I tried a Charlotte restaurant Guy Fieri called ‘fantastic’. What I got for $25

My server didn’t know it at the time, but the dish she surprised me with at Pinky’s Westside Grill carried a little extra meaning. I just didn’t know I’d get so much of it.

I got back from the restaurant, completely stuffed. Looking back, I shouldn’t have eaten so much, but I couldn’t miss an opportunity to try food featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives” twice.

Fieri had high praise for the food he sampled at Pinky’s, calling the Triple G Burger (named after him) “fantastic.” The eatery was even named the best restaurant in North Carolina featured on the show by Tasting Table earlier this year.

This wasn’t my first trip to Pinky’s. Its location near the CharlotteFive office made it a regular gathering spot for lunch with coworkers, where I’d usually play it safe with something easy to eat — like the popcorn chicken or a salad — to avoid returning to the office covered in sauce.

Not this time.

Walking into Pinky’s Westside Grill feels like stepping into a funky roadside eatery that never takes itself too seriously.

Housed in a former auto repair shop, the restaurant leans into its offbeat personality with exposed wood ceilings and metal ductwork, dark tables and walls covered in an eclectic mix of vintage signs, local artwork, license plates, framed memorabilia and pop-culture oddities.

Brightly painted tabletops, neon accents and quirky conversation pieces give nearly every corner something new to catch your eye.

But I went for the food, and I was eager to try it. There’s something exciting about finally tasting the dishes you’ve heard so much about — especially when they’ve earned a spot on one of the country’s most recognizable food shows.

Here’s what you need to know about Pinky’s Westside Grill.

Pinky’s puts a creative spin on American comfort food with a menu centered on burgers, sandwiches and other casual favorites. Standout dishes include the White Trash Burger, Thai-inspired Ding Dong Chicken sandwich, Green Chile Pork sandwich and house-made black bean burger, while appetizers like Crab Puppies, Pimp’n Fries, pimento cheese wontons and fried pickles have become fan favorites.

The menu also features tacos, wraps, salads, seafood baskets and Southern-style desserts like banana pudding and Cherry Yum Yum. Appetizers generally range from $8-$14, most sandwiches and burgers are $12-$18, and larger entrees and salads reach $20-$24.

Here’s what I got for $25 (including tax and tip):

When I eat hot dogs at home, I usually stick with one spoonful of chili — maybe two if I’m really hungry.

The amount of chili piled on The Pinky Dog was equivalent to a whole can. I couldn’t even see the all-beef hot dog under the mountain of toppings. At least a quarter of the chili slid off the hot dog as soon as I lifted it, and trying to get a better grip with both hands didn’t help.

That’s not a complaint, though. The smoky beef from chili paired beautifully with the creamy, sharp pimento cheese, creating the type of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that requires extra napkins.

Like my trip to Boss Hog BBQ in Sherills Ford a few weeks ago, I once again found myself with an order of double potatoes. I know that doesn’t exactly make for the most balanced food review, but the fries and tots were hot, crispy and the perfect complement to the Pinky Dog.

As I packed up what was left of the sides, I started to plan out this story in my head, thinking the meal was over.

Then my server, Sara, who learned why I was there after asking why I was filming in the restaurant, offered me something I couldn’t refuse.

She told me she had spoken with her manager, who wanted to give me a dessert on the house: banana pudding.

Sara didn’t know I have a particular fondness for banana pudding. I’ve written about it before. The dessert my grandmother made — one I’ve loved since before I could even remember — has become a personal obsession, and I’m still not tired of it.

But I had to play it cool. I calmly told her I’d love to try it, and less than five minutes later, it arrived at my table.

It was the most banana pudding I’ve ever had in one sitting. It arrived in one large heap, well above the rim of the paper bowl. Each spoonful was rich and silky, with creamy vanilla pudding coating tender banana slices and vanilla wafers that soaked up enough sweetness to become cake-like.

I only managed to eat about half of it, but there was so much left that the leftovers barely fit in the clear container Sara gave me. I packed in as much as I could.

Unfortunately for me, I overindulged and was forced to waddle to my car, parked in the gravel lot about 500 feet away from the front door.

But with an endorsement from the Mayor of Flavortown — and now one from me — Pinky’s is worth checking out.

I’ll be back soon, but I’ll probably stick with the salad next time.

Location: 1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208

Location: 9818 Gilead Rd Ste 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078

Cuisine: American

Instagram: @pinkyswestsidegrill

This story was originally published July 30, 2026 at 5:30 AM.