Triangle restaurant you miss the most? What readers had to say about 20 of them
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- The News & Observer asked readers to share the closed local restaurants they miss.
- We received more than 100 nominations. Darryl’s got the most votes on our Google form.
- Readers also told us stories about more than a dozen other restaurants.
We asked for the closed restaurants you missed the most, and you shared lots of memories.
After The News & Observer invited readers to reminisce about the Triangle restaurants they wish would return, more than 100 nominations poured in. We heard about the local spots that fueled you through college and the special places that served as the backdrops for first dates.
Sure, we were expecting to hear about Darryl’s, Finch’s and other fan favorites. But there are so many more places that readers still crave.
So we created this roundup of what you told us. Each of the restaurants featured below received multiple nominations, so let’s take a nostalgic look back at these popular picks.
For a full list of all the nominations we received, visit newsobserver.com.
Darryl’s, multiple locations
Darryl’s received the most mentions. Here’s what readers had to say about it and other restaurants:
“I liked them all but Darryl’s on Hillsborough was special. Everything was good but the garbage pizzas and ribs were the best, but I was in college and was easily impressed!” —R. of Raleigh
“A lot of great memories. Location of first date with my wife.” —Andrew of Raleigh
“I think I ate at most all of them from the 1970s until they closed permanently.” —Betty of Raleigh
Sadlack’s Heroes in Raleigh
“Awesome sandwiches & the Sunday lunch vibe” -—Anna of Raleigh
“Although the sandwiches were very tasty, Sadlack’s had a hippy artsy vibe and a collection of unique characters out of an Edward Hopper painting” —Dikran of Raleigh
“I loved the Dr. Frank’s sub. The hoagie roll was always perfect. Never hard. I believe the rolls were baked fresh daily.” —Albeda of Durham
K&W Cafeteria, multiple locations
“There was always a good selection for a competitive price.” —Dee of Raleigh
Boondini’s in Raleigh
“Best soups and best BLT sandwich on the planet.” —Susan of Raleigh
Rathskeller Restaurant in Raleigh
“What a beloved gem. Many of the menu items were vegetarian at a time when vegetarian food was not very common in restaurants. They had the very best vegetable plate, and their lemon-tahini salad dressing was legendary. I still dream about it after all these years. The vibe was cozy and dark, a lot of wood, a lot of small alcoves. Prices were student- and young-person friendly, so it was a fairly cheap date. Tom and Linda Payne were the owners. They still live in Raleigh.” —Julia of Raleigh
“I loved their vegetarian menu items and I’m not even a vegetarian.” —Ann of Durham
Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe in Chapel Hill
“This place WAS Chapel Hill. It was cozy, felt nostalgic and historic, and had the best breakfast food. It brought people (students, tourists, and locals alike) to that end of Franklin Street and made it feel livelier during the day.” —Cameron of Chapel Hill
Anotherthyme in Durham
“Amazing healthful, artfully-prepared meals.” —Jan of Durham
“First date with my now-wife when we were undergraduates.” —Patrick of Rougemont
18 Seaboard in Raleigh
“18 Seaboard at Seaboard Station was a serene spot to eat before going to the Symphony. Menu was varied and delicious. Always had intriguing specials. Easy to get to and park. Miss the fried fish!” —Phyllis of Raleigh
Zest Cafe & Home Art in Raleigh
“Zest Cafe & Home Art suddenly closed a few months ago, and it was a real disappointment. My family had been eating there regularly for decades and felt close to a number of staff members, especially Maggie. I often met friends there for lunch and frequently purchased their sides for Thanksgiving each year. And I loved the gift shop and regularly purchased the lavender lotion. I wish that there had been more advance notice so we could have said goodbye to our friends and enjoyed our favorites once more. Their catfish sandwich was outstanding, as was the coconut cake. We also loved the Select Salad and the carrot cake.” —Stef
“Lots of great food options and a fun retail store.” —Judy of Raleigh
Rock-Ola Cafe in Raleigh
“Rock-Ola had the BEST onion rings!” —Russell of Raleigh
“Best burgers, delicious onion rings, great drink specials. The staff at the Avent Ferry store were super friendly and tons of fun!” —Jay of Fuquay-Varina
East Village Grill & Bar in Raleigh
“Pinnacle of a casual college hang. What I would give to eat a burger and french fries on that patio again!!” —Lauren of Raleigh
Armadillo Grill in Raleigh
“I know it closed down in an ugly circumstance, but for five years I worked at a place that was walking distance and their food was just sooo good. Their soft tacos and burritos were made from fresh dough that you could see the press mashing down, and the taste and texture was outstanding. They’d load it up with meat, beans, pepper and onions, and you’d be full and still be wanting more.” —Dan
Tripps Restaurant in Raleigh
“It had everything: good food, nice bar, but a family restaurant. And it was open for lunch and dinner. I celebrated many special occasions there. Many restaurants have opened in the general area, but nothing compares to Tripps.” —Iris
“Tripps was the perfect spot for first dates, business lunches, out-of-town guests, Sunday brunch. The food was always good, the service was consistently good. The only negative was takeout orders that were inevitably, well, wrong! Time after takeout time! We miss you Tripps and promise if you come back, we’ll dine in week after week, just like we did before.” —Darcy and John of Raleigh
Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill
“No question it’s Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill that I and so many miss the most. Why? Where do I start!?! The delish Southern fare and libations. The longtime and exceptional wait staff. The bamboo-lined patio. The Chapel Hill vibe. And that honeysuckle sorbet! I only got to experience it a couple of times since it was around about just two weeks per year, but I remember saying after my first time, this is what heaven must taste like. I still love seeing Chef Bill Smith around town!” —Kristin of Chapel Hill
The Ramshead Rathskeller in Chapel Hill
“The Rat was an institution! Each room had a different theme/decor, and the staff had all been there for decades. The food was GREAT. Doug Clark (of the famed Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts) ate there for lunch almost every day. This place added a level of flair and funk to Chapel Hill that we haven’t been able to get back since.” —Cameron of Chapel Hill
Mike D’s BBQ in Durham
“Smoked chicken salad and mac ‘n’ cheese were amazing, and the smoked meatballs” —Jeremiah of Durham
“The brisket sandwiches, brisket mac bowls, and smoked turkey were the best” —Michael of Durham
Magnolia Grill in Durham
“A more perfectly crafted elegant meal could not be obtained anywhere.” —-James of Durham
Fat Daddy’s in Raleigh
“Fat Daddy’s on Glenwood had the best build-a-burger and even better grilled ham-and-cheese in upstairs restaurant, and hidden dive bar downstairs to quench your thirst while playing a few games.” —Dan of Raleigh
“Replaced by a Panera (WHY???). Burgers were delicious, and the condiment bar meant you could make them to your exact taste. Cool little bar downstairs. Man, I miss that place.” —Jack of Raleigh
The Rockford in Raleigh
“Food was delicious, with always something new to try, and also had an intimate in-the-know kind of vibe about it that’s hard to repeat in a newer building.” —Lauren of Raleigh
Aurora in Chapel Hill
“Delicious food, quiet and cozy ambience.” —Cindy of Chapel Hill
Other popular restaurants
Here are other restaurants that received multiple nominations:
- 42nd Street Oyster Bar
- Brother’s Pizza Palace in Raleigh
- Dalat in Raleigh
- Finch’s in Raleigh
- Humble Pie in Raleigh
- Joe’s Place in Raleigh
- Roy Rogers in Raleigh
- Satisfaction Restaurant & Bar in Durham
- Skippers in Apex
- Two Guys Pizza in Raleigh
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Triangle restaurant you miss the most? What readers had to say about 20 of them."
