NORTH CAROLINA STATE - North Carolina is a state of "Firsts"—from the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk to being the first state to declare independence from the British. But between the peaks of the Blue Ridge and the shipwrecks of the Outer Banks, North Carolina has cultivated a culture that is as diverse as its geography.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE - North Carolina is a state of "Firsts"—from the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk to being the first state to declare independence from the British. But between the peaks of the Blue Ridge and the shipwrecks of the Outer Banks, North Carolina has cultivated a culture that is as diverse as its geography.If you’ve ever engaged in a civil war over cabbage or felt a deep, religious devotion to a specific brand of cherry soda, you are definitely in the Tar Heel State.
1. The "Great BBQ Schism" (East vs. West)
In North Carolina, barbecue isn't just lunch; it’s a political affiliation. The state is strictly divided by the Yadkin River.
- Eastern Style: This is the "whole hog" tradition. The meat is chopped and doused in a thin, spicy vinegar-and-pepper sauce. No tomato allowed.
- Lexington (Western) Style: This uses only the pork shoulder and adds a touch of tomato (ketchup) to the vinegar base, resulting in a "redder" sauce.
The most bizarre part? The Slaw. Eastern slaw is typically mayonnaise-based, while Lexington slaw (often called "Red Slaw") uses the barbecue sauce itself for moisture. Order the "wrong" one in the wrong town, and you’ll get a look that says you’ve committed a cardinal sin.
2. The "Cheerwine" Spiritual Experience
In most of the country, cherry soda is a generic fountain option. In North Carolina, Cheerwine is a cultural icon. Created in Salisbury in 1917, this "uniquely southern" sparkling black cherry soda is extra carbonated and surprisingly less sweet than your average pop.
North Carolinians don't just drink it; they bake with it, make "Cheerwine floats" with local ice cream, and even use it as a glaze for holiday hams. If you haven't seen a child at a BBQ joint with a bright red Cheerwine mustache, you haven't truly seen North Carolina.
3. The "Cook Out" Tray Math
Nowhere else in America can you experience the logistical masterpiece that is a Cook Out Tray. For a flat price, you get an "Entrée" (like a burger), but the bizarre part is the "Sides."
In North Carolina, a "side" can be a corn dog, a chicken quesadilla, or a literal wrap. This means you can legally order a burger with a side of a burger and a side of nuggets. Top it off with one of over 40 flavors of milkshakes (including fresh watermelon in the summer), and you have the unofficial late-night state dinner.
4. The "Milk and Bread" Snow Panic
Because North Carolina sits in a geographic "sweet spot" where we get just enough ice to shut down the power grid but not enough snow for a plow to exist, the Snow Panic is a real phenomenon.
At the mere mention of a "wintry mix" on the local news, every grocery store in the state is immediately stripped of two things: Milk and White Bread. Why we all collectively decide that "milk sandwiches" are the only way to survive a 24-hour flurry remains one of the great mysteries of the South.
5. The "Old Drum" and the Outer Banks Ghost Towns
Drive out to the Outer Banks (the OBX), and you’ll enter a world where the ocean is the boss. North Carolinians in this region have a unique obsession with the Channel Bass (Red Drum), the state fish, which grows to massive proportions in the surf.
You’ll also find a state of mind shaped by "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." From the mysterious "Lost Colony" of Roanoke to the pirate lore of Blackbeard, North Carolinians have a casual relationship with the eerie. It’s the only place where you’ll see a beach house on stilts right next to a 300-year-old cemetery being reclaimed by the dunes.
North Carolina is a state of "To Be, Rather Than To Seem." It’s a place where you can find world-class research labs in the Triangle and moonshine-distilling heritage in the mountains. It’s a land of Krispy Kreme (born in Winston-Salem!), Pepsi (born in New Bern!), and a hospitality that is as warm as a summer night in the Piedmont.
