Here are the latest restaurant openings, and more planned, in the Charlotte area
After more than a year under coronavirus pandemic restrictions and other struggles, many restaurants have or are planning to open new locations.
Among the latest openings is Geno D’s Pizza at 7th Street Public Market in uptown and Amma’s Pizza & Cheeseteaks planned in Midtown by FS Food Group, led by restaurateur Frank Scibelli. The group includes Mama Ricotta’s, Midwood Smokehouse, Calle Sol, YAFO Kitchen, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila and Little Mama’s. Scibelli also is to open Raleigh’s first Midwood Smokehouse in the new Smoky Hollow development next year.
Another restaurant group expanding this fall is Harry’s Grille & Tavern, a full-service upscale casual restaurant with a New York gastropub ambiance, opening a second location at 8426 Park Rd. at Quail Corners Shopping Center. The original Harry’s Grille opened in 2012 at Ayrsley Town Center in Steele Creek. The restaurant is owned and operated by New Forum, a real estate development, management, acquisition and operating firm. It also is behind Piedmont Social House in Ayrsley, which is a full-service restaurant and gathering spot with games like bowling.
Here’s a list of other restaurants that have opened this year or are making plans to open soon:
Ace No. 3
829 Providence Rd.
The new Myers Park location of this burger-and-fries spot will have indoor and outdoor dining. You’ll also find options for milkshakes or craft beer from familiar local breweries such as OMB, Catawba and Devil’s Logic to go along with your build-your-own burger or fried bologna sando.
There will also be a pickup window. You can dine indoors or outdoors under string lights. Just like the original Ace in and the second location at Concord Mills, you’ll come for the burger but stay for the crispy fries and famous milkshakes.
Other menu items: Build-your-own burger, fried bologna sando, veggie patty, grilled cheese.
Allegiance Coffee
375 Star Light Dr., Fort Mill, S.C.
Allegiance Coffee owners Andrew and Amber Olafsson are expanding their Concord cafe to a second location inside the Heritage Conference Center in Fort Mill. The new spot will feature breakfast, brunch and lunch, along with Haerfest Coffee and locally baked pastries.
Amma’s Pizza & Cheesesteaks
601 S. Kings Dr.
The new FS Food Group restaurant opening next year in Kings Pointe Shopping Center will open next to Mama Ricotta’s, serving classic New York pizza by-the-slice and traditional Philadelphia cheesesteaks with choice of Cheez Whiz or American cheese. There is seating for about a dozen customers but the menu has been created for easy take-out.
Backdrop Coffee
919 Berryhill Rd. (opening late summer)
This new coffee shop opening next to the Batch House will offer single-origin and blended coffees from all over the world, plus food from local artisan bakers and cooks.
The Batch House
901 Berryhill Rd. (opening late summer)
A flash flood closed the original shop near LaCa Projects, but the Batchmaker is making a comeback. The Batch House is targeting an August opening in a new space in FreeMoreWest’s Station West.
Benny Ferrovia’s
Benny’s, known for its 28-inch Virginia-style pizzas with slices bigger than your head, is expanding. We already have Benny Pennello’s in NoDa, and soon we’ll have Benny Ferrovia’s at 340 W. Tremont Ave. It will be located near Common Market and Bang Bang Burgers, Pins Mechanical, Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and Small Bar South End.
Benny’s was named one of the best places to get a slice of pizza in 2020 by CharlotteFive.
Big Ben
1535 Elizabeth Ave.
Big Ben is moving to the former Carpe Diem spot in Elizabeth, after its South End lease was not renewed to make way for BOCADO Bar+Diner. After renovations to open the new space, it plans to reopen in early summer.
Biscuitville
3060 Derita Rd., Concord
Greensboro-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern restaurant opened its second restaurant in the Charlotte area on Jan. 14, bringing Southern-style, scratch-made buttermilk biscuit competition to local favorite Bojangles.
BOCADO Bar + Diner
2000 South Blvd., Suite 530
The Atlanta spot known for its burgers opened on June 25 in South End in the spot formerly occupied by Big Ben British Restaurant & Pub. The restaurant expanded the patio to showcase views of the Rail Trail year-round.
Broken Promises
West Tremont Ave.
Lost & Found owner Orlando Botero told Charlotte Agenda that Broken Promises, without a dance floor, will be different from Lost & Found in several ways. Check out their coverage to see how Botero envisions us all utilizing the new cocktail bar when it opens in South End.
Burial Beer Co.
1214 and 1216 Thomas Ave.
Asheville-based Burial Beer Co., plans to open a taproom and bottle shop in Plaza Midwood with outdoor beer garden and a rooftop deck in addition to its indoor bar. The space formerly held Boris + Natasha and the Stash Pad, which is moving to 2708 Monroe Rd.
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop
16836 D Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville
The Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, opened by sisters Savannah Lape and Gabby Sillyman, offers daily flavors including Granny’s Apple, Nanny’s Pecan, Key Lime, Chocolate Cream, Chewy Chocolate Chip, Southern Custard, Peanut Butter and the shop’s best-seller, I-40 — a pie filled with pecans, chocolate chips and toasted coconut named while stuck in traffic between Knoxville, Tenn., and Memphis.
BW Sweets
2023 Beatties Ford Rd. (opening May 2021)
This Black-owned bakery founded by Frankie While by is preparing to open a third location in West Charlotte. At his shops, you’ll find dozens of varieties of sweet treats, including cake slices, cupcakes, cheesecakes and more.
Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria
1205 Thomas Ave.
Charlotte restaurateur Frank Scibelli will open Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria in late spring in the historic Penguin Drive-In location where Bruce Moffett opened NC Red in 2019. Moffett will remained involved, but Scibelli will manage the spot with dishes inspired by the restaurant chefs’ family roots and Cuban and Peruvian neighborhoods in Miami, Tampa and Orlando.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor
A pop-up cheesesteak restaurant has found a permanent home in Charlotte.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor will open at 913 Pecan Ave., this summer, Ryan Hart confirmed Tuesday. Unpretentious Palate first reported the news.
The opening date has not been set yet.
The 500-square-foot restaurant will have a take-out window only with orders taken on site and online. Hart expects to add delivery.
He and partners Greg Balch and Hannah Smith, all co-workers at the Crunkleton, were looking for a “pandemic proof” fast-casual restaurant to open. They launched Cheat’s Nov. 1 at Birdsong Brewing, quickly selling out 100 sandwiches .
Cheat’s, which has upcoming pop-ups at Wooden Robot Brewery and Sycamore Brewing, continues to sell out with up to 500 sandwiches , Hart said.
Cheat’s serves classic cheesesteaks, Hart said, made with black Angus prime top round, sweet white onions, traditional Cheese Whiz and rolls shipped from Amoroso’s Baking Co. in Philadelphia.
“It’s about taking simple food and making it really great by preparing it correctly,” Hart said.
The menu also includes chicken and a vegan Beyond Meat sandwich.
Hart said when the brick-and-mortar store opens, menu additions will include cold and hot Italian hoagies, breakfast rolls, plus soft serve ice cream.
Cheat’s will be open for lunch, dinner and late-night and expects to hire about 12 full-time employees, Hart said.
Chef’s Kitchen
Carolina Place Mall, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy., Pineville (opening in July)
5301 Highway 557, Clover, S.C.
Opposite the food court on the upper level, Carolina Place Mall shoppers will be able to enjoy the upscale fusion menu that has become popular at the Lake Wylie location of Chef’s Kitchen. A mix of American, Italian and Southern cuisine will be available this summer.
Clean Juice
The organic juice bar franchise is moving its flagship store from Birkdale Village to Birkdale Landing in Huntersville. The store will officially open in the larger, 1,375- square-foot space at the end of June. The new Clean Juice store will feature a kitchen cold-press viewing window, a self-ordering kiosk, a grab-and-go cooler, and a spot for pick-up and delivery. Access to parking also will help with curbside delivery. Kat and Landon Eckles opened the first Clean Juice store in June 2015 in Huntersville. There are now 14 Charlotte area locations and over 100 nationwide.
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ
3050 Derita Rd. Suite 10, Concord
Charlotte location coming soon
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ plans two locations in Charlotte with gourmet hot dogs, barbecue and a self-service beer wall that will feature 18-24 taps and include local craft beer.
The Crust
2107 South Blvd.
1600 Woodlawn Rd.
This Florida-based chain calls its thin crust pizza “Midwest style,” even though not actually a crust around the edges. Two locations of the pizzeria are on the way to Charlotte: a takeout-only spot in the former Mr. K’s space and a larger one in the former Libretto’s space, the Charlotte Business Journal reported.
D9 Brewing
650 E. Stonewall St.
425 N. Main St., Hendersonville
116 W. A St., Newton
D9 Brewing Uptown Charlotte is now open in the Savoy apartment community on Stonewall Street, serving craft beer along with Javesca’s coffee in the mornings. The brewery also opened a Main Street microbrewery, taproom and coffee shop in Hendersonville and the CBV Brewery + Taproom in Newton, where guests can sip on D9 beer and craft beverages from Community Brewing Ventures in an old firehouse.
Dilworth Tasting Room
4905 Ashley Park Ln., Suite J
Dilworth Tasting Room opened its second neighborhood spot Feb. 1 in the former Corkbuzz location in the Sharon Square development. The new location comes along with a fresh lunch menu and additional entree options at dinner.
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall
2120 South Blvd., Suite 1
This Cincinnati-based spot is open at Atherton. It will offer American fare (including a fried chicken BLT), 100+ beers to choose from and blues music.
Emmy Squared
1510 Central Ave..
Brooklyn-based Emmy Squared will bring Detroit-style pizza (yes, you read that right) to Plaza Midwood on Sept. 9. In addition to its square-shaped pizza, look for sandwiches, salads and appetizers.
The Exchange at 36th
451 E. 36th St.
The Exchange opened in February, selling a combination of groceries, home items, specialty local goods and sandwiches. A sit-down bar selling beer and wine is in the works.
Exposed Vegan
1540 West Blvd., Suite 102
The plant-based restaurant opened Jan. 1, selling juices, bowls and cookies to go. Co-owners Zsa-Zsa Porter and Nikkis Campbell are triatheletes who seek to remove myths about being vegan.
Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop
2410 Park Rd.
Charlotte restaurateur Fran Scibelli closed Fran’s Filling Station and has reopened it as Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop. The restaurant will include a walk-up window where customers can buy fresh doughnuts, and the bakery will make fresh bread and rolls for its sandwiches. Look out for a few doughnut sandwiches on the menu, too.
The Garbage Can
1540 West Blvd., Unit 130
The Garbage Truck food truck, known for its Rochester, N.Y., Trash Plate and meat hot sauce, opened its first store front location April 24 in west Charlotte. The food truck has been in Charlotte, mostly in South End, since 2018. The first Garbage Truck food truck launched a decade ago in Los Angeles.
Geno D’s Pizza
Father-and-daughter Geno and Gena DiPaolo opened a new pizza spot called Geno D’s Pizza in the 250-square-foot space at 7th Street Public Market in uptown Charlotte. The official grand opening is July 30. The menu includes pizzas, salad, garlic knots, calzones, and “belly busters, our version of strombolis,” the DiPaolos said. “It’s your basic, go-to, old-school pizza stand,” Gena DiPaolo said. Geno DiPaolo owned his own pizza deli business in New Jersey for 35 years before moving to Charlotte. Pickup and limited delivery service is available at genods.com. Hours are 11 am. to 7 p.m. daily, except Monday when the restaurant is closed.
Golden Owl Tavern
9041 Robert D. Snyder Rd.
Denver-based Sage Restaurant Concepts opened Golden Owl Tavern on March 31 at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, right off the LYNX Blue Line. In addition to dine-in service, the restaurant offers the full menu to-go during business hours.
The 7,000-square-foot restaurant features a lounge and outdoor patio, as well as a main dining room with and open kitchen and vibrant bar, with unique twists on Southern classics, such as bacon fat-fried crispy boiled peanuts, Nashville hot chicken deviled eggs, double smashed patty burgers, baby back ribs, scallops and grits and a bourbon-marinated drunken ribeye.
The Hangar
1426 E. Fourth St., inside Devil’s Logic Brewing
The Hangar — a concept from the owners of Paper Plane — is opening inside of Devil’s Logic Brewing. The menu will revamp favorite items from the market, along with new snacks and sandwiches that will pair well with the brewery’s craft beers.
Harry’s Grille & Tavern
8426 Park Rd.
Harry’s Grille & Tavern plans to open its second location in the fall in a 4,673-square-foot space at at Quail Corners Shopping Center, according to a company news release. The original Ayrsley Town Center in Steele Creek is known for its award-winning grilled cheese, along with menu items like blackened salmon tacos, steaks and more.
Hideaway
2710 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Joseph “Jay” Davis, the co-owner of Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken and Seafood, opened his newest venture, Hideaway Bar & Lounge, as a space where adults can sit back and relax. Bonus: It caters to Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fans, too.
Hoptown Brewing Co.
107 Plantation Ridge Dr., Mooresville
Scott Plemmons and his wife, Sandy Plemmons, said the new Hoptown Brewing Co. will be the first of at least three locations in areas that aren’t as brewery-dense as Charlotte. Look for classic styles of beer and a few IPAs to choose from.
Inizio Pizza
A third location for Inizio Pizza Napoletana opens Feb. 15 in Huntersville’s Birkdale Landing Shopping center across from Birkdale Village. It will be near Summit Coffee’s new location. Since 2016, Inizio has been bringing Neapolitan wood-fired pizza to Charlotte, and it now has locations both in Dilworth and in Providence Commons.
Inizio’s pizza menu includes pies such as the Diavola, with spicy salami, calabrian pepper, San Marzano tomato sauce, Buffalo mozzarella, pecorino; and the Pistachio, with rosemary, sea salt, ricotta, Buffalo mozzarella, garlic, pistachio pesto sauce and pistachios. It also offers salads, local craft beer and wine, homemade cannolis and Italian gelato.
CharlotteFive named it one of Charlotte’s best pizzas in 2020. Another location is set to open in Fort Mill, S.C.
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IRO
3100 Apex Dr.
The new Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte will include IRO, a lobby bar with cocktails, local craft beer and globally inspired wine. IRO means “color” in Japanese, and the bar has colorful signature cocktails to match the theme. You’ll be able to snack on seasonal small plates as you enjoy live music and weekly activities.
Jekyll & Hyde Grill & Taphouse
216 W. Main St., Waxhaw
The third Jekyll & Hyde Grill & Taphouse will open in December at 216 W. Main St., in the historic 1913 building in downtown Waxhaw, south of Charlotte. The 4,800-square-foot restaurant will include a circular bar and rooftop seating and fiery fountain. Servers will wear period attire of the “STEAMpunkt” theme, according to the company. New to the Waxhaw location will be a distillery with vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and moonshine made on site.
The first Jekyll & Hyde opened four years ago in Matthews, followed by last year’s restaurant opening in downtown Belmont. Jekyll & Hyde’s menu combines traditional and not-so-traditional English, Irish and American dishes like Sheppard’s pie, fish and chips and homemade bread pudding. Plus, there are 10 beers brewed by Jekyll & Hyde at its Belmont location.
Jets Pizza
1800 Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Ste 1808
Todd Martinez, owner of Jet’s Pizza in Huntersville and Mooresville, is expanding into Five Points in the Historic West End, QC Metro has reported. Rita’s Italian Ice will open next door, so save room for dessert.
The Jimmy
2839 Selwyn Ave.
The newest restaurant from chef Jim Noble will serve coffee and fresh pastries from Copain in the mornings, light Mediterranean fare midday and housemade pizzas and pastas for dinner.
Just Salad
4425 Sharon Rd., Suite 195
Just Salad’s second Charlotte location in Apex SouthPark will have made-to-order salads, wraps, smoothies and more. It’s also got a menu searchable by “health tribes,” with categories including climatarian, keto, vegan, gluten-free and paleo.
Konnichiwa Charlotte
1315 East Blvd., Suite 130
Konnichiwa Charlotte took over Inishmore’s Dilworth spot, serving hibachi bowls, ramen and sushi. It aims to be a family friendly neighborhood restaurant.
La Belle Helene
300 S. Tryon St.
The 5th Street Group, the owners behind 5Church, have reopened La Belle Helene with chef Jamie Lynch of Top Chef fame at the helm. The menu promises to offer classic French cuisine with a twist from Lynch, along with fresh, local ingredients.
La Capital
1910 South Blvd.
La Capital will offer upscale Mexican dining, plus sipping-style tequilas in the former Luciano’s space in South End.
Marble Slab Creamery
1511 Central Ave. (Opening summer 2021)
This ice cream shop serving creations you can customize with mix-ins is slated to open in the space vacated by Nova’s Bakery, Charlotte Agenda reported. The chain has an existing location at 7800-C Rea Rd.
Margaritas Mexican
9805 Sandy Rock Pl., Suite I
The Mexican restaurant concept that started in Indian Land and Fort Mill, S.C., is moving to Charlotte with a 4,220-square-foot location at Rea Farms. Look for a big menu of Mexican favorites, such as fajitas, burritos and enchiladas. It joins several new tenants in the development that’s managed by Lincoln Harris and Charlotte-based global asset manager Barings, including Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy.
Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market
316 Main St., Pineville (opening late winter)
Margaux’s is open in Pineville with St. Louis-style pizza, along with fresh salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards. It also plans to focus on Old World wines.
The Mayobird
1218 East Blvd.
2200 Thrift Rd.
The Mayobird, known for its chicken salad with a twist, closed its Dilworth restaurant and reopened in another neighborhood location with a pickup window only.
The 2,400-square-foot restaurant at 1531 East Blvd., never reopened its dining room after shutting down nearly one year ago because of safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, owner Deedee Hagner said. Her staff went from about 25 employees to two. “We were doing the pandemic pivot just like everybody else,” she said.
The Mayobird Market Pick-Up Window reopened March 2 in a small, one-room space at 1218 East Blvd., serving prepackaged, bulk items. It offers contactless pickup from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Hagner is partnering with other local businesses like The Naked Tart, Beverlys Gourmet Foods and Enderly Coffee.
The Mayobird also opened a new location for delivery and takeout at City Kitch on Thrift Road. The menu of sandwiches and sides is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Meshugganah
1108 N. Graham St., next to Petty Thieves Brewing Co. (Opening fall 2021)
The restaurant aims to become Charlotte’s first scratch Jewish kitchen, combining the nostalgia of an old New York deli with a modern aesthetic. Look for pastrami sandwiches, scratch-made bagels and knishes.
Mizu
The new Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte will offer more than a comfortable place to stay when it opens to the public on Thursday, June 10.
Mizu, the Hyatt’s new rooftop restaurant, will offer live-fire cooking atop the new hotel. You can expect a seafood-forward menu by by executive chef Michael Chanthavong, featuring ancient Japanese cooking combined with Southern influences and Asian flavors. The restaurant is named after the Japanese word for water.
- Also expect: Libations from a cocktail program that features Japanese spirits and seasonal ingredients.
- While you’re there: Don’t miss a stop at IRO, the lobby bar with cocktails, craft beer and creative cuisine.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas
1425 Winnifred St., #104
This Miami-based shop serving handmade Mexican paletas will let you customize your ice pop with dips and toppings — and you can even get a waffle bowl to pair with it. It plans a spring opening in its South End space.
Moxie Mercantile
Multiple locations
Moxie Mercantile boutique opened its third and largest store May 18 at 159 N. Trade St. in downtown Matthews. The 2,700-square -foot space means Moxie will expand its offerings to include — exclusive to the Matthews store — clothing lines Farm Rio and Young, Fabulous and Broke (YFB), plus other products like Brooklyn Candle, and Ophelia and Indigo. Other stores are in Plaza Midwood and Davidson.
Night Swim Coffee
Multiple locations
Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee are combining forces to create Night Swim Coffee, a specialty coffee roastery and cafe with a flagship location at 4500 Old Pineville Rd., another at 1630 Oakhurst Commons Dr. and two more in the works.
OMG Donuts
6209 Old Post Rd., Suite 108 (coming late summer 2021)
Construction is underway at the new location for this Concord doughnut favorite. Plans for the space include a name change to OMG Donuts & Coffee to reflect the addition of a coffee program partnership with local roaster Pure Intentions.
Orto
424 E. 36th St.
Paul Verica, the two-time James Beard Award semifinalist chef and owner of The Stanley, opened Orto in NoDa in Late Feburary, Axios Charlotte reported. On the menu you’ll find pizza and pasta, along with cocktails from mixologist Amanda Britton.
Oso Skate Park
4327 Raleigh St. (Opening summer 2021)
Oso Skate Park temporarily closed Jan. 15 and moved from its Plaza Midwood spot to a location near NoDa after its lease ended and owners said the park “wouldn’t be able to survive” under a proposed rent increase without having the ability to expand. Plans for new space called for both indoor and outdoor space, along with a pro shop.
Picnic. Party. Repeat
Online
Natalie Dove, a former sales coordinator turned on-and-off bartender who always wanted to be an event planner, started Picnic. Party. Repeat in March. There’s several themed picnics to choose from, including the popular girls’ night Sex and the City package.
Prime Fish
11212 Providence Rd. West, Unit B
This raw sushi and sake bar bring traditional Edomae sushi with French and southern influences to Ballantyne under Chef Robin Anthony. Expect colorful, creative dishes in Ballantyne Town Center
Renaldo’s Culinary Experience
1540 West Blvd.
Chef Renaldo Norris, known for the past few years for his pizza, wings and other specialty foods, opened his West Boulevard location of Renaldo’s Culinary Experience in March.
Rita’s Italian Ice
1806 Rozzelles Ferry Rd.
Charlotte couple Melanie and Justin Powell in June opened their second Rita’s Italian Ice location at Five Points Plaza in Charlotte, near Johnson C. Smith University. The Powells opened their first Rita’s Italian Ice shop in Fort Mill last year. Rita’s is known for its rotating daily selection of over 90 flavors of Italian ice, as well as frozen custard. The Charlotte location features a walk-up window. Rita’s, based in Pennsylvania, has about 600 shops worldwide. Other Charlotte locations are at 2015 E. Arbors Dr. in University City area and 16631 Lancaster Hwy. in the Ballantyne area.
Rocket Pizza
1213 W. Morehead St. (opening in 2021)
2501 The Plaza, Suite 1 (opening in 2021)
SouthPark location to be announced.
Owner Casey McCormick described the New Haven, Connecticut-style pizza at his new Rocket Pizza chain as having a thin, crisp, cracker-like crust that’s like no other in Charlotte.
Rooster’s Uptown
In uptown news, after being closed since Sept. 30, 2019, when a fire broke out in the kitchen’s hood system, Rooster’s has announced it is reopening its uptown location.
- The restaurant will be open Tuesday-Saturday.
- Dinner service will begin at 5 p.m.
- Stay tuned: Lunch service will be added back as more workers return to uptown office spaces.
Salata
9855 Sandy Rock Pl. (opening in fall 2021)
615 S. Tryon St. (opening in summer 2021)
The salad and wraps restaurant Salata will open a second Charlotte location in the fall at 9855 Sandy Rock Pl. The Texas-based chain plans to debut its first North Carolina restaurant later this summer on South Tryon Street in the Ally Building in uptown Charlotte. The Rea Farms Salata will offer built-to-order salads and wraps, soups, and organic teas and lemonades. The Rea Farms franchise will be operated by Free Fenix LLC — partnered with Watson Six — which operates Duck Donuts. Free Fenix is partnering with QuietSeven to open the uptown location. Salata offers pickup, delivery with contactless options, catering and dine-in services.
Southern Strain Brewing
1800 Central Ave.
The 2,500 square-foot taproom will have a similar look and feel to the Concord location. In addition to the same blue glass backsplash and concrete block bar, the taproom will also feature artwork from Southern Tiger Collective artists.
Summit Coffee
16639 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.
A new Huntersville location in Birkdale Landing off N.C. 73 will join the Summit Coffee locations this spring. It will include craft coffee and an espresso bar, plus beer, wine and specialty foods and is the first franchise unit for the business.
”We’ve been eyeing this Birkdale Landing spot for more than a year,” said Brian Helfrich, Summit Coffee CEO. “Its proximity to residential and other great brands like Inizio Pizza, First Watch and Shake Shack, not to mention the traffic along 73, will allow us to quickly ingratiate ourselves into a neighborhood sorely lacking a local coffee option.”
Supperland
1212 The Plaza
All of 2020, we followed along with restaurateur Jamie Brown as she detailed life during the pandemic. For her, that included renovating a former church in Plaza Midwood into Supperland, a glamorous restaurant and cocktail bar that opened March 3 with her husband, chef Jeff Tonidandel, in charge of the kitchen.
Three Amigos
7741 Colony Rd.
Three Amigos has opened its second location, featuring the same menu in a fresh atmosphere. A new cocktail program is on its way, too.
Tipsy Taco
7708 Rea Rd.
This Greenville, S.C., restaurant promises to bring “Tex-Mex with a little twist“ to the former Cantina 1511 space in Stonecrest Shopping Center when it opens mid-March. Popular street tacos include the Don Mignon, a taco with filet mignon and chimichurri; the El Grande, a traditional crispy taco with queso and refried beans; and the Carne Asada, a flank steak taco with feta cheese, lettuce, spiced avocado ranch and pico de gallo.
Thoughtful Baking Company
Online
Former Amelie’s executive chef Mary Jayne Wilson opened Thoughtful Baking with a focus on locally produced ingredients and seasonality, with chicken pot pie serving as her baseline. Vegan options are available, as well.
Vaulted Oak
3726 Monroe Rd.
Vaulted Oak Brewing is opening in a former BB&T bank branch in Echo HIlls and putting the layout to use. The old drive-thru is now a patio, with roll-up doors and a bar where the teller window was.
The Vintage Whisky and Cigar Bar
215 E. Worthington Ave.
This new South End hangout is touted as an upscale, Prohibition-style lounge for those who appreciate cigars and high-end whiskies. The lounge also features a fully stocked, custom-built walk-in humidor.
Warmack
1226 Central Ave.
Warmack plans to serve up Asian comfort food in the former Pint Central location, including bahn mi and a braised pork bowl. Online ordering and curbside pickup is available during COVID-19.
What the Fries
10707 Park Rd., Suite F
The popular food truck has opened its first brick-and-mortar location with a slightly revamped menu. In addition to the loaded fries that made the restaurant famous, you can now get grilled cheese, wings and even a loaded fry wrap.
Wild Wing Cafe
8760 J.M. Keynes Dr.
This chain known for chicken wings opened its newest location in University City on April 21, along with a new lineup of sauces that also feature its partner, Wicked Weed Brewing.
Xiao Bao
1115 N. Brevard St.
The Optimist Hall food stall will hone in on Southeast Asian favorites from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Look for classics such as Okonomiyaki and Som Tum Chicken, along with Asian-inspired snacks including fried brussel sprouts, LA-style beef rolls, glass Noodle Laap and fried caramel pork Mochi.
YaMe Asian Noodles
4435 Park Rd., Suite 300
This fast-casual restaurant serving authentic Asian dishes opened in the ParkTowne Village shopping center. Expect made-from-scratch dishes including pho, ramen and pad thai, along with stir fry, fried rice and more in the former Duckworth’s Kitchen & Taphouse space.
Yum Yum Crumbs
Online only
Yum Yum Crumbs offers cake cups built with cake crumbs for delivery via DoorDash. Married couple Mitch Miller Jr. and Sarah Kennedy founded the Black- and native American-owned business and hired Laressa Rucker, who has worked at Amelie’s, Sunflower Baking Co., and other Charlotte spots, as executive chef.
This story was originally published January 14, 2021 at 2:53 PM.
