DougGuy
We saw this on an episode of Tarheel Traveler, a series of shows filmed in and around North Carolina that features cool local things, foods, traditions, people and places. The episode featured Smith's Red & White, a family owned country style grocery store in a truly small Carolina town. If you despise Walmart, Target, all the big grocery chains and really enjoy a good old fashioned Ma & Pa style place, you will LOVE Smith's Red & White grocery store.
Today we decided to take a ride over there and see just what all the fuss was about! We got some of their very famous red & white sausage and yet another style of Dandoodle, this one actually called a "Tom Thumb." Well, after cooking up some of the sausage, I can fully understand why people say it's the BEST in the state, and they readily line up to get it! They were correct on both accounts, as we had to wait our turn to get to the sales counter and order. The parking lot was mobbed, barely a place to park, the shopping carts were all in use, and there were lines at all of the registers for people checking out. Nearly every customer had a package of the sausage, wrapped in white paper, in their basket.. Everyone in this place seemed to be both humble and neighborly, nothing like the rabid Black Friday crowds, business was brisk, people were courteous, and the sausage? Everything they claim it is!
Note: Although the rage for the fresh pork sausage doesn't let up during the holidays, I am told that the air dried pork sausage is REALLY GOOD, but unless you get there in the beginning of November? You won't get any, they can't make enough of it to go around during the holidays. This is the sausage we were really after, but will have to start thinking about holiday fare a little earlier next year!
Overall, it was well worth the trip and if anyone traveling the I-95 corridor would like to make a short detour for a truly delicious treat, then it was worth the time taken to post about it! Although the sausage is excellent, they have a LOT of neat stuff in the store, they sell old fashioned candy, old fashioned bottled drinks, jams, jellies, etc, there is something for everybody under their roof!
Tarheel Traveler episode: http://People head to Dortches for S...wXU4KCJ66mQ.99
Store's webpage: http://www.smithsredandwhite.com/ourspecialties.html
They also make their own version of a Dandoodle, and call it a Tom Thumb. Unlike the Dandoodle, this sausage is air dried and not smoked, and I think it is just their pork sausage put up in a natural pork casing and hung to dry. I expect it to taste like their link sausage instead of the mild sweet bologna/salami flavor of the Dandoodle that is sold in Virginia. Will find out soon enough!
How to get there:
S B Smith & Son Red & White
Grocery Store
Address: 3635 North Halifax Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Phone252) 443-0418
From I-95 Exit 141, head East on Rt43 1/4mi to 1st light, turn left and the store is 200yds on rt.
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