Frank and Clara's Restaurant and Lounge

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  Frank and Clara's was absolutely awful. The fact that they call themselves a fine dining establishment is laughable. The decor is hideous, the service was terrible, and - in what is almost funny, its so bad - their idea of a pre-dinner appetizer is crackers and a glob of Cheez Whiz. The food was cold and unappetizing. And the prices were ridiculous. Skip this place. You'll regret it if you don't.

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  Posted on 10.03.12 Cassy C.

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  My family rediscovered Frank and Clara's after an initial " could be better" visit and found a changed atmosphere among the staff made all the difference in our experience and the food!
  
  Friendly service, timely meals and for someone who prefers a slinky healthier meal choice than fried or broiled, they have a very nice cold boiled plate with good variety and a very reasonable price for the area.
  
  We go back each time we come to the beach and will continue to do so.

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  Posted on 07.15.12 Masha Halpern B.

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  Frank and Clara's has been a staple each visit to Salter Path.  I grew up spending summers at my family's beach trailer nearby, and while I agree with another reviewer that over the years the quality has gone down and the service has gone up, sheer nostalgia will keep me coming back.
  
  The decor could use some updating, but overall it is worth a visit.  Their she crab soup is some of the best I have ever had!  
  
  If you aren't in the mood for spending much money on dinner, then visit the upstairs of Frank and Clara's for a much more laid back atmosphere.  Upstairs serves as a bar and night club.  The DJ will play most anything you want, but will typically stick to oldies and beach music.

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  Posted on 07.09.12 Meredith M.

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  Frank & Clara's, in it's heyday, was one of the greatest seafood places on the Outer Banks. But, as the years have rolled by, it's quality has decreased and prices have increased.
  
  Not much to say here, heat-lamped hush puppies (stale), bland flounder (overcooked), tiny portions and mediocre service. However, the she-crab soup is excellent.
  
  Don't think about taking a large party to Frank & Clara's, they don't accommodate large parties. They never brought one of the appetizers and messed up an order (although, to their credit, they fixed the mistake and gave it to us complimentary...fifteen minutes after the other diners' food had arrived.)
  
  I'm not the kind of reviewer to suggest other restaurants in a review; just know there are better places for cheaper.

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  Posted on 07.22.11 Mike H.

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  A number of reviews (on other sites) said something about  this place being "fine dining". This is my first trip to the Carolina coast, and I have to say that "Fine dining" is relative. Yes, Frank & Clara's has candles, white tablecloths, and $20 steaks. However, it also has vinyl stacking chairs, decor straight out of an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, and a scoop of an orange-colored substance the server called "cheese".
  But on to the food. My husband ordered broiled shrimp, scallops, and crab, with clam chowder. The chowder curiously contained no cream, but he says it was all fine, and better than what I got.
  I ordered the ribeye, which was OK. It's not a steak place, so I wasn't expecting much.  I'm giving them 3 stars instead of 2 because I'm allergic to shellfish and so can't appreciate what they feature.  
  The service was neither slow nor fast. Midweek in September, it was not crowded.
  Really, though, the place looks awful. Two-toned paint on top of wallpaper on top of faux wood paneling on top of concrete block walls? Yikes.

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  Posted on 10.17.10 Cara M.

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  UPDATE:Two years later, I've come to discover that F&C's prices aren't out of line with other restaurants on the beach. You could even say that they're reasonable when compared to some others in the area. So while I still think F&C's was expensive, it wouldn't be fair to single them out as being particularly so.
  
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  An old-school steak and seafood restaurant. It appears to have been there for years and from what I could tell hasn't changed its menu since it opened. Well, except for the prices, which are now sky high.
  
  Expect traditional and unadventurous old favorites like shrimp scampi, seafood au gratin and rib eye steaks. The menu is mostly seafood with 4 beef and a couple of decidedly token chicken dishes.
  
  I had a steak filet with salad and rice which was tender and nicely done. The other people at the table had shrimp scampi and crab cakes which they both liked a lot. A nice additional touch was that the rolls were freshly baked.
  
  The restaurant is small and comfortable in a decidedly old-fashioned way. The night we went wasn't crowded, but I could clearly see the need for reservations during the summer busy season. The staff is attentive and friendly.
  
  Again, if you're looking for an old-fashioned seafood dinner and don't mind paying dearly for it, Frank & Clara's is a pretty good place to go.

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  Posted on 09.15.10 Denise C.

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