In July, the power was cut off. Cocktails have names like Dino Hustle ($9.95) and Drunken Elephant ($7) and prices that dont make you cringe like most cocktail bars in town. The Penguin Drive-In - Charlotte, NC 28203 - RestaurantJump ($$) Write a Review. We all react differently when The End comes. He started making excuses. usarestaurants.info is not responsible for content on external web sites. The outdoor patio is a lot of fun and would be great in the warmer weather. When it closed for good in 2014 after a flurry of lawsuits and . It wasnt the building that made the place special, he said. Guy Fieri came. Were so excited, Im about to jump out of my skin, says Sprock, owner of Big Game Brands. Pearl the Pika Jake the Polar Bear Trudy the Chimpanzee Uncle Norton Lulu the Potto Stanley the Mouse Aunt Myrtle Fluke the Dolphin They want to know if The End has come. For 60 years, The Penguin served mammoth burgers and fried pickles, even through the neighborhood's rough years in the 1980s and '90s. I wrote about the saga for this magazine in 2011, Where to See Fireworks in Charlotte: 2023, The 10 Best Trails in the Old 96 District, Camden Commons, South Ends Living Room Pop-Up Event, Is Back, A Guide to Charlotte's Best Italian Restaurants: 2023, Where to Eat in Charlotte's South End: 2023. Both the Charred Pork Belly ($14.95) and Pan Seared Shrimp ($14.95) taste like excessively salty, Americanized versions of the Japanese noodle dish. The dog-friendly patio and $5 White Claws appeal to a younger generation that never knew the old spot. Penguin Charlotte - Facebook Served with homestyle fries and choice of dipping sauce, Each order and fresh. Now there is a lot of neon lights and the atmosphere isn't the same as it was. Suddenly, everyone wanted to try the fried pickles. Other toppings options: americna cheese $0.75, swiss cheese $0.75, mozzarell cheese $0.75, blue cheese crumbles $0.95, cheddar cheese $0.75, pimento Cheese $1.00, bacon $1.00, queso $1.00, chili $0.75, mushrooms $0.75, grilled onions $0.75, onion straws $0.50, fried pickles $0.95, If item is availale as a combo, prices are listed as combo a la carte, These menu items are for little chicken only 12 year and under. 1531 East Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, American food experiences in Charlotte, USA. Nestled in the heart of Dilworth, our spacious, dog-friendly & covered patio is the perfect neighborhood spot. Charlotte the Penguin is a guest who hails from Antarctica, and appears in the fourteenth episode of The Animal Show. Not totally dead. They call me from time to time, asking whats new. Prices are listed as combo a la carte, All of our burgers are 1/3 lb angus beef. The restaurant closed in 2014. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. All or sour angus beef dogs are served with your chocie of side. Buildings and signs in Charlotte go up and down regularly, a reflection of the rapid growth and development in the area. A sign was removed in Plaza Midwood on Friday. And even of the quest to find some really good fried pickles and pimento cheese. Charlotte's iconic Penguin Drive-in sign is coming down. Its bittersweet.. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. That's a nice idea to order nicely cooked truffle fries, hot sandwiches and prawns. People in the neighborhood reacted by turning their backs on a place theyd loved for a decade. These articles were excerpted from Tapestry, a weekly newsletter that examines the arts and entertainment world in Charlotte and North Carolina. And then once the secret got out, then the neighborhood changed to be much different than the place that people had sort of come to recognize and love, Markovich said. 1921 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. Maybe the exasperation over a family legacy is over. Double-up or switch it up for $2.00 regular burger, black bean burger or chicken breast. The Penguin (Charlotte, Nc) Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Both burgers come with two smashed patties and a steak knife through the center to keep them from toppling. Extra dressing cups $1.00 each, roasted garlic ranch, honey mustard, blue cheese and vinegarette, Fresh lettuce, topped with tomato, cucumber, greek, olives, onion, croutons, crumbled feta cheese. The content displayed in the usarestaurants.info Directory consists of information from third parties, among others from publicly accessible sources, or from customers, who have a presentation page in our directory. The Ballentines? In 2010, King and Rowe left. Taxes, fees not included for deals content. Theirs was fucked-up looking, he told me. Select one free - honey mustard, ranchm, barbecue, buffalo penuin saue, extra $0.75 each. field59.ipo = { The fried pickles cant be beat, and the fun, I think its the first place that ever served me a beer underage.. A listing on Allmenus.com does not necessarily reflect our affiliation with or endorsement of the listed restaurant, or the listed restaurant's endorsement of Allmenus.com. Home page . The neighborhood? Spencer is the Charlotte Planning Commission chair. Until Friday, the sign had remained. You enter into a cocktail lounge vibe with couches and comfy chairs but then you see dining tables scattered around the perimeter. Served with toasated pita pionts. Add a chicken breast for $2.00, Delicous white meat chicken tenders. At the peak of its popularity, in 2010, Ballentines daughter, Lisa, took control of the Penguin back from Rowe and King. Lexie Longstreet February 1, 2010. Fried Pickles, Chopped Steak, Bacon Cheeseburger, Philly Cheesesteak, Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot. Add $1.00 to substiute half fries, half onion, rings, 8 Homemade mac n cheddar cheese bites with panko breading, Smooth and creamy with hitnts of lemon and cilantro made fresh daily. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this matter, you are welcome to contact our customer support team. Supercharging food + beverage brands / #theplaidpenguin Penguin Drive-In - CLOSED | Restaurants - Food Network The Penguin menu - Charlotte NC 28205 - (704) 375-1925 - Allmenus Join us in the Elephant Bar - a 14 person, full-service bar top that has large flat-screen tvs enabled with sports package, hollywood booths, jeweled chandeliers, high tops, and sunroom with a fireplace and tv. 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines The Plaid Penguin Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and 1 other shows Starters Famous Fried Pickles $ 6.99 served with homemade ranch This place came recommended and we were so looking forward to eating here. King and Rowe revamped the Diamond Restaurant down the street, and the crowd followed them. Appetizers include Bangkok Shrimp ($12.95), Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders ($7.95), and Famous Fried Pickles ($6.95), served in a mini fry basket. The Penguin is back with a new owner, new menu and in - Axios Charlotte Most likely, you'll come back to The Penguin Drive-In later to taste great coffee. It has become a local favorite, and has even been featured on popular television shows such as Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and Man vs Food Nation. About Us - The Plaid Penguin Views: NaN The Penguin has re-opened in Dilworth with some old favorites and new menu items. "global": { Choose between indoor and outdoor seating. Former Penguin Drive-In owner Brian Rowe and his team have been working on a new plan to revive his legendary Charlotte restaurant for about two years. The brand names, logos, images and texts are the property of these third parties and their respective owners. We started with the ahi tuna appetizer which was honestly my favorite thing we ate. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The chicken is served as multiple tenders on the bun and the chicken was really chewy which made it hard to eat and the sandwich just completely fell apart. "Brian Rowe and Jimmy King's Penguin was a Plaza Midwood institution for dive bar food, drinks and fun. Its done. Its exciting, but also sorrowful to see things change, said one man watching crews take down the sign. Its back! Careers. Sprock kept a few favorites like Fried Pickles with original Penguin sauce, but most of the menu got an overhaul. Penguin Drive-In | Charlotte, NC | Serving Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Hand dipped, lightly battered dill pickles fried perfection. And he understands why it still matters to so many. These arent gourmet steakhouse burgers with three types of premium meat, though. Listen 4:24 Jodie Valade / WFAE The Penguin sign is no more in Plaza Midwood. Go to The Penguin and eat a Full Hemi burger if you're hungry. Thats our bird, Rowe said when I called. Come for the food and stay for the $5 16 ounce beers or 8 ounce wine pours. Home + Garden: Sent once a month with Charlotte real estate news, dreamy home tours . I mean, there was nothing really there. NCSHP: Lenoir man dies, 2 others injured in Blowing Rock crash, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Served with our famous penguin sauce, Our signatute sundae drizzled with chocolate other sweet things, and topped w/ whipped cream, Menu for The Penguin provided by Allmenus.com. A production company from Minnesota showed up with Guy Fieri in tow, and the bleached-blond spiky-haired host proceeded to rant and rave about Greg Auten and his fried pickles and pimento cheese. For 60 years, The Penguin served mammoth burgers and fried pickles, even through the neighborhoods rough years in the 1980s and 90s. Along with Cooper's sister, Amy, they contributed to the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary for over a decade, sending in 7,900 quotation slips. One panel will be put on display at Midwood Park and another will be given to the Charlotte Museum of History. King and Brian Rowe are the ones who put the Penguin on the map after they opened their version of the restaurant in 2000. The Penguins new location on East Boulevard seats 160 inside and 75 on its patio. Itd be just like old times, he said. Before that, Jodie was an award-winning sports features and enterprise reporter at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. The onset of Alzheimers led his family to find King and Rowe to run the place in 2000. Not yet, Ive always told them. The Penguin Drive-In has reopened in a brand new location in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood (WBTV) The Penguin Drive-In's menu has wings, salads, and burgers as well as its famous fried pickles. Now, The Penguin Drive-in is calling Dilworth home and the owners hope a new-age twist on an old-age establishment might be a perfect fit for the area. She tells Stinky and Jake about penguins and they prefer fly in the water. You can visit this restaurant if you appear to be near Freedom Park. Entrepreneur to resurrect Penguin brand with new restaurant 2023 thepenguindrivein.com | All rights reserved. One would be for the stuff inside the restaurant: tables, chairs, refrigerators, and pictures. Sort of reminds me of the glaciers in Springtime, but less snow." "But penguins don't fly." "Well, you see, Stinky. Restaurants introduce new tipping initiative to support kitchen staff. Spencer wrote to the owner asking that the sign remain. The menu has wings, salads, and burgers as well as its famous fried pickles. I figured the huh meant The End had come for Rowe, too. The Penguin Drive-In | Charlotte Burger Blog She appeared in the episode "Penguin & Kiwi" where she tells Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear all about penguins and how penguins can't fly. usarestaurants.info cannot be held responsible or liable for the accuracy, correctness, usefulness or reliability of the data. The Penguin Drive-In is back baby! Select a Rating! Context: The Penguin was a Plaza Midwood staple for over 50 years. Perfect for two, Southern dog, chili, onion, slaw, Queso cheese sauce with onion, rings, Lots of bacon, chili and queso cheese sauce, Tempura fried 12 inc dog, footlong all beef on a stick or bun, Pimento cheese burger, pimento cheese, fried pickles, lettuce, mayo, Traditional, topped with fries, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, pickles, mayo, fries, Southern style burger, chili, slaw, letttuce, onion, cheese, Queso bacon, burger, queso, bacon, slaw, lettue, tomato, Musroom burger, sauteed mushrooms, swiss, lettuce, mayo, The kitchen sink, bacon, pimento cheese, onion, rings, slaw, tomato, famous penguin sauce, Blue cheese burger, blacked burger, lettuce, tomato, blue cheese and fried onion strings, Grilled chicken, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, On grilled texas toast with bacon and tomato. The music started coming. It's intense but worth it - the best burger in Charlotte. Quotes "What a lovely place. The End of The Penguin - Charlotte Magazine The name might oversell it just a little, but these bite-sized fritters satisfy your sweet tooth, and thats all you really need after heavy pub grub. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 4 stars from me because I don't want to damage a new businesses reputation, just providing an honest review. Find out more about The Plaid Penguin, the food & beverage marketing + branding experts. Im just thrilled to be out here today witnessing some Charlotte history, said another onlooker. Iconic Penguin Drive-In sign in Plaza Midwood to be removed - Charlotte Dozens of people stopped by to watch the sign be removed. That space, owned by Atrium Health, was most recently home to the Mayobird and The Summit Room. Maybe it could work in another place. Where you can see it now. The restaurant originally opened its doors in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood in 1954. famous fried pickles served with homemade buttermilk ranch 6.99 chicken tenders crispy-tender white meat, golden-brown, served with homemade buttermilk ranch 7.99 nashville hot chicken tenders served with homemade buttermilk ranch 7.99 choice of hot or super hot cripsy seasoned fried shrimp May 14, 2021 Entrepreneur Martin Sprock is bringing back the beloved Penguin Drive-In brand just in a new home. It was a popular destination for food and entertainment, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the area until it closed in 2014. It used to be like an authentic diner. Finally, we ate and left nearly 3 hrs after arriving at the diner. Whether you're looking for consulting or a full-service agency, we specialize in F&B. . Restaurant by Martin Sprock to revive Penguin Drive-In brand His customers would come back. The draft beer lineup consists of just one lager, one IPA, and two pilsners, but each 16-ounce brew is $5, so who cares? Charlotte, NC 28205 For menu, health nutrition facts, hours, delivery, reservations or gift cards please call: 704-375-1925 The iconic Penguin Drive-In sign is coming down. The toasted subs have names that rival some of your favorite craft beers. Mecklenburg County Active Inmates June 29. That matters, Markovich says. Try perfectly cooked fried pickles, chicken tenders and prawns. } Since moving to Charlotte in 2015, she has worked as a digital content producer for NASCAR.com and a freelance writer for publications ranging from Charlotte magazine to The Athletic to The Washington Post and New York Times. var field59 = field59 || {}; DeSantis signs new law. Most of the time, the charming ambiance is to be found here. Looking for something more layed back? 1 talking about this. And the artists started coming. Charlotte the Penguin | Muppet Wiki | Fandom Sep 2, 2022 Listen to this article 5 min The Penguin is back just not in the same form that longtime Charlotteans will remember. The ramen bowls are the wild cards. * Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. The Plaid Penguin | Charlotte NC - Facebook The 7-foot-tall sign had a removal ceremony and was presented to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. Be truthful - this review will help other consumers as well as the business. Handpicked: Travel deals, event promotions, and more special offers from our partners. Sprock has snagged a roughly 4,200-square-foot space at 1531 East Blvd. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - The Penguin Drive-In originally opened its doors in Charlottes Plaza Midwood neighborhood in 1954. Just mostly dead. Everyone in the restaurant were having the same issue. LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST MENU 12a-3a Yummmmmmmm!!!!!!! Comes with seasoned crispy fries and a coke product or iced tea. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg. But still, very good food. The city staple was taken down this afternoon and will be turned over to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. The sign, while coming down, will be preserved by the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. "It's hard to see Plaza Midwood without The Penguin sign," said Sam Spencer. The Penguin Drive-In sign. New Charlotte restaurant donates Penguin Drive-In sign - Charlotte Observer PENGUIN DRIVE IN - 228 Photos & 69 Reviews - Yelp A sign was removed in Plaza Midwood on Friday. He says this is another blow to the historic Charlotte food scene which also saw the closing of Prices Chicken Coop and Zacks Hamburgers this year. The neighborhood has changed, too. Really a special place, said one person. Entrepreneur Martin Sprock, who founded franchises like Moes Southwest Grill and Planet Smoothie, purchased The Penguins trademark in 2018. Ill call the guy, he said. 2023 Cox Media Group. The auction was over, he said. The iconic Penguin sign will be removed and relocated - Axios Charlotte That flag encompasses about a half-dozen concepts, including Charlotte restaurants such as RuRus Tacos and Tequila, Kid Cashew and Leroy Fox. The Penguin Drive-In, 1531 East Blvd in Charlotte - Restaurant Guru The Penguin is open daily at 1531 East Blvd in Charlotte. 5 crispy-tender white meat, golden-brown, served with homemade buttermilk ranch, homemade red pepper jam, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, sweet basil vinaigrette, pistachios, 5 crispy wings with homemade buttermilk ranch, chopped greens, tortilla strips, fresh cracked pepper, peanut-lime vinaigrette with grilled chicken, chopped romaine and greens, grilled shrimp, avocado, tortilla strips, champagne vinaigrette, chopped emerald kale, citrus tahini vinaigrette, granny smith apples, crumbled feta, pistachio, sunflower seeds, homemade red pepper jam, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, pistachios, chopped greens tossed in sweet basil vinaigrette, two smashed 1/4 pound patties, homemade chili, cole slaw, american cheese, onions, mustard, toasted sesame seed bun, crispy seasoned fries or kale & quinoa salad +2.99, two smashed 1/4 pound patties, buttermilk fried bacon, aged cheddar cheese, homemade queso, mayo, shredded lettuce, pickles, toasted sesame seed bun, two smashed 1/4 pound seasoned patties, tomatoes, american cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, two smashed 1/4 pound patties, horseradish aioli, swiss cheese, au jus, two patties, lettuce, pickles, american cheese, smash sauce, caramelized onion, certified black angus sirloin steak, homemade queso, smoked aoili, caramelized onions, mayo, smoked turkey, nueske bacon, avocado, tomato, american cheese, shredded lettuce on a sub roll, homemade red pepper jam, pimento cheese, fried green tomato, arugula on a sub roll, crispy fried cod, cole slaw, sesame seed bun, chipotle remoulade, tomato, pickles, lettuce, 3 chicken tenders, sesame seed bun, pickles, cole slaw, american cheese, served with choice of french fries or kale & quinoa salad, certified black angus hamburger steak, topped w/ homemade southern gravy, all white chicken served with homemade southern gravy. We had lunch here yesterday. See if theres a chance. I ended up eating it with a fork/knife. Related story: Hungry but pushed for time? 704.919.1726. Penguin managers get the boot, Owner speaks out - WBTV A few handheld, Asian-fusion appetizers like cheeseburger eggrolls or lettuce wraps would make more sense on a menu like this. Check out this quick chicken enchilada recipe. Be polite - give feedback in a constructive way. And everything changed. The Penguin Restaurant opened in the 1950s and was a staple of the Plaza Midwood community until its closure in 2014. Soft egg is undercooked. We are not currently recruiting but you are always welcome to introduce yourself by reaching out to: jobs@theplaidpenguin.com. The short version of a very long and angst-laden story is this: A guy named Jim Ballentine opened the Penguin as a burger joint in 1954 and ran it mostly by himself for decades. Enjoy decadent burgers , shockingly delicious subs , vegetarian delights & our famous fried pickles - all at home right now with just the click of a button! He's also a huge fan of The Penguin. 1205 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 2001 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1218 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 2007 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1901 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1600 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1518 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1801 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1508 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1504 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1500 A Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1500 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, 1531 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA, Emmy Squared: Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC. Former Penguin owner Brian Rowe reviving his iconic restaurant in a He broke the news Wednesday that FS Food Group, the new owners of the place that once housed the Penguin, will take down the sign Friday at 3:30 p.m. That building now is home to Latin caf Calle Sol, and the man who bought the naming rights to the Penguin years ago plans to open a new version on East Boulevard. 4.1 is what this spot got from the Google rating system. To answer the obvious question: Its not bad, but dont expect any more than the faintest hints of the old days. Food + Drink: Sent twice a month with fresh Charlotte food and drink guides, news, and more. The Penguin Restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Watch episode 'Blue Plate Special' aired on season 1 Locations Guy Fieri visits in the USA . My uncle and I would come down here for my birthdays. I asked directly: So the Penguin isnt coming back to 1921 Commonwealth? No, he said. People lined up to get in. DISCLAIMER: Information shown may not reflect recent changes. But I finally knew. View Menus. In a press release King says the owners of the property will not renew his and Rowe's lease for the Penguin, which sits at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue & Thomas Avenue in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood. 'The Penguin' to reopen this week - WBTV Few Charlotte restaurants ever earned the grubby cachet of The Penguin Drive-In, a humble hole in the wall in Plaza Midwood that opened in 1954. A Guide to Reducing Your Health Care Costs, Breaking Barriers: Challenges and opportunities for Latino students, EQUALibrium: An exploration of race and equity in Charlotte, Falling short: Why Democrats keep losing most statewide races, IAAM: The New International African American Museum, EQUALibrium Live: Conversations on Race & Equity, June 2023 WFAE fund drive thank you gifts, NPR's Founding Mothers In Conversation With WFAE's Lisa Worf, first wrote about the Penguin 10 years ago, North Carolina businesses call for a study of adding competition for electricity, How do North Carolinas school vouchers work? My standards were set high by Timmy's in Winston. I don't say it got too big, too fast, but it got so big that everybody wanted a piece of it, King said. Maybe theyll finally edit together a film. I would go here every Saturday when I was 4 years old and I would get the peanut butter and banana sandwich. Privacy Policy . There's a lot wrapped up in one simple, little plastic sign that somebody just kind of left up on a corner for seven years, said journalist Jeremy Markovich. 2023 usarestaurants.info All Rights reserved. Served with homemade ranch dressing Load-em Up $6.45 Add pimento cheese and bacon Chili Cheese Fries $6.25 Fries topped with homemade queso cheese & chili. + Add Restaurant . Western tomato base, eastern vinegar base, or soutehrn mustard base, Blackened bologna sandwich on texas toast with lettuce, tomato and mayo, Grilled or fried chicken, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mozzarella cheese with penguin suace in a whole wheat tortilla, Drumettes and wings tossed in our homemade sauce BBQ or buffalo. Prices are listed as combo single sandwich, Free toppings: ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, pickles, relish, coleslaw. The Ho Cakes are Italian doughnut holes dusted with powdered sugar and crme anglaise. The people who came by in March 2007 ruined any chance that The Penguin would remain Charlotte's little secret. Normally that would not be big news. Sprock has snagged a roughly 4,200-square-foot space at 1531 East Blvd. People are ascribing a lot of meaning to that sign.. Add a burger $1.95, Our braggable pulled pork barbeque. I was expecting a burger/hot dog joint which is what I believe stood here a while back but this was just not it. Own this business? Served with celery and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing, Lettuce, tomato, onion, croutons, cucumber, mozzarella, and your choice of protein: black bean burger, cheese burger, chicken breast, comes with a genorous portion of any dressing. And then when they change it, it's exactly where they came from.. But the sign has remained ever since, even as three new restaurants have cycled through the building. Substiute soy dog or a footlong for $1.50. We sat down at our table at 1:15pm and ordered our food. And we've got everything from decadent burgers to our spin on classics like Bang Bang Shrimp and Philly Subs.