Featured Restaurant News
- The Flying Biscuit will finally land in Chapel Hill! Flying Biscuit Cafe, located in University Place in Chapel Hill between Hawkers Asian Street Food and Bartaco, will open their doors on Monday, January 31. Thanks to Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodie Facebook group founder Carrie Brogren for this information. Flying Biscuit has a location in Raleigh’s Village District and will open a third location soon out in Brier Creek. Get familiar with Flying Biscuit here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- That’s not the only place opening on Monday, January 31st. A quick reminder that the newest location of Gym Tacos will also open on Monday on Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street across from Meredith College in the former Burger King/Hieu Bowl Vietnamese Kitchen spot (3701 Hillsborough St.)! This will be their third location counting their trucks over on Six Forks Road and their sports bar in Bedford (space formerly occupied by the Public House) at 1540 Dunn Road. And remember, it is better to eat some good tacos before going to the gym. See you in line on Monday! In the meantime, visit Gym Tacos here.
- On a recent Facebook post, the current owners of Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant in Morrisville, shared the news that after many years of sharing their culture through cuisine, the To family will hang up their hats after their last shift will be this Saturday night, January 29th. They are passing the restaurant on to a new family in February who will continue to deliver the flavors of Vietnam. Enjoy retirement Mr. And Mrs. To! Visit Mekong here. Thanks to Glenn Gillen for this tip.
- Out Six Forks Road at Six Forks Station, reader Burke Williams shared that a location of Crumbl Cookies is opening soon next to Ni Asian Kitchen. No word on an open date. Crumbl has multiple locations in the Triangle. Visit them here.
- We first told you about this back in October, but reader Burke Williams notified us that Raleigh’s first location of Golden Krust is now open serving Jamaican breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is located in Plantation Plaza at 6260 Plantation Center Drive (the BJ’s shopping center) near the intersection of Capital Blvd. and 540. Follow them on Facebook here.
- This is fun – to look at some things we have to look forward to in 2022 in Raleigh/Wake County thanks to our friends over at Visit Raleigh. Heads up, most of these are food related. Check it out here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- In a recent Facebook post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page, the folks over at Breakaway Cafe shared the news that they will be expanding into Carrboro in the late spring. Unfortunately, that is all the news we have at this point. I’m sure Carrie Brogren will give us an update (no pressure, Carrie!). Congrats on their success. Their original location is just off 15-501 on the way from Chapel Hill towards Pittsboro at the entrance to Briar Chapel. Visit them here.
- Speaking of expansions, Chapel Hill’s Brandwein’s Bagels is in the middle of expanding into the space next door (503 W. Rosemary Street). And in order to complete that expansion, they closed earlier this week and expect to be closed for a week to two weeks to temporarily move into the new space, allowing the next phase which includes an upgrade to the current shop. Probably best to follow along on Facebook to keep up with their progress and re-opening announcements.
- The News of Orange County shared the news that Daniel Levin Brown purchased the building at the corner of Churton and King streets in downtown Hillsborough and will convert the space into a co-work space during the day, and a nano-brewery in the evening – thinking by day and drinking by night, Brown says. He expects renovations to begin in February, and his goal is to open in late summer or early fall. We will keep an eye on this for you.
- Being in the “food business” there are always causes to get involved in and support. That is especially the case with a couple of upcoming events over in Chapel Hill. In 2019, Stephanie Jackson, who is married to Daniel Jackson, executive chef of Osteria Georgi, was diagnosed with a tumor pressing on the communication part of her brain. Her symptoms progressed and in 2020 it was discovered that she had stage 4 brain cancer. You can show your support for the Jackson family in a couple of different ways. On Saturday, February 26th, Osteria Giorgi will donate a portion of their sales to the “Head for a Cure” foundation. Plan to dine in or take-out. And secondly, you can participate in (or simply donate to) a 5k at 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 27th that begins at the Southern Village Green. Stephanie and Dan have a team called “Above Average” that is participating in the 5k. Find out about the dinner here and the race here. Thanks to Carrie Brogren for bringing this to my attention. Our prayers are with Stephanie, Dan and their family.
- The folks over at the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau have put together a great list of dining options in Orange County (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, etc.) that have outdoor seating and heaters. Check out the list here.
Closings / Cancellations
- Got word from reader Burke Williams that both the Subway and the Shish Kabob locations in Six Forks Station in North Raleigh have closed.
- On a Facebook post this week, the owner of Sugar Koi Ice Cream in Durham’s Brightleaf District shared that January 30th would be their last day at this location. That’s the bad news. The good new is she plans on re-opening in Cary, closer to her home. Follow along on their Facebook page for the pending announcement.
Food Trucks
- Happy to share that the Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has announced the dates for 2022 rodeos. They are as follows – May 1st, June 12th, August 7th, Sept 25th or Oct 2nd and November 6th (Alternate/Rain Date). The rodeo is set up on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street featuring a half mile of food trucks and restaurants spread out over 10 city blocks. Details here.
- And not to be outdone, Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo has also released their 2022 schedule and it is as follows – March 20, June 5, September 4 and October 30. Mark your calendars. Get all the details here. And if you are food truck, you can get information on participating here.
- 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
- This weekend will be the last few days of Triangle Restaurant Week which ends on Sunday, January 30th. TRW is a week-long celebration of culinary excellence designed to incorporate the premier Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding area restaurants. During TRW, participating restaurants offer special three-course menu options and fixed pricing, a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to indulge in the area’s finest cuisine. No reservations, tickets or passes required. Pricing for the event is $15 for a 3-course lunch, and $25, $30, $35 or $40 for a 2-3 – course dinner. Price is for each person and does not include beverages, tax or gratuity. Find out which restaurants are participating and all the details here.
- Mark your calendars for February 3 through February 5th for the Triangle Wine & Food Experience. It is North Carolina’s premier wine and food event with all proceeds benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School & Developmental Center. The event features acclaimed winemakers and celebrity chefs from all over the world, as well as thousands of donors and supporters, participating in this truly amazing event. This three-day affair includes winery dinners at the Triangle’s top restaurants, wine tastings at area wine shops, and trade events. TWFE weekend culminates in the Grand Auction, which features a dazzling selection of wine and food, and an exciting auction that features rare and incredible lots. Tickets are on sale now. Get all the details here.
- April 2, 2022 will see the return of a very popular food festival in Cary. Let me warn you, this is “nacho” average food festival – it is the Tacos ‘N Taps Festival from 12-5 p.m. at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The event features over 15 taco trucks, taquerias, and Mexican restaurants with over 30 different types of tacos. Each taco vendor will offer a wide variety of tacos and Mexican inspired dishes. Additionally, they will have over 60+ craft beers, mezcals, margaritas, tequilas, wine and ciders. Get tickets and all the details here.
- Cary’s Downtown Chowdown food truck rally returns this year on Sunday, April 10th where you can enjoy a food-filled afternoon along Academy Street tasting some of the best food in the Triangle, enjoy cool beverages from craft beer and wine vendors, and relax to the music of great local performers. See you downtown! Get all the details here.
- On Satruday, April 16th (I think it is in honor of my birthday on Sunday)The Pit’s 12th ‘Cuegass Festival returns to downtown Raleigh. The event will once again support SAFEchild. For the event, they close down the streets around The Pit and fire up the pig cookers to serve plenty of their famous Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue and a selection of locally made beers. And on the stage they’ll have your favorite bands. Get all the information here.
- And we are just under three months away from this year’s edition of Shop Local Raleigh’s Brewgaloo (April 22-23) – NC’s largest craft beer festival and 2nd biggest in the US! Voted #1 Best Beer Festival two years in a row by USA Today’s 10Best. The weekend of events features craft breweries from NC and partners with local food trucks, local vendors and local bands. Friday night will be a sampler event from 6-10pm. Tickets are $45 per person. Saturday’s event is 2-10pm and open to the public. Beer is sold by the pint or the taste. The day will feature over 75 NC breweries, over 50 food trucks, dozens of local vendors and bands. Drink tickets will be sold in advance and available for purchase at the festival. Food trucks and vendors accept cash and credit options. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- You can make a difference every month! Despite a record amount of food being distributed to individuals, seniors, children, veterans, and families of all kinds who are facing hunger last year, the food bank is still not meeting the increased need in the 34 counties the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina serves. Their partner agencies on the front lines are still reporting a sustained 35% increase in need over pre-pandemic levels. They need your reliable support to nourish all their neighbors in need. Sign up this January and your 1st monthly gift can be matched up to $2,500! Start giving today! #NoOneGoesHungry
