Taco joints are unfolding across the city—and we all know a balanced diet includes a taco in each hand (!). Here, three new spots for your next taco Tuesday outing—or any meal, really.
Tacos are great for any time of day—are we right or are we right? Settle in for dinner, lunch or brunch at this cabo grill’s newly opened location on Grove Barton Road for nachos, wings, refreshing entrees and loaded guac boasting myriad flavors (think fire-roasted tomato and goat cheese to pineapple-jalapeno or spicy serrano)—but be sure to save room for the main event: tacos! The extensive menu covers all the bases, with ops like BBQ mahi, Bangkok shrimp, Korean pork belly and braised short rib. And be sure to pair your meal with one of the juicy margs (or two or three, no judgment here!). No time to sit? Get your tacos and ’tails to-go with ready-made takeout taco kits and margarita mixes. Truly, thesalt of the earth.
Have no fear, Chido Taco is here! Upping its roster of Triangle locations (see the OG McNeill Pointe hot spot and recently opened Shoppes of Kildaire locale), the taqueria’s new Fayetteville Street outpost is opening this weekend with the same vibrant vibe we all know and love, complete with a mouthwatering menu of tacos (natch), burritos, ACPs, tortas and more. NTM the thirst-quenching margaritas and colorful cocktails with freshly squeezed juices. Fave selects include the quesabirria tacos (make sure to grab extra napkins!); tacos al pastor; and chile relleno tacos feat. two anaheim peppers stuffed with steak, cheese and salsa ranchera. Taco ’bout an excellent way to spend your weekend!
If you’re ’bout that burrito life, look no further than this Baja-style Topsail-based eatery now serving up delish bites and coastal vibes in Raleigh. Inspired by family and a goal of cooking up a tasty and affordable menu, the jibby joint boasts both quality ingredients and a casual atmosphere. The menu is built for all, from carnivores to vegetarians—and for anyone searching for a taste of the coast sans the beach. Naturally, burritos are the main draw, but don’t sleep on the tacos either. … And that’s a wrap!
“These two years have not only been an opportunity for us to flex our creative muscle, but to be a part of a reawakening of Downtown Raleigh,” says co-founder Chris Powers. “Every bottle we create is a testament of commitment to creativity, quality and desire to share memorable experiences with our local community.”
Untapping even more reason to celebrate, Young Hearts recently dropped a handful of new summer sippers, including its first ready-to-drink vodka soda (!), a limoncello that’ll transport you straight to the Italian countryside, a blueberry liqueur (no summer blues here), and a seasonal summer gin (the seasonal fruit medley of your dreams—aka pineapple, passionfruit, peach and strawberry). And just in time for peach season, keep your eyes peeled for the distillery’s peach brandy, brandy barrel-aged whiskey, and peach amaretto/nocino coming soon.
Naturally, Young Hearts’ spirits pair best with its ever-evolving comfort food dishes spotlighting ingredients sourced from local producers. In celebration of its anniversary, this month’s menu features new tempting tastes like a fried chicken sammy piled high with pickled cabbage, chili crisp, cucumber, and a soy ginger sauce; shrimp and grits with Fox Farm mushrooms and housemade bacon; and a creamy macaroni and cheese topped with bread crumbs—plus more grub to come. And from fare to flair, Young Hearts has a thrilling lineup of events for its anny month to get the party started. Strut over to Drag Brunch feat. DJ Gay Agenda, or catch a wave to Surfer Day and raise a toast to the Cloud Surfer Modern IPA—both taking place Aug. 26. … Cheers to two years—and many more to come!
Without feather ado… putting the spirit of giving in the season, your $45 ticket lets you have a ball (!) while sponsoring a local family’s Thanksgiving turkey. Gobble, gobble, good. mulinoraleigh.com
11/17 Benny T’s Vesta Anniversary Party
Hey, hot stuff! Spice it up and celebrate Raleigh-made Benny T’s Vesta dry hot sauce’s 15th birthday (!) with specialty food, cocktails, merch and samples at Whiskey Kitchen. And, naturally, be sure to ask your server for Benny T’s to sprinkle on everything. bennytsvesta.com
Giveback to those in need this giving season! Fenton and Dorcas Ministries are working together to support Cary community members with a food drive. Donate your nonperishable pantry items and receive $3 off your skate rental from Fenton Skate Shop (!). … Because being charitable is always cool. fentonnc.com
11/17–20 Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Well, cello there. Robert Weiss’ interpretation of Maurice Bejart’s Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is a can’t-miss. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
11/18 Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
Hailing from Asheville, this powerhouse soul rock band delivers powerhouse female vocals with a combo of soul, blues and psychedelia sounds. Rock on! thepourhousemusichall.com
11/18 DTR Tree Lighting
Start off the holiday season light in DTR with the annual tree lighting (natch!), vendors, food and a photo with Santa. Happy holidays, indeed. downtownraleigh.org
11/18–19 Steve Trevino
“America’s favorite husband” offers a lighthearted and laughable take on fatherhood, husbandhood and lifehood in general during what’s sure to be a relatable night of laughs. improv.com
11/19 27th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Celebrate American Indian heritage with an all-day event highlighting the cultural, historical and scientific contributions of American Indians in NC. ncmuseumofhistory.org
11/19 Family Volunteer Day
Kick off the holiday season this year with kindness! Gathering families around the Triangle to volunteer together, Activate Good helps kiddos (plus their parents) learn about local causes and help serve the community together. Happy holidays, indeed! activategood.org
11/19 Handmade Paper Lanterns
“And at last we see the light.” … Craft your own paper lantern to bring to the Museum Park on Dec. 10 for its annual Winter Lantern Walk and/or Hillsborough’s Solstice Lantern Walk Dec. 21. It’s gonna be lit! ncartmuseum.org
11/19 Light the Square
For a tree-mendous time, take a quick drive over to Fenton for its first annual tree lighting event feat. performances, a laser light show, delicious drinks and an appearance from the man in red himself. Talk about a glow up! fentonnc.com
11/19 Family Volunteer Day
Activate Good is bringing back its beloved family volunteer day in-person at Marbles Kids Museum. ’Tis the season of giving back! activategood.org
11/19 Night of Lights 5K
What’s more lit than an evening jog? Running a 5K around Dix Park lit up with holiday lights. event.racereach.com
11/19 Raleigh Christmas Parade
“Oh, my God! Santa, here?! I know him! I know him!” Spot Santa—and the others—from the streets or the couch (on ABC11) in the largest Xmas parade between DC and Atlanta. Buddy would be so proud. grma.org
11/19 The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night
Calling all Swifties! “Can’t stop, won’t stop groovin’” during this T. Swift-inspired dance party feat. all your faves, naturally. Are you ready for it? taylorswiftnight.com
11/19 North Hills Tree Lighting
Sleigh your holiday at North Hill’s annual tree lighting event complete with crafts, food trucks, vendors, face painting and live music. visitnorthhills.com
11/19–20 KoreaFest
Bibim-bop on over to this two-day fest featuring Korean food, K-pop merch, cultural lessons and taekwondo. ncstatefair.org
11/19–1/16 The Rink
Ice, ice baby. Figure-eight your way into the holidays with the return of Raleigh’s festive Rockefeller-esque ice skating rink at Red Hat. redhatamphitheater.com
11/20-21 Mandolin Friendsgiving
Belly up to Mandolin for a family-style fall feast featuring all your fave Turkey Day fare, with a portion of proceeds going to Now Serving, a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide prepped meals to people in need. Time to get stuffed! mandolinraleigh.com
11/20–12/24 Santa in Winter Wonderland
Find the jolly old man himself spreading holiday cheer and snapping pics with the kiddos—and cheery adults. Do it for the ’Gram! fentonnc.com
11/20 Cozy Candlelit Sound Bath for Gratitude
Celebrate your #blessings with the community during a reading of a Native American Thanksgiving prayer and bathe in soundscapes crafted to nourish your mind and body. You’ll be thankful to relieve some stress! doseyogaraleigh.com
11/23 Oyster Pop-Up
Aww, shucks! Want to add some NC coastal flair and flavor to your Thanksgiving Day celebrations? Head to State of Beer to pick up a package of oysters to bring home… or ask to have them shucked on the spot to enjoy with a brew. Slurp on!merabrothersoysters.com
11/23, 25 The Polar Express
All aboard! Baritone Scott MacLeod and a chorus of children will join the NC Symphony to bring the magic of this beloved holiday book/movie to life. “Seeing is believing.” ncsymphony.org
Hungry? Get a taste of Glenwood South through The Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative’s 2022 edition of Glenwood Faire, taking place at Smoky Hollow (the first major event in the hip new district!) on April 24. A ticket gets you delicious samples from 15 restaurants on Glenwood South (think Vidrio, Cortez, Plates Neighborhood Kitchen, Carolina Ale House and more)—with beer and wine available for purchase as well. While you nibble, treat yourself to some retail therapy by shopping from Glenwood South retail and service businesses, and enjoying live music and dog contests.
“The Glenwood Faire allows these [Glenwood South] restaurants to reach local residents—and guests from the greater Raleigh area—and introduce them to the great food available without the cost and formality of a visit to the restaurant,” says Larry Miller, president of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative (GSNC). “This also promotes a positive image of the neighborhood to counterbalance the negative publicity often generated by the exuberant Glenwood South weekend activity…” Proving Glenwood South is more than just bars and revelry.
And even if you’re just here for the food (no judgment) at least those bites are benevolent. Glenwood Faire is an annual fundraising event for St. Saviour’s Center‘s Diaper Train program, which provides diapers to low-income families in Wake County. Started in 2010 as the first diaper bank in the area, the program serves 1,000 individual children each month, with an average distribution of 500,000 diapers per year.
Indulging in fab local eats while supporting a good cause? It doesn’t get much more satisfying than that. gsncraleigh.com/glenwood-faire
