Outer Banks Weekly Dining Specials

By Jes Gray

“The Winter Season has once again stirred up the sands of the Outer Banks, and with its cooling temperatures and bracing winds, shooed most of the visitors away and shuttered many local businesses. In these early dark evenings, however, a few welcoming dining room lights still shine, offering a warm respite and social opportunity during what can be a cold and lonely time.

Also, for those Outer Bankers that remain year-round, the winter can be lean economically, where savings from summer work must stretch until spring’s seasonal upswing. Locally owned establishments that keep their “open” sign on through the off-season understand their community though, so many are offering deep discounts several nights a week. They also know the sometimes monotonous nature of the season and use the downtime to create specials and offer comfort food, like Prime Rib and Fried Chicken, outside of their streamlined “busy season” menus. While some of these restaurants do close for breaks and specials are of course subject to change, here are a few examples of this season’s “winter specials” organized loosely from north to south: Tuesdays aren’t just for tacos if you’re on the Currituck Mainland. Currituck BBQ offers their longtime local favorite, pulled pork sandwich for only $2. Just down the road in Jarvisburg, Sanctuary Vineyards is open as well, with “Hot Times All Winter” events planned, ranging from Chowder and Chill on Saturdays in January, their Bunch Wine Social Club, and other seasonal offerings. On the Corolla side of Currituck County, Butcher Block offers daily soup and sandwich specials, and Bacchus stays open all winter with wine tastings and charcuterie options.

In Duck, The Roadside Bar & Grill keeps people warm all winter with their clam chowder and they also have Burger Night on Mondays. Their backyard Oyster Roasts keep many familiar faces huddled near the fire, so look for announcements of these popular evenings. Down the road in Southern Shores, Cosmo’s Pizzeria at the Marketplace will help feed the crew for less Monday through Wednesday with specials like 2 for Tuesday, offering two large cheese pizzas for only $25.99. Pizza Stop also helps the budget with $10 large one topping pizzas on Wednesdays and lunch “Slice and a Drink” specials daily.

Crossing into Kitty Hawk, Art’s Place has brought Prime Rib back to the corner of Route 12 and Eckner Street on Fridays, often accompanied with live music. They also offer a Burger of the Week and Open Mic on Wednesdays to keep you entertained during these slower months. Across the bypass, Barefoot Bernie’s has a classic Fried Chicken Night on Wednesday and on Thursday, a build your own Mac N’ Cheese Night along with a chef’s special variety each week. Bad Bean Baja Grill spices up the winter with Ceviche Tuesdays, Steamed Bao Buns on Wednesdays, and their topped hand cut fries “Fryday”. Henry’s Restaurant has their long running Fried Chicken Night on Thursdays, along with daily specials like fried local fish. TRiO has good news, after 12 years of serving only beer and wine, they’re now offering signature and classic cocktails. Pop in on Saturday or Sunday for an outstanding Brunch.

Black Pelican’s Wood-Fired Pizzas

Pony & The Boat also has brought back their own popular Sunday Brunch and offers several weekly specials like “Grandma’s Classics” on Wednesdays and Skillet Nights on Thursdays. Back over to the Beach Road, Hurricane Mo’s keeps their famous Happy Hour going all winter, with a bit less of a wait, along with several daily specials. For example, Monday is Prime Rib Night and Wednesday offers All-You-Can-Eat Popcorn Shrimp and Dolphin Fingers.

Black Pelican has brought back the perennially popular Pizza Night on Tuesdays with all of their dinner style pizzas discounted, for only $10.99. They also are joining in the Prime Rib party on Fridays with a 12 oz. cut, paired with house made mashed potatoes and green beans for just $17.99.

Jolly Roger’s Southern Honey Fried Chicken Platter

In Kill Devil Hills, Jolly Roger continues their long running tradition of offering local discounts and dining specials year round, like the Outer Banks’ original, discounted Prime Rib offering on Friday nights. Additions for the winter months include AYCE Oysters on Tuesdays and “Soul Food Sunday,” which introduces a Carol Ann approved southern honey fried chicken platter, debuting for the first time in their 40 years of operation. In KDH, Tuesdays are also for Tacos, as Plaza Azteca and Three Tequilas both host popular dollar taco nights. Max’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria makes Wednesday and Thursday a bit more fun with their “Wacky Pizza of the Week” and variety of half-priced bottles of wine from around the world. Noosa Beach Grill has select bottles of wine half off on Mondays, a Surf & Turf special Tuesday, Oysters On Thursdays and Prime Rib on Fridays and Saturdays. They also have a popular Trivia Night on Wednesdays and occasional Wine Dinners, where reservations fill quickly.

The Outer Banks Brewing Station continues their off-season tradition with Chef Tony’s inspired Tapas Thursdays. But this year he’s also getting creative with a Monday Ramen Night. Mama Kwan’s is also into tradition and wouldn’t want to break the many local hearts who wait for Pad Thai Thursday’s celebrated return.

Further down on Route 12, Red Drum Taphouse & Grill is keeping their popular Half Price Burger Night on Wednesdays and adding a two for Tuesday dinner special and Fish Fry Friday, with several other drink and food specials on other days. In Colington, The Saltbox Cafe has their tapas night on Wednesday, and we recommend monitoring their webpage to see announcements for wine and beer dinners, as they will generally book up quickly. Colington Pizza Bar and Grill is also trying something new with Burger Nights on Tuesday, Half Price Wine Wednesday and Taco Thursdays, each with changing options every week.

Noosa Beach Grill’s Surf & Turf Special

Traveling South to Nags Head, a new restaurant called Dune Street Bar and Grill has just opened in the former Blue Moon location. Focused on seafood with a modern twist on classic dishes and lots of topped oyster options, they are adding specials to their menu weekly. Blue Moon Beach Grill has a chalkboard menu of daily specials and also half priced bottles of wine on both Monday and Wednesday, providing a great reason to check out their new digs if you haven’t already. Mulligans Grill in Historic Cottage Row has long been an off-season hangout for locals, and this winter’s specials should certainly add to that crowd. Their weekly specials are Meatloaf Monday, Taco Tuesday, AYCE steamed spiced shrimp Wednesday, AYCE ribs Thursday, and AYCE fried flounder on Friday, along with other specials offered each week.

On the causeway and in Manteo, quite a few restaurants offer amazing winter specials as well. Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe has several nightly specials not available in the busy summer season. Monday night is Pasta, Tuesday is Sushi, Saturday is Burger Night and Sunday is Tapas, same great chefs and location, just some different options. Over the bridge, Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar offers half price draft beer Mondays and Wednesdays and half price bottles of wine on Tuesday and Thursday along with daily specials to enjoy with the discounted beverages and priceless view. Follow them on social media as well to learn when they’re offering their “Buck a Shuck” oyster weeks. In Manteo, Poor Richards has daily specials year round, But be sure to order one of their pickle brined chicken sandwiches, only available on Friday. Ortega’z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar has daily food and drink specials and half priced bottles of wine on Wednesday. Striper’s Bar & Grill has their Prime Rib option on Friday along with live music and happy hours from 3-6 Wednesday through Saturday. Garden Deli, El Shaddai, and TL’s Family Kitchen are all also open throughout the winter season and offer daily specials and discounts, amongst others not listed.

Red Drum Taphouse’s Burger

Going further south into Hatteras, while fewer places are open, many offer specials. Waves Deli in Rodanthe has a daily menu in addition to their delicious breakfast and deli options. In Buxton, The Cockeyed Clam has several specials nights including their popular Wednesday Burger Night. Kat’s Deli in Hatteras also remains open and offers a menu of daily specials.

So, if you’re looking for a meal in the off season, there may not be as many options as during the summer, but the seats and specials are plentiful from Currituck to Hatteras.

Author: Jes Gray