Mert's Heart & Soul
Soul food restaurant, Restaurant, Southern restaurant (US) in Charlotte, NC
- Address
- 214 N College St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
- Phone
- (704) 342-4222
- Website
- mertscharlotte.com
About Mert's Heart & Soul
Mert's Heart & Soul has served Uptown Charlotte from its location at 214 North College Street for more than two decades, becoming a fixture of the city's dining scene and earning recognition as one of Charlotte's top soul food restaurants, a distinction it has won multiple times over the years. The restaurant specializes in soul food and Low Country cuisine, bringing Southern cooking traditions to the heart of the city's business district. The menu centers on signature dishes that have become synonymous with the restaurant's identity, including shrimp and grits, Southern fried chicken, collard greens, soul rolls, and cornbread, along with catfish. These dishes are prepared with what the restaurant describes as comfort food built on flavorful spices, designed to evoke the warmth and hospitality associated with Southern cooking traditions. Mert's gained national attention when it was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where host Guy Fieri recommended the restaurant's Low Country offerings as must-try items for anyone visiting Charlotte. That television exposure cemented the restaurant's reputation beyond the local community, and its team has continued to describe its specialties as "world renowned" in the years since. Beyond the dining room, Mert's offers online ordering and catering services, extending its soul food offerings to private events and takeout customers throughout Charlotte. A Birthday Club program adds a personal touch for regular customers celebrating special occasions. The restaurant is open seven days a week, with hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and extended hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, giving both Uptown workers and weekend visitors ample opportunity to experience its take on Southern hospitality.
James Bazzelle, a native of Athens, Georgia, discovered his culinary talent in high school and went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Food Service Management at the Vocational College of Athens. He worked in food service across Georgia, meeting his wife Renee' in Carrollton in 1979. The family moved to Charlotte in 1991, where James started a catering company called Ga. Catering and later worked as Executive Chef at the Holiday Inn. In 1996 James and Renee' opened Ga. On Tryon, one of the few restaurants in downtown Charlotte at the time. A chance meeting with a Bank of America executive led to the opening of Mert's Heart and Soul in 1998, now at 214 North College Street.
Services
- shrimp and grits
- fried chicken
- soul food
- catering
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