After Golf Eats and Sweets

True Apres Golf

The main course, off the course of course, is the one you hope to consume sometime during the dinner hour. For golfers, the dinner hour can be a fluctuating block of time in the evening – most likely the one closest to the moment the last putt has been holed. “Hats off, lets go eat.” It is during these times that the most delectable tastes OBX has to offer really come out to play.

Two of the most widely recognized names ever concocted along the Outer Banks are Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar in Kill Devil Hills and Dirty Dicks Crab House now in Nags Head.

There’s something to be said about being first and Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar claims the distinction of being the first one of its kind to open on the Outer Banks. Known for its catchy name and logo, it also legendary for its fresh, delicious seafood and casual and friendly atmosphere. Complete with an ocean view from its lounge, the establishment that refutes its own name has been dubbed one of the nation’s greatest oyster bars thanks in large part to its coastal vibe and seafood delights.

With a risqué slogan like “I Got My Crabs at Dirty Dicks,” it’s only natural that the aforementioned restaurant has become a favorite of golfers from all over. Founded as an answer to famed crab houses up north in Virginia and Maryland, Dirty Dick’s new Nags Head location is allowing visiting golfers more space to spread out their all-you-can-eat crabs and crab legs and go to town. So for great, fresh seafood, head for the place with the funny name and flair for excitement.

Other great food stop names along the coast in OBX are The Black Pelican, Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar & Grill, The Bonzer Shack, Tortuga’s Lie, Art’s Place Bar & Grille, Mako’s Beach Grille & Bar and La Fogata.

The Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk is one of the first year-round restaurants on the Outer Banks and offers a spectacular ocean view. The building it sits in originally served as a historic life-saving station built in the late 1800s. Fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and wood oven pizzas are some of the items offered on its menu.

Hurricane Mo’s Beachside Bar & Grill, also located in Kitty Hawk, features Local seafood, steaks, pasta, sandwiches and more. Like so many other establishments around town, it is also a popular spot for those in search of daily lunch specials.

The Bonzer Shack in Kill Devil Hills, meanwhile, claims to the most laid-back beach grill on the Outer Banks and that can be most welcome after an especially tough day on the course. Here you can drown your misery with a splash of water as it is themed after the surfer crowd. The Shack features bistro quality coastal comfort food including a range of clever appetizers including the locally famous ‘Hippy Dip’ and wings roasted in house daily.

Tortuga’s Lie, nestled among the dunes in Nags Head, is another well-balanced eatery featuring everything from seafood treasures to burgers and more. Art’s Place in Kitty Hawk, meanwhile, claims to have the best burger in town and who am I to disagree, especially when the sign says “Local’s Welcome, Tourists Tolerated … sometimes.” Helping to round out a legendary group is Mako’s. Another Kill Devil Hills classic with a catchy name, this place is where you can find a little bit of everything.

Of course OBX is not all about just seafood, burgers and barbeque. La Fogata in Kitty Hawk is our place to hit when looking for authentic Mexican food.

After, After Golf

Like any beach town worth its salt (pardon the pun), OBX also has its share of sweet-tooth connections for post-meal enjoyment. Up north near Corolla, there’s Ned’s Ice Cream and Corolla Scoops & Sweets to dig your teeth into. One place in particular that we have stumbled upon during our time playing Nags Head Golf Links is Booty Treats Ice Cream & Shave Ice located to the south. This uniquely crafted “parlor” offers authentic Hawaiian Shave Ice, old-fashioned malts, milkshakes and sundaes (though none of us, even the low handicappers in our group, have dared tried Booty’s “Junk In the Trunk Sundae” as of yet).

In all, the Outer Banks of North Carolina is as quality a golf /food destination that there is to be found anywhere. So if you are interested in a true tee-to-green then feed adventure, there’s no better place to head to than to this seaside sanctuary that is always a shag bag full of fun and fuel.