Friday Fun Food Facts – July 11, 2014

Triangle Restaurant News

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

The word is out! Mark your calendars for one of the Triangle’s annual “can’t miss” foodie events – Terra Vita 2014. It will be held October 9 – 11 and tickets go on sale July 20. Lots of great folks involved this year. Follow @terravitafoodie on twitter and Instagram for more updates. The website is here.

The News & Observer reported this week that Tammy Calaway-Harper is targeting early August for the opening of Belle, an ambitious new farm-to-table restaurant, coffee shop/bakery and cafe in the Jones House, a historic structure at the corner of Academy Street and Dry Avenue in Cary. Follow her progress here.

Got word this week that Ajisai Japanese Fusion + Sushi has opened in the old Sushi Gami location in Cameron Village.

Triangle Business Journal reported last week that the Triangle is home to another location of WhichWich Superior Sandwiches. The latest location opened up in the food court at Crabtree Valley Mall. This is the chain’s first mall location.

It was recently announced that Tasty 8’s Gourmet Hot Dog Company will open next month at 121 Fasayetteville Street, in the former Spize Café location. We will keep an eye on it. In the mean time, visit them here.

Via twitter, @Burgeoningbaker tweeted me yesterday that Primal Restaurant, a gluten-free restaurant and bar, is now open in Durham. They are located at 202 West Highway 54 in the former location of Souper Salad. Check them out here.

Noticed on a recent stroll down Franklin Street in Chapel Hlll that Pita Pit has closed, and a sign for Campus Calzones has gone up. No word yet on an open date, but the Herald Sun noted that there is a Campus Calzones location in Greenville, NC. Get a peek at them here.

The Triangle Business Journal also reported that seven months after a building fire closed their pizza pie restaurant, the owners of Pizzeria Toro at Five Points in downtown Durham will reopen in late July at its original spot at 105 E. Chapel Hill Street. Keep up with them here.

According to the Herald Sun, a Krispy Kreme shop is coming to 3536 Hillsborough Road in the former George’s Diner location. Plans for renovation are under review at Durham City-County Planning. Stay tuned.

The Herald Sun reported this week that Straw Valley in Durham has moved its lunch service to The Black House. Previously, lunch was offered at the cafe and wine bar space and surrounding outdoor spaces. Reservations will be accepted for lunch at The Black House. Also, The Black House will be open seven nights a week for dinner service. They are located between U.S. 15-501 and the New Hope Commons shopping center. Check them out here.

After more than 46 years in business, the first Dunkin’ Donuts shop to open in North Carolina closed its doors at 1801 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. Our best to Groover and Joyce Blitch.

Got word from John Huisman (aka Triangle Explorer) that there is a new truck in town called Jakki’s Juice Jam. They have been on the road for a few months now and offer fresh pressed juices and smoothies as well as salads and vegetarian/vegan/ and gluten free options. Check them out here.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, July 27th from 12-4 for the first official Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo. It will take place at 419 S. Brooks St. at Over the Falls Shopping Center. Get all the details here.

Got word recently that Valentino’s Food Truck has launched a kickstarter campaign for some much needed upgrades, a cookbook and web show. Get all the details here.

This is a fun food event that happens once a month that you might want to add to your calendar. Called Second Saturday (i.e. tomorrow, July 12), it is an all-day event featuring all sorts of food related activities along a 2-mile corridor in downtown Raleigh. Check it out here.

The 13th Annual Acme Tomato Festival is this weekend (July 11 – 13) where they will feature the very best in local tomatoes in every color and shape and culinary guise imaginable at Acme Restaurant in Carroboro. OK, maybe not every one. But close. Nearly 500 lbs of local, oh-my, goodness. If you’ve never been to Acme over in Carrboro, now is the time to go. Check them out here.

The Western Wake Farmers Market is hosting their Peach Day this Saturday, July 12, 2014. Market hours are 8 a.m. – noon. In addition to the regular market offerings, WWFM will highlight peaches with samples, market recipes and chef demonstrations. Get all the details on the market here.

The Harvest Abundance Dinner and Auction is Sunday, July 20th, at Oakleaf in Pittsboro from 5-8pm. 100% of the proceeds go to Abundance Foundation & Chatham Mills Farmers’ Market. Get your tickets today ($45 in advance; $55 at the door). Get more information here.

The Carolina RailHawks’ 3rd Annual Pig Pickin’ Festival is Saturday, July 26th at 5:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park. It will take place prior to the RailHawks hosting Ottawa Fury FC at 7:30 p.m. The cost is only $16 and includes all-you-can-eat BBQ, beer from White Street Brewing Co., and many other great items. Live music will be presented by ReverbNation.com. A Pig Pickin’ Fan Contest will take place on Friday, July 18-entries are still available. Contest winners will receive RailHawks’ tickets, an authentic home jersey and more. Get all the details here.

Just got word from my buddy Derrick Minor about an event in September that you’ll want to get on your calendar. Mark your calendars now for September 27 for Beericana. What is Beericana? 50 breweries + 10 food trucks + 4 Americana bands + Awesome People = Beericana! The event will be held at Sugg Farm Park in Holly Springs. More details to follow. Keep up with details on Twitter here.

Fire in the Triangle, a chef competition being held in Raleigh, June 23-August 4, is under way. All the events WILL sell out (several rounds have already sold out). Get all the details and tickets here.

With three locations in the Triangle, locally owned Firewurst has launched their 10,000 for 10,000 Summer Hunger Campaign for the month of July. Firewurst is charging the community to come out and eat one of their famous Certified Angus Beef hot dogs in celebration for National Hot Dog month. The goal is to sell 10,000 hot dogs throughout the month, and Firewurst will donate $10,000 to the Food Bank’s Stop Summer Hunger program that feeds local children in need. Visit one of these Firewurst locations to participate: 1377 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary (next to Trader Joe’s); 1823 N. Harrison Ave., Cary, (next to Bass Pro Shops) and 8531 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh (next to Regal Brier Creek Stadium 14). Get all the details here.