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Magazine Names Best Diners In North Carolina And South Carolina

Author Phil Harris
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

One of the biggest restaurant news items in Charlotte this year was the long-awaited re-opening of Mattie’s Diner. After being displaced from its home at the Music Factory six years ago, Mattie’s is back in business at 3100 The Plaza. The original classic chrome structure has been attached to an old tire shop to offer more seating.

Another Charlotte favorite, Midnight Diner, is set to move from its South End site due to a new redevelopment project. WCNC-TV reports the diner appears to be headed to an uptown location near Spectrum Center. I’m just glad it’s staying in business because Midnight Diner make the best grits I’ve ever had.

I love a good diner. In fact, I’ll take a greasy spoon over a white table cloth restaurant any day of the week. But where are the best diners in the Carolinas? According to Food & Wine, they’re a few hours outside of Charlotte.

The magazine has put out a list of the best diners in every state. In North Carolina, they like the old-school 5 Points Restaurant (258 Broadway Street) in Asheville. It has been around since 1974 and still sort of looks like it. Not what you’d expect in uber-hip Asheville. Then again, it’s being run by a couple of New Yorkers with New York diner experience. Food & Wine recommends their biscuits and the moussaka.

The next time you’re in Charleston, you may want to stop in for lunch or dinner at Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen (16 Blake Street), Food & Wine’s pick for best diner in South Carolina. Since it’s on the coast, seafood gets the nod at this down-home Lowcountry spot. The magazine suggests the pan-fried blue crab over rice, a.k.a. crab rice, and the sautéed shrimp plate.

These are the kinds of places I seek out when I travel. Family-owned diners serve up local flavor, literally and figuratively, that you won’t find in the chain restaurants. You can see Food & Wine’s full list of the best diners in every state HERE.

 

Every North Carolina Restaurant on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

  • 300 East (Charlotte, NC)

    300 East, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a historic favorite that has been serving up great meals since 1986. The restaurant is located in an old, historic house in Dilworth serving up some of your favorite options for both dinner and dessert. The menu includes top sellers such as sweet potato ravioli, salmon burgers, and crab cakes. The desserts aren’t so bad either with options like Duke’s Mayo caramel cake and homemade ice cream and sherbert.

  • Bang Bang Burger (Charlotte, NC)

    Bang Bang Burgers in Charlotte, North Carolina is another local favorite that has been open for years. This burger spot is serving up some of the juiciest, tastiest, and wildest burgers you have ever seen. Anything you can think of putting on a burger, they probably have done. Order anything from a mushroom and Swiss burger to the popular hangover burger that has cheese, potato bacon hash, and an egg on it. They also have other menu options like sandwiches, cheese burger egg rolls, and even homemade BBQ chips and ranch. No wonder Guy had a great time at this spot!

  • Black Pelican Seafood Company (Kitty Hawk, NC)

    Black Pelican is your opportunity to enjoy great oceanfront dining in the Kitty Hawk area of the Outer Banks. Maybe you’re a resident or maybe you’re visiting, this seafood spot is one of the local’s favorites. Enjoy some of your favorite seafood dishes such as bacon-wrapped scallops and housemade crab cakes. Or check out their wood-fired grilled pizza options like BBQ chicken pizza and greek pizza. Name another seafood spot where you can also eat award-winning pizza. I’ll wait…

  • Cabo Fish Taco (Charlotte, NC)

    Cabo Fish Taco has multiple locations and each location is pretty popular. You can get your favorite go-to Latin dishes like queso dip, shrimp and crab dip, and a wide range of taco options. Some of their specialty tacos include soy ginger shrimp tacos, calamari Fritos tacos, and even their BBQ Mahi tacos. The options are clearly endless when it comes to finding a tasty, unique taco to give a try.

  • Cast Iron Kitchen (Wilmington, NC)

    Head over to Wilmington, North Carolina to try out this local favorite. Cast Iron Kitchen is a southern deli and restaurant serving up local favorites for years. The menu is filled with old family recipes that the owner grew up enjoying and made from fresh, local ingredients in the area. The idea of the restaurant is to bring the farm to the table with true Southern hospitality in the air. The menu is composed of some Southern classics like shrimp and grits, corned beef hash, baby back ribs, and baked pimento cheese. So many options!

  • Ceviche's (Wilmington, NC)

    Taking a trip back to Wilmington, North Carolina is Ceviche’s and the restaurant is inspired by the owner’s time in Panama. The restaurant is bringing the tropical Carribean feels to North Carolina. The menu offers a range of options such as multiple salsa options, coconut shrimp, Caribbean fried oysters, empanadas, blackened tuna, and multiple ceviches on the menu.

  • Coastal Cravings (Duck, NC)

    Coastal Cravings is a steak and seafood spot in the Outer Banks area. The restaurant has been open for a few years and serves some of the best seafood and steak options in the area. You can order up their famous hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes, surf & turf, crab alfredo, and more!

  • Dish (Charlotte, NC)

    Dish, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an old town favorite. The menu has options from both their main menu and a late-night menu. Enjoy deviled eggs, smoked candied bacon, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, tuna salad, a grit bowl, and an endless option of cocktails. In case you have a long night, you can drop in for their late-night menu and enjoy pimento cheese, fries, fried chicken biscuits, meatloaf, and more.

  • Heist Brewery (Charlotte, NC)

    Heist Brewery is a go-to brewery in the Charlotte area. As many know, there are tons and tons of breweries to enjoy here so for Guy to check this one out says something. The restaurant opened its doors in 2012 and is serving up way more than just beer. You can enjoy a Neapolitan pizza, small plates, sandwiches, and salads. The menu has great options such as spinach dip, wood-fired wings, a gyro sandwich, or a cannoli dessert. You can not only enjoy a great drink, but you can enjoy a great meal and atmosphere along with it.

  • Intermezzo Pizzeria (Charlotte, NC)

    Intermezzo Pizzeria is home to some of the best pizza slices in the Charlotte area. Enjoy fresh pizza with handmade dough, housemade mozzarella, and traditional recipes. The pizzeria serves up a lot more than just pizza, there are appetizers, cocktails, pasta, and salads. Enjoy a pesto chicken pizza, Mexican pizza, and even a spinach supreme pizza. There are tons of options and you can probably visit a few times before you get tired of something.

  • JJs Red Hots (Ballantyne, NC)

    JJs Red Hots has a few locations in the Charlotte area, but Guy took a trip down to Ballantyne. They say they aren’t just any restaurant, they are a hot dog joint serving up some of the best dogs you can think of. If you are a hot dog fan, then this might be the perfect place for you. Build your own hot dog of your dreams or order classics from the menu. Get a Chicago-style hot dog, chili cheese coney, loaded chili cheese fries and tots, and even smoked or fried wings.

  • Landmark Restaurant Diner (Charlotte, NC)

    Landmark Diner has been serving up great food in Charlotte for over 30 years. The restaurant is giving Charlotte some NY-inspired entries. Enjoy any and every flavor from American and Italian to Greek and even dessert specialties. Grab a Greek platter, burger, roast, seafood, and more!

    Posted by Landmark Diner on Wednesday, April 1, 2020

  • Mert's Heart & Soul (Charlotte, NC)

    If you’re looking for some good soul food, then we have the spot for you. Guy took a trip to Mert’s Heart & Soul and got to see what over two decades love and Soul have been doing in Charlotte. This spot is famous for its southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits, collard greens, and soul roll. The comfort that comes along with soul food can all be found in the walls of this Charlotte favorite.

  • Outer Banks Brewing Station (Kill Devil Hills, NC)

    Thinking about going on vacation in the Outer Banks soon? Check out this brewery while you’re in town. Outer Banks Brewing Station in the Kill Devil Hills area is your spot to enjoy a great drink and good food. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and special events all in one spot. Enjoy great bites like buffalo-style wings, fried jalapeno cheese curds, a Cuban sandwich, fish and chips, fried shrimp, tacos, and more!!

  • Papi Queso Food Truck (Charlotte, NC)

    Papi Queso is a food truck and has a location in Optimist Hall if you are looking at where to give it a taste. This spot is taking grilled cheeses to an entirely new level. They use pain de mei bread which is just one extra special element to the way they do things. Don’t get your ordinary grilled cheese, you can try out a spaghetti melt, pig mac, buffalo chicken, and texas cheesesteak grilled cheese as just a few of your options. I know, grilled cheese at a whole new level.

  • Pinkys Westside Grill (Charlotte, NC)

    We all know and love Pinky’s Westside Grill. So much so that they opened a bigger location in Huntersville, NC that you can also give it a try. If you have ever been to Pinky’s then you know the line is always long and busy and they have so many options to eat, drink, and enjoy for the entire family. From the buffalo chicken wrap and the corn dog shrimp to the skrimpz, fish tacos, and white trash burger. You can probably order something different from Pinky’s every week and still have plenty to go on the menu.

  • Pit Road Bar & Grill (Charlotte, NC)

    If you have ever looked up this spot, then you may have been just as confused as me at first. Pit Road Bar & Grill is located inside Victory Lane Karting. So, not only can you enjoy great food but you can ride go-karts too! Best of both worlds it sounds like. The bar opened in 2013 and has been serving up great food ever since. Enjoy the handhelds that Guy got to try like the Concord and the Hot Lap. Both are out this world sandwiches with some wild toppings. You can also give other items a try like chicken and bacon egg rolls, onion rings, tempura cauliflower, adult grilled cheese, and more. Who wants to go on a race?

  • South 21 Drive-In (Charlotte, NC)

    South 21 Drive-In is one of those places that when you move to Charlotte a lot of people will probably talk to you about. This drive-in has been open since 1955 and has been serving up great food ever since. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays but seem to be just fine bringing in a crowd every other day of the week. One of the most famous menu items is their homemade onion rings which are to DIE for! Of course, you can also grab yourself a burger, sandwich, chicken plate, hot dog, and more.

  • Sweet n Savory Cafe (Wilmington, NC)

    We’re back in Wilmington, so check out Sweet n Savory Cafe while you’re in town. Grab a bite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner or maybe you want to give it all a taste in one weekend. They are open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, so you have plenty of time to enjoy it all. Grab some wings, fish or shrimp tacos, soups, turkey, ultimate grilled cheese, and more while you’re there.

  • The Copper Penny (Wilmington, NC)

    The Copper Penny in Wilmington is one of those places that are hidden but also very well known at the same time. Located in the Downtown area, the restaurant offers a great mix of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. It’s some of the best affordable food and drinks you can find in the area. Guy got a chance to try two of their favorites, the hot roast pork sandwich and the 109 chestnut chicken.

  • The Improper Pig (Charlotte, NC)

    The Improper Pig may have a unique name but they are serving up some great flavors. Opening in 2014, the owners came together to give Charlotte endless bounds of BBQ and flavor. Enjoy some house favorites like the sliced brisket sandwich, pork rolls, chow bao sliders, southern hush puppies, and more. Sounds pretty good to me!

  • The Tin Kitchen Food Truck (Charlotte, NC)

    Clearly, Charlotte has some great spots that have been featured on the show. Next up is The Tin Kitchen Food Truck. This award-winning food truck is serving up flavors far greater than the size of the truck. Opening in 2010, they are one of the original food trucks in the area. Grab yourself tacos, sliders, quesadillas, or vegan nachos and I’m sure you won’t regret it.

  • Tortugas Lie (Nags Head, NC)

    Of course, he had another trip to the Outer Banks when he stopped at Tortugas Lie in Nags Head. This Caribbean spot makes dining in a beach town even more of a reminder that you’re on a relaxing vacation. Enjoy mouth-watering appetizers, dinner, and desserts and you won’t want to leave. Their dinner menu is composed of favorites such as the fish sandwich, black bean burger, hummus wrap, white garlic pizza, island fries, and more.

  • Weeping Radish Farm (Grandy, NC)

    Here’s to North Carolina’s FIRST microbrewery. Wedding Radish Farm has been open since 1986 as one of the first to serve up great brew options to locals. Its ingredients are straight from their backyard giving guests a taste of local favorites. Grab a great drink or snack on some favorites like fried pickles, potato pancakes, salads, baked salmon, burgers, and more!

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

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