Rundown Cafe

Kitty Hawk, United States

4.1

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 252-255-0026
Website:
www.rundowncafe.com
Address:
5218 N Virginia Dare Trl, Kitty Hawk, NC, 27949
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Local time (Kitty Hawk) –

Business hours

Monday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm

Description

Specialties

The idea of the Rundown café was born in 1993 from tropical travel adventures and a love for the fresh exciting foods of the Islands.“Rundown” is the name of a coconut milk, fish chowder so named «Because Mon it run down so good.» We imported the name and the soup to the Outer Banks, and the Rundown Café was born… Over the years, our recipes developed into an eclectic blend of Pacific Rim and Caribbean fusion. We just call it «Island Food». In addition to our main dining room we added the Tsunami Bar, our nostalgic surf themed dining room upstairs, or enjoy appetizers and drinks on our latest addition the ocean view «Hula Deck». Located on The Beach Road or Old Hwy 12 overlooking the Atlantic. Look for the giant koi pond where the kids can feed the fish. Relaxation, value, and good healthy exciting new foods is our focus. Come get a taste of the Islands Mon.

History

Established in 1993.

Surfing into 22 years of service The Rundown Café has evolved into a fusion restaurant of cuisine and atmosphere. Staying true to our roots of casual affordable family dining we have also taken on the adventure of traveling the world’s island archipelagos and exotic countries to bring you the menu and motif that is before you now.

Our name is derived from a Jamaican Soup that ‘Ran down so goooood mon’. We imported the name and the soup and so began our journey. Over the years our menu has developed into a blend of Pacific Rim & Caribbean dishes.

Since our inception in 1993 we’ve grown into a bigger building and completed the addition of the Tsunami Bar & Deck. From our ocean view & friendly smiles to our relaxed –casual atmosphere, The Rundown Café & Tsunami Bar brings the island experience to you.

Meet the Business Owner

Michael M.

Business Owner

Native to San Diego and after some good cross country exploration Michael found the Outer Banks in 1993 and fell in love with the island lifestyle. After waiting tables there and purchasing the restaurant from friend and mentor Will Thorp the rest is a litany of travel and recipes that in one way or another found their way to The Rundown Café. A passion for exotic food, the sea, and travel … The Restaurant industry found its match.

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20 reviews of Rundown Cafe

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Kitty Hawk, NC
I usually get the coco loco chicken (coconut fried chicken breasts with black beans & rice) and a side of steamed broccoli, and it’s always good. It’s usually too large a portion for me, so my new thing is to order the coco loco chicken sandwich without bread; same meal but one chicken breast instead of two. ;) I also enjoy the chicken tacos which come on a large platter with all the fixings, and you make your own. Really good! (They also have fish tacos which a lot of people enjoy)
We were very excited about the vegetarian tapas menu they implemented one night a week last season, but were sadly not super impressed with any of the items we tried. We love the chill vibes here, especially in warmer months when we can drink & dine outside. Inside, we usually try to eat upstairs where it’s a bit quieter. The owner is awesome and always stops by the table to chat, which is really appreciated. Of course, the off-​season «Monday night Fried chicken night» is a big draw during off-​season months, and you receive a large generous portion of food. I get a ¼ white with mashed potatoes and green beans and it’s always on point. My family loves the collard greens! But be early, it gets packed out on Mondays in the fall and winter!
Place rating: 4
Glens Falls, NY
Great vegetarian options despite it being listed as a seafood restaurant.
Place rating: 4
Rockville, MD
This was our first dinner place in the OBX! Very pleasant surprise, nice atmosphere, good music, friendly servers and nice décor. We ordered the coconut shrimp asian sesame noodles which were delicious, definitely a must, and my wife ordered a burger which want so good. Definitely not a place for burgers but a place for seafood and Caribbean style plates.
Place rating: 4
Pittsburgh, PA
My wife and I decided to check this place out on our first day of vacation and it was amazing! The fish burrito was so good and my wife loves her fish tacos. Highly recommend this place.
Place rating: 4
Burke, VA
This place on bookmarked by the wife and after an evening at Walmart, I definitely needed a nice meal and a few drinks.
On a busy Saturday evening in mid-​September, we were lucky enough to get seated at a high-​top table in the upstairs lounge. The restaurant is decorated like a caribbean beach shack. There are surf boards plastered on the ceilings and staff dressed in bright colored shorts and shirts. There is outdoor seating overlooking the street across from the Hilton hotel. It seemed to be the popular choice.
We were immediately greeted by the bartender who listed our the draft beers and options for cocktails.
After a few cocktails we ordered their chips and salsa, and I ordered a grilled shrimp salad and the wife ordered a cold noodle salad with grilled shrimp. The chips were tasty and their salsa had a sweet taste to it. It’s not my favorite of tastes but after a few splashes of hot sauce, I enjoyed it. The salad was very tasty and the server suggested their house dressing that also had a sweetness to it. The shrimp were small and barely grilled but they added the protein to my meal.
Service was good. Everyone seemed to be working hard to get to all the tables. We took our key lime pie to go and enjoyed it during the Emmy’s.
Place rating: 5
Pequannock, NJ
This deceptively island-​style eatery is tucked neatly along the southbound lane of OBX’s famous Route 12. A great selection of Island style dishes, from seafood to jerk dishes. Our favorites ate anyrhing with humboldt squid on it. Service is superior!
Place rating: 4
PT PLEASANT, PA
Food was very flavorful and good as were the cocktails.
Had the jerk chicken and margarita.
Service was OK. Would recommend.
Place rating: 5
Macedonia, OH
Had the Spicy Lemon grass noodle bowl with game fish. It was one of the best noodle fish bowls I have had in a long time. Talked with the owner Michael very nice and hands on with his customers a rare quality I would say.
Fiancé had the game fish sandwich which she said it was excellent.
Place rating: 4
Kitty Hawk, NC
Last night we had a great meal at this casual place. We all enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere.
Our only regret is that the terrace is reserved for appetizers only, but was a great place to have a drink while waiting for our table.
Service was very friendly and prices reasonable.
Place rating: 4
Gaithersburg, MD
Having vacay with the girls and ran into this place for dinner tonight. The owner was nice and professional. I had the fish taco, my other friend had the fish burrito. (Game catch was mahi for both). Tried them both as enjoyed them both, but especially the taco yum! Other friend decided to be a rebel and try the burgers, she also said it was delicious. The live band playing on the hula patio was on key. The whole feel and indoor music made us reminisce of times in the Caribbean. If you’re living it up like us on your last few summers days check them out :)
Place rating: 4
Airport/Base, Albuquerque, NM
Hit this on Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. Coconut shrimp were the best we’ve ever had– crispy, juicy, coconut bon bons (but we are from New Mexico…). Coconut chicken was very tasty– «coconut forward» taste. Fish tacos were very good– my husband had no problem gobbling up all 3 of them. Waitstaff kept our glasses full and were hustling about the whole time.
Place rating: 5
Garland, TX
This was a great little place to eat at for dinner. It was packed, but once we were seated we were taken care of quickly and cheerily by multiple wait staff. Everyone was attentive and when the food came out, it was great.
Chips and salsa — the salsa was a little on the sweet side (but still spicy) and my son almost drank it! He loved it
Soup of the day — I had the clam, corn and potato chowder. It was absolutely delicious!
St Martin shrimp (pasta) — my 12 yr old ordered this and loved it! He picked out the tomatoes and I pulled the tails off of the shrimp, but he couldn’t stop slurping down the noodles. He even commented on how all the flavors melded together.
A definite must if you are in the OBX! The drink menu also looked great and everyone seemed to be enjoying the little bar area.
Place rating: 5
Richmond, VA
Rundown has become a home away from home for my family and I. It is such a treat to be able to walk down the beach and pop up to a wonderful place like this. You will most likely have the pleasure of encountering the owner, who personally warmly greets you, and ensures that everything is to your liking.
I don’t think that there is a better burger on the OBX than the jerk burger, but if you like salads, the gamefish salad or the gamefish anything is off the chart. A secret… The specials are special. PLEASE ENJOY LIKE WE DO! And don’t miss the view from upstairs.
Place rating: 1
Nags Head, NC
Caution — Leaving honest feedback about a bad experience at this restaurant may result in cyber bullying and abusive accusatory private messages by the owner, Mike M.
Last October my wife left a 1 star review and detailed the horrid experience we had here. Our feedback was not exaggerated nor was it reckless. It was an honest factual account of what we experienced on this night. Do your own research and you will find that our negative experience was similar to what others experienced and reported on Unilocal,Trip Advisor and on Facebook around the same time of October 2014.
On the night of our dining experience this restaurant failed. The wait staff failed, the kitchen staff failed, the management team failed. It is not my fault, it is not my wife’s fault. We have every right to leave honest and factual feedback on our experience without fear of being harassed and being bullied. I suggest the owner spend some time figuring out what when wrong so it doesn’t happen again and stop sending private messages to my wife and making her feel threatened and afraid.
Just like the others, we sat upstairs and had the waitress that spent more time paying attention to her cell phone than her customers. We put that aside because, hey it’s the shoulder season and the staff is coming off a long summer so we cut her some slack. Our food came and the first bite was disappointing for both of us. Once again, we didn’t over react and cause a scene. We shared our concern with the waitress; she called a manager who loudly explained that the chicken was supposed to be gray. After making us very uncomfortable and unwelcome, I asked for the check because I wanted to simply leave quietly. Come to think of it the Manager On Duty handled the situation in the same confrontational, threatening and bullying manner in which the owner has handled our feedback. Leadership sets the tone of the organization after all.
I am positive the owner is truly committed to customer satisfaction and serving our community. I am equally certain that on this night his staff failed him and it was not our fault.
Place rating: 5
Washington D.C., DC
The soft shell crabs were out of season but after having the fish burrito who would want crabs. Get the burrito!
Place rating: 4
Denver, CO
Favorite bar in Kitty Hawk. Solid drinks and good food. Great location close to the water
Place rating: 5
Sevierville, TN
Wonderful. Not too cheap, but reasonably priced. Great menu. I had the Pork Belly Hot Pot Special. It was amazing. Fresh well sourced ingredients. Great beach atmosphere. Hamburgers and deserts looked awesome as well.
Place rating: 2
Williamsburg, VA
Not really impressed. The jerk fish and chicken were very bland (and the broccoli). Their version of jerk was a pesto vice a seasoned rub. The atmosphere was on point though, really enjoyed the ambiance. Over all, I doubt I will return anytime in the near future.
One of my first Unilocal reviews, if that means anything to you all.
Place rating: 5
Midlothian, VA
This was our first time here. There was so much on the menu that looked delish, but had to settle for the shrimp noodle Thai bowl. It was a month full of wonderful. The fresh ingredients, flavors and ample shrimp made it a winner. My husband got the soft crabs and he gave it a thumbs up (he is pretty picky about seafood so that is a high compliment).
To top it off– there is an amazing beach view to appreciate on the second floor.
We’ll be back to try other menu items and enjoy the beach view.
Place rating: 5
Gainesville, VA
Been having a bad time here in Nags head with restaurants and I came here with renewed hopes and dreams and I was not disappointed. I had the rundown soup in a cup and it was amazing. The next was the Baja Mahi Burrito with a side of guacamole, toasted coconut rice and sour cream. It was delicious and did not disappoint. Finally, I shared the hot fudge brownie sundae with my ugly ex gf and we ate that so fast we looked like we hadn’t eaten all day. Service was good as well, overall great restaurant with a great up top view of the ocean, would definitely recommend it!!!