North Carolina is growing on me. Fresh crisp air, beautiful mountainous scenery, great hiking routes and especially meticulous details in their cuisine. Proper is just that, a quaint and popular restaurant that features the chef's special select menu each day which means reservations are highly suggested. We were lucky enough to arrive right before peak dinner time and was able to score a spot to the front overlooking the chefs garden where ingredients are home grown. We started with their carrot and apple soup with coconut milk base. I know this is tmi but I'd be satisfied swimming in a pool of that delicious soup. Fresh, fresh and fresh. I decided on the baked catfish with olives, tomatoes and thyme together with green beans potato casserole and side salad while my partner enjoyed fried chicken breast with potatoes and gravy, steamed cabbage and cornbread. Very few can take a boneless fried chicken to taste like it's still on the bone. Excellently done. We then savored on their recommended dessert chocolate chip bread pudding with homemade ice cream. If you're in the neighborhood give this quaint little house a try you won't be disappointed. read more

See all

The food, service and atmosphere are superb. I wasn't able to get a seat inside because I didn't have a reservation for my first visit. But I came back, and had a wonderful experience. The food was beyond excellent. If you want a great place to visit for a date night or just a quiet dinner alone, this is the place. An absolute must visit restaurant when in Boone. To make sure you get a seat inside this popular restaurant, make a Reservation. read more

So I've come here so many times since my initial review, at least once a month if not twice. The food and service is always impeccable and friendly. This is always such a fun place to be. They make you feel like family. read more

Proper - The lovely porch area. - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

I was really excited to try this place and genuinely enjoyed my experience. Right now they are operating by reservation only and seating only outside and on the porch. They are a really tiny restaurant, so we were lucky to snag one of the two porch tables. Even in the covered porch, it was pretty chilly on the unseasonably cold day. The server shut the door to outside when we asked, and that really helped. We got the potato cakes to start and they came out quickly. The one appetizer was more than enough for three people. They were expertly fried and topped with pimento cheese. I got the vegetarian mushroom burger and absolutely loved it. As a vegetarian, I'm used to having my food be an afterthought. However, the patty on this burger was huge and absolutely perfect. The side I got was home fries. Needless to say, the home fries didn't last long. There also wasn't a drop of their homemade ketchup left when I was done with my food. My two dining companions didn't love their meatloaf, but that may have been because it was in a different style than they were accustomed. It did take much longer than expected for our food to arrive, so the combo of the chilly porch and waiting a while added a challenging element to our experience. This is really a must-eat for vegetarians. I was extremely happy with my food. read more

See all

Cute restaurant with a cozy enclosed front porch. We had the chicken with jasmine rice, Mac and cheese, home fries, corn bread, and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Everything was fresh, home cooked flavor. The chicken was tangy but not too spicy. The home fries were amazing! The Mac and cheese and corn bread were a little bland for me. I think the corn bread could be sweeter. One other negative, the buffalo chicken wasn't made with buffalo sauce. It was a spicy sauce but definitely not buffalo. We had a chocolate chip bread pudding for dessert that was amazing! I would recommend if you like good southern cooking. read more

See all

This historic building has been the first jail, a frat house (Appalachian State), and now a fabulous restaurant for the last 14 years. We started with fried green tomatoes and pimiento cheese--perfectly crisp and tangy! Next we shared lemon thyme chicken (grilled) over jasmine rice with delicious biscuits and butter, fresh mixed green salad, and the sweet potato casserole was light and fluffy with a crunchy topping--heaven on earth! Our waiter accommodated our garlic allergy and gave us good advice on our order. Very pleasant and just friendly enough! We will have to come back for dessert (chocolate chess pie or key lime) when we have more room in our tummies. Angela, the chef, makes everything from scratch. At 7, they had already sold out of Chicken & Limas and most nights sell out of the sweet potato casserole. read more

Proper - Fried green tomatoes with pimiento cheese - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

This place has a lot of charm. The front seating area is romantic, even dining solo. Indulged in the tomato pie, and it did not disappoint. Packed with flavor. The Mac & cheese side is a must try. Cheesy velvety deliciousness. Service was great too. read more

Proper - Tomato Pie & Mac n cheese - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

Great food! It's a small place, so reservations are recommended. But well worth it! Wife had butternut squash soup that was excellent! We all enjoyed the experience. read more

GREAT small restaurant with good cooking, good service, and also great prices. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors! read more

I really like this place, but they have about 3 parking spaces & there are no other places around there to park that you won't get towed. As we were there tonight, numerous of their customers got towed & when they were confronted about it they had zero remorse & were absolutely rude about it. The amount of money the towing companies are making off their customers in a night is probably more than Proper profits in a night. I won't be coming back unless they get PROPER parking & put up PROPER signage. read more

Love this place. Been several times with no reservation. We got there as soon as they opened each time. They always work you in if there's room on the front porch. Food is great!! Can't go wrong with whatever you order. I like the sweet potato casserole as a side. Service is always great. Definitely recommend! read more

Proper. Now I know why it's called that. My meal was properly fabulous. I got the pintos and rice, which was topped with a sort of coleslaw that was delicious. The beans and the rice were both cooked to perfection; tender, but not mushy. Hot sauce was provided which made it even better. I got the sweet potato soup and cabbage as sides. Both of these were superb. Cabbage was cooked perfectly, and seasoned well. And the sweet potato soup was flavorful and spiced wonderfully. I chose the corn muffin, which was very unusual, and probably one of the best I've ever had. It was made with white cornmeal, but it was very finely ground and had an incredibly good flavor. All in all it would be hard to beat this meal. The portions were reasonable size, the flavors of what I got complimented each other nicely. Service was polite, helpful, fast and provided by someone who knew both the menu and details about the food. The location is in an old house, which makes it charming and cozy. Would be a great place for a romantic dinner or to go with a small group. I will be back. read more

Proper - Pintos and rice, sweet potato soup, cabbage, and corn muffin. - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

See all

My girlfriends and I had an amazing dinner at Proper during a college reunion trip back to Boone. The quaint setting inside the old house was so charming and the service we received was top notch. Everything we ate was delicious. I highly recommend the fried chicken and I'm still thinking about that crispy outside, soft inside biscuit. read more

Proper - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

See all

Either I have given too many "the food was amazing" reviews or the bar is now set high after my meal here. First thought was, this is the best brunch I have ever had, but no, it is one of the best meals I have ever had. If I were to visit again anywhere in North Carolina, and my travel itinerary is far beyond the city of Boone, I would make the trek just to eat here again. As much as Yelp is helpful for impromptu outings or just found yourself super hungry but don't know where to eat, I have learned it is rewarding to do research beforehand. And with that I found this amongst best brunch in Boone. So I bookmarked it. This humble abode is cozy with creaky wooden floors and low ceilings and earthy tones, it has more of the hipster vibe to it but still southern comfort. Our waiter which I regret to forget his name was great, friendly and attentive. I need to warn that the sensational biscuits and gravy I had are only available for Sunday brunch. For the lunch menu Monday-Saturday they do have gravy but its with mashed potatoes. The biscuits and gravy was an option for a side that I opted for with my Croque Monsieur and devoured, licking my lips and plate clean.Vegetarians rejoice as this is a mushroom based gravy! The biscuits were soft and not too grainy and everything that embodies southern grubbin'. The gravy was out of this world, you must try it. I have not gotten to the Croque yet, as it included melted cheddar cheese, with ham, herb béchamel, with 2 slices of whole grain toast. I opted out of the ham so they may have doubled up on the cheese for me as it was sandwiched in the middle and laid on top of it as well. If you want to die happy, ask for maple syrup to add to the Croque. IN.CRED.I.BLE. Both for $12. This was the proper way to spend a sweet and savory afternoon in Boone. read more

The food and service were excellent. Our waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable regarding the menu. He recommended a delicious dish! Prices were reasonable and the restaurant was very clean. read more

We had a very disappointing experience at Proper. We were seated at a table on the porch which was the smallest I have ever experienced. And our server had so many tables to cover that he couldn't provide attentive service. But the biggest disappointment was the lack of menu options. We learned that they had run out of chicken, catfish and collard greens which eliminated about half of the menu for a restaurant which specializes in Southern comfort food. The food we were able to order was excellent but the lack of menu options was very frustrating. read more

Delicious food. It's rare that you run across the place these days that make things from scratch and that's what I experienced here. Loved every bit of it. read more

First time eating at Proper and it didn't disappoint. Not only was everything we had good, but the portions were very generous too! We will definitely come again! read more

See all

The staff was sweet ! This place is small and cute , reservations only . They were able to seat me and I appreciated it so much . The food was delicious. The corn bread was not sweet and dry . read more

Proper - Meatloaf , mashed potatoes and gravy , Mac n cheese - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

My husband and I love this place. It has all the southern comforts you're looking for! From the ambiance, food, and kind service. Do keep in mind it's a small restaurant so I recommend getting there as soon as they open to snag a spot. The best is on the patio outside on summer days! read more

See all

I always enjoy dining here along with everyone else, so you'll need a reservation. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I love their soups and the fried chicken is definitely top tier. read more

This is an all around great place to eat. First the service is amazing. We did not make reservations ahead of time and the management did everything they could to make sure we had a table. Everyone was friendly, service was good, people were nice and the interior was welcoming. The food was really good also. Amazing flavors with everything made fresh. The pulled pork had great flavor, eggs were made fresh and potatoes were amazing. The only complaint was they did not have the peach desert. read more

Proper - Pulled pork on egg - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

See all

Highly recommend! The place is so charming, the staff so attentive, and the food so delicious. Seriously the best collards ever! read more

See all

Called over the phone asking about a seating situation for 8 people. We were told it was first come first serve so we decided to split to two tables of four as we walked to the restaurant. When we walked in we were told it was reservation only due to the fact that they had one large table. It should have been stated over the phone instead of making us walk in to be told otherwise. Woman on the phone was the same as the woman who told us it was reservation only. Completely unprofessional, do not recommend. read more

Such a lovely experience. Snagged the last table of the evening and the team was welcoming, warm and so knowledgeable about the menu. Food was nostalgic and modern, a meat and three spin with true southern comforts yet with eclectic and unique aspects. Fried chicken was fab but my husbands potlicker chicken was piece de resistance of the night. Chicken thighs braised in turnip green reduction and served over jasmine rice .... Chefs kiss‼ so good. Love the intimacy of the dining room and porch seating. Ended with warm chocolate chip bread pudding and vanilla ice cream. Simple and divine. Couldn't recommend highly enough. read more

If you can find this place, you should win a geo-cache prize. Once you enter, you have a choice of patio seating or a simple indoor table. Loved the enthusiastic and warm welcome from Hannah. She was so helpful with our choices. She even surprised me with my sides since everything looked great. We ordered 5 separate meals---3 for college girls. Every meal was a home run, so with this menu; the stunning service and great food, I am sure you will enjoy your time here. We really enjoyed the vibe and hospitality. Will return on our next visit. Thank you. read more

Visiting APP State & had Brunch with friends on a Sunday morning. BUSY place. The aroma was amazing. Placed our name on a list & waited outside. The Host came out & offered drinks. We asked for water but never got it. (this was the only downside to the visit) Once seated, the Server was fantastic! Got our drinks & explained the Daily Specials. He was quickly back to take our order. The food was absolutely delicious. Fresh ingredients & cooked well. I had broccoli & cheese quiche. So yummy. The home fries were not greasy but nicely cooked. The homemade ketchup was good & I am not a ketchup fan. Will definitely return when back in town!! Food was definitely 5 stars. Service getting in made me rate it a 4. read more

What an overall surprisingly phenomenal establishment across the board. The ambience of the intimate small seating while still providing a personal area was amazing. Each dish (topped potatoes, the Buffalo chicken sandwich and the meatloaf) more than hit the mark. A very respectful, professional and enjoyable staff made this as our first restaurant here in boone one that set the bar extremely high. Heavily recommended!!! read more

Proper - The only downfall of this is not providing an illegal amount of cheese and gravy such a delicious app - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

Came here in the Summer of 2017. Definitely the most adorable place we ate, but also one of the most delicious. Great vibes, great atmosphere, fun little building with a cute porch seating option that of course we took advantage of. Can't wait to come back. read more

Proper - Ice tea in mason jars while we plan our road trip- best way to spend summer. - Southern Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

Not sure what gave thus place 4plus stars.... there are like 5 items on menu, and 2 are ckn, and 2 were meatloaf. I will save that the collards were fantastic. My entree was a single chicken thigh fried and dipped in hot sauce w jasmine rice, good but nothing special. Wife had fried chicken, 1 large breast, very dry. My son had meatloaf. Def a LOAF. VERY heavy and so/so. Also, they're VERY proud of these items, about $20 per. The rice pudding was AMAZING!! read more

See all

I used to work here! Angela is a brilliant chef and the entire staff is wonderful. If you're looking for a quality date spot or some fantastic desert Proper should be your first choice. Just remember to call ahead... and get the fried green tomatoes. read more

Awesome food and the service was very accommodating. We didn't have a reservation and they got us right in at a quaint table for 2!!!

We made a 12:30 reservation on a Sunday for our group of 7 and it was a good idea. The place is small and it would have been a long wait otherwise. I thought everything worked today. Great service, delicious food, and a good value. We ordered too much food, and enjoyed all of it. We enjoyed the Biscuit Baby (ordered the last 2!), quiche of the day, breakfast scrambles, shrimp and grits, pulled pork, and chicken and waffle. The waffle had a great texture and flavor. The quiche was light, without the too-dense crust you sometimes find. The sweet bacon was pretty great, the home fries were perfect, and the side salads had fresh veggies and a tasty dressing. I love good biscuits, and these were solid. Very happy with my experience. read more

See all

Wow!! Fried chicken, meatloaf, greens, everything was amazing. Loved the intimate ambiance and attention to detail service. Loved the place.

Every time I come to Boone, Proper is a must have meal. My mouth salivates just thinking of their fried chicken, biscuits, green beans, Mac and cheese and chocolate chess pie! We got it all to go on Friday and it was just as incredible and as good as I remember (and I graduated App in 2013) Pro-tip: order an entire chocolate chess pie - a day in advance! You won't regret it! read more

I'm not sure why, but before visiting, I imagined Proper to be a really fancy-pants, expensive restaurant. Boy was I wrong! Proper is a down-to-earth, affordable meat and two vegetables kind of spot. I was pleasantly surprised! The space is teeny-tiny and cozy, almost romantic. (If only I hadn't been there with my parents.) Service is attentive. And, the food is amazing! I'm a sucker for sides, and their list is oh so tempting... So I went with the 4-side plate with collars greens (both sweet and vinegary at the same time), posole (the ultimate comfort food!), sweet potato casserole (delish!) and mac 'n cheese (not bad by any stretch of the imagination but my least favorite of the 4). It was all topped off with a biscuit, which I still haven't tried yet because I was so full, I had to take half the meal home. And, all of that was just $12! My parents got the fried chicken and meatloaf. Both were heavenly. The meatloaf came with a side of the most amazing homemade ketchup that I could have eaten buckets and buckets of! We all shared a piece of key lime pie at the end of the meal. The crust on that pie was some of the best I've ever tasted! Thanks for a proper meal, Proper! read more

See all

We made a reservation and didn't get to eat there. They were out of every menu item except for meatloaf for a 7 pm reservation. We have dietary restrictions and this did not work for us. Highly disappointing as we were a large party with our family and had nowhere to eat dinner. I will never be trying this place again. read more

Always a special night out when we have reservations at Proper. The food is outstanding and the staff are about the friendliest I've ever seen. Both the inside and outside seating areas are incredibly cozy and welcoming. read more

The service was wonderful. They were very attentive. The food amazing. I would recommend the restaurant for anyone. We had the potatoe cake, meatloaf, biscuits and desert. Wonderful!! read more

Everyone in our dining party had a great food experience. Most of us went with the fried catfish with the yummy chipotle slaw...believe me, you won't be missing the tartar sauce with this slaw...great flavor , and the fish was cooked perfectly. I had the Mac 'n cheese and the sweet potato casserole as my sides, and they were also delish! Lots of food...I was stuffed. Others got the collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, pinto beans...everyone was happy. The service was great, the old jailhouse makes for a quaint atmosphere, and there is some outdoor seating in a secluded patio with lots of plants and flowers. I will definitely go back. We did have reservations, so I don't know how easily one could get in without them but we were there on a Thursday evening, so it wasn't crowded. read more