NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants and Bars
    • The Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Durham, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Cary – Apex, NC
    • The Best Restaurants in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill
    • The Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh, NC
  • News
    • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics
Restaurant & Bar Reviews » Raleigh » Retake: The Rockford, A Raleigh Classic Refreshed!

March 23, 2018 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Retake: The Rockford, A Raleigh Classic Refreshed!

Discrete door at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Discrete door at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Sometimes with all the new restaurants popping up in the area, you sometimes forget about great places you first discover.  Old standby’s like the Rockford which has always been one of my Raleigh favorites since coming to the area in 2008.  Since it changed ownership a couple of years back, I’ve eaten at the Rockford a bunch of times but nearly always as an after-thought which isn’t really fair.  It’s still the same, funky little restaurant with a great urban feel and bargain prices.

 Interior at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Interior at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

The Rockford 2.0 hasn’t changed that much.  Shockingly they’ve got signage outside now along with a back balcony I have yet to try.  But inside it’s still pretty much the same.  Discrete, narrow staircase up to the dining room.  The hip circular bar is still here along with the hodge-podge of knick-knacks and french doors leading to the second room. But the place definitely feels cleaner, they are now dusting the place!  We grabbed a table by the stairs and plunked ourselves down.  Most of the menu looks familiar to what you may have eaten five years ago.  Favorites like the ABC (apple, bacon, cheddar sandwich), Cuban sandwich, Asian tilapia roll along with their great black bean quesadilla points still inhabit the menu.  But you’ll notice the addition of full plates along with brunch that the Rockford is now doing on Sunday.  The prices are still great, under $10 for all the sandwiches with a fresh seasonal side.  Nothing is fried at the Rockford which is a nice change of pace.  I order up the Asian dumplings along with the daily special, salmon over asparagus and new potatoes.

Asian dumplings at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Asian dumplings at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Asian tilapia wrap at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Asian tilapia wrap at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

The other change you’ll note at the new Rockford is the service.  Still hipster but a lot more attentive and professional which is a plus.  Bottles of wine are half-priced on Wednesday, score!  The dumpling appetizer is very good: thin skins, plump pork filling and nicely fried, great start!  And my salmon entree is a nice helping of seared firm fish over braised asparagus spears and on top of pan fried new potatoes, simple but well done.  Looking around the dining room it looks like the Rockford hasn’t missed a beat in terms of business.

Seared salmon at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Seared salmon at the Rockford in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

So yeah, what’s old becomes new again especially with new management and the Rockford 2.0 still delivers the goods.  Excellent, seasonal eats with fresh ingredients along with good service and a cool ambiance is always appreciated.  I’ve always tossed out the Rockford as a great spot for a quick lunch, large dinner party or quiet date and thankfully that chameleon-like quality still remains here.  So stop on by 320 1/2 Glenwood for some in the know, old-school Raleigh eats.  The Rockford is still going strong after 20 plus years which is a rare thing these days…

 

Rockford Restaurant

320 1/2 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.821.9020

 

Location on Google maps
Rockford Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Save

Related

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Best, Date Restaurants, Sandwiches

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

KoKyu Southpoint, Durham: A Fun Eatery for Casual Asian-Fusion Fare Loaded with Flavor

Two Roosters Lands in the Bull City and is Dishing Out Great Ice Cream

Brecotea Baking Studio in Cary for Asian Pastries, Boba Tea and a Relaxed Meeting Spot

Don’t Miss

  • Coming Soon to the Triangle – New Restaurants and Bars
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2021 Edition

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • Brandwein’s Bagels, Chapel Hill – The Classic Taste of a NY Bagel Shop near Franklin Street and UNC
  • Mitch’s Tavern in Raleigh is BACK with authority and better than ever
  • Thai 54, Morrisville – Delivering Tasty Thai Food That Covers Many Options
  • News: Social and Drinking District for Raleigh, Live on August 15

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework