Retakes Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

July 28, 2019 by Ron Wen

Retake: Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh for a Classic Philly Cheesesteak Experience

Front of Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Front of Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

When it comes to regional delicacies, a Philly cheesesteak is pretty high on my To Eat list! Chopped steak on a grill and topped with melty cheese and peppers on a soft roll is always a winner in my book. But given its regionality, a good cheesesteak is usually pretty hard to find and that’s no different here in the Triangle. When I first moved to North Carolina back in 2005, I spent several years looking around for a good cheesesteak to no avail. But finally in 2010, ran into Anvil’s Cheesesteaks on the edge of Raleigh. Nine years later I’m still going back to Anvil’s and loving what they are putting out from that grill!

Order counter at Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Order counter at Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

As a first-time visitor to Anvil’s, the location might be a bit of a mystery. It sits in the back corner of Swift Creek plaza (not far from Cary Crossroads) and is a bit hidden. With the large bushes out front, you might miss the place unless you’re keeping an eye out for it. Inside, Anvil’s it’s a totally casual grill set-up. Formica tables, plastic chairs, you’re not coming here for ambiance, just good eats. And thankfully, Anvil’s delivers a great sandwich! Its small menu covers a handful of Philadelphia-Italian sandwich favorites (about $9 per sandwich) along with maybe some specials, cole slaw, chips, soft drinks and beers, that’s it. But what Anvil’s does, it does really well.

Dining area at Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Dining area at Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

Order at the counter, self-serve your drink or maybe go with a Birch beer (similar to root beer) to make your dining experience totally Philly! As you wait, you’ll hear the clanking of metal spatulas on the kitchen grill top as the steak is minced into delicious morsels. The food comes out to you in plastic baskets lined with white butchers paper. I typically forgo the chips and just try to do another sandwich as an appetizer when visiting. 🙂

Classic cheesesteak at Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Classic cheesesteak at Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

Pizza steak at Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Pizza steak at Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

The classic cheesesteak here at Anvil’s is excellent, served up on soft 11″ hoagie rolls. The provolone is well melted into the chopped meat and onion making for a tasty mix of beef and savory cheese. The sandwiches are perfectly filled, making for a nice meal. Anvil’s pizza cheesesteak adds some pepperoni and marinara sauce giving the sandwich a bit of an Italian flair which makes for a taste sensation!

Roast Italian pork sandwich at Anvil's Cheesesteaks in Raleigh — Roast Italian pork sandwich at Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh

Beyond cheesesteaks, consider the rare Italian roast pork sandwich. A local favorite up in Philly that’s hard to find elsewhere, Anvil’s serves up thin-sliced roast pork topped with provolone, spinach (broccolini is the classic green used) and peppers. This sandwich is soft, moist and full of soft, pork flavor. The greens provide a bit of contrast to the luscious meat giving the sandwich a balanced flavor. I also recently tried their Sicilian sausage sandwich special which is chopped sausage topped with peppers, onion and cheese, another great option beyond cheesesteaks. Anvil’s also offers up chicken sandwiches and a portobello mushroom (for vegetarians) sandwich but I have yet to try them yet.

So a slow round of applause for this delicious sandwich shop. Given its discrete location on the Raleigh-Cary city line and bare-bones dining experience, it would be easy to pass by Anvil’s and not think twice. BUT if you’re up for a great cheesesteak or Italian roast pork sandwich, you’d be missing out on one of the best spots for a classic Philly sandwich experience. I have yet to find any other spots serving up this type of sandwich deliciousness in the Triangle even after all these years. Enjoy and you can thank me later!

Anvil’s Cheesesteaks

2893 Jones Franklin Road

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.854.0558

Anvil’s Cheesesteaks menu

Location on Google maps

March 26, 2019 by Ron Wen

Retake: Toast Paninoteca, Still a Hidden Gem for Sandwiches in Durham!

Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

As a food blogger, I’m often chasing down the newest, latest and greatest restaurants in the area but I try not to forget the classic restaurants in the area. Take Toast at Five Points in Durham, for example. Opened up by Kelly and Billy Kotler in the early stages of Durham’s restaurant revival (February 2008), I remember stepping into Toast for the first time on a Taste Carolina gourmet food tour. And I remember being pretty impressed with the food and concept, right off the bat. And ten years later, Toast is still going strong, feeding the locals in the now busy, Five Points area in downtown Durham. And you’d be remiss to forget about this tiny, little, turquoise gem and it’s great eats. Here’s why!

Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Casual interior at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Located in the hopping 5 Points section of Durham in a prime location, Toast is now sandwiched between great restaurants such as Mothers and Sons along with Viceroy. But what makes Toast a bit unique is its more casual, quick-casual, counter order setup. Bathed in bright blue colors, Toast paints a casual and comfortable interior. The stencil wall mural proclaims it culinary commitment as a paninoteca, otherwise known as an Italian sandwich shop.

Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Menu at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Over the order area is a neatly scripted chalkboard menu outlining all the great eats at Toast. They range from panini (pressed sandwiches, to tramezzini (cold sandwiches, crostini along with soups and sandwiches. Given Durham’s culinary reputation, what’s amazing is that pretty much everything here is under $12, super affordable. Toast’s focus on high quality meats, cheeses and produce really uplifts the humble sandwich given the talent in the kitchen. The dining room at Toast is a bit tight but certainly take advantage of their sidewalk seating on good weather days!

3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — 3 cheese panini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

A recent lunch visit had me ordering up their popular 3 cheese sandwich stuffed with grana padano, asiago fresco, pecorino and accented with truffle oil. This rich and gooey was served on thick, white bread and perfectly grilled. Cut diagonally into triangles (hooray) the cheese spilled out onto the plate in a deliciously unctuous mess. Biting into this sandwich is a cheese addict’s dream and wonderfully addictive.

Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Arancini at Toast Paninoteca in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Paired with a crunchy and toothsome arancini lovingly served in a white porcelain cup, it was a fantastically simple and delicious meal. While Toast offers up the usual sodas and juices, I usually like to take advantage of their affordable house wines to really make it feel like I’m in Italy. Service here at Toast is always casual but attentive and professional, another plus.

Crostini at Toast in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Crostini at Toast in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ve eaten at Toast many times, trying out quite a bit off the menu and across the sandwich types. And the food here is always fresh and bursting with flavor. While you can certainly spend a LOT more money for your meal in the Bull City, I’m pretty sure you can spend half as much at Toast and walk away wonderfully satisfied no matter what eenie (panini, tramezzini, crostini) you choose. In the category of quick casual near DPAC you might also try Only Burger or the new Neomonde but I can guarantee you that a meal at Toast will never leave you disappointed, buono appetito!

Toast Paninoteca

345 W Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.683.2183

Location on Google maps

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.

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

June 24, 2018 by Ron Wen

Retake: Bella Monica, a Cozy Italian Ristorante for Raleigh

Front of Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Even though I’m a huge fan of all the new restaurants starting up in the Triangle, it’s always fun to re-visit old-school favorites. And when you think of Italian food, Bella Monica is often mentioned by Raleigh locals. This long-time favorite has been part of the neighborhood for years and is known for its flat-breads and Italian eats. And luckily, I headed over for an early dinner on a Friday evening to catch up with a friend and their great Italian eats!

Bar at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Bar at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

The first thing you’ll notice about Bella Monica is that despite all the local kudos, it sits in a humble little strip plaza and doesn’t look like much from the outside. Their patio is enclosed by a temporary enclosure for colder weather and I’d have to guess that Bella Monica is just one of those local favorites that just grew over time. Stepping inside I was immediately greeted by the host and brought over to a window table. The dining room is a bit tight with a cozy bar in the corner and wine rack behind it. Bella Monica is one of the closer dining spots to PNC Arena which is why the place is unusually busy, reservations are recommended for most evenings.

Focaccia at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Focaccia at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

After my guest shows up, we put in orders for our drinks and Bella Monica’s famous focaccia is brought to the table. The focaccia is a beautiful square of plump baked goodness served with some olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of onions-chives on top. It’s a tasty start and could be a meal in itself according to my dining companion. We put our orders in and we’re doing the beef carpaccio appetizer along with the chicken parmigiana for my main!

Beef carpaccio at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Beef carpaccio at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

As we’re waiting for our appetizer, I scan the room and it’s a very diverse crowd. Couples, families, dates trying to get to PNC arena. It’s the type of crowd you get when you’ve been running a good restaurant for many years. Shortly the plate of carpaccio comes out and it’s a bright dish of thinly sliced beef topped with spicy arugula and parmesan shards. A bit of olive oil completes the dish and it’s a nice palate cleanser before we move on to the rest of our meal.

Chicken parmigiana at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — Chicken parmigiana at Bella Monica and its covered patio in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

My plate of chicken parmigiana is brought to the table and it looks classic. A portion of spaghetti smothered in a bright red marinara and sprinkled with some parsley. It’s a generous portion of very tender and nicely fried chicken breast over al dente pasta and a bright red sauce, very nice! But of course half the meal goes home with me, even if I COULD have eaten it all in one sitting.

Service is excellent at Bella Monica, the staff is very gracious and responsive to all the questions coming from the table and they’ve got a busy dining room. Over the course of the evening we also chat with the chef a bit and learn of a new Bella Monica restaurant (Stellino’s) being opened at Parkside Town Commons in Southwest Cary. And given how busy Bella Monica is, it makes total sense for them to open up another outpost in the Triangle. While part of me wishes they would expand their restaurant in Raleigh, it just wouldn’t be the same for the time-tested formula of great Italian eats in a cozy family setting.

Bella Monica

3121 Edwards Mill Road

Raleigh, NC 27612

919.881.9778

Location on Google maps

March 10, 2018 by Ron Wen

Retake: Poole’s Diner for Classic But Uplifted Southern Fare For Over 10 Years!

Front of Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

When you talk about restaurants that have helped define the Raleigh food scene, it pretty much starts with Poole’s Diner. While there are older, more established restaurants, it was Ashley Christensen and Poole’s Diner that put the Oak City on the map and in the national foodie landscape. And after Chef Ashley won a James Beard award in 2014, things REALLY took off. Oddly enough, my first meals with her were not at Poole’s Diner but at the old Enoteca Vin which closed down in 2009. Given how much I eat out, I also admit to being more of a fan of her lower-tier restaurants like Beasley’s and Chucks. While I have always enjoyed my meals at Poole’s, the popularity and lack of reservations always threw me off a bit. But I decided it was time for a re-visit to Poole’s Diner to see how well it had held up over the years.

Dining room at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Dining room at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Seating and chalkboard menus at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Seating and chalkboard menus at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re visiting for the first time just be aware that there are no printed menus at Poole’s (for the most part) given the seasonality of the dishes here. BUT since brunch has just re-started here at Poole’s Diner, they do have brunch menus at the table. We order up a slew of dishes to check out this new menu and chat over some wonderfully strong coffee as we wait for our meal. And as soon as the clock hits noon time, I order up a Pimms Cup as my adult bevvy for the meal!

Churros and Pimm's Cup at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Churros and Pimm’s Cup at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Croque madame at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Croque madame at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

First brunch item out of the Pooles Diner kitchen is their Mexican donuts, otherwise known as churros! These tasty rings are nicely fried and sprinkled with sugar. Tasty, crunchy and a good starter if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Next up is my croque madame which is dripping a thick, buttery hollandaise sauce. Thick slices of bread sandwich the ham, pop a fried egg on top and a sprinkle of chives and you’ve got yourself a meal. Great job here, Poole’s!

Shrimp and grits at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Shrimp and grits at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Angel biscuits with jam at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Angel biscuits with jam at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

And my friend’s shrimp and grits? Spectacular with a ridiculously silky texture. I’ve got to believe there is a LOT of cream in this dish. Spiked with tender mushrooms, we’ve got the big brunch winner here. Another wonderful brunch item is the fluffy angel biscuits! Nicely browned crust but soft and tender inside, they’re served up with jam and butter. The latkes we got on the side were not quite as good (over-fried) but what the heck you can’t win everything!

Crispy squid at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Crispy squid at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

On a separate visit for dinner, I stopped in before a show at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium which is tough given how popular Poole’s Diner is. There’s a pretty long line already at 5:35 and it takes a bit of time to get seated. For our meal we go with the crispy squid with fried pickle and Korean aioli, Ashley’s famous macaroni and cheese along with a short rib dish and side of greens. The fried squid is excellent but a bit salty, showing off a light and crunchy coating along with some spice from the side sauce.

Macaroni and cheese at Poole's Diner in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Macaroni and cheese at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But of course the GoTo dish at Poole’s Diner is their famous macaroni and cheese! Served in a piping hot porcelain dish, this beauty totally shows it off at the table, domed with a wonderfully browned crust. Dig your spoon in and scoop out luscious elbow macaroni covered in warm gooey cheese. A true carb classic that will warm your heart and tummy. (Chef Ashley has shared the recipe for the famous Poole’s Diner macaroni and cheese if you’d like to try it at home.) The short rib dish and greens we tried for that dinner were also excellent and well prepared.

So what can I say but Poole’s Diner is hitting its 10th anniversary in stride serving up creative and tasty comfort food for the Raleigh crowds. The restaurant is well put-together across all three phases of the dining experience (food, service, ambiance) and consistently delivers a great experience outside of some small misses in some of the dishes. And given the popularity of Poole’s Diner, beware of the noise and volume in the dining room, it’s not a quiet experience. But all the national accolades are well deserved for this classic downtown restaurant and I’m pretty sure you’ll agree after dining here for brunch OR dinner.

Poole’s Diner

426 S McDowell Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.832.4477

Location on Google maps

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Retake: Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh for a Classic Philly Cheesesteak Experience