Upper Bucks County Restaurants (Doylestown/Quakertown) and Bethlehem Recs

Thanks for the suggestion, we tried Maize this past weekend, and were very happy with our meal. It was nice to escape the Doylestown scene to get to this small, quiet BYOB in Perkasie -- it felt like a mini vacation. The service was great. Kitchen a little slow, but the food is all hand-crafted and worth the wait. While we waited we feasted on a complimentary bowl of delicious seasoned popcorn and homemade biscuits which were quite dangerous :) There were some interesting items on the menu. We chose two of the more traditional entrees, but the preparation and the taste were defnitely not boring. We will surely go back again and highly recommend this restaurant.

Mominator5107 in Philadelphia

Oak Island, NC

2009 Season Reviews:
THAI BY THE SEA-- Great as usual, I'm happy they downsized to the original building, I like it better.
TENGYU -- (old Food Lion strip mall) -- very good Japanese food, we were pleasantly surprised with the decor -- the inside does not match the outward view!
BLUE WATER POINT-- Food is acceptable, location/view is great, and that is the key to this place's success in my opinion. Huge portions, seafood is well prepared straight up, but the sides and other dishes are just passing, nothing to write home about.
ISLAND WAY-- We were pleasantly surprized. Have not been there in years and they have taken it up a notch. It is expensive but you get what you pay for... this is another place with a view that is amazing.
MR P's -- atmosphere is kind of dreary, seems musty and humid, food OK but not the best I've had
MEXICAN -- can't remember names (but they are in Wal-Mart, and Lowe's Foods strip malls) are consisently clean and a good value. Not a gourmet experience but certainly quality food, pleasant and fun.
BELLA CUCINA -- After years of going to Josephs we were pleasantly surprised. We are from the NE and think BC is more authentic . Also a little more healthy and less expensive. Service was good, too. Joseph's has the view, though.
YACHT PROVISION -- it is what it is -- and that is a waterfront place to get a beer and casual food. The quality of food is very good, the view stellar. It's the kind of place that gets hosed down instead of cleaned. Paper plates, sticky plastic tables & chairs, etc. are the order of the day-- YP is best enjoyed in flip flops and shorts. Everyone needs to go there, preferably in the off season.

Mominator5107 in Southeast

BBQ House Oak Island

Hi -- We ate at BBQ House on OI for the first time in March & loved it! It is on the main road past the stoplight where all the beach stores are. Great BBQ with eastern & western NC sauces to try, fast, friendly service. They have these family bucket deals that are pretty cool. Anyone else like this place?

Mominator5107 in General South Archive

Chagal on Oak Island

Chagall -- Southport / Oak Island -- We ate there mid-June and it was great. The chef Rhonda Uhlmann surely had some formal training because the the menu, the ingredients, the wine list, the presentation & service were all top notch. It was a nice departure from what is usually offered in OI/Southport. My husband had seared Ahi tuna and I had pork medallions au poivre with lingonberry sauce. They were accompanied by ruffled mashed potatoes and broccoli rabe. Seasoned expertly and beautiful to look at. The prices ranged from $17-25 for the entree, which included salad & bread. For dessert we had a flourless chocolate cake, which was excellent. The menu is not huge, but you can tell a lot of thought went into each item. I would highly recommend this place, but if you are looking for cheap and fried, don't go here :) Let's hope that people will support Chagall so it can stay in business!

Mominator5107 in General South Archive

Caswell Beach/Southport

Although Southport/OI is not the East Coast center of culinary excellence, the food and the choices are far better than 15 years ago. As for any of the ethnic choices, they are not completely authentic because of the clientele but still enjoyable. I also think that restuarants are dealing with customers that do not want to spend a lot of money. Let me mention a few places that we have liked recently...

On the Island you can consistently get a good meal at Thai by the Sea. Try the summer rolls, these are just the best that can be found. The owner and chef are family members and the service is very friendly and attentive. I especially like going there in the off-season because you can eat in the smaller, "blue" building.

We have consistently had good seafood at the Fish House at Blue Water Point. You will not go away hungry. We do not like it as much in the summer because it is crowded and sometimes dirty. We almost always take guests there though, because of the view. Waiting goes quickly -- there are boats and fishing related activities to watch. Get a glass of wine in the battleship room and go outside & chill while you wait.

The most amazing view can be found at Duffers, it is on the second floor of the OI Country Club. They have steaks and burgers, some specials. We have always had a good meal but if they are not serving dinner in the dining room, you will have to eat in the bar... it can be smoky and loud.

For the old-timey NC seafood meal with lots of sweet tea, I like Captain Stanley's and Jones', both on OI Drive. I agree that Turtle by the Sea is great, and we did have nice breakfasts at the Oak Island restaurant. Did not experience any rudeness like the other poster. We like Beanas (formerly Edna's) for breakfast the best though. The staff is fantastic and food is consistently good.

Moving off island, we do like Josephs and Bella Cucina for Italian. The Mexican restaurant next to Peebles and Lowe's is really nice. Very clean, fun atmosphere, great service, great food. And this past summer we ate twice at the Japanese restaurant in shopping center across the street (behind Pizza Hut), it was fantastic (for NC) both times. They have sushi, tepanyaki (the thing where you sit around the table & they throw knives) and regular dishes.

A couple of years ago I went to Eric's in the Wal-Mart shopping center for a burger. At that time is was great... hand molded. They serve fries and maybe hot dogs. That's all. The funny thing was I asked for lettuce & tomatoes & the reply was "we don't do vegetables". Cracked me up. I believe they do serve a chili cheeseburger, which is a NC classic. Caution -- I have not been back for a couple of years -- maybe some other chowhounders can chime in on this.

I am not a big fan of Yacht Provision. Although the food is great I get a little grossed out at the cleanliness of the place. And I also get tired of people who are "in-crowd" types. But in the off season I go there sometimes. Fishy Fishy next door has been good for us, but I agree it is dirty. Your arms stick to the table.

As for Live Oak vs. Mr. P's -- I strongly prefer Live Oak. We have never had a bad meal there, and I really think it is the best place in the area, considering. Mr. P's food seems greasy and salty to me. Some people would prefer that, I guess!

Pizza -- I like Dry Streeet, a longstanding place. That's always a good sign. Also Bella Cucina. If you are on the Island, then just get a Dominoes. The local place is not very good. That is one thing I wish we could find -- good pizza. But I am from the NE, it is going to be a tall order.

Hope this helps -- going down in two days -- will try and report anything new.

Mominator5107 in Southeast

Southern Hot Dog Quest (SHDQ)

Head over to Jess' Quick Lunch in Harrisonburg Va. Their chili dogs have been around for at least 50 years. They are addictive and no one has been able to crack the secret recipe. About 20 years ago the place burnt down and when it reopened 6 months later there was a frenzy in the town with a line several blocks long - everyone had to get their fix, that's how good they are. Go to the Court Square location (pictured) for the best "ambiance".

Mominator5107 in General South Archive

Seafood and BBQ near Oak Island, NC?

Havn't tried the new BBQ restaurant yet, but Thai by the Sea on OI is really good. The previous poster may not have known that there are two buildings... the little one is open at lunch & in the winter, and the big one is open at night during tourist season. You will not be sorry if you order the summer rolls. All the other people's recommendations I can vouch for -- they are right on. If you are on OI and don't want to schlep over to Southport there is a new "yacht provision" at the Yaupon Pier... it is called Latitudes. Same concept, ocean view instead of river.... also I thought Fishy Fishy in Southport was pretty good considering where it is. Also on OI if you want to take a step back in time to seafood in the old Carolina style, go to Jones' or to Captain Stanleys.

Mominator5107 in Southeast