TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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

Featured Restaurant News

• We learned this week of two new dining options joining the Smoky Hollow district in downtown Raleigh. First up is Alaksha’s Indian Bistro, which is being brought to us by Alaksha Surti who is the executive chef and owner of Curry in a Hurry, the popular Indian food truck which has been featured on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. She also has two quick-service restaurants inside the Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh and the Old North State Food Hall in Selma. The second is Morelia Gourmet Paletas offering handcrafted gourmet popsicles and gourmet ice cream bars (aka paletas) made in small batches with fresh, high-quality, natural ingredients. They have 10 locations nationwide in North Carolina, Florida and Texas. No word yet on an open date for either. For now, follow Curry in a Hurry for updates and visit Morelia here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Village District shared an update last week announcing that the much-anticipated Shake Shack is expected to open in October. 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.

• Over on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, blogger EatRaleigh shared that they saw a sign for CaliBurger up on the old Arby’s on Hillsborough at 3415 Hillsborough Street. Visit CaiBurger here.

• Out in Brier Creek, Jennifer Buchholz shared a couple of updates. First up, Estampa Goucha will be opening in the next few months inside the Westin Hotel near Brier Creek. Also, Buchholz shared that Epic Chophouse will move into the former Brasa location in 2024. Visit Estampa here and Epic here.

• A quick update thanks to reader Barbara Calise….coming soon sign in Towne North shopping center on Creedmoor Road for Feng Cha Tea Dessert and Slush (we had the incorrect name last week). 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!

• Over in Apex, David McCreary shared with me that Mi Cancun Taqueria has opened at 809 E. Williams Street in Apex serving up authentic tacos, tortas, ceviches and more. You can visit them here.

• McCreary also shared that over in Holly Springs, Ashley’s Harvest Moon Bakery-Cafe at 128 Bass Lake Rd. in Holly Springs Crossing will close its doors on Saturday (Sept. 16). But the good news is she has sold the business to “an amazing entrepreneur and chef.” Follow along on their Facebook page for updates during the transition.

• And congratulations to Soul-Full Sisters, Paten Carlton and Quinn Bostic, who took home the first place prize at Sassool’s fifth annual Hummus Mix Off. As such, Carlton and Bostic’s Garden Tomato Hummus with Fresh Basil Olive Oil will be featured in Sassool’s fresh case for the entire month of September (both the Raleigh and Cary locations). Stop by Sassool today!

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The Daily Tar Heel reported this week that Franklin Street’s Cosmic Cantina is relocating to a new storefront two buildings away from its current location into the former Asia Cafe spot at 118 E Franklin Street. DTH reported that Initial estimates place the timing of the move late this year or early next year. The move is prompted by by UNC’s Porthole Alley Redevelopment Project. Visit Cosmic here.

• Saw on Facebook that Beau Catering has moved into their new kitchen space, the former Deli Edison spot in the Cedar Falls Courtyard at 630 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill. With the move, they will resume their Marketplace Meals next week! Also check them out for catering, both drop-off and full-service. Get all the details here.

• Rick Gutlon shared on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Facebook Foodies group that Tasu Express (Tasu Noodle Bar) is now open on 15-501 across from the New Hope Commons shopping area. Hollie Lewis also shared that it looks like there is one opening in Mosaic at Chatham Park. Visit them on Facebook here.

• Down in Chatham County, Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors Bureau, shared with me that the West End Kitchen has scheduled their grand opening for Thursday, October 12. 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. Keep up with their progress on their Facebook page here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep eating local, folks!

Food Trucks

• Saw on Facebook this week that Durham is soon to be home to a food truck park – The Can Opener Durham. Work is well underway at 205 South Gregson St. and anticipating an opening date in late fall of 2023.

• 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

• Hillsborough’s Hog Day is this weekend – Friday, September 15th and Saturday, September 16th. The two-day event features a BBQ contest, arts and craft vendors, car show, children’s area and much more in historic downtown Hillsborough. Things kick-off at 6 p.m. on Friday and again on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Visit their site 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 this 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.

• Sunday, September 17th from 12 noon until 6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh is La Fiesta del Pueblo — the Triangle’s largest and most diverse festival of Latin American culture, featuring live music and dance performances, artisanal vendors, food trucks, educational booths, and activities for the whole family! Get all the details and schedule of events 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.

• Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week is scheduled this year from October 2nd through the 8th. Throughout the week, 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.

• 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

• RESCHEDULED!! This Saturday, September 16th 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. VMI game. 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

• 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.