One of my favorite work week rituals is our Friday lunch outing, and the game we play to decide where we go. During these weekly outings ,we have tried our fair share of local restaurants, and have found great ones that are good for small groups that can get you in and out in an hour!

Over the years we have read and participated in many local food blogs and Facebook group discussions/recommendations. We do not, however, recall the topic of “Where is a good place for a small group from the office to go for lunch, that you can get in and out inside your lunch hour?” ever getting brought up, and it’s past time to offer some insight to anyone else who might be asking the same.

A little back story on my office culture at The Siena. Our “Lunch Bunch” is a small group (four to six people) that look forward to going out to lunch once a week. We all have servant hearts that are more comfortable answering the question, “Where should we go to lunch today?” with, “Anywhere you would like to go is fine with me!” So, we created a game to choose where we go.

Before the game begins, we are allowed to remove a cuisine or a particular restaurant for any reason. We then each write on a small piece of paper our restaurant choice. We place the paper in a cup and toss the paper in the air. The closest paper to the left of the person who tossed the paper is the winner. This person picks up the paper and reads where we are going. We then all reveal our picks for the restaurants that were not selected.

Lunch timing is key if you are trying to get in and out inside an hour. We try to go early around 11:30 a.m. to beat the crowds. If we cannot leave early, then we will go late, like around 1:30 p,m. We try and avoid 12-1 p.m. if possible, or we choose take-out and eat outside on our patio.

Carpooling is another fun game. Because of our servant hearts, we don’t fight for shotgun, we fight for the back seats. We know, we are an odd bunch.

A few of our favorite lunch spots around town are:

  • Merritt’s – We recommend BLTs all around (they also have gluten free bread). Love the outdoor seating in back. Very Cali feeling. Pro tip: park across the street.
  • Thai Palace – Best Pad Thai. Great menu with lots of options.
  • The Loop – a great place for variety. The salads, burgers, and sandwiches are a hit.
  • Sutton’s – love the fountain drinks and orangeade. Their hotdogs are awesome, as are their onion rings. Great people watching, and you will usually see a UNC athlete or two.
  • Carolina Coffee Shop – love you can get brunch and lunch every day until 3pm. Outdoor seating, great people watching. Pro tip: go as early as possible, as they fill up fast.
  • Carolina Brewery – wings with Carolina Gold sauce, best chicken strips and honey mustard in town. Great outdoor seating and people watching.
  • Med Deli – I love the “pick two or three” sampler option from their deli case. Great outdoor seating and people watching.
  • IP3- slices, slices, and more slices. Please and thank you. Outdoor seating available.
  • The Root Cellar – the entire menu! You can’t go wrong with their daily specials. Great outdoor seating.
  • Al’s Burger Shack – I love the Mookie (bacon-onion jam, roasted garlic aioli, blue marble cheese).

That was just our top ten list – there are many other wonderful restaurants in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area with nice atmospheres that are delicious and timely enough for an office lunch. We know we are lucky to live and work in such a vibrant culinary scene. We’d love to hear your suggestions for our next lunch bunch!

Anthony and Laura Carey, often found at The Siena Hotel and Il Palio, can now be found on Chapelboro! Anthony and Laura share a passion for culinary adventures and exploring local business, and each month “La Vita Local” will highlight part of the local culinary scene — everything from shops to small plates all the way to special events and the people  behind it all!

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