food greensboro nc

Some Easily Recognized Food Greensboro NC Originated

Travel to North Carolina and you’re likely to indulge in some regional favorites like Lexington BBQ. However, many national chains also have their origins here in the Tar Heel State. Have you ever wondered what food Greensboro NC is famous for? Let’s take a look at some legendary brands that began here.

Famous Food Greensboro NC Claims Roots

Mt. Olive Pickles, Lance Crackers, Pepsi, Cheerwine, and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are all well-known brands that began in our state. Additionally, many famous eateries began right here in the Tar Heel state.

1. Hardee’s

Already a successful restaurateur, Wilbur Hardee liked what he saw at a McDonald’s in 1960. He decided to open a similar-style restaurant in Greenville. To give his burgers a better flavor, he cooked the burgers over a chargrill. His new restaurant was an immediate hit and he planned several more.

Within a few months, he forged a business deal with 2 men, Leonard Rawls and Jim Gardner. The partnership quickly soured and Wilbur sold his share and the use of his name. Hardee’s went on to open 1,800 restaurants across the U.S. while Wilbur went on to manage several other eateries.

2. Bojangles

Hardee’s franchise owner, Jack Fulk, and Kentucky Fried Chicken executive, Richard Thomas, partnered to open Bojangles in 1977 in Charlotte. Specializing in Cajun fried chicken and fresh, homemade buttermilk biscuits, the restaurant soon became a favorite eatery with local residents. Today the chain has about 340 locations in NC alone.

3. Cook Out

In 1989, Morris Reaves opened the first Cookout restaurant on Randleman in Greensboro. This favorite eatery stands out for its inexpensive prices and the multitude of sides. Plus, the eatery serves another NC original, Cheerwine.

Furthermore, you can choose from over 40 different shake flavors. Additionally, you can mix these flavors to create new combinations. Also, many locations stay true to their origins by serving customers through drive-in only.

4. Mario’s Pizza

While this pizzeria is only a legend within the Piedmont area, Mario’s Pizza continues to spread throughout North Carolina. It all began in 1981 when brothers, Tony, Vinny, and Mario, moved from Brooklyn, NY to NC.

We began selling our signature style NY style pizza at our first pizzeria in Jacksonville. Since then, we’ve expanded the menu to include salads, calzones, strombolis, and several other authentic Italian dishes. Moreover, combined with our sister store, Tony’s Pizza, we have a total of 15 Italian restaurants throughout the state.

Favorite North Carolina Dessert And Snack Food

A North Carolina sweet treat had its start in 1937. At that time, Vernon Rudolph bought a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe from a New Orleans French chef. He rented a building in historic Old Salem to bake his doughnuts for local grocery stores. When passersby began asking to buy some, Vernon cut a hole in an outside wall to sell directly to customers.

Although most people eat them for breakfast, doughnuts are actually a dessert. So, you would think with Krispy Kreme originating here in the Triad, that would be North Carolinians’ favorite treat.

Furthermore, North Carolina is a top producer of pecans, peaches, and sweet potatoes. Again, you might think our most popular dessert would be pecan pie, peach cobbler, or even sweet potato pie.

However, the most popular dessert in the Tar Heel state is a supremely moist cake. According to several sources, coconut cake tops the list.

As far as snack foods go, this one’s a toss-up. Some surveyors put Starbursts at the top, while others cite Muscadine grapes or Doritos as the favorite.

FAQs About Finding Great Food Greensboro NC Has To Offer

If you’re looking for some great Italian food Greensboro NC residents love, stop by Mario’s Pizza. If you’ve never tried us, you may have questions about our Italian restaurants. Below, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions to get to know us better.

What Makes Mario’s Pizza Different From Other Pizzerias?

America’s love affair with pizza began in NY when Italian immigrants began selling it in 1905. Since then, chefs have altered the original recipe to create different versions. However, many people still prefer the original NY style.

Yet, finding pizzerias serving great-tasting NY style pizza in other areas can be difficult. Unless, you have an Italian family from Brooklyn making your pizza. Moreover, we make many of our other Italian dishes using old family recipes brought over from Calabria, Italy.

Can I Order Online And Have It Delivered To My Home?

Of course! Simply place your order online or from our smartphone app. Then, you can pick your order up at one of our convenient locations. Or you can have it delivered to your doorstep. For your convenience, we use several different delivery partners like Uber Eats and DoorDash.

Do You Offer A Rewards Program?

“Unless you are pizza the answer is yes I can live without you.” – Bill Murray

Pizza is America’s comfort food. On average, we consume about 23 pounds per person per year. So, why not sign up for a program that gives you free pizza?

By signing up for our rewards program, you can earn free food, cash back, or special offers. You can join by downloading our app from Google Play or Apple App Store to your smartphone. Additionally, you can give us your mobile number the next time you place an order.

Then, start earning points for free food, cashback, and special offers at Mario’s Pizza. Moreover, we offer double point days and rewards for social sharing. Plus, you’ll get a free slice of pizza just for signing up!

Sign up today and start receiving rewards!