The Local — Restaurant in Boone

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 - 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐍𝐂 One of the hardest things to do is to find a local lunch spot that goes beyond your typical foods. After several recommendations we landed at this restaurant over in the downtown area of Boone off King Street. As an experienced traveler, having explored 68 countries and 36 states, I approach restaurant reviews with clear criteria: Ambience, Service, and Food (Quality, Taste, Presentation). My goal is to provide an unbiased perspective, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. Ambiance – The restaurant blends the local cabin feel with modern décor creating an amazing indoor and outdoor dining area suitable for small gatherings including friends, family, business meetings, and groups, along with the ability to entertain larger setups for group events. They utilized modern touches such as large chandeliers and decorative lighting coupled with local artwork on the walls to create a culturally diverse space with a local vibe. Wait Staff - Our waitress was exceptionally attentive, offering insights into the diverse flavors of the menu. Highlights included Woodfired Flats & Pizzas, Handhelds/Sandwiches, Burgers, Tacos, and Soups/Salads. Food – In an area with plenty of traditional food options that provide standard burgers, sandwiches, and salads, this restaurant stands out by elevating ingredients and flavor combinations to new heights. Each dish showcases a commitment to fresh, quality ingredients and innovative flavor profiles truly brings their dining experience to an elevated level. Boone Philly: Deemed a customer favorite featuring tender chicken (or steak) paired with onions, peppers, mushrooms, and melted cheese on French bread. This seemingly simple dish impresses with its robust flavors and perfect harmony of taste, texture, and blend. It’s not your typical Philly. I would put this sandwich up against some of the local staples back in Philadelphia. Fig and Bacon: A standout dish, the Fig and Bacon grilled chicken sandwich on toasted sourdough is topped with applewood smoked bacon, whipped goat cheese, smoked gouda, and housemade fig marmalade. The fusion of sweet, savory, and creamy textures creates a truly exceptional culinary experience. My only small criticism is to be careful with the goat cheese. There were bites of the sandwich where the goat cheese overpowered all the other flavors. Side Options: Sandwiches come with a choice of chips or coleslaw, with upgrades available like Sweet Potato Fries, Mac N’ Cheese, Grilled Asparagus, and Fried Plantains. Do not just pass by the homemade chips, crafted with the same dedication to quality and freshness evident in every aspect of the menu. For those seeking a lunch spot that redefines classic dishes with innovative twists and exceptional quality, this local gem, open for lunch and dinner, promises a dining experience beyond...

Just to preface- Erin is an incredible server and bartender. She slips between tables and bar tops with effortless charm and knowledge. Regardless of how busy she was, I never felt rushed in the slightest. I was honestly surprised by how genuinely patient she was while I tried making sense of the menu and offered excellent alcohol pairings. She's quick witted and efficient. Even the hosts were exceptionally kind when shepherding unruly walk-in guests into the sparsely available tables.

I definitely encourage a reservation. We were incredibly lucky to join the line early enough to grab a table, even though the line went down a block or two while waiting for a table at The Local.

Realistically, I'd give the food a 4.5/5 as some dishes/sides were heavily over seasoned and/or salted. Given the expectations I had for the restaurant (something affordable, basic, and cheap,) I was blown away by how rich and exceptional the dishes were, save for a few that were almost inedible from the salt (like the seasoning in the kale for a chicken dish and the cloying sweetness of Cheerwine "barbeque" that tasted like sweet icecream topping.) Don't take me totally seriously however, because we are the hell out of it .

The nachos with Cheerwine BBQ sauce was such a a fun concept, but it was sickening in its sugar content. I'm not sure if it was an "off" day or not, but I didn't enjoy my chips while unusually and comically smothered in a sugary syrup.

The shrimp and grits entree was so deliciously rich and full of an unctuous and silky, but thick sauce. It's a solid take on a classic southern dish. I'm very picky about my grits and this was actually enjoyable

I also ordered the chicken dish and was shocked at the giant portion size. Because of the way it sits on the bone, you most definitely won't be able to use a knife and fork in the way you'd like to. I have terrible knife skills, so it was better to eat the chicken quarters with your hands at home. I demolished them quickly as incredible leftovers. You'll avoid crazy sauce spills that way too.

But the mac and cheese? It looks so unassuming, but it's truly one of the best macs I've had in my life, even after eating DOZENS of restaurant and family recipes. I truly don't even know what magic happened to make it so delicious. It feels blasphemous to admit that this is a recipe better than my mother's.

Additionally, this place has the vibe of a neighborhood bar where all feel welcome, but serves insanely unique cocktails based off of the classics, and dishes that look uassuming, but shock you with quality and flavor.

Finally, I once again can't recommend Erin enough whenever you're able to squeeze your way in. Don't forget to grab a reservation when you can because the line wraps down the...

The Local is a gem - a place that I keep going back to, yes, mostly because of how great the food is, but also for the great vibe and awesome atmosphere every single time. The Local is an upscale but rather causal restaurant where any visitor could find something they like. Think comfort food with a creative spin. The biggest downside of the whole place is trying to choose between such great options.

Food: I ordered the tomato and mozzarella handheld with grilled chicken. Toasted French bread with tomatoes, arugula, basil pesto, and melted buffalo mozzarella. Delicious. Fresh. Flavorful. Bread had a nice crust while staying soft on the inside to soak up the flavor of the basil pesto For side - always, always, always, order the caesared brussel sprouts! Shaved brussels with chopped bacon and topped with Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing. Need I say more? We also ordered the naan traditional Cuban sandwich which had slow roasted pork, bacon (that could have been much crispier - not a fan of how flimsy it was), pickles, mayo, and Swiss cheese. This sandwich. Comfort food. So filling and satisfying. Perfect combination of savory and providing a nice bite with the tart pickles. For appetizer we got the spinach and artichoke dip - perfect to share between 2 people. Rich, creamy, full of chunked artichoke. The chips are VERY crispy and make dipping easy!

Service: It was a busy evening - we went at 7:00 on a Friday. It was crowded and got rather loud at times. The bar was bustling and the bartender was our waiter. Drinks never went empty and we were consistently checked on - though not overly catered to.

Ambianece: Think of a dimly lit, rustic, cocktail/cigar lounge vibe. Perfect for a cozy rainy day lunch or a nice evening out.

Location: Nestled in downtown Boone, the Local is almost hidden on the street adjacent to King Street - Howard Street. Parking is absolutely terrible. Find a place to park that’s semi-close and just walk. It’s not even worth trying to navigate that mess in a vehicle.

Rating: 9.3/10

I couldn’t recommend...