chapel Hill NC

I live a couple hours away from CH, however I've some friends in Durham. I'll forward this to them and see if they've got a spot or two for you.

Ciao,

Hi Shroom
You are headed to my hometown, though a lot has changed since I left eight years ago.
Yes, Fearrington House is a real winner. Eat there if you can afford it. You should also check out Allen and Sons Barbecue on Hwy 86. It's about 7 miles north of town toward Hillsborough. It offers some of the best and most difinitive NC barbecue around. It's just a little hole in the wall kind of place near the railroad tracks, but the 'cue is delicious.
There are several retail food stores worth visiting. Go to Weaver Street Market on Weaver St. in Carrboro (Chapel Hill and Carrboro are sister cities that flow into one another). It's a cooperatively owned food store with the best artisan baked bread anywhere. Even living here in NY I miss the ciabatta from Weaver Street. There is a big beautiful lawn in front shaded with huge oaks where many people gather. Sundays they have an outdoor jazz brunch and Thursday nights an after hours wine tasting-both with live music.
A Southern Season in University Mall is quite an experience. It has gone through several changes of location and emphasis, but still remains a bastion of the culinary and fine wine world.
Of course, there is Whole Foods, but one is really just like any other these day,s aren't they? They're kind of becoming the McDs of natural food and stripping all personality out of the business.
Carolina Brewery on West Franklin St. and Tyler's on Main St. in Carrboro makes some really fine microbrews.
I've heard Jujube is really good, but Giorgios Bakatsias restaurants (his group owns several in the area) are famous for their inconsistency while occasionally being superlative.
Crooks Corner on West Franklin (in an area called Midway-the fuzzy transition strip from Chapel Hill to Carrboro) is worth a trip. Bill Neal opened it many years ago to celebrate the finer aspects of southern cooking. Shrimp and Grits is the signature dish that put the place and Neal on the national culinary map. The blackened rib eye, southern eggs benedict (brunch-made with finely shaved country ham), hoppin' john and blackened sweetbreads are all scrumptious.
Mama Dips Country Kitchen on West Rosemary St. (runs parallel to Franklin St., just one block north) has the best soul food around. Her fried oysters, fried chicken, roast pork, collard greens, squash casserole and sweet tea are southern soul food "Defined." I went to high school with Spring Council, Mama Dips daughter, one of the Council family who have been running the restaurant since it's inception.
If I think of others, I'll add them. There are many other good places to eat, but the ones above are favorite of the local clientele and most closely represent the true nature of Chapel Hill/Carrboro.
Oh, if you're dying for a slice of great pizza, go to Pepper's Pizza on the main drag of Franklin St. between Henderson and Columbia. Check out the dough mixer in the front window and don't be scared off by the fetish kids-all tattoos and metal bits who work the place. Plenty of pizza joints here in NY don't hold a candle to a slice from Pepper's. Then again, maybe I'm just nostalgic.
Have fun!

The best barbecue for barbecue sake is definitely Allen and Son's (Highway 86), but everything else there is lacking. The best barbecue for everything else is The Barbecue Joint (Weaver Dairy Rd.).
For upscale dining Fearrington House is very good, but for the cost I'd rather go to Elaine's on Franklin St. right on Franklin St. (Chapel Hill's Main St.). If you want a steak house that's everything you've ever wanted in a steak house try Bin 54 on Raleigh Rd.
Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas have a remarkable collection of taqueria's and tienda's to get your fill of real Mexican. Fiesta Grill (Highway 54) is one of the best though it's a treck. Don Jose's Tienda on Rosemary St. in Carrboro (mere feet from Chapel Hill) has some great food as well.
The Milltown bar in Carrboro is also a treat with a huge beer list and food to back it up, especially for an afterwork drink or snack.
Jujube next door to the aforementioned Bin 54 is a terrific Asian restaurant with a good bar and nice decor. The chef is a friend and is always happy to talk about food and see if he has anything special hiding in the lowboy, like pork belly.
You shouldn't hurt for places to eat. If you're looking for something specific drop me a PM and I'll point you in the right direction. I love living here and love the restaurants. I'm going to miss them when we move away in a few weeks.

Here's what I got in from my friends in Durham:

Ciao,

Shroomgirl, if you like Italian, try 411 West located on Franklin Street. I second the motion for Pepper's Pizza if you want a slice. Have fun in Chapel Hill, my favorite city in the world. Can you tell I'm a Tarheel??? lol

Southern Season used to be my absolute favorite store when I lived in Chapel Hill!

I remember some good places along Franklin Street, including one which eventually sold its salad dressing in grocery stores (refrigerated). I wish I could remember the name, but all I remember is that it was towards the Carrboro side of Franklin Street, but not in Carrboro itself. Don't know if it's still there.

I believe you are speaking of Pyewacket, Free Rider.
They sold a salad dressing called Lemon Tamari-actually, they didn't sell it, but a company out of Hillsborough called Wizard's Cauldron kind of copied the dressing and bottled it. It was never quite as good, and I think the relationship between the restaurant and the dressing company was a bit contentious after that. Weaver Street Market makes it fresh and offers it for sale.
The Morning Star Salad, Vegetarian Lasagne, Plaki, Clams in White Wine sauce and Grilled Rib eye were great. The chef from Pyewacket is an old friend of my husband's.
God, I loved that place! Was very sorry to see it disappear.

Yes, Pyewacket was the place. I remember the cream plum dressing, not the lemon tamari. I agree that the bottled wasn't as good. I remember the Morning Star Salad! I haven't been to Chapel Hill in many years. Sorry to hear that it's gone, but compliments to the chef. :)

Found this message board for favorite Chapel Hill Restaurants. It's on the UNC alumni page: http://alumni.unc.edu/mboard/bulleti...l%20Restaurant

I really wish I checked up on cheftalk as often as I used to! I live in Raleigh and my sis lives in CH. Looks like I need to eat more when I go visit!

I have been trying to get this recipe for YEARS!
Can anyone point me in the right direction?!?!