These local restaurants are helping bring the flavor of the QC to the Presidents Cup

This September, the Presidents Cup will come to Charlotte, marking the first time it will take place in the Southeast. Twelve players from the United States will go head-to-head on the golf course with 12 international players from across the world, but the overall PGA fan experience is poised to be just as exciting as the intense gameplay.

More specifically — the food and beverage experience. The Presidents Cup will partner with several local Charlotte establishments and larger brands to bring the flavor of the Queen City to Quail Hollow Club, the venue for this year’s match.

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Adam Sperling, executive director of the 2022 Presidents Cup, told CharlotteFive that the fan experience takes a considerable amount of thought to build out.

“When you go to events, it’s not just what’s happening on the floor at the Spectrum Center during a Hornets game or at the stadium during a Panthers game, it’s ‘What is the overall experience like?’” Sperling said.

“Our official vodka, Tito’s, has a location centrally located (on the property) that is an experience. It’s not just having a Tito’s and soda or a transfusion, it’s being immersed in the Tito’s experience and that will happen throughout the property,” Sperling continued.

Here are some of the local foods PGA fans have to look forward to on site:

• GOODYEAR HOUSE: The NoDa restaurant is named after a good-year house, one traditionally added onto when years are good. Chef Chris Coleman is Food Network famous!

• WHAT THE FRIES: What the Fries is a local restaurant and food truck that specializes in gourmet loaded fries. Owners Jamie Barnes and Gregory Williams opened What the Fries’ first brick and mortar location just last year.

• TWO SCOOPS: The beloved local ice cream shop with multiple locations around the Carolinas will provide fans at the Presidents Cup with something to satisfy a sweet tooth.

• ACE NO. 3: Ace No. 3, home of the famed “Ace Burger,” will allow golf fans to indulge in more savory gameday fare.

• SABOR LATIN STREET GRILL and LA CASTEA: You heard it here first. Raydal Hospitality Group’s restaurants are staples in Charlotte and they’ll be at the President’s Cup, too, offering fast-casual authentic Latin American cuisine.

• EL TORO BRUTO: What started out as a pop-up turned in-house taqueria at Resident Culture is now making an appearance at The Presidents Cup. You won’t want to miss out on these “beastly” tacos at the tournament’s South End course area.

• VIVA CHICKEN: Just when you thought the Presidents Cup couldn’t get anymore flavorful, Viva Chicken joins the lineup. The Charlotte staple feature Peruvian-inspired cuisine will also be located within the South End course area at the tournament.

• CUZZO’S CUISINE: Cuzzo’s isn’t just another restaurant that started off as a wildly successful food truck and eventually opened a brick-and-mortar location in Charlotte. Its menu features savory and comforting soul food that’s flavorful enough to bring inner peace. We can only hope its Presidents Cup menu will feature that famous lobster mac and cheese.

• INIZIO PIZZA: Known well for its uniquely crafted, Neapolitan-style pizza, Inizio will bring some Italian flair to The Presidents Cup this fall. If it’s pizza your craving, head on over to the Champions Circle for a slice (or two).

• SUNFLOUR BAKING COMPANY: If you’re not sure whether you’ve got a hankering for sweet or savory, try searching for something in between at Sunflour Baking Company, located at the tournament’s 1st Tee course area.

• NOBLE SMOKE: It wouldn’t be right to host an event in the Carolinas without barbecue. Thankfully, Noble Smoke has us covered with what we can only assume will be a colorful menu of smokey, sweet and tangy selections.

“I’ve been to some locations from being in Charlotte for four years,” Sperling said about the Cup’s food partners. “I’ve been to Two Scoops, I’ve been to Ace No. 3, I haven’t been to What the Fries yet. So now, I get to go to the tournament and experience a restaurant that I’ve wanted to go to.”

2022 Presidents Cup

Location: Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: South Park, Carmel

When: September 20-25, 2022

This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 6:05 AM.

Evan Santiago

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Santiago is a reporter for the Charlotte Observer writing for the publication’s Service Journalism Desk. He hails from New York City and is currently based in the Queen City where he works to help local readers navigate the challenges that come with daily life in the modern world.