10 Best Restaurants In Franklinton, NC

January 18th, 2023

Restaurants | Life in Raleigh
10 Best Restaurants In Franklinton, NC

Best Restaurants In Franklinton, NC 

Are you looking for the best restaurants in Franklinton, NC? Follow along as we discuss some of the restaurants we deem to be the best in the area! 

Franklinton is a town in Franklin County, North Carolina. The city is small but is evolving every day. There are many things to do in the city, including museums, recreation, dining, shopping, and more! Since Franklinton is small, residents and visitors will also travel to the nearby towns for things to do! 

The dining options in Franklinton are great! You can find various cuisine types throughout the town and restaurants that have been around for decades. Follow along while we dive into some of the best! 

best restaurants franklinton nc graphic with fried chicken and empanadas

Raleigh Realty is a local real estate company that specializes in helping those through the home buying and selling process. While that is our primary focus, we also enjoy providing helpful guides to your new area. On our website, you can find guides, tips, and tricks to the triangle and surrounding areas. 

In this guide, we're going to discuss the best restaurants in Franklinton. Let's get into it! 

Jamaican Patty Shack 

The Jamaican Patty Shack in Franklinton has excellent reviews and serves premium and authentic Jamaican delicacies. They started as just a small food outlet that only offered food to-go. As the community learned about Jamaican Patty Shack and it became more popular, they expanded their team and now serve over 100 customers daily. 

The featured delicacies at Jamaican Patty Shack are Jamaican Patties, Oxtail and vegetables, jerk chicken rice and peas, and seafood. Their delicacy changes daily, and the price depends on how much/what you get. Take a look: 

Small plates are $9, and large plates are $11 (with two sides) 

Small oxtail is $13.75, and large oxtail is $15.75 (Saturday only) 

Shack patties: mild, spicy, & curry chicken for $2.75

On Tuesdays, they serve jerk chicken, curry chicken, or barbeque chicken. On Wednesdays, they serve jerk chicken and oxtail. On Thursdays, they serve jerk chicken and brown stew chicken. On Fridays, they serve jerk chicken and seafood; on Saturdays, they serve jerk chicken and oxtails. Extra sides are shack steamed cabbage, shack rice and peas, shack mac, shack plantains, and shack coco bread. 

Roma Pizza 

Roma Pizza is a local staple in Franklinton that provides delicious dishes and a friendly atmosphere. The extensive menu offers pizza, calzones, appetizers, and all your pizza shop favorites! 

The full menu includes hand-tossed pizza, appetizers, subs, gourmet pizzas, pick-up specials, delivery specials, salads, wings, calzones, pasta, burgers, gyros, and desserts! The pasta is super delicious and filling. You can choose between spaghetti & meatballs, spaghetti, baked ziti, Roma's lasagna, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, cheese manicotti, chicken alfredo, and shrimp alfredo! 

The main reason to visit Roma's is for their pizza! Gourmet pizza options include meat pizza, veggie pizza, deluxe pizza, Hawaiian pizza, chicken bacon ranch pizza, BBQ chicken pizza, garlic chicken pizza, chicken fajita pizza, chicken parmesan pizza, chicken alfredo pizza, eggplant parmesan pizza, garden pizza, Philly steak pizza, white spinach pizza, shrimp alfredo pizza, and Roma's delight pizza. You can check out their website for details and ingredients of each pizza - all are delicious! 

Mason X Main 

Although Mason X Main is technically a coffee shop, they have delicious pastries and deli options! Mason X Main is new to the area but has quickly become a favorite in the town. The vibe is vibrant and welcoming and is fitting for all ages! 

For a coffee shop, they have great food options! Breakfast items include bagels with plain cream cheese or egg, cheese, sausage/bacon, waffles, breakfast paninis, french toast, avocado toast, and more! Some paninis include the three-cheese griller, the CBR panini, and the BBQ chicken panini. The CBR comes with grilled chicken, bacon, and delicious creamy ranch! Lastly, they have yummy sandwiches, such as build-your-own options, Turk-A-Jack, BLTA, and more! The Turk-A-Jack is a fan favorite and is turkey, pepper jack cheese, topped with avocado and served on a croissant with mayo, onions, tomato, and lettuce! Additionally, they want to add salads to the menu and accept any ideas or suggestions! 

mason X main front entrance sign

Toros Taco + Tequila 

Toros Taco + Tequila was founded and created by a group of friends who enjoy eating, drinking, and making fantastic food with one another. Their passions led them to open Toros Taco + Tequila, and it has quickly become a place where people from all over Franklinton can enjoy delicious dishes and a comfortable environment. 

The menu at Toros Taco + Tequila encompasses freshness and creativity. It includes monthly specials, street tacos, gringo tacos, burritos, quesadillas, favorites, antojitos, toro's bowls, salads, sides, kid's, and desserts! Our favorites are the Quesadilla Al Pastor - adobo marinated pork, cheese, pineapple, Pico De Gallo, and habanero glaze. 

There are many favorite dishes at Toros Taco + Tequila. These dishes include ACP, AC steak, ACC, ACP trio, Carne Azada fries, pizza birria, chicken tortilla soup, nachos locos, Mexican burgers, wings, Carne Azada, and carnitas!

They also serve delicious margaritas and adult beverages that pair perfectly with their tacos! 

Elis Tavern 

Eli's Tavern is an upscale restaurant and bar serving food from scratch, craft cocktails, and great wine and beer. 

Dinner at Eli's Tavern is served daily from 4 pm to 9 pm, and the menu is sectioned off into small and larger plates. Some small plates include pimento cheese, flash-fried calamari, herb-roasted wings, warm stuffed piquillo peppers, and more! Larger dishes include Angus sirloin, braised short rib, bucatini pasta, fried gulf shrimp, and grits. The menu is upscale and on the pricier side. My favorite dish is the butternut squash mac and cheese with peas, parmesan, aged cheddar, and prosciutto. 

To pair with your dish, you can select one of their seasonal cocktails, mainstays, on-tap beers, bottled beer, or wine! My favorite is the prickly pear margarita - Lunazul Blanco, jalapeno, lime, and salt. The wine menu includes whites, reds, caravan, and sparkling options. You can order a glass or a bottle for the table. 

elis tavern friends with drinks

Sugar Grinders Creamery and Bakery 

If you're looking for a tasty treat, stop by Sugar Grinders Creamery and Bakery! The owner started her baking journey in her house in 2012 and took inspiration from her grandmother's baking. Today, she passes that love and knowledge down to her daughter, who bakes beside her. They sell delicious baked goods in their store using old-fashioned techniques and care in every dessert they serve. 

At Sugar Grinders, they sell custom wedding cakes, birthday cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. Services and made-to-order options include pound cakes, layered cakes, single/half dozen/full dozen cupcakes, 3D designer cupcakes, custom 3D cakes for children/adults, and wedding cakes. 

Every service they offer is customizable and made to your preference. For example, you can order a layered cake or visit the storefront for an individual slice. Cakes come in the flavors red velvet, classic yellow cake, 5-flavor, lemon, coconut, strawberry, peachsicle, peach cobbler, pineapple, chocolate, German chocolate, butter pecan, butter rum, caramel macaroon, coconut cheesecake, carrot, cinnamon roll, peach bellini, tropical lemonade, and basil french! 

Sugar Grinders offers many delicious treats in many flavors. The next time you're craving something sweet, stop by Sugar Grinders for a slice of cake or a half dozen cupcakes! 

Owls Roost Brewery 

Owls Roost Brewery is a famous restaurant/brewery located on Main St. They are committed to serving the community by providing excellent craft beer and pizza. Customers love visiting Owls Roose Brewery for their live music, delicious food, outdoor seating, select beers, and more! They have a wide variety of pizza, beer, cheese dip, wings, etc., and multiple beers on tap, spirits, and wine. This is a great place to visit after shopping on Main St or for girls' night, date night, or live music! 

chicken wings with sauce and celery sticks

Johnny Bulls Steakhouse 

In the neighboring town of Louisburg, you have Johnny Bulls Steakhouse. Johnny Bulls was named one of the best ten steakhouses in North Carolina. The restaurant blends traditional steakhouse fare with home-cooked and country-style specials. Johnny Bulls has a cozy main dining room, two private dining rooms, the bullpen, the bull cute, a full-service bar, and catering equipment. 

The menu at Johnny Bulls includes lunch, appetizers, favorites, seafood, and steaks. Steak options include chopped steak, sirloin, ribeye, filet, or prime rib. All steak entrees are served with your choice of baked potato, sweet potato, steamed veggies, french friends, soup, or salad. You can also choose a fixup for your steak, including a marinade, mushrooms & onions, a shrimp skewer, or a scallop skewer.

Other favorites at Johnny Bulls Steakhouse include grilled chicken, pork chops, pulled pork, hot dogs, bull burgers, steak sandwiches, french dip, and more! 

The bullpen and bull chute are open for reservations and private parties. You can pre-arrange a meal from their menu or custom-build a feast for your guests!

Johnny Bulls steakhouse steak and sides

The Slammer 

The Slammer is not a restaurant, but we needed to take advantage of the opportunity to mention this beauty of Franklin County! The Slammer is the only exclusive speakeasy in Franklin County! The Slammer highlights the prohibition era style with a hidden entrance. The bar was converted from the old Franklinton jail, so they also incorporated ancient remains from the prison. The custom car is former inmate cells, and the private dining area is the old holding area. Entertainment at the Slammer includes live music, horseshoes in the yard, and hidden wines and spirits. For those that don't know, a speakeasy was a secret bar that operated in backrooms during the prohibition era when it was illegal to sell or consume alcohol. 

The Slammer is the perfect spot for a nightcap after a filling meal or a walk around Franklinton!

Hometown Cafe 

Hometown Cafe is a staple in Franklinton and offers old-fashioned southern cooking. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, seafood, and more! Meal plates include southern fried chicken, country fried chicken with gravy, hamburger steak with onions and gravy, baked BBQ chicken, pork tenderloin, and other southern favorites. The seafood options are tilapia, catfish, flounder, salmon patties, and shrimp. 

The breakfast options at Hometown Cafe include three-egg omelets, two eggs any way with a side, the breakfast bowl, the farmer's platter, pancakes, waffles, and french toast. The farmer's platter is two eggs cooked any way you'd like, served with bacon, sausage, cured ham, hashbrowns or grits, toast or biscuit, and two small pancakes. 

Hometown Cafe is one of the favorites in Franklinton, where you can expect good service, southern-style food, and a welcoming small-town environment. 

Best Restaurants in Franklinton, NC - Final Thoughts

It's safe to say that Franklinton has many great restaurants. Many restaurants in the town are located on Main St., considered the downtown area of Franklinton. With the recent population growth, it is expected that Main street will see many new developments, including new restaurants! It will be great for residents to see continuous growth, try new things, and add new restaurants to their favorites! Whether you live in Franklinton or plan on visiting the area soon, we highly recommend checking out these restaurants, bakeries, and breweries, and feel free to leave suggestions or let us know what you think!

If you're interested in moving to the area and looking at real estate, we'd be happy to help! Contact us or visit our website to be connected to one of our phenomenal agents

If you found our guide to the best restaurants in Franklinton useful, please share it with friends and family! Lastly, check out some of our other articles

Moving to Franklinton

Things to do in Franklinton 

Best neighborhoods in Franklinton

 

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Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald

Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!