McDowell County, NC — BBQ, Biscuits & Craft Beer in the Blue Ridge

Brisket, Biscuits, and Beer: McDowell County’s Guide to Southern Faves

One of the biggest reasons to explore McDowell County is to follow your stomach. With an abundance of locally-owned restaurants to explore, a short walk or drive can fill sate your appetite for southern flavors and mountain vibes. It’s also the best spot for the North Carolina’s three B’s: brisket, biscuits, and beer.

Here are the best places to enjoy a bit of each at any time of year.

Brisket

North Carolina is known worldwide for its barbecue, so you’ll find great restaurants serving it throughout McDowell County. Smoke a Little Smoke in Marion’s “Barbue is family-run and focuses on all things smoked meat. Voted best barbecue in the county by The McDowell News, enjoy sliced brisket plus smoked wings and Southern sides.

Open since 2005, Smokey Que's is a great spot for an al fresco meal next to the gun-shaped smoker. The brisket here is shredded, but you can also enjoy blackened fish and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Pair with stone ground grits, queso macaroni and cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Countryside BBQ has served the community of McDowell since 1990 with daily specials, but in October of 2011, this local favorite also served up an award winning plate of bbq to President Obama! The chopped barbecue and Texas-style smoked beef brisket are the top menu items, but you can also get a livermush and cheese sandwich, an ode to the regional delicacy.

Biscuits

What’s more Southern than biscuits? That famous seafood chain may be known for its Cheddar Bay biscuit, but local restaurant Crabby Abby's is here to take the crown. The seafood restaurant is recognized for its premium steaks and sustainable seafood like crab cakes and seared salmon. Don’t miss an order of the biscuits to start your meal!

You’ll also find plenty of Southern breakfast spots with biscuits and gravy to start your day like Bessie's Diner. The Country Diner also has fluffy biscuits to enjoy with eggs and bacon.

Want a unique or different take on the cornerstone of breakfast? Try out bSide Bakery & Books in Old Fort, NC. This unique Bakery and Book Boutique serves up Sourdough renditions of morning favorites, as well as curated collection of bestseller books.

Set in the historic Dysartsville area, Heifer’s Diner is open for breakfast, brunch and early lunch! Heifer’s is a place where either everybody knows your name or the cook and waitresses call you “hon”. expect the cook to step up to your table and ask how “your likin’ the food today” while refreshing your coffee cup. This place makes biscuits that taste like home.

Beer

You don’t have to go far to enjoy a drink. Downtown Marion’s “social district” allows for to-go drinks from licensed restaurants and breweries to wander the streets between Burgin and Garden streets, as long as they are in marked drinkware.

The district includes three downtown breweries and taprooms. Taylors Brewing Company has its house brews like the IPA and kölsch plus rotating taps. Stop by for the frequent cornhole tournaments and food trucks.

Also with a taproom in Nebo, Mica Town Brewing Company takes its name from the region’s mining tradition. The pet-friendly taproom is the best place to enjoy the brand’s house-made beer and cider selections including the English-style Stumptown Stout and Pearsecco Cider. Try their upstairs after-hours bar, The High Dive for trivia and live music.

Sip on brews from around the state at Refinery 13 Taproom, a beer-focused bar and restaurant. Families and friends can enjoy shared bites like the pretzel bites and beer cheese.

Marion is also part of the county’s High Spirits Trail. In addition to the aforementioned breweries, visitors can check out Copper Creek Distillery, which crafts (legal) moonshine learned from previous generations. The distillery has traditional and flavored versions like apple, grape, and even oatmeal cookie flavored. Keeper's Cut Meadery is another addition, creating mead from locally sourced honey in the 310 District. Sip on flavored versions on the patio with charcuterie boards and chocolate. Main Season Market is a new specialty market focusing on products that are “for locals. By locals.” Enjoy locally made brews crafted from grains and produce grown in the region, as well as fresh goods from Small Holdings Farms, based in McDowell County.