Spize Cafe to Replace America’s Pita Grill
Pan-Asian
It’s always nice when you hear that a staple in downtown Raleigh is closing their doors, only to be told (by the owners) that this wasn’t the case. This happened to a writer at New Raleigh (who was specifically asked by the owner to inform readers that the restaurant was indeed not closing), but I guess that last week of mulah was very much needed to make ends meet and not let customers know. What a let down.
Nevertheless, America’s Pita Grill on Fayetteville Street did abruptly shut down on Friday May 15th and will be replaced, according to Dana at Gogo, with a new Pan-Asian cafe called Spize which should open in late July.
The good news is that this space will be flipped quickly, the bad news is that it was done with a bit of flipping to some very loyal customers.
1: They’ll flip ya!
2: They’ll what?
1: They’ll flip ya, flip ya for real!
The former America’s Pita Grille space will soon be gutted to prepare for the Spize Cafe. The restaurant will feature a menu of Pan-Asian flavors in baguettes, soups, salads, and fresh rolls. There will be a “Free Tasting day” in late July, just before the restaurant’s grand opening.
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Matt W
05/28 01:32 PM
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And there were a lot of smoke signals about closing coming from that place. Oh well, they were nothing special, but I am sad because they were one of the few “quick bite” places downtown.
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Brian
05/28 04:21 PM
Could someone PLEASE open an Indian restaurant downtown? Thanks!
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DannyD
05/28 04:31 PM
Hello! Pan-Asian and the restaurant is called Spize (spys)!
It is like the Cold War all over again! -
Christian
05/28 04:48 PM
Danny, I don’t know this for sure, but do you think it’s possible that the restaurant was intending the pronunciation to be like “spice”?
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Matt W
05/28 05:29 PM
If that’s the case, they should have spelled it “Spice”.
I’m going to refer to it as Speeze. Or maybe Spizzy.
I wonder who is backing this venture. Anyone want to start betting in a death pool? I give it 8 months from date of open.
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Dana
05/28 05:33 PM
Thanks, Jed!
Maybe they’ll be open all the time and call it “24-7 Spize” (sorry for the 1990 reference, there)
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Ashton
05/28 06:25 PM
Matt, that seems a bit harsh. I’m not 100% sure, but I am fairly confident that this is not the first restaurant venture for the new owner. My understanding is that he also owns in some capacity a spot in Cary. Of course, as we’ve seen, prior experience doesn’t guarantee anything in Downtown.
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Horatio
05/28 06:29 PM
I hate to see any business go under, but the few times I ate at America’s Pita Grill the staff seemed as if they could care less if I ate there or not.
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Matt W
05/28 06:56 PM
Ashton, you are right, that was way too harsh and I apologize in case the owner or anyone else associated with the new restaurant reads this.
I am very pessimistic about new restaurant openings these days. Shouldn’t take it out on specific restaurants.
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MK
05/28 11:37 PM
I can understand the skepticism but “without risk there’s no progress”. We’ll try our best to stay afloat after 8 months, just give us a chance! And yes, we’ll capitalize on the wide side walk we have with outdoor seatings.
www.spizecafe.com -
DianaDarko
05/29 04:52 AM
Just checked out the site-looks good. If though baguettes are Banh Mi, and good ones, and moreso priced like the real deal (3 for 6@ N9N), which is unlikely, then I’ll be there. Often.
Actually, I’d like to see more ethnic joints downtown. Noe, this is not to dis Spize, but bonafide not glorified and gussied up into “neu-asian,” “nuevo latino”, etc etc.
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karlaanne
05/29 09:10 AM
as long as we’re bitching about downtown… can someone PLEASE open a bookstore on Fayetteville St? A newsstand? SOMETHING?
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Fenster
05/29 10:27 AM
Was it the one about the hooker with the dysentary?
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Sallie
05/29 10:40 AM
Ah Cash - mmmm…butter chicken - your inner-Apu just below the surface.
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Jeb
05/29 12:49 PM
if we don’t get no tolls, then we don’t eat no rolls.
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DJ Madcow
05/29 05:54 PM
I loved the 24-7 Spyz reference. I think “Grandma Dynamite” would be a great name for a soul food joint.
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JOhn
05/29 10:43 PM
I second the vote for an Indian restaurant downtown. And I am not talking about no fu-fu Azitra like place. I am talking straight up spicy biryani and tandoori chicken with a basket of naan for $10. Good luck Spize. Never went to American Pita since they were never open but we’ll be by after you open.
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Brandie
04/18 12:03 AM
Glad I’ve fnilaly found something I agree with!
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