Friday’s lunch on our Toyota NASCAR experience itinerary was at The King’s Kitchen. Southern cuisine made with fresh and local ingredients? Don’t mind if I do!
All three appetizers on the menu were ordered for the table to share. From top to bottom on the menus and left to right in the photos: Deviled Eggs, Pimento Cheese with House Lavash, and Buttermilk Fried Okra with Spicy Ranch.
It was tough not filling up on the tasty appetizers, but I knew I had a plate of fried chicken coming my way.
Aunt Beaut’s Pan Fried Chicken is the signature item on the menu. You can choose between a plate of dark meat or white meat. If you know me well, you would know that I am all about the dark meat! Each plate of chicken comes with three sides. I picked broccoli, cabbage, and mac and cheese.
There are other meats to choose from on the menu, but since I went in there with just one stomach, I’ll have to leave the rest for another visit.
Aside from outstanding food, what makes The King’s Kitchen special?
Hint: It’s in the title of the post.
At first glance, one might think that it’s just another Southern restaurant. It is, in fact, a ministry operating as a not for profit restaurant to raise money to feed the poor and to train those previously unemployable in the restaurant trade. Similar to the Delancey Street Foundation, which helps those who’ve hit rock bottom get back on their feet in the San Francisco Bay Area and four other locations nationwide, The King’s Kitchen has a training program to employ, train and minister to homeless, the poor, troubled youth, rehab graduates and other members of our community who are in need of employment.
By noshing on delicious deviled eggs and fried chicken, you’re actually supporting the cause and helping to give back to the Charlotte community. Not a bad deal!
