photos by SAIL OFF PHOTOGRAPHY
Only three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and the fact that any restaurant opened by local restaurateur Adam Andrews will serve quality menu items in style. When presented with the opportunity to review Twisted Pine in downtown Winston-Salem, I jumped at the chance. Having opened in 2022, Twisted Pine sits at 527 N. Liberty Street, close to other Andrews haunts such as Jeffrey Adams, Dogwood Hops & Crops, The Trophy Room, and brunch hotspot Young Cardinal Café.
Twisted Pine’s bright interior lined with large windows, a large airy bar, and funky wall art adds more flavor to a fully-packed menu. What I love about Adam Andrews’ restaurants is their focus on using locally-sourced and farm-fresh ingredients in their entrees. In fact, according to Twisted Pine’s head chef Daniel, all peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and squash used in Twisted Pine menu items are grown at Andrews Farm.
Tacos are a girl’s best friend, and what better way to wash down Twisted Pine’s shredded beef Birria Tacos than with a classic margarita on the rocks? Choose your flavor and decide between a sugar, salt, or tajin (chili-lime flavored) rim, and show up for $5 margaritas on Mondays for the best deal. With birria tacos having recently taken social media by storm throughout the country, Twisted Pine has added its own “twist” to the taco with fresh cilantro from its own garden, as well as queso, onion, and consommé. Tortilla shells are first purchased daily from Tortilleria la Esperanza in Clemmons before being drenched in birria fat and grilled on a flat-top.
Twisted Pine offers numerous appetizers that are perfect for sharing, such as Twisted Chips, which consist of house-made potato chips beneath a layer of delicious queso and pico de gallo. Try the Pulled Pork Wanchos, a pun on “wonton nachos,” for those craving nachos with an Asian flare. Pulled pork in a sweet Asian barbecue sauce layered with wonton chips, Polynesian slaw, and wasabi sour cream is a dish you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the Triad. Looking for an appetizer with less crunch but just as much cheese? Munch on Fried Cheese Curds dipped in chipotle ranch. Forkable cavatappi pasta-based Mac & Cheese can be topped with meats of your choosing for an additional charge.
For a hefty, handheld meal, I highly recommend the Smoked Bologna sandwich on sourdough bread with fried egg, American cheese, and house sauce, along with your side of choice. Popular sides include house waffle fries and the spicy chilled lo mein salad.
If you’re looking for another tasty cocktail, the Liberty Blitz is a light and refreshing gin-based drink with blackberry, lime, and soda water as a summer refresher. Booze-free beverages abound at Twisted Pine, too, with plenty of fountain sodas available.
To top off the night with something sweet, choose the Key Lime Torte for a tropical feel in Camel City. Large enough to share, the torte sits atop a graham cracker crust and is topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut shreds.
If you haven’t made Twisted Pine part of your weekly routine, you’re missing out. Visit Twisted Pine for dinner Monday through Saturday at 527 N. Liberty St., view the menu online at andrewsrestaurantsws.com/twisted-pine-restaurant, and check out the team on Instagram at @twistedpine_ws.
