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Vegetarian Warning: DO NOT READ.

Anyone living in Charlotte for longer than ten years probably still remembers Spoon’s restaurant and their juicy hamburgers. Of course, I can’t eat food like that very often but when I do I usually just grill a hamburger at home.

I recently found a place called Five Guys in Concord (they have 4 locations in Charlotte) that serve hamburgers, which according to their placard covered window, are rated highly by Zagat.

So in I went… the utilitarian interior was nothing to write home about with magazine reviews posted all over the walls. I thought this place better be good considering how much positive press they have received.

I ordered a regular hamburger with all the toppings but without the fries (which looked very good)… I waited about 5 minutes and they called my number. I was surprised to get a generous burger with two patties . This was no prissy burger.

My hamburger was juicy and had a nice beef flavor that had me smiling from ear to ear. This was the reincarnation of the Spoon’s hamburger. This time it came back a little better. That’s what good Karma does.

My new somewhat close to home favorite greasy hamburger place.

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A new sushi restaurant called Koishi (formerly named Koi) opened up near my house a year ago. A run down Pizza Hut was transformed into a somewhat stylish Sushi and Asian restaurant. Having driven by Koishi for months, I decided to stop in for dinner. I like sushi but that night decided to order one of their standard Chinese dishes: beef and broccoli.

I was pleasantly surprised as this beef an broccoli was no run of the mill Chinese dish. For $8.95, The beef was succulent and flavorful with a nice brown sauce that was not too salty or oily. The broccoli was crisp and fresh looking with excellent flavor. I have since been back many times for that dish and others. I still have not tried their sushi though.

My favorite, reasonably priced, close to home restaurant.

UPDATE: I recently tried their sushi rolls. The fish was very fresh with good flavor.  The veggies in the roll were crisp and it all came together to make a pleasant tasting sushi roll. 

The day before Easter, I had dinner at Koishi and in a half joking way asked Kramer (the waiter) for an Easter basket doggie bag. He returned a few minutes later with a hand made bunny rabbit doggie bag!! (see image to  left). Now that is customer service.

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