Back to Boardwalk Billy’s: Hazy memories, $1 beers and a clear-eyed return
I’m not sure The Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” was the right song to have playing while I sat at Boardwalk Billy’s with coworkers, especially as one of them was trying to talk to me about something serious.
For anyone who hasn’t heard it in a while (or at all), the song mostly consists of Fergie, the group’s lead singer, describing her body in blunt, repetitive detail. I did my best to listen closely as my colleague spoke, nodding along and trying to stay present, but it wasn’t easy with Fergie going on about her “lovely lady lumps,” somewhere “in the back and in the front.”
The song came out in 2005, nearly a decade before I ever set foot inside Boardwalk Billy’s. It would take a few more years before I actually sat down and tried the food.
‘Dude, they have dollar beers’
I transferred to UNC Charlotte in 2014, after a short stretch at N.C. State, and settled in pretty quickly. That fall, classes were going fine, and I signed up for a few student groups, including a fraternity.
One afternoon, while hanging out at the fraternity house, someone brought up going to Boardwalk Billy’s. The name sounded like a beach spot, the kind of place with sand on the floor and a breeze coming through open windows.
“Dude, they have dollar beers,” I overheard.
That was enough to get me moving.
For whatever reason, I half-expected the dollar drafts to be fake, the kind of deal people talk about but never actually find.
I hadn’t even realized the restaurant sat on the water, with a bright lakeside view, calm water, a few ducks drifting by and a fountain off in the distance. At the time, I had other things on my mind.
When we got there, the place was packed, shoulder to shoulder. It felt less like a restaurant and more like a college bar, with loud music, frat guys talking over each other, sorority women moving through the crowd and, most importantly, cheap beer.
Even if I could remember every visit, it probably wouldn’t be smart to lay them all out here. It’s easier to say I stayed on my feet the whole time, but whatever I ate at the campus dining halls before arriving often made a second appearance. 🤮
I learned recently that $1 beers at Boardwalk Billy’s had been discontinued. Looking back, I probably waited too long to actually try the food.
Back to the Boardwalk
When I returned to Boardwalk Billy’s last week, it was like nothing had changed.
The space had a laid-back, slightly beachy sports bar feel. There were simple wooden tables and chairs spread out with plenty of room, and big windows let in a lot of natural light, which kept it from feeling too dark or heavy.
The paper towel rolls on the tables made it clear this was a casual spot, somewhere you could get messy and not worry about it. The ceiling is left exposed with pipes and beams showing, which adds to that relaxed, no-frills vibe.
In the bar area, things felt a little busier, with a long wooden bar, TVs playing sports and some fun, beachy-style signs hanging overhead. Overall, it’s not trying to be fancy. It’s the kind of place built for hanging out, having drinks and not overthinking anything.
I ended up ordering two of the grilled shrimp tacos, with grilled shrimp basted in garlic chili glaze with cabbage slaw, pico de gallo and cilantro lime crema, along with a side of fries.
These grilled shrimp tacos were just really solid tacos done right. The shrimp were tender with a little char, coated in a garlic chili glaze that added a mild kick without being overwhelming. The cabbage slaw gave a nice crunch, and the pico kept things fresh and simple. The cilantro lime brought it all together with a cool, slightly tangy finish. Nothing about it tried too hard. It was just a straightforward, well-made taco that hit all the right notes.
The best part was the price. My total bill, with tax and tip, came out to under $20, and I left full. It’s the kind of place that works for college students on a tight budget and for adults who, if we’re being honest, aren’t doing much better.
And this time, unlike in college, I remembered the whole experience.
Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar and Ribs
Location: 9005 J.M. Keynes Dr #2, Charlotte, NC 28262
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @boardwalkbillysuncc
This story was originally published March 24, 2026 at 5:30 AM.
