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Restaurant News
In the never
say never category, news broke this week that we might be just months away from
the re-opening of 42nd Street Oyster Bar in downtown Raleigh. It closed
in March of this year after nearly 100 years in business. The new ownership
team (42nd Street Partners LLC) consists of the restaurant’s longtime
general manager, Hunter Correll (GM since 1996) along with John F.
Holmes Jr., president of Hobby Properties, the restaurant’s landlord. Looks
like their Facebook
page might be the best place to keep up with this developing
story. Best guesses are they are looking at a February opening.
Wake
County Restaurant News
Raleigh’s
newest taco shop, Barrio Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey, in downtown
Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow development is (FINALLY) having their Grand
Opening this Friday, August 22nd. The doors open at 3 p.m. and the
first 50 people in line will receive 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗢 for an
entire year! This will be the chain’s first venture into North Carolina after
being voted one of the top 10 taco stands in the United States. They are also
known for their vast selection of tequila, whiskey, and beer. At this point, best to follow
their Instagram for an announcement.
Thanks to a
tip from Darryl Fuller, owner and chef at Morning Rolls, we
learned that he is getting a new neighbor at Quail Corners Shopping Center
(corner of Falls of the Neuse and Millbrook) in Raleigh. Burrito Shak
will have their last day today (Friday) and Gym Tacos will move into
that space, making this their third brick-and-mortar location (one in Raleigh
and one in Durham) joining a couple of food truck locations. No word on how
quickly they will be able to flip the location, but I don’t imagine it will be
too long. Looks like they are sharing updates on their
Instagram site.
New coffee
concept, Simmer Coffee (at 726 Slash Pine Drive in Amberly Village
in Cary), will celebrate their grand opening on Saturday, August 23 from
10am-1pm with special promotions, opportunities to win free Simmer food,
drink, and merchandise, a photo booth, face painting and balloon art for kids
of all ages. As part of its grand opening, Simmer is also giving one
lucky winner Free Simmer for a Year. Check them out
here.
Also in
Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported that Mezcalito, a
Tex-Mex chain with six locations in North Carolina, plans to open its next
location at 1102 Walnut Street in the former home of On The Border Mexican
Grill & Cantina. It is located at the intersection of Walnut Street and
Southeast Maynard Road less than two miles from downtown Cary. Mezcalito has
locations in Apex, Beaufort, Clayton, Durham, Goldsboro and Henderson, with
plans to open in Rolesville’s Cobblestone Village. Check out
Mezcalito here.
Up in north
Raleigh, reader Hans Kerekes sent word that there is a coming soon
banner hanging up for Mamacita, Modern Mexican & Cocktails in the Forestville
Crossing shopping center in the former Hwy. 55 burger spot. No word
on an open date. This will be their fourth location here in the Triangle. Visit them
here.
In Wake
Forest, reader Rebecca Taylor informed us that a sign is now up for The
Flying Biscuit Cafe in the former East Coast Wings spot in Wake
Forest Crossing on Capital Boulevard (12646 Capital Blvd., Suite 168, Wake
Forest). It is in the same shopping center as Playa Bowls which just
opened a couple of weeks ago. This will be their 5th Triangle-area location. No
timeline is available just yet. Visit them
here.
And over in
Wendell, Raleigh Magazine reported that Glenwood South pizza spot, Vic’s
Pizzeria, is opening a new location at Wendell Falls. Their first
location outside of Raleigh will be in a brand-new 2,400 square-foot building
with an opening planned for May, 2027. Look for pretty much the same menu as
Raleigh, with the addition of more pasta dishes—plus a full bar serving craft
and bottled beer, wine, and liquor. Until then, visit them on
Glenwood South here.
My buddy Bates
Battaglia shared with me the news that his bar, Lucky B’s, is
celebrating 20 years as Glenwood South’s favorite Dive Bar! Looks like they
will have an anniversary party on Saturday, September 13th. Stay tuned
for details. Visit B’s here.
Durham,
Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Cucciolo is expanding
its reach as the team behind North Hills’ Cucciolo Terrazza and Downtown
Durham’s Cucciolo Osteria is opening Cucciolo Famiglia in South
Durham’s Sutton Station this Saturday, Aug. 23. Of the three
restaurants, this will be the most casual, evoking the charm of a classic
Italian bistro. Thanks to Carrie Brogren for the tip on the opening
date. Visit Cucciolo
Famiglia on Instagram here.
Also, got
word this week that the creators of Korean-inspired restaurants Namu, Bulkogi
and The Can Opener have teamed up to bring Baekho Coffee & Ice
Cream to Boxyard RTP. They are serving inventive espresso creations
made with Counter Culture Coffee beans and scratch-made, locally sourced
ice cream. Baekho combines contemporary coffeehouse vibes with tastes
inspired by global flavors. Congrats to Charlie Ji, Joe Choi, Bo
Kwon and Jin Song on their latest venture! You can find
them on Instagram here.
Anyone from
New York (or anyone that is a Seinfeld, Sex and the City or The Office fan)
will be excited to hear the news shared by the News & Observer this
week – University Place in Chapel Hill will soon be home to H&H
Bagels. And not only that, the N&O unveiled that this is the
first of 5 locations planned for the Triangle. We should expect the iconic
kettle-boiled bagels by the end of 2025. If you’ve never watched Seinfeld, Sex
and the City, The Office or been to New York, check out
H&H here.
Closings
The News
& Observer reported this week that Brio Italian Grille has closed its
Crabtree Valley Mall location after 15 years.
Chris
Creighton notified us that The Cranky Yankee Bakery on Salem
Street in Apex has closed.
Food
Trucks
Jennifer
Martin posted on Facebook that the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo will
take place THIS Sunday, August 24th from 12 – 7 p.m. in downtown
Raleigh. Expect over 50 of your favorite food trucks. It is being put on by Shop Local
Raleigh.
The final Durham
Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 will be on Sunday, November 2.
It will run from 12 noon until 4 p.m. featuring over 50+ food trucks
with cuisine from all over the world making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham
Central Park (501 Foster Street)! 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 Durham
Bulls Athletic Park will host its first Tacos & Margarita Festival
THIS Saturday, Aug. 23 from 12-4pm! Try their specialty taco and
margarita creations for a unique culinary experience! This festival will not
only include a variety of food and beverage items for patrons to taste but will
feature an in-house DJ and live wrestling. What? Tacos and wrestling….sign me
up! Get all the
details here.
Carolina
Brewery is closing out the summer with their second Shrimp Boil
event where guests are invited to enjoy a classic lowcountry-style boil, live
music, and the release of a limited-edition beer brewed specially for the
occasion. The Chapel Hill location will host their boil on Saturday, August
23 from 4 to 7 p.m. For additional details or to make reservations, visit them
here.
The Town of
Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday,
August 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is a
great way to wrap up the summer and explore the work of over 250 artists from
across the nation, great food, live music and performances, as well as a kids
section. Get all the
details here.
The
inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival will be held Saturday,
Oct. 18 at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough. The exciting new community event merges together two beloved
festivals–Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival–into
a celebration of food, culture, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly
atmosphere. Food will be provided by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a team
of local chefs and food trucks offering a wide variety of dishes and dining
options. The festival will feature craft beers, curated beverages, and other
interesting spirit-free options. All food and drink will be available for
purchase and is not included in the price of festival entry. Tickets are on
sale now.
Food
Bank Corner
It’s no
exaggeration to say that North Carolina is in the grip of a hunger crisis. More
than 1.6 million of our neighbors — 1 out of every 5 children — don’t know
where their next meal might come from. That’s what makes the news of
federal funding cuts such a blow, and why it’s more important than ever for our
community to pull together. Existing federal funding changes: The
elimination of LFPA, a program that let food banks like us buy fresh
produce from local small farms; Reductions to TEFAP, a program to
provide emergency food for families; Funding loss equivalent to 11.8 million
meals that children, families, and seniors in our community need. Upcoming
federal funding changes to SNAP: 375,000 North Carolinians could lose food
assistance, including 46,000 veterans; “Cost-sharing” shift of $280 million
from federal government to North Carolina state and local governments;
Increased paperwork requirements to qualify. But a gift to the Food Bank of
Central & Eastern North Carolina at Raleigh Branch is a simple,
effective way for you to help meet the immediate need. Every $10 is
enough for 50 meals, so your gift quickly adds up to a big impact!
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