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Featured Restaurant News

• Super thrilling information popping out of RTP/Durham. James Beard Award-nominated chef Preeti Waas took to Instagram this week to share that she is reviving her Cheeni Indian Food Emporium with the quickly to open location at Horseshoe at HUB RTP. The spot backs as much as her just lately opened Nanny Goat, a boutique bodega based by Preeti and her daughter, Amy Waas. This opening will deliver again the favorites everybody fell in love with at her former North Raleigh location. Look for her to open in November. Follow along with their progress on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• We first advised you about this again in December, however Raleigh Magazine shared that we’re one step nearer to Bongiorno & Son’s proprietor, Michael Bongiorno, opening an Italian delicacies idea at The Exchange Raleigh in Raleigh’s Midtown (1000 Social Street). Renderings launched this week additionally unveiled the title of the brand new idea – Pranzo. According to the journal, we must always count on Italian-style sandwiches (i.e. Bongiorno faves just like the Italian, prosciutto, and sizzling soppressata sandos) and salads by day, then shift to an aperitivo-style menu of small plates—paired with wine, beer and spritzes—come 5 p.m. ⁠In addition to his Bongiorno & Son location in Lafayette Village, he just lately opened a location at RDU. Keep up with his progress on Instagram here.

• Up in North Raleigh, we have now the return of a crowd favourite. Triangle Business Journal reported this week that after greater than a five-year hiatus, Anita Khalek is making a restaurant comeback, this time in a a lot greater location. Khalek plans to open Levant Bistro at 7400 Six Forks Road in Raleigh in late winter or early spring subsequent 12 months. One of the explanations she had such a big following was her dedication to a gluten-free and soy-free menu that serves breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Khalek closed Levant Bistro in Lafayette Village in 2020 as a result of her lease was ending and she or he needed to assist her youngsters by the difficulties of on-line faculty throughout the pandemic. Plus, she wanted a bigger house for the restaurant and bakery. Which she now has! Follow along on Instagram here.

• Over in Cary, the Herald-Sun shared {that a} fast-casual restaurant identified for customizable bowls is opening its second Triangle location this Saturday, October twenty fifth. Described as a restaurant with a “bright, tropical-inspired atmosphere,” the Florida-based Mahana Fresh is positioned at 1151 Parkside Main St. within the Parkside Town Commons procuring middle. The house was as soon as the spot of Mexican restaurant Zambrero. They have further North Carolina places in Fuquay-Varina (Bengal Towne Centre) and Charlotte. Get to know them here.

• Speaking of openings, Super Rad Retro Lounge additionally opens tomorrow, October twenty fifth on Glenwood Avenue close to The Cupcake Shoppe (they’ve been in soft-open mode all week). The new retro-inspired spot has 30 traditional arcade video games, 9 pinball machines, and a totally stocked bar. Visit them on Instagram here.

• We have an open date due to our mates over at Raleigh Downtown. Started in Auburn, Alabama in 1965 and claiming to be the pioneer of hen fingers, Guthrie’s Chicken will make its North Carolina debut on November 4th in Midtown Raleigh at 2907 Wake Forest Road (throughout from Wegman’s). Apparently they function a “Gut Box” which is a well-liked combo meal that features hen fingers, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and sauce. Get to know them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• It’s official, Durham! Dame’s Chicken & Waffles is again. Their “Almost” World Famous Chicken & Waffle inspirations are actually being served up (they opened yesterday, October twenty third) at their new dwelling at 455 S. Driver Street in Durham. They closed up their earlier location on Foster Street simply three brief weeks in the past. They have one different location in Greensboro. Check them out on Instagram here.

Closings

• WRAL shared the information that Abbey Road Tavern in Fuquay-Varina is closing after seven years. The places in Cary and Apex stay open (every are independently owned). Word on the road is that the most recent location of Mi Cancun will open in that house.

Food Trucks

• The last Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 can 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 search out your favourite meals truck (or stalking them and easily don’t wish to should admit it)? We perceive. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• The tenth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards are again! Nominate your native favorites in over 100 classes Oct. 16 – Nov 15. Then come again to vote on the highest 5 finalists in every class Nov. 16 by Dec. 15. Winners can be introduced in January 2026. Get your nominations in here.

• On October twenty ninth at 5 p.m., St. Roch’s in Raleigh (223 S. Wilmington St.) will host a “take-over” Supper Celebration as their Wilmington sister restaurant, Olivero, simply turned two (and was just lately named by USA Today as “Restaurant of the Year” for 2025). To have fun, cooks Sunny Gerhart and Lauren Ivey (James Beard Best Chef nominees) will reunite within the kitchen for an Italian-inspired family-style supper with elective wine pairings…assume Southern coastal soul meets Italian coronary heart. Reserve your seat now!

• For the month of October, Little Rey’s newest taco collaboration is with Colleen Speaks from Hummingbird. Available simply in October, cease by to attempt her blackened flounder taco with slaw, avocado crema, radish and cilantro on grilled corn tortillas. All proceeds profit Southern Smoke Foundation. Visit Little Rey’s here.

• Tickets are actually on sale for 2025 Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction, the annual fundraiser for Families Moving Forward, Durham’s major emergency shelter for households with youngsters. The occasion will happen on Nov. 6, 2025 at The Cookery in Durham. This unparalleled culinary occasion will function a multi-course culinary expertise ready by a few of North Carolina’s most acclaimed cooks, together with Matt Kelly of Nanas Rockwood, Vin Rouge, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Dino’s Pizza; Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro; Aaron Benjamin of Gocciolina; and Michael Lee of M Sushi, M Tempura, M Kokko, M Pocha and M Izakaya. Chef Chris McLaurin of Lutra Cafe and Bakery can be offering dessert. Secure your tickets now.

Food Bank Corner

• Massive federal cuts to meals and healthcare applications are fueling the worst starvation disaster in a era — and our communities can’t afford to let these irresponsible choices proceed. It’s time for leaders in Washington to come back collectively, restore important funding for SNAP and Medicaid, and finish the shutdown earlier than extra folks lose their livelihoods. Support impacted families here.

Featured Restaurant News

• We first advised you about this final month, however discovered this week from the News & Observer that Toastique will open THIS Saturday, October 18th (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) in Midtown Raleigh in The Exchange. If you aren’t acquainted with Toastique, they provide a contemporary, fashionable eating expertise with connoisseur toast (topped with contemporary substances), smoothies, cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, espresso, and espresso — all constituted of contemporary, responsibly sourced substances. The café is positioned inside The Exchange at North Hills with close by parking garages and floor tons all through North Hills, making it easy to cease in earlier than procuring, after a exercise, or throughout a time out in Midtown Raleigh. With a location already in Charlotte, this would be the chain’s second location in North Carolina. Get to know them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Raleigh Magazine shared the information {that a} allow has been filed for Jaggers drive-thru restaurant on the long-closed Mami’s Latin Style Rotisserie Chicken on Glenwood Avenue. The constructing can be demolished to assemble the brand new location of the Louisville-based chain, identified for its burgers, hen sandwiches and tenders, salads, shakes, and extra. ⁠Keep up with their progress on the Instagram site.

• The Dry Cleaners, Raleigh’s latest speakeasy — a hidden gem in North Raleigh the place timeless type meets fashionable mixology — is now open. Located at 8015 Falls of the Neuse Road close to the Hibernian Pub, it’s a part of the Hibernian Hospitality Group and as its title may point out, it’s positioned in a former dry cleaner’s house, providing a darkish, moody vibe and traditional cocktails. Visit them here.

• Speaking of cool, new locations to hang around, Super Rad Retro Lounge is formally opening its doorways October twenty fifth on Glenwood Avenue close to The Cupcake Shoppe. The new retro-inspired spot has 30 traditional arcade video games, 9 pinball machines, and a totally stocked bar. Plus, they’re internet hosting a gentle opening THIS Friday, October seventeenth. Visit them on Instagram here.

• And staying on the subject of cool locations, Raleigh Magazine shared {that a} vacant house at Bloc[83] will quickly be dwelling to 83 SOUTH, a brand-new “night on the town” expertise from locals G. Brooks Splawn, Banks Sinclair and Luke Hanson. A bona fide day-to-night vacation spot, the recent spot will function lunch, a vibey DJ weekend brunch, and an upscale dinner menu dishing American-inspired small plates—plus craft cocktails, beer and wine. Come 10:30/11pm , tables and chairs will give option to a complicated adults-centric lit (actually) late-night lounge until 2am. The location will even boast occasion house. Get to know them here.

• We have an open date due to our mates over at Raleigh Downtown. Started in Auburn, Alabama in 1965 and claiming to be the pioneer of hen fingers, Guthrie’s Chicken will make its North Carolina debut on November 4th in Midtown Raleigh at 2907 Wake Forest Road (throughout from Wegman’s). Apparently they function a “Gut Box” which is a well-liked combo meal that features hen fingers, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and sauce. Get to know them here.

• The Downtown Raleigh Alliance tell us that Raleigh is getting somewhat piece of Italy proper within the coronary heart of downtown, with the opening of Vino Wine Bar at 606 Gaston Street. It is described as an Italian-inspired lounge that includes artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and specialty espresso. Give them a peek here.

• Staying in Raleigh, Downtown Raleigh shared that Andy’s Frozen Custard is about to open in Midtown Raleigh at 340 E. Six Forks Road. Expect the same old concrete freezes, Jackhammers (concretes with crammed facilities), shakes, and malts together with seasonal specialties like Pumpkin Pie concretes, S’mores Jackhammer, and Hand-Dipped Caramel Apples by Fall. Dive into Andy’s here.

• Out close to Brier Creek, reader Tim Decker shared with us that Nero Pizza, serving up real selfmade NY pizza, has opened contained in the Triangle Shooting Academy at 6501 Mt Herman Road. Visit Nero here.

• Over in Cary, reader Chris Allen that on the finish of August, Tasu Asian Bistro in Waverly Place in Cary closed however reopened as a ramen restaurant referred to as Matsumoto Craft Ramen. It seems that the homeowners are the identical however there’s a brand new head chef making the ramen. The website is the same URL.

• Garner can be dwelling to the Triangle-area’s first location of Hummus Republic. They are opening subsequent Tuesday at 53 Cabela Drive within the White Oak Crossing procuring complicated between Alpaca and Wing Stop. If you aren’t acquainted with them, they’re a fast-casual restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired meals, providing build-your-own bowls, wraps, and pitas with a wide range of bases, proteins, dips, and toppings. Locally, they’ve a second location on the best way which can be positioned at 100-B Wrenn Drive in Cary within the former Firehouse Subs spot. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Also in (close to) Garner, reader Hugh Autry tell us that there’s a 123 Burger join within the former Zaxbys at 4150 Fayetteville Road (truly in Raleigh) close to Garner. You can sustain with their progress on their Facebook page here.

• And talking of Zaxbys, there’s a new Zaxbys beneath building in Raleigh on Lake Boone Trail beside City BBQ. Thanks to reader Tyler Glover for tipping us off to that reality. Visit Zaxbys here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Bob Zurek shared with the Chapel Hill Carrboro Facebook Foodies group shared the information that there’s a new idea opening at Southpoint in Durham (close to Tomato Jake’s) referred to as Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a Mexican-fusion fast-casual restaurant. The idea was born in New Jersey in 2008 and now has over 100 places. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Over on Durham’s Ninth Street, Jahova Rayford shared within the Durham Downtown Community that the outdated Burger Bach on Ninth Street close to the Harris Teeter and Panera Bread will turn out to be a Chipotle. No phrase on the time line. Visit Chipotle here.

• And over on Chapel Hill’s West Franklin Street, a bar named Rams Corner has opened within the former Ay Por Dios spot at 431 W. Franklin Street. While it actually has the identical really feel and vibe as Ay Por Dios, we weren’t in a position to decide if it’s the similar homeowners. Self-labeled as a sports activities bar, it encompasses a full menu of things like ribs, tacos and wings. You’ll have to go over and discover out for your self. Check them out on Instagram here.

Closings

• Out in Knightdale, discovered this week that Tikila Tacos & Mezcal Knightdale will shut on the finish of this month and can be turning the keys over to the brand new homeowners subsequent month – apparently a Mexican idea. Their Wake Forest location stays open. Stay tuned.

Food Trucks

• The last Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 can 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 search out your favourite meals truck (or stalking them and easily don’t wish to should admit it)? We perceive. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• For the month of October, Little Rey’s newest taco collaboration is with Colleen Speaks from Hummingbird. Available simply in October, cease by to attempt her blackened flounder taco with slaw, avocado crema, radish and cilantro on grilled corn tortillas. All proceeds profit Southern Smoke Foundation. Visit Little Rey’s here.

• Two of my favourite phrases – Fair Food! Line your abdomen with Pepto-Bismol and get your style buds able to attempt 87 brand-new meals celebrating the N.C. State Fair’s 157th Anniversary. Now in full swing by the October twenty sixth, you’ll be capable of take pleasure in such ‘delicacies’ as BBQ Doughnuts, Chicken Caesar Mac Stack, Double-decker Korean Donkatsu Burger, Fried Frozen Watermelon, Pickle Fries, Flaming Hot Cheetos Pickle Pizza, The Salted Caramel Crunch Dough-Licious Special and Granny’s Sticky B to call a couple of. See the complete list of new foods here (with photos and descriptions!)

• Bold Batch Creamery is celebrating 5 years with an Ice Cream Social from 4 p.m. – midnight TODAY (October seventeenth) at Raleigh’s Wolfe & Porter. The occasion additionally will launch the corporate’s kickstarter campaign to open its own scoop shop. Enjoy food and drinks, raffles, ice cream and a canine costume contest. Wolfe & Porter is positioned at 905 W. Morgan Street in Raleigh. Check out Wolfe & Porter’s site here. Pro tip: It can also be Frozen Friday at Wolfe & Porter the place all frozen cocktails are $8 all day and night time!

• The inaugural Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival can be held this 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 can be offered by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a group 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 can be obtainable for buy and isn’t included within the value of pageant entry. Tickets are on sale now.

• Tickets are actually on sale for 2025 Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction, the annual fundraiser for Families Moving Forward, Durham’s major emergency shelter for households with youngsters. The occasion will happen on Nov. 6, 2025 at The Cookery in Durham. This unparallelled culinary occasion will function a multi-course culinary expertise ready by a few of North Carolina’s most acclaimed cooks, together with Matt Kelly of Nanas Rockwood, Vin Rouge, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Dino’s Pizza; Gray Brooks of Pizzeria Toro; Aaron Benjamin of Gocciolina; and Michael Lee of M Sushi, M Tempura, M Kokko, M Pocha and M Izakaya. Chef Chris McLaurin of Lutra Cafe and Bakery can be offering dessert. Secure your tickets now.

Food Bank Corner

• Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day on the NC State Fair this 12 months will happen subsequent Thursday, October 23. Fairgoers can donate six non-perishable meals gadgets in change free admission to the truthful. The following merchandise are in highest demand as starvation reduction organizations face vital cuts to federal funding and meals provides. We strongly counsel bringing these merchandise as they’re essentially the most useful proper now: Peanut Butter & Jams (bigger plastic jars); Chicken, Tuna, or Salmon (in pouches or pop-top cans); Ravioli and different ready-to-heat meals (in pop-top cans); Crackers (containers or sealed containers); Dried or Canned Fruit (sealed containers or pop-top cans); Granola or protein bars (containers with individually-wrapped contents). The meals collected on Hunger Relief Day will go a good distance in offering a lot wanted reduction for our mates and neighbors. Get all the details here.