Restaurants
Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill
The restaurant features an all-you-can-eat Mongolian buffet. Diners grab a bowl and fill it, following recipes printed on the back of the menus and atop the buffet line, or they just make it up as they go along. Meats include beef, pork and chicken; veggies include carrots, cabbage and mushrooms, and customers can top it off with a wide variety of sauces and spices, from mellow to spicy. 1800 Skibo Road. 826-3646 or www.crazyfiregrill.com
Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's fare goes by colorful names such as the "Art Vandalay" (a burrito) and the "Billy Barou" (nachos). Customers can have their food made to order and watch it being prepared. Then, they can top it off with any of the salsas and hot sauce on the salsa bar. The chain was founded in 2000 and has grown to include more than 400 restaurants. 201 N. McPherson Church Road. 826-6637 or www.moes.com
Big Dawg's Burgers and Fries
Mickey Hudson's family founded Morty Pride Meats, a Linden food wholesaler, nearly 40 years ago. Now the Fayetteville native serves up burgers, hot dogs, chicken salad, barbecue and more at his own restaurant near the Cape Fear River at the site of the former Williford's restaurant. Traditional breakfast choices such as eggs, bacon and country ham also are available. 1006 Person St. 424-3294
Orchid Garden
Since coming to Fayetteville from Thailand 30 years ago, Kampun "Nang" Attaway has employed her cooking skills at local restaurants including Thai Pepper and Asian Express. Then she founded Orchid Garden, specializing not only in the cuisine of her native country but other Asian countries, as well. Popular dishes include the Thai beef salad, duck noodle soup and Pad Thai noodles. 5048 Yadkin Road. 864-2305
Bella Villa Italian Restaurant
While so many restaurants come and go, Bella Villa has been a Fayetteville tradition for more than 20 years. Longtime customers love the homemade sauces used in dishes such as lobster ravioli, chicken alfredo, pizzas and shrimp and chicken. The restaurant features cozy booths with fresh flowers and romantic lighting. 201 S. McPherson Church Road. 867-1199
Locks Creek Seafood Grille and Oyster Bar
The restaurant is described as "polished casual." It features fresh catch including yellow fin tuna and rainbow trout, as well as non-seafood choices such as chicken barbecue and pork baby back ribs. The restaurant is part of the Campbellton Landing property off Person Street near the banks of the Cape Fear River. The oyster bar can be opened to outdoor seating, and a 70-seat patio overlooks Locks Creek. 1130 Person St. 323-5625.
Skibo Skillet
The breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant is in the building near Cliffdale Road that once housed a Backyard Burgers and still features that chain's distinctive rooftop cupola. The skillet dishes are served on a bed of sliced potatoes and bear the names of area locales, such as the Haymount Skillet and Hope Mills Skillet. Other choices include club croissant sandwich, grilled hamburger and New York strip steak. 1992 Skibo Road. 630-1992
Belmont Village
The restaurant started with reservation-only fine dining on Friday nights. The owners later added Wednesday lunch hours. Diners love the restaurant's lunch sandwiches and salads and filet mignon and almond-crusted chicken for dinner. Other favorites include lobster bisque and seared duck breast. 1104 Hay St. 485-8433.
Circa 1800
Local businessman Kirk deViere opened the restaurant this summer, hoping to bring a little downtown flair to Fayetteville. The interior, decorated with large canvas paintings of the city, features a warm feeling set off by gold and red tones and a dark wood bar. Dishes such as Cajun grouper and tenderloin tips are on the menu. 108 Person St. 568-4725 or go towww.trycirca.com
Speed Demon Bar and Grill
Although the restaurant is attached to a motorcycle accessories shop, this is no biker bar. The clean, bright atmosphere, in which burgers, subs, chicken sandwiches and other fare are served, attracts families, as well as two-wheel enthusiasts looking for an affordable, tasty meal. Army veterans Bill and Mary Mathews opened the restaurant in 2006. 4400 Bragg Blvd. 487-9490
The Pancake House
The all-breakfast restaurant, located next to a Quality Inn, reopened to the public last year after a time limiting service to guests of the motel. Along with a wide variety of pancakes, diners can order omelettes, French toast, sausage and more. 2025 Eastern Blvd. 484-4345