Ribs were fine, sauce smoky but plain, salad fresh. Overall acceptable but forgettable, a fair…read morethree-star dinner.

Stopped in after a funeral and was really pleased to have delicious food. I had the ribeye sandwich…read moreit hit the spot and the green beans were great. I cleaned my plate and will definitely be returning. I don't live in the area but I told my sister about it and would love to pick up some cuts of meat sometimes. Good butcher shops are hard to find.

My wife and I visited Chef & the Farmer in Kinston to celebrate my birthday, and it turned out to…read morebe one of the most memorable dining experiences we've had in years. We were delighted to be personally greeted by none other than Vivian Howard -- James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. It was our first visit since Chef Vivian reimagined the restaurant into its current format: an intimate, chef-driven dining concept she calls "Chef New," inspired by one of her favorite restaurants, Chez Nous in Charleston, where a compact menu of six rotating daily selections keeps the focus squarely on quality and creativity. Chef Vivian herself seated us, and from that moment, the warmth and intentionality of the experience never let up. We were fortunate to be seated directly in front of the open kitchen, where we had the pleasure of meeting Chef Hope and watching the culinary team work with quiet precision. Every member of the staff -- from our server to the pastry and salad chef -- contributed to an atmosphere that felt both refined and genuinely welcoming. The prix-fixe menu, which rotates weekly, offered a wonderful range of choices. We opened with a starter of soft-shell crabs -- caught just two hours prior -- served with charred scallion mayo and a bright corn relish. The dish was extraordinary: delicate, fresh, and perfectly executed. My wife's Brussels sprouts, tossed with spiced peanuts and goat cheese and finished with a honey vinaigrette, were equally impressive. A generous pour of Sorgente Prosecco made it all the better. For our mains, I chose the flank steak, accompanied by asparagus with green butter and a silky root vegetable purée. My wife opted for the house-made tagliatelle in a shrimp scampi that she couldn't stop talking about. Both dishes were beautifully presented and thoughtfully composed, reflecting the restaurant's deep commitment to farm-to-table sourcing and local ingredients. The meal concluded with fantastic desserts and continued conversation with the staff, who were as knowledgeable as they were passionate. Throughout the evening, there was an evident attention to detail in every element -- from the food preparation to the way each dish was explained and presented. This is the kind of dining experience that reminds you why food matters. We will absolutely be back.

We've eaten a few times at Chef & the Farmer, enjoyed the Kitchen Bar experience, and were excited…read moreto try the latest iteration, The Counter. As always, Vivian does not disappoint. The Counter occupies what was once the private dining room at Chef & the Farmer. Decor is cool - bare brick, tin ceiling, polished cement floor, tables and chairs new but antiqued. An eclectic mix of music plays - a little too loud for my liking, but not so loud that we had to shout. Perhaps a dozen tables, plus a few on the sidewalk for when it warms up. The menu is simple, only a dozen or so choices. Some are old favorites, some new creations. A special of the day is offered. You order at the counter, and food is served at your table. You pick your table. We opted for an early dinner, arriving at 4PM on a Sunday. It was quiet in the restaurant, only us and and one other table. Service was good, but a little disjointed - one entrée arrived a full 5 minutes before the rest of the food. I tried shrimp and grits, the daily special. 6 shrimp, atop a bowl of cheddar grits, adorned with ground sausage, mushroom and roaster red pepper sauce. The shrimp are smoky; a crispy crunch to each one. Grits are creamy and perfect, complete with a few lumps. The sauce pulls it all together and adds the tiniest hint of heat. YUM! Also tried blueberry bbq chicken enchiladas. These are 3 to a serving; tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken prepared with Vivian's famous blueberry sauce. They're served in a shallow pool of poblano cream and topped with sliced radish, cilantro and cotijo. With a side of black beans. The chicken is the star.. it's moist, flavorful with the sweet/sour goodness of the blueberry sauce. Delish! Also tried a trio of sides - fried collards, hushpuppies and beets. The fried collards are a familiar favorite - deep fried collard leaves, crispy and salty. Hushpuppies are golf-ball sized, wonderfully crisp on the outside, moist and sweet on the inside. They're topped with apple & jalapeno preserves. Beets are served with slices of orange, topped with spiced and feta vinaigrette. To be honest, you could just order one of each of the sides (there are others) and that would be a meal! The counter offers wonderful food. Not quite the experience of a full sit-down meal (I really MISS Chef & the Farmer), but still - worth the drive to Kinston.

I live in NJ and my Aunt passed 2 weeks ago. I called Queen and spoke to a very helpful individual…read moreand she was able to help me create a beautiful sandwich platter with 2 sides dishes. Within an hour of me calling they were delivered to my cousin who lives in LaGrange. She could not stop raving about everything in particular the chicken salad sandwich and the pasta salad. Kudos to them!! Thank you for all your telephonic help! Made the unfortunate task somewhat very smooth! I've ordered many salads from them when I visit family and it's a very casual and family oriented cafe/deli!

I enjoyed lunch At Queens St Deli this afternoon prior to meeting with my attorney a couple doors…read moredown from the restaurant. This location is conveniently located downtown and across from the courthouse. The perfect location. The staff offered wonderful southern hospitality. Sarah greeted us upon arrival and provided recommendations on menu items. My mother was very undecided. Sarah recommended the Queens panini and I ordered the Queens Chicken salad and a tomato bisque. Everything was excellent. I loved how spacious this restaurant is. The library was a nice touch as well.

This restaurant consistently delivers on a great southern meal. The proteins and side dishes taste…read moregreat and the portions are plentiful. The food was cooked to order and served hot. My favorite are the hush puppies (which seemingly come with every meal).

GoldBelly delivery of Kings BBQ. Poorly packaged caused the food to become thawed. So the Pig Out…read moreParty that serves 12 had to eaten in a weekend! The ribs were dry and slightly chewy the cider bbq sauce was just ok. The pulled pork had too much vinegar The hush puppies were dense and doughy Considering the cost, I would never order again

If you grew up in ENC and remember dirt parking lot country stores then welcome back... great old…read morespot for a red hotdog on a steamed bun, Carolina style and a glass bottle ice cold Pepsi... keep it simple and perfect.

Ma's is where you go when you want a burger or hot dog done RIGHT. their all-the-way burger with…read morebacon? chef's kiss. it's a small spot, but the food and the people make it worth the trip. it's quick, it's tasty, and it feels like home. you can't go wrong here.

Thank you to Sugar Hill Pizzeria for hooking us up with a free pizza after a long night working a…read moregas leak outside the pizzeria. The guys from Wright Traffic of NC appreciate you greatly. The pizza is great and the staff are friendly.

Really tasty food! Quick service and friendly staff too! Will definitely be back if I come to this…read morearea again!

Post-shopping visit with my mom. She'd heard about the food here, and I was craving a hot dog (my…read morefavorite West Kinston spot is closed for the holidays). I got a Queen Street (yummy) and mom just had a regular. She's a tough critic, but she loved it and made sure we left a good review!! Now we have a new favorite spot.

Good food at a value price. I tried the hot dog itself with ketchup and mustard. For what it was it…read morewas decent for the price especially in the city of Kinston. The Smoked Sausage was good surprise, nice flavors and fulfilling. The onions didnt add much to the experience but they gave a nice crunch for added texture. The Nachos were the weakest part of the meal while definitely looking the part the cheese lacked a depth of flavor and consistency you would want out of this guilty pleasure. Overall the price is what makes this a four star establishment. The focus on takeout may leave a lot desired in ambience and atmosphere but the food is good and offers a ton of value if you just want a hot dog or are looking for another fast food spot for lunch.

Slowest ordering experience of my life. Waited 40+ minutes for my food. Unhelpful staff with random…read moreorder prioritization. I would rate negative stars if it was possible.

Food was delicious. Service was horrible. Ordering online but still waiting in the store for 45…read moreminutes just to pick it up is unacceptable. People have jobs with short lunch breaks. The point of ordering online is you swing by and pick it up, quick and easy. That was not the experience today. The in-person orders seemed to be taking priority to the online orders. Staff did not move with any sort of urgency, they were working on their own time.