Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant serves traditional American Southern entrees. Guests can enter the restaurant, eat the best Southern meals in the city, and relax with family or friends. In 1958, Big Ed Watkins founded the restaurant and developed recipes by helping his mother prepare food for farm workers.

As a general rule, if a restaurant loudly proclaims itself the best of something, you should take it with a shaker full of salt—after all, how many dollar slice places claim to have New York City’s best pizza?. But Big Ed’s claims it has the best Southern-style home cooking in Raleigh, and it may very well be right. Big Ed—yep, he was a real guy—first opened this cafe in the ‘50s, and customers still line up for cooked-to-order breakfast dishes like hot cakes, ham with red eye gravy, fried catfish, and eggs scrambled with pork brains (yep, you read that right).

Whenever I have a friend visit Raleigh from out of town and I want to introduce them to Raleigh, and kick off the day with a classic Southern breakfast and hospitality, I take them to Big Ed’s. You don’t get more Raleigh than this quirky tavern!. Walking through Moore Square past the magnificent oak trees, then over the cobblestone streets in Historic City Market, and then inside for a hearty meal is an experience I never tire of myself – and makes for the perfect introduction to the City of Oaks.

There’s something about a restaurant with an ever-changing, handwritten menu – and that’s what you’ll find at Big Ed’s. Build a farm fresh country breakfast plate, pile up an omelet made with local eggs, go classic with hotcakes or fresh toast, or choose your favorites a-la-carte to create your perfect Raleigh brunch. Save room for dessert, where you can expect more Southern treatment to the tune of decadent banana pudding and the occasional pig pickin’ cake.

The sprawling dining room at this decades-old City Market landmark is packed with more bric-a-brac from bygone days than Grandma’s attic. The country-style food is every bit as nostalgic for native Carolinians: country ham, grits and redeye gravy for breakfast. For lunch, there’s a rotating list of meats: fried or barbecued chicken, roast pork, chuck wagon steak and fried catfish, to name a few popular choices, and vegetables.

Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, this cozy restaurant offers a wide selection of classic favorites as well as creative dishes with a Southern twist. Start your morning off right with Big Ed’s famous biscuits served with sausage gravy or one of their signature omelets topped with bacon and cheddar cheese. If you're looking for something sweet, try their homemade French toast or hot cakes drizzled in syrup.

Fluffy biscuits, local country ham, giant pancakes and more, Big Ed’s is another Raleigh Institution that you just have to try. Serving up breakfast, brunch, and lunch since the 1950’s, Big Ed’s is like sitting down to eat at Grandma’s house. Red and white checked table cloths, antiques hanging from the ceiling and southern hospitality at it’s finest, this is a true southern experience that can’t be missed.

Big Ed’s Restaurant proclaims “southern cookin’ at its best” and many locals and tourists agree. Big portions and reasonably-priced, their breakfast all day is a beautiful thing. And if you’ve got the kind of kid who likes to lay down on the floor because he’s starving to death, the cool stuff hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant will give him something to look at while he waits for his waffles.

As soon as you enter the doors, you'll be transported back to this funky little restaurant. Big Ed's City Market Restaurant is known for the funky antiques hanging from the ceiling, Southern breakfast, and a laid-back environment. With an all-day breakfast, you'll indulge in locally sourced, farm-fresh items like the Western-style omelet, country ham with red-eye gravy, egg, side, and bread.

Big Ed's has been a staple of downtown's Raleigh City Market since 1989 and it's not hard to see why. Travelers say Big Ed's country breakfasts are comfort food at its best with large portions and farm fresh ingredients. This casual eatery boasts "country cookin' classics" in all three of its locations, but head to the City Market location to enjoy the farm country ambiance of its roots.

Start your day with some country cooking classics at Big Ed’s. A fixture of City Market in downtown Raleigh since 1989, this restaurant is the place to go for a true Southern breakfast experience—old-school favorites like salty country ham with red-eye gravy and house-made biscuits with blackstrap molasses. The recklessly large, buttery-crisp pancakes are equally delicious.

For Southern classics and all-day breakfast, head to this Raleigh institution. With three locations, including the original outpost at City Market, you're never far from generous portions of buttery biscuits, country ham with red-eyed gravy, hotcakes, fried catfish, and other regional fare. The sides, ranging from butter beans to turnip greens, are excellent as well.

This City Market gem is beloved for its ginormous hotcakes, loaded country breakfasts and some of the best biscuits you’ll find in a city full of great ones. On the weekends, you’ll find the joint just as crowded with guests as it is with its plethora of antique decorations covering the walls, floor and ceiling. But no matter the wait, it’s worth it.

Breakfast is served all day, every day at this laidback greasy spoon founded in 1958 by Wake County native “Big Ed” Watkins. With unique antiques hanging from the rafters and memorabilia on display throughout, breakfast at Big Ed’s is more than just a meal. Come for the homey vibes and great service and stay for the mouth-watering, down-home cooking.

Big Ed's City Market Restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina is a must-visit for lovers of southern cuisine. This authentic street food establishment specializes in breakfast and country cookin' that will leave you craving for more. From the moment you step in, you'll be greeted with warm hospitality and a menu filled with classic southern staples.

DTR has changed a lot in the last few years, but Big Ed’s has stayed the same. Since 1989, Big Ed’s has served Southern breakfast and lunch options like pimiento cheese sandwiches, fried catfish, salty country ham with red-eye gravy, fatback biscuit, and grits—all Southern, all the time, and all on red and white checkered plastic tablecloths.

Yelp 4 stars, 147 reviews Eating at Big Ed’s is kind of like saddling up to a big breakfast on the farm. The restaurant opened in 1958, and since that time has been doing what it does best: Serving old-fashioned good home cooking. No surprise that grits is on the menu, nor red eye gravy and fresh eggs, and bacon made just the way you like it.

For breakfast, it’s no secret that Big Ed’s City Market is the town’s top choice — there’s always a line waiting to get in. The pancakes are plate-sized and the menu is old-time Dixie, including such fare as brains & eggs, biscuits & sawmill gravy, and fish roe & eggs festooned with crisp-fried fatback.

Big Ed’s has been serving up some of the best breakfast food in Raleigh since 1958. They serve the typical breakfast fare, but what makes them stand out in the breakfast crowd is their pancakes. About half an inch thick and 12 inches in diameter, these are the most massive pancakes I have ever seen.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (733 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $- Address: 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1824- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-rated ice cream shops in Raleigh by diners

Big Ed’s Restaurant is a southern chain founded by “Big Ed Watkins” that’s been downtown Raleigh since 1958. They serve breakfast all day with the slogan “Country Cooking at It’s Best.” This restaurant is a little farther from WPU than other options; it’s about a 20 minute walk.

A Raleigh institution, Big Ed’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to pancakes. Its jumbo-sized hotcakes are, indeed, huge, and are made with Big Ed’s housemade, daily mixed batter. Douse them with butter and syrup and you’re in for a finger-lickin’ good breakfast!

For the most part, I’m focusing this guide on true brunch menus, and saving a typical breakfast restaurant for a different day. However, Big Ed’s simply must be mentioned. Their pancakes are bigger than your head and are some of the best tasting ones around!

Sometimes a restaurant just has a good, laid-back vibe that feels welcoming to kids. Big Ed’s is one such place. Their Downtown Raleigh location has been there since 1989 serving up “a wonderful experience, full of southern hospitality, joy, and laughter.

Big Ed’s Restaurant is one of the most beloved Raleigh restaurants in The Triangle, and it has been serving North Carolina country classics since 1989. Founded by “Big Ed” Watkins, the restaurant has a rich history rooted in family recipes and community.

Big Ed's City Market Restaurant, located at 220 Wolfe St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the budget-friendly breakfast and brunch spot, which offers comfort and soul food, four stars out of 456 reviews. This eatery is open from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

220 Wolfe StRaleigh, NC 27601(919) 836-9909 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant is a Southern dining establishment that opened in 1989 along Wolfe Street in the downtown area.

Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant -Probably the best breakfast in Raleigh, Big Ed’s has been serving Raleigh since 1958. With 2 locations, City Market and North Raleigh, you can get breakfast or lunch on most days.

For some classic Southern breakfast food, head to Big Ed’s City Market. Big Ed’s has been around since the 1950s and has three restaurants in the area. The downtown location opened up in 1989.

220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601Phone: 919-836-9909 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Jordan & Neltonia Prince (@foodfitfortheprinces)

Friendly staff, family atmosphere, well worth the (occasional) wait in line. Home-cooked breakfast on the cheap makes Big Ed’s heaven for that hangover.