<p>ohoh…I think we need to get a BBQ thread started again. Because though I like the ‘pulled pork’ and the East NC sauce, NOTHING beats good ol’ Texas BRISKET. And our version of BBQing requires SMOKE and mesquite, but not necessarily sauce.</p>
<p>Good place to put on the feedbag:</p>
<p><a href=“http://spankysrestaurant.com/dinner_specials.shtml[/url]”>http://spankysrestaurant.com/dinner_specials.shtml</a></p>
<p>Friday Nights I believe at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill they have music on the lawn, drinks, appetizers. Very nice. Their restaurants are very nice as well.
Check out A SOuthern Season store for gourmet treats and freshest coffee beans you can get! Don’t knowmuch about Durham…but Chapel Hill has alot to offer for campus beauty but more from a University established in the 17 or early 1800’s. You do have to get out of cars at both campuses to get a real feel for what each has to offer.</p>
<p>Let’s not forget Raleigh. Durham is wonderful, but Raleigh is holding it’s own, afterall it is the State Capital of N.C. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.visitraleigh.com/index.html[/url]”>http://www.visitraleigh.com/index.html</a></p>
<p>Great site with updated information on things to do when visiting Raleigh.</p>
<p>Here’s another vote for Crook’s Corner for dinner. If it’s a nice evening, get an outdoor table. And if you like gourmet eating, get their shrimp 'n grits (even if you don’t like grits). Fabulous food.</p>
<p>Mama Dip’s is really fun, too. She is a hoot and will sign her cookbook if you purchase one. But don’t go there if you’re on a diet or care about cholesterol.</p>
<p>Southern Season is NC’s answer to Zabar’s. An amazing place, with a really nice lunch menu (and pretty outdoor eating area).</p>
<p>For the splurge of a lifetime, consider eating at the Fearrington Inn 7 miles south of Chapel Hill in Pittsboro. It’s a famous 5-star restaurant and inn with unbelievable food in a beautiful setting. Fearrington Village is a charming place even just to spend an afternoon – great bookstore, shops, gardens, cafe, and cows roaming the grass.</p>
<p>Other excellent restaurants in Chapel Hill: Lantern and JuJube (Asian flavor), 411 West and Vespa (Italian), Top O’ the Hill (not the best food but lively bar and great view of Chapel Hill), Acme and Panzanella (organic in Carrboro). In Durham: Pop’s (Italian), Vin Rouge, Parizade, and Grasshoppers (Thai).</p>
<p>Sunday brunch buffet at Carolina Inn can’t be beat. Also good brunch at Crook’s and at Weaver St. Market where there’s live jazz on the lawn all summer.</p>
<p>You’ve gotten some great information on this thread. If you want even more about sights and restaurants all over the Triangle, go to fodors.com. Terrific travel website with many interesting and helpful people chiming in.</p>
<p>^^Skie~</p>
<p>Next time I come to Durham, I’m kidnapping you to be my culinary tour guide!!! (Who wouldn’t love grits!? Of course, I’m speaking from the perspective of a native Texan… 
)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Berurah, I can hardly wait!!!</p>
<p>Skie - do you know the name of the pizza place on Franklin that just underwent a remodeling? We loved the food, but my d swears the grungy atmosphere before the new decor was much ‘cooler’. Can’t remember the name…but good for a quick lunch.</p>
<p>I second Southern Season, as well as brunch at the Carolina Inn–and, yes, their Friday nights music-on-the-lawn, etc. I’d forgotten about the Fearrington Inn–haven’t been there in a long while, but as I remember, great food and just a beautiful location. </p>
<p>Lake Washington: Well, I can eat the sweet hickory ribs, and hot and peppery barbeque sounds good, too-- you know, for variation and something a little more “foreign” and “exotic,” but still . . . nothing beats that vinegar-based bbq . . .</p>
<p>You guys are making me wish that I was going to this wedding, too! Also, making me very hungry! Thank you again for all the wonderful suggestions. :)</p>
<p>Just got back from Friday night bluegrass on the lawn at Carolina Inn – so much fun! The band was great, the weather perfect, and the little girls dancing in their sundresses so adorable. Didn’t know they served a picnic barbeque dinner (and beer) but will be ready next time.</p>
<p>Idmom, it’s Pepper’s Pizza and yes, it is delicious. I think this is their SECOND remodel (imagine the orginial grunge!) but at least the prices and the quality of the food seem to stay the same.</p>
<p>Ahhh, and in the summer in Chapel Hill you can actually find a parking space!</p>
<p>Yes PEPPERS! Excellent food! We had the stromboli…omgosh the servings were huge! Never saw the before decor, but nice ambience for a pizza joint imho.</p>