I’m a stone cold Vegas nut and I actually live on Dare Street in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh has been in the top five places to live for the past 25 years. I’ve lived here 23 years and still love it.
We have incredible tree cover (The City of Oaks) and on New Years we drop a giant acorn designed by my artist buddy Dave from Third Place Coffee. My yard is full of birds and squirrels. We have long springs (it’s cool and wet today), long gorgeous falls, and in summer we’re a few hours to some of the best beaches anywhere — Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, and Wrightsville — and the mountains to the west. Our 400-acre Dix park is one of the largest city parks in the USA and right behind it, the State farmers market runs seven days a week.
This holiday I was at the NC State Fairgrounds’ weekly flea market, hunting vintage vinyl (and bought a silver money clip; now THAT’S old school, my friends). I picked up 25 albums for $1 each, such classics as Nat King Cole Live at the Sands, Jackie Wilson Live at the Copa, Diana Ross, Herbert Mann, Dionne Warwick, and many more. Score!
The nearest casino is in Danville, Virginia, 90 minutes away (Caesars … yawwwnn). Which is one of the many reasons I love Las Vegas. We have easy access to an international airport (RDU) with a Wright Bros.-inspired design. Southwest flies nonstops to Vegas, along with American and Delta.
Yes, things are getting pricey there and everywhere. So? Watcha gonna do about it? Complain? Raise backyard chickens? (In Raleigh, you can.)
Or … Myself, I subscribe to “triangle on the cheap.”
Eggs are cheapest at Trader Joes. Yes, we have Aldi, Lidl, and Costco. At Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Tuesday’s are $6 movies. I’m going to see Mission Impossible today. It’s $13 at the Regal.
Besides our original real Southern diners, Watkins Grill and Pam’s Farmhouse restaurant, we have Snoopy’s, where on Tuesdays it’s 2-for-1 hot dogs. Cook Out (our In n Out”) has them every day, with 50 flavors of milkshakes. And how about Fresh Market’s Thursday $5 sushi, $5 shrimp cocktail, and $6 roast chickens?
To top it all off, there’s the amazing $2 half-pound Monday burger deal just 5 blocks from my house and next to our historic 5 Points Raleigh Rialto Theatre, home of Indy movies, comedy, great music, and one of the longest running Rocky Horror Picture Show’s in the U.S., having played at least once a month for decades. It’s been there so long, the children and grandchildren of folks who used to go now go see it. Yeah, we’re that hip … or crazy .. or both.
What local bargain-hunter resources do you enjoy? It would be interesting to have folks comment on their favorite local value play. Tell us about your favorite local deals
Because while you’re waiting on your next Vegas jaunt, ya gotta have a good time, right? And keep your scuffling chops sharp.
In Eagan, MN (Just South of St Paul) on Mondays and Tuesdays, a local Mexican place called Teresa’s has 3 American style tacos for $8. Free chips and salsa with any order
And on Wednesdays, in a nearby city, Burnsville, there is a place called El Loro that has $1.99 Street Tacos. 4 of those, plus their chips and salsa for $8 plus tax.
Delicious!
Thanks Jon.
I love Mexican,Tex Mex heck my Ex was Latina ! Though she never cooked so there’s that :0)
Not what you asked about, but when I saw it in your post I wanted to comment anyway. I went 55 years without ever hearing of a “Cook Out”, much less eating at one. Two years ago in Murfreesboro TN I ran into one and had to try it. Absolutely loved it, so much that I went back the next day. What a great place. I’ll be there again this fall hopefully and will stop in several more times if they are still there. Never been to Raleigh before, but would love to check that out too. Thanks for your post every week Bobby! You’re always a good read!
Yes Steven I know I luv Cook Out and well, I need to eat more vegetables.. so I order Cole slaw and onion rings as my sides 🙂
Okay I just love to eat.So sue me !
Thx 4 the comments.
I really appreciate all the comments and all the appreciations..I appreciate your appreciating my ..well as long as it doesn’t depreciate.. :0)
A little personal update I will be needing 2 more surgeries over the next 3 to 4 months
One, ( 2nd one) for my prostate and another for my kidney stones ( 3rd one).
I call this good news, bad news, good news. Some would think being set up for 2 more surgeries after having had 3 in the last 10 months is not good but no its a plan! A strategy with a resolution. IBesides it’s getting hard not to be in Vegas heck, The Pinky Ring misses me, Rainbow misses me heck I’ve only been to Vegas twice..this year :0)
Sorry to hear that you are going under the knife again…and again. Flying to LV in a few days and will check in with you when I get back. Not going to the Ring but I will check the end of the Rainbow to see if your pot of gold is still there. Take care, MT
I live in Las Vegas, and search out the bargains. I’m a die hard LVA supporter and the dining coupons in the Member Rewards book are often used by my wife and I. As far as hot dogs go, Wienerschnitzel has a 4 for four dollars every Wednesday and these are chili dogs, not just mustard. And my wife and I got on the On The Border email list, and just yesterday had the spend 10 dollars and get a 3 item combo free. I meant to go to Freddie’s for the $1 mini shake but forgot and it expired yesterday. Get the Freddie’s app and they often offer special deals. As far as that goes I advise you to get whatever your favorite fast food joint’s app, and they all have specials on different things. Nearly every one gives you something free on your birthday, and I love the Habit Burger that I always get on my birthday. Free. So there are still deals in Las Vegas if you know where to look. And Arizona Charlie’s alway have special deals. Last time I was there got the $10.99 Steak and Shrimp. And my points earned from playing took care of the bill.
We’re not far from you in Richmond,Va.
We’ve been going to Atlantic City more and more. It’s been quite a turn around as far as value is concerned.
I remember the old days (1980’s-2000’s) where comped anything on the weekends were impossible. Now we can get rooms on the weekends with no problem.
I truly believe it’s one of the best values around any more.
I think MGM has flights out of Raleigh as well.
Good luck with your surgeries!