You’ve probably driven past it a dozen times without even blinking. It’s sitting there on North Bloodworth Street, looking like a quiet, white-painted relic of a Raleigh that doesn't really exist anymore. Side Street Raleigh NC—or more accurately, the Side Street Restaurant—is one of those places that feels like a glitch in the simulation of a rapidly "New South" city. While downtown Raleigh is currently eating itself alive with glass-box condos and $18 craft cocktails, Side Street just stays... Side Street.
It’s small. Kinda cramped, honestly.
But if you want to understand the actual DNA of the City of Oaks, you have to look at the spots that refused to change when the tech money started rolling in. This isn't just a sandwich shop. It’s the oldest house in the Historic Oakwood District, and it's been serving the neighborhood since 1979. In a world of QR code menus and "concept" eateries, it’s a refreshing slap in the face of authenticity.
The Side Street Raleigh NC Vibe Check
Walking in feels like stepping into your grandmother’s parlor, if your grandmother happened to be a savvy businesswoman who made a mean chicken salad. The walls are covered in cross-stitch, vintage photos, and random memorabilia that would probably be labeled "kitsch" in a modern bistro. Here, it’s just the decor.
There’s a specific smell to the place—yeasty bread, old wood, and maybe a hint of the homemade desserts cooling in the back. Mary Lu Wooten started this place over forty years ago, and she’s still a presence there. You don't get that at the shiny new food halls. You get a legacy.
Most people coming for Side Street Raleigh NC for the first time are looking for the "Oakwood" experience. They want the charm of the Victorian neighborhood without the $1.2 million price tag of the house next door. You can get that for the price of a sandwich and a slice of pie.
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What You’re Actually Eating
Let's talk about the food because, frankly, the menu is a bit of a time capsule. You aren't going to find avocado toast or deconstructed anything.
- The Sandwiches: They have names like the "Oakwood," the "Governor," and the "Executive." It’s basically high-quality meats on good bread.
- The Chicken Salad: People lose their minds over this. It’s the classic Southern style—not too much celery, not too much mayo, just right.
- The Desserts: This is where things get serious. They have a rotating board of pies and cakes. If you see the Mississippi Mud cake or the peanut butter pie, just buy it. Don't think. Just do it.
The portions are generous. You'll leave feeling full, but not in that gross, fast-food way. It’s comfort food that actually comforts.
Why Historic Oakwood Matters
You can't talk about Side Street Raleigh NC without talking about the ground it sits on. Oakwood is the only intact 19th-century neighborhood in Raleigh. After the Civil War, this was where the prominent families built their homes. Then, in the mid-20th century, the city almost leveled the whole thing to build a highway.
Luckily, the neighborhood fought back.
Today, Side Street acts as the informal gateway to this history. It’s located at 225 N Bloodworth St. It survived the urban renewal era, the 2008 crash, and the pandemic. It’s a survivor. When you sit in one of those wooden chairs, you're sitting in a space that has heard decades of Raleigh gossip—from political maneuverings at the State Capitol just blocks away to the local drama of the Oakwood Garden Club.
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Honestly, the parking is a nightmare. You’re going to have to circle the block. You’ll probably end up walking a bit past some of the most beautiful Victorian architecture in the South, which isn't exactly a hardship.
The "Secret" to the Longevity
Why do people keep coming back? It’s not the fastest service in the world. The kitchen is tiny.
The secret is the lack of pretension.
Raleigh is currently trying very hard to be the "Silicon Valley of the East." Everything is becoming streamlined and optimized for Instagram. Side Street Raleigh NC is optimized for people. It’s where you go when you want to have a conversation where you don't have to shout over a DJ. It’s where you go when you want a meal that tastes like someone’s mom made it.
There’s a specific kind of regular here. You’ll see lobbyists in expensive suits sitting next to construction workers and retired teachers who have been eating the same sandwich for thirty years. It’s one of the few truly "neutral" spaces left in the city.
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Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go
- Check the Hours: They aren't open 24/7. They usually close by mid-afternoon on some days and aren't open late on others. Check their current schedule before you make the trek.
- Bring Your Appetite: The desserts are the main event. Save room.
- Walk Around: After you eat, walk three blocks east. You’ll see the "Holloway House" and some of the most insane gingerbread trim you’ve ever seen.
Moving Beyond the Hype
A lot of the "best of" lists for Raleigh overlook Side Street because it isn't "new." It isn't "innovative." But innovation is overrated when you’re hungry for a solid club sandwich and a piece of chocolate cake.
The real value of Side Street Raleigh NC is its consistency. You know exactly what you’re getting. In an era of constant change and "pivoting," there is something deeply radical about staying exactly the same.
It’s a anchor.
If you’re a local who hasn't been in a few years, go back. It’s still there. It’s still great. If you’re a newcomer who just moved into one of the apartments on Person Street, go see what the neighborhood actually used to be like. It’ll give you some perspective on the city you’re now calling home.
Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
- Plan for Lunch: The peak rush is between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. If you want to avoid the wait, try an early lunch at 11:15 AM or a late one at 2:00 PM.
- Explore the Perimeter: Park a few blocks away in the residential section of Oakwood. It gives you a chance to see the historic plaques on the houses before you hit the restaurant.
- Order the "Side Street Special": If you’re overwhelmed by the menu, just ask what the daily special is. It’s usually the freshest thing in the kitchen.
- Take Dessert to Go: If you're too full, get a slice of pie boxed up. You will regret it at 9:00 PM if you don't.
Raleigh is changing fast. The cranes are everywhere. But as long as that little white house on Bloodworth Street is serving up chicken salad, a part of the old city remains alive. It’s worth preserving, and more importantly, it’s worth eating at.
Next Steps for Your Raleigh Exploration
- Visit the Oakwood Cemetery: Just a short walk from the restaurant, it's the resting place of several NC governors and holds immense local history.
- Check Out the Mordecai Historic Park: Located nearby, this is the birthplace of Andrew Johnson and offers a deeper look at Raleigh's earliest days.
- Walk to Moore Square: Head south to see how the city has revitalized its central park space, blending the old architecture with modern urban design.