Restaurants

Area features wide variety of dining options

By Paige Walston-Minshew

Food probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Rocky Mount.

But the food scene is legendary to residents of Greenville, Zebulon and Wilson, just to name a few. If you’re in the mood for modern American cuisine, hamburgers with a spin, classic pizza, Mexican, food with a Southern flair or a good steak, Rocky Mount is the place to go.

Lou Reda's: An American Table, opened its doors in the fall of 2013. Owner Lou Reda and chef partner and Culinary Director Justin Gaines bring a wealth of experience to the table in order to serve the crowd. An American Table offers comfort food with a modern twist and bourbon-infused cocktails. Fan favorites are the roasted beet salad and crab cakes.

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If you want a juicy hamburger loaded with unique flavors, Barley & Burger is the place to go.

For those with a distinguished palate, “The Godfather” burger with fried mozzarella, pepperoni, marinara sauce and fresh basil is a fine choice.

While Rocky Mount native George Southerland is a big fan of burgers, he can't help but love the Southern favorite, pimento cheese. Diners can enjoy their share topped onto waffle fries with

bacon. Southerland said, "the portion size is never enough."

You can’t beat family-owned Moe & D’s Restaurant Grill & Bar if you’re in the mood for either a laid-back atmosphere or a place to grub out on bar food while watching the big game. Michael, Steve and Moe Deloach, all natives of Rocky Mount, can provide any traditional comfort food you can imagine.

The Prime Smokehouse: Barbecue & Beyond has “the best macaroni and cheese in town hands down,” Southerland said.

Lifelong friends Ed Wiley III, his wife Yalem Kiros and Harold Worrell Jr. wanted to create a space where the “food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere warm and cosmopolitan and the service stellar.”

Thus, The Prime Smokehouse: Barbecue & Beyond was born and is now located at Rocky Mount Mills.

Food enthusiasts from surrounding towns and cities have many diverse, and interesting, choices to satisfy their palates.

If steak and mac-n-cheese is your thing, head to The Prime Smokehouse.

If you want to watch sports and chow down on comfort food, head to Moe & D’s.

Fancy Mexican cuisine? El Tapatio is the place to go.

For the best burgers in the area, head to Barley and Burger.

And for contemporary American cuisine, Lou Reda’s: An American Table is where you want to be.