Featured Restaurant News
- Mezcalito is opening their Raleigh location on Monday, April 6th at 1000 Social in The Exchange in Midtown – think Peregrine, Toastique, Capulet Cocktail Club and the soon-to-open Pranzo from Michael Bongiorno. They will serve flavorful and colorful meals that better describe the origins of Mexican cuisine; bringing new flare and fresh ideas by incorporating trendy and traditional authentic elements. Mezcalito also has locations in Durham, Apex, Cary, Clayton and Rolesville. Visit them on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that one of Glenwood South’s go-to for dinner and late nights, Cuya Cocina, will debut as a coffee spot, Cuya Cafe, later this month as they revamp their front patio area, including a retractable roof. The new concept will bring a full coffee bar alongside Latin-leaning breakfast bites and pastries according to the magazine. Follow Cuya here.
- The Whataburger location in Raleigh will open next week on Thursday, April 9 on Six Forks Road near Costco. Not to be confused with What-A-Burger, NC’s first Whataburger location opened in Charlotte last year, and 12 are now open across the state. Expect Texas-sized burgers, fries, patty melts, and more fast food faves. Plus, it’s open 24/7 for late-night cravings. Get to know them here.
- Up in North Raleigh, reader Barbara Calise shared with us that Casa Sofia is going into the former Chow space at 8311 Creedmoor Road. They are designing the entire concept around enjoying quality Mexican cuisine in a neighborhood setting, a place to enjoy family and friends and co-workers. Look for them to open this fall. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.
- Over in Apex, David McCreary shared that Myra Café in downtown Apex, located at 76 Hunter St, closed its doors permanently on March 30 after a three-year run. The Thai-inspired restaurant has been replaced by Hope Cafe, another Thai food eatery with a location in Durham, which took over the location on April 1. Visit Hope Cafe here.
- In Morrisville, reader Patricia Rodenburg shared with us that signage just went up for Pho Kitchen NC, a new Vietnamese eatery in Park West Village in Morrisville. Not much up on their website yet, so stay tuned!
- While it is a bit of a bummer that no Triangle-area restaurants will win the prestigious James Beard Awards again this year (second year running), we do have a future link in that Asheville’s Chai Pani and Botiwalla are still in the running and Meherwan and Molly Irani are opening a Botiwalla location this spring in Raleigh Iron Works. Get to know them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Over in Carrboro, Chapelboro shared the exciting news that Carrburritos, a popular Carrboro burrito restaurant, will soon take over the Carr Mill Mall suite previously occupied by Grata Diner and before that, Elmo’s Diner, which closed in 2020. The restaurant is targeting an opening some time around “late summer, early August,” and the original location at 711 West Rosemary Street will remain open in the interim. Visit them here.
- Over in Durham in the Southpoint area, saw a post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that the next location of Chicken Salad Chick is going into the former McAllister’s spot which has been closed since 2020. They currently have locations in Cary and Raleigh. No word on a timeline, but it was noted that the sign is already up. Stay tuned. Visit them here.
- Also in Durham, Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook founder, Carrie Brogren, shared that El Tesoro Mexican Grill in the Falconbridge shopping center on Hwy. 54 at the intersection with Farrington Road has expanded into the space next door. Congrats on their growing success! Visit them here.
, Closings
- Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Funguys Brewing at 2408 Paula St. has closed for good. Some might remember USA Today in 2022 naming Funguys the Best New Brewery in the country.
- Additionally, Triangle Business Journal noted that Proximity Brewing the same day announced it was closing its taproom at 401 S.Driver St. in East Durham, “effectively immediately.”
- ln Apex, David McCreary shared that Myra Café in downtown Apex, located at 76 Hunter St, closed its doors permanently on March 30 after a three-year run. See note above about what has taken over that spot.
- Tyler Glover shared with us that the Wendy’s at 8209 Creedmoor Road in Brennan Station has closed.
Food Trucks
- The Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo continues in 2026 on these dates from noon to 4 p.m. – April 12, May 31, and September 27. At each event, you’ll find food and drink at over 30 food trucks as well as inflatables and family fun for all ages. The rodeos are hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go ahead and mark your calendar for all three. 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 folks at Trophy Brewing and Locals Seafood will host an Oyster Festival on April 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Bend Bar in downtown Raleigh. The celebration features NC’s best oyster farmers – 8 of the finest oysters farmers from Eastern North Carolina for a one day event. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The fourth annual Gettin’ Piggy With It returns to downtown Raleigh on May 17, bringing award-winning chefs and pitmasters from across the country together for a day of barbecue, community and philanthropy benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, March 20. The family-friendly event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave., Raleigh) and will feature barbecue and other chef-driven bites, along with local beer and spirits, live music, games and more. The event is hosted by the Frankie Lemmon Foundation in partnership with Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue and Chris Powers of Trophy Brewing Co. VIP tickets are $200 per adult and includes early entry at noon. General admission tickets are $150 per adult with entry beginning at 1 p.m. Children ages 11 and under are admitted for free. Proceeds benefit Raleigh’s Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, which provides accessible education and therapies to children with and without disabilities, often at little to no cost to families. Get tickets and all the details here.
- Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on September 13th in Louisburg. The biennial event will be held at the beautiful and bucolic Meadow Lane Farm and is 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
- Did you know that in North Carolina, 1 in 4 households led by single women live below the poverty line? That’s nearly twice as many as the households led by single men with children. Hunger hits different for women. Economic challenges — from pay disparity to the rising cost of childcare — make it harder to keep growing kids fed. Our heart goes out to the moms of North Carolina who are wondering what to do as SNAP cuts loom. This International Women’s Month, let’s show them that they can count on their community. Some good friends have stepped forward with a $50,000 matching challenge gift, so any amount you give to the Food Bank by March 31 has the power to DOUBLE! It’s a terrific chance to stretch every dollar of your support while helping parents, seniors, and veterans stretch their budgets. In fact, if you’re able, this is a good time to make an especially generous gift, perhaps to honor a mom, grandma, auntie, or another woman who’s stood in a mother’s place in your life. It’s simple to do when you donate.
