The Drum **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

The Drum as it appeared in 1948

The Drum as it appeared in the 1980's

Early 1960's menu (thanks to Rick Fisher)

Original Drum neon sign

The Drum's logo and motto

1953 ad

1975 ad

The Drum shortly after closing (note the "Drum" rising in the center)

The current eatery has a raised patio which gives a great view of the "drum"

The Drum Restaurant was located at 1520 East Blvd. and was opened in 1948 by Wad Smith. When the restaurant was first built, it was round and decorated like a drum. The original set-up included a lunch counter, two tables, four booths, and car-hop curb service. In 1955, it was enlarged to include 15 booths and in 1961, 10 additional booths were added. Curb service continued until 1968. Over time with the enlarging of the restaurant, the original drum structure was built around and was only visible along the roof-line.

Wad's son, Larry, began working at The Drum in 1960, became manager in 1973, and ultimately took over all operations in 1976 when his dad retired.

The concept of The Drum changed very little over the years. Consistently offering home-style cooked meats and vegetables along with daily prepared pies. The menu also offered king mackerel and black bass caught by Wad himself.

The Drum would run for 47 years finally closing on June 28, 1995 after the lunch service. The building has housed several restaurants over the years of varying success. The one constant is the visible drum still rising above the restaurant---a forever symbol of old Charlotte at its finest.

Do you remember these Charlotte restaurants?

Came across this list recently. Which eateries do you recall? Share your memories!

Charlotte Dining - 1972

1972 magazine insert showcasing the popular restaurants of the time. How many do you remember?

Ole Smokehouse **CLOSED**

The famous Chinese oven

The Queen City Room - reserved for large parties.

The two above signs were mounted above the window to the kitchen.

Opened in 1957, The Ole Smokehouse was a tradition for barbecue in South Charlotte. Located on Montford Dr, The Ole Smokehouse was at the top of the hill that was for years one of Charlotte's original "restaurant rows". Their meats were cooked in a unique Chinese oven and the style of barbecue was minced (more finely cut than the standard "chopped"). It was owned since 1985 by the Koutsoupias family---Bill Koutsoupias started working at the restaurant in 1970 and eventually bought out the original owners. A second location on Yorkmount Drive closed in 2002.

The Ole Smokehouse closed on June 5 of this year. It's closing signals the final switch from the original restaurant row of the 1950's to a new flock of chef-driven eateries that are now lining the street. It will be missed.

Manzetti's ***CLOSED***

Origins of the Manzetti name

Bar scene

The popular Southpark restaurant, Frank Manzetti's closed on April 17th. A landmark since the Summer of 1986, Manzetti's was famous for their "Pittsburgh-style" steaks and chops. 24 years of consistent service and food will be missed.

The site was originally MacArthur's throughout the 1970's and early-'80's and then Moxie's for a short stretch in the mid-80's. Plans call for the location to be turned into a Mexican restaurant.