Carolina Grill

After moving ourselves and my mother, back to her home state of North Carolina, my husband and myself have spent our weekends exploring the surrounding area. Today's trip was to New Bern. After exploring historical downtown New Bern, we were both ravenous and seeking a wholesome meal. After driving around for quite awhile and finally crossing the bridge to James City, we settled on the Carolina Grill, due to the vast number of cars in their parking lot. One thing we have learned during our travels, is to look for the place where the locals eat and this is obviously that place.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted and seated. The restaurant has booths, tables and a bar. The decor is tasteful, simple, and very clean. The atmosphere was very peaceful and relaxing. A review of the menu presented a inexpensive mix of steak, seafood, and down home Americana food. We ordered fried mushrooms as an appetizer. For the meal, I ordered the hamburger steak, with brown gravy and mushrooms, a vegetable medley, and French fries and my husband ordered a Ruben sandwich with mac and cheese. Our food was absolutely stellar, portions were large and several items were homemade. The vegetables were fresh and my crinkle fries were without the weird spice or coatings that everyone feels the need to use these days. My husband's sandwich was a little light on meat, but the meat and toppings covered all portions of the bread, not just in the center, and there was enough meat he could taste it thorough the condiments. The meat was lean and tender. The mac and cheese was homemade, with a lot of cheese, and the noodles were firm, as if just cooked, rather than the cheese mush you get elsewhere. We both left very full and were pleased with our food.

Our server's name is Francis, (not sure of the spelling), and she was an absolute joy, who gave us a 6 star restaurant experience.
When we were seated, Ms. Francis was helping another table, but took a moment to acknowledge us and to let us know she would be back shortly. Before bringing our beverages, she asked if needed any of the appropriate condiments. Before the appetizer arrived, she brought small plates and extra napkins. When delivering the appetizer, she asked if we needed extra dipping sauce or needed anything additional. When she brought the requested gravy, she brough some for each of us without being asked. When delivering the meal, she brought all of the necessary condiments and enough of them, we didn't have to ask for more. Finally, she noticed when we needed a refill on beverages and checked on us often enough to be helpful, but not so much it was obtrusive. We wanted for nothing and had to ask for very little, because we Ms. Francis had already given it to us.

My husband and I have traveled all over the world and we have eaten at restaurants from Alaska to the Dubai, from the small hole in the wall places to five star restaurants. We have never had service like this before. Ms. Francis made sure we were so well taken care of and cared about, that our dining experience here surpassed that of our most expensive meals. Honestly, there are five star restaurants that need to send their staff here for training. Scrumptious food, served in a manner that literally makes you feel like family.

This will not be our last trip to this restaurant and I am sure we will be making the hour drive frequently. The food, the service, and the atmosphere is worth it. Five stars.

Carolina Grill is a quaint little restaurant that serves up delicious dinners that remind you of those warm country dinners your family made growing up. There's a great variety of menu items to choose from and we've yet to have a bad experience. The last time we went, I had the sauteed shrimp with a side of baked macaroni and cheese and hush puppies. My husband got the chili with a loaded baked potato. Both equally tasty! Photos dont do it justice.

Eating local at Carolina Grill was an outstanding experience. The shrimp and shrimp was cooked to perfection. All foods appeared freshly prepared and James City Nc Carolina Grill is a great place to eat Our meal was cooked with perfection during our visit. We were greeted promptly and seated. Our waitress was kind, thoughtful and helpful during our visit! We ordered a build your own cheeseburger to go for my 16 year old grandson and he was definitely impressed with the burger quality and favor. Prices are reasonable. Updated visit was again a pleasant experience. The Caribbean Chicken Wrap is an excellent choice.

Great seafood - shrimp, oysters and fish! Server was warm and friendly and really cared about making us happy. Overall a great experience. Looking forward to visiting again sometime.

Decided to have lunch at a new place today. Made a good choice. Service was excellent, server friendly, and made sure everything was to our satisfaction. Food was served in a timely manner. Will definitely stop again.

What a wonderful restaurant. We were promptly seated and waited on. After we ordered we didn't have to wait long for our food. The meals were outstanding!😋 The food was flavorful and piping hot. The helpings were generous and well priced. You won't be disappointed dining at the Carolina Grill!🙂

My family ate here for the first time and plan to visit again. The food was good and the service was pleasant. My grandson had kid's fried shrimp with applesauce. My husband had hamburger steak dinner. My daughter had the fried shrimp dinner. I had the Cajun rice bowl pictured.

We went for lunch, I had the shrimp basket with coleslaw and my mother had a cheeseburger and onion rings. Everything was great, my mother said her mother was a little to well done, but nothing that would make her send it back. Definitely recommend, the staff is so friendly and they seem to work together.

We went an hour or two before close. Food came out quick, was fresh, and our server was incredibly polite. Their water tasted good too for all my fellow water people out there.

I had the sautéed shrimp with the old bay seasoning. Soooo good. Well seasoned, deveined and cooked to perfection. My coworker got the fried flounder basket. Those are a great deal! More food came out than he was expecting so bring a heft appetite or be prepared to leave with a box. Their house ranch is really good too. Wish we had tried the carolina chips!

PS- i checked the menu images for pricing but it looks like they have had to increase everything by $1 or so because of inflation. Still worth it!

The service is amazing, and I've always had a great waitress. The cooks are amazing too!

They have the best country fried steak in New Bern. On Sundays they have Turkey dinners with stuffing and 2 sides and after your meal you get a banana pudding to go with it. Their turkey dinner is so tender you can cut the turkey with a spoon.

Also if you like to have a drink they make some of the best mixed drinks around my area. I definitely advise you to try this restaurant if you're in town or if you've never been.

They very pleasant waitress was nice and very helpful. Food had a nice taste. Price wasn’t too bad$$they gave you plenty. We ate there was able to take some of it home.

Great burger and chips. Very tasty. Stopped in by myself for lunch. Waitress was amazing. Will definitely return

Update: still delicious! And the service was great!
I had the grilled lemon pepper salmon. It was delicious! Perfectly cooked and it was quite a large piece I couldn't finish it all. The baked potato was fluffy and the steamed veggies were tasty. Our waitress was attentive and easy to talk to. Overall a great experience! For some reason we don't ever think to go to that side of town to eat but we will certainly be going there more often! The other thing we loved was the important message on the back of the menu. Be sure to check it out when you go.

Was a great place to eat! I fell for the appetizers and sides, so was given the veggie plate. My friend ordered shrimp and steak. Everything was DE-LICIOUS!! Their ranch sauce was something special! Even told the waitress I'd pay to have extra to take back to VA! She kindly obliged with 2 Togo cups with some that barely made it back but definitely only lasted for 25 hours 🤣 Was yummylicious! Service was fantastic as was the atmosphere. For being as busy as they were, we were made to feel like the only customers. That loving southern service! Would highly recommend and will totally be returning when back in New Bern♡

Food is alway excellent service is alway good the only thing that is missing is the bartender could be alittle more friendly. Never talks even when you are the only ones sitting at the bar. Just alittle conversation would go a long way. She has time to talk to co-works but never time to talk to you but to take the order. She is the night bartender, like I say she is good with the order and food but could have a little for effort with customers

Service was quick and very pleasant. The Bacon, Cheese on waffle fries was OUTSTANDING! Main dish is plentiful so sharing would have been fine. Or bring home the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

This is Hands Down the All around Go to Restauant in New Bern. There variety of Food is Bigger and Better than anyone in Town. The portions are UNREAL in SIZE. You get so much food for your money. My opinion the Best Seafood in Town of any restaurant around also. That goes for all other seafood restaurants in town. Also the "BEST BURGER" You will experience around. "Top Notch 5 STARS all Around" Please Experience it if you haven't already.

We have been going here quite often for the last year and a half and the food has always been great and consistent. The staff is so attentive and friendly and accommodating, making us always having a great visit.
On Thursday’s it is our favorite, Spaghetti with meat sauce, it is amazing! We are so happy we found Carolina Grill and everyone who works their.

The greeter held the door open for me and was very polite and showed me to a booth upon my liking....the waitress come out right away and asked me what I needed to drink and was very prompt throughout my meal...also, the meal was presented nicely and it tasted good too...thanks yall

The food was great. Our server Tiarra was friendly and helpful. I like the way she repeated our order back to us for accuracy.