Let's align our expectations: this is a bar, and this is bar food. This is not fine dining, and…read moreit's not meant to be. It's basic, simple, casual food. On a recent trip, my wife and I stopped in and had burgers and fries, about as straightforward as it gets. Was it the best burger we've ever had? No. Was it the worst? Not even close. It was pretty decent. Not especially memorable, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. The inside was a little smoky from the fryer or grill top, so we decided to sit outside. Even though it was warm, it turned out to be a pretty decent day for it. The staff was friendly, including to our dog, which is always a plus. Overall, it was cheap, filling, and perfectly fine for what it is. We would go back. Also, we didn't even ask for extra fries, but the waitress brought us extra fries because she thought there was not enough served with our burger! To those about to nosh, we salute you.

Awesome place!!! Service was exceptional and food was absolutely delicious. I'm not gluten free,…read morebut seeing SO many options for GF is very rare and a super cool thing for them to do. The Philly steak wonton appetizer - incredible. The burger was one of the best that I've had in a long time. The bun was so soft and fresh, the patty itself was seasoned and cooked to perfection, and of course with fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar, you can never go wrong. We will 100% be back whenever we're in the area!! The menu is huge, there are so many things I'd love to try!

Stopped in on a Sunday for lunch. The space is small but cute. Beers were okay and Buffalo Chicken…read morePizza was good. Perfect amount of spice and toppings. Staff were very attentive.

Went to the restaurant later on Sunday night and it was rather quiet. We were served right away…read more We needed something and this fit the bill. The calzone was yummy though the marinara was cold. The meatball sub was great. The offerings were plentiful and we would be back if we were local. Enjoyed it!

This is exactly the place I want to spend my money. Local and very warm with a dash of NC charm…read more The people here are great and for me the Tuesday beer specials are wonderful. It's a treat to get a coffee here and we like to buy the personally sourced whole beans they provide. There is something for everyone on the menu. Come play a game of chess.

This place is special! You can grab a coffee and then go on a nearby trail. They don't cut corners…read morewith the coffee either, every drink is handcrafted carefully. I also had a lovely cranberry muffin. I thought I was going to get it to go, but I scarfed it down before I even got out the door. Highly recommend the banana bread latte. And if you don't like something too sweet, this is definitely the place for you because they don't go overboard with sweetness. It's also a really welcoming environment.

The kangaroo burger was amazing!! Great staff, great food, so glad we stopped!! Haven't had…read morekangaroo in years and this hit the spot! The capers were such a hit!

We loved our burgers and sweet potato fries. I just wish the burger had been larger. It was small…read morefor the size of the bun (which was not a large bun). We had a great seat in the window, and enjoyed some craft beers. They don't have an extensive beer selection, but we found some beers we enjoyed. Service was great. The restaurant isn't fancy, but we enjoyed our meal.

Service here is spectacular. Cherry, friendly, knowledgeable and we were checked in on multiple…read moretimes. 11/10 for service.

Terrific experience. Service was friendly and helpful, food was delicious and overall good…read moreexperience!

This is a hidden gem in Wilkesboro, tucked inside a renovated house in a quiet neighborhood. The…read moreambiance feels upscale while still being very reasonably priced. The standard menu is small, but there are daily specials that are both affordable and excellent. I had the scallop special with crab/clam chowder--fantastic. The scallops were cooked perfectly. For dessert, the honey peach cheesecake paired beautifully with my old fashioned. The servers were friendly and attentive. They also serve as bartenders, so drinks can take a little longer than at a typical restaurant, but it's clear they work hard and stay engaged with guests. Overall, this is a great spot that I highly recommend.

Everything from start to finish was outstanding. Our server Paige was professional and attentive…read more Who would have thought this gem in NC would be possible. Loved every bye cant wait for our next visit.

We have ate here many times as well as at various locations…read moreThe food is almost always up to par and delicious, the service is hit or miss at best. The envious is the typical small town sports bar type vibe. Nothing to write home about. Todays service was not great. My food was out 5 minutes before my beverage was and I had to wait that 5 minutes to ask for my drink and my silverware which wasn't a huge deal because people forget things, and I get that but then my waitress was going home and who ever took my table over never came back with the refill I asked for before I had took more than 2 bites of my salad and by the time I left I still had no refill and my table as well as at-least 3 others were sitting waiting to be bussed so I don't know if they had no staff left after my waitress went home, but it wasn't a great experience. The food didn't taste bad except the last bite of my salad which was a bit gritty and ended up ultimately making me sick to stomach. 3 stars because the food is normally very good and normally it isn't this bad; however, this was an exceptionally poor experience.

My husband and I eat here quite often we usually sit at the bar for quicker service…read more The last two times I've been here the bartenders are allowing people to smoke vapes at the bar. Also, they allow people to carry their beers to the parking lot to take or make a call. It's a matter of time before ALE walks in and catches this. Can't say I would feel bad for them the food is just mediocre at best they really wouldn't be missed. If you know Wilkesboro there's not a lot to choose from, but even we can do without these type restaurants. In the bartender's defense they do appear to be a little scared of these people that do these things. Too bad I don't tend their bar they would be out in a minute. All they spend is on alcohol anyway most of them never order food. Who knows maybe ALE will be tipped off, if they've not already

4.5 the food was amazing only thing wrong was they gave us the wrong chicken but it was good…read more waiter was nice. Bathroom was dirty but it's a bathroom still though.

Started with garlic parm wings. Whoever plates the celery should really look at it. The three…read morepieces were all rotten. Tomato on my burger looked and tasted horrible. Husband's burger way too salty. Men's bathroom disgusting, the toilet nasty and plugged. Our server, Kaity H, was really good, attentive, and friendly. Table 42 on 4/27/25

Things seemed moderately busy at the Cardinal on the Sunday evening when I stopped by. There's not…read morea ton of parking, by the way, given the restaurant's roadside location. But I wiggled my vehicle into a tight spot and went in for a burger and a beer. I believe there were about 10 to 12 options available on tap, and I went with what was listed as an Irish stout from somewhere in the Northeast. It wasn't bad, though it seemed more like an imperial stout. My sandwich choice was the Cowboy, with ground elk at its core. It was a good choice too, and the accompanying fried onions and melted cheese complemented the meat well. I ordered the burger medium, but I think I'd go for medium rare if I could go back in time. The medium option wasn't bad, but I think a little less heat and a little more moisture would only make things better. I kept things simple with the side item, going for the fries which were of the thinly sliced McDonald's variety, not bad but nothing remarkable. The server covering my table was pleasant and prompt, though soft spoken so I occasionally had to ask her to repeat herself amidst the music and noise. I wouldn't call any of these selections a bargain, but the prices didn't veer too far from what you'll find in many burger joints. All in all, not an earthshaking experience, but a place I'd be willing to go back to. 3.5 stars.

Food is great here came for a burger didn't disappoint at all had a side of home made chips. Sat…read moreon the back porch nice area. Service was very good. Will be back.