Big Oak Drive In & Bar-B-Que

Big Oak occupies the interesting niche of a fast food seafood drive in. The food was ok although my expectations for the shrimpburger were too high. The price is definitely not fast food like.

Man, my fingers were itching to start this review as I was eating Big Oak’s food. It was recommended to us by a local, so we figured it would be really good, but it did not deliver.
First of all (maybe this is because I’m a Millennial), what restaurant does not take debit/​credit cards nowadays? It’s 2016 for crying out loud. Buy a Square card reader.
Anyway, back to the food. We heard the shrimp burger was the way to go, so one of us got it. The shrimp was dirty and not deveined, so be warned. It was also cold.
They have BBQ in their name so one of us also got the BBQ burger — decent for BBQ, but it was also cold.
I got the crab cake burger, and it had potential to be good, but there was so much tartar sauce and coleslaw on there that I could barely taste it.
Hushpuppies? Also cold. Tasted like they had been sitting out for at least an hour.
The fries and sweet potato fries were pretty good. The chicken tenders weren’t anything special but they were also good.
In conclusion, it was overpriced and underwhelming. I recommend this place if you want cold, but expensive food.
Big Oak? More like Big Nope.

Good fast yummy food.
Shrimp burger and crab burger with onion rings were hot and fast. Eat in parking lot.

An excellent shrimp burger. Fries, onion rings, and other sides are fine but not the same caliber as the shrimp burger. The oyster burger is also good. Other things are probably good, but I always get the shrimp burger. I prefer slaw & hot sauce but «all the way» is ketchup, slaw, & tartar sauce. Some prefer that. Because the food is fried and cooked to order, the best way to eat it is to eat it there rather than take it back with you. The fresher the better.

I love their Shrimp Burger! It’s amazing & you should definitely try it. Yes, it may take you a few to get your food– but you will not be disappointed. They only take cash or check, no debit or credit cards. Prices are very reasonable. HIGHLY recommended.

Had the shrimp burger and Brunswick stew. It was amazing! Will definitely be back to try the barbecue next time we’re here!

Please remove the fat in the chopped BBQ!

Expect a line at the Big Oak Drive In, especially during summer. My go-​to is the Oyster Burger «all the way,» meaning with cole slaw and ketchup. Simply put, it’s possibly the world’s best oyster burger. Ask for «well-​done,» because undercooked is NOT the way to eat fried food.
The fries, hush puppies and other add-​ons are nothing special. Don’t bother. However, during summer months, they occasionally have home-​made banana pudding. Do not miss!
The shrimp burger is their most popular item. I don’t care for any of the sandwiches compared to the oysters. Obviously, I’ve never tried the BBQ, pizza or burgers. Why bother?
Great spot. Easily the best dining experience in Emerald Isle… a sad commentary on the dreadful restaurants of our island, but the Big Oak is a fabulous anomaly.

Came here to chow down on what was voted as the best shrimp burger in NC, however I was extremely disapponted. I dont know about you, but if I paid just under $ 15 for a regular shrimp burger (not large), regular soda and order of onion rings, I wouldn’t expect shrimp excrement to be included. I was starving so had to eat the sandwich, but only managed to fight through half of it before letting the dirty shrimp psych me out. And the onion ring batter was so bland — it was crying out for salt. I will definitely not be back next time I’m vacationing down the street in Atlantic Beach.
Also, as far as customer service goes, they weren’t very friendly.

Advertises itself as the best Shrimpburgers on the beach, and it totally delivers on that charge. Classic family owned American drive in. When I want lunch at the beach, this is the kind of place I want to eat at. Wife had the cheeseburger, kids had the hot dogs, everyone said they were fantastic. However, the French Fries were very disappointing, limp and flavorless. Up your fry hand guys if you want that fifth star. Still, well worth the stop, if you’re on the Crystal Coast, this is the place you want to stop for classic beach food.

As a kid my family would visit Salter Path and stay at Windward Dunes. Dig a 7ft hole on the beach, take the boat to Shackleford Banks, etc, and get to Big Oak whenever I could beg borrow or steal to do so. Such good memories biking up there and chowing down.
The last few times I found myself on the Crystal Coast, Big Oak was closed each time. So, when i made a sojourn there this past weekend I made it a point to get my hands on a shrimp burger.
After thoroughly praising all things Big Oak a few of us familiar with it had convinced the other 2 guys it was a solid option for dinner. Also, it was located less than half a mile away as an added bonus. We called ahead assuming they would be busy, as usual. The guy taking the orders was all business. Concise bordering on abrupt, but not rude at all. Answered any questions I had and seemed to understand what we wanted. He said it would be twenty minutes or so. After ten we headed that way. We went ahead and got in line to let them know who we were and to go ahead and settle up. The lady taking orders and running the cash register wouldn’t let us pay ahead of time and told us to wait and assured us we would be called when our food was ready. It had been about twenty minutes at this point. We walked away and waited patiently. Worth noting… after we arrived we noticed the cost of the shrimp plates 3 people had ordered…$ 21.99 That is just exorbitant. It’s pop corn shrimp, 2 sides and a tea. Asinine. Doesn’t matter how good it is. People kept showing up and getting food. Some had called ahead, some had just walked up and ordered. Granted we had ordered food for 5 people, but it was pretty straight forward. In full view of the window, 20 minutes more passed. We walked back up to the window and inquired about our order. The woman immediately went off to the side and grabbed our food. Clearly, it had just been sitting there for who knows how long. How they don’t have any controls in place to prevent this sort of thing from happening, I will never know. No apology at all. Not a whiff of a shit given. We were all pissed, but completely in line. Slid over to the next window to the first lady we spoke with to pay for the food. Still no apology, just an abrupt that will be one-​hundred and two dollars and twenty-​seven cents. I briefly balked at the ridiculous sum as i reached in to my wallet. Her response (with a sarcastic wisp in it), «do you want me to read out what you ordered.» I told her that wasn’t necessary and handed her the money. As I handed it to her I said it’s just that we were told twenty minutes and now it’s been over 40, we were completely forgotten and this whole thing is a little ridiculous. Instead of taking ownership this 50 or 60 something year old woman says, «It wasn’t me, it was her that forgot it.» I told her that it didn’t matter whose fault it is when it’s a team effort. Still no apology and all of us shaking our heads she handed us our food and said have a good night and we walked away… as we turned she uttered the words, «…or I hope it gets better.» WTF, are you kiddng me. I would expect that from a poorly brought up 12 year old not a grown woman… just terrible. I can’t even say how far some sort of apology would have gone. In her shoes I would have been falling over myself to make things right and make sure I didn’t lose a customer. Had they exercised an ounce of good customer service I could probably give 3 stars, but they didn’t even squeeze out a drop.
In the combo plates everything was soggy and even if it had been served ocean side on fine china atop a white tablecloth I don’t know that it would have been worth the cost. One plate was given the wrong sides (fries and hush puppies instead of Brunswick Stew) The shrimp burger was decent, but nothing like I remembered. Fried pickles were probably pretty good when fresh, but I wouldn’t really know.
Big Oak will always hold a special place in my stomach and I know I will give it another chance at some point, but this experience was totally indefensible.

Shrimp Burger! Go for it. If we ever go back that way. We’ll definitely go back. They seem to be popular even for the local.

I saw the reviews and thought great lets go for it. There were 50 people in line. It’s a pick up at the window and eat in you car type of place. 40 bucks got My wife got a scallop burger which was very good. Hush puppies that were fair. 2 orders of popcorn shrimp-​meh– 2 drinks. Nothing special

My fav go to spot on the Crystal Coast! Campy beyond belief but SO tasty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Worth cheating on your diet for this place! Great fried seafood sandwiches but also incredible pit barbecue & burgers here.

I died and went to Heaven when I ate here. Soft shell crab sandwich and shrimpburger were awesome. Burgers were outstanding. Worth the wait! If you’re on the Crystal Coast, you absolutely must eat here.

We have eaten here in the past and loved it. Decided to go back again this year and drove there for lunch from EI just to realize cash and checks were all they accept. Bummer, we ate at Crab Shack instead where cards ARE accepted. If your reading this review and are planning to go here take cash! You’ll love the shrimp burger. It’s the best.

The shrimp burger was good not great. I thought the prices were a little high. It cost over $ 25 for two people. 2 shrimp burgers, 2 fries, and 2 drinks. The fries were overly salty to the point we didn’t eat them. Not sure I’ll be back.

Corndog was decent. BBQ was bland… is this the best you can do down here? The cole slaw tastes store bought. Service was fast but not particularly friendly. Totally underwhelmed by this place.
It would not take much effort to produce a better product. This is North Carolina, you’re supposed to be good at this sort of thing.

This was a total hit! I can’t believe I haven’t ventured down from Atlantic Beach before and tried this place. Seriously, this was the best shrimp burger I have ever eaten… and I’ve had my fair share.
Parking is tight, and it took some creativity and a little patience to find a spot. Ordering is simple; walk on up to the counter, order, wait for your name to be called to pick up. Big Oak can get slammed, so prepare to wait or call in your order ahead of time. Cash only as the other reviews have mentioned, but they fill your plates with tons of fresh seafood and that’s just one way they keep prices down. Come prepared and don’t complain.
I’d recommend the shrimp burger, all the way (tarter sauce, slaw, ketchup). The fries were hot and crispy. We topped it off with apple sticks (go big or go home!) and they were awesome, definitely reminded me of being a kid. Big Oak is the quintessential Carolina coast eatery… get you some!

This place reminds me of my childhood. I can’t tell you how many years my family would make it a point to come here after a good full day in the sun. The menu hasn’t changed and you always know that your food is fresh, but heavily fried. It’s one of those comfort food stops that you just can’t help. There’s no «restaurant» really. It’s a little hut-​type place and if you drive too fast, you’ll miss the driveway to enter. The staff inside are very sweet but obviously it’s incredibly hot and they’ve always got fans blowing. Strangely enough, I’ve never really enjoyed seafood there. My choice — the corndogs!
I don’t eat corndogs — like ever — but for me, this place has the most AMAZING corndogs I’ve ever had in my life. Chalk it all up to traditions and years of going there but trust me when I say they’re great. It can get crowded in that little parking lot waiting for your food and sometimes they take so many orders so quickly that they get backed up in the kitchen. But I’m glad this place is still around. If I’m ever in the area again, I’ll obviously stop — but until then, I’ll just sport my Big Oak Drive-​In tshirt that conveniently states you to «drag your ass to the Big Oak Drive In».