by Carson Sellers | Mar 28, 2024 | April 2024, Real Estate & Home
Bash and Lola’s vintage car upcycling picks up speed.
Out with the new, in with the old? Upcycling is in, with vintage clothes, furniture, fabric and other items that would otherwise be useless or trashed being repurposed, redesigned and re-loved like new. And leading the trend when it comes to vintage cars, meet Bash and Lola.
Started as a hobby in 2014 by “car-obsessed artists” Mark “Bash” and Lola Hill—who are especially drawn to the “timeless beauty” of vintage Porsches—the Apex-based biz approaches upcycling at a whole new speed, using re-tired (had to) vintage cars to create noteworthy furniture pieces, artwork and even jewelry. “We laugh that we can’t throw anything away!” jokes Lola.
Each product, whether commercial or residential, begins its journey as junk and is transformed to take on a new life: Tables and desks come together from hoods and headlights, and tiny in-house bars are born from truck beds. The duo even turned an old motorcycle into a vase for flowers—making for a ~wheely~ remarkable wall fixture.
“We believe great designs are born from authenticity and integrity, recognizing the uniqueness of every project,” says Lola. “Each piece of art deserves a customized approach, and within that concept, we aim to evoke a deep emotion and spark inspiration.”
You’ll recognize Bash and Lola’s pieces at Gonza, Laut Design and Apex’s TapStation, which they completely designed and built out with a variety of eccentric and distinctive functional pieces—think sinks from recycled beer kegs, booths made out of old trucks and gas pump bike racks. And for all you Sola Coffee fans—if you’ve ever wondered about the six-tap beer bus under the coffee bar, Bash and Lola fashioned that out of an old Chevy. Talk about some seriously van-tastic upcycling.
“Embarking on our artistic journey is a deeply personal and fulfilling experience that allows us to express ourselves in a meaningful way,” maintains Lola. Not to mention it allows old cars to take one more lap, giving them a chance to be cherished in a whole new way. Buckle up! @bashandlola
by Lauren Kruchten | May 2, 2023 | Eat, May 2023
Taco ’bout a good holiday.
Shut up, liver—you’re fine. It’s Drinko de Mayo, and you’re in for a Mexcellent day thanks to festive celebrations going on around town. Rock out with your guac (and margs) out!
Dos Taquitos
Tequila bad vibe—just take a shot. And where better than at this locally famed Dos Taquitos, where CDM is nacho average holiday. The North Raleigh staple’s annual street party returns May 5 with drink specials, a food truck, prizes, live music, street performers and face painting. The margs start flowin’ at noon, so make sure you call out sick from work—er, use up a vacation day. Worth it! dostaquitosraleigh.com
Salt & Lime Cabo Grill
As Drake famously says, “you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning,” so head to Salt & Lime when the doors open at 11am for an all-day fiesta feat. tacos, tequila, beers, margs and giveaways. Just pace yourself—the party goes until 10pm. saltandlimecabo.com
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
If drinking too many margs is liable tequil-ya, we’ll take that risk. And where better to make pour decisions than Gonza. All locations will be opening early at 4pm, with face painting (Leadmine location) and DJs. The party ends when the tequila runs out… gonzatacosytequila.com
Sports & Social Cary
$12 nachos. $5 margs. $25 buckets of Corona. Literally what more could you ask for?! With these daylong specials—plus live entertainment, games and giveaways—Sports & Social‘s Fiesta de Mayo celebration is going to be one for the books. Ay caramba! sportsandsocial.com
Driftwood Cantina
It’s fiesta time! Driftwood is revealing its newly covered patio with a community party (the best way to do it, natch) that will consist of face painting, an outdoor bar serving up Modelo Especial and frozen margs and and outdoor grill with delish birria tacos. Come hungry! driftwoodcantina.com
a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library
Get ready to throw down as a’Verde is not only celebrating Cinco de Mayo, but its one-year anniversary (!)—so you know it’s gonna be a party. The festivities will be taking place all day long, and include food and drink features, games, and surprise prizes—but be sure to swing by from 6 to 9pm for swag, festive cocktails, tacos, a DJ and tequila shots for those 21+. Ring that bell! averdecary.com
by Lauren Kruchten | Aug 8, 2022 | Do, July 2022/August 2022
Pickleball is trending (understatement). So, why is it suddenly the fastest-growing sport in America?
Just as bacon “took over the world” in 2013, pickleball became the sport of the summer this past year. Everyone from Michael Phelps to Leonardo DiCaprio to fitness influencers to families took up the game—which saw a sudden spike in popularity during the pandemic, when more than a million Americans started playing.
Not just a great way to get exercise (though a fun one), pickleball—a cross between tennis, badminton and pingpong that’s played with paddles and a Wiffle-like ball—became an obsession. Read: a trend that nearly 4.8 million people have joined in on. The New Yorker even went so far as to question whether pickleball could “save America.” (Pause for consideration. Meh, we’ll go with a bit of an exaggeration. But the sport does unite people from all walks of life across the nation, so there’s that.)
At the competitive level, the game boasts two national championships: the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships and the Professional Pickleball Association Tour, launched in 2018 and recently acquired by the owner of the Canes (!). And it soon could be played in the Olympics. Getting in on the action locally, Raleigh’s Seven Oaks Swim & Racquet Club is hosting its first-annual Pickleball Jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 13, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Durham & Wake, a tournament open to all levels. If the actual tourney doesn’t sound like a racquet to you, there’s an afterparty with Gonza Tacos Food Truck, beer and live music (um, let’s rally!).
So… what’s the deal? Founded over 55 years ago (by three middle-aged dads—fun fact!), pickleball’s spike in popularity is a credit to its accessibility—anyone can play, no matter their age, station, etc. The smaller court also allows players to maintain convo during play. NTM, it’s easy to learn and puts less strain on your body than, say, tennis—and who doesn’t love a light yet effective workout?!
Adds Lane Ethridge, director of pickleball at Life Time Raleigh: “The growth of pickleball is partly attributed to the addictive nature of the game as well as the inclusive culture it breeds for all those who find it, usually at the time in their life when they need it more than they realize. I believe it will continue to expand in our market and attract a variety of players from the ultra-competitive to the exploding social and rec players seeking a way to spend time getting fun exercise while meeting new people who share a common love for the game.”
Needless to say, pickleball is a pretty big dill (s/o to the Holderness family for their supercatchy “Pickleball Song” that you should absolutely blast while on the court) and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you haven’t already, now’s as good a time as any to jump in on the trend. Just remember to dink responsibly—and don’t get smashed.
by Lauren Kruchten | May 2, 2022 | Eat, May 2022
Taco ’bout a good holiday.
Shut up, liver—you’re fine. It’s Cinco de Drinko (!), and you’re in for a Mexcellent day thanks to festive celebrations going on around town. Rock out with your guac (and margs!) out!
Dos Taquitos
Tequila bad vibe—just take a shot. And where better than at this locally famed Dos Taquitos, where CDM is nacho average holiday. The North Raleigh staple’s annual street party returns May 5 with drink specials, a food truck, prizes, giveaways, live music and face painting. The margs start flowin’ at noon, so make sure you call out sick from work—er, use up a vacation day. Worth it! dostaquitosraleigh.com
13 Tacos & Taps
Holy guacamole! 13 Tacos & Taps’ special Cinco de Mayo menu includes six different types of tacos (think Korean pork BBQ, birria and shrimp); housemade tortilla chips with guac, queso and salsa; churros; and drink specials—$3.50 Modelo Especial, $1.50 Jell-O shots and $5 house margs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to win free tacos (once per month) for a full year. Ay caramba! 13tacosandtaps.com
Salt & Lime Cabo Grill
Take a pitcher, it’ll last longer—or $3 Mexican pints or $4 Toro shots—to keep the party going all day long. A limited menu of appetizers, tacos and churros for dessert will also be available for when the munchies (inevitably) hit. saltandlimecabo.com
Chido Taco
No siesta—let’s fiesta! Chido is throwing a big Cinco party outside with games, a DJ, ceviches and a smaller menu of its beloved favorites—think quesabirria, torta cubana and all its stunning, colorful margaritas and cocktails. Talk about a spec-taco-lar time. chidotaco.com
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
If drinking too many margs is liable tequil-ya, we’ll take that risk. And where better to make pour decisions than Gonza, now in its 10th year (!). While the resto won’t be going all out with a huge party this year, all locations will be open for regular hours and have face painting, street performers, and its award-winning Colombian- and Latin-inspired dishes and cocktails. Chip, chip, hooray! gonzatacosytequila.com
by Lauren Kruchten | May 2, 2022 | Eat, May 2022
Most likely, whenever you’re craving Mexican, you end up at the same two or three spots. As it turns out, there’s a reason they’re your go-tos: All nine of these local faves are interconnected through strong, local families that who maintained a huge influence on the city’s Mexican restaurant scene, taking “keeping it in the family” to a whole new level.
IBARRA
El Rodeo
Est. 2000
Owners Jose and Joel Ibarra
Some people might think El Rodeo is a chain, but the Mexican mainstay is actually a local family affair. It all started with the first El Rodeo location in Durham (nee 1989, but closed after 32 years of business in 2021), eventually expanding to three other locations in the Triangle, including the remaining uber-popular City Market spot. elrodeonc.com
Jose and Sons
Est. 2013
Owners Charlie and Hector Ibarra with Oscar Diaz
Here, Ibarra brothers and chef Oscar Diaz celebrate their forefathers’ Mexican roots in the form of traditional Mexican comfort food fused with Southern influences. Originally located in The Depot in DTR, Jose and Sons moved to their father Jose’s (hence the resto name) former El Rodeo location on Pleasant Valley Road in 2020, continuing the family’s then-25-year legacy in the building. joseandsons.com
Chido Taco
Est. 2019
Owners Salvador Alvarez
and Joel Ibarra
Despite the fact that Chido is the first fast-casual sup spot for co-owner Alvarez, it doesn’t skimp on flavor—especially when it comes to fan-fave quesabirria tacos, served with a steamy, flavorful broth you’ll want to drink by the cupful. Also not to be missed are the extravagant margs, served in all sorts of color and flavor combos that always hit the spot. chidotaco.com
La Rancherita
Est. 2015
Owners Salvador Alvarez and Joel Ibarra
You can’t go wrong with anything on La Rancherita’s extensive (five-page!) menu, which this duo (who also own Viva Mexican Kitchen in Morrisville) managed to pack with a diverse range of Mexicellent dishes—from tacos and enchiladas to burritos and quesadillas to casual authentic faves like chimichangas. And, luckily, there are four Triangle locations to get your fiesta on. laranchnc.com
La Buena Vida
Est. 2022
Owner Salvador Alvarez
The newest la familia of Raleigh Mexican hot spots to splash on the scene is just-bowed La Buena Vida (aka “the good life”). Alvarez—who, fun fact, is married to Sanford’s Fonda Lupita owner Biridiana Frausto—says the upscale menu is inspired by dishes from his hometown of Jalisco. (And menu items from the uberpopular Fonda Lupita made the cut as well!) @labuenavida_oficial
SALAMANCA
ANGELA SALAMANCA
Centro
Est. 2007
Owner Angela Salamanca
Angela Salamanca was just 17 when she immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia to work at her uncle Carlos’ Dos Taquitos restaurant. Later, when Carlos was looking to open a new Dos Taquitos in DTR, he paired up with Angela—only Carlos left the country to get married, and Salamanca was forced to open what was then dubbed Dos Taquitos Centro on her own. Centro slowly evolved into Angela’s own unique venture, a fresh take on Mexican food inspired by her visits to Oaxaca. centroraleigh.com
Gallo Pelón
Est. 2015
Owner Angela Salamanca
Mezcal lovers flock to this mezcaleria above Centro, which is the state’s first mezcaleria and is stocked with one of the largest selections of mezcals in the Southeast (!). Over 35 mezcals grace the menu—order a round of shots or spring for the mezcal flight (served with grasshopper salt!)—while Colombian- and Mexican-influenced food offerings include mole tostadas, flauta and burritos. gallopelon.com
CARLOS SALAMANCA
Dos Taquitos
Est. 1991
Owner Pamela Salamanca
An institution on the Raleigh scene for over 30 years, Dos Taquitos was born from the heart of Carlos Salamanca, who traveled frequently to Mexico to learn more about its food and culture before ultimately deciding to open his own Mexican restaurant that channeled that same flavor and spirit. Although relocated from its original location in 2015 by Salamanca’s daughter, Pamela, Dos Taquitos still upholds its signature vibrant, colorful energy (and oh-so-delicious dishes) that make it a Raleigh fave. dostaquitosraleigh.com
GONZA SALAMANCA
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Est. 2011
Owners Gonza Salamanca and Carlos Rodriguez
Cousins Rodriguez and Salamanca (the latter is also the brother of Dos Taquitos’ Carlos Salamanca) opened the original Gonza in North Raleigh with only $10,000 to their name—but it didn’t take long for the Latin-style Mexican resto to rack up a plethora of regulars. Now with four Triangle locations, Gonza is a go-to for tacos and tequila.
gonzatacosytequila.com
