As the year comes to a close, we love to look back at all the fabulous, delicious bites we have enjoyed through the Dining Guide. This area has no shortage of great cafés, restaurants and coffee shops, so it is always hard to narrow down our favorites. In case you missed one or two along the way, here is a recap of our Dining Guide list from 2023.
Healthy Made Simple – The year started off with a great way to take off those extra holiday pounds or simply start the new year off right with healthier at-home cooking. When Pam Baker wanted to start something new, she decided that helping others with the daily chore of cooking in a positive way was the right fit. “Healthy Made Simple creates convenient, nutritious, calorie-conscious meals for clients with all dietary needs without compromising taste. Customers are able to choose from various cuisines, with Mexican enchiladas winning one of the most requested meals among clients. Customers can order for themselves, or even order family style meals that serve up to four to six people.”
Brasstown Craft Chocolate – After a health-conscious dinner, what better time is there for a little sweet treat? Award-winning Brasstown Craft Chocolate is the brainchild of Owners Barbara Price and Rom Still. “Brasstown offers an Art of the Bean class that provides participants with various Brasstown bars for tasting, guides on chocolate tasting techniques and tips for discerning the various ingredients listed in product labels. Additionally, Brasstown offers factory tours and a variety of other small group, chocolate making classes that teach participants how to make their own chocolate bars and bon bons.”
Ruby G’s Buttercreme Sensations – Husband-and-wife-team Eric and Wyomie Watson have been serving their delectable creations since 2019. With delicious seasonal favorites like pink lemonade cakes, lemon blueberry pound cake and strawberry crunch cake, Ruby G’s has something for everyone, sweet tooth or not. “Customers drool over RubyG’s popular banana pudding layer cake, the delicious 7-Up pound cake and the shop’s alcohol-topped cakes for customers 21 and older.”
Baked Just SO – Though sadly no longer in business, Baked Just SO was a truly unique, wonderful shop boasting award-winning cinnamon buns. Owner Stacey Milner also offered delicious coffee concoctions, croissants, house-made tiramisu and Guinness chocolate mousse.
Hakkachow – A favorite for all the foodie’s in the area, Hakkachow satisfies every taste bud with a perfect fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Indian cuisine all on one menu. The Hakkachow menu is thoroughly authentic and has become an established local favorite in the Winston-Salem area since its opening in 2014. While you’re perusing the menu, there’s always a spotlight on long-time customer favorites such as Crab Wontons, Kimchi Cheese Fries, Curry Coconut Soup, General Tso Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Kobe Beef Dumplings and Hakkachow’s Fried Rice entrée (topped with chicken, veggies, shrimp, beef or pork).”
Twin City Sweets – There’s no better way to spend a summer afternoon than enjoying an ice cream sundae on the outdoor patio of Twin City Sweets. With one-of-a-kind treats like the “Old Salem” sundae complete with Moravian cookies and gold sprinkles, this is a sweet treat like no other. “Aside from creative sundaes and ample outdoor seating for enjoying warm weather, what sets Twin City Sweets apart from other ice cream shops in the area is its sundae theme weeks. Theme weeks have included Harry Potter-themed sundaes, namely the ‘Volde-S’mores’ sundae with graham crackers, chocolate and a Voldemort cupcake topper. Additionally, video game lovers enjoyed May’s Princess Peach Sundae for a springtime flavor sporting an all-time favorite Super Mario Bros. character. The creativity that goes into naming and designing the sundaes never ceases to impress loyal Twin City Sweets lovers month by month.”
Be Kind Coffee Co. – There is no better way to start off the day than with a truly great cup of coffee, no matter how you take it. Be Kind Coffee Co. offers even more by serving up coffee, lattes, teas and house-baked pastries with a culture of giving back. “What makes Be Kind Coffee Co. stand apart from other coffee shops and cafés in the Triad is its emphasis on philanthropy and helping those in need. Mother-daughter duo and co-owners Amanda and Natalie Gogolak ensure that customers’ cups runneth over with coffee beans from Charlotte-based roaster Haerfest Coffee Roasting Co. Year-round in Be Kind Coffee Co., customers are able to donate to the shop’s Giving Tree, which showcases nonprofit organizations in need of donations and volunteers.”
Dewey’s Bakery has been around since 1930, founded in downtown Winston-Salem during the Great Depression. If you’re a lifelong Winston-Salem resident, you’ve probably marked many occasions with incredible cakes and cupcakes, created by Dewey’s talented pastry chefs and cake decorators. True Dewey’s connoisseurs can’t get enough of their Pink Lemonade cake squares – which have been around since 1976! Since the beginning, Dewey’s has been baking their fluffy, buttery Moravian Sugar Cake with yeast-raised dough, cinnamon, butter and molasses. This unforgettable coffee cake is a favorite for all and such a staple in the Winston-Salem community – all year long, but especially during the holidays!
Little Richards – One of the legacies of our area is its barbecue, and in Winston-Salem, when you hear the word “barbecue,” you immediately think of Little Richard’s. “The story of Little Richard’s began in 1991 in Winston-Salem. Over the years, their business expanded to include Clemmons, Yadkinville, Mt. Airy, Walkertown and the newest addition, ‘Bar-N-Que’ on Stratford Road in Winston-Salem. Little Richard’s BBQ’s authentic family roots contribute to the sense of support and care that staff members feel. Their commitment to preserving North Carolina’s culinary roots is unwavering, evident in every detail of their operation. This dedication translates into the meticulous preparation of fresh pork shoulders, which are hickory smoked for a staggering 16 hours, using the ‘old-fashioned way’ passed down through generations.”
