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August 19, 2022
Where The Industry Eats: The Crunkleton’s Eli Privette
The mixologist and bar manager likes to be with friends and family when heading out
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 Eli Privette, bar manager at The Crunkleton in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood. Privette is one of Charlotte bartenders’ favorite bartenders – one of those “inside baseball” guys who may not see his name in the food press much, but those in the know, know him well.
When he’s not on the clock, Privette heads to one of these restaurants.
Fin & Fino, Uptown
Focus is on seafood (especially oysters) and other American fare
Eli’s Order: Kurobuta pork chop with herb crust. “Some of my favorite former coworkers currently work there,” Privette says. “I have a lot of love for my old peeps.”
Eddie’s Place, Cotswold
Locals’ favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Eli’s Order: “Like most of us industry folk, I love the breakfast all day and the she crab soup,” Privette says.
Emmet’s Social Table, Waxhaw
American-style tapas in a former 19th century cotton mill
Eli’s Order: Deviled eggs, crab cakes. “My family lives relatively close by. It’s my favorite place to get dinner with them,” Privette says.
Tacos el Nevado, Sheffield Park
Authentic mexican tacos and other specialties
Eli’s Order: Barbacoa tacos, lengua tacos, guacamole con chapulines. “I also love to try something new each time I come in,” Privette says.
Lengua tacos from Tacos El Nevado on Central Avenue. Kristen Wile/UP
Phở Quỳnh, Sheffield Park
Small Vietnamese restaurant serving phở and other national specialties
Eli’s Order: “The hot pot on a cold day is life-changing,” Privette says.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor, Chantilly (an adjunct to The Crunkleton group)
Philly-style cheesesteaks, pork roll sandwiches, and fries
Eli’s Order: Cheesesteak. “I eat there before every other shift,” Privette says.
More from this series:
Julia Simon of PlantJoy
Kyle Gaddas of The Wine Loft, The Vintage
Counter-‘s Sam Hart
Community Matters Cafe’s Ashley Anna Tuttle
Your Farms, Your Table’s Sam Diminich
Para’s Alex Verica
