NC State Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

December 11, 2016 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Best Restaurants Near NC State University – NCSU

NC State's Talley Student Center in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining — NC State’s Talley Student Center in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

If your kid is going to school at NC State or you just need to find a bite near campus, choosing a good restaurant option may be a bit tricky. Like any college area, the restaurants tend to be inexpensive and not so great given the typical student budget. But there are some decent options if you know where to look. And they tend to be the newer spots in Wolfpack territory!

The primary NC State campus is loosely bound by Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard to the north. And Gorman Street along with Pullen Road to the west and east. And then finally a newer part of campus intersected by Avent Ferry and Centennial Parkway to the south. In the NC State neighborhood you’ll find old-school favorites like Amedeos, Baja Burrito, Jade Garden, Subconscious, Sammy’s Tap and Grill, Ruckus Pizza… But my favorites are different and run the range from Chinese to Mexican, pizza and more. Most of these better dining choices are on the north side of campus and are a bit of a ride or walk. But totally worth it if you want to get away from casual college eats! Click on the restaurant link to get the full details…

Best Restaurants and Dining Near NC State University – NCSU

David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar (Chinese) – Tasty Chinese and Asian eats in a lovely and spacious dining room. Inexpensive and reasonably priced for lunch and dinner.
Gonza Tacos y Tequila (Mexican) – Fantastic interior and decor with solid Mexican eats: tacos, enchiladas, guacamole and more. A bit pricier than usual Mexican options but worthwhile.
NC Seafood Restaurant at the State Farmer’s Market (Seafood) – Large portions of fried and broiled NC seafood on picnic tables. Stop in after a visit to the Farmer’s market!
Neomonde (Lebanese) – A Raleigh classic serving up fresh Mediterranean eats ranging from salads, kabobs to pita sandwiches, casual setting.
Pisco Mar (S. American) – A newer, restaurant specializing in S. American cuisine: empanadas, lomo saltado, ceviche and more.
Players Retreat (American) – The long-time NC State meeting spot for subs, American comfort food and an amazing whiskey selection. Sit on the patio with friends in the summer.
so*ca (Latin American) – An upscale, fusion Latino restaurant offering up great cocktails, small plates and desserts. A bit dress with fantastic covered patio.
Sushi Nine (Sushi, Thai) – A basic spot for sushi, hibachi, Thai cuisine and more. Large private lot and conveniently located near PNC Arena.
Tazza Kitchen (Small plates) – A more upscale restaurant serving up European oven-fired small plates and pizzas! Great for smaller groups.
Trophy Pizza (Beer, pizza) – Fantastic beer and artisanal pizzas in a casual setting. Enjoy their patio when the weather is warmer, sometimes tough to get a seat.
Tupelo Honey Cafe (Southern) – An Asheville favorite in Raleigh. Southern classics with a twist, offers brunch, lunch and dinner throughout the week.

And if you’re willing to travel further afoot, head on further north to Cameron Village or further east to Raleigh’s Warehouse District where you’ll find even better dining options. Bon appetit!

David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar

Roti at David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar

Cool decor at Gonza Tacos y Tequila

Tacos at Gonza Tacos y Tequila

NC Seafood Market Restaurant

Seafood platter at NC Seafood Restaurant

Front of Neomonde

Fresh hummus at Neomonde

Kebabs at Neomonde

Lomo saltado at PIsco Mar

Front of Players Retreat

Dining room at Players Retreat

Entrance at soca

Crab mofongo at soca

Sushi rolls at Sushi Nine

Pad thai at Sushi Nine

Sausage-honey pizza at Tazza Kitchen

Trophy Brewing and Pizza

Daredevil pizza at Trophy Brewing

Dining room at Tupelo Honey Cafe

Shrimp and grits at Tupelo Honey Cafe

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April 9, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Sushi Nine, Raleigh- All the Asian Food Options Under One Roof

Sushi Nine in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sushi Nine in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a foodie on a budget, I definitely appreciate restaurants in all sorts of price ranges. From the high-end to the low-end, they all can bring something to the food scene in their own way. Take Sushi Nine for example. This large sushi restaurant off of Western Boulevard is one that I’ve driven by many times. Admittedly I’m usually leery about restaurants that are close to any college campuses, they often are pretty basic with their menu and ambiance. But here’s what to expect from Sushi Nine, solid sushi in basic environs at a good price. And there’s a place in my heart for that type of restaurant, no matter the cuisine.

Dining room at Sushi Nine in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Dining room at Sushi Nine in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re visiting Sushi Nine, parking is behind the building off of Whitmore Drive. It’s a big lot which gives you a hint of what to expect inside! There’s a small doorway at the back corner of Sushi Nine and in you go! Inside you’ll find a bar to your left and then a large open dining room in front of you. There’s the kitchen to the side along with the sushi bar and that’s about it. The space feels pretty utilitarian and basic, for better or worse. Polished concrete floors, exposed metal beams overhead along with some four-tops and metal chairs.

Sushi bar at Sushi Nine in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Sushi bar at Sushi Nine in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Once you get settled in it will take some time to review the expansive Sushi Nine menu. Like many other sushi restaurants in the area, Sushi Nine mixes up Japanese with Thai cuisine along with some hibachi, ramen, and Chinese dishes. It’s a bit of a mish-mash of everything Asian on the menu, probably to cater to the diverse NC State student body. But the bulk of the menu is sushi and Thai so let’s focus there! Entrees are in the $12 to $20 range with specialty sushi rolls from $12 to $18 and the rolls are BOGO to stretch your dollar.

American Dream and Firecracker rolls at Sushi Nine in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — American Dream and Firecracker rolls at Sushi Nine in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Pad thai with chicken at Sushi Nine in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Pad thai with chicken at Sushi Nine in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For my visits, I did sushi for one and Thai for the other to make sure I was able to try a bit of variety off their menu. Their pad thai with chicken was a healthy portion of rice noodles and chicken topped with a generous amount of bean sprouts, scallion, and crushed peanuts. The flavor was good, I could taste the tamarind that’s usually needed for this dish, but I do wish they had used a wider, rice noodle. This dish came out lickety-split, the kitchen at Sushi Nine is pretty fast!

For sushi, I prefer the specialty type rolls and went with the American Dream (tempura soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber topped with kani, tempura flakes, eel sauce, and wasabi cream and Firecracker (shrimp tempura, spicy scallop, jalapeno, and avocado topped with spicy tuna, spicy mayo, tempura flakes, and masago) rolls. They are sizable rolls and nicely packed with a good amount of fish and rice. The Firecracker had quite a bit of heat coming off of it in the form of fresh jalapeno slices. Overall I was plenty surprised at the quality of the rolls here and with BOGO and prices at $14 to $18, you can do a good quality sushi lunch for $20 to $25 with a beverage!

Sushi Nine was a pleasant surprise for me overall. It offers up good if not great sushi and Thai food and lower prices. Its convenient location off of Western Boulevard means it was also a great dinner option for me right before a show at PNC Arena. So rock on, Sushi Nine! You’re doing a lot of things right and dishing out excellent pan-Asian eats for the NC State crowd and beyond.

Sushi Nine

3812 Western Blvd

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.615.3100

Location on Google maps

February 8, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Cha House in Raleigh – A Relaxing Option for Boba Tea and Taiwanese Eats

Front of Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

In the world of boba (bubble) tea, you’ve now got a lot of options in the Triangle! From Vietnamese restaurants to Asian cafes to dedicated boba tea shops, most of these options did NOT exist in the area four years ago. But one of your better (best?) boba tea options in the area is Cha House. The original location opened up in Chapel Hill and I’d always try to make a stop when visiting the area. Thankfully, they’ve opened up a second location out in Raleigh along with a third in Cary but here’s what to expect!

Order area at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Order area at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in the Stanhope building, Cha House Raleigh is probably their biggest location! Part cafe, part eatery, part tea house, the modern space feels pretty organic with pops of green and plants around the space. And there’s definitely room to stretch out in for studying or meeting up with friends. Upfront for the counter order, you’ll find chalkboard menus covering a wide swath of Taiwanese based drink and food. From boba tea to rice plates, snacks, and more but all pretty delicious in my opinion. You can customize your boba in a thousand different ways at Cha House. From tea to toppings along with various types of milks along with the amount of ice and sugar in your drink! I think the quality of tea used at Cha House is a bit better than most other options in the area and their boba (tapioca pearls) have just the right amount of softness and chewy bite.

Menu at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Menu at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

After ordering up your eats you can grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. It usually takes 5 to 15 minutes to put your order together so it’s a good time to find your perch at Cha House. Communal high tops, window seating on the edges, and there’s even a funky little couch at the end of the space, set under white globe lighting. Cha House Raleigh is definitely a popular spot for the NC State student crowd and it’s easy to see why.

Dining area at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Dining area at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Some of my favorites are the standard milk tea (black or oolong) with boba and lychee for some fruity kick! The large diameter straw is key to slurping this concoction up. Also, the dirty tiger brown sugar tea is nearly like dessert in a cup. And while it apparently doesn’t have any caffeine in the drink, I’m pretty sure all that sugar and cream is going to keep you awake for a while!

Boba tea at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Boba tea at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But let’s face it, Cha House is focused on the cha (boba tea) but actually does a really nice job with the savory eats, too! The food menu runs from scallion pancakes to rice bowls and popcorn shrimp. The classic stewed tea serves up tasty, minced pork over rice with some steamed veggies and a soy egg. Super basic but wonderfully delicious. Or go with their popcorn chicken, perfectly fried and crunchy chicken pieces with a bit of salt and pepper for flavor.

Stewed pork rice plate at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Stewed pork rice plate at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Popcorn chicken rice plate at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Popcorn chicken rice plate at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

A fun and weird option si the popcorn chicken in a bubble waffle! The same crispy chicken nestled in a light waffle, topped with confectionary sugar and maple syrup. A hit of sweet and salty for the tastebuds, yum!

Popcorn chicken and waffle at Cha House in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Popcorn chicken and waffle at Cha House in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a boba tea fan, I really love having Cha House around in multiple cities (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary) of the Triangle. Given it’s a franchise situation, the locations vary a bit in terms of design, size, and specials based upon the owner’s interests. Which is fine by me, in the end the overall quality is consistent for all the Cha House locations but I admit to being partial to the Raleigh location given its proximity to me. Enjoy it for an afternoon snack, quick meal, and casual meeting spot with friends. Cha House Raleigh is a welcoming and tasty cafe for all!

Cha House – Raleigh

3001 Hillsborough St #108,

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.594.1980

Location on Google maps

April 5, 2013 by Ron Wen 1 Comment

Fresh Flavors Out of the New World, Neomonde in Raleigh

Front of Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When you think of healthy ethnic eats, Mediterranean usually comes to mind. Along with Japanese, I’ve always considered Medi food to be fresh, basic ingredients prepared with care. With lots of fresh veggies, olive oil and herbs for a little bit of flavor punch. And when you think of Mediterranean food in the Triangle, most people think of the long-standing Neomonde, located off of Beryl Road. Even though the location is a bit off the beaten path, Neomonde’s is usually very busy so beware if you need to get in and out for a quick meal!

Store at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Counter at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Out front, Neomonde’s entry way goes through a covered patio, great when the weather is decent. Inside you’ll find a small grocery area for Middle Eastern type food stuffs, baked goods and a counter up front with a cold table, salads and more. Put in your order if you want one of Neomonde’s wraps or sandwiches, you can grab a side off the cold table which is charged by weight. I order up a full beef-lamb shwarma (which also comes in half sizes) along with a side of roasted corn salad. Around the corner is a pastry case where you can get some sweets, of course I can’t resist a pistachio bird’s nest! You pay up, grab a glass and number, it’s now time to find a table.

Pastries at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Birds nest at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Service is decent at Neomonde but I’ve always found their grill items to take a bit of time. My shwarma takes about 15 minutes but thankfully I got to pick on my delicious corn salad that’s flavored with pepper, cilantro and more. The shwarma is two half-moons of pita bread stuffed with diced meat, tomato, onion, pickle, cilantro and marinated in lemon tahini sauce. The one challenge with Mediterranean fare is there are obviously a lot of countries in the region and each may do a particular item differently. Neomonde has Lebanese origins so expect as much. The shwarma is good, full of spice, tang and flavor but I admit to preferring a shwarma made with flatbread. The pistachio birds nest pastry was probably the highlight of my meal! Super crunchy, buttery with just the right amount of nuts and honey, awesome stuff. Overall a super flavorful and healthy meal!

Corn salad at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Beef-lamb shwarma at Neomonde, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

It’s really hard to argue with the formula at Neomonda: healthy, flavorful Medi eats prepared with love and care. But I admit that the crowds, cafeteria like setting and location make it less of an automatic choice for me. I prefer my meals on the hot side and Neomonde tends to favor cold items. However, if you’re hitting up the Raulston Arboretum next door, Neomonde is a great stop for a picnic lunch. The family that started Neomonde also runs Sitti which I reviewed earlier. And I admit to preferring to pay an extra $5 or so for my meal and enjoying the much more stylish and civilized setting downtown at Sitti. Odd to think that they may sort of be competing with themselves! So if you are in the area, Neomonde is definitely worth a visit if you’re willing to venture off of Hillsborough Street, bon appetit…

Neomonde Bakery and Deli

3817 Beryl Rd

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.828.1628

Neomonde Menu

Location on Google maps

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April 2, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Jade Garden, Trying Harder But…

Front of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to Chinese food, I’m just a little picky. Coming from a Chinese family and with a mom who was a fantastic cook means the bar is set pretty high for my Asian and Chinese eats. But I can appreciate everything from ethnic Chinese to Chinese-American and more. But there IS a line on the low end still. I had hit up Jade Garden when I first moved to Raleigh in 2008 in hopes of finding an inexpensive, fast Chinese-American take-out joint in the hood. Located on Hillsborough Street at the first circle, Jade Garden sits in an older set of store-fronts on the east side of Hillsborough. Online reviews say the place has been refreshed so it’s time for a re-visit after 6+ years!

Inside of Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Due to its tight and busy location, Jade Garden has a small lot on the side for patrons, maybe 9 or so spots. I park there and hoof it around the corner and up front there’s a sign proclaiming “Under new management.” So at least the online reviews got that part right. Same beaten up signage up front in yellow and green, it feels like an 80’s throw-back. Inside Jade Garden, the place has been refreshed. New carpet (I think), redone booths and some bright Chinese decor around the space. It’s a small dining room, maybe holding 20 people or so.

Egg-drop soup at Jade Garden, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I get seated at a booth and look at the lunch menu. $7 for a entree (10 or so choices) along with soup and eggroll. I go with the egg-drop soup and garlic chicken for lunch. Immediately a plate of fried won-ton noodles get brought over with sweet-sour sauce, old-school baby! But who can resist these crunchy, greasy noodle chips? The egg-drop soup is fine, a warm serving of broth with swirls of egg and not too much salt. Next the lunch entree comes up and it’s a decent portion of tender white meat chicken mixed with broccoli, zucchini, peppers, bamboo shoots and more. A small pile of brown fried rice and a commercial (probably frozen) egg roll. It’s your typical Americanized Chinese meal and the common theme I see in this style of food is a syrupy sauce, most likely requiring fructose, that seems to be a common denominator in this category of Chinese eats. It’s not awful but certainly not what any home-cook would normally use.

I finish my meal (most of it, sans egg roll) and pay up. Service at Jade Garden was sweet and attentive so thank you there! But the reality is that while Jade Garden has refreshed its interior, the food hasn’t changed much from what I remember. It’s still super Americanized, typical American-Chinese food. I would still prefer to hit up Peace China over at Seaboard in lieu of dining here and dealing with the parking situation. In the end, like many restaurants on Hillsborough Street, it’s designed to please college students and their basic dining needs. And there’s nothing wrong with that, just understand what you’re getting before you make an effort to get over here.

Jade Garden

1207 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.594.1813

Location on Google maps

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Best Restaurants Near NC State University – NCSU

Best Restaurants and Dining Near NC State University – NCSU

Sushi Nine, Raleigh- All the Asian Food Options Under One Roof