So I've been here twice since my move to NC. I originally tastes and enjoyed the 'old" Penguin and heard of the transformations... So Pinky's I headed... And not to mention my father gave me the nickname Pinky since I was born.
The first visit I was starving and seeking grease to satisfy my belly. I was visiting from San Diego making my mind up whether or not to move the QC. San Diego doesn't have fried pickles and other greasy yummy morsels.
So I ordered the hush puppies, pimento cheese burger, regular coleslaw and fries... yes it was a major pig out... but I knew I'd have left overs to share later.
I really, really enjoyed that first meal...I mean really. I also had a beer and it all only come to $17 and then plus tip.
Okay... so then I return with my folks about two weeks later... and was really let down. The hamburger meat wasn't seasoned, the fries tasted like they had been double fried... the hush puppies... meh. And I know it's not a place to take my mom back to when she starts to 'play" with her food... Moms (who we call Snoopy) is an incredible, if not outstanding cook... I mean absolutely amazing -- I won't even cook for her because I never want to see her "playing" with the food I made. So that is a sign too.... inconsistency seems to be a problem plagued with so many restaurants.
Not sure if I will go back... but who knows. When my sister comes down from NYC I'm sure we will go-- she's the one that originally turned us on to Penguin YEARS ago... She loves them fried pickles - me not so much as I find them salty... but that's just me. And she loves the vegetarian items....