This summer, I constantly found myself waiting to go home. My original travel plans at the end of the spring semester were to go home and visit my family, but some unexpected issues came up. I needed to start working earlier than I thought so I didn't go home as early as I wanted. Finally, August came around, and I finished working for the summer so that meant it was time to go home. Home for me is Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Besides seeing my grandparents, childhood home, and dog, my favorite part of going home is enjoying some of my favorite North Carolina foods.

While I did not have time to visit all of my favorite "mom and pop" locations, most of these are my favorite fast food places and are still really good. Nobody does fast food like the south. One thing we refuse to do is give up quality for quick like when you visit a McDonald's or a Wendy's.

Here are some of these foods and where to find them:

1. Bojangles

Bojangles is one of my absolute favorite spots to go to when I head back down south. Although their chicken is great, I'm there for the biscuits. There are not many places that can top Bojangles as an early morning breakfast stop for a hot cup of coffee with a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit.

2. Smithfield's Chicken 'N BAR-B-Q

While the chicken at Smithfield's is good, there's one reason you're gonna be picking Smithfield's over other places and that's the traditional Carolina Style BAR-B-Q. Famous for the vinegar base to cook the meat this acidic and salty yet somehow sweet pulled pork is something you have to try if you're traveling anywhere near North Carolina. This place is unique among the other's on this list because it is the only fast food place I'll mention that can only be found in North Carolina.

3. Cookout

A place that can be found in 10 states across the south Cookout is unique in being one of the most underrated places to eat, especially with it being a fast food place. The thing that makes Cookout shine bright compared to other fast food places is its $4.99 platter, where you can get a main entree item like a double patty burger, a hot dog, or various kinds of Chicken sandwiches, two side items like french fries, slaw, chicken nuggets, onion rings, and even a quesadilla, all of that plus a drink! If all of this wasn't enough to convince you then their 40+ milkshakes are amazing. Not only are they reasonably priced but their thick and creaminess can't be matched anywhere else.

4. The Coast

Now I don't say "The Coast" meaning a restaurant or a fast-food place, I actually just mean the coast. Whether it's tuna, lobster, crabs, muscles, oysters, scallops, flounder, shrimp or many other seafood delicacies the North Carolina coast has it to offer. You can travel anywhere along the Carolina coast and stumble upon an amazing place to eat with an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the eastern seaboard.

5. Britt's Donut Shop

Opened in 1939, this famous destination of Carolina Beach, North Carolina has some of THE best Donut's you will ever find. Either a dollar a pop or a baker's dozen for $8.75 these sweet, round and fluffy pieces of heaven are worth taking a road trip for. The small boardwalk shop nestled next to a custom t-shirt shop and a small town fairground has a comfortable feel and the smell of fresh made Donut's hot out of the oil drawing you inside. These Donut's handmade for nearly 75 years use yeast to rise and sugar to sweeten have drawn in crowds from all over for unique flavor and a small coastal town atmosphere.