December 17, 2024

Comfort Food Favorites: Winston-Salem's Coziest Dishes

From chili and soups to chicken pie, these must-try comfort foods can help you warm up to wintertime.


When winter’s chill settles over Winston-Salem, nothing satisfies like a plate of comfort food crafted with love by local chefs. From hearty bowls of chili to creamy mac and cheese and crispy fried chicken, these dishes, recommended by locals and insiders, are the soul-warming staples you’ll want to savor this season. Pull up a chair and dig into our picks for the best comfort foods to keep you cozy all winter long.


 

CHILI, SOUPS & STEWS

Bowl of Chili

The ‘Famous Chili’ from West End Cafe
Looking for the best chili in town? Many locals will tell you it’s found at West End Café, a cozy diner in downtown’s West End neighborhood. The café has served its famed chili for over four decades, popularizing it at Tanglewood Park’s annual Chili Cookoff in the early 2000s. Restaurant staff say the ingredients are fairly simple — ground beef, diced tomatoes, onions, beans — with a few “secrets” in the mix. If you’re more of a mild-food fan, add a little sour cream to balance out the heat.

Homemade Avgolemono Soup from Grecian Corner
This zesty soup is a favorite of several Visit Winston-Salem coworkers. The name is long, but the list of ingredients is short — chicken and rice in a slightly lemony broth. (Lots of people just call it the “lemon chicken soup.”)  It’s exactly what you want on a cold winter day. The warm, welcoming atmosphere at Grecian Corner — a local favorite for more than 55 years — only adds to the coziness.

Soup Flights from West Town Restaurant
Last year, this venerable diner along the western edge of Winston-Salem became the first in the town to offer soup flights. For around $8, you get three 6- to 8-ounce samples of house-made soups served in coffee mugs with crackers. West Town typically has five soup options that rotate seasonally. (On our most recent visit, the options were corn chowder, tomato basil, chili, chicken & rice, and vegetable soup.) You can check West Town’s Facebook page for the latest soup offerings.

OTHER STANDOUTS
  • French Onion Soup from Village Tavern. This popular soup is offered daily at both the original Village Tavern in Reynolda Village and the other in-town Village Tavern on Hanes Mall Boulevard. For something a little heartier, go for Village Tavern’s clam chowder.
  • Tomato Basil Soup from River Birch Lodge. This fresh, warming dish perfectly pairs with the cozy mountain lodge vibes at River Birch, which always keeps a fire going in the wintertime. 
  • Camel City Frogmore Stew from Milner’s. This local spin on the popular Lowcountry (South Carolina) dish features tender mussels, scallops and shrimp, plus sausage and hominy. Milner's serves it with grilled bread, perfect for soaking up the herb-filled broth.
  • Chicken Chili from Slappy's Chicken. Best known for its fried chicken, Slappy’s also offers a tasty “Denver style” chili made with chicken, green chiles, and tomatoes (no beans).
  • Texas Red Chili from The Porch. Tex-Mex is on the menu at The Porch, and it doesn’t get more Tex-Mex than this beefy chili served with rice, mixed cheese, sour cream, and a bag of Fritos.

 

SAVORY SANDWICHES

Shrimp burger from Forsyth Seafood

Shrimp Burger from Forsyth Seafood
Part café, part seafood market, Forsyth Seafood is a family-owned business just east of downtown. The menu has all sorts of tasty items fresh from the Carolina coast, from Jumbo shrimp to crab cakes to scallops. However, our go-to is the simple, delicious Shrimp Burger (above), served with crispy fries and some of the best cole slaw in town. 

Cham from T.J.’s Deli
It’s been called the sandwich that can make vegetarians switch sides — a combo of deep-fried chicken and grilled ham. (Hence the name, ch-ham.) As the signature sandwich at T.J.’s Deli, the Cham is basically a Southern-fried version of a chicken cordon bleu with lettuce, tomato, provolone, and mayo. Those feeling extra ravenous can opt for its bigger brother, the SuperCham.

Grilled Pimento Cheese (with bacon) from Mozelle’s
Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and Mozelle’s takes the taste to the next level with sharp cheddar, sourdough bread, and bacon added on. The sandwich is served with a tasty tomato bisque — a perfect one-two combo for those cold winter days. (Note: at last check, the grilled cheese is only on the lunch menu.)

Reuben from O’Brien’s Deli
An enduring fixture on Country Club Road, O'Brien's has been Winston-Salem's go-to spot for Ruebens for decades — and for good reason. The deli uses only the leaner “first cut” of corned beef, which slices better than other cuts and holds up to the many elements: sauerkraut, brown mustard, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing, all piled onto rye bread. The result 

Hot Honey Chicken from Young Cardinal Café
Due to space constraints, we purposely left brunch items out of this story. But this signature sandwich defied the odds — partly because it’s so delicious and partly because breakfast is available all day at Young Cardinal Café. The sandwich features fried chicken, pimento cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a Texas Pete-infused honey sauce. It’s a big reason why Young Cardinal was named the best brunch spot in NC on Yelp.com.


     

    ENTRÉES & SPECIALTIES

    Tomato Pie from Mozelle's

    Tomato Pie from Mozelle’s
    Simply put, Mozelle’s Tomato Pie is the most popular item at one of the most popular places in town. The dish is simple and subtly addictive, combining herbs, tomatoes, and cheese inside a flaky crust. It’s served with creamy succotash on the side, but you can substitute any of Mozelle’s side dishes if succotash isn’t your thing. (For something extra Southern, try the cheese grits.)

    Moravian Chicken Pie at Muddy Creek Café
    Savory and filling and locally famous, Moravian Chicken Pie is similar to chicken pot pie with one distinct omission — vegetables. You can find the dish at church fundraisers and take-and-bake shops across town, but Muddy Creek Café in Old Salem is one of the few restaurants to offer it on the menu. You can order a slice while dining in or pick up a frozen pie to prepare at home.

    Carolina Shrimp & Grits from Fourth Street Filling Station
    In a city known for its Shrimp and Grits, the ones at the Filling Station stand above the rest — and that’s saying something. This decadent dish features a fried grit cake, chipotle cream sauce, and andouille sausage, giving it a distinctive taste. Having earned praise in publications like Southern Living, it’s easily the most requested entrée at this gas station-turned-eatery in the West End neighborhood.

    Shepherd's Pie at Finnigan’s Wake
    This hearty Irish dish is a staple of winter cuisine throughout the UK, so it only makes sense that it's offered at the city's most popular Irish pub, Finnigan's. The dish features lamb and beef with onions, peas, and carrots in a rich gravy topped with garlic mashed potatoes and melted cheese. For a lighter option, try the Shepherd’s Pie Nachos, featuring cheddar jack cheese and tomatoes. 

    Steak au Poivre from Ryan’s Restaurant
    Want a fine-dining spin on comfort foods? Then head to Ryan's for its iconic Steak au Poivre, a grade-choice filet mignon covered with a red wine and cognac cream sauce. The dish is classically served as a 6 oz. steak that is rubbed with cracked black pepper and sautéed to order. Those looking for a bigger cut can also order any of Ryan’s other steaks in the “au Poivre” style.

    Grilled Meatloaf at Village Tavern
    Available at both Village Tavern locations, this popular entrée is a far cry from typical American-style meatloaf. It features a tender texture and a wonderful grilled flavor, with a Madeira sauce glaze to balance out the heartiness. It’s topped with savory mushroom gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans, making it arguably the greatest comfort food combo around.

    • EXTRA HELPING: Need more loaf? Try the Modern Meatloaf at Mozelle’s, which incorporates Havarti cheese and tomato marmalade, giving it a BBQ-like tanginess.

     

    FRIED CHICKEN FAVES

    Slappy's chicken

    Slappy’s Chicken. While there are plenty of places to get great fried chicken in town, Slappy’s is king of the scene. The no-frills restaurant in Washington Park recently was named the “best place for chicken in NC” by Yelp.com. Perfectly fried, the chicken is available in either quarter or half sizes and features a spicy-sweet homemade sauce. (The sauce is slightly hot but not overwhelming and is available on the side or directly on the chicken.)

    MORE CHICKEN

    • Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Milner’s. Fried crispy and marinated in Texas Pete, Milner’s pairs their buttermilk fried chicken with Carolina gold rice and tomato gravy. 
    • Fried Chicken entrée from Mozelle’s. Known for its imaginative Southern cuisine, Mozelle’s fried chicken is topped with warm peach chutney and served with mac ‘n’ cheese and green beans.
    • Fried chicken from Miss Ora’s Kitchen. The sister establishment (and next-door neighbor) of award-winning restaurant Sweet Potatoes, Miss Ora’s focuses on fried chicken and little else, offering a unique variation lightly coated with seasoned flour and fried in cast-iron skillets.
    • Pub wings at Foothills Brewpub. There are lots of great wing spots in town, but our long-time favorite is a place best known for beer. Foothills' wings come smoked or fried with eight sauce options, including a Hoppyum IPA BBQ and the popular Winston Hot. 

     

    SIDES & SMALL PLATES 

    Fried Green Tomatoes and Okra from Sweet Potatoes

    Fried Green Tomatoes and Okra from Sweet Potatoes
    Several national food writers say they still have dreams of this tasty dish from Sweet Potatoes — years after they visited. While the tomatoes and okra are always fried perfectly, the real secret sauce is the sweet potato aioli served alongside the dish. The result is Southern comfort food at its finest. 

    Cheez-It Mac & Cheese from Slappy’s Chicken
    Slappy's is known for its hearty side dishes, from the flavor-packed baked beans to the bacon-infused collard greens. But the star of the sides is the Cheez-It Mac & Cheese, which features a light layer of Cheez-Its baked on the top. (Even if you don't like Cheez-Its, you'll love this.)

    Fried Irish Pickle Platter from Finnigan’s Wake
    You’ll find fried pickles at nearly every pub in town. But for something a little different, try the fried pickles at Finnigan's, which serves Guinness-battered pickle spears, fried golden brown, with homemade ranch. It's a late-night crowd-pleaser of the highest order.

    Spinach, Brie, and Artichoke Dip from River Birch Lodge
    Why get one appetizer dip when you can get three? That’s the big draw of ordering this dip trio at River Birch Lodge, which is served with grilled ciabatta bread. (While all three dips are delicious, the spinach is the standout.)

    Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs from Quiet Pint Tavern
    Deviled eggs are a staple of Sunday lunches around the South. Quiet Pint takes the classic recipe to new heights, incorporating pimento cheese, Korean pork belly, and pepper flakes for a one-of-a-kind flavor. 

    Zucchini Patties from Grecian Corner
    We already told you how good the soup is at Grecian Corner, but the appetizers are winners, too. Popular options include Falafel, Greek Nachos, and (our personal fave) Zuchini Patties. The appetizer is exactly what it sounds like: homemade zucchini patties (fritters), pan-fried to crispy perfection and served with tzatziki sauce.


     

    NOTES: This story isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of comfort foods but simply give you some good starting points. If we missed your favorite dish, let us know. Email us with the dish for potential inclusion. It's also worth noting we didn’t include any breakfast items due to space limits. You can get an overview of the brunch scene by viewing our Quick Serve Brunch Guide

     

     

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