Friday Fun Food Facts - June 1, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• So last week's big news remains this week's big news...when will Lilly's in Durham open? At this point, we are hearing they are simply waiting on ABC permits to come through. Their Twitter account, Facebook page and website give indications of a pending opening, but no official word. We'll continue to hold our "Lilly's Vigil" until we know of an exact opening.

• And speaking of big news, don't forget that next week, June 4 through June 10th, is Triangle Restaurant Week. What is it? Basically it is a great excuse to get out and try some new restaurants. Over 80 restaurants will feature special menus at special prices all week. So, jump on over to their site and check out all the details.  

• We told you back on May 11th about another Tropical Smoothie Café coming to the Triangle...Well, it is here and has opened at 5311 S. Miami Blvd. next to Randy's Pizza. This marks the third Triangle location and is just in time for their Annual Flip Flop Day on June 15th where anyone walking into one of their stores wearing flip-flops from 2-7 p.m. will be treated to a 24 oz. Jetty Punch smoothie! Get all the details!   

• Over in Wake Forest, the News & Observer is reporting this morning that the folks behind Buffalo Brothers have purchased the former Texas Steakhouse location at 11735 Retail Drive. Their Facebook page has renderings of what will be the Triangle's third location. No word yet on an open date. 

• My buddy Dana McCall, the force behind GoGoRaleigh, reported this week that Hector's, one of Crabtree Valley Mall's original tenants, is closing its doors. That is the bad news. The good news is you have a little less than two weeks to get over to Crabtree's food court to get one more Greek grilled cheese before it is gone. Read Dana's entire article here.  

• The rumor mill continues to churn regarding a second location of Dame's Chicken & Waffles. After last week's posting, I heard from two separate sources (both asked not to be identified) that the 2nd location is rumored to be going to Greensboro, and not the Triangle. While a bit of a bummer, we still have the "original" Dame's at 317 W. Main Street in downtown Durham. Visit them online here.  

• Today is the day for the Food Truck Friday hosted by the News & Observer and Triangle.com. Head over to the N&O headquarters at 215 S. McDowell Street from 11:30 until 1 and hit up Chirba Chirba Dumpling, KoKyuBBQ and Sympathy for the Deli.  

• And now that it is summer and it is the first Friday of the month, it means that Foster's in Durham has resumed their extremely popular "Grill-outs on the Porch." So make plans to swing by every first Friday (i.e. as in today!) to enjoy a great cookout! Get the menu for today's grill-out and all the events at Foster's here.  

• And now that it is June and everyone's attention turns to Father's Day plans, don't forget the option of taking your old man over to Durham for the next Food Truck Rodeo which will be held on June 17 from 12:30 to 4:30 at Durham Central Park. Look for 30-35 food trucks, carts and vendors. Visit their site for more information.

• We first told you about this last week, and we are learning that these events are selling out fast (in fact, the finale has already sold out). Called Fire in the Triangle (there are also 3 others going on simultaneously in North Carolina), the contest pits two restaurants/chefs (16 total in the "iron-chef style" competition) against each other working around a unique North Carolina ingredient. And here's the best part, you can attend any of the dinners/competitions and be one of the judges (well, you and 99 others)! The two-month long competition (15 total events) runs through June and July and will feature a star-studded cast of chefs from across the Triangle. Get all the details here.

• And we conclude this week with a huge kudos to Chef Greg Lewis and his team over at Catering By Design, that just racked up not one, but two Pinnacle Business Awards from the Raleigh Chamber. They received the First Citizens Customer Service award as well as the Steady Growth and Profitability award. Kudos to the entire team at Catering By Design. Have them cater your next office luncheon or breakfast. Order from them today here.