Sweltering heat, sporadic rain and a painfully slow-moving line didn’t stop hundreds of people from gathering outside DaBaby’s new Charlotte restaurant, No Knife Chicken & Waffles, ahead of its grand opening.
The grand opening was scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday morning, and a sizable line had already formed outside the restaurant on Atando Avenue by the time I arrived at 9:30. That was expected.
I knew there would be some kinks to iron out on the eatery’s first day of business. But for a while, the line didn’t move at all.
Even so, the first hour went by quickly. I dug my phone out of my pocket and checked notifications from various social media apps as rap videos from Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and GloRilla played on a video board overlooking the restaurant’s patio.
By the second hour, people in line started to get antsy.
I waited in line for three hours before trying the food at No Knife Chicken & Waffles. Evan Moore CharlotteFive
“This line hasn’t budged,” I overheard one customer say.
“If this line doesn’t move soon, you might see me in a drive-thru in a bit,” another said.
Event organizers must have sensed the growing impatience. Before long, servers passing out menus began offering drinks to people waiting in line.
The only drinks on the menu are bottled water and five flavors of lemonade: classic, blueberry, strawberry, peach and mango. And like most late-summer days in Charlotte, it was hot.
I’d left my personal water bottle in my car, so I figured I’d buy a bottle to stay hydrated.
It was $6. I passed.
About an hour and a half into the wait, I figured it would only be a few more minutes before I was inside.
After three hours of waiting, a light drizzle that didn’t deter anyone and some casual conversations with others braving the heat, I finally walked through the door.
Here’s what you need to know about No Knife Chicken & Waffles.
What’s on the menu at No Knife Chicken & Waffles?
The restaurant’s menu includes chicken and waffles, but not “chicken and waffles.” Let me explain.
The ordering counter at No Knife Chicken & Waffles. Evan Moore CharlotteFive
Single waffles range from the “Plain Jane,” which costs $15, to the “Soulfood Cornbread” waffle, topped with collard greens, candied yams and mac and cheese, for $45.
In between are dessert-inspired flavors like birthday cake, banana pudding, red velvet and strawberry shortcake, all priced at $25.
The waffles don’t come with chicken. Instead, you can add six wings to any waffle order for $10, along with one of the restaurant’s signature sauces, including buffalo, BBQ, lemon pepper and its housemade “G-spot” sauce.
Beyond chicken and waffles, the menu includes main dishes such as fried fish – two pieces for $15 – lobster tail for $40 and mini crab cakes, with five for $15.
The menu also features jerk chicken, birria and seafood boil egg rolls, ranging from $20 to $30.
Additional breakfast options include fried fish and grits for $21, crab fried rice for $25 and lobster and grits for $32.
The lemon pepper wings at No Knife Chicken & Waffles. Evan Moore CharlotteFive
Sides, including grits, sweet potato casserole and peach cobbler, are $7 each.
Here’s what I ordered:
Strawberry shortcake waffle ($25)Six lemon pepper wings ($10)Was the food worth the wait?
No.
But I also can’t imagine there will be three-hour lines at the restaurant once the opening-day hype dies down.
With tax and tip, my final bill came to around $45 . For a waffle and six wings.
The waffle tasted great, though. At $25, I expected it to be considerably larger than a standard Eggo waffle, and I was right.
The flavor immediately reminded me of the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars you’d find on an ice cream truck, and the fresh strawberries on top were a nice touch.
The strawberry shortcake waffle at No Knife Chicken & Waffles. Evan Moore CharlotteFive
The wings, while smaller than those served at other notable Charlotte wing spots like Chex and Moosehead Grill, were packed with flavor. Lemon pepper has never been my go-to flavor, but I’d order those again any day of the week.
It’s tough to justify the prices, but I understand the appeal.
Though his career has been embroiled in controversy in recent years, DaBaby has become a fixture in Charlotte. From giving away Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts to families in need to encouraging young people to vote, his community outreach has resonated with many people.
While the people in line were hungry, many were also hoping to catch a glimpse of the rapper.
He didn’t show – at least not during the four hours I was there. But hundreds of people showed up for him.
If the crowd on opening day was any indication of how busy the restaurant could be down the line, you can expect to see more No Knife locations in the Queen City very soon.
No Knife Chicken & Waffles
Location: 700 Atando Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206
Menu
Cuisine: Brunch
Instagram: @noknifeclt
Related Stories from Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is the food insider for CharlotteFive. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
Dining and Cooking