The Captain’s Kitchen, Salter Path and Emerald Isle, North Carolina

One of the many joys of going to the beach in North Carolina is the local shrimp burgers. They’ve been a big part of the local food culture for decades, and places like The Big Oak and El’s have fed generations of visitors. They’ve all fed me, as have so many other places, and I was very happy with their products, especially the Big Oak’s, which I’d proclaimed the Best Shrimp burger.

Six years ago, thanks to a tip from my nephew Henry Tanner, I found out about a new shrimp burger place, a food truck called the Captain’s Kitchen.

There have been many world-transforming inventions and advances, like the invention of moveable type, air conditioning, and the iPhone. Add to those the Captain’s shrimp burger. It more than doubled the shrimp count of The Big Oak and El’s, the line management was outstanding, and the Captain’s shrimp burger tasted better. Since then, I’ve been back many times and conducted comparisons with the competition, and the Captain’s remained the best.

Our first meal at the beach after a family lunch at Wilber’s was corn, tomatoes, and burgers cooked by Michael, the burger guru, in our rental. My nephew Jimbo and his son, Jack, joined us, and it was a great family time — and great burgers. We rose the next day, and for lunch we made a beeline for the Captain.

I got in line and was surprised not to see the Captain at the window. That was unsettling, but even worse was to learn that the Captain had retired. Could standards be maintained? I took the orders. Super Shrimp Burgers for Nancy and me, still $8, the same price as in 2018!

And one for the girls to share.

What a great sandwich! Still the GOAT. Just look at those shrimp! They’re fresh and beautifully cooked. It used to be a half pound, but it’s hard to tell if there’s been any “shrinkflation” in part because I start eating the strays as soon as I unwrap the sandwich. I don’t see how there couldn’t be, the way all other prices have risen, and I wouldn’t blame them a bit. At any rate, the Super Shrimp Burger remains big enough that you shouldn’t really eat all of it.

Liza chose a Super Scallop Burger ($13 — Champagne tastes).

She didn’t eat the strays before I took the picture. Such willpower!

Michael, who had actually reviewed the latest menu, ordered the “Skeeter Don Burger,” a cheeseburger with shrimp, pickles, onion, chili, and clam/crab dip.

There’s a lot going on there. I find it hard to imagine how it all works together. It’s a lot like the Chesapeake Burger, which is beyond delicious, but I wonder about the chili. Michael certainly liked it!

That’s what I was asked to order. As I was looking at the menu, I decided to add some hushpuppies — I mean, I was in North Carolina, after all —

and some fried dill pickle chips, which I hadn’t noticed on the menu before.

Delicious.

As I was waiting for our order, I noticed a guy in line wearing a Flora-Bama t-shirt. I gave him a Roll Tide, and we chatted a bit. He’s from Nashville — the one in Tennessee — and a big fan of the Captain’s Kitchen. One of many. There was, as always, a line to order and, since the sun was giving us a break, the picnic tables were full.

What a great lunch! And at what a low price! Where else can you overeat fresh and well-cooked seafood for that little? This area, from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle, is a wonderful spot for a beach vacation — relaxed, uncrowded, and so many spots for delicious food. Take a trip down, and grab some sandwiches from the Captain’s Kitchen.

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