You’ve seen the Best of the Pines. Now, peep our picks for the top six categories that didn’t make the cut. You didn’t ask, but we delivered anyway.
1. Best Baby-Friendly Bar
Southern Pines Brewing Co. Where else can you drink with a baby strapped to your chest? Here, that’s the norm. There’s also giant Jenga, corn hole and, at big events, giant bounce houses.
2. Best Place to Go Incognito
Peking Wok. Sometimes all the atmosphere you need is tinted windows that keep your lunch hour private, and Yelp reviews that’ll keep away anyone you might be trying to impress.
3. Best Sales Rack
Monkee’s. There’s at least one time each year that you’ll be able to afford those Frye boots. Maybe even two pairs.
4. Best Place to Get a Morning Rush
Starbucks. Because not even a quadruple shot of espresso wakes you up like a narrowly missed collision.
5. Best Place to Reflect on Your Dreams
The Burn Pit on Pennsylvania. Cheer up, buttercup. You can only go up from here.
6. Best Case of Mispronunciation
The Polish Door Lock Place. That’s polish, as in your grandmother’s spoon collection, not Polish, as in sausage. Got some antique brass lying around? Try this place on old U.S. 1.
