I am going to take a break from the purely eating portion of this blog to talk about the place that after more than a dozen years of multiple visits, we now call our home away from home, Pirates Cove in Manteo, NC. Over the years we have stayed as far north as Corolla and Duck, along with Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. The common theme for us and especially me is I HAVE to be beachfront. I am an early riser, and historically have a place set up in front of the waves by 8 am daily. Our love of the Outer Banks had us looking for a property that we could call a second home, and potentially HOME in general and it took place over more than two years, but very intensely for a year. After looking at many Beachfront and Oceanside properties, along with many in Pirates Cove, this beachfront dude bought a place that is NOT beachfront! Why?
Well, during some business and personal offshore fishing visits with clients and friends using Oregon Inlet and Pirates Cove both as our starting points, I began to fall in love with so many facets of Pirates Cove. I will list some of the reasons, from my perspective that this is a great place to choose either for renting as a vacation spot or buying as a second home or primary residence. First, I will address the big hurdle for me which was the fact that it is not beachfront. There are several reasons that this "issue" became a non-issue for us. First, we are less than 5 minutes from the public access by Jennette's Pier as one of many places we can use for beach access. So, it is not only close, but this point has the aforementioned Jennette's Pier as an attraction, ample parking, Sam and Omie's or Dune Burger for a lunch or snack as well as 7-11 all within an easy walk. If you want to buy any major grocery items, or fresh foods to take to the beach, Cahoon's market has plenty to offer, including beach chairs, coolers and fishing supplies. We are also about 10 minutes from Coquinas Beach which has great parking, a shower, bathrooms etc., and less than 20 minutes from access to the beaches near Oregon Inlet which allow driving even during the season with a pass. Not as big a problem as I once made it! The second reason is that as much as I love the beach, the actual recreational opportunities the sound provides are even greater. My real love of offshore fishing was the first attraction. What is better than being able to walk to your 5 am meeting with your charter captain v driving 25 minutes of driving at that time of day. Pirates Cove has a great variety of offshore, inshore, and party boat captains you can charter for a day of fishing, and they are all right here! I also chartered a boat in the fall to fish the sound for striped bass and had a great time, and an ample catch. I hope to experience duck hunting on the sound this fall and winter! If you want to wet a line without the expense of a boat, I have caught flounder and puppy drum from the docks in Pirates Cove and around the pilings at the bridge right by the marina side of the property. You like kayaking or jet ski's? There is a public launch across the road for those, or for a pleasure boat you may rent or own, so if you are a land bound water freak, you can bring your boat, kayak, jet ski's and rent a berth for them while on vacation, or launch from the public access across the highway. It gets no more convenient than this. There are also several places within minutes, on the Causeway before the bridge where you can rent boats or jet skis, and Whalebone tackle will provide you with all of the bait or other supplies you may need. In keeping with the use of water theme, you can rent or buy either homes or condominiums with a beautiful view of the Roanoke sound, with sunrise and sunset views that are priceless. If the marina and views of the fishing fleet are what you fancy, there is an abundance of affordable condominiums with two or three bedrooms available to rent or purchase. I personally love the night time view of the marina. If you want to save a few bucks, you can be off the water or even on the canal, and have easy access to all of the above. Finally, why not head down to Mimi's Tiki hut, grab a beer and in mid to late afternoon you can watch the charter boats come in and offload the day's catch. A very relaxing way to spend an hour, or more if you please. On that note, and in keeping with the food based theme of my blog, a restaurant is set to open in here in late November or December called the Blue Water Grille. If you read my Rookie's Guide to the Outer Banks Part One Post, you will see me document my family's love of the Blue Moon Beach Grille. The same owners are opening the Blue Water Grille, making it a can't miss dining experience right here in the facility, that will not only have the unbelievable food that the BMBG to offer, but the exceptional views of the sound and marina mentioned above to boot! I am not sure what else a renter or owner could want from their little piece of paradise at the Carolina shore?
There are however several other items worth mentioning that helped make Pirate's Cove our choice after so much time spent on the Outer Banks.
It is a beautiful well kept community, that includes a pool for the renters, with a game-room and snack bar, as well as a quiet pool for owners only if you own a place, and want a little less hustle and bustle. There is also a gym for your use in either scenario, and though it does not have enough weights to satisfy a heavy lifter, it has plenty of dumbbells and cardio machines, along with a few variables to keep you moving, and if you need to push some plates you are only seven miles from the Outer Banks Sports Club, a great gym if you need to hit the iron or take some workout classes while here. It is a gated community with tennis courts, a volleyball court, and even a place for that spring, fall or winter bonfire if you reserve it. The streets are great for bike riding, and there are plenty of activities if you have younger children including Saturdays during the season, a fishing tournament for the kids.
There is a great pavilion that is the hosting spot for great fishing tournaments like the Pirates Cove Billfish tournament and Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Tournament that can be used for large events such as weddings, or large business affairs. Local catering is available for those events, and for me there is not a better setting in the world.
If you need BASICS like soda, water, ice or snacks there is a little store on-site that also has some basic fishing equipment and some cool apparel for us Salt-Life junkies.
You are also a couple of minutes from the town of Manteo, and the historic Manteo Waterfront which is a nice little shopping area, with plenty of great restaurants, bars, activities and views. Some other notable stops nearby include Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, Festival Park, The Lost Colony, North Carolina Aquarium, and a nice biking trail that runs along the entire town of Manteo. Finally, you are close to Wanchese, a cool fishing village that will show the real side of the fishing industry in this area, as well as provide your family with another fun outing aboard a working boat with Captain Marc Mitchum, where you can go crabbing and shrimping in the Roanoke Sound. You can book 2 or 4 hour journeys, at various points of the day, including sunset. Your family will interact and actually help catch the crabs and shrimp, then eat what you catch! For the kids, they will feel like a safer warmer member of the Deadliest Catch. Captain Mitchum can be reached at 252-423-0421.
The other common theme for us, has again been the people. Elizabeth Gamiel and Tyler Reber were great during the process of looking at and finally purchasing our place, and they are still always happy to answer any questions we may have, though at this point there is no obligation. Ken Herman, who runs the rental properties, has gone above and beyond any expectations in helping us with any issues we may encounter with anything related to our property, and I cannot state enough how helpful he was during our first hurricane as a property owner. I cannot think of better people to work with during this process and into the future.
Finally, as you may have noted from prior blog content, we love the local bars and restaurants the Outer Banks has to offer, and though you are off the beaten path a bit, which makes life more relaxing, you are minutes away from the actions in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. For all of the reasons noted above, we found Pirates Cove the ideal place for us to continue to expand on our love of, and time in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Rookie Guide to the Outer Banks Part Two
Okay so in the last post I listed my/our favorite spots to eat while in the Outer Banks, in no particular order, along with addresses, and some specifics on the menu. I will now list some other places that we have eaten, and have enjoyed, they just have not risen in our eyes to the level of the aforementioned places for us. If I list them though, we did like them, and dependent upon personal preference etc. you guys may place them in your own top categories. I will try to list them by meal type if that helps you.
Packing sandwiches to eat on the Beach:
Country Deli-They have great sandwiches, with any variety of meats, breads and condiments and they are located in the same strip mall plaza as the Blue Moon Beach Grill at MP 13 between the Beach Road and the Bypass. My favorite sandwich is called the I Wouldn't Brisket a corned beef and pastrami beauty with muenster cheese served on deli rye. You might think you were in New York. If you don't feel like driving there, place an order as they deliver. The only place I go now if I want to pack a lunch for the beach or a fishing trip.
Breakfast:
Nags Head Pierhouse-this little gem is located at around MP 12 on the beach road, and as the name indicates, it is attached to Nags Head Fishing Pier. If you are lucky enough to eat in the outer dining area, you will be treated to a fabulous view as you partake in any one of the great omelettes, pancakes, or sausage gravy and biscuits. They are open for lunch and also for happy hour/dinner but I cannot comment on those. It is though a great breakfast spot, with fast friendly service, and a tremendous view of the surf and the fishing pier.
Darrells-Located in Manteo, this little hideaway has great food for all meals I am told, and also does catering. I, however have only eaten breakfast here, and it is excellent. The sweet potato pancakes as well as the pecan pancakes are as good as I have ever eaten, and this is another place that gives you an excellent piece of country ham if you are so inclined. The omelettes are also excellent, and the service is too. A great place for those of you who like fried fish platters for dinner.
"Fast Food Spots"
For our purposes I will avoid commentary on the usual places like McDonalds etc. which do exist in the Outer Banks but stick to a couple go to places for when we are in the "grab and go" mood.
Kill Devils Frozen Custard and Beach Fries-this place is out on the bypass at about MP 8.5 and if you want to eat outside and enjoy great burgers, dogs, fries and some of the best frozen custard flavors this is the place for you. Kids and big kids love this place. I won't be redundant and post much in the ice cream listings, but if that is all you want, also a great choice.
Dune Burger-You can see this in Scotty McCreary's new video and it is located close to the public beach access near Jennette's Pier at about MP 16 on the beach road. Nothing fancy but if you are at the beach and want to walk up for a burger, dog, fries, grilled chicken and the like, well worth the time.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
Surfin Spoon-This place is located at 2408 S. Virginia Dare Trail or the beach road. It is a cool little spot where the kids and big kids alike can build their own frozen yogurt with all of the toppings in a cool surf oriented spot and support local business v the big chains! The owner is not only friendly but has a well chronicled background as a professional surfer.
Booty Treats-There are now two of these cool little places, one at about MP 10.5 on the beach road, and another at MP 9 on the bypass. They specialize in Hawaiian Shave Ice, and again, excellent home made ice creams in a huge variety of cool flavors. A great place to end a day with the kids or your loved one.
Kill Devils- As noted above, this place is out on the bypass at about MP 8.5, and the array of frozen custards will keep you interested many times over.
Restaurants, the next cut for us if you will:
Goombays Grille and Raw Bar-located at MP 7 on the beach road, we have spent our fair share of time here. To me, it does not rise to the level of the places I wrote about in the first phase of this, but not many places do. Goombays is excellent though, and often times easier to get in to, so you will NEVER go wrong here. Great steamer and raw bar, excellent burgers, and deserts, along with very interesting and tasty daily specials. It also comes with a great atmosphere, and is well worth a visit. I am told Sunday brunch is well worth the time as well.
Black Pelican-located at MP 4 in Kitty Hawk on the beach road, this place also has a cool atmosphere, and we discovered it originally for lunch, where we alternated between their great raw and steamer bar, and an excellent array of fresh pizzas. They have a big menu, lots of tables and a cool gift shop to help keep everyone occupied during any wait times. Another excellent choice while visiting. There is something for all tastes here.
Mulligan's Raw Bar and Grille-a very cool spot, with a wide ranging and varied menu. Some highlights include an awesome array of steamer buckets which include lobster in some cases, a rarity from my perspective here. They have a great raw bar, burgers, and entrées along with a creative daily group of specials. Some other cool things are the signature drink called an orange crush, the view from the upper deck, live music, and until 5 pm in some areas the ability to dine with your favorite four legged buddy! Really cool stop and I think before the next year is up, this could move into the first category for me! Located between the beach road and the bypass.
Outer Banks Brewing Station-located at MP 8.5 on the bypass this is another excellent choice and a memorable dining experience while on the Outer Banks. The craft beers they brew are varied and excellent, as is the food. Some favorites of mine include the shrimp n grits, the mussel bowl, steaks, and of course some really great seafood specials. The deserts are sinful and there are plenty of live music opportunities here as well. The menu again is varied and quite creative. You will love it.
Red Drum Taphouse-located on the beach road at 2412 S Virginia Dare Trail this is another place that will complete my second tier of restaurant choices for my family. Their low country boil is my favorite and it consists of shrimp, clams, Andouille sausage, and corn. Their gamefish burritos along with the shrimp and grits are also worthy of mention. They have a great list of chicken, chops and beef, so again the menu is large and varied. I would recommend this place to anybody as well.
For the next installment I think I will tackle some other types of stops people may need while here on the Outer Banks, including car repairs ( have needed it 3 times over the years), groceries, a great place to workout, and some other ancillary items that invariably come up on the family vacation. I am open for any commentary on any of the above recommendations, as well as any ideas of new places to try! Enjoy!
Packing sandwiches to eat on the Beach:
Country Deli-They have great sandwiches, with any variety of meats, breads and condiments and they are located in the same strip mall plaza as the Blue Moon Beach Grill at MP 13 between the Beach Road and the Bypass. My favorite sandwich is called the I Wouldn't Brisket a corned beef and pastrami beauty with muenster cheese served on deli rye. You might think you were in New York. If you don't feel like driving there, place an order as they deliver. The only place I go now if I want to pack a lunch for the beach or a fishing trip.
Breakfast:
Nags Head Pierhouse-this little gem is located at around MP 12 on the beach road, and as the name indicates, it is attached to Nags Head Fishing Pier. If you are lucky enough to eat in the outer dining area, you will be treated to a fabulous view as you partake in any one of the great omelettes, pancakes, or sausage gravy and biscuits. They are open for lunch and also for happy hour/dinner but I cannot comment on those. It is though a great breakfast spot, with fast friendly service, and a tremendous view of the surf and the fishing pier.
Darrells-Located in Manteo, this little hideaway has great food for all meals I am told, and also does catering. I, however have only eaten breakfast here, and it is excellent. The sweet potato pancakes as well as the pecan pancakes are as good as I have ever eaten, and this is another place that gives you an excellent piece of country ham if you are so inclined. The omelettes are also excellent, and the service is too. A great place for those of you who like fried fish platters for dinner.
"Fast Food Spots"
For our purposes I will avoid commentary on the usual places like McDonalds etc. which do exist in the Outer Banks but stick to a couple go to places for when we are in the "grab and go" mood.
Kill Devils Frozen Custard and Beach Fries-this place is out on the bypass at about MP 8.5 and if you want to eat outside and enjoy great burgers, dogs, fries and some of the best frozen custard flavors this is the place for you. Kids and big kids love this place. I won't be redundant and post much in the ice cream listings, but if that is all you want, also a great choice.
Dune Burger-You can see this in Scotty McCreary's new video and it is located close to the public beach access near Jennette's Pier at about MP 16 on the beach road. Nothing fancy but if you are at the beach and want to walk up for a burger, dog, fries, grilled chicken and the like, well worth the time.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
Surfin Spoon-This place is located at 2408 S. Virginia Dare Trail or the beach road. It is a cool little spot where the kids and big kids alike can build their own frozen yogurt with all of the toppings in a cool surf oriented spot and support local business v the big chains! The owner is not only friendly but has a well chronicled background as a professional surfer.
Booty Treats-There are now two of these cool little places, one at about MP 10.5 on the beach road, and another at MP 9 on the bypass. They specialize in Hawaiian Shave Ice, and again, excellent home made ice creams in a huge variety of cool flavors. A great place to end a day with the kids or your loved one.
Kill Devils- As noted above, this place is out on the bypass at about MP 8.5, and the array of frozen custards will keep you interested many times over.
Restaurants, the next cut for us if you will:
Goombays Grille and Raw Bar-located at MP 7 on the beach road, we have spent our fair share of time here. To me, it does not rise to the level of the places I wrote about in the first phase of this, but not many places do. Goombays is excellent though, and often times easier to get in to, so you will NEVER go wrong here. Great steamer and raw bar, excellent burgers, and deserts, along with very interesting and tasty daily specials. It also comes with a great atmosphere, and is well worth a visit. I am told Sunday brunch is well worth the time as well.
Black Pelican-located at MP 4 in Kitty Hawk on the beach road, this place also has a cool atmosphere, and we discovered it originally for lunch, where we alternated between their great raw and steamer bar, and an excellent array of fresh pizzas. They have a big menu, lots of tables and a cool gift shop to help keep everyone occupied during any wait times. Another excellent choice while visiting. There is something for all tastes here.
Mulligan's Raw Bar and Grille-a very cool spot, with a wide ranging and varied menu. Some highlights include an awesome array of steamer buckets which include lobster in some cases, a rarity from my perspective here. They have a great raw bar, burgers, and entrées along with a creative daily group of specials. Some other cool things are the signature drink called an orange crush, the view from the upper deck, live music, and until 5 pm in some areas the ability to dine with your favorite four legged buddy! Really cool stop and I think before the next year is up, this could move into the first category for me! Located between the beach road and the bypass.
Outer Banks Brewing Station-located at MP 8.5 on the bypass this is another excellent choice and a memorable dining experience while on the Outer Banks. The craft beers they brew are varied and excellent, as is the food. Some favorites of mine include the shrimp n grits, the mussel bowl, steaks, and of course some really great seafood specials. The deserts are sinful and there are plenty of live music opportunities here as well. The menu again is varied and quite creative. You will love it.
Red Drum Taphouse-located on the beach road at 2412 S Virginia Dare Trail this is another place that will complete my second tier of restaurant choices for my family. Their low country boil is my favorite and it consists of shrimp, clams, Andouille sausage, and corn. Their gamefish burritos along with the shrimp and grits are also worthy of mention. They have a great list of chicken, chops and beef, so again the menu is large and varied. I would recommend this place to anybody as well.
For the next installment I think I will tackle some other types of stops people may need while here on the Outer Banks, including car repairs ( have needed it 3 times over the years), groceries, a great place to workout, and some other ancillary items that invariably come up on the family vacation. I am open for any commentary on any of the above recommendations, as well as any ideas of new places to try! Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Rookie guide to the Outer Banks Eats Part One
Okay, I like to eat.....I like to talk.....and I love the Outer Banks to the point that after more than a dozen years of coming here to vacation for a few weeks per year, I took a big step toward my ultimate dream of living here when we bought a condo in the Manteo area. As a result of my love for the place and for food, many friends now ask me where they should go and what is fun to do when they vacation on the Outer Banks. I find myself texting and emailing places to eat or visit on a regular basis, so after a long hiatus from writing on here, I will make a fairly comprehensive list of our favorite eateries, as well as some other places people may like to go such as the gym, fishing, or crabbing/shrimping. I have not eaten in many places at all in the Outer Banks that I do not enjoy, the food is generally good and fresh, the service is usually good, and the people make the places we love even more special. I will start this rebirth of the blog by listing the places WE view as the ultimate places to spend your food dollar while on the Outer Banks. Please keep in mind that these are our BEST of the BEST recommendations based on our food and atmosphere preferences, and these do not appear in any particular order. To me, I would eat at these places for every meal on every trip, the only deciding factors as to which are more related to mood and type of experience wanted at the particular moment we are dining. If you come to the Outer Banks, to me, these places have to be places that you eat. In the coming week I will add other excellent choices, but here goes with the places I dream of when I am not there.
Blue Moon Beach Grill
4104 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
This place is located in a strip mall between the beach road (S. VA Dare Trail) and the bypass (S. Croatan Highway) roughly at MP 13. We discovered BMBG a few years back after we began spending enough time here that we needed to expand our restaurant choices. We asked staff from other restaurants where they liked, and BMBG was almost always mentioned. We had to try it. We are very glad that we did. The food can range from something as simple as fries that will beat any of your favorite boardwalk fries, to tuna specials that will knock your socks off, to a pork dish called the Truck Stop that makes me salivate thinking of it. In season, expect to wait, but the wait will be worth it. You can take drinks outside and listen to some local musicians while you grow intoxicated by the drinks they make and the smell of the food they are making. Some of our favorite items include Buffalo Shrimp, Fried Green Tomatoes, Wings, and Boardwalk Fries for appetizers. They have great sandwiches, highlighted in my opinion by the Mahi Mahi BLT, and the Chick DeCluck. For entrees, always look at the specials as they will consist of the freshest fish done in ways that you will not see anywhere else you go, and they are memorable. On the regular menu, The Truck Stop which is a pan fried pork chop over sliced potatoes and onions, smothered in tasty gravy and topped with a fried egg is tough to beat. The Veggie Voodoo Pasta, Angels Delight (shrimp and blue crab with assorted fresh veggies in a white wine sauce over angel hair), and the Free Range Chicken are regular meals for us, and they are all fantastic. Finally, the deserts are home made and variable, but do not leave without trying one, especially any form of bread pudding they may offer. A can't miss stop on any trip to the Outer Banks. Also at the bar try the ice pick, made there with orange vodka, iced tea and splash of lemonade. The people who own this place, along with the staff make an already great experience even better with their kindness! Take the time to wait outside with a drink, enjoy the music and the salt air, and then feast on some of the best food you will find anywhere period.
Tortugas Lie
3016 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
Tortugas is located on the beach road at roughly MP 12, and it is another place that you will wait during the season 99% of the time. It is also a place that is well worth the wait. The inside has a great beach bar vibe and a lively surfer type atmosphere. The food here can range from simple bar food, to a great steamer selection, sandwiches, entrees and specials to suit any sort of tastes people in your party may have. It is another place set up for you to take some drinks outside while you wait for your table, and just relax. You will be glad you did. For appetizers we love anything from the steamer here but most especially shrimp, clams and the veggie platter. Tortugas has great homemade chips and salsa, wings, and Island fries with cracked pepper that are an experience all to themselves. For sandwiches look at their veggie burger which is done on whole grain bread and covered in their habanero BBQ sauce,the Big Wave Dave (chicken breast with pineapple slice and swiss) and the Bajan burger as the top choices in my opinion. For entrees, this is another place to watch the specials, as they will also have locally caught fish prepared in ways you will never see at home. Outside of the specials, this guy lives for Pork Antonio, a thick pork chop covered in a homemade habanero jam, and served over rice with black beans and salsa. It is a meal I will have several times per trip and never tire of. Some other highly recommended entrees include the Island Steak, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Coco Loco. Every Wednesday night is sushi night, in season starting at 10 pm, and trust me, if you live inland you have never had sushi this good. For desert I recommend the key lime pie. This place is another place that you cannot miss if you like to eat, drink and enjoy a great beach atmosphere.
Mama Kwans
1701 South Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills NC 27948
Mama Kwans feels like home to me. It is located at roughly MP 10 on the bypass. Not only do we love the food, but this is another place where the people from the two owners to so many of the staff take an already great experience to a whole new level! This is another place where you cannot go wrong no matter what you order to eat, but for appetizers their homemade chips and salsa, the Thai Money Bags, the wings and the pepper seared Ahi Tuna would top the list of options. Mama Kwans is best known for their blackened fish tacos, made from fresh Mahi Mahi, with sliced cabbage, cheddar cheese, green onion and jasmine rice with a cucumber salad on the side that is so unique and tasty. This is a dish that will have you craving it during those winter months you are away from this little slice of heaven. For me the only thing that is tough here is that I love their Garbage Plate, which is a great vegetable stir fry over jasmine rice and for me topped with a seared tuna steak as much as the Fish Tacos. It is a daily war for my heart! If you are not in the mood for either of these their Hawaiian Pork Plate, Special Occasion Pasta, and Pad Thai are also awesome choices. In addition, the specials here are also fresh and creative and unlike any food you will get at home. Their deserts are home made, and add the right finishing touch. When you get in ask for a chilled shot called a Diamond Dave, a frozen shot combination of a blackberry liquer combined with an almond one called Tuaca. Do yourself a favor and make time to visit this place for lunch or dinner, you will not be sorry. The atmosphere inside is also very much a beach/tiki bar atmosphere. On Friday and Saturday nights there is live music after dining hours to add to the party. Mama's should be a part of any OBX vacation routine.
Awful Arthur's
2106 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills NC 27948
Awful Arthur's is located at MP 6 of the beach road right across from the Avalon Pier. This is the first place I ever visited on the Outer Banks on a black Friday about fourteen years ago. We loved it from the first moment we walked in. It truly has a beach bar feel, punctuated by the constant steam let off by the busy steamers pushing out order after order of steamed shrimp, crab legs, oysters and clams. This post may be a bit short due to the fact that for us this place is all about the steamers, fried clams strips, and marinated tuna sandwiches and when available wahoo sandwiches. Don't let the brevity of the post fool you though. If you want the beach bar feel, any kind of combination of oysters, clams, crab legs, or shrimp, or a simple but super fresh tuna or wahoo sandwich, you will not beat this place! Sit back, grab a beer, or if you are ready to get your drunk on, an Awesome Arthur, watch the game and suck down some oysters in a place that feels like heaven on earth to me. It is also special to us as we made our first friend here, a woman who has seen my children grow from elementary school to a senior in High School and a sophomore in college. She was the first to make the outer banks feel like a second home to us, and over the years pointed in us in some many of the right directions, I could never thank her enough! Anyway, if raw bar is your goal, make sure you have it here at Awful Arthur's at least once on your trip to the Outer Banks.
Lucky 12 Tavern
3308 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
Lucky 12 is located at roughly MP 12 on the beach road and has a really cool vintage vibe, lively bar crowd and great food. It is also a place where you can have a beer and pizza until 2 am in season. In a place where everything closes much earlier than you are probably used to, that is no small matter. As is the common theme, the owner of this place, a former Pittsburgher, and his staff go out of there way to make you feel at home. I love the bar, with a huge variety of beer on tap, and great music as much as any bar in the area. The food is also excellent. For appetizers we loved the steamed shrimp, the large wings, fried oysters and buffalo shrimp. They also have an awesome burger called the Nags Mess Monster, complete with two patties of meat, a fried egg, bacon, pepperoni, banana peppers, and both American and Provolone Cheese! It is as good as it sounds. The surprise for me was the pizza. There are 26 toppings available, along with several specialty pies, all done NY style and the toppings are fresh! My first pie here was a fresh jalapeno, sausage, spinach, and sautéed garlic pie that rivaled some pies I have had in NY. Some specialty pies that are incredible include the Porkie Pig which has sausage, bacon, ham, and roast pork on it, the Italian Stallion which has italian sausage, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, and garlic on it, and Mark's Lucky White One which includes olive oil, mozzarella, spinach, tomato, and basil. All in Lucky 12 in a short period of time for us has become one of our top places to eat, and a must stop on every trip. With all of the great pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers, I think we were most surprised by how good the shrimp, oysters and tuna were here as well. For me, the pizza is king!
Sam and Omie's
7228 S Virginia Trail Dare
Nags Head NC
Sam and Omie's is at roughly MP 16 on the beach road. It has a great old school fishing kind of décor and atmosphere to it. For me, it has become the place to have breakfast, which still remains my favorite part of Sam and Omie's, but we have had lunch here too and were impressed with the quality of the food. At breakfast, the place seems to have as many people drinking Bloody Mary's and Mimosas as coffee! The breakfast portions are huge and they have all of the usual suspects but a few things stood out to me. Their omelettes are big enough to fill you well past lunch time, and they are cooked just right. The multi-grain hot cakes are as big as pillows and as tasty as they come. The meat I recommend with the meal here is the country ham, such a great combination of smoke and salt, that totally compliments the hotcakes especially! The biscuits and sausage gravy will slowly kill you, but what a way to go! After an early trip to the gym I start almost every day here at the breakfast counter. We have also eaten lunch here several times and I recommend the crab cakes, tuna steaks, and any one of their daily specials. And no surprise here, but the people you encounter here will also put a smile on your face every time.
Ok, I will do several more of these over the coming weeks, but I wanted to start with the best of the best from our perspective! For those new to vacationing on the Outer Banks I hope this gives you a place to start when it comes to enjoying the food options on the Outer Banks.
Blue Moon Beach Grill
4104 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
This place is located in a strip mall between the beach road (S. VA Dare Trail) and the bypass (S. Croatan Highway) roughly at MP 13. We discovered BMBG a few years back after we began spending enough time here that we needed to expand our restaurant choices. We asked staff from other restaurants where they liked, and BMBG was almost always mentioned. We had to try it. We are very glad that we did. The food can range from something as simple as fries that will beat any of your favorite boardwalk fries, to tuna specials that will knock your socks off, to a pork dish called the Truck Stop that makes me salivate thinking of it. In season, expect to wait, but the wait will be worth it. You can take drinks outside and listen to some local musicians while you grow intoxicated by the drinks they make and the smell of the food they are making. Some of our favorite items include Buffalo Shrimp, Fried Green Tomatoes, Wings, and Boardwalk Fries for appetizers. They have great sandwiches, highlighted in my opinion by the Mahi Mahi BLT, and the Chick DeCluck. For entrees, always look at the specials as they will consist of the freshest fish done in ways that you will not see anywhere else you go, and they are memorable. On the regular menu, The Truck Stop which is a pan fried pork chop over sliced potatoes and onions, smothered in tasty gravy and topped with a fried egg is tough to beat. The Veggie Voodoo Pasta, Angels Delight (shrimp and blue crab with assorted fresh veggies in a white wine sauce over angel hair), and the Free Range Chicken are regular meals for us, and they are all fantastic. Finally, the deserts are home made and variable, but do not leave without trying one, especially any form of bread pudding they may offer. A can't miss stop on any trip to the Outer Banks. Also at the bar try the ice pick, made there with orange vodka, iced tea and splash of lemonade. The people who own this place, along with the staff make an already great experience even better with their kindness! Take the time to wait outside with a drink, enjoy the music and the salt air, and then feast on some of the best food you will find anywhere period.
Tortugas Lie
3016 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
Tortugas is located on the beach road at roughly MP 12, and it is another place that you will wait during the season 99% of the time. It is also a place that is well worth the wait. The inside has a great beach bar vibe and a lively surfer type atmosphere. The food here can range from simple bar food, to a great steamer selection, sandwiches, entrees and specials to suit any sort of tastes people in your party may have. It is another place set up for you to take some drinks outside while you wait for your table, and just relax. You will be glad you did. For appetizers we love anything from the steamer here but most especially shrimp, clams and the veggie platter. Tortugas has great homemade chips and salsa, wings, and Island fries with cracked pepper that are an experience all to themselves. For sandwiches look at their veggie burger which is done on whole grain bread and covered in their habanero BBQ sauce,the Big Wave Dave (chicken breast with pineapple slice and swiss) and the Bajan burger as the top choices in my opinion. For entrees, this is another place to watch the specials, as they will also have locally caught fish prepared in ways you will never see at home. Outside of the specials, this guy lives for Pork Antonio, a thick pork chop covered in a homemade habanero jam, and served over rice with black beans and salsa. It is a meal I will have several times per trip and never tire of. Some other highly recommended entrees include the Island Steak, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Coco Loco. Every Wednesday night is sushi night, in season starting at 10 pm, and trust me, if you live inland you have never had sushi this good. For desert I recommend the key lime pie. This place is another place that you cannot miss if you like to eat, drink and enjoy a great beach atmosphere.
Mama Kwans
1701 South Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills NC 27948
Mama Kwans feels like home to me. It is located at roughly MP 10 on the bypass. Not only do we love the food, but this is another place where the people from the two owners to so many of the staff take an already great experience to a whole new level! This is another place where you cannot go wrong no matter what you order to eat, but for appetizers their homemade chips and salsa, the Thai Money Bags, the wings and the pepper seared Ahi Tuna would top the list of options. Mama Kwans is best known for their blackened fish tacos, made from fresh Mahi Mahi, with sliced cabbage, cheddar cheese, green onion and jasmine rice with a cucumber salad on the side that is so unique and tasty. This is a dish that will have you craving it during those winter months you are away from this little slice of heaven. For me the only thing that is tough here is that I love their Garbage Plate, which is a great vegetable stir fry over jasmine rice and for me topped with a seared tuna steak as much as the Fish Tacos. It is a daily war for my heart! If you are not in the mood for either of these their Hawaiian Pork Plate, Special Occasion Pasta, and Pad Thai are also awesome choices. In addition, the specials here are also fresh and creative and unlike any food you will get at home. Their deserts are home made, and add the right finishing touch. When you get in ask for a chilled shot called a Diamond Dave, a frozen shot combination of a blackberry liquer combined with an almond one called Tuaca. Do yourself a favor and make time to visit this place for lunch or dinner, you will not be sorry. The atmosphere inside is also very much a beach/tiki bar atmosphere. On Friday and Saturday nights there is live music after dining hours to add to the party. Mama's should be a part of any OBX vacation routine.
Awful Arthur's
2106 N Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills NC 27948
Awful Arthur's is located at MP 6 of the beach road right across from the Avalon Pier. This is the first place I ever visited on the Outer Banks on a black Friday about fourteen years ago. We loved it from the first moment we walked in. It truly has a beach bar feel, punctuated by the constant steam let off by the busy steamers pushing out order after order of steamed shrimp, crab legs, oysters and clams. This post may be a bit short due to the fact that for us this place is all about the steamers, fried clams strips, and marinated tuna sandwiches and when available wahoo sandwiches. Don't let the brevity of the post fool you though. If you want the beach bar feel, any kind of combination of oysters, clams, crab legs, or shrimp, or a simple but super fresh tuna or wahoo sandwich, you will not beat this place! Sit back, grab a beer, or if you are ready to get your drunk on, an Awesome Arthur, watch the game and suck down some oysters in a place that feels like heaven on earth to me. It is also special to us as we made our first friend here, a woman who has seen my children grow from elementary school to a senior in High School and a sophomore in college. She was the first to make the outer banks feel like a second home to us, and over the years pointed in us in some many of the right directions, I could never thank her enough! Anyway, if raw bar is your goal, make sure you have it here at Awful Arthur's at least once on your trip to the Outer Banks.
Lucky 12 Tavern
3308 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head NC
Lucky 12 is located at roughly MP 12 on the beach road and has a really cool vintage vibe, lively bar crowd and great food. It is also a place where you can have a beer and pizza until 2 am in season. In a place where everything closes much earlier than you are probably used to, that is no small matter. As is the common theme, the owner of this place, a former Pittsburgher, and his staff go out of there way to make you feel at home. I love the bar, with a huge variety of beer on tap, and great music as much as any bar in the area. The food is also excellent. For appetizers we loved the steamed shrimp, the large wings, fried oysters and buffalo shrimp. They also have an awesome burger called the Nags Mess Monster, complete with two patties of meat, a fried egg, bacon, pepperoni, banana peppers, and both American and Provolone Cheese! It is as good as it sounds. The surprise for me was the pizza. There are 26 toppings available, along with several specialty pies, all done NY style and the toppings are fresh! My first pie here was a fresh jalapeno, sausage, spinach, and sautéed garlic pie that rivaled some pies I have had in NY. Some specialty pies that are incredible include the Porkie Pig which has sausage, bacon, ham, and roast pork on it, the Italian Stallion which has italian sausage, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, and garlic on it, and Mark's Lucky White One which includes olive oil, mozzarella, spinach, tomato, and basil. All in Lucky 12 in a short period of time for us has become one of our top places to eat, and a must stop on every trip. With all of the great pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers, I think we were most surprised by how good the shrimp, oysters and tuna were here as well. For me, the pizza is king!
Sam and Omie's
7228 S Virginia Trail Dare
Nags Head NC
Sam and Omie's is at roughly MP 16 on the beach road. It has a great old school fishing kind of décor and atmosphere to it. For me, it has become the place to have breakfast, which still remains my favorite part of Sam and Omie's, but we have had lunch here too and were impressed with the quality of the food. At breakfast, the place seems to have as many people drinking Bloody Mary's and Mimosas as coffee! The breakfast portions are huge and they have all of the usual suspects but a few things stood out to me. Their omelettes are big enough to fill you well past lunch time, and they are cooked just right. The multi-grain hot cakes are as big as pillows and as tasty as they come. The meat I recommend with the meal here is the country ham, such a great combination of smoke and salt, that totally compliments the hotcakes especially! The biscuits and sausage gravy will slowly kill you, but what a way to go! After an early trip to the gym I start almost every day here at the breakfast counter. We have also eaten lunch here several times and I recommend the crab cakes, tuna steaks, and any one of their daily specials. And no surprise here, but the people you encounter here will also put a smile on your face every time.
Ok, I will do several more of these over the coming weeks, but I wanted to start with the best of the best from our perspective! For those new to vacationing on the Outer Banks I hope this gives you a place to start when it comes to enjoying the food options on the Outer Banks.
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