As the semester comes to an end and seniors are spotting the finish line in the distance, there are still a number of things you have left to do before you leave Raleigh. In the midst of passing your exams (or not) and packing your belongings, food is rather important, and why not eat well?
As a Raleigh native, I’ve had more chances than most State students to partake of the capital city’s varied cuisine. As NC State students, there are restaurants that would be impossible not to have tried yet including Cook Out, Jasmin and Bojangles’, among countless others. But don’t even think about turning that tassel until you’ve tried these delicious restaurants Raleigh has to offer.
The first time my family and I visited Guasaca, I was shocked by its bright colors, Spanish music playing overhead and, mostly, that there was a restaurant that sold my favorite food: arepas. These corn-flour gifts from God are a staple in my family and in their country of origin, Venezuela, but I did not know they would eventually reach a larger American audience.
You order Chipotle-style, choosing your ingredients to go in the arepa, bowl or salad, and then you can finish by ordering chips and guasaca, a better version of guacamole. Each arepa is packed full of your favorite ingredients including your choice of meat, cheese, plantains, beans and pico de gallo, among other options. You can find seating both indoors or outdoors and napkins are highly recommended, as well as a fork so none of the fresh ingredients go to waste.
State Farmers Market Restaurant
A perfect lazy Sunday morning for my family was waking up for mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral at noon and then on our way home, stopping at the State Farmers Market Restaurant for some well-earned TSB — typical southern breakfast.
The large portions and extraordinary biscuits will cause you to feel as though Thanksgiving came early this year, but in breakfast form. Servers dressed in bright colored shirts and overalls remind you of why North Carolina is truly a special place. Did I mention the biscuits are amazing?
Just like our sacred Fountain and Clark Dining Halls’ weekend breakfasts, the State Farmers Market also serves breakfast until 3 p.m., the perfect time for you to realize just how much work you have due that week and begin your mental breakdown. But at least you had a moment of pure bliss as you indulged in a meal of eggs benedict, smoked ham, hot cakes … oh, and biscuits.
As a Hispanic growing up on white rice with black beans and plantains, I was skeptical that better food existed in the world. And I was right. Luckily, Mami Nora’s rice, beans and plantains come in a close second to the dishes I grew up on. This Peruvian cuisine is perfect for catering large events, or you can stop by the restaurant and pick up some rotisserie chicken and delicious sides.
If there wasn’t a large “Hot Wieners” sign hanging overhead, it wouldn’t be hard to bypass this inconspicuous-looking hotdog place. However, The Roast Grill is an ancient gem in a city where renovations and additions seem to always be taking place.
Owned by a man and his mother since 1940, the Roast Grill serves only hot dogs and Coca-Cola in glass bottles — and don’t even think about asking for ketchup. The only seating in this tiny restaurant is at the bar, where you can watch the couple crank out the franks, or at a few small tables that line the wall. Oh, and these hot wieners are good.
If the name and the logo of an overweight mouse in a sombrero eating a taco doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what will. Chubby’s Tacos is any Tex-Mex fan’s dream restaurant, with a menu equipped with every kind of not-actual-Mexican-food you could imagine. The chips and queso are superior to Moe’s and the wide assortment of salsa at the salsa bar will quench your thirst for mild to picante salsas. The burritos are huge and are a perfect meal after not eating for days due to exams.
Tucked away off of Hillsborough Street near the State Fairgrounds, Neomonde became a family favorite from the very first times we patronized it. Although this restaurant has been updated beautifully, the exquisite Mediterranean cuisine has kept the same high quality.
The immense menu offers everything from kabobs to couscous and tabbouleh, with complimentary freshly made pita accompanied by hummus. Despite its rather bizarre location, Mediterranean food lovers from around the Triangle stop by for homemade baklava and mamoul.
If you are a fan of eating fluffy, just-out-of-the-oven waffles topped with crispy white or dark chicken (most likely killed out back for freshness) and topped off with maple syrup straight from Canada, then Beasley’s Chicken & Honey is the place for you. Can I verify that those are indeed facts? No. But, I can assure you that this food will satisfy any American’s thirst for bizarrely coupled food. Although often busy, having a meal at Beasley’s is worth the wait.
You simply cannot graduate without having had a burger and shake from Chargrill, and a hot dog and fries from Snoopy’s. Conveniently located less than block apart on Hillsborough Street, these local chains are perfect for a late night indulgence or a quick lunch. Although similar to Cook Out in their strictly outdoor seating, on a beautiful day, these two fast food restaurants provide a nice greasy relief from the daily college stress.
Looking for a night out with some friends or a loved one? Or want to eat at a more high-end restaurant when your parents come to town? Poole’s Diner is a perfect spot to splurge, complete with the best mac and cheese you have ever tried. I realize you think your grandma makes the best mac and cheese, but you obviously have never tried Poole’s. Inspired by the season, Poole’s Diner’s chalkboard menus are constantly changing, displaying food with ingredients from local growers. Poole’s seats at a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to plan ahead and arrive hungry.
