It's always a great experience coming back here. The first time, It was maybe 1962 and our family drove from Matthews, NC. It was a big deal, we very rarely ever went out to eat since there was 8 of us. Had to get that pizza pie! It's still a great restaurant and it's amazing how the neighborhood has grown up around it with new condos and apartments. I got the dinner salad added grilled chicken, there's an up charge for crutons, feta cheese, & cucumbers , you get one tomato slice, you get two little cups of salad dressing & the balsamic vinegarette is good, you do have the option of getting iceberg lettuce only which almost made it worth $22 bucks, kinda pricey?? Our group of EAL retirees went here with about 20 of us. Great service and great food, so hard to beat with some CLT nostalgia mixed in. read more

Been going here since I was a little one. Went back with some business associates. They both raved about the food. I have never been let down by the Open Kitchen. Keep up the good work! read more

We really wanted to love this place, especially given its welcoming atmosphere and historic charm. The service was a high point; the staff greeted us warmly and kept the things running efficiently. Unfortunately, the kitchen didn't quite live up to the hospitality. While the calamari was a solid start (3/5), the entrees were a letdown. The ziti was overcooked to the point of being mushy, and the sauce lacked depth, tasting like unseasoned, watered-down tomatoes. We were also surprised by the spaghetti; the "added sausage" arrived placed on top rather than integrated into the meat sauce as expected, which also lacked flavor and seasoning. A cute venue, but the flavors fell short. Unfortunately I don't think this will be a place we seek out again. read more

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The garlic bread is delicious it's the best I think I've ever eaten. I ordered something new the shrimp Alfredo. The shrimp was delicious. The Alfredo itself was good, but I am not a fan of bacon in my Alfredo and they clearly stated on the menu that bacon is in their Alfredo sauce. I will order something different next time. he ordered the Philly cheesesteak and fries and said it was good. read more

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I've dined in the restaurant before a few times and I've felt that the service was fabulous and the pizza and the pasta and the garlic bread and the salad was delicious. However, for tonight we picked up pizzas for a large party and we were just delighted to find that even the takeout was so delicious! The interior of the restaurant it's like he stepped back in time and I think it's so cute but I'm also so glad to know that taking out pizzas is just as delicious and I can't wait to order again soon! read more

We found this restaurant by recommendation from a family member. As a group of 11, we were seated in a great location of the restaurant. In the back, where the small children could be children without disturbing other guests. The decor was Italian themed and beautifully decorated. The service was impeccable, taking time to get exactly what we wanted from the menu. The catered to the needs of our group from adults wanting small portions to growing children wanting large portions. Orders included, plain pasta, ravioli, chicken fettuccine, chicken barcelona, capellini, shrimp cocktail, fresh salad, fresh bread and more. Desserts were great also. We were allowed to take our time and fellowship without being rushed. Prices were comparable with other restaurants but servings were huge portions. We had a great dinner and will be back. read more

The original Italian restaurant in Charlotte open in the same location since 1952! It was one of only a handful of Italian restaurants in Charlotte when we first moved here! We used to go for their pizza on Friday or Saturday nights. The atmosphere is intimate but not overdone just like an old Italian restaurant. That's because it's exactly what it is complete with red and white checkered tablecloths. Their service has been great every time I have been. If you don't know what you want then the servers can guide you. read more

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Cant say enough how fun it is going to one of Charlotte's oldest family resturaunts. Has more charm than any spot in the QC. Best decor and vibe around, and of course great food. Thanks yall. read more

Love the Vintage old school pizzeria vibes!!!! Hope this staple NEVER closes!!!! Super cool atmosphere Prices were good Portions were perfect Service was ok not to friendly but timely Food was decent just basic but GOOD DEFINITELY try their Alfredo and loved they give you bread and butter! Oh and their RANCH is excellent! read more

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One of my favorite Charlotte restaurants in town. Always very satisfying with friendly professional staff. Large tasty portions always leaving me full and very satisfied. They carry a favorite beer as well, Vergina red amber lager. Highly recommended! read more

First time eating here after years of driving by and we loved it so much! A class Italian restaurant similar to what I grew up with in the North. It is so cozy and welcoming inside with all the decor. The service was phenomenal. The food was great! Best meatball sub I've had in town and we loved the veal parm too. Would recommend for a cozy Italian dinner! read more

The Open Kitchen - Veal Parmigiana Italian Meatball Submarine Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This business has been around for years. They have a very nice and accommodating staff of servers. They kept are glasses full. They put our orders in quickly and delivered thoughtful dishes. This is an old school restaurant producing authentic Italian cuisine. The appetizers were tasty. The entrees were rich and flavorful read more

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The Mama "K" Supreme pizza was delicious! Pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, peppers & onions, mushrooms and salami. Allll of my favorite things! You can never go wrong with the classic Chicken Parmigiana. I loved the addition of the mushrooms. The Chicken Barcelona is what I'm going to order next time. Chicken sautéed in butter, oregano, and fresh lemon. Served with mushroom marinara sauce and spaghetti buerre noir. Love the nostalgic ambiance and the fact that its under the radar for most people. read more

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Lovely little Italian restaurant. Had the pleasure of coming for dinner for a work event on a Monday. Parking is small but small, but they do have various spaces on the front, side, and back of the building. I believe they also offer parking across the street. Numerous tables throughout the restaurant. I ordered the chicken parmesean that came with spaghetti. Now the chicken is not fried. it's more oven baked than anything, but it was still delicious. We ordered the calamari, which was delicious. Normal Italian restaurant is nothing that WOWd me per say, but I definitely will be back to try other dishes. read more

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This is such a great Charlotte gem! The Building is unassuming, but enter their doors to enjoy delicious food and a family friendly environment. Great for groups! Their lasagna is amazing, as is their manicotti. The service is very good and they are always so welcoming to their customers! read more

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My husband and I have been going here for several years. This place takes you back to an old Italian eating. Everything here is delicious. The staff are always amazing. They go out of their way to make your dining experience top notch. read more

Wouldn't recommend this place really. The atmosphere is super cool and kitsch and the staff were outstanding, especially Audrey. The food though was mid at best. And I don't know why by the Caesar salad came with tomatoes?! That's absurd to me. Sandwich's said to be piled high really were rather thin. I don't know maybe just don't go when it's busy. read more

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We have been going to the open kitchen ever since we married 57 years ago favorite date night restaurant in Charlotte NC

Not ever going back after years of being a customer. Our food tonight was very bland and sparse when it came to ingredients. Don't ever look up at the decor that has been there for years. More dust and cobwebs and filth than imaginable. Seriously filthy. A man walked in with a dog on a leash. He was randomly walking by tables and taking bread and crackers and putting them in a red nylon bag. Then he proceeded to ask customers for some of their food to put in his bag. When it was mentioned to the two people working at the front they said oh he is just going to the bathroom. He never went to the bathroom. They waited entirely too long to ask him to leave. The fact he had a dog was enough. It's very tight in there and he just strolled in like he was a regular. After 50+ years and many celebrations there we are finished with Open Kitchen. read more

We love dining here! I enjoy the family-owned neighborhood feel. The decor is unique and you can always find something new to notice. The food is good for the price, especially if you're looking for traditional Italian options. I keep returning because the staff treat you like they've known you forever- welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. Open Kitchen is a part of what makes Charlotte's unique personality and shouldn't be missed. read more

Fun place hoping busy with locals for lunch. Business lunch with three of us. Seated immediately. Amazing service as order taken quickly and then food came out just free we finished our salads. We all had lasagna which is what they are known for. It was solid and the blue cheese dressing was great. My tea glass never went dry. This is an old school legacy family restaurant. read more

Awesome food great atmosphere service was the best been going there since I was a kid and it's still great read more

The Open Kitchen - Meat Ravioli Parmigiana and baked Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The food was amazing. I got a meatball sub, but you can get so much other amazing Italian food. I won't lie. The fries were kind of lacking but otherwise this place was amazing. It had a good vibe nice service and was all around. Pretty neat. read more

The Open Kitchen - Italian Meatball Submarine Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Historically good pizza near Atrium hospital. This place is perennially good and offers other Italian specialty dishes. read more

I was skeptical at first, due to some of the not so positive reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised! Best Caesar Salad I have ever had in Charlotte area. Meat sauce over baked penne was perfectly seasoned. My friends had pizzas, and other pasta dishes that they thoroughly enjoyed. Our server was amazing! She made sure we had Everything we needed. read more

In enjoying care since I was a child and I will continue as their thin crust pizza is amazing. It's a wonderful family restaurant with great atmosphere liquor bar and overall excellent service from a very friendly local staff. read more

This is the best Italian restaurant ever. It's clean. The food is fresh and yummy. The people are some of the best you'll ever meet. They truly care about the community. I can't say enough good about this place. read more

This is a hidden gem. If you are visiting Charlotte this is a must try experience. The minute you walk in you go back in time. The ambiance is reminiscent of an old Italian restaurant, one that has been in the family since 1952. We were seated immediately to a table with a red and white checkered tablecloth. Our order of Italian sub and special cannoli was taken right away. When we were served the food was amazing and so delicious. The server never let your beverage get low and alway had a smile. I can't remember when we have enjoyed eating out. You gotta try and don't be deterred by the outward appearance which reflex some wonderful seasoning over the years. read more

The Open Kitchen - Italian Open Kitchen Submarine and Cannoli Cheese Stuffed Canelloni Theodoro - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Love this old school Charlotte restaurant! I love the vibe, as it keeps its authentic feel since the 1950s! The service is always great - the servers are constantly checking in on you and refilling your drinks. The menu prices are also very reasonable, and they have a large selection of many different items to choose from. The baked ziti is HUGE and delicious! It always lasts me for 2-3 meals. The cheesecake is also always a hit amongst our group! Definitely stop in and try this spot if you haven't already! read more

I really enjoyed my lunch at The Open Kitchen. My dining partner and I both got the same meal, which was the lasagna special that included tea, a side and bread. We also got it Parmigiana style which meant the lasagna dish was covered with mozzarella cheese and then baked. For our side we chose the tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The bread was served right when we were seated. Wow, was it good. I believe it was Italian bread or possibly French and when we buttered it it was an excellent start to the meal. Next came the salad. All it was was some spring greens and a tomato slice. Extremely basic and lackluster. My friend took two bites and pushed it aside. She did not like the dressing at all. I thought it was just okay and not bad enough to spoil the salad. I would order a different dressing next time. The lasagna was a huge portion and a total hit! They did not skimp on the lunch size or the cheese. Sooo much cheese covered the top...I was in heaven. The taste and flavor was outstanding and tasted like homemade. We could each only eat about half, giving us a nice portion to take home for later. Our server was really nice and very attentive. She was working her butt off and keeping everyone happy in our area. Loved the old school vibe, the food, and the service. The only ding was the sad salad. Can't wait to come back and try other things. read more

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The personnel are so friendly and nice. My first time here and been in Charlotte for 42 years.

The manager/owner has no idea what customer service is. We will never return to this restaurant. We waited for our food for over 2 hours while everyone around us that sat after was getting their food. Our waitress let us know that the meal would be on the house and the manager would be coming out to speak to us. When he came out, he said he will give us 40% off. When we said we were told it is on the house he responded "okay you're only getting 30% off". He then repeatedly told us we were lying about being told the meal was on the house. He did not apologize once or take ownership for how poorly run his restaurant is. He took a bad situation and somehow made it worse with the most immature behavior I have ever seen from a "manager". If I could select 0 stars, I would. read more

So, after 20 years in Charlotte, I can now say I have visited The World Famous Open Kitchen. My Dinner Group has talked about going here and after realizing no one had been it was a must do. We had reservations at 7:00pm and were seated in a little area in the front of the restaurant. Although I loved the spot, the restaurant needs to kick up the air conditioning. It was too hot! Our server was sweet but was definitely overwhelmed and had to be flagged down. With that said, we got her attention and placed our order. Luckily for us we went on a Thursday, which means for every two entrees you get a free appetizer. So, we started with the Calamari, Cheese Bread and Mozzarella Sticks. In addition several of us orders salads. I thought the salad was good, but the appetizers were fine. The Cheese Bread by far was my favorite. As for entrees, everyone ordered something different. We had the Chicken Barcelona, Ravioli, Lasagne, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Pizza. Everyone had the same thoughts, decent, but nothing outstanding. I think the least favorite dish was the pizza, frozen pizza is better is what I think she said. I enjoyed my Chicken Barcelona but I will say the mushrooms were straight from a can. And, the sauce, might be canned. Overall the atmosphere is old school, Italian accents, with dim lighting and no air. Service was okay, and from the other reviews I wasn't surprised at my experience. Food was decent but nothing I would rush back for or think of when I want a good Italian dish. I recommend checking it out, if not just for the fact you can say you've been! read more

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Down home taste. As always, it's so good. I like the browned butter spaghetti with chicken.

Revisiting an Old Friend - Still Good after all of these years. Back when to the first time I lived in Charlotte in the early 1970's, The Open Kitchen was already a tradition having been in business for 20 years at that time. If you wanted a good dinner in the what was otherwise a culinary desert, you had two choices. One was The Open Kitchen which was more casual and the Gondola which was bit more upscale and catered to a slightly different crowd. The Gondola is long gone but now 66 years later, The Open Kitchen is still going strong. Not as crowded as back in the 70's but a lot more dining options but still a good crowd this evening. Say's a lot about the quality of a restaurant to make it to 66 years. For a change, i had to drop a package off at the UPS terminal this afternoon which was a Saturday and while I was down here, decided to go to The Open Kitchen for dinner. Parking lot was full but got lucky because someone was backing out as I turned in so I scored a spot near the door. Walked in and it was pretty much as I remembered it with a bit more whimsical trinkets added. Seated pretty quickly in a nice table in the corner where I had a good view of the dining room. When I was seated, I was given menu's so did not have to wait for my server. She came out and took my drink order for 1/2 and 1/2 tea and while she got that, continued to study the menu. So many choices ... She came back with my tea and with some bread for the table and I ordered a Small Greek Salad and the Veal Barcelona for dinner. I was amazed how quick the Greek Salad came out and if that is a small salad, I would hate to see what the large one looked like. Had it with Mama K's which had a perfect balance of herb and vinegar. Lettuce was nice and fresh as was the tomato, olives, pepperonici etc. all topped with a generous amount of Feta Cheese. The Veal Barcelona came out a bit later and it was nice and hot. A bed or Pasta with Veal pieces cooked with a generous amount of mushrooms cooked in a lemon oregano sauce and Marinara to add to your hearts desire. Other than the Marinara was a bit bland and while it had a good taste, it was not a vibrant presentation. Still it was a great dining experience and were much like I remembered. Atmosphere is interesting. A lot of miscellaneous things scattered throughout the dining room. One thing that I did not quite understand was a balancing jester on a string suspended over the dining room. Did not understand it till a father and his young son got up to leave and while the father held the little boy, probably about 2 or 3 in his arms, the owner of the restaurant raised the string and the jester started sliding across the restaurant. The little boy was captivated. I took a picture of that and the little boys grandmother came over and we chatted and she reminded me that when I was here with my sons, the jester was a bear. She's right and now I remember. Other thing I enjoyed was the collection of campaign buttons behind the front counter going back to the 1960"s. Great Place. Warm and Cozy Feel. Good hospitality with Great Cuisine. It's a bit worn in some places but what do you expect after 66 years. Great Spot and give it a try. For out of town visitors, check hours first but if open, it's right off I-77 in Charlotte at the Morehead Street Exit on the west side. read more

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My mom is 70yrs old and I'm 45, I'm just now hearing about this place. She was going down memory lane the other day and told me how she went here once 60yrs ago and I told her we would go tonight. So here we go my mom, my aunt, my girlfriend and myself. It's worth the experience. For the food, cost and the memories, it was worth it. Would I eat here again? Yes. read more

Has gone completely downhill in recent years. This was a Charlotte Favorite for years, but not anymore. Food quality And service was not good. read more

good old-fashioned authentic Italian food. I ordered a baked ziti with sausage crumbles. Although I would have preferred a little bit more sauce this dish was really good. The minestrone soup was rich in flavor. You can tell the sauce is homemade. This is my second time dining here, it would definitely be coming back for more. read more

The Open Kitchen - Minestrone soup - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Ready for a gut buster of delights! Wait no more, truly a legendary scene of the Charlotte restaurant history. A family style selection of family generational recipes, take a while to select...leave room for deserts!! So good I am taking a table of 8 tomorrow, why not? read more

The chicken parm is not chicken parm. It is grilled chicken strips with sauce and mountain of mozzarella cheese