Abandoned but not forgotten: 1050 Irvin Garrish Hwy; Ocracoke Island

Abandoned, but not forgotten: 1050 Irvin Garrish Hwy… Ocracoke Island, NC

This is one of six posts documenting our week on Ocracoke Island (March 31–June 6), each highlighting a different part of our journey.

Click/ tap here for a linked list of all 6.

Irvin Garrish Highway is a roughly 2-mile stretch running south to north through Ocracoke Village on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. At the village’s northern boundary, this two-lane road (with a posted village speed limit of 20 mph) becomes NC Highway 12, winding through National Park Service land to the northernmost Ocracoke-Hatteras Ferry Station, approximately 13 miles away.

A view of a straight two-lane road under a clear blue sky, with a few parked cars on the side and green vegetation lining the edges. — Village town limit, looking north into National Park Service land.

Just before reaching the village boundary stands the “historic” restaurant building at 1050 Irvin Garrish Parkway. Today, its neighbors include the popular Howard’s Pub and the 1718 Brewery across the street. A couple of buildings to the south is the Ocracoke Variety Store, which combines grocery, hardware, ABC liquor, and souvenir stores under one roof.

The restaurant building has a complex history, having housed 12 or 13 different restaurants and bars in the 47 years since its construction in 1979.

1979-1985: The building was constructed by local carpenter “One-Eyed Sammy.” Following construction, the original Howard’s Pub opened in April 1979.

Three men posing in front of a wooden wall featuring large, stylized letters spelling 'Howard'. — Back in the day.

1986-1992: Maria’s Restaurant relocated and took over the building in 1986
- After two years closed, Howard’s Pub reopened in its current location across the street in 1987
1992-1993: Pamlico Restaurant & Pamlico Tavern (closed after one season)
1994*-1996*: Mango Loco
1996*-1998*: Saucy Shrimp
1998*-2000*: Sargasso

2001*-2003*: Riley’s
2004*-2008*: Cockle Creek
2009*-2016*: Gaffer’s
2016*-2022: The Breeze Nightclub and Bar

2023-2026: vacant

2025: In the spring, Plum Pointe Kitchen announces it will leave its spot inside the 1718 Brewery across the street. They say they plan to renovate the restaurant and reopen at 1050 Irvin Garrish Highway later in the year.
2026: As of June, the building remains closed, and renovations are still ongoing. Recent reports indicate it will reopen as Dingbatters Smokehouse, but no opening date has been announced—even as peak season is already underway.

Years marked with * are approximate because no published source gives exact opening/closing dates.

Sidenote: Maria’s holds a special place in our memories. During family trips to the Outer Banks, we dined there and indulged in their All-You-Can-Eat Steamed Shrimp Special, much to our young daughter’s embarrassment as we stacked mounds of shrimp shells on the table.

Keep in mind that Ocracoke’s primary tourist season lasts only about five months—from Memorial Day through October. The busiest period is June, July, and August, disrupted occasionally by hurricanes and tropical storms.

Many businesses and most restaurants close during the off-season. With less than a year to earn enough to survive until the next season, working in food service on the island is a challenging way of life.

So, here we are on June 4, 2026: