Fort Bragg Restaurants

We finally returned and took in the cool evening; sitting under a nicely heated lamp. The dinner was AWESOME! We split a hot brisket and a half a chicken. The sides were homemade Mac & Cheese ~ cheese that strings from your fork to your lips ~ and their homemade potato salad ~ just the right amount of dressing. We ate the entire meal...I of course ate the crispy chicken skin....

This really is a must of you want to have the family out and not worry about cleaning up. The price is great and the amount of food is perfect! Usually we would take some home but this time we really couldn't stop ourselves and even Heinz our Weiner dog was left out.

Not sure about the take out but my recommendation is to eat in if you can and then special order wrap your sandwich to go! 

So let me first start by saying that the whole night wasn't a total loss. However I would not pay $10 again for the To-Go order I got.  I arrived about 3:00pm and there was one dine in & one To-Go order in front of me. I ordered The `Q` with coleslaw on the side To-Go; the wait time was perfect.

I don't live very far so when I got home & opened it up; COLD. Here is the thing and I think I figured it out; its the packaging. You take a bun, add hot meat, then add cold slaw on top, put cold slaw or what ever side next to it creates a moisture mess when the lid is shut. It made the meat cold which in turn made the fat in the meat disgustingly greasy in the top of your mouth way. 

Here is the solution and we as customers don't mind fixing it the way WE want it when we get home.  Take the bun & meat and wrap it in foil. Give a small side of slaw to dump on top at home and we are good to go. The sandwich stays hot and it changes the entire meal.

Please let The Q know if this is a good idea and tell them. We want all of our restaurants to thrive and I love good food so lets all help each other.  I also hear that the food is wonderful when you eat it right there when it is served. I have not heard one complaint about the inside dining; just the To-Go and that's why I checked it out.  ~Lesley~

We decided to eat dinner and our total bill was about $23 for two drinks and two buffets. If you think about it spending $12 for a hot dinner and choosing exactly what you want is pretty inexpensive these days. The dinning room faces Main Street so you can either sit inside or near the half glass domed window to feel the sun on your head & back. The buffet is huge and hot, yes hot! They have soup, salad, many desserts and a large selection of vegetarian dishes.

As I have gotten older my ability to eat like I did at a buffet is not the same. I have slowed down considerably. The reason I love eating here is because I can take a little bit of what ever I want and enjoy everything...o.k. I'm exaggerating  when I say everything. I also have my pattern for the buffet. First I start with a cup of soup, 1 stickers, a egg roll and 1 of the many sushi roll options. Then the next trip is the meat and veggies. I had sauteed green beans (so good), mushroom chicken and a deep fried zucchini. Some times I have room for one of the great fruits or pastries for dessert but most of the time I am too full. The best part of the meal is the family that takes care of you while you are there. We adore them. ~Lesley~

I come here during the afternoon for lunch with my friend Barry and always enjoy ourselves. Everyone is always so nice and pleasant and the atmosphere is warm; you can tell it is run by a family. I also had a variety of chicken and the beef was incredibly tender, sliced thin and sauteed. I will not eat tough meat and finding a place that is consistently good will always get my business. The best part about coming here is that there is no wait to be seated and you can eat right way and the food is great. So maybe you don't have the waited on service in the beginning but once you are there your drink is refilled, you leave the table to get another plate or dessert and when you come back your other plate is gone. It's like going into your kitchen and having everything already made for you with out cleaning up the mess. I recommend you check it out for a low key and pleasant evening.  ♦ Mac ♦

First, I have to put their menu on the site.  I need to get a menu with their prices since the official website does not give price; strange.

I have to say, I picked up a Cowboy Pizza for dinner and within 18 minutes of popping it in the oven it was done and perfect.  I am so sold on this pizza.  My friend who sticks to non animals gave me her coupon for The Cowboy.  Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and black olives.  Yippy skippy, thank you Mary Elizabeth! It was a large for $9 with the coupon and better than Round Tables delivered for $30 with a coupon.

Myron liked it so much that when I got up in the morning some of it was missing. Hmmm...the night owl strikes again!

If anyone has it before I get back over to that side please email it to me so I can put them on with prices.  ~ Lesley ~

I was not feeling well and did not go to the restaurant with Mac and his friend Merlin but I was able to taste the breakfast.  So here is our review from the dine in experience at the restaurant and from the take out that I received when Mac got home. 

 `We arrived at Eggheads about 12:30pm and decided that we (myself and Merlin) would have breakfast. I ordered the crab omelet and was not disappointed.  It was full of lump crab meat and cheese and I ate the whole thing.  The potatoes were cut in large bite size pieces and cooked tender.  I would definitely order this again'.  ♦Mac ♦

`So when Mac got home he surprised me with breakfast - to go.  I am not one for breakfast in the morning but for lunch or dinner it's great.  When I opened the container there was a huge omelet with potatoes and toast.  I didn't know what type of omelet it was so when I started eating it ~ it was great.  It was filled with diced veggies and cheeses.  The thing I liked the most was that the veggies were cut into little pieces so when you took a bite you had a little bit of everything in each fork. The potatoes were also really good for being take out...not the mushy garbage that is an accessory to a plate but it had little bits of crunchy snacks that you just keep nibbling at till your stomach hurts.  I really couldn't eat the whole thing but probably half.  Also I must say that listening to Mac talk about his crab omelet ~ I was jealous and can't wait to go back and actually eat there while it comes out steaming hot'. ~Lesley~

The Restaurant is locate across from The Depot.  When you walk in you can be helped to a seat from one of the friendly staff.  We arrived around 6:30pm on Sunday night and had a seat waiting for us.  We were served cold water and warm bread and butter once seated.  We both ordered a cup of Clam Chowder and a Pepsi each.

`The Clam Chowder was awesome...as usual. I've been dining here for three years now and I have never had a bad meal. Tonight I had the Rockfish (coated and pan fried), it came with rice and veggies but I asked for pasta instead. Pasta is always great with butter & parm.  One thing I would like to say is that the asparagus was steamed perfect with a garlic butter.  We did order the bread pudding To-Go...midnight snack....'  ~Lesley~  p.s. it didn't last that late...already gone and the whip cream was worth the wait

We arrived around 12:30pm for lunch.  The restaurant was really busy and it seemed like everyone was eating the buffet which is the feature.  We found a seat and asked for menus to check out the Vietnamese Menu to see if we wanted the buffet or to order directly.  It was busy so we both decided to just grab a plate and help ourselves.

`I have such an indifference for this establishment; please let me tell you why.  When I got my plate the whole buffet was basically empty. Mac just went thru and got the last egg roll and noodles...basically everything.  I got some soup and a couple of CA rolls (which were really good) but then I waited. Everyone was done and paid for and it was 1:10pm when the next round of food came out.  At this point I was waiting for the bill but still hungry so I headed back for the buffet.  Of course everything was hot and good...unfortunately it came too late for me. ~ Lesley ~

`The food was lukewarm and some of it was stale but the most frustrating factor was that it was difficult to reach. The selection of food was limited'.  ♦Mac ♦

We parked behind the Company Store and walked into the building. The Bistro is located upstairs and as soon as we walked in we were seated looking over Main Street.  We were served warm home made bread and soft butter.  The atmosphere is elegant and warm but with the vaulted ceilings it give you the old world feeling.

`I ordered the Fettuccine with Chicken with the salad. First the salad was just the right size with slivers of red onions which I love.  Plus the pasta came out piping hot.  The pasta was a little to much for me to eat the whole dish so I took it home.  And just so you know, when I reheated it the pasta turned to butter which to me means it really was home made sauce.  Just as good the second time... ~ Lesley~

`I ordered The Special of Mahi Mahi and it was prepared just as ordered.  The salad was good and the dressing good also.  The meal was worth the price paid which I believe included the scenic view.'  ♦ Mac ♦  

We arrived around 7:15pm Sunday night at Fort Bragg Steak House and when we walked in it was nicely lit with a clean and warm appearance. we were warmly welcomed and told we could sit anywhere. Once seated we were served cold water & warm bread & butter. We both ordered a cup of clam chowder, two soda's and a dinner entree each which comes with a salad & choice of potato.

`I was really impressed with the clam chowder because it was really hot and full of little clams.  It wasn't chunky but nice and smooth.   For dinner I ordered the chicken with mushrooms in cream sauce and chose the baked potato & ranch for the salad dressing (great dressing).  The cream sauce was absolutely amazing and the shiitake mushrooms were perfect. It also came with sliced zucchini which was cooked just right and not mushy. After finishing the bread, soup, salad, potato and not quite half the chicken I still have lunch for tomorrow.  For the overall service I was really impressed, the food came out one right after each other and was hot.  I will definitely go back and try breakfast'  ~Lesley~

`I ordered the petite Filet Mignon medium well with a Bearnaise sauce (I think its a port wine glace) and mashed potatoes.  The clam chowder was good with lots of little clams, I ordered thousand island dressing, good. When the entree came out I asked for more of the sauce for my potatoes and was told that the chef would put the pan back on and prepare more of the sauce for me.  I found that impressive & liked that it was being prepared fresh.  It only took a few minutes but not only did I get more of the sauce but I also got a side of horseradish dip which was very tasty (and unexpected). All I can say is the meat was perfect. I finished the whole plate. Also, and I speak for both of us on this, the plating presentation was very impressive. Now I look forward to that midnight snack of `chicken and mushrooms....'  ♦Mac ♦ 

We decided to take an early dinner around 3pm and go to Ricarda's.  We've had dinner here many times so we already knew what we wanted before going in. This is a small restaurant on the LHS of Oak St and has steps leading into the entrance. It is very cozy inside with walls filled of memories they share from childhood to grown families. The owners are warm, quiet and it seems like everyone knows each other and are friends.  When we sat down we were given warm home made chips and salsa and we ordered right away.  There was no one there when we arrived and by the time we were done the place was packed

`I ordered a chicken quesadilla and a Pepsi (cold in a can).  I munched on the chips and salsa, I like her salsa because its really fresh, chunky and a little spic.  Our food came out really fast but not to quick that we felt rushed to get out of there.The quesadilla was a half place tortilla with cheese and a ton of shredded chicken inside. I opened it up poured some salsa on, took the bed of shredded lettuce with sour cream and placed it inside and used my fork. Delicious!'  ~Lesley~

We arrived around 5:30pm and it was just starting to get busy.  When you walk in the front there is a sushi bar to the left and seating to the right & a covered back patio (heating lamps). The chef's are in the kitchen behind the bar so you can see them preparing your food if you wanted.  We decided to sit inside and was helped right way. We have had really great service lately around town and this was at the same level. Helpful but not hovering.  What we noticed, now that we're looking, is that the noise level was really low and we could just have a normal conversation.

I ordered the Dinner Box of Chicken, Tempura & Ca Rolls w/Miso Soup and soda for dinner. I can't believe I ate the whole thing! First I had the Miso Soup which was good & hot (I almost burned my mouth on it & I love temp hot food/beverages...caution)  The dinner box came out (it really is a box with compartments separating the food inside) and it was steaming. I love the tempura green beans & broccoli the most, the batter is really light but at the same time thick in places which is a nice crunchy treat.The Ca rolls were fresh and tight, you know the type that stay together even when an amateur chop stick user tries to dip it? The chicken was dark & white meat & tender, a big portion which I managed to almost finish. To full for dessert and not enough left to take home it was a good night. ~Lesley~

I have to give a thank you for the wonderful ladies and all the employees that work there. I come in just because I am welcomed with a smile and no matter how busy it is I get the same great service. I just wanted to say `thank you' and keep up the great work. ♦ Mac ♦