Restaurants in Durham near 85 (Charlotte, Raleigh: live, price, club)

[jjg39069]

Hey all...N. Raleigh gal needs some help. I have family driving through next weekend (they're going from DC to Charlotte) and I want to meet them for lunch along 85 in Durham (early 30's with 2 kids age 5 & infant). I'm not too familiar with that area and need some ideas for restaurants. I've found the following via internet search but know there's some locals on here that can give me some advice. What I've seen so far are:

[SIZE=3]Cracker Barrell - [/SIZE][SIZE=3]3703 Hillsborough Rd.[/SIZE]
Texas Roadhouse - 1809 North Pointe Dr.
Rudino's Pizza & grinders - 1515 N Pointe Dr
Tripps - 918 W. Club Blvd
Ruby Tuesday - 1058 W Club Blvd
Bullock's BBQ - 3330 Quebec Dr
Hog Heaven BBQ - 2419 Guess Rd

Any thoughts on the list above? Ideally I'd like to give them some local, non-chain options. I'm also not sure if any of the places above are now closed or best to avoid!

[T|K]

I would go into downtown Durham if it was me, it is only probably 2-3 miles at a max to get to a lot of great local places. If you are willing go there, most of us in Durham can probably give plenty of suggestions. I live close to 85, but there are not many great places IMO over that way.

[NM posts]

Bullock's is supposedly fantastic (I haven't been yet) and the vice president just stopped there last week on his trip to Durham - that would be my first choice...I've been to Hog Heaven and that's a solid second choice. Great fried chicken.

[ntchanga]

Bullocks BBQ is a great choice.

If you like Mexican, you could go to Los Comales (Roxboro Rd. exit). It's not in the best area, but I go there frequently, even at night, and have never had any problems. Very authentic.

Bennett Pointe Grill is another solid option. You'd probably want to take the Cole Mill Rd. exit off I-85 and head west on Hillsborough Rd.

Most of the other places you've mentioned are chains.

[jjg39069]

I would've brought them down to the Tobacco district but my concern is that there's a baseball game there at 2p on the day we want to meet and I don't want to have to deal with that crowd or make them pay to park to eat lunch!

Regarding Bennet Point, best I can tell from the website they're not open for lunch on Saturday's. Looked like a great choice!

[jill7930]

If you really do want to stay close to I-85 and want some local flavor, I agree that Bullocks or Hog Heaven are good choices. All the others on your list are chains. I actually prefer the food at Hog Heaven (I too like the fried chicken) over Bullocks, but Bullocks is a Durham institution and may be worth a trip based on that. Beware that Bullocks only takes CASH!!!!

Bennett Point Grille is indeed another decent choice as referenced above. It's a non-chain with that local joint feel about it. Their menu is online so you can see if it fits the bill. I enjoy their shrimp and grits.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by jill7930

I actually prefer the food at Hog Heaven (I too like the fried chicken) over Bullocks, but Bullocks is a Durham institution and may be worth a trip based on that.

I too prefer Hog Heaven. But I'm not sure if they are open on Sundays .... so depending on what day your family is coming through you might want to call.

[ntchanga]

Oh, definitely best to avoid the Tobacco campus if it's game day.

Sorry Bennett Pointe isn't open on Saturdays.

If you don't mind venturing a bit off I-85, then you could hit something on 9th Street/Broad. I'd *highly* recommend Watt's Grocery. Fresh ingredients, locally grown and seasonal. Elmo's on 9th St. would be another great option.

[toot68]

Lots of good options in Brightleaf (old tobacco warehouse converted into stores). Federal (gourmet bar food), Satisfaction (Pizza) are both great, Fishmongers (calabashy seafood) is OK, all very good for kids. A couple of chain mexican places (Torreros and El Rodeo). Parker and Otis is a decent sandwhich shop. Alivia's has OK food, little pricey, great outdoor seating. Probably a half dozen other restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Nice place to walk around. Downside for Sats and Federal is that they might be crazy if Duke is playing in the NCAAs when you'd be eating lunch. Otherwise, very good places to go with kids (lots of space, potential outdoor seating). About 5 min from highway, get off on Gregson, head south about a mile. Lots of parking.

Ninth street is just a bit further (get off on Gregson, turn right onto Club, go about a little over a mile to ninth and head south on ninth another half mile or so). Elmo's is a very kid friendly place (diner), and Blue Corn Cafe is also very kid friendly (a local Southwestern/Mex type place, unique food). Downside for Elmos is it will likely be crowded until 1 pm on Saturday, and probably later than that on Sunday. Blue Corn probably would be the best bet for garaunteed relaxing lunch (there's a place for the kids to play there), and it is typically not crowded. Not sure if it is open on sundays, so check with them if thats when you are going to go. Probably a dozen more options along 9th, also not a bad place to stretch legs.

Also, within a couple minute drive from either 9th or brightleaf, there's a small park on the corner of Trinity and Watts that the kids can blow off some steam after lunch. To get there head east on main from 9th, west on main from brightleaf, and turn onto buchanon (going north), then right onto trinity.

[CHTransplant]

If you can meet them a bit further along on I-85, and if a kid-friendly place is what you seek, the Blue Ribbon Diner in Mebane might be a fun place to meet. It's right off I-85/I-40 exit 154.