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May 22, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Sam Jones BBQ Arrives in Raleigh Offering Up Top-Notch Barbeque, Ribs, and Sides

Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’ve spent any time in North Carolina, you quickly learn about the area’s passion for barbeque! And whether you’re a fan of Eastern NC barbeque or Western NC barbeque, you’ll have legendary que shacks that you just have to try and check out. Skylight Inn is one of those barbeque classics and third generation pitmaster Sam Jones is part of that barbeque legacy. With his original restaurant in Winterville and now his newest location in Raleigh, you don’t have to travel very far to try out his top-notch whole-hog barbeque that’s smoked over oak. Located a couple of blocks away from the Red Hat Amphitheater, you’ll find his delicious smoked meats and Southern sides just a stone’s throw away from the downtown action. Given the restaurant opened up during the pandemic, the first couple of meals I did at Sam Jones BBQ were take-out but recently I got in for a seated meal. Here’s what to expect if you visit!

January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in a newly growing neighborhood of Raleigh, Sam Jones BBQ sits amidst some brand new apartment buildings, condos and not too far from the ever popular, Boulted Bread. Inside you’ll find a very similar space to his original restaurant. The interior is basic and Southern with a concrete floor, painted wood and a marble dining counter-top snaking along the back of the space. There’s a smallish dining space inside along with a private room upstairs but where I’d imagine you want to eat at is one of the sidewalk tables up front or a table on the side-patio! Sam Jones BBQ is fast-casual, order upfront and the food is brought out to you. However, if there’s a line up front, you can work around it by just dining at the bar in back.

Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Prices at Sam Jones BBQ are a touch higher than the Winterville location, from $7 to $16 and you can choose from all the usual favorites: smoked pork barbeque, turkey, chicken, and ribs. Dine on your smoked meat in plate or sandwich format along with some wonderful Southern sides like collards, mac n cheese, baked beans and more. Plates come with corn bread or my favorite, the sweet potato muffin! There’s also a handful of salads and non-smokehouse items on the menu, choose from a chicken club, burger, fish sandwich or pimiento cheese sandwich.

Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.comPork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a starter, I’m a fan of the smoked wings! Slicked with some barbeque sauce, it’s a perfect way to get your meal started, sans pork. But given we’re in North Carolina, the pig reigns supreme and that it does at Sam Jones BBQ. The smoked ribs are excellent here, lean and meaty, cooked so they pull easily from the bone. And of course the barbeque! Going back to their Skylight Inn origins, Sam does a wonderful lightly chopped que. I’ve seen him prepare this barbeque at media events and they work in bits of cracklin’ into the meat for some crunchy texture. AND I’m pretty sure they work in more drippings in to keep the meat moist and full of umami. I think the barbeque here is as good as any you will get in the Triangle.

Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
 Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Beyond the smoked meats, I also really appreciate the Southern sides at Sam Jones BBQ. The collards are perfectly cooked leaving some texture and shape to the greens. The baked beans are loaded with ground meat, cowboy-style. And that sweet potato muffin just tops the whole meal off. You definitely get a lot of food eating here! As a bonus, the beer list is pretty solid, offering more than basic domestic brews for your meal bevvy. And the desserts? To die for…

Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Overall I’ve been very impressed by what Sam Jones BBQ is putting out. It’s not that easy to open during a pandemic but they handled things with aplomb. From their perfectly smoked meats, well prepared Southern sides to the friendly service, I doubt you can go wrong here. It sort of reminds me a bit of what the Pit used to be like when it first opened up. So welcome to Raleigh, Sam Jones! It’s great to have you in town along with your wonderful food.

Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sam Jones BBQ, Raleigh

502 W. Lenoir Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

984.206.2555

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: NC Barbeque, Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center, Southern Restaurants

February 13, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Di Fara Pizza Tavern, Cary – An Exceptional Example of Classic NYC Pizza for NC

Front of Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Front of Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com

As a self-proclaimed pizza-holic, I can honestly say I will wait for hours for a good pizza! Whenever I’m visiting a new area, I do a cursory search for the best pizza available and usually make an effort to visit. Based on the Daily Meal’s 101 Best Pizzas in the country list, I’ve managed to visit 10 of the top 30 in the USA, alright! And growing up in the Northeast has honed my appreciation for the wondrous experience of diving into a pie with a divine crust, luscious tomatoes and soft cheese, truly a magical experience. One OG pizza stand-out over the years has been Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn whose owner, Dom, has been known to pull pies straight out of the oven with his bare hands. I was able to visit once and watched him meticulously finish off his pies with careful snips of basil and a thorough drizzle of olive oil. It was a sublime pizza experience in my early days and worth the 2 hour wait.

Kitchen at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Kitchen at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Flash forward to 2019 and it’s announced that there will be a new Di Fara Pizza Tavern opening up in Cary by his nephew. Given the pandemic, development was slowed down and finally the new Di Fara Pizza Tavern soft-opened up in early February of 2021. I was able to stop in for an early dinner to try out their pizza and it met all my pizza-holic expectations! Inside, the space is still pretty sparse given how recently they opened up and to allow for social distancing. Kitchen in front with a large Di Fara logo, a dining room with maybe 10 or 12 tables along with a long bar to the side. There’s also a patio outside for when the weather warms (and dries) up. Thankfully they do have their ABC license and are already serving beer and wine, it looks like they are set up to do cocktails too, but I didn’t try any.

Food menu at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Food menu at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Bar area at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Bar area at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Beer menu (1 of 3) at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Beer menu (1 of 3) at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com

The menu is really basic like most pizzerias: Cheese pizza for $25, house specialty pizza for $29 to $35 and each topping is $2 for custom pies. Pizza is also available by the slice along with a calzone option. But of course for me on my first visit, I do the standard 18″ cheese and expect to bring leftovers home. And it’s an excellent pie with a great crust that snaps a bit. Unlike Neapolitan pies, they bake them pretty crisp here at Di Fara Pizza Tavern which I know some people prefer. The cheese is thick but leaves room for the mellow tomatoes to shine, I’m guessing they use a cheese blend here. And there’s plenty of basil on top for that pungent kick of green, gardeny flavor. Overall I am really pleased with my first visit and this pie. While it may be a bit different than the Brooklyn classic, it’s pretty close and really darn good. A well balanced pizza all around for texture and flavors, cooked perfectly. Service was friendly and prompt at the bar which was a nice surprise. They’ve even got a great craft beer list to wash your za down!

Cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Close-up of cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Close-up of cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Crust peek of cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Crust peek of cheese pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com

While the prices may give you pause, it’s an excellent example of a great pizza for the NC Triangle and has vaulted quickly into my Top 10 list for the area. Di Fara Pizza Tavern uses official “NYC water” for their dough and I’ll look into that claim sometime soon. And I’ll be back to try some of those specialty pies and toppings but will need some friends for that endeavor. But yeah, if you’re a pizza aficionado, make an effort to get down to Cary to try out the new Di Fara Pizza Tavern. Who knows, maybe we’ll see it on that Daily Meal 101 best pizza list sometime soon…

Chaos pizza at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Chaos pizza at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Di Fara classic pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Di Fara classic pie at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
NYC water maker at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
NYC water maker at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Grandmother pie from Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Grandmother pie from Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Di Fara Pizza Tavern in Cary – nctriangledining.com

 

Di Fara Pizza Tavern

111 E Chatham Street

Cary, NC 27511

919.678.5300

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Cary, Featured, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Patio, Pizza, Restaurants Near Downtown Cary

June 10, 2021 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Ark Royal in Raleigh Delivers Tiki Coolness in Abundance to Glenwood South

Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a long-time transplant to the Triangle area, I’ve had a chance to witness its amazing transformation and evolution over the years. And sometimes when I walk into a new place, like Ark Royal Tiki Bar , it brings back memories. As the only tiki bar in Glenwood South, the bright colors and island decor take you to a different place. BUT given I lived in this hood a long time, I saw the old Taqueria Xoco, the old Sauced NY Pizza AND Enoteca Vin where Chef Ashley Christensen got her start. But that’s all ancient history and Ark Royal is bringing a whole new tiki vibe to the area. And it is VERY good.

Cool vibe at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cool vibe at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located a bit off the beaten path, the Ark Royal sits behind the new Pine State Public House at 410 Glenwood and is brought to you by the folks from Watts & Ward. I popped in for a quick visit and was really impressed. Hop up the metal stairs and you’ll find a small, secluded patio up front. Inside is where things take on a whole new dimension. Think lush colors, bamboo, rattan and maritime themes. They’ve done a fantastic job designing the place and their are hints of tiki coolness all around. Each section of this bar and lounge has little details to enjoy: a shark on the wall, a display of old-school clock radios, a plush love seat and wicker baskets overhead as decor are all thoughtful little touches that bring the space to life.

Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Kitschy island decor at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Seating at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Seating at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But more importantly the drinks, Ark Royal has a nice selection of tropical drink specialties in the $11 to $13 range along with some beer, wine and sakes. I tried out the Belafonte in homage to 50s Calypso singer, Harry Belafonte and it was wonderful. While I’m not a fan of frozen drinks, this magical potion of Tito’s vodka, coconut rum, pineapple, blue curacao and and coconut cream was just perfect. The well-blended ice made it a perfectly balanced adult slurpee which is refreshing on a warm, summer evening in North Carolina. The staff here is friendly and welcoming although I haven’t seen this place when it gets really busy. They are nicely attired in island-themed shirts without being over the top and seem to have fun here. So a big thumbs-up for the new Ark Royal! I really wasn’t expecting much but I suspect this place will be a lot of fun with friends on the weekends. And don’t miss the neon sign above the bar, it’s the latitude and longitude settings for the center of Ark Royal, that’ll be our little secret…

Tiki bar at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tiki bar at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Belafonte frozen cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Belafonte frozen cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Painkiller cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Painkiller cocktail at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Patio area at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Patio area at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Clock radio display at Ark Royal in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Clock radio display at Ark Royal in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

 

Ark Royal Tiki Bar

410 Glenwood Avenue, #350

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.322.5148

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bars and Lounges, Cocktails, Glenwood South Restaurants

August 28, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries in Durham – A Northern Take on the Classic Hoagie

Ideal's Sandwich and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of great sandwiches like I am, there’s nothing like pressing some savory meat and cheese in between two slices of bread. Grinders, hoagies, heroes, sandwiches or subs, no matter what you call them, it’s a wonderful way to eat out of hand. Recently, I caught wind of a new sandwich shop opening up in East Durham, Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries. The brain-child of two classically trained chefs from up north, the goal was to bring that type of sandwich to the Triangle. And after a couple of tastes I can honestly say that you won’t want to miss this new lunch spot if you live in the Bull City.

Interior of Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you haven’t spent much time in East Durham, let me just say that it’s not the most accessible neighborhood in Durham and not within walking distance of other great food options. But over at 2108 Angier Avenue, you’ll find the slightly run-down storefront for Ideal’s. Inside it’s super humble, concrete floor, open kitchen and items being stored out front. They are obviously still working on the space and waiting on equipment like everyone else during the craziness of the past year. The plan is to have some retail space upfront in this space in addition to the sandwich shop!

Waiting at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Waiting at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com
Fresh-baked bread at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Fresh-baked bread at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Since they just opened up in late July, Ideal’s Sandwiches has a smallish menu of 10 sandwiches (hot and cold) along with potato chips! What makes the place special is that Ideal’s bakes its own breads. From a seeded hoagie roll, to round focaccia bread and crisp, English muffins, so good! They know a good sandwich starts with the bread and do not skip corners here. Hoagies are available in full or half-size or on pressed round focaccia. Order at the front counter and get comfortable while you wait for your sandwich. There is no interior or exterior seating so it’s a ToGo operation for customers. I also don’t believe they have online or phone ordering yet and are only open from 12pm to 4pm, Thursday to Monday. Both of my visits have come early in the day and it’s been about a 15 to 20 minute wait for sammiches! Think Tom Petty, the waiting is the hardest part…

Roast pork hoagie at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Roast pork hoagie at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Sandwiches are wrapped up carefully in white butcher paper, grab some chips and you’re ready to eat! I’ll review the sandwiches in order of deliciousness, at least in my opinion! My #1 recommendation at Ideal’s is their Philly Roast Pork hoagie. A classic taste combination of slow-roasted pork loin, broccoli di rabe, and provolone. This Italian roast pork sandwich is just perfect and their seeded hoagie roll holds up well to the moisture in the pork. The roll is beautifully baked with some exterior chew and a tender interior. The broccoli di rabe adds a hint of bitter along with the pungent cheese to counteract the richness of the pork. The full hoagies at Ideal’s are about 12″ long and it’s a narrower sandwich but well packed for a filling meal.

Chicken cutlet sandwich on focaccia at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Chicken cutlet sandwich on focaccia at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

My close #2 favorite is the Uncle Primo’s chicken cutlet sandwich! I recommend it on the focaccia which is pressed on a panini press, the breaded and fried chicken cutlet is layered with broccoli di rabe and provolone similar to the roast pork sammy but fits the round focaccia well. It’s a beast of a sandwich and can be shared between two people but you won’t want to.  🙂

Salami, egg and cheese muffin at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Salami, egg and cheese muffin at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Next up and #3 on my list of Ideal’s sandwiches is their classic breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese. I added some savory salami to amp it up but it’s a huge mouthful. Ideal’s griddles up a crispy muffin and the salami-egg-cheese concoction is very tasty and different from other options in the area.

Harlem chopped steak hoagie at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Harlem chopped steak hoagie at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Last up on my list is their Harlem Chopped Cheese which is basically their cheesesteak. Finely chopped steak with well-melted provolone, spicy cherry peppers and what they call, chop sauce (spicy mayo)? Now it’s a beautiful sandwich and I can see it potentially being the best sandwich on their menu. They really hit the steak hard on the grill to get some caramelization but unfortunately, my hoagie came a bit over-salted. I’ll give it another shot at some point in the future. And don’t miss the addictive garlic-onion chips made in-house. If you’re going this far down the calorie road with their sandwiches, why hold back on some crisps?

Garlic-onion chips at Ideal's Sandwiches and Groceries, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Garlic-onion chips at Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries, Durham – nctriangledining.com

While I know some people who aren’t fans of sandwiches, thinking of them as boring and simple, I think a great sandwich similar to what Ideal’s is dishing out, transcends the ingredients and turns them into something special. Despite all those challenges you might find in the ordering, waiting, and lack of seating, I think you’ll find Ideal’s is totally worth the wait. I recommend going early (maybe 10 minutes before open) and have a good dining spot to eat your sandwich while it’s still warm. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they do as they build out their space but even in its current state, Ideal’s is doing a great job, bon appetit!

 

Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries

2108 Angier Avenue

Durham, NC 27703

919.724.0241

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Featured, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Sandwiches

July 8, 2021 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Torchy’s Tacos – Tingling Tastebuds with Tex-Mex Flavors in Raleigh

Front of future Torchy's Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Torchy’s Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to restaurant hype, I try to be immune to it since often enough or not, it’s just a case of hyperbole and PR. But every now and then, a restaurant meets that foodie hype which is a really pleasant surprise. If you’re a fan of Tex-Mex cuisine, I’m happy to say that Torchy’s Tacos in Midtown East (Raleigh) is bringing it when it comes to that style of eats. I’ve had the chance to dine at Torchy’s at least three times (one comped media visit, two personal visits) and it’s always been a flavor-filled and enjoyable dining experience. Here’s why Torchy’s is worth the effort, wherever you live in the Triangle!

Dining interior at Torchy's Tacos in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining interior at Torchy’s Tacos in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A popular Tex-Mex chain from Austin, Texas, Torchy’s at Midtown East is their first East coast location out of nearly 100 in the country, primarily Texas! Started by Chef Mike Rypka in a food trailer, Torchy’s is known for their “Damn Good” tacos and queso as proclaimed in some of the store signage! The Raleigh location is conveniently located in front of Wegman’s and next to Crumbl Cookies which means you’ll probably be gaining some weight as SOON as you pull into the plaza.  🙂   There is some street parking in this new plaza but alternatively, grab a shaded space in Wegman’s underground lot and walk the block over as some cardio before your meal.

Busy dining room at Torchy's Tacos in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Busy dining room at Torchy’s Tacos in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Torchys Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Torchys Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Torchy’s sports a retro-sign overhead, lit by bulbs and a nice side patio with shades. Inside you’ll find a queuing area in front of the two counter cashiers with the menu above. Note that you may be able to bypass the line and just dine at the bar in back to get seated quickly. Torchy’s menu is super basic focused on twenty or so tacos, a salad and burrito option along with some sides. Don’t miss their creative “secret menu” available online. There’s also a gluten-conscious menu which focuses on tacos with corn tortillas and more. Once you order, you’ll be given a buzzer, you can self-serve your soft drinks at a machine and grab a table. The decor here is primarily bright fire-engine reds, blacks, and browns! It all feels very modern with a hint of retro in the dining room. And don’t forget the 12 or so seats at the back bar (stools and 2-tops), Torchy’s will get really busy during prime-time hours.

Bar area at Torchys Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar area at Torchys Tacos at Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Now how about the food, amirite?! Let’s just start with the fact that the portion sizes at Torchy’s are generous. While at some places I could eat 3 or more tacos, you’ll be lucky to survive past 2 at Torchys given the size and amount of filling they load on top of their larger tortillas. To start off with, don’t miss out on their “damn good” queso! It’s a show-stopper and topped with avocado, cotija cheese, diablo sauce and cilantro. Served up with a large basket of thin and crispy chips, this decadent dip will serve 2 to 4 people. And you’ll be fighting for the chip scraps at the end! You can also get it loaded with chorizo to level up your queso game. Another nice touch is that Torchy’s serves up breakfast tacos, mostly filled with egg, cheese and more. I tried out the Wrangler which is filled with brisket and potato chunks, quite a mouthful. Note that breakfast tacos are served up all day long and they usually will have migas on the menu, an Austin breakfast favorite!

Damn good queso and chips at Torchy's Tacos in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Damn good queso and chips at Torchy’s Tacos in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Wrangler breakfast taco at Torchy's Tacos in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Wrangler breakfast taco at Torchy’s Tacos in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re looking for something more substantial, I love their green chile pork tacos which are a tried and true Tex-Mex favorite. You can get your tacos “trashy” which means to pull off the lettuce and add queso, a winning combination in my book! Friends at my table loved the Baja shrimp taco, plump fried shrimp with slaw, pickled onions and jalapenos, probably one of Torchy’s lighter taco choices.

Baja shrimp taco at Torchy's Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Baja shrimp taco at Torchy’s Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Green chile pork and brushfire tacos at Torchy's Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Green chile pork and brushfire tacos at Torchy’s Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

And the secret menu tacos are ridiculous, I tried the Trailer Park, Hillbilly style which is a large crunchy chicken tender topped with chorizo, chiles, queso, cheddar cheese and pico de gallo. You’ll probably be eating this taco with a fork! All the secret tacos tend to be ginormous and packed with filling making them easily worth 2 to 3 tacos, wow!

Torchy's secret taco menu, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Torchy’s secret taco menu, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Trailer Park taco Hillbilly style at Torchy's Midtown East in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Trailer Park taco Hillbilly style at Torchy’s Midtown East in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Service has been excellent during my visits. They are super-busy but aim to make you happy. All in all I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much I like Torchy’s Tacos! Its proximity to Wegmans where I shop often doesn’t hurt either. Torchy’s ups the Triangle taco game by amping up the Tex-Mex and Southwestern flavors making for a decadent and flavor-packed meal. Yeah, it’s probably not such a good idea if you’re on a diet but who cares when you’ve got eats that are this “damn good”! A fun spot for a great meal, no foodie hype necessary at all…

 

Torchy’s Tacos Midtown East

1110 Mercantile Drive

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.439.1177

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Midtown East restaurants, Patio, Tex-Mex Restaurants

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Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework