If you are looking for a traditional Outer Banks restaurant with elevated and modern offerings, look no further than the iconic Froggy Dog Restaurant in the heart of Avon. With its eclectic food and drink options that use only the freshest ingredients, lively nightlife scene, special wine events and welcoming staff, it’s no surprise that for the past three decades this beloved island landmark has been a local and visitor favorite.
The Froggy Dog has long been known for its fun, family-friendly vibe and ability to accommodate large groups, but it is also renowned for its famous weekly karaoke nights for adults 21 and older, popular theme nights throughout the summer, live music and more.
When it comes to The Froggy Dog’s menu, great attention to detail goes into each and every meal. Everything is made from scratch, and with a special focus on sourcing seafood locally.
“I don’t think many restaurants can even touch on the variety that we have on our menu,” says Blake Taft, who co-owns The Froggy Dog with his mother, Julia Taft. “We have offerings for not only seafood lovers, but also those who may not love seafood and prefer steak, pasta or other dishes.”
The Froggy Dog is one of the few restaurants on the Outer Banks that has separate stations and fryers for shellfish (good for people who have shellfish allergies) and can accommodate most dietary restrictions.
“We are really proud of that,” Blake says. “We are a team that is really dedicated to ensuring food safety when it comes to safeguarding our guests.”
The Froggy Dog knows that large groups like to dine together, and that’s not a problem here. In their spacious dining room they can seat as many as 25 guests together, and because of their ability to accommodate large groups, reservations are only required for parties of 10 or more. Wait times are always kept to a minimum, Blake adds, and great service is a priority.
As for the 21 and older crowd, the bar offerings at The Froggy Dog are second to none. The lemon and lime juices are freshly squeezed, and the sour mixes are made in-house with fresh ingredients.
“We pay attention to what goes into each glass,” Blake says, adding that the beer offerings are also updated every year to include local breweries. In fact, of the 12 drafts offered on tap, more than half of those are local or North Carolina beers. Those drafts are rounded out with a wide variety of craft bottles and cans as well as domestic options.
If it’s wine guests prefer, The Froggy Dog undoubtedly has one of the best wine selections on the island. Blake, who has dedicated a significant amount of time toward studying wine and viticulture, has hand-picked a selection of more than 50 wines that include whites, reds and sparkling wines from both the United States, Old World and many other distinctive wine-producing regions.
As you can see, The Froggy Dog is so much more than a restaurant with great food and great service. It’s a taste of island life that you don’t want to miss while you are on the Outer Banks.
Wine-Pairing Dinners
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind wine experience, The Froggy Dog is the place to go. Starting this summer, The Froggy Dog will host a five-course wine-pairing dining experience on select Tuesdays. Specific dates are announced on The Froggy Dog’s Facebook page and website. These unique wine-pairing experiences are by reservation only, for guests ages 21 and older and typically fill up every month. For each dinner The Froggy Dog Executive Chef Brandyn Powers works closely with Blake to curate a themed menu that is centered around wine.
“Usually, a sommelier pairs a wine to a dish that the guest has already decided on, but for this event, we hand-pick the wines first, then pair the food to the wines to ensure a beautiful pairing,” Blake says. “It’s a unique experience because you learn a lot about wine and viticulture, while enjoying some of the best food we have to offer.”
Nightlife
Froggy Dog Karaoke on Wednesday and Thursday nights for the 21 and older crowd is a long-standing staple of Hatteras Island nightlife. On Wednesday and Friday nights, you’ll definitely want to catch live music by Kim Kalman on the patio. Be sure to also check out The Froggy Dog’s theme nights held throughout the summer – from ’80s trivia nights to a special celebration of Harry Potter’s birthday on July 31, when the restaurant will be converted into a Harry Potter-themed world complete with cocktails that bubble and are set on fire! A full calendar of their nightlife offerings is available on the website.
(252) 995-5550
40050 NC Highway 12, Avon
froggydog.com
About the Author Michelle Wagner
Michelle has been writing about the Outer Banks for 25 years. She lives on Colington Island with her husband, two children and a number of dogs and cats.
