From Asheville, Atlantic Beach, Charlotte and beyond, North Carolina has sent a steady stream of restaurants to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives over the years. We gathered the spots Guy Fieri has featured across the state, kept the ones still open and still beloved, and ranked the top 20 by how much diners actually love them. Consider it your North Carolina road-trip eating list.

1. Pinky’s Westside Grill (Charlotte)

American, Burger, Chicken, Sandwich, Vegan/Vegetarian · $ · 4.5★ (7,385 Google reviews)

Pinky’s Westside Grill earned its spot on the show for American classics that regulars rave about, and the 4.5-star average from 7,385 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 22, Episode 10 — “Racing Through Charlotte” (May 1, 2015)
• Season 32, Episode 6 — “Takeout: Funky Finds in 'da House” (May 22, 2020)
Address: 1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: +1 704-332-0402
Website: www.eatatpinkys.com
See the full Pinky’s Westside Grill listing →

2. Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant (Kitty Hawk)

Seafood · $$ · 4.4★ (5,670 Google reviews)

Known for fresh seafood, Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant still draws a crowd — a 4.4-star rating from 5,670 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 16, Episode 7 — “Land to Sea” (February 11, 2013)
Address: 3848 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Phone: +1 252-261-3171
Website: blackpelican.com
See the full Black Pelican Oceanfront Restaurant listing →

3. Landmark Restaurant (Charlotte)

Breakfast · $ · 4.4★ (4,311 Google reviews)

The a knockout breakfast at Landmark Restaurant clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.4-star rating across 4,311 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 8, Episode 10 — “Fresh And Funky” (March 29, 2010)
Address: 4429 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: +1 704-532-1153
Website: www.orderlandmarkdinercharlottenc.com
See the full Landmark Restaurant listing →

4. Cabo Fish Taco (Charlotte)

Mexican, Seafood · $$ · 4.5★ (4,090 Google reviews)

Cabo Fish Taco is one of the area’s go-to spots for Mexican plates, with a strong 4.5 stars from 4,090 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 9, Episode 4 — “Bringin' It Home” (May 17, 2010)
Address: 3201 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: +1 704-332-8868
Website: www.cabofishtaco.com
See the full Cabo Fish Taco listing →

5. Copper Penny (Wilmington)

American, Pizza · $$ · 4.6★ (4,030 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for American classics, Copper Penny keeps a 4.6-star rating across 4,030 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 28, Episode 8 — “Pizza, Pork and Peru” (April 6, 2018)
Address: 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: +1 910-762-1373
Website: www.copperpennync.com
See the full Copper Penny listing →

6. Tortugas’ Lie (Nags Head)

Seafood · $$ · 4.6★ (3,768 Google reviews)

Tortugas’ Lie earned its spot on the show for fresh seafood that regulars rave about, and the 4.6-star average from 3,768 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 16, Episode 12 — “Layers of Flavor” (March 18, 2013)
• Season 19, Episode 14 — “Crazy for Chicken” (April 18, 2014)
Address: 3016 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959
Phone: +1 252-441-7299
Website: www.tortugaslie.com
See the full Tortugas’ Lie listing →

7. Amos Mosquito’s (Atlantic Beach)

American, Seafood, Southern · $$ · 4.7★ (2,706 Google reviews)

Known for American classics, Amos Mosquito’s still draws a crowd — a 4.7-star rating from 2,706 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 36, Episode 3 — “Eastern Southern” (September 30, 2022)
Address: 703 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Phone: +1 252-247-6222
Website: www.amosmosquitos.com
See the full Amos Mosquito’s listing →

8. Fork-n-Cork (Wilmington)

American, Breakfast · $$ · 4.5★ (2,625 Google reviews)

The American classics at Fork-n-Cork clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.5-star rating across 2,625 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 28, Episode 10 — “Grab and Grub” (May 4, 2018)
Address: 122 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: +1 910-228-5247
See the full Fork-n-Cork listing →

9. Bang Bang Burgers (Charlotte)

Burger · $$ · 4.6★ (2,168 Google reviews)

Bang Bang Burgers is one of the area’s go-to spots for burgers, with a strong 4.6 stars from 2,168 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 26, Episode 5 — “Beef, Lamb and Pig” (February 17, 2017)
Address: 2001 E 7th St D, Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: +1 704-375-4505
Website: bangbangburgersclt.com
See the full Bang Bang Burgers listing →

10. 300 East (Charlotte)

American · $$ · 4.5★ (1,918 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for American classics, 300 East keeps a 4.5-star rating across 1,918 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 22, Episode 11 — “Indulgent Dishes” (May 22, 2015)
Address: 300 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: +1 704-332-6507
Website: 300east.net
See the full 300 East listing →

11. Dish (Charlotte)

American, Southern · $ · 4.4★ (1,880 Google reviews)

Dish earned its spot on the show for American classics that regulars rave about, and the 4.4-star average from 1,880 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D: Season 8, Episode 8 — “Comfort Food Classics” (February 22, 2010)
Address: 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: +1 704-344-0343
Website: eatatdish.com
See the full Dish listing →

12. Cast Iron Kitchen (Wilmington)

BBQ, Breakfast, Southern · $$ · 4.6★ (1,743 Google reviews)

Known for low-and-slow barbecue, Cast Iron Kitchen still draws a crowd — a 4.6-star rating from 1,743 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 28, Episode 11 — “BBQ Bites and Southern Flavor” (May 25, 2018)
Address: 8024 Market St #6, Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone: +1 910-821-8461
Website: www.castiron-kitchen.com
See the full Cast Iron Kitchen listing →

13. South 21 Drive-In (Charlotte)

American, Burger · $ · 4.6★ (1,647 Google reviews)

The American classics at South 21 Drive-In clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.6-star rating across 1,647 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 8, Episode 6 — “By Request” (February 8, 2010)
Address: 3101 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: +1 704-377-4509
Website: south21drivein.net
See the full South 21 Drive-In listing →

14. The Penguin (Charlotte)

American, Burger, Sandwich · $$ · 4.5★ (1,106 Google reviews)

The Penguin is one of the area’s go-to spots for American classics, with a strong 4.5 stars from 1,106 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 1, Episode 3 — “Blue Plate Special” (May 7, 2007)
Address: 1531 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: +1 704-444-0603
Website: thepenguindrivein.com/utm_sourcegbmutm_mediumlinkutm_campaigngbm
See the full The Penguin listing →

15. Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe (Charlotte)

Italian, Pizza · $$ · 4.5★ (1,045 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for Italian comfort food, Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe keeps a 4.5-star rating across 1,045 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 22, Episode 13 — “Intercontinental Flavorfest” (June 5, 2015)
Address: 1427 E 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: +1 704-347-2626
Website: www.intermezzopizzeria.com
See the full Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe listing →

16. Huli Sue’s (Asheville)

American, Seafood, BBQ, Sandwich, Southern, Hawaiian, Dessert · $$ · 4.8★ (956 Google reviews)

Huli Sue’s earned its spot on the show for American classics that regulars rave about, and the 4.8-star average from 956 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D: Season 43, Episode 2 — “Southern, Sweets, and Spam” (January 30, 2026)
Address: 1 Page Ave Suite 150, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: +1 828-505-0397
Website: www.hulisuesbbq.com
See the full Huli Sue’s listing →

17. Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering (Morehead City)

Southern · $$ · 4.6★ (931 Google reviews)

Known for Southern home cooking, Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering still draws a crowd — a 4.6-star rating from 931 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 36, Episode 4 — “Rolled and Holed” (October 7, 2022)
Address: 400 Bridges St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: +1 252-727-1921
Website: www.floyds1921.com
See the full Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant, Bar & Catering listing →

18. Fud at Salud (Charlotte)

Pizza · $$ · 4.8★ (737 Google reviews)

The pizza at Fud at Salud clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.8-star rating across 737 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 26, Episode 7 — “Not Your Typical Joints” (March 24, 2017)
Address: 3306 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: +1 980-495-6612
Website: www.saludbeershop.com
See the full Fud at Salud listing →

19. The Improper Pig (Charlotte)

BBQ · $$ · 4.4★ (708 Google reviews)

The Improper Pig is one of the area’s go-to spots for low-and-slow barbecue, with a strong 4.4 stars from 708 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 26, Episode 5 — “Beef, Lamb and Pig” (February 17, 2017)
Address: 9855 Sandy Rock Pl A, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: +1 704-714-7878
Website: theimproperpig.com
See the full The Improper Pig listing →

20. Little Chango (Asheville)

Other · $$ · 4.9★ (548 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for a one-of-a-kind menu, Little Chango keeps a 4.9-star rating across 548 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 43, Episode 4 — “Flavorworld” (March 13, 2026)
Address: 134 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: www.littlechango.com
See the full Little Chango listing →