We’re gonna stop you right there—if you’re taking a turn on red in Downtown Raleigh, that is. Raleigh City Council recently approved a change for no turns on red lights in the core of DTR, aka the area between Glenwood Avenue, Peace Street, East Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard. This transportation change comes amid many recent traffic updates to improve pedestrian safety—such as lowering the speed limit to 25 mph and removing dual turning movements—as part of the Downtown Pedestrian Safety Project in partnership with NCDOT. If you’re cruising around DTR, expect to see “No Turns on Red” signs going up starting this spring. Remember, only hit the gas on green… right? raleighnc.gov
Completion date By the end of April
Where Streets between Glenwood Avenue, Peace Street, East Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard
Ahead of National Burrito Day April 6, roll up all that big brain—er, burrito—energy to showcase your smarts on the local burrito scene. Lettuce commence!
1. Be my bae-rrito, Baja Burrito (!). This locally owned unassuming burrito joint nestled in Mission Valley Shopping Center has sated many a college student’s appetite with freshly made and delish ingredients. …“When you crave it, you’ll understand.” What year did this sup spot start serving?
a. 1992
b. 1995
c. 1997
d. 1999
2. “Rolling up the good good” is Dank Burrito’s Transfer Co. Food Hall locale, touting incredible flavors and fresh global fare. What other NC city will you find this dank resto?
a. Morehead City
b. Wilmington
c. Asheville
d. Chapel Hill
3. Good news: The Raleigh Times delivers more than just hard-hitting drinks—it also touts a slow-roasted braised pork burrito complete with enchilada sauce, cheddar, green onions and fresh jalapenos. When was this historic spot’s original building restored?
a. 2000
b. 2003
c. 2006
d. 2009
4. Shaka brah! Salt & Lime Cabo Grill makes a mean surf & turf burrito packed with shrimp/steak plus tantalizing tropical fixins’ (think: Baja rice, grilled onions, cheese, chipotle cream sauce, pico de gallo, queso fresco, Baja crema, cilantro). Where did owner Ken Smith grow up?
a. Florida
b. California
c. North Carolina
d. South Carolina
5. Colorful mercado-style taco joint Chido Taco is bringin’ its second locale to which DTR street (slated to open soon and featuring the same menu as the original Chido Taco in McNeill Pointe)?
a. Fayetteville Street
b. Wilmington Street
c. Morgan Street
d. Hargett Street
6. Grab your gang and go go to lowkey resto Gringo A Go Go, which has been dishing up Mexican staples (cough, cough, burritos) since 2014. The hot spot was originally what kind of establishment?
a. Pharmacy
b. Police station
c. Bank
d. Service station
7. Working on your fitness? Put those chewing muscles to work via Gym Tacos bangin’ burritos. Where will this OG taco truck’s newest brick-and-mortar be located?
a. North Hills
b. Transfer Co. Food Hall
c. Morgan Street Food Hall
d. Hillsborough Street
8. Burritos for breakfast? Name a better way to start the day (!). Belly up to Mr. Burro for burritos, tacos, coffee and other goodies to cure the morning munchies. Where is this bright truck permanently located?
a. Village District
b. North Hills
c. Lafayette Village
d. Gateway Plaza
9. Find taco fusion hub 13 Tacos & Taps touting tacos, taps and burritos (natch) on its menu. Before we wrap up this quiz, what is the name of its award-winning filet mignon taco-turned-burrito?
We’re on a knead-to-know basis… and we need you to know about this fab Transfer Co. Food Hall spot’s recently launched food truck that’s tempting Raleighites to make a quick pit stop for handmade baked/fried Argentinian delights—think empanadas (natch), pastries and more—all over town. The empanada party continues via a pickup window at the soon-to-open The Mixx (!). … And you can be sure they’re prepared to stay servin’ up the good Argentinian eats no matter the occasion—from weddings to zombie apocalypses. Ready to get stuffed? cheempanadas.com
Mama Churros
Bringing handcrafted churros from Mexico to the Triangle is this sweet truck throwing you for a loop—that is, a dipped loop, stick or dipped stick, depending on your churro order of choice. NTM these fried dough-lights even come with sprinkles (*cues up mental image of Salt Bae sprinklin’*)! Time to churr up! @mamachurros_
Lee’s Kitchen
Meet the self-proclaimed best-known secret in town. “A taste of Jamaica with a touch of soul,” this truck blends tropical and Southern flavors to produce appetizing ops of all kinds—from oxtails and curry chicken to yams, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Warning: One bite may mentally transport you to the Caribbean. So if you haven’t yet stumbled upon this gem, well, curry up. leeskitchenjamaican.com
Mr. A’s Beignets
They say you are what you eat, so we rec chowing down on some hot and sweet fried fritters via this authentic New Orleans-esque sup spot that sources its beignet supplies directly from Louisiana (that’s how you know it’s legit!). Pro tip: Getting powdered sugar everywhere is highly encouraged. … And be sure to grab a coffee, hot cocoa or spiced cider to wash it all down. Beignet, done that. Or have you?! squaredoughnuts.com
Roses are red and beer is brew at Cary’s latest laid-back beer garden.
Stop and smell the roses… er, rosé! West Wake’s recently bowed watering hole Rosecomb Beer Garden boasts a slew of ops for sipping—see its 24 rotating taps of beers, sours, hard ciders and kombuchas, and rosé (natch). NTM BB’s Crispy Chicken is situated right next door, so you can literally order one of those juicy chicken sandos straight to your barstool (!). Or, opt for a spot on the sunny partially covered patio, complete with fans and fire pits.
“We are thrilled to bring an exciting new atmosphere to Cary for friends and family to gather for cold drinks and tasty bites,” says Colleen Hamilton, VP of brand marketing for MDO Holdings. “We are the perfect family- and pet-friendly destination with plenty of games, live music on weekends, trivia on Wednesdays and everything in between!” … Will you accept this rosé? rosecombbeergarden.com
Catching z’s is controversial—slothful or smart? Here, some sound slumber philosophies you don’t want to sleep on.
When asked the secret to his age-defying physique and envy-inducing contentment in a recent viral Men’s Health interview, 55-year-old Ant-Man superhero Paul Rudd named simply one thing: Sleep. (Yes, he’s really 55—score 1 for sleep.)
In Short Supply:
A new Apple Heart & Movement Study reveals a mere 31% participants get the rec 7 hours.
Sure, beauty rest seems like an obvious answer, even for heroes like Ant-Man, but advice on the “right” amount of slumber to be the most successful version of yourself varies—wildly (understatement). Get at least nine hours of sleep like Panther-cum-49er Christian McCaffrey to defy the depths and heights of human strength and possibility. Or rise by 3:45am to channel your inner genius like Apple CEO Tim Cook while the world sleeps to, well, rule the world?
While hour recs vary—the American Heart Association just released guidelines for seven to nine hours nightly for most adults, while The Sleep Foundation settles for “at least seven”—one thing experts do seem to agree on when it comes to rest is regularity. As just-released study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals, irregular sleep may damage your heart, NTM elevate risk of dementia, depression, high blood pressure and more. But when it comes to logging z’s and which side of the sun you rise on to be your best self, the jury is out. So we asked some local VIPs and MVPs how much sleep they get on average + their sleep philosophy.
“6, but I strive desperately for 8: Sleep seems to be the luxury I can’t afford.” —Estella Patterson, Former Raleigh Police Chief
“5–6 hours: I respect and appreciate sleeping and/or resting… but the truth is, I only sleep when absolutely necessary.” —Nick Neptune, entrepreneur and advocate
“6–7 hours and begin my sleep routine as early as 8:30pm to fall asleep by 11pm: Health is wealth, and a key to good health is adequate sleep.” —Terrence Holt, former football standout; co-founder, Holt Brothers Foundation
“8.25 hours: Sleep is crucial. I’m a committed sleeper. … I am fanatical, though, about getting my sleep on proper cycles, which, for me, are 45 minutes long. So I need my night’s rest to always be a multiple of 45 minutes.” —David Burris, executive producer (The Mole) + TV/film director and producer
“6 hours… 7 is a luxury; 5 or less means I won’t be at my best: I love sleep but I also love being present for my family and my restaurant team, which means my creative time is often very early or very late. My wife and I are often still working on our laptops in bed at 1am.” —Scott Crawford, restaurateur
“6–7 hours: Sleep? I need more of it, but it’s not happening anytime soon.” —Mary-Ann Baldwin, Former Mayor
“A good 6–8 hours—and if that doesn’t happen, I usually can make up the lack of sleep with a nap: The more I get the better.” —2022 RM Bartender of the Year Colby Kress
“7 hours: No less than 6 hours of sleep. Always have a day that you sleep in. Always have a night when you go to bed early.” —Jermaine Caldwell, local DJ
