Foodie News: Reopenings and renovations in time for Spring :: WRAL.com

Featured Restaurant News

North Hills is about to take it up a notch with their eating choices (if that’s potential) as we discovered this week that there are two massive openings subsequent month. Benchwarmers Bagels and Coffee will open their third location in a stand-alone constructing within the Innovation District simply throughout the best way from Standard Beer + Food, which may even be in a stand-alone constructing. This is a second location for Standard, with their authentic location simply outdoors of downtown Raleigh. Keep up with the Standard and Benchwarmers here.

Wake County Restaurant News

If you observe the native meals truck scene, little doubt you’ll be conversant in The Rican Lab – a Puerto Rican Food truck with an American twist serving up many Puerto Rican favorites together with traditional Puerto Rican gadgets with an American twist. Well, they’re about to open a brick and mortar spot in Fuquay-Varina within the former Fainting Goat spot at 330 S. Main Street. No phrase but on a gap date. Best to follow along on Facebook here.

Long-time reader Daniel Marriott tipped us off to the truth that Park West Village in Morrisville is getting a Shake Shack the place the Full Moon Oyster Bar was. No phrase on a timeline. Looks like this will probably be their sixth Triangle-area location. Visit them here.

Dawn & Dusk Cantina has opened at 7810 Target Cir #101 in Raleigh simply off Triangle Town Blvd. Looks like they’ll be serving up every little thing from chilaquiles to craft cocktails. And as their title suggests, they’re open from breakfast through dinner…and night cocktails. They additionally seem associated to El Patio Bar And Grill, simply adjoining to the soon-to-open spot. Keep up with them on Instagram here.

The second Triangle Whataburger opened yesterday in Raleigh close to the Costco on the nook of Six Forks and Wake Forest roads; following final month’s first opening in Wake Forest. Next up is Garner the place they’ll open on Hwy. 42 subsequent to the Wawa on May 7. Visit Whataburger here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

The Casual Pint Chapel Hill is thrilled to announce it’s formally getting ready to welcome the neighborhood again as the placement (which not too long ago closed) has been acquired by present Casual Pint franchise leaders – Scott Huskin (Hoover, AL), Jason Dettman (Huntsville, AL), and Dave Vannier (Omaha, NE).

The new possession group is at present focusing on May 1 for the grand re-opening. This group not too long ago made headlines with their profitable takeover of the Ocotillo, AZ location, and they’re now turning their focus to revitalizing the Chapel Hill neighborhood’s go-to craft beer and eating vacation spot (search for an elevated menu). Visit them here.

Also in Chapel Hill, we discovered this week that Twisted Noodles has reopened within the Eastgate Crossing Shopping Center on East Franklin Street. They have been closed for the reason that floods from Tropical Storm Chantal in the summertime of 2025. Visit Twisted Noodles here.  

Closings

Reader Chris Allen shared with us the unhappy information that Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria in Cary served their final meal on April 4 after a 16 yr run. Sad information certainly.

Reader Cindy Reifsnider shared that the Zaxby’s on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street has closed. Now could be a good time for Pepper’s Pizza to reopen!

We simply discovered final week that the Wendy’s at 8209 Creedmoor Road in Brennan Station has closed. Now we study from Wanda Hearne that the Wendy’s at Wake Forest Road and Hardimont additionally in Raleigh has additionally closed. Where’s the meat? (sorry, I’m outdated)

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

Events

Boatman Spirits Co., the brand new craft distillery and cocktail bar in Raleigh’s Seaboard Station, has launched weekend distillery excursions. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, get pleasure from a guided tour by the distillery homeowners, a tasting flight and extra for $30 per particular person. Tours can be found at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and midday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and three p.m. Sundays. Reservations required via Resy.

Pimento cheese is a southern delicacy value celebrating. And the city of Cary is doing achieve this this Saturday, April 11 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the 2026 Pimento Cheese Festival the place you possibly can benefit from the nation’s solely competition devoted particularly to pimento cheese! Enjoy stay music and different actions at Downtown Cary Park, seize a drink from native breweries, and style a few of the greatest pimento cheese samples from native eating places. You may even take a look at your abilities within the pimento cheese sculpting contest. Get all the cheesy details here.

Prepare to journey around the globe – one glass at a time – with RTP Uncorked for RTP’s largest wine competition on Saturday, April 11. From 12-4 p.m. Boxyard RTP will rework into a global wine vacation spot for “Around the World in 20 Wines” an immersive tasting expertise that includes choices from celebrated wine areas throughout the globe.

Guests will obtain a passport that guides them on a self-paced journey from nation to nation, sampling distinctive pours whereas chatting with educated wine specialists alongside the best way. The occasion contains: Live music; Small bites and activations from choose Boxyard RTP distributors, together with Fullsteam RTP, Baekho Coffee & Ice Cream, Kindred Spirit and The Makery. Get all the details here.

The of us at Trophy Brewing and Locals Seafood will host an Oyster Festival on April 12 from 1-5 p.m. at The Bend Bar in downtown Raleigh. The celebration options NC’s greatest oyster farmers – eight of the best oysters farmers from Eastern North Carolina for a sooner or later occasion. Get tickets and all the details here.

Carolina Brewery is welcoming the return of spring with its annual Shrimp Boil on Saturday, April 18 from 12:00 p.m. to eight:00 p.m. at its Pittsboro brewpub location. The occasion will function the official kickoff to the brewery’s seasonal stay music sequence. Guests can get pleasure from a traditional low-country fashion shrimp boil that includes royal crimson shrimp, alongside chilly pours of Sky Peach Kölsch, a refreshing seasonal launch that alerts the beginning of hotter days. Live music will happen all through the day. For extra particulars or to make reservations, visit their website.

Leadership Raleigh and Ripe for Revival are becoming a member of forces for Savor the Flavor, an immersive culinary occasion at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. The occasion brings collectively native cooks, stay music and neighborhood members to have fun nice meals and lift cash to deal with meals insecurity throughout the area.

The night will characteristic a cooking competitors by six wonderful cooks: Jason Smith of Cantina 18; Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue; Sera Cuni of Cafe Root Cellar; Rob Miller of Smash; Katie Featherstone of White Clover Catering; and Malik Williams of Lou Reda’s American Table. Each chef will create tacos utilizing components off the Ripe for Revival cell markets. Proceeds from the occasion will help Ripe for Revival, a Rocky Mount, NC nonprofit that operates a fleet of pay-what-you-can cell markets. The nonprofit sells native produce, meat and dairy at greater than 30 websites per week in 18 counties in japanese and central North Carolina. Secure tickets and all the details here.

Christopher Prieto, founder and pit-master of Prime Barbecue, in partnership with the Town of Knightdale, introduced the inaugural Pickin’ within the Park on Saturday, May 16, from 4 pm-7 pm at Knightdale Station Park. The occasion is a brand new annual BBQ competition celebrating the wealthy traditions of North Carolina barbecue and stay music, all whereas giving again to the neighborhood. Expect good eats from Prime Barbecue, Sam Jones BBQ, Old Colony Smokehouse and Dampf Good BBQ. Proceeds will profit the Raleigh Rescue Mission’s “The Garden,” which provides an immersive, holistic residential neighborhood for moms, their kids, and single ladies specializing in private progress and job coaching to realize self-sufficient, impartial residing. Get all the details here.

The fourth annual Gettin’ Piggy With It returns to downtown Raleigh on May 17, bringing award-winning cooks and pit-masters from throughout the nation collectively for a day of barbecue, neighborhood and philanthropy benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School. Tickets go on sale at midday Friday, March 20. The family-friendly occasion will happen from midday to five p.m. at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave., Raleigh) and can characteristic barbecue and different chef-driven bites, together with native beer and spirits, stay music, video games and extra. The occasion is hosted by the Frankie Lemmon Foundation in partnership with Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue and Chris Powers of Trophy Brewing Co. VIP tickets are $200 per grownup and contains early entry at midday. General admission tickets are $150 per grownup with entry starting at 1 p.m. Children ages 11 and below are admitted without spending a dime. Proceeds profit Raleigh’s Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, which gives accessible training and therapies to kids with and with out disabilities, typically at little to no value to households. Get tickets and all the details here.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner within the Meadow occasion on September 13 in Louisburg. The biennial occasion will probably be held on the stunning and bucolic Meadow Lane Farm and is a fundraiser that helps the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a nonprofit group that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

Did you understand that in North Carolina, 1 in 4 households led by single ladies stay beneath the poverty line?

That’s practically twice as many because the households led by single males with kids. Hunger hits completely different for ladies. Economic challenges — from pay disparity to the rising value of childcare — make it tougher to continue to grow youngsters fed. Our coronary heart goes out to the mothers of North Carolina who’re questioning what to do as SNAP cuts loom.

This International Women’s Month, let’s show them that they can count on their community. Some good mates have stepped ahead with a $50,000 matching problem reward, so any quantity you give to the Food Bank by March 31 has the facility to double! It’s a terrific probability to stretch each greenback of your help whereas serving to dad and mom, seniors, and veterans stretch their budgets. In reality, if you happen to’re in a position, this is a good time to make an especially generous gift, maybe to honor a mother, grandma, auntie, or one other lady who’s stood in a mom’s place in your life. It’s easy to do if you donate.

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