Cypress Grill

Just to get away from the New Jersey Cold weather was a Blessing,,
We were Visiting a dear Friend who Moved to Williamston the next town over from Jamesville and it was his Idea to have Lunch at the Cypress Grill and It was a great Idea,,We had an Early Lunch and had the Place to ourselfs,,,All 3 of Us Had the Fried Catfish with all the fixing and the best Lemonaid I have had in a Long time,,,
Eatting a Great Fish Meal right at the Rivers Edge was Just right for our little Vacation from the Cold,,,,
If You are anywhere near Jamesville,,stop by and sit down and have a real Fish Meal from the best cook in NC,,,,,You owe Yourself that treat,,,,,

my moon handbook says: "the cypress grill is an unprepossessing wooden shack right-smack on the river, a survivor of the days when jamesville made its living in the herring industry, dragging the fish out of the water with horse-drawn seine nets ... the cypress grill is open for the three and a half months of the year (from the second thurs in jan through the end of apr), when the herrings run, and you could hardly have a more intensely authentic, small-town dining experience anywhere else."

i was intrigued but cautious, so i asked my dad to turn into the tiny street off the empty highway in search of this shack on the river.  "if there are less than three cars there," i said, "we're leaving." it kinda freaks me out when we're the only people in a restaurant.

so we drove down this tiny residential street and i was growing increasingly skeptical.  we drove down a good three miles of quiet gravel road without seeing a soul.  i was about to say we should turn back when the road ended at the spectacular scene of the roanoke river.

to my utter surprise there was a makeshift dirt parking lot to my left PACKED with cars.  very good sign.  i tell my dad to park, and he nearly drives us into the river trying to fit the car into the crevice between the shack and the river.  not a real parking space, mind you.

it was exactly what i would expect it to be inside.  kitschy and sweet.  a ton of locals. someone's grandma yelled across the room for us to grab a seat anywhere.  the menu was a flimsy worn piece of white paper with hastily typed items in times new roman. i smiled because this was the kind of place you'd try to replicate in california but just can't.

of course you have to order the herring.  twice deep fried, and you eat them whole, with a side of southern staples like hush puppies (we literally had this for 50% of our meals on our trip), cole slaw, boiled potatoes.

my favorites were the oyster plate (under $7!), and the deviled crab (a spicy crabcake in a shell).

Not to be missed.  Deep fried herring and a side of roe.  Can't beat it.  Also, the Rock Stew is delicious as is the other fish dishes--flounder, salt herring, and rockfish.  And don't miss the pie.