You know the roof, but do you know the restaurant? What became of Charlotte’s old Pizza Huts.
When I think of Pizza Hut, I think of cardboard to-go boxes at pool parties and the ultimate reward if my fifth grade class collected enough box tops. But when the generations before me think of Pizza Hut, a different image might come to mind: red-checkered tablecloths, a salad buffet like none other and a bustling, classic dine-in restaurant.
I just missed the era of dine-in Pizza Huts, and unfortunately, there aren’t too many opportunities anymore to get a glimpse into what that nostalgic dining experience was like. First, fast food and dining-in don’t really go hand in hand anymore. And Pizza Huts are no exception.
Those nostalgia-inducing huts are now few and far in between — a ghost of Pizza Hut past, per say. Charlotte seems to cycle through real estate relatively quickly, and most of those original huts have since lived entirely different lives over the past four decades. Of course, that unmissable tent-like roof still stands.
Over the last decade, and likely more, there’s been a rapid decline in customers utilizing dine-in options at fast food chains. In 2019, Pizza Hut announced it would be closing nearly 500 locations, specifically those that had a dining room. In 2020, a giant Pizza Hut franchisee declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing 300 stores.
Contrary to the reality above, those sit-down Pizza Huts of the past were once buzzing social institutions — the place to be even in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
After doing a bit of research about old Pizza Huts, I realized how much sentimentality was packed between the four walls of these huts and their distinct tentlike framework. The proof for this sentiment was all laid out in the Facebook comments on pages like Charlotte Over the Years, where users post vintage photos of legendary Charlotte spots, many of which are old Pizza Huts. The comments section fills up like a journal of tucked-away memories for longtime Charlotteans.
On a post featuring a snapshot of the building that used to be the Pizza Hut on South Boulevard, Facebook user Stan McKee commented that the old Pizza Hut was “The place to be after football games to be sure.”
Pizza Hut was for some, like McKee, the place to see friends, but for others, it was a family joint. Dim Giotis commented “Used to eat here every Saturday night with my mother that would take us all for pizza!! It was a great experience every time, loved the food and being with my family … afterwards we would go to Baskin Robbins for ice cream which was next door!! Loved growing up on this side of the city!! It was so nice in the 1970s-1980s!! Miss those times!!”
These vintage photos elicited memories not just for former guests, but the ones serving up those steamy slices of pie. One such server was Tim Hampton, who used to work at the Pizza Hut on Sharon Amity in Cotswold. In his comment, he reminisced that “We had really good family customers and I had a group of men who came in most Sunday afternoons and ordered pizzas with extra cheese and anchovies and several pitchers of Michelob lite. Great tippers and lots of fun on a Sunday afternoon.”*
Some of these OG Charlotte Pizza Huts are tied to memories of a first date and even a first kiss for some, according to Facebook comments. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Pizza Hut on any of Charlotte’s most romantic restaurants lists, but at one point, it may have had a rightful spot in the rankings.
While the majority of these sentimental, possibly romantic, Pizza Huts don’t exist in Charlotte anymore, many of the buildings are still standing as dine-in restaurants. By popping into one of these spots, maybe an old memory of Pizza Hut will be recollected, or maybe a new memory will be made.
And if you’re up for a drive, check out the few remaining retro Pizza Huts in Monroe and Albemarle, designed specifically to evoke that ‘70s charm.
Below is a list of Charlotte restaurants that operate in what was once a dine-in Pizza Hut:
Charlotte Hibachi Grill
Location: 3657 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
At Hibachi, guests won’t find gourmet delicacies, but they’ll probably have a good time, with some open-kitchen entertainment. The menu is modest, with a few vegetable, chicken, and steak dinner plates, along with a handful of sushi rolls under $10. Lunch is popular here as portions are large and prices are wallet-friendly.
Curry Gate
Location: 5516 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Instagram: @curry.gate
On the outside, Curry Gate is quite unassuming. But inside, it’s cozy, ideal for a group dinner, with tables packed full of shareable Indian dishes. The vindalu bursts with heat and any of the Nepali style spiced curries are standouts. Hence, the name. The tender tandoori chicken and the naan are both butter-soft.
Frida’s Mexican Cantina
Location: 8740 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Instagram: @fridasmexicancantina
Named after beloved artist Frida Kahlo, women-owned Frida’s is a colorful cantina with pops of neon, fanciful decor, and a family-friendly outdoor patio. The house enchiladas, which come with rice and beans, are a fan fav. Other classic dishes include the fajitas, the chicken mole, or the tacos de birria with consomme. The cocktails add a little fun to the meal, too, with margaritas that range from tamarind or jalapeño to prickly pear or strawberry.
Koishi
Location: 120 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Koishi has a sweeping menu of sushi, entrees with a Chinese and Japanese influence like sauteed beef, fried rice, and teriyaki chicken. The more specialty maki rolls are under $14 — a price point that is increasingly rare amongst Charlotte’s growing culinary scene. The ambiance is simply and unadorned, but easy for a quick bite or walking in without reservations.
Moosehead Grill
Location: 1807 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Instagram: @mooseheadclt
Moosehead Grill’s claim to fame is its plate of wings — some of the most sought-after in Charlotte. In fact, CharlotteFive readers named it as runner-up for best wings in the Readers’ Choice contest. Try the Bee Stings wings, with habanero and honey. It’s a divey spot with comfort food for the masses — crispy potato skins, burgers, a self-titled Big Ole’ Rueben and a dozen or so wing rubs. The beers on draft lean local. Since 1997, Charlotteans have been loving this spot, decked out in string lights with walls plastered in eclectic stickers.
Morningside Pub
Location: 2501 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Instagram: @morningside_pub
Morningside Pub is a no-frills, divey billiards and sports bar on Central Avenue. For day drinkers and daytime game watchers, this Plaza Midwood watering hole opens at noon Thursday through Sunday. Expect all things darts, pool, a bare bones bar food menu and occasional live music.
República Restaurant & Lounge
Location: 11315 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105
Instagram: @republica_clt
One of the few Dominican restaurants in Charlotte, Republica Restaurant & Lounge brings a Dominican Republic culinary flair — pork, plantains, fried rice to name a few — to Matthews. The exhaustive menu features seafood soup, a variety of steak plates, and must-get yuca croquettes. It’s part lounge, meaning it hosts DJs on Fridays, live bands on Sundays, and is open until 2 a.m. on weekends.
*Comments have been edited for punctuation.
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