Over the years, Waverly Place has seen good and bad days. I used to live in this neighborhood and I never found much of a reason to visit this large, sunken strip plaza. But over the past two years, things have really picked up at Waverly Place. A new developer has spent a lot of money bringing in some high-end touches to the plaza such as water fountains, ambiance lighting and more. And the incoming restaurants have been a cut above your usual strip mall fare with a diverse group of eating choices. And also really nice patios given the strip mall setting! So where to go when visiting Waverly Place in Cary? Here are some of my favorites…
One of the first new restaurants here was the Italian classic, Enrigo Italian Bistro! When they first opened up, I always found their food to be decent, just not amazing. But a new chef has brought about a huge improvement in the food here. A recent lunch here showed off some great amatriciana pasta, apps and tiramisu. Along with a great covered patio, Enrigo Italian Bistro has definitely stepped up its game and is a worthwhile meal at Waverly Place.
Next on the list is the relatively new, Taziki’s Cafe! More of a quick casual, Greek-Mediterranean offering, they’ve got counter order and the lines to show that they must be doing something right! Choose from salads, wraps and kebab plates, the food portions here are generous and fresh-tasting even though they may be a bit Americanized. Still a good choice if you’re looking for something healthier and don’t want to pay for the full sit-down experience. Taziki’s usually pleases most people and for good reason.
A casual and country dining choice is the casual Toast Cafe which dishes out more classic American eats. Think BLT’s, turkey sandwiches and egg salad! But while the menu may look familiar, Toast Cafe does a nice twist on things. Fresh sides and great service make it a good option for a quick but satisfying meal. And they’ve got a side-patio complete with fountain, woohoo!
One brand new option at Waverly Place for dining is Shake Shack! This chain of fast-casual grills offers up outstanding hamburgers, crinkle fries and shakes. While the price is a bit high for a burger joint, the quality is evident in every bite of your meal. Don’t miss out on the classic Shack burger along with their great chicken sandwich. Great for families, Shake Shack has a great view of the Waverly Place green given its central location.
Next on the list is Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop which is a small chain based out of the mid-Atlantic region. Highlights for me include their Bobbie (pulled turkey, cranberry, stuffing) and cheesesteak sandwiches. A casual and tasty spot for a quick meal.
So Waverly Place you’re all growed up! In addition to the above restaurant there’s also a Barberitos (Mexican), Menchie’s (frozen yogurt) and a soon to come Cinebistro in 2015. So walk around, window-shop, enjoy the fountains and green space along with the good dining options here. Waverly Place is getting better each month, bring the family along for a relaxing visit…
First Take: Grub a Modern Diner for Durham!