County's On the Same Page Literary Festival.

Reviews

[Matthew Tessnear · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you regularly travel North Carolina and love food at one-of-kind restaurants, this book is an essential passenger you must take with you on your journey! DG Martin shares a high-volume of dining options in a book organized by interstate proximity, which makes it easy to read and navigate. The book is an especially strong resource for meat-and-three, NC barbecue and dessert opportunities, which along with burgers are the essential food groups I consider when visiting North Carolina’s unique array of special restaurant gems. You can never include all great restaurants in one book or website, because you’ll always discover another as soon as you publish. I’ve realized that myself in my own foodie pursuits, but DG does a great job filling your head and stomach with a full course of appetizing meals options to explore yourself. A true 5-star read!

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool idea for a book! I enjoyed reading about the different restaurants, some I've been to and some new to me. I thought the book was well-organized, with good tips on other local jewels.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the fact that D.G. gives directions and what to do after you eat section. I also liked the notes about favorite places of our local writers and some NC sports figures. He also gives a background on the owners or history of the eateries. It's a nice travel companion book.