REG Eastgate Cinemas 5

In case you need to MAPQUEST it, the address is actually 823 NC 24-27 Bypass E (“E” stands for East), Albemarle NC 28001. Their movie-phone is 704-982-9315 and the manager’s office phone is 704-982-8811. All renovations appear complete including a new much more interesting facade with a neon display featuring shooting neon stars. Inside all screens have stadium seating. The first thing the new independent owners did was rip down the original facade signage and next they cut down the old marquise by the highway. It looked like they were out of business. They soon erected a new marquise about 5 times larger than the old one, but no taller. Next the shopping center owner planted large and fast growing trees all along that end of the shopping center including right in front of the shiny new marquise. Now just one year later you actually can not see most of the new marquise from the highway and in another year you won’t see it at all from the highway. Visitor Tips: First, this area of NC 24-27 is a very congested area so drive safely. Even the Eastgate parking lot itself can be dangerous. Seond, if you are coming from out of town there are many good places to eat here. Just finished in February 2006 is the new McDonalds on the northeast corner of the shopping center if you are in a big hurry or there is also a Subway almost next door to the cinema. On 24-27 Bypass in the area near the theater there are the usual franchise restaurants. Recommended and more unique places to eat nearby include Blue Bay Seafood on the opposite side of the 24-27 Bypass / E Main intersection from McDonalds. For cocktails and a good sit down meal Harmancos is about three blocks westbound at 1407 E Main Street and has been open continuously since 1940-something. Although it morphed into a Cajun menu a few years back you can still get a Harmanburger. Best nearby Mexican food is the hard to find Mazatlan at 1900 Hilco Street off the NC 740 Bypass and the easier to find El Ranchito at 716 NC 24-27 Bypass E. El Ranchito has beer & liquor, Mazatlan doesn’t. The best Chinese hands down is the Chinese Kitchen in the Super Walmart Shopping Center just off NC 24-27. For desert go to the 1950’s built GOOD-O/PUTT-O at 1240 E Main about 5 blocks west of the Eastgate Shopping Center. For finer dining drive westbound on Main St across the square to W Main for the best steak in town at The Boardroom Bar & Bistro and just a bit further on your right you’ll find JD Shuckers where the loaded chicken is recommended. AVOID THESE TWO PLACES: Last time I went to the snooty and overpriced Yadkin Valley Steakhouse they were actually out of baked potatoes and I’m not going back. Yadkin Valley is notorious for making you wait to be seated. Pontiac Point is on my avoid list for lots of reasons including rude snobby staff and amazingly stingy portions of barely average Italian food at 4 star prices. You’ll enjoy your visit to Albemarle more if you avoid those two places.

The address for the Eastgate Cinema 5 is 823 Highway 24, Albermarle, NC.