Carpe Diem, Mickey & Mooch, Futo Buta and more: Closed Charlotte restaurants you miss
Carpe Diem. Micky & Mooch. Futo Buta.
For Charlotteans who have been here a certain amount of time, just the mention of these and other now-closed restaurants can trigger a long-forgotten moment in time.
In some cases, these restaurants crawled — for decades — so that Charlotte’s food scene could walk.
In others, the memory of the place is so fleeting that you almost wonder if it was ever actually here at all. Yet, the size of the impression a place leaves on the heart doesn’t always correlate with the amount of time it had a footprint in the city, either.
Case in point: Futo Buta was open a little over 9 years, which is a blip on the radar, really, but the impression it left on many (including me) makes it feel like it was open much longer.
Other restaurants are here for decades — over here at CharlotteFive, we call them Classic Eats. It’s a series where we feature our area’s old restaurants that have stood the test of time. If you haven’t seen it, here’s one on South 21 Drive In (and make sure to check the drop-down menu in the story for dozens more).
But what about the longstanding restaurants that didn’t stand the test of time, like Price’s Chicken (here for 60 years) or Zack’s Burgers (here for 46 years)? Places like those are such a part of Charlotte’s history that it feels like their legacies will never die.
I recently asked you which restaurants you miss the most — whether here for a long time or a little — and your answers sure took me on a trip down memory lane.
Check them out below:
The Barclay Cafeteria
What you had to say: “The Barclay Cafeteria inside Belk at SouthPark (upstairs) was a classic restaurant,” wrote Kevin Ford. “Judge Bob Potter and his family ate their almost every night. Judge Potter was a neighbor who ruled to desegregate school busing in the 1970s. He is also the judge who sentenced Jim and Tammy Bakker to prison.”
Bill Spoon’s Barbecue
What you had to say: “I miss Bill Spoon’s Barbecue. When they shut their doors, it truly felt like the death of a good friend,” Cindy Crisp wrote. “It was the best Eastern NC barbecue you could find anywhere, and don’t get me started about the mustard slaw and hushpuppies. Beyond the food, everyone who worked there treated you like family. I am honestly still in mourning over that closing.”
Block & Grinder
What you had to say: “Block & Grinder at the corner of Providence and Sharon Amity. Not only did they have amazing steaks but hands down the best Burger, the best Pastrami and the best fries in town!” wrote Craig Locascio. “And they had a lunch special with $5 burger and $5 pastrami sandwich!”
Blue
What you had to say: “The restaurant I miss the most was called Blue. Blue was in Uptown in the Hearst Tower specializing in Mediterranean food,” Gary Knight wrote. “For its time, it was a large, popular destination to visit for great food and drinks. It was extraordinarily well run, with an excellent chef. The food was well-prepared, beautifully presented, and delicious. It was the restaurant one went to for a special occasion, celebration, date night, or before or after a visit to a theater or a concert. My favorite memory was from a New Year’s Eve dinner with a total of 6 or 7 couples sometime between 2007 and 2012. There was no limited New Year’s Eve menu, just their regular menu. Every dish arrived at the same time, every dish was perfectly prepared, and everyone loved the food. It was a great start to our New Year’s celebration.”
Brown Derby Restaurant
What you had to say: “Brown Derby Restaurant on West Morehead Street was a favorite of Jim Fortos. “Was there for 60 years and a favorite of the Panther Players.”
Cafe Eugene
What you had to say: “My restaurant is Cafe Eugene,” wrote Ross C. Levin. “Visited Late 1970s, early 80s. For us Charlotte unicorns, Cafe Eugene was one of the first elegant fine dining authentic French Restaurants in Charlotte. Fantastic owners who understood fine dining food and atmosphere and brought Manhattan to the corner of Sharon Amity and Providence. First time having real French food with excellent service and hospitality. The Duck Orange was a favorite and flaming Cherries Jubilee prepared at tableside. High profile Charlotteans and local celebrities could be seen eating there. I recall David and James Taggert walking in wearing full length fur coats. I had my East Meck Senior Prom dinner there in 1979.”
Carpe Diem
What you had to say: “The original Carpe Diem and next door bar The Moon Room, owned by Bonnie Warford and sister Tricia Maddery” was a favorite for Shelly Schoenfeld. “Other locations of Carpe were great (especially the last, on Elizabeth), but the original uptown was where both the power brokers took clients (think, Hugh McColl) and regulars dined. Jodie Foster once did too! I remember the first time I had Pilsner Urquel — so exotic for Charlotte in the 90s — at The Moon Room. Bands, DJs, board games on the back shelf. Where you could just go and be yourself. When there was nothing at all uptown, both these establishments were ahead of their time. They’d hold their own today too.”
What you had to say: “Carpe Diem would be my ‘most missed’,” Kathleen Davey wrote. “My husband and I enjoyed many visits to all 3 of their locations but the original on S. Tryon was the favorite. We only went to the E. Trade location a few times, but it remains a wonderful memory too. Elizabeth Avenue is where we went most often with friends. There were several NYE dinners with our group of friends that stands out, but many visits were just the two of us. It’s making me sad thinking about it! Being native Charlotteans, I could go on and on but I won’t.”
Casa Gallardo
What you had to say: Casa Gallardo at Park Road Shopping Center was a favorite of Kevin Ford. “My high school buddies would go there and order cokes and nothing else. Free chips, free salsa, and free refills!”
Chicken Shack
What you had to say: “Chicken Shack, located on Tuckaseegee Road, specialized in down home, country cooking and their seasoned vegetables were the best,” Allison Young said. “I frequented there several times a week just for the vegetable plates.”
Chris’ Deli
What you had to say: Chris’s Deli on Independence was a favorite of Pamela Poteat. “Whenever I could get to Charlotte would go there for the Chris’s sandwich, macaroni salad and sometimes the chicken with rice soup. Always a perfect match every time. Even when my daughter moved and we came to Charlotte, we headed to Chris’s Deli.”
Ciro’s Italian Restaurant
What you had to say: “My favorite, Ciro’s Italian Restaurant, was one of the early casualties of COVID,” Donald G. Billington shared. “Given the dearth of white tablecloth restaurants in the University area, it was especially sad to see it go. Pauley, with his accordion, and his daughter and son as co-managers made for a delightful atmosphere, The charcuterie and bruschetta were superb preparations for any of the excellent entrees. I still go by the lakeside building wishing for a resurrection.”
Coffee Cup
What you had to say: “I used to frequent the Coffee Cup at its original location on South Clarkson Street. My Coffee Cup heyday was around 2005-2008 (the year it closed) when I lived nearby,” wrote Larken Egleston. “I enjoyed both their breakfast and lunch options, but a fried chicken plate with macaroni & cheese and collard greens for lunch was hard to beat — I still think Coffee Cup was the best fried chicken in CLT! The only downside to this particular lunch order was that my boss at the time would often find me asleep in a food coma shortly after I returned to my desk. The loss of the Coffee Cup hurt me and many others in our community deeply, not only because of its amazing food, but also because of the significant role it played in our city’s civil rights history. However, its loss is also what inspired me to get involved with historic preservation in our city (now statewide) and ultimately opened up a door for me to civic engagement that I may otherwise have never walked through.”
What you had to say: “Coffee Cup, located on Clarkson St, was a restaurant that specialized in down home country cooking but was only open for breakfast and lunch,” wrote Allison Young. “My favorite was stewed beef over rice.”
Dikadee’s
What you had to say: Dikadee’s was one of Kevin Ford’s favorite restaurants. “Owner Nick Nickadee was one of the friendliest men I ever met. He was the reason I returned over and over again. Plus they had great peanut butter chocolate pie.”
Dino’s Pizza
What you had to say: Dino’s Pizza was one of Kevin Ford’s favorite restaurants. “One of the first pizza places in Charlotte, on Monroe Road. You could watch the cook toss and spin the dough before eating the best pizza I’ve ever had (even to this day).”
Etienne’s
What you had to say: “Once upon a time, a long, long time ago there was a restaurant that was at the notorious corner of, Queens & Queens & Providence and Providence, named Etienne’s. (Circa 1997-1999) It was right on the corner,” wrote Toni Cotler. “Today, it currently is a Harris Teeter. It was excellent French food in a fairly classy, yet relaxed atmosphere. It was there that I had a French White Burgundy that I can still remember. Unfortunately this was before cell phones were really “a thing”, so the name is long forgotten. Etienne, as I remember, decided to retire/pursue something less time-consuming. I believe he was “ahead of his time”, as far as Charlotte goes. I’d bet a pretty penny that he would kill it today. Instead, I remember a restaurant, my dining companions and a city, none of which are the same.”
The Fishmarket
What you had to say: The Fishmarket on Morrison Boulevard was one of Kevin Ford’s favorites. “We had dinner there one night with George Archer, who won The Master’s (PGA).”
Floyd’s Restaurant
What you had to say: “Floyd’s Restaurant, located on North Graham St, served the best Stewed beef over rice and fried Crocker dinners in the world,” Allison Young told us.
Futo Buta
What you had to say: “My family and I really miss Futo Buta,” Lisa Myers said. “Great ramen and their rice crispy tuna tartare was amazing. It was really sad when they closed.”
Grady’s
What you had to say: “A favorite restaurant my husband (a native Charlottean!) frequently reminisce about is Grady’s, located on Albemarle Road in the late 80s-90s, wrote Angela Lloyd Cureton. “There was always a long wait on weekends, but it was such a great restaurant, no one seemed to mind. There was a cute patio outside that made the wait easier. I remember the ceiling appeared to be upholstered. Grady’s had a nice vibe, and was our favorite restaurant to visit with friends and family, for birthday and other celebrations, or just to have a good meal. Everything was good there. Our favorites were the baby back ribs, the Cajun chicken fettuccine, cheese bread, the salad with almonds and the best honey mustard dressing, as well as the Chocolate Bar cake! Delicious!”
Guytano’s
What you had to say: “I miss Guytano’s that used to be next to Jillian’s on Bland. My wife and I had our first date there,” Eric Banks wrote.
Harper’s
What you had to say: “The Harper’s at Woodlawn and Old Pineville Road was my “gateway” restaurant that helped me decide to move to Charlotte in the early ‘90s,” wrote Eric Banks. “It was fantastic and the staff introduced me to Southern hospitality.”
What you had to say: Harper’s in SouthPark was a favorite for Ginny Perez. “Consistently good quality, nice atmosphere, affordable. Booths on the upper level provided a nice, quiet space for conversation. Loved the reclaimed brick at the entrance.”
What you had to say: “We miss Harper’s at SouthPark. It was our ‘go-to’ place. The food was very good, the menu was dependable, the service was very good and the staff were well-trained and friendly,” Mary and Allen Amos wrote. “We often saw our friends and neighbors there, as it was convenient to our neighborhood, and it was well-priced to boot.”
The Lamp Lighter
What you had to say: “The Lamp Lighter was another fancy restaurant on East Morehead,” said Kevin Ford. “Great atmosphere inside an old home. A perfect spot for birthday or graduation celebrations.”
Lineberger’s Fish Camp
What you had to say: “My absolute favorite was Lineberger’s Fish Camp,” Kevin Ford wrote. “We knew the Lineberger family. Great friend flounder, fries, and cole slaw. But the best thing for a kid was the candy store on the way out. The line was out the door most weekend nights with young kids begging their parents to let them go look at the walls of candy before dinner!
Mangione’s Ristorante
What you had to say: “Mangione’s Ristorante was where I took my homecoming or prom dates,” Kevin Ford said. “Great garlic bread.”
McDonald’s Cafeteria
What you had to say: “McDonald’s Cafeteria, located on Beatties Ford Rd, was a restaurant that specialized in down home, country cooking,” said Allison Young. “I frequented this restaurant two to three times a week for their seasoned vegetables and desserts.”
Mickey & Mooch
What you had to say: “We really liked Mickey & Mooch at The Arboretum,” Lou Pasquarelli wrote.
Ole Smokehouse
What you had to say: Ole Smokehouse was one of Kevin Ford’s favorites. “We would visit my grandmother at her home next door after church on Sundays. I loved their barbecue sandwiches and spaghetti!”
Pewter Rose
What you had to say: “I also loved Pewter Rose, their creme brulee was the best,” Pamela Poteat said.
Price’s Chicken Coop
What you had to say: “Price Chicken Coop, located on Camden Rd, served the Best fried chicken in the world,” Allison Young said.
Slug’s Rib
What you had to say: “Slug’s Rib was a great upscale steakhouse named after its owner, a baseball player named Slug Claiborne” Kevin Ford said. “There were several Slug’s restaurants. Slug’s 30th edition was on the top floor of the First Union Building with 360 views of Charlotte. Great Bananas Foster!”
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Valentino’s Restaurant
What you had to say: “Valentino’s Restaurant — was close to the Charlotte Coliseum,” David Jordan wrote. “Operated and owned by Bill Georges and his wife. It was a long-running and popular place and also a great place to go when attending events at Ovens Auditorium or at the Coliseum, now known as Cricket Arena.”
Village Tavern
What you had to say: “Oh, my — the Village Tavern,” Robert Dulin wrote. “Crushed when I heard. Great location, cool and friendly vibe, and food that was consistently delicious — time after time.”
What you had to say: “It still seems like yesterday when Village Tavern and Harper’s at SouthPark were the places to go for happy hours and date nights,” Eric Banks said. “Showing my age here.”
What you had to say: “Village Tavern off of Barclay, across from the mall,” was a favorite of Ginny Perez. “Its replacement (Laurel Park) is too expensive for my taste.”
What you had to say: “I loved the Village Tavern for its ambience, its food, and the great wait staff,” Carol King wrote. “We spent many meals there celebrating wonderful milestones.”
The Venus Restaurant
What you had to say: “The Venus Restaurant on East Blvd was an old school American-Greek restaurant with an Italian menu,” Kevin Ford said. “Best spaghetti in Charlotte in the 1970s.”
Wad’s Soda Shop
What you had to say: “Wad’s Soda Shop, also on East Blvd” was another of Kevin Ford’s favorite. “Great hot dogs. Ordered them ‘all the way’ with chili, slaw, onions and mustard.”
The White Horse
What you had to say: “I visited mostly in the late 1970s,” wrote Teresa Atchley. “I loved that The White Horse was in an old renovated house. Everything was warm and cozy. It had several dining rooms with golden lighting, and there was lots of dark wood. The atmosphere was noisy in a good way, with merry patrons having a good time. My usual was their Charlie O’Chicken, a delicious concoction of chicken breast, asparagus, cheese, and their special sauce. It was a great place.”
What you had to say: “The White Horse was a great place for what felt like an upscale dinner back in the 70s,” wrote Kevin Ford. “300 East took over that building at some point.”
What you had to say: “I really miss White Horse Restaurant,” Jack Mabry wrote. “It was just a nice cozy restaurant with low lighting. I used to sit upstairs by the railings where I could watch the downstairs. It was on East Blvd near Freedom Park. It was in an old 2-story house. It has been closed and torn down a while. They moved up East Blvd and changed the name to 300 East. It is not the same. I used to ALWAYS order Charlie O’tuna, which was an open-faced tuna sandwich on a hoagie bun topped with cheddar cheese and mushrooms. I always ordered whiskey sours to drink.”
Zack’s Burgers
What you had to say: “Zack’s Burgers, located off of South Boulevard, had a variety of offerings but my favorite was the Zack’s Special (double meat cheeseburger with Zack’s special seasonings),” Allison Young said.
Editor’s note: Quotes have been edited for spelling, punctuation and clarity.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
