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 from Jennifer Buchholz that It’s a Southern Thing in downtown Durham will open a second location beginning next week at Ellis Crossing (1051 Yunus Road Ste. 110) in Durham. If you haven’t been before, they are known for their unique take on traditional Southern fair, laid-back atmosphere, Southern hospitality, delicious craft cocktails, and thoughtfully created, scratch-made dishes. Kudos to Pete Susca and his entire team! Check them out here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- We can’t roll into October without talking about what is arguably the largest foodie event of the year, but definitely the most interesting – the new food lineup at the NC State Fair which is just 6 days away (October 12-22). Some of the highlights this year include dill pickle doughnuts, french fry parfaits and a sandwich wrapped in bacon. But I’ll let you decide what you are most excited about with the full list here.
- Saw on RalToday this week that Mandolin (2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh) is bringing back two restaurant faves: Saturday brunch and Sunday dinner. Make a reservation for a romantic dinner or to start your Saturday morning with elevated breakfast items like confit chicken hash and Johnston Co. country ham Benedict. Visit them here.
- Up near the Wake Forest/Raleigh line off 401/Louisburg Road in the Forrestville Crossing shopping center, Andy’s Frozen Custard is now open in the former Torero’s location (it was a complete tear down and new build). Visit them here.
- In Cary, reader Eric Lamb shared with us that the Pho Thien Phat Vietnamese Noodle House has opened in Cary at the intersection of Cary Parkway and Tryon Road (6404 Tryon Rd.).
- Big news out of McCrimmon Corners shopping center in Morrisville (4075 Davis Drive) thanks to a tip from reader Tony Woodard. Alie Hibachi & Sushi opened this week serving up fast casual sushi and Japanese. Check out Alie here. And right next door to Quickly, in the same shopping center, Woodard also noticed that there is signage up for Hokkaido Ramen House in the old Flavors Kitchen space.
- Reader Chris Creighton shared a few updates with us this week: Boba Cha, hand rolled ice cream and bubble tea, is coming soon to the former My Berry Yogurt spot at 3460 Ten-Ten Rd (Harris Teeter shopping center); Al-Basha Market and Grill is opening soon at 3925 Beryl Road in Raleigh. It will feature Mediterranean food as well as a market; and Sheeba Restaurant, with three locations in Michigan, is now serving up traditional upscale Yemeni cuisine at 3933 Western Boulevard in Raleigh in the old Yeman Arabic restaurant. Visit Sheeba here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- In Chapel Hill, the News & Observer reported this week that Edgar Ordonez, the chef at Med Deli, will open an upscale taco concept called El Fogon (“the flame”) at 111 N Roberson Street (next to Brandwein’s Bagels). Look for them to open the first quarter of 2024. Along with his wife, Beatris Santillano, and in-laws, Ismael Santillano-Carrillo and Norma Lazaro, they plan to offer authentic Mexican dishes and as well as some offerings from his native Guatemala.
- Over in Durham, Lesley Stracks-Mullem, owner of Taste Carolina, brought it to my attention that Nosh Durham is moving to a new location. Their new location hasn’t been announced yet, but sources suggest it will be over on Broad Street, next to Cloche Coffee. But stay tuned and follow along on Intagram for the official announcement.
- Also in Chatham County, we learned from reader Shelley Colbert that Town Hall Burger & Beer on 15-501 at the entrance to Briar Chapel has been closed this week for renovations (kitchen remodel) – but will reopen this Saturday. Visit them here.
- AN UPDATE: The West End Kitchen grand opening originally scheduled for Thursday, October 12 has been POSTPONED. We don’t have a new date just yet, so stay tuned. 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. Get to know them here.
Closings
- None to report. Keep eating local, folks!
Food Trucks
- Sister Cities of Durham will hold an International Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 8th from noon to 4 p.m. at Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street). Foods from Mexico, Greece, Jamaica, El Salvador, Africa, Japan, China Haiti and Korea will be featured. There will also be beer and beverage stations. Get all the details here.
- 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
- Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week runs through the weekend and wraps up on Sunday, October 8th. Through Sunday, 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.
- RalToday reminded us that the Raleigh Wine Shop is holding its 13th annual Korktoberfest this Friday through Sunday (Oct. 6- 8). Snack on bites like raw and roasted oysters from Locals Seafood on Friday (5-8 pm), enjoy free wine tastings and charcuterie specials on Saturday, and grab lunch from The Wandering Wolf food truck on Sunday (12-4pm). Oh, did I mention that wine is up to 25% off! Get all the details here.
- The 11th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 8 at Carrboro Town Commons. At the event, attendees will receive a handcrafted bowl donated by a local artist, and fill it with soups from several restaurants, all to support TABLE’s ongoing efforts to feed local kids. Get all the details and buy tickets here.
- Neighborhood bar and Southern kitchen, Whiskey Kitchen, will hold their second annual Ardbeg Wee Beastie Sauce Boss Competition on October 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Whiskey Kitchen will partner with Ardbeg for this free, fun, and collaborative event on their patio in Downtown Raleigh. Each participant’s sauce must include Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt Whisky as an ingredient. These BBQ sauces will be paired with Whiskey Kitchen’s smoked pulled pork served from Ardbeg’s smoker. Whiskey Kitchen is located at 201 West Martin Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Visit Whiskey for more details.
- Kitty Kinnin reminded me that the NC Wine Festival will take place this year on Saturday, October 28th at beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. For over 20 years the North Carolina Wine Festival has been bringing you local North Carolina wineries, artisans, music, food and fun! Buy tickets and 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.
- This is really cool. Raleigh’s Brookside Bodega is hosting a family-friendly campout on Nov. 4 at Haven Farm, a wedding and special event venue in Knightdale. Tickets are now on sale for the campout, which includes activities for the whole family. The family-friendly campout is BYO-tent but includes catered dinner and breakfast, s’mores, live music and more. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- Think you can’t make a difference in someone’s life? Think you don’t have enough money to make a difference? Would you believe me if I told you that as little as $1 equates to 5 meals through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina!?! It is true. Nearly 510,000 people face hunger across our 34-county service area. And thanks to your generosity, the Food Bank provided over 81 million meals to families and individuals last year! Make a donation today!
