TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler. 

Featured Restaurant News

• If you work or live in the RTP area, we have great news for you. The second location of Manhattan Cafe has opened right in the middle of Research Triangle Park at 1004 Lower Shiloh Way in Morrisville (open weekdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.). So if you are looking for a great working lunch, catering for your office or one of the largest (and most beautiful) salad bars in the Triangle, this is your spot! (Editor’s Note: I’ve worked with them and their catering for years, and they are one of the best in the catering business! Trust me.) Congrats to the Vorbeck brothers on their continued success! Check them out here or their Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• RalToday shared the news yesterday that Gym Tacos is expanding to Morgan Street Food Hall, and will be opening next Wednesday, June 21. First, there were their trucks. Then the location on Hillsborough Street…and now this! Congrats on their continued success. Follow them on Instagram here.

• Also in downtown Raleigh, RalToday shared that Burger Village, an organic and all-natural food concept, has opened in the former Blowfish Bar location at 510 Glenwood Ave., Ste 103. This looks to be their first North Carolina location. Check them out here.

• Over in Cary, reader Holly D shared with us that Cafe Soul Cups opened at 643 Mills Park Drive. They are Cary’s first Korean dessert cafe and are serving up artisanal coffee, snow blingsoo, mochi donuts, croffles and more. Check them out on Instagram here.

• Also in Cary, reader Rachel Goer shared the exciting news that the space in Parkside Town Commons where Another Broken Egg used to be (1103 Parkside Main St.) has “coming soon” signs in the windows for The Flying Biscuit Cafe. No word on an exact open date, but the site lists 2023…so this year! Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Congratulations! Triangle Business Journal shared that that honor goes to Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, which was recently named among the 10 best breweries in the state by readers of Southern Living. The magazine noted that Fullsteam stood out for having “some pretty great brews like the Paycheck Pilsner, which won a gold medal in 2019’s U.S. Beer Open.” Visit Fullsteam here.

Closings

• Reader Mike Boylan notified us that the Pei Wei on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh has permanently closed. That also means we have just one Pei Wei left in this market (Brier Creek).

Food Trucks

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, September 3 from 12-4 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will be October 29. All the rodeos are from 12-4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• This Friday night is the next edition of Merritt Grill’s BLTs, Bands & Brews. From 5:30 until 8:30 every Friday in June enjoy their famous BLTs, live music and tasty beverages from local breweries. Their food truck will also be there slinging goodness. And the weather will be perfect tonight! Visit their website here or their Facebook page here.

• If you were planning on hitting up Ricky Moore’s Durmnik, a Juneteenth celebration with Saltbox Seafood Joint and friends, tomorrow (Saturday, June 17), it has SOLD OUT! Jump on that earlier next year! Get all the details on what is in each box, and purchase tickets, here.

• Tickets are still available for the Father’s Day Pig Pickin’ from 1-3 p.m. June 17 at Peck & Plume at The Mayton in downtown Cary, just a day before Father’s Day. Tickets cost $40 and include a barbecue buffet with all of the traditional sides on the new all-weather terrace. Drink specials and the Peck & Plume No. 1 Private Select will be available for purchase at the bar. Get tickets and details here.

• June 14 through June 17th is Tasty Takeover Week at The Wine Feed Durham where Kim Hunter of Kimbap will be the featured chef helping you kick off your summer just right! Get all the details here.

• Sunday, June 18th is the date for the Summertime Seafood Festival in downtown Pittsboro hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company. From 2 to 6 p.m. on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills, guests will be able to enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music. Advance tickets for entry are $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. Get all the details here.

• On June 20th, join The Wine Feed in Durham as they host a Veg-Heads Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. Vegetarians will rejoice as head chef Taylor Halley expertly pairs delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes with world-class wines! Get tickets and all the details here.

• Next week, Raleigh will get to experience The 10,000 Scoop Challenge. What is it? Moose Tracks is bringing 10,000 scoops of FREE Hershey’s® Moose Tracks Ice Cream to downtown Raleigh at City Plaza on Tuesday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For each scoop served, Moose Tracks will donate $1 to The Salvation Army of Wake County in hopes of raising $10,000 in just four hours to help fund vital community initiatives. Visit their Facebook events page here.

• The third annual NC Hops Fest is back at the NC State Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 24. This event is a celebration of NC craft beverages with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and of course… beer. General admission tickets, which include a commemorative cup and unlimited 3-oz samples, are $45. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

• Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry

Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler. 

Featured Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal shared the news this week that Trophy Brewing Company is expanding (again) and will be opening their sixth location – potentially named Trophy Brewing Outpost – next to Anisette Sweet Shop and famed chef Cheetie Kumar’s new restaurant, Ajja. Located at 205 Bickett Blvd, it will serve as both a taproom and restaurant. The spot will open first as a taproom, aiming for early fall 2024, with the restaurant portion following about six months later. Keep up with Trophy here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• RalToday reported this week that Eastcut Sandwich Bar opened at Raleigh Iron Works (1101 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Ste. 126). This is the sandwich shop’s second Triangle-area location — the original location is in Durham at 3211 Old Chapel Hill Rd.. Get familiar with them here.

• On a recent drive down Wake Forest Road I noticed a “Coming Soon” sign at the spot of the former Gusto Farm to Street at 3088 Wake Forest Road (just behind Trader Joe’s). Looks like we are getting a second Triangle-area location of Piada Italian Street Food (their first local location is in Park West in Morrisville). If you are not familiar with them, do so here.

• Down in Garner, saw on the Choose Local & Small Y’all and Garner Biz Facebook pages that later this summer Scoop Dogz will open a 4’x4′ service window at 1411 Aversboro Road, Suite 111. It will be a hot dog walk up grill and ice cream just down from Aversboro Restaurant. Stay tuned.

• A quick correction (on the address) from last week. In downtown Raleigh, we got word that Mustang House, a a new Nepalese and Indian restaurant, has opened at 411 Fayetteville Street (Suite 109). Probably best to follow along on Facebook here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Durham, WRAL shared the news that June 10th from noon until 11 p.m. is the grand opening of Lonerider Distillery and Taproom (located at 708 Ramseur Street). Look for them to have tons of drink specials, tastings/samplings and much more. Visit their Facebook events page for all the details.

• Over in Pittsboro, we saw on the Pittsboro Eats page that there is a changing of the guard taking place. It was announced that the owners of Angelina’s Kitchen have sold their kitchen and it will be transformed into a concept called The West End. You can expect the new shop to be open by early fall 2023. Thanks to Darcy Moore for passing along this news.

• And in Carrboro, Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook Group founder Carrie Brogren shared that Pizza Factory and Cheesesteak Co. has opened in the old Carrboro Pizza Oven location in Carr Mill Mall. We haven’t been able to find a presence on the web, so stay tuned.

Closings

• Got word this week that the folks over at Earth To Us (American and Latin vegan comfort food) have had to make the decision to close their Durham location. That’s the bad news. The good news is their Raleigh location (2893 Jones Franklin Rd.) remains open.

• Triangle Business Journal shared the news this week that Lonerider Brewing has temporarily closed its location in Five Points. They are not sure about the next steps, so they are “taking a pause” before making that decision. Stay tuned.

Food Trucks

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is this Sunday, June 11 from 12-4 p.m. The rest of the 2023 Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos are September 3 and October 29. All the rodeos are from 12-4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• Like the beer in Durham? North Carolina that is. What about the beer in Durham, UK? Well, here is your chance to find out. Sister Cities of Durham will hold their Two Durhams Beer Festival TODAY, Friday, June 9th from 5-9 p.m. at Durham Central Park (Durham, NC). Essentially 5 breweries in Durham, NC are exchanging beer recipes with 5 breweries in Durham, UK. There will also be live music, food trucks, and souvenirs. I’ll drink to that! Get the details here (scroll down).

• Over in downtown Cary on Saturday (June 10), the Town of Cary will host their Pimento Cheese Festival from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. where food trucks will line Academy Street serving their regular menus, along with new dishes featuring a southern delicacy: pimento cheese! Enjoy live music at the Downtown Park, grab a drink from local breweries, and taste some of the best pimento cheese samples from local restaurants. You can even test your skills in the pimento cheese sculpting contest. Get all the details here.

• The 5th Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic being held this Sunday, June 11th from 3-7 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. Thanks to Kitty Kinnin for the reminder! At the event you will be able to sample small plates and beverages from over 25 local food and beverage establishments. Check out this list: Longleaf Swine BBQ; Glass House Kitchen; Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing; The Umstead Hotel and Spa; Craften Neighborhood Food & Drink; Postal Fish Company; Under The Oak Catering; Locals Seafood; Mebane Crafted; Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh; Viv’s Fridge; Jolie Restaurant; Elevated Catering Company; Layered Croissanterie; Native Fine Diner; ORO Restaurant & Lounge; Lawrence Barbecue; Leroys Taco Shop; William & Company; Revival 1869 – A Drinkery; Trophy Brewing Company; Umbrella Dry Bar; Deep River Brewing Company; and Double Barley Brewing. All proceeds go to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, which saves lives through education and prevention of opiate overdose. Visit the site here to get your tickets.

• On June 14th at 6 p.m. our friends over at Prohibitive Cary (located at The Matthews House) will take us on a Mediterranean adventure around the coast of Italy pairing 5 wines with light bites. They are located at 317 W Chatham St. Tickets are $60 each. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Durmnik, a Juneteenth celebration with Saltbox Seafood Joint and friends, will take place on Saturday, June 17 (“Durmnik” is the combination of Durham and picnic). The community celebration will take place at Saltbox Seafood Joint (2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham) from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees will receive a picnic box curated by chef Ricky Moore, Chez Moi Bakery, Mike D’s BBQ, Nzingas Kitchen and Ideal Bartending Co., and a mocktail. Get all the details on what is in each box, and purchase tickets, here.

• June 14 through June 17th is Tasty Takeover Week at The Wine Feed Durham where Kim Hunter of Kimbap will be the featured chef helping you kick off your summer just right! Get all the details here.

• Sunday, June 18th is the date for the Summertime Seafood Festival in downtown Pittsboro hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company. From 2 to 6 p.m. on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills, guests will be able to enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music. Advance tickets for entry are $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. Get all the details here.

• On June 20th, join The Wine Feed in Durham as they host a Veg-Heads Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. Vegetarians will rejoice as head chef Taylor Halley expertly pairs delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes with world-class wines! Get tickets and all the details here.

• The third annual NC Hops Fest is back at the NC State Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 24. This event is a celebration of NC craft beverages with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and of course… beer. General admission tickets, which include a commemorative cup and unlimited 3-oz samples, are $45. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Food Bank Corner

• Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry