The Bear or The Beef: Where are we going to eat tonight in Charlotte, honey?
Last summer, my Facebook feed was blowing up with all the chatter about “The Bear” season three after it came out on Hulu. The drama series follows a chef’s journey to transform his family’s Italian sandwich shop (The Original Beef of Chicagoland) into a high-end restaurant (The Bear).
Several friends said each season gets better and that season three is incredible. Now, season four is out.
In celebration of “The Bear,” the CharlotteFive team thought it would be fun to come up with a list of Charlotte-area restaurants that emulate either The Bear or The Beef experiences.
The following restaurants might make you feel like you’re a part of Carmy’s world — and his food — without having to leave Charlotte.
Similar to The Beef
Cheats Cheesesteaks
Location: 913 Pecan Ave., Charlotte, N.C., 28205
Location: 2127 Hawkins St., Charlotte, N.C., 29203 (coming soon)
Cheats Cheesesteaks is a casual grab-and-go restaurant that launched in 2020 to bring a taste of Philadelphia to the Queen City. In addition to classic cheesesteaks and hoagies, Cheat’s serves a smoked brisket cheesesteak, pizza cheesesteak and a diablo cheesesteak with ghost pepper jack cheese and peppers. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Instagram: @cheatscheesesteaks
Clark’s Snack Bar
Location: 3001 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
What was once Good Wurst Company has transformed into Clark’s Snack Bar — back with original owner Lincoln Clark. The Plaza Midwood spot offers casual dining fare like sandwiches, burgers and salads. Enjoy classics like the Carolina dog or Chicago dog, or spice things up with a jalapeno and cheddar bratwurst.
Instagram: @clarkssnackbar_clt
A Little Taste of Chicago
Location: Varies — visit the food truck’s website for the weekly calendar for locations.
A Little Taste of Chicago is a food truck that serves several Chicago classics — just like The Beef, set in the Windy City. Offerings include the Chicago dog, wings and Italian beef, along with Its signature mild sauce.
Instagram: @alittletasteofchicago704
NoDa Bodega
Location: 1200 E 36th Street A, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205
NoDa Bodega is a bodega and deli located in the heart of Charlotte’s historic NoDa arts and entertainment district. The menu includes classic, convenient options like a ham and cheese sandwich, Reuben or tuna melt. There is also a kid’s menu with PB & J, grilled cheese and deli sandwiches.
Instagram: @noodabodega
Pasta and Provisions
Location: 1528 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207
Location: 4700 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 1600 S Mint St. Charlotte, NC 28203
Pasta and Provisions has three Charlotte locations where you can enjoy an authentic Italian meal. Grab a hot Caprese pizza or Italian cold cut sandwich and a Greek salad for lunch, or choose from a prepared meal like baked ziti marinara to take home and reheat.
Instagram: @pasta_provisions
The Bear vibe
Customshop
Location: 1601 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Customshop is a chef-driven, high-end restaurant in Elizabeth that showcases local farms and purveyors through unique dishes served with a modern touch. The weekly menu changes to highlight the seasonality of food, but you’ll always find small bites, pasta and something from the grill, such as sea bass served with pink eye peas, spigarello, mirepoix, charred tomato broth and umami butter.
Instagram: @customshopclt
Counter-
Location: 2001 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Counter - in West Charlotte describes itself as an intimate, full sensory dining experience designed to evoke emotion. The themed menu rotates quarterly, and dishes are never repeated. Past featured dishes have included braised pork shoulder with roasted beets, grits and scallion, rabbit served with garlic, shallot, chili and pickles, and even a chocolate chicken recipe with dried chiles and prickly pear.
Instagram: @counterclt
L’Ostrica
Location: 4701 Park Rd D, Charlotte, NC 28209
L’Ostrica is relatively new to the Charlotte restaurant scene, offering a tasting menu that gets rave reviews. The Park Road establishment features eight to 10 courses that highlight seasonal fare, as well as craft cocktails, aperitifs and digestifs. The Chef’s Market is open for lunch and offers a curated assortment of seasonal, house-made items including fresh pastas and sauces, snacks, salads, dips, soups, sandwiches and sweets.
Instagram: @lostrica_clt
The Fig Tree Restaurant
Location: 1601 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
The Fig Tree Restaurant has been part of Charlotte’s fine dining scene since 2005. Located in the historic Lucas House in the Elizabeth community, the restaurant features a seasonal French and Italian-inspired menu that varies from grilled octopus and escargot to sea scallops, elk chop, lamb loin and my personal favorite, stilton-crusted filet mignon with ricotta gnocchi, shiitake mushrooms, sauteed spinach, crispy shallots and rosemary brown butter.
Instagram: @thefigtreerestaurant
Fin & Fino
Location: 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 8630 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville NC 28078
Fin & Fino is known for a menu that draws inspiration from “seafaring cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.” The fish and shellfish are delivered daily and are all sustainably caught or raised. The menu changes frequently but will always include a variety of fresh fish, scratch-made pasta, raw bar favorites and the restaurant’s signature Furikake Fries.
Instagram: @finandfinoclt
Napa ‘The Bear’ dinner
Location: Stonecrest, 7708 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: Providence, 110 Perrin Pl, Charlotte, NC 28207
Location: Kingsley, 1310 Broadcloth St., Fort Mill, SC, 29715
On any given night, Napa might feel special — but if you really want to experience “The Bear,” you’ll want to save the date for its special dinners Aug. 27-29. Titled “The Bear Dinner,” the $125+ meal is inspired by the show.
Instagram: @napakingsley
Omakase Experience by Prime Fish
Location: 2907 Providence Rd STE 101, Charlotte, NC 28211
Omakase Experience by Prime Fish offers an elevated sushi experience by importing the highest quality of fish directly from Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. Executive Chef Robin specializes in traditional Edomae (Tokyo style) sushi that combines French and southern influence. Omakase — which roughly translates to “I leave it up to you” — offers an experience where the chef creates a tasting menu based off of what’s fresh and seasonal, so you won’t likely see it on repeat.
Instagram: @omakasebyprimefish
Restaurant Constance
Location: 2200 Thrift Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
Restaurant Constance, named after renowned Chef Sam Diminich’s daughter, is an intimate, 10-table restaurant that features all locally grown, seasonal food that changes regularly and supports the local farming community. The menu includes raw bar offerings and other starters such as pork belly dumplings and jalapeno cornbread waffles. Current entrees include roasted red grouper, Outer Banks sea scallops, tamarind braised beef short ribs and lion’s mane pad Thai, among other tasty options.
Instagram: @restaurant_constance
Editor’s note: This story was originally published July 5, 2024, and has been updated.
This story was originally published July 5, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
