Is this Charlotte’s tastiest summer challenge? 46 local restaurants are participating.
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- Charlotte hosts Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer, featuring 46 local restaurants.
- Each eatery creates unique tomato dishes using Duke’s Mayo for public voting.
- Participants can win cash by posting meals on social media with proper tags.
Charlotte restaurants are known for making the most of fresh, local produce, and a summertime competition has returned to see who is doing it best.
Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer is running July 17-27 in 10 cities, including Charlotte. Participating restaurants in each city are tasked with crafting a creation showcasing summer tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo. You try the dishes and then vote online for which spot deserves the Golden Tomato trophy.
But there’s more. Duke’s is also offering a chance for you to win cash via Venmo for posting a picture of your meal on social media and tagging Duke’s and the participating restaurant. Duke’s will randomly select winners throughout the 10 days and send them DMs.
Recent Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer winners
In 2023, Burger Box won the Dukes Mayo Golden Tomato Award in 2023 with its Box BLT, which is still on the menu. The Concord food truck is competing again this year with its CLT Chopped Cheese.
Last year, Moo & Brew won the competition by just 16 votes. This year’s entry — M&B’s Hot Tomato Burger with spicy mayo, bacon and pimento cheese — is giving it another shot to repeat.
Who will win this year? It’s up to you. Here are the Charlotte area’s participating restaurants putting out tasty summer specials:
Already Sandwich Co. & Bake Shop
Location: Varies
How to order: Watch Already’s Instagram for pop-ups on the special dish, coming soon.
Beyond Amazing Donuts
Location: Varies
How to order: Order in-person every Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at the North End Farmers Market and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon at the Uptown Farmers Market for the special, coming soon.
Bleu Barn
Location: Varies
How to order: Visit the Davidson Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon. for the special, coming soon.
Brewers at 4001 Yancey
Location: 4001-A Yancey Rd, Charlotte NC 28217
How to order: Visit the brewery and ask for the Heirloom BLT with heirloom tomatoes, bacon and Parmesan herb aioli on sourdough bread.
Burger Box
Location: 844 Kathryn Dr. SE, Concord NC 28025
How to order: Find the food truck at its regular location and order the CLT Chopped Cheese, which features seasoned ground beef, grilled onions and peppers smothered with melted American cheese on a toasted hero roll with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo.
The Butler’s Pantry
Location: 274 S Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte NC 28211
How to order: Drop into The Butler’s Pantry and find the Tomato Pie, made with locally grown tomatoes, homemade crust, basil, olive oil and a special blend of cheeses and Duke’s Mayo.
Cheat’s Cheesesteaks
Location: 913 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 2137 Hawkins Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
How to order: Head to Cheat’s and ask for Cheat’s Fried Green Tomato Club, which includes honey Sriracha glazed bacon, Springer Mountain Farms chicken, provolone, sweet pickled peppers and Duke’s Mayo on a toasted hoagie roll.
Cookin’ & Cruzin’
Location: 3500 Latrobe Dr, Charlotte, NC 28211
How to order: Find the Cookin’ & Cruzin’ food truck at its regular location and ask for The CBLT with candied bacon, heirloom tomatoes sprinkled with flaky sea salt, shredded iceberg lettuce and garlic-infused aioli on a toasted brioche bun.
Diamond Restaurant
Location: 1901 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Stop into the Diamond and ask for one — or both— of the specials:
- Mayto Potato, a deep-fried potato skin with a loaded baked potato made with Duke’s Mayo and topped with a whipped tomato purée
- The Blood Diamond, a drink with Mezcal and frozen blood diamond cubes rimmed with Duke’s Mayo and Tajin, garnished with mozzarella, onion and tomato spears
Dish
Location: 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: In person, you can choose from one of three Duke’s specials:
- Tomato Pie with pimento cheese and Duke’s Mayo in a housemade crust
- Mater-Rita with green tomato, lime and a touch of Duke’s Mayo
- Mater Sandwich on white bread with seasoned tomato slices and Duke’s Mayo
Freshlist
Location: 1300 Pegram St, Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Keep a watch on the food delivery service’s website for its specials, coming soon.
The Goodyear House
Location: 3032 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Visit The Goodyear House and ask for the Tomato Sammies with local tomatoes, shoyu mayo, cucumber, onion and chili crisp on a Hawaiian roll.
Groovy Beast
Location: 1611 Westover St, Gastonia, NC 28056
How to order: Visit in person and ask for The Heirloomer, with heirloom tomatoes, pimento cheese, avocado spread, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, micro-arugula and coarse salt and pepper on toasted sourdough.
Indaco
Location: 2046 South Blvd, Charlotte NC 28203
How to order: Head to Indaco and ask for the Tomato Pizza, with local heirloom tomato, basil and garlic Dukes Mayo.
Izzy’s at Triple C Brewing
Location: 2900 Griffith St, Charlotte NC 28203
How to order: Visit Izzy’s at the brewery and ask for the Smoked Tomato Mayo Patty Melt, with a Mullis Family Farm patty, grilled onions and American cheese on rye with seasoned crinkle fries.
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Location: 3220 N. Davidson St., Charlotte NC 28205
How to order: Visit Jack Brown’s and ask for the special, coming soon.
Katsu Kart Sando Shop
Location: Hopfly Brewery, 1327 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
How to order: Visit the Katsu Kart food truck at the brewery and order the special, coming soon.
The Loyalist Market
Location: 435 N Trade St., #102, Matthews NC 28105
How to order: Stop by the Loyalist Market and ask for the special, coming soon.
Lucky Lou’s tavern
Location: 5124 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
How to order: Visit Lucky Lou’s in person and ask for the BLT, with applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and Duke’s Mayo on your choice of bread.
Marlee Jean’s Raw Bar + Kitchen
Location: 21 Depot St B, Davidson, NC 28036
How to order: Visit Marlee Jean’s and ask for the special, coming soon.
Mazi
Location: 1300 South Blvd. Suite 101-F, Charlotte, NC 28203
How to order: Visit Mazi and ask for the Tomato Carpaccio, with heirloom and cured green tomatoes, Duke’s Mayo mousse, smoked trout and cornbread gremolata.
Mecklenburg County Market
Location: 1515 Harding Pl, Charlotte, NC 28204
How to order: Visit the farmer’s market and look for the special, coming soon.
Merchant & Trade
Location: 303 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
How to order: Visit the rooftop bar and ask for the Southern Tomato and Duke’s Mayo Sandwich, with local tomato and Duke’s Garlic Mayo on a house-baked tomato biscuit. It comes with fries and Duke’s Basil Aioli for dipping.
Milkbread
Location: 1431 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 525 South Tryon, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 624 Jetton St., Davidson, NC 28036
How to order: Visit one of Milkbread’s three locations or order online and choose the Heirloom Tomato BLT, with heirloom tomato, apple cider bacon, local lettuce, Duke’s Mayo and Verdant sourdough.
Mizu
Location: Hyatt Centric Charlotte Southpark, 3100 Apex Dr 9th Floor, Charlotte, NC 2821
How to order: Visit Mizu and ask for the BLT Roll, with Nusekes bacon, butter lettuce, local tomato relish and garlic aioli.
Moo & Brew
Location: 1300 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Visit Moo & Brew’s OG location and ask for M&B’s Hot Tomato Burger on a toasted Martin’s potato bun with diablo mayo, house-made pimento cheese and sliced tomatoes, plus sweet and spicy diced peppadew peppers, M&B Burger Dust spice blend and two strips of applewood bacon.
Nacho Average Truck
Location: Varies
How to order: Find the food truck and order the special, coming soon.
Napa
Location: 110 Perrin Pl, Charlotte, NC 28207
Location: 7708 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
How to order: Visit one of Napa’s Charlotte locations and ask for the Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich, with heirloom tomatoes, arugula, lemon dill aioli and Duke’s Mayo on a toasted brioche bun with a side of fries.
Noble Smoke
Location: 2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
How to order: Visit Noble Smoke and order the Two Napkin BLT on Copain rye bread with local heirloom tomatoes, fresh gem lettuce, American cheese, Cheshire Farms bacon and Duke’s Mayo.
Oak Steakhouse
Location: 4777 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
How to order: Vist Oak and ask for the Smoked Tomato Deviled Egg, with Old Bay, Duke’s Mayo, tomato herb relish and Nusekes bacon.
O-Ku
Location: 2000 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
How to order: Visit O-Ku and ask for the Foie Gras Toast on toasted milk bread with Duke’s miso garlic aioli, seared foie gras, tomato jam, black garlic salt and shiso leaf.
The People’s Market
Location: 1609 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
How to order: Visit The People’s Market’s OG location and order the Guanciale Bacon Burger, made with chuck, short rib and brisket burger mixed with Duke’s, guanciale bacon, sharp cheddar, pickled tomato jam, arugula and Duke’s Mayo on a roasted tomato brioche bun.
Pinky’s Westside Grill
Location: 1600 W. Morehead St., Charlotte NC 28208
Location: 9818 Gilead Road Suite 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078
How to order: Visit one of Pinky’s two locations and order The Capri Burger, with a 5-ounce beef patty, double provolone cheese, tomatoes, Basil Duke’s Mayo, mixed greens and a balsamic glaze.
Replay Brewing
Location: Kingsley, 1317 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
How to order: Visit Replay and ask for the special, which is coming soon.
Room Service
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206; Keswick District Suite 105
How to order: Visit Room Service and order one of the specials — or both:
- The Mayo Returns pt.2, a spicy margarita sweetened with cherry tomato oleo, topped with a salted tomato-mayo foam
- Is There Tomato on this??, a sandwich with Duke’s Mayo, Bacon, shredded lettuce and heirloom tomato on sourdough bread.
Sea Level
Location: 129 East 5th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
How to order: Visit Sea Level and order the Halibut Tostada, with roasted tomato aguachile, avocado mousse, cilantro, corn tostadas, red cabbage, red onion, sweet corn and red bell pepper.
Sweet Lew’s
Location: 923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Stop into Sweet Lew’s and ask for the Southern Panzanella Salad, with Local Small City Farm tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, bacon jam, sharp cheddar, pimento, cornbread croutons and a Duke’s Mayo Green Goddess dressing.
The Teal Turnip
Location: 1640 Oakhurst Commons Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28205
How to order: Visit The Teal Turnip and ask for the specials, which are:
- The Mod Tom with Duke’s Mayo and prosciutto ice cream
- Grannie’s Secret Ingredient Chocolate Cake with roasted tomato buttercream frosting
Thoughtful Baking Co.
Location: Varies
How to order: Online for delivery, or at farm-to-fridge sites at Birdsong Brewing Co. and Traditions, look for the Tomato Pimento Cheese Pie, with local tomatoes and house-made pimento cheese, baked in a buttery pie crust.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
