Crook's Corner

Restaurant · Chapel Hill

Crook's Corner

Restaurant · Chapel Hill

2

610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

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Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null
Crook's Corner by null

Highlights

This beloved Chapel Hill cafe showcases local art and serves up legendary Southern dishes like shrimp and grits in a cozy, vibrant atmosphere.  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Grub Street
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610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Get directions

crookscorner.com
@crookscornerchapelhill

$20–30 · Menu

Information

Static Map

610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Get directions

+1 919 929 7643
crookscorner.com
@crookscornerchapelhill
𝕏
@CrooksCorner

$20–30 · Menu

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reservations

Last updated

Mar 13, 2025

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@eater

"I think everyone in the industry was startled by this news, as it truly marks the end of an era for a Southern institution. RIP." - Eater Staff

Remembering the Saddest Restaurant Closures Across the Carolinas for 2021 - Eater Carolinas
View Postcard for Crook's Corner
@eater

"James Beard Award-winning Southern restaurant Crook’s Corner announced that it would close its doors, effective immediately, after almost 40 years. Opened in 1982 by Gene Hamer and chef Bill Neal, Crook’s was at the forefront of the Southern farm-to-table movement, and is credited with popularizing the modern iteration of shrimp and grits. Chef Bill Smith took over after the original chef Bill Neal died in 1991, and ran the kitchen until 2019. Chef Carrie Schleiffer was recently brought on, but it seems COVID has claimed another institution." - Matt Lardie

Crook’s Corner Closes After Almost 40 Years in Chapel Hill - Eater Carolinas
View Postcard for Crook's Corner

Joe Becker

Google
Our first time to Crooks Corner! I had the the Hanger Steak and my wife had the Signature Shrimp & Grits! Both were fabulous! The steak was tender and the fries were perfect! I first had a Trophy Wife IPA with a good Kentucky Bourbon! My wife had a nice Lico Chardonnay and I followed with the a traditional PBR for dessert! Love this place! Their patio is surrounded by Bamboo and gives a cozy feel!

Allison Ross

Google
EXCELLENT experience! My first time ever having shrimp and grits and it was really good! ! Our group also got a Cesar salad, porkloin, and the sampler. Everyone was super impressed. Husband's previous shrimp & grit experience was with 82 Queen in Charleston and said that this was different but still very, very good. Pricier than we anticipated but fantastic. One of the better stops in Chapel Hill. Will put it on our short list to take family/visitors to. The patio was absolutely beautiful and a great vibe... Even on a rainy night! I can't believe we waited so long to try Crook's Corner! The desserts were fabulous! We tried the banana pudding, brownie, and mint sorbet- all of which were fantastic!! Could definitely make a meal of sharing small plates and desserts.

Matt Takas

Google
Excellent dinner here! Service was on point at the bar and the one drink I had (Old Fashioned) was tasty. I started out with Tuscan Sausage Soup, which was very flavorful with the mustard greens in it. I then had the Grilled Pork Chop for dinner which was very good. It came with New Potatoes, mushrooms, caramelized onions, pickled raisins and almonds. Sounds like it would be overly sweet, right? Not very much at all actually, as the flavors worked with each other quite well without one being too much. Good job on this one! For dessert, I was a little unsure what to get. I didn't want something over the top sweet or too much of anything either. I opted for the Atlantic Beach Lemon-Lime pie after asking the bartender for ideas. I was not sure what to expect, especially with a saltine crust which was quite thick on the back of the slice. It was delicious! Great dessert with just enough of a tart to it to stave off the heat of the day. I didn't eat the entire crust, as it was a bit more stuck together at the back and I didn't want to make a huge mess. All in all, great meal. As stated, service was on point and everyone I encountered there was very polite and engaging to make sure my experience was a good one. I can't speak to some of the negatives in other recent reviews, as this was my first time there, but I'll definitely be back to try a few different things when I'm in the area.

Walker Knight

Google
Amazing restaurant! I had the jalapeno cheddar hush puppies, some fried oysters, and the shrimp & grits (pictured). Everything was seriously delicious! The shrimp & grits pack so much flavor it's unbelievable! Cute little spot with a fun atmosphere and great staff. Space is limited, so I would recommend a reservation unless you are planning to show up when the doors open.

Millie Kwan

Google
A classic institution in Chapel Hill for seasonally Southern food. Some really nice classic Southern preparations as well as some tweaks including a cracker plate with homemade pimento cheese, jalapeno cheese hushpuppies, and spicy Mac and cheese. They also have hoppin' John, collard greens, cornbread, and banana pudding with meringue topping. I had fried sea sea trout with diced vegetables which was terrific and fresh persimmon (NC persimmons not Asian) pudding with whipped cream which were quite tasty. Portions are not only generous, but Southern (read as huge). Lots of nearby parking if you follow the directions on their website. Also one of the only restaurants open Sunday nights.

Nina

Google
the burger was nice but fries were really bad. they had a nice big parking lot easy prking. overall vibe is good but the food was so-so.

Benjamin Tupper

Google
What an incredible place! Such a fun vibe and very relaxed. The food is amazing and it is a Chapel Hill institution! If you have not been you need to go!! Shrimp and grits are out of this world!

Frank Bookhardt

Google
Interesting twist on some classic cuisine. Menu changed but the shrimp and grits is legendary