Corolla, NC, Restaurants: American Fusion & Gourmet

Take a load off and let ClamBake OBX do some of the work of feeding your family! They'll bring the fun and excitement of an old-fashioned clam bake right to your front door, or you can choose from 14 other menus with their in-house chef services. ClamBake OBX serves areas from Corolla to Hatteras Island, and they will come to your house and do all the work so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. A clam bake includes lobster (optional), crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, red potatoes, pearl onions and smoked sausage. All of their seafood is fresh, and most of it is locally caught for the best Outer Banks flavor. They also offer several dinner entrees featuring prime choice USDA meats including pork, beef and chicken with all the trimmings. ClamBake OBX will set up everything buffet style, and all you have to do is serve your own beverages. They can serve eight to 600 guests and have menus that are child friendly, and they will even clean up afterward! They specialize in cooking onsite to keep a quality control on the event. Note: They also do grocery delivery, stocking the house before you arrive, so you can walk in and start your vacation the right way.

This is a great local dine-in or take-out restaurant with a very casual family atmosphere. The menu features seafood including soft-shell and hard-shell crabs (hard shells are sold either live or cooked), Alaskan or king crab legs by the pound (when available), scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, oysters and fresh fish, plus slow-cooked barbecue including North Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked ribs and chicken. Don’t forget to ask about their steamer pots that you can take home and cook on your stove. For larger parties, they will even bring this Low Country boil to your house and cook it on site. They also offer homemade soups, Southern-style sides and plenty of desserts. Fat Crabs is open daily for lunch and dinner from April through October.

Mike Dianna's Grill Room is in the Timbuck II Shopping Center in Corolla. Celebrating its 16th season on the Outer Banks, the Grill Room is owned and operated by a true Corolla local who has lived in the area since 1984 and grew up in Corolla's small town. The restaurant starts with the best raw products they can find, such USDA Prime beef, fresh and local seafood, all-natural chicken, pork and pasta. They have a live hardwood grill where they cook all of their steaks and seafood, and it's the only one of its kind on the northern part of the Outer Banks. They have a wonderful children's menu, and they also cater to gluten-free, dairy-free and allergy-related restrictions. The Grill Room serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. complete with live hardwood-grilled steak and eggs, fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits and house-made jellies and jams. With an ever-changing specials menu, they can offer guests something different every night and day of the week. There is free live music and snacks on the covered deck starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Reservations are recommended for all party sizes for both breakfast and dinner.

Hot dogs are a crowd pleaser, and you can get them here – in an astounding variety from plain corn dogs and specialty dogs to the Corolla Dog with fried mozzarella and chili. There's more than hot dogs here, though. Hot pretzels, fries, tots, wraps, salads, a variety of deli sandwiches, tot-chos and many more yummy items keep everybody happy. Oh My Dog serves breakfast, too, with breakfast sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, egg platters, sides and ultra-filling breakfast bowls, breakfast burritos and a wrap called Hair of the Dog – a local favorite. Drinks include sodas, the best sweet tea, lemonade and the oh-so-popular Slush Puppies. They offer cold beer and wine for adults too. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. If you're looking for a great breakfast or just a quick bite, Oh My Dog has it all.

You don't have to go to Philadelphia to get an authentic Philly cheese steak. You can get one right here in beautiful Corolla at Philly Steak Subs. This casual eatery and bar is owned and operated by a family of Philadelphia transplants, so they know it's not a Philly cheese steak unless it's served on an Amoroso roll. You can keep yours classic or try it with Cheez Whiz, bacon, ranch or more options. There's lots more on the menu too, including burgers, hoagies with Boar's Head meats, salads and Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls. The kids will love their arcade, full kids' menu and classic bottled soda, while the grown-ups will enjoy the full bar and 13 craft brews on tap.