B. P.
Google
My family and I recently visited NC Coast Grill and Bar in Duck, NC, and it was a profoundly disappointing experience from start to finish. We arrived with high hopes for a nice seafood dinner, but what we got was a complete lack of quality control and a litany of frustrations.
First, the view was delightful, but that’s about it. Thee wait was a grueling 90 minutes just to be seated, which already set a sour tone. The slow service continued throughout our meal.
The food, when it arrived, was a huge letdown. The "coastal" seafood was anything but. The crab legs were pitifully sparse, with about half of them having barely any meat. The shrimp were even worse—unpeeled and undeveined—making them utterly unappetizing and a waste of our money. My family and I ended up throwing most of them out. This is not what we expect from a restaurant that prides itself on being a coastal seafood spot.
However, the most egregious part of our meal was the shocking lack of cleanliness. We were seated on the patio, which was completely overrun with spider webs. While we understand that some bugs are to be expected outside, this was a full-blown infestation. Our umbrella was home to at least six spiders, two of which feel into our food. My sons were frustrated as two more spiders dangled directly above their heads. They were so disgusted they couldn't finish their meals and left early. When we brought this horrifying issue to the staff's attention, the response was a dismissive "they come out at night." This is unacceptable. These were not new webs; they were huge, indicating a long-standing and unaddressed problem. A simple hose-down each night would have prevented this nightmare.
The final straw was witnessing a staff member pouring leftover drinks from a table directly into the ocean. This blatant disregard for the environment and basic sanitation was a truly shocking end to an already terrible evening.
For a bill that was nearly $300 for 3 lbs of crab, 1 lb of shrimp, sides, and sodas, this level of service and quality is simply inexcusable. My family and I will not be returning, and we strongly advise others to save their money and their sanity by dining elsewhere.