Pinky’s Westside Grill scraps plan for Plaza Midwood spot, citing ‘uncertainties’
Bad news, burger lovers. Pinky’s Westside Grill has nixed plans for a third Charlotte-area restaurant in Plaza Midwood.
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“Unfortunately, we cancelled the project,” co-owner Andy Cauble exclusively told CharlotteFive in an email. “Too many uncertainties.”
The restaurant still has two other area locations: one where Charlotte’s Ashley Park and Wesley Heights neighborhoods meet, and another in Huntersville.
The news comes less than six months after Cauble and business partner Greg Auten said they were in talks to purchase the property at 1109 Morningside Drive, once home to “honky tonk” restaurant The Grinning Mule. The latter closed in 2024.
The proposed Plaza Midwood spot, which Auten called Pinky’s “Funky Punk Rock little sister,” was slated to open this summer. However, the sale never went through.
The 0.465-acre site remains vacant for now — and it’s unclear if any buyers have offered to snap it up. The property was last owned by 2XSalt, LLC, Charlotte Business Journal reported in 2024. Records listed Ex-NBA player Bart Kofoed as the registered agent.
CharlotteFive reached out to 2XSalt, LLC and Kofoed for more information on Friday, July 31, and was awaiting a response.
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Known for its one-of-a-kind, dive bar vibe, Pinky’s offers classic American fare. Think: Buffalo wings, giant burgers, hot dogs and gourmet sandwiches. Its most popular item, the White Trash Burger, features a five-ounce burger patty topped with provolone, fried pickles, onion rings and spicy ranch dressing.
The local favorite has earned national fame, appearing on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2015, The Charlotte Observer reported. Host Guy Fieri called the restaurant’s Triple G Burger (named after him) “fantastic.”
Years later, Pinky’s was featured on spinoff show “Triple D Nation,” also hosted by Fieri.
There’s no word on what’s next for the restaurant, but Cauble said there are still hopes to bring another Pinky’s to the Queen City.
“We would definitely like to expand in Charlotte, and/or surrounding cities,” he told CharlotteFive. “We just need the right location.”
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Portions of this story previously appeared in CharlotteFive.
Location: 1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 9818 Gilead Rd STE 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078
Cuisine: Burgers, fries, cocktails and more
Instagram:@pinkyswestsidegrill
