Sports Bars
- The Players Retreat · Oberlin Road
- Brickhouse Sports Bar & Grill · Hillsborough Street
- Devine's Restaurant & Sports Bar · Downtown Durham
Picks from Raleigh Magazine and INDY Week
Chicken Wings
- Heavenly Buffaloes · Ninth Street District
- Wooden Nickel Pub - Hillsborough · Downtown Hillsborough
Picks from The News & Observer
Pizza
- Pizzeria Mercato · Carrboro
- Pizzeria Toro · Downtown Durham
- Oakwood Pizza Box · Oakwood, Raleigh
Picks from The News & Observer and Raleigh Magazine
Burgers
- Al's Burger Shack · Chapel Hill
- Bull City Burger and Brewery · Downtown Durham
- Standard Beer + Food · Downtown Raleigh
Picks from The News & Observer and INDY Week
BBQ
- Prime Barbecue · Knightdale
- Sam Jones BBQ · Downtown Raleigh
- Longleaf Swine · Downtown Raleigh
Picks from The News & Observer
Hot Dogs
- The Cardinal Bar · Glenwood South
- Cloos' Coney Island · Avent West
- Jimmy's Famous Hot Dogs · North Durham
Picks from INDY Week
Dive Bars
- 106 Main · Downtown Durham
- Dain's Place · Ninth Street District
- Green Room · Broad Street
Picks from INDY Week and Raleigh Magazine
Breweries
- Ponysaurus Brewing Co. · Durham
- Steel String Brewery - Carrboro · Carrboro
- Fullsteam at Boxyard RTP · Research Triangle Park
Picks from Durham Magazine and The News & Observer