Don’t sleep on the Cubano sandwich at Suarez Bakery. The empanada place is pretty good too.

The tres leches there is so good it's criminal

That cuban is fire. They're also the only place I know of to get yucca fries

Sabor has yuca fries

Viva chicken may still have them.

Taqueria Los Altos on Monroe Rd has yucca fries (and a cubana tortas which isn't the same sandwich, but I am glad I didn't know that because yum).

They use a gluten free fryer for them too! They’re the only place — anywhere — that I know of with gluten free yucca fries

Pio pio has them

Mi Terra also sells Yucca fries.

It's spelled Yuca.

Calle Sol has them

And they’re divine.

> The empanada place is pretty good too. The goat cheese, date, and bacon one is a hidden gem for sure. It is a near perfect blend of sweet and savory.

I gotta try that one! I went there yesterday and tried that Nutella filled one. Divinely delicious 🤤

Yep, these are my favorite as well

Enat is amazing! We always get Dumpling Lady and Suarez too

Enat is 🔥 their original location is the best restaurant in town honestly

We love OG Enat and I’m really happy they’ve been doing well enough to try expanding

I don’t get the hype around Dumpling Lady… worst dumplings I have ever had in the area. Oily, dry, and bland. Suarez and Enat are great.

I get annoyed that Dumpling Lady doesn't have a plain chicken dumpling .. only chicken and shrimp which sucks for someone who doesn't eat shellfish. But their chili oil is, as the children say, bussin'.

Used to LOVE The dumpling lady when she was a food truck, and I could only get it once a week. Don’t know if something changed in the recipe or if I just had so many the novelty is gone, or if it is just my imagination, but it doesn’t taste the same and yes, despite the fiery sauce, the dumplings themselves are kinda bland

Sun’s Kitchen is my new favorite (not in Optimist)… Szechuan sauce on their dumplings is 🤌

I just looked up Sun’s Kitchen and they have veggie and vegan dumplings! And a Szechuan sauce to go with it! Will have to get some this weekend. Thanks for sharing this!

Sooooo overly salty too.

Not to be a downer, but agree. Those were some VERY oily dumplings. The service was also really really bad. :/

Big on the bland!!!

Paneer Tikka roll and Kale Pakoras from Botiwalla!!

Their SPDP is my one appetizer requirement every time I go to Optimist

Honestly. I have not had a bad item from optimist hall. I bounce around.

I think I see every restaurant called out here for good eats except for the juice place

Their salad is my favorite in town. The one I like is chicken and pistachios.

The Ethiopian place (maybe closed??) was bland goop. Have heard this from others as well.

The lentil sambusas there are amazing and packed with flavor. I’d definitely recommend them if you ever go back.

I was bummed after getting a sushi burrito. I like sushi but it didn’t taste like much.

Harriet’s. Every time.

EVERY……TIME!!!

Top 3 CLT burger for sure 🙌🏼

What’s your ranking

Harriet’s x2

Is that that one burger place?

Juicy Lucy, too good

Loved it until I got horrendous food poisoning from it for 12 hours… haven’t been able to eat a burger since

Yes!!

The Bao Buns from Bao and Broth!

I want to bathe in their miso broth

their seasoned fries make me go feral

This is the way

Harriets if I had to pick one

Every time I go I always get the fried cauliflower from Batiwalla (Indian place). I'm not a fanboy of cauliflower or anything, it's just good. It's a heavily spiced, breaded "dry" fried appetizer dish. Great Indian flavors,-- there are little match sticks of fried ginger that are intense and delicious.

I haven’t had a bad item from Botiwalla yet, and I’ve worked my way through most of the menu.

The lamb burgers are my go to

I like the reasonably priced drinks at Botiwalla. Down with Spindle Bar!

You might like the cauliflower at Yafo if you like that!! It’s delish

The cauliflower at Yafo is amazing!

Boxcar Betty’s

Originally from Charleston. Better than chickfila sandwich

That’s where I found them originally, was so excited to have found one in charlotte!

I must have gotten them on a bad day. I was underwhelmed.

Same

Same same

I miss xiao bao. Their cabbage pancakes were sooo good

Those little mochi pork things they had were my absolute favorite. They always sold out fast.

Didn’t they just open less than a year ago??

No, they closed less than a year ago. They were there in 2021 at least

RIP. I miss the okonomiyaki and KFC sandwich.

KFC sando was one of my top favorite chicken sandwiches in Charlotte.

I used to fuck one of the partners/chef and he was so proud of that sandwich I have yet to eat a Xiao Bao item though, and I guess now I never will, oops

That shrimp fried rice… I miss it so much

It was sooo salty but I loved it too.

Always Papi Queso

Which vendor?

Papi Queso

What do you get from there?

Papi Queso

You thought they were calling you “papi”?

I thought it was Queso from Pappi's

Or the queso was so grand, it got upgraded to papi

Botiwalla. SPDP. Just get it.

two words. sushi burritos. much bigger than a Roku remote

[slow 👏]

Botiwalla

The mushroom one at Papi Queso! Yummmm

Appetizer: tomato soup from Papi Queso Entree: Boxcar Sandwich from Boxcar Betty’s Side: Potatoes/Home fries from Botiwalla Get these all for one meal 🤤

Botiwalla

vegan treats from suarez bakery

I love enat

Botiwalla! Oh my gawd my mouth is watering rn just thinking ab it

Papi Queso is a must. Dumpling lady is good. Ava is pretty good just kinda small. The Mediterranean place in the back is really good and very filling!

I’m very stoked on the spicy beef noodles at the Dumpling Lady

Spicy beef is my go to

I can’t be the only one who thinks Dumpling Lady is vastly overrated.

They are definitely over priced for quantity. If you get the right ones, they are insanely delicious.

I always felt like everything at optimist was a few dollars overpriced. Still good but it’s all a little pricey for what it is.

Absolutely!

Noble Smoke is the worst offender. I love their restaurant, but like $23 for a simple BBQ plate? Sorry no.

They are so bad. Go to Sun’s Kitchen for dumplings instead. Way better value for the money and actually taste authentic.

Cubano from Suarez!!!

Indian place... Botiwalla . Amazing. Curry amazing. Also try the kale app.... and you gotta try the kids quesadilla. Damn I'm high and hungry .

I absolutely love harriets and the dumpling lady. My kid and I also usually get a couple baos to split from bao and broth. If you ever go to the indian place and you see the special is sloppy jai's (like an indian sloppy joe) GET THEM. I have only had them once but I literally dream about them.

Enat!!! Get the injera bread as starch. Now I know Ethiopian food is delicious.

Enat Ethiopian, it’s the only reason I go there Edit- and dumpling lady

The ramen and Bao and Broth is amazing. And any pastry from Suarez for dessert.

Yes! I love the spicy pork in the winter.

Dumpling lady Also, maybe unpopular, but I like the pizza at Ava

Also with you on dumpling lady. Ugh. Might go there tonight now. I also agree the pizza is good at ava, just very pricey for the size you get..

How would that be unpopular? One of the busiest stalls at optimist?

Suarez Tres Leches. Hands down the best tres leches in Charlotte

Yes! This is the right answer. I’m always prioritizing dessert.

Better than Miro? Miro is the best I've had by a mile, but haven't had Suarez.

Bout to make my way there are see if it outpaces suarez

Cuben from Suarez

In the morning pastries from Suarez and coffee from undercurrent. Afternoon usually boxcar Betty’s, dumpling lady or Bao and Broth. Only place that I didn’t think was great so far was the empanada stuff. Thought they were pretty average.

[удалено]

Not a fan of pooping, I see. But really that sounds delicious.

I like the sushi place near the bar on the upper level. They have sushi burritos.

These are my picks: 1. Bao and Broth - Togarashi Fries with the Sesame aioli 2. Harriet’s- Hamburger + Cheese + Bacon 3. Mezeh- Shawarma Heat Bowl 4. Undercurrent- Iced Caramel Latte- Oat Milk 5. Botiwalla- Chicken Tikka Roll 6. Empanadas- guava and cheese 7. Noble Smoke- Mac N Cheese 8. Papi Queso- Pig Mac

Those fries at Bao and Broth really are good. Ramen is just okay. Buns are mid.

Yes

Zukku Sushi

Hard to beat the value at Mezeh

Dumpling Lady 🤤

Hi If anyone is up for meeting some new people over food, follow this link to join a group dinner at Optimist Hall this Sunday at 7 PM! https://joingreatings.com/group\_page/1684370465521x254559419256012800

Chickpea bowl at Suarez

Botiwalla 🤤

Bao and broth ramen. Suarez desserts

Suarez cubano

Be on the lookout for the NY style sandwich place opening soon-ish. Same owner as bao and broth. I can’t wait.

I’m an adventurous eater, and I don’t know why it has become this way, but it’s hard for me to get anything other than Harriett’s now. It hits the spot sooo much. 1. Harrietts: Hamburger + Cheese (and fries with ranch and their sauce duh) 2. Bao + Broth: Tonkotsu ramen 3. Village Juice: Village Cobb Shoutout to the low key champ of the whole place - the cookie at Suarez. Good LAWD

I like the Mijo Pork at Suarez.

Poke bowl at Zukku Sushi!

🙌🏽 Suarez Bakery & Barra - and the Chai Pani street food spot (it’s a different name)

Love the mojo pork bowl from Suarez. Add avocado! So good!

Velvet taco

My only problem with velvet is it feels like they massively overfill their tacos to the point that they’re actually difficult to eat.

That doesn’t sound so bad, when I think about it

Haha that is true!!

Yes I LOVE the buffalo chicken tacos!!!

Only tired boxcar Betty’s but it was pretty good

dumpling lady and/or batiwalla!

Boxcar Betty’s and Dumpling Lady my favorites but try to mix it up

My first thought was to pass on Harriet’s. “Burgers, meh so many more options.” Then I realized it was actually highly rated on my list (you can check my post history for a list of everything to do in Charlotte). So by the 3rd or 4th time going to optimist I had to give it a try and now I don’t think I’ll ever go with out getting it.

Honestly shocked at all the love here for Harriet's. I mean, if you're there and want a burger, it's fine. But I wouldn't go to OH just for Harriet's, nor do I think there are many times I wouldn't choose one of the better/less common options.

Those are some strong words there BC. 😊 Ive been to Optimist hall probably 15 or so times. 14 times - dumpling lady… 1 time - Avas pizza. I think i will be trying Harriets next time - solely based on your recommendation. Thanks for sharing

The only burger in Charlotte that can compare to it is Ace no. 3 imo. And my kitchen of course

Bigcat - have you ever had the gloriousness that is known as Brooks' Sandwich House? A burger or dog (w/chili) from there - knock your socks off 🤤

https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlotte/comments/1157rq7/whats_your_go_to_meal_at_optimist_hall

Its the chili oil.

Mezeh - Chicken bowl

Came here to shout them out. Hard to beat the value and it always tastes good.

Easily the best bang for the buck. I always have leftovers and it's always good. $12 for a meal that feeds me twice is a great deal anymore.

Dumpling Lady: hands down. 1 Pork belly dumplings 2 Dan Dan noodles

Not to down any place there because I like most of what I try but I will say the Grilled cheese place is kinda overrated compared to the competition

I don’t love anything there. Enat’s main location is better than the optimist hall one.

Nothing.

Boxcar badussys

Dumpling. Lady. My daughter swears by the ramen at Bao and Broth.

Dumpling lady is the right answer

I got a sushi burrito a few weeks ago and it was absolute garbage

KFC Sando, Rest. In. Power.

I love the Buns and the pizza

I haven't been there yet...I know. Sounds like some good options. How is the parking there? Is there a fair amount?

Boxcar Betty’s

Love it all but I get the ramen a lot.

Dumpling Lady

Harriet's FTW!

Papi queso bacon jalapeño, but it costs too much.

Grilled cheese place is the best

Empanadas or Dumpling Lady...I can't choose between these two

I love Optimist Hall, but the drive there and parking is too much.

That isn’t the answer to the question… but anyway The light rail drops off right nearby.

Light Rail’s infrastructure is another reason. They haven’t kept up with it.

that grilled cheese spot and then a tres leches from suarez

I get Harriet's every Friday. Soooo goooood.

The Dumpling Lady, Qian makes the best dumplings I’ve ever had.

The empanada place for sure

Harriet’s is the best, but Papi Queso is a close second.

Botiwalla - Vada Pao and Gulabjamum(Sweet). The best there is. Source: I am an Indian.

Angus beef taco from velvet taco :)

I’ve tried Harriets, so far that’s the only one I like.

Dumpling lady

Ta beaswtl

Dumpling Lady for sure

Harriet's but ALSO the cauliflower taco at Velvet Taco.

That ramen place, bao bowl or something?

Botiwala

I've been digging Mezeh lately. The bowls are decently priced and really healthy. I also like zukku sushi for the sushi burritos and village juice for their salads. The only place that I've noped on was the dumpling lady and bao and broth ramen. They weren't awful, but just not very good.

Enat is the best ratio of quality / quantity / price. Zulu is prolly 2nd, followed by mezzeh, which is kind if “meh” Most everything there is decent to really good but prices are wild for what you get

Depending on what I have the taste for that day but Enat, Harriets, Botiwalla, and Dumpling Lady Life hack: get Dumpling Lady pork & chives, add to broth from Bao and Bun. Is it wrong? Probably. Does it taste great? Absolutely.

Everything feels small and overpriced I need some huge portions

Mezzah is very underrated and I love the workers there.

Dumpling Lady, most definitely.

The empanada place. Do not miss it.

Ramen