This is a truly old fashioned drive in! A large paved lot in front of a small building. The car…read morehop comes out to your car to take your order and then delivers your food in bags when it's ready! We ordered a shrimp burger and a super hamburger(special toppings) with an order of fries and one of the hush puppies. Order was quick and the food was hot and delicious! The hush puppies were not like others you normally get - they were long and plump! Almost like rolled tubes! They were delicious. Both sandwiches were very good and cooked just right. My burger came with slaw but it was not like any slaw I've had. Somewhat sweet but no mayonnaise! I'll be looking online for this recipe. Overall great drive in food at a good price. We will be back again this week!

The staff and service here are top notch. Our family of 6 did a day trip to the Morehead City area…read morefor the NC Shell Show and stayed for play time so our kids could play and run around at Shevans Park nearby. We stopped by El's after our kids worked up an appetite. We liked the old school drive-in feel and the kids eating in their car seats strapped in with the DVD player and AC on was a really nice touch after all the running. We got a bunch of things off the menu: grilled cheese and nuggets for my 2 younger boys, hamburger and double cheeseburger for my 2 older boys, onion rings, hush puppies and the ever so famous shrimp burgers for my husband and I (hubby got the super shrimp burger). I wouldn't have considered trying the shrimp burger but after reading about how amazing it is, I knew I had to try it. There were a lot of shrimp in the regular burger, and I'm not a coleslaw girly but the coleslaw really worked in the burger. It really did not disappoint and now I am salivating just thinking about it.

We stopped here on our way out after a Labor Day weekend at the beach, and let me tell you, the…read morealmost 30-minute wait was totally worth it. The moment we arrived, I felt like I had accidentally entered a time machine and landed somewhere in the 1990s. Numbers for wait management? Being called by your number? Classic diner-style seating and service? Even the checkout experience had strong "please rewind the VHS" energy. And honestly, I loved it. The food was fantastic. The shrimp and grits were amazing, especially with the buttery toast. The chicken sandwich was absolutely on point, and the waffles were perfectly crunchy and delicious. Now, the 3% credit card fee did try to bring me back to 2026 for a moment. But after that food, I think I can emotionally recover. If you're anywhere around Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, or Indian Beach, do yourself a favor and stop here. Come hungry, be prepared to wait a little, embrace the 90s experience, and enjoy some seriously good food. Would definitely come back. Just don't ask me to explain what a VHS tape is.

We were greeted and seated by the owner/manager very quickly, and this place was bustling. I…read morecouldn't believe how quickly our orders came out: delicious corned beef hash (crispy, just as we requested) and perfectly cooked over-medium eggs. Good grits and home fries. Delicious thick-cut rye toast and coffee. Super friendly server. The manager/owner also got right in there and was busing tables when needed. Great place-highly recommend.

We knew it would be good because the line was so long! The seafood was so delicious and fresh. I…read moreordered the fish nugget wrap, it did not disappoint.The beer selection is top notch and made the wait for our food seem like no time at all. We'll definitely be back.

A local favorite! Delicious seafood served fast and hot. I enjoyed the fish Reuben special with…read moreyummy potato salad. My husband liked the fish bits and fries. Nothing fancy, but very tasty.

Like a lot of people who have tried CFA, I am a complete and total Kool-Aid drinker. I believe in…read moretheir product not only because of the flavor but mostly on account of the chain's shocking ability to be consistent even though they're all franchises which at most chains would equate to an all over the place experience. We rumbled in here on a weekday after what most would consider a traditional lunch time to find the usual shit storm that most CFA's have which is how do you get on to the property? The drive thru line is backed up around the store and 95% of the parking spaces are taken. We were committed to eating inside and thankfully got one of the only tables available. The order process is as expected with one problem. They are out of lemonade. The girl at the register half fills our cups and said that they were making more but that it would be 10-15 minutes at least until it would be ready. Grumble. Grumble. Whatever. The food makes it's way to our table about 10 minutes later and it tastes as expected with the nugs, wrap and sandwich. One of the employees finally comes out with the five gallon bucket they mix the lemonade in and fills the container. At that time you see myself and four other people descend like locusts with around ten cups looking for refills or in our case, the part of the fill we actually paid for but never received. I hope they had more on the way past that because what they brought out was not going to last long at all. On a side note, one of the employees was walking around table to table telling people that they are going to be piloting a program in the near future where you'll be able to pre-order food via the app and when you come in it'll be brought to you at a table restaurant style. Is that good or bad? I don't know. I've never heard of it locally where I live but I don't do apps so whatever. Like pretty much all other CFA locations I've ever been to the food is solid and that's what keeps me coming back for more. But in the future CFA should really consider building stores with larger seating and parking components. This isn't your typical fast food place where the bulk on the business is done via the drive thru. No, CFA does a fair amount of business with people choosing to eat in. Hopefully they figure that out in the future especially if they're going to try things that resemble quasi-sit down restaurant service.

Great location and friendly service as always. The food was hot and prepared quickly. The facility…read morewas clean and tidy. While most of these chains are consistent this one meets or exceeds the standard.

We loved everything about The Bite at the Box. The breakfast was delicious! The staff were very…read morefriendly! It has a quaint sitting area and a rooftop bar! I give it a 5/5!

Stopped here for breakfast. Service was friendly and fast. You order at the counter and they'll…read moreeither take your number if you are going to wander or you can wait. We waited and sat upstairs. View is better at the bar. Coffee was awful. To be fair, I like my coffee strong. I had the biscuit with egg. You have to like cheese. It has a TON of cheese. A bit much for me and I like cheese. The grits were creamy but I wish it wasn't served in styrofoam. Highly recommend.

This is one of my favorite places in Carteret county. By far the best breakfast around. Kelly cooks…read morea perfect egg. I do over medium and it is always cooked to perfection. The wait staff Jennifer and Brittany are so sweet and friendly. They always remember what I drink and order. Never an empty glass. Angie at the outside bar makes great drinks and the atmosphere is so fun. Sitting on the covered porch at the outside bar on the beach. You can't get a better location if you tried. They are very dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on the outdoor porch. If I could give them 100 stars I would.

Thoroughly enjoyed this experience! Can't beat dining right on the pier, and while having people…read moreconstantly walking by can be disconcerting, it made for great people-watching. The food was also great. I recommend the bacalaíto appetizer. My Cubano sandwich was delicious, and my husband enjoyed the smash burger. Great fries as well. After dinner, walked down the pier to enjoy the sunset.

When I walk in every one is so friendly I go to the counter and order and was best ever guy at the…read moreregister when I had the fries they were so fresh the nuggets had good flavor and quarter pounder with cheese was good.

How tf do you guys mess up my order 7 damn times. First I came through the drive thru and asked…read morefor the grinch meal. And they said that they were all out which I was fine with, so i decided to get a Big Mac meal with no onions with a large strawberry banana smoothie. I get to the window and come to find out nothing about my meal was correct. This is not the first time this has happened. The manager even tried to convince me that the drink was a large but nobody was falling for that. So thank you mc for ruining my day everytime I go through that damn drive thru. Shout out to the girl with locs at the window the first time I went through. You deserve a raise!!

I took five teenagers to Dank Burrito in Morehead City before an escape room adventure, and it…read moreturned out to be one of the best meals of our trip. We were looking for something quick, but the menu looked so good that we couldn't wait to try it. Thankfully, it lived up to the hype! The gentleman at the register was incredibly kind and patient as we asked questions and figured out what everyone wanted. Our group ordered a variety of items, including mahi tacos, burritos, fries, queso, chips, guacamole, and pico. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The fries were honestly some of the best I've ever had, and the chips were perfectly seasoned. For dessert, I purchased a platter of their homemade Rice Krispie treats, and they were the perfect sweet ending to a fantastic meal. The restaurant was very clean, and I loved the flexibility of the menu. Being able to turn almost anything into a burrito, bowl, or taco made it easy for everyone in our group to find something they loved. Great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Morehead City!

We usually grab a bite here when arriving in town after a long drive, and the food never…read moredisappoints. Always fresh and very flavorful. Love the house chips and the burrito bowls. Service is always quick and efficient.

That Brisket Meatloaf is FANTASTIC! My green beans and potato salad were excellent also. So many…read moreplaces make their potato salad really bland, but this place does it right. The service was awesome and the restaurant setting was very nice. I truly enjoyed both my meal and my time here.

Before I share my thoughts on this restaurant, it's important to note that just 2 1/2 weeks before…read moredining here, I spent time in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. That means the competition for this establishment, at least in my mind, is some of the best--places like Panther City Barbecue in Fort Worth and Terry Black's Barbecue in Dallas. This restaurant advertises itself as serving "proven, winning competition barbecue." Having recently eaten at Terry Black's--a proven, award-winning establishment--I can't help but draw some comparisons. At Terry Black's, the pits are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that the barbecue is as fresh as possible. Here, while the staff takes noticeable steps to keep the meat moist and juicy, the taste and consistency just didn't feel like they lived up to that "award-winning" standard. Ambiance and Staff: The interior is neat and clean--exactly what you'd expect from a newly opened restaurant. The staff was exceptional. Everyone I spoke with was kind, helpful, and eager to provide a good customer experience. It's clear they are putting in the effort to make guests feel welcome. That being said, the restaurant is still in its early days, and you can tell they're ironing out some operational kinks. I imagine that in a few weeks, most customers won't notice these small bumps. The Food: This is where things get a little disappointing. I had high hopes for the brisket and beef rib, but unfortunately, neither lived up to my expectations. To be fair, I am comparing them to award-winning Texas establishments, which sets a high bar. Still, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by the flavors. The brisket lacked the bold, smoky taste that defines great barbecue, and the beef rib didn't have the consistency or texture I expected from a place claiming to be competition-level. The sides were average. For example, the collard greens didn't compare to the ones I had at another local restaurant the night before. The jalapeño mac and cheese was decent--I could see and taste the jalapeño, but it didn't stand out as memorable. The cornbread was probably the best item I had, but even that was good, not great. As for the sauces, I tried two of the three (not the Carolina style). They were both good, with subtle differences that I appreciated, but they didn't elevate the meal in any significant way. Overall Thoughts: This place faces stiff competition, both locally and in my own mind, given my recent Texas barbecue experiences. For ambiance, they earn a solid 4 out of 5. For customer service, the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff deserve a 5 out of 5. But when it comes to food taste and quality, it just didn't meet the expectations I had--especially considering the hype and the claim of being "proven, winning competition barbecue." Compared to places like Terry Black's, where the pits are running 24/7 to ensure fresh barbecue, this establishment didn't deliver the same level of freshness or flavor. While I can tell they are taking steps to keep the meat moist and juicy, the taste and consistency just weren't award-winning in my opinion. With time and refinement, I think they could improve, but as of now, the food didn't live up to the hype.

Good burgers and fries, excellent onion rings. Friendly staff and efficient service. Nice place…read morefor a quick meal.

A local strip mall burger place with lots of sauce options, great fries and tasty burgers. Onion…read morerings were good too. I notice a lot of smaller restaurants in Eastern NC have canned soda in a refrigerator instead of fountain drinks and many of them that have the fountain soft drinks many don't have ZERO like ZERO Coke or ZERO Pepsi, even in the drink case. This is the kind of place to come back over and over so you learn their system because I felt like there were oddities I was missing. Like not realizing there were sauce choices until we were nearly done. We will have to come back and try some of them and have another great burger.