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Featured Restaurant News

• The News & Observer shared the information that Dino’s Pizza in Durham opened this previous week within the University Hill buying heart (within the former BB’s Crispy Chicken house). The pizzeria is the newest from Matt Kelly (assume Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Nanas). Joining Kelly is chef and companion Tom Cuomo, previously of St. James Seafood. The wooden panel partitions, pink and white verify desk cloths and stacks of pink plastic cups will aid you recapture the pizza vibes of your childhood. Dino’s might be open 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday by way of Sunday to start out, with lunch service to return. Check them out on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Roots Natural Kitchen, a Virginia-based eatery that caters to varsity college students, has picked its first Raleigh location at 2712 Hillsborough Street close to N.C. State University. They will start serving salads and grain bowls within the former Gumby’s Pizza house throughout subsequent yr’s spring semester. This might be their second Triangle-area location as they opened their Chapel Hill location in 2021. Get familiar with them here.

• Raleigh Magazine shared that Barrio Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey is coming to the downtown Raleigh Smoky Hollow improvement at 421 North Harrington Street. This would be the chain’s first enterprise into North Carolina. They had been voted one of many prime 10 taco stands within the United States, but additionally recognized for his or her huge number of tequila, whiskey, and beer. No phrase on an open date. Start getting familiar with them now.

• Over in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station, acquired phrase that Boatman Spirits Co. has expanded their hours to incorporate weekend lunch. So they’re now open from 11 a.m. till midnight Saturday and Sunday. They might be providing a lunch model of their common menu and including new menu objects within the coming weeks. They are additionally planning a Departure Party on Aug. 2nd. Visit them here.

• And talking of recent lunch service, chef David Ellis and his staff at James Beard semifinalist Figulina (317 S Harrington Street) began providing grab-and-go lunch choices this week (Wednesday–Friday from 11am–2pm), together with scorching focaccia sandwiches, pasta salad and takeaway bites. Visit Figulina here.

• In Cary, Triangle Business Journal famous that Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is planning an enlargement into the Triangle with its first location. This might be their second location in North Carolina, with a location in Greensboro planning to open quickly. Plans have been submitted for Parkside Town Commons (7119 O’Kelly Chapel Rd.), and the restaurant boasts a formidable menu of steaks, seafood, pasta, and its personal wine assortment. No phrase on an open date (they even haven’t made it onto the location’s “Coming Soon” itemizing). Check them out here.

• Downtown Apex is simply days away from getting an upscale Italian choice in Serafina Ristorante. They start their comfortable launch on July twenty eighth. At this time, they aren’t accepting reservations, however will quickly (mid-August). They are positioned at 126 N. Salem Street within the former dwelling of The Peak on Salem and Peak City Grill & Bar. Follow along on Instagram here.

• David McCreary shared with us that Sticks & Stones Coffee Coalition is now open at 620 Lakestone Commons Avenue in Fuquay-Varina. It’s tucked away across the nook from Big Lots and close to Famous Toastery, however it’s value in search of out. Currently open simply mornings, the store sells domestically made pastries and build-your-own flower bouquets. Gotta love this tagline: “We serve coffee and flowers … because therapy is expensive!” They may have their grand opening on Saturday, August 2nd from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Follow them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• TaTaco, the newest from chef and two-time James Beard semifinalist Oscar Diaz (alongside along with his long-time enterprise companions, Mezcalito Group Inc.) may have their Grand Opening celebration this Saturday, July twenty sixth from 6 p.m. till midnight. They are positioned at 620 Foster Street. Get all the main points on their Instagram page here.

• The Southpoint Access e-newsletter shared that the house in Southpoint Crossing that after held a Melting Pot (202 W. NC Hwy. 54, Ste. 506) will quickly be dwelling to Kinya Ramen, serving ramen and sushi. They have places in Florida, New York, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The Durham location would be the first in North Carolina. Menus at different places embody poke bowl, kani salad, a number of sorts of ramen (together with tonkotsu and veggie), sushi rolls, and yakitori meat skewers. Thanks to Glenn Gillen for bringing this to our consideration. Visit them here.

• Over in Hillsborough, the News & Observer reported that Serratore’s, the second full-service restaurant from Mothers & Sons chef and proprietor Josh DeCarolis, will quickly open within the former Radius Pizza house. While Serratore’s will concentrate on pasta, they will even serve up 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas. Look for them to open subsequent month. Might be best to follow along on Instagram.

Closings

• After almost 50 years, Chapel Hill’s legendary Mama Dip’s has formally closed. A yr in the past, the traditional Southern cooking spot closed its eating room and operated as take-out solely. There was a touch, nevertheless, that left the door open for one thing new. Stay tuned.

• And in Raleigh, the News & Observer shared the information that Cornerstone Tavern in Glenwood South will shut after 13 years.

Food Trucks

• Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook founder Carrie Brogren shared that the previous Pizza Factory in Carrboro has developed right into a meals truck at Sidetrack Bar & Lounge (5906 Millhouse Road in Chapel Hill). Danny’s Rolling Kitchen might be there after 4pm Tuesday-Friday and midday on the weekends (hours might change as wants change). Closed on Mondays. Check them out on Facebook here.

• The last Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 might be on Sunday, November 2. It will run from 12 midday till 4 p.m. that includes over 50+ meals vans with delicacies from everywhere in the world making it the final word Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

• Looking to seek out your favourite meals truck (or stalking them and easily don’t wish to must admit it)? We perceive. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• Head downtown! The Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week has returned…now by way of August third. This beloved custom is your invitation to find the distinctive, locally-owned eating places and bars that make downtown Raleigh a real eating vacation spot. Savor unique offers, prix fixe menus, and chef-driven specials at your favourite spots throughout our group. Now in its seventeenth yr, the celebration has a recent new look. Get all the details here.

• Get tickets now! The Grand Finale of NCRLA’s Chef Showdown will happen on Monday, August 4th at Bay 7 in Durham. Presented by Got To Be NC, this one-of-a-kind occasion showcases the state’s prime cooks, pastry cooks, mixologists, and distilleries as they compete for the coveted titles of Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Mixologist & Distillery of the Year, and Best Mocktail of the Year. Guests will savor candy and savory bites, sip artistic cocktails and mocktails, and solid their vote in The People’s Choice Awards—all whereas celebrating North Carolina’s wealthy culinary tradition. Plus, for the primary time ever, the Grand Finale will function a North Carolina Wine Bar, highlighting a few of the state’s prime vineyards. Tickets are $150 per particular person and embody all meals and beverage tastings. Attendance is restricted—don’t miss this unforgettable evening of taste, competitors, and native satisfaction. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival might be held Saturday, October 18th at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The thrilling new group occasion merges collectively two beloved festivals–Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival–right into a celebration of meals, tradition, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Food might be offered by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a staff of native cooks and meals vans providing all kinds of dishes and eating choices. The pageant will function craft beers, curated drinks, and different attention-grabbing spirit-free choices. All food and drinks might be accessible for buy and isn’t included within the worth of pageant entry. Tickets are on sale now.

Food Bank Corner

• Recently, Congress voted for devastating cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Amy Beros, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, shared what this can imply for North Carolina. “No one should go hungry—no matter where we live, where we’re from, who we love, or the color of our skin. Yet with this vote by Congress and a stroke of the President’s pen, millions more people will soon face hunger here in North Carolina and across the country.” The Food Bank is shifting mountains to make meals accessible to all who want it. They’re nonetheless right here, it doesn’t matter what. They want your assist now greater than ever. Read their full statement here and get involved in the fight to end hunger.

Featured Restaurant News

• Over in Durham, the Triangle Business Journal shared the thrilling information that downtown Durham will quickly have a brand new choice for watching the massive sport from two of the most important “players” within the hospitality scene within the Bull City. Michelle Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead, homeowners of a handful of eating places and bars in Durham (assume Kingfisher, QueenBurger, Queeny’s, Killer Queen and Roadrunner), are opening E.O’s Athletic Club this fall at 341 W. Main St. within the former Beyu Caffe location. E.O’s menu facilities round hen wings, New Jersey/Massachusetts-style bar pizza and loaded baked potatoes – a traditional Americana sports activities bar. It will even serve salads, sandwiches and different scratch objects. Look for them to open this fall in time for basketball season. Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Rumors circulated earlier this week that legendary Stanbury Restaurant would broaden into the house subsequent door at 936 N. Blount St. as soon as occupied by Escazu Chocolates (who only in the near past moved to Gateway Plaza earlier this month). Not true as discovered in an interview with Raleigh Magazine. But what’s true, they are going to take over the brand new house with a model new idea – new identify, new menu – however helmed by Stanbury chef Drew Maykuth.⁠ Now that’s simply as, if no more, thrilling! Look for them to open someday subsequent yr. In the meantime, follow Stanbury here.

• We are getting nearer to Jake Wood’s transfer to downtown Cary as was introduced just lately that his final day at Boxyard RTP can be August ninth. Lawrence Barbecue might be shifting from their Boxyard RTP spot to a brand new brick and mortar location in downtown Cary at 150 E. Cedar Street (close to Scratch Kitchen & Taproom and Zest Sushi and Small Plates). The new spot will convey collectively all three of Jake Wood’s ideas – Lawrence Barbecue, Lagoon Bar and Leroy’s Taco Shop – and also will function a patio, smokehouse, full bar and merchandise. Congrats to Jake on all his success and onerous work (and his staff)! No phrase but on an precise opening day. Follow along on Instagram here.

• We first instructed you about it final week, however Inka Grill is now open in downtown Raleigh within the former Capital Club 16 house on West Martin Street. They are serving up the colourful flavors of Peru with dishes like lomo saltado (a steak-based dish usually served with fries or rice), ceviche, Peruvian-style paella and different genuine eats. This is their first enterprise outdoors of Virginia, with what appears like a doable second North Carolina location opening quickly in Greensboro. Visit them here.

• RALtoday shared this week that the extremely anticipated market, bar, and eatery idea, Good Graces, is opening in August within the North Hills Innovation District (540 St. Albans Drive). Look for a menu that includes Southern favorites, refreshing drinks in addition to grab-and-go meals. Follow along on Instagram here.

• On a latest stroll down Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh I observed that Thirsty Buffalo Wings & Brews has opened within the former Una Mas Burritos and Tequila house (which opened in December, 2024) and earlier than that Tonbo Ramen. Not much up on their Facebook page yet.

• Also in Raleigh, we discovered this week that Peri Brothers, a two-in-one eating expertise, has opened within the Celebration at Six Forks buying heart (7321 Six Forks Rd.). On one aspect, get pleasure from traditional New York-style pizzeria for takeout and supply and on the opposite, step into their full-service fashionable Italian restaurant and bar, providing handmade pastas, and curated wines. Check them out on Instagram here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Durham, Axios shared the information this week that Narrative Coffee, which has served espresso lately throughout the Triangle by way of a truck, has opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 300 Morris St. in downtown Durham on the primary flooring of the Durham Innovation District workplace constructing. They are open 7am-3pm weekdays, 8am-3pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Check them out here.

• Over in Carrboro I discovered from my buddies over at The Splinter Group shared that Autostrada (modeled after an auto grill one would discover alongside an Italian freeway) is now serving up pizza and paninis in Carr Mill within the former Pizza Factory house. They will quickly have a gelato and low store (Autostrada Gelato & Coffee) proper throughout the corridor. Both are dropped at us by chef Drew Moore from Venable and B-Side Lounge. Check out both of them, and their menus, here.

Closings

• None to report. Keep consuming native, people!

Food Trucks

• The last Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 might be on Sunday, November 2. It will run from 12 midday till 4 p.m. that includes over 50+ meals vans with delicacies from everywhere in the world making it the final word Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

• Looking to seek out your favourite meals truck (or stalking them and easily don’t wish to must admit it)? We perceive. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• Mark your calendars. The Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week returns July twenty fourth – August third. This beloved custom is your invitation to find the distinctive, locally-owned eating places and bars that make downtown Raleigh a real eating vacation spot. Savor unique offers, prix fixe menus, and chef-driven specials at your favourite spots throughout our group. Now in its seventeenth yr, the celebration returns with a recent new look. Get all the details here.

• Get tickets now! The Grand Finale of NCRLA’s Chef Showdown will happen on Monday, August 4th at Bay 7 in Durham. Presented by Got To Be NC, this one-of-a-kind occasion showcases the state’s prime cooks, pastry cooks, mixologists, and distilleries as they compete for the coveted titles of Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Mixologist & Distillery of the Year, and Best Mocktail of the Year. Guests will savor candy and savory bites, sip artistic cocktails and mocktails, and solid their vote in The People’s Choice Awards—all whereas celebrating North Carolina’s wealthy culinary tradition. Plus, for the primary time ever, the Grand Finale will function a North Carolina Wine Bar, highlighting a few of the state’s prime vineyards. Tickets are $150 per particular person and embody all meals and beverage tastings. Attendance is restricted—don’t miss this unforgettable evening of taste, competitors, and native satisfaction. Get tickets and all the details here.

• The inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival might be held Saturday, October 18th at Blackwood Farm Park between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The thrilling new group occasion merges collectively two beloved festivals–Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival–right into a celebration of meals, tradition, and music in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Food might be offered by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a staff of native cooks and meals vans providing all kinds of dishes and eating choices. The pageant will function craft beers, curated drinks, and different attention-grabbing spirit-free choices. All food and drinks might be accessible for buy and isn’t included within the worth of pageant entry. Tickets are on sale now.

Food Bank Corner

• Yesterday, Congress voted for devastating cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Amy Beros, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, shared what this can imply for North Carolina. “No one should go hungry—no matter where we live, where we’re from, who we love, or the color of our skin. Yet with this vote by Congress and a stroke of the President’s pen, millions more people will soon face hunger here in North Carolina and across the country.” The Food Bank is shifting mountains to make meals accessible to all who want it. They’re nonetheless right here, it doesn’t matter what. They want your assist now greater than ever. Read their full statement here and get involved in the fight to end hunger.