southern Archives - NC Triangle Dining

March 18, 2017 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Retake: Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh for Classic NC Que

Front of Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

If you’re in the mood for barbeque, there’s nothing you can do but give in. Something about that smoked pork goodness and tang makes for such a satisfying meal. And one old-school barbeque spot that I haven’t been to in years is Ole Time Barbecue (note the “c” spelling). While it may officially be in Raleigh, it’s way out there in W. Raleigh near the Cary line which would explain why I hadn’t been there in years. But it was finally time for a re-visit!

Lunch counter at Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The one good thing about classic barbeque spots is that they usually don’t change much! Ole Time Barbecue still sits on the west end of Hillsborough Street and it’s hard to miss the place. Bright yellow awning, it’s low and narrow giving it a diner feel. Inside you’ll find a lunch counter to the right and small dining room to the left. Wood paneling, faux wood formica tables, the place feels home-spun and classic. We’re immediately greeted by a waitress and shown to a small bench four-top. The small dining room is packed with seniors and families, I’m pretty sure Ole Time Barbecue has a cast of regulars.

Dining area at Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The menu is pretty basic and simple at Ole Time: barbeque, ribs, fried chicken and a couple of other items along with 12 sides ranging from fried okra to green beans, mac and cheese and more. I decide to keep it simple and do the barbeque plate with baked beans and potato salad. A basket of hush-puppies immediately show up at the table and they are lovely. Nicely fried with tender corn meal and a little bit of onion, classic eats!

Hush-puppies at Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

And the barbeque isn’t far behind, the plates come out quick. I’ve got a nice portion of moist pork, a small cup of beans and scoop of potato salad in front of me. The barbeque here at Ole Time is decently done and not particularly spicy or vinegar’ed. There’s some hot and sweet sauces at the table and I’d probably recommend adding a bit of the sauce for flavor. The beans and potato salad are also fine if not memorable. All in all the meal reminds me quite a bit of Clyde Coopers Barbeque but Ole Time Barbecue’s remote location means I probably won’t be back again soon. While the food is solid and I love the old-school feel to the space and staff, there’s just not enough to pull me out here on a regular basis. But if you live in the hood, give Ole Time Barbecue a try! I’m pretty sure they will keep you happy and well-fed regardless of what you choose off their short menu.

Ole Time Barbecue

6309 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27606

919.859.2544

Location on Google maps

May 23, 2016 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Media: City Barbeque Comes to S. Durham Offering Great Smoked Meats!

Front of City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

You can bet I was excited when I got the invite to the media preview for the new City Barbeque in Durham! I’ve chased down que in Lexington, brisket in Texas and ribs in St. Louis but it’s always great to have a local spot for delicious barbeque. And as a fan of City Barbeque in Cary, I knew their food was pretty darn good but I welcomed the opportunity to be reminded of their great smoked meats and Southern eats, one more time!

Dining room at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Order area at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Up front I meet up with Corey, the regional marketing manager for City Barbeque. It looks like there will be a dozen or so lucky bloggers and media people here for the preview event. From the outside, the new Durham location looks very similar to Cary: low squat ranch-style building with rough-hewn wood giving the exterior a Texas feel. Inside you’ll find the order and meat prep area where your meals are made to order. A humble dining room paneled with barn wood where you can grab your drink, condiments and sides, City Barbeque has some great local touches here. Banners from all the local schools are pinned overhead, sports memorabilia and even some stadium seating from the old Durham Bulls Ballpark are up near the ceiling rafters!

Frank and Tim from City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Patio at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Up front our preview event is kicking off and we’re greeted by City Barbeque’s General Manager, Tim Zombech and Director of Training, Frank Pizzo. We’re given some backdrop on the City Barbeque story, (founded in 1999, 25+ company locations in OH, KY, IN with 3 in NC) and their passion for bringing all the great barbeque styles across the country for your dining pleasure.

Smoked brisket at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

After their presentation we set off on our restaurant tour starting off with the meat prep area. On the counter I spy two beautiful looking hunks of meat, a smoked brisket and pork butt. The meat is smoked for 12+ hours covered in the secret City Barbeque rub and it smells great! The brisket is cut against the grain for max tenderness and I’m pretty much salivating as samples are passed around. A quick taste and you get the happy eye-roll when the meat and fat hits your tongue, yum! Note that City Barbeque is not just a restaurant but can easily cater your group and corporate events.

Briskets in smoker at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Our next stop is the smokers. City Barbeque uses gas-fired beasties along with a lot of local hickory wood for a milder smoke flavor. It’s fun watching the briskets and ribs rotate on their racks covered in bark and one rib rack is pulled out to sample. Some sauce is slathered on and the bone I’m given is great! Good pink smoke ring around the edges and it’s cooked to tear off the bone consistency. Note: If you like burnt ends, try the Double Smoked Brisket TaQos!

Kitchen at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is the kitchen where they cook up favorite sides like potato salad, corn pudding, mac and cheese, hush puppies and more. City Barbeque Durham will also be doing local seasonal sides just for their location. And let’s face it, good meat needs to be paired up with great sides to make the meal complete, awesome! And in back of City Barbeque we’re brought to the wood loading side of the smokers where there’s plenty of hickory wood (from Hickory, NC) stacked up to give the meat that great flavor. As you can guess, we’re all pretty much starving now and ready to eat!

City Sampler plate at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The group heads into the dining room and we’ve got a fantastic display of City Barbeque’s plates and sandwiches. They’ve got the City Sampler, over-flowing with brisket, sausage and turkey, a great looking More Cowbell sammich with brisket, peppers, onions and provolone along with a beautiful smoked pork butt with fat cap on display. And then we head to our tables where the feasting begins!

More Cowbell sammich at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Chicken and ribs at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

We start off our meal with a large plate of smoked chicken and a slab of ribs, delish! The chicken is juicy and tender with a dark rub that works well. While the City Barbeque rub looks a bit dark and heavy, it’s actually got a mellow and milder flavor to it. We move to a plump, spicy sausage and great looking sliced turkey. The sausage reminds me of what I tried in Texas (beef-pork) and the turkey has a very visible smoke ring on the edges indicative of the low and slow smoking method.

Corn pudding at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

But of course man and woman can not live on meat alone. I sample quite a few of their sides and loved the crisp hush puppies and corn pudding. City Barbeque’s corn pudding does the custard and corn but adds crispy corn bread crumble on top, nice! The mac n cheese is also quite good with tangy cheddar flavor and the potato salad is super fresh, well-prepared and with a hint of sweetness. We end with a tasty peach cobbler for dessert, a perfect finish for barbeque…

Peach cobbler at City Barbeque in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

And as you can guess, we were all stuffed silly at this point and time. Boxes are handed out and leftovers are packed up in doggie bags (Thankfully I have no dog! Uhm, leftovers…) Thanks are extended to the City Barbeque team for throwing such a wonderful and filling media event for us. I’ve had the chance to eat on my own dime at the City Barbeque in Cary and my experience for this preview mirrors my meals there. City Barbeque is doing well above-average smoked meats with excellent quick-casual services. With meals in the $7 to $16 range, you should be able to enjoy their perfectly smoked meats and fresh sides without breaking the bank. So enjoy, enjoy it Durham! City Barbeque opens today (Sunday, 5/22). You’ve got a new contender on the list for best barbeque and smoked meats for the Bull City…

City Barbeque Durham

208 W. Hwy 54

Durham, NC 27513

919.237.9509

Location on Google maps

Save

April 12, 2016 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

First Take: Verandah at the New Mayton Inn in Cary!

Front of the Mayton Inn, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Boutique hotels seem to be popping up all around the Triangle of late. The 21C Museum Hotel and Durham Hotel out in the Bull City. The Aloft over on Hillsborough Street and now the Mayton Inn located in the heart of downtown Cary. And while I may never stay in the Mayton Inn since I’m a local, I had gotten wind of its restaurant, the Verandah. Dubbed as innovative, Southern-inspired casual fare, the menu looked interesting and their PR team had reached out to me. While I wasn’t able to work out a visit for their St. Patricks Day dinner, a friend wanted to check them out for lunch so off we go!

Lobby at the Mayton Inn, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

First thing to note that there is a LOT of construction going down on Academy Street right now and it may be tricky finding your way over. Parking is not that accessible for the Mayton so I ended up using a side-street across the way. (Note: The Mayton Inn also has free valet parking.) From the front, the Mayton has a classic look with brick facade and columns. Inside it feels quite luxurious and modern with a library, bar and the main Verandah dining room showing off high-end European decor. A bit posh but updated for today. The staff at the Mayton was very well-trained, greeting me as I traversed the hotel even though I was dressed pretty casually and not a guest.

Verandah bar at the Mayton Inn, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

We grab a seat at the more casual bar/lounge area which is decked out in dark woods and leather chairs. For lunch the menu is pretty simple at the Verandah: salads, sandwiches and plates, about 10+ items in total. Since we’re here visiting for the first time, I order up the chicken sandwich and burger to share while my friend goes with the butternut squash salad as his main. Prices for lunch are $12 and under, my sandwiches are offered with a salad or side of fries.

Butternut squash salad at the Mayton Inn, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

The crowd here is definitely a bit more mature and older as you would expect. Pretty much 35 and up in general. Our food comes out and the salads look excellent. Fresh greens, brightly punctuated with some contrasting veggies and add-in’s making for a visual feast. The sandwiches are both excellent. Loved their chicken sandwich which came smeared with an aioli and pickled green tomato. The chicken was very tender and the sandwich worked great with all the ingredients and sweet brioche bun. The burger was also solid, served with a bright orange pimiento cheese. A messy bite but quite good.

Side salad at Verandah at the Mayton Inn, Cary- NC Triangle Dining

As you would expect, service was excellent at the bar and I would expect that to be the case at any place in the Mayton Inn. The service levels here remind me of the Washington Duke Inn or Umstead, stellar! And I was pleasantly surprised by the food here. While the environment and service is quite upscale, the food was reasonably priced and well worth the effort. Would love to come back and try more off the dinner menu sometime soon. So if you can manage around all the construction on Academy Street or work locally in the area, check out the Verandah at the Mayton for some excellent Southern and American cuisine!

Verandah at the Mayton Inn

301 S Academy Street

Cary, NC 27511

919.670.5000

Location on Google maps

Save

March 26, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: A Delicious Picnic Full of Flavor and Southern Eats in Durham

Sign at Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

NC barbeque is one of those Southern, regional favorites that has to be treated with some respect. So I was excited to hear that Chef Ben Adams (formerly at Piedmont Restaurant) was opening up a new barbeque joint in northwest Durham. I had high expectations and always found his food at the Piedmont to be subtlety delicious. Great ingredients prepared with some talented hands and I was curious to see what Picnic would bring to barbeque. Unfortunately, Picnic’s location in a slightly remote corner of Durham meant it was going to require a special trip to sample his cuisine but where there’s a will, there’s a way! I had a great excuse for an early dinner (or really late lunch) and shot over to Picnic at 4pm on a Saturday. Here’s how it went down.

Front of Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

First thing to note is that Picnic sits right at the intersection of Cole Mill and Rose of Sharon roads and it’s a bit tricky trying to get in. Coming from the south, I had to drive by, do a u-turn and take a right into the first entrance (or do a semi-legal left across a double-yellow). The second entrance at the intersection had been chained shut. Out front, Picnic presents a classic barbeque restaurant store front: white-washed, old-school bulb signage with a covered patio. Even at the odd 4pm time, there’s quite a few folks in there. I imagine it must get crazy busy during prime-time hours. Picnic’s interior has a modern barbeque joint feel with an open kitchen counter and window to the left, bar to the back and small dining room up front for maybe 50+ people.

Dining room at Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

The staff is decked out in plaids, t-shirts and baseball caps, super casual and a bit hipster. My waitress shows up pretty quickly and you can tell she’s a pro, moving with efficiency and not missing much. I grab a seat front and center so I can check out the space, Picnic’s menu is short and tight with Southern standards like barbeque, fried chicken and fried fish. Picnic’s meats are supplied by Green Button Farm and it’s sustainable meats so no guilt necessary here! I quickly order up the combo plate of que and chicken along with a starter of the well-discussed deviled eggs. There’s a small list of beers and wines on the chalkboard in the dining room, it also looks like Picnic has a full bar which is a bit different.

Deviled eggs at Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

My deviled eggs show up pretty quickly, two paprika-sprinkled halves with some translucent onions atop. I take a bite and the egg is excellent. Dense whites with a creamy and tangy yolk, they hit you with some citrus flavors followed by the mellow base flavors. A decent deal at $3 for the app, definitely work these into your meal!

Barbeque plate at Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

My entree shows up and it’s a LOT of food! A good-sized portion of que, two pieces of fried chicken (wing and breast) along with two sizable cups for my sides (bacon braised collards, sweet potato puree). When I get a plate like this, I usually start with the sides and jump into the cole slaw! Super finely shredded, the slaw at Picnic is very fresh and light to the tongue, a good palate cleanser. Really love both the tender collards and sweet potatoes which are covered with roasted and chopped pecans, excellent. And finally the hushpuppies! Elongated with a crisp crust, the meal is finely ground and perfectly fried.

Fried chicken at Picnic in Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Moving on to the barbeque, Picnic goes with a longish shredded pork with a hint of spice and vinegar. It’s a really mellow que, I can pick up the smoke and the meat quality is excellent. I dab on some pig whistle sauce from the table for a bit more spice and flavor. I’m saving the fried chicken for last, it shows off a dark crunchy and thick crust. Spiced up with some paprika, the chicken is nicely cooked and even the white breast meat is moist. An excellent version of fried chicken that smacks of Southern goodness. A light hot sauce on the side makes for a great dipping sauce!

Service and ambiance at Picnic is casual but professional. The prices here aren’t expensive but probably a bit pricey by que shack standards. But with the quality ingredients used and the very subtle gourmet touches to the food, it still makes Picnic a very worthwhile visit. And I have to believe there’s a line for this place on a regular basis. Picnic reminds me a bit of what the Pit used to be when it first came out: a slightly gourmet and upscale take on Southern and North Carolina culinary classics, enjoy!

Picnic

1647 Cole Mill Road

Durham, NC 27705

919.908.9128

Picnic menu

Location on Google maps

December 1, 2014 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh: A Sneak Peek at Southern Deliciousness

I know it’s sort of odd but I have never visited Asheville so of course I haven’t been able to try their great beer or food, firsthand. So when the buzz started in Raleigh over the new Tupelo Honey Cafe near Cameron Village, I was caught pretty much unaware. Thankfully, an invite to their media day and preview dinner saved me a trip to the AVL and I got to experience what makes Tupelo Honey Cafe so popular! A first visit on media day to check out their space and then a second visit to experience their food and service. And you can sum it all up in three words: Great Southern Eats!

Honey comb sculpture at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC

Cool honey art at Honey Tupelo Cafe in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Tree trunk x-section at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

First thing you’ll notice from the outside is the great location Tupelo Honey Cafe holds down on Oberlin Road. On the corner of Oberlin and Clark, kitty-corner to the newly opened Faire Steak and Seafood. Given its corner spot, Tupelo Honey Cafe has a great sidewalk patio with lights strung out overhead and a gas fireplace in one patio section. For media day, we were served up some biscuits, jam and their signature rosemary peach lemonade, delicious! Inside you’ll find an even more impressive presentation in homage to Tupelo Honey Cafe’s roots. Weathered window frames hang between booths, a beautiful polished tree trunk table in the lounge area, low-hanging retro lamps hang from overhead. There’s a translucent honey-combed glass installation overhead at the entryway complete with blown glass honey drops, super impressive. And then a beautiful bar in back along with a clean open kitchen to the side where you can see all the culinary action ensuing. There’s obviously been a ton of money spent decorating this location and it’s a wonderful combination of rustic, modern, stylish and just right lighting. It’s a touch busy but all pretty pleasant to the eye. Media event attendees all received the latest Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbook which created a lot of anticipation for their upcoming preview dinner!

Country interior at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So on the Saturday before their official opening (12/1), I hoofed it over to Tupelo Honey Cafe. The place was glowing with lights out front and a light crowd already inside. I’m early so I grab a beer in back and while they will have a decent offering of NC beers, tonight they’ve only got two on tap right now. A Tupelo Honey rye ale is fitting to get tonight going! After a short wait we’re brought out to our table and handed a menu for the preview dinner. One appetizer to be shared, an entree each and a shared dessert should keep us quite happy. While they’re running a limited menu for tonight’s shake-down run, there’s plenty to choose from. We order up the Appalachian egg rolls, a shrimp and grits, crab cakes along with banana pudding to finish up the meal. While we’re waiting I check out the cocktail menu and they do have some nice option, all classics (margarita, Tom Collins, G&T) done with a twist, nice job Tupelo Honey Cafe!

Appalachian egg rolls at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Our Appalachian egg rolls arrive, six pieces served with barbeque sauce and dijon mustard, yum! They are REALLY well done with a crisp, non-greasy crust. Nicely stuffed with barbeque, greens, onions and carrots, I could eat a large plate of these rolls. Most of the appetizers at Tupelo Honey Cafe are in the $8 to $11 range and cover fried green tomatoes, fried okra and other Southern classics.

Shrimp and grits at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Moving on to the entrees, my shrimp and grits is a large plate of 7 plump shrimp, creamy goat cheese grits and served with a red pepper sauce. This plate of shrimp and grits are up there, possibly the best I’ve tried in the area and a large portion which makes me a happy boy! The grits are light on the goat cheese and has a balanced texture between creamy but shows off some of the corn grain underneath. The shrimp are perfectly tender and the red pepper sauce light and flavorful. Loved this plate but admit I wouldn’t have minded a bit of hot sauce shaken on top! My tablemate’s crab cakes look excellent but I don’t sneak a taste. Entrees at Tupelo Honey Cafe range from $14 to $20 with a couple hitting the high $20’s, about par for the course and for this area.

Crab cakes at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

And finally we move on to dessert, a cold banana pudding with the requisite vanilla wafers on the side. Very nicely done, would love a dollop of home-made whip cream (I think it was canned whip cream) but otherwise it was an excellent finish. With only two dessert choices I’m thinking Tupelo Honey Cafe will do a great job with both ($5.50 – $6.50).

Banana pudding at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Service was solid but since Tupelo Honey Cafe is in shake-down mode, I can’t and shouldn’t comment since tonight was all about figuring things out. But I can tell you that the staff is well-trained and ready to deliver a great Southern meal with warm hospitality behind it! And the bar is a great spot to grab a great NC beer and hang out if you don’t want to do a seated meal. Just be aware that they are still working on cell signal so your AT&T phone may not work at Tupelo Honey Cafe but they are working on it…

Kitchen at Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

All in all, I was very much surprisingly impressed with Tupelo Honey Cafe and want to say thank you for your hospitality and delicious eats. I had heard different things from my network but feel that the wait and anticipation for Tupelo Honey Cafe is well-deserved, The space is very warm and beautiful with great accent pieces representing their history and Southern heritage. The food is Southern but tweaked a bit for more modern palates and shows off some creativity. And it’s all quite delicious. The drink and beer list will also keep the Raleigh crowd happy given higher expectations for cocktails round here. And the patio will be awesome once the weather warms up, for afternoons or evening.

I’m pretty sure Tupelo Honey Cafe will be a huge hit here in Cameron Village and I’m looking for a return visit to try more from their menu. Parking is available in the 401 Oberlin parking structure with entry from Stafford or Clark Avenue. Best of luck with your grand opening and for those looking to visit in the near future, please be patient. While they’ve got a well-trained staff, every restaurant goes through growing pains and I would expect them here. But yeah, it’s worth the effort and for those lovely Appalachian egg rolls, bon appetit!

Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh

425 Oberlin Road

Raleigh NC 27605

919.723.9083

Tupelo Honey Cafe-Raleigh menu

Location on Google maps

Save

Retake: Ole Time Barbecue in Raleigh for Classic NC Que

Media: City Barbeque Comes to S. Durham Offering Great Smoked Meats!

First Take: Verandah at the New Mayton Inn in Cary!

First Take: A Delicious Picnic Full of Flavor and Southern Eats in Durham

Tupelo Honey Cafe, Raleigh: A Sneak Peek at Southern Deliciousness

First Take: soca Cocina Latina Offers Up Flavors From South of the Border

Media: Cortez Seafood + Cocktail Offering Up Fresh Flavors and Seafood to Raleigh!

First Take: Brewery Bhavana Now Open in Raleigh

NCTD Email Subscription

Connect with NCTD

NCTD Email Subscription