Meet the 10 vendors of the Johnston County food hall that’s scheduled to open soon

David Chang’s chicken sandwich shop Fuku headlines a new roster of opening vendors at Johnston County’s Old North State Food Hall.

Built in a former JR Cigars warehouse in Selma, the Old North State Food Hall will have 10 opening vendors plus a craft beer bar in a 15,000-square-foot space off of Interstate 95. Travel plazas notwithstanding, the project bills itself as the first interstate food hall in the nation

Owners are eyeing a late summer opening.

Of the opening vendors, most come from food truck or established restaurant brands in North Carolina, with Fuku standing out as the splashiest name in the roster.

Here’s the lineup of food hall vendors:

▪ Aroma de Cuba: Expanding from the popular Johnston County food truck, Aroma de Cuba will serve Cuban sandwiches, plantain chips, empanadas and potent Cuban coffee.

▪ Barley & Burger: Founded in Rocky Mount from owners Brandon Clarke, Travis Ellis and bestselling author Etaf Rum, this burger brand builds gourmet flavors on a bun.

▪ Bean & Bubble: The first project from Sophia Woo since leaving MOFO Shoppe, Bean & Bubble brings coffee, boba tea and poke bowls to the food hall.

▪ Butter Cream: This is the food hall’s ice cream shop and cookie bar.

▪ Cock-a-Doodle Moo: One of the Triangle’s most popular food trucks joins the food hall, serving barbecue, sandwiches, wings and fries.

▪ Curry in a Hurry: This popular Triangle food truck opened its first brick and mortar location in Raleigh’s Morgan Street Food Hall. Now owner and chef Alaksha Surti expands to Johnston County with a menu of curries, Kati rolls and crispy samosas.

▪ Fuku: A chicken sandwich brand from Momofuku founder David Chang, Fuku serves fried chicken “sandos” with waffle fries. The brand was founded in New York but has spread throughout the country with standalone locations, stadium vendors and ghost kitchens in California, Texas, Georgia and Kentucky.

▪ Luna Pizza: This pizzeria from Greenville features Neapolitan-style pies with blistered crusts, plus salads and desserts.

▪ The Mac House: Founded in North Raleigh, this mac and cheese bar bakes up special takes on the comfort food favorite. Look for buffalo chicken mac and cheese, Caribbean jerk, bacon and truffle or specials like bacon poutine.

▪ My Cielo Taqueria: This New Hampshire taqueria heads south for the brand’s second location.

Owned by Selma group AdVenture Development, the Old North State Food Hall will be managed by Hospitality HQ, a national brand that specializes in operating food halls.

“We are excited to introduce a collection of global cuisines from renowned chefs and thriving small business owners to this growing region.” said Hospitality HQ owner Akhtar Nawab in a release.

The project has been in the works since 2019, but has been delayed through the COVID pandemic. Now the food hall build out is complete.

“We cannot wait for guests to experience ONSFH, as a convivial gathering place for members of our local community and as a fresh food destination for travelers along the interstate,” said AdVenture Development president Kevin Dougherty in a release.