‘Magical little place’ Kopper Kettle has served Southern comfort food for 50+ years
Carowinds had just broken ground and I-77 was still in the early stages of construction when Greek immigrants George and Penny Karnezis followed their American dream to open Kopper Kettle in Pineville.
Nearly 52 years later, the casual restaurant on Nations Ford Road near Westinghouse continues to bring in crowds seeking hearty portions of comfort food in a cozy, nostalgic setting. It’s become a place that brings people together to feast on Southern favorites like country ham, eggs and fresh tomatoes or homemade meatloaf with macaroni & cheese, okra and cornbread, washed down with homemade sweet tea.
“This is where we can get old fashion food that we were brought up on. That’s hard to find these days,” said Beth Duckett of Fort Mill, a longtime patron of Kopper Kettle along with her husband, Tom. “We’ve been coming here for years. We used to bring our son here before his ball games so he could fill up on a hearty breakfast, and now he’s 40. The food is excellent, and the wait staff is like family.”
The history behind Kopper Kettle
The Karnezises came to America in 1966, after learning about the tight-knit Greek community in Charlotte. George worked his way from busboy to manager at Open Kitchen, saving every dime with the intention to one day become a successful American business owner.
That became a reality on May 12, 1971 with the opening of Kopper Kettle – spelled with a K because there are no Cs in the Greek alphabet. At the time, the restaurant was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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The diner flourished as the neighborhood grew up around it, with many local warehouse workers coming in to grab a quick bite between shifts. Soon, the owners built an addition to the restaurant for a bar area and the place became a hopping gathering spot.
The 1990s brought more change, as George and Penny decided to scale the business back to breakfast and lunch only so they could have more time with their grandchildren. They also stopped selling beer and liquor, preferring a more family-friendly atmosphere.
When George had a stroke in 2014, daughter Sara Karnezis Morris stepped away from her career as a health educator to help run the restaurant. She’s been there ever since, proudly continuing her father’s legacy.
“I love this place,” Morris said. “It has such character and charm. It has history and provides a hub for my family and friends.”
Walking into Kopper Kettle is a bit like stepping back through time, she says. Memorabilia, caricatures and old photographs hang on the walls, and the televisions usually show classics like “I Dream of Jeannie.” The original swivel stools are still intact at the counter, and several copper kettles can be found throughout the restaurant.
The menu hasn’t changed much over the past 50 years.
“The food is home-cooked, and the portions are huge,” Morris said. “It’s old-style Southern cooking, with a little Greek twist here or there. We make our own country-style steak. We do chicken tenders per order – breaded and fried with actual eggs. We serve Neese’s sausage and livermush, Greek salads, gyro sandwiches, the works. Our success is really due to the quality food, delicious taste and reasonable portions.”
Morris drives her dad to the restaurant for breakfast at least two or three times a week, where he continues to charm customers by singing Greek songs and making jokes.
“He’s definitely a people person and loves coming here to see the regulars,” Morris said. “We have such a loyal customer base, some who come in every single day. Some started dating here and now they’re bringing their grandchildren. And then we have a lot of new people who just come in because they’re attracted to the charisma and character of the place.”
Morris and her family are keenly aware just how special Kopper Kettle is, as similar diners have closed or been bought out over the years.
“It’s not easy,” Morris said. “Corporations are gobbling us up, and there aren’t many of us left around town anymore. It makes me so proud that we’re still standing and people are happy with us. … This truly is a magical little place.”
Kopper Kettle
Location: 11000 Nations Ford Road, Pineville, NC 28134
Cuisine: Southern comfort food, Greek
Instagram: @kopper_kettle1971
