Savor Local Delicacies
in Old Salem, North Carolina

By Eve Carr

We headed south to Old Salem, North Carolina, to soak up the history, and we found plenty. In this quaint restored town, you can step back into the 18th and 19th century and see what it was like to live in a Moravian religious community, where everyone worked for the good of the whole community.

As we toured buildings such as the Single Brothers’ house and watched demonstrations of various crafts, or visited the gunsmith shop and learned about how they made guns, we really stepped into the past. Extremely informative costumed docents explained the buildings, what the people who lived in them did, as well as answered questions to bring history to life.

But, in addition to learning a lot about history, we also enjoyed some delicious food in Old Salem. We were surprised as we walked into the new, ultra-modern Visitor Center Complex and found Krispy-Kreme doughnuts featured in the Old Salem Corner Deli. Old Salem is the home of Krispy-Kreme doughnuts, so we couldn't resist one (o.k. it was two) of their fudge-glazed goodies. One local resident told me "We don't even use the word 'doughnuts.' We just say Krispy-Kreme so there's no confusion." Now that's loyalty.

While we enjoyed visiting the other buildings, stepping inside the Winkler Bakery, where we were able to see how the baking was done in the beehive oven (and sample some of the wares) was a definite highlight. We can still remember the fragrant aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg.

You’ll really get to enjoy the Old Salem experience if you dine at the Old Salem Tavern. Here, we enjoyed an old-fashioned tavern atmosphere as costumed wait staff served us a variety of foods. Despite the name, I ordered the Carolina Seafood Muddle and found it to be absolutely delicious—like a French Bouillabaisse. My husband thought the Moravian Chicken Pie was top-notch. Both us thought about the Jamaican Pork Rub, but were pleased with our decisions.

For dinner, we discovered the Henry Fries Shaffner House, a quaint turn-of-the century style Bed and Breakfast, Henry F. Shaffner House, 150 South Marshall Street with a full service restaurant that serves dinner to the general public. When we saw the wide veranda, we knew that was where we wanted to dine—even though it is the smoking section. Luckily, no one was smoking, and we were able to enjoy this old-fashioned ambiance. Here we enjoyed outstanding service and French Pork Tenderloin (Rosemary marinated pork tenderloin, served with peach-habanero beurre-blanc and Filet of Tenderloin, (Grilled 8-ounce center cut, served with Chef Bargoil’s signature Gorgonzola-Pancetta butter.) Both were so delicious that we didn’t have room for the tempting array of desserts, including Chocolate Pecan Pie.

So, while we found the history fascinating, you can see that there are other reasons to visit Old Salem as well. You’ll find it delicious traveling.

Old Salem is located in Winston-Salem, N.C., near I-40, I-77, I-85, and U.S. 52. For more information call 1-888-653-7253 or visit www.oldsalem.org.

About the Author:

Eve Carr is a full-time food and travel writer and photographer who absolutely enjoys sharing with others her knowledge of food, wine and restaurants that she discovers on her national and international travel.

Article coutesy of Suite101.com.