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Dish
Category: Restaurants Southern Southern [Edit]
1220 Thomas AveCharlotte, NC 28205
Neighbourhood: Plaza Midwood
(704) 344-0343
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
108 reviews for Dish
Review Highlights
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"The chicken and dumplings were fantastic." In 28 reviews -
"Our group started with fried green tomatoes which were very..." In 9 reviews -
"...so we got the Vanilla Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie to go." In 4 reviews
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108 reviews in English
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Review from John H.
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
YUM! Had the pleasure of dining at Dish several times and each time did not disappoint. There's always a huge anticipation with me and southern food... maybe because I grew up a little (more) north, so my discovery of the goodness was much later and always gives me that same feeling of dread and awesomeness every time I think about it.
My last visit, I had the cajun meatloaf.... the portion was gi-normous and I ate the entire thing (my mouth could not chew any faster). Deviled eggs are one of my weaknesses in life.... good thing they are a side option item on the menu!
Great location, right in the heart of things off of Thomas Street. Last time I went there were a lot of families eating (not a bad thing), but it's great to see a place that everyone can enjoy! -
Review from Daniel B.
Charlotte, NC
5/23/2012 1 photo
I wanted to love this place. I really did. But things just didn't work out between us :(
The other half and I popped in one evening recently since we were in the neighborhood. He'd been there once before and had good things to say, so I said "heck yah man, let's go." We both ordered the salmon patties. Most southern establishments do a bang up job with those infamous little fish discs. Not Dish. They had the straaaangest flavor my taste buds have experienced in some time. The mashed potatoes weren't MASHED, they were CLUMPED--big difference. And oh dear Lord they were D-R-Y dry. And to add insult to the proverbial injury, the mac-n-cheese was more like ick-n-cheese. Clumpy. Greasy. Sad.
Service was also substantially lacking. There was NO ONE in the place except for a VERY FEW people in the back bar area, so one would expect to experience no wait time or not to have to hunt down a waitress for a refill. Not so this evening. I think she may have come by to check on us twice (which includes her taking the order).
In summary I experienced a very broken Dish and a bad taste left in my mouth (both literally and figuratively). Neither one of us enjoyed our meal & wasted nearly $30. HOWEVER I am willing to give them one more try. Maybe this was just an ''off'' day. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. But next time better be HELLA yummy!!! -
Review from Julia M.
4/12/2012
Dish is one of the locally owned places that has plenty of character and quirkiness. One of the proprietors here also use to be part owner of the Milestone and Tremont... so you can imagine that this place is going to be a little edgier than your standard southern diner.
The first time I went there, everything was absolutely fabulous. The second visit didn't blow me away, but everything was solid. I love comfort food so one of the biggest challenges for me is deciding what to order. On both visits, they offered great specials. But being a southern girl, one of my fav childhood dishes was grandma's chicken & dumplings... and their version is good.
If you are looking for a casual, affordable, comfort-food dining experience that isn't part of a big chain, this is a great option. Its a great place to take out-of-town guests if you want them to experience a little local flavor. -
Review from Adam R.
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I get the impression that Dish is one of those places where the quality of the food depends on who's cooking on a given night. I've seen people on Yelp and heard people in real life rave about the chicken and dumplings, but when I went, they were super bland. I mean, I had to douse those things in salt and pepper. However, our waitress was super cool, and the collards I ordered on the side were tasty, so Dish gets three stars from me.
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Review from Jessica J.
Charlotte, NC
5/5/2012
9 times outta ten this place is awesome. the only time i have been dissapointed is when the owner isn't there. She may be owner or manager i am not sure but she has short hair wears sweats glasses and is super nice. the food is alway correct when she is there!
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Review from Sam J.
Updated - 2/9/2012
Since my intial review, I've been back to Dish three times.
VERDICT: Cajun Meatloaf, so-so, heat but not much else. Fail.
Bourbon Glazed pork chops. No bourbon, zero glaze. Very thin chops. Fail.
Pot Roast "2.0" Best entree by far, really tasty and a generous serving. WIN!
Pros:
(+) The POT ROAST is sooooooooo good. Amazingly delicious.
(+) The homemade PIMENTO CHEESE App. is the best that I've ever eaten.
(+) Generous PORTION sizes. Doggie bag?
(+) Killer COLLARD GREENS are cooked perfectly. Add hot sauce, salt, vinegar.
(+) Love the gratis DEVILED EGGS. (Trying to perfect them at home!)
(+) The BISCUITS are almost as good as mom used to make.
(+) Their SQUASH CASSEROLE is amazing.
(+) The MAC 'N CHEESE is very good.
(+) A four item VEGGIE PLATE would not disappoint.
(+) ECLECTIC atmosphere. The ARTWORK on display and for sale.
(+) The majority of the time, SERVICE is excellent.
(+) Reasonable PRICES for high quality food.
(+) BEER! Beer. Beer.
Cons:
(-) OMG, L-O-U-D ! The only restaurant that I've experienced, where a conversation across the table was totally impossible - even shouting.
Give it a try! There are many other well regarded dishes that I haven't tried... Chicken 'n Dumplins, etc. Stay with the Pot Roast and you can't lose.
DISH
Location: 1220 THOMAS AV CHARLOTTE, NC 28205
Facility Type: Restaurant
Inspection Date: 01/23/2012
Activity Type: Inspection
Score: 94
(+ Education Credit: 2 = 96)Listed in: My Favorite Restaurants, SOUL Food
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/21/2011
I LOVE DISH! Best comfort food that I have eaten in Charlotte.
I had an inspiring beef pot roast,… Read more »
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Review from Jacob C.
This year I really want to try to knock out a lot of local restaurants. The first one on my list was Dish, mainly because my dad was in town and he is very much a "country diner" guy. We went for lunch he ordered pork chops since I was paying -_- and I went with the chicken & dumplings. Let this be known, I only went with the chicken & dumplings because I do not like them and the fellow yelpers made me want to "eat" my words.
Our food came out and the first thing I noticed were the large portions, it was a ton of food for lunch. I dug right into the chicken & dumplings and was amazed, they really are as good as reviewed. I am going to have a high standard for this dish whenever I eat them again, if I eat them anywhere else that is. For my side it was the squash casserole, it was interesting I have never had anything like it before. It was sweet, mushy and cheesy, I liked it.
My dad loved his pork chops, even though before ordering he was complaining about the price. I feel like if you get huge portions that are good quality then price should not be a problem. I enjoyed Dish and look forward to dining here again in the future. -
Review from Bill M.
Updated - 1/28/2012
Another re-review of one of my fav hood joints. This one not sooo good. First off tried the new brunch on Saturdays, they only serve the eggs 2 ways. fried or scrambled. (at least at that time) We went with my father in-law and he asked for his eggs over medium. The answer from our waitress was "NO", not sorry we only are serving eggs this way right now because the kitchen is getting used to it. No, we got a big fat NO. To this day when I go back, and it is frequent (at least once a week) if I ever get her as a server I ask to be moved sections.
Otherwise I echo my previous reviews, Chick & dumplings is great, Cajun meatloaf is hit or miss depending on who made it. I have had it super spicy, and I have had it with no spice (and left disappointed) .
So over all love the place, some servers are iffy, front hostess stand is always chaos when its busy. I have almost gotten in 2 arguments with other patrons because we were sat before them but they had been there longer?? Not my fault, more attention needs to be paid to the front of the restaurant when they get busy. Very rarely do they ever have a wait list, where they take your name, its just kinda done by feel. Which has apparently angered at least 2 regular customers because I was sat before them, to the point where I felt uncomfortable going back to my staple lunch spot for over a month. Again, not my fault.
Fix the front of house, have some sort of wait system when its busy, and I will keep coming back. But I walked out tonight because some preppy older couple decided to pick a fight with me b/c I was attempted to be seated before them.
Again, blame front of house not me. DISH FIX FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF, I LOVE EVERYTHING ELSE!!!
PS. Especially Corey, best waitress in CLT3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/30/2011
Ok, in all fairness I need to update my review, again.
Since my last review I have kept coming back,… Read more »
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Review from Ana O.
2/19/2012
I've been here twice now, and Dish is quickly becoming one of my favorite places when I need some gold ol' fashioned comfort food.
My first trip here I had the country fried steak and my partner had the chicken and dumplings. The steak was quite tasty, but the mashed potatoes that came with it were to DIE for! They were had some skins in the them, and they had great potato flavor (I can't think of a better way to describe them). The entrees come with their deviled eggs, which are quite good (if you like them). The next visit I had the fried green tomatoes, and I am told the horseradish dill is some of the best sauce to dip them in. My last visit, I had the shrimp and grits, which have the potential to be completely wonderful. The grits themselves were a little bland, but the shrimp, sausage, and sauce were all wonderful. I've also had the chocolate pecan pie for dessert, which was yummy.
The decorating theme here is country dinner/industrial, which is an interesting combination. The decor is quite eclectic, but it's warm and inviting. The service has always been pretty good here.
If you're looking for a bit of comfort, I highly recommend this place. -
Review from Elizabeth A.
Charlotte, NC
1/21/2012 1 photo
Dish is in my top five favorite restaurants in Charlotte. Been coming here for years. The food is fresh and always delicious. Southern food with a new twist.
Atmosphere is super cozy and decor is eclectic and cute. Back dining room and bar area features local artists' work on display (big ups to that!).
My favorite dish to get at Dish is the veggie plate! Great selection of vegetarian friendly southern sides. I recommend the squash casserole over anything, but also highly enjoy: smokey lima beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and mac n cheese. Plates are served with deviled egg and the best homemade biscuit you'll ever have.
If ordering an appetizer, make sure you check out the fried green tomatoes... they are to die for. Served with a dill dipping sauce that will blow your mind. -
Review from Andrew H.
Charlotte, NC
11/29/2011
I vacillated back and forth on whether to give Dish 3 or 4 stars. I went with three. Clearly. The food is pretty tasty. In general, I'm not a huge fan of Southern fare. I'm the only person I know who hates grits and sweat tea. Most Southern food is too...oh, what's the word...trans-fatty for my taste! Not a huge fan of creamed this and fried that. However, Dish does what it does very well, and I respect that. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
I ended up getting a non-Southern delicacy in the way of a burger (with jalapenos and other mid-Western flavors). It was actually quite tasty, but nothing I would orgasm over (like say, Cowfish). My one bozo pal had sand in his vagina and ordered a salad, so I won't even dignify that with a review. My other bozo chum ordered meatloaf with a creamy squash side, which he thoroughly enjoyed (he's the type that likes Southern food...and extra mayo.) Basically, he fits in at Angry Ale's. Don't worry, Mister Softee is a good guy. Anywho, I tried his squash side, and you couldn't even taste the squash (which is fine by me, because who the f*&k likes squash!?) as it was layered in cheese. Another good thing about Dish is that you get two sides with the entrees, and they have a pretty eclectic list to choose from.
The prices are also quite modest for a solid amount of food. Dish also has a rather diverse beer list. Speaking of beer, our waitress bozoed my friend's drink order, which is partly why I give Dish 3 stars. He ordered an IPA (he even said "the IPA" when he ordered) and she brought him an Amber. He didn't send it back (because when you order salads for your entree, you're pretty must a bottom b*&^h) but it was still vexing. Also, the food takes quite a while to come out, which is odd since most of the menu isn't too time consuming.
All in all, Dish is a pretty good eatery, which I'd recommend trying if you're in the area. If you're realllly into Southern food, I'd say definitely eat here...you'll probably balance out my 3 with a 4.Listed in: In the land of Faux…
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Review from Ryan L.
Charlotte, NC
Friends always push me to go to the Dish. I always ask myself, why are you so fond of their "Southern homestyle cooking?" It's a part of that whole Central Ave corridor of restaurants like Penguin and The Diamond. We'll call it great just because of their location. Absolutely not.
Every time I walk into the place, I laugh. I literally laugh out loud because of how tacky it feels. I know you're on Central Ave and want to get that artsy and we've character unlike everyone else. Please, there isn't a hint of character in the place. You're probably saying, who cares it's an unpretentious place, it's the food you go for and the price. Keep telling yourself that.
The servers on the other hand are great. I have no complaints with them. They helped us as soon as we started looking at the menu and we received our drinks in a timely manner. The place was probably three-quarters filled and on a holiday. The menu is fairly standard and has your staple southern dishes hinted throughout the appetizers to the entrees. Nothing special. And I almost feel that for the location, the price for the appetizers would be a little more reasonable. What do I know though?
We all ordered our food and I decided to go for something different this time. I got the Chicken & Dumplings the last time I was here, so I went for the meatloaf hoping for something more enticing than flour and cream of chicken. That's what the C&Ds taste like if you were wondering. Bland and tasteless. Apparently a lot of people like them, but if I had the choice I'd take the Swanson C&Ds. THAT good, my friends.
Back to my meatloaf. This is how it was prepared; mash a bunch of ground beef, add no seasoning, cook in oven, dip and cover in tomato sauce, plop it on a scoop of mashed potatoes, and add a dash of cilantro on top. The meatloaf wasn't at all what I had expected. I was expecting more flavor for them to actually call it Cajun. There was no cajun seasoning, onion, celery, garlic, or cayenne peppers. I'm not even sure if I tasted the essential Worcestershire sauce. Mashed potatoes were decent I'll admit. Potato salad, eh. Deviled egg, eh too. Biscuit I enjoyed, but maybe because my mind hoped it could enjoy something from the meal. I didn't enjoy the price that went along with the food either.
I know this place is locally owned and operated and is a part of Charlotte history and culture. It just feels that they are taking advantage of that and laugh quietly to themselves for each hungry customer that comes in. I honestly expect better because of that history. They are there for a reason, but not for their food lately. Customers need to wake up and realize that the Dish has greater potential. -
Review from Aaron C.
Yorba Linda, CA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went to this place because it was featured on drive ins, diners, and dives. Cool decor/ambiance on the inside, and looks like a plain Jane diner on the outside.
Based off the show, We split the chicken and dumplings, and the pot roast. Neither were OUTSTANDING, but they were good. They did have a cool beer selection and the prices were good.
I'd go again and try something else. Pretty eclectic place.
Service was 'on point' as guy would say.... -
Review from Esteban E.
Boston, MA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice atmosphere. Nice staff. Nice prices!
I started off with the fried potato balls with both the peppercorn and dill sauces. It was a different, but very good app. I had the pimento cheeseburger and about 10 glasses of sweet tea and my date had the BLGT. My burger was cooked a perfect medium-well and tasted great. The BLGT was a little bland and the "GT" was as little rubbery.
Well worth the trip and I will certainly be back if I'm in the area. -
Review from Jeff S.
11/5/2011
Dish has been one of my favorite restaurants ever since they opened for many reasons. They are a good place to get a good meal at a decent price. The food is always good here. The clientele is as interesting as the food.
Some of the highlights from the menu include the Cajun meatloaf, the chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits. The meals come with a deviled egg and biscuit which are a great touch.
The only thing I would fault them on is the awkward placement of the bar. It's in the very back of the restaurant but I rarely eat at the bar so it doesn't affect their rating.
This is good stuff. I think I need to go back..TODAY!. -
Review from Angie P.
8/14/2011
I've only been to Dish one time, but I will not be going back.
My boyfriend & I went in sometime during the week around 5:30 / 6 PM. We had to wait about 5 minutes for a table, of which we were seated in the corner (after several tables / booths were open). Ok, I get it, I know about the waiter / waitress rotation. Well, after sitting 5 more minutes, we were passed over by a teenage / early 20s waiter who clearly was helping all his tables, just not ours. Finally, a manager came over & got our drink order (& our food order, since we were prepared). So we sat & sat & sat...STILL waiting to get acknowledged by our waiter.
Wait...
Wait...
Wait...
It took our food about 20 minutes to come out...SERIOUSLY?! I got salmon cakes & macaroni & cheese & deviled eggs. My boyfriend got the pork chops. I have NO idea why it took so long.
The food was horrible. I hardly ate any of it.
STILL no acknowledgement from our waiter or anyone else for that matter.
Finally, I had to go back this manager & ask for our bill so we could pay & get the heck out of there.
Oh, guess who finally decided to show his face? ...yeah, our waiter.
I went & told the manager what happened & he just kind of shrugged & said he was sorry.
Will I give Dish another chance?
Nope. -
Review from Andrew L.
10/20/2011
Southern food should make you happy, it should as my friend Arry S. puts it so plainly, "it's like being hugged... from the inside out."
Dish does that, you can only feel like the happy slowly filling you from the inside out. I mean look, it's a simple location, a diner, by all traits. It's not Johnny Rockets diner, it's the corner, hole in the wall diner, that you bring a girlfriend, wife, or someone you care about, for food that you wished your mom cooked every day for you.
In a bowl of warmth, you find yourself knee deep in Tomato Soup, a creamy, buttery, tangy, gritty all-in-one smart dish. Served with a buttermilk biscuit, brushed with butter, you can't ask for more for a starter. The Chicken and Dumplings is that little slice of goodness, it's like the stuff your mother decided, to reward herself, but thought you might like it also. The chicken was tender, and the dumplings were nicely done. The Mac and Cheese, was the kind you find in Southern Cooking. It's not the creamy kind you find in the fridge section, but the made-by-some-person-in-your-kitchen-sensibility and taste. You may want some crazy cheese sauce, but this is the kind that makes you realize, they make it the way you make it at home, but just a little bit better.
Okay, I'm not from the south, but I have been to every state in the US. There are great foods out there, and really, this places shows that you don't have to execute gastro-etymology, to show case, the simple home like flavors that make this place a must visit. -
Review from Joshua V.
Lexington, MA
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dish is AMAZING... sometimes.
The problem with Dish is that the quality of the food varies greatly. The first time my wife and I ate here we fell in love with the place. In subsequent visits the food has ranged from great to ... mediocre.
I'm sticking with 4 stars here because the BBQ pulled pork sandwich is always fantastic, and it is my favorite dish. The squash casserole can be great on a good day, or bland on a bad day.
The pot roast has been pretty awesome on a regular basis. And the meatloaf is good.
Service is a great, and the ambiance is pretty cozy during quiet times, and even fairly pleasant when the place is hopping.
Oh, and the biscuits are some of the best in Charlotte.
This restaurant really needs to do some quality control on their kitchen. If they were at their best all the time, I would easily give them 5 stars. -
Review from Rick J.
Mint Hill, NC
11/3/2011
Love the comfort food here. Had the fried chicken special two nights ago and it was fantastic. Previously I've had their Chicken and dumplings which are to die for. Deviled eggs come withe entrees but are a little flavorless. Everything else I've had here rocks
Can't beat the cheap beer on tap either. -
Review from Amanda C.
Danvers, MA
4/16/2012
Good food. Enjoyed my collard greens and biscuit the most! Definitely a good place to go if you are looking for comfort food!
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Review from John S.
Charlotte, NC
10/9/2011
We started off with the Fried Green Tomatoes. Very good, served with an excellent horseradish dill sauce.
I had the Shrimp & Grits, which were very good. My partner had the Chicken & Dumplings, which were Awesome!
Split decision on the Mac & Cheese, He liked it, I liked it more.
No debate on the Collard Greens or Homemade Biscuits....Awesome!
The Deviled Eggs were a bit disappointing. Not bad, but compared to every thing else, they tasted like an after-thought that had been hanging around for a while.
We were told all the deserts are homemade so we got the Vanilla Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie to go. It was a little on the sweet side, but very, very good.
The service was efficient & friendly. We are definitely looking forward to going back again. -
Review from Jenn B.
Charlotte, NC
12/29/2011
Three words: Spicy Cajun Meatloaf.
Super fast, friendly service at a reasonable price. Tried the meatloaf and chicken fried steak. Both were excellent. Definitely going back. -
Review from John H.
Charlotte, NC
2/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Dish has been one of my go-to restaurants since it opened. The atmosphere is fun and funky. The staff are helpful and attentive. The food is almost uniformly good across a broad array of southern favorites and very reasonably priced.
I'll just list some of my favorites. I have three most common orders. The first is the chicken and dumplings, which is mostly big shreds of white meat chicken in a thick gravy with dumplings. It comes with two sides, a deviled egg, and a biscuit (lightly brushed with honey butter and DELICIOUS - now I'm drooling). My second is the chicken livers (also with two sides, egg, and a biscuit). The livers are dusted in cornmeal and cooked on the griddle with skewers. They normally come with a remoulade, but I prefer the beef gravy, which they happily provide. My last favorite is the cajun meatloaf, which comes with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and a spicy catchup top.
They have a significant section for vegetarians, including a spinach salad with a smoked, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette that you would swear has bacon in it, a burger, a burrito, a quesadilla, soups, and the infamous veggie plate. Their selection of veggies is quite extensive, and thankfully avoids gratuitous meat. My favorites are the squash casserole (onions, cheese, breadcrumbs baked with big squash chunks), carrots (sweet and tender), and whatever smoky vegetable they may have on special.
If you are looking for someplace comfortable, filling, satisfying, and unpretentious, Dish will probably fit the bill. -
Review from Mike K.
Updated - 1/10/2011
I guess I forgot to write a real review for Dish after my initial visit (which was two plus years ago, wow! time flies).
Having now been to Dish plenty of times, I've come to know it as a reliable standby for a good wholesome dinner or lunch. They have pretty good drink specials most nights, and a basic menu full of country classics.
I especially like the Chicken and dumplings, and the put together a good BLT sandwich where the tomatoes are fried green ones.
Another favorite of ours at Dish is the veggie combo plate. I always get the smoky lima beans, which are creamy and delicious.
If you're a dessert fan, try their key lime pie, which is fantastic.
Dish is just one more factor in Plaza Midwood's greatness.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2008
So far all I've had there is beer and a deviled egg, but I have a feel for these things, and I know… Read more »
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Review from Lindsay S.
Durham, NC
1/14/2011
After six months back in the CLT, I think I'm finally coming to terms with the seemingly new Charlotte cuisine item that is the "Veggie Plate." I've been to a number of places now where one of the vegetarian options is listed as the Veggie Plate (choice of 3 veggie sides or 4 veggie sides). Out of principal, I've never ordered one since I've always been a little annoyed by the idea that vegetarians must only eat sides, but last night, at Dish for the first time, I caved.
Mac and cheese (delicious), squash casserole (unidentifiably delicious), and stewed tomatoes and okra (that tasted just like my mom's veggie soup) were accompanied by Dish's signature deviled egg and biscuit. I give up. I give up to you, Veggie Plate. Because you are, in certain mood, truly delicious.
I appreciate that Dish treats the Veggie Plate as a legitimate entree and allows its biscuit and deviled egg to accompany it (as the biscuit is one of the best I've ever had). I also appreciate that Dish has a number of other veg-friendly options on the menu. Husband ordered the tomato soup and grilled pimento cheese sandwich (he can't resist that pairing), and both were excellent. I'm so relieved they make an in-house veggie burger (seriously... there's no excuse not to), and I can't resist anything with black beans (the nachos look fantastic), so I imagine we'll be returning to Dish to sample some of the other menu items.
(Good prices, too, and the decor is classic old school North Carolina.) -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
7/9/2011
Dish was definitely a Charlotte destination after seeing it on TV. Chicken and dumplins is one of my favorite Southern dishes, so how could I pass up an opportunity to partake of it at a DDD eatery?
The food is affordable, the vibe is casual, and the service is great. They also have a nice variety of alcohol to choose from. They do local beers, a few wines, and some mixed drinks; just enough to pair with your simple grub.
Dish's menu is fairly straightforward, with mostly Southern dishes and a handful of unique options. I went with the C&D with a side of macaroni and cheese. Every dish comes with a biscuit and a deviled egg.
The deviled egg was somewhat bland, but creamy. The biscuit was very buttery and soft on the inside, but it was a bit dry on the exterior. The macaroni and cheese was really creamy, but it lacked a cheesy and hearty flavor.
The poultry and pastry was disappointing. The dumplings were extremely tough, almost doughy, and the little amount of chicken in the stew was somewhat bland. I enjoyed the well-seasoned stew a lot, but the stuff inside was sub-par.
The bourbon-vanilla sweet potato pie was pretty good and unique. It was a thick and tall slice with a pecans and glaze on top with a really rich and sweet crust. I wish the crust was a little less gummy and sweet and more crumbly. The flavor of the filling itself was spot on.
This joint definitely offers some classic Southern fare, but the preparation and textures could use some work. I went at an off-time, so maybe I caught the bad end of the kitchen, but I did not think my meal was particularly special. -
Review from Nicole W.
11/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Allow me to go ahead and dish on Dish. Dish is indeed A-OK in my book.
With kitschy decor, down home grub and solid service, Dish is a solid choice for an affordable and tasty fare in Plaza Midwood. Hubs and I rolled into Dish after three failed attempts at other local restaurants on a Saturday evening. I was not in the mindset to wait an HOUR for a table, so Dish is where we landed!
We grabbed an affordable drink at the bar and waited about 10 minutes for our table - that's a score at 8 pm on a Saturday night. The menu is filled with a variety of options ranging from Fried Green Tomatoes, to Pot Roast, to Shrimp and Grits. While it's definitely not a low cal location, Dish has a variety of dishes that will please just about any palate.
Our server was kind and quick to offer suggestions for both appetizer and main course. We started off with the Fried Green Tomatoes. Overall, not a bad dish. Small fried greenies with a tangy dill dipping sauce. I was hoping for more flavor in the breading - from what I could tell it was just flour and egg...no pepper, no additional spices, etc.
About 15 minutes later I dug into my Chicken & Dumplings - a moderate and well priced portion of the milky soup stuffed with long bits of shredded chicken and hearty dumplings. It was well made and hearty - but again, it was lacking flavor. Boatloads of pepper were added. For my side, I chose the sweet potato mash which was indeed sweet - almost too sweet for my liking! And that's saying quite a bit.
The gratis honey biscuit and deviled egg really were stars of the meal, though! The biscuit came out warm with a honey glaze...I promptly devoured my biscuit in 30 seconds flat. YUM. The deviled egg was super fresh and perfectly crafted.
So, while Dish wasn't the greatest meal I've ever had it was comforting, solid and very affordable. If I find myself in a pinch next time I'm in PM, Dish is on my short list.Listed in: Plaza Midwood Delights, Charlotte Comfort Food, Bow Chicky Ow Ow
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Review from John A.
6/26/2011
The Dish is a wonderful restaurant. They have a fantastic representation of southern food and it is a great spot to visit for any foodie.
I went here for my last birthday celebration in Charlotte. For an appetizer we had fried green tomatoes, and I had the chicken and dumplings. Simply delicious.
It's hard to pick from the menu because all their dishes are great! -
Review from Lacey M.
Portland, OR
12/7/2010
This place is certainly no five star restaurant, and it doesn't try to be. It is incredably good homecooking that everyone's grandma used to make. That in its self is very sellable to a broad range of folks, count me in as one of them. Scatch this off as a solid 4.5
Service is eh... pretty much that of a diner. Nothing insanelyly spectacularr food came out hot and fast and let me ell you their soup hit the spit. It was a hearty broth- based white bean and porktastic offering. A cup of that and a couple o bites of that collars dip and i was good to go. Note to dish: y'all need bacon in your green beans -
Review from Jo S.
Houston, TX
6/23/2011
Just went to lunch here last week. I was very impressed, and my husband had a big lunch, but came with me, and Still kept eating off my plate..it was that good! I had the roast beef; every bite was great! I generally like a lighter brown gravy, but this darker gravy grew on me..it wasn't overly salty! The biscuit and my sides of mashed potatoes and mac n chz were both very good, as well. The biscuit does need a bit of honey (just ask your server for some), as most good homemade biscuits do--they are made to be a "background" to homemade jams, honey, etc that you layer on them, in the South.
Will def be back to eat at Dish, the next time we visit N.C.! -
Review from Todd W.
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
Dish - local, comfort food, low key atmosphere and good location in the heart of Plaza Midwood. My first visit to Dish was good and I look forward to returning. Great place to go when you have no where else to go or are sitting in a car wondering where to go. Usually never a long wait and the staff moves quickly and are friendly.
The food was OK. The theme of the evening was not enough seasoning in all areas. Don't get me wrong...not bad, but the difference between 3 and 4 stars for me. Started with the fried green tomatoes and they were OK, though the dill horseradish sauce was great! Was going between the meatloaf and pot roast. Saw SO MANY orders of the meatloaf pass me by, but decided on the pot roast instead. Came out with pot roast and gravy, as well as some mashed potatoes and a side. Went with the mac & cheese. The pot roast had good flavor with the gravy, though the mac & cheese and "potato scoop" were less to be desired. Added salt & pepper to everything. The biscuit was really good and just came out of the oven, and who doesn't love a deviled egg!
Will I be returning...you bet! It's cheap and the food is good. Looking forward to the meatloaf next time! Oh yeah...$2 PBR! -
Review from Will H.
11/7/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Ahh Dish, there's something about a place that mixes a Southern Grandma's charm with a tattoed-hipster vibe in the trendy neighborhood of Plaza Midwood. Patterned plastic tablecloths and floral-themed china plates hung on the wall contrast with a long beer bar complete with neon signage that is tucked in the upper backhand corner of this otherwise unassuming building.
In this study of contrasts, however, the food is distinctly Southern. That means leave the calorie-counter at home. Meatloaf, Chicken and dumplings, salmon cakes, and chicken salad are all regulars here. I am partial to the creamy tomato soup with half sandwich, myself, but everything is served in ample portion sizes and no dining companion of mine has had any major complaints with their fare. Even the sides- everything from green beans to sweet potato mash, are served with Southern flair (which usually means plenty of butter and salt). Don't miss the biscuit and deviled egg that come with most entrees.
The lunch time crowd, a regular Charlotte mix of ties in tightly pressed white shirts and those with a swath of purple hair and multiple piercings, is yet another mash up that just seems to work- service is fast and non-fussy. I rarely wait more than a couple minutes for a table but the place always seems full.
Great place to take out of town guests- if not for the mix of people then for the Southern kitsch the fills every corner. In many ways, this restaurant is the epitome of Plaza Midwood- old Southern roots with the vibe of the young and trendy pulsing throughout.
The bottom line is this place is affordable and tasty- 2 things that should never contrast. Luckily for Dish, they go hand in hand.Listed in: Charlotte Originals for…
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Review from Annie M.
11/23/2011
Dish, You have been on my list for a while! So in true Southern style I decided to make my sister venture to try this place last night. While she is a northern girl in every good way, I figured it would be something fun and different. You can't find chicken and dumplings or sweet tea in Jersey City!
I love the location- Plaza Midwood, I feel like this part of town always has fun things for me to explore. Walking into Dish- I get your name as dishes line the walls. Not my style, but hey I'm a sucker for a theme! We were seated in a back corner at a cozy table at the upper level. My sister was shocked at how good the unsweetened ice tea was, I didn't try any but I'll take her word for it. I ordered the chicken and dumplings... I mean when in Rome! Katie ordered the salmon cakes. It probably wasn't the best choice for a gluten free diet, but we did find out they don't cook any of their food in pork fat ( an added plus ).
Our food came out very quickly for a busy night, everything was pretty good, a tad bland, but that may just be because Southern food isn't my personal fav. My mac and cheese side was loaded with cheese and Katie's mashed sweet potatoes were sweet, but had more flavor.
Our sever was one of my favorite parts! He was wonderful. Really nice,funny, and quick, he checked in a few times, but didn't stalk our table. He even opened the door for us on our way out... While I'm not a fan or Southern Food, I'll take Southern hospitality whenever I can. -
Review from Danielle P.
Charlotte, NC
8/25/2010 ROTD 9/7/2010
So, we went to Dish because my roommate and I were both not yet feeling fat (and sassy) from the day's food and it was both not super greasy and within biking distance. Stepping into Dish was like stepping into a memory of my grandma's kitchen...or at least what I imagine that would have been like if my grandma was from the Carolinas, not a diabetic from Brooklyn.
The simple design of Dish's facade carries inside, where the dinning area is plain, with occasional infestations of kitsch. The servers are friendly and quick.
My roommate had the blacken chicken with green beans and mashed potato. I am told they were tasty. I decided to go for the 3 veggie plate with smokey lima beans, squash casserole and collard greens because I am a sucker for fresh veggies that I don't have to wash or worry about keeping fresh. The greens were solidly tasty in an appropriately unremarkable way. I do not know what they put the lima beans in to make them smokey (I surmised "liquid meat" at dinner) but I'm not terribly fond of it. Once I removed them from the excess sauce they were much better and I ate them all (don't you fear). The squash casserole was heavenly and if I knew how to make it I would grow fat on it.
Did I mention that both dinners came with a delicious biscuit and a deviled egg? I love both of those things and haven't had the latter in far to long. Pleasant surprise.
All in all, Dish did not blow my mind but I didn't want it to. It was excellent at being comfortable.Listed in: The Plaza Midwood-est!
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Review from Melinda C.
Manhattan, NY
1/31/2012
The idea of this place is good in theory, but I have to say it doesn't really meet expectations. The fried green tomatoes were not at all as good as I expected for a place that specializes in southern cuisine. The chicken and dumplings were good as were the deviled egg and biscuit... And the pies, yum!
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Review from Jared Y.
7/26/2010
I am staving off my food coma to be able to write this. Dish is the ultimate in good southern food in Plaza-Midwood. It is stick to your ribs food without all the grease.
They are known for their chicken and dumplings, but the whole menu is solid. Personally, it is hard for me to avoid the cajun meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The biggest decision is whether or not to save the devil egg and honey glazed biscuit for before or after the main course. There are always delicious fresh veggies incorporated into their side dishes for healthy tastiness.
Its going to be hard to do, but try and save room for the desserts. Super rich key lime pie will hit the spot and you cannot go wrong with the vanilla bourbon sweet potato pie, I am told.
The kitchy decor of vintage plates and velvet paintings will almost make you feel like someone's grandma is cranking out the grub in the kitchen.Listed in: The Wood
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Review from Amanda G.
Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2010
I'm not from the South, so you may say I'm crazy and chalk this review up to, "she's a Yankee", but Dish didn't impress this girl.
Let's start out on a high note, though, shall we? The potato cakes were seriously delicious...I had honestly never heard of (much less tried) one of these delectables before coming to Dish (I know, I know...Yankee), and was...well, I can't say pleasantly surprised, because there's nothing surprising about something in the mashed potato family being yummy, but was delighted nonetheless. It was all down-hill from there...
There was nothing horribly and obviously wrong with the meal...let me say that up front. Well, service kinda sucked, but as far as the food goes, it wasn't overtly awful. It was...hmm, how do I explain this? You know when you were a kid, and you'd go to your friend's house for dinner, and their mom would cook, and you'd eat the food because it was there and you knew you were supposed to, but all you kept thinking the whole time was how it just wasn't how your mom made it? That's something akin to how I felt about Dish -- it was passable, but the whole time I kept thinking that I could get better pot roast almost anywhere else (such as Jar restaurant in L.A...now THAT is pot roast!!).
Overall it was just sub-par...like they had somebody's mom in the kitchen making it. I love moms, don't get me wrong....but moms aren't chefs! They're moms. I expect higher quality and better presentation from a chef that I'm paying for my food.
I'm willing to give it another chance...like I said, perhaps I'm being too harsh (living in a city with some of the best cuisine in the country spoils me, I know), but I personally think Dish needs to step up their game. Who says comfort food can't be exquisitiely prepared and superbly delicious? Not me!Listed in: Ch-Ch-Ch-Charlotte!
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Review from Alexander D.
Huntersville, NC
2/26/2011
This might be one of those places that were good prior to getting too much attention from the media and the public. The biscuits are good but the much hyped deviled eggs are bland and so are the mashed potatoes and the mac&cheese.
The service was decent but the bar staff of managing their red wines.
The atmosphere is nice and fun but the food is definitely overrated. -
Review from Allene T.
8/30/2011
Not sure why the rating on this place is so low, but I LOVED this place! I got a special that isn't on their current menu - tilapia fillet with some type of berry sauce. DELICIOUS. The mac and cheese was awesome too - your typical southern mac and cheese. The chocolate pecan pie was awesome too. Left the place in that happy-food-coma state.... would recommend to anyone who is looking for a hearty, "home-cooked" meal.
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Review from Frank T.
Bloomington, IN
4/23/2011
This joint has replaced Loopies as my favorite Queen City restaurant. The vegetables are traditional Southern comfort/soul while being vegetarian friendly, as they are not cooked in meat broth, a practive which is so prevalent in the south.
The ambiance is young & hip and the portions are huge for such a small price. Do not miss this restaurant.
