The fried chicken at Haberdish is served with a la carte Southern sides.

We know chefs can cook great food, but where do they eat when they’re not cooking for guests or themselves? In this series, we ask a local member of the restaurant industry to share their favorite five local restaurants (not including their own) and what they order. Chef and owner of Sweet Spot Studio Jossie Lukacik sticks close to home around the Lake Norman area, but has a few regular Charlotte places when working late. ––Justin Burke-Samson

Verde, Huntersville
Casual Mexican and Latin fusion
Lukacik’s order: Ropa vieja, sub for the white corn arepa (you won’t be disappointed, she says)

Cafe 100, Huntersville
The casual mom-and-pop breakfast joint is a repeated favorite from Charlotte area chefs
Lukacik’s order: Caprese eggs benedict
Her pro move: They do not take reservations but they do take call ahead. It can be an hour wait without it on weekends

Kung Foo Noodle, Birkdale
Family owned, with a variety of ramen, sushi, bao, and banh mi selections
Lukacik’s order: Kimchi fried rice and spicy wontons with pork and shrimp

Haberdish, NoDa
Small plate comfort food and craft cocktails by the punch bowl
Lukacik’s order: Cornbread pudding and bbq glazed carrots, though Lukacik says she could order any of the sides and be happy

Lang Van, Plaza-Shamrock
Traditional Vietnamese noodles and soups
Lukacik’s order: Lemongrass beef over vermicelli

More from this series

McNinch House’s Matthew Shepard 
Stoke’s Chris Coleman
Craft Cakes Clt’s Brigitte Oger
Verdant Bread’s Tanner Fink
Wentworth & Fenn’s Samantha Allen
Bonterra’s Blake Hartwick
The Fig Tree’s Greg Zanitsch
Good Food on Montford’s Larry Schreiber
Yafo’s Shai Fargian
Zeppelin’s Vince Giancarlo
The Asbury’s Miranda Brown
Barcelona Wine Bar’s Nicolas Daniels
Heirloom’s Clark Barlowe