Featured Restaurant News
- We learned this week that the newest location of La Buena Vida has opened in Durham in the former Red Lobster spot at 4416 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard. They already have two locations in the Triangle – Raleigh (4516 Falls of the Neuse Road) and Cary (Cary Parkway and Kildaire Farm). If you haven’t been to one of the other locations yet, it is definitely a blend of bold Mexican flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. Welcome to Durham! Might be best to follow along on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- We first told you about this in June, 2024, but it looks like we are getting closer and closer to the return of Red Hot & Blue to Raleigh. Work is being completed on the outparcel building in the Quail Corners Shopping Center at the corner of Falls of the Neuse and Millbrook roads and signage is up on the building. The last Raleigh location closed about two years ago and they now have a location in Morrisville. Keep up with their progress on their website here.
- Looks like May will be the apropos date for the opening of Mây Bakery & Café in Plantation Square over by Triangle Town Center in the former Your Pie location. They are self-described as a cozy space where French elegance meets Vietnamese tradition. Follow along on Instagram for the pending announcement.
- We are just weeks away (shooting for mid-May) from a couple of really cool dining options hanging out side-by-side. Former downtown Raleigh vegetarian and vegan hotspot Fiction Kitchen is moving from their current location at Gateway Plaza (next to Union Special) to the plaza’s other side where they’ll be alongside Mala Pata, an upcoming new Mexican restaurant and bar. Mala Pata is a collaboration between some pretty cool restaurant veterans – Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis (Centro, Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria, Ex-Voto, Patty Boy) and chefs Eric Montagne and Zack Gragg (Standard Beer + Food, Locals Seafood). Keep up with Mala Pata here and Fiction Kitchen here. (Pro tip: see note below in the Events section about a special Cinco de Mayo Taco Pop-Up)
- The News & Observer reported this week that a fave midwest soft serve spot is coming to midtown Raleigh — Andy’s Frozen Custard will open near Trader Joe’s and Wegman’s on Six Forks. This location will have a drive-thru. The paper also noted that this will be Andy’s ninth NC location. Visit Andy’s here.
- And down in Holly Springs, buddy Chris Creighton shared the news that the old Pizza Hut location on Main Street (321 N Main St.) next to Walgreens will be the next location for Diced. No word on an opening date as of yet. Visit Diced here.
- And here is a pro-tip for those that can’t get enough local restaurant news. My buddy Kitty Kinnin (voiceover artist, podcaster, radio personality, emcee) has “rebooted” her podcast and it is so worth a listen. To give you a “taste” (pun intended) check out her podcast with Scott Crawford, five-time James Beard Award nominee—the visionary behind Raleigh’s revered Crawford and Son, French-inspired Jolie, coastal Italian Brodeto, Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, Crawford Genuine at RDU Airport, and his underground speakeasy Sous Terre.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- In Durham, Glenn Gillen passed along news he received in the Southpoint Access newsletter that Scooter’s Coffee is now open at 1051 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. This is their 11th location in North Carolina, and the first in the Triangle. Get to know them here.
- Up n Hillsborough, we got the news this week that local chef Josh Decarolis and his partners Phil Bey and Pietro Costanza will open Serratore’s Pizza and Pasta mid-summer in the space at 112 North Churton Street, previously home to Radius Pizza. The new restaurant will focus on Italian-American dishes featuring fresh pasta, homemade sauces, and wood-fired pizzas, along with a well-curated wine list and specialty cocktails according to the newspaper. We were unable to find an online presence, so stay tuned.
Closings
- Sue Leichliter shared with the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies group that she saw signage on the Uncle Julio’s location in Durham at the Streets at Southpoint indicating that they have closed. The Raleigh location at Crabtree Valley Mall closed last November.
Food Trucks
- The remaining schedule for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos is as follows: June 1; and November 2.. All rodeos are from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and will feature over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world, and family fun – making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.
- Great news as the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo returns to downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 28th from noon until 6 p.m. all along Fayetteville Street. From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity. Whether you’re a fan of gourmet burgers, delicious tacos, or decadent desserts, our food truck rodeo promises to have something for everyone! Visit their Facebook event page 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 39th annual Ham and Yam Festival is happening in Smithfield this Saturday, May 3rd – running all day from 8 a.m until 9 p.m. This annual festival is known for its live music, country ham biscuits and sweetpotatoes! There will be more than 100 booths with local vendors, makers, face painters and nonprofits. Performances will take place at the Neuse River Amphitheater, including country music artist Aaron Tippin. Get all the details including a schedule of events on their site here.
- WRAL reminded me that the Creative Kitchen Kids Food Fest is at Marbles Kids Museum this weekend, May 3-4. It includes free hands-on experiences, community partner engagement and live entertainment. Families will learn about making good food choices via the Balanced Plate Scavenger Hunt, featuring goody bag prizes. Get all the details and register for a class here.
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Natural Science Bar at Gateway Plaza (2431 Crabtree Blvd.) as they host a final “Taco Pop-Up” before Mala Pata opens. Join them from 6 – 9 p.m. on May 5th as they will be slinging roasted pork and grilled shrimp tacos on fresh corn tortillas, whipped potato flautas, and macha chicken wings…plus Margaritas, beer, and more from Natural Science Bar. Get the details here.
- This year’s Gettin’ Piggy With It is set to take place on May 18th in Raleigh at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave Raleigh, NC). The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing and features award-winning chefs and pitmasters nationwide, local beer and spirits, games, live music, and much more. Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds go towards the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center. For 60 years, Frankie Lemmon has been celebrating and educating children of all abilities at little to no cost to their families. Get updates on Instagram here.
- To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Irregardless in downtown Raleigh is hosting a series of special prix fixe dinners, each celebrating a different decade in the restaurant’s history. The second event, set for Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m., takes you back to the 1980s – the decade when Irregardless hit it’s stride. Indulge in a three-course, prix-fixe dinner that highlights iconic dishes from their early days, reimagined for today’s palate. Enhance your experience by adding expertly curated wine/cocktail pairings to each course. Seating is limited, so don’t wait—reserve your spot and join them for a memorable evening of culinary nostalgia and celebration! Tickets and details here. Additional dinners are as follows: 1995 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. July 9; 2005 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10; and 2015 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12.
- NC Sugar Rush will be held in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza on Sunday, May 25th from noon until 6 p.m. If you are not familiar with this yumminess, it is a dessert food only event with something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Sign me up! Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.
- The 10th Annual Raleigh International Food Festival will take place this year on Saturday, June 7th from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. The event will feature over 120 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe with over 60 cultures represented. Free tickets and all the details here. (Tickets not required as this is a free event)
- Also on Saturday, June 7th is the 5th Annual Bubbles & Brisket featuring BBQ pit-master/chefs and an array of sparkling beverages ranging from Champagne, cava, cremant, prosecco, beer, sodas to non-alcoholic and boozy cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent across the country, along with enjoying multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Tickets are $75 (early bird is $65). Discounted six-pack group tickets available. The VIP Experience ($135) tickets include: Early entrance, VIP Trig Modern lounge, specialty Champagne & brisket tastings concierge full-service of all chef offerings. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- Pop Up Markets are no cost food distributions directly facilitated by the Food Bank. Most are walk-up, and client choice distributions, with volunteers stocking tables from pallets of food and assisting neighbors throughout. The Pop Up Markets program is meant to provide additional support for the Food Bank’s primary goal: supporting our Partner Agency Network. These are locally run food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations that partner with us to distribute food to those in need in their communities. Find a list of May, 2025 Pop Up Markets here.
