More boba, Korean barbecue and all-you-can-eat sushi? Fayetteville food updates for July
Summer has brought several Fayetteville-area food openings, closings and proposals for restaurants coming soon.
Among them are a cocktail lounge chain, another hot pot and Korean barbecue restaurant, an all-you-can-eat sushi place, a food truck serving boba and specialty egg rolls and a Jamaican eatery.
Here are the latest comings and goings in the Fayetteville-area food scene.
Know of one we missed? Let us know by emailing reporter Taylor Shook at tshook@gannett.com.
Coming soon: Cru Lounge
Cru Lounge, a restaurant and lounge with 24 locations nationwide, including in Charlotte and Greensboro, appears to be coming to Fayetteville, according to a June 30 post on the company's Facebook page.
The chain offers craft cocktails, hookah and bottle service alongside a menu of dishes like lamb pops, wings, quesadillas, burgers, fried seafood and lobster macaroni and cheese.
Two-hour reservations are free with no minimum required purchase; however, the minimum party size is four, and 18-20% gratuity is automatically added to the bill, according to the company's website.
Cru Lounge was not immediately available for comment on Friday.
Coming soon: Burnin99
Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill at 1800 Skibo Road recently changed ownership. It will remain open until the end of September, when renovations are planned to transform the restaurant to Burnin99, a regional all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot chain, a manager said Friday.
The Fayetteville location is expected to be the chain’s second in North Carolina.
Burnin99 is not the only hot pot and Korean barbecue restaurant with its sights set on Fayetteville. KPot is planning a location at Cross Creek Mall, though an opening date has yet to be released.
Coming soon: Rockin’ Rolls Sushi Express
Rockin’ Rolls Sushi Express appears to be coming to 745 Cross Creek Mall, Suite 150, formerly Newks Eatery. The regional chain, which also has locations in Raleigh and Durham, offers all-you-can-eat sushi for $14 at lunchtime and $18 for dinner. The restaurant also serves hibachi dishes.
Coming soon: Sweet Factory
Sweet Factory is coming to Freedom Town Center, according to the company’s website. The store at 2733 Freedom Parkway Drive is expected to be the candy store chain’s first in North Carolina. It has 16 locations in California, Washington, Nevada and Michigan.
Sweet Factory locations offer gummies, chocolate, cotton candy, specialty popcorn and candy from all over the world.
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Coming soon: Homeward Kitchen
Golden Corral, which got its start in Fayetteville in 1973, plans to launch its new fast-casual concept, Homeward Kitchen, in nearby Southern Pines this fall.
The restaurant will serve dishes like pot roast, fried chicken, meatloaf, Cajun macaroni and cheese, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches from the counter or the drive-thru, according to a news release from the company.
The new restaurant is slated to open this fall at Highway 15-501 and Murray Hill Road, formerly Chick-fil-A.
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Open: Boba & Bites Co food truck
Husband-and-wife duo Christine and Carlos Collado opened Boba & Bites Co food truck in early July. The pair of native Philadelphians formerly offered catering services as Camila’s Cocina.
The new food truck, which is veteran owned and operated, serves specialty egg rolls, miniature pancakes called “puffcakes,” and boba tea throughout Cumberland, Moore and Hoke counties.
Hours and locations vary, visit facebook.com/camilascocinanetz or instagram.com/bobanbitesco for updates.
Open: Patwa Stop
Patwa Stop opened in early June at 195 Starpoint Drive, formerly Island Flava Restaurant. The new restaurant serves such Jamaican dishes as oxtail and jerk chicken.
Owner Markland Taylor said the name, Patwa, refers to the English-based Creole language with West African influences spoken in Jamaica and among the Jamaican diaspora. He plans to soon add a full bar with Jamaican cocktails, he said.
Business hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and closed Sunday.
Open: Revive Fayetteville
Smoothie and juice bar Revive Fayetteville opened July 15 at 604 Hobson St., in I-FIT Fayetteville gym. The shop also offers smoothie bowls, oats and protein versions of desserts like cake pops, donuts and cheesecake.
Food, dining and business reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com, on Twitter, or Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What's new in the Fayetteville-area food scene in July 2023
