Stem, NC Food & Drink and More

A Raleigh bar, beloved for 40 years, will return after more than a decade away

A revival is in the works for a Raleigh icon that closed more than a decade ago. The sandwich shop and dive bar Sadlack’s will return in a few months in a new location and under new ownership. Jack-of-all-trades Henry Goodall is reopening Sadlack’s in a century-old building at 913 W. Morgan St. in Raleigh. The name is the same, but the new Sadlack’s will open for drinks only to start, with food to follow if all goes well, Goodall told The News & Observer. But more than a menu, Goodall said the new Sadlack’s hopes to conjure a sense of community. “We’re not trying to be the old Sadlack’s, you can’t go back in time and do that,” Goodell said. “But whether you miss the old Sadlack’s or you never had the opportunity to go and always felt like you missed something, this will be here to fill whatever it is they’re trying to find. The world is lacking community and that’s what we’re trying to create here.” The Sadlack’s return was first reported by Raleigh Magazine . Sadlack’s stood for 40 years on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, serving sandwiches and drawing fans from all walks of life. Goodell

travelmag.com

Fried Chicken, Ham Biscuits And A Line Out The Door Make This Raleigh, North Carolina Diner A Saturday Ritual

Old farm tools hang over the tables, and the smell of country ham reaches you before the door does. That was my first clue that a plain little brick diner in North Carolina was going to feed me better than I expected. The line outside looked long, but it moved...

Raleigh News & Observer

One of Raleigh's most influential restaurants will close after 13 years

One of Raleigh’s most distinct and influential restaurants will close this month after more than a decade of championing and celebrating vegetarian cuisine. Fiction Kitchen plans to close its doors for good on Saturday, Nov. 14, and will serve its final Sunday brunch on Nov. 8. “This was a very difficult decision and one full of tears, but we feel the time has come for us to sunset Fiction Kitchen,” owners Caroline Morrison and Siobhan Southern said in an Instagram post. Fiction Kitchen opened in 2013 on Davie Street in Downtown Raleigh. Serving an entirely vegan menu of comforting and seasonal favorites, Fiction Kitchen became a destination for vegetarians and omnivores alike, solidifying its spot as one of the city’s signature restaurants for a time. Its vegan pulled “pork” has been a sensation for years, collecting national write-ups from outlets like The Washington Post . View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Fiction Kitchen (@thefictionkitchen) In 2024, Fiction Kitchen closed its original location in Downtown Raleigh and relocated to the redeveloping Gateway Plaza shopping center, first as a pop-up and then in a new permanent space in 2025. The owners hoped the move would offer a fresh

Raleigh, NC · 2d

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 · 2d

unearththevoyage.com

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 · 1d

familydestinationsguide.com

You’ll Feel Like You’ve Traveled Back In Time At These 10 Old-Fashioned North Carolina Diners

Looking for old-fashioned North Carolina diners that’ll make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time?. These 10 diners deliver classic eats and a genuine 1950s atmosphere that’s totally worth the trip!. 1. Snappy Lunch (Mount Airy) Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy is the kind of place...

Raleigh, NC · 12d

whatnow.com

Compa Pizza & Pasta Co. Serves Up a Fresh Take on Italian Dining in North Durham

North Durham is set to welcome another locally developed Italian dining concept as Compa Pizza & Pasta prepares to open at Latta Park, the mixed-use development at Guess Road and Latta Road in Durham. Co-owner Josephine Finazzo confirmed the upcoming restaurant to WhatNow Charlotte, with a soft opening targeted for the first week of December 2026, as reported by The News & Observer.

Durham, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

Durham's latest hot spot delivers fiery spice and punchy citrus from a top chef

If things had gone according to chef Michael Lee’s original plans, Durham might not have one of its flagship restaurants — M Sushi. More than a decade ago when Lee was looking to open his first restaurant, he thought it would be M Nikkei, a fusion restaurant blending Japanese techniques and dishes with the spice and citrus of Peruvian ingredients. There was nothing else like it at the time in Durham, nor since. Lee instead opened M Sushi, the most ambitious sushi restaurant in the city and now the cornerstone of Lee’s restaurant empire. But he wasn’t done with Nikkei cuisine. And now after 10 years and seven other restaurants, Lee has finally returned to his original vision. M Nikkei opened Halloween weekend in Durham’s Five Points district in the very heart of downtown. The restaurant replaces the former M Pocha , another Lee creation that served Korean street food for seven years. Here are five things to know about the brand new M Nikkei. A decade in the making Lee is obsessive about ingredients. He operates M Sushi locations in Durham and Cary but says the products are very different, because each restaurant uses different kinds of rice and

Durham, NC · 16h

Raleigh News & Observer

Trendy bakery chain has closed several Triangle locations this year

National bakery company Crumbl Cookies has closed multiple Triangle locations in 2026 after low sales and leadership changes. Locations in Raleigh’s Six Forks Station, Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, Cary’s Parkside and others across the state have seen closures from franchisees while internal documents have shown a 70 percent decrease in sales and the founders are looking for their own replacements, according to Fast Company and QSR Magazine . “Today, our franchises have reached across the nation and expanded internationally—all inspired by one big dream and the perfect ingredients that started it all,” the company said on its website . “We concentrate on developing delicious cookies inspired by popular flavors, tasty treats, and decadent desserts!” Founded in 2017 by co-founders, Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, after they teamed up on a quest to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The first location was opened in Utah before expanding their open-kitchen concept nationally. The store is known for its weekly rotating menu, featuring six distinct flavors, selected from a variety of cookies and desserts. North Carolina closures in 2026 Battleground Ave, Greensboro Cary Parkside Chapel Hill High Point Kernersville Lawndale, Greensboro Outer Banks Six Forks Station, Raleigh Steele Creek, Charlotte Crumble had

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Rocky Mount Telegram

Beans & Brews pulls out all the stops to benefit Meals on Wheels

Dark and stormy skies greeted guests arriving at Rocky Mount Mills for the 11th Annual Beans & Brews fundraiser benefiting Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount. But unlike the fun, the rain didn’t last. As the weather cleared Thursday evening, supporters packed the Power House and spilled into the courtyard, enjoying chili, craft beer and live music while helping raise funds for an organization that serves some of the community’s more vulnerable residents. For Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount, the annual fundraiser is much more than a social gathering. It is an opportunity to support a growing mission. The organization currently serves 105 seniors through 15 delivery routes and delivered approximately 42,000 meals during the past year. Demand continues to rise, with the agency now receiving more than 20 calls each week from seniors seeking assistance. Inside the Power House, the aroma of simmering spices, smoked meats and secret family recipes filled the air as guests sampled entries from 17 competing chili teams representing local businesses, churches and community organizations. Friendly competition was on full display as teams such as Holy Smokes, Steam & Spice, Wall Street Heat, Bean Counters, Tall Pines Chili Squad and Black N Blue Q

Rocky Mount, NC · 12h

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...

travelmag.com

8 North Carolina Diners Where The Chili Cheeseburger Plate Comes With Onion Rings

Onion rings were supposed to be the side, but the first crunchy, golden bite made the burger fight for attention. That small surprise happens all over North Carolina, in plain little diners with paper napkins and squeaky booths. The chili cheeseburger here is a proud local tradition, piled with chili,...

North Carolina · 4d

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 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 · 3d

jocoreport.com

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 News & Observer

Insects in rice, floating black growth: 3 Triangle restaurants get ‘B' grades

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. 20-26. Wake County sanitation scores The Wake County inspection management system shows 85 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 20-26. One restaurant received a B grade (a score of at least 80 but lower than 90): Acacia Tree Asian Cuisine (101 Keybridge Drive, Suite 100, Morrisville) received a score of 87.5 on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The restaurant was in violation of 11 standards. Violations include a metal bowl of standing water with black growth floating inside, encrusted buildup of debris on several dishes stored as clean and flying insects inside bulk bins of rice, among other violations. The restaurant previously scored an A grade in January 2026. Durham County sanitation scores The Durham County

Wake County, NC · 10d

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.

midtownmag.com