by TM Petaccia

Folks in the restaurant industry know good food, so we want to know where they eat when they’re not cooking. In this series, we ask a local chef, bartender, restaurateur, or food artisan to share their favorite restaurants in town and what they order there.

This week, we interview Sam Sheehan, executive chef at Ever Andalo. The Banner Elk native began his restaurant career at the age of 14 and has worked just about every restaurant position, including two stints at Tonidandel-Brown’s sister concept, Haberdish, before taking the reigns at Ever Andalo in 2023. When he’s not on the clock, he lists these five restaurants as his go-to spots for good food and good service.

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300 East, Dilworth

Dilworth’s signature American bistro since 1986, known for local sourcing and outstanding desserts
Sheehan’s order: Everything rolls, avocado BLT (with fried chicken), daily vegetable
Sheehan’s take: “Easily my favorite lunch in Charlotte, I am admittedly a sucker for a restaurant built inside a house. I can’t help but feel like I’m in my grandmother’s house when I sit upstairs. This is one of my favorite places to bring friends visiting from out of town, and it always gets high marks.”

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Customshop, Elizabeth

Elevated, locally-sourced international fare with Cuban influences
Sheehan’s order: Rohan duck breast, hamachi crudo with Parmesan leche de tigre
Sheehan’s take: “My favorite outing, the food is 10/10, with a dynamic menu I can always count on a spectacular meal, killer desserts, and friendly, familiar faces. This spot takes the cake for a nice night out, and offers peace while dining, when otherwise I commonly find myself analyzing a restaurant instead of enjoying myself.”

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La Shish Kebob, Sheffield Park
Halal Middle Eastern restaurant on Charlotte’s east side
Sheehan’s order: Chicken shawarma wrap, beef kofta
Sheehan’s take: “Middle Eastern food certainly fits the bill as my comfort food. This is also a weekly, sometimes more, stop for me. The beef kofta is a beautiful representation of middle eastern spices. Tip: Mix the garlic toum and green shug together for great dipping sauce for the wrap and fries.”

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Menya Daruma, Elizabeth

Ramen and abura soba noodle counter which also offers other Japanese street food
Sheehan’s order: Any ramen, spicy tori (Chicken) wonton “hot chicken style” tori katsu sando (fried chicken sandwich)
Sheehan’s take: “Hands down the best the best ramen in the city. Many diners seem to forget to give Menya their flowers for their other dishes. I love sitting at the counter and watching the cohesion of the team, every single item on the menu is meticulously orchestrated, and I have never once experienced a blemish in their standard quality.”

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Yafo Kitchen, multiple locations
Fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant with many vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu options
Sheehan’s order: Build-a-bowl (it varies), hot chicken sandwich
Sheehan’s take: “This is a weekly staple for my wife and I. Sometimes ever more frequently than that. I always come back here because the quality is consistent, the food is delicious and clean, I never have any complaints. It checks all my boxes for a casual dinner, and it keeps me craving more.”

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See where other Charlotte chefs and industry pros eat

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