2024 Maggy Awards: Restaurants

Smashed Burgers & Cocktails

Best New Restaurant

In the heart of Holly Springs’ Main Street, the owners of Bep Vietnamese Kitchen opened Smashed Burgers & Cocktails last summer, intent on adding even more variety to the downtown dining scene. Globally inspired flavor combinations include Korean BBQ, Vietnamese Banh Mi, Tex-Mex, and Cali burgers. There’s even a smashed burger topped with mac and cheese, and a vegetarian version made with black beans.

Daddy D’s BBQ

Best Barbecue

The Big Daddy sandwich stacks 3/4 of a pound of brisket, pulled pork, and ribs with pickled veggies and Big Daddy sauce.

In a state with an ongoing barbecue competition, Daddy D’s aims to satisfy every palate. Slow-cooked brisket, ribs, chicken, and pork — pulled and chopped — are carefully tended by pitmaster Jimmy “Pork Chop” Davis, a barbecue veteran of 20 years.

“We don’t go off time; we go off temperature for each individual piece of meat,” says Davis — an extra effort that creates the juiciest results.

“We have sauce to please everyone,” Davis adds: Eastern, sweet Kansas City style, hot and spicy, and a housemade cheese sauce.

Southern sides like collard greens, green beans, and mac and cheese are all made from scratch.

My Way Tavern

Best Burger and Fries, Best Neighborhood Bar, Best Appetizers

My Way Tavern manager Dustin Harrington

Just off the beaten path in the Holly Springs Village District, My Way Tavern draws in residents and regulars with quality comfort food, signature cocktails, and plenty of local beer.

“There’s a very hometown feel,” says manager Dustin Harrington, “the same guys in the same seats every day.”

After 14 years of serving Holly Springs, My Way Tavern knows how to take classic bar food and elevate it in creative ways. Take the Sriracha Burger with spicy aioli, fried banana peppers, and a sunny side up egg; or the flash-fried Brussels sprouts topped with blue cheese and balsamic glaze — chef ’s kiss.

The Peach Cobbler Factory

Best Dessert

Peaches are always in season and baked fresh daily at The Peach Cobbler Factory in Fuquay-Varina, the franchise’s first Triangle-area location. But cobbler isn’t the only option on the menu — banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, oversized cookies, ice cream, and more ensure a sticky-sweet Southern sugar rush.

Portable Portugy

Best Food Truck

Portuguese cuisine encompasses many regional nuances, and Chef Shawn Dagnall of The Portable Portugy food truck explores them all.

“We make all varieties of Portuguese dishes, including mainland Portugal, the Azores, Brazil, Cape Verde, African, Hawaiian, and Asian — wherever people speak Portuguese, we explore their use of the cuisine,” says Dagnall.

Catch the truck before it sells out of specialties like Portuguese custard tarts, or pasteis de nata, Piri Piri chicken sandwiches, Lingucia dogs, and Bifana.

Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant

Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant

Guests can’t help but be cheerful inside of Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant in Holly Springs — the chips and salsa are plentiful, the menu is deep, the décor is colorful, and the food arrives quickly. Featuring all the classic Mexican dishes you expect, plus plenty of variety, including Molcajete, a sizzling skillet filled with grilled meat, onions, and sliced potatoes; and Pina del Mar, a pineapple filled with shrimp, fish, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

Tantalizingly colorful cocktails turn every day into a celebration.

More From Our Apr-May 2024 Issue

• 2024 Maggy Awards: Shopping
• Presenting the 2024 Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad
• 2024 Maggy Awards: Services
• 2024 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
• 2024 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Restaurant Spotlight: La Farm Bakery
• Alive and Painting
• Dig In & Drink Up: Honey Drip Brown Ale
• Vibrant Varina
• Meet & Greet: Jen Grimes
• See & Do: April to May 2024