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Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 40 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail. We serve by the peck, pound, and dozen, raw or steamed to perfection. Kicked back casual, down to earth friendly staff, and reasonable prices make Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar the all-time favorite of locals and travelers alike.

Whether you just discovered this famous Outer Banks restaurant, have been coming in for years, or have always wanted to, one thing rings true: Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar has a reputation that is second to none. The first oyster bar to open its doors on the Outer Banks 35 years ago, Awful Arthur's is a local mainstay known for its fresh, delicious seafood and casual, friendly atmosphere.

Customers will delight in watching hot oysters come hissing right out of the steamers as the guys behind the bar shuck and serve them on the restaurant's copper-topped bar. Order them steamed, fried, or slurp them down raw; no matter how you like your oysters, Awful Arthur's has it covered.

One of the only Outer Banks restaurants with an ocean view lounge, Awful Arthur's emits a welcoming, coastal vibe. Dubbed one of America's greatest oyster bars by Coastal Living magazine and recognized by Esquire magazine for its steamed, spiced shrimp, Awful Arthur's is not only a household name on the Outer Banks, but is recognized all over the country by its emblematic logo, backed by its delicious seafood and other popular menu items.

Nautical adornments lend to the salty, seaside atmosphere of this quintessential Outer Banks restaurant; the perfect place to bring the entire family, enjoy a casual date night or join a group of friends to enjoy a peck of oysters, an ocean view, cold drinks and good times! Kicked back is the name of the game and Awful Arthur's plays it well.

Jo Whitehead proudly describes her oyster bar: "People want to sit at the Oyster Bar to watch and be entertained by the guys steaming all the oysters, shrimp, crab legs, and clams in front of them!" 
 
Awful Arthur's has been recognized by Esquire magazine for their steamed, spiced shrimp and took home 2014 'Taste of the Beach' award for the chowder cook off. 

A Little History

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, owner Jo Hopkins Whitehead moved to the Outer Banks in 1985 with her then soon-to-be-husband Jay, after she graduated with a business degree from Atlantic Christian College. The couple opened Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar, and after getting married in 1991, Jo and Jay would expand their venture of Whitehead and Whitehead to include Awful Arthur's Beach Shop and Bad Barracudas Raw Bar & Grille.

After having two children, Katie and John, Jay's untimely passing left Jo to run their three businesses and her family on her own, so in 2005 she decided to sell Bad Barracudas to focus on Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar and the beach shop. Katie graduated from Elon University, in 2017 and John will be a junior at Hampden-Sydney College this fall. Today, she continues to thrive. In the spirit of Jay's legacy Jo continues to give back to the community through many charitable donations and her work with the Outer Banks Community Foundation's David Stick Legacy Society and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Along with its esteemed national recognitions, Awful Arthur's was the proud winner of the 2014 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach Annual Chowder Cook Off for its popular shrimp corn chowder. Awful Arthur's isn't just about oysters, there's also a wide selection of crab legs and clams from the steamer, fried seafood, or steaks, chicken, pasta and salads to choose from that keep people coming back year after year. Oh, and don't forget to get a homemade dessert before you leave; they truly put the icing on the cake.

Chef AJ Johnson has been with Awful Arthur's for 25 years and in 2011 was promoted to head chef and kitchen manager. Consistency and customer service are two of AJ's hallmarks as a chef, and many of the restaurant's regular customers wouldn't consider it a complete experience without a visit from him. AJ attributes Awful Arthur's enduring reputation to the effort of the staff led by Whitehead, with some employees having been with the restaurant for more than two decades.

If longevity is any indication of quality, it's no surprise that over the past three decades, Awful Arthur's has become a favorite among both locals and visitors.

Now come and taste the fresh seafood that started that reputation!

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Also, stop by next door at Awful Arthur's Beach Shop for great logo apparel, resort wear, fashion jewelry coastal décor and everything for the beach. Get your $2 off coupon from the Outer Banks Visitors Guide or the Outer Banks GoGuide or print out the coupon above.

 

SPECIAL PROFILE

Shuckin' Good

Awful Arthur's is a Seafood-Lover's Paradise

Over the past 40 years, Awful Arthur's has firmly established itself as a local landmark on the Outer Banks, beginning as the first authentic oyster bar. Located in Kill Devil Hills across from the Avalon Fishing Pier, the popular restaurant stays busy particularly during the peak summer months. In its welcoming, casual atmosphere, Awful Arthur's serves up a full menu of fresh seafood including oysters, fish, shrimp and crab legs to burgers, steaks and pasta. According to Awful Arthur's owner Jo Whitehead, they source their seafood locally, when available, and source from other areas close by. Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper and Flounder are the types of fish on the menu, which offers something for everybody.

“One major thing we learned early on is that the consistency of food and service is really important,” Whitehead says. Along with the tasty food, guests enjoy speaking with the restaurant’s friendly staff, making it a favorite dining spot for both locals and repeat out-of town visitors. Many of the employees have worked there for more than 20 years, with the kitchen manager’s tenure now over 30 years, which Whitehead credits as a major reason for the restaurant’s success. “People definitely like to see how many faces they recognize from year-to-year,” Whitehead says. “I think people enjoy that and it has been another large part of the success.”

Awful Arthur's relaxed beach vibe combined with the lively activity surrounding its unique copper-topped oyster bar, with views of oysters, clams and shrimp being prepared behind the bar, add to the ambiance.

A long-time Outer Banks resident, Whitehead believes in supporting the local community, holding the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and Outer Banks Community Foundation close to her heart. “The community here helps each other out tremendously; it’s a very giving community,” Whitehead says.

While at the restaurant, do some shopping at Awful Arthur’s Beach Shop just steps away, where you will discover Awful Arthur's logo apparel, beach items, souvenirs, snacks, ice and much more.

–Interview by Julie Matthews

 

THANK YOU for Voting Us a Winner in the BEST OF OBX Contest!
2024-2025 GOLD WINNER
Best Oyster Bar

MP 6 Beach Road
Kill Devil Hills
awfularthursOBX.com
252-449-2220

 

Kill Devil Hills
252-441-5955
Hours
  • Monday11:00AM-09:00PM
  • TuesdayCLOSED-CLOSED
  • WednesdayCLOSED-CLOSED
  • Thursday11:00AM-09:00PM
  • Friday11:00AM-09:00PM
  • Saturday11:00AM-09:00PM
  • Sunday11:00AM-09:00PM
Categories
Restaurants Shopping
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Sandy Run Park

Sandy Run Park leads its visitors through the heart of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve, one of the largest maritime forests remaining in North Carolina. Completed in two phases, the park now encompasses 1600 acres of marshland, waterways and maritime forest. The park features a wooden boardwalk, two gazebos, a fishing and many more amenities for the enjoyment of the area's natural beauty and wildlife. On a stroll through the park you will likely run into many of the area's indigenous creatures and plants.Just after entering the park, and next to the ample parking area you’ll find a covered picnic pavilion, a putting green, cookout grills and a basketball half court. Below the pavilion is a canoe and kayak access deck. Beyond this recreation and picnic area is a half-mile loop, mostly boardwalk, that will take you on a scenic and educational tour of a large section of the Preserve, where wildlife and plants are identified by plaques placed along the route. At the first gazebo stop is another kayak and canoe access where you’re sure to see many yellow-bellied slider turtles swimming all around and an Osprey family nesting above. Other creatures you may get a glimpse of include deer, otter, egrets, raccoons and even a nutria. Also along the boardwalk you’ll find an observation deck and a pier for fishing (license required). The fishing pond is stocked with several varieties of fish, including brim and bass..Sandy Run Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Although the cost is free, the natural serenity and beauty it offers is priceless.

Brew Thru

Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Drive-Through Beer & Gear

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

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