4 Openings to Know About in Charlotte, North Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"In the Belmont neighborhood, I saw that Sweet Lew’s — opened Dec. 5 by co-owners Lewis Donald and Laura Furman Grice — aims to deliver a “real North Carolina barbecue experience” from a flipped old service station with a smoker burning a blend of hickory, pecan and peach woods. The core menu stays consistent with daily smoked meats: Lexington-style chopped barbecue made with North Carolina pork shoulder, dry-rubbed ribs and smoked chicken, plus other options such as brisket, fried chicken and fried fish. I wouldn’t overlook the classic sides — baked beans, collards, mac and cheese, boiled peanuts and Carolina boiled potato — and you can finish with a sweet serving of banana pudding." - Katie Toussaint