The Basics – American
The Basics radiates the warmth of a sun-drenched Southern porch, where the sizzle of pan-fried crab cakes and the aroma of zesty Cajun catfish bites create an atmosphere of pure comfort. Guests find a soulful retreat in plates of velvet-smooth shrimp and grits or spice-flecked migas, each dish celebrating the rich, coastal traditions of the region with vibrant flair. It is a place where time slows down over a decadent Southern Benedict, offering a heartfelt dining experience rooted in the honest, bold flavors of home.
319, North Front Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401 +19103431050 https://thebasicsilm.com/restaurant0Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at The Basics
Dairy-Free at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 2 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Stoneground Grits and Collard Greens. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Collard Greens. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 14 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Jalapeño Cornbread, Peach Cobbler and Fried Green Tomatoes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 5 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Shrimp and Grits, Filet Mignon and Fried Oysters. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chicken Wings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 2 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Steak and Eggs and Chicken Wings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Collard Greens. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at The Basics
The Basics in Wilmington has 3 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Stoneground Grits, Signature Bloody Mary and NC Craft Beer. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at The Basics
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Wings | 1.4 g | 57.1 g |
| Southern Canapé | 93.1 g | 53.2 g |
| Carolina Cobb Salad | 75.5 g | 47.8 g |
| Southern Benedict | 38.3 g | 43.5 g |
| Shrimp and Grits | 22.1 g | 32.9 g |
| Smoked Pork BBQ Platter | 17.5 g | 25.2 g |
| Avocado Toast | 32 g | 23 g |
| Stoneground Grits | 70.9 g | 20 g |
| Filet Mignon | 0 g | 17.3 g |
| Fried Green Tomatoes | 9 g | 16.4 g |
| Fried Oysters | 0 g | 16.4 g |
| Jalapeño Cornbread | 12 g | 14 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Appetizers
- Cajun Fried Catfish Bites - $15: Cajun fried catfish with house ranch Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pan Fried Crab Cakes - $19.75: Ginger spiced local crab cakes with traditional tartar sauce Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Green Tomatoes - $12: Honey dijon and onion relish Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Oysters - $18.75: Cornmeal dusted local oysters with jalapeño aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Wings - $12: Jamaican spices and creole dry rub with ranch Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Southern Canapé - $12.75: Deviled eggs, bread & butter pickles, spiced pecans, pimento cheese, fresh fruit, guacamole, crackers and crudité Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Breakfast & Brunch
- Southern Benedict - $16.5: Buttermilk biscuit, over easy eggs, house-smoked ham, sausage gravy, choice of side Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Shrimp and Grits - $18: Stoneground grits, shrimp, veggie and bacon Cajun BBQ sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Migas - $15.5: Mexican scramble, peppers, jalapeños, onions, tortilla chips, cheddar, ranchero, choice of side Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Steak and Eggs - $22.75: 5oz ribeye, two eggs, choice of side Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Avocado Toast - $16: Sourdough, spinach, guacamole, scrambled eggs, marinated tomatoes, pickled red onions, bell peppers, micro-greens Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes - $15.75: Walnut butter, syrup, choice of side Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- French Toast - $15: Grilled toast, whipped cream, berries, granola, syrup, choice of side Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
Main Courses
- Meatloaf - $16.75: House recipe, mashed potatoes, gravy, choice of side Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Pork BBQ Platter - $17.25: House smoked, hand pulled, Eastern NC BBQ sauce, slaw, two sides Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pesto Encrusted Salmon - $27: Bread crumbs, tomato-basil risotto, grilled asparagus Available at: dinner, lunch
- Filet Mignon - $36: 6oz portion, herbed goat cheese, wild mushroom demi-glace, mashed potatoes, green beans Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner
- Fried Catfish Entree - $19: 6oz cornmeal dusted catfish, tartar sauce, jasmine rice, collard greens Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches & Salads
- Basics Burger - $18: 8oz Angus beef, Cheerwine BBQ sauce, pickles, fried green tomato, pimento cheese, bacon, choice of side Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carolina Cobb Salad - $16: Smoked chicken, mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, deviled egg, guacamole, bacon, bleu cheese Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Salad Sandwich - $16.75: Smoked chicken, almonds, celery, herbs, mayo, choice of side Available at: dinner, lunch
- Classic BLT - $14.75: Bacon, lettuce, tomato, homemade mayo, choice of side Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Stoneground Grits - $4.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner
- Mac and Cheese - $5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Collard Greens - $4.5 Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Jalapeño Cornbread - $8: With hot honey and walnut butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Coca Cola Cake - $7: Milk chocolate cake with pecans, served warm with ice cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Hummingbird Cake - $7: Tropical spice cake with buttercream frosting Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Peach Cobbler - $7: Streusel topping, whipped cream, caramel sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, GERD-Friendly, TLC
Beverages
- Bottomless Coffee - $3.75
- Mimosa - $8
- Signature Bloody Mary - $9 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber
- NC Craft Beer - $6: Rotating selection Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Domestic Beer - $4: Yuengling, Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra
Frequently Asked Questions about The Basics
- Is The Basics dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. The Basics has 2 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Stoneground Grits and Collard Greens.
- What can I eat at The Basics on a dairy-free diet?
- Stoneground Grits and Collard Greens carry the dairy-free tag, out of 2 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does The Basics have vegan options?
- Yes. 3 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Stoneground Grits and Signature Bloody Mary.
- Is The Basics gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at The Basics?
- Chicken Wings, at roughly 57.1g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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- Cape Fear Spice Merchants — American
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