Great Restaurants on North Carolina's Crystal Coast

Last year, as soon as summer revealed its beautiful face in all it's bright glory, my husband and I decided to take a random road trip from San Antonio, TX to Atlantic Beach, NC. As soon as we arrived in NC, I could not believe how beautiful it was. The sparkling ocean! The powdery sand! The salty, refreshing wind! And, of course, the absolutely mouth-watering food at the restaurants!

One of our most favorite restaurants in Atlantic Beach, NC was none other than Amos Mosquito's. Strange name? A little. Awesome food? Oh, yes!

As soon as you walk into Amos Mosquito's, you are bombarded with a whimsical 'swamp' theme. As you look around, the interior is decorated in wood carvings, mosquito posters, cattails, and Spanish moss. (Be comforted in the fact that just because Amos Mosquito's has a swamp and mosquito theme, it does not mean that the area is infested by mosquitoes!)

The best part about Amos Mosquito's is their 'come as you are' policy...and this is a wonderful policy to have in effect, especially since Amos Mosquito's is right by the beach! What can be more wonderful than spending a day at the beautiful beach, and walking right into the restaurant with delectable, reasonably priced food for the whole family?

Amos Mosquito's has an outdoor bistro type eating area, which offers a breathtaking view of the Bogue Sounds. How wonderful it must be to have dinner while being kissed by the light winds of the ocean! When nature calls, and it's time to visit the restroom, you're in for a treat. Something that my husband and I found enjoyable was the 'swampy' sounds that play in the restrooms' background. It sounds as if you're really spending a night at the Shackleford Banks! The bathroom stalls are designed to look like outdoor houses. We thought that was a very creative way to tie the restrooms in with the swamp theme.

Before it's time to order, the pleasant waitress brings fresh bread served in little tin pails to your table. Each bread is actually a different type, and of course, extremely delicious and very warm. The appetizers to try are definitely the crab cakes with chipotle aioli. I have never had crab cakes that good. My husband isn't much of a seafood eater, but he absolutely loved those.

Since Amos Mosquito's is right by the beach, the staff uses fresh, in-season fish to concoct delicious dinners, such as a whole red snapper for two served with exotic Thai dipping sauces. On our visit there, my husband and I ordered the Tuna Caesar Salad. The tuna was a generous helping, more than I expected, which was a great surprise. The Caesar Salad was the perfect blend of vegetation with dressing. Perfect!

The most delicious dessert that my husband and I absolutely adored was the chocolate brownie. It resembled a huge ice cream sandwich, the ones that have ice cream stuffed between two chocolate sheets. I don't know how exactly this dessert was made, but it's worth another trip to Atlantic Beach again!

It's was so wonderful to see that the restaurant managers were walking around, table to table, greeting the guests and inquiring as to how the experience dining with them was, and how the food tasted.

If you have children, Amos Mosquito's is sure to appeal to their delights with their infamous s'mores. You can grill marshmallows to your perfection right at your table on a mini-brazier. (Don't worry about making a mess...the staff kindly cleans up after you and your entertained children!)

There are a few special extras to mention concerning Amos Mosquito's. Amos Mosquito's is open for dinner only from Wednesday through Sunday (On these days, they open at 5 PM). It's open seven days a week, otherwise. (On Sundays, they have brunch!) Come Wednesday, your wallet won't suffer much since entrees are half price. Thursday night, it's sushi night! (I recommend the cream cheese and crab rolls. They are out of this world!) Not only do they have wonderful sushi that night, but also a little Karaoke...if you're feeling brave enough. If you plan on going during the winter season, hours are shorter, so it's best to call ahead first to ensure that the restaurant will be open when you get there. (Amos Mosquito's doesn't usually take reservation requests, just for your knowledge.) If you're planning on visiting this fabulous establishment, you should know that Amos Mosquito's Restaurant phone number is (252) 247-6222. They are located at 703 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. If you do decide to go, make sure to go on an empty stomach. The staff at Amos Mosquito's will be more than delighted to fill your empty tank with the freshest, most delicious food that Atlantic Beach has to offer!

Another gem that is found in the North Carolina Coast is restaurant known as the Cox Family Restaurant. Though this is no gourmet restaurant, it does have great old fashioned country food! My husband and I returned to Cox Family Restaurant at least four times during our stay in the North Carolina coast. This is a family owned and operated establishment that serves lunch/dinner after 11 AM.

If you're ready for some real American food, here is the place to go. Cox Family Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a down-home setting. Menu items include fried chicken, pork chops, hamburger steak, and mashed potatoes. Expect the average entrée to cost under $8. There are daily specials seven days of the week that are relatively dirt cheap and completely worth it. The service is exceptional, and the food even more so. Cox Family Restaurant becomes a place where 'regulars' go, and if you come at least twice, you'll be remembered by the staff for sure.

If you try the Cox burger with the works, you will have had the best hamburger you have ever digested during your stay on Planet Earth. Their special preparation of coleslaw, beans, onions, cheese, and hamburger will have you wishing that they had burger joints like this where you live! Those were, without a doubt, the best burgers I have had in my life. Hands down, no bargain.

The only minor negative detail regarding this restaurant is that they do not accept credit cards, but they do take debit cards and cash.

The Cox Family Restaurant is actually located in Morehead, very close to Atlantic Beach. The physical address of Cox Family Restaurant is 4109 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC, 28557. For any inquiries, their phone number is (252) 726-6961. Don't get too full as to forget about dessert...their key lime pie and chocolate mouse pie are very delicious.

When my husband and I first arrived to North Carolina, we were completely 'pooped', as they say. The 24 hour trip, which was nearly non-stop, made us irritable, tired, and hungry. We arrived in the wee hours of the morning. Nothing was open anywhere. Then a beacon of light shined upon a certain restaurant known as The Captain's Table. (Enter heavenly music here.) We immediately parked the truck, and dashed inside. We realized that this was Morehead City's versions of Denny's...an almost twenty-four hour restaurant establishment that is sure to please the ravenous night owl. There's nothing fancy served here, just good home cooking that is available at very affordable prices. Think of it as Long Johns Silver meets IHOP...minus the over-breaded fish! You can order breakfast at any time you desire, and who wouldn't want scrambled eggs, center cut country ham and coffee at 3 AM in the morning?

While you're there, you can listen to stories told by the local people, which include interesting folk who take to the seas every day for a living. If you can take a moment to view the black and white pictures on the wall, you'll see a very different and older Carteret County. Though the restaurant's interior isn't much to look at, the people, food and atmosphere speak volumes about the town's friendly and laid back nature, as well as it's great taste in oceanic and American foods.

Monday through Friday, The Captain's Table has specials for both lunch and dinner. Every night, all-you-can-eat seafood specials are features from five to eight in the evening. Their options include oysters, shrimp, and scallops...to name a few. The meat served is fresh. The store manager obtains his meat from a local meat market to provide the best cuts and flavor available to his customers.

The restaurant is open all night on Friday and Saturday for those who walk the streets at night, or for the early birds...whichever you happen to be! Also on these nights, the all-you-can-eat shrimp special is drawn out until 10:00 p.m. However, the Captains Table is closed on Sunday at 2 PM. (They're allowed to take a break from time to time!) If you happen to arrive at the NC coast at an early time, or if you're just craving some toast and coffee, The Captains Table is located on 4113 Arendell Street in Morehead City. Their phone number is (252) 726-0253. Monday through Thursday, they are open from six in the morning to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday, they are open for 24 hours. Enjoy your visit to the Captains Table, and if you have any questions regarding the town of Morehead City, don't be afraid to ask some of the seasoned townsfolk for advice. They've braved enough storms and traveled enough seas, and will be more than happy to help you.