nibbs

Hmmm... I figured sure I would have hit you with an 0 for 2 on those 2... Some folks really like Pao Lim. I've never been too impressed. Someone I work with was trying to explain that the food there is similar to the Chinese food found in India. That's no excuse. For others reading the thread - I mis-spoke earlier. The Korean BBQ box is the way to go for lunch at Chosun OK. It is nicer cuts of beef than the beef bol go gi for a big extra $1. I ate there today and my buddy got the beef just to make sure there was a difference. There is. Go with the BBQ. In my stomach brain, Blue Nile did for Ethiopian what Kim Son did for Vietnamese. Which is to say they both convinced me that I don't really like Ethiopian or Vietnamese. 9N9 fixed the Vietnamese problem. If someone knows where I can go to fix my Ethiopian food phobia, speak now. If anyone knows where I can go to fix my hellenologophobia, let me know that as well. ~Nibbs

Bryan - I'd have to recommend 2 favorites of mine that are mired in the RTP lunch circuit but deserve a dinner crowd- The first is 9N9 - It is a Vietnamese place in the strip mall on the NE corner of Alexander and Miami. I didn't think I liked Vietnamese that much until I started going here. They changed that. Best spring rolls around, and they make a fine bowl of pho with just tons of cilantro and Thai basil and sprouts for your addition. I recommend the beefball or the sliced rare steak. The best thing for lunch, tho, has to be their sandwiches. The Chinese BBQ pork is a standout, and I like the grilled pork as well. I'm not into the 3 hams sandwiches, but I'm not a ham man. And the sandwiches are $2. I feel guilty going over there and only spending $4 on lunch, because 2 sandwiches is plenty of food. They put a little mayo, meat, and some fresh what I believe is Vietnamese cilantro on the sandwich. I like a little spicy sauce to dip it into. Not to be mean, but this place absolutely kicks the hell out of Kim Son on Guess Rd. They are open for lunch and dinner and are just starting a dinner following. The second is Chosun OK, which is in a strip mall on the NE corner of 54 and 55. It says that it is a Korean BBQ, and that is what I'd recommend ordering (although no restaurant has reminded me more of eating in Japan than this place). I'd try the Bol Gogi (sp?) for lunch - About $8 I think. You will be very full. The box lunch comes with miso soup and a little tempura and a little sushi roll. And rice. And plenty of tasty kim chee. I have never been there for dinner, but I will go eventually. And after all this typing about it, I think I'll have lunch there tomorrow. These 2 places are really exceptional. I can't say enough about them, and I fear for the day they close. It makes lunch in RTP a tough decision - So let me know what you think if you get the chance to visit them! Oh - And I guess you should probably stop by Miranda's for some cheap tacos. It's an experience - Check some other posts for info. Duke students are too slavisly devoted to the Cosmic Cantina. You can't go wrong with Loco Pops or Guglhupf. ~Nibbs

Just wanted to add my 2 cents - Thanks to Varmint for the extending the hospitality and patience required to host a party of like 100 folks. Man, was he sweatin' in front of the pig, gloves arms and knives akimbo, like a pork chopping machine. Pork was great (we had beans with some leftovers in this evening for dinner), goat was great, but the shrimp on Saturday night was the best thing I think I've eaten in like a month and a half. Actually, maybe just the broth and the biscuit I dipped in it was enough to take that title. So I'll be searching for that recipe - Someone said it was posted. And thanks to everyone who made the event a success. I hope to be in more on the cooking side next time - E-Gullet's new to me, but man, y'all share my obsessions... Rooftop - Glad to see that you made it home safe on the bike! ~Nibbs

Well, for those that will be there on Saturday, I'll be coming over with some popsicles from Loco Pops. Yes, gourmet popsicles. There is such a thing. (Uhh.... Who the heck is Nibbs?) I'll be the guy in the Krispy Kreme hat with the popsicles. I haven't posted much - But I'm excited about meeting folks from the board. And eating. If you are there on Sunday, ask the guy in the Krispy Kreme hat if there were any leftovers. He'll probably tell you no, but it's worth a shot...

I don't know if the Q-Shack on Hillsborough St is as good as the one in Durham, but they make a stand up mac and cheese and are open for lunch. Plus their onion rings are to die for. No nice top crust (unless you get lucky that day), but still good stuff. ~Nibbs

Varmint - I've been a lurker on E-Gullet for a while. No posting due to arm pain type issues. But as the Pig Pickin' got closer and I realized we'd be in town for it, I signed up and paid (Hubbell is the name). Anywho, the wife and I live about 5 minutes from Loco Pops. And I have a Subaru Baja. And we just moved so I'm considering the following: 1) Buy a chest freezer (because every house big enough for one needs one). 2) Put it in the back of the Baja. 3) Fill it with Loco Pops. 4) Bring it to the Pig Pickin'. I know there'll already be plenty of food, so this may be overkill. I come from Sicilian blood. Food overkill is what we do. Plus, that'd probably be a damn easy way to make some friends quick. If this is something that interests anyone, let me know. New house means no internet at home yet, but I'll check back in later in the week. ~Nibbs