SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Lots of movement happens around the Port City when it comes to restaurants, food trucks, bars and bottle shops, not to mention organizational and nonprofit foodie events and festivals. While Port City Daily already covers most of this news, “Small Bites” offers another way for readers to stay in the know.
READ MORE: Popular food truck transitions into restaurant
Banh Sai
Last fall, owners of the popular ‘80s-inspired, Asian flair food truck Banh Sai announced plans to open a brick and mortar in the Cargo District.
After six months of renovations to the Delgado Square location, the doors will officially open Saturday, July 20, at 11 a.m.
Austin and Lucy Belt started Banh Sai in 2020, with the goal to eventually open a standalone eatery. The two signed a lease on the 2162 Wrightsville Ave. space last fall and were balancing opening their first restaurant while also operating the food truck, whose last day of service was in March.
“We had to call it quits on the truck so we can focus everything on the restaurant,” Austin Belt said Friday.
He and Lucy were working double shifts, trying to run the food truck four days a week and balancing the needs of renovations. Originally, the Belts were hoping to open by the end of last year but permitting held up the process.
All the hard work came to fruition Thursday night during the Belts’ soft opening. Friday was dedicated to making slight adjustments in preparation for Saturday’s full launch.
“First and foremost, I want to make sure our employees are comfortable with everything and we can train them as much as we can, so we can have some fun in getting Banh Sai open,” Belt said.
The owners hired seven people to run the restaurant, including Caroline Lemley as general manager.
Well known for its rice bowls and Cobra fries, Banh Sai will continue to serve both customer favorites. Plus, diners will have multiple options to make a salad, bowl or burrito.
Customers choose their “power up” — or protein, which appeals to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. It consists of beef or tofu bulgogi, grilled or fried chicken, pork meatballs or crispy Brussels sprouts.
Then they choose their fighter: the Zelda, Hawkins, Banh Sai or Bowser, all of which contain various vegetables and sauces.
“The Zelda was one of our most popular items on the truck,” Belt said, which comes with cucumber salad, edamame, jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds, sticky sauce and Banh Sai aioli.
There also will be a rotating katsu sandwich of the month — such as panko-crusted pork topped with various pickled vegetables and condiments.
Multiple “sidequests” will complete the meal, including the restaurant’s signature Cobra fries — topped with Sriracha, Banh Sai aioli, hoisin, green onion and red pepper — plain fries, pork egg rolls or a side salad.
“We may expand the menu a little later down the road,” Belt said, noting wings, ramen or curry will be on special.
Originally partnering with a former Wilmington chef, Belt said plans shifted earlier this year when owners of The Half — a popular downtown deli — came onboard as investors. Belt worked with one of its three owners, Carl Cross, formerly at Charleston’s Edmund’s Oast years ago.
“We shared the same love for food and beverage,” he said, adding their consultation on opening a restaurant for the first time has been invaluable. “This was a whole different bear and they helped out a lot with just advice, being in here physically and making the place special.”
Leslie Smith, owner and contractor in the Cargo District, helped build out the 22-seat eatery. It’s counter service, with diners ordering and picking up their food counter side. There also will be four taps serving beer and a cooler of canned craft beer and wines, as well as nonalcoholic beverages.
Banh Sai will operate six days a week, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; it’s closed Tuesday. Prices are $3 to $16.
Point Break Restaurant
While one independent restaurant opens, another closes.
Across town in Porters Neck, Point Break — a wing and nachos restaurant — announced its closure. Operated by Ryan Trotter first as a mobile eatery, Point Break opened in the former Stella’s Pizza shop in Ogden in 2021.
READ MORE: Mobile eatery Point Break revs up to expand operations, open first brick and mortar
On its social media Friday, it announced the decision made to close was “terribly difficult” and had been considered “after much deliberation.”
Trotter couldn’t be reached by press.
The concept first launched as a ghost kitchen on Castle Street, delivering meal packages and offering catering services. Trotter focused on healthful foods, including grilled wings doused in homemade sauces, such as a sweet Thai concoction called “Jamo” or a Carolina barbecue sauce. He also served wraps and nachos, along with side items including a surfer’s salad, featuring fresh tomatoes, corn and black beans, as well as sand-dollar potatoes, a baked version of wedges.
“We are immensely proud of our achievements, the connections we have made and the wonderful people we have had the privilege to employ,” the post on social media indicates.
In addition to the brick and mortar, Point Break also operated its Wings on Wheels truck. A decision has not been announced yet as to whether that will continue.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Mayfaire Town Center has a new sandwich shop operating in what was once a SunTrust Bank building at 6818 Parker Farm Drive.
The ribbon was cut on Friday morning for the second Potbelly Works franchise in town, owned by Brent and Michelle Brouse. The Brouses opened their first Potbelly at 2525 S. 17th St. in 2020 and have signed a multi-location deal for more to come in the southeastern Carolina region.
Renovations of the 3,200 square-foot restaurant include converting a vault into a cooler, adding a drive-through window and installing a grease trap.
The Chicago-based chain started in 1977, best known for its submarine sandwiches and milkshakes. It also serves soups, salads and cookies. Potbelly is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Eggs Up Grill
Lelanders will be enjoying coffee, juice, French toast, eggs and bacon and more at a new eatery slated to open Monday at 6 a.m.
Eggs Up Grill announced in May it would operate another location in southeastern North Carolina in the strip mall behind Aldi by summer. This will be the third operation for owners Jennifer and Brandon Padilla.
Jennifer told Port City Daily earlier this spring: “We are huge ambassadors of Eggs Up Grill, the concept, the hours, serving happy customers and having wonderful staff. Even though it’s a franchise, it still allows us to identify and run it as a local restaurant.”
The two also own restaurants in Shallotte and Southport; the Leland Town Center location brings in a third partner, Mike Aquino, a cousin to the Padillas. The group has plans to open more in the region as well, potentially near UNCW next.
But the 3556 Leland Town Center Drive opening on Monday will award 10 guests who participate in a raffle for one free breakfast each month for a year. A larger grand opening is planned for later down the road.
The 3,000-square-foot restaurant seats 118 indoors and 40 on its outdoor patio and is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available.
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