Restaurant Review: Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, North Carolina

Looking for the perfect jumping' java hot spot with the perfect blend of coffee and beach cuisine? Look no further than Island Brews Beachside in the quiet beach town of Oak Island, NC. Established a mere two years ago, Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC has become one of the islands hottest spots for coffee, cappuccinos, and smoothies. Add to that soups/salads, wraps, and sandwiches and you have a great place to enjoy a hot summer day.

First Impressions of Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC

As you travel into Oak Island, Island Brews Beachside is strategically located 100 yards to the right of the bridge. You will notice a quaint shop with covered patio area advertising live beach music on the weekends. The sign also reads they now serve dinner. This is a plus for late evening tourists or locals not wanting to travel off of the island to eat at traditional seafood restaurants.

When you enter Island Brews Beachside, you notice cool blues and pastel yellows. Tied in with sea motif along the walls are murals of sunsets. Playing on the in house radio are classic 50's beach songs to bring the atmosphere together. The wait staff all wore "Hawaiian" shirts which added to the charm.

There was ample seating, but not if you were in a large party. If your party consisted of more than 4, then you will have to sit at multiple tables.

Wait Staff and Menu at Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC

The wait staff was first rate. Hands down, they were the embodiment of professionalism. As soon as we walked into Island Brews Beachside, we were greeted with a hardy hello. It was refreshing to be welcomed in this manner. At first we were only going to order coffee, but the friendly nature of the wait staff at Island Brews Beachside made us want to order dinner.

Once we ordered our food, the wait staff was very attentive to our needs. As one person was finished a meal, they promptly cleared the table and asked if we wanted anything else. During the course of our meal, I don't remember one time I didn't see someone smiling. When we left, everyone was pleasant and said goodbye and come again.

The menu at Island Brews Beachside was a mix of tropical foods such as jerk chicken wraps mixed with the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs. The menu was easy to read with no hidden prices. There were items on display in the event someone didn't know a particular item.

Dinner at Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC

One item which struck me was Island Brews Beachside had a traditional Rueben. In other restaurants I have frequented, sandwiches were made with turkey instead of corned beef. I ordered a Rueben and my family ordered a Monte Cristo, a hot dog meal, a Cuban (ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles), and two chicken tender meals.

The rye bread was toasted to perfection. The combination of the melted cheese and corned beef was mouth watering. My wife noticed the Monte Cristo should have been battered like French toast, covered with powdered sugar and served with a jam. None of those factors came into play, but the sandwich was made well.

My children loved their meal so much they asked for another serving. This was good because the food tasted well, but I did realize the serving was more for a lunch rather than dinner. All of the meals were served in a basket similar to fast food restaurants. Also we ordered a side of freshly made macaroni salad. The portion was in a cup the size of a condiment cup. Overall the bill came to $40. So each meal was roughly $5 per person. I was expecting upwards of $60-$70, especially with my children ordering another meal. Island Brews Beachside provides an excellent value for a large family.

Pros

Excellent coffee

Outdoor eating

Live music

Great atmosphere

Appropriate décor

Internet access

Excellent service

Cons

Small portions

Cafeteria baskets for meals

Indoor seating for large parties

My Take and Thoughts

Island Brews Beachside is by far the only restaurant I have visited which gives you an environment befitting a beach town. You have classic beach music playing overhead, outdoor dining to enjoy the beach air, and great food. What more could one ask for in a restaurant? The staff was overly friendly so they made you feel as if you were at home. Having an outdoor dining area added to the value. When live music plays, you have just put the icing on the cake.

Another positive was their coffee. In Oak Island, there are limited choices to a good cup of coffee. The alternatives are stale convenience store coffee or local shops with coffee canisters. The foods selection was straight to the point and more than expected. When you think of the name, images of premade sandwiches came to mind. To my approval, all meals were prepared and delicious. The only setback was the portions were small and in baskets. Having dined at Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC for dinner, I felt as if I were at a fast food restaurant.

I recommend Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC simply for the great service and the atmosphere. The staff makes you feel comfortable and made feel as if you were welcome anytime. If you are traveling or a local, you must frequent Island Brews Beachside Oak Island, NC.