Best hush puppies, beef barbecue, and sweet potato casserole I have EVER tasted!! This place is a…read moreMUST go if you are in the area! It is a little wonky getting in and out, and you have to go through the drive through BEFORE taking your food inside to eat, but totally worth the crazy!

Tucked just before the main streets of Jefferson, Smokey Mountain BBQ is a popular…read moredrive-through-only spot. We went around 6PM and it's evident from the line that nearly wraps around the building that it's a local fave! Fortunately, service is quick and efficient, they seemed to keep the line moving so we didn't wait long. Bonus points!! there's a covered patio for those who prefer to sit and eat on-site after receiving your food from the window. Portions are modest, and sauce options are limited to a traditional vinegar and a tomato-based version. The sides shine, I enjoyed the sweet potato fries and the rich, creamy mac and cheese. Overall, Smokey Mountain BBQ is a solid, no-frills dinner option that does regional comfort food right.

Very good and decent place in town. They have 2 branches,…read moreand we will try the Jefferson branch on our next visit. Animal friendly too

Love the staff there it's always a pleasure to see them!…read more Wish they'd bring back the ahi tuna though..

THIS IS A DON"T PASS UP RESTAURANT-----one of the best BBQ…read more The brisket was done just right and juicy. Not the least bit dried out. and the portion size was fair. The hush puppies and French fries were NOT greasy or rancid smelling.. Texas toast was even better with the HONEY BUTTER applied. The cole slaw could have been a little more sweeter but was good . And the collards were not spicy . It had a little TING but for me was fine as spice and i don't get along . Axex (the owner) stopped by our table with a desert sample from the "PHOTO SHOOT" going on . Ice cream with red syrup and cake. I would stop in just for the desert only...gosh was that good . With way over 1,000 some odd reviews , and a lot of don't go backs, It is my pleasure to call this meal as one of the best. Your going to be sorry if you don't try this place.

Right when I walked in I was greeted by Kaley, she was so nice and attentive. The restaurant is…read moreclean and styled similar to the Yadkin Valley vibe! Food is awesome, absolutely fresh and flavorful!

food was amazing! there nachos was amazing! our server was great! and had a great environment!read more

This was only the second time we've been to The local, but it's because the first experience with…read morethe service & amazing food was so amazing that we had to make the drive back! I ordered the shrimp & grits and it's been all I thought about since the first time I had it! The flavors blend beautifully and the grits are amazing! My daughter got their Stuffed French Toast (peaches & cream) with fresh fruit! Looked fantastic! We love the outdoor seating which allows us to bring the dog, but the indoor ambiance is wonderful! Highly recommend if you're in the area! We can't wait to go back!

My wife and I made the trek to do a day trip to watch all the beautiful colors this time of year…read moreone sees throughout the blue ridge mountains . To the important part , Howard Station is a must stop whether you are a local or from out of town . As soon as you enter you will be warmly greeted and given seating options . We chose to sit at the bar and were given excellent service . From how quickly we were given our drinks to the turn around on ordering and receiving our food , it was exceptional !!! I chose to try the maple bacon wings . Guys , I could eat a bucket of these !! They come out golden brown , lightly crisped on the outside and super tender smoked chicken meat on the inside . The dry rub - maple complement each other immensely well, you get salty , you get sweet, you get maple syrup smells , it's an A+ experience in addition to the warm safe ambiance . Treat yourself to Howard Station, it's a must try!

The meat was incredibly dry & tough on both the shredded chicken and pork sandwiches…read more The sauces were not impressive - not thick enough (thin liquid) and without a lot of flavor. The sides were also unremarkable - the fried okra was a little burned and soggy and the coleslaw was not crispy. The menu had limited choices. It's too bad that this NC town has only one good BBQ restaurant

We had lunch there today. Very fast friendly service…read more The food was outstanding as always. The smell of fresh pit cooked bbq as you walk in gets you ready. They now have Alabama white bbq sauce and it is good.

We decided to go to The Pedalin Pig on a whim, after spotting it across the road from BobaBing! So…read moreglad we did because not only was the place packed with people, the bbq was absolutely delicious. We got the Two Meat Platter with Prime Brisket and St. Louis Ribs, which the cashier said were their specialties- so tender, fall-off-the-bone, smoky. For sides, we got hushpuppies and fried okra, which were again perfect- crispy and savory goodness. It came with their apple butter and bbq sauce, both were chef's kiss. Ambiance and service were good. There's a parking lot upfront. 10/10 would recommend!

This has become one of our favorite places to eat. The food…read moreis always delicious, as well as the service. Clean fast and great prices, what more could you ask for?

Was looking for a new place to try and found Round House Brisket. It is a little out of the way on…read moreHwy 70 near Drexel ,right beside a convenience store. The food was good, atmosphere was nicely decorated and the owners are very nice. We enjoyed the brisket sandwich,rueben dog,coleslaw and pimento Mac n cheese. The coleslaw was homemade and fresh, had a great taste and how I like. Rueben dog was much larger than expected, yummy kraut and just enough cheese, the bun was just right. Mac n cheese was great also. The brisket sandwich was large and a generous amount of meat with a good Smokey flavor. No fountain drinks, have can drinks, bottled water and can sparkling water, ( do not see that very often and is a good surprise if you prefer something other a soda or water). Looking forward to trying other items on their menu.

JD's is always consistent... quality, taste, & service always at the highest level. This BBQ…read morerestaurant is the best in Burke county.

We order take out. Service is fast and food is always delicious! I rarely need to wait longer than…read morea few minutes even when they are busy.

We were killing time and decided to try out a new place that was "local". Reviews said it was a…read moreheavy student place, but we didn't see many students during a midweek lunch time. Cute little place in the middle of a quasi "mall". Easy to get in, no wait, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Food was typical "American" sandwich, salad, and flatbreads and we had no complaints.

We stopped by ELEVEN80 EATERY and really enjoyed our visit. I had a pizza paired with a Bud Light,…read morewhile my husband went for the burger, fries, and a local cider. The food was pretty good--nothing mind-blowing but definitely satisfying. The ambience was nice and comfortable, perfect for a casual date night. Our server was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Would come back for a relaxed night out!

Fine dining in the mountains, and some of the best dishes and food at this elevation!…read more This place hits on all levels if you're in the mood for a great evening out. Elegant inside and out, friendly service and top notch food. We sat at the bar and our bartender took care of us all evening. Had one of the best old fashioned's in the area. He knows his stuff! The food was fine dining at its best. A garlic buttered escargot with puff pastry just melts in your mouth. Lobster bisque full of flavor and full of, well, lobster, and a ton of it. I have to say, the extra touch to the tasty French onion soup was a talking point all evening...it came with dedicated scissors so you could cut the cheese. What an amazing touch. And they sure did help lol. The center cut medium rare filet mignon paired with some frites was definitely the showstopper this evening. Thick, tender and juicy...one of the best steaks on all levels. Whenever we're in town and want an elegant evening out, this is the spot!

Stonewalls Restaurant was one of the more pleasant surprises during my time in Banner Elk. It's a…read morebeautiful restaurant, and I had been looking forward to dining there for quite some time. From the moment we arrived, the staff was warm, welcoming, and attentive. The atmosphere, however, felt a little mixed. The restaurant seemed to have two distinct personalities. The newer side, where the bar is located, felt polished and cohesive, while the older dining room--where we were seated because it had more availability--felt like it hadn't quite received the same attention. The lighting on that side of the restaurant was particularly harsh, which made the dining room feel less intimate than it could have been. Since it's also the larger and busier dining space, I think small touches like candles on the tables or softer lighting would go a long way toward creating a warmer, more personal atmosphere. I also noticed an interesting contrast between the beautiful leather-bound menus and some of the furniture and wall décor, which felt more reminiscent of a hotel dining room than the upscale mountain restaurant the food suggested. Thankfully, the meal more than made up for those observations. I ordered the wild mushroom pasta with lobster, and it was the standout dish of the evening. The pasta was rich without feeling heavy, the mushrooms added wonderful depth, and the lobster was cooked beautifully. It's a dish I'd gladly order again. My boyfriend ordered a steak, which he thoroughly enjoyed. We also started with the escargot and the crab cakes. The escargot, while not quite on the level of some traditional French restaurants I've visited, was still very well prepared and enjoyable. The crab cakes were outstanding--full of crab, nicely seasoned, and easily one of the best appetizers of the meal. Our only complaint was that there was only one crab cake on the plate; we both found ourselves wishing there had been another. Overall, Stonewalls Restaurant delivered an excellent meal with genuinely welcoming service. While I'd love to see the older dining room updated to better match the quality of the cuisine, the food alone makes it well worth a visit if you're in Banner Elk.