Downtown's Dos Perros preps for impending debut

Charlie Deal's much-anticipated new downtown restaurant Dos Perros has turned into a labor of love that's as much about the labor as the love, it seems.

The love stems from Deal's passion for cuisine, sure, something he's displayed at Chapel Hill's Jujube with aplomb since being recruited to the Triangle dining scene in part by George Bakatsias some years back. And from Charlie and wife Diana's love for their two dogs, whose presence inspires the restaurant's name and whose pictures fill up the hallway near the restrooms and service entrance.

But it's been labor, too -- hard work prepping a nearly century-old space for its new life as a restaurant, a far cry from its days as the old Rogers Drug Store, a family-owned institution in Durham for years.

It's labor that's extended from shepherding the two-year project through to its almost-completion, down to the handcrafted tables that Charlie and Diana have been constructing for the restaurant, and the salvaged dining rooms chairs hand-stripped and revarnished by the couple.

All of which goes in part to trying to help Dos Perros and the Rogers Alley complex achieve a hoped-for LEED silver certification -- and to providing a shot of character into a space that sat underused for years.

The results of these two years' work (since the project was initially announced at the Durham Rising event in summer '07) should come to fruition any day now, with the planned opening of the restaurant perhaps as early as next week. (Watch the Dos Perros web site for official word on the start date.)

Charlie Deal describes the mission of Dos Perros, which is subtitled "A Mexican Place," as trying to fill a niche for Mexican food that he doesn't think is met in the Triangle today:

Dos Perros is my answer to what has amounted to a frustrating compromise in Mexican cuisine in the Triangle and beyond.  One can find a delicious authentic taco by going to a traditional taqueria, but that often comes at the expense of atmosphere-- waiting in line, eating on a paper plate at a formica table under florescent lights; quaint, but hardly date-night material and often without even a decent margarita. 

To get a slightly more refined version, your only other option is typically a Southwestern or Tex-Mex styled fine dining restaurant.  It’s as if, as soon as any effort is put into the design or ambiance, there’s a need to somehow Americanize the food; that the rich culinary heritage of Mexico does not produce a noble enough cuisine to be honored by an elevated setting without somehow changing it first.

Noting that the "rich Mexican culinary heritage" has been watered-down to tacos and burritos, Dos Perros promises everything from authentic moles to slow-roasted meats and a taqueria menu "straight from the streets of Mexico."

Microbrews and Mexican beers will be available, too, along with house-made Aqua Frescas, described as the delicious juices of Mexico.

Inside, a "casual taqueria" and bar awaits diners who enter off of Mangum St., with a dining room immediately adjacent on the south side of the space, opening into the kitchen.

Downstairs sits a private event space large enough to seat forty people, and equipped with media to support anything from a business meeting to a basketball game viewing party.

An outdoor eating area will come next, making use of the patio space that sits between the old Rogers Drug Store building and the one-time fire station set to become the restaurant Eno later this fall.

Exposed wood beams and other features -- including part of what appears to be a "Home-Owned for 23 Years" sign at the bar, which is part of what was decades ago the exterior wall of the building -- show the age and character of the space to boot.

Local produce and meats are on tap, naturally -- including some fresh mint to be harvested from a tiny garden out back surrounding the geothermal well that supports eco-friendly heating and cooling for the space.

Dos Perros will initially be open from for lunch Mondays-Fridays (11:30 am - 2:30 pm) and for dinner Mondays-Saturdays (5:30 pm - 10:00 pm), with weekend brunch hours, a seven-day late-night menu, and even weekday breakfast to follow.

Keep an eye out on the web site for the opening date.

Comments

[Freddie]

AWESOME!! I've been patiently waiting for this place to open for a LONG time! I only hope that prices aren't too high for my taste...I do have a feeling it will be very good...Time will tell...

That little section has been looking good these days...Just noticed the other days they were working on the sidewalk along that corridor...

[Courtney Wilson]

Spectacular. I love the pictures of the dogs - the dos perros! I can't wait to go!

[jonn]

I'm really happy about all the restaurant happenings in downtown but it would be nice to get a few new cheap places. Like a cheap burrito joint..or hot dog place with interesting toppings.

Some of us can't afford places like Dos Perros and Revolution for dinner often.

[Kevin Davis]

@jonn: You did see the story from yesterday about King's Sandwich Shop reopening downtown, right? Or do you mean wanting a place like that in the city center core?

[jonn]

Yes I did see that and am very excited about King's. i was thinking more within the loop.

[J. Loftis]

Hopefully Dos Perros will do a happy hour similar to what Mez offers.

http://www.mezdurham.com/salsa.shtml

[Mike Woodard]

Mrs. W and I ate @ Dos Perros this evening (Friday). Excellent food. Cheerful decor. Two thumbs up!

[Lamb]

@John

Actually there is a place down on Main St. that serves affordable tacos and burritos. I forgot the name of it but I ate there months back. It was really good and filling. It's right there at Five Points.

[Matthew C]

My wife and I also had the change to eat at Dos Perros on Friday night and must say the food is fantastic. Also, Diana and Charlie Deal were nice enough to spend some time with us giving us the tour of the place while we taped it for our new video blog for Downtown Durham! Check out the "First Look" video below (along with a First Look of Mangum 506!)

http://www.findyourcool.net

[Charlie]

@ John-

I think we'll have plenty of tasty things to eat that don't cost much and am pretty certain our lunch prices will be in line with most. Perhaps our dinner menu won't afford everyday dining prices for some, but, at very least, will be a less expensive alternative for a nice night out.

In terms of inexpensive options, one can't forget to mention Toast. Amazing sandwiches for a very, very fair price.

What can't be forgotten is the cost associated with trying to buy as much locally and sustainably raised product. Restaurants these days are really stuck in the middle of wanting to do right by both those who feel local food is important as well as those looking for a good value. If a restaurant isn't careful, he can find he's managed to please both but failed to do so in a manner that leaves any money left over to pay the rent or even himself.

Honestly, I don't know how Toast does it. For what you're getting, that food is an absolute steal.

[Brian]

I had the chance to eat there yesterday. The food was absolutely delicious. I especially loved the empanadas.