Foodie News: Popular ice cream shop expands to Wake Forest

RALEIGH, N.C. — Chef Victor Albisu announced this week that Monday, Aug. 28 is the eagerly awaited grand opening date for Taco Bamba’s Raleigh location. Located in The Ridgewood Shopping Center on Wade Ave, this will be their first spot outside the Washington, D.C. metro area. Widely known for its inventive and generously-stuffed tacos and tortas, deep mezcal-focused bar, and bold design and soundtrack, Taco Bamba began 10 years ago as a hole-in-the-wall Northern Virginia strip mall carryout. They have grown to over ten locations in the D.C. suburbs and Raleigh, with future openings planned in Nashville, Richmond and a return to D.C. proper. To celebrate its opening, they will be giving away a free taco a week for a year to the first 100 guests who place an order in person. Start getting familiar with them here.

We start of with some great news to help cool down your summer! WRAL shared that Two Roosters has officially opened their newest location – this one in Wake Forest at The Factory across the sidewalk from Gonza Tacos and Village Deli. They are open Saturday noon-10 p.m.; Sunday 2-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday 2-9 p.m.; and Friday noon-10 p.m. Check them out here.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news this week that the Triangle’s third location of Chido Taco opened this week at 555 Fayetteville St. (end of Fayetteville Street, closest to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium). They have locations on Bale Street in Raleigh and one in Cary at the intersection of Kildaire Farm Road and Cary Parkway. Check out Chido here.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance also announced this week that the Berkeley Cafe will live on as they shared where they will move when their current site has to give way to a new 36-story tower. They will move just around the corner into the spot currently occupied by Fiction Kitchen (428 S Dawson St.) – who will be moving to the Gateway Plaza at the corner of Capital and Crabtree boulevards (2411 Crabtree Blvd. to be exact). We will keep you posted on the timing of these changes, but for now, the Berk and Fiction Kitchen continue to operate in their current locations. Follow Berkeley Cafe on their Facebook page here.

Reader Caley Braman shared with us that the former Glory Days Grill in Apex in the Publix shopping center has closed, and Mike Montgomery, owner of Abbey Road (with locations in Cary and Apex), is opening a new sports bar called The Dugout Tavern & Grill at 1413 Kelly Road. Look for upscale pub food and an extensive craft beer selection. They are expected to open at the end of this month. Might be best to follow them on Facebook for their progress and announcements.

In Garner, it was shared this week that there is an ownership change taking place at The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop. After a nearly eight year run, Antares Nicklow and Shannon Cummings are stepping away on August 31 and handing the keys over to a couple of familiar faces, Jesse and Eddie. Cheers to new beginnings and our best to Antares and Shannon and their next chapter. Visit them here.

Down in Johnston County, the Triangle Business Journal reported that Slim Chickens, a chain based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with more than 200 locations open or planned around the country and in the U.K., is planning to opening a location in Smithfield. This will be the first Slim Chickens in the Triangle area, but has two other North Carolina locations in Charlotte and Monroe. Get to know them here.

And congrats to Raleigh’s very own Adé Carrena of Dounou Cuisine who took home the title of NCRLA Chef of the Year at the NCRLA 2023 Chef Showdown grand finale that was held at the Pavilion at the Angus Barn and hosted by Kitty Kinnin. Lots of other winners were recognized in a variety of categories. See a full list of winners here. Congrats to all the chefs and mixologists from across North Carolina.

Ei Phyo shared in the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook group that Haymar’s Kitchen, serving up authentic Burmese cuisine, has opened at 1301 E. Main Street in Haw River, NC (for those not familiar, Haw River is just west of Mebane). Best to follow them on Facebook.

Down in Chatham County/Pittsboro, Kingston 99 Kitchen will hold their Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m. You can find their authentic Jamaican cuisine at The Plant (192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro) where they are open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Visit their Facebook event page for all the details.

Following a three-year run, Catalan Tapas Bar at 4214 NW Cary Parkway in Cary will permanently close their doors at the end of this week. Thanks to David McCreary and Triangle Business Journal for sharing this information.

The next Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is Sunday, Sept. 3, from 12 to 4 p.m. The final rodeo of the season will be Oct. 29. All the rodeos are from 12 to 4 p.m. Giddyup! Here is the link.

Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Sassool’s Annual Hummus Mix Off is right around the corner! On Aug. 19 from 2-5 p.m. at their Raleigh location they are bringing in local food influencers and recipe creators to compete for your vote at the best flavored hummus. The winner will have their recipe featured as our September special! Tickets are on sale NOW. With your ticket, you are able to try every hummus competing (this is over 12 kinds of hummus) and then vote for your favorite. This is a family friendly event! Get tickets and all the details here.

And then on Aug. 24, The NC Museum of Art, Vitis House, and Catering Works present “The Art Inside the Bottle." Together with NCMA curator Maya Brooks, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, and Vitis House owner and wine educator, Doreen Colondres, we will dive into Identity, Place, and Power as themes that contextualize works of art and wine in specific and inspiring ways. Join us from 7 to 9 p.m. for a very special evening to explore history, tradition, and process behind winemaking and artmaking at The Art Inside the Bottle. You will foster new insights in an immersive, sensory experience! Seven wines with custom-designed food pairings will be served as Maya speaks in person to share her expertise on seven important works of art from the Museum’s Collection. Details and sign up here.

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Prohibitive in Cary’s Matthews House (317 W Chatham St.) will host a Wine & Cheese Pairing where guests will be tasting through five delicious and refreshing Italian wines paired with five light cheese dishes. The event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $55/person. Make your reservation now (Pro Tip: Use code Cheese23 to receive 15% off).

Heights House Hotel, in Raleigh’s historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, announced its newest hospitality driven amenity geared towards both the Raleigh resident and the visiting overnight guest. Afternoon Tea will be available at The Parlor at Heights House, beginning Sept. 15 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Get all the details here and make reservations here.

The 10th annual Sola Hot Mini 5K race is Saturday, Sept. 16 at Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. Thus far, the race has raised over $450,000 in the fight to end ALS with a goal to raise $200,000 more this year. Get details and register here.

The USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is coming to Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 16, and will be held at Dorothea Dix Park (Flowers Field). Attendees will explore a Raleigh culinary adventure that celebrates the best local food and drink, enjoy endless food and drink samples, attend demonstrations and interact with exhibitors in a beautiful outdoor setting for a single admission price. Get tickets and all the details here.

Saturday Sept. 23 is Bull City Burger and Brewery’s OctoBullFest, guaranteed to be the best WURST day of the year. It’s an annual street festival including live music, food, beer, games, and a kids’ area featuring a bounce house, bubbles, Balloon Man Mike, and more. Did we mention the food? We sell our 100% pasture-raised beef burgers, house-made veggie burgers and feature our authentic bratwurst for the event, all served on house-baked buns. Not to mention soft pretzels, and OctoBullfest Mustard/Mushroom Fries. There is always wine and beer available, including our Octoberfest lager aptly named “Stierstadt” (German for Bull City) which is brewed once yearly for the event. We welcome kids, adults, families, dogs, and smiles to East Parrish Street. Proceeds support Durham Habitat. The website should be updated soon with this year’s details, but last year’s info still gives a general sense.

The folks over at Acme are bringing back Salt & Smoke on Saturday, Oct. 28. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Sonark Media (located just off of Old 86 in Hillsborough). If you are not familiar with the event, it is a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, raw oysters, roasted clams and plenty of the right beverages to wash it all down – local beer, wine and cocktails. And if you get your tickets now, through the end of this month there is a $25 discount for all tickets purchased (just use the code FINALLY when checking out). Get all the details and tickets here.

Right now, one in five people in central and eastern North Carolina doesn't have enough to eat. Your tax-deductible gift helps provide food and hope to families, children, and seniors right here in our community. Together, we can help people in our community during their greatest time of need. Give here. Every $10 you donate provides 50 meals! #noonegoeshungry