Service was fast and friendly. My friends hot cocoa took a minute because there was only one person working drinks but they gave her a medium hot chocolate instead of a small to make up for the 10 minute wait which was iconic costumer service. The coffee cake was absolutely delicious along with the latte. Don't love that the oat milk and vanilla syrup was an additional dollar each in my small latte. But it was good. Lots of bubbly options all the colors make the fridge POP. Good bright open space with large tables. Complimentary water and free WiFi available. There is also meter parallel parking right outside the store front and plenty of other normal lots around because it is so close to the convention center. The chocolate croissant was very flaky with a pleasant outside crust, chocolate not to sweet 9.5 outta 10. The union sour dough we reheated in the oven at home for 5 minutes and then ate. Inside was great but the crust was a bit too thick but a great price of only 7 dollars and they will slice it for you there if you want.
Abby M.
Today was my second time getting lunch from Union Special. Both times the restaurant has been clean and tidy with the staff being quick to welcome me and take my order. While the order time is fast, it takes 10+ minutes to get your food. Today I set a timer and it was close to 13 min and the restaurant was completely empty. The sandwiches themselves are decent. My first time I got the Grown Up Grilled Cheese sandwich, which was good. Today I decided to try the turkey melt. Unfortunately the aioli made the bread completely soggy and the sandwich was a complete mess when I sat down to eat it. It probably would have been better if I'd had it at the restaurant, but i was not impressed. Ultimately, I'm giving this pace 3/5 stars. If you are in a hurry, I'd suggest going someplace else.
Rebecca M.
Union Special was the first stop of my food tour and somewhere new to me. This location is just open during the work week so that is why I had not been there before. We were given half of a Union Egg Sandwich with bacon. It tasted really good but was a little too buttery. Then were also given half a blue corn cookie. It was neat seeing a blue cookie without dye. It also tasted great. I don't expect to make it back to this location again because I am not usually downtown during the week. But will go to the other location and try the other menu items there as I want to try more of the menu.
matthew ingram
Employees, food and service are amazing. Sometimes it’s worth a little more of a drive to get what you want and get better customer service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MeMyselfMotherhood
Upon visiting, I expected the aroma of freshly baked bread to fill the air, but the stagnant nothingness is what was received. Union Special was underwhelming, and if I'm going to spend $4. on one croissant, it better be the best dam croissant I ever had. Needless to say, I've gotten better at Lild. I was beyond disappointed with this downtown Raleigh experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mithat Kara
Fresh and tasteful bread. Authentic and legitimate. Smiley faces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rabekah Henderson
Just wish they were open on weekends!! This part of downtown really needs a good bakery/breakfast spot.
Kyle Holden
Great little coffee + bread shop on Fayetteville St! I love popping in for coffee and their Blue Corn Cookie. Excellent little
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dayna V.
Sandwich filling on the Italian doesn't even go close to the end of the bread, basically no filling. Plus I ordered extra pickled onions and there may have been 4 on the whole sandwich. The bread is also insanely average. Not impressed.
Lucy Pesko
I was looking forward to their sourdough bread. We came before 8am and we were waiting patiently outside. When they were opening the door, the employee looked at me but didn’t even say good morning or “you can come in now” just looked at me super annoyed and walked back in. When I walked in, they hardly say hi. The sourdough and other stuff weren’t ready at that time which was surprising but I understood, it was earlymorning. I couldn’t try their bread, I felt super unwelcomed there so I will rather go somewhere else next time.
Service was fast and friendly. My friends hot cocoa took a minute because there was only one person working drinks but they gave her a medium hot chocolate instead of a small to make up for the 10 minute wait which was iconic costumer service. The coffee cake was absolutely delicious along with the latte. Don't love that the oat milk and vanilla syrup was an additional dollar each in my small latte. But it was good. Lots of bubbly options all the colors make the fridge POP. Good bright open space with large tables. Complimentary water and free WiFi available. There is also meter parallel parking right outside the store front and plenty of other normal lots around because it is so close to the convention center. The chocolate croissant was very flaky with a pleasant outside crust, chocolate not to sweet 9.5 outta 10. The union sour dough we reheated in the oven at home for 5 minutes and then ate. Inside was great but the crust was a bit too thick but a great price of only 7 dollars and they will slice it for you there if you want.
Today was my second time getting lunch from Union Special. Both times the restaurant has been clean and tidy with the staff being quick to welcome me and take my order. While the order time is fast, it takes 10+ minutes to get your food. Today I set a timer and it was close to 13 min and the restaurant was completely empty. The sandwiches themselves are decent. My first time I got the Grown Up Grilled Cheese sandwich, which was good. Today I decided to try the turkey melt. Unfortunately the aioli made the bread completely soggy and the sandwich was a complete mess when I sat down to eat it. It probably would have been better if I'd had it at the restaurant, but i was not impressed. Ultimately, I'm giving this pace 3/5 stars. If you are in a hurry, I'd suggest going someplace else.
Union Special was the first stop of my food tour and somewhere new to me. This location is just open during the work week so that is why I had not been there before. We were given half of a Union Egg Sandwich with bacon. It tasted really good but was a little too buttery. Then were also given half a blue corn cookie. It was neat seeing a blue cookie without dye. It also tasted great. I don't expect to make it back to this location again because I am not usually downtown during the week. But will go to the other location and try the other menu items there as I want to try more of the menu.
Employees, food and service are amazing. Sometimes it’s worth a little more of a drive to get what you want and get better customer service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upon visiting, I expected the aroma of freshly baked bread to fill the air, but the stagnant nothingness is what was received. Union Special was underwhelming, and if I'm going to spend $4. on one croissant, it better be the best dam croissant I ever had. Needless to say, I've gotten better at Lild. I was beyond disappointed with this downtown Raleigh experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fresh and tasteful bread. Authentic and legitimate. Smiley faces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just wish they were open on weekends!! This part of downtown really needs a good bakery/breakfast spot.
Great little coffee + bread shop on Fayetteville St! I love popping in for coffee and their Blue Corn Cookie. Excellent little
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sandwich filling on the Italian doesn't even go close to the end of the bread, basically no filling. Plus I ordered extra pickled onions and there may have been 4 on the whole sandwich. The bread is also insanely average. Not impressed.
I was looking forward to their sourdough bread. We came before 8am and we were waiting patiently outside. When they were opening the door, the employee looked at me but didn’t even say good morning or “you can come in now” just looked at me super annoyed and walked back in. When I walked in, they hardly say hi. The sourdough and other stuff weren’t ready at that time which was surprising but I understood, it was earlymorning. I couldn’t try their bread, I felt super unwelcomed there so I will rather go somewhere else next time.
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved it, and the food and service were great. Thank
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Very pricey but they have the best Turkey melt sandwiches, chips and treats
Very pricey but they have the best Turkey melt sandwiches, chips and treats
Cool and tasty!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unrivaled sourdough, fantastic lunch!