Eureka, NC Lifestyle and More

The North Carolina Fried Chicken Counter That Kept Its Recipe While Every Food Trend Came and Went

Some of the best meals in North Carolina hide inside buildings you would drive past a hundred times without a second look. I almost did, until a line of hungry people wrapped around an old brick corner caught my eye at lunchtime. Inside, the smell of hot, crispy chicken and...

Durham, NC · 2d

morningsonmacedonia.com

Angus Barn Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe & Christmas At The Angus Barn

If you’ve never visited The Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina, during Christmas, you are seriously missing out! Between the incredible Christmas decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, delicious food, and cozy holiday atmosphere, it’s truly a Christmas lover’s dream come true!. And as someone who is absolutely...

raleighweekend.com

Enjoy Sunday’s Rooftop Drag Brunch with a Canned Food Drive and Legendary Queens

Nothing beats starting the day with dazzling costumes, powerhouse lip-syncs, and a side of bacon overlooking North Hills. On Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, Raleigh’s original drag brunch returns to the Level 7 rooftop for an afternoon of unmatched entertainment and community impact. The Crape Myrtle Festival team is bringing out a stellar lineup featuring Chloe Cassidy, Kayla LaShay, Alexandra Vittz, Portia Foxx, and Portia Dupree XL.

raleighweekend.com

Smoke and Shuck NC Oysters with Star Pitmasters at Raleigh Iron Works on Saturday

Few pairings capture North Carolina fall quite like briny half shells and rich, wood-fired barbecue. On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, the Rawleigh Oyster Fest takes over Raleigh Iron Works from 1–5 p.m. for its annual Smoke & Shuck showdown. The lineup brings together six chef-and-grower duos—pairing Triangle favorites like Figulina, Seraphine, and Cucciolo Terrazza with coastal N.C. farms like Kinnakeet and Hold Fast—alongside four heavy-hitting pitmasters, including Nick Dampf and Katsuji Tanabe, plus plant-based dishes from Cuya Cocina’s Kevin Ruiz.

Raleigh News & Observer

Beyond Buc-ee's: Restaurants with Texas ties keep heading to NC

North Carolina is getting a taste of the Lone Star State. Texas-based Buc-ee’s, already building one store in the state, is now eyeing a second location along Interstate 95. The travel center could join Texas-inspired restaurants setting up shop in the Raleigh area. From a barbecue joint to a beloved burger chain, here are openings The News & Observer has covered this year: Buc-ee’s could build a second North Carolina travel center near I-95 and Halifax Road in Rocky Mount. Its first NC location is already under construction off I-85/40 in Alamance County, and there’s no official opening date. East of Texas , a Texas-style barbecue restaurant from owner Claire Calvin, opened at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus . The restaurant serves brisket, burnt ends, pork belly and housemade sausage. It’s an expansion of a Winston-Salem spot that opened in 2023. Shipley Donuts , founded in Houston in 1936, plans to open two Raleigh shops over the next two years, with the first expected in 2027. The chain is known for handcrafted doughnuts and savory kolaches stuffed with fillings like sausage and jalapeños. Whataburger opened its first Triangle locations : in Wake Forest at 489 Calvin Jones Highway and in Raleigh

North Carolina · 4d

jocoreport.com

partner publisher · 2.4K followers

Raleigh Market At State Fairgrounds Reopens Saturday

RALEIGH — After a monthlong break for the N.C. State Fair, the Raleigh Market will reopen Saturday, Nov. 7. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays except during October, when the annual State Fair is held. The Raleigh Market is one of...

Raleigh, NC · 2d

Axios Raleigh

From oysters to smashing pumpkins, what's happening this weekend

It's peak fall foliage this weekend in the Triangle, so there's no better time to get out and about. Here are the top things happening this weekend: 🦪 Celebrate the North Carolina coast with Rawleigh Oyster Fest at Raleigh Iron Works on Saturday. 🖼️ Check out the Durham Fringe Festival all weekend, a celebration of experimental art throughout downtown Durham. 🎸 Listen to music and eat well at BBQ Blues & Brews in Fuquay-Varina on Saturday. 🎭 Watch Tom Stoppard's famous play " Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead " at Raleigh Little Theatre. 🍜 Explore Chinese cuisines at Downtown Cary's Taste of China Festival on Saturday. 🕯️ Attend the 11th annual Death Faire at The Plant in Pittsboro on Saturday. 🎃 Make a mess on Saturday and Sunday at Steel String's Pumpkin Smash Party . 🎨 Support artists at the Fall Arts Fair at Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh on Saturday. 🥕 Honor the humble root vegetable at the Carrboro Farmers' Market's Root Fest on Saturday.

Raleigh News & Observer

Multiple coffee shops across Triangle will close or change in the coming months

On Monday, Nov. 2, a fire was reported at Village Coffeehouse in North Raleigh, prompting the business’ closure for until further notice, according to a post on the business’ social media . It’s the latest in a number of setbacks for coffee shops across the Triangle, which are experiencing struggles for a variety of reasons. In addition to the Village Coffeehouse fire, The Optimist Raleigh announced chapter 11 bankruptcy, Bad Brain Coffee Co. faces relocation and Parallax Coffee will close its Wendell location at the end of the year. On Monday, Oct. 26, Andrew Ward, owner of Optimist Raleigh, took to social media to share the news of the bankruptcy filing. “We will continue to operate normally going forward,” The Optimist said in a social media post. “Staff will be paid. Coffee and food will be served and nothing will change, especially in the interim. This process is just beginning, but the idea will always be to be here and protect this place and our staff.” In January 2025, The Optimist opened WRK by The Optimist on the first floor of North Hills’ The Exchange Raleigh before closing. Then Café Royale , a Parisian-inspired café and bar took over the

Raleigh, NC · 3d

lifeonpawsandwheels.com

📻🐾 WPTF AM Radio Building in Cary, NC – Historic Art Deco Landmark That Inspired Stranger Things!

Simba and I visited the historic WPTF AM Radio Building in Cary, North Carolina, an incredible Art Deco-style radio transmitter station that helped inspire the fictional WSQK radio station in Netflix's Stranger Things! With its rounded corners, streamlined windows, vintage lettering, and towering broadcast antennas, this unusual building looks like something straight out of another era.

Cary, NC · 1d

raleighweekend.com

That Friday Glow: Stargazing, Hot Cider, and Illuminated Canopies at JC Raulston Arboretum

Few Raleigh traditions feel quite as perfect for trading the couch for a crisp evening stroll as one under an artfully lit garden canopy. Opening on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, the annual Moonlight in the Garden returns to JC Raulston Arboretum, transforming the nationally recognized plant collections into an evening wonderland. Stroll through winding pathways washed in colorful lighting, catch live music echoing through the gardens, and grab dinner from on-site food trucks before claiming a spot around the fire pits with hot apple cider.

publisher · 100.7K followers

WRAL News

Durham County Animal Shelter responds to photos showing deplorable conditions

The Animal Protection Society of Durham has responded to pictures posted on social media showing the shelter in deplorable condition and alleging poor care. The shelter confirmed with WRAL News that the pictures do not reflect what it looks like now following months of changes. WRAL News is not sharing those photos due to their graphic nature.

Durham County, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

Durham animal shelter says alleged poor conditions don't reflect the shelter today

A former Durham County animal shelter employee posted graphic photos he said showed the shelter’s poor conditions to Facebook on Wednesday. The employee alleged that dogs were fed moldy food, animals were covered in feces, roaches were falling from the ceiling and dead animals were piled up or laid across the ground waiting to be cremated. The Animal Protection Society of Durham, the nonprofit that runs the shelter under a county contract of over $1 million, confirmed it was aware of posts from “a former employee who has expressed dissatisfaction with the organization” in a Thursday statement . But the APS wrote that the former employee’s photos did not reflect the conditions of the shelter now. The former employee has not worked at the shelter for over four months, and the “historical” photos were not from the final months of his employment, APS wrote. “That does not mean we are dismissing what these images show,” the APS wrote. “APS has faced significant challenges, and we have been open about the changes needed to address them.” Design work starting on new animal shelter The News & Observer has previously reported on the animal shelter’s challenges. In July 2025, The N&O tour

Durham County, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

Popular Pittsburgh-based ice cream franchise opens first NC location in Raleigh

Pittsburgh-based ice cream franchise, Millie’s Homemade, announced on Monday, Nov. 2 an upcoming location in Downtown Raleigh. Originally launched in 2014, Millie’s was co-founded by Chad and Lauren Townsend. Raleigh will be the franchise’s first North Carolina location. The opening date has yet to be announced. “Get READY, Raleigh: we’re on our way to becoming besties!,” the company said in the post . “...we’ll have scoops and scoops of tasty stuff to announce.” The creamery company has locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Maryland, Texas and a mobile truck in Tennessee, according to its website . In addition to store locations and food trucks, the business packages their ice cream at Millie’s Ice Cream Works and sells pints in nearby grocery stores. “We’re on a mission to #spreadLove in our community through the simple joy of scratch-made ice cream,” the company said on his website. “That means real relationships and real ingredients – always sourced from farmers & artisans and proudly spun into super premium ice cream...” Triangle Business Journal reported that the site is scheduled to be at 325 Blake St. near Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh’s City Market before the end of the year. Millie’s sells classic, seasonal

Raleigh, NC · 2d

whatnow.com

publisher · 100.7K followers

Five Guys Burgers & Fries Could Bring Its Made-to-Order Burgers to Downtown Raleigh

Five Guys Burgers & Fries could be bringing its made-to-order burger concept to downtown Raleigh, with preliminary development plans identifying 442 Fayetteville St. as the site of a potential new restaurant. The News & Observer reported October 28 that plans submitted to the city on October 19 outline renovations to prepare the space for the Virginia-founded chain.

Raleigh, NC · 2d

WRAL News

Foodie News: New BBQ spot coming to Raleigh Iron Works, Diwali party and Oyster Fest this weekend

Raleigh Magazine shared the exciting news this week that Michelin-recommended Lewis Barbecue is beginning construction on its Salvage Yard at Raleigh Iron Works location in Raleigh this week. Owner and pitmaster John Lewis, who got his start in Austin (where he helped open Franklin Barbecue and the much-beloved La Barbecue), currently has locations in Charleston, Atlanta and Greenville (SC). Barbecue enthusiasts have flocked to his pits for years, waiting in long lines to get a taste of his expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts” sausage, oxtail, and his legendary beef brisket. Expect them to open in the second quarter of 2027. Take a moment to get familiar with them here.

midtownmag.com

partner publisher · 19.7K followers

Cooper’s Hawk Brings Its Wine-and-Dining Playbook to Cary

An Illinois-born restaurant-and-winery concept is coming to Parkside Town Commons. In an exclusive conversation, general manager Heidi Williams explains why the wine is only part of the attraction. Cary isn’t exactly short on places to eat or enjoy a glass of wine. So when Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants announced...

Cary, NC · 3d

NC Newsline

A new documentary looks not-too-far back at NC college student voting this election

Some ballots haven’t even been counted yet, but a documentary about the 2026 election from the perspective of North Carolina college students fighting for campus early voting sites has already had its debut. “Where Do I Vote Again?” screened Thursday night at The Rialto in Raleigh. It encapsulates the work of students who tried to […]

North Carolina · 22h

Raleigh News & Observer

A new artisan ice cream shop has opened in Raleigh. Here's where to try it

The small-batch artisan ice cream shop Ladybug Creamery has officially opened at North Raleigh’s Glenwood Place. The creamery emphasizes quality ingredients without artificial flavors or colors. Their dairy, fruit and honey are sourced from North Carolina farms, as well as toppings that are “baked, boiled or roasted” in their own kitchen, according to their website . “First taste, first impression is everything,” the business said in a social media post. “We have been perfecting our recipes and tracking down the perfect local produce to bring a real farm-to-cone experience to the neighborhood.” Ladybug Creamery maintains a rotation of 12 flavors made daily in their location, each categorized under signatures, classics, international or seasonal. These tastes are subject to change, but their signatures — milk & honey, Turkish coffee, and pistachio — are always available, per the website . “Ladybug means: luck, hope, and new beginnings — the courage to move forward and make something meaningful in a new place,” the business said on its website . “That is the whole idea behind our Ladybug Creamery.” It’s led by Onur Yilmaz, a student of gastronomy and culinary arts. Yilmaz had years of experience in professional kitchens before “ice cream became the

Raleigh News & Observer

The best Carolina-style BBQ joints in the US, says USA Today. 2 are in Raleigh

In barbecue, Carolina-style usually means one of two things: vinegar or tomato. In bridging the barbecue divide, there’s a new ranking of Carolina-style joints that puts a Raleigh icon in the top spot. Raleigh’s influential smokehouse The Pit Authentic Barbecue was named the country’s best Carolina-style barbecue, according to USA Today’s 10Best. In compiling its rankings 10Best barbecue experts nominated top spots and readers voted for their favorites. The Pit helped brighten the spotlight on North Carolina’s most famous culinary tradition when it opened in downtown Raleigh. Co-founded by legendary pitmaster Ed Mitchell and now solely owned by Greg Hatem, The Pit serves up whole hog and Lexington-style barbecue, covering all the Carolina-style bases. The 10Best writers praised The Pit’s ability to cater to all tastes. “Whole-hog barbecue is the main event at The Pit, a Raleigh favorite housed inside a restored 1930s-era warehouse,” the story said. “In addition to pork, the venue offers a diverse range of other proteins including beef brisket, chopped barbecue turkey, and Southern fried chicken — and there are even barbecue soy nuggets for the meat-averse.” Though Carolina-style could mean either state, the rankings show a clear superiority. Of the top 10 Carolina-style spots, seven

Raleigh, NC · 3d

travelmag.com