Alex's Brown Derby **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

Alex's Brown Derby Restaurant opened at 1404 W. Morehead St in 1947. In the era of meat-and-three home cooking restaurants, the Brown Derby was one of the best. Everyone from downtown workers to Charlotte leaders regularly visited the Brown Derby for breakfast and lunch. Due to its proximity to Panthers Stadium, it became popular with Panthers team president Jon Richardson as well as many of the Panther players. The restaurant was owned and operated by Elizabeth and Alex Fortos since 1982. 

The restaurant closed on June 15, 2007. After 25 years, the Fortos had decided they wanted to retire and spend more time with their family. With its closing, it joined several other famous mom and pop eateries that closed within the same year (Athen's, Anderson's, Coffee Cup, South 21). It will be missed.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Purity Cafe/Quality Restaurant 1952 (courtesy of Steve Balsley)

Shoney's 1976

The Marker 1986

Radisson Plaza Hotel 1986

Steak & Ale 1986

Town & Country Drive-In **CLOSED**

Above three pictures courtesy of Rick Fisher

All that's left are the menu poles...

1962 ad

Another of Charlotte's legendary restaurants has closed. The Town & Country Drive-In closed this month. Opened in 1955 on Wilkinson Blvd, the Town & Country was one of the few remaining drive-ins left in Charlotte. Located a block away from the Bar-B-Q King Drive-In and the area's oldest Dairy Queen, the Town & Country was a popular destination for everything from its famous "Cowboy Sandwich" (double-burger all the way) to its hickory-smoked barbecue. Warm nights would always find the parking lot packed. It originally opened in 1952 at the site of the former Athen's restaurant and moved to WIlkinson Blvd in 1955. Legendary Charlotte restauranteur Pete Politis was the founder of the Town & Country.

With the count of area drive-ins down to only two (South 21 on Independence and the Bar-B-Q King on Wilkinson), the Town & Country will be greatly missed.

"Under New Management" #4 - El Vallarta/Hardee's

After Hardee's closed and prior to El Vallarta moving in...

New colors and a large side porch...

Typical Hardee's exterior (this is the old Freedom Dr location-now a Showmar's)

In the late-90's, almost all of the Hardee's in Charlotte closed. The under-performing Charlotte market was a prime target in a massive restructuring of the chain. The El Vallarta on Hwy 51 on the edge of Charlotte (technically the restaurant is in Pineville) moved into this former Hardee's location in 1999. This Hardee's, on the edge of downtown Pineville, opened in 1981 and closed in 1998. Other than the addition of the large porch and some exterior paint, this building is easily spotted as a former Hardee's location.

Big Daddy's at Tyvola Mall

Most Charlotteans are familiar with Big Daddy's seafood restaurant which has been a staple of the Lake Norman area (Mooresville) since 1974. Long forgotten is the Big Daddy's that was located at Tyvola Mall during the 1970's. In the days when Tyvola Mall actually was a small indoor mall, Big Daddy's opened in February 1976. Featuring a bar that seated 20 and two large dining rooms, this Big Daddy's location was popular for its oyster bar as well as its steamed shrimp bar. Despite being located on busy South Blvd (at the corner of Tyvola Rd), this location only lasted through the end of the 1970's. It was the fourth location in the Big Daddy's chain. 

The first Big Daddy's opened in Kure Beach in 1963, the second near Goldsboro in 1973, followed by the Mooresville and then the Tyvola Mall locations. They were owned by Tommy Bryant Lancaster. His face is that of the bearded skipper that has always been Big Daddy's trademark face on their signs and billboards (even today). The nickname Big Daddy came from the Burl Ives character in the the movie "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" who Lancaster resembled. Tommy passed away in 1995 and the Mooresville location is currently owned and run by his grandson Freddie. 

Kofinas Snack Bar **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

Kofinas Snack Bar opened on W Trade St in 1954. Owned by Tommy Kofinas and John Tatsis, Kofinas was popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and quickly became known for its daily specials. People lined up for the spaghetti on Wednesday and the roast beef lunch on Fridays. People said their corned beef was the best outside of New York City. Its clientele ranged from downtown workers to Charlotte's most famous lawyers, bankers, and mayors. Elvis Presley ate there in 1956 before his show at the downtown Carolina Theatre. The restaurant was never quiet--waitresses, instead of writing orders down, simply yelled orders out to the kitchen and Kofinas and Tatsis were famous for their loud banter back and forth. With its black mahogany bar and tiled floor, Kofinas was as much a meeting spot as a restaurant. Kofinas is also credited with being Charlotte's first sports bar--many a World Series would find the place packed with people watching the games on the restaurant's black-and-white television.

Kofinas Snack Bar would close on December 31, 1981. The Carillon building now stands on the site. Tommy Kofinas and John Tatsis both passed away in December 2002 within three days of each other.

Revisions - 10-15-11

1965 ads

Longhorn Steakhouse

Charlotte's first Longhorn Steakhouse opened in Dilworth in April 1987 on the corner of Morehead St and Euclid Ave. Opened by restauranteur Bill Dukes (Godfather Pizza, Blue Marlin) in a former Exxon gas station, Charlotte's first Longhorn was a smash hit within six months of opening. With its Texas roadhouse music, signature peanuts (with shells on the floor), and Texas-sized steaks, Bill Dukes offered Charlotte a restaurant that was different than anything else in town. Its unique neighborhood location only added to the restaurant's appeal. The restaurant also became the popular hangout for many of the area NASCAR drivers. 

Bill Dukes would retain ownership of Lonestar until the late-90's when he sold the franchise back to the parent corporation. Again the way, he would open 14 additional area Longhorns. Though all were successful, the Dilworth location was the only one that had a non-chain, neighborhood feel to it (and the most devoted following). 

The Dilworth location closed on February 17, 2007 and the building was torn down shortly after. It is currently a vacant lot. Initially there was talk of Panera Bread possibly buying the land but that does not appear likely to happen.

The Hungry Fisherman

The closed sign from 1993

1972 fire--nice look at the sign designed for boaters

1972 fire

Eastway location with its signature rooftop lighthouse

1982 patch

1975 menu

1976 want ad

1976 ad

1985 ad

1985 ad

Original matchbook (courtesy of Harmon Jolley)

Charlotte has always had a love-affair with fish camps. Opened in 1969, the Hungry Fisherman was one of Charlotte's favorites. Located on Lake Wylie at the foot of the Buster Boyd Bridge (just south of Charlotte), the Hungry Fisherman was popular for both its famous seafood as well as for its scenic lakefront view. 

The Hungry Fisherman was owned operated by TPL Restaurants Inc. They also owned the area Shoney's Big Boy and Captain D's restaurants. The Lake Wylie location was their first Hungry Fisherman, with over 15 added eventually throughout the Southeast. Included in their expansion would be a location at the Eastway Shopping Center in the 1980's. Many people remember this location with its signature working lighthouse on the top of the building. 

The Lake Wylie location was unique for its above-water building design. The building was supported by about 100 pilings and rested 12 feet above the water. It seated 500 and its nautical theme, complete with clipper models, harpoons and ship barometers, filled every nook and cranny. Diners could arrive by car or by boat. Since it was located in SC, it was one of the only area restaurants for many years where you could order a mixed drink (Charlotte did not allow liquor-by-the-drink until 1978). The restaurant even survived a devastating fire in 1972. 

The Hungry Fisherman would close in February 1993. Increased competition from neighboring restaurants and fast food outlets had taken their toll and business had declined. The building is owned by Duke Power and is currently the home to T-Bones Steakhouse.