Are you visiting Durham? Did you just move there? Are you a long-time resident who is looking for exciting new restaurants? Well, here is the definitive review of the dishes you have to eat in Durham, NC!
- Hush puppies from Allen and Sons Barbeque (in Chapel Hill) Okay, so maybe I cheated on this one, but it was hard not to put the whole menu on this review. None of the hush puppies I have tasted in the area (and that's a lot, if you think about how many restaurants claim to be the authoritative source on NC barbeque) can even come close to these. They are just sweet enough and slightly corn-flavored, and the outside is seasoned and fried to crunchy perfection. Even though the restaurant would probably win my barbeque award just from this dish, they do not slack on the ribs or pork barbeque either.
- Ginger habañero chicken wings from Oval Park Grille Oval Park Grille is a generally quiet sports bar with an expansive, open feel to it. Here's the twist: it markets itself as being "Local as Heck." On the menu you will find salads from Tiny Farms, a year-round farm in the area, and fish caught in North Carolina. The food is all very tasty, although the flavor combinations are possibly too creative, but the wings are truly amazing. I would recommend the ginger-habañero sauce because it takes the idea of chicken to a whole new level. You will not be able to put these down.
- Macaroni and Cheese Gratin from Watts Grocery Every time I go here I cannot help but order this dish, even though it is way too big to be an appetizer. Something about it being a gratin and served on a skillet makes it just irresistible. The top cheese is just cooked enough to have a thin crust, and the inner macaroni and cheese is extremely soft and flavorful. As much as I try to share this with assorted friends and family, I end up just eating the whole thing myself.
- Carnitas Burrito from Chubby's Tacos This restaurant as a whole is almost perfect. The service is fast, the ambience is casual, and chips are always brought to the table for free. I especially like their collection of spicy salsas. I would recommend anything on the menu, but I generally eat the Carnitas Burrito, which is stuffed with meat and rice and hot sauce. Unlike many burritos I have had in Durham, it does not taste overly greasy or too heavy.
- Lamb and Sausage Pizza from Pizzeria Toro Unfortunately, I cannot give a completely favorable review of this restaurant. In my view it is too loud and constantly too crowded. Of course, this is good for the restaurant but no for the customer. There is a 20 minute wait on Thursday night, and that is to get a seat at the same table as someone else. The service is also a little slow. The pizza, however, is wonderful! The flavor combinations are very creative but always turn out just right, and the pizza is cooked in a modern style brick oven. The food comes out hot and I have no complaints for this dish, although I have some for the restaurant.