When I woke up at 4 o’clock this morning, I suddenly started craving my favorite dish at Rue Cler. I was kept awake by the thought of this lovely salad topped with chicken and crispy onions. I then began to think of all the other Durham-area restaurants I frequent and I began to notice a trend.
I always order the same thing...every time I visit these restaurants. On my first visit I’ll order something random, willing to try whatever. But the next time I go, I order it again. Then I just never stop. You’d think I’d say to myself, “Melanie, if you liked this item so much on your very first visit, you’ll probably enjoy a few of the other items on the menu.” But I don’t listen to the voice of reason. And especially not when it comes to food.
So I thought it might be fun to exploit myself a little further and share with you my top 10 local eats and the items I get there time after time.
#10: Saratoga Grill
Located in downtown Hillsborough. This restaurant is on the second level of another business. Saratoga Grill is hands down the home of the world’s best hamburgers. They are huge, juicy, and are served in numerous different styles. I always get the mushroom and swiss burger. Never ever attempted another dish.
#9: Rue Cler
Parisian-style restaurant located in downtown Durham. For some reason, I’ve only visited this restaurant with coworkers, despite it not being very convenient to our office. I get the Chicken Paillard, served with Brie and crispy onions over greens.
#8: Mez
Contemporary Mexican restaurant off of Page Road in RTP. My entree regularly shifts between Queso Flameado, Enchiladas de Pollo, and Pollo Tamal, but I always begin things with the Verde Salad. Diced apples tossed in pumpkin seed-walnut dressing with mixed greens, tomatoes, pine nuts and queso fresco. The dressing makes this salad.
#7: Thai Cafe
Located on University Drive in Durham directly beside Wine Authorities. My staple is the Chicken with spicy basil leaves. Chicken, fresh basil leaves with bell peppers and green beans in hot chili sauce. This dish is categorized under three spicy peppers on their menu, which means it is one of the hottest dishes available. All their entrees come with a tiny salad, the best part of which is the homemade peanut dressing. The entrees here are not large, but end up completely satisfying my appetite every time.
#6: Briggs at the Park
Breakfast joint located on Highway 55 in Durham. Breakfast Croissant. Every time I’ve been I have order the flaky croissant filled with crisp bacon and two eggs, scrambled with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. I always get it with a side of grapes and ask for it to be prepared with Papetti's Better'N Eggs® Fat-Free eggs, which I always hope will counteract the damage of the massive amount of cheese. This place is so tasty but synonymous with at least a 15-minute wait.
#5: 411 West
Located on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Really the only reason I ever go back to my Alma Mater. My dish is the Crab. Red pepper pappardelle pasta in a dill cream sauce with crab meat and a saute of mushrooms, scallions and bacon. I feel guilty for a week after I’ve eaten this dish. But oh so worth it. I recommend it to every soul who enters the doors. I’ve never met a person who didn’t like it. I have to confess though, that hubby has urged me from time to time to get something new; and I have. I order the specials on occasion. But this restaurant still earns its place on this list because I ordered the Crab for my first 10 visits.
#4: Sunset Grille
Sports bar located at Sutton Station in Durham. My staple is the Oriental Chicken Stir Fry Wrap. Stir fried vegetables in a sesame teriyaki glaze wrapped in a garlic herb tortilla. I also always get the delicious Sunset Chips as my side. They are fried potato chips tossed with spicy Cajun seasoning and served with homemade jalapeno ranch dressing. These things are hot. Have water or beer ready.
#3: Pulcinella’s
Little family-owned hole in the wall Italian restaurant located in Woodcroft. I always get the Chicken Marsala and I always order it TO GO. This is a huge dish (I can get two meals out of it) that comes with bread and a salad and their homemade Italian dressing, which is chunky and oily.
#2: Foster’s Market
The lovely Sarah Foster’s place on 15-501 in Durham. My sole item of order is the Bacon, Avocado and Spinach sandwich. Bacon, avocado, cucumbers, spinach, tomato, herb cream cheese and basil mayo on sunflower. I try to bring all out-of-town guests to this place.
#1: The Q-Shack
The best BBQ joint in Durham, located at the intersection of University Drive and 15-501, across from Wine Authorities. My staple is the pulled pork butt, mac n’ cheese, Jack cheese creamed spinach, cole slaw and hush puppies. I can usually make two meals of this as well, unless I’m really hungry. They also serve quite the unique beer selection here.
I always order the same thing...every time I visit these restaurants. On my first visit I’ll order something random, willing to try whatever. But the next time I go, I order it again. Then I just never stop. You’d think I’d say to myself, “Melanie, if you liked this item so much on your very first visit, you’ll probably enjoy a few of the other items on the menu.” But I don’t listen to the voice of reason. And especially not when it comes to food.
So I thought it might be fun to exploit myself a little further and share with you my top 10 local eats and the items I get there time after time.
#10: Saratoga Grill
Located in downtown Hillsborough. This restaurant is on the second level of another business. Saratoga Grill is hands down the home of the world’s best hamburgers. They are huge, juicy, and are served in numerous different styles. I always get the mushroom and swiss burger. Never ever attempted another dish.
#9: Rue Cler
Parisian-style restaurant located in downtown Durham. For some reason, I’ve only visited this restaurant with coworkers, despite it not being very convenient to our office. I get the Chicken Paillard, served with Brie and crispy onions over greens.
#8: Mez
Contemporary Mexican restaurant off of Page Road in RTP. My entree regularly shifts between Queso Flameado, Enchiladas de Pollo, and Pollo Tamal, but I always begin things with the Verde Salad. Diced apples tossed in pumpkin seed-walnut dressing with mixed greens, tomatoes, pine nuts and queso fresco. The dressing makes this salad.
#7: Thai Cafe
Located on University Drive in Durham directly beside Wine Authorities. My staple is the Chicken with spicy basil leaves. Chicken, fresh basil leaves with bell peppers and green beans in hot chili sauce. This dish is categorized under three spicy peppers on their menu, which means it is one of the hottest dishes available. All their entrees come with a tiny salad, the best part of which is the homemade peanut dressing. The entrees here are not large, but end up completely satisfying my appetite every time.
#6: Briggs at the Park
Breakfast joint located on Highway 55 in Durham. Breakfast Croissant. Every time I’ve been I have order the flaky croissant filled with crisp bacon and two eggs, scrambled with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. I always get it with a side of grapes and ask for it to be prepared with Papetti's Better'N Eggs® Fat-Free eggs, which I always hope will counteract the damage of the massive amount of cheese. This place is so tasty but synonymous with at least a 15-minute wait.
#5: 411 West
Located on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Really the only reason I ever go back to my Alma Mater. My dish is the Crab. Red pepper pappardelle pasta in a dill cream sauce with crab meat and a saute of mushrooms, scallions and bacon. I feel guilty for a week after I’ve eaten this dish. But oh so worth it. I recommend it to every soul who enters the doors. I’ve never met a person who didn’t like it. I have to confess though, that hubby has urged me from time to time to get something new; and I have. I order the specials on occasion. But this restaurant still earns its place on this list because I ordered the Crab for my first 10 visits.
#4: Sunset Grille
Sports bar located at Sutton Station in Durham. My staple is the Oriental Chicken Stir Fry Wrap. Stir fried vegetables in a sesame teriyaki glaze wrapped in a garlic herb tortilla. I also always get the delicious Sunset Chips as my side. They are fried potato chips tossed with spicy Cajun seasoning and served with homemade jalapeno ranch dressing. These things are hot. Have water or beer ready.
#3: Pulcinella’s
Little family-owned hole in the wall Italian restaurant located in Woodcroft. I always get the Chicken Marsala and I always order it TO GO. This is a huge dish (I can get two meals out of it) that comes with bread and a salad and their homemade Italian dressing, which is chunky and oily.
#2: Foster’s Market
The lovely Sarah Foster’s place on 15-501 in Durham. My sole item of order is the Bacon, Avocado and Spinach sandwich. Bacon, avocado, cucumbers, spinach, tomato, herb cream cheese and basil mayo on sunflower. I try to bring all out-of-town guests to this place.
#1: The Q-Shack
The best BBQ joint in Durham, located at the intersection of University Drive and 15-501, across from Wine Authorities. My staple is the pulled pork butt, mac n’ cheese, Jack cheese creamed spinach, cole slaw and hush puppies. I can usually make two meals of this as well, unless I’m really hungry. They also serve quite the unique beer selection here.
Smoked pork butt, creamed spinach, mac n' cheese, and hushpuppies from the Q-Shack.
The infamous and beloved Q-Shack.
1 comments:
That all sounds delicious... except for the suspicious eggs... are they real eggs that they've somehow de-fatted like decaf coffee?
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