Mert’s Heart and Soul on North College Street in Charlotte’s uptown has been a city soul food institution since James Bazelle opened it in 1999, serving the fried chicken, collard greens, and the slow-cooked Southern soul food that earns a Charlotte restaurant its multigenerational loyal following in a city where the community has long valued having a quality neighborhood soul food restaurant in the heart of downtown. It appeared in Season 23, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “A Bowlful of Soul,” which aired July 17, 2015. Guy Fieri found a Charlotte kitchen doing soul food from scratch with the authenticity and generosity that earns a neighborhood restaurant its destination reputation.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Mert’s Heart and Soul
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Cuisine: Soul Food / Southern
DDD Season: 23
DDD Episode: 1
Episode Title: A Bowlful of Soul
Original Air Date: July 17, 2015
Address: 214 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-342-4222
Website: https://mertscharlotte.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Fried Chicken — brined, seasoned, and fried to a proper crisp — is the soul food centerpiece that earns Mert’s its Charlotte reputation. The House-Made Mac and Cheese baked with a golden crust is the side that most tables add automatically. The Collard Greens long-simmered with smoked meat are the vegetable that completes any proper Southern soul food plate. The Cornbread baked fresh is the item worth ordering before the main plates arrive. Find a Charlotte hotel on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. Mert’s has been open in uptown Charlotte since 1999.
Address: 214 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-342-4222
Website: https://mertscharlotte.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the A Bowlful of Soul episode on Amazon and bring Southern cooking home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Cluckin’ Chicken Dry Rub.
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Mert’s Heart and Soul appeared in Season 23, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “A Bowlful of Soul,” originally aired July 17, 2015. James Bazelle opened the restaurant in 1999.