The Restaurant That Introduced Charlotte To Pizza Is Still Open

When I saw this article on WCNC's website, I immediately flashed back to my childhood. The Open Kitchen has been in Charlotte since 1952 and I have great memories of the restaurant. As a child we used to eat their often, and it was our go-to restaurant for family birthday celebrations. I used to love going there as a kid because they had a clown on a bicycle that would move on a wire close to the ceiling. I loved watching it~

The Queen City didn't see pizza until 1952 when the Open Kitchen debuted the food on its menu. Pizza wasn't something seen before in the South. According to WCNC, the family-owned restaurant brought pizza along with other amazing dishes to town.

Two brothers, Steve and Speros Kokenes, wanted to turn an abandoned service station into a burger joint, and that’s just what they did at first. As time passed, the menu expanded to include Italian food, which brought Charlotte its first pizza pie.

Having worked in the restaurant industry for years, I know how hard it is to keep a place going for years and years. The folks at the Open Kitchen have continued through many hardships, including the current COVID pandemic. I have no doubt that one of the reasons the restaurant is still here is because of the consistency of the food. You always know you'll get a great meal at the Open Kitchen. And the atmosphere is cozy! You feel comfy and welcome.

My dad has taken me there for years and just seeing the outside of the restaurant makes me smile. It's been a few years since I've eaten there and seeing the story on WCNC makes me want to go. And I think I'll do just that next week.

Much love to this iconic Charlotte establishment and I hope they'll continue to flourish for many years.