charlotte’s best bites: brittany’s picks

Charlotte’s Best Bites is a series of guest posts on Off the Eaten Path where each month a new face shares their favorite Charlotte restaurants with my readers. The result is a collaborative dining guide featuring the best Charlotte restaurants written by the people who love Charlotte. Today we have Brittany taking us on a foodie tour of the QC with her favorite foodie picks! (And I, like Brittany, am also a three brunch beverages type of gal.)

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE BEST CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS IN THESE OTHER CHARLOTTE’S BEST BITES POSTS!

Charlotte’s Best Bites: Kimberly’s Picks

Charlotte’s Best Bites: Dana’s Picks

Charlotte’s Best Bites: Kayla’s Picks

Charlotte’s Best Bites: Chrissie’s Picks

Charlotte’s Best Bites: AJ’s Picks

Hi! I’m Brittany, queen of Queen City side hustles.

You might recognize me from one of my many day jobs around Charlotte, or see me biking through Uptown to a coffee shop or brewery.

I grew up in California and moved to CLT from San Francisco…so I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant about the Charlotte food scene when I first moved here… WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Over the past few years I’ve found some amazing spots and am excited to share them with you!

Best Breakfast Burrito: Rhino Market

(not a breakfast burrito but yes Rhino Market so you get the point!)

You know when you walk in to a place and there’s a song you love playing, someone yells “good morning!” from behind the counter, and they have EXACTLY what you’re craving?

Welcome to Rhino Market.

While I’m partial to the new NoDa Rhino, walk in to any of their 3 locations and feel right at home. Grab a bottle of prosecco, some orange juice, order a burrito and settle in for the best Saturday morning you’ll ever have.

Make sure you order at the deli window before paying and pick up packet of Texas Pete.

Then live out your breakfast burrito dreams of scrambled eggs, potato hash, sausage, cheese, and salsa wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Come on, I can’t be the only one dreaming of burritos right?

All of this, PLUS they have a picture of Ice Cube on the soda machine’s ice dispenser. I’m not sure what more you could want.

While I do try to lean towards a vegetarian diet, I just can’t seem to quit this burrito, especially if there’s a chance to sub the sausage for bacon. 

Best Veggie Burger: Bang Bang Burgers

Bang Bang Burgers is a no-frills burger spot that saves all the “frills” for their food.

You can visit them in South End or at their Elizabeth location for the BEST black bean burger in Charlotte.

You’ll want to go because Bang Bang Burgers is great for an easy, casual lunch or dinner dining in or taking out for Netflix at home. I saved you the test run, the burgers travel very well!

However, if you do dine in you’ll get to enjoy local craft beers and soda water from the soda fountain. Two things I’m very passionate about.

Having suffered from many bland, mushy black bean burgers I’m usually on the lookout for something a little more exciting when at a burger spot.

Technically a “sandwich” on the menu, their Quinoa Black Bean Burger is not to be overlooked! The patty is a quinoa and black bean mix topped with Swiss cheese, mixed greens, and a quinoa salad.

That’s protein on protein on protein folks!

All layered on a heavenly bun from the local Charlotte bakery, Dukes Bread. Order sweet potato fries and extra sweet maple dip and, trust me, dip that burger!

Best Vegetarian Dish: Superica Fajitas

First of all, Superica can I move in?

Get your phone ready to snap some pics of this restaurant. Once you walk in to the wide open front dining room, take a quick right and stop at the bar for a pre-dinner margarita. Though I always go with their Chelada; Mexican beer, lime juice, and salt. A drink I could 100% make at home, but that they somehow manage to make even better.

Once you’re settled in at the table, you’ll get to try two different (equally amazing) salsas that you should definitely supplement with guacamole. Resist the temptation to inhale two bowls of chips because you have a mountain of freshly grilled veggies coming your way!

Fajitas are always the move for me at any Mexican restaurant. You get all the goods to make a burrito or taco plus the bonus of beans, rice, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.

Superica steps up the usual bell pepper and onion grill with a sizzling plate full of cauliflower, purple cabbage, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots, and corn!

All the veggies are crisp and flavorful and best wrapped in the homemade flour tortillas that come with the dish.

Best Patio Brunch: Zada Jane’s

First of all, do not come to Zada Jane’s and expect to be treated like royalty. They’ll take GREAT care of you, but their servers are known for big personality and it makes the dining experience that much better!

Do come to Zada Jane’s and expect to enjoy a delicious brunch relaxing in the sunshine though. Zada Jane’s is a quirky little café in Plaza Midwood that boasts a shuffleboard court and local art, and you really can’t miss it when driving down Central Avenue.

Get there early (brunch early not early early) to put your name in for a table.

Yes, you definitely want to wait for the patio.

Then walk straight up to the bar and order mimosas for the wait!

I usually grab an issue of Queen City Nerve from outside to read, but you can also play shuffleboard out front. Once you’re blessed with a table, grab another mimosa (it was a long wait), a cup of coffee, and a water to stay hydrated.

Half of brunch is the beverages people!

You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but they are known for their breakfast. I always order the Bunny Rancheros and bully someone else at my table to get the Booker T’s East Side Hasher.

The Bunny Rancheros is the ultimate brunch dish to keep you going on the weekend. They take two of their ‘happy eggs’ over easy on black beans and home fries and top them with a pepper jack cheese queso sauce, guacamole, salsa verde, and sour cream. You also get a choice of meat, but I promise the soysage really is the best! Give it a try and if you disagree, brunch is on me at Zada Jane’s.

The Booker T’s East Side Hasher leans more towards a Southern brunch dish, which is exactly why you need both of these at your table. They take two ‘happy eggs’ frittata style over sweet potato hash browns and cover them with cheddar cheese and green onion.

You’ll also get a biscuit on the side, but will definitely need more carbs in the form of their Amaretto French Toast.

I dream of this French Toast. Take the decision making out of your Saturday morning and get sweet AND savory with a “for the table” French Toast. They’ll bring you two slices of challah dipped in vanilla and amaretto batter and served with orange butter and toasted almonds.

You’ll eventually be fueled for the weekend after all of this, but immediately after you may need a nap so best to just cancel all your plans and dream of French Toast instead.

Brittany is a freelancer and side hustler all over Charlotte who loves seeing her city’s food scene thrive. She supports this by frequenting her favorite local businesses and making sure they’ve got business to keep creating incredible food and drink. If you see her around Charlotte make sure to recommend your favorite spot! You can follow Brittany on Instagram and Twitter @beeintheqc for more Charlotte food finds.