Chuy's at South Park - Charlotte, NC

 Chile Rellenos stuffed with Shrimp and Cheese.

Chuy's is a Tex Mex chain with a huge following with its first store in Austin, Texas circa 1982. The Charlotte outlet opened summer 2013 and I recently had the chance to try it out. I had never been to another Chuy's before and I really enjoyed my first experience. Much of what makes Chuy's fun and unique is the atmosphere, including several kitschy / themed rooms like the palm tree room and the hub cap room. We ended up sitting outside which was a great choice since my son was with us. He was able to run around and play near the fountain, which is just outside the patio seating area. The inside is great for kids as well - in addition to the interesting decor, there is a tortilla making area where kids can watch and make their own.

Previously, Charlotte lacked a Tex-Mex presence so it is great to see Chuy's filling this niche. The menu is huge and includes several specialties that you don't see often - like Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken. We tasted all the sauces - and there are LOTS - see photo below. My favorite was the hatch chile sauce - delicious and you would be remiss not to try the boom-boom sauce on something! The appetizer platter was a crowd pleaser as well, especially the loaded nachos and the chicken flautas. I liked the thin chips and salsa - allowed me to eat more of them and taste all the sauces! My other favorites from the meal include the chile rellenos - we tried the one stuffed with shrimp and cheese but there are several options and the sinfully rich and delicious tres leches cake - one of my favorites anyway - this version really took the cake!! There is a full drink menu available including specialty margaritas which my adult dining companions thoroughly enjoyed. If you have not yet tried Chuy's I encourage you to check it out - it is located at the corner of Sharon and Morrison, convenient to all your South Park shopping needs.

Credit for almost all the photos goes to my awesome cousin, Benjamin Leder.

 

The outdoor seating area is perfect for families - it is right next to a giant fountain that turns on and off, a fun distraction for the toddler :)

We enjoyed the thin, crispy chips along with the salsa and other sauces (see below!)

Appetizer platter - loved this!

Sauce tour.

Steak fajitas with all the fixins!

Taco platter - fish and chicken. 

 

The Hubcap Room.

Tres Leches - one of the best I've ever had. 

Flan - also good!

Disclosure: The meal described in this review was complimentary.

10 Park Lanes

St. Louis Ribs with Mac & Cheese and Green Beans. Very good BBQ with 4 sauce options!

I was recently invited to check out the newly renovated Ten Park Lanes, which was formerly George Pappas Park Lanes - probably the first place I bowled growing up! The space is much improved - definitely not your average bowling alley and it includes fun for all generations. There are 2 large bars, including a special moonshine bar, comfortable lanes, a separate dining area, several decks and patios and room for outdoor games.

The food is also a major focus, which is rare for a bowling establishment. We enjoyed everything we tried, with the St. Louis cut ribs and the mac & cheese especially standing out as excellent. The barbecue is great in general and there are four different sauces offered including my favorite: coffee jalepeno BBQ sauce. In addition to the ribs there is also pulled pork, chicken, sausage and prime rib BBQ, available on platters or in mason jars stacked with various side options - a unique concept. The mason jar also figures prominently into the dessert we tried: the jar is dipped in chocolate, then nuts and frozen - when ready to serve it is filled with brownies, ice cream and whipped cream. This is currently my favorite version of an ice cream sundae!

In addition to the BBQ there are several good salad options, flatbread pizzas (also delicious!), burgers, other sandwiches and a multitude of appetizers including sliders. Definitely something for everyone. Food can be served right at your lane or you can take a break and eat in the dining area.

Drinks are also a major focus. Wine and a long list of draft beers are available but the real specialty of the house are moonshine drinks including martinis and cocktails. Calvin enjoyed the very berry-basil lemonade with strawberry infused moonshine as well as the less sweet Troy & tonic.

We also bowled three games, which was a lot of fun - the graphics on the display screens here are new and more innovative than others I've seen. There is also comfortable seating in the bowling area with booths instead of the hard, uncomfortable seats you usually find at bowling alleys. Bowling specials include a lunch and bowl, retro night, a Sunday night special and a kids bowl free night.

I look forward to visiting Ten Park Lanes again very soon!

Entrance and deck.



Roll Ten Chips - homemade potato chips made into nachos with pulled pork.



Oven roasted spinach dip with naan bread chips.



Moonshine Cocktail.



Flatbread pizza - we had half and half with pepperoni and sausage (top) and prime and bleu.



One of the outdoor areas.



Delicious ice cream sundae with brownies and ice cream inside - yum!



Bar #1.



The lanes.



Moonshine Bar.

Disclosure: The meal (and bowling) described in this review was complimentary.

La Paz

Steak & Shrimp Veracruz.

La Paz, now located at the Metropolitan complex, has taken a downturn since it moved from the South Boulevard location. Even when it was on South I felt much of the authenticity had been lost following the move from the original location in a charming house in Myers Park off Providence Road. Now it feels like another big box chain - without being a chain! My recent dinner was ho-hum, nothing fantastic, nothing horrible. The waitstaff was obviously green and despite the huge space being close to empty on a Sunday evening it took a long time for us to find our waitress to pay our check. I appreciate that La Paz has a diverse menu including salads other than a taco shell with iceberg and several vegetarian dishes but I am on the hunt for an authentic, good and inexpensive Mexican staple in Charlotte. I have a few places I plan to try coming up - what's your favorite and why?

Veggie fajitas.



Chips - the salsa was tasty.



Char-grilled Chicken Salad.

Portabella and spinach tamales with goat cheese - interesting but lacks zing.

Rooftop Fun at Six Feet Under Westside

Fried Okra platter.

Not long ago I was invited to a fabulous networking event on the rooftop deck of Six Feet Under - Westside. I had not been to this location previously and truly enjoyed the experience. The food and atmosphere was delightful as was the good company. The spicy rat toes were especially tasty as was the horseradish-dill sauce served with the addictive homemade potato chips. The view of midtown Atlanta is spectacular (sorry - no photo!).

Spicy Rat Toes - that's baked jalepeno peppers stuffed with shrimp and wrapped in bacon, served with Ranch dressing.



Housemade potato chips with delicious horseradish-dill sauce.

Bad Dog Taqueria - Emory Village + Morelli's

Love the unique chips & salsa: Chips – Mix of Yucca, Plantain, Boniato and Corn Chips
Served with three salsas – Salsa Fresca, Plantain Pineapple Serrano, Fire Roasted Tomato.

After hearing a glowing review of Bad Dog Taqueria from my cousins Joanne and Craig, I met friends for lunch here one day. Somehow we all ended up with salads, which were tasty enough and served with creative dressings like pineapple plantain, tomato cumin, creamy cilantro and avocado tahini. The tacos, although I have not had a chance to try them, look very interesting, with brisket, Korean pork belly, portobello pushroom and filet mignon on the list of taco fillings. Hopefully I will have the chance to experience the tacos soon.

Although the construction around Emory done on the side near Bad Dog, parking is still an issue. I advise coming at an off time to avoid waiting for a spot - or walk if you can!

"Tastes like Chicken" salad.



"Go Fish" Salad.



"Chickpeas in a Pod" salad.



The menu.

Bad Dog also serves Morelli's ice cream, which is reason enough to visit. I've recently enjoyed visiting Morelli's second location on Caroline Street, sampling flavors like salted caramel, rosemary (which I replicated recently at home) and maple bacon brittle. They also offer some pretty outrageously wicked sundaes as well as homemade waffle cones.

Chef inspired sundae options.



Options at Morelli's new Caroline Street location. The Moreland Ave. location is still going strong as well.

The Family Dog - Media Tasting

I was invited to a media preview event at The Family Dog, the new bar concept by Ron Eyester. The bar is located directly across the street from Eyester's flagship restaurant, Rosebud, which I have enjoyed several times for lunch and brunch. Although I am not typically a bar person I really like the atmosphere of The Family Dog. The long bar, dark tones and fun art as well as a patio play positively into the mix.

Unfortunately I found the food mostly mediocre and although I find the "Angry Chef" bit that Eyester has become infamous for mildly amusing, as a customer it doesn't make a lot of sense. For example, the burger comes only one way. No exceptions. Of course this is Eyester's choice and I understand the dilemma he faces regarding preparation time and speed of orders, but this is a bit excessive. I'd rather see fewer toppings on the burger and/or have toppings come on the side. Another option: a topping bar.

I did really enjoy the playfulness of much of the menu, including lobster spaghetti egg rolls and house made Cheetohs. I was really excited about tasting the Cheetohs as well as the duck fat chips and onion dip. However, unfortunately I saw very little lobster meat in the egg rolls and in my humble opinion neither the Cheetohs nor the chips and onion dip tasted as good as upper-end store-bought varieties.

My favorite menu items that we sampled included the steamed mussels and the crab dip. The mussels, plump and juicy after being steamed in beer with serrano peppers and leeks, really took on the flavor of their cooking stock. I wanted to lap up the remaining broth but restrained myself since we were sharing plates! The crab dip is rich and creamy, served with tasty bread sticks. The burger (served its one way) was also good - I personally am fine with the way it is served. I also like the nostalgic tint of the fried bologna sandwich with cheese and crushed Fritos. It is definitely flavorful although that flavor screams unhealthy! The crispy rock shrimp with maple-sambal glaze had a great flavor, but the breading was so think I could barely taste the shrimp.

Crab dip.



Spaghetti lobster egg rolls.



House made Cheetohs.

We also sampled some of the tasty drinks including the Morningsider (gin, fresh squeezed lemon and maraschino juice) and the Angry Elk (adult fruit punch in a Mason jar) - both quite delicious. There is a huge selection of liquor including an especially impressive list of whisky. In addition, there are six other custom cocktails made using fresh ingredients, around ten draught beers and several wine options. I also really appreciate the selection of non-alcoholic options, including Mexican Coke (no corn syrup) and Cheerwine, the beloved soda from my home state.

7 Spice Duck Fat Potato Chips and Onion Dip.



Joe's Fried Mozzarella.



Burger.



Fried Bologna and Cheese with crushed Fritos.



Disco fries with marrow gravy and fried egg.

Overall I think The Family Dog is a neat addition to the neighborhood since it is open late, which is hard to find, and it provides an atmosphere not previously available in Morningside proper. Those seeking out good drinks and a fun atmosphere will really enjoy it and the food will satisfy their need to eat something after inhaling all those drinks. I would like to try some of the other options we were not given, including the wings, fried oyster sandwich, pimento cheese and crab-stuffed shrooms.