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Welcome To It's a Southern thing - Downtown Durham
It's a Southern Thing - Downtown Durham offers a delightful taste of southern cuisine nestled in the heart of Durham, North Carolina. The establishment's charm resonates through its creative menu, featuring shareable snacks like Fried Waffle Balls and Fried Green Tomatoes layered with homemade pimento cheese. Their signature dishes, such as the Jalapeno Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich, highlight the rich flavors of southern cooking. With an inviting atmosphere, this eatery is perfect for brunch or lunch, showcasing the warmth and hospitality synonymous with southern culture. Each bite transports you to a place where comfort food meets culinary innovation—truly a must-visit for food lovers!
About
It's a Southern thing - Downtown Durham
If you find yourself wandering the vibrant streets of Downtown Durham, make sure to stop by It's a Southern Thing. Nestled at 605 W Main St, this gem invites you to indulge in the heart and soul of Southern cuisine. A haven for food lovers, the restaurant promises a memorable culinary experience brimming with flavor and nostalgia.
The menu reads like a love letter to Southern comfort food, featuring an array of dishes designed to delight the senses. For a delightful snack that perfectly captures Southern flavors, try the Fried Waffle Balls served with honey butter and syrup—these delightful bites embody the playful spirit of the kitchen, delightfully crisp yet fluffy. Their Fried Green Tomatoes are equally impressive; hand-breaded and layered with homemade pimento cheese, they come alive with a drizzle of roasted garlic ranch and a side of rich bacon jam.
As you explore the brunch menu, prepare to be dazzled. The Flapjack “Charcuterie” Board showcases silver dollar pancakes served charcuterie-style, paired with savory breakfast meats and sweet homemade accompaniments. Then there's Pete’s “Fat Kid” Breakfast Sandwich—a glorious concoction of pulled pork, bacon, and a fried egg, crowned with bourbon BBQ sauce that elevates this sandwich to an unforgettable level. This is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.
- Jalapeno Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich: This brilliant creation features a crispy chicken breast infused with jalapeno brine, topped with homemade pickles and a rich roasted garlic ranch. Served alongside a choice of hash browns, grits, or collards, it’s the epitome of Southern comfort.
- Not Your “Basic” Avocado Toast: Thick Texas toast topped with a zesty avocado mash and fried egg—it's hearty, fresh, and bursting with flavors that celebrate Southern produce.
Great food deserves great company, and It’s a Southern Thing creates an inviting atmosphere that blends charm and warmth, making it perfect for family gatherings or a brunch date with friends. Whether you are a brunch aficionado or a lunch enthusiast, every dish invites you to relish life’s simple pleasures.
So, if you find yourself in Durham, don’t miss the chance to indulge in the Southern delights at It’s a Southern Thing. Their culinary creations promise to leave you smiling, perhaps thinking about your next visit even before you finish your meal. Call them at +1 919-294-9632 for inquiries or reservations, and get ready for a journey through the flavors of the South, right in the heart of Downtown Durham.
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“ It's a Southern Thing did such an amazing job planning and executing our rehearsal dinner this past Friday in their private room! The food was absolutely delicious (we got a TON of compliments), and the drinks were incredible. The service was also so friendly and seamless, and they made everything seem effortless (though of course it wasn't!). The event was exactly as we had hoped it would be, and it was the most wonderful start to our wedding weekend! ”
“ My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of visiting for our first time this evening. The customer service was impeccable! We felt so welcomed as soon as we entered. Our experience only got better because Renee was our server! She was genuinely sweet, very attentive, and also had great menu suggestions! We started with the crab dip, had shrimp and grits and the blackened chicken Mac and cheese! Everything was perfect! Management is so attentive and we appreciated them checking on their guests as well! The food was delicious and we are already planning to visit again soon! We attended a concert later this evening at Carolina theater. We took a Lyft to the restaurant and walked about five minutes to the venue! The location was perfect! Thank you all for making this evening one of our best. Looking forward to visiting again soon! Possibly this week! ”
“ Amazing restaurant, staff, and the BBQ staff was some of the best and I’ve ever had! BBQ pulled pork was awesome! Mac and Cheese was delicious! They also have great daily specials on food and drinks. Kendra took care of me and was very friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone in the Durham area. ”
“ What an excellent lunch our workgroup had here! Amazing food, fantastic service and a cool atmosphere! I had the shrimp and grits. Damn tasty. Only drawback to this place is that they auto gratuity for any size table. Management needs to understand that tipping is not mandatory and is based on quality. This comes from a former restaurant owner manager. Only downside to an otherwise excellent visit. ”
“ Me and my husband had to come to chapel Gil for an appointment . Just happen to come across this restaurant.words can’t describe enough on how incredible the food is. Highly recommend for anyone coming through to stop and eat at this restaurant. Name fits the food ”
“ Food came out in less than 10minutes which was very surprising since they had a sizeable full restaurant and private party in the back. Dinner was great, fresh hot and plated well!! Burger seemed to have nice smoked bacon strip and super cheesy. The shrimp and grits were not overly spicy and very flavorful steel grits. The half chicken was a star, grilled very crispy skin with some slight spice heat on it but the chicken brine made extremely moist, definitely one of the best half chickens I've had. Very nice restaurant for date night. Will certainly be back. It's only 3minutes from Durham Performing Arts Center. ”
“ Slid in for a birthday lunch today with my husband and daughter! We were seated immediately in the only quiet corner, and we were thankful! Our waitress was courteous, peompt, and knowledgeable. Several of the ladies had so cute interactions with our daughter, which always makes us happy! THE FOOD WAS OUTRAGEOUS. Seriously. I got the Cajun salmon cake Benedict and my husband got the southern fried steak. Holy smokes. Get them, get them! We can't wait to go back! ”
“ Absolutely amazing and delicious! We had mac&cheese and chicken, fried catfish over rice and beans, garlicy green beans on the side, sparkling wine and key lime pie. Wow, so so tasty, this was a dinner we needed after a busy work week. Will definitely be back. We also loved the ambiance, and got to sit in a nice comfortable booth. Made a reservation on the same night. The staff was friendly, one of the best meals in Durham we've had over the last year :) ”