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Hey all you North Carolina CT PWs. I'm passing through the area in the next couple weeks. I'm headed down to South of the Border to meet my brother for the first time (it's almost exactly halfway, oddly). I'm not sure when just yet. We've tentatively planned it for the weekend of August 15th, but we might do it sooner.

Unfortunately, I can't really veer off my route, cause I'm doing it alone in one night (go down Friday, come back Sunday). I don't want to leave my wife alone with the kids for TOO long (she really needs her weekends to relax from the job so she can be sharp for it).

Anyway, I'm not overly familiar with the I-95 corridor through that area. I always took I-85 to Duke. So, are there any good restaurants along I-95, and is anyone interested in meeting me there for lunch or dinner on that weekend, either on the way down or the way back? I haven't met any of you guys IRL (except of course the wonderful Cathy and the ), and I'd love to.

Even if you can't make it, I'd love some advice on a good place to stretch the legs and have a bite.

Also, anybody stayed near SotB recently? Are there any decent places to stay? Any places I should avoid? I heard that the South of the Border Motor Inn has a couple of suites that have been recently renovated, and that would be cheaper than getting two individual rooms. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I would like someplace clean and preferably cheery. I prefer to stay places that are newer, just cause they tend to be a little cleaner and more cheery.

Also, there are tons of eateries there. Are any of them worth trying?

I've stopped at SotB before (never slept there, though), but it was over a decade ago, when I was still at Duke, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

I noticed there's an "Angus Barn" in Wilson, near I-95. Is that in any way affiliated with "THE ANGUS BARN"? Has anyone been there? Is it any good?

bjornolf wrote:Hey all you North Carolina CT PWs. I'm passing through the area in the next couple weeks. I'm headed down to South of the Border to meet my brother for the first time (it's almost exactly halfway, oddly). I'm not sure when just yet. We've tentatively planned it for the weekend of August 15th, but we might do it sooner.

Unfortunately, I can't really veer off my route, cause I'm doing it alone in one night (go down Friday, come back Sunday). I don't want to leave my wife alone with the kids for TOO long (she really needs her weekends to relax from the job so she can be sharp for it).

Anyway, I'm not overly familiar with the I-95 corridor through that area. I always took I-85 to Duke. So, are there any good restaurants along I-95, and is anyone interested in meeting me there for lunch or dinner on that weekend, either on the way down or the way back? I haven't met any of you guys IRL (except of course the wonderful Cathy and the ), and I'd love to.

Even if you can't make it, I'd love some advice on a good place to stretch the legs and have a bite.

Also, anybody stayed near SotB recently? Are there any decent places to stay? Any places I should avoid? I heard that the South of the Border Motor Inn has a couple of suites that have been recently renovated, and that would be cheaper than getting two individual rooms. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I would like someplace clean and preferably cheery. I prefer to stay places that are newer, just cause they tend to be a little cleaner and more cheery.

Also, there are tons of eateries there. Are any of them worth trying?

I've stopped at SotB before (never slept there, though), but it was over a decade ago, when I was still at Duke, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

Well wave as you go by NC exits 97 and 95, I'm a couple of miles west. At exit 97, on the east side, is Sami's Pizza (in the same building as the Mobil gas station c-store), right in front of JR's. Great steak and cheese sammy's, lasagna and pizza by the slice (or whole pie). Ask DD how much he likes the cheese steak there! Best I've ever had.

I've never stayed at SOB, but I yell out SOB each time I see the water tower and its logo! Don't know that I'd stay or eat there. For cheap gas, go 15 miles south towards Florence. Exit 181 has a truck stop (either Pilot or Flying J?) and a Hess station. Further south, exit 169 has a PetroMart Shell, and finally at exit 164, the main Florence exit, more cheap gas, and there are several hotels, including a Country Inn and Suites, and several restaurants at the exit. At exit 160 (to the east, not west which is I-20) is a shopping mall and more restaurants.

An Angus Barn in Wilson? I don't think so - not affiliated with THE Angus Barn. Maybe a Beef Barn, or is that in Goldsboro?

I should be around the weekend of the 15th.

From exit 107 (Kenly) to exit 79 (Benson) is the most heavily patrolled section of Interstate highway in NC. Watch your speed. The limit drops from 70 to 65 just north of exit 107. Forewarned is forearmed.

OZZIE4DUKE wrote: Well wave as you go by NC exits 97 and 95, I'm a couple of miles west. At exit 97, on the east side, is Sami's Pizza (in the same building as the Mobil gas station c-store), right in front of JR's. Great steak and cheese sammy's, lasagna and pizza by the slice (or whole pie). Ask DD how much he likes the cheese steak there! Best I've ever had.

I've never stayed at SOB, but I yell out SOB each time I see the water tower and its logo! Don't know that I'd stay or eat there. For cheap gas, go 15 miles south towards Florence. Exit 181 has a truck stop (either Pilot or Flying J?) and a Hess station. Further south, exit 169 has a PetroMart Shell, and finally at exit 164, the main Florence exit, more cheap gas, and there are several hotels, including a Country Inn and Suites, and several restaurants at the exit. At exit 160 (to the east, not west which is I-20) is a shopping mall and more restaurants.

An Angus Barn in Wilson? I don't think so - not affiliated with THE Angus Barn. Maybe a Beef Barn, or is that in Goldsboro?

I should be around the weekend of the 15th.

From exit 107 (Kenly) to exit 79 (Benson) is the most heavily patrolled section of Interstate highway in NC. Watch your speed. The limit drops from 70 to 65 just north of exit 107. Forewarned is forearmed.

Hey, thanks for the advice, especially on the speed zone. I'll be in my sports car, so I'll be slowing down there. Henrico Co. up in VA to the east of Richmond, where US-295 goes around, is pretty bad, too. I've been the lucky recipient of three tickets in my 16 years driving, but two of them were around there. Just assured my fourth one for this trip, I'm sure, but I'll knock on wood anyway. ;)

As for the Angus, I just know that google maps tells me there's something called that in Wilson. Brought it up when I tried to get directions to THE ANGUS BARN, hoping it wasn't TOO far out of my path. Unfortunately, it's like an hour out of my way. Maybe I could see you and DD on my way through town, even if it's too far for anybody else. ;) The one in Wilson doesn't have any kind of a link, though, so it's probably just an actual barn that's an historical landmark or something.

bjornolf wrote:... I'm headed down to South of the Border to meet my brother for the first time (it's almost exactly halfway, oddly). ...

I don't want to leave my wife alone with the kids for TOO long (she really needs her weekends to relax from the job so she can be sharp for it).

Congrats! I admire your consideration towards your hunny bunny, Good Man! ;)

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:Well wave as you go by NC exits 97 and 95, I'm a couple of miles west. At exit 97, on the east side, is Sami's Pizza (in the same building as the Mobil gas station c-store), right in front of JR's. Great steak and cheese sammy's, lasagna and pizza by the slice (or whole pie). Ask DD how much he likes the cheese steak there! Best I've ever had.

I've never stayed at SOB, but I yell out SOB each time I see the water tower and its logo! Don't know that I'd stay or eat there. For cheap gas, go 15 miles south towards Florence. Exit 181 has a truck stop (either Pilot or Flying J?) and a Hess station. Further south, exit 169 has a PetroMart Shell, and finally at exit 164, the main Florence exit, more cheap gas, and there are several hotels, including a Country Inn and Suites, and several restaurants at the exit. At exit 160 (to the east, not west which is I-20) is a shopping mall and more restaurants.

An Angus Barn in Wilson? I don't think so - not affiliated with THE Angus Barn. Maybe a Beef Barn, or is that in Goldsboro?

I should be around the weekend of the 15th.

From exit 107 (Kenly) to exit 79 (Benson) is the most heavily patrolled section of Interstate highway in NC. Watch your speed. The limit drops from 70 to 65 just north of exit 107. Forewarned is forearmed.

Oz - you know way too much about all the hotels along 95!

Joe - also watch just south of Emporia, VA (Greensville County, VA), as you head down 95S, this is VA's hottest spot for tickets (MAJOR SPEED TRAP, all down hill, but doesn't look like it when you going south), but you can definitely see it when coming back 95N, the state boys, the county boys are always there!!!!!! Got my first ticket in over 20 years going thru there, Glad I didn't have that woman with me from the CB&B's story in the Joke thread!!!! ;)

cl15876 wrote:
Oz - you know way too much about all the hotels along 95!

I've been driving that road for 37 years. Watched more and more of it open in the 70's, and exits get developed. But please note: I've only stayed in a few hotels along the superstrip. I do recommend the Country Inn and Suites - much better than the Thunderbird in Florence, and yes, I have stayed in both. Oh, wait, the C I and S was in Santee, not Florence, but it should be very similar. The C I and S should not be confused with CIS. bunchofnumbers, you do know what CIS is, right?

Nice dig, man.

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:

cl15876 wrote:
Oz - you know way too much about all the hotels along 95!

I've been driving that road for 37 years. Watched more and more of it open in the 70's, and exits get developed. But please note: I've only stayed in a few hotels along the superstrip..... bunchofnumbers, you do know what CIS is, right?

1st - Yes I do know what CIS is!
2nd - thought I was going to have to start calling you OZ the WildMAN!
Lastly, I still can't get over that we actually found the end of 301 (I think was the name of the RT/road) that CathyCA and I found (like finding the end of the internet) when we hooked up with you and Mrs. Oz!!!!! I WAS TOTALLY AMAZED!!!!

I am glad YOU ARE A GOOD BOY!!!!! I was starting to wonder!!!!

BTW, I hope you have a safe trip to FL on Friday! Be safe and have fun! Take some snapshots also!

Ozzie knows best about that corridor but I'd love to drive down to Sami's to have a GREAT cheesesteak with you folks or share a pizza or two.

Here's my current plan, but it's subject to change. I want to drive down early on Friday, August 14th, maybe passing through the area around lunchtime, get down to South Carolina early. Then, I was going to drive back around the time of a late dinner on Saturday, maybe passing through around 8 or 9 on Saturday. Again, this may change, but that's the current plan. So, who would be available when? I could stop both if different people are available on different days. Just let me know. I'd love to meet as many of you as I can.

bjornolf wrote:Here's my current plan, but it's subject to change. I want to drive down early on Friday, August 14th, maybe passing through the area around lunchtime, get down to South Carolina early. Then, I was going to drive back around the time of a late dinner on Saturday, maybe passing through around 8 or 9 on Saturday. Again, this may change, but that's the current plan. So, who would be available when? I could stop both if different people are available on different days. Just let me know. I'd love to meet as many of you as I can.

Either lunch Friday or dinner Saturday night should work for me.

bjornolf wrote:Here's my current plan, but it's subject to change. I want to drive down early on Friday, August 14th, maybe passing through the area around lunchtime, get down to South Carolina early. Then, I was going to drive back around the time of a late dinner on Saturday, maybe passing through around 8 or 9 on Saturday. Again, this may change, but that's the current plan. So, who would be available when? I could stop both if different people are available on different days. Just let me know. I'd love to meet as many of you as I can.

I don't think lunch Friday would work for me. I'll look at the schedule but dinner Saturday is tempting...

After reading what Wilson wrote about a 'cue place in Wilson, ironically, maybe I'll stop for lunch there on Friday, then meet up with y'all at Sami's on Saturday on my way back. Is anybody else up for that?

Now, if Wilson can just tell me how to find the 'cue place, I'll be set!

bjornolf wrote:After reading what Wilson wrote about a 'cue place in Wilson, ironically, maybe I'll stop for lunch there on Friday, then meet up with y'all at Sami's on Saturday on my way back. Is anybody else up for that?

Now, if Wilson can just tell me how to find the 'cue place, I'll be set!

I think there are 3 good places in Wilson: Parker's, Bill's and Gardner's but I'd verify that with Cathy and/or Ozzie who are a bit closer than I am.

bjornolf wrote:After reading what Wilson wrote about a 'cue place in Wilson, ironically, maybe I'll stop for lunch there on Friday, then meet up with y'all at Sami's on Saturday on my way back. Is anybody else up for that?

Now, if Wilson can just tell me how to find the 'cue place, I'll be set!

Just look for the signs. It's enormous. And go for all you can eat.

devildeac wrote:

bjornolf wrote:After reading what Wilson wrote about a 'cue place in Wilson, ironically, maybe I'll stop for lunch there on Friday, then meet up with y'all at Sami's on Saturday on my way back. Is anybody else up for that?

Now, if Wilson can just tell me how to find the 'cue place, I'll be set!

I think there are 3 good places in Wilson: Parker's, Bill's and Gardner's but I'd verify that with Cathy and/or Ozzie who are a bit closer than I am.

I know Bill's and Parker's, but am not familiar with Gardner's. Bill's is the worlds largest caterer of Q, or so they claim. It's good. I like Parker's better. It is on Hwy 301 on the south end of town - it's a few miles detour from I-95 - take US 264 east to Hwy 301, head south. When you're done eating, you can continue south on 301 about 15 miles and it will rejoin I-95 in Kenly (where the speed trap starts when you get back on I-95).

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:

devildeac wrote:

bjornolf wrote:After reading what Wilson wrote about a 'cue place in Wilson, ironically, maybe I'll stop for lunch there on Friday, then meet up with y'all at Sami's on Saturday on my way back. Is anybody else up for that?

Now, if Wilson can just tell me how to find the 'cue place, I'll be set!

I think there are 3 good places in Wilson: Parker's, Bill's and Gardner's but I'd verify that with Cathy and/or Ozzie who are a bit closer than I am.

I know Bill's and Parker's, but am not familiar with Gardner's. Bill's is the worlds largest caterer of Q, or so they claim. It's good. I like Parker's better. It is on Hwy 301 on the south end of town - it's a few miles detour from I-95 - take US 264 east to Hwy 301, head south. When you're done eating, you can continue south on 301 about 15 miles and it will rejoin I-95 in Kenly (where the speed trap starts when you get back on I-95).

Parker's is the only barbecue restaurant in Wilson included on the NC Barbecue Society's Historic Trail (http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/trail_map.html)and is reviewed on Road Food.com (http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/2131/parkers) as "worth planning a day around."

I looked back on the Restaurant thread. Wilson said it was Bill Ellis that he loved so much. Wilson, calling Wilson. Have you tried these other two that Ozzie's talking about? We need to get a consensus on which we're gonna do. ;)

bjornolf wrote:I looked back on the Restaurant thread. Wilson said it was Bill Ellis that he loved so much. Wilson, calling Wilson. Have you tried these other two that Ozzie's talking about? We need to get a consensus on which we're gonna do. ;)

Parker's is darn good, too, but I prefer Bill Ellis. They do a whole pig, pig pickin' style every day for the buffet (along with mounds of pulled pork, etc.), and they also have rotating daily meat specials (Tuesdays are fried chicken livers--yum! ). We also met Bill Ellis himself several times, and he's pretty much the nicest dude ever. You really can't go wrong with either. I suppose we mostly tended toward Bill Ellis because, as graduate students, we found the all-you-can-eat meal for about $9 quite appealing.

I prefer Parkers, but Bill Ellis is good, too.

Parkers is convenient for your travel plans. It won't take you very far out of your way.