Beyond “Cheap Eats”: Why Value & Tradition Always Win at Players Retreat

The Players Retreat on October 1, 2026

First of all, we want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our incredible patrons, regulars, and INDY Week readers who voted Players Retreat as Raleigh’s Best Cheap Eats for 2026!

We’ll be honest—”cheap” isn’t usually the word we use around here. We ground our Certified Choice Beef in-house daily, serve up hand-cut steaks, curate one of the premier single-malt Scotch collections in the country, and craft Chef-driven weekend specials. But in a year where affordability is top-of-mind for everyone, we wear the “Best Value” crown with immense pride.

The Crunch, The Curry, and The Crave

The Players Retreat on September 30, 2026

Forget played-out fall clichés—our kitchen is leaning into big, unexpected combinations that make zero apologies. From a gorgonzola-and-apple burger stack to a coconut curry tuna remix, this limited-run menu is built for pure flavor chasing.

Let’s Eat: This Weekend’s Chef’s Specials Have Arrived

The Players Retreat on September 10, 2026

Chef Jean Paul Fontaine’s latest weekend specials at Players Retreat feature standout entrées like Steak Diane, Joyce Farms pan-roasted chicken, and butcher-cut USDA Prime steaks. Round out your meal with fresh appetizers, curated wine pairings, rich house-made desserts, and featured Macallan single-malt scotch half-pours.