Location: 4538 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
In Charlotte, North Carolina there many lackluster places that are considered “iconic,” with several having been in the city for decades. It is unfortunate that many of these place don’t live up to the hype and make me wonder how their popularity continues. Beef and Bottle is an exception to this common occurrence, as it has consistently served up some of the city’s best food in an old school environment for decades. The overall ambience might not be as nice (aka pretentious) as Bentley’s or BLT Steak , but the food is just as good, and the prices offer a much better value. For its money I believe Beef and bottle is the best Steak house in Charlotte.
The Good: I find that Beef and Bottle does all of the important things right: food, service, and atmosphere. The restaurant has been serving steaks since 1958 and seems to have perfected the treatment. I order the Ribeye almost every time I visit, because not getting a steak in a steakhouse is like going to a brewery and ordering a Mojito. It is cooked perfectly, seasoned just right, and the steak melts in your mouth. The Ribeye being my go to, I have also tried the Filet and New York Strip with equally mouth-watering results. All of the steaks come with a salad, where you are given a bowl of lettuce and the table has a platter of vegetables to fight over. Granted, even though I am making my own salad, I actually enjoy the process and their salads are something I crave. What really puts them over the top are the homemade dressings, the ranch, blue cheese and balsamic vinegrette in particular are extremely thick and delicious. If one must shy away from a steak the Seafood Platter is a great choice; the variety is excellent, with shrimp, flounder, scallops and oysters; it a good option for those poor souls who suffer from pescetarianism…
I really enjoy the service of Beef and Bottle as well, while some on the popular review sites may have had a bad experience, I never have. It may be due to the fact that it is only two of us, but I have always found the waitstaff to be amazing, friendly, and helpful with a great attention for details; who doesn’t love a staff that remembers you?!
The best part about the experience of Beef and Bottle is the atmosphere. The restaurant has an old fashion charm, the walls are lined with pictures of old actors and actresses and the lighting is dim; the entire scene is something out of a classic movie. The bar, which I have seen, but not experienced, is spacious and complete with a pianist that plays on the weekends.
The Bad: There are few negatives about the experience, but I think the cramped nature of the front of the restaurant is the biggest drawback. When making reservation it is important to ask for a booth, because the middle tables look uncomfortable. I must give the waitstaff additional credit, because at times it looks as if they are climbing all over each other. Large parties are seated in the center and it may be a little tight for some. I personally have never been there with a large party, but I have heard from others the service was a bit off when they went with a group of 10+.
The Ugly: The ugly about Beef and Bottle is the outside of the restaurant. While the inside is a throwback to a classic time; the outside looks like I would expect to find Dalton from Roadhouse getting ready to throw out some townies. I can’t tell you how many people I have told about this eatery that were surprised by what I was saying because they judged the building. The saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” can be replaced with “you can’t judge a steakhouse by its neon lights and barbed wire.”
The Verdict 8 out of 10 Casual Dining: I was torn as to whether I should consider Beef and Bottle High End or Casual Dining, I settled on the latter. While the steaks are better than most fine dining establishments, the price is much more in line with casual dining. The crowd also seems to be less formal and the atmosphere more relaxed than many higher end restaurants. In a city where “iconic” eateries consistently over promise and under deliver, Beef and Bottle remains best in class, and will hopefully be around for another 60 years.