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Raleigh is ~230 years old, and despite the ever changing + growing nature of the city, institutions like classic local restaurants help keep the city’s old soul alive.
The food scene in Raleigh has grown over the decades to reflect the diversity of the city, but many of Raleigh’s older restaurants are rooted in traditional Southern cuisine. And boy, are we grateful for them.
We took a look at some of the still-standing Raleigh restaurants with the oldest founding dates + here’s what we found:
The Mecca Restaurant
- Birthdate: 1930
- History: Mecca is located just a few blocks from the NC State Capitol at 13 E. Martin St and has long been known to serve NC politicians southern classics. Printed on the menu is the saying, “He profits most who serves the best.” The building housing the restaurant was named as a historic landmark in 2014. The restaurant is currently temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans to reopen at the end of July with a test run in June.
- TryThis: Mecca is known for their Glorified Jumbo Burgers which feature quarter-inch thick tomato + onion slices. 🍔
Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque
- Birthdate: 1938
- History: Clyde Cooper’s stainless steel counter, wooden booths, and walls filled with historic photos transport you back in time as you’re eating. The restaurant has won a slew of awards, and was even named one of the 20 Best Barbeque Restaurants in America in 2012. NC is known for its barbecue, and Clyde Cooper’s serves it up Eastern Carolina style, with a vinegar-based sauce. This is the superior form of barbecue, and yes, we can fight about it. Let us know how you like your ‘cue.
- TryThis: While the barbecue is a must, don’t miss out on their fried chicken, fried okra, Cheerwine baked beans, and mac + cheese.
The Roast Grill
- Birthdate: 1940
- History: Located in the Warehouse District, the small but mighty Roast Grill serves only 3 things: hot dogs, glass-bottled coke, and homemade Greek desserts. Oh, and don’t bother asking for ketchup, cheese, mayo, kraut, relish or to pay with a card. They probably don’t take Bitcoin, either. They do have chili, slaw made without mayo, mustard + hand-chopped onions.
- TryThis: Though the restaurant is temporarily closed due to the previous pandemic-related capacity restrictions, say hello to “Hot Dog George” when you go in. His grandparents founded the restaurant + he now owns and runs the place. 🌭
Watkins Grill
- Birthdate: 1947
- History: Watkins Grill — located in a 1920’s-era building near downtown Raleigh — is a quintessential southern comfort breakfast spot. The restaurant opens at 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closes at 2:30 p.m. Raleigh’s early-risers consider Watkins one of the best breakfast spots in town.
- TryThis: Like any good southern breakfast diner, Watkins serves up some delicious biscuits + gravy, grits, and huge pancakes. 🥞
Player’s Retreat
- Birthdate: 1951
- History: The Player’s Retreat website calls itself “less of a bar and restaurant, and more of a family.” It’s the oldest standing bar in Raleigh and known as “PR” by the regulars. The Wolfpack decor covering the walls remind patrons of the namesake of the establishment. The large patio allows for furry friends to tag along, and PR even has an Instagram account called @ThePRPuppies. 🐶
- TryThis: PR’s wine + scotch list is actually nationally-recognized, but don’t pass up on some of their simpler menu items like the pasta salad. The restaurant will be reopening in mid-June following renovations.
Char-Grill
- Birthdate: 1960
- History: Not much has changed about the way Char-Grill operates since it was opened in 1960 on Hillsborough St. Customers walk up to the ordering window, write down their order on a piece of paper, send it to the cooks through a chute and then wait for their order to be made. Char-Grill has now expanded to have 9 NC locations. One time, we were at the Hillsborough St. location around 1 a.m. and witnessed a bride + groom and their wedding party show up and order food. The bride was still in her wedding dress. 👰
- TryThis: While they’re famous for their charred burgers + fries, the Carolina Packers’ red hot dogs remind us of childhood cookouts, especially if they’re a little burnt.
Angus Barn
- Birthdate: 1960
- History: The Angus Barn is one of Raleigh’s most iconic steakhouses, and has been family-owned since it opened. The restaurant has won countless national awards, including executive chef Walter Royal winning Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” in 2006 + current owner Van Eure won the National Restaurant Association’s Industry Legends Award in 2019. Van is the creative behind the restaurant’s elaborate Christmas decorations that cause locals to make December reservations up to a year in advance.
- TryThis: We’ll leave the decision on what steak to get up to you, but definitely finish your meal off with either the award winning chocolate chess pie or blackberry cobbler. 🥧
Amedeo’s
- Birthdate: 1963
- History: Founder Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis came to Raleigh to play football for the NC State Wolfpack, where was a part of the school’s first ACC championship team in 1957. A few years after graduating, he opened up Amedeo’s as a nod to his Italian heritage. He included family recipes on the menu, and the restaurant is still a favorite of Wolfpack fans today.
- TryThis: You can’t go to Amedeo’s without trying Amedeo’s Famous Lasagna.
