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    The Big Easy

    3.4 (517 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Order The Big Easy Takeout or Delivery

    The Big Easy Photos

    THE BIG EASY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Big Easy

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    Pasta Jambalaya
    Tracy A.

    I went to Big Easy tonight with a party of 5. I do not see myself coming back again. There was a private party going on at the same time, and maybe this explains the exceptionally slow service. The wait staff did look like they were working diligently, but it took a very long time for them to even take out order and even longer for our food to arrive. Once the food came, things were ok but the food left a lot to be desired. Someone in my party had the etouffee and commented on the fact that it lacked seasoning. I had the Jambalaya pasta and was pleasantly surprised in the sausage in the dish as it had great flavor, but the pasta sauce itself was lacking. The portions were good and the value for the money was there in that respect. We didn't get any alcoholic beverages just fountain drinks. The location is central downtown, so parking it hard. This is not a place I would seek out.

    Jambalaya Pasta
    Maia H.

    Love the food here I've been here multiple times and we even had them cater my sisters bridal shower!!! The service is pretty fast I've honestly only had a server be inattentive once and I was at the bar so I wouldn't even count it against them

    Catfish Platter
    Sakinah P.

    We sat at the bar and received good service our drinks was tasty and my fish platter was delicious. The alligator bites were good but for some reason they forgot the sauce and we had to ask for it for a few times. It was a nice crowd and ambiance.

    French 75
    Tamara T.

    I enjoyed this place! Spacious, not too loud, good drinks, and good food. I stopped by on a Friday night as I wandered downtown Raleigh. I was pointed in the direction of The Big Easy and was not disappointed. I had a French 75 and it was tasty and the flavor was not overpowered by the lemon juice. I also had a seafood platter and seafood chowder to go. Both were flavorful and good portions. They also had a live band setting up about 10p as they are open until 2a. I would visit here again when in Raleigh!

    Joel J.

    This place could definitely use work. First of all, the place smells like a combination of weed and cigarettes; this makes the experience unpleasant. The ribeye and cheeseburger could use a bit more flavor, though the fries were good! I'll give it that. The bathrooms are falling apart, as seen in the photos and the dining area isn't in great shape either. Workers were friendly, nothing out of this world. All in all, I didn't feel too comfortable dining here and probably won't be back again.

    Caesar, Wings and a side of "gettin' sh_t done"...
    Mike T.

    Natasha, the bartender took great care of me tonight. On a business trip and just needed a couple of hours to work while also quenching my thirst and hunger. The large Caesar was amazing and the wings tasty, crunchy and flavorful. It was a Monday night so a pretty quiet evening, but kitchen open 'til midnight. Just my kind of place to be productive . Thank you, Natasha !!

    A Taste of Louisiana
    Benjamin D.

    Stopped by here on Monday for lunch. The gator bites and Jambalaya were outstanding. Gumbo and red beans were good. Waitress was attentive and friendly. Came back on Tuesday. Had the Creole with Crawfish simmered in spicy creole sauce over seasoned rice. This was excellent, though the Crawfish were a bit overpowering. The service today left much to be desired: waitress looked miserable. Did not smile or speak the entire time I was there. "Ready?" was all I got out of her. Came back today for the Etoufee. Sat at the bar. Bar tender was friendly, attentive and efficient. The Etoufee was excellent. The buttery sauce balanced the Crawfish perfectly. Would definitely recommend the place. Will have to come back at night for the music.

    David T.

    I love the atmosphere! It looks cozy and great for a date night. The service was good but you can hear screaming cooks from the kitchen so that was not pleasant to hear. The food was good and reasonably priced. As long as they can keep their staff calm, it would've been a fantastic night

    Kathy L.

    My friend & I needed an early dinner, she been here before and told me this place was great. They weren't busy and limited staff during slow times. Amanda was amazing tho! She was so nice and had great recommendations. She recommended us a Red Bull which didn't even know they had, we needed the energy. The hostess gave us water when we sat down, it's was sit yourself when we were there. I got a Diet Dr. Pepper it was crisp. Amanda told us the specials and my friend got the steak wrap. I got the taste of Louisiana with gator bites. Once our food arrived, everything smelled amazing. The gator bites were nice and tender, the rice & beans were good hearty meh on flavors. The chicken & sausage gumbo was delicious & so was the jambalaya on the side was jalapeño cornbread which was good. The steak wraps was delicious too and the fries were well seasoned. The vibes were chill the only downside to the entire experience was the Womens's bathroom was a mess, minus the sink was well stocked and clean. The rest was a mess and we told someone but still didn't get clean while we were there.

    Caesar salad
    Nikia C.

    I've been to The Big Easy a few times and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. However, this time was different. I went later in the evening and they offered a "late night menu" only. The restaurant was not crowded. There was 1 larger table leaving and maybe 3 other tables with 2 people at each. Only 2 people at the bar. I saw at least 6 employees in the front. Caesar salad 5/5 Pimento cheese balls 2/5 Fries seafood platter 3/5 The server was not attentive. The server took awhile to take my order. Took awhile to check back in. And took awhile to bring the food. Which, ultimately, lead to me having lukewarm food. I told the server all items could come out at the same time. The server didn't listen so things came out one by one. The pimento cheese balls came out room temperature. Caesar salad was next. Which was good because was suppose to be cold. Seafood platter was carrying temps. Fish was hot, shrimp and oysters lukewarm, fries cold. The restaurant was open for another 2 hours but all servers, employees, and bartender seemed more concerned with cleaning up and chatting. On 2 separate occasions, dishes were dropped with food splatters at my feet. The bartender also dropped glasses that shattered as well.

    A Taste of Louisiana
    Chauncey H.

    The food was excellent the lady that waited on our table personality was DRY just going through the mositions of doing her work. No smile no welcome to the Big Easy. The ambiance need some work the walls an the tables were sticky. For the price the portions were to small. My bill was $99.00 and I still left our witness a $20.00 cash tip maybe that brightened up her. She was waiting on the the upstairs tables when we departed.

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    6 months ago

    This restaurant is amazing and has great drinks. Could not recommend this place and the bartender Asia enough! Will definitely come again!!!

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    Page 1 of 13

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    Crawford & Son - Beef tartare and bone marrow. Favorite dish of the night it's rich and refreshing with great texture

    Crawford & Son

    4.5(345 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Fantastic spot to grab a nice meal. It's on the more intimate side, so definitely make a…read morereservation during peak times. Was really impressed by the hospitality of the bartender Toulson (spelling?). He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and gave me detailed recommendations. -- The Hamachi Crudo was so bright and light. I really enjoyed the puffed rice on top and the basil ice complemented the dish well. The grapefruit added some nice acidity and the little crunchy bites were the perfect texture contrast. The pieces of fish were large and thick. -- The Manchego-herb Biscuits were awesome. One order comes with four small biscuits. Crust was flaky, the inside was soft and moist, and the flaky salt was the cherry on top. -- The Seared Duck Breast was phenomenal. The duck was juicy and tender and salted well. The skin was thick, sooo flavorful, and melted in your mouth but I would've liked a little more crispiness on the outside. I enjoyed the mix of fresh vegetables and warm cooked vegetables served with the dish. -- The Lemon Yuzu Tart was a nice bright and rich dessert. The tartness comes from the jam on top of the tart but it doesn't overwhelm the dish. The creme brulee style top was a nice touch. The buttermilk ice cream was more on the icier side than creamy. I really enjoyed all the dishes I tried here and am looking forward to my next visit.

    Crawford and Son serves very tasty food in a modern diner atmosphere and attentive service…read more Although not a breakfast place, their famous biscuits are a great opener - so flaky and buttery with manchego cheese that adds deep, sharp flavor and a moist yumminess. I enjoyed the duck breast, with a crunch tasty dried beet topping. The duck was moist and tender and the strips were nicely roasted. For dessert, I savored the Dark Chocolate Ganache Cake. This is a rich cake with a full chocolate flavor. When I'm next in Raleigh, I plan to dine at Crawford and Son for a superb meal.

    Photos
    Crawford & Son - Inside. Dining room and bar. Calm before the storm.

    Inside. Dining room and bar. Calm before the storm.

    Crawford & Son - Stone Ground Polenta

    Stone Ground Polenta

    Crawford & Son - Outside. Storefront. Limited outdoor sidewalk patio seating. Free street parking in residential neighborhoods around/behind block.

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    Outside. Storefront. Limited outdoor sidewalk patio seating. Free street parking in residential neighborhoods around/behind block.

    Poole's - Macaroni Au Gratin

    Poole's

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    This is one of those spaces that does half the work before the food even hits the table. It used to…read morebe an old-school diner, and a lot of that DNA is still there. The bones feel nostalgic, but the overall vibe is current and lively. It's the kind of place that feels familiar but still cool. Service Service is where things really clicked. Our server knew the menu inside out and guided us through it with confidence. Every recommendation landed. It also felt like one of those menus where it would be hard to order poorly. The Food The menu leans comfort food with a modern edge, and it's done really well across the board. We started with a Caesar salad with dill pickle dressing, which sounds like it shouldn't work but absolutely does. Bright, fresh, and just different enough to be interesting without trying too hard. The beet salad was also excellent, clean flavors and well balanced. Then came the pimento cheese with fried crackers. This might have been the sleeper hit. The crackers are dangerously good. Simple idea, executed perfectly, and hard to stop eating. For mains, the fried chicken was solid but didn't stand out the same way the starters did. The short rib pot pie, on the other hand, was exactly what you want from a dish like that. Rich, flaky, and deeply comforting. Overall Poole's is the kind of place where everything feels considered, from the space to the service to the food. It's approachable, well executed, and very easy to enjoy.

    Our second visit for dinner at Poole's since relocating to downtown Raleigh last year. We were just…read moreas impressed on this recent visit as we were a few months ago. We opted for a reservation at the bar, and we enjoyed excellent service from Brittany and Kylie. They were attentive and very detailed with the excellent service that we have found out is the norm in every one of Ashley Christensen's restaurants. Our starter of roasted beets had an incredible blend of buttermilk blue cheese with white balsamic thyme, pickled pumpkin, and Marcona almonds. So yummy. Then my husband and I shared the Ricotta Gnocchi that we agree is the BEST gnocchi we have ever had the privilege of eating. So light in spite of a duck bolognese being the sauce. Fried rosemary sparked my home chef mind for future meals! We also shared the Brussels sprout upon Brittany's recommendation. One of the most unique preparations on Brussels sprouts ever with oyster mushrooms and a sherry cream sauce. We typically pass on dessert, but the description of their Pear Tart Tatin coupled with Kylie's verbal description hooked us and we were thrilled to enjoy every bite of the hazelnut praline ice cream that is part of this beautiful dessert.

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    Poole's - Interior

    Interior

    Poole's - Chicken liver moose

    Chicken liver moose

    Poole's - Bibb Lettuces

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    Bibb Lettuces

    Beasley's Chicken & Honey - Packed on opening night.

    Beasley's Chicken & Honey

    4.2(2.2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I can't believe this place had to close and the only reason was pure greed from the landlord. I've…read morebeen going here since 2017 but recently when they switched to gluten-free fried chicken we started going more because my girlfriend has celiac. On Wednesday's they were doing all gluten-free menu and it was amazing...no crazy unreasonable upcharges, just honest menu pricing and great food. As of this review they are the #2 most reviewed place in Raleigh only behind the Pit. When we went last week for a farewell dinner it took us 3 weeks to get in. We got turned away 2 other times. The place was always packed and busy yet cozy and calm with great service. Hopefully they relocate or put some of the items from the menu at Pooles. Fuquay could use a nice place like this and it would be way cheaper than Raleigh! Best of luck to the staff in the future as they all look for work.

    I went back to Beasley's Chicken & Honey one last time as they close January 25th. Even on a cold,…read morerainy morning, there was a line outside before opening. I understand as if you aren't seated when they open, you can expect a 90-minute to two-hour wait. I was hoping to get the Chicken Pot Pie this time and thought my prior visit was just off. I was thrilled that most of the menu was available. They were just out of the banana pudding. So I got to try the pecan wings I read about with the white sauce. It was so good. Then I got the chicken pot pie and biscuits. The pot pie had old biscuits for the topping, but the creamy mixture with large chunks of chicken was delicious. My biscuits came with honey and were served warm. I left with a slice of the chocolate-caramel-coconut cake, a side salad without onions, and a fried boneless thigh. The salad was made correctly, and the dressing was included. The salad was full of veggies, and the cake was rich and moist. Service was friendly and as soon as I finished my iced tea, another appeared. My wings were brought out first and it was a while for the rest of the meal as the restaurant was full. But they didn't rush me at all. I actually liked the space between the dishes, as I might not have been able to eat it all otherwise. I couldn't finish both biscuits and was even provided a container for the honey. I am going to miss Beasley's, but I'm glad I got a positive experience to remember the restaurant.

    Photos
    Beasley's Chicken & Honey - Courtesy of @NewRaleigh

    Courtesy of @NewRaleigh

    Beasley's Chicken & Honey - Chicken + Honey!

    Chicken + Honey!

    Beasley's Chicken & Honey

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    Tazza Kitchen Village District - Patio

    Tazza Kitchen Village District

    4.3(658 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Spicy sausage pizza…read more *Spicy sausage pizzzzaaaahhhh!* Had a very pleasant evening here with friends and fam. Wasn't well planned so we just winged it with a party of 11. Some pasta dishes, some pizzas, all happy. Out the door was right at $414.00 which is super reasonable for such a crowd. 10/10 will be back

    I had visited Tazza a couple of times before, but this was my first time at the Cameron Village…read morelocation. First of all, I implore anyone wanting to go, make reservations during peak hours! We entered through a big heavy wooden door into the quasi-dark atmosphere and were promptly seated, despite most of the tables being occupied. We were given a two top and started with chips and guacamole. I was impressed with the chips, they were a little extra thick, had tiny bubbles in them. Certainly a far departure from the typical thin, overly salty chip found at most restaurants and grocery stores. Excellent guac with a little pico and lime wedge on the side. I ordered the Baja bowl with shredded adobo chicken. The bowl had green rice, black beans, a whole lot of kale, tomatillo sauce, pickled red onions, crema, and cilantro. It needed a little more, so I added in some of the guac, a few chips I crumbled in my hands for some crunch, and some fresh lime juice. Noah did a good job keeping our water glasses full and he was quite friendly. However, the restroom situation is a bit difficult. There are two small unisex bathrooms, both of which have to be locked. There can't be more than one person in there at the same time, so plan accordingly. Granted, since there isn't much space in the restaurant, it's not as if they have a ton of options.

    Photos
    Tazza Kitchen Village District - Freestyle Veggie Pizzas

    Freestyle Veggie Pizzas

    Tazza Kitchen Village District - Seasonal Craft Cocktails

    Seasonal Craft Cocktails

    Tazza Kitchen Village District - Tacos

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    Tacos

    Birdie's Barroom and Kitchen - Proper Burger*

sharp white cheddar, white American, lettuce, tomato, onion, b&b pickles, Birdie's sauce. Served with Birdie's fries.

    Birdie's Barroom and Kitchen

    4.3(189 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is a sun-drenched hideaway where the city seems to exhale. This downtown bar and restaurant…read morefeels less like a room and more like a warm afternoon--light spills through oversized windows, stretching across honeyed wood floors and catching on glints of brass and gold like little sparks of celebration. The patio blurs the boundary between inside and out, inviting breezes, laughter, and the occasional curious passerby to join the scene. Inside, it's a playful clash of textures and tones--lush greenery tumbling from shelves, vibrant colors dancing against natural wood, and polished metals winking from every corner. It's the kind of place where a cocktail feels brighter, conversations linger longer, and even the sunlight seems to stay for just one more round. From the moment you step in, the welcome feels less like service and more like being let in on a good secret. The staff greet you with easy smiles and a kind of genuine curiosity--like they're actually glad you chose this spot, today. There's no script, no stiffness--just a natural warmth that settles in as quickly as the sunlight. Behind the bar, the bartenders move with quiet confidence and a touch of showmanship. They know their craft, but they don't flaunt it--they share it. Ask for a classic, and it arrives perfectly balanced; ask for something new, and they'll read your mood like a seasoned mind-reader. The deviled eggs arrive perfectly plump, sunshine-yellow centers whipped into a silky, indulgent cloud and topped generously with the red peppers that bring just the right whisper of fresh garden drama, they're rich without being heavy, playful without trying too hard--the kind of bite that makes you pause mid-conversation, raise an eyebrow, and make you want to slowly work through the next one. They only come in odd numbers, sharing isn't caring on these. The BBQ hot honey pork ribs show up like they own the place--sticky, glistening, and just a little bit dangerous. The meat barely clings to the bone, surrendering at the slightest nudge, impossibly tender yet somehow still juicy, with those caramelized, crispy edges that feel like the best kind of rebellion. Sweet heat from the honey lingers just long enough to keep you coming back, fingers unapologetically messy and completely worth it. And then there's the mac & cheese--rich, velvety, and indulgent in a way that feels almost mischievous. Each spoonful stretches and melts like it's putting on a show, wrapping you in buttery comfort while quietly stealing the spotlight. Together, it's a plate that doesn't ask for your attention--it demands it, and you'll be more than happy to oblige. Cheers!

    Omg I fell in loooovvvvee with their Birdie flatbread. Hands down one of the best flatbread dishes…read moreI have ever had in my life!!! Service was just okay, the woman server was nice, the male bartender seemed a bit indifferent, and didn't clear the dirty dishes next to me the entire time I was there. The Lavender 75 cocktail was just okay; the bartender went too heavy-handed with the lavender. It's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to order floral cocktails, because it's easy to overdo it. Anywhooo, I will be back for that amazing Birdie flatbread!!

    Photos
    Birdie's Barroom and Kitchen - Latte

    Latte

    Birdie's Barroom and Kitchen - Hot Honey Cauliflower

lime elote aioli, chives

    Hot Honey Cauliflower lime elote aioli, chives

    Birdie's Barroom and Kitchen - Hellish Eggs*

Spicy tomatoes, roasted baby peppers, crumbled feta cheese, poached eggs

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    Hellish Eggs* Spicy tomatoes, roasted baby peppers, crumbled feta cheese, poached eggs

    The Big Easy - cajun - Updated May 2026

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