Friday Fun Food Facts - June 15, 2012

Triangle Restaurant News

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

• So last week's biggest "rumor" has been confirmed by the Durham's Herald Sun. Amy Tornquist is in fact in the process of opening a bakery called Hummingbird at 721 Broad Street in Durham. Kudos to Ninth Street Watch for breaking this story. Best of luck to Amy (not like she needs it!)  

• Thanks to a tip from my buddy John, aka Triangle Explorer, the building that was home to the Woody's BBQ at 6176 Falls of Neuse Rd in Raleigh is being transformed into a Jersey Mikes Subs and Starbucks, complete with drive-thru. I know John will keep me posted as we get closer to openings. Thanks John!  

• The Triangle Business Journal is reporting this morning that the downtown Raleigh space that formerly housed The Mint is close to having a new tenant. David Sadeghi, who helped bring the Ruth's Chris Steak House concept to the Triangle, and business partner Adalius Thomas, a NFL linebacker, are ready to tackle the new space. We'll continue to keep an eye on this as it unfolds.

• We are about a month away from getting our fourth Triangle area location of Penn Station East Coast Subs. The newest location will open in early July at 6301 Falls of the Neuse Road, near the intersection with Spring Forest Road. Get all the details here.   

• If you are a big fan of Benelux Café in downtown Raleigh's Historic City Market, we've got good news for you. They are opening a second location in the Alexander Family YMCA located on Hillsborough Street. The date is not set in stone, but it is slated for an opening this summer. Check out the article here and Benelux's Facebook page here. Thanks to my buddy John Kerr for this tip!

• If you find yourself in downtown Raleigh and craving a hot dog, there is a new option at lunchtime - Pavlov's Dogs. The stand, which is typically located around the Wells Fargo building, features Nathan's All-Beef dogs along with gourmet toppings (a lot more than just ketchup, mustard, chili and relish). And they've even got options for veggies, gluten-free and low calorie. Follow them on Facebook here.   

• Speaking of pigs, there is a new food truck that will begin rolling the streets of the Triangle on June 30th. Called The Humble Pig, it will feature smoked, local bar-b-que. Get updates on the hour at their website here.   

• And speaking of food trucks, Chatham Hill Winery will be hosting a food truck rodeo on Friday, June 29th from 4-9 pm at their location at 3800 Gateway Centre Drive in Morrisville. Confirmed trucks are American Meltdown, Chick-N-Que, Klausie's Pizza, Dang Good Dogs, Chirba Chirba, Ole North State BBQ and Baguettaboutit. Get all the details and updates here.  

• If you are a big fan of [B]Ski's located on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, we have good news. There may be one heading your way...or you could own your very own. That's right, the popular Chapel Hill eatery is now franchising. Get all the details here.   

• The news on the other end of Franklin Street is not so good. We saw in The Daily Tar Heel this week that a local legend, Gumby's, has closed their doors on West Franklin Street. It had an 18-year run in its current location. Looks like putting on the "freshman 15" will be a little bit more of a challenge for next year's freshman class.

• Don't say we didn't tell you so, but all the events for the Fire in the Triangle are sold out! What a testament to the volume of foodies here in the Triangle. And what an exciting first three rounds we have had so far, and 12 more to go. If you aren't following this, you are truly missing out. Check out their website and follow the local bloggers that are giving you blow-by-blow details of each competition. See it all here.    

• With Father's Day this weekend, we would be remiss if we didn't give you a couple of "foodie" options for your Father's Day plans. First up is Durham's Food Truck Rodeo which will be held on Sunday 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.   

• And if food trucks aren't your father's thing, Carolina Brewery will be holding a Father's Day Beer Dinner at 6 p.m. at the brewery in Chapel Hill on Franklin Street. The dinner will include five courses paired with Carolina Brewery beers. Part of the $40 cost will be donated to the N.C. Brewers' Cup, a nonprofit that promotes local breweries and home brewers. For reservations, call 919-942-1800.

• Here's an interesting menu - a four-course meal prepared with conchs, insect skewers, giant sago worms and more. Sound yummy? Well, it is the menu for next Wednesday evening's event at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham - Summer Solstice. Chefs at the Museum's new Sprout Café will serve-up the "museum appropriate" menu. But if you're looking for something a little more mainstream, take note that food trucks will also be on hand. Get all the details here.  

• So you think you can cook? Then step right up. The Chapel Hill Farmer's Market is holding a Fresh Chef Competition on Saturday, June 23rd (must enter by June 19th). Five chosen contestants will be given a protein, $20 to spend at the market, and 30 minutes to prepare their items - with the cooking to begin at 10 a.m. The judges will announce the winner at 11:30 a.m. An article in The Chapel Hill Magazine has all the details.   

• And we close with another fun contest. Think you have the best BBQ sauce on the planet? Here is your chance to prove it. Chapel Hill's Southern Season is hosting a Carolina-style BBQ sauce recipe challenge. To enter, submit your recipe to sauce@southernseason.com by this Sunday. The top three recipes will participate in a "sauce-off" on Saturday, June 30th. In addition to bragging rights, the winner's recipe will be featured in the deli for a month! More details here.