Every time I visit Eastern North Carolina, I search out a Smithfields Chicken & BBQ. Smithfield’s is the largest BBQ chain in the state that is known for the best barbeque anywhere. According to Smithfield’s website, they pride themselves on serving a consistent product in all of their restaurants. You can enjoy fast service through the drive through or experience a full dining experience inside the restuarants. I am always throughly impressed by the friendly staff at any location I have visited and the fact that all locations I have visited have been impeccably clean. The lowest health rating I have ever seen at one was a 95, and I was surprised by it. Most of the time they are proudly displaying a big fat 100.

Smithfields is another one of those restaurants that I always order too much at. I can’t control myself. I only get it once in a blue moon and when I do, I want all of the good stuff I have not been able to get in months. This trip, I reigned myself in quite a bit and ordered a BBQ sandwich and a 1/4 plate of dark chicken. The sandwich was its usual moist and delicous. The slaw on it was perfect. Many places try to serve chopped cabbage with mayonaise and pass it off as slaw, but Smithfields does it right.

As I was driving home from a long week of fishing, I decided to save the chicken for the ride home. A couple of hours later, it hit the spot. Lightly breaded and fried to perfection - much the same way that my mom cooks it.

When you are in Eastern NC, stop at a Smithfields. I just wish they would open one near me. On the other hand, I do not know if my weight could handle it so close. I would easily put on another 25 pounds if it were close.

Today, I was traveling to the coast to go on a fishing trip with friends. Every time I am in the area near Topsail Island, I have to go to the Riverview Cafe. This place has the absolute best fried scallops I have ever eaten. There are many other types of seafood on the menu - the shrimp are great, and I am told that the whole fried flounder is the best around too. I have never tried the flounder because I can not resist the scallops - and for some unknown reason it is impossible to order a combo that contains both the scallops and the flounder. Yes, impossible. They will not sell it to you at any price. The only way to get them both is to order two entrees - which I refuse to do since they should be offering a combo like they do all of the other selections.

On this visit, I ordered a scallop plate. It is not on the lunch menu, but you can still order it at lunch from the dinner menu. As usual, they were amazing. They always seem to come out fried to absolute perfection. I have never seen this much consistency with an entree - anywhere. They are perfect everytime I go. I also got slaw and fries, but my concentration was on the scallops.

If you visit the Topsail Island area - go to the Riverview Cafe. It is also not a long ride from Wilmington, about 30 minutes north. It is hard to find, but worth the journey. It is located waterfront on the New River about 10 minutes (or so) from North Topsail Beach. The address is: 119 Hall Point Rd., Sneads Ferry, NC.

If you go when it is busy, prepare for a wait.