On a cool September morning, The Flying Biscuit restaurant at University Place is filled with dinners who want a hot biscuit, bacon and coffee. The southern-inspired restaurant known for its all-day breakfast menu made its Chapel Hill debut in 2022. “Bringing southern hospitality and fluffy biscuits to the Chapel Hill community has always been a goal of me and my wife and it’s rewarding to see our restaurant so busy,” says Tahir Rafiq.
The Flying Biscuit in University Place, formerly University Mall
Rafiq has been in the hospitality industry for nearly two decades. He previously served as the Vice President of Operations at IHOP. He said his previous experience in the breakfast world has helped him hit the ground running.
Rafiq and his wife Zinnia Rafiq have three children, one who attends the University of North Carolina, “and it’s fun watch college groups gather over hot biscuits, breakfast burritos and linger in comfortable booths surrounded by colorful murals of Carolina’s iconic landmarks.”
The menu features many traditional southern breakfast favorites like biscuits, grits and sausages. The Chapel Hill location also offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
Founded in Atlanta in 1993, the Flying Biscuit Café is a national chain famous for its creamy grits and deliciously fluffy biscuits. This new restaurant will be the chain’s fourth North Carolina location.
The Flying Biscuit
Although it’s known for its all-day breakfast menu, Flying Biscuit Café is the perfect place to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu features southern staples such as chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp and grits. But its variety of healthy, vegetarian, and vegan options make it an inclusive choice for anyone wanting southern-style cuisine.
“We’ve got everything,” Rafiq said.
The café seats about 110 patrons indoors and about 30 people on its outdoor patio. Parking is plentiful and the restaurant faces the Este’s Drive entrance, near WCHL/Chapelboro.
Flying Biscuit Café
201 S Estes Drive Unit E2, Chapel Hill NC 27514
(919) 537-8974
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
