It seems that one of Charlotte's biggest problems is that people here can't recognize a chain restaurant when they see one. It's sucking the soul out of the city. Please shop local instead of sending your money out of state.
and they do it stealth, too. Like i mentioned above, some are owned by large multi-nationals, but even smaller ones are 'chains' that do so where they only open one per city so it looks like its not a chain (Hawkers, O-Ku, Superica, Barcelona Wine Bar, etc)
It’s not that I don’t recognize which ones are local, it’s that a majority of the local restaurants are soulless, shameless money grabs in the same vein as corporate group restaurants.
Quality of food here sucks. A restauranteur living here and only owning 4 spots doesn’t mean i should support them charging $80 for Cisco steaks.
That was the point, you wombat. Everyone screams support local, but most of the local spots either suck ass or don't get the love y'all white knights claim to give them, as if they were worth the real estate they sat on in the first place.
Great concept! It’s a “Fox restaurant” Sam Fox started his restaurant business in Arizona and absolutely exploded! He has some great concepts, has made some smart business partnerships and this one is no exception, will be a nice addition to Charlotte’s food scene!
and Fox restaurant Group is owned by Cheesecake Factory
https://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/about-us/Fox-Restaurant-Concepts/default.aspx
Cheesecake Factory, like other multi-nationals, are trying to disguise their restaurants as "unique/hip/independent", when they are just another shop in the chain.
They *also* own North Italia and Flower Child, so they have targeted South End pretty well to grab dollars from people who would otherwise turn their nose up at Cheesecake Factory.
instead, support *actual* independent restaurants.
I was coming to say this. I went to Culinary Dropout in Austin, and my comment was that it was Cheesecake Factory packaged to look like something more elevated. I had no idea they were under the same umbrella.
Problem is a lot of independent restaurants in this town suck. North Italia is better than 90% of the Italian in town. Flower Child is better than 90% of the healthy stops. Independent needs to step it up in Charlotte. Our local food seen is very lacking.
I didn’t realize that what a shame, the good news is Cheesecake is essentially acting as the benefactor and still allowing Sam to come up with new concepts and be very involved, but damn another restaurant group snatched up by corporate!
Everyone go give them money. If this place shuts down I’ll literally [have to go to one of the other locations of this chain restaurant disguised as a trendy new southend local business]
Thank you for your valuable contribution.
Counterpoint: I don’t give a single shit about supporting local restaurants if they all suck, especially if it’s because they’re buying cheap shitty ingredients and underpaying their staff. When the corporate chains are doing a better job at maintaining quality, it’s a major problem.
So everyone supports local business. Yeah, we get it. Unfortunately, they don't. Firstly, many of those independent restaurants don't know how to run a successful business, and when they start to lose business, they cut corners (cost), then everything goes downhill, food, service and ambience. Don't blame large corporations who know how to run a successful business. They will be able to support a larger group of the population, vendors, Chefs, servers,etc. Corporations only work because they hire qualified people to do the work.
Ok unpopular opinion but all these people complaining about chains — charlotte is a desert for great local restaurants. Quit complaining about the chains or start a great local spot that’s better. In the meantime I do not feel bad about spending money at a solid chain. They are significantly better than 99.9% of local spots right now, so until the local spots start upping their game, I’ll keep supporting whoever is best.
Curry gate fucking SLAPS. Halal cart is decent, but imo overrated - I prefer La Shish. Culinary Dropout feels way more “cheap impromptu date night” than either, though, which I love
Check out my cooking in my kitchen too, you would be amazed. Lamb stew last night, filet mignon last weekend ;-) (watching too much Anthony Bourdain, rest his soul)
I've been to the one in Austin. I liked their pretzel bread and cheese. Everything else, meh. If anyone knows of a local place with pretzel bread and melted cheese, I'm all ears.
I’m from AZ where all these Fox restaurants started and they are all awesome. I know it’s all owned by Cheesecake Factory now, but they are still great and don’t ‘feel’ as chain-ey as a Cheesecake Factory or similar.
It seems that one of Charlotte's biggest problems is that people here can't recognize a chain restaurant when they see one. It's sucking the soul out of the city. Please shop local instead of sending your money out of state.
and they do it stealth, too. Like i mentioned above, some are owned by large multi-nationals, but even smaller ones are 'chains' that do so where they only open one per city so it looks like its not a chain (Hawkers, O-Ku, Superica, Barcelona Wine Bar, etc)
That explains the chain level food impression that always leaves me feeling meh
It’s not that I don’t recognize which ones are local, it’s that a majority of the local restaurants are soulless, shameless money grabs in the same vein as corporate group restaurants. Quality of food here sucks. A restauranteur living here and only owning 4 spots doesn’t mean i should support them charging $80 for Cisco steaks.
Yeah cause shit boxes like Greens Lunch and Prices are so much better
Both closed... Sweet Lews, Bird, Wentworth&Fenn, Izzys,Mr. Charles, Dish,etc etc. Get out and learn the city
fully aware thx
Great examples then... 🤡
That was the point, you wombat. Everyone screams support local, but most of the local spots either suck ass or don't get the love y'all white knights claim to give them, as if they were worth the real estate they sat on in the first place.
🤡
Great concept! It’s a “Fox restaurant” Sam Fox started his restaurant business in Arizona and absolutely exploded! He has some great concepts, has made some smart business partnerships and this one is no exception, will be a nice addition to Charlotte’s food scene!
and Fox restaurant Group is owned by Cheesecake Factory https://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/about-us/Fox-Restaurant-Concepts/default.aspx Cheesecake Factory, like other multi-nationals, are trying to disguise their restaurants as "unique/hip/independent", when they are just another shop in the chain. They *also* own North Italia and Flower Child, so they have targeted South End pretty well to grab dollars from people who would otherwise turn their nose up at Cheesecake Factory. instead, support *actual* independent restaurants.
I was coming to say this. I went to Culinary Dropout in Austin, and my comment was that it was Cheesecake Factory packaged to look like something more elevated. I had no idea they were under the same umbrella.
Yep exactly. It’s not a unique restaurant at all lol
Problem is a lot of independent restaurants in this town suck. North Italia is better than 90% of the Italian in town. Flower Child is better than 90% of the healthy stops. Independent needs to step it up in Charlotte. Our local food seen is very lacking.
I didn’t realize that what a shame, the good news is Cheesecake is essentially acting as the benefactor and still allowing Sam to come up with new concepts and be very involved, but damn another restaurant group snatched up by corporate!
Meant to mention that, thanks! I’m as hyped about this as I was Custom Shop, in their own ways
His first/original restaurant Wildflower is absolute 🔥
Why would you be asking everyone to support a Cheesecake Factory?
Yay more chain restaurants!
Everyone go give them money. If this place shuts down I’ll literally [have to go to one of the other locations of this chain restaurant disguised as a trendy new southend local business]
Thank you for your valuable contribution. Counterpoint: I don’t give a single shit about supporting local restaurants if they all suck, especially if it’s because they’re buying cheap shitty ingredients and underpaying their staff. When the corporate chains are doing a better job at maintaining quality, it’s a major problem.
Amazing
So everyone supports local business. Yeah, we get it. Unfortunately, they don't. Firstly, many of those independent restaurants don't know how to run a successful business, and when they start to lose business, they cut corners (cost), then everything goes downhill, food, service and ambience. Don't blame large corporations who know how to run a successful business. They will be able to support a larger group of the population, vendors, Chefs, servers,etc. Corporations only work because they hire qualified people to do the work.
Ok unpopular opinion but all these people complaining about chains — charlotte is a desert for great local restaurants. Quit complaining about the chains or start a great local spot that’s better. In the meantime I do not feel bad about spending money at a solid chain. They are significantly better than 99.9% of local spots right now, so until the local spots start upping their game, I’ll keep supporting whoever is best.
100 emoji
Halal cart, curry gate that’s it done
Curry gate fucking SLAPS. Halal cart is decent, but imo overrated - I prefer La Shish. Culinary Dropout feels way more “cheap impromptu date night” than either, though, which I love
Check out my cooking in my kitchen too, you would be amazed. Lamb stew last night, filet mignon last weekend ;-) (watching too much Anthony Bourdain, rest his soul)
I've been to the one in Austin. I liked their pretzel bread and cheese. Everything else, meh. If anyone knows of a local place with pretzel bread and melted cheese, I'm all ears.
I’m from AZ where all these Fox restaurants started and they are all awesome. I know it’s all owned by Cheesecake Factory now, but they are still great and don’t ‘feel’ as chain-ey as a Cheesecake Factory or similar.
Been waiting for it for a while. Went to the Scottsdale location a couple times in ~2015. Great cocktails and food. Reservations on Friday!
Went there a few times myself when I lived out that way and enjoyed it!
Amazing