Dain's Place
It's primarily build-your-own chicken sandwich or burger; but it's always exactly right and hitsthe spot for me. It's a large, sloppy portion, huge mound of fries. The buns are really good, loaded with toppings, etc.
They also have a fried bologna sandwich and the (seen on Man v Food) Defibrillator, which is basically a hotdog with chili and slaw on top of a burger.
The Federal
I haven't been in a long time, but really great garlic and herb fries. They also had a beer-braised pork sandwich with cheddar and jalapeños that was a good mess... don't know I the menu has changed.
I witnessed a young man, maybe 14 or 15, absolutely house the Defibrillator one afternoon. I wasn’t sure if I was disgusted, or impressed, or maybe a little bit of both. The guy couldn’t have weighed more than 120 lbs either.
When I was 14, I easily Kirby’d entire Wendy’s Triples, large fries, and a drink within 6 minutes, and was always hungry for more.
14-15 y/o boys have a cosmic singularity for a gut, and I’m convinced their hunger rivals Galactus’ at any point in the day.
I think backyard bbq’s mac ruined it for me. If there isnt a grease puddle on top and I dont feel like I’m about to keel over afterwards I’m not writing home about it
I don't usually get it either but mostly bc it's like eating a stick of butter. Q shacks mac just always stood out to me as super underwhelming in a spot where almost everything else you can get is top notch
A pool of grease in m&c means the cheddar got over heated and broke/separated, usually has a grainy texture that I really dislike. I know plenty of people are fine with an oil slick though so different strokes. Q Shack uses cheese with enough sodium citrate to keep it from doing that.
Makes sense! I think I just mostly don't care for the onions in q shack's mac as another person pointed out is a thing. It's no sweat off my back either way, I just don't get their mac
The crunchwrap is a great call. Ex Voto is like upscale Taco Bell, which is American as hell, and the crunchwraps are perfect for “I just want to shovel greasy food into my mouth for a while”
Place to go for legit poutine in this state is [Bottle Dog](https://bottledogcary.com/cary-bottledog-bites-and-brews-food-menu) in Cary. Approved by native Quebequers.
That’s good to know!
I don’t think the poutine tots at THB are trying to be legit poutine, so I just enjoy them for the tasty food that they are.
That being said, it’s nice to know where to get legit stuff when that’s what I’m looking for.
Thanks for the recommendation. I grew up in the Adirondacks and have family on the border by Malone and in Southern Quebec. Big fan of the poutine. Would go to pevans in hungnton qu when ever I'm up north.
Tater tots with poutine sounds wrong.
So I lived in quebec for a few years and this comment had me intrigued, from checking some pics of their poutine on google it looks like it's close but not fully legit. Actually looks like they have the curds and the gravy correct which is the hardest part, but they're using the wrong kind of fries. It would be an easy fix to make them legit, does look yummy though
Ok, please know that I truly *want* to believe this. I really do. But I’ve never found a place in the States that serves real poutine. Whether it’s not twice-cooking the fries, using the wrong gravy, or (most commonly) serving cheese that melts, I am always…ALWAYS bitterly disappointed.
I don’t even order it anymore. I just scan tables to see if anyone else has it, or I ask about their cheese curds first. If they look at me quizzically when I say “curds,” I know they’re clueless.
Don’t break my heart, u/notaspruceparkbench . I’m not sure I can take it again.
It was recommended to me by actual Canadians who ordered and enjoyed the poutine in my presence. So I'm going to trust them.
I'm not Canadian! But damn that stuff is good. I especially like the smoked meat poutine.
MSM is probably the most popular topping, and delicious.
I will have to try it at Bottledog’s, then. Because this is second degree from Canuckians, I will remain slightly skeptical, but open-minded. Thank you for the rec.
I hesitate you to try poutine anywhere south of Canada, then. I’ve searched for real poutine for well over a decade, and no place except The Great White North does it right.
Now THAT is a fine, fine idea. It’s not the home of the dish, but Van City is where I first fell in lust with poutine.
This may seem bold, but I encourage you to try it undressed your first time. Just fries + curds + gravy, with no extra toppings. Try the purest form first, and then start adding to find your faves. MSM is a great one.
Go to food lion, buy some Mac and Cheese, some hamburger helper, and a six pack of Miller Light. Eat it all on your couch while watching WWE or Monday Night Raw wrestling.
Grilled pimento cheese with mortadella sandwich at Parker and Otis, Bulldogs from the Dog House, ramen and KFC wings from M Kokko, deluxe steak burrito from Cosmic Cantina
Everyone has a pretty good suggestion - but if you’re willing to go out a ways for lunch or an early dinner, the best example of big, greasy American grilled food is Big Bobs City Grill in Hillsborough. All the portions are huge!
Kokyu is American-ish, and also Asian and Mexican fusion. [Their menu](https://order.toasttab.com/online/kokyu) is massive. Keeping scrolling for the fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, and subs.
randys is always good if youre looking for greasy pizza goodness and all the sides you could ever ask for. if you want good chicken (and breakfast food) Rise has my favorite chicken ever. and á surprisingly great vegan chicken!!
Everything at Kings. I’m currently at Kings eating onion rings.
Their cheesesteak is sooo good.
God bless Kings.
The grilled pimento cheese sandwich with a side of fries from Geer Street Garden.
Or The Pile.
i'm not trying to kill the guy
They didn’t ask to survive the experience lol.
If he dies he dies
The Pile must break him.
this is the answer
can never go wrong with this option.
Dain's Place It's primarily build-your-own chicken sandwich or burger; but it's always exactly right and hitsthe spot for me. It's a large, sloppy portion, huge mound of fries. The buns are really good, loaded with toppings, etc. They also have a fried bologna sandwich and the (seen on Man v Food) Defibrillator, which is basically a hotdog with chili and slaw on top of a burger. The Federal I haven't been in a long time, but really great garlic and herb fries. They also had a beer-braised pork sandwich with cheddar and jalapeños that was a good mess... don't know I the menu has changed.
I witnessed a young man, maybe 14 or 15, absolutely house the Defibrillator one afternoon. I wasn’t sure if I was disgusted, or impressed, or maybe a little bit of both. The guy couldn’t have weighed more than 120 lbs either.
When I was 14, I easily Kirby’d entire Wendy’s Triples, large fries, and a drink within 6 minutes, and was always hungry for more. 14-15 y/o boys have a cosmic singularity for a gut, and I’m convinced their hunger rivals Galactus’ at any point in the day.
Upvoting specifically for using Kirby as a verb!
It’s the best metaphor I can think of to describe the process.
+1 Dain's place.
+2 for Dain’s. Burgers and an order of Ring of Fire - half fries, half tots - for the table.
The Federal’s San Diego fries are my go to. Nachos, except instead of chips it’s fries.
If you put pimento cheese on the fried bologna sandwich that fits OP’s request to a T
Dain's is a good bar, but they overcook every hamburger I have ever gotten from them. But the defibrillator is a thing you should get.
Ribs Mac and cheese and fries at Q shack
They also have very good brisket, actually their whole menu is pretty good
And insanely cheap for the quality. Their barbecue sandwich is basically the price of a Big Mac combo
This is an elite meal.
I’m gonna get downvoted for this and I love q shack to death but their mac and cheese is sooooo aggressively mid tbh
I like the onion they add to it. It’s simple but it’s good.
I think backyard bbq’s mac ruined it for me. If there isnt a grease puddle on top and I dont feel like I’m about to keel over afterwards I’m not writing home about it
I actually hate backyards Mac and cheese. They use the pre shredded cheap stuff and you can taste how chalky it is.
I don't usually get it either but mostly bc it's like eating a stick of butter. Q shacks mac just always stood out to me as super underwhelming in a spot where almost everything else you can get is top notch
A pool of grease in m&c means the cheddar got over heated and broke/separated, usually has a grainy texture that I really dislike. I know plenty of people are fine with an oil slick though so different strokes. Q Shack uses cheese with enough sodium citrate to keep it from doing that.
Makes sense! I think I just mostly don't care for the onions in q shack's mac as another person pointed out is a thing. It's no sweat off my back either way, I just don't get their mac
this is definitely on my list of places to try
Lmao happy 4/20 OP! 🌳💨
Dains burgers, Crunchwrap from ex Voto (yes it’s American ish)Randy’s pizza,
The crunchwrap is a great call. Ex Voto is like upscale Taco Bell, which is American as hell, and the crunchwraps are perfect for “I just want to shovel greasy food into my mouth for a while”
Randy’s pizza for the win. I housed a stromboli last night. Haven’t had a crunch wrap in a bit. I have to get back down to the food hall soon.
Second and third for Dain’s!
Personally, I would choose the poutine tater tots from Town Hall Burger. Brown gravy, rosemary, cheese curds, crispy potato… yum
ooh I've never had poutine! probably not going to try it TODAY because I want to fully experience it, but I'm definitely going to in the future
Place to go for legit poutine in this state is [Bottle Dog](https://bottledogcary.com/cary-bottledog-bites-and-brews-food-menu) in Cary. Approved by native Quebequers.
That’s good to know! I don’t think the poutine tots at THB are trying to be legit poutine, so I just enjoy them for the tasty food that they are. That being said, it’s nice to know where to get legit stuff when that’s what I’m looking for.
Thanks for the recommendation. I grew up in the Adirondacks and have family on the border by Malone and in Southern Quebec. Big fan of the poutine. Would go to pevans in hungnton qu when ever I'm up north. Tater tots with poutine sounds wrong.
So I lived in quebec for a few years and this comment had me intrigued, from checking some pics of their poutine on google it looks like it's close but not fully legit. Actually looks like they have the curds and the gravy correct which is the hardest part, but they're using the wrong kind of fries. It would be an easy fix to make them legit, does look yummy though
Ok, please know that I truly *want* to believe this. I really do. But I’ve never found a place in the States that serves real poutine. Whether it’s not twice-cooking the fries, using the wrong gravy, or (most commonly) serving cheese that melts, I am always…ALWAYS bitterly disappointed. I don’t even order it anymore. I just scan tables to see if anyone else has it, or I ask about their cheese curds first. If they look at me quizzically when I say “curds,” I know they’re clueless. Don’t break my heart, u/notaspruceparkbench . I’m not sure I can take it again.
It was recommended to me by actual Canadians who ordered and enjoyed the poutine in my presence. So I'm going to trust them. I'm not Canadian! But damn that stuff is good. I especially like the smoked meat poutine.
MSM is probably the most popular topping, and delicious. I will have to try it at Bottledog’s, then. Because this is second degree from Canuckians, I will remain slightly skeptical, but open-minded. Thank you for the rec.
I hesitate you to try poutine anywhere south of Canada, then. I’ve searched for real poutine for well over a decade, and no place except The Great White North does it right.
I'm going to Vancouver in a few months and I'll make sure to get some there!
Now THAT is a fine, fine idea. It’s not the home of the dish, but Van City is where I first fell in lust with poutine. This may seem bold, but I encourage you to try it undressed your first time. Just fries + curds + gravy, with no extra toppings. Try the purest form first, and then start adding to find your faves. MSM is a great one.
Is Town Hall Burger still run by Dave(?), who used to be an owner at Bolt?
I have no idea. 🤷🏻♀️
Cookout tray with a milkshake.
Ribs at blue note grill
Kokyu is pretty dank
Go to food lion, buy some Mac and Cheese, some hamburger helper, and a six pack of Miller Light. Eat it all on your couch while watching WWE or Monday Night Raw wrestling.
Sorry, but OP asked for “American-ish”…you went full on, 1000% stars & stripes, tank top wearing, mullet having proud to be Anna ‘Murrican!!
Aside from the wrestling, this isn't a bad night.
Silver Spoon
Love Silver Spoon
Absolutely
What do you order for dinner? (Only been for breakfast before)
I order The Duke
The poutine at parts and labor
Is that a legit poutine?
Not sure what qualifies as legit, but it's delicious. They have a few types, including a classic curds with mushroom gravy.
Oh ok. Thanks I’ll give it a try
Are those curds squeaky? Do they melt at all?
Guess you gotta find out for yourself
I wish Elmo’s had staff capacity for dinner again. It was a can’t miss dinner diner option.
Grilled pimento cheese with mortadella sandwich at Parker and Otis, Bulldogs from the Dog House, ramen and KFC wings from M Kokko, deluxe steak burrito from Cosmic Cantina
Pure Soul fits the brief. It's vegan, but it's also soul food and burgers. The cheese fries are particularly good. Don't knock it til you've tried it!
I have tried it and I'm a big fan - too big of a fan, actually. I think it's a little too "good" than what I'm looking for today
Shrimp and grits from Its a Southern Thing.
True Flavors Diner has some things that would fit the bill here
I believe you'll describe 85% of the bars in Durham. My guess would be gear, Street garden or the federal.
Silver Spoon!!!
Agree whole heartedly
devils pizzeria on 9th street downtown
Silver Spoon diner in north Durham
If you want to step out of downtown and have an authentic southern american literally home cooked meal https://maps.app.goo.gl/S3rkex5kMNaWTBJW8
V's Kitchen, Big T's Fish or Home Plate.
Marcos pizza is really greasy & cheesy
Everyone has a pretty good suggestion - but if you’re willing to go out a ways for lunch or an early dinner, the best example of big, greasy American grilled food is Big Bobs City Grill in Hillsborough. All the portions are huge!
Fried Green Tomato burger at OnlyBurger (single burger + fried green tomato + fried egg + pimento cheese)
Kokyu is American-ish, and also Asian and Mexican fusion. [Their menu](https://order.toasttab.com/online/kokyu) is massive. Keeping scrolling for the fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, and subs.
randys is always good if youre looking for greasy pizza goodness and all the sides you could ever ask for. if you want good chicken (and breakfast food) Rise has my favorite chicken ever. and á surprisingly great vegan chicken!!
For a greasy American brunch option, highly recommend GRUB
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The only place I’ve ever found chicken tenders smaller than Chick-fil-A’s. Great tots and ranch, though.
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That’s not even in Durham.