A side-by-side guide of Chapel Hill’s similar restaurants

Despite how snobby it sounds, I think I’ve always secretly identified as a foodie. Even as a picky kid who was scared of eating something that would make me sick, watching “Chopped” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” made me lust after exotic dishes. 

Now as I’ve grown up, I’ve tried to expand my palate. I ate a tomato for truly the first time a few weeks ago — yes, I’d had ketchup, but an actual tomato freaked me out — and, shockingly, was fine afterward. In fact, I kind of liked it. 

In the future, whether it’s trying new foods, dishes or restaurants, I don’t want to be the chicken tenders and fries person anymore. And Chapel Hill has so many restaurants, both local and chains, that I’ve dabbled in since moving here three years ago. 

Given this spread, there’s several restaurants that have similar styles, so here’s my take, as an emerging food connoisseur, of how a few of them match up head to head. 

Bandido's Mexican Cafe vs. Cosmic Cantina

The classic matchup of local Mexican restaurants strikes again. In reality, I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience at either restaurant (unless I’m at Bandido's a little too late), and I’m always going to stop at either one if I’m craving something simple. While Bandido's does have great burritos at all times of the day, a late-night stop at Cosmic Cantina where you splurge on an extra side of queso is something I’m desperately going to miss when I graduate from UNC.

The Purple Bowl vs. Playa Bowls

Easy. I’ll take the local restaurant over the New Jersey-originating chain any day. Even though I'm from Southport and have a Playa Bowls close by in Wilmington, nothing beats the bright atmosphere in Purple Bowl. I always appreciate a customizable acai bowl, refreshing iced chai latte and a staff that truly cares about its community. I love taking the stroll down Franklin Street and treating myself to an afternoon at Purple Bowl, not just for their delicious food, but for what they bring to Chapel Hill.

Al’s Burger Shack vs. Buns Burgers & Fries

There’s no winner here because I would go to either (or both) the moment anyone asked me. Al’s classic cheeseburger will always hit, and Buns’ decision to stay open late on the weekends is one of the better things to happen on Franklin Street. Both restaurants offer their own delicious sides — Buns’ sweet potato fries and Al’s rosemary seasoned fries — but Al’s might just be crowned best burger.

Roots Natural Kitchen vs. Cava

I'd never had Cava until I moved to Chapel Hill my freshman year of college, but instantly, I was hooked. I love building my own bowl with everything I like: basmati rice, spinach, chicken, red pepper hummus, tzatziki, corn, cucumbers, avocado for two extra dollars (if I’m already there, I might as well, right?) and lemon tahini dressing. Perfection. Roots is a smaller chain with 14 locations, and its El Jefe bowl (skip the onions) is also delicious because avocado makes everything better. Both places have great options for a semi-healthy big bowl of stuff, so you really can’t go wrong here. 

Merritt’s Grill vs. Tru

I think the best lunch meal is a sandwich. You can always try a different variation, and it’s hard to mess one up. Two of the best places to satisfy this craving in Chapel Hill are Merritt’s and Tru. Merritt’s is a classic, and even my uncle who lives on Topsail Island knows about the BLT icon. Now that I’ve actually eaten a tomato, my already great opinion of Merritt’s might just raise in value. Tru is a great treat after a long week of classes, and the opportunity to build your own sandwich is exactly what I want. I might sound like a broken record, but you really can’t go wrong with either place — it just depends what you’re in the mood for.

Whether it’s a local restaurant or a chain — although I prefer the local spots — Chapel Hill has a wide variety of cuisines that can satisfy anyone’s taste buds, even a foodie like myself. 

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com