The Federal

No complaints here – excellent food, drink and service!
Even parking was a breeze, which surprised me for Durham and being in the Brightleaf District. There is a huge parking lot right next to the building the Federal is located in. We walked in and was a bit confused as to whether to wait to be seated so we grabbed seats at the bar. It was a Sunday early evening so the place still had open tables and several open seats at the bar… however by the time we left, all the seats were taken and there was standing room only at the bar! We chatted with the bartender who recommended the French 75 (gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup) for me – super good! I rarely stray outside the drinks that I know so it was refreshing to see a bartender take her time out to explain the taste and ingredients in several drinks on their menu.
I was feeling the French 75 already so I opted for something hearty for my meal: the Fed Burger (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion & Dijon Mustard on Brioche with $ 1 extra for provolone cheese). The patty was so fresh that I asked the bartender where they got their meats from (apparently fresh never frozen). The mustard was a little strong for me so next time I’ll have to ask for light-​or no mustard. The portion was huge, and I definitely couldn’t finish all the fries that came as a side.
All in all, The Fed is a solid choice for a cozy and relaxed dinner and I can’t wait to come back to try the late night menu!

Disclaimer: this review is solely based on their food.
I don’t drink much so I’m always pretty skeptical about going to a pub just for food. However, I didn’t feel out of place here because it seemed like their were other tables that were here just for food too!
Interior is very cozy and modern but not overbearing. It was smaller than I had imagined but the restaurant extended further back (I just wasn’t able to check out that area).
Food was really flavorful. Portions was massive. The nachos appetizer alone could have filled up our table of 4 had we not controlled ourselves!
My braised pork sandwich was so tasty. The pork was tender and I loved the cheesy topping it had. Their fries were the mvp for sure. I loved how crispy and well-​seasoned they were~
Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. No one was able to finish an entire meal.
Our service was great. Our server was attentive and made sure all our requests were taken care of. She also gave great input on what to order!
Overall, the casual ambience, meals that were steals and great service will definitely have me coming back for more!

Touched down in Durham on the way back from Atlanta. Pulled in at midnight on a Sunday. Where do two tired and hungry travelers go? Word was go to The Federal.
Was delighted to discover that the menu is full of deliciousness. Perhaps I’m biased, given the late hour and the slight air of desperation I’m exuding for something other than chicken tenders in I-​85. But even with that handicap, the food is pretty good for a comfortably round-​heeled pub.
Honestly, the first thing that got me excited was the smell of garlic and butter when I walked thru the door. Then, I realized they were playing Pet Shop Boys, which threw me back to my asymmetrical 90s haircut days. And then, I decided to have a beer. But I don’t drink beer. So our bartender set up a tasting flight, which was awesome, and then I settled on Champion Killer Kolsch. Yum!
So that garlic and butter smell? It’s the fries!!! So good. So very very good. Definitely a must have. Also really good veggie black bean sliders — full of flavor with spicy aioli, guac and cheddar. Also, again, garlicky buttery fries.
The Hubs had the braised bratwurst on a pretzel roll with the freshest salad either of us has ever tasted in a bar at midnight. The mustard on that thing is a mule kick.
Also, chicken wings were good too.
Basically, you can’t go wrong. We stayed up way past our bedtime talking with the barkeep Alex and grooving to the 90s hits — oh hello Duran Duran — and completely erasing the memory of our tedious drive. Thank you Federal for making the wee hours of Monday morning better than we could have ever imagined.

Have lived in Durham for 3 years and drove past The Federal many, many times not knowing it was there. Parked to go to Fishmongers on Christmas eve for lunch — they were closed. Took a stroll down Main and found this unassuming pub. Menu was short and sweet but very impressive. Execution left nothing wanting. Excellent quality and preparation. We ordered the fried oyster caesar salad and bratwurst on pretzel roll with the garlic fries. Portions are very generous for the price. Great tap selection. We will be returning with family and friends.

Really chill place for dinner and a beer. They have a great variety of local brews here and bar food that I feel bad even calling bar food. I mean, what bar has duck confit ravioli as a special? That’s rare. I had a bacon and onion melt with fries, which was delicious and indulgent as I expected. Good service, good vibes.

The Federal was an American pub located across from Brightleaf Square. The restaurant offers street parking nearby. In addition to seating in its pub, it has outdoor patio seating which may be nice on non-​rainy day. When we arrived, we had to wait a bit for someone to tell us we could sit anywhere. We picked a booth by the window. The seating were a bit worn, surprised they didn’t bother replacing them. If you plan on using the bathroom, be prepared for your legs /​body to touch the wall.
The pub was decorated with numerous beer bottles and metal signs. There were two large televisions with NFL on. It was quiet loud as fans were rooting for their teams and 90’s music (e.g., Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Oasis, Green Day, and Blink 182) was blasting out of the speakers.
For drinks, I ordered a Sweetened Iced Tea while my parents shared two 22oz Highland Cold Mountain. For appetizers, we shared a bowl of Hardy Tomato and Mushroom Soup. To me, it tasted like southern style chili. We didn’t expect the soup to have that much of a kick to it. We also shared a Fried Oyster Caesar salad, which consisted of semi fresh romaine hearts, applewood bacon, parmigiana reggiano, and croutons lightly tossed in garlic Caesar dressing. It was a good salad. However, we felt that the romaine lettuce could have been fresher and the salad could have been tossed more evenly so there wouldn’t be chunks of dressing with bacon.
For entrees, we ordered the Fed Burger Au Poivre, NC King Mackerel Steak, and Venison Osso Bucco. The burger consisted of a peppery beef patty that was served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and Dijon mustard brioche. If you wanted to customize the burger, you had to pay extra. The burger wasn’t as good as people said it was. We liked the crispy garlic parsley fries though. The
NC King Mackerel Steak consisted of pan seared mackerel steak marinated in sweet chili soy sauce, and served with haricots verts, roasted fingerlings, lemon, radish and pesto tartar sauce. This is the dish that I’d recommend ordering. The Vension Osso Bucco consisted venison osso bucco braised in elderberry and sherry reduction, carrots, onions, red and orange bell peppers, saffron truffle risotto. The taste was on point. However, I didn’t like how venison was tough, rough and chewy and that there were small bone fragments throughout the dish. Thus, making the dish barely edible.

Burger and Garlic fries were awesome… Limited menu though wish I could have more to choose from during the day.

Boo. Added tip to check. 20% addl tip to after tax amount on check with poor service. What he heck? If you are going to add the top any way at least give acceptable service. Don’t make me ask for a glass 3x

The Federal is a great restaurant that happens to be located in a dive bar. Sure, it’s one of the best places in town to find a craft pint (rivalling Tyler’s in quality, if not quantity), but the daily menu specials are always worth a go. If they don’t appeal, I suggest the standby burger au poivre, with the best garlicky fries around.
It can be noisy when Duke students are in town, but it’s a great place to chill in the summertime, or for a weekend lunch.

My friend and I got the burger and the Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose (beer).
The burger was very good, the meat was thick and flavorful. The only downside to the burger was the Dijon mustard tasted odd. I spent a good part of the meal trying to figure out if something was burnt in the burger.
The burger comes with garlic parsley fries which were also very good. They have a nice crunch and are on the saltier side which I like. The garlic flavor is not overwhelming.
The gose is very good. It is a little sour but basically tastes like a light orange juice. The orange aftertaste is great.

Visiting my daughter and of course had to come back to The Federal. The BEST BURGER in town. Actually everything I have tried over the years has been great.
Will be back!!!

Favorite bar in downtown Durham.
Nothing fancy just really high end bar food and great beers on tap. Come by for Mother Earth kolsch or a torch Pilsner.
Stay for the garlic fries. Amazing nachos and pulled pork sandwiches.

The Fed is in my top 3 bars/​restaurants in Durham. Low key, laid back vibe, with a great combination of causal and upscale food, this place just does it for me. Service has always been consistently good no matter who you get. The staff is always welcoming and happy to answer any questions. Their regular menu is on the smaller side but you can follow them on Facebook or check out their website to get their latest specials. They range from NC Yellow Fin Tuna Steak and Paella to Lamb Gyros and Chicken and Waffles just to name a few. Prices range from $ 9-​$ 18 which is very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food they serve. They do offer some specials during the weekend as well but keep in mind they stop serving those around 2 pm. I had my heart set on some Paella only to be told I was too late during my last visit. They do have a private room in the back that is perfect for a smaller group if you are in need of space to host an event. If you haven’t been yet and want to try somewhere new don’t hesitate to pay them a visit. Order a pint and a special and enjoy.

Can’t think of a better place to hangout with friends over some food and beer!
Nachos and garlic fries are to die for! Decent choice of beer and warm service!

Now we know why folks rave about the burger here! On a recent Sunday we arrived before they had even opened, and they were kind enough to let us come in and wait for a few minutes until they opened at 11:30. We parked it in a booth and started with iced tea since NC has stupid alcohol rules on Sundays.
Sunday menu had brunch choices, daily specials and a regular menu. We decided to share a grilled cheese with side salad and one of their infamous burgers with fries. (added cheddar)
The burger was the big winner for both of us. Perfectly cooked. Juicy. Full of flavor. And the hand-​cut fries were awesome! The grilled cheese was good too, but for some reason we both missed the part about strawberry jam being on it. Both of us agreed that we would have preferred a savory addition to the sandwich versus sweet. Salad was a nice contrast that went well with it.
Meanwhile, as soon as the clock struck 12, I got to try a Prairie Bomb… this dark brew from Oklahoma is 14% and an 8 oz glass is $ 9 but oh so rich and good!

This place was alright. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing (beer braised pork), but I felt slightly sick from all the grease that was in my food. Super heavy and dense. Seems like a fun place to hang out with friends though!

Dear Federal — Keep on keeping on. I’ve been a fan since 2008 and since I moved to Raleigh, it’s been a bit harder to get here on a frequent basis. When I lived in Durham, this was one of my favorite spots — evident by the fact that I had friends come out and celebrate my birthday here one year. So, it was very fun to return this past Friday. I can’t believe that I had never brought my husband here before. There was a wait for a table so, we both grabbed a beer. The Federal has a smaller selection of craft brews but, it is a good and unique selection. For instance, I had Founder’s Blushing Monk — a beer that I have never seen before. We enjoyed taking in the atmosphere and sipping our beers while we waited for our table.
Food wise, I have to admit that my love for veggie burgers was born here at the Federal. Their veggie sliders were my first, non-​frozen, homemade veggie burgers and darn, they are good. I had to order them and the garlic fries. I also asked for a side of the jalapeño aoli for my fries too. Yum! My husband tried my veggie sliders and he was impressed. The jalapeño aoli was a good call. It really complimented my fries well. My husband was also pleased with his burger. We felt as though the Federal came through — good beers and very solid food. We will definitely return.

Well done delicious comfort food and beer to make you want more than one. The Federal has a great location by Brightleaf Square. It’s a good place to go for comfort American food if you happen to be in the area. The patio outside is always full, which is a bit of a bummer when you drive from 20 mins away. The side room (painted all in red) could use a bit of décor. We were seated there and it felt more like the «crowd left-​overs» since the rest of the dining are was full. My food however was very delicious, and the bun that came with my burger really topped off my meal. And those fries, mmmmm.

I didn’t sample any food here, just sat at the bar for some drinks while waiting on a table at a nearby restaurant.
They had a good selection of beers on tap and the bartender was patient and worked with me. I faltered on which beer I wanted so he let me try a bunch based on my interests.
I glanced at their specials on the chalkboard by the bar and they had some delicious sounding options, definitely not your typical bar food. I even saw a roasted cornish hen for $ 20 on the board!
I’d like to return to try some of their food at a later time.

After four trips to The Fed, I can finally say that I’ve sampled enough food and drink and experienced enough mediocrity to weigh on.
First time I came, I sat inside with my date and had some egregiously burnt nachos and a beer. Whatever. Rough night maybe. Came back a few months later with a friend. The waitress treated us like we had the plague. Had a fairly terrible salad. Ventured in a third time with a big group. Waitstaff was not pleased. Drinks were fine, food was not memorable. Came by yesterday for a fourth attempt with a small group and ate outside. For once, excellent service. Unfortunately, the food was still rough. Per a friend’s very strong suggestion, I gave the nachos a second shot. 60% of my chips were devoid of all toppings. These chips, it seemed, were blissfully unaware of their intended pairing with cheddar cheese, sour cream, pico, jarred jalapenos (yikes), and black beans. Also, $ 3 extra for guacamole? Are you serious? Guacamole is a right, not a privilege.
So, there you have it. As per Christina’s earlier review, take back my DRM card. If keeping my card means enjoying spending time at The Fed, good riddance.