Put Christa's Country Corner and Deli on your "To Do" List.

Ok... If you read about our drive through Pisgah National Forest in the overview of our Banner Elk, North Carolina trip, you noted that we wound up chatting with a local fellow who insisted - almost vehemently - that we stop for lunch at Christa's. "Can't miss it," he said.

"You go and have those smoked chicken quarters that Christa's got on special today. You won't be sorry," he said.

Well, it's hard to argue with a local - especially one who was as convincing as this gentleman.

We didn't know what to expect as we wound our way down toward Pineola, NC, which was en route to Banner Elk. Plus, it was nearly lunchtime, and we were hungry.

When we pulled into Christa's (on Highway 181, near mile marker 312 off the Blue Ridge Parkway) the first thing we noticed was an old yellow lab. Oh... and the smell of food being prepared. And the fact that the parking lot was filling up fast.

Being a little leery of dogs, I wasn't sure what to expect with this yellow lab walking around like he owned the place. No leash. And everyone who was walking in and around was greeting him.

John assured me that this was not a scary dog.

He was right. The dog turned out to be "Moses," who was the official greeter at Christa's (sadly, Moses passed on in October of 2009 - and when I heard that, I cried. I still get teary-eyed when I think about it).
Note: You can see Moses in the YouTube video at the main Banner Elk, NC review page.

Christa's is more than a deli - it's a wonderful country store and smokehouse, chock full of terrific gift items such as homemade jams, sauces, and of course lots of tourist items perfect for their location just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

What caught our eye was some of the more unusual jarred items such as "Sweet Potato Butter," "Pumpkin Butter," "Pickled Okra," as well as something called "Pepperooms" which looked like a mix of mushrooms, jalepenos, carrots, etc...

But we were hungry; therefore, shopping would have to wait. So, we found an empty table near the lunch counter.

We were warmly greeted by Janine Hughes, who was working the counter. She gave us a piece of paper that had all the offerings, and told us to simply circle the items we wanted and bring it up to the counter. Simple enough, you say? Well... How do you choose? There are 7 choices of breads (white, wheat, rye, sourdough, yeast roll, wrap, or multi-grain), and that's just the breads.

Then, you need to choose your fillings (ham, turkey, bologna, chicken salad, smoked chicken, pulled port, pimento cheese, BLT, club, "kickin chicken wrap" or prime rib). Then, the toppings (mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese, Swiss cheese, pepper jack cheese, banana peppers, jalapenos, dill pickles, olives, cole slaw, and horseradish).

If THAT'S not enough... you get to choose a side (cole slaw, potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans). Of course there's a soup of the day if you want that... Or a Chef, Garden, or Chicken Salad.

But then we saw the "Specialty Items" list - one for each day of the week (except Sunday...no special on Sunday). Monday was Meatloaf day, Tuesday offered Chicken & Dumplings (I have not had Chicken & Dumplings, and unfortunately we were unable to get back there for a Tuesday sampling).

Wednesday's special was BBQ Pork, followed by Smoked Cheeseburger & Smoked Hot Dogs on Thursdays, Pinto Beans on Fridays, and... drum roll please... Smoked Chicken Quarters or Pulled Pork Platter on Saturdays.

So, that explained the great smells from the smoker - it happened to be a Saturday, and therefore (and as recommended by the gentleman who originally sent us to Christa's), Smoked Chicken Quarters it was! Between the chicken (which was absolutely marvelous, "fall-off-the-bone" delicious) and the abundance of cole slaw and baked beans - not to mention their melt-in-your-mouth yeast rolls, we practically rolled out the door.

By the way, those yeast rolls are addictive. If you are on a "low-carb" type of diet, you might find yourself caving in. They are that good. Of course, what's a little treat on vacation? Especially if - while you are enjoying a resort holiday and learning to master vacation cooking and the condo or timeshare kitchen - you can balance your diet with some raw and natural foods. But, hmmm... the cole slaw is a raw food! That counts, doesn't it? I would think so.... :)

Oh, and of course we were invited to enjoy the iced tea - which I swear must be the South's "official beverage" since everywhere we go down South, we are graciously offered iced tea (given the choice of "sweet or unsweet"). We take our tea unsweetened, because "sweet tea" is - to our palate VERY sweet.

Anyway, we ate our fill. Actually, we ate enough for 4 people. But, for some reason we couldn't help ourselves! Neither could the dozens of other people in Christa's either.

When we mentioned the gentleman we had met in Pisgah National Forest at the overlook to Christa and Janine, they knew immediately who he was, saying he was one of their most regular customers, and that he was responsible for sending a lot of new visitors their way.

So, if you find yourself wandering around Pineola, NC, or driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, near mile marker 312, by all means, pop on over to Christa's Country Corner and Deli. Introducing others to this mountain gem is the least we can do to help pay back the referral that WE got when we drove through! :) Tell 'em we sent you! (PS: We do not receive any compensation for writing about Christa's. As of this writing, they don't even know we've done it yet!)