Who Makes the Best Pizza of Lake Norman?

From Troutman to Hunterville to Denver, we have a LOT of options for pizza. But, have you ever wondered which is the best? Well to try to answer that question, and to have a bit of fun, I've put together some brackets to help us answer that question. 

And here's the best part. YOU will decide the winner, via polls I'll set-up on Facebook:@lakenormanfoodie and Twitter: @lknfoodie. Voting will begin on my Facebook and Twitter pages on Monday March 2. Vote as often as you can. On Monday and Wednesday a head-to-head matchup will be listed. Totals and winners will be announced the following Friday.

El Paraiso (Cornelius)

A couple of weeks ago I finally got around to visiting El Paraiso Restaurant. Located in the Chair Factory in Cornelius, El Paraiso is the only restaurant in this small complex.

I parked the car then walked to the restaurant's entrance. While walking, I noticed a few Fire Trucks and Police cars. What the heck is going on? Did somebody choke on a chalupa? Did somebody rob the place? Did somebody rob the place AND choke on a chalupa? I had to investigate.

I made my way inside and noticed no visible commotion. Just a lot of firefighters and cops no excitement -- DARN!

The bartender told me to pick a table, and I grabbed an empty booth along a wall. The booths were black and red, and really didn't seem to match the rest of the restaurant. But hey, I was there for the food anyway.

After a few minutes, the waitress came by and took my drink order. It took me a few more minutes to look over the menu and make my decision. Hmm, I was really in the mood for chile rellenos. But I wanted to try at least one other meal -- so I did what any indecisive Foodie would do -- I ordered a combination plate!

I went with #96 (their menu is quite large). What is #96? I'm glad you asked! It's a Chile relleno and a crispy taco; I chose beef. I've gotta hand it to El Paraiso, the menu is extensive, and they offer things not usually seen in Mexican Style restaurants. Grilled Salmon and Catfish both make appearances on the menu.

My chips arrived after my drink, and were pretty good. The salsa is prepared at the restaurant, and it was nicely chilled -- I'd rather have my salsa refrigerated than just sitting around at room temperature all day. The salsa had a good consistency, and some nice chunks of tomato, onion, and cilantro. It was a little late to the table, but it was darn good.

Next came the meal. The chile relleno was huge and it was stuffed with beef, not cheese. A little different, but good! Next I tried the crispy taco. It was a standard taco shell filled with ground beef, cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato. Overall pretty good. The ground beef in both the chili relleno and taco was good, but slightly lacking in flavor -- something I've noticed with many of the Mexican Style restaurants in the area. It's like they're scared of oregano and cumin!

But that's not to slam El Paraiso. The food was perfectly acceptable and the lunch special was a deal at $6.25.

It was a good meal at a good price. If you're nearby, it's worth a try.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3.5 / 5
Service: 4/5
Total: 10.5 / 15

Kid Friendly: Yes. Kids menu and high chairs available.
Price: $ (Tax & Tip just under $10)

Conclusion: Good food at a good price make this a worthwhile visit. The wait staff was a little overwhelmed during lunch due to limited staff and a full room. But they still got me out in about 40 mins.

Restaurant Info:
El Paraiso Restaurant
20700 N. Main Street
Suite 124
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-896-6064

Sweet Cakes

After the discussions about cupcakes on this blog and on my Facebook page, I decided that I REALLY needed a to try a cupcake at Sweet Cakes.


As I made my way there, I ran across a road closing that made my trek more difficult. After some parking lot maneuvering, and walking over a grassy area covered with doggie doo, I finally made it to the front door.


Sweet Cakes is an adorable cupcake bakery, that looks just like it should. Clean, quaint, and smelling REALLY yummy. I walked in and was greeted by the mother, of the mother and daughter team that run it.


The large variety of cupcakes are on display, and all look amazingly yummy. I'm glad I don't work there -- I'd gain 30 lbs before the end of the week.


The day I visited, there were 13 (THIRTEEN!!) different flavors available. Trying to get a decent mix, I chose four cupcakes, with three flavors. I got two vanilla (one for me and my wife), a carrot cake (for my wife), and a lemon (for me).


I brought them home, and gave them a try for dessert later that evening. The vanilla cupcakes, though a little dry, were very good. A good amount of vanilla flavoring, and not too sweet. However, the large amount of frosting was a little too sweet for my taste. I'm more of a creamy / cream cheese frosting sorta guy.


The next evening, I gave my lemon cupcake a try. ZOMG! What a cupcake! The cupcake had a little lemon curd filling, was nice a moist, and the lemon frosting had me begging for more. I literally was licking the frosting from my fingers trying to get every last molecule before I washed my hands.


On the same note, my wife was in heaven with her carrot cake cupcake. I tried to get a review from here while eating, but she couldn't be bothered as she was in cupcake heaven coma. But her grin said it all. :)


Well worth the machinations it took to get to the front door!


Restaurant Review:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 12/15


Conclusion: Out of a limited sampling of 3 flavors, two were great, and one was good. I'll take those odds any day. Let me know what you think!


Restaurant Info:
Sweet Cake
20017 North Main Street
Cornelius, NC
p) 704-895-5800
http://www.sweetcakeslkn.com/

Cupcakes in Cornelius!

As you can probably tell by now -- I like food. And I like almost all types of food. But nothing gets my "Sweet Tooth" going like a cupcake.

Just think about it. Cupcakes are almost the perfect dessert. It's an individual serving of a cake -- complete with frosting! You can have as many as you like. AND you can mix and match until your tummy is full -- or your glass of milk is empty. It's like being a little kid again... but better since we can have as many as we want! :)

So, imagine my excitement when I can across Sweet Cakes in Cornelius. At the corner of Catawba and S. Main / Old Statesville. They have an amazing variety of cupcake flavors to choose from, and they look delicious.

Next time I drive by, I'll have to go inside to REALLY give this place the scrutiny it deserves. The last time I reviewed a cupcake it was from Delish, and that was last summer! So, it's high time I get by butt in there and do some investigating!

P.S. Why didn't you guys tell me there was a cupcake place in Cornelius???

LaSpada's Closed??

I have unconfirmed reports (which means I'll treat it like it's fact) that LaSpada's Original Cheesesteaks and Hoagies, in Cornelius, has closed.

On the front there's a sign that Mama's Pizza will be opening soon.

Admittedly, I've had mixed results from Laspada's. But I REALLY hate the idea that we lost another independent restaurant. And where will I go for a legitimate cheesesteak??? Any ideas?

Thanks for the heads-up from Foodie reader Jeff.

Alton's Kitchen & Cocktails

After hearing about Chef Sean Dowling from a friend, I decided to hit his restaurant, Alton's. Alton's is located in Cornelius, at the Crossroads of Jetton and W. Catawba in the the Jetton III complex (the one with the Harris Teeter). It's kinda hard to find, but apparently it's where Mia Famiglia was originally located -- sorta behind the Chinese restaurant.

When I walked in I was surprised to see that Alton's has two levels. The main dining level has the dining room and bar. While the upstairs looks over the dining level, and is presumably above the kitchen -- would probably be a great place to hold a private party.

I approached the hostess and was immediately seated. The tables are covered with black and white tablecloths, and the chairs are a dark wood. Chandeliers provide the light, which was kept to a minimum. This is good when having a romantic dinner -- bad when trying to read the editorial section of the Observer (as I was trying to do).

I looked over the menu, and noticed some of the usual things. Meats, fish, salads were all there, and then something caught my eye... a New England Lobster Roll. A New England Lobster Roll?? In Cornelius???? It's so crazy it just might work!

So, I asked my waitress about it. (FYI, if you go, ask for Brittany -- she was awesome.) She informed me that it was a mayo-based lobster salad with tarragon. The lobster is fresh; imported live from New England, the lobster is cooked on the premises.

In the mood for something different, I placed my order for the Lobster Roll, and decided to treat myself to the Tangle Oaks Chardonnay. Brittany informed me that if I like my Chardonnay oaky, this was the one for me. Fortunately, I like my Chards oaky, so I took her recommendation.

The wine list is good, with many offered by the glass. And I've gotta say, the Tangle Oaks Chardonnay from Santa Barbara was amazing. Smooth and oaky with a great nose, there was little acidic kick to this wine. Not only was the wine great, but it was a perfect compliment to the Lobster Roll -- who woulda thought?

The Lobster Roll consisted of large chunks of lobster that, surprisingly, weren't rubbery. The lobster came lightly coated with a mayo (and possibly sour cream) based sauce, and had the usual veggies (onions, celery, etc.) and spices.

The truth is, this was my first Lobster Roll, and I didn't know what to expect. But it was delicious.

I was a little taken aback by the large slice of folded bread that held the lobster salad. Buttered and lightly toasted on both sides, it looked more like Texas Toast than a bun. But when I talked to Chef Sean, I was informed that it is indeed a roll that they import from New England just for this sandwich. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it was still good.

The sides for this meal almost over shadowed the entree. The Kettle Chips were salty, crunchy, and delicious, while the coleslaw was amazing. Simply put, it may be the best coleslaw that I've ever had. EVER! Crunchy and tangy, this was a great compliment to the creamy and not-so-crunchy Lobster Roll.

At the end I was feeling slightly peckish, and decided on a slice of the Tiramisu Cheesecake. Topped with a layer of chocolate and home-made whipped cream, this was a decadent dessert. It melted in my mouth, and I wanted to take an entire cake home with me.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13/15

Price: $$$$ (including wine, dessert and tip, it was almost $40)
Kid Friendly: Yes. They have a small kids menu, and several families were dining there.

Conclusion: The prices and decadent food make this restaurant less likely to be an every-day hangout and more of a special occasion restaurant. But the food was amazing and the service was fantastic. I highly recommend you give it a try.

Restaurant Info:
Alton's Kitchen and Cocktails
19918 North Cove Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-655-2727
f) 704-655-2726
http://www.altonskitchen.com/ (not yet working)

Cashion's Gas (Cornelius, exit 28)

Yeah. You read the title right. I went to the Cashion's just east of exit 28, at the corner of Catawba and Statesville Rd. Inside the Cashion's there is a little grill that serves very basic short-order food, (i.e. burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and some breakfast).

Generally speaking, I try to avoid gas station food -- because it GIVES ME GAS!! (HA! I kill me!!)

Ok, ok, juvenile humor aside, I really do try to avoid gas station food. In fact, I've never had any prepared food from those fast-food / gas station combos that you see along I-77 or I-85. But longtime Foodie reader Bill insisted that I try this place.

I'm freakin' glad I did!!

Bill was right -- the burgers here rock! They're hand made patties, topped with a serious amount of cheese, with some of the best produce around! Seriously.

The burger was prepared to order (after I ordered, I heard the burger hit the grill), and I asked for tomato, onion, lettuce, ketchup and cheese. A few minutes later I was handed the burger on a plate, wrapped in aluminum foil. The burger was drenched in American Cheese. (Typically I don't like American Cheese, but with this much melted gooeyness, I can't complain).

The produce was amazing. Really. I need to shop where they do. The two tomato slices were thick, ripe, and bright red. The iceberg lettuce and white onion were fresh and crisp.

The patty, cheese, and produce combined to create one of my favorite burgers in the area. To me, it even beats the 5 Guys burgers -- and THAT's high praise. In addition, it was relatively cheap. The burger and a bottle of Coke came to $4 and change.

The only downside to the burger is that it is at a Cashion's. So there is no seating, and if you eat in your car (like I did), there will be a smell of gasoline. But, it was worth it for this cheap bite of deliciousness.

Score:
Atmosphere: 0/0
Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 7/10

Price: $
Kid Friendly: No. There is no place for your little-ones to hang out while placing the order.

Conclusion: Cheap prices, low visibility, and a REALLY good burger make this one of best kept secrets for burger lovers.

Restaurant Info:
Cashion's Quik Stop‎
19733 Statesville Rd.
Cornelius, NC
p) 704-892-7762‎

Mac's Speed Shop (Cornelius)

At the urging of a friend of mine, I decided to hit the local Mac's to get some BBQ. This was my first time at Mac's, and I was curious about what I would find. And more importantly, how would it compare to Lancaster's (my favorite BBQ in the area.)

Mac's has a definite biker bar feel to it. In the front there are almost a dozen motorcycle parking places (cars park in the back), while inside you'll see lots steel, wood, and many HDTV's.

Once inside, my friend and I were taken to our seats at a small elevated table in the middle of the main room. From my seat I could see no fewer than 4 HDTVs, each one with an ESPN channel showing. The menu has a decent selection ranging from standard BBQ and ribs, to salads and sandwiches.

Wanting to have a smaller serving of BBQ and some sides, I decided upon the "lil pig" BBQ sandwich. Along with the one side of mac and cheese, I decided to get a second side of BBQ beans. (Beans, beans, good for your heart, the more you eat -- the more you...) Oops! Sorry for that brief trip down grade school memory lane....

Anyhow, the food arrived quickly and I took a look. As you can see, it was pretty much standard BBQ fare. The BBQ pork was a little more bland and dry that I was expecting. However, the sauces at the table added the needed flavor and moisture.

The sides, however, were delicious. The mac and cheese was made with real cheese and was creamy and good! The BBQ beans, were really flavorful and had a nice and thick sauce that had hints of molasses and brown sugar. The sauce had some meat in it, but not much.

I know people love their BBQ, and I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers. But, I didn't find anything about Macs that was extraordinary. For the most part it was about average. The BBQ was OK, but the sides were slightly above average. The next time I go, I'll be sure to try their ribs, and see if my experience differs.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Total: 10/15

Price: $$
Kid Friendly: Yes

Conclusion: About average BBQ with a biker theme. It was OK, but not memorable. I'll head back again because I want to try their ribs.

Restaurant Info:
Mac's Speed Shop
19601 Liverpool Pkwy.
Cornelius, NC 28031
http://www.macspeedshop.com/

XO Tapas Wine Bar (Cornelius)

The other night while my wife was traveling, I decided to hit the other nearby wine bar, XO. Located just off of the recently completed W. Catawba Ave. (YAAY!), it's easy to get to. And since I'd been hearing good things, I thought I'd check it out.

The second I walked into XO, I felt more like I was in Manhattan than in Cornelius. The furniture was black lacquer, the bar was stainless steel, and the vibe was hip and trendy. I had to do a double take. I was in Cornelius... RIGHT?? (I personally lean away from the hip and trendy, and tend to like a laid-back atmosphere. But they succeeded in creating an intimate lounge feel.)

However, it's not the style that sets XO apart, it's the menu. They have a full menu that features tapas, but also has some entrees thrown in too. The chef has a creative streak that produces some interesting and adventurous food. From their Andouille Sausage pizza that features peaches, champagne gastrique, robiola, and cinnamon basil; to their Caprese Salad that highlights a balsamic-injected cherry tomato wrapped in mozzarella, Chef Kyle Schutte is trying new things.

Unfortunately I already had dinner before I arrived. So, I enjoyed only a glass of wine and the Sweetbread Corndogs. These are not the dogs you ordinarily enjoy at the county fair. Stuffed with ground veal, these corndogs are very different indeed. They have a rich and savory flavor that just can't be beat. Served with spicy mustard, these corndogs were a treat to be enjoyed.

I wish I would have had room in my stomach to try more of their food selection. It was very unique, and that's something which is hard to come by.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13/15

Price: $$ (one glass of wine, one tapas plate, and tip came to almost $15)
Kid Friendly: Not really.

Conclusion: The only wine bar in the area to have such a large and unique menu. This place has more formal vibe to it, but it works. Definitely worth giving this place a try, for their menu if nothing else.

Restaurant Info:
XO Tapas Wine Bar
19701 Bethel Church Rd.
Cornelius NC 28031
p) 704-896-9255
http://www.xotapaswinebar.com

Recent Opening: Normans Grille

Now that I've started posting food related openings on this blog, I'm going to try to have most of those postings BEFORE the actual opening. However, here's one that I'm posting late. It's not the restaurant's fault... it's mine. I didn't get to reading the e-mail until yesterday. So, here it is!

Norman's Grille (http://www.normansgrille.com/) opened, Friday, June 12, 2009. And is in the complex that is at Jetton and Catawba in Cornelius. In fact, I think it's in the same complex as Derado's Italian Market, which opens today.

According to the e-mail I received, Norman's Grille "offers flavors inspired by Mediterranean, Italian, French and Asian cuisines. The dishes are prepared by chef-proprietor Robert N. Coles, in an intimate and relaxed speakeasy type atmosphere."

Just an FYI, they're sooo "speakeasy" that the e-mail mentioned it TWICE! That's doubly speakeasy. Or is it "speakeasier? I'm not sure. :)

But there is one thing that I am sure about: If you have been here, let me know what you thought! I'm always curious about new restaurants, and I hope to review it soon.

Italian Market Opening Tomorrow

Joe Marusak at the Charlotte Observer reported this weekend that Derado's Italian Market will be opening tomorrow (Tuesday). It's in Cornelius in the Magnolia Plaza (at Catawaba and Jetton). Their website is www.derados.com.

Get the full article here.

Prosciutto's (Cornelius)

When I first added Google Ads to this blog, one of the first ads that I saw was for Prosciutto's, a local pizza place at Shops on the Green in Cornelius. Finally, several months later, I got off my butt and decided to give it a try.

As it turns out, a friend of mine happens to work next-door to Prosciutto's. So, it just made sense to have lunch there this past Friday.

I got there a little early, so I took a seat and looked around. Prosciutto's is sorta your standard neighborhood pub. But they tend to focus on pizza, and they REALLY focus on the professional sports teams of New England.

If you're a Red Sox or a Patriot's fan, this place is for you. Signs and flags of these team adorn the walls, and for a second I forgot that I was in NC. However, being a fan of the New England teams is not a requisite for liking this place ... Prosciutto's has a comfortable feel to it. I was instantly a fan.

Once my lunchtime partner-in-crime arrived, we took a look at the menu. I was just planning on having a couple of the pre-cooked slices of pepperoni pizza which was a lunch special. But he's a regular I went with his suggestion and we split a large Venetian pizza. It's a White Specialty pizza (it has olive oil and garlic instead of tomato sauce) and has grilled chicken, broccoli, onions, feta, mozzarella, and basil.

The pizza took a while to cook, but that was expected. They were starting it from scratch. And when the pizza arrived, it was obvious that it was worth the wait.

The pizza was loaded with toppings, which were well spread out. Every slice had plenty on it, and the crust was thin, slightly crunchy, but not burned. It was cooked to perfection, and forks and knives were not needed.

I'm usually not one for chicken or broccoli on my pizza, but it was frakin' good! The flavors of the ingredients all worked well together -- even the broccoli. As you can probably tell, I'm not a fan of the little green things, but it worked. It was good. And I recommend it. Heck, I'll probably order it again.

Prosciutto's has a decent size patio area that is apparently packed on Friday evenings. And I can see why. Pizza, beer, outdoor dining with friends... what more could you ask for?

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 11/15
Price: $$ (Just over $10, but the lunch specials are well under the $10 threshold.)
Kid Friendly: Yes. They have placemats with a kids menu and a play area too.

Conclusion: Good local pub with good food. Next time I'll be trying a calzone and a dessert cannoli. If I lived closer, I'd become a regular. They also have free WiFi. Heck, maybe I'll make it my second office! :)

Restaurant Info:
Prosciutto's
Shops on the Green
20920 Torrence Chapel Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-439-4444
http://www.prosciuttos.com/

LaSpada's Original Cheese Steaks and Hoagies (Cornelius)

A few weeks ago I started craving an authentic Cheese Steak sandwich. The image of thinly sliced beef, onions, and melted cheese were calling me. I needed a fix. So I headed to LaSpada's.

LaSpada's Original Cheese Steaks and Hoagies in on Hwy 115 in Cornelius, next to the fire station, and across the street from Quixote Cafe. Though there are two other LaSpada's, they are in Florida, and it appears to remain a family affair. It is noted on the sign, that these restaurants originated from Chester, PA. But according to the website, the family moved from PA to FL at least 30 years ago.

LaSpada's has a local dive feel. It's not the cleanest place, and the inside eating area doesn't make you want to stay and chat. Surprisingly, the outside seating is very nice in comparison, and there is a landscaped garden in front of the patio. So, after we ordered, a buddy of mine and I took a seat outside.

The nice thing about our cheese steaks, is that the meat wasn't pre-cooked waiting for us. Once we ordered, the we actually could hear the meat sizzle as it was placed on the cooker. The meal was brought to our table, and I had a look. The cheese steak had steak, onions, and melted white american cheese. I also had waffle-cut fries on the side.

I've had amazing cheese steaks, and I've had crappy cheese steaks. This one was somewhere in-between. The roll it was served in was OK. The steak with melted onions and cheese, was again OK. I was hoping for a little more flavor. However, it seemed the steak was overcooked, and it had a leathery texture. The fries were nice and crispy and pre-seasoned. There wasn't much need for ketchup.

I've been to LaSpada's before, and my sandwich was better then. However, that was last year, and I won't let that sway the score below. But as always, I encourage you go to the restaurants I review to check them out for yourself.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5 (inside = 2, outside = 4; so I averaged them together)
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9/15
Price: $ (small sandwich, fries, and fountain drink under $10)
Kid Friendly: Sorta. They have a kids menu, but I didn't notice high-chairs. (Though I could have missed them.)

Conclusion: One of the few places in the area that specializes in cheese steaks. The second you walk in the doors, you feel like you're back in PA.

Restaurant Info:
LaSpada's Original Cheese Steaks and Hoagies
19741 S. Main Street
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-895-9706
http://www.laspadas.com/

Tenders (Cornelius)

During coffee last week with a friend, I was reminded that I needed to visit Tenders Fresh Food in Cornelius. I'd been told that they have some of the best friend chicken around, but I had forgotten -- until it was mentioned during our morning conversation.

So yesterday I headed out to meet another friend at Tenders. On the corner of Westmoreland and Statesville Roads in Cornelius, it's easy to find. And from the looks of the parking lot at noon -- a LOT of people have already found it.

I walked in and took a look at the menu. It's very basic. In fact, the menu reminded me of the menus available at Five Guys and In-N-Out Burger. This restaurant focuses on only a few things and does them well. As opposed to some of those fast-food restaurants that have dozens of entrees, Tenders has only three -- Chicken Tenders, Chicken Sandwich, and a Pork Loin Sandwich.

I chose the Chicken Tenders, and added Honey-Mustard sauce, Fries, and a Pepsi. While waiting for my order I looked around the restaurant. This place is VERY clean. Not a speck of dirt or crumb of food around. The owner obviously takes pride in this restaurant.

Once my food was ready, I loaded up on ketchup, went outside, and grabbed a table with an umbrella for shade. I took a bite of the fried chicken and was amazed how tender the chicken was. It almost fell apart while picking it up -- something I wasn't ready for.

Usually,when eating chicken tenders, I've found them to be tough and rubbery. However, these were juicy and tender, and had quite a lot of flavor. In addition, the fried batter was thick and crispy. On a few occasions when I took a bite, the chicken pulled away from the rest of the tender, leaving a large portion of fried batter waiting for my next bite. These are easily the best chicken tenders that I've had, and it could be the best fried chicken that I've had.

The fries are cut and fried on the premises, as the bags of potatoes will attest. In addition, the skins are left on the fries, which only makes me like this place more. I found the fries to be crunchy and tender -- much like the chicken I was enjoying.

This was a really great meal, at a VERY reasonable price ($6 and change). It's locally owned and all of their ingredients are fresh. I can't recommend this place enough.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Price: $ (food and drink under $10)
Kid Friendly: Yes. They offer a kids meal, and I don't think your children could hurt the cement floors. Also, what kid doesn't love chicken tenders?

Conclusion: This is a great local restaurant. They only do a few things, and they make a GREAT fried chicken. I highly recommend it.

Restaurant Info:
Tenders Fresh Food
18341 Statesville Rd.
Cornelius, NC 28031-9184
p) 704-895-6017
http://www.tendersfreshfood.com/

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant (Cornelius)

The following review was first available earlier this week on the Lake Norman Social website at http://www.lknsocial.com/. Be sure to check it out!

--------------------------------------
With Cinco de Mayo quickly approaching, I thought it’d be a good time to review Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant in Cornelius – just off of West Catawba Ave.

I recently visited during lunch, so the price listed below is a little lower than dinner, but not extraordinarily so. Once I entered, I was quickly taken to a booth next to a window. As I sat, the host asked me for my drink order. I told him a Coke. And he went go place the order.

About 30 seconds later my waitress appeared, also asking for my drink order. I let her know that I had just ordered a Coke a few seconds before. This was a constant theme during lunch; the staff were attentive and helpful -- and my glass of Coke was constantly topped-off!

The interior of the restaurant is nice. There is an interior pergola to the right, and in the center of the room you’ll find a working water fountain. The booths are comfy, and some of the tables have custom tile-work in the middle.

I ordered the lunch item Carnitas de Res. It’s described as, “Fajita-style! Tender strips of marinated beef grilled with green peppers and onions. Served with guacamole and sour cream.” It also came with re-fried beans, rice, and flour tortillas. So, it was a filling meal. However, it wasn’t quite what I had been hoping for.

The rice seemed stale and bland, while the re-fried beans were good though a little runny. But it was the “Carnitas” part that I found disappointing. The meat, onions, and peppers had been cooked in a sauce (I think it was tomato based) that was actually sweet. Not sugar sweet, but sweet from all of the sugars in the onions and the roasted red peppers.

Unfortunately, the standard flavors of oregano, cumin, and chili powder that I have come to expect in Mexican cooking simply weren’t there. And that threw me back a little. It tasted good – it just didn’t taste like Mexican food.

All in all, the food wasn’t noteworthy, but the service and atmosphere were good. I’ll probably try it again – in a while.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 2/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 9/15
Price: $$ (food, soda, tax and tip were $12)
Kid Friendly: Yes. On Sunday, one child per adult eats free.

Restaurant Info:
19905 NC Hwy. 73
West Catawba Ave., Suite 102
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-987-8890
http://www.zapatasrestaurant.com/

Matt's Chicago Dog (Cornelius)

Baseball season started this week (GO A's!), so it seems appropriate that I review a place that focuses on hot dogs. Think about it, hot dogs and baseball just go together. For those nay-sayers out there, yes, Cracker Jacks also go together with baseball . However, this place isn't called Matt's Chicago Cracker Jacks -- so I'll stick with reviewing hot dogs.

When I walked in I found a small fast-food style restaurant. After walking through a small seating area, I found my way to the counter, and placed my order. A Chicago Dog combo -- this includes fries and a soda.

I took my styrofoam cup, filled it with Pepsi, and took a seat. Though it's in Cornelius, this place has a decidedly Chicago feel to it. The mural painting on the wall, the Chicago-style blues playing, and the wood panel counter just felt like a place I'd been to in Chicago.

After a short wait, my meal was brought to my table. Where was my hot dog?? Oh, wait, it's underneath the HOT fries. Those fries were just cooked, and they're "dirty" (skins still on) -- just the way I like them. I gotta say, these are some great fries.

I made my way to the dog, wrapped in paper. And it had the mustard, onions, and the unique neon green Chicago-style relish. The all beef Vienna dog was good, and so was the bun which was topped with poppy seeds.

But really, the highlight to me for this meal were the fries, I just couldn't stop eating them. Now, all I need are some field level seats along the first base line (and a good beer), and I'll be in heaven.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 10/15
Price: $ (dog, fries, and drink for under $7)

Conclusion: This place has a good hot dog, and GREAT fries. I'll be going here again, and maybe the next time I'll try a sandwich or a burger. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? I'll be ordering the same thing.

Restaurant Info:
Matt's Chicago Dog
19732 One Norman Blvd
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-892-5005
(If you know the website, please post it in the comments section -- I can't find it.)

Sangam Indian Cuisine

Years ago when I was in college, I had the chance to spend a summer studying in England. After about a week, I was already tired of the local cuisine. How much boiled meat and Brown Sauce, can one guy take??

So, one day I walked into an Indian restaurant, just to try something different. Once I smelled the aromas, and tasted the food, my taste buds were changed forever and I quickly became a regular of that restaurant.

Since I moved to the Lake Norman area over a year ago, I haven't had any Indian food. And I've been in some serious withdrawal. So, when I heard that there was a good Indian restaurant nearby, my mouth started to water immediately.

When I walked into Sangam with a friend I was surprised by how small it was -- only about 12 tables. However, during this lunch rush, over half of the tables were occupied. The walls are adorned with Indian paintings and Indian music and aromas drifted through the air.

After ordering our drinks, we headed to the back of the restaurant to partake in the Lunch Buffet. I've got to admit, I was quite impressed by the amount of food they had to offer: Vegetable Pakora, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Korma, Naan, rice, etc. Those are the only names I can remember -- but there was much, much more.

The naan was fresh and warm, and I used it to scoop-up some of my Chicken Korma, which was just what my taste buds ordered. However, I was a little disappointed by the amount of chicken in the buffet tray -- they were quickly running out, and they didn't seem to be replacing it anytime soon.

But aside from that, this lunch was superb. I filled my plate twice, and was entirely full by the end of the meal. The food was flavorful and the tandoori chicken was surprisingly moist, the naan was still warm from the oven, and the service was excellent (though it was a buffet, our plates were cleared quickly, and my Coke was refilled often).

My craving for Indian food has been satiated -- for the time being. The next time I get a craving for this cuisine, or a longing for my favorite dish of Lamb Rogan Josh, I'll be heading here for dinner.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Price: $ (Lunch Buffet was $8.95)

Conclusion: This is a great option if you like Indian cuisine. The price is a little high (most dinners are around $15 for an entree), but worth it. I'll definitely be coming back here again.

Restaurant Info:
Sangam Indian Cuisine
20910 Torrence Chapel Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-655-9600
http://www.sangamindia.com/

Quixote Cafe

Since I moved to the Lake Norman area a year ago, I've been in search of a locally owned coffee house that felt friendly, had good coffee, AND had great pastries. My search finally ended when I entered Quixote Cafe.

The Cafe is owned and operated by a husband and wife team, who also happen to have a computer repair service next door. The cafe is open, but small (I counted about six tables inside, and a few more outside.) and the locals are friendly.

Once I entered, I smelled home-made pastries (Gabby makes all the pastries herself) and the welcome aroma of coffee. On my way to the small counter, I passed the pastry case which quite simply played with my emotions. After all, how can I choose just one of the many tasty options? So, upon some deep thinking, I chose the cream cheese danish (GOOD CHOICE), and ordered my espresso favorite -- a caramel mocha.

The cream cheese danish was perfect. The crust light and flaky. The filling tasty, and not gooey. In addition, the Mocha wasn't too sweet or too bitter, and hot enough so that I could read the entire paper and it remained warm.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Price: $ (coffee and pastry for less than $10)

Conclusion: The coffee and food were both better than I could make at home, and I was out of there for only $5 and change. They also have several available computers for browsing, and WiFi. If it were two or three miles closer to my house, I'd practically live there.

Restaurant Info:
Quixote Cafe
19900 S Main St # 2
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-895-8600

131 Main

Located behind a small strip mall, in a small Cornelius community, 131 Main offers big taste with a moderate price tag. When I enter, my mouth starts to water immediately. The kitchen is in plain sight and the aromas coming from it are intoxicating.

Upon seating, I can't help but notice the exposed brick and gas lamps giving it a relaxed, yet nice atmosphere. For a brief second I felt as if I were in Charleston, SC, and not Cornelius, NC. The service was impeccable, and even a dropped fork, was replaced faster than I could actually ask for a replacement.

If you're heading here, you should do yourself a favor and get the corn bread for an appetizer. In addition, you should bring your appetite. The portions are huge, and taking home a doggie-bag with the remains of dinner for two, still gave us three servings worth of food. I don't consider the menu to be large, but it has more than enough to choose from. In addition, the wine menu was very nice, and included options for all varietals and price points.

My favorite entree here is the baby-back ribs ($22). The meat is so tender, it literally falls off the bone. The fish special was also amazing, and I'm typically not a fish person. When it came time for dessert, we threw in the towel, and asked for the check -- only because we were so full. To be honest, we both wanted to try the home-made desserts, they looked fantastic.

With great food, service, atmosphere, and it's low-key location, I highly recommend 131 Main in Cornelius. I haven't tried the other locations, but if they're anywhere near the quality of this one, you're in for a treat.

Score:
Atmosphere: 5/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Total: 14/15

Restaurant Info:
131 Main
17830 N. Statesville Rd.
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-896-0131
http://www.131-main.com/