Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Live stream will be available after this brief ad from our sponsors
  • Listen Live

Charlie & Debbie

Pancake House In This Tiny North Carolina Town Ranks High On Yelp’s Top Restaurants In The Carolinas

Author Debbie Nance

Often when we venture out to eat, we search reviews to find what other people say about their experiences.  And, that’s especially true when we decide to dine in an unfamiliar town as we do on vacation.  So, Yelp is typically where customers turn.  The site pretty much hits top of mind among customer review sites.   Yelp recently issued “Top 100 Restaurants in the Carolinas.”  And, a pancake house in a tiny North Carolina town made it all the way to number 6!  It’s Joey’s Pancake House in Maggie Valley.

Joey’s Pancake House in the tourist town of Maggie Valley scored 278 five star rankings out of 350 Yelp reviews, according to The Mountaineer.  For this particular list, Yelp looked at the total number of reviews for the spot and their ratings during a two year period.  And, not surprisingly, a lot of restaurants scoring high on the list usually come from popular vacation spots like Myrtle Beach or Asheville.  So, Joey’s Pancake House takes pride that their spot in a town of less than 2000 snagged attention.  In browsing the menu, I spy “Reese’s Pancakes” with my name all over them!

Locals and visitors know Joey’s Pancake House as a staple in Maggie Valley for decades, opening in 1966.  Joey and Brenda O’Keefe met in Florida.  But, travels brought them to Maggie Valley.  And, that’s how it all began.  Sadly, Joey O’Keefe, died in 2001.  But, Brenda O’Keefe kept it going through the years.  Of course, her retirement and eventually COVID saw the spot close twice.  But, Joey’s is up and going strong these days!  It’s under new ownership of Roy and Sandra Milling.  And, one manager, Brittany Milling, told The Mountaineer, “We’re not here to make a dollar.  We’re here for the people, we’re here to make our customers happy.”

To me, some of the best places we find are the hidden gem spots off the beaten path.  Food Network’s Guy Fieri makes a living doing just that.  I remember a pancake spot in the mountains near Banner Elk we visited while at the Wooly Worm Festival.  It was phenomenal.  And, I look forward to one day visiting Joey’s Pancake House.

So, to see the rest of the story about Joey’s legacy, read more.  And, check out the full list of Yelp’s “Top 100 Restaurants in the Carolinas.”

North Carolina Spot Makes Yelp's Top Benedict In Every State List

I had no idea until I happened upon this story that April is National Brunch Month. Ahhh, brunch is that perfect combo of breakfast and lunch for those of us who like to sleep in yet still dine on “breakfasty” type foods. I always catch grief from our fellow brunchers because I rarely choose traditional breakfast foods. And, I usually lean savory rather than sweet. Although, I do love some fluffy pancakes.  But Yelp helps us navigate brunch with their “top benedict in every state list.”

I like breakfast to be a little more adventurous than the typical eggs and bacon. And, I like some spice if it’s available. And, benedicts fall into the more interesting category. So, when I saw Yelp ranked the top benedict in every state I had to check on North Carolina and South Carolina.

In checking out the complete list, I took note of those neighboring states as well. And, of course I had to throw my two cents in with a pick for North Carolina and South Carolina from my personal experience. Plus, I’ll go ahead and tell you that I like a benedict with a little bit of a Southern twist. So, feel free to take a look at the complete list from Yelp for every state. But, we’ll start with the North Carolina breakfast spot making Yelp’s top benedict in every state list.

  • 1. North Carolina: Sunrise Grill in Boone

    Sunrise Grill is located on NC 105 in beautiful Boone, North Carolina. And, in looking at the website I can certainly see why it made Yelp’s top benedict in every state list. Benedicts appear to be the specialty at Sunrise Grill. They offer at least four different varieties, including the traditional. But, others look amazing featuring smoked salmon or brisket and even flank steak. There’s one with spinach and another on a biscuit with sausage patties. I’m in!

  • 2. South Carolina: Lost Dog Cafe in Folly Beach

    The Lost Dog Cafe, Folly Beach tops Yelp’s list of top benedicts in every state for South Carolina. Their website says “we like to think Lost Dog Cafe is to Folly as biscuit is to gravy” They’re located on West Huron Ave. Folly Beach. And, the International Eggs Benedict I saw on their menu pleases me just fine. It includes Canadian bacon, fried green tomatoes and of course poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. Lost Dog also has plenty of other Southern favorites on the menu, too!

  • 3. Georgia: The Collins Quarter in Savannah

    The Collins Quarter in Savannah made the list of top benedict in every state for Georgia.  The description of their Eggs Benedict on the menu includes, pancetta, arugula, rosemary garlic potato roasti’s and an option of smoked salmon.  In browsing other items I think if I did go sweet, I’d choose the “Cannoli French Toast.”  Wow.  They have two locations, and in looking at the Forsyth location it seems they offer a crab cake benedict.  This spot seems like a solid choice either way!

    https://twitter.com/SravAnumolu/status/536591541654261760

  • 4. Tennessee: Eggstravaganza Cafe in Antioch

    Eggstravaganza Cafe’s website says the concept came from a passion for fusing different flavors and cuisine.  The benedict looks pretty straightforward and delicious.  A quick look around shows Shakshuka, French Toast, Skillets, Crepes, Pancakes, Pierogies and more.  It seems they live up to their concept of flavors from around the world.  It appears to be another solid choice from Yelp’s top benedict in every state list.

    No photo description available.

  • 5. Virginia: Bay Local Eatery, Virginia Beach

    Bay Local Eatery in Virginia Beach made Yelp’s top benedict in the state of Virginia.  Their “Original Benedict” includes black forrest ham, poached eggs and hollandaise over a toasted English muffin with home fries, garlic parmesan tots or cheese grits.  They also offer a version with fried oysters or crab cakes or the fried chicken bennie as well as a smoked salmon variety or the smoked sausage or veggie kind.  According to their website, the owner spent years living and working around the water in the region.  And, they describe their style as “coastal southern.”

  • 6. North Carolina (My Pick): Stack's Kitchen, Waxhaw

    And, now we get to my picks!  We love Stack’s Kitchen on Broome St. in Waxhaw.  And, they also have a location in Matthews.  But, it’s just good, friendly home cooking.  And, Stack’s serves breakfast all day.  Of course, the traditional breakfast items are done right here.  And, if  you’re looking for great pancakes and french toast you’ll find it.  But, they have several benedicts.  And, my favorite is the Country Benedict.  It’s a homemade biscuit with sausage patty, topped with scrambled eggs and country gravy.  It’s amazing and enough for at least two people!  They’re open each day until 3 p.m.  And, they just might be my choice for one of the top benedicts in the state.

  • 7. South Carolina (my pick): Blueberry's Grill, North Myrtle Beach

    This isn’t the first time I’ve written about my love of Blueberry’s Grill in North Myrtle Beach.  They serve great breakfast until 3 p.m.  And, I love all their skillet specialties.  Plus, they have great chicken and waffles and bloody mary’s.  But, I think they have some of the top benedicts in the state.  The variety is amazing ranging from smoked salmon to chorizo to pork belly and crab cake benedicts.  And, they also have a Country Benedict with bacon or sausage on biscuits with fried green tomatoes.  This one’s always a winner for any beach visit.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

Get The Country 103.7 All Access Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest country music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Debbie Nance
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Country 103.7