News Summary
Kill Devil Grill in Kill Devil Hills has secured the title of Best Soft-Shell Crab Dish at the Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week for the second consecutive year. Garnering 285 votes from a total of 887 cast, the restaurant showcased a unique dish featuring cornmeal fried jumbo soft crab, underscoring the community’s strong support for local seafood. Executive Director Lee Nettles praised their accomplishment and expressed hopes for a third consecutive win in the upcoming year. The event celebrated local dining and the rich culinary heritage of the Outer Banks.
Kill Devil Hills, NC – Kill Devil Grill has been awarded the title of Best Soft-Shell Crab Dish at the 2025 Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week. This accolade is particularly notable as it marks the restaurant’s second consecutive win in this category.
The Kill Devil Grill received an impressive 285 votes during the voting period, which revealed strong community support for the establishment’s culinary offerings. A total of 887 votes were cast across the event, indicating robust participation among residents and visitors alike in celebrating local seafood cuisine.
In the contest, the top five vote-getters were:
- Kill Devil Grill
- Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café
- Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill
- Blue Moon Beach Grill
- Café Pamlico
Lee Nettles, the executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, extended congratulations to Kill Devil Grill for its impressive ability to defend its title. Nettles also took a moment to thank all 36 additional restaurants that participated, showcasing their creativity and flavors during the week-long event.
Event Overview
The Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week celebrates the native blue crabs of the region and encourages local dining establishments from Duck to Cape Hatteras and Roanoke Island to showcase their unique dishes featuring soft-shell crabs. Throughout the week, diners could explore an array of culinary offerings at the participating restaurants.
Guests voted for their favorite dishes using QR codes conveniently available at each restaurant location. The high voter turnout reflects an engaged community eager to support local restaurants and the commercial fishing industry.
Winning Dish Details
The winning development at Kill Devil Grill featured a specially crafted dish: cornmeal fried jumbo soft crab served over a jalapeño noodle cake. This flavorful combination was enhanced with Tajin smoked shrimp, topped with a vibrant mango and pineapple salsa, and finished with a honey lime glaze.
Joni Gray, the general manager of Kill Devil Grill, expressed gratitude to their patrons for their overwhelming support and enthusiastic voting during the event. The win is a testament to the team’s dedication to culinary excellence.
Looking Ahead
Lee Nettles expressed hope that Kill Devil Grill would proudly display its award while also encouraging the restaurant to strive for a third consecutive win at the 2026 Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week. This anticipated contest is already generating excitement among local diners and restaurateurs.
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau also thanked diners who supported local restaurants and acknowledged the pivotal role of the commercial fishing industry in the region. With the conclusion of this year’s event, the Bureau is already looking forward to the 4th Annual Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week, scheduled for the following spring. The organization encourages participating restaurants to continue delivering culinary excellence that showcases the best of Outer Banks seafood.
Participating Restaurants
This year’s event included a wide variety of restaurants that played a significant role in highlighting the region’s gastronomic offerings. Some of the notable participating establishments included:
- 1587 Lounge and Restaurant
- Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar
- Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café
- Black Pelican Restaurant & Catering
- Blue Moon Beach Grill
- Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar
- Bonzer Shack Bar & Grill
- Café Pamlico
- Dirty Dick’s Crabhouse Nags Head
- Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill
- Greentails Seafood Market & Kitchen
- Henry’s Restaurant
- Jolly Roger Restaurant
- Kelly’s Outer Banks Catering
- Kill Devil Grill
- La Fogata Kitty Hawk Mexican Restaurant
- Lost Colony Tavern
- Lucky 12 Tavern
- Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill
- Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant
- Mulligan’s Grille in Historic Cottage Row
- NC Coast Grill & Bar
- Noosa Beach Grill
- Outer Banks Brewing Station
- Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop and Pub
- Red Drum Taphouse & Grill
- Red Sky Casual Dining and Cocktails
- Sandtrap Tavern
- Shipwrecks Taphouse & Grill
- Snow Bird Burgers and Cones
- South of KDG
- Steamers Restaurant
- Sugar Creek Restaurant
- Trio Restaurant & Market
- Two Roads Tavern
- Village Table & Tavern
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Wanchese Celebrates Crabbing Charters and Soft Shell Crab Week
Kill Devil Hills Wraps Up Successful 2nd Annual Outer Banks Soft-Shell Week
Additional Resources
- The Coastland Times
- Wikipedia: Soft-shell crab
- Eater Carolinas
- Google Search: Outer Banks Seafood
- Charlotte Magazine
- Google Scholar: Commercial fishing in North Carolina
- Northern Virginia Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Outer Banks
