Farewell, old friends: Classic Charlotte restaurants that have closed since COVID began.

Heidi Finley, Catherine Muccigrosso
Updated ·7 min read

In the past three years, Charlotteans have been hit over and over with the news that its oldest restaurants are closing, and with the loss of Gus’ Sir Beef comes one more blow to the fabric of the city.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in early 2020, the city has lost staples including Bill Spoons, Chris’ Deli, Mr. K’s, Oakhurst Grill, Price’s Chicken Coop, Sammy’s Deli and others. The restaurants were places where families would regularly stop in for lunch or dinner, gather for celebrations and get to know the staff as the years passed.

For some, the COVID pandemic was the last straw, coupled with rising rents and quickly changing neighborhoods. Charlotte’s appetite for new construction has pushed out many. And for others, who had run a restaurant for decades and reached retirement with no one to pass the restaurant onto, it was simply time to close.

These are the classic restaurants Charlotte has lost since 2020:

Bill Spoons BBQ

Location: 5524 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

The iconic Charlotte restaurant known for its vinegar-based Eastern North Carolina barbecue closed in September 2020. Over the years, lines that once wrapped around the building had diminished, Steve Spoon Jr., the grandson of founders Bill and Marie Spoon, said in a Facebook post.

Bill Spoon’s BBQ was a staple of South Boulevard in Charlotte.
Bill Spoon’s BBQ was a staple of South Boulevard in Charlotte.

Carpe Diem

Location: 1535 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204

Sisters Bonnie Warford and Tricia Maddrey founded the white tablecloth, fine dining restaurant Carpe Diem in 1989 and said in 2020 that they would have renewed their lease if not for COVID-19. Instead, they shifted some customer favorites to their other business, Earl’s Grocery, for takeout only. Earl’s Grocery eventually closed, as well.

The Charlotte Cafe

Location: The Arboretum shopping center, 8008 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277

The Charlotte Cafe, which served Southern comfort foods for over 30 years, closed in December 2022. The cafe’s lease was not renewed or renegotiated by The Arboretum, owners Jimmy and Mary Roupas told The Charlotte Observer. “Everything comes to an end,” Jimmy Roupas said. “The mom-and-pop shops are just a dying breed right now. They’re being swallowed up.”

The Charlotte Cafe at the Arboretum in south Charlotte is closed after 30 years.
The Charlotte Cafe at the Arboretum in south Charlotte is closed after 30 years.

Chris’ Deli Restaurant

Location: 3619 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205

Chris’ Deli Restaurant closed the 40-year-old deli shop on Independence Boulevard in April 2021. On the last day, a line stretched out the door (with people staying 6-feet apart). However, a Facebook post at the time said: “We anticipate re-opening at a new location in the near future!”

Chris’ Deli Restaurant closed at 3619 E. Independence Blvd. after serving Charlotte for 40 years.
Chris’ Deli Restaurant closed at 3619 E. Independence Blvd. after serving Charlotte for 40 years.

Carolina Prime Steakhouse

Location: 225 E Woodlawn Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

After a nearly 17-year run, the restaurant owned by George and Mary Liapis closed in May 2022. Tributes poured in from regular customers who were sorry to see it close.

After 17 years on Woodlawn Road, Carolina Prime Steakhouse closed after serving customers one last time on Mother’s Day 2022.
After 17 years on Woodlawn Road, Carolina Prime Steakhouse closed after serving customers one last time on Mother’s Day 2022.

Gus’ Sir Beef

Location: 4101 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Gus’ Sir Beef, a Charlotte staple since 1969 and the city’s first farm-to-table restaurant, announced in April 2023 that it would close permanently. The restaurant first closed temporarily, with owner Thrace Bacogeorge healing from a knee injury. Gus Bacogeorge opened the restaurant in 1969, and his son, Thrace, took over in 2000. “I have prayed long and hard over this decision; taking into account the need to repair my knee and the issues with the building,” he said. “It’s not just me, it’s not just a landmark, it is not just my parents’ legacy, it’s a part of me. It’s a place rich of heart and memories.”

Thrace Bacogeorge, owner of Gus’ Sir Beef, interacts with a guest at the front counter.
Thrace Bacogeorge, owner of Gus’ Sir Beef, interacts with a guest at the front counter.

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Island Grocery and Grill

Location: 5861 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28212

After 20 years in East Charlotte, Island Grocery and Grill closed in November 2022. Lease negotiations for a longer term with The Colonnade shopping center landlord failed, the Caribbean restaurant and grocery store owner Caroline Coke told The Charlotte Observer. The restaurant, which served authentic hot and spicy barbecue-style Caribbean dishes and Jamaican patties, was known for specials like cow feet soup.

Caroline and Abigail Coke tend to a customer at Island Grocery and Grill on Albemarle Road in Charlotte before it closed in 2022.
Caroline and Abigail Coke tend to a customer at Island Grocery and Grill on Albemarle Road in Charlotte before it closed in 2022.

Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream

Location: 2107 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Mr. K’s closed in May 2021, shutting its doors after serving hamburgers and soft-serve ice cream for 54 years. “Moving forward, what will remain (are) the good memories. I want to thank all our customers and all our friends, relatives and everyone who supported us” over the past half century, owner George Dizes said. “It’s been a pleasure, it’s been an honor and we’re going to miss you as much as you’re going to miss us.”

Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream owner George Dizes closed his iconic South Boulevard Charlotte business in 2021.
Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream owner George Dizes closed his iconic South Boulevard Charlotte business in 2021.

Nova’s Bakery

Location: 1511 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

The Plaza Midwood staple for European-style bread shut its doors near the end of 2020. “We are closing on December 13th our business after 26 years, it has been very difficult to maintain what we do since many of our customers has been out of business temporarily or permanently,” co-owner Sladjana Novakovic emailed CharlotteFive at the time.

Nova’s Bakery on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood closed in 2020.
Nova’s Bakery on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood closed in 2020.

Oakhurst Grill

Location: 4111 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205

Owner John Polonyfis announced via a Facebook post that after 52 years, the carryout restaurant would close for good in May 2021. “We are so grateful for the Oakhurst community for supporting us. Our customers are like family,” Angelo Polonyfis, John’s father, told CharlotteFive. “I just want to thank our customers and our employees; we are so grateful.” The mom and pop shop was known for serving American classics with daily specials like fried chicken, meatloaf and hamburger steak.

After 52 years, Oakhurst Grill closed at the end of business on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
After 52 years, Oakhurst Grill closed at the end of business on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

Price’s Chicken Coop

Location: 1614 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203

The cash-only fried chicken joint in South End announced a June 2021 closure, leading to lines out the door and down the street. “It is with heavy hearts that The Chicken Coop has decided to close our doors after 59 years of business due to the Labor shortage, rising food costs, food quality and another coin shortage,” the Facebook post read. “We thank everybody for their support and business over the years!”

The line at Price’s Chicken Coop in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
The line at Price’s Chicken Coop in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

The Randazzo’s Grid Iron

Location: 13105 S Tryon St #9, Charlotte, NC 28278

The Randazzo’s Grid Iron closed its doors in April 2022. The restaurant originally opened in 2001, then Bobbi Randazzo and her late husband, Joe, took over in 2011, serving Italian food, steaks and more.

The Randazzo’s Grid Iron restaurant was known for its Italian dishes, steaks and bar food, offering diners a fun atmosphere to watch sports, play cornhole and relax.
The Randazzo’s Grid Iron restaurant was known for its Italian dishes, steaks and bar food, offering diners a fun atmosphere to watch sports, play cornhole and relax.

Sammy’s Deli

Location: 1113 Pecan Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Sammy’s Deli, a Charlotte favorite serving no-frills breakfast and lunch in Plaza Midwood since 1997, closed in December 2020 after its location was sold for redevelopment.

Sammy’s Deli in Plaza Midwood closed its doors for good after 23 years of serving breakfast and lunch to the community.
Sammy’s Deli in Plaza Midwood closed its doors for good after 23 years of serving breakfast and lunch to the community.

Sonny’s BBQ

Location: 440 Tyvola Road, Charlotte NC 28217

Location: 328 West Plaza Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117

The Sonny’s franchise on Tyvola Road in Charlotte closed in April 2021, after the restaurant had served the St. Louis-style barbecue slow-smoked in house pork, brisket, chicken and ribs at the location for 40 years in August 2021, Sonny’s franchise in Mooresville closed, too, after 19 years. Florida-based Sonny’s has two other locations near Charlotte on Lyles Lane in Concord near Concord Mills and Cherry Road in Rock Hill.

Two longtime Charlotte area Sonny’s BBQ locations closed in 2021.
Two longtime Charlotte area Sonny’s BBQ locations closed in 2021.

Tizzerts

Location: 4205 Stuart Andrew Blvd., Suite E, NC 28217

Tizzerts owner Tiz Benson said the pandemic was too much for the bakeshop that opened in 1995 and was known for its buttercream frosting, and custom decorations on cakes and cupcakes. “These times of COVID-19 are tough ones for so many,” Benson said as the shop closed in 2021. “Like many others, we simply can’t compete with its grasp on our local economy ... our Tizzerts’ ovens are turned off.”

Tizzerts, which sold cupcakes in seasonal flavors with custom decorations, closed in February 2021 after more than 25 years in business.
Tizzerts, which sold cupcakes in seasonal flavors with custom decorations, closed in February 2021 after more than 25 years in business.

Upstream

Location: Phillips Place, 6800 Phillips Place Ct., Charlotte, NC 28210

Burke Hospitality announced in June 2020 that it would not reopen Upstream after a 20-year run. The upscale restaurant had closed its dining room in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Upstream garnered several accolades such as John Mariana’s Best New Restaurant of 2000 designation and the Zagat guide’s most popular restaurant rating.

At Phillips Place in Charlotte, Limani has taken over the 7,750-square-foot former Upstream restaurant space, which closed in 2020.
At Phillips Place in Charlotte, Limani has taken over the 7,750-square-foot former Upstream restaurant space, which closed in 2020.

Zack’s Hamburgers

Location: 4009 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209

George and Elaine Demopoulos closed the restaurant’s doors for good on July 1, 2021. “After so many years working 14 to 15 hour days, it has taken a toll on my body,” George Demopoulos said. “You know when it is time.” For over four decades, Zack’s served burgers and hot dogs, Southern plates, onion rings and milkshakes.

George and Elaine Demopoulos, shown here on June 23, 2021, made the decision to close Zack’s Hamburgers after 46 years.
George and Elaine Demopoulos, shown here on June 23, 2021, made the decision to close Zack’s Hamburgers after 46 years.