Food news and best burgers, as reader poll ends this weekend

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
·3 min read
The Kitchen at Biggers Market, at 6240 Market St. in Wilmington makes grab-and-go fare for the market and also serves burgers, ice cream and seasonal specials via window service.
The Kitchen at Biggers Market, at 6240 Market St. in Wilmington makes grab-and-go fare for the market and also serves burgers, ice cream and seasonal specials via window service.

Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. It was a busy week for food news, including getting deets about the Cargo District food hub. The StarNews also launched its first food poll a couple of weeks ago and thousands of readers have already voted for one of 20 contenders for best burger. Have you cast your ballot? Read more below.

Let’s talk burgers

Burgers are big news. First, Leland is set to get a restaurant that was voted Best Burger in America in 2018 for its chili cheeseburger. Which happens to be one of my favorite burger iterations. And the Grimmburger food truck announced they’ll be moving into a storefront in the former Epic Food Co. space at The Forum shopping center.

Grimmburger, by the way, is one of 20 businesses up for the area's best burger in our StarNews reader poll. Voting ends on Sunday, and anyone can check out the results so far here. Does your favorite need a last-minute push?

More: Who has the best burgers in the Wilmington area? Vote for your favorite!

Hub of good eats

I’ve been getting some hints over the past weeks and months about what restaurants and food businesses could be opening an outpost at the new food hall currently under construction in the Cargo District. Copper Penny? Phun Seafood Bar? Frontier Foods? Yes, I’m excited. Check out the list to date here.

Also in the works is Chow Town, a food truck hub that is currently going through the review process with the City of Wilmington before construction can begin in the Brooklyn Arts District.

More: What restaurants are coming to the Cargo District’s new food hall? Here’s a look.

Snacks and stuffies at a recent Wawa community event in Wilmington, N.C. The brand plans to open 10-15 stores in the area.
Snacks and stuffies at a recent Wawa community event in Wilmington, N.C. The brand plans to open 10-15 stores in the area.

More news

I’ve been to a few press conferences in my time, but the one hosted by Wawa was something unique. For one, many attendees were superfans of the brand -- people who had first dates there, believe that Wawa’s Hoagiefest should be a national holiday, and are ready for the 10-plus stores to come to the area. What do you think?

Also, we're getting a new restaurant in the South Front District. And, unfortunately, another restaurant – Epicurean Bistro – is now officially closed. It was the sister restaurant to Sweet n Savory Cafe and offered a more upscale, wine-focused approach. I also wrote about the very cool Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse, talked to UNCW's top chef about his winning streak, and had a burger (delicious!) at the new Kitchen (with a capital K) at Biggers Market this week.

More: Q&A: UNCW chef is on the path to be the best in the country, again

Yummy things to do

While this newsletter is going out today, I’ll be at the Greek fest. Taking pics of good food, you know? If you want to check it out, you can read more here, and or check out some must try foods here. For other ideas, here's a list weekend events or food events happening this month.

More: 8 must-try foods and drinks at the Wilmington Greek Festival

Let’s get social

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Port City Foodies newsletter