Welcome to the sixteenth edition of 97.9 The Hill’s Staff Picks!
For this round of Staff Picks, we asked some of our staff about where Tar Heel fans headed up to Boone for this weekend’s UNC-App State football game can get some delicious grub. Each submitted a choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you’re not going to the game, you can read coverage in our Sports Section, listen live on 97.9 FM/1360 AM or stream on Chapelboro.com! For more information about how to watch or listen to the game, click here.
Jada Jarillo, Marketing and Operations Manager
Breakfast: For breakfast, I have to go with a classic – Boone Bagelry, nestled right in the heart of downtown. It’s a great spot to hang out and people watch on King Street, while enjoying the best bagels in Boone. Or, if you prefer a delicious sandwich or omelet, served through lunch!
Image via BooneNCInfo.com
Lunch: Speaking of lunch, let’s head down the street to the F.A.R.M. Café – hands down my favorite spot in Boone. Yes, that is because of the 5 glorious years I spent as a grill cook and waitress at the former Boone Drug Downtown while in college at App State. Today, the F.A.R.M. Café serves up a seasonal menu of local items and a mission to help the community, all while preserving the original soda fountain counter and grill where I once made countless double-cheeseburgers and summer milkshakes.
Image via F.A.R.M. Cafe
Dinner: To round up, for dinner I have to go with The Cardinal – providing hand-crafted classic American road food with the freshest ingredients available. While the restaurant out on Highway 105 is closed right now for renovations, you can find their food truck by checking their Instagram page. The Cardinal is all about good vibes and good times, and checking out some live music in their new and improved space should definitely make the list for the next time you are traveling to Boone.
Image via High Country Press
Ali Evans, Senior Account Executive
Breakfast: Troy’s Diner. I spent most of my “breakfast hours” either on-campus, at work, or fast asleep, but on the days I did venture out before noon on the weekends, I usually ended up at Troy’s Diner. It’s a classic diner experience (hopefully they still have their old jukebox) with big plates of delicious food prepared with love. My personal favorite thing about Troy’s is under their “Lighter Side” section of the menu, the first thing listed is Country Fried Steak. If you’re looking for something quick and easy on the way out of town on Sunday, I recommend Boone Bagelry. Pro-tip for bagels on the run: Have more than one person in the car so one person can run in — parking is tricky in downtown for a quick stop.
Image via ExploreBoone.com
Lunch: Thompson’s Seafood. I’m cheating a little bit because Thompson’s is not technically in Boone, but I promise when you are on your (very full) ride home, you’ll be glad you made the drive out there. I didn’t learn about Thompson’s until my Junior year at App, and I get a little sad when I think of all the chicken and dumplings I didn’t get to enjoy before that. If you decide to enjoy Thompson’s for lunch, plan on a light and easy dinner. Note — Thompson’s is open 11-8 on Thursday and Friday, 11-4 on Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday, so if you’ll want to enjoy it on the front end of your Boone adventure.
Image via Thompson’s Seafood
Dinner: Casa Rustica is a classic Italian experience – big plates of food in a dimly-lit room, with good vibes & laughter everywhere. It’s been family-owned by the Pedroni family since 1981, and the paternal grandmother of Casa Rustica’s now-owners began creating Italian masterpieces in Cannobio, Italy in the early 1900’s. On the complete other end of the spectrum, I worked at Applebee’s for several years when I lived in Boone, and the experience didn’t totally ruin the boneless wings, so I recommend those too.
Image via Casa Rustica
Michael Koh, Sports Reporter
Breakfast: Melanie’s is unbeatable in its brunch selection and is one of my mom’s favorites. It has a prime location right in the heart of downtown Boone on King Street, and often has long lines on holiday weekends. I personally recommend the biscuits and gravy. It’ll stick to your ribs and warm you up long after you’ve finished!
Image via TripAdvisor
Lunch: Stick Boy Kitchen. An extension of Boone’s beloved Stick Boy Bakery, Stick Boy Kitchen is also a very popular spot in town with frequent long lines. It’s a little hard to find on Boone Heights Drive, but you won’t forget it once you’re there. A lovely selection of baked goods and treats as well as plenty of sandwiches for lunch. It’s the best reuben I’ve ever had!
Image via Stick Boy Bread Company
Dinner: Taqueria El Paso
Boone has plenty of Mexican options, but there’s only one Taqueria. I make a point to go there whenever I visit Boone (which is often). The service is quick, the food is delicious and the staff is friendly. What more could you want? It’s a perfect spot for takeout on a busy night, but you can dine in as well. The space is a little small and parking can be awkward, but the food is worth it.
Image via TripAdvisor
Aaron “AJ” Johnson, Production Director
Breakfast: Sunrise Grill. Back in the day, Sunrise Grill used to be the go-to spot for Watauga High School students on their way to class in the morning. While the WHS building has since moved, Sunrise is still a Boone staple. Its massive pancakes are its calling card and highly recommended.
Image via FourSquare.com
Lunch: The Local. The Local is part restaurant, part club, but during the lunch hours it’s one of the best spots in Boone to eat. Parking is tough around that area of town, but it’s worth the walk from wherever you’re able to find a space.
Image via TripAdvisor
Dinner: Casa Rustica. An unmissable spot along Highway 105, Casa Rustica is another Boone classic. One of the better spots in town for Italian food, and once again reservations are recommended. It’s pretty popular!
Learn more about 97.9 The Hill’s great staffers on our ‘Meet Our Staff’ page here!
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