An Introduction To Local Restaurants In Fayetteville, North Carolina

When visiting Fayetteville, North Carolina, it's nice to visit the familiar chain restaurants, but it's also interesting when you go to dine at the local eating establishments. There are many choices to choose from. Whether it's chicken, barbecue, fish or something else, the local restaurants are sure to please.

Cape Fear BBQ & Chicken specializes in of course, barbecue and chicken. This local restaurant is the only one in Fayetteville. They offer small and large barbeque plates. The prices are cheap, with a small barbecue plate and two sides at $5.29. Their specialty is the vinegar barbecue; the vinegar they use on it is very light. You may have to acquire a taste for it if you've never consumed this type of barbecue. There are a choice of sides, including baked beans, Brunswick stew, cole slaw and potato salad. The barbecue plate also includes hush puppies. They're located at 523 Grove Street in Fayetteville.

Rude Awakening (yes, that's the name of the place) is located at 227 Hay Street in the historic part of downtown Fayetteville. It is a two story brick building that has been in the area since 1914. Before Rude Awakening took over, it was Johnson's Café and after that, was called Brady's Soda Shop. At least it stayed in the "café" establishment. Rude Awakening opened in December 1999 as Rude Awakening Coffee House. The owners, Bruce and Molly Arnold were allowed to renovate with the blessing of the Historic Preservation Office. The storefront, including the leaded glass panel was not touched during the renovation.

Their coffee menu includes Drip Coffee, Expresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Breve, Americano, Mocha and Steamer. They also offer specialty flavored cappuccinos: Cherry Vanilla, Milk Chocolate Chip, Cherry Bomb, Symphony, Berry Rama, Grasshopper and the house specialty, Chocolate Cream and Toffee. In addition to their specialty coffees, Rude Awakening also offers breakfast and lunch. Their cakes are rich in flavor. Some of the offerings include Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake, Amaretto, Key Lime, Tiramisu and Chocolate Nemesis, just to name a few.

316 Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill opened in 1998. It has only one location (Fayetteville). They are known for serving quality food, including seafood and steaks. Since the food is prepared after you place your order, you may have to wait a little longer to receive your meal. The restaurant prides itself by cooking you a fresh meal instead of having it sit under a heat lamp.

Items from the menu include: fresh fish, crab, steaks, lobsters, pasta, raw oyster, steamed seafood, and salads. Their seafood is fresh and delivered daily from the coast. For added preservation, the seafood is cut and prepared on site. 316 Oyster Bar accepts major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express). Their operating hours are Monday - Thursday, 5PM - 10PM and Friday/Saturday 4:30PM - 11PM. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

It looks like Anheuser-Busch and Miller aren't the only breweries around. The Mash House Restaurant & Brewery is on the list, too. Even if people don't eat at this Fayetteville establishment, some of them will drink their award-winning beer. The brewery and the beer alone have made The Mash House one of Fayetteville's preferred eating establishments. They even have a video on their website that shows the brewery and briefly describes in a five-step process how their beer is made. Signature beers such as Stout, Brown Porter and Hoppy Hour India Pale Ale are on the menu. In 2001, Hoppy Hour India Pale Ale was a silver medal winner in a brewery contest.

In addition to their brew, the restaurant also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees which include meatloaf, chicken and pasta. The Mash House offers assorted desserts, including the legendary campfire staple, S'mores.

Just because you're visiting another city doesn't mean you can't try something new. You never know what your taste buds might like.