Southern Exposure

Quite little hometown resturant with a basic to unique selection. I got the special halibut and boyfriend got ribs, both we greatly enjoyed. Mom got salad with fried chicken and niece got fried chicken but they said just ok. A little over priced but enjoyed th e experience and great service!!!

I went back with friends. I know, I know I said I’d never but after a year and a half I was overcome by the peer pressure. ;) It was disastrous. It was a Tues night and it was packed and and they only had two servers and a very unhelpful owner acting as bartender. And by acting I mean she made the drinks, would walk by the table but would NOT serve the drinks. Our waiter was slammed and she couldn’t reduce herself to actually be helpful. So we chose to go to bar to retrieve our own drinks, as did others. It took her forever to set the tables, to the point we couldn’t help laughing at the utter ridiculousness. We were there at 7:45 and didn’t receive our food until 9:45. We had to practically beg for bread after 1 ½ of waiting. So I’m saying it again. Never again.

I agree with previous rater. My three friends and I stoppeon the way home to No. Va from a run trip in Myrtle Beach. The food was very delicious, nice presentation and friendly service. Felt immediately welcome upon entering this bright and wonderfully decorated restaurant. The owner was so proud of her place and commented that she is celebrating her 9 th year of being open.

A good friend of mine recommended this restaurant months ago (along with a $ 50 gift certificate), so I finally decided to try it out and ordered a barrage of items from the menu for take-​out.
The verdict? Delicious! And I love that their take-​out containers are eco-​friendly.

This type of restaurant in blue collar, bland Faison? I really couldn’t believe it!
I was in nearby Kenansville for a visit with family, and was directed to this little jewel by my hotel manager; I must say, I was skeptical. However, my experience demonstrated that restaurant greatness can exist outside urban areas!
We began with the crab and shrimp dip ($ 9.00), a creamy and delicious mix of seafood, artichokes, green onion, and brandy. Served with homemade crackers, this was a delicious beginning!
I had the grilled chicken breast with smoked chili butter and tobacco onions ($ 17.00). This entrée was perfectly cooked and very flavorful; my dining partner’s grilled pork chops over mac and cheese ($ 19.00) was quite good but slightly dry.
Service was professional, but somewhat perfunctory and standoffish. The manager (owner?) checked on our table to make sure everything was OK; I like to see this «self-​interest.»
I enthusiastically recommend Southern Exposure, should you ever find yourself in the area!

I consider Southern Exposure (SE) to be a ‘destination restaurant’ — secondary to its location in a small NC town with nothing notable, except direct access to Highway 40… and they know it, cheerfully using the slogan, «Faison’s Wonderful Little Secret!» Therefore, you would expect a fine restaurant literally incorporating the «Southern» entity into its image would be welcoming? Hospitable? Perhaps the management and staff have forgotten this good ol’ reputation of the Carolinas.
I’ll get to the food – which was actually very good; however, these talents were totally eclipsed by the negativity of poor service. Lesson #1: Never audibly huff/​sigh at waiting on a patron to decide on their entrée. Lesson #2: Never snatch the menu in response to waiting 30 seconds on said patron’s response. Lesson #3: It never hurts to smile at your table throughout their meal… I hear it helps earn tips. All in all, SE’s service was so dreadful, it was comical — we literally were laughing at the absurdities on exit.
This lasting impression is so unfortunate because the food was contrarily good. We began with Fried Green Tomatoes, topped with pimento cheese… win/​win combination and the recipe evidently succeeded with a clean plate. Entrées ordered included the hefty Grilled Sterling Farms Pork Chop with oven-​baked mac & cheese, and collards. Soul food from heaven — a huge, well-​prepared chop, and probably the best mac I’ve ever eaten. The Grilled Petite Kobe Sirloin with Crab Cake looked like samples/​nuggets in comparison to the pork — the usage of the word ‘petite’ was a huge exaggeration… I wish I had taken a photo of the ludicrousness. Lastly, the Grilled Sterling Farms Beef Filet Mignon with gorgonzola butter… excellent steak, a bit heavy on the butter, which rendered the occasional salty bite.
Overall, SE’s food is respectable; however, the staff and service just plain failed. Unless, I experience an intense life or death carb craving for some ridiculous mac&cheese — I won’t be returning on my dime — There’s too many soul food kitchens preparing equally excellent food but with the added skill of true southern warmth and hospitality.