Visiting Raleigh-Durham, Need Help

[chuck s]

Hi, Coming to Raleigh-Durham from Boston for a dog show next week. Would also like to tour the area and find good, casual restaurants for Barbecue, Southern cuisine, and anything else unique to the area. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[chuck s]

My trip, in progress.

Well I'm here now. Dinner yesterday at NC Seafood. Combo platter of oysters and pop corn shrimp. Very good oysters, my wife really liked the shrimp. I liked her grilled shrimp. Good dinner and excellent value.

Today we lunched at Allan and Sons. Great BBQ sandwiches with good fries and fried okra. Peach cobbler good but it seemed to be made from canned peaches. Just what I was hoping for my NC barbecue experience.

Dinner tonight at Hayes Barton Cafe. Biggest piece of meatloaf I've ever seen. Very good. My wife's salad was perfect for her considering how much we've been eating. There does not seem to be any such thing as a small portion here. Really impressed with the bread basket of biscuits and corn bread. We shared a piece of cake which was excellent. We are still eating it two hours later in our room. My wife is still talking about it.

Tomorrow we will get to the business of the dog show but still may have time to explore food options.

Thanks to all for the recommendations. We still have time for some more.

[bbqme]

Glad you're enjoying yourself. Sorry we don't have warmer weather. If you haven't had your fill of BBQ and would like to try que that's very different from but just as good as Allen & Son head over to Smokey's BBQ Shack in nearby Morrisville. It's closer than Allen & Son is. Kevin epitomizes Southern hospitality. Highly recommend the ribs here and the smokek and grilled wings. As for the sides, the greens, BBQ baked beans, and mac & cheese are good.
http://www.smokeysshack.com/

[meatn3]

I really like Smokey's. It is seldom mentioned since BBQ opinions can become heated - but they are one of my favorites in the Triangle.

Chuck, if you all ready for lighter fare Neomondes is quite close to the Fair grounds! Not walkable, but 5 min. drive.

[chuck s]

Thanks. Had lunch at Neomondes yesterday. Wonderful. Then went to Beasley's last night for fried chicken and mac'n cheese. We've had some good eating here in the area.

[meatn3]

So glad you are finding foods that suit you!

One of my favorite Raleigh spots is Porters Tavern. It is further East on Hillsborough across from NCSU.

Every element there works for me. The calamari and the tempura green bean apps are wonderful. Their Cobb salad is my favorite rendition. The only item I have not been pleased with was the fish tacos - just not to my taste - although most people love them.

It's the place I go to when I'm too weary to deal with a high energy atmosphere and just want a delicious meal and nice service. Menu changes are made seasonally, local sourcing - good stuff!

http://www.porterstavern.com/home-mai...

[Tehama]

In addition to what others are saying, I would just click on any of our user names and check out reviews for the Triangle. I almost always agree with everyone on here... Most people are long-time posters.

If you want any upscale, but not stuffy, places, I like Bloomsbury Bistro and Glenwood Grill in Raleigh. Glenwood Grill also does lunch, too. I'm not crazy about chains, but the higher-end steak houses are pretty reliable if you have a craving for steak.

http://bloomsburybistro.com/bistro.restaurant.raleigh/
http://glenwoodgrill.com

The Angus Barn is a Raleigh institution. Yes, it looks like a gynormous barn and doesn't get vehement applause here, but it is hard to argue with decades of accolades and the steak is absolutely perfect. Have a drink and a burger in the Wild Turkey Lounge if you don't want to go to the main dining room. It is harder to get more local or better food than the Angus Barn. http://www.angusbarn.com/index.htm

I don't know where you are staying, but whatever you do - don't drink & drive in Cary (or anywhere). This is from your friendly chow-lawyer...

[holypeaches]

I'd suggest Nana's if you would like a fantastic dinner close to downtown Durham. Practically next door is a good BBQ joint open lunch and dinner, if you are in the area.

[burgeoningfoodie]

If you are coming to Chapel Hill just go to Merrits Grill and get the largest and messiest BLT they have and then get the Banana pudding at Crooks.

[ToothTooth]

You can only get good tomatoes during a few short weeks of the summer. Otherwise, you're really just wasting your time with a sorry excuse for a tomato and a miserable BLT. +1 for Crooks and I'll add Lantern and also Acme to the list of suggestions for Chapel Hill/Carrboro.

[LulusMom]

As a long time fan of ACME I'd love to hear that you've been there recently and had a good meal. We last went about 9 months ago and it was just awful and so we've stayed away. I know in the past that quality has slipped up and down again, and I'd love to hear that it is back up. Have you been fairly recently?

[ToothTooth]

Actually, now that I think about it I haven't been to Acme is several months but I've never had a bad meal there.

[LulusMom]

Thanks for the reply Tooth Tooth. Anyone out there been to ACME recently?

[Rory]

I was at Acme for Thanksgiving; ghastly. Haven't been back.

[LulusMom]

That is a shame, but thanks for letting us know.

[pamdemic3]

Very hit or miss - but you can't beat their recession specials on Tuesday nights (all entrees, including specials, are $12.95). Of course, they're usually swamped and it's not a good time to judge a restaurant. I tend to have the best luck with their seasonal specials. On nights other than Tuesday, I usually end up at Venable.

[LulusMom]

I have to say, I've had pretty good luck at Venable after my first time there. Not a fan of the roast chicken (which, given their name, should be great), but otherwise I like what I've had a lot.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Had the same reaction to Spotted Dog.

[burgeoningfoodie]

What?! Thats nonsense on the tomatoes.

[ToothTooth]

You are incorrect. It is an absolute truth that good tomatoes may only be obtained during a few short weeks of the summer. Go ahead with your greenhouse and hydroponic tomatoes and whatnot, but those are not in the same league as a vine ripened tomato grown in the summertime and picked at the height of ripeness, just before it begins to decay.

[burgeoningfoodie]

I thought greenhouse and hydroponics were just ways of delivering ideal temps and water to the plant. Not whether they grow on the vine or not.

[mpjmph]

Hydroponic and greenhouse are two different things. There are greenhouse tomatoes grown in the ground, vine ripened and picked at just the right time, just like field tomatoes. The only difference is the greenhouse for temperature control. I have a friend who has been running a tomato greenhouse for 30+ years. His tomatoes are available from March-July (give or take), and are used in a lot of area restaurants that pride themselves on using local produce. It looks like a few other greenhouse growers have joined the market in this area, and now local greenhouse tomatoes are available at the farmers' markets almost year round. These are not the same as the styrofoam tomatoes sold in grocery stores. They are just a juicy and flavorful as summer field tomatoes because the varieties used were developed for taste, not for portability.

[burgeoningfoodie]

In any case, if people want to read up on / follow another person's container garden and tomato information check out nctomatoman and NCSU's agric. information.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Define a few short weeks? Wait aren't all weeks the same length? Anyways it depends on what type of tomato you like. There are short, mid and late season. The season goes from about July to October though that may also depend on where in the state you live.

[ToothTooth]

Are we splitting hairs now, Joanna? The definition of "a few short weeks" according to this tomato lover is the prime season between late June and early August.

[carolinadawg]

You can't find good tomatoes any later than early August? In North Carolina?

[ToothTooth]

Personally, in central NC, I typically find that by mid to late August many tomato varieties have become too heat-stressed from hot summer weather and, as a result, have become diseased, blighted, etc. This causes them to become decidedly less tasty as a result. Your Mileage May Vary depending on many seasonal and meteorological factors. Sincerely, Mr. Tomato Snob.

[brokegradstudent]

Fellow tomato snobs-

You're all wrong.

Just kidding, I'm enjoying this digression but beg y'all to stop. I was forced (forced) to make a sub-standard BLT by this thread. Too soon. I was weak.

For the gentleman from Boston, any of the upstream recs should leave you pretty satisfied. As you can see, we take our food a bit seriously here. One piece of advice I always give to folks from big cities: don't be turned away if a place recommended on here looks like it is in a strip mall.

[meatn3]

You live a blessed life to have never been served an ivory-pink hard slice of tastelessness...I adore a BLT. It ranks as one of life's greatest pleasures. It works when each ingredient is perfect. Lacking perfection I find it better to order differently. YMMV.

[carolinadawg]

There's a bit of distance between "ivory-pink hard slice of tastelessness" and perfection, no? If I only ate perfect representations of every dish, I'd most likely starve. While certainly a BLT made with a vine-ripened tomato in the middle of summer is the pinnacle, I'm not going to turn down a respectable version with an adequate tomato. But as you say, YMMV.

[meatn3]

I freely admit that I am hardcore on tomatoes for a BLT! It is a major pet peeve of mine that even in summer good tomatoes are hard to find in restaurants. I wouldn't even consider a BLT this time of year...

I have much more flexibility in non-tomato areas!
:-)

[ToothTooth]

You and me "speak-a da same language" on this subject.

[Rory]

have you tried The Pig's BLT at the Carrboro Farmer's Market, between his bacon and the ripe tomatoes, it's the best BLT I've ever had.

[bbqme]

Allen & Son on NC 86 north of Chapel Hill for authentic NC style BBQ. Get the chopped pork, not ribs. Desserts are terrific too. Second the Dame's rec in Durham.

[Rory]

I'm going to the dog show too:)

Hmm, I'd suggest Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, it's famous, has very good Southern food, wonderful desserts, you can dress casually and afterwards stroll along Franklin St. It's very pretty. So you get the whole ball of wax. It's a drive but they have a parking lot and it's worth it. If I still lived in NYC and came here I'd want to go there.

[bbqme]

Agree about Crook's-- but note, it may be casual but it ain't cheap.

As for Merritt's Grill, I don't know how good the BLT would be since it too early for tomatoes to be in season.

[mpjmph]

I don't know where Merritt's sources their tomatoes, but local greenhouse tomatoes are coming into season and there are some pretty good ones at the Carrboro Farmer's Market.

[pamdemic3]

I always waited until peak tomato season to go to Merritt's until this year, when I discovered that their tomatoes are pretty darn good all year round. Not quite as delicious/sweet/juicy as the summer BLTs, but definitely tasty and better than what you can find in the grocery stores. Still the best BLT in the area! (And now I'm craving a single on sourdough with guac...)

[LulusMom]

For all you Merritt's fans, just a warning that they are currently working on that stretch of road and sometimes there are back-ups.

[Tehama]

I don't know where Merritt's get their tomatoes, but no matter what time of year I go, they are always lush, plump, and delicious .... I have wondered how and where they always seem to get the tomatoes! (http://www.wral.com/restaurant-review-merritt-s-store-and-grill/11526746/

)

I would recommend Saxapahaw General Store as a unique stop - though it is a trek from Raleigh. Write-up from the NY TImes: http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/...

I had a dismal experience at The Market and a mediocre experience at Pooles. Neither are places I would return to.

[LulusMom]

Wow, that is interesting about Poole's. I sort of had that on my "next time I'm in Raleigh" list, but I'm taking it off.

[Tehama]

I know I am in the minority as to Pooles, but all three of us that evening had a totally unremarkable, boring experience. Plus it was loud and packed and I did not enjoy trying to eat my chicken with a stranger right on my back....

[LulusMom]

The no reservations policy is a PITA too.

[burgeoningfoodie]

We lucked out at Brunch for poole's by going towards the end of their block. I think it was like 1:30 or 2 and we got a seat immediately. They are up for the JBA this year. My wife and I both liked it.

[chuck s]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll be with the Affenpinschers.

[burgeoningfoodie]

I would give Market a try in Raleigh. Dames Chicken and Waffles in Durham.

Poole's doesn't take reservations but it is good. I like their brunch compared to their normal dinner. Watts Grocery in Durham is good regional fair. Neomonde is a good Lebanese/Mediterranean "deli". You aren't far from Sawasdee Thai but that isn't what I would call unique to the area. If you want a nice meal, check out Mandolin in Raleigh. Relative to other restaurants serving the same things, it is not what i would consider expensive but it is on the border between dress up and casual erring to the former. Another BBQ joint not far from you is Clyde Cooper's in downtown Raleigh. They just celebrated their 75th anniversary.

[meatn3]

I'll just address good, fast & inexpensive places convenient to the hotel and the fair grounds:

*Neomonde -
the Beryl Rd. location is minutes from the fair ground. Eat in or take out Lebanese. Deli setup with hot and cold dishes, pastries and made to order items. Really good & a local fav for lunch or early dinners.
*Chubbys Tacos -
Small local chain. This location is in a shopping center midway between the hotel and the fair grounds. Very tasty and easy on the wallet. Open lunch & dinner.
*Super Wok-
5-10 min. west of the fair grounds is a fair number of ethnic restaurants and grocery stores (corner of E. Chatham & SE Maynard in Cary. Hillsborough becomes Chatham). In that vicinity is Super Wok. Not much on atmosphere but the food is some of the best Szechwan in the Triangle. Open for lunch & dinner.
*N. C. Seafood -
Inexpensive, very casual, super fresh NC seafood can be had at the State Farmers Market - perhaps 15 min. from the Fair Ground. Don't eat at the other restaurant out there. Order at the counter and take a seat. Be aware that when they call their ice tea sweet they aren't kidding! Lunch cost less, check for specials. If you like fried oysters theirs are really good!

http://www.neomonde.com/35year/
http://www.chubbystacos.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.locDetail/locID/2/index.htm
http://superwok.wikidot.com/start
http://www.ncseafood.com/

If you venture into downtown Raleigh watch your meter! I find the parking garages cheaper than risking the ticket. Lots of good restaurants.

More specific details about your time frame for exploring will help with other suggestions.

[carolinadawg]

Raleigh and Durham aren't as close to each other as you may be thinking. You'll probably get better information if you can provide some specifics about where you are staying, and how far from there you are willing to drive. Also, they are dozens of existing threads that can be found by searching, such as:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/890826

Great bbq can be found at Allen and Son, between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, but its about 30 miles from downtown raleigh.

[chuck s]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm staying with the dog show people at the Crabtree Mall Holiday Inn but will have a car and intend to do some touring. If that helps.

Heard about Poole's. Should that be included? Thanks.