In the sad-but-true category, I saw today that Joe's place in downtown Raleigh is closing down for good after 29 years in business. When I moved down to Raleigh back in 1984 from Maryland, one of my fraternity brothers took me to Joe's several times. It was my first foray into Southern Cuisine. My favorite was their vegetable plate. What a thought - a meal without a meat. How could I!? Upon urging from my fraternity brother, I ordered collards, black-eye peas, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. I entered a whole new world of eating. I think it was the first time I felt at home in Raleigh.
Times change and may new restaurants have opened in Raleigh. Unfortunately, the marching of time also sees the transition of many, older, and established places. Although I haven't been there in ages, the closing of this restaurant triggered several memories of the Raleigh downtime 25 years ago and the fact that I was a new student in a new town. I think we all have these "moments" where a restaurant or club or ball-park triggers a flood of good memories about our station in life. What places trigger your memories? Home, a school, an annual event?
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