Foodie news: New BBQ joint opens on Glenwood South
WRAL reported this week that Phoebe Lawless has returned to her roots with the opening of the second location of her award-winning bakery Scratch (lovingly called Baby Scratch). It opened next to her first full-scale restaurant The Lakewood at 2022 Chapel Hill Road. Lawless said her downtown Durham bakery, which opened in 2010, has become more of a cafe, doing most of its business in coffee, breakfast and lunch. The new Lakewood bakery will get back to the breads and pies on which Scratch was founded.
Southern Charred is opens its doors on Glenwood Avenue this weekend. This new barbecue joint's menu includes pulled pork, smoked deviled eggs, biscuit sliders and more.
Wake County Restaurant News
North Hills announced this week that bartaco, a hip eatery specializing in tacos and rice bowls, will be opening in the Main District at North Hills. Located next door to Mura, the restaurant is expected to open in the summer of 2018. They recently opened a location at University Placein Chapel HIll. This comes on the heels of the news that Viva Chicken, a Peruvian rotisserie joint specializing in Pollo a la Brasa, will fill the former McAlister’s Deli space at North Hills.
Over in Lafayette Village, Zanyu Asian Noodles will fill the void left by the recent closure of JoCa’s Gourmet Dawgs N’ Shakes. From what we understand, he will be doing various noodle dishes from multiple Asian countries. At this point we are not able to locate an online presence nor an opening date. We will update you as we know more.
Who doesn’t love fresh bagels? The News & Observer reported that this month Pizzeria Faulisi in downtown Cary has turned Saturday mornings into a two-hour breakfast pop-up called the Booya Bagel Shop. The bagels are cooked in the pizzeria’s wood-fire oven and come in plain, sesame or with everything. The bagels are accompanied by biscuits and “B’doughnuts,” which are doughnuts baked in the oven. The shop is 10 a.m. to noon, or until everything is sold out. Get more information on their Instagram page.
Also in Cary, the News & Observer reported that former Little Hen chef Regan Stachler has resigned from his short-lived post as executive chef at Cary’s Mayton Inn. We will keep an eye on who replaces him at the Inn, as well as where Regan’s talents pop-up next.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Over in Durham, we learned from the Durham Chamber that Big C Waffles has opened in the former Dog House location near the intersection of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 55 (2110 Allendown Dr) near Kokyu BBQ. I love their tag line, “Changing lives one waffle at a time.” Bring on the waffles!
The News & Observer reported this week that a new coffee shop has opened in Durham in the former Respite Cafe spot on Duke Street, not far from Brightleaf Square. Kaffeinate is the creation of Diana Leeand features an espresso bar, drip coffee and cold brew, along with a chai latte and selection of hot teas. Beyond the beverages, Kaffeinate has a waffle menu, ranging from traditional Belgian to waffles topped with Nutella, fresh berries, cinnamon sugar or bananas and chocolate drizzle.
On a recent outing, the beautiful and talented Lori Bowers-Lennard noticed that Blaze Pizza is coming to Patterson Place in Durham (5318 McFarland Drive to be exact). No word on a timeline, but they have locations in Morrisville, Holly Springs and Garner.
Closings
Got an email from a long-time reader Tracey (sorry I couldn’t find your last name!) that JoCa’s Gourmet Dawgs N’ Shakes in Lafayette Village has closed. That’s the bad news. The good news is there is a new restaurant coming into that space (see above under Wake County).
Food Trucks
Food Truck Thursdays are back in Knightdale. Every Thursday from September through November, Knightdale hosts a new truck at Knightdale Station Park for lunch and dinner. Just look for it from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm near the amphitheater (rain or shine - shelters are covered). Thanks to Mark Ginsburg for the heads up.
Got word that the Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo returns this Sunday, Oct. 29, from 12-4 at 405 S. Brooks Street in historic downtown Wake Forest. Just about everything and anything that is served from the back of a truck will be featured from savory food and dessert vendors. And a beer tent will be provided by Brooks Street Bowl.
Friend David McCreary notified me that downtown Fuquay-Varina is hosting a food truck rodeo on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1-4. The rodeo will feature Chirba Chirba Dumplings, Dusty Donuts, JAM Ice Cream and Morfa Empanadas. And beer vendors Aviator Brewing Co., Fainting Goat Brewing and Mason Jar Lager.
Art Sheppard notified me that Chapel Hill is bringing back the Rodeo on Rosemary. It will be held on Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. (also same day as the Durham Rodeo…decisions, decisions).
And the food truck rodeos in Raleigh are over for the year and just one remaining in Durham for the year on Nov. 5. Get all the details. Get all the details for Durham dates here.
Events
The new WRAL.com Voters' Choice Awards starts this fall with expanded categories and subcategories. You can nominate your favorite businesses through Nov. 8. On Nov. 13, they will unveil the official voting ballot. To nominate a business, click here. And if you are a business interested in sponsoring this year's awards or getting promotional graphics to help encourage people to nominate your business, click here.
Today is the last day to participate in the Hayes Barton Restaurant Week (Oct. 23-27). Restaurants, cafes and bars from Five Points, Oberlin Village and Glenwood Village are teaming up to fight hunger by donating 10 percent of sales to the Interfaith Food Shuttle. Participating establishments include: Bloomsbury Bistro, Crafty Beer Shop, Glenwood Grill, Hayes Barton Cafe, Hungry Howie’s, Lilly’s Pizza, Mandolin, NOFO @ the Pig, The Point, Proof at Five Points and Third Place.
The folks over at Blu Seafood and Bar and Fullsteam Brewery are hosting an Oyster Roast on Saturday, Oct. 28 to raise money for Habitat for Humanity Disaster Relief at Blue Seafood and Barat 2022 Hillsborough Road from 12-4 p.m. In addition to the roast, Lower 9th Street is having a block party and World Market is having a fair trade tasting at the same time.
Is your kid(s) chomping at the bit to wear their Halloween costume (and not crazy that Halloween is on a school night this year). Well, might as well get some free food, amiright? Penn Station East Coast Subs is giving away free kids meals for Halloween Oct. 29-31 to any kid in a costume. Each dressed kid will receive a free kid meal with an adult sub purchase. Kids meals include any four-inch sandwich, a kids-sized fresh-cut fry, a drink in a special kids’ cup and a sucker.
On Nov. 4, it is one of my favorite events of the year - the 5th annual Salt & Smoke Festival, where chef Kevin Callaghan and his team from Acme capture a perfect autumn day in the South with bluegrass, whole hog barbecue, oysters on the half shell and local drinks - so many rich traditions rolled into one singular and spectacular celebration at Rock Quarry Farm. This is a "don't miss" event.
Also on Nov. 4, join Bites of Bull City from 10 a.m. until noon for a Durham brunch tour. Why go to brunch at just one restaurant when you can try three! Your delicious tour will take you to Piedmont, Pie Pushers and Counting House. You will meet the chefs behind the dishes and get a taste of the unique flavor and styles at each stop. Cost is $45. Use coupon code SAVEFIVE to get $5 off through this Sunday.
Looking ahead to November, there are two events of note and both are on Nov. 5. First up is the 27th annual A Tasteful Affair at The Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium where 500 guests will enjoy delicious samples from more than two-dozen of the area's best restaurants, catering companies, beverage purveyors and food trucks - all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. Details and tickets here.
It’s time for the 2017 Triangle Chili Challenge. On Sunday, Nov. 12 in Downtown Cary, restaurateurs and food trucks compete alongside the Cary Police and Fire Departments for the “Best Chili in the Triangle”. The event also features live music, craft beer, art vendors, raffles and cash prizes. The winner will go home with $300 in cash, a trophy and serious bragging rights. Registration is now open.
Reap the spoils of competition while top Triangle chefs compete to be named Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County's annual Stone Soup Supper on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at NCSU McKimmon Center. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals living within Wake County. Guests receive unlimited bowls of specially crafted soup from more than a dozen chefs. Guests also receive one piece of artisan pottery, hand-crafted by the Triangle Potters Guild.
Mattie Beason of Black Twig Cider House will host TxotxFest on Nov. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. TxotxFest returns for a second year, offering award-winning regional and national ciders with North Carolina cuisine, and features the txotx - a traditional Spanish cider barrel. Beason introduced TxotxFestin 2016 as the first event of its kind in the Southeast to celebrate cider, the fastest growing segment in the beverage industry. This year, Beason kicks off TxotxFest Nov. 17 with a $50 five-course cider-paired dinner at Black Twig Cider House featuring Asheville's chef Steven Goff of Brinehaus Meat & Provisions and ciders from Noble Cider, Urban Orchard, Appalachian Mountain, and James Creek.
Food Bank Corner
Our friends at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will be holding a Students Against Hunger food drive from October through December for schools in the area. Participants in the Students Against Hunger campaign collect food and funds from October 2 through December 2. Competing schools must deliver their donations to our warehouse by noon on Saturday, December 2. There are lots of creative ways for your child’s school to participate. Register your school and get all the details here.
Sean Lennard covers the Triangle food scene on his site Triangle Food Blog.
