Their chai lattes are delicious (try getting it with pumpkin!!) & they're always kind and helpful, even to the dozens of high school students on campus at lunchtime. The non-cafe part of the store has cute novelty gift options, but they're very overpriced. I've gotten some cute NC-themed postcards and gifts that I love! read more

Parker & Otis - Cute postcards I got at P&O and sent to family around the country (I love snail mail!) - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I can never tell whether the sandwiches at Parker & Otis are overpriced but I keep finding myself back here every week for an expertly crafted roast beef with horseradish or Turkey breast with red pepper jelly. $10 for a sandwich is kind of a lot but like, they are tight . The sandwiches are simple and straightforward and will frustrate you at your inability to make anything that tastes as good with whatever you have in your fridge. These are my secret weapon on overnight hiking trips - they keep super well in a lunchbox and are a treat out in the mountains. read more

I looovvveee Parker & Otis! I chose this place because my friend was in town and we wanted Breakfast in Durham. My friend Had already tried but this was my first time. It's like walking into an amazing bookstore, slash food place and just everything store and I absolutely loved. I ordered the BLT and my friend had something different. I paid about $16 for everything and we also ordered coffee + lattes. The atmosphere was so nice. I love the wall decor in the dining area my favorite was the clocks. The bathroom was really clean and gender neutral which is great. The parking is a lot reasonable I was able to find a park at the front of the store you do have to pay. The sad part I ended up getting a ticket because the guy that gave me the ticket didn't look at my tags right. So I am in the process of disputing it now. So beware. The place has really big windows which is good for natural lighting. They also have a great selection of wine. Overall nice store and I have been telling people about it since the day I went. read more

See all

Very cute cafe in a bookstore! I recommend stopping in. They mostly have sandwiches and lunch items and typical cafe drinks. You can shop around as you wait for your order to be ready and you can find a lot of cute things. read more

Cool spot downtown. Visited after a beer festival, so it was great we could walk here from the Bulls Stadium and they had much needed food/snacks! General store meets restaurant, meets hangout spot... is how I would describe Parker & Otis. There's a ton of stuff (merch) to look at to browse as well as look at while dining in. I saw lots of folks meeting up for a bite, or folks that were pounding away on their laptops. Had a much needed grilled cheese sandwich with chips. Delicious! The staff are super nice. Order at the counter and it will be brought to you when it is cooked to order. read more

We really like the place - it's unique, fun and had really cool stuff: puzzles, journals, cards, kitchen stuff, kid and baby toys, and candy that I didn't even know was still made! So all of that was worth 5 stars. While the food was good, it wasn't as great as I expected based on all the reviews and write ups. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It's annoying that you get Cole slaw as a side, and have to pay $2 for any other side. Cole slaw just doesn't go with every single sandwich. The egg salad was creamy but it didn't have any kick to it and the bread was tough; the pimento cheese was average but was grilled perfectly, and the mozzarella tomato sandwich was good but was dry - more dressing was needed. Also, they rush you through the line so you don't even have time to think about what they asked (and no I'm not a slow orderer, and no the line wasn't long). They have a nice open inside eating area, and the outside balcony is great. The sandwiches were also priced very fairly, and they have a great selection of drinks. read more

Parker & Otis - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

What a cute, eclectic spot! Spacious and bright with beautiful wood floors. Lots of things to take in - seating in front, trinkets and specialty foods in the middle, more seating on the back patio and a little bar to order coffee in the back. There's also a counter to order food from the menu or out of a display case. It was a beautiful day so we ordered coffee and pastries (the lemon poppyseed muffin at $1.50 was an excellent choice), and settled in on the patio. I ordered a flat white with almond milk ($4.60), only to see iced coffee at the bottom of the menu seconds later. Oh well - a great reason to return! I really enjoyed this spot and definitely recommend a visit! read more

I love this quirky little place! The outdoor setting is the most perfect for lunch. The pimento cheese sandwich is the best I've had.

The cutest shop ever. I love the food, especially during the holidays. I recommend watching the tower lighting, in December, and enjoying some hot cocoa from here. The service is great! I love the atmosphere, it is so cute and contains very nice items, that make great presents. read more

This is an absolutely adorable place! They have so many cute things! I especially liked their card section and journals. My sister ordered the curry chicken and I ordered the buffalo chicken. Since they came out cut in half, we traded one for the other to try out both. Although I did enjoy the food, it wasn't my favorite. Buffalo chicken was very blend and the curry one was good but too heavy for early brunch. Coleslaw that came as a side with the sandwich, was a bit too salty for me. read more

See all

I love the new location of Parker and Otis on American tobacco campus. It's a cute little shop where you can order food/coffee at the register and take it out to eat on a beautiful day. I came for breakfast with a group from work and had the turkey and pepper jelly sandwich, which was a great choice. The coffee is just right, and I've heard great things about the tea as well. read more

I've lived in Raleigh for over two years, frequenting Durham. How did I never know about this place? They have the greatest setup and somehow it all works. Unique gifts and cards (think indie, letter pressed, hipster goodness and great companies like Meri Meri for party stuff) and the cutest coffee shop up front, deli in the middle and more gifts and such in the back. They carry seasonal items too like Christmas and Thanksgiving, and have a wedding section for couples planning their wedding. And plenty of "Will you be my bridesmaid?" type things for a bride. They have wine and beer, great affordable food and so much to look at while you eat (inside) my eyes couldn't stop wandering. They have a great exterior patio too. I had a BLT special sandwich (with chevre cheese) which was delicious. They even had Diet Dr Brown's Black Cherry soda, a special treat this NY native enjoys. AND I added a deviled egg to my order for $0.75. Two sandwiches, the deviled egg and soda all came to an affordable $16 and change. Can't wait to go back! read more

Parker & Otis - Special BLT sandwich with chevre cheese on sourdough bread - cole slaw included. $7.99 sandwich, $0.75 deviled egg. DELICIOUS! - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great spot for lunch with outdoor seating. Our group had the ham and smoked Gouda sandwich, BLT with tons of bacon, turkey and Havarti and curried chicken salad. Ingredients super fresh, and when you're done eating, can spend some coin on a gift or two inside. Seems like the building used to be some sort of factory with loading dock, and lots of ironwork and sculpture as part of the design. Yet another reliable food spot near downtown Durham I'd go back to. read more

Parker & Otis - 2 of our monthly lunch crew at P&O. - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stopped in to order sandwiches to eat on the patio. There were 20+ choices. Purchased the chicken salad sandwich. The bread was tasty and nicely toasted. The checked was cut up pieces in a mayo based sauce. Wanted to really like it but was at best average. They did sell zapps potato chips from Louisiana which were tasty. read more

So I FINALLY got back to Parker & Otis after visiting during a Taste Carolina food tour many moons ago. Is Parker & Otis a specialty food store, sandwich shop or coffee bar? It's all that and more! I'm pretty sure that if A Southern Season and Guglhupf hooked up, nine months later they would pop out a set of twins named Parker and Otis! Up front you'll find a country store with jams, sweets and sauces. In back, the sandwich counter and coffee bar along with a lovely patio. I had tried their pimiento cheese sandwich during my tour visit but today I had my heart set on their Elvis sandwich, #28. Melty peanut butter, ripe banana and savory bacon along with a dab of honey, deelish! Not a sandwich to be eating regularly but what a once in a while treat! The wich came out with a nice side of red cabbage slaw which was great but not the best complement to my Elvis-wich. What I really loved about P&O is their expansive and beautiful back patio. While they do have some sunny seating up front in front of their picture windows, the back patio with ceiling fans is the place to be. Polished wood, exposed beams and interesting ironwork make for a great multi-level dining experience. Or just grab a glass of wine with your laptop for some civilized sipping. If I did live in the hood I'd definitely be visiting this place more often. Parker & Otis just does a great job as a casual neighborhood lunch spot. And who can resist all the country store goodness? Thanks Parker & Otis for a delicious sammich, I'll be back... read more

Parker & Otis - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Ah P&O, you were one of the first places I visited when I moved to Durham. I loved you then and our relationship has only grown. With your super cute local items and fancy shamancy beauty supplies. You've got everything from colorful straws and candles to any imaginable pickled item and all the bubby bath and chapstick a person could desire. I visit you when I'm looking for the perfect card, wanting some truffles or need a bottle of stellar bubbly in a pinch (champagne or bubble bath!). While your prices are much higher then I can afford often, I just keep my trips few and far between (but I love going back!). Your baristas have skills in the coffee bar, from lattes to iced coffee, they deliver it all. And cases of Ninth Street Bakery goods are easy to grab on the go. I wish you'd put more "healthy" options in the morning 'grab on the go', is that too much to ask? But my true complaint lies in the made to order sammies and breakfast items department, I've definitely had better. Where everything else is stellar, this food is lacking. If you're looking for a place to peruse or grab a coffee, P&O is your stop. They do have a good salad where you can pick and choose in a pinch. But go elsewhere for a hot lunch or breakfast least you be disappointed! And if you've got kids or nieces and nephews, make sure you make a quick stop to the candy jar! Note: they don't have WIFI, look elsewhere if that fact is make or break. read more

Parker & Otis - quiche for two. - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

What an awesome place! I love going on nice days so I can sit outside. And, while I wait I usually walk around and look at all of the unique gift items this place has to offer. On this most recent visit I went with my usual the No 25. Turkey and Stonewall Kitchen 7 Pepper Jelly with Roasted Vegetables and a Deviled Egg. This is always delicious and a solid choice. My only complaints are that the specials were written on a chalkboard that was placed on the ground so I did not see that until I walked around and the bread was stale on this most recent visit. read more

See all

Have only ever catered but I loved my chicken salad sandwich. Very fresh and satisfying. I would love to go back!

Adorable spot with delicious sandwiches. I ordered the tuna and it was fresh, tasty and humongous. Definitely a shareable lunch if you're not solo. read more

Given that 28 Yelp reviews praised the grilled pimento cheese sandwich, I decided to give it a try at Parker and Otis last week. My friend and I met here for lunch on the 4th of July and there was no line at all. It was my first time here, and as others have mentioned, Parker and Otis isn't only a restaurant, it's also a really adorable gift shop with a huge variety of greeting cards. There were some salads that looked enticing, as well as drinks and other to-go items on display. I ordered the special of the day: pimento sandwich with sprouts, tomato, and avocado. After we ordered, we picked a table inside and the waiter brought out our sandwiches with a side of coleslaw. It costs $2 to change the coleslaw side, but I thought that the coleslaw was done well, not covered in too much mayonnaise, and had just the right tanginess. The pimento sandwich: I LOVED the cheese. I can totally understand why people rave about it now, and why a Parker and Otis waiter was wearing a shirt that said "PIMENTO CHEESE" on the back of it. It had a delicious texture and flavor along with the crunchy sprouts and the tomato. I do wish the sandwich had been a little warmer (it came out a bit cold) so that the cheese could melt even more, but I was happy with the large portion and took home half of the sandwich because I was so full. I will definitely be back to try out the other sandwiches! read more

the sandwiches are so gass omfg. Service: amazing. Ambiance: amazing. My only complaint is that they are not open on Sundays but like that isn't even a valid complaint because everyone deserves days off. I just happen to crave their sandwiches a lot on sundays idk why. Probably bc they are soooooo gas. read more

One of my guaranteed stops every time I'm back in the area. Simple outdoor eating area which is perfect on a crisp autumn day. The brunch is delicious, with options ranging from fluffy eggs and stuffed lox bagels to a wide assortment of sandwiches. The cheese biscuits themselves get their own sentence. Nice selection of alcohol to pair with meals. Buy a bottle of champagne if you're feeling extra happy. read more

Parker & Otis - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I tried Parker & Otis catered box lunch and it was really delicious. I personally had the egg salad sandwich and it was very fresh and delicious. They use a firm sourdough bread and fresh greens in the salad as well. I wouldn't recommend this specific sandwich if you are not a fan of mayonnaise. The boxed lunch also comes with fresh fruit (which I think is awesome because catered lunch usually comes with a bag of chips) and a cookie. The cookie is very chew and taste home-made. I heard from others that the turkey and mango chutney sandwich was very delicious as well. Overall, great lunch! read more

Parker and Otis was super cute and had lots of cool things to look at inside. I liked that they bring the food to you while you get to look around the store. The food, however, was not that great. I got the curry chicken sandwich which was very disappointing. I have had other curry chicken salads before which were a lot more flavorful. It was bland and really had no flavor. I substituted my coleslaw for the pesto salad for I believe $3 extra dollars which was pretty good. My friend got the artichoke and spinach panini which was pretty good but also a little bland. Overall, the atmosphere of the store/restaurant was very cute and definitely somewhere that visitors to Durham should visit, but the food was not too great. read more

Parker & Otis - Curry chicken sandwich and pesto salad - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This remains a fun place for dining and shopping! I met friends there for Sunday brunch recently, and got a grilled pimento cheese sandwich and a spinach salad on the side. SO yummy! read more

Shrimp BLT alllll the way! (if you're down to spend a few extra bucks, definitely upgrade the side to the curry chicken salad - yes, I was a bit put off by the name also but I promise you it's good!) The parking is not so great and it can get pretty crowded inside, but it's just so good! My fiance and I make the trip when we're craving the shrimp BLT - trust me, you'll start having those cravings too. I love the interior decor and architecture, too. The shop connected to the restaurant is a great idea, and they have so many cute knick-knacks to look at while waiting. read more

Parker & Otis - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Parker & Otis is adorable and whimsical. I love it! Their obsession with bacon matches mine, which makes it love it even more fiercely. Mmm. Unfortunately, I'm only giving Parker & Otis 4 stars because of the crowdedness. :/ I've only been here twice (and I didn't get any food the second time), but it's been equally hectic both times. I understand that it's popular because it's so good, but gosh, it does detract from the experience when you can't find any seating. That may be because I only came on weekends, however. The first time I came, I got #12, the curried chicken salad with mango, grapes, red onion and mixed greens on sunflower. It was very, very good. I even liked the coleslaw - and that's saying a lot because I normally hate coleslaw. I also got these day-old peach almond scones for like ... $2. I actually had them a week later (after putting them in the fridge and then reheating them in the oven) and they were amazing! SUCH a good deal. :) As other reviewers have mentioned, Parker & Otis isn't just a fancy deli; it's also a really, really cute store. I can't say that you can find something for EVERYONE in your life, but there's definitely quite a variety. It happens to appeal to my taste a lot :) Bacon, French things, cooking things, cutesy things - what more could a bacon-obsessed college-aged Francophile want? read more

Parker & Otis - mango chutney salad sandwich! - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stopped by here to show my out of town guest what culture Durham has. Lovely shop for fun gazing. Kid friendly with adult bevvies too. Can't be the cafe for some serious counter culture coffee (mocha was delish!) and good selection of artisan sandwiches and salads to chose from. I fell for the adorable moonstruck truffles shaped like little animals (pig, sheep etc). White bean sandwich was filling and plenty tasty, plus a side of coleslaw paired well with a bag of salty chips. If you order in, they'll bring your sandwiches to your table, just listen for them to call your name. Spend some time browsing the goodies- so much to look at! from Local wines and beer to kiddie toys and culinary accessories. read more

Parker & Otis - They bus the tables for us - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I got the BLT. Lotttts of krispy yummy bacon. Because lettuce and tomato are bland I felt like it needed a little salt and pepper or maybe a more herb infused Mayo. I'm just a traveler passing by and but I probably wont return just for the food itself but the store itself is was a dream. read more

I cannot attest to the food at Parker & Otis, as I am too busy looking at the fun things. Cool, hipster things. Old Skool Candy, Stonewall Jams Wine Crackers Coffee Books and cool gifts. Maybe one day I will brunch there. read more

My favorite place for breakfast in all of Durham. It's been years since I have been in this city, but coming back to Parker and Otis was like coming home. The quaint atmosphere of their shop, and all their goodies, is a great way to pass the time as you wait for your breakfast. In regards to food- cheddar cheese biscuit. Yup, that's it in a nutshell. Never will you find another biscuit that is baked to perfection like these, trust me, I've tried! I also highly recommend the bacon, peanut butter and banana sandwich. A simple and creative yet fulfilling morning sandwich. Also love their omelettes! Can't say enough good things!!! Also shout out to Candace for exceptional customer service! read more

See all

You gotta love Parker and Otis. It's easily a one stop shop for coffee, lunch and something special for yourself or loved ones. If you like browsing, make sure you check out the entire shop and not just the "back". I've had some friends not know the front portion even existed. I love how P&O has a variety of healthy options, plenty of salads and sandwiches, everything in between (i.e. chocolate fix). I just need to get around to coming here more frequently. Looking forward to lounging on their patio on a beautiful day! read more

See all

I absolutely love Parker & Otis their new spot in the Tobacco Campus is so cute and just as yummy as I remember! The #22 is my favorite and as you see you definitely get your money's worth! Will be back time and time again read more

Parker & Otis - #22 - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

A great place for brunch or light meal! I love the ambience at this restaurant, especially the cute candles and journals for sale. Even on a busy Sunday brunch, we were able to get a table after ordering our food without any issues. I ordered the white bean, avocado, and sprouts sandwich and was quite happy with it. I did find it to be a little under-seasoned, and I felt like it was the kind of food I could easily make for myself at home. I wish that they had more vegan options on the menu. Overall I would say the real draw to this restaurant is the cozy atmosphere, the coffee bar, and the proximity to campus. read more

Parker & Otis - White Bean Spread , Avocado , Sprouts on wheat toast - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Parker & Otis is a cute, old-fashioned shop with a cafe, sandwich shop in the corner, and tons of goodies that you can buy! I was amazed with how the shop sold almost anything and everything: wines, cheese, local milk, stationery, baking mixes, artisan snacks, and more! My friend and I walked around to kill some time before we ordered sandwiches for lunch. She had the breakfast sandwich, and I stuck with a roast beef and muenster. The menu seems very limited, but the people there are extremely willing to accommodate any changes or substitutions. I asked if they could my my sandwich into a panini and had no questions asked! Food came out very quickly, and it tasted AMAZING. The portions were perfectly sized for my appetite, and the cole slaw that came with my order was delicious. Too bad I was only visiting NC for a few days, but I would definitely make Parker & Otis a go-to stop next time I'm around! read more

Parker & Otis - Specialty Food Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Best shrimp BLT I have ever had! Been getting them for years and they haven't changed! Just plain awesome!

What a unique spot in downtown Durham! Really enjoyed the old style decor here and the layout of the shop. Packed iwth all of this really interesting things from food to coffee to puzzles and books. it's quite an eclectic place. This review is for the Shrimp BLT sandwich. I think if you like seafood and want something filling and delicious you need to order this. My wife got the tuna sandwich which she said was good but I think in terms of degree of goodness - the Shrimp BLT was the main attraction. Definitely will be coming back for that. read more

Things can get a little crazy if you don't know what your doing when you walk in here. If it's you first time I suggest finding someone who works there and asking for a little help, this place stays busy and it's pretty big! There's a lot going on but man is the food amazing (and the shopping). I went with 3 others for lunch and we had everything from grilled cheese to egg salad to turkey, white bean and avocado sandwiches. You get a side and I went for the Greek salad which was composed off feta chunks, kalmata olives, tomatoes , cucumbers and red onions, I ended up getting some to go it was that good. They have giant cookies and brownies and a great selections of wines and beers. They have an eclectic array of everything from kids books and toys to gourmet foods and cookbooks. Check this hotspot out!! read more

See all

Perfect place to buy presents! Great wine selection. Coffee and sandwich bar also available inside. Tried the turkey and it was really good.

SO much YUM! P & O had been bookmarked a long time, so when a friend from Charlotte was in Durham for the weekend, I decided we would go here. So happy with the decision! Extensive menu, so I had a hard time choosing. I decided with the shrimp BLT & was so pleased. Bread was toasted perfectly, fresh tomato, lettuce & the shrimp were huge! The cole slaw was really good, too. Not too heavy on the mayo. Presentation was cute! Love that the steel trays serve as your "plate." The shop is adorable! So many neat items & if you're a wine lover, check out the wine area! Reasonable pricing. Parking is an issue. read more