This is a place I visited on the way to the coast before the virus pandemic started wreaking havoc on our lives. I ended up at Big Ed's very randomly. We were looking for dinner on our road trip to the coast, and wanted to try a Mediterranean place in the same shopping center. We arrived to find that the place we wanted to try switches to much more formal service at dinner and much higher prices to go with it. I found Big Ed's quickly on Yelp in the same parking lot, and it seemed decent, quick, and cheap. Well, it was all of those things, and some of the food was actually pretty darn tasty! Big Ed's is a simple diner with a large menu of daily rotating specials to go with some staples. When I went, the special of the day was fried whiting. They have a wide range of sides and the fish came with cole slaw already, so I also got lima beans and fries. Around the table there were also collard greens, deviled eggs, cornbread and biscuits. The special even came with banana pudding for desert! The whiting itself was superbly breaded, and the inside fish was flaky and tender. Was very happy with my selection. All the sides were good, and the cornbread as better than the biscuits. Overall, I was pretty happy with the meal, and it was a great place to eat when a sudden decision was needed. read more

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My initial review was for the Big Ed's location in downtown Raleigh. When places came up that I would recommend, "Big Ed's, was one of them and based on my fond memories of eating there with my coworkers and family, I gladly described my experience of that location in downtown Raleigh. I hadn't been to the Garner location at the time of my first review. I apologize for the misunderstanding. I've since eaten at the one in Garner, and it isn't the same. The food isn't prepared the same, nor is as good and the ambiance with the lanterns, smell of tobacco leaves and old memorabilia is gone. I had the omelet, grits and toast to go. When I got home, I was disappointed. I'm not sure how an omelet and grits were undercooked. The older waitress/manager was nice. She apologized for the long wait to get my order. She said the normal cook wasn't working and they were short. I won't go there anymore. read more

How can you not love Big Eds. You walk in and feel like you're sitting waiting for grandma to serve breakfast. We've been to the same one for about 3 years now and never had a bad meal or experience. It's big portions and big personalities. Love the wait staff and the cash out girl is hilarious read more

Food was good - nothing to write home about, but also not bad. Pancakes were huge and fluffy. Sliced pork tenderloin had little to no flavor. Eggs, sausage, and bacon were all fine.. I'm always disappointed when a breakfast spot has home fries instead of hash browns, but the home fries were actually pretty tasty. Service was quick and employees were friendly. read more

My boyfriend and I stopped here for a late breakfast on Sunday, and it was pretty good! This location is very spacious and the waitstaff were all very friendly. My boyfriend ordered an order of French toast with cantaloupe, and I had a veggie omelet with a side of biscuits and gravy. The biscuit gravy is not your typical white gravy with sausage; this gravy is a brown sausage gravy and it's pretty spicy. I really enjoyed it! Our food took forever to arrive, but there were several large parties ahead of us. It was also hard to get cell phone service at this location, so be prepared for that. Overall, a decent breakfast spot. I give it 3.5 stars. read more

Big Ed's Garner - French toast and cantaloupe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

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Great service, great food & a real diner feel. Loved it! The hot cake was huge!! You only need 1 or order pancakes. Biscuits were great and the thing was THEY SERVE COKE, no Pepsi read more

Came here for lunch, not too busy so we were seated immediately. I got the beef tips on rice, yams and collards. I was expecting the beef tips to have a nice brown gravy and be tender. They were tough and very dry, no gravy or seasonings at all on the meat. I would not recommend them. On the other hand, the collards and yams were delicious. read more

Big Ed's Garner - Beef tips on rice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

The food was great except for the breakfast potatoes. They were very undercooked and not really seasoned. I was really excited for those, so that was disappointing, but I took them home and put them in the oven and they were way better! The French toast was fantastic, a little disappointed they didn't have any of the fresh berries for toppings, but it's kind of in between fresh fruit seasons, so I understand. The egg and bacon were cooked perfectly and this place is very affordable! It also has free parking, which was why we were unsure about going to the other location in downtown Raleigh. read more

Big Ed's Garner - Breakfast potatoes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

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One of the best breakfast experiences I've had. Good food good service and the portions are more than enough.

Food is always fresh and hot; service is always great. The fried catfish is the best.

This place is underrated This place is clean There employees are super nice and funny and the pancakes are bigger that your face I HIGHLY recommend this place read more

My husband and I was in Raleigh visiting family and was looking for a really good soul food restaurant. Big Ed's hit the spot. The service awesome and the food was delicious! read more

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Service and food were outstanding! This gem is hidden away on timber dr near White Oak shopping center. Best Breakfast in Raleigh ~ hands down!!! Always consistent at any of their locations. Omelette is on point. Chicken salad is great. Hometown feels at this location, similar to the other two in Raleigh. Loved it! read more

My family and I were in your restaurant Sunday 3-30-25 at approximately 12:30pm. When we entered the restaurant there was a group ahead of us in line that were told by the younger hostess that it would be 45 minutes. The older hostess was very friendly unlike the younger that seemed to be discouraging us from staying. After 15 or 20 minutes I could see two tables back to back and asked if we could sit at those tables and was told she was working on it,then said under her breath don't tell me how to do my job. Totally uncalled for,just a suggestion that we would gladly take two tables not trying to tell her how to do her job. Bottom line is the younger hostess had an attitude,forgetting that it is paying customers that make her job possible. Seven people in our family walked out without spending a nickle. Not sure anyone can afford those kinds of losses in this economy. One person can make or break a business so I suggest that the hostess gets a lesson in economics and courtesy before this an even bigger issue.​​​ read more

We have been looking for a new go to breakfast spot and decided to drive almost 20 minutes to give Big Ed's a try. First, the waitress was great so no complaints there. But that's where the good part ends. We waited 25-30 minutes after we ordered to get our food. My husband's french toast was wet, undercooked, on the inside and not good. The scrambled eggs were the same way, undercooked and wet. The biscuits were fair and the country potatoes were fine. My mushroom, spinach omelet was ok. I really don't care for canned mushrooms in an omelet though. The spiced apples were AWFUL with way too much cinnamon and they were very gritty. I didn't eat them and I feel that the waitress should have noticed and taken them off our bill. Our bill with a $6 tip was $36!!!!! dollars. I'd much rather have gone to Biscuitville. I overheard the people behind us say they had been waiting 25 minutes and still no food. Unfortunately we probably won't be going back to give this place a second chance due to the long drive. read more

Let me tell you... favorite place for breakfast in the triangle, period. Service is unmatched, chill vibe, excellent food. HIGHLY recommended read more

Great service today Sunday 7/19/2020 came around 12:30Pm and were seated in Jessica's section. One of the sweetest ladies I have ever Met. Suggested great items on the menu being as it was my first time coming here I ordered the two eggs and a meat item great prices and very good food. Thank you Big ED for a wonderful first time experience. The next time I am in town I will come visit! read more

Big Ed's Garner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

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Unfortunately, this was a disappointing experience. Arrived around 530pm for diner, they were out of most items on diner specials list? Seems odd, and the waitress said they served them at lunch, so they are really hours old specials. After multiple attempts at ordering, I ended up with Pork Loin w/ 1 pcs French Toast. It was more like French Toast w/ side of Pork Loin, which was $14.50 with a sweet tea. Pork was dry & and salty, and French Toast was still slightly wet on the inside. If there's a plus, the waitress brought us 3 refills of tea during the long wait for food, probably to cover for the kitchen. read more

Big Ed's Garner - $14.50 Seasoned Pork Loin w/ French Toast and sweet tea. Pork Loin was the size of 4 chicken nuggets. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

I've been to this restaurant twice and each time the food has been amazing. The just time I ordered the French toast, local breakfast sausage (can't remember exact name) the second time I had the western omelette with the same sausage. The food was delicious, the portions are accurate as can be; meaning they're not serving you the bare minimum as some restaurants have . The wait staff is very friendly, the restaurant is open and clean. I enjoy the atmosphere as it takes you back to the good ole days. Lol! I can honestly say this is one place has become my go to when I want to dine in for breakfast. read more

Great Staff Good Food Good Value A bit of a wait on the weekends. So plan ahead. Good ole southern cookin. Most ya Yankees and Cali folks don't know what that is. It comes from good ole Southern Hospitality and Neighborly Kindness. Get with it or go back home! read more

Great southern food! Atmosphere and food was truly worth the drive. Make sure you bring your appetite!

Great southern breakfast! We tried the biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, and some over easy eggs! Everything came out fast, service was friendly and atmosphere was great! Perfect place for a weekend brunch. read more

Big Ed's Garner - Biscuit with Sausage Gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

The food in this place is absolutely amazing! I'm a Raleigh native and let's say I've been going to Big Ed's for a long time, and it is ALWAYS consistent! No issues and some is the best home made biscuits you will ever eat! Very reasonably priced and the service is impeccable! read more

Good food; Great service. Hot cake not hot, but tasted okay. And it really was HUGE! Sis says french toast was alright. read more

Big Ed's Garner - Hot Cake and Corned Beef Hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

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I really want to give this restaurant 5 stars. It's local, they use farm eggs and the staff is very friendly. My biggest gripe, and this may seem silly, is they deep fry the home fries. Restaurants do this because it's fast, but it breaks up the starches in the potatoes. Not only that, but they don't even season them. I will search out a breakfast place that cooks them on the griddle or I will just get hash browns. They don't even offer hash browns. And yes, my taters are important to me. I'm a fat German/ Irish girl. Lol I only come here when Angie's has a ridiculous line. And please put a skillet dish on your breakfast menu! Omelets are not a substitute. (Which is what was suggested when I asked about a skillet.) read more

Went to lunch here to meet a colleague and was first time Was amazing! Country food like my grandma made and I was so happy and full when I left I can't wait to go back. read more

Enjoyed our first visit here! Couple of minor things: The place is pretty loud, but there's not much you can do about that. The forks are pretty flimsy; enough to where they were bending when I was trying to cut into my country ham. Lastly, it was a bit dark where we were sitting. Could use more light. Those minor issues aside, the food was delicious, and it was served quickly, despite being pretty busy on a Saturday morning. Our server was helpful, friendly and outgoing, and answered all of our questions. We would definitely make a return visit here! Side notes: The pancakes are MONSTROUS. I couldn't get through two of them. Also, the country ham is really salty, which I like, but I can't imagine pouring the sauce over it...even more salt! Thanks for a great visit! read more

Big Ed's Garner - King Kong pancakes. They're HUGE. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

Came in with my family for breakfast around 10am on a Sunday and we were lucky with no wait time! The restaurant was already so busy, but it's a large space with a lot of seating. They have a big menu with lots of options, specializing in breakfast/brunch. Our waiter was nice and helpful, answering our questions and offering suggestions. I ordered the fried catfish with 2 hot cakes and was warned that these aren't regular sized hot cakes - those things are the size of a large dinner plate! They have a bit of a corn muffin taste to them and are pretty dense. The fried catfish was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The environment is definitely casual and it can be pretty loud, but it's a great place to get breakfast at a reasonable cost. read more

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Breakfast is fine there. Don't go anytime after 2pm you will have to wait for everything !

Corn bread amazing food is amazing I work during week wish they had open on weekends I was very impressed in this restraunt..I like homemade food not frozen read more

I really like this Big ED's. I have been to the one downtown but believe you me it has nothing on this one. They have opened not to long ago. Store has upstairs and downstairs. The food was great and lots of it! Fresh made to order and fruit was really sweet. Only thing that messed me up is while I was eating a roach like insect ran across the wall. Waitress got it off for me and manager came over to talk to me about it. I couldn't even finish my food because all I could imagine was that bug. I am not too sure I will be back. That bug really messed me up!! read more

Server very friendly and attentive. Her food recommendations were spot on. Went for dinner and the 'hot' bbq was fantastic. The coffee cake was not dry. Been there before for breakfast as well and also very good read more

It's alright. Nothing to write home about. There are definitely better options out there. The food is feels like it came out of the freezer aisle at the food lion next door. Nothing really bad, just, for me, if I'm going to go out to eat and pay money for a restaurant experience, I want it to be better than this. read more

Absolutely delicious! I had the meatloaf, my mom had the chicken pastry! Oh my word!! So delicious ! Also, the banana pudding is just like my Mom makes at home! Will definitely be returning!! read more

Excellent breakfast! Get there early before the line! Pancakes are bigger than the plate! Never had a bad experience!

Better and better ..... each time is better than the last meal here ! I had the turkey / dressing , collards and mashed potatoes ! Outstanding ! Perfect temperature , well prepared ! Friendly service throughout the visit , close to home read more

Enjoyed lunch at Big Ed's Garner today. Reasonably priced, quality food and great service. I have been a fan of Big Ed's since Big Ed was alive and operated at the NC State Farmers Market. This location continues to represent his memory and food well. The restaurant was super clean and taking great care to observe COVID-19 preventative measures. Highly recommend this location. read more

Great ambiance and delicious food! When they say those hot cakes are massive, they are massive! But also extremely delicious and with excellent portion sizes. The people there are also super friendly and are fast in giving service. Definitely drop by for breakfast favorites. read more

Stumbled upon this place by chance on our way to the beach. A very sizable restaurant with seating options in 4 different areas. Was pleased to sit down to standard menu as well as handwritten daily menu with meat, vegetable, and dessert specials. They had all kinds of country cooking options from healthy to not so much. The three of us each decided to each take advantage of one of the specials with comes with a meat, two vegetables, bread, and a dessert. I got the baked BBQ chicken (sauce on the side) with collard, corn, corn bread, and banana pudding. Even on its own the chicken was tasty and moist but also enjoyed their BBQ sauce. I honestly got to try a lot of things as we just put all sides in the middle of the table and shared. Overall, everything I ate was delicious. Loved the deviled eggs, collards, banana pudding, and my brother got the fried fish and it was probably the star item. Perfectly crispy on the outside, but still plenty of soft fish on the inside. We all left very satisfied and will keep this place in mind for future stops if in the area. read more

Big Ed's Garner - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

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Real enjoyed my visit , the food was delicious and the service was great... 3rd time going and plan on returning soon. read more