Paw Creek, NC Lifestyle and More

The Iconic North Carolina Diner That Celebrities Can’t Stop Coming Back To

There’s a brick building on Central Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina that has been quietly making people very happy for a very long time. The Diamond Restaurant doesn’t shout about it, doesn’t put up billboards, and doesn’t need a social media campaign to fill its booths.

Charlotte Observer

This soul food restaurant in Charlotte ranks No. 1 for fried chicken in NC

A Charlotte soul food spot has earned statewide bragging rights. Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish now ranks as the No. 1 fried chicken restaurant in North Carolina, according to Tasting Table. FULL STORY: Best fried chicken joint? This Charlotte restaurant ranks No. 1 in NC Here are key takeaways: Tasting Table published the rankings Oct. 30. The food and drink website drew on Reddit posts, online reviews, awards and press coverage to pick the top fried chicken joint in each state. Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish started two decades ago on Statesville Avenue. It operates multiple restaurants in Charlotte, and the uptown location on Dalton Avenue got the nod. Michael Rhynes Sr., who helped open the restaurant, told CharlotteFive in 2024 that the business builds relationships with customers. “We try to get to know everybody. I watched kids grow from being six, seven years old. Now they’re in college.” The restaurant’s namesake chicken appears in dishes such as chicken dinners and a gizzard appetizer. Though Tasting Table singled out the hushpuppies as a must-order dish, the menu also features Southern sides like collard greens, fried okra and macaroni and cheese. Other Charlotte dining destinations have drawn recent attention for their

Charlotte Observer

Crawling roach, old batter: Worst Mecklenburg restaurant inspections in October

Twelve restaurants scored grades under 90% during sanitation inspections in Mecklenburg County. Four of those restaurants have since been inspected again (as of Monday, Nov. 9). Carrabba’s Italian Grill #3403 The restaurant received 80% on Oct. 14. It was inspected again on Oct. 29 and received 96%. During the second inspection, violations included: Cracked and damaged containers Prep units in need of cleaning Incorrectly dated food Incorrect cooling The restaurant is located at 16408 Northcross Dr. in Huntersville. This is the restaurant’s first “B” in the sanitation database. New Century Oriental Deli The restaurant received 83% on Oct. 15 and is waiting reinspection. Violations included: No certified food protection manager on site Raw chicken stored incorrectly Debris and cobwebs Small flies Heavy build up on shelves and equipment The restaurant is located at 4500 N. Tryon St., Suite C in Charlotte, inside New Century Oriental Food Supermarket (per Google). The restaurant has received two other “B” grades in 2026. Copan Restaurant The restaurant received 85% on Oct. 15 and is awaiting reinspection. Violations included: No certified food protection manager No written vomit and diarrhea clean up policy Raw animal foods stored with ready to eat Flying pests, dead crawling pest

Mecklenburg County, NC · 2d

Charlotte Observer

How a tiny sandwich shop by Charlotte got Michelin's attention, and why you should go

A snug sandwich shop near Charlotte with only 14 seats inside and almost as many picnic tables outside made this year’s Michelin Guide American South as a recommended restaurant, surprising foodie followers used to seeing avant garde tasting menus and fine dining steakhouses on the list. But probably no one in North Carolina was more caught off guard than the owners of Pump Social , Rachael and AJ Donner, who opened the restaurant in a former gas station in Concord just last August . She thought the September email sent by the French tire company’s little red travel guide was spam. At least she did until checking with friends whose Nashville restaurant was listed as a Bib Gourmand last year by “sheepishly” sending them a screenshot — and hearing they believed it was real. “I keep thinking, ‘How did we? Like, how would they even know?’ I don’t know. I have no idea,” Donner said of the whole experience. ”This was never something that was on our radar — ever,” she said. “And then being open a year, and we got that email. Even if it’s just a recommendation. I mean, I’m so happy to be even included,” she said.

Charlotte, NC · 1d

familyvacationsus.com

This North Carolina Outlet Mall Is So Big You’ll Need Comfortable Shoes and a Whole Day

A green sea turtle named Neptune swims inside a shopping mall here. He lives in an aquarium with an underwater tunnel, a few steps from outlet stores and a food court carousel. That alone would be enough for most malls. This one also has a 24-screen movie theater, go-kart tracks...

North Carolina · 3d

whatnow.com

publisher · 100.7K followers

First-of-Its-Kind Floating Bar Planned for LKN

A new drinking destination is on the way to Lake Norman, taking the term “waterfront property” to a new level. Vitale Hospitality Group, which just opened Vitale Lakeside in Mooresville (1459 River Highway), is working on opening a floating bar at the property, Charlotte Business Journal reports. Called Getaway Bar, it will offer a place for boaters to park in a slip, sip, and socialize right on the lake.

Mooresville, NC · 3d

WRAL News

Meet Quinn Gilgan: the 25-pound corgi who literally ran amok at Sunday’s Panthers game

When Sunday’s Carolina Panthers game reached halftime, 12 corgis took to the field to race. But after the race ended, one of the corgis – Quinn – was still on the run. Quinn is one year old, 25 pounds, and short-legged – even for a corgi – but she was a blur on the field as she fled from and dodged anyone who tried to grab or tackle her.

Charlotte Observer

Former Earth Fare site near Charlotte is ready to debut with new specialty grocer

Sprouts Farmers Market is expanding again, debuting its fourth Charlotte-area store in the same spot as a former specialty grocer in time for the holiday season. Sprouts will open at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Christenbury Corners, 8885 Christenbury Parkway , in Concord. The 24,110-square-foot store marks Sprouts’ first location in a Charlotte suburb. The site near Concord Mills mall was previously home to Earth Fare , which closed in August 2025 amid lease negotiations. Asheville-based Earth Fare originally opened there in 2017 before the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and reopening under ownership. In 2021, the Concord store reopened. Sprouts’ expansion is part of a highly competitive landscape , where nearly 730 grocery stores are vying for market share across Charlotte’s over $10.8 billion supermarket industry . “Charlotte continues to experience strong population growth and a growing interest in healthy living,” Sprouts told The Charlotte Observer. That includes demand for fresh produce and items that support a healthy lifestyle, the company said. The new location arrives alongside a wave of recent grocery store openings across the Charlotte area, including Food Lion in east Charlotte , Publix in Union County and Wegmans in Ballantyne . What to expect

familydestinationsguide.com

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You’ll Want To Drive Across North Carolina For The Fried Chicken At This Unassuming Restaurant

Somewhere in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, there’s a brick building with a skateboarding skeleton on the window, and inside that building is fried chicken that will genuinely change your expectations. That place is Slappy’s Chicken, and it has been quietly earning one of the most devoted followings in the entire...

Winston-Salem, NC · 8h

Axios Charlotte

11 unexpected places to work remotely in Charlotte that aren't coffee shops

If you work remotely , sometimes you just need a change of scenery to get through the workday — but that doesn't have to mean your usual coffee shop. Why it matters: From pickleball clubs and gyms to a cigar lounge and even the mall, Charlotte has plenty of unexpected places to bring your laptop and get some work done. Here are 11 spots worth checking out, in no particular order. 1. The Vintage — South End The vibe: This private whiskey and cigar lounge has hand-rolled cigars, an extensive whiskey selection, cocktails and small plates. If you go: Day passes are $10 at the door if you're not a member. You must be 21 or older to visit. Stop by: 215 E. Worthington Ave. 2. Rally Pickleball — LoSo The vibe: Part massive pickleball facility, part social hangout and one of my favorite working-lunch spots. Yes, there's a coffee bar, but you can also grab your laptop and work throughout the space, including at the bar. Stop by: 101 Southside Drive . Rally co-founder and former pro pickleball player Megan Charity (right) swapped her tennis racquet for a pickleball paddle nearly a decade ago. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios 3. Rising

Charlotte, NC · 1d

bestattractions.org

partner publisher · 2.2M followers

Half a century of shopping near Charlotte, North Carolina: all 7 of these malls still have shoppers inside

SouthPark grows from three department stores to five. On February 12, 1970, Belk and Ivey's opened their doors on what had been pasture at Sharon and Fairview roads, about six miles south of Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Sears joined them that August. The three department stores anchored SouthPark, an enclosed...

Charlotte, NC · 12h

Daily Mail

Charlotte restaurant embroiled in fiery clash with customer after charging $6 for to-go box

STATS in North Carolina describes itself as a New American eatery. But it recently became embroiled in a dispute about its leftovers policy.

corneliustoday.com

partner publisher · 8.9K followers

Cornelius Doctor Pens New Thriller

By Jon Show – A local doctor has branched into the literary world with her debut novel, a thriller about genetics and the promise of eternal youth. Dr. Minni Saluja, owner of Saluja Cosmetic and Laser Center in Cornelius, is board-certified and has advanced training in cosmetic skin treatments. She wrote the biotech thriller set in the world of regenerative medicine.

Cornelius, NC · 2d

Axios Charlotte

Charlotte's airport has an approved new airline deal

Charlotte City Council approved a new Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA) for Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its signatory airlines. Why it matters: The new deal, which begins on Jan. 1, 2027, keeps the signatory airlines around for the next 10 and a half years and allows for a five-year extension. CLT's signatory airlines are American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and United. Driving the news: Council approved the AULA Monday night in an 8-2 vote. Council members JD Mazuera Arias and Reneé Perkins Johnson voted against it. More than 50 people signed up to speak to address council. Some advocated for the deal and some against. Advocates from Atrium Health, Novant Health, Trane Technologies, Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and local business owners — some of whom have a presence at the airport — advocated for the deal. The other side: But the people who told council members they "keep the airport running" said they don't feel seen or heard. They asked council to delay their vote on the AULA. State law does not allow the city to intervene in subcontractor pay . " We've gotta take this fight to

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

The Mount Airy News

Local man runs for 24 hours

It’s one thing to complete a marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K race — which all can be done in a span of minutes or hours — but a Mount Airy man has managed to run for an entire day. This occurred when Charles Hiatt took on the OMR Ultra 24 Hour Challenge from Oct. 30-31 in Mint Hill, near Charlotte. Unlike some races with spread-out courses, the OMR Ultra 24 Hour Challenge involves a 1.35-mile loop that participants run over and over — “and over again,” Hiatt stated with a note of humor. The local man, an employee of Eagle Carports in Mount Airy, started the event on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and finished on 7 p.m. the next day to cap what organizers call “a festive, Halloween-themed test of endurance.” While the running career of the former two-pack-per-day smoker previously included completing three World Marathon Majors in Boston, Chicago and most recently Sydney, Australia, he was a bit leery about the late-October event. “Running for 24 hours straight was definitely my biggest challenge yet,” Hiatt acknowledged. A friend and fellow runner, Josh Seawell of Pinnacle, had invited him to participate in the Mint Hill event. “Against my

Mt Airy, NC · 1d

Queen City News

partner publisher · 170.4K followers

Flight from Charlotte to Raleigh diverted back to CLT

A flight had to return to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Monday morning, according to flight data.

Charlotte Observer

THC drinks could soon be banned in NC. How will it affect Charlotte businesses?

For some, a night out no longer has to end with a cocktail, a beer or a glass of wine. A can of THC-infused seltzer offers another way to enjoy the festivities, without necessarily drinking alcohol. The beverages, which contain tetrahydrocannabinol — the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis that produces a “high” — appeal to customers who are sober-curious, abstaining from alcohol or want to try something different. But their presence in the North Carolina beverage market is facing an uncertain future as lawmakers consider tighter restrictions on hemp products. A federal law originally scheduled to take effect Nov. 12 would narrow the definition of legal hemp, eliminating most THC-infused drinks containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container. Congress has since delayed those restrictions until Dec. 11. North Carolina lawmakers have also considered similar restrictions through House Bill 328 , but the bill remains stalled in the House Rules Committee. Rep. Tricia Cotham, who was a co-sponsor of the bill, lost her re-election bid earlier this month, meaning passage of the bill could be more difficult with Democrats set to take control of the House in January, The News & Observer reported . A growing venture For

Charlotte, NC · 4h

familydestinationsguide.com

This Tiny South Carolina Bakery Has Handmade Donuts That People Are Obsessed With

Nobody plans to become obsessed with a donut shop, and yet here are the people of Rock Hill, South Carolina, completely devoted to MoMo Donuts and not even a little bit sorry about it. This small bakery has developed the kind of following that most restaurants spend years trying to...

Rock Hill, SC · 6d

familyvacationsus.com