Best Greens in Durham, NC?

[Mike from Hamilton]

Hi there,

I'm visiting Durham for the next few days and am having a craving for good collards or turnip greens. Not wanting to drive to Chapel Hill and brave the tourists at Mama Dip's, is there anyone in Durham that makes good greens for takeout?

Thanks!

[bbqme]

I'd try Bullock's, Dillard's or Hog Heaven. These are bbq places, which I don't care for, but do a decent job of collards IIRC.

[mikeh]

Most Durham places take the stupid shortcut and use canned veggies - that said, I've found pretty good fresh-from-the-garden greens and other southern sides at a place in Durham (in RTP) called "Backyard Barbeque Pit." All the stuff they use is fresh, and the owner is super-nice (says he takes pride in it and wouldn't serve anything to customers that he wouldn't serve his own family). http://www.sweetribs.com/ Honestly, my recipe for collards is better, but this is the place to do it if you're limited to Durham. Also, their mac-and-cheese is fantastic, and so are the black-eyed peas.

hmm, I have the sinking feeling that Bullock's greens are from cans. In any case, they taste bitter and awful. Ditto with Dillard's (except these have no taste). I know for a fact that Mama Dip's greens are from cans (and they try to cover that fact up by boiling them in a bunch of vinegar - it smells and tastes putrid. She used to use fresh veggies, but she's gotten lazy and disinterested). Honestly, the best greens in Durham are probably the ones I make at home, because I buy the greens FRESH from the farmers market. It's a shame that Durham restaurants take the easy and disingenuous short-cut all the time.

If you have the ability to drive 45 minutes south of Durham, there's a southern buffet called Joyce & Family in Fuquay-Varina that serves (and most of this board will agree) some of the best southern veggies you can find anywhere.
http://www.joyceandfamilyrestaurant.com/

finally, a Durham foodie blogger recommends a place called Coleman's (recently renamed to Thompson's) in a pretty run-down part of town, for their greens and sides: http://colemans.ypguides.net/page/o4d... I cannot vouch for it since I've never been there, but it might be worth a try.

[LBD]

It's been awhile so don't even remember what I had but I (and the other 2 folks I was with) did not enjoy Coleman's. I do remember the mac n' cheese tated "funny". I wish I could pinpoint the off flavor but something was indeed funky. The iced tea was that nasty instant crap that seems to be served at most soul food type places around here.

[nekst]

Several local bloggers have given it very positive reviews post the conversion into Thompson's. May be worth giving it another shot..

[TSQ75]

ooH! this local blogger is a conosseiur! I think so far, his favorite greens are at The Know bookstore & "cafe"...a traditional african american bookstore, cafe, and jazz spot...

they do have pretty damned good home cooking too

http://carpedurham.wordpress.com/

[Rory]

I cook my own collards and they are delicious. So easy too, It takes about 15 minutes. I find them too bitter out...

[TSQ75]

I prefer cooking mine as well...

I find most places, especially southern places, cook all vegetables within an inch of their lives...and add the biggest piece of fat they can find

[mikeh]

agreed. I actually do mine by sauteeing up two minced garlic cloves in olive oil until golden brown, then adding 3 cups of chicken broth to the mixture with salt and pepper until boiling, then add a bunch of collards with a cup of water and 1 tbsp of molasses and let simmer 1-2 hours, depending on your preference. they taste wonderfully smooth with just a hint of sweetness. drinking the broth/pot likker afterwards is a treat in of itself. and without fatback/pork, it's healthy.

another hint: I ate at a place today for lunch (not in the Triangle) that had some of the best restaurant collards ever (I won't give the place away because I'd rather they keep their clientele). their secret? soy sauce added to pure water for boiling the greens! i'll have to try that next time.

[TSQ75]

ooh! i actually use soy sauce in my collards! and a bit of vinegar, generally balsamic or Plum. i dont even simmer them, i sautee with garlic and sliced onion until soft and limp. i like the crisp green flavor...and they stay lookin pretty...

what town, at least?

[mikeh]

Wilmington.

[Rory]

yes, no need to boil. I tear mine into bite size pieces & sautee like TSQ, they are emerald green and not bitter at all. I use soy sauce and lemon juice & garlic, sublime!

[AnnieBeGood]

Try Backyard BBQ off I-40 at the Apex exit (Hwy 55/54) a few minutes south toward Apex on the right next to the ABC store. Their greens are homemade (Mon--Fri) with real smoked pork added along with, sometimes, small white potatoes. Doesn't get much better. 13Jun09

[whitehackle]

I second (or third) the Backyard BBQ recommendation. All their food is consistently excellent. Their candied yams are off the chart.

[CyndiA]

I vote Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham as well. There's just a faint hint of hot sauce but not so much that those who prefer mild couldn't eat them. Really good greens. And, the white potatoes as someone else mentioned are fabulous. They taste like what my Grandma used to call her Soupy Potatoes with just a little sauce and butter.