NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

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

  • NC Triangle Dining Food Blog
  • Home
    • Blog
  • Best Restaurants
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Raleigh, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Durham, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Cary, NC
    • Best Restaurants and Food in Chapel Hill – Carrboro, NC
    • Best Food Specials and Deals in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill
    • Triangle Top Three’s- Bars
  • News
    • New Restaurants and Bars, Coming Soon to the Triangle
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham
    • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2020 Edition
    • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2019 Edition
  • Index of Reviews
    • Cary Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Chapel Hill and Carrboro – Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Durham Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • Raleigh Restaurant and Bar Reviews
    • NC Video Reviews
    • Travel Reviews
  • Food Photos
    • Food Event Photos
    • Memorable Meals for 2019
    • Memorable Meals for 2018
  • About
    • NCTD Blogger- Ron Wen
    • NC Triangle Dining Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog Policy
    • Working with NC Triangle Dining
    • NC Triangle Dining Blog and Social Media Statistics

February 27, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Cook Out in RTP Delivers Great Grill Eats Indoors!

Front of Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Ok, I’ll confess that I’ve been to Cook Out like many people have in the Triangle but I’m glad to have had a chance to check out my FIRST Cook Out with a dining room, whoa. For those of you new to NC, Cook Out is a long-standing institution and late-night eatery where you can grab a burger, barbeque or hot dog to go and feed your late-night cravings. But normally cook-out is a To Go spot which is no big deal for the simple food they serve.

Dining room at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

In the end you usually deal with chowing down in your car or at a picnic table for your Cook Out because it’s such a darn good deal. And because the grill food they serve works well outside. But imagine my surprise when I hear there’s a new Cook Out in town and it’s got seating inside?! Go figure. So on a cold and rainy day, I head out to Cook Out RTP in Durham.

Order counter at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Order counter at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Out front from this Cook Out you immediately notice a difference. Instead of the typical black and neon signage, this Cook Out sports a bright red sign with red awnings. It feels a bit more modern and the same goes for the inside. The dining room here smacks of other fast food interiors: brown tiled floor, bench seating, Formica tables and a lot of yellow and orange. But who cares about fancy, you can eat inside here! The counter up front is smallish and has the same menu you’ll find at other Cook Outs. Everything feels familiar but just a bit different here. I order up the popular Cook Out tray with chicken tenders, corn dog and hush-puppies.

Chicken tender tray at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Chicken tender tray at Cook Out RTP, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

And it doesn’t take long. 10 minutes later I’m driving back to the office with my little Styrofoam container and the food here is just like the other Cook Outs. Perfectly fried tenders and hush puppies, a nice corn dog and good service to boot. I’m happy to say that everything you love about Cook Out stays the same here but now you’ve got the option to eat in. So thank you Cook Out RTP for providing your loyal fans with some indoor seating and AC. At least I hope they have AC here, we shall see…

 

Cook Out RTP

2103 Allendown Drive

Durham, NC 27713

Cook Out Menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Fast Food

January 12, 2015 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Bojangles for Fried Chicken, the Cheddar Bo Biscuit and Much Mo

Front of Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

In the world of fried chicken, you can say I’m a Bojangles fan.  Since I didn’t grow up around here, my favorites used to be Church’s and then Popeye’s.  But yes, living in North Carolina, you can bet your bo that I’m all about the Bojangles now.  It’s a guilty pleasure but most of my road trips over 4 hours involve a stop at a Bojangles for a biscuit or fried bawk bawk.  Oddly enough, I normally don’t do BoJo’s here in Raleigh since it just seems like overkill to me unless…

Counter at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Counter at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Yes, I had heard that Bojangles was running a limited three-month special, the Cheddar Bo!  Previously limited to a franchise operator in the eastern part of the state, the Cheddar Bo Biscuit was now available in all the Bojangles locations for the start of 2015.  A Cheddar Bo Biscuit petition started by Steve McQuaid forced Bojangles hand so we all get to enjoy this lovely treat. It was time for a visit to my local Bojangles out on Western Boulevard!

Dining area at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Dining area at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So while Bojangles is a franchise and chain, there are slight differences at each location that do make a difference.  The Western Boulevard Bojangles is a popular haunt for NC State students and its location right next to Cook Out mean you’re in fast food heaven.  Heading over to this location, be aware of the sharp, uphill right you need to take into the parking lot.  If you’ve got a stick, make sure you downshift into a lower gear to get into that tight uphill.  Inside Bojangles you’re met with a lot of orange and wood. I usually do takeout here but today I’m dining in.  Plenty of friendly staff on hand to take your order, I do a 2-piece dinner along with the Cheddar Bo, snarf!

Fried chicken at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Fried chicken at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

My tray is put together in a couple of minutes and the women staffing the counter are super-sweet.  Do you need condiments?  How about some ketchup?  For a fast-food joint, Bojangles is all Southern and polite, it’s definitely appreciated.  I drag my food over to a two-top, I’ve got a plate of fried chicken, my biscuit and some sweet tea, yum!  I’m just glad I went to the gym this morning!  Digging in you definitely appreciate the fast food eats here at Bojangles. $5.79 for the two piece meal with fries, $1.79 for the Cheddar Bo.  It’s not elegant eating, it’s not healthy but it’s darn tasty and you’d have a hard time replicating this meal at home.  The chicken at Bojangles is extra crispety and crunchy, well-coated with a bit of spice. Paired with the tender juicy chicken underneath, there’s a lot of yum going on here.  The Cheddar Bo lives up to expectations.  A salted, fluffy biscuit sandwiching warm, tasty cheddar cheese.  The cheese overflow is seared on the grill giving it a chewy texture on the edges.  All in all it’s a salty, gooey treat which will jack up your cholesterol count but well worth the effort.  And yeah the skin-on fries at Bojangles are also solid.

Cheddar Bo biscuit at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Cheddar Bo biscuit at Bojangles on Western Blvd, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

We’re not talking fancy, we’re talking delicious and cheap and I’m glad to have been converted to Bojangles fried chicken over my years in North Carolina.  I’m pretty sure it’s some of the best fast food fried chicken in the country and when you tie in the friendly and excellent staff, you’ve got yourself an easy and tasty winner.   Rock on, BoJo’s!

 

Bojangles Fried Chicken- Western Boulevard

3808 Western Boulevard

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.664.8613

 

Location on Google maps

Save

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Fast Food, Fried Chicken

May 31, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: It’s Krystal Clear Who Has the Best Sliders!

Front of Krystal in Brunswick, GA- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Krystal in Brunswick, GA- NC Triangle Dining

I have it as tradition that a couple of things always happen when I visit Florida for the holidays.  One, I visit my relatives down in Florida and offer to cook.  Very important.  Second and nearly as an important, is a stop by the local Krystal Burger in Georgia.  Why?  Well for some odd reason while Krystal is a fixture in the South, there are NONE in North Carolina!  What up?   We’re surrounded by neighboring states enjoying Krystal deliciousness and us poor Tarheels go without?!  Not fair Krystal.  And what’s so special about these mini-burgers?!  Well sit down my friend and let me tell you!

krystalpoolerga-chilicheesefriesslidersmeal

Krystal is to the South what White Castle is to the North, a purveyor of delicious mini-burgers (or sliders) that you can eat by the handful.  Located off I-95 in Georgia are two Krystal locations in Pooler and Brunswick, a quick pit stop on my trip down South.  I’m usually in a hurry to get to Florida so I do my order to go but have always found the service and cleanliness at Krystal to be excellent.  I order up their #3 combo, five cheese Krystals along with chili-cheese fries and a drink for about $7+.  Not cheap but if you ever get addicted to these little burgers you won’t think so.

 krystalpoolerga-slideropen

You get five little cardboard encased sliders, perfect for eating on the run.  Pull out that Krystal and you’ll have a little square, 2″ by 2″ fluffy bun with a thin slice of meat, onion bits, mustard and a single pickle.  Krystals are grilled along with the onions and the buns are steamed so it becomes a soft, mix of bread, meat and condiments, yum!  Three or four bites later, your Krystal is done and you’re on to the next one.  And the next one…  Krystal sells their burgers in sacks of 12 but I don’t recommend going THAT far.

krystalbrunswickga-chilicheesefries

In addition to the burger, I also received a small styrofoam container full of crispy fries slathered in meat chili and melty cheese.  Krystal provides you with a fork which you’ll need to eat these fries properly.  And it’s quite good, Krystal has nice meaty, potatoey fries and the chili has a nice cumin kick.  A forkful of fry, cheese and chili makes for a messy mouthful, especially when you’re rolling down the highway. But what can I say, it would be Thanksgiving for me without some sliders and fries.  And I have to confess, Krystal burgers are probably a step up from my old slider favorite, White Castle.  So don’t miss out on grabbing a Krystal the next time you’re in the Southeast.  Unless you happen to be in NC, booo!

 

Krystal Burger

65 Tourist Drive

Brunswick, GA  31520

 

Location on Google maps

Save

Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Burgers, Cheap Eats, Fast Food

Subscribe to NC Triangle Dining

Popular Reviews

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Raleigh – A Taste of New England Seafood in North Carolina

Chido Taco in Raleigh: Serving Up Tacos and Mexican Deliciousness

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

Don’t Miss

  • New Restaurants and Bars in Cary and Morrisville, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Durham, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Now Open
  • New Restaurants and Bars of the Triangle, 2020 Edition
  • New Restaurants and Bars, Coming Soon to the Triangle

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New Reviews!

  • A Look Back at the Triangle Food Scene in the Year of COVID
  • Purr Cup Cafe in Raleigh, a Haven for Coffee and Cats
  • Photos: Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard in Raleigh
  • Photos: Amber Flavors & Taste in W. Cary for modern Indian eats!

Connect with NCTD

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NCTD Email Subscription


Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework