We named Chapel Hill and Durham’s ‘essential’ restaurants. You gave us some additions.
I recently wrote a two-part series featuring what I considered to be the Triangle’s essential restaurants. My aim was to showcase — as I put it — “local landmarks that reveal the region’s culinary history, as well as relative newcomers that are leading the way in its evolution.”
I limited the lists to 10 restaurants in Raleigh and 10 in between Durham and Chapel Hill — an admittedly arbitrary number. It didn’t take me long to realize I had left out some worthy establishments.
That realization came with a little — okay, a lot — of help from you, dear readers. The first clue came in the form of an email, minutes after the first article went live on the N&O website: “How could you leave out Irregardless Cafe?”
In the hours and days that followed, more emails arrived, asking the same question about Players Retreat, and Pizzeria Toro, and ... well, you get the idea. It dawned on me that I should solicit your opinions and share the best of them, along with your comments (edited for brevity and clarity), in a follow-up article.
Make that two articles. I’ve gotten more than 50 responses so far, including multiple recommendations for a few restaurants. Following the same format as the original series, I’m breaking the list into two parts.
Last week, I shared your top picks for essential restaurants in Raleigh. This week, Durham and Chapel Hill share the spotlight. Consider this a more fleshed-out version of my original lists with readers’ comments. The original 10 spots are below.
These restaurants don’t have open dining rooms right now, though many have carryout, curbside delivery and other family meal options. I know we’ll all look forward to visiting them again in the future.
Al’s Burger Shack
516 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-904-7659 or alsburgershack.com
“On Franklin Street — neat place. I suggest the Kenny J with bacon, onions and Cheerwine sauce (I like it without pimento cheese), and the sea salt and rosemary fries.”
Banh’s Cuisine
750 Ninth Street, Durham
919-286-5073 or Facebook
“This is a Durham classic, with specials on Wednesday and Saturday, and a HUGE local following. It is run by the sweetest family, and has the most genuine and loyal fan base. I think it is the absolute best example of ‘must-eat’ Durham.”
Bleu Olive
1821 Hillandale Road, Durham
919-383-8502 or bleuolivebistro.com
“Mediterranean cuisine — lots of tasty and healthy dishes; our own choices are the roasted salmon, as well as the spinach and feta stuffed chicken breasts. I am drooling as I write this.”
Cucciolo Osteria
601 W. Main St., Suite C, Durham
984-243-8744 or cucciolodurham.com
The best Italian, not just in Durham but the whole Triangle. Everything is good there, but if you can only get one thing, make it linguine alla carbonara (the Roman way). You can thank me later.
Elmo’s Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham, and 200 N. Greensboro St., in Carr Mill Mall, Carrboro
919-416-3823 or elmosdiner.com (Durham)
919-929-2909 or elmosdinercarrboro.com (Carrboro)
“The one on Ninth Street is the kind of place that I think anyone who has lived in Durham has probably eaten at. It is great for all ages, any meal of the day, and has an extremely diverse atmosphere (which I think exemplifies Durham). There’s also an Elmo’s in Carrboro, and I would say the same for that Elmo’s as well.”
King’s Sandwich Shop
701 Foster St., Durham
919-682-0071 or kingssandwichshop.com
“It is one of the first places that jumps to mind when I think of classic Durham eateries.”
Kitchen
764 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill
919-537-8167 or kitchenchapelhill.com
“In Chapel Hill we probably go back to Kitchen on MLK Boulevard more often than others across the years. The vibe is comfortable, the service is professional, yet warm. And the food is always good. In the mood for mussels? This is the place to go.”
Lucky’s Delicatessen
105 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham
919-864-8841 or luckysdelinc.com
“Fantastic BLT. Nice staff. Great location.”
Maverick’s Smokehouse & Taproom
900 W. Main St., Durham
919-682-8978 or maverickssmokehouse.com
“Great location, near Duke/Warehouse district. Love the smoked wings and Maverick fries.”
Mediterranean Deli
410 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-967-2666 or mediterraneandeli.com
“The Med Deli should absolutely be on this list. Jamil and Co. have been around for over 25 years, and have grown and multiplied, and continued to offer tasty, affordable, family-friendly meals. They employ a large number of locals, they are efficient and consistent. Have you been recently? You should go back if not.”
Pizzeria Toro
105 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham
919-908-6936 or pizzeriatoro.com
“The essential pizzeria in Durham — and the whole Triangle — for years.”
And from another reader. . .
“How could you leave out Toro in Durham?”
The Original Q Shack
2510 University Drive, Durham
919-402-4227 or theqshackoriginal.com
“A must-visit institution in Durham.”
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham
919-416-0466 or vinrougerestaurant.com
“As close to a real French bistro as you’ll find around here.”
And from another reader:
“Yes, upscale French, but the choices are delicious, from calves liver to salmon and lentils.”
Zweli’s
4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 26, Durham
984-219-7555 or zwelis.com
“Super friendly owners and great food. And talk about essential — how about the only Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States?”
DURHAM’S ESSENTIAL RESTAURANTS
▪ M Tempura: 111 Orange St., Durham. 919-748-3874 or m-restaurants.com/m-tempura
▪ Picnic: 1647 Cole Mill Road, Durham. 919-908-9128 or picnicdurham.com
▪ Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets: 121 N. Gregson St., Durham or 919-797-2233 or rosesdurham.com
▪ Saltbox Seafood Joint: Two locations in Durham: 608 N. Mangum St. (walkup only), 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. saltboxseafoodjoint.com
▪ Yamazushi: 4711 Hope Valley Road, Suite 6-A, Durham. 919-493-7748 or yamazushirestaurant.com
CHAPEL HILL AND CARRBORO’S ESSENTIAL RESTAURANTS
▪ Crook’s Corner: 610 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-929-7643 or crookscorner.com
▪ Lantern: 423 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-969-8846 or lanternrestaurant.com
▪ Mama Dip’s Kitchen: 408 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill. 919-942-5837 or mamadips.com
▪ Merritt’s Store & Grill: 1009 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill. 919-942-4897 or facebook.com/merrittsstoreandgrill
▪ Pizzeria Mercato: 408 Weaver St., Carrboro. 919-967-2277 or pizzeriamercatonc.com
This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM with the headline "We named Chapel Hill and Durham’s ‘essential’ restaurants. You gave us some additions.."