5 Biscuit Chains That Flop & 5 That Pop In North Carolina
North Carolina takes its biscuits seriously! They’re not just breakfast, they’re a way of life. From flaky buttermilk pillows to golden-brown hockey pucks, not all biscuit shops are created equal.
Join me as we explore the best and worst biscuit chains across the Tar Heel State, separating the delicious from the disappointing.
1. Mrs. Winner’s: Yesterday’s Glory
Once a Southern staple, Mrs. Winner’s biscuits now fall short of their former reputation. The texture often veers between dry and crumbly, lacking that melt-in-your-mouth quality biscuit lovers crave.
Many locations struggle with consistency issues. What arrives might be a pale shadow of Southern biscuit tradition – dense centers and overdone edges that leave you reaching for your drink.
2. Cracker Barrel: All Aesthetics, No Flavor
Tourists flock to Cracker Barrel for country charm, but locals know better than to expect biscuit perfection here. Their mass-produced offerings often arrive looking picture-perfect but tasting like glorified dinner rolls – dense, under-seasoned, and lacking buttermilk tang.
The experience feels formulaic rather than homemade. Even slathered with their signature preserves, these biscuits rarely inspire second helpings.
3. Hardee’s: Fast Food Disappointment
Remember when Hardee’s biscuits were the crown jewel of fast-food breakfast? Those days are long gone in North Carolina. Today’s version often emerges from the bag greasy and salt-heavy, yet somehow still managing to taste bland.
The texture frequently misses the mark – either too dense or oddly spongy. What started as a Southern breakfast icon has sadly become an inconsistent shadow of its former glory.
4. Biscuitville: Location Lottery
Biscuitville earns mixed reviews across its North Carolina locations. While some shops maintain quality standards, others serve biscuits that vary wildly from visit to visit – sometimes fluffy perfection, other times tough and overworked.
The inconsistency creates a frustrating gamble. Loyal customers learn which locations deliver the goods and which to avoid. When they miss the mark, these biscuits can be downright disappointing for a chain built on biscuit pride.
5. Popeyes: Chicken Stars, Biscuit Flops
Popeyes might rule the chicken sandwich wars, but their biscuits remain a North Carolina letdown. These dense, often dry offerings seem designed more as vehicles for honey than standalone delights.
The notorious Popeyes biscuit joke about needing a drink isn’t without merit. Many North Carolinians have experienced that distinctive mouth-drying effect that leaves you wondering why they haven’t improved this recipe despite their chicken expertise.
6. Biscuit Head: Asheville’s Gourmet Champion
Biscuit Head transforms the humble biscuit into an art form. Their cat-head sized creations rise tall and proud, with perfect golden exteriors hiding cloud-like interiors that practically melt on your tongue.
The Asheville hotspot elevates biscuits with creative toppings and housemade jams. Their gravy flight lets you sample multiple varieties in one sitting! Locals willingly brave weekend lines for these magnificent biscuits worth every minute of the wait.
7. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen: Chapel Hill’s Drive-Thru Legend
Chapel Hill’s beloved drive-thru institution serves biscuits that achieve the perfect balance – crisp exterior giving way to tender, buttery layers within. Since 1978, this tiny kitchen has been creating biscuit magic using a decades-old recipe.
Cars queue around the building for good reason. Whether ordered plain or stuffed with fried chicken, these hand-crafted beauties represent North Carolina biscuit tradition at its finest. One bite explains why UNC students and alumni make this a mandatory stop when visiting.
8. The Buttered Biscuit: Waynesville’s Mountain Masterpiece
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, The Buttered Biscuit creates heavenly rounds that perfectly balance fluff and structure. Each bite offers that distinctive buttermilk tang that marks authentic Southern biscuitry.
The family recipes shine in this cozy Waynesville spot. Regulars rave about their consistency – these biscuits never disappoint, whether smothered in sausage gravy or simply adorned with local honey. Mountain visitors often plan their trips around breakfast here!
9. Flo’s Kitchen: Wilson’s Worth-The-Drive Destination
Flo’s Kitchen turns biscuit-making into performance art. Watching the staff roll, cut, and bake these legendary creations is almost as satisfying as eating them. Almost.
The Wilson institution’s biscuits achieve that rare ideal – substantial yet light, with layers that pull apart in delicate sheets. Regulars drive from counties away for their famous ham biscuits. Even plain, these butter-brushed beauties showcase why eastern North Carolina biscuit traditions remain unmatched.
10. Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken: Durham’s Modern Classic
Rise has accomplished something remarkable – scaling quality without sacrificing soul. Their biscuits maintain that crucial homemade quality despite expanding beyond Durham to multiple locations.
These substantial squares break tradition with their shape but honor it with their flavor – buttery, slightly tangy, with the perfect crumb. Creative varieties like Buffalo chicken and lobster keep things interesting. Rise proves that growth and consistency can coexist in the biscuit world.
