I believe that spot is already accounted for too. That’s where Hone-Sharpen will be going. I believe it’s supposed to be a “cooking education” place?
So Fastmed is either going next to Madre or in the Heat spot. I really hope it’s the Heat spot. A high end restaurant next to customers with the flu & covid doesn’t sound appealing lol.
I also wonder if the Indian restaurant is no more? They used to be listed on this website Retail - A Downtown Raleigh Destination - Smoky Hollow
Also Heat has been removed the website as well.
IMO, and as someone who once designed a strip center many years ago, it’s because the Publix doesn’t face the rest of the hollow. It’s disconnected from the rest of the project and retailers that might ordinarily want to be in a place that also has a grocery store usually want to have their store visible to the grocer’s customer base.
Lagana is open in the former Rainbow Luncheonette spot on West Street.
“More than burgers”
“fine casual experience”
Menu:
Well then…ngl, that’s a waste of a huge space, IMO. How many people do they expect to attend cooking classes on a regular basis? Does a niche business like that really warrant the use one of the largest retail spaces in the entire development? FastMed made a lot more sense, but if not them, I was hoping for either a fun/entertainment-type venue, or some type of traditional retail store (somewhere you can actually shop, like @Jake was saying).
Yeahhh I’m 99% sure that means it’s wrap for Alaksha and Heat opening up in Smoky Hollow. Maybe that oversized cooking studio can take over Alaksha’s spot instead now lol. (I know they won’t)
Heat has confirmed a new location being announced Monday per today’s announcement:
Wow that’s expensive! I wonder how many are going to make the trek to that out-of-the way location to pay those prices?
Is it? Seems comparable to any other fancy burger place in town. Both PR and Standard are same range for example.
John you can afford $16 burgers.
Actually, I wouldn’t call a place with a $10.25 burger (PR) the same price as a place that starts them at $16 with their standard one at $18.
Also, $10 yucca fries?
Let’s see how this plays out.
I was comparing it to PR’s specialty 6oz burgers, which are all $15+. The Gabby (4oz) is still $14 and probably smaller than these. The $10.25 burger at PR is 4oz and only has basic toppings.
That said, if ‘fancy burger’ isn’t appealing (and honestly for me at this point, they’re getting old) then yeah it’s not gonna be a good place for you. I have to limit red meat so when I want a burger I’ll just be going to Standard, myself, as theirs is top notch.
The fries are egregious. I’d prefer just potato fries that ought to be cheap. Standard wins there too (not exactly cheap, but not trying too hard).
When you eat out, it’s a combination of the food & the overall experience. I’m curious what they are offering in that regard. As proven by previous attempts, the particular location is a challenge right now, and I’d suspect that one way to overcome that is to entice folks with reasons to go there. IMO, the price point doesn’t seem to be one of those enticements.
From the link, we don’t know if their burger even comes with a side. If it does, then it mitigates a bit, but you are correct that there are lots places to get an elevated burger in Raleigh, and I’m also likely to choose a location that offers me something more like the view from Wye Hill (burger & fries for 17.75) or a sidewalk dining experience like the PR (Bernie burger with bacon + fries for $16.50).
How do you compare Gussies to Standard for a Burger?
Haven’t tried Gussies. Standard’s has got just enough heat, good onions, and a nice sauce, not much more to it, but I enjoy the simplicity. From Gussie’s menu it sounds like they’re nearly identical, probably comes down to execution.
I could compare it to, say, Mama Crow’s – which isn’t bad, but the cooked/char ratio is usually off, and much respect to Union Special but I don’t feel their brioche lives up to a simple toasted Martin’s roll.
The proliferation of sweet potato and yucca fries as an excuse to charge more are so silly. They don’t taste even close to as good as regular potato fries.
I don’t even like yuca fries, but I’m a huge fan of tostones!
I think very similar - Gussie’s feels a bit more “special” while Standard’s reminds me of the best version of like a greasy fast-food burger. They are still very similar and both are very good, but I think I’d give the nod to Gussie’s at this point. Their fries are also way better than Standard’s.
Sounds like my monthly burger (curse high cholesterol) will have to be Gussie’s. You sold me.
I love Standard fries on a good day, on a bad day (poor seasoning) they’re pretty mediocre. I usually stick with tots now since they’re reliable.