TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• Queeny’s in Durham’s American Tobacco Warehouse (321 E. Chapel Hill Street) announced this week that they are opening this Saturday (tomorrow) November 27th. They will be open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Queeny’s is a partnership between Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker (owners of the award-winning Kingfisher cocktail bar and backyard burger shop, QueenBurger) and King Kenney. Get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Thanks to a tip from Kenan Barnes we learned that PrimoHoagies is coming to North Hills (141 Park at North Hills St.) in the old Crepe Traditions spot. This will be their first location in North Carolina. No word yet on an open date. Check them out here.

• A few more details to share with you following up on what we originally shared with you last week involving the former Edwards Mill Bar & Grill spot in Olde Raleigh. Thanks to reader Paul Hetzel, we learned that that spot will become the newest member of the Urban Food Group family (think Chow, Vivace and Coquette here in Raleigh) and will be a concept called Foundry. Thanks again to Nikki Cleveland for the initial spotlight on this development. No word on the type of cuisine nor an open date. Stay tuned. Visit Urban Food Group here.

• And in downtown Raleigh, (ish) delicatessen announced this week that starting Wednesday, December 1st they will begin breakfast service. Stop by in the mornings for hot coffee, eggy sandos, pastries, grab-and-go items and more. Starting December 1, their hours will be: Wednesday through Friday – breakfast 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday – breakfast 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday – breakfast and lunch 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• RalToday shared the expansion news that Raleigh’s Five Star Restaurant (301 N. West Street in downtown) will be opening a location in Durham. A Raleigh staple for more than 21 years, they will open in the American Tobacco Campus in the spring in the former Cuban Revolution spot. Visit Five Star here.

• Last week we told you about the opening of Fullsteam out at Boxyard RTP, but now you can find almost everyone open including Bulkogi’s (KBBQ and Korean-fusion cuisine), Carrburritos (Mexican taqueria; original location in Carrboro), RTP Uncorked (a destination for wine enthusiasts) and Meat & Graze (gourmet cheeseperiences and charcuterie). Visit Boxyard RTP here.

• Also in Durham, WRAL’s Sarah Krueger shared the news that Jetplane Coffee is now open in its permanent location on Mangum Street (810 N Mangum St.). They are serving up coffee as well as modern diner-style comfort food and grandma’s favorite baked goods. Visit them here.

• Over in Chapel Hill, the much-anticipated Flying Biscuit Cafe at University Place noted on their Facebook page last week that they will open “next month” – which means December. Follow their Facebook page here for the pending announcement.

• Also in Chapel Hill, Ravi Jeyaraman shared the news that the Triangle’s newest location of Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar will have their soft opening beginning on Monday, November 29th. Lime & Lemon has locations in Raleigh as well as Durham. They are in the former Fusion Fish (and before that, One) location in Meadowmont. Check them out there.

• And one last note from Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership shared the news that Roots Natural Kitchen will open on at 133 West Franklin St. (Carolina Square) in December. Roots Natural Kitchen is a fast-casual restaurant serving great tasting, natural, and affordable salads and grain bowls. All kids 12 and under eat free all day every day with the purchase of an adult meal. This will be their first location in North Carolina. Get to know them here.

Closings / Cancellations

• And a place that my kids spent a good amount of their inheritance, announced that they will be closing effective November 30, 2021. Chick-fil-A at University Place in Chapel Hill made the announcement and was brought to my attention by WCHL & Chapelboro. A special thanks to owner/operator Sammy Culberson (who now operates the Chapel Hill location at Carraway Village) for all of his kindness to my kids over the years!

Food Trucks 

• 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

• Join Triangle Pop-Up for Small Business Saturday this Saturday, November 27th at Transfer Co. Food Hall and shop from a highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists & makers. Transfer Co. is home to nine restaurants as well as Burial Brewing! Come try a wide range of cuisine and enjoy a day of shopping from some of the best local artists around Raleigh. This market will be set-up for safe social distancing and will take place completely outdoors in the open air! Enjoy live music on the patio while you eat, drink and shop at Transfer Company! Visit their Facebook event page here.

Food Bank Corner

• Double your impact with your holiday donation to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina! Because of the ongoing economic effects of the pandemic, and the rising cost of food, many of our neighbors are struggling this year. They are having trouble making ends meet and the holidays will only add to the pinch as heating bills soar and kids miss school meals during holiday break. Fortunately, there’s a chance now to make twice the difference for families facing hunger this year. Compassionate friends are matching all donations up to $600,000 to help our neighbors have a happy and bountiful Thanksgiving. Your gift today can provide two times as much food to families in our community.

Featured Restaurant News

• Two bits of big news coming out of Chapel Hill this week, and in particular in the Eastgate Crossing shopping center. First up, Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, which was founded right here in the Triangle, announced that they will open their first Chapel Hill location in March of 2022. The new store concept will not offer indoor dining, instead focusing on efficient to-go ordering and contactless pick up via heated food lockers. The second announcement involves the former Zoës Kitchen (and before that Boston Market) free-standing building being transformed into the Triangle’s second location of Shake Shack (original Triangle-area location is in Cary). The chain is known for its burgers, shakes and fries. No word on an open date as the venture works its way through the Chapel Hill approval process. Visit Rise here and Shake Shack here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• The Triangle Business Journal reported that Miso Ramen Bar is opening another location in the Triangle – this one in Raleigh. On Facebook they announced that they will open in Gateway Plaza on Crabtree Boulevard (think Union Special and Mordecai Beverage Company). The original location is on High House Road in the Preston Corners shopping center in Cary. They offer a variety of ramen entrees, rice bowls and smaller plates, including pork belly buns, seaweed salad and takoyaki. Get to know them here.

• In downtown Raleigh in the former Chick-fil-A spot (400 Fayetteville Street) it looks like they are remodeling to accommodate two new dining options. First up, Rush Bowls, which already has a location on Hillsborough Street, will open their second Raleigh location. And a spot called Philly’s Cheesesteaks (which we can assume is affiliated with the truck of the same name) will be opening soon. No word on a timeline. Both establishments are listed on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s ‘coming soon’ business list. Thanks to Ashton Mae Smith for bringing this to our attention. Check out Rush here and Philly’s on Twitter here.

• In North Raleigh, the former Tilted Skirt spot on Falls of the Neuse Road will soon become La Buena Vida. It was November of 2016 when Tilted Skirt closed after a five-year run. Not much to report on the new restaurant other than the signage on the building. Thanks to blogger EatRaleigh for bringing this to our attention. Stay connected on their Instagram page here.

• Up in Brier Creek our Brier Creek guru, Jennifer Buccholz, informed us that she just caught wind that V Pizza will be opening a location on Skyland Ridge Parkway (think Carolina Ale House). V originated in Florida where they have 7 locations, and they now have locations in Georgia and here in the Triangle in Cary (High House Road). No word yet on a timeline. Get familiar with them here.

• Continuing northward into Wake Forest, reader Rebecca Calhoun brought us bad news and good news. First, the news that John Brewer is closing Gooey’s American Grille on November 23rd (so still time to get by). That is the bad news coupled with the fact that Brewer is facing some health issues that forced his retirement. The good news is that Al Carter will be moving Big Al’s Barbecue and Catering into that location on or around December 1st. Our very best to Brewer. Get by Gooey’s soon. And start getting familiar with Big Al’s here.

• Down in Fuquay-Varina the great blog Today in the Quay shared the news that Fuquay Spice and Tea opened a couple of days ago at 503 E Broad Street next to Sur Furniture. According to those that have already been, they have wonderful tea, hand crafted vinegars, hot sauces and chocolate….and you can sample the teas and vinegars. Best to follow them on Facebook here or Instagram here.

• Will have to file this one under rumors of things to come. Thanks to reader Nikki Cleveland for the initial heads up. But what we do know is that the rent/lease sign is down at the former Edwards Mill Bar & Grill spot in Olde Raleigh. While we will refrain from saying too much more, I will say that it appears as if the owners aren’t new to the restaurant scene. We will just have to be patient a little while longer.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• You might think that Durham is becoming a pizza town by looking at the restaurant news this week. First up, Cugino Forno, a Greensboro-based concept, has opened in Durham’s Golden Belt, bringing their Neapolitan pies to the Bull City. And want to talk about authentic? They use Mozzarella di Bufala made for them weekly in a small town in Campania! The original location is in Greensboro, and now they boast locations in Winston-Salem and Clemmons. Get to know them here.

• Out at Boxyard RTP, Fullsteam Brewery is now slinging cold brews and square pizza as they “officially” opened this week. (follow them on Instagram). And did I mention they have square pizza…with a nod to Teddy Diggs from Coronato Pizza for his guidance on that. Check out Fullsteam’s Boxyard site here.

• And Bella Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Grill opened last week in West Durham near the intersection of 15-501 and Interstate 40 in the same shopping center as Home Depot, Kohls, PetSmart and Big Lots. The specialize in New York style pizza, build you own and specialty pizza as well as baked pasta dishes featuring chicken, veal and seafood dishes. Check out their website here.

• And over in Chapel Hill, a post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group indicated that we are getting very close to the opening of Lime & Lemon Indian Grill and Bar as the sign on the outside of the building has gone up. With locations in Durham (Ninth Street) and Raleigh (Hillsborough Street) this will be their third Triangle-area location. They will be in the old Fusion Fish space (and before that One) in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont. No word yet on an open date. Check out their website here.

Closings / Cancellations

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks 

• Thanks to a post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page, we saw that this Sunday, November 21st the Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture and Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation will host the first-ever THANKS + GIVING FOOD TRUCK RODEO from 12 – 4 pm at Legion Road. There will be about 15 food trucks, about 15 local non-profits, a DJ, and good community vibes. Get ready to give, grub, and be grateful! Get all the details here.

• 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 is the final weekend for voting in the WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards, presented by M&F Bank. Finalists have been announced in over 130 categories. Vote now on for the Triangle’s best businesses through Nov. 21. There is an entire section on Food & Drink, so vote for your favorites!

• Thanksgiving pre-orders have begun at Boulted Bread in downtown Raleigh (614 W South Street). Can you say Buttermilk Muscadine Pie….or Pumpkin Pie…or assorted pastries…or freshly baked bread? Make Boulted part of your Thanksgiving tradition beginning this year! Preorders will close at 9am on Sunday, November 21st (although a lot of items have already sold out!) Check out their Thanksgiving offerings here.

• Thanksgiving is on the way and Southern Harvest is proud to provide heat and eat meals, made with love from their family to yours. This year’s menu includes a la carte smoked whole turkeys and turkey breasts, as well as two meal options. 10% off with code: THANKS. Get all the details here.

• The folks at Empire Eats have some great Thanksgiving options in store for you. First up, Sitti and Gravy are both offering Thanksgiving take-out packages. Check out Sitti here and Gravy here. Order deadline: Saturday, Nov. 20. And The Pit (both Raleigh and Durham locations) are serving their traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner again this year available for dine-in or takeout (Raleigh takeout is sold out, but you can do a pick up at the Durham location). Check out The Pit’s offerings here.

Food Bank Corner

• Double your impact on Thanksgiving this year! Thanksgiving is only two weeks away – and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is getting busy! Because of the ongoing economic effects of the pandemic, and the rising cost of food, many of our neighbors are struggling this year. They are having trouble making ends meet and the holidays will only add to the pinch as heating bills soar and kids miss school meals during holiday break. Fortunately, there’s a chance now to make twice the difference for families facing hunger this year. Compassionate friends are matching all donations up to $600,000 to help our neighbors have a happy and bountiful Thanksgiving. Your gift today can provide two times as much food to families in our community.