Hearts, minds and stomachs: Charlotte-area restaurants are celebrating Election Day
It’s Election Day, and the stakes are high in Charlotte. It’s important to vote. And it’s also important to eat — so much so that you can find specials all day that celebrate participation in the polls.
Besides pizza — a well-known election night treat for journalists — you have all kinds of options to honor American democracy while grabbing a bite.
In Asheville, OWL Bakery even made headlines in 2016 with its Election Cake, inspired by the first chance to vote for a woman for president. Although its west Asheville location is still closed amid water service struggles post-Hurricane Helene, OWL’s North Asheville location has reopened — but the bakery won’t be open for Election Cake eating this year, as its operating hours are currently reduced to Thursday-Sunday.
Here are a few Election Day food finds you can nosh on in the Charlotte area.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Location: 8835 Christenbury Pkwy., Concord, NC 28027’
Location: 2210 Matthews Township Parkway, Matthews, NC 28105
Andy’s is offering a special Cherry Pie Concrete as an Election Day treat. It features vanilla frozen custard blended with a full piece of freshly baked cherry pie to help “make everyone feel like a winner.”
Bar One Lounge
Location: 6815 Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210
Tonight at Bar One, show your “I Voted” sticker and you can get a free “State of Grace” cocktail with Basil Hayden Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Licor 43, orange bitters and absinthe.
FS Food Group restaurants
FS Food Group restaurants has an Election Day discount promotion. You can get 10 percent off by voting for your favorite participating dishes. Just use the code of the dish you vote for when you order online for takeout only from Mama Ricotta’s, Little Mama’s, Yafo Kitchen, Paco’s Taco’s & Tequila, Midwood Smokehouse and Calle Sol.
“Together, let’s savor the flavors that unite us. Vote deliciously! May the best dish win!,” the restaurant group said via email.
Mama Ricotta’s: Pizza10 vs Pasta10
Little Mama’s: Penneallavodka10 vs Chickenparm10
Yafo Kitchen: Shawarma10 vs Falafel10
Paco’s Taco’s & Tequila: Tacos10 vs Fajitas10
Midwood Smokehouse: Choppedpork10 vs Brisket10
Calle Sol: TampaCuban10 vs Miamicuban10
IKEA
Location: 8300 Ikea Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
Participating IKEA Swedish Bistros are offering shoppers a free frozen yogurt on Election Day while supplies last.
Krispy Kreme
Location: Multiple
North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme is offering in-store customers a free original glazed doughnut, along with “I Voted” stickers. No purchase is necessary.
Mecklenburgers Food Truck
Location: 701 East MLK Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28202
If you show your “I voted” sticker, you can get 10 percent off your lunch order at Mecklenburgers until 2 p.m.
Sip Co.
Location: 50 Branchview Drive NE, Concord, NC 28025
Location: 9055 Carolina Lily Ln, Charlotte, NC 28262
Sip Co. is conducting a presidential poll — and it’s a sweet one. You vote for your choice by purchasing a red-frosted cookie picturing former President Trump or a blue-frosted cookie featuring Vice President Kamala Harris.
Sweet Lew’s
Location: 923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Sweet Lew’s is offering a $5 sandwich to anyone through Tuesday with an “I voted” sticker.
