Darryl's Restaurant Bringing the Wood.Fired. Grill Taste to Your Plate!

Darryl's in Greensboro, NC

Dish:  House Salad with Darryl's Original Homemade Crackers

Critique:  When these crackers are dipped in ranch dressing, it’s a game changer.  Salty, unique, and definitely a treat.  A welcome companion to any salad, these homemade crackers put this house salad over the top!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish:  Tennessee Jack Black Chicken 

Critique:  Are you ready to serve your taste buds a party celebration of marinated chicken breasts topped with Darryl’s signature Jack Daniels bourbon honey mustard sauce with roasted pecan?  Why yes you are!  The Hotness never had pecans on top of her grilled chicken before, but it was fantastic.  The Hotness loves her mashed potatoes fully loaded with bacon, chives, and cheese.  Did someone say cheese?  The Hotness also got Darryl’s mac n cheese wedge.  Cheese always knows how to please!

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!

"Hey, Hey, Hey..." What's Happening? Shirley's Diner That's What!

Shirley's Diner in Leland, NC

Dish:  Whiting Fish Special 

Critique:  Well-seasoned and crispy!  The Hotness savored each bite of the whiting as it well flavored throughout and the crinkle-cut French fries were served piping hot.  Let’s not forget about the hush puppies! Hey hush puppy! Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Yeah baby!  The green beans could have used some salt and pepper, The Hotness ate them to continue her healthy eats streak! 😊

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!



Dish:  Steak and Cheese Sandwich

Critique:  Mmm, mmm, mmm!  Sweetly opted for the steak and cheese sandwich, it surprisingly exceeded her expectations.  The steak and cheese proved to be a perfect match between the toasted buttery bread.  Shirley isn’t playing when it comes to home town cooking.   Shirley’s Diner is famous for their fried pork chops…The Hotness regrets that she didn’t have more time for the swine!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Brew N Que Bringing the BBQ!

Brew N Que
Apex, NC

Dish:  Smoked Chicken Wings 

Critique:  These wings are dry rubbed, slow smoked and then deep fried to a crisp.  Perfectly seasoned and proved to be some of the best chicken wings around town.  The Hotness did not share her wings at all and isn’t ashamed about admitting it.  She wants more wings at this very moment!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!












Dish:  BBQ Egg Rolls

Critique:  Stuffed with pork, collard greens, and chow chow.  If you have to ask: “What’s chow chow?”  Don’t feel bad, The Hotness didn’t have a clue neither until true country girl, Sweetly explained it to her.  Very satisfying and extra points for creativity.

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!












Dish:  Redneck Nachos

Critique: Packed with everything imaginable: pork, fritos, baked beans, bleu cheese slaw, and special house sauce!  The Hotness didn’t know where to start with this dish but she certainly knew how to finish it…that’s what’s up!

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish: BBQ Taco with Bleu Cheese Slaw

Critique:  Huge flour tortilla and it needed to be huge to hold all the yummy BBQ and slaw.  Be sure to carve out time to handle this taco challenge…don’t be intimidated.  It took Sweetly several minutes to tackle the taco.

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!













Dish:  Baconanna Pudding

Critique:  The banana pudding was simply wonderful and who doesn’t love bacon?  However, this dessert made Sweetly say three words The Hotness thought she would never hear:  “Too much bacon!”  We scooped off the bacon bits and finished eating the delicious pudding.  Next time with we’ll order without the bacon…still a great dessert!

Score:  3 Out of 4 Hotties!

Milton's Pizza and Pasta...Pizza! Pizza!

Milton's Pizza & Pasta
Raleigh, NC

Dish:  Pizza! Pizza!

Critique:  We love Milton’s lunch time buffet.  It gives us the opportunity to enjoy the salad bar, pizza, pasta, ribs, chicken, dessert, etc.  There’s so many choices and not enough time to partake in the yummy options of goodness.  Milton’s pizza selection is fantastic and will satisfy any pizza aficionado!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Salad Bar Yummy Salad

Critique:  The Hotness makes a beeline for the croutons and potato salad on Milton’s salad bar.  This is pretty major since The Hotness doesn’t eat just anybody’s potato salad.  This salad bar is legit, our only recommendation is to use plates instead of the tiny bowls at the bar.  Yes, The Hotness likes to pile her plate high at the buffet – totally ignoring Sweetly’s advice on pacing herself.

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!




Dish:  Barbecue Beef Ribs

Critique: Saucy, tender, and delicious.  Sweetly’s eyes were bigger than her stomach and she tried to consume the entire pan of ribs, but the ribs won.  Apparently pacing yourself is harder when surrounded by delectable dishes.

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish: Strawberry Ice Box Pie and Italian Cookies

Critique:  Sweet.  Refreshing. Strawberries.  This is one of The Hotness’ favorite desserts, it kind of reminds her of a Cool Whip pie.  She could have ate three slices but had to save room for the carrot cupcakes.  Definitely get the carrot cupcakes!  Go to Milton’s on an empty stomach and eat until your heart is content!  Don’t be shy, we weren’t!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

J. Alexander's Restaurant- American Cuisine on the Raleigh Scene

Dish:  Mexico City Spinach con Queso

Critique:  Nice warm tortilla chips with cheesy queso.  The spinach made The Hotness feel like her appetizer selection was healthy choice.  We wish the queso was thicker, but it still calmed the savage hungry beast raging in the inside.

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!





Dish:  Bacon Swiss Burger Topped with Cheese and Bacon

Critique:  Burger. Burger.  It has bacon and cheese and it definitely knows how to please.  Take your time on this one because each bite is worth it.  Sweetly loved the thick cut bacon and the heavenly loaded baked potato.  This is your official bacon and cheese par-tay!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish:  Warm Chocolate Cake

Critique:  Warm, gooey, and chocolatey.  Three words that The Hotness never gets tired of hearing.  A nice scoop of vanilla ice cream accompanied this lovely dessert.  Thanks to the fudge- it was fantastically sweet, which Sweetly rather enjoyed .  There is plenty of this goodness to go around so have lots of spoons!

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!

At Seasons 52...It's All About You!

Seasons 52 in Raleigh, NC

The Hotness and Sweetly were invited to a birthday celebration and were taken aback by the deliciousness of every single dish and the excellent customer service.  We're FOODIES who enjoy great food!  In a first, The Hotness wished to nominate Seasons 52 for The Hotness Hottie Best Food Award but Sweetly had to inform her...no such award exists.  A girl can dream can't she?  We loved this place and can't wait to go back again and again!

Dish:  Wood-Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout

Critique:  Fantastic.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish:  Blackened Mahi-Mahi Tacos

Critique:  Amazing.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!
















Dish:  Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon

Critique:  Awesome.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!












Dish:  Southern-Style Shrimp & Grits

Critique:  Superb.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish:  Lump Crab Cake Sandwich

Critique:  Excellent.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!













Dish:  Dessert Tower

Critique: "And you get a dessert, and you get a dessert, and you get a dessert! Everyone gets a dessert!"
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Metro Diner...Comfort Food with All the Flavor

Metro Diner in Raleigh, NC

Dish:  Fried Chicken Plate

Critique:  Rumor has it that Metro Diner fried chicken was voted the best FRIED CHICKEN by several magazines, so you know The Hotness and Sweetly had to find out if this rumor was true.  After all, we are the true fried chicken connoisseurs…we had KFC, Church’s, Popeyes, Bojangles, Lowe’s Fried Chicken, etc. we had them all!  So our expectations were rather high before we took the first bite of the piping hot drumstick.  The Hotness took the first bite because she likes things rather hot and Sweetly soon followed suit to confirm the rumor.  Metro Diner’s fried chicken deserves all the votes for the Best Fried Chicken! Seasoned to the bone and crispy! Go get some Metro Diner yard bird now! Oh the biscuit was slammin’ too.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  Avocado Toast

Critique:  Sweetly just loves avocados, if she could eat a bucket of them she would.  However, The Hotness is not about the avocado life.  Nonetheless, Sweetly vowed that this was the best avocado toast she had.  She wanted to give it 5 Hotties due to the freshness of the fresh chopped avocados and tomatoes.  If you’re about that avocado life, this toast is for you!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant

Critique:  Buttery Bread, Bacon, Eggs, and Cheddar Cheese.  It’s a tried and true combination that doesn’t disappoint the savage hungry beast raging inside.  One of the greatest breakfast sandwiches done right!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish:  Croissant French Toast

Critique:  Classic dish…four pieces of a light, buttery croissant, battered and grilled to perfection!  Not surprisingly, Sweetly ate the entire dish all by herself.  There’s no shame in her game, powdered sugar was all over her face.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Chicken Tender Salad

Critique:  Hey Now!! Crispy chicken tenders served over mixed greens, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, bacon, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and croutons.  “In my belly!!” is what The Hotness kept shouting at her dish.  Apparently, the salad listened to her and within five minutes her plate was empty of every piece of lettuce.
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!