We’re on vacation in Topsail Beach, North Carolina. It’s 800 miles from home, so we took 2 days to drive here and had several interesting dining experiences along the way.
Around suppertime the first day we were looking for a place to eat and around Marietta, Ohio there were signs on the Interstate for Applebees and Bob Evans so we pulled off on Highway 7. As we wheeled into the parking lot that surrounded the Applebees Debbie spotted a storefront Mexican place. She said, “wanna try the Mexican place?” I said, “sure.”
What a find! Las Trancas. When we stepped in I figured we were in for something good. The open storefront had been artfully divided up in several dining spaces, the wait staff were all in uniforms, the decor was nice, and most tellingly, the place was packed at 5:20 in the evening.
Debbie ordered up carne asada and I got carnitas. Yum, yum, yum! Debbie’s beef was fresh and perfectly cooked with a beautiful sear. My carnitas were moist and rich with delicious charred bits. So, so good! If you ever find yourself in Marietta, Ohio, check it out.
We stayed that night in Beckley, West Virginia. We started off early the next morning and had breakfast in the Omelet Shoppe next to the hotel. I was delighted to see grits on the menu and ordered them. When I did our waitress said, “ummph.” Debbie said, “what, you don’t like grits?” The waitress said, “well, not here. I like them if my momma cooks them.” Now there’s a sterling recommendation. But to this Yankee they tasted just fine.
Finally rolling downhill towards Topsail Beach on I-40 we stopped at a Smithfield Chicken and BBQ (or SCNB as some of the signs say.) It’s a regional chain of fast food BBQ and chicken. The pulled pork was just splendid. They serve it with cole slaw and vinegary sauce. It’s definitely fast food bbq, but it’s real tasty all the same. And the service they provide is a model for what all restaurants should be.
Now we’re at Topsail, enjoying fresh shrimp every day.
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