Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Kennedy's lures patrons in from street


The tiki torch flames and brightly colored porch lights at Kennedy's Premium Bar and Grill quickly drew me in from the street when I was searching for my next bar stop on this journey.

The Elizabeth neighborhood bar was completely packed and had customers overflowing onto the front porch terrace deck. It instantly felt like I was walking into a giant party when walking up the brick stairway to the front door because a live band played Kings of Leon, diners were dancing with beers in hand and a few girls were playing corn hole on the lawn. It was the perfect way to spend a summer night in Charlotte.

The night my friend and I visited Kennedy’s, we also checked out the bar’s menu. The food was absolutely delicious. We stuck to the appetizer menu since it was later in the night and ordered teriyaki skewers with chicken and shrimp that came with a light dipping sauce for $8.95.



We also had the black bean hummus with lime and cilantro served with warmed pita wedges for $5.95. The hummus was a bit more soupy than I anticipated and I thought it was going to be a traditional black bean hummus rather than black beans swirled around in a garlic hummus. But not the less, it was tasty.




Other items on the menu included a Dublin broil, Sheppard's pie, pasta, and shrimp and grits, among others. On Mondays at Kennedy's customers can also enjoy all-you-can-eat crab legs for $19.99.


As a whole, the menu prices were very reasonable and portions were generous. To be honest, the appetizer portion was the size of an entire meal.


If an entrĂ©e doesn’t quite do the trick, brave souls can take on the garbage plate at Kennedy's for $30. This mammoth meal boasts six 8 oz. patties, two pounds of French fries, one pound of macaroni salad covered with homemade meat sauce, and six slices of French bread. Challengers have 30 minutes to take down the plate. If they succeed, they get their photo placed on the Hall of Fame wall and the meal is on the house.


If you are trying to avoid the traditional Irish cuisine and pounds of food at Kennedy's, the bar also offers drink specials each day.


Specials during the week include: Sundays $15 unlimited mimosas or bloody Mary's, $5 carafes of mimosas and bloody Mary's, and $2 PBR; Mondays are $3 pint night, and $2 PBR; Tuesdays are $2.50 select drafts, and $2 PBR; Wednesdays offer $2.50 select drafts and $2 PBR; Thursdays are $4 wells, $4 wine, $4 martinis, and $2 PBR; Fridays and Saturdays are $2 PBR. Every night at the bar features $5 Irish car bombs.


Aside from drink specials, bar hoppers can take part in trivia every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

Learn more:
366 N. Caswell
Charlotte, N.C., 28204
704-375-0218
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is the worst place in Charlotte to eat for lunch. Went here on a Tuesday during a work lunch break. It took an hour to get our food so we had to take it go, for a scheduled meeting. The waitress didn't even apologize. The manager was standing right there and I'm not even sure he knew where he was. An hour to cook a chicken sandwich and a salad for my buddy...you kidding me?

When we got back to the office the lettuce on my sandwich was brown and looked about two weeks old. I know this isn't a lunch review, but I won't go here even for drinks after that lunch.

Anonymous said...

Have to admit not a fan of Kennedys, but thanks for venturing out and trying differnt places.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a terrible place

Anonymous said...

Being from upstate NY I really enjoy the atmosphere and the upstate NY specialties on the menu such as the garbage plate. Also a great place to catch a Syracuse game or the game of any other NY sports team. They fly NY sports teams flag atop the establishment and is a great place to catch a game.

Anonymous said...

hey sisssy!! how bout you venture over to Concord!! we'll show yal how to party!! concord mills is where magic happens every night.! Concord fur a good time!! who cares bout all these inner city wussy bars..

Anonymous said...

The reason you love it if you're from New York makes sense. The owner is a transplant and former employee of the controversial 'Bar Management Group' that owns all the bars in the Epicenter. That group is comprised of transplants from New York and are raking in the Charlotte money now after having the same 'epicenter' concept fail in Norfolk Va. and other cities before trying it on Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

Come on people. The only reason they even serve food is so they can get a liquor license, so don't expect much. Any questions on how that works, just look up 'EpiCentre Charlotte' or 'how to get around NC State ABC Laws'.

Anonymous said...

Please quit posting rediculous claims about Concord Mills. It's absurd and an obvious attempt to get a buzz from folks. I guess you won, so now stop please.

kingfish said...

Seems like a nice place, I've been ther for a beer. Parking is a problem there, they park at the P stone lot and Jacks. especailly their employees; not fair.

Anonymous said...

All anyone ever does on these boards is complain! Good lord, no place is perfect but most of the places listed on this blog are a lot of fun. Stop trolling around on your computer and enjoy a cocktail...life is too short to be this bitter.

Anonymous said...

This place is horrible! Sad excuse for bar food especially if your from upstate New York. Word has it the owner still owes contractors for work done on the conversion from Ed's Tavern and is true filth.

TC said...

Another place for the vain and shallow..........

Anonymous said...

With all the bars in Charlotte competition includes the food. This place isn't worth the trouble.

Anonymous said...

Why can't people spell the word "ridiculous" on message boards? If I had a dime for every time someone used the word "rediculous" I would (insert something comical here)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Kennedy's...I live in the Elizabeth neighborhood and it's a great addition. More importantly, they are dog friendly and have an awesome patio!

Anonymous said...

Kennedy's is a joke and a huge ripoff. $2 PBR specials???? You gotta be kidding me, you can get decent draft beers at other bars in the same area for less than that. The food sucks too. If you're in the area hit up Jackalope's or P stone.

Anonymous said...

Anything owned by Bar Management Group stay away clear. They have no parking since they built a huge deck in there parking lot. Food is horrible and the picture proves it. If you want a true Yankee bar there are many more authentic ones in town, but since you liked this one, Im not giving you there names.

Anonymous said...

"To be honest, the appetizer portion was the size of an entire meal."

Appetizers are meant to be shared. So yes, if you want to eat the whole thing yourself, then it probably is the size of an entire meal...

Anonymous said...

Please ignore the Concord Mills poster, probably not even from the Concord area. Concord Mills is a mall, ok?

If you want to experience a good spot in Concord, then venture into downtown, where there are a couple good spots to relax with friends and a cold one.