NC Questions

On Number 1, I'd go with Trophy in Raleigh(since you said Haw River was closed) Especially mid june weather, do a late afternoon of pizza and beer on their outdoor patio, they open at 3pm on weekdays I think.

On Number 2, I'd go with Olde Hickory and Fonta Flora if you can swing it.

On Number 3, everyone has a different favorite but mine is Allen and Son. There is one in Chapell Hill and Pittsboro...I think the Pittsboro location is better, but CH will be more convienent. The Pit in downtown Raleigh is upscale bbq...not really traditional NC but its in a great location across the street from Crank Arm and walking distance to Raleigh Times and Busy Bee.

 

If you like BBQ and your in Asheville then 12 Bones and get the collard greens too. Asheville Wicked Weed. The Pit is good too. Bull City is a favorite, great British style brews great food. Busy Bee for a bar never been to Raleigh breweries, but if your into Belgians and Farmhouse brews Haw River is in between Burlington and Durham.

 

1) I havent been to Steel String since they opened and I wasnt too impressed. But I had their Gose recently and it was nice. Fullsteam is for sure a must stop in Durham. Always great food trucks by Fullsteam. Kokyu is a korean bbq truck that does sliders and their duck fat tots are life. You could check out Sams Quik Shop as well, its a great bottle shop. I believe the largest selection in the state.

2) I dont know about breweries on the way to Asheville. I just know you should stop at Wicked Weed in Asheville and I really like The Wedge. Awesome atmosphere there.

3) Pulled pork i'd send you to Back Yard BBQ Pit. Its sort of out of the way but the food is amazing. Cheap too.

 

If you have kids with you then Wedge is a no go....they do not take kindly to kids in that place.

For that reason coupled with an average beer selection - I pass on it.

 

Why not stop at Olde Hickory on the way into Asheville and Fonta Flora on the way back to Durham? Assuming their hours work with your schedule. Both are well worth a visit. If I had to pick just one I would probably say Fonta Flora just because you can get most of Olde Hickory's beers outside the brewery, whereas FF you pretty much have to go there.

12 Bones and Luella's are both good options for BBQ in Asheville, although neither is really "traditional" NC 'cue. If you really want to make that a priority though, then I'd suggest just saying to hell with it and stopping in Lexington en route one way or the other. I'm not sure how much out of the way that would be, but that would be the real deal.

I'd suggest not missing Sam's Quik Shop if you're staying in Durham.

 

Another vote for Fonta Flora.

For BBQ, try Hog Heaven in Durham.

 

By the way, in NC we call it BBQ, not pulled pork. I often see "NC-style pulled pork" on menus outside of the state. Not sure where this habit comes from but it is like looking for French Fries in Paris, English Muffins in London or Danish pastry in Copenhagen.

Look for BBQ joints that cook with wood - so called log burners. That is the authentic NC product and a quick google search will lead you to some sites that will send you in the right direction. Lexington #1 and the Allen & Sons north of Chapel Hill are two log burners but there are others.

The beer recommendations above are pretty strong but I would note that if you are driving from Greensboro to the Triangle, Steel String is not 30 minutes out of the way, particularly if you take 54 off of 40 just after you pass through Burlington.

 

Probably Texas as BBQ there is Beef Brisket. Really. Low and slow over Post Oak.

I know the South does some good BBQ hog.

 

Sounds like you will be driving right through Winston Salem and Foothills should not be missed! They also have a brand new tasting room across town!

 

I'll throw my 2 cents in for the barbecue portion.

If you are going to Greensboro...go to Stamey's for barbecue and Bestway for your bottled beer. They are 5 minutes apart from each other.

 

The thing about NC BBQ is that it is typically served either finely chopped, coarse chopped or, occasionally, sliced (which is a misnomer as sliced BBQ looks like big chunks to me). You won't typically see pulled pork in NC unless you go to a pig picken' and that is special event indeed.

 

There is great info on this thread!! Op, you can't go wrong with any of these

 

#2 Fonta Flora - they are one of the most under-the-radar top breweries in the state. These guys do amazing and unique brews.

Olde Hickory makes amazing stouts and barrel aged beers but everything they brew is widely available in most bottle shops (minus Omega Point).

 

I second Haw River Farmhouse Ales in Saxapahaw, check out Gibbs 100 in Greensboro- the GPA (Greensboro Pale Ale) is excellent, and Foothills in Winston Salem. Allen ans Son's BBQ on N.C.86, just north of Chapel Hill is some of the best cue anywhere. Old Hickory and Wicked Weed for Western stops.

 

Planning on driving to wicked weed this fall. Is there anywhere online where they lost their beer to go and is there any limit on purchases at the brewery.

 

If you want some awesome beer, and even better BBQ, you need to drive to Hillsborough, which is right beside Durham. You have mystery brewing which I think is the most underrated brewery in NC, they always have something good and funky on tap(the only thing they lack is a super west coasty ipa..which I can overlook). And literally right beside mystery is what I personally think is the best bbq joint in NC, hillsborough bbq co. It has absolutely everything you want, as soon as you walk in, the smell of smoke from the bbq hits you in the face, they're always playing some good rocking blues, and the bbq is amazing of course! I'll have to recommend the pulled pork nachos for starters!