a la Carteret

Captain's Table 

by Sandy Craft

When Hugh Whaley opened the doors of Captain’s Table just before Thanksgiving in 1989, people shook their heads. Who would open a restaurant in Morehead City after the tourists have all packed up and gone home?  It would never work.  But if you drive by the Arendell Street landmark any given day at breakfast, lunch or dinner you will see his parking lot full and the lines are often out the door. 

People also shook their heads when Mr. Whaley started serving the first all-you-can-eat shrimp for $4.99 (that was in 1989…but still!).  You can’t run a business when you’re practically giving food away.  Ridiculous idea. He smiles when he talks about those days, proud that his ideas of how to run a successful restaurant have proved those naysayers to be wrong.  

You won’t find any trendy menu items or anything you’re not sure how to pronounce.  But what you will find is good home cooking at very reasonable prices and a very friendly staff.  Ernie, the cook, has been there for 14 years, and often comes out from the kitchen to check on things and to greet the customers.   And that’s what all the patrons love.  That, and the fact that if you want to find out what’s going on in and around Morehead, just grab a booth and listen while you decide what strikes your fancy.  It’s a favorite gathering spot of locals who love to banter with one another and especially with Hugh.

Breakfast is always a winner.  I don’t know what they do to the grits, but they are the best. The country ham is all center cut. What more could you want with some scrambled eggs and hot coffee?  Perhaps a pancake or two and the hash browns. There are no silly rules about when breakfast is over and lunch begins.  You can get breakfast anytime of the day or night.  This is perfect for those times when you get started a little late.  We all have those days.

The Captain’s Table is famous for the incredible Monday through Friday specials, both at lunch and dinner.   Where in the world can you get a full lunch for $3.99? Or even a sandwich?  Well, how about fried flounder with your choice of two veggies? The flounder is very lightly breaded and delicious with the homemade tartar sauce. I thought the Texas field peas and slaw were great accompaniments. But you could have the pole beans or French fries or collards or, of course, the crisp, hot hush puppies.

Every night they feature different all-you-can-eat seafood specials from 5-8 p.m.   This ranges from shrimp to scallops to oysters…you get the picture. You choose the two veggies and just clean your plate as many times as you want for $7.99.  That’s right, $7.99.  I must admit to shaking my head a bit on that one.  Sorry, Hugh.   

The hamburger steak with gravy and sautéed onions was just perfect after a morning of cleaning up after Ophelia. We got cheeseburgers to go for those who were at home still working in the yard.  Cheeseburgers with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw…sounds like a fair exchange for a little cleanup. 

Other favorites include the pork chops (Hugh keeps a local meat market busy cutting these especially for them), country fried steak and the Down East clam chowder, all guaranteed to satisfy the most voracious appetite.

Speaking of the big O, the Captain’s Table was among the first opened for business-as- usual on Thursday, while Ophelia still lingered along our coast. They probably set a record for the number of meals served, according to Hugh. It is often the case that after a storm, Hugh will find a way to get power (once with a generator in the back of a pick-up) and do his best to serve as much as he can.

The restaurant is open all night on Friday and Saturday for you night owls or very early risers, whichever the case may be. Also on these nights, the all-you-can-eat shrimp special is extended until 10:00 p.m., giving you a little extra time to build up an extra large appetite.    

There is a great collection of old black-and-white photos on the walls showing a very different Carteret County.  Be sure and take a look at them. 

Captains Table has just started closing on Sunday at 2 p.m.  I guess after being open since Friday at 6 a.m., it’s OK to close for a few hours.   There is a nonsmoking room in the back that can seat up to 32 people. Just call if you need to reserve it.  Also, I did not realize that parking is available for their customers in the strip shopping center just to the west of the restaurant.

You don’t have to wait for the next storm to see for yourself what lots of loyal patrons already know.  You can get really good food, cooked to order and at a reasonable price at the Captain’s Table.  That’s why it’s weathered the tests of time and storms.

Quick Bites

Captain's Table

Address:   4113 Arendell Street, Morehead City

 Phone:  252-726-0253

 Hours:   Monday – Thursday 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

               Friday & Saturday – Open 24 Hours

               Closes Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

 Price Range:  Very Reasonable

 Payment:  MasterCard, Visa, Local check

 Other:  There is a non-smoking room in the back.  The menu and personnel are very kid friendly.  They are happy to fix your order to go.

 9/23/05

Sandy Craft owned and operated a catering company in Atlanta for 17 years. 
She is one of the few people who actually still cooks, but she finds following 
a recipe goes against her nature. When traveling she likes to visit local grocery 
stores and farm stands, and she thoroughly enjoys good food.

See the previously reviewed restaurants on the Restaurant Archive page

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