Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q (Wake Forest)

Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q sits on Capital Boulevard in Wake Forest, one of the chain’s counter-serve restaurants. Fried chicken and Eastern North Carolina barbecue in vinegar sauce anchor the menu, with hushpuppies, Brunswick stew and sweet tea alongside.

The dining room stays busy, which travelers passing through read as the sign of a place locals actually use. Regulars describe the staff as pleasant and helpful every time, and the atmosphere gets called welcoming more than once. The restaurant holds 4.1 stars on Google from close to a thousand reviews.

What to know

• The company has been feeding North Carolina for over forty years.
• Thirty-eight restaurants stretch from the coast into the Piedmont, and more are planned.
• Pints of baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad are sold to take home.
• Its stated focus is an enjoyable dining experience for customers.