North Carolina Players?

[Sapience]

Just tossing out a question about players in the eastern portion of North Carolina. I may be headed through your area towards the end of March/early April. If there's an interest, we might be able to arrange a meet and greet (and goodies). No one owns a bar or restaurant do they?

[NCecthelion24]

There is a WIDE variety of different locales/cultures/ and as such, eating establishments in that area. I was in and around Fort Bragg for 8 years and there are some QUALITY BBQ/Mex options there. What area are you heading to?

[skeetskeet_yo]

If you came through Raleigh NC that would be amazing. Just saying, we have vinegar based pulled pork BBQ and its fantastic.

[Sapience]

There is a WIDE variety of different locales/cultures/ and as such, eating establishments in that area. I was in and around Fort Bragg for 8 years and there are some QUALITY BBQ/Mex options there. What area are you heading to?

I'm actually planning on driving to Florida around that time and I usually stop over somewhere in North Carolina. Generally somewhere along the I-95 corridor, but I'd be willing to drive a bit out of the way if something can be arranged.

[SouthernBelle0927]

If you REALLY want the best BBQ, go through Lexington, NC on I-85. Just saying.

I'm so jealous--I'm an NC native but live elsewhere, and not sure I can get home for the festivities if they come together. Could we convince you to make it a whistle-stop tour at a major spot in each state along the way????

/mood_hopeful

[Shudoc]

I live on the coast of eastern North Carolina and would be interested in a get together. Although BBQ is king in Carolina, and I am biased to the vinegar based pulled pork as well, there is something for just about everyone. I will attend if something materializes, barring any major scheduling issues.

[soccercake7]

On I-95, you will pass Smithfield, NC which is home of Smithfield's Chicken n' Bar-B-Q. It's alright; but it is a chain.

SouthernBelle0927 is correct. Lextington, NC on 85 is king!


I was born and raised in Charlotte so, unfortunately, my experience with east Carolina is not much nor impressive. Don't stop in Fayetteville whatever you do! =p

Sounds fun! I travel around VA and NC constantly and could make it!

[Rrys]

I live in Greensboro (West Central NC). But, I-95 is close enough to drive to. Keep us posted!

[PerfectApproach]

If you REALLY want the best BBQ, go through Lexington, NC on I-85. Just saying.

I'm so jealous--I'm an NC native but live elsewhere, and not sure I can get home for the festivities if they come together. Could we convince you to make it a whistle-stop tour at a major spot in each state along the way????

/mood_hopeful

look who I found!

[NynofArk]

Thinking I need to go visit my folks out by Raleigh for this! Time it up with Spring Break and you'll get to meet someone who's been playing since he was 3, providing of course we don't meet in a bar. I've sent out a call to my friends who live in the area for recommendations along that route and will post them for consideration. I vaguely recall a really good BBQ place in Wilson my friends always went to, but I can't recall the name nor how far it is off of 95.

[Maximilan]

I'm actually planning on driving to Florida around that time and I usually stop over somewhere in North Carolina. Generally somewhere along the I-95 corridor, but I'd be willing to drive a bit out of the way if something can be arranged.

Smithfield Bar-B-Q is a favorite chain for chicken and pork in NC, well at least the eastern half of NC (as opposed to Lexington BBQ for the western half). There is a location in Smithfield adjacent to I-95 (3mi off interstate), address is 924 N Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577. It is a fairly central location being near the intersections of US 70, 301 and I-95, less than an hour from Raleigh. Most of the stores have a 'banquet room', although I can't remember if this one does. If there isn't many people it wouldn't make a difference. I hope you're talking lunch or dinner, not breakfast, they don't open until 10am.

It'd be great for you to stop in and say 'Hey y'all'!

[Sapience]

Smithfield Bar-B-Q is a favorite chain for chicken and pork in NC, well at least the eastern half of NC (as opposed to Lexington BBQ for the western half). There is a location in Smithfield adjacent to I-95 (3mi off interstate), address is 924 N Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577. It is a fairly central location being near the intersections of US 70, 301 and I-95, less than an hour from Raleigh. Most of the stores have a 'banquet room', although I can't remember if this one does. If there isn't many people it wouldn't make a difference. I hope you're talking lunch or dinner, not breakfast, they don't open until 10am.

It'd be great for you to stop in and say 'Hey y'all'!

Just looking quickly at a map, Smithfield, NC looks workable. I usually stop around Rocky Mount and Smithfield isn't that much farther south.

Definitely talking dinner. Since I'd most likely have been sitting in a car for about 11 hours by then. Longer if traffic is bad (it's always bad).

I'm looking at possibly around Thursday March 27 or Friday March 28 as the most likely candidates.

[SouthernBelle0927]

look who I found!

I wasn't lost!!!!!!!

Back on topic:

Have fun with the NC gang if this event comes together, Sapience. I'll just have to be there in spirit, I guess.

/bummed

[Sapience]

I wasn't lost!!!!!!!

Back on topic:

Have fun with the NC gang if this event comes together, Sapience. I'll just have to be there in spirit, I guess.

/bummed

Where are you?

[SouthernBelle0927]

Where are you?

Pennsylvania. I go to NC regularly, but family there is too far west to make catching up with everyone along I-95 feasible. So i'll just read the reviews.

[jakedrake]

I'm in Charlotte would certainly be interested if not to far out of the way

[Sapience]

Pennsylvania. I go to NC regularly, but family there is too far west to make catching up with everyone along I-95 feasible. So i'll just read the reviews.

Ah, I lived in PA for awhile. NE end of the world. Driving across PA is a long, boring, and backside numbing prospect.

[SouthernBelle0927]

Ah, I lived in PA for awhile. NE end of the world. Driving across PA is a long, boring, and backside numbing prospect.

Amen to that. I'm also convinced Sauron is personally responsible for generating all I-81 traffic in and south of Harrisburg, all the way down to I-77.

[Reianna]

me and the hubby will totally drive down from eastern va for this!

[MaestroJack]

I will do my best to drive down from SW Va (Roanoke area). I'll keep watching to see what transpires!!

Montras (Jim)

[Sapience]

Just an update. The Florida date is locked down now I'm trying to sort this one out.

It looks like Friday March 28 is going to be the day. Logistics of when are going to be largely up to traffic conditions.
I'm still looking at Smithfield, NC and possibly Smithfield's Chicken n' Bar-B-Q.
As I look things over more, I'll keep everyone posted.

[Rrys]

Count me in with a +2 and maybe +4. Will firm that up as the date gets closer and a possible time window becomes available.

[Sapience]

Is there someone in the general area that can take point on organizing? If we can get someone to spearhead these things usually come together a lot more easily.

[NynofArk]

I'm not in that area anymore, but I've done some looking online and I'm coming up against a few issues. Biggest one would be, when you do these meet ups, about how many folks show up? From the pictures I've seen we're talking 20 people or more. If so, some place like Smithfields Chicken and BBQ isn't going to hold everyone. Unless the one actually in Smithfield is a larger one than I've seen in other locations. We may need to meet somewhere else and you pick up some good NC BBQ to take with you. (Which is what I'll be doing since I can only get it when we come back to visit my folks)

I've sent out another request for possible meeting places, hopefully they'll come back with some good suggestions.

[Sapience]

I'm not in that area anymore, but I've done some looking online and I'm coming up against a few issues. Biggest one would be, when you do these meet ups, about how many folks show up? From the pictures I've seen we're talking 20 people or more. If so, some place like Smithfields Chicken and BBQ isn't going to hold everyone. Unless the one actually in Smithfield is a larger one than I've seen in other locations. We may need to meet somewhere else and you pick up some good NC BBQ to take with you. (Which is what I'll be doing since I can only get it when we come back to visit my folks)

I've sent out another request for possible meeting places, hopefully they'll come back with some good suggestions.

Typically they are 20-30 people.

This is one reason I ask that someone in the area assist and organize these. There is just no way for me to know if a given location is a small take out place or a $50 a plate white linen fine dining establishment.

From the sounds of things, we need to find somewhere else, in roughly the same area. I'll broaden things out a bit if it helps. Anything from Rocky Mount to Smithfield and possibly even as far south as Fayetteville. Though that would be about a 12 hour drive from Boston and you'd end up with one very punchy and road weary community manager.

After looking, it appears Raleigh could work, too. I'd be willing to take the detour a little west if it means better options and more interest.