Happy + Hale — Restaurant in Durham

UPDATE 29JUL2025: Decided to give it one more shot. There’s even less food in the bowl than last time. Barely any rice. Tofu pieces are somehow even smaller and no longer breaded. The curry tastes like mayonnaise. The quality of the food continues to decline, and the owner’s responses to reviews just sidestep the problem instead of taking ownership for these stupid, cost-cutting measures. This food is HORRIBLE. I will never give money to this establishment again. —————— UPDATE 05MAR2025: Quality of the ingredients at Happy + Hale seems to be deteriorating. Today, the green curry in the coco curry bowl tastes like it came out of a can. The tofu pieces are tiny and incredibly underwhelming, compared to how they used to look (nicely breaded and fried/baked). Portions are getting smaller and smaller (See photo), as noted by several customers on who reviewed the Ninth Street location. See photo for reference - bowl was no even half full. Overall disappointing and definitely not worth $15. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Ordered online for pickup at Happy + Hale. First time in. The food was excellent - coco curry bowl with tofu. Really enjoyed the flavors and fresh ingredients. Curry was spicy! The interior of the store was kind of barren, but I guess it doesn't need to have more than a few tables/chairs, the service counter, and drink station. The staff were polite but didn't seem jovial. Excessive happiness is not required, but it does make me wonder if the place isn't a great establishment at...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Happy Hale, and I must say, it was a truly delightful experience. The two standout dishes that left a lasting impression on me were the Hale Caesar and Thai Chicken Crunch.

The Hale Caesar salad was a refreshing and satisfying option. The combination of crisp romaine lettuce, savory Caesar dressing, perfectly cooked chicken, and a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese created a harmonious blend of flavors that had my taste buds dancing with joy. The balance of textures and the thoughtfully crafted dressing elevated this classic dish to new heights.

As for the Thai Chicken Crunch, it was an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. The chicken was expertly cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The infusion of Thai-inspired spices and herbs provided a tantalizing kick that was balanced by the crunchiness of the dish. The play between the crunchy exterior and the succulent interior of the chicken made for an unforgettable culinary experience.

By the end of my meal, my stomach was not only full but also content with the delectable offerings from Happy Hale. The combination of the Hale Caesar's satisfying taste and the Thai Chicken Crunch's delightful textures ensured that my cravings for both flavor and crunch were expertly satisfied. If you're looking for a place that offers a perfect blend of taste and texture, Happy Hale is definitely...

This location has lots of indoor and outdoor seating, which I really appreciated. I also love that they have the option to place an order via the app and earn rewards, which I do not believe they have at the Ninth Street location. I ordered the Hale Caesar salad. This is my favorite menu item since they got rid of the Ensalota. My only complaint about this visit is that they drenched the salad with dressing. There was so much dressing that I could not finish it and ended up throwing the unfinished portion away. I wanted to come here because I was looking for a healthy lunch option, but it didn't seem quite so healthy with all the dressing. That's one of the downsides to placing an order via the mobile app. You are not able to actually see them making your order, which means you are unable to modify it. If you're looking for a healthy meal option with ample seating, give Happy...