Weekends were made for brunch. And biscuits. And bloodys—and even mimosa parties… or a coffee because you swore off spirits after a revelrous weekend. A portmanteau of breakfast and lunch, brunch is the best of both—swapping the haste of the two for the one leisurely meal in your week truly made to savor, whether as a hangover savior while decompressing the night before, post-church with the fam, or just an excuse to sip Champagne in the morning. And like dinners out, brunch is a vibe—the right food, service, atmosphere and views make it worthy of a rez and a set calendar event.
So, here, we present the 10 best brunches in Raleigh—bar none. … And, for more morning fare, we’ve got you covered with weekday brekkies, on-the-go biscuits and more to boot. Resting brunch face: on.
Beasley’s If Ashley Christensen is wrong—we don’t wanna be right. The two-time Beard-winning “Darling of Raleigh” puts brunch on notice with this delish recently expanded den of fried chicken + seasonal Southern sides. Keep it classic with biscuits and gravy or go ham with red bean rancheros… and always a side of grits. Plus chicken, obv. After all, birds of a feather cluck together.
Our pick: Hot chicken eggs Benedict over buttermilk biscuits (pro tip: don’t fear the (Carolina) reaper sauce—but if you do, try it on the side) + Lively Brunch rum coffee number. Sat. & Sun., @beasleys_raleigh
Photo by Lauren Vied Allen
Hummingbird Forget “Bumble”—the only buzz we need in cuffing season (and all seasons) is Hummingbird. Find us chained to this year-round Dock 1053 porch—aka chef/owner Coleen Speaks’ always-buzzing masterpiece—for the alfresco brunch affair always worth swiping right for a la staples like banana bread French toast, steak and eggs, and seasonal quiche; adventurous ops like brunch pizza, smoked oysters and huevos rancheros; and Nola riffs on classics like the Peacemaker Po’boy.
Our pick:Chicken & waffle (buttermilk brined for two days (!) and served with maple and hot honey herb butter) + gin & jam.Sat. & Sun.,@hummingbirdral
Photo by Jamie Robbins, courtesy of Hummingbird
Cucciolo Terrazza Italian for breakfast? Say less. Treat yo’self to the likes of spicy rigatoni and pesto campanelle before noon (you only live once, after all)—or stick to the (elevated) basics, including eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, and brioche French toast that’ll send you into the best kind of food coma. … While the stunning surrounds will make you think you jet setted to NYC. While you’re living out your best life, you may as well grab a seat at the bar—and tell the bartender to keep the cocktails coming.
Our pick: The Monte Cristo sando is everything you want at brunch: savory, sweet, creamy and oh-so-delightful.Sat. & Sun., @cuccioloraleigh
Photo courtesy of Cucciolo Terrazza
Whiskey Kitchen Whiskey business, meet brunch business—because a midday grub + bevs sesh on the weekend is always a serious(ly joyous) affair. Nothing but green flags fly at this open-air oasis where the indoor-outdoor vibe—and 365 patio (umbrellas! heaters!)—provides the perf perch to while the day away. Pro tip: Swap the Sunday scaries for a Mimosa Party. Then keep the party going with hearty selects like biscuits and gravy and the Nash Square breakfast sando, or kick off your healthy weekday eating via the chorizo frittata or veggie bowl.
Our pick: For the sweet tooth, we guarantee you’ll leave no crumbs from the pull-apart monkey bread—and the Irish coffee is an obvious pairing. Sat. & Sun.,@whiskey.kitchen
Photo courtesy of Whiskey Kitchen
NOFO @ The Pig If ever there were a reason to ~pig~ out, NOFO’s bangin’ brunch menu is here for it. Chef Dan Gray’s local-leaning Southern farmhouse-fresh selects are worth waiting in line for (because you may—and should). Don’t sleep on the country breakfast—or that stacked breakfast burrito. … And don’t worry, you can sweat off with a lil shopping cardio in the curated upstairs market. It’s called balance, sweetie.
Our pick: Fried green tomato sandwich with NOFO pimento cheese and smoked bacon jam on wheatberry+ a Carolina Float (Cheerwine, vodka, Luxardo and Homeland Creamery vanilla ice cream). Sat. & Sun., @nofo_at_the_pig
Madre Your mother could never offer the immaculate vibe this hip Smoky Hollow outpost delivers come Sunday (sorry not sorry). Grab your squad and settle in within the ’Grammable museumworthy dining room, or opt for a sunny seat outside on the newly upgraded patio (think greenery, string lights and umbrellas). The more pals the merrier, as you’re gonna wanna try alllll the dishes—the burger is a fan-fave, and the salmon lox is brunch goals—and split that Mimosarita pitcher, obv. Liquid brunch, anyone?
Our pick: The hot honey Calabrian chicken and Tepuy Donut is the pairing you never knew you needed but won’t be able to get enough of. … And keep the Mimosaritas coming. Sun., @madreraleigh
Photo by Paul Mehaffey, courtesy of Madre
Coquette Crepes or it didn’t happen. If you’re looking for “Americans in Paris,” look no further than this très chic French institution. Raleighites can’t get enough of the cult-classic quiche and transportive brunch fare—from crepes (natch) to croissant French toast to brie biscuits (!) to eggs Benny—best savored wafting in the summer sun and breeze under the agape floor-to-ceiling windows, or truly alfresco on the patio. It’s giving Emily in Paris—in Raleigh.
Our pick: No matter the time of day, the French onion soup is always worth slurping up + Champs—because France. Sun., @coquetteraleigh
Photo courtesy of Coquette
Relish CraftKitchen & Bourbon Bar/The Kitchen Table Roll the dice on two excellent brunch ops at these sister restos boasting Southern classics with a modern twist. For the OG fam-friendly lived-in homey atmosphere, ~relish~ in dishes like country-fried steak and eggs, French toast bread pudding, and the ’Mater Biscuit. Or, for brunch sandos, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, and the like in hip digs, get your crew on board for The Kitchen Table. Feeling spicy? It doubles as Raleigh’s first board game bar—loser buys a round of mimosas?
Our pick: Both Relish’sand The Kitchen Table’s spicy-sweet chicken biscuits’ll leave you saying Bojangles who?Sat. & Sun., @relishraleigh, @kitchentableraleigh
Photo by Kierra Angell courtesy of The Kitchen Table
Wye Hill This patio lives rent-free in our head. And it serves up supreme skyline vibes year-round within the uberpopular Boylan Bridge brewery and restaurant. Soak up the views while drinking up bloodys and mimosas—and chowing down on superior ops like sweet potato hash, shrimp and grits, and the Wye Hill breakfast sando—or for that one friend who leans more lunch than breakfast, the Morning Glory Burger.
Our pick: That shakshuka will forever have our heart—and stomach. Sat. & Sun., @wyehill
Photo by courtesy of Wye Hill
Irregardless This ain’t your garden variety Sunday spread. If you wrote off Irregardless as strictly vegetarian—well, fake news. Hands down one of the top services in town, this OG “real food” Raleigh institution is dishing a brunch worth writing home about. From “eggs and bowls” like shrimp and grits and brisket hash to waffles and pancakes to “sandwiches and such” (hey, lox brioche, avo toast—and, yes, a vegan burrito), this super-fresh Raleigh mainstay is living up to its “real good” MO.
If you pref to go bottomless, you’ll have to go elsewhere (yay, laws!) but buckets and bottles abound. … Catch flights not feelings with these juicy mimosa selects that are guaranteed to make you get fizzical.
Rosewater Bottle + choice of two flavor ops from orange, grapefruit, cranberry or pineapple
St. Roch Mimosa Party via bottle of bubbly + fresh-squeezed OJ, grapefruit, pineapple or cran
Salt & Lime Mimosa pitchers—or go rogue with Bellini pitchers in pineapple, peach strawberry and blood orange
Don’t sleep on Plates’ specialty coffee truck, Breadbox Coffee, housed on its patio and offering coffee to-go or as part of sit-down dining. Pro tip: For dessert, snag the authentic Turkish coffee and sweet potato & honey baklava. @plateskitchen
Son of a Biscuit
Risk it for the biscuit—these 5 bangin’ biscuits in Raleigh to be exact.
Jubala Too many napkins or it didn’t happen. Highly addictive, these made-from-scratch biscuits bring subtle sweetness to the mix for a choose-your-own-adventure mix-and-match fix—from fresh blueberry compote to housemade pimento cheese BEC and beyond. @jubalacoffee
Big Ed’s Nothing screams Southern like Big Ed’s great-grandfather’s Confederate mess sergeant recipe—and these biscuits promise to slap, whether in sando form or as a comfy side.@bigedsnc
Madre Whipped up with leftover charcuterie bits and served with seasonal jam and butter, these bad boys are, well, worth risking your biscuit for. @madreraleigh
State Farmers Market Restaurant The real deal indeed, these cult-classic homemade fluffy numbers are a staple for a reason. Get ’em with your meal, as a sandwich or slathered in sausage gravy for Southern comfort at its finest. @statefarmersmarketrestaurant
A Place at the Table Three words: Buttermilk. Biscuit. Sandwich. Build your own for a bona fide brekkie that never disappoints. Pro tip: Opt for the cheddar biscuit for a ~cheesy~ morning. @tableraleigh
Hole-in-the-Wall Haven
Pam’s Farmhouse Restaurant The dive bar of breakfast spots—and literally stumbling distance across a shared parking lot from one (s/o The Goat!), this nearly 30-year-old West Raleigh diner is no-frills (blink and you’ll miss it), but well worth the hype. Delivering all the Southern selects you could crave—think fresh country breakfast with the works, omelets, hotcakes, meat biscuits and more—it’s just as clutch for a greasy hangover feast, say, after a night out at The Goat, as a family-friendly weekday morning grub sesh.
Bloody Brilliant
Every bloody wins via this batch of Raleigh’s best.
Wye Hill While Wye’s bloody is made from a secret proprietary recipe, there’s no doubt it’s damn delicious. (We couldn’t keep that part a secret, sorry.) @wyehill
NOFO You can’t truly pig out at brunch unless you order NOFO’s beloved bloody—“housemade to ribbon-winning standards.” @nofo_at_the_pig
St. Roch Garnish game: strong. Is it even a bloody mary if it’s not topped with okra, pickles, olives and lime? The answer is no. Housemade mix with smoked tomatoes and spice don’t hurt either. @strochraleigh
The Mill Where’s the beef (stock)? In The Mill’s Bloody Bull, made with house mix and beef stock with Guinness. Yes, really. @themillraleigh
The Raleigh Times You can and should order the draft beer sidecar with the RTB bloody—topped with a buffet of ingredients, from housepickled green beans and pepperoncini to candied bacon—because, duh. @raleightimesbar
Tazza Kitchen Oven-roasted tomatoes are the star ingredient in TK’s bloody-good, ahem, bloody—jazzed up with pickles, hot sauce, Worcestershire, tomato juice and lemon. @tazzakitchen
The antidote to an early-morning business meeting? Breakfast, naturally. After all, it’s the most important meal of the day—brunch is reserved for weekends!—so why not double down on productivity and add a meeting to your weekday wake-up menu. Dubbed by some as “power breakfast,” morning meals are now being leveraged by business professionals for meaningful corporate convos in a more casual setting (read: in a restaurant over a cuppa and a side of bacon!). Here, six savvy spots for a post-sunrise sit-down.
A Place at the Table Tuck into feel-good food with a purpose via a BYO breakfast platter or sandwich (NTM rotating selections of pastries for those with a sweet tooth) at this delectable do-good DTR pay-what-you-can cafe. After all, good business favors the benevolent.
Big Ed’s Restaurant Make big biz moves at Big Ed’s City Market spot over breakfast fare served all day long (best enjoyed before noon though). We’ll have an order of networking: over easy.
Plates Neighborhood Kitchen All the professionals can be found at Plates—most likely munching on French toast, a sweet potato hash bowl, or Greek yogurt and granola. Pair it with your coffee of choice from the resto’s on-site coffee trailer out on the patio or opt for an indoor atmosphere (dealer’s choice!) for a mega delish meeting.
Mecca Restaurant A, ahem, mecca for breakfast meetings, the long-standing DTR dining haven (as recently tested by RM’s publisher and editor-in-chief!) is a great place to toast to business beginnings with a breakfast sammie, pancakes or an omelet. Pro tip: the grits are 10/10.
Pam’s Farmhouse Well done! Connect with a colleague at Western Boulevard’s ~30-year-old diner serving up satisfying Southern comfort classics—think hotcakes, biscuits, country breakfasts, etc.—for family-oriented cooking and professional collaboration.
State Farmers Market Restaurant There’s no better spot for a business breakfast than this beloved NC fare-focused restaurant evoking comfort in both cuisine and atmosphere. “Y’all come!” … And bring your coworkers!
Fridge empty from July 4th festivities? Here, we rounded up brunch spots around town that tout the trifecta—aka great cocktails, great food and great patios. Let’s get brunchin’!
Wye Hill
Go for the chef-driven brekky selects, stay for the skyline vistas (find a better view, we’ll wait). Resting brunch face commence. Reservations recommended, wyehill.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Wye Hill Breakfast Sandwich—and the sauce slaps!
Rosewater
Relationship status: it’s caffeinated (and spirited). And romance is def in the air on Rosewater’s enchanting garden patio with its lush greenery surrounds and climbing roses. But you won’t need that excuse… as your full attention will be on chef Brian Jenzer’s beautiful, mouthwatering (and healthy) brunch menu—think breakfast risotto, fine herb omelet and tartines. Do it for the ’Gram—and your belly, of course. Reservations recommended, rosewaterraleigh.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Steak & eggs
Plates Neighborhood Kitchen
If your love for brunch is bottomless, meet us on the patio at Plates—where head chef David Mitchell dishes up an ever-evolving cast of globally inspired locally produced brunch selects five days a week alongside a full-service coffee shop. Ah, the perfect blend. Reservations recommended, plateskitchen.com Served: Wed.–Sun. Our pick: Sweet potato hash bowl
Young Hearts Distilling
Turn down for brunch at Trophy Brewing Co.’s DTR distillery serving a full program of farm-to-table bites, which pair well with its program of perf potables. Used primarily for private events, the roof space overlooking Wilmington Street is fair game for brunch dining—making it a must-reserve Sunday seat. Reservations recommended, trophybrewing.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Apple French toast
Photo courtesy of Young Hearts Distilling
Barcelona Wine Bar
Tapas for brunch? Brilliant. You’re gonna wanna squad up for the renowned regional juggernaut’s brunch tapas so that you can try everything—from the savory olive oil pancakes to the wild mushroom scramble to the gambas and grits. Best paired with the guava-lavender-lemon mimosa. Fizz the season! Reservations recommended, barcelonawinebar.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Potato tortilla
Clouds Brewing
You’ll be on cloud nine after a leisurely brunch at Clouds thanks to its German-inspired eats + classic hearty brunch dishes (NTM brunch drinks and bloody bar!) Brunchin’ is a habit. Reservations recommended, cloudsbrewing.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Pork Belly & Grits
Relish
Taters gonna tate—and tots are on order at this Northwest Raleigh brunch staple, paired with pretty much anything from the scrumptious Southern-inspired craft kitchen menu. First come, first served; join waitlist ahead, relishraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Mama’s chicken biscuit
Mandolin
Happy hollandaise indeed from this longtime local fave where sublime herb and flower box surrounds serve as a the perf serene backdrop for NC-style elevated brunch selects (think farm-fresh eggs sourced straight from chef Sean Fowler’s own Mandolin Farm (!) to scratch-made buttermilk biscuits, local Tepuy Donuts and more). Reservations recommended, mandolinraleigh.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Confit Chicken Hash
St. Roch
Mary Smokes When She Drinks—just one of the buzzy beguiling beverages (an aptly named bloody) that brings us back to St. Roch again and again. And don’t even get us started on that best-in-class Nawlins-inspired cuisine. But, the epitome? Those in-the-know request the hidden back patio—aka a primo secluded spot for noshing on 2022 James Beard Foundation semifinalist chef Sunny Gerhart’s bold Cajun brunch dishes. A sweet escape, if you will. Reservations recommended, strochraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Bolo ’n Grits
Humble Pie
No matter how you slice it, brunch on Humble Pie’s patio overlooking the ever-burgeoning Warehouse District has easily been one of the best seats in town since its humble beginnings in 1989. Period. Reservations recommended, humblepierestaurant.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Huevos Rancheros
Whiskey Kitchen
No Champagne, no gain. Grab your brunch buddies and head to WK for a “mimosa party”—aka a bottle of bubbles and orange juice—plus hearty brunch plates out on one of the best patios in town. And like mimosas, our love for it is bottomless. Reservations recommended, whiskey.kitchen Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Nash Square Breakfast Sandwich
Hummingbird
She’s got eggs and she knows how to use them. Chef/owner Coleen Speaks is easily serving up some of brunch’s best bites in town at Dock 1053 with a cocktail program that you’re gonna wanna mimosey on over for. Reservations recommended, hummingbirdraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick:Chicken & waffle
STIR
Stir up your brunch plans with scratchmade brunch classics like shrimp and grits, avocado toast, and biscuits and gravy—best accompanied with a $5 mimosa or bloody mary. And it’s never too early for oysters (get ’em raw or steamed) and a craft cocktail made with artisanal ice. stirraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Shrimp and grits
Think there’s nowhere to eat lunch in DTR? Think again. There are 100+ places to get your midday grub on in Downtown right now. Here, your go-to guide for lunch Downtown right now, divided up by district. Dig in!
The Roast Grill “Good friends, good dogs, good times” are on order at this famed hole-in-the-wall 13-seat Raleigh staple “burnin’ ’em for you” since 1940. 7 S. West St.
Taverna Agora – RM Best Restaurants 2022 Specialty cocktails and authentic Greek wines complement traditional Greek dishes in the rustic old-world ambiance inside—or alfresco on the open-air rooftop patio. 326 Hillsborough St.
Smoky Hollow
The Cardinal Bar– RM Best Bars 2021 “Spirits & everybody” is the name of the game at Jason Howard’s (think The Atlantic Lounge, Pink Boot) West Street drinking den and hot dog haven. The Cardinal’s infused liquor makes for some of the best—and cheapest—shots in town. Chase them with one of the lowkey bar’s famous beer-braised hot dogs, which are also available as veggie dogs. 713 N. West St.
Dose Elixir Bar Whether you just namaste’d a Dose class or you’re passing through the Hollow, grab your daily “dose” at Dose Yoga’s in-house smoothie bar concept and walk-up window to elevate your mood and stay balanced. Pick your potion, from adaptogenic and plant-based protein smoothies, smoothie bowls and wellness lattes—positive side effects, guaranteed. 415 N. Harrington St.
Gringo A Go Go With its playful vibe, plant-filled patio and housemade margs, this sup spot has been sating local Mexican-food lovers (including vegans!) since 2014. 100 N. Person St.
(Ish) Delicatessen Not quite Jewish, a little Italian and maybe Southern, this sandwich shop boasts “weird sandwiches from weird people” for breakfast and lunch. 702 N. Person St.
The Station at Person Street – RM Top Bloody Pick Nestled in a renovated Amoco gas station, this chill neighborhood hangout offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating that’s perfect for noshing on creative spins on bar food classics and craft brews. 701 N. Person St.
Big Ed’s City Market – RM Top Business Breakfast Pick Having called City Market home since 1989, Big Ed’s continues to serve up some of the best in Southern cooking in town seven days a week for breakfast, brunch and lunch. 220 Wolfe St.
The Bridge DTR For “bloody good” British food, international friendship and football (OK, soccer) visit London Bridge. Across-the-pond classics include rocket salad, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and a full English breakfast. 110 E. Hargett St.
Gravy Ask any Italian-American what “gravy” is, and they’ll tell you it’s the pasta sauce their moms and grandmas cooked fresh nightly. So, naturally, at Gravy, they prepare their own each day—among a host of delish Italian-American selects. 135 S. Wilmington St.
Sitti Named for the most beloved Lebanese figure, the grandmother (sitti), this DTR sup spot by restaurateur Greg Hatem (with Neomonde owners, the Saleh family) honors his Lebanese heritage with delish authentic dishes and spirits, and an inviting atmosphere. 137 S. Wilmington St.
Transfer Co. Food Hall (see individual listings herein) Located in the historic Carolina Coach Garage and Shop, this hip food hall houses local seafood, burritos, bagels, housemade meats and pastas, burgers, Asian fare, and more—plus a bar. 500 E. Davie St., 984.232.8122, transfercofoodhall.com
Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Owner Mario Longo has been serving authentic old-world Italian and NY-style pizza and traditional pastas for 30+ years overlooking City Market. Pro tip: Park it on the patio. 331 Blake St.; 4035 Lake Boone Trail
Clyde Cooper’s BBQ Since 1938, Clyde’s has been a fave for its award-winning barbecue (with three styles to choose from to boot!), succulent beef brisket and juicy chicken—NTM the sides! 327 S. Wilmington St.
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar Never give up! Named for famed NC State coach Jim Valvano, upscale Italian fare is served alongside casual ops like pizzas and salads. 420 Fayetteville St.
lucettegrace Start your day at this contemporary patisserie with croissants and coffee; escape midday with the box lunch (your choice of sandwich, salad or soup, and a treat) or reward yourself post-work with those legendary macarons. 235 S. Salisbury St.
Manhattan Cafe Grilled cheese is for grown-ups! … And lunch is a vibe at this super-fresh local cafe by three brothers serving brekkie and lunch since 2009. 320 S. Wilmington St.
The Raleigh Times – RM Best Bars 2021; RM Top Bloody Pick Located in the home of the 100-year-old building that housed the former The Raleigh Times newspaper, this downtown staple now encompasses almost an entire city block (with a rooftop patio to boot), plus a generous selection of craft beers and eats. 14 E. Hargett St.
Sono Raleigh Let the good times roll at this sexy-chic-but-approachable vibrant sushi resto serving up world-class rolls (not to mention ramen and other Japanese faves), with a huge cocktail and sake selection to boot. 319 Fayetteville St., Ste. 101
Buena Papa Fry Bar @ Morgan Street Food Hall Fries before guys—and everything else. Buena Papa’s loaded fries (topped with everything from Colombian refried beans and fried pork belly to meatballs and tomato sauce to grilled chicken and tzatziki) are truly all you need in life. 9411 W. Morgan St., Ste. 104
Irregardless Café Treasured by carnivores and omnivores alike, this classic Raleigh venue is known for its global cuisine, as well as its flavorful and inventive vegan and vegetarian dishes. Come back at night for a meal to a backdrop of live music. 901 W. Morgan St.
Morgan Street Food Hall(see individual listings herein) An oasis for some of Raleigh’s best food and drink ops, this new-age food hall serves up everything from wood-fired pizza, tacos and burgers to lobster rolls, ice cream and more—not to mention cocktails at its indoor/outdoor bar. 411 W. Morgan St.
Parkside “Parked” at the entrance to the Warehouse District, Parkside is situated in a building that’s served up Southern hospitality for over 100 years. Take a seat at the reclaimed barnwood bar for chef-inspired dishes and 25-plus beers on tap. 301 W. Martin St.
The Pit Continuing NC’s barbecue legacy, The Pit doles authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue (think chopped barbecue pork and beef brisket). Opt for the warm-hued interior or the patio with a front seat to the hustle and bustle of downtown. 328 W. Davie St.
A Place at the Table – RM Top Business Breakfast Pick Having quickly gained local love and national acclaim, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you can cafe offers breakfast ops like quiche and waffles, and such lunch classics as salads, sandwiches and paninis. 300 W. Hargett St.
Sam Jones BBQ Prominent NC pitmaster Sam Jones brings his family’s signature Eastern North Carolina chopped whole-hog Q to Raleigh at Sam Jones BBQ, where trays and sandos are best served with the Skylight Inn-style cornbread. 502 W. Lenoir St.
Tuscan Blu Ciao, bella. At this authentic Italian resto, classic Tuscany-inspired pasta, meat dishes, and daily specials await—either to dine in or enjoy alfresco on the patio. 327 W. Davie St.
Whiskey Kitchen– RM Best Bars 2021; RM Top Brunch Pick Exposed bricks, lofty ceilings, garage door-style edifice, light-strung large patio and a communal vibe serve as the setting for this whiskey haven—housing hundreds of top-notch whiskies, with a full bar program and Southern-inspired plates for pairing to boot. 201 W. Martin St.
DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli Um, you’re def on a knead-to-know basis when it comes to this local pizzeria and deli dishing homemade eats with fresh local ingredients that’ll steal another lil slice of your heart with every, well, slice (or salad, or sub…). Insider tip: Don’t sleep on the delivery service. 222 Glenwood Ave.
Hibernian Irish Pub Sláinte! Irish eyes are smiling indeed at this longtime two-story Glenwood South staple, famed for its Irish social club feel, beer and liquor selection, wraparound rooftop patio (with bar), and, of course, delish Irish dishes. 311 Glenwood Ave.
La Santa It doesn’t get more authentic Mexican than a family-owned resto serving up fare using the owner’s mother’s recipes from Guadalajara—think handmade tortillas, bolillo and chicken enchiladas—best served with mezcal cocktails and margs. 222 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 107
MoJoe’s Burger Joint With a dozen-ish different styles, MoJoe’s signature award-winning handpressed burgers are 100% Sterling Silver Choice beef and 100% delicious. Add fries, famous MoJoe’s sauce and a brew (or a signature shake) for the full experience. 620 Glenwood Ave.
My Way Tavern – RM Best Bars 2021 With a Cheers-esque vibe and TVs on every wall, this neighborhood tavern is a great spot to catch the game over cocktails and brews—and all the food you need to keep your game day fueled. 522 St. Mary’s St.
Sushi Blues An affordable spot to get a wide selection of fresh sushi and sashimi in a casual, sleek environment, Sushi Blues is known for its BOGO rolls (try the Wolfpack) and half-price wine bottles on Sundays and Wednesdays. 301 Glenwood Ave.
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery – RM Best Bars 2021 Born out of owners Amra brothers’ vision for combining good food and sports-watching, TR is the quintessential spot for catching the game over world-class beers, cocktails and fresh locally sourced fare. 505 W. Jones St.
An ode to the smoked brisket birria tacos that nearly broke the internet whenever Wood announced they were on the menu on Lawrence’s Instagram (and brought in throngs of people eager to get their hands on one, though usually sold out after only a couple of hours and thus “got out of hand,” says Wood), Leroy’s Tacos n Beer—anticipated to open in January 2023—will be situated just two doors down from the hip Q spot, and underneath his other Lawrence Food Co. Hospitality Group concept, Lagoon Bar. A taco and BBQ (and cocktail!) have down the road at Boxyard? Um, sold.
In addition to Wood’s famed birria tacos—which he conceptualized via three or four different recipes from different regions in Mexico—Leroy’s small rotating menu will feature fun seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Expect chimichurri fried rice, roasty poblano cheese dip with fresh fried tortilla chips, stewed hominy, and “a really fun corn dog that’s kind of like street corn, except the vessel’s gonna be a corn dog as opposed to an ear of corn,” says Wood.
NC shrimp tacos and carne asada skirt steak tacos will be on the feature board more often than not, he adds, and the food will be complemented by a rotating selection of canned Mexican beers like Imperial, Pacifico, Tecate and Modelo—plus over-the-top micheladas, natch (spring for the Big Mich if you’re really feeling frisky!).
“We’re not trying to overthink it; we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel with tacos—clearly I’m a white dude,” says Wood. “There are folks within 5 miles of us cooking amazing tacos. We just wanna join; we’re not trying to compete with anybody. I just f*cking love tacos, and I wanna make them. I want folks to be able to come and get the birria tacos and not have to wait in line 30 minutes to be told it’s sold out.” (If it’s happened to you, you know how soul-crushing it is.)
Wood learned with Lawrence that a small menu works not only well for their setup at Boxyard, but for his team. “We’re able to pump an insane amount of volume through that place,” he says. “And that helps us pay our staff more and sustain the quality of life, which is most important because if [the staff] isn’t taken care of or can’t take care of themselves, we can’t as a team take care of anybody—our customers or anybody else.” And that includes family.
As a husband and father of two young children, Wood feels it’s really important that he doesn’t miss out on too much of his kids’ lives. “They grow so fast. I’m focused on something that’s, you know, supposed to benefit us—it’s supposed to put a roof over our heads, supposed to help them get into the college they want to get into when that time comes. So we’ve had to really balance it. And it’s been tough.”
Case in point, Lawrence Barbecue is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and the shop closes early on Tuesdays, giving the team two-and-a-half days off. Wood says his staff is also paid well above industry standards—“we’ve got a whole-house tip pool, from [Lagoon Bar] to the restaurant,” he adds.
When Leroy’s opens, he’ll stick to the same schedule while staying focused on “doing the best we can for the customers who line up for us out there, and just kind of trying to continue to take care of ourselves.”
And even though the Lawrence Barbecue team moved fast with this first expansion, Wood says that “if we have to grow slower and a little bit more organically then that’s fine with us—we just want to make sure that it’s sustainable. Because the most important thing to me is that, with this vision, it remains a sustainable vision and business for many years to come.” @leroystacoshop
