Beachy, compact bar & grill serving up seafood, craft beers & internationally inspired pub grub.
J_okayyy
Stopped for a bite. It’s a very small place but everything was absolutely delicious. We wanted grilled instead of fried seafood and we got the tacos and they were amazing. The pretzel was absolutely enormous. Would definitely come by again. The owner was working and was very nice. The margarita prickly pear was delicious and they even had fresh squeeze blood orange juice to add to the top of the beers.
… moreSuzanna B
Loco Joe’s in Southport is an absolute gem. The food is consistently excellent—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every dish we ordered was cooked perfectly and packed with bold taste. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, making it a great spot whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal.
What really sets Loco Joe’s apart is the service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely seems to care about their customers. You never feel rushed, and they’re happy to make recommendations or accommodate requests.
If you’re in Southport and looking for a place with great food, great service, and a local feel, Loco Joe’s is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back.
… moreB English
Feels like a local place. Great food with fast friendly service. Tried the special, catch of the day over lemongrass curry. Fish was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The curry had a little bit of spice to it but not uncomfortable, a cup of rice on the side. The Fish and Chips order was a very generous portion, with a side of homemade chips.
… moreLaurie Register
Loco Joe’s is a local gem. For my husband and I, it’s like walking into “Cheers” where everybody knows your name and Nikki (the co owner) greets you with a smile and (my) favorite Chardonnay! It’s always a challenge to pick an entree because everything is so darn delicious. From the fish tacos (with fresh cilantro), to the Buddha Bowl (can’t get anywhere else), cheeseburgers, Korean chicken sandwich, asian cucumber salad, duck wings, curry, and more, there is something for everyone.
To Southport visitors who have posted negative comments, you don’t get it. Here, we sit at the bar next to one another rather than putting a chair between ourselves and another diner. It’s called Southern Hospitality and allows the restaurant to serve more patrons. There’s plenty of room.
And, like all restaurants in the area, you aren’t seated until your entire party arrives.
There’s a wait? Of course, Nikki and team will gladly serve you a drink as you wait outside. There’s no rush. You’re in Southport.
We see lots of families at Loco Jo’s but remember, it’s a small bar/restaurant and not great for big groups or little kids. You can always order takeout! It’s crazy how fast the food is ready.
So come, enjoy our Loco Jo’s, be nice to the staff, and go with the flow. It’s truly a place where “everybody knows your name.”
… moreCourtney Keaton
The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive. The food was great! We started with the jumbo pretzel, then got the blackened tuna tacos and Bahn Mi. Everything was excellent, and there were many more tempting items on the menu I look forward to trying in the future. I’d definitely recommend this little place!
… moreSTEVEN HOPKINS (BIG STEVE/HUNGRY BIKER)
I might sound a bit like Guy Fieri on this one because this is just the kind of place Diners,Drive Ins & Dives, and I love to find and talk about.
Loco jo’s is one of those discreet very small hidden in the corner of a small business complex that you may just walk right past because it looks like it could be just another normal local pub with the same old boaring pub food, but NO, it is anything but that.
The menu here may be a bit small to some standards but the elevated and creatively Asian inspired dishes along with some normal pub favorites that are created In the kitchen rivaled many Asian and american restaurants I’ve had in the past. Every dish that came to our table far exceeded what any of us expected. From the crispy fried ribs to the lemon grass curry with seared tuna and the banh mi sandwich, every dish made to order with the freshest ingredients as possible. I would have loved to be in that kitchen watching the chef and crew working up these meals that were coming out in record time. Along with a great local vibe and an excellent wait staff that is very attentive I’ll guarantee you’ll fall in love with this place as much as we did, so you ever find yourself in Southport NC or any where remotely close you gotta go give this place a try,
#ncfoodie #ncfoodblogger #supportlocal #southportnc
… moreChip Ellis
My wife and I have been coming to Loco Jo’s regularly since moving to Southport in 2022. We have lunch here at least once a week, and we always bring friends here when they visit. The food is particularly good, with a unique Asian and island flair. There is no shortage of decent seafood restaurants in Southport, but Nikki and Chuck pull off fresh fish and seafood with unique pairings and flavors that never get old. If you’ve had your fill of flounder baskets, you owe it to yourself to try the unicorn fish blackened and served over rice, on a salad, in a sandwich or in tacos. Or fried, with a side of slaw and curly fries if that’s what you prefer, I promise you’ll keep coming back. If seafood is not your thing, or you just aren’t in the mood, there are plenty of chicken, beef, and pork options to satisfy you. The boom boom cauliflower is to die for. The spring rolls are almost a meal in themselves, be sure to ask for the hot mustard. Their weekly specials never disappoint, and some of those have found their way to the regular menu due to their popularity. If gluten is an issue for you, Nikki understands your needs and has your bases covered. Their beer, wine, and mixed drink selections are as consistently good as the food, and you can even get a drink to go and enjoy it at home. The restaurant is small, but cozy, clean, casual, and welcoming, with a huge eat-at bar if you want to sit close to the action. The staff is friendly, helpful, and very accommodating. Yes, getting a table can be a challenge at peak times, but be patient, it’s busy because the food and service delivers, and people know it. Be sure everyone in your party is present when you ask for a table. It’s a fair ask, and is key to their serving all their patrons in a fair and timely manner. Check out their menu and specials on Facebook and give them a try, you’ll be glad you did. And if you’re a local, I’ll bet you become a regular too.
… moreSteve Sherron
This is an excellent little spot to grab some delicious food and a drink. It’s kind of a locals type spot and everyone is welcome. I had their famous cheeseburger and it is awesome. My wife loved the fish tacos. Great service.
… moreScarlett Howell
Always a must go to when I’m visiting Southport. The phenomenal service is only outshined by the craft cocktails and delicious food. Be sure to try the egg rolls! The owners even stopped by our table to check on us. Great food, great service, great atmosphere!
… moreErik Bathe
UPDATE-12/27/2022 Another awesome experience. Ordered the half chicken Jamaican Jerk special and it did not disappoint…Very good food, I heard they are just re-opening. Recommended from a local and it was great, friendly atmosphere but limited seating. Might have to wait to get a seat but worth the wait.
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