Captain Tom's Seafood

No rum? What?
Let's just say visitors tend to look at you weird when you take them to dinner in a cow pasture. It's absolutely astonishing that anyone can even find Captain Tom's Seafood restaurant considering it's literally in the middle of nowhere, yet, people do. Like the defunct Fran's Front Porch, Captain Tom's has managed a business strategy which should have doomed them from the beginning, but ultimately has led to their success. I suppose it proves, if the food and service are good enough, it doesn't matter where your restaurant is. Of course it's always a nice country drive if you're used to urban living, to this maritime themed eating experience.  It's an oasis of seafood and Italian food, land locked in Staley, North Carolina.

A large shrimp platter, but no rum.
I've been going there for years. Captain Tom's is only about five miles from my door-step, and I've never had anything bad there. While the seafood is typical of the region, there are several high points to be made about the place, which make it an enduring classic. First their home-made ranch dressing is fabulous, and their steaks are absolute perfection. The wait-staff, which seems to be the career choice of ex-Eastern Randolph cheerleaders, are always kind, sweet, beautiful and are always willing to go that extra mile. The question is who is Captain Tom?

Steak, sweet-tea, but no rum.
This brings us to the larger question, how do you name your fish restaurant? There's tons of Captain Toms,  a gaggle of Mayflowers. Where did it all come from. While there's been many real Captain Toms, like that of the Andrea Gail, I suspect the name is a play upon the famous book Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, and its folk tale like popularity in the United States. Personally I've always had a preference for the name Poseidon, the Greek God of the sea, so if Captain Tom ever wishes to make a name change, I'll back that one.

Bottom line, Captain Toms is good food, good people, and uniquely located somewhere close to nowhere. Every time you go it's like setting out to sea, and finding yourself miles from home, stranded out on a deserted island with a dozen of your best friends and a deep-fryer. The only caveat? No rum.
Location: 320 Browns Crossroads Rd, Staley, NC 27355, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mystery of Big Hole Road in Chatham County

Image
Unbeknownst to many, only twenty minutes from the outskirts of Liberty, lies a government project shrouded in secrecy. It may sound like Stranger Things in real life, but hidden on Big Hole Road near Jordan Lake, AT&T Project Office NC-1 remains active. Before you start to speculate of aliens, gravity machines, and time travel, let's do some research first. The Project Office itself was built in the mid-1960's; featuring shock-absorbing spring foundation, steel and concrete blast doors, rubber plumbing, and tropospheric scatter antennae , a technique to send radio signals slightly farther. For security, CCTV and steel crash barriers were also erected. More recently, a moat has been dug around the complex.  The name "Big Hole" travailed from the amount of earth dug during construction, giving the project an estimated 13 underground storeys. After completion, it is assumed that it functioned as a telephone switching center, possibly for the military AUT
Keep reading

Artisan Hub

Image
You'd be in disbelief if I told you there was an avant-garde styled restaurant, serving up some of the best food I've ever had, in Liberty. Not just the best in town, or county, but what might be the best diner in the entire state, perhaps only rivaling La Farm of Cary. And you would be right, because there isn't one. Even though we have some great places, nothing in Liberty comes close. However, Artisan Hub is only twenty minutes away in Downtown Siler City. Artisan Hub describes the atmosphere as a "Down home feel with a new age flair." And I can't agree more. The chefs were kind, and willing to go that extra mile. At no point did I feel embarrassed or imposing to ask a question or for help. It helps that there is a lack of a crowd; turning it into a quiet, relaxing hideaway, that many people don't know of. Now onto the food.  Words alone cannot describe how good this meal was. Everything had been seasoned to work in a robust ma
Keep reading

Lake Juno Water Park and Campgrounds

Image
Lake Juno Park sign. Family owned and operated Lake Juno has been a part of summers in Liberty for as long as I can remember. It's a great alternative to Emerald Pointe (Wet n' Wild), as there's no long lines, free parking, and admission rates are very affordable ($5 kids, $10 adults +$5 for waterslides and pool) when all you want to do is get wet and wild on those hot summer days. With acres of water slides, paddle boats, and thrilling family fun in the blue waves, Lake Juno seems to have an action packed attraction to make everyone smile. The park includes, a picnic area, paddle boats ($5), and camping ($25 a night). All this in the beautiful country side, with clear blue skies hailing down upon its patrons. The water park is continuously upgraded and improved to create an even more exciting experience every time a guest returns. Maintenance is a priority and they provide very a safe environment. The park is supervised by quality staff. The pavilion, and lake
Keep reading