What’s the story behind the unique names of these 12 Charlotte restaurants, breweries?

Chyna Blackmon
·5 min read

There’s a lot that can make a restaurant memorable, from the menu to the ambiance and, sometimes, even the name.

Charlotte is home to a long list of delicious local restaurants serving up cuisines from all over the world — several with pretty unique names.

Several years ago, the CharlotteFive team dug a little deeper to share how some local restaurants got their names.

Since then, the city’s culinary scene has only gotten bigger (with over 200 new ones that have opened or plan to in the last year), and we got inspired to do the same and shed light on the inspiration behind other fan-favorite spots.

So what’s the deal behind the names of some of the local restaurants around town? Here are the stories behind how some hot spots got their name:

Benny Pennello’s

Location: 2909 N Davidson St STE 100, Charlotte, NC 28205

Story behind the name: Benny Pennello’s, located in NoDa, is one of many Benny locations around the U.S., where every pizzeria has a different name.

“Pennello” (which translates to “paint brush” in Italian) pays homage to the Charlotte arts district as the ”creative side of Benny.” The South End location, Benny’s Ferrovia’s (which means railroad), represents Benny’s “on-the-go” personality; and the newest Concord location, Benny DaCorsa’s (which means racing) was inspired by Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord.

Chapter 6

Location: 2151 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Story behind the name: Chapter 6, which opened last year in South End, is the sixth concept run by Rare Roots Hospitality — the team behind Dressler’s, Joan’s Bakery & Deli, The Porter’s House and Fin & Fino. The local restaurant’s menu also pulls inspiration from six different countries, including Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France and Italy.

Chapter 6’s menu focuses on Mediterranean flavors from Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France and Italy.
Chapter 6’s menu focuses on Mediterranean flavors from Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France and Italy.

Devil’s Logic Brewing

Location: 1426 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Story behind the name: If you possibly thought there was some satanic connection to Devil’s Logic Brewing’s name — that’s not it. The co-owners wanted something “a little more edgy” for the name, they previously told CharlotteFive, plus they’d had hopes for hosting discussions for people with different backgrounds and opinions to come together.

Haberdish

Location: 3106 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Cuisine: American, Southern

Story behind the name: Haberdish, located in NoDa, is designed and inspired by the history of the mill town of North Charlotte — both in its food and its name. The namesake used for the Southern restaurant is a combination of both “haberdashery” and “dish.”

Haberdish offers up their smoked deviled eggs with an optional trout topping.
Haberdish offers up their smoked deviled eggs with an optional trout topping.

Kid Cashew

Location: 1608 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Story behind the name: Though it’s located in Dilworth, Kid Cashew’s name has ties to Greece. One of the restaurant’s founders, Georgio Bakatsias, grew up working on a farm and had a baby goat — otherwise known as a kid — that he named Cashew. Kid Cashew’s team says the name was also inspired by the G.O.A.T. phrase, which stands for “greatest of all time.”

Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill

Location: 1524 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Story behind the name: From interior decor to the restaurant name, Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill was inspired by the 1998 film “The Big Lebowski.” Through recent renovations and new ownership, the local restaurant still has some movie posters and a few film-inspired cocktails as a nod to the main character “The Dude, Lebowski,” who drank White Russians.

A “The Big Lebowski” poster at Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill.
A “The Big Lebowski” poster at Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill.

Link & Pin

Location: 155 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Location: 9723 Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Location: 8128 Providence Rd #1200, Charlotte, NC 28277

Story behind the name: Link & Pin’s name is credited to the location of its OG restaurant in South End, which was home to the city’s first railroad line, the team says. With it also being on a light rail stop, they decided on a railroad term for the restaurant.

Link & Pin has three locations across the Charlotte area.
Link & Pin has three locations across the Charlotte area.

The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary

Location: 2326 Arty Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208

Story behind the name: Though the word “apothecary” is usually used in regards to medicine, it’s included in The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary because of the healing support of herbal tea. The local herbal tea lounge is also named after owner Sherry Waters’s beloved grandmother, Pauline.

As part of Historic West End Partners’ “Thrive” revitalization, The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary’s second location will be in a yellow house on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte.
As part of Historic West End Partners’ “Thrive” revitalization, The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary’s second location will be in a yellow house on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte.

Protagonist Beer

Location: 3123 N Davidson St STE 104, Charlotte, NC 28205

Location: 227 Southside Dr Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28217

Story behind the name: The word “protagonist” not only inspired the local brewery’s name, but also its mission. Like a leading character “who tries to do the right thing in every situation they’re put in,” Protagonist’ team says they try to do the same. The brewery even has a few drinks named after classic protagonists, too.

Protagonist Beer’s location in Lower South End has benches and walkable space outdoors.
Protagonist Beer’s location in Lower South End has benches and walkable space outdoors.

Seemingly Overzealous

Location: Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave #102, Charlotte, NC 28206

Story behind the name: Seemingly Overzealous, a dairy-free ice cream shop in Camp North End, was inspired by the start of co-founders Garrett Tichy and Jessica Berresse’s relationship. It goes back to a text sent after their first date, and is a “reminder to honor all those emotions, big or small, and to connect with others authentically and intentionally,” the pair said.

Seemingly Overzealous will add to the dessert options at Camp North End.
Seemingly Overzealous will add to the dessert options at Camp North End.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery

Location: 514 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Story behind the name: Sitcom fans of course will get the reference, but Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery is a nod to the hit TV show, “Friends.” The name for Charlotte’s longest-running coffeehouse was inspired by an infamous song by Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe, that she performed outside the fictional coffee shop, CharlotteFive previously reported.

The name of Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery, located in NoDa, was inspired by “Friends.”
The name of Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery, located in NoDa, was inspired by “Friends.”

Triple C Brewing

Location: 2900 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Location: Charlotte Douglas International Airport Tasting Room, 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208

Story behind the name: Triple C Brewing’s name is a reflection of the brewery’s focus on craft, community and Charlotte. Aside from working to serve up the best craft beers with the finest ingredients, the local brewery’s team says they value giving back to the community and cultivating events for others.