C’s Soul Food (826 Fayetteville St Suite 110)
Noodles & Company (2608 Erwin Rd Suite 152)
Pan Pan Seafood (1058 W Club Blvd)
Peony Asian Bistro (3515 Witherspoon Blvd # 108 )

Bralies Sportsbar (1725 Carpenter Fletcher Rd)

*DISCLAIMER: Presence on this list indicates that a restaurant has been inspected, not that it is necessarily open for business today (although it usually is).

*NOTE: The report now includes what Durham classifies as “Food Stands” in their inspection database.

So, China Palacehas a super secret menu, and Carpe Durham is always excited to explore the unknown.  The traditional menu is offered up on weekends.  By the looks of their website they may shift to offer it more often.  Oh, and there they call it Palace Magic.  I’ve been a fan of their more typical Chinese-American fare since moving to Durham (particularly General Ching’s, and the spicy chicken wing appetizer is a steal–they give you legs and wings!), so I was stoked for the secret menu venture and it did not disappoint.

The scallion pancake was really, really good.  It only got better with a dangerous amount of hot mustard on it.  It is crisp and awesome.  I fantasized about a stack of these pancakes.

Of the four things pictured here, the beef congee takes the cake.  The rice porridge was thick and delicious.  It actually didn’t need the beef.  (I can’t believe I’m recommending against meat in a dish.)  The fried dough was, well, fried dough.  Nothing wrong with that.  The tea stood out as it wasn’t steeped all day and bitter like it seems to be at a lot of other places.  Lastly, the dish hardly visible in the back, the Chinese five spice beef mix most certainly was cooked all day, if not since last week.  There were three different beef, ahem, parts: liver, tripe, and some unidentifiable cut–likely a roast or brisket or the like.  The tripe and the meat were enjoyable and as rich as you might imagine.  The five spice mix was thoroughly incorporated into the meats.  The liver, however, was still liver.  Not a morsel I’ve ever enjoyed, I found the liver to be tolerable and I ate it with rice and a little soy sauce because it was so intense and liverlike.

The spicy dry bean curd with shredded pork was as good as it sounds.  This stir fry of pork, tofu, and hot peppers was a veritable party in the mouth.  The tofu remained firm and helped ease the heat from the peppers, that had flavor that was integral to the dish–bringing more than just the pain.  I highly recommend this one.

If you want to have a super secret feast they have a couple items that require two days advance notice to prepare.  They include Cantonese duck and steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce. 

La Vaquita has always been a standby for tacos and tortas, maybe even a recognizable platillo.  Recently I decided to go further.  I came with a friend and got a little excited and so did the man working the counter.  He was noticably pleased by our order.  It was one of the coolest ordering experiences I’ve had, like we bonded.  He made me feel like one of Hemingway’s bull fighting aficionados (I know, too literary).  We ordered three plates and brought them home.  Before leaving the man called me back to the counter and gave me a La Vaquita pen inscribed with the phone number.  So you can call ahead, he told me in Spanish.

Huilotes (hwee-lo-tess) azadas, or grilled quail.  My inspiration for this menu adventure was once seeing a handwritten sign for quail either fried or in mole.  Unfortunately they were out of those apparently larger quail and could only offer up these smaller, grilled birds.  The meat was very flavorful, like a perfect blend of pork and chicken.  I asked for a cup of mole on the side so we could get an idea of how it would taste.  Since then I haven’t stopped thinking about huilotes en mole.  Now I understand why the man at the counter said he was getting hungry just putting together the plate.

These costillas de res con nopales had a bewitching flavor.  The ribs were tremendously flavorful in a way that only proper cooking can do.  After much debate, we settled that they must only be seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic–with the possible addition of lime.  When paired with the bright flavor of the nopal it really was awesome.

Now the real star of the show, lengua guisada.  The beef tongue was stewed in a flavorful sauce that is led by smokey quajillo chiles, the same chile that makes al pastor items so great.  It was so good it almost needs the rice.  Otherwise your jaw just might fall off.

This meal was a spiritual experience.  I may have already ordered my last taco.

One of the many great things about Durham is that even on the most routine trips, you’re likely to find something new. Last week I drove by the Quick Lube on Roxboro and Cornwallis and noticed that it shares a sign with a place called Terry’s Country Kitchen. According the Herald-Sun, Terry Grey, the assistant food director of the School of Science Math, opened the restaurant back in May, and the food is so good that it’s no surprise that she’s been cooking for 25+ years.

They do breakfast from 7 to 11 am six days a week (FYI - this is the second place I’ve come across that serves liver pudding) and lunch and dinner in the afternoons.  The lunch menu includes “fast food” (burgers, BBQ, chicken, wraps, and - seriously - Steak-Umms) and a revolving menu of dinner plates.  Today they had meatloaf, whiting, and a turkey leg, but other items include BBQ, pork chops, beef stroganoff, and ribs, all of which come with two sides and hushpuppies for $6 to $7.

The turkey was cooked in a tasty white sauce, and the whiting was great but not quite as otherworldly as the tilapia at Leo’s, but the real standouts were the sides.  The fresh fried okra was almost greaseless and full of body, the black eyed peas and collards were both phenomenal, and the yams were perfect - it’s amazing how much flavor comes through when you don’t drown them in sugar.

Sometimes they have sweet potato pie, and if the yams are any indication, it should be good, but to top it off we had a slice of yellow box cake with chocolate icing. The only disappointment was the limited selection (I really had my heart set on ribs - can I put in a bleg for good ribs in Durham?), but everything else was great, from the cozy decor to the service. Terry and the guys she had working the register were all incredibly nice.

One of these days I’m going to get up early and get the “Pigg-out Special”: 2 eggs, home fries, grits, a pancake, sausage, bacon, and a salmon patty.  Mmmmm.

Terry’s Country Kitchen (map)
Monday - Thursday: 7 am - 5 pm
Friday - Saturday: 7 am - 7 pm 

We have blogged about the amazing food and low prices at Thompson’s (formerly Coleman’s) before.  When I walked in last night craving the 3-piece boneless chicken dinner with mac n’ cheese and hushpuppies, I was horrified to learn that they had NO chicken, white or dark.  Then, to my delight, I learned the reason why: Thompson’s will be under renovation from now (June 21) until July 7.

For those that know Thompson’s, I think they will agree this is a very good thing.  While the place certainly does not lack charm, the building is in bad need of a paint job, window replacement, functioning air system, lighting upgrade, something.  I did not ask what kind of renovations would be made, but any would be an improvement.

The people at Thompson’s are very friendly, but if you are from the suburbs, be warned that you might feel a bit removed from your comfort zone.  Take-out is an option, and a phone number and partial menu can be found here.

Thompson’s

1006 E Pettigrew St

11am - 10pm, Monday - Saturday

There’s a new taqueria on Hillsborough in the Kroger shopping center that’s called (really) “The Best Burrito”. They’re not claiming to have the best split pea soup in town. They’re saying that they make and sell the best burritos in Durham. I was expecting a stomachful of schadenfreude after my lunch of justice, but although they’re guilty of shameless false advertising, they do have some pretty good food.

The interior actually reminds me a lot of Guajillos, if they tried to make it look appetizing, and the guy running the place could not have been nicer. The menu is varied without being gimmicky, and the prices are expected, if a little inflated - $7.50 for a big burrito, $2 for a taco. We went with the “super special” burrito - rice, beans, beef, chorizo, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa - and a couple of tacos (al pastor and barbacoa). I was happy to see some flour tortilla chips (at least as good as the ones at Carburrito’s), and the house salsa was better than most.

The burrito itself was good, but a bit overwhelmed by the condiments and chorizo, which is so intensely flavored that it’s almost unidentifiable as pork (unlike the subtle chorizo at Chubby’s). The tacos were huge and tasty, especially the barbacoa, which tasted a lot like the carne guisada I’ve had at other taquerias. The owner was also talking up his mushroom quesadilla, and it looks like almost everything on the menu has a vegetarian counterpart.

Like Chubby’s, The Best Burrito is more “accessible” than some of the other taquerias in the area, but it’s certainly authentic, save some strange menu options (chicken fingers?). If anybody tries their mushroom dishes be sure to let us know!

The Best Burrito (map)
Sunday - Saturday: 9.30 am - 9 pm

If you know of a place (restaurant, food stand, your mother’s kitchen, I don’t care) in the Durham area that serves fresh-squeezed limeade, please do tell.

The only place I am aware of is in Raleigh.  Mitch’s Tavern has $1 limeade where they leave half a lime floating in your cup.  It is deliciously thirst-quenching, but only served certain months (I think summer).  If you know of others (preferably in Durham), please leave them in the comments.  Thanks from all limeade-lovers!

Just look at this thing.

I wish I could have captured a better idea of the height of this burger–this Burger, a burger at it’s height–it was work to even get it in my mouth.  But did it ever!

A double cheeseburger with bacon cooked up fresh at Wimpy’s is priceless.  But prices are low.  Which, to me, is what a burger is about–thrift and heft.  I am tired of so-called gourmet burgers and the ten bucks they end up costing.  Rarely are they even that good.  Now, this little tower of a sandwich had the taste of good, fresh ground chuck and the bacon was cooked nice and crisp.  Next time I might forego the cheese.  The beef is just so good and the cheese kind of hides it.  Though the option to slap some chili and slaw on it is tempting.  For starters I’d recommend keeping it simple.  Hamburger, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles. 

Say what you will about banana pudding, but some of us at Carpe Durham jones for it.  So watch it!

The pudding was great and had lots of other stuff in the cup (this is good!).  There were distinct layers of vanilla wafers and bananas in the pudding, which itself was definitely banana and not vanilla as it is sometimes.  The merengue on top was a nice surprise.

The hours at Wimpy’s are easily the worst trait.  Yet, starting my day at 7am with a burger of that caliber could turn me into a super hero.  I suspect their biscuits might do the same.

My beastly burger and banana pudding rang me up $8 and would have been a glorious $6 or so without the cheese and bacon indulgences.  Pay them a visit 7am-2pm Monday-Friday.  Cash only.

Tonali is an ideal summer restaurant choice for lunch or dinner in Durham.  The menu offers light, tasty Mexican food.  This was Date Night for us and Tonali is located close to home.  The chips are homemade.  The salsa is mildly spiced and smokey–thin rather than chunky.  Both were a pleasant accompaniment to our ice cold Modelo and Pacifico beers.  The delicious mussel stew with chorizo in a chile ocean broth ($10) was spicy but the crisp green beans and avocado cooled the burn. 

I ordered the duck confit carnitas tacos with a pickled orange-pineapple salsa ($9.75).  Even though I am not a big fan of pineapple in a savory dish (always makes me think of flavored lip gloss), this was a yummy combination.  The plating of the food at Tonali is another selling point–in addition to tasting good, it looks good too.  Mr. H sampled the crispy grouper tacos with mango-jalepeno salpicon at $10.95 (which I tried two weeks ago).  He found this dish as tasty as I did.  The fish is crispy on the outside, the spiciness of the relish accents not overwhelms.  The sides were light and colorful. 

Dessert was a rich but not sweet chocolate gooey-on-the-inside cake served with strawberries and lightly carmelized bananas–mmm!  And the coffee!  Deep, dark Mexican beans in a French press…maybe I will not get to sleep tonight but the aroma!  the flavor!  The service is timely and the owner and his staff are quite nice.  The menu is seasonal with entrees ranging $9-$20.  Take the time to visit Tonali. 

Tonali:  3642 Shannon Road between MLK Blvd and Old Chapel Hill Rd (shares a bldg with Barriskill Dance Studio).  Hours are Mon-Thu  11am-2:30pm and 5:30-9pm, Fri 11am-2:30pm and 5:30-10pm, Sat 5:30-10pm.  Closed Sundays.  http://www.tonalirestaurant.com/ 

It turns out the best thing about Sarah’s Empanadas is its proximity to Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, a Cajun creole restaurant in Greenwood Commons in RTP. 

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, in addition to the extensive menu, they have a crawfish boil, and thanks to the Triangle Brewery tour earlier in the day, I felt up for anything, including tearing apart some crustaceans.  Thankfully we had enough people to sample the entrees and desserts.  The yardbird and sausage gumbo, cochon de lait (andouille sausage and slow cooked pork, served with very sweet BBQ sauce), and especially the incredible garlic butter green beans were all great.  The real stars were, of course, the crawfish and desserts.  Crawfish season only lasts until the end of July, so be sure to go in the next few weeks if you want to suck some heads.

After finishing off 6 lbs of wondrous crawfish, we ordered buttermilk pie with blackberry sauce, pecan pie a la mode, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce.  Everything was good, but the bread pudding was probably my favorite dessert I’ve had in Durham.  We even ordered one to take home with us.  

Most of their ingredients are either brought in from Louisiana or purchased locally, and the owner is both a Cajun chef and a Zydeco musician, so not only is the food awesome (and, according to my friends, authentic) but they also have live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse (map)
Monday - Wednesday: 11 am - 9 pm
Thursday - Friday: 11 am - 11 pm
Saturday: 4 pm - 11 pm