As a girl born in Texas, a really good chicken fried steak is practically part of my DNA. It's one…read moreof those comfort foods I don't eat often because it's so rich--but when I see it on a menu, it absolutely catches my attention. That's exactly what drew me to The Southern Pecan in SouthPark. Here in the South, they call it country fried steak, and I'm happy to report this one did not disappoint. I met a colleague there for lunch, and everything about the experience felt easy from the start. The restaurant is located in Phillips Place, a lovely little shopping area that feels a bit polished and upscale--with shops like Orvis, Tory Burch, and even a Restoration Hardware restaurant nearby. They do offer valet parking, which is a nice touch, though honestly parking is easy enough on your own. We had reservations through OpenTable and were seated on the patio, which was absolutely delightful for this time of year in Charlotte. The weather was perfect, the setting was relaxed, and the service started off warm and welcoming right away. Now, the food. The country fried steak was beautifully cooked--crispy on the outside, tender inside, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy that hit all the nostalgic notes from my Texas upbringing. I paired it with a vegetable side (I believe it was broccoli or corn), and it was a classic Southern plate done right. We also enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and to finish, we split a praline bread pudding, which felt like the perfect Southern ending to the meal--sweet, comforting, and indulgent without being overwhelming. The staff was friendly and attentive, and one of the things I continue to appreciate about Charlotte is how easy it is to connect with people. We even chatted with diners at nearby tables, which added to that welcoming, community feel that makes dining out here so enjoyable--especially for someone coming from the Bay Area. Prices felt fair for the quality, the setting, and the portion sizes, and overall the experience left a great impression. Bottom line: If you're craving a solid Southern classic like country fried steak--or just want a relaxed patio lunch in a charming part of SouthPark--The Southern Pecan is definitely worth a visit. And as someone happily eating my way through Charlotte and the Southeast, this stop was another reminder that the journey has been a delicious one.

I've heard rave reviews about this place so Michelle & I went for Sunday Brunch…read more They recommended a reservation so we had one @ 12n. It was already quite busy when we arrived and it's not clear where your parking options are. People are pulling up to the entrance and dropping people off so it gets jammed up and chaotic, of course people are running late so those BIG Yukons and Suburbans are making it a challenge to navigate a small entrance area. You would THINK they would at least have a Valet option of Sat/Sun during Brunch. To park, go BEHIND the restaurant on the street to the left and you'll see some free parking options that are close and walkable. We asked for a table on the patio and were immediately seated. The bar was already buzzing with solo diners enjoying their Mimosas. The patio is NOT that big, a little over crowded and table are very close with not much space in between. There was a LARGE group of 'FUN' ladies right beside us enjoying their MIMOSAS, dropping the 'F' bomb from time to time and making a LOT of noise. What can you do? Nothing but try to make the best of it and just start talking LOUDER like everyone else. The OVERHEAD heaters were way too intense so the Staff was very responsive at our request to turn down the heat. We shared the BBQ Shrimp Starter which was SO good, I highly recommend. I had the Gumbo and Michelle had the beet and goat cheese salad. We both had the Red Fish which comes with smashed potatoes and broccoli. The potatoes were so BLAND, the broccoli had NO seasoning. The Red Fish wasn't that great of a flavor and not very tender, not easy to cut, had to use my knife at times to get a bite. Kinda disappointed, I lived in N Orleans for a couple of years and it was always so good there. The biggest disappointment was the Gumbo. It had all the right ingredients but the ROUX was to strong, dark and heavy. It actually gave me indigestion afterwards. The service was OUTSTANDING. Our Server was Daylean, she was so nice and helpful with the menu and kept our refills coming.

Def some of the best fried chicken I've ever had & to top it off I mentioned it to the person who…read moredelivered our additional item we ordered... I asked her if she cooked the chicken we were already eating... because it was some of the best I've ever had and she said not this time but she was one of the cooks. Best of all she knew how sincere my compliment was ! Our server was awesome as well!

This was such a disappointment. found this place on tik tok and the found was absolutely horrible…read more I ordered the haber dish with a chicken thigh , macaroni and cheese"dressed greens" the chicken here is 70% fried breading and 30% stringy, unflavored chicken. the mac and cheese was decent! the dressed greens were literally cut off ends of romaine, dont waste your time. We also shared green beans and Brussel sprouts . the green beans were charred on the outside and undercooked ok the inside. The brussel sprouts were cooked to a crisp and lacked flavor. My boyfriend had the OG chicken sandwich and he couldnt finish/ stomach it, this includes the burned fries that were served with it. The restaurant itself is nice, I don't think their AC was working but its got a cool rustic look. Our server was kind and attentive as well. Maybe they had an off day but this was a pretty big waste of a $60+ meal.

Went to Supperland for dinner and honestly had a great experience from start to finish. The space…read moreis beautiful -- classy but still comfortable -- and the bar area alone is worth checking out. It has that warm, lively feel that makes you want to hang out and enjoy your time instead of rushing through the meal. We did a wine flight to start, which was a fun way to try a few different pours, and everything paired really well with dinner. The highlight for me was the whole roasted fish. Crispy on the outside, super tender inside, and really clean, fresh flavor. Simple but done really well. Service was on point too -- friendly, attentive, and helpful without hovering. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and one I'd recommend if you're in Charlotte and want a solid dinner with great drinks and atmosphere.

O M G…read moreThis is the best brunch I've EVER had. The setting is an old church and they very much tried to preserve that vibe. It's a beautiful place. They even still have the 120 year old pews! If you ask your server, you are likely to hear the entire story of the place. It's pretty amazing. They recently received a Michelin recommendation and it's totally deserved. It's a buffet, but most of the hot food is actually served by a person which is something that I particularly appreciate. (I really don't like touching the handles of spoons that hundreds of people have touched.) Some of the stuff is self serve but not any of the hot dishes. Absolutely everything I tried was outstanding. Like everything. There are a few things that they consider "pass around" which means that they are brought over to you by a server at random intervals. For everything else, you just help yourself. I went with a friend of mine who has a deep appreciation for a southern food. He was absolutely amazed. Honestly, I can't think of a better place to have chosen to eat in a short time I had in Charlotte. I've attached a picture of the menu. I tried just about everything. I wasn't disappointed in a single thing, and I was completely wowed by many of them. The servers were wonderful. Very friendly and very willing to talk to us about the history and the food items that were there. Highest recommendation!

I've been to Tupelo Honey in Milwaukee before, but let me tell you... Charlotte? They didn't come…read moreto play. As our host Lawrence said, "they ain't got nothing on us," and he meant that. Between Lawrence and our server Ruby... maaaaan, my friends and I were DELIGHTED. We had a group of 7 and even with a change in our reservation, everything was handled with so much grace and care. From the moment we sat down, it was a whole vibe. The service was prompt, the food was hitting, and Ruby made sure every single one of us were absolutely satisfied. They were patient, super attentive, and we even had some real, relatable conversation that made the experience feel personal--not just like we were another table. 10/10 experience. I will absolutely be back to this location again.

The food was amazing but the service was top tier! Definitely check them out. The music was good tooread more

Impeccable meal. I absolutely loved this place…read more You have a slight view of the kitchen depending on where you sit. I always love to see people making the food so that's a plus for me. The service was just as great as the food. Our server constantly ensured we were enjoying our meal. The calamari and Brussel sprouts were a great start. The calamari had the perfect crunch and flavor. The Brussel sprouts made me wish I could have them as an appetizer weekly. The short rib was so tender and delicious. Truly I endured every single bite and was sad once I finished it all. Please don't pass up on this place if you're in the area.

Came by late Wednesday night after landing in Charlotte. They were one of the few restaurants still…read moreopen Walked in and luckily they found us seating -shared table with another couple. Scallops: 4 stars. Well prepared. I enjoy the slight char to the surface but moist texture when biting into it. Accompanying sauce was ok. Beef short ribs: 4 stars tender, but feel that it was a bit plain in flavor. Brussels sprouts: 4 stars. Pretty decent. Not the best but not the worst I've had. Overall a good accompaniment for my dishes.

The food was 10/10 with no second guessing, and trust that I don't give high reviews often. The…read moreservers were kind and helpful with recommendations so service was excellent! The ambiance was superb!

If you know me, you know I typically don't eat at chains. However, when in Rome …read more.. My friend found this spot and I have to say, I'm not going to say the "S" word - because it didn't apply. It was all Hospitality. The first interaction was like we had stepped into someone's home and were told to make ourselves at home. And the rest was the same. The gentleman walked us through the menu. Pretty much the entire line up of options. Not a condescending or impatient tone - warm and welcoming. Same with the next person. Even convinced my friend to get a dessert. Not that I need my arm twisted. The dining area was well kept. Clean. The condiments were well stocked and organized. I saw two different team members taking care of business there even asking if I needed anything. Bathrooms were immaculate. Don't see that very often - at least I don't in public places. The food was what we were looking for. Comfort food. With taste, not muted - just good flavor and consistency. A far cry from the bland, dry foods we had experienced the days prior. It was one of the first meals I really enjoyed on this trip to NC. Not saying that others were bad - they just didn't align with my taste preferences/expectations. Something about how Fried Chicken and Pork Chops are prepared in the South (or NOT California). Tender. Juicy. Mac & Cheese - not watery or overcooked. And I don't think I've ever had bad collared greens in my life. It's one of the handful of green vegetables I love having. Almost forgot parking. It's in kinda a plaza/strip mall setting. Free space and lots when we went (lunch). Not having to look for or pay for parking is always a plus for me. So, it's a chain. But I'd definitely go back. I almost ordered more but was saving the stomach space for dinner.

Drew Is a amazing server, fast, reliable, kind. Food was like 2026 Divorced Luka , AKA "The GOAT"…read more Will recommend to everyone and anyone please move to Hamburg NY. Food 5 Stars, Service 5 Stars. All Around 5 Stars!

Midwood Smokehouse is one of my go-to BBQ spots in Charlotte--it's just consistently good…read more The highlight for me is the beef rib, but it's a bit of a "know before you go" situation. It's only available on Saturdays and Sundays, and they make a limited batch--usually around 11-12 ribs for the day--so once they're gone, they're gone. If you want one, go early. When you get it, it's huge, smoky, and rich. Some people mention it being a little fatty, but that's part of what makes it so good. The mac and cheese is exactly what you want with BBQ--creamy, indulgent, and a perfect side to balance the meat. Their sides in general are strong, which a lot of people call out. Also love the pickles they serve with everything. It's a small detail, but it cuts through the richness and makes the whole plate better. Overall, it's not trying to be ultra-traditional NC BBQ--it leans more Texas-style--but it's reliable, flavorful, and somewhere I keep coming back to.

First time trying this place out. The restaurant was pretty small but we were seated immediately…read more It did end up filling up pretty quick though. It was a little loud but nothing too crazy that you're not able to enjoy our meal. The service was good and our waitress was nice and helpful. The food came out quick. After ordering, we were given cornbread. We ordered the soul rolls, which were so great! Great flavor and so delicious. Fried catfish dinner with macaroni and cheese, collards, and red beans. This was enough food to share between two people.

Hesitant to leave a review as I only tried their vegetarian offerings, but wanted to highlight the…read moregood and bad for any fellow veggies! They give cornbread loaves to start which is warm and moist, and hard to beat when smothered with butter. The okra is amazing. Very different from the traditional fried okra you expect to see, as this one is stewed and served with savory tomato's and spices. Delicious and none of that weird mucus texture okra can have. The red beans and collard greens were well seasoned, but nothing super special The Mac and cheese was flavorful, though overcooked and the mashed potatoes were flavorless and grainy. All in all some big wins and some misses. I'll be back again to try more.

We've picked up food several times and it's always delicious! This time around it was Tupelo honey…read moreand thyme friend chicken (perfect blend of savory and sweet) along with eastern N.C. style BBQ that was tender and delicious, plus sides of beans and mac n' cheese, and peach cobbler for dessert. All of it was so tasty and you can tell a lot of thought and care is put into the dishes. Can't recommend highly enough!

HIDDEN GEM ALERT!…read more And that's not an exaggeration: this is a pop-up inside the Forest Hill Church kitchen! Don't let the random location fool you; HA Pigsmith's is busting out some mean eats, with hefty portions and affordable prices. How it works: Follow @so_science on Instagram, and they'll post the week's menu over the weekend. The themes vary every week, so keep an eye on it! You have until midnight on Tuesday to email them with your order. On Wednesday morning, you get an email with payment and pick-up details, and then you swing by the back of the church between 4 and 7 PM on Wednesday to pick up your goods! Pretty easy process, especially if you live close by. So far we've gotten dishes from their BBQ menu (brisket, bbq beans, cheese and mac) and their Greek menu (moussaka with side Greek salad, gyro with fries). Everything is restaurant quality. Let me rephrase: everything is excellent restaurant quality! Like what I would expect if I went to a BBQ joint or Greek spot that specialize in that type of cuisine. Pretty incredible. We originally found out about HA's from a neighbor, and I added this business page to Yelp to be able to share my photos and experiences to help spread the word about this awesome local spot!

Crunkleton was great! Met a friend for brunch and we had a great time…read more Out waitress Nia was excellent and so was Trey. They provided excellent service. This how service at a restaurant should be. I ordered the Charlotte hot brown - which their version of a hot brown --- it was amazing! I nice blend of flavors. My bourbon bramble was also very good. My friend had the shrimp and grits and she loved it. The ambiance gives rustic and a little casual.

The Crunkleton has been on my list of restaurants to visit for quite some time and finally got my…read morefriends together to go. It's beautifully decorated (I fell in love with the bathroom decor) and the bar area is lovely and we stocked. Our server Natasha O was exceptional. She explained items on the menu and even made a drink recommendation that was not listed. For appetizers we had the fig salad and the large portion was more than enough for 3 people with leftovers. We shared the charred oysters and I really with we had gotten a dozen because they were perfection! I had the Wagyu burger which was 1/2 pound and I brought half of it home. It was complimented with truffle shoestring fries. Great portion sizes, amazing service and beautiful decor. I will surely come back. Hope I get sat in Natasha's section again she was amazing! Parking as always is tight in that area so plan accordingly.