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    The Improper Pig

    4.5 (14 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Piggy Poke-y bowl
    Kristina B.

    We popped in the other night narrowly escaping the rain and the crowd that came in after us. The restaurant has a nice outdoor area; the indoor seating area was small and since it was raining it got packed fast and was pretty loud. Our server Bree was so sweet and patient. She gave us plenty of time to decide and checked in on us periodically. She also helped me identify a delicious seed in my Poke Bowl. Speaking of.... The poke bowl was absolutely delicious. Served with edamame, kale salad, cucumbers, carrots, ahi tuna, and sushi rice. Everything was fresh and tasty. The sauce added a nice flavor and tang. The curry chicken rolls were hot and full of flavor. Really delicious with the dipping sauce. Fried rice was amazing. I really loved the flavor and the pork was tasty. Definitely a place worth visiting on repeat!

    Pulled pork plate with sweet potato fries & edamame salad
    Elizabeth D.

    So happy to have this Improper Pig location right in the heart of Plaza! We came and sat on the huge turf patio on an unseasonably warm March evening tonight and it couldn't have been more pleasant. Our waitress, Kelsey, was very friendly and attentive, and everything we ate was delicious (especially the pulled pork, edamame salad and french fries). Already can't wait to come back and try more of the Asian-inspired BBQ dishes -- such a gem for our neighborhood!

    José A.

    If you're in Plaza Midwood, The Improper Pig Central is an absolute must-visit. This spot perfectly blends classic Southern barbecue with other creative flavors, and the result is something really special. The food stands out right away--everything is packed with flavor and clearly made with care. Whether you're digging into smoked meats, or inventive appetizers, there's a great balance between comfort food and creativity. Signature items like the Smokey Bird, the Center Cut Sirloin, Jalapeño Cheese Grits, Baked Beans with the Red Sangria and mocktails really show off how well they mix traditional BBQ with bold twists. The atmosphere is just as impressive. All common areas and restrooms are clean, inside and outside seating areas feel lively and modern while still being relaxed and welcoming--perfect for anything from a casual dinner to a fun night out. It fits right into the energy of Plaza Midwood and adds to the neighborhood's already great food scene. Oh, and the service is fantastic! The only item that needs work is the dessert we tried. We went for the Raspberry Cobbler, and it was OK, but that does not mean it was terrible. It was just not was we would expect. Overall, The Improper Pig delivers on all fronts: great food, a fun vibe, and a unique take on barbecue you won't find just anywhere. Definitely one of the standout spots in Charlotte.

    Mike S.

    I must say I'm slightly ashamed of myself for never making the trip to the original Cotswold location. Sadly that location is gone, but Cotswold's loss is Plaza Midwood's gain as we now have the newest location located right in the middle of the neighborhood. The Improper Pig is a barbecue/asian fusion restaurant while I missed out on the original, I recently got to try their newest spot for dinner. While my girlfriend raves about the fried rice dish which really plays into the barbecue/asian theme, I decided to stick to the basics and ordered the pork sandwich. It comes with slaw which if you're like me you prefer on the side. From there it is up to you to sauce it up. They have six in house sauces each one a unique and delicious flavor from spicy to sweet to a little bit of both. I really enjoyed them all but my favorites were the eastern nc bbq vinegar, and the Tong's Thai. One of the least expected parts was how good their house made chips are! Usually the chips are kind of an afterthought but theirs were fresh, crunchy, and had a delicious vinegar salt flavoring on them. Overall I loved my meal and I can't wait to go back!

    The charcuterie
    Kelly M.

    Had a great meal at The Improper Pig last night. This is actually my 2nd time here. Tonight we had the Charcuterie: sausage, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, homemade salt & vinegar chips, pickled onions, hushpupies, slaw, and pimento cheese. I think that's everything. It says it's enough for two people, but probably 3 or 4 could eat off that tray! The sausage was probably my favorite. And it was fun to try all the different sause options. We had the strawbery cobbler for dessert- completely forgot to take a picture of that, but it was so good! Crust on the top and the bottom and the fruit filling wasn't too sweet.

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    Mac's Speed Shop

    Mac's Speed Shop

    3.9
    (730 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    After striking out at two other BBQ spots on a Saturday night, I landed at Mac's Speed Shop around…read more8:30 p.m. and ended up having a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Mac's sits in the heart of South End and shares the neighborhood with several busy bars and nightlife spots. Parking can be a bit of an adventure, but they do have dedicated lots nearby. Once you're there, the setup is great: a large dining room, plenty of picnic-table patio seating, and my favorite option--a seat at the outdoor bar where the inside bar opens through a service window to the patio. The bartender, Alyssa, was fantastic. Friendly, knowledgeable, and patient while I stared at the giant menu trying to figure out what I wanted. When I asked for recommendations, she immediately suggested the burnt ends, BBQ baked beans, and Mexican street corn. Excellent call. The blackberry seasonal hard cider she recommended was delicious and paired beautifully with the meal. My only surprise was the price. At nearly $9, it was more than I expected for a cider, and I wish I had asked beforehand. The burnt ends arrived with bright pickled red onions that added the perfect acidic balance. The flavor was excellent--smoky, rich, and satisfying. That said, they leaned heavily toward the fatty side. The deeper I got into the serving, the more rendered fat I encountered compared to meat. Delicious? Yes. Light? Absolutely not. The BBQ baked beans were exactly what you want from a barbecue joint. The Mexican street corn was a standout and a refreshing contrast to all the richness. My only critique was that the burnt ends weren't served quite as hot as I would have liked, and by the end of the meal, the richness became overwhelming. That's probably more on me for ordering burnt ends at 9 p.m. than on Mac's. The final bill came to about $37 before tip, which felt a little steep for a solo barbecue dinner and cider. Looking back, I'd probably visit during lunch. Their weekday lunch specials around $10 look like one of the best values in South End. Would I come back? Absolutely. The service was warm, the recommendations were spot on, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the food delivered exactly what a barbecue craving calls for. Next time, I'll arrive earlier, bring a bigger appetite, and maybe save the burnt ends for lunchtime. Life is too short not to eat well, Charlotte. If you're exploring South End and craving barbecue, Mac's Speed Shop is worth a stop.

    Rubbery chicken and tired tots…read more Half of the half chicken was amazing, and luckily it was the first part of the meal. It was truly tasty and the dry rub was perfect. Loved it! Then... the wheels fell off. Second chicken breast had clearly been sitting and cooking too long, and quickly became the dog's dinner. I probably got 2.5oz of good meat off that one, but truly a waste. And, c'mon, we don't have fresh tots coming at us? Mushier more than crunchier, and that was probably good as I shouldn't be eating those anyway. C'mon, Mac's ... you've got greatness in you! Bring it to life!

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    Inside Mac's Speed Shop - South End
    Inside Mac's Speed Shop - South End
    Hush puppies
    Hush puppies
    Mule

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    Mule
    Midwood Smokehouse

    Midwood Smokehouse

    4.3
    (393 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    The brisket is divine Barria tacos can avoid the salt…read more Drunken Beans done well Sweet potato fries being offered A+ Actually all the sides being offered= Great options but I avoid those greens. The pot liquor on the collard greens is done right but they don't cook them down long enough, FOR ME, or offer a mix (e.g. add some turnip and/or mustard greens in there). The other meats are just okay but service+ brisket and packaging that helps make this long, out of the way trip worth it because I made it back to University area and everything remained hot. You can order online via Toast tab (I think) but I enjoy restaurants that go to known platforms so I don't have whip out a card and pay when it's already on file. P.S. those burnt ends are beef and they're super salty. I want to enjoy them with less sodium. We are aging now so I don't need to add to contributing factors for stroke and heart disease via salt because I'm not giving up on good Que and you'll get that here.

    Before arriving in Charlotte, a friend said I had to try the local BBQ. Midwood came up as a…read morepopular recommendation on both Yelp, Google and Reddit and this location as the closest to my hotel. I made a reservation on OpenTable, arrived on time, and was seated immediately. The restaurant looks like a typical rustic BBQ focused family restaurant. I ordered the Carolina Pork with collard greens. My thoughts: - Carolina Pork was good. A small size was more than enough for me. Vinegar sauce really came through, almost a little too much. - Hush puppies were good. The only item that wasn't acidic, so it helped balance my meal. - Collard greens were also good. - Pickles were ok. By itself they were fine, but combined with the pork in vinegar sauce, it was too much acid for me overall. Service was pleasant and attentive. No issues. Overall, I was happy with my meal. It was generally good food and service. I'd just be more careful with picking my side so the entire dish was more balanced.

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    Midwood Smokehouse
    Midwood Smokehouse
    Midwood Smokehouse

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    The Improper Pig - bbq - Updated July 2026

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