10 (more) restaurant chains and brands people are dying to see in Charlotte
With the help of a recent poll of CharlotteFive readers, we learned Charlotteans (already rabid over Cava and Shake Shack) are aching for these 10 chains, including In-N-Out Burger, Houston’s and sweetgreen.
And as much as our city loves local, reader comments kept flooding in about more chains people wish our city had. Here are 10 more restaurant chains and brands people are dying to see in Charlotte.
Nando’s Peri Peri
Nando’s was established in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The name points to the peri-peri, or the African Bird’s Eye Chili, used for their flame-grilled, peri-peri chicken. In addition to the chicken plates and platters, customers can find salads, sandwiches, paninis and more.
Bartaco
This hip taco chain, with its casual yet dreamy vibe, drew its inspiration from the beach culture you find in Brazil, Uruguay and Southern California. The offerings include a strong cocktail list, a variety of tacos served on corn tortillas or bibb lettuce shells, rice bowls, fun sides like chipotle slaw, and more.
White Castle
Burger fiends have been hankering for sliders in a sack since 1921. The Original Slider was grilled atop onions, and today sliders range from Veggie Sliders, to Jalapeno Cheese Sliders, to Breakfast Waffle Sliders. (Yes, you can get the sliders frozen in stores, but it seems it’s just not the same).
Pappasito’s Cantina
Based in Texas under the umbrella of the Pappas family of restaurants, this Tex-Mex chain is heavy on tacos, enchaladas and specialities like Camarones Tijuana and Shrimp Brochette.
True Food Kitchen
For the health-conscious, True Food provides vegetable-forward, fresh options from starters like kale guacamole, to pizzas like grilled artichoke and pesto, to bowls like teriyaki quinoa, to salads featuring seasonal ingredients.
Raising Cane’s
This chain’s chicken-finger frenzy began in Baton Rouge, La. in 1996. Followers are big on the crinkle-cut fries and top-secret Cane’s Sauce (it’s described as tangy).
Torchy’s Tacos
Hailing from Bouldin Creek, Texas, Torchy’s is known for “damn good” tacos. Features include taco of the month, breakfast tacos, salads, and chips and dips.
California Dreaming
This place has been whipping up American classics since 1984 in Columbia, SC. The chain is now set in locations that range from a castle atmosphere, to a train station, to a waterfront fort so each establishment is unique to its city. Expect everything from steak, to salads, to seafood, to sandwiches.
Wegmans
To join our local grocery store wars, Wegmans (created in 1916 and headquartered in Rochester, NY) would be equipped to add prepared foods, a sub shop and a coffee shop with specialty drinks and breakfast sandwiches to the daily staples.
Wawa
A prime pit-stop on road trips for more than 50 years, Wawa has essentials from gas, to lattes, to smoothies, to grab-and-go meals and diverse snacks.
This story was originally published May 21, 2018 at 12:00 AM.