Raleigh Relics

Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.

There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane? 

1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC?
a. 7
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10

2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery? 
a. Mecca Luncheonette
b. The Mecca Diner
c. Raleigh’s Mecca
d. Nick’s Place

3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors?
a. Christmas Day
b. Valentine’s Day
c. July 4th
d. New Year’s Day

4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land? 
a. $825
b. $6,750
c. $7,750
d. $10,750

5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar?
a. Mickey Hanula
b. Bernie Hanula
c. Pete Jarrell
d. Gus Gusler

6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie?
a. A League of Their Own
b. Bull Durham
c. Field of Dreams
d. Moneyball

7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve?
a. Ketchup
b. Mustard
c. Chili
d. Texas Pete

8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college?
a. Baseball
b. Football
c. Wrestling
d. Basketball

9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country?
a. Egypt
b. Turkey
c. Croatia
d. Morocco

Answers: 1. C; 2. A; 3. D; 4. B; 5. D; 6. B; 7. A; 8. B; 9. D