Medtown Seafood Restaurant (OUT OF BUSINESS)

Medtown Seafood Restaurant on Oleander Drive
OUT OF BUSINESS

If you like seafood you like it here. Prices are very reasonable and the service is great, One of the best experiences I have had in a seafood restaurant in the area. None of that greasy oily seafood here, It is fried the way it should be, in hot oil and the oil is left in the cooker and not in the food. My favorite was the deviled crab, only complaint about it there just was enough deviled crab. Of course the shell was full, but it was like peanuts you could not stop at just one. There was plenty of food on the plate and all was excellent. The only thing I would change is I would give larger portions on cold slaw. I didn't ask for more so I may have been able to get more. I'll be back!

Our overall Score: 9.7 out of 10

One of the best seafood houses around.

Carolina Bar-B-Que at Murrayville

Carolina Bar-B-Que at Murrayville on North College Road.

It's buffet and for buffet it is good and the price is not bad. I would put Casey's a notch above though. Service is great and selection is good. The best thing is that there is plenty of room and even when it is full you will not feel crowded. It is worth trying if you like country cooking.

Our overall Score: 9.0 out of 10

Carolina Bar-B-Que was worth returning to.

Rucker Johns

Rucker Johns on Carolina Beach Road at Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC

A really enjoyable meal. Prices are reasonable, maybe slightly on the high side. Service and food are excellent. This may be the reason the parking lot is always full. Don't let that scare you away there is plenty of seating and I doubt that you will have to wait. After saying all of that I do have one complaint. The tea there could stand some improvement, it tends to taste a little like instant tea. Other than that I have no complaints.

Our overall Score: 9.2 out of 10

Rucker Johns was a pleasant experience.

Old Salty's Seafood

Old Salty's Seafood on the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach, NC

It's worth the walk. Old Salty's has been a main stay on the Boardwalk for years. The reason for this, just plain good food. The best that I have found on Carolina Beach. Southeast North Carolina was once known for it's seafood but as the old family owned restaurants died out new owners moved in from outside the area the quality suffered. Not so at Old Salty's, it is as good as ever. It will take you back 40 years to when NC and good seafood were one in the same.

Our overall Score: 9.6 out of 10

It is the BEST seafood on Carolina Beach.

Jones Fish Camp

Jones Fish Camp on Market Street in Ogden, Wilmington, NC

Don't waste your time or money. The building is perfect, but it stops there. There is no oil shortage at Jones Fish Camp. Everything comes straight out of the fryer onto the plate with out draining. If that's not bad enough it is soaked in oil. My guess is the heat is to low in the fryer or maybe they are using a cheap grade of oil. Maybe both? Absolutely no taste other than the oil. The crab dip is mostly cream cheese and very little crab, not the worse crab dip I have ever eat but it is a close 2nd. The only plus was the waitress and she very good though over worked and apologetic for the food.
Would I go back? Not a chance, not even if you paid me. They just have to much to over come and Wilmington has to many places to get better seafood. It is an insult to the original Jones Seafood of Ogden!!

Our overall Score: 5.6 out of 10

I would not waste my time or money on Jones Fish Camp.

Panda

Panda on Market Street in Ogden, Wilmington, NC

If you like oriental you have to try the Panda in Ogden. In is right next to Big Lots on Market Street. It is one of the best if not the best oriental restaurants in the area. Talk about personal service, that is what you get there. If you like or even if you don't like Won Ton soup you will like theirs. It is absolutely the best I have had anywhere. So give them a try. Walk in, sit down and relax and enjoy it. No buffet and everything is cooked fresh for you.


Our overall Score: 10 out of 10

I can highly recommend the Panda.

Frank's Pizza

Frank's Pizza on the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach, NC

Frank's Pizza is the place to go if you are visiting Carolina Beach and like pizza. You can get t by the slice or a whole pizza pie. It is made fresh and just the way you want like it. The pizza is hand tossed the old fashioned way. You can at in or takeout. Finish your meal and walk out the door and across the Boardwalk to Britt's Donut for desert.


Our overall Score: 9 out of 10

I recommend the Frank's Pizza.

Sticky Fingers OUT OF BUSINESS

Sticky Fingers on market Street, Wilmington, NC CLOSED 1 Sept 2010

Have note been to Sticky Fingers in years and to say the least I am glad I gave them another try. You can believe every thing good you have heard about them. The ribs are excellent and the bar-b-que is good, not eastern North Carolina style though. You will have a number of sauces to pick from. If you have a hard time deciding what to get, I suggest the sampler plate. Don't be surprise if you have top carry some home if you don't share.

Our overall Score: 9.5 out of 10

I can highly recommend the Sticky Fingers.

Plaza Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

Plaza Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, 326 South College Road, Wilmington, NC

If you like Mexican you'll like Plaza Mariachi. Reasonable prices, good food and excellent food. It is located in the old Wal-Mart Shopping Center near Staples at 326 South College Road in Wilmington, NC. They are worth a visit. If you do, you'll return. They are one of Wilmington's better Mexican restaurants.

Our overall Score: 8.7 out of 10

I can recommend the Plaza Mariachi Mexican Restaurant.

Portofino Italian Trattoria OUT OF BUSINESS

Portofino Italian Trattoria, 5552 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC
UP DATE: As of mid June 2009 they are closed

Wilmington has more than it's share of so called Italian eateries but sad to say most would be better off serving Chef Boyardee®. they think just because someone in their family heard Dean Martin sing they can now cook pasta. We do have a few good along with the many bad.

Now for a pleasant surprise There is one that actually is good. PORTOFINA! It isn't large but that makes it even better. They make there own sauce and they know what they are doing. Portions are large and tasty, the meat balls are the best around. Only real complaint is with my drink. Sorry I like Coke from a fountain or bottle. They get theirs from a can. The plus side is, it's always fresh.

Our overall Score: 8.6 out of 10
I can recommend the Portofino Italian Trattoria.

Big Daddy's

Big Daddy's at Kure Beach

Big Daddy's has been the place to eat around here for as long as I can remember. It is probably oldest restaurant in the area. They were famous for their steaks back in the 1970s and have always been know for the seafood. As in most restaurants their popularity comes and goes. I will have to admit that it has been quite sometime since I have gone there and the time before this I would say they were just average. Well, what a surprise this visit was. They left very little room for improvement. You can bet I'll be back to try the steak and can only hope it will be anywhere near as good as the seafood I had this time. It has what has to be the best deviled clams on the coast and the deviled crab isn't far behind. Every thing was cooked to perfection and the service was fantastic.

Our overall Score: 9.7 out of 10

I highly recommend the Big Daddy's at Kure Beach, NC.

Country Kitchen

Country Kitchen in Wallace, NC

Looking for a reason to drive up to Wallace? Why not drive up for lunch at the Country Kitchen. It is on the main road and is worth the drive. The buffet usually has BBQ ribs that are probably the best in the southeastern North Carolina. Service is always tops with the country touch. Don't get in a rush to get there or get back home, make a day trip out of it and enjoy the back road. You get the best in country cooking outside of the Wilmington area.


Our overall Score: 8.3 out of 10

I can recommend the Country Kitchen in Wallace.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings, Carolina Bch Rd at Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC

It has the sports bar atmosphere but if you go at lunch during the week its not bad. The wings are above normal even though they are like 90% of the people that do wings. They think the only way to make hot wings is to use Texas Pete, there are other hot sauces. All in all the food was very good and the service was above par. Get something other than the hot wings unless you like Texas Pete and that will not be hard because there are a number of sauces you can get. If you don't like wings, there are still some very good selections on the menu.

Our overall Score: 7.8 out of 10

I can recommend the Buffalo Wild Wings.

Casey's BBQ

Casey's BBQ on Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC

If you want just plain good down home Southern cooking this is the place. This is like mama made it when I was growing up in the 1950's Wilmington. No big surprise because that is when and where Larry started learning his skills. It is hands down the best Southern buffet east of I-95 in North Carolina. Daily on the buffet you'll find fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, slaw, cabbage, collards, corn, chitlins, fatback, rice and brown gravy. That is just a partial list and doesn't even start to describe the desert bar. Great service and the most friendly atmosphere around. If you try them, you will be coming back.

Our overall Score: 10+ out of 10

I can highly recommend the Casey's.

Jackson's Big Oak Barbecue

Jackson's Big Oak Barbecue on Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, NC

This is the classic eastern North Carolina BBQ house. There are only 2 places in the Wilmington area to get really good eastern North Carolina BBQ and Jackson's is the best of the two for to old time BBQ atmosphere and trimmings. Besides 1 of the two best BBQ plates in the area it has the BEST Brunswick Stew and collards. So if you want to step back in time a little and eat some of the best down home style food try Jackson's.

Just a little side note: Kerr is pronounced Car by the family the street was named after.

Our overall Score: 9 out of 10

I can highly recommend the Jackson's.

Ichiban Express Hibachi Grill

Ichiban Express Hibachi Grill 4608 Maple Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403

Just as the name implies, it's fast but not fast food. I not that fond of oriental take out that only have room for 10 to 15 sit down customers, this is the exception The food is very well prepared and taste is as good as your larger fancy restaurants. It would be worth your time to give then a try.

Our overall Score: 8.7 out of 10

I can recommend the Ichiban Express.

Thai Spice / Wilmington, NC

Thai Spice 5552 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC just south of Monkey Junction.

The best Thai food around. Friendly, clean , easy to get to and tasty. No buffet but you will not walk away hungry. If it say spicy, they mean spicy but not at the expense of taste. I was delighted to fine that my my spicy meal was hot (spicy) but could also distinguish the taste of each idem in the entree. If you select an idem that is spicy you can choose mild, medium or hot.

The deserts were fantastic. Not a wide choice but what they have is excellent.

Our overall Score: 9.2 out of 10

Would I go back? You bet I will! I highly recommend the Thai Spice.

Olive Garden / Wilmington, NC

Olive Garden on Market Street in Wilmington, NC

If you like chain restaurant Italian food this is one of the better place to go. This is one of the few Olive Garden that I have been to that you never have to wait more than a few minutes and most of the time there is no wait. Always clean and plenty of wait staff to handle crowd. Even though it is always full the noise level is very acceptable. As a bonus there is no TV to distract you from your meal.For some reason most chain outfit don't think we can eat without a TV. The food was very tasty and the price reasonable.

Our overall Score: 7.6 out of 10

The Olive Garden in Wilmington passes muster.

Peking Buffet / Leland, NC (OUT OF BUSINESS)

Peking Buffet at 414 Village Road, Leland, NC 28451
OUT OF BUSINESS

Large selection of food and most is very tasty, but maybe a little to Americanized, at least for my taste. It is a buffet so you can't expect the best food but is good for what it is. No real complaints though.

Our overall Score: 7.6 out of 10

It passes muster, but Peking Buffet could improve.

Pirate's Table / Wilmington, NC

Pirate's Table on Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC

One of the area's better seafood restaurants and has been at the same location for over 20 years.

The food was cooked to order on our visit Sunday night. The service was excellent and very attentive. The food was prepared quickly and served at just the right temperature. There was absolutely no greasy taste like so many seafood restaurants have in their food. If you like carrot cake they have the best.

Our overall Score: 8.6 out of 10

YES! I recommend the Pirate's Table.

Britt's Donuts / Carolina Beach, NC

Britt's Donuts on the Board Walk at Carolina Beach, NC

It not a restaurant but well worth mentioning. If you like donuts you have to go here at least once a year. Krispy Kreme and Dunkin could learn a lot from this little shop. The only donuts that I have ever had that even comes close to being as good as Britt's was back in the 1970s in shop at the Navy gate of Sefridge Air Force Base. Back to Britt's they only make one type and tat is glazed but when you have the best why make something would be less. So your choice is how many and whether you want milk (cold) or a soft drink. I recommend the milk.

You will not see this one on the top 10 list, only because it is not a restaurant.

Our overall Score: 10 out of 10

YES! I would HIGHLY recommend Britt's Donuts on the Board Walk at Carolina Beach, NC

Mexico Vieja / Leland, NC at Waterford

Mexico Vieja / Leland, NC at Waterford on US 17

Wilmington areas newest Mexican restaurant. Not just another south of the border type restaurant. The furnishings are authentic and has the look of an up scale restaurant in Mexico. The menu has the usual treats but has some that you will find no where else in the area. If you want something new and different try the guacamole enchilada, it is fantastic. Service could not be better and the food is brought to you promptly. There is no doubt if you like Mexican you love Mexico Vieja.

Our overall Score: 9.6 out of 10

YES! I would HIGHLY recommend the Mexico Vieja in Leland, NC

Holland's Shelter / Burgaw, NC

Holland's Shelter / Burgaw, NC

Take NC53 east out of Burgaw about 6 miles. This ride will be well worth it. Holland's Shelter right beside the road overlooking Shelter Creek. This is your old style fish camp of yesteryear. Since the very beginning 30 years ago they have been a hit. They have some of the best food served in Southeastern North Carolina and if you like seafood it is well worth the drive up I-40 from Wilmington. Service is excellent along with the food. If you are going on Friday night get there early. People come from 70 to 100 miles on a regular basis for a night out of just plain GOOD food.

If you have been there before, you know what I am talking about and I will probably see you there again soon.You could not find a more beuitiful location than overlooking Shelter Creek while you sit back and relax while enjoying seafood, frog legs, or just a good ole hamburger. A wide ranging menu that everyone in the family can find something they like. Yes great family atmosphere.

Our overall Score: 8.7 out of 10

YES! I would HIGHLY recommend the Holland's Shelter on NC53 east of Burgaw, NC.

Golden Corral at Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC

What can I say, It's Golden Corral. The food for in most case's was OK, nothing to complain about. It is buffet so you do have to watch what you get. The Fried chicken was very good, not greasy nor under or over cooked. The spaghetti was better than most so called Italian restaurants in the area will serve you. Our waitress was very attentive but not hovering over us, just there when you needed something.

Our overall Score: 6.2 out of 10

YES! I would recommend the Golden Corral at Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC.

La Costa on Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC

La Costa on Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC

If you like Mexican food you'll love La Costa. I could recommend any of the 4 La Costa's in the area, but the one on Oleander Drive is the best of the 4.
Always clean and excellent service, they just surpass most restaurants in the area. Maybe that is the reason they have been here the longest and has grown from one to four restaurants in the past 12 years and locally owned moving from Washington state in the mid 90's and opening their first restaurant on Market Street.

Service could not be better and is always with a smile and willing to fix your order to your taste.

Our overall Score: 10+ out of 10

YES! I would HIGHLY recommend the La Costa on Oleander Drive in Wilmington, NC.

Harbor Master / Carolina Beach

Harbor Master at Carolina Beach, NC

There are Restaurants that have bars and Bars that have restaurants, this seams to be the latter. Our hostess took us straight to the bar section of the restaurant and we were set at a table next to the bar. After about a 5 minute wait our waiter came over to get our drink order. He was dressed as though he had just come off the boardwalk. After sometime he came back with our drinks and took our order which included Teriyaki it was covered up by the Texas Pete. 45 Minutes later our meal of 6 fried oysters, 6 medium size shrimp,8 large scallops and 1 large crab cake over a bed of French Fries. If the crab cake had any more bread in it they would have had to sell it by the loaf and I dare you to find more than a pepper speck of crab. In fact the crab is probably still in the water and has not even missed the meat. To get a refill on our drinks we both had to request twice. For a weekday night with the restaurant 2/3s empty we were unhappy with our experience to say the least. The food was Good other than the crab cake but we probably will not go back in the near future.

Our overall Score: 4.7 out of 10

NO! I would not recommend the Harbor Master at Carolina Beach.