Journey Through North Carolina – Part 17

by usathroughoureyes

Hello and welcome to part 17 of our journey through North Carolina.

As we were talking with the folks at Carolina Coach and Marine one of the representatives suggested if we were hungry to try the Claremont  Café just up the road.  She noted that it was nothing pretty to look at but the food was excellent.  After she described the place we immediately knew it was our kind of place and one we look for on road trips.  Now, we got to be honest, when we first walked in the greeting was interesting.  The young lady at the cash register was moving at the speed of light processing customer orders and all we could hear from her lips was an exuberant mix of… howdy, we’re glad you’re here, I need another order of eggs over easy Scotty, Avery we need more sweet tea and then to us… what do ya want.  After she noticed the deer in the headlights look on our faces she realized we were newbies and smiled a huge southern smile and explained how the process worked.  Then we were in the groove.

This was our kind of place.  The folks couldn’t be classified as patrons or customers, they were family and one big one at that.  The best part was we were instantly part of it.  Everyone knew everyone and the banter of humor and endearments was something to behold.  As our meal was being cooked on the griddle we wandered around and got to meet Theresa, one of the owners.  We started talking and before long she was sharing how the place got started about 40 years ago by her dad, Avery Eugene Hoke and after he passed away the family kept it going.  The next thing we know she was introducing us to her sisters Tammy and Angie, her niece Stacey, her brother Avery, named after their father, averyhoke@bellsouth.net and brother-in-law, Scottie, who’s been the short order cook ever since.  As we began talking with Susan and Jerry Stewart who were just getting their order, Jerry shared that as a young boy his dad brought him there and he has been coming back ever since, which is over 30 plus years.   All we could say is if these folks could patent the formula for this restaurant it would be a success wherever it was located.

Well this is it for today.  We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes.  Until then be safe.

usathroughoureyes

~ USA Through Our Eyes ~ Stories Told Through Words, Photographs, Videos and Sound

83 thoughts on “Journey Through North Carolina – Part 17”

  5. Thank you Candace. It is so special meeting people like this and hearing them talk about how their dream became reality and to then see the legacy they leave. Its like your site and the wonderful legacy it is leaving.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Thanks Peter. Yes it was this little family run spot that had great food and people to chat with. Its great to meet the wonderful folks in the areas we travel. It is so nice to have you along with us on our journeys.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I am HOWLING because I have been to a few places that are just like that. You walk in to order a cup of coffee and the next thing you know, you’re hearing about so and so’s baby and this person recovering from surgery and that guy that bought the house three blocks down that that’s up to shady business.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Hi “Joses Travel Tales”. Its great to meet you. This is great that your husband knows the lay of the land here. It will be great when you can both come and visit together. Please let us know when you are coming so we can meet you for coffee and tour around with you okay! It is nice that you are following along on our travels and we are able to follow yours too!

    Like

  37. Tobias you are so right on with this thought. This is one of the things we love most about the road experience. Those off the pathway diners and campsites allow one to see the wonders of folks the fiber of what makes this country great. We haven’t traveled New Orleans yet so you’ll have to let us know the places you hit.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. So glad to have found ur blog..my husband studied in Georgia Tech and always keeps talking about his hiking experiences in USA…hope to visit it someday..been to usa before but have done just the touristy things….do follow us if u like travel stories 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  44. These are the places where you meet the good kind of characters. The ones with stories to tell. I experienced southern hospitality just the other day in New Orleans at a coffee shop in the garden district. It was almost as refreshing as our tea and far sweeter. Glad you guys are enjoying yourselves.

    Liked by 1 person

  49. It’s always best to go to where the locals eat. 🍳☕
    I’m doing much better thank you so much for asking😍😊
    There are still some bumps but I’m feeling less stressed and more able.💪💌💌

    Like

  51. What I love about this post is the sense of community this restaurant has created and held a place for people to belong. That is what is missing in chain restaurants. Also that a old cash register or whatever it was looked cool.

    Like

  56. You are so right Clarissa. We do all experience those moments and this is what we enjoy about our travels. We are able to meet people on so many levels and the sharing that takes place is incredible. We’re still learning how to tell the stories of these wonderful people that lets us see the humanness and vulnerability we all have. You do so well at sharing it through your poetry and songs and we’re trying to do it through the images and words. We’ll get there someday.

    Like

  57. (Blushing) thanks so much! What I like about your video is that glimpse of loneliness that many of us experience. But it is a natural feeling, at times, even when surrounded by good people and good food! Thanks for your posts!

    Like

  58. Aren’t places like this the best Eugenia. We love seeking places like this out and know there will always be a great meal and conversations attached. It is so nice having you with us and sharing your thoughts with us.

    Liked by 1 person

  59. Isn’t this the truth. We adore places like this and are always choosing them over the commercial places. There is something about home town diners that draw us. The food and company is always tops. It is so nice having you with us on our travels.

    Like

  61. Thanks Clarissa. It is so much fun talking with these folks and hearing them open up and share their stories with us. We learn so much and always walk away filled with joy and excitement. This is so wonderfully amazing that you mention “Edward Hooper’s – Night Hawks”! I studied his works years ago and it crossed our mind as we were doing the piece but didn’t think anyone would be familiar with the artist. The Claremont Café had the beauty of it. You are amazing Clarissa, so well versed!!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  62. Hi Madelyn. Wasn’t this place the greatest. We just started talking with the folks preparing the food and the next thing we know we’re meeting the whole family and listening to their wonderful story of how they got started. It seems each time we come off these trips we are required to spend more time at the gym to keep our arms in shape to keep hoisting the fork to our lips, lol. We don’t quite know what it is but folks just start yakking with us and the next thing we know we’re in the kitchen with em or involved with whatever it is they are doing. It is so nice having you with us to share it with.

    Liked by 1 person

  64. Is ‘t it great when we stumble on these places. There is always a genuineness to them and we the customer always benefit, lol. Wouldn’t it be great if more of these mom and pop places began surfacing more? Maybe it’s not a good thing on the other hand because our waistlines would be different, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. Isn’t this the truth. We believe people want that interaction with real folks that aren’t just in it for the almighty dollar. These folks did this because they like cooking and like seeing people eat it and smile. The perfect formula for success.

    Liked by 1 person

  66. It was a gem to find. Its one of those places folks might pass by because it doesn’t have the neon signs. But we look for places like this because we know we’ll get good food and good company and this place proved it. How are you feeling?

    Like

  74. You guys amaze me. I cannot imagine ever beginning a conversation with anyone (shy) but I love hearing how you get people to confide in you! Loved the video and some of the shots looked like Edward Hopper’s Night Hawks (or at least that type of aura of aloneness).

    Liked by 1 person

  75. Oh dear – I think I’m gaining weight just looking at all that food! Good ole down home basic cooking that never gets old. Mix in family and friends, welcome everyone into the circle, and how can you fail?

    I love these reports on the diners you trip across as you travel as much as the gorgeous scenery and interesting places you visit . . . almost! (Now, if you could figure out a way for me to taste with my eyes they’d win hands down!)

    How do you manage to get so much information from such a busy place? And the photos and videos? You seem to be able to go wherever you want – even “backstage,” while the most I’ve gotten was a quick peek into the food prep area on my way to the bathroom. What’s your secret?
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Liked by 1 person

  80. Daisy for repair and both of you, and ofcorse Emma to that nice restaurant, It looks very clean and the food tasty, nice to have such a conversation with the people how runs the restaurant. Ik like the video, warm greetings, Ann.

    Liked by 1 person

Please Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.