Getting Your Shrimp and Grits (and more!) at The Big Eat 2019

By Jessica Thomas Lewis

We're about halfway through The Big Eat in Winston-Salem, with three more weeks to enjoy signature dishes from local restaurants at up to 50% off.   This year's Big Eat is running Tuesday evenings from January 8 - February 12.  Greensboro has their own Big Eat event that runs February 5 - February 26.

An annual event, The Big Eat helps local restaurants get through the slower winter months.  Between the two cities, there are nearly two dozen restaurants participating, representing a wide variety of flavors and styles.  These restaurants do tend to attract a lot of business on their Big Eat day!  Reservations are recommended at most locations. Dine in is required, and restaurants may run out of their signature dish, so get there early.

Shrimp and Grits at 6th and Vine, from their Facebook Page

Shrimp and Grits is a common theme at this year's The Big Eat.  Several of the restaurants have Shrimp and Grits on the menu, each prepared a little differently. At 6th and Vine, the Shrimp and Grits are served with Chorizo sausage, onions, peppers, cheddar, and shrimp in a creamy Cajun sauce.  At Bleu Restaurant & Bar, the Shrimp & Grits are served with Andouille Sauce, Creamy Grits, Spinach & Cherry Tomatoes.  The Old Fourth Street Filling Station's Carolina Shrimp N' Grits includes shrimp, andouille sausage, tomato, baby spinach, chipotle cream sauce, and a fried grit cake. You're only going to have one more opportunity this year to have some during The Big Eat; 6th and Vine is offering them on February 5 for only $7.

There are many seafood dishes offered this year, such as Seared Ahi Tuna Rare, Sauteed Black Pepper Crusted Jumbo Shrimp, and Pan Roasted Diver Sea Scallops at Bernardin's, Mussel's at Hutch & Harris, and PBR Mussels with country ham and charred bread at Krankies.

If you prefer steak or chicken, Jeffrey Adams is offering a 12 oz NY Strip and a 14oz Ribeye, the Chicken or Steak Fajita Plate at Señor Bravo, or Pho Chicken at Thai Harmony.

So many choices and there are many other signature dishes to choose from!

All of the featured entrees are listed on the Big Eat NC website here.   Try a new restaurant this Tuesday!