Better check your GPS before heading out to dinner tonight. Your destination may be closer than you think, given the number of restaurants that have moved or opened in new locations recently.
Pop's ( www.pops-durham.com), in downtown Durham, has managed to do both. After 15 years in Peabody Place, the restaurant has moved a couple of blocks away to spiffier digs at 605 W. Main St. Pop's Backdoor ( www.popsbackdoor), the pizza takeout and delivery annex, remains at the old location, 810 W. Peabody St., which is still available for private functions. Pop's Backdoor South ( www.popsbackdoorsouth.com), a spinoff on the Backdoor concept (with a slightly expanded menu and a dine-in option), is also open at 3710 Shannon Road.
In Chapel Hill, Sandwhic h ( www.sandwhich.biz) has moved down the street to the old Patio Loco spot at 407 W. Franklin St. The larger space allowed the owners to expand hours to include dinner, with full table service and Sunday brunch. The sandwich shop's dinner menu includes an entree presentation of owner/chef Hicham Elbetri's popular lamb tagine sandwich, and a rotisserie chicken, served family style, that Janet Elbetri describes as "killer delicious."
In Cary, another longtime favorite lunch spot has pulled up stakes after a decade and a half. You can now find The Cary Café ( www.thecarycafe.com) in the Harrison Pointe Shopping Center at 212 Grande Heights Drive.
Finally, here's a roundup of new locations:
Bavarian Brathaus (4010 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham; 381-6412; http://bavarianbrathaus.info)
Chubby's Tacos (2806 S. Miami Blvd., Durham; www.chubbystacos.com) - opening planned this week
Henry's Gelato (North Hills Shopping Center, 141-111 Park at North Hills St., Raleigh; www.henrysgelato.com)
Saffron (3140 Environ Way, Chapel Hill; 240-7490; www.saffronnc.com) - opening targeted for this week
Tobacco Road (280 S. Mangum St., Durham; 937-9909; www.tobaccoroadsportscafe.com)
Reach Greg Cox, N&O restaurant critic and food writer, at ggcox@bellsouth.net. Read more about the Triangle dining scene at blogs.newsobserver.com/mouthful.
