This North Carolina Soul Food Restaurant Is So Legendary, Locals Want To Keep It Theirs

In the heart of Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, Mert’s Heart & Soul has been a trusted spot for more than twenty years.

The restaurant draws a steady mix of locals, performers, and visitors looking for hearty Southern comfort food served with care.

Its walls tell stories of Broadway casts and musicians who stop by after shows, and regulars who know the staff by name. Mert’s continues to hold its place as one of North Carolina’s most recognizable soul food landmarks.

A Quarter Century At 214 N College St

Mert’s celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023, marking a milestone few restaurants ever reach. Located at 214 N College St in Charlotte’s Uptown district, it’s become a permanent fixture in a neighborhood known for constant change.

Foot traffic flows past daily, but regulars know exactly where to turn. Uptown workers slip in for lunch, families gather for Sunday suppers, and out-of-towners stumble upon it with wide-eyed delight.

Staying power like that doesn’t happen by accident.

From Georgia On Tryon To Mert’s Legacy

James and Renée Bazzelle founded Mert’s after running Georgia on Tryon, another Charlotte favorite. Their vision was simple: serve honest Southern food that reminds people of home.

Renée’s recipes and James’s hospitality created a blueprint that still guides every plate leaving the kitchen. Evolution didn’t mean abandoning roots; it meant refining what already worked.

Locals appreciate that consistency, especially when so many spots chase trends instead of tradition.

Broadway Stars And Touring Musicians Stop By

Signed posters from Broadway casts and musicians cover Mert’s walls like a scrapbook of gratitude. Touring performers crave comfort food after long rehearsals, and word spreads fast backstage.

You’ll spot autographs from national tours, local bands, and artists passing through Charlotte’s thriving arts scene. Staff treat everyone the same, whether you’re headlining or just hungry.

Fame doesn’t get you a shorter wait, but it might earn you a warm smile and an extra cornbread loaf.

Warm Cornbread Loaves Steal Every Show

Mini loaves of cornbread arrive warm at every table, and they’re honestly the most beloved item on the menu. Soft, slightly sweet, and perfectly crumbly, they set the tone before your entrée even lands.

Regulars know to ask for extra butter. First-timers usually order a second basket before finishing their meal.

It’s a small gesture that makes a big impression, turning casual diners into devoted fans who return just for that golden, buttery bite.

Lowcountry And Gullah Roots Run Deep

Shrimp and grits, red beans and rice, and salmon cakes reflect Lowcountry and Gullah culinary traditions that shaped Southern kitchens for generations. Each dish carries flavors passed down through families who cooked with what the land and water provided.

Spices balance without overpowering, letting ingredients speak for themselves. You’ll taste history in every forkful, from coastal Carolina to inland rice country.

Authenticity matters here, and shortcuts simply aren’t an option.

Southern Regional, Not Narrowly Defined

Owner James Bazzelle describes Mert’s cooking as Southern regional rather than sticking to one narrow label. Soul food, comfort food, and Lowcountry traditions all blend together on the menu.

Limiting the kitchen to one category wouldn’t do justice to the South’s rich diversity. Recipes draw from Virginia, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond, creating a tapestry of flavors.

Labels can box you in; good cooking breaks those boundaries and invites everyone to the table.

An Early Anchor In Uptown Dining

Mert’s helped define downtown Charlotte’s comfort food scene long before Uptown became a culinary hotspot. Back when options were scarce, locals relied on places like this for a real meal and genuine hospitality.

New restaurants open constantly now, but Mert’s remains a touchstone. It proved that soul food belongs in any neighborhood, not just tucked away in strip malls.

Anchors like this give a city character and remind everyone where it all started.

Locals Guard It Like A Secret Recipe

Regulars treat Mert’s like a personal treasure, quietly recommending it to friends but rarely shouting about it online. Word of mouth keeps the secret alive, passing from neighbor to neighbor and coworker to coworker.

Visitors often hear whispers about “that place on College Street” without much fanfare. Once you’ve been, you understand the unspoken code: share it, but don’t overdo it.

Good things stay good when they’re appreciated, not overrun.