Griffin’s Quick Lunch – Mom and Pop Diner in Eastern NC

Griffin’s Quick Lunch, just like many Mom and Pop diners in eastern North Carolina, is a landmark. Unfortunately, we are losing many of these cafes; Williamston is lucky to still have Griffin’s.

If you go to Griffin’s, you MUST try the Banana Fritters. These were first made famous at Cobb’s Corner Restaurant; sadly, Cobb’s is gone. A relative who worked at Cobb’s gave the recipe for her Banana Fritters to her son; he later bought Griffin’s, so now they serve these sweet delights. I have the recipe, but like the recipes my mother passed down, it is just a list of ingredients. I am still trying to make this recipe work. When I do, I will post it.

Banana Fritters are a Treat at Griffin’s Quick Lunch

Every day of the week, Griffin’s has a special and locals know what is served on which day. One day they have corned backbone, another day it’s cabbage and ham; and, meatloaf on another day. In wintertime, rutabagas and collards are on the menu.

You MUST Try the Collards and Rutabagas

And of course, the ubiquitous vinegar-based North Carolina pork barbecue is always on the menu. You can see the Menu & Specials here.

Beef Stew is Monday’s Special at Local Favorite Griffin’s Quick Lunch

Griffin’s heyday was when Williamston was a thriving tobacco market. There were four tobacco warehouses downtown and several more on the outskirts. My dad owned the Roanoke Dixie Warehouse, and nephew Barney and I had such fun playing in this big old building. No matter your thoughts about tobacco, those old warehouses had a sweet smell that I still remember.

Folks came into town to sell the tobacco and everyone went to Griffin’s to eat. In the 80s, the Griffin’s owners decided to move to a larger building. No one would go, so they moved back to the old building.

It doesn’t seem to have changed much over the years. My friend Jesse Brown started working there in December, 1948, and he stayed for 56 1/2 years. He said that when he first went there to cook, the restaurant had already been there for many years. He opened at 3 a.m. to start the grits and the collards. Several of the town’s insomniacs joined him at 3 a.m., even though the restaurant did not open until 6 a.m.

If visiting near Williamston, NC, treat yourself to a meal at Griffin’s Quick Lunch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Griffin’s Quick Lunch

200 Washington St, Williamston NC 27892
Phone: 252-802-4699
Open Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. On Saturday 5:30 a.m. -3 p.m. and Sunday 5:30 a.m -3 p.m. – check hours before you go.

I love to explore local gems and this one is perfect. The restaurant is located in an old hardware store and the old floors remain – no trendy marble tiles here. But don’t be fooled – this is an upscale place; it just retains its local character.

It is the vision of owner Patterson Wilson, who grew up in Halifax, to bring some vitality back to her hometown.

I love The Hen and The Hog’s menu. It’s not your regular barbecue and fried chicken, although I feel sure they could do that if they wanted. In fact, my friend ordered pulled pork with sweet potato slaw – great twist, don’t you think? I had the Rosemary Roasted Beets with creamed wild rice, goat chevre, sunflower kernels and pistachios.

Beet Steak with Creamed Wild Rice

All the dishes are farm to table – they even serve a Bison stew. And any fish will be “Day Boat” fish. In other words, they don’t buy fish that has been iced down on a boat for a week – they only use fish from boats that go out and come in the same day.

Homemade ice cream is a specialty and they rotate the flavors. In summer you will find Sweet Cream Corn Ice Cream. In fall you might get Sweet Potato Ice Cream. I had the Beet Ice Cream and friends Donna and Kathy had the Sweet Pea Ice Cream. I am going back for more ice cream! Chelsi Hogue is the chef responsible for this great menu and she is a graduate of the Nash County Culinary School.

Beet Ice Cream is delicious!

In 1976, when we were all so patriotic, the building was decorated to celebrate our Bicentennial as you can see in the photos below. Patterson chose to keep all of this and I am glad she did.

If you are willing to try something new and you want an adventure – then head out to The Hen and The Hog – it is a great day trip from Big Mill Bed & Breakfast. While you are there be sure to visit all the wonderful antique shops in the area including Bass House Antiques in Halifax and Riverside Mill in Weldon. The restaurant is not far from I-95, so plan to get off the big highway – it is worth it!

Flags from 1976 decorate The Hen and The Hog

Halifax is a small, sleepy southern town that can tell many stories. It is steeped in history from the Revolution and the Halifax Resolves until now. As the historical maker states “The Halifax Resolves is the name later given to a resolution adopted by the Fourth Provincial Congress of the Province of North Carolina on April 12, 1776. The resolution was a forerunner of the United States Declaration of Independence.”

We couldn’t have had a better guide. Bentley Mohorn, historian and friend, showed us around. I met Bentley when he was a guest at my bed and breakfast. Bentley and his wife Betty Ann gave me my first evening Primroses, the wonderful night-blooming flowers that fascinate my guests every June.

Halifax is a small, rural town that used to be thriving when farming (tobacco) was king. When Patterson returned home for a visit, so many stores were boarded up. Her mission is to give new life to Halifax and what a great goal. Small town USA is worth saving.

Patterson has bought four buildings in Halifax and has plans for them all. One will be for the arts and art study. I hope she can use my loom that I had when I was an art student; it still sits idle in my barn.

I am always looking for good day trips for my guests and this is the perfect place.

DISTANCES from  BIG MILL B&B: 252-792-8787

88 miles northeast of Raleigh, NC
99 miles southwest of Norfolk, VA
61 miles north of Greenville, NC
55 miles northwest of Big Mill B&B

More Information about The Hen and The Hog restaurant in Halifax, NC:

16 South King Street
Halifax, NC
Telephone:  252-253-1017

They’re closed on Sundays and Mondays. Double check their current hours, posted on their Facebook page.

Hover over photo to PIN FOR LATER

Bill’s Hot Dogs in Little Washington, NC

It doesn’t matter if you like hot dogs or not — you just have to eat a Bill’s hot dog if you are in Washington, North Carolina. Bill’s has been open as a hot dog “stand” since 1928 and it hasn’t changed much; not that I can see.

Located on Gladden Street in “Little” Washington, NC, it is just a short distance from the Pamlico River. Bill’s is an institution for most everyone who has ever lived in Washington or eastern North Carolina. For the locals, this is Road Food at its best.

Bill’s Hot Dogs are red, and they are served with the famous chili

The menu is simple: hot dogs, chips, soft drinks – that’s it and the menu hasn’t changed since they opened. Stand in line and place  your order – cash only, take out only. The screen door slams and you know another customer has arrived.

The door slams and you know another customer has arrived

The hot dogs are deep fried in very hot oil, which, until recently, was lard. Orders are placed through a round hole in the glass that separates you from the hot dog chefs. Just like a well-oiled machine, a woman who looks like Aunt Bea plucks a hot dog out of the hot oil and with a deft motion the famous yellow mustard-chili sauce is slathered on the bun, then the dog is added and finally onions on top – this is “All the Way.”

Step up to the glass partition and order your hot dog

The hot dog is laid on that ubiquitous waxy-thin paper and like magic, it is rolled up and passed to the next woman who stuffs the dogs in a paper bag. Next, step up to the cashier with your chips and tell her what kind of drink you want (soft drink, that is). If you are lucky, your small Coke-in-a-bottle might have some ice crystals in it.

Bill’s Hot Dogs — the best Hot Dogs in eastern North Carolina

And out you go to savor your Bill’s Hot dog (or two). I usually drive or walk down to the waterfront on Stewart Parkway to watch the boats and enjoy this part of Americana. I’m so glad that some things don’t change.

Hover over photo to PIN FOR LATER

Bill’s Hot Dogs
109 Gladden Street, Washington, NC tel. 252-946-3343
Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m.

DISTANCES FROM:

108 miles east of Raleigh, NC
125 miles south of Norfolk, VA
19 miles south of Big Mill Bed & Breakfast in Williamston, NC   |  252-792-8787

Latitude: 35.54364 / Longitude:-77.05819

Well, we still have ’em here in eastern North Carolina. Take a ride with me to find the best local food east of Raleigh. I’m delighted to premiere the latest Big Mill B&B video:

We’ve featured the 10 “must see” spots for off-the-beaten path diners and dives throughout Eastern NC. We begin in Williamston and end up in Morehead City, stopping in some little towns that don’t even have a stoplight. Buckle up! 

One thing you should know — you’ll have to ask a local where these restaurants are and when they are open. These cafes can have some seemingly odd hours to outsiders – but it all makes sense to any North Carolinian. Sunnyside Oyster Bar is open only in months with an “r” in them; Cypress Grill is only open four months a year – when the herring are running. So take notes and map your route to the best road food east of Raleigh, NC.

View Road Food in eastern North Carolina in a larger map

Sunnyside Oyster Bar in Williamston – 3 miles north of Big Mill B&B
Cypress Grill in Jamesville -11 miles east of Big Mill B&B
Bunn’s Barbecue in Windsor – 17 miles north of Big Mill B&B
Bill’s Hot Dog Stand in Washington – 19 miles south of Big Mill B&B
Brenda’s Country Kitchen -19 miles northeast of Big Mill B&B
B’s Barbecue in Greenville – 29 miles west of Big Mill B&B
Skylight Inn in Ayden – 44 miles southwest of Big Mill B&B
Bum’s Barbecue in Ayden – 44 miles southwest of Big Mill B&B
Lovick’s Cafe in Kinston – 58 miles northwest of Big Mill B&B
El’s Drive-In in Morehead City – 88 miles southeast of Big Mill B&B

P.S. – Thanks to my nephew, Barney, for his amazing video editing and voice over narration skills. What a gem.

Big Mill Bed and Breakfast 252-792-8787

Since 1947, Pete Jones and family have been serving this tasty eastern North Carolina style barbecue (always pork) to locals and folks who are willing to travel long distances. They cook whole hogs, over oak. To BBQ enthusiasts, this is essential.

Tap, tap, tap . . . that is the sound of the Skylight Inn. You can see the meat as it is being chopped, right there in front of you . . . tap, tap, tap.

As I stood there trying to see what was on the menu, a local fellow leaned in and said to me, “If you want something other than Barbecue, you have to come on Thursdays . . . they have chicken on Thursday.”

The menu let me know that today I could get a small barbecue or a large barbecue. That was fine with me. I had driven to Ayden to eat barbecue. Lots of folks come to Ayden for the barbecue – George W. Bush, Daisy Duke, Ronald Reagan. According to the N.C Barbecue Society, the North Carolina Barbecue Trail starts in Ayden at the Skylight Inn.

In 2003, they received the James Beard award, have had stories written about them in the Saveur Magazine and the Roadfood series by Jan & Michael Stern.

Saveur Magazine calls it “North Carolina’s finest pulled pork.” And Southern Living lists the Skylight Inn as one of the “South’s 20 Best BBQ Joints.”

Yum, that is the taste of the Skylight Inn Barbecue – ’tis great roadfood. And, that same cute fellow who leaned in to tell me the menu, bought me lunch.

P.S. We don’t care if Rick Perry doesn’t like eastern North Carolina barbecue. Bet he is sorry he made that barbecue remark!

*You are welcome to use these Skylight Inn photos, just let me know and give me, Chloe’s Blog and Big Mill Bed & Breakfast credit. Thanks!

Skylight Inn 4618 S Lee St, Ayden, NC 28513
(252) 746-4113

Distances From:

• Raleigh 86 miles

• Greenville 13 miles

• Big Mill Bed & Breakfast 39 miles (In Williamston, NC) 252-792-8787

View Skylight Inn Barbecue in Ayden, NC in a larger map

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast 252-792-8787

Driving up, you might wonder if this really is a restaurant.  There’s a Texaco pump out front – that’s because before 1938, Bunn’s was a service station. Inside, old signs hang on the walls, but the minute you enter, that wonderful aroma of vinegar, pork and red pepper greets you. You are in the right place.

A few years back, several of my friends sashayed up to the food bar and asked for a menu; they were told, “Don’t have one.”  When asked what they served the waitress — very matter-of-fact — responded, “Barbecue on a bun, barbecue on a plate.”

A menu is on the wall and they certainly have added some good eastern North Carolina  foods. You can get hot dogs, Brunswick stew and barbecue any day, and sweet tea, of course.  On Tuesdays, they serve barbecue chicken; on Thursday, the house special is chicken and pastry.

My favorite food at Bunn’s – the Cornbread Sandwich. That’s a barbecue and slaw sandwich served between two pieces of corn bread.

Open since 1938, this Windsor, North Carolina landmark is a place you just don’t want to miss. The Russell family has owned Bunn’s since 1969. High water has flooded Bunn’s seven times since 1999, twice with six feet of water.

Jan and Michael Stern, who wrote Road Food for Gourmet magazine and are now on NPR’s Splendid Table, with a Road Food column added it to their list of great Mom and Pop restaurants in the USA. I agree.

For great pork barbecue in eastern North Carolina,
Bunn’s Barbecue in Windsor has to be on your short list.

I am on a mission to photograph every Mom and Pop “Road Food” restaurant in eastern North Carolina. Do you have any suggestions?

Bunn’s Barbecue 127 N. King St. , Windsor, NC 27983, tel. 252-794-2274. (Bunn’s is just 17 miles from Big Mill Bed & Breakfast).

Distances From:
Raleigh, NC 115
Norfolk, VA
Greenville, NC 45 miles
Big Mill Bed & Breakfast 14 miles (In Williamston, NC) 252-792-8787

(all photos by Chloe Tuttle of Big Mill Bed & Breakfast)

View Bunn’s Barbecue in a larger map