Overview

Big Belly, nestled at 422 Bridge St in Washington, NC, offers a vibrant take on French cuisine with a distinct nod to hearty sandwiches that leave a lasting impression. This family-owned gem has blossomed from a humble food trailer into a charming brick-and-mortar spot where comfort meets culinary passion.

The heart of Big Belly’s menu lies in its rich selection of sandwiches and pastas that celebrate robust, authentic flavors. The Cuban Sandwich delivers a perfect balance of Black Forest ham, pulled pork, and Swiss cheese on crisp French bread, evoking a warm, soulful experience reminiscent of Havana. Equally compelling is the ½ Pounder Pastrami Reuben and the Chicago Beef, each layered with savory ingredients and generous portions that satisfy both the palate and appetite.

Beyond the sandwiches, patrons rave about the housemade Bucatini, served with options of red marinara, creamy Alfredo, or fresh basil pesto—a versatile offering that showcases Big Belly’s mastery in blending French culinary techniques with classic comfort food. The Chicken Parmesan stands out with its tender, breaded chicken nestled in homemade sauces and finished with Parmesan, a dish that echoes the care and tradition poured into every meal.

The ambiance at Big Belly strikes a cozy, approachable tone. The casual ordering system paired with the inviting decor—complete with a lending library—makes it a welcoming haven for casual diners and food enthusiasts alike. The “old school” crooner tunes complement the simple yet comfortable space, adding a nostalgic charm that feels intimate and genuine.

Big Belly caters especially well to those seeking a relaxed dining experience centered around quality ingredients and heartfelt preparation. Whether you’re a sandwich lover yearning for your next great bite or someone looking to savor classic pasta dishes with a refined twist, Big Belly offers an approachable yet sophisticated culinary journey in Washington.

Reviews from loyal customers reflect a consistent theme of passion and depth in flavors—meals crafted with the attention and warmth of home cooking. Whether enjoying a lunch of French Philly Dip or indulging in their crab bisque, patrons leave satisfied, eager to return for the authentic taste and inviting atmosphere.

In essence, Big Belly isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary embrace, a place where French-inspired dishes meet the soul of comfort food, delivered with family warmth in both service and spirit.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

What Customers Say

Bryan Emanuel
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I just had the best lunch at Big Belly Deli in Washington, NC, and I had to share! The French Philly Dip was out of this world, loaded with juicy sirloin steak, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and grilled mushrooms, all piled on delicious French bread with a side of au jus. The portion was huge, so I split it with my wife, and we both loved every bite. The kettle chips on the side were a perfect touch too! This place used to be a food trailer, but now it’s in a cozy building, and the family-owned vibe still shines through with their awesome gourmet sandwiches. Definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby, takeout was a breeze!
Bryan Van Gyzen
Dec 11,2025
5/5
My wife and I finally got the chance to eat in the restaurant. Everything was outstanding: the food, atmosphere, staff, all of it. We have followed Jen and Tony since they started the food trailer and have never had anything we didn’t love. The crab bisque was amazing, like a beautiful blend of a homemade vodka sauce and goat cheese. The Chicken Parm sandwich and Chicken Francis were the best we have had anywhere. Both perfectly prepared and easy to tell the sauces were house made. There are many places you can eat but few that put this kind of passion and depth of flavor into meals, like they were made for family. We will most certainly make plans to go back!
Tracy Jefferson Chavez
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Ate at Big Belly Deli for lunch today. They now have a brick and mortar in Washington. You order at the counter and they’ll bring your food out. It’s cute with a little lending library inside (naturally I went home with a book). But the food is so good. We got a caprese salad to share, a muffelata sandwich and the fresh bucatini pasta. The sandwich came with kettle cooked chips and the pasta came with three pieces of garlic bread and a choice of garden or Caesar salad. I went with the latter. We had a choice of white or red sauce for the pasta and we couldn’t decide so we got both! The salads were very fresh and I don’t know if that dressing was homemade or not but it was delish! The pasta was perfect and the sauces were very good. They had a lot of garlic, which was fine for us but just in case you don’t like a lot…now you know. the sandwich was awesome! We just got back from New Orleans in March and had our first one there and I’d say this was like being back in New Orleans. Large portions…we each took home enough for dinner tonight. We will be back! Hopefully they’ll get their liquor license soon!
Tracey Brenneman
Dec 11,2025
5/5
The name is simple, but the flavors here are not! I got French and my partner got Italian and we were both very pleased. The setting is rather plain, but the "old school" crooner music in the background adds to the atmosphere. Really a delicious meal. We will definitely be back.
Dean Johnson
Dec 11,2025
5/5
This place is a MUST for sandwich lovers!!! This had everything I ever wanted in my sandwich! I had the Monte Cristo which did not disappoint! My mom got the Muffuletta!! My wife got the Grinder!!! We also got us their Calamari which was a different and delicious take on this appetizer! We will be going back!!!
Lynne
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Hubby sent me down from Chesapeake to house hunt and as bestie & I roamed all downeast we found hunger pains setting in. A quick search and we found, and almost passed, Big Belly. Bestie was like, where is it? I said that little building with all the cars! Luckily, we wandered in right before Saturday rush and found a 4 top table (be forewarned, it's small in there so get in early!) and settled in to scour the menu as Juan brought us drinks. I don't normally order steak sandwiches dining out but theirs looked and sounded delectable, so that is what I ordered. And I was NOT disappointed. The steak was thinly sliced, marinated in something so unlike any other steak sandwich I'd ever have. The white sauce was the perfect topper and the French bread was the perfect vessel. Because my steak sandwich with white sauce was so awesome, I ordered a Bucatini with bolognese and meatballs to go. I was staying a few days in a hotel and let me tell you, I thought the steak was great, the Bucatini was even better!! Let me tell you, the food was so great here I told hubby we would have to buy in Washington just to be able to dine here whenever we wanted! That visit was almost a month ago and I have been dreaming of my next visit! Our home closes here on Sept 2nd and fairly soon after that, I'll find myself back here for more of everything! Ps, Juan was a superb server. They're lucky to have him.
shane kearney
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Again exploring the area and found big belly deli got in side cute little place had a bit of a wait to be sat but well worth the wait started with the garlic cheese toast 6/10. I got the French dip 10/10 kid got the sofas Italian she said best samwitch she's ever had! Over all give this place a 10 out of 10 staff was very nice sweet tea was on point
Elle Reapp
Dec 11,2025
5/5
We’ve had big belly a few times now, only lunch so far. Sandwiches are a great bang for your buck. Great quality and quantity. We usually eat half there and half later. The turkey sandwich is always a hit for me! My husband got the Cubano last day and it was fantastic. Maybe ask for sauce on the side, but that’s the only partial complaint we could have.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Sunday Closed
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