Amy W.
Yelp
Arguably THE place to be if you're hanging out downtown Durham. Attached to Motorco is Parts & Labor and their popular patio! This is a must-visit if you're in Durham looking for a great spot for socializing, imbibing, and enjoying the beautiful NC weather.
Covid or not, the food and drink at Parts & Labor is delicious. They have a solid rotating beer selection on draft or by can, with a large majority local from NC breweries. They also have craft cocktails and bloody Mary's! The global-inspired food menu is sure to satisfy anyone's preferences, even the picky ones. To give you a taste, I'm talking about bratwurst, falafel, bulgogi tacos, chicken shawarma, latkes, chicken wings, burgers and fries! Even given the variety, which usually causes me much skepticism, quality and flavor is not compromised.
On a busy day, you may have a little difficulty finding a parking spot. Most nearby parking is monitored but the good news is you can pay and keep tabs easily via the Passport app. Worst case you have to walk a block or two, but the silver lining is the unplanned exploring of neighboring businesses. This area of Durham is super walkable to other restaurants, breweries, even a bar arcade!
I would especially like to applaud Parts & Labor for their streamlined execution of Covid precautions. In fact, I think they do it better than anyone else. I felt 100% safe ordering and dining on the outdoor patio this past weekend. Note - there are no heaters so dress appropriately if it's chilly!
For any locals/frequents of P&L, note that the patio is no longer a free and open space. You need to check in with the host (all the way down by Motorco) to secure a table and show your ID since all orders are handled completely contactless via the website on your mobile device. They've even designated a food delivery zone at the table to ensure social distancing is enforced at all times. Thank you P&L for making my recent visit safe and enjoyable!! Can't wait to come back soon.