The following is a perilous statement, particularly when we are speaking about Beaufort, North, which has such dining attractions as Beaufort Grocery Company and the Blue Moon, but we think Spouter Inn (218 Front Street, 252-728-5190, http://thespouterinn.com/) offers the very best food in town. But now, there’s even more!
During a June, 2012 cruise to Beaufort, we came strolling into Spouter’s main Front Street entrance, and were surprised and more than a little pleased by an entirely new, pastel color scheme running the full length of the entrance hall. Equally eye pleasing was a collection of local art displayed down the hallway. We soon learned that this same, new, light and airy color scheme had been carried throughout the entire dining establishment. Please be SURE to follow the “Click Here For Photo Gallery” link below to see for yourself.
After strolling down the hallway, we were, if possible, even more pleased to learn that more than the color scheme had changed. Part of the interior dining room has been converted to a very cozy bar, with a good view of Taylor Creek out the back. We stopped here for an “attitude adjustment,” and were totally charmed by this new enhancement.
We enjoyed two meals at Spouter Inn during this trip, and found the food just as good as ever. For lunch Karen’s Bird Shoal Sandwich, a delectable combination of egg salad, melted white cheddar cheese. bacon and leafy lettuce on whole wheat bread, and my crabcake in a pita pocket, were absolutely scrumptious. During our evening meal, the first-rate, first-mate was, as always, very taken with her mixed seafood grill (broiled), as I was with my decadent Scallops Parmigiana!
If your waistline can stand it, don’t miss Spouter’s dessert tray, and, particularly, their on-site bakery, which is found just to the right as you enter from Front Street. My oh my, my appetite is going crazy just typing this article.
Trust me on this one fellow cruisers, heed the call, and don’t dare miss Spouter Inn when next your vessel is snuggled into either Beaufort Town Docks or anchored on the tranquil waters of Taylor Creek.
And, very conveniently for we of the cruising persuasion, the westernmost of Beaufort/Taylor Creek’s two dinghy docks is located next door to Spouter Inn! What more could one ask for?
See you there!

Back on 3/12/12, we published a report here on the SSECN (see /?p=81815), about a new downtown Beaufort, NC grocery story that was about to open at the corner of Front and Queen Streets, within a block of the Beaufort Town Docks. At the time of our first visit, the store was just about to open, and things looked promising, but ever since, we’ve been itching to return and check out the finished product.
Well, that’s exactly what happened during the week of June 11, 2012. And what we found was MOST impressive. Really, with no exaggeration or embellishment, I can’t remember when I have ever seen such a well laid out, beautifully merchandised small grocery store as what we found at Taylor Creek Grocery (252-838-1495, 525 Front Street). PLEASE follow the “Click Here For Photo Album” button below to check out the visual images for yourself!
We also had occasion to twice try out the in-store deli, and we can attest that the Reuben and turkey sandwiches are first-rate, not to mention the fudge brownies.
So, when next your travels take your vessel to the shores of Taylor Creek, possibly North Carolina’s single most popular port of call, run, don’t walk to Taylor Creek Grocery. You won’t be sorry!

I guess quality has its price, but I was in that store last week, and the prices were outrageously high. So, enjoy, but bring a thick wallet.
Ed