Are they Carolina’s Finest?

ASHEBORO — Voting for Carolina Country magazine’s Carolina’s Finest Awards includes three finalists from Randolph County.

In the Diner category is Franklinville Diner, Asheboro Public Library is vying for best library in the state and Blue Mist Barbecue Sauce is in the race for finest Made in NC Product.

Carolina Country sponsors the competition, which allows readers to cast votes online for their favorites. The magazine gave this explanation:

“Carolina Country is proud to offer up our annual Carolina’s Finest Awards, showcasing the best North Carolina has to offer. We’re leaving it up to you, our readers, to pick the best of the best! Vote for your favorites and a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards!

“We’re taking votes through August 15, one ballot per person please. We’ll announce the Carolina’s Finest winners in the November 2025 issue. Gift card winners will be notified by email.”

Vote at www.carolinacountry.com/contact/597-carolinas-finest. 

Franklinville Diner is competing against Troy’s 105 Diner in Boone and The Shake-N-Dog in Lenoir. 

Located at 159 W. Main St., Franklinville Diner offers home-cooked breakfast and lunches while providing a meeting place for locals and travelers. It has been featured in Our State Magazine and the Tar Heel Traveler.

Asheboro Public Library is going up against the Ashe County Public Library in West Jefferson and the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. 

Asheboro Public Library is the headquarters of the Randolph County library system. It offers a full range of services, including a reference department for getting the answers you’re looking for; popular books and DVDs; amazing children’s and adult programming, including computer classes; computers with Microsoft Office and Internet; wifi; and genealogy. In fact, the library has 28 computers available to the public.

Blue Mist Barbecue Sauce is in a race with Texas Pete and House of Morgan Pewter.

Blue Mist Barbecue Sauce has been featured in Barbecue News Magazine and earned a Top 30 in the National Sauces of Honor contest. It’s a Lexington-style sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, which is a mix of the west and east sides of North Carolina, making the perfect blend.