The Crunkleton
Review! Charlotte, North Carolina // American Restaurant & Bar // bougie booze & bangin' bites
the ELEVATOR PITCH
The Crunkleton has always been in the back of my head as a must-try restaurant (there always seems to be a quiet hum about it in the world of food recommendations), so when I found myself trying to find a dinner place on a Monday but failing because it was a Monday and apparently nothing is open on Mondays, it became the perfect opportunity to turn a “just on the list” item to an experience!
So you walk in, and you’re met with a scene that contends with one of the hippest men’s bars that could’ve existed back in the day. From the distressed brick walls and floor-to-ceiling back bar loaded with spirits from around the world, to the leather lounge chairs and taxidermy flying swans mounted on one end of the dining establishment, you can’t tell me it doesn’t feel like a “fancy cellar where you’ll find a lot of gentlemen gathered talking business, playing poker, smoking cigars, sipping whiskey on the rocks.” It may just be missing a tinge of sepia to really teleport us.
Birthed out of bartender and co-owner Gary Crunkleton’s (a Charlotte native and Chapel Hill grad! #SupportLocal) love for the bartending craft, The Crunkleton intends to be a “really really good” bar** first and a restaurant second, priding itself in offering “the 1800s classic” libations that use traditional bartending techniques alongside the modern twists and spinoffs.
**I found it super interesting that The Crunkleton is home to one of three ice making machines in the world that produces 100% pure frozen water (important because the absence of air bubbles allows the ice to stay frozen longer). Who knew you had to be picky about ice?
Though they are a “restaurant second” with a smaller menu offering, the food is actually pretty good, and you should definitely come here for some of the entrees they offer!
Now onto what we had from the menu :)
Reviews on the drinks pictured above:
Bee’s Knees: this has the flavor profile of a sweet summery lemonade made all grown up with a drizzle of Tanqueray London Dry Gin. Refreshing and an easy drink to swallow (rating: 9/10)
Bourbon Bramble: the presentation on this is so unique! The large ice chunk cap reminded me of shaved ice, but it’s a very sturdy rock of ice versus delicate shavings. This, paired with the julep cup, keeps the drink perfectly frigid for those days when you’re sweating buckets. The drink itself has a strong alcohol-forward profile but also quite lemonade-y, almost the less-sweet version of the Bee’s Knees. May just be a little too strong for me, which is the only reason for the low-ish rating. (rating: 6/10)
Reviews on the food food pictured above:
Mussels: quite a large portion, could honestly work as an entree if you’re not feeling too hungry! Layering the charred tomatoes, a sprinkling of chorizo on the charred ciabatta was chef’s kiss. (rating: 8.5/10)
Hanger Steak: we requested medium-rare, and they DELIVERED. The steak is cooked to perfection, not a single bite was tough (think the texture of sushi-grade tuna). But it’s the chimichurri that takes the stage! WOW does it compliment the steak perfectly, bringing that extra flavor oomph. This is easily my favorite thing ordered. (rating: 10/10)
👉 Fries: with parmesan, garlic, herbs; I would’ve preferred these to be more garlic-y and cheesy, but I still enjoyed the McDonald’s-like thickness, the crisp, the browning. Definitely a solid fry experience, but the ones from Renaissance Pâtisserie still top it! (rating: 8/10)
Fried Chicken Sandwich: you ask for a fried chicken sandwich, and a crispy-battered, juicy-tender chicken breast, wearing the slickest coating of hot honey sauce a fried chicken ever does wear, gets delivered. While this was satisfying, it wasn’t worth the $20. Tasted pretty similar to other fried chicken sandwiches I’ve had at restaurants selling at price points $5 less. (rating: 7/10)
👉 Roasted Brussels: these sported an almost Asian profile with the chopped peanuts, sweet glaze, and sesame seeds. I prefer my brussels soft/melt-in-mouth on the inside and crispy-charred on the outside, so these were a bit disappointing with the inside being pretty raw/tough. On the bright side, they do give you a decent portion of it! (rating: 4/10)
House-Made Pecan Pie: this is apparently THE thing they’re known for (winning NO. 1 Pecan Pie in Charlotte in honor of 2024 pie day). And I have to say, it was pretty good, but not something I’d want all the time as it’s too classic-American sweet for me (which covers any semblance of pecan flavor that there was). It’s on the more non-structured side of pecan pies, barely holding together, soaking up the melted ice cream on top. The garnishing of candied pecans is a lovely touch! (rating: 8.5/10)
While The Crunkleton’s first location in Chapel Hill only offers drinks (dubbing themselves the “cocktail institution”), Charlotte’s “The Crunk” embraces a greater breadth of the community with its full brunch and dinner menu (alongside its extensive list of libations). Making itself an eatery that’s family friendly and perfect for a variety of occasions.
Whether you are a connoisseur of rare liquors yourself, enjoy a fun cocktail socially, or are just here for the well-acclaimed burger, The Crunkleton holds out welcoming arms to people of all backgrounds.
**Special thanks to our server, Abby, who made our anniversary celebration delightful!
the RÉSUMÉ
address // 1957 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
operations // Monday - Thursday, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM; Friday, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
logistics // parking may seem daunting, but there are plenty of options!
parking garage at Elizabeth on 7th
street parking on E. 8th St.
parking lot at the shops on E. 7th St. (good option for week nights)
amenities //
2 public bathrooms, no changing tables
no public WiFi, no outlets available; not #WFH material
indoor, outdoor, bar seating available
offers a “Crunkleton Charlotte’s Top Shelf” service program for $19.57/year; perks offered: monthly newsletter with promotions, direct email communication line to members of the team, early access to reservations, and special events (like luncheons featuring intentionally paired food and drink menus?!)
vibes // “vintage gentlemen’s club” in the smoking cigar, sipping whiskey kind of way, but truly a restaurant friendly for all ages, so don’t be deterred
menu // consistent and succinct!
beverages: extensive list of cocktails, spirits, etc. best to check out their menu!
brunch ($13.00 - $38.00): omelet, french toast, steak & eggs, biscuit & gravy, huevos rancheros, shrimp & grits, avocado toast, various sandwiches
dinner ($3.75 - $6.00):
appetizers/shared plates: raw/charred oysters, mussels, wings, calamari, flatbread, etc.
entrées: french onion soup, variety of salads, burger, fried chicken sandwich, chicken piccata, pork shank, hanger steak, scallops & shrimp pasta, Tomahawk steak, etc.
sides: parmesan garlic & herb fries, hearth vegetables, roasted brussels, mac & cheese
desserts: house-made pecan pie, beignets, flourless chocolate cake
recs // would order again: the Hanger Steak
on my list to try… the highly touted “really good burger” 👀
if you’ve been to VANA (which sadly closed in June 2023) and have enjoyed their Tomahawk steak entrée and open kitchen concept featuring an hearth, you’ll need to make a visit!
kudos //
Chapel Hill location featured in Five of the Best Bourbon Bars article by Garden & Gun (2015)
“A Really Good Burger” has been named one of the best burgers in Charlotte by Secret Charlotte and Charlotte Magazine (2022)
“House-made Pecan Pie” featured in The Best Slices of Pie in NC... as the #1 pie in North Carolina by Charlotte Observer (2024)
site // The Crunkleton
~ cath!!
Such a funky fun name! Also we always love a house pickle 🫶🫶