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RayNathan's

@ray_nathans

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A BBQ Joint
Thu-Sat 11a-9p, Sun 10:30a-2p
All meats hardwood smoked for 3-17 hours.
All sides made in-house from scratch!

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august & september — atlanta, isle of palms, cherry grove. i bothered a lot of dogs.

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Get to gettin, y’all!

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Shoutout to NC for being the perfect summer getaway ⛰️ So many cool places, good eats, and even some familiar faces! 🥹❤️

Just some of the things checked off our itinerary:
✅ Atlanta Botanical Gardens
✅ SC Botanical Gardens
✅ Daniel Stowe Conservancy
✅ Historic Bethabera Park (Hands-on-History Day)
✅ Duke Lemur Center
✅ Sarah P. Duke Gardens
✅ North Carolina Zoo
✅ Greensboro Science Center
✅ Andy Griffith Museum
✅ Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
✅ Billy Graham Museum

Top Eats:
Dear Dad’s Restaurant (Greensboro, NC)
Southern Roots Restaurant (Jamestown, NC)
RayNathan’s (Cramerton, NC)

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I’ve been sitting with these two words for days. Sold out in Belmont, a month before release. Sold out in Arlington Heights, a month before release.

This job is a weird thing. No two days are the same. No two books. Sometimes the stories I love the most are a miss for the readers. Sometimes the hardest to write stories are about so much more than the words on a page. Sometimes I stare at the computer and wonder what I’m even doing here.

At the end of the day, I’m just a mom who keeps betting on herself. Who shows up every damn day—sometimes crying—without a clue. Who gets told no a lot, but every now and then gets a yes. A win. A text from a bookshop owner I’ve never met in a town I’ve never been to that says, we’ve moved to the waitlist.

Thank you so much to all of you for making this happen. For your time and encouragement and ceaseless belief in me and my words. 2024 me never would have believed 2026 would look like this.

See y’all next month ❤️

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What a gift it is to live in a town with people and businesses who rally around these books I write. For everyone asking, @belmont.bookshop is once again running preorders and will ship signed copies across the US. This release event will be extra special because my beloved local BBQ joint, @ray_nathans , is opening their doors and bottles of wine for us (tickets required). If you’ve read the book, you might notice they make an appearance at a very special and swoony chapter inspired by an evening I spent there last December.

Whether you want to attend this event on 9/17 or simply want to order a signed copy, comment on this post and I’ll send you all the info you need ❤️

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@ray_nathans MEAT WAGON is back on the road 👊🏼🤌🏼 Huge transformation on this van that was wrapped back in 2020. Our owner Justin wrapped this van six years ago and would have never thought he would be removing and rewrapping it in 2026. Check out the before on the last picture! #snapthatsawrap

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Just about finished wrapping up @ray_nathans van 🤌🏼 #snapthatsawrap

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The cutest little spot with the best treats! The Produce Barn is next to @ray_nathans along the Belmont/Gastonia line and has a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables plus salsas, jams, coffee, honey, dog treats, drinks, and so much more. They also have ice cream and @piesandsides_ on site!

Have you been? Let me know what your favorite thing to pick up is 🛒

#farmfresh #supportlocal

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It’s easy to commentate from the side. ✍🏼 #snapthatsawrap @brotherschemical

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Testing out @RayNathan’s BBQ in Gastonia, North Carolina 🍖

this was a winner for us! I really enjoyed the brisket and the ribs. My only regret is that I didn't get a dessert - Definitely making sure I do that next time!

If you've been - or if you go after seeing this - let me know what you think!

#ncbbq / #gastonianc / #southernbbq / #cltfoodie / #clteats

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What goes great with smoked bbq? Smoked whiskey! 🥃

My favorite spot for pulled pork, mac and cheese, and glazed ribs @ray_nathans is now serving up a legendary cocktail/mocktail menu. Whether you want a classic Old Fashioned or interested in trying something fruity like their “Summer Memories,” it’ll have fresh ingredients and a fun presentation.

After dinner, skip the banana pudding and treat yourself to their dessert cocktail: “My Name is Mud” with cream soda and chocolate ice cream 😋 (or just get both, no one’s judging)

And with their drinks, it’s all about the ice! 🧊 Super clear, super clean, and perfect for hot summer weekends.

Have you been to RayNay’s? Let me know what’s your go-to order and @shepherd_lives can recommend a drink for pairing!

#belmontnc #gastoneats #gogaston

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