DISQUS

Dana · 2 years ago

I've always loved the place's "Pulp Fiction" feel to it. That's going to be a neat strip once the convention center is open and the Empire/Wake County development is finished.

Ron T · 2 years ago

I am one of those who used to LOVE Poole's but had a bad experience after Liz left. I always loved the soup but, during what we will call the transition, it was watery and depressing.
It's good to hear they are back on track. I too had taken it off of my list. I'll be back for another try.
I hope the new owner keeps the feel of an urban diner.

Bryant · 2 years ago

I always appreciated the fact that Poole's offered good food and was one of the few places in Raleigh that actually serves the late night crowd - too many restaurants in the city close their doors at ten or eleven o'clock, even on a Saturday night. I will admit that I have had a couple of mediocre experiences there during the transition, including a couple of weeks before Christmas when we tried to go for dinner after a late movie, and were disappointed to see that not only was the kitchen closed already, but they were having last call at the bar at 12:30 a.m.
Hopefully the new owners will be able to keep the quality high and also continue to serve those of us who find ourselves craving a good burger or blue plate special after a late movie or show at one of Raleigh's downtown music venues. As Chris noted, the most difficult part will be surviving until the bulk of the construction on the street is done and people realize they can go there again - and will do so in increasing numbers if the Convention Center and related development have the effect that the city hopes.

Raleighrob · 2 years ago

I'm glad to hear that some of the potential buyers would keep it overall the same. Since they are suffering a bit from the convention center construction, it'd be nice if the city would let them have a temporary waiver to the sign ordinances and be able to put up some additional signs letting people know that they are there. I hope they make it until the contruction is over.
PS--For those who haven't tried Pooles yet, but would like to after reading this review...please don't let the talk of the contruction deter you from visiting. Park on Davie Street and you can easily get to Poole's from that!

Matt (msw) Wilson · 2 years ago

I've also been a longtime fan of the roased red pepper soup, from the Vertigo days. It's never quite seemed the same since then.
I was also a little shocked to see some of the comments in the latest health inspections:
http://wake.digitalhealthdepartment.com/facilit...

wendy · 2 years ago

Does Susan Goetches still own Pooles Diner(formerly Vertigo)??? She was one of the original owners.

Lea · 2 years ago

My husband and I have always had a soft spot for Vertigo/Poole's. We ate at the Vertigo the night we drove into town, found Boylan Heights, spotted the adorable bungalow that the very next afternoon would become our first and present home. Not only that, but as we sat down at the bar to order, our favorite Whiskeytown song came over the sound system.
We were in love--with each other, the place, and our new city and home. We've been back eight or so times since then.
So it's a big deal when I say we won't be back to Poole's until many things change. The past few experiences hadn't been all that great. We left with the feeling we'd paid way too much money for mediocre food. (The red pepper soup is good, but not as good as it used to be.)
Then, several weeks ago, we went there with friends after one of them exhibited at the Rock n Shop. She had a three-week-old baby who was deeply asleep most of the time, and we had our well-behaved two-year-old. It was abundantly clear the waitress HATED our very presence at her table. (Strange, since it seemed we would be her only source of tip money for the night. It was deserted.) She gave us hateful looks and surly service throughout.
And then the food was mediocre, and the bill was high.
We hope things will turn around soon, and are excited to see what the convention center does for that area. It is practically our neighborhood, after all. But for now Poole's is off our list. That waitress sealed it.

Lea · 2 years ago

Holy cow. If the waitress hadn't sealed it, then the health department inspection notes do.
Ugh! Please, someone put some love back into that place. And don't lose the great bar.

Andy · 2 years ago

I've been going to Poole's for two years... a regular if you will. I have to say that my service has always been excellent, but I will admit that the food was less than stellar for a couple of months over the summer (during what everyone is calling the transition period) But, that was well taken care of by August.
From what I heard, from the people that work there, the problem was that with all of the construction and new restaurants opening around them over the last year, and Liz's only 3 block away, they lost a lot of business and hence had a hard time keeping staff (especially in the kitchen).
Personally, I saw the ups and I saw the downs. While the kitchen was in an uproar for a while, I was always well taken care of by the wait staff and bartenders, which is why I never stopped going. The people who work there have always been fun and attentive, even without Liz.
Plus, who doesn't love a 50's diner?
Everyone who gave up on the place because they had a rough couple of months in the kitchen should definitely try it again.

Greg · 2 years ago

Pools was great....the food is Great...Courtney the Mgr was and is Awesome....if the new owners can keep it close to what it was they will do well....

Randy · 2 years ago

Many people don't know the history, but here it is:
In 1943 retired railroad worker, John Poole built Poole's Pie Shop at 426 S. McDowell St., Raleigh. During the Halcyon days of the 1950's he expanded the business and added a restaurant, calling it Poole's Luncheonette. The luncheonette closed in 1992. In 1993 Susan Goetcheus and Evan Lightner carefully renovated the building keeping much of the classic decor and opened Vertigo Diner. After 10 years the restaurant was in need of renovation and in 2004 Pooles Diner opened. This renovation returned the building much closer to a 1940's decor and created a menu to match.
I love this place. Always have, I first went back when it was vertigo, and i still continue to go (although less frequently than I'd like). I feel like its suffering from the construction more than anything, and I hope this landmark lives on.
The atmosphere is like no other that you can find in the city limits. And its the only place i know of where you can order a Sandwich and substitute the fries with a Salad without being charged anything extra.
Give it a try.

selmisha · 2 years ago

A great Raleigh spot with great food, excellent service and the best space in town. I used to go every Friday but I have not been able to make it out recently.. maybe this Friday. If there are new owners we may as well worry the hell out of Susan and Richard while we can :)

Will Reynolds · 2 years ago

I have been a fan of Poole's since it opened. I started coming because they made great bourbon milkshakes and the rest of the food was always steller. The atmosphere and the attitude was always unique and never boring.
I wasn't able to eat out much this past summer but the few times I came in during the "transition period" I found that the menu was constantly in flux. There were a few new items that showed up then disappeared. They were always very good though. I wish they still had those Rosemary queso fries...
I hope the new owners will bring more consistency in the menu but overall this place has been and will continue to be one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh.

sandstrom · 2 years ago

I love this place great food good people good times running a resturant is hard work you cant always having everything running smoothly at the same time.

k · 2 years ago

I've got a soft spot in my heart for Poole's for many reasons including good service (Hannah, Rush, Miranda and of course, Courtney), great food, and a gin & tonic poured and Joe Strummer cued up on the stereo every time I walked in. I haven't been lately due for a few reasons (nothing personal) but for well over a year, I've been a regular every Monday night with a group of friends and we were consistently well taken care of. I hope it survives the unending construction and new ownership as it reminds me all too well of another place dear to my heart: The Rathskeller on Hillsborough St. I worked there for almost 5 years (and spent many off duty hours), met my closest friends and husband and still miss it dearly (not the working there part!). The Rat got some bad inspections, too and then quickly vanished. There was talk of saving it but sadly nothing came of it. Hopefully Poole's will not have the same fate.
My friends and I are forever thankful for the love and support they showed us "craft ladies."

al · 2 years ago

Someone told me last night was the last night Poole's would be open.

Lea · 2 years ago

It was closed this past Friday night.
Even though our last several experiences there weren't good, I still hated to see it all dark. Sad. Here's hoping for a resurgence.
- L

Chad Foley · 2 years ago

foliage missing the hobart.
still soft underneath
stare through air eyes spangle lux one
sitting still moving still staring outlooking
sleep peels lips never spill
leaves never leave
thank googulimoogily.
Swearword swordfisticuffs
that soup is just heavy cream and pucacious obchucktion when I smell roses
lime juice that is.
qotsa, verbena, chocolate weasel, mother, duck in my pants, sweat box, $400/month - $70 bar tab, Tommy at burger king walking the drive through, Evan out of his element, Athena, ffwd, Michael J. Fox as Sous Chef, many things before me, no pot until we're closed, pretty girls leg up in the booth, puking on kim chee, Tool kinda sucks chris, but Styx rocks. richard's chicking pie, girls like it too (what a day that was), nipple rings on Ashley, letting Pierre beat me in arm wrestling, saving Kara my true love from riff raff on the street, Sean and I serving drunk at 10am brunch (top 5 regret of all time), nasty catfish quesadilla's, Todd in outer space somewhere in LA, Flaming Kessari cheese, Snowed in truck drivers eating $26 catfish and missing the late night menu w/ $6 bbq sandwiches by 5 min, learning how to tiny dice, knife skills, rice benchmarks, how to cut an onion, Wustoff, Jer grows up, scrubbies in the salad (only once), Ashley hiring 2 skinny james north raleigh freako, Theakstons, Mike, Heather Herring, Beckman et al, Patty, Helen, Amanda, Susan's baaad novels failures, John Edwards, ice storm chorizo saved my life, Perino, bad metal, Sneed scamming Chapel Hill wannabe DJ chicks, dropping love notes in Amanda's purse, did I say bad metal? Jim D. must have inherited too much money, Bud Light? rednecks in the kitchen, internet ideas years ahead of there time, too much booze to execute, "what's wrong with that dude", Kenneth requisite splits on bar, Kings got a liquor licsense, sh*t! Sweaty, EDD (Extra dirty dude), #10 cans, comradery like noneother, cliques, affairs, love, burnt biscuits. So young, so pure...
Greased Lightening!
Wella wella well

Cobra · 2 years ago

Here's to hoping Ashley won't turn this place into another over-priced yuppiefest like Vin and Raleigh Times (yeah, yeah, they're just fantastic, I know). Old school Vertigo fans, who wouldn't bring their kids to a BAR, know what I'm talking about. If they rip out the counter there, can you imagine a worse move in a place with an existing asset as fantastic as that?
I hate to see it go! It was my favorite bar here. First the old Stingray, now this.
R.I.P. Vertigo

KRock · 2 years ago

VERTIGO IS THE PEOPLE.
As everyone does, a BAR/DINER/HOME has good days and bad.
EVEN some of the Diner's patrons have BAD days.
Trust if you didn't like the service...you weren't supposed to.
VERTIGO is my family. I know I'll be back for cocktails regardless of ownership. There is a piece of me that "belongs" at the Vertigo like nowhere else in town. I can sit at the left tit and reminisce:*dancing to Bowie & Queen to summons customers to the empty building *Thursday night limbo contests & lost bets re:the number of live after 5 patrons to leave their coolers *j passing out in the men's room *balls to the bar..anyone??? *what ever happened to the foliage pages? (miss you).
See you there WHENEVER I can