One of the most beloved restaurants in all of Chapel Hill briefly reopened on Friday…sort of. Crook’s Corner opened its kitchen door at noon on Friday to sell only one item: Honeysuckle Sorbet.

By the time noon arrived, the line stretched around Crook’s Corner and down one full city block. 

Chapelboro talked to several customers in that line. There was a happy attitude of hope. Many customers indicated that they were there both for the honeysuckle sorbet and to encourage Crook’s Corner to reopen.

Crook’s Corner opened originally in 1982, and spent the next 38 years growing an unmatched reputation for serving fine-dining style southern — culminating with a James Beard award in 2011. The restaurant also forged a connection with the community that made its closure in June of last year difficult for many to take. 

So when the news broke that Crook’s Corner would be opening for one day only to sell their famous honeysuckle sorbet— people paid attention. And showed up.

They stood in line sharing stories. Becky Taylor was one of those customers. She said, “I’ve only missed a few years since I knew about it.”

A few people were there to try it for the first time, talking about how much they liked honeysuckle nectar anyhow excited they were to try it in sorbet.

The turnout was so good that they sold out of all 600 servings of the summer sweet in just 28 minutes. Gayle Murrell from Crook’s Corner said, “We’ve run out!  We had about 600 orders and they are 600 gone orders.”

Those who were still in line when the supply ran out got a raincheck—with the hopes that there is enough honeysuckle season left for former executive chef of Crook’s Corner Bill Smith to make another batch.  If another batch is made, it seems likely it will go fast as well.

“A tremendous success,” said Murrell.  “We didn’t know 600 could go that fast.”

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