Where Tacos Meet the Beach

by | Nov 19, 2021 | Online Exclusives, Restaurants, Surf City

Surf City Line offers cocktails, tacos and amazing beachfront views.

Real estate developer and entrepreneur Jeff Peterson had been looking for an opportunity to break into the culinary world. He envisioned a family-oriented spot that would appeal to both residents and visitors, the type of place people would want to frequent several times a week.

His dream turned into reality when the space formerly occupied by the Brass Pelican became available. Jeff and his son, Chris Peterson, dove in head first and opened Surf City Line in May 2021.

Surf City Line makes the most of its prime beach-front location with a three-story deck, the largest one on the island. The first level has space for live music, games and dancing. The second level offers food service with a side of salt air. On the third level guests sip cool cocktails and snap insta-worthy sunset pictures.

NC Surf City Line Restaurant and Bar

The restaurant has become a popular gathering spot serving more than 30 tequilas, a solid beer and wine menu, a big selection of tacos, burritos and bowls, and sea views.

The cocktail menu offers six margaritas made with lip-smacking ingredients and other creative concoctions like Deep Blue Sea (blueberry vodka, blueberries, basil, lemon, soda), Wave Runner (berry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, orange, grenadine), Surf City Sangria and Heaven on Earth Mojito.

The refreshing drinks are the perfect accompaniment to the food. If you are in the mood for tacos, Jeff recommends the fresh grouper tacos served with blackberry and mango tapenade; Stoked Steak Taco topped with Cotija cheese and Verde sweet onion and pepper; or Surfin’ Bird chicken tacos.

Surf City Line NC

He can’t say enough good things about the people who work at Surf City Line. “We have an energetic staff,” he says. “Our bartenders and waitstaff are second to none.”

Looking toward the future, Jeff wants to add a walkway to the beach with a gazebo and deck and offer door-to-door service via golf cart for nearby diners to help with parking.

“It has done well,” he says of Surf City Line. “It will get better as it goes on.”

Want to go?
Surf City Line
2112 N. New River Drive, Surf City
(910) 541-0062
sursfcitylinenc.com
Surf City Line is open for dinner seven nights a week and for lunch Saturday and Sunday with takeout available. The kitchen closes at 9 pm with a full bar offered till 11 pm. Live music stops by 10 pm.

About the author

Courtney McLaughlin

Courtney McLaughlin

A city girl with a beach problem, I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and it’s where I continue to launch my adventures. My passion for travel has taken me to international wine tastings, tubing in mountain rivers and frisbee golf at local parks. It’s a thirst matched only by my love of writing, with bylines in The Charlotte Observer, Ballantyne Magazine, Charlotte Parent, Retirement Lifestyles, SouthPark Magazine, My School Rocks and beyond, not to mention the occasional stab at creative fiction and journaling. In recent years, I’ve stretched my freelance footprint into the corporate space, helping business clients ranging from real estate to health care to professional matchmakers connect with their communities succinctly and effectively. I’ll happily travel for a good story, but am just as comfortable working from my kitchen island alongside my teenage daughter and nine-year-old mutt, who never leave me at a loss for words.