NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and the 919

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The New Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex!

Doherty's Irish Pub, Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Doherty’s Irish Pub, Apex- NC Triangle Dining

What can you say when you’ve got a local chain that opens up a second location? That’s the story with Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex. The original Doherty’s is located deep in Cary but I was sort of excited about the new location since it was much closer to work.  And since I was impressed with Doherty’s #1, I couldn’t resist a visit to the new Doherty’s in Apex and it met all my expectations which is pretty good news…

Inside of Doherty's Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Inside of Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

The new Doherty’s in Apex has a lot of similarities to the original which makes sense, why mess up a good formula?  Located in a small strip plaza off of Apex Peakway, it’s got a very similar layout to the original.  U-shaped bar in main room, casual booths and high-boys, side-room with more of a restaurant feel.  Inside there is a pub-like feel if not as pronounced as say, the Hibernian.

Dining side-room at Doherty's Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Dining side-room at Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

Sitting down we’re immediately greeted and have drink orders taken.  The menu looks to be the same, my table mate orders up their popular famous fish and chips, I go with a brisket sandwich. I love Doherty’s Irish egg rolls but pass on the appetizer since it’s a quick lunch!  Doherty’s in Apex has only been open a couple of months but it’s already got some customers which is great to see.

Brisket sandwich at Doherty's Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Brisket sandwich at Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

It doesn’t take long for our food, maybe 10 minutes which is perfect for a quicker lunch service.  My brisket sandwich is quite good: tender beef layered with onions, cheddar and horseradish sauce. Paired with some potato chips made in-house, yum!  My friend fish and chips look wonderful, served in “newspaper” and with a side of beans, he pronounces it possibly the best fish and chips he’s ever had in his life, high praise.  So it looks like the new Doherty’s in Apex hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to its food.

Fish and chips at Doherty's Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Fish and chips at Doherty’s Irish Pub in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

Over the course of the meal, our drinks are filled quickly and we get asked several times how our meal is.  So I’m not sure if they might have sniffed out that I’m a blogger and Yelper but we got a lot of attention over lunch.  Fact is, Doherty’s did a great job service-wise which I also experienced in Cary.  So the magic formula for Doherty’s lives on in its Apex location.  Above-average pub fare with excellent service in a slightly casual, Irish-pub like setting.  For a lot of people that will work perfectly, just don’t expect the over the top Irish pub experience you might get in an old-school pub.  And that’s plenty good for me if you’ve got your expectations in check.  So congratulations Doherty’s on getting your new location up and running so well.  Bon appetit and slainte…

 

Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

5490 Apex Peakway

Apex, NC 27502

919.387.4100

 

Location on Google maps

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The Blistered Pig in Apex for Fancy Que and More

Front of the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Front of the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

There’s nothing better than great barbeque and smoked meats for this guy.  Ribs, brisket, smoked wings and more, que is one of those food items that just takes a lot of time and equipment so I seek it when dining out.  So it was with some excitement that I headed over to the new Blistered Pig Smokehouse out in Apex.  As part of the Peak City Grille family, I had higher expectations for the whole experience and online reviews had been solid.  So my friend and I headed down to Salem Street to get our meat on!

Nice interior of the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Nice interior of the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

I don’t spend too much time in downtown Apex but the Blistered Pig sits in a smallish brick building (Tobacco & Mule Exchange) with an entrance in the back off of Salem Street.  Small patio out front and inside it’s got a very nice interior!  Large and open bricked dining room, exposed timber beams and lots of activity, the place is busy.  Clientele here is a bit older, probably 40+.  We grab a seat at tight high-boy against at half-wall and peer through the menu.  It’s a pretty small menu for lunch (brisket, ribs, chicken, pork in plates and sandwiches) and I’ve already stalked it so I know what I’m getting!  The Blistered Pig has a pretty long list of sides (10+ from grits to slaw, collards, brussel sprouts and more) which will probably be your main hurdle if you’re indecisive.  I go with the brisket sandwich and some buffalo chicken thighs as a starter.

Smoked buffalo chicken thighs at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Smoked buffalo chicken thighs at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

The Blistered Pig is pretty busy so it takes 15+ minutes for our food to come out but we get some nice hush-puppies to start with (cakey and sweet with jalapeno butter).  The plate of buffalo smoked chicken thighs are plated nicely with some romaine, beets and pickled onions (?).  Four substantial and boneless thighs glazed in spicy sauce with a hit of smoke taste makes for an interesting app, good start!  My brisket sandwich is solid but a bit bland, layered with slaw and on some good white bread.  With the side of sweet potato fries it’s a tasty meal and plenty to eat.  And my friend’s pulled chicken sandwich looks decent but I’m not a fan of the sauce on top since I hate covering up good meat.

Brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Pulled chicken sandwich with hoppin john at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining
Pulled chicken sandwich with hoppin john at the Blistered Pig Smokehouse in Apex- NC Triangle Dining

Service at the Blistered Pig is pretty good and attentive, the place is busy.  Just be aware that they’ve got the same menu for lunch and dinner so for an afternoon meal, the Blistered Pig can get pricey.  But overall I found the meal solid if not authentic.  Having spent some time in Austin and Texas last year, I’m getting increasingly demanding when it comes to smoked meats and it’s ok here, but a bit fancied up.  Overall I think you’ll have a good meal at the Blistered Pig and with the decent environs and service, it’s a worthwhile stop if you’re in downtown Apex…

 

The Blistered Pig Smokehouse

225 North Salem Street

Apex, NC 27502

919.446.3366

 

Location on Google maps

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The Pizza Dude Abides in Apex with Large Floppy NY Slices!

Front of Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

Now I confess that I’ve always been partial to thin-crust pizza and in the States, NY-style pizza is usually my preference!  Thin, floppy with a dab of flavorful sauce, melty cheese and light crust is my motto.  A friend and co-worker of mine pointed out a new pizza joint in Apex called Pizza Dude.  Yeah, the name’s not exactly traditional but given my time in California, well, dude is ok by me.  So off we go Williams Road in Apex for lunch!

Inside of Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Inside of Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

With a name like Pizza Dude, you’d expect casual and that’s exactly what you get here.  Tiled floor, formica tables, thin wooden booths.  In back we put our orders in for two-slice special with drink ($5.99) and we grab a seat.  The Pizza Dude space is small and narrow, reminds me a bit of both my Cary faves, Dominic’s and Cozzolino’s.  Super basic, no-frills environment with self-serve drink fountain.  Five or so minutes later, our slices are delivered to our table and yeah, it’s time for the mouth drop.  Like Randy’s out in Durham, the slices here are so big, it takes three paper plates to serve up two.  And they are still peeping off the edge of the plate, maybe 14″ inches long from end to end?  Flaked with thin slices of sausage on one, pepperoni on the other, it’s hard to figure out where to attack the slice.  It’s a soft thin crust and not able to handle the sauce, cheese and toppings at the end so you’re probably better off folding your slice, official city-style. The pizza here is solid: decent crust, medium-weight sauce and good cheese-toppings.  Nothing that will blow your mind a good NY-style slice.  My sausage slice is not quite as strong as the pepperoni, it may have sat out a while and has cooled down a bit.  But it’s still a great deal for all this tasty pizza!

Big floppy slices from Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Big floppy slices from Pizza Dude in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

So in the end, Pizza Dude still does a great job for lunch.  If you’re up for huge, floppy slices of good-quality pizza, it’s worth the drive out here.  I still think Cozzolino’s may be a bit better but their slices have gotten smaller over time.  Pizza Dude?  Their slices are probably the biggest I’ve seen on this side of the Triangle.  And that’s mostly a good thing unless you’re trying to lose a bit of chub like me!  But there’s no question.  If you’re up for some pizza, the Pizza Dude totally abides…

 

Pizza Dude

1763 West Williams Street

Apex, NC 27523

919.303.6686

 

Location on Google maps

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Hwy 55 Burgers in Apex for Beefy, Greasy Deliciousness!

Front of Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

Have you ever been hit by an overwhelming desire for a big ol’ greasy cheeseburger?!  Well yeah, it’s not always the wisest feeling to cave into but sometimes ya gotta do it.  Usually Five Guys in Cary would be my dealer of choice.  A quick check on Yelp and it looks like there’s a Hwy 55 down the street in Apex.  Previously known as Andy’s Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers, the re-naming hasn’t changed the concept or food that much.  So off to Hwy 55 we go, via Route 1 to a busy little strip in Apex that has quite a few interesting spots to eat at.

Counter at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Counter at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

As soon as we step into Hwy 55 we’re greeted enthusiastically by the staff which is nice.  The interior is all diner like in whites and chromes, stool seating by the main counter.  A quick scan around the dining room and EVERY single person in there is a dude so yeah, I’m hoping they do a good burger!  The menu at Hwy 55 is pretty simple: burgers, grill sandwiches, chicken tenders, cheesesteaks, probably not more than 20 or so items to choose from.  Which is fine if they do it well!  You can upgrade your sandwich with a drink, fries, specialty side (onion rings, salad, chili-cheese or gravy fries)  or specialty drink (shakes, orangeade, lemonade) for anywhere from $2 – $5.  I order up the John Boy & Billy BBQ burger along with some chili-cheese fries!  It’s hard holding back when you’re eating at a place like this.  Understand that the standard burger at Hwy 55 is over 1/3 of a pound and you know you’re going to be eating big!

Burger at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Burger at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

Ten minutes later our food comes out, I’ve got a nicely stacked burger and a side plate of fries.  The burger is a solid piece of work: irregular patty (hand-formed) nicely grilled, well-melted American cheese along with some wavy bacon and an onion ring!  The John Boy is tasty with a broad range of meat, crispy and cheesy on top of a soft bun.  And it’s plenty of food, not sure how my friend Dennis downs a double without falling into food coma.  The chili-cheese fries at Hwy 55 were also decent but the chili could have used a bit more heft and taste.  Service was solid overall but they were probably a bit under-staffed for the busy lunch crowd.

Chili-cheese fries at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Chili-cheese fries at Hwy 55 in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

So while it may be a chain, this Apex location of Hwy 55 does a very solid burger at a decent price (under $10 with a diet coke).  I know there’s a burger renaissance happening in the Triangle but there’s nothing wrong with going non-frou-frou basic burgers.  Apparently there used to be an Andy’s challenge which meant downing a 50 oz burger with 4 toppings, fries and drink but it’s no longer offered at this location.  The owner told a funny story about some college kids who came in for the challenge but just didn’t quite finish, ending in an abrupt and messy dining room accident.  And that’s a shame cause the burgers here are pretty darn good at Hwy 55, bon appetit!

 

Hwy 55 Burgers

802 Perry Road

Apex, NC 27502

919.303.3533

 

Hwy 55 menu

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First Take: Classic Italian Eats in Apex at Daniel’s Restaurant

Front of Daniel's in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Daniel’s in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

Italian is about as all-American as Mexican and Chinese food given the ethnic make-up of this country!  Out on Route 55 in Apex down the road from Beaver Creek Commons is the hidden gem, Daniel’s Italian Restaurant.  From the outside Daniel’s is a bit unassuming and sprawls.  I’d have to guess that it used to be a smaller spot that just expanded over time due to popularity. Next to the front entrance is a small garden patio complete with bubbling fountain, I’m sure it would be great in nice weather with a glass of vino.  Inside, Daniel’s is pretty old school with a dark muted interior, staff all dressed in black.  The place was busy for a Tuesday lunch which is always a good sign, we grabbed a table near the end of the dining room.

Dining area at Daniel's in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Dining area at Daniel’s in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Focaccia and marinara sauce at Daniel's in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Focaccia and marinara sauce at Daniel’s in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

The lunch menu at Daniel’s has about 10 pasta choices, some pizzas and salads.  Nothing too amazingly different in terms of pasta, most have the option of adding chicken or shrimp.  I order up some arancini ($8) as a starter and then go with the Penne alla Casa (house penne, $10) which is tomato cream sauce with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.  A basket of lovely focaccia is placed on the table with a small bowl of marinara sauce for dipping, yum!  I’m sensing carbo overload, ETA one hour.  The focaccia is decent but what makes it is the sauce.  The marinara is bright and full of crushed tomato flavor.  Shortly thereafter our plate of arancini comes out.  Three well-browned risotto balls stuffed with cheese and pancetta.  A nice version with some density and flavor, the pancetta is a nice addition.  They’re also served with the same tasty marinara sauce underneath.

Arancini at Daniel's in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Arancini at Daniel’s in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

Next my pasta dish comes out and it’s a large portion of al dente pasta with flecks of parsley, pieces of pungent sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed chicken and spinach.  I don’t think Daniel’s does home-made pasta but they use a good-quality commercial version that’s cooked just right. Paired with the creamy sauce and tasty chicken and veggies, it’s an excellent meal and I save some to take home.  Otherwise it would be lights out at work for the afternoon!  Our server for the meal is a young lady named Jillian and she does an excellent job pacing the meal and checking in on us.  She even notices when she’s late picking up our check due to a large party behind us which is very self-aware.  So I have to say that service at Daniel’s seems excellent if this young lady is that well-trained!

Penne alla casa at Daniel's in Apex, NC Triangle Dining
Penne alla casa at Daniel’s in Apex, NC Triangle Dining

All in all while I don’t always crave Italian, Daniel’s is a great choice if you’re in the hood.  Pasta is usually always a sure thing but the food here takes it to an even higher level especially if you like garlic.  Tie in the excellent service, reasonable prices for lunch and good ambiance and you’ve got yourself a winner!  Rock on Daniel’s, there’s obviously some very good reasons why you have been successful over the years and I hope to get back soon…

 

Daniel’s

1430 NC Highway 55 W

Apex, NC 27523

919.303.1006

Location on Google maps

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