TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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 that chef-owner Ford Fry is opening Little Rey, a Tex-Mex inspired, counter-service taco spot centered around its “al carbon” cooking, in the Raleigh Iron Works development along Atlantic Avenue at Whitaker Mill Road. Chef Fry opened his first Triangle location, Superica, in Cary’s Fenton development last year. He is expected to open Little Rey in 2024 and will be his second location — the concept’s original location is in Atlanta’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood. Start getting familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal reported that a new watering hole has opened on downtown Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street. Stonewalls Tavern opened this past Wednesday in the former Green Monkey spot at 1217 Hillsborough Street (Green Monkey moved to 215 S. Wilmington Street). The new bar will serve cocktails, beer and wine, but will not have a kitchen nor food offerings. Check out Stonewalls here.

• Village District shared a quick update this week announcing that the much-anticipated Shake Shack is expected to open next month. They will be located next to The Flying Biscuit and just down from Cape Fear Seafood Company (corner of Woodburn and Clark). If you are not familiar with them, they are a fast food American restaurant chain, specializing in hot dogs, burgers, fries, and milkshakes. They currently have locations in Cary, Chapel Hill and at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Get to know them here.

• Reader Katie Page notified us that there is a “coming soon” sign in North Raleigh for a Mr. Dong Yaxi Tea at Wakefield Crossing (13200 Falls of Neuse, Suite 133). Looks like there is a location in New York. Check them out here.

• Rita’s Italian Ice fans rejoice! The Triangle Business Journal shared this week that the popular dessert spot will make its Triangle-area return to 921 N. Harrison Ave. in the Northwoods Shopping Center (former Subway spot) in Cary. They are known for their various flavors of Italian Ice (“water ice”) and frozen custard. The concept previously had locations in both Raleigh and Cary (both have closed). No word yet on an open date. There is still a stand at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Visit Rita’s here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Out at RDU, Triangle Business Journal shared that Bond Brothers’ new brewpub will open in Terminal 2 in the first quarter of 2024. This location will have a more extensive food menu than what was originally planned. In addition to wine and cocktail options, it will have eight taps of Bond Brothers’ beer. Visit Bond Brothers here.

• In case you haven’t heard, Big Mike’s BBQ out of Cary (1222 NW Maynard Road) is bringing their goodness to Pittsboro. They will be opening a restaurant in what used to be the Mexican restaurant(s) in the True Value shopping center. No word yet on a timeline, but in the meantime, you don’t have to wait because they’ll be at Havoc Brewing Company in downtown Pittsboro (on the circle) this Sunday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visit Big Mike’s here and Havoc Brewing here.

• Also in Chatham County, got word this past week that the former Moon Asian Bistro (111 Knox Way) just south of the Orange County line has changed management and has reopened as Szechuan Village. They noted that they are dedicated to introducing the community to authentic Szechuan cuisine while ensuring exceptional service and an unforgettable dining experience. You can get to know them here.

Closings

• Thanks to the keen eyes of reader Mike Buckner, we learned that Backyard BBQ Pit on Highway 55 in Durham has closed.

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

• Tonight (Sept. 8th), from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. Alley Twenty Six in downtown Durham is celebrating their 11-year anniversary. Al Strong and his jazz trio will perform to celebrate. Enjoy some drinks and join the fun jazz party! Get the details on their Instagram page here. \

• This Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 9 & 10) will see the return of the 5th Annual Taste of Lebanon Festival at Saint Sharbel Church at 600 Mt. Vernon Church Road in Raleigh. The event brings together the best Lebanese food, vendors and entertainment. Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon – 6 p.m. Get all the details here. Get all the details on their site here.

• Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in downtown Raleigh is having an end of summer celebration on September 13th (5:30 – 8:30 p.m.) called Sangria & Tapas Pairing Night. Chef David Mitchell will be serving a special menu of Spanish-inspired small plates, while bar manager Lewis Williams tastes you through three different styles of housemade Sangria, with insight into their inspiration and craft. Patio seating highly recommended! Reserve your seats here.

• Heights House Hotel, in Raleigh’s historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, announced its newest hospitality driven amenity geared towards both the Raleigh resident and the visiting overnight guest. Afternoon Tea will be available at The Parlor at Heights House, beginning September 15th on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Get all the details here. All the ones for September have sold out (told you!). Best to join their mailing list and you can register an hour early! Trust me this time?

• The 10th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K race is Saturday, September 16 at Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. Thus far, the race has raised over $450,000 in the fight to end ALS with a goal to raise $200,000 more this year. Get details and register here.

• The USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is coming to Raleigh on Saturday, September 16th and will be held at Dorothea Dix Park (Flowers Field). Attendees will explore a Raleigh culinary adventure that celebrates the best local food and drink, enjoy endless food and drink samples, attend demonstrations and interact with exhibitors in a beautiful outdoor setting for a single admission price. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Saturday, September 23 is Bull City Burger and Brewery’s OctoBullFest, guaranteed to be the ​best WURST day of the year. It’s an annual street festival including live music, food, beer, games, and a kids’ area ​featuring a bounce house, bubbles, Balloon Man Mike, and more. Did we mention the food? We ​sell ​our​ ​100%​ ​pasture-raised​ ​beef​ ​burgers,​ ​house-made​ ​veggie​ ​burgers​ ​and​ ​ ​feature our​ ​authentic​ ​bratwurst​ ​for​ ​the​ ​event,​ ​all​ ​served​ ​on​ ​house-baked​ ​buns.​ Not to mention soft pretzels, and OctoBullfest Mustard/Mushroom Fries. There is always wine and beer available, including our​ ​Octoberfest​ ​lager​ ​aptly named​ ​“Stierstadt” (German​ ​for​ ​Bull​ ​City) which is brewed once yearly​ ​for​ ​the​ ​event.​ We welcome kids, adults, families, dogs, and smiles to East Parrish Street. Proceeds support Durham Habitat. The website should be updated soon with this year’s details, but last year’s info still gives a general sense.

• 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

• This Saturday, September 9th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh) is hosting a Tailgate Party that is free and open to the public. While there, you’ll be able to enjoy free hotdogs and hamburgers, food trucks, a dunking booth, an inflatable obstacle course, Touch-a-Truck, face painting, lawn games, and more while watching the NC State v. Notre Dame home opener. Get all the details on their Facebook events page here.

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

Featured Restaurant News

• The newest location of Burrito Shak, at 1310 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh (Quail Corners), will have its Grand Opening TODAY Friday, September 1 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. This marks their 11th location, mostly in eastern North Carolina (they have one in Arizona!). Locally, they have a second location in Cary at 2982 Kildaire Farm Road. The event will feature buy one, get one burritos and bowls. Look for me there today at lunch! Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• In Cary, Mike DePersia of DePersia & Associates spotted a coming soon sign for a new Korean fried chicken concept called bb.q chicken coming to the Bradford Shopping Center in Cary next to Brixx (corner of High House and Davis – 14220 Bradford Green Square). This will be their first location in North Carolina. You can start getting familiar with the concept here.

• Also in Cary, chef James Murdock shared the news that Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle has a “coming soon” sign up over the former Thai Spice and Sushi space (986 High House Road). No word yet on an open date. Thanks Chef James!

• In Raleigh, eader Carol Zimmerman spotted a coming soon sign in Towne North shopping center on Creedmoor Road for Feng Cha Tea and Sushi. It will be where the T-Mobile was, between Chow and Duck Donuts, right next to Creedmoor Cafe. We were unable to find an online presence or opening date. Stay tuned!

• The News & Observer reported that Ice cream shop Milk & Sin will open later this year on the ground floor of Skyhouse at 124 E. Martin Street. Their cereal milk-flavored ice cream will feature 16 different cereal-infused creations, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and other favorites. Congrats to husband and wife team Kerveins and Nicole Garnier. Get to know them here.

• Also in Raleigh, reader Jorie Slodki notified us that Meet Fresh will be opening a new location near Crabtree Mall (4509 Creedmoor Rd Suite 103) near Perry’s Steakhouse and Fiction Coffee. They have one other location in North Carolina, in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont subdivision. Get to know them here.

• Raleigh Coffee Company over the summer acquired Benelux Coffee’s roasting business and moved their operations into their space. Please note: this is just the Benelux roasting business and not their cafe operation in Village District (i.e. RCC is NOT a coffee shop). The acquisition affords them the ability to triple their roasting capacity! Visit Raleigh Coffee Company here.

• Kudos to Altered State Brewing for finishing 3rd in the USA Today voting this year for best new brewery. See all the winners here.

• And in the rumor department today, the Beltline Buzz shared the rumor that the original Cafe Carolina space in Village District will become Postino Wine Cafe, an Arizona-born industrial wine bar and restaurant. Time will tell. But if you want to get ready, visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Kudos to Sera Cuni, chef and owner of Pittsboro’s Cafe Root Cellar and and Root Cellar Cafe & Catering in Chapel Hill as she has launched an initiative to help end hunger in Chatham County. She just launched her new project, Feed-Well Fridges, which supports the placement of fridges in accessible areas where residents in need lack access to fresh and affordable food options. The first Feed-Well Fridge, which was delivered to Siler City on Monday, Aug. 28, is located at 219 Chatham Square. The owners of Countryside Collectibles and Antiques agreed to partner with Cuni to bring this free fridge to the Siler City community. Learn more about the initiative and how you can help here.

• Saw on the Pittsboro Eats Facebook page that on September 1 (TODAY), The Chocolate Cellar will become The Sweet Fix (119 Hillsboro Street). The new owners will be Gary and Tina Szafarski. Might be best to follow the transition on Instagram here.

• The Daily Tar Heel shared the news last week that B3 Coffee will collaborate with Innovate Carolina Junction to open a new location at 136 E. Rosemary St. B3 is a a nonprofit coffee business that employs individuals with and without disabilities working together in non-hierarchical ways. B3 operates a coffee kiosk in the lobby of the Chapel Hill Public Library. Get to know them here.

• Carrie Brogren shared in the Chapel Hill Carrboro Facebook Foodies group that Rasa Indi-Chinese on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill is now open as Rasa Indian and Japanese Restaurant. Visit their Facebook page here.

• And a Happy Birthday to my friends at Italian Pizzeria III (aka IP3) on Chapel Hill’s West Franklin Street. They have been in business for 43 years! The staff would like to thank all customers, family, and friends for their support. Congrats to brothers Angelo and Vincenzo Marrone. Visit them here.

Closings

• Mike DePersia of DePersia & Associates shared the news that Hickory Tavern in Carrboro has closed. If you are interested in buying the space, let me know and I can connect you with Mike.

Food Trucks

• The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is THIS 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

• WRAL reminded us that the 14th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is an annual celebration of African American culture as expressed through art, music, food and community. This two-day festival is held over Labor Day weekend each year. There will be a free block party, followed by ticketed concerts each evening. The event is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Get all the details here.

• On Wednesday, September 6th, Prohibitive in Cary’s Matthews House (317 W Chatham St.) will host a Wine & Cheese Pairing where guests will be tasting through five delicious and refreshing Italian wines paired with five light cheese dishes. The event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $55/person. Make your reservation now (Pro Tip: Use code Cheese23 to receive 15% off).

• Sam Jones BBQ is hosting a special BBQ & Bourbon Event from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 12 at their Raleigh location. The event includes a three-meat barbecue buffet, swag bags and special guest Justin Hampton of Diageo who will offer a guided tasting of Bulliet, Balcones, Blade and Bow, George Dickel and IW Harper 15 year bourbons. Tickets are $125. Get all the details here.

• Plates Neighborhood Kitchen in downtown Raleigh is having an end of summer celebration on September 13th (5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) called Sangria & Tapas Pairing Night. Chef David Mitchell will be serving a special menu of Spanish-inspired small plates, while bar manager Lewis Williams tastes you through three different styles of housemade Sangria, with insight into their inspiration and craft. Patio seating highly recommended! Reserve your seats here.

• Heights House Hotel, in Raleigh’s historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, announced its newest hospitality driven amenity geared towards both the Raleigh resident and the visiting overnight guest. Afternoon Tea will be available at The Parlor at Heights House, beginning September 15th on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Get all the details here and make reservations here. Reservations open TODAY (September 1) at 12 noon. Better act quick…trust me! Even better, join their mailing list and you can register an hour early! Again, trust me.

• The 10th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K race is Saturday, September 16 at Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. Thus far, the race has raised over $450,000 in the fight to end ALS with a goal to raise $200,000 more this year. Get details and register here.

• The USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is coming to Raleigh on Saturday, September 16th and will be held at Dorothea Dix Park (Flowers Field). Attendees will explore a Raleigh culinary adventure that celebrates the best local food and drink, enjoy endless food and drink samples, attend demonstrations and interact with exhibitors in a beautiful outdoor setting for a single admission price. Get tickets and all the details here.

• Saturday, September 23 is Bull City Burger and Brewery’s OctoBullFest, guaranteed to be the ​best WURST day of the year. It’s an annual street festival including live music, food, beer, games, and a kids’ area ​featuring a bounce house, bubbles, Balloon Man Mike, and more. Did we mention the food? We ​sell ​our​ ​100%​ ​pasture-raised​ ​beef​ ​burgers,​ ​house-made​ ​veggie​ ​burgers​ ​and​ ​ ​feature our​ ​authentic​ ​bratwurst​ ​for​ ​the​ ​event,​ ​all​ ​served​ ​on​ ​house-baked​ ​buns.​ Not to mention soft pretzels, and OctoBullfest Mustard/Mushroom Fries. There is always wine and beer available, including our​ ​Octoberfest​ ​lager​ ​aptly named​ ​“Stierstadt” (German​ ​for​ ​Bull​ ​City) which is brewed once yearly​ ​for​ ​the​ ​event.​ We welcome kids, adults, families, dogs, and smiles to East Parrish Street. Proceeds support Durham Habitat. The website should be updated soon with this year’s details, but last year’s info still gives a general sense.

• 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