Fine dining or comfort food? Here’s what you’d eat for your last meal in Charlotte

Picture it: You’ve got one last meal to eat in Charlotte. What would it be?

Steak or pasta, ramen or gnocchi, or even meatloaf — there’s no wrong answer. What comforts and nourishes you is what we’re after.

We asked what you’d have as your last meal in Charlotte, so we could get an idea of some of your favorite meals across the city.

Here’s what you answered.

For many people, steak and other fine dining meals would be the way to go:

• “The dry-aged NY strip with charred corn and buttered leak risotto from The Cellar at Duckworth’s.” — Dave Gaughan

• “From The Fig Tree - the Crusted Filet Mignon with Ricotta Gnocchi, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sautéed Spinach, Crispy Shallots, with Rosemary Brown Butter and their beignets for dessert!” — M. Burke

• “Chef’s table tasting menu at McNinch House.” — Larken Egleston

• “Barrington’s chicken with peas and mashed potatoes.” — Joe Schreiner

• “Prime Fish Omakase.” — Kimberlin Cox

• “Steak is a once or twice a year treat, so my last meal would be a juicy, tender steak from Ruth’s Chris, a bottle of rich Cabernet, and Warm Apple Crumb Tart with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Yummy, I am full!!” — Teri Franklin

• “For one final meal, this was a tough call — I have so many memorable places I love in Charlotte. However, I think I’d want Counter- chef Sam Hart to cook my last meal. I’ve never in my life appreciated a bite of food as much as I have when they prepared it. The time and care and love Sam puts into a single course allows one to really savor every bite. Maybe they’d make me a special meal featuring courses based on my memories, since it’s my last meal on Earth, after all. See y’all on Mars!” — Melissa Oyler, CharlotteFive editor

But home-style comfort food options are equally craveable:

• “Mattie’s Diner — and gotta get the meatloaf, of course!” — DC Lucchesi. (This comment made CharlotteFive editor Melissa Oyler think of Mattie’s blueberry pancakes for days, by the way.)

• “Texas Chili mac with beans, peppers and onions with cornbread from Lupie’s Cafe. If it’s my last meal, I can enjoy it without worrying about the acid reflux.” — Tim Shinn

• “The Diner Burger and Mac and Cheese from Queen City Craft and Gourmet!!!” — Queen City Craft and Gourmet staff

• “The Diamond always and forever.” — Petty Thieves Brewing

[DIVE IN TO THE DIAMOND: One of Charlotte’s oldest restaurants remains staple in Plaza Midwood, even after 79 years.]

Seafood is where it’s at for others:

• “Fried Oysters, King Crab Restaurant.” — Jack Mabry

• “Still Cabo Fish Taco.” — Jim R. Roberts

For some of us, ramen and pad Thai make for dreamy meals:

• “Menya Daruma. Always been a ramen type of person, & the place is the best ramen so far after Futo Buta closed.” — Dhi Villapando

• “Menya Daruma - Truffle Yasai Shoyu & Tofu Bao Bun.” — Katie Harding

• “Pad Thai from Thai Taste - the best in the city IMO.” — Leah Dagenhardt

Dagenhardt also shouted out the canestri pasta from Custom shop, and she’s not alone. Pasta — and specifically the Canestri pasta — is in the hearts of many:

• “The ‘Canestri’ pasta from Customshop located in Elizabeth!” — Alyssa Zoutendyk

• “Veal Barcelona from Open Kitchen. Best item on their menu.” — Pamela Poteat, Gastonia

• “Little Mama’s Fettuccine Alfredo.” — Dianna Kirkman

• “Penne Ala vodka, Mamma Ricotta’s.” — Jessica Petersen

And some of us just can’t choose — not that we can blame anyone with that mindset, when there are so many delicious options in Charlotte.

• “Can we have a progressive dinner?” — Julianne Smith McCollum

• “Martini from Dot Dot Dot, Brunch from El Puro, and Patatas Bravas from Customshop.” — Emma Fortuna

• “Myself, I’d have a few sips and bites of a lot of things, which would likely change from day to day. Today’s answer: Bienville oysters and chardonnay from Fin & Fino, a caviar presentation from Steak 48, a bacon cheeseburger from Brooks Sandwich House and honey BBQ wings with ranch from Wing King, topped off with the chocolate olive oil cake and sangria from Catalu.” — Heidi Finley, C5 assistant editor

Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.

This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 5:00 AM.