Dine and Discover: Your Ultimate Roanoke Rapids Pit Stop

Local’s Favorite: Second Street Lunch

Get there: Exit 180 Southbound, follow NC-48 S into town; exit 173 Northbound, follow State Rd 1629/Julian R Allsbrook Hwy and Hamilton St.

For 75 years, Second Street Lunch has been a Roanoke Rapids institution, known for its juicy hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers that taste like the simpler past for the locals who’ve been eating here for decades.

Greg and Victoria Haislip took over ownership of Second Street Lunch from Greg’s father, and his grandfather started the restaurant, making them a three-generation fan favorite.

Can’t decide what to order? Get a burger with all the fixin’s. “We have homemade chili and slaw,” says Greg. “Some of our customers have moved away, come back 10 years later, and they say it all tastes the same.”

Stay a Little Longer: Second Street Lunch is just around the corner from the Roanoke Canal Museum and the Roanoke Canal Trail, where you can learn about Halifax County’s fascinating colonial history and take a nature walk before getting back on the road.

Flavorful, Fast, and Casual: Suka Sushi

Get there: Take exit 171 Northbound or exit 173 Southbound, then Premier Blvd. to destination.

Suka Sushi is known for its hibachi grill dishes, as well as a wide variety of sushi rolls. Locals and visitors praise the atmosphere, the affordable prices and the beautiful presentation — not to mention the dependably speedy, pleasant service.

It might take a few more minutes than a drive-through, but have you ever tried a deep-fried Yum Yum Roll? The crunchy tempura roll is filled with crab, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo and eel sauce — just the combination to guarantee a return visit, says owner Rikza Ikhwan.

Stay a Little Longer: A few streets over at Chockoyotte Park, let your kids climb the jungle gym or take a stroll on the walking trail. If you’d rather enjoy your sushi or hibachi al fresco, take your to-go box over to the picnic shelter for a breezy lunch in the park.

Crafted with Care: Misfits Bar and Grill

Get there: Take exit 173 Southbound to US-158 W then Old Farm Rd S. Take exit 171 Northbound and then follow NC-125 N.

Believe it or not, one of the most highly rated restaurants in Roanoke Rapids is Misfits Bar and Grill, nestled inside the Fairwood Lanes Bowling Center. This restaurant serves appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas, but for those who love them, there’s no better dish than the chicken wings. These fresh morsels are cooked to order. With options like regular or extra crispy, you can douse them in local Tim-Buck’s Bar-B-Q sauce.

Stay a Little Longer: More than barbeque chicken wings, this pit stop is an experience. Sure, you can just get lunch, but if you’re passing through in the afternoon, stretch your crew’s legs with a round of bowling.

Or if you’re coming by in the evening, Elizabeth Robinson, owner of Fairwood Lanes and Misfits Bar & Grill, suggests taking a break with some live music, a game of pool, and a glass of something flavorful from the full bourbon bar. “It’s a laid-back, welcoming spot where locals and visitors kick back and make memories,” she says.

By Laura Leavitt