When moving to the South, you may find the cuisine to be rather different. Different, however, does not mean bad! In this case, it actually means quite good. 

Through my two years of living in North Carolina, I have come across an array of different foods that left me feeling puzzled, yet pleasantly surprised. When someone tells you Southern cooking uses love, they mean it! Here is a list of foods that I had never come across before moving to Johnston County: 

Three hot dogs with a variety of toppings including cheese, chili, slaw, and onions sit on a table at Jones Cafe.

  1. Red Hot Dog

When I was first introduced to red hot dogs, I was bewildered and confused. I had never before seen a hot dog that was entirely bright red. As a Johnston County specialty and local favorite, the red hot dog is featured in a multitude of restaurants and stores. The best combo is adding chili, mustard, onions and coleslaw on top! In Johnston County, we love our red hot dogs so much, we even have an entire trail dedicated to them. The Red Hot Dog Trail maps out all the restaurants in the area that serve Brightleaf hot dogs.

  1. Cheerwine

Though you may be able to find this North Carolina-based drink in other states, Cheerwine is a must-have when you are in the South. This cherry-flavored soda was invented in North Carolina in 1917 and became a Southern favorite now sold in most Southern restaurants. 

  1. Eastern Style Barbecue

Eastern North Carolina Barbecue is its own category in the barbecue world. With a special vinegar-based barbecue sauce, the barbecue here can have a bit of a kick to it. This also makes the sauce a bit runnier compared to the barbecue sauce you may be used to. I personally really enjoy the vinegar-based barbecue sauce since it adds just a bit of a tang to it while still making room for the barbecue flavor.

Pulled pork, french fries, fried chicken, potato salad, and hush puppies sits on a table at White Swan Bar-B-Q

  1. Sausage Balls

To this day, sausage balls are my most favorite Southern food find. Biscuits and sausage gravy have always been a favorite of mine back in Indiana, so naturally, I immediately took to loving sausage balls. Sausage balls are a simple three-ingredient recipe: pork sausage, bisquick, and cheese. Combine all these ingredients together, shape them into small tablespoon-sized balls, and cook them in the oven until they are crispy to create the most enjoyable little snack. 

  1. Tomato Sandwich

Another strange, but very simple, Southern food that I discovered was the tomato sandwich. Very similar to a BLT with missing ingredients, the tomato sandwich is simply tomato, mayo, and bread. It is traditionally best with farm fresh, juicy but firm, tomatoes. Though this is not my fondest food find, it is unique, especially when a local event boasts free tomato sandwiches and the local population goes crazy for it.

  1. Boiled Peanuts

Do you like your peanuts crunchy or soft? Boiled peanuts are a Southern specialty. Yes, they are made exactly how you think they would be - by boiling peanuts in the shell! The initial thought of boiled peanuts had me hesitant to try them, especially since I love my peanuts crispy. However, boiled peanuts were surprisingly good! The original boiled peanuts, where they were boiled with salt in the water, were good, but my favorite were the Cajun boiled peanuts. These peanuts offer a high kick of heat with lots of flavor. If you are looking for flavored peanuts with a softer texture, boiled peanuts are the way to go.

Boiled peanuts sit in a yellow bowl.

  1. Chocolate Sop

If you love gravy, why not also have some for dessert? Chocolate sop is a decadent chocolate gravy that can be poured over biscuits. It is very similar to a chocolate sauce but holds the consistency of gravy. No matter the texture, chocolate sop is a delicious, sweet add-on to biscuits or atop pies! 

  1. Chicken Pastry

The first time I heard the phrase “chicken pastry,” I just assumed my coworkers were referring to chicken and dumplings in an interesting way. Lo and behold chicken pastry is a completely different dish from chicken and dumplings! Though I do find similarities between the two, chicken pastry is shredded chicken in a gravy-like-stew with strips of cooked pastry. It is a nice meal to have when you’re feeling under the weather or looking for a cozy dish when the weather finally cools down. 

  1. Hush Puppies

I know what you are thinking, doesn’t everywhere have hush puppies? Not like Johnston County’s hush puppies! White Swan Bar-B-Q makes deliciously thin hush puppies that are lighter than the traditional hush puppies that I am familiar with. I am used to the round balls of crispy fried cornmeal and onion, whereas the hush puppies from White Swan use a battered mix with buttermilk that gives them a more airy quality. They are delicious!

A ham biscuit is held up in front of the Stevens Sausage sign at the Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival.

  1. Ham Biscuits

Cured country ham makes for the perfect meat to put on a Southern biscuit. My introduction to ham biscuits came at the Ham & Yam festival, and it was honestly life-changing. Ever since I tried one, I find myself excitedly waiting for the next time I may have one. As a ham lover, Stevens cured country ham has been another one of my favorite Johnston County finds. You won’t want to miss out on trying this deliciously simple sandwich! 

  1. Shrimp and Grits

The must-try Southern meal is shrimp and grits. Only Southern cooks know how to perfect grits with crispy shrimp. In Johnston County, SoDoSoPa offers delicious Cajun shrimp with cheesy grits and a specialty sauce. Before moving to the South, I was not a fan of grits. Now, I thoroughly enjoy eating the wonderful combination of shrimp and grits!

12. Pimento Cheese

Initially, the look of pimento cheese was a big turn-off for me. Made with shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, this creamy southern delicacy is great to have on crackers and sandwiches. I have grown overly fond of pimento cheese, especially on my breakfast sandwiches. Boulevard West specifically has a delicious sandwich called the Boulevard Bypass, which features a jalapeno cheddar bagel, a cooked egg, a sausage patty, bacon strips, and of course, pimento cheese. Try it at a restaurant or make your own!

13. Special Shout Out to Sweet Tea

As a non-tea person, I could actually get behind Southern sweet tea. Southern sweet tea is more of a syrup with how much sugar is mixed in it. If you are not from the South, you may want to consider ordering half and half - as in half unsweetened tea and half sweet tea. Southerners love their sweet tea, so make sure you give it a try at a local restaurant! 

All in all, Southern cuisine is truly made from the heart. Wherever you go in the South, you will be greeted fondly and welcomed with a warm smile. This kindness and care is passed on into each recipe and served with loving passion. Make sure you experience one of the many restaurants in Johnston County to truly get the Southern cuisine experience.