NOFO @ The Pig Cafe — Local services in Raleigh

First restaurant during my visit to Raleigh in January 2015. It just so happened to be the Triangle (area) Restaurant Week. I love a good restaurant week! However, it seems like the people of Raleigh aren't as into it as us Austinites. A three course meal for $20 in Raleigh at a nice restaurant...don't know what is not to love!

The interior of NOFO is pretty cool, very bright, and open. It used to be a piggly wiggly grocery store and there are pictures of the old store around the restaurant as well as a big mural when you enter/exit the correct door. There is also a marketplace upstairs but it was closed when we arrived for dinner.

We arrived (via the wrong entrance oops) at Nofu and it wasn't too packed. We did have a reservation which was nice and they had a table saved for us. It did take awhile for the hostess to arrive as she had stepped away. The other employees did not know where our table was going to be etc. After getting seated it took awhile for someone to come over and take our drink order. They had $5 wine specials so of course I had a glass of wine.

My course selections: 1st course: fried green tomatoes which were delicious! I 2nd course: blue plate special of the night which was Meatloaf with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans. Wow this was a lot of food...it was good but I ate half of it which was kind of a waste as I didn't take it with me. Dessert: Cranberry Pound Cake. I am not sure why I ordered this but I think I wanted something different from what my friend ordered which was something with chocolate. In hindsight I should have went with the chocolate. This wasn't that great. Luckily I was full and couldn't eat much...

NOFO @ the Pig is a great Southern diner/restaurant inside an old Piggly Wiggly supermarket. The experience was fabulous. The service was great, the portions were a good size and the atmosphere was zany. What more could you ask for; okay, a unique gift shop just up the stairs!

Our party of four had the Kale Caesar Salad, two orders of the Chicken Salad Plate, and the Grilled Chicken Club. The Kale Caesar was prepared with crisp curly kale, Romaine, house Caesar dressing, aged Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, and croutons. A grilled homemade spinach patty was an add-on to top off the salad.

Two of us enjoyed the Chicken Salad Plate which was accompanied by a choice of two sides. One of us went with fruit and country ham rolls. The other had sweet potato fries and cucumber salad.

Our last choice was the Grilled Chicken Club arrived with Nahunta ham, grilled chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon, Provolone, sharp cheddar, tomato, greens, and Cajun mayo on toasted Wheatberry bread slices.

We all enjoyed our food and time spent at NOFO and look forward to dining there again. This is one establishment you don't want to miss. We think of NOFO as a destination not to be missed the next time you're in...

Loved this place! It has a southern, quirky feel. We parked in the back and entered through a downstairs exit and were seated quickly. If you go on a rainy day, they seat people upstairs in the shop area which feels super special. That area can also be rented out for baby showers, and other events. The upstairs is a shop that has extremely cute and fun products of every kind. They have fridges throughout with cakes, and jams. They have a kitchen section, stationary section, board game section, toy section, jewelry section and so much more! Each product feels hand-picked and thought-out and will make you fall in love or chuckle! The staff is very very conversational and friendly.

The food was really good. Not a lot to choose from because each dish is thoughtfully chosen for the menu and amazing. I'd recommend the breakfast burrito, pork hash, or fried green tomatoes. Their lattes are super yummy too!

Update: Still love this place and come here frequently. It's become our go-to must visit place that we take visiting friends to! They have about it! P.s. you won't regret trying the sweet potato fries. They're the best I've ever had. If you don't see it on the...