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Charlotte Observer

partner publisher · 118.3K followers
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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 · 4d

fastfoodclub.com

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Hickory Locals Pack The Drive-Thru At This Family-Owned North Carolina Chicken Joint Instead Of Hitting Fast Food

Every weekday around lunchtime, a line of cars snakes around a small building on a busy Hickory highway. The people in those cars could hit any big chain in town, but they keep coming back here instead. Some of them drive half an hour, and at least a few have...

Hickory, NC · 3d
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bestattractions.org

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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 · 3d
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fastfoodclub.com

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What Keeps Salisbury Coming Back To Hendrix Barbecue Is The Chopped Pork Tray

Some Salisbury restaurants come and go, but a few become part of the weekly routine. One spot on the west side of town stays packed enough that people drive by, notice the full lot, and decide they have to try it. The draw is simple: classic North Carolina barbecue, red...

Salisbury, NC · 1d
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Charlotte Observer

partner publisher · 118.3K followers

Vietnamese sandwich and bubble tea restaurant opens in Lake Norman retail center

Co-owners Tracy Quach and Luynh Nguyen have brought the authentic flavors and ingredients of their native Vietnam to Lake Norman with their new bánh mì and bubble tea restaurant, Vietopia . The establishment opened Oct. 1 in the former R&B Tea space in the Winslow Bay Commons (SuperTarget) shopping center at N.C. 150 and Bluefield Road in Mooresville. “When we took over the shop, we wanted to create something special that you could not find around here,” Quach told CharlotteFive at the restaurant Wednesday. Bulgogi Beef ($9.50) is the most popular menu item, Quach said. The bánh mì item includes beef with a secret sauce, pickled Daikon, carrot, cucumber and cilantro. “Very fresh,” Quach said. “Everything homemade.” Other bánh mìs include the Vietnamese Cold Cuts ($9), pork, liver pate and Vietnamese ham; the Mooresville ($9.75), pork, ham and pate; the Vegetarian ($8), tofu and vegan ham; the Shredded Chicken ($9) and the Roasted Pork ($9.50). The Vietnamese baguette with each bánh mì “has a hollow inside, not too dense, a little crispy on the outside, and best when you eat it warm,” Quach said. Fresh spring rolls (pork, shrimp, beef and tofu selections) are $6.50 for two rolls and $9.50

Mooresville, NC · 3d

Charlotte Observer

partner publisher · 118.3K followers

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 · 12d

1053rnb.com

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New Location For Everyone Favorite Soul

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte soul food favorite is taking its family recipes and Southern hospitality beyond the Queen City. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food is expanding with a fifth location planned for Huntersville in the Lake Norman area. The new restaurant is expected to open at 9810 Gilead...

Charlotte, NC · 2d

familyvacationsus.com

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12 North Carolina Restaurants That Know How To Make Biscuits And Gravy Right

One Asheville spot serves cathead biscuits, a name that comes from biscuits roughly as big as a cat’s head. That alone made me sit up a little straighter. Then I learned the same place lets you pick a gravy the way other cafes let you pick a muffin. Another kitchen in Charlotte never closes, so sausage gravy is on the table at 3 AM if you want it.

North Carolina · 3d

WRAL

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Denver woman's pet bird becomes social media sensation

A Denver woman's pet bird has become a social media sensation.

Denver, NC · 19h

iredellfreenews.com

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Iredell Museums to present free living history program on November 21

Iredell Museums invites the community to attend a living history event on Saturday, November 21. Attendees can learn about colonial trades, including leather works and tin punch. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., living history volunteers will be showing and displaying how leather was sown into pouches, bags and wallets. You can make your own tin punch ornament to take home and use for the holidays. See how you can make a tin punch lantern.

Statesville, NC · 3d

Salisbury Post

partner publisher · 8.3K followers

Lula Spaulding Kelsey honored on Salisbury history, art trail

SALISBURY — The Kelsey legacy is now written in stone specifically honoring Lula Spaulding Kelsey’s history and impact. For the first time in a few years, the Salisbury Public Arts […]

Salisbury, NC · 1d

focusnewspaper.com

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Tickets For Annual Hickory Cookie Crawl On Sale Nov. 23

Hickory – Join us for the 7th Annual Downtown Hickory Cookie Crawl on Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 2 to 5pm in Downtown Hickory, NC. Tickets go on sale Monday November 23 at 9am (two weeks before the event) and are $20 per person. The event is limited to 60 participants — this event sells out quickly every year!

Hickory, NC · 3d

hoodline.com

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WCCB Charlotte Recounts Palm Berries' Truck-to-Franchise Path

1111 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 150 — Charlotte Palm Berries Franchise Location. A 6-by-6-foot food truck is a modest place to start a franchise, which is the story Palm Berries is telling Charlotte. The family-run açaí business began in Denver, North Carolina, in 2019 and now has locations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Denver, NC · 2d

corneliustoday.com

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New Walking Art Tour Comes to OTC

A new community art experience in Old Town Cornelius launches Saturday, connecting residents and visitors with themed art installations throughout downtown. Beginning Nov. 14, Old Town Cornelius Inc. will present a series of outdoor paintings called the OTC Art Trail. The concept was developed by the OTC Beautification Committee consisting of Cornelius residents Mary Bottini, Andy Rogers and Andre Lima.

Cornelius, NC · 2d

newsofdavidson.org

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Main Street Books Invites the Community to a Jane Austen Christmas Tea

Main Street Books invites the community to a delightful Jane Austen Christmas Tea on Sunday, December 13 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Hunter House & Gardens located at 13811 South Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC. Regency-era attire is encouraged, but not required. Tickets are $110 and include. Admission for...

Huntersville, NC · 3d

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 · 3d

foxync.com

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New Location For Everyone Favorite Soul

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte soul food favorite is taking its family recipes and Southern hospitality beyond the Queen City. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food is expanding with a fifth location planned for Huntersville in the Lake Norman area. The new restaurant is expected to open at 9810 Gilead...

Charlotte, NC · 2d

WBTV

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New airline coming to Charlotte airport in 2027: What to know

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Another airline will begin service at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2027. The airport announced on Thursday, Nov. 12, that Alaska Airlines will launch a daily route on June 10, 2027. That route will fly nonstop from Charlotte to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. When the first...

Charlotte, NC · 2d

fastfoodclub.com

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At This Rock Hill Seafood Buffet, South Carolina Diners Come Hungry For Sushi, Crab Legs, And Hibachi

Some meals call for a menu, and some call for a plate and a plan. Just off Dave Lyle Boulevard in Rock Hill, Ginza Buffet lets you fill up on sushi, crab legs, and made-to-order hibachi without picking just one. With more than 3,000 Google reviews, it has become a...

Rock Hill, SC · 6d