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

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Southern Restaurants

Looking for great Southern restaurants in the Raleigh Durham area? Get collards, mac n cheese fried chicken and more in this collection of reviews.

May 22, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Sam Jones BBQ Arrives in Raleigh Offering Up Top-Notch Barbeque, Ribs, and Sides

Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’ve spent any time in North Carolina, you quickly learn about the area’s passion for barbeque! And whether you’re a fan of Eastern NC barbeque or Western NC barbeque, you’ll have legendary que shacks that you just have to try and check out. Skylight Inn is one of those barbeque classics and third generation pitmaster Sam Jones is part of that barbeque legacy. With his original restaurant in Winterville and now his newest location in Raleigh, you don’t have to travel very far to try out his top-notch whole-hog barbeque that’s smoked over oak. Located a couple of blocks away from the Red Hat Amphitheater, you’ll find his delicious smoked meats and Southern sides just a stone’s throw away from the downtown action. Given the restaurant opened up during the pandemic, the first couple of meals I did at Sam Jones BBQ were take-out but recently I got in for a seated meal. Here’s what to expect if you visit!

January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in a newly growing neighborhood of Raleigh, Sam Jones BBQ sits amidst some brand new apartment buildings, condos and not too far from the ever popular, Boulted Bread. Inside you’ll find a very similar space to his original restaurant. The interior is basic and Southern with a concrete floor, painted wood and a marble dining counter-top snaking along the back of the space. There’s a smallish dining space inside along with a private room upstairs but where I’d imagine you want to eat at is one of the sidewalk tables up front or a table on the side-patio! Sam Jones BBQ is fast-casual, order upfront and the food is brought out to you. However, if there’s a line up front, you can work around it by just dining at the bar in back.

Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Prices at Sam Jones BBQ are a touch higher than the Winterville location, from $7 to $16 and you can choose from all the usual favorites: smoked pork barbeque, turkey, chicken, and ribs. Dine on your smoked meat in plate or sandwich format along with some wonderful Southern sides like collards, mac n cheese, baked beans and more. Plates come with corn bread or my favorite, the sweet potato muffin! There’s also a handful of salads and non-smokehouse items on the menu, choose from a chicken club, burger, fish sandwich or pimiento cheese sandwich.

Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.comPork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a starter, I’m a fan of the smoked wings! Slicked with some barbeque sauce, it’s a perfect way to get your meal started, sans pork. But given we’re in North Carolina, the pig reigns supreme and that it does at Sam Jones BBQ. The smoked ribs are excellent here, lean and meaty, cooked so they pull easily from the bone. And of course the barbeque! Going back to their Skylight Inn origins, Sam does a wonderful lightly chopped que. I’ve seen him prepare this barbeque at media events and they work in bits of cracklin’ into the meat for some crunchy texture. AND I’m pretty sure they work in more drippings in to keep the meat moist and full of umami. I think the barbeque here is as good as any you will get in the Triangle.

Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
 Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Beyond the smoked meats, I also really appreciate the Southern sides at Sam Jones BBQ. The collards are perfectly cooked leaving some texture and shape to the greens. The baked beans are loaded with ground meat, cowboy-style. And that sweet potato muffin just tops the whole meal off. You definitely get a lot of food eating here! As a bonus, the beer list is pretty solid, offering more than basic domestic brews for your meal bevvy. And the desserts? To die for…

Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Overall I’ve been very impressed by what Sam Jones BBQ is putting out. It’s not that easy to open during a pandemic but they handled things with aplomb. From their perfectly smoked meats, well prepared Southern sides to the friendly service, I doubt you can go wrong here. It sort of reminds me a bit of what the Pit used to be like when it first opened up. So welcome to Raleigh, Sam Jones! It’s great to have you in town along with your wonderful food.

Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sam Jones BBQ, Raleigh

502 W. Lenoir Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

984.206.2555

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: NC Barbeque, Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center, Southern Restaurants

August 24, 2019 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey in Raleigh for Southern Eats and Goodness

Front of Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

“Don’t buy into the hype”, that was the thought rolling through my head on my first visit to Beasley’s Chicken and Honey. I had eaten at Pooles Diner, Ashley Christensen’s well-acclaimed flagship restaurant but people were REALLY excited for her upcoming trifecta of gourmetness on Wilmington Street. Beasley’s was designed to deliver solid comfort food with the Christensen twist but at much lower price points. While I enjoyed my first couple of visits to Beasley’s I really wasn’t blown away. Comfort food is just that, simple basic food that warms the heart but is rarely super interesting in my eyes. The menu was so short and the food came out so quickly, I was concerned the menu was designed for efficiency over a great eating experience. So Beasley’s fell off my list of restaurants to dine at for a while.

Interior at Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
 Chalkboard menu at Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Chalkboard menu at Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Fast forward to a couple of months back. Friends that I trust are talking up Beasley’s chicken and Sunday brunch options. Looks like it’s time to come back for a visit and yes, I think things have improved a lot at Beasley’s. While I’m still not a 100% sold on the communal table idea, the place has a great feel and I ended up eating at the bar again. The menu’s been expanded to include some bar bites and there’s just more choices which is great. For appetizers we start off with a fried Carolina shrimp with a smokey remoulade (mayonnaise based sauce). Out comes a plate of crunchy fried shrimp, nearly like a tempura: very lightweight coating with a lot of texture. Dee-licious! The shrimp are plump and tender, dab some of the very smoky sauce on top and you’ve got yourself a wonderful bite.

Carolina shrimp at Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Carolina shrimp at Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Chicken plate at Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Chicken plate at Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

While my cousin ordered up the quintessential fried chicken, I went with the meatloaf (berkshire pork shoulder) and mashies. Out comes a medium-sized bowl with a nice, thick seared piece of loaf, drizzled with gravy and on top of a bed of mashies. Loved the meatloaf, I believe it was fried on the griddle giving it a bit of a snappy crust before giving way to the meatiness underneath. The gravy makes for a nice savoriness and the mashies were decent but could have been whipped up a bit better. Overall a great comforting bowl of meat and potatoes, I definitely enjoyed this dish. The side of succotash with fresh butter beans was awesome, a melange of well-cooked and seasoned veggies.

Meatloaf at Beasley's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Meatloaf at Beasley’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Smashburger at Beasley's Chicken and Honey in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smashburger at Beasley’s Chicken and Honey in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Frites at Beasley's Chicken and Honey in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Frites at Beasley’s Chicken and Honey in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

I had plans to do the silk chocolate pie with soft cream but just could not make it to the final course. Portion-size at Beasley’s is decent so maybe next time. And with very reasonable prices the place really hits the mark for a casual meal. The place was bustling but service was still solid and helpful, they do a great job here. So Beasley’s, way to step up your game and change up the menu a bit. While the fried chicken is still quite good, I love having some additional entree choices. So I have to tip my hat to Chef Christensen, fantastic job making your food delicious and accessible to everybody!

 

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey

237 S. Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.322.0127

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Best, Fried Chicken, Pie, Southern Restaurants

June 16, 2012 by Ron Wen

First Take: Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen in Cary

Front of Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

Over on Tryon Road, I’ve been dying to try Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen!  The story behind the name Lucky 32 is that the founder/owner’s father owned a race car with the number 32 and voila! Restaurant name. Finally I was able to stop by with some co-workers for a nice lunch and let’s just say that Lucky 32 is Southern cuisine, plus.  In front they’ve even got a small stand of produce that you can purchase from, nice touch!  The inside decor of Lucky 32 is classic and stylish, full of tans and ambers, high ceilings and a large open dining room.  It’s an impressive looking, open dining room, great for a business lunch.

Sitting in the side room we ordered it up pretty good, starting with some sweet-potato hush-puppies, voodoo pig bread (yes, you heard that right) and I did an entree of Southern fried catfish. The voodoo pig bread is a Lucky 32 special: ciabatta with pulled pork, chevre cheese, onions and cilantro, very tasty!

Cornmeal crusted catfish at Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining
Cornmeal crusted catfish at Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

And my main of corn-meal fried catfish was nicely prepared, cooked until just tender with a nice, non-greasy crust.  My favorite of the meal was the lightly whipped sweet potatoes although the cheese smothered broccoli was great too.  The sweet potato hush-puppies, I wasn’t so fond of, they were a bit dense and maybe over-fried.  Now I have to say that Lucky 32 does a very nice job with their food preparation, all the dishes are prepared with care.  But I also have to confess that I’m not a huge fan of this style of food, my taste buds lean towards more flavor and more spices.  Lucky 32’s focus is on well-prepared Southern seasonal which only gets me so excited.

Chicken sandwich at Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining
Chicken sandwich at Lucky 32 in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

Service-wise Lucky 32 is excellent, very well-trained staff that knows how to handle their tables, this place reminds me of 18 Seaboard which has a similar menu and also delivers great service.  So if you’re in the area and need to do a business lunch, I’ve got you a place!  I am really glad to have finally made it over to Lucky 32 and it’s a really decent dining spot.  Now if I can only make it back over here for their Wednesday Skillet Chicken night, I’m pretty sure it’ll be sometime soon!

 

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

7307 Tryon Road

Cary, NC 27518

919.233.1632

 

Menu at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

Location on Google Maps

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Filed Under: Cary, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Fried Chicken, Southern Restaurants

December 1, 2012 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Retake: Acme Food & Beverage in Carrboro for Brunch!

Front of Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining

When I used to live in Carrboro, Acme Food & Beverages used to be a favorite of mine for brunch but moving out of the area means I haven’t been back for a long time.  Fast-forward to this weekend and I’m in Chapel Hill to tour the area and it’s time for a re-visit!  Acme is one of the better restaurants in an area known for college food, pizza and pitas.

Focused on seasonal Southern fare, the place is usually busy and a bit pricey for dinner in my eyes.  Inside, the space feels like a sophisticated cafe, casual with a hint of formality with the staff in aprons.  We grab a seat out back in the patio which is a veritable garden decorated with a farmish feel. And elaborate water sculpture near our table bubbles away happily,  we order up the famous coffee cake along with some benedicts as the mains.

Warm coffee cake at Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining
Warm coffee cake at Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining

The coffee cake comes out and it’s everything that I remember: light, moist and plated with some thick whip cream and drizzled in some raspberry sauce.  Definitely a must-order when you visit!  My eggs benedict with soft-shell crab comes with some potatoes roasted in a tomato-pepper sauce along with a nice salad.

 Crab benedict at Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining
Crab benedict at Acme Food in Carrboro, NC Triangle Dining

The crab is a bit greasy but nicely fried with a bit of crunchy seafood texture.  Paired with the crunchy muffin, lightly poached egg and buttery hollandaise sauce, yum-mee!  Definitely a solid brunch plate but a bit pricey at $15.  But what can I say?  With the great garden decor, above-average brunch eats and professional service, Acme Food continues to deliver a great experience.  If I still lived in Carrboro it would still be on my weekend restaurant rotation, rock on Acme!

 

Acme Food & Beverages

110 East Main Street

Carrboro, NC 27510

919.929.2263

Menu at Acme

Location of Google maps

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Filed Under: Chapel Hill, Local Information, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Brunch, Southern Restaurants

June 8, 2013 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

NOFO in Raleigh for Southern Brunch and Culinary Knick-Knacks

NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

If you spend a lot of time on S. Glenwood, you may not entirely think about visiting Five Points which lies just a half mile north of party central.  Quaint, cute and tidy, Five Points hosts a bunch of little shops and restaurants that fall into the category of old school Raleigh to me.  Lilly’s, Hayes Barton Cafe, and the Rialto along with the somewhat hidden NOFO!  While you’ll certainly notice the fluorescent NOFO sign at night, during the day the narrow front and back entrance to this restaurant can easily escape the eye.  And that’s a shame because it’s a slice of Southern culture that should not be overlooked.  Inside, NOFO is a two-level space with a restaurant-cafe in the lower level, retail shop on the top level with a handful of tables for overflow diners.  We stopped in for brunch as a group of Yelpers and take note, NOFO serves brunch on both Saturday and Sunday which is nice if you need a mimosa before noon time, blue-law restrictions!

Coastal benedict at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Coastal benedict at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Pork shoulder hash at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Pork shoulder hash at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

They’ve got a nice assortment of breakfast and lunch sandwiches on the brunch menu, I went with the Coastal Benedict: two poached eggs with country ham over crab cakes and covered with hollandaise.  Our table of eight ordered quite a few menu items so I got to see a lot of what NOFO had to offer, I was really tempted by the barbeque hash plate but maybe next time!  My Coastal benedict comes out and it looks great.  Note, there’s no english muffins for this dish, the crab-cakes take the place of the muffins which I missed.  The eggs were perfectly poached with a liquidy yolk, the thinly cut ham was quite salty and it all worked pretty well with the crab-cake.  The side of fruit and small biscuit were decently done, a nice overall brunch plate.  Throw in a coffee and $5 mimosa and I was a happy boy!  Service was very good and attentive, kudos here. NOFO is quite busy and I’m guessing attracts mostly Five Point locals.  I live within a stones throw of this place but it was my first visit in over six years of living in the hood.

Cool light at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Cool light at NOFO in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

After the brunch we wandered around upstairs in the retail section where NOFO sells everything from coffee to clothes, chocolates, sweets and more.  Vaguely reminds me of a mini Southern Season but of course only a small portion of that place.  Overall I’d have to give NOFO a solid rating as a brunch spot.  Decent, comfortable, just don’t expect anything too mind-blowing.  The food was well-prepared and service was spot-on which is always nice.  I guess NOFO reminds me a bit of my experiences at 18 Seaboard.  A solid Southern eatery that you bring the parents to.  A safe choice that will keep most everyone pretty happy, bon appetit!

 

NOFO at the Pig

2014 Fairview Road

Raleigh, NC 27608

919.821.1240

 

Menu at NOFO

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Brunch, Restaurants Near Five Points, Southern Restaurants

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