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Eats & Treats in Hatteras | |
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Places to eat in Hatteras/Frisco/Buxton area. The one great thing about eating South of the Bonner Bridge is that there are no chain eateries (if you don't count the DQ and the one Subway that is) all the places are locally owned and very unique to the island. We have been to most; these are our favorites: (presented in no particular order) Eats Gingerbread House
Bakery in Frisco on Rt12 - (252) 995.5204. Eat in, Take
out, Delivery. We go to Gingerbread a lot for pizza – so far, we agree with their sign “the island’s best pizza”. They also have a small salad bar with fresh ingredients and (even better) dark green leafy vegetables, not just the usual tasteless iceberg. It’s a good value, too but they are not open on Sundays. Island Secret - We have also been the lucky recipients of the bakery’s closing time disposal program whereby they sometimes pack up sweeties in a box and send them out the door with us – sure they have probably reached their expiration (or close to it) but the divers on our boat never know the difference! Hatterasman Drive-In - Hatteras Village Rt12 and Eagle Pass- This Icon of Hatteras eating has changed owners a few times over the years and therefore the menu has changed as well. This has again happened, but the new owners have taken it back to the origins and once again do a great burger along with some other very good choices. The milkshakes are back and sure are worth a try plus every sandwich comes with those tasty shoestring fires that are "just right crispy". This is a perfect place to get your quick lunch and then get back on the beach. Harbor Deli - Located at Hatteras Harbor Marina right in the village, they make some great sandwiches – you can pre-order and pick up before going out on the boat by calling 252-986-2500. The deli has just been remodeled with with new seating and even A/C on the deck so you can enjoy the view of the harbor while enjoying the food! Teach's Lair Restaurant - The restaurant was brand new for the 2005 season, being completed over the winter. It is built on the site of the old fish house and has a great view and you can dine overlooking the marina and the sound. The menu is moderate prices with a simple lunch and dinner menu served in a very nice atmosphere. Breakwater at Oden's Dock - The original upscale restaurant in Hatteras Village. The menu is a bit limited but everyone will find something to enjoy and the food is consistently good with prices that average out to around $30 per diner. The dining room is somewhat small and the wait can be long for a table on the weekend so I have eaten at the bar many times without having to wait - same food, just sitting on a bar stool. You can also wait on the outside deck that overlooks the marina while enjoying a glass of wine. Dinky's - Located right in the middle of the village upstairs at the Village Marina, Dinky's serves a very good dinner and always has an excellent special of the day along with soup de jour that is often unique and delicious. They also have some of the best crab cakes on the OBX and I know my crab cakes. Nice view out over the harbor and great sunsets. This newer restaurant is very popular with the locals and is a moderate cost on par with the Breakwater and as a bonus they will grill up your personal catch for a reasonable cost too... Sooey's BBQ and Rib Shack - The name says it all! This is NC down east style BBQ that is really very good. Chicken, Pulled Pork, Beef available, but my favorite is the Pulled Pork. Their vinegar based sauce is just right and the sides won't leave you disappointed either, especially the beans. They always have a fish dinner special and it is usually the fresh caught local fish. Located in Frisco right on Hwy12, next to the Frisco Rod&Gun within walking distance of the airfield. 252-986-1BBQ. They have three other locations as well; Nags Head, Duck and Corolla - but who cares about that as the real OBX is South of Bonner Bridge. Buxton Munch
Company - This sandwich shop located in Buxton Center serves a
variety of really good lunchtime eats. Their wraps are super and
served with fresh made tortilla chips. The Pickled Steamer - Located in the Food Lion S/C in Avon, this small restaurant with a weird name serves up a tasty menu. They specialize in a variety of unique wraps and "flattops" which are sort of like a personnel pizza, but not a pizza at all. All the ingredients are fresh and plentiful with many chicken and seafood items along with good sides. They have a wide selection of wine by the glass or bottle and beer. Buoys - Located in downtown Buxton, Buoys has reliable fare. They make a great lunch plate of local fish that can be had on a plate or poor-boy style. Reasonable prices and usually decent service. Dinners are somewhat plain with no fancy sauces, but usually very filling. Usually open in the off season as well. Island Perks - Located in Buxton, North end sound side, a coffee shop that serves up some killer burgers and other sandwiches in addition to all the coffee drinks similar to what you get at the chain java joint from Seattle. The food is very good; the tuna salad from local caught fish and the soups made right there and not from some can. The daily specials have been very tasty as well. Recommended as good eats. The Shrimp Shack in Hatteras Village on Rt12 - located in the old "Fish Tales / Garys" space. It is good for breakfast and on par with old Fish Tales for lunch/dinner. The desserts are all made right there and the ones I've eaten have been real tasty. Decent eats that won't break the bank. Treats Uncle Ernie’s in Buxton is hands-down the best, sound side middle of Downtown Buxton. Ernie's has superb milkshakes of all flavors and creamy custard in primary and flavors of the day all made right on the premises. The Hatteras Hurricane can contain an endless variety of additives - after all "there are no rules here". A coffee house and reading room as well as mini-golf course round out the fun (coffee is good too!). Scotch Bonnet Fudge - Fudge of many flavors. Unbelievably good fudge of many flavors. Located in the very bright yellow building on the sound side at the Scotch Bonnet Marina in the North end of Frisco. Stop in and get a pound for the ride home - it won't make it there... Hatteras SnowBalls has moved from soundside in Frisco to oceanside further North, just up the road. Their name says it all, nothing like shaved ice and sticky sweet syrup but also has good ice-cream. Robinson General Store in Hatteras has a variety of packaged treats, Klondike and Dove bars, plus adult beverages of the fermented variety a plenty. Other essentials Orange Blossom Bakery - The Orange Blossom is open in the mornings for breakfast pastry and some very good biscuit sandwiches. The house specialty is the "apple ugly" which is worth a try for sure. Located in Downtown Buxton on 12, soundside. Sand Bar and Grill - The emphasis here is on the Bar. Food is typical bar fare with a full dinner menu as well, but the beer is cold and they stay open late. Smoking is abundant and apparently encouraged. Newly relocated (thanks Isabel) to a larger building that used to be the Soundside restaurant in Buxton. You can't miss the bar as there is always a crowd of locals at this watering hole. Dancing Turtle Coffee House - In Hatteras Village next to Sonny's, Coffee and morning snacks. Groceries There are basically three choices; Burris Red&White in Hatteras Village for essentials along with Connors in Buxton but you will get an increased selection of groceries if you go up to Food Lion in Avon. The American Boy's Club is in Buxton in the same center as Buxton Munch, Beer and Wine available everywhere. The Robinson General and Food Lion both have a pretty good wine selection.
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RIP section: recent restaurant closures listed just so you don't go looking for them. RIP - Austin Creek Bakery - It used to located in Hatteras Landing Marina but is now closed and gone for good. The only bakeries are the Gingerbread and Orange Blossom. RIP - Wahine's Surf Grill - This spot WAS located in Buxton at the very North end on the sound side just before the "skinny part" of the island. They are now closed and the Island Perks coffee shop has opened in this space. Too bad as Wahine's had some decent food. RIP - Austin Creek Grill at Hatteras Landing Marina – The Austin Creek is now closed and "Dirty Dicks Crabhouse" is open in this space. The closure is too bad as the food was very good. After I try the crabhouse fare I will put up a simple review. RIP - Channel Bass - This icon of Hatteras eateries was sold in 06 and renamed to "Captain Jacks" but then it closed in the first season. It is supposedly being resurrected again as Channel Bass for the 08 season. If it comes back we will move it back to the Living eatery section. |
