Featured Restaurant News
- In the never say never category, news broke this week that we might be just months away from the re-opening of 42nd Street Oyster Bar in downtown Raleigh. It closed in March of this year after nearly 100 years in business. The new ownership team (42nd Street Partners LLC) consists of the restaurant’s longtime general manager, Hunter Correll (GM since 1996) along with John F. Holmes Jr., president of Hobby Properties, the restaurant’s landlord. Looks like their Facebook page might be the best place to keep up with this developing story. Best guesses are they are looking at a February opening.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Raleigh’s newest taco shop, Barrio Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey, in downtown Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow development is (FINALLY) having their Grand Opening this Friday, August 22nd. The doors open at 3 p.m. and the first 50 people in line will receive 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗢 for an entire year! This will be the chain’s first venture into North Carolina after being voted one of the top 10 taco stands in the United States. They are also known for their vast selection of tequila, whiskey, and beer. At this point, best to follow their Instagram for an announcement.
- Thanks to a tip from Darryl Fuller, owner and chef at Morning Rolls, we learned that he is getting a new neighbor at Quail Corners Shopping Center (corner of Falls of the Neuse and Millbrook) in Raleigh. Burrito Shak will have their last day today (Friday) and Gym Tacos will move into that space, making this their third brick-and-mortar location (one in Raleigh and one in Durham) joining a couple of food truck locations. No word on how quickly they will be able to flip the location, but I don’t imagine it will be too long. Looks like they are sharing updates on their Instagram site.
- New coffee concept, Simmer Coffee (at 726 Slash Pine Drive in Amberly Village in Cary), will celebrate their grand opening on Saturday, August 23 from 10am-1pm with special promotions, opportunities to win free Simmer food, drink, and merchandise, a photo booth, face painting and balloon art for kids of all ages. As part of its grand opening, Simmer is also giving one lucky winner Free Simmer for a Year. Check them out here.
- Also in Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported that Mezcalito, a Tex-Mex chain with six locations in North Carolina, plans to open its next location at 1102 Walnut Street in the former home of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. It is located at the intersection of Walnut Street and Southeast Maynard Road less than two miles from downtown Cary. Mezcalito has locations in Apex, Beaufort, Clayton, Durham, Goldsboro and Henderson, with plans to open in Rolesville’s Cobblestone Village. Check out Mezcalito here.
- Up in North Raleigh, reader Hans Kerekes sent word that there is a coming soon banner hanging up for Mamacita, Modern Mexican & Cocktails in the Forestville Crossing shopping center in the former Hwy. 55 burger spot. No word on an open date. This will be their fourth location here in the Triangle. Visit them here.
- In Wake Forest, reader Rebecca Taylor informed us that a sign is now up for The Flying Biscuit Cafe in the former East Coast Wings spot in Wake Forest Crossing on Capital Boulevard (12646 Capital Blvd., Suite 168, Wake Forest). It is in the same shopping center as Playa Bowls which just opened a couple of weeks ago. This will be their 5th Triangle-area location. No timeline is available just yet. Visit them here.
- And over in Wendell, Raleigh Magazine reported that Glenwood South pizza spot, Vic’s Pizzeria, is opening a new location at Wendell Falls. Their first location outside of Raleigh will be in a brand-new 2,400 square-foot building with an opening planned for May, 2027. Look for pretty much the same menu as Raleigh, with the addition of more pasta dishes—plus a full bar serving craft and bottled beer, wine, and liquor. Until then, visit them on Glenwood South here.
- My buddy Bates Battaglia shared with me the news that his bar, Lucky B’s, is celebrating 20 years as Glenwood South’s favorite Dive Bar! Looks like they will have an anniversary party on Saturday, September 13th. Stay tuned for details. Visit B’s here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Cucciolo is expanding its reach as the team behind North Hills’ Cucciolo Terrazza and Downtown Durham’s Cucciolo Osteria is opening Cucciolo Famiglia in South Durham’s Sutton Station this Saturday, August 23rd. Of the three restaurants, this will be the most casual, evoking the charm of a classic Italian bistro. Thanks to Carrie Brogren for the tip on the opening date. Visit Cucciolo Famiglia on Instagram here.
- Also, got word this week that the creators of Korean-inspired restaurants Namu, Bulkogi and The Can Opener have teamed up to bring Baekho Coffee & Ice Cream to Boxyard RTP. They are serving inventive espresso creations made with Counter Culture Coffee beans and scratch-made, locally sourced ice cream. Baekho combines contemporary coffeehouse vibes with tastes inspired by global flavors. Congrats to Charlie Ji, Joe Choi, Bo Kwon and Jin Song on their latest venture! You can find them on Instagram here.
- Anyone from New York (or anyone that is a Seinfeld, Sex and the City or The Office fan) will be excited to hear the news shared by the News & Observer this week – University Place in Chapel Hill will soon be home to H&H Bagels. And not only that, the N&O unveiled that this is the first of 5 locations planned for the Triangle. We should expect the iconic kettle-boiled bagels by the end of 2025. If you’ve never watched Seinfeld, Sex and the City, The Office or been to New York, check out H&H here.
Closings
- The News & Observer reported this week that Brio Italian Grille has closed its Crabtree Valley Mall location after 15 years.
- Chris Creighton notified us that The Cranky Yankee Bakery on Salem Street in Apex has closed.
Food Trucks
- Jennifer Martin posted on Facebook that the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo will take place THIS Sunday, August 24th from 12 – 7 p.m. in downtown Raleigh. Expect over 50 of your favorite food trucks. It is being put on by Shop Local Raleigh.
- The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 will be on Sunday, November 2. It will run from 12 noon until 4 p.m. featuring over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! 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
- The Durham Bulls Athletic Park will host its first Tacos & Margarita Festival THIS Saturday, August 23rd from 12-4pm! Try their specialty taco and margarita creations for a unique culinary experience! This festival will not only include a variety of food and beverage items for patrons to taste but will feature an in-house DJ and live wrestling. What? Tacos and wrestling….sign me up! Get all the details here.
- Carolina Brewery is closing out the summer with their second Shrimp Boil event where guests are invited to enjoy a classic lowcountry-style boil, live music, and the release of a limited-edition beer brewed specially for the occasion. The Chapel Hill location will host their boil on Saturday, August 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. For additional details or to make reservations, visit them here.
- The Town of Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is a great way to wrap up the summer and explore the work of over 250 artists from across the nation, great food, live music and performances, as well as a kids section. Get all the details here.
- The inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival will be held Saturday, October 18th at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The exciting new community event merges together two beloved festivals–Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival–into a celebration of food, culture, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Food will be provided by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a team of local chefs and food trucks offering a wide variety of dishes and dining options. The festival will feature craft beers, curated beverages, and other interesting spirit-free options. All food and drink will be available for purchase and is not included in the price of festival entry. Tickets are on sale now.
Food Bank Corner
- It’s no exaggeration to say that North Carolina is in the grip of a hunger crisis. More than 1.6 million of our neighbors — 1 out of every 5 children — don’t know where their next meal might come from. That’s what makes the news of federal funding cuts such a blow, and why it’s more important than ever for our community to pull together. Existing federal funding changes: The elimination of LFPA, a program that let food banks like us buy fresh produce from local small farms; Reductions to TEFAP, a program to provide emergency food for families; Funding loss equivalent to 11.8 million meals that children, families, and seniors in our community need. Upcoming federal funding changes to SNAP: 375,000 North Carolinians could lose food assistance, including 46,000 veterans; “Cost-sharing” shift of $280 million from federal government to North Carolina state and local governments; Increased paperwork requirements to qualify. But a gift to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Raleigh Branch is a simple, effective way for you to help meet the immediate need. Every $10 is enough for 50 meals, so your gift quickly adds up to a big impact!
