I’ve often said that Charlotte is maybe the most unique city in America for one big reason. My parents were born and raised here in the 1940s and 50s. The economy of the area at that time was driven by the tobacco, furniture, and textile industries. Now? those aren’t even on the radar. The catalyst for economic growth for the Charlotte I’ve lived in for the last couple of decades is banking. You just don’t see an entire economic paradigm changed like that-especially in a city the size of ours. Now, as that shift has occurred, our population has become much more of a melting pot than the area of my parents’ youth. We’ve had (for better or worse <g>) a huge influx of people and families from the northeastern United States settle here. I bring this up to emphasize how a new restaurant opening is such a big deal.
As a native Texan, I am constantly in search of quality Tex Mex food and a quality bowl of chili. The food gripe I hear most from my northeast immigrant friends is a lack of quality pizza and bagels. Well, bagel relief is on the way. Native New Yorker, Mark Stordeur is bringing his New York Old School Bagel & Deli to Carmel Village in South Charlotte. I’ve always heard that what makes both the pizza and especially the bagels of NYC unique is the water used. In other words, if you’re not using water from the five boroughs, your bagel can’t taste the same. Not so. According to Stordeur in The Charlotte Observer, it’s not as much about the water as the method. “New York-style bagels are always kettle-boiled in water for a couple of minutes before they’re baked, which helps make a crackly crust on the outside and a warm, soft inside.” All bagels from New York Old School Bagel & Deli will be made fresh, on-site, daily.
In just a few weeks, we can be slathering cream cheese on a blueberry bagel or topping a garlic and onion version with bacon. https://t.co/qPZSXlaVjG
— CharlotteFive (@CharlotteFive) April 3, 2023
Whatever your taste is, they will have it. Plain, sesame, blueberry, garlic and onion bagels will all be available. Also, you’ll be able to spice up your bagel with bacon, sausage, deli meats, lox and cream cheese spreads. At lunchtime, New York hard roll sandwiches will be on the menu and living up to the deli moniker, cold cuts can be purchased by the pound.
New York Old School Bagel & Deli will be open daily 6am-4pm, but is still a couple of months from opening.
This Brunch Classic Is North Carolina's Favorite Comfort Food
North Carolina
Chicken & Waffles. Maybe I just didn’t get out much but I feel like in the last 10 years or so is when chicken & waffles became a thing. I love a good waffle and I love fried chicken. But for a while, I was very hesitant to try this combination. It just sounds so weird, mainly the syrup on fried chicken part. But as soon as I finally tried it, I get it. This combination is so good and an absolute staple on brunch menus for a reason!
South Carolina
Could there be a better comfort food representation of South Carolina than shrimp & grits? When this meal is good it’s GOOD. Especially in Charleston and other coastal towns. In the south we know how to really cook grits and this meal is the perfect blend.
Virginia
Any combination of carbs and cheese is the perfect comfort food. And a grilled cheese certainly fits that description. Want to take it up a notch? Add bacon or another meat, tomato, or tomato soup to dip it in. I’m comforted just by the thought of this delicious meal.
Georgia
Is there a better southern delicacy than fried chicken? It’s a classic for a good reason. When you find a restaurant or even better a family member who makes the best fried chicken, it’s a blessing!
Tennessee
Full disclosure I had no idea what Chess Pie is and had to Google it. But thanks to Cooking Classy, I learned that it is “a custard-style pie with a crisp browned topping”. This dessert typically consists of a traditional pie crust with filling consisting of eggs, milk or buttermilk, flour, sugar, and often vinegar or lemon.
