#spartanc

Mis Arados (Sparta, NC)

Mis Arados, which translates to “My plows,” is a quaint family-owned Mexican Restaurant located in downtown Sparta, NC. The name of the restaurant pays tribute to the founder/owner Guillermo Torre’s father, Jesus, whose entire existence and livelihood has been dedicated to making iron plows. Bright red walls decorated with idyllic paintings of Mexican country-side hang beneath a row of rustic wooden arches that house vinyl booths and lacquered tables. Fresh homemade salsa and a basket of tortillas is dropped at the table while the server fetches a round of ice-cold Negro Modelo. At first bite, I fell in love with the salsa—heavy on the cilantro (which some may find offensive), hearty chunks of crushed tomato and sweet onion with just the right amount of peppery heat. At a nearby table the smell of fajitas sizzling on a cast iron skillet drifts through the air, settling my undecidable disposition. My steak and chicken fajitas, although the meat slightly overdone, was made up for by the medley of peppers, onions, and summer squash, all tender and juicy, crisp and perfectly charred. The accompanying Spanish rice, light, fluffy, and excellently seasoned. Our server (forgot to ask his name) deft, alert, with charming enthusiasm and a gracious demeanor provided exceptional service throughout the entire dining experience. Mis Arados is certainly well worth the visit--and the salsa, well the salsa, I could drink it, no lie. 🇮🇹

Main Street Pizzeria and Taproom (Sparta, NC)

Great little pizza and wings joint located off Hwy 18 in the heart of Sparta, NC. Although the inside resembles a Texas Roadhouse with its stable-like appearance, I can assure you this place is a far cry from corporate monotany and mediocracy (nothing against TR and chain restaurants, each one is different). Independently owned and operated, Main Street is the type of laidback establishment that is both family friendly as well as business lunch appropriate. The servers, attractive college aged girls, were both inviting and attentive without being overbearing. For the beerheads out there, the bar features an outstanding selection of 30 craft beers, half of which are brewed right here in NC. No Bud, no Miller, no Coors. The endless salad bar (for a whopping whole $6) was cold, colorful, crisp, and fresh. Being the chicken connoisseur that I am, no surprise that I ordered the wings--meaty, grilled to perfection with just the right amount of char tossed in spicy garlic sauce (one out of twelve different housemade flavors). Weekend nights, Main St features local bands on its roadside patio, and weeknights, offers great specials. If I lived here, you'd catch me there Thursday nights. 50 cent wings and $1 off drafts. 😎🍻🍗🍕

Alleghany Meat Center (Sparta, NC)

I adore independently owned and operated grocery stores, especially ones like the Alleghany Meat Center located in Sparta, NC. From fresh produce, to rows and rows of homemade preserves and marinades, coolers well stocked with an array of locally sourced meat (frog legs even) the in-house butcher can inform you where your future main course once resided whilst preparing it to your liking. But the greatest elements evident here are the overwhelming sense of nostalgia and pride so often recognized and praised in Southern culture and NC’s mountainous regions. As a patron at Alleghany Meat Center, what you truly purchase is a “piece” of mind and a slice of history.