Mitch’s Tavern Review – Raleigh, NC
Whenever I move to a new area or visit for an extended period, one of the first things I’m sure to do is search nearby stores and restaurants for my own nook or cranny to fill. I spend a lot of my time reading, writing or just relaxing while I work and I prefer to do it in a quiet environment that can offer a good meal or drink when needed, and I don’t mind him hanging around. When I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, I found my niche pretty quickly at Mitch’s Tavern. Mitch’s Tavern (often simply referred to as “Mitch’s” by locals) is a small, laid-back pub that offers students, faculty and staff a place to eat on Hillsborough Street for both lunch and dinner. When I walked into Mitch’s for the first time, a warmth washed over me and a feeling of home settled inside me; I knew this would be my area.
When you open the old wooden door that leads to Mitch’s, you are immediately met by a well-trodden, weathered wooden staircase. The stairway is steep and takes you to a dark but cozy little pub with a view of Hillsborough Street and the North Carolina State University campus. There is a wooden bar that is clean but shows lots of little details (I have a strong sense of history in this place, and I like to believe that each of those details has its own story), and wooden booths and chairs arranged at tables of dark wood. Wooden floorboards complete the “old town tavern” feel of the restaurant, and the walls are lined with character. There are old beach bikes hanging from the ceiling, toy planes flying over the bar, photos, autographs, and cool little memoirs (famous newspapers and wanted posters) all over the walls. Every time you turn around, there’s something more “cool” to look at that makes you realize you’re not at another bar and grill. I doubt I’ll be able to return to one of the plethora of slick bars and grills that are sprouting up across the country after visiting Mitch’s. Call me spoiled, but I just wouldn’t feel the same.
While you may first be drawn to Mitch’s because of the decorations, character, or dining experience, chances are you’ll return for the food. This isn’t just bar food for you to munch on while you brew, it’s food you can tell the chefs take pride in. From the Honey Stuffed Melon to the Cuban Sandwich, Mitch’s offers a wide variety of real flavors at affordable prices. Some of my personal favorites include:
The Vegetarian Chili – This is a chili stuffed with beans and spices, and seasoned with mixed, chopped vegetables. It comes with tortilla chips and toppings (salsa, sour cream, and cheese are layered on top of the chili), and if you’re looking for an extra “bite,” there are jalapeños mixed in.
The London Broil – This sandwich was the first thing that made me drag all my friends to Mitch’s and it’s always my recommendation if someone doesn’t know what to order. Thin slices of real steak are placed between two pieces of toasted bread and spread with spiced mayonnaise. The sandwich is served with fries and pickles, the perfect meal for lunch.
Mitch’s is also a historic part of the downtown Raleigh area. It’s been there for decades and has seen plenty of college professors, graduates, guests of honor, and celebrities walk through its doors (with signatures and comments from some of them!). It has become an iconic part of the area around the university, and in addition to being open for lunch every day, it has been involved in many student activities (some sponsored by the university and some not) such as meetings, specials from the exam week and the famous Halloween night “Hillsborough Hike” (a pub crawl that focuses on costumes and local pubs). If you’re looking for a place to eat, hang out, watch the news, or even work in Raleigh, be sure to check out Mitch’s. I’ve been all over town ever since and have found quite a few notable restaurants, but I always come back to Mitch’s in the end. You just can’t beat London Broil.
