We are here visiting and found this place while searching for southern cooking and we were glad we did! It has such a homey feel and everyone but us seemed like locals. That's how you know it's good! Country fried steak had such a nice crunchy breading and wasn't greasy at all. My husband loved his French dip. If we lived here we would definitely be locals! We were too full for dessert but it looked good! read more

T L's Country Kitchen - French dip with onion rings - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

See all

Stopped in for breakfast today. Eggs, sausage, grits and bacon. The meal was good, service fast, and restaurant clean. Exactly what we were looking for. Give it a try! read more

TL's has become something of a traditional stop for us when we're in Manteo. But, each year we return, we're left more and more disappointed. What used to be a hidden gem in plain sight has declined to a low quality and over priced stop off no different than anywhere else. Except our last visit. Which left us all either sick or feeling sick, as well as ripped off. It's a sad day when local businesses become less attractive than big chains, simply because they choose profit over service and quality. 20 minutes for a drink? $70+ for breakfast for 4? Treated like you're more an inconvenience than a customer, simply because you're not a regular or obvious local? Yeah, we'll find a new tradition. read more

Loved the family friendly feel.I thought 50.00 for two for breakfast was a bit high, but it was good. OBX is expensive everywhere.I love that the young lady came by to make sure everything was good read more

Service was friendly and super quick! The biscuits were perfect and fluffy. Good place to go for a quick diner breakfast

We were looking for a simple place for breakfast and TL's did not disappoint. I had 2 eggs scrambled with hash browns and country ham. Eggs were as expected; hash browns were cubes, and I normally like the shredded variety. These were fine. You have a choice of country ham or city ham, and I choose country ham. I knew it would be salty, and it was. I had asked for biscuits, but they never arrived. My partner had a vegie omelet and a side of corned beef hash. Omelet was full of veggies and was tasty. Corned beef hash was good but probably came from a can. Coffee was very good and regularly refilled. Service was quick. TL's is definitely a local place for breakfast. We certainly sat next to some regulars. If you want simple food for breakfast, this is the place. read more

We always visit TL's to eat hamburger steak or chicken salad. It's just good country cooking. They do have seafood too. The service is always good. It can be loud but it's usually because everyone knows everyone locally. Can't go wrong here. read more

This place was disgusting. My family came here and the waitress was semi nice at first but right as she handed us our food she handed us the check at the same time and rushed us out. The quesadillas my boyfriend ordered were a regular wrap with meat and cheese in them it looked more like a wrap than a quesadilla.The food all came out below average and the food was disappointing. The pricing is 16 + and I wouldn't even eat here again if it was free. The waitress forgot so much and she asked about everything we got and was not good. The place itself is crammed and gross. read more

Friendly staff, good portions, tasty food. Would definitely return next time we are in Manteo.

This was first time eating here and we absolutely loved it!!! The food was great and we got to meet the owner who was extremely cool and laid back. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and polite. I had the big burger and chicken gizzards and I loved every bite. We will make this place a priority when we come to get OBX!!! read more

Hamburger steak with gravy and onions is a great entree for lunch or dinner. Topped off with mashed potatoes and fried okra all the better! read more

T L's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

Perfect mom n pop spot. Staff was so friendly and talked to us. The food is home cooking fresh. Went 3 times during our 6 day visit. So many homemade desserts too yum definitely stop during your trip read more

My mom and I stopped here on a Sunday on our way to Fort Raleigh. We were told to select a seat and someone would be right over. The place was hopping, but there were a few tables open and a server came over immediately getting our drink orders. I ordered a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, home fries, which were crispy and good, a biscuit, and bacon. The breakfast was your average breakfast. It was good, but nothing stood out. The servers and staff were hustling and really putting in the hard work. Our server was genuine and friendly. What I didn't like was that pesky credit card fee that was added onto the bill. If there would have been a sign posted, or we were told there would be an added fee of using a credit card, we would have paid with cash. My mom didn't know the fee was added until she looked at the receipt. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

Food is great and the service is fast best restaurant I've ever been and they give so much for your buck.

Owner complained about not giving a good enough tip after service was bad and food was bland, DO NOT RECOMMEND

On the way home from the beach and needed breakfast. Found TLs on a google search and decided to give it a try. We had French toast, pancakes, and gravy biscuits. Everything was delicious! I love supporting local businesses more than chains. read more

Quick service and excellent home-cooked food. My hubby was craving pancakes and I had the biscuits and sausage gravy. So good!

Prepare yourself to depart from the OBX and drive across the Bridge to Manteo. Upon entering we immediately realized that we were not in Kansas anymore. This is an honest to goodness great small town Anerican Restaurant. A place where everybody knows your name. I enjoyed a great Ham and Cheese Omelette with awesome home fries. My wife had a Breakfast Sandwich with Bacon, Egg and Cheese she described as Heavenly. Good Strong Coffee was served. The only part of this restaurant that's no 5 stars is the decor which is dated and a bit Kitschy. Take a chance and drive over the bridge Manteo is quite charming. read more

Food is overpriced and bland. I'm a local and the owner recently bullied a young local high school girl o er her appearance and the restaurant itself is dirty and servers are rude as well, it's pretty obvious that this man's poor nasty attitude extends throughout the culture of the restaurant employees as well. Very judgmental rude and not even good at their jobs. This place is garbage and if you're a tourist looking for a great restaurant then pass this dump by and go across the street to Darrel's. MUCH BETTER food pricing and attitude and the owner won't go out in public and bully little girls. Disgusting all around. read more

Service was super friendly and efficient. Kids loved their food. Definitely recommend ordering a drink bc the water tasted terrible. Menu online is outdated and prices are all at least $5 higher than what's posted. Would come back! read more

It does look like much when you walk in but the food is fantastic I really recommend eating here when you have a chance read more

T L's Country Kitchen - 2 pancakes with bacon - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

Great food and service. Friendly staff. Clean environment. Plenty of parking. Extensive menu with something for everyone.

Nice hidden gem local hangout with some amazing pancakes and breakfast items. Typical diner food but prepared at a very high level.

Food hot, simple food. Tasted like an egg. Greek omelet was tasty. Avoid the ice tea go for the coffee. Waitress attentive and kind. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

See all

Great lunch spot! We wanted a small bite between the aquarium and the Elizabethan Gardens and this was the perfect spot. Home cooking and friendly, helpful servers. We had the Tuna Salad Sandwich and the Chicken Salad Sandwich - both were tasty and fresh. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - Chicken Salad with Beans - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

See all

Such a great find down here. Kind of a hole in the wall place, easy to miss, but shouldn't be overlooked. Great food, pleasant servers and a huge menu. Definitely a local place, which is very apparent by the other diners but we didn't feel out of place. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - BLT and a cheese omelette - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

See all

Although we were seated quickly and the owner came out constantly to check on his customers, things took a bad turn quickly. 45 minutes after we sat down, we were still waiting for our food while three other parties, who had arrived after we did, got their food. Our waitress noticed we hadn't gotten our food and went back to check. She said our ticket got "lost." She said there were three chefs working and randomly grabbing tickets. So we waited an hour for our breakfast. When it arrived, our food was cold. I ordered a steak, egg, and cheese sandwich on wheat bread. I was served rye bread. The steak was soggy and bland, as if it had been soaking in water. My husband was supposed to get wheat toast. He also was served rye toast. As we were leaving the owner apologized and said they were doing the best they could. So between the excessive wait, the supposed random method the kitchen used in preparing orders, the cold and bland food, and the lack of accountability, I can't recommend this restaurant. read more

Hands down, gotta stop here if you visit the Outer Banks! Great food, easy to get into if you go early! If not, expect a wait or go the next day! read more

Wonderful breakfast on our way home. Everything tasted yummy and the service was great too. Prices were not overly priced either. Will visit next time we're in the area. read more

This family owned restaurant is where the locals eat . The service was great and the food was good . This place is bigger than it looks from the outside view . Definitely set up to handle large groups . It's country cooking . Our breakfast was fresh and hot . If you're in Manteo give them a try. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - T L's ... - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

See all

How in the world this place got good reviews is beyond me. It's actually made me question all reviews. This isn't good food. It's isn't clean. read more

Barely warm sausage, dry toast, and unseasoned potatoes. Bland and unimpressive. Won't be back. Very friendly staff. Place and food both outdated and stale. read more

After years of vacationing here we stopped here for the first time after a morning walk around Manteo. It was exactly what we were looking for - great service, good food and affordable prices. I loved the breakfast bowl, the biscuit was great, my son loved the city ham and the pancakes were great! We will definitely be back! read more

While visiting the Outer Banks area I contacted a former student who lived in the area after his family relocated from where I taught. He recommended several different restaurants for us to consider. He also said if we wanted good - home cooking at a place the locals eat for us to visit TL's. We went for supper one evening before going to "The Lost Colony" production. We were NOT disappointed! In fact, we went back the next day for Lunch. Each time the food was tasty with large portions. We saw several people leaving with take-home boxes saying they couldn't eat all they were served. The service was excellent - we had the same server both times and he was professional, knowledgeable and shared his insights when asked. The ambiance isn't about what the surroundings look like - it's the feel of dining at a close relative's house - one that can really cook! We recommend TL's if you're looking for great food and service - at an affordable price. We'd go back if given a chance - wait, we already did!!! PS - ask about their daily specials and their PIE!!! read more

Still five stars! Visited again this year with a preschooler and my wife. Food was still good, service was still excellent and the ambiance was pure local. Owner stopped to check on everyone and was truly invested in his own success. read more

Pretty extensive menu. Good breakfast options offered all day long. Excellent burgers. Side dishes were home-quality. Friendly service.

This was a solid southern breakfast with friendly staff and a clean restaurant. Nothing flashy, but good stuff

Great service, great food and people! If you can't tell we loved what we ate! I got biscuit's and gravy with scrambled eggs and home fries. My bf got a breakfast bowl and both were great! Will definitely make this a staple in our outerbanks travels. read more

T L's Country Kitchen - The remains of our biscuits and gravy and breakfast bowl! Delicious! - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

Went here for breakfast. food was pretty good and the pricing was alright. the main issue was that our cashier (not even our waitress) charged more than was on the receipt and than had a fit that we didn't tip her enough. really unprofessional and childish read more

T L's Country Kitchen - bad (waitress) - Southern Near Me - Manteo, North Carolina

Great old school diner that the locals know and love. Like most areas in the OBX, masks are recommended but not enforced. The food is old school, delicious and filling in the way that you won't have to eat for 2 days after a meal here. The service and the locals are extremely friendly. Husby didn't care too much for his omelette due to the amount of unexpected peppers and onions. I tried the breakfast bowl and it was decadent. I couldn't finish it but gave it a valiant shot. read more