With menu highlights like “A Bunch of Bologna” and the “PB&J Bacon Plate”, it’s clear that NoDa neighborhood favorite Haberdish takes its comfort food quite seriously — or playfully, as the kitchen prefers. Starting with brined, battered and fried essentials, the fried chicken entrees range from crispy tenders (no age limit here) to a crispy whole fried bird. With eight signature sauces to drizzle on like habanero hot sauce, silky Alabama white sauce and honey butter maple syrup, the possibilities for pleasure are endless. The option to add a waffle to any fried chicken dish is the icing on the cake, or in Haberdish’s case, the traditional milk dip on the Southern sonker. That’s a subtle way of saying that here, dessert is non-negotiable and like most things, best cooked up in a cast iron skillet.

Goopy. Enough said. Though its name might hint at a touch of silly, this burger from the Goodyear House is anything but. If backyard burgers from childhood cookouts are the cozy equivalent to a worn-in hoodie, consider this bad boy an adulthood upgrade to a cashmere sweater. Lucious and fully loaded, this beast of a burger lives up to its name with a hefty portion of locally sourced Krenz Ranch beef, cheddar, onion, and shredded goopy lettuce all atop a fresh benne seed bun. That’s right — even the lettuce is bathed in the burger’s signature sauce. Take a monster bite, pop a handful of hot fries from the freshly shaken fry bag, and sit back as all the world’s worries magically disappear into thin air.

From the heart, for the soul, and every corner in between. Leah & Louise is chef Greg Collier’s freshest concept in Charlotte — one that both debuted its grand opening mid-pandemic and has continued earning shining accolades ever since. Fans know that at Leah & Louise, keeping tradition alive is the name of the game, as seen in chef Collier’s ode to his Mississippi and New Orleans roots. Plates of sweet and salty Blacka Jacks (smoked pecans, country ham, caramel, and popcorn), River Chips (voodoo style chicken skins), Rich Boys (fried coastal oyster sliders) dance their way to tables at this Memphis-inspired juke joint, delighting diners with modern interpretations of classic dishes that aim for pure comfort. The oxtail and dumplings, a cold weather soul food siren, is beautifully stewed with oxtail burgoo, red rice calas, carrot escabeche, and hot chile oil. The Bird Is The Word is another top pick, a hearty sandwich stacked high with smoked and fried chicken breast and comeback sauce. And come back is just what diners are guaranteed to do here, not only to fill up on great flavor, but great spirit

For those who find comfort in wanderlust, look no further than West Charlotte’s newest ramen bar, Wu-Ron’s. Curiously tucked away with limited street signage, the intimate noodle shop recently made its soft opening debut and is already buzzing with well-deserved praise. Minimalists rejoice. From its sunlight-drenched natural wood paneling to its sleek, straight to the point menu, Wu-Ron’s embodies the most original Japanese ramen experience yet to hit the Queen City. Choose from three rich, velvety broths including chicken, pork or a vegetarian kelp and mushroom, all accompanied with a generous heap of hand pulled noodles. The Shirozaru classic tonkotsu is packed with rich, pork taste from broth to sliced belly and the Tokyo shoyu blends the best of both worlds within its chicken broth and pork belly topping, adding scallion and bean sprouts for a layered crunch. The labor of love behind each bowl is what makes this Japanese tradition more than just a trend, but a comfort food to stay — certainly as is Wu Ron’s. No flavor packets, no frills, just real-deal umami bliss bathing in each bite.

The first crunch of the golden brown scallion pancake is often enough to convert one from seeking a traditional pancake fix to a super-savory Sichuan one. Followed by the soft, pillowy pork belly dumplings and piping hot spicy beef noodles, no visit to The Dumpling Lady is complete without a symphony of textures and colors. It might not be filed (yet) under old-fashioned Carolina comfort food, but the throng of dedicated diners who make their way each day to the Optimist Hall stall speaks volumes on the genre’s transformation. Here, it’s sensory comfort that reigns supreme. From the soothing slide of the chopsticks out of the crimson sleeve and the irresistible, euphonic slurp of hot noodles from bowl to belly, this level of satisfaction is translated best, regardless of age, with a dab of a napkin and a spirited smile.

With its cognac-hued wooden interiors and cheeky antique-meets-modern charm, this “21st Century Country Store” is a great pit stop for warm feels and cozy eats. Feeling classic? Lincoln’s Haberdashery’s take on grilled cheese is a showstopper, loaded with mega melty gruyere, shallots, and thyme on crusty sourdough, baked daily in-house. Feeling more film noir? Go with the French-inspired croque monsieur, piled high with ham and creamy bechamel that checks all boxes crunchy, melty and cheesy. The Southend eatery also has a fun variety of soup specials from broccoli cheddar to turkey coconut curry and more, as well as Instagram-popular desserts like the stuffed brioche doughnuts.

As the temperature dips and seasonal chili cravings crank up, there’s one Charlotte landmark that answers the call. Lupie’s Cafe, where friendliness triumphs any modern frills, has dished up old-school comfort food for over 30 years. Regulars can spot its red rooster sign on Monroe Rd. from a mile away. Within its humble and timeless exterior, loyalists flock daily to fill up on mainstays like the chili mac (Texas style if you like it spicy, Cincinnati style if you’re into sweet) and massive nacho plates dripping with melty cheddar, beans and jalapenos. While the city transforms around this tiny cafe, its foundation, built on making everyone who walks in feel like family, stands effortlessly strong.

It’s a simple equation. Handmade pasta + variety of fresh cheese + juicy tomatoes = endless delicious possibilities. Long-time veteran in the Charlotte pasta game, Mama Ricotta’s, has recently refreshed its look in cozy, semi-swanky form through its new concept, Little Mama’s, located in the heart of Southpark. While Amma’s Ravioli is remarkable and sings of nostalgia (in a Frank Sinatra voice, of course), the menu touts an array of comfort-guaranteed Italian specialties to fill up on, from crispy Chicken Parm (or try combo-style with both chicken and eggplant), to Ziti al Telefono with calabrian chili, and every crowd’s favorite, lasagna, stuffed at Little Mama’s with ground beef, veal, and homemade pork sausage. Craving a little extra happiness amidst your visit? Ask for the mozzarella presentation, which includes a made to order ball of mega-fresh fior di latte mozzarella, served warm, with your heart’s choice of accompaniments. Badda bing, bada boom. No broken hearts here.