Keith Batten always dreamed of opening a restaurant, and now he can say he has accomplished his dream.

Loaders Island Grill, which opened on June 23, hosted its official ribbon cutting on Aug. 1. Batten says the response to Ocean Isle Beach restaurant has been nothing but positive.

“Our food is very good,” Batten said. “Let’s just say we have had no complaints on our food.”

Located at 120-7 Causeway Drive, Loaders can seat about 96 customers.

Serving what Batten describes as “American Southern” food, Loaders offers customers a wide variety of options including hamburgers, in-house BBQ, ribs and steak.

“Our specialty is barbecue,” Batten said. “We have a smoker in the back, and all of our barbecue ribs are smoked in house.”

Even though it's new, Loaders is already working to create a big name for itself with its additional services like a full-service bar and live music.

Furthermore, the Loaders staff, which Batten says grows daily, provides catering for the Brunswick County market.

Batten said his love of Ocean Isle is what drove him to open his dream restaurant in the coastal town, and for now he is content to have one restaurant.

“I love Ocean Isle,” Batten said. “This is my first restaurant, so I think I am good for now. We are taking it a day at a time, but who knows.”