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Southern Breakfast & Lunch · Raleigh, NC

Big Ed's Raleigh Menu 2026: Full Breakfast & Lunch Guide

Complete guide to the Big Ed's Raleigh menu — the full breakfast and lunch lineup at Raleigh's most beloved Southern diner. Scratch biscuits, country ham, sausage gravy, massive omelets, and a meat-and-three lunch. Open since 1958 in City Market. Cash only. No credit cards.

Open since 1958City Market, Raleigh NCBreakfast & Lunch onlyCash onlyFamily-owned
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Scratch Buttermilk BiscuitNo price listed
Country Ham BreakfastNo price listed
Biscuits & Sausage GravyNo price listed
Meat-and-Three LunchNo price listed
Buttermilk PancakesNo price listed
Jump to: Most popular items What to know first Full menu Vegetarian options Lunch Related restaurants FAQ
Quick answers

What you need to know about Big Ed's Raleigh

Four things to know before you visit — the signature item, the most-ordered dishes, the cash-only rule, and the regional specialty you won't find anywhere else.

Signature item
Scratch Buttermilk Biscuit

Made from scratch every morning. The biscuit is why people drive across Raleigh.

Most ordered
Country Ham Biscuit / Biscuits & Gravy

The two most re-ordered items at Big Ed's, every table, every morning.

Must-know rule
Cash only

No credit cards, no exceptions. Bring cash or use the nearby ATM.

Regional specialty
Liver Mush

A North Carolina staple rarely found on menus anywhere else in the region.

Before you go

What to know before visiting Big Ed's Raleigh

Big Ed's runs by its own rules, and a little preparation makes the visit much smoother. The most important: bring cash. No credit or debit cards are accepted — there's an ATM nearby but it's better not to rely on it.

Weekend mornings have legendary waits. Arriving before 8 AM is the best way to avoid a long line. The wait moves fast because the dining room turns tables quickly, but 30–60 minutes on a Saturday morning is not unusual.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, breakfast and lunch only, closing around 2 PM. It is closed on Mondays. Confirm hours on bigeds.com before visiting.

  • Cash only — no credit or debit cards accepted
  • No reservations — walk-in only
  • Closed Mondays — open Tue–Sun
  • Hours: approx. 7 AM–2 PM — confirm before visiting
  • Weekend waits — 30–60 min on Sat/Sun mornings
  • Arrive early — before 8 AM for shorter waits
  • Location: 220 Wolfe St, City Market, Raleigh NC
  • Family-owned since 1958
Specials & seasonal

Daily specials and seasonal highlights

Big Ed's rotates daily specials alongside the standard menu. Ask your server when you sit down — the specials board changes regularly and often features the most interesting dishes of the day.

Daily

Meat-of-the-Day Special

Big Ed's rotates daily lunch specials alongside the standard menu. Ask your server what's on for the day.

Seasonal

Blueberry Pancakes

Fresh blueberry pancakes are available when local berries are in season. A warm-weather favorite.

Local

Liver Mush

A North Carolina regional staple — pan-fried liver mush is rarely available at any other restaurant in the Raleigh area.

Classic

Chicken and Dumplings

Housemade chicken and dumplings appear as a lunch special. One of the most comforting dishes on the rotating board.

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All eight Big Ed's menu categories with item counts.

Biscuits & Breads5 itemsCountry Breakfasts6 itemsOmelets6 itemsEggs & Sides5 itemsPancakes & French Toast3 itemsLunch Plates7 itemsLunch Sides7 itemsDrinks5 items
The full menu

Big Ed's Raleigh full menu — all categories

Every menu section below. Scroll to any category or use the jump links above.

About prices. Big Ed's Raleigh does not publish menu prices online, and Menupedia does not invent prices. Prices are omitted from all items below. For current pricing, visit in person or call the restaurant directly. Cash only — no credit or debit cards accepted.
Dietary guide

Vegetarian options at Big Ed's Raleigh

Big Ed's is a meat-centric Southern restaurant, but there are solid vegetarian choices. The scratch biscuits, grits, and pancakes are the standout vegetarian picks. Omelets can be ordered without meat — the cheese omelet and vegetable omelet are both reliably satisfying.

Vegans will find the menu significantly more limited. Most sides are cooked with butter or pork fat. Ask your server about preparation methods if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Cross-contact with meat products is possible in this kitchen. Always confirm with your server if you have a serious allergy or restriction.

  • Scratch Buttermilk Biscuit — the iconic vegetarian pick
  • Grits — stone-ground, served with butter
  • Hash Browns — griddled golden-crispy
  • Cheese Omelet — three-egg, melted cheese
  • Vegetable Omelet — peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms
  • Buttermilk Pancakes — full or short stack
  • French Toast — thick-cut, griddled
  • Sides: mac & cheese, sweet potato, coleslaw, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes
About Big Ed's Raleigh

A Raleigh institution since 1958 — biscuits, gravy, and the City Market.

Big Ed's opened in Raleigh's historic City Market in 1958 and has been family-owned every year since. In a city that has grown dramatically over the past three decades, Big Ed's has remained unchanged: scratch biscuits baked every morning, sausage gravy made from scratch, and country ham sourced from traditional North Carolina producers.

The cash-only policy, the walk-in-only dining room, and the no-frills atmosphere are intentional. Big Ed's is not trying to be anything other than what it has always been: the best Southern breakfast in Raleigh, served to locals who have been eating there for generations and to visitors who drive across the state to try the biscuits. The weekend waits are long, the dining room is loud, and the food is worth every minute of it.

1958Founded
65+Years open
1Location
CashOnly
Common questions

Big Ed's Raleigh — frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about Big Ed's hours, location, cash-only policy, menu, and wait times.

Where is Big Ed's Raleigh located?

Big Ed's is located at 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601 in the historic City Market neighborhood, just southeast of downtown. Street parking is available on nearby streets, and the City Market lot is steps away. It's one of the most recognizable storefronts in Raleigh — look for the line of locals out front on weekend mornings.

What are Big Ed's hours?

Big Ed's is open for breakfast and lunch only — typically 7 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Hours can shift seasonally or for holidays. Confirm with the restaurant directly at bigeds.com before your visit, as hours are subject to change without notice.

Does Big Ed's Raleigh take credit cards?

No — Big Ed's is cash only. This is one of the most important things to know before visiting. There is an ATM nearby, but plan ahead and bring cash. It's part of the old-school charm that makes Big Ed's different from every other breakfast spot in Raleigh.

How long is the wait at Big Ed's?

Weekend waits at Big Ed's are legendary. On a Saturday or Sunday morning, a 30-to-60-minute wait is common — and on special occasions it can stretch longer. Weekday mornings are considerably shorter. The wait is generally considered worth it. Arrive early (before 8 AM on weekends) if you want a shorter line. No reservations are taken.

What is Big Ed's most famous dish?

Big Ed's is best known for its scratch buttermilk biscuits and country breakfast plates. The biscuits — thick, fluffy, and baked fresh every morning — are widely considered among the best in Raleigh. The country ham biscuit, the biscuits and sausage gravy, and the full country breakfast plate are the most frequently ordered items. The liver mush is a regional specialty rarely found elsewhere.

Is Big Ed's a good choice for vegetarians?

Big Ed's is a meat-forward Southern restaurant, but there are solid vegetarian options: the scratch buttermilk biscuit, grits, hash browns, cheese omelet, vegetable omelet, pancakes, French toast, and various sides (mac and cheese, sweet potato, coleslaw, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes). Vegans will find the menu more limited. Ask your server about preparation methods if you have specific dietary needs.

How long has Big Ed's been open?

Big Ed's Raleigh has been serving breakfast and lunch in the City Market since 1958 — making it one of the longest-running restaurants in the Raleigh area. It has been family-owned throughout its entire history. The restaurant's longevity, combined with the cash-only policy and old-school Southern menu, makes it a genuine local institution rather than a nostalgia act.

Does Big Ed's serve lunch?

Yes. Big Ed's is open for breakfast and lunch, typically until 2 PM. The lunch menu follows the Southern meat-and-three format — choose one meat (fried chicken, country-fried steak, pork chop, catfish, or a daily special) and three sides from the rotating selection. Sides include collard greens, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, coleslaw, sweet potato, and more. The full breakfast menu remains available until close.

Is Big Ed's Raleigh the same as Big Ed's in Burlington, NC?

No. Big Ed's Raleigh (220 Wolfe St, in City Market) is a separate restaurant from the Big Ed's City Grill in Burlington, NC. The two restaurants share a name but are independently owned and operated and are not affiliated with each other. This page covers Big Ed's Raleigh in City Market only.

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