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The Eater

The Eater

This month The Eater turns over the reins to Merge Records’ Paul Cardillo, a budding food writer. We asked Paul to offer an insider’s guide for out-of-town peeps in town for XXMerge. Here’s his advice:

Neal’s Deli
You can’t go wrong at Neal’s, and could conceivably eat all your meals here. The breakfast biscuits are amazing, fluffy and light on the inside with an unexpected toothsome crispness on the outside. Try the pastrami, baked egg and swiss biscuit. All the lunchtime sandwiches at Neal’s are great too, but the hot dogs trump pretty much everything. A great veal and pork dog on a brezel sub roll from Durham bakery Guglhupf. One isn’t enough. Two is too many. Get them “all the way” with spicy mustard and sauerkraut.

Taco wagons
Carrboro is home to several taco wagons. All are good in their own right, but the one in the Fitch Lumber parking lot is my favorite. All of their tacos are superb, featuring fresh, soft corn tortillas from Don Jose’s Tortilleria right down the street. Their tacos al pastor are sublime, with small bits of pineapple clinging to the marinated pork. Their carnitas are exceptional, and the beef barbacoa is very rich and seriously flavorful. Don’t be afraid to try the Lengua (Tongue) Tacos, it’s like the tenderest cut of beef you’ve ever had. The Melon Agua Fresca washes everything down nicely. Three tacos and an agua fresca is a fantastic dinner in the $6.00 range. Carry the meal over to the lawn at Weaver Street and watch the spectacle of Carrboro unfold before you.

Vegetarian option
I’m a meat eater and not often looking for a vegetarian treat, but every so often the Portabella Sandwich at Amante’s Pizzeria is exactly what I crave. Their bread is like no other, sort of a mix of sourdough and pizza dough. With plenty of oil and vinegar, this sandwich is great cold or hot.

Fancy meal
Every time I eat at Lantern in Chapel Hill, I feel like I’ve just had the best meal of my life. This is definitely a more upscale option and everything on the menu is delicious and fresh. The whole fried fish is always a great treat and the pork tenderloin is an enormous primal slab of meat that is chop-stick tender. The menu changes seasonally and the appetizers are all amazing, especially the local pickle plate. Sit at the bar, enjoy a signature Lantern cocktail and get a couple appetizers. You won’t be sorry.

N.C. BBQ
You’re in North Carolina and there is no better time to school yourself on the wonder that is N.C. barbecue. First of all, barbecue is a noun. It is a very specific type of pulled or chopped pork shoulder and N.C. style comes with a vinegar-based sauce. I like the traditional wood-fire method of Allen & Son, just north of Chapel Hill on Hwy. 86 (not the one near Pittsboro – they don’t use wood). Allen & Son is the most traditional barbecue experience in the area. Get the BBQ plate with a side of fried okra and some sweet tea and you will be in hog heaven. The Barbecue Joint does an excellent job as well. Their sides are a little more adventurous and change seasonally. Their brussels sprouts are one of my favorite dishes.

Carrburitos
This perpetual Carrboro favorite is very convenient to Cat’s Cradle and has amazing California-style burritos. All the fillings are great; the chicken or the carnitas are my faves. The flour chips and chipotle salsa round out the meal.

Burger
Margaret’s Cantina, in Timberlyne Shopping Center on the north end of Chapel Hill, specializes in a southwestern/Mexican-style of dining. As expected, the margaritas are great. What’s unexpected is their burgers are better. This is the best burger in town.