August 17, 2022

Inside Soul Gastrolounge on its final night

A chef-turned-photographer documents the farewell

Photos by Ryan Allen

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Soul Gastrolounge closed its doors on the restaurant’s longtime home in Plaza Midwood. The restaurant has been a staple in the neighborhood, serving signature dishes like its pork belly tacos and Dirty South Nachos long into the night. The restaurant announced it would close and look for a new location following news that the building was to be sold.

The end of the restaurant’s tenure marks a turning point in Plaza Midwood as perhaps the most high profile closure due to development in the area. On its final night, the restaurant hosted diners and artists alike — all those who have helped solidify the funky restaurant’s legacy as one of the best in Charlotte.

We sent former chef and photographer Ryan Allen to capture the restaurant’s last night.

Guests hoping to say farewell to the staff at the beloved restaurant's second-story location packed the restaurant on its final night.
The pork belly tacos from Soul remain one of the city's most iconic dishes. The restaurant will be relocating in 2023.
Soul's sushi chef Joe Thu and local DJ Brett Piggott share a moment in the kitchen.
Order tickets from the final night of service in the heart of Plaza Midwood indicate a busy night.
Soul's eclectic menu included a wide range of cuisines, from sushi to Southern.
The small kitchen at Soul Gastrolounge didn't deter its cooks from creating some of the city's most inventive dishes.
The sashimi tuna tacos brought diners a variety of flavors and textures.
Owner Andy Kastanas at the DJ booth for one final spin. Music brought Soul a large part of its unique energy, and several well-known local DJs were on hand for closing night.
DJ That Guy Smitty, one of the first DJs at Soul, was on hand for the iconic restaurant's last night in its space.
Longtime executive chef Jason Pound (center) works as expo chef on the final night of service until the restaurant can find a new location.
The kitchen goes quiet after a busy night of farewell service.
After the last dishes of the night were served, the kitchen staff shared an emotional moment.
Stefan Huebner, owner of Dot Dot Dot, snaps a photo of Soul's beverage director Kel Minton (right) with fellow bartender Morgan Styers.
Those gathered to say farewell to Soul crowded around the bar at the end of the night.
After 2 a.m., the restaurant closed its doors for the night on its Central Avenue corner, marking the end of an era in Plaza Midwood.