The Absolute Best Food in Dunn

I’m barely qualified to judge food, but I’ve eaten enough in Dunn to know when to trust my gut. Between the giant chicken tenders at Smithfield’s and the falafels at Agora that I’d drive back for, this town runs on both grease and olive oil.

There’s also that corn maze that sells regrettable kettle corn, which I visited so you don’t have to (you’re welcome). You’ll find everything from a proper Irish pub pouring Guinness to a butcher shop whose milk tastes like a miracle.

I ate too much, as usual. The list is below.

Sprinkles Homemade Ice Cream

Highlights
Fresh, delicious ice cream daily
Friendly staff offering flavor samples
Endless flavors and milkshake options
Clean, family-friendly shop atmosphere
Rewards program for regulars

I walked into Sprinkles Homemade Ice Cream with low expectations, because I have been burned by cute shops before. I was wrong. The staff handed me a sample before I even asked, which is the fastest way to my heart. The flavors are endless, and the milkshakes are thick enough to require serious wrist work. I had the butter pecan, and it tasted like someone actually churned it that morning. The shop is clean, and the rewards program means I will be back more often than my waistline appreciates. This is the best ice cream in Dunn, and I say that with the authority of someone who has eaten too much ice cream elsewhere.

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Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q

Highlights
Chicken tenders huge and delicious
Brunswick stew excellent
Fast, courteous service
Friendly, attentive staff

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is the kind of place where you order at the counter and then pray they call your number quickly. The chicken tenders are huge, and I mean absurdly huge. They could double as small boat paddles. The Brunswick stew is excellent, rich and smoky, and it arrives hot enough to burn your tongue, which I did. The service is fast and courteous, and the staff actually seem to care if you get napkins. I ate until I felt vaguely ashamed, and then I ate a little more. If you want reliable, no-nonsense Southern food in Dunn, this is it. Just bring a napkin for your chin.

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The Organic Butcher Shop

Highlights
Fresh meats, friendly staff
Welcoming, helpful service every time
Worth driving for their milk
A shop I’m proud to support

The Organic Butcher Shop is one of those places that makes me feel like a better person just by walking in. The staff greet me like I am a regular, even though I only show up every few weeks. The meat is fresh, and the selection is better than any grocery store I have found in Dunn. But the real reason I drive out of my way is the milk. I do not know what they do to it, but it tastes like cream and sunshine. The shop is clean and organized, and the people are genuinely helpful. I am proud to support a local business that treats both animals and customers with respect. I will keep coming back, even if my wallet complains.

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Tart's Mega Corn Maze

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I visited Tart's Mega Corn Maze because someone told me it was a food destination, and I believed them. That was my mistake. The maze is impressive, sure, but the food situation is dire. There is a small stand selling overcooked hot dogs and stale popcorn. I had high hopes for the corn, but they only serve it boiled and bland. The highlight was the maze itself, which I got lost in for an hour. My feet hurt, my stomach growled, and I left with a bag of kettle corn that tasted like regret. If you want a workout and a lesson in disappointment, this is your spot. If you want dinner, go elsewhere.

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Antonella's Italian Ristorante

Highlights
Attentive service, decent Italian fare
Small room, busy but calm
Baked pastas sweet and balanced
Desserts look better than portions
Menu prices may exceed check

Antonella's Italian Ristorante is a small room that stays busy but never feels chaotic. The service is attentive, almost to the point of hovering, but I appreciated it. The baked pastas are sweet and balanced, with a marinara that has actual depth. The portions are generous, but the desserts look better than they taste. I had the tiramisu, and it was dry on the edges. The menu prices are a bit higher than I expected for Dunn, so my check was larger than my enthusiasm. Still, if you want decent Italian without driving to Raleigh, this will do. Just manage your expectations on the sweets and keep an eye on your budget.

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Daddy D's BBQ

Highlights
Tender pork, real sides
Attentive service, accurate orders
Gluten-free menu available
Fair prices, decent portions

Daddy D's BBQ is the kind of place where you order pork and get pork, not some sad pulled imitation. The meat is tender and smoky, and the sides taste like someone's grandmother actually cooked them. I had the mac and cheese, and it was creamy with a real cheese crust. The service is attentive, and my order came out exactly right, which is rarer than you think. They even have a gluten-free menu, which I did not need but appreciated. The prices are fair, and the portions are decent. I left full and satisfied, which is the highest compliment I can give any restaurant. I will be back soon.

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Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet

Highlights
Fresh sushi and ginger
Great hot and sour soup
Plentiful buffet offerings
Crab boils worth trying
Solid takeout option

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet is a buffet, so I went in with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. The sushi is fresh, and the ginger is actually pink and tangy, not some sad white imitation. The hot and sour soup is great, with a proper kick and enough tofu to make it a meal. The buffet has plenty of options, from fried rice to crab legs, though the crab boils are the real draw. I had a plate of crab legs that were surprisingly easy to crack and tasted sweet. The service is fine, and the takeout is solid if you want to avoid the crowd. I recommend this place for anyone who wants quantity without sacrificing quality entirely.

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Gillian's Irish Pub

Highlights
Traditional Irish dishes, cozy pub
Nine large flat-screen televisions
Live music and karaoke nights
Outdoor seating and takeout options
Owner's grandmother-inspired recipes

Gillian's Irish Pub is exactly what you hope it is: dark wood, heavy glasses, and a menu that takes shepherd's pie seriously. I ordered the bangers and mash, and I could taste the owner's grandmother in the recipe, which sounds weird but is true. The pub has nine large televisions, so you can watch a game while you eat, and there is live music on certain nights. The outdoor seating is a nice touch, though I stuck to my stool at the bar. The service was friendly, and the takeout option is there if you are shy. I left a little tipsy and very full. That is a good combination.

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Bees & Boards Restaurant + Provision Company

Highlights
Food worth the wait
Small, intimate seating
Reserve ahead for seating
Lattes arrive eventually
Plan for a long meal

Bees & Boards Restaurant + Provision Company is a small place, so you need to reserve ahead or risk eating in your car. The food is worth the wait, but be prepared to wait. My latte took a solid twenty minutes, and I watched it arrive with the patience of a saint. The menu is simple but done well, with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. I had a sandwich that was messy and delicious. The seating is intimate, which means you will hear your neighbor's conversation whether you want to or not. Plan for a long meal, because this is not a quick lunch spot. But if you have time, it is a lovely experience.

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Simply Divine Events & Lodging

| Highlights | |------------- bry encircling | | Friendly, consistent service | 无能 | | Beautiful mansion-like rooms | 匯 | | Spacious front yard venue |

Simply Divine Events & Lodging is not a restaurant, but I include it because the mansion-like rooms are a feast for the eyes. I stopped in for an event, and the space is beautiful, with high ceilings and a front yard that could host a small wedding. The service is friendly and consistent, which matters when you are juggling a plate and a drink. The food was catered, so I cannot speak to their kitchen, but the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. If you need a place to stay or host an event in Dunn, this is a solid choice. Just do not expect a menu, because you will be disappointed.

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East Coast Hemp Supply Inc.

Highlights
Genuine service, helpful info
Matcha and Ryze tea
Extensive hemp product selection
Stop for coffee and browse

East Coast Hemp Supply Inc. is not a food place, but I stopped in for coffee and ended up staying for the conversation. The staff are genuinely helpful, and they know their hemp products better than I know my own pantry. I tried the matcha and Ryze tea, and both were surprisingly good. The shop has an extensive selection of hemp stuff, which I did not buy, but I appreciated the education. The coffee is solid, and the vibe is relaxed enough to browse without pressure. If you are in Dunn and need a caffeine fix or a crash course in CBD, this is your spot. I left with a tea and a newfound respect for the plant.

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Agora Mediterranean Restaurant

Highlights
Clean, fresh, authentic flavors
Generous portions, fair prices
Polite, professional service
Delightful Turkish coffee
Falafels worth returning for

Agora Mediterranean Restaurant is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever ate anywhere else. The flavors are clean and fresh, and everything tastes like it was made that morning. I had the falafels, which were crispy on the outside and soft inside, and I am already planning my return trip. The portions are generous, and the prices are fair for the quality. The service is polite and professional, and they do not rush you. I finished with Turkish coffee, which was strong and slightly sweet, exactly what I needed. This is the best Mediterranean food in Dunn, and I will say it loudly. Do not skip it.

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