Lake Wylie Dining: Review of Area Restaurants

My first career, years ago, was in advertising.  I remember as a young media planner, I was often invited to lunch or dinner with visiting media reps.  It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the job!  I was introduced to "fine dining", and had a crash course in ordering etiquette, food and wine, and how to intermingle business and dinner conversation.  I also developed a taste for expensive food, especially when someone else is paying!!  Unfortunately, I no longer have access to those lavish expense accounts, so I have to be budget minded when dining out.  I've begun a review of Lake Wylie area restaurants, and hope you'll find it useful.  I've included Fine Dining, Casual Fare, and Take-Out.  The focus is primarily locally owned and operated restaurants, though a chain may make its way in on occasion.  Check back often for new reviews!

 

Fine Dining (Relatively Speaking!)

City Tavern - Rivergate Shopping Center, 704-504-8888.  Steaks, seafood, American cuisine.  casual atmosphere.

Concord Cove - 5303 Concord Road.  Lunch & Dinner.  Dinner entrees $12-$35 or so.  Lunch selections $6-$13.  Saturday Brunch $5-$12.  Reservations suggested by not required.  Concord Cove Review

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, 14126 Rivergate Pkwy, Charlotte.  704-583-6366. Dinner entrees $11.95 - $29.95.  Lunch $7.95-$15.95.  Read review of Fuji for Sushi.

Lotus Eatery & Bar, 1941 Hoffman Road, Gastonia.  704-853-1693. Dinner entrees around $14-$24.  Lunch $7-$11.  Read dining review for Lotus Eatery & Bar Review.

Old Stone Steakhouse, 23 South Main Street in Belmont, NC.

Red Bowl Asian Bistro - 2760 Celanese Rd, Rock Hill, 803-366-2226 AND 845 Stockbridge Drive (Lowe's Food shopping center at Hwy 160 and Gold Hill Rd), Fort Mill, 803-802-5666.  Chinese, Sushi, Thai, Vietnamese, Hibachi.

River Rat - a Lake Wylie institution that sadly closed in June 2010.  Rumor has it - The Olive Garden will take its place (its geographical location, but not its place in our hearts!)

Sasaki Japanese Steakhouse, 4543 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.  803-631-2111

T-Bones on the Lake - 3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.  803-831-0170

 

Casual Fare

Bats BBQ - 1912 Mt Gallant Rd., Rock Hill.  803-980-2287.  Modern barbecue restaurant serving pork and chicken BBQ, plus Mexican menu.

BT's burgerjoint -14130 Rivergate Parkway, Steele Creek area.  Burgers $5-$6, milkshakes, fries, and more.  Inside and outside dining available.  Read BT's Burgerjoint Review

Cafe 49 - 4516 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.  803-631-5350

Christopher's Grill & Bar, 1500 Village Harbor Drive, Lake Wylie  803-831-2461.  Great food, great friends, read review of Christopher's.  Burgers & sandwiches $6-$8, pasta, steak & seafood $10-$17. 

Clover Station, 105 North Main St., Clover.  803-222-1500.  Open Tue-Sunday 11-8.  Closes at 2pm on Sat & Sunday.  Breakfast on Friday & Saturday.  Home cooking, meat & three.  Everything freshly prepared and homemade, read the Raving Review of Clover Station.

The Community Cafe - open 12:30-2pm every Wednesday at River Hills Community Church life center, 104 Hamilton's Ferry Road. Soup and sandwiches, FREE!  (Donations accepted).   Community Cafe Review

Fat Cat's Oyster Bar and Grill - 4555 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.  Open 7 days a week, lunch and dinner + breakfast on the weekends.  Seafood, sandwiches, bar fare.  Read the review for Fat Cat's Oyster Bar & Grill.

The Grid Iron - 13105 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte.  Near Rivergate shopping center.  Italian food, burgers, steak and seafood, sports bar atmosphere.  Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.  Read the review for The Grid Iron - Charlotte.

The Hickory Tavern - 13545 Steelcroft Pkwy, Charlotte.  Open 7 days a week, lunch and dinner.  Several locations in Charlotte and other areas of the Carolinas.  Outdoor dining available.  Seafood, burgers, great appetizers, salads.  Read the review for The Hickory Tavern.

Jackson's Kitchen, 304 North Main Street, Clover.  Open Monday - Friday for lunch, 11am - 2pm.  Catering for large or small events.  For dinner or events, call ahead to order anything from a pan of lasagne, to a complete holiday dinner, to a buffet for 200!  803-222-9441  Read review of Jackson's Kitchen.

Lake Wylie Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 4074 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.

Luigi's Pizza - 13551 Steelcroft Pkwy (Corner of Hwy 160 & Hwy 49), 704-587-6010.  Voted best pizza in Charlotte in 2009, serving authentic New York Style pizza, hot Italian specialties, fresh salads. Read Luigi's Pizza Review.

McHales Irish Pub - 1820 Gold Hill Road, 803-548-2151.  A Tega Cay/Fort Mill favorite for years!  Irish pub, raw bar, live music.

Palmetto Seafood - 2910 S. Hwy 161, York.  Off the beaten path, out-of-the-ordinary, and a dining experience you don't want to miss!  Specializing in fried Southern seafood - - shrimp, frog legs, catfish, and hushpuppies  Read the review for Palmetto Seafood.

Pier 51 - 2921 Mt. Gallant Rd, Rock Hill SC.  803-980-1234.  Open Tuesday thru Saturday for dinner, Sunday lunch.  Seafood, steaks and chicken.  Entrees $6.99-$14.99.  Pier 51 Review

Pizza Man, 107 Bethel St., Clover 803-222-3343.  Tired of "chain restaurant" pizza?  Read The Pizza Man review and give this place a try.

Portofino's - Arysley.  Italian fare, pizza, pasta.  2127 Arysley Town Blvd, Charlotte.  Read Portofino's review.

Rey Azteca - 4052 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie.  803-831-9277.  Every day is a fiesta at Rey Azteca.  Read the Rey Azteca review, ole!

SouPanini - 108 Kings Mtn Street, Clover.  803-222-4050.  A New York inspired cafe, with Southern hospitality.  Panini, soups, salad, and decadent desserts and gelato.  Sandwiches $5-7.  Read SouPanini review.

Steve's Grill - 2150 Gold Hill Road (near the entrance of Tega Cay), 803-548-1799.  Great choice for happy hour and casual dining, with a friendly party-like atmosphere, great food, inside or outside dining, and occasional music.  Terrific appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, steak, about $7 and up.  Read Steve's Grill review.

Wylie Gators - 4582 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie  803-631-2667.  Wings, burgers, wraps and bar fare.  Features live entertainment on occasion.  Read the Wylie Gators review.

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Eat-in/Take Out

Best China- 5243 Hwy 557, Lake Wylie, SC.  803-831-5540 (Located in the Bethel Commons Food Lion Plaza).  Shrimp, Chicken, Beef, Pork, and Vegetarian entrees.   $6.75-9.95, plus lunch selections around $5.  Seating for about 30 plus take-out.  Open 7 days/week, 11am-10pm.  Best China Review

Koizumi Express - 4859 Old York Rd, Ste 102, Rock Hill SC.  803-366-7007.  Located in the Walmart shopping center near Newport.  Serves Hibachi shrimp, steak, chicken, scallops, Yakisoba noodles, $5.25-$15.50. Mainly take-out, limited seating.  Koizumi Review

Mobile BBQ - Various places, various hours . . . Read Review BBQ on Wheels

The Pizza Man - 107 Bethel St., Clover.  803-222-3343.  Read review for The Pizza Man.

 

 

Best Outdoor Dining - Restaurants in the Lake Wylie Area with outdoor dining patios, decks.