{"id":1050,"date":"2019-12-23T07:45:35","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T12:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1050"},"modified":"2019-12-23T07:48:29","modified_gmt":"2019-12-23T12:48:29","slug":"2019-a-look-back-2020-a-look-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/?p=1050","title":{"rendered":"2019 – A Look Back; 2020 – A Look Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Look Back At Triangle Food News in 2019…And A Look Ahead To 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here it is. The longest read of the year. A look back at what was 2019. And a look ahead as to what is in store for 2020. Not to jump ahead…but, 2020 will be the year of three letters…B…B…Q. 11\u2026count them…11 BBQ restaurants will come online in 2020 (so keep reading…you\u2019ll want to see who they are). And of course there was sadness in 2019 – we lost some great people and lots of restaurants turned their lights off for the last time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that brief intro, grab a cup of coffee (or two) and let\u2019s take a trip down memory lane and then look ahead to 2020…shall we? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raleigh in 2019 – The Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashley Christensen<\/strong>, was selected as the nation\u2019s top chef by the James Beard Foundation<\/strong> (did we mention that it was in.the.nation?!?). And not to rest on her laurels, she opened her much-anticipated pizza restaurant, Poole\u2019side Pies;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe<\/strong> opened High Horse<\/strong>, a live-fire restaurant in Raleigh\u2019s City Market<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott Crawford<\/strong> opened his newest restaurant, Jolie<\/strong>, a French bistro located in historic Oakwood;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfer Co. Food Hall<\/strong> came onto the scene in 2019, following Morgan Street Food Hall\u2019s<\/strong> debut in 2018. The following opened in Transfer Co.<\/strong> in 2019: Benchwarmers Bagels (Boulted Bread<\/strong> and Jubala Coffee), Burial Beer Co., Captain Cookie & The Milkman, Che Empanadas <\/strong>and Locals Oyster Bar<\/strong>, Bul Box<\/strong>, Chhote\u2019s<\/strong>, Dank Burrito, Alimentari at Left Bank <\/strong>and Mama Crow\u2019s<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of food halls, Morgan Street Food Hall<\/strong> had some additions this year: YoHo Hibachi & Sushi Burritos, Primal Cuts, Pazza Pasta <\/strong>and Raleigh Mini Donut Company<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Hills<\/strong> enjoyed the opening this year of Stir<\/strong>, Mason\u2019s Famous Lobster Rolls <\/strong>and Giorgio Bakistas\u2019 Rosewater Kitchen & Bar; <\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over at The Dillon<\/strong> in downtown Raleigh, we saw the opening of Oak Steakhouse<\/strong> and Barcelona Wine Bar<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sushi Mon<\/strong>, the Chris Lee-owned Japanese\/sushi restaurant opened adjacent to NC State\u2019s campus;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boylan Bridge Brewpub<\/strong> is no more making way for Wye Hill Kitchen + Brewing<\/strong> which took over the downtown skyline spot in June; <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The folks over at Relish Craft Kitchen and Bourbon Bar <\/strong>doubled their yumminess and fun by opening The Kitchen Table at Relish <\/strong>(biscuits, brews and board games); <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up in North Raleigh, the much-anticipated Cape Fear Seafood Company<\/strong> opened their first location outside the Wilmington area in the former Kamado Grill\/Lucky 32<\/strong> spot; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layered Croissanterie<\/strong>, opened in downtown Raleigh at 911 N. West Street in the old Rainbow Upholstery building;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Acorn<\/strong> opened …and then closed…then Reuben\u2019s NY Deli<\/strong> opened at 170 E. Davie Street in the former Acorn at Oak City\/Kaiju<\/strong> space;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in that same restaurant group, Calavera<\/strong> opened in their new space at 615 W. Morgan Street in the former Moonlight Pizza<\/strong> spot;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jake Wood<\/strong>, chef de cuisine at 18 Seaboard<\/strong> left, taking over as the head chef at Plates Neighborhood Kitchen<\/strong>. And here at year\u2019s end, is moving on from there (Pro Tip: see more on Jake below); <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We saw Rise Biscuits and Donuts<\/strong> make the change to focus on biscuits and fried chicken; changing their name to Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken<\/strong>. By year\u2019s end, customer cries were heard and they brought back some of the donuts; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory Goldberg<\/strong> brought his Uninhibited Tapas Bar<\/strong> into the former Taste<\/strong> location on Medlin Drive;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

321 Coffee<\/strong> opened at the State Farmers Market<\/strong>. 321 Coffee<\/strong> is a \u201cnonprofit coffee shop staffed by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gateway Plaza <\/strong>enjoyed a massive renovation and enjoyed the addition of Andrew Ullom\u2019s Union Special Bread<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some other honorable mentions: Saints & Scholars<\/strong> finished their remodel and re-opened (February 2) at 909 Spring Forest Road; Raleigh got its location of Rockin\u2019 Rolls Sushi Express<\/strong>; Oak City Fish and Chips<\/strong> opened their second location in Farmington Square<\/strong> in Raleigh; Uncle Julio\u2019s<\/strong> opened on the Upper Level of Crabtree Valley Mall;<\/strong> McNeil Pointe<\/strong> on Wake Forest Road welcomed Chido Taco<\/strong> and Brew; Empire Eats Restaurant Group<\/strong>, expanded this year with the opening of Square Burger<\/strong> in the reopened\/renovated Moore Square<\/strong>; Falafel & Co.<\/strong> opened in the former Brookside Market<\/strong> in Raleigh on the corner of Glasscock St and Brookside Dr.; Mildred Council\u2019s<\/strong> (aka Mama Dip<\/strong>) granddaughter opened her Sweet Tea & Cornbread Grill & Eatery<\/strong> in the North Carolina Museum of History<\/strong>; Brother\/sister team of Ben<\/strong> and Holly Schultz<\/strong> opened SmokeStacks Cafe<\/strong> at 701 E Lane St.; and 13 Tacos and Taps<\/strong> moved into the old Chubby Tacos<\/strong> location on Durant Road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durham in 2019 – The Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sister Liu\u2019s Kitchen<\/strong> opened in Durham in the space in front of New Hope Commons<\/strong> near the intersection of 15-501 and Interstate 40 (same complex as Namu<\/strong>); <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dame\u2019s Chicken and Waffles<\/strong> finally re-opened in downtown Durham in a new location in the Liberty Warehouse Apartment<\/strong> building; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott Howell<\/strong> reopened his legendary Nana\u2019s<\/strong> restaurant in Durham on University Drive, which he had closed after a 26-year run; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lime & Lemon Indian Grill<\/strong> on Ninth Street (former Dale\u2019s<\/strong> spot) opened to rave reviews at 811 Ninth Street; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

C<\/strong>hef Mike Lee<\/strong> (think M Kokko<\/strong>, M Sushi<\/strong>, M Tempura<\/strong>) continued building his empire in downtown Durham with the opening of his newest concept, M Pocha<\/strong> in the old Cupcake Bar<\/strong> space at Five Points<\/strong>; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidney Coves<\/strong> opened the second location of his True Flavors Diner<\/strong> at 2022 Chapel Hill Road, taking over the former Lakewood<\/strong> restaurant space and Scratch Baking<\/strong> spots. And before the year’s end he had also opened Debbie Lou\u2019s <\/strong>next door to True Flavors\u2019 Lakewood<\/strong> location (built around biscuits);<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some other honorable mentions: A new Italian restaurant in Brightleaf Square<\/strong> in the former Little Dipper<\/strong> restaurant space called Trattoria Salve<\/strong>. It is owned by Gianni Cinelli<\/strong>, who also has Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria<\/strong> In Raleigh and Osteria G<\/strong> in Apex; The Oak House<\/strong> in Durham opened on the ground floor of One City Center<\/strong>; Spanglish<\/strong> opened in Durham in the former Bagel Bar<\/strong> location at 104 City Hall Plaza. They operate the Spanglish<\/strong> food truck as well as Pressed by Spanglish<\/strong> over in Raleigh; Piper\u2019s Deli<\/strong> in Durham closed and reopened as Steel Spatula Burger Company<\/strong>; The highly anticipated cocktail bar Kingfisher<\/strong> opened in downtown Durham; David \u201cFlip\u201d Filippini<\/strong> opened his newest Kokyu<\/strong> joint at 245 E. NC Hwy. 54 (near Southpoint<\/strong>) in the former Cure Deli & Cafe<\/strong> spot; The new Korean fried chicken place Chicken Bee<\/strong> opened on Ninth Street; A new Italian spot opened in downtown Durham at 104 City Hall Plaza called Convivio Restaurant and Wine Bar<\/strong> offering traditional and authentic Italian dishes; Jeddah\u2019s Tea<\/strong> opened in downtown Durham at 123 Market Street; The second Triangle location of Showmars<\/strong> opened in Durham\u2019s The Corners at Brier Creek<\/strong> out off Glenwood Avenue; The folks over at Boricua Soul<\/strong> food truck opened their first-ever brick and mortar at American Tobacco Campus; and Gusto Farm to Street<\/strong> opened its newest Triangle restaurant in Durham on Page Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapel Hill in 2019 – The Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brandon Sharp<\/strong> opened Hawthorne & Wood<\/strong> in the former Raaga<\/strong> spot in Chapel Hill\u2019s East 54<\/strong>; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chef Teddy Diggs <\/strong>opened Coronato Pizza<\/strong> in the South Green shopping center<\/strong> in Carrboro;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al\u2019s Pub Shack<\/strong> opened a slightly tweaked version of his Al\u2019s Burgers<\/strong> in Chatham County near Governor\u2019s Club. However, it wasn\u2019t long before he converted it to a straight up Al\u2019s Burgers <\/strong>(with a few twists);\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Carrboro, 401 Main<\/strong>, an upscale dive bar from Chapel Hill native Chris Baldwin<\/strong> and Al Bowers<\/strong> of Al\u2019s Burger Shack<\/strong> opened;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deli Edison<\/strong>, the Chapel Hill deli concept from partners Dan Obusan<\/strong>, Sam Suchoff<\/strong> and Pete Wagner<\/strong> opened in the North Chapel Hill Cedar Falls Courtyard<\/strong> adjacent to The Pig<\/strong>, a whole-hog barbecue joint, and Your Neighborhood Bar<\/strong>, soon to be rebranded as PiggyBack<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new watering hole called The Casual Pint<\/strong> opened on the ground floor of the Berkshire Apartments<\/strong> on Elliot Road;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some other honorable mentions: Welcomed and subsequently said goodbye to Haw River Grill<\/strong> on Elliott Road; Cat Tails Cat Cafe<\/strong> opened on W. Franklin Street in the Courtyard<\/strong>; Don Chicken<\/strong>, a Mexican rotisserie with Southern inspired sides, opened on Elliot Road in the former Monterrey<\/strong> location…but rebranded as Monterrey Tacos;<\/strong> The joint venture between Vinnie and Angelo at Italian Pizzeria III<\/strong> and Al Bowers<\/strong> of Al\u2019s Burgers<\/strong> to open Yellow House Tacos<\/strong> eventually fell apart and won\u2019t happen; A concept called Chimney Indian Kitchen & Bar<\/strong> is going into the space formerly occupied by Vespa<\/strong> at 306 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and will open before year\u2019s end (maybe). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere in the Triangle in 2019 – The Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big news in Cary this year was the opening of the area\u2019s first Shake Shack<\/strong> in Cary\u2019s Waverly Place<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sean Degnan<\/strong> and Drew Smith<\/strong> opened k\u014d\u2022\u00e4n <\/strong>in the former An<\/strong> space in Cary; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asali Desserts & Cafe<\/strong> opened in Cary\u2019s MacGregor Village. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some other honorable mentions: Dean\u2019s Kitchen + Bar<\/strong> transitioned into a Der Biergarten<\/strong>; In Garner, Big Ed\u2019s<\/strong> opened a third location; In Chatham Cafe Diem<\/strong> coffee shop opened on Hillsboro Street; and the Triangle\u2019s third location of Mi Cancun<\/strong> opened in Penguin Place<\/strong>; In Hillsborough, James Pharmacy<\/strong> replaced LaPlace Louisiana Cookery<\/strong>; In Wendell, Daniel Whittaker<\/strong> and Patrick Cowden<\/strong> opened Farmhouse Caf\u00e9<\/strong> in the Wendell Falls<\/strong> development; In Holly Springs Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi <\/strong>and Sir Walter Coffee + Kitchen <\/strong>both opened in the new Town Hall Commons<\/strong>; Town Hall Burger<\/strong> opened their newest location there; also bakery\/cafe called Harvest Moon<\/strong> opened; In Apex, Wake Zone Coffee House<\/strong> opened their second location; Over in Wake Forest, Norse Brewing Company<\/strong> opened just last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020 – Year Of Three Letters\u2026.B…B\u2026.Q<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check this out, 11 BBQ Joints are in the \u201cque\u201d to open in 2020<\/strong> (one is not in the Triangle, but of huge interest to everyone in the Triangle). Here\u2019s a quick rundown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitmaster Ed Mitchell<\/strong> (originally from The Pit BBQ<\/strong>) will be opening a new restaurant in early 2020 called The Preserve <\/strong>with LM Restaurants <\/strong>and Lou Moshakos; <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moe\u2019s Original Bar B Que<\/strong> is poised to open in the former Blu Seafood<\/strong> on Hillsborough Rd. in Durham;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam Jones BBQ <\/strong>has announced they are coming to Raleigh at 502 W. Lenoir St., in the former Dusty\u2019s Garage near Boylan Heights;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longleaf Swine<\/strong> (currently a food truck) will open in Transfer Co. Food Hall<\/strong>; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picnic\u2019s Wyatt Dickson<\/strong> will be opening his second bbq restaurant \u2013 Wyatt\u2019s Whole Hog Barbecue<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 in Raleigh\u2019s Gateway Plaza<\/strong>; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Wake Forest, Anthony Bowman\u2019s Smoky Tony\u2019s BBQ<\/strong> will open in early 2020;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new bar\/BBQ place is coming to Main Street in Garner called Shady\u2019s;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jason Howard (The Cardinal <\/strong>and The Atlantic Lounge) <\/strong>shared that he plans on opening Friendship BBQ<\/strong> in the Topps Building in downtown Raleigh;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And not exactly Triangle area restaurant news (but certainly something of interest to thousands of folks that travel to the coast for vacation), Wilber\u2019s Barbecue<\/strong> has been sold to a group of local investors in Goldsboro and will reopen in spring 2020;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in Johnston County, The Old North State Food Hall<\/strong>, opening next spring off of Interstate 95 in Selma, named Redneck BBQ Lab <\/strong>its first tenant; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And something we haven\u2019t reported yet, Jake Wood<\/strong>, from Plates<\/strong> and before that 18 Seaboard<\/strong>, has put up a logo on Facebook that touts something involving barbecue, oysters and beverages\u2026.look for that unveil in early 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Big Doings in 2020 – Certainly there is more than BBQ…Yes…Yes there is!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint James Seafood<\/strong> will re-open in January 2020<\/strong>. The restaurant has been closed since a nearby natural gas explosion in April; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrity chef Kenny Gilbert<\/strong> announced plans to open a restaurant in north Raleigh called Cut & Gather<\/strong> and is expected to open at 13100 Falls of Neuse Road in early 2020. You might recognize him from Bravo<\/strong>, Food Network<\/strong> and as a chef for Oprah Winfrey<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brother and sister Vansana<\/strong> (\u201cVan\u201d<\/strong>) and Vanvisa Nolintha<\/strong> (think Bida Manda<\/strong> and Brewery Bhavana) <\/strong>will open Luang Prabang<\/strong> (pronounced LWAHNG prah-BAHNG) next year on the ninth floor of The Dillon<\/strong> in downtown Raleigh; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashley Christensen<\/strong> will be rolling out three locations of a yet-to-be-named fast-casual chicken sandwich concept – locations will be Raleigh\u2019s Wegman\u2019s shopping center; Durham\u2019s University Hill<\/strong>; and in Cary\u2019s Parkside Town Commons;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Sadeghi<\/strong> will open O\u2019Ya Cantina<\/strong> next to his Town Hall Burger<\/strong> at the entrance to Chatham\u2019s Briar Chapel<\/strong>. Also in Chatham, Chatham Park<\/strong> will welcome Town Hall Burger & Beer<\/strong>; People\u2019s Coffee<\/strong>; and Everything Bagels<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out in RTP, Boxyard RTP<\/strong> is a very cool concept featuring \u2018cargotecture design\u2019 (think shipping containers) to showcase food, beverage and experiences. The first tenant announced is Durham\u2019s Fullsteam Brewery;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cary will welcome a spin-off from an iconic New York City pizzeria \u2013 Di Fara Pizza<\/strong>. They have been open in Brooklyn since 1965 and the New Yorker<\/strong>, The New York Times<\/strong>, Zagat\u2019s<\/strong> and the late chef Anthony Bourdain<\/strong> all called Di Fara<\/strong> the best pizza in New York; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down in Apex, the former Peak City Grille<\/strong> will become The Peak on Salem<\/strong> from the folks behind Jimmy V\u2019s Steakhouse & Tavern<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In downtown Raleigh The Flying Mayan<\/strong> will open on Fayetteville Street in the former Wahlburger\u2019s<\/strong> space. From the same team behind the Flying Burrito;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The owners of Gonza Tacos y Tequila<\/strong> will open their new concept Macondo Latin Cuisine<\/strong> in the new Longfellow<\/strong> Real Estate high-rise in downtown Durham as well as in Raleigh in the Sojourn Glenwood Place Apartments<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MacGregor Village\u2019s Tony\u2019s Oyster Bar<\/strong> will open as Tony\u2019s Tap & Oyster Co.;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secrets Pho Noodle Bar<\/strong> is coming soon to Ninth Street in the old Saint & Co<\/strong> location; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acme Food & Beverage Co.<\/strong> in Carrboro and Tin Roof Brewery<\/strong> of Baton Rouge, Louisiana will open a joint venture \u2013 a new brewery and neighborhood restaurant located at 5401 North<\/strong>, called Heyday Brewing<\/strong>; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian-based Zambero<\/strong>, a Mexican restaurant concept that also donates a meal to someone in need from disadvantaged communities across Africa, Asia and the Americas, will open in January <\/strong>in One Glenwood<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Place at the Table<\/strong>, the pay-what-you-can cafe concept in downtown Raleigh, will enjoy a much needed expansion, adding 2,000 square feet, 50 more seats and a commercial kitchen, with a stovetop, oven and hood; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida\u2019s V Pizza<\/strong> is bringing their concept to this market after it was announced that they just bought out LaStella Pizza<\/strong> on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down in Johnston County, looks like they will be getting into the \u201cfood hall\u201d game when they open Old North State Food Hall<\/strong> next spring. Redneck BBQ Lab<\/strong> is the first announced tenant;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Wake Forest, an English tea room called Southern Royal Tea<\/strong> is opening in early 2020; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Memory – We Lost Some Great People In 2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tragic loss of Kong Lee<\/strong> at Kaffeinate<\/strong> after the explosion that rocked downtown Durham; Lowell Thomas \u201cTommy\u201d Bullock<\/strong>, owner and operator of Bullock\u2019s Bar-B-Cue<\/strong> restaurant in Durham; And the loss of Salvatore \u201cRino\u201d Fevola<\/strong>, principal partner in Pulcinella\u2019s<\/strong> in Durham<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurant Closings in 2019: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven-month-old Wahlburger\u2019s<\/strong> in downtown Raleigh closed in January; Tyler\u2019s Taproom<\/strong> at American Tobacco Campus <\/strong>in Durham closed; Over in Chapel Hill Southern Season\u2019s<\/strong> restaurant Weathervane<\/strong> closed; After a 40+ year run, Boondini\u2019s<\/strong> at Celebrations at Six Forks<\/strong> closed; and after a 30+ year run, Sunflower\u2019s Cafe<\/strong> closed; Mami\u2019s\/Mami Nora\u2019s<\/strong> opened out on Glenwood Avenue, and the very next day they suffered an electrical fire that leaves it closed indefinitely; And we bid farewell to Boylan Bridge Brewpub\u2019s<\/strong> after a 10-year run; and Jason\u2019s Smith\u2019s<\/strong> 18 Seaboard <\/strong>after a 14-year run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Closures In Raleigh:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mura<\/strong> in North Hills <\/strong>ended a 15 year run; The Twisted Fork<\/strong> at Triangle Town Center<\/strong>; McCormick & Schmick\u2019s Seafood & Steaks<\/strong>; Moonlight Pizza<\/strong>; Kaiju Bowl and Bao; North Hills<\/strong> location of Spring Rolls<\/strong>; East Village Grill<\/strong> (but will reopen in 2020); The Acorn at Oak City<\/strong> closed after just a few months; Pho Pho Pho Noodle Kitchen + Bar<\/strong> on Glenwood South; Living Kitchen<\/strong> closed in both Raleigh and Chapel Hill (twice); Raleigh and Cary locations of LaStella<\/strong>; and Raleighwood Cinema Grill.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Closures In Durham:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 12 years, Watts Grocery; Blu Seafood & Bar; <\/strong>Food truck rodeo venue County Fare<\/strong>; Gluten-free restaurant Primal Food & Spirits; Big Bundts & More Bakery; The Little Dipper Fondue<\/strong> restaurant in Brightleaf Square; Saint & Co.<\/strong> on 9th St.; The Boot Italian Restaurant<\/strong> on University Drive; the Bagel Bar<\/strong> in Durham & Chapel Hill; Lilly\u2019s Pizza<\/strong> in Durham; and Cuban Revolution<\/strong> in the American Tobacco Campus<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Closures In Chapel Hill\/Carrboro:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Franklin Street this year lost: Roots Bistro & Bar<\/strong>; the Cuban Revolution Express; <\/strong>Pizza place MiDici; Hops Burger Bar; <\/strong>and Mellow Mushroom. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Carrboro lost Esperanza Empanadas & Tequila; One Fish Two Fish Poke; CrossTies Bistro & Beer Garden<\/strong>; Milltown; <\/strong>and Spike\u2019s Hot Chicken. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also of note: Babalu<\/strong> in Eastgate Crossing; Olio & Aceto Cafe; <\/strong>and Haw River Grill. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Closures In Cary\/Apex:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taco Mac<\/strong> in Cary\u2019s Waverly Place; LaShish Mediterranean Cuisine<\/strong>; bankruptcy got Peak City Grill & Bar; Eighty8 Asian Bistro; <\/strong>and Tony\u2019s Oyster Bar<\/strong> in MacGregor Village<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Closures In Chatham:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadie\u2019s Southern<\/strong> (sister restaurant to Oakleaf<\/strong>) in North Chatham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbecue Joint Closures:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goldsboro\u2019s Wilber\u2019s Barbecue<\/strong>; The Q Shack at North Hills<\/strong> closed after a 15-year run and Bill Ellis Barbecue<\/strong> in Wilson closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we can\u2019t talk about \u201cclosings\u201d without mentioning the \u201cclosing\u201d of Colleen Minton\u2019s Terra Vita Food & Drink Festival<\/strong> that did so much for putting this area on the \u201cfoodie\u201d national map. This was their 10th and final year. Thanks Colleen<\/strong>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Look Back At Triangle Food News in 2019…And A Look Ahead To 2020 So, here it is. The longest read of the year. A look back at what was 2019. And a look ahead as to what is in … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1050"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1052,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050\/revisions\/1052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trianglefoodblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}