The other would be for the Penguin trademark itself. I told him about the auction, and he immediately perked up. And we've got everything from decadent burgers to our spin on classics like Bang Bang Shrimp and Philly Subs. Thats The End. I asked directly: So the Penguin isnt coming back to 1921 Commonwealth? No, he said. We are not currently recruiting but you are always welcome to introduce yourself by reaching out to: jobs@theplaidpenguin.com. The Penguins new location on East Boulevard seats 160 inside and 75 on its patio. PublishedSeptember 4, 2021 at 7:12 AM EDT. usarestaurants.info cannot be held responsible or liable for the accuracy, correctness, usefulness or reliability of the data. Entrepreneur to resurrect Penguin brand with new restaurant, WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Restaurant Bites: Whats new and coming soon to a menu near you, County pulls permit for 4th of July fireworks at National Whitewater Center, Elevation Church withdraws from Southern Baptist Convention, Hickory police officer on administrative leave after apparently hitting detained suspect, Shooting death at PNC Music Pavilion was suicide, sources say, A Buc-ees gas station could be coming to North Carolina, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. We all react differently when The End comes. Context: The Penguin was a Plaza Midwood staple for over 50 years. I was expecting a burger/hot dog joint which is what I believe stood here a while back but this was just not it. DISCLAIMER: Information shown may not reflect recent changes. But when he starts speaking about the Penguin, he suddenly has a lot to say. Its hard to see Plaza Midwood without The Penguin sign, said Sam Spencer. Until Friday, the sign had remained. All or sour angus beef dogs are served with your chocie of side. There was deal in place for a yet-to-be-named person or company to buy the building and the equipment inside, but not the trademark. Now hes opened the new version in Dilworth, inside the building that was most recently home to The Mayobird and The Summit Room. By Melissa Oyler Updated September 01, 2021 10:01 AM Calle Sol Latin Caf & Cevicheria plans to say goodbye to. usarestaurants.info is not responsible for content on external web sites. Before that, Jodie was an award-winning sports features and enterprise reporter at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. I ended up eating it with a fork/knife. Now, The Penguin Drive-in is calling Dilworth home and the owners hope a new-age twist on an old-age establishment might be a perfect fit for the area. Charlotte, NC 28205 For menu, health nutrition facts, hours, delivery, reservations or gift cards please call: 704-375-1925 After Fieri visited, so did fans from all over the region and country. The Penguin abruptly closed, and despite excuses and promises from Lisa Ballentine, she turned over the keys during the second bankruptcy proceeding. One in our party received his food about 1hr 10minutes after ordering and then the others in our party received their food 1hr 30 minutes after ordering. Looking for something more layed back? Maybe the schadenfreude is finally complete. THE LAST TIME I talked to Brian Rowe was about four years ago, just after a nasty episode that forced him and Jimmy King out as managers of the Penguin Drive-In in Plaza Midwood. And what was ours, overnight, pretty much, it was not ours anymore.. Its emblematic of the citys eternal conflict between celebrating history and reveling in progress, of the fight between remaining independent in the face of success, of the struggle to keep affordable housing in areas where people want to live. The iconic Penguin Drive-In sign is coming down. But the sign for the Penguin, a restaurant that has been closed since 2014, was taken down from the corner of Thomas and Commonwealth avenues, and it is meaningful for so many different reasons. And then once the secret got out, then the neighborhood changed to be much different than the place that people had sort of come to recognize and love, Markovich said. Served with toasated pita pionts. The food was awesome! Maybe theyll finally edit together a film. I ordered a Nashville hot chicken sandwich and my man ordered a cheeseburger. The Penguin Restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Watch episode 'Blue Plate Special' aired on season 1 Locations Guy Fieri visits in the USA . The onset of Alzheimer's led his family to find King and Rowe to run the place in 2000. usarestaurants.info is not a booking agent, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. It used to be like an authentic diner. NCSHP: Lenoir man dies, 2 others injured in Blowing Rock crash, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. It was a popular destination for food and entertainment, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the area until it closed in 2014. And in 2008, a man named Martin Sprock offered to franchise the Penguin. The Penguin. Dozens of people stopped by to watch the sign be removed. Itd be just like old times, he said. Select a Rating! Supercharging food + beverage brands / #theplaidpenguin Be specific about your experience and the services that were provided. The Penguin is open daily at 1531 East Blvd in Charlotte. At the peak of its popularity, in 2010, Ballentines daughter, Lisa, took control of the Penguin back from Rowe and King. The Penguin Drive-In has reopened in a brand new location in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood (WBTV) The Penguin Drive-In's menu has wings, salads, and burgers as well as its famous fried pickles. They serve ahi tuna but also cheeseburgers and hot dogs, but also ramen noodles, and Nashville hot fried chicken. These arent gourmet steakhouse burgers with three types of premium meat, though. 1921 Commonwealth Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205 (Map & Directions) (704) 375-1925. To answer the obvious question: Its not bad, but dont expect any more than the faintest hints of the old days. All rights reserved. The onset of Alzheimers led his family to find King and Rowe to run the place in 2000. Whether you're looking for consulting or a full-service agency, we specialize in F&B. . Sprock spent roughly $1 million to combine the two restaurants and transform the interior before the new version of The Penguin opened in September. Thats it. She also worked at The Dallas Morning News covering the Dallas Mavericks where she became Mark Cuban's lifelong email pen pal and at The Kansas City Star. Hed put everything back like it was before. And what baffles me is, is everybody wants to come there because it's cool, but then when they get there, they want to change it. He broke the news Wednesday that FS Food Group, the new owners of the place that once housed the Penguin, will take down the sign Friday at 3:30 p.m. That building now is home to Latin caf Calle Sol, and the man who bought the naming rights to the Penguin years ago plans to open a new version on East Boulevard. And now, the sign is gone, too. 1 talking about this. And then when they change it, it's exactly where they came from.. The city staple was taken down this afternoon and will be turned over to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. Extra dressing cups $1.00 each, roasted garlic ranch, honey mustard, blue cheese and vinegarette, Fresh lettuce, topped with tomato, cucumber, greek, olives, onion, croutons, crumbled feta cheese. A sign was removed in Plaza Midwood on Friday. The chicken is served as multiple tenders on the bun and the chicken was really chewy which made it hard to eat and the sandwich just completely fell apart. The neighborhood has changed, too. Other toppings options: americna cheese $0.75, swiss cheese $0.75, mozzarell cheese $0.75, blue cheese crumbles $0.95, cheddar cheese $0.75, pimento Cheese $1.00, bacon $1.00, queso $1.00, chili $0.75, mushrooms $0.75, grilled onions $0.75, onion straws $0.50, fried pickles $0.95, If item is availale as a combo, prices are listed as combo a la carte, These menu items are for little chicken only 12 year and under. They want to know if The End has come. It was a place where any member of the community could come together and get a good meal, said Spencer. For 60 years, The Penguin served mammoth burgers and fried pickles, even through the neighborhoods rough years in the 1980s and 90s. http://twitter.com/PurplePenguin_1 The Purple Penguin | Charlotte NC }; CHARLOTTE, NC The Iconic Penguin sign in Plaza Midwood is no more. The Penguin Salad ($15.95) and Ahi Tuna Salad ($16.95) are both satisfying, entre-sized portions if you dont want your entire meal deep-fried. Maybe it could work in another place. Guy Fieri came. Sprock kept a few favorites like Fried Pickles with original Penguin sauce, but most of the menu got an overhaul. There are few things that you could identify more with East Charlotte or Plaza Midwood than the Penguin sign, said Spencer. Please tell us by clicking here if you know that any of the information shown is incorrect. But I finally knew. The landlord was going to hang onto it, I said, but he might sell it one day. The staff seemed totally confused and the place was in mass chaos. By 2014, the restaurant had closed. The people who came by in March 2007 ruined any chance that The Penguin would remain Charlotte's little secret. Markovich first wrote about the Penguin 10 years ago, and he unofficially has been on the The Penguin Beat ever since. Check with this restaurant for current pricing and menu information. Huh, he said, flatly. Since I wrote about the saga for this magazine in 2011, the Penguins financial troubles multiplied, and court records show fighting within the Ballentine family over how it was being run. The Penguin Drive-In sign. But you talk to the landlord, too, he told me. Choose between indoor and outdoor seating. I dont broker business deals, but I hung up and called the landlord anyway. Find out more about The Plaid Penguin, the food & beverage marketing + branding experts. ($$) Write a Review. The Penguin Restaurant opened in the 1950s and was a staple of the Plaza Midwood community until its closure in 2014. Sep 2, 2022 Listen to this article 5 min The Penguin is back just not in the same form that longtime Charlotteans will remember. Just mostly dead. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The short version of a very long and angst-laden story is this: A guy named Jim Ballentine opened the Penguin as a burger joint in 1954 and ran it mostly by himself for decades. Charlotte's iconic Penguin Drive-in sign is coming down. Listen 4:24 Jodie Valade / WFAE The Penguin sign is no more in Plaza Midwood. It's been at Thomas and Commonwealth avenues since 1954. Sprock has snagged a roughly 4,200-square-foot space at 1531 East Blvd. This place came recommended and we were so looking forward to eating here. Substiute soy dog or a footlong for $1.50. Maybe the exasperation over a family legacy is over. The new managers turned a rundown little restaurant into an edgy, tattoo-filled, PBR-serving, pickle-frying hangout. Restaurants introduce new tipping initiative to support kitchen staff. I called Rowe back a few minutes later and told him. I wrote about the saga for this magazine in 2011, Where to See Fireworks in Charlotte: 2023, The 10 Best Trails in the Old 96 District, Camden Commons, South Ends Living Room Pop-Up Event, Is Back, A Guide to Charlotte's Best Italian Restaurants: 2023, Where to Eat in Charlotte's South End: 2023. It's intense but worth it - the best burger in Charlotte. The dog-friendly patio and $5 White Claws appeal to a younger generation that never knew the old spot. Talk, Truth, Tea: Billboard Magazine Names Greatest Rap Group Of All Time, Four Cars Seized In Street Takeover Crackdown, Woman Divorces Husband After His Aneurysm, Says He Is No Longer The Same Person, NASCAR Driver Jimmie Johnson's In-Laws Dead In Murder-Suicide, Newborn Left In Safe Haven Baby Box Adopted By Firefighter Who Found Her, Runway Closed at CLT-Douglas After 'Mechanical Issue' with Delta Air Lines Plane, Nominate Your Favorite Educator For Teacher Of The Month, EEO Reports and Outreach Initiatives Reports. Me? 1921 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. Not yet, Ive always told them. Its exciting, but also sorrowful to see things change, said one man watching crews take down the sign. Appetizers include Bangkok Shrimp ($12.95), Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders ($7.95), and Famous Fried Pickles ($6.95), served in a mini fry basket. 2023 thepenguindrivein.com | All rights reserved. Best lunch but go early or late or you'll have to wait. People in the neighborhood reacted by turning their backs on a place theyd loved for a decade. If I could go back and be there 50-50 with Jimmy, I would, he said. Were so excited, Im about to jump out of my skin, says Sprock, owner of Big Game Brands. 35 were here. I mean, that place has been gone. "global": { Served with penguin vinaigrette dressing. Its going OK, the former Marine says in a gruff voice. The outdoor patio is a lot of fun and would be great in the warmer weather. See what you can find out. As for the Google rating, this place earned 4. Im just thrilled to be out here today witnessing some Charlotte history, said another onlooker. Hand dipped, lightly battered dill pickles fried perfection. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master of Education from John Carroll University. FS Food Group will retire the sign at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. The 7-foot-tall sign had a removal ceremony and was presented to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association. And as for Spencer, hell always have memories of the food. I don't want to say its all Guy Fieris fault, he added, laughing, but if youre looking for the person who ruined Plaza Midwood . Walking near Freedom Park, visit this restaurant. 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines
Terms of Service . All are fresh and made at the penguin each day. In July, the power was cut off. We started with the ahi tuna appetizer which was honestly my favorite thing we ate. Since moving to Charlotte in 2015, she has worked as a digital content producer for NASCAR.com and a freelance writer for publications ranging from Charlotte magazine to The Athletic to The Washington Post and New York Times. You can visit this restaurant if you appear to be near Freedom Park. Jodie Valade has been a Digital News and Engagement Editor for WFAE since 2019. Come to The Penguin Drive-In for good coffee. People care about it because I think that was like an emblem of what that neighborhood was, Markovich said. And there's a whole story contained in that sign in some way. See if theres a chance. The ramen bowls are the wild cards. Both the Charred Pork Belly ($14.95) and Pan Seared Shrimp ($14.95) taste like excessively salty, Americanized versions of the Japanese noodle dish. Home + Garden: Sent once a month with Charlotte real estate news, dreamy home tours . He started making excuses. The draft beer lineup consists of just one lager, one IPA, and two pilsners, but each 16-ounce brew is $5, so who cares? The menu has wings, salads, and burgers as well as its famous fried pickles. Sort of reminds me of the glaciers in Springtime, but less snow." "But penguins don't fly." "Well, you see, Stinky. Try perfectly cooked fried pickles, chicken tenders and prawns. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Entrepreneur Martin Sprock is bringing back the beloved Penguin Drive-In brand just in a new home. Join us in the Elephant Bar - a 14 person, full-service bar top that has large flat-screen tvs enabled with sports package, hollywood booths, jeweled chandeliers, high tops, and sunroom with a fireplace and tv. Dont leave without trying: The Kiss His Ass Seabass ($12.95) sandwich, loaded with sirloin steak, Dukes mayo, wasabi cream, Penguin mushroom gravy, queso, and caramelized onions. The Elephant Bar is also available for private events. Served with homemade ranch dressing, Fries topped with homemade queso cheese & chili. The brand names, logos, images and texts are the property of these third parties and their respective owners. Sprock has snagged a roughly 4,200-square-foot space at 1531 East Blvd.. There is new news about The Penguin, a diner which was opened for many years and closed its doors last year, in east Charlotte. Few Charlotte restaurants ever earned the grubby cachet of The Penguin Drive-In, a humble hole in the wall in Plaza Midwood that opened in 1954. 2023 Cox Media Group. Prices are listed as combo single sandwich, Free toppings: ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, pickles, relish, coleslaw. (WBTV) LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST MENU 12a-3a Yummmmmmmm!!!!!!! 4 stars from me because I don't want to damage a new businesses reputation, just providing an honest review. Reported as permanently closed. "It's hard to see Plaza Midwood without The Penguin sign," said Sam Spencer.