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Foodie Blogs

We write a lot of stories and a lot of those are about food. Visitors LOVE to try local foods, find new chef-driven restaurants, and explore what's super cool and culinary about a destination.

Enjoy here several of our foodie blogs and get out and explore our food scene in Johnston County, NC.

What makes a recipe Southern? If a Brooklynite makes sweet potato pie, is the pie still Southern? If a born and bred North Carolinian makes spaghetti… is it then Southern spaghetti? Does the chicken…

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As a native of Johnston County, I can say with conviction that what matters most to locals around the holidays is food. It always seemed particularly cruel to me that the Grinch not only took…

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Old North State Food Hall is officially kicking off the holiday season with Blitzen’s Tavern, a holiday pop-up bar. From November through early January, look for festive holiday décor from floor to…

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When the leaves start to change and the slow heat of summer takes its sweet time clearing the air and making way for a brisk fall breeze, that's the time of year I love the most. In the South, the…

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In the southern part of JoCo, just off I-95, is Benson-based Broadslab Distillery; which has been offering ‘shine products, tours, and tastings since 2015. Master Distillery Jeremy Norris is what…

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The Old North State Food Hall opened their doors with 10 fantastic restaurants on August 26, 2022. To celebrate the one-year anniversary the Old North State is hosting a variety of events, including…

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With a growing culinary and craft beverage scene in the county, the Johnston County Visitors Bureau (JCVB) works to promote our unique Beer, Wine, and Shine Trail (BWST). Visitors, and residents, can…

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Is it Butter Pea-Can or Butter Pea-Con? Whichever way you pronounce butter pecan, is it your favorite ice cream flavor? Are you, like us, a connoisseur of ice cream no matter what flavor? Visit…

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The weather is warming and there are so many fun events to attend outside around the county in the coming weeks. Beyond that, we wanted to share a round-up of things to do in JoCo during the Spring.

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We’ve done a few blog series before: Meet the Makers, JoCo Has Talent, recipes, and others. But, with the opening of the Old North State Food Hall (ONSFH), the county welcomed 10 new “mini”…

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The Ava Gardner Trust and Legacy Talent and Entertainment, in collaboration with Breakfast at Dominique’s, are thrilled to announce the debut of the Officially Licensed Ava Gardner Signature Coffee…

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The Johnston County Beer, Wine, & Shine Trail has expanded over the years to 8 craft beverage partners. In January of this year JoCo Brewing joined the trail, opening a brewhouse and taproom in the…

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Selma NC's much anticipated Old North State Food Hall is now open! ONSFH will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday, 7AM to 9PM, and Friday and Saturday, 7AM to 10PM.

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For going on five years now, the Redneck BBQ Lab has become a can’t-miss Johnston County experience that residents, regional visitors, and drivers up and down both I-95 and I-40 come back to again…

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The last time I wrote a blog about Revival 1869, in 2017, they were a brand new business with a wonderful vision. Considering they’ve just recently celebrated their 5 year anniversary, it seems…

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It seems a very long time ago now, actually almost seven years, since I really and truly sat down with Lynn and Paul Auclair and discussed their business Deep River Brewing Co. Known locally as…

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In 2019 we brought you this blog from Randy Capps of Johnston Now, about the brand new food hall coming to Exit 97 off I-95. The food hall was the beginning of a larger plan by Eastfield Crossing…

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Craft distilling has been a growing industry across North Carolina for many year's now. Benson-based Broadslab Distillery has been offering tours and tastings since March of 2015. The tasting room is…

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Have you been to Hinnant Vineyards lately? This stop along the Johnston County Beer, Wine, & Shine Trail is brand new in a lot of ways. Worth a day trip certainly, and located just a few miles off…

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Chef Scott Crawford has officially opened the doors to Crawford Cookshop – located at 401 Main Street in burgeoning downtown Clayton – his most casual restaurant to-date. Crawford Cookshop celebrates…

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