We've been to Culinary Dropout three times now, and this visit was a completely different…read moreexperience from our first two. The first two visits were outstanding. The first time was in November 2025 and 2nd time March 2026 where the bartenders were professional, welcoming, knowledgeable, and made some of the best Bloody Marys we've had in Charlotte. The food was excellent, and we left both times excited to come back. Unfortunately, this Sunday's visit (around 2 p.m.) felt like a different restaurant. It was much busier, and service was noticeably lacking. We waited quite a while just to be acknowledged, our drinks weren't nearly the quality they had been before, and the Bloody Mary tasted like it came straight from a mix instead of being handcrafted like our previous visits. The food was also disappointing. It was much saltier than we remembered, and we never received the Caesar salad with steak we ordered. To the staff's credit, it wasn't on our bill, so we didn't mention it. Overall, no one was rude, but the attention to detail, professionalism, and overall experience that earned our previous five-star reviews just wasn't there this time. We're hoping this was simply an off day because we genuinely loved this place and would like to see it return to the high standard that made us regular customers.

We were close to uptown and looking for an early evening dinner spot. Knowing that CD is going to…read morebe opening a location at the Bowl in Ballantyne (which is closer to us) we thought we'd give it a shot. Walked in and immediately loved the vibe. Big, open and airy. Lots of seating and a few party rooms too. Loved the outdoor seating too. If it had been a little cooler that would have been perfect. They have cornhole and ping pong and just a fun atmosphere out there. Our server was warm and attentive. We did not have to wait for refills and she was quick to answer any questions we had. We started with a few apps - the chips and onion dip and the pigs in a blanket. The chips were well salted and the onion dip was DELISH!!! The pigs were wrapped in homemade party dough and came with a honey mustard crème fraiche. They were so good!! For entrees we tried the fried chicken, prime rib dip, and the meatloaf. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. The mashed potatoes were so good too. The only misstep on this dish was the biscuit. Way too dense and not very flavorful. The prime rib dip was tender and came on the most crispy bread. What a great combo! The only thing that wasn't great were the fries, just nothing too special. The meatloaf dish was flavorful and came with those yummy mashed potatoes so great pairing. We didn't have room for dresser on site but we did take the monkey bread to go and enjoyed it later. Good portion size and full of apple and caramel flavor. Did not regret taking that home!! Really looking forward to this spot opening closer to home. Highly recommended

The bartenders and vibe are relaxed and welcoming. If you're hungry, their Reuben is worth a visit…read moreall by itself and the oyster selection is good. I'll be back!

Growler's is amazing pub style casual spot. It's loud with both chatter and music. It would be a…read moregood place to meet friends for beers and a bite. Our food was just okay. We ordered the kale Caesar, the nachos, and fries. The nacho cheese tasted very processed and they didn't come with salsa. When I asked the waitress for some, she said that they don't actually have salsa. The fries were the best thing we had. I'd go again, but probably just to have a drink.

Amazing everything the food the chef, the server, the ambience everything was perfectread more

Sunday night and all reservations booked but we walked in and got a table outside…read more Met our great server who shared the 1/2 off bottle of wine promotion, so why not? My wife was craving the lobster/shrimp roll, overstuffed with fresh seafood. And I went with the chicken parmesan. It was the lightest, freshest, most delicious! (compared to a really great, but heavier version at Little Mama's). Just finished the leftovers for lunch - and it just hit! We'll be back for sure...

Celebrating my 55th birthday with a brunch at Crunkleton. This was my first visit, but will…read moredefinitely not be my last. First and foremost, our waiter, Alan was the best! I'm talking top tier, Veuve Clicquot Brut service...with a little spice...Best! He was so accommodating and keep us laughing the entire time. He went out of his way to make my day special! We started with beignets, oysters on the half shell and cocktails. Espresso Martinis, a Dirty Martini, and a specialty cocktail made to order. It may sound like a weird combination, but it all paired well together. I was in the mood for beef. So, I ordered the Wagyu Brunch Burger- 1/2 lb Wagyu, Over-Easy Egg, Grilled Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Hollandaise, Avocado Spread, Brioche Bun, Garlic and Herb Fries. The fam had the Veggie Ranchero omelet- Seasonal Beans, Grilled Corn, Pico de Gallo, Poblano, Cheddar, Avocado, Tortilla Strips, Ranchero, Chipotle-Lime Crema, and a Hashbrown Casserole. Fingerling Breakfast potatoes, with a side of bacon and eggs, and another Hashbrown Casserole. Everything was cooked to perfection. I had such a great time and can't wait to return. I even made a recommendation to a friend who dined there Labor Day weekend and enjoyed her experience. I'll be back soon for sure!

I heard great things about food, ambiance and service. Greeted by a small team at the door…read moreimmediately. Next we experienced top tier service from Tay. He recommended the chargrilled oysters as well as the crab cakes which did not disappoint. I prefer handcrafted cocktails and this is exactly what you're going to experience at Crunkleton. Not only did I inhale my blackberry gin based drink but I was extremely pleased with the birthday beignets. If that's not enough, we devoured a third of our tomahawk steak, the strawberry salad and my favorite item of the night were the mixed vegetables that accompanied the steak. Yassss! I loved the veggies. Looking for foodie vibes, grab your friends and enjoy a night at the Crunkleton. Pro-Tip: parking is validated; arrive early to avoid crowds

Cool find while in town for a conference! A speakeasy feel down the stairs as you enter Duckworths…read morewith hundreds of vottles of spirits. Super talented bartenders mixed great cocktails and they have some nice selections of beer on tap and wine. The space is tight and, if I'm being honest, the seating wasn't extremely comfortable, but the vibe in this place more than makes up for it Service, from Madison, was excellent. She knew tge menu and had great insights. She was crazy busy but took excellent care of us. The food was quite nice. Candied Bacon is a must. I had a perfectly cooked filet, we had a delicious short rib, and the Cone Trio. The trio was really tasty but the kitchen somehow forgot to put the tuna in one cone and it was only guacamole. Odd, but Madison took care of it right away and it was great. Would recommend 100% and definitely return.

Just order everything short rib. It was fantastic. Our favorite were the short rib dumplings- I…read morewould order it over and over. The truffle fries were just okay, skip the pork buns. The peach and ham flatbread was really good too. And the Jimador cocktail was delicious

McHale's Pub is a welcome addition to NoDa! The spacious patio is great, and the wooden interior…read moregives off a truly authentic pub vibe. Our service was solid, and the food came out pretty fast. The Reuben and the Fish & Chips were both excellent choices. My only critique is on the drinks--the cocktail menu is a bit limited (both for listed drinks and off-menu requests), though they have a decent beer list. I'd love to see a more expansive bar selection in the future! I also visited on St. Patty's Day and it was packed as you would imagine, but had a great vibe and quick service.

Date night landed us in NoDa. McHales Pub is in the heart of…read moreNoDa. The staff was friendly, we sat in the bar area on a salvaged church pew and stool. The signs, the hints of Irish detail are adorable. The highlight of this visit were the Leprechaun Balls. Crispy balls of Irish cheddar, cream cheese, and jalapeño, I really didn't even need the ranch that came with them. Not too spicy, just the right amount of jalapeno flavor. Yes the pub burger was good. The fries were delicious!!! My husband enjoyed the fish sandwich (which he did not let me get a bite of, lol) But again the show stopper for me were the Leprechaun Balls and I literally ordered them because the name was cute but they were mouth watering.

As always the food and service here is amazing!…read more We came for my birthday and we ordered our favorites plus something new. I recommend it all Tuna Crudo Reg fries Truffle Fries Chicken caviar Pappardelle Brussels Creste de chicken Cali chop Butchers pizza 10/10!

I highly recommend m!…read more The service was welcoming soon as I entered. I recommend setting a reservation because on Saturday night it was a full house! I sat at the bar and ordered from the Girl Dinner Menu: Chicken cesar salad served with fries which had amazing dipping sauce on the side option of a wine flight or espresso martini. I chose the wine flight which paired perfectly with my meal. I can't wait to return for a girls night! I hope you enjoy the as much as I do.

We were about 30 minutes late due to the traffic on 77. A hostess greeted us upon entry and we…read morejoined the rest of our party. The restaurant was very clean and the noise volume low enough to where we could visit and comfortably carry on conversations. Our waiter was gracious and helped us to catch up with the rest of our party. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Nior and Dinner while the rest of our party finished their appetizers and salads. I ordered the steak frites and it was just wonderful! My boyfriend ordered the special which was halibut, asparagus, and mushroom risotto. Everything was perfect! The couple that was seated across from us split the special. The kitchen didn't hesitate to split this dish for them in the kitchen before bringing it out to our table. This is just excellent customer service! They are an elderly couple and could not possibly have eaten the entire meal by themselves. Our waiter was very attentive and nobody at the table ever had an empty glass. Also, your plate was cleared the moment that you finished with your meal. This was our first visit, but definitely not the last. Thank you for making our evening out with family and friends so very special. We will definitely be back in the near future.

$29 Lobster roll special. We asked if fresh and told "yes". Guess it was at one time but I doubt…read morelobster was cooked that day and meat removed. We had one each- mine was with butter. The other, lettuce (never have seen that in a Maine lobster roll) and aioli). The one with butter had a nice brioche roll but most of the lobster was small claw ends vs nice chunks. The one on lettuce was better, more larger pieces of lobster, but meat was put onto a lot of lettuce to prop it up. It takes some effort, but buying a live lobster and cooking oneself is really the best way. I was hopeful- but ultimately disappointed.

Enjoyed my brunch at 300 East. It was a relaxing environment and the service was friendly and…read morethorough. I had my food and a cocktail and wrote in my journal. I ordered: Rustic Benedict Poached Eggs*, Pancetta, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, Herb Hollandaise, Grilled Sourdough 16.5 The Rum One Rum, Orange Bitters, Sour, Pineapple 14

For those who don't know, 300 East is something of a Charlotte institution; I've been there…read morecountless times over the years I've lived here but not recently. They have always had, in my estimation, the best French onion soup around and I was craving it, so off I went. The restaurant off East Boulevard is an eclectic sort of place, and in my memory the interior hasn't ever changed. The wood is dark, the tables a bit worn and packed together to give a slightly claustrophobic feel, and the decor is always vaguely counterculture. For people who like NoDa and Plaza Midwood (before its recent transformation), it's homey as can be. I enjoyed the familiarity of its unpretentious surroundings as I took a seat in a tiny corner booth. Delighted to note that the French onion soup is as delicious as ever, with a richly flavored broth and a generous amount of bread and cheese baked in. While the quality hasn't diminished, thank heavens, the size has gone from a bowl to a cup. As it was my upcharged side I didn't mind terribly but still. Alas. Kudos to the kitchen for letting me have my soup before my sandwich was delivered, but here is where things went a little south. I had ordered The Usual, one of their trademark dishes, a hot open-faced chicken salad sandwich on a baguette topped with asparagus, mushrooms and cheese. It too has been the victim of shrinkflation, about 2/3 as big as once it was. Again, didn't mind terribly much but the toppings themselves were scant: three small strips of jarred or canned asparagus, four slices of mushroom. Okay, everything is expensive these days, but the edges of the sandwich were burned and the filling was cool, meaning the salamander setting was off and no one checked it before sending it out or putting it down. I might have considered sending it back but that's when my server disappeared. My water glass sat empty for half my meal and was never refilled. Even paying the check was sluggish. So I give the current state 300 East a solid three with a disappointed sigh because they seem to be phoning it in. Really great French onion soup, though.

I got "The Royale" which was a simple double patty smash burger, and it was great. The type of…read moreindulging burger that hits the spot and you can tell it's high quality. Everything about it was amazing. Keep in mind, the menu is small and simple, but they have perfected their craft. The lady who took my order was very kind and efficient, and my food was ready in no more than 3 minutes. I went at lunch time during the week. The food is on the more expensive end for sure, so keep that in mind. The food court in which Harriet's Hamburgers lies is a very modern, clean, upbeat area in Charlotte where everyone has a smile on their face is having a good time. Parking is free for 90 minutes and took 30 seconds to register, all super smooth. Overall, I can't wait to come back to Harriet's again!

The family wanted to visit here Optimist Hall for lunch and I decided on Harriet's…read more The line was long upon approaching, so I hoped this was a good sign! After scanning the menu, I decided on the OG Burger to keep it simple. I did take note that all items are sold separately if you want fries and drinks. The menu doesn't have a massive selection, which can be easier for me at times. Since I ordered the side of fries, I also grabbed the sauce bundle for a fry party! The sauces were ok, but I don't think I'd purchase them again. The burger patties had good flavor and paired nicely with the fresh onions on the burger. The cheese was melted and layered between the patties bringing it all together. To me, the fries weren't as fresh as I would have preferred, but overall did enjoy the burger from here. Seating can be difficult depending on when you visit but we were able to find a table to enjoy our meals together with no issue.