Raleigh’s food truck scene is, quite literally, on a roll. On almost every other corner of town—plus at pop-up events, breweries, festivals, markets and more—you can find hunger-inducing smells of everything from pizza and tacos to meatballs and grilled cheeses (and even meatball grilled cheeses!) wafting from these brightly colored trucks just begging you to stop by for a bite. Here are four local food trucks that we just can’t get enough of right now.
There’s no such thing as too many arepas, so even though Arepa Culture’s first brick-and-mortar recently opened at Pleasant Valley Promenade, its food trucks are still rollin’ about town for your arepa fix (er, convenience). Filled with everything from BBQ pork loin and shredded beef to chicken salad and Norwegian smoked salmon, the authentic scratch-made Venezuelan-style arepas are just too damn irresistible to miss.
Great balls of meat! Barone’s meatballs (of Food Truck Nation fame and more) are next-level—maybe even better than your sweet Italian grandmother’s (don’t tell her we said that!). Bearing the owner’s mom’s family name, the truck serves up signature all-beef Italian marinara-topped meatballs (from her family recipe), plus bacon cheeseburger meatballs, Buffalo chicken meatballs, even vegetarian meatballs—in a sandwich, as a grilled cheese or even over pasta. Buon appetito!
So•Yuh proves that living a gluten-free lifestyle is just as delicious—if not more—than a gluten-rich one. When Korean bulgogi steak bowls, pulled chicken tacos (on corn tortillas, of course) and loaded bulgogi french fries are in the picture, who needs gluten anyway?! So, yeah, you gotta try it.
Rollin’ out in early April, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s new food truck churns out nutrient-dense dishes using fresh fruits and vegetables from the Food Shuttle Farm, while also providing training opportunities for students in the food shuttle’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program. So, no matter how you spin it, the truck is sure to be good for everyone in the community.
With over 70 local wineries and vineyards to enjoy, there’s nothing to wine about during a fun-filled getaway to Elkin, NC
If you thought you had to book a flight to the West Coast to sip your way through vineyards, think again. Just over a two-hour drive west down I-40, Elkin is known as “the best kept secret in North Carolina”—and for good reason.
As part of the Yadkin Valley wine country (North Carolina’s first federally approved American Viticultural Area), the small town boasts more than 70 (!) nearby vineyards—clearly enough for a vino-hopping vacay—that showcase the fruits of our region and reflect the area’s particular microclimate.
And you won’t be limited to the state’s standard muscadine and scuppernong varietals as you taste your way through diverse award-winning grapes (that recognition, a nod to the viticulture and research of several local winemakers). And beyond the palate-pleasing accolades and flavor, your inner sommelier in training can get tipsy on knowledge, as Yadkin Valley’s intimate wine-tasting rooms also offer the opp to get schooled on the winemaking process and the land’s rich history. That, plus plenty of unique experiences (think petting zoo) and eats (reservation-only brick-oven pizzas) to boot.
Between sips and vineyard tours, uncork some adventure among Elkin’s abundant outdoor activities (its location along the Yadkin River yields ops galore), eateries (downhome restaurants and breweries abound), and entertainment (think shopping, live music and fests). But no matter your Elkin destination, it’s all about the journey in “the best little town in NC.”
DO
Stone Mountain State Park Just 20 miles outside of Elkin sits the massive granite dome that is Stone Mountain (you can’t miss it!) with recreation ops aplenty (hey, camping, fishing, horseback riding, picnicking and hiking!) across 18-plus miles of trails, more than 20 miles of designated trout waters and a 90-site campground. Permitted climbers can even scale the towering 600-foot granite face overlooking the restored 19th century Hutchinson Homestead mountain farm. ncparks.gov
Rocky Forest River Run Soak up some sun as you float or paddle down the Yadkin Valley River via kayak, tube or canoe rentals from this local outfitter. Experienced kayakers are encouraged to challenge themselves to fitness kayaking (paddling upstream). Yippie kayak indeed. rockyforestriverrun.com
Carter Falls They say not to go chasing waterfalls… but this one is worth it. Carter Falls is a hidden gem accessible by a moderate 1/2-mile trail through an old-growth forest on Big Elkin Creek. And, come summer, bring your bathing suit—you won’t be able to resist taking a dip in the swimming hole on a hot day. yadkinvalleync.com
Stone Mountain State Park
EAT
Southern on Main A homey vibe and homestyle meals welcome all to this upscale Southern eatery in the heart of Elkin, where traditional dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and bread pudding (a must!) are served with a side of authentic Southern hospitality. southernonmain.com
John Boy’s BBQ & Seafood It’s nothing fancy, but boy is the food delicious. Stop in this old-timey joint for breakfast (the biscuit sandwiches are to-die-for!) or lunch (try the famous chopped barbecue sandwich, popcorn shrimp or flounder). Or make time for both—we guarantee it’s worth more than just one visit. facebook.com/johnboysbbqelkin
Creamy Dayz After feeling the calorie burn all day from adventuring (or sipping), #TreatYourself to a hand-dipped ice cream cone at this Elkin mainstay. Don’t pass on the housemade waffle cone! Also not to be overlooked are the homemade hot and fresh doughnuts covered in sprinkles, crushed Fruity Pebbles, Oreos and even bacon. facebook.com/creamydayz
Creamy Dayz
DRINK
Adagio Vineyards Adagio’s (a musical term meaning “slowly with passion”) award-winning vinos are grown and made with love on 7 acres of gorgeous land in the Yadkin Valley. Ever apt, each of its bottles are named after musical terms depicting origin, composition or sensory characteristics. So, they’re like music to your taste buds… adagiovineyards.com
Elkin Creek Vineyard Come for the wine; stay for the pizza. Every Sunday, Elkin Creek Vineyard prepares made-to-order brick oven pizzas—but they sell out quickly; so reserve a dough ball in advance, and, while you wait for it to cook, enjoy a wine tasting. elkincreekvineyard.com
Skull Camp Brewing Get the best of both worlds at Skull Camp, serving up both canned wines and craft beers made with local ingredients whenever possible. And when hunger strikes, visit Skull Camp’s taproom and smokehouse next door for wings, burgers, peel-and-eat shrimp, and other fab pub fare. skullcampbrewing.com
Elkin Creek Vineyard
STAY
Ridenour Ranch Alpaca your bags for a one-of-a-kind stay at this alpaca farm located right outside of Elkin. Two properties—a four-person antebellum farmhouse and a one-bedroom “barndominium”—are perfect for animal and nature lovers looking for a peaceful night’s sleep (mind the alpaca noises!). ridenourranch.com
Slightly Askew House There’s nothing askew about lodging at a winery—um, right in line with our #goals actually. The stuff of our dreams, Slightly Askew’s luxury vacation house features four bedrooms, a large deck and a hot tub—all just steps from a glass of wine anytime you’d like. Book it! slightlyaskewwines.com
Maggy’s Place Located in the refurbished Elkin & Alleghany Railroad Office on Main Street, this charming Airbnb is right around the corner from downtown’s best restaurants, shops, entertainment and trails. And for romance… the parlour, kitchenette and fenced-in patio area add up to the perfect romantic getaway. airbnb.com/rooms/24205357
Remember fan-girling (or boying)? Concert tees? Hot summer nights drenched in dulcet memories? The feeling that quells from throngs of people (!) singing in unison—or belting all the words to your fave tune? Well, live music is back. Here, we round up a mostly local—and some statewide—set of 2021 shows you may want to ticket up for—and get that T-shirt ready. (All dates are confirmed as of press time.)
We are excited to announce that Melissa Howsam, who has been Raleigh Mag’s acting interim editor since January, has joined the team permanently as editor-in-chief! Melissa brings a vibrant energy, vast amount of local knowledge and fresh perspective to the magazine (plus some much-needed organizational and planning skills!), which you may have already noticed in our past few issues. Get to know Melissa here, and check out some of her articles in our April issue (see: Raleigh Magazine’s “20 in Their 20s” and “Flying Fearless”)!
Where are you from and how did you make your way to Raleigh?
I feel like I’ve earned “Raleigh native” status, but my birth certificate would disagree. I was born in ATL (with a brief three-month stay), before spending a decade in the sweltering town of Irmo, SC (a suburb of Columbia). We moved to Raleigh the summer before my sixth-grade year (proud Carroll, Sanderson and NC State alum!) and I’ve been here ever since—sans a three-year stint in Chicago and DC (because magazine dreams) from 2007–2010 before returning home.
How did you get your start in the publishing industry, and where did you work before coming to Raleigh Mag?
While mags were always the dream, Raleigh didn’t really have any… so, while making plans to conquer that ambition, I worked for a local publishing house and other PR/ad/marketing agencies. Post-grad school, I taught writing full-time at NC State and Peace, and then at DePaul in Chicago (while moonlighting as a bartender in Raleigh and Wrigleyville, and as a freelance writer and copy editor). When I moved to DC in 2009, I landed my first in-house magazine post at DC magazine, which was housed under one of the nation’s largest magazine publishers (Modern Luxury Media).
How did your career evolve from there?
I returned to Raleigh in 2010, beginning my decadelong column with the N&O (plus regular contributions to local and national publications) while climbing the ranks at ModLux over time to national senior copy editor (responsible for clean copy in 40-plus city publications, and national content across nearly 100 publications); contributing writer; editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Medicine + Doctors (which I launched with my fab sidekick, Associate Publisher Katie Staak, in 2017); and ultimately national medical editor—through 2019. In tumultuous 2020, I worked for various mags across the country, and served as managing editor for a national publication. To say I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally be where I dreamed—at the helm of a Raleigh publication (and such a brilliantly produced one at that)—would be the understatement of a lifetime.
What are some of your proudest professional accomplishments?
When I lived in DC, I was writing for several local publications to make my way—On Tap magazine being one—and was covering Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn (Good Stuff Eatery; We, The Pizza—to name a few). He’d been featured by top reporters from the likes of The New York Times… I was just a no-name writer. But when the story came out, he framed it and hung it on the wall at Good Stuff and told me, despite all the coverage he’d received the world over, this was the best story that had ever been written on him. To my knowledge, it still hangs there. … Pinch me. I’ve spent my career trying to meet and surpass that bar every day—and I forever will.
What makes you most excited about joining the Raleigh Mag team?
Well, for one, I have an incredibly talented and hardworking sidekick, Associate Editor Lauren Kruchten (aka “Crook”); and a trailblazing boss/partner, Publisher Gina Stephens—not to mention a masterful team to boot. With their vision, dedication, edge, experience and insider knowledge, there is no cap to what we can achieve. I mean—just look at Raleigh Mag. I’m so blessed to be working on such a brilliant publication with such a crackerjack team.
What is your vision for the future of Raleigh Mag, and how do you hope to bring it to fruition?
During my tenure at ModLux, many of our print stories were cut to 350–400 words max because “people don’t want to read anymore” (think Twitter culture). But, I strongly believe people will want to read if inspired to. I want to be a part of a magazine that people don’t just look at the pictures in or throw on the coffee table. I want people to read it. I want people to buzz about it. I want our mag to continue to serve the community as the inside voice on what is new, now, next. Never fluff. Never filler. Just consistently smart, fun, edgy, relevant content. Every single piece.
What’s your favorite Raleigh restaurant and/or bar?
Watts & Ward. And for lunch, the Cantina 18 patio has my heart.
Who is your favorite author?
I have two—David Sedaris and Don DeLillo.
Do you have a mentor that you look up to?
Former ModLux Editorial Director Stephanie Davis Smith (she paved the way, pushed me—and taught me women could lead with kindness).
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a diehard football fan (Pack and Panthers!), and I’d live at a Carter-Finley tailgate if they’d let me (our tailgate won the tailgate championship the last several years in a row—though no thanks to me, ha). Also, I’m a huge fan of the Caribbean (been to eight islands and counting!), the ocean, concerts, patio drinks, my pup, and hanging with my people.
Have you seen Melissa’s Editor’s Letter in Raleigh Mag’s April issue yet? (Yes, this is a test.) Notice the text was scrambled?! April Fools’! We’ve got jokes and just wanted to make sure you were reading (And now we know who really reads those letters…)! Check out Melissa’s real Editor’s Letter below!
WEB EXCLUSIVE The April 2021 issue of Raleigh Magazine is on newsstands around town now and should be delivered to your doors and mailboxes in just a couple days! While you wait to get your hands on a copy, take a quick look at some of the stories we have in store.
2020 was supposed to be the year of barbecue in the Triangle—but pandemic. Now, we’re finally starting to see some of those slated Q spots bow (from the long-awaited Sam Jones BBQ to Boxyard RTP’s forthcoming Lawrence Barbecue), joining the ranks of such time-honored joints as Clyde Cooper’s and Ole Time Barbecue.
We asked. You answered! We received countless noms from people all over the city across all fields—and here are Raleigh’s top 20 in their 20s: the leaders of today, tomorrow and beyond.
No matter what hot new eatery descends on Raleigh, North Raleigh’s Winston’s Grille has stood the test of time—earning its third NCRLA Stars of the Industry Award this year.
Vaccinations are on the rise and RDU Airport is poised to take flight—as the first airport in the world to launch a travel requirement tool, and by being named as one of only two U.S. Delta “focus cities.”
Vitis House’s Doreen Colondres, renowned chef and wine connoisseur, picks out five of her favorite sub-$25 bottles of wine from wine shops and stores around Raleigh.
