Food and Drink

Restaurant ‘rooted in Southern flavors’ set to open in Steele Creek. Here’s when

A new spot serving up elevated Southern cuisine is set to join Charlotte’s growing food scene.

EVO Kitchen & Co. will kick off its grand opening Saturday, Aug. 1, at 5220 New Fashion Way in Steele Creek, near the Charlotte Premium Outlets.

The restaurant will serve lunch, dinner and late-night offerings rooted in classic Southern flavors — but with a global twist, according to a news release. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available, plus live music and “DJ-driven moments.”

The modern interior of a restaurant dining area is bathed in dramatic, vibrant blue neon lighting. Round tables with white tops are surrounded by plush, velvet-textured blue chairs, while dark booth seating lines the back wall. On the far left, a circular glowing sign reads “EVO kitchen & co.” against a dark, textured wall surface.
EVO Kitchen & Co. officially opens Aug. 1 at 5220 New Fashion Way in Steele Creek. Omni Firm LLC | EVO Kitchen & Co.

Founders Edmond “Roc Well” McMiller and Myra Wilson describe EVO Kitchen & Co. as a “refined yet approachable” dining experience. It falls somewhere between a casual restaurant and high-end dining, providing a gathering spot for locals, families, professionals and visitors alike.

“I often compare what we’re doing to the TV show ‘Cheers,’” McMiller told CharlotteFive in an interview. “But that’s like a popular theme ... to where when you go in, it’s like everybody knows your name. It feels like home.”

McMiller was also behind Kream by Kope Tapas Bar & Grill in Pineville, which is now closed.

A bald man with a neat goatee stands in a three-quarter profile against a solid, muted gray-green background. He wears a sharp, double-breasted navy blue suit jacket with gold buttons, paired with a white collared shirt, a dark patterned tie, and a patterned pocket square. A stylized, translucent echo effect of his profile mimics his silhouette to the left, adding a dynamic layer to the portrait.
Edmond “Roc Well” McMiller, co-founder of EVO Kitchen & Co. in Charlotte. Omni Firm | EVO Kitchen & Co.
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At EVO, the unique mix of hospitality, ambiance, and elevated offerings are “what’s going to really cause us to stand out,” he said.

Chef Kendrick Hollis will oversee the kitchen, bringing more than 15 years of culinary experience to the new restaurant concept, the release said. Hollis, a military veteran, has worked as a private chef with a focus on herbal-infused dishes and fresh ingredients.

Featured menu items will include:

  • Bayou braised oxtail pasta (vegan option available)
  • EVO classic burger
  • Lamb chop trio with creamy country grits
  • Rainbow beet salad with honey basil vinaigrette

Vegetarian options will also be available.

A white wide-rimmed bowl features a hearty portion of pasta tossed in a rich, dark brown sauce. Large, wide, folded yellow pasta noodles are tossed together with generous chunks of tender, braised meat. The dish is finished with a dusting of finely grated white cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
The menu at EVO Kitchen & Co. features dishes rooted in Southern flavors with a global influence, like the bayou braised pasta. Omni Firm LLC | EVO Kitchen & Co.
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Customers can look forward to a full beverage program featuring craft cocktails and premium drinks. The EVO Island — made with Malibu rum, peach schnapps and pineapple juice — is sure to be a crowd favorite, McMiller said.

Alcohol-free sips will be on the menu, too.

The North Carolina native already has plans to expand, setting his sights on North Charlotte for his next culinary venture. McMiller said he hopes to have that one up and running within the next year or so.

“This restaurant represents resilience, but it also represents joy,” he said in the release. “We wanted to create a place where Charlotte can come for great food, great drinks and great energy, but still feel comfortable, seen and taken care of.”

“Myra and I are building EVO to become one of those go-to spots where people feel at home, but elevated.”

EVO Kitchen & Co.

Location: 5220 New Fashion Way #400, Charlotte, NC 28278

Cuisine: Southern, comfort

Menu

Instagram: @evokitchencharlotte

Three distinct, beautifully crafted cocktails sit arranged on a dark, reflective tabletop. In the center, a short glass is filled with a vibrant red drink on ice, garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and a tall sprig of rosemary. It is flanked by a coupe glass holding an amber-colored cocktail on the left and a tall, patterned glass with a pale yellow beverage topped by a dehydrated orange slice on the right.
EVO Kitchen & Co.’s bar program will include craft cocktails and premium drinks. Omni Firm | EVO Kitchen & Co.
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Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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