Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen opens permanent spot in Charlotte

A Charlotte food truck slinging loaded French fries has found a permanent home.

Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen will open its first brick-and-mortar spot at 4431 Brookshire Blvd. in West Charlotte. The grand opening celebration kicks off Saturday, April 4 at 1 p.m.

The new restaurant is take-out only, so don’t expect any seating. And leave your dollar bills at home.

Led by Torey (aka Chef Gouda) and LaShay Johnson, the cashless eatery specializes in signature loaded fries that can be customized with an array of toppings. Take your pick: barbecue jerk chicken, Cajun salmon, sautéed onions and even Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

A man and a woman stand smiling together in front of a black food truck labeled “Gouda’s Kitchen: On The Go.” The truck’s vibrant wrap features a large image of loaded french fries and the playful slogan, “Where Every Day Is FRY DAY.” They are posed in a parking lot next to the vehicle, which also displays social media handles and an illustration of “Chef Gouda.” Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen has largely operated as a food truck. Now, it’s preparing to open the doors on its first permanent outpost in Charlotte’s Thomasboro-Hoskins neighborhood. LaShay Johnson

“After the incredible success of our mobile food truck, we’re thrilled to bring our bold flavors and crowd-favorite creations to a permanent home,” the restaurant’s website says.

Every fry basket comes with Gouda’s signature cheese sauce, or foodies can punch up the flavor with the restaurant’s other house-made sauces — there are 11 in all.

“This is something that my husband has been making in the kitchen for years,” LaShay Johnson said of the creamy gouda cheese sauce. “Everything has its own recipe. We even make our own ranch sauces.”

Originally from Philadelphia, Johnson and her husband sought to make their mark on Charlotte’s culinary scene when they moved nearly three years ago. The couple — veteran entrepreneurs in their own right — saw the popularity of the city’s food truck community and jumped at the chance to launch their own.

A unique and colorful dish of loaded fries is presented in a cardboard container, featuring fries smothered in a creamy white cheese sauce and a vibrant drizzle of bright red hot sauce. The entire creation is then generously topped with bright red, crumbled Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, positioned on a wooden surface next to raw potatoes and a knife. Signature fries topped with Gouda’s cheese sauce and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen

Gouda’s has seen incredible success as a mobile kitchen, Johnson said. But now the couple is looking forward to trading in their four wheels for a stationary setup.

“We’re really excited that now people are able to see even more of what we can do, and [we’re] able to expand our menu because we have a full kitchen,” she told CharlotteFive. “One of the different things that we really try to do is tap into the recipes we had from Philly and the food scene up there because it’s completely different.”

Naturally, you’ll find a variety of Philly cheesesteaks on Chef Gouda’s menu. Other featured items include chicken wings, hot dogs and rasta pasta.

The restaurant will also debut new offerings including loaded hot dogs, salads and a rotating soul food menu served on select Sundays each month. Johnson hinted at other menu additions that are still in the works.

“We have so many things that we’ve been perfecting over the last few months,” she said. “We don’t serve anything until we’ve perfected it on our own.”

This takeout box contains a hearty meal featuring a large, stacked Philly cheesesteak sandwich overflowing with chopped steak, melted provolone, and sauteed peppers. Beside it are seasoned, crispy french fries lightly drizzled with the same creamy sauce, with a knife and sliced potato visible on the wooden board behind. The Philly Breack lunch special at Gouda’s includes a six-inch beef or chicken Philly cheesesteak, a side of fries and a drink. Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen

Now that Gouda’s has a permanent location, Johnson said she hopes it can be a resource for local students interested in culinary careers. Excitedly, she spoke about partnering with local programs to bring in culinary interns for hands-on learning.

“We really have a lot of experience and knowledge to offer, and sometimes it can be difficult to do that on a food truck because of space” and other limitations, she said.

Gouda’s is ready to welcome new and returning foodies to its permanent home this weekend, and Johnson promises there’s something for every palate. Beyond a full belly, she said she hopes customers walk away with a “feeling of love and belonging.”

“Because everything that we do, we do it in love,” she said.

Gouda’s Kitchen will open daily at 11 a.m.

Location: 4431 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216

Cuisine: Loaded fries, Philly cheesesteaks, wings and more

Instagram: @goudaskitchen7

A brown cardboard takeout container is overflowing with golden, crispy french fries completely drenched in a thick, light-brown, peppered sauce, likely peanut sauce. The box rests on a wooden cutting board next to a chef’s knife, a whole Russet potato, and several freshly cut potato slices. Every loaded fry basket at Gouda’s is topped with a signature cheese sauce. Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen

This story was originally published March 30, 2026 at 10:46 AM.