When I say, “I am going home,” I am usually referring to one of three places. Home is where the heart is, but for the sake of this it is where the food is.
Anyways…
No I was not born there, raised there, did not go to school there, but to me it is partly home. Having people there that are close enough to call family, I consider Bessemer City, North Carolina one of my homes.
In the many years I have been a wannabe native of the area, I have come very familiar with a few local eateries, and some I have just recently gotten the chance to check out. Either way, I feel that these are some of the places you should definitely check out if you are ever in the area. You will thank me later!
1. Grandma Hoyt’s Country Buffet.
If you are a breakfast lover then you have found the right place. Fill your plate and belly with home style foods from the buffet, just like grandma used to make. Want to add some French toast or pancakes? No problem, coming right up! Arrive early though, this is the place to be!
2. McDonald’s Family Restaurant.
A place I return to upon every trip. No not the golden arches, this one is way better. Ever had a BBQ coleslaw burger? It will change your life. Homemade slaw with Carolina BBQ sauce on a fresh burger with chili, mustard, and onions. I am about to make the 3 and a half our drive just to get a burger.
3. Dino’s Family Pizzeria.
Although this place is “new” to me, it is definitely one I will go back to next time I am home. I can chow down on some Italian food and at Dino’s you can do just that if you don’t get full on your fresh garlic bread first. Make sure you are good and hungry though, if not you will be taking home a box and having leftovers for lunch the next day!
4. Azteca Family Mexican Restaurant.
Whether you are looking for an authentic Mexican dish or a Tex-Mex style dinner plate, Azteca has everything you would want. Don’t go on a Wednesday night, the Temple Baptist Church crew already has all the tables taken!
5. Tony’s Ice Cream.
Upon my last trip home, Tony’s announced that SunDrop ice cream had made its arrival. (Side note: The original SunDrop was first bottled in 1953 in Gaston County where drinks such as Cheerwine and Orange Crush had already been bottled there). Unfortunately, the new flavor was sold out when I went to try it but with a variety of other flavors to pick from I was not disappointed and you won’t be either.
6. R.O.’s BBQ.
Looking for some good BBQ and a real cherry lemon SunDrop to wash it down with? You have arrived at the right place. More than just a restaurant though, R.O.’s partners with retailers to sale their products in their restaurant or stores. 56 years of family traditions with visions of distributing their dips, slaw, and sauce nationwide, R.O.’s continues to serve up the same recipe used from generations back.
So do yourself a favor, and check out these 6 places!
