Friday Fun Food Facts - November 12, 2010

Triangle restaurant news...that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

• If shopping makes you hungry, there is good news if you find yourself at Crabtree Valley Mall. Andy's Burgers, Shakes & Fries has just opened in the old Dunderbak's location (boy, do I miss Dunderbak's!).
  
  
• What's with all the yogurt places opening up right when it is getting cold? Anyway, FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt has opened its second Raleigh location at 2526 Hillsborough Street. The other Raleigh location is at Six Forks Station in North Raleigh.
  
  
• Originally slated to open in September, it looks as if Streets Deli in Chapel Hill has a more firm date of December for their much-anticipated opening in East 54. Their website now posts the December "opening" date and photos on their Facebook page show significant progress. Hold on all you relocated Yankees, it won't be long before you can try out a new joint where their motto is - A real New York deli served with a Southern accent, in a New York minute!
  
  
• If you were anywhere near Centennial Campus this past Wednesday, you probably ran into a little traffic. Well, it looks like it is going to be that way every Wednesday from 11:30 to 2 as Durham's incredibly popular (and famous) food truck Only Burger will be setting up shop weekly on Varsity Drive. If you live in Raleigh, and haven't had an Only Burger, you should make plans for an upcoming Wednesday. It is a must! Follow Only Burger on Twitter!
  
  
• Now this is interesting. A new restaurant called Bull Street Gourmet & Market is making plans to open at Hope Valley Square in Durham. That is the same strip mall that is home to Pop's Backdoor, Only Burger and Rick's Diner - located on Shannon Road. The interesting thing is, Bull Street, while it may appear to be playing off the "Bull City" theme of Durham, is actually a concept out of Charleston, South Carolina (located on Bull Street, nonetheless).
  
  
• Xios Authentic Greek Cuisine in Apex closed its doors this past Monday after 7 years in the business. Their website noted a variety of factors including the slowing economy and the increasing cost of food imports.
  
  
• Sue Stock reported this morning that C&H Cafeteria on Forum Drive in Raleigh has closed. The Durham location, at 1720 Guess Road near Northgate Mall, remains open, as well as the original location in Kernersville.
  
  
• And for all you food truck fans, it appears as if Mom's Delicious Dishes Food Truck has ceased its mobile operations. No word yet on whether they will continue the catering arm of their business.
  

• If you are a veteran and missed all the restaurant specials yesterday, take heart that Golden Corral will hold their 10th Annual Military Appreciation Monday, next Monday. All active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel will get a free dinner buffet and beverage on Nov. 15.

• T.G.I. Friday's is also continuing the celebration of our current and former military personnel (with ID) with a buy-one-get-one offer on entrees. Also, they will be given a $5 coupon for their next visit. This special runs through Sunday.
  
  
• If you'd rather not cook, clean and make the annual effort to figure out how the electric knife works this Thanksgiving, we've got good news for you. Or should I say, the News & Observer has good news for you. Greg Cox has put together a list of restaurants that will be serving up the turkey day offerings. But get your reservations in now! He'll be updating the list all next week.
  
  
• Or, if you just want someone else to cook the turkey and all the sides, and you bring it home, then The Q Shack at North Hills has you covered with Thanksgiving meal options that are all homemade and packaged ready to serve or to reheat as you wish. And the other cool thing is that Tom uses both free-range and local turkeys. Get your order in by November 22 and pick up by 5 pm on November 24th. More information and online ordering here.
  
  
• In case you were following it, the winners of the Bull City Vegan Challenge were announced earlier this week. Find out all the details at their website.
  
  
• Durham's Blu Seafood and Bar is offering their popular oysters and bubbles four-course dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 17th at 7 pm. The cost is $45 and reservations can be made by calling 919.286.9777 or by visiting their website.

• Most of us sip wine and don't think much of it, but next Thursday (Nov. 18th) a group of women want you to do that, but they want you to do so realizing that nearly one billion people on our globe lack access to clean water. The wine tasting, which will also feature appetizers and a raffle with really cool prizes, will be held at The Vintage Bar and Lounge located at 116 N. West Street in downtown Raleigh. 100% of the proceeds will go to Wine to Water Projects, a non-profit focused on providing clean water and sanitation to countries around the world. More information about the event can be found here and more information on Water to Wine can be found here.
  
  
• In the "Mark Your Calendar" file, make note that the dates have been set for the third annual Triangle Restaurant Week. Next year's "winter" edition will be held January 24th through the 30th. During this week tons of restaurants offer specials and really showcase their establishments. Be on the lookout for more details as they become available.

• Listen up Red Lobster fans...Do you think Red Lobster needs a fresh look and some new menu options? If you do, you're in luck. All 700 stores will receive make-overs to reflect the look and feel of Bar Harbor, Maine. 1/3 of the stores will be remodeled by June of next year, with the remainder by 2014.
  

• Speaking of makeovers, all six Triangle locations of Boston Market have recently been remodeled, both externally and internally (with a new decor that provides a warm and inviting feel) as well as with new menu items that are being tested solely in the Triangle market. Boston Market has another 364 locations outside of the Triangle.
  
  
• We are in day two of Pizza Hut's latest promotion. It is a 10-day promotion (Nov. 11-20) where you can get two medium pizzas with up to three toppings for just $6 each. This offer is available for delivery, carryout or dine-in orders.
  
  
• Quizno's has new coupons available for $1 off a regular sub and $2 off a large sub. The coupons are good through November 19th. Click here for the coupons.

• Don't want to wait until Friday for the area's latest restaurant news? Follow me on Twitter.