A kebab plate from Kebab-Je in Matthews. Kristen Wile/UP

Chefs 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 server to share their favorite restaurants in town and what they order there. This week we interview Justin Fry, chef and owner of JF Chocolat. As a chocolate connoisseur, Fry shares some of his favorite places that satisfy his sweet tooth, as well as his cajun cravings.  

Let’s Meat Korean BBQ, Uptown
A laid-back Korean barbecue joint that cooks marinated meats at the center of each table
Justin’s order: Pork belly and the bulgogi 

Kabab-Je Rotisserie & Grille, Matthews
A popular Mediterranean restaurant specializing in authentic European dishes
Justin’s order: Roasted cauliflower, spicy potatoes, and hummus

The Local Scoop, Ballantyne
A local ice cream shop that sources their cream and other primary ingredients locally
Justin’s order: Their strawberry ice cream is something I always order no matter what new flavors they have.
Pro tip: “I bring my family to the Providence location so we can enjoy the ice cream and our son can run around at the park,” he says. “If you plan it out right, they sometimes have movie showings in the park.”

The Loyalist Market, Matthews
A cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie shop and market with a focus on local and regional cheesemakers
Justin’s order: My wife and I always order their sandwiches but really always want their grilled cheese with the soup of the day.  

Cajun Yard Dog, South Charlotte
An authentic cajun restaurant featuring jambalaya, po’ boys, fried chicken and over 35 varieties of hot sauce
Justin’s order: Étouffée and the crawfish

More from this series

Community Matters Cafe’s Ashley Anna Tuttle 
300 East’s Laney Jahkel-Parrish
Legion Brewing’s Gene Briggs
Sweet Spot Studio’s Jossie Lukacik