The Raleigh Times Bar

martinisatjoes you are foolish as your review is factually wrong and I don't believe you have even been there.
"beer selection is just ok" wrong, everybody knows the beer selection is on the level nationally and not just the size but the quality, I guess you asked a bud huh cus they don't have it

"no defined personality" that's quite stupid as it's easily one of the most personable spaces anywhere in Raleigh

I don't go as much as I like but I had to chime in here and point out just how wrong you are.

the food is always good and fresh, anyplace that busy doing scratch food might take a minute. I'm glad to wait for it.

The look of the restaurant inside and out promises something between an excellent dive bar experience and that favorite underrated eatery.

Unfortunately, Raleigh Times doesn't really fit either description. The building architecture and beer selection is just o.k. and there is no defined personality to the joint; neither dive bar or upscale business watering hole. Rather the personality of this business feels schizophrenic.

It is difficult to tell whether the food is good or not because of the poor/slow service and wait time before the food is delivered to your table. I have visited twice and both times have waited upwards of 50 minutes for my food.

My recommendation: save your money, there are other really great taps available within a few miles of Raleigh Times that are genuinely concerned with the customer experience.

The ambience is great, and it has a fantastic selection of beers. This place is a great time as a bar. It's food is MEDIOCRE and TAKES FOREVER, like LUDICROUSLY LONG for them to prepare. Go for cocktails, atmosphere and friends. Eat FIRST.

It's three rooms: two bars (smoking) and a non-smoking dining area which seats about forty. High, tin-covered ceiling. Can get loud in there.

They have some very unusual beers on tap, and a huge selection of eclectic bottle beers including porters from Poland and Russia and several domestic and foreign micro-brews (they even have mead). I had a draft Belgian wit-bier that had a citrus taste to it. Also on tap: a hearty oatmeal stout with a nice chocolate finish (for dessert!).

The wine list can best be described as "bargain": only one bottle priced at more than $32. They also make sangria and they have a full bar.

If you need a Bloody Mary to help with that hangover, they serve it with a 6 ounce glass of beer (to help even more).

You can get a 60 ounce pitcher of Pabst Blue Ribbon for just six bucks.

On to the Food...

I've lived in North Carolina for fifteen years now, and I don't think I've ever seen any bar or restaurant do the obvious: mix some fine home-style barbecue with nachos. Great appetizer and perfect for the three of us to share.

I had a dynamite cup of French onion soup (which was big enough to classify as a "bowl" in many places).

#2 had a fantastic salad of greens, pear, blue cheese, candied walnuts and roasted beets.

I ordered the shrimp burger expecting a patty of shrimp and breading. Instead, I got individual breaded and fried shrimps piled high and falling all over a bun. The shrimps had a nice crunch to them and a great citrus flavor (like the calamari at Vivace).

But, I save the best for last: #1 ordered what I would consider one of the best Reuben's I've ever sampled. This is not your father's Reuben (thin slices of pink-red corned beef). This is house-made beef, brined and roasted until brown, then thickly sliced and sandwiched with --- again--- house-made kraut and Gruyere.

The menu has several offerings we've earmarked for our next visit: hanger steak and frittes with a horseradish cream, a hearty Cuban sandwich, and their own house-made sausage special with seasonal ingredients and "fixens".

Best of all was the price: $56 for for the three of us.