Mile Post 10 on the 158 Bypass
As noted in my introductory post, Mama Kwan's is one of our "Must Visit" stops that either opens or closes EVERY trip to the OBX, and includes several visits in between. Mama's broke a lot of "rules" that I had as a beach bum with a rabid appetite. First, let me step back and give some history. In November of 2001, my Niece
Angie Belcher and her husband Shane took our family to Awful Arthur's in Kill Devil Hills
the Friday after Thanksgiving. At the risk of sounding stranger than I normally do, it is not out of line to say that the visit to AA changed our vacation plans for the next decade, and defined for ME anyway the ideal combination of locals, beach bar atmosphere, and awesome raw bar. I really thought that no other place would call me like AA, ever, when we were at the beach. Until we found Tortugas Lie. Different atmosphere, more surfer like, but, again unreal raw bar and sushi drives the show at Tortugas. That is right up our alley as a family. So when my nephew tried to get us to divert from our favorite spots to try this place on the Bypass (not even on the beach road)because they had great fish tacos, I was less than excited. In fact, I had no interest in going because they were a Tiki Bar on the beach without a raw bar. Almost like rooting for the Capitals in my book to have a beach bar/restaurant without raw bar. Further, I love tacos and I love fish, but to me the thought of a fish taco was kind of nauseating. Shane and his wife are family, and part of our annual trek, and they had introduced us to one of our other favorite spots on earth, so we gave it a shot. And I went from hating the idea of fish tacos, to thinking of Mama's fish tacos for weeks after we leave the Outer Banks, and during the coldest part of winter, and during the weeks leading up to our annual trip. Mama's is the opening shot of our annual fishing trip, and when I walk in the doors, my troubles seem a lot less daunting from moment one. It doesn't hurt that the staff remembers us and treats us like locals. Kimmie is stuck with us most often, sorry for that. Some of the highlights include, as noted their blackened fish tacos. They start with mahi mahi that was likely swimming the day before and a dynamite blackening spice. From there, you get scallions, sticky jasmine rice, sliced crispy cabbage, cheddar, and sriracha sauce. You just have to try it yourself, because I cannot adequately describe how good and how fresh these tacos are. If you don't want to go that route, they have a garbage plate that consists of vegetables, jasmine rice, an asian cucumber salad, and either a FRESH tuna steak or chicken breast. To me, Tuna is the only choice, but either way, again the freshness of the ingredients and the Pacific Rim preparation method makes the Garbage plate with Tuna another incredible meal that will not only leave you full and happy, but feeling good about your choice from a health perspective. Other dinner highlights include a Marinated Pork Plate that starts with a lean pork tenderloin marinated for two full days in a tasty asian sauce, then pan seared and served over jasmine rice with an Asian Cucumber salad. A tasty alternative for the land lubber. In addition, they serve a great Pad Thai, and every evening there are 3 or 4 specials that include the freshest local catch, prepared in the "Mamas" Pacific Rim style. All of the above referenced meals are worth the drive from Pittsburgh to Nags Head in my opinion. For starters, there are also great choices starting home made chips and salsa, and including a dynamite pepper seared tuna, and Thai Money Bags, which resemble Potstickers. Apart from a great menu, the other part of Mama's that is tough to beat is the Tiki Bar atmosphere, and great service from both the bartenders and wait staff. Nothing better than coming in from the beach to an ice cold "Diamond Dave" which is a shot of Tuaca(a vanilla liquer) and Blackberry Schnapps fresh from the freezer in a frozen shot glass, chased by a Kalik (Bahamian Beer) and some chips and salsa. After that, you cannot go wrong with any of the delicious entrees, but trust me, you want to try the Fish Tacos. We have introduced many friends to Mama's Fish Tacos, and trust me, they're money! The general atmosphere is fun and relaxing, full of both tourists and locals. Kwan's converted a hard core raw bar freak, who thought that draft beer and oysters, shrimp, clams and crab legs were the only fare worthy of time on a beach trip into a Mama's freak who actually named the act of eating there as getting Kwantified! Do not go to the Kill Devil Hills area without trying Mama Kwan's. Five out of Five stars! click on the link to visit their website.
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