There’s a new toe-tappin’ Sunday brunch spot in town. Trade in the routine mimosa and eggs benedict for a bacon-spiked Bloody Mary and duck fat tater tots at Motorco Music Hall’s Artist in Residence Series. Durham’s new hoppin’ street corner (Motorco sits directly across from Fullsteam Brewery) spices up a drab Sunday afternoon with free live music shows, cocktail specials and gourmet street eats via KoKyu BBQ truck every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Motorco books a band for month-long residencies to set the stage for its brunch. The Jackets just wrapped up their stint; this Sunday welcomes The Mason’s Apron, a new bluegrass band comprised of local musicians from Hammer No More The Fingers, Mandolin Orange and Big Fat Gap. The music usually starts at 2 p.m.
Get there early to snag a Bloody Mary or a Habanero Mojito — both hefty drinks served with crispy bacon at around $5 — and check out the bar’s nosh specials. Homemade gumbo has been a past feature, cooked up by Chef Chris Holloway of Duke University’s Plate and Pitchfork.
Then slurp and slide over to the bright blue KoKyu BBQ truck parked outside. Chef/owner “Flip” has concocted an impressively gourmet menu inspired by Korean street food. And he’s dubbed the weekly event the “MotorKoKyu Brunch.” The duck fat tater tots are a must — a hot heap of decadent tots that would make Napoleon Dynamite swoon, with a fragrant dousing of fresh chopped rosemary for $3. (Great dipped into Sriracha chili sauce, available by request.) Other menu highlights include short rib and gorgonzola cheese quesadillas pressed crisp ($6), pork belly “takos” ($3) and a 12-hr smoked ancho chile-coffee-cocoa beef brisket slider topped with kimchi-esque pickles ($3). Vegetarians will find the colorful sweet potato and avocado takos ($4) a plus.
- Victoria Bouloubasis
- 12-hr brisket slider and duck fat tater tots from Ko Kyu BBQ.
