Friday Fun Food Facts – March 25, 2022

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

Featured Restaurant News

  • The News & Observer reported this week that Boulted Bread will be moving from its South Street location to a new spot a few blocks away in Boylan Heights to Dupont Circle (328 Dupont Circle to be exact). Congrats to Josh Bellamy and Sam Kirkpatrick and the entire team at Boulted on their continued success! The move will take place in the “next many months.” So best to follow along with their progress at the new location on their Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Raleigh Convergence shared the news that The Raleigh Wine Shop is now open in its new location in the Olde East District, at 317 S. Bloodworth St. The building is formerly the fellowship hall for the, now vacant, Smith Temple Baptist Church. The building interior has been completely renovated and transformed into a modern, open, inviting gathering and retail space with natural lighting, seating, and shelving. The space is also available for private events. Check it out here.
  • Over in Cary, Twitter buddy BurgeoningBaker noticed signage has gone up in the High House Crossing shopping center for a concept called Sweet Room (same shopping center as Masa Sushi & Ramen) at 2757 Highway 55. Appears to be a boba tea and Asian dessert spot. We couldn’t find an online presence for them just yet. Stay tuned.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Today, Friday, March 25th, is the opening date for the next round of BB’s Chicken from Ashley Christensen and MDO Holdings. This second location (the first location opened in Raleigh out in front of Wegman’s on Wake Forest Road) will be in Durham’s University Hill (the exact address is 3109 Shannon Road). A third location will open in Cary soon. Best to follow them on Instagram for announcements and updates.
  • The Triangle Business Journal also shared that the new Durham location of Gizmo Brew Works is opening above BB’s Crispy Chicken in University Hill on March 25 as well. Visit Gizmo here.
  • Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing shopping center has drawn a lot of attention with the recent openings of Kipos and Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken. But two other concepts are working their way through the town’s approval process. We’ve already told you about Shake Shack (proposed for the former Zoe’s spot). But this week Chapel Hill Magazine shared that another restaurant is also looking to enter the market at Eastgate. The magazine reported that Snooze, An A.M. Eatery, the Denver-based breakfast chain, is looking to open a location between CorePower Yoga and Birkenstock. If it proceeds, the magazine suggests you get ready for boozy brunches featuring bloody marys, eggs Benedict and pancake flights. Yes please. And thank you. This would be their first location in the Triangle, fourth location in North Carolina. Get familiar with Snooze here.
  • Chapel Hill Magazine reported that The Purple Bowl, a popular smoothie bowl spot located in Chapel Hill at 306 W. Franklin St. is set to expand into the vacant space next door, formerly occupied by Topper’s Pizza. The expansion will take place this spring. Visit them here.

Closings / Cancellations

  • RalToday shared the news that Night Kitchen Bakehouse & Cafe will close after their last day of operation on Saturday, April 9. They were offered space in the new Seaboard Station development, but decided to take time off to explore new business models. Pay them a visit before April 9th here.

Food Trucks 

  • The Greek Goat food truck is excited to announce its grand opening next Tuesday, March 29 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at House of Hops at 6909 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. The Greek Goat is the Triangle’s newest family-owned and operated food truck delivering an authentic Greek street food experience with all the traditional favorites one would come to expect with a Greek dining experience. Congrats to owner Ioannis Theodorou, whom you may recognize where he was a mainstay at both Taverna Agora and Vidrio. Get to know them here.
  • 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 (their first was last Sunday). The remainder of the season is as follows: June 5, September 4 and October 30. Mark your calendars. Get all the details 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 Saturday, March 26th, Full Bloom Coffee Roasters in historic downtown Garner (141 W. Main Street) invites you to enjoy an evening of local art, music and libations at their first Avant-Garde Art Show from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature a gallery of nature illustrations from Char Hall (with prints and originals for sale), as well as live performances by minimal synth artists Midcentury Modular and Chinchorro. Visit Full Bloom here.
  • April 2 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.
  • Raleigh’s Vidrio restaurant is hosting a “Taste Tour of the Mediterranean” monthly dinner series and it begins on Thursday, April 14th from 6:30-9 p.m. The destination and menu inspiration will change each month as they work their way through the Mediterranean. Each “culinary tour” will be led by executive chef Saif Rahman. The cost is $85, plus tax and gratuity. Buy tickets and get all the details here.
  • On April 16 from 12 – 6 pm, The Pit Authentic BBQ is moving their 12th ‘Cuegrass Festival to Fayetteville and Hargett streets. The event is free to attend, family friendly, and all for a good cause. Every penny spent at ‘Cuegrass will be donated to local children’s organizations including SAFEchild, Junior League of Raleigh’s BackPack Buddies Program, and BSA Troop and Pack 325. The best bluegrass, barbecue, and beer (all local to NC) await you, so mark your calendars for ‘Cuegrass 2022!
  • 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.
  • The folks over in Cary are proud to announce that Fest in the West, western Cary’s signature event, is back at Thomas Brooks Park on Saturday, May 7th from 11am-5pm. There are two stages with entertainment featuring some of the best talent in the Triangle. Food trucks will be in three areas, a centrally located beer garden and a fun Kids Corral with activities for families along with a petting zoo. Mark your calendar and get 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

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