RESTAURANTThe Outer Banks is the land of beginnings. It was here that the first English settlement was established in 1585. The first wireless telegraph transmission took place on Hatteras Island in 1901. The Wright brothers made their first successful powered flight in 1903 right here in what was then considered Kitty Hawk and Andy Griffith performed his first major role in America's longest running outdoor drama, "The Lost Colony" in the 1930's. The production of "The Lost Colony" stills plays here every summer on the Outer Banks, in Manteo.
In 1937, the
building now known as the Jolly Roger was first
constructed as Dean's Place, a gas station and grocery store which
became a local's haunt right from the beginning. In fact, back
then, there were no phones in homes and Mr. Dean had to take everyone's
calls in his store. He would then blow an air horn so many beeps
for each family and they would come to answer their calls; often
chatting with Mr. Dean afterwards. As local haunts go, many of
our nighttime staff swear the restaurant is haunted with a friendly
ghost, but who really knows.Dean's Place became the Jolly Roger in 1972 when Carol Ann converted the old store into the exquisite Italian restaurant it is today. Now, the Jolly Roger is the oldest Italian restaurant on the beach and also offers a variety of fresh caught local seafood, steaks, prime rib, home cooked favorites and, of course, the most famous breakfast on the beach. Carol Ann is one of the most respected and loved restaurateurs on the beach because locals and visitors alike know that when they sit down in one of her restaurants, they will be treated to a great meal with generous portions and friendly, hometown service.
ABOUT THE JOLLY ROGER
Over the
years w've received many compliments about our restaurant, but one in
particular really captured the essence of how we feel about this very
special place..."There is a warmth here. Like walking into a cozy cabin filled with the warm glow of a snapping fire. Tension fades and one is caressed so gently by a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere filled with sincere interest and a promise of friendship... No Plastic People Here!! The soul of this place is people, people who care. It is an oasis of charm and glee in an otherwise "I" oriented world of business. For those who are interested in glitter and pomp, this is not the place, it is too special for that. It won't abide plasticity or fraud... it is a feeling place. A place where you can be who you are and those here will laugh or cry with you because they feel, not because it's good for business. A quiet place for a rendezvous, for pondering or play. A sense of community, the old Outer Banks, is alive here and thriving in its honesty and appreciation of people. For me it was and is a safe harbour that reminded me of my own "special place" and in no small way allowed me to begin a process of healing and rediscovery.
It is a friend and there will always be a safe warm place in my heart for that rare commodity we call friendship. To say thank you would be an insult. It is not what this place does... it is what Jolly Roger is!
With friendship and affection,
Bob Kannry"