One of the best places to get a traditional Southern meal.  We're talking fried okra, sweet potato bread, chicken & dumplings to chitlins.  Note to vegetarians: most all green vegetables at Mama Dip's are cooked with pork.   Note to non-vegetarians: that's what makes them taste so good.

Three words: french fries & beer.  It is a casual american-french bistro with cement floors and a huge range of beers are on tap.  This, unlike other international endeavors between this pair, works well.  The fries are quite good & come with a range of dipping sauces making them even better.  They also offer a range of gourmet grilled cheeses that are worth attempting to reinvent at home.  As for beers Anna recommends the Hercules Double IPA and she asserts that it has nothing to do with its high alcohol content.  Honestly.

Jeb and Anna wandered into Parker and Otis on an afternoon exploring Durham and we were pleasently surprised.  Within the modest decor you can find local eggs & milk, gourmet wasabi mustard to orecchiette pasta, not to mention the food.  Perfect spot to share coffee with friends on a Sunday morning.  Don't forget to pick up a 1/2 lb of pimento cheese for the week's lunches.

This restaurant was responsible for Jackson's adventure into the world of raw fish, although he rarely eats more then 2 or 3 in one sitting.

One of our "new" favorites with a great beer selection and outdoor seating. This allows us to bring Rocco, sit outside and let him beg for food from people other then us. Foodwise, they make great pulled pork Nachos, Turkey Burgers and Shrimp Fritters.

Basic Mexican food that's been around for as long as I can remember. Before Jackson liked Mexican food, he used to bring Subway into the restaurant while the rest of his family ate.

 

They have 3 restaurants in Durham/Chapel Hill and have recently upgraded thier menu and locations.

 

Main St. Location- Directions

South Square Location- Directions

Chapel Hill Loaction- Directions

Of course they have great New York style pizza - very thin, jumbo slices.  The secret here is that Randy's has amazing subs.  Our personal favorite is the Italian with their homemade Italian dressing.

Anna's 1st experience with Thai Food didn't happen here, but at a place called Thai Palace where I took her on a date. On that very night, I got something that was too spicey, but because I was too proud to admit it, I continued to try and drink water to get over it...with Anna and the staff laughing at me, the waiter was nice enough to bring me a cup of Orange Tea with milk, which made all the difference.

 

And I now realize that the above review isn't even about Thai Cafe...Thai Palace is good, but Thai Cafe is better. Located around 3 minutes from my house, it's a quick call and pick up.

 

 

Their slogan says it all. You can get anything from sliced smoked turkey, the famous pulled pork, to the oh so sweet, sweet potato fries. Unlike other "eastern" NC BBQ joints, Q Shack has two distinct sauces called "his sauce" and "her sauce", one being a thicker Texas style sauce and the other being the more common vinegar based sauce that North Carolina is famous for.  If you've never had North Carolina BBQ, this is the place to go.

 

NOTE: they also have great veggie options like the Q-cobb salad which comes loaded with smoked turkey, beef brisket, avocado & boiled egg.  I didn't say vegetarian, just veggie.

 Anne Quarles favorite Durham restauarant makes #2 on our list.  Her review to come shortly...

Magnolia is constantly ranked as a Top 15 restuarant in the entire country, therefore being a no brainer as our #1 restaurant in the area. The chef, Ken Barker, is also an alumnus of the Durham Academy, the same school Jackson and Anna attended.  Jackson says, "3 of my 5 best meals ever, were at Magnolia Grill".  Also the first place Anna had sweet breads.  They use all local ingredients and mix flavors that you wouldn't ever imagine doing yourself, but wish you had.

 

Note: If you're interested in going to Magnolia Grill, we definitely recommend booking a reservation NOW! They have been known to be booked a year in advance.