Ashley Christensen is an award-winning chef based in Raleigh, North Carolina, known for her modern take on classic Southern comfort food. She owns and operates AC Restaurants, a group of diverse and highly acclaimed...
I’d give it a solid 4. We’re visiting from out of state and this charming, well recommended spot definitely was a must see in our list.
We booked a reservation, which I believe is a must and was seated on time and we got to order our drinks early (which was a big plus). As we progressed during the dinner service, we were led to believe that the mains were for sharing but it’s really not… we got 2 appetizers (both were great), 1 main, 1 very well portioned Mac & Cheese and the seasonal sweet corn and oyster mushroom (which was the waitress’s favourite).
It took around 40-minutes after the apps were served for the mains to come, and another 10-minutes for the corn to come. We got dessert afterwards, which was served very quickly. If you are willing to wait, then this place is for you. They removed the corn off our bill which was a nice gesture.
Overall, for the price, I believe you can get better food elsewhere, but it’s also worth stopping by if you’re looking for a Raleigh staple!
This restaurant is one of the “go to” places in Raleigh so that’s how we ended up there. We had reservations for dinner on a busy night. The was a big concert right across the street. We were seated right away and the waiter wanted to know if we had time constraints due to the concert- a thoughtful touch. We ordered four dishes to share between two of us. The fried saltines with pimento spread sounded so different, we had to try them. Honestly, they were nothing special and I like my spread better. The Bibb lettuce with parm was good but not special. The pate was fabulous- we loved all of it. Finally, we had to get the Mac and cheese which was good and was a hearty serving. We could not eat all of it after eating the other items. Overall it was an ok dinner. One and done. We would not go back. The service was outstanding especially for how busy it was. This is one of those places, I think, that has a huge name recognition which helps to sustain its success.
4
We went for dinner on a Wednesday night. We were informed that there would be a bout a forty five minute wait on the new side but there was a table available on the old side.
Honestly it was perfect. Quaint. Quiet. Window seat out of the hustle and bustle.
Our server. Brittany was awesome. After I made her away of my allergy she said she’d talk to the chef about what to stay away from and what modifications could be made.
Good came out fast.
There were two things I didn’t love:
1. You couldn’t order appetizers until you knew your full order. She said everything went in together.
2. The menu only had about seven entrees on the menu one of which said Sundays only. With my allergy that left me with like one thing I could have and I had to modify that cause I didn’t like the side.
As for pricing, We spent a little over a hundred dollars for two with one share appetizer and one cocktail for one of us.
5
Highly recommend, one of the best dining experiences, service and food outstanding. The salad was incredible super fresh and I loved the finely shaved cheese like a pillowy covering. Crusty bread is maybe the best bread in Raleigh. The gnocchi was super light and savory. My friend had the salmon and said it was fantastic. Oh and the fennel tarte was exquisite and something I wouldn't have ordered if our server hadn't provided such great recommendations, so glad we listened to her. We are planning our next visit.
5
Poole's is an absolute must-visit in Raleigh. The space beautifully preserves the nostalgic DNA of an old-school American diner, but spins it into a vibrant, current, and lively atmosphere. It’s one of those rare places that elevates your mood before the food even hits the table!
As for the menu, the quality is outstanding. Their famous Macaroni Au Gratin completely lives up to the hype—rich, perfectly baked, and downright spectacular. I also highly recommend the Pimento Cheese with Fried Saltines and the Pan Roasted NC Bass. You can really tell they prioritize fresh, high-quality ingredients; everything from the incredibly fresh salads to the crusty artisanal bread is execution at its finest.
The service is attentive, warm, and highly professional. Poole's is versatile enough to be the perfect choice whether you're celebrating a special birthday or just flying solo for dinner after a long day at a conference. If you are looking for an authentic, delicious dining experience with tons of personality in downtown Raleigh, this is it.
I’ll definitely be back!
