Breakfast Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

September 2, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

A Trip to the Daily Planet Cafe and NC Museum of History

Front of the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Changes over at Rocky Top Hospitality has led to a smaller group of restaurants being led by their management team: Dean’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Twisted Fork and the Daily Planet Cafe. Over the long holiday weekend, I finally decide to take a quick visit to the Daily Planet Cafe which is located in the same area as the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Out front, the Daily Planet Cafe has a large open patio, inside it opens up to a large modern interior but keeps things pretty simple with a order and pick-up at the counter system.

Mod interior of the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

As with most museum cafe’s, the Daily Planet has a pretty basic menu that’s meant to please young families and kids. A small menu of breakfast options (eggs, meat, grits, hash, french toast) along with some sandwiches, salads and wraps for lunch. I order up a 4-item breakfast plate ($9) along with a cup of coffee which puts me at about $11. I get a buzzer, head over to the coffee bar and sit tight. The Daily Planet is mostly self-serve for your drinks, cutlery, napkins and such so it’s a super casual spot. But the inside is quite nice, open and airy and the coffee’s very good!

Breakfast plate at the Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

About 10 minutes later, my buzzer goes off and it’s time to grab my breakfast tray. A nice plate with two perfectly cooked eggs, a small cup of fruit, sweet potato slices and sausage patties. It’s a solid breakfast and some items to take note. The sweet potato hash is nearly like sweet potato chips with sauteed peppers and onions along with a dash of syrup. Interesting and different, I imagine little kids (and me) really enjoy this combo! The sausage and fruit were fine, nothing special but I admit to preferring sausage links. The patio is a great covered spot for an outdoor meal so Daily Planet Cafe is an interesting dining alternative in this hood. Perfect if you’re visiting either of the two museums here but I’ll have to come back for their lunch menu since breakfast fell into the it’s just OK category.

Front of the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

But after breakfast, a trip the the NC Museum of History rocked it out! Open to the public with no entry fee, it houses a large exhibition of NC history through the years. Covering everything back to pre-European settlement, you wind your way through Sir Walter Raleigh, Blackbeard, slavery, native-American re-settlement, the Civil War, Depression WWII and more. It’s an impressive display of items and stories that every North Carolinian should visit at one point and time. And it really sets the back-drop for where the state is today. Further upstairs are displays on NC sports history, more wartime memorabilia along with a clay pottery exhibit. I’ll have to come back with more time to really absorb the place.

Wright flyer at the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Confederate display at the NC Museum of History, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

All in all you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Daily Planet Cafe, NC Museum of History and NC Museum of Natural Sciences! Just north of the state capital, these wonderful spots can make for a great 1/2 day visit and you can do it all on a budget. Good food, great history and knowledge can be had if you just make a bit of an effort. So come on down for a visit!

The Daily Planet Cafe

121 West Jones Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.707.8060

The Daily Planet Cafe menu

Location on Google maps

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January 2, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Waffle House for Heart-Warming Southern Eats

Front of Waffle House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Front of S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ll confess that given I grew up outside of the North Carolina area, so I had NO clue about Waffle House. I was always more of a Denny’s or IHOP sort of guy when it came to greasy breakfasts but it would be a mistake not to put Waffle House on the list of great casual breakfast and lunch joints. Around for over 60 years, the Waffle House has been an iconic diner for the Southeast with that famous yellow and black lettered sign. They specialize in down-home breakfast and lunch eats, perfect for fueling up for a long day of activities if you’re on the road. And given they’re open 24 hours a day, it’s hard to find an excuse NOT to eat here every once in a while when the mood hits you. Well as a newbie, I’m still learning about this Southern diner classic and so far, so good! Especially those hash browns….

Counter at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Counter at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Having stepped into several Waffle Houses (GA, SC, NC) at this point in my life, the experience is usually pretty consistent. Inside Waffle House and you’ll usually find a lot of noise and activity given their popularity with the locals. Open kitchen with counter seating to watch all the action. Rows of booths with vinyl benches and formica tables lined up against plate glass windows, Waffle House is the quintessential Southern diner experience. You’ll be handed over a laminated, plastic menu by a very seasoned waitress who affectionately calls you honey or sweetheart and gets you started with a coffee or soft drink.

Waffle House menu - nctriangledining.com — Waffle House menu – nctriangledining.com

The menu is pretty basic, listing the usual breakfast favorites ranging from eggs, bacon and sausage to their always-famous, hash browns!! Why the hash browns? The Waffle House does a hash brown with shredded potatoes and then you customize the sh** out of it! You can add cheese, gravy, onions, ham, tomatoes, mushrooms and more using the Waffle House hash brown code (scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, etc…) And yes, there’s American cheese on a lot of the food here so you won’t go home hungry! And pretty much everything is under $10 outside of the steak options.

All-Star special at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — All-Star special at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

Pecan waffle at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Pecan waffle at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

I’ve had the chance to sample several items off the Waffle House menu, from breakfast to lunch and it’s all pretty solid! For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with their All-Star Special: Two eggs, breakfast meat, grits, and toast along with one of their famous waffles ($7+). I’d recommend upgrading to hash browns and trying the fluffy and crunchy pecan waffles to get the full experience. My sunny-side up eggs were cooked perfectly and loved the hash browns topped and covered (chili and American cheese). There’s a LOT of food here so take your time!

Texas bacon cheesesteak melt at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham - nctriangledining.com — Texas bacon cheesesteak melt at S. Miami Blvd Waffle House in Durham – nctriangledining.com

For lunch I’ve tried their Texas bacon cheesesteak melt which takes two thick pieces of toast and stuffs it with thinly sliced beef, grilled onions and some bacon. A bit heavy on the salt but definitely a satisfying sammich. Paired with some hash browns melted with American cheese and onion and you’ve got yourself a meal! Just don’t plan any after lunch meetings after this onion-filled lunch.

So what can I say but Waffle House, you really hit the spot. While the menu is a bit small compared to other diner options, what Waffle House serves up is really good. And the service is usually super-friendly and personable. It’s a dependable dining option that’s open 24 hours a day, which is pretty impressive. There’s even a Waffle House Disaster Index which rates the severity of a disaster by the local Waffle House status. If Waffle House is closed, you know it’s REALLY bad out there. Rock on Waffle House, I’m not sure when I’ll be back but you can be sure that I’ll be getting those hash browns again…

Waffle House

2,500 various locations in the Southeast

May 16, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: William’s Gourmet Kitchen in Durham

Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

If you’re familiar with the RTP office area for work, you know that it’s hard to find good eats! But who wants to sit in the office cafeteria or eat at your desk? So over the past two years, I’ve been on a mission to find the best eats in the area given that I work in the hood. One restaurant that always seemed to elude my grasp is William’s Gourmet Kitchen. And while I had seen stellar online reviews for this eatery, I had never made it over until a co-worker suggested it for a lunchtime visit. And now I understand what all the hub-bub is about after a couple of lunches at William’s Gourmet Kitchen!

Counter at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Counter at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

One of the reasons why I hadn’t been to William’s Gourmet Kitchen is its somewhat hidden location. While it sits on a prominent corner of 55/54 in S. Durham, it’s setting is somewhat sunken and out of view. Thankfully you can see the top of their building and their signage peeping out if you keep your eyes peeled. As soon as you pull into William’s busy parking lot, you can tell it’s a popular RTP lunch time spot given the dearth of parking spaces. A bit of patience might be needed to catch a good space.

Dining room at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Dining room at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

Inside William’s Gourmet Kitchen you’ll find a bright and casual dining room along with a covered patio to the side. There’s a smattering of booths and two-tops for dine-in but I’m guessing that William’s Gourmet Kitchen does quite a bit of take-out. Two cashiers are at the ready to take your order! Menus overhead display a great selection of sandwiches, salads, burgers and small plates. A small chalkboard menu up front also offers the weekly specials, Monday to Friday. Most sandwiches are in the $7 to $11 range and you can make it a meal (drink, side) for an additional $3 to $4 depending on side. Put your order in, grab your cup and number, it’s time to wait!

Turkey and cranberry sandwich at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham - NC Triangle Dining — Turkey and cranberry sandwich at Williams Gourmet Kitchen in Durham – NC Triangle Dining

While William’s Gourmet Kitchen is usually busy, their kitchen is pretty fast with my meals taking maybe 10 minutes to come out. Over the course of my two visits I’ve tried out a thick, stuffed turkey sandwich on pumpernickel with cranberry sauce, provolone and tomato. A quirky take on the classic Thanksgiving sandwich. And a fantastic honey-stung chicken sandwich! Think of a perfectly fried chicken breast, drizzled with honey, topped with LTO and a pickle all on a sweet brioche bun! William’s Gourmet Kitchen is really all about high-end sandwiches. While you won’t find kale, arugula or anything froo-froo here, they do the classics really well with fresh ingredients and in large portions.

Oh and don’t miss the beer-battered fries here, they are AWE-some! Service at William’s Gourmet Kitchen is efficient and a bit busy, they seem to be pretty distracted at times but get the job done. And in both my visits I was in and out in well under and hour which is a requisite for lunch. So rock on Williams Gourmet Kitchen! I now know why you’ve got all those great reviews and your food lives up to that top billing. It’s not cheap, it’s not easy to locate but if you’re willing to find Williams Gourmet Kitchen out in S. Durham, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised…

William’s Gourmet Kitchen

2114 NC-54 Higdway

Durham, NC 27713

919.806.0690

William’s Gourmet Kitchen menu

Location on Google maps

July 10, 2013 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

The Mecca in Raleigh for Old-School Diner Eats

Cool neon sign for the Mecca, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When you think of classic Raleigh restaurants, there are certain places that come immediately to mind: Roast Grill, Angus Barn and of course, the Mecca. It’s really hard to miss this place given it’s 20′ neon sign but for five years I did. I’d poke my head inside and couldn’t figure out what the place was about. And there would always seem to be something higher up on my ToEat list. But finally, I had a reason to stop in and I have to say it was an enjoyable experience! Not to say that the Mecca has amazing food or anything like that, but it’s like going back in time, just not nearly as cramped as the Roast Grill.

Front of the Mecca, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Interior at the Mecca, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Inside, the Mecca is all about polished wood booths, a diner counter with liquor bottles in back, the place can probably fit 30 or so people at most. You’re greeted as soon as you enter, it’s definitely a neighborhood spot that has got to have its regulars. We grab a booth and work through the plastic covered menus. Which doesn’t take long because the menu at the Mecca is pretty small, your usual diner classics like soup, salads, burgers, steak, some pasta and fried seafood. I go with the broiled cheeseburger steak which comes with fries and a salad for about $8 which is really reasonable.

Broiled steak cheeseburger at the Mecca, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Cheeseburger with fries at Mecca, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

About 10 minutes later my meal comes out and whoops, I’m a little surprised! My broiled cheeseburger steak is actually a ground sirloin patty with no bun, sniff. With a slice of American cheese melted on top, it looked like a meal for a 12 year old but hey, it’s my first time here so I just didn’t know. I watched my buddy dig into his thick, double-patty burger and let’s just say I was a little jealous but you know what? I didn’t need the extra calories anyhow. The steak itself was fine, lean, good flavor with a nice char taste, similar to what you might get at Char-Grill. The fries were well-browned and a nice accompaniment. My second visit was much better, I went with the standard cheeseburger which was well-grilled and a great deal for the price! I learned from my earlier mistake…

Service-wise, the Mecca is excellent. It’s a small place so you would expect it but that just adds to the diner feel by having old-school (not in age) waitresses with some flair. They serve their soft drinks in small glasses so decent service is necessary to keep em filled. All-in-all I do like the place. As much as I don’t see myself coming here too often, it’s a great little diner for those of you who live in the hood or if you’re in downtown Raleigh on a fun night out. Classic American eats at excellent prices with great service? Well, there’s always a place for that in my book but I know my tastes run to more spicy and ethnic. But I do appreciate the Mecca and what it’s about. A recent renovation added a large and beautiful dining room on the 2nd floor so even the Mecca is moving forward. They have got to be doing something right after 80+ years in business and it is definitely worth a visit for its classic feel and eats!

The Mecca Restaurant

13 E. Martin Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.832.5714

Mecca menu

Location on Google maps

November 1, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Barry’s Cafe in Cary for Casual Diner Grub!

Front of Barry's Cafe in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining — Front of Barry’s Cafe in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Located in the same plaza as my fave, Anvil’s Cheesesteaks, Barry’s Cafe is a classic and old-school eatery! Inside the discrete front facing you’ll find a double-sided dining room: cash register and counter to the right, booths and tables to the left. Firehouse paraphernalia hang throughout the space, an apparent homage to the firemen in the area. The best way to describe Barry’s is homey, you feel like you’re in somebody’s home kitchen or dining room. Our server takes our drink order quickly and I scan the menu, pretty basic grill eats but I go with the well-acclaimed burger with cheddar, lettuce and onion.

Cheeseburger at Barry's Cafe in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining — Cheeseburger at Barry’s Cafe in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Ten minutes later our food comes out and it all looks pretty good! A large burger with well-melted cheddar on top. So well-melted I couldn’t see the patty underneath. Along with some long, brown lightly seasoned fries, it’s time to eat! Barry’s burgers are excellent, large enough to require two-handed eating. Pretty sure the meat is ground in-house, the burger was tender and flavorful with a nice complement from the veggies. The fries were decent but probably your standard, good-quality frozen fries. I’ll have to confess to being spoiled by the fries at Chuck’s which are UH-mazing. My dining companion’s cheese steak looks excellent but not quite the traditional Philly cheese steak that drives me crazy.

Service at Barry’s is very good, our guy stops by several times and makes absolutely sure are glasses are always full. If I remember correctly, we were even offered a complimentary dessert which I passed on. Overall I like this place and if I lived in the hood, I’d definitely be back from time to time. With a classic diner feel, solid down-home menu and excellent service, you could do far worse than Barry’s Cafe. But I gotta confess that the cheesesteaks next-door will probably prove to be a huge hurdle.

Barry’s Cafe

2851 Jones Franklin Road

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.859.3555

Location on Google maps

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A Trip to the Daily Planet Cafe and NC Museum of History

First Take: Waffle House for Heart-Warming Southern Eats