Two favorite restaurants, loved by locals and vacationers alike, are relocating and expanding.
Surf City BBQ is leaving their North New River Road location and moving to 13500 NC Hwy 50/210 in the Gateway Plaza. Surf City BBQ, owned by Guy and Rebecca Royal, opened nearly four years ago.
Home Port Restaurant & Pub, located at 718 S. Anderson Blvd. in Topsail Beach, is moving to Hampstead Town Center. Home Port Restaurant & Pub was started by Ed Thackston in 2007. Working with Thackston is Brian Collins.
Both restaurants have been successful and are looking forward to expanding.
“We will be able to seat more than 100 guests,” said Rebecca Royal.
Surf City BBQ’s current location allows only 30 diners, at best, per seating.
“We can expand the number of people we can serve, we can expand our menu too,” said Royal.
They are moving into the former Vicki’s Place location, behind Dr. Philip Tart’s Primary Vision Center on the mainland in Surf City.
“We will have a banquet room that Guy hopes groups will use for meetings – free of charge,” said Royal.
They are redesigning the interior of the restaurant with windows that separate dining areas. The décor includes various antiques. The restaurant will have a very country, at-home feel.
“Our goal is to open in February,” she said.
Thackston said their goal is to open in the former MJ’s location, 17230 Hwy. 17, in February as well.
“We’ve had delays – like the weather this weekend – but we will take it in its stride and open when the restaurant is right,” said Thackston. “We want it right.”
“Brian liked this location,” said Thackston. “The move will allow us to serve more traffic, more guests throughout the year. It’s a convenient location and there is more square footage in the dining area.”
Thackston said, “Home Port will still be Home Port. We will continue to serve good pizza, good burgers, and good meals.”
Thackston said his goal with Home Port was always to serve food that will satisfy large parties and families – regardless if someone wanted fresh seafood and the children wanted pasta or pizza. His desire has always been to serve a wide and delicious variety to guests.
Home Port Restaurant delivered on his goals and will continue to serve a variety and a full service bar.
The menu will expand at Surf City BBQ. Royal said the restaurant started serving specials, such as Tuesday’s Chicken and Pastry.
“We tried to stop making Chicken and Pastry and our guests wouldn’t let us,” Royal laughed. “We sell out every Tuesday.”
So, in addition to favorite specials, Surf City BBQ will serve brisket, their famous chopped whole hog BBQ, ribs, ribeyes, smothered chicken, and smothered pork chops.
The biggest challenge will be expanding their workforce. Royal’s son, David Pope, works fulltime in the business and they know they will need additional staff.
“We’re a Christian business,” Royal said. “We’re not going to change. The Lord gave us this opportunity and we represent Him.”
This article first appeared in the Pender Post Voice.
