Unearth The Voyage
North Carolina’s back roads are dotted with country stores that do far more than sell snacks and sodas. Many of these beloved stops serve up home-style meals, fresh-baked treats, and sandwiches that have earned cult followings among locals and travelers alike. Whether you are hunting for a legendary fried bologna sandwich, wood-smoked barbecue, or a cinnamon roll worth the detour, these 13 stores prove that the best road-trip bites often come from the most unassuming places.
1. Saxapahaw General Store – Saxapahaw (Alamance Co.)
Some gas stations sell chips and soda. This one serves shrimp and grits with a side of duck-fat fries. Saxapahaw General Store bills itself as a five-star gas station, and the chef-driven menu backs up that bold claim with locally sourced ingredients and bold flavors.
Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch and order anything from a brisket Reuben to seasonal plates that change with the harvest. The casual vibe and serious food make it a must-visit for anyone cruising through Alamance County. Fuel your car and your appetite in one stop.
2. Rockford General Store – Dobson (Surry Co.)
Built in the 1890s, this throwback store has been slinging fried bologna sandwiches long enough to become a statewide legend. Locals pile theirs high with hoop cheese, chili, and slaw, creating a messy, magnificent bite that tastes like North Carolina nostalgia.
The burgers and hot dogs are equally beloved, and everything sits on fresh-baked buns made right in the store. Step inside and you will feel like you have traveled back a century. The wood floors creak, the menu is simple, and the flavors are unforgettable.
3. Old Hampton Store & Barbecue – Linville (Avery Co.)
Walk into Old Hampton Store and the smell of hickory smoke greets you before you even see the menu. This hybrid smokehouse and general store serves chopped pork, ribs, and smoked-meat sandwiches that are worth the mountain drive.
After you order, wander next door to browse local goods, handmade crafts, and live-music memorabilia that tell the story of the High Country. The vibe is laid-back and friendly, with picnic tables out front for sunny-day dining. Barbecue lovers and history buffs alike will find plenty to love here.
4. Switzerland Café & General Store – Little Switzerland (Mitchell Co.)
Perched along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Switzerland Café has earned its place on the North Carolina Barbecue Trail with wood-smoked trout and hickory-smoked pork that draw travelers off the scenic highway. The full café serves hearty plates, while the adjacent general store stocks local goods and mountain souvenirs.
Stop here for lunch and linger over a plate of smoked meat with all the fixings. The Parkway views are stunning, and the food is just as memorable. It is the kind of place where you plan your next road trip around a return visit.
5. Fred’s General Mercantile (Backside Deli) – Beech Mountain (Avery Co.)
Climb to the top of Beech Mountain and reward yourself with a cinnamon roll the size of your head. Fred’s General Mercantile is a mountaintop landmark, and downstairs, the Backside Deli cranks out breakfast biscuits, waffles, chili, and stacked sandwiches that fuel hikers and skiers all day long.
Open daily from morning to mid-afternoon, it is the perfect pit stop before hitting the trails or after a morning on the slopes. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the high-altitude views are unbeatable.
6. Trust General Store & Café – Hot Springs (Madison Co.)
Hot Springs sits along the Appalachian Trail, and Trust General Store & Café has become a favorite rest stop for thru-hikers and day-trippers alike. When the seasonal café is open, the porch fills up with folks digging into fried chicken sandwiches, truffle fries, soups, and daily specials that change with the season.
The store itself runs year-round, stocking trail snacks, local crafts, and gifts. Grab a seat on the scenic porch and soak in the mountain-town vibe. It is equal parts fuel station and community gathering spot.
7. Yoder’s Country Market – Blanch (Caswell Co.)
Amish-style markets are known for their fresh-baked goods, and Yoder’s does not disappoint. The busy deli counter turns out made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and salads, while the bakery tempts you with pies, cookies, and breads still warm from the oven.
Do not skip the hand-dipped ice cream on your way out. It is a sweet finish to a savory stop. Located just off US-158, Yoder’s is an easy detour that feels like a trip to a simpler time. Stock up on bulk pantry staples while you are there.
8. Shiloh General Store – Hamptonville (Yadkin Co.)
Another gem in North Carolina’s Amish country, Shiloh General Store has built a loyal following thanks to deli sandwiches piled high on fresh-baked bread. The store also stocks homemade preserves, baked goods, and bulk pantry items that make meal prep feel like a throwback to grandma’s kitchen.
Locals swear by the sandwiches, and first-timers quickly become regulars. The shelves are stocked with hard-to-find ingredients and old-fashioned treats. Stop in, grab lunch, and leave with a bag full of goodies you did not know you needed.
9. Todd Mercantile & Bakery – Todd (Ashe Co.)
If you have heard whispers about the cinnamon rolls in Todd, they are all true. This tiny historic mercantile bakes pastries so good that people plan entire road trips around them. The coffee is strong, the sandwiches are simple, and the vibe is pure mountain charm.
Local crafts line the shelves, and community dances bring neighbors together on weekend nights. Todd Mercantile is more than a bakery. It is a gathering place, a tradition, and a reason to take the scenic route through Ashe County.
10. Pisgah Inn Country Store & Gift Shop – Blue Ridge Pkwy (Haywood Co.)
The views alone are worth the drive, but the food at Pisgah Inn seals the deal. The on-site country store stocks grab-and-go picnic items, perfect for a Parkway overlook lunch, while the adjacent restaurant serves full meals with a side of mountain scenery.
Order the crab cake sandwich or a fresh mountain salad and settle in for a meal you will remember. The Inn sits at milepost 408.6, making it an ideal midpoint stop for Blue Ridge travelers. Come hungry and leave inspired.
11. Old Orchard Creek General Store – Lansing (Ashe Co.)
Revived and reimagined, Old Orchard Creek General Store has become the cool kid on the Ashe County block. They pour Hatchet Coffee, serve pastries from Stick Boy Bakery, and offer local beer and cider by the glass, making it a modern take on the classic country store.
Stop in before a float down the New River or after a morning hike. The vibe is relaxed, the menu is thoughtfully curated, and the community energy is contagious. It is proof that old-school charm and new-school flavor can coexist beautifully.
12. Danbury General Store Grill – Danbury (Stokes Co.)
Hanging Rock State Park draws hikers from all over, and Danbury General Store Grill feeds them when they finish. The casual grill menu features smash burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches that hit the spot after a long trail day.
Nothing fancy, just solid food served fast and fresh. The location is unbeatable if you are exploring Stokes County, and the prices will not break the budget. Grab a burger, refuel, and get back out there. It is the kind of no-frills stop every road trip needs.
13. Priddy’s General Store – Danbury (Stokes Co.)
Priddy’s is the kind of place where stories are told in hushed, reverent tones. Locals still talk about the classic hoop-cheese-and-bologna sandwiches like they are family heirlooms, and old-school snacks line the shelves like artifacts from a simpler era.
It is a Stokes County landmark, plain and simple. Plan a nostalgic stop while exploring the area, and soak in the history. The store has been serving the community for generations, and every visit feels like stepping into a living memory.
