My husband and I stopped by for dinner and shared: - Burger Sliders - Bulgogi and Tuna Poke Tostadas - Cheesy Mac and Cheese - Bulgogi Bowl My favorite items were the sliders and the bulgogi bowl. I personally thought the mac and cheese lacked flavor so I wouldn't go for that again. They have a nice outdoor patio that we enjoyed too. I'd love to come back for drinks next time! read more

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I've been to Grinning Mule twice and both times I had great service and the food was fantastic. My last visit my wife and I only ordered appetizers or small plates (burrata with roasted tomatoes and Brussel sprouts to name a few). The Tuna Poke Tostadas are a must! The restaurant is easy to find but its not a place you would see just passing by. Definitely worth the visit. read more

Great vibe, excellent service, and food is always great. I love the rotating menu! I also enjoy the fact that the cocktail menu changes as well. read more

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Wow....this was a great experience! We came early on a Fri night and were fortunate to get a seat after a short wait. We could tell upon entering this was a popular place. The drink menu point towards a variety of "Mules" (go figure) and other mixed drinks. I'm more of a beer guy and they had a decent list of options. My bride ordered the Bulgogi Bowl ($15) and it was fantastic (it was spicy....so take note). I went with the Tuna Poke Tacos ($9) and Bulgogi Tacos ($9) and they were both outstanding! We loved the flavors of our selections. Service was super friendly and prompt. We can't wait to return! read more

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This place is such a gem. I went on a Thursday evening, be sure to have a ressie - they got packed! I loved the hipster/artsy atmosphere, our waitress was so laidback but also knowledgable. We ordered two rounds of food and one of the best lava cakes I've ever had. My faves were the charred ceasar salad and the miso salmon (added to the menu that week!). Our cocktails were so cute. I can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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This spot is a hidden gem, but should not be hidden. First of all, proceeds benefit multiple nonprofits. So take all my money. Second of all, the food and drinks are delicious. Third of all, (and not the least of which) the owners are super sweet. Highly recommend the tequila mule. The Paloma is also great. For food, the potatoes are YUM! And the chicken dip screams EAT ME with the toasted bread crisps... And the s'mores lava cake. Get your own, do not share it and thank me later. For those that like vegetables, the salad and the small plate of Brussels are also good!! read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - S'mores lava cake - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Not gonna lie a friend and I came here after a night of....let's call it fun, and I was pretty...."tired" LOL. But my goodness our server Matt/Matthew was so fantastic, he had enough energy for all of us and he made our brunch perfect! Grinning Mule is super cute inside and wasn't too busy so we sat indoors. I ordered the "MULE FUEL" GRITS BOWL and added oxtail. It was pretty good and flavorful. I think I would've enjoyed it more if I had more energy so I absolutely have to go back and try some more items! Good times though. read more

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First thing first...horrible parking lot. Walk, drive small, or bike...or get there when the best spots at the end or on side, are open. The space is very cute, nice mix of music, nice sized outdoor area (I didn't get a pic). A mix of booths, standard tables and hi tops. The bar is part of the dining area and you can see through a window to the kitchen area. We were eating here before a show at Bojangles Coliseum, so, because of that, we didn't try a bunch of stuff. We do plan to visit again to get into all of those tapas! My guest ordered the sliders and said that they were well seasoned, perfectly cooked, and she'd definitely get them again. I ordered the house salad with the Greek goddess dressing. The steak was well cooked and seasoned well. The dressing was very good, I'm not sure if they typically serve the dressing on the salad, I ordered on the side. The vegetables in the salad were fresh-carrots, cucumbers and sweet grape tomatoes. I wanted to add red onion; however, they don't have it...next time I'll just ask for regular onion. The salad mix was a mess. In their defense, I didn't ask them to fix it for me. I did; however, ask for a plate so that I could discard the slimy pieces, which was brought to me. Not sure I'd order Salad again based on this experience, wonder if I can just get the cut up veggies and steak? Hmm We finished with the Keep Poundin Cake. Oh mah goodness, Oh mah goodness! Comes out warm with cinnamon and brown sugar butter on top, served with ice cream. Perfect crust on that pound cake IYKYK. Moist cake, not too sweet, really good pound cake. This dessert is delicious. Just get it! I'm having hot flashes at this point in my life, and I had to break out my fan a couple of times. A gentleman offered to open the window for me, which was so nice. The overall customer service was really great. It's hidden, but once you find it, EAT THE CAKE! (And the sliders, steak and cut veggies) Can't wait to try the oxtail and bulgogi fried rices. read more

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Very cool nonprofit restaurant, with all proceeds going back to community outreach. Restaurant was small-ish and very clean, nice outdoor seating area. Menu had enough options, although not incredible variety for vegetarians. I really enjoyed the grilled Caesar salad and was surprised by its presentation (full lettuce chunk). Dish portions were a bit small, may be better to order a few for sharing. Cocktails were very average. read more

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I feel this place is extremely slept on . Although they are getting more word of mouth these days . The food and drinks here are great . The location is pretty easy to find via navigation . They have a gravel parking lot and an outside back patio which is pretty cool . The women's bathroom has a sign before entering saying the powder room, you know it's the small things for me . The food here is tapas style. So I'm not going to lie every time I come I get the same freaking thing ,which are the to die for Bulgogi tacos . They are packed with extreme flavor . Can't seem to ever get passed placing multiple orders of just those . My friends always love the food they order here as well when we come. They have a fairly new drink here called The Netflix n chill if you like hot n spicy you would like this little number . This last time I tried some brownie dessert that was pretty simply amazing . Give The Grinning Mule a try if you're up to trying something new. read more

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Stopped by on a Friday night around 6:30pm for a surprised birthday party.. First time here and honestly this area alone was completely new to me. They change that area. And didn't even know when this place open. But glad they did. They have 6 tables inside. Maybe? Trying to enforce social distancing. But Here we come, with our group of 10 ladies. Believe me when I say they were beyond overwhelmed with us. Months of quarantined. Finally get to see other. We were overly chatting and bouncing off the wall. Going around to say hi to one another. It was hard to contain us to our corner. They tried their best and we "try" our best to tone it down. Food: 5/5 I ordered some kind of red grapes with bbq flat bread. Which I like. Different but refreshing Mini, pop in your mouth crab cakes. Slight crunch on the outside but soft in the inside. I didn't even try the sauce. Good by itself The beef tacos were a hit for me. I couldn't bring myself to share those with others. Hey I'm greedy. Soo many others dishes that we ordered but it didn't make it to me. But I'm glad the first time hanging with the girls after months of quarantined is at Grinning Mule.. Great food. Excellent customer services and nice atmosphere. Only set back is the parking lot can be a pain. read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - Crab cakes - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Very cute inside with chandeliers and red booths as well as tables and have an outdoor seating area. They have quite a few tapas options which is how we chose to order however they do have entrees if you don't want to share. We tried the Nashville hot chicken dip which was my favorite of the night- seemed like pimento and cream cheese warm dip with spicy chicken on top. The black truffle burrata was delicious and a unique twist with roasted garlic and tomatoes on the side to build your bite. Very tasty! We also had the Brussels sprouts that had a sweet balsamic sauce we all enjoyed and the ahi tuna tacos were fresh and served in a wonton shell. Drink wise they have multiple mule options to choose from and they use a ginger kombucha as the base which made for an absolutely delicious mule! We tried the spicy Paloma and the berry one and both were great. To top it all off friendly service. We will be back read more

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What a pleasant surprise! Heard of this forever - first visit lived up to the hype. Drinks, food, and service were spectacular. Cute interior. Really enjoyed the mules, sangria, charcuterie, Brussels, spicy tuna bites, and everything about the evening. Just really impressive flavors and menu items I haven't seen anywhere else in Charlotte. Can't wait to go back. read more

Grinning Mule opened Tuesday, 6/2/2020. I visited on their first Saturday night. Business was good with tables spaced out both indoors and outdoors. The restaurant popped up on my IG feed so we gave it a try, after confirming they were open before heading out. Everyone was friendly and greeted us at every opportunity. We sat in the beautiful yard. Each table was covered by an umbrella. There was great music coming from the speaker that set a comfortable yet festive mood. The yard/outdoor seating area was beautiful and the temperature was cooler out there. For our cocktails, I had The Grinning Mule (Titos, honey blueberry syrup, lime, ginger ale, and kombucha). It was tasty as I began to taste the syrup and kombucha but then the ice watered it down quite a bit. I suggested The Hibbidy Dibbidy (Titos, hibiscus syrup, lime, and soda) for my friend who is not much of a drinker. It's a beautiful drink and she enjoyed it. Our food: - Chicken Won Ton Tacos - 5/5 - Crab Cakes - 4/5 (more like crab balls) - Lettuce Wraps - 5/5 - Sausage and cheese small plate - 5/5 My favorite was definitely the Chicken Won Ton Tacos! Yummy! read more

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An overall really cool spot that I would definitely return to for drinks and light snacks! I came here with my husband on a Wednesday night and we were seated right away. While my visit wasn't a home run, I still had a great time and liked the vibe. My first drink, the Grinning Mule, was insanely delicious and it will be the first thing I order when I go back. I loved the spring salad and the garlic bread. Service was a little spotty, but I understand restaurants are short-staffed these days. Still, it felt like a lot of employees stopped by our table to check in on us all at once - and the it was a bit more challenging to flag someone down when we did need them. Food-wise I thought it was a fun mix! My husband and I did a variety of tapas in lieu of a main, and they were pretty good - it was just a pretty wild mix of flavors that next time I'll be more careful to curate my choices. All this to say I think this is an amazing spot for evening drinks and a shared snack or two. I love that it's tucked away and look forward to returning! read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - Papas bravas. - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Ugh ! I was so excited to check this place out .. Advertised as Charlottes first Honky Tonk- the outside of the building says Honky Tonk! Meaning country - The aesthetic when you come in is predominantly country minus the record covers on the back wall. While waiting for the live music country music was played . Once the live music started it was a mixture of classic 70's ,80's and little country. So much hootie and the blowfish ! The fill in guy @Ace.Presley was amazing ! Overall if your wanting live country music he sure to look who's playing and look them up ! The owner was very kind and engaging but for this country music fan the advertising of this place needs some work . read more

Cabbage cores. Other bad things. Overpriced. Indifferent wait staff. Cold, spare, finishes applied to a converted gas station. Plenty of cool restaurants adapted from gas stations. This is not one of them. Felt used when paying the bill. read more

This place is truly a hidden gem!!! It's tucked away off Commonwealth and has a welcoming, eclectic vibe, and all of the staff are very friendly and attentive! Every single thing we ate and drank was better than good. We started with some of their specialty cocktails (I've never seen so many different types of Moscow Mules on one menu, and our waiter told us they have those on tap!), and they were SO good. Just about everything on the menu sounded great to our group of four, so we just split a bunch of things - and we were so glad we did. The papas bravas (potatoes) were flavorful and crispy, the kielbasa/pretzel platter was a very solid choice, the garlic bread was killer, the Brussels sprouts were sweet and perfectly roasted, the ribeye lettuce wraps were surprisingly luxurious, and the French onion Mac 'n cheese honestly may have been the best Mac 'n cheese I've ever had. And the dessert... holy moly. We got one of each of their two options - the s'more's lava cake y'all - DANG. It was chocolatey and rich and sat on top of yummy sticky caramel sauce and had big roasted marshmallows on top. And then the (read this carefully) cinnamon bun apple pie bread pudding... like WHAT?? With a huge mound of chai whipped cream on top. I mean... perfection. Needless to say, we will be back. Maybe next weekend. Maybe even tomorrow. read more

A cute little restaurant! I can't speak to much of the food, BUT I can speak to the chili. My gosh. The server recommended it (if you like spicy... which I do), and it was one of the best cups of chili I've ever had. My only complaint is that the portion is very small for the cup of chili, and the only "bowl-size" they have is served mixed with cornbread. I'm sure that would have been delicious, but the chili by itself is tooooo good. Highly recommend. read more

We used to visit the Grinning Mule before they closed down for renovations. Now two weeks open since the changes we were eager to get back. It's a little different vibe with all the country but I love country music and was really enjoying it. They completely changed the outside and made it more usable and now have games and heaters for the colder nights. We sat outside when it was 55 and didn't have a problem. They also updated the menu which I really enjoy. There's more meal options instead of shareable plates which is good. They have great house-made pickles and chips. My favorite mule is their bourbon mule- it's a must! Glad to also still see the familiar faces that were there before. The servers are always friendly. Definitely check it out! It's a great hidden gem tucked off the main strip! read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - New Outside Patio with games - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place has got it going on! Always the freshest food and love how they constantly change the menu. It's one of charlottes best hidden gems. The owner is always really nice and they have the best food. We always get like 10 things and share them since they're on the smaller size. If you're on the fence give it a try you won't be disappointed. read more

The ambiance and live music was great! The drinks were not worth ordering a second round. The nachos were good but the burgers were much to be desired. Won't be coming back. None of the photos on Yelp are offered anymore as menu items which is why we went in the first place read more

I've been wanting to go to this restaurant for a while and I finally got the chance to go. They do not take reservations, it's only first come first serve basis. I love the menu at this place the only downfall is that their small plates are VERY small plates. The won ton tacos only come with 2 and they are about 3 inches wide. We got the tuna poke won ton tacos, which I saw on Yelp but were pretty plain and I want impressed. The BILgogi wonton tacos however were the best on the menu and I typically don't even like steak. Highly recommend these! They also had a won ton soup which was delicious! We also got the burger sliders and chicken lettuce wraps which were all good choices. I recommend all these! read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - Bulgogi tacos - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Worst experience and customer service. Live in the neighborhood and was excited to try the new venture. Was sat by the hostess only to be kicked out 5 minutes later because a bigger party had come in. Absolute insanity. Tried to continue sitting at our table but the sever insisted that the other people needed to be sat so we were forced to leave. Don't recommend and will never be going back. read more

This is slowing turning into our go-to and favorite spot on the east side! All the food is so good and the drinks...... amazing! If your looking for good eats and great drinks, please check out this hidden gem!! read more

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What a hidden gem. We've lived nearby for over a year and just now heard about this place and made our way over there for Prime Rib Wednesday. We split the spicy curds deluxe, the pork tostadas, and the prime rib for dinner so we could try several things. And everything was great! The spicy curds aren't spicy at all FYI, but they're addictively good with the fire-roasted red pepper jam all the same. The tostadas disappeared so quickly that I didn't get a picture, and the prime rib was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Enjoyed a bumbu tiki drink and a cinnamon bun bread pudding for dessert. Service was on point and the place had a fun vibe with doo-wop and oldies playing from the speakers that night. Will definitely be back to try the Tuesday night chicken special and some of the other items on the menu. read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - King Cut Prime Rib and Spicy Curds Deluxe - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I've visited now 4 different times. Below average and pricey place to eat. Food is expensive for what you get. Shrimp and grits is a ridiculously small portion for the price (5 shrimp, a few tiny pieces of sausage and 3 tablespoons of grits). Fried pickles were enough to feed a Tibetian midget. The queso and cowboy salsa would have starved any normal sized cowboy coming in off the range. I left there hungry with a lot less dollars in my pocket. I stopped at McDonald's on the way home. This cowboy was still hungry. Overall, menu options are limited. The ambience and aesthetic are appealing. The over under on the place shutting down is 9 months. read more

I was blown away by all of the above. Items tried & Shared on a 1st date: Roasted Brussel Sprouts w/ parmesan-Tender and crisp and seasoned to perfection. Truffled Burrata w/burst tomatoes, garlic, balsamic reduction-Attention to details and perfect amount. Loved the delicate and clearly homemade balsamic reduction. Shrimp Pesto Skewers w/ yellow rice and seasoned kale. The shrimp are you kidding me!? Wow! I haven't been blown away in a long time. And was that anise in the rice??? What was that? Mocktail in a coup for me-fresh, clean, floral, could be spicy Salted Rim Margarita for my date Kate our server was sweet, welcoming, unobtrusive and aware it was our first date. We liked her punkey brewster pigtails, jean shorts, the vibe of the place, the chandeliers, and the delivery of the plates. This was both of our first times at the Grinning Mule. I was referred to the grinning mule by a pickup from an Uber. I drive in my spare time and had a first date coming up she and I clicked like therapy sessions sometimes do and she instantly told me that I had to come here but to keep it a secret as it's a gem. Whoops! Sorry!!! Tucked away behind an abandoned? Citgo, adjacent to a CrossFit is where I was able to find an available parking spot for my 8:15pm date. Keep in mind Yelp's hours are incorrect on Saturday. The kitchen does last call at 9:00 for food and dessert. The bar closes at 9:30. We sat comfortably sharing tapas in a retro red vinyl diner meets soda shop booth. This is a container style restaurant. Very fun.We or I, will be back for sure . read more

Brought a large group of out of town friends here to celebrate my girlfriends birthday. They were SO accommodating! They let me arrive early to drop off a cake and balloons and even gave me a hand with decorating our table. Once our party arrived, they quickly got us seated and got our orders. We had a couple people with food allergies and the server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in making sure they were taken care of, and avoided anything that could have been problematic for them. Their craft cocktails were really delicious and the bartender was so fun, making a bit of a show out of creating our drinks. We ordered most of the small plates on the menu, and everything was delicious! Out of all the food we tried, the stars of the show were definitely the tuna tacos, the papas bravas, the scallops, and the bulgogi tacos! The food and drinks were great, the staff was friendly, and the whole dinner there made for a wonderful experience that my friends and I will remember for a long time to come! Also though we didn't order it during this particular trip, these guy have a phenomenal chili that is hands down the best I've ever had! read more

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In town to meet our new grandbaby and decided to do takeout from this nearby place based on the great reviews. We had the special Seafood Gumbo and a Grilled Caesar Salad and it was delicious and plenty of food for the two of us. Looking forward to going again! read more

A friend recommended this place as it isn't in a very obvious location and easy to miss if passing by. A very pleasant experience with all the staff and thoroughly enjoyed all of the food and drinks. A great atmosphere, although when large crowds are inside it can feel slightly cramped. During pleasant evenings the outdoor space makes for a great setting. A relatively small menu but some great choices. I personally recommend the sliders as they are fantastic and all of their mules are quite good. read more

Went here with a couple of girlfriends and it did not disappoint! We ordered about 5 plates to share and each one was delicious.

Way to take a spot and completely revamp it. You would never know that Grinning Mule was there if you weren't looking for it (or at least, I wouldn't). We went last night as part of their 90's pop up to check it out with some friends (who were also vaccinated) and they had the windows open, although the tables were a biiitttt too close together. Drinks order: Cinnamon Toast Crunch. This one was actually pretty delicate, with a cinnamon toast crunch rim. Pretty nice! The rest of the table tried the other pop up cocktails and they were all pretty unique. I'm interested to try their regular signature cocktails to see what they've had time to perfect. Food order: The Bird is the Word. Beautifully fried chicken on a skewer drizzled in buffalo sauce (not too spicy!). Also got the Papas Bravas which were really really nice. I loved how they used fingerlings potatoes for it! Service was okay. I actually had ordered a second drink and it never came - the server told me after the fact that something happened with their system, but that was told to me after we brought up the fact that we didn't have the drink. Other than that, food came out really fast and everything looked wonderful. Everything was pretty affordable and we left full and happy. Really looking forward to coming here again and trying more things from their menu, as I'm pretty sure it changes pretty regularly. Will definitely return! read more

Went because they had a local band I like and now I'll be a regular customer. The steak was fantastic, the waiter was attentive, and the place has a cool vibe. You can sit inside for music but can go out back to the private enclosed patio to stretch your legs. This place would be super for a private event. read more

Came here without expecting much and I already can't wait to go back! Food was amazing and service was great even with being slammed! Highly recommend! read more

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First things first, the restaurant looks amazing from the street with the lights over the cute patio and their logo ( a literal grinning mule) decorated on both sides of the building. I love that they have their own parking lot too! It even has a speed bump so people don't come flying through, glad to see they recognize the problem with crazy drivers in the Plaza neighborhood! When my wife and I came on Friday it was really nice outside and they had the doors open, which we loved. Who doesn't like a cool breeze hitting them on a warm summer day? All of our drinks were out of this world, and very reasonably priced for the neighborhood! I had the Gin Watermelon mule ($12) and the Rye So Blue ($14) and I was very impressed, you can really tell all the syrups and juices are made/squeezed in house. As for the food, I can confess this was one of the best meals we've had in Plaza in a long time! My wife and I started with the oysters Rockefeller and oh man, that was a great idea! 6 fresh Blue Point, Long Island, NY oysters topped with creamy spinach cheese sauce and smoked herb breadcrumbs, a lemon wedge, and toasted in the oven so they were nice and hot. For dinner we had the Norwegian salmon and the roasted half chicken! Salmon was cooked perfectly and the sweet red chili seasoning was on point! The half chicken was something else too, flavors were outstanding and the chicken was perfectly tender and juicy All that being said I have to say the real reason we'll be returning to this establishment is the service. The staff were some of the most polite and helpful people I've had the pleasure of talking to in a restaurant, period. Ian, our classically handsome waiter, was very helpful in steering us in the right direction with certain menu items and beverages! He also made a point to talk with us for a little bit and really get to know us and make us feel welcome in the restaurant. We also chatted with the friendly bartender Victoria for a bit when she dropped off some drinks for us and we bonded over being from the same area in New Jersey! Small world! The owners, Bart and Beth, eventually stopped by to check on how everything was and we couldn't have met a friendlier couple! We're actually planning on playing Pickleball with them soon! After our meal we popped by the service window to thank all the chefs for a lovely and delicious dinner. Chef Brandon, Chef Brendan and slider Kings Austin and Wesley were so humble about their talents and quite frankly I'm jealous of their naturally abilities in the kitchen. Will I ever be able to satisfy my wife's appetite like they did? Probably not. Will I continue to come here so my marriage doesn't fall apart? Absolutely. In closing, I've truly come to find one of my new favorite restaurants, not only in Plaza, but in the entirety of Charlotte. If you don't come here and have a good time, I don't think I can be friends with you and I don't want someone like you in my life. TEAM MULE BABY!!! LETS GOOOOOO!!!! read more

We went here to celebrate getting our second Covid vaccine injections. We went early - close to 6 pm. Wow. The staff was so friendly and pleasant. The atmosphere was just right. I am a NC-raised Boomer, and let me tell you, the music they were piping in was SO terrific. Old R&R and blues with an east coast beach vibe. That music, and the friendly welcome we received from the manager when we walked in, really set my mood to 'happy' from the get-go. The food was just perfect. My husband ordered the Bavarian Rhapsody. Those brats were so flavorful and 'almost-burnt' crisp on the outside. Beautiful plate. I ordered Y'all's Favorite Scallops. Holy moly, they were fantastic! They were served on a slab of delicious spoonbread, with pickled peas. On the side were slices of spicy candied oranges. Those oranges were like the devil in heaven. Chewy, crunchy, spicy hot, and sweet - the absolute perfect complement. We opted for the Lemon Blueberry dessert. Yummy! Rich, but not heavy. Delightful lemon sauce - not too sweet. A wonderful experience. :-) read more

Loved our meal, the steak was perfect and the honkey tonk vibe was great. I will definitely recommend to all my friends! But. I don't have that many friends:( read more

Awesome spot. It's completely Non profit which I love. All of the staff was extremely professional and checked on us and appropriate amount of times. The cocktail menu is extensive an excellent and the bartender/server had quite a bit of knowledge about all of the drinks. They also have apparently a vegan soup and a meat soup on alternating weeks. Since we attended as vegans we are on the off week but will definitely return one week when they have the vegan soup. Also the lettuce wraps were superb although I think they could be a bit spicier as an option read more

Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen - Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food and atmosphere was excellent. I can't eat just eat anyone's gumbo. They did an excellent job. Friendly place. I will return when we come back to NC and recommend to anyone read more