The Hickory Tavern - Charlotte

[nearlywild]

I stumbled onto this website looking for raw oysters in Charlotte. http://www.thehickorytavern.com/index... They have several locations in Charlotte and I am interested in the one in Ballantyne since it is an easy drive for me coming from Lancaster. It also looks like it isn't too upscale. Are they a decent place for oysters? What about their other food?

[diertac]

I agree with the other posters about the oysters. HT is a sports bar primarily. Being as we're landlocked, I don't expect a sports bar to do oysters right. (In Key West or along the coast, sure. Here? Not so much.)

I was very surprised when I finally noticed the "raw bar" on their sign.

[sunsh9e]

Not at all about Charlotte, but I just got back from my favorite place for oysters in NC and possibly the Carolinas--Sunnyside Oyster Bar in Williamston, NC. Incredible place and I'll post a review soon as I get the melted butter off my fingers.

[cltsavvy]

I would agree with the first two replies. It will cost more but I'd be way more comfortable going to an upscale restaurant for fresh oysters. The Oceanaire in Southpark had a great selection and Upstream usually does too. A couple notches down from these places would be McCormick & Schmicks. All are in Southpark.

[nearlywild]

Would McCormick & Schmicks be the type of place that you can wear blue jeans? I'm trying to pack lightly for this trip and don't plan on packing my dress clothes.

[HungryGrayCat]

You can wear (nice) jeans -- especially in the bar are where they have a really cheap and pretty good bar menu for happy hour. There are $1.95 cheeseburgers and about 10 other low-priced items. The drinks, however, are definitely not discounted.

[southernitalian]

I second the oyster skepticism. I had no idea they even served them. It's a very big, very nice sports bar with tons of television screens. Very family friendly, bar food menu. Not a bad place by any means. I have been to the one on Providence (is that what you're calling Ballantyne?) and the one on Carmel. Both are fine.

[nearlywild]

According to the website, they have a new location in Ballantyne on Copper Way. I'm not that familiar wtth the area. I just know that I can get to Ballantyne by driving up 521.

[lynnlato]

Fyi, there is another HT across Johnston Rd from Earthfare. Near Sticky Fingers. I agree with the others - avoid this place for oysters. GW Fins uptown has great smoked oysters, but it's upscale.

[nearlywild]

OK, I'm going to skip HT for the oysters. I think I'm going to try them at McCormick & Schmicks. I just started eating oysters and I"ve been craving them. I really want to try and find some there at a place that's no too upscale. M&S looks safe.

[friek]

The cold smoked oysters at GW Fins are fantastic! That said, if you're looking for a variety McCormick & Schmicks is the way to go.

[HungryGrayCat]

Hickory Tavern is a small sports bar chain. The food is a tad above Fox & Hound, but certainly not somewhere I'd go out of my way for. I'd probably be a bit skeptical about getting raw oysters there.