Our first and only visit.... Our appetizer of alligator bite was so tough and chewy they were not to be swallowed. and when we told our server she responded with if we had ever had tender alligator it had been processed by having it "beaten" how patronizing ! I was totally disappointed with our dining  experience. The food ok, would never send anyone looking a great dining experience there. Do not waste your time nor money at Southern Exposure!
Review Source:After my friend read reviews prior to our visit, I was extremely concerned and ready to be treated very poorly. Â NOT the case at all! Â This is a wonderful restaurant with excellent food and service! Â We had a party of 10 and every entree was delicious! The service was spot on and so was the food!
Review Source:A good friend of mine recommended this restaurant months ago, so my husband and 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. My husband says the atmosphere is nice too, so we plan to return and dine in.
This type of restaurant in blue collar, bland Faison? Â 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. Â However, my experience demonstrated that restaurant greatness can exist outside urban areas! Â Â
We began with the crab and shrimp dip ($9.00), a creamy and delicious mix of seafood, artichokes, green onion, and brandy. Â Served with homemade crackers, this was a delicious beginning! Â
I had the grilled chicken breast with smoked chili butter and tobacco onions ($17.00). Â This entree 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. Â 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!" Â Therefore, you would expect a fine restaurant literally incorporating the "Southern" entity into its image would be welcoming? Hospitable? Â 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. Â 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.
User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
by Cara 01/13/2011
I have always liked to be a patron at this restaurant since I like to support local businesses and because this restaurant supports local farmers. I love the atmosphere and the pineapple martinis. I recommended this restaurant to my Newcomerâs group for outings because of those reasons. I had recommended other people for those reasons. I have had several mishaps with the restaurant being out of things but last night was beyond ridiculous. I understand that they had trouble getting trucks in because of the snow, but to let your restaurant get that low on so many items seems crazy and poor business planning. I came in with a group of 7 women. We were kept in front of the cold door while a table was made ready and that took 10-15 minutes. The restaurant was not busy. When we were finally seated and placed our drink orders, I along with other people ordered the Pineapple Martini. We were told about 10 min later that they were out of the ingredients. I then ordered a Blue Moon. About 10 minutes later was told they were out of that. SO I ordered another beer. 5 minutes later was told you didnât have that. SO I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio. I was then told 10 minutes later they didnât have that and I told her to bring me whatever Pinot Grigio they had. SO that was 5 drinks in. After another 10 minutes I went to the bar since I saw someone behind there pour a white wine and they hadnât taken it out yet. I asked her if it was mine and she was unbelievably rude to me. I found out later it was one of the owners. How an owner thinks she can talk to people like that and not get a bad reputation from doing so is beyond me. She may believe that they have such a niche that people will continue visiting their restaurant. Last night was my last night to spend my money there. I wasnât offered a comp drink, for my inconvenience, I had been there 1 hour before finally receiving a drink. I hadnât even expected it until the owner was so rude to me. I even cancelled my order and they still brought it out and then I was charged for it. Comping a drink I had cancelled after all the frustration, would have made a heck of a difference in my experience last night. Bringing the table a dessert to make up for it would have been great. Basic customer service would have been wonderful. While I understand they had trouble with the weather, the smart business move to avoid the above issues would be to make a list of the drinks and menu items they DO have available. I have never been treated so rudely by a person at a restaurant and certainly not an owner. I realize everyone has bad days, but there was no excuse for that behavior. When I approached the bar, I was friendly. When I left the bar I was pissed and shaking from the treatment. Being told it is hard to hostess and bar tend considering she hadnât done one bit of hosting in the hour I had been there is appalling. DO not waste your money here, it isn't worth it.
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