31 Best American Restaurants near Four Oaks

“I've past this spot for the past 40+ years and never known there was a restaurant/grill inside. What I shock I had when my mama and my aunt and uncle suggest we go there for lunch. I believe the brother of the guy that owned Holt Lake BBQ owns this store. Maybe I got it all wrong, but the shrimp plate was as good, if not better than a Holt Lake shrimp plate. I also purchased an Apple Jack at the counter, because you can't find those anywhere in Raleigh. This is a truly hidden gem (at least it was hidden from me!) Yum!“

“We found this little gem while staying in the area and have been back twice already. We’re heading back again for dinner today! Talk about home cooking, I haven’t had meals like these since my Grandma made her home cooked meals 20 years ago! Huge servings, delicious recipes and wonderful atmosphere for everyone! The staff is super friendly and welcoming, the prices can’t be beat, the dining area is the cutest little spot and I can’t say enough about the freshness, flavor and texture of the food. My fav was the BBQ Chicken special, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans! His was the Tenderloin meal with the same sides. We highly recommend!“

“Enjoy the wonderful hospitality, knowledge, service, and delicious food in a laid back and friendly atmosphere.So happy to have stumbled upon this place. We had the suggested Pescado a lo Macho and Saltado Con Pollo and we were happily impressed and full. Great portion sizes to share with others so everyone in your group can try a little of it all.To top it off you can order a beautiful custom made desserts-cakes, cupcakes, cake bites and more-with delicious icing for your special occasions.Will be eating there again, and again and again.“

“We went in on a Saturday in February. The lost their liquor license :(We were a party of 12. It was a verrryyyy long wait for our food, mine was the last one out. They were not very busy, however, the hostess was seating us ( we arranged the tables for one large one), she took our orders at the register, she was expo, and waitress. She apologized a lot. I must say the food was worth the wait! Amazing!“

“Great place to enjoy a good "throwback" hamburger, bowl of chili or a tasty chicken salad sandwich. Richard, the owner, is friendly, a good conversationalist and knows almost all of his customers. My wife and I really enjoyed our visit at this no frills eatery. Judie and “

“Traveling through Benson and stopped by on someone's recommendation. Glad we did. Food was great but sadly didn't save room for dessert ?, but it sure looked amazing. Best part was the live gospel singing. Wonderful atmosphere.“

“Get a taste of a classic New York deli at Gotham. Sandwiches are tasty and fresh made, the counter is humming and the decor is classic! (I wish they had big fat everything New York style bagels but alas I think you have to go north for that) Come visit Ava Gardner's hometown and stop by Gotham for a sammy.“

“We're originally from Benson and have lived in Texas for years and visited RNBBL with friends. When I heard someone had brought western style BBQ to NC, I had to check it out.For context, we visited on a Friday evening at 5:30pm. I ordered 1/4 brisket, 1/4 turkey, Mac and Cheese, and collards. My wife ordered 1/4 pulled pork, collards and slaw. Each order comes with a generous square of corn bread. Overall, the meals were great. I'll break down into more detail below. And some people might read this, look at all the trophies in the room and say, "Parker, you're crazy, and have no clue what you're talking about." I dunno. Taste is subjective. I'll stick to facts as much as I can.First, the "bad," even though it ain't really bad. The brisket, exclusively from the flat, was a bit underwhelming. The smoke didn't seem to penetrate very well, and the bark was thin and lacked kick. It made me think of pellet cooker brisket. ?‍♂️ That's not to say it wasn't good. It was. But if it had held more smokey goodness and had a stronger bark with that thick texture that carries all that delicious flavor, it would be some blow-your-head-off brisket. A set bark would hold moisture better as well, especially working with the flat. I would have given the food five stars if the brisket had been up to expectation. But perfecting brisket is the hardest thing in the Pit Master's skillset. That's why it's the crown jewel of any BBQ joint.Now, the other proteins:-The turkey was really good. Tender despite being a tiny bit dry, but the breast is lean, so of course it's going to be drier. The taste made up for it.-Pulled pork was easily the star of the show. Nice taste, moist, so tender it melts in your mouth. I watched an employee prepare more and it just pulled off the bone with no effort at all and he just squished it up with his hand. No chopping needed. Absolutely spot on.The dang collards were probably the best I've ever had from a small restaurant like this. That's not an exaggeration. The Mac and Cheese was pretty good, too. Next time, I'll get the jalapeño version.Now, those sauces!!! You get exactly what you read on the label!! They are out of this world!! Try them all, and try different ones on different meats and find what works for you. You won't be disappointed!The crew was friendly. The dude at the food pick-up window was a little overwhelmed, but he was hanging in there. The dining room guy kept us up with refills, which was a chore as good as that dang sweet tea is, so kudos to him. LolI'll go back, for sure. I didn't get enough.“

“We ordered the burnt ends and Carolina burger. Both meals were very good. My husband had the burger he said it was good but average. I had the Burnt ends they were very flavorful and cook perfectly. We had our dog with us and they let us sit on the patio which was nice and quiet at that time. Would definitely go back.“

“After hearing so many charming things about this establishment, I finally had the opportunity to try it! It's definitely worth the hype! Hot dogs were delicious and the egg rolls are some of the best I've ever had. The ordering system is different. Just be alert for them to call you in order to approach the ordering window lol.“

“First timer here! So worth it just wish we'd come before breakfast was over (ends at 11am) but will need to come back to try that menu out. Walked in and first impression was - quaint & cozy, mom & pop-type of diner. The staff was personable and cordial. There was a sense of "family and welcomeness." The coffee was very good, not watered down as in most chain establishments - it was served in a tall coffee mug and just like I like it, steaming hot! There were two of us, the other person opted for a grill bacon/ cheese with fries (they are super picky and totally enjoyed it - "well done, not greasy" as they put it lol). I opted for the bacon cheeseburger with fries - it was decent. Bacon nicely crips not overcooked, the burger wasn't as thick as in other diners we've visited but still delicious. Fries also ok, not as thick as in other places - these were more like shoe-string fries not steak fries but like I said, decent. Overall it was a good meal at an affordable price and would recommend everyone giving them a try. They are in downtown Smithfield across from the Ava Gardner Museum and the Johnston County Museum - two nice places to visit after the diner and a great way to support the local businesses!“

“Visisted Grill on the Hill after spending the night in Benson. I skipped the Hampton Inn breakfast and I'm not mad that I did. I arrived around 9:15 and I was the only person there. By the time I left at 10:00 the place was packed. Just an FYI for late Saturday breakfasters. I ordered the Red Hot sandwich (Brightleaf Red Hot, egg, and cheese on toast) with tater tots. It took maybe a little longer than I would have expected to come out from the kitchen but I wasn't in a rush. The sandwich was so good. I loved the extra kick of the red hot. The egg was fried just right and the bread was well-toasted. Tater tots were crispy and hot. Could have used a touch of seasoning. The seating area is plentiful and accommodated many of the families there for breakfast today. They've got merchandise hanging on the back wall so clearly this place is well known and loved. I can see why!“

“I found this place 3 years ago driving down 95 to go house hunting! The amount of chicken I got was HUGE I didn’t realize and the sides !!One thing we did wrong 3 years ago was not take down the name then hubby started the search on the maps because we were going to be around what we thought was the area and BAM HE FOUND IT ! Let me tell you it was AGAIN GREAT“

“We had Under the Oak cater our wedding and absolutely loved the food! We got lots of complements on the passed appetizers, mashed potatoes, carrots, and pork. The chicken was a bit spicier than when we taste tested it but it was still very yummy! All of the waiters were really great and checked on us throughout the day and night to see if we needed anything. They also made sure we had food during pictures! The reason we are giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because we used the bar service, which was overall adequate, but left a little to be desired. For instance, we elected to provide our own drinks and ingredients for the bar and were told what we should supply for the cocktails. However, one of our drinks, an old fashioned, was made with sprite and not the simple syrup which we provided a lot of. Now, we have a lot of left over simple syrup and the old-fashioned (which is my husbands favorite drink) was not what we were expecting. When asked, we were told they were making it "the new way". Several guests and the groom were a bit disappointed with that particular cocktail, but the others were a big hit.Overall we'd definitely recommend Under the Oak Catering for any event.“

“We met with family for a celebration of Birthdays and home comings! We were given great tables, our server Cathy was amazing and the surprised the Birthday and Home coming people (3) with delicious cake and ice cream and song! We stayed way past when we probably should have , but everyone was sweet and accommodating! Thank you Cracker Barrel in Smithfield Plaza for a wonderful afternoon!Parking: Plenty of close parking spots!Wheelchair accessibility: Always, haven’t been to a Cracker Barrel that wasn’t wheelchair accessible.“

“They were trying a few new employees on this visit. But the only way I was able to tell was because I overheard them talking. Outside of me hearing them talking it was business as normal. They were doing a very good job staying professional while training.“

“First, the steaks are excellent! Second, MAKE A RESERVATION, the tables are going to be filled and the place is small. Steaks are slow cooked to perfection so be ready to wait but sooo worth it! The salad bar is standard but VERY fresh!!! Wait staff is very friendly!“

“This Golden Corral is right off of I-95 EZ access on and off. It is also close to Gas Stations to refill your car also. Good price for great variety of foods breakfast lunch and dinner and a nice little sweet if you'd like it the chocolate waterfall is very good with the strawberries on the stick. They also offer a takeout anyway option“

“Can't love this place any more on a hot, July afternoon. Come ready to make tough decisions... they have about a 100 flavors, plus a huge range of sizes to choose from. It's a little crazy but the young man at the counter was polite and patient, and the line of mostly regulars will what's the "best" (in their opinion, anyway). My personal favorite is sour cherry plus sour orange. The husband says tiger's blood is the best! The dog stuck to his usual "pup cup".“

“There's a lady that works here, I believe she's the nicest person I have ever met!!! I had ordered a 4 piece, I got my order and it came with hush puppies. I politely asked that the HP be removed... The "lady" then said, "ok, would you prefer fries"? I was so pleased and I thank her profusely... She just answered and said, I'm doing my job . I was so pleased!!! Oh and the chicken was excellent... Just what I wanted!!!!“

“I was traveling with my family and we decided to stop in Dennys in selma everything was perfect the food was excellent hot and delicious,service excellent there serve was very professional everybody was happy we ask for the manager to tell how good was everything and our serve said I'm the manager we was very soprice her name is Jessica and she was given excellent costumer service we are coming back“

“We stopped by here and was pleasantly surprised! The ladies here are really, really sweet! Patient when placing our order. They have a wonderfully sized menu. You may choose between a large or small biscuit. The biscuits are made perfectly, soft and pillowy inside. The grits are a good consistency. Small, yet cozy dining area. We will be back for breakfast, yet I can't wait to try lunch also!“

“I didn't stay at the rooms but I ate it to restaurant it was dated but it was an awesome place great hospitality great food and some really cool decorations the salad bar was perfect the vegetables was cut up perfectly sized not too big and a good variety of vegetables there at the salad bar very fresh overall me and the one was very very pleased and we really felt blessed because we got to meet the owner but she was busy keeping on people's toes, and I can imagine if she keeps the rooms as she keeps the hotel in the rooms are probably very nice but I did not stay“

“I ordered the 3 meat plate. The burnt ends were great. I also loved the green beans and the collards were delicious. The sliced was ok little dry, and I liked the homemade sausage. Great servers. I will stop here again when passing through.“

“This waffle house is just down the road a few miles from my house. It's close to the interstate and it's easy to get into and out. The food is definitely Quick, and always tastes good. My waitress, she has been there for years. She's quick witted, huge smile and efficient. Makes you feel like your family. Combined with all the positives mentioned, there's only one thing negative about this place, as with all the waffle houses, it's to small, but worth the wait.“

“We were traveling from Mebane, NC and decided to grab a bite to eat here before heading out. When we entered the restaurant it was very clean and we were greeted by the hostess almost immediately. We were told the wait was about 25-30 minutes but we ended being seated in about 10-12 minutes. Our waitress Jasmine was AMAZING! She was super sweet and very attentive to us. She made great recommendations from the menu and even talked us into dessert. 10/10 experience. We will be back to visit Jazmine!!“

“I have been working in Smithfield for about 5 months, since recently moving to Raleigh and had not heard much about the food scene until recently. Because I came here for a business dinner, I didn't get a chance to ask, but is the name of this restaurant related to Southpark? Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's get to the food. We started with some apps. Smoked salmon dip and pimento cheese. Both were very average dips mostly consisting of cream cheese or mayo. Could have used more flavor on each. I ordered the meatloaf with collard greens and red beans and rice. To my surprise, the collard greens were the best thing I had here, which is to say these collard greens were better than a lot of southern meat and threes I had been to. The meatloaf was slightly dry, but the flavor was really good. Notnsure how they prepared it but it looks like it was sliced thin and then finished which most likely dried it out. If it had been moist and had a little more sauce on it, the meatloaf would have rivaled the collards. The red beans and rice were also dry. They had some delicious looking burgers on the menu, I will be back to try one.“

“Extremely friendly, once you walk inside it feels home welcoming ☺️ the employees are respectful, energetic, nice. They'll definitely put a smile on your face with the service they provide.You could be having a pretty crappy day but once you come to the chicken barn all the stress drips away and I really feel like it's because of the amazing atmosphere. The chicken barn is definitely a business you should check out or have lunch on break from work. The food will have you keep coming back it's that good!Just trust me you won't regret coming to this amazing establishment and you'll see why they have great reviews ??Parking: You can park on the side or in front of the building there's plenty of parking spots.Kid-friendliness: Home welcoming environment for adults and kids.Wheelchair accessibility: You'll be able to come right inside the building without any issues.“

“Busy as usualSo we sat at the counter where we we helped immediately while others waited to sit at tablesHash brown bowl w sausage eggs scrambled a d cheese w onions and mushrooms sauteed toppedWaffleGrand slam breakfastLemon water and sweet teaWendy went the extra mile on a busy Saturday to get me a lemon water.I wasn't feeling well prior to coming in and I asked for a seltzer water but they dont have it so Wendy offered an alternative.Thanks again Wendy“

“Thick burgers, delicious custard, but sides need work. First time try. Drive through went smoothly. I asked for help ordering and was met with a kind and patient order taker. The menu is big, so I'll be back to try more. Started with the American (no. 1), no pickles. Fries. Tots. Cherry Concrete. My friend went with a plain bacon cheese burger. Chocolate chip cookie dough fudge concrete. Burgers, thick and well seasoned. Tots, needed more time in the fryer. Fries, no seasoning and could be better. Concretes. Fantastic. Custard is light rather than heavy. Mix ins good quality.“

“We were traveling and we gave ourselves 1 hour max and to my great surprise everything was ready in 15 minutes for 8 people, very good, everyone liked it. The waitress? was very friendly and smiling? so 45 minutes later we went out. ?well done to all of you.“