Okay, so, I'm into food culture per say. For the last two years I've been trying to work my way through a lot of the places to eat in Raleigh, and lately Downtown Raleigh, but this year--eh, money is a little tight, and I'd like to have places I KNOW will be worthwhile lined up. This applies both for Downtown and regular-joe eateries. I want to include both because... well, it's nice to indulge every once and a while, and I like my variety.

Anyway, makes a list of your favorites, your least favorites, places you go when you have money to spend, when you don't, et cetera. Bars aren't of any use to me, but if they're fucking off-the-wall great even if you can't drink there, then go ahead and suggest it--or if their food just happens to be awesome.

But yea, need new places to eat. GO GO GO!

9/6/2009 6:15:38 PM

Irregardless mmmm.

Does Bogarts still do that Monday special? Dinner for two with appetizer, main dish, dessert, and a bottle of wine for $40. That was always a good deal.

9/6/2009 6:17:06 PM

neomonde, raleigh times, the rockford, chubby's tacos, fiesta

9/6/2009 6:18:52 PM

http://www.xioscafe.com

9/6/2009 6:18:54 PM

I've been meaning to go to Irregardless, my parents went there when they lived in the Triangle all the time.

Oh, and what is the... atmosphere of Irregardless? I'm not sure if it's casual, semi-formal, come-as-you-are, whatever.

Actually, everyone include that. I don't want to show up to some tablecloth-laden wine glass Forrest in a t-shirt and shorts.

9/6/2009 6:19:18 PM

I've never been a fan of Neomonde. Probably because I only ate at their RTP location and they jacked the prices up accordingly. Nur Deli in Mission Valley is where it's at

I'd say Irregardless is a put on your Sunday best sort of deal, but I've shown up to their brunch in jeans and a t-shirt before and didn't feel out of place. I guess it depends what time of day you're going.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM. Reason : .]

9/6/2009 6:19:48 PM

neo china!

all the places i've listed so far are casual/come as you are/whatever

9/6/2009 6:20:24 PM

Been meaning to go to Neomonde, not sure where it is though. Close by I hear.

Tried to go to Abbey Road in Cary the other day. We got lost. Google Maps made a huge fuckup of it.

Big Easy last week, loved it.

Anyone know if the Duck & Dumpling is worth the prices?

9/6/2009 6:21:08 PM

Jade Garden

(the r is silent)

9/6/2009 6:21:18 PM

Jade Garden was the first fast food I ever ordered from a NCSU dorm.

Never again.

9/6/2009 6:22:03 PM

fast food? wtf

9/6/2009 6:22:22 PM

PEARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9/6/2009 6:23:21 PM

Sushi Tsune's tenzaru soba is tasty from what I remember. Of course it could have shut down for all I know

If you haven't been to Lilly's Pizza yet you're doing something wrong.

9/6/2009 6:24:53 PM

yes - lilys and moonlight pizza are both yum

mojoes

player's retreat

9/6/2009 6:25:39 PM

Hi5

$7 kobe beef burger

all the other food is $5

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 6:49 PM. Reason : http://hi5raleigh.com]

9/6/2009 6:42:24 PM

$7 for a wagyu burger? wtf?? Apparently I need to get into a business partnership with one of the local farms and sell their beef to suckers in America

9/6/2009 6:44:43 PM

dont be naive.

people have been selling "kobe" burgers in the us for upwards of $15-20 for a decade.

9/6/2009 6:47:37 PM

Quote :

"per say"

9/6/2009 6:49:46 PM

Jesus Christ seriously?! And I thought I was paying too much for a $4 wagyu burger at the place down the street from me.

9/6/2009 6:50:29 PM

Mojos after 10 ftw

9/6/2009 6:53:53 PM

TOBACCO ROAD SPORTS CAFE

9/6/2009 7:09:21 PM

TOBACCO ROAD SPORTS CAFE HAPPY HOUR MENU

2.99 and 3.99 menu that includes burgers, wings, nachos etc

all you have to do is order a drink(alcohol or non) to get the special

4-6
11-2
mon-thurs

9/6/2009 7:10:40 PM

let me guess..


that's the bar you work at

9/6/2009 7:20:06 PM

get the roast pork and vegetables

9/6/2009 7:34:26 PM

^x6, "per se", fuck you.


Anyway, only pizza places I've been to have been to that wasn't your standard grub pizza was Amore's. I'll have to look up Lilly's and Moonlight.

Planning to try Hi5, love Kobe when I can get it.

Been to Sushi Tsune, it's still open. Best sushi in the area I've had so far, but a friend of mine wants to test Sono in Downtown.

And, well, let's just say I've frequented Player's Retreat my fair share of times.

9/6/2009 7:48:34 PM

Come on fatties, divulge your secrets.

GIVE UNTO ME YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

9/6/2009 8:17:25 PM

^^

9/6/2009 8:18:41 PM

why would you think fatties are foodies?

sir, you are mistaken.

there's a very distinct difference between people who appreciate teh nuances of great food for a bargain vs the people who appreciate the volume of food for a bargain.

9/6/2009 8:19:51 PM

Seriously, though, Crazyfire is delish.

9/6/2009 8:20:09 PM

does ruckus still have $1 slices after 10?

9/6/2009 8:24:07 PM

^^^Why would you think I was being serious?

I commonly use the address "you bastards". I mean them both to the same extent.

Don't take it to heart.

The abundance of capslock probably indicted humor too, or just awesomeness.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 8:26 PM. Reason : Capslock is cruise control to awesome.]

9/6/2009 8:25:51 PM

^ does that make caps lock in a food thread... awesome sauce?

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 8:32 PM. Reason : v nice.]

9/6/2009 8:28:45 PM

I heard that was .50 cent extra.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 8:32 PM. Reason : I heard, HEART IS NOT FOR HEARING FOO.]

9/6/2009 8:32:01 PM

In addition to a lot of things already mentioned

Bali Hai http://balihainc.com/

They fully encourage you to take advantage of them by buying one bowl and piling it so high everything is spilling off.

Sitti http://www.sitti-raleigh.com/
Remedy Diner http://theremedydiner.com/
Vic's http://vicsitalianrestaurant.com/
Dalat in Mission Valley

9/6/2009 8:59:55 PM

Almost everyone I've known who has gone to Sono says it's overrated. Their specialty rolls are pretty good but if you're going for nigiri it's crap.

9/6/2009 9:04:06 PM

Red Room - 1/2 price tapas on Sun and Mon

Bogarts - excellent brunch buffet on Sun, and the Mon special mentioned earlier is app or dessert, 2 salads, 2 entrees plus a bottle of wine/pitcher of beer for $40

The Rockford - awesome selection of vegetarian/local food, but the service can sometimes be really slow

The Cupcake Shoppe - the most delicious cupcakes I've ever had in my life

Hayes Barton - delicious delicious food but can be pricey, desserts (pies/cakes) are huge and change daily

MoJoe's - excellent milkshakes but Hi5 has better/cheaper burgers

Sunflower's - great sandwiches, but it's cash only

Thaiphoon - decent food, but slightly overpriced

I also agree that Irregardless, Bali Hai and Lily's are good.

Watch out for Tobacco Road - there's a really weird/creepy guy who works there.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 9:05 PM. Reason : .]

9/6/2009 9:04:14 PM

What's the scoop on Poole's Diner, aside from the fact that the line is out the door every time i try to eat there?

9/6/2009 9:07:00 PM

Sunflower's is a good one. Forgot about that.

Five Star is also pretty good.

Poole's is a bit pricey. I have only had their brunch, but it was really good.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 9:09 PM. Reason : .]

9/6/2009 9:08:48 PM

I still can't find anyone that's been to Duck & Dumpling. It's kind of formal, maybe that's why.

9/6/2009 9:12:10 PM

Green Basil and 9N9 are some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area.

9/6/2009 9:12:26 PM

Rockford is delish n el cheapo
Mojos late night
42nd st lunch menu
Neomonde

9/6/2009 9:15:35 PM

I liked Duck and the Dumpling a lot, but I went there for lunch. A lot cheaper and more casual then.

9/6/2009 9:15:45 PM

^^^^one of my friends worked there in college... I'm pretty sure she never actually ate the food though

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 9:17 PM. Reason : duck&dump]

9/6/2009 9:15:51 PM

does mecca still exist? i feel like it doesn't

9/6/2009 9:19:39 PM

Yes it does

9/6/2009 9:23:26 PM

Any really good Mexican places?

EDIT: And favorite Italian. My girlfriend IS Italian, and she wants a good place to go.

[Edited on September 6, 2009 at 9:26 PM. Reason : Italians.]

9/6/2009 9:25:43 PM

i like fiesta mexicana

and chubby's tacos i mentioned before is yum. they have like 9 kinds of salsas.

9/6/2009 9:26:33 PM

I was gonna say Fiesta Mexicana too. It's pretty much your standard Tex-Mex place, but everything I have had there has always been really good.

Dos Taquitos is pretty good, but idk I think it's a bit overpriced.

9/6/2009 9:27:58 PM

I did know a good Italian place run by real Italians but they switched to doing exclusively catering a few years ago

Caffe Luna is good. Conti's Italian Market if you just want to buy the goods.

If you want great Mexican just go to one of the construction sites and buy from the taco truck.

9/6/2009 9:43:13 PM

Building up a good list here.

Nominating: Best Burger in Raleigh

9/6/2009 10:06:03 PM