Highlands Butchery delivers an excellent dining experience overall, earning a solid 4.5 out of 5…read morefor the visit described. The combination of attentive service, high-quality steaks, and a standout bourbon selection makes it a spot worth seeking out in Valdese.[1][2][3] ## Service and Hospitality Austin provided friendly, knowledgeable service, with spot-on recommendations and consistent follow-up throughout the meal, which really elevated the evening. The staff quickly seated the party of four and acknowledged the celebration for the wife's birthday, helping the night feel special from the start. When one filet needed a bit more sear, the owner personally stepped in, oversaw the re-fire, and had it returned to the table cooked perfectly. That level of ownership and responsiveness showed real commitment to **hospitality**. ## Food and Preparation Entrées arrived beautifully plated and cooked to appropriate temperatures, which is especially important at a butcher-driven concept known for its meats. The corrected filet came back with the ideal sear and doneness, reinforcing confidence in the kitchen's skill.[2][1] Portioning and presentation aligned with expectations for a farm-to-table steakhouse, highlighting the quality of their locally sourced meats.[3][1] ## Bourbon Library The bourbon library is a major highlight, offering an impressive selection of hard-to-find bottles that adds a distinctive draw for whiskey lovers. It pairs perfectly with their meat-focused menu and makes Highlands Butchery feel like a destination, not just a neighborhood spot.[4][1][2] Having such depth behind the bar also supports Austin's recommendations, allowing guests to explore pours they may not encounter elsewhere. ## Atmosphere and Noise The only real drawback of the evening was the room volume, which made conversation a bit challenging at times. Given how popular and lively the space can be, some additional noise baffles or acoustic treatments could help deaden the sound and make the dining room more comfortable without losing the energetic vibe. With that one improvement, this experience would easily move from a 4.5 to a full 5 out of 5, especially given the strength of the service, food, and bourbon program!

My husband got food poisoning that was severe after eating there on the evening of 4/24/2026.read more

Great and largeselection of burgers, chicken sandwiches, hotdogs salads wings. Good selection of…read morelocal brews and hard ciders too. Wings great, had a dry rub flavor with sauce on side. Regular fries and sweet potato fries both crispy and fresh. Good service and got seated promptly. Definitely worth it and recommend it if you're visiting or live locally!

I arrived at Blue 42 for dinner on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was busy. I was alone so I…read morechose one of the high seats across from the bar so larger parties could take any other open spots. I didn't realize that this meant that the bartender would also be my server. She was really busy and I felt like some of the other servers could have helped out. I ended up waiting a bit before she was able to get away from the bar to take my drink order. I was there for a hot dog and they had some good options. I ended up choose the Rueben dog which had sauerkraut, swiss cheese, thousand island dressing. I also went with the Dipper fries (after asking what they were). It didn't take long for the food to arrive and I, admittedly, enjoyed eavesdropping on some of the conversations around me. :) It looked like the dog had been sitting under a warmer cause the thousand island was....dry?...looking. I went to pick up the bun and it was already coming apart. Not a great sign. On the bottom of the bun there was a small black spot. My suspicion was mold but I don't know that for sure. I cut it off. The whole hot dog fell apart after the first bite. Lots of wet toppings will do that to an untoasted bun. The hot dog itself was ok but I wanted more thousand island dressing. The Dipper fries were great. They are essentially Fritos scoops but as fries, fries that are cut in a scoop shape, and they are served with cheese sauce. What's not to like? I'd be interested in trying other items on the menu but probably wouldn't go out of my way to return.

A small spot for a big appetite!…read more I hope you get to meet Allison because she made this experience worth it. I would have been lost without her and our Mountaineer son to guide us. You can order from a kiosk, the QR code at your table or Allison can help you. I had a bacon cheeseburger and my guys had burgers with seasoned fries. The food arrived very quickly and was cooked to perfection. Be warned: the seasoned fries are VERY seasoned fries. I snuck a few of my hubby's to taste but I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to eat an entire order of my own. I wish I had room for a shake because they looked incredible. Maybe next time!

My first time here and it was a little strange but in a good way there is no counter to order from,…read moreyou can place your order online using the app, or use the in store kiosk or scan the QR Code at your table place your order and pay then they will alert you when the food is ready to pick up at the counter or a member of their friendly staff will stop by get you name and bring your food to your table - it all works surprisingly good. The food here was outstanding although I thought the portions were on the smaller side for the price, the old adage "quality and quantity doesn't come in the same package" applies here in my opinion but I'd definitely return when I'm back in the area. The fries were outstanding and fresh cut to order and the chicken tenders were some of the best take-out or dine in I've experienced in a very long time. The drive through was a continuous flow that wrapped the building during our visit and the inside was just as busy but the staff demonstrated great skill in getting the food out in a reasonable time with a friendly smile and a thank you for coming in. If you like great chicken you'll love this place...

Best cheeseburger you will ever eat, only way to get it is all the way. Been eating here for years…read morealways good and always consistent. Haven't had much other menu items because the cheeseburgers are so good.

tried this for the first time yesterday had the cheeseburger it was fantastic... The service was…read moregreat. Food was great. I will definitely be back. I highly recommend this place.!!

I was a pretty good hamburger. The restaurant was nostalgic and the service was pretty good. I…read morewould go back if I happened to be in the area.

Burgers are off the Chain!!! I want to try some of the other items, but I'm hooked on the Burgwra!!!read more

Disclosure, this business is actually Dickeys BBQ. I ordered…read moreonline and everything was showing Big Deal Burger. I could not find the place for pick up until I realized it was Dickeys. The burger was fresh however not hot, the cheese was not melted and the bun was falling apart, not what I had planned for an on the road meal. When ordering, hold the pickles, they seemed a bit moldy tasting.

This was our first visit. We just found them on Yelp and decided to give it a try. I will admit,…read moreour order wasn't correct at first. But it was corrected after many apologies. The burgers are hot and fresh with real cheddar cheese. The fries could have used a little more seasoning, being seasoned Fries. But that's ok. We will be back to support this hidden burger jem.

The food was very good, but the service is what won the day. Treated us like we had been going…read morethere our whole lives. I can't express just how much we loved this cozy, down home spot.

This is a review the locals can already attest to eagerly. What a gem tucked away just outside of…read moredowntown Morganton. So, if you're even close for breakfast, stop in! Ridiculously cheap prices for outstanding food and lots of it. Sprinkle in some good old country hospitality and you have a winner.

This is one of the most mediocre, no thank you, spots I've ever been to…read more I got their ultimate grilled cheese; tomato, two kinds of cheese, and bacon. The sandwich is very basic, flat. Not a whole lot of filling. The bread was grilled but still tasted old and dry. The "side order" of fries was like a meal in itself which would be great for the money if the chili wasn't flavorless and the fries didn't taste frozen, along with half if them not actually being cooked. Plus side, shakes are decent and their ice cream is delicious. But who could go wrong with Herseys? I vote, save yourself the trip and skip this JOINT.

Cute , typical local little greasy spoon type of place except it's clean and not greasy. Menu…read moreincludes breakfast sandwiches and egg breakfasts, lunch items including hamburgers and sandwiches.. Got a couple livermush egg and cheese biscuits that are pretty dang good...and they also have ice cream!!!

Delightful respite from a long road trip. Clean. Friendly staff. Lots of locals. Coffee cup never…read moregot empty and plenty of smiles. Chicken fried steak breakfast was hot and tasty. Came with three eggs, a side and a biscuit. No complaints about any of them... I hope my travels bring me through here again

Patty was greasy not on bun. Coffee weak…read more Pancakes missing vanilla. No butter Seem like they were cutting corners left and right for your food

Was in the shopping center and decided to check it out and man I'm thankful I did. I ordered and…read morewithin 2 minutes I got my food. I ended up going for the mangonada and the Esquites for a nice snack. The mangonada is amazing!! Perfect for those hot days. Esquites were piping hot and perfectly seasoned. The employees are super kind and sweet. If I'm in the area again I will gladly come back!

I was craving a hamburger and did not feel like fast food, so we decided to try this place after…read morereading reviews. We were not disappointed. The burgers were fresh and delicious. We also got a strawberry smoothie and it was so fresh and yummy. I just picked up a carry out order, but the place was super cute inside and I would definitely want to eat inside at some point.