Pineola, NC Food & Drink and More

Chipped paint and dust: 3 Charlotte restaurants receive Bs for sanitation

Three restaurants scored lower than an “A” during sanitation inspections in Mecklenburg County between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5. Food For Thought The restaurant received 89% on Oct. 30. Violations included: Buildup on equipment Handwashing sink used for other purposes Incorrect food storage Incorrect cooling Broken tiles and chipped paint Food For Thought is located at 5700 Westpark Drive in Charlotte. This was the first grade lower than an “A” for the restaurant. Ruby Tuesday The restaurant received 87.5% on Nov. 2. Violations included: Handwashing sink used for other purposes Raw animal foods stored incorrectly Food stored at too high a temperature Cracked tiles Incorrect date labelling Ruby Tuesday is located at 8905 Red Oak Blvd. in Charlotte. This was the first grade lower than an “A” for the restaurant. 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen/Bar One Lounge The restaurant received 88.5% on Nov. 3. Violations included: Handwashing sinks inaccessible Soiled pans stored as clean Incorrect cooling Hot foods not held at right temperature Food and dust build up on the walls Unlabeled working containers 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen/Bar One Lounge is located at 6815 Phillips Place Ct., Unit A1, in Charlotte. It received another “B” in 2025. Mecklenburg County sanitation scores

Charlotte Observer

Popular burger chain wants to turn an Arby's into its next Charlotte restaurant

Midwestern burger chain Culver’s is eyeing Mint Hill for its next restaurant. The fast-casual spot wants to bring its famous Butter Burgers and frozen custard to 6200 Wilson Grove Road, near the Lawyers Square Shopping Center, according to a service site plan filed with the city. The site is currently home to a closed Arby’s. Plans call for the latter to be converted into a new Culver’s restaurant “with associated drive-thru, parking and utilities.” CharlotteFive reached out to Culver’s for more information on Monday, Nov. 2, and was awaiting a response. The chain has several existing Charlotte-area locations, including spots in Belmont, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Mooresville, University City and the Olde Whitehall area. Culver’s also has an outpost in Fort Mill, and the chain plans to open another in nearby Rock Hill , according to its website. Launched in 1984, the Wisconsin-born brand serves made-to-order Butter Burgers alongside crinkle-cut fries, crispy chicken, fish and frozen custard flavors that rotate daily. A Charlotte burger spot is days away from closing. Here’s why & what’s next Its cheese curds are just as famous. The restaurant recently hosted its second annual “Curdtoberfest,” a monthlong celebration dedicated to the deep-fried snack. “The best celebrations

Charlotte, NC · 4d

fastfoodclub.com

Before Your Next Trip Up I-15, Know These 15 North Carolina Diners Worth Pulling Off For

Here is a quick road note first: North Carolina has no I-15, so this list follows the highway most cross-state drivers actually use, I-40, from the mountains near Waynesville to the flat farmland around Benson. Along that stretch are small-town diners serving biscuits, beef tips, livermush, country fried steak, and pie, all a short hop from an exit.

North Carolina · 1d

theshelbyreport.com

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

Food Lion Adds Self-Checkout As Part Of Latest Remodeling Campaign

Food Lion is introducing self-checkout lanes in nearly all of the 94 stores it has remodeled in Greater Greensboro and the Triad region of North Carolina, a move the retailer attributes to customer and associate feedback. The lanes are part of an investment of more than $270 million in the market.

Greensboro, NC · 2d

Raleigh News & Observer

Beyond Buc-ee's: Restaurants with Texas ties keep heading to NC

North Carolina is getting a taste of the Lone Star State. Texas-based Buc-ee’s, already building one store in the state, is now eyeing a second location along Interstate 95. The travel center could join Texas-inspired restaurants setting up shop in the Raleigh area. From a barbecue joint to a beloved burger chain, here are openings The News & Observer has covered this year: Buc-ee’s could build a second North Carolina travel center near I-95 and Halifax Road in Rocky Mount. Its first NC location is already under construction off I-85/40 in Alamance County, and there’s no official opening date. East of Texas , a Texas-style barbecue restaurant from owner Claire Calvin, opened at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus . The restaurant serves brisket, burnt ends, pork belly and housemade sausage. It’s an expansion of a Winston-Salem spot that opened in 2023. Shipley Donuts , founded in Houston in 1936, plans to open two Raleigh shops over the next two years, with the first expected in 2027. The chain is known for handcrafted doughnuts and savory kolaches stuffed with fillings like sausage and jalapeños. Whataburger opened its first Triangle locations : in Wake Forest at 489 Calvin Jones Highway and in Raleigh

North Carolina · 3d

Charlotte Observer

Southern Living called this stretch of Charlotte road underrated for a food crawl

Southern Living has called South Boulevard “the South’s most underrated food crawl” for its diverse collection of eateries. Here are the restaurants the magazine lauds along the stretch: Coffee and pastries La Greka Coffee Shop Named for an Italian-style moka coffee pot, La Greka is nestled inside a Compare Foods. Panaderia offerings and tacos are available at the counter, along with caffeinated classics. Southern Living recommends the Carribbean Latte, topped with coconut flakes. Vicente Bistro The viennoiserie offers a variety of classic pastries, such as pan au chocolat and ham and cheese croissants, but co-owner Sam Chappelle recommended the coffee rolls — orange-espresso spirals in the style of a cinnamon roll — to Southern Living. The magazine also recommended Sumaq Coffee and Folia , which becomes a cocktail bar in the evenings. Mexican Maria’s Mexican Restaurant Maria’s is woman-owned and colorfully painted with bright, Latin American murals. A recent CharlotteFive article commends it for quality, cheap eats. Southern Living’s article recommends the ramen and tacos, but Maria’s is also well known for birria quesadillas. The magazine also recommended Tacos El Nevado , Compa Tacos , La Lima Sangucheria for bowls and sandwiches, Raíces for Oaxacan and cocktails and The Story

Charlotte Observer

Charlotte restaurant inches closer to Davidson debut. When will doors open?

Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen is bringing its seasonal, Southern fare to another Charlotte-area community. The restaurant from Noble Food & Pursuits is headed to Davidson, with plans to set up shop in the revamped Sadler Square Shopping Center, according to a social media post. Chef Kevin Darr, chief culinary officer for the restaurant group, said the restaurant is aiming for an early 2027 opening.

k1047.com

EggBred Expands to East Charlotte: New Location Promises Fresh Breakfast Delights by 2027

Diners looking for a fast-casual breakfast/brunch spot will soon be able to eat at EggBred, located at Eastway Crossing in East Charlotte. According to the Charlotte Observer, the opening of EggBred is planned for sometime in 2027. The EggBred chain is known for freshly cracked breakfast items and homemade sauces, along with waffles, loaded breakfast burritos, and breakfast sandwiches.

Charlotte Observer

partner publisher · 367.5K followers

Fast-casual breakfast brand is breaking into Charlotte. Here's when you can try it

A new, fast-casual breakfast brand is coming to East Charlotte early next year. EggBred , known for freshly cracked eggs and house-made sauces is opening its second North Carolina location in Eastway Crossing in early 2027, commercial real estate firm Collett announced. The California-born brand’s first foray into North Carolina was in Greenville. The restaurant will occupy 1,988 square feet at Eastway Crossing, offering breakfast dishes such as sandwiches, loaded burritos and waffles. Customers can expect seasonal items such as pumpkin spice cold brew and Dutch apple cheesecake waffles, as well as avocado toast, burgers and chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, and more. There’s also a kid’s menu. “We chose Eastway Crossing because we see the energy and growth happening throughout the area, and we believe it is a great fit for the EggBred concept,” franchise owner Fabricio Botta said in a news release. “We’re excited to introduce our neighbors to EggBred’s approach to breakfast and brunch, and we look forward to becoming part of the Eastway community.” It will join other new tenants at the shopping center including The Jade Rabbit barbering salon, inclusive salon Head Space Studio, East Side Yoga and a UPS Store. EggBred Location: 3052 Eastway

Charlotte, NC · 3d

Mens Journal

Restaurant Workers Say Their SSNs Were Used to Pay Undocumented Migrants

Two former Firebirds Wood Fired Grill employees in Huntersville, North Carolina, allege their Social Security numbers were used to employ other workers after they left the restaurant—one reportedly finding $20,000 in wages he never earned on his W-2. Police are investigating, and Firebirds says it is cooperating.

Huntersville, NC · 2d

Charlotte Observer

More than 50 Charlotte restaurants have closed in 2026. These are the latest

Charlotte’s restaurant scene keeps growing , but 2026 also has brought a long list of goodbyes. From beloved neighborhood spots to chain locations, here are the most recent closings and the stories behind them. 🍽️ READ THE FULL STORY: Lost but not forgotten: Charlotte-area restaurants, bars closed in 2026 🍖 Kannapolis loses a BBQ spot: Towel City Tavern, the beer, bourbon and barbecue joint, closed in late September after two years. No reason was shared. 🥡 A quick run at Latta Arcade: Meal-prep service Dank Bowl opened June 2 inside Knowledge Perk Coffee uptown and closed in early October , ending a short stint serving health-focused chef-made bowls. 🍳 Fall chain exit: Bob Evans closed its only Charlotte location on Statesville Road near Northlake Mall this fall , following the earlier closure of its Rock Hill restaurant. 🍷 Wine bar shuttered: Foxcroft Food & Wine Bar wrapped up its Birkdale Village location on Oct. 10 after two years, but other locations remain. 🍺 South End says goodbye to Hoppin’: The self-pour taproom on Winnifred Street began winding down operations in October, months after its Rock Hill location closed May 30 following three years in business. 🎃 Late October farewells: Q’s

v1019.com

Fast-Rising Burger Chain Plans to Flip Former Arby’s Location in Mint Hill

A Midwestern burger chain is eyeing Mint Hill for its next restaurant location. According to a Charlotte Observer report, Culver's, the Wisconsin-based ButterBurger chain, is targeting Mint Hill in a move that would repurpose a former Arby's building with a drive-thru. Culver's is eyeing the Mint Hill site at 6200 Wilson Grove Road, near the Lawyers Square Shopping Center, in a service site plan filed with the city.

Mint Hill, NC · 1d

v1019.com

partner publisher · 226.0K followers

Bonefish Grill Closes Birkdale Village Restaurant in Huntersville

Bonefish Grill has permanently closed its Huntersville Birkdale Village location, ending 14 years of operation at the Lake Norman shopping plaza. According to a Charlotte Business Journal report, the restaurant posted a sign on its door reading “Now Closed.” When called, the restaurant answered with a message saying the location was permanently closed.

Charlotte, NC · 3d

WSOC Charlotte

Publix opens Wesley Chapel store, confirms 2 more Charlotte-area locations

Publix Super Markets Inc.’s growing footprint now includes a store in Wesley Chapel.

Wesley Chapel, NC · 1d

corneliustoday.com

Peninsula Social District Hosting First Event

By Dave Vieser — The Peninsula Village Social District will host its first special event Saturday, Nov. 7, when it hosts “Mimosas and Motors” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place in the parking lot between Peninsula Prime and H2 restaurants and feature a display of automobiles from AutoBarn Classic Cars of Charlotte.

Cornelius, NC · 1d

familyvacationsus.com

We Found 9 North Carolina Bakeries Where Sweet Potato Pie Is The Star

One pie shop on this list bakes its sweet potato pie in a crust that won a State Fair blue ribbon. Another bakery only sells its sweet potato pies during the autumn months. I love that kind of stubbornness. It tells me somebody takes this humble orange pie very seriously.

North Carolina · 2d

qcitymetro.com

partner publisher · 226.0K followers

Brü opens first permanent location in Uptown

Husband and wife, Kareem and Engel Warren, have taken Brü from the cart to the counter. The couple opened the coffee business’s first permanent location Nov. 3 at 320 S. Tryon St. in Uptown, a little more than a year after Brü soft-launched at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.

Charlotte, NC · 2d

WSOC Charlotte

Club West Brewing undergoes major overhaul under new owner

Club West Brewing, the South End brewery formerly known as Sycamore Brewing, has changed ownership as it prepares for a major overhaul of its operations.

Charlotte, NC · 22h

Only In Your State

partner publisher · 18.0K followers

3 Small-Town North Carolina Pie Shops Worth Pulling Over For

Fall in western North Carolina is marked by changing leaves, cooler mountain mornings, and a renewed appetite for homemade pie. Apple harvests are underway, and scenic drives through the Blue Ridge Mountains are especially beautiful this time of year. Some of the best pie shops in North Carolina are tucked into smaller communities, away from […]

North Carolina · 20h

secretcharlotte.co

The merriest Christmas pop-up bar is coming to Charlotte this December—and you can join the waitlist now

Ever dreamed of stepping directly into the picturesque Christmas scenes from your favorite holiday films? This December, Foo Bar is getting a complete seasonal takeover to turn those holiday wishes into reality. The Jingle Bar is officially landing in Charlotte for a limited run from December 3rd through December 23rd....