Featured Restaurant News
- Today, Friday, December 3rd, chef Scott Crawford will open the doors to Crawford Cookshop – located at 401 Main Street in downtown Clayton – his most casual restaurant to-date. Crawford Cookshop celebrates simple, delicious “Americana” style food from a wood-fired grill – with signature Crawford style. Crawford tapped North Carolina native Bryan Slattery as Chef de Cuisine. Slattery, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former Crawford mentee at the Forbes 5-star Cloister at Sea Island in Georgia, recently served with Michelin star-rated chef Brandon Sharp at Carolina Inns’ Crossroads Chapel Hill, honed his butchery skills at Carolina Butcher Shop in Angier, and his barbecue techniques in his backyard with his father over the past two decades. Crawford Cookshop will be open Tuesday-Saturday, and does not take reservations. Get all the details and view their menu here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Got word this week from owner Eric Reyes that Crave Hot Dogs and Barbecue has set a tentative opening date of December 18th. They are opening up a brick and mortar location at The Shoppes at Oberlin Court at 1028 Oberlin Rd. (former Zoës Kitchen spot). They also have a food truck that hit the road last week attending events at breweries, festivals and more, all around Raleigh. They will be serving up all beef hot dogs, hot and mild sausages, and brats, along with the pulled pork, pulled chicken and smoked brisket, it’s a classic family friendly favorite with something for everyone. Oh, did I mention they have a self serve beer well with 24 taps!?!? Congrats to Eric and Jesse Reyes! You can follow them on Facebook here or Instagram here.
- A shout out to the great folks over at 321 Coffee for being voted the best coffee shop in the Triangle according to the News & Observer. If you are not familiar with 321, it was created to offer jobs to people with developmental disabilities. The 321 refers to Down Syndrome, which some of its 31 employees have, meaning the third copy of the 21st chromosome. Their coffee shop is located at the NC State Farmers Market, but the News & Observer also noted that they have expansion plans to open another brick & mortar location in the new Pendo building in downtown Raleigh. Read the article here. Visit 321 here.
- Big news out of Sanford (yes, I know that is Lee County). Last month, Fonda Lupita Mexican restaurant at 129 W. Main Street, was named one of the of 11 best new restaurants in the U.S. by food publication Eater. Yes, in the entire United States! And since then, their business has more than doubled according to an article in the Triangle Business Journal. Which has caused two additional things to happen. First, they will be moving to a new location (within a mile of the current location) and hope to have that opened by the first of the year (they will keep the current location, but convert to a different concept). And secondly, they are exploring opening a location in the Triangle. Check them out here.
- Over in Holly Springs, David McCreary sent me a note letting me know that Yummi Japan, a Japanese and hibachi eatery, will open soon at 7216 GB Alford Highway near the Walmart. Check them out.
- Down in Garner, saw on the Garner Biz Facebook page that Nana’s Sweet Treats will be opening a brick and mortar location on Main Street in early 2022. Until then, continue to order their sweet treats online. Keep up with them on their website here.
- Also in Garner, the Triangle Business Journal reported that Biscuitville is aiming for a January 11 opening date for their newest location off Highway 42 near exit 312 on Interstate 40. Their Garner address is 25 E. Malibu Dr. Biscuitville has one other location in Johnston County (Clayton) as well as seven locations in the greater Raleigh area and three in Durham. Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership brought it to our attention that Pirate Captain is now open at 163 E. Franklin St. (former Ms. Mong spot). Check out their ramen, seafood plates, poke, smoothies and more! Order online for grab and go pickup or stop by and dine-in. View their menu and get to know them here.
- Over in Durham, Taste Carolina owner Lesley Stracks-Mullem notified us that she saw a sign for Bul Box near the new Happy & Hale in University Hill (3103 Shannon Road). There isn’t a listing on their website just yet, but this would mark their fifth Triangle-area locaiton. No word on an open date, so stay tuned. Get to know them here.
- Also in Durham, thanks to a Facebook post from Carrie Brogren (Chapel Hill/Carrboro Foodies Group) we learned that the grand opening of the Durham (Southpoint) location of Crumbl Cookies is today, Friday, December 3rd! They are located at 8128 Renaissance Pkwy. Check out Crumbl here.
- The Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors Bureau brought it to our attention that Thirsty Skull Brewing is officially opening today (Friday, December 3rd) at 3 p.m. at 915 N Second Avenue in Siler City. They are a small scale brewery with kegs available as well as limited 12 oz. bottles. Get to know them here.
Closings / Cancellations
- David McCreary shared the sad and unexpected news from Fuquay that Tsuru Sweets & Coffee at 411 Broad Street has closed due to the chef/owner being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Our prayers are with Paolo.
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
- The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has officially launched their Sip and Savor the Season guides, which gives you all the intel you need to pick a drink or dinner spot while shopping in downtown Raleigh. You’ll find festive and seasonal cocktails, coffees, ciders, beers, and more. Check it out here.
- Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies is doing a holiday charity collaboration again this year with Christmas House. Donations will go towards the purchase of grocery gift cards that will be distributed to local families in need (as identified by Orange/Chapel Hill/ Carrboro School system social workers). Additionally, during the month of December, they have partnered with Tandem restaurant in Carrboro to sell Carrie Brogren’s “Partridge in a Pear Tree” holiday cocktail with a portion of the sales from each cocktail added to the Christmas House donations. Make your donations here. Visit Tandem 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 holiday season. Your gift today can provide two times as much food to families in our community.
