While I always enjoy my annual pilgrimage to the Angus Barn during the holidays for some beef, sometimes you just need something simple! And I had heard about the Peddler since I first got to the Triangle 20+ years ago. Known as a more casual spot for delicious steaks and beef, I finally had an excuse to check out this local favorite. Follow along and find out why it’s been such a popular dining destination for over 57 years!
The Peddler Steak House, Raleigh – Location, Interior
One reason for the Peddler’s long-lived success is because it’s still in its original location off of Glenwood since its inception! Turn into the classic Oak Park shopping center, and you’ll find the Peddler in the back and to the left. The large black awning up front proudly displays the Peddler name; note that there are two other Peddler locations, both in South Carolina! You’ll likely have to park in the main lot up front, and there’s plenty of space. And given the Peddler’s popularity, there was even a line up front on a Saturday at 5:30 pm.
Put your name in with the hostess up front and after a short wait, we’re taken to our table. The Peddler has been recently refreshed, so it’s a comfortable space now! The main dining room up front contains the open kitchen and their famous salad bar. The walls are covered in plaid wallpaper, and there’s a smattering of four-tops scattered about. Head on further inside and you’ll find two additional dining rooms that are a touch more formal and stylish. Gray slate interiors with candles on each table. The Peddler would work nicely for a casual date, but reservations are only available to parties of 8 or more. Note, there’s also a bar to the side that’s a bit tucked away. I’m assuming dining there is first come, first served.
The Peddler Steak House, Raleigh – Menu, Food
Given the Peddler’s reputation as an old-school steakhouse, as you can guess, the menu is pretty basic and straightforward. There are 5 or 6 items per category: appetizers, chicken-seafood, beef, and dessert in addition to the complimentary salad bar! The beef is aged for 28 days and ranges from NY Strip to ribeye, prime rib, filet mignon, steak kebabs, and more.
As a first-time diner at the Peddler, I was eyeing up the salad bar upon entry. Do we go clockwise or counter-clockwise? Where are the plates? But given how busy things are, you figure out the flow pretty quickly. Standard greens up front and then there’s a wide array of accoutrements. I highly recommend the croutons at the end, which seem to be garlic bread nuggets!
For starters, I ordered up the shrimp trio: 9 shrimp in three different styles, grilled, blackened, and cocktail. A good palate cleanser before diving into all the beef and perfectly sized for sharing.
My dining partner ordered up the prime rib, which looked fantastic! I’ve made prime rib at home, many times, and this version was nicely done. A solid pink center with plenty of fat and marbling in a large plate of au jus, call me jealous. And my ribeye steak (medium-well) was solid, a good 3/4″ thick and nicely grilled and paired with some steamed vegetables for balance.
The Peddler Steak House, Raleigh – Service, Conclusion
Service at the Peddler was solid from the hostess to wait-person. It’s a well-oiled machine given how many people that come through those doors, as you would expect. And I finally do understand the Peddler’s continuing popularity. It’s a great spot for solid American dining without the hefty surcharge that occurs at more upscale offerings. While the portion sizes are a bit smaller and the ambiance a bit more casual, price points lean towards affordability, despite the quality of the meat served. So rock on, Peddler! There will always be a place in my heart for perfectly grilled, high-quality beef, and you have had that perfectly covered for over half a century for Raleighites.
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