Food Fit for a King

Today I visited The King's Kitchen and Elizabeth Creamery in uptown Charlotte. Until another article in the Charlotte magazine that gave me the Top 100 dishes told me that Charlottians call downtown "uptown", I was very confused. Now that's no longer an issue but uptown still scares the bejeebies out of me. Parking garages, buses, stores and restaurants as far as the eye can see? Sure, it's easy if you live there, but for a little Rock Hill hick like me, it's no fun. However, my trusty Ipod in hand, I experienced some deliciuous food today.

My first stop was The King's Kitchen, which is a not-for-profit restaurant. You heard me - not for profit. Jim Noble, the owner, is an ordained minister and "starter" of Restoration World Ministries with his wife. The profits of this restaurant go back to the community, the nation, and the world. They also work with area ministries to employ local people who want a new start (this is paraphrased from their website - check it out!)

I had the pan-fried chicken in the "meat and three". This restaurant is all about Southern tradition and the menu is a dream. I really want to go back and try some more (meat loaf, pork chop, you name it). I had the macaroni and cheese, creamed potatoes and gravy, and coleslaw. I wanted some green beans but it said they were fried, so I felt guilty ordering them.

Oh yeah, it was as good as it looks. First off, it was FAST. I went during lunch, so they probably keep this stuff frying for the crowd. The mac and cheese was delicious and the potatoes? Fuggadaboudit - wonderful! I liked the cole slaw too, but I'm so used to eating it with BBQ that it was kind of weird on it's own. The chicken wasn't too greasy and was nice and moist. The skin was good enough to eat and I never eat fried chicken skin. I do have to say that Paula Deen's fried chicken at Lady and Sons is better but HER restaurant isn't nonprofit AND she probably uses tons of butter in it (just sayin).

After lunch, I went for an adventure. I will give you the bullet points (not in bullet point form) - I walked to the transit station, hopped a bus going away from city center with the Creamery in mind, got off way too early, and had to walk in the 80 degree weather quite a bit to eat some really good ice cream. This ice cream needed to be FANTASTIC to make up for my walk and it was. It was the dark chocolate ice cream at Elizabeth Creamery.

I overestimated my hunger b/c I was honestly full from The King's Kitchen but I ate that ice cream because, darn it, it's ice cream! It was so creamy and rich and had great chocolate flavor - wonderful!! I still dream of Tasty-yo, but this is good old fashioned ice cream, so there's no competition. Even better? The bus I got on to go back to my car was FREE and I saw a few other places on the list so I won't get AS lost next time. Great day!