Leon & Dick's Rib Shack

Leon & Dick's Rib Shack

7032 Market Street

Wilmington, NC

910-686-6662

Open 7 days a week 6 am to 9 pm

This past week we decided to try a restaurant that we had seen advertise on TV, Leon and Dick's Rib Shack.  Noting that the commercial said that it was located beside Little Ceasar's on Market Street, we headed out on Sunday.  It was very easy to find as it located near the Ogden section of Wilmington.  

 We found the building to be a quaint and had a family filled atmosphere.  It has a rustic feel, to where you know that you are about to embark on some vittles like grandma use to make.

 The huge oak moss filled trees only adds to the charm of this delightful restaurant.  They add a true Southern charm to the environment. 

 Well, who can go to a Rib Shack and not order the ribs?? I got the full rack which comes with 2 sides (lots of Southern Vegetables) and was only $17.25.  These are not baby backs, but a full rack of  Saint Louis, Missouri style meaty ribs.  I took over half home as I was full.  They come dry, and they have an assortment of barbecue sauces that you can use; but I found no need for sauce.  The flavor was rich and the ribs tender.  While I didn't take a picture of my sides, I got roasted potatoes and succotash. Every thing was so delicious.

 Mark decided to try their fried chicken.  He loved it.  Along with mashed potatoes (which he says are homemade...and he knows his mashed potatoes) and onion rings.  I think this plate was $6.25.

 We loved The Rib Shack so much that we decided to go again on Tuesday.  Glad we did.  One of the specials on Tuesday is all you can eat Chicken and Pastry for $6.25, and it comes with 2 sides.  As you can see, I got the mixed greens and lima beans.  I must admit that I ate 2 bowl of the chicken and pastry.  It was so good, and not greasy.

On Monday's the special is all you can eat Spaghetti which is $6.25.  They also serve breakfast until 11am except on Saturday and Sunday you can eat breakfast until 2 pm.  They have a large menu with lots of down home southern dishes.  I did notice that they have a huge omelet menu (I am a big fan of omelets).  We will have to go back and try their breakfast sometime.

Some of their dishes include, ribeye, shrimp, BBQ, hamburger steak, pork loin, flounder, liver with onions, clam strips, chicken salad, corned beef & cabbage (Wednesday special), turkey and dressing (Tuesday special), veal parmesan with garlic bread (Monday special) roast beef and corned beef and cabbage are on the Thursday specials and country style steak on rice and flounder are on the Friday specials...just to name a few.  They have several specials everyday.  There is something on the menu for everyone in your family.  They even have a large menu of sandwiches.

Two more things that we tried were the Seafood Chowder and the Strawberry Shortcake.  Mark tried these two items and raved about them.  Also on their dessert menu is Pig Pickin' Cake and 12 Layer Chocolate Cake.  Both of these are a favorite of mine.  They also bring you a basket of biscuits along with butter and jelly.

The atomosphere is laid back and family oriented.  A nice Southern style restaurant run by real people here in the Port City.  All the staff are attentive to your needs and friendly.  It is the kind of restaurant where you can go and have a conversation with someone and be heard.

It is on Market Street, which can be a bit busy.  If you are turning left out of the restaurant, prepare to wait for all the cars.  If you  turn right into the flow of traffic you have a better chance of getting out.  Either way it is worth sitting for a while to get out to come and eat at this Port City restaurant.

We give Leon & Dick's Rib Shack ***** five stars.  The location is easy to find, the environment surrounding the restaurant is gorgeous, superb food, friendly staff and great atmosphere.

Nikki's Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar

Nikki's Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar
1055 Military Cutoff Rd. Suite 100
The Forum
Wilmington, NC 
910-509-8998
Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm
Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm
Sunday 12pm-10pm

Mark and I discovered Nikki's Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar restaurant just last week.  While it is new to us, it may not be new to the Port City.  It is across from Mayfaire on Military Cutoff.  The staff is very friendly as they meet you at the door and seat you.  They were very nice our very first time in telling us all about the restaurant and menu.

This was the biggest thing we liked about Nikki's...half price habachi entrees.  This is for Sunday-Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm only.  We went tonight for Valentine's Day and ate for only $25.  Where else could you do that?  I especially like the fact that they didn't discontinue their special because of Valentine's Day...most restaurants do that.

I love the facts that their chefs are entertaining but not to the point of being obnoxious.  They play with the customers a bit, then they cook your food and leave you alone.  We have been to some hibachi's where the chefs just go on and on being silly.  They are very talented chefs. 

At Nikki's you will see the same things as most hibachi style restaurants.  You have chicken, steak, shrimp, scallops and lobster.  They also have swordfish and tuna.  They also have several big combination plates, such as, Samari Special which is steak, shrimp and chicken or get the Seafood Deluxe which is shrimp, sea scallops and lobster.  Like most hibachi's your meal will come with soup, house salad (ranch or ginger dressing), flambe shrimp (2), mixed vegetables, fried rice and fried noodles.  The one thing I really like about Nikki's is that you don't have to get that clear Japanese soup.  You can get Miso soup there, which is soy paste with tofu, seaweed and scallions.  Don't wrinkle your nose up, it is really good. 

Pricing at Nikki's is within keeping with most hibachi restaurants.  $15.95 for the chicken, $18.95 for the steak, $20.95 for shrimp, shrimp and scallops for $22.95 and lobster for $33.95. Remember to go between 4 pm and 6 pm Sunday-Thursday and these entrees are half price.  We ate for $25 tonight.

The atomosphere at Nikki's is very mellow.  Somewhere you can have a nice conversation with the person you came with.  We have been twice now and have met the nicest people that sat at same grill as we.  This is how I learned about Flaming Amy's Bowl in the previous blog...our grill-mates the last time told us about it.  Nikki's is not so big that you lose the quaint feel where you can have an intimate conversation with your dinner date.

There is also a $10 off 2 adult entree's coupon in the Attraction Dining coupon book if you have one.

We rate Nikki's with our highest rating...5 stars.

Flaming Amy's Bowl

Flaming Amy's Bowl
4418 Shipyard Blvd.
Wilmington, NC  28403
910-799-6222
Open 7 days a week 11 am -10 pm

Today my friend and I decided to try a restaurant here in the Port City of Wilmington that we had never tried before...Flaming Amy's Bowl.  Not sure what to expect, we tackled this adventure with gusto.  We were greeted by a cheerful employee, who seated us and professionally explained how things worked.  Flaming Amy's Bowl is a stir fry restaurant with an all you eat menu.  You have bowls on your table that you take to the bar and fill with your choice of vegetables and meat.  You then give your bowl to one of the three chefs, who stir fry your bowl up for you.  After the vegetables and meat are almost cooked, you then choose between white rice, brown rice or noodles and tons of sauces.  I went with beef, brown rice and teriyaki sauce...the first time.  The second time same sauce, but with chicken and noodles (they have whole grain noodles).  It was delicious.  They cooked everything done, and the waiters were very attentive on refilling the drinks.  The best thing besides the food is the price.  $6.99 for lunch, and remember this is all you can eat and $9.99 for dinner.  Another plus for me was that they have the shrimp (or white) sauce like the Japanese steakhouses.  You can do take out for $5 a pound.  The only draw back is the restaurant is not that big inside, so eating in could be a problem if they are really busy.  Also, it is a little hard to find coming in on Shipyard Blvd.  It is between the Riteaid and Firestone.  There is a coupon in The Attractions Dining and Value Guide if you got that book...a buy one get one free coupon.  It is worth your time to go and visit this great restaurant with their cheerful staff and colorful atomosphere.
Out of a 5 star rating, Flaming Amy's Bowl rated a 4 star.