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We had a larger party, so waited for some time but this was expected on a Saturday. Sat outside, shaded at high tops. Mixture of food from shrimp and grits to salads to blts. I had a Bloody Mary, well made. Some sodas and beers for all as well. I had the Cobb salad with a blue cheese vinaigrette- good, fresh veggies (great cucumbers). I do wish there was more roasted chicken/protein. Had a deviled egg on it, but flavor was a bit off on that so didn't eat it. Shrimp and grits x4 were good- grits a little thin, but flavor good. Only turn off was the tails being left on. On grits (and pasta) that is a pet peeve for me as you lose some of the shrimp and t makes it difficult to eat. BLT- good, fresh veggies and thick bread. French toast x2 - really good with a great variety of fresh fruit. Service was good.
A rainy Saturday found us changing our plans from geocaching to shopping. Afrer finding our 1st choice with a line out the door, we shopped & then chose this spot. We didn't have a wait & were seated rather quickly in the bar. That was pretty much the highlight. We felt ignored by our server with a couple who came in after us being tended to 1st, it took an incredibly long time for our food to arrive, at least 30 minutes and when it did arrive, it was not hot. I had the omelet du jour, which was chicken sausage with a blueberry Jalapeño sauce. The cheese wasn't melted & my sausage was cold. Not lukewarm, cold. I wonder how long did our food wait for someone to bring it to us? Usually we are blown away by food in the ILM but this is one place that we won't return to. Entirely too many missteps.
It's far from gourmet but what it is is good, easy, reasonably priced, with nice service, lots of options for everyone and a vegetarian friendly menu. We were looking for a quick, casual lunch on our way to some other plans and this fit the bill perfectly. Ambiance was, you know, a chill casual sandwich place. This is not somewhere to go on a sexy first date but that isn't what it claims to be. If I lived in the area I could easily see this being a go to spot when I need good food quickly and without ceremony.
I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this place. The service was lacking to say the least, with others being taken care of before us that came in after us. It was almost like we were an afterthought, and after waiting 10 mins to place our order we almost walked out. Then waiting another 30 minutes for our meal. I ordered the Southern Benedict and it was eh kinda odd. When I read coca-cola smoked ham I thought ham, not weird looking pork chunks. I even forgot what they were supposed to be after I tasted them, and had to go back to the menu to figure out what type of meat it was! The gravy was also odd, some kind of greasy flavored gravy that turned my taste buds completely off. The egg was not poached as you can tell from the picture it was some dried out looking fried concoction. The biscuit would've been ok if it hadn't gotten the flavoring from the rest of the dish soaked into it. Main thing, if you don't like pork loin or some kind of meat that is supposed to be pork do not order this. The only reason this review gets a 3 is because the blueberry pancake with walnut butter was very delicious, had lots of blueberries and granola mixed into the batter. But considering the service and the remainder of the meal, I won't be back.
Came here on the recommendation of a friend, she said sit at the bar! - talk to the locals, and I did. I was not disappointed. Food was beautiful and tasty. Had a signature morning special: hash bowl with steak and added eggs. Sliced ripe tomatoes with salt n peppa rounded out my meal. All while chatting up a local college professor on his way in to teach. What a great start to my day. Highly recommend stopping here for breakfast/brunch if near downtown. Also great quality and quantity to cost ratio, in your favor. Street side parking available.
Came here for brunch and the wait is LONG. Be prepared!! Cute shops around to pass time by. Service was a little slow but it was busy-ish. I ordered the southern Benedict.
I went to The Basics a while back. I loved the small town diner vibes. Great meal, fast and great service, and the overall cost was budget conscious. When I'm in the Wilmington area again I'll definitely be back.
I went to The Basics around 10:30am on a Friday and was seated right away--no wait, which was a nice start to the morning. The restaurant has a rustic, open atmosphere that feels very 'Wilmington'. I ordered the Southern Benedict with grits. The sausage gravy had incredible flavor, though it was a little cooler than I'd hoped. The biscuits were absolutely ginormous, with great texture that really stood out. But the star of the meal was definitely the grits--phenomenal, easily some of the best I've ever had. On top of the food, the staff were friendly and made the experience warm and enjoyable. Overall, The Basics is a charming spot with standout Southern flavors--I would love to try again for lunch or dinner.
The pancakes are the best ones I have ever tasted. The service was great and the servers were so nice. And there is some nice art in the building.
Came in for lunch on a weekday and they weren't busy at all... it was right after they switched to lunchtime that I arrived, but by the time I left, they were getting busy. I sat at the bar and started with a cup of Brunswick Stew. The stew was very flavorful, but was so thick, it didn't resemble a soup nor strew, it was more like a casserole. I then went with their chicken salad sandwich on sourdough bread. The chicken salad was just ok. I bit into something hard, maybe a bone and the overall flavor of it was more on the bland side. The potato cake that came with it was the best thing I ate there. It was very tasty. Overall, I wasn't as impressed based on what I expected from all the positive reviews I read.
We ended up frequenting this spot so much during our stay in NC that we practically became part of the crew. The staff started recognizing us as we casually strolled around Wilmington, greeting us like old friends. Talk about feeling like locals! This place lives up to its name with a laid back vibe that oozes Southern charm. The ambiance is relaxed and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy a meal. We kicked things off with a little bit of everything: coffee, sangria, apple juice, egg scramble with peppers and onions, pancakes, egg scramble with cheese, turkey bacon, chicken BLT sandwich sans the bacon, a potato croquette. The homemade mayo on the fried chicken BLT? I can't even describe how good it was. I mean, mayo shouldn't taste that amazing, but here we are. I literally begged my husband to take me there every morning just for that fried chicken BLT sandwich. The rest of the family loved their meals too. If you're ever in Wilmington, this place is a must. Comfortable, delicious, and a place where you'll feel like part of the family.
Good Southern food in a rustic setting. Service was friendly, but the kitchen was slow. The Carolina Cobb is different using mixed greens.
I had the chicken spinach salad, which was easily made dairy free. It was a delicious, bright salad and I especially loved the spiced nuts with it. The interior is cute and you're right in the cotton district to pop around a bit after you eat.
1 year ago
Need gluten free and love that the menu was clearly marked with options. From scratch kitchen! Went here for lunch with a friend. We both had the Cobb salad with the smoked chicken in it and blue cheese crumbles and guacamole. It was excellent very fresh tasting. Generous portion. Like the vibe ... some classic rock 'n' roll playing. I hear they serve a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays so need to come back and try the shrimp and grits...also gf! read more
My wife and I were looking for a nice breakfast/brunch spot for our anniversary, and The Basics, a five-minute walk from where we were staying, seemed to fit the bill. It's got exposed brick and vintage stools that exude retro charm. Add to that an amiable server and Led Zeppelin in the background, and The Basics provided a great atmosphere. The menu offered plenty to choose from, and we ultimately went with migas (potato cake as the side) and the daily omelet (blueberry pancake on the side). Ultimately, the food rated as good, not great. The omelet (sausage, potato, vegetables) was hearty and satisfying. The pancake was tasty (good blueberry flavor) as well albeit dense and crisp rather than light and fluffy. The potato pcake was more akin to a mashed potato puff, definitely not bad in its own right but perplexing for anyone expecting anything latke-esque. Accompanying biscuits were small and dry. While we weren't wowed by The Basics, we're still glad that we gave the restaurant a try. The food doesn't reach the level of the atmosphere and service (or its price point, for that matter), but it isn't a liability, either. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Amazing brunch specials! Friendly service. The fresh made desserts are killer! Try the lemon blueberry kind cake with whip cream! You won't regret. read more
3 years ago
I discovered The Basics as it was close to the hotel and had great reviews and the menu appealed to me. The restaurant has a casual vibe. I went with the Grateful Bread sandwich and fruit for the side as I wanted a lighter side. They were out of fresh mozzarella but substituted goat cheese. I like goat cheese but wasn't sure about it but it worked great in the sandwich. I hope there is mozzarella next time to try the original. The fruit was plentiful and a great variety of fresh fruits. Service was excellent as well, Noelle was my waitress and very friendly and helpful. I'd eat here again next time I am in town. read more
2 years ago
There is nothing better than finding a great breakfast place on your travels. Overnight in Wilmington and walking distance from our hotel. Win win I had the Biscuit with home cured cola ham topped with eggs and sausage gravy Lost one star because my Wife's breakfast came ten minutes later. But I would return for sure read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
While visiting NC, my good friends took me to Basics yesterday for brunch. I had the Grateful Bread, a delicious sandwich with grilled zucchini, lettuce, tomato, and mozz on a soft ciabatta roll. I wish I remembered our server's name because she was sensational. I'd never had okra before, and they're fried okra are like little tater tots. It is a fantastic little resteraunt and I look forward to my next visit. read more
This is the place to have Breakfast in town, no ifs and's or but's. This trip we were Served by Katelynn and what a bright and colorful, friendly and on top of it young lady. This is our 3 rd time here and we just have never had a bad experience. I did find out on this visit they do take reservations, so if you are going make sure to do that or you could be waiting a while. This is our place to go in downtown, and will always continue to be, if they continue the exceptional standard they have set for all restaurants. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
Love the food. Portions were great. Biscuits delicious and huge! Definitely will come back again. read more
Loved eating breakfast at The Basics! Immediately was greeted by friendly servers and staff. I was on vacation, so started the day with a Bloody Mary cocktail. It was delicious! Next I ordered the Shrimp and Grits , it was popping with flavor. The shrimps were huge and the serving size was perfect . The grits were perfectly seasoned. I also had the two eggs and bacon with toast. The bacon was so perfectly crispy! It was such a wonderful way to start the day. Inside decor is fun and welcoming. I love the setup of the restaurant, the bar area is super nice and the dining area spacious. I loved starting my day by eating breakfast at The Basics! Awesome time! read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
I haven't been to Basics in probably 5 years. Have to say I was disappointed. The service was extremely slow at first. He was busy so no big deal. But then he never checked on us after we ordered our food. Talked to all the tables around us but not us. My Bloody Mary was very thick even after I added some water to it to thin in out. And there were two singular slices of zucchini in my sandwich. Not ideal when that is supposed to be one of the main ingredients in this sandwich. I probably won't rush to go back anytime soon. read more
Trendy little place in downtown Wilmington. The burger was very good and the fried mashed potato ball was ridiculously good. The burger was 8oz of angus on a very fresh bun. Topped with a thick slice of fresh mozzarella! Chunky red onions and bacon made for a beautiful creation. The fried potato cake was other worldly. Chilled, rolled in spices and fries to crunchy perfection. So good in going to try and perfect this at home. The staff was great and the decor very urban. If you were thinking about eating here the answer is yes. Since it's small I can imagine it getting quite busy. read more
10 months ago
10 months ago
11 months ago
5 years ago
We just flew in from vacation, it was early enough for brunch. We went downtown to see if we could get a seat for 4. Success! I hadn't eaten at basics yet, it was a twenty min wait. We took a walk to the river to kill time. Luckily it was a beautiful day! The place is bustling, staff was super sweet. Kiddo had PB&J and PB&J yogurt ( interesting). Bread ratio to filling was a bit much for me but he loved it. Hubby had the pork belly bowl with an egg added to the top, I had it omelette style. I felt like the veggies overpowered the meat. I did not really taste the pork, however the veggies were really good. ( love Brussels, just think coped might have been better) My side was fried green tomatoes, never had them before and I loved them. We had blueberry sangria and it was perfect. read more
10 months ago
It makes sense why you need a reservation for this place on the weekend... the food is amazing. My friend got us a table right when it opened on a Saturday morning. People were already in line before 10 a.m., but it only took us about 5 or so minutes to get a table. They're only letting one party check in at a time so folks aren't standing around due to COVID-19. Our waitress was super friendly and they appear to have a good team in place. Another waitress (possibly manager?) noticed our person was busy and hasn't taken our order so she came over to help us. Despite it being cold I ordered a Bloody Mary and my friend chose coffee with Jameson's. We both enjoyed our drinks. Our food arrived in about 10 or 15 minutes. The menu is pretty extensive and I wanted to try everything. In the end, I went with their omelette special of the day which had a lot in it...sausage, cauliflower, little potatoes, cheese and other things I can't remember because I was like Buddy the Elf with his syrup spaghetti breakfast. Instead of the usual egg omelette, I got the grits bowl instead . Game changer! It comes with one side and I enjoyed the blueberry oatmeal pancake (extra .50...they charge extra for a lot of small items so be aware). You could not taste the blueberry at all so it was basically a normal pancake, but still good. I will definitely be retuning. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I heard a lot of great things about this place especially for breakfast and brunch. Everybody that seems to work downtown loves it and there's always a wait. It was busy when I went however I was able to get in fairly quickly. They have QR code menus, which makes it easy. We were seated right by the door next to a bar seating area which faces the kitchen. If you have children, it's a place you could bring them. I think you can fit a stroller by the table. I didn't really see high chairs, but the place is a lot bigger than just the front area so I'm not really sure. The food was pretty basic you know eggs Benedict regular scrambled eggs, eggs, toast, etc. etc. I was nothing to write home about but was good nonetheless. The staff was super nice. The staff was excellent. The seating was quick very accommodating and flexible, especially when you have a little one until. Pricing was OK. It was decent. You do get a lot of food. I wasn't very impressed with my omelette to be honest. It was some sort of omelette with a salsa on top and then a bunch of chips mixed in it and I'm not sure I can really enjoy an omelette with a bunch of corn tortilla chips lol. But they did remake it for me right away. No questions asked when they saw that I wasn't interested in eating it which I thought was very attentive. They were very good about refilling the drinks and very attentive to the table to check in. Overall, I definitely will go back but it's not something that would be my first choice over other places in the area for the same type of food. read more
Last night was our anniversary and I selected The Basics for dinner. I had been here once before for brunch. Friends of ours joined us. This place requires you wearing masks upon entering, when walking around, and when leaving. You also have to wait until they open the door. Our waitress was Madison. We needed to ask for menus because three of us didn't have cell phones to view the menu online. There was no wine list. "Red wine or white wine" doesn't help, so she showed us her cheat sheet. We really would appreciate, and I'm sure others too, if The Basics would have printed wine menus. The four of us shared the warm spinach dip appetizer. With it was French bread, cut into cubes. The dip wasn't your typical thick and creamy texture with cream cheese, parmesan or other cheeses, but a little on the runny side. There was a little heat to the dip but not strong. And it was green! We all loved it. Two of us ordered the pesto encrusted salmon. The presentation was fun. There was a wide ribbon of fried cheese shaped into a curve. My husband said it looked like a scorpion. LOL! The tomato basil risotto was creamy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The other two order the meatloaf (came with a huge portion of mashed potatoes and gravy) and a cup of Brunswick stew (my husband had some but brought the rest home). The meatloaf was thick. Everything was excellent along with good-size portions. Prices were pretty reasonable compared to other restaurants in town. Overall an excellent dinner. I'm still keeping this at a 4-star rating because of the lack of printed menus. 5-stars for the food and service. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Started off with an excellent greeting from our waitress. Was brought out a mimosa with lemon vodka, champagne, and fresh squeezed watermelon juice. The feeling in the air was great and you could tell people were enjoying the morning. The food was incredible and made me want more. I will 100% be back to enjoy this lovely establishment. read more
2 years ago
Whenever I'm in Wilmington, I try to make time for this bistro by the Cotton Exchange downtown. Fresh ingredients and hospitable service. For something sweet and "melt in your mouth" good, order the Coca-Cola cake. The Basics is always on point. read more
This was an easy stroll from our hotel, so we stopped in for a Tuesday breakfast. Liked that they are enforcing masks, having you wait outside, and encouraging hand sanitizer when you get in. Tables separated nicely. Nice and friendly. Code for menu is on the table or look online. Sad they don't serve crab cakes benedict on weekdays! Would have loved to try it. We got our drinks quickly. Tea for me, coffee for Husband. Loved that they brought water without us having to ask for that as well. Then we waited awhile to order. Finally placed our order. And waited. It was a long wait. Husband went through two cups of coffee. Everyone working was sure working hard and fast, but it felt very disorganized. When we finally saw our food show up at the window, we saw it sit there for awhile before it was brought to us. Food was very good. I got the Oatmeal Blueberry Pancakes with crispy bacon. Liked that they put the walnut butter and maple syrup on the side. Came in especially handy as they didn't bring butter for Husband's biscuit, so I let him have mine. He had the steak and scrambled eggs, which he said were good. The steak was well done, but he said it was tasty. My pancakes were large and I couldn't finish them. If there's oatmeal it has to be ground in as you can't see it or taste it. There weren't a lot of blueberries, so finding them was like finding treasure. Overall, quality food, and you can tell they really care about covid safety. Even the bathroom had super hot water. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Nice little place. Staff were friendly and helpful. The wild mushroom risotto and the pesto were the best we've ever had. Highly recommend. The smoked chicken was dry but otherwise everything was fantastic! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Short distance from the riverwalk, quiet and cozy in the evening around downtown Wilmington. Friendly service and skilled chefs. Some favorites do run out later in the day, we'll have to come back and try again in future! Ordered the Pesto Salmon with Asparagus and a side of mushroom risotto. For desserts, we tried the famous Coca-Cola cake. Delicious and highly recommended! read more
6 years ago
I had never heard of this restaurant, and thought I'd give it a try. We got there around 5 minutes to 8pm and they close at 10pm, however the host was so nice. You can't come into the restaurant until they tell you to do so; when they do the hostess had hand sanitizer in hand for you to sanitize. We were seated at the bar and the waiter was SUPER NICE. I can't remember name though (sad face) but he wore glasses and had black fingernail polish! We ordered - I ordered the lamb chops with mushroom risotto, and grilled asparagus! Everything was so tasty! And eventhough we were the last to leave, they asked us several times about dessert or if we wanted anything else! That's TRUE customer service! read more
2 years ago
Came here because the restaurant I originally wanted to visit was closed. We were seated quickly and customer service was great. The food came out quickly, but there wasn't anything particularly amazing about my meal. It satisfied my hunger, just didn't blow my mind. I would probably come again when I'm back in Wilmington, but I'd grab something different. read more
More info about The Basics
319 N Front St
Wilmington, NC 28401
Directions
(910) 343-1050
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http://www.thebasicswilmington.com/
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Ask the Community - The Basics
Are there any gluten free options?
They offer gluten free bread for sandwiches and some menu items are gluten free.
Do they have bottomless mimosas?
Nope no bottomless mimosas! But they have a sweet bar and make some great drinks!
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