The 12 Places You Should Eat In North Carolina In 2017

O-Ku added a second location (the original is in Charleston) to Charlotte's South End neighborhood in 2016. It quickly became one of the hottest sushi restaurants in town and also a great place to spend a Friday night with DJs and a swanky vibe. You might be spending a pretty penny here depending on what you get, but the sushi is first-class. If you want to try a few rolls without spending an arm and leg, check out O-Ku's social media to find out when sushi happy hour is!

The pork chop sandwich is so famous - it might as well have its own following. A pancake battered pork chop comes topped with sweet chili, mustard, slaw, and you can add lettuce, mustard and tomatoes if you wish. Andy Griffith fans also love the nostalgia of dining here! Snappy Lunch was also featured in our list of the 10 longest-standing restaurants in North Carolina.

Local Provisions has quickly garnered national accolades - it was featured in Southern Living's Best New Restaurants in the South and also was just recognized by USA Today's 10 Best New Restaurants, Readers Choice. Staying true to its name, local ingredients are foraged and turned into works of art. It takes the same recipes that have been passed down through the wild and rugged Appalachian mountains for generations. It's well worth the stop! Read what critics are saying about Local Provisions in our article here.

Here in North Carolina, we treasure our classic, pit-smoked BBQ and prefer restaurants with a long standing history. One fairly new contender in the NC BBQ world is Buxton Hall. Bringing eastern-style, whole hog BBQ to Asheville, it's not just the Q but also other dishes that are amazing. The fried chicken sandwich is a standout dish and a must order! Read what we're saying about Buxton Hall here.

The macaroni au gratin is the one mac n cheese dish to rule them all. No one does it quite like Poole's Diner. Owned by chef Ashley Christensen, who owns a number of other amazing Triangle restaurants (like the amazing Death and Taxes) it's a more laid back experience with unique yet familiar dishes. If you're wondering what else to order at Poole's, read our piece here.

While the name says it all - most of the dishes revolve around the classic seafood dish - you can't beat the Latin American ambiance and incredible food at Ceviche's. Wilmington has plenty of great seafood spots, but this one is a step ahead of the rest. Ceviche's also got a mention in our article about the 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in North Carolina.

A restaurant that also doubles as a historical landmark does not fall short on the history aspect. Diners enjoy candlelit meals while servers don period-piece attire. Located in historic Old Salem, it's a perfect spot for lunch or dinner while exploring all the history. Read our full piece about it here.

While Big Oak's claim to fame is the amazing shrimpburger (two buns, small fried shrimp, sweet slaw and a squirt of ketchup) they also have amazing hot dogs, burgers, and BBQ. If shrimp isn't your go-to, the oysterburger or clamburger are just as amazing. Read our full story on Big Oak here.

Cafe Lucarne recently opened in the historic City Market. The two owners also own the popular Stanbury, but Cafe Lucarne is a bit more mellow offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner (just get there before they close at 8:30). Breakfast includes dishes like lox and grits, while lunch offers hearty healthy options like sandwiches piled with avocado. Dinner is traditional, but don't forget to try a meat and cheese plate. Diners also rave about the bread and rightly so. For having such a simple and also somewhat ambiguous concept, it's a must-try if you find yourself in the Triangle area.