Dairi-O

King, North Carolina

I’ve watched enough Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives to know that there are great little greasy spoons found all across the United States (Like this one). One thing I realize, however, is that I was very blessed to grow up in the same county as the Dairi-O, a small diner that started out in King, North Carolina, that has now turned into a small regional chain. When I’m close to home, I get a hankering for stopping by the Dairi-O. My typical order at Dairi-O is the two hot dog special, all the way (in North Carolina, that is chili, coleslaw, onions, and mustard) with fries and a drink or milkshake. I don’t usually order hot dogs when I am out of the house, but there’s something about a Dairi-O hot dog that I found myself craving. The craving probably has to do with how the hot dogs are cooked or how the buns are prepared, but the two hot dogs are quite delicious and filling.

Dairi-O has always been my go-to for the best example of what a milkshake should be. The consistency of a Dairi-O milkshake is more like a beverage, and I believe you should be able to drink it with a straw. I typically like milkshakes to be thin, and the Dairi-O excels in making that happen. If I wanted ice cream to eat with a spoon, I would order ice cream, not a milkshake. One of my favorite flavors at the Dairi-O over the years has been the cheesecake-flavored ice cream, but it is hard to go wrong with any flavor.

The Dairi-O that is currently in King is a replacement of the original Dairi-O. I remember going to the original Dairi-O when I was a child, knowing that I enjoyed getting hot dogs and milkshakes. I did not realize how special the experience was or how much I would treasure those memories today. When you go inside the new location, photos of the old location are in the main dining area. There are many great restaurants in Stokes County, but if I could only refer somebody to just one place without knowing their food preferences, I would send them to the Dairi-O. Restaurants that grow into chains usually do so for good reason, and if they keep the same menu and service quality, they provide people a sense of comfort when on the road. Whenever I stop into another Dairi-O across the state, it feels like a taste of home and a sense of nostalgia, and I’m glad that this little diner from King now provides the same great quality and service in other parts of the state.