A smokehouse may seem like an unlikely choice for a fine-dining chef, but owner Mike Johnson’s passion for barbecue shines through in dishes like the Big Muddy. The smoky-sweet sandwich comes piled with smoked brisket, jalapeno cheddar sausage and housemade sauces that make for “great layers of flavor,” Michael Symon says.
Liberty Burger's principles rest on three pillars: high-quality food, social contribution, and environmental responsibility. They select ingredients that are locally sourced, support local organizations and use resuable or compostable material in their restaurant.
Satisfy your comfort food cravings with a stop at Plan Check, where you can pair creative burgers with craft brews. The PCB (Plan Check Burger) features a beef patty dressed up with eclectic condiments like dashi-flavored cheese and chewy ketchup leather (think homemade-ketchup-as-fruit-roll-up).
You can stock up on lotto tickets at this old-school diner, but for a sure win, order the double cheeseburger. Fans include Paul Kahan, who told Michael Symon he’s struck by “the balance of bun to meat to griddled onions” achieved in this simple yet satisfying dish. Michael opted for the Slinger: an over-the-top spin on a double cheeseburger. Two cheese-covered patties are nestled on a thatch of hash browns, then topped with a pair of sunnyside up eggs and completely smothered in spicy chili.
Bite into a one-of-a-kind burger at this joint that lets you make your own creation. Michael Symon invented the 50/50, which stars a cheese-covered meat patty stacked on a spicy veggie one (with crispy bacon and hot peppers to boot). This combo makes for a tasty blend of beef and barbecue flavors.
This bike-themed restaurant has familiar fare, like their Bicycle Times BLT, The Bike Lane Burger and Chicken Fenders. It's casual style invites patrons to visit (bonus if you arrive on a bike!) any of its three locations.
Taco Guild, housed in a former Methodist church, has acquired a devout following of taco lovers. You can enjoy a meal under stained glass windows and visit the bar for daily "Confession Hours".
Nue is a mystical street food restaurant where a former video game designer is bringing unexpected flavors to well-known dishes. Chris Cvetkovich, the mastermind behind Nue, merges the classic flavors of chicken paprikash onto wings so crispy you can hear the crunch. Their unique dessert burrito is filled with liquid nitrogen peanut and pineapple ice cream and topped with peanut toffee brittle and cilantro.
Business partners Elliott Moss and Meherwan Irani put their skills together to serve traditional Eastern Carolina style barbeque, meaning the entire hog is wood-smoked. Moss grew up with his family hosting several barbeques, lending to his knowlege of how to create barbeque, and Irani has ample restaurateur experience. Together they run Buxton Hall, which used to be an auto shop and skating rink, serving delicious pork dishes.
Squealers began as a competitive traveling barbeque food trailer. As their food grew in popularity, they decided to make the jump to a restaurant, which grew into a second location. Now patrons come to them for delicious barbeque ribs, tacos and sandwiches.
In a city known for its burgeoning craft-beer scene, this pub has made its mark by pairing its brews with comforting bites that stand out for their creative flavors. One such menu item is the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, which stars a fried chicken breast slathered in sweet-and-spicy gochujang sauce. Pickled vegetables add extra bite and crunch to this on-a-bun creation.
Go beyond brews at this bar that is also a sandwich shop. Grab a beer (or cocktail), then bite into a beautiful and tasty creation such as the Italiana. This sandwich comes stacked with layers of cured meats, including salami, capicola and soppressata, which are piled onto a sturdy roll, along with provolone cheese, shredded lettuce and generous spoonfuls of that spicy condiment known as giardiniera for some kick. It’s finished with a drizzle of housemade vinaigrette.
No matter which location you visit, at Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, you get exactly what they say they give. This casual and inviting place has over 100 beer options and juicy burgers, as well as sandwiches, wings and hot dogs, among other comfort food options.
Patrons can unwind at The Duck & Bunny, which classifies itself as a snuggery- a place dedicated to being a cozy and comfortable spot. They offer comfort foods like savory crêpes, tea and coffee, as well as an in-house bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.