Food and Drink

Fig Tree owners bring new restaurant to Charlotte — and now, ‘Shark Tank’ is featuring it

A new restaurant concept brought to Charlotte by the owners of The Fig Tree Restaurant will soon get national attention with an appearance on an upcoming episode of ABC’S “Shark Tank.”

Fine dining veterans Greg and Sara Zanitsch — known for putting out elegant dishes such as escargot and lamb carpaccio — discovered Topsail Steamer on a trip to Florida last year. The couple loved the steamed seafood combinations so much that they decided to open a location in Charlotte.

Topsail Steamer’s Charlotte location is at 1600 E. Woodlawn Road.
Topsail Steamer’s Charlotte location is at 1600 E. Woodlawn Road. Topsail Steamer

“We are so excited for Topsail Steamer to get this recognition on “Shark Tank!” The first time we enjoyed it on vacation, we knew they offered something special. And now we’re proud to say we have a part in a concept that is about to be on national TV and as a result could see even more growth,” Sara Zanitsch said.

Sara and Greg Zanitsch of The Fig Tree Restaurant have opened a Topsail Steamer location in Charlotte.
Sara and Greg Zanitsch of The Fig Tree Restaurant have opened a Topsail Steamer location in Charlotte. CharlotteFive file

Topsail Steamer restaurants offers Bay Buckets such as The Low Country Shrimp, The Topsail Clam Bake and The Crabby Jimbo, each packed with fresh seafood, corn, potatoes and butter, with Topsail Steamer’s signature seasoning. There’s also an option for you to create your own combination.

Locally baked cornbread and pies made in house at The Fig Tree are available to pair with your meal — and you can even save a few dollars on both by ordering a bundle.

The Topsail Steamer concept may be familiar to those who vacation on the North Carolina coast. Topsail Steamer locations are also on Topsail Island and Wrightsville Beach. The small chain now has 10 locations altogether in New Jersey, North Carolina, Delaware, Florida and Alabama.

Topsail Steamer’s Bay Buckets come with fresh seafood and meat, corn, potatoes and its signature seasoning.
Topsail Steamer’s Bay Buckets come with fresh seafood and meat, corn, potatoes and its signature seasoning. Brandie Baird Photography

The new season of “Shark Tank” premiers this Friday on ABC. Viewers can tune into see the Topsail Steamer owner’s episode on Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.

The restaurant joins another “Shark Tank”-famous franchise in Charlotte: The Yard Milkshake Bar. The Yard opened this spring in Elizabeth, selling decadent milkshakes and ice cream creations loaded up with toppings. Billionaire Mark Cuban — one of the show’s “sharks” — is an investor.

[SHARK TANK SUCCESS: Order milkshakes overflowing with toppings at this dessert shop now open in Charlotte.]

On Oct. 25, Topsail Steamer will be featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” at 8 p.m.
On Oct. 25, Topsail Steamer will be featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” at 8 p.m. Brandie Baird Photography

Topsail Steamer

Location: ParkTowne Village, 1600 E. Woodlawn Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Menu

Cuisine: seafood

Instagram: @topsailsteamerclt

This story was originally published October 15, 2024 at 9:50 AM.

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Heidi Finley
The Charlotte Observer
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
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