Diners looking for some mid-winter excitement can capture the sweet deals and foodie thrills served up during Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, to run Friday, January 17, through Sunday, January 26, 2025.

For this winter’s promotion, more than 100 restaurants around the metro area will showcase their cuisine via three-course dining deals, with prix fixe prices ranging from $30 to $50 per person. Customers can visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com to view the list of participating restaurants and their special Queen’s Feast menus and make reservations.

Participating restaurants this month can be found in 9 area counties:  Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Union, Lincoln, Catawba, Stanly, and York.

January’s restaurant lineup features an array of first-time participants, including Azucar Cuban Restaurant, C&W Steakhouse, and Napa Bistro & Wine Bar-Stonecrest in Ballantyne; Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant in the town of Belmont; M.E.P. Casual American Cuisine in Cramerton; Zo.ra Food & Wine in Lake Wylie; Rule Wood Fired Prime and Pasta in Hickory; MaBí Cocina Tropical in NoDa; the Plaza Midwood locations of Emmy Squared Pizza and Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR); Barcelona Wine Bar, Catalú, and The Matador in South End; Southern Pecan Gulf Coast Kitchen in SouthPark; and Dos Caminos, Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar, and Sea Grill Restaurant & Bar in Uptown Charlotte.

Since 2008, the semi-annual Charlotte Restaurant Week has provided restaurants the opportunity to highlight their offerings as part of the area’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene. The restaurants garner coveted trial business from new local diners as well as visitors to the area who are drawn by the attractive prix fixe meal deals every January and July.

“It’s a perfect time for diners to put something new on their culinary plate,” said Bruce Hensley, a partner in Hensley Fontana Public Relations, which owns and operates the promotion. “Restaurants have the opportunity to show off what they’re all about, at a tasty savings to the customer. Queen’s Feast is a prime opportunity to gather with your favorite people and share a fun and memorable meal.”

Reservations are recommended to ensure seats during prime dining times.

As Charlotte’s restaurant selection continues to grow, many establishments are scrambling to attract customers and really letting their health standards slide in the process.

Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are still lacking proper infrared thermometers).

These were the worst inspection scores in Charlotte for December 2024;

#10 Los Reyes Deli and Meat Market

4416 CENTRAL AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 89 (B) on 12/10/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed no certified food protection manager on site.
• Observed employee wash hands and recontaminate hands by turning off faucet with bare hands.
• Observed beef cocido not meet cooling parameters.
• Observed beef cucido cooling from overnight in the WIC at 52F.
• Observed one container of nopales in the display case at 44F.
• Observed six containers of lard, made in-house, stored at room temperature since yesterday.
• Observed portioned containers of salsa stored in WIC without date mark.
• Observed bottles of hydrogen peroxide stored above meat display case.
• Observed beef cocido not meet cooling parameters.
• Observed beef cucido cooling from overnight in the WIC at 52F in a large, deep container, tightly wrapped in plastic.
• Observed multiple bottles and containers of spices and oils lacking labels.
• Observed boxes of food stored on floor in WIC.

#9 Ten58 Sports Bar and Lounge

430 W 4TH ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 88.5 (B) on 12/12/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed no vomit/ diarrhea plan.
• Observed handwashing sink blocked by broom and trash can.
• Observed unwashed peppers stored above ready to eat items.
• Observed pre-cooked shrimp and crawfish stored at sink with raw chicken. Food was exposed to splatter and contamination.
• Observed 3 large stacks of plates stored soiled on the dish rack.
• Observed slaw dated 12/2/24.
• Observed fruit flies in kitchen area.
• Observed 4 containers of oil stored on the floor.

#8 New York Old School Bagel & Deli

7510 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28226
Scored 88 (B) on 12/9/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed opened employee drink on a prep table that was actively being used during the inspection.
• Observed a soiled apron stored in the hand sink by the 3 comp sink. Also observed no paper towel at the hand sink next to the 3 comp sink.
• Observed 2 large badly dented cans of tuna stored with non-damaged cans on a dry storage shelf.
• Observed multiple food items in the flip top unit that were being held above 41F during the inspection.
• Observed multiple food items throughout the establishment that were not date marked and were holding longer than 24 hours.
• Observed working bucket of cleaning solution being stored directly on top of a prep table that was actively being used.
• Observed a loaf of bread and other boxes of food items that were being stored directly on the floor in the WIC during inspection.
• Observed multiple metal containers wet stacked while being stored as clean.

#7 Hyatt Place

4119 SOUTH STREAM BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 88 (B) on 12/6/2024

They had the following violations;

• No CFPM available during inspection.
• Observed food employee handle soiled equipment at 3 compartment sink then proceed to handle clean utensil after removing from dish machine without washing their hands after soiled equipment.
• Observed employee not vigorously rub hands for required time when washing then proceed to turn faucet off with bare hands after washing.
• Observed cream cheese cold held at 62 degrees F.
• Observed mozzarella cheese and ham with date of preparation of 11/29.
• Observed container of cooked pork with date of preparation of 10/28 and container of cooked chicken not date marked.
• Observed items held on TPHC not identified on dry erase board as procedures state with time of discard.
• Observed eggs thawing in 3 compartment sink in standing water.
• Observed cereal dispensers without labels on breakfast line.
• Observed apples uncovered / unprotected on counter.

#6 Shane’s Rib Shack

5220 NEW FASHION WY, CHARLOTTE NC 28278
Scored 87.5 (B) on 12/11/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed PIC attempt to change gloves to working with RTE foods without first washing hands.
• Observed many dishes stored as clean with sticker, food, and/or grease residue.
• Observed sliced lettuce and shredded cheese at fliptop above 41F.
• Observed several items inside WIC, RIC, and lowboy without date marks.
• Observed unlabeled degreaser in squirt bottle.
• Observed sanitizer buckets directly above open oven where ribs were being cooked.
• Observed wet stacking of metal containers at clean dish rack.
• Observed one fryer basket with severely deteriorated metal.
• Observed broken lid at fliptop which compromises units ability to hold TCS foods at 41F and below.
• Observed shelves inside cooling and hot holding equipment and on the outside of cooling and cooking equipment with grease and food debris.
• Observed accumulation of grease residue on equipment at cook line. Increased cleaning frequency recommended.
• Observed floors and walls throughout the facility with food splatter stains and grease residue.

#5 American Express Centurion Lounge

5501 JOSH BIRMINGHAM PY, CONCOURSE E, CHARLOTTE, NC 28208
Scored 86.5 (B) on 12/6/2024

They had the following violations;

• The PIC chef in the kitchen had several priority item violations and is does not have food protection manager training.
• Observed employee handle raw chicken then proceed to use a fryer utensil that is used for other RTE food items.
• Observed dented cans stored with food supply that is in use and not in the designated damaged food bin.
• Observed raw sausage stored above overnight oats.
• Observed raw hamburger stored above salad.
• Observed raw eggs stored above cheese.
• Observed a salad with berries that did not cool to 41 F within 4 hours, cooked farrow that had been held out for a period of time in the kitchen that did not cool properly (observed a lot of condensation in the container indicating improper cooling), and melons prepared this morning that had a zero degree cooling rate.
• Observed cooked apples used at 8:30 this morning ant 48 F in a covered container.
• Observed garlic and oil mixture on preparation table at 70 F. Item discarded.
• Observed Piquat on the stove at 110 F, per PIC the product had been prepared over 4 hours ago.
• Observed cooked vegetables sitting on a sheet rack in the kitchen awaiting to be placed in the oven at 55 F.
• Observed tofu at 41 -42 F sitting at the fryer and no staff actively working on the food preparation of the item.
• Observed TPHC logs not being maintained for milk at beverage stations, food in warming cabinet, and in low boy refrigerator for salads.
• Observed beef roast being prepared and was cooked to 110 F.
• Observed melons, farrow, salads cooling in covered containers.
• Observed several containers of dry goods with no labeling.

#4 Antojitos Don Sammy

5100 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Scored 86 (B) on 12/9/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed PIC not present during inspection.
• Observed no vomit and diarrhea cleanup plan during inspection.
• Observed raw bacon stored in same container as RTE ham and hot dogs in cold holding drawers.
• Observed Raw chorizo stored behind bell peppers in cold holding drawers.
• Observed raw shell eggs stored behind green beans and mushrooms in cold holding drawers.
• Observed employee wash and rinse utensil but did not sanitize.
• Observed steak, chicken, and caramelized onion hot holding on griddle below 135F, see temperature chart.
• Observed repollo in single serve bags overstacked in container in flip top portion of prep unit above 41F, see temperature chart.
• Observed Barbacoa, salsas, Chicharron, rice, and Chicharron papusas with no date labels.
• Observed serving windows and door to MFU open during inspection.
• Observed multiple flies on MFU during inspection.

#3 Ri Ra Irish Pub

208 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 85.5 (B) on 12/16/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed manager without managerial control of the kitchen.
• Observed employee drink stored on the prep table.
• Observed raw haddock stored over sausage in the low reach in cooler.
• Observed raw broken eggs stored over sauces in the walk in cooler.
• Observed can opener stored clean, soiled with old food residue.
• Observed stacks of containers soiled with food debris.
• Observed pans stored in areas soiled with old food and debris.
• Observed gravy and potatoes holding below 135F in the hot well.
• Observed cheese, saur cream and ranch holding above 41F in the cold well.
• Observed pasta, cheese and deli meats holding above 41F in the walk in cooler.
• Observed tatziki, tomato sauce and hot brine pickled onions without a date.
• Observed sanitizer without a label.
• Observed cleaners stored with single service items.
• Observed roach in the basement dry storage area.

#2 Tasty Halal

4431 BROOKSHIRE BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28216
Scored 84.5 (B) on 12/19/2024

They had the following violations;

• PIC unable to answer majority of EHS food safety related questions.
• Observed no potable water supplied to MFU upon arrival yet evidence of active food preparation observed with various cooked items sitting on prep tables along with bags of food awaiting pick up by customers.
• Observed falafel thawing in handsink upon arrival.
• Observed no potable water supplied on MFU.
• Observed raw chicken stored directly on top of large container of white sauce in lowboy #1.
• Observed raw eggs stored directly on top of raw tilapia in lowboy #2.
• Observed chicken and lamb holding below 135F on prep table (see temperature chart).
• Observed raw gyro, white sauce, and raw chicken holding above 41F throughout MFU.
• Observed no sanitizer available on MFU.
• Observed raw gyro meat thawing at ambient temperature in a box stored directly on the floor.
• Observed falafel thawing at ambient temperature in handsink.

#1 Eastway Express

1500 EASTWAY DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 81 (B) on 12/18/2024

They had the following violations;

• Observed PIC has consistently not been able to ensure that the rules food code safety and handling are met during the last 3 inspections.
• Observed open employee drink on top of prep table in the back. Observed employee water bottle on the shelf above the prep top.
• Observed inside and outside of lid to ice machine with buildup.
• Observed all of the breakfast sandwiches in the small HH case below 135F.
• Observed multiple tcs foods in the WIC above 41F.
• Observed a squeeze bottle of mayo on counter at 99F.
• Observed a container of eggs being held on the grill at 74F.
• Observed 1 pan of cooked gizzards in the WIC without a date mark.
• Observed sanitizer bucket on table with food.
• Observed scooper handle buried in the breading bin and ice machine scooper handle touching the ice.

If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.