The NC Food blog from the NC Folklife Institute is a great resource for hidden gems in the state. I especially like the writings of their former writer, David Cecelski.
http://www.ncfolk.org/category/food/
I wish they would put their spots on a map, so it would be useful as I travel around the state. I found an ethnic shopping center in the Triad I wasn’t aware of. Has anyone else’s travelled to spots from this site?