Charlotte-area restaurateurs bring a smoky, spirited twist to new Waxhaw restaurant

After years of building a name for himself in the Charlotte-area dining scene, chef and restaurateur Jon Fortes is bringing something new to Waxhaw — a cocktail-forward barbecue concept he says the town has been missing.

Enter, Sip & Cinder.

Fortes, whose portfolio of restaurants behind The Flipside Restaurant Group includes The Flipside Cafe, The Flipside Restaurant, Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen and FM Eatery, told CharlotteFive he wanted to “branch out” of the Fort Mill area while still keeping some distance from the hustle and bustle of Charlotte.

“We’re trying to stay out of the big city a little bit,” Fortes said. “We looked around in Waxhaw and felt there was a need for what we do here.”

Fortes, the former corporate chef at Burke Hospitality Group, which included Harper’s Restaurant until it closed last July, CharlotteFive reported, said he modeled Sip & Cinder’s concept after Harper’s because of the influence of his longtime mentor Tom Sasser, who he credits with shaping his approach to hospitality and restaurant design.

“We’re going to kind of be more of an upscale Harper’s,” Fortes said. “We’re going to serve a variety.”

Sip & Cinder will move into the space formerly occupied by VegGeez, the plant-based restaurant that previously served Waxhaw with a vegetarian-focused menu.

Sip & Cinder menu

Fortes said the blueprint for Sip & Cinder involves adding “fan favorites” from his other restaurants, like Italian selections from Salmeri’s and cocktails from FM Eatery, to the menu to cook up some buzz for the restaurant.

“We want to have bartenders putting on a show when they’re making really nice cocktails, but the food has to be center stage as well,” he said.

But the new space will be complete with a smoker, meaning patrons can expect dishes like bone-in short-ribs and smoked wings, Fortes said.

“We’re definitely going to have some fun foods for Saturday and Sunday during football season,” he added. “But also, really cool entrees that are more focused on a night out on the town in Waxhaw.”

The menu at Sip & Cinder will also focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including seafood from North and South Carolina and responsibly raised meats.

“We’re going to serve clean food,” he said, noting that while the previous restaurant in the space offered a vegetarian-only menu, Sip & Cinder will provide plenty of protein options. “Whether it’s cage-free chicken or non-hormonal meats…we’re working with quality vendors to make sure everything is as fresh as it gets.”

Giving back

Fortes said community involvement will be a key part of the new restaurant’s mission, just as it has been with his other ventures.

Over the years, he and his wife, Amy, have worked closely with Fort Mill schools, supported cancer organizations and contributed to efforts that fight childhood hunger, particularly through partnerships with groups like Share Our Strength.

That commitment to giving back, he added, has been a driving force behind the longevity and success of his restaurants.

“It’s not just about us,” he said. “It’s about everyone around here.”

Sip & Cinder is slated to open Oct. 1.

Sip & Cinder

Location: 1325 N. Broome St., Waxhaw, NC 28173

Cuisine: American

Instagram: @sipandcinderwxw

This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 8:27 AM.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.