Culinary Culture Episode 3: The new Americana

This week’s episode was one I really enjoyed making and it brought me to a small, unassuming roadside diner. I liked to call it the new Americana but the official name is the blue ridge deli and cafe, a quaint little eatery serving breakfast & lunch to its loyal customers on the outskirts of RTP. Nestled on it’s own little island, the place has been around for as long as I can remember and is run by a personable Indian couple.

So, anyway, I wanted to get a smoothie but, unfortunately, was informed the machine they use to make them was on the fritz. So instead I got an apple juice with my guac dog and did not regret it for a second. Their hot dogs are 100% kosher and 110% to die for and it also came with some french fries that were cooked to a crisp perfection. This was a new culinary invention I had not heard of but I just had to try it.

It consists of a hotdog in a bun topped with onions and guacamole and it is absolutely bursting with flavor. One of the dogs was a bit too warm for my taste but fortunately the cool taste of the guac helped balance it out. It took a bit longer than I expected for my order to be ready (about ten minutes) but it was definitely worth the wait and, if you’re really pressed for time, you can always call ahead and order (they also deliver if you don’t have time to pick it up yourself).

They also have this wooden veranda on the side of the building which is perfect for these covid times and I really enjoyed dining al fresco. They’ve got comfortable benches and a great view of the forest guaranteed to satisfy even the most particular nature enthusiast. It should also be noted that they do provide napkins and ketchup with their dogs.

My sole gripes are twofold: a) their hours are the most erratic I’ve ever seen with complete closure on the weekend and only 7–1:30 on weekdays and b) they stop serving breakfast after 10:30 so if you oversleep and want pancakes, you’re out of luck. But if you’re looking for a culinary treat that can’t be beat and have the time for it, blue ridge is definitely a hidden gem you won’t want to miss.