Crook's Corner

03/02/09

Best Place in Chapel Hill

by Henricus at Citysearch

A bastion of New Southern cuisine. I've lived in NYC for years and pride myself on being a foodie. This place is one of my top three favorite restaurants I've ever been to. Now that I've returned home to Chapel Hill I find myself trying to go here at least twice a month (if money were no object it would be once a week!). The food is always spot on but more importantly Bill Smith honors the memory of Bill Neal with his strong belief in Southern terroir. The vast majority of the food you eat was grown in Chatham County, the milks and creams in Orange. No potatoes coming in during the winter? He makes rutabaga and makes it incredibly tasty. The atmosphere is friendly with Smith often leaving the kitchen to greet tables. I remember the last time he came out and offered a woman having banana pudding another serving if she would like it. As far as dishes go I highly recommend the Southern pate, the cheese pork, and for the adventurous the sweetbreads sauteed in wild turkey (in Winter anyway).

If you are in Chapel Hill and haven't tried this place, I beg you to go and give it a go.

• Pros: Wonderful Food!
• Cons: Gets crowded on the weekend.

08/04/08

Excellent brunch!

by JPP1123 at Citysearch

I heard Crook's Corner is the best Sunday brunch in Chapel Hill - and I wasn't disappointed! The Eggs New Bern were delicious as was the Smothered Chicken. I only regret not ordering hush puppies too. I really enjoyed the very casual patio and I thought the prices to be very reasonable. I felt I ate a lovely Southern meal but not as heavy and greasy as some "southern" restaurants - truly southern gourmet. The service was only so-so but I'll definitely be back to try dinner at Crook's Corner and I'll be a regular at Sunday brunch. I just won't expect a parking spot in their laughable lot.

• Pros: delicious, authentic, good value
• Cons: service only mediocre, hardly any parking

08/03/08

must have southern food

by JPinChapelHill at Citysearch

My wife and I went on a date here and didn't know what to expect with the unique hubcap facade. She had the shrimp and grits, myself the carolina sampler. Both were great, service was good, it is a cozy little place. Will go back. Only negative maybe a tad on the expensive side.

• Pros: if you get early 6-7, tiny lot behind has place to park, excellent food, good bar menu
• Cons: if you are later, no where to park, slightly overpriced