The 13 Best National Food Holidays

National are holidays

Bloody Mary Day (January 1st)

What better way to get you through this day than with everyone’s favorite hair of the dog? Whether you just rolled out of bed or you’re still going strong from ringing in the New Year, this nutritious tomato drink will pick you back up. Head over to The Oxford in downtown Raleigh and imbibe to your heart’s content.

Nutella Day (February 5th)

All you need is a spoon to celebrate this day, but if you don’t want to cloy your palate too early in the morning mix it up with the classic crepe and Nutella pairing. Simply Crepes in Lafayette Village serves a delicious crepe that will definitely hit the spot.

Beer Day (April 7th)

This date commemorates the day beer became legal again in the United States in 1933. Aptly named Brew Years Eve, it’s the perfect excuse to taste the wide range of craft beers the budding Raleigh beer scene has to offer. One of our favorites breweries is Big Boss Brewing Co. Hop in for a quick beer, or a couple, while you play pool, ping-pong, or darts in their spacious taproom. As a side note, April is also Beer Month in Raleigh so if you miss Beer Day don’t sweat it.

Eggs Benedict Day (April 16th)

This dish is a brunch staple across the country. It’s not clear when or where it originated, but most people seem to attribute it to the stock broker Lemeul Benedict’s hangover recipe in 1894. Use this day to savor pouched eggs with Hollandaise sauce and whatever variation of bacon, ham, etc. you prefer. Another Broken Egg Cafe has six different versions of this dish, making it the perfect place to treat yourself on Benedict Day.

Hamburger Day (May 28th)

This iconic American plate doesn’t need an introduction. There’s plenty of gourmet burger spots in Raleigh to enjoy one of the most American days of the year. We suggest Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Kick back outside in their brick patio and enjoy a number of their signature burgers.

Doughnut Day (First Friday of June)

Doughnut Day honors The Salvation Army’s efforts during WWI, where their volunteers would spend time in the front lines feeding these baked goods to the troops. Daylight Donuts in the Triangle offers 10% off all donut purchases on Donut Day so be sure to stop by this summer and get some delicious deals from this 1954 establishment.

Lobster Day (June 15th)

Lobster used to be considered “trash food” in the early 1600's. Since then this seafood dish has become synonymous with fine dining. Even though there is no substitute for the Main lobsters from the north, Nantucket Grill & Bar serves a mean lobster roll and is as good a place as any to spend your Lobster Day.

Fried Chicken Day (July 6th)

Another American favorite. This versatile southern comfort food has the perfect crunch-to-juiciness ratio. Head out to Zaxby’s for a quick bite, or go to The Pit if you want a more homey way to celebrate our beloved Fried Chicken Day.

Waffle Day(August 24th)

This holiday honors the day that the first US patent for a waffle iron was issued. This delicious plate has evolved from purely a breakfast meal to basically an any time of the day order. That means you can use this day to explore any of the great restaurants Raleigh has to offer. For traditional breakfast you can stop by Denny’s, they offered 20% off any meal with a waffle purchase last year, or Jubala Village Coffee. For lunch or dinner try the alternative waffle dishes Chicharron and Waffle from Jose and Sons or the “Chicken” and Waffles from The Fiction Kitchen.

Chocolate Milkshake Day (September 12th)

What originally started as eggnog with a shot of whiskey in the late 1880's is now a staple of ice-cream shops and diners across the country. Not to be confused with Vanilla Milkshake Day (that’s June 20th) make sure you order the (ahem) better, cacao-inspired version during your celebration. While there’s a lot of great milkshakes in the area, we prefer Cook Out for its price and variety, it’s hard to argue with 40 different flavors.

Taco Day (October 4th)

This special day gives you a great excuse to binge at any of the great Mexican restaurants in Raleigh. Whether it’s Taqueria El Toro, Centro, or Chubby’s Tacos you can’t go wrong.

Sandwich Day (November 3rd)

One of the most frequently consumed foods, sandwiches are equally enjoyable and convenient. The food was named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich, but its been around since the Greeks. If you want to grab a good, quick sandwich go any of the Which Wiches or Village Delis in the area. Otherwise, hit up The Rockford or Sosta Cafe in downtown Raleigh.

Cupcake Day (December 15th)

These mini-cakes are loved by everyone, so its no wonder there’s a couple of national cupcake days floating around. The most recognized date however it Dec. 15 and we’re sure to end our wild year of food holidays by tracking down Not Just Icing, the food truck that won Mobile Cuisine’s 2014 Dessert Food Truck of the Year.