Culinary Culture Episode 1: Filling our stomachs
As a foodie, I’m always on the lookout for culinary establishments that provide an opportunity for a unique culinary experience and I finally found one at a place known as the filling station. Located in the western part of Durham, NC (just a stone’s throw from downtown), it’s one of the relatively newer additions to the culinary scene having just opened its doors a little over 6 months ago but they are quickly proving themselves to be a forced to be reckoned with.
My experience was quite intriguing. I went in around 10 and order a grilled cheese, onion rings, lemonade and a slice of Reese’s pie. They are located right on the corner of Hicks and Hillsborough and have a really interesting setup. The place is about 85% kitchen but that other 15% manifests itself in the form of a quaint little vestibule in which customers can place and pick up their orders. I was the only one there upon arrival but others trickled in during the 15 or so minutes I spent there.
The staff was very courteous and polite and it didn’t take more than 10 minutes for them to prepare the food. They did initially forget to include the Reese’s pie in my order but, upon informing them of this oversight, they provided it to me posthaste. The grilled cheese and lemonade were merely adequate but, as it happens, the onion rings and pie is where they really shine. I have no idea what they did to those onion rings but that’s how everyone should prepare them because they were delectable and outright bursting with flavor.
As for the Reese’s pie, that’s definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea but, if you’re a big Reese’s lover like me, this is definitely a can’t-miss menu item. It’s hard to provide a good description but I’ll give it a shot. The pie consists of a chocolate crumb crust and a peanut butter fudge filling topped with Reese’s pieces. It’s enough to make any PB lover start drooling just reading that sentence. And the fact that it’s only $2.75 a slice only makes it that much more irresistible. Whoever invented this delightful treat is a true culinary genius.
Of course, if you’re more of a carnivore, they’ve got you covered with a wide selection of burgers and hot dogs to choose from but they also provide enough non-meat options to satisfy any vegetarians who may be lurking around in your life. So if you’re looking for a neat little slice of roadside Americana, look no further than the filling station for a friendly staff and delicious food at a decent price.