Just Opened in Charlotte - Sept. '20
This month, we saw growth in the casual eatery department and in the world of booze
by Allie Papajohn Sep 21, 2020
Even with the challenges of COVID-19, business owners in Charlotte are not slowing down. Mask up and consider one of these spots next time you need a moment away from home.
Restaurant updates and hours of operation listed below are subject to change.
Food & Drink
Another?! Food Truck
Neighborhood: Citywide
Hours: Vary by day and location.
Chef Anthony Denning and his fiancée, Kristen Bandoo, have transformed 225 Street Food Truck into yet another food truck – and appropriately named so, too. But the menu isn’t just another menu. Get your hands on decadent dishes like the Hot Chicken Smash Grilled Cheese, Dirty Mac and Cheese and the Carolina Patriot (Carolina-style lobster roll). Check their website for the weekly schedule.
Bargarita
Neighborhood: NoDa
Hours: Monday-Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-11 p.m.
Mason Jar Group, the folks behind Tilt, The Union, 204 North, Belmont Cocktail Club and Grace O’Malleys, are serving up tacos, margaritas and barbecue in the former Solstice Tavern spot. The menu is fun but pretty simple with BBQ Chicken, Banh Mi and Brisket Tacos plus craft margaritas like Strawberry Jalapeno and Berry Coconut. If you’re with a crew and can’t decide what to order, go for the Taco Board (10 tacos for $40.99).
BW Sweets Bakery
Neighborhood: East Charlotte and South End
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12-9 p.m.; Sunday, 12-6 p.m.
BW Sweets owner Frankie White is having quite the year. First, he participated in Food Network’s “Girl Scout Cookie Championship” in February. In August, he moved his flagship bakery to a new location. And starting September 26, he’s opened BW Sweets Express on Winnifred Street in South End. Get ready for brownies, doughnuts, cake slices, muffins and custom whole cakes galore.
COUNTER-
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: By reservation only. Check website for availability.
Chef Sam Hart impressed guests with his pop-up concept, Anomaly, earlier this year. Now he’s opened his brick and mortar COUNTER- where diners will embark on a curated tasting menu paired with music. When you make a reservation, feel free to upgrade your meal with a truffle course, wine pairing or non-alcoholic drinks.
Great Wagon Road Distilling Co.
Neighborhood: NoDa
Hours: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m. Closed Monday. Hours subject to change.
Missing Great Wagon Road Distillery since they closed in South End? You’re in luck! The NoDa location is now in its soft opening phase. Come taste locally-made spirits straight or in cocktail form, and enjoy a pizza while you’re hanging out.
Harriet’s Hamburgers
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The much-anticipated collaboration between Papi Queso, Durban Hospitality and Plaid Penguin is now slinging hamburgers “hot and fast.” Order online for pickup until September 21, when they officially open for walk-up business. The menu consists of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and Boylan soda pop. Don’t skip out on the “secret” menu item: The Juicy Lucy (a cheese-stuffed burger).
Livy’s Neapolitan Pizza
Neighborhood: North End
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Closed Monday.
Enjoying a local brew with a delicious pizza has never been easier. Livy’s offers Neapolitan-style pizza made with local ingredients inside Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts. We recommend the Calabrese with cured calabrese, chilies and marinated artichokes, but totally won’t judge if you go for the Americano (pork, queso, pickles, Sriracha mustard, mozzarella and provolone).
Mezeh
Neighborhood: South Charlotte
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fans of locally owned Yafo will jump to try Mezeh, a fast-casual build-your-own Mediterranean meal concept. Ingredients are made fresh in-house daily and include no hormones, preservatives or additives. How does it work? Choose your meal (bowl, wrap or pita pocket), base, protein, toppings and sauce and get to eating.
Petty Thieves Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours:Wednesday-Sunday, hours to be determined; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight. Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Just outside Uptown you’ll find Charlotte’s newest brewery with tons of patio space and a great skyline view. At opening, 11 beers will be available, including an espresso porter and raspberry mojito sour. Stay tuned for hours as they gear up for the grand opening on September 19.
Summit Seltzer Co.
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 1-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. September 18-19 and 25-26 will be reservation only.
Riding the spiked seltzer train? Now you can enjoy a locally crafted version at this new taproom in Wesley Heights. To start, they’ll offer five flavors made with fresh ingredients like lime, strawberry and mango, and all hover around 100 calories each. Need more? Go try a seltzer cocktail instead or sip on draft beer, wine or non-alcoholic seltzer.
Things to Do
Bad Axe Throwing
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Time to release some pent-up frustration! Book an axe-throwing session at this new facility in Uptown. If you get really into it, consider joining an eight-week league where you’ll compete against others and see how you rank against top axe-throwers.
Grow
Neighborhood:Plaza Midwood
Hours:Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
Fuel your plant hobby by visiting this new shop in Plaza Midwood. Feel free to browse around through the greenery, planters and accessories or place an order ahead for easy pickup. They’ll even deliver if you’d rather stay home.
Skiptown
Neighborhood:South End
Hours: Bar and Park:Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Daycare/Boarding: Daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tackle social time for yourself and your furry friend at this new dog park and bar in South End. Dog owners can purchase daily, monthly or annual passes to bring their pups by, but dog-less humans are also welcome. If you do choose to board your pup at Skiptown, the staff will provide progress reports through each dog’s profile. Woof!
