Going to a wedding this weekend and will be staying on Baldhead Island. I've searched for restaurants and only found a few on the island outside of the country clubs.

Is it worth it to head back on the ferry to Southport for dinner or is there a good selection on the island? I found a place called Eb & Flo that seems like the most reasonable option on the island.

9/24/2009 8:48:51 AM

Eb & Flo is typical bar food and drinks. It's good food, but nothing to write home about.

we had breakfast at The Maritime Market and it was alright...although the grits were salty as fuck.

Shoals Club dining was very yummy (with a beautiful view). I know there's a Grille there too which I believe is less expensive. Depending on where you are staying, I'm sure you can get a complimentary membership there. We got one for one day at each club that's on the island with the rental we had.

Those were the only places we ate, but we weren't there very long which I imagine you won't be either with wedding activities and reception food provided. I would just eat at Eb & Flo's and maybe the Pelicatessan (we didn't eat there) or even grab food at Southport b4 taking the ferry over. It wouldn't be worth your time to take the ferry from BHI back to Southport just for a meal if you're gonna be there for just a weekend. A week? sure...a weekend, no.

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 10:01 AM. Reason : view ]

9/24/2009 9:59:01 AM

I strongly strongly recommend the yacht basin provision company in southport. It's right on the waterfront.

9/24/2009 10:04:37 AM

Thanks for the advice Bobby and LKB. Provision Company looks pretty awesome in that it's cheap and fresh seafood. The places on BHI look good, it'll just be a matter if people want to go back to Southport or stay on the island for dinner.

Also, do you recommend picking up the majority of groceries prior to getting out to Southport/BHI or is there a good grocery store? A lot of times the coastal towns have grocery stores w/jacked up prices because they're the only thing around...

9/24/2009 10:20:07 AM

Fishy fishy cafe is also very good. Right next to the provision company on the waterfront in Southport.

9/24/2009 10:42:37 AM

re: Southport

agreed with BobbyD. Provisions is delicious and I always go when I'm in town and they are open. It's by far my favorite spot--Thee Special (boiled shrimp & crabcake w/ corn on the cob) & the Provision Chicken Sandwich ftw. I REALLY wanted to have our rehearsal dinner there, but we settled for post-rehearsal party/ddrinks and post-reception party/drinks instead
They're getting to end of their open season, so I would definitely check it out on the way in or out OH! and they just opened up a bar only further down by the cereal box condos next to Provisions that you can have a drink at while you wait or to just party. It's a good little spot.

and I dunno when the last time it was that you ^ went to Fishy Fishy, but while it's good food they've jacked their prices up. they used to be MUCH more reasonable.

Thai Peppers is also a favorite spot of ours

The Pharmacy is good and has a great brunch

PJ's is good for your run of the meal quick breakfast and all types of food diner

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM. Reason : more on Provisions b/c I <3 it so much!]

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM. Reason : ]

9/24/2009 10:47:04 AM

I went a few weeks ago. They have higher prices than provision company for some stuff, but it's not outrageous or anything. $10-15 entrees.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Provision company and I understand why people love it, but it gets packed and the owner?/manager was a huge bitch to us the last time I went so if I have the choice between the two, I will pay a little more for Fishy Fishy.

Sweet potato fries and coconut shrimp + mango/jalepeno chutney = awesome.

Now that I think about it, I did go for lunch on a Sunday, so dinner might be more expensive. Haven't been to dinner there in over a year.

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 11:09 AM. Reason : d]

9/24/2009 11:07:09 AM

dinner is definitely more expensive. it used to be like the lunch prices, but not so much now. it was last summer that they changed their menu and increased their prices.

9/24/2009 11:26:50 AM

Provision Company sounds like a good stop, boiled shrimp and crabcake especially.

Grocery and liquor stores - buy before getting there or is there a good grocery store down there?

9/24/2009 11:48:58 AM

the maritime market place is also a grocery store, but small, that does have a decent selection of wine and beer...i don't recall an ABC store on the island. there's an ABC store on the left as you drive in to Southport on Howe. you'll have to pass it b4 getting on the road for the ferry, so you can't miss it and it's not out of the way.

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 12:04 PM. Reason : ]

9/24/2009 12:04:03 PM

On the island I've eaten at eb and flo's a few times; nothing special but not bad, and you avoid having to take the somewhat expensive ferry. breakfast at the maritime market is pretty decent. If you go to southport, I second the vote for fishy fishy, and Live Oak Cafe is ecellent but a bit pricey.

9/24/2009 12:28:14 PM

Quote :

"but it gets packed and the owner?/manager was a huge bitch to us the last time I went"

yeah we always assume about a 2 hour wait when we go, but that pain is made easier by the fact that you can tailgate in the parking lot. So we're usually pretty hammered by the time they call our name. And the owner/manager (yeah i'm not sure either) does get a little bitchy, but i dunno, maybe because i'm always drunk it becomes part of the charm.

if they just started using pagers like every other restaurant in the civilized world with long waits, then i think her life would be a lot easier. the "you have to stay close when i call your name" and then getting bitchy when everyone wanders off to drink method clearly doesn't work.

9/24/2009 1:34:40 PM

The grocery store on the island has anything you might need. It will all be marked up a bit, but for the most part its not that much.

The Pelicatessen is tasty, but its really just a little sandwich shop. Though it does have a poolside bar during the day.
The River Pilot is tasty, but definitely overpriced.
Eb & Flo is good, but not much variety.

If you get a chance, make sure you go out to The Point at low tide, very cool.

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 1:44 PM. Reason : ]

9/24/2009 1:42:37 PM

Quote :

"but that pain is made easier by the fact that you can tailgate in the parking lot."

and the honor system beer tab...HOLLER!!

9/24/2009 3:16:24 PM

Mr. P's Bistro in Southport is really good. I got married on Bald Head Island, was not happy with the choices, and the food prepared for the rehersal dinner was exceptional there.

9/24/2009 3:24:29 PM

I am going to be at the provision comp in about 4 hours

9/25/2009 1:40:31 PM

<--- jealous.

their seafood is really good, but I'll tell you that they make some of the best burgers around. Maybe it's the seafood oils mixing in with the beef, but I don't know that I've had a tastier burger.

9/25/2009 8:21:53 PM

^ I worked at Provisions in Holden Beach for five years. It's the same except we had more items on the menu and are better IMO.

The secret to the burgers is the meat is really fresh (i.e. ground from the butcher shop daily). We also did not handle the meat a lot before putting it on the flat iron grill. The cheese melting is also an art. When the burger is done, put the cheese on top and then spray water from a squirt bottle around it and cover so the steam will melt the cheese.

That's the best part about working at a good restaraunt is you get all the recipes. I cook stuff from there at home all the time.

9/27/2009 10:37:03 AM

Provision Company was great - got a tasty crabcake sandwich, was quick and cheap.

Also had dinner at Eb & Flo and it was pretty good too. I appreciate these places that let me refill my own drink.

9/27/2009 10:34:53 PM