Deli/Market/Grocery Store
$18 - lunch for 2 people & drinks (Thanks Jen!)
I love Reid's! To go at lunch there are quite a few options, a deli/sandwich bar, a hot lunch option and great make your own salads. They also have prepackaged sushi, sandwiches and other options to go. They have fresh baked cookies and desserts and an awesome fountain drink machine. My favorite thing to get is either Spiedie's sub or Spiedie's chicken with two sides. It's marinated grilled chicken with green and red peppers and onions either on a sub roll or alone. It's awesome and especially good with a side of mac & cheese and something green. The mac & cheese is great, big noodles and yummy melted cheese baked to perfection. In the past Reid's had a cookieman at lunch who would walk around passing out samples of the fresh baked desserts. I haven't seen him in a while so if you want one, you have to buy your own. They are big, usually warm and really good. The fountain drink machine has Coke products, of course, but also Dr Pepper and their lemons are always high quality...so good. The salad bar is always a good choice too with two sizes and lots of good options. They have soup too but I've never gotten it. I think they also have a coffee bar where you can order different coffee drinks. Because it's also a market, they have lots of good wine choices and do wine tastings once or twice a month. I've never been but heard they're fun. The final thing I'll add is they let people park free under 90 minutes and have their own section of the parking garage. It's an easy place to meet people who are coming uptown for lunch because of this.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Pike's - Southend
Diner
$8 - cheeseburger, fries, water
If you haven't been to Pike's in a while, they've updated their menu recently which means they have most of the same stuff, but it's more expensive now. Gone are the days of the $3. burger. The burgers are really good though, as are the fries and the Carolina Burger with chili, slaw, mustard and onions is a classic. They have hot dogs, turkey burgers, quish (sp?), salads, pastas and a few other things I don't notice because I only go there when I'm craving a cheeseburger. It may not be the best in town, but it's pretty darn close. They also have a soda fountain where you can get cherry phosphates, vanilla pepsis, orangeades, limeades and incredible milkshakes. They might make you sick, but they are awesome! My only issue with Pike's is they serve pepsi at the soda fountain. They do have mini bottles cokes, but I think they're kinda pricey. Pike's is a nice family and friend place to go. They have Sunday brunch (although I've never eaten there then) but the soda fountain isn't open on Sundays so be forewarned. Cheeseburger is the way to go!
$8 - cheeseburger, fries, water
If you haven't been to Pike's in a while, they've updated their menu recently which means they have most of the same stuff, but it's more expensive now. Gone are the days of the $3. burger. The burgers are really good though, as are the fries and the Carolina Burger with chili, slaw, mustard and onions is a classic. They have hot dogs, turkey burgers, quish (sp?), salads, pastas and a few other things I don't notice because I only go there when I'm craving a cheeseburger. It may not be the best in town, but it's pretty darn close. They also have a soda fountain where you can get cherry phosphates, vanilla pepsis, orangeades, limeades and incredible milkshakes. They might make you sick, but they are awesome! My only issue with Pike's is they serve pepsi at the soda fountain. They do have mini bottles cokes, but I think they're kinda pricey. Pike's is a nice family and friend place to go. They have Sunday brunch (although I've never eaten there then) but the soda fountain isn't open on Sundays so be forewarned. Cheeseburger is the way to go!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Showmars - Uptown (3rd & Church)
Greek Fast Casual
$9 - grilled chicken pita, fries, diet coke & tip
Showmars on 3rd recently went through a major update and almost isn't recognizable. It has slate tile on the walls, warm paint colors and all of the food pictures are gone. If it weren't for the hostess who knows everyone's names, I would have thought I made a wrong turn. The food at Showmars is pretty good. The pita bread is really nice with lots of options to fill it up. The fries are okay, too crispy for me, but the best thing is the ice...shaved ice with diet coke. It just doesn't get any better. The service is super friendly and when they learn your name, they use when they can. It feels like a local diner and the 3rd street location is my favorite. Breakfast is a good choice too with melt in your mouth buttered biscuits (not fat free). The ice is so good though, who cares?!
$9 - grilled chicken pita, fries, diet coke & tip
Showmars on 3rd recently went through a major update and almost isn't recognizable. It has slate tile on the walls, warm paint colors and all of the food pictures are gone. If it weren't for the hostess who knows everyone's names, I would have thought I made a wrong turn. The food at Showmars is pretty good. The pita bread is really nice with lots of options to fill it up. The fries are okay, too crispy for me, but the best thing is the ice...shaved ice with diet coke. It just doesn't get any better. The service is super friendly and when they learn your name, they use when they can. It feels like a local diner and the 3rd street location is my favorite. Breakfast is a good choice too with melt in your mouth buttered biscuits (not fat free). The ice is so good though, who cares?!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Brixx - Uptown
Wood-fired Pizza
$11 - Wood roasted chicken salad with water (tip is always included in the price)
Brixx is a classic Charlotte restaurant. They're all over town and they seem to epitomize what Charlotte like to eat. Their pizzas are flat, serve one (or could be shared with a salad) and are pretty good. My favorites are the Mexican (with black bean spread), the Artichoke, BBQ Chicken and Plain with mushrooms. Their salads are also really good and the Wood-roasted chicken salad is a town favorite. Mixed greens with chicken, goat cheese, pines nuts, croutons and balsamic dressing. It seems like this salad is all over town now. They are really consistent, the food is good and the prices are reasonable. The original one on East is always packed so I like the one uptown or near Fairview if you're closer to those parts. The one at Fairview also serves Red Oak which is a huge plus. My only issue is Brixx is I've eaten there too often in my tenure in Charlotte and I'm looking for something new, hence my love for Hawthorne. If you're not burned out, it's a great place to go.
$11 - Wood roasted chicken salad with water (tip is always included in the price)
Brixx is a classic Charlotte restaurant. They're all over town and they seem to epitomize what Charlotte like to eat. Their pizzas are flat, serve one (or could be shared with a salad) and are pretty good. My favorites are the Mexican (with black bean spread), the Artichoke, BBQ Chicken and Plain with mushrooms. Their salads are also really good and the Wood-roasted chicken salad is a town favorite. Mixed greens with chicken, goat cheese, pines nuts, croutons and balsamic dressing. It seems like this salad is all over town now. They are really consistent, the food is good and the prices are reasonable. The original one on East is always packed so I like the one uptown or near Fairview if you're closer to those parts. The one at Fairview also serves Red Oak which is a huge plus. My only issue is Brixx is I've eaten there too often in my tenure in Charlotte and I'm looking for something new, hence my love for Hawthorne. If you're not burned out, it's a great place to go.
Lulu's - Midwood
New American (i.e. locally grown and organic wannabe)
$12 - Chantilly Turkey (sandwich), fries (lulu's frites) and Cane Cola at lunch
This little place off of Central was quite a treat. I went for lunch and it looked like they had some good options. It's a little quirky with Boylan's Cane Cola products, locally grown veggies, different kinds of cheeses and a desire to be organic whenever possible. The menu breaks out the options by price ($6, $8, $9 & $12), which was nice and the options seemed pretty good. I ended up with the Chantilly Turkey, a cold sandwich with turkey, lettuce, tomato & Gruyere cheese. It comes with Lulu's Frites which are seasoned fries. They're pretty good although not as good as Bojangles, but good nonetheless. They don't have coke products, but didn't serve Pepsi either so it was okay. They have Boylan's Cane Cola, Cream Sola, Root Beer and something else. The wines looked reasonable for Charlotte but I was there at lunch. I heard the desserts were awesome but I didn't try that either. There's a different dinner menu which I believe is pricier but this is a nice alternative at lunch to Providence Cafe. It felt like a similar place but more eclectic being in Midwood. I'd recommend it if you get the chance.
$12 - Chantilly Turkey (sandwich), fries (lulu's frites) and Cane Cola at lunch
This little place off of Central was quite a treat. I went for lunch and it looked like they had some good options. It's a little quirky with Boylan's Cane Cola products, locally grown veggies, different kinds of cheeses and a desire to be organic whenever possible. The menu breaks out the options by price ($6, $8, $9 & $12), which was nice and the options seemed pretty good. I ended up with the Chantilly Turkey, a cold sandwich with turkey, lettuce, tomato & Gruyere cheese. It comes with Lulu's Frites which are seasoned fries. They're pretty good although not as good as Bojangles, but good nonetheless. They don't have coke products, but didn't serve Pepsi either so it was okay. They have Boylan's Cane Cola, Cream Sola, Root Beer and something else. The wines looked reasonable for Charlotte but I was there at lunch. I heard the desserts were awesome but I didn't try that either. There's a different dinner menu which I believe is pricier but this is a nice alternative at lunch to Providence Cafe. It felt like a similar place but more eclectic being in Midwood. I'd recommend it if you get the chance.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Waffle House - Independence Blvd.
Waffles anytime
$7.50 - waffle, raisin toast, diet coke & $2 tip
Waffle House is hands down the best place to go in the middle of the night if you have the munchies. It's also good during sunlight hours. It's always crowded and eclectic, and the food is always great. The waffles are awesome, as is the raisin toast. The hash browns come a dozen different ways including with onions, cheese, jalepenos, tomatoes and other stuff I don't remember. The wait staff are always friendly and definitely one of the main reasons to go. The jukebox is fun but you never know if what you choose is what you'll get. The coffee's iffy but the sweet tea is supposedly a "signature". I most recently went on New Year's Day (yes, while the sun was out) but it was still great. It's open 24, 7, 365 and the food is the same no matter where you are. I've never tried anything else but I've heard it's all good. If no one's done it yet, expect someone to do a documentary on this place. It's an American staple. A little known fact is you can order a camo - waffle house t-shirt online. The website is www.wafflehouse.com
$7.50 - waffle, raisin toast, diet coke & $2 tip
Waffle House is hands down the best place to go in the middle of the night if you have the munchies. It's also good during sunlight hours. It's always crowded and eclectic, and the food is always great. The waffles are awesome, as is the raisin toast. The hash browns come a dozen different ways including with onions, cheese, jalepenos, tomatoes and other stuff I don't remember. The wait staff are always friendly and definitely one of the main reasons to go. The jukebox is fun but you never know if what you choose is what you'll get. The coffee's iffy but the sweet tea is supposedly a "signature". I most recently went on New Year's Day (yes, while the sun was out) but it was still great. It's open 24, 7, 365 and the food is the same no matter where you are. I've never tried anything else but I've heard it's all good. If no one's done it yet, expect someone to do a documentary on this place. It's an American staple. A little known fact is you can order a camo - waffle house t-shirt online. The website is www.wafflehouse.com
Barrington's - Southpark
Upscale American
$18 - $28 entrees (someone else paid this tab)
Barrington's is a hidden gem in a tiny strip mall near southpark where Brixx, Ben & Jarry's and the Caribou are located. It probably has 14 tables but feels much cozier. The food was great, the service friendly and attentive and the feel was very "Country Day parents" or Foxcroft families. It's a great place to take your parents when they are in town or to impress a date. If you go there frequently, you don't need to be reading my blog. It isn't overly pretencious as the menus are on copy paper that are somewhat illegible. There aren't a ton of options which was actually really nice. The chef gets tons of kudos from his peers in town and is frequently written up as a top restaurant in Charlotte. I'd agree. They have a website so if you're interested, check it out. www.barringtonsrestaurant.com
$18 - $28 entrees (someone else paid this tab)
Barrington's is a hidden gem in a tiny strip mall near southpark where Brixx, Ben & Jarry's and the Caribou are located. It probably has 14 tables but feels much cozier. The food was great, the service friendly and attentive and the feel was very "Country Day parents" or Foxcroft families. It's a great place to take your parents when they are in town or to impress a date. If you go there frequently, you don't need to be reading my blog. It isn't overly pretencious as the menus are on copy paper that are somewhat illegible. There aren't a ton of options which was actually really nice. The chef gets tons of kudos from his peers in town and is frequently written up as a top restaurant in Charlotte. I'd agree. They have a website so if you're interested, check it out. www.barringtonsrestaurant.com
Mac's - South Blvd
BBQ Bar & Grill
$20 - 2 Li'l Pig BBQ sandwiches, each with one side, 2 diet cokes and tip
I love the atmosphere at Mac's, an eclectic biker bar with yuppies and artsy folks that's clean and lots of sports on. The BBQ is great but it's best known for it's brisket (sp?). Apparently the Food Network did a feature on this as it's the "best beef brisket in the US". It sure looked good, but I went for the Li'l Pig sandwich with Mac & Cheese on the side. They were awesome! Lots of beers on tap and bottled and Coke products to boot. Why don't I come here more often?? It's always been crowded with a least a few Harley's out front. Parking can be a pain as I've never actually parked in the lot. The wait staff has been really nice but it's more a bar feel than a restaurant at times. The food's great and it's definitely reasonable. If only they had one on my side of town...
$20 - 2 Li'l Pig BBQ sandwiches, each with one side, 2 diet cokes and tip
I love the atmosphere at Mac's, an eclectic biker bar with yuppies and artsy folks that's clean and lots of sports on. The BBQ is great but it's best known for it's brisket (sp?). Apparently the Food Network did a feature on this as it's the "best beef brisket in the US". It sure looked good, but I went for the Li'l Pig sandwich with Mac & Cheese on the side. They were awesome! Lots of beers on tap and bottled and Coke products to boot. Why don't I come here more often?? It's always been crowded with a least a few Harley's out front. Parking can be a pain as I've never actually parked in the lot. The wait staff has been really nice but it's more a bar feel than a restaurant at times. The food's great and it's definitely reasonable. If only they had one on my side of town...
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