Island Deliveries

It seems there are an awful lot of new restaurants popping up around Hatteras Island. Not necessarily new restaurants, per se, but old restaurants changing or falling under new management. Hodad’s Cafe which has been a staple in Avon for quite a few years is now Avon Cafe. A group of us went to investigate the new spot… For anyone who had been to Hodad’s, you would remember the “surf decor.” The walls were covered with signed surfboards, surf pictures, and other various memorabilia. Those days are gone. At the present time, the walls are bare, but I would guess that some sort of decor is in the works for the summer. The menu has also been completely changed. We ordered the crab dip, kung pao beef, and the eggplant bruschetta for appetizers. The flavor and presentation were excellent! I was not so impressed by my meal, a warm potato and arugula salad. The salad consisted of arugula, roasted red peppers, and shoestring french fries tossed in a lavender vinaigrette. I thought it to be a bit plain, and I didn’t care for the bitter vinaigrette. A friend had the ribs and said that although they were a bit tough they had a good flavor. Another member of our party did, however, highly recommend the Chicago dog, a hot dog topped with sliced tomato, a pickle spear, mustard, relish, and onion. Overall, I would say that while the appetizer’s sizzled, the meal fizzled. So-so on the food, great service, and so far no ambiance, but we will definitely give the place another try.

Hatteras Harbor Deli has changed management again. While quite different from the original deli, it is an improvement from the past couple of years. I was originally disappointed that the porch was closed in, but it’s actually still quite nice on the deck, and I see the practicality in the design, especially once it gets too hot to sit outside. The inside looks fresh and new, and the menu has been revamped mostly offering your basic deli sandwiches. We were told that the ribeye sandwich is cooked & sliced on premise and was a must try. I couldn’t pass up the “Faux Plover”, a turkey & Havarti sandwich, as there are not many places that offer Havarti cheese as an option. I enjoyed the sandwich and loved the sweet potato fries as a side item. All in all, I give the “new” deli two thumbs up for good, reasonably priced food, a relaxing atmosphere, and friendly service. It’s such a great location with an appealing view of the marina, and I’m glad to see things shaping up for them.

I celebrated my first Mother’s Day having lunch at the new Cafe 12, formerly known as the Pickled Steamer located in the Food Lion shopping center in Avon. Not much has changed, but the name. They have an extensive menu including flat tops which are now called “Hatteras Flats”, wraps, quesadillas, and an assortment of other sandwiches, apps, and salads. Food was excellent, and the portions are gargantuan. I had the artichoke and portobella flat served with some type of a vinaigrette dressing. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and could barely make it through half. The tasty parmesan green beans offered as a side item are a refreshing alternative to french fries. They changed the decor a bit since the last time I had been in there, but it still exudes a sort of Mediterranean charm. Very quaint little cafe! We left satisfied customers and would definitely recommend a visit for lunch.

Nino’s Pizza has expanded! In addition to their existing location in Avon, they now have a Buxton location, Papa Nino’s, which delivers to the villages of Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. Exciting news to this Frisco resident who has already enjoyed delivery twice since their inception just a few weeks ago. The delivery time was very reasonable and the food was good! They have an awesome garden salad…gigantic for only $3. Thank you Papa Nino’s, I’ll be calling again!