Best of the Best Awards 2021, the JREP Edition

I look forward to reading the Best of the Best in the Charlotte Magazine every year. I’ve lived in the greater Charlotte area for almost 21 years and I love seeing these come out each year! I’m a bit of a foodie, so I thoroughly enjoy reading about the amazing culinary options in town. They tell us what hip spots to hit for a date night or a drink, where to play and explore and what unique experiences not to miss. It’s just a great way to keep up with this city we call home.

Checking out this year’s BOB awards inspired me to create the 2021 BOB awards according to Justice Real Estate Partners! Clearly my “winners” will be skewed towards the Waxhaw area and will be EXTREMELY biased by my own likes and lifestyle. But I thought it’d be fun to share a few of my local favorite things. The Charlotte BOB highlighted an amazing business in our town already. Virtuoso Breadworks won the award for best homemade bread. In all of Charlotte! Let that sink in, Charlotte is not a small place, and these awards include all of the amazing suburbs and neighborhoods surrounding the Queen City. This small, Waxhaw business not only won in their category, but their caramel apple cruffin also claimed the cover of the magazine! That’s a big deal. Congratulations to Virtuoso Breadworks for putting your store (and Waxhaw!) on the map. I’m a little embarrassed to say I haven’t tried this bakery yet, but you better believe it’s on my list! They had me at cruffin.

So, without further adieu, here is JREP’s version of the BOB awards. (Also, sometimes I have a hard time choosing one winner, so several categories have ties). Enjoy!

BEST BREAKFAST

Stacks

It’ll be your favorite diner. Food is very inexpensive and always utterly delicious. The wait is LONG on weekend mornings because everyone apparently agrees with me. But it’s not just breakfast that’s good here, the Greek salad and burgers are also on point!

Provisions

The spinach, tomato and goat cheese quiche is fabulous. While waiting for your meal, shop the local grocery items and enjoy the eclectic atmosphere. I love everything about this place, right down to their bright green screen door and mismatched coffee mugs!

BEST GIRLS NIGHT OUT SPOT

Emmet’s Social Table

I don’t think I’ve been anywhere else for a Moms night out since Emmet’s opened! Small plates and tapas with a Southern twist. I’ve had just about everything on the menu and love it all. Pork nachos, poke stuffed avocado and German beef sliders on pretzel rolls are just a few of my faves. Be prepared to wait, it’s a popular spot. The cocktails served in Mason jars might make the wait more bearable. They’ve been so successful that they’re opening a second location in Fort Mill. Congratulations to the owners. Your success is well-deserved!

BEST GUYS NIGHT OUT SPOT

Mary O’Neill’s Irish Pub

I’ve never been on a “boys night out” but I know some who have. They enjoy Mary O’Neill’s for a night out. I imagine they grab a pint and some fish and chips…not sure…but they seem to come home happy. There’s often live music and a fun atmosphere. I am doubtful that men share dessert on guys night out, but they should highly consider the blondie – it’s a blonde brownie covered in caramel sauce and topped with Waxhaw Creamery vanilla ice cream.

BEST ACTIVITY WITH KIDS

Art Box Ceramics & Canvas

In a cool old house right in downtown Waxhaw, there are all sorts of creative activities for kids and families. If you or your kids are artsy, try one of her fun pop up classes (we have!). We’ve also hosted a kids’ birthday party there and it was perfect!

BEST PUBLIC PARK

Crooked Creek

Down the road in Indian Trail, this park is the BEST. There’s a zip line. Do I need to go on? The playgrounds are really nice and have lots of options to cover a good age range of children. There’s a splash pad too. Really nice facility with restrooms. (Moms, need I say more?)

BEST SWEET TREAT

Waxhaw Creamery

Phenomenal ice cream shop with really yummy flavors. In the fall, I swoon over their pumpkin pie ice cream.

Local Scoop

Located up in the Promenade on Providence, so basically in Ballantyne. But WORTH the drive or popping in if you’re up that way. They make all their ice cream and it is so fresh and delicious. I have a special soft spot for this shop because they are incredible with food allergies. Every homemade ice cream is labeled with allergens, every single day. The staff is so helpful and patient and has always made my food allergy family feel safe.

BEST BURGER

Maxwell’s Tavern

Maxwell’s is a Waxhaw staple. There’s almost always a wait, and that’s part of the experience. The food is always good…always. It’s just good old tavern food. The burgers are scrumptious. Don’t be scared off by the wait. They’ll take your phone number, put you on a list, and you can cross the bridge and have a beer at Dreamchaser’s while you wait for your table to be ready. If that doesn’t sound like a perfect Waxhaw night, I don’t know what does!

BEST ADULT HANGOUT WITH FRIENDS

Waxhaw Tap House

Tons of selection for beer drinkers. And for those of us that are amateur beer drinkers, I’ve had a delicious pineapple IPA there. The environment is friendly and fun, the back is open with a firepit, tables, cornhole, etc. You’ll often find a food truck pulled up nearby, or you can grab takeout from one of the restaurants on the next block. It’s a fantastic spot to meet up with some neighbors or friends and get out of the cul de sac. If you live in Waxhaw and go here, you will definitely see someone you know.

BEST MEXICAN

Hacienda El Rey

Newer to the Waxhaw scene but crushing it! Delicious food at a great price. They even have a drive up window for take-out which sealed the deal for me. I recommend the shrimp chimichanga (should I mention it’s drenched in queso?).

BEST BRUNCH

The Gallery at the Ballantyne Hotel

Splurge on a little decadence every now and then. The hotel is so beautiful, the food is divine, and surprisingly, not that expensive for a nice brunch. If you’re splurging, you might as well make a day of it and stay for a spa treatment or make a tee time.

BEST DATE NIGHT

Cork & Ale

The most adorable, quaint wine shop with just a few tables. It’s dark and intimate and the staff is very knowledgeable about wine. I don’t think everyone knows how amazing their food is! They have some amazing menu items, interesting small plates, great charcuterie, etc. It’s my favorite spot to have a glass of wine in town (other than my front porch). I’m also hoping to try one of their tastings/pairings special events soon.

BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Cane Creek Park

Not to be confused with Crooked Creek Park, this is different! Miles of trails, a “creek” that is more like a big lake, fishing, picnics, an old school putt putt course, paddleboats, kayak rentals, camping. It’s an outsdoory adventurer’s dream and it’s nestled right in Waxhaw in the JAARS area.

Carolina Thread Trail

You can hop on miles and miles of trails all over South Charlotte. My family and I love to pick up a little stretch of it right in the Millbridge neighborhood. You’d never know you’re in a giant subdivision. There’s a hiking trail with beautiful scenery. Then you can cross a swinging bridge that traverses the state line! There’s something about having one foot in North Carolina and one foot in South Carolina that is just fun. The tree canopy provides ample shade and is a great way for us to get some activity in on summer mornings.

BEST COFFEE SHOP/CAFE

White Rabbit Café or Crossroads or Java’s

I’m sorry I can’t just pick one. If you know me, you know I love my coffee and pastries. It’s got to be a three-way tie. These three shops are small, charming and local. Each offers something different and with its own twist. I suggest you try all three if you haven’t already to see which is your favorite.

BEST GIFT SHOP

Southern Style

There’s a small white and yellow house just past the ER that has the best gifts and novelty items. I love an excuse to pop in and search for a gift for someone else, which almost always ends up including a gift for myself as well. They carry tons of stuff made by local artists and vendors which I love supporting. In addition to things like fun drinkware, candles and  hand towels, they carry clothing, home decor and even a nice wine selection. They are so friendly and helpful and wrap up all my gifts so they’re ready to give.

BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM

Justice Real Estate Partners

You knew I wasn’t ending this without a shameless plug. We are Your Partner in Coming Home. If “home” is the Waxhaw/Wesley Chapel/Weddington/Marvin area, I think these BOB awards will show you that we are local experts. Well, either that or we just really love to eat. But in all seriousness, I believe that to be really good at what you do, you really and truly have to love it. We absolutely, utterly, entirely love living here. We have a fabulous neighborhood nestled in a charming town surrounded by great people. Selling real estate here is a privilege. I believe our little corner of Charlotte is the best and it feels like an honor to help other people call this place home too. We pride ourselves on excellent communication and consistency. We feel like this makes all the difference in the world when you’re working with a real estate firm. So if you need help buying or selling a home, we should probably go to Emmet’s and talk about it over some Mill Fries.