Yo, a popular cheesesteak popup in Charlotte will open a restaurant later this summer
Despite the challenges that come along with the COVID-19 pandemic, Charlotte is always churning, with new restaurants and other small businesses moving ahead with plans to open in 2021.
A pop-up cheesesteak restaurant has found a permanent home in Charlotte.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor will open at 913 Pecan Ave., this summer, Ryan Hart confirmed Tuesday. Unpretentious Palate first reported the news.
The opening date has not been set yet.
The 500-square-foot restaurant will have a take-out window only with orders taken on site and online. Hart expects to add delivery.
He and partners Greg Balch and Hannah Smith, all co-workers at the Crunkleton, were looking for a “pandemic proof” fast-casual restaurant to open. They launched Cheat’s Nov. 1 at Birdsong Brewing quickly selling out 100 sandwiches.
Cheat’s, which has upcoming pop-ups at Wooden Robot Brewery and Sycamore Brewing, continues to sell out with up to 500 sandwiches, Hart said.
Cheat’s serves classic cheesesteaks, Hart said, made with black angus prime top round, sweet white onions, traditional Cheese Whiz and rolls shipped from Amoroso’s Baking Co. in Philadelphia.
“It’s about taking simple food and making it really great by preparing it correctly,” Hart said.
The menu also includes chicken and a vegan Beyond Meat sandwich.
Hart said when the brick-and-mortar store opens, menu additions will include cold and hot Italian hoagies, breakfast rolls, plus soft serve ice cream.
Cheat’s will be open for lunch, dinner and late-night and expects to hire about 12 full-time employees, Hart said.
Other recent expansions
Just last week, two Charlotte-area based restaurants announced expansion plans.
The third Jekyll & Hyde Grill & Taphouse will open with a distillery in December at 216 W. Main St. in the historic 1913 building in downtown Waxhaw, south of Charlotte.
The first Jekyll & Hyde opened four years ago in Matthews, followed by last year’s restaurant opening in downtown Belmont.
Clean Juice, an organic juice bar franchise, said Thursday, May 27, it is moving its flagship store from Birkdale Village to Birkdale Landing in Huntersville. The Birkdale Landing store will officially open in the larger, 1,375 square-foot space at the end of June, according to a company news release.
Birkdale Landing is a newly developed retail and office project, just north of Charlotte off of Interstate 77, that will include a two-story office building and several retailers. Shake Shack and Inizio Pizza Napoletana opened there in February. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill will open in the fall, according to the company website.
The new Clean Juice store will feature a kitchen cold-press viewing window, a self-ordering kiosk, a grab-and-go cooler, and a spot for pick-up and delivery. Access to parking also will help with curbside delivery.
Clean Juice specializes in organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, wraps, açai bowls, toasts and Green salad bowls, all made on-site.
Kat & Landon Eckles opened the first Clean Juice store in June 2015 in Huntersville. There are now 14 Charlotte area locations and over 100 nationwide. The company has another 55 stores in development, according the the news release.
Other spots that have opened or announced plans to do so in 2021 include:
Allegiance Coffee
375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Allegiance Coffee owners Andrew and Amber Olafsson are expanding their Concord cafe to a second location inside the Heritage Conference Center in Fort Mill. The new spot will feature breakfast, brunch and lunch, along with Haerfest Coffee and locally baked pastries.
The Batch House
901 Berryhill Road (opening late summer)
A flash flood closed the original shop near LaCa Projects, but the Batchmaker is making a comeback. The Batch House is targeting an August opening in a new space in FreeMoreWest’s Station West.
Benny Ferrovia’s
Benny’s, known for its 28” Virginia-style pizzas with slices bigger than your head, is expanding. We already have Benny Pennello’s in NoDa, and soon we’ll have Benny Ferrovia’s at 340 W. Tremont Ave. It will be located near Common Market and Bang Bang Burgers, Pins Mechanical, Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and Small Bar South End.
Benny’s was named one of the best places to get a slice of pizza in 2020 by CharlotteFive.
Big Ben
1535 Elizabeth Ave.
Big Ben is moving to the former Carpe Diem spot in Elizabeth, after its South End lease was not renewed to make way for BOCADO Bar+Diner. After renovations to open the new space, it plans to reopen mid-April to early May.
Biscuitville
3060 Derita Road, Concord
Greensboro-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern restaurant opened its second restaurant in the Charlotte area on Jan. 14, bringing Southern-style, scratch-made buttermilk biscuit competition to local favorite Bojangles.
BOCADO Bar + Diner
2000 South Blvd., Suite 530 (Opening summer 2021)
The Atlanta spot known for its burgers is moving into the South End spot occupied by Big Ben British Restaurant & Pub until Feb. 28. Plans call for an expanded patio to showcase views of the River Trail year-round.
Broken Promises
West Tremont Avenue
Lost & Found owner Orlando Botero told Charlotte Agenda that Broken Promises, without a dance floor, will be different from Lost & Found in several ways. Check out their coverage to see how Botero envisions us all utilizing the new cocktail bar when it opens in South End.
Burial Beer Co.
1214 and 1216 Thomas Ave.
Asheville-based Burial Beer Co., plans to open a taproom and bottle shop in Plaza Midwood with outdoor beer garden and a rooftop deck in addition to its indoor bar. The space formerly held Boris + Natasha and the Stash Pad, which is moving to 2708 Monroe Road.
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop
16836 D Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville
The Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, opened by sisters Savannah Lape and Gabby Sillyman, offers daily flavors including Granny’s Apple, Nanny’s Pecan, Key Lime, Chocolate Cream, Chewy Chocolate Chip, Southern Custard, Peanut Butter and the shop’s best-seller, I-40 — a pie filled with pecans, chocolate chips and toasted coconut named while stuck in traffic between Knoxville and Memphis.
BW Sweets
2023 Beatties Ford Road (opening May 2021)
This Black-owned bakery founded by Frankie While by is preparing to open a third location in West Charlotte this spring. At his shops, you’ll find dozens of varieties of sweet treats, including cake slices, cupcakes, cheesecakes and more.
Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria
1205 Thomas Ave.
Charlotte restaurateur Frank Scibelli will open Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria in late spring in the historic Penguin Drive-In location where Bruce Moffett opened NC Red in 2019. Moffett will remained involved, but Scibelli will manage the spot with dishes inspired by the restaurant chefs’ family roots and Cuban and Peruvian neighborhoods in Miami, Tampa and Orlando.
Clean Juice
The organic juice bar franchise is moving its flagship store from Birkdale Village to Birkdale Landing in Huntersville. The store will officially open in the larger, 1,375 square-foot space at the end of June. The new Clean Juice store will feature a kitchen cold-press viewing window, a self-ordering kiosk, a grab-and-go cooler, and a spot for pick-up and delivery. Access to parking also will help with curbside delivery. Kat and Landon Eckles opened the first Clean Juice store in June 2015 in Huntersville. There are now 14 Charlotte area locations and over 100 nationwide.
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ
3050 Derita Road Suite 10, Concord (Opening spring 2021)
Charlotte location coming soon
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ plans two locations in Charlotte with gourmet hot dogs, barbecue and a self-service beer wall that will feature between 18-24 taps and include local craft beer.
Dilworth Tasting Room
4905 Ashley Park Lane, Suite J
Dilworth Tasting Room opened its second neighborhood spot Feb. 1 in the former Corkbuzz location in the Sharon Square development. The new location comes along with a fresh lunch menu and additional entree options at dinner.
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall
2120 South Blvd., Suite 1
This Cincinnati-based spot is opening any day now at Atherton. It will offer American fare (including a fried chicken BLT), 100+ beers to choose from and blues music.
Emmy Squared
1510 Central Ave..
Brooklyn-based Emmy Squared will bring Detroit-style pizza (yes, you read that right) to Plaza Midwood this summer. In addition to its square-shaped pizza, look for sandwiches, salads and appetizers.
The Exchange at 36th
451 E. 36th St.
The Exchange opened in February, selling a combination of groceries, home items, specialty local goods and sandwiches. A sit-down bar selling beer and wine is in the works.
Exposed Vegan
1540 West Blvd., Suite 102
The plant-based restaurant opened Jan. 1, selling juices, bowls and cookies to go. Co-owners Zsa-Zsa Porter and Nikkis Campbell are triatheletes who seek to remove myths about being vegan.
Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop
2410 Park Road
Charlotte restaurateur Fran Scibelli closed Fran’s Filling Station and is reopening it as Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop. The restaurant will include a walk-up window where customers can buy fresh doughnuts, and the bakery will make fresh bread and rolls for its sandwiches. Look out for a few doughnut sandwiches on the menu, too.
The Garbage Can
1540 West Boulevard, Unit 130
The Garbage Truck food truck, known for its Rochester, N.Y., Trash Plate and meat hot sauce, is opening its first storefront location at 3 p.m. April 24 in west Charlotte. The food truck has been in Charlotte, mostly in South End, since 2018. The first Garbage Truck food truck launched a decade ago in Los Angeles, California.
Golden Owl Tavern
9041 Robert D. Snyder Road
Denver-based Sage Restaurant Concepts opened Golden Owl Tavern on March 31 at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, right off the LYNX Blue Line. In addition to dine-in service, the restaurant will offer the full menu to-go during business hours.
THE SPACE: The 7,000-square-foot restaurant will feature a lounge and outdoor patio, as well as a main dining room with and open kitchen and vibrant bar.
THE FOOD: Golden Owl Tavern will offer unique twists on Southern classics, such as bacon-fat-fried crispy boiled peanuts, Nashville hot chicken deviled eggs, double smashed patty burgers, baby back ribs, scallops and grits and a bourbon-marinated drunken ribeye. For dessert, expect the restaurant’s version of banana pudding, upside-down cake and chocolate pecan pie.
THE DRINKS: Beverage options will include local craft beers and a compelling wine list, as well as both classic and creative cocktails. “With each restaurant concept we open, we spend years immersing ourselves in the area, getting to know the communities, their tastes and their needs,” said Troy Christian, vice president of food & beverage operations for Sage Restaurant Concepts.
“For the University City area, we know that community members have been clamoring for something unique and versatile. It’s really about the total experience for them – from location and ambiance to familiar go-to favorites and new tastes and beverages, and we can’t wait to serve that up at Golden Owl Tavern for our new friends in Charlotte.”
Dinner will be available Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m. Brunch service will be available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hideaway
2710 Tuckaseegee Road
Joseph “Jay” Davis, the co-owner of Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken and Seafood, opened his newest venture, Hideaway Bar & Lounge, as a space where adults can sit back and relax. Bonus: It caters to Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fans, too.
Hoptown Brewing Co.
107 Plantation Ridge Drive, Mooresville
Scott Plemmons and his wife, Sandy Plemmons, said the new Hoptown Brewing Co. will be the first of at least three locations in areas that aren’t as brewery-dense as Charlotte. Look for classic styles of beer and a few IPAs to choose from.
Inizio Pizza
A third location for Inizio Pizza Napoletana opens Feb. 15 in Huntersville’s Birkdale Landing Shopping center across from Birkdale Village. It will be near Summit Coffee’s new location. Since 2016, Inizio has been bringing Neapolitan wood-fired pizza to Charlotte, and it now has locations both in Dilworth and in Providence Commons.
Inizio’s pizza menu includes pies such as the Diavola, with spicy salami, calabrian pepper, San Marzano tomato sauce, Buffalo mozzarella, pecorino; and the Pistachio, with rosemary, sea salt, ricotta, Buffalo mozzarella, garlic, pistachio pesto sauce, pistachios. It also offers salads, local craft beer and wine, homemade cannolis and Italian gelato.
CharlotteFive named it one of Charlotte’s best pizzas in 2020.
Jekyll & Hyde Grill & Taphouse
216 W. Main St., Waxhaw
The third Jekyll & Hyde Grill & Taphouse will open in December at 216 W. Main St. in the historic 1913 building in downtown Waxhaw, south of Charlotte. The 4,800-square-foot restaurant will include a circular bar and rooftop seating and fiery fountain. Servers will wear period attire of the “STEAMpunkt” theme, according to the company. New to the Waxhaw location will be a distillery with vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and moonshine made on site.
The first Jekyll & Hyde opened four years ago in Matthews, followed by last year’s restaurant opening in downtown Belmont. Jekyll & Hyde’s menu combines traditional and not-so-traditional English, Irish and American dishes like Sheppard’s pie, fish and chips and homemade bread pudding. Plus, there are 10 beers brewed by Jekyll & Hyde at its Belmont location.
Jets Pizza
1800 Rozzelles Ferry Rd Ste 1808
Todd Martinez, owner of Jet’s Pizza in Huntersville and Mooresville, is expanding into Five Points in the Historic West End, QC Metro has reported. Rita’s Italian Ice will open next door, so save room for dessert.
The Jimmy
2839 Selwyn Ave.
The newest restaurant from chef Jim Noble will serve coffee and fresh pastries from Copain in the mornings, light Mediterranean fare mid-day and housemade pizzas and pastas for dinner.
Just Salad
4425 Sharon Road, Suite 195
Just Salad’s second Charlotte location in Apex SouthPark will have made-to-order salads, wraps, smoothies and more. It’s also got a menu searchable by “health tribes,” with categories including climatarian, keto, vegan, gluten-free and paleo.
Konnichiwa Charlotte
1315 East Blvd., Suite 130
Konnichiwa Charlotte took over Inishmore’s Dilworth spot, serving hibachi bowls, ramen and sushi. It aims to be a family friendly neighborhood restaurant.
La Belle Helene
300 S. Tryon St.
The 5th Street Group, the owners behind 5Church, are reopening La Belle Helene this spring with chef Jamie Lynch of Top Chef fame at the helm. The menu promises to offer classic French cuisine with a twist from Lynch, along with fresh, local ingredients.
Marble Slab Creamery
1511 Central Ave. (Opening summer 2021)
This ice cream shop serving creations you can customize with mix-ins is slated to open in the space vacated by Nova’s Bakery, Charlotte Agenda reported. The chain has an existing location at 7800-C Rea Road.
Margaritas Mexican
9805 Sandy Rock Place, Suite I
The Mexican restaurant concept that started in Indian Land and Fort Mill, South Carolina, is moving to Charlotte with a 4,220-square-foot location at Rea Farms. Look for a big menu of Mexican favorites, such as fajitas, burritos and enchiladas. It joins several new tenants in the development that’s managed by Lincoln Harris and Charlotte-based global asset manager Barings, including Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy.
Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market
316 Main St., Pineville (opening late winter)
Margaux’s is opening in Pineville in late February or early March with St. Louis-style pizza, along with fresh salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards. It also plans to focus on old world wines.
The Mayobird
1218 East Blvd.
2200 Thrift Road
The Mayobird, known for its chicken salad with a twist, closed its Dilworth restaurant and reopened in another neighborhood location with a pickup window only.
The 2,400-square-foot restaurant at 1531 East Blvd., never reopened its dining room after shutting down nearly one year ago because of safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, owner Deedee Hagner said. Her staff went from about 25 employees to two.
“We were doing the pandemic pivot just like everybody else,” she said.
The Mayobird Market Pick-Up Window reopened March 2 in a small, one-room space at 1218 East Blvd., serving prepackaged, bulk items. It offers contactless pickup from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Hagner is partnering with other local businesses like The Naked Tart, Beverlys Gourmet Foods and Enderly Coffee.
The Mayobird also opened a new location last month for delivery and takeout at City Kitch on Thrift Road. The menu of sandwiches and sides is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“I didn’t want to leave Dilworth,” Hagner said, “and we’re expanding our neighborhood.”
Morelia Gourmet Paletas
1425 Winnifred St., #104
This Miami-based shop serving handmade Mexican paletas will let you customize your ice pop with dips and toppings — and you can even get a waffle bowl to pair with it. It plans a spring opening in its South End space.
Moxie Mercantile
Multiple locations
Moxie Mercantile boutique is opening its third and largest store May 18 at 159 N. Trade St. in downtown Matthews. The 2,700-square -foot space means Moxie will expand its offerings to include — exclusive to the Matthews store — clothing lines Farm Rio and Young, Fabulous and Broke (YFB), plus other products like Brooklyn Candle, and Ophelia and Indigo. A grand opening celebration is May 22, with 10% of the day’s profit going to Thompson family support and stability program. Store hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Other stores are in Plaza Midwood and Davidson.
Night Swim Coffee
Multiple locations
Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee are combining forces to create Night Swim Coffee, a specialty coffee roastery and cafe with a flagship location at 4500 Old Pineville Road, another at 1630 Oakhurst Commons Drive and two more in the works.
OMG Donuts
6209 Old Post Road, Suite 108 (coming late summer 2021)
Construction is underway at the new location for this Concord doughnut favorite. Plans for the space include a name change to OMG Donuts & Coffee to reflect the addition of a coffee program partnership with local roaster Pure Intentions.
Orto
424 E. 36th St.
Paul Verica, the two-time James Beard Award semifinalist chef and owner of The Stanley, opened Orto in NoDa in Late Feburary, Axios Charlotte reported. On the menu you’ll find pizza and pasta, along with cocktails from mixologist Amanda Britton.
Oso Skate Park
4327 Raleigh St. (Opening summer 2021)
Oso Skate Park temporarily closed Jan. 15 and moved from its Plaza Midwood spot to a location near NoDa after its lease ended and owners said the park “wouldn’t be able to survive” under a proposed rent increase without having the ability to expand. Plans for new space called for both indoor and outdoor space, along with a pro shop.
Renaldo’s Culinary Experience
1540 West Blvd.
Chef Renaldo Norris, known for the past few years for his pizza, wings and other specialty foods, opened his West Boulevard location of Renaldo’s Culinary Experience in March.
Rocket Pizza
1213 W. Morehead St. (opening in 2021)
2501 The Plaza, Suite 1 (opening in 2021)
SouthPark location to be announced.
Owner Casey McCormick described the New Haven, Connecticut-style pizza at his new Rocket Pizza chain as having a thin, crisp, cracker-like crust that’s like no other in Charlotte.
Salata
9855 Sandy Rock Place (opening in fall 2021)
615 S. Tryon St. (opening in summer 2021)
The salad and wraps restaurant Salata will open a second Charlotte location in the fall at 9855 Sandy Rock Place. The Texas-based chain plans to debut its first North Carolina restaurant later this summer on South Tryon Street in the Ally Building in uptown Charlotte. The Rea Farms Salata will offer built-to-order salads and wraps, soups, and organic teas and lemonades. The Rea Farms franchise will be operated by Free Fenix LLC — partnered with Watson Six — which operates Duck Donuts. Free Fenix is partnering with QuietSeven to open the uptown location. Salata offers pickup, delivery with contactless options, catering and dine-in services.
Summit Coffee
16639 Birkdale Commons Pkwy
A new Huntersville location in Birkdale Landing off NC-73 will join the Summit Coffee locations this spring. It will include craft coffee and an espresso bar, plus beer, wine and specialty foods and is the first franchise unit for the business.
”We’ve been eyeing this Birkdale Landing spot for more than a year,” said Brian Helfrich, Summit Coffee CEO. “Its proximity to residential and other great brands like Inizio Pizza, First Watch and Shake Shack, not to mention the traffic along 73, will allow us to quickly ingratiate ourselves into a neighborhood sorely lacking a local coffee option.”
Supperland
1212 The Plaza
All of 2020, we followed along with restaurateur Jamie Brown as she detailed life during the pandemic. For her, that included renovating a former church in Plaza Midwood into Supperland, a glamorous restaurant and cocktail bar opening March 3 with her husband, chef Jeff Tonidandel, in charge of the kitchen.
Tipsy Taco
7708 Rea Road
This Greenville, SC, restaurant promises to bring “Tex-Mex with a little twist“ to the former Cantina 1511 space in Stonecrest Shopping Center whne it opens mid-March. Popular street tacos include the Don Mignon, a taco with filet mignon and chimichurri; the El Grande, a traditional crispy taco with queso and refried beans; and the Carne Asada, a flank steak taco with feta cheese, lettuce, spiced avocado ranch and pico de gallo.
Vaulted Oak
3726 Monroe Road (Opening in April)
Vaulted Oak Brewing is opening in a former BB&T bank branch in Echo HIlls and putting the layout to use. The old drive-thru is now a patio, with roll-up doors and a bar where the teller window was.
The Vintage Whisky and Cigar Bar
215 E. Worthington Ave.
This new South End hangout is touted as an upscale, prohibition-style lounge for those who appreciate cigars and high-end whiskies.. The lounge also features a fully stocked, custom-built walk-in humidor.
Warmack
1226 Central Ave.
Warmack plans to serve up Asian comfort food in the former Pint Central location, including bahn mi and a braised pork bowl. Online ordering and curbside pickup is available during COVID-19.
What the Fries
10707 Park Road, Suite F
The popular food truck has opened its first brick-and-mortar location with a slightly revamped menu. In addition to the loaded fries that made the restaurant famous, you can now get grilled cheese, wings and even a loaded fry wrap.
Wild Wing Cafe
8760 J.M. Keynes Drive
This chain known for chicken wings opened its newest location in University City on April 21, along with a new lineup of sauces that also feature its partner, Wicked Weed Brewing.
Xiao Bao
1115 N. Brevard St.
The Optimist Hall food stall will hone in on Southeast Asian favorites from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Look for classics such as Okonomiyaki and Som Tum Chicken, aong with Asian-inspired snacks including fried brussels, LA-style beef rolls, glass Noodle Laap and fried caramel pork Mochi.
Yum Yum Crumbs
Online only
Yum Yum Crumbs offers cake cups built with cake crumbs for delivery via DoorDash. Married couple Mitch Miller Jr. and Sarah Kennedy founded the Black and native American-owned business and hired Laressa Rucker, who has worked at Amelie’s, Sunflower Baking Co., and other Charlotte spots, as executive chef.
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