Greensboro Daily Photo

Lao Restaurant

Hiding behind the yellow leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree is Lao Restaurant and Bar. This is the location that formerly housed Crafted Art of the Taco (219-A South Elm Street). It is located between Blue Denim and Pizzeria Italiano, both very good restaurants. The space occupied by Lao is long and skinny; especially cozy this time of year when we want to be inside and in the company of others. It reminds us of independent restaurants in New York City- where street-front space is at a premium.

The owners are Laotian American and  also have the Simply Thai restaurants in Jamestown and Elon. Laotian food is similar to Thai food as the countries share a border. Sticky rice and chili paste dipping sauce are two popular items on the menu. They have large and small plates and a variety of meat and vegetarian options. You can pick you spice level mild/medium/hot. We're wondering if "Lao hot" is as spicy as "Thai hot."  Wouldn't it be fun to eat at at every restaurant in downtown Greensboro. We just might head down there today!

Happy Thursday!

Westerwood Chili Cook Off 2023

The Westerwood Neighborhood Association held their Annual Chili Cookout this past Sunday. The weather was perfect and the turnout tremendous. People ate chili, reconnected with neighbors, celebrated the children born since last year, and listened to the music of the Westerwood String Band. The above photo features nearly empty crock pots as it was so fun trying the different recipes. There were very generous prizes for for mild, medium, spicy and vegetarian chili. This was a big fundraiser for the Westerwood Neighborhood Association and they are planning to use the funds to enhance the Lake Daniel Park. One item they are purchasing is an adaptive swing to make the park more accessible. The grand prize was an overnight stay at the O'Henry Hotel with restaurant vouchers. These community-building events are priceless. Does your neighborhood have any community-building traditions? If not, it is never too late to start one. It helps to attend some events and get an idea of what is popular and what makes them a success.

Happy Tuesday! 

Crafted, The Art of the Taco, Along South Elm

Crafted, The Art of the Taco, opened on South Elm Street in 2012 and for the last eleven years has been bringing creative, upscale tacos to downtown Greensboro. The business stayed busy during Greensboro Pride, and, as you can see from the rainbow at the entrance, they are welcoming to all. This low building allows room in the frame of the photo to show that the skies were blue last Sunday. What is slightly less evident in the photo is that Mayor Nancy Vaughn is enjoying a meal at Crafted. It is always nice to see our local politicians out and interacting with their constituents. In case you can't find her, she is behind the word BEER.

Thursday is the new Friday and tomorrow is First Friday, so consider heading downtown and incorporating it into your weekend. Even without asking her, we're betting the Mayor would endorse that plan. Hmmmm, we think we're in the mood for a "Honky Tonk" taco, or maybe a bowtie taco....

Happy Thursday!

Shish House on West Market Street

Shish House is located at 4929 West Market Street, in the same plaza where you can find the international grocery store, Super G Mart. Shish House is a restaurant that served Middle Eastern food. The person who waited on us the night we were there indicated that the management was Yemeni. We happened to visit on a Friday night, during the time Muslims are at the mosque. However, once prayers were over, the restaurant fills and becomes lively. As you can see from the seating, there is plenty of room for large parties. Meat is halal certified and very tasty. We especially enjoyed the shish kabob shrimp.

It is fun to try new restaurants. Greensboro is so much more diverse than many people realize. The atmosphere and decor here definitely have a middle-eastern flair. They have generous portions and also offer family platters. They are open daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.  We suggest stopping by when it is a little busier to really get a better understanding of how much middle eastern families value community and family time.

Happy Thursday!

Got Okra?

We love growing okra in our backyard. It tolerates the heat of summer very well and keeps on giving well into fall. This photo was taken just this week and there is no sign of our okra stopping production of these wonderful pods. Of course, as we see the days get shorter and the temperatures dropping, it will be another story. Okra is in the mallow family, making it related to hibiscus. Usually, we grow green okra, but this year decided to grow red. A fun fact is that it reverts to green when cooked. Okra has long been a staple is Piedmont cooking. Lucky 32 and Blue Denim Restaurant are two Greensboro restaurants that often have okra on the menu. Sometimes it is available at the Coliseum Cafe. It can be eaten raw, boiled, steamed, and fried. It is a key ingredient in gumbo. How do you like your okra?

For a plant that grows so well in Greensboro, once established, and so full of nutrients, we encourage you to plan to plant some next spring.

Happy Wednesday!

Starbucks, New Kid on the Block in Downtown Greensboro

The long-awaited Starbucks is now open downtown. It is located across from the Bryan Y in the former location of Hardee's at 101 N.  Edgeworth Street. We first learned of this plan last year when it was reported on Fox 8. Hardee's had been looking very empty for years and then during Covid, it closed.  This corner on the western edge of downtown was looking very lonely and now is a hub of activity. While we all love our local coffee shops, the appeal of Starbucks is that it is the only downtown coffee shop with a drive-through window. Plus, many people have their go-to designer drinks crafted at Starbucks. With all of the growth in the north and northwestern parts of downtown, this store is sure to be a hit. Most of the other coffee shops are along Elm Street.

The .85 acre parcel of land does not have an overabundance of parking. However, between that generous patio and indoor seating, people walking and on bicycles will find it very convenient. Somehow, the word is out. While we were there, it was quite busy.

Happy Thursday!

Labor Day Means BBQ Time in Greensboro

Those of us who are staying in town for the weekend are likely planning a picnic with barbecue. The above photo features a makeshift barbecue pit near Lewiston Road in Northeast Greensboro. The hardwood had burned to coals, perfect for cooking which will likely take up to 12 hours. The smell of smoldering hardwood is distinctive and to us, evokes memories of fall. We were struck by the simplicity of this pit, the use of cinder blocks and bricks assembled in a U shape to contain the heat. Smoking meat this way in North Carolina dates back to before Europeans arrived. You don't need a fancy grill to prepare great meat. 

In Greensboro, once a person decides what method they will use to  cook Labor Day barbecue, a decision needs to be made about what kind of sauce to use. There is the "down east" vinegar barbecue and the "out west" Lexington style where ketchup is mixed in with vinegar.  Do you have a preference. While they will be closed today, if you are looking for barbecue in a restaurant in Greensboro, Stamey's Barbecue, Country Barbecue, and Bernie's Bar-B-Que are great local options. Smithfield's Chicken 'N-Bar-B-Q, Mac's Speed Shop, and Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ are also great options. If you are local, likely, your decision is already made about who serves the best barbecue. We hope you have a great Labor Day, regardless of what you end up eating. In preparing this post, we found a couple of good sites, if case you are interested and have a little extra time today: North Carolina Barbecue: East vs West and Labor Day in North Carolina. Did you know Labor Day wasn't broadly adopted in North Carolina until it became a federal holiday? Also, there used to be Labor Day Parades, even fireworks!

Happy Monday!

UPDATE: We just drove by Stamey's and they are open!!!

(Should we swing back around when the barbecue is ready? This has got to be the best slow-cooked meat in town!).

 

Providence Farm at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Today's feature is Joy and Darrell of Providence Farm. They're at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street today and every Saturday. They bring products fresh from the farm and are known for their fresh chicken and pork. The chickens are free range and the pigs roam around the woods, foraging to their hearts content. We especially love their whole chickens. Once you have eaten one of their chickens, you'll have trouble going back to grocery store products. 

As you can see from the above display, Joy also sells her yarn. The yarn comes from the sheep they raise, with the name of the sheep the yarn originated from on the packaging! They also have goat milk soap. You never quite know what else they will bring. For example, Joy knits hats with holes in the top so that you can pull through a ponytail- very practical for a farmer with long hair. From time to time, Joy and Darrell open their farm for special events or for their own farmers market. Located in the eastern end of the county, the farm has been in the Cobb family for over 200 years. Their farming practices are admirable. Stop by and say hello to this fabulous duo. When you shop local the farm to fork concept is easy to achieve.

Happy Saturday! 

 

Tex & Shirley's Family Restaurant

The above photo is an inside view of Tex and Shirley's Family Restaurant. This pancake house has been a Greensboro institution since the early 1970's. It is now located at 1617 West Friendly Avenue in the space that once housed Ham's Restaurant. You may remember the electric train that traveled around the ceiling while eating breakfast at Ham's. The train is long gone, but the footprint of the building remains the same. For nearly 50 years, Tex & Shirley's was located on the Pembroke Road side of Friendly Center. It left that location at the end of 2017, when the building was being sold and demolished. Tex and Shirley's relocated briefly in Irving Park Plaza on Battleground; and in 2021, it opened at the above location.

Upon retirement in the 1980's, original owner Slater "Tex" Moore sold Tex & Shirley's to Bart Ortiz, Sr. In 2012, Bart Ortiz, Jr. took over the restaurant . He also owns the Tex & Shirley's off of West Wendover Avenue. This current location is just a couple of miles from the original location and in a News & Record article, Ortiz said they were moving back to the neighborhood they used to serve. Let's hope this current location is successful and they are able to stay put.

Happy Tuesday! 

The Habit Burger Grill at Brassfield Shopping Center

Habit Burger got its start in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California. They serve open-flame, chargrilled burgers. The franchise is mostly on the west and east coasts; nothing in the middle of the country. The above location, at Brassfield Shopping Center. The footprint of the building is mostly the same as then it was Chick-Fil-A; except, Habit has a covered patio, eating area and no playroom. When we were there last night, they had mostly drive through customers. Hopefully, they will build repeat customers and the word will get out about this new restaurant.

The promising news is that Brassfield Shopping Center is experiencing a Renaissance. Most of the stores are rented in the shopping center with great diversity in types of retail places. There is a Crumbl Cookie, Gold's Gym, Biscuitville, Trader Joe's, Trek Bike Store, Pet Supplies Plus, FedEx, and more. Brassfield opened in 1987 with PharMoor Drugs, Michaels, a movie theatre, and Stein Mart serving as anchor businesses. The cinema has not yet reopened, but there is a Red Box dumpster in front of the building, an indication that work has been started. How wonderful to have an existing shopping center experiencing a rebirth, as opposed to needing to clear land and building something new. If you are on North Battleground (NoBa), be sure to stop into one of the Brassfield shops, especially one that you may not have visited- perhaps the Habit Burger Grill.

Happy Friday! So many choices and weekends are short..

Ozzie's Ice Cream

(Sorry this is late. We usually publish at 5:30 am. Today, it was set for 5:30 pm)!! Nothing says summer more than ice cream. Last night, we headed to Ozzie's for ice cream and hot dog night. In the beginning (2014), Ozzies was located on Old Battleground at Westridge. Since 2020, has been located down the road at 3712 Old Battleground; about as far as you can go on on Old Battleground before you arrive at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. This location is perfect. There is good car parking and since it backs up to the greenway, it is possible to grab an ice cream after a walk or bike ride. As you can see from the above photo, there is plenty of room for outdoor seating. Most nights, it is full.

Through the summer, Wednesday evenings was a time for hotdogs being grilled outside with live music at Ozzie's. However, the schedule will now change with is a couple of weeks off and then for the hotdog & music nights to resume outdoors on September 1st. Student workers will be going back to school and they will be able to work on Friday nights, but not on Wednesday. The owners, Adam and Betsy Greer are educators themselves. Plus, they have five children of their own, and their own children have developed a great work ethic as a result of working at the store.  Adam and Betsy  got the name for the business on a mission trip in Uganda. There is a diner on the Main Street of Jinja called Ozzie's. They became friends with the owner and the name is a nod to that friendship.

In 2020, Maria Johnson wrote a great article about Ozzie's for O. Henry Magazine.  Happy Thursday. It's a great day for ice cream!

Peach Time

Peaches have started rolling in at the farmers markets, and the Carolinas are known for their peaches. If you are heaving to any local produce stands, check for peaches. If it matters to you, make sure to ask for "cling free". They mature a little later than the ones that pits that are hard to separate from the flesh. According to NC State's data base of Potential Peach Varieties for North Carolina, the following peaches should be at market now: Cary Mac, Harvester, White Lady, Majestic, Fireprince, Sugar Lady, Winblo, Ellerbe, Loring, Contender, and Rengold. There are peaches that will becoming in season from now until late September, the last of which will be Autumn Lady!

Historically, the bulk of the peaches in North Carolina come from the Sandhills reason, especially Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, and Anson counties. Average in North Carolina has declined significantly over the last 20 years. The local farmers markets today should be a great place to get fresh peaches, and, of course peach ice cream- a North Carolina tradition.

Golden Corral Lawndale Drive

It seems we've been noticing a lot of change in Greensboro lately. The above building, on Lawndale Drive, was formerly a Golden Corral.  It was always crowded, but for some reason in January of 2020 it closed. The Golden Coral off of West Wendover is still open. The first Golden Corral opened on January 3rd 1973 in Fayetteville, NC. Golden Corral is headquartered in Raleigh, NC. As of 2022, they had 397 locations throughout the USA and Puerto Rico.

Last week, we were driving by and noticed that construction is going on inside the building. The property is 2.84 acres. It will be interesting to see what moves into that space. So far, that we can find, nothing has been published. Do you know? If so, please let us know.

Happy Saturday! It is a great day for exploring- Greensboro and beyond!

Carolina's Diner

Today's photo is of Carolina's Diner. There are several locations in the Triad and the corporate office is out near the airport. This is the location in Quaker Village.  On the day we visited, we didn't think the diner was open because there weren't many cars in the parking lot. It is located in the breezeway with Elizabeth's Pizza and the Mexican restaurant and we soon learned most people park on the Wal-Mart neighborhood store side. The diner is open 24 hours 6 days a week, with shorter hours on Sunday when they are closed from 9pm- 6am on Monday. That is probably "deep clean" day.

If you like diner-style food, Carolina's Diner is as good as it gets and the prices are very reasonable. We're always in search of a good, home cooked, over-easy egg and this place delivered. The location, near Guilford Collage, probably attracts a lot of college students. Hopefully, in July the Eastern Musical Festival residents discover it, as it is one of the most conveniently located places to eat near the Guilford College campus. Carolina's Diner was established in 2001. It is hard to believe that was twelve years ago. Wonder how many dozen eggs they use in a week! 

Happy Saturday!

Krispy Kreme Doughploma

Yesterday was the first day for graduations for Guilford County Schools. They day started with the graduation of the Early College of Guilford, Greensboro College Middle College, The Middle College at UNCG, Kearns Academy, and the Academy at Smith. High School graduation ceremonies will continue through June 11th (see schedule here). The above photo; however, features "dough-ploma" day at Krispy Kreme Donuts. Yesterday, any student who could verify they are graduating this year received a dozen original glazed donuts for FREE from Krispy Kreme. This tradition started during Covid and has been so well received, that it continues today (read HERE). No purchase was necessary.

The above photo was taken at the Krispy Kreme on Battleground Avenue. When we stopped by around 6:00 pm. the store was so busy, some students had to wait in a line outside. When we drove back by at almost 9:00 pm, the line was equally long. It was only one day, but as quickly as information spreads with teens through social media, the word got out quickly. How wonderful they offer these doughplomas. We're wondering what other businesses do something so generous. This was not just one doughnut, but a whole dozen. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Happy Thursday!

Northern Roots Coffee Shop

Northern Roots is a coffee shop downtown near Scuppernong Books and on the same side of the street. This past weekend, they celebrated their one year birthday. While they are known for their coffee and tea drinks, they do have some sweet and savory croissants and bagels. People especially enjoy sitting in the cozy seating, especially at the windows. When we stopped by this weekend, they were 5 minutes from closing, so we grabbed a coffee to go and snapped this photo. The store is much busier early in the day. Coffee shops become our third spaces, a sort of home or business area. This is a "palate cleansing" coffee shop with the relaxing and neutral colors. Elm Street now has several coffee shops. It would be fun to start the day at Dolce Aroma at 233 North Elm Street, and work our way to Common Grounds at 631 South Elm Street, visiting everything in between How much caffeine would be that in all of the establishments in those 8 blocks?

Happy Tuesday!

Farmers Market Day

Today is Farmers Market day. The above photo is the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville, across from the old War Memorial baseball stadium. It opens at 7:30 am today and continues until about noon. Two other well attended markets are the one on West Market Street at St. Andrew's Church.  The Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge is another good option. It is not to late to plant if you are interested in having a garden. Any of these markets, or the smaller pop-up markets, would be a great option. Just getting out and being around people and seeing fresh vegetables is a good thing. Greensboro is really blessed to have all of these options for farm to table food.

While you are out and about, you can also go to Preservation Greensboro's 13th annual tour of homes. This year, they will be in Westerwood- today and tomorrow. See here.

Have a great Saturday! 

Southern Fried Burger in a Pretty Great Hamburger Town

Greensboro is known as the Gate City; however, we're also known for some pretty good hamburgers. We even have a square downtown known as Hamburger Square! The above photo is from dinner last night at Hops Burger Bar. The restaurant opened on Spring Garden Street in 2013 and by 2015 had gained national attention when TripAdvisor voted it as America's Best Burger Restaurant. A second location of Hops Burger Bar opened on Lawndale Drive in Irving Park in 2015. One special aspect of Hops is that every Sunday they create a new burger that they only offer for a week. In the 10 years they've been open, that is over 500 different burgers.

As a fun, little self challenge, when we go to Hops, we order the special, regardless of the combination of ingredients. Yesterday ws about the most unique burger we've had to date.  Here is the description of it up on the chalk board of "The Southern Fried Burger". It is a battered and fried hamburger , topped with Tabasco marinated tomatoes, bourbon pickles, country gravy, and crumbled applewood bacon on a piece of thick, diced garlic toast. It is served with a side of corn fritters and a spicy maple sauce. (We opted for cole slaw instead of the corn fritters).

We hope you had a great week even if it didn't include a "Southern Fried Burger."  It isn't too late, you've got  six more days to try one! Happy Monday!

 

KIND

Did you know that the KIND healthy snack company has an office and factory between Greensboro and High Point? Located on Mendenhall Oaks Parkway, off of Highway 68,  KIND acquired the Creative Snack Company in 2019. Only recently have they changed the signage in front of the building and it has stand-out visibility on the otherwise plain structure. The only windows are in the front office area, but that didn't  stop us from noticing the smell of chocolate as we walked through the parking lot. It reminds us of the Lorillard days in east Greensboro when there were days the scent of chocolate blended with the tobacco. Another place with noticeable "tasty" scents is Mother Murphy Flavoring Company located off of Elm-Eugene. There, butterscotch is especially noticeable.

KIND comes by its name honestly as they serve healthy snacks and  support non-profits. KIND is a company with a not-only-for-profit mission. The company was founded in 2004 by Daniel Lubetzky who wanted a tasty, nutritious snack. Corporate is located in New York, how wonderful that they have a location in Guilford County.

Happy Thursday!

Remembering Baskin Robbins Battleground

Remember the days when Anton's was open and quite a destination restaurant and Baskin Robbins was next door, the "go to" place for a date night ice cream? The above store on Battleground Avenue closed  December 24, 2020. The building looks so empty and abandoned. Hopefully something will open there soon. It looks like renovation may be in progress. It was always such a challenge to park there, but when you got inside, the flavors were oh so delicious.The store had been there for decades. Their original slogan of "31 flavors" was so creative. They also introduced ice cream cakes to the public. We happened to drive by on Thursday when all of  the work on the above-ground wires was being done. We parked near the very empty store. We miss it a lot and can't wait to see what goes in the space. We're wondering if they will keep the bright pink! What was your favorite flavor?

Happy Saturday!

 

 

Krispy Kreme "HOT"

It has been a while since we've had a Krispy Kreme donut, so we stopped into the store on Battleground Avenue. While Greensboro isn't where the recipe was perfect or where the donuts were first sold, Greensboro is the first city to get a "retail only" store on High Point Road in 1989. This 2016 article from WFMY News reminds us that in that first Greensboro location, donuts were delivered to your car. If we did the math correctly, Krispy Kreme turns 86 this year. However, the now-iconic HOT light was not introduced until 1990. Now, there is an app to see if the hot sign is on. Fresh donuts are like sushi and coffee- every minute matters!

Originally, Vernon Rudolph brought the yeast donughts to Old Salem, North Carolina. Currently, there are 358 Krispy Kreme locations in the United States, with 36 in California and 28 in North Carolina (see here).  While the company has had some ups and downs with expansion efforts, they seem to be going strong. Let's hope they are around for a very long time. It is so fun to go into the store and watch the donuts being made. You can almost see the whole process. You can't however, get that original recipe. It is one of those closely guarded secrets!

Happy Saturday!

 

College Hill Sundries Interior

Recently, we posted an exterior view of College Hill Sundries. In case you haven't been side, here is an interior view. After a few visits, it is the kind of an everybody-knows-your-name sort of place. It is located at 900 Spring Garden Street, at the corner of Mendenhall Street. The establishment has been open for over 40 years and if you look around, it looks like not much has changed from yesteryear. The establishment is larger than it appears as in the back there is a pool table and more space for people to stand around. 

According to Triad City Beat, owner Jason Paul is part owner of Westerwood Tavern and Hops Burger Bar. Keep your out for special events held there. They are a perfect opportunity to visit the establishment and have a look around, especially if you don't just want to sit and have a brew. It has been such an anchor business in College Hill, a neighborhood that has been designated a historic district since 1980.

Happy midweek, almost April!

Shalom! Jewish Festival at Temple Emanuel- Today

The above photo was taken at Temple Emanuel during Friday evening services. Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish Temple, located at 1129 Jefferson Road. Today, from 11:00am-5:00 pm, they will hold their annual Jewish Festival, now in the spring, instead of the fall. This community-wide event, celebrating Jewish life and culture, will be held rain or shine. There will be Jewish and Israeli food, temple tours, exhibits, music, dance, arts and crafts and more. There will be a kids zone as well as characters from Tanakh (what Christians refer to as the Old Testament). So, if you attend the festival, don't be surprised if you see Moses, Abraham, Rachel, and Noah walking around.  It is a good chance for the community to learn about Judaism and to celebrate a community that has done so much for Greensboro. 

Word has it that one of our favorite jewelry artists, Anette, will be there with jewelry  inspired by the people and symbols in Judaism. We are also looking forward to the Rabbi telling us about the symbolism in the 12 stained glass windows, as well as the meaning of the gold letters at the top of the sanctuary. The tents are in place, the food is ready, and Moses will be there to tell you just how he felt when God delivered the 10 commandments to him.

Happy Sunday!

Ramadan Mubarak at Nazareth Bread

Ramadan is the holiest holiday for Muslims. Ramadan literally means "the hot month", a month of worship, prayer, studying the Quran, and fasting. Practicing Musilims get up before sunrise, eat breakfast, pray, and abstain from from food and liquids all day until after a final prayer at sunset. Once the sun sets, they break the fast and eat a meal. The above photo is the evening buffet at Nazareth Bread, located at 4507 West Market Street.  Due to demand, this Middle Eastern eatery offers this buffet during Ramadan. after a day of praying, reflecting and abstaining, people are ready to enjoy a meal together. This delicious buffet, which appears to extend forever, is $21.00.

Based on the People Groups website, There are over 10,000 people in Greensboro whose religion is Islam, and this number continues to grow. If you have Muslim friends you can help them by being mindful that they aren't able to eat or drink during the day. They may not want to be around while you are eating a meal or having your coffee break. If you want a great meal, stop by Nazareth Bread tonight and partake in this buffet. People of all faith groups are are welcome.

Happy Saturday!

College Hill Sundries

College Hill Sundries is located at 900 Spring Garden Street at South Mendenhall. Most people know the corner establishment from the iconic Pepsi sign painted on the South Mendenhall side. See our post from 2009 (HERE- 14 years ago!!!), and you will see the Pepsi sign. We like this photo from yesterday because it shows what a dynamic place this neighborhood bar is. First, you see the "WILD FREE" hand-painted sign on the wooden, corner door. We believe that that is from the artists' pop up held there yesterday. On the left, you see one of the artists showing his work. Above his head, you see the "bike lane" sign, an important features for a college neighborhood. On the right, is a masseuse giving a massage at the special event. Finally, the sun was very bright yesterday and formed an arc over the middle of the photo. To the very right, you can see someone sitting at the bar. The place was hopping. From patrons to bartenders to vendors, everyone seemed in a cheerful mood. 

It took a little internet sleuthing and a some math to figure out when College Hill Sundries opened as a bar. In a News & Record article from 12/12/2001, we saw a reference to the King family who turned the location from a drugstore to a bar "19 years ago", which, since the article was written in 2001, would mean the bar opened in 1982, making it 41 years old this December! College Hill Sundries had its years as a dive bar with bathrooms that were barely tolerable. As explained in the 2001 article and verified by us yesterday, the bathrooms have been upgraded and  the beer selections modernized. From that same era (2001), the magazine "Men's Journal" listed College Hill  as one of the 50 best bars in America. The only bar in North Carolina to receive recognition in the publication. Oh the things one can happen upon, merely driving around town. 

We hope to see an add for the next pop up. If you are a vendor, you may want to inquire within to see about getting a spot.

Happy Monday!

Wylie's Gourmet Cafe and Desserts

West Friendly Avenue, around Tex and Shirley's and Bandito Bodega, is slowly becoming branded as West End. Wylie's Gourmet Cafe and Desserts  is located in that area, and is part of a series of businesses that have opened over the last year or so. Wylie's opened October 1st 2021. Featured in the above photo is Sonya Wylie. She is a fabulous cook who learned from her grandmother and mother. Originally from Salsbury, Sonya has been in Greensboro for over 30 years. Formerly, she was a hair stylist and also had a food truck. However, now, she pours all of her time and love into the restaurant at 1608 West Friendly. 

Especially popular are wings, subs, chicken salad, and pimento cheese sandwiches. The chicken wings are very large and portions are generous. Wylie's is take out only and no beef or pork are served. There is ample parking beside the restaurant. It is always special to support local businesses where owners and regular customers get to know each other rather quickly. A heartfelt thank you to our friend, and loyal reader, Alice Hill, for encouraging us to feature Wylie's. We're confident we'll be back. When we asked Sonya if she knew Alice, she said "Of course we do and we love her."  Local businesses, with the proprietor on site, make a community feel like home.

Happy Wednesday!

From Beef (Burger) to (Timmy's) Chicken

Ralph Harvis brought Beef Burger to Greensboro in 1971 where it remained open until 2021. The iconic building at 1040 W Gate City Boulevard has remained closed and dormant since Ralph's death in 2021.  On January 26, 2023, WFMY ran a segment, sharing that Beef Burger will become Timmy's Hot Chicken- already a  popular restaurant in Winston-Salem. Not unlike that ever-popular Chick-Fil-A, Timmy's will have a limited, but tasty, menu. Owner Timothy Walker reports that there is much work that needs to be done to bring the venue up to 21st century standards and to pass inspections. He hopes to maintain the feel of the Beef Burger at his chicken restaurant. 

In the photo, you can see UNCG's John Moyer Sink Sr. building with a smokestack right behind the former Beef Burger. However, the railroad tracks- still in use- run between Beef Burger and UNCG.  (800 Oakland Avenue); so, this is a case of close, yet oh so far. At the left, front corner of the building, you can see the dumpster used to clear out items that need replacing. It is expected to open to this summer. To be sure, we'll store this in a before/after file.

See the WFMY News 2 article here.   See an older GDP write up here.

Happy Tuesday!

 

M'Coul's Public House

M'Coul's Public House seems to stay busy, especially on weekends. However, as we inch towards St. Patrick's Day a couple of Fridays from now, it will get super busy. Simmone McClinton, founder and owner, opened the establishment at 110 W. McGee Street in 2001. The building is historic and Simmone is committed to maintaining the integrity of the original structure, while adapting and updating whatever is needed to bring the restaurant into the 21st century. The building dates to 1892, and a lot has changed in 131 years.

In 2022, M'Coul's was recognized in the book "Hidden Gems of America: Restaurants" as one of their top pics in North Carolina. The above photo was taken upstairs, one of their  five options for dining. We love the mural and know there has to be a great story behind it. We're not sure, though. Do you know? It captures so perfectly the vibe of M'coul's. When we find out, we'll let you know.

Happy Saturday! Happy exploring!

Heavenly Buffaloes

Heavenly Buffaloes is a brick and mortar restaurant at 356 South Elm Street. However, they also have a truck that always catches our attention, especially when we see it parked on W. McGee Street downtown. Heavenly Buffaloes got their start in Durham, NC in 2014, but now also has locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro. They pride themselves on using high quality ingredients, local and for the chicken wings, antibiotic free. They also have vegan (soy nugget) wings, made from a recipe they perfected over a year. They offer many flavors of sauce and levels of heat. 

It is nice to see a local (well, down the road) business doing well and, who knows, they could keep growing and expand to other states, like Biscuitville and Cook Out. Sundays- Tuesdays, HB is only open until 10:00 pm, but other nights until midnight. It is always nice to be able to grab a late night snack. We're always looking for new places to get a quick bite to eat when downtown. 

Happy Thursday! 

College Park Baptist: Astro Dog Food Truck

College Park Baptist Church is located at the southwest corner of Walker Avenue and Josephine Boyd. This photo is of the food truck Astro Dog that is set up there Thursday-Sunday afternoons and evenings.. The photo was taken last night. This high visibility corner, right across the street from the westernmost side of UNCG, is the perfect spot to attract students, as well as people who just happen to be driving by. College Park Baptist has many outreach initiatives;while the food truck doesn't appear to be related to outreach, who knows. If people start walking or driving to the church to nourish their bodies, they just may head there to nourish the soul. College Park Baptist describes itself as progressive, diverse, ecumenical, and welcoming to everyone.

We interviewed people in line waiting for food and they said they really liked it and were return customers. There appears to be one menu item, Korean style corn dogs. You can get them sweet or savory; mild or spicy; or, with toppings like hot Cheetos, nacho cheese Doritos, and cool ranch Doritos. If you want something to drink, Mexican sodas (Jarritos & Mundet) and water are available. On nicer nights, people often sit in the parking lot and enjoy their dogs.

Church services at College Park Baptist are at 8:30 in the chapel; 9:45 Sunday school; and 10:45 in the chapel. Astro Dogs is open from 3:00 pm- 10:00 pm. You could start and end your day right here. Happy Sunday! 

Common Grounds Downtown

Yesterday, after that brief afternoon shower, we had a chance to visit Common Grounds on South Elm Street. We affectionately refer to it as Common Grounds East, as the original location is in Lindley Park at the corner of Elam and Walker. The menu appears to be the same  with iced and hot coffee and smoothies. Their specialty lattes are named after actors, the Bill Murray, Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Charlie Chaplin, and more. They also have pastries and draft beer. They are the last business on South Elm, on the northeast corner of the South Elm/Gate City Boulevard intersection. The parking lot on the corner, the one with the giant globe/orb, is for Common Grounds. 

As the weather warms, you will start seeing people sitting outside in the front of the shop as well as in the charming area in the back. Common Grounds on Elm opened last Friday, February 17th. If you stop by today, wish them a happy, one week anniversary. As you can see from the above photo, there is plenty of room to spread out and get some work done, or, to socialize with friends. In general, Elm Street south of the railroad tracks is being transformed. We'll share other examples, soon.

Happy Friday!

Piedmont Old Time Society Thursday Jam at The Continental Club

The Continental Club, located at 816 South Elm Street bills itself as "a cool, international social club, for disruptors and innovators." It is located in the building that years ago housed The Farmers' Exchange Store, a precursor to Southern States, where farmers would go to get grain, fertilizer, and other needs for farming. It is the white building on the southwest corner of Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard, the one with DAILY BREAD FLOUR on the back. 

Last night, The Continental Club hosted the open jam of the Piedmont Old Time Society (POTS), where acoustic fiddle and banjo music reigns supreme. POTS had previously held their jams at the Green Bean, but once that venue was no longer available, the group was on hiatus. When they learned the Continental Club would host the jam, they had eighteen people on the first night, playing well into the night. The lighting is absolutely beautiful at the Continental Club once your eyes adjust. However, it is a challenge to get crisp, color-balanced photos. The music sounded great last night. Hopefully, the Continental Club/Piedmont Old Time Society relationship will continue for a very long time and they will have all of their first and third Thursday jams there. The club is currently hosting an art exhibit by Trina Olson; the owner seems very supportive of visual and performing arts.

Happy Friday! May you find lots of great things to do in Greensboro this weekend.

Jazz Music at the O. Henry Hotel

Thursday, Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel is something we should all experience- regularly. If you like jazz music in an Old World, European atmosphere, this event is perfect. You can order tapas, specialty drinks, wine, and beer- or not. The music is so transporting and the staff does a great job of getting people served. This is the way hotel lobbies are meant to be; full of people out to see, and maybe be seen. O. Henry would have approves. In the above photo, Dave Fox is featured on piano, Neill Clegg on flute and saxophone, and Matt Kendrick on double bass. They are regulars at this event, which has been a Greensboro staple since 2015. The singer last night was Holly Hopkins. Holly has performed from Hickory, NC to NYC. We were glad to see her back at Jazz Night..

Last night was cold outside, but warm and cozy inside. Adding to the charm, men were wearing jackets and sweaters, mostly without ties. Women were in long sweaters and slacks; casual and sleek. While the crowd had many older patrons, some younger jazz aficionados were there, too. There were three birthdays; Holly and the band sang and played for them. Jazz night is a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening. Perhaps there is some truth to the saying, Thursday is the new Friday.

Happy Friday!

Weatherspoon: Great Art; Great Coffee

The Weatherspoon Art Gallery seems to be changing before our eyes.  The new director, Juliette Bianco, is working hard to make the Weatherspoon "a core learning resource for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the community" (WAM website, visited 1/24/23).  There are spaces set up specifically for community engagement with self-guided activities and themes coordinated with UNCG courses. As an example, Dr. Richard Hronek (UNCG lecturer of German), holds one meeting a week in the museum where pieces of art are brought into the Dillard Room, specifically related to his classroom assignments.

When we were there yesterday, we noticed the Borough Coffee Cart was inside the museum. You can see it below. Unfortunately, we arrived after the barrista had closed for the day. Now, there are places inside the museum where beverages are allowed. You can see from this second floor view, looking down on the first, a  seating in a space has been created; previously, where only special events were set up. At 4:00 pm on a Tuesday afternoon, the museum was busier than we have seen it in a long time. Also, a new exhibit just opened up "To Serve the People: Prints from Mexico's Taller de Gráfica Popular." That exhibit has generated much interest and is a must to see if you are interested in Mexican culture, printmaking, or the labor movement in North America. Yesterday's crowd was very young. How encouraging to see 20-something students working and enjoying the Weatherspoon. The well-thought-out commitment for community engagement seems to be paying off. Stop by and see for yourself. There is parking in the rear.

Happy Wednesday! It is the last one in January.

Girl Scout Cookie Time

It is Girl Scout cookie time. The above troop was selling at Friendly Center this past weekend. They were set up on the part of old Friendly near Build-A-Bear and Toys and Co. That is a place with a nice amount of foot traffic on Sundays. As they were selling, children were inside Build-A-Bear bringing their stuffed animals to life. People were coming and going from Barnes and Noble, as well as from the $5 and Under store. We hope sales went well. By the time we arrived, thin mints had sold out. The young scouts briefed us on the new cookies. They showed us the new cookie that looks like a thin mint, but it has a touch of raspberry jam inside the chocolate coating. Boxes are $5 this year. It is nice to see scouts out selling in person again.  The above scouts were so helpful and adults from the troop were right there with them the entire time, helping with salesmanship as needed. 

Surely, you know someone who knows a scout selling cookies. It is a great way to support an organization that fosters leadership in girls; they have a troop for all age levels. There are troops in almost all neighborhoods in Greensboro. The council office (Peaks to Piedmont), located at 303 Pisgah Church Road, opens at 12 noon today. They should be able to help with any questions you may have. You can get information about a troop to join, a way to volunteer, and even a description of all of the cookies- new and old. We got a little chuckle when the website informed us it USES COOKIES to enhance the browsing experience. It begs the question, "which flavor cookie"?!!!

Happy Monday!

Biscuitville, North Battleground Location

Biscuitville on North Battleground has been open since June 2021. It opened on the site where there was formerly a Pizza Hut. In the parking lot, the building really stands out on a sunny day with dramatic clouds as a background. This family-owned business was founded in Burlington, North Carolina in 1966. Maurice Jennings started with his family's recipe and one store in Danville, VA. Now there are 65 stores and the business keeps expanding. From time they launch new sandwiches (like a fried bologna biscuit). The latest product is a skinny biscuit that is thinner for those who like the taste but don't want the biscuit to overpower the sandwich. They make their biscuits from scratch and with local ingredients. Founder, Mr. Jennings actually got his start as a flour broker, then selling pizza, but focused on biscuits as a way to be busier in the mornings.* The corporate office is on Yanceyville Street in Greensboro. Greensboro central location in North Carolina and along the eastern part of the United States makes it a perfect location for businesses. 

We imagine having this location helps alleviate the congestion of the business on Battleground Avenue near the back entrance to Target. If you have a child in your life who has never seen a biscuit being made, it is fun to take them inside to the window where you see them being made. The people making biscuits have a way of always smiling when they make eye contact. Customer service contributes significantly to making a business successful.

Happy Thursday! (Are you craving a biscuit yet? We're heading out for a skinny!).

 

*reference and Biscuitville timeline.

The Day a Tabitha Brown Billboard Strolled through Hamburger Square

Tabitha Brown, Vegan Food & Kitchen Collection Drops January 8. Such was the signage at Hamburger Square yesterday afternoon. Tabitha Brown is an actress, published author, social media personality, and more from Eden, North Carolina. She became vegan to help her cope with chronic fatigue and pain. Her demeanor and programs are said to be comforting. She is a motivational speaker who has been on Good Morning America. If you have not heard of her before, start with the Wikipedia page, and you will go down the rabbit hole of wanting to know more and more. To give you insight into the kind of person she is, Ms. Brown moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career; however, when her mother was diagnosed with ALS, she returned to North Carolina to take care of her mother. She also lived in Greensboro for five years. Her breakthrough career in food and and healthy eating came when she made anvideo for a vegan BLT sandwich for Whole Foods Market. 

Now, we are curious as to the details of her kitchen collection being released this Sunday. We wonder where the billboard truck was headed yesterday, and why it was driving down Elm Street at 3:45 in the afternoon. Actually, you can learn a lot about Greensboro by hanging out at Hamburger Square. It is a little amusing that a mobile ad for veganism popped up on HAMBURGER Square. Ms. Brown is married to a retired LAPD police officer. They have two children, Choyce and Queston. The Browns are thriving in California. It is nice to know that they still have ties to North Carolina. We love the serendipity of what we will see, and have time to photograph, when traffic is stopped for a train rolling through The Gate City. 

Happy Thursday!

Let's Close Out the Year by Donating Food.

As we close out 2022, we leave you at one of the carts for donating food for NC food banks. This one is located at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison Avenues, Ground 0 for the light ball display in Sunset Hills. There is still time to enjoy the light display in the neighborhood. And, when these specific donation locations are gone, there are still plenty of locations to donate food around Greensboro. 

The Running of the Balls 5K for 2021 yielded $74,000, 19,000 pounds of food were donated, and 4 million meals were provided to food banks as a result of the Sunset Hills food drive. We don't know if the numbers are in for this year, but this may have been the largest crowd yet at the 5K event. Hopefully, it will be the best year ever for raising money and collecting non-perishable foods for local food banks. If you want to be part of this event in 2023, the date is already set, for 12/16/23. You can get more information about the race HERE. In the meantime, let's all go to a local farmers market today to help our vendors and close out the year by doing something to help the food insecure.

We hope you've had a great 2022 and that we have held your interest on Greensboro Daily Photo. Stop back tomorrow, January 1st 2023, when we will bring you a retrospective of this past year. On January 2nd, we will bring you our anniversary edition as we head into Year 15 of this project. 

Be safe and responsible tonight. See you in 2023!

The Day the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile Came to Greensboro

The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile was first launched in 1936. We don't know how many times it has been to Greensboro, but it was here during the Festival of Lights on Friday, December 2nd. In 1988, a fleet of 6 began making their way across the United States. They are 23-feet of advertisement and fun. People love getting their photo taken with them. If you want to know when it will be back in Greensboro, you can track it HERE. Greensboro isn't currently up on the map; however, you can even invite them to an event. We're guessing someone involved in organizing the Festival of Lights invited them.

In the above photo, this giant, plastic, bundle of joy was parked in the 500 block of South Elm Street, right across from the Community Theatre of Greensboro. They are often looking for enthusiastic people with great driving records to join the driving team. It would be so fun to have someone from Greensboro driving the Weinermobile! 

Happy Wednesday! After today, there are three more days until we close out 2022. Looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring our way. It is time to sit down and prepare a "Best of 2022" post for you. Also, we need to plan out a month-by-month activity spreadsheet to try to find 365 people, places, and events to share on Greensboro Daily Photo. Year 14 is going to be a good one!

Farmers Market, Plus Small Business Saturday

The above photo features the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceville Street. It was taken a few weeks ago and we had a ball buying a few of every single apple Leonard Orchards brought to the farmers market. We went home and rated them from favorite (honey crisp) to least favorite (Granny Smith) and everything in-between! We hope they are still there today and we have another chance to purchase apples! We hope to stop by and visit our friend Annette and buy another pair of earrings; and then over to purchase some handmade paper journals from our friend Suzanne. 

Remember, today is Small Business Saturday when we are all encouraged to buy from local businesses. It doesn't get much more local than a local farmers market! Of course there are downtown shops, State Street shops, and local shops throughout Greensboro. Nothing beats building a relationship with a local proprietor. It is the Cheers-bar phenomenon of the local business community. Became a repeat customer and they will know your name! Here is a photo of Kathryn at Just Be. She works tirelessly to bring local and fair trade to her shop in the 300 block of South Elm Street. Her nearby neighbor, Design Archives, is a collection of small businesses under one roof. Here is a photo of Design Archives from when we featured it ten years ago.