9 Best Southern Restaurants in Cary

“Great Grape Salad Friendly Staff Chicken Salads are outstanding Can’t go wrong“

“Review: Scratch Kitchen & Taproom - Cary, NC We recently had an opportunity to dine at the Scratch Kitchen for lunch with family and the kids and wanted to share a few things about our experience. It was a Sunday afternoon, and we had options of picking from the Lunch menu and the Brunch menu, which provided a ton of options from breakfast, appetizers, salads, bowls, noodles, burgers, and entrees. The options were a bit overwhelming; at one point, several people at the table had to ask the waiter for recommendations because it was a bit too much. As a food critic, it is always very concerning when a restaurant has a ROBUST menu because it’s hard to be consistent with the food quality with extensive menus. Entrees Bibimbap Bowl - Seared Rice Bowl with Shaved and Marinated Ribeye Steak, Fresh Spinach, Carrots, Green Onions, Pickled Red Onions, Cucumbers and Over-Easy Egg. Served with Spicy Bib Sauce. This dish really had the perfect combination of flavors, blended together with the tenderness of the steak, the array of colors, tastes, and textures of the vegetables, and the rich, creamy egg overlay on top. My only complaint was that the spicy bib sauce was really spicy. Mind you, the waiter did warn us. It was more than expected. I love spicy, but others may find it overwhelming. Crispy Chicken Sandwich - Waffle-Battered Fried Chicken with Spicy Maple Syrup Aioli, Candied Bacon and House Pimento Cheese with Scratch-Made Pickles. Served on A Locally Made Brioche Bun. This waffle batter chicken was perfectly cooked, crispy, juicy and tender inside, and seasoned to perfection. The maple syrup aioli added an outstanding balance of heat and sweet flavors, adding the smoky sweet candied bacon, with the creamy richness of the pimento cheese and the contrast of flavors with the homemade pickles. The dish was the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy to elevate this sandwich beyond normal expectations. Chicken Dutch Pancake - Dutch baby pancake baked in cast iron with hand-breaded fried chicken, fresh berries, and rosemary lemon maple syrup. I can’t really explain what this was. The fried chicken was a superior elevation, just like the sandwich, but the pancake was genuinely questionable. I think we were all very disappointed. My biggest challenge was the texture of the pancake; being more like a “flan” texture, I would almost call it a Flan Pancake. The saving grace of the dish was the flavor profile, with the sweetness of the berries mixed with rosemary maple syrup, which provided citrusy, earthy notes. It was a great blend of savory, sweet, and herbal flavors. OVERALL, it was a great experience. Surprisingly, with all the things on their menu, for the most part, the food was pretty good. I would definitely recommend going. Just dig a little and ask questions before you order.“

“Southern Cooking with an uplifting flavor profile As you step into this restaurant, it exudes warmth, comfort, and charm, making you feel you are diving into an authentic southern experience. The service members were attentive but relaxed, providing a great experience and hospitality, knowledge of the menu, and a consistent experience during the entire visit. Overall, the food could be described as a classic southern dish elevated with new ingredients and flavors, bringing the dishes to a new level of taste, texture, and indulgence, capturing the true essence of the south with a more modern flair. Appetizer Fried Green Tomatoes. This is generally not my favorite dish, but the waiter recommended it as one of the staples. Every slice of tomato was perfectly crisp with a consistent golden color and crunch exterior with a tender, tangy interior. The bold flavors that topped the tomatoes between the spice of the Voodoo Sauce, the creamy richness of the blue cheese dressing, and the smoky crunch of bacon, this was a perfect blend, creating a remarkable rendition of a classic that even I loved. Entrees Braised Beef & Egg Sandwich. The main ingredient of the dish – braised beef – truly melted in your mouth, coupled with the creamy texture and flavor of the Havarti cheese, creating the perfect base for this complex dish. The light and fluffy scrambled eggs, coupled with the baby arugula, brought a creamy, peppery freshness that truly balanced the richness of the beef and cheese. This sandwich was placed between two slices of toasted challah bread bun, which provided a sweetness that complemented the overall savory aspects of the dish. Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Comfort food at its finest. The meatloaf was juicy and full of flavor, wrapped in the crispy, smoky bacon, creating a nice crunch with every bite you took. The rich gravy poured over the meatloaf was a spark of deliciousness, paired with onions to add a touch of sweetness to the dish. The flavors were well-balanced and really raised the bar for a classic meatloaf. Nestled in a bed of mashed potatoes and a side of shaved brussel sprouts brought in all the necessary components to provide perfect harmony in the entire dish. Overall If you are in need of comfort food and don’t want the same ole dishes, you need to take a chance and go to Lucky 32, which really raises the bar and the expectations of a true take on classic southern cuisine.“

“Awesome team, great food always and clean. Always enjoy me some Bo!“

“had been a few years since I had gone to Rise. didn't realize that the entire franchise had changed..now, very few donuts and a horrible and impersonal way of ordering. the apple fritter tastes like it was baked yesterday or at the very least 5 hours ago. even Dunkin donuts might be better and that's not saying much. RISE used to have the best donuts. they were unique and tasted fresh. not so anymore. I wouldn't return. I find it weird to order on a computer and pick up your food from a box with a door on it and then they deem to suggest you tip them for....for what? making the food that they already get paid to make? it's not like they're making waitress wages. I guess they're more known now for their biscuits, but either way...I wouldn't return based solely on the ordering experience.“

“This place is the absolute best!! Aside from the fact the food was delicious and to our table so extremely fast, the staff were terrific! The atmosphere was relaxing, prices great! It's truly worth the drive. I can't wait to get a chance to come back!“

“Everything I have tried so far has tasted amazing. The Staff is attentive and very friendly. The new Karaoke was a blast. Every-other Friday. Next one is February 16th!“

“This food was so good, and my server was awesome! You’ve gotta check this out!“

“I wish we had one in Goose Creek SC!“