Our Story
Big Ed's Restaurants was first founded in 1958 by "Big Ed" Watkins, a native of Wake County. His family's farm produced tobacco and other crops. It was on the homestead where Big Ed developed the original recipes used in his restaurants; he would assist his mother in the kitchen, preparing meals for the farm's staff.
After various successful restaurants in other Raleigh locations, Big Ed opened in Downtown's City Market in 1989, which was done in partnership with the City of Raleigh's revitalization project.
In January 2006, Big Ed retired and the restaurant was bought by new owner who remain active today. Through the years, Big Ed's City Market developed a home in Downtown Raleigh and remains a central part of City Market.
In summer 2015, the Big Ed's team took on a new challenge in opening a second location, Big Ed's North, serving the same great country cooking. Located at Quail Corners Shopping Center in North Raleigh, the Big Ed's North team is grateful for the community that has surrounded it.
Big Ed's Garner opened in 2019. Being a unique place of its own an "All-American City" Garner is a special place where Big Ed's is thrilled to be a part of. We love being in Garner, North Raleigh, and Downtown Raleigh, serving the best country cooking around at each of our locations.
Big Ed's serves farm fresh southern, country cooking. We serve breakfast all day, each day, and "meat and three combinations" on the weekdays during lunch and dinner. Whether you want to try our "Hot Cake Challenge" and eat three massive Hot Cakes in 45-minutes or less, French Toast, a cheeseburger, our famous Nahunta Salty Country Ham, a plate of vegetables, or BBQ Chicken, there's a hearty plate for everyone. And these are just to name a few! Any and all of it pairs well with our warm coffee, sweet tea, lemonade, or any one of Pepsi, Coke, or Cheerwine!
