El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

Carolina Beach is home to El Zarape Mexican Restaurant. This is a popular place to eat, and especially in the summer, you can expect a wait! The restaurant itself is huge and can accommodate large party sizes. Overall, this really is great Mexican food. Their menu is also HUGE with about every food combination you could want! There is one drawback that must be noted. Plan on filling up on the complimentary chips and salsa, because regardless of how busy they are, it takes forever to get your food. It is worth the wait, and somehow always comes out piping hot!

What locals love:

• Tuesday's special is $3 Margarita

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant

101 N. Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC 28428

(910) 458-5226

PT's Old Fashioned Grille

Craving a delicious burger? Times are never tough enough to stoop to a fast food "burger." Yes, in Wilmington, we have MUCH better options! PT's Old Fashioned Grille is a local joint that's been around for over 20 years. They pride themselves in their fresh burgers, made from scratch fries, veggies chopped daily. The ONLY thing that comes from a "bag" or prepackaged is the lettuce. Just when you thought you were impressed, the fries are made in no trans fat free oil! Less guilty fries to please the health conscious! For $8, you are getting one fresh burger. Aside from burgers, the grilled turkey or roast beef sandwich is a win win! Their meat is sliced to order and grilled perfectly! To top it off, even the greatest of sweet tea snobs will find themselves approving their brew! In need of a beer to go with the burger? PT's has Shock Top on draft for $1.88. Though none of the restaurants are particularly flashy, their fresh food makes up for it!

There are currently 7 PT's locations, five in Wilmington (17th Street, Military Cut Off, Monkey Junction, Fountain Drive near UNCW, and Porter's Neck), one in Leland, and one inland downtown Chapel Hill, NC.