First Bite is a look at a restaurant that’s opened recently, based on one visit, not a full-fledged review.
The food: Burgers? Check. Fried pickles? Check. Dogs? Check. Big metal letters spelling out “BARBECUE” on the wall? Check. Newly added “TM” after the name? Check. On a visit this week, the new Penguin felt both simplified and complicated: The juke was silent and a lunchtime crowd sported no visible tats or piercings, though a party with seven small children swarmed in without a hitch and a couple of older gents tucked into burgers at the bar. The sporty, laminated menu has a whole “BIG CHOPPED SALADS” category now, sandwiches include barbecue, grilled pimento cheese, chicken tenders and a whole lot of burgers. Those start at 1/3 pound for $3.75 and are moist (pimento cheese on the eponymous burger helped), while fried items were … meh: Really salty, oily fried pickles, for example, with bits of fries in the cardboard basket. Sweet potato fries fared better: square-cut, not greasy, with nicely soft interior, though no dipping sauce. Drinks come in Penguin plastic cups you can keep, and if you buy a Penguin T-shirt ($12), you can wear it in to the restaurant anytime in 2011, buy an entrée, and get a free small order of pickles.
The look: Big Game Brands, whose press says it hopes to “expand the Penguin Drive-In’s brand throughout the U.S.,” has used lots of photos from the era of original owner Jim Ballentine in the décor, along with press clippings. Black and red checked floors, wood paneling, black booths, red tables and some shine on red-and-white chairs give it a same-but-spruced look.
The service: Mine smiled, was quick and fresh-faced, and knew the menu; they’re clad in Penguin Ts and pants or jeans.
Details: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday, to 2 a.m. Friday-Sunday; 1921 Commonwealth Ave.; 704-375-1925; www.penguinrestaurant.com.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
First Bite: The Penguin
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46 comments:
Here's to failure. Long live Pinkeys and The Diamond.
What the above said. Who wants a salad from the Penguin?
If something isn't broken you don't fix it. The Penguin has lost it's touch over greed, good job. Pinky's and the Diamond it is.
man, i hate to root against ANYONE, but folks, you're starting out with most of the neighborhood against you. including us. what y'all derided WAS a family atmosphere and friendly familiar service. see you at THe Diamond.
Hope it's a success - glad the joint got cleaned up!
Do we really need another hamburger chain?
Amen! Dilworth / Myers Park Mommies have somewhere new to spend their husbands money and let the brats run free! I'll be somewhere else!
I ate there on Monday, got a carolina dog (though they named it something else) with waffle fries and sweet tea. At first I was thrown back at the larger than normal menu (and yes, the salads was odd). What really disappointed me was that I couldn't get a simple burger like before (I don't like cheese with my burgers and that was standard on most all the burgers). The carolina dog itself with loaded with a lot of slaw with some chili and mustard; the waffle fries were so-so, already slightly cool when I got'em. The tea was fine. Overall, I was not too impressed by it.
I'm one of those tattooed, pierced former patrons mentioned. I spent many hours there. Great lunches, many fun dinners, met countless friends for drinks over the years and late night snacks. The juke box was delightful and the occassional live music was always fabulous and entertaining. I loved the staff there. I will not ever return to the "new Penguin.
Sounds like it has turned into McPenguin. What's next, a ball crawl and a playground??
"The juke was silent and a lunchtime crowd sported no visible tats or piercings"
And that relates to the quality of the food and service in what way?
In other words, so what?
I live close by, and despite all the folks raising hell about a Boycott this, Pinky's and The Dimanond that - the place has been PACKED since it opened. Not sure the vocal PM crowd vowing never to patronize the place is gonna make one whiff of a difference, I'm afraid.
Raving brands has ruined another one.......
I'm a homeowner just a couple blocks down the street. Most of the locals (not just those oh so dangerous tattooed folks) will no longer patronize this place. It's ridiculous how this has all transpired and we look forward to the real roots in this community who are establishing a new home at The Diamond.
AVOID this place...
bad karma...bad karma
support the DIAMOND...
that is REAL Charlotte....
I will not walk in this place....be smart and stand up to this mess....just say NO
I am betting anything that they raised their prices too. Bet you can't get a $5 pitcher there any longer. How sad. I will miss the old Penguin but I will still stop in because nobody makes fried pickles like they do.
Here's what annoys me most. I think the vast majority of the people commenting against The Penguin are just massive posers, who maybe went to The Penguin twice. A place for Dilworth and Myers Park mommies to let their brats run free? You do realize that half of the people who have been stopping their to eat for the past 10 years are people on their way home from the Charlotte Country Club. Sure, The Penguin won't be as cool or as unique as they used to be, but you aren't as cool or unique as you think either.
they even have a "Diamond Dog". what a bunch of unoriginal corpo-whuas
anonymous 8:20, you are UTTERLY mistaken. we've lived in the neighborhood for 20+ years, raised our daughter here - she doesn't REMEMBER when we weren't going to the Penguin and / or getting take-out almost weekly. those tattooed folks thrown outta work - those folks were our neighbors, our neighbors' son's friend, our former babysitter and on and on. you, sir, are mistaken at least as regards to me and to the other 3 or 4 families on our Plaza-Midwood street who've been eating there regularly for over a decade. in time, the lack of neighborhood support will be a drain on the cash flow of the business. this could've been done a different way, but the new operators managed to come in and INSULT our friends, long-time servers, and (grown) CHILDREN while tossing a bunch of 'em outta work.
hope it bounces back at 'em. and packed? i drive past several times a day (it's on my way outta the 'hood) & "packed?" well... i've yet to see a line at the door. time will tell.
Without the Music, without Societal Variety, And without meaning. A great place turned below average. A visionaries vision squandered, McGreedys Bird. I'll go to cookout instead.
"You do realize that half of the people who have been stopping *there to eat for the past 10 years are people on their way home from the Charlotte Country Club."
FALSE, just because you say it, doesn't make it true. I sat at the bar at lunch 2-3 times per week, for most of 10 years taking time to get to know the staff and other patrons.
If they 'just left the country club,' they were STAFF. My bar mates were plumbers, cops, secretaries, bankers, self employed, artists, dreamers, restaurant workers, restaurant owners, tv & radio personalities, DJ's and yes, a few suits.
There weren't a lot of 'posers' when i was there (maybe on a school holiday?) That was kinda the point. You didn't have to be tattooed or pierced to feel at home. It was comfortable, reliable and cheap.
Tuesday's veggie dog is now eaten at Pinky's. I won't spend a penny at McPenguin, nor will most of the people I have spoken to. Without the atmosphere, it's just greasy, fried food. Shine on you crazy DIAMOND!
People are just going because it's new...give it several months and it will show the true locals will not support this business.
I went there the other night and it was horrible. My waitress was rude and the service was horrible. I was sad to see that they took away the side bar, that's where my boyfriend and I had our first date. They don't even have a fried bologna sandwich anymore. Alanis Morrisette and Sheryl Crowe on the Juke. Really????????? I vow to never set foot in there ever again. I'll get my diversity at Pinky's and The Diamond.
The Kid Rock sticker on the hood says it all, this place will never be the same..
To quote from earlier ""The juke was silent and a lunchtime crowd sported no visible tats or pierc And that relates to the quality of the food and service in what way? In other words, so what?"
Perhaps you don't get part of what made The Penguin, THE Penguin BEFORE the hostile take-over. My guess is you either are Martin Sprock, or you work for him. What the neighborhood got was that the jukebox and the ratted, pierced patrons made the food there magic. VIVA LA DIAMOND
It seems to me that when Penguin owners wanted to make a change, they went about it the wrong way. They did not create "buy in" so that the community supported their changes. Instead, they made major mistakes that created enemies instead of cheerleaders. They've got a lot of making-up to do to win back their previous customer base.
We have no plans to go back. The whole TM thing leaves a very bad taste, pun intended.
*sniff* *tear*
if 50% of the patrons came from 'the country club', then the other 50% did not. and if the latter 50% has left, then this place has lost %50 of it's business. simple math. and really, helen schwab? who cares what you have to say. it is obvious by all of the postings, that a restaurant survives or dies, by word of mouth (and health inspections)
oh look, more divisiveness. it's everywhere...even in burgers. this is still a local business with its roots planted in charlotte soil. the decision to be a 'mcpenguin' (as someone put it) is up to the owners. last i checked, this was america and those folks are testing the american dream. did they go about doing it in a manner that pleased everyone - no. does that really make it an us-vs-them situation? it's a cheeseburger. i wish the penguin (as i wish ANY small business in my community) the best of luck during the hardest of times.
I'd much rather have Cookout.
I still dont understand why everyone is so anti penguin with new management. It's the same owner. Get over your semi-hipster soap box. support your locally owned restaurants and those that work in it you. I plan to go the the diamond, pinkys, penguin, and central because I like those places. Get over it people.
Get it right! Tatt's and hipsters are what makes a great restaurant. You are right. Once that leaves, it's over. Who cares about the food. How hip is it, and how can we all join should be your #1 business model. Let's all be unique and meet at the diamond! PBR is on special!
- sent from my iphone
I'll say it. I went to the old Penguin & didn't think it had remarkable food. Meh.
I understand capitalism and didn't judge the new ownership as long as it didn't affect what was there. After visiting it Tuesday night, I was more than disappointed. The food is barely recognizable and the menu is definitely very "corporate" looking. It very much reminded me of something of a Ruby Tuesday's. The new owner's definitely don't understand what makes a place like the previous owner's did. The old Penguin and it's staff were a very good microcosm of Plaza Midwood and it's attitude. I was there @ 6:30 and there were 3 tables full and the manager was cutting cooks. The staff felt like someone had transplanted the McCallister's staff in it. Really bad transition. From a non biast patron.
I went in last night for dinner last night, sat down and took one good long look at the entirely different menu.
NOTHING looked good or inviting but I wanted to order some sides and check it out for myself. I know the owners of the property (current owners) had nothing to do with the owners of the actual business of the last decade, but I thought "fried food is fried food"....right? Negative. the fried pickles, fries and hot dog were each terrible. Much greasier than I have ever had there in the past.
I took a bite of each, paid, and left. for good.
Everytime The Observer prints the words THE PENGUIN the comment section becomes nothing more that a soap box for haters. Nothing about food really- just a group of angry people who want a business to fail.
Get over yourselves. It's a restaurant.
I need a runner, I need a runner - are we at The Waffle House. What's that all about.
The Penguin used to symbolize community. Loyalty and perseverance. Hard work and tolerance. Acceptance and success in a way you won't get in a chain since it has no history. It's a sad day for the neighborhood. Greed is ugly no matter if you give it new red and white chairs :( I'll never swing dance in the aisles again and that's too bad.
Every time I used to drive by the Penguin, the lot was packed, no matter the time of day. The other day, I drove past @ 5 and there were 3 cars in the lot. The new management underestimated what made the Penguin a success. They will fail miserably without the support of the Plaza community, which has been insulted and shunned. Support the Diamond folks!
Look what made the Bird special was the people all the people the customers and the staff. The food good basic food My Daughter had her first ever meal in Charlotte there. She was 7 and she thought all the people the music tattoos and all my friends who came in and we sat with and the staff I know there were like my family she had never seen before. I have an Ex wife she never went there with me and I do not live in Charlotte but 25 miles away. Plaza Midwood is my part of Charlotte I worked there owned a business there for a while. I have walked the streets at night with Brian to keep people from getting mugged there. When my ex wife called and I told her where we were SHE SCREAMED about how unsafe her child was. I said everyone here would tear a person limb from limb if they touched her she is safer here than at your house in the expensive part of York county you live in. I asked the staff at the bird to watch my child while I took my ex wifes screaming outside when I walked back in one was sitting with her doing the crossword in CL. IT was a family place who and where could you ask a place to do that and one of the staff sits down with a 7 year old and does the crossword with them NO WHERE but there. Who knows where they can trust a group of people with their flesh and blood like that only there. My daughter is 15 and says she will not go back until the day the old owners Brian and Jimmy come back she wants DIAMOND and Diamonds are a girls best friends right? Complain about the food it was good and honest nothing too fancy and yes I got some cold fries once in a while what place does not but what place also goes throws them out brings a fresh batch and says sorry and it is not just a marketing ploy but real and heartfelt its not about the falling down its about the getting up everyone falls down not everyone gets up and or moves forward. I ran into several of the old staff over the past several months I buy them drinks at the bars and tell them when the new place opens I am bringing a name plate for my chair so yes that is my seat your in ppl. I look at these peoples faces I see the hurt and the despair they lost not only their jobs but their friends the good times the great memories and more. What the raving brands ppl and the landlords kids pulled was wrong. So never going back to the bird, going to the Diamond which hoping will be open at the end of the month and get my fried pickles on. Table for 8 and fried pickles for everyone. If I am a hater its because I have seen what happened to all the staff and the others who went there, So go on Raving McPenguin you will never see any of my hard earned dollars again. Oh I may not be posting my name my ex wife hawks me online at times but many of you at the old Bird know me and I am still here for you and PLAZA MIDWOOD. Diamonds are forever!
I ate at the new Re-Opened Penquin this week. The food was tolerable but something is different about the taste. I think they are cooking the food a different way or they have changed food suppliers from what the last owners used. I think the Penquin is using a different food supplier. I think it will help if they go back to whoever supplied the original food last year.
McPenguin got it wrong from the start. A neighborhood treasure can't be replicated. and if you dismantle one, well... What made The Penguin what it was will live on through the ownership, staff, attitudes, food with a special kind of soul and an eclectic clientele. Will the McPenguin survive, sure - just look at their cousin, McDonalds.
I went to the Penguin this Sunday at 2 (after lunch crowd) and still had to wait for a table. Now that people know it's open, people will come. Now, once the Diamond is open it will likely take some of those customers that were waiting for a Penguin table. But the bird will do just fine. With or without angry semi-hipsters.
Dear Penguin...i used to go to you on a Monday night when i needed a cheap beer fix and an order of Brunswick stew. My boyfriend and i who live in the neighborhood tried to go the other night..and when we walked in i almost immediately turned around to look at the specials and there was no white board..no beer taps..nothing. the waitress told us we could sit anywhere, we waited a minute for a table that was not next to the door and while that was happening looked over that the cooks who were all standing around looking lost..should you not be cooking???
the logo was everywhere and my boyfriend looked at me and asked it we wanted to make a run for it. sorry penguin..we ran out and went elsewhere..not for me
I was surprised/ disappointed that they don't have any beer on tap, prefer to share a pitcher with friends. The new food is very bland - as is the atmosphere. The small crispy sweet potato fries have been replaced with larger mushy fries, and they raised all of the prices!
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