TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• La Farm Bakery announced this week that they will return with their pop-up bakery to Fuquay-Varina on October 26th. They had opened in 2021, but for less than a year. They now make their return with a renovated space, additional parking and long-term goal to open a full-scale store in the distant future. This location will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and an expanded menu offering – both hot and cold sandwiches, cakes and a larger assortment of signature European artisan breads and pastries, including the signature La Farm sourdough bread and addictive White Chocolate Baguettes. Once again, La Farm will offer a full Counter Culture Coffee program.It will be located at 1900 Broad Street and will mark their fifth location in the Triangle area. Visit them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• The NC State Fair is here! And while there is a ton to do, this is a food blog, so we must stay focused on the food. I’m happy to share that the Weekday Lunch Pass is available again this year. Here is how it works. Visit Gate 9 off Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street ONLY after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays. Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $10 with cash (cash sales only). Buy your lunch from the many fair food vendors on site. Fair food vendors take cash. ATMS are available inside the fairgrounds. Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered on the same day purchased the card for a full $10 cash refund. If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $10. The card is good only on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission, no food is included.

• And hockey season is back! Again, we are a food blog, so staying focused on the food. New this year to folks attending events are the PNC Arena will be: The BBQ Lab, Gonza Tacos Y Tequila, and The Optimist coffee house. Returning you will find: Blue Bell ice cream, Buena Papa Fry Bar, Buffalo Brothers Pizza & Wing Co., Chick-fil-A (with an expanded footprint and new menu offerings), Happy + Hale, Nutty Bavarian, PDQ, Primo Hoagies and Shake Shack. And coming soon will be Sweet Carolina, offering assorted candies and sweet treats. Get all the details here.

• On Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, RalToday shared that Winston-Salem-based Incendiary Brewing Company is now open (612 W. Morgan Street) at Bloc (83). The 2,300-sqft downtown taproom had its soft opening over the weekend and offers specialty IPAs along with other craft brews. The new spot is open Monday through Sunday. Visit them here.

• RalToday also shared that the couple behind the popular foodie Instagram account RaleighFoodTrap will open NC’s first The Yard Milkshake Bar in the new Seaboard Station development. With a grand opening projected for 2024, sweet tooth enthusiasts can expect over-the-top specialty milkshakes with over 32 flavor choices. The concept has 27 locations across the United States. Go ahead and get familiar with them here.

• Up in North Raleigh reader Alex Kroft let us know that a new coffee spot called Beow’s Books & Brews will be opening in the spot of the old 24/7 Fitness (8111-153 Creedmoor Road) across from 13 Tacos and Taps in Falls River Town Center. No word yet on a timeline. Get to know them here.

• Over in Holly Springs reader Eric Brenner tipped us off to the news that the folks behind Osteria G (Joe Reinis and Ashley Startek) have purchased the land next to Homegrown Pizza (Linksland Drive) and are planning for a steakhouse with a private event space upstairs and a cigar bar lounge too. It is early in the process, but we will keep you posted as it progresses. For now, visit Osteria G here.

• If you are in the Lake Boone area and looking for a “fast food” option you might come up short, at least for now. Reader Chris Creighton let us know that the McDonald’s has been leveled and is being rebuilt. Additionally, the Chick-fil-A there is temporarily closed while undergoing renovations. You’ll also remember we reported earlier that there are two new dining options coming to the Lake Boone Trail shopping center – Chicken Salad Chick, Duck Donuts and The Butcher’s Market.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Chapelboro was the first to share the news this week the date that Chapel Hill residents and visitors will be able to get Raising Cane’s chicken on Franklin Street. The Chapel Hill location of the popular chain restaurant, which is known for its chicken fingers, is set to open its doors on Tuesday, November 7 according to its business listing on Google and a post from one of its managers. This will be the Triangle’s first location of Cane’s. Get to know them here.

• Yung Nay’s much anticipated La Montaña located next to his Iza Whiskey & Eats at 370 E Main Street in Carroboro is in soft open mode. The concept was created by Yung Nay, Chuan Tsay and Samantha Garcia as a dedication to each of their fathers who died within a year of one another. “La Montaña,” which translates to “the mountain,” is a nod to the mountains their fathers climbed to give them better lives. With a range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, their menu will feature a pho rice porridge, seafood diablo and an extensive selection of curated cocktails. Call first to make sure they can accommodate you. Might be best to keep up with their grand opening announcement on Facebook here.

• In Durham, Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Skrimp Shack, a fast-casual chain out of Virginia, is reopening its Durham location at 3600 N. Duke St. with the grand opening set for October 18. Back in May, the location announced on social media it was closing “for some renovations and new developments.” The franchise location is under new ownership. Skrimp Shack has 24 locations across Virginia and North Carolina, with other Triangle-area locations in Cary and Holly Springs. Visit Skrimp Shack here.

• Down in Pittsboro, Vino Wine Shop is currently closed while they work on moving downstairs and renovating the space that was formerly Roy Underhill’s old Woodwright School. Stay tuned for their grand opening date! Follow along here.

• AN UPDATE: The West End Kitchen grand opening originally scheduled for Thursday, October 12 was POSTPONED. We don’t have a new date just yet, so stay tuned. They are moving into the former Angelina’s Kitchen space on Rectory Street in Pittsboro and are describing their eatery as a chef-driven gastropub where they plan to offer breakfast and lunch. Get to know them here.

Closings

• The good folks over at Harvest 18 in Durham shared yesterday that after a great 10 year run owner Jason Smith has decided to focus on his family and Cantina 18 (Raleigh’s Village District) for a while. Their last service will be brunch this Sunday.

• In Raleigh, RalToday shared the news that Fine Folk will close its doors at the end of October. Take a final visit or two before it closes off Capital Boulevard and keep your eyes peeled for an end-of-service hurrah before the end of the month.

• Learned from reader Ryan Harrison that Wine & Beer 101 Gastropub in Wake Forest has closed. Apparently the landlord is bringing in a new tenant, but that hasn’t been announced yet.

Food Trucks

• The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of the year is October 29th from 12-4 p.m. 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

• The 2nd Annual Fall For Five Points Festival is happening this Saturday, Oct 14 from 11-7 in Raleigh’s popular Five Points neighborhood. They will close down Fairview Road between NOFO and Glenwood Avenue for a fun-filled neighborhood street party with good music, yummy food, and activities for the whole family. Get all the details here.

• Neighborhood bar and Southern kitchen, Whiskey Kitchen, will hold their second annual Ardbeg Wee Beastie Sauce Boss Competition on October 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Whiskey Kitchen will partner with Ardbeg for this free, fun, and collaborative event on their patio in Downtown Raleigh. Each participant’s sauce must include Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt Whisky as an ingredient. These BBQ sauces will be paired with Whiskey Kitchen’s smoked pulled pork served from Ardbeg’s smoker. Whiskey Kitchen is located at 201 West Martin Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Visit Whiskey for more details.

• The 7th Annual Oak & Smoke BBQ, Bluegrass and Beer Festival returns to Knightdale this year on Saturday, October 21 from 12 to 8 p.m. It is held at Oak City Brewing at 616 North First Avenue in Knightdale. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Kitty Kinnin reminded me that the NC Wine Festival will take place this year on Saturday, October 28th at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. For over 20 years the North Carolina Wine Festival has been bringing you local North Carolina wineries, artisans, music, food and fun! Buy tickets and get 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.

• This is really cool. Raleigh’s Brookside Bodega is hosting a family-friendly campout on Nov. 4 at Haven Farm, a wedding and special event venue in Knightdale. Tickets are now on sale for the campout, which includes activities for the whole family. The family-friendly campout is BYO-tent but includes catered dinner and breakfast, s’mores, live music and more. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Think you can’t make a difference in someone’s life? Think you don’t have enough money to make a difference? Would you believe me if I told you that as little as $1 equates to 5 meals through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina!?! It is true. Nearly 510,000 people face hunger across our 34-county service area. And thanks to your generosity, the Food Bank provided over 81 million meals to families and individuals last year! Make a donation today!

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

Featured Restaurant News

• Got word this week from Jennifer Buchholz that It’s a Southern Thing in downtown Durham will open a second location beginning next week at Ellis Crossing (1051 Yunus Road Ste. 110) in Durham. If you haven’t been before, they are known for their unique take on traditional Southern fair, laid-back atmosphere, Southern hospitality, delicious craft cocktails, and thoughtfully created, scratch-made dishes. Kudos to Pete Susca and his entire team! Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We can’t roll into October without talking about what is arguably the largest foodie event of the year, but definitely the most interesting – the new food lineup at the NC State Fair which is just 6 days away (October 12-22). Some of the highlights this year include dill pickle doughnuts, french fry parfaits and a sandwich wrapped in bacon. But I’ll let you decide what you are most excited about with the full list here.

• Saw on RalToday this week that Mandolin (2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh) is bringing back two restaurant faves: Saturday brunch and Sunday dinner. Make a reservation for a romantic dinner or to start your Saturday morning with elevated breakfast items like confit chicken hash and Johnston Co. country ham Benedict. Visit them here.

• Up near the Wake Forest/Raleigh line off 401/Louisburg Road in the Forrestville Crossing shopping center, Andy’s Frozen Custard is now open in the former Torero’s location (it was a complete tear down and new build). Visit them here.

• In Cary, reader Eric Lamb shared with us that the Pho Thien Phat Vietnamese Noodle House has opened in Cary at the intersection of Cary Parkway and Tryon Road (6404 Tryon Rd.).

• Big news out of McCrimmon Corners shopping center in Morrisville (4075 Davis Drive) thanks to a tip from reader Tony Woodard. Alie Hibachi & Sushi opened this week serving up fast casual sushi and Japanese. Check out Alie here. And right next door to Quickly, in the same shopping center, Woodard also noticed that there is signage up for Hokkaido Ramen House in the old Flavors Kitchen space.

• Reader Chris Creighton shared a few updates with us this week: Boba Cha, hand rolled ice cream and bubble tea, is coming soon to the former My Berry Yogurt spot at 3460 Ten-Ten Rd (Harris Teeter shopping center); Al-Basha Market and Grill is opening soon at 3925 Beryl Road in Raleigh. It will feature Mediterranean food as well as a market; and Sheeba Restaurant, with three locations in Michigan, is now serving up traditional upscale Yemeni cuisine at 3933 Western Boulevard in Raleigh in the old Yeman Arabic restaurant. Visit Sheeba here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Chapel Hill, the News & Observer reported this week that Edgar Ordonez, the chef at Med Deli, will open an upscale taco concept called El Fogon (“the flame”) at 111 N Roberson Street (next to Brandwein’s Bagels). Look for them to open the first quarter of 2024. Along with his wife, Beatris Santillano, and in-laws, Ismael Santillano-Carrillo and Norma Lazaro, they plan to offer authentic Mexican dishes and as well as some offerings from his native Guatemala.

• Over in Durham, Lesley Stracks-Mullem, owner of Taste Carolina, brought it to my attention that Nosh Durham is moving to a new location. Their new location hasn’t been announced yet, but sources suggest it will be over on Broad Street, next to Cloche Coffee. But stay tuned and follow along on Intagram for the official announcement.

• Also in Chatham County, we learned from reader Shelley Colbert that Town Hall Burger & Beer on 15-501 at the entrance to Briar Chapel has been closed this week for renovations (kitchen remodel) – but will reopen this Saturday. Visit them here.

• AN UPDATE: The West End Kitchen grand opening originally scheduled for Thursday, October 12 has been POSTPONED. We don’t have a new date just yet, so stay tuned. They are moving into the former Angelina’s Kitchen space on Rectory Street in Pittsboro and are describing their eatery as a chef-driven gastropub where they plan to offer breakfast and lunch. Get to know them here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• Sister Cities of Durham will hold an International Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 8th from noon to 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street). Foods from Mexico, Greece, Jamaica, El Salvador, Africa, Japan, China Haiti and Korea will be featured. There will also be beer and beverage stations. Get all the details here.

• The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of the year is October 29th from 12-4 p.m. 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

• Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week runs through the weekend and wraps up on Sunday, October 8th. Through Sunday, participating restaurants downtown will offer 3-course prix-fixe meals or limited-time lunch, dinner, and drink specials. Support your favorite spots or try somewhere new. Restaurant Week is your excuse to skip the grocery lines and go out to eat instead. Get all the details here.

• RalToday reminded us that the Raleigh Wine Shop is holding its 13th annual Korktoberfest this Friday through Sunday (Oct. 6- 8). Snack on bites like raw and roasted oysters from Locals Seafood on Friday (5-8 pm), enjoy free wine tastings and charcuterie specials on Saturday, and grab lunch from The Wandering Wolf food truck on Sunday (12-4pm). Oh, did I mention that wine is up to 25% off! Get all the details here.

• The 11th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 8 at Carrboro Town Commons. At the event, attendees will receive a handcrafted bowl donated by a local artist, and fill it with soups from several restaurants, all to support TABLE’s ongoing efforts to feed local kids. Get all the details and buy tickets here.

• Neighborhood bar and Southern kitchen, Whiskey Kitchen, will hold their second annual Ardbeg Wee Beastie Sauce Boss Competition on October 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Whiskey Kitchen will partner with Ardbeg for this free, fun, and collaborative event on their patio in Downtown Raleigh. Each participant’s sauce must include Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt Whisky as an ingredient. These BBQ sauces will be paired with Whiskey Kitchen’s smoked pulled pork served from Ardbeg’s smoker. Whiskey Kitchen is located at 201 West Martin Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Visit Whiskey for more details.

• Kitty Kinnin reminded me that the NC Wine Festival will take place this year on Saturday, October 28th at beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. For over 20 years the North Carolina Wine Festival has been bringing you local North Carolina wineries, artisans, music, food and fun! Buy tickets and get 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.

• This is really cool. Raleigh’s Brookside Bodega is hosting a family-friendly campout on Nov. 4 at Haven Farm, a wedding and special event venue in Knightdale. Tickets are now on sale for the campout, which includes activities for the whole family. The family-friendly campout is BYO-tent but includes catered dinner and breakfast, s’mores, live music and more. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Think you can’t make a difference in someone’s life? Think you don’t have enough money to make a difference? Would you believe me if I told you that as little as $1 equates to 5 meals through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina!?! It is true. Nearly 510,000 people face hunger across our 34-county service area. And thanks to your generosity, the Food Bank provided over 81 million meals to families and individuals last year! Make a donation today!