John's Country Kitchen

1518 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC - (704) 333-9551

Overview Reviews(2) Rate Restaurant Upload Photos Bookmark Email

Posted By Michael Stern on November 9, 2007 10:20 AM

If you are looking for blue-plate breakfast or lunch in Charlotte, you can't beat John's Country Kitchen. We were taken there by Carolina cuisiniere Heidi Billotto, whose "Charlotte Weekly" story about the place described the portions as large and the prices as "unbelievably reasonable." That would be $3.85 for two eggs, grits or home fries, biscuits or toast, $5 if you include bacon. Omelets are in the $5-6 range, a full stack of hotcakes is $4.05, and a livermush and egg sandwich will set you back a mere $2.85. It is good, hearty food made to order – nothing fine or fancy – but the main attraction at this 1977 urban diner is not so much the food as it is a welcoming neighborhood feel.

Opened by John Margiotis and his wife, Margaret, and now run by Margaret and their son, Jimmy, it is a place with a regular breakfast crowd who gather at the counter to discuss sports, politics, and current events. Jimmy is the ringmaster who, as Heidi wrote, "works the grill and the crowd at John's Country Kitchen like a pro – part comedian, part culinarian." I felt very well taken care of in my booth, and when Jimmy noticed that we were ordering some of nearly everything on the menu, he made sure to send over a pancake to sample. I'm glad he did, for this was one excellent pancake – again, nothing spectacular, but a lovely, delicate-textured cake with a fine crisp surface and buttery flavor.

I am looking forward to returning to John's for lunch, which includes hand-made hamburgers as well as such specials as baked chicken with gravy, fried chicken livers, meat loaf, and country steak. Desserts include apple pie, banana pudding, and baklava.

Overall Rating

17 out of 21 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By Tom Lewis on September 27, 2011 9:43 PM

John's makes some of the best homefries you'll ever eat. Chunks are scattered on the griddle and then weighted down; this gives each piece of potato a bit of brown crunchy goodness. They also make a nice ham and cheese omelette with a couple of biscuits on the side. Great staff and a very friendly cook/owner.

Overall Rating

Homefries

ham and cheese omlette

1 out of 1 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes