A word from Chef Patrick

July is here and the North Carolina produce is in full swing. Zucchini, yellow squash, snap beans, sweet corn and many other items are plentiful this time of year. One of my favorites is tomatoes. German Johnsons, Mr. Stripeys, Yellow Teardrops, and other Heirloom tomatoes help define summer for me. Don’t let their odd shapes distract you. These tomatoes are packed with a whollup of flavor. “Heirloom” refers to the fact that the tomato has not been cross-bred with other types or genetically altered; this sacrifices the uniform sizing and color, but intensifies the flavor profile. I have always liked to keep dishes using these tomatoes very simple so their natural flavor shines through. Look for them being highlighted in upcoming features at both locations.

Soup on a hot summer day? Why not! But who says it has to be hot? I can’t begin to tell you how refreshing a nice chilled soup is during the summertime. Sweet Potato Vichysoisse, Chilled Green Apple Bisque, Blueberry-Mint-Yogurt, and Yellow Tomato Gazpacho are just a few that we will be featuring at Tobacco Road Sports Café in the near future. These all score a home run when paired with a salad or sandwich.

Gluten Free Menu

We are proud to bring our customers a 100% gluten-free menu offering delicious entrees and starters. Here at Tobacco Road there is always something for everyone no matter what your eating habit and diet is. When you come visit us, please ask your server to see our gluten-free menu. Enjoy a satisfying meal from our selection below.

STARTERS

Hummus Sampler Platter

Black eyed-pea hummus, lima bean hummus and traditional hummus with squash, and cucumbers. $7

Wolfpack Wings

Smothered in one of our house-made sauces and served with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Available sauces include: Spicy Thai, Teriyaki, Original Buffalo and BBQ. All sauces available in “extremely hot.” $8

Pub Fries

House-made french fries and sweet potato chips served with cinnamon dipping sauce, black currant Kerala Curry aioli, and chipotle ketchup. $6

Tobacco Road House Salad 

Mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, red onions, grape tomatoes, and balsamic basil vinaigrette. $5

Strawberry and Pecan Salad 

Mixed field greens, candied pecans, blueberries, strawberries and blueberry-mint-white

balsamic vinaigrette. $7

Tomato Basil Soup

Garnished with parmesan cheese. Bowl $5 Cup $3

MAIN PLATES

Cobb Salad
Grilled chicken, eggs, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, bleu cheese and balsamic basil vinaigrette. $13
Down East Shrimp Salad Plate
Served on mixed greens and accompanied with local tomatoes and cucumbers. $12
Four Corners Salad Plate
Tomato-Basil Salad, Southern Caviar and Potato Salad served with your choice of Down East Shrimp Salad or Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. $11
BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Dry rubbed, cooked slowly and basted with a sweet & spicy BBQ sauce. Your choice of side. $12 Full Rack: $19
Jambalaya
Tasso ham, andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken, peppers, onions, tomato, and rice. $13
Georgia Peach BBQ Chicken
Grilled chicken brushed with our peach BBQ sauce. Served with sweet potato mash and green beans. $12
Fish or Lamb Southwest Lettuce Wrap
Chilled Iceberg lettuce filled with your choice of chili rubbed fish or pulled braised lamb, roasted ancho corn slaw, avocado lime sauce & pico de gallo. Served with black beans & rice. $13
Grilled NY Strip
12 oz. Certified Angus Beef® NY Strip accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and tomato-balsamic chutney. $18
Shrimp and Grits
Sautéed shrimp and country ham on white cheddar cheese grits with chipotle gravy. $14
Greek Lemon Chicken
Grilled chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes, spinach, feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and lemon caper beurre blanc. $12
Pan Seared Catfish
Carolina Meadows Catfish served with hoppin’ john, cole slaw and remoulade. $12


*Most all of our sandwiches and burgers are a wonderful gluten-free option when served without the bread.


To view our full menu, click here. 

New Menu in Raleigh and Durham

Fried Green Tomatoes Appetizer

We've just launched a new menu, featuring all of your old favorites plus a few more yummy options, including:

• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Hummus Sampler Platter
• Strawberry and Candied Pecan Salad
• Down East Shrimp Salad Plate
• Four Corners Salad Plate
• Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
• Wake Forest Grinder
• Cornmeal Crusted Fried Catfish
• Grilled NY Strip
• Orrechiette Pasta
• Turkey Burger
• NC Bison Burger

Click here to view the new menu. 

Local Vendor Spotlight: Aviator Brewing Company

We are excited to feature Aviator Brewing Company as our first local vendor spotlight. We feature Aviator beers at our Raleigh and Durham locations. Aviator Brewing Company brings us delicious beers from right down the road, in Fuquay Varina.

Aviator Brewing Company has been flowing great local beers since opening their doors in November 2008. The original brewery located in an old airplane hangar (hence “Aviator”) housed the brewery, which at the time was brewing into two used dairy tanks. These 300 gallon tanks would soon not be able to hold the demand for Aviator, who began distributing to Triangle area bars within the first two months of existence. In fact neither would the hanger.

In April 2010 the brewery uprooted from its hanger at Triple W airport to a location four miles away. The past year has been a busy one for Aviator as they have moved distribution throughout the state as far west as Asheville, which boasts a big Aviator following at the local bars. They added three new fermentation tanks and a 22 oz. bottling system, making Aviator even that more attainable for the folks of the Triangle.

Through this change, one thing has remained the same, Aviator’s commitment to brewing delicious high quality beers. This commitment has won them the title of Triangle Arts & Entertainments Readers Choice Award for Best Brewery in the Triangle, as well as gold, silver, and two bronze medals in the NC Championship of beers in 2011; gold for their Saison, silver for their Belgian Tripel, and bronze for their Red and California Common Beers.

Look for Aviator’s beer selections at both our Raleigh and Durham stores, as they remain staples on our draft selection! Interested in having an Aviator beer, perhaps for the first time? Think about pairing it with these amazing dishes…

Saison de Aviator: 6.4% ABV- Spring Seasonal, A Belgian beer style with pilsner malts, mis-kilned malts, coriander and sweet orange peel. Unfiltered and golden in color this beer is slightly higher in carbonation and tastes of fruity Trappist yeast.
Suggested Menu Pairing: Tar Heel Lamb Wrap OR the Strawberry and Candied Pecan Salad

Devil’s Trampling Ground Tripel: 9.2 % ABV- A hearty Tripel Belgian ale. Golden in color with a fruity spicy flavor that finishes sweet. The Trampling Ground is light tasting from the addition of candy sugar, but don’t worry just the right amount of hops to balance out that sweetness.
Suggested Menu Pairing: Tuscan Chicken Sandwich or Greek Lemon Chicken

Check out the Aviator Brewing Company website for more info. Have a favorite local beer you'd like to see featured at Tobacco Road, just email us to let us know.

Entertainment Book Coupons Not Accepted

FYI we no longer accept Entertainment Book coupons. This marks the second year that Entertainment has issued them without our consent. Last year, we accepted them as a courtesy to our guests. Unfortunately, we will not be able to do that again, this year.

We encourage you to contact them with any questions or concerns: (888)-231-7283. Thank you for your understanding!

Table Tennis Media Tournament

In case you didn't know, Cary, NC is kind of a big deal in the competitive table tennis world. In fact, Cary will host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for table tennis from February 8-12 at Bond Park Community Center. These trials will feature the top 40 players in the US vying for a spot on the 2012 US Olympic Team.

That is pretty cool, but what does that have to do with Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, you might ask. Well, in anticipation for the event, 11 members of the local media (radio, tv, web and print) will be playing in their own table tennis tournament on January 13th. This media tournament will take place at our Raleigh location on Glenwood Ave. It begins at 7 pm and the public is invited to come out as spectators to this unique event.

Here's the list of the fierce competitors:

• Mark Armstrong, WTVD TV 11
• J. Mike Blake, Cary News
• Page Crawford, WNCN NBC 17
• Luke DeCock, News & Observer
• Penn Holderness, WNCN NBC 17
• Chuck Kaiton, Carolina Hurricanes
• Mike Maniscalco, 99.9 The Fan
• Derek Medlin, WRAL.com
• Joe Ovies, 99.9 The Fan
• Tisha Powell, WTVD TV 11
• Mark Thomas, 99.9 The Fan

Don't miss out on what is sure to be a competitive and certainly comical affair!

New Year's Eve Reservations

With so much focus on the holidays, New Year's Eve always seems to sneak up on us. Inevitably, the evening comes and we haven't made plans. Get a jump-start on your New Year’s Resolution to quit procrastinating, and book your New Year’s Eve dinner reservations today. In Durham, Tobacco Road Sports Café has an offer you cannot resist. We will have a four-course meal for just $30 per person. But don’t let this amazing bargain fool you, all four courses (described below) will be prepared with fresh, delicious ingredients.

We are accepting reservations for parties of 4 or more, and will have seatings at 6:30 and 9pm. Book your reservation in advance and you can pre-order a bottle of Domaine champagne for just $15 (that’s a 55% savings!) to properly toast the New Year, or upgrade to a bottle of Veuve for $60.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu

First Course (to share):

Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls

Fried Green Tomatoes with roasted red pepper aioli and basil pesto

Pan Seared Scallops with arugula salad and vanilla black pepper syrup

Second Course:

Cup of soup

Caesar Salad

House Salad

Third Course:

Grilled NY Strip - Tomato Chutney, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans

Pan Seared Salmon - Peppered Cranberry Coulis, Asparagus, Sautéed Butternut Squash

Greek Lemon Chicken - Grilled Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Spinach, Feta and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Fourth Course:

Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Napoleon

Mango Crème Brulee

Call 919-449-4899 to make your reservation.