Foster's Market

What it is: Foster's Market is a casual restaurant/foodie store serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are two Foster's restaurants, one in Chapel Hill (off of what was formerly Airport Rd./now MLD Blvd.) and one in Durham. We profiled the Foster's in Durham.

What we liked: Foster's is a great place for a tasty, casual brunch and the building itself is well-suited to dining with kids. There are only a few tables inside, but outdoors there are picnic tables, shaded seating, and plenty of room to wander and explore. The food is also quite kid-friendly: they serve eggs and biscuits and breakfast (until 11:30), burritos, bagels, and lots of baked goods. At lunch they have one or two hot items--the selections change daily--and sandwiches, more baked goods, and a huge display of cold veggie and pasta salads. Everything works on the honor system here, too, so you can keep coming back for more or decide you need to add a drink or two to your order and you don't have to pay for it until you leave.

What we would change: Although Foster's has friendly, amiable service, they can be a bit slow. When its busy it tends to be chaotic at the counter and the staff doesn't always get to everyone in a timely manner. The meals are also a bit pricey, but they tend to be large, so its best to order something from the hot-menu (dished out to you instantly), grab a roll or biscuit, and split it with your toddler. Also, you may want to steer your toddler clear of the baked-goods window. Those ginger snap cookies are mighty yummy and *right* at 2 yr. old eye-level.

Website and other important information: Foster's Market is located off of 15-501 business in central Durham, near the intersection of 15-501 and University.

Address: 2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham

Website: http://www.fostersmarket.com/

Hours: 7:30 am-8:30 pm daily

Random FYI: The Foster's in Chapel Hill has a slightly different menu--they serve tasty pizzas whereas the one in Durham does not. Foster's CH is also a family-friendly restaurant, but there isn't quite as much space to run around.

Photos:

1. the entrance (Yeah, it's in there somewhere.) with outside seating on both sides


2. the view from the back patio


3. an item off the hot menu: squash casserole with lentils and chicken pot pie