EAT AND DRINK
Best Bagel
Monuts
1002 Ninth Street, Durham
Finalists: Brueggers, The Bagel Bar, New York Bagel
INDY › I’m what could fairly be called a Monuts regular—there at least once most every weekend, sometimes more—and I’m also a fan of the bagels, particularly the salted one. Actually, not really the bagels as stand-alones, though they’re fine, but the magnificent concoctions Monuts creates for bagel sandwiches: the menu changes seasonally, but right now there’s the Green Eggs on Toast, an open-faced bagel with two eggs (go sunny-side up), avocado, pickled jalapeno, cilantro, lime vinaigrette, red onion, and a sprinkling of queso fresco. Last fall, there was an heirloom tomato bagel sandwich with eggs and chevre cream cheese. Delish.
The only problem with Monuts is that the damn place isn’t big enough, especially on weekend mornings when the countertop bar is inevitably packed and the line to the register stretches out the door and sometimes winds down the sidewalk from there. An expansion—or short of that, a hostess and/or servers to bring order to the chaos—would make this regular very happy. [JCB]
Best Bakery in Durham County
Guglhupf
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Scratch, Loaf, Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop
Best Bakery in Orange/Chatham Counties
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Sugarland, The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering, Phoenix Bakery
Best Bakery in Wake County
La Farm Bakery
4248 Northwest Cary Parkway, Cary
Finalists: Boulted Bread, Neomonde, Yellow Dog Bread Company
Best Barbecue in Durham County
Picnic
1647 Cole Mill Road, Durham
Finalists: The Original Q Shack, The Pit Authentic Barbecue, City Barbeque
Best Barbecue in Orange/Chatham Counties
Allen & Son Barbecue
6203 Millhouse Road, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Hillsborough BBQ Company, The Pig, CrossTies BBQ
Best Barbecue in Wake County
The Pit Authentic Barbecue
328 West Davie Street
Finalists: Clyde Cooper’s BBQ, Ole Time Barbecue, Bare Bones
INDY › If you believe in barbecue accompanied by valet parking, online reservations, and fancy sides, you can dine out along those lines in Raleigh. It’ll be good, pricey, and probably worth it, given the way values are measured in Foodie World. But if you want to kick it old-school, try this: head down South Saunders Street, under the Beltline—you can do it—and drive south. Take 70 at the 70-401 split, then hang a right on Highway 50 to Benson. (Been down for Mule Day? No? Never mind.)
It’s an interesting ride, but the payoff is at 12143 N.C. Highway 50 in Willow Spring. That’s the home of Stephenson’s Barbecue, the real thing, where iced tea comes to the table in a pitcher, along with a bowl of additional ice for when yours melts. A $6 small pig plate supplies barbecue that’s “smoky-flavored, well-textured, easily chewable, but not mushy,” says Raleigh aficionado Marshall Wyatt.
Everything from the plank door in the men’s room to the traditional Brunswick stew and barbecued chicken to the quick, friendly service says North Carolina barbecue, the North Carolina way. Get there before the world discovers Stephenson’s, a process that’s apparently underway. “Oh and the price is almost free compared to NYC pricing lol,” an online hipster says. [TG]
Best Biscuits in Durham County
Rise Biscuits Donuts
401 Foster Street, Durham
Finalists: Scratch, Monuts, Elmo’s Diner
INDY › Rise’s biscuits consistently hit the mark with crucial elements of a good biscuit: they’re big but not excessive, not too greasy, not too salty, fluffy on the inside, hold up for sandwiches, and just the right level of crispy on the outside. The local chain also offers highly creative biscuit sandwich options, like a Cuban-inspired number that’s equally appropriate for breakfast or lunch. A few blocks away, though, Scratch offers a satisfying but much more compact biscuit that also earns high marks for an excellent balance of texture and flavor. Over on Ninth Street, Monuts’ biscuits are big, square numbers that make for a filling breakfast with little more than a slice of white cheddar. Elmo’s Diner also managed to slide into this category, and though those biscuits are fine, they don’t hold a candle to the other finalists. [AH]
Best Biscuits in Orange/Chatham Counties
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
1305 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Rise Biscuits Donuts, Neal’s Deli, Acme
Best Biscuits in Wake County
Rise Biscuits Donuts
530 Daniels Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Flying Biscuit Café, Jubala Coffee, Person Street Pharmacy Cafe
Best Bloody Mary in Durham County
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
Finalists: Geer Street Garden, Durham Hotel, Vin Rouge
Best Bloody Mary in Orange/Chatham Counties
LaPlace Louisiana Cookery
111 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
Finalists: Acme, Orange County Social Club, City Tap
Best Bloody Mary in Wake County
Raleigh Times
14 East Hargett Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Fiction Kitchen, Jose and Sons, The Rockford
Best Bread in Durham County
Guglhupf
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Loaf, Ninth Street Bakery, Scratch
Best Bread in Orange/Chatham Counties
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Great Harvest Bread Company, Chicken Bridge Bakery, Bread & Butter
Best Bread in Wake County
La Farm Bakery
4248 Northwest Cary Parkway, Cary
Finalists: Boulted Bread, Neomonde, Yellow Dog Bread Company
Best Breakfast in Durham County
Elmo’s Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham
Finalists: Monuts, Scratch, True Flavors
Best Breakfast in Orange/Chatham Counties
Elmo’s Diner
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Acme, Ye Olde Waffle Shop, LaPlace Louisiana Cookery
Best Breakfast in Wake County
Big Ed’s City Market
220 Wolfe Street, Raleigh
Finalists: The Flying Biscuit Café, Brigs, Angie’s Restaurant
INDY › In 2019, state transportation folks tell us, the snazzy new “square loop” interchange at Peace Street will arc over the spot that for nearly seventy years was home to Finch’s, the best dang place to eat breakfast in Raleigh. This sorry turn of events will occur because the 1948 Capital Boulevard bridge over Peace had a sufficiency rating of 44.9 out of 100, according to the state Department of Transportation. As if they’ve never made a mistake. (Raise your fork if you have to take the 440 South Loop.)
I’m here to tell y’all I would have kept on taking the risk to keep eating at Finch’s, where the eggs, hotcakes, sausage, hot sauce, mismatched coffee mugs, and a rags-to-riches crew created a morning atmosphere like no other. And where else can we get those little containers of jelly made out of unverifiable fruit substances for our white toast? On the happy-ending side, owner Peggy Jin says a new Finch’s location in Durham—3211 Old Chapel Hill Road—will open in July, with many of the same favorites and new offerings like chicken pot pie. [TG]
Best Brewery in Durham County
Ponysaurus
219 Hood Street, Durham
Finalists: Fullsteam Brewery, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Durty Bull Brewing Company
Best Brewery in Orange/Chatham Counties
Mystery Brewing Company
437 Dimmocks Mill Road, #41, Hillsborough
Finalists: Steel String Brewery, Carolina Brewery, Top of the Hill Brewery
Best Brewery in Wake County
Trophy Brewing
827 West Morgan Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Bond Brothers Beer Company, Big Boss Brewing Company, Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern
Best Burger in Durham County
Bull City Burger
107 East Parrish Street, #105, Durham
Finalists: Only Burger, Dain’s Place, Town Hall Burger and Beer
Best Burger in Orange/Chatham Counties
Al’s Burger Shack
516 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: The Wooden Nickel, Buns, Linda’s Bar and Grill
Best Burger in Wake County
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
111 Seaboard Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: Chucks, MoJoe’s Burger Joint, Raleigh Times
Best Burrito in Durham County
Cosmic Cantina
1920 Perry Street, Durham
Finalists: Nana’s Tacos, Chubby’s Tacos, Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Best Burrito in Orange/Chatham Counties
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Fiesta Grill, Monterrey
Best Burrito in Wake County
Chubby’s Tacos
2444 Wycliff Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Gringo A Go Go, Flying Burrito, Baja Burrito
Best Caribbean or Cuban
Old Havana Sandwich Shop
310 East Main Street, Durham
Finalists: Luna Empanadas, Cuban Revolution, Carmen’s Cuban Café and Lounge
Best Chef in Durham County
Matt Kelly
Finalists: Scott Howell, Andrea Reusing, Amy Tornquist
Best Chef in Orange/Chatham Counties
Andrea Reusing
Finalists: Aaron Vandermark, Bill Smith, Matt Fox
Best Chef in Wake County
Ashley Christensen
Finalists: Scott Crawford, Michael Rasmussen, Cheetie Kumar
Best Chinese Restaurant in Durham County
Happy China
2505 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Juju, Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, Neo China
Best Chinese Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Gourmet Kingdom
301 East Main Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Lime & Basil, Jade Palace, Red Lotus
Best Chinese Restaurant in Wake County
Bida Manda
222 South Blount Street, Raleigh
Finalists: David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar, Five Star, Peace China
Best Chocolate in Durham County
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 West Geer Street, Durham
Finalists: Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop, Miel Bon Bons
Best Chocolate in Orange/Chatham Counties
Matthew’s Chocolates
107 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
facebook.com/matthewschocolates
Finalists: Chapel Hill Toffee, Miel Bon Bons, Carolina Confectionery Company
Best Chocolate in Wake County
Videri Chocolate Factory
327 West Davie Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Escazu, Kilwin, Chocolate Smile
Best Coffee Shop in Durham County
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 West Geer Street, Durham
Finalists: Joe Van Gogh, Bean Traders, The Durham Hotel
Best Coffee in Orange/Chatham Counties
Caffe Driade
1215 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Open Eye Café, Joe Van Gogh, Cup A Joe
Best Coffee Shop in Wake County
Cup A Joe
3100 Hillsborough Street Raleigh
Finalists: Jubala, Sola Coffee, Brew Coffee Bar
Best Cupcake in Durham County
Smallcakes
4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham
Finalists: Mad Hatter Bakeshop and Cafe, The Cupcake Bar
Best Cupcake in Orange/Chatham Counties
Sugarland
140 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Smallcakes, Phoenix Bakery
Best Cupcake in Wake County
Lucettegrace
235 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Gigi’s Cupcakes, Sugarland, The Cupcake Shop
Best Deli in Durham County
Lucky’s Delicatessen
105 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: Parker and Otis, Foster’s Market, Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop
Best Deli in Orange/Chatham Counties
Mediterranean Deli
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Neal’s Deli, Merritt’s Store and Grill, Nantucket Grill
Best Deli in Wake County
Neomonde
3817 Beryl Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Village Deli, New York Bagels and Deli, Manhattan Cafe
Best Desserts in Durham County
The Parlour
117 Market Street, Durham
Finalists: Guglhupf, Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop, Mad Hatter Bakeshop and Cafe
Best Desserts in Orange/Chatham Counties
Maple View Farm
6900 Rocky Ridge Road, Hillsborough
Finalists: Lantern, Weaver Street Market, Sugarland
Best Desserts in Wake County
Lucettegrace
235 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Hayes Barton Café, La Farm Bakery, Bittersweet
Best Distillery in the Triangle
Durham Distillery
711 Washington Street, Durham
Finalists: TOPO Distillery, The Brothers Vilgalys, Raleigh Rum Company
Best Donut
Rise Biscuits Donuts
401 Foster Street Durham
Finalists: Monuts, Duck Donuts, Krispy Kreme
INDY ›Five years after opening its first store near Southpoint Mall, Rise Biscuits and Donuts has grown from a super-busy stand-alone to a well-regarded local chain (though there’s one location in Texas and three more on the way in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia). Rise has a three-pronged approach to its donuts that allows it to fit old favorites and new experiments into its menu: you can get a classic rainbow-sprinkled treat, but why not spring for a crème brulee donut, or perhaps the one topped with salted caramel icing and nuggets of Cap’n Crunch cereal? But, most important, Rise is more than just flashy flavors: all of its donuts are soft and chewy, never weighed down by too much grease or yeast. [AH]
Best Draft Beer Selection in Durham County
Sam’s Quik Shop
1605 Erwin Road, Durham
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Ponysaurus Brewing Company, Growler Grlz
Best Draft Beer Selection in Orange/Chatham Counties
Beer Study
106 North Graham Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Mystery Brewing Company, Milltown
Best Draft Beer Selection in Wake County
Raleigh Beer Garden
614 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: Flying Saucer, State of Beer, House of Hops
INDY ›There are, as of this writing, 333 beers on draft at Raleigh Beer Garden between the downstairs (N.C. brews) and upstairs (beers from all over) bars, making this choice something of a no-brainer, yet one that also can lead to selection overkill—analysis paralysis, if you will. Like, how do you choose between … everything? Clearly you can’t have it all. Hell, there are thirty-five varieties of North Carolina-made IPAs, everything from Wicked Weed’s Lieutenant Dank to Durty Bull Rice IPA to Appalachian Mountain Long Leaf IPA and back again. How is one to possibly decide? [JCB]
Best Food Truck
Chirba Chirba Dumpling
Finalists: Pie Pushers, American Meltdown, Pho Nomenal Dumplings
Best French Restaurant
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham
Finalists: Rue Cler, Coquette Brasserie, Saint Jacques French Cuisine
Best Fries in Durham County
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 East Parrish Street, Durham
Finalists: The Federal, Geer Street Garden, Only Burger
INDY ›They rain down from the sky in golden-brown cascades of twice-fried crispness, slender as Brancusi columns, and they land with an insouciant bounce, sending up an effervescent spray of moist green garlic that then settles and sticks on the plate, waiting to be fingertip-plucked at the end—if you ever get there, because sometimes they come in piles so high the bottom is mostly theoretical, like the inside of a black hole. They’re the Federal’s garlic fries, and, with no shots at Bull City Burger, they’re the best in Durham. I refuse to hear anything different. [BH]
Best Fries in Orange/Chatham Counties
Al’s Burger Shack
516 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Milltown, Linda’s Bar and Grill, The Spotted Dog
Best Fries in Wake County
Chuck’s Burger Bar
237 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Raleigh Times, Carolina Ale House, Capital Club 16
Best Frozen Treats
The Parlour
117 Market Street, Durham
Finalists: Maple View Farms, Locopops, Howling Cow at NCSU
Best Gluten Free Restaurant
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
431 West Franklin Street, #415, Chapel Hill
Finalists: The Fiction Kitchen, Primal Food and Spirits, Chef’s Palette
Best Greek Restaurant
Mediterranean Deli
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Neomonde, Tavern Agora, Kipos Greek Taverna
Best Guacamole
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
7713 Lead Mine Road, #39, Raleigh
Finalists: Dos Perros, Carrburritos, Guasaca
INDY ›For the second year in a row, Gonza’s guac has taken the top spot, followed by Dos Perros, Carrburritos, and Guasaca—again. Not to throw any shade at these worthy contenders, but here in the Triangle, we are blessed with an abundance of avocado options. I’m partial to the version at Tonali (3642 Shannon Road), which is simple and balanced just the way guacamole should be. Tonali’s guacamole doesn’t rely on heavy-handed lime or cilantro to get its message across. Instead, the spread at this Hope Valley restaurant is sumptuous and studded with sweet, tangy pickled red onions. Scoop it up with freshly fried ribbons of corn tortilla and chase it with a sip from a delightfully tropical guanabana margarita. [SW]
Best Hot Dog
King’s Sandwich Shop
701 Foster Street, Durham
Finalists: Snoopy’s, The Roast Grill, Table 18
Best Indian Restaurant
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
431 West Franklin Street, #415, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Sitar Indian Cuisine, Garland, Azitra
Best Irish Pub
Bull McCabe’s
427 West Main Street, Durham
Finalists: Hibernian, James Joyce Irish Pub, Doherty’s
Best Italian Restaurant in Durham County
Gocciolina
3314 Guess Road, Durham
Finalists: Mothers & Sons, Pulcinella’s Italian Restaurant, The Boot
Best Italian Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
411 West
411 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Pizzeria Mercato, Panciuto, Vinny’s
Best Italian Restaurant in Wake County
Bella Monica
3121 Edwards Mill Road
Finalists: Gravy, Caffé Luna, Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering
Best Japanese Restaurant in Durham County
Dashi
415 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: M Sushi, Shiki Sushi, Yamazushi
Best Japanese Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Akai Hana
206 West Main Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Oishii, Spicy 9, Moon Asian Bistro
Best Japanese Restaurant in Wake County
Waraji
5910 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Mura at North Hills, Kanki, Tasu
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Durham County
Elmo’s Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham
Finalists: Bull City Burger and Brewery, Pizzeria Pompieri, Ponysaurus Brewing Company
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Elmo’s Diner
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Weaver Street Market, Vimala’s Curryblossom Café, The Spotted Dog
INDY ›You’ve seen them: a mom and dad enjoying dinner out, feeding an adorable, cooperative moppet who, between gratefully accepted, expertly cut bites of broccoli, obligingly stares off into space while the parents enjoy a quiet glass of wine. What you don’t see is the other set of parents, who have given up on dining out en famille in these kinds of places. A child-friendly restaurant isn’t just one that offers kids crayons and menus to draw on. It’s an attitude conveyed by the pleasant whiff of fries and shakes in the air. So, no, Elmo’s is not for those seeking a quiet glass of wine, but it’s place where a kid can be a kid, where a kid who only likes about five foods will find at least a few of them on the menu, a place where you can mess around with the cutlery and not attract any side-eye. And the menu has good grub for grown-ups too. [DK]
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Wake County
Flying Biscuit Café
2016 Clark Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: The Cowfish, Carolina Ale House, Metro Diner
Best Late-Night Meal in Durham County
Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Heavenly Buffaloes, Bar Virgile
Best Late-Night Meal in Orange/Chatham Counties
Wooden Nickel Pub
105 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
Finalists: Time Out, Cosmic Cantina, Linda’s Bar and Grill
Best Late-Night Meal in Wake County
Cook Out
3930 Western Boulevard, Raleigh
Finalists: The Players’ Retreat, MoJoe’s Burger Joint, Armadillo Grill
Best Latin-American Restaurant in Durham County
Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
112 West Main Street, Durham
Finalists: Dos Perros, Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Blue Corn Cafe
INDY ›By no fault of your own, dear reader, the Latin American category for best restaurant is perhaps the broadest stroke with which we could paint our food scene. For starters, there are thirty-three countries in Latin America and at least fifteen more sovereign or other territories. But here in the Triangle, we get a mere sampling of this vast region. Which is OK, albeit melancholy for our stomachs. What is not OK, though, is the narrow region that the majority of Durham voters considered worth exploring. Y’all do know a food scene exists beyond downtown, right? And you don’t even have to pay for parking! Many of these restaurants on the periphery are immigrant-owned, too, though our appetence for the authentic shouldn’t be our driving factor. Good food should. And I’d say voters got two out of four right on that front. (For the record: Luna and Gonza.)
Here’s my short “Latin American” list for Durham County, a reminder of under-the-radar restaurants that are immigrant-owned and incredibly satisfying. They deserve your attention and business—and, hopefully, next year’s votes.
•El Chapin (4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, #38): This strip mall gem offers beautiful homemade Guatemalan stews and the Ordoñez family’s version of tamales.
•Azteca Grill (1929 Chapel Hill Road): In the rapidly changing Lakewood district, we can’t afford to lose this taste of Michoacan. Some of the best handmade tortillas in town, freshly fried carnitas, and weekend pozole.
•Tonali (3642 Shannon Road): Chef Andres Macias cut his teeth at the critically acclaimed and now defunct Four Square. He now adds a touch of fine dining to Mexican heirloom recipes with locally sourced ingredients.
•La Cacerola Cafe and Restaurant (2016 Guess Road): This tiny Honduran restaurant offers a simple, filling brunch and a beautiful, nut-based, dairy-free horchata. They deliver, too! [VB]
Best Latin-American Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Fiesta Grill, Lucha Tigre, Bandido’s
Best Latin American Restaurant in Wake County
Mami Nora’s
2401 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Centro, Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken
Best Locally Made Craft Beer
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
Finalists: Ponysaurus Brewing Company, Trophy Brewing, Bond Brothers Beer Company, Mystery Brewing Company
INDY ›Let’s get a little more specific—not just which local brewery is making the best beer, but which local beer is the best local beer being made. This, of course, is a matter of personal taste, and one on which I am far too flighty to render judgment. So I reached out to a few locals in the beer and bar business (plus a couple of beer nerds) to ask their opinion. Here’s what they said:
• Zack Medford, co-owner, Isaac Hunter’s Hospitality: Lonerider Blood Orange Hoppy Ki Yay IPA (a special release), and Lonerider Sweet Josie brown ale (a go-to).
• Ziggy Sprinkle, manager, Tasty Beverage Company: Bond Brothers Long Stride double IPA.
• Niall Hanley, owner, Hibernian Hospitality Group: Crank Arm Rickshaw Rye.
• A sales manager for an N.C. brewer who asked to remain anonymous: Crank Arm Unicycle Featuring Galaxy.
• Julia Henderson, a beer geek friend of mine: a tie between Steel String Brewery’s Zupfen gose and Haw River’s Rusted Plow Farmhouse Saison.
• Dathan Kazsuk, who helps run the Triangle Around Town blog: Trophy Brewing’s Cloud Surfer IPA, any IPA by Bond Brothers. [JCB]
Best Locally Made Liquor
Conniption Navy Strength from Durham Distillery
711 Washington Street, Durham
Finalists: Krupnikas by Brothers Vilgalys, Vodka from TOPO Distillery, White Rum from Raleigh Rum Company
Best Locally Made Wine
Starrlight Mead
480 Hillsboro Street, #1000, Pittsboro
Finalists: Honeygirl Mead, Fair Game Beverage Co., Benjamin Vineyards
Best Mediterranean
Mediterranean Deli
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Neomonde, Sitti, Sassool
Best Mexican Restaurant in Durham County
Nanataco
2512 University Drive, Durham
Finalists: Dos Perros, Gonza Tacos y Tequila, El Rodeo
Best Mexican Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Fiesta Grill, Monterrey, Guanajuato
Best Mexican Restaurant in Wake County
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
7713 Lead Mine Road, #39, Raleigh
Finalists: Centro, El Rodeo, Gringo A Go Go
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Mediterranean Deli
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Neomonde, Sitti, Sassool
Best New Restaurant in Durham County
Mother & Sons
107 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: Viceroy, Bar Brunello, City Barbeque
Best New Restaurant in Orange/Chatham County
Pizzeria Mercato
408 West Weaver Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Mystery Brewing Public House, Tandem, Oakleaf
Best New Restaurant in Wake County
Whiskey Kitchen
201 West Martin Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Crawford and Son, H-Street Kitchen
INDY › As an FYI, in our annual dining magazine, EATS (out now!), INDY restaurant critic Emma Laperruque named Royale (220 East Martin Street, Raleigh) as her favorite new spot in the Triangle.
No shade intended for this year’s winner. Indeed, Emma’s pretty high on Whiskey Kitchen, too. And really, how could you not love a joint that stocks more than two hundred varieties of delicious brown booze? [JCB]
Best Outdoor Dining in Durham County
Guglhupf
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Parts & Labor, Geer Street Garden, The Durham Hotel
Best Outdoor Dining in Orange/Chatham Counties
Saxapahaw General Store
1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road, Saxapahaw
Finalists: Weaver Street Market, Crook’s Corner, Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
Best Outdoor Dining in Wake County
Whiskey Kitchen
201 West Martin Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Taverna Agora, The Station, Raleigh Beer Garden
Best Pie in Durham County
East Durham Pie Company
406 South Driver Street, Durham
Finalists: Scratch Bakery, Mad Hatter Bakeshop and Cafe, Bean Traders
Best Pie in Orange/Chatham Counties
Mama Dip’s
408 West Rosemary Street Chapel Hill
Finalists: LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, Weaver Street Market, The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
Best Pie in Wake County
Hayes Barton Café
2000 Fairview Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Bittersweet, Slice Pie Company, Remedy Diner
Best Pizza in Durham County
Pizzeria Toro
105 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: Lilly’s Pizza, Pie Pushers, Randy’s Pizza
Best Pizza in Orange/Chatham Counties
Pizzeria Mercato
408 West Weaver Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Italian Pizzeria (IP3), Amante Gourmet Pizza, Radius Pizzeria & Pub
INDY ›After three years as reigning champ, Italian Pizzeria III has slipped to No. 2. The shop that won is very good, but the upset is still a meaningful marker of change in the Triangle. Italian Pizzeria III, known to locals as IP3, has been on Franklin Street for thirty-five years, slinging fast, classic Neapolitan and Sicilian pies for ten to twelve bucks, or for a couple of bucks by the slice. It’s family-owned, with gingham plastic trimmings and fountain drinks and condiment caddies; it’s also a communal hub for televised sports events. Pizzeria Mercato, known to locals as Pizzeria Mercato, has been in Carrboro since the beginning of 2016. Opened by the chef scion of Magnolia Grill’s founders, it serves upscale Neapolitan confections in grown-hipster ambiance, all glass water bottles and foraged herbs. A twelve-inch Margherita starts at $13, while the lamb sausage with pecorino and dandelion greens goes for $17. As cuisine, its unseating of IP3 is a no-brainer that also feels, in a small, heart-tugging way, like the end of some kind of era. [BH]
Best Pizza in Wake County
Lilly’s Pizza
1813 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: Trophy Brewing & Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, Moonlight Pizza
Best Restaurant in the Triangle
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: Bida Manda, Lantern, Dashi
Best Salad in Durham County
Happy + Hale
703 Ninth Street, Durham
Finalists: Toast, Saladelia Cafe, Lilly’s Pizza
Best Salad in Orange/Chatham Counties
Mediterranean Deli
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Weaver Street Market, Venable Rotisserie Bistro, The Spotted Dog
Best Salad in Wake County
The Fiction Kitchen
428 South Dawson Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Happy + Hale, Manhattan Cafe, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Best Sandwich in Durham County
Toast
345 West Main Street, Durham
Finalists: Parker and Otis, Lucky’s Delicatessen, Old Havana Sandwich Shop
Best Sandwich in Orange/Chatham Counties
Merritt’s Store and Grill
1009 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Neal’s Deli, Sandwhich, Bona Fide Sandwich Co.
Best Sandwich in Wake County
Village Deli
500 Daniels Street, Raleigh
Finalists: State of Beer, Linus & Pepper’s, Manhattan Cafe
Best Seafood Restaurant
Saltbox Seafood Restaurant
608 North Mangum Street, Durham
Finalists: 42nd St. Oyster Bar, Squid’s, Blu Seafood and Bar
Best Southern Food
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
317 West Main Street, Durham
Finalists: Poole’s Diner, Crook’s Corner, Mama Dip’s
Best Sports Bar in Durham County
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe
280 South Mangum Street, Durham
tobaccoroadsportscafe.com/durham/
Finalists: Bull McCabe’s, Tyler’s Taproom, Dain’s Place
Best Sports Bar in Orange/Chatham Counties
Top of the Hill Brewery
100 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Linda’s Bar & Grill, Carolina Ale House, Hickory Tavern
Best Sports Bar in Wake County
The Players’ Retreat
105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Carolina Ale House, Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern, Tobacco Road Sports Cafe
Best Steak in Durham County
NanaSteak
345 Blackwell Street, Durham
Finalists: Vin Rouge, Metro 8 Steakhouse, Rue Cler
Best Steak in Orange/Chatham Counties
Bin 54
1201-M Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Fearrington House, Acme, The Farm House Restaurant
Best Steak in Wake County
Angus Barn
9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Stanbury, Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern
Best Sunday Brunch in Durham County
Guglhupf
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Vin Rouge, Elmo’s Diner, Refectory Café
Best Sunday Brunch in Orange/Chatham Counties
Acme
110 East Main Street, Carrboro
Finalists: LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, Elmo’s Diner, Crook’s Corner
Best Sunday Brunch in Wake County
Brigs
8111 Creedmoor Road, #169, Raleigh
brigs.com Finalists: Capital Club 16, The Fiction Kitchen, bu.ku
Best Sushi in Durham County
M Sushi
311 Holland Street, Durham
Finalists: Shiki Sushi, Basan Bull City Sushi, Sushi Love
Best Sushi in Orange/Chatham Counties
Akai Hana
206 West Main Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Oishii, Spicy 9, Kurama
Best Sushi in Wake County
Waraji
5910 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh
Finalists: Sushi Blues, Sushi Thai, Mura at North Hills
Best Tapas
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
Finalists: Humble Pie, Juju, Taberna Tapas
Best Taqueria
La Vaquita
2700 Chapel Hill Road, Durham
Finalists: Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Nana Taco, Chubby’s Tacos
Best Thai Restaurant
Thai Cafe
2501 University Drive, #10, Durham
Finalists: Bida Manda, Twisted Noodles, Thai Spoon
Best Turkish Restaurant
Talullas
456 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Finalist: Bosphorous
Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Durham County
The Refectory Café
2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
www.therefectorycafe.com<br> Finalists: Durham Co-op Market, Happy + Hale, Saladelia Cafe
Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Orange/Chatham Counties
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
431 West Franklin Street, #415, Chapel Hill
curryblossom.com<br> Finalists: The Spotted Dog, Sage Cafe, Living Kitchen
Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Wake County
The Fiction Kitchen
428 South Dawson Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Irregardless Café, The Remedy Diner, Living Kitchen
INDY ›Fiction is the obvious choice, a restaurant dedicated so completely and enthusiastically to complex and innovative vegan cuisine that the others don’t really stand a chance. Part of the acclaim is that Fiction has mastered the art of vegan barbecue—tender, soy-based cue drenched in a vinegary sauce that not only works on vegetarian terms but holds its own among North Carolina’s pitmasters generally. That’s no easy feat. [JCB]
Best Veggie Burger in Durham County
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 East Parrish Street, Durham
Finalists: Only Burger, The Federal, Zinburger
Best Veggie Burger in Orange/Chatham Counties
Buns
107 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill
Finalists: Al’s Burger Shack, The Spotted Dog, Linda’s Bar and Grill
Best Veggie Burger in Wake County
The Remedy Diner
137 East Hargett Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Chucks, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, b. good
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
Bida Manda
222 South Blount Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Lime & Basil, Banh’s Cuisine, Pho Far East
Best Wait Staff
Bida Manda
222 South Blount Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Angus Barn, Lantern, Dashi
Best Wine list in Durham County
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham
Finalists: Bar Brunello, Mateo, West End Wine Bar
Best Wine List in Orange/Chatham Counties
GlassHalfull
106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Fearrington House, Bin 54, West End Wine Bar
Best Wine List in Wake County
Angus Barn
9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Finalists: Death & Taxes, Poole’s Diner, Vidrio
Best Wings in Durham County
Heavenly Buffaloes
1807 West Markham Avenue, Durham
Finalists: Carolina Ale House, M Kokko, Wing Stop
Best Wings in Orange/Chatham Counties
The Wooden Nickel
105 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
Finalists: Heavenly Buffaloes, Linda’s Bar and Grill, Carolina Ale House
Best Wings in Wake County
Woody’s
205 Wolfe Street, Raleigh
Finalists: Bada Wings, Carolina Ale House, Leesville Tap Room
