This summer, scoop is covering off your lunch dates by the ‘hood so bookmark this list. We started in SouthPark. This time, we’re heading to Dilworth and South End. We’ll start with a few new(ish) spots to add to your list, cover the lunch specials, then head into tried and true favorites before wrapping up with a few to visit when you’re short on time.
Let us know which spots you’d add to the list in the comments below!
NEW(ish) TO TRY
Capishe: Real Italian Kitchen
500 E Morehead St. Suite 100
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open at 11 a.m.
Order: Opt for a sandwich (they all come with side salads), or a perfectly-sized 10″ pizza. Both options max out at $10, making it a budget-friendly lunch outing.
The scoop: There’s easy garage parking, but plan to get there before noon to beat the lunchtime rush.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
1930 Camden Rd.
Lunch hours: Open at 11 a.m.
Order: The street fare-style menu offers plenty of sharable options. Pick a few small plates to start (the Roti Canai and Singapore ‘Chilli” Crab are musts for first-timers), the Viet Bun salad and a noodle or rice dish to share.
The scoop: Parking can be tricky, but during the week you may find parking on one of the side streets off of Camden. Allow an extra few minutes to search out a spot. Hawkers doesn’t take reservations and can get crowded, especially for large groups on a Friday. Mid-week may be your best bet.
Superica
101 W. Worthington Avenue #100
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Order: Superica’s $11.99 lunch special includes rice and beans plus two of the following: Nachos, salad, soup, enchilada, hard shell taco or tacos al carbon.
The scoop: Snag a parking spot in the lot across the street from Superica (and Byron’s). They don’t take reservations, and can get busy during lunch hours.
Plus one we’re looking forward to: Ilios Crafted Greek coming to 1514 S Church St. from the team at Ilios Noche.
FOR LUNCH SPECIALS
Pisces Sushi
1100E Metropolitan Ave Suite 120
Lunch hours: 11:30AM – 2:30PM Monday – Friday 12:00 – 2:30PM Saturday/Sunday
Order: Go for the all-you-can-eat lunch special for $12 per person. It’s offered Monday – Friday from 11:30 – 2:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. You can also enjoy the special on the weekends from 12 – 2:30 p.m. View the full menu here.
The scoop: Pisces’ all-you-can-eat lunch special makes this a popular spot. Snag a spot in the parking garage across the street.
Kid Cashew
1608 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open at 11 a.m.
Order: In addition to the pick-two lunch special, Kid Cashew offers sharable plates (try the homemade spreads with pita and veggies) and salads (the super grains and avocado is a favorite).
The scoop: Easy onsite parking and both outdoor and indoor options. Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kid Cashew offers a pick-two lunch special featuring menu favorites for just $9.95.
Ru San’s
2440 Park Rd.
Lunch hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Order: Go for the all-you-can-eat sushi buffet for $11.75 per person. On the buffet you’ll find chef-selected and daily special rolls, sides, salads and more.
The scoop: Easy parking onsite. It does get crowded, but there are usually seats at the bar if tables fill up.
TRIED & TRUE CLASSICS
Fran’s Filling Station
2410 Park Road
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Order: Keep it light with the Ribboned Tuscan Kale salad with dried cranberries, shaved Parmesan, toasted almonds and lemon vinaigrette. The menu also offers a selection of tacos and numbered house favorites. Select sandwiches are also also available as a half sandwich, served with soup or house salad for $10.95. View the full menu here.
The scoop: Easy parking on site. Call for reservations: 704.372.2009.
Vivace
1100 Metropolitan Ave #100
Lunch hours: Open for lunch Monday – Friday from 11 a.m.
Order: Vivace offers gluten-free pastas and pizzas, as well as paninis served with choice of field greens or pasta salad.
The scoop: The patio with a skyline view makes a perfect lunch al fresco. Make reservations online just in case.
300 East
300 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Lunch is served Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., with a limited lunch menu served on Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Order: Be on the lookout for lunch specials. If none catch your eye, you can’t go wrong with the Seared Ahi Tuna Salad or The Usual Sandwich with Joyce Farms chicken salad, asparagus, mushrooms and cheddar.
The scoop: Parking available behind the restuarant. Reservations accepted online.
Bakersfield East Blvd.
1301 East Blvd.
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: The Johnny salad with chicken makes a full yet light meal, with mixed greens, bacon, cotija cheese, hearts of palm, avocado, red onion, toasted almond and a cider vinaigrette. Sharables for the table include the trio: chips, guacamole, and rojo and verde salsas. They also have tortas served on telera rolls, tasty toastadas (3 per order) and plenty of taco options all served on handmade tortillas.
The scoop: There’s free parking daily in the lot behind Giving Tree Realty on East Blvd. There’s also free street parking on Kenilworth Avenue if you can find it. They’ll have the garage doors open on nice days for some mid-day fresh air. Reservations available online, but walk-ins also available.
Bad Daddy’s
1626 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: Specialty or build-your-own burgers, with gluten-free buns available for $1 extra. They even have chicken burgers and the popular Frechie burger: a t urkey burger with brie, applewood smoked bacon, grilled apples and garlic mayo. They also have a few specialty salads, along with a build-your-own option.
The scoop: Small parking lot with street spots available for overflow. This is a popular spot for lunch, so try to arrive on the tail ends of peak lunch hours to avoid a wait.
Dressler’s
1100 Metropolitan Ave #125
Lunch hours: Monday – Friday from 11:30 a.m.
Order: Don’t miss the Thai Calamari as a sharable appetizer to start, the choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches and hot lunch plates. View the full menu here.
The scoop: Use the parking garage across the street to make lunch a breeze. Reservations available online.
Inizio Pizza
2230 Park Rd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: Pizzas for sharing (or all for yourself), or the Italian Chopped Salad are favorites. And you can’t go wrong with the Instagram-famous Pistachio pizza made with Rosemary, Sea Salt, Ricotta, Buffalo Mozzarella, Garlic, Pistachio Pesto Sauce, Pistachios.
The scoop: Easy parking onsite in the shared lot, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating whether you’re on a lunch date or dining with a group of coworkers.
Copper Modern Indian Cuisine
311 East Blvd.
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11:30 a.m.
Order: Choose from traditional and modern Indian dishes, including a weekday express lunch that includes your choice of a sauce, a protein, naan, rice and side salad or soup. View the full menu here.
The scoop: Accepts reservations online.
Fern, Flavors from the Garden
1419 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open daily from 10 a.m.
Order: Choose from a variety of vegan eats from sharable small plates including avocado lime toast and miso mustard Brussels to the “om” white bean burger and mushroom gyro. View the full menu here.
The scoop: Onsite parking in the shared lot.
Thai Taste
324 East Blvd.
Lunch hours: Open for lunch weekdays 11 am – 2:30 pm.
Order: Choose from daily lunch specials served with a spring roll and jasmine rice. For those dining in, iced tea and soup are included. View all daily options here.
The scoop: Easy parking onsite.
Leroy Fox South End
1616 Camden Rd Suite 150
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open Monday – Saturday for lunch at 11 a.m.
Order: Don’t miss what they’re known for: Leroy’s fried chicken. For lunch, try one of their signature chicken sandwiches (gluten free buns available for $1 extra.) Prefer a salad? Enjoy Leroy’s fried chicken atop Linda Lou’s Chef Salad or opt for the tasty Shrimp Cobb.
The scoop: Free parking in the garage off of Kingston Street. Bring in your ticket to validate parking. It’s also located near the East/West Lightrail station if you prefer. Their lively covered patio is the perfect respite from the office.
Futo Buta
222 E Bland St.
Lunch hours: Open Tuesday – Friday at 11 a.m., closed Monday.
Order: You can’t go wrong with any one of Futo Buta’s ramen dishes. Other sharable favorites include the crispy Brussel sprouts and Tori Kara Age (Japanese fried chicken). View the full menu here.
The scoop: It’s an intimate space with limited indoor seating, so be prepared for a short wait during peak lunch hours. You can also grab a seat on the patio that faces the lightrail and gets a good skyline view. There’s parking in the attached garage.
QUICK PICKS FOR YOUR LUNCH HOUR
The People’s Market
1315 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Lunch menu available from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Order: Favorites include the salmon BLT (grilled salmon, sprouts, tomato, applewood bacon and grilled pesto aioli on grilled ciabatta bread) and the Greek salad with all the fixings. They also serve breakfast all day if that’s more your style.
The scoop: Parking available in the garage lot with entrances on Scott Avenue and East Boulevard.
YAFO Kitchen
1231A East Blvd. (Kenilworth Commons Shopping Center)
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: If you haven’t perfected your YAFO order just yet, start with a specialty bowl or pita, then build-your-own on your next visit.
The scoop: Parking available in shared lot with Harris Teeter. Don’t let the line fool you, it moves quickly.
The Mayobird
1531 East Blvd.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open all day from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Order: At The Mayobird, there’s a chicken salad for everyone. Try classic takes or opt for unique twists like the Italian (try it with the side salad).
The scoop: Expansive patio seating makes this a perfect go-to for cooler days. There’s also easy on-site parking and the fast-casual concept ensures you’re back before your next meeting or summer camp pick-up.
Crisp Dilworth
1412 East Blvd.
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: Crisp isn’t just for salad lovers (although we know you’ll find a favorite from their featured or build-you-own options). They also offer wraps, sandwiches and pizzas.
The scoop: Easy parking available in shared lot. Plenty of space to dine-in, or you can snag a table outside for a mid-day vitamin D break.
ROOTS Cafè
2135 Southend Dr.
via Facebook
Lunch hours: Open early morning until 3 p.m.
Order: Choose a customizable salad or bowl, or the weekly special sandwich. All Handhelds can be prepared on Gluten Free Bread.
The scoop: Easy parking in front or on side streets. With changing specials, you’ll never get tired of your order. Follow along with the latest chef-inspired specials on Instagram (@rootscafecharlotte).
JJ’s Red Hots
1514 East Blvd.
Lunch hours: Open daily at 11 a.m.
Order: Craving an old-school hot dog lunch? Look no further than JJ’s Red Hots. Choose a specailty dog (make it a combo with a side and drink), a veggie dog or even from their menu of chicken sandwiches.
The scoop: Parking available on side and behind restuarant. Don’t forget to make a trip to the pickle bar.
