With Wawa and Dave & Buster's expected soon in Wilmington, here are local alternatives
Two well-known chain stores are expected to make their way to Wilmington in the near future: Wawa and Dave & Buster's.
Beyond the typical snacks and soft drinks available at Wawa, the convenience store is known for its upscale food options including hoagies, salads, burgers and more. Plans are currently under review for two Wawa locations on 17th Street and Carolina Beach Road.
Dave & Buster's, a popular arcade and sports bar, combines food and fun all under one roof. The restaurant and entertainment business is proposed for Mayfaire Town Center.
While the potential arrival of these businesses may be exciting to some residents, Wilmington is already home to several local alternatives to both the beloved convenience store and lively arcade bar.
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Wawa alternative: Island Burgers & Bites
Located on the side of a Sunoco convenience store at 111 Carl Winner Drive at Carolina Beach, Island Burgers & Bites offers more than the everyday convenience store. While it doesn't have gas, this local gem holds its own against Wawa's food offerings, especially when it comes to burgers.
Alongside its delicious burgers, this location also offers Philly cheesesteaks, hotdogs, fries and a variety of beverages to enjoy alongside your meal.
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Buffaloe's Watering Hole
A combination of a restaurant, convenience store and grocery store, Buffaloe's Watering Hole has been in Wilmington since 1964. The store began offering burgers, breakfast sandwiches, cheese steaks, French fries and more in 2023.
Buffaloe's, located at 4924 Wrightsville Ave., is also a favorite stop for late-night cravings, as it stays open 24 hours a day.
“Whether it’s 4 p.m. or 4 a.m. and you want a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, you can get one,” said Buffaloe's Manager Joshua Adam to the StarNews in 2023.
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The Gourmet Market
This establishment, located at 27 N Front St. in Wilmington, labels itself as a "non-traditional mini market" on its Facebook page.
Open daily between 11:30 a.m. and 2 a.m., The Gourmet Market offers "vegan & organic products, fresh produce, a large selection of beers and wine, ice cream, hot beverages, and pastries."
One Yelp review refers to this market as "a truly hidden gem that you cannot miss."
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Dave & Buster's alternative: Rally Point Bar & Arcade
"Drinks. Games. Endless Fun," reads the homepage of this newly opened bar & arcade.
Located at 214 Walnut St. in Wilmington, Rally Point is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Similar to the popular Dave & Buster's chain, this arcade provides game cards which can be loaded with tokens to play. Customers can play air hockey, basketball, and Skee-Ball, amongst a variety of other gaming options.
Children under the age of 21 are welcomed (under adult supervision) until 8 p.m. So are dogs, who are welcome until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
While the location offers daily drink specials, it does not offer food. However, a food truck is located nearby the establishment on Sundays between 1-5 p.m., according to its webpage.
Broomtail Pub & Arcade
With food trucks, drink deals, arcade games, pool tables, live music and a bottle shop, this local establishment has a lot to offer.
Located at 7211 Market St. in Wilmington, Broomtail Pub & Arcade is open Tuesday through Thursday 4-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon-midnight and Sundays from noon-8 p.m.
The pub also offers weekly events like trivia night, board game night and more.
Blue Post Billiards
A favorite among Wilmington residents, Blue Post Billiards is a lively bar equipped with an array of games, including pool tables, arcade machines, Skee-Ball, air hockey, darts and more.
The bar, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023, also hosts an 8-ball pool tournament every Wednesday night from 6-9 p.m.
Growlers Tavern
Another downtown Wilmington favorite is Growlers Tavern located at 21 N. Front St. in Wilmington.
With pool tables, air hockey, Skee Ball, and darts, Growlers offers more than a typical bar. You can also expect 11 North Carolina and Wilmington beers on tap, 11 TVs and in-house cold brewed espresso on draft.
Carolina Beach Arcade
For a more family-friendly option, the Carolina Beach Arcade is a good place to keep in mind.
Located on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, this arcade hosts Skee-Ball, claw machines, and a host of other arcade games where children and adults can earn tickets to spend on prizes.
While the arcade itself doesn't offer food and drinks, numerous bars and restaurants line the boardwalk. Additionally, the Carolina Beach Amusement Park is located nearby, open between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, offering rides and typical amusement park food options.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC alternatives to Wawa and Dave and Buster's
