Crystal’s Restaurant Page

AWESOME

  • General Store Cafe (Pittsboro, NC) - So far, this wins first place for best Triangle-area restaurant in Crystal’s book by a mile! Ingredients are all locally produced/grown/raised; gourmet but casual dining, with lots of personality. Had a meal there spring 2007 that brought me to tears, it was so good.
  • Pop’s Italian Restaurant (West Village, Durham) - Amazing gourmet rustic Italian food and good service. You’ll need a reservation unless you dine early. LOVE the mussels!
  • Piedmont (Foster St., downtown Durham) - Rustic French fare, great brunch, live music on weekends, good wine list, yummy cheese and dessert. They buy much of their produce, cheese and meat from the Durham Farmers’ Market. MY FAVORITE, BEST ALL AROUND RESTAURANT IN DURHAM
  • Baba Ghannouj (Many locations, but I like the one at Hwy 54/Hwy 55 intersection) - Delicious, highly nourishing food from the fertile crescent of the world. My favorite side dish is the cauliflower salad. I feel great all day after eating lunch here. Eat from the buffet or order off menu.
  • Toast (Main St., downtown Durham) Cutest little Italian paninoteca (sandwich shop). Everything is tasty! Try warm goat cheese crostini topped with local honey and cracked black pepper… Two thumbs up for Toast!!!
  • Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant (Guess Rd, North Durham) - This is a very strange and fascinating restaurant with food to die for. Dining room music is like a Chinese version of the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack. Waitress personalities range from ultra surly to bonkers. Famous for their Dim Sum.
  • Chubby’s Tacos This place turned my whole world around.

Very good

  • Only Burger truck Delicious hamburgers served from a truck. What more can I say?
  • Meelo’s Restaurant (Hillandale Rd., north Durham) “Casual food with Italian and Spanish flair.” I really like this place — good food, good prices, great service. Casual Italian decor with awesome cheesy Italian music.
  • Wimpy’s Grill (Old West Durham) Biscuits in the morning, hamburgers for lunch. Pretty much the best biscuit I have ever had.
  • Beyú Caffé- Great coffee, good lunch menu, amazing Durham hangout with diverse community feel. We just tried dinner there also! I had delicious shrimp crepes with roasted vegetables. Location super convenient to everything including Carolina Theater and the Durham Performing Arts Center!
  • Metro 8 Steakhouse (Ninth St., Durham) Churrasco skirt steak is to die for.
  • Dain’s Place (Ninth St., Durham) Great burgers and huge beer selection.
  • Thai Cafe (University Dr., Durham) Delicious food, very inviting atmosphere, and they have a transgender waiter or two.
  • Saigon Grill (N. Roxboro, Durham) Delicious, authentic food and great service. Even my mom approves.
  • Kabab & Curry House (Guess Rd, near Costco) Love this hole in the wall with its amazing food.
  • Sitar India Palace (15-501) - deelish, lot of vegetarian options, relatively inexpensive, fancy interior, very romantic setting.
  • Nosh (Erwin Rd. near Duke University) Excellent, inexpensive food; plenty of vegetarian choices. Breakfast served any time. Staff is very, very nice; they also love dogs.
  • Silver Spoon (N. Roxboro Rd, Durham) Delicious down-home diner food with diverse customer base and good prices.
  • The Federal (Main St., downtown Durham) - Good burgers, homemade fries with garlic and cilantro
  • Rue Cler (Rigsbee Ave, downtown Durham) - Frenchy French + awesome bakery. Dinner time: menu fixe $30 per person.
  • Akashi (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Awesome sushi and lunch bento boxes!
  • Vin Rouge (Ninth St, Durham) Frenchy French and delicious. Excellent service.
  • Tonali (Shannon Drive, Durham) Upscale Latino. A bit pricey, but extremely good!
  • Pupuseria Y Taqueria Orellana (N. Roxboro Rd, Durham) - $1.99 hot, fresh pupusas served with Mexican slaw and hot sauce. Divine with tamarindo juice on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
  • Tupelo’s (Hillsborough, NC) “Southern coastal cuisine with a New Orlean’s accent” Super cute restaurant in one of the cutest little towns in North Carolina.
  • The Wooden Nickel (Hillsborough, NC) Great burgers and insanely garlicky fries, just the way I like ‘em.
  • Q Shack (15/501 and University) - I didn’t understand this place until I finally tried it. OMG, delicious. Perfect for when you need some serious self-indulgence. I like to eat the half rack of short ribs. Then treat yourself again to Local Yogurt across the street.
  • Taqueria Lopez (Durham, NC on Hillsborough Rd.) OMG this is good Mexican! Try the tortas!
  • China Palace (Garrett Rd, SW Durham) - Very authentic and tasty Chinese food. We like the Chinese greens with garlic.
  • China 1st (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Amazing handmade noodle soup.
  • Chosun Ok (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Delicious Korean food.

Fair to good

  • Nana’s (University Dr., Durham) Upscale dining, not sure how to characterize the cuisine. I had oyster appetizer and rack of lamb for dinner. An extensive, expensive (and very confounding) wine menu and waiter who wasn’t able to answer my questions - only confused me more. We loved the food but felt uncomfortable in the restaurant. Probably wouldn’t choose this place over the Beyu Cafe or Piedmont, which have never failed us. Sadly had to leave behind 1.5 pieces of lamb which I was too full to eat because they didn’t offer doggie bag. Why have such HUGE portions in a place where doggie bags are not offered? Seems a waste. Service 6/10; atmosphere 6/10; food 9/10.
  • Dos Perros (Mangum St., downtown Durham) - Good but a bit expensive. Lunch more affordable than dinner.
  • Palace International (Broad St., Durham) - African food. I had a good, big plate of oxtails and greens for dinner one night. Clinton and I love their homemade iced tea.
  • Curry (Courtyard on Franklin St., Chapel Hill) - Indian restaurant, good food, restaurant is tricky to maneuver when it’s busy.
  • Eastern Lights (University Dr., Durham) - I thought this was going to be Korean, but the menu is 98% Chinese. A bit expensive.
  • Brigs at the Park (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Diner, great breakfast and sandwiches!
  • Firebird’s Rocky Mountain Grill (Southpoint Mall, Durham) - American grill (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • Hunan (Chapel Hill) - Chinese
  • Tandoor Indian Restaurant (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Indian. I love the fish hot pot.
  • Amante Pizza (several locations) - great pizza; they deliver.
  • Mellow Mushroom (Blackwell St., downtown Durham) - great salads, pizza and other
  • Tyler’s Taproom (Blackwell St., downtown Durham) - one of the best hamburgers in town. My favorite is the Western.
  • Parker & Otis (Brightleaf Square, downtown Durham) - breakfast and sandwiches
  • Lilly’s Pizza (Hwy 70, Raleigh) - Fun for date night. Late night pizza with punk rock atmosphere.
  • Cuscatleco (N. Roxboro Rd. or Garrett Rd., Durham) - Great Salvadoran food.
  • Cafe Parizade (Erwin Square on Main St, Durham) - Gorgeous and colorful with high ceilings, comtemporary art, white tablecloths and a great menu. Clinton took me here for our 2nd anniversary.
  • Watt’s Grocery (Broad St., Durham) Wholesome, organic food which I found slightly disappointing on more than one occasion. The best part is their late night menu (’til 2:00 AM) with ice cream sandwiches and red velvet cupcakes.
  • Grayson’s Cafe (Chapel Hill Rd., Durham) Had mediocre breakfast food here one time. Nice people though.
  • Tosca’s Ristorante Italiano (West Village, downtown Durham) - Italian; very nice atmosphere.
  • Chopstix (N. Roxboro Rd.) - Don’t laugh! This place is actually really good. Not to mention craaaazy cheap!
  • Costa Azul (Guess Rd, near where you turn to go to Costco) - Very weird decor and sometimes music/TV can be way too loud. However, the staff is super nice and the food is amazing. Try the fried chicken plate and you won’t be sorry.
  • Spotted Dog (Carrboro) - Hodgepodge of things; many, many vegetarian options
  • Cosmic Cantina (Ninth St, Durham) Very funky little restaurant with cool rooftop patio; cheap Mexican food and beer
  • Pho Cali (Capitol Blvd, Raleigh) Good food but horrible atmosphere (smoky, loud TV, etc). Decent pho and other Vietnamese dishes.
  • Eno River Eatery (N. Roxboro, North Durham) - Diner style comfort food
  • Golden China (Durham, near Costco) - Very good and inexpensive vegetable hibachi.
  • Dale’s Indian Cuisine (Ninth St., Durham) - Indian
  • Don Cecelio’s (N. Roxboro Rd., North Durham) - Mexican; good vegetarian menu
  • Kanki (15-501, SW Durham) - Japanese steakhouse and sushi
  • Thailanna (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Thai
  • Mt. Fuji (Brightleaf Square, downtown Durham) - Thai and sushi
  • El Rodeo (Brightleaf Square, downtown Durham) - Mexican
  • El Dorado (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Mexican
  • International Delights (AKA “No Ketchup!) - Mediterranean
  • Bocci’s Italian (Fayetteville Rd., South Durham) - Italian
  • Sunset Grille (Fayetteville Rd., South Durham) - very good burgers
  • Moe’s (Southpoint Mall, South Durham) - Southwestern (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • PF Chang (Southpoint Mall, South Durham) - Asian fusion (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • Macaroni Grill (15-501, SW Durham) - Italian (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • California Pizza Kitchen (Southpoint Mall, South Durham) - Italian fusion (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • Cheesecake Factory (Southpoint Mall, Durham) - hodgepodge (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • Spice n Curry (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Indian
  • Orient Garden (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Chinese
  • Cafe Cafe (Raleigh) - Senegalese and Vietnamese
  • Alivia’s (Main St., downtown Durham) - French bistro and bar
  • Bombay Grille (Hwy 54, South Durham) - Indian
  • Durbar 84 (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Indian and Nepalese
  • Mad Hatter’s (Main St., Durham) - Cafe food and breakfast, great desserts.
  • Pizza Palace (Guess Rd, North Durham) - Very decent pizza, craaaaazy venue. Be sure to see what’s upstairs… Very sad this place closed and was replaced by a BBQ joint.
  • Sarah’s Empanadas (Hwy 55, south Durham) - Spicy cheese empanada is my favorite; gazpacho very good in the summer.
  • Guglhupf (15-501, SW Durham) - bakery, European cafe food. Pretty terrible service, very poorly organized, can get unpleasantly crowded on weekends and around weekday lunch. Cheese plate is very tasty, though, as is their espresso.
  • Rockfish Grill (Southpoint mall) - fish and more (CHAIN RESTAURANT)
  • Piazza Italia (Brightleaf Square) Expensive and unimpressive Italian food.

Eh, whatever

  • Elmo’s Diner (Ninth St., Durham) - Most overrated restaurant in the Triangle. Clinton likes to eat here, so I humor him. Best thing on their menu is turkey with cornbread dressing.
  • Satisfaction (Main St., Durham) - Pizza and sandwiches. People love this place, but I think it’s cheap and gross.
  • Blue Corn Cafe (Ninth St., Durham) - Southwestern. Everyone loves this place but me.
  • Kim Son Vietnamese Restaurant (Guess Rd, Durham) The food is just so-so. The bubble tea is nice but expensive. Decor has improved tremendously since spring 2008 remodel. Scary lady who will talk your ear off. I’m avoiding this place now.
  • Twisted Noodle (University Drive, SW Durham) Thai food is okay; service is very bad.
  • New Dragon Inn (Guess Rd, North Durham) Used to be good, but new owner and new cooks are not good. Tastiness level has plummeted.
  • Rick’s Diner (University Drive, SW Durham) Blueberry pancakes are good, the music is nice. Very crowded on the weekends. Hate the atmosphere.
  • Banditos (Woodcroft Shopping Center, SW Durham) - Mexican
  • Torrero’s (Main St., downtown Durham) - Mexican
  • Nantucket Grill (Fayetteville Rd., South Durham) - Continental; pretentious and their free dessert doesn’t impress me. Pinenut salad is so-so.
  • Pho 9N9 Vietnamese House (S. Miami Blvd, RTP) - Vietnamese
  • Benedict’s (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Diner
  • Randy’s Pizza (Hope Valley Rd, SW Durham) - pizza. Unimpressive.
  • Carrburrito (Carrboro) - Burrito joint
  • Mama Dips (Chapel Hill) - Southern comfort food
  • Bali Hai Mongolian Grill (Ninth St., Durham) - You choose your own meat, veggies and sauce, then they cook for you. Novelty interesting, food and price not so good.
  • Foster’s Market (15-501, Durham) - coffee shop, wraps and sandwiches. Note: very disorganized system for taking orders, but self-serve coffee and casual atmosphere is nice.
  • Banh’s (Ninth St., Durham) - Chinese and supposedly Vietnamese on Wednesdays. The food sucks hardcore, but a lot of people seem to like it for some reason. Whatever.
  • Honey’s (Guess Rd, North Durham) - Diner with a sticky booths. Food is pretty bad. But it’s open 24 hours, so you can get waffles at 3 AM or whatever. (NEW IN 2009: Now smoke-free!)

Stay away

  • Café Zen (American Tobacco Historic District) - OMG, this is the worst restaurant. My friend and I both got food poisoning from their nasty, spoiled sushi. The service is terrible. This place should be SHUT DOWN!!
  • Cinelli’s Italian Restaurant (Broad St./Main St. in Durham) - Overpriced gross food. Sticky, dirty restaurant. Bill came to $40 for a pasta and salad lunch - ouch!
  • Jujube (Hwy 54, Chapel Hill) - worst service and some of the worst food (at the highest prices) I’ve ever had.
  • Flying Burrito Mexican Restaurant (Chapel Hill) - made us ill (literally) twice
  • Spice Street (Chapel Hill) - pretentious, bad service, boring menu
  • Serena Restaurant and Bar (S. Miami Blvd, RTP) - unbelievably good sandwiches and salads, but unbelievably bad service! Do not go there if you have a limited amount of time to eat or if you’re very hungry.
  • Texas Roadhouse (N. Pointe Dr., Durham) - salty, salty food; a lot of sales pressure
  • Jason’s Deli (15-501, SW Durham) - sandwiches supposed to be the “best”, but I find them to be dry and flavorless.
  • Saladelia Cafe (University Drive, SW Durham) - Sandwiches and coffee shop; used to like this place more but had a very bad cookie there recently, which tasted the way farts smell. I don’t think they have very sanitary cooking and serving practices.

Restaurants Crystal wants to try next:

  • Bennett Point Grill
  • Four Square
  • Revolution

Places Crystal has reviewed that no longer exist:

  • Hot Pot (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Jamaican.
  • Symposium (American Tobacco Campus, Durham) - Very impressive decor, lovely atmosphere, food is fair to good, service is a bit overly friendly.
  • Roma Pizza Shop (N. Roxboro Rd., Durham) - fresh, tasty pizza. Delicious crust. Good prices, and they deliver!
  • Pao Lim (Durham-Chapel Hill Rd, SW Durham) - Chinese, Thai
  • Park Diner (Hwy 55, South Durham) - Sandwiches, cafeteria style gourmet, casual. Unfortunately this place only does catering now…
  • Anotherthyme (N. Gregson St., Brightleaf Square district, downtown Durham) - This is a special occasion restaurant for me and Clinton. Casual gourmet, romantic setting, great value. Reservations recommended. Note: Crystal recently demoted this restaurant from “awesome” to a “very good” rating because restaurant was unexpectedly closed on a day that Crystal & Clinton had reservations.  After 25 years in business, I think this place has closed down now…
  • Grasshopper (Ninth St., Durham) - Asian fusion
  • George’s Garage (Ninth St., Durham) - Hodgepodge (self-serve brunch, sushi, etc)
  • Rockwood Filling Station (University Dr., Durham) - pizza is so-so, dessert is awesome. I dislike the fact that they have a huge TV in the restaurant. This restaurant is now closed (July 2010).