restaurant review

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 18 Comments
This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon located right off of I-77 and Old Pineville Rd in south Charlotte. 
McKoy's Smokehouse & Saloon
This smokehouse, with both indoor and outdoor seating, reminds me of what a local BBQ joint should look like with wood interior, BBQ paraphernalia on the wall, and loads of TV’s.
McKoy's Smokehouse & Saloon
We chose to share the Living the Dream (LTD) platter, a combination of ribs, pork, pot roast, and smoked BBQ chicken with sides of mac n’ cheese and fried okra. The St. Louis style ribs were great, not fall off the bone as most BBQ restaurants serve, but with a little pull after the bite like KCBS competition ribs. The smoked pot roast was different, something I’ve never eaten. 
McKoy's Smokehouse & Saloon
Living the Dream platter
Dora here. While we were contemplating the menu, I remember commenting that I wished they offered a combo minus the pot roast. But, no matter. I gobbled the pot roast down first! 🙂 And look at that crusty bark on the mac & cheese! Yummy! I’m really not a fan of okra, but their crispy vegies won me over. (Sorry, no pic.) Even with two of us eating off this plate, we still brought home a leftover container with enough meat to make a pot of chili. Sa-weet!

Have you tried smoked pot roast? 
What did you think?
What’s the most unusual smoked meat you’ve eaten?


We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.

McKoy's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 3 Comments

This week’s edition of Excited about Eating visits Restaurant X in the college town of Davidson, North Carolina. This bistro-type restaurant offers an international menu featuring pub fare, seafood, and upscale beef dishes.

Restaurant X Bistro

Dora here. It’s easy to see why they’ve been nominated six times for the Open Table Diners Choice Award (click link for reservations). Food choices were great, but they also offer several seating alternatives. We chose the covered patio. The plastic screen makes it nice and toasty for winter diners. 

We visited on Saturday during Brunch, so I chose Shepherd’s Pie, meat, vegetables, and gravy blanketed with mashed potatoes. We visit a lot of pubs and I have ordered Shepherd’s Pie many times, but I have to say, this was the best ever! The meat and gravy, with deep flavors and just the right amount of juice, blended very well with the mashed potatoes. It was the type of dish that you just couldn’t stop eating until it was all gone, and that happened quicker than usual because my wife enjoyed it also.

Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd’s Pie


Dora here. Guilty! I confess my fork kept digging in to that wonderful goodness! I was powerless to control it. The flavors popped and it wasn’t overloaded with unnecessary vegies like some. Warm and perfect for a cold day!

Fish & Chips
Fish & Chips

Good thing you also enjoy Fish and Chips, Ernie. Phew! And the fries were just the way hubby likes them, thin and crispy, the kind you can gobble down a ton and not feel heavy or bloated afterward. The fish batter was nice and light, not greasy, with generous portions.

Restaurant X is located on Main Street, along with many other quaint local restaurants. It’s a beautiful area, one I imagine we will explore more fully soon. 

Not sure how they chose Restaurant X for their name. What’s the most unique named restaurant you frequent?
We rate this restaurant 5 fork out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.
Restaurant X Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments
This week’s Excited about Eating visits Fenwick’s in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte. 

Comfortable and homey with meals prepared similar to what your mom might cook, this local place offers a variety of food, all homemade. 

I ordered one of the breakfast specials and my favorite, corned beef and poached (my preference. Dora here. Poached? Ick! Only scrambled for me, please. 🙂 ) eggs, potatoes, toast and fruit. The corned beef and eggs were cooked perfectly, and the portions hearty.

Brunch Special: Corned Beef and Poached Eggs

Dora here. The Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich was chunky and meaty, not overloaded with mayo, but not zinging with flavor, either. I’m not a fan of honeydew, so I was thrilled to find a place that makes a fruit salad minus the dreaded melon. 🙂 

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich

Service was friendly and quick. If it’s sunny and warm, plan to linger on the outdoor patio. If not, get there early. Not much indoor seating.

How do you take your eggs?


We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.


Fenwick's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato