New to Greensboro - looking for good, down-to-earth restaurants!

[ChicagoKat1]

We have just relocated to Greensboro, NC from Chicago. I've been to some of the finer restaurants in the area (typically for work-related dinners), and have been pleasantly surprised. However, for everyday eating, I'm particularly interested in the unsung heroes...the hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bar where you can get a good pint, the corner restaurant that's really great but not necessarily well known. I think that could be the biggest shock coming from Chicago - I'm not so worried about fine dining, because I know there are some wonderful restaurants here, but am looking for those cool hidden places that have been around for a long time and have some history about them. Any suggestions?
Thanks everyone!

[sunbeam150]

Tripps on Wendover is always good. www.trippsrestaurants.com $$$
Adelina's Pizza on High Point road is the best pizza in town. adelinaspizza.com $$
Phoenix is okay, but Changs is better phoenixasiancuisine.com/ $$$$
Leblon on Market Street is great for all the meat you can stuff in your gullet $$$$$
El Mariachi on High Point Road is good for Mexican $$$

[kim shook]

I would second the previous recommendation for Short Sugar's in Reidsville. The pork is good, but the sauce is fantastic. I buy a gallon jug when I visit my grandmother and use it here in Richmond for local (and lesser) bbq.

Kim

[insectrights]

Didn't see it mentioned and I have a feeling some won't agree, but Elizabeth's Pizza is quite a decent place. Cheap Ital-American subs and some very well priced pasta dishes. I only recommend the traditionals like aglio y olio, pesto, and the carbanara. Their "real italian" pizza is quite good as well.

For vietnamese which is what the city is best known for ethnically I second whoever mentioned Van Loi BBQ off of High Point Rd. Their bbq dishes over rice, vermicelli, salads and anything on their special menu are the best you'll find in NC as far as I'm concerned.

Seoul Garden is also very good and nicely priced. The seafood pancake and stir fried squid were two things that I had that were very good.

Had lunch at Natty Greens in downtown 2 weeks ago and the beer is pretty decent and the sandwiches cheap and relatively good. One of the best people watching spots that I've found in Greensboro. Crazy how much the downtown scene has changed in 4 years since I lived there.

[RaleighRocker]

I miss Hayble's & Beef Burger so much, those are the two joints I hit when I go to gso.

I've heard there is a church that has an awsome lunch business. Anyone?

Is Rearn (spelling I know) Thai still around?

[ThaiNut]

My (Thai) wife and I were in Greensboro over 11-12 Oct for the USATF XC 5k
championships and decided to try Rearn Thai since that seemed to be the most appreciated Thai restaurant in the city. We got there to find that it has been replaced by an auto parts store. Does anyone know if it relocated or has just been closed? On the way back towards the hotel we spotted a Thai-Vietnamese place on Spring-Garden St. so we went in there. Normally I'd steer clear of any place that tried to serve two different Asian cuisines but we were hungary and did not know where else to go. We had the fresh spring rolls, pad thai with shrimp and a beef with basil dish. All were EXCELLENT and authentic Thai. Wish I could remember the name of the place.

[ToothTooth]

The "Pahk Sandwich Shop" on the corner of Florida and Freeman Mill Road (right of I-40) makes great Banh Mi!!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/481162

[quazi]

you were a one block off. The old place is still there but they moved across the street. They are now in a glass building on your right if you are headed out of town. THe place on spring garden is pho vien huong. never had their thai dishes but the vietnamese ones are good

[ToothTooth]

Pahk Sandwhich Shop moved to the glass building?

[quazi]

no rearn thai moved into the glass building diagonally across the street from their old building.

Pakse Cafe is still at freeman and florida. Last visited on Tuesday had a wonderful roast pork and some papaya salad. Don't forget to check Butler's for some Blenheims ginger ale

[dleng]

Italian--Try Villa Rosa off Wendover
Great Sunday Brunch--Tripps
Favorite--Revival Grill

[Parsley]

If you're new to GBO, you've probably not found Giacamo's yet. Wonderful italian deli with sausages and mozzarella made from scratch. There are two stores - one I think is on Spring Garden and the other south of 40, south of the big shopping center. As you can tell, I'm not from GBO but we do go there for sausages and pizza dough. Anyway both have tables where you can get a hot or cold sandwich. Giacamos calls itself a pork store like they do in NY. I think it's a North Carolina treasure.

[carolinadawg]

Giacomo's is great...They are located at 4705 High Point Road and 2109 New Garden Road. Website is www.salamis-by-mail.com

[Pizza4Life]

I must unfortunately agree with others' reply re: Stamey's. I've only been here for 2.5 yrs so I can't comment on its past, but the BBQ (pulled pork shoulder 'round deez parts) did not suit my taste. It was dry and the sauce albeit of the "western style" didn't wow me like others. Strongly recommend Short Sugars in Reidsville. My other suggestions:

- Minj Grille ( http://www.minjgrille.com/ ) - best wings in town, no competition.
- Van Loi 2 - most authentic Vietnamese (for soups and rice dishes, unfortunately Banh Mi's are illigit) check out post at: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/137962
- Brixx Pizza - OK wood fire/brick oven style pizzas but they really shine in the draught beer Dept. - esp. Mon. nights $1.50 domestic pints. They've sadly recently pulled the DogFish 90 min IPA.
- Saffron - ( http://www.saffronindiancuisine.com/ ) best Indian in town.
- Mario's Pizza ( on New Garden) - Supposed legit NY slice. Despite my handle, I am man enough to admit that I've yet to partake but I've heard good things.
- La Vaca Super Romana - legit Mexican food/Taqueria. Tacos de lengua, de tripa, de cabeza, Seis mares, pozole, horchata, etc.
- Seoul Garden - std Korean BBQ. Although std, very satisfying from BBQ beef ribs to proper Kim Chee soup.
- Rearn Thai - unfortunately have never been (West Market St.), but Thai natives swear on it.

[quazi]

minj has gotten a lot of praise but I have yet to try their wings. I agree that the van loi banh mi are second even third rate. look at that overly hard bread in the case and you will understand. I consider them mainly a pho place but a great one

[gso]

Add to the list: Stamey's barbeque and Smith Street Diner (old southern breaksfasts)

I do love Bianca's as was mentioned before - price fixe - used to a gas station then a topless bar - now just serves the best italian around

[carolinadawg]

Has anyone been to Stamey's lately? I went a couple of months ago and it was terrible. The Q had no flavor and the service was awful. I'd hate it if an institution like that was now rapidly sliding downhil...

[quazi]

I would agree. Not sure where in gso to get a cue fix

[uptown jimmy]

Well, you're just a little ways from Winston (and Lexington), and that's where the BBQ lives.

Though I think that modern pigs, lean as they are, don't bring the Q the way they used to when I was a kid. Back in the '70s. Back then, Lexington BBQ was orgasmic. Not so much, anymore. Gotta have that fat.

[Hushpuppy]

My experience six weeks ago was very good, as it has been for meny years. Stamey's isn't the best barbecue in NC, but they're perhaps the most consistent. If your meal was substandard, let 'em know about it. The last problem I had with them was cold hushpuppies (ugh) that were quickly replaced with a fresh order.

[mwalser]

Agree with this, Stamey's is not especially good. Drive to Wilson or Lexington for BBQ.

[carolinadawg]

Oh yeah...just thought of another good one...Bianca's (Spring Garden Street at Chapman Street). A wonderful, hole in the wall italian place with great food and a fun, funky vibe.

[ascensions]

Best Secret Food's in Greensboro are: Beef Burger on Lee street, Hayble's Hearth on Spring Garden, Cook Out on High Point Road, and Country BBQ on Wendover. You can read alot reviews for these on Greensboring.com

[ljt]

You can also ride over to Burlington for hot dogs at Zack's (downtown, on Davis St.) - they've been a local icon since the 1920s. Try one with chili and slaw, but watch out for the onions, which can be bitter from the metal chopper. The fast service is also legendary; your server will shout your order to the cook and it will probably be up by the time he or she walks back to the counter!

[carolinadawg]

Welcome to G'boro! At the risk of being to obvious, here are some ideas:

Yum-Yum for great hot dogs and homemade ice cream (Spring Garden Street across from UNC-G)

Old Town Draught House next door to Yum-Yum is a nice place for a beer and a sandwich. Ditto Natty Greene's, brew pub downtown with a great beer and a nice outdoor patio. Cafe Europa, also downtown in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street, is a nice, casual, fun place for a drink and and a meal.

Fisher's is a great hole in the wall place on Elm Street in the Fisher Park neighborhood neighborhood near downtown. Excellent burgers in a Cheers-like atmosphere.

Saigon on High Point Road serves wonderful vietnamese food.

Spring Valley Restaurant (Randleman Road) and Alpat (E. Bessemer Ave.) used to be great breakfast and "meat and three" places, but I will say I haven't been to either in a while, and I'm not sure if they are open or still good. Perhaps others can enlighten.

Anton's (Battleground Ave) is an old school italian place, that I will freely admit holds a place of nostalgia in my heart. Others may not think much of it, but to me, it is SO Greensboro.

I'm sure there are others...those are the ones that come to mind at the moment...

[quazi]

you can find a menu for Old town draught @ triaddiner.com. There is also a link to their site. Alpat is dead. Try harper's in friendly for solid meals. Also try any of the Vietnamese restys in the area