Port City Foodies Newsletter: Where to get the best burgers and more Mexican

Fermental wine shop and beer garden at 600 S. 17th St. in Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS
Fermental wine shop and beer garden at 600 S. 17th St. in Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS

Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. And welcome to a great month for local foodies when spring turns to summer, the height of blueberry season comes, and when local restaurants are offering a host of fun food events. You can check out a few of them here. (Hint: If you like food truck rodeos, you’re in luck.) Here’s a look at some of the other news from the local restaurant scene, so you can stay in the know.

The Dish

Local chefs and beer lovers are bringing some national attention to Wilmington. One magazine recently named Fermental bottle shop as one of the best spots for beer in the South. Have you been to its new location? Also, local chef Nick Chavez will be appearing in a cooking competition series airing on the Food Network this month. We tell you how to tune in.

More: Wrightsville Beach chef representing the East Coast in Food Network competition series

Fond memories

This week also brought back memories of a local restaurant institution. Whitey's has been closed for more than a dozen years now, but people are still talking about the food. And the sense of belonging and community that the owner created during his five decades of running the business. Now he's gone, too, but the good memories remain.

More: Longtime owner of iconic Wilmington restaurant has died

What’s coming

If you’re a fan of Mexican food, chances are better than good that you’ve eaten at a restaurant owned by a trio of local restaurateurs. All of them are using the momentum they’ve created at their eateries to bring more options to Wilmington. We have a look at what’s ahead.

More: These restaurateurs are changing the Mexican dining scene in Wilmington

A double cheeseburger with fries and onion rings at The Original Salt Works in Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS
A double cheeseburger with fries and onion rings at The Original Salt Works in Wilmington, N.C. ALLISON BALLARD/STARNEWS

Time to celebrate!

In case you missed it, the Memorial Day weekend brought with it National Hamburger Day. The good news is there's no wrong time to enjoy one. We rounded up some of our favorites for this list. It’s probably safe to say that many, many local restaurants offer a burger – often a good one -- but we really tried to focus on the classic burger spots. Which places would you add?

More: Where can you find the best burgers in the Wilmington area? Here are 15 faves

Let's get social

Follow Port City Foodies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/portcityfoodies and on Instagram at @port_city_foodies.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Port City Foodies newsletter