foodiesue's Profile
Cheap produce?
New to the MSP area, found a great place in St. Paul. Now wondering where folks go to find cheap produce around here? I am guessing the farmer's market is a logical choice but was looking for more tips on area stores or markets where one can find fresh and good quality produce without paying gourmet prices.
Also, since I'm asking questions, suggestions on Mexican and Asian grocery markets also welcome.
Thanks!
Chicago Italian Beef in Triangle Area, NC?
Two more thoughts on this. There's a hot dog cart that appears some days in downtown Raleigh in front of the Wachovia building that serve the real deal Vienna Beef dogs... even official Vienna poppyseed buns. They post if they're going to be there or not on facebook each day
http://www.facebook.com/penaltyboxdogs
And there's also now a Rosati's Pizza out in Morrisville that has a good beef. With hot or sweet peppers
Rosati's of Morrisville
919-380-7000
3605 Davis Drive, Ste. 107
Morrisville, NC 27560
Looking for chunks of apple or plum wood in Triangle, NC
Planning to smoke our turkey this year for Thanksgiving and am looking for a place that sells apple and/or plum wood chunks for that purpose.
Kind of at a loss since the BBQ store in Crossroads closed.
Any suggestions would be super helpful.
Thanks!
Chicago Italian Beef in Triangle Area, NC?
Just tried Hungry's this weekend. Had the Chicago dog, and split an Italian Beef.
First, the hot dog was quite good, complete with a sport pepper and celery salt and the right relish. I don't believe it was a Vienna beef dog, though. ...
The Italian beef was quite good, it's biggest drawback being the bun. The beef itself wasn't as good as say Portillo's but it had the right flavor. I'd have to agree it wasn't as moist as you'd expect in Chicago. The giardenara was very good, though I've never had it with olives. Didn't matter. It had the right amount of spice to it. I'm guessing they make it themselves.
As a Portillo's loyalist, I'd say Hungry's doesn't quite compare (mainly the bread holding it back), but for Clayton, N.C., I'm sure I'll be back.
Chinese salt & pepper pork chops in Raleigh?
It is so unfortunate that Red Palace closed. That would have been my first suggestion. But in lieu of Red Palace, I would highly suggest China Palace in Durham off Garrett Road. They have an excellent szechuan eggplant (not sure about the deep fried variety...I've only found that in Chicago.). If any place has the pork chops, I would guess it might be them... If they don't, go anyway and get the whole flounder. It's unbelievable.
http://www.mychinapalace.com/index.html
Report on Raleigh?
Seems I'm a bit late to the party, but I thought I would add my two cents. For restaurants I would second the Tasca Brava recommendation... wonderful authentic Spanish tapas, and lovely sangria. Definitely worth the trip to Raleigh. Also (since you mentioned Asian) Red Palace in the Beacon Plaza Shopping Center has the best authentic Chinese in town. Do the duck three ways (first with the pancakes and sauce, second as a soup and finally a stirfry). It's on New Bern Avenue, not far from the Beltline also in Raleigh. And since you're in Durham, I want to mention my latest find... Vit Goal, in a shopping center just off the NC 54 NC55 intersection. If you look for the "Dog House" hot dog place, it's right there next to a small Asian market. Fantastic tofu soup and Korean BBQ ribs. (Warning, the soup comes mild, medium or spicy, and spicy is REALLY spicy.)
Quick Lunch near the NC State Fairgrounds
If you're a sushi fan, there's a little place called Sushi Tsune down Hillsborough Street, not too far after the turn for Neomonde (which I would also definitely recommend). Sushi Tsune has always been good sushi (not the best in town, but certainly very acceptable) and fast. They have good lunch specials on weekdays too. It's right next door to the Arby's, which you will spot easily because it has one of those old-school Arby's signs that looks like a giant cowboy hat.
Best shrimp salad sandwich in Raleigh?
I've been having a crazy craving for a shrimp salad sandwich but cannot for the life of me think of a good place to go. Does anyone know of a Raleigh restaurant with a great shrimp salad? My personal preference is shrimp salad with a lot of dill in it. But I'll take any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance for the help.
Decent dim sum in Durham/ChapelHill/Cary/Raleigh?
We also ended up abandoning China One after one too many lukewarm dumplings. We have heard great things about Hong Kong but not been yet because that's a bit far for us. We do like Neo-China in Cary, though I would agree with Sinophile that nothing really knocks your socks off. But they are consistent and fast, which counts for a lot. And the dining room atmosphere is a bit more pleasant.
Red Palace Report - Raleigh - LONG
Red Palace is among our favorites in Raleigh, and yes! they do the duck. If you just order Peking Duck, they may only bring you the duck meat. We did that once or twice before we wised up. But if you ask for "duck three ways," they bring the meat with the pancakes, scallions and sauce. They don't carve it tableside, but they bring the already-carved meat on a platter. Then they use the bones for a soup which has tofu and some veggies and is really good, and then they use the remaining meat for a stirfry with sprouts (which is good but pales when compared to the soup and duck with pancakes, in my opinion). Three dishes out of one duck is pretty cool. It's kind of pricey... about $30, I think... but really worth it and a unique dining experience.
