CHARLOTTE RACE WEEKS
Our 2010 Pick List!
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Rosario's Pizza
Anyone who knows me knows that this is my place!  Rosarios is a family owned and operated NY style pizzaria. Roberto and Giovanni (owners) have become great friends. Their pizza is some of the best I've found in North Carolina. They also serve great paninis, heros, and italian dinners (my favorite is the Penne Rosario).  I like this place so much I think I need a cot in the back so I can just sleep there!

5303 Poplar Tent Road
Concord, NC 28027-9720
(704) 795-7199
visit their site   click here

Concord Family Restaurant (Diner)
Straight outta NY baby! Gus and Pete, two native-New yorkers own this joint. "CFR" is not fancy, but inside this odd triangle shaped building is some great food and a truly unique atmosphere. Come enjoy local diner-karaoke. Yes, it's priceless. They have a full-bar.

The food is phenomenal.  Burgers, Greek dishes, Italian food, seafood... it's all good. The joint is kickin' for breakfast. Homeade Challah Bread French toast is my pick!  Go see Gus and Pete and tell em' Matthew Dillner from Speedeats sent ya!

Oh yeah, wait until you see the desert display. WOW!

921 Concord Parkway North
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 786-5614

Cabo Fish Taco
The name says it all!  Located in the artsy "Noda" district near uptown Charlotte, this place is a gem.  It's trendy but reasonable. A very creative menu that featuers, you guessed it, fish tacos!

3201 North Davidson Street
Charlotte, NC 28205-1033
(704) 332-8868
visit their site   click here

Max's Ally
Just minutes from Charlotte Motor Speedway, Max's All\y is a gourmet restaurant in a casual atmosphere. They offer some real creative dishes in a beautiful setting for a reasonable price. A great date spot!

355 John Galt Way NW # 101
Concord, NC 28027-2952
(704) 721-6297
to visit their site  click here
Flounder Friday at The Penguin gets a big thumbs up from Speedeats.com!
Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC)
Sprint All-Star Weekend Picks
MD's Picks
Penguin Drive In
The most diverse restaurant on our pick-list. The Penguin is a favorite of mine. I'm a huge fan of their homemade pimento cheese. Try it on a small block (or big block) burger.  BBQ, Sweet Potato Fries, Metrolina Dogs (named after Metrolina Speedway), and unique specials jam their colorful menu. The popular winky-dinky dog has pimento cheese and chili!

It's a popular place so get ready to wait in line. Or better yet, eat at the bar. It's a trendy place where most of the staff proudly displays their love of ink (tattoos).

Flounder Fridays are especially good. It's the only day they have the popular fish fry. Come for lunch or early for dinner because when they run-out, they are done!

1921 Commonwealth Ave
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-375-6959

Poppa's Hot Dogs
Want a real Chicago Dog? Want a real Italian Beef Sandwhich that is dripping wet?  Want a good New York Kraut Dog? If you say yes, you need to hop up to Mooresville and check out Poppa's. After discovering Poppa's from Speedeats.com, ESPN's Jackie Decker, who is from Chicago, says "Poppa's is Chicago girl tested and Chicago girl approved."

We featured Poppa's with a special video
click here to view the video

510 River Highway
Mooresville, NC 28117-6866
(704) 664-7677


Glenn's Barbecue
Former Pro Cup Series driver turned Modified driver / spotter for RCR and more... our pal Mike Herman Jr. showed us this local Kannapolis find.  A native of K-town, Herm tells us it's the only place around that uses wood instead of gas to fire up their smoker to cook the pork.

We've tried it and we love Glen's.

804 Central Drive
Kannapolis, NC 28083-3700
(704) 938-3716

Price's Chicken Coop
This is a place only locals know. It's right on the outskirts of Uptown Charlotte. Prices is a little brick building with not much signage out front. It's a take-out only place that specializes in Fried Chicken. Inside, little old-ladies with hairnets fry up your chicken, put it in a box with tater-tots and send you on your way. A-Mazing local find.

1614 Camden Road
Charlotte, NC 28203-4756
(704) 333-9866
visit their site   click here

Shoals
Short Track crew chief Jason Ricker (who we like to call "Ricka" because he's a New Englander) loves Shoals. He swears that it has some of the best seafood around. We believe him!

1098 Brawley School Road
Mooresville, NC 28117-8937
(704) 660-1211

Red Rocks Cafe in Birkdale Village.
Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC)
Coke 600 Weekened
MD's Picks
Red Rocks
One of the most popular restaurants in Huntersville, NC. Red Rocks is located in the center of popular Birkdale Village.

Red Rocks is a favorite for many in racing, including Robbie Loomis, Michael Waltrip. Several drivers and racing personalities have dishes named after them.  My pal Marty Smith (ESPN) has a salad named after him.  From Denny Hamlin's Prime Filet to AJ Allmendinger's Blackened Grouper... racing is represented in a big way at this joint.

The menu is creative and it's a hip atmosphere for a nice sit-down meal or just hang at their bar.

We are huge fans of Mike Minter's Artichoke Crap Dip and Dianne Dorton's Lemon Herb Chicken.

8712 Lindholm Drive
Huntersville
(704) 892-9999
click here to visit their site