Road Side Store (Demolished)
Wakefield, LA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Some places just look like they've been sitting beside the highway forever. The Road Side Store in Wakefield was one of them, a weathered little wooden building along U.S. 61 that seemed to fit the Louisiana countryside perfectly. The hand-painted signs advertising barbecue ribs, steaks, and chicken were enough to make a hungry traveler think about pulling over. 02-07

There wasn't anything fancy about the place, and that's what made it memorable. The old building, shaded by trees and surrounded by the rural landscape, had the kind of character you just can't build today. It looked like the sort of roadside stop where the smoke from the pit probably reached the highway before the sign did.

UPDATE: The Road Side Store has since been demolished, and the old roadside landmark is no longer standing along U.S. Highway 61. 08-26

Hops Bar-B-Q
Asheboro, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

If you're hungry in Asheboro, Hop's Bar-B-Q was the kind of place that looked like it had been feeding the neighborhood forever. Sitting along Sunset Avenue, it had the familiar feel of a hometown barbecue joint where breakfast and lunch drew a steady crowd day after day. 12-07

Hop's opened in 1952 and became known for Western North Carolina chopped barbecue, biscuits and gravy, and hearty Southern lunches. It was the sort of place where the coffee was always hot, the regulars knew one another, and newcomers quickly felt right at home.

After longtime owner Jerry Southard passed away in 2025, his family worked hard to keep the restaurant going. They tried several ways to continue the business, but after more than 70 years they announced that rising costs and changing times made it impossible to carry on. For several weeks before closing, customers stopped by one last time to enjoy a meal, swap stories, and say goodbye to a longtime Asheboro landmark.

UPDATE: Hop's Bar-B-Q has announced it will close after more than 70 years in business. The restaurant plans to serve customers through August 29, 2026, giving longtime patrons one last chance to stop by. 08-26

Twig and Leaf
Louisville, KY
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Cruising down Bardstown Road, it's hard not to notice the glowing Twig and Leaf sign proclaiming "Tops in Food." Between the bright neon and the distinctive mid-century diner beneath it, this is one of those roadside landmarks that's been tempting hungry motorists to pull over for generations. 12-07

The building dates to 1959 and became the Twig and Leaf a few years later, earning a loyal following for its classic diner fare. Over the years the menu has grown to include Guatemalan and Mexican favorites alongside the traditional breakfasts and burgers, but the vintage atmosphere is still very much part of the experience.

The old neon nearly disappeared more than once. Local preservation efforts helped save the diner from demolition in 2011, and in 2026 the building survived a serious crash when a car slammed through the front of the restaurant. After just over two weeks of repairs, the Twig and Leaf was back in business, proving this old diner still has plenty of life left in it.

UPDATE: Twig and Leaf remains open, and the famous "Tops in Food" neon sign continues lighting up Bardstown Road. 08-26

Greg's Bar-B-Q (Gone)
Mooresville, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

You don't see too many barbecue restaurants with a pig on the roof. That was the first thing that caught your eye at Greg's Bar-B-Q in Mooresville, making it one of those roadside stops that deserved a second look before you even reached the parking lot. 01-08

The rooftop pig gave the restaurant plenty of personality and hinted at what was waiting inside: North Carolina barbecue, ribs, and Southern comfort food served in a classic hometown setting. It wasn't a flashy place, but the giant pig made sure nobody drove by without noticing.

Sometimes all it takes is one fun roadside gimmick to make a place memorable. Years after seeing it, that pig is still probably the first thing people remember about Greg's.

UPDATE: Greg's Bar-B-Q has since closed, and both the restaurant and its rooftop pig are gone. 08-26

Central Lunch (Gone)
Albemarle, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Albemarle is home to the the tiny Central Lunch. This joint just screams great sandwiches but was closed this day. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 01-08

Some places just look like they make a good sandwich. Central Lunch was one of those little downtown spots that didn't need a flashy sign or fancy storefront to catch your attention. Sitting along a quiet street in Albemarle, it had the kind of small-town charm that made you wish the door had been open instead of locked. 01-08

For years, Central Lunch served sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and other quick counter favorites to downtown workers and locals. It was the sort of place where the lunch crowd probably knew exactly what they wanted before they even walked through the door. Unfortunately, this visit came on a day when the restaurant was closed, and today it's closed for good. Sometimes that's how roadside exploring goes. You don't always get the meal, but you still come away with a memorable photograph.

UPDATE: Central Lunch has permanently closed, and the old storefront sign has been removed. 08-26