9 more off-radar restaurants for when you’re burned out on trendy new stuff

With me? Check out my original 8 off-radar restaurants for when you’re burned out on trendy new stuff.

Catfish Cove

Head over the river to Belmont for a serious Carolina fish camp. Dinner entrees (pick your fish, shellfish or poultry) and even the all-you-can-eat seafood specials are all under $15. Things really get serious from 11a-3p on Sundays when they serve an all-you-can-eat buffet for $9.50. This place is as southern as it gets.

Address: 1401 Armstrong Court Road, Belmont NC 28012
Hours: T – Th 4-9p, F 4-9:30p, Sa 3-9:30p, Su 11a-3p
What people are saying on Facebook: “Best Sunday lunch ever!! We have been going her for years and they always have great food and such good service. Everyone always welcomes you with a warm smile.”
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Tacos El Nevado

They’ve got two locations — one on South Boulevard and another on Central Avenue — and people on the hunt for the best tacos in Charlotte repeatedly cite El Nevado as the spot. Most of the reviews on Facebook are in Spanish and some non-Spanish speakers say they felt out of place, which are good signs of authenticity.

Address: 4640 South Boulevard and 4715 Central Avenue
Hours: M – Su 10a-10p
What people are saying on Facebook: “Para mi tacos el nevado es el mejor de norte Carolina ajuuuuuuuuuuua mmmmm deliciosos [For me, Tacos El Nevado is the best in North Carolina. Delicious.]”
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East African Cuisine

This is the place to be for authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian food in Charlotte. Prepare for a hands-on dining experience; meals are served with injera, a spongey east African flatbread that takes the place of silverware for scooping up food.

Address: 3200 Monroe Road
Hours: M – Su 10a-11p
What people are saying on Facebook: “The food was delicious and Terry went above and beyond making our dining experience exotic and special. Well worth a visit.”
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Al-Basha

Come for the food, stay for the hookah. You’ll find a menu influenced by eastern Mediterranean cuisine from countries like Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt — kabab, falafel, hummus, shwarma and more. It’s also located next to Golden Bakery, a must-visit Middle Eastern bakery and halal market.

Address: 3145 N. Sharon Amity Road
Hours: M – Su 11a-2a
What people are saying on Facebook: “The food is great, the prices are low and the staff are super friendly and helpful. I recommend Al-Basha frequently to friends, and go as often as I can!”
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Dragon Court Chinese

Dragon Court is one of the few places in Charlotte to get dim sum, a traditional Chinese meal made up of multiple small plates usually served from a push cart. It’s a bit off the beaten path inside the Asian Corner Mall on N. Tryon, but regulars say it’s worth scouting out for an authentic Chinese meal.

Address: Asian Corner Mall, 4520 N. Tryon Street
Hours: M – Su 10:30a-8:30p
What people are saying on Facebook: “I’ve been going there for years and love it. It’s not the fanciest, cleanest, or most appealing place to eat, but if you want authentic Chinese food, good price and friendly people, this is the spot.”
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Jake’s Good Eats

Guy Fieri pointed the national Food Network spotlight on Jake’s back in 2010, but locals knew it was legit before the attention hit. Brothers Jake and Gordon Stegall serve up Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, fried flounder, fried bologna sandwiches, meatloaf and more. Bonus points: It’s in a renovated gas station.

Address: 12721 Albemarle Road
Hours: T – Th 11a-9p, F – Sa 11a-2:30 and 5p-9p
What people are saying on Facebook: “I haven’t had one bad thing yet, I see why Guy [Fieri] came to this place… Best food in Charlotte so far.”
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Carolina Family Restaurant

You’ve probably zipped past this classic family-run diner on the way to the airport a hundred times. Time to make a stop. The menu features simple, affordable, unfussy comfort food and the service keeps regulars coming back for more.

Address: 4600 Wilkinson Boulevard
Hours: M – Sa 6a-3p
What people are saying on Facebook: “Some of the best home cooked food a person can ask for! Foods always fresh and the people are over the top nice.”
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Chuck’s Grill

The tiny brick building doesn’t look like much from the outside and it’s not trying too hard inside either, but that’s part of what makes Chuck’s special. This simple Southern diner is a throwback to another era.

Address: 8001 Old Statesville Road
Hours: M – F 5:30aa-2p, Sa – Su 5:30a-1p
What people are saying on Facebook: “I hadn’t been to chucks since I was a small boy. Two weeks ago, I went in for the first time in years, and the food was as delicious as I had remembered. I like to get breakfast or lunch there when I’m in the area. The servers are nice, and I don’t mind the wait time, because that’s expected at such a small place. Dynamite comes in small packages.”
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Musashi

This small, unassuming spot in a strip mall in south Charlotte is repeatedly named the best Japanese food in the city. It’s not as underground as some of the others on this list but if you rarely venture to the south side, it’s probably new to you. If you’re a real pro, ask for the Japanese menu.

Address: 10110 Johnston Road
Hours: M 12-2p and 5:30-9:30p, W – Th 12-2p and 5:30-9:30p, F – Sa 12-2p and 5:30-10p, Su 5:30-9p
What people are saying on Facebook: “This is as authentic a Japanese place as you will get in Charlotte. There are a few new trendy Japanese places but they have no idea what it means to be really Japanese. I love going here. The food is good. The place is perfect. The people who work there are 100% Japanese as well. If you want real Japanese food this is the only place in Charlotte to get it. Oui-Shi!”
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Header photo by Poprock Photography via Instagram