Of Roadtrips, Barbecue, and Southern Hospitality

Over Fourth of July weekend, my husband and I drove from Michigan to North Carolina for a family wedding. I am never one to pass up an opportunity for a trip to revolve around food in some way, so I promptly researched the barbecue options in the area since we all know North Carolina has a proud barbecue tradition.

Upon consulting the North Carolina Barbecue Trail map (Did you know there was a North Carolina Barbecue Trail?) I found a place in Mocksville called Deano's that sounded promising.

Upon arriving in Bermuda Run at 6:00 on Friday evening, we checked into our hotel, then drove 15 minutes southwest to Mocksville. We had a little trouble finding Deano's because our GPS navigated us a bit funny, but we soon stumbled upon it which felt like we were pulling into a barbecue oasis:

The second we walked in the door, I could tell that people knew we weren't from these parts. The door closed behind us and it was like those scenes in a movie where the jukebox is playing and as soon as you walk in, the music stops and everyone turns to look at you.

OK, so it wasn't that extreme, but that's what it felt like.

This was clearly a local establishment and everyone sized up we were visitors as soon as we walked in. But the looks and stares didn't last long because they were soon replaced with welcomes and friendly chatter. There were two waitresses working at Deano's the evening we were there and they both helped us and chatted about what brought us to North Carolina.

This place defined southern hospitality. Not only was the staff helpful and accommodating, but Deano himself, walked around and chatted it up with his patrons.

That's Deano standing up on the left

Even though there weren't many people sitting around eating, there were constantly people coming in and out to pick up take-out orders. This place had a "we just stepped back in time" feel to it, but in a homey, comfortable way, not a "OMG! Get me out of here!" kind of way.

I mean, just look at the staff entrance to the kitchen behind my husband - it's one of those old wooden screen doors that you always tell everyone is annoying when it slams 100 times a day but you secretly find the sound comforting. It's the sound of porch swings, lazy summer days, and kids coming in and out of the house from playing outside until it's too dark to see the game of kickball they were playing, so they go back outside to catch lightning bugs instead.

Everything about this place shouted, "You are our guest, but we want you to feel at home."

 We didn't have to wait long before these beautiful plates of barbecue were placed in front of us:

I got the barbecue pork plate with fries, red slaw, and hush puppies (because in North Carolina, their barbecue is all about the pork!)

My husband got the barbecue chicken plate with all the same sides

There was no fanfare or fancy presentation. It came out on a styrofoam plate. Then again, barbecue isn't supposed to be fancy. What it lacks in appearance it makes up for in flavor and that satisfied sigh of a full stomach .

Upon paying our bill, we waved goodbye to our new friends, and were warmly serenaded with express hopes from everyone, even Deano himself, that we come back some day. These are the types of dining experiences I long for when I travel. Off the beaten path, comforting, but most of all, true to the region and culture of the area. We could have just as easily driven to the Wendy's down the street from our hotel to get dinner. But instead, we took a little time to go out of our way to seek out something authentic and satisfying. I encourage you to do the same.

What has been your favorite authentic food experience while traveling?

Try Something New

My husband and I recently visited North Carolina for the first time a few weeks ago (yes, I admit, I'm well-traveled in Europe, but not inside my own country) and one of the things I wanted to do while there was experience some authentic, North Carolina barbecue.

My cousin just happens to live in Greenville, which is a stop on the Barbecue Trail.

B's Barbecue is the very definition of "hole in the wall." It's a shack, really. But don't let the dilapidated appearance fool you into thinking that the food is poor quality. People line up outside this place for sometimes over an hour to get some of their tasty vittles, and if you hope to order what you want, then you better get there early, because they serve until they run out of food - which is usually 2:00 in the afternoon.

So we arrived at B's a little after 11:00 and waited in line for about twenty minutes. When we got to the window, we placed our order, and a few minutes later, dove into some of the most delicious pulled pork I have ever eaten. In Eastern North Carolina, their barbecue has a vinegar base to it rather than a tomato-based sauce, and even though I still love tomato-based barbecue, I was excited to have my mind opened to something new and different.

I felt a bit like Anthony Bourdain: eating food out of a building with a less-than-appealing appearance, only to find that its authenticity and tastiness make it way better than anything you could ever order at the chain restaurant down the road.

So take a chance. Go try that hole-in-the-wall place you pass by everyday that you turn your nose up at due to its sketchy appearance. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

ETA: What are the odds that National Geographic's Intelligent Travel Blog would write a post about the exact same topic on the exact same day?