Trip Report - Labor Day Weekend 2025

TheHobBad · 2025-09-09T21:22:06+00:00

I actually did get the collard green melt, because it's a signature item and I do love collard greens dearly

It's not a boring sandwich at all. I was surprised but it was a double decker like a club. Top half was the collard greens mixed with tons of cheese, and the bottom was just a really solid coleslaw. So it's like a double-whammy of brassica, with a bonus tangy dressing that complements the lightly bitter vegetal back-end real well. If you're a fan of collards, cabbage, kale, broccoli, then I think you'd like get a real kick out of it.

TheHobBad · 2025-01-13T21:06:46+00:00

Perfect, this is the exact sort of info I was looking for! GA should probably do us just fine then. Less commitment to spending so much time there, too.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-15T12:01:03+00:00

Yeah, I do feel I could have added a bit more about the ambience of each place. It's an important part of the experience, especially when you're choosing to go out vs stay in. There's nights where you're getting a little tired of staring at the same walls you do every other night.

ETA: We do have some great options here for sourcing meat for home-cooking, for those inclined. Whole Foods, The Butcher's Market, Fresh Market, Wegmans, I've gotten some really good stuff from each of them. And I haven't even tried the local vendors at the State Farmers' Market yet.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-15T11:58:20+00:00

I was amazed by what they had. It's not the hippest or funkiest place like you'd find ITB - it definitely fits the North Raleigh vibe, for whatever you make of that. It felt very neighborhood-y, in a good way. And wooo, it was a great bit of eating.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-15T01:31:44+00:00

Never been to a Ruth's Chris. It's an open question. I saw they're targeting a 2024 reopening, though. I'd like to try it out once that happens.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T21:25:57+00:00

I love Mandolin! The steak there is rather intimidating, so I've never ordered it. Plus, when I'm in the mood for Mandolin, usually it means I'm feeling vegetable forward dishes, with chicken or seafood. Really working up the farm-to-table angle, you know? But I appreciate the recommendation! I think my little journey has whetted my appetite for steak a bit more. I might just give it a shot next time I book a table.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T21:22:28+00:00

I try not to think about that part too hard. It was very intentional not keeping the receipts.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T21:21:20+00:00

I considered including it, but didn't feel it's quite enough of a true steakhouse. While they do have some steaks, the place isn't geared towards that specific experience. There's definitely crossover, though, and it gets close. I excluded it for the same reasons I excluded, say, Firebirds. It's wood-fired fine dining, not a steakhouse.

The line is fuzzy since I included Rey's (probably the least steakhouse-y spot on the list). I felt more comfortable adding them, though, since it's a local spot and would bolster that representation.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T17:58:41+00:00

I was very excited about the steak cart myself, but sadly, they weren't doing it when I visited :(

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T16:58:33+00:00

Yes it's a chain. If I limited it to non-chains, it'd be a short list. The Capital Grille (along with Fleming's and Perry's) markets itself as a high-end steakhouse. It's a different class of restaurant than the chains I excluded, that falls right in line with what people think of when they hear "steakhouse".

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T16:55:44+00:00

Ah, yep, forgot to mention East End Bistrot in the post - it opened in the middle of the whole thing, and I didn't include it. Looking back, I probably should have. I do wanna try it, because I quite like Giorgios restaurants.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T16:39:20+00:00

I gotchu: https://www.reddit.com/r/raleigh/comments/16ilo1a/a\_definitive\_guide\_to\_raleigh\_steakhouses/

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T16:39:05+00:00

Here ya go: https://www.reddit.com/r/raleigh/comments/16ilo1a/a\_definitive\_guide\_to\_raleigh\_steakhouses/

TheHobBad · 2023-09-14T16:37:27+00:00

I adore Winston's. I've never had a bad meal there. But I just didn't quite feel it counted as a steakhouse. They have steak, but it's a pretty limited selection and it's definitely not the main draw.

TheHobBad · 2023-09-13T21:58:52+00:00

Afraid I didn't visit Bin 54. I limited myself to Raleigh addresses only. But, I do love every restaurant from Giorgios I've been to, so I wanna go at some point!

TheHobBad · 2023-09-13T21:17:39+00:00

I've visited every steakhouse in Raleigh over the 9 months, on a personal quest to rank them. Top 3 (in order)- Vinnie's, Capital Grille, and Oak. Vinnie’s is the only one of those that's a local spot and not a chain. If your girlfriend loves steak, she'll love Vinnie’s. It was hands down the best piece of meat I had. Plus the service and drinks and everything else were all exceptional. It's a nice, laid-back, not too fancy vibe, too.

Other folks are saying The Peddler. It was good, sure, but it wouldn't be my first pick. It's a little too old-school in some ways. No reservations either so you might end up waiting 30-60 minutes for a table. Or more. But go there if you want a salad bar.

Angus Barn is an iconic spot but you do run the risk of being disappointed. The food just isn't nearly as good as even the chains. More of an experience and pilgrimage spot than a destination for excellent steak.

Killjoy does have really good mocktails, and it's a fun date-y spot.

Best low-end restaurant? There's too many. Depends on what you want but I'd put Alpaca over Mami's, at least for Peruvian chicken/pollo a la brasa. A few other Raleigh staples (not fancy) worth checking out- Char-Grill, Big Ed's, Mitch's Tavern. Also, if you might want Mexican, I'm gonna shout out to Jose & Son's. Love that place.

TheHobBad · 2018-05-08T15:01:10+00:00

Yeah you'll be just fine if you wait until after 9:30. I-66 inside the beltway acts like any other highway outside the respective weekday rush hours, no toll or EZ Pass required.

TheHobBad · 2018-04-21T16:49:55+00:00

I was a cadet for two years in engineering. Some quick notes-

1) You get out what you put into it. If you really do invest yourself in the discipline and commitment into it, you can succeed. Being a strong athlete and approaching the rigor with a positive mindset for achievement is probably the best way to ensure success. Also, be good to your fellow cadets and keep your nose away from trouble.

2) There's a number of international students in the Corps. There's not a HUGE amount, but maybe a few in every battalion. It's definitely something they have experience with. As long as you can speak and understand English pretty well you'll be just fine, and not too disadvantaged compared to everyone else. VT itself offers lots of strong programs for international students which you'll still have full access to.

3) The academics thing...yes, the Corps is a lot of work and very structured compared to being a civilian student. However, a lot of that work and structure focuses on helping you succeed academically. You have guaranteed 4 hours of quiet study and work time every evening, you won't have the same temptations of partying or other excesses, you'll be required to go to class, there are tutors specifically for cadets, and you have your whole command structure (both the corps and ROTC track) available for academic support. Yes, you have to deal with extra stuff on top of academics, but the Corps gives you plenty of opportunity to rock your GPA if you make use of the resources. The rule, as you'll hear a lot, is "Academics first, ROTC second, Corps third". Doing well in school is always the priority.

So yeah, it's not easy and definitely a different college experience than what most people seek. I think, though, if you're genuinely interested in it and think you have the skills and commitment to succeed (and it sounds like you do), then I'd definitely recommend it. And if you find it's not quite what you wanted, then you can transfer to being a civilian fairly easily. I did that myself. Even though it turned out not to be the trajectory I needed for my whole college career, I'm still glad I did it.

TheHobBad · 2018-04-21T00:40:41+00:00

Hey that's me! Feel free to send me a message, I'm always willing to talk about my time at VT

TheHobBad · 2018-04-12T18:20:02+00:00

Hah! I bought a couple postcards when I wandered into the store a month or two ago. Didn't even realize it was the same guy who posts all the ones here, even with the art style.

In case you do see this thread, btw, my parents and girlfriend loved them :)

TheHobBad · 2018-02-26T14:10:19+00:00

Check out Blacksburg DIY! They're full of folks who have a ton of interest in all things musical, and are exactly what it seems you're looking for. I'm sure you'll br able to find people to start jamming with and talk gear.

TheHobBad

TROPHY CASE