Why This is One of THE BEST Hidden Gem Restaurants in Charlotte, NC

By Jeremy Schwegmann
BlogDestinationsHidden Gem RestaurantsNorth CarolinaUSA

Located in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood, The Crunkleton serves up Prohibition-era cocktails 🥃 alongside fire-kissed dishes that’ll make your taste buds two-step.

With a $10 annual membership fee (yes, it’s technically a private club*), this spot blends vintage charm with a lively bar scene and a wood-fired kitchen that’s impossible to ignore.

Think bourbon-laced desserts, steaks seared over open flames, and bartenders who could write a thesis on 19th-century mixology.

Food Highlights

  • Beignets with Nitro Brew Icing: These pillowy pastries 💨 arrive smothered in sweet, cold-brew-infused glaze—a brunch favorite that’s equal parts crispy and indulgent.
  • House-Made Pecan Pie: Served warm with salted caramel ice cream 🥧, this Southern staple earns rave reviews for its gooey filling and buttery crust.
  • Hanger Steak: Topped with zesty chimichurri and paired with garlic fries, this tender cut is a dinner menu star ⭐, grilled to perfection over the hearth.
  • Spicy Chicken Breakfast Sandwich: Packed with house hot sauce, pimento cheese, and a fried egg 🌶️, this handheld brunch beast is not for the faint of heart.
  • Lobster Benedict: Poached lobster and eggs drenched in hollandaise on a flaky croissant 🦞—a decadent twist on the brunch classic.
  • Tomahawk Tuesday Special: A massive, shareable steak 🍖 (half-price on Tuesdays) that’s become a cult favorite for meat lovers.
Colette

Atmosphere

Step inside, and you’re greeted by the crackle of the open hearth 🔥, where chefs grill meats and bake bread in full view.

RIcardo

The vibe? Cozy-meets-luxe, with leather bar stools, exposed brick, and bartenders who’ll chat about ice purity (they use a rare machine that makes airless cubes ❄️).

The bar’s whiskey collection could rival a museum, and the staff’s cocktail craftsmanship turns even a simple Gin Gin Mule into art. It’s something to behold, even for those hard to impress.

Bottom Line

Visit for the fire-fueled dishes, stay for the expertly crafted cocktails and unpretentious Southern charm.

Whether you’re here for a date night steak, a boozy brunch, or just to geek out over vintage spirits, The Crunkleton delivers a sizzling good time.

Address: 1957 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
📞 (704) 919-0104
🕔 Brunch: Sat & Sun, 11 AM–3 PM | Dinner: Mon–Fri, 5 PM–11 PM; Sat, 5 PM–12 AM; Sun, 5 PM–11 PM

  1. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-crunkleton-charlotte
  2. https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/eat-drink/bars-pubs/the-crunkleton
  3. https://cathzine.substack.com/p/the-crunkleton
  4. https://thecrunkleton.com/locations/charlotte/menus/brunch-menu-charlotte/
  5. https://bourbonveach.com/2019/03/25/the-crunkleton-charlotte-north-carolina/
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  7. https://thecrunkleton.com/locations/charlotte/
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  10. https://thecrunkleton.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CrunkletonCLT_Menu_ToGo_food22.pdf
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