The Morgan Street Food Hall opened with a lot of fanfare late last summer. The 22,000-square-foot culinary incubator and market houses nearly two dozen vendors, serving up all manner of food, drinks and treats.
Months later, it's hard to find a time when the space isn't crowded with foodies seeking a fix for their lobster roll or curry cravings. But what about kids with pickier palates? Will they find something to love here?
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Most definitely, yes.
Luckily, my kids are older and, on a good day, adventurous eaters. My 13-year-old, in particular, is ready to tuck into just about any food at any time. And, during a trip to the food hall, the two of us went all out, eating an empanada from Makus Empanadas, a bowl of ramen from The Broth, a (very spicy!) banh mi from MKG Kitchen, chips from Wicked Taco and some rolled ice cream from Raleigh Rolls.
Yes, we did stuff our faces. And yes, also, this added up to a lot of money. If memory serves, it was $60 for all of that food, so definitely a splurge. And price is one thing to keep in mind when going to the food hall. But your trip doesn't have to be expensive. And, if you're headed there with kids who aren't quite foodies yet, there are plenty of options.
Here's where to look ...
Bella's Wood Fired Pizza & Tapas
You'll find plenty of traditional pasta and pizza fare here, including wood fired macaroni and cheese for $8.95 and pasta with marinara sauce and two meatballs for $7.95. A single slice of pizza will set you back $3.50, plus 40 cents per topping.
Cousin's Maine Lobster
Kids love their lobster grilled cheese for $14.75 and lobster cheese quesadillas for $14.25. Or you can just let them nosh on a $3.75 order of tater tots and then treat them to a $3.25 whoopie pie.
Raleigh Rolls
This place is really fun for kids. Not only do they get to eat ice cream, they also can watch it being made as workers roll out the ingredients on an incredibly cold metal surface and then mix in the various toppings. Kids especially love the Mixed Berry, which comes with actual fruit and Fruity Pebbles, and Chocolate Overload, which includes Oreos, M&Ms, a Nutella drizzle and more. All rolls are $7 each.
Makus Empanadas
Their kids meal consists of one empanada or empadog, one cookie and either juice or chocolate milk for $4.95. Kids love the ham and cheese, sweet corn and chicken empanadas.. The empadog is a hot dog wrapped in empanada dough and also is quite popular. Another hit: The chipa bread, which is Latin American cheese bread.
Sassool Select
Their hummus is amazing and served up with pita wedges, pita chips, gluten-free pita or fresh cut carrot sticks. A serving of hummus with pita or carrots is $3.75. Sassool also has a completely gluten-free salad and side case with any allergens clearly labeled. So this may be the spot to visit if your child has food restrictions or sensitivities. (Also, their homemade chicken soup is perfect for a cold winter day.)
Lyla’s Southern Kitchen
This spot carries a bunch of kid-friendly staples. Check out their mac and cheese, cheeseburger, grilled cheese or chicken strips plates, all served with tots. They're just $5 each.
That's Good Chocolate
I love Mary Roundtree, owner of That's Good Chocolate, and have written about her before. I was so glad to see her chocolate for sale at the food hall. It is so yummy. Kids, especially, love their Rocky Road Clusters in milk chocolate. A single piece costs just 75 cents. Take home an entire bag for $8.
Boba Brew
You can't go wrong with bubble tea and smoothies, which cost between $3.99 and $5.50. Some "kid" flavors include the peanut butter cup smoothies and strawberry smoothie. On the bubble tea side of the menu, the Blue Hawaiian, S'mores, Nesquick strawberry, and honey dew are faves.
Fancy Berries
How does strawberry shortcake stuffed strawberries (for $6) sound? They also serve up 20 ounce fresh fruit cups for $7, bling stick candy apples for $5 and stuffed ice cream cones for $3.
Carroll's Kitchen
Kids love their kolaches, which are pastries stuffed with various yummy things. They cost $3 each or $11 for a set of four. Flavors include everything bagel, bacon, egg and cheese, pepperoni pizza supreme, apple pie and coconut cream.
Check Morgan Street Food Hall's website for more information about the destination.
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