Big Ed’s Raleigh – Classic Southern Breakfast the Locals Love!

If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic Southern style breakfast in Raleigh, then you’re going to want to head down to the local’s favorite Big Ed’s! Big Ed’s Raleigh, who have been serving up generous portions of Southern comfort food since 1958, starts by walking up the charming cobblestone streets in historic City Market.

Then upon entering this classic Raleigh breakfast staple, you’ll discover a laid-back restaurant vibe with a collection of funky antiques hanging from the ceiling.

Big Ed’s Restaurant has long been one of the local’s favorite places to eat in Raleigh, especially popular for their breakfast – think GIANT pancakes, country ham, warm service, and cozy vibes. In this guide, we share what we love about Big Ed’s and why it will become your favorite breakfast spot in the city.

What We Love About Big Ed’s Raleigh

1. An amazing vibe!

Southern hospitality and “country cookin’ at its best”. Food like what grandma used to make, in a place like grandpa would like to hang. You’ll enjoy home cooked Southern breakfast and lunch plates in a laid-back atmosphere with a collection of antique farm implements hanging from the old rafters and political memorabilia adorning the walls. You can dig into the biggest stack of pancakes you’ve ever seen whilst admiring antique snapshots of presidential candidates on the walls and listen to the Dixieland Band that plays every Saturday morning.

If you enjoy taking a step-back-in-time for some good ole’ country cookin’ with a rustic, old time feel, you’ll feel right at home here. The ambiance and décor make you want to linger a while, whilst the location in the heart of downtown is great if you want to walk around and explore more of Raleigh.

2. Authentic Southern dishes

When I think of Raleigh, Big Ed’s City Market restaurant immediately comes to mind with its old school charm, attentive service, and classic Southern dishes! On the menu are breakfast, brunch and lunch items, all very hearty and reasonably priced, served up on red and white checkered tablecloths with quick service.

The recipes were said to have been passed down through generations from Big Ed Watkins great-grandfather, and there are few places in Raleigh where you can experience such traditional dishes at such good value. Big Ed’s is famous for its Red-Eye Gravy. Gravy is a staple of Southern cooking, and pairs well with country ham dishes.

Popular menu items

Big Ed’s Raleigh is well known for their HUGE hot cakes (pancakes) which are literally the size of dinner plates. Some of the biggest pancakes I’ve seen in my life and just perfect for our kids to share! In fact, they have a “hot cake challenge” – if you eat it in 45-minutes or less you get a free t-shirt! 

Their local salty country ham and biscuits are to die for, I always order a serving of both. Also popular are the peach cobbler, fried catfish, sliced pork loin, fried chicken, country-fried steak, chicken and dumplings, and aged ribeye steak (I’m a steak and eggs guy). If you’re visiting for lunch, the traditional main dishes come with two sides of vegetables, from collard greens, yellow squash, butter beans or black-eyed peas.

Now, I’m not a sweet tea drinker, and just like North Carolina’s other indulgence, Cheerwine, I just can’t acquire the taste for it, sorry guys! But apparently their double-brewed sweet tea is one of the best. But, I am a lover of coffee, and whilst the coffee is served in a classic Big Ed’s branded mug which is cool, I don’t come here for their coffee, I’d much rather save that for a specialty coffee shop nearby like 42 & Laurence, The Morning Times, or Sir Walter Coffee. See my list of favorite coffee shops in downtown Raleigh. Oh, and our kids do enjoy their hot chocolates, French toast, and Cheese toasty!

3. Amazing service

As for the service, each time we’ve dined here I’ve found the staff to be warm and personable and knowledgeable of the menu with good suggestions – ya’ll are welcome here!

Getting To Big Ed’s

There are three locations for Big Ed’s in Raleigh, but their flagship branch is in downtown at City Market, 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh. This is the location we always go to and recommend visiting for breakfast. The two other Big Ed’s locations:

• Big Eds North is at 5009 Falls of Neuse Rd, North Raleigh.
• The third location is in Garner at 231 Timber Dr, Garner.

Parking

Parking near Big Ed’s Restaurant can sometimes be a challenge, especially on the cobblestone streets within City Market. We typically start by looking around the perimeter of Moore Square, so that’s E Martin St, S Person St, E Hargett St and S Blount streets. We’ve also found spots one block over on E Davie St. The nearest parking deck is a 5-minute walk away at the Moore Square Parking Deck (follow that link for other parking options!)

Opening Hours

Big Ed’s is open at the following locations at these hours:

• City Market: 8.00am – 2.00pm, Tuesday – Sunday
• Quail Corners Shopping Center: 7.00am – 8.00pm Tuesday – Friday, 7.00am – 2.00pm Saturday and Sunday
• Timber Crossings Shopping Center: 7.00am – 8.00pm Tuesday – Friday, 7.00am – 2.00pm Saturday and Sunday

Big Ed’s is closed on Mondays from all branches. They do not take reservations, so we recommend you get there early in case you have to wait for a table. It’s a popular spot, but usually you don’t have to wait longer than 10-15 minutes for a table.

The Verdict: Would we recommend Big Ed’s?

I have only dined at the Big Ed’s City Market location in downtown Raleigh, and for me that’s the perfect place for a Southern family breakfast to kick off your day in the City of Oaks. For me, you can’t get any more NC than Big Ed’s. It’s more than just a restaurant, but a slice of history. It’s the place we always take our friends from out of town, and go to for a special breakfast treat on weekends. We absolutely would recommend Big Ed’s!

Video: Big Ed’s Southern Breakfast in Raleigh

What is one of your favorite places to eat breakfast in Raleigh? Let us know in the comments.