best places to eat in charlotte nc

North of Charlotte (Huntersville area)
131 Main
Dressler's
Mickey & Mooch

Downtown Charlotte
Capital Grill
Morton's
Ruth's Chris

Southend (near downtown)
131 Main
Sullivan's
McIntosh's

Southpark area
Ruth's Chris
Del Frisco's

 

bah you make it out that charlottes good places are chains...

for more original charlotte I highly recommend:

Sonoma in uptown in the Bank of America Building

Ratcliffe on the Green... down the street a little bit http://www.ratcliffeonthegreen.com/

Bentley's on 27 is cool because your up so high. Its on 201 South College St.

Capital Grille is good Ruth Chris is good, but try some of Charlottes own in my opinion.

If you are looking for a different area then let me know. there are some other good ones too.

 

And those are all fancy. If you are looking for casual dining there are more options. If youve got time go to Pita Pit which is a chain but makes so damn good sandwiches in the Hearst Building. There are some great places for burgers too right outside the city. The penguin drive in requires a car to get to pretty much, but it is delicious. Get fried pickles while your there, sounds gross, but theyre delicious. Charlotte is a pretty good city as far as dining goes, there are many places to find.

 

For an Italian dining experience, you can't beat The Open Kitchen!

 

well depending on if/where you move, there are ton of more out of the way places. let me know.

 

How could you guys leave Lupi's off the list?

 

Well, we're definitely off the 4-star and above as requested, but I have to mention Price's Chicken Coupe and of course the Beef N Bottle.

 

Chicken Coup, lupi's, penguin, phat burrito, all great local places that have "character" i guess. i am going to try a new place tonight called Big Daddy's burger bar that I hear is really good. Its on East Blvd. I will try that out and let you guys know.

 

Big daddys was pretty good, though I think I still prefer the Penguin.

 

Never been to the Penguin...where is it?

 

ah your missing out. Its on commonwealth ave which is off of central ave. Its a little out of the way, but in a cool neighborhood, I would not recommend going there to sit down during a peak hour unless your willing to wait. The food comes fast though... I generally carry out. Trust me fried pickles are essential to complete the experience.

http://www.penguindrivein.com/ huh website isnt working... it used too. Whatever its worth a try. The people there can be, well, interesting, but good food is good food!

1921 Commonwealth Ave Charlotte NC 28205

 

Thanks, looking forward to checking it out!

 

Did Big Daddy's last night, was good - not great. I'd go back.

I always have the Pimento Cheese sandwich and Corn Dog at the Penguin - and, of course, the fried pickles.

For burgers around here, I still like 5 Guys the best.

 

Went to Macintosh's last night for my first dinner back. Had a steak and cigars in the bar. It rocked. I was in my alpha uniform and even though I had planned to buy my dinner, the various other patrons would not hear of it and I ended up paying for nothing at all.

Really good steak!!

 

Macintosh's is great, so is Arooji's near Southpark.

 

If you like grits, or have a desire to try them, (highly recommended and the only reason I go) then go to Mickey & Mooch's. Order what ever strikes your fancy, but get a side order of grits. The only place you could ever hope of getting better would be Charleston or Savannah.

 

Anyone try Cantina over on East? They make the Guac right at the table and have tequlia flights...good times!

 

Thanks guys...

Now that I've read this I'm HUNGRY!! And... I'm way up here in Denver(NC!)

Mike, It was good to (finally) meet you on Sunday at the show. I'll be sure to stop by the shop soon... and in the spirit of this thread...Lunch perhaps?!?

 

Oh, Denver... Stacey's is awesome, if you like country cooking.

 

thats sorta what I was thinking. 5 guys is good but not my favorite over penguin. Theres also a little hole in the wall called mullers that is actually on my street, but they make some great food, but its pretty much a lunch only place.

As far as cantina, it is good for a nice mexican dinner, I actually think that the owners of big daddys and cantina are the same, but for burritos its Chipotle for me. So much better then any other chain and better then any place, even phat burrito on camden.

 

Thai Taste on East Blvd.
Then, cross the street to Copper for a twist on Indian cuisine.
Hawthorne's Pizza on 7th.
Tavern on the Tracks.
Mac's on South Blvd for a friendly biker/yuppie mix.
Zack's Burgers on South & Scaleybark, for a frozen-in-time trip back to 1950.

If you lump a few of these together, you might come up with 4 stars, and some damn fine cuisine in the mix.

 

What a Burger for sure. I discovered this great little Jewel built in the late 50s or early 60s in Concord when I was looking for a car, right past this strange deserted boys school built in the 1800s, I think it was the Stonwall Jackson Reform School. Just the way things ought to be, lost in time and space. What a Burger-Imagine Mel Brooks saying it with his best jewish accent.