NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

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Morrisville Restaurant Reviews on NC Triangle Dining

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

August 12, 2018 by Ron Wen

Retake: Smokey’s Barbeque Shack in Morrisville

Front of Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Front of Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to barbeque in the Triangle, you’ve got your share of good options! Oldies but goodies like the Pit, Clyde Cooper’s, Backyard BBQ Pit and Q Shack. But one spot that I had forgotten over time was Smokey’s BBQ Shack over in Morrisville, not far from the airport. I remember driving by it from time to time and the little gravel lot in front would be packed so I put a mental bookmark in my head to stop in for a visit. And thankfully, some lunch slots freed up and I was able to finally make it back for a couple of visits to this classic que joint after MANY years…

Dining area at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Dining area at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

One of the first things you’ll notice as you head over to Smokey’s is its convenient location on Chapel Hill Road. Just south of RDU airport, you could do a quick BBQ run before or after a flight if you were hungry! Turn into that gravel lot and find a space but be warned, it’s usually pretty busy. In the back of the lot, you’ll find some additional picnic table seating but thankfully I haven’t had to use them yet! Open that bright red front door for Smokey’s and you’ll find yourself in its front dining area full of brights and whites. Looks like it may have been an outdoor patio at Smokey’s that was converted to a full covered dining room given the restaurant’s popularity. Step into the main dining area and you’ll now see the order counter, order window and a small amount of additional seating.

Interior of Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Interior of Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Smokey’s feels totally like an old-school barbeque joint but with an extra dose of humor. All over the place you’ll find silly and funny signs, it’s all pretty tongue in cheek and entertaining. At the counter, choose from sandwiches and plates covering pork barbeque, brisket, pulled chicken, smoked wings and ribs! And if you can’t decide, go with a combo plate (2 meats) or the sampler. A large assortment of sides (cole slaw, potato salad, onion rings, fries, brunswick stew, mac n cheese, fried okra, baked beans and more) completes the menu, you get two with a platter and one with a sandwich basket along with some hush-puppies. Everything is between $6 to $13 so we’re talking affordable eats and smoked meats here!

Order window at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Order window at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

After you order, you can self-serve your drink at the soda fountain and relax until your order is prepared. And it doesn’t take long, soon enough you’ll hear your name called out and you can grab your food from the pick-up window! Find a seat at one of the small tables in the main dining room or patio area and you’re ready to eat…

Ribs and wings at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Ribs and wings at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com
Barbeque at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Barbeque at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of several meals at Smokey’s I got to try out quite a bit off their menu. A big thumbs-up for the pork ribs which are nicely smoked and have a bit of rub and tasty bark. The bones are mighty meaty and the two that come with a combo plate are plenty to eat! The barbeque is more of a pulled pork and while smoked well, didn’t show off much tanginess. And the brisket is serviceable but not my favorite!

Onion rings at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Onion rings at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

And for the sides, it’s great to have so many choices. The baked beans, onion rings and brunswick stew are all quite good. The mac n cheese while creamy, doesn’t show off a lot of cheese flavor. And the hush-puppies here at Smokey’s BBQ Shack are solid and nicely fried. Overall you can’t go wrong with any of the food off the menu or for the quantity you’re served.

Mac n cheese at Smokey's BBQ Shack in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Mac n cheese at Smokey’s BBQ Shack in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

By a bit after noon, the parking lot and line at Smokey’s BBQ Shack fills up quickly. And I can certainly understand why! Good smoked meats with good portion sizes make for a perfect lunch spot. And I feel pretty comfortable in saying that Smokey’s truly does their barbeque right based upon the smoke ring in the meats. So right on Smokey, keep up that cookin!

 

Smokey’s BBQ Shack

10800 Chapel Hill Rd,

Morrisville, NC 27560

919.469.7624

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Morrisville, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Barbeque-Smoked Meats, Lunch

June 2, 2018 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Take Flight with Great Restaurants and Dining Around Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU)

Terminal 2 at RDU International Airport, NC Triangle Dining
Terminal 2 at RDU International Airport, NC Triangle Dining

I don’t know about you but when I travel, I often take advantage of being on the road by stuffing myself full of high-calorie food. Let’s face it, when you’re flying from airport to airport, it’s hard to find meals that go beyond the local Applebee’s-TGIF-Ruby Tuesday trifecta. Burgers, quesadillas, chicken tenders, you know the deal! But if you are heading over to Raleigh-Durham (RDU) airport in Morrisville, you’ve got some good local restaurant choices to balance out all that chain food. Here’s a guide to some special restaurants that will keep your stomach happy and full before jetting off.

(Note: Dim Sum House is under new ownership)  Since you’re probably driving in on I-40, head south down on Airport Boulevard, Exit 284. Pass the Hooters and Cracker Barrel if you dare, and you’ll soon find the delicious Dim Sum House. Dim Sum House is true to its name and serves dim sum (small, Cantonese chinese plates) all day long! Start off with some delicious har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) or shu mai (pork dumplings), standard dim sum favorites. Dim sum comes in three primary categories: fried-savory, steamed-savory and sweet so you’ll find something to suit your appetite. And depending on what they have available (daily selection changes), I’d also recommend the braised tofu rolls, ribs with black bean and chinese greens.

Salt & pepper pork chops from Dim Sum House, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Salt & pepper pork chops from Dim Sum House, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Namesake dishes from Dim Sum House, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Namesake dishes from Dim Sum House, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining

Dim Sum House does table service during the week but on weekends it can get quite busy with the dim sum served on rolling carts. If you’re not in the mood for small plates, Dim Sum House also does great cantonese Chinese food. Their beef chow fun (thick rice noodles) and salt-pepper pork chops are reminiscent of what I might find in San Francisco, great stuff!

Front of Smokey's BBQ Shack, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Smokey’s BBQ Shack, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Brisket sandwich and fries from Smokey's BBQ Shack, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining
Brisket sandwich and fries from Smokey’s BBQ Shack, Morrisville- NC Triangle Dining

Just a bit west of Dim Sum House is the cozy Smokey’s BBQ Shack on Chapel Hill Road! Smokey’s is the real deal with a pile of hardwoods out back. Try their beef brisket or smoked wings to get your meat on. Order at the counter and then pick up your food at the magic barbeque window. Smokey’s is all about slow-cooked meat whether it’s pork, beef or chicken with all the traditional sides: hush-puppies, brunswick stew, fried okra and mac n cheese. Inside it’s all country casual but perfect for some serious eatin’ So grab an old wooden table, plop your sweet tea down and dig in to some que! The parking lot is always busy here at Smokey’s so you gotta trust the locals.

Rosatis-Sign

If you’re up for pizza (and who isn’t?), check out Rosati’s Pizza on Davis Drive. Rosati’s in Morrisville is the only NC location for a popular Chicago deep-dish pizza chain.

Deep dish pizza at Rosati's, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Deep dish pizza at Rosati’s, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

We’re talking about thick, buttery crust loaded with chunky tomato, cheese and your favorite toppings: sausage, pepperoni, mushroom or whatever floats your boat. Just give your self a bit of time because Rosati’s is about six miles from the airport and their deep-dish pizza’s take a bit of time. But totally worth the effort if your up for some cheesy deliciousness!

Front of Angus Barn, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Angus Barn, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

And north of the airport off of Lumley Road is the ever popular, Angus Barn! Super popular steak house that’s usually a great choice for special events and parties, Angus Barn puts out classic eats and is renown for their cheese dip, dry-aged beef and ribs. All presented in a beautiful country and barn setting. For a casual meal, eat at their Wild Turkey Lounge which serves up a shorter food menu compared to the main dining room. Not to be missed if you’ve got some money in your expense account to burn!

Turkey wings from Angus Barn, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Prime rib with asparagus from Angus Barn, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Besides these fantastic choices, there are some other great restaurants like C&T Wok (Sichuan Chinese) and Randy’s Pizza further out. There’s definitely no reason to suffer when it comes to food and restaurants around RDU Airport! Great Chinese, Italian and barbeque means you’ll be saying “bon appetit” as your plane circles and lands in the Triangle. Forget about those honey-roasted peanuts my friend, it’s time to eat…

 

Great Restaurants Around Raleigh Durham Airport

Dim Sum House- Morrisville

Smokey’s BBQ Shack- Morrisville

Rosati’s- Morrisville

Angus Barn- Raleigh

C&T Wok- Morrisville

Randy’s Pizza- Durham

Save

Save

Filed Under: Cary, Local Information, Morrisville, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Barbeque-Smoked Meats, Dim-Sum, Restaurants Near RDU Airport

January 10, 2018 by Ron Wen

Best New Restaurants, Food and Drink in the Triangle, 2017 Edition

Best New Restaurants, Food and Drink in the Triangle, 2017 Edition - nctriangledining.com

All good things must come to an end so we say goodbye to 2017 and eagerly look forward to what may come about in 2018 for the Triangle food scene! It was an interesting year, probably not as strong as last year (Best New Restaurants of 2016) but there were certainly some great new restaurants that opened up in the Triangle. And I’ve got to say that there were some pleasant surprises out of Cary for me.

Choosing the best new restaurants for the year is always a huge challenge but in the end what really helps guide my choices revolves around a single question: How excited am I to go back for a meal? If a friend calls and says, “Let’s meet at xxx restaurant”, how excited am I? Do I feel meh and just alright about dining there? Or am I grabbing my car keys and running out the door with my foodie tail wagging?!

The other consideration I had for this best of 2017 list was: Are they likely to be successful in the long run? Are they getting better over the course of the year after opening? Predicting long-term success is a bit tricky in the restaurant and hospitality business but with all the years I’ve been reviewing, you just get a strong gut feel on which restaurants are built for the long haul!

So without further adieu, my best new restaurants and bars for the Triangle, 2017 edition! Click on the restaurant name for a full review with details.


Front of the Accordion Club in Durham
Inside the Accordion Club in Durham
Pool table at the Accordion Club in Durham

 

Accordion Club, Durham – Opened February 2017

First up on my list of the best new restaurants and bars of 2017 is the fun and cool, Accordion Club! This newer lounge out on Geer Street really is a fantastic neighborhood bar offering inexpensive drinks and a fun crowd. Toss in the interesting decor, table games, and discrete location, it all makes the Accordion Club a hidden gem in my opinion. Over the course of the year, they continue to innovate and try out new things. The Accordion Club is currently serving up green chile breakfast burritos (on Sunday) along with their hot dogs, pretty cool!


Front of Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh
Brewery Bhavana
Dim sum at Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh

 

Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh – Opened March 2017

What’s there to say about the Brewery Bhavana that hasn’t been said in the national press?! Super interesting decor and dining concept built around a brewery, floral shop and dim sum (Chinese small plates), I’m mostly focused on the food and beer here. While Brewery Bhavana may be a bit pricey, I respect what they’ve done here offering upscale, spun up Chinese eats along with really fresh and interesting beers. Love Brewery Bhavana’s space, the sleek decor and white interior design makes for a very elegant dining and drinking experience without being stuffy.


Dining room at City Market Sushi
Ni bento box at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Ni bento box at City Market Sushi
Ni bento box at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Sashimi at City Market Sushi

 

City Market Sushi, Raleigh – Opened December 2016

The emergence of City Market in Raleigh as a food destination in the Triangle continues on in 2017! While City Market Sushi officially opened up at the end of 2016, I’m rolling it into this 2017 list! Love the sleek and modern Japanese decor at City Market Sushi along with its cute, little sushi bar in the corner. They do a fantastic and different bento box, offering up soft-shell crab sliders, pork belly salad and ahi poke, dee-licious! City Market Sushi does great sushi and fish along with hearty portion sizes in a cool environment, so glad to have you in the area!


Front of Grub Durham
Gobbler turkey sandwich at Grub Durham
Ribs and potato at Grub Durham

 

Grub Durham – Opened July 2017

While Durham is well known for its upscale culinary scene, I always hoped for more affordable eats when visiting the Bull City and now you’ve got one, the new Grub Durham. Located in a renovated gas station, I love the retro space! Front patio, rooftop seating and then a classic diner counter with some 4-tops inside, Grub Durham works really well as a modern diner. The smaller menu covers a variety of breakfast plates, bowls, sandwiches and a handful of blue plate entrees. Their grub is well-prepared and shows a lot of care and talent in the food coming out of the kitchen. A fun spot for Durham locals and visitors to this neighborhood!


Front of Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville
Dining room at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville
Combo shrimp and pork bun at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville

 

Mekong, Morrisville – Opened February 2017

Oftentimes choosing the “best” for me is not about the money spent and Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville is the perfect example of great, low-budget dining. Simple but excellent Vietnamese food across all forms, they do a great banh mi, bun (vermicelli), com (rice plate) and pho (soup) which is extremely rare in my experience. Personable service and a more modern dining room makes this “hole in the wall” Vietnamese eatery a wonderful culinary surprise. You can’t go wrong with anything off the menu here, I can say that with confidence after 8 or 9 meals at Mekong! And while the address says Morrisville, Mekong straddles the Raleigh line for those of you in N. Raleigh.


Interior of Oakwood Pizza Box
Sausage pie at Oakwood Pizza Box
Slice of cheese at Oakwood Pizza Box

 

Oakwood Pizza Box, Raleigh – Opened September 2017

When it comes to pizza, there are a ton of options in the Triangle but few as consistently good as Oakwood Pizza Box! Given the pizza pedigree of owner Anthony Guerra I’m not really surprised but I am so happy to have the Oakwood Pizza Box in ITB (inside the beltline) Raleigh. Thin-crust NY pizza with quality tomatoes and cheese makes for a great foundation pie and the handful of toppings offered are also excellent. Love the neighborhood vibe and simplicity of this modern pizza joint, they’ve done a great job so far and I’m hoping for an expanded menu in 2018!


Front door at Pizzeria Faulisi
Interior of Pizzeria Faulisi
Assortment of pies at Pizzeria Faulisi

 

Pizzeria Faulisi, Cary – Opened March 2017

Continuing on with the pizza theme in my best new restaurants of 2017, how about the top-notch Neapolitan pies at Pizzeria Faulisi? Cary has been hopping when it comes to new restaurants and this pizzeria sports clean and stylish decor along with a great location near Bond Brothers Beer. And the pizza? Some of the best Neapolitan in the area serving individual thin-crust pizzas topped with high-quality and delicious Italian ingredients. Don’t miss their $10 pizza special on Tuesdays (great deal) which truly shows off the pizza-making skills and delectable crust at Pizzeria Faulisi.


Front of Saint James Seafood
Interior of Saint James Seafood
Red drum over crawfish butter at Saint James Seafood

 

Saint James Seafood Restaurant, Durham – Opened November 2017

Even though I’ve only eaten at Saint James Seafood once, it was enough to blow me away and put them on my best of 2017 list. Everything across the board was impressive and memorable at Saint James Seafood, starting with the dining room decor, service and menu. Love how they’re offering up an array of fresh seafood for the Bull City covering raw oysters, fresh fish dishes and fried Calabash seafood. And their quirky tiki drinks and cocktails are a lot of fun. Truly an impeccable dining experience for the Bull City, I expect more and better from Saint James Seafood this year!


Entrance at soca
Crab mofongo at soca
Churro waffles at soca

 

soca, Raleigh – Opened March 2017

Over in Cameron Village you’ll find a slew of average restaurants with not many stand-outs except for the new soca on the corner of Clark and Oberlin. This stunning restaurant combines modern and upscale decor with an interesting selection of small plates from south of the border. Choose from Jamaican lamb patties, crab mofongo and conch fritters as a nod to Latin-American cuisine. All the plates are beautifully presented and their waitstaff is very well-trained and knowledgeable on the expansive menu. Definitely do not miss dessert or the patio here, they are both exquisite!


Viceroy
Corned beef pasty at the Viceroy
Murg mykanwala at the Viceroy

 

Viceroy, Durham – Opened November 2016

Last up on my best of 2017 list is the newer Viceroy out in Durham. Officially it opened up late in 2016 but I’m rolling it forward to my best of 2017 list! The rich Victorian decor, dining room details and ambiance, makes for a wonderful dining experience and great date spot. I really appreciate the tasty Indian-English gastropub menu which highlights updated classics such as short rib pasties, goat samosas and curried Shepherd’s pie. While the wait for a table can be a bit long, I love that the Viceroy has brought spicy eats to the downtown Durham dining scene and Main Street!


So there you go, my top 10 for 2017 and let me tell you that I spent hours trying to figure out where to finish the Best of 2017 list from the restaurants (My list of new 2017 restaurants) that opened up this past year. There were quite a few restaurants that were on the cusp for me so honorable mentions go out to Cortez Seafood, Hummingbird, Namu, MOFU Shoppe, Quarter Horse Arcade, and Saigon Grill and Bar. Your list may be a bit different than mine so feel free to comment and let’s discuss!

And what do we have to look forward to in 2018? More pizza with the upcoming Pizza Times and Pooleside Pie along with food halls! Some delays mean that Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co, County Fare (food trucks), and Blue Dogwood Public Market should all hit the Triangle in 2018! If you want to keep up on my lists of new and upcoming restaurants, bookmark the links below which will be updated throughout the year. It’s always fun to explore new restaurants in the Triangle, here’s to the new year along with whatever foodie delights it may hold!

New Restaurants and Bars in Cary

New Restaurants and Bars in Durham

New Restaurants and Bar in Raleigh

Filed Under: Cary, Durham, Morrisville, Overviews, Raleigh Tagged With: Best

October 15, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: Yin Dee in Morrisville for Spicy Asian Street Fare

Front of Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Front of Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

As the Triangle food scene continues to diversify, it’s always cool to see little ethnic eateries pop up on the foodie landscape. One that had hit my foodie radar screen was Yin Dee out in Morrisville! Yin Dee touts itself as Thai and Lao street food which really caught my attention. While there are plenty of Thai eateries in the area, Lao is pretty rare outside of the uber-popular Bida Manda in Raleigh. Thankfully, Yin Dee is near work for me, so I was able to stop in for a couple of lunches. Here’s how it all went down at Yin Dee…

Order counter at Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Finding Yin Dee is a bit of a challenge, it sits in a strip plaza near Chapel Hill Road and I-540 next to Perimeter Park. There’s a bit of construction here, so take Carrington Mill Blvd if you’re coming from the north. Hours are pretty simple, 11am to 8pm Monday to Friday so don’t try to visit them over the weekend! Up front you’ll immediately notice Yin Dee’s narrow storefront and inside you’ll quickly realize why. Yin Dee is a very simple counter order set-up with some stool seating by the open kitchen and a side-wall. The stool are back-less and Asian in design so you’re not here to lounge around at all, just stop in, eat and get out, hence the street-food concept. Or of course you can do take-out like I did!

Menu at Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Menu at Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Yin Dee does have a website but there was no menu posted there (when I visited) so I had no idea what to expect. The menu at Yin Dee fits on one page and offers a handful of appetizers, soups and noodle bowls. It looks primarily Thai with a handful of Lao specials thrown in. Everything is $4 to $10 so it’s an inexpensive meal here and you can customize it with your choice of protein (chicken, pork, tofu). Spicing is handled at a 1 to 5 level and it’s the real deal. Even a #3 level of heat brought sniffles out of this hungry guy!

Pad kee mao at Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Pad kee mao at Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com
Summer rolls with pork belly at Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Summer rolls with pork belly at Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of a couple of visits, I’ve tried a handful of their appetizers and the pad kee mao. While the dumplings were just ok, the summer rolls stuffed with pork belly were great! As mentioned before, you can choose your protein and on a whim, I went with the belly. These summer rolls were B-I-G, nearly 10″ long and well stuffed with noodle, carrots and basil. Paired with the peanutty hoisin sauce, there’s nearly enough for a meal here. The pad kee mao was less successful for me. Yin Dee uses rice sticks vs. the wider, flat noodles which changes the texture of the dish. Chicken was a bit scarce but I can tell you for heat, they bring it at Yin Dee. It’s a good portion size but covered with some sliced cabbage and eggs strips. Unusual and different from pretty every other pad kee mao I’ve tried!

Counter seating at Yin Dee in Morrisville - nctriangledining.com
Counter seating at Yin Dee in Morrisville – nctriangledining.com

Note that if you do take-out (and a lot of people will take out given the seating at Yin Dee), you’ll be eating out of plastic containers which unfortunately just takes some of the fun out of dining out. So what to make of Yin Dee? I’m scratching my head a bit on this one. They are definitely staying true to their street-food calling but that being said, I’m mixed on this concept in a suburban setting. When I think of street food, I’m in a busy, urban street and need to grab something quickly on a small rickety stool or dirty plastic chair (which I’ve done in Bangkok). Transplanting that casual dining experience to a strip plaza that you need to drive to just doesn’t quite work for me. The food is decent, the prices are right but I imagine that most of Yin Dee’s business is take-out for office workers in the area grabbing lunch or bringing home dinner. So take Yin Dee with a grain of salt and understand what you’re getting before you roll out here. It’s a very different concept for Morrisville and one which I’ll be watching over time…

 

Yin Dee

10970-106 Chapel Hill Road

Morrisville, NC 27560

919.237.3023

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Morrisville, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Thai Restaurants

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