Raleigh and the Triangle Guide and Discussion

[Sasha Cares]

Eastern BBQ lover. Hate slaw

 

[Sens1Canes2]

Slaw is fine, but on the side of course.

 

[tomdundo]

No slaw, Western.

 

[Guy]

Eastern BBQ lover. Hate slaw

I approve this message.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Western, slaw right on the sandwich, this sauce:

http://carolinasauce.stores.yahoo.net/jiownhobasa3.html

EDIT: Or this one http://www.joebudsfoods.com/ Those are the best two sauces I've ever had.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

I prefer Eastern and strongly dislike mayo-based slaw. If it were a vinegar-based slaw, I might be down for it.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

I prefer Eastern and strongly dislike mayo-based slaw. If it were a vinegar-based slaw, I might be down for it.

THAT'S my problem with vinegar. I actually don't mind the sauces, prefer Western but Eastern sauces aren't too bad at all. I just can't stand vinegar-based slaw.

Weird how it seems you can only like one and not the other. You'd think our palates would be able to like both, but apparently not.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Ginormous food truck rodeo in Durham this weekend. Tried Porchetta today for the first time and it was pretty tasty.

http://www.durhamcentralpark.org/events/food-truck-rodeo/

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I'm going to see if I can make it to the food truck rodeo. Klausi's pizza is good.

Re: BBQ. I was never a slaw fan until recently. I now actually prefer it. I'm an equal fan of Eastern and Western to be honest, love them both, all depends what kind of mood I'm in. Some may say that's ridiculous and like saying I'm an equal fan of NC State and UNC. I think of it more like I'm an equal fan of Brunettes and Redheads.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Pshaw. You North Carolinians think the Eastern vs. Western debate up here is tough...look in my home state where we have not two but three (and by some accounts four) types of sauces.

I grew up in mustard country, but I'm just not a fan of it.

 

[DaveG]

Never had the Vinegar & Pepper. I like the Mustard style one a lot, good stuff.

Actually reminds me, at Tyler's Taproom you can do a Pear Salad (which comes with a Mustard Vinegarette style dressing) and get pulled pork on it. Frigin glorious.

 

[DaleCooper]

Anybody have any updates for this? I was just back in Raleigh for the first time in a year and I definitely noticed a lot of changes.

I need help keeping this thing current while I am living far away, though I am working very hard on changing that (on that note, if you have any contacts in any local planning departments uhhh.. PM me?).

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Anybody have any updates for this? I was just back in Raleigh for the first time in a year and I definitely noticed a lot of changes.

I need help keeping this thing current while I am living far away, though I am working very hard on changing that (on that note, if you have any contacts in any local planning departments uhhh.. PM me?).

I was just thinking this morning I needed to let you know of a few corrections!

-Draft in Raleigh has closed as of 12/31/12 so it can be removed.

-"RBC Center" throughout OP needs to be changed to "PNC Arena" now

-The Hibernian's location on South Glenwood is temporarily closed after a 2-alarm fire gutted it. I believe they plan to rebuild it.

-Dos Taquitos Centro is now just "Centro."

-The Diner is closed - it will be another Dos Taquitos location called Dos Taquitos Xoco

-The Roth Brothers have sold Roth Brewing - it will still be operating under the name until the new owners improve the place and rename it.

-Places to add:
-Natty Greene's - Revolutionary war themed brewpub

-Gonza's Tacos y Tequila

-Tyler's Taproom (has locations in Raleigh and Durham)

If I can think of more I'll give you a heads up.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Here's another I've heard nothing but good things about - Battistella's(New Orleans/Creole cuisine)

Also for Chapel Hill and Durham, we have Bandido's Cafe - good cheap Mexican option and home of the El Gigante challenge

 

[DaleCooper]

Ah yeah I saw Battistella's when I was walking around last Friday. It looked promising.

 

[rt]

Anyone know anything about Charlotte? Should I ask in the checkers thread? I will be in Charlotte next month, will have several days to do whatever I want. Any tips? My two favorite things are drinking beer and eating food. I'm not much for activities that aren't heavily centered on both drinking and eating. All suggestions welcome. I also love wine. Huge fan of wine drinking. Oh and I like ALL kinds of foods from fried chicken to Filipino. Pot pies to Peruvian. Thanks.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Anyone know anything about Charlotte? Should I ask in the checkers thread? I will be in Charlotte next month, will have several days to do whatever I want. Any tips? My two favorite things are drinking beer and eating food. I'm not much for activities that aren't heavily centered on both drinking and eating. All suggestions welcome. I also love wine. Huge fan of wine drinking. Oh and I like ALL kinds of foods from fried chicken to Filipino. Pot pies to Peruvian. Thanks.

I don't have *too* much eating experience in Charlotte but there are three restaurants I'd recommend

1) Lupie's Cafe - Sort of a beer hall looking place with great burgers, chili, and banana pudding. Last time I went the portions were big and the prices were easy on my wallet.

2) The Diamond Restaurant - A diner type restaurant, complete with BBQ dipped fried chicken, gyros, amazingly good burgers, and hot dogs. The people who own and operate Diamond formerly operated The Penguin in its most recent heyday (which saw an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with that overgrown frat boy who shall not be named) and due to the vagaries of the restaurant biz opened up The Diamond after their lease at The Penguin wasn't renewed.

3) Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen Great Creole eats. Bar menu specializes in Hurricanes, naturally, except here you can get them as strong as you like from a Category 1 to a Category 5.

There's a fourth I've not been to but have heard nothing but good things about - The Cowfish Sushi & Burger Bar. There was recently a feature done on them by the A Hamburger Today Blog and other people I know who've been there confirm it's a good place for both sushi and burgers or the unholy combination of the two they call "Burgushi."

 

[DaveG]

Duckworth's has some good beers on tap including a few solid locals (NoDa, Foothills, Highland, Duckrabbit)

 

[GoCanes2013]

The Epicenter provides lots of choices and good access to other downtown venues, hotels, etc.

 

[DaleCooper]

I'll definitely back what garnetpalmetto said. Unfortunately, all of the cool places in Charlotte are spread out in various areas outside of downtown (Uptown.. whatever). It's the main reason why I dislike Charlotte so much. When you are downtown, though, I would recommend http://mertscharlotte.com/ to get your southern soul food fix.

I like the North Davidson (NoDa) neighborhood a lot. Boudreaux's, which garnet mentioned, is there. There is a beer bar I like a lot there as well: http://www.growlerspourhouse.com/.

The Old Mecklenburg Brewery (http://oldemeckbrew.com/) is pretty good. I like their beer a lot and they have a great beer hall and restaurant (semi-walkable from the light rail line; Scaleybark Station).

The South End area is another decent spot. A lot of old warehouses that have been adapted into condos, businesses, restaurants, etc. The light rail goes there from downtown (get off at East/West Station or Bland Station if you take it) and it is the fastest growing and densifying part of the city thanks to the light rail. There is a legendary joint there called Price's Chicken Coop (http://www.priceschickencoop.com/) that I have somehow embarrassingly managed to avoid eating at. Another fun spot there is Pike's Soda Shop (https://www.facebook.com/pikessodashop).

Could be worth checking to see if the Checkers are in town when you're there. Also, this may be outside the realm of feasibility, but if you do have a car and a lot of time, Asheville is two hours away and well worth a day trip. One of the best places in NC.

 

[Citizen Cane]

Pshaw. You North Carolinians think the Eastern vs. Western debate up here is tough...look in my home state where we have not two but three (and by some accounts four) types of sauces.

I grew up in mustard country, but I'm just not a fan of it.

Knowing the styles at places in both states, your gray area closely resembles eastern-style NC. And the red updtate areas are much like the famous western-style NC across the line in places like Shelby. The other two are all yours. I've tried the mustard-based, its interesting. Like "Georgia Hash" across the line to the south, its not BBQ to me, but I will eat it if its done well.

 

[Citizen Cane]

I was just thinking this morning I needed to let you know of a few corrections!

- -Places to add:
-Tyler's Taproom (has locations in Raleigh and Durham)

If I can think of more I'll give you a heads up.

And Carrboro (Tyler's).

 

[Citizen Cane]

I'm thinking of "The Pig," in Chapel Hill, my bad. I believe they USED to be called "The Pit," though, first went there when I was 7 or 8 and didn't like it. I could be wrong though.

Still, not an eastern guy haha.

The Pig was previously The Barbecue Joint. The Pig is run by guys who used to work at the BBQ Joint.

And the owners of the latter have opened Hillsborough Barbecue, which is very good!

I canot believe the heretical opinions I see above me about slaw. One can debate the type of slaw, but having BBQ without slaw all together?? Heresy I say!

 

[HisIceness]

Anyone know anything about Charlotte? Should I ask in the checkers thread? I will be in Charlotte next month, will have several days to do whatever I want. Any tips? My two favorite things are drinking beer and eating food. I'm not much for activities that aren't heavily centered on both drinking and eating. All suggestions welcome. I also love wine. Huge fan of wine drinking. Oh and I like ALL kinds of foods from fried chicken to Filipino. Pot pies to Peruvian. Thanks.

http://ensocharlotte.com/

I have personally not eaten here, but I hear it is very good, and it's in a prime location (Epicentre).

http://www.queencityq.com/

Good Barbecue restaurant also in a prime location, next to the 7th Street light rail station.

http://www.harpersgroup.com/harpers.asp

Casual dining restaurant with a couple of locations in South Charlotte.

 

[tarheelhockey]

1) Lupie's Cafe - Sort of a beer hall looking place with great burgers, chili, and banana pudding. Last time I went the portions were big and the prices were easy on my wallet.

2) The Diamond Restaurant - A diner type restaurant, complete with BBQ dipped fried chicken, gyros, amazingly good burgers, and hot dogs. The people who own and operate Diamond formerly operated The Penguin in its most recent heyday (which saw an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with that overgrown frat boy who shall not be named) and due to the vagaries of the restaurant biz opened up The Diamond after their lease at The Penguin wasn't renewed.

3) Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen Great Creole eats. Bar menu specializes in Hurricanes, naturally, except here you can get them as strong as you like from a Category 1 to a Category 5.

Yes, yes and yes. Strongly recommend. As a native, I'm telling ya, you can't go wrong with the above.

A couple of other suggestions:

A lot of Charlotte visitors spend time in South End. If you're going to do that, you MUST go to Price's Chicken Coop for lunch. Emphasis on the MUST.

On the other side of the city center, if you're going to be on Independence Boulevard at any point you MUST go eat at South 21.


The above are all 100% authentically awesome local restaurants that have been doing their own thing their own way for a long time, all except maybe Boudreaux's are easy on the wallet, and all are convenient to the most interesting parts of town. You really can't go wrong.