Story by Guest Columnist | January 23, 2010 | Tags: bojangles, Business, cary, Food, nc
Story and pictures by Jim Pomeranz
Cary, NC – Today, from the “what’s really important in life” file, Bojangles is finally coming to Cary! Not just one location, but two!
For the unknowing, Cary (where I have lived since 1982 when the population was about 8,500) is a town (it refuses the ‘city’ moniker) of over 110,000 citizens, and up until now (actually closer to March), there has not been a Bojangles Famous chicken ‘n biscuits within Cary town limits. Born in Charlotte NC in 1977, Bojangles is famous for its Cajun’ Fillet Chicken Biscuit and other great tasting food.
This “fine” dining establishment serves biscuits all day with the famous chicken taste but also with delicious eggs and country ham, bacon, and sausage. And, their freshly fried chicken pieces-parts ain’t so bad either. Most locations are open from 6:00 a.m. until sometime late into the night. If you pass Bo’s without stopping, take a break from healthy stuff and indulge.
Primarily located in the Southeast, there’s a Bojangles in Brooklyn NY, believe it or not. From somewhat personal experience, it’s got a great following, especially from Southern transplants living in New York who want to re-experience that great Bojangles taste of seasoned fries and its wonderful sweet tea. And a bunch of New York natives who have come to love Bo’s delicious cuisine. Gotta go to Bo’s!
The closest Bojangles to Cary has been in Apex NC (which butts up to Cary) at the intersection of US Highway 64 and Laura Duncan Road, just across the highway from Apex High School. That store may be the local franchisee’s highest-grossing (money, definitely not the food; it’s NOT gross) Bojangles of the more than 40 stores it owns and operates. It’s not just a high school student hangout either. After the school bell rings weekdays and on Saturday mornings, Bo’s is packed.
As is the Apex location, others area Bojangles are open outside Cary’s perimeter. Legend has it that the outward appearance of Bojangles has trumped the tasty food inside including the sausage gravy and biscuits and the dirty rice.
Now, we are soon to have Bojangles in Cary which is a seemingly difficult place for Bojangles bright red and custard (can you say YELLOW) color scheme. It has been said the outside color scheme doesn’t fit into Cary’s desire for bland beige and gray building exteriors; it has also been said the Bojangles franchisee and corporate office didn’t want to fight that battle. Bojangles didn’t want to display the stealth appearance.
“We’ve heard that for years too, but we are not sure it is really true,” said Jeffery G. Ulma, Planning Director for the Town of Cary Planning Department in an email. “(That) may fall in the ‘urban myth’ category. Lots of other businesses with a corporate architecture ‘look’ have threatened not to come because of our requirements, but if they really want to be in this market, they figure out how to conform.”
In this case, Bo’s did. The outside of the building is clearly that of Bojangles, but it’s a little toned down, and the building is sort of tucked against a backdrop of pine trees. Very nice look. The canopy roof is usually a bright orange, but the canopies of both Cary’s Bojangles are made of Copper Kynar (whatever that is and it’s surely not on the menu), a very attractive alternate in keeping with the very tasteful menu inside.
The first Bojangles in Cary is at a great location on the east end of Chatham Street between Maynard Road and the Cary Soccer Stadium. For those who know, it’s just past historical Cooper’s furniture as you head towards Raleigh. It’s directly across the railroad tracks and street from the looming WPTF Radio broadcast tower, an area historical landmark for sure. (If you’re gonna make history by locating here, you gotta be near lots of history.) For the tailgaters at the nearby soccer stadium events as well as for football Saturday’s at NC State’s nearby Carter-Finley Stadium, the menu is obvious. Gotta go to Bo’s! Get there early.
Soon to follow is another Bojangles at the southeast corner of Davis Drive and High House Road in the Searstone retirement development. Same color scheme. Same great food. Older crowd though who will use it as a morning gathering place to drink coffee, clog the arteries and tell lies about children and grandchildren. Good for them.
You think I’m excited to have Bo’s in Cary. Damn right! I know Bo’s is happy to be here. It’s an Orange (Copper Kynar)-and-Yellow-Letter-Day for Cary!
Gotta, Wanta, Needa, Getta, Hava Bojangles!
Jarrett Campbell
January 23, 2010 at 4:02 pm
As someone who tailgates at WakeMed Soccer Park all through the RailHawks’ season, I jumped for joy when I noticed the trademark orange awnings go up on the building on Chatham St. Now to find out there’s one going in at Searstone (a block from my home), I’m doubly happy!
Chicken biscuits FTW!
Gary Vatal
January 23, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Wow…just wow.
Wes
January 23, 2010 at 6:38 pm
You are wrong about the 1982 population of Cary. The Census had Cary at 7000 in 1970, and 22,000 in 1980. Current Census estimates are 134,000 residents by the end of 2009.
Unless a traffic light is planned for that part of Chatham, I predict it will become one of the more accident prone areas in Cary. At least with the Soccer park the traffic is only periodically heavy. Bojangles will be a constant problem.
By the way, Bojangles and other fast food places are directly responsible for epidemic obesity in the US. I was just thinking the other day that such fat laden fare kills fare more US citizens than all the terror attacks within and without the US every year.
Matt Young
January 23, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Now THIS is news!
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Karl
January 23, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I drove by before the awnings went up, and thought, gee, that looks like it could be a BOJANGLES!
Then i thought, no, probably Cary’s 18th Wendys.
My taste buds are saying Yes, my cardiologist is saying OH, NO! Everything in moderation I guess.
Thanks for the good news!
Brendan
January 24, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I’d be willing to trade the Burger King on Harrison Avenue for a Bojangles.
Kevin White
February 6, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Become a fan of Bojangles coming to Cary on Facebook.
Jim Harrop
February 15, 2010 at 11:41 am
Someone please post here when it opens!!!
Bojangles Lover
October 20, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Bojangle’s on Chatham has already opened.
Bojangle’s on Davis was supposed to have opened today Wednesday, October 20, however a source has told me they are officially opening Tuesday, October 26 at 5:00.
Rusty
October 24, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Is the Bojangles on Daivs really opening on the 26th at 5am? And is there a giveaway for the first 100 customers?
Reggi Powell
August 9, 2011 at 9:44 am
I go to your Bojangles several times a week. I’m tired of only receiving one napkin. I’m messier than that — I understand I do not need a tree but more than one would be nice. Yesterday I received a soda with ice……I asked for no ice. They get something wrong there all the time…also the line is soooo long and I’m trying to get to work on time — is it you have no help, are they incompetent or are they just super busy that time of day…..I want to continue my trips to the BO there but this makes me want to go to CHICKFILA where they speak English, you can understand them on the speaker, your order is NEVER wrong and they can’t do enough nice things for you. Think about it.