You never know what deliciousness will make it on the hot bar at a favorite local spot in North Carolina called The Depot Cafe. Located in the heart of Lattimer, and in the center of about five churches, this home-style restaurant offers some of the best Southern cooking in the state. And in a town with a little more than 400 residents, a good diner is appreciated. Open for breakfast and lunch, this little eatery offers a place where locals catch up over the yummy chicken cooked several ways and a host of several other choices. Visitors like to eat here too, not only for the scrumptious cuisine but because it's located in a historic train depot. By the way, it's worth a trip to The Depot on Facebook just to watch the charming staff member Lynn Hendrick go over the Sunday specials every week in a video.

One draw to this charming town is the historic train depot.

The bright, red train car is hard to miss when you visit The Depot.

The building was constructed at the turn of the 20th century and has been home to many other businesses, such as a general store, a post office, and a barbershop.

And once you get inside, just ask the locals, the food gets a hold of you and keeps you coming back for more.

The booths are close enough for spirited conversations, and the walls are lined with black and white photos capturing glimpses of special people from the town.

We also appreciate the eclectic placement of taxidermy mounts interspersed between.

Sitting outside is another option for those who want to be seen.

You never know who might roll by at this friendly neighborhood diner.

While the menu is extensive, the hot bar (not a buffet) offers meats and veggies, with the largest selection on Sundays.

Chicken is one of the featured items, served roasted, such as this leg quarter over creamy grits and turnip greens, which might be the best thing they served this week. You can't get any more southern than this.

The creamy chicken pot pies with the flakiest crusts are a standing favorite, and as soon as they come out of the oven — 36 strong — they are posted on the Facebook page.

If you want one, you better hurry over.

It also comes fried with waffles, and yummy maple syrup, a recently added menu item.

For something a little healthier, order the chicken salad plate on fresh greens with delicious house-made poppyseed dressing.

Other desserts are offered, but the made-from-scratch apple cobbler is dynamite.

For more information on this favorite local spot in North Carolina, visit The Depot on Facebook. Find a nearby home-away-from-home on the Vrbo website.

And the next day, take about a half-hour drive to explore a lovely hike that goes to the top of Crowders Mountain in Gastonia.