It’s truly hard to believe that we’ve been in North Carolina for 4 years as of next month! We’ve celebrated several birthdays, bought our first house, welcomed a niece and soon a nephew, and we have eaten a lot of great meals here. Also, I keep discovering local food in our region that amazes me.
So, let’s dive in with what I’ve explored over the past few months:
Full Bloom Coffee Roasters
We had a few chances to explore some new spots in Garner this summer, which was a treat. We live kind of in between Raleigh and Garner, so it’s nice to support local businesses like this coffee shop/bar. They roast their own coffee, and they have a selection of local beers on top. They also host food trucks every so often!
La Republica Taco Truck
Speaking of food trucks at Full Bloom, we got the chance to try tacos from La Republica there, and they were really great. I especially enjoyed the vegetarian option with sweet potatoes. They also had an impressive array of hot sauces for topping your order.
Two Roosters Ice Cream
Even in the cold months, local ice cream is a real treat. And Two Roosters is no different with the cutest little food truck and really good flavors. Their Cookies n’ Cream flavor hit the spot!
Brewery Bhavana Flower Shop
My husband gave me a wonderful weekday treat of picking up some flowers from Brewery Bhavana’s flower shop, and boy was I a happy camper. Ok, so I might have been asking for flowers from there since they opened. My boquet was colorful, unique and came in a beautiful little vase (that I still use today).
The Roast Grill
I’m not usually a huge hot dog fan, but sometimes I (like many others) just crave a good chili dog. And when that chili dog is served in a historic spot, then I’m game. The Roast Grill has been in downtown Raleigh since 1940 and has loads of charm packed within the about 10-seat little restaurant. Ask for your hot dog to be charred if you like it blackened!
Curry in a Hurry
This is another food truck that Downtown Garner introduced us to. If you like Indian food, then you will love the dishes coming out of this food truck. I’m talking lamb curry, butter chicken and chana masala paired with buttery naan.
Yates Mill Park
I’m always up for a new trail, and I really enjoyed seeing the changing leaves at Yates Mill Park. We walked around the lake and also enjoyed climbing on the rocks near the mill.
Pizzeria Mercato
If you’re a fan of Neapolitan pizza (and who isn’t?), then Pizzeria Mercato is a must-stop in Carrboro. It’s a family-friendly, approachable pizza spot with a wonderful menu of starters, pizzas, pasta and more. We enjoyed the mussels to start then a fabulous sausage pizza. That crust is worth the trip!
Cackalacky Peanuts
On a recent trip to Haw River Brewery, we stumbled upon the most delicious spiced peanuts. Cackalacky’s Beer-B-Q peanuts are sweet, spicy and perfect paired with a beer. You can buy these online or at your local Lowe’s Foods store.
Chios Rotisserie
This was another Garner find that was a win. Chios offers Peruvian food like rotisserie chicken, plantains, tostones and beans and rice. Their chicken is super flavorful, and I enjoyed the homemade sides.
Mae Farms at the State Farmers Market
I just discovered this spot at the State Farmers Market today, when I had a craving for some local bacon. They have a wide variety of local meats and are very knowledgeable about how to cook and store their meat.
Happy exploring, folks!