DINING
Cape Fear Region a culinary melting pot
Eating out is big business in Fayetteville. And there's no shortage of restaurants, from momand- pop take-out shops to national chains with household names. Each week in Weekender, we feature a local restaurant. Here are a few finds from the past 12 months.
Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pub
229 Hay St. 423-1222. This family sports pub joined the downtown crowd in April 2008. You can get wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads and wraps. There are 30 flatscreen TVs on the walls. Smoking is prohibited, but when the weather is nice, you can sit at one of the outdoor tables.
Cafe Espana
500 N. Reilly Road, Bragg Shops Shopping Center, 764-1283. This Spanish cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. One of its signature dishes is a traditional tortilla de patata with a side of baguette-style bread. The omelet is typically made with potatoes, eggs, ham, spicy chorizo, parsley and garlic. Homemade churros are a favorite dessert.
Egg Roll Express
3401-D Raeford Road, 867-4200. This small eatery specializes in made-to-order food. A large part of the business is take-out, but it seats about 25. Don't be fooled by the name. There are nine types of egg rolls on the menu, but it includes much more than egg rolls. The Pad Thai noodles are popular, and the regulars know to ask for the homemade peanut sauce.
Hamburger Heaven
132 Person St., 485-2777. While most downtown redevelopment has been on Hay Street, Person Street has been getting attention, as well. This burger joint is one big reason folks are venturing past the Market House. Try the Carolina Favorite, topped with coleslaw, chili and onions or the mushroom Swiss burger. No item on the menu costs more than $5.
Jason's Deli
419 Cross Creek Mall, 860-0253. Jason's Deli not only looks like a New York deli, it sounds like one, too. The chain opened at Cross Creek Mall in October 2007. There are more than 200 items on the menu, including traditional deli sandwiches, paninis and Po'boys. There are also plenty of soups. The salad bar is one of the best in town. The restaurant also has all-you-can-eat, selfserve ice cream.
Little Italy Pizzeria and Restaurant
1400 Walter Reed Road, All-American Shopping Center, 867-8700. Italian owners Antonnella and Giuseppe Scibilia used to run the Roma restaurant on Person Street across from the courthouse. They decided to open a similar family restaurant with some additions to the menu. The Scibilias brought with them many of the most popular Roma dishes. Beyond that, diners can enjoy traditional favorites such as pizza, subs, spaghetti and salads.
Marzu Cafe
5780 Ramsey St., 822-2663. At a glance, the interior of Marzu Cafe has all the trappings of an upscale coffee shop. Deep, rich wood tables and chairs are interspersed between walls decorated with elaborate Latin-inspired art. While you can get coffee, the menu is replete with authentic Latin and Caribbean cuisine.
The Squeeze Cafe
Cross Creek Mall, 429-3067. Detroit restaurateur Dan Gilmartin found it fit to bring healthy wraps, sandwiches and smoothies to Fayetteville. The small cafe uses Boar's Head products, which are the gold standard of deli meats and cheeses. There are more than 30 varieties of fresh smoothies, or you can invent your own.
Turkish Grill
5044 Yadkin Road, 864-6554. Kebobs and other traditional Turkish foods are served at this husbandand- wife eatery. Kebobs are made with lamb, beef or chicken, topped with lettuce, onion, tomato and yogurt-cucumber mint sauce. Patrons hang photos and other memorabilia on the walls as it relates to the military, giving it a nice touch.
Turkish Grill
5044 Yadkin Road, 864-6554. Kebobs and other traditional Turkish foods are served at this husbandand- wife eatery. Kebobs are made with lamb, beef or chicken, topped with lettuce, onion, tomato and yogurt-cucumber mint sauce. Patrons hang photos and other memorabilia on the walls as it relates to the military, giving it a nice touch.