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Cypress Grill - Jamesville, NC

If you like fish, you will love NC river herring. And there is no better place to love it than at the Cypress Grill on the banks of the Roanoke River. Here is the last of the old-time herring shacks, quite literally a cypress wood shack, open only for the herring run, January through April. Leave appetite for the homemade pies.
100% Approval Rating (9 votes)
5 - Overall: Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Worth driving from anyplace

Must Eats

Herring & Roe ($7.00)
River Herring (2) ($5.00)
Chocolate Pie ($1.00)
Hush Puppies (N/A)
Salt Herring Fillets ($6.00)
Fried Perch ($7.00)

Written Reviews

rating
Michael Stern
Roadfood.com Editor
"For those of us who grew up thinking of herring as a pickled hors d'oeuvre, North Carolina river herring is a shock. For one thing, it looks like a fish. And for another, it really, really tastes like a fish. Not the least bit like chicken or anything else. If you like ..."   [Read More].

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Map & Directions

Yahoo Link
1520 Stewart St., Jamesville, NC
252-792-4175

Hours & Policies

Seasons:Spring
Meals Served:Dinner
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:No
Alcohol Served:No
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:No
Note how these raw herring have been scored all along their sides. This insures that they cook quickly, through-and-through.
"Note how these raw herring have been scored all along their sides. This insures that they cook quickly, through-and-through."
Michael Stern





A single herring is accompanied by a heap of roe. The side dishes are the classic Eastern North Carolina trio of boiled potatoes, cole slaw, and hush puppies.
"A single herring is accompanied by a heap of roe. The side dishes are the classic Eastern North Carolina trio of boiled potatoes, cole slaw, and hush puppies."
Michael Stern


When the river herring isn't available, Cypress Grill offers salt herring fillets (right foreground), which are thin, crispy and pack a powerful fish flavor.
"When the river herring isn't available, Cypress Grill offers salt herring fillets (right foreground), which are thin, crispy and pack a powerful fish flavor. "
buffetbuster


Proprietor Leslie Gardner shows some herring ready to be breaded and deep-fried.
"Proprietor Leslie Gardner shows some herring ready to be breaded and deep-fried."
Michael Stern


The Cypress Grill is understandably proud of their delicious homemade pies, including lemon, coconut and in this case, chocolate.
"The Cypress Grill is understandably proud of their delicious homemade pies, including lemon, coconut and in this case, chocolate."
buffetbuster


Inside, the Cypress Grill is cozy and pure country.  To the left, you can see the guest book that they ask out-of-towners to sign.
"Inside, the Cypress Grill is cozy and pure country. To the left, you can see the guest book that they ask out-of-towners to sign."
buffetbuster


The last of the Roanoke River herring shacks, Cypress Grill is open only January through April. That is the season for the herring run; but other piscatorial specialties include striped bass, flounder, oysters, perch, and catfish.
"The last of the Roanoke River herring shacks, Cypress Grill is open only January through April. That is the season for the herring run; but other piscatorial specialties include striped bass, flounder, oysters, perch, and catfish."
Michael Stern


The restaurant sits literally right next to the Roanoke River.
"The restaurant sits literally right next to the Roanoke River."
buffetbuster


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