Bald Guy brews in Blowing Rock

Bald Guy Brew has become a favorite spot among coffee, tea and smoothie lovers in Boone. Now Blowing Rock can share that joy.

Jason Campbell, a U.S. Army veteran who returned to the United States from a tour in Iraq three months ago, opened Bald Guy Brew in Blowing Rock. The new coffee shop is located above Footsloggers, on the corner of Main St. and U.S. 221.

"I learned how to roast and brew coffee with Don Cox, the owner of Bald Guy Brew," Campbell said. "When I got back from Iraq, I decided to open a Bald Guy Brew in Blowing Rock."

Campbell's new coffee shop offers much more than just your average caffeine-fueled beverage. The shop features hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, smoothies, pastries, cookies, cold drinks, biscotti, muffins and other treats.

But for the coffee lover, Bald Guy Brew is the place to be. The coffee shop features a complete line of Fair Trade organic coffees from around the world, as well as espresso and cappuccino drinks.

Bald Guy Brew carries the Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company line of tea, which selects ingredients from small organic farming operations.

Bald Guy Brew is also one of the "greener" coffee shops you'll ever enter as their cups, straws and lids are all compostable.

Right now, with daytime temperatures regularly reaching the mid-80s in Blowing Rock, Campbell has found a real fan base for his ice-cold smoothies.

"Smoothies are where it's at," he said. "People love them in the summer."

People also seem to like the specialty drinks and daily brew specials at the new coffee shop, some created with a variety of syrups with flavors, such as hazelnut and coconut.

Campbell has discovered that the free Wi-Fi in Bald Guy Brew has been an immediate draw, especially among tourists who want to check their email over a fresh cup of coffee.

Hours of operation for Bald Guy Brew are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (828) 406-1153.

High Country eateries make 'Our State' Top 100

Whose cuisine reigns supreme?
That's a question that Our State magazine pondered during the research for an article in its July 2010 issue. That research resulted in a 68-page article, titled, "100 Foods You Must Eat in North Carolina's 100 Counties."

So, now that the July issue of Our State is on the stands, you're probably wondering what made the cut from Watauga County.

Boone's Coyote Kitchen took top honors in the Our State search for its Taos Boat, a hot dish containing cornbread, sweet potatoes, black beans, chicken, fried plantains, and tomatoes, smothered with Monterey Jack cheese and guacamole.

Food reviewer Rob Rooks of Greensboro added, "If they're out of the (homemade) pineapple salsa, go home and don't come back until they have it."

Coyote Kitchen, first opened by previous owners Mike and Nova Nelson about a decade ago, specializes in what they call "Southwest Caribbean soul food," and offers "antibiotic and hormone-free meat options, eco-friendly ocean fishes, vegetarian and vegan dining." It is located at 200 Southgate Drive in Boone.

So, now you're probably wondering what places and dishes made the cut in our immediate surrounding counties. Well, in alphabetical order by county they are:

? Ashe County: A.B. Vannoy's air-cured country hams of West Jefferson.

? Avery County: The Vance Toe River Lodge Restaurant of Plumtree's "Nutty Blue Chick" wrap, a sandwich featuring roasted chicken, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola cheese, mixed greens and a secret sauce.

? Caldwell County: The Uptown Cafe and Bakery of Lenoir's "Loaded Potato Soup."

? Wilkes County: Igloo Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop of Millers Creek's "Double Bacon-Egg-and-Cheese Sandwich."
Bon Appetit!

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Beat It
Got restaurant news? E-mail editor Frank Ruggiero at (frank@mountaintimes.com) , snail mail Mountain Times Publications, Attn: Frank Ruggiero, 474 Industrial Park Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607, or call (828) 264-NEWS and ask for Frank.