Durham
Durham is a clear standout in terms of its best food, with the cash-only Chicken Hut leading the way. However, the triangle of towns in North Carolina has an excellent showing for itself now that Durham is on the list, and I hope to get to the rest of the triangle ranked soon. This list also includes a few restaurants worth checking out in nearby Greensboro if you have the time and are in the area, there is fantastic food all over NC so make sure you give it all a chance.
Southern/Fried Chicken
Rank: 45
When you are in the South, finding good fried chicken should be a top priority. That is why I am always here to help. You need look no further than Chicken Hut in Durham. A cash-only locale serving southern fare will feed your chicken itch. While everything here is fantastic, from the mac and cheese to the spaghetti, the highlight is the fried chicken. I recommend getting as much of it as you can muster down and preparing for a glorious journey through a land of fried chicken. The hours may be challenging, but you should go out of your way to secure a lunch here; I promise it will not disappoint.
American/BBQ Pork Sandwich
Rank: 67
The Federal is a bar near downtown Durham that serves food, and it is one of those places that serves excellent bar food. But I am not so confident the whole menu would be noteworthy. The BBQ Pork Sandwich, however, is a noteworthy meal. This sandwich is so simple yet so fantastic. The meat is clearly what makes this sandwich, the slaw and the bun is nothing to write home about. However, this pork is so damn flavorful. The meat is so tender and melts in your mouth with a home run of BBQ sauce and a cacophony of flavors.
Asian Fusion
Rank: 181
Bandito Bodega represents a spot that is not in Durham but about 35 minutes outside the city in Greensboro. It is on this list for a glorious reason: it serves fantastic food. Not only is the quality tremendous, but the variety is also wide-ranging. Everything here, from Asian noodles to nachos and fries, is glorious. I do not recommend anything, but I am confident whatever strikes your fancy that day will meet your expectations. Bandito Bodega is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall and is why I do what I do. I highly recommend stopping by if you can swing it near Durham.
Pizza
Rank: 216
Pizzeria Toro is an amazing pizza place in downtown Durham, and while I did not have an abundance of pizza in Durham, I can safely say this pizza is at least in the top 3, if not number 1, in Durham. I got the pepperoni because you can never go wrong with it, and you can see my picture of it in the slideshow above. If my recount of this pizza does not prove its deliciousness, that picture should be. Some honey on a pepperoni pizza is becoming a staple in the pizza industry, and my god, I am here for it. This honey is slight, but boons the taste of the pizza tremendously, I highly encourage you order a pepperoni, however if that is not for you don’t fret. The sauce, cheese, and crust here are so phenomenal I am confident that no matter the pizza you order, you will be satisfied.
Southern/Chicken and Waffles
Rank: 341
Unsurprising to all, I recommend ordering Chicken and Waffles at a Chicken and Waffles restaurant. Other than that recommendation, the ball is in your court on the type of waffle, sauce, etc. You will find these Chicken and Waffles fantastic upon devouring them. While it comes in last in my Durham rankings and low on my overall rankings, that should not dissuade you from enjoying the fruits of the labor at Dame’s. These waffles and chicken go together gloriously, as all the usual suspects of this paring tend to do.