Your Carolina Inn

I recall vividly that coming to Chapel Hill for a football game was not complete for this young boy without having breakfast or lunch at the Carolina Inn cafeteria. It amazed me how much food there was, and how grown-up it made me feel to walk down the line with my tray full of food and drink.

Imagine Chapel Hill in October 1968 -- falls colors and warm days. It was a Saturday and I had an early class. I lived in whitehead dorm next door and often ate breakfast in the Carolina Inn cafeteria. That Saturday, I proceeded through the line and was stopped by an old guy -- must have been at least 30 - who asked if I was "anti-social." I responded "Well, no." And he asked to sit with me. Remember at that time, the campus was full of long-haired hippies and war protesters. This old guy was clean shaven, had a short haircut, and our conversation was about travel and the usual get-acquainted topics. I learned that he was at Fort Bragg and in the Special Forces -- whatever that was. At first, I did not figure out that that meant "Army - Green Beret." He was taking a course on Saturdays and had driven up to attend class. We made an agreement to meet the next Saturday, same time, same place. The rest is -- as they say -- history. We married in January 1970 and one year later, he spent another tour in Vietnam. Retiring in 1977, we returned to Chapel Hill and busied ourselves working and building a second career for him -- eventually as a programmer analyst at the UNC Dental School. I worked at RTP for various EPA contractors as a technical writer/editor and put that English degree to good use. Both of us are retired now and travel often in our motorhome. When we pass the Carolina Inn, we often comment about that fateful meeting.

Imagine a place where foodies not only have a favorite chef, but also a favorite farmer; a place where the distance between the organic farm and the award-winning restaurant is mere miles; a place where a sustainable future is foreseeable. It's all a reality in Durham-Chapel Hill.

http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2008/10/americas_foodiest_small_town

We are excited to present our new website for you to enjoy. Take a look around and let us know what you think. View our Event Calendar or make a reservation at our Carolina Crossroads Restaurant.

We look forward to seeing you.

Mark Nelson
Director of Sales & Marketing