5 salads that Charlotte carnivores should be eating right now

Every bite can be an adventure. One bite could have some chicken, egg and blue cheese, while the next could be purely vegetarian with nothing more than lettuce, cucumber and tomato.

Salads are also the ideal meal to counter the oppressive heat of a Charlotte summer.

So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorite spots to enjoy a delicious salad. And although many of my go to salads seem similar on the surface, each restaurant puts their own spin on the classics with unique ingredients creating distinct flavor profiles.

Before we start, what do you think?

(1) Showmars on East Blvd.

1600 East Blvd  |  Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast: $8.49

The large Greek Salad at Showmars can be made carnivore friendly by adding a marinated chicken breast or gyro meat. I always go with the chicken, and it is amazing every single time.

The Greek Salad with kalamata olives, feta cheese, banana peppers and onions over a bed of romaine and iceberg lettuce has a distinctively mediterranean taste and the crispy shell make this one of my favorite salads. Add the Greek dressing and you are in for a light yet surprisingly filling meal, all for less than $10.

Because there are so many Showmars locations throughout Charlotte there’s a good chance there’s one near you. I usually call my order in. And the service at Showmars is always fast and friendly, which is why Showmars is my top salad pick for flavor, quality and service.

(2) Duckworth’s on Park Rd.

4435 Park Road  |  Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast: $13.99

I first tried this salad several years ago when I wanted to enjoy a lighter meal as I sampled a tiny portion of the incredible beer selection at Duckworth’s.

From that day on I have always thought this Cobb Salad is one of the best in town.

The mix of flavors and textures, from the perfectly grilled chicken and romaine lettuce to the sharp bite of the blue cheese crumbles and smoky, salty flavor from the pieces of bacon make this salad unforgettable.

The hard boiled egg balances out the acidity from the onions and balsamic vinaigrette. Duckworth’s Cobb Salad also comes with a side of guacamole, which I did not immediately understand, but definitely enjoyed.

At $13.99, this was one of the more expensive salads, but if your looking for a healthier meal as you enjoy a few brews with your friends you can’t go wrong with Duckworth’s Cobb Salad.

(3) Something Classic on East Blvd.

1419 East Blvd  |  Classic Cobb Salad: $8.95

Something Classic and I met when we were both at different points in our lives, which is unfortunate, because their food is outstanding.

They were operating one girl down, and I was in a rush, obviously not a recipe for the ideal salad experience. Fortunately I had just watched “This is Water“, so I was doing my best to be aware and appreciate the beauty of life, but like good ol’ DFW says, sometimes that can be hard.

When I finally got my salad home, I took out the beautifully packaged meal and realized that they had forgotten the salad dressing…I was not thrilled.

But I still dug in and ate the entire salad, dry style.

Even without any dressing the Something Classic Cobb Salad was incredible. The ingredients were the best that I have ever experienced, from the generous blue cheese crumbles to the juicy bacon strips and considerable avocado pieces over a bed of leafy green spinach.

The Something Classic Cobb Salad was awesome and for only $8.95 it is a deal.

Like this publication has said before, people are willing to deal with less than great service for great food. And the food at Something Classic is phenomenal. I am a big believer in second chances, so I will definitely be going back to Something Classic, maybe when I have a little more free time, or better yet, maybe next time I’ll call in my order… fortune does favor the prepared.

(4) Crisp Dilworth

1412-F East Blvd  |  The Crisp Cobb Salad: $8.75

Salads are what Crisp is known for and the lines at Crisp are typically out the door around lunch time, or at least they always are when I go. But the service is quick and efficient and the line moves with a fluid rapidity that gives you just enough time to decide how you want to build your salad.

I would rate the Crisp Cobb Salad just behind Showmars – it’s great, the price is right and the service is on point. All of the ingredients work together to create a symphony of flavor.

The vine ripened tomatoes add a rich punch of freshness to the salad, which is supported by the charred saltiness from the bacon and the smokey notes of the tender grilled chicken.

I like to top my Cobb off with the balsamic vinaigrette – healthy and flavorful.

Seating is limited so I usually just get my salad to go, they also provide a piece of toasted cheesy bread, which is nice, but I find it to be a little lacking in the flavor department and usually just give it to my dog, who I think appreciates the toast more than I.

But I don’t go to Crisp for the toast, I go for the salads, and the Cobb Salad is one of the best.

(5) The Liberty

1812 South Blvd  |  Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad: $12.00

The Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad at the Liberty is excellent.

The caramelized onions and mashed avocado add an interesting complexity to this salad’s over all flavor, ratcheting the yum factor up a notch or two from your typical Cobb, and adding a touch of variety to the mix.

The Liberty traditionally serves their Cobb with buttermilk dressing, but I opted for the healthier balsamic vinaigrette, which complimented each bite perfectly. On this particular day the lettuce looked a little brown and wilted, but nothing worth sending back, and the blue cheese bacon provided a solid all around flavor, balancing out the protein sources of the grilled chicken and hard boiled egg.

An all around excellent salad, though like Duckworth’s a little on the pricey side, but the perfect compliment to a frosty local brew.