Presenting the Wake Living Readers’ Choice Awards

Longleaf Swine

Best New Restaurant

Longleaf Swine owner Adam Cunningham and pitmaster Marc Russell

When it comes to Best New Restaurant, Longleaf Swine, located in Raleigh’s historic Oakwood neighborhood, smoked the competition. Their award-winning offerings include traditional Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue, Texas-style brisket and ribs, and culinary-focused sides and specials.

Best New Restaurant: Longleaf Swine

“When you come to visit with us, you’re stepping into a friend’s house who wants to fill your belly and make you smile,” said owner Adam Cunningham. “You can expect to indulge in thoughtful cuisine that is locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared, and undeniably rooted in a rich culinary history of Southern barbecue.”

Longleaf Swine opened in November 2022, fulfilling Cunningham’s lifetime goal of owning and operating a brick and mortar location.

“We bought and renovated a building that had originally served as a Texaco gas station and for the past 50 years was the home of a neighborhood restaurant, Oakwood Cafe,” said Cunningham. “We wanted to honor the tradition of the original building while putting our own spin on the space. By adding the outdoor covered patio, we are able to expand not only our seating capacity, but the dining experience as well.”

This might be Longleaf Swine’s first award, but it certainly won’t be the last.

“That’s the goal, right? To win an award voted on by our customers and our community is a sign that we are doing something right,” said Cunningham. “We will continue to be the best we can be, and if you haven’t visited our new location yet, we hope to see you soon!”

longleafswine.com

MoJoe’s Burger Joint

Best Burger/Fries

In a job well done, MoJoe’s Burger Joint, located in Raleigh’s Glenwood South district, has taken this year’s award for Best Burger and Fries.

MoJoe’s kept their eyes on the fries with their award-winning freshly grilled burgers, ranging in size from 6 ounces to the “Hall of Fame” 1-pounder. Their full menu features wings, sandwiches, fresh salads, and much more. Wash down your meal with a cocktail, 12 taps of your favorite craft and local beers, or a boozy milkshake. If you’re having a special event, MoJoe’s also provides catering services, bringing the good eats directly to you via their food truck.

As stated on their website, “Our mission 20 years ago was to serve quality fare in a friendly, casual atmosphere. And we have been doing it better than everyone else ever since.”

No lies detected!

P.S. Hit up the patio with your furry friends and pick up a pup cup while you’re there!

mojoesburgerjoint.com

Cousins Maine Lobster

Best Food Truck

Best Food Truck, Cousins Maine Lobster

If you’ve lived in the area long enough, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck — or seen the lines firsthand! Nationally known but locally owned by Deb and Greg Keller, mouthwatering lobster rolls, clam chowder, and more can be found all over the Triangle thanks to not one, but two food trucks! For locations, follow them on social media and download their app (or visit them at Morgan Street Food Hall in downtown Raleigh).

Deb Keller, who first saw Cousins Maine Lobster on Shark Tank nine years ago, has zero regrets about taking a chance on their fresh and flavorful offerings.

“I’ve got an amazing team, and my husband is my rock,” said Keller. “We continue to have folks reach out to us for special occasions. We do weddings and catering, and it just hasn’t stopped. I love customer service — it’s what brings me joy, the stuff that makes me happy. I love the smiles, and I love when people reach
out and say we have an amazing product.”

cousinsmainelobster.com/locations/raleigh-nc-restaurant/

The Parlor at Heights House

Best Cocktails

They may have mixed drinks, but nobody has mixed feelings about this year’s win for Best Cocktails!

Located inside the Heights House Hotel, a 10,000-square-foot pre-Civil War Italianate mansion in Raleigh’s Boylan Heights neighborhood, The Parlor offers Italian-inspired cocktails, an all-Italian wine list, and local craft beer alongside cheese and charcuterie boards.

Best Cocktails, The Parlor at Heights House

All guests are greeted by Heights House Hotel’s team and Raleigh native Will Bryant, manager and mixologist of The Parlor.

“I am thrilled to hear about this award mainly because we are a new bar just starting to dip into the cocktail scene here in Raleigh,” said Bryant. “I love how one cocktail can make such an impact on someone — it’s why I love what I do!”

Be sure to explore the historic home’s common spaces while you’re there, including the library, drawing room, dining room, lounges, terraces, and communal fire pit (or, if you’re looking for the perfect staycation, book a night at the hotel). Enjoy!

heightshousehotel.com

Vidrio

Best Date Night

Do you have dreams of whisking your significant other away on a romantic trip to the Mediterranean, but don’t have the time (or the budget) to make it happen? Lucky for all of us, Vidrio — located in Raleigh’s Glenwood South neighborhood — sends their customers on a culinary vacation the minute they step through the door.

Best Date Night, Vidrio

“I love cooking with spices,” said Chef Saif Rahman. “When I started my career as a young cook, I realized that there were 21 countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Turkey, Israel, Spain, and Syria use similar spices and techniques even though they are far from Bangladesh, where I come from.”

Inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean region, as well as his own upbringing, Rahman and his team o er artfully crafted cocktails, bold wines, and plates showcasing beloved spices and food traditions in a new, unique way.

“My only hope and dream is to cook well and cook with the intention of connecting with our guests emotionally through food,” Rahman insisted. “I want to make our guests feel what my grandmother and mother made me feel when I would sit around the kitchen while they cooked.”

vidrioraleigh.com

A Place at the Table

Best Nonprofit

Best Nonprofit, A Place at the Table

As the winner for Best Nonprofit, A Place at the Table — a nonprofit café located in downtown Raleigh — clearly has a special place in the hearts of our readers.

“A Place at the Table is Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can café with a mission to provide community and good food for all, regardless of means,” said Founder and Executive Director Maggie Kane. “We opened in January of 2018, Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving breakfast and lunch with pay-what-you-can pricing.  is means diners can pay the suggested price, pay more and pay it forward, pay less, or pay by volunteering.”

By reinventing how to feed a community in which 1 in 7 residents suffers food insecurity, over $62,000 worth of meals have been donated since 2020.

“We are humbled by this award and thankful for this community’s belief in us,” said Kane. “We would never have opened in 2018 and could not still be here today without this community’s support. Thanks to all of you for continuing to show up to dine with us, volunteer, and donate. We are so grateful!”

tableraleigh.org

Raleigh FoodTrap

Best Social Media Account

The Raleigh FoodTrap Team – Briana and Roger Kornegay

When it comes to discovering good food in the area, Briana and Roger Kornegay — the social media gurus behind Raleigh FoodTrap — are kind of a big deal.

Photo courtesy of Raleigh FoodTrap

With almost 90,000 followers on Instagram and 110,000 on TikTok, plus a new YouTube channel, this account has taken the local foodie world by storm thanks to their fervent promotion of local businesses.

“We love sharing local foods that deserve recognition,” said the Kornegays. “We look for the area’s craziest burgers or the area’s BIGGEST pancakes. We love showing the city’s best brunches and more! We are now on a binge to show more than just food. With two kids, we enjoy showing great places to play, sleep, and have fun as well.”

COMING SOON: The Kornegays have recently announced their first “Food-Trappy” food establishment — The Yard Milkshake Bar.

“As seen on Shark Tank back in 2019, we are STOKED to bring this over-the-top milkshake and ice cream experience to downtown Raleigh in late summer 2023,” said the Kornegays. “One thing we know is GOOD food, and we’ve searched high and low to  nd this one and believe it’s one of the country’s best and yummiest ice cream experiences! Stay tuned for more details on that.”

@RaleighFoodTrap

Stray Volts

Best Music Group

Best Music Group, Stray Volts

Local rock band Stray Volts might not be as big as Linkin Park (yet), but in the end, it doesn’t even matter. As this year’s winner for Best Music Group, they are obviously hitting all the right notes.

“Winning this award is an incredible honor, and we’re grateful for the recognition,” said Marcel, Lead Guitar & Audio/Video Engineer. “It’s also a pleasant surprise, as we didn’t actively campaign for it. We won because our fans took the initiative and wrote in their favorite band, and we’re truly humbled by their support. Winning also gives us the motivation to keep pushing ourselves as performers in order to deliver the best possible show every time we play.”

With Angie on lead vocals and guitar, Jeremy on drums and lighting, John on bass and vocals, and Marcel on lead guitar, Stray Volts delivers a concert-like experience that is more than just live music — it’s an energetic performance that breaks the barrier between the stage and crowd.

strayvolts.com

Erica DeLong

Best Local Radio Personality

Best Local Radio Personality, Erica DeLong. Contributed photo

A lot has happened since Erica DeLong arrived on the local radio scene nearly two decades ago! After years of co-hosting G105’s The Showgram, DeLong eventually snagged her own show — G105’s The Erica Show, weekdays from 1–5 p.m. When she’s not hitting the airwaves or the red carpets as an influencer for ABC 11-WTVD, DeLong contributes columns to not one, but two of our publications: Wake Living and Cary Magazine.

“What an absolute honor to win the Readers’ Choice Award,” said DeLong. “I love this job because it allows me to be involved in our community, our extended family. Our community is made up of wonderful, loving, trailblazing people, and it’s a blessing to serve. Thank you.”

COMING UP: On the Go, a new podcast with Erica DeLong. Follow her on social media, radio, and television for updates!

ericadelong.com

Dr. Jason Gladwell, Gladwell Orthodontics

Best Orthodontist

Best Orthodontist, Dr. Jason Gladwell (Center). Contributed photo

With locations in Wake Forest, North Raleigh, Downtown Raleigh, and Southpoint Mall, Dr. Jason Gladwell and his team at Gladwell Orthodontics have fought tooth and nail for this year’s title of Best Orthodontist.

“To me, anytime we win an award, it’s a testament to our team and a great indication that we are hitting our goals of providing the best clinical care in the best environment possible. Changing lives and creating beautiful smiles,” said Dr. Gladwell.

Gladwell Orthodontics specializes in orthodontic treatment for children and adults, and is the No. 1 Invisalign provider in the country. All of Gladwell’s new patient exams are complimentary, and he encourages every patient to make an appointment starting with children at age 7.

“Long gone are the days of waiting until children lose all of their baby teeth before being seen,” said Dr. Gladwell. “We want to take a much more modern and proactive approach to preventing problems instead of just fixing them. We pride ourselves on having the most modern and comfortable offices in the state. With private treatment rooms and a free Starbucks charity café in every location, we look to make all patients’ visits, young or old, memorable and relaxing.”

gladwellorthodontics.com

Reverie Hair Co.

Best Hair Salon

Tiffanie Whitt, Owner of Reverie Hair Co., Best Hair Salon

As the winner for Best Hair Salon, it seems that Reverie Hair Co. — located in Northwest Raleigh in the Stonehenge shopping center — is a cut above the rest.

After years as a hairstylist in a commission salon and as a suite renter, owner Tiffanie Whitt dreamed of having her own inviting space where guests could feel at home and leave feeling relaxed and beautiful.

“The salon is a new concept that blends the ease and support of commission with the flexibility of rental,” said Whitt. “We are a salon on a mission to change the reputation of commission salons. I wanted an atmosphere where guests could receive quality services in a comfortable, modern environment. Dreaming up this space is also what inspired the name, Reverie, which means daydream.”

Reverie became reality on May 26, 2020, offering a range of beauty services — including hair coloring, cutting, styling and extensions, bridal styling, makeup, waxing, and facials.

“Winning this Readers’ Choice Award is so exciting to the entire Reverie team,” said Whitt. “Having our community show up and support us the way they have over some of the hardest years for businesses has been so heartwarming. This award falls on our third anniversary, and I think this is the perfect way to celebrate all we have accomplished. I’m so honored that your readers love us as much as we love them!”

reveriehairco.com

Dirty Dogs Spa

Best Pet Services

Dirty Dogs Spa, Best Pet Services

Give a round of a-paws to Dirty Dogs Spa, this year’s winner for Best Pet Services! With locations in Wake Forest and North Raleigh, and an upcoming location in Wendell, this pet paradise has been doing a pawsitively amazing job with humans and furry clients alike for over 10 years.

“I opened Dirty Dogs Spa March 2012,” said owner Vanessa Davis. “My golden retriever Taylor had just turned four. He had been experiencing a lot of health issues related to allergies. After spending the past four years researching, training, and seeking all-natural remedies, I decided to open Dirty Dogs Spa to help other pet parents who were experiencing the same issues with their pets.”

Dirty Dogs Spa offers full-service grooming, a self-service bathing area, and a boutique offering treats, unique gifts, and all-natural bathing and grooming products.

For those who are interested in becoming a professional pet groomer, Davis — a certified groomer and adjunct instructor at Wake Technical Community College — also offers the Dirty Dogs Spa School of Grooming, dedicated to educating and training students to be the finest groomers possible.

“It’s an honor to be voted the best in our field,” said Davis. “A huge shoutout to our amazing manager, groomers, and support staff who, with their hard work, amazing grooming skills, and great love for dogs, make Dirty Dogs Spa the best grooming salon.”

dirtydogsspa.com

Taylor’s Wine Shop

Best Wine Shop

If you’re looking to pick up some fine wine with a side of live bait, Taylor’s Wine Shop — a family owned and operated BP gas station and convenience store in North Raleigh — is ready to reel you in.

Best Wine Shop, Taylor’s Wine Shop

Founded by Gail and Taylor Cash in May of 1980, Taylor’s has evolved and grown with the community over the past 43 years.

“We have wines to please every palate and price range,” said Taylor Cash. “We pride ourselves on being THE place in Raleigh to track down the most sought-after, hard to find and collectible wines. We also have an amazing selection of delicious wines in the $10 to $25 range. We have an ever-expanding selection of microbrew and imported beers, local artisan crafted chocolates, coffees, and much more.”

Whether you’re swinging by for a wine tasting or some gas and a fresh, hot biscuit, Taylor’s Wine Shop is a longstanding staple in our community — and for good reason.

“We host numerous charity events, fundraisers, and sponsorships throughout the year, and we give back because it is important to us,” said Taylor. “Winning this award means maybe our message is getting out that we are here and we care, too. We are not your average gas station and wine shop. This award is welcomed, and hopefully we get to meet some new folks from this! Thank you for the support in winning this award!”

taylorswineshop.com

Unorthodox Vintage

Best New Business (Non-Restaurant)

Unorthodox Vintage, Best New Business (Non-Restaurant

If you enjoy vintage and secondhand finds, Unorthodox Vintage in downtown Raleigh might be the Simon to your Garfunkel. Since its opening last June, this quirky establishment has offered up an eclectic assortment of vintage and secondhand apparel with a mixture of street style, everyday wear, decade pieces, and local maker items.

Owners Alexandria Monet and Julian Jacobs (both pictured above) started selling vintage to the public in 2020 with their individual brands — She Thrifty and Sir Chance’s — before teaming up for the birth of their retro paradise.

“Beyond clothing, we want Unorthodox Vintage to feel like a safe space for creatives and the community,” said Monet. “It’s important to us to build relationships and experiences that become a good memory for someone. Through music, education, and events that we house in our intimate location, we plan to be that safe space and fuel our community with love and passion!”

“Shop local and come check us out,” added Jacobs.

@unorthodoxvintage

Swagger

Best New Clothing

True to their name, the winner for Best New Clothing swaggered its way into the hearts of our readers. Opened as a small gift shop in 2002, the original store carried everything from jewelry and handbags to home accessories. In 2011, Swagger expanded and started selling trendy, affordable clothing. Now with two locations in Cary and Raleigh, Swagger continues to thrive thanks to Mandy Becker, whose passion for gift shops started when she was 16 years old.

“I’m from a small town in Georgia with only one gift shop, and I loved it,” said Becker. “I loved the feeling I got when I went in there. I loved the products. I loved getting their items as gifts. And I loved how the recipients always loved them. That’s kind of how I fell in love with the whole gift store idea.”

Two years after receiving her engineering degree from Georgia Tech, Becker opened Swagger and established quite the presence in the Triangle by interacting with regulars and providing gifts and clothing for all occasions.

“I love our customers. I love our staff. It’s just a really fun job to have,” said Becker. “I love waking up every morning and coming to work, because it’s always going to be different.”

swaggergifts.com

More From Our May-Jun 2023 Issue

• Out & About in Wake County: May / June 2023
• On Trend: Permanent Jewelry
• Raven & Phoenyx
• Down the Road: Greensboro Science Center
• Erica Chats: The Benefits of Daily Doses of Gratitude
• Small Business Spotlight: Rush Hour Karting
• Pay it Forward: Arts Access
• Cheeni: Indian Food the Waas Way
• Celebrated Spirits: Mary Me
• Celebrated Spirits: Piglette Grisette (4.2%)
• Garden Adventurer: Strange Beauty: Pineapple Lilies
• Presenting the Wake Living Readers’ Choice Awards