Hot Mess is now open in Davidson, with a lineup of smash burgers and bowls + lobster
The Lake Norman space that formerly held Davidson Ice House is undergoing a transformation into a new concept called Hot Mess, opened on April 20.
“All the favorites are still here. The bowls are here. The burgers are here — but they’re even better, and there are more of them,” chef/owner Jennifer Brulé said.
Brulé, who opened Davidson Ice House in 2018, and her longtime friend Robert Maynard, CEO of Won Life Holdings and co-founder and CEO of Famous Toastery, have partnered in the venture. They’ve worked together before, as she’s the chief culinary officer at North Carolina-based Famous Toastery.
The cookbook and recipe author who’s no stranger to TV appearances has got a lock on the food, while Maynard focuses on operations. And while the popular Davidson Ice House was successful, Brulé promises Hot Mess “will be even bigger and better.”
The food
The restaurant focuses on burgers, bowls and lobster rolls, along with several complementary dishes. Here’s a look at what’s on the menu:
Hot Mess’ Smash Burgers — Choose 4 ounces of certified Angus beef or an Impossible Burger with a single, double or triple patty. Then customize it:
- Make it a mess: Smothered in an indulgent cheese sauce
- Make it brulé: Add a hot burn (a proprietary seasoning blend)
- Make it noisy: Add crunchy, house-made potato chips.
Or pick a craft burger such as the Mac Daddy, a cheeseburger topped with mac and cheese, bacon and tomato, and pair it with fries, plain or seasoned with your choice of Street Taco, Dill Pickle, Hot & Spicy and Garlic & Herb.
Bowls — One Davidson Ice House’s signature items remains, with choices layered atop greens, grains or both. New choices include:
- SOB (South of the Border): Grilled chicken, black beans, tomatoes, cheddar, corn, caramelized onions and Baja ranch
- Beetnik: Chicken salad, salt-roasted beets, pickled cauliflower, kale slaw, charred broccoli, crunchy mung beans and creamy horseradish
- Greek-ish: Grilled chicken, charred broccoli, sweet potatoes, salt-roasted beets, feta, white garlic and tahini lemon
- Tokyo Teriyaki: grilled chicken, grilled corn, edamame, charred broccoli, cucumbers and spicy teriyaki.
“Build-your-own” toppings include choices such as roasted chicken, fried chicken, chicken salad and lobster salad, sweet potatoes, pickled cauliflower, grilled corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, caramelized onions, banana peppers, avocado. A selection of sauces to top them includes honey mustard, spicy green, white garlic, tomato vinaigrette and more.
Lobster rolls — Brulé grew up in Cape Cod and craved a taste of home. Diners can choose among lobster-focused dishes such as:
- Clawbster Roll (classic lobster salad with lettuce)
- Clawbster BLT (classic lobster salad with Benton’s bacon and tomato)
- Lobster Chowder (served in a bread boule)
- New England Nachos (house-made potato chips topped with lobster salad, cheese sauce, white garlic sauce, tomatoes, green onions and jalapeños)
- Lobster Spread (cheesy and creamy with chunks of lobster)
- Lobster Mac and Cheese.
Other menu highlights — Soups and salads will be on the menu, along with other favorites.
- Gluten-free fried chicken is back — but improved.
Chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders.
Side dishes will include crispy mushrooms, spice-roasted olives and fried pickles
Local craft beer will be available in growlers or by the pint. Wine will be served by the glass or bottle.
The space
What’s the deal with the name? — “I’m a hot mess — but I hope in an endearing way. That’s literally why we chose that name. The restaurant is extremely personal for me. A lot of things are coming right out of my house to decorate the walls.”
There’s a new look, too. — “We put in a beautiful sleek bar and created a lounge area with a cool vibe,” Maynard said. “We painted the walls and did extensive tile work. We’ve upgraded everything and made it sexier. In fact, we’re making cheeseburgers sexy.”
A private, exclusive space is included. — The Hot Seat, a private nook features seating for six, and is tucked away. It’s available only by reservation.
Neighborhood vibes. — “We’re bringing something fresh and new to the Davidson restaurant scene,” Maynard said. “We haven’t had a neighborhood burger place. We certainly haven’t had a lobster shack. We’re both those things, and we’re casual and hip to boot.”
Brulé added, “We created the place we would want to bring our families and friends to, the place we’d take a date to.”
Hot Mess
Location: 416 S. Main St., Davidson, NC 28036
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @HotMessNC
This story was originally published April 4, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
