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Visiting Chapel Hill, NC

crazyquik

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Originally Posted by Jodum5
We will probably like to stick to laid back spots for the early evening then rowdier meat markets later at night.
Depends on how long you're in town I suppose. Thursday is the biggest going-out night. Bars Goodfellas early in the evening, then He's Not (get Blue Cups, bring a deck of playing cards to play drinking games) R&R Grill early in the evening or for food, then Deep End (dive) or Martini Bar (wait, that's what we call it, I think the official name is East End Martini Bar). I've not been to Crunkleton, but everyone likes it (although, some say it's more of a grad student place (lame) and others say it's more of 'undergrads packed in like sardines puking on each other'). Carolina Brewery for microbrews or food, then La Residencia for more undergrad hotties than you can shake a stick at. This is all you need to know about La Res: they serve wine in an old cute house a block off Franklin and all the athletes show up after about midnight. West End Wine Bar is up near Carolina Brewery and has a cool roof deck. They might have food (no clue). Pantana Bobs (P-Bobs if you're fratty). You'll know whether you should go there by looking in at the crowd. Used to be a big meat market club called Players. I think it closed, then it might have reopened. In Durham that role is served by Shooters (they have a mechanical bull, cages, foam parties, etc). You could go to Bub O'Malleys but lulz. The old Lucy's is now called PT's Grill or something. Nice TVs, decent burgers (I guess), a little brick patio, and on weekends they play loud music and lots of girls come to dance. It actually starts off low-key and ramps up as the evening goes by. It's a block off Franklin, near Deep End and Martini Bar. Food 411 West for nice Italian on Franklin St. A department chair once took me here for dinner. There is an upscale sandwich shop on Franklin right next to the McDonald's (a block from 411 West, so the address must be 3XX West Franklin). Suttons is a landmark, actual pharmacy with a lunch counter in it, has been there for like 80 years. I like the double-decker club sandwich. They also have popular milkshakes. I like the food at Linda's too; very simple bar food that they don't mess up by trying to get too fancy. I think Mama Dip's is ****** and all hype (old black lady, lots of books and media about her, etc). The food is nothing like what I grew up on. You can get better southern food at K&W Cafeteria behind Chapel Hill Mall. If you like Dean & Deluca and gourmet food, go to Chapel Hill Mall. A huge wing of it is a place called A Southern Season. According to my Manhattan-ite friends, it's like Dean & Deluca, but waaaaay bigger (of course, real estate is cheap-er here). The elephant in the room is Top of the Hill (aka Topo (pronounced Top-o)). It's the best real estate in town; at the main intersection on Franklin, and it's on the third floor with a huge deck overlooking the square. Great for people watching (day-drinking) in the afternoon, sipping drinks in the evening, or partying it up late at night. Topo just opened a new place called BackBar that specializes in mixed drinks. Topo also brews their own beer. And they have food. However, I don't like any of their food, and I don't really know anyone else that does either. I only ever order one or two of their beers (Old Well White or some other really blonde one), and . . . whatever. No one really thinks their beers are the best in town. But it's a primo location that's worth visiting for 1 or 2 beers, even if you don't buy any food or spend all evening. Before you leave, ask for a "water to go." It's free and comes in a plastic cup with their logo on it. My kitchen is full of them. I actually think Durham is better for good food but that's just me. I have been to basically every bar in both Chapel Hill and Durham. Blah blah blah I could go on forever. edit - why are you asking us if he lives there/went to school there? Unless you're just meeting him there and he lives somewhere else.
 

CunningSmeagol

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Is this the place where the blax went nuts trying to get Airport Rd. changed to MLK Blvd?
 

A.K.A.

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Yes, I think so because the road to the airport is now MLK, Jr. Blvd.

crazyquick has it right, Durham has better food. Pop's at Brightleaf is inventive gourmet Italian without being stuffy; it is a casual atmosphere.

For breakfast or later, try Guglhupf bakery on 15/501-Business in Durham. The pastry is fan -frickin'-tastic. They have a restaurant cafe, too. I am overnight tonight at Duke, and tomorrow morning that is where I am headed before work.
 

Joffrey

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Originally Posted by crazyquik
edit - why are you asking us if he lives there/went to school there? Unless you're just meeting him there and he lives somewhere else.
He just started his doctorate there. It's my first time visiting. He already gave me a good primer of stuff we'll could be getting into but I wanted to ask around here to see what else was around. I always like having a plan. BY the way, when not drinking, recovering or eating, what's there to check out in or around town? Nothing **** but cool for a bunch of dudes.
 

CunningSmeagol

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There is (was) an illicit massage parlour at the Carrboro end of Franklin St. many yrs ago. Something tells me no longer.
 

crazyquik

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Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol
Is this the place where the blax went nuts trying to get Airport Rd. changed to MLK Blvd?
Sorta, but not really. Airport Road's name was changed to MLK Blvd. It wasn't the blax though; it was liberal white guilt. They felt tehSadz
frown.gif
for not having a MLK in their city, so they renamed one of the major streets after him about 5 years ago. Here's what the roadsigns look like now.
29MLK_dedication%20161.jpg
Oh, and University Massage is still there. At least, the signs are still up.
 

crazyquik

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Originally Posted by A.K.A.

For breakfast or later, try Guglhupf bakery on 15/501-Business in Durham. The pastry is fan -frickin'-tastic. They have a restaurant cafe, too. I am overnight tonight at Duke, and tomorrow morning that is where I am headed before work.


1) - w00t. "The Guge" is the spot. If you could bottle the smell of their bakery and sell it, you'd make a mint. I mostly go to the cafe side though.

2) - w00t for being in Durham. I'm here every night!
 

pscolari

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No love for Sunrise?

My favorites border on quilk's suggestions; especially crunkleton and la res. Magnolia Grill is excellent as well but haven't been in years. Also skip Mama Dip's and go to Allen & Sons.
 

Stokely

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Apparently there are a lot of opinions about the thrill. Either way there's tons to do. Some it is very douche frat crap, some is too hipster. Find a medium.

Who on here lives there?
 

Stokely

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Originally Posted by pscolari
No love for Sunrise?

My favorites border on quilk's suggestions; especially crunkleton and la res. Magnolia Grill is excellent as well but haven't been in years. Also skip Mama Dip's and go to Allen & Sons.


Sunrise bitchin kitchen. Def. Was gonna write that.
 

Cary Grant

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Originally Posted by crazyquik
Food
411 West for nice Italian on Franklin St. A department chair once took me here for dinner...
If you like Dean & Deluca and gourmet food, go to Chapel Hill Mall. A huge wing of it is a place called A Southern Season. According to my Manhattan-ite friends, it's like Dean & Deluca, but waaaaay bigger (of course, real estate is cheap-er here).
.


This reinforces my general opinion about food in the Triangle. You can get a decent meal but nothing great (and don't get me wrong, I love RDU). I've had excellent meals at Crook's when Bill is in the Kitchen. Sometimes it's just good comfort food.

411- food was good enough. Southern Season... could just as well be a chain. Again, decent enough but never great. Nonetheless, two of the better choices in RDU on any given night.
 

highball

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I seem to remember Southern Rail in Carrboro being pretty decent for brunch as well.

Originally Posted by A.K.A.
I give it #1 BBQ in NC. I try to make time to eat there whenever I travel through.

Obviously never been to Wilbur's...
 

CunningSmeagol

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Yea Southern Season and D&D don't really compare. That's the first I've heard someone rate it so highly.
 

NoNothingGuy

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What a great thread to read right now... I miss that place; spent 6 great years in the Thirll.

I won't argue with anyone, too many good places, but I seem to be in line with Stokely with regard to recommendations. He knows what is up.

When it comes to hangover breakfast food, I would recommend either Elmo's in Carrboro (free mugs of coffee while you wait for your table, great old mill shopping center) or Breadmans. Both are cheap, local and good as hell. Better for a group of guys than some lame brunch place with white tablecloths. Sunrise is wonderful, but it is a drive through, so if you want a meal with your buddies, go elsewhere.

So many things have changed since I left grad school in 2003, but I would be horrified if Player's was closed. How can that happen?

Durham is a good town, but it will never compare to Chapel Hill. Do not listen to these Dookies with their inferiority complexes.

laugh.gif
 

NoNothingGuy

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Just to add... If you care about sports, Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome both have pretty cool museums where you can learn more about Carolina athletics. Also, if you like to run, there are great trails right off of campus (They have been raped by university expansion, but there are still some good places to run). Golf is an option on the university's (fairly) new Finley Golf Course.

You can also head over to the farmer's market in Carrboro, hang out at Weaver Street Market and drink beer in the grass, stroll through campus and check out the beautiful scenery!
 

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