Village Deli

The Village Deli and Grill in Raleigh's Cameron Village shopping center (and other locations) is worth a drive to Raleigh to dine in a college crowd atmosphere with a broad selection of cold and hot sandwiches. The rustic atmosphere includes pine wood paneled walls, little checkered table cloth tables indoors and outdoors. A great dining experience comes also with a view of the long popular shopping center near the NC State Campus and a long time popular part of Raleigh.

Food choices (menu) include salads, soups, seafood, a variety of sandwiches, burgers and chicken, paninis and specialty sandwiches and selections for vegetarians. Everything is hand made to order and fresh from the kitchen. Our favorites are the Reuben on Rye sandwich and the Village Classic sub. Typical cost to dine for two is around $22-24. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For a great local outing follow these directions and take a quick trip to Raleigh and into Cameron Village for a deli style meal and an adventure into one of the great shopping centers near the NC State campus.

The Blistered Pig Smokehouse

The Blistered Pig Smokehouse is a new, long awaited BBQ restaurant in Historic Downtown Apex. Located at 225 N. Salem Street, Apex NC, in the renovated Mule Exchange building, the long rumored dining spot became a reality in December 2014. Reservations are not taken, but if you want to call  to check on availability you may by dialing 919-446-3366.

When you decide to go, plan to search for it since it's located in the back end of the renovated Mule Exchange building across from the downtown depot. After you discover where it is, you will find adequate parking just outside the door with easy access.

Once inside, be prepared for a wait since there's usually a line. And be prepared to be directed to sit on a skinny bench in the busy walkway by the door with waiters and food delivery people zipping by inches from your face while you wait. Hopefully you won't be smacked in the face while you watch all the folks rush by. If you don't want to sit in the aisle you can go over and sit on the hearth by the fireplace to wait behind the hostess. Otherwise you can stand at the door or sit at the bar while you wait. In warm weather you can wait outside on the patio. 

Once you are seated, be prepared to be close to other customers, New York style, in the crowded space. In an effort to squeeze maximum revenue from the small restaurant the owners opted to pack in extra tables rather than allow room for customers to walk and have a little space to enjoy the experience. About half of the seating is at hi-top tables or at the bar with high-chair style seats - comfortable for some but does not work well with customers not able to climb up to be seated. If you need a standard table be prepared to wait.

Once seated, you can ponder the choices on the menu and select from several BBQ styles. Pulled pork (sans sauce), brisket with a dab of spicy red sauce, pork spare ribs, beef ribs and chicken. A small plate ($12.95) comes with one meat choice and two sides. A large plate ($15.95) has two meats and two sides. Sandwiches are also available. Sides are meant to somewhat like southern food choices but not necessarily with a taste you might expect for real southern eating. Be mindful of the beef ribs - some are overcooked and difficult to eat. Mac-N-Cheese (mushy), "yeller" or red slaw (spicy enough to burn), bland grits with cheese on top, collards with red pepper sprinkled in and lukewarm sweet potato fries are some of the sides available. Desserts are available if you have enough room left - banana pudding and other treats . Don't get the key lime pie - it has a left over taste and seems to be flavored with a taste absorbed from other foods in the cooler.

The restaurant offers tea, beer (cans only) and wine. Sorry, no draft beer. Beer ranges from $5.00 to $7.50. Be prepared for you check to go up by $10-15 for a couple of beers on top of the $28-32 for dinner for two, $50-60 for four. Unfortunately this is the only BBQ spot currently in downtown Apex so expect a little sticker shock and food a little different from real southern food you were expecting. 

Mamma Mia!

Voted best pizza in Apex 7 years in a row

Truly the best Italian dining in Apex. One of those "best kept secrets" restaurants!

For truly authentic Italian food go straight to the Mamma Mia restaurant in the strip shopping center on Laura Duncan road in Apex. Operated by an authentic Italian family, the food is truly prepared in the Italian style - not just New York Italian. It has been run by the owner and head chef since opening many years ago in the Laura Duncan Commons shopping center. Seating is adequate for small parties or groups.

Choose from a selection of original items popular with local residents and true Italian families. On any given night expect to be surrounded with conversations in the Italian language and even on occasion be near families conversing with their family back in Italy via Skype!

Choices begin with Panini sandwiches and Calzones, then move right to a variety of pasta dishes, Vitello (veal), Pollo (chicken), Pizza and Specialita (speciality dishes). If all you want is very good pizza you will be very happy and be delighted with topping choices, but you can also satisfy your craving for a wide array of seafood, pasta and meat dishes.

Dinner for two will run from around $20.00 upwards to around $30.00. Be aware that the pizza has been voted the best in Apex seven years in a row and counting.

The restaurant has room for large groups and also offers catering for special events anywhere in the area. Check out Mamma Mia's website at Mamma Mia Pizza Pasta. Telephone 919-363-2228.

Smokey's BBQ Shack

Yet another hidden BBQ spot in the Apex area...

Smokey's BBQ Shack is tucked away on the side of the road out in Morrisville at 10800 Chapel Hill Road (Highway 54). Take a ride out Davis Drive, turn right onto Morrisville Parkway, then turn back to the left onto Highway 54 in Morrisville. Drive about three miles and look for a small diner-like shack on the right.

The BBQ is great and both chicken and pork are available. You can also get ribs, sliced brisket and wings! There are lots of fixin's to choose from - mixed greens, fried okra, green beans, potato salad, mac-n-cheese, slaw, baked beans and the ever present hush puppies to go with the meal. You can also get Brunswick stew.

Prices are reasonable and two can dine for less than $20 - dine in or take out.

Hours are from 11 AM - 2 PM Monday-Wednesday, 11 AM 7:30 PM Thursday-Friday and 11 AM - 7 PM on Saturday. Call ahead (919-469-1724) if you want to place a large order or to be sure they are open before making the drive. When they run out of BBQ they close up and go home!

Anna's Pizzeria

An exciting new restaurant has moved into the spot at 100 North Salem Street in Historic Downtown Apex. The busy, friendly establishment offers a broad selection of fresh made Italian cuisine to downtown shoppers and is a huge hit with residents and visitors alike! Get there early to beat the crowds or find yourself standing in line (the line is usually both out front near sidewalk benches and inside where you can easily see a sampling of just-served menu items). Dine in or pick up your take out orders (telephone 919-267-6237) for a great dining experience anytime Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Anna's Pizzeria menu is divided into sections named for relatives of the owner, Yury Rojas. Selections include salads, wraps, hero sandwiches, brick oven pizzas, dinners and desserts served with style by the friendly staff. Pasta choices include eggplant Parmesan, veal Marsala , Penne ala Anna's and many other selections. New York style pizza is available by the slice or a whole pie in many varieties from thin-crusted pizza to a hefty stuffed meat pie and most anything in between.

The restaurant serves as a family-friendly meeting and dining place and includes a small bar. The owners recently moved to the area from Long Island, New York, and still owns two Anna's Pizzeria restaurants in that area.