What to eat in Mayberry

My visit to Mount Airy, North Carolina was part of a familiarization trip with Visit Mayberry. All opinions are my own.

What fun to visit Mayberry! I learned so much touring the Andy Griffith Museum and taking a Squad Car Tour. Andy Griffith fans will be in heaven, but there’s so much more to Mount Airy to explore as well. Get ready for some amazing, must try North Carolina FOODS!

Creek Bottom Brewing Company

Creek Bottom Brewing Company is a happening place with live music, friendly attentive staff! Not a beer drinker? Me neither! While travel writers I was with had lots of good things to say about the beer, I’m here to tell you the food is fantastic!

Our dinner began with Pickle Fries–fried crunchy pickles served with their spicy pub sauce. If you are a pickle lover like me you’ve got to try them, so good!

Creek Bottom Brewing Company is famous for their brick oven baked pizzas and calazones. As I perused the menu, I found…wait for it…The Pimen’er pizza–house made pimento cheese, bourbon bacon, jalapenos, spinach, and mozzarella. I HAD to have one! I mean, have you ever had a pimento cheese pizza? It was amazing! I’ve been wanting another one ever since.

The Snappy Lunch

Does The Snappy Lunch sound familiar? I does to fans of The Andy Griffith Show!  In an early episode entitled “Andy the Matchmaker” Andy suggests to Barney that they go down to the Snappy Lunch to get a bite to eat. Because of this The Snappy Lunch is credited as the only Mt. Airy business actually mentioned on the television show that is still in existence today.

This is a must stop for Andy fans and foodies alike! While Andy mentioned the burgers and pop, The Snappy Lunch may be most famous for their Pork Chop Sandwich.

And you haven’t lived until you’ve had a bite of this grilled right in front of you pork chop sandwich topped with chili, Cole slaw, mustard, onion, and tomato. In the voice of Andy Griffith, It’s goooood!

The Loaded Goat Sports Pub and Grill

The Loaded Goat boasts the only locally owed sports bar and grill in Mount Airy. You can’t go to North Carolina and miss the fried green tomatoes. Oh how I dreamed of the moment my palate would once again experience fried green tomatoes, and wow these did not disappoint!

Fried green tomatoes aren’t easy to find in Texas. I went all out and ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT! Shut the front door! This crunchy, juicy flavor explosion hit the spot.

Ok so I don’t eat 100% fried food all the time, but I love it and once in a while I don’t feel bad to indulge! Ok let’s be real. Can one really get too much fried pickles? Ha ha! The Fried Pickle Chips at the Loaded Goat were excellent. There was a little debate as to which ones were better between the Loaded Goat and Creek Bottom Brewing Company. I’ll let you decide because they were both so good!

Old North State Winery

Located in downtown Mt. Airy adding to the re-establishment of the downtown area as a vibrant, growing economic center, Old North State Winery serves as one of the areas leading tourism destinations.

Housed in a former Hardware store built in 1890 with the original pressed tin ceilings and solid oak floors, founders Ben Webb and his wife Ellie have created a fun, hip, establishment.

The Sonker! You can’t leave Mount Airy without one, or two or more! There is even a Sonker Trail which ONS is a part of. A Sonker is a cobbler like dessert unique to this part of the country. Having tried this Strawberry Pear Sonker at Old North State Winery, I’d love to jump on the trail and try them all. One thing is for sure, your taste buds will love you!

Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards

Just a short drive from Mount Airy enjoy fine dining at Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards. Relax and relish the beautiful landscape while being served to an exquisite meal. The menus at Harvest Grill are seasonal so selection varies.

The pork rinds were mouthwatering served warm with the perfect amount of spices and trio of dipping sauces. I’ve never seen this on a menu before, and I loved it.

Harvest Grill is famous for their Crab Cakes and this version served with Lobster was delectable.

What a blast I had dining in Mount Airy! On my return I will find it difficult to try new foods when I’m dying to have these again!

Looking for more to do in Mount Airy? Check out Visit Mayberry!