Friday roundup of eating places, vehicles and occasions :: WRAL.com

Friday Fun Food Facts – February 27, 2026

Featured Restaurant News

• Chocolate lovers and movie followers alike are invited to expertise the magic as Trugalug Chocolates celebrates its grand opening on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. on New Bern Ave. in Raleigh.

  The night will characteristic a particular screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) with particular visitor Paris Themmen, who portrayed Mike Teevee within the beloved 1971 traditional film. He will probably be reside for a meet-and-greet, viewers Q&A, and official ribbon slicing.

  The occasion begins at Trugalug’s next-door neighbor, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, with the 7:30 p.m. screening. Following the movie and Q&A, visitors will stroll subsequent door to Trugalug Chocolates for an after-party celebration on the store. Trugalug Chocolates options on-site cacao bean roasting and a handcrafted number of chocolate bars and small batch bonbons. 
  
  Trugalug provides clients a uncommon alternative to see and be taught the complete chocolate-making course of—from uncooked bean to completed bar—underneath one roof. Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• According to the News & Observer, Wake County’s first Whataburger location will open Thursday, March 26 in Wake Forest close to Wegmans, and the second Raleigh location will open Thursday, April 9 on Six Forks Road close to Costco.

  Not to be confused with What-A-Burger, NC’s first Whataburger location opened in Charlotte final 12 months, and 12 are actually open throughout the state. Expect Texas-sized burgers, fries, patty melts, and extra quick meals faves. Plus, it’s open 24/7 for late-night cravings. Get to know them here.

• Raleigh’s Smash will host a ribbon slicing and test presentation at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Smash is the newest restaurant and bar from LM Restaurants, the Raleigh-based, family-owned hospitality firm that operates greater than two dozen Carolina Ale Houses throughout the southeast in addition to Taverna Agora, Vidrio and Birdie’s Barroom and Kitchen in Raleigh.

  Smash combines artistic cocktails, elevated bar bites and hospitality with interactive video games, together with desk tennis, electrical shuffleboard and darts. Smash opened again in December in downtown Raleigh at 500 Glenwood Avenue. Visit them here.

• Located within the Smoky Hollow growth, downtown Raleigh’s latest hotspot, The Crunkleton, simply rolled out some new menu choices to get you within the temper for hotter climate!

  Known for his or her handcrafted cocktails and legendary 42-ounce Tomahawk steak, new menu objects embody: Wagyu Skewers, Duck Flautas, Tuna Tartare, Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini, and North Carolina Fresh Mahi.

  If you haven’t been by but, you will have about 10 nice new causes to take action! If you’re a common, listed below are some mouth-watering causes to alter issues up a bit! Visit them here.

• Jeff’s Bagel Run in Rolesville is opening a second Triangle-area location (the primary is in Wake Forest) this March at 101 Rolesville Center Drive.

  They are recognized for his or her hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels and house-made cream cheese spreads in each traditional and artistic flavors. They’re not stopping there. Raleigh is up subsequent this spring, so keep tuned for much more bagel information! Get familiar with them here.

• Also in Rolesville, there’s a El Jefe Modern Mex opening quickly within the Wallbrook procuring middle (suppose Publix) at 831 S. Main Street. No phrase on an open date. Looks like they’re most energetic on Facebook here. Thanks to reader Hans Kerekes for bringing that to our consideration.

• In Holly Springs, Shake Shack opened at 153 Grand Hill Place on Feb. 25. The restaurant provides signature burgers, shakes and, fries. They are open till 10 p.m. each day. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Following the current announcement that they’d open a second Raleigh location within the Greystone Village procuring middle, downtown Raleigh’s Longleaf Swine introduced this week that they’d open a 3rd location in Carrboro later this 12 months. They are taking up the previous Luna Rotisserie & Taproom, which is able to maintain their remaining service on Sunday, March 8. Keep up with all their upcoming announcements on Instagram here.

• Snooze A.M. Eatery is having their grand re-opening this Sunday, March 1 from 6:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. in Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing procuring middle (1800 E Franklin St., Ste. 003). They initially opened in November 2023. This falls intently on the heels of final week’s reopening of Giorgios Bakatsias’ Kipos Greek Taverna in the identical procuring middle.

  The first 50 folks to make a purchase order get a particular Snooze Chapel Hill reward pack which features a $50 Snooze Gift Card, a Snooze Tote, and a Snooze Chapel Hill Mug. Even higher, 10 of these fortunate visitors will randomly discover $300 Snooze reward playing cards of their totes! Snooze has been closed for the reason that constructing suffered in depth water harm from summer time flooding in July. On the menu, anticipate their favorites together with a number of newer additions. Visit Snooze here.

Closings

• Luna Rotisserie & Taproom in Carrboro made the announcement this week that their remaining service will probably be Sunday, March 8. The Durham location stays open. See the announcement above for who’s transferring into the house.

• The News & Observer reported this week that after lower than two years, Fare & Fellow espresso store is closing their location at Park Point in Research Triangle Park. Their Durham location stays open.

Food Trucks

• The Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo continues in 2026 on these dates from midday to 4 p.m. – April 12, May 31, and September 27. At every occasion, you’ll discover foods and drinks at over 30 meals vehicles in addition to inflatables and household enjoyable for all ages. The rodeos are hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go forward and mark your calendar for all three. Get all the details here.

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

Events

• Heading to an occasion in downtown Raleigh? If so, cease by and see my pals at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.) the place they’ve simply launched a “Pre-Game with Whiskey.”

  What is that? It’s fairly easy. If you present them a same-day Raleigh occasion ticket or go (for any occasion like live shows, sport or any downtown occasion) you get 10% off your meal. Told you it was cool. Check out Whiskey Kitchen here.

• This Sunday, March 1, Cheeni’s location at Horseshoe RTP at 3151 Elion Drive will host a Holi celebration. The three-hour occasions begins at midday and your ticket consists of entry to the Mela and Market that includes: Holi colours and a clean-up equipment for every visitor, a DJ Rang dance social gathering, entry to lunch, a collaboration between Viceroy and Cheeni RTP, native distributors (retail procuring, henna artistry, spices). Tickets are $15 per individual. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Saif Rahman, chef and co-owner of JBF’s 2026 “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist, Peregrine, will rejoice his sacred meals custom with visitors by providing a particular $75 three-course Iftar menu all through Ramadan, Feb. 17 by March 19. This Muslim custom represents the meal served at sunset to interrupt the each day quick. Rahman’s Iftar menu will supply his private perspective on “first generation American food,” weaving in his Bangladeshi heritage. Reservations are required for the Iftar expertise and might be reserved here.

Food Bank Corner

• The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is in search of caring pals to turn into Monthly Sustainers of the Food Bank to assist reply to the ever-increasing demand for meals help.

  When you accomplice with them month-to-month, you assist be certain that wholesome, nutritious meals can attain folks in want all 12 months lengthy. In truth, your month-to-month reward of: $25 can present 75 meals monthly; $35 can present 105 meals monthly; $50 can present 150 meals monthly; $100 can present 300 meals monthly. Plus, together with your month-to-month dedication of $25 or extra, they’ll ship a particular tote bag your means.  And if you carry it, you might be reminded of all you make potential on your neighbors by your constant generosity! Become a Monthly Sustainer here.

  Follow Sean’s updates all through the week at Triangle Food Blog and on all social media platforms @trianglefoodguy.