Charlotte’s best restaurants, chosen by the people who know
When CharlotteFive readers cast their votes across multiple Readers’ Choice contests, they don’t just pick the trendiest spots but also champion the places woven into the fabric of this city. The restaurants that endure here — through recessions, the pandemic and waves of rapid development — do so because customers keep walking through their doors.
Here are a couple of the winners:
Best Fried Chicken: Original Chicken ‘n Ribs
Location: 1100 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Few restaurants in Charlotte carry the kind of history that Original Chicken ‘n Ribs does. The carry-out spot on Beatties Ford Road, now run by third-generation owner Jermaine Blackmon, was originally opened in 1952 by his grandfather.
“If you know anything about history, we were in (The Negro Motorist) Green Book and the only company that’s in Charlotte that’s owned by the same family, same name and in the same location that’s in there,” Blackmon explained.
“In the Jim Crow era, they had the Green Book that really gave African Americans a travel guide to be able to eat, sleep, get haircuts, fuel — you know things like that — to where African Americans could do that with dignity and not have to be ashamed of being ostracized and things of that nature.”
Over 70 years later, the restaurant still serves barbecue and pork chop dinners, Fat Boy double cheeseburgers and Southern fried chicken “seasoned to perfection” with its own in-house seasonings.
“I’m totally shocked by the support that we have from the community and my clientele that I was voted to be the best chicken in Charlotte without even knowing it,” Blackmon told CharlotteFive.
Best Sandwich: Bedder Bedder & Moore
Location: 3501 S Tryon St A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Open in LoSo since 1994, Bedder Bedder & Moore is known for delivering a good meal at a decent price. John and Debbie Thalmann started the business in 1991. When they retired, Lisa and Andrew Drayton stepped in and took over in Lower South End.
The restaurant still offers a complimentary cup of soup with every sandwich — a tradition going back to its beginnings. “What it basically stands for is just thanking people for coming in and dining with us,” Lisa Drayton said.
Time for you to decide: Best Italian restaurant
Next up in the CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice awards is the best Italian restaurant. It’s currently live, so make sure to vote for your favorite!
Best of Charlotte: Coffee Shop | Chicken Wings | Doughnuts | Burgers | Ice Cream | Brewery | Pizza | Sushi | Tacos | Food truck | Bar | Ramen | Brunch | Patio | Barbecue | Pie | Fried Chicken | Fries | Cookies | Steak | Bagels | Sports Bar | Indian | Sandwiches
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