{"id":394901,"date":"2026-08-01T18:20:32","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T18:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/394901\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T18:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T18:20:32","slug":"durhams-new-east-of-texas-serves-tex-mex-and-smoked-meats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/394901\/","title":{"rendered":"Durham\u2019s new East of Texas serves Tex Mex and smoked meats"},"content":{"rendered":"

For more than 20 years, Claire Calvin has been a Texan living abroad, which is how Texans think about living anywhere that\u2019s not Texas.<\/p>\n

When she and her family opened their first restaurant, The Porch in Winston-Salem, she built a menu around the food she missed the most\u2014 the tacos and queso and flautas of Tex Mex cuisine. It\u2019s been a Winston staple for more than a decade, leading to two other restaurants and a reputation for excellent margaritas.<\/p>\n

East of Texas, Calvin\u2019s Texas barbecue restaurant, opened this week in Durham\u2019s American Tobacco Campus,<\/a> an expansion of the smoky, Texas-style spot that opened in Winston in 2023. That same year, The News & Observer included it in a list of 64 restaurants defining what North Carolina barbecue<\/a> means right now.<\/p>\n

\"The The new East of Texas barbecue restaurant brings Texas-sized vibes to Durham\u2019s American Tobacco Campus. jdjackson@newsobserver.com Drew Jackson East of Texas menu<\/p>\n

First and foremost, East of Texas is unabashedly Texan, from Willie Nelson and Beyonc\u00e9 murals on the wall, to brisket getting top billing on the barbecue menu.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so much great North Carolina barbecue we\u2019ve enjoyed ever since we\u2019ve lived here, but I really still miss Texas barbecue,\u201d Calvin said. \u201cI grew up eating it, and it\u2019s been funny watching the country sort of discover Texas barbecue when for us, it was just a normal thing people would eat all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"East East of Texas serves a variety of sandwiches, including brisket and pork sandwiches, a hot chicken sandwich and a burger. Courtesy of East of Texas What is Texas barbecue?<\/p>\n

In the Triangle\u2019s increasingly crowded and passionate barbecue scene, East of Texas stands out immediately for its blend of traditional smoked meats and Tex Mex classics.<\/p>\n

The menu includes trays of smoked meats by the pound, like lean and fatty brisket, burnt ends, pork belly, lime-glazed pulled pork and ancho-rubbed smoked salmon. In a nod to Tex Mex, the trays are served with flour tortillas and fixings, including barbecue sauce and salsa, charred jalape\u00f1os and street corn salad.<\/p>\n

\"East East of Texas serves nachos topped with chipotle queso and a choice of brisket, chicken, pork or veggies, served with street corn salad, salsa, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and jalapenos. Courtesy of East of Texas <\/p>\n

There\u2019s also smoked turkey, housemade sausage and pork ribs. The sandwiches include sliced and chopped brisket sandwiches, pulled pork and Winston-Salem style dipped hot chicken.<\/p>\n

On the taco side, there\u2019s trendy birria, mole brisket, smoked chicken and a pulled pork taco with mac and cheese and spicy pickled onions.<\/p>\n

Margaritas with a following<\/p>\n

Calvin acknowledges that her margaritas have quite a following, and despite seven varieties, most people order the house marg, which can be kicked up with jalape\u00f1os or habanero peppers. There is also North Carolina craft beers and simple mixed drinks.<\/p>\n

\"Durham\u2019s Durham\u2019s historic American Tobacco Campus just added the new East of Texas barbecue restaurant. jdjackson@newsobserver.com Drew Jackson <\/p>\n

East of Texas introduced itself to the ATC crowd last weekend with a pair of open house days, selling drinks, but giving away brisket tacos and flautas and making cotton candy and banana pudding, while a cover band played country hits.<\/p>\n

Calvin said it was a chance to get the custom JR all-wood smoker tuned up and say hello to Durham. It turned into more than that.<\/p>\n

\"The The new East of Texas barbecue restaurant in Durham features a pair of garage-style doors opening up the space to the American Tobacco Campus. jdjackson@newsobserver.com Drew Jackson \u2018This feels like home\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI met a lot of Texans who told me, \u2018This feels like home,\u2019\u201d Calvin said. \u201cI love North Carolina, but I definitely feel like a Texan living outside of Texas. When I was creating the first East of Texas, that was always the highest compliment someone could give me, that our food reminded them of Texas. It makes me feel a little less homesick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The The restaurant East of Texas serves smoked meats including brisket, turkey and chicken, along with Tex-Mex-inspired sides such as chips and salsa, queso or guacamole, and Tajin street corn salad. Courtesy of East of Texas <\/p>\n

East of Texas in Durham is entering its soft open phase, with hours evolving over the next week. The first all-day service will be Saturday, Aug. 1, starting with breakfast at 9 a.m. followed by lunch and dinner.<\/p>\n

For specific hours, check out East of Texas on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This story was originally published July 31, 2026 at 3:24 PM.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
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Drew Jackson<\/a><\/p>\n

The News & Observer<\/p>\n

Drew Jackson writes about restaurants and dining for The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun, covering the food scene in the Triangle and North Carolina.\n <\/p>\n