BLT GRILLED CHEESE Merritt’s, Chapel Hill American Meltdown, Durham 1009 S. Columbia St. Food truck location varies (919) 942-4897 • merrittsstoreandgrill.com americanmeltdown.org You’ll stand in line for a while, but the bacon and This isn’t your kid’s grilled cheese. American local bread are out of this world, making the wait Meltdown features ingredients such as figs and more than worth it. arugula pesto. FRIED BOLOGNA BARBECUE Brooks Sandwich House, Charlotte Oh, you know the place. 2710 N. Brevard St. We’re not looking to start feuds. But we will say this: (704) 375-7808 • eatbrookschili.com Any barbecue from North Carolina is better than Brooks’s fried bologna sandwich is topped with whatever Texas is serving. homemade chili, providing an extra bit of flavor. ICE CREAM PORK CHOP Nye’s Cream, Wilmington Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy Retail locations throughout the state 125 N. Main St. (910) 859-7059 • nyescreamsandwiches.com (336) 786-4931 • thesnappylunch.com Both the cookies and ice cream are made from With its coleslaw, mustard, and chili, this pork chop scratch, making this the freshest ice cream sandwich is so good, it’s celebrity-endorsed. sandwich around. BREAKFAST FLUFFERNUTTER Flo’s Kitchen, Wilson Right from your own pantry 1015 Goldsboro St. South • (252) 237-9146 Go ahead and lick the marshmallow creme off your The biscuits are made from scratch, the cheese is fingers — no one is watching. bubbly and plentiful, and we can’t think of a better way to start the day. GROUND-STEAK The Dairy Center, Mount Airy FRIED GREEN TOMATO 407 W. Lebanon St. • (336) 786-2349 Lindley Park Filling Station, Greensboro You’ve got a great selection of Mount Airy restau- 2201 Walker Ave. • (336) 274-2144 rants where you can try the ground-steak sandwich. Fried green tomatoes get all gussied up with a little For less than $3, The Dairy Center’s option is a herb mayonnaise and cheddar cheese at Lindley fantastic cheap eat. Park Filling Station. SHRIMP BURGER FRIED CHICKEN Big Oak Drive-In, Atlantic Beach Price’s Chicken Coop, Charlotte 1167 Salter Path Rd. 1614 Camden Rd. • (704) 333-9866 (252) 247-2588 • bigoakdrivein.com The chicken is marinated for one day before it’s Walk up to the window and order this sandwich that coated with flour and deep-fried, locking in all those satisfies after a morning spent beachside. savory juices. PIMENTO CHEESE FRIED CATFISH Smith’s Drugs, Forest City Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham 139 E. Main St. 608 N. Mangum St. (828) 245-4591 • smithsdrugsfc.com (919) 908-8970 • saltboxseafoodjoint.com With its sweet and tangy combination of American The restaurant might be located in a shack, but cheese, pimientos, and mayonnaise, this its fish is as fresh as can be and wonderfully sandwich’s simplicity is what makes it great. seasoned. ILLUSTRATIONS BY MAGGIE JOSEY.