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Charlotte Restaurants

chef nearly scorches my camera! - Charlotte
chef nearly scorches my camera!
by acemj
Reviews and photos of Charlotte restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Charlotte dining.
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Charlotte RestaurantsTips 1 - 10 of 185  
Popular Restaurants (19) | Other Restaurants Tips (150) | All Tips (185)
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Brazas: Brazilian, anyone?
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • b1bob
  • Updated By b1bob on May 5, 2009
  • Charlotte Page by b1bob
    • Brazas Churrascaria - Charlotte
    Brazas Churrascaria
    by b1bob
    Rodizio is one of my favourite styles of serving. You know this type of restaurant is getting popular nationwide when we have one in both Charlotte and Richmond as well as the biggest American cities. Rodizio involves a lot of meat being carved in front of you at your table as well as a hot bar with many things including feijoada and a bar with all manner of greens. The occasion was Mark's 32d birthday and I wanted to, for once, treat in his home town. The service was excellent especially from Paulo, the guy who came to the table and carved meat for us. The waitress is Mexican and speaks Spanish. Paulo is from Buzios, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, so I was speaking both Spanish and Portuguese.

    At the salad bar, I had hearts of palm and some salad very similar to the salsa taken at the Cabo Fish Taco place earlier that day. Of course, I wouldn't go to a rodizio without feijoada, just like I wouldn't go without an Antarctica guarana. The meat served to us included alligator (my first go of it was right good- it was cooked in the same kind of herbed butter sauce used with escargots), rabbit (I wonder if they carry on serving that particular cut of meat on Easter Sunday), pork, beef, and sausage. Overall the food was very good with two exceptions. First, the salad bar's selection was lacklustre and not only because it did not have those little-bitty quail eggs you see at Brazilian churrascarias everywhere. Second, the only chicken offered in the place was chicken parmesan offered at the hot food bar instead of being cut from a skewer at the table.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 4508 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205
  • Phone: (704) 566-1009
  • Directions: At the corner of Sharon Amity and East Independence Boulevard
  • Website: http://www.brazascharlotte.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Knife & Fork: Where's the spoon?
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • b1bob
  • Updated By b1bob on May 5, 2009
  • Charlotte Page by b1bob
    • Knife & Fork Restaurant - Charlotte
    Knife & Fork Restaurant
    by b1bob
    As Mark would say, this is a b1bob kind of place. It is a diner located a stone's throw from Mark's house. We ate here late one Saturday night after an edifying and full day in Columbia, South Carolina. One would think that after taking lunch at Maurice's Barbecue, that neither he nor I would be hungry. He wasn't so much, but round about 9pm, I was starting to get my appetite back. Because of the difference in appetites, the Knife & Fork was the best option. The service was professional, but not overly warm. In the waitress' defence, it was a full house even at that hour. The ambience was no-frills, just what you would expect for a diner.

    I ordered a gyro and fries; Mark had corn chowder, sauteed zucchini and onion. Mark heartily recommends the corn chowder as fresh corn is used and is garnished with a biscuit floating therein. My gyro and fries were great, except most gyros I've ever had before were served with feta cheese. For further details on what Knife & Fork has to offer click on the menu.

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  • Theme: Diner
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 2531 N. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC 28205
  • Phone: (704) 568-9711
  • Directions: Near the intersection of Sharon Amity Road and Independence Boulevard.
  • Website: www.ottosknifeandfork.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Taste of Havana: Formerly La Gran Havana
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • b1bob
  • Updated By b1bob on May 5, 2009
  • Charlotte Page by b1bob
    • Taste of Havana - Charlotte
    Taste of Havana
    by b1bob
    Straightaway on arriving in Charlotte in March, 2004, Mark and I went to Taste of Havana, a Cuban restaurant in the east. It used to be called La Gran Havana. There are more upmarket Cuban restaurants in the area, but I just wanted good, not fancy, the first thing out of the chute.

    Mark had roast pork with a twist of lime. I had the Pollo Havana which is basically chicken in some sort of tomato sauce garnished with English peas (some of which found their way across the table). Just about everything on the menu is served together with black beans and rice and fried plantains, the latter of which I didn't like. I washed that down with a unique Cuban non alcoholic beverage called Malta India, which taste a bit like a chalky molasses. It was mediocre at best, but you never know until you try.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 5546 Albemarle Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212
  • Phone: (704) 535-0223
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Cabo Fish Taco: Fish in tacos?
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • b1bob
  • Updated By b1bob on May 5, 2009
  • Charlotte Page by b1bob
    • Cabo Fish Taco - Charlotte
    Cabo Fish Taco
    by b1bob
    Folks, I don't like fish tacos. In my opinion, fish and tacos are each okay in their own right, but together...not so much! Mark and I were in NoDa and we were trying to eat a snack that would tide us over until supper without dulling the appetite for it. Cabo Fish Taco is in a slot which, judging by the ceiling height and design, was once either a former five-and-dime or a former drug store. Selling fish tacos and Mexican style seafood dishes, it has the feel of a Mexican beach resort. One sign says "Fish Tacos 25 cents". Mark said, "If only that were true."

    Mark had cabo rolls which consist of shrimp, cheese and aioli (a type of mayonnaise). Not seeing anything on the menu which appealed to me, I only had a glass of water and most of the tortilla chips with an unusual salsa that came free with the meal. The salsa consists of corn, tomatoes, chilies, cilantro and lime juice. The food I had was good, the service was courteous, and professional.

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  • Theme: Eclectic/International
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 3205 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
  • Phone: (704) 332-8868
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Landmark Restaurant-Diner: For the friendliest service in Charlotte...
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • b1bob
  • Updated By b1bob on May 5, 2009
  • Charlotte Page by b1bob
    • Landmark - Charlotte
    Landmark
    by b1bob
    The Landmark is a well-established diner in Charlotte- in business since the late 1980s. The only knock I have against the atmosphere of the Landmark is that they do not appear to segregate smokers from non-smokers. Occasional tendrils of cigarette smoke from neighbouring booths wafted into our area. Having said that, our service was phenomenal. Lynn, our waitress, is a 50-something lady who looks and sounds like the character Thelma Harper on Mama's Family. She was very attentive and just had a native Charlottean accent and a general friendly way which neither Mark or I could accurately describe.

    I had a Greek omelet which consisted of tomatoes, feta cheese and onions. Mark's breakfast that Sunday morning consisted of pancakes and fresh fruit.

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  • Theme: Diner
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: least expensive
  • Address: 4429 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Too Many Restaurant Tips!!!!: Decisions, Decisions . . .
  • Tip Rating:
    • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on November 4, 2003
  • Charlotte Page by acemj
    • Charlotte Restaurants
    by acemj
    I know I have a lot of restaurant suggestions on this page, so I thought I would try to narrow it down. After all, if you're only in town for a few days, you won't be able to try them all!

    So, here are my top 5 in no particular order:

    Cajun Queen : make sure you go to the one on 7th Street for great atmosphere, music and food. A local classic serving New Orleans-style food.

    Dim Sum : Charlotte's best Chinese restaurant. Just be sure you order from the authentic Chinese menu.

    Ethan's : A relatively new local restaurant with a great owner/chef and creative food in a great old home

    Bubba's Barbecue : Not my favorite kind of food, but it's definitely a local specialty and this place serves up authentic Eastern North Carolina style barbecue.

    Lupie's Cafe : Another local institution serving the best bowl of chili around.

    See my individual tips for details on each of these places or just email me for more individually tailored suggestions.

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  • Theme: Other
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bonefish Grill: Good, for a chain
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on April 10, 2004
  • Charlotte Page by acemj
    • Charlotte Restaurants
    by acemj
    I will always choose a locally-owned place over a national chain, but I swear there are people who prefer the sometimes more polished look and familiarity of a chain. If that's the case, Bonefish Grill is a good choice for seafood. I went here with a bunch of bankers (figures!) and was admittedly surprised at how good the food was. They fly there fish in fresh daily and the preparations were not only creative, they were appropriately simple enough to allow the freshness of the fish shine through.

    I had the Grilled Ahi Tuna, which was excellent. They also have Mahi Mahi, swordfish, grouper, salmon, trout, bass and others. And if you're not into fish, they also prepare good steaks, chicken and pork dishes.

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  • Theme: Seafood
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 10056 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews
  • Phone: 704- 845-8001
  • Directions: In Matthews next to Total Wine between Hwy. 51 and Sam Newell Rd.
  • Website: www.bonefishgrill.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Pho Hoa: Healthy, tasty soups
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • acemj
  • By acemj on April 10, 2004
  • Charlotte Page by acemj

    • "Pho Chicken"
    by acemj
    Pho Hoa is actually an international chain of Vietnamese restaurants. In Charlotte, the restaurant is located in the heart of one of the city's most ethnically diverse streets, Central Avenue. The interior is clean, bright and simple and most of the time, the clientele is a good mix of Vietnamese born and non-Vietnamese born.

    I've been here five or six times and I've always gotten the same thing, Pho Chicken. In fact, I don't even think it's called that on the menu, but trust me, if you tell the waiter you want Pho with chicken, he'll understand. The soup is made up of a light broth, with vermicelli noodles, fresh basil and chicken. It's great! Also, if you like coffee, be sure to try the Vietnamese coffee, "Ca Phe Sua", which is made with sweetened condensed milk. Yum.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 3000 Central Ave., Suite 1
  • Phone: 704-536-7110
  • Directions: In Saigon Square between the Plaza and Briar Creek
  • Website: www.phohoa.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Huong Viet: Good Vietnamese grub
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on March 30, 2004
  • Charlotte Page by acemj
    • Charlotte Restaurants
    by acemj
    There are at least five Vietnamese restaurants in Charlotte and Huong Viet is the best that I've tried. The joint is appropriately located on the ethnically diversed Central Avenue and the interior is typical for the area. Most of the establishments here are housed in spaces that had some other original intent, but for some reason, I find the lack of spatial congruity charming. The staff speaks perfectly good English and the "Mama" is in the kitchen doing all the work!

    The menu here is huge with somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 items. They have all the usual Pho (Vietnamese soups) dishes as well as noodle dishes, that famous rich Vietnamese coffee and more. I had a rice pancake dish. Inside the pancake was plenty of meat, sprouts and other goodies. The cool thing was the way one eats the dish. You take some lettuce, fill it up with sliced vegetables, throw on some fresh mint, then load on some of the pancake. Then, you wrap it up in your hands and dip it in the sauce, and Voila! You've got a mighty fine dish.

    Sun- Thurs, 11 am - 9 pm
    Fri- Sat, 11 am -10 pm

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 4808 (G & H) Central Ave.
  • Phone: 704.537.8475
  • Directions: Central Ave between Sharon Amity and Eastway
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Knife & Fork: The comeback kid . . .
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
    • acemj
  • By acemj on March 31, 2004
  • Charlotte Page by acemj
    • Charlotte Restaurants
    by acemj
    The original Knife & Fork opened in the 1960s, but sadly it closed a few years back. Bummer for me. I remember going here at 2 or 3 in the morning because it was the only place that was open still serving a greasy burger. The strictly "diner" style menu changed a bit when it reopened in 2003 under the ownership and direction of a New Yorker (gasp!), who goes by the name, "Otto" Graham. The interior was redone and now it looks like a cleaned up diner at best; a new place trying to look old, at worst. They added some slightly more high brow items on the menu and now serve alcohol, but all in all, the food is still good.

    My first "revisit" to the new Knife & Fork was with fellow VTer b1bob in March of 2004. I figured this would be his kind of place and as it turns out, he enjoyed his meal. I've heard that the place still serves unbelievable mac and cheese, but I can confirm with certainty that the corn chowder is awesome. Still, I can't decided if the reincarnation is better or worse than the good, old, greasy spoon that once was . . .

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  • Theme: Diner
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 2531 Sharon Amity Rd.
  • Phone: 704-568-9711
  • Directions: Sharon Amity and Independence
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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