Enjoy a brand new restaurant serving the same cuisine that wowed Guy Fieri in Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Choose from intriguing burgers, brisket, gourmet pot pies and macaroni and cheese layered with owner, James Smith's popular, tender brisket. The Fork n Cork Carolina Beach also offers a complete bar with 14 taps in its convenient location near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Dine inside or on their sidewalk patio. The constantly changing lunch, dinner and brunch menu gives patrons chances to experience traditional favorites or something different like Smith's famous duck burger dressed with country pate, fried egg, port wine cherry sauce, arugula and shaved onion.
Just two days after opening, Buzzfeed.com granted the restaurant the title of "best mac and cheese" in the state. “There are a lot of lists out there, but it’s still cool to know we came out on top,” said owner James Smith, of the list that was created by the media site via an algorithm of Yelp reviews. Smith said the Carolina Beach location is running smoothly now, having been open long enough to work out the initial kinks. He is still working on improving the building’s acoustics, which he said are a challenge given that the entire structure is composed of steel, concrete and glass.
The restaurant has partnered with The Veggie Wagon, another business with locations in Carolina Beach and Wilmington, for fresh ground beef. Max Sussman, co-owner of The Veggie Wagon, has created a custom whole-muscle grind for Fork n Cork, featuring grass-fed and grain-finished beef. The Veggie Wagon grinds the beef five days a week to ensure maximum freshness, and it often arrives at the restaurant within hours. Sussman said the grind is larger than most commercial grinds, which are often made from trimmings.
“We allow the ground meat to fall into a bag rather than forcing it into a cryovaced tube,” Sussman said. “It’s a different approach, and because the meat is so fresh and isn’t overworked before it even reaches the restaurant, it creates a different burger experience.” Smith said he also uses the ground beef in chili and meatloaf and looks forward to creating additional hearty dishes as the cold weather approaches.
“Our larger kitchen at the CB location allows us to play,” Smith said. As for the partnership, Sussman said he’s glad for the opportunity to provide Fork n Cork with the freshest possible ground beef for their burgers. He’s currently working on blends for some other local eateries as well, and is hopeful that the local demand for quality ground beef will grow.
Smith said he plans to launch a Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch at the Carolina Beach location by the first weekend in November. Guests will receive a pint glass with ice and vodka, which they will take to the bar for a create-your-own experience. The bar will feature two types of Bloody Mary mix, and a variety of toppings and hot sauces.
APPETIZERS
$12 - Fried Pickles - kosher dill pickles breaded and fried, served with house ranch
$13 - Classic Poutine - crispy fries topped with Wisconsin white cheese curds and a housemade veal-duck gravy
$7 - Scotch Egg · soft-boiled egg encased in spicy country sausage and bread crumbs, deep fried, and served with house stout mustard
$15 - Wellington Bites - cubed filet with mushroom duxelle, pate and prosciutto, baked in puff pastry and served with horseradish cream and port wine cherry sauce
$13 - Texas Poutine - homemade fries with our house smoked brisket, cheddar cheese and housemade barbecue sauce
$12 - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - fresh Brussels sprouts fried till slightly crispy with duck fat, pancetta, topped with parmesan and lemon zest. Served with green goddess
$13 - Fonduta - fontinella, gouda, and bleu cheese baked in a cast-iron skillet and topped with walnuts, honey, and chili flakes
$12 - Rattlesnake Bites - roasted jalapeños stuffed with shrimp, sweet com, bacon, cheddar and cream cheese. Deep fried and served with habañero jelly... watch out!!!
$16 - Toasted Crab Bread - our version of crab dip spread on French bread, topped with cheddar, fontinella and gouda cheeses, baked till bubbly and served with marinara
$16 - Smoked Lamb Ribs – applewood smoked lamb ribs glazed in house made blackberry-bourbon BBQ sauce and served with crunchy slaw
$14 - Duck Wings - deep fried confit duck wings served with choice of sauce
$13 - Smoked Chicken Wings – brined and smoked chicken wings, deep fried crispy, and tossed in choice of two sauces
- Nashville Hot Sauce - Roasted Peach BBQ
- Creole Rosemary Honey Mustard - Raspberry Chipotle
- Habanero Orange Marmalade - Hot Honey Garlic
- Sleeper Reaper
BURGERS
Burgers may be cooked to desired temperature but we highly recommend med well or below
$15 - Hot Mess - bacon, jalapeños, grilled onions, bleu cheese and cheddar, served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, mustard and mayo on a brioche bun
$15 - Hay Dios Mio - chipotle mayo, jalapeño jack cheese, ghost pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and jalapeños on a brioche bun
$14 - Kreider - extra bacon, peanut butter, served on a brioche bun
$17 - Duck Duck Goose Burger - ground duck patty, goose pate, fried duck egg, port wine cherry sauce, arugula, and shaved red onion
$15 - Kyle Style - Texas BBQ brisket, cheddar, BBQ sauce, pickle, onion and mustard
$12 - The Big Lew - traditional bacon, bacon cheese burger served "all the way"
$14 - Shwiss - mounds of caramelized shrooms and onions, Swiss cheese and mayo
$14 - Carolina Burger - homemade chili, slaw, cheddar and mustard. A local favorite!!!
$14 - Pimento Chz Burger - house pimento chz, BACON JAM, lettuce and tomato
$15 - Lamb Burger - ground lamb with mint and oregano, topped with feta cheese, cucumbers, red onion, tomato, and homemade tzatziki sauce
$14 - Not A Burger - house veggie burger topped with provolone, roasted red pepper, lettuce, tomato, avocado and roasted red pepper mayo
$11 plus toppings - Build Your Own Burger - Don't take our word for it, come up with your own creation. Start with an 8oz burger patty and go from there.
Burger toppings -American $2, Provolone $2, Cheddar $2, Smoked Cheddar $2, Swiss $2, Pepper Jack $.150, Gouda $1.50, Bleu Cheese $1.50,Ghost Pepper Jack $1.50, Homemade Pimento Cheese $2, Bacon $2, Sauteed Mushrooms $1.25, Sauteed Onions $1.25, Avocado $2, BACON JAM $2.50
Side Substitutions Available - Onion Rings $2, Sweet Potato Fries $2 House Salad $3, Caesar Salad $3
Beet Salad $4, Crispy Sprouts $5, Poutine Fries $5, Plain Mac n Chz $5
*** All sandwiches and burgers served with hand-cut fries. Other sides available ... ask for details***
***Housemade veggie burger or grilled chicken substituted on any sandwich at no extra charge***
***Impossible Burger (meatless option) is available for $3 upcharge***
SALADS
*Add Blackened Chicken - $5, Salmon - $8*
$10 - *Caesar - chopped romaine, parmesan, homemade croutons, and house Caesar
$10 - Mixed Greens - mesclun greens, shaved red onion, cucumber, & tomato
$14 - Roasted Beet Salad - arugula and mixed greens, walnuts, red onion, goat cheese, roasted red and golden beets, and walnut goat cheese vinaigrette
$17 - Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad - fried chicken breast over mixed greens with boiled egg, bacon, blue cheese, red onion, avocado and grape tomatoes
Housemade Dressings - Bleu Cheese, Ranch, Honey Mustard, 1000 Island, Creole Rosemary Honey Mustard, Walnut-Goat Cheese Vinaigrette, Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette, Red Wine Vinaigrette, Green Goddess
*These foods may be cooked to order Consuming raw or undercooked meats. poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness
SANDWICHES
$14 – Patty Melt - 8oz burger patty, Swiss, caramelized onions & mayo on toasted rye
$14 – Meatloaf - housemade meatloaf, mayo, lettuce, tomato, sourdough bread
$15 – Texas Brisket - 14 hour hickory and mesquite smoked brisket, red onions, pickles, house barbeque sauce on brioche
$15 – Music City Hot Chicken - crispy fried chicken tossed in a Nashville hot sauce with smoked cheddar, bacon, red onion, pickles, slaw and bleu cheese dressing
$10 – Build Your Own Grilled Cheese - choice of bread, cheese and added toppings.
$14 – Blackened Chicken - blackened chicken with pepper jack cheese, roasted red pepper mayo, lettuce and tomato on brioche
$15 – Reuben - house corned beef, kraut, house 1000 island & Swiss, on toasted rye
$16 – Salmon Club - grilled salmon filet, avocado, bacon, roasted red pepper mayo, ripe tomatoes, red onion and arugula on 9-grain bread
$15 – Crispy Chicken Sandwich - crispy battered chicken, Swiss cheese, bacon, stout mustard, lettuce and tomato on brioche
$14 – Chicken Salad - house made chicken salad with red grapes, diced apples, walnuts and tarragon mayo on 9-grain bread
$15 – Monte Cristo - fried turkey, ham, Swiss and American on wheat w/raspberry sauce
$17 – Chicken n Waffles - crispy fried chicken with smoked cheddar, bacon, sausage gravy, a sunny side egg and maple-cayenne butter on fresh buttermilk-pecan waffle
$16 - California Club - Sliced, herb roasted chicken breast, topped with bacon, Swiss, cheddar, arugula, shaved red onion, tomato, cucumber
avocado and Green Goddess on toasted sourdough bread
BRUNCH
$12 – Biscuits n Gravy – two biscuits with sausage gravy, topped with two sunny side up eggs* and served with home fries
$12 – Classic Breakfast – two eggs*, sausage, bacon, home fries, and choice of toast
$14 – Corned Beef Hash n Eggs – homemade corned beef with potatoes, peppers and onions, topped with two sunny side up eggs* and toast
$14 – Brisket Biscuit – two biscuits topped with Texas BBQ brisket, two sunny side up eggs*, finished with a creole mustard cream sauce and served with home fries
$13 – French Toast – sticky toffee pudding beer battered French toast topped with a bourbon-pecan caramel sauce and served with bacon and fruit
$14 – Crispy Chicken n Biscuits – two sliders with our crispy chicken on buttermilk biscuits topped with cayenne maple-honey butter served with cayenne maple-honey butter served with home fries
$14 – Gravlax – salmon cured with fresh dill, juniper, and lemon served with a toasted bagel, boiled egg, shaved red onion, diced tomato, capers, cream cheese
A gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of 8 or more
*These foods may be cooked to order Consuming raw or undercooked meats. poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
FLATBREADS
$13 – Italian - homemade marinara sauce, provolone and fresh mozzarella cheese, hot Italian sausage, hand-cut pepperoni, Calabrian chilies, and fresh basil
$14 – Pulled Pork - sleeper reaper bbq sauce, smoked gouda, house made, smoked pulled pork, shaved red onion, fresh cilantro
$14 – Smoked Duck - house made vadaila onion-fig sauce, fontina cheese, smoked duck breast, caramelized onion, and fresh rosemary