Shook: What I ate last month as a food reporter in Fayetteville

Taylor Shook, Fayetteville Observer
·3 min read

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Hi foodies,

The Fayetteville food scene is off to a busy start this year — just take a look at the list of new openings in January.

I ate a lot of delicious Fayetteville food this month, too. Some of it was for my recent stories, but a lot of it wasn't.

I ate at cafes, restaurants, food trucks, bars and even a mall vending machine with gourmet treats. From breakfast and lunch to late-night noodles and dessert, here's a look at everything I ate around town last month:

Melissa Moore and Melinda Borom sell their cupcakes in a vending machine at the Cross Creek Mall.
Melissa Moore and Melinda Borom sell their cupcakes in a vending machine at the Cross Creek Mall.

A cupcake vending machine made its way to Fayetteville late last year. I tried the banana pudding flavor (and shared the rest of the variety pack with the newsroom). The cupcakes were just as delicious as everyone online says it is.

Turkey bacon, over-easy eggs, toast and fruit from Eggs Up Grill, 2951 Town Center Drive in Hope Mills.
Turkey bacon, over-easy eggs, toast and fruit from Eggs Up Grill, 2951 Town Center Drive in Hope Mills.

I hardly ever get breakfast out at restaurants, but I had to try Eggs Up Grill in Hope Mills, which opened in December.

A cheese pizza from The Vegan Spot at 3421 Murchison Road.
A cheese pizza from The Vegan Spot at 3421 Murchison Road.

Ahead of The Vegan Spot's opening in late January, I got to try the pizza and a chocolate chip cookie. I didn't miss the animal products in either one. Next, I want to try the vegan Philly cheesesteak.

Tomato-basil soup, cauliflower po' boy and remoulade from Blue Moon Cafe, 310 Hay St. in Fayetteville.
Tomato-basil soup, cauliflower po' boy and remoulade from Blue Moon Cafe, 310 Hay St. in Fayetteville.

Speaking of plant-based options, Blue Moon Cafe is known for their hip vegan and vegetarian dishes. I really liked their tomato-basil soup and vegan cauliflower po' boy.

Wings from 22 Klicks, 3109 N. Main St., Suite #110 in Hope Mills.
Wings from 22 Klicks, 3109 N. Main St., Suite #110 in Hope Mills.

I love chicken wings, so I had to hit up 22 Klicks for the all-you-can-eat wings Monday special.

Two beef cheek tacos from Fry Papi food truck.
Two beef cheek tacos from Fry Papi food truck.

Fry Papi food truck may soon introduce a beef cheek taco. The deeply savory braised meat is perfectly complemented by a hefty serving of cilantro and pickled onions. Order it if you get a chance.

I also got a Fry Papi California burrito another time last month, but forgot to take a picture. For the uninitiated — a California burrito is made of all the best things in life: flour tortilla, steak, fries, cheese and guacamole. How could that be bad?

Toasted marshmallow hot chocolate from Vass-based food truck, Trade Craft Coffee Roasters.
Toasted marshmallow hot chocolate from Vass-based food truck, Trade Craft Coffee Roasters.

On a chilly evening at the Haymount Truck Stop, I warmed up with a hot chocolate from Trade Craft Coffee Roasters. It was a tasty treat! I also had the churro latte at Vagabond Cafe last month, but forgot to get a picture. I ordered mine half-sweet, which was perfect.

Burger and fries from Southern Pines-based Bell Tree Food Truck.
Burger and fries from Southern Pines-based Bell Tree Food Truck.

I'm picky about burgers (especially because my husband makes awesome smashburgers at home), but this one from Bell Tree Food Truck at Haymount Truck Stop blew my socks off. Nothing fancy, just a damn good burger.

Birria pizza and kimchi-style salad at a preview of the menu for a forthcoming Carthage restaurant, The Buggy Factory by Southern Pines Brewing Co.
Birria pizza and kimchi-style salad at a preview of the menu for a forthcoming Carthage restaurant, The Buggy Factory by Southern Pines Brewing Co.

I was lucky enough to spend an evening with the Southern Pines Brewing Co. staff as their chef and head mixologist served up the menu for a forthcoming restaurant in Carthage, The Buggy Factory. The craft brewer is also opening a restaurant in downtown Fayetteville this summer. This pizza and salad (and everything I tried) was amazing. I could drink that green, herby sauce.

Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, sold outside the Walmart at 8660 Cliffdale Road in Fayetteville.
Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, sold outside the Walmart at 8660 Cliffdale Road in Fayetteville.

It's that time of year, and Thin Mints are the best Girl Scout cookie.

Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles from Fayetteville food truck Some Ting's Cookin'.
Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles from Fayetteville food truck Some Ting's Cookin'.

I loved eating the drunken noodles from Some Ting's Cookin' food truck around the fire table at the Haymount Truck Stop last weekend. Flat rice noodles coated in a spicy stir fry sauce and studded with savory beef, Chinese broccoli, fresh mint are even more satisfying with a fried egg on top.

Margherita pizza at Pierro's Italian Bistro, 217 Hay St. in Fayetteville.
Margherita pizza at Pierro's Italian Bistro, 217 Hay St. in Fayetteville.

I had never been to Pierro's until this Friday night visit! It was warm enough to eat my margherita pizza on the patio, which was nice.

What's the best Fayetteville food you ate this month? Give me a shout at tshook@gannett.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Happy eating,

Taylor

Taylor Shook writes about food, dining and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. She can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook.  

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What a Fayetteville, NC food reporter eats in a month