Review Archive/January 2012
Updated January 1, 2012


The King's Kitchen; Charlotte, NC
A Noble Gesture!

By Jay Whipple/Trend Magazine Online™

I checked out this new enterprise shortly after it opened in 2010 mainly because of their boasting of having the best fried chicken in the Queen City; at least that’s what their banner read out front. In addition, it’s hard to overlook and forget this place when it’s on my QCT Charlotte Daily City Tour route in the 4th Ward area of Uptown Charlotte. This restaurant opened in a very familiar and prime spot which is at the corner of West Trade and South Church Streets. Back in the 1990’s that spot was home to a very posh restaurant and bar called Windows On Trade which was part-owned by Ron Goodman; an excellent chef but questionable entrepreneur who has owned several other similar type concerns over the years including a set up in the old City Fair building at the corner of North College and East 5th Streets – now home to the Hearst Tower. I went there one evening and was thoroughly impressed with the set up and staff and like a lot of folks was very disappointed to learn that it was closing only a few years later.

My taste buds were dilated with anticipation as I walked up to the King’s Kitchen to sample what they boasted as Charlotte’s best fried chicken by some lady with a name that lead you to believe that she could cook as well as the maid from Gone With The Wind. The house was jammed packed and it took about 10 minutes for me to be recognized by one of the staff. I did my usual and ordered a take-out; my order was for their famous “Charlotte’s best fried chicken,” with a side of collard greens and mac and cheese which is one of my favorite southern meals. My server was very cordial and friendly as she took my take-out order. That gave me a chance to check out their restrooms which were as expected for a new restaurant very clean and tidy. The interior of this place was also very clean, tidy, and gave me the feeling of being inside some type of studio. I was so excited about being there that I decided to call one of my business associates to solicit her envy. She, however, did not seem to be nearly as excited about my visit.

My order was up in record time; about five minutes. The total came to $14.00 with tax which I consider pretty pricy for lunch. I thought to myself, if this fried chicken is as good as they say it is then I will consider it a great investment in my taste buds. Well, I must admit and be honest that I was greatly disappointed in the finished product. The fried chicken was okay but not great. It was too hard fried which caused its appearance to be too dark as opposed to golden brown and not as fresh tasting. The mac and cheese was also mediocre and a bit bland tasting as if it did not have any soul at all. The greens were also okay but a bit too bitter and not as crunchy as grandmas. The cornbread was a bit bland and the biscuit a bit dry. I am not sure why they included both in my meal but neither one hit the spot.

All and all, I give this place a high five for their décor and quick service but they fell way short of my expectations of grandma’s southern fried chicken and fixings. This venture is the brain child of Chef Jim Noble who also owns several other eateries around the Queen City including my favorite place for short ribs – Roosters in South Park. Overall I commend them for their not-for-profit status and what they stand for and what they do for those in our society who are badly in need of a second chance by offering them gainful training and employment. As such, it is wise to support their cause, just do not expect too much by the way of what I consider grandma’s genuine southern cooking.

The King’s Kitchen is located at 129 West Trade Street in Uptown Charlotte, NC, 28202. Their phone number is 704-375-1990, and web address is www.kingskitchen.org. Tell them that Trend Magazine Online™ sent you!




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