7228 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959 (Map)
252-441-7366

A father-son partnership established this eatery in the 1930s as a spot where fishermen could get a rib-sticking breakfast before heading out onto the high seas. Today, it's a deliberately downscale, endlessly raffish place that has attracted most of North Carolina's leading, and most notorious, politicians -- as well as locals who like the quintessentially funky Outer Banks vibe. There's a convivial bar area where old salts and young beauties alike mingle, and a series of pinewood banquettes where copious portions of well-prepared seafood are always in demand. Come here for hefty doses of local color, a sense of folksy authenticity, and food items that include marinated tuna steaks served either as a platter or as a sandwich, she-crab soup, fried locally caught oysters, crab cakes, and burgers. This is an early-to-bed kind of place. The last food order is accepted here at 10:00 p.m., and the bar closes shortly thereafter.