This week in Charlotte food: 15 stories every foodie needs
Charlotte’s food scene never slows down, and this week was no exception. From new restaurant openings and beloved bakeries finding permanent homes to chef competitions and reader polls, here’s everything that happened in Charlotte food this week on CharlotteFive.
Uncle’s finds a permanent home in Plaza Midwood
Tamia visited the beloved Southeast Asian pop-up Hello Uncle, which recently opened its first brick-and-mortar as Uncle’s at Burial Beer Co. in Plaza Midwood. Owner Michael Le’s khao man gai and charred cabbage with fish sauce are absolutely worth the visit — and yes, you’ll want to ask for extra sauce.
🗞️ Read the full review here. 📍Find them at 1214 Thomas Ave., Charlotte, Wednesday through Saturday, 5-9 p.m.
The ultimate A-Z Charlotte food guide
CharlotteFive’s A-Z guide to the best dishes in Charlotte got a fresh update, spotlighting everything from the affogato at Ever Andalo in NoDa to the zeppole at Stagioni. The guide spans decades-old gems like The Diamond and Lupie’s alongside spots like Bird Pizzeria and Fin & Fino, proving Charlotte’s food diversity rivals any major city.
🗞️ Explore the full A-Z guide here.
New hand roll spot Sharigato coming to Optimist Park
A 24-seat hand roll restaurant called Sharigato is nearing its debut at The Joinery in Optimist Park, featuring a timed, counter-style sushi experience with premium seafood like toro, Faroe Island salmon and lobster. Owner Shari Lynne Robins described the concept as “affordable glamour,” inspired by her love of KazuNori and designed so people feel like they can visit two or three times a week.
🗞️ Get the full details here. 📍Find them at 420 E 22nd Street, Charlotte.
Thoughtful Baking Co. opens first storefront
After years of selling at local farmers markets, the farm-to-table comfort food bakery Thoughtful Baking Co. is opening its first brick-and-mortar in Oakhurst. Founder Mary Jayne Wilson, who launched the bakery after being laid off as executive chef for Amelie’s French Bakery & Café during the pandemic, said the new space will feature signature pot pies, quiches, seasonal sweets and exclusive items you won’t find at the farmers market pop-ups.
🗞️ Read the full story here. 📍Find them at 4418 Monroe Rd, Suite A, Charlotte.
Air-fried wings hit University City
Crazy Legs Sports Café, calling itself the “No. 1 air-fried restaurant in the world,” is now open in University City with made-to-order wing baskets, a dozen sauces and a “100% grease-free” promise. Co-owner Devante Powell also teased that boneless turkey legs — a fan favorite from their Michigan days — are coming soon.
🗞️ Read the full story here. 📍Find them at 9325 JW Clay Blvd #222, Charlotte.
Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon team up in Lake Wylie
Two of your favorite mall snacks are joining forces for a standalone location at Mill Creek Commons in Lake Wylie, opening this summer inside the Walmart at S.C. 274 and 557. Entrepreneur Christopher Williams said similar locations will follow across the Carolinas, likely focusing on the Charlotte and Columbia, SC, markets.
Hip-hop-themed biscuits take over Charlotte
James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Oscar Johnson has shifted his creative focus from the now-winding-down Jimmy Pearls pop-ups to Biscuit Jam, a breakfast pop-up serving scratch-made biscuits with playful hip-hop names like the “Notorious B.E.C.” and “Project Chick.” The buttery biscuit sandwiches, ranging from $3 to $12, are popping up around the city.
Vote for Charlotte’s best Italian restaurant
CharlotteFive is asking readers to crown the best Italian restaurant in the Charlotte area, with 42 nominees on the ballot. This is your chance to show love for your favorite spot for gnocchi, cannoli and other Italian classics — and yes, you can vote more than once.
🗞️ Cast your vote here.
Charlotte chefs face off in TV-style competition
Some of Charlotte’s most recognized chefs, including a James Beard Award semifinalist, are teaming up with social media creators for Next Level Hope, a culinary competition modeled after the “Next Level Chef” reality TV show. The event takes place Friday, May 15, from 7-9 p.m. at The Forum at Hope Haven, with tickets at $125 per person benefiting Hope Haven’s residential recovery programs.
New Latin fusion restaurant opens in Gastonia
El Tres Platos Restaurant and Grill opened April 9 in Gastonia, blending Mexican, Honduran and Colombian cuisines with a menu inspired by the owners’ grandmother. Already boasting a 4.6-star Google rating, the restaurant serves everything from arroz con pollo and enchiladas to a family-style Bandeja Familiar platter with grilled beef, chicken, chorizo and shrimp.
🗞️ Read the full story here. 📍Find them at 1700 S York Rd, Gastonia.
Where are Charlotte’s cheapest drinks?
CharlotteFive is building a guide to the best cheap drinks in Charlotte, and Evan wants your help finding spots with beers in the $3-$4 range and cocktails under $10. Email your go-to budget spot to emoore@charlotteobserver.com.
🗞️ Read more and submit your picks here.
Asian fusion spot Three Lanterns headed to South End
Three Lanterns Restaurant, a fast-casual eatery blending Indian, Japanese and Vietnamese flavors, is slated to open in South End this summer with spicy tuna poke bowls, garlic beef banh mi, classic pho and a breakfast menu featuring Japanese-style onigiri. Consultant and founder Hervé Laveaud said the concept targets students and busy professionals with a focus on “speed, quality, and portability.”
Revolving sushi chain Kura coming to Ballantyne
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is taking over the former Pearlz Oyster Bar space at StoneCrest at Piper Glen in Ballantyne, bringing its conveyor belt sushi experience and more than 100 menu items to its first-ever North Carolina location. The Japan-based chain, with more than 80 U.S. locations, promises dishes free from artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives.
🗞️ Read the full story here. 📍Find them at 7804 Rea Rd, Suite A, Charlotte.
Sweetgreen opens second Charlotte location
Sweetgreen is opening its second Charlotte restaurant on Tuesday, April 21, at Commonwealth Plaza Midwood, joining Uchi, Uchibā and Harriet’s Hamburgers at the buzzing retail and dining hub. Expect customizable salads, bowls, protein plates and limited-time dishes like the Sesame Crunch Salad and a Korean BBQ-inspired menu.
🗞️ Read the full story here. 📍Find them at 1710 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte.
The Great Westside Fish Fry returns — maybe for the last time
The Great Westside Fish Fry returns April 18 for what could be its final year at West Complex near Johnson C. Smith University, drawing an expected 5,000 to 6,000 people for a day of food, music and culture celebrating fish fries across the Black diaspora. The lineup features chefs with James Beard recognition, the team behind Jimmy Pearls and vendors serving dishes influenced by traditions from the American South, Ghana and the Caribbean. Evan will be there, so make sure to look for him when you go!
🗞️ Read the full story here.📍Find it at 1600 W. Trade St., Charlotte.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.
