I had the unique and amazing opportunity to be able to visit Cajun Queen in Charlotte and I was…read morecompletely blown away! Even after going to New Orleans- I have to say this is the best Cajun Food I have ever had! We were able to get the bbq shrimp and rice, the Cajun pasta, garlic mashed potatoes, seafood gumbo and the pecan pie. Starting with the bbq shrimp- the sauce was so aromatic, spicy and savory and delicious. It was such a well tasting dish! The Cajun pasta had the best sauce I have ever had in a pasta (and I just recently come back from Italy) along with the perfect blacked chicken. Seafood gumbo blew me away with the flavor and spice, everything in it was so well blended together. The mashed potatoes were a perfect addition and balanced out the meal. The pecan pie was to die for, freshly made and perfect in every bite The ambience was even better, we got to see a live jazz band play and they did a stellar job in creating the vibe and adding to the already warm and homey aesthetic. Don't miss your chance to come here if you're in charlo

My date and I thought this would be a good seafood spot to try, but honestly, it didn't live up to…read morethe hype. The biggest issue for us was the lack of seasoning. For my entrée, I ordered the blackened catfish with mashed potatoes and andouille sausage. The fish was pretty bland--I could taste the Cajun spice, but there wasn't much depth of flavor beyond that. The mashed potatoes, surprisingly, were the highlight--well-seasoned and delicious. The sausage was just okay, nothing special. For an appetizer, we got the Cajun popcorn (crawfish), and that was actually really good--well-seasoned and something we definitely enjoyed. I also had the New Orleans Iced Tea, but it had too much ice and ended up tasting watered down. My date didn't care much for their meal either and the lack of seasoning was bland too (even though I forgot exactly what they ordered), which says a lot about the overall experience. One thing to note: parking is rough, but they do offer valet. The valet attendant working Saturday night was very kind and did a great job handling everything on his own. There are definitely better seafood spots out there. This one just didn't hit the mark for us.

WOW, Wow, wow! This restaurant SCREAMS for a five-star rating, but as this was our first time…read morehere, I am reluctant to immediately give one of my precious five-stars based on only a one time shot. That said, Yard Dog is not a dog at all, but a superb little restaurant with a great menu and mouth-watering foods. Oh boy! Wife and I entered and were surprised at just how small their dining area was. Couple that with a not-so-pleasant noise level, you will have difficulty seating more than four and conversation will be tough, but not impossible. You came to eat. It is a very cozy, busy and fun place. In addition to the super menu there is a chalk board with specials. Check those out first. I spotted catch of the day, which was Red Snapper, a favorite of mine, which came with two sides ($26). When served, it was three fillets, so the whole eatable parts of the fish, topped with a Cajun spice mixture and a horseradish sauce. This is a to-die-for or last meal item. The fish was perfectly cooked and my side of collards were as mammy has done for eons: flavorful with pork and a perfect complement to my catch of the day. And the fried okra was great and I paid the $.50 for ranch dressing, as fried okra SHOULD be so complemented. Wife does not eat sea food, so she was, initially, confronted with the challenge of finding a dish without seafood in it. She did. There were a number of options, like pasta with Andouille sausage ($21) which is listed as with shrimp, but they omitted the shrimp for her. She also spied blackened meatloaf and some other items for the next visit. The place is busy and the wait staff is hustling as fast as the kitchen can get orders out. The kitchen looks so small, but they are a blur of motion cooking and plating. Kudos to the kitchen and servers. Our server was Sophie and she was excellent. There are beverages on a separate menu, mostly wine, beer and hard cider, with some non-alcohol items also available. We both had hard cider at $6 a can. Draft beer was available at $7 a glass. We will definitely return, even give lunch a try. I will most likely answer the siren call for five stars, which is certainly in the cards. See for yourselves.

This place has authentic Cajun food as the name implies. Many reviews mention that this place is a…read morehidden gem but the people that live in the Arboretum area are well aware of it! I have spent some time in New Orleans and I can tell you this place serves up some great Cajun food! I'm a sucker for their Crawfish Etoufee but everything I have ever had from here is good. Some reviews mention how good the Collard Greens are here and I concur! Fantastic! The restaurant is somewhat small but that just gives it a more intimate feel. It is decorated nicely and feels very New Orleans. I have always received great service here and the waitstaff are cordial. They have craft beer on tap and a full bar. Cheers!

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.

This place was AMAZING. The staff is very entertaining (shoutout to Courtney) she was the best and…read morehelped us celebrate a birthday in the best way. They were efficient in settling some seating issues with our reservation and showed quit problem solving in busy hours! The food was delicious and I would absolutely come here again!

First time there tonight with my daughter and future son in law. Our waitress was top notch! I wish…read moreI got her name The food was delicious! I had the Cajun fried chicken, mashed potatoes, garlic toast and the best corn on the cob I've ever had! I will be back!

I've visited Boudreaux's for both lunch (to include a couple of Sunday brunch's) and dinner and I…read morehave not been disappointed. The Sunday brunch Bloody Mary bar is fantastic and less than $5 on Sundays. A couple of those and a hefty Cajun meal and it's nap time. I have tried several things on the menu and a few of my go to favorites are the Jambalaya and Shrimp & Grits. Both flavorful and filling dishes and just the right amount of spice. Service can be a bit slow but I have never been in a rush so I didn't mind.

I don't know if we just got unlucky or what but this was really bad. My friend and I came here for…read moredinner and drinks but it was very disappointing. The service was strange because our server was super nice and friendly but otherwise not good. He repeated my friends order wrong multiple times and she kept correcting him and he eventually said the correct item but then when she got it, it was incorrect. Both of our orders were not good. The quality and taste were awful. My friend was given a free item or discount coupon since her order was wrong but the whole experience was so bad that she left it on the table because we both decided we would not be back.

First off this appears to be great little local owned business which I really appreciate. They also…read moreseem to be relatively new. Now let's look at what is important. Lots of parking but I did have to do a U turn to get back to the restaurant. This was an old chain restaurant building so the drive through area isn't used. The building is dated and in need of repair but that isn't their fault as I am sure they are renting it. The food. Decent menu with steamed, grilled and fried options. I went with the small low country boil which was plenty. It was good. Could have soaked a bit if it was in fact boiled to pick up more of the flavor. I got a side bowl of gumbo. Interesting as it didn't come over rice. It was ok but let remember I worked in Louisiana for a decade plus so I can be a Cajun food snob. Service was awesome. Very friendly and the checked on me a couple of times. A huge majority of the customers get it to go. They have picnic tables inside to eat at and that is what I chose. Friendly service and decent food so a good option if in the area.

Highly recommend! Great food and very reasonable pricing for what you get! Now this is a low…read morecountry boil so it's not a saucy shrimp bowl (I forgot that). The food is made to order and very fresh. We got there about 30 minutes before closing but still received great service. We got the low country boil with shrimp potatoes and corn and subbed out sausage for more corn. The potatoes were cooked perfect which says a lot and the shrimp was delicious and corn on was not mushy. I have also gotten a fish sandwiche here and it was delicious. Definitely worth checking out !

Food was great! I got the Catfish And Shrimp Combo with Cajun fries!! Everything was Hot and…read moreFresh!! The house sauce has a lil kick and very flavorful! Nicole was a great Waitress and let me know all the specials that was available!! I do recommend this place for those who loves fresh food, not long for service and great atmosphere!

This place is the one. You need no other seafood boil place than this - they are elite. We ordered…read morecracker style seasoned, which is butter, lemon pepper, and Cajun and then medium hot. It was PERFECT and I could've drank the sauce. They put big chunks of fresh garlic in it. I highly recommend peeling your shrimp first and then letting them soak up the juice - game changer. This is my new spot and I can't wait to come back! It's clean, they have great service, and convenient to home.

Just tried them for the first time since moving to Uptown: ON POINT!…read moreThe catfish is well seasoned and the sides are perfect. Very nice portions! *In fact, I ordered two fish and they gave me three! Not a bad first impression!

Came to Charlotte for a quick event - while at the hotel, I goggled restaurants nearby and this…read morerestaurant popped up first. I called the restaurant and asked if they had free parking and was told they had plenty of parking! I headed over and letmetellyou!!!!!! This restaurant is GREAT! The customer service, the food, the drinks - EVERYTHING was amazing! Our waitress, Shawn, was the only one on duty but she was STILL AMAZING! Mrs. Freshwater walked around to check with customers to make sure everything was good! She is such a sweetheart! I order the special which was a turkey wing with gravy over rice with 2 sides for $18. I chose potato salad and cabbage as my sides and that potato salad was GREAT! I ordered a side to go! Just an FYI, Mr. Freshwater is the Chef and he ain't playing in the kitchen! If you're ever in the area, please check them out! Thursday through Sunday!

On Saturday after my daughter's graduation we dined at Crab Du Jour. We were a party of four and…read morethe hostess walked us to a booth by the bar area. Maya was our waitress/bartender! Maya was very friendly and professional. The drinks were strong and on point- with buy one get one half off. The food here is consistently good! I'm so glad that my daughter chose to celebrate earning her Master's Degree here because Maya and the entire environment was a vibe

Terrible service and Unprofessional Staff…read more We went to Crab Du Jour on a Saturday around 3:30pm. The place was relatively empty but the waitress was rude and unwelcoming. She was not informative about the menu or the drink specials and appeared annoyed when asked. She never said her name and was not engaging at all. Her attitude did appear to change at the end of the meal after an error on the bill was discovered. I usually don't do reviews and just do not return to a place where I do not feel valued. But this was poor service on another level.

had an amazing experience at Sea Level Restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was…read morewelcoming and had the perfect coastal vibe. The views were beautiful, especially during sunset--it really set the tone for a relaxing meal. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can tell they take pride in their seafood--it tasted incredibly fresh and perfectly seasoned. The drinks were also a highlight, with great options and well-balanced flavors. What really stood out was the service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without being overbearing. Overall, it was a great dining experience, and I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend for anyone looking for good food, great views, and a laid-back but elevated atmosphere!

Let's start with the clam chowder--and yeah, I'm not throwing this around lightly--this might be…read morethe best I've had outside of Boston. Loaded. And I mean loaded with clams. Not that "where are they hiding?" situation... every spoonful actually delivered. Creamy, balanced, not overly heavy--just straight comfort with a coastal accent. Then I went for the fish Caesar salad, and I'll be honest... I wasn't sure what lane we were in here. But it worked. Light, fresh, and a solid pivot if you're trying to keep things a little less indulgent after demolishing chowder like I did. The space itself fits that uptown energy--polished but still relaxed enough where you don't feel like you need to whisper while you eat.