We were in Wilmington for an extended weekend trip and stopped by the Rooster & the Crow after…read moreseeing that it had good reviews and a nice, varied menu. This is located very centrally in downtown Wilmington and offers parking validation so don't be discouraged about the parking situation. There's a lot on the side you're free to use. We were seated right away on a weeknight and it was actually pretty full for being a weeknight. They have a good amount of space though. Millie was our server and she was a sweetheart. She was on it from start to finish. Checked in on us very regularly and provided above and beyond service. She contributed to our excellent experience. Fried chicken had to be ordered as it sounded so good and it definitely didn't disappoint. It comes with two sides and all of the sides were fresh. Portions were super hearty and generous. Chicken was fried to a crisp, in a good way!! The chicken sandwich was also great, but the fries are also very memorable, incredibly fresh. We were so surprised by how hot the food was in temperature, again in a good way. Everything was made to order. I loved that we were able to try this place out. I definitely recommend it and we will be thinking of the fried chicken for a long time!

Tl;dr - If you come here for their main event - chicken and fries - it's very good. Anything else,…read moredon't waste your time. Vegetarians need not bother. 3.5? I was not in love but I think there are some caveats there because I am not the typical customer. First, we appear to have come right at the height of their dinner rush. It took a while to get seated. The hosts told us to sit at the bar and then the bartender kicked us out of our stools because we were waiting for a table and apparently the bar stools were only for people who were eating, so we had to go find a bench. When we did get seated they put us at a really weird high top in a separate room when there was a much nicer low top available in the main room that we switched to. I got the sense both that this place was kind of hectic and that they didn't think they needed our service. But then as we were eating it cleared out all of a sudden and we were the only people left at like...8 pm. Our server was...accetptable. Not rude, but kind of short. Compared to the lovely personable service we got at other places in Wilmington it felt...I dunno, New Yorky? Then there was the food. And here comes my biggest caveat. I am pescstarian and do not eat chicken. So I ordered a shrimp po boy. It was not good. Not bad. But not good. Especially for the price which, honestly, competed with the prices where I live in DC. Every other person around me ordered chicken. My husband ordered chicken. He really liked his chicken. So obviously, this is a place where you get chicken (if the name didn't make it obvious). Had I ordered chicken I likely would have enjoyed my meal a lot more. But if you have shrimp po boys on the menu, endeavor to make them decent or take them off. Also I subbed a side cesar instead of fries and it was an afterthought. The fries themselves were excellent. If I ate chicken and came back to Wilmington I would maybe give this place another shot but as it stands, nah.

Tanner .. Piping Plover Pilsner...made here in Wilmington…read moreNC!! Wife had Red Oak Bavarian Amber Lager I ordered the Meatloaf, with asparagus and mashed potato's My wife had her usual chicken sandwich which I've forgotten the name but she did enjoy and the portion was large enough for me to get a few bites lol All was very good and we went be back

Great food, I had the biscuit around noon and it was great. Also tried the Carolina soup it was…read moredifferent. Service is excellent. Got seated right away. The place is nice plenty of seating.

We came in this past Sunday and were so happy we did! It was crowded and we were told we'd have to…read morewait about 30 minutes. That was totally fine - but we ended up waiting about 10 minutes - even better!! They'll put your name on a wait list then send you a text so you can easily track when your table is almost due. We went for good food and left super satisfied. My mom ordered the Southern Breakfast which offered a good amount of food and she loved it, she said the ham was very tasty and that it tasted like bacon! It was nice for that option you could choose a biscuit or toast as a side. We also got a single biscuit and gravy to share. The gravy was delicious and the chorizo added a nice little spicy kick to it. I can see why these are so popular here! My brother ordered the dirty south biscuit and he was also very satisfied. It had a little bit of everything and was steps above a traditional breakfast sandwich. I personally ordered a pancake topped with strawberries and I love that they offer to bake the strawberries in too. Bacon was crispy, thick. Everything was super fresh. Our server was wonderful and I regret not catching her name. She came about 5 times to ask if we needed anything, any extra coffee, coffee to go. She was exceptional and I appreciate that they are so detail oriented here. We had a great meal and ate very comfortably here. Only issue is that we were slightly ready for a nap after. So happy to have stopped by!

Was really looking forward to trying the food, I've heard great things. Put our name on the list…read moreand hostess put down wrong number, so we never got a text. Watched multiple people get sat when we're were next in line so we went and asked, then they realized the mistake. Said they sent us a text letting us know our table was ready, and that it must've not gone through because the wrong number and that they would text us when next table opened. Waited again in car for another 30 minutes and finally went back in to see what the problem was, they had put us back at the END of the line so they were seating more people in front of us. Overall waited almost an hour before leaving because restaurant was closing soon. Frustrating waste of time.

We were finally able to stop into RUMCOW on Grace Street in Wilmington this weekend!…read more We had a reservation. We were seated within a couple of minutes. Our server Ava knew the menu and read the table well. No overselling, no scripted recitations. She just took care of us. Thanks Ava. The Blackened Chicken Breast came with basmati rice, seasonal vegetables, black bean salsa, and a chipotle cream sauce that worked harder than it had any right to. The flavors didn't compete. They really settled into each other. The Rumcow Salad, loaded with mixed greens, carrot, tomato, onion, cucumber, and wonton strips, we ordered topped with shrimp. It was sharper and more interesting than we had expected. It's a newer spot in Wilmington, and it shows. In The Best Sense. We'll be back for sure!

We've been to Rumcow many times over the years and always enjoyed it. It's a cool spot with two…read morefloors, a lively atmosphere, and a strong A sanitation rating (96.5), which is always reassuring. The service was friendly and attentive, and we started the evening with a bottle of Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay (2023), which was a nice way to begin dinner. Unfortunately, the food this time around just didn't live up to what we remember. We started with the Asian Tots, which used to be one of the best items on the menu. In the past, the peanut sauce was poured over the top so everything came together as one dish. Now it's served in a small cup on the side, and there isn't enough of it to properly coat the tots. They also stopped finishing the dish with the salt they used to sprinkle on top, and even the presentation has changed -- the silver dome they once used is gone. What used to be a great appetizer has been reduced to something that's simply okay. For the main courses, the results were mixed but mostly disappointing. My blackened chicken was a little overcooked. My wife ordered the miso salmon, and that was overcooked as well -- which is especially noticeable with fish. When salmon goes past the sweet spot it quickly becomes dry, and that seemed to be the case here. None of the food was terrible, but none of it really stood out either. Dessert didn't help much. I ordered the carrot cake, but what arrived looked more like a small cupcake buried under a heavy amount of icing, with a large mound of whipped cream on the side. There wasn't much actual cake there, and it wasn't what I expected from a carrot cake dessert. One thing that stood out during the meal is that it feels like the kitchen may be constantly adjusting dishes -- moving sauces, changing presentations, tweaking things that didn't necessarily need fixing. In restaurants, sometimes the best move is to pick a lane and execute it consistently rather than continually modifying dishes that customers already liked. So here's the bottom line. Rumcow is not the Rumcow of yesteryear. Was the food terrible? No. But it was mostly meh, and that may be the most disappointing part. This used to be a place known for memorable dishes and small details done right. Right now it feels like a restaurant that has drifted away from what made it special. The atmosphere and service are still good, but the food just doesn't match the reputation it once had.

Stopped in for brunch with my aunt and uncle and tried a little bit of everything: the Chicken &…read moreWaffles with bacon, a Spinach and Swiss omelette with home fries and an English muffin, and a Chicken & Brie sandwich on a brioche bun with home fries. The Chicken & Waffles were the standout. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and paired perfectly with the sweet syrup and smoky bacon. A great balance of sweet and savory flavors. The Spinach & Swiss omelette was light, fluffy, and packed with flavor. The spinach and melted Swiss worked well together, and the home fries were nicely seasoned with peppers and onions. The English muffin was a simple but welcome addition. The bird & Brie sandwich was another winner. The brioche bun was soft and buttery, while the brie added a creamy richness that elevated the sandwich. The arugula brought a fresh peppery bite that kept everything balanced. Overall, the food was fresh, portions were generous, and everything was cooked well. The home fries were crispy and flavorful across all the plates. Definitely a solid breakfast/brunch spot that I'd visit again.

Long wait for decent-ish food. They say a lot is fresh and if that's the case they may want to…read morecheck expiration dates. The fresh squeezed orange juice was very comparable to Tropicana. I worked at a diner for 5 years with fresh squeezed and this was fresh out of a box maybe. They don't have a lot of their menu on weekends which is unique, it's typically reversed. They should have a weekend only menu tho as it's frustrating to order things it says they have and they don't. A LOT of fried or super heavy options. I came bc it said fresh but I guess deep fried fresh food is still "fresh." Plates and majority of glasses are plastic. No matter how fresh or not the food is, you still need to eat microplastics. Sugar on the table is all plastic wrapped fake sugar it was impossible to find just REAL raw sugar. Feels like they hopped on a fresh health trend but have a hard time walking that walk.

What a fantastic evening at Dram Yard…read more We were a little concerned we might miss our 5:30 reservation after getting delayed by a seven-car accident on the bridge, but we arrived just a couple of minutes late and it wasn't an issue at all. From the moment we arrived, the experience was relaxed, welcoming, and exactly what we needed. We chose to sit in the beautiful courtyard, and with temperatures in the 70s, sunshine overhead, and a gentle breeze, it couldn't have been a more perfect setting. The outdoor gazebo bar creates a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying a cocktail before dinner, and if the weather isn't cooperating, the indoor dining space is equally inviting. A special thank you to Sarah, whose service was outstanding. She was cheerful, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which made for a peaceful and unhurried dining experience. For drinks, I ordered the Ghost Town, while my wife enjoyed the Venus Flytrap. Both were beautifully prepared and easy to see why they're among the restaurant's popular cocktails. The food was equally impressive. I had the Spaghetti Carbonara, and it was exceptional. The kitchen even accommodated my request for extra freshly cracked black pepper, which took an already excellent dish to another level. My wife ordered the Little Gem Salad with shrimp, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We also shared the Tuna Tartare Tostada, which was outstanding--beautiful presentation, fresh tuna, and a great balance of textures and flavors. Adding to the experience was a bottle of Albariño that paired wonderfully with the meal. What stands out most about Dram Yard is its atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can settle in, slow down, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail, and forget about the stresses of the day. Whether you're looking for a date night, an evening with friends, or simply a quiet place to relax, Dram Yard delivers. Excellent service, creative cocktails, outstanding food, and one of the most relaxing outdoor dining spaces in Wilmington. We'll definitely be back.

We all ordered the "tasting" menu each for $90 per person. We were made to think the portions…read morewould be ample for the price. We each got a bowl of gazpacho, an appetizer size portion of two very small duck lumpia followed by tile fish with flat noodles and a savory broth. The course then was a shared short rib that was entirely fat/gross, one smal grilled onion and two tiny empanadas to share . Desert was a small scoop of ice cream and small crumble type cobbler to share. We in no way felt like it was $90, the portions were not enough to sustain us and we felt incredibly cheated and somehow conned/robbed of over $200 for each of us couples out. Very disappointing!

We appreciate them allowing us to dine in as we realized upon entering the hours on Yelp are not…read morecorrect. Call first to check the hours. We were served fairly quick. I had the pork chop meal and my children shared the chicken meal. Both were nice sized portions for the cost. It comes with rice and gravy but you also get to choose two sides. The green beans are way too salty so beware if you need to avoid high sodium dishes. The yams were tasty and we loved the cornbread.

I love coming to Nippy's for the lunch! The owners and everyone working there are seriously the…read moresweetest people. You go in, get seated, and someone brings you a drink. While you're waiting, your brain has already zeroed in on the delicious food in the buffet. While it doesn't look like a ton of food in terms of the variety, once you taste everything, you will stuff yourself silly with quantity because everything is delicious! I particularly love the mac'n'cheese, fried chicken, and the BBQ fish. Make sure you save room though for the desserts- there's usually some type of cobbler in the buffet too and it's always good.

This is your old school diner! Absolutely a most for any one looking for Southern charm !!!read more

I was in Wilmington this weekend and looking for somewhere to eat and was hoping for some really…read moregood Fried Chicken. Google recommended Ruth's so I decided to check it out. The waitress was really friendly and the food was pretty amazing. The restaurant is really tiny and you could easily miss it. The next morning I was up very early for an event and decided to return for breakfast. My waitress was a lady named Lee who was amazing at her job. I had eggs, sausage, grits, and toast and couldn't have been more satisfied. I only hate that it's in Wilmington and not Winston Salem where I live or I would eat there more.

fantastic food (I had the Reuben and it was excellent - juicy, just the right amount of cheese and…read morekraut, great bread) and the service was super attentive and friendly.

Ended up coming here for 4th of July because we were on vacation and found out they raised their…read moreprices compared to yelp menu prices. We ended up sitting outside because they didn't have seating available. Ended up waiting 34 minutes after ordering to remind the waitress to check on our food. She let us know it's going to be another 15-20 minutes because the kitchen was backed up. Which is pretty wild because all we ordered was burgers and fries. All in all we waited for our food for about an hour. Should have called beforehand to price check it because it's 100% not worth the price. Should have just cooked out on the bbq. I ordered the "Hot Mess" burger because it had decent reviews. The burger was decent size with a tiny portion of fries on the side. The service was mediocre, felt like the waitress / bartender was just damage controlling the small amount of tables in the entire establishment. On top of it all the ice tea was too sweet, we exchanged it for a water and still got charged. Overall, would not recommend, it was an absolute waist of money and time.

I love their fish and chips and the tartar sauce. The service is great. It is quite dark in there,…read morebut I always know what I want so I don't even need to look at the menu.

This was our first time here and it didn't disappoint! Word to the wise- be ready to wait 1.5 hours…read morefor a table. We came yesterday and didn't want to wait but then came back today and got our group on the list and waited. Note that the parking close by is expensive and they won't seat you if your whole party isn't there within 5 minutes of texting that your table is ready. So yep- plan to wait and sit around. Inside it's pub style, bar available and good music, but not much seating which explains the wait ;) We ordered the 109 Chestnut Chicken Sandwich, the Hot Roasted Pork Sandwich and the Reuben. Our waitress recommended not getting the onion rings app and to do it as sides to save money, and man, we had SO MANY leftovers. The pork sandwich is super good but so filling. I could only eat half with all the onion rings! The Reuben was absolutely delicious and I would 1000% get that again. The best thing on the menu in our opinion: the Cheese Steak Egg Rolls with chipotle mayo- OMG. We will DREAM about these!!! I haven't seen these talked about much- TRY THEM, they were literally mouth watering and I would have eaten them as an entree and not an app! Overall we would come back again, just be prepared to wait forever for a table and you won't be disappointed!