The Skylight Inn Most Popular North Carolina Restaurant

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Skylight Inn in Ayden, N.C., a purveyor of eastern North Carolina barbecue, has been named the most popular restaurant in North Carolina, selected jointly by People Food and Zagat.

“This no-frills spot (which started as a roadside burger joint in 1947) specializes in whole-hog, wood-smoked barbecue that’s chopped and doused in a spicy vinegar sauce, a regional specialty,” the editors wrote.

People teamed up with the "dining experts" at Zagat, a consumer group that rates eating places, to create a list of the most popular restaurants in the U.S. The magazine said the choices range from "local staples to renowned destinations."

To determine the list of restaurant winners, People Food editors considered Zagat's on-the-ground expert reviews, as well as its diner ratings and Google scores. The editors said they paid special attention to spots sourcing local ingredients and serving "iconic or regionally inspired food."

Read the whole People-Zagat survey here.

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This isn’t the first national accolade for the 70-year-old eatery. Far from it. Over the years, its barbecue has been lauded by National Geographic, Southern Living, People Magazine, GQ magazine, the Travel Channel, Food Network and the History Channel, according to its site.

The Skylight Inn is located at 4618 Lee Street in Ayden, N.C.

Patch New Jersey editor Tom Davis contributed to this report.

Photo via Pixabay

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