Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Southern restaurant (US) · Apex

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Southern restaurant (US) · Apex

1

225 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502

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Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom by null

Highlights

Nestled in a cozy, woodsy setting with a terrace, this eatery serves up a tempting array of international dishes and weekend brunch delights.  

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225 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502 Get directions

scratchkitchenandtaproom.com
@scratchkitchennc

$20–30 · Menu

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225 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502 Get directions

+1 919 372 5370
scratchkitchenandtaproom.com
@scratchkitchennc

$20–30 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 13, 2025

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"This is perhaps one of the only spots in the Triangle with a roaring fireplace, which instantly makes the space cozy during the colder months. The stone fireplace, combined with the big wooden support beams, evokes a mountain lodge atmosphere. Expect an eclectic mix of food, from Asian-inspired dishes like General Tso cauliflower and Lowcountry pad thai to American staples like burgers and mac and cheese. Warm up by the fire and sip on an apple cider spritz or salted caramel Old Fashioned." - Elliott Harrell

Warm Up in These 11 Cozy Restaurants Around the Triangle
View Postcard for Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Aurora Stanley

Google
My husband & I grabbed dinner here for a date night & loved the atmosphere. The food was also delicious; we ordered the wonton dip to start, then my husband ordered a burger, I ordered the steak, & we were both too stuffed for dessert. It's a bit of a drive for us, but we would definitely eat here again if we were close by!

Anasha Godley

Google
We had already tried the one in Cary, so my best friend wanted to try this one in Apex for her bday brunch. Crab Cake deviled eggs, Dutch pancake with chicken and lemon rosemary syrup, fried pork Belly Bites with brussel sprouts and creme brulee french toast were all a hit! Now, the only thing I will say is if you get the Dutch pancake, please note that the rosemary is EXTREMELY strong! It was flavorful but more than I expected...almost a little too overpowering for the dish but nonetheless, it was delicious! 10 out of 10. Our server, Indiana was SUPER awesome so ask for her when you go! Oh, and the drink was a ginger tea type concoction with cold foam....the foam by itself was tasty but that drink was 100 out of 10!! It was sooo fragrant so whoever made it knows exactly what they're doing!

BC Christopher

Google
I really enjoyed the place and Rachel was very good and attentive. Fried tomatoes were a delicious appetizer. I didn't love the fried chicken sandwich, which was supposed to be a specialty. Had a flavor in there that didn't agree with my taste buds. Old Fashioned was good and so was the local honey lager beer. Parking is a little challenging.

Adriana Pearson

Google
The food here is great. I ended up eating the Smokehouse Mac & Cheese and it did not disappoint. Even without the bbq sauce, I thought this meal was so flavorful. The BBQ had amazing flavor, the mac and cheese was creamy and the fried onions on top were a great textural addition to the dish. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. They have both inside, outside, and bar seating. They do not offer reservations so plan accordingly. I will be eating here again!

marty watson

Google
Cute place, nice location with lots of character. Seating was fast, food came quickly, food was well presented, tasty and filling. Menu had great selection to suite many tastes. Service after meal was very lacking and business wasn't overly busy. Look forward to trying other items in future.

Blake Wanstedt

Google
Not Allergy Friendly!!! Food was pretty good as far as taste. BIG issue was with ingredients. My wife is ER allergic to mushrooms. Online she found a dish she wanted for dinner. I went in person to order takeout and the inperson menu showed mushrooms while the online version didn't. I ordered her dish without mushrooms and it was clearly noted on the ticket. I got the food home and there was a SIGNIFICANT amount of mushrooms in her meal. The bartender did his part. Very disappointed in the kitchen.

Ganjagrid Plant Vibration Trainer by THCX

Google
MAN O MAN! A staple in my wifes and my restaurant rotation! This time was extra special! Sam the manager came out and checked how everyone who sat outside was doing.. AWESOME WE SAID. She asked who our server was... GENE we replied. She informed us that this was Gene's 1st serving gig and they are lucky to have him. We were lucky to have him too! #rockstar #itsallaboutthevibes

Alexander Galindez

Google
Seating was fast, food came quickly and taste good. Place are great with some details that make it a fantastic place. I would like to see a variety of drinks without alcohol but I forgot when food come to my table!!! I will return to taste more dishes

Dub H.

Yelp
Scratch Kitchen is another project by the people who brought you Mason Jar and Tap Station. So far I love all of their restaurants and breweries. Scratch Kitchen is a step up from the Mason Jar restaurant which in itself is really good, but this place has a bit fancier food. It's also a lot harder to get seated. The restaurant itself isn't that big. I've never not had a wait to get in of at least 30 minutes. The parking lot is huge and outback and offers free EV charging. The menu does change some, not sure if it's seasonal, so some items reviewed may no longer be available. Consider that when reading my review and others. I'm gonna start with something that should be obvious...don't come here and order pad Thai like I did. Go to Thai Thai or another authentic place for that. Oh good I just checked the menu, 2025, doesn't seem to be on there anymore. The spicy sushi round is a great starter. It's so good I almost get it every time. The jalapeño cornbread is also a must try. Somehow they hit it with the spicy sushi round but miss it with the poke bowl. Skip. The bibimbap and the smokehouse Mac and cheese more than make up for it. In fact, someone in your party should get either the smokehouse or lobster Mac and cheese. These are spectacular! The bacon Brussels are really good, just the right amount of crispiness and flavor. They do a rotating dessert and one time in the fall they had this pumpkin pie creme brûlée cheesecake and IT WAS TO DIE FOR!! I've never had anything like it for dessert, part pie, part creme brûlée, part cheesecake...all deliciousness. Seriously, like put that on the menu permanently! There is a second location of this restaurant that serves the same menu.

Jody S.

Yelp
I landed on Scratch Kitchen as kind of a roll of the dice for dinner on our way back home from the Raleigh/ Apex area. After "Yelp surfing" we landed on Scratch Kitchen and couldn't have been happier. We were fortunate where we were going for a late, late lunch (or really early dinner) so there was no line. It did start to build up when we were leaving so I think we timed it perfectly, accidentally. The experience started when the water brought a tray of what looked to be three large mints. He then poured hot water over the "mints" which quickly expanded into hand towels. That was a really nice touch. We started our meal with pimento cheese won tons. I wasn't a fan because I felt it was mostly wonton and not alot of cheese flavor. They were good but I missed the cheese. Our entrees consisted of the Buddha Bowl, Pad Thai and the mac and cheese burger (we were all over the place). everything was absolutely amazing. Tons of flavor and very high quality ingredients. The burger was probably the best. It comes with a huge ball of fried mac and cheese. Lastly was our dessert. We ordered the mud jar and a strawberry cheesecake. The server mistakenly brought the chocolate cheesecake. After apologizing he ran to correct it but we decided to keep the chocolate cheesecake to try as well (yes we got the strawberry cheesecake and paid for all three). The chocolate cheesecake he brought by mistake was in no way a mistake. The heavens opened and brought this dessert straight from up above. This had to have been the best dessert I've had in a long, long time. The chocolate was so thing and rich and it was accompanied by house made whip cream. This is a definite when you go.

Ron M.

Yelp
We usually have family gatherings for the two birthdays before Christmas and then again for Christmas, but this year, scheduling was a bit tricky. So, the family decided to treat themselves to a delicious dinner today to celebrate everything. We chose Scratch Kitchen. We all had something different, but I'm only going to talk about my dish, Shrimp and Grits. In this part of the country, Shrimp and Grits is pretty common, and most restaurants serve it pretty similarly. But at Scratch Kitchen, they've taken it to the next level. It's absolutely amazing! I highly recommend it, but don't order it if you're looking for the traditional version. The waitstaff were super friendly, attentive, and really cared about our experience. They made sure everything was perfect.

Grace T.

Yelp
This was a team dinner. Another colleague of mine arrived late. And my other team members had already ordered some appetisers. The ambiance was casual. I arrived in time to try firecracker shrimp. And the fries. They were delicious even though it was cold. I ordered sesame salmon. The risotto rice was not bad for me. The salmon was perfect not dry. And the rice was subtle but delicious. I like something that is not heavily seasoned so this was perfect for me. The roasted seaweed was a little strange for me. But otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. There was a lot of parking on both sides of the mall.

Drg B.

Yelp
So this is the last stop on my North Carolina vacation, our server was Eric and he was very attentive and accommodating. The food was amazing, especially the brussels sprouts, even if you're not a brussels sprouts person, you would've loved these. Pictures not shown kids meals, chicken tenders and French toast serve with potatoes and fruit. I highly recommend when you're in North Carolina especially Apex area, visit this Resturant.

Nathan D.

Yelp
Service | Fries | cornbread Service - The overall experience was a perfect blend of classic Southern charm and attentive service. The way everyone addressed us as "ma'am" and made sure our water glasses were always at least a quarter full really made us feel right at home. Fries - The fries were absolutely delicious - they were really tasty and crispy, with just the right amount of firmness. I highly recommend them. Cornbread - The reason we came to the restaurant from Omaha, Nebraska was because we had heard about the cornbread, and it did not disappoint. We ordered it as one of our appetizers, and it was perfect for a group of two to four. Pro tip: The restaurant is located in a great area, right on a downtown strip. Make sure to leave some time before or after the meal to explore and check out local vendors.

Chip R.

Yelp
Bottom line: This Scratch Kitchen & Taproom location in Apex has given positive experiences for the most part. No reservations, so be prepared for that. Good service each time. The bibimbap bowl and appetizer selections were delicious (Scratch Fries for me especially) but the Sesame Salmon, while relatively good, fell a bit short for me in my most recent visit. The Deets: I've been to this (original) location of Scratch Kitchen & Taproom a couple of times, both of them for work team related dinners actually. They do not accept reservations so be sure to get there well before your intended time to get your name in as they will seat you for groups only if at least half of your party is present. This Scratch is located in the back of a multi retail store building, with plenty of parking in back as well as street parking available. There is a nice bar area where we stayed each time waiting for those others in our party. The bartenders/service at the bar each time was good and friendly. There is a moderately sized seating area, but not huge, so again get your names and party there in good time to get good available seating. Scratch has a varied menu but most all have a Southern flair to them even if they are not a primarily Southern cuisine on its own (I guess the term would be "Southern fusion" here). An example was their take on the bibimbap bowl which I had on my first visit. It is menu-described as "Seared Rice Bowl with Shaved and Marinated Ribeye Steak, Fresh Spinach, Carrots, Green Onions, Pickled Red Onions, Cucumbers and Over-Easy Egg. Served with Spicy Bib Sauce." This bowl was excellent, you can ask for the sauce on the side as I did so you can adjust the spice to your taste. All the ingredients made for a delicious meal experience and I recommend this one. On my most recent visit, I did remember our appetizers we selected (they escaped my memory from the first visit quite a bit ago, unfortunately). The group agreed upon Firecracker Shrimp, Smoked Cheddar Rangoon Dip, and the Scratch Fries. All were eagerly received and enjoyed by the group, with my favorite standing out as the Scratch Fries that are menu-described as "Hand-Cut Fries Topped with Shaved and Marinated Ribeye Steak, Worcestershire Cheese Sauce, Spicy Bib Sauce, Candied Bacon, Buttermilk Ranch, and Scallions." Sorry on not having apps pics but we dug in immediately with those selections! For my main entrée, I decided to venture out of my usual picks and went with their Sesame Salmon (see pic). The presentation of the menu-described "Pan-Seared Salmon Over a Mushroom and Edamame Sticky Rice Risotto, Garnished with A Mirin-Soy Glaze" looked nice, but honestly the taste fell a little flat for me. Overall it was cooked well but I really wish I had more of the mirin-soy glaze taste coming through, it looked like it was really not evenly distributed on the salmon so it was lacking flavor impact for me in those areas it was not seen. The risotto was good but again not a power packed flavor choice to at least compliment the salmon. This entrée was a relatively good one, but not a great standout one like I had hoped and not like I had experienced with the bibimbap bowl in the past. Our server did pretty well with serving a large group, as good as you would expect with trying to please a long table of diners. Most of my experience at this Scratch has been positive, and I think my selection of the Sesame Salmon was one that was not the right choice for me personally. I look forward to trying more of their many selections and taste choices on the menu in the future.

Livia H.

Yelp
Let's call this one: "Unexpected Asian Fusion" Exactly what I said... I did not expect there to be what some would call "Asian fusion" style to their menu but it was a pretty solid meal. We came here when it was still summer. It was super busy but we were sat outside without a wait. We ordered some buffalo chicken egg rolls, the fried green tomatoes, crab dip, scallops and my boyfriend got some type of bowl. All of the dishes were great, no complains except my scallops which had way too many sesame seeds on them and it overpowered the dish (they've since changed the menu it appears so this shouldn't be an issue for any future patrons). I think my favorite part of the dish was the fried green tomatoes... the jam type sauce they were served with- yeah, chef's kiss The overall vibe was chill, we enjoyed ourselves. My boyfriend's one complaint is the style of bowl his food was served in. They have these unique style what he called "stadium seating bowls" that he said made it hard to eat his dish without elements falling out. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of his meal to show the bowl, but I'm sure there's one on YELP somewhere. We both recommend Scratch, we will be back!

Brittany C.

Yelp
Scratch is an excellent southern fusion restaurant located in downtown apex. Seems to be a popular choice among locals. Nice upbeat and bright atmosphere; family oriented but also not a bad place to go for a drink. The service was excellent and the food was southern comfort with good portions. It was a little pricy but it does seem to be worth it.

Falan E.

Yelp
Nice and welcoming staff at the hostess station. Dropped in for a take-out order to enjoy on the shared patio area while patronizing a neighboring business. We told the staff we would be taking our food out on the patio. The staff packing our order did not include plasticware to eat with or any napkins. I return inside the business. Got the plasticware from a staff member who was eating behind the bar. I then asked for napkins and she said napkins were inside the eating utensils package. Those thin napkins were not enough. I sensed I was bothering this person and the way she gave what we needed was in an extremely scarce way, as if it came from her paycheck. Aside from this situation, the food was good. I had the cheese steak. It was very good and flavorful but the way it was prepared (cheese sauce on the bottom) made the bread very saugy. The individual I dined with had the scratch fries. The marinated ribeye steak was a winner for me. Very good flavor and is well balanced with meat, cheese sauce, and spice. I prefer my Moscow mules in a copper cup but they don't have these cups. I was told they had a house-made ginger syrup. I love good from scratch syrup and what better place to have it? My gin mule in the mason jar glass was delicious. I highly recommend it.

Emily M.

Yelp
I'll start with the positives. It's the cutest little rustic looking place! Most of the staff were friendly and the place was super clean, including the bathrooms. Now the negatives, the food! This was my first time there and it was for a work meet up. I got a burger and fries. The fries were decent and the burger was just ok, nothing special about it. My friend got a steak rare and mashed potatoes. After sending it back when it came out well done, it returned medium, and so struggled to eat it and she said the mashed potatoes weren't that great. My other colleague got a Buddha bowl and said the rice was cold in parts and hard like it tasted old. So she didn't eat all of her food either. I personally wouldn't ever go back because it's not worth the price to get subpar food.

Aimee W.

Yelp
No reservations so be prepared to wait. But the wait is worth it according to allllll the others who were trying to get a table clearly. We went for drinks to bar next door (sorry - can't remember the name) but had some great cocktails while we waited for our table.

Elizabeth N.

Yelp
We love scratch but this was my first sandwich and it was delish! Our server was a doll and the food came out quickly. She was fast getting waters refilled and we love Helen!

Jamie J.

Yelp
Great spot. Our server Anthony was a delight and great at providing recommendations while keeping in mind my sesame allergy. Would highly recommend coming back! The portions are generous so keep that in mind when ordering- but we enjoyed our next day leftovers as well. The restaurant has a cool vibe and ample space for seating.

Lindsay S.

Yelp
We enjoyed our visit to Scratch, we all ordered a cocktail and different entrees. BBQ egg rolls to start and then the entrees ordered were the philly, fried chicken sandwich, shrimp po boy and blues mac & cheese. Everyone enjoyed what they got! I had the crème brûlée sour, which was very interesting! Reminded me of lemon meringue pie. My meal was the Philly that was served with fries, pretty big and filling sandwich. I loved the cheese sauce. I tried the crispy chicken sandwich which was also really good, the bread was perfectly toasted and the ingredients came together really well. I was not impressed with the side of Mac and cheese that was ordered for an extra charge, just don't think it was worth the money. The Mac and cheese entree was also pretty expensive at $23 but was a large portion. The restaurant opened 15 minutes late, once they opened, the place filled up fast with almost all the tables taken. Service was attentive but had a late start due to miscommunication about who was supposed to be taking care of us. Worth a stop and I recommend get one of the sandwiches.

Macy S.

Yelp
Love going here! Good atmosphere and set up. Def want to try some more dishes. I'm mad at myself for ordering a sub-par dish though! We went on a Saturday, mid-morning so were ordering off the brunch menu. The ham/cheddar skillet dish was just a bunch of home fry-style potatoes, pepper and onion with cubed melted cheese and ham and a fried egg on top. I don't know what I was expecting, but I couldn't find a picture of what it looked like so I decided to try it, hoping it'd be good. Yelpers, I took one for the team here!! I would not order it again, that's for sure! My husband loved his shrimp poboy though! *Note about the sweet tea - not very sweet, so that's good for some people!

Fahad S.

Yelp
Located in the heart of downtown apex, this establishment offers some great casual food with some southern charm in a clean and inviting environment. With plenty of seating available, it is great for groups small or large, especially for lunch. The menu is fairly expansive, and has some great southern blended with fusion options. With something for everybody, each dish was quite tasty and filling, though a couple of the fried items seemed to not have been drained all the way leaving a tad of oil behind, all priced pretty fairly though. The staff was super friendly, helpful, and provided prompt service. Would definitely recommend, and will most likely return.

Rebecca M.

Yelp
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in located in Downtown Apex. You can park in the lot across the street on Salem Street or the large parking lot in the back which will be closer to the entrance. The restaurant as inside; outside and a covered patio to sit. With the summer heat and humidity, we chose inside. The restaurant is decorated nicely. I came for the brunch menu and liked the varied selections. But you can order from the regular menu as well. The restaurant was well staffed. Our waitress first brought out the hot hand towels to start our meal. She was a little over eager to get us to order but the large menu required more time to look over. I sensed they wanted us in and out. I went with the biscuit benedict and they let me substitute the fresh fruit for the potatoes which was nice. The fruit was berries and melon. I'd return for another meal here.

James S.

Yelp
Usually have good luck dining here. Unfortunately this visit was lackluster. No hot towels to start. No chex mix offered. Scallop appetizer came with two very tiny scallops. Jammin burger had way too much feta and a smaller than normal burger. Overall vibe was disappointing.

Sahib G.

Yelp
If you're looking for a good spot to eat in Apex and scratchkitchennc will not disappoint you. With their dishes made from scratch, they focus on southern hospitality. They have an extensive menu with something for everyone. Here is what we got: Buddha Bowl : This is a great option for vegetarians. The combination of snap peas, red cabbage, collard green kimchi, avocado, chickpeas, arugula, seared tofu, and cilantro-lime vegan aioli over quinoa made this bowl so flavorful and crisp. Sesame Salmon: The salmon was cooked to a perfect medium temperature. The soy glaze complemented the salmon. Creme Brûlée e French Toast: I love a good french toast. This was on a Thick-cut fresh-baked sourdough bread topped with blueberries flambéed with bourbon, maple seasoning. I loved all the flavors. And not the forgot the delicious snd refreshing Margarita. I could drink those all day. Haha

Zaneta B.

Yelp
My girlfriends and I tried out the bar area of Scratch Kitchen which is called Neat Sweet Apex. The drinks were phenomenal, and it's such a modern glam setting. The outdoor seating was peaceful, and the service was friendly and prompt. There's plenty of parking on both sides of the building. I will be back for dinner with my husband. It's a sure place I want to return to! I recommend.

Ben P.

Yelp
This location has been up and down for us with the quality of the food, but the last couple trips have been awesome. The scratch fries are a staple that we get every time. Brunch is definitely a better time so you are able to order off both menus. One surprising item is the general tso cauliflower. Service has always been good and we enjoy sitting inside and outside. It can get busy and the bar seating can be a bit crowded.

Arty A.

Yelp
The food was good but the service was terrible, half of the wait staff knew about a COCKROACH sitting behind us and didn't offer any help. Once we notified our waiter they didn't do anything to move the bug away from our food and table.

Steven P.

Yelp
To sum up Scratch in 1 word? Average. We went here for brunch and it left a lot to be desired. Both my wife and I ordered entrees with chicken. She got the chicken and pancake and I got the chicken biscuit. I was surprised by the small portions. The chicken was the size of a chicken finger and was average at best. The taste also left a lot to be desired. The service was ok, but you can tell the waiters and waitresses are a little overworked. They had forgotten our silverware and when we politely asked our waitress, she said "We're working on it!" in a somewhat rude tone. What you are paying for is the ambience. The decor and restaurant make it seem fancy, as do the prices. For me, I don't think I'd come back, but try it out for yourself and see what you think.

Angie S.

Yelp
Yum! That's the word I think of when I think of Scratch. It's in such a nice part of Apex, too, which makes it the perfect hang out with friends or family. The menu features a variety of foods that's sure to satisfy any craving. The service is always good too. Come out for a fun night at Scratch!

Sri L.

Yelp
Food was great, the mac and cheese was done to perfection, although not a saucey version, it's bit of dry as you dig into it from hot sizzle pan. Lobster extraction is needed :) Great rustic ambience and since I was at during Christmas season the Christmas decor is on point. No complaints about the service.

Lori D.

Yelp
Met a friend here for lunch. Really enjoyed it. The service was great and the food was fresh and yummy. My friend asked for the sauce to be on the side of her tuna and they served everything in the side. She was surprised said she liked it better that way. Only negative was the hostesses. They are the first impression and looked irritated both when I came and left. They said have a nice day but didn't seem like they meant it. Even looked away when saying it. Odd.

Nancy O.

Yelp
It is always a great choice in downtown Apex. Generally, wait times are 5 to 15 minutes, and the food never disappoints. The portion sizes are spot on for the price point. This time around, we had 3 adult portions, 1 kids, and 2 adult beverages, and we were at $97. I wanted to give a 5 star, but it fell slightly short as service was a bit slow, food came out staggered, and so did the drinks. They were a bit overzealous with the dressing on the salad so I'd suggest getting on the side and putting on yourself as it was pretty soupy at the bottom, and per the kiddo, the Mac was lackluster and bland. Nonetheless, we will be back. Great job Scratch!

Jack Q.

Yelp
I'm honestly really surprised that this place gets the rating it gets. It's simply not that great. The server that waited on us was very nice but that was the only thing that was good about the visit and the only reason the restaurant gets 2 stars instead of 1. The food feels like they are trying to fuse southern and Asian together and it simply doesn't work. The flavors don't mesh, except maybe to the fly that kept buzzing around our table. The deviled egg appetizer that was recommended had shrimp that had been sitting for what tasted like days and was rubbery. The shrimp and grits were lukewarm at best, certainly not hot. In addition, we were seated close to the entrance and at one point the hostess and one of the servers started wrestling at the entrance to the dining room. Really? All in all not a great experience.

Jim B.

Yelp
Service and ambiance were very good. My wife and I started with the firecracker shrimp appetizer and it was excellent. Next was the main course and it was just ok. My wife got the 1/2 chicken dinner with Brussel sprouts. The chicken was good but sprouts were tough and inedible. I got the shrimp and grits and the shrimp were prawn (large) shrimp and they had so much breading on them that I stopped eating after the second one. The grits were mediocre. This is the first time we visited and we were disappointed. I think we'll try them again and order different dishes next time. We are a fan of Mason Jar Tavern and Tap Station and thought this would be an elevated version but it wasn't.

Carri H.

Yelp
Food and service was amazing. Bibimbap bowl was our favorite. Great drinks and atmosphere. Beautiful restaurant with a great outside area.

Thomas S.

Yelp
Ambiance is every tacky millennial restaurant asthetic with cheese grade lamp shades, nothing to write home about. I got the crispy pork belly bites and the cast iron chicken. The "crispy" pork belly bites had 0 crunch or crisp to them and they had WAY too much sauce on them. On the contrary the cast iron chicken was bland. At least the service was good. Overall I give it a 3/10

Trina C.

Yelp
Went this morning for brunch at noon. Sat at the bar, clean friendly staff. He had bbq skillet and I had spicy chicken and biscuits. Wonderful meal, we will be back! Thank you!

Cheston S.

Yelp
I enjoyed my dining experience here. The service and atmosphere were spot on. I had a seasonal black sesame old fashioned that was amazing. I ordered the Jamin burger with brussel sprouts instead of fries and they were crunchy as well as flavorful. I look forward to returning

Christian S.

Yelp
Went here last night with some of my friends. It was pretty cold and it took them a while to get heaters set up (it was kind of them they eventually did). Ambiance was fine, service messed up my order, only slightly. Here's why it's a 1 star. I got a BBQ burger with fries. It tasted a little funky but i was SUPER hungry so i ate it all. Flash forward five hours, i'm vomiting my brains out. They didn't pick up the phone to let me complain so here you go yelp!

Kate J.

Yelp
We have been to Scratch for lunch, brunch and dinner, and we keep coming back for the lovely atmosphere, the great service, and (with a caveat) the menu. You really need to like spicy food in order to fully take advantage of Scratch, because the vast majority of the food is, well, SPICY. Lots of things made with Sriracha, hot sauce, wasabi, etc...there has been more than one occasion where I have had to send something back because it was delicious but just too hot spice-wise to eat. On the plus side, the cocktails and desserts are out of this world, and the staff is always super friendly. Scratch does not take reservations, so be prepared for a wait (especially on weekends), although if you come early sometimes you can grab a spot at the bar. Parking is free in the lot out back, although again it can be hard to get a place during the weekends.

J S.

Yelp
Not too busy for lunch on a Monday. The restaurant has a southern charm, lots to look at in the dining area plus a shaded outdoor seating area. Asian Salmond Salad was dry, even with the vinaigrette. Needs more hefty chopped vegetables and less spinach, like cucumber or peppers. Accoutrements were so finely chopped they didn't register in texture or flavor. A ginger dressing would be my preference. Everything was fresh but not very exciting... or Asian! Got to try the chicken sandwich and potato salad, they were both really good and generously portioned. The collards were too bacon forward for everyone and also swimming in grease. Great texture though.

Luis C.

Yelp
Outstanding service! The food was good, the location has everything you need for a nice evening out. Definitely would recommend.

Jason M.

Yelp
Food was excellent and the service was great, overall was a great experience and we will be back. The fried green tomato stack was delicious - must try!

Dena L.

Yelp
I have eaten at this restaurant a few times in the past and always have loved the food that they had there. So it was very shocking when my most recent experience left me lacking a good review. My husband and I went here in the early afternoon to get a couple of drinks and have lunch. I ordered one of their house specialty drinks, the Loaded Bloody Mary which I have had previously and loved. I was sadly disappointed with this one. The candied bacon on top of it was burnt. The fried green tomato and tempura shrimp were both cold and the breading on the outside was falling off. We were having a hard time deciding what we wanted to eat that day so we opted to split a brunch item for starters and got the summer toast. This entrée is grilled sour bread with avocado, with feta cheese, nuts, and a balsamic drizzle, which is served with as side of mixed fruit. Our waitress seem to have disappeared about the time the food was brought out, so it wasn't very easy to complain and send the food back. The menu stated this was supposed to have avocado on it, and there was barely even a millimeter of a spread of avocado across the toast. This, of course made the bread itself very dry when you paired it with feta cheese, and barely any balsamic. We eventually gave up waiting for our waitress to show back up and decided to go ahead and start eating it. The fruit was good, that's about the only positive thing I can say about that dish. We were going to order more food, but felt that we would continue to be disappointed with our meal there if we did. Needless to say, it will probably be a while before I go back here again.

Michelle D.

Yelp
we've been going to scratch kitchen for years and have always been happy with the food, ambiance, and service. we recently went earlier in the day and it was not the same. We had to send the soggy French fries back 2 times and the third time gave up. The fries tasted like they were frozen fries that were fried in rancid old oil. The waiter was very nice and professional but unfortunately the cook was less than adequate. It's sad because this place is known for their fresh, made from scratch food.

Olivia L.

Yelp
Came here for lunch to meet up with some friends. Super cute spot in downtown Apex with delicious food! I really enjoyed the butternut squash salad and the pimento cheese wonton appetizer. My friend ordered this amazing chocolate dessert too.

Rachel S.

Yelp
Scratch kitchen in Apex is great! Tasty food creations and friendly staff. Fun outdoor patio and I've never ordered anything that I did not like.

Kitty S.

Yelp
This is the best kept secret in Apex! First time here, and the food was AMAZING!!!!! Service was excellent and the log cabin type decor gave you all the warm and cozy feels especially by the fireplace. The coffee is French pressed to order and the FOOD! I'm using CAPS TO EMPHASIZE THE FLAVOR PARTY IN YOUR MOUTH! Chefs kiss on the crème brûlée French toast and pork skillet hash. My friends who live there hadn't even tried this wonderful spot. Don't think about it, check it out for yourself. Brunch experience was so good we plan on thoroughly reviewing the other offerings.

David C.

Yelp
We've been to Scratch Kitchen in Apex three times now. First time was great. The food hot, fresh and delicious. The Bibimbap bowl was especially memorable. The second time was for brunch and it was a complete and total letdown. The crème brûlée French toast was nothing more than a dry hunk of bread served in a nasty dirty skillet that desperately needed to be sand blasted to get clean. This wasn't the kind of cast iron patina your grandmothers skillet has, oh no. Tonight's third and last visit was the last bad meal I will pay $97 for. A salmon filet so over cooked that it could be used as a hockey puck. Risotto so dry it was more desiccant than food. I should have taken pictures but frustration stopped me. They did remake the salmon but by then, the rest of my dinner party had stopped eating (I'll add, without finishing). I can only conclude the first visit was the fluke. Not the bad ones.

Josie J.

Yelp
Warm and attentive service on a hopping Sunday afternoon! Lots of seating options and a variety of menu items. Recommending everyone to try the Poke and wish they had a juice bar menu like First Watch.

Matthew W.

Yelp
Scratch is great. Great service, great food, great drinks. I live down the street and come here all the time. I've given them a 5 star review before but I've come back hoping management will see this review and make a change. The last 2 times I've been there, the dishes have been dirty. Silverware has markings, the appetizer plates had crumbs on them. Lastly, there was a hair in my drink tonight. Food was great per usual, but the cleanliness hasn't been there.

Priyanka B.

Yelp
My favorite part of this dish was the veggie patty. It was made in house and tasted very fresh. I enjoyed the salad as well. The dressing was all at the bottom of the dish and it was hard to get to. Additionally the tomatoes had a smokey flavor, I would have preferred regular tomatoes. Otherwise the dish was great.

Shavonna T.

Yelp
Food was delicious. Service was amazing as well. Staff was very attentive, meeting all our service needs. Great vegetarian options to choose from that didn't consist of a salad. Highly recommend this restaurant.