Friday Fun Food Facts – June 19, 2026

Featured Restaurant News

• Over in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village, Chapelboro shared that we are down to “weeks” before the move of La Vita Dolce from their current home of 11 years a few doors down into the former Market & Moss space. The move triples the size of the popular cafe and coffee shop, allowing them to transition to an all-day concept with expanded hours and much needed additional space. The new spot will be just as enjoyable for a morning latte as it will be for an evening martini. They are targeting an early July move. The current location will remain open until the week before the move. Follow along for updates here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Today marks the opening of the third Triangle-area location of Jeff’s Bagel Run -they’ll open today (June 19th) at 4251 Parklake Avenue in GlenLake Office Park (just up from Crabtree Valley Mall). The Triangle-area franchise, owned and operated by Ryan McEvoy, invites the community to join in a full week of celebrations. Grand Opening Day: Friday, June 19 opening at 6:30 a.m.; Opening Weekend: Saturday, June 20 & 21 opening at 6:30 a.m. This opening follows the openings in Wake Forest and Rolesville. Get familiar with the franchise here.

• Fogo de Chão, the internationally renowned restaurant founded in Brazil over 46 years ago and known for its elevated churrasco dining experience, announced the signing of a lease agreement at Crabtree Valley Mall. They will occupy the former Uncle Julio’s space and are expected to open before the end of the year according to the Triangle Business Journal. Their other North Carolina location will in Charlotte, with an August opening. Visit them here.

• And in more food news at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Business Journal also reported that the mall has landed Five Guys for the food court. Visit Five Guys here.

• Reader Kathy Powell tipped us off to two additions coming to the Six Forks Station Shopping Center at the corner of Six Forks and Strickland roads in Raleigh. A Panda Express is coming making it their third Triangle-area location. In addition, she shared that the shopping center will soon be the new location of Arepa Culture (going into the former Discount Tire building) as they are closing their current location in Pleasant Valley. June 21st will be the last day at the current location. We will ask Kathy to keep us posted as to when they both open – thanks Kathy! Visit Arepa Culture here and Panda Express here.

• Up in Raleigh’s Brennan Station (corner of Creedmoor and Strickland) reader Kathy Powell also tipped us off to an interesting addition heading our way – Topsail Steamer. Not a sit-down joint, but a take home and steam concept – fresh seafood steam pots packed with the freshest seafood, meats, veggies, and homemade seasonings. Here’s how it works – Choose from their signature Bay Buckets (or create your own) and place your order. Next, head home (or wherever you have a burner) with your pot/bucket and follow the simple steaming instructions. (Hint: Just add liquid!). And finally, enjoy! No word on a timeline for opening. Check them out here.

• Over in Cary, we saw in The Cary Report that Esteamed Coffee is opening a second location in the old High House Billiards space at 185 High House Rd. The new shop will create up to 12 new jobs for adults with disabilities and is planning to open before the end of 2026. And don’t worry, the original Esteamed location in downtown Cary isn’t going anywhere and High House Billiards is relocating to downtown Cary. Visit Esteamed here.

• Staying in Cary, we learned this week that Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, which has locations across Texas, Florida, Minnesota and Arizona, will soon open in Fenton. This will be their first North Carolina location. They specialize in handcrafted crêpes, specialty coffee, matcha lattes, and a Parisian dining experience — open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The website suggests a summer 2026 opening. Get familiar with them here.

• And out on the edge of Raleigh heading towards Garner, Chris Creighton notified me that a new burger spot called 123 Burger has opened at 4150 Fayetteville Road – in the former Zaxby’s location. They feature fresh never frozen burgers and fresh cut fries. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• M Hansik, the newest addition to the suite of M Restaurants, has their opening today (Friday, June 19th). Please note: there will be limited seating. This soft opening is in advance of their grand opening on June 24th. They will offer a modern take on traditional Korean cuisine – rooted in heritage, reimagined with creativity. They invite you to keep an open mind and enjoy their playful interpretations of classic Korean dishes. They are located in the former Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar space (501 Washington Street). Reservations coming soon. Visit M Hansik here.

• In addition to the above announced opening of over at Crabtree Valley Mall, the Triangle Business Journal shared that Fogo de Chão has submitted plans to open a second Triangle-area location at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham. This will follow the Charlotte opening in August and Raleigh’s opening before year’s end. No word on a timeline. Keep up with them here.

• A new rhythm of Indian dining is coming to Chapel Hill — where bold flavors, beautiful ambience, handcrafted dishes, cocktails, chaats, and unforgettable moments — with Taal Dining moving in to the former Cholanad space at 310 W Franklin Street. Follow along for an opening announcement soon.

, Closings

• Tyler Glover informed us that the Taco Bell at 8801 Six Forks Road (Six Forks Station) has closed.

Food Trucks

• Good news, bad news for dumpling fans. The Chirba Chirba truck has “retired” from being mobile and is looking for a location to “just sit” and churn out your favorite dumplings. That’s the bad news (although, we think it is pretty cool they will soon have a “permanent” home). The other good news is they will soon have a brand-new Chirba Chirba truck taking over their existing calendar in July! So, if you know of a good spot for them to “park” their first truck (no, not your driveway), drop them a line. Reach out to them with your ideas and see when Version 2.0 arrives on their site here.

• Due to the Canes’ parade, the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo has moved to Sunday, June 21st from noon until 6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street in the middle of downtown Raleigh. More than 50 food trucks will be serving everything from savory street eats and smoky barbecue to sweet treats and international flavors. Come hungry and support some of the best local food vendors around! They’ll also have live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, yard games, and plenty of fun for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. Additional rodeos will be held on August 23rd and November 7th. Get all the details here.

• The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on September 27. You’ll find food and drink at over 30 food trucks as well as inflatables and family fun for all ages. It will be hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go ahead and mark your calendar. 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

• Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on September 13th for a fundraiser that supports the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a non-profit organization that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Stop Summer Hunger when your gift doubles! The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina currently has a $100,000 match until July 31! For kids, summer should be a time of play and rest. But for too many local families, it’s a time of worry instead. When school breakfasts and lunches stop for the summer, parents on an already-stretched budget are challenged to fill the gap. Thanks to some generous friends, every dollar of your gift today will double, up to $100,000, to fund our summer meal programs so that kids can be kids. Because of our buying power and relationships with local food providers, every gift, of any size, will go a long way. Every $30 can feed one child two children for a month! Every $90 can feed one child two children all summer! Consider a donation today!