Hungry in Charlotte

I'm from Seattle, but living and working in Charlotte until the end of July. I've already had my fill of the fast-food joints around here (as I didn't know my way around town yet, so I stayed with what I recognized in the neighborhood I'm living in - I know, shame, shame, poor excuse), so I'm ready to explore a little more.

Anything you want to suggest, I'll consider trying. I love Italian, Mexican, BBQ, catfish, meat, pizza, Chinese, and am open to other Asian, Southern, whatever. It doesn't have to be in Charlotte proper, but within a 10-mile radius would be nice for starters.

So please, if you have ideas on where to find meals that I'll fondly recall after returning to Seattle, I (and several co-workers in the same boat) will be grateful.

Don Quijote-Spanish
Zapata-Mexican
Villa Antonio, Mangione's, Campania and MANY others-Fine Italian
THERE IS NO GOOD REAL BBQ in Charlotte
Twin Tops Fish Camp in Gastonia-Catfish, etc.
House of Chinese Gourmet, Dim Sum-Chinese
Huong Viet, Lnag Van-Vietnamese
Thai House-Thai
Harry's Chicken Delight-Indian
Mert's Heart & Soul, Crawford's-Southern
Cajun Queen, Zydeco-Cajun/Creole
Silver Cricket-Creole/French
Various:Pewter Rose, Dakotas, Mimosa Grill and many others
Cuisine Malaysia-Malaysian
Too many others to list.

Try the Catawba Fish Camp for catfish, and other items...they have an all-you-can-eat deal. You can find it by traveling south on I-77, then take Hwy 9 East to Lancaster. The fish camp is on the east side of the Catawba River. Enjoy!

The Open Kitchen is great for cheap italian. The atmosphere and history are worth it alone. The place has been there forever. Is the Lamplighter still there? It is great 4-star type dining. The Knife and Fork is a greasy dive but fun and consistent for local diner food. Hope this helps. I grew up there but haven't lived there in 10 yrs...

Second the motion re: The Open Kitchen. (Try the Garlic Chicken Livers! I hate these little cholestrol bombs but this stuff is outstanding). Lamplighter is still open and great. Alas the Knife & Fork is no longer.

When did the knife and fork close? I was just there a month or so ago and it was still going strong. Business was so brisk that they had to close their doors at 4am b/c they ran out of food.