Down home at Backyard Barbecue

 

Since we’ve moved to North Carolina, I have been touting the superiority of North Carolina to Tony. He’s a northernor who didn’t grow up with the sweet, tangy vinegary taste of NC BBQ.  We’ve been trying to find the best North Carolina barbecue in the Triangle area. Lexington is of course the barbecue mecca in North Carolina, but the Triangle has had a lot to offer too. Three places stand out in particular, the ritzy The Pit, Allan and Sons in Chapel Hill (that will be a future adventure), and Backyard Barbecue in Durham. Backyard Barbecue has two locations, one of which was featured on “Man vs. Food,” so we had to see if it was worth the hype.

Blissful: Cupcakes at Bliss bakery

As may be apparent from my many many fillings, I have always been a big fan of the sweets, particularly those of the cake and frosting variety.  Naturally, Julia and I were both really excited when the Cupcake Shoppe (104 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC) opened in Raleigh,and we have always enjoyed stopping by to get a sweet snack.  However,  I have always find myself feeling a little disappointed with their overly rich and heavy cupcakes.   Although I do still really enjoy the peanut butter cup cupcake, Jules and I have been looking for a newer possibly lighter baked alternative.  So, we were both really excited when we had heard that Bliss Bakery (431 W Franklin St Chapel Hill, NC) which also has a cupcake-centric menu.

Stroll down bad food memory lane…

Writing about food has made me appreciate a good meal. It’s also made me more aware of when eating out is just outright terrible.  As much as I’ve had some wonderful food, it’s the bad moments that have been the most memorable…and most fun to talk about.

It’s Here, it’s here!!!: Opening of the Raleigh Trader Joe’s

Tony and I have a mutual friend who used to travel 90 minutes to go shop at Trader Joe’s where we used to live. We thought he was crazy, why would anyone get so excited about a grocery store? Fast Forward to last month, where I was giddy like a kid waiting for Christmas. Trader Joe’s has the effect on me.Trader Joe’s is definitely not a place where I would do my regular grocery shopping. However, for hard to find items and good organic foods, it’s a great place to stop by. I always find something surprising, like a great seafood cioppino in the freezer aisle and delicious sea salt brownies.

Champa Thai and Sushi

Thai food will forever remind me of the first apartment I had as a college student in Illinois.  We lived in a great apartment that included a balcony that looked out onto the chaotic bar crowds of the campus town of the University of Illinois.

Panang Chicken

Finally!!!!!!! Dogs at Roast Grill

Tony and I have been waiting patiently for a long time to get to eat at Roast Grill.  Seeing it featured on one of my favorite food shows, “Man vs. Food,” made the wait even more excruciating. It’s been weeks, maybe even months. You’d think that we were on a waiting list for some fancy restaurant, not hot dogs. The problem was that the legendary Roast Grill (7 S West St., Raleigh, NC 27603-1849) has crazy hours and every time we went, it was closed. We showed up two Saturdays in a row and they were closed each time for a wedding. I love roasted hot dogs, it seems like you only get the boiled kind around here, so I wanted to cry out of disappointment. The thing we were most afraid of was after the wait, would these hot dogs be worth it?

Halloween Peep butter and marshmallow sandwiches

Happy Halloween everybody!

Peeps.  I think they are a candy that you absolutely adore or are completely grossed out by.  Honestly, although I belong to the former camp, I can totally understand why you could feel a little ill at the very thought of consuming even a bite of these ungodly sweet marshmallow treats. 

OPA!!! Greek Night at Taverna Agora

When my in-laws came to town, they wanted to go out for Greek food. I went into a panic going to Taverna Agora (6101 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612-2613) for the first time; a new restaurant, new food, in front of two people that I really wanted to impress. Luckily for me, I loved every bite there and couldn’t wait to go back. The timing was perfect too, since last Saturday was Greek night!

The George on the Riverwalk

Well we have a had a busy few weeks here at Chez RDU Gonna Eat with a Greek Festival this weekend, the fair last weekend, and a friend visiting the weekend before.  So I have a ton of pics in my camera and a backlog of food posts (all restaurant related) to catch up on.  So without further ado, here is a quick review of the food I had while visiting Old Wilmington town.

Crab and Shrimp Crepes

“Our State Fair is a Great State Fair”

This past week has been crazy if you’re driving down Blue Ridge. Cars lined up as far as the eye can see. It can only mean one thing: State Fair!!!!!!!!!Tony and I love the N.C. state fair; there’s local culture*fried food*, the arts*more fried food*, and agriculture *did I mention fried food?* Oh yeah, and then there’s the food. I love fairs and carnivals because it’s such a great excuse to indulge and the fair always finds new ways to push the fried envelope.