Duke University Area

[FranDaMan]

My father-in-law has some tests next week at Duke and my wife and I are headed down from Western NY. I need some input on eateries in that area (already did a search here and will look into Changs).

Probably more problematic will be the twelve hours driving there. Since I can no longer just hit a fast food place on the fly while getting gasoline I need suggestions for mid-Pennsylvania as well. We'll be doing the I-15 to I-11 to I-95 corridor and heading through DC (shudder).

There is a huge buffet place on the way, I believe near Lewisburg? Perhaps I can graze safely there? Pre-gluten-free it was a regular stop now I just don't know.

Any info is appreciated.

[lizard00]

I'm in Raleigh, and don't know too much about gluten-free eating in Durham, but here's a link that may be helpful.

Open Original Shared Link

It's got a few restaurant and grocery store reviews on it. Hope it helps a bit.

[FranDaMan]

Actually that helps quite a bit as there are links to various restaurants in the area that either are gluten-free or willing to try.

Thanks so much.

[cyberprof]

Thanks I was just going to post this. I'm going to Duke and UNC for daughter's college trip next week (she's been admitted to UNC and will hear from Duke 3/26 this thursday!).

~Laura

[GFLisa]

I'm also in Raleigh, so not much help with finding food around Duke. However, worst case scenario you can drive out here and we have plenty of places with gluten-free options.

One thing I do when traveling is try to stay at Homewood Suites (by Hilton) or Townplaces by Marriott since they have full kitchens. That might not be an option for you now though. Once I have lodging figured out I'll go to my favorite gluten-free product sites and look for their store locator. From there I can usually get a good idea of what grocery store or health food store I have a good chance at finding food so that I don't starve. We have Whole Foods, Earth Fare (is in Raleigh, near the Durham border), Kroger, which all have plentiful gluten-free selections. I also find some gluten-free items in Harris Teeter and Food Lion.

I used to live in the DC area, both in MD and VA. Unfortunately there are not a ton of places that I can think of to stop on that route. I know there is a Qdoba in Fredricksburg, VA that is not far off the highway. North of that I'm really not too sure. I usually look up Qdoba and Chipotle and write out the addresses so that if I do need to stop for food I can find them. You might want to pull up Wendy's website too, they have plenty of gluten-free options like baked potatoes and some of their salads. It shouldn't be too hard to find a Wendy's since they usually have signs on the highway.

[cyberprof]

I just got back from North Carolina. We ate at several places:

Uno's Pizza at the Raleigh restaurant -- perfect two times

Mama Dips in Chapel Hill -- great Southern/soul food on Rosemary Street (behind Franklin) in area right by the UNC campus. I had the barbeque pork, black-eyed peas and broccoli and vanilla ice cream for desert. The sweet southern gal who was our waitress was very helpful.

Chipotle in Chapel Hill -- I've never had a problem at Chipotle as long as I have the preparer change into fresh gloves. I had the burrito bowl with pork, regular salsa (their website says that the hot salsa has gluten).

Ye Olde Waffle House -- I know this sounds impossible...but it's true. It's on Franklin street too. I had grits, two eggs and bacon and they used clean skillets for the eggs.

[lizard00]

Mama Dips in Chapel Hill -- great Southern/soul food on Rosemary Street (behind Franklin) in area right by the UNC campus. I had the barbeque pork, black-eyed peas and broccoli and vanilla ice cream for desert. The sweet southern gal who was our waitress was very helpful.

I've wanted to try Mama Dips for awhile, but was a little unsure. Thanks for posting your experience, maybe I'll get out that way one of these days

[Puddy]

I visited my sister in Durham last September and we ate at a Carrabba's one night. I'm not sure of the exact location. It was close to Duke though because we went for a ride there after dinner.

[cyberprof]

I've wanted to try Mama Dips for awhile, but was a little unsure. Thanks for posting your experience, maybe I'll get out that way one of these days

You're welcome. My daughter is actually going to attend UNC in the fall, so I'll be there a lot. It was her first trip down South (I was raised in Alabama) and she wanted to experience real Southern food. She begged me to go to Mama Dips and I was skeptical, but it was wonderful. A real treat.

Travelling is getting easier for me...

~Laura