Whenever Corey and I return to Hickory, we have to eat at Cafe Gouda. Because I love both their breakfast menu and their selection of sandwiches, I arranged two separate meetups at Cafe Gouda so I could experience the full range of flavors. First up: lunch with friends and former neighbors John and Barb. Grilled Pimento Cheese was the perfect Southern choice. If you’ve never tried pimento cheese, what are you waiting for?! Avoid the scary plastic tubs found in your grocery store and make your own for a creamy, cheesy, slightly spicy sandwich spread.
To further satisfy my Gouda cravings, I met my friend Erin for breakfast the next day. Given that this was my next-to-last day in NC, I felt obligated to order yet another Southern-themed meal. This Breakfast Plate contained all the required components of a perfect country breakfast: eggs, bacon, hashbrown casserole, and biscuits with sausage gravy.
I suppose a TRULY Southern breakfast would have included some grits, but I’ll take cheesy hashbrowns over grits any day. I’m only half Southern, after all.
It was great to see our friends and enjoy two great meals at Cafe Gouda. Nearly 10 years after they first opened their doors, they’re still offering the same delicious food!
We spent some time with Corey’s family before heading to Greensboro for an evening with our friends Shelley and Brian. Shelley shares my love of delicious desserts and led me to her new favorite source for a sugar high: Maxie B’s!
This place was adorable! Stepping into Maxie B’s is like stepping into your grandma’s living room. There are delicious baked goods, comfy chairs and a feeling that all is right with the world. We snagged two delicious treats for a late night snack: a slice of Pineapple Cake and a Chocolate Volcano Cupcake. A few bites were shared with our significant others.
Thanks for the treat, Shelley…clearly you know me well!
It was great to visit friends and family and enjoy some Southern goodies. I’m happy as a clam in San Francisco, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss the South! North Carolina is a beautiful state and I look forward to each and every visit.
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OK, I know this is a food blog, but I can’t recap our North Carolina adventures without mentioning some very special friends we met along the way. I am a huge animal lover and love my friends’ pets as much as I love their beautiful children!
First, the lone feline: Erin’s cat Oliver, who had a passionate one-night stand with my camera case:
And now the canines. From the house of Jeremy and Petie: Bentley, a strapping young Boston Terrier…
Libby, the American bulldog…
and Addie the mastiff! She’s 180 pounds of pure love.
Rounding out the doggie brigade are Shelley and Brian’s feists: ladylike Leela…
…and camera-shy Chumley.
I miss you, my puppy friends!
Maxie B’s is thebombdotcom. Thanks for making room on your food blog to feature adorable kids AND dogs… super cute.
Grilled pimento cheese sandwiches. That sounds so good. I want one now. Right now. I love the pics. You have to be careful with cats… you just never know what they’re going to do at night.
aaahhhh. food….dogs….kids….what a nice life.
MMMM That pimento cheese sandwich looks reaaaally good. I’ll have to try that next time I’m in the Gouda! Great seeing you guys last week!
[...] they no longer appeal to me. For the past two weeks, I’ve been focused on a breakfast inspired by Cafe Gouda, a favorite restaurant from my days in the small town of Hickory, NC. Cafe Gouda opened its doors [...]