Bill Leslie

Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations

People are always asking me where to take vacation. What's a cool place? What's the most scenic drive? Carolina Conversations attempts to answer those questions and others.

North Carolina's Best Diner

Posted: Aug 20, 2008

What is North Carolina’s best diner? Ponder that culinary question as we continue our Best of Carolina series. Randy Cotten of Cary suggested this topic. Here’s what he had to say:

“I am drawn to the historic diners of the Northeast. Many of these great eating places are being featured in the current series on the Food Network, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". Unfortunately, N.C. is not a diner mecca. However, many great cafes do exist here. You know, the type where you can get breakfast 24/7, homemade desserts, great vegetables and wonderful, sincere service. Yes, I know the Triangle has places labeled as diners, but they have a menu that is very basic, almost fast-foodish and with no real love applied or selection that makes them stand out. While I love cuisine from speciality restaurants, I can always count on the family atmosphere and comfort food awaiting in a "how are you today honey" diner. And, don't we all need a bit of that at times? So, where are they in N.C.?"

Great question, Randy. Thanks. What are the best diners in North Carolina? What diners or cafes serve an outstanding and wide range of food with casual atmosphere, reasonable prices and extended hours?

We’ll take your nominations today and vote tomorrow. By the way, pass the lemon pie, would ya.

Copyright 2008 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Joe's Place across from Moore's Square. Not sure if it is technically a diner- but it's good quick eating.

MaplesMom
GOLO member since October 25, 2007
August 20, 2008 9:12 a.m.

I agree with annculter. Elmo's Diner in Durham is usually crowded, but has consistently excellent food and service. They have everything from stereotypical diner food to items like Greek Grilled Cheese! And hey, it made it onto Rachael Ray's show!

Celt
GOLO member since September 19, 2007
August 20, 2008 9:20 a.m.

Mule City Grill in Benson has great food and friendly folks, so does the Meadow Grill/Restaurant in Meadow. My vote for outside Johnston County has to be Batts in Surf City. Not much to look at but the food is good! :)

fishnett5977
August 20, 2008 9:33 a.m.

Fairview Dairy Bar in Sanford!! (Not a Dairy Queen chain)

Great food, friendly owner, open early, open late...YUMMY...

glcl6
August 20, 2008 10:04 a.m.

In no particular order...Rocking Comet Diner in Clayton NC...Elmo's in Durham NC...Home Plate in Durham...Rick's Diner in Durham...

wildfrenchrose
August 20, 2008 10:31 a.m.

Yana's in Swansboro. They aren't open 24 hours and it's tough to get in because it's always crowded. But when you do, it's great. The same waitresses have been there for years.

washed ashore
August 20, 2008 10:46 a.m.

Not really a diner but Brock's Grill in Spivey's Corner is GREAT! Ms. Connie has breakfast and lunch only. The biscuits are made from scratch by Ms. Connie's mother, Ms. Brock. They have a variety of specials everyday, home cooked food, desserts and the best sweet tea. Better come early they run out of food sometimes. You can always order hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. But the home cooked food (fried chicken, meatloaf, veggies, etc.) are the best. Located at the corner of Hwy. 421 and Hwy. 13. Tell Connie I said "hey".

luvtoshag
August 20, 2008 10:58 a.m.

Billy Byrd of Garner chimes in with his opinion: "knights on main in blowing rock is the top dog hog here. while not actually diners there were many old boarding houses in raleigh that my dad and grandad always talked about having excellent family style food and hospitality. maybe a blog about those would be appropriate at a later date. i actually don't know it any of those still exist or not. one more diner stands out in my mind that being the "wagon wheel" in duplin county. although it closed a few years back it was a perfect example of a diner." bb

bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
August 20, 2008 11:15 a.m.

Would LOVE to find a place, close by, that could at least possibly make the D,D,D show. Most of those that do have been open forever though. You'd think with all the transplants in Raleighwood, somebody would have opened at least a decent diner by now.

Garnerwolf1
GOLO member since December 11, 2007
August 20, 2008 11:16 a.m.

How about Barney's favorite place The Bluebird Diner in Mt.Airy.While you are there try Snappy's Quick Lunch.Best Porkchop Sandwiches around.Try to get there by 11:30.If not you will be waiting.They unload the Tour Buses at 11:30 and that is the first place the tourist head for.

cagerat42
August 20, 2008 11:30 a.m.

Pete's Grill in Gibsonville is a great place to get diner-like food. The Suburban in Tarboro is also a good choice.

Too bad Raleigh lost the Ham & Egger/Oak City Diner and Newtons years back. Those were truly local institutions. The only place in Raleigh that fits the description of a diner is Finch's on Peace Street.

c0j0nes
August 20, 2008 11:42 a.m.

Ramseur Diner in downtown Ramseur is the best I've had. $4.95 for a good helpin' of meat, two vegetables and good tea.

mjones4
August 20, 2008 12:10 p.m.

Hot Shot Cafe in Biltmore Village in Asheville!

owengirl79
August 20, 2008 12:11 p.m.

Riverside Cafe in Hillsborough, I guess, could be considered a diner. Good ole country cooking and homemade food for a very reasonable price. The only thing wrong there is the small space they are in limits seating.

anggiet
GOLO member since August 13, 2007
August 20, 2008 12:15 p.m.

Remember Griffin's Quick Lunch in Williamston. Good food, didn't do well when they moved to a big location. Had to move back to the small place it was.

Loved the Fillin' Station in Robersonville too

Also we ate at the Fish Hook Grill on Harker's Island. Nice little place.

murdock
GOLO member since February 14, 2008
August 20, 2008 12:25 p.m.

Watkins Grill in Raleigh.

Mr. Middle of the Road
August 20, 2008 12:33 p.m.

second the comment about the ramseur diner - i've got family all over town and it's always great to go back to main street.

capitalheel
GOLO member since April 16, 2008
August 20, 2008 12:43 p.m.

Now, we're rolling! Keep 'em coming!

bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
August 20, 2008 12:46 p.m.

Campbells in Fuquay Varina.

missparrothead
August 20, 2008 12:46 p.m.

Eduardo1- I totally agree. You can't beat a Greek diner in the Northern states- 10 inch high desserts and just plain old GOOD food!

missparrothead
August 20, 2008 12:48 p.m.

I do not think it would really classify as a diner but The Penguin in Charlotte is AWESOME!!!!

gabby1
GOLO member since April 8, 2008
August 20, 2008 12:57 p.m.

The Highway Diner in Rocky Mount is very good, located at I-95 and U.S. 64 off of Winstead Ave.

ECU4lyf
GOLO member since September 3, 2008
August 20, 2008 12:58 p.m.

Pam's Farmhouse on Western Blvd. in Raleigh. They're only open for breakfast and lunch M-F & breakfast only until 1 on Saturday, but the food is home-made. Get there on Thursday if you want banana pudding warm; IF there is any left they have it on Friday until it is gone. Also, the Chicken Box in Charlotte for "soul food" and the Stecoah Diner in Stecoah, NC. Their food is totally home-made.

gingerrush
August 20, 2008 1:09 p.m.

Happy-when did you live in Cullowhee? I graduated from there not too long ago and the Cullowhee Cafe is still there! That was one of our fav. places to go eat!

ChelsWCU1224
GOLO member since March 14, 2008
August 20, 2008 1:52 p.m.

I loved a place called the "Coffee Shop" in Sylva, NC..it was great!

ChelsWCU1224
GOLO member since March 14, 2008
August 20, 2008 1:54 p.m.

How about Oak Level Cafe in Nashville?

gstokes
August 20, 2008 1:57 p.m.

Not a Diner but a burger joint Second Street Lunch in Roanoke Rapids.

carolinamissy
August 20, 2008 1:59 p.m.

Everlean's in Tarboro serves the best ribs around. Good home cooked country food, and breakfast all day long.

Beach Music Forever
August 20, 2008 2:07 p.m.

I have to agree that the Highway Diner in Rocky Mount is about as close as I have found. I'm not a transplant, but the child of one so I miss those as well. I miss the 10 inch pancakes with strawberry jam, or the plate of spaghetti is as big as my head. Those are just of the few things that you can find there and their prices aren't that bad either. The best thing the have blue plate specials, you don't see many people with those anymore.

aanda8104
August 20, 2008 2:08 p.m.

i'm going to have to second Watkins Grill here in Raleigh. I never leave there hungry.

m0nky
GOLO member since September 23, 2008
August 20, 2008 2:08 p.m.

For a true "diner" I would have to offer Blue Ribbon Diner with locations in both Mebane and Burlington as my suggestion. The fare is simple, but I've never had a bad meal at either location -- and it *looks* like a diner.

Somebody mentioned Elmo's but even though it has "Diner" in the name I would still class that a good restaurant. Great food though.

thefensk
GOLO member since July 11, 2007
August 20, 2008 2:19 p.m.

showside grill in spring hope

wmbrantley
August 20, 2008 2:25 p.m.

A small local chain in the Moore Co. area- Mac's Breakfast Anytime. I've eaten at a couple- food is good and the waitress great! They are not open 24/7 but then neither are the towns! Lester

seidenberg
August 20, 2008 2:28 p.m.

I haven't dined there since they reopened, but Venter's Grill in Greenville, NC used to have the most fabulous food. The sweet potato biscuits made the trip totally worthwhile. The flood from Hurricane Floyd destroyed their original location, but I read they have reopened due to popular demand.

Its All Right Here
August 20, 2008 2:30 p.m.

J.R's Country Cafe in Vance County, or to the locals, in downtown Vicksboro. Food cooked to order, with a friendly staff. Locally owned for over 10 years..

BigMoneyJ
August 20, 2008 2:54 p.m.

4 CORNERS DINER IN ATLANTIC BEACH VERY GOOD

OLEDW
GOLO member since August 20, 2008
August 20, 2008 3:08 p.m.

If you don't walk out with a full belly and heartburn, then it ain't a diner in my book! And the Blue Ribbon Diner in Mebane and Burlington is the place to get it hands down.....

dogman1973
GOLO member since March 13, 2008
August 20, 2008 4:00 p.m.

We have lots of great grills and family/home cooking type restaurants. but in 57 years I have never found a true diner like those you find up North anywhere in NC. It's just not been the type of places that have traditionally appealed to this area. We've got drive-ins, dives and BBQ joints to shame most of the rest of the country...but not diners.

Wheelman
August 20, 2008 4:02 p.m.

What about Levy's in Raleigh, man oh man the best ribs in town!!

sophiamiller
August 20, 2008 4:06 p.m.

ANYONE EVER TRIED MAMA DIP'S IN CHAPEL HILL HSE SERVES GREAT FOOD

OLEDW
GOLO member since August 20, 2008
August 20, 2008 4:26 p.m.

I have been gone from NC for 15 years but I remember going to Baxleys on Hillsborough st in Raleigh as a child. They are not there any more but it was good food.

cindyedwards38
August 20, 2008 4:54 p.m.

If you are around Grandfather Mt, try the Tartan Cafe in Linville. As for Mama Dips, forget it, she let the bright lights, fame and fortune go to her head. Small portions for a bigger price. It just isn't home cooking anymore.

racinjunki
GOLO member since July 26, 2007
August 20, 2008 5:10 p.m.

THANKS RACIN JUNKI BUT THATS A SHAME WHEN I WORK IN CHAPEL HILL I USE TO LOVE GOING THERE

OLEDW
GOLO member since August 20, 2008
August 20, 2008 5:16 p.m.

Just have to visit Skid's diner on Church Street in Burlington and/or their location in downtown Graham.

momtobe
GOLO member since November 10, 2008
August 20, 2008 6:49 p.m.

missparrothead......you are the only poster out of about 30, who seems to even understand what a northern, GREEK diner is all about. The other posters, just keep comparing one place or another, whose got good ribs, who serves a great breakfast. They don't seem to understand what a diner is. FREAT tasting food, GREAT variety,,GREAT portions, IN MOST CASES REASONABLE PRICES, most of them have wine & beer all of this is available 7-24

Eduardo1
GOLO member since November 25, 2007
August 20, 2008 7:59 p.m.

Ya'll Pizza in Goldsboro is great! Not exactly a diner, but really great food and atmosphere. They have pizza, pasta, foccacia sandwiches, subs, and desserts. Everything is homemade and you can really tell the difference. Some of the desserts....Buttermilk brownie, Honeybun Cake, Lemon Cake, Strawberry Cake, Banana Pudding, Tiramasu....So Good!

goldsborogirl78
August 20, 2008 8:25 p.m.

There is this fantastic Greek Diner in Queens, NY. So good you can close your eyes and taste the food long after you've been there. My Dad used to own a great resturant in Wilmington, NC. He had everything from great breakfast to home cooked dinners! YUM!

5bryants
August 20, 2008 9:19 p.m.

Barry's Cafe on Holly Springs Road (close to Cary at the intersection of Holly Springs Road and Tryon Road). Has been there for as long as I can remember; excelllent food; family atmosphere; and Barry would do just about anything to help the local fire department.

christye
August 20, 2008 9:29 p.m.

Joe's downtown!! YES!!! A couple of years ago he was going to close. It was unreal the amount of people that showed up. Great food, wonderful folks, decent price!! Love ya JOE!!

computer trainer
GOLO member since January 31, 2008
August 20, 2008 9:42 p.m.

It's not a diner unless it serves breakfast all day and is open 24/7.

commonsense4
August 21, 2008 9:14 a.m.

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