Living in Historic Wilmore & South End

        

Food at Phat Burrito is simple - order at the window, pick up when your name is called, load up at the salsa bar, and dig in to your burrito (it really is Phat at 3" x 7" and packed with rice, beans, and meat), soft taco, guacamole & chips, quesadillas, and perhaps a few cervesas.  Great outdoor patio for warm days, basic "get it done" dining inside, and great food make this a neighborhood staple. 

1537 Camden Road at the intersection of Park Avenue

   
Common Market is a neighborhood hangout for residents of Wilmore and South End.  The store itself is a little bit of everything - urban market with beverages, light groceries, and extensive wine and beer selection, a deli with fantastic made-to-order sandwiches - hummus - vegetarian - soups - and more.  The back patio is generally packed during warm weather and on most weekend nights you'll find a DJ spinning tunes.  Best part about this place - buy your beer or wine at store prices then drink it on-site inside or on the patio.  We've been there for a couple hours with friends and ended up with a "bar" tab of $10.00.  It helps to have $1.69 PBR tallboys!    1515 S. Tryon Street

Located at the corner of Carson Street and South Tryon, the Midnight Diner is an original 1950's diner moved to Charlotte from Kings Mountain in 2010 - giving uptown and SouthEnd the first 24-hour, 7 days a week, dining option in years! Expect typical soda shop fare with breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and fries - plus a few surprises.
 
The Midnight Diner today....                                                                                                                             and being moved to Charlotte in 2010

   
Nikko is known across the city as one of the premier sushi bars for great food -- but hand's down wins for atmosphere and entertainment.  Voted Charlotte's best numerous times in plenty of publications as well as the best place to see in-town or local celebs.  It's also easy to find -- in the base of "The Pink Building" The Arlington at 1300 South Boulevard.  JoAnn the owner is also the evening entertainment -- you'll see her in a signature cowboy hat moving table to table dancing to throbbing dance music at night this is definitely high-energy dining.

Yes, it's bad for you, but splurge everyone once in a while for food that has been written up nationally for years as some of the best friend chicken in the country (and not by little no-name publications, Gourmet Magazine and Turner Classics).  All cash, no frills, no inside dining -- all take away.  If you want authentic southern fried chicken this is it.  Located at 1614 Camden Road between West Boulevard and Park Avenue -- if you can't find it just look for the line of people meandering down the block on most days starting at 10 or 11.  Don't take my word for it - just google this place...

   
Greek Isles is as authentic as it gets - owners born in Greece and a menu set up by a chef from a high-end resort in Crete speak to the emphasis the restaurant has on true Greek cuisine.  They describe themselves like this: "The menu consists of traditional Greek recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Virtually everything on the menu is prepared in-house; from the bread to the mouthwatering desserts, or the fresh herbs grown in the front patio, including oregano, basil, rosemary and mint, provide the distinctive scent of the Greek mountains and the delectable tastes and presentation of the dishes."

My favorites are everything, but I guess I'll emphasize the flaming cheese appetiser Saganaki, domades (stuffed grape leaves), Octopodi - grilled marinaded octopus (oh-my-god OK personal favorite), Gyro, salted Cod, or various traditional ways of preparing Tuna...it's all good.  200 E. Bland Street adjacent to the Bland Street light-rail station - between South Blvd and S. Tryon Street.

The Liberty was a great new addition to the neighborhood in early 2010.  Tom Condron and Matthew Pera of the Harper's Group ventured out and opened their own fantastic spot on South Boulevard.  Great local foods, a huge beer selection, and an outdoor patio make for a great neighborhood hang-out.  Everything we've had there was great!  www.thelibertycharlotte.com

     

Charlotte itself has welcomed plenty of transplants from upstate New York and Buffalo New York, but I'm not sure if there is as high a concentration anywhere as there is in South End and Wilmore.  Take a cruise through the neighborhood and you'll find Sabres and Bills flags on many porches depending on season.  The concentration is high enough that a sports bar and restaurant just for them, their friends and neighbors, and anyone else is located at 1411 S. Tryon Street at the corner of Bland Street.  Expect great food, ample serving sizes, GREAT wings and salads, and beer and drink specials every night.  Sports are on all the time - but be ready for a loud and rowdy crowd if a Buffalo team is on!

       
Pewter Rose has long been an old Charlotte Standard -- located in a 110-year-old mill converted to shops and cafes, it has great style with soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and most importantly GREAT food.  The menu offers "international American cuisine" featuring local produce and "earth-friendly" choices. Among the Pewter Rose brunch classics are poached eggs on black beans and a grilled tortilla; quiche; eggs and grits or hash browns; shrimp and grits; mashed potato omelette; crabcake benedict; and bananas Foster French toast. Best part of brunch, the butterscotch scones!
The Pewter Rose, 1820 South Blvd, 704-332-8149

    
There are so many locally owned great restaurants in the South End district, and few chains, but Sullivan's is still a great choice for high-end dining with ample portions.  The bar typically has live jazz and great happy hour appetiser and drink specials.  Uptown has quite a few options for this type of fare, but Sullivan's sits alone in South End for this type of food.  1928 South Boulevard

   
Pike's is known for it's nostalgic soda shop menu, true hand-mixed fountain drinks / ice cream floats / desserts, and Sunday brunch.  They have a great outdoor patio - the interior is decoated with vintage soda shop and drug store memorabilia.  Menu items include burger platters, blt's, and typical diner fare.  Located at 1930 Camden Road adjacent to the light-rail and trolley stop at East / West.

 
Nothing like a great modest beach bar seafood restaurant.  Heavy wooden tables, cheap beer, all-u-can-eat crab legs, raw & steamed oysters, steamed shrimp, foos-ball, and sports on the TV.  You'll find bikers and bankers mingling in the tight quarters (don't expect a lot of room to move around -- but expect great simple food).  1714 South Boulevard.  www.VinniesRawBar.com

South End has numerous chain restaurants, so instead of blurbs about each just click on the photo below for their website and location.