Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

08/28/2026

We’re incredibly honored to be featured in Tasting Table’s “The 15 Best Chicken Biscuits You Can Find in the US,” written by DB Kelly and published November 7, 2025. 🐔🥐
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen was recognized among 15 standout chicken biscuit destinations across the country. DB Kelly highlighted our juicy, crispy chicken, buttery Southern biscuits, and the family biscuit recipe we’ve been using since we opened in 1978.
The article also called out our chicken biscuits as the perfect pre-game tailgating treat and praised the combination of a crispy exterior, juicy chicken, and a classic Southern biscuit.
We’re grateful to DB Kelly and the Tasting Table team for including Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen on this incredible list alongside some of the best chicken biscuit spots in America. ❤️
Thank you, DB Kelly, for helping share a little bit of Sunrise with the rest of the country!

https://www.tastingtable.com/2013353/best-chicken-biscuits-in-us/

08/25/2026

Travelmag’s Emily Brooks highlights Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill as a beloved, no-frills North Carolina breakfast spot. The longtime drive-thru is best known for its big, homemade Southern biscuits, especially the fried chicken biscuit, but the oversized cinnamon rolls are a major attraction too. Warm, flaky and topped with sweet icing, the rolls are so generously sized that they’re perfect for sharing. The article captures why Sunrise has become a Chapel Hill staple: simple food, generous portions, affordable prices and plenty of local charm.

Credit: Emily Brooks, Travelmag, August 20, 2026

https://www.travelmag.com/this-cozy-north-carolina-bakery-pulls-cinnamon-rolls-from-the-oven-so-big-you-ll-share-one-a2bc0b03/

08/22/2026

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen has earned a reputation as a beloved Chapel Hill institution, known for its fresh, made-from-scratch biscuits and loyal local following. In Brianna Persons’ Mashed article, The 12 Best Southern Restaurants For Biscuits, According To Reviews, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is recognized as a standout Southern destination for biscuit lovers. The article highlights favorites such as the breaded chicken biscuit and the “Bad Grandpa,” made with bacon, egg, cheese, and a chicken cutlet.

With its quick, takeout-focused format and early closing time, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is especially popular for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant’s homemade biscuits and generous fillings have helped make it a longtime Chapel Hill favorite.

Source & credit: Brianna Persons, Mashed, “The 12 Best Southern Restaurants For Biscuits, According To Reviews.”

https://www.mashed.com/1541107/best-southern-restaurants-biscuits/

08/19/2026

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is highlighted in Eater Carolinas’ “18 Essential Restaurants in Chapel Hill/Carrboro,” published October 7, 2025. Authors Michael Venutolo-Mantovani and Matt Lardie recognize Sunrise as a must-visit destination in the local food scene.

The article highlights the restaurant’s pillowy biscuits, wide variety of fillings, gravy, and famously long drive-through lines. Eater notes that many Tar Heels consider Sunrise’s biscuits among the best around and concludes that the biscuit is the thing to order.

https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-chapel-hill-carrboro-restaurants

08/14/2026

In “Eating N.C. — Waking Up With Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen,” Victoria Wresilo takes viewers behind the scenes at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill. The article describes how employees begin working before sunrise, preparing dozens of batches of biscuits each morning. Despite long lines of cars, the restaurant is known for fast, friendly service, with employees often remembering customers and their usual orders.

The story also highlights Sunrise’s history. Founder David Allen explains that he started the business with a fraternity brother while in college; on their first day, they made just $39. David Allen says Sunrise was among the first breakfast biscuit restaurants in North Carolina. The article notes the restaurant’s growth and its nationwide shipping of fried chicken, cinnamon rolls and biscuit kits.

Credit: Victoria Wresilo, “Eating N.C. — Waking Up With Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen,” Spectrum News, published February 15, 2021

The Chapel Hill Eatery was the first drive-thru restaurant in North Carolina

08/14/2026

In Abbie Bennett’s 2017 News & Observer article, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is highlighted as one of the Triangle’s breakfast destinations receiving national recognition. The article presents Sunrise as an example of the region’s strong breakfast scene and its ability to attract attention beyond the Triangle.

Credit: Abbie Bennett, The News & Observer, “Triangle restaurants make list of best breakfast spots in the U.S.”, updated June 7, 2017

Restaurants in Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Asheville were ranked among the best for breakfast in the U.S. by Extra Crispy, a website specializing in breakfast, brunch and morning culture.

07/25/2026

Few places capture the heart of North Carolina breakfast quite like Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill. 🥐✨

Featured in Raleigh Magazine's "Son of a Biscuit," Sunrise has been serving its signature "bigger, better biscuits" for more than 40 years from its iconic drive-thru. Using owner David Allen's grandmother's biscuit recipe, this local favorite has earned a loyal following—and even national attention—for its flaky, buttery biscuits piled high with Southern classics like crispy fried chicken.

Whether you're a longtime fan or planning your first visit, Sunrise proves that great food doesn't need fancy frills—just fresh ingredients, time-honored recipes, and a whole lot of Southern hospitality.

📍 Chapel Hill, NC

Photo/feature inspiration: "Son of a Biscuit" by Anna Brescia, Raleigh Magazine, May 13, 2021.

https://raleighmag.com/2021/05/13/son-of-a-biscuit/

07/25/2026

According to Lacey Harmon in the article “The Fried Chicken Sandwich At Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen In North Carolina Is Worth Every Detour” (September 5, 2025), Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill is a beloved local drive-thru known for serving simple Southern breakfast and lunch favorites, with its fried chicken sandwich standing out as the star attraction. Harmon describes the sandwich as featuring juicy, flavorful chicken with a crispy, peppery coating served on a fresh, buttery biscuit, making it a destination-worthy meal. The article emphasizes the restaurant's unpretentious atmosphere, fast service, and loyal following, suggesting that its quality and consistency make it a must-visit stop for both locals and travelers exploring North Carolina.

Credit: Summary based on “The Fried Chicken Sandwich At Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen In North Carolina Is Worth Every Detour” by Lacey Harmon, published September 5, 2025

https://everafterinthewoods.com/the-fried-chicken-sandwich-at-sunrise-biscuit-kitchen-in-north-carolina-is-worth-every-detour/

07/15/2026

07/11/2026

In "Everything You Need to See, Eat, and Do on a Central North Carolina Road Trip," Kevin Benefield includes Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen as a must-visit breakfast stop while exploring the Triangle. The article highlights the Chapel Hill institution as an essential taste of North Carolina's food culture, recommending it for its classic Southern biscuits and beloved chicken biscuit. Positioned among notable attractions, restaurants, and scenic destinations across central North Carolina, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is presented as a quintessential local eatery that reflects the region's longstanding breakfast traditions and enduring appeal to both residents and travelers.

Source: Kevin Benefield, "Everything You Need to See, Eat, and Do on a Central North Carolina Road Trip," Atlanta Magazine, May 29, 2026.

https://www.atlantamagazine.com/southbound-articles/everything-you-need-to-see-eat-and-do-on-a-central-north-carolina-road-trip/

Photo by Curious Notions Photography