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 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.

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!

Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning before 10AM. No wait for a table of 2. Our waitress (Katlyn)…read morewas great. Very attentive and always key for breakfast kept our coffee cups full! I had biscuits (2) and gravy. Biscuits were light and fluffy and BIG. Gravy was good also but I had to add some pepper (always). Just enough without making me feel stuffed. Partner had corned beef hash with an easy-over egg. Hash was made with real (not canned) corned beef and was nice and chunky. Might have had a little too many potatoes. Easy-over egg was perfectly done. Atmosphere is traditional old-school diner. Lots of hustle and bustle but not overly loud. Was a little warm for our liking. We would go back again.

Loved our time at the Dixie Grill, very diner like vibes and went a couple times during our stay in…read moreWilmington. It's the oldest restaurant in Wilmington and has been around for good reason. Thankful for Yelp because I got the off the menu Dixie Bowl. Was a heaping bowl full of a biscuit with potatoes, bacon and smothered in a savory sausage gravy, highly recommend, so good! My wife got a sausage egg and cheese biscuit with home fries. Servers were attentive and friendly, plenty of seating inside and they have a nice wrap around bar. Fantastic place.

Was here recently for a girls trip and came here for dinner on a Saturday night. This is located…read moreinside The Hotel Ballast. There was a marine ball at this venue and men in uniform with the women dressed so beautifully in their gowns hanging out before they went to their ballroom. We had a great quiet evening, only a few people at the bar that evening - I had the salmon dinner with potatoes and spinach and it was delicious. Our server was kind and friendly. We got the scrumptious chocolate chip cookie with the vanilla ice cream which she flash froze for us so it wouldn't melt when we walked back to our houseboat. And it was still intact and not melted at all when we got back. That was a wonderful touch. This was a nice place to go to for a nice sit down dinner with good food.

Really good food, but the service was extremely slow. I think probably habitually understaffed…read more Give yourself plenty of time if you come here

Ate here with a large group on a weekday night. Ordered a Caesar salad, seared diver sea scallop…read moredish, and a side of sweet potato fries. The Caesar salad was okay, came with grated Parmesan. I would've preferred shredded fresh Parmesan. The scallop dish came with Corn Leek Mushroom Risotto, Truffle Vinaigrette. The scallops were cooked very well, were so tender. The risotto on the other hand, was partially uncooked. But guess it depends on the person, since two of my friends didn't think so and thought it was cooked fine. Sweet potato fries were whatever. Usually they are served with a sweet seasoning, but I requested to not have that. They were a bit greasy and not that crispy. The restaurant is a nice location, located on the Riverwalk. Many of my friends enjoyed their dishes, but I was not that impressed with my food, other than the scallops.

Everything went well: the staff, the view, the food, and the prices! We tried a few apps and…read moreentrees and were so full and satisfied: the only thing my friends did not like was the calamari because it was not seasoned. But the crab dip, Rockefeller oysters (out of the shell), Caesar salad, black bass, lobster tails, and catfish were delicious. The coconut rice with the red curry paired with my bass was unmatched. We were offered bread but the apps were enough! I would absolutely recommend and return here on my next trip to Wilmington. There was so much more that I wanted to try!

If you find yourself in Wilmington, North Carolina and craving real-deal comfort food, Trucks…read moreChicken and Fish is the kind of place you want to check out. Located in a neighborhood setting with several small businesses nearby, it has that authentic local feel right from the start. Parking is on the street, and when you walk in, you're greeted with a cozy diner-style atmosphere that feels comfortable and familiar. The staff are warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming, which sets the tone for the whole experience. The menu is packed with soulful favorites--collard greens, cornbread, mac and cheese, fried chicken, chicken wings, burgers, and even a shrimp burger. There's a wide variety to choose from, so there's something for just about everyone. The standout here is the fried chicken. It's phenomenal--crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside, and full of flavor. The chicken wings are just as impressive, seasoned wonderfully with great flavor and cooked up juicy exactly the way you want them. They also offer a great selection of desserts, giving you the perfect way to finish off your meal. If you're feeling a little adventurous and want something local, flavorful, and made with care, slide on by and give them a try. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

The food was perfect. We are traveling from San Antonio, TX and could not be more impressed with…read morethe food. We sat at the bar and the waitress who took our order was very nice, and had great suggestions. The green Kool aid with watermelon pieces..... mercy. We ordered fried chicken which had perfect crunchy skin and flavor. The wings were cooked and tasted so fresh. The catfish had a great breading and great taste. While we were eating they were mounting a new TV, the owner said they are going to start showing sports on the TVs. This place is a must try!!!

Started with the broiled oysters which were really flavorful, well-seasoned, and meaty. The tuna…read moretartar was a bit too simple for us. It was very fresh, but the apples seemed out of place and the dish was just nothing to write home about. The hush puppies were excellent. The nice, crispy, and flavorful corn meal paired so well with the acidic jam below it. For my main, I got the pork belly and loin. The pork belly was absolutely insane. It was crispy, fatty, so flavorful, and extremely flakey. The loin was so tender and well seasoned. The mashed potatoes and the sauce below it added a nice side element as well but were a tad bit watery. Overall, a great restaurant exemplifying Wilmington. The service was friendly, the ambiance was simple, but elegant, and I would definitely come back. Overall 4.8/5

We came here for a work Christmas dinner. Everything was delicious! We got the hush puppies, tuna…read moretartar, and biscuits for an appetizer. The biscuits are something to tell your friends about. Our dinners and drinks were tasty too! Our server was so nice and even took pictures for us at the end of the night. This place is small for sure. But gives a homey feel. It does get a little warm in there since the kitchen is fairly open. Can't wait to come back again!