by Heidi Reid | Dec 4, 2025 | December/January 2025, Eat
Big Ed’s is built to last.
Can you even call yourself a Raleighite if you haven’t indulged in a big breakfast at Big Ed’s Restaurant? The country-cooking mainstay has been holding down City Market since 1989 for good reason: hearty authentic plates, affordable prices and an atmosphere so homey it’s practically kinfolk—all refusing to let Big Ed’s fade into the annals of time.
On my recent Saturday morning (post-barhopping) jaunt, the City Market mainstay was—as usual—abuzz with regulars and newbies alike. While I was able to waltz right in and be seated, a long but fast-moving line formed shortly after. Steamy cuppa black coffee later, the kitchen speedily churned out my choice of a farm-fresh country breakfast: scrambled eggs, cheese grits, a biscuit (buttered, natch) and bacon. No frills, just good comfort cooking—it’s one of the many down-home specialties that never miss. And, of course, I had to secure the hotcakes—thick, fluffy, fattening and the size of your head, they’re a staple on any visit to the longtime establishment.
The OG Big Ed who started the whole operation in 1958 retired in 2006—but his homestead-esque legacy lives on, not just through his recipes, but through the eatery’s ambiance. Big Ed’s is what Cracker Barrel wishes it was: the epitome of Southern Americana, right down to the rusted tools and antiques hanging from the ceiling, the red-checkered tablecloths and ever-wandering server with a fresh pot of coffee. That deep, generational legacy—the true heart of Big Ed’s—endures long after you’ve treaded past the uneven cobblestones of City Market.
Raleigh restaurants can often feel like trendy moments—coming in hot with what’s new while failing to feed lasting legacies. Surrounded by an ever-evolving skyline and the city’s constant craving for what’s next, Big Ed’s has held its ground. And while Raleigh is rightfully excited about the forward momentum of its bustling food scene (we see you, Michelin), lest we forget the OG restaurants like Big Ed’s that made us who we are. City Market, North Raleigh, Garner; bigedsnc.com
by Anna Beth Adcock | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023
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
