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Chapel Hill Restaurant Reviews on NC Triangle Dining

July 21, 2020 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill for a Mind-Bending Taste of Asia

Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

As we continue to work through the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, many restaurants are struggling to survive. And for those that opened up right before the North Carolina shutdown, it’s even harder. New restaurants that haven’t had a chance to establish a customer base, Hawkers Asian Street Food in Chapel Hill is a perfect example of that difficult scenario. But if you’re a fan of SE Asian street cuisine, you’ll really enjoy this new restaurant at University Place! Part of a smallish restaurant chain that has a locations in Charlotte and the Southeast, Hawkers Asian Street Food is dishing out some wonderful eats cooked with deft culinary talent.

Colorful decor at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Colorful decor at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Located next to the huge, Silverspot Cinema, Hawkers presents a simple modern face with side patio. But inside, you’ll find a bright, colorful and kitschy interior replete with a showcase bar in the center, booths to the right and tables in back with the open kitchen. Glowing neon, colorful posters and prints and bright metal chairs ring the dining space along with some cool architectural elements in the eclectic space. It’s a panoply of Asian-inspired nostalgia, decor and cool. Hawkers food menu is focused on bites and small plates from $5 to $12 along with noodles, rice and more. True to their name, Hawkers has food options and flavors across the Asian continent, from Singapore to China, Japan, Malaysia and more. A good selection for beers, wines, sake and island-type cocktails gives you some tasty adult beverages to pair your small plates with. Instinctively, I think beer or sake would be a great match for this type of flavorful cuisine.

Bar at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Amazing roti canai at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Amazing roti canai at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

After two visits I can say that Hawkers’ food menu is excellent overall but the roti canai is a must-try! This savory and layered fried pancake is served up with a powerful curry sauce that will blow away your taste-buds. Somehow they manage to make their roti canai both flaky and non-greasy which is a rare combination. Tear off a piece of the pancake, dip it into the curry and bam, a taste sensation hits your tongue.

Salt and pepper ribs at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Salt and pepper ribs at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Chili crab at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Chili crab at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The salt and pepper ribs are a twist on my usual favorite, salt and pepper pork chops but this dish holds its own. Three meaty ribs, dry-fried and covered with grilled onion bits, garlic and sliced jalapenos offers some savory meatiness with a hint of heat, yum. And don’t miss the chili crab, a fried soft-shell crab covered in an umami-laded brown sauce. Served up with some wok-fried tomatoes to cut away the richness and a fried bao for dipping into that delicious, thick sauce. Chili crab is a Singaporean favorite and the first time I’ve tried it, super tasty!

Yaki udon at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Yaki udon at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

For a main dish the yaki udon is super satisfying. While I typically eat udon noodles in a broth or soup, these thick noodles are stir-fried with sliced chicken, egg, scallions and sprouts for a satisfying and toothsome bite. The portion size is on the smaller size (since it’s only $10) but this dish is wonderful and filling. Hawkers also offers up a smattering of sweets and desserts but I’d rather focus on the savory instead.

Open kitchen at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Open kitchen at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HawkersAsianFareChapelHill-Scan-July2020.mp4

Service at Hawkers has been excellent during my two visits and during this current pandemic, you can call in an order for pick-up, do a delivery app or dine-in socially distanced. They are spreading patrons about their large, open dining room and there are plexiglass dividers between some tables. Overall they are holding up well under tough conditions and I do feel that street food like this, deserves to be eaten straight out of that kitchen once it hits your table.

Small plates menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample small plates menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Noodle and rice menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample noodle and rice menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Cocktail menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Sample cocktail menu at Hawkers Asian Street Fare in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

While Hawkers Asian Street Food had the unfortunate luck to open right before the pandemic closures, I’m relatively certain they are here for the long run! Delicious pan-Asian fare in a raucous environment, the food is super-charged with flavor that all of us can appreciate. Toss in the great prices and you’ve got a deal for family or date night! Even with the 30 minute drive for me from Raleigh, I’m already looking forward to visit #3 and exploring more off of their menu. So hey, don’t forget this new hidden gem in University Place. Their menu is the real Asian deal and cooked with some talent, you don’t want to miss it even while you’re sheltering in place, bon appetit!

 

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

201 S Estes Drive, 400A (Next to Silverspot Cinema)

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919.415.1799

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Chapel Hill, Featured, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Asian Restaurants

February 10, 2019 by Ron Wen

News: Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill Opens Next Week!

Kitties at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Kitties at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to our furry friends, we love ’em all whether you’re talking about dogs or cats! But cat-lovers in the Triangle are going to get a cool, new option to hang out with felines, the Cat Tales Cat Cafe opening soon in Chapel Hill. I had seen the announcement for this interesting concept last summer and kept watch on their space on Franklin Street as construction continued. After a donation of some cat goodies to the Cat Tales Cat Cafe, I was invited for a preview of the space. And I can tell you for sure, it’s going to be an interesting new option in Chapel Hill! Note: As of March 2020, Cat Tales Cat Cafe has found homes for 109 cats.

Cafe area at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Cafe area at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Employees at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Employees at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The Cat Tales Cat Cafe sits in short, 2-story, brick building at 431 W. Franklin Street in what used to be a clothing store. Enter through the side and you’ll be in the cafe area on the 1st floor. Co-owner Katy Poitras (wearing cat ears) is busily working on the opening day preparations and she greets my friend and I. Cat Tales Cat Cafe will be offering coffee, beer, wine and other drinks along with baked goods from Phoenix Bakery in Pittsboro once things get ramped up. Today they’re putting together the display case and some of the other furniture for their space. Right at the entrance there’s also a bulletin board of the current, kitty employees at the Cat Tales Cat Cafe! All kitty employees are from the Goathouse Refuge out in Pittsboro and available for adoption unless they have already been spoken for. We hear some plaintive mewing outside a second glass door and in the stairwell area, it’s time to meet our furry friends!

1st floor foyer at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
1st floor foyer at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

We walk through the second glass door and into the stairwell foyer area. One noisy cat has already set up shop here in a fleece sleeper, enjoying the sunlight pouring through the window panes. Up at the top of the stairs is Cat Tales Cat Cafe’s main lounge area decorated with a mint green floral mural and with plenty of lounging space. There are several couches, throw pillows in pink and white and young cats skittering about across the polished, wood floor! The residents of the Cat Tales Cat Cafe are mostly 9 months to 2 years old (teenagers) and are young enough to have a lot of energy but old enough to show off their personalities. They range across a variety of colors, from black to white to grey, calico, long-hair, short-hair and more. I hope they get a couple of gingers sometime soon!

2nd floor lounge at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor lounge at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Residents at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Residents at Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

There are plenty of toys, exploration tubes and teasers scattered about and the cats seem really well-adjusted. They are coming out to sniff, play and explore while others sit contentedly napping in their chosen spots. Upstairs I meet the second co-owner, Ilene Speizer who is contentedly keeping her furry charges entertained. Cat Tales Cat Cafe is limited to 12 furry employees and they will obviously be rotating in the guests as they get adopted. The $12/hour per person visitation price along with the sale of beverages and snacks will help keep the Cat Tales Cat Cafe up and running. All the adoption fees will go directly to the Goathouse Refuge to support their efforts.

We hang out a bit, my friend Steve plays with one cat while I’ve got Coco Chanel cat following me around for a taste of my Corona beer, she must be a bit of a party girl! They are active and curious kitties making for a fun visit. Katy apparently got the idea for a cat cafe right before she moved from Charleston to the Triangle and she estimates that there are about 80 to 100 cat cafes in the country. And now the Triangle has one, too! The Cat Tales Cat Cafe is working hard towards an opening next week in mid-February but keep an eye out on their Facebook page for more details. Cat-lovers rejoice, you’ve got a new hang-out spot to enjoy the soothing play and preening of some adorable felines out in Chapel Hill…

 

Cat Tales Cat Cafe

431 W. Franklin Street, Suite 210

Chapel Hill, NC  27516

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Chapel Hill, News-Upcoming

September 11, 2018 by Ron Wen

The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Carrboro and Chapel Hill

Sneaking a peek at the speckled underside of pizza
Sneaking a peek at the speckled underside of Neapolitan pizza

Pizza comes in many forms and styles: NY thin-crust, Chicago deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza, thick Sicilian and more. But when it comes to REAL pizza in my mind, you have to go back to the motherland, Neapolitan pizza from Italy. Now there are strict rules for true Neapolitan pizza: 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella di bufala to get that tender delicious, thin crust, soft melty cheese and fresh tomato flavor. Neapolitan pizza is usually served as a single-serving pie and cooked in wood-fired ovens. But the reality is that when you find Neapolitan pizza in the US, it’s often more like Neapolitan-style and takes some liberties on the official guidelines. But in my opinion for pizza, Neapolitan is the only way to go to truly understand what great pizza is about. And thankfully, the NC Triangle is starting to sprout up more Neapolitan-style pizza places over the past five years! Here’s a quick tour of some of your best options for Neapolitan pizza!

 

Interior of Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill
Margherita pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill
Mama Mia pizza at Capp’s Pizzeria in Chapel Hill

Capp’s Pizzeria, Chapel Hill – A bit off the beaten path in southwestern Chapel Hill near Pittsboro, I am really impressed with the pizza coming out of this joint! Great crust, crushed tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, Capp’s spins things up a bit with its combinations. Don’t miss the Mama Mia with meatball, red onion and jalapenos. They also do a traditional (for Connecticut) clam pie on the Friday and Saturday!

Toro’s wood-fired oven
Margherita pizza
Potato pizza

Pizzeria Toro, Durham – One of the first Neapolitan pizza spots in the area, Toro does some really good pies in a hipster setting. Expect to get a little fancier with their pies and the prices rise accordingly ($14 to $18). While they still do a good pie, I’ve also got some burnt ones here which is not cool if you’re paying a premium. But a good spot if you’re hanging out in downtown Durham and want some Neapolitan pizza.

Interior of Pizzeria Faulisi
Assortment of pies at Pizzeria Faulisi
Soparresata pie

Pizzeria Faulisi, Cary – A newer entry in the Neapolitan pizza craze, Faulisi does a very solid pie and crust (mix of 00 and Boulted Bread flour). Decor-wise it sits neatly between casual and hipster with a bright, light and white interior along with some counter service. Love their pies, it’s got a snappy crust and keeps things simple the way Neapolitan pies should be. And it sits conveniently right next to Bond Brothers beer so who can complain about great pizza and beer?

Front of Pizzeria Mercato
Delicious arancini
Amatriciana pie

Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro – A cool little pizzeria run by Gabe Barker in a funky little corner of Carrboro. They are doing more Neapolitan style with a snappier (stiffer) crust but it still holds mostly true. They also offer some great appetizers and entrees, do NOT miss their arancini (serious noms). Pizzeria Mercato is more of an Italian restaurant to me, doing really good za. I just wish it was a bit closer to me!

Interior at Pompieri
Pompieri pizza
Pork belly pizza

Pompieri Pizza, Durham – Pompieri was one of the earlier entries into the Neapolitan pizza race in the Triangle and it’s still chugging along. The concept and space is quite different, located in an old firehouse, lined with aquariums and family-friendly. The pies are very thin crust and are served uncut with a pair of shears. While they definitely use quality ingredients here, it’s not quite traditional Neapolitan pizza here which is fine for most people.

Pooleside Pies in Raleigh

Poole’side Pies, Raleigh – The newest entry in this category, Poole’side Pies offers up solid Neapolitan-style pies in a stunning setting reminiscent of a classic swimming pool theme.  Along with a handful of fun, fried appetizers and interesting salads, Poole’side stretches the Neapolitan concept a bit with some Southern style.

Flirting with Fire food truck
Pepperoni pizza
Cool, wood-fired oven

Flirting with Fire food truck, Various Locations – This very cool food truck hauls around a SERIOUS wood-fired oven all around the Triangle! And the one time I was able to try them out at a street fair, I was pretty impressed. Solid crust and they stick to the basic topping options. If you find them in the neighborhood, Flirting with Fire is definitely worth the visit!

Blaze Fast-Fired BYOP counter
Sausage pizza at Blaze Fast-Fired
Margherita

Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza, Morrisville – Ok, feel free to laugh at me but I do think that this chain is doing an excellent job serving up Neapolitan style pizza! Given their unlimited toppings model, it’s definitely not traditional but the crust is pretty close! And for $8 you really can’t beat the price. I love my pizza but try not to be a pizza snob, and Blaze hits all the right notes. The casual but cool interior along with Chipotle style ordering makes Blaze super family-friendly, too.

Grandma pie at Hutchins Garage, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Grandma pie at Hutchins Garage, Durham – nctriangledining.com

And there’s more great pizza in the area with more traditional pies such as Hutchins Garage, Trophy Brewing and Pizza along with Oakwood Pizza Box! Which is great news for us all because, not everyone has a friend with a wood-fired pizza oven. As a huge Neapolitan pizza fan it just makes me happy to see these options popping up. I’ve made the pilgrimage to great pizza places around the country like DiFara, Totonno’s, Motorino, Antico, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Apizza Scholls and more. It’s just wonderful to have some good local options here near home! So if you’re a budding pizza fan, give one of these spots a try and I’m sure you’ll be loving that thin-crust za, too.

Filed Under: Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Morrisville, Overviews Tagged With: Pizza

July 22, 2018 by Ron Wen

Cha House in Chapel Hill, An Oasis for Boba Tea and Asian Snacks!

Front of Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Front of Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of boba (bubble) tea, you’ve probably got a favorite GoTo spot in the Triangle. From Vietnamese restaurants to Asian markets, boba tea is often available in a variety of locations but in the past year or so, the Triangle has started to see dedicated boba tea spots open up! From Quickly and Kung Fu Tea in Cary to Cha House in Chapel Hill. And if you’re not familiar with boba (bubble) tea, it’s a popular drink originating from Taiwan that usually has tea, milk and sugar served over ice along with chewy tapioca balls at the bottom. You typically drink it through a large diameter straw, it’s a refreshing and fun way to quench your thirst. And I’ve got to tell you that the new Cha House is a great spot to get your boba (and snow ice) on!

Order counter at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Floating tables at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Floating tables at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Head on over to Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and you’ll find Cha House. Cha means tea in Mandarin Chinese so you know what this place is all about! Inside Cha House you’ll find a super bright, white and light space bustling with students. It’s modern and open with the tea bar to the left and a bunch of four-tops to the right. Some unusual floating tables in natural woods sit at the front of the space for some casual seating!

Chalkboard menu at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Chalkboard menu at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

The huge chalkboard menu up front at Cha House lists out your choices ranging from milk teas, fruit teas, and even cheese capped (light cream cheese) teas! Cha House offers up black, Jasmine, Oolong, Earl Grey, and matcha tea along with taro and chai for your base drink. You can also bling out your milk tea with red bean, boba, lychee jelly or mango along with adjusting the sweetness and ice in your drink. Like many of these boba tea spots, Cha House also offers up a small assortment of snacks (popcorn chicken, green onion pancake, etc) to tide you over. Note that this menu should be expanding as Cha House gets settled in after their opening.

Oolong boba tea at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Oolong boba tea at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Interior at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Interior at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

I’ve tried out a couple of teas at Cha House, an Oolong milk tea with boba and lychee along with the “Dirty Tiger” drink! The Oolong tea was super-fragrant and smooth with smaller, chewy boba pearls. The lychee jelly is actually minced lychee fruit dropped into your drink, a nice bonus. And the Dirty Tiger is based on brown sugar and milk making for a non-caffeinated drink, perfect for later hours. Note the brown stripes resembling the stripes of a tiger (I guess :-). It was really refreshing and I had it as dessert at the end of an evening.

Dirty tiger boba drink at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Dirty tiger boba drink at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Taiwanese snow ice at Cha House in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Taiwanese snow ice at Cha House in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

All in all I really like the space at Cha House and its take on a modern boba tea shop. Fun for kids, fun for college students and fun for adults, who doesn’t enjoy slurping up some soft milk tea and chewy tapioca balls? The milk teas here are excellent and the modern interior very nicely done, the space just feels right. And they’ve added Taiwanese snow ice to the menu as of September 2018. Stop on by if you’re up for an afternoon refresher or after dinner sweet in Chapel Hill!

 

Cha House

318 W Franklin Street

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

984.999.4580

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Chapel Hill, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Bubble - Boba Tea

June 3, 2018 by Ron Wen

Media: Treat Yourself to the Fancy and Flavorful Tacos at Bartaco in Chapel Hill

Front of bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Front of bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Mexican food, I’m usually looking for a local taqueria serving up tasty carnitas or carne asada in a down-home setting. But every now and then, I enjoy a more modern take on Mexican and tacos. Bartaco is a great example of what you can do with tacos with more fusion-style offering! This small chain of taquerias (16 on the East coast) caught my eye after it opened a Triangle location in the summer of 2017. Thankfully, a media invite to visit Bartaco and try out their secret taco hit my email inbox. It’s finally time for a trip to Chapel Hill!

Beautiful interior at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Beautiful interior at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

bartaco sits in University Place right next to Silverspot Cinema in Chapel Hill, super convenient! Up front you’ll find a wall of terra cotta planters and a beach-style patio. Inside bartaco, the space has a very organic feel, full of woods and dim lighting, a great looking space. A large U-shaped bar takes up the center of the dining room and the staff uniform puts together white jeans with a blue-checked shirt, it all feels very well put-together. Great ambiance for a date or small party here, the dining room is wonderful!

Dining room at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

At our table, we’re given some help by our wait-person since we’re bartaco newbies. You get a paper menu with all your starters, tacos, side, rice bowls and more. Check off what you want with quantities (or mark L for gluten-free lettuce wrap tacos) and you’ll be good to go. bartaco is pretty busy for a Wednesday night, full of local families and students given its proximity to UNC Chapel Hill. And everyone in the dining room is happily munching on tacos, call me excited!

For our media visit, we’re given free rein on the menu and there’s so MUCH to choose from! While bartaco has a smaller menu (for a Mexican restaurant) of starters, tacos, sides and rice bowls, it has a good variety within each food category. And given I’ve got Linda Eats World with me to help out, we go a little crazy with ordering: plantains, grilled corn, cucumber salad along with Baja fish, rock shrimp, pork belly along with the #bartacosecret, Spiced Lamb!

Fried plantains at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Fried plantains at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Elote corn at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Elote corn at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Our sides come out first, some tender, nicely fried plantain nuggets paired with a creamy aioli, yum! And the grilled corn is fantastic, covered with cotija cheese and a bit of mayo and paprika, excellent. As we’re finishing up our appetizers, the rest of the food comes out and it all looks so good… The only slight miss for me was the cucumber salad. While the preparation was nice, I would have preferred a thinner slice for more surface area and flavor.

Huge meal at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Huge meal at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

And even though we ordered a lot of food, bartaco tacos are about 2 to 3 bites each so it’s manageable! I start off with the spicy lamb which features tender ground lamb with harissa and lemon crema, it’s nicely light with a taste of the Mediterranean! (Note: #bartacosecret is off-menu so you will have to ask your server to see what’s available) The rock shrimp taco is perfectly fried and has quite a bit of spice and heat which is a pleasant surprise. But I’d have to say that the Asian-style pork belly was my favorite! A thick chunk of sweet, lacquered belly, thick sliced and topped with red onion and cilantro. All the tacos are served with fresh wedges of lime for a quick, spritz of citrus on top, if you’d like.

Spicy lamb tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Spicy lamb tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Pork belly tacos at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

While we’re finishing up our meal, bartaco’s manager sends us out one final pair of tacos, the cauliflower which he has raved about. And I’ll tell you what, it was a totally satisfying bite served in a red sauce. A very worthwhile vegetarian alternative if you’re not feeling the meat.

Large patio at bartaco in Chapel Hill - nctriangledining.com
Large patio at bartaco in Chapel Hill – nctriangledining.com

Service throughout our meal at bartaco was excellent. While the staff here is quite young, the are well-trained and understand hospitality which was a pleasant surprise for me from a chain restaurant. And looking over the menu prices, I’m pretty sure you can get out of here for well under $20 for three tacos and an adult beverage which is quite reasonable. So a slow round of applause for North Carolina’s second bartaco. You’re doing a fine job with a modern, beach-style taco and I can’t wait to come back for a lunch out on that white-washed patio! Oh and as luck would have it, it looks like the third location for NC is being built at North Hills, Raleigh which would save me a trip out to Chapel Hill. Hooray bartaco, look forward to trying out your newest location soon!

 

bartaco

University Place

201 S. Estes Drive E3

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919.807.8226

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Chapel Hill, Media, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Patio, Tacos

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