South Charlotte Area - Ayrsly Town Blvd-ADVICE

[leahinsc]

Staying in this area Fri and Sat nite for a soccer tournament so we need some good options for dinner both nights. Not fancy/expensive but not crappy chain food either....Willing to drive a bit but want to keep it w/in about 15-20 min radius. HELP! not crazy about Mexican and the teen won't want Thai/Indian

[GodfatherofLunch]

My favorite indian restaurant Saffron is located in Ayrsley. They do a great job
http://www.saffron-cuisine.com/

[BDM1]

Portofino's is always solid if you need to feed hunger soccer players. It's in the same center as Saffron. Beware that portion sized are "gavone" American portions which might be wasted if you're in a hotel.

[billyjack]

Check this thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/761470

There are suggestions for the Ayrsley area and others a short drive away. Too bad about the Indian food, Saffron is very good. Sultan Kabob House is good casual Lebanese, and A Piece of Havana is decent Cuban. Joe Mommas has cheesesteaks and pizza. I noticed today they have a banner stating they're from South Jersey, if that means anything to anyone. Guess they're trying to call out to all the transplants.

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Sultan Kabob House
Charlotte, NC, Charlotte, NC

A Piece of Havana
11126 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28273

[lynnlato]

We're attending the same tournament and live in CLT. When we play on the southwest side we always hit up A Piece of Havana for some decent Cuban. Their media noche and empanadas are pretty tasty. http://www.apieceofhavana.com/

There is a Mac's Speedshop over in the area. This is a local bbq joint with 2 locations in the Charlotte area so not really a chain - yet. Decent pulled pork, brisket, wings, slaw, hushpuppies. I like their brisket tacos and at $3/taco you can't go wrong. They have a good beer list too. You'll want to hit the Sandy Porter Rd. location - http://www.macspeedshop.com/

Slightly nicer, but certainly casual is Tria Terra in Carmel Commons shopping center. They are a tapas place that cooks up French, Italian and Spanish small plates. They have great housemade pastas, croquetas and yummy mussels. Just hop on I-485 E (towards Matthews) and get off at the Hwy 51N-Pineville Matthews Rd exit. Go about 1.5 miles or so and Carmel Commons Shopping Center will be on your right. http://triaterra.blogspot.com/2009/12/dinner-menu.html

Before you get to Tria Terra you will pass a local place called Trio on your left (pineville-matthews rd). Trio has been around for many years and is somewhat of a south charlotte/pineville institutution. Wood-fired pizzas, great salads, steaks, seafood, sandwiches - they have a little bit of everything and I would described the menu as as new-american I suppose. Not fabulous food, but good with friendly service and a cozy atmosphere. We go often after soccer games. The owners support local sports and are very friendly. www.trio-charlotte.com.

Good luck in the tournament and be sure to check out The Charlotte Eagles who play tonight!