Charlotte, NC may not be as well known for its food scene as other big cities in the South, but one should definitely not underestimate what this city has to offer. Most people who have never been to this city have no idea that it is a great place to savor all types of cuisine.
Charlotte may be much smaller than New York, San Francisco, Atlanta or Chicago but the diversity of the population here has resulted in different types and varieties of food. You can find almost every type of cuisine.
At the very top would be the Southern cuisine. Most of the food is fried in butter, but the taste is exquisite and mouth-watering. As a Charlotte business owner, I am familiar with the most popular foods Charlotte has to offer. Here are some foods that you must try out the next time you visit this great city:
BBQ
This is an all-time favorite in Charlotte. Come summer, and you will get to taste some of the best barbecue pork, chicken, and lamb on the East Coast. Most of these dishes are served with coleslaw, spicy smoked sweet potatoes, cornbread, barbecued beans and jalapeno cheddar corn cakes. And the spices! With a great blend of delicious BBQ with just the right spices, we assure you that you will be craving for more.
It might be a good idea to consume some fresh beer while enjoying these hot BBQ dishes. All over the city, there are dozens of barbecue eateries but if you want the real taste, try Lexington barbecue. This specialty of pork is cooked over wood coals until the tender meat just starts to fall apart. It is dressed with mild vinegar in a red sauce and comes with a pallet of extra crunchy skin and of course, a whole plate of potato wedges and hot sauce.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
We all know that Americans love their morning coffee with their go-to egg sandwiches and bagels. But when you’re in Charlotte, you’ll notice that people of this city love their Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And you must believe it when we say that once you have tasted these freshly baked doughnuts, your taste buds will yearn for more. We also recommend that before you devour the sugary doughnuts, you should try out a Cajun filet biscuit with fries. There is no better southern treat first thing in the morning , especially on the weekend.
Burgers
The one food item that you will find everywhere in Charlotte is burgers, shakes, and spicy fries. Burgers filled with cheddar cheese, jalapenos, fresh lettuce, tomatoes and a slice of bacon are a favorite among the population. These burgers go best with a strawberry milkshake or some ice cream which is also available in many flavors. Go ahead, give it a try!
Seafood
With its proximity to the Atlantic coast, Charlotte has access to all types of seafood. Most restaurants here offer a wide range of exotic spicy seafood including squids, crabs (hard and soft shell), crab cakes, clam chowder, fried fish, Gumbo, jambalaya, lobster, shrimp curry, and scallops. These mouth-watering dishes are typically served with fried, rice, pasta or garlic bread.
Mount Olive Pickles
If you love pickled foods, then the best tasting olive pickles in the country can be found in Charlotte. Pickles are a favorite of locals, and that is why many restaurants serve them with fried foods. You can even buy them in pre-packaged form.
Cheerwine
Charlotte is well known for its Cheerwine. Also known as the ‘nectar of the tar heels’ Cheerwine is served in most restaurants. This burgundy colored drink with a sweet flavor is not really wine, and it doesn’t contain any alcohol. It is a soothing beverage which is very popular and can be consumed with almost any type of cuisine you can find here.
You should definitely try Burgushi, a blend of sushi and burger; fried chicken; fresh and delicious ice-cream and hot dogs. We would also definitely recommend checking out the different food trucks in Charlotte that offer food from all over the world - from the Mediterranean to Mexican.
This was just a glimpse of the culinary delights Charlotte has to offer. But there are many more surprises waiting for you here if you are a food-lover. If you want to experiment different cuisines and try out new dishes from different parts of the world, you are sure to find the truly authentic taste in Charlotte.
Eat Well :)
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