The Chick-fil-A didn’t fail. The building was purchased and then was going to be renovated. The landlord raised the rents significantly and Chick-fil-A immediately closed for that reason. I believe that was the same reason that the Carolina Cafe closed. (and Sam and Wally’s if you want to go back that far).
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It’s so freaking good.
Went for the 2nd time Sunday night and was the only table at 8:00. And it was great
& @Nickster really? Of all the possible chains on your wishlist and y’all are suggesting Panera?? THEEE worst “fast casual” / borderline hospital food ??? 
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It’s really not that expensive. My bill from Sunday
Starter Mac and cheese ariancini
Pickle juice Caesar
Signature pizza (sausage alla vodka)
2 glasses of $13 wine (most expensive glass on the red list)
Pumpkin spice tiramisu
$85
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Umm… $85 is over half of our weekly grocery budget for a family of 5… just saying.
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I’m gonna sound like an AC fanboy here in a second…
But I really think Pooleside suffered from “gentrification” stigma. I certainly view AC concepts that way…
But after eating there Sunday and comparing the quality to the prices… I’m sad they’re closing…
Pooleside:
Vic’s
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I think my Piggie half did a horrible job repping Taco Bamba (@GucciLittlePig doesn’t have the same love for tacos as I do). Yes, they’ve got a flashy menu with some wild taco options (some of which are actually really good). They still have some legit tacos options with the plus side of meeting that authenticity that some folks may look for (tongue anyone?). Also, who doesn’t love a really good margarita? It’s hard not to go there every time we have to do the grocery shopping.
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Ok yes this was much more enticing an endorsement. I will be trying very soon, will report back.
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Taco Bamba is a chain. Chido is not which means every dime I spend stays in Raleigh & North Carolina.
i have been to both as well. No difference except Chido actually was willing to invest in Downtown Raleigh…yet another difference & why you should support Chido…
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Chido was also exceptionally delicious. The quesabirria was on point. I’m happy to have a taco place on my DTR adventures as well as on my mundane grocery trips. Tacos everywhere! 
Chido has the benefit of being on Fayetteville St and a view of our lovely Capital Square building rising in the distance. It’s quickly becoming (has already become?) a prominent landmark in the skyline.
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Different strokes, no doubt. My first kid is on the way, so we’re soaking in dining-out while we can.
Our weekly grocery budget is probably $100 or less at the moment, and we really value quality/local food.
Same goes for restaurants…
In my world, $85 is spot on if not surprisingly low for a date-night dinner including wine and desert at a restaurant that buys from local vendors (I used to sell produce to AC in a previous life) and pays good wages while providing obviously effective training.
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Where in the heck are you shopping weekly for $170, family or not…?
Definitely not downtown 
Somehow we have figured out how to make it work.
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Panera sucks.
Ted’s, Cheesecake Factory (CityNerd approved), Barnes&Noble, REI are the kinds of chains I’d try to attract.
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Give me a downtown Chili’s
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Buddy and I had a similar discussion about pricing out the pizza crowd when he blurted out “Gumby Dammit!” and in response I went to Gumby’s website and their specialty pizzas START at $20!
edit: looks like @evan.j.bost already made my point
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Yea, but did you actually eat Gumby’s? Were you sober? Was it daylight and not 3am? Because I’ve never experienced that.
Poolsides was great, but unless you find a model where your to-go pizza is equally as good when you finally get home, it’s tough to survive as a sit down pizza place. Their pizza didn’t travel well for some reason like capital creations or Oakwood.
Speaking of, Capital Creations shut it down this past weekend…
Pompieri, another Durm Neopolitan spot focused on hyper local ingredients, is hanging it up because the landlord (Northpond / Loden, who likely won’t be adding value-oriented retail to their City Market redevelopments in the future based on this example ) intends to double the rent with the next lease cycle… 
Man, I’ve been saying that on this forums forever. Glad to have sown backup . Chains ain’t all bad.
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Honestly, Poole’side Pies isn’t a pizzeria. Comparing them that way isn’t really productive.
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