10 best places to eat within one mile of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte
We’ll let you in on a little secret: You don’t have to be a college student to enjoy the restaurants near Charlotte’s Johnson C. Smith University.
From the food options near Five Points Plaza to the coffee shops and bakeries a little further away, it’s a great place to spend your next lunch break or evening, enjoying the neighborhood’s good vibes and good flavors.
If the weather is nice, take advantage of the West End walking tour, created by historian Tom Hanchett. The self-guided tour serves up a little slice of Charlotte history while you digest your dinner.
We’ve curated this list to include 10 of our favorite spots close to campus — 1 mile away or less:
The Batch House
Location: 901 Berryhill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Desserts
What to order: The oatmeal creme pies have been named the top pie in North Carolina — even though they are not pies at all.
Blue Blaze Brewing
Location: 528 S Turner Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Brewery, food trucks
What to order: It’s the “Year of the Trail” in North Carolina, so it’s a good time to order a Trail Pale Ale.
Chicken King #2
Location: 1740 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28216
Cuisine: Southern
What to order: You can’t go wrong with chicken tenders, honey mustard and fries at the restaurant that has been serving Charlotte for more than three decades.
Church’s Texas Chicken
Location: 1735 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28216
Cuisine: Southern, fast food
What to order: It’s a chain, but worth the mention since it’s so close to campus — within minutes you can sink your teeth into a chicken sandwich with mayo and pickles on a Honey-Buttered brioche bun.
Jet’s Pizza
Location: 1800 Rozzelles Ferry Rd Ste 1808, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Pizza
What to order: You’ve gotta go with the buttery, detroit style square Jet’s Deep Dish.
Mama Gee’s
Location: 509 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Cuisine: West African, Takeout only
What to order: Show up on a Friday or Saturday for a weekend special for a real treat — including Banku & grilled tilapia, served with green peppers and tomatoes. Call ahead for your order!
Original Chicken & Ribs
Location: 1100 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Cuisine: Southern
What to order: You can’t go wrong with the three-piece wings and roll combo at the restaurant that has been serving Charlotte for more than 70 years.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Location: 1806 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Desserts
What to order: Don’t sleep on the gelati here — layers of custard and Italian Ice. Best of both!
Toucan Louie’s
Location: 2753 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: American
What to order: Show up early for the French toast or sleep in and enjoy one of the cafe’s famous sandwiches.
WestEnd Tavern
Location: 2817 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: American
What to order: Order up some WestEnd crabcakes and a Carolina burger — but save room for red velvet cake.
This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
