Triangle Restaurant News
Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.
Featured Restaurant News
- The highly anticipated Morgan Street Food Hall will open in Raleigh’s Warehouse District on July 23 – that is just one week from this coming Monday. So far, nineteen unique and diverse establishments are gearing up for the opening (more to follow) in this very cool downtown space that is very large, warm and inviting. Get a list of the restaurants and all the details here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- I attended a media preview event at Morgan Street Food Hall (ya’ll gonna love it!), and learned from a Facebook live post on WTVD’s site that Oak City Fish & Chips (which has a spot at the Food Hall) will open a second brick and mortar location 30 days after this opening in southeast Raleigh off Rock Quarry Road at 2822 New Birch Drive in Farmington Square. The guys behind Oak City (originally from Raleigh) also have three food trucks serving the Triangle. Learn all about them here.
- Over in Seaboard Station, John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, posted on Instagram that a spot called Papa Shogun, an Italian and Japanese establishment, is coming to the former Kimbap spot. I can’t decide if that is an interesting combination or something perfect for those that just can’t decide. Stay tuned and we will update as we learn more.
- Just outside of downtown on Western Blvd., the ITB Insider noted this week that in the former Gourmet Factory spot at 3933 Western Blvd., a permit was issued for Sultan Kebab. We couldn’t find a local Internet presence for them, so we will have to keep an eye on it.
- The ITB Insider also reported this week that Rockin’ Rolls Sushi, Durham’s popular Japanese restaurant, will soon open a brand-new Raleigh location at Harvest Plaza on Strickland Road. An opening date has not yet been announced. This will be their second location. Get familiar with them here.
- Over in Cary, learned from Michael DePersia at National Restaurant Properties that the Brixx in Cary at the corner of High House and Davis (Bradford Center) has been purchased by a retired New Jersey firefighter who just moved here, Tim Morley. Some minor upgrades are planned, but for the most part plan on continuing the business as is. Check them out here.
- Also in Cary, learned this week that Anna Ko will open Terra Bonum Salad Cafe next Monday, July 16 in the spot formerly occupied by Giardino Gourmet Salads on Harrison Avenue in the Bass Pro Shop shopping center. Look for them to offer up fresh salads, wraps and grain bowls. Robbie Casey (from Giardino) will continue their catering efforts. Get to know them on Facebook here.
- Down in Fuquay Varina, David McCreary reported that Daddy D’s BBQ is now open. It is located at 1526 Broad Street. You can visit their Facebook page here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Learned from Melissa Shahady that Hutchins Garage has opened in the Central Park District at 402 W. Geer Street in Durham. Looks like pizza and beer top the list of great options there as well as a very cool atmosphere. Check them out on Facebook here.
- Also in Durham, saw a Grand Opening sign for Los Cabos Bar & Grill Mexican Restaurant at 4020 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in the spot that was most recently the Saucy Crab. Looks like they have a lot of yummy seafood options! Check them out here.
- Over in Chapel Hill, the Lennard family dined at Monterrey Mexican restaurant earlier this week just prior to their move over to Ram’s Plaza this past Tuesday. They have successfully transitioned into the former Bailey’s spot. The former spot on Elliott Road will become a new concept (same owners), but work on that hasn’t begun yet. Check out Monterrey’s new location here.
- Also in Chapel Hill, the newest pizza joint on Franklin Street will open this weekend. MidiCi will begin offering its Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, gelato and other culinary delights with a Buy-One-Pizza-Get-One-Free promotion July 14 and 15, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. it is located at 100 E. Franklin Street at the corner of Franklin and Columbia streets. Check them out here.
- And speaking of Franklin Street saw on the local Facebook page for B.Good that they are looking at an early August (possibly August 2) opening date for their newest location at Carolina Square (near the new Target). B. Good has two locations in Raleigh (downtown and North Hills), and one in Morrisville. Get familiar with them here.
- And a quick shout out to Al Bowers and his team over at Al’s Burger Shack for finishing #1 on TripAdvisor’s list of top burgers in the entire United States. The original location of Al’s Burger Shack is on W. Franklin Street. He recently opened a second location in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village and has plans to open a slight variation on this when he opens Al’s Pub Shack in Chatham county soon. Get familiar with Al’s here.
Closings
- Michael DePersia of National Restaurant Properties notified us that Smoothie King on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street has closed.
- Also on Franklin Street, the Triangle Business Journal reported that Toppers Pizza is set to close at the beginning of August. Toppers still has two franchise locations in north Raleigh, off Creedmoor Road and Ronald Drive.
- Over in downtown Durham, The Cupcake Bar announced on their Facebook page that after 10 years, they will be serving their last cupcakes on August 4th.
- Down in Fuquay-Varina, David McCreary reported that Rock Harbor Grill at 132 S Fuquay Avenue has closed its doors for good.
Food Trucks
- The dates have been set for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo and Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeos. Check out Durham here and Raleigh here.
- Two great sites to keep up with your favorite food trucks. Street Food Finder is one – find it here. And another, aptly named, is Roaming Hunger – find it here.
Events
- Duke Homestead celebrates North Carolina’s food history and culture this Saturday, July 14 at “Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina.” This free, fun family event focuses on everything that makes the state taste great with the highly competitive and extremely tasty annual Barbecue Cook-Off and Pie Competition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get all the details here.
- The Rickhouse will host Durham’s 4th Annual PickleFest on Sunday, July 15th – a pickle-packed tasting event and market place! The event will showcase North Carolina made products from pickle vendors near and far including locally crafted kombucha and kimchi! Triangle area restaurants sample their unique pickle dishes as well as pickle flavored beers and a Bloody Mary bar to quench your thirst and pucker your lips! VIP tickets are $20 and include a gift and early bird entry from noon – 1pm, plus Home Pickler’s Contest Tasting and (1) free drink ticket. General Admission tickets are $10 and include either Session 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or Session 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kids under 10 years old are free. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The NCRLA Chef Showdown is an annual statewide culinary competition sponsored by the NC Department of Ag. that will result in a final competition on Monday, Aug 27 in Charlotte. The final event is in conjunction with the first night of the industry’s Restaurant & Hotel Expo. Get all the information you need here.
- The 2nd annual Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market Brewfest is happening on Saturday, August 25, with a 12 pack of local brewers and fermenters bringing product to sample and sell. Look for: Botanist & Barrel, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Bull City Ciderworks, Dingo Dog Brewing, Fullsteam Brewery, Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Mystery Brewing, Oak & Dagger Public House, Raleigh Brewing, Starpoint Brewing, 3rd Degree Brewhouse, and Vecino Brewing. The address is 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill. (University Place next to Silverspot) and hours are regular market hours, 8am-12. Get details here.
Food Bank Corner
- As a part of the Stop Summer Hunger initiative, generous friends of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina will match every gift – dollar for dollar. Please help them reach their matching goal of $135,000. For every $20 you give, the Food Bank can provide 200 meals! Make your donation here!
