When you first catch sight of The Jolly Roger, you might be unsure exactly what to think of it. Since its conversion from a gas station/grocery store to a restaurant in 1972, The Jolly Roger has been anything but your ordinary Outer Banks restaurant. “We’re eclectic, it’s crazy. You’ll not find another Jolly Roger; there’s no rhyme or reason to this place—and that’s what people love about it,” says owner Carol Ann Angelos. It’s been 38 years since Angelos took ownership of Jolly, and over the years she has experienced many changes, including three expansions and a renovation after Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Although the restaurant has gone through several changes over the years, Carol Ann’s style is unaltered. The restaurant decor is an eclectic blend of Christmas, pirate paraphernalia, aquatic murals, handmade boutique-style gifts and old-time movie posters. Almost as diverse as the restaurant itself is the food selection. The Jolly Roger is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they offer something for everyone. Breakfast favorites include the Eggs Benedict, pancakes and home fries—all made in-house from fresh ingredients. Great lunch selections include burgers, NY diner sandwiches and even meatloaf. For dinner the restaurant offers a wide variety, from Italian, fresh seafood, steaks & and prime rib. All of the restaurant’s sauces are house-made from scratch, and everything is taste-tested to ensure the absolute best quality food is being served. For those looking for entertainment, there’s always something fun happening here. They host live poker events, BuzzTime NTN with weekly tournaments and contests, plus nightly karaoke year-round. Over the years, Angelos has encountered a bit of pressure from some customers to change her style and “fit in” to match the times. But she has always found that the Jolly’s authenticity and originality is what keeps happy guests coming back time and again. “I was almost ready to sand down the booths, give in, do another color, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Angelos says, “People love it the way it is.” From the unique atmosphere to the unmistakable home-cooked cuisine, everything about The Jolly Roger is welcoming, warm and completely unlike any other restaurant in the area.