Downtown Cary has been growing a lot in the past few years, with new businesses and restaurants opening throughout the area. Two of the newest restaurants are Lloyd’s Full Service and K38 Baja Grill, which both recently opened on East Chatham Street near the end of August. Although the two restaurants are only a short distance from each other, they offer two very different experiences.
Lloyd’s Full Service opened in a restored service station at the corner of Chatham and Academy Streets. While the history of the building is a major part of the restaurant, Lloyd’s was also created to be a place where people in the community could meet for lunch and dinner. The restaurant described itself as a neighborhood eatery that serves creative versions of familiar American foods. According to Reese McKone (‘28), “I was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was for such simple items.” Its menu includes burgers and sandwiches along with a turkey French dip and a “Breakfast for Dinner” plate. “The food was different–in a good way.” McKone told the GH Falcon.
Many of the sides and dishes also change depending on the season. The restaurant has seating inside as well as a large covered patio, giving people another outdoor dining option to overlook the beautiful downtown streets. McKone loved this element of the experience, saying, “We were seated under the overhang, so we were out of the shade but could still enjoy the beautiful weather.” Lloyd’s is located in the center of downtown, on the corner of Chatham Street and Academy Street. “Sitting outside we were able to be a part of the downtown atmosphere, while still being separated from all the noise,” McKone said.
A short walk away, K38 brings a completely different type of food and atmosphere to downtown. The restaurant is inspired by Baja California and surf culture and focuses on Mexican and seafood dishes. Nisha Ramakrishnan (‘28) told the GH Falcon, “I loved all of the artwork and thoughtful installations that they included.” Throughout the restaurant are murals and various art inspired by Baja California culture. “K38 is probably one of the prettiest restaurants I have ever been to, making the experience truly memorable,” Ramakrishnan said.
The Cary restaurant is K38’s seventh location and only its second location in the Triangle. K38 also offers different food specials throughout the week. Mondays include several selected menu items for $5, while Tuesdays have fajita specials and Wednesdays offer half-price De La Casa quesadillas. “The food was delicious, and such a good deal!” Ramakrishnan shared. These specials, along with the large menu, give customers different options depending on when they visit…