Pinebluff, NC Lifestyle and More

Early morning at the NC State Fair: The News & Observer's top photos this week

News & Observer photojournalist Robert Willett ventured out to the N.C. State Fair early one morning in search of the moments, color and patterns that he finds so well. Here’s a curated selection of images as seen through his amazing eye. The North Carolina State Fair ends Sunday, Oct. 25. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

North Carolina · 14d

nctriangledining.com

Flowers Cottage Coffee and Park Bar: A Haven for Caffeine, Beer, and Ice Cream at Dix Park

As a long-time Raleigh resident, it’s been fun watching Dix Park slowly come to life. First came the wonderful Gipson Play area. Then came the Dambo trolls, and now finally, Flowers Cottage Coffee and Park Bar! While Dix Park already had the House of Many Porches for beverages, Flowers Cottage is a great resting spot and offers a city view on the west side of the park. Here’s why you should visit and what to expect!

Raleigh, NC · 14d

Raleigh News & Observer

Soiled containers, undated food: Durham restaurant gets ‘B' grade

The News & Observer publishes a weekly roundup of restaurant sanitation scores to keep you up-to-date on the health grades at Triangle dining spots. Sanitation scores and their corresponding letter grades are used in North Carolina to assess restaurants’ adherence to rules and standards intended to mitigate and prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses. You’ve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants you’ve visited, and The N&O previously explained what those scores mean and how they’re calculated . Here are sanitation scores in Triangle counties from Oct. 13-19. Wake County sanitation scores The Wake County inspection management system shows 68 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 13-19. All received an A grade. Durham County sanitation scores The Durham County inspection management system shows 36 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 13-19. One restaurant received a B grade (a score of at least 80 but lower than 90): Thai 55 (2223 NC 54, Suite Q, Durham) received a score of 84 on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The restaurant was in violation of 19 standards. Violations include several cooked and opened foods did not have dates, several containers that labeled as clean were visibility soiled and dishes dried with cloth, among other violations. The restaurant

Durham County, NC · 17d

Raleigh News & Observer

No soap, roaches & food at wrong temps: 8 Triangle restaurants reinspected

Eight Triangle restaurants were inspected last month, all improving their scores after receiving B and C grades. State law requires health departments to inspect restaurants up to four times a year to assess their overall risk factors that contribute to foodborne illnesses. You’ve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants you’ve visited, and The News & Observer previously explained what those scores mean and how they’re calculated. The N&O reviewed restaurants with less than an A grade in September and that were reinspected. All Johnston County restaurants received an A score in September. Wake County The following Wake County restaurants were reinspected: Jumbo China (101 Ronald Drive, Suite 1625, Raleigh) received a score of 95.5 on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Earlier in the month the restaurant received a score of 88.5 after inspectors found food held at improper temperatures in the walk-in cooler and handwashing sinks with no soap, among other violations. Shaw University Cafeteria (118 E. South St., Raleigh) received a score of 96.5 on Monday, Sept. 21. Earlier in the month the school received a score of 88 after inspectors found food not held at proper temperatures and kitchen walls with holes, peeling paint and missing tiles, among other

Durham County, NC · 18d

waltermagazine.com

Thanksgiving 2026 in Raleigh: 15+ Spots for Pre-Order Feasts, Sides and Pies

From fully catered turkey dinners and classic sides to show-stopping pies, these Raleigh restaurants, bakeries and bottle shops are taking Thanksgiving 2026 pre-orders. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, which means it’s time to start thinking about the menu. Instead of spending your entire holiday trapped in the kitchen, you can lean on Raleigh’s vibrant culinary scene to do the heavy lifting. We’ve rounded up some of the area’s best restaurants, bakeries and bottle shops offering Thanksgiving pre-orders this year. Whether you want to skip cooking entirely with a fully catered turkey dinner or simply elevate your table with artisan sides, custom appetizers and bakery-made pies and desserts, these local spots have you covered. It’s the perfect way to support your favorite neighborhood chefs while guaranteeing a stress-free, delicious feast.

hoodline.com

FoodeesFest Brings 40+ Food Trucks to North Raleigh

More than 40 gourmet food trucks, along with craft and artisan vendors, are set to roll into the parking lot near Macy's and the Commons at Triangle Town Center for a three-day run starting Friday, October 30. FoodeesFest, the touring food truck and craft festival, is bringing its food and craft vendors to North Raleigh, and admission is free for the entire weekend.

Raleigh News & Observer

WRAL adds new investigative reporter after notable staff exits

Local NBC-affiliate station, WRAL, welcomes a new reporter to their on-air talent starting in November following recent changes to broadcast staff. Award-winning investigative reporter, Tolly Taylor, will join the station on Monday, November 9, according to his social media post . Taylor currently works with 12 News team at WPRI in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. “I’m excited to share I’ll be joining WRAL in North Carolina as an investigative reporter next month,” Taylor said on LinkedIn . “It’s a top-notch team that’s always trying to innovate and get better, and I can’t wait to get started.” In addition to Rhode Island, Taylor has worked in Baltimore, Maryland; Mishawaka, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois and other locations throughout his career. He received his master’s of science in journalism from Northwestern University. The News & Observer reached out to Taylor and WRAL, and this story will be updated once responses are received. WRAL staff changes Taylor’s recent hiring comes amid an influx of other new reporters and broadcast changes to the WRAL team, The N&O reported: Delaney Tarpley announced her new position with WRAL as a morning news anchor through a post on her Instagram while WRAL’s Ally Kadlubar, who joined the station

Raleigh, NC · 17d

decorhint.com

This North Carolina Indian Restaurant Just Claimed The No. 1 Spot In The Entire State

Garlic-and-pepper crab fried rice. Arre, say less. I am already listening. Then I learned the chef behind it has been named a James Beard semifinalist twice, and my imaginary dinner reservation became much more serious. What really pulls me in, though, is the family story behind the food. The cooking...

Durham, NC · 15d

decorhint.com

This Old-School North Carolina Produce Market Still Lets You Fill A Bag With Fresh Fruits And Vegetables For $25

Gather around, because this grocery story starts with a paper bag and a very dangerous amount of confidence. The rule is wonderfully simple: if it fits, it is yours. Naturally, I would immediately start treating grocery shopping like a championship-level packing contest. The deal even includes a bonus item on...

Durham, NC · 15d

fastfoodclub.com

partner publisher · 187.4K followers

Cold Mornings Are Made For The Chicken Biscuits At These 5 North Carolina Drive-Thrus

When the windshield is frosted and the heater is still warming up, a hot chicken biscuit handed through a drive-thru window can fix a lot. North Carolina takes its biscuits seriously, and some of the best ones come from spots where you never have to leave your car. This list...

North Carolina · 17d

FOX8 News

75-million-year-old dinosaur coming to North Carolina museum

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Raleigh could be at the forefront of the discovery of a new species of dinosaur, as crews delivered the skeleton of a 75-million-year-old dinosaur to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Wednesday. “We’re thrilled, we’re thrilled, and everything went really well,” said Lindsay Zanno, the museum’s head of paleontology. Paleontologists […]

Raleigh, NC · 15d

Raleigh News & Observer

A viral TikTok shows wood blocks propping up a NC State Fair ride. That's common

A TikTok video showing the wooden blocks underneath a ride at the North Carolina State Fair left some viewers swearing they’d never ride a fair ride again. But those blocks aren’t new. And they’re pretty common when you know where to look. Some amusement rides have built-in leveling jacks, while others need wood blocks to create a “level, stable foundation,” according to John Waugh, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Labor. “During inspections, NCDOL inspectors evaluate each ride’s leveling and support systems, verifying that the ride is properly levels, that the blocking is correctly positioned and that the ride’s weight is properly distributed across its supports to prevent shifting or movement during operations,” he said in an emailed statement to The News & Observer. “These checks are critical to ensuring each ride is securely set up and remains stable throughout operation.” In the video , the words “NC FAIR....why is this the coaster support” are written across the video and the caption states “You won’t catch me on a single fair ride.” The video shows a portion of a ride, identified in the comments as the Dragon Coaster, with two large wooden blocks and two smaller wood board

North Carolina · 17d

wcti12.com

Chubby Beard Bandit to meet fairgoers at N.C. State Fair in Raleigh

Who is the celebrity judge for the N.C. State Fair barbecue cookoff?. An Eastern North Carolina social media creator is meeting fairgoers at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh on Thursday, Oct. 22. James Bullock Jr., known online as the Chubby Beard Bandit, is scheduled to meet fans at Dorton...

unearththevoyage.com

12 American Breweries Serving Food Almost Too Good for a Taproom

Brewery menus used to mean a basket of fries and a pretzel, and that was about it. Not anymore. Across the country, some breweries now run kitchens that could stand on their own as full restaurants. You will find dim sum in North Carolina, tasting menus in Chicago, wood-fired pizza in Massachusetts, and lobster rolls in Maine.

Raleigh, NC · 17d

dogbreedpro.com

19 Apartment-Friendly Dog Breeds For Charlotte And Raleigh In North Carolina

Charlotte and Raleigh keep adding apartments, greenways, and rooftop dog runs at a dizzying pace. That growth raises a fun question for renters: which pup will actually thrive up three flights of stairs?. The answer depends on more than size. Barking habits, summer heat tolerance, and grooming needs all matter...

Charlotte, NC · 16d

waltermagazine.com

What to Do in Raleigh in November 2026

The giving season is officially underway! Celebrate by supporting the local artists, sports teams and authors who inspire us all year round — plus catching the lights at the JC Raulston Arboretum and the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival. Catch Peak Fall Color Around the Triangle. Nothing captures the...

Raleigh News & Observer

Same grocery bill, smaller cart? Raleigh store owner says shoppers may get less

Tariffs and fuel costs have taken a toll on Grand Asia Market over the past year. The Raleigh grocery store had to raise prices on some imported items as a result of tariffs, owner Richard Chang said. And as the cost of fuel, specifically diesel, has increased since the U.S. began attacking Iran months ago, vendors have started charging more for transporting goods to the store, he said. “Manufacturers are pretty smart,” Chang said. “They don’t want to raise prices either. So what they’ll do is, they’ll shrink their product volume down.” The result, Chang said, is customers getting less than what they were previously, even if their bills haven’t changed. Chang led Democratic U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross and Wake County Commissioner Don Mial around his store Tuesday, as they discussed affordability issues.

Raleigh, NC · 17d

midtownmag.com

Prism Fine Wine Brings a World of Wine to Raleigh

Discover Prism Fine Wine in Raleigh, offering global wines, everyday bottles, rare Champagne, and a relaxing lounge with wines by the glass. Finding an easygoing bottle for Tuesday night and hunting down a special Champagne for a milestone celebration might seem like two different shopping trips. But at Prism Fine Wine in Raleigh, both are part of the same experience. And with a comfortable lounge tucked behind the retail area, visitors can also settle in for a glass before heading home.

raleighweekend.com

Saturday on Glenwood: Costumes, Cocktails, and Haunted Bar Hopping

For my fellow Halloween fanatics, I see dusting off the costume bin a week early in your future… 🔮. On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, Glenwood South turns into an all-out street spectacle for the Raleigh Official Halloween Pub Crawl. Check in at The Dogwood Bar & Eatery to snag your wristband, which scores you free cover, themed drink discounts, and automatic entry into the night’s costume contest at several of the strip’s liveliest spots.

takemetotn.com