Knightdale Seafood & Barbecue

My son had bought food from the takeout several times and said it was pretty good. So, we took eight family members there yesterday (9/5/2010) for my son's birthday. We were seated immediately. Ordered our drinks; five of us ordered the buffet and three ordered from the menu. The five went through the buffet line, reseated, started eating and finally our iced tea arrived about halfway through eating. The waiter said were were held up by others being in front of us in the "drink" cue. When we received the tea, two weren't unsweet as ordered, were taken back and then FINALLY we all had our beverages. The container of sweetners had about 6 packages of assorted sweetners. We had to ask for more sugar and then more artificial sweetner, twice. The three that had ordered from the menu had not received their food 40 minutes after arriving. The rest of us were through eating. My son spoke with the manager and she said it takes 20 minutes to grill a boneless chicken breast. That was 40 minutes into the wait. The lunches were finally brought (then about 45 minutes). The size of the chicken breasts would never ever require 20 minutes to cook. Also, there was no vinegar or hot sauce on any table, as you would find in any BBQ restaurant. They had ONE bottle of hot sauce at the end of the buffet line and that's the only one we saw in the entire restaurant. If you needed to add some, you had to walk back to the buffet line. Very inconvenient. When asked if we needed a tea refill, the waiter leaned ACROSS the table to do this, rather than go behind each person (as should be done) and poured the team. There was room for him to go around the table. Then, on checkout, my husband paid for all, asked if there was a senior discount (four of us were seniors) and the lady at checkout was abrupt and said they did not. The only senior situation they have going on is a senior plate that contains smaller portions. Great deal, huh? We will definitely not be returning. This service was really really bad, the food just OK, the prices competitive. As a side note ... my daughter-in-law was given two containers of free banana pudding for the inconvenience. more

Don't eat at Knightdale Seafood and Barbeque. It used to be awesome, but now it's horrible. Steaks that taste bland and like they were frozen, overcooked seafood, and WORST of all the owner has an attitude problem. It's sad because I used to love this place. It has a great atmosphere. Pros: Great fried Okra and kind staff, great atmosphere Cons: Anything meat-related tastes awful, Owner is rude more

The waitress was terrific. I loved the hushpuppies. I had the whole catfish platter with BBQ Beans and stewed cinnamon apples. My wife had the steak salad. I thought the catfish was a little plain. I like a more seasoned breading. My wife liked the steak salad. She would have perferred a creamy garlic dressing, not available here. The cost was probably a tad over average $32.00 with soft drinks and tip. They had the Carolina BBQ which I don't care to acquire a taste for. I was currious how there ribs were prepared. It would be up in the air if I would return again. Other than the hushpuppies there wasn't anything that would draw me back. Pros: The Hushpuppies were really tasty. Waitress was very attentive Cons: Nothing that really made it memorable more

I liked K-dale Seafood and BBQ until I learned of the tyranical and unfare way they treat their loyal staff. I will never set foot in there again. Not too mention, the quality of the food has gone way down and the prices has skyrocketed. The owners, Phylis and Larry have gotten lazy and greedy! more

KKnightdale Seafood and Barbecue is not as good as it used to be! My friend and used to go regularly, sometimes at the oyster bar and sometimes seated in the dining room. It was good until about Feb 19. My vegetables tasted like they had been dumped out of a can, nothing else done to them, and they weren't hot. Today (July 24) my friend and I were seated again in the dining area. Our hushpuppies were reheated from lunch, and we sent them back. My chicken pastry was ok, but not nearly as good as the last few times I have had it. Very little chicken. My vegetables were once again that out-of-the can taste, and the waitress verified it saying that's where all of the vegetables came from. Come on! It'summer, use fresh produce or at least frozen. My friend's food was overcooked. I understand there is new management and they are trying to cut costs. Well, they have lost my friend and I as customers from too much lousy food. If I am paying a lot for my food I at least expect it to taste good. New management=lousy food. I will not eat here again. Pros: Most waitresses are consistently prompt and eager to please Cons: food is no lousy more

I read someone's review about the tuna and paying $40. Obviously, a fried greasy spoon type of restaurant won't have the best tuna nor the best preparation for tuna. Go to an upscale seafood restaurant if you want a good tuna steak. Actually, have you tried Winston's? I love their tuna steak! As far as the $40....wow, this person must've had a lot of wine! Knightdale Seafood and BBQ is a family restaurant. It almost reminds me of a greasy spoon. The fried seafood is really good (and greasy)! The hush puppies are outstanding. The pork BBQ was very good. The fried chicken is good ole home-cookin'. So are the green beans, coleslaw, Brunswick Stew, etc. If you go, get the Family Style. For about $11.00, you can have pork BBQ, fried chicken, green beans, coleslaw, Brunswick Stew, boiled potatoes, and one fried seafood or fish item of your choice....all you can eat. If you have a big hungry family, that's the best way to go. It's very decently priced and the food is pretty good. Be prepared to eat greasy food, bring a couple wet-naps with you, and know what you are getting into before you come. This is southern down-home cookin'. Enjoy! Pros: Great fried southern home cookin' at a great price! Cons: Greasy, but that's what's so good about it. lol more

The menu is varied, from BBQ, seafood, steaks to the BEST Homemade Southern Cooking in East Wake County. They now offer lunch daily specials, several new salads, and catering is a speciality. Service is excellent and staff is friendly and personal. You feel at home here and Phyllis and Larry always give you their best, whether in the restaurant or the oyster bar. This is a local favorite and a pillar in the Knightdale community. Pros: Varied Menu Cons: On Hwy 64, but somewhat hidden by trees more

I went to this restaurant because the good reviews here and also I am living at knightdale. It turns out that this was the first and will be the last time I went there. The food is so poorly prepared. The so call "oyster soup" is nothing but some oysters boiled in milk. The tuna is over cooked and tastes like well-done beef. The vegetable is so poorly prepared. I would rather eat at McDonald than go there again! I spent around $40 and with this money I should have bought some seafood and cooked by myself. By the way, this is a family-owned restaurant. Pros: seated promptly Cons: food is terrible more

I recently tried the Oyster Bar at Knightdale Seafood and WOW - this is good stuff. The oysters were delicious and the steamed shrimp beyond words. Not to mention the great staff that shucked our oysters and provided us with excellent service! It was also the first time that I have had a mixed drink there and it to was very good. I would give them a 9.9 out of 10. I would definitely recommend it for those that love steamed oysters and shrimp. Prices were very reasonable too. Pros: Great people working the oyster bar - friendly and courteous, Lots of parking Cons: Can't think of one! more

The best home coooking in the area. The dishes are all made to order. The vegetables are fresh and cooked the way they should be. I have not tried one thing that I did not enjoy at this restaurant. Try family-sized meals as well. Beats Bojangles and/or Hardees. more

Barnmama must have an axe to grind. The place hasn't even been open 25 years... the old one closed 7 years ago and you are still talking about it?? Seems a bit odd. I have been eating there 8 years and without a doubt the best southern vegetables anywhere, wide variety of seafood (I love the whole catfish, cajun fried) and you always feel welcome. It's nice to see so many familiar faces from the staff when you go. The waitress we request, Dianne, has been there at least 6 years. In eight years I have never had a problem that the staff did not fix on the spot. Overall good food, more than your money's worth, and friendly folks. Pros: Large selection of Seafood Cons: No room for dessert more

My family and I have been eating at Knightdale Seafood for 25 yrs. Originally located on the corner of Smithfield Rd and Hwy 64, we would stand in line for 30 minutes with our small sons in our arms waiting to get in to eat some delicious shrimp, flounder and piping hot hush puppies. Now they are relocated for the last 7 years, just east of the old location. What has happened?? We took relatives there last week and they, like us, had not been there in quite a while. We had been hearing that the food was not as good as it used to be but decided to try one more time. Well, rumors seem to be true! We ordered all you can eat shrimp and steak. The hush puppies are still great but the steaks were tough, charcoaled and paper thin. The shrimp was chewy, overly breaded and the vegetables looked and tasted as if they had been warmed over several times.The cooked cabbage was brown and boiled potatoes tasted "old", slaw was not fresh either. The portions were much smaller and the prices were higher! This was our last meal at Knightdale Seafood, there are just too many other places nearby and we feel that they can no longer compete with them. I hope that it is not too late for them to climb down from the clouds and get back to the basics of serving what was once the best seafood and barbeque around! No "ax to grind" but we know about good southern cookin and about the "original place." Pros: Lots of parking space Cons: Food more

having just moved to the raleigh/knightdale area, my family & i are...of course, trying out all sorts of restaurants that are new to us. on a recommendation from a neighbor we tried out the knightdale seafood & bbq. one word: WOW! having grown up in the south, i know southern cooking. this is some of the best i've ever had (aside from my grandma's, of course...). the catfish was perfectly fried, pulled pork was tangy & not too spicy, the hushpuppies were EXCELLENT! sweet tea (i'm a tea snob...lol!) was perfect (and left on the table in a lrge pitcher for us to serve ourselves....NICE TOUCH!!) we had the family meal that night & were THOROUGHLY impressed with all the dishes & the service. i also love the whole atmosphere in there. and the whole meal didn't break our bank (with 4 kids...that's easy to do!) we will be making a return trip to Knightdale Seafood & BBQ! :) hope to see some of you there! :) more

Last night the new Oyster bar was a pleasant surprise. We always enjoy the BBQ here (and they have a clean, well maintained restaurant unlike many local BBQ places) and it's great to be able to pair your BBQ with some fried shrimp or oysters etc. The clams casino was too bready, more like a stuffed clam but without much clam, but the crab portion was large and tasty. We plan to go again and check out the oyster bar. The food is inexpensive, the selection is surprising and the value is excellent. Pros: Selection, Value Cons: Service is so/so more

My husband and I drive from Greenville, N.C. several times a month to eat here. The food is excellent; the menu literally has something for everyone. We were quite impressed with the promptness with which we were seated (even when it was quite busy). We wish they would open one closer to Greenville; however, it is totally worth the drive! more

I just love this place. You can come here in a small group, or with a large group on Sundays and they are always accomodating. The food is wonderful, and I just love the cream of crab and shrimp soup. Great huspuppies and sweet tea. The nightly specials are always changing and the service is excellent. This is a wonderful family place, and the prices are very reasonable. The locals love it! Pros: great food, excellent service, family friendly more

Excellent catering, very helpful with fabulous food! BarBQue is much better than competitors. Staff is very helpful and prompt with deliveries. Pros: great food, prompt, helpful more

Surprised to find a varied menu. Not only was there the fried seafood/regional barbeque expected, but the menu boad offered many surprises. Langostinos, grillled tuna, grilled BBQ shrimp, and steaks I did not expect from a BBQ/Fried Seafood place ( I had prejudged this place). Having my mouth set for Fried Seafood, I ordered the Oysters and Flounder (they'll charge you 2.25 extra for the catfish or jumbo shrimp) and was pleased that they offer a cajun breading (should be spicer to be called cajun in my opinion). Served piping hot and cooked to perfection. Southern cooked collards worth trying and highly recommend the Jumbo Buffalo Shrimp. Excellent hushpuppies- slightly sweet with bits of onion. Good coleslaw. Steer clear of the frozen, overcooked okra and unremarkable fries. Service was prompt, attentive, and efficient just not real friendly. Pros: reasonably priced, well prepared, variety Cons: location, "extras" more

This quirky little place right off highway 64 serves the kind of Southern cooking you wish your mom could make. Hit this place for some of the best fried catfish in the area and even better hushpuppies. Take your Northern friends when they want a real taste of down-home cookin'. They'll be impressed for sure. more