Update: As predicted, The Oakz is now closed.
So this is important. Number one, The Oakz makes some of the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever had in my life. Number two, I really feel like people are missing out on this place and that’s a shame because it has such dank food! I had some great photos of Tasty 8’s hotdogs (which I may use at a later Food Porn date), but I’ve really got to let you know about the small plates at The Oakz off of Glenwood. It’s kind of an emergency. I’ve already posted a Yelp review. Yeah, I’m going a little nuts about this place. No, I don’t work there.
I almost didn’t take pictures of my food for once, but changed my mind shortly into the meal… thus there are some half-eaten shots. To simplify my thoughts on The Oakz: Go here.
They have many unbelievable drink specials. On Tuesday night, that’s $3 North Carolina Drafts, and on Wednesday nights, it’s $3 house wine. Worth it. (Though I cannot attest to the quality of the wine.) Charlie and I stopped by for a weeknight dinner after we walked all over downtown Raleigh (our “exercise” for the day). We ended up out for dinner even though I bought groceries to cook because we made the mistake of returning home by walking up Glenwood. Seeing all the folks eating outdoors and smelling all the delicious food smells as we strolled from Snoopy’s onward, we thought “Hey, Charlie’s going out of town for three nights… and we deserve it. Right?” Right.
And I really like small plates, so we went.
Just like the last time we visited, the restaurant was pretty empty aside from a few guys at the bar and one other couple. Like eerily empty. And the ambiance is really non-existent. They have a huge space, a weird location off Glenwood, and multiple flat screen TV’s. There are lots of hotel-esque boring pictures of North Carolina sites and Raleigh landmarks sporadically hung around the restaurant. I really have no idea what they’re going for in terms of theme or décor, and as Charlie pointed out, the ceiling looks pretty awful too.
But damn, the food is good.
We got the some super trendy blistered Shishito Peppers and they were perfectly charred and sprinkled with sea salt. The Tuna Poke from their seasonal menu (this month Hawaiian, next month Chesapeake) was fresh and bright red, doused in soy sauce, served tomatoes and avocados, to be eaten off of recently-fried wontons. A little more retro, but still delicious. We also got the Gourmet Herbed Pretzel, which came recommended by our server, and we didn’t regret that choice one bit. It was hot-hot and steamy, just baked, covered in flakey salt and accompanied by habanero cheese sauce and spicy mustard. Finally, The Oakz Mac (as it’s lovingly called), our food porno star this Friday, was uber cheesy and rich. Big cavatappi noodles (curly large macaroni with ridges) bathed themselves in a cheesy savory sauce. (I tend to get disappointed when macaroni and cheese, or any dish really, isn’t saucy enough.) Our waiter said it was so good because they use gruyere, which isn’t a cheese that finds itself in the mix all that often. There’s also gouda and extra sharp cheddar according to the menu. And pancetta of course. OF COURSE!
So it takes the food a little time to come out. Have a beer! So your server might be a bit awkward. Get him talking! Ask him what he likes! Make fun of the way your date says “Tuna Poke.” Then proceed to make fun of the way people pronounce “tacos pollos” and “gyros”! He’ll loosen up. Get over being alone in this weirdly-decorated place and eat your delicious food already! The dishes are freshly made and everything is incredibly well-seasoned. Four plates between the two of us (and two beers each) was plenty and we had leftovers… which I ate last night. Yeah, they were still good.
Just go!
The Oakz is located in a weird little spot at 510 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Just follow the signs as you walk north on Glenwood and it will be on your right. There’s a bar and outdoor seating available. They have small plates and regular entrees. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday. We got 4 small plates and 4 beers for $45 plus tax and tip. I’d recommend small plates so you get to try multiple dishes. And seriously, they have great drink specials.
