An inside look at the new Creole restaurant moving into a familiar South End space
Creole seafood gumbo, Bourbon Street salmon bites, crawfish etouffee and other flavors from Louisiana are on their way to Charlotte’s South End.
Kristy’s Creole Kitchen’s takeout-only space at City Kitch in West Charlotte is now closed. But Friday, April 10, the doors will open back up in the former Mazi space on South Boulevard for a shift to a full-service New Orleans-style experience, compete with a full bar — and dessert.
Takeout will begin Thursday, April 2, with a separate entrance in the back for convenience.
First, though, owner Kristy Jackson, who’s days away from marrying fiancé C.J. Jamison, needs the space for a wedding reception.
“We feel like God don’t bless no mess, so we wanted to walk into this new chapter as one,” she told CharlotteFive.
After the festivities, the space is all yours.
“They can expect a fun, customer service-focused restaurant and bar with Creole cuisine and lots of different cocktails,” Jackson said. “We’re gonna merge some of the Louisiana cocktails into the Queen City. So, expect some hurricanes and some fishbowls and sazeracs, lots of bourbons — things that come from our culture back home.”
Additions to the menu include alligator bites and sweet treats, including strawberry shortcake and turtle cheesecake, a decadent chocolate cake and, of course, beignets.
It’s all the culmination of a 15-year goal for Jackson, who grew up in Baton Rouge. “Never give up on your dreams. Never ever, ever give up,” she said.
The space, painted in murals by Inigma Productions, carries the familiar light furnishings from Mazi, but other furnishings and decor steer it toward a new personality.
Jackson can’t wait to welcome guests, as many people have already stopped by to welcome Kristy’s into the neighborhood. Lunch will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and dinner will be served from 5-10:30 p.m.
“I just really want them to know that they can expect hospitality from the door to the checkout, from the entrance to the checkout. We are here to serve them,” she said. “We want it to be a great, light-hearted — but fun — edition to the community. We want to be there for them.”
Kristy’s Creole Kitchen
Location: 1300 South Blvd. Suite 101-F, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Creole
Instagram: @kristyscreolekitchen
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This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
