Alexander Michael's
Two Charlotte attorneys, Michael Troiano Jr., and Alexander Copeland III, founded Alexander Michael's. Affectionately referred to as Al Mike's by locals, the restaurant helped to revitalize Charlotte's historic Fourth Ward. The location of Alexander Michael's is a century-old building that was originally the town's general store. A number of items from Charlotte's history are still put to use in the restaurant, including a beer cooler from the 1920s. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The lunch menu features American favorites, such as BBQ chicken wings, and chips and dip. Salad is also offered during lunch service, along with a large assortment of burgers and sandwiches. All lunch orders include one free side item, such as fries or onion rings.
Alexander Michael's serves dinner from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The dinner menu includes all items that are featured during lunch. Deep fried pickles, potato wedges and nachos spice up the dinner menu's appetizer selection, and a number of dinner entrees are available on this menu. The most popular item at Al Mike's is the "Build Your Own Pasta" platter, which gives you a choice of different types of pastas and sauces. Veggies, chicken or shrimp can be added to the pasta for a small additional fee.
Alexander Michael's
401 W. Ninth St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
(980) 939-8542
almikestavern.com
Cajun Queen
The Cajun Queen is a New Orleans style restaurant located in the center of Charlotte's historic Elizabeth neighborhood. Like most restaurants in the vicinity, the Cajun Queen is located in a building that was originally a residential structure built during the early 20th century. This creates a private environment with a series of small dining rooms downstairs, with a larger bar and dining upstairs. There is also a rooftop terrace, providing an unobstructed view of the surrounding area. The menu at the Cajun Queen is a nice representation of authentic bayou cooking. That means plenty of shrimp, chicken and creole seasonings. The restaurant is particularly well known for its BBQ shrimp dish, but the cajun fried oysters are not to be overlooked, especially with a side order of black beans and rice. Scampi and gumbo is also served, for those who prefer a more mainstream style of New Orleans cooking. The Cajun Queen is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those who choose to visit the Cajun Queen for dinner service will be treated to live jazz music, played in the main dining hall seven nights a week.
Cajun Queen Restaurant
1800 E. 7th St.
Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 377-9017
cajunqueen.net
Beef & Bottle
Of all the places to choose from in Charlotte, Beef & Bottle holds its own with some of the best steak, seafood and traditional American cuisine in the entire state of North Carolina. In many ways, Beef & Bottle is a throw back to the steak roadhouses that dotted the landscape during the 1960s. Dim lighting and a lack of decorations are compensated for with a plate featuring the largest, most mouth-watering steak to be found anywhere in Charlotte. Appetizers at Beef & Bottle feature a number of shrimp, oyster and salmon selections, along with onion soup au gratin and the soup du jour. Steak is always the on the menu at Beef & Bottle. The restaurant proudly boasts the best filet mignon in Charlotte, but the sirloin, ribeye and New York strip are also good options. A variety of seafood is also available to compliment your meal, including shrimp, scallops and baby lobster tail.
Beef & Bottle is open for dinner service only. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with service usually concluding around 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.
Beef & Bottle
4538 South Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 307-4660
beefandbottle.com
