For true, outstanding eastern NC barbeque, you have to go to Moore's in New Bern. This place is one of our "must do's" (normally more than once) each time we're back home in that part of the state.

The Chef and Farmer, as previously mentioned, is also very good. Not sure what else is around there as a "can't miss" as we've been away from there for nearly 20 years.

You will enjoy the town of New Bern. It's a very friendly little town, reminicent of Williamsburg.

And certainly not nearly as good as BBBQP.

Dean's also has a full bar. Both Dean's and Squid's have very good food in a nice atmosphere. Our preference is Squid's. We dine there several times a month. And, they have one of the best grilled rib eye steaks around for those that may not want seafood...

For a chain store, Bonefish Grill just opened in Durham (751 @ I-40). Has a full bar. Also have locations in Cary and at North Hills in Raleigh.

Not sure what you're looking for since you mentioned Keaton's (which is outstanding), but for a great hot dog, try Jay Bee's in Statesville. Landmark institution there and the dogs aren't bad.

Snooky's At Little River

Fibber's On The Water

Carolina Roadhouse

Bar-B-Que House

Plantation Pancake House

Ella's (in Calabash, but worth the drive).

All are relatively close to where you are.

Ella's.

I agree with many of the sentiments about HT. Lowes, it seems, gets the majority of their meat already cut and packaged from Winston-Salem.

The best place I've found for meats, and butchers willing to accomodate the cusotmer's needs, is Piggly Wiggly. There's one in Pittsboro that's locally owned, and the guys in their meat dept. are quite knowledgeable and helpful. Maybe the fact that they're a smaller, locally owned business that makes a difference? Whatever it is, it's primarily where we shop for our meat now.

Laid back country.

skate used to be a popular substitute for scallops back in the day. not sure if that still holds true. as another poster said, if they don't know what it is then i'm not eating it either.

In Apex. Never had a Peak City Grill in Pittsboro.

Patronie's Pizza at Holden Beach is very good. We found this place last weekend while we were at Holden (don't get to Holden but every couple of years, by choice). Haven't had pizza from another place there, but one would be hard pressed to find something better than Patronie's. Definitely a "must do" the next time we're that way.

Black Pelican
Red Drum Tap House
Kelly's
Lone Cedar

You're welcome.

Crab Shack is primarily fried (Calabash style). It is very good; we've eaten there for years. It is typically a locals joint - we have friends that I grew up with that have lived there for the past 15 or so years, they're the ones that introduced the Crab Shack to us.

Between Amos Mosquitos and RD, you may have better luck with AM. The main reason I said I didn't think they'd work is both space wise and the fact that during tourist season they tend to try to turn tables as quickly as possible. AM would probably be better able to accomodate your space issues and also may have a more kid friendly menu tha RD.

RD can be tight inside, and I've never seen a large group that included a number of children there during this time of year. Between the two, RD is my favorite and we always dine there (frequently on extended stays) when we visit that area. I would advise you to call ahead to both places and inquire about the possibility of them being able to serve you. If they both say they can, then by all means, go to both!

Port of Call has a nice outside dining area on their dock; it's covered and has picnic tables that will seat 6 or 8 at each one. It's especially nice when there's a little breeze in the late afternoon / early evening. As with the other places, call ahead and let them know about your group.

Good luck; enjoy your trip, and please let us know how you fared!

W tried the place on Thursday night.

Let me begin this by saying I am pleased that the manager/partner comped the meal...

When we got there, there were 2 women seated in the "oyster bar" section of the place; 3 guys seated at the traditional bar, throwing a few back, beside them was another guy (who turned out to be that manager) with a young boy about 10 - 12 years old (maybe his son); and maybe 4 or 5 couples in the dining room.

The hostess had the personality of a used doormat, and looking at the rest of the staff it was apparent that outside of the woman tending bar, none of them, not one, had much if any restaurant experience at all.

After looking at the menu we decided to order light just to see how things went. This was a good thing. We ordered beers and a bacon wrapped smoked scallop appetizer. A plate of hush puppies served with jalapeno butter was brought out. The scallops and hushpuppies were the highlight of the meal. Both were good, but not worth going back there for.

I ordered a half peck of steamed oysters and Mrs. BBQ ordered a caesar salad. After trying 2 oysters, I stopped eating. They had a bitter and an ammonia type taste. I've eaten enough oysters over the years to know these were bad. Her salad was wilted and old looking which explained why it was swimming in dressing when it was served.

When the manager was called over, he had conflicting stories that kept changing as to where the oysters came from, finally admitting they were from US Food Service and were some they were "trying to get rid of" before they started serving his supply of Gulf oysters for the weekend. He admitted that he'd had to throw out several orders of these oysters both yesterday and today... I told him I'd had oysters from both Tony's and Squid's that were never as bad as what I'd been served tonight. I asked him why he just didn't send them back and he said he couldn't afford to lose that money. It was at that point I told him he'd be better off losing that money than risking the health of his customers, much less having folks dissatisfied with the food.

He offered to replace our food with anything else from the menu, but we told him we'd had enough and to let me have the check so I could pay and we could go. He hemmed and hawed around for a minute and finally said he'd take care of the meal and we could go, but he hoped we'd give them another chance. I offered to pay for the beers, scallops and hushpuppies, but he wouldn't let me, so we left.

I hate to see any business suffer, especially when it's new and locally owned, but there is absolutely no excuse in serving food when you know it's bad before it leaves the kitchen.

I give the place 6 months at best. We won't be going back. Perhaps other items on the menu are good and the service will improve, but we won't be finding out.

New place that has just opened recently. Anyone here tried it or know anything about it? I've searched and it seems they don't have a website yet. Any info would be appreciated. Thx.

Port of Call would work and is very good. Neither Amos Mosquitos nor Ruddy Duck probably would be a good choice with that many children at one time, although both are good and worth a try. Sammy's Ice House, across the street from Ruddy Duck, would be a good choice as well. A place closer to you that could accomodate your party would be Rucker John's. The Crab Shack probably would work, but call first just to make sure and perhaps get a reservation.

Great take out pizza close to you is Circle Pizza at EI. Jordan's Seafood Restaurant at EI could accomodate your needs also, but the food can be spotty... both Sanitary and Captain Bill's (in Morehead City) are horribly bad now and are living on past reputation only.

As far as seafood markets, try Captain Willis'. They have a location in EI and another one in Salter Path.

Don't know about that, but the funeral home there now has a Starbucks inside.

Fred is correct about Grady's, Ken's (which only has 'que on Wed. and Sat. unless it's changed since our last visit). Never had Jack Cobb's but it's on my bucket list. And, MtnTop, Moore's is one of the better bbq venues I've had in NC.

The Pittsboro location is Allen & Son by name only. NOT associated with the original in any way. Their bbq is not very good, consistently greasy with gristle in it. They do prepare bbq chicken on Wednesday evenings that isn't too bad. Probably the best thing on their menu is the hamburgers and / or hush puppies.

You totally misinterpreted what I posted. I KNOW they won't make it back all at once. I posted that they would like to receive a return as soon as possible, and it's clear that at least an attempt at significant debt service is being made. Anyone with a multi-million dollar investment would expect that. I certainly know I would.

I'm quite familiar with a business model that expects a total ROI within 7 years after acquisition - regardless of whether it's raising prices, gaining market share or both. Sadly, their concept will make their return regardless, however the business suffers ultimately in the long run. Whether this happens at SS remains to be seen, but if their customer service now is what one can expect from here out, in addition to significantly higher prices with more streamlined selections to choose from, then both the business and it's customers will suffer.

Based on my experiences there since the sellout, I will gladly take my business to local, independently run business that thrive on excellent customer service and quality products at a fair price.

That's to be expected; anyone making an investment - particularly the amount they did - would want to see a return as soon as possible.

Sadly, however it seems they want to make it all back at once.

I've shopped there two or three times since the sellout and have found it quite different that it was before, and in a less customer friendly way. Can't say that I'll go back unless it's to check out their annual sale - and then I don't know that I'll go back.

There's an archived topic about the old Southern Sportsman Restaurant that was located in Farmville, NC several years ago. That place has long closed, but it's owner, Franc White, was also regionally known for his show "The Southern Sportsman" which aired from WRAL TV 5 in Raleigh during the 70's and maybe 80's. The show was naturally about seasonal sporting, and also featured a cooking segment and an occasional gear segment. Sadly, Mr. White died today, June 7, 2012, at the age of 89. The man, his show, and his restaurant were truly unique. He's been missed on the airwaves by a core group of fans. Never had an opportunity to eat at his restaurant, but I did meet him on a couple of occasions. RIP, Mr. White. I hope you're now enjoying taking a lot of kids fishing.

Just wanted to pass this note along, that Franc White, The Southern Sportsman (tv show) and restaurant owner/operator died earlier today (June 7, 2012). Franc had moved to New Zealand after closing the restaurant and his show ended, but I understand he had moved back to the States a few years back. RIP to a fine man, I hope he's taking a host of kids fishing right now.

I'm not a rum drinker - at least not yet - but my wife is. Right now, she's a fan of Captain Morgan's dark.

I've tried it and while I find it okay, I don't know enough about rum to know if it's "good" or not... What's out there for a rum newbie to try, and maybe even spring something good and different on the wife?

Had an old time friend call tonight to ask about finer dining establishments in Goldsboro. He and his wife are coming in on Wednesday for the funeral of another friend, and they want to treat their host family to a nice dinner during the stay in their home. Obviously, no bbq, buffets, chain recs... etc. Somewhere with a solid, comprehensive menu and a full service bar. Driving, within a reasonable distance, would not be a problem. It's been a while since I've lived in that part of the state, so I wasn't able to give him any suggestions. Thanks.

42nd St. is living on past reputation. Last several visits (3) have been totally forgettable from bad service to bad food. Mentioned this to both the server and management each time and was given a complacent "Sorry". Don't know that we'll go back.

There's a place called Tony's Oyster Bar in Cary that is now under new ownership. We went one night last week and it was very good. The former owner had this place and another seafood restaurant in Raleigh and both were not bad, however the new owners have kicked it up a bit with Tony's. Definitely another "go to" there.

Margaux's, also in Raleigh, is not a dedicated seafood restaurant, but does serve outstanding seafood dishes.

Also, if you want to drive over to Chapel Hill, Squid's is solid. We dine there at least once a month. Worth a drive over from Raleigh.

Sadly, Mrs. Willis' has been closed for quite some time - at least 2 years now.

One place on the Morehead waterfront that is outstanding, and uses as much locally produced product as possible, is Sammy's. The Ruddy Duck is another.

The Crab Shack at Salter Path is also worth a visit.

Went about a month ago, after not having been in several years. It's under new ownership since last visit... suffice it to say things have definitely changed, and not for the better.
Steak quality was sub-par compared to previous visits and staff attitude sucked.
Will not be back.

I've heard the former owner has opened a place in / around Greenville, NC, but don't know if that's true. If it is, and I find the place I will give it a try. One thing is certain, it can't be much worse than his former place in Wilson.

We've always enjoyed carolina roadhouse. great steaks. noisy, gets very busy . typically one of the places we enjoy dining at each time we visit mb.

Send him to Duck's or Fat Harold's.

Also, head up to Little River and eat at Snooky's.